McGill Tribune Vol. 34 Issue 14

EDITORIAL

Tuesday, January 13, 2015 Volume No. 34 Issue No. 14

Dalhousie’s restorative justice: Just in theory, not in practice pg. 5

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basketball p. 17

PGSS Council votes to endorse No Campaign for upcoming CFS referendum

L

(L-A Benoit / McGill Tribune)

Leung sinks Gaiters at the buzzer: Redmen climb to second place with a pair of wins against Bishop’s AARON ROSE Staff Writer

“We don’t like them and they’re probably not big fans of us either,” second-year swingman Michael Peterkin said after back-to-back wins against the pre-season conference favourite Bishop’s Gaiters. After the Dalhousie Rod Shoveller Tournament in Halifax, the Redmen returned from the winter break red-hot, ousting the Gaiters 78-71 at Love Competition Hall Thursday night.

Two days later, the teams faced off again in Lennoxville, where a 62-59

victory spoiled the opening of Bishop’s’ new Mitchell Gym. After opening the season with a nail-biting 60-59 loss to the Gaiters in November, the Redmen had revenge on their minds as they took the court to reclaim the top spot in the RSEQ standings.

“I think our guys were disappointed with the way the game finished the last time,” Head Coach David DeAverio said.

Once again, the Redmen jumped on top early, taking a 10point lead into the halftime break,

but Bishop’s came storming back in the third after a momentum altering alley-oop jam.

“We gave up 30 points in the third quarter,” DeAverio said. “Part of that’s because they’re a good team, [and] we knew they were going to make a run. We just didn’t think they were going to score 30 on us, but for our guys to respond in the fourth quarter and tighten up on defence after giving up 30 points showed a lot of character on their part.”

With the teams going basket

for basket late in the game, senior forward and captain Vincent Dufort took control, connecting on back-toback jumpers to reignite the Redmen offence and give McGill a four-point lead.

“That’s what [Dufort] has to do for us to be successful,” DeAverio said. “His leadership was evident on the floor tonight.”

Continued on pg. 17

JENNA STANWOOD Contributor

ast Wednesday, the Postgraduate Students’ Society of McGill University (PGSS) held an emergency Council meeting regarding an upcoming referendum question on whether PGSS should remain a member of the Canadian Federation of Students (CFS), a national student union. The referendum, which takes place on Jan. 15 and 16, comes after a longstanding disagreement between PGSS and CFS over a similar referendum held in 2010, the results of which were declared invalid by the CFS due to a disagreement over the voting procedure.

At the emergency meeting PGSS Council publicly endorsed the “No” committee, which advocates that PGSS should not continue to be a member of CFS. The endorsement publicly declared PGSS’s support for leaving the CFS and gave members of the council the opportunity to register with the “No” committee and campaign.

“As a council we have been talking about this for a very long time,” Nikki Meadows, Financial Affairs Officer of PGSS, said during the emergency meeting. “As a group that feels very strongly about the CFS, we should take a stand and take a position and use this to help our membership understand what is going on.”

Continued on pg. 2

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News

Tuesday, January 13, 2015

PGSS Council votes to endorse No Campaign for upcoming CFS referendum Emergency meeting explains campaign bylaws, features presentation by the “No” committee JENNA STANWOOD Contributor

(Continued from page 1) Council members were informed of campaign regulations leading up to the vote. For example, anyone disseminating campaign materials must be registered with the CFS, and all campaign materials must be pre-approved. The distribution of campaign materials that are considered misleading could invalidate the results of the referendum.

“According to CFS bylaws, the chief returning officer is the sole arbiter of whether materials are misleading,” stated Jonathon Mooney, second year Law student and the head of the No committee. “But you can appeal the decision to a committee of

2010

MARCH 2014

SEPTEMBER 2014 Ge Sa, phD student appears Initial attempt by PGSS people appointed by before the Quebec Superior to host a referendum Quebec Superior Court the CFS.” JANUARY 15-16, 2015 Court to request that it grant an to leave CFS. Litigation rules to allow PGSS to “According to Referedum on CFS order for CFS to allow PGSS to ongoing amid disputes host referendum CFS bylaws, the chief membership to be held host another referendum about voting period returning officer is dates the sole arbiter of whether materials are misleading,” stated (Hayley Lim / McGill Tribune) Jonathon Mooney, in the past three years, and they on membership,” McCormick ends in the decision to remain a second year Law student and the head of the No com- haven’t appeared in front of the wrote in an email. “It is particu- member of the CFS, PGSS will mittee. “But you can appeal the Quebec National Assembly in the larly disingenuous to take this owe over $400,000 in memdecision to a committee of peo- last three years,” Mooney said, position given that the McGill bership fees for the past four citing just a few of the “No” PGSS has a responsibility to pro- years—nearly $13 a year for each ple appointed by the CFS.” The emergency meeting in- campaign’s reasons for support- vide information including cam- member. Furthermore, PGSS will paigns, research and services of not be able to hold another refcluded an open-floor discussion ing exit from the group.

Jessica McCormick, national the Federation to their members erendum on the subject for the during which the reasons behind voting “No” were discussed, and chairperson for the CFS, viewed and has refused to do so for more next five years, according to CFS a brief presentation by the “No” the decision to endorse the “No” than five years. Students should bylaws.

The motion for PGSS to pubknow that other members of the campaign unfavourably. campaign.

“Taking this position is Federation value their member- licly endorse the “No” campaign “CFS says that [its] purpose is to advocate on behalf of stu- doing a disservice to the indi- ship and invite their participa- passed with a vote of 44 in favor, 0 against, and 1 abstaining. dents, but they haven’t met with vidual members of the PGSS tion.”

If the referendum the Quebec Education minister who may have divergent views

Interested in

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Email news@mcgilltribune.com or come to meetings at 5:40 PM on Mondays in SSMU 110

Tuesday, January 13, 2015

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News

Subcommittee on Persons with Disabilities promotes universal design for classrooms and residences

Reviews residence construction, programs, and communication between students and residence staff

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ARDEN LI Contributor

he Office for Students with Disabilities (OSD) and the Senate Subcommittee on Persons with Disabilities are joining efforts to promote wider accessibility on the McGill campus, pushing for universal design as well as more education around the topics of mental health and impacts of stereotypes.

Arts Senator and member of the Subcommittee on Persons with Disabilities Kareem Ibrahim spoke on the need for universal design, which would conceptualize accessible structures from the onset of planning. This could allow people with disabilities to have the same experience as anyone else in terms of obtaining resources and services.

“Whether it’s accommodating students with different learning styles, learning disabilities, or physical disabilities—it’s making it so that the spaces in which we live and work and the services that we provide are accessible to everyone without students having to request additional accommodation,” Ibrahim said.

Although there is little disagreement over the merit of universal design, Ibrahim explained that budget constraints are an obstacle that the subcommittee is working to overcome.

“I’ll be spearheading an application to the Sustainability Projects Fund in order to bring universal design ele-

ments into the classroom,” he said.

“We want to show the administration that this isn’t just a fruitless endeavour; it has a lot of worth to students.”

The OSD is also collaborating with Student Housing and Hospitality Services (SHHS) on an ongoing project to identify accessibility barriers in McGill residences. Cameron Butler, a recent McGill graduate, and Xindi Li, U3 Arts student, developed an audit template through which they assessed the McGill residences, interviewed SHHS staff, and consulted student focus groups.

“We ended up breaking the project down into three main areas: The first being the physical buildings themselves, the second being the programming and events that happen in rez, and the third being communication.” Butler said.

Their findings revealed limitations to both physical and mental accessibility in all three areas of the audit. According to Butler, insufficient colour contrast between walls and floors, unclear signage, a shortage in accessible washrooms, and inaccessible entryways were the major issues that posed problems for navigating the physical spaces of residences.

Regarding programming and events such as Rez Fest, Butler mentioned another set of challenges. “[Barriers] to Rez Fest [include] its placement at the top of the hill, its loud, active nature, and its requirement of lots of physical activity and

A wheelchair-accessible ramp outside the Trottier Building (Jack Neal/ McGill Tribune) an outgoing personality,” Butler said.

“Students in the focus group voiced that it was difficult to participate when they were experiencing social anxiety.”

Butler then offered some recommendations to make Rez Fest a more inclusive activity.

“Events should be more balanced to allow better accessibility—if there’s a major drinking event one night, there should be a quieter event that follows,” he said.

As for interactions between students and staff, one concern was a lack of comfort around language that

describes disabilities. “[It] was clear that there’s a strong desire to be furthering initiatives around disability, but there was hesitancy when it came to finding the right words.” Butler explained. “There would be a pause between saying ‘disabled student’ or ‘student with disabilities’ and not knowing which one to use or why.”

In the upcoming months, this project will be handed over to a working group, which will be briefed on Butler and Li’s findings and seek to begin implementing changes. Butler acknowledged that although several

successes have been achieved regarding accessibility—such as Mental Health Awareness Week and the creation of an online Accessibility Hub— long-term developments require time.

“The plan is to formally start the working group, meet with them and go through report, flesh out the recommendations, and build a finalized plan for how they will be institutionalized within SHHS,” Butler said. “We want to make sure that once our work finishes in April, all our momentum will be carried forward.”

Traditional Territory Acknowledgment policy in the works for McGill Policy seeks to acknowledge indigenous heritage and create a more inclusive campus

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MONICA ALLABY Contributor

he McGill Senate’s Subcommittee for Equity of First Peoples is currently writing a version of the Traditional Territory Acknowledgement policy that will eventually be presented to Senate.

Students’ Society of McGill University (SSMU) VP University Affairs Claire Stewart-Kanigan, who is also a member of the Subcommittee, explained that Paige Isaac from the First Peoples’ House will be holding focus groups with indigenous students for feedback on the statement.

“The focus groups are to ensure we have a statement that is the most meaningful for indigenous students that are already here,” said StewartKanigan.

In Fall 2014, a Traditional Territory Acknowledgement policy was approved by SSMU legislative council. The policy functions as a means of acknowledging the traditional Kanien’kehá:ka land upon

which McGill was built. It requires a statement that McGill is built on traditional territory at campus events to be added at the end of e-mails sent

by SSMU and on the SSMU website.

It was developed by the Senate’s Subcommittee for Equity of First Peoples throughout the 20132014 school year in consultation with Indigenous McGill community members, the Kahnawake Cultural Centre, Indigenous Studies scholars, and Offices of Indigenous Affairs at other Canadian universities with similar policies in place.

Stewart-Kanigan explained that there were questions concerning which nation to acknowledge in the policy when it was originall drafted due to the fact that several groups have inhabited the land throughout history.

“While this land is generally acknowledged as Mohawk traditional territory, some groups believe that it should be recognized as Algonquin or Anishinaabe territory,” she said.

Another obstacle that has been encountered are legal issues con-

cerning questions of indigenous land titles. This past July, protesters in Vancouver, British Columbia, claimed that Oppenheimer Park was located on indigenous land.

These protests followed a recent case involving the Supreme Court of Canada, which decided to recognize a specific territory as belonging to the Tsilhqot’in Nation.

Stewart-Kanigan stated that this recent questioning of indigenous land titles has caused McGill administration to be wary of implementing a campus-wide policy.

“We expect that those concerns have caused concern among McGill’s legal team so we are trying to do the work of assuring them that many other universities have taken on the supposed risk of legal difficulties by taking on these territory acknowledgements,” said StewartKanigan.

Kakwiranoron Cook, who is chair of the Subcommittee for Equity for First Peoples and works as the Aboriginal Outreach Administrator at McGill, explained that the group

is working with the McGill administration to have the policy formally implemented campus-wide.

“We’ve been in talks with administration and we are still in the process,” Cook said. “It is a lengthy experiment to go through different levels of administration to get the buy-in and the final approval.”

Similar territory acknowledgement policies have been implemented in a number of universities and student unions across Canada, such as the University of British Columbia, the University of Saskatchewan, and the University of Manitoba.

Professor Allan Downey, who teaches Introduction to Indigenous Studies, a part of the newly formed Indigenous Studies minor program, explained the importance of the policy implemented by SSMU. “When you have the land acknowledgment and the indigenization of the academy, it becomes a more welcoming place for indigenous faculty and staff,” Downey said. “[This] is critical because indigenous peoples are the youngest

and fastest growing population in Canada. They should be welcomed because we are on their territory.”

Downey noted that McGill is lacking in the representation of indigenous students, faculty, and culture. He pointed to the recent launch of the undergraduate Indigenous Studies program at McGill in 2014 as an example.

“The first Indigenous Studies program in Trent was in 1968,” he said. “The representation of indigenous students and faculty here is very low.”

Downey continued to commend McGill for taking positive first steps but emphasized the amount of work ahead.

“The land acknowledgement statement is important but only one of the first steps,” Downey said. “It’s about the indigenization of the academy and the community. It is about embracing the richness of indigenous histories. There’s a lot we can learn from indigenous worldviews that we can use to move forward.

Why wouldn’t we embrace that?”

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News

Tuesday, January 13, 2015

McGill administration, SSMU responds to university’s low ranking on journalistic freedoms index Report cites SMMU’s equity policy, administration response to Access to Information requests

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PHILIPPE DUMAIS Staff Writer

n October 2014, McGill was placed poorly on the Justice Centre for Constitutional Freedoms’ annual ranking of free expression at Canadian universities. The Students’ Society of McGill University (SSMU) was also ranked as one of the 10 worst university unions.

The JCCF, a non-partisan independent group, looked at the conducts of 52 Canadian universities, ranking them for their freedom of expression. The JCCF has faced criticism for being biased in the past years by SSMU executives and members of the McGill administration.

According to the JCCF website, the evaluation for freedom of expression is rated on various aspects that demonstrate the university does not censor free speech, including having a public stance of commitment to free speech on campus, an anti-discrimination policy that does not censor controversial or unpopular speech, and an anti-disruption policy that prohibits the interference or blocking of free speech.

Dean of Students André Costopoulos explained that freedom of expression was not an issue at McGill, saying that the JCCF rankings ran counter to his experience at the university.

“I see many examples different events, all from different perspectives,” Costopoulos said. “I see professors, students and staff with different backgrounds. I think McGill is undoubtedly a place where all these people can freely express themselves.”

Michael Kennedy, spokesperson for the JCCF, expanded on the specific events that justify the low ranking of the institution and its student union.

“The SSMU earns an F for two reasons: [SSMU] told [McGill Friends of Israel] that they had to change the name of their planned event “Israel-a-Party” because SSMU executives felt it made ‘a mockery and/or trivialization of various oppressions,’” Kennedy said.

