McGill Tribune Volume 33 Issue 1

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FOOD TRUCKS ON CAMPUS p 10-11 Chihuly Exhibit p 14

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Wednesday, September 4, 2013

Campus comes to life as students return for fall semester

Students return to campus to enjoy last few days of summer. (Alexandra Allaire and Wendy Chen / McGill Tribune)

University continues to grapple with budget cuts

McGill administration faces criticism for lack of consultation; Laptop Lending Program replaced with bursary Erica Friesen and Jessica Fu Managing Editor and News Editor As the Fall semester starts up, McGill students return to a campus that has been altered by the university’s continuing attempts to address $38.3 million in budget cuts this year.

The provincial government announced the cuts to McGill’s operating grant last December. Throughout the summer, the administration released several emails detailing their strategies to meet the $43.5 million expense-reduction target by the end of next April. This included a Voluntary Retirement Program, which 250 employees opted for according to an email from the Media Relations Office (MRO) in July.

Other cost-reduction measures included three per cent salary reductions for members of the senior administration, a hiring freeze on vacant administrative and support positions, and cuts to the operating budgets of faculties and administrative units.

“We are working hard to ensure the availability of the most important services right from the beginning of the fall semester, our busiest time,” former deputy provost (Student Life and Learning) Morton Mendelson wrote in an email dated Jul. 16. “We will regularly apprise you of the progress of our reorganization plans and of changes you can expect when the Fall semester resumes.”

The McGill community reacts Some members of the McGill community have expressed their

frustration with the way McGill has handled the budget cuts. David Kalant, vice president finance for the McGill University Non-Academic Certified Association (MUNACA), said McGill should not have attempted to implement the cuts in one year, when the provincial government had provided another option.

“Every other university in Quebec accepted the government’s proposal to defer the pay cuts over a period of years and not have to lose personnel,” he said. “It’s true that [McGill] may profit a little bit more in the long run, but now McGill [is] losing experienced people, and may not be having enough people to perform all the work that needs to be done.”

The administration decided against taking this course of action in the spring.

“Doing so would double our accumulated deficit in less than five years, which we will in any case have to repay sooner rather than later,” reads an MRO dated Apr. 4. “Spreading the pain will make it twice as painful in the long run.”

Kalant also criticized the way the Voluntary Retirement Program was introduced to eligible employees.

“A few of our members felt there was some pressure on them to retire,” he said. “Their supervisors kept asking ‘What are you going to do?’ well before the deadline when they had to make a decision.”

Raad Jassim is the chair of the course lecturers and instructors unit of AGSEM, a union that represents

teaching assistants, invigilators, and course lecturers and instructors. Jassim criticized the lack of consultation between the administration and the university unions.

“There is no input from us whatsoever; even when we ask questions they are not welcome,” he said.

“These are not consultations, but are rather informational sessions.”

Jassim said it is impossible to know exactly how many lecturer positions have been eliminated due to the budget cuts, and that there is always more than a month-long delay before the university relays information about course lecturer positions to the union.

“Of course, the administration is saying that [the reduced positions] are because they have to fulfil the demands of the students, but it seems that this is being overdone,” he said.

“It’s being systemically done by unit directors who are manipulating the situation to hurt us.”

Katie Larson, president of the Students’ Society of McGill University (SSMU), encouraged the administration to focus on communication as the year progresses.

“What I hope to see this fall is a commitment to continuing to explain what has been affected, and to listen to student concerns,” Larson said. “In the hardest hit places, Libraries and IT, we need to hear from students [about] what is and isn’t working so that SSMU can effectively communicate these to the people at McGill who can solve the issues.”

End to the the Laptop Lending Program Services offered by the McGill Library have already undergone several changes as a result of the budget cuts. One change is the replacement of the Laptop Lending Program (LLP) with a Laptop Bursary Fund to support students who may not have the financial resources to buy their own personal computer.

According to Merika Ramundo, communications officer representing senior members of the library staff, the lending program was taken into consideration because of its cost­— over $200,000 per year.

“With the reduction of staff in both the library and the technical support teams, increased parts and laptop replacement costs, and a reduced budget, it is not possible to continue the service,” Ramundo said.

She said both SSMU and the Arts Undergraduate Society (AUS) have been consulted about issues with the Laptop Lending Program over the past year.

However, SSMU Vice-President University Affairs Joey Shea, said SSMU was “simply informed” that the program was ending.

“SSMU had no prior knowledge about the termination of the program before it was mentioned in this meeting,” Shea said. “We feel there should have been more in depth consultation with students before this decision was made.”

According to Erica Anderson, U3 Engineering, the end of the program could have serious implications

for students at McGill.

“I used the [LLP] for two to three weeks because my laptop got stolen in my second year,” Anderson said. “If [that] ever happened again to me or to any other student, I think it would be really detrimental just because computers are such a necessary part of education now.”

Anderson said that if her laptop were stolen again, her only choice would be to stay on campus, which brought up other concerns such as the slow speed of library computers.

In lieu of the cancelled program, the Library launched a Laptop Bursary Fund on Aug. 1. Accessible through Minerva, the fund will provide scholarships to students for whom acquiring a laptop would otherwise be a financial strain.

“The new bursary program will run over the course of the next two years,” Ramundo said. “The costs associated with implementing the bursary are significantly less [than the LLP], but we believe this targeted money will meet the needs of the students who are truly in need of this service.”

Shea, however, thinks the bursary program might not be as effective as the Laptop Lending Program.

“SSMU is dubious as to whether such a fund will be able to adequately replace the Laptop Lending Program,” she said. “The LLP served a very different function than that of this bursary program; it was incredibly convenient to be able to check See “Budget Cuts” on page 2

NEWS CAMPUS

International students face visa delays

Ongoing strikes at 15 Canadian embassies could cause McGill students to defer their semester Sam Pinto News Editor As thousands of international students begin their Fall semester at McGill this week, visa delays caused by a strike at Canada’s foreign embassies may prevent some students from starting classes on time.