“SSMU also made one of its executives apologize and attend sensitivity training for having shared a joke online.”

SSMU Vice-President University Affairs Claire Stewart-Kanigan explained that the JCCF and the SSMU do not share the same definition of free expression, and that SSMU’s priorities were to ensure that its members felt safe.

“Some of the practices that come under heavy criticism in the report include SSMU’s actions against the distribution of a graphic anti-abortion material, material that compared the abortion to [the] Holocaust,” she said. “As a student society, we have a responsibility to make sure our members can feel safe and respected on their campus. That means taking a stance on the distribution of graphic anti-abortion material on campus and creating a safer space for our constituents.”

Kennedy pointed to the university’s policies and legal action against students seeking information as reasons why McGill administration received a D rating overall.

“The University gets straight D’s for questionable language in its harassment policies and its Provision Protocol on Protests and Demonstrations, for its handling of the

McGill Leaks publication of prereleased information, and for failing to prevent the disruption of a lecture display campus in 2009, ‘Echoes of the Holocaust,’” Kennedy said.

Costopoulos said he didn’t believe the Provision Protocol restricted the freedom of expression at McGill. “[The protocol] gives a clear idea of how the university might respond if there is a obstruction of its activities,” he said. “I don’t share the concerns regarding the language of the protocol because it can’t oversee the charter of rights of students, which guarantees freedom of expression.”

Stewart-Kanigan said she did not want to minimise the report, saying that some of the issues highlighted on McGill’s conduct regarding freedom of expression are potentially legitimate.

“I do think investigative journalism serves as a right to check the administration as it does for the community,” she said.

Stewart-Kanigan also pointed to incidents such as McGill’s injunction against students from Demilita-

rize McGill making Access to Information (ATI) requests as areas that should have been highlighted in the report. “[The injunction] was eventually rejected by the courts, but the fact that McGill did seek legal backing for seeking information requests from students is certainly an infringement on free speech and the right to a critical press at our university,” Stewart-Kanigan said. “That was not highlighted in the report and would have been useful to highlight.

But the focus of the report being on this anti-safer spaces kind of line of freedom is not something I am as concerned about as faction at free speech on our campus.”

However, Dean of Students André Constopoulos denied that McGill’s actions demonstrated any censorship.

“This was an intellectual property dispute, not a case of freedom of expression,” Constopoulos said.

“McGill sought the appropriate actions in cases of confidentiality.”

ECOLE sustainable housing project gains Independent Student Group status

Seeks sources for long-term funding, may implement a student fee levy

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ASHLEY KONG Contributor

ducational Community Living Environment (ECOLE), a sustainability initiative, gained Independent Student Group (ISG) status on Dec. 4 during the Students’ Society of McGill University (SSMU) Legislative Council meeting.

Launched in October 2014, ECOLE houses its members in a converted townhouse rented from the university on 3559 University. Its members conduct research on material flow, composting, water harvesting, and more. Research projects include investigating participatory planning in Milton-Parc and Montreal immigrants’ access to healthcare.

As an ISG, ECOLE can now use SSMU resources and services, such as booking large spaces in the SSMU building, for their activities. Selin Jessa, U1 Science and a facilitator of ECOLE, expects that ECOLE’s status as an ISG will better foster the relationship between McGill students and the Milton-Parc community.

“It is really important for us to bring [ECOLE closer] to the McGill student body, because ECOLE is kind of already a link between the MiltonParc community and McGill,” Jessa said. “It would [also] be easier for us to make our programmes more wellattended.”

SSMU VP Clubs and Services

Stefan Fong assisted ECOLE in its application for ISG status. He said the SSMU is eager to support student initiatives of this kind.

“Pioneers of sustainable models on campus are typically students,” Fong said. “These are the things that we want to provide a stable footing [for].”

According to Jessa, ECOLE’s long-term goal is to institutionalize itself within McGill as a research institute for sustainability. Yet as a relatively new project still in its pilot year, ECOLE still sees much uncertainty ahead.

According to David Whiteside, ECOLE coordinator and McGill alumnus, ECOLE is currently searching for alternative means of funding outside of McGill.

Most of ECOLE’s current funding comes from McGill’s Sustainable Project Fund (SPF). It received a sum of $76,600 for the 2014-2015 school year, which covers most of its rent— the ECOLE house is leased from McGill’s Student Housing and Hospitality Services for $94,000 per school year. Each resident pays roughly $500 a month in rent, with the remaining being subsidized by the SPF. Other costs include salaries paid to two staff members and about $5,000 in fees associated with organizing events such as the Cinema ECOLE series, which screens sustainability-related docu-

The ECOLE residence. (Jack Neal / McGill Tribune) mentaries in the ECOLE house.

Kim McGrath, sustainability officer for the McGill Office of Sustainability and SPF steward, explained that ECOLE’s eligibility for SPF will not be affected by its new ISG status and that ECOLE’s current funding from the SPF will remain unchanged. The SPF grant, however, is non-renewable, and can only support ECOLE until April 2015.

Other sources of funding for ECOLE include $1,000 from the Association of McGill University Research Employees, and $400 from the SSMU Spaces Fund.

“We are looking into corporate and government grants,” Whiteside

said. “It is difficult though, because most funders do not want to pay operating costs like rent and staff salaries. The grants are very project and program-based.”

ECOLE coordinators have also tried to contact McGill alumni through University Advancement, which facilitates alumni relationships, in hope of organizing a fundraising from the alumni. According to Whiteside, another option that ECOLE is considering is to impose a student fee levy. “[A fee levy] is more community-based and allows the project more freedom,” Whiteside said. “It holds the project accountable to its mission, rather than to external funder relation-

ships.”

The feasibility of this option is still under evaluation and a proposal has not yet been made. Presently, there are several ISGs that collect fees from students every semester, such as The McGill Tribune, The McGill Daily, and CKUT. Looking forward, Jessa stressed the importance of finding future sources of funding for ECOLE. “If we want ECOLE to be in this shape—a house on campus with people living there and paid staff— that depends on funding,” she said.

“Hopefully ECOLE will be the same as before in years to come.”

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Opinion

Tuesday, January 13, 2015

editorial

THE Mcgill

Dalhousie’s restorative justice: Just in theory, not in practice

Production Manager Sam Pinto spinto@mcgilltribune.com Creative Director Hayley Lim hlim@mcgilltribune.com News Editors Shrinkhala Dawadi and Cece Zhang news@mcgilltribune.com Opinion Editor Julie Vanderperre opinion@mcgilltribune.com Science & Technology Editor Chloe Nevitt scitech@mcgilltribune.com Student Living Editor Natalie Wong studentliving@mcgilltribune.com Features Editor Caity Hui features@mcgilltribune.com Arts & Entertainment Editors Max Berger and Morgan Alexander arts@mcgilltribune.com Sports Editors Elie Waitzer and Wyatt Fine-Gagné sports@mcgilltribune.com Design Editors Domitille Biehlmann and Cassie Lee design@mcgilltribune.com Photo Editors Jack Neal and L-A Benoit photo@mcgilltribune.com Copy Editor Adrien Hu copy@mcgilltribune.com Advertising Executives Eliott Demelier, Daniel Kang, and Mingye Chen ads@mcgilltribune.com Publisher Chad Ronalds

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Restorative justice gives a voice to those involved in the conflict and requires wrongdoers to truly consider their actions and acknowledge their mistakes.

sities to dismantle the systemic sexism that is present not only on university campuses, but broadly throughout society. If this results in even a minor change in the existing culture, it will have been more effective than a purely punitive measure such as expulsion. The goal must be to prevent occurrences such as these from happening in the future, not simply giving a retroactive slap on the wrist and moving on without addressing the pervasive sexism that is at the root of scandals such as these.

The formal justice system does not seek to achieve the same rehabilitation as a restorative justice process does. Restorative justice gives a voice to those involved in the conflict, and requires

The main way in which Dalhousie University has floundered in its response to this scandal, however, was its failure to consult the victims and tailor a plan catered to their desires. Several of the female students whom the Facebook comments were about even wrote a letter to Florizone condemning the University’s decision to pursue a restorative justice process without first consulting them. Florizone himself, though, maintains that a restorative justice process was the path chosen by the women most involved in the Facebook scandal. Regardless of which specific women were involved in selecting the restorative justice process, it could result in uncomfortable situations in which female

students involved in the incident could feel compelled to sit down and engage in discussions with classmates who made very explicit comments about them. Although the restorative justice system may have indeed been a means through which to address the situation, the administration’s unilateral decisions were too paternalistic. This only further reinforces the inherent discrimination that was already present, and perpetuates a culture that belittles and silences women. Although Florizone may have had been able to justify opting for a restorative justice system, the women affected by the Facebook posts should have been consulted in the decision to adopt restorative justice, and the final process that was selected should have gone farther to implement mandatory disciplinary measures that would provide greater accountability.

Universities should bear the ultimate responsibility in determining the proper method of handling incidents on campus. Promoting proactive changes that will address the underlying social issues is the main goal of university administrations facing campus conflicts.

Nevertheless, this must be balanced with the need to respect the desires of the victims. In Dalhousie’s case, restorative justice may work well in theory, but the university ignored the many negative impacts that such a process could have on its students.

The destructive effects of divestments and boycotts

TPS Board of Directors

Monica Allaby, Clark Bray, Cordelia Cho, Luka Ciklovan, Nick Jasinski, Ashley Kong, Arden Li, Dan Moczula, Eric Noble-Marks, Tiffany Okotako, Albert Park, Burgess Powell, Joshua Shapiro, Jenna Stanwood, Wilder Walker-Stewart, Yufei Wang, Lesly Yao, Marta Yesgat

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wrongdoers to truly consider their actions and acknowledge their mistakes.

One legitimate critique of the restorative justice process is that it cannot be forcefully implemented, and one of the men involved in the scandal has in fact opted-out of participating. The administration’s inability to force all of the wrongdoers to cooperate in the restorative justice process undermines Dalhousie’s efforts to remedy the situation.

COMMENTARY

Yael Chapman, Jacqui Galbraith, Adrien Hu, Alycia Noe, Sam Pinto, Jenny Shen, Maryse Thomas, Nicolas Tuech

Contributors

tice system would disregard the responsibility that universities have in fostering a sense of safety and positive culture on their campuses.

The priority, especially for an educational institution, should be to teach wrongdoers about how their actions were oppressive and contributed to a culture of misogyny. More preventative programs focused on ethics and respect should be implemented within univer-

Albert park Contributor The Boycott, Divestment, and Sanctions (BDS) movement against Israel has been gaining momentum recently. Around two weeks ago, the student workers’ union of the University of California school system voted favourably on a ballot to support the movement, urging the university and the federal government to divest from stock associated with Israeli institutions. In the same spirit, students at Wesleyan University, a private institution in Connecticut, protested to stop selling Sabra brand hummus in its dining facilities, citing discontent that Sabra is partly owned by an Israeli group with past connections to the military.

As these events have turned heads, students of institutions that have maintained relative silence on the issue, such as McGill, were undoubtedly puzzled by their university’s reluctance to sup-

port the movement. This confusion has its roots in the sentiment that there is a moral responsibility for administrations to express their support for the Palestinians in Israel one way or another. However, from a university’s standpoint, it is hard to ignore the ineffective nature of the BDS movement.

The practice of academic boycotting highlights the types of problems that emerge when universities engage in BDS. In 2009, the Canadian Union of Public Employees, a large trade

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to support the BDS movement as a whole, it would make hurtful policies like academic boycotting more acceptable to the public.

This proposed resolution served to identify the general problem affecting the BDS movement. The movement harshly divides people on the Israeli-Palestinian conflict by attempting to defame Israel as a whole instead of encouraging education and open discussion on the subject. No matter which angle one looks at the movement

The movement harshly divides people on the issue by attempting to defame Israel as a whole instead of encouraging education and open discussion on the subject.

union, called for a resolution for Ontario universities to ban Israeli academics from speaking, teaching, or researching at their institutions. Regardless of where one stands on the issue, it is very difficult to see the practice of academic boycotting as anything other than a blatant violation of academic freedom.

This is probably why the proposal was met with strong opposition from politicians and professors on both sides of the political spectrum. If students were

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Managing Editors Mayaz Alam malam@mcgilltribune.com Jessica Fu jfu@mcgilltribune.com Remi Lu rlu@mcgilltribune.com

Dalhousie University has opted for a restorative justice process to address a scandal in which a group of 13 male dentistry students posted misogynistic comments and photos about several of their female classmates in a Facebook group. The 13 men embroiled in the conflict are now back from suspension, but are being taught in separate classes. Dalhousie administrators have also rejected a formal complaint filed by four professors, which expressed their discontent that the disciplinary process will be handled inside the Faculty of Dentistry. The administration has decided to keep the disciplinary process as localized within the Faculty of Dentistry as possible, which has been met with criticism from both the media and the female students themselves.

Richard Florizone, president of Dalhousie University, has repeatedly asserted that the university is pursuing a “just process” that will serve the interests of all those involved. The most widely proposed alternative has been to forward the case to the police and take it out of the university’s hands. Unless the victims in question file formal criminal complaints, it should be the university’s job to handle incidents involving its students. Universities have the responsibility to provide a safe environment for their students and to handle incidents brought to the administration. Simply delegating the job to the Canadian jus-

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Editor-in-Chief Jenny Shen editor@mcgilltribune.com

through, it is an open attack on Israel as a nation. It punishes Israeli scholars abroad who have little to no influence on the occupation of the Palestinian people, and it hurts Israeli businesses and institutions regardless of their stance or involvement in the matter.

The purported goal of all this is to put pressure on the Israeli government.

However, it comes at the price of trading constructive scholarly dialogue on the injustices being committed by the

occupation for a knee-jerk movement composed of outraged picketers and equally hostile opposition. It goes without saying that universities should do all they can do to encourage meaningful education and help build an arena for academic discussions.

There is also great danger in pushing forward such an aggressive, yet popular, agenda. Students often join without being aware of the movement’s real impact. For example, the movement objectively provides a cover for the right-wing ultranationalists in Israel who support the occupation. Many of these ultranationalists accuse the movement of being anti-Semitic; needless to say, this claim helps them gain support from outraged Israelis who would otherwise be against the occupation. To make matters worse, the academic boycott penalizes the most open minded and progressive intellectuals who could otherwise influence the nation. Not to mention that the boycotts will hurt Palestinians employed in Israel businesses as well as subject them to further unnecessary resentment from the Israeli public.

While the ethical motives behind the movement are just, its effects and implications are neither reasonable nor constructive, and students should think twice before bringing it onto their campuses.

Opinion

6

Tuesday, January 13, 2015

The inadequacies of a restorative justice process

In response to a sex scandal at Dalhousie University, in which 13 male dentistry students posted explicit sexual and misogynist comments about their female peers on social media, the university opted for a restorative justice process in an effort to curtail flaws in the traditional judicial process. Despite its theoretical benefits, however, restorative justice alone is just as ineffective as the Canadian justice system in delivering proper solutions.

Many universities, like Dalhousie, have begun to favour restorative justice because it solves problems not addressed in the punitive Canadian justice system, such as recidivism, lack of victim input in the justice process, and minimal peace restoration in the community.

Attributing the benefits of restorative justice processes to its focus on communication, the president of

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Jessie ouyang Contributor

Dalhousie University remarked that Dalhousie’s qualification as a trust- well-being of not only the women he was “struck by the horror and worthy and operational system has involved, but also every student on campus. “Imagine sitting in a classregret he heard from some of the not been demonstrated.

This issue was exacerbated room and trying to focus on studymen involved.” Through directly instigating victim and offender dis- from the very beginning when ing […] when you’re sitting in a course, the restorative justice pro- Dalhousie failed to immediately room with people that have talked cess exposes offenders to the trans- take action when it came to light. about raping you”, said Jennifer gressions of their actions, and thus According to the vice-president of Nowoselski, a female dentistry stuthe Dalhousie Student Union, “The dent. Even more angering was when encourages rehabilitation.

Moreover, the formal justice president of Dalhousie Univer- the university recently rejected a resystem can also be intimidating for sity knew about sexism complaints quest from the licensing body that victims to navigate when they are against the Faculty of Dentistry in governs Ontario’s dentists to hand at their most vulnerable emotional the summer.” Since the university over the names of the 13 offenders. states. It is a less complicated and neither prioritized nor respected the The prioritization of the offenders’ privacy rights disproportraumatic avtionately harms the entire enue for vicdentistry class, who will tims who do not all face more unnecessary press charges, It is a less complicated and scrutiny when applying but instead want traumatic avenue for victims who for licenses and employapologies from do not press charges, but instead ment opportunities. offenders and want apologies from offenders and a Lastly, it is ambigua better learnbetter learning environment. ous whether the univering environsity actually allowed the ment. female dentistry students Although it sounds favourable on paper, restor- safety and well-being of its female to fairly consent to this justice proative justice can only be realistically students, it is difficult for students cess. Recently, in an anonymous operational if the third party admin- to have faith in the administration letter to the President of Dalhousie University, four female dentistry istering it, in this case Dalhousie system.

Furthermore, even with prev- students wrote that this form of University, has trust from students involved in the scandal and is well- alent misogyny on campus, the punishment is inadequate and unequipped to handling traumatic is- university protected the offenders fair: “Telling us that we can either sues that require a high degree of by not expelling them, but merely participate in restorative justice or sensitivity and professionalism. suspending their clinical privileges file a formal complaint is presentDue to the university’s inadequate temporarily, thus still allowing ing us with a false choice. We have treatment of the issue so far, which them to have accreditation. This de- serious concerns about the impact has incited enormous public outcry, cision endangers the psychological of filing formal complaints on our

chances of academic success at the Faculty of Dentistry, and believe that doing so would jeopardize our futures.” If Dalhousie University chose to operate restorative justice without clear permission from the students involved, it is highly likely that the process will fail.

Although restorative justice may provide greater focus on rehabilitation, it must work hand in hand with the already existing justice system to deliver adequate restitution. The sexual assault scandal at McGill and the Facebook harassment incident at Dalhousie expose greater problems within the internal university systems that are ill-equipped to deal with student issues. The solution is to not only improve the judicial process, which would be a long and arduous process, but to push universities to provide a more professional restorative justice process, counselling services, experienced professionals to aid victims in dealing with the justice system, and a more supportive and non-discriminatory campus.

These changes combined can not only help victims have a smoother psychological transition back into their learning environments, but also lessen social stigmas against victims of sexual assault and encourage more survivors to come forward.

OFF THE BOARD

No hugging, no learning

People are always saying Seinfeld is a show about nothing. Each episode is centred on the mundane, such as parking garages, rye bread, and fruit. (The peach, cantaloupe, and mango are all important actors in the show). But for a show so famous for its humdrum storylines, Seinfeld managed to tackle a host of wildly controversial issues in its time. From racism and interracial relationships to rape culture and abortion, the show used its signature shallow detachment to provide comedic and insightful commentary on these issues that often goes unnoticed by critics today.

In “The Couch,” Jerry is in the market for a new couch. After Elaine—who is strongly prochoice—falls madly in love with one of Jerry’s moving men, Jerry slyly

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Elie Waitzer Sports Editor

asks Elaine what the guy’s stance is suggesting your stance on abortion same reason—he thought Elaine was on abortion with the hopes of forcing has about as much to do with your Hispanic. When they find out they’re her to dump him on her moral prin- love life as your definition of when a “just a couple of white people,” they ciples. The moving man, of course, pizza is ‘born’. quickly break things off—but not Over its nine seasons, Seinfeld’s before heading to the Gap. In other is pro-life, and the pained look on Elaine’s face when she finds out and treatment of racism was as refresh- episodes, Jerry fails to navigate the has to break it off is priceless. ing as a Junior Mint to the abdominal minefield of missteps that can come Meanwhile, Kramer starts a cavity. In an era when Rodney King with dating a Native American “make your own pizza” business, and O.J. Simpson were digging up woman, and Jerry and Elaine elevate (yes, Kramer invented Pannizza), skeletons long thought to be buried the black-and-white cookie to a symwith Poppie, a pro-life restaura- in America’s closet, Seinfeld man- bol of post-racial America. teur, but things go sour when the aged to synthesize the nation’s atWhile the show feels ahead of two can’t agree its time with reon when a pizza gards to race, it becomes a pizza. comes across as “It’s not a dated on one of pizza till it comes today’s most conFor a show so famous for its out of the oven,” troversial issues: humdrum storylines, Seinfeld Kramer says.

Rape. Originally managed to tackle a host of wildly “Issa pizza aired in 1997, controversial issues in its time. the moment you “The Merv Griffin put your fists in Show” sees Jerry the dough!” Pop‘drug’ his girlpie responds. friend, Celia, with The episode tackles the abor- titude towards race in a perceptive, boxed wine and turkey in order to tion debate head on, and pokes fun at tongue-in-cheek manner. play with her sacred toy collection. the self-serious sacrifices that people In “The Wizard,” Elaine dates a When Celia finds out, she confronts who take religious stances on polar- racially ambiguous man, and spends Jerry. izing issues are forced to make. In the entire episode trying to find out “If you think you can drug me trademark fashion, whatever grav- if he’s actually black in order to and play with my toys, you’ve got ity the central narrative manages make sure she’s reaping the ‘liberal another thing coming!” to build is deflated by a ludicrous prestige’ from being in an interracial Jerry, though, gets the last line meta-narrative in the sub-plot. It’s relationship. In the end, we find out in. hilarious, but it’s also provocative— that he is in the relationship for the “What kind of a woman drinks

an entire box of wine?”

Then the laugh track is cued, signaling to the viewers that yes, this is funny. The analogy to date rape is whimsical in itself, but the broader commentary is in line with the form of microaggression that rape culture is built on.

It’s hard to imagine Seinfeld fitting into today’s television landscape, but its influence can be seen in the way many contemporary shows comment on society, from South Park’s false sincerity (“I’ve learned something today”) to It’s Always Sunny In Philadelphia’s self-involved friend group. In order to avoid the sentimentality so prevalent in many ’90s sitcoms, Larry David and Jerry Seinfeld wrote each episode with one cardinal rule: “No hugging, no learning.” The characters cling to their narcissistic ways even after being thrown in jail for their collective wrongdoings in the finale. There are no cathartic moments in Seinfeld, only Jerry reflecting for a second before sighing: “That’s a shame.” From this mantra flowed a unique brand of commentary that was sharp, unexpected, and forced the viewers, not the characters, to ‘deal with it’.

7

Student Living

Tuesday, January 13, 2015

New Year’s resolutions

Q&A with some of McGill’s finest on pursuing goals Natalie Wong Student Living Editor

Desiree D’Souza U3 Arts and Science

Meghan Collie U1 Arts What was your last New Year’s resolution?

[It] was a pretty long list, but it basically included all the basics. Eat healthily, work out more, keep my grades up. There were some other more personal ones too, like reminding me to talk to my family while I’m away at school more.

Did you maintain it?

I didn’t keep it to the extent that I would’ve liked and probably benefitted from. I entered 2014 a[...] high on the clean slate feeling everyone gets at the beginning of a new year, but I quickly got really stressed from dealing with first year, living in a residence, and having a long-distance relationship. I think it fell apart because I never viewed my resolution as a lifestyle change, but simply something to do because it was the start of a new year.

What is your current New Year’s Resolution? [...] I resolved to focus more on myself this year. A lot of my young adult life has consisted of me focusing on other people and other people’s happiness. This year, I [...] decided to be selfish and do what makes me the happiest.

How do you plan on pursuing it?

I plan on approaching everyday with this “do me” attitude, and also making an effort to get to the gym everyday (regardless of how tired I am). It has to be a constant focus in my mind for it to work!

What is your view of New Year’s resolutions?

I think it’s a helpful concept because they inspire people to restart, even though it’s basically a facade (because you could realistically change your lifestyle whenever you wanted). However, the “clean slate” that comes from a new calendar gives people the motivation or the final push to really make a permanent change. [Resolutions are] hard because we [...] aren’t very good at breaking habits, but once you do, it’ll become really easy to do the things on your list everyday.

You can’t just write down your ideas and expect the existence of a list to change stuff. You have to live and breathe your goals every single day for them to take effect.

(L-A Benoit / McGill Tribune)

Nathalie Cook U1 Science What was your last New Year’s resolution?

To learn how to skate. Having lived my whole life in France before coming to McGill, I never learned how to ice skate and I was so impressed by and envious of all the amazing skaters over here!

Did you maintain it?

I did keep my New Year’s Resolution. I did so by joining a weekly skating lesson at McGill taught by a student on the McGill Figure Skating Club. I also took advantage of all the beautiful outdoor rinks, such as the one

by Old Port and Beaver Lake on Mount Royal.

What is your current New Year’s resolution?

To reduce my general stress level by trying to lead a more balanced life. I have a tendency to get caught up with school and neglect other important things in my life, such as my friends and extracurricular activities.

How do you plan on pursuing it?

I have decided to commit myself to things outside of school. I have joined the Students’ Society of McGill University SSMU Ski & Snowboard Club, which means I’ll be skiing with my friends hopefully every Saturday of the season.

I’ve also started volunteering at the Royal Victoria Hospital once a week.

What is your view of New Year’s resolutions?

I think that the concept of it is useful because it allows people to start off the new year with a specific goal in mind. This helps us stay motivated, especially when most of us are returning from two weeks of festivities spent with friends and family.

I would advise people to set specific short-term goals, rather than ambiguous long-term ones. Specific goals are easier to attain and people will feel motivated to continue pursuing them.

Also, make sure that your [resolutions] are realistic­— it’s better to start small than to give up after a couple of weeks!

(Remi Lu / McGill Tribune)

Julian Paparella U4 Science Aman Maholtra U1 Arts and Science What was your last New Year’s resolution?

Ironically, it was to avoid making unrealistic commitments. How young and naive I was.

Did you maintain it? wMy hopeful pledge legitimately lasted until around teatime that very day, at which time I foolishly agreed to make lasagna for dinner. I don’t know how to make lasagna. Rough start to the year.

What is your current New Year’s resolution?

Alongside the classic tradition of “Get Jacked!” I decided that I want to be a less judgemental person. All fingers are crossed here that this one works out.

How do you plan on pursuing it?

By giving myself a broad, reasonable goal, the pressure is taken off. As long as I can see progress and feel like it’s positively affecting my peers and myself, I’m happy.

What is your view of New Year’s resolutions?

It’s helpful! Nobody likes undue pressure at the best of times, and least of all when it feels obligatory. Do yourself a favour and relax. Use your friends and family as motivation, but don’t lament over what they choose to do—that’s their decision. Honestly, New Year’s really cannot be the one chance we have to fire promises at ourselves. As long as I’m optimistic, I can give myself an attainable goal anytime, without having to force it. It’s about being ambitious, but making it something you feel is achievable. That said, be stern with yourself, exercise discipline, and give yourself incentive to avoid wavering from the goal you set—the results will be worth it!

(Jack Neal / McGill Tribune)

What was your 2014 New Year’s resolution?

I can’t remember exactly how I phrased my resolution last year, but it involved being more present to other people, and, as a person of faith, to God. Did you maintain it?

It’s still certainly a work in progress!

What is your current New Year’s resolution?

This year I have two resolutions: First, to attend every class; and second, building on last year’s, to be more sincere with myself, with others, and with God. How do you plan on pursuing it?

The first is extremely easy in theory, but if my past seven semesters are any reliable indication, far more difficult in practice. Thankfully, I don’t have the cruel punishment of 8:30 lectures so that’s already a step in the right direction, but getting to bed at a reasonable hour is probably my biggest strategy and struggle. As for the second, with things that are less concrete than class attendance, such as being more sincere, I think the key is being intentional. In my case, taking time [...] to ask: Why am I doing this?

What are my motivations? What are my desires? How do I approach others? Am I striving to be myself, and the best version of myself?

What is your view on New Year’s resolutions?

In my view, New Year’s resolutions provide a great opportunity to reflect, to see how you’re doing at life, to do away with the bad, and to strive to grow in the good. Sort of like pruning and fertilizing a prized rose in order for it to grow better, fuller, and more beautifully. For me, the difficulty comes in that the resolutions are so often confined to the New Year. They seem to last barely longer than the descent of the Times Square ball on New Year’s Eve! If I can remember what I’ve resolved to do and keep at it day in and day out (even if I slip along the way), I can get to where I want to be.

A healthy combination of patience, realism, and determination is a huge help in this regard.

(www.mcgillcatholics.ca)

What was your last New Year’s resolution?

To eat healthier and exercise more often.

Did you maintain it?

I did! I set small goals for myself, and took concrete steps towards making them a reality. I found healthier foods that I liked, and started cooking more [...] I took a circuit training class twice a week at the gym that was challenging [...] and I’d try to go in twice more and run, or swim some laps. It was difficult at first, but after a while, eating healthy and working out became a habit. Over the summer I worked with a personal trainer, and this year I’m still taking that class and making an effort to eat healthy.