A strike conducted by the Professional Association of Foreign Service Officers (PAFSO) in 15 of some of Canada’s busiest foreign embassies has increased the time it takes to process a visa request by 65 per cent, according to a notice released by the Student Society of McGill University (SSMU). As a result, some international students may have to defer their enrolment by a semester or even a full year.

Currently, there are approximately 8,000 international students attending McGill, including 1,500 students who reside in a country where civil servants are on strike.

The affected embassies include Paris, London, Beijing, Moscow, Delhi, Mexico City, and Abu Dhabi .

Since 2011, PAFSO and the Canadian Government have been in a deadlock to form a new agreement.

The strike started in April, when

PAFSO announced it would cease its activities in 15 foreign embassies following a standstill in collective bargaining procedures. Their collective bargaining agreement expired in 2011.

At McGill, international students still waiting for their visas will be allowed late registration until Sept. 17. However, those affected by the visa delays may face serious challenges upon their late arrival at McGill.

“Students who arrive late—for example, as late as Sept. 17—will miss the first two weeks of class and orientation activities,” Kathleen Massey, University Registrar and Executive Director of Enrolment Services, said. “They will have to catch up on their studies and learn about McGill in a condensed period of time.”

“Those who cannot arrive by Sept. 17 have the opportunity to apply for a deferral of their admission offer,” she continued. “In most cases they can begin their studies at McGill in January. In some cases, their program may be structured in such a way that the deferral will be for one full year. These options are helpful, but the students will lose

some time in terms of beginning their university studies.”

According to Pauline L’Ecuyer, director of the International Students Office, the number of students affected by the delays is hard to estimate, but the majority of international students now have their visas.

“Those affected by the visa delays may face serious challenges upon their late arrival.”

“Citizenship and Immigration Canada (CIC) transferred files to offices that were not affected by the strike; some visas got processed in Canada,” L’Ecuyer said. “In some offices, the processing delays are similar to last year’s. Certain countries [such as] India and China will take longer to process their visas.”

Janice Johnson, Interim Director of Residences and Student Housing, said that the effects of the strike have so far been minimal on the 800 students from outside the United States and Canada who live in McGill’s student residences.

“We have really not yet seen any impact of the visa delays—96 per cent of students with residence room assignments have moved in,” Johnson said. “To date, the number of students who have cancelled or not yet moved in is almost exactly the same as at this point last year, and on track with the numbers for the last five years.”

McGill has set up a series of accommodations for students who have been affected by visa delays.

Residence rooms will be held for students until Sept. 17. Campus Life and Engagement will also be providing extra orientation and information sessions for new students until Sept. 17.

Furthermore, international students will be able to delay their August e-bill if they are unsure as to whether or not they may have to defer. Interest will be deferred from their August payment and they will have until the end of September to make their payment.

International students who are currently in Canada, who need simply to renew their documents will not be delayed, as the processing centre in Vegreville, Alberta was not affected by the strike.

Budget Cuts continued from COVER out a laptop on a moment’s notice if yours had been stolen, or crashed unexpectedly days before the due date of a major assignment.”

Ramundo said that, despite the budget cuts, the library continues to attempt to maximize the services and resources they provided to students.

“Our energies are focused on supporting and serving the teaching, research and learning needs of the McGill community in ways like collection development, providing access to more e-resources 24/7 and embedding librarians to assist students, faculty, and staff in all facets of teaching and learning here at McGill,” she said.

Shea linked the end of the program to wider issues at McGill, as the university attempts to balance its budget in the wake of cuts.

“The suggestion that the remainder of the Library Improvement Fund cover the expenses of the LLP speaks to wider trends—the financial burden of essential services continues to shift more heavily to the shoulders of undergraduate students.”

Campus

McGill rents Varcity515 floors to house first years Complex on Saint-Catherine Street serves as additional residence space due to Douglas renovations Samiha Sharif Contributor This year, 85 students and two floor fellows will call a building named Varcity515 home following McGill’s decision to rent two floors of this furnished student-housing complex to accommodate an excess number of students requiring places in residence.

According to Interim Director of Residences and Student Housing, Janice Johnson, it is difficult to predict exactly how many students are going to require accommodations at McGill each year. One per cent more or fewer students than anticipated could cause a difference of 50 to 60 students.

Due to the last-minute nature of its opening, Varcity515 was not on the housing survey completed by all first years who apply for residence in the spring. When this year’s residence lottery was completed last June, the number of incoming students requiring accommodations exceeded the number that McGill’s residences could hold. This excess was partially due to Douglas Hall being

closed for renovations this year, as the residence usually accommodates 179 students.

“It’s a bit of a gamble every year to make sure that we stay full,” Johnson said. “We have a responsibility to stay full because if we don’t raise our revenues to cover the expenses each year then we have to raise the prices for our students next year.”

Normally, all students who do not immediately receive a residence placement are assigned a temporary room—often in living rooms at Solin Hall or in Royal Victoria College.

This year, students placed on the top of the temporary residence list were assigned to Varcity515.

Located at 515 Saint-Catherine Street, Varcity515 is within easy walking distance of campus. As Johnson pointed out, this is not the first time that the building has been used as a McGill residence.

“Five years ago, when Varcity515 first opened, McGill was in a similar situation and therefore initiated an arrangement with them,” Johnson said. “Since McGill’s relationship in the past with Varcity515 had been a positive experience, this

year when McGill needed more beds, Varcity515 was readily contacted.”

Only 60 to 70 extra beds were needed to house this year’s students, but two whole floors of the building have been rented. Although this means a few empty spaces, Johnson said it was done to ensure a solid residence community experience, even though this means a few empty spaces, according to Johnson. Each apartment has three to five bedrooms, one of which is a room that has no outward-facing windows, only a window facing the interior of the apartment. The rent is $1,250 per month for regular rooms—approximately the same amount that students pay to live in McGill’s hotelstyle residences like New Residence Hall. Rooms that lack an exterior window in Varcity515 cost $950$1,000. Students pay their rent in a nine-month lease.

All Varcity515 students have a mandatory commuter meal plan, which is a $300 plan designed for students, professors, and staff members who occasionally purchase food on campus. Each four- or five-bed-

The lobby of the new student residence, Varcity515. [Wendy Chen / McGill Tribune] room apartment comes with a fully equipped kitchen, complete with a dishwasher as well as utensils such as pots, pans, and cutlery. The cafeterias at Carrefour Sherbrooke and Royal Victoria College are just two blocks away from the building.

According to Johnson, McGill does not currently have any plans to occupy Varcity515 in future years.

She added that its residents want to have their own residence council instead of being aligned with Carrefour Sherbrooke’s council as originally planned.

“Feedback from these councils is important for us to better the experience,” Senior Director of Student Housing and Hospitality Services, Mathieu Laperle, said.

Although most students at Varcity515 only arrived in their residence two weeks ago, some, like Kirsten Neprily, U0 Arts, say the building already feels like home.

“Everyone is so happy to be here,” Neprily said. “We cook together, shop together, party together.

I honestly don’t wish that anything was different.”

Curiosity delivers. |

McGill 101

NEWS

| Wednesday, September 4, 2013

3

By Emma Windfeld Design by Alessandra Hechanova and Maryse Thomas

An intro to McGill’s governing bodies and student demographics With nearly 38,000 students and thousands of staff and faculty members, McGill can be an intimidating place to navigate—especially as a new undergraduate student.

Feeling lost already? This handy overview will equip you with essential knowledge of the university’s governing bodies—both administrative and student-run—and the main players in them.

The Students’ Society of McGill University (SSMU) Every undergraduate student is automatically a member of SSMU, which is led by a team of six executives elected by students in the previous Winter semester. Their responsibilities include representing the interests of their constituents to the McGill administration, improving student life at McGill, and managing the SSMU Building—where you can also find their offices on the first floor.

Some of SSMU’s main accomplishments in the past have included bringing Reading Week to McGill two decades ago, and more recently establishing 24-hour study spaces on campus.

SSMU Council SSMU’s main governing and decision-making body is the Legislative Council, which is composed of 30 councilors in addition to the six SSMU executives. Councilors are elected by specific groups of students—for example, faculty associations and certain demographics such as first-year students. Council meetings are held every second Thursday beginning at 6 p.m. in the Lev Bukhman Room of the SSMU Building, and all undergraduates are allowed to sit in.

SSMU General Assembly (GA) SSMU GAs present the main opportunity for students to become involved at McGill. These events take place at least once every semester, and are open to every SSMU member to attend. They provide an opportunity for members to hear reports from the SSMU executive and vote on motions that affect the Society’s policies, by-laws, and activities. If fewer than 100 students are present, however, the GA fails to meet quorum and motions that are passed cannot be binding, but instead are passed onto SSMU Council for consideration.

Board of Governors (BoG) This is the command centre of the university, responsible for maintaining and administrating all of its property. The BoG consists of 25 members, including two student representatives—the SSMU president and the secretary-general of the Post-Graduate Students’ Society of McGill University (PGSS). The BoG meets approximately six times per year to conduct discussions on significant changes to the university, such as appointing McGill’s principal (who is also a member of the Board), and has the last word on every administrative decision. Other members of the BoG include Chancellor Arnold Steinberg and Chair Stuart Cobbett, as well as representatives from groups such as the Alumni Association, the Senate, Academic Staff, as well as Administrative and Support Staff.

Senate With 107 voting members who represent a broad spectrum of people across the McGill community, McGill’s Senate oversees the academic matters of the university and is intended to represent the interests of the entire McGill population—from students to administrators to professors. Do you have a strong opinion concerning one of McGill’s academic policies? Contact one of 13 Student Senators. They are responsible for bringing such issues up for discussion at monthly Senate meetings, which are live-streamed and also open to the McGill community.

Principal and Vice-Chancellor Suzanne Fortier Last Winter semester, the BoG appointed Suzanne Fortier as McGill’s new principal. Her five-year term in office begins Sept. 5, at which time her duties will include overseeing the daily operations of McGill as well as supervising the work of the provost, vice-principals, and secretary-general.

Provost Anthony Masi The provost serves as both a main academic officer and McGill’s chief budget officer, looking after the university’s budget to ensure that McGill allocates its resources in accordance with its academic priorities. He is also responsible for working with various members of the campus community to ensure that McGill remains in an academically strong position internationally. Masi is in his second five-year term as provost.

Deputy Provost (Student Life and Learning) Ollivier Dyens Dyens serves as a liaison between the McGill administration and students. He also oversees the International Education Office, which includes exchange and study abroad programs. The position is relatively new, having only been created seven years ago. Dyens, who started his term on Sept. 1, is only the second person to fill the position., replacing Morton Mendelson, who held the position from 2006 to 2013.

Photos via Simon Fraser University and the McGill Reporter.

Data from mcgill.ca

Turn over for interviews with your SSMU Execs

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Wednesday, September 4, 2013 |

NEWS

| Curiosity delivers.

improve SSMU HR [human resources] has been interesting.

Meet your SSMU Executives What have you accomplished this summer?

This summer really felt like it got going around the end of July.

Transitioning into the role of a SSMU executive is not easy, and I think we all finally have the basics

under our belts. In my portfolio, the main thing that got a lot of work done was the Constitutional review process, [which] started more than a year ago and is now almost complete. Additionally, there are a lot of new faces in our permanent staff, and learning about how to work to

What challenges do you expect for the upcoming school year?

The lease for the University Centre has not been signed. I am hopeful that we are close, but that is still an ongoing priority. Another upcoming challenge will be the BoG [Board of Governors], and the CAMSR [Committee to Advise on Matters of Social Responsibility] committee terms of reference review. This will be a particular challenge because communicating [with students] will be difficult until the end of the process due to confidentiality.

What are your long-term goals this year?

Signing the lease for the Shatner Building in the interest of SSMU in the long term is a priority. Also

What have you accomplished this summer?

brian farnan vp internal

Throughout the summer, we’ve essentially been working towards a much more integrated orientation week.