What is your current New Year’s resolution?

My first resolution is to become a morning person. I love sleeping in and often develop a terrible sleeping schedule over the course of the semester. I’ve been reading many articles that talk about the benefits of waking up early in terms of daily motivation, and find myself more productive earlier in the day[...] My second resolution is to read more books. I’ve always liked reading but find that during the semester, I stop reading novels for fun and get buried in course readings and scientific articles, but somehow still have time to watch Netflix. I also bought a lot of books at the Chapter’s closing sale and want to read them.

How do you plan on pursuing it?

By taking small steps. I’ve been trying to wake up during the week at 7a.m. or earlier, and heading to the gym straight away for a morning workout. I let myself sleep in on the weekends, or if I have a late night out, but I want to change my sleeping schedule so that waking up for 8:30 classes becomes a breeze. I also made a list of books that I want to read using the Goodreads app, and have been working through it for the past couple of weeks. I try and read a chapter or so each night. So far, I’ve finished three.

What is your view of New Year’s resolutions?

I think it’s a helpful concept if used correctly. Everyone likes the idea of a fresh start and I think it’s great to set realistic goals to become a better version of yourself, or do something you’ve always wanted to. People don’t necessarily have to wait until the new year to make these goals. It’s good to reflect on your lifestyle once in a while and take actions towards a happier, healthier you.

(Deca McGill)

Student Living

8

Tuesday, January 13, 2015

Campus Spotlight: Heart City Apparel Calling youths to social action with art in the heart of the city Remi Lu Managing Editor In preparation for the camera crew, Matt Dajer and D’Arcy Williams had rearranged the furniture in Dajer’s small studio apartment. The bed went into the kitchen, and the desk was shifted to create a frame with Heart City Apparel’s merchandise in the background. Dajer and Williams, the two co-founders of the organization, had to ensure that the camera captured the company’s professionalism. By the time the reporters had finished framing the shot, the scene resembled that of a businesslike workspace. Dajer and Williams had, after all, invited the CBC reporters to Heart City Apparel’s office.

As young entrepreneurs without any financial backers, Dajer and Williams have had to work with their limited resources. When the duo launched Heart City Apparel in May 2014, Dajer had just graduated from McGill, and Williams was about to enter his last year as an international development studies major. The idea for the organization grew out of their appreciation for Montreal’s colourful street art, and their recognition of Montreal’s widespread homelessness.

“Heart City [Apparel] started from […] the beautiful street art of Montreal—which is just so plentiful—[combined] with a social cause that both [Dajer] and myself find truly important, and is usually overlooked a lot of the time,” Williams said. “When [Dajer] approached me with the idea, I couldn’t

help but love the fact that it was a more local approach to giving back and helping.”

The company purchases designs from local street artists in cities around the world, and uses them to create clothing—at the moment, the organization offers sweatshirts and t-shirts—which are then sold to raise money for local charities that combat homelessness.

Within Montreal, the company has worked with three artists, with money going towards Dans La Rue, a charity that provides resources for homeless youth. According to their website, Heart City Apparel has raised over $3,300 to date.

“Our main focus is on the youth, especially on the homeless youth,” Dajer said. “Dans La Rue has a cafeteria for the homeless [and] they have education for the homeless [….] I’ve gone to talk to the people who run Dans La Rue, and they say that even a couple thousand dollars can [help.]”

So far, the company has partnered with 10 artists from around the world, hailing from cities such as Chicago, Stockholm, and New Delhi. However, as a small organization that began without any credibility, Dajer and Williams had to start local by focusing on the talent within McGill and Montreal.

“In the beginning, we had a really good break where one of our first artists was Sarah Mehta, who’s a McGill student and a good friend of ours,” Williams said. “The second was Waxhead, [who] is one of the largest street artists in Montreal. That really boosted our legitimacy.”

In keeping with the company’s local identity, Dajer and Williams have also focused on marketing Heart City Apparel to local university students.

“Our entire market is pretty much 18- to 25- year- old college students who like social awareness campaigns […] fresh clothing, and affordable clothing,” Williams said.

At McGill, Heart City Apparel’s “College [Representative]” Program has become a core part of the organization’s marketing and outreach efforts.

As young entrepreneurs in their early 20s with minimal financial flexibility, Dajer and Williams’ marketing efforts have relied almost entirely on word of mouth initiatives and the efforts of their campus representatives. Tessa Battistin, a Heart City Apparel representative at McGill, cited the organization’s charitable focus and opportunity for marketing experience as reasons for her continued support of the company.

“I like how [Heart City Apparel] is helping charities, as well as doing something artistically,” Battistin said. “[As a representative,] you get experience if you like marketing, art, design, and any type of startup interest. It’s really good to learn from [Dajer and Williams]—they have a really good clue about what’s going on.”

With the organization expanding across the globe, Dajer and Williams are preparing to continue building their base of artists and charities, while further establishing Heart City Apparel’s brand.

“It’s been pretty fast growth so far,” Dajer said. “We’re considering eventually becoming more of a brand,

Left to right: Matt Dajer and D’Arcy Williams.

(Photo courtesy of Heart City Apparel) so […] wherever our garment is made we give back to that city for example.”

“Going into the [U.S.] is really important,” Williams added. “I have so many friends from schools across the country that are interested. There is so much potential that is untapped—we just need to find a way to get there.”

In the midst of Heart City Apparel’s continued growth, both Dajer and

Williams caution that they are focused on maintaining the company’s core vision.

“We’re trying to change the clothing industry […] for the better,” Dajer said. “It’s generally a pretty selfish industry, so it’s good to see more and more companies come up like this that are giving back.”

Chill Thrills: Skating rinks

Montreal’s perfect locations for cool glides in the city Tiffany Le Staff Writer The beginning of the Winter semester is the perfect time to participate in various winter activities around Montreal. After all, it is only fitting to take advantage of add/drop period to get outside. One of the easiest and most common ways to unwind on a cool afternoon is to lace up and go skating. Here are some of the most scenic and interesting locations around the city.

Parc LaFontaine

(17-minute bus ride from McGill) In the winter, the large U-shaped lake in Parc LaFontaine freezes over to make an icy playground. Lush, tall trees surround the lake, which creates a serene and naturally picturesque environment. It is essential to dress warmly, which means mittens, toques, scarves, and warm socks. In this case, layering up is the safest bet, because it has the double effect of cushioning falls as well as protection from

Montreal’s harsh cold. There is plenty of room on the ice to accommodate both beginners and skilled skaters. A couple of speakers are located around the ice, blasting a mix of instrumental and classical music. At night, the lake is partially lit up and can still be enjoyed. However, because the rink is outside and the ice is not maintained, it is important to be aware that the surface tends to be bumpy. Freshly fallen snow may pile up and hide the bumps on the surface of the rink. Nonetheless, this location is perfect for a large group of friends. The lake has no admission fee, but skates are $9 per rental. If the exercise proves too tiring or the cold becomes unmanageable, there is a nice restaurant located in the chalet right beside the lake that is the perfect place to refuel.

The Quays Skating Rink

(25-minute bus ride from McGill) The Quays Skating Rink is located on the edge of the Saint- Lawrence River, and offers a great perspective of the city. There are light

decorations all around the rink, which makes it a prime location for photo opportunities. Moreover, there are music-themed nights, such as Urban Sounds Wednesdays or Retro Fridays.

A zamboni glides over the ice every few hours maintaining a significantly smoother rink than any other natural rinks. The oval rink has alternating directions to skate in, which changes every hour or so. While most people skate around the edge, the small space in the centre of the rink is great for those who really wish to show off their moves. This location is extremely safe, with skate patrol on duty at all times. Beginners can stay close to the rink barriers as they skate, or even rent pylons to hold onto. Located in Montreal’s Old Port, this rink emanates a romantic atmosphere with beautiful glistening lights surrounding the rink, not to mention the scenic nature of Old Port. Because the Old Port is a popular tourist attraction in Montreal, the rink is usually packed with people.

Admission is $7.40 and skate rentals are $9.

Atrium le 1000’s indoor rink. (Lesley Lao / McGill Tribune)

Atrium le 1000

(12-minute walk from McGill) If the weather is just a touch too cold, the Atrium le 1000 is a beautiful and warm indoor skating arena that is the perfect alternative. The rink is situated at le 1000 de la Gauchetière.

While the structure of the building reflects Montreal’s postmodern architecture, the rink inside is just as impressive. A high ceiling with modern glass panels allows sunlight to stream into the large rink and give it a very open feel. A zamboni also regularly maintains the rink. Every few months,

the Atrium hosts a themed night where there are door prizes and live performances. The Atrium is a very popular spot in Montreal; the family friendly location is generally more suitable for beginners. Because of this, the rink tends to have more regulations, such as no racing or hand-held devices.

For all the foodies out there, a food court with 15 different restaurants surrounds the Atrium. The cost of admission to Atrium le 1000 is $7.50, with skate rentals costing $7. There is also the additional service of skate sharpening available for $7 as well.

Tuesday, January 13, 2015

9

Student Living

McGill’s exchange experience Campus resources to enhance a semester in Montreal

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Hailey Mackinnon Staff Writer

s the new semester begins, the McGill community welcomes exchange students here to study for the Winter semester. Exchange students who studied at McGill last semester reflected upon their time here, while also offering advice for this semester’s newcomers.

Helena McNish, a student from the University of Edinburgh, said that she and her fellow exchange students were able to integrate themselves in the McGill environment through clubs and sports teams regardless of their status as temporary McGill students. McNish joined a choir, which meant that she could meet native McGill students and form circles of friends separate from the exchange students she lived with.

McNish said her exchange experience was heightened by McGill’s welcoming environment.

“Everyone seemed really excited to be here and excited about what they’re doing, which is especially great for exchange students,” she said.

Caitlin Scolyer-Gray, an Arts student from the University of Melbourne, echoed the welcoming attitude of McGill’s students.

“People at McGill seem very friendly, interesting, cultured, and really involved in the campus and university community life,” Scolyer-Gray said.

For some, a welcoming and friendly atmosphere is an essential resource to have when moving across the world. Certain McGill groups like the McGill International Student Network (MISN) provide services to help exchange students settle into their temporary home.

In particular, MISN organizes social events that are open to international, exchange, and non-exchange students alike. As one of the biggest student organizations funded by the Students’ Society of McGill University (SSMU), it gives students the opportunity to engage with and fully embrace all that is Montreal and McGill. Their events this past semester have included Restaurant Week, where groups visited a different Montreal restaurant every day, skydiving just outside Montreal, as well as pub-crawls around the city. MISN also seeks to help students explore other parts of Canada and the United States, with trips to Quebec City, New York City, Niagara Falls, and Boston.

For exchange and international students, MISN is a great way to not only participate in exciting and relatively non-expensive trips, but to also socialize and meet friends. Armins Palos, a management student from Lyon, France, remarked that his friend group from McGill was largely made through the MISN.

“My favourite memory on exchange [was definitely] going skydiving,” Palos said. “It was something completely out of my comfort zone, and it was an incredible experience.

Another useful service offered by McGill for exchange students is the Off-Campus Fellows program, which McNish says was a useful resource during her first weeks at McGill.

“When I first got here, we had a day where we got into groups, played games in [Parc] Jeanne-Mance, and walked around Montreal to get a sense of the city,” she said. “It was all done in groups, which was a great way to talk to people. Frosh was fun, but these activities were more useful.”

These resources are useful in addressing issues that many international students—and non-exchange students as well— may face, such as homesickness. Scolyer-Gray remarked that missing family and friends was an obstacle she had to overcome, and was especially daunting when living so far from home.

“I would tell [exchange students] to just take every day as it comes, to not get down on themselves if they feel homesick, to be open to all sorts of new experiences, and to try their best to make the most of their time in Montreal,” Scolyer-Gray said. “[Also]. try to get some travelling done on the weekends.”

According to Hayat Hobbi, MISN’s VP Finance, there are many resources available for exchange students. The Fellowship Program and the Buddy Program are just two of McGill’s many resources. McGill also has a counselling service and a Mental Health clinic located in the Brown Student Services

Building. MISN’s office in the SSMU building is open daily from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., where an executive is always able to chat and work through issues, ranging from homesickness to difficulties with plane tickets and phone bills.

On a logistical level, another struggle for many exchanging students was finding accommodation that fit their preferred lifestyle and budget.

McNish remarked that McGill housing administration can be frustrating, because those who wish to live in McGill residences are often given ambiguous offers as late as June. She found it easier to live in the Varcity515, a student residence that offers fully-furnished, utilityincluded, shared apartments with two to four roommates.

With this service, she was able to book her accommodation in advance and find comfort in an assured living space when she arrived at McGill in the fall.

Other students, such as Palos, who also noted the difficult accommodation situation, turned to companies like Sherpal, which acts as a middle-man between international students and landlords.

Students are grouped with other international students, and take a full-day tour of over 20 apartments where they have the opportunity to sign leases on the same day.

According to Palos, he found this service useful not only due to its ability to provide apartments; the social aspect of the process created a great way to meet roommates, and was in fact how he found his current roommates. As a member of the MISN, Palos is looking into creating a partnership between MISN and Sherpal in the upcoming semester.

Aside from finding accommodation, another struggle can be acclimatizing to the Montreal weather. However, despite the harsh cold of the city, advice from last semester’s exchange students included taking advantage of Montreal’s beautiful scenery and cultural life.

“Montreal is a beautiful city with great food, culture and a fantastic nightlife,” Scolyer-Gray said. “I think Old Port is the most picturesque part, but Mount Royal is also beautiful, and everything was gorgeous during the fall.”

Exchange is a great way to challenge oneself by being immersed in a foreign environment, meeting people from across the world, and perhaps even learning a new language. While things like the food or the weather may take some time to get

(Photos courtesy of Yufei Wang) used to, most exchange students agree that the memories, friends, and lessons learned made it definitely worthwhile.

However, it is the effort that one puts in to discover the Montreal and McGill community that defines the experience for many exchange students. With the plethora of opportunities available for exchange students, a new semester is the perfect opportunity to create memorable and life-changing moments within McGill and Montreal.

Stories from our streets: Humanizing the homeless in Montreal

By Daniel Kang

V

ictor Alinka is sitting alone at the table, focused on his meal.

Apprehensively, I approach him and ask if I can join. He flashes a hesitant smile, and I take that as my cue to sit across from him as he continues to eat.

The room is bustling with activity, filled with people handing out food or taking their breakfast. The majority of the people in the room are homeless—most are carrying everything they own in sacks or backpacks. Victor is imposingly tall, with matte brown hair and a look of weariness permanently etched onto his face.

“I’m from a small town a few hours away from Montreal,” he tells me. Victor is 23 years old and has been homeless episodically since the age of 18.

Homelessness in Canada is a constantly evolving and complex issue. The number of homeless persons in Canada has been under heavy scrutiny and debate, but federal estimates are at 200,000. On any given night, 30,000 to 50,000 persons are homeless across Canada.

Despite it being an issue that confronts us every day, many of us choose to ignore the faces of suffering that fill in the cracks of our society and streets.

Every person in Montreal has seen the manifestation of inequality on our sidewalks, whether it is the solitary homeless person next to the gleaming win-

dows of Provigo, or a ragged sleeping bag in a park filled with slow breathing The public debate about the causes of homelessness is divisive.

Traditionally, homelessness has been attributed to the individual—laziness and an inability to ‘work hard’—but the factors responsible for those who live homelessly are far more nuanced than they might appear. While mainstream opinion has progressed towards accepting the systemic causes of homelessness, the actions that we take to prevent and reduce homelessness still leave much to be desired.

Alain Spitzer, Executive Director at the St. James Drop-in Centre—an organization that offers hot meals and other resources to the homeless—believes there needs to be a more wellrounded perspective when looking at these issues.

“The most common misconception that people have about homelessness is that most people who find themselves in this circumstance are in it for predictable reasons,” Spitzer explains. “Homeless folks are not always people who had a difficult upbringing, poor parents, and abusive relationships. Homelessness can occur […] often because of circumstances that we do not directly control. At St. James, we have people who are homeless that were in the army, had high positions in the banking world, [who] served in the police force, and others who [actually]

worked in social work before ending up on the streets themselves.”

I call the shelter where I met Victor a few days later to see if I can arrange another meeting. The staff member calls him over and passes the phone to him and we agree to meet the next day.

We walk into Tim Hortons together and I ask him if he would like to eat anything. “Timbits,” he says, his eyes locked onto the glowing LED menus. We sit down at one of the tables with a box of a dozen chocolate Timbits.

“I didn’t grow up poor, but we weren’t that well-off either,” he says as he bites into a donut. “My dad left me and my mom when I was 12.”

Victor can still clearly recall his father’s interactions with his mother when he was growing up.

“He would come back home […] wasted, and I would hear nothing but yelling coming from their room all night,” he continues.

When Victor was 12 years old, his father left the family home. “I think my mom was relieved that he left, but him leaving couldn’t erase all the shit that he put her through. She was drinking a lot before he left, and it only got worse after he was gone.”

By the time Victor was 14, his mother’s excessive alcohol consumption and acute liver failure led to her death.

“I had to go live with my uncle [Marcel] after that,” he says.

“I remember when the cops told me that he had arrived and I had to pack up everything I had in 30 minutes.

I was in Montreal by the next day.”

I try to ask him about his time living with his uncle, but Victor shakes his head and tries to move the conversation along.

After two years of living with Marcel, social workers took Victor and placed him in a foster home in Montreal’s West Island with a middle-aged couple called the Harringtons. Without any immediate or extended family outside of his uncle and missing father, his social services worker opted for nonkinship foster care independent of his relatives.

“The Harringtons,” he says.

“They were great people. For the first time in my life I felt like I was living with people that weren’t total fuckheads.”

Victor smiles as he reminisces about the camping trips that they would take, and the barbeques in their backyard during the summer. According to Victor, the greatest gift that the Harringtons were able to give him was the gift of normalcy, such as the ability to come back home on a Friday night without fearing for his personal safety.

While his time at the Harringtons

“ for They need people

around them to see value in them as people.

To esteem them is to give them a chance to move forward in a positive way

The St. James Centre runs an art program for its members (L.A. Benoit / McGill Tribune)

m e

a y

”

was a positive experience, Victor could never alleviate the nagging feeling of being an outsider in a stranger’s home.

After two years, Mr. Harrington accepted a new position with his firm in Paris, and Victor was shuffled into a group foster home.

“When I look back on it, I don’t think they would have wanted to adopt me,” he says. “Sure, they liked me, but that wasn’t enough for them to make me their son.”

When I ask him if he’s bitter about their departure, he gives me a

terse response. “Nah man,” he says.

“I wouldn’t have adopted me if I were them. Imagine if [social workers] send [you] a 16-year-old stranger to take care of—are you supposed to feel like he’s your son the next day? I wasn’t happy when they left, but I didn’t expect anything like that from them.”

The various provinces and territories in Canada have differing ‘ages of protection,’ which is the maximum required age that a child must be placed under a guardian’s custody. In Ontario and Quebec, the age of protection is 16

and 18, respectively.

After two years of living in the group foster home, Victor was out on the streets. Unable to find employment, and with the foster home no longer legally required to care for him, Victor was forced into homelessness.

A few days later, I meet Victor near the gazebo in a park, which according to him is his preferred “spot.” Surrounding his faded backpack are two empty bottles of beer. He nods when I ask if those are his, and I follow up with asking him how often and how much he drinks. In reply, he shoots me a look that encapsulates both his amusement at my naïveté and his reluctance to give a clear answer.

Studies of alcohol and drug abuse among the homeless have never resulted in concrete statistics. However, there is a general consensus within studies that homeless persons have much higher rates of substance abuse than the general population of Canada. In a study conducted within the Greater Vancouver Regional area by Goldberg et al, 48 per cent of all homeless persons interviewed reported some dependence on narcotics or alcohol.

Victor himself has stayed off narcotics, preferring to drink instead, mainly due to seeing other homeless persons go ‘over the deep end’ with substances such as heroin. According to Dr. Evan Wood from the University of British Columbia, heroin is seeing a resurgence in Canada and is cheaper and more readily available than ever before.

Victor is aware of his alcoholism, but is also abjectly defeatist. He tells me that he obviously realizes the contradiction of knowing the consequences of alcoholism and being an alcoholic, but drinking is an easy way to relax.

Substance abuse among the homeless has been the frequent target of government social policies in previous years. However, the Canadian government has done little to address the issues in a truly adaptive manner. Due to a lack of focused initiatives, government efforts lack consistency and longterm perspectives.

“Different people need different interventions,” Spitzer says. “But the social system is becoming increasingly inflexible and attempts to impose structures that are designed as ‘a one system fits all.’ Policymakers need to recognize that the ‘one [system] fits all’ philosophy is dead.”

Homelessness can be a dehumanizing experience. If a person is homeless, they are at the bottom of the socioeconomic ladder. Furthermore, they are a low priority for legislators and other citizens, especially in the face of other issues that call out for our attention. The dehumanization occurs when indifference is the main stance of pedestrians towards the homeless.

How many times have we all walked by homeless persons, too plugged into our phones and our music, not even willing to give a glance or a nod? Victor adds that small talk, or some other form of acknowledgement, is preferable to treating him as a dusty object on the street—even if the person doesn’t give him money or food.

Many of us, especially at higher academic institutions, don’t come from broken homes or struggle to find shelter each night. However, this fact doesn’t excuse the apathy, the lack of effort to at least enter into a conversation—especially when we have the time to—with those who live on the very streets we tread everyday.

Interactions with non-homeless persons in our daily lives are commonplace, but when encountering the poorest and the downtrodden, we often steer clear in order to expunge their situation from our minds. Worse yet is when our apathy turns into annoyance, when we deride them for sleeping on the premises of our institutions or being in our way as we walk on the sidewalk.

In June 2014, a store located on Saint-Catherine street installed spikes on a ledge in front of the store, which was criticized as a method to deter the city’s homeless population from loitering. While the media and many locals were quick to decry the spikes and called for their removal, it is troubling to see that certain members of our community would go so far as building these spikes. Such reactions only further contribute to the dehumanizing experience of

homelessness. Even small interactions with those living on the streets, however trivial it may seem to us, are the foundation for our own progression as mindful citizens. Bringing the homeless into our hemisphere of thought can contribute to our own development of compassion and empathy. While small interactions are not the solution to solving homelessness, they are a stepping-stone to understanding the larger systemic inequalities.

I meet Victor again six days later. Victor asks me for a cigarette, so I light one up for him and myself.

We both look together towards his former home. We’re in a sleepy suburb street in the West Island, where the front lawns are meticulously manicured, and the only sounds in the air are fallen leaves rustling in the wind.

Although we only view it from the outside, the Harringtons’ former home immediately exudes an aura of comfort and warmth through its pleasant brownstone exterior, its tall tree in the front lawn, and its rope swing swaying from one of the branches in the breeze. I turn towards Victor, wanting to ask him more about his experience living with the Harringtons.

Then, I immediately regret asking him to come back here.

While the rest of his face doesn’t betray any of his inner thoughts, his eyes add to my already mounting feeling of regret and shame. Though he stares at the house with an unwavering glance, the sentiments in his eyes are the furthest thing from happiness. I glance back and forth between him and the house, trying to summon up words to combat the awkwardness of the situation.

My shame turns into anger—anger at my own stupidity of convincing someone to relive his past and not realizing how painful that can be.

When I originally asked Victor to take me to his old foster home, it seemed like a good idea. Many other actions we take towards the homeless, such as dropping spare change into a homeless person’s cup, seem kindhearted and make us feel good, but they do little to alleviate the overall issue. A comprehensive recognition of the homeless as people—instead of just as subjects of an article or the recipients of our spare change—can help us recognize that in these actions, we’re not treating them on an equal level, and that they only help to serve our own emotional interests.

“The greatest challenge that many homeless people struggle with is not just economical—it is relational,” Spitzer says. “They need for people around them to see value in them as people. To esteem them is to give them a chance to move forward in a positive way.”

Victor finishes his cigarette and wordlessly walks away, leaving behind a place that seems so normal to any passerby, but haunts only him with the question: What if things had been different?

12

Tuesday, January 13, 2015

MUSIC - Only One

/ (Elli Slavitch

Kanye West blessed us into the new year by releasing his first track since dropping Yeezus (2013). “Only One,” featuring Paul McCartney on organ, is a quasi-lullaby, supposedly sung to Kanye West by his late mother in a dream. While the idea of Kanye West serenading himself may seem off-putting (particularly considering the fact that West’s musical talents do not extend into the world of singing—cue autotune), the sincerity of the lyrics make it a worthwhile listen. While many detractors will want to illuminate this song as being just another of West’s egotistical romps set to a gentler rhythm, it cannot be denied that this track succeeds in showing off the versatility of West as an artist, both lyrically and through collaboration with artists outside of his usual genre.

ne)

McGill Tribu

— Morgan Alexander

MUSIC - The Pinkprint Since her verse in “Chi-Raq” where she promises to give her audience “a new trick every week until this album drops,” anticipation has been high for Nicki Minaj’s The Pinkprint. Nonetheless, there are a few disappointments. Fans are tired of “these girls/boys is my sons I’m just not showing yet” and any other variations where Nicki Minaj refers to other rappers in the game as her sons. Another trend that needs to stop is her frequent mention of pills. It makes one wonder if her endorsement with Beats Pills™ pays her for just mentioning the word.

The most horrendous thing on this album is bad collaborations— who approved of any of Lil Wayne’s verses. But things get better. “Get on Your Knees” is a melodic mix of rap and pop featuring powerful and harmonic vocals from Ariana Grande and a catchy chorus. “Only” ft. Drake, Lil Wayne, and Chris Brown puts all rumours to rest about any relationships between Nicki and the aforementioned. “Trini Dem Girls” is dancehall track that provides that island vibe and really makes you want to wine to it. The album blends ego-stroking lyrics and self-assurance with the turbulent experiences of love and loss. Upon listening, the album name becomes self-explanatory. The Pinkprint, unlike a blueprint, is not a design plan of her final path, but rather, the shaping of her destination and insight to her initial trajectory. The Pinkprint is a journey of self—the self-evolution and self-reflection of a woman striving for success, intertwined with self-love and selfempowerment.

— Tiffany Okotako

Wrapping up the Holidays BOOK - Mother. Wife. Sister. Human. Warrior. Falcon.

Yardstick. Turban. Cabbage.

The funniest man on Twitter has surpassed his character count in his latest novel, a less-than pithy review of his life before he reached comedic fame. Delaney expresses in unabashed detail his introduction to drugs, his descent into alcoholism, and his near-twenty-year bedwetting stint. The novel is undeniably raw, and it is Delaney’s self-criticism and consistently honest outlook on his past that makes for a read that is both superficially humourous and deeply moving. The biggest failure of this book is, surprisingly, the cover, which misrepresents a book full of insight and ingenuity as one of cheap jokes and forgettable chuckles. Thankfully, Delaney manages to set the darkly humourous tone of the book in the first page, and by the end of the opening chapter confirms that he is a force to be taken seriously in the world of comedy and introspection.

— Morgan Alexander

FILM - Inherent Vice

FILM - The Imitation Game

Snarky internet denizens have taken to referring to Paul Thomas Anderson’s latest film as “Incoherent Vice,” and they’re not totally wrong. The adaptation of Thomas Pynchon’s 2009 picaresque, stoner-noir novel is challenging to follow when trying to keep track of the myriad of ways in which the protagonist Doc Sportello (Joaquin Phoenix) encounters neoNazis, prostitutes, drug dealers, and cops along his journey to track down his ex-girlfriend Shasta Fay (Katherine Waterston). Still, a thorough comprehension of the film’s many details appears to be far from the rambling narrative’s primary aim. Much more pressing is its vibrant array of characters (played by actors such as Josh Brolin, Reese Witherspoon, and Michael Williams), beautiful colours (see it in theatres if you can), and gorgeous soundtrack (which is an idiosyncratic compilation of older pop songs and some of the most romantic music Johnny Greenwood has written in ages). As with any work of art, the viewer must acquiesce to the film’s internal logic rather than impose his values on it in order to appreciate it, and Inherent Vice operates under a singular rationale that’s well worth accepting.

The best actors are masters of performance styles that distinctly render their personalities transparent to their audiences.