Through May, we met as all the various coordinators from the faculties and [Macdonald] campus, [and] went on a retreat organized by SSMU and the Student Services First-Year Office. [We] essentially outlined the various issues that occurred last year and in years past, tried to identify those issues, find out solutions for those, and outline our goals, as well as the various initiatives that we wanted to undertake.

Some of the goals we came up with were [to create] a more integrated and inclusive orientation week. We’ve worked hard to develop innovative and inclusive programming. This programming allows all ages the option to do

are looking at it being very interdisciplinary and multidisciplinary. For There have been a few proj- example, an NGO wants to develop ects I’ve been working on. One, an app, so they would use engineerin conjunction with Sam Gregory, ing students to help develop the is called IDEAS (the Institute for app. There would also be room for the Development of Entrepreneur- political science students to particiship and Advancing Society). Stu- pate.

A few years ago, there were dents who have project ideas and are looking for a place to make it a these things called Sustainability reality can go and be connected to Fridays. People across the universithe wider Montreal community. We ty would get together and talk about the research they’ve been doing about sustainability, and try to make connections [We’re] looking into how across the university. the Shatner Building can Since Vision 2020 and everything last year be used for study space. they kind of fell by the wayside, but we’re interested in getting them started again.

McGill’s Harrassment,

What have you accomplished this summer?

continuing to work on interfaculty collaboration is a must, and establishing ways to increase this communication is key.

How would you describe your approach to interacting with upper-level administrators?

My approach to interacting with administrators is the same way I interact with any person. At the end of the day, in any business relationship it is important to act in good faith. I feel encouraged that our new deputy provost and principal are going to be a refreshing change to McGill’s often-criticized admin.

katie larson president

‘à la carte’ events and have a choice of what they participate in.

What challenges do you face as VP Internal this year?

I’d say there are two large challenges, the first of which is redefining how events are run and the various things that go into them. Part of my platform was to consult an appropriate equity and sustainability resource before any of my events, so that has happened with frosh.

Another challenge is bolstering SSMU’s communications. It’s a part of the portfolio that’s really been neglected for the past couple of years, and so I hope to improve that. We’ve implemented a new software called Soapbox. This allows students to rank various ideas, or submit questions or concerns and then rank them. It allows us to see which are the popular questions, concerns, or ideas, and then implement them. That’s

Sexual Harassment, and Discrimination Policy is also under review.

What challenges do you predict for yourself in your position over the next year?

I think that all the issues that have come up with the libraries will be a challenge. Obviously, the library equipment fund is under my portfolio, and there have significant changes with that over the summer.

We’ve been looking into ways for SSMU to help out, especially with the extended hours, possibly looking into how the Shatner Building can be used for study space. We will be holding a town hall where students can come and ask questions about what happened over the summer.

going to be unveiling and launching in September.

What are your long-term goals this year?

Myself and some of the permanent staff who work with my portfolio have made it a goal to revamp the communications of the SSMU. We’ve worked over the summer on a communication guide as well as communications strategy, so fully completing that communications strategy, [and determining] where we see ourselves now and where we see ourselves going over the course of the year. It’s going to be a main priority for me to truly figure out our publications — having Old McGill returned to its former glory, having it restored and marketed properly and filled with the best content possible.

What are your longterm goals this year?

One of my long-term goals is to really start off those two very important relationships with the [new] principal and deputy provost on the best note that we can and build really strong foundations so that we can work together.

What changes will you be making to SSMU that will be different from last year?

One thing that I want to change this year is the way that the senate caucus is run. I really want to make those positions as effective as possible and give the most support for the senators and their

joey shea VP University Affairs personal projects by using the academic research position and the secretary general positions.

Curiosity delivers. |

What have you accomplished this summer?

I attended a lot of meetings of TaCEQ [Table de concertation étudiante du Québec], which is the students’ association that SSMU is a member of. We had some structural reform where there was a third executive position created. SSMU also took over TaCEQ’s accounting because there were issues where TaCEQ was not paying its taxes to Revenu Québec and was getting fines. That was kind of a mess, but we cleaned it all up and it’s going really well.

The one other area that I’ve been working on this summer is community relations in Milton Park. During frosh we’re doing street teams—pairs of McGill students who are identifiable giving out water, apples, and granola bars, and reminding groups of students to

quiet down for the residents. I’ve also been meeting with Hélène Brisson, who’s the main contact with the Milton Parc Citizens’ Committee, and trying to figure out what are the best harm-reduction and noisereduction strategies for the year ahead.

What are your long-term goals this year?

For external affairs, I want to strengthen relations between McGill and the wider community of Montreal and Quebec. One example of how that could be achieved is through the municipal elections coming up on Nov. 3. We’ve had two mayors resign within the last year­—one of which was arrested with 14 criminal charges—and I think there are a lot of municipal issues that are really interesting to students.

VP Clubs and Services

One thing I did was change the advanced room booking system. In previous years you could only book within two weeks of your event. What I’ve decided to change this year is to have all the rooms be bookable six weeks in advance for the internal groups, and then have the special event rooms open three months in advance. Those rooms are only available two months in advance and the regular rooms four weeks in advance for external groups.

So there’s a period where only the internal groups can book before it’s opened up to external groups.

What are your long-term goals this year?

The most significant project that Jean Paul [Briggs, former vice president finance and operations] started and I hope to finish is a complete review of all of SSMU’s banking. This project has the potential to lower costs for upcoming years and to provide a higher level of service to all of the SSMU Clubs and Services who run bank accounts through the SSMU. Another project I have begun is the compilation of a database including all of each faculty association’s significant purchases over the last year. The database currently includes the purchases for four student associations and is expected to be complet-

ed upon the end of September. The VP Finances and I will be meeting later in the year to discuss the patterns that arise within the data and whether or not having contracts with preferred suppliers is a suitable option for everyone. This system could drastically lower costs that each faculty pays on a recurring basis by levying the purchasing power of each student association jointly.