Benedict Cumberbatch’s portrayal of tortured genius Alan Turing in Morten Tyldum’s The Imitation Game is an example of such a superlative performance. Cumberbatch has proven he has the talent to express bizarre personalities, particularly after seeing him excel as the eponymous hero of the hit series Sherlock, but The Imitation Game proved just how cultivated of a skill set he has in his arsenal. This film explores Turing’s development of a code during WWII that deciphered the Nazi’s encrypted communication system, Enigma, and the backlash he faced from the government for his homosexuality. Cumberbatch’s brilliance comes out in his ability to capture both Turing’s genius and the repressed side of the character. The film also features a strong supporting cast, including Keira Knightley and Matthew Goode. Considering all of this year’s Oscar buzzed films, it seems that Cumberbatch has a strong chance to win Best Actor.

— Max Joseph

— Clark Bray

MUSIC - Black Messiah It’s no secret that D’Angelo’s been off the map for a while.

Until his long-awaited Black Messiah dropped last December, D’Angelo hadn’t released an album since 2000’s Voodoo. With such a long layoff, many worried that a new D’Angelo album would be nothing more than a self-indulgent mess, à la Guns and Roses’ Chinese Democracy (2008). Fortunately, nothing could be further from the truth.

Black Messiah is a triumph, one of the best albums of 2014. With the help of his backing band The Vanguard, D’Angelo has produced yet another stunning R&B opus. Enlisting the help of Pino Palladino and Questlove on bass and drums respectively, D’Angelo provides some of the deepest grooves since, well, Voodoo. That isn’t to say that Black Messiah is simply a Voodoo redo. The former is much more stylistically diverse, shifting from Voodoo-esque funk jams such as “Sugar Daddy” and “Ain’t That Easy” to more experimental and psychedelic work on tracks like “1000 Deaths” and “The Charade.”

Always aware of his influences but never derivative, D’Angelo in Black Messiah is more than worth the wait.

— Eric Noble-Marks

13

Tuesday, January 13, 2015

Cock opera takes Old Montreal

Johnny Legdick takes a lowbrow look at a highbrow artform Eric Noble-Marks Contributor Johnny Legdick is a rock opera about oppression, identity, and above all, a man who has a leg where his penis is supposed to be.

Staged by Playwright Hero and written by Jimmy Karamandis, Jonah Carson, Elijah Fisch, Macleod Truesdale, and Tyler Miller, it is certainly the most ridiculous stage production I have ever seen.

The opera tells the story of the titular Johnny Legdick, who, after being sold to the evil Suckadacocka circus (I know), plots an escape with his friends Steve the Steed and Hannah Handvag. Waiting For Godot it is not, nor does it claim to be. The writers possess a near prodigious talent for penis jokes not seen since the Austin Powers movies and unlikely to be replicated in any stage production.

However, let’s not get carried away. In terms of plot and staging, the opera was relatively bare bones. Clocking in at a brisk one-hour runtime, Johnny Legdick gives the audience little time to become emotionally attached to any of its poorly fleshed out characters. Despite being about a man with a leg for a penis, the

Suckadacocka lures in a freak for his carnival. (Photo courtesy of Adam Geraldi) play can come off surprisingly cliché at times. On the other hand, the play’s short duration actually works to its advantage, as 180 minutes and multiple acts of humour this sophomoric would be nothing short of infuriating, considering the same jokes are repeated over and over again. The opera lasts just long enough not to wear out the shock value of its subject matter.

As for its underlying messages of acceptance and triumph above oppression, the play communicates these in a lighthearted and subtle way. I did have the feeling that some of the societal conventions the play was trying to satirize were lost in its avalanche of low-brow humour, but when the play is about a man with a leg for a penis, heavyhanded social commentary is out

of the question.

The unsung heroes of the rock opera are the pit band.

Unlike in other productions where the band serves to provide music alone, the pit band in Johnny Legdick almost seemed to serve as a kind of perverted Greek chorus, actively participating in some of the play’s most sidesplitting humour. Combine this with some surprisingly catchy

songwriting, handled by musical director and acoustic guitarist Macleod Truesdale, and the result is a bouncy and fun bedrock that perfectly suits the play’s crass overtones.

Overall, Johnny Legdick is dumb—because of course it is. Its storytelling and character development features serious creative flaws; its breadth of humour begins and ends with penis jokes. Despite these considerable setbacks, it somehow manages to be entertaining anyway. Admittedly, much of this is down to the sheer absurdity of the concept. The laughs are cheap and the play’s entertainment value is likely to wear off considerably after repeated viewings. However, on a weeknight in January, you could certainly do worse. Lower your brows and don’t be afraid to laugh.

Johnny Legdick will be performed Thursday, Jan. 15 at 7 p.m. and Saturday, Jan. 17 at 9 p.m. at Centaur Theatre (453 Saint François-Xavier). Student tickets are $12.50. It also runs from Wednesday, Feb. 12 to Saturday, Feb. 15 at various times at Mainline Theatre (3997 Saint-Laurent). Tickets are $15.

Returning to Britannia Burgess Powell Contributor In what is supposedly the second golden age of television, the BBC innovates in a market saturated with conventional and mediocre American television. Of course, there are exceptions, such as HBO and Netflix, which jettison the traditional 22 or 42-minute episode format in favor of a miniseries structure. Yet despite these few award-winning North American programs, there exist many novel, creative BBC alternatives that push gender and intellectual boundaries in ways that acclaimed American networks—ABC, FX, CBS, AMC— generally choose not to. In many ways, the BBC is an undervalued HBO: It, too, produces ‘mini-series’ that are written and produced for an intelligent audience that values witty, inventive television over the contrasting formulaic convention.

One of the major distinctions between much of North American and BBC programming is the overall quality of the writing. Many American television writers are

inclined to write for a high school intellect level in order to appeal to a broader viewership, which necessitates simplistic dialogue and plot; but BBC writers have no such constraints, and their programs are refreshingly complex. The BBC deviates from many implicitly understood tropes by frequently ‘killing off’ crucial and beloved characters, and creating complex relationships that more closely mirror reality. In the 2014 miniseries The Honourable Woman, when one of the characters refuses the advances of another, they continue with an excruciatingly awkward conversation. Similarly complex romantic or conspicuously nonromantic relationships characterize many other BBC shows, which contrasts with often absurdly sexualized American television.

The BBC is far more willing to make more unexpected, unpopular decisions in order to keep television exciting. In House, for example, we know that the patient will be in critical condition right before commercial break but will make it in the end. We can instead expect the unexpected with the BBC, a rare broadcaster that maintains the ability to surprise an increasingly jaded

audience.

The BBC likewise challenges television norms through its adroit and multi-layered depictions of women. Although there exist popular American shows with female protagonists, these heroines pale in comparison to their BBC counterparts.

Maggie Gyllenhaal stars in one of many female-dominated series on BBC. (bbc.co.uk) BBC programming is defying traditional male-dominated programming as popular shows. Like Boardwalk cinema. BBC television offers a seen in The Honourable Woman, Empire, Downton Abbey focuses on successful marriage between modern where Maggie Gyllenhaal portrays the time when women had fewer portrayals of women and quality a powerful single woman whose liberties, but does not do so at the TV, which is a rarity in American focus is more political than personal, expense of well-written female television.

Although a few American media amongst a cast of strong and characters. Similarly, in Luther, complex female characters. Notably, starring Idris Elba, there are strong giants are beginning to offer quality most American-produced programs female characters: The protagonist’s programming with more complex that have received high ratings in the boss, his ex-wife, his suspect, and characters, plot lines, and formats, past couple years—True Detective, his future friend—none of whom they still cling to remnants of past Breaking Bad, Hannibal, Game of exist for purely aesthetic purposes. stereotypes, while the majority of Thrones—either star few women or Luther’s female antagonist Alice production companies maintain the Morgan, portrayed by Ruth Wilson status quo in television. If you’re focus on their sexual appeal.

The diversity of female and a self-described “malignant tired of American programing that meaningful authenticity, characters on BBC programs extends narcissist,” is fabulously calculating lacks to Downton Abbey and Luther, two and complex in ways that I haven’t artistry, and diversity, tune in to the critically acclaimed and widely seen women depicted in American BBC.

14

Tuesday, January 13, 2015

Celebrities You Didn’t Know Could Sing

ALBUM REVIEWS

Smashing Pumpkins Monuments to an Elegy Martha’s Music

Evie kaczmarek Staff Writer

“Why Do You Let Me Stay Here” Zooey Deschanel Released: January, 2008

Zooey Deschanel has garnered massive fame in recent years with her leading role in the successful TV show New Girl. Not everyone knows that she also stars as frontwoman in the indie duo She & Him next to accomplished producer M. Ward. The discography is compelling; Deschanel and Ward seem to capture an old-style Americana romance with a perfect mix of spookiness and charm.

Deschanel’s warm, buttery vocals have a vintage feel and will endear you through every single one of the pair’s old-school love songs. The single, “Why Do You Let Me Stay Here,” is an intriguing portrait of self-aware feminine naiveté placed over a catchy bouncing melody.

“I Wish I Was in New Orleans” Scarlett Johansson Released: May 16, 2008

The Smashing Pumpkins’ latest studio effort, Monuments to an Elegy, comes in as the fourth and penultimate installment of the group’s ongoing project Teargarden by Kaleidyscope.

Given the album’s unconventional release—tech-

Cara Delevingne Released: August 20, 2013

With her famous eyebrows and one-of-a-kind look, Cara Delevingne is one of today’s most talked about supermodels. She walked the Victoria’s Secret Fashion Show in 2013, serves as the face of both DKNY and Burberry, and has won British Fashion Awards’ “Model of the Year” in both 2012 and 2014. She has also made the transition to acting and will be starring in the 2015 film, Paper Towns. Rounding out her package of talents, she sings—and she’s pretty good. In this acoustic duet, “Sonnetanz (Sun Don’t Shine),” with British soul and jazz singer-songwriter, Will Heard, Delevingne showcases her sultry voice while weaving around Heard’s syncopated lines with some serious harmonies.

“Ruth”

Michael Cera Released: August 8, 2014 Who doesn’t love Michael Cera? From Arrested Development to Juno (2007) to Superbad (2007), he’s the guy who relieved our worries: Awkward is, in fact, cool. Last August, in Beyoncé fashion, he released a surprise album. Titled True That, this album serves as a much-appreciated insight into the diverse skill set and emotional depth of this Canadian actor. It is just the kind of music you would picture Michael Cera making in his bedroom—soft, lo-fi, indie-folk infused with pleasant, exploratory instrumentals and bits of profound sampling here and there. The track, “Ruth,” is both melancholic and uplifting; it successfully summarizes the perfect Michael Cera-ness of Michael Cera’s music.

the band into new funk/space-rock directions, yet still delivers a solid groove.

The vocals, however, kill this album. Disregarding the love-hate relationship one may have with Billy Corgan’s (in)famous wails, the vocal melodies and lyrics themselves are the real problem here. Numerous tracks, notably “Dorian” and “Run2me”, are lyrically sparse and melodically repetitive. A drinking game could easily be made by merely counting the obscene amount of times the word ‘lover’ is used. Monuments to and Elegy clearly demonstrates a genuine change of sound for The Smashing Pumpkins; however, much to the dismay of Billy Corgan, change itself does not equate to brilliance.

— - Luka Ciklovan

Death Grips Fashion Week Third Worlds

Although she is a household name, not many people know that Scarlett Johansson has a music career to go along with her on-screen success. Her iconic, seductive, husky speaking voice transitions surprisingly well into a singing one. This Tom Waits cover from her 2008 studio album, Anywhere I Lay My Head, is hauntingly lovely.

The music box track that runs in the background gives it a sort of nostalgic, lullaby feel. Johansson is able to bring deep emotion to this piece; her scratchy and sometimes imperfect vocals are not detrimental, but instead wistfully captivating.

“Sonnetanz (Sun Don’t Shine)” ft. Will Heard

nically existing as an album within an album— and Billy Corgan’s incessantly vocalized desire to be appreciated as a brilliant artist prior to the album’s release, Monuments to an Elegy comes off as a conscientious stab at high art. But it ultimately flops.

Though the album features an abridged, three-piece lineup with only Jeff Schroder on guitar, Tommy Lee of Mötley Crüe on drums, and Billy Corgan manning everything else, it is very solid instrumentally. The guitar riffs and drums, for the most part, deliver a resounding, edgy punch in a style reminiscent of their 1995 release, Mellon Collie and the Infinite Sadness, as is most evident on the raw opening track “Tiberius.” This edge is nicely counterbalanced with various spacy and rather low-key synthesizer and keyboard parts skillfully mixed in tracks such as “Monuments” and “Being Beige.” The highlight of this album, though, is “Anaise!”, which pushes

What is Death Grips’ new surprise instrumental album Fashion Week? Juggling many styles and sometimes unfocused, the album itself may not even know what it is. After announcing their break-up and final album on a napkin, this

is likely to be the next to last Death Grips release. The last letter of all tracks spell the name of the final album, JENNY DEATH, followed

by WHEN, encapsulating how masterful Death Grips—for a reticent band that has been disdainful of media—is at provoking speculation and blog buzz about future releases. For fans of the enigmatic rap duo, this release gives great insight into the group’s creative process.

The most glaring characteristic of the album is the lack of frontman MC Ride’s drill sergeantbarking vocals—or really, any vocals at all. Death Grips’ chopped and sped-up vocal samples gave a lot of its prior releases character, but the human voice in all forms is totally absent from Fashion Week. These tracks run the gambit in quality from more disposable such as “Runway N (1),” which could be the music for a late night Adult Swim animation, to more substantial instrumental beats that have the choppy aggression of earlier Death

Grips releases. Some beats, such as the abrasive alarm-like synths of “Runway E (3)” and the oddly industrial yet dancehall-esque “Runway A”, just need the yelling/rapping of MC Ride to be full-fledged quality Death Grips songs.

Death Grips does get creative though, filling the void left by the vocals: “Runway N (2)” is built on an aggressive, throbbing guitar line that propels the track in the absence of MC Ride, and “Runway H’s” cathartic use of guitar strangely recalls some of Deerhoof’s brightest and best guitar lines.

Although the album seems three-quarters formed and inaccessible for new listeners, fans and dedicated listeners will enjoy the variety of tracks and textures. A few may even have the courage to play MC Ride and rap over some tracks.

-

Dan Moczula

What’s Happening In Montréal THEATRE — The 24 Hour Plays Watch performers perform in French and English for one full rotation of the earth.

Saturday, Jan. 17, Théâtre Sainte-Catherine (264 Sainte-Catherine E). Admission is $10.

LITERATURE — Steps Magazine Open Mic Join one of McGill’s own publications for a night of poetry and prose reading.

Thursday, Jan. 22, 4152 Saint-Laurent apt. 401. See Facebook event for further information.