After speaking at length with other executives and the SSMU general manager, we have agreed that all of SSMU’s governance documents are to be reviewed over the coming year. This project will help ensure that the SSMU’s finances are responsibly managed in the future.

I also created a document that

5

sam harris VP external

I really want to have a better com-

What have you accomplished this summer?

| Wednesday, September 4, 2013

I also want to make TaCEQ more fiI think there are a lot of nancially municipal issues that are transparent.

We’re going really interesting to to present the students.

TaCEQ budget at Council, and we’d also like the Secretary and Vice-Secretary Generals to present themselves to Council. gagement Day, It’s also been our position that we which is being should translate both the website organized through and the Règlements généreaux— SEDE (the Sobasically the constitution. cial Equity and Diversity EduDo you have any ideas for cation Office). how to advance the com- We’re hoping munity relations, which to have a big is part of the portfolio, community barbecue and meet-and-greet, possibly especially after frosh?

One thing we’re planning on campus or somewhere where on doing is for Community En- the students and residents can meet

What have you accomplished this summer?

stefan fong

NEWS

munications process with the services.

Because of high exec turnover, a lot of information is lost throughout the years; so I want to work with the executives this year to create guides for the incoming executives next year.

The ISG (Independent Student Group) status isn’t terribly defined as of yet and hasn’t been granted in quite a while, but this year I’ve already received five applications for ISG status, which basically provides a lot of privileges. Right now the bylaws just say that I have to be satisfied that the group is beneficial to the student community, and bring it to council as a recommendation. That isn’t terribly legitimate compared to the clubs and services, which have to go through a rigorous process. I’m interested in providing the foundation for ISG status this year because

details all of the necessary work that needs to be completed if a Student Run Café is to open in the foreseeable future.

What challenges do you predict for yourself and for SSMU in the upcoming school year?

My challenge will be the coordination of the budget. I have already gone through previous years’ budgets, and the tools SSMU accounting department past executives have used. This is a tremendous effort, not just for my position but for many SSMU permanent staff members and for the SSMU Services. I have worked on a timeline for myself in order to manage my work done to

up, talk over barbecue, and possibly have a film screening.

I think there’s a lot of potential there for a lot of groups.

Do you have plans to change the way activities night is run?

Yes—we’re going to open up the Brown Building this year, which allows us to plan a route so that every group has equal exposure. The security issue at activities night is the capacity of the building itself, and the fact that people are walking in different directions in the same area.

Opening up the Brown Building will allow us to have a route that is one-way the entire way, and for every space in the building to be visited equally. It reduces confusion and provides more flow for the event.

complete this project.

I am confident that I will complete a budget that demonstrates transparency for SSMU’s finances, while ensuring their responsible distribution, but I am well aware [that a] great effort will be needed to complete the budget revisions and VP Finance and Operations creation by the time they are required.

tyler hofmeister

Compiled and condensed by Ben Carter-Whitney, Erica Friesen, Jessica Fu, Sam Pinto, and Emma Windfeld

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opinion editorial

THE Mcgill

Editor-in-Chief Carolina Millán Ronchetti editor@mcgilltribune.com

To improve campus climate, dialogue and transparency key for Fortier This month marks the beginning of a new era at McGill. After a 10-year term under Heather MunroeBlum—punctuated at times by conflict with portions of the university community—Suzanne Fortier, most recently of the National Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada (NSERC), will take over as Principal and Vice-Chancellor of the university.

Principal Fortier faces major challenges in her first year on the job. Chief among these is the continued budgetary uncertainty facing McGill and all universities in the province. Last December, the provincial government ordered universities to make a collective $124 million budget cut by this past April, a cut that took $19.1 million out of McGill’s operating budget for that year. Several months later, the provincial government imposed another set of cuts totaling $19 million over this coming year.

In the final months of last year, we began to see the tangible effects of these cuts across our campus like a row of toppling dominoes. The administration asked a number of campus unions to accept a wage freeze, began a voluntary retirement program, and instituted a hiring freeze.

The bookstore reduced hours, and in perhaps the highest-profile academic realignment to happen in the wake of the provincial cuts, the Faculty of Arts announced that 100 courses would be eliminated from the program. While the administration claimed at the time, with some credibility, that these cuts were under

consideration since September of last year—before the provincial cuts came to light—it is hard to believe that such a severe budgetary shock did not impact the university’s decision-making. To compound the situation, relocations of several libraries were announced at the end of the past year.

“The real question is not rolling back the cuts, but in delivering them in the least painful way.”

This drumbeat of cutbacks and retrenchment has severely impacted student morale. Students return to campus this year with uncertainty as to whether classes they require for their programs will even be taught, or if academic resources they rely on will be there for them. Considering McGill’s drop from 25th to 31st place in the Times Higher Education rankings earlier this year, Fortier will be entering a climate in which McGill’s reputation as Canada’s leading university—let alone a world-class institution—is at stake.

From what is known about our university’s budgetary situation, there is little impact Fortier can have to actually reduce or reverse the budget cuts, aside from the bully pulpit in government negotiations that comes with leading the province’s largest English language university. The real question is not roll-

off the board On tomatoes

Abraham Moussako

Opinion Editor

The players are far from unknown. There’s the tomato: a round, plump fruit, often confused for a vegetable (although definitely a vegetable for taxation purposes, according to a 19th century U.S. Supreme Court ruling). Then there’s McGill University: a Canadian research institution with global renown and an annual late-August set of welcome exercises for new students.

It was, in retrospect, a match

made in heaven.

A week ago this Tuesday, McGill’s Student Housing and Hospitality Services organized a five course, tomato themed meal, culminating in a 500 pound tomato cake. As I wasn’t there, it’s hard to tell whether that would count as the dessert— that probably hinges on the fruit vs. vegetable distinction. Even so, the event last week could not outdo last year’s welcoming gambit, an 11,197 pound fruit salad that, according to no less an authority than the Guinness Book of World Records, was the world’s largest at the time.