MUSIC — Cult Classic and Fleece Make a trip out to the heart of the Plateau for these McGill/Concordia musicians.

Friday, Jan. 23, 8:30 p.m., La Vitrola (4602 Saint-Laurent). Admission is $5.

MUSIC — The Dustbowl Revival

Because why not see an eight-piece folk/roots/jazz collective on a Sunday night?

Sunday, Jan. 25, 8 p.m., Petit Campus (57 Prince-Arthur). Admission is $15.

COMEDY — Sugar Sammy His “You’re Gonna Rire” show is guaranteed to deliver the bilingual laughs.

Thursday, Jan. 29 to Saturday, Jan. 31, 8 p.m., Olympia (1004 Sainte-Catherine E). Tickets are $32.90-$52.90.

MUSIC — Ben Howard The talented British singer-songwriter caps off the month with a visit to one of Montreal’s best venues.

Saturday, Jan. 31, 8 p.m., Métropolis (59 Sainte-Catherine E). Tickets are $32-$38.30.

DANCE - Le Patin Libre Sashay off the cold with this free outdoor dance performance.

Saturday, Jan. 31, 2 p.m., Parc Saint-Viateur. Free.

Tuesday, January 13, 2015

The power of potatoes

Science & Technology

15

Potato extract linked to weight loss chloe Nevitt Science & Technology Editor Potatoes, known for their carbohydrate content and delicious role in poutine, have a reputation for being unhealthy with dieters usually avoiding them at all costs. But a team of researchers from McGill University has shown that potatoes may in fact help those trying to slim down.

The team fed a group of mice a high-fat diet for 10 weeks, and then gave some of the mice an extract they had prepared from potatoes. What they discovered was astounding.

The mice from the control group—which all originally weighed about 25 grams—gained 16 grams of weight. However, the mice that were also consuming the potato extract gained only seven grams.

“Weight gain was inhibited by 50 per cent,” explained associate professor Stan Kubow, principal author of the study.

The idea for the study came about when Kubow and one of his collaborators, Danielle Donnelly, were on a flight together. Donnelly, whose focus is on improving the nutritional components of strains of potatoes, seemed to be the perfect collaborator for Kubow.

“[Kubow] said he always wanted to work [on the] potato,” explained Donnelly. “We wanted to see how his background as a nutritionist could improve our selection criteria.”

Kubow has spent the majority of his career working with antioxidants, such as phenols, which are found in most plants. The two researchers analyzed a variety of cultivated potatoes and compared nutritional values to select for the most abundant and rich polyphenol profile.

“Polyphenols have been implicated with obesity, diabetes, and cardiovascular disease,” Kubow explained.

This makes them an ideal candidate for weight-loss studies. The team decided to make an extract of potatoes, increase the concentration of the polyphenols, and then observe the potato’s disease-preventative properties. In order to do this, they approached McGill molecular biologist and professor Luis Agellon. “[Agellon and I realized] it wasn’t the fact that [the mice] were inhibited from eating the high-fat diet,” Kubow said. “The weight gain was inhibited primarily [after.]”

Interestingly, it was not a single major phenol from the extract that was responsible for the weight loss.

Donnelly, Kubow and Agellon combined their talents to discover something incredible. (Photo courtesy of Danielle Donnelly) the extract would be the equivalent of eating 30 potatoes, which is something that cannot be realistically incorporated into a consistent human diet.

Instead, the researchers are hoping to create some sort of dietary supplement.

The researchers are hoping that as more evidence comes out showcasing the benefits of potatoes, their bad reputation will subside.

“Potatoes are extremely important,” Donelly explained. “A tennis ball-sized potato [provides] about half of the mineral elements [a human needs] for the day.”

The biopotency of the potato took the team by surprise, because it

goes against the commonly held belief that potatoes promote obesity. However, Kubow explained that the French diet—also known as the French paradox, in which French women fail to lose weight—is because their number one source of polyphenols are potatoes.

The researchers hope to begin clinical trials to test the effects on humans. According to Kubow, one in four Canadians are obese, and 1.4 billion people in the world are overweight. As such, identifying components in the diet that can protect against obesity is an extremely important field of research.

line gaming has changed the scope of these activities. Since gamers can now interact with any number of gamers from across the globe—when people do meet in person to play games, they often meet by the thousands.

Major League Gaming (MLG), an electronic sports organization and the world’s largest competitive video game league, hosts and broadcasts gaming competitions for a variety of popular games, including League of Legends, Mortal Kombat, and Super Smash (Illustration courtesy of Cordelia Cho.) Bros. Most recently, over 21,000 gamers attended the 2014 Call of Duty Championships in Anaheim, while tens of thousands of viewers consistently stream these events.

(Illustration courtesy of Cordelia Cho) The winners of the competition, a group known as ‘Evil Geniuses,’ walked home with $25,000 in prize money—a small portion of the More formally known as a ‘Let’s hundreds of thousands of dollars won Play (LP),’ PewDiePie’s channel is one by professional gamers each year. Conof millions of YouTube videos depict- sidering the hype and sportsmanship ing someone playing a video game qualities now attributed to video gamwhile commentating. While initially di- ing, perhaps it is no surprise that colrected towards an older audience, these leges in the U.S. are starting to recruit videos have trickled down to elemen- gamers to their programs with hefty tary school children. video gaming scholarships.

Compared to the ’90s, where chilSpearheading this movement is dren gathered in their homes to play the Robert Morris Illinois University, games together, the evolution of on- which created an official video game

team this past fall to compete in video game leagues. Thirty-five students received athletic scholarships under the school’s new e-sports program, which covers top-of-the-line game training facilities, and 50 per cent of their tuition, room, and board. Several other American schools, including Kentucky University, have expressed interest in following suit.

This movement parallels current efforts to lobby the International Olympics Committee (IOC) to add e-sports to the Olympics. While the IOC is reluctant to add new games to the event— supporters of chess have been unsuccessful for years—the rapid expansion of gaming from a living room pastime to an electronic sport have provided many gamers with optimism towards this possibility.

“I’m not [sure about] something like the Olympics, but I do think that video game competitions will grow to a more mainstream event,” Cordeiro said. “It used to be that video game competitions would be held in small auditoriums with 50 people watching a handful of players play for a $20 prize.

Just two months ago, the world StarCraft championship, a strategy game on the computer, had a prize pool of $250 000, was held in a large convention hall, and was viewed by millions across the world online. So I do think it will eventually be the sort of thing you would see on TV one day, [even if its] not like the NHL.”

“As a control, we fed the mice the major synthetic polyphenols, and [the mice] didn’t lose as much weight as those fed the extract,” Kubow explained.

Localizing and determining what has been causing the weight loss is the next major goal, explained Donnelly.

“We need to fractionate the extract and see what’s working synergistically or not,” Donnelly said.

According to Kubow, the extract had to be optimized for maximum weight gain prevention, and conducting the animal trials proved to be difficult, but ultimately worthwhile.

At the moment, the dose from

The evolution of e-sports

The shifting world of video games Caity Hui Features Editor Twelve feet wide, five feet tall, and nine feet deep. The Nimrod computer cast a looming presence at the Festival of Britain in 1951. Nimrod was the first computer designed specifically for playing video games—in this case, the mathematical strategy game Nim. In Nim’s traditional set-up, two players take turns removing matches from three separate heaps. The winner removes the last object. Compared to the fast pace of first person shooter games—like Call of Duty, and sports simulations, like NHL and FIFA—Nim seems simple. Yet despite its slower game play, Nimrod was an instant sensation at the time.

“Most of the public were quite happy to gawk at the flashing lights and be impressed,” said John Bennett, an Australian employee of Ferranti Nimrod, according to Wired.

It would be another 40 years before the first PlayStation console was released and children would come to eagerly await video games for their birthdays. However, few could have predicted the shift in game-playing culture that Nimrod ultimately helped inspire.

“Video games are definitely leaning towards multiplayer now more than in the past,” explained Brendan Cordeiro, a U3 microbiology and immunology honours student. “Nowadays, the main selling point of a video

game is the multiplayer aspect; in fact, some of the most lucrative games out now don’t even have a single player component and can only be played online. There is just something really cool about playing with different people across the world and making them really mad when you beat them.”

As the Internet rose in prevalence during the beginning of the 21st century, video games developed a larger online presence.

According to a state of the industry report by Netherlandsbased company Spil Games, more than 1.2 billion people currently play video games around the world—700 million of whom are playing their games online.

This expansion of online gaming has created an entirely distinct culture. Characterized by the emergence of online gaming communities, children and adults alike now connect through the internet to engage in both competition and camaraderie.

Perhaps the most notorious example of this online culture is Felix Arvid Ulf Kjellberg’s, better known as PewDiePie, who runs a video gaming YouTube channel. Since Aug. 15, 2013, PewDiePie’s channel has 33,641,251 YouTube subscribers, where viewers may watch Kjellberg’s commentary as he plays horror and action video games.

“They’re entertaining,” said Steven Cooper, a U3 mathematics major.

“It’s fun to play vicariously through someone else.”

16

Science & Technology Vegas’ consumer electronics show

Tuesday, January 13, 2015

This year’s trends in tech

This month in

STudent research

Technology lovers gathered in Las Vegas to see the latest gadgets. (Photo courtesy of Ninja Marketing) Wilder Walker-Stewart Contributor

Thousands of journalists, tech enthusiasts, and PR managers gathered in the Las Vegas strip for the Consumer Electronics Show (CES) from Jan. 6 to 9, the world’s largest technology trade show.

CES is known for showcasing the upcoming year’s biggest and brightest technology, and this year was no exception. Here are the top three trends of 2015.

1

The Internet of Things

The idea is basic: collect data from the objects we use in our daily lives to then be sent to cloud servers to be analyzed— known as the Internet of Everything. At CES, the Internet of Everything was everywhere—from remote-controlled guns to exercise chairs. In the future, according to The Verge editor Dieter Bohn, “Doors will lock themselves, thermostats will program themselves, cameras will monitor your home for intruders, [and…] most importantly, [things] will talk to each other.”

Samsung put the most emphasis on the Internet of Things in ‘connected cars.’

Automakers such as BMW showcased new self-parking and self-braking cars, while Hyundai showed off a smartwatch that could start a car. Chevrolet announced that its cars can now predict when parts need to be replaced.

2

Body Gadgets

The price of sensors, processors, and chips have plummeted over the last few years, allowing companies to integrate

them into other objects. Wearable gadgets were another dominant theme at CES this year. Garwin and LG displayed smartwatches that could control music, track steps, and monitor fitness. HTC and Under Armour announced a partnership that would develop ‘smart’ clothing to track heart rate and other fitness measurements.

A motorized belt named ‘Belty’ was also introduced by the start-up Emiota, which automatically adjusts the belt for user comfort, while also acting as a fitness tracker.

3

Intel Innovates

“We are moving from a two-dimensional world to a three-dimensional world,” stated Intel CEO Brian Krzanich in his presentation on Jan. 6, 2015. The reason for this shift, according to Krzanich, is Intel’s RealSense technology, a camera that senses depth. At its most basic level, it allows a picture to be refocused after it is taken. Other applications include 3D printing, 3D displays, and computers that will recognize gestures—a user interface where taps on a touchscreen are replaced by hand waves. While useful to consumers, this technology has potential elsewhere too.

Drones will be able to use the cameras to map out the world around them; during the keynote, a group of them navigated an obstacle course without any remote control.

RealSense would even able to give the blind a way to ‘see’ the world around them through haptic feedback.

Intel’s Broadwell battery range was the other important announcement from the processor goliath. Promising 20 to 30 per cent better battery life than current generation chips and 35 percent more transistors (for a total of 1.3 billion), these processors and the PCs that house them would be dramatically more power efficient, thin, and powerful.

Jacob Kantorowitz (Cordelia Cho / McGill Tribune)

Chloe Nevitt Science & Technology Editor As a third-year pharmacology major, Jacob Kantorowitz has spent the past year in the Whiteway lab studying an interesting fungus that is genetically similar to yeast- Candida albicans .

Kantorowitz has been researching C. albican fungal infections, which are the cause of thousands of deaths of immunocompromised individuals in Canada every year. C. albican , Kantorowitz explains, will exist harmlessly in the body the majority of the time, and can be found in high concentrations in places like the gastrointestinal tract. Unfortunately, problems arise when there are overgrowths that cause infections.

“One study found that the mortality rate of Canada nosocomial bloodstream infection, BSI, is 40 per cent,” explained Kantorowitz.

His lab is responsible for manipulating C. albican genes into strains that are more easily analyzed during genomics studies. The group uses these gene knockout strains to pinpoint the genes that give C. albican resistance to certain drugs.

“My job is to use this information to develop new synergistic drug candidates,” Kantorowitz said. “We can determine if a strain is sensitive to a drug because the gene will be missing.”

This is due to the fact that the protein that is coding for resistance will be absent, causing the C. albican to lack the resistance, causing it to die. This allows the researchers to extrapolate information about which genes the organism is using to protect itself.

“We can then find chemical inhibitors of the protein causing the resistance,” Kantorowitz said. “That way, the strain is no longer resistant to the

drug.”

Part of the research process, explains Kantorowitz, is making mistakes.

“One time, I had just spent all day running an extraction, ran my [polymerase chain reaction] PCR, and needed to confirm the absence of a gene,” Kantorowitz recalled. “I accidentally pipetted the wrong solvent into the wrong well with my supervisor watching behind me—that’s when I had to tell him I ruined 10 hours of work.”

Kantorowitz and his colleagues’ bacteria-fighting lab work is improving people’s lives, but his advice to anyone interested in working in a lab is something many aspiring lab-rats can relate to.

“Look for something that interests you before you commit your time,” Kantorowitz said. “In the short run, it may be harder, but in the long run, you will be a lot happier and enthusiastic about what you are doing.”

He recommends doing research side-projects through McGill while applying or working in a lab, not just casually volunteering.

Kantorowitz, who hopes to eventually become a doctor, says unfair diseases push him to study medicine.

“I believe everyone should have the life span they deserve,” he explained.

Many cancers have terrible reactions to chemotherapy treatment, which is why he believes that preventative medicine is the best solution. Certain diseases treated via genomics could even be reversed.

The opportunities Kantorowitz has had working in his genetics lab have given him the tools he believes will be essential in the future of medicine.

“With one’s genomic information, the possibilities are truly endless,” he said.

Tuesday, January 13, 2015

17

Sports

Redmen 78, Gaiters 71; Redmen 62, Gaiters 59

Leung sinks Gaiters at the buzzer Redmen climb to second place with a pair of wins against Bishop’s Aaron rose Staff Writer

(Continued from page 1) With time ticking down in the fourth quarter, Leung found himself open with the game on the line and sunk a game-winning three, silencing a crowd of 500 crazed Gaiters fans.

“We didn’t have a specific play,” Leung said. “We were just playing for a good look and [Ogundokun] found me for an open look, I knew time was running down so I took it, and it felt good.”

Leung and Ogundokun were hot all night, combining for 27-points on 41 per cent shooting. Dufort once again came up big for the Redmen, scoring six of his eight points in the second half, while registering a game-high 12 rebounds.

The Redmen seem to have

found their point guard of the future in Leung, who has become the starter for McGill after taking over for senior Ave Bross in November.

“It feels really good, being able to contribute to the team’s success,” Leung said. “It’s what I’ve been working for [….] It was a main goal of mine after last season.”

The Redmen have a tough road ahead with back-to-back games against the top-ranked Laval Rouge et Or. Laval squeaked out an overtime victory last time against McGill, but the Redmen will look to continue their strong play against another tough opponent in order to take control of the RSEQ at the halfway point of the season. If the Redmen can stop the Rouge-et-Or’s sophmore guard Karl Bélanger-Demers, McGill should be able to take possession of first place in the RSEQ. Second-year centre Fran-

çois Bourque posted his second double-double of the year, while sophomore guards Dele Ogundokun and Peterkin combined for

Vincent Dufort drives to the rim (L-A Benoit / McGill Tribune) 21 points and eight rebounds. day night that the McGill point While Jenning Leung’s 12-point guard really made a name for performance on Thursday night himself. was impressive, it was on Satur-

Martlets 85, Gaiters 30

Sylla reaches milestone in lopsided win over Gaiters McGill remains undefeated in conference play Elie Waitzer Sports Editor Coming off a narrow defeat at the hands of No.1-ranked Windsor over the break, the McGill Martlets (6-0) reasserted their place atop the RSEQ conference, blowing out the Bishop’s Gaiters (0-6) 85-30 at home Thursday night. The Martlets were led by Mariam Sylla, who recorded her usual double-double in just 17 minutes. Sylla also scored her 500th career regular season point late in the fourth quarter after being subbed back into the game in response to “We want Sylla” chants from the spirited crowd.

“She’s an all-Canadian, she’s our best player,” Martlet Coach Ryan Thorne said. “If we’re going to do well it’s going to go through her. As long as she’s productive and high energy I think we’ll be successful.”

McGill started out strong, outscoring the Gaiters 23-6 in the first frame and dominating the smaller Bishop’s squad on both ends of the court. While there was no shortage of firepower on offence for the Martlets, with a stellar shooting performance from veteran point guard Dianna Ros and the unstoppable combination of Sylla and third-year centre Alex Kiss-Rusk in the post, Coach Thorne maintained that the game plan will continue

to revolve around high-intensity defence and rebounding, which lead to steals and fast-break opportunities.

“We’ve got one of the biggest front courts in the conference and we measure up with anyone in the country, so those are the kind of things we expect,” Thorne said. “Once again, coming off the break those are things we tried to focus on—we have to get better on the boards, box out better—make sure that if we have an advantage there, we have to capitalize on that.”

Thorne’s players are obviously buying into the philosophy, as McGill outrebounded Bishop’s 52-25 and allowed their fewest point total all season while also shattering their own season-high point total of 73. Bishop’s point total didn’t break double-digit mark until the waning minutes of the first half.

Sylla and Kiss-Rusk bruised opposing bigs Danielle Lumley and Naomie Zitt-James under the rim, pulling down a combined 11 offensive boards and extending McGill’s possessions to the point where the shot clock should’ve been unplugged to save energy.

Leading 39-14 at the half, Coach Thorne turned the game over to his bench, and was immediately rewarded as the Martlet reserves outscored the Bishop’s subs by 30 points on the night, shooting 44% from the field.

“We […] played a lot of people today,” Thorne said.

“So maybe that’s something I’ve got to learn from, and get more people out there and have more confidence because we can all score.”

Rookie wing Stephanie Blais impressed with a game high 13 points on 5-for-11 shooting, and 5’11” forward Jenn Silver added seven of her own, going 5-for-6 on free-throws. In her second year on the team, Silver has shown promising flashes this season, adding an aggressive drive to her game while also getting to the line more frequently.

While the sure-handed Dianna Ros remains the team’s primary ball-handler, Coach Thorne gave 5’3” backup guard Caren-Carissa Tapia a shot to close out the lopsided affair. She made the most of it, scoring five points and dishing out three assists, without turning the ball over in her 14 minutes of action.

“This is that return on [her] investment—what [she] does every day in practice, that allows [her] to come out in the game and showcase it for you guys,” Thorne commented. “You guys get to see it—I already know who [Tapia] is.”

After picking up a 67-50

Tiye Traore elevates to pull down the rebound (L-A Benoit / McGill Tribune) victory in the second game of the double-header against Bishop’s on Saturday, the Martlets sit snugly atop the RSEQ. Next Thursday, they head to Quebec City to face off against third-

place Laval [3-3], and will look to remain undefeated before returning home on Saturday for a rematch.

Sports Tuesday, January 13, 2015 18 Behind the Bench: Winter ‘not so’ classic Marta yesgat Contributor

As Troy Brouwer scored the game-winning goal with 13 seconds remaining in regulation, one could almost forget that the NHL’s annual Winter Classic was struggling to maintain its popularity among fans.

This year’s game, an outdoor tilt between the Washington Capitals and the Chicago Blackhawks may have been the most exciting one yet— weather conditions were perfect, the ice was as smooth as any indoor rink, and the ending was wild.

Nevertheless, it yielded the lowest ratings in the game’s history. This sparked a debate among executives, media, and fans: Why is the Winter Classic losing its appeal?

The NHL hosts three brands of outdoor games: the Heritage Classic, the Winter Classic, and the Stadium Series. While the wide array does offer a variety of entertaining options for fans, one wonders: Has it become too much? An outdoor game every month reduces the unique nature of the event. Fans start to perceive these ‘special’ games as common occurrences and therefore do not worry about missing one, as the next outdoor game is only a few

weeks away. Excitement is easily replaced with indifference. If the NHL were to add something unique to each one of these three brands, fans would not feel as though they were being forced to watch different versions of what is essentially the same game in order to pump up league revenues.

Another issue with the Winter Classic is the fact that the same teams keep participating in it. For instance, the Pittsburgh Penguins and the Chicago Blackhawks have participated in two out of the seven Winter Classics each, while strong American hockey markets like the Minnesota Wild and the St. Louis Blues have yet to have their chance at playing in an outdoor game.

While the choice of teams often depends on the availability of sporting venues, it is hard for loyal fans not to perceive the scheduling as favouritism of traditional markets.

Additionally, recent matchups at the Winter Classic have not featured any juicy narratives. Perhaps pinning two hated rivals, such as the Montreal Canadiens and the Boston Bruins, against each other would result in added game intensity and increase the excitement among fans.

Television ratings hit a record low at this year’s Winter Classic (cdn.gunaxin.com) Finally, the biggest issue with the Winter Classic is probably the environment itself. Most of these games take place in baseball stadiums. The crowd is often far removed from the action on the rink, which dampens the mood considerably.

Often, the game must be stopped so that the snow can be removed from the ice surface. The ice itself is often not as smooth as one would typically find in an indoor rink, causing the puck to bounce all over the place

and making it very hard for players to complete any passes or plays. All of these interruptions take a toll on the players, and ultimately decrease the entertainment value of the game.

While fans at the Winter Classic may be enjoying themselves, the experience for those watching the game at home is not nearly as fun.

Ultimately, the Winter Classic should be yielding better ratings than it has. While the NHL cannot control many logistical and weath-

er-related factors, it does have the power to choose meaningful matchups as well as proper venues in order to maximize the entertainment value of the game. Small tweaks to the current state of the great outdoor game will help to increase the popularity of this event, and make the Winter Classic an event on New Year’s Day that fans look forward to each year.

10 THINGS: weird sports

By NICK JASINSKI

(gopixpic.com) Headis is a combination of tennis and soccer. It is played with two players, a ping-pong table, and a seven-inch rubber ball. The rules are identical to those of table tennis with one catch: the players can only serve, volley and hit the ball with their heads. The sport was invented in 2009 at the University of Saarbruecken and is most popular in Germany.

The Redneck Games have been held annually since 1996 in Georgia, and feature events such as the mud pit belly flop, the seed spitting contest, the cigarette flip, the armpit serenade, and redneck horseshoes–horseshoes using a toilet seat instead of a horseshoe.

Chess Boxing is a head-to-head bout between two contestants, consisting of 11 alternating rounds of chess and boxing. Each round of boxing or chess lasts three minutes and players can win either by knocking out or checkmating their opponent. The World Chess Boxing Organization governs the sport, and a champion in each of three weight classes is crowned at the World Championships each year.

Taking place in Finland, the land of the indestructible cellphone, the World Mobile Phone Throwing Championships have been testing the limits of the human arm since 2000. Contestants are judged on aesthetics, choreography, and distance. The sport’s roots can be traced back to a phone recycling initiative organized by Nokia.

The Wife Carrying Festival is held each year in Sonkajärvi, Finland. Men must carry a female teammate through an obstacle course with fences, sand, water, and other obstacles. The fastest time wins, and first prize is the wife’s weight in beer.

Uppies and Downies is game that has been played each Easter since medieval times by the residents of Workington in Northern England. Uppies and Downies refer to residents from two different sides of town, with significant socioeconomic and class differences. The only defined rule of the game is to ‘hail the ball’ (throw it up in the air three times) at the opposing team’s goal, on opposite ends of town. Each team is composed of roughly 1,000 Workingtonians and the match usually degenerates to a rather violent scrum until one team experiences a lucky breakthrough.

Extreme Ironing transports the age-old homemaking craft to exhilirating places.

According to the Extreme Ironing Bureau, extreme ironing is “the latest danger sport that combines the thrills of an extreme outdoor activity with the satisfaction of a well-pressed shirt.” Extreme Ironers have ironed underwater, in the middle of the M1 Motorway, while parachuting, and in various other exotic and life-threatening locales.

Shin Kicking is an event at the annual Cotswold Olimpick Games held in Western England since 1612. Contestants pad their shins with as much straw as possible, hold on to each other’s collars and kick their opponent as hard as they can in the shins. Each time the opponent falls to the ground a point is earned.

Cheese Rolling is an annual event held on Cooper’s Hill near Gloucester, England. A nine-pound round of double Gloucester cheese is rolled down the hill, and competitors race down the hill after it. The first person over the finish line at the bottom of the hill wins the cheese. Due to the steepness of the hill and its uneven terrain, most contestants simply end up tumbling head over heels 200 yards down the hill, to the intense enjoyment of the assembled spectators.

Toe Wrestling is akin to arm wrestling but instead competitors interlock their big toes across a ‘Toedium’ and try to force their opponent’s foot off. Fans submitted toe wrestling to the International Olympic Committee for inclusion as an Olympic sport in 1997, but their application was, unfortunately, rejected.

Sports

20

MARTLET HOCKEY

The Martlets returned from winter break with a successful road trip to Ottawa, topping the University of Ottawa 5-2 and beating Carleton 4-2. Both games featured comeback efforts from McGill who now sit tied with the University of Montreal for the division lead. Saturday’s game saw the Martlets rally from down 2-0 late in the second period to score five unanswered goals. Despite a shaky start to the game, goaltender Brittany Smrke turned in a solid effort for her fifth win of the season, stopping 25 of the 27 shots she faced. McGill was forced to play catch up again in Sunday’s game after falling behind 2-1 in the second period. A three goal outburst in the third period sealed the victory for the Martlets. Senior forward Leslie Oles had a weekend to remember, as she notched two goals and two assists in total, including the game-winning goal against Carleton. The Martlets’ road swing continues Friday with a game against Concordia before finally returning home to take on Montreal Sunday afternoon.

REDMEN HOCKEY

After entering the winter break red-hot, the Redmen have cooled off somewhat, splitting a pair of road games over the weekend. McGill lost 2-1 Saturday to Waterloo before bouncing back with a 6-2 victory over Wilfrid Laurier. The Redmen

Tuesday, January 13, 2015

Athletes of the Week

continued to receive quality goaltending, as both Karel St. Laurent and Jacob Gervais-Chouinard put forth strong performances. Even this far into the season there is no clear number one, but the two are working quite well in tandem. Offensive production came from familiar faces, as centre Cedric McNicoll scored in each game, tallying three goals in total. McNicoll now sits tied for sixth in the OUA scoring race, with 28 points in 18 games so far this season. Third year winger David Rose contributed three points in the win over the Golden Hawks, which pushes his point total to 21. The Redmen return home this Friday for an important match-up with second-place Carleton in the annual Carnival Game.

TRACK & FIELD

The Martlets finished first of five teams and the Redmen finished second overall at the Sherbrooke Invitational meet at the Pavillon Univestrie, on Saturday. The women’s first-place finish was built on the strength of three silver medals, won by Melanie Myrand (1500m), Nicole Bewski (pole vault), and Helena Reinfels (60m hurdles). Myrand, a graduate student from Lachine, Quebec, is also a standout on McGill’s cross-country team. For the men, Vincent Parent led the way with a gold medal finish in the 1500m event, finishing with a time of 3:59.66.

Senior electrical engineering student Riley van Ryswyk also came up big for the Redmen, earning a silver medal in the long jump event.

Mariam Sylla Basketball—Forward Junior, Science It was a bit more than business as usual for star forward Mariam Sylla this weekend. The two-time Athlete of the Week scored her 500th regular season point in a Martlet uniform on Thursday, posting a double double in the lopsided win over Bishop’s. She would record another double double on 10 points and 10 rebounds to sweep the doubleheader on Saturday. Consistency and excellence has become synonymous with the name Sylla; through sixteen games this season, she is averaging 12.3 points and 9.8 rebounds per game, and is the driving force behind the Martlets’ success.

Jenning Leung Basketball—Point Guard Sophomore, Arts Leung, a six-foot sophomore guard from the Philippines, came up big time and time again for the Redmen basketball team this weekend, carrying McGill to consecutive victories over Bishop’s.

After getting a tough layup to go with a minute left to keep his team in the game, Leung drilled a three-pointer with 4.3 seconds left to seal the win in Saturday’s game. Leung scored 24 points on a hyper-efficient 69 per cent shooting against only two turnovers over the two games.

Photos courtesy of McGill Athletics