Sounds tasty. But what’s the point? According to an article in the McGill Reporter, the event certainly

ing back the cuts, but in delivering them in the least painful way. Chief to achieving those aims are continued communication, engagement, and transparency with students.

While there are certainly many things to be said about the studentadministration conflicts over the past few years, it is undeniable that there was a substantial lack of dialogue with students on key issues.

The example most emblematic of this was the Memorandum of Agreement the university signed with the Students’ Society of McGill University (SSMU) in 2011, the much-criticized document that forced numerous student clubs and services at the university to adjust their names in order to refer less directly to the university’s name. For example, “TV McGill” was changed to “Student Television at McGill University.”

Strong-arming SSMU into making this agreement, despite vigorous criticisms from key stakeholders— the students—was just one example of the previous administration’s lack of regard for student input in key decisions.

A more recent case of this lack of consultation with students was the Protocol Regarding Demonstrations, Protests, and Occupations, proposed as a response to the occupation of the James Administration Building in February 2012, a document this newspaper has repeatedly editorialized against as limiting free expression on campus. In a drawnout process that only concluded earlier this year, the administration held a series of “Open Forums” with

students; these were marked by low attendance resulting from minimal public notice, as well as uncertainty as to how this feedback would even be reflected by the administration.

There are numerous other examples we could outline here, but the takeaway is clear. For Fortier to mend fences with the student community, improved communication and engagement is paramount.

Considering Fortier’s term has yet to begin, it is too early to pass any real judgement. However, if we are to infer from her visit to the Open Air Pub (OAP) last week, a gesture far more indicative of an interest in student interaction than MunroeBlum’s barbecue of last September, there might be positive movement in student-admin relations. The editorial board is hopeful that such outreach efforts will continue throughout Fotier’s tenure.

The future at McGill is, at best, highly uncertain. What is clear is that to lead the university through the challenges ahead, Fortier will need to display as much tact as decisiveness, and a willingness to meaningfully engage with students, something that was at times lacking from her predecessor. Going forward, Fortier would do well to remember that students don’t just want to be “consulted,” the administration’s key phrase of late. They want to be taken seriously as the key stakeholders in the university that they are.

Managing Editors Ben Carter-Whitney bcarterwhitney@mcgilltribune.com Erica Friesen efriesen@mcgilltribune.com Jacqueline Galbraith jgalbraith@mcgilltribune.com Production Manager Steven Lampert slampert@mcgilltribune.com News Editors Jessica Fu, Emma Windfeld, and Samuel Pinto news@mcgilltribune.com Opinion Editor Abraham Moussako opinion@mcgilltribune.com Science & Technology Editor Caity Hui scitech@mcgilltribune.com Student Living Editor Marlee Vinegar studentliving@mcgilltribune.com Features Editor Jenny Shen features@mcgilltribune.com Arts & Entertainment Editors Max Berger and William Burgess arts@mcgilltribune.com Sports Editors Mayaz Alam and Remi Lu sports@mcgilltribune.com Photo Editors Alexandra Allaire and Wendy Chen photo@mcgilltribune.com Creative Director Alessandra Hechanova ahechanova@mcgilltribune.com Design Editors Yael Chapman and Maryse Thomas design@mcgilltribune.com Online & Social Media Editor Brontë Martin socialmedia@mcgilltribune.com Copy Editor Adrien Hu copy@mcgilltribune.com Advertising Executives Spoon Jung and Daniel Kang ads@mcgilltribune.com Publisher Chad Ronalds

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attracted some local luminaries— Members of Parliament and city councilors, doubtless ever-aware of a photo opportunity. This year’s event, certainly smaller but in a similar vein, was more of the same: foods from Macdonald Campus, donations to charity, all that good stuff.

But are we really served by these festivals of epicurean excess?

In this age of reduced budgets, our university needs every dollar it can find. Every serving of tomato cake is probably equal to 1/2000 of a library budget that does not need to be cut, or one third of a course lecturer’s semester wages. I’m not saying we can’t have these events, but we need to be asking these critical questions

of our administration. Perhaps eliminating these events could even allow for a fraction of a cent discount on every first-year’s residence bill, who knows.

Even if the goal is breaking records, the triumph is ephemeral at best—earlier this week, the University of Massachusetts Amherst bested McGill with their own, 15,000 pound plus fruit salad.

Still, if the administration ignores my humble suggestions, let’s hope that our next food-based welcome event features foods that are a bit less acidic. My stomach upsets easily.

Have your say. Write for Opinion. opinion@mcgilltribune.com

The McGill Tribune is an editorially autonomous newspaper published by the Société de Publication de la Tribune, a student society of McGill University. The content of this publication is the sole responsibility of The McGill Tribune and the Société de Publication de la Tribune, and does not necessarily represent the views of McGill University.

Letters to the editor may be sent to editor@mcgilltribune.com and must include the contributor’s name, program and year and contact information. Letters should be kept under 300 words and submitted only to the Tribune. Submissions judged by the Tribune Publication Society to be libellous, sexist, racist, homophobic or solely promotional in nature will not be published. The Tribune reserves the right to edit all contributions. Editorials are decided upon and written by the editorial board. All other opinions are strictly those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of the McGill Tribune, its editors or its staff. Please recycle this newspaper.

7

Columnists Frugal fashion: the rise of the proud thrift shopper Julie Vanderperre

Commentary

Young people, especially university students, have long been known to live on tight budgets.

Among young adults today, however, frugality has evolved from a simple act of necessity into a growing way of life.

Today some have embraced a lifestyle of saving money by buying used items. Here at McGill, students have begun several campaigns which promote buying and selling items secondhand.

Campus Swaps, for example, is a student-run sustainability initiative which collects goods from graduating students and sells them back to new students, creating a cycle of ownership on the McGill campus. There are also several student-created Facebook groups for McGill students to buy and sell used items. Posts on these groups are frequent, ranging from used clothes to toaster ovens and furniture. Not only do these campaigns provide affordable used goods for students, but they also cut down on waste by giving new purpose to old clothes and product

Will work for free: unpaid internships in focus

Victoria Dillman

Commentary

Last semester, with finals still looming, I began to contemplate what to do for the summer.

A lot, or very little, can be accomplished in four months. After applying to several positions, I landed a full-time marketing internship close to home with a small company that seemed very professionally enriching. The only issue was that it was unpaid.

that would have otherwise been discarded.

Being thrifty, however, has become more than a responsible habit for many. Last year, InterResidence Council (IRC) hosted a “Thrift Shop” party for McGill students living in residence, a theme inspired by Macklemore’s hit song of the same name. Students eagerly donned secondhand clothing, and danced to Macklemore’s lyrics. The song’s praise of thrift shopping isn’t simply about saving money. Macklemore describes a lifestyle choice, pointing out that buying unique

“Few generations

have practiced financial moderation and self-restraint as enthusiastically as young people today.”

clothes at a thrift shop is, in his eyes, a more authentic form of self-expression than wearing the same designer shirt as thousands of other people.

The proliferation of buying secondhand has several causes. In an economy still reeling from the global recession, and university students facing unprecedented levels of student debt upon graduation, it makes sense that spend-

I ended up taking the internship and working part-time on top of that. It was a great experience, and I learned what day-to-day life in an office is about. It would have been ideal to be paid minimum wage, or worked part-time, but instead I ended up working exhausting 13 hour days between my two jobs. Even then, I didn’t make nearly enough money for the incoming year. While I’m lucky to have parents with the resources to cover the shortfall, for many this isn’t possible.

The ethics of unpaid internships seemed to be the major debate this past summer. While unpaid internships have existed for years, they have become more necessary to achieving the holy grail of a paid job within one’s field, and students everywhere— myself included—are lining up to

(Ruidi Zhu / McGill Tribune) ing habits are becoming more austere. Additionally, there has been a significant cultural change from the extravagance of the 90s and early 2000s; spending seems to have gone out of style. While there continues to be some demand for high end goods, the stigma associated with buying used clothing has dissolved; for some, wearing vintage clothing has become desirable. There also is an ecological component; buying used items benefits the environment by reducing the quantity of new goods that need to be pro-

work for free.

Recently, some have argued that the student part of the equation should be cut off. Students, they feel, should just say “No” to unpaid internships. While appealing in theory, it is unreasonable to ask students to give up an opportunity for the purported

duced and cutting down on waste.

Millennials are not the first generation that have had to cope with an unstable economy; the recent “Great Recession” has been freqently compared to the Great Depression, while the oil crisis in the 70s led to a similar forced frugality. However, it seems few generations have practiced financial moderation and self-restraint as enthusiastically as young people today. What remains uncertain is whether buying secondhand is a fad or an actual transformation in the way young adults view the

(canadiananimationresources.ca) ‘good’ of the general populace.

Instead, companies must be the ones to change. At the moment, each province has its own Labour or Employment Standards Act, which tries to stem the surge of unpaid labour. Ontario’s act, for example, specifies that a company employing an un-

acquisition of goods.

This is a formative period in the lives of students, and it is entirely possible that habits adopted now will remain into adulthood.

Furthermore, studies have shown that students who graduate university during a recession often have depressed wages during their working years—another reason why young adults may remain frugal later in life. Regardless of the future of secondhand shopping, lifestyle choices today will certainly reap both financial and environmental benefits.

paid student must derive “little, if any, benefit from the activity of the individual while he or she is being trained,” and that such a trainee must not displace a paid employee. Many are also suggesting that unpaid internships must qualify for course credit at academic institutions. This is starting to take hold at McGill, where there are dedicated departments which aid in locating internships and offering course credit for them, such as the Arts Internship Office. However, the most effective means of combating the negative effects of unpaid internships would be a more vigorus enforcement of labor laws.

While such efforts would come at a cost to both governments and schools, it would certainly pay dividends for society.

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Student living

Back to school must-haves Restaurant review Fashion

Fall fashion for a stylish start to the school year Karen Chen Contributor It’s the beginning of September and it’s almost time to bid farewell (regrettably) to breezy dresses and bare legs and say hello to plaids, knits, and knee-high boots. For back

to school, we’re talking stylish layers, a darker colour palette, and a killer bag. Here are the essentials you need right now:

and pair it with an all-black outfit, a beanie, and military boots. If you want to go for a more polished look, invest in a plaid mini.

Stylish tote

Varsity chic

Knee highs

Boyfriend jeans

Chuck the backpack and invest in a strong tote for your textbooks.

Choose a patterned tote to give your outfit a splash of excitement even when you’re wearing basic colours.

You can also substitute it with a glam satchel to give you that collegiate feel.

The beginning of September brings that awkward in-between weather; it’s not exactly the time to bring out those jeggings or your ittybitty shorts. Invest in knee-length or over-the-knee socks, pair them with a light- weight high-waisted skirt and loafers, and voila: a perfect tran-

the fall. Pair them with a chic ankle boot, silky blouse, and dangly jewelry—date night, anyone?

The varsity jacket is back for fall and it couldn’t be more fitting as school starts. The beauty of this jacket is that it’s light and perfect for that in-between weather. It’s versatile and can be worn over virtually any outfit, but stay away from patterns!

sition piece!

Plaids

Fall’s eternal love affair with plaid is still going strong. As a twist to the traditional wear, try tying a flannel blouse around your waist,

These babies have been all the rage this season. They’re comfortable, stylish, and casual chic, which makes this a favourite for those lazy days where you’re contemplating sweatpants (gasp!). They usually hit right at the ankle, so it’s a great transition piece you can wear well into

(Alexandra Allaire / McGill Tribune)

Insider Info

Plagiarism: If you didn’t write it, cite it Legal Information Clinic at McGill explains how “I didn’t mean to” is no longer an excuse

By Kiran Ross On Sept. 1, revisions to the Code of Student Conduct and Disciplinary Procedures, which were approved last April, came into effect. The result is a more organized Code with clearer established procedures for hearings and disciplinary interviews.

A major change in terms of academic offences is the removal of the “intent to deceive” defence for plagiarism. Under the previous Code, it was possible to make certain arguments related to intent, which sometimes resulted in exonerations and the dismissal of the claims. Now, students who plagiarize will be found guilty of an offence under the Code, regardless of whether or not the plagiarism was intentional. Put simply, “I didn’t mean to” or, “It was an oversight” just won’t cut it.

Plagiarism is defined in the new Code as representing another person’s work as one’s own. Students should be aware that sharing their work with the knowledge that another student might use it also constitutes plagiarism. Furthermore, fabricating sources or reusing parts of a paper you submitted in another course consti-

tutes cheating under the Code and both carry the same penalties as plagiarism and are taken just as seriously. Additionally, plagiarizing, or cheating on an assignment that is worth only five per cent of your mark carries the same consequences as plagiarizing or cheating on an honours thesis. The same goes for plagiarizing a portion or the entirety of the paper.

When a professor suspects that a paper or assignment has been plagiarized, or that there has been cheating, they are required to report it to the disciplinary officer in the faculty, who institutes disciplinary proceedings against the student. The student can be accompanied by an advisor (which Student Advocacy can provide) to these proceedings.

At the end of the process, the student is either exonerated, admonished or reprimanded. A reprimand results in a permanent record, which can affect a student’s eligibility for graduate school and professionnal programs. An admonishment is less serious and remains confidential, but there will be an indication that there has been a violation of the code.

Generally, for a first offence, an admonishment is the most likely outcome unless it is a very egre-

gious case of plagiarism or cheating.

If admonished or reprimanded, the student is usually placed on conduct probation and receives a failing grade for the assignment or paper. A student who has been placed on conduct probation and who is accused of a second offence will have their case immediately referred to the Committee on Student Discipline, a body with wider powers than disciplinary officers, including the power to expel students.

The removal of “intent to deceive” is in line with the importance the university places on academic integrity, and with the definition of plagiarism in the Regulations Concerning the Investigation of Research Misconduct. Upon arriving at McGill, it is incumbent upon students to inform themselves about the high standards to which they are held, and about how to properly cite to avoid an allegation of plagiarism.

There is an incredible number of resources available to McGill students to help them protect their academic integrity. Students should take the initiative and make use of them. A great strategy is to spend some time on the McGill Student Rights and Respon-

Copying a friends work is the same thing as stealing and is treated as such in the revised Code of Student Conduct. (theinstitute.com) sibilities website, http://www.mcgill.ca/students/srr/honest, before writing your first paper or assignment.

Basically, if you didn’t write it or think it, cite it. When it comes to plagiarism and cheating, being pre-emptive is the best strategy

for keeping your slate clean.

Kiran Ross is the director of Advocacy and University Affairs of the Legal Information Clinic at McGill and can be reached at advocacy.licm@mail.mcgill.ca www.facebook.com/advocacy. licm

Curiosity delivers. |

STUDENT LIVING

| Wednesday, September 4, 2013

Academics

9

Five classes you won’t regret choosing as electives From wine and cheese pairings to the history of math, check out these courses to round out your timetable Rebecca Babcock Contributor Students spend the majority of their time in university in classes that will propel them towards a future career. Many don’t have electives and the few who do sometimes waste them on so-called ‘bird courses.’ If you’re looking for a new approach, try choosing courses that are worth your while—either subjects that interest you, or courses that provide a fresh look at your field and will give you a new spark that will help keep you excited about studying in that department. Here are five courses for students, across the board, that either have great professors, interesting material, or—if you are really lucky—both.

History of Math (MATH 338): Are you interested in how math began and developed? Does learning how to do math in the way of the Egyptians and Babylonians intrigue you? This can be a class for both math and non-math students who appreciate the origins of specific

equations and how they changed the world. A word of caution—general math knowledge and, more specifically, calculus, is valuable in this course. If you’re inexperienced in those areas, however, you can always go to Room 911 in Burnside to visit the Department of Mathematics & Statistics help desk.

World of Chemistry (CHEM 181): There are four different World of Chemistry courses: Food, Environment, Technology, and Drugs.

The professors for the course, Harpp, Fenster, and Schwarcz, are all wellknown for being funny, interesting, and knowledgeable. The courses themselves address diverse topics.

For example, the food course has a class on wine and cheese where you learn about things like reading wine labels and good pairings. You’ll also learn about the chemical structures of sugars, carbohydrates, and fats and pertinent issues like global warming or dieting. Finally, there is the option of buying notes from the Note Taking Club (NTC), which have the most important points in

bold. This allows you to better enjoy what you are learning in class by reducing the level of stress caused by scrambling to write down all the important information for the final exam.

Social Psychology (PSYC 215): Social interactions are an important part of everyday life, which makes a course about social psychology suitable for anyone. Professors Lyndon and Taylor alternate teaching this course. Having taken this course myself, I can assure you that both are fantastic. I have nicknamed it Dating 101 because Taylor teaches how to read the signals that indicate if it is okay to hold someone’s hand on a date—it’s hilarious. Similarly, Lyndon has a 3.5 rating out of four on Ratemyprofessors.com and is described as entertaining. Every class is interesting, the matieral is very applicable. You’ll learn a lot about yourself and those around you.

Religion and the Sciences (RELG 340): This course looks at how science and religion interact

and affect one another, and is suitable for students in philosophy, religious studies, the history and philosophy of science, and science, or students wanting to expand their horizons regarding the so-called conflict between religion and science. The professor who teaches the course keeps an open mind, listens to different student’s perspectives, takes the time to repeatedly explain complex philosophical ideas, and, most importantly, does not choose a side between religion and science—at least not in the classroom.

Perspectives of Science (BIOL 210) is another option for students looking to see how science and the arts interact with one another, and how the arts are quite important to the sciences.

Topics in Canadian Studies are great because they vary from year to year, provide an interesting Canadian perspective on a field, and incorporate a cultural studies aspect to the course.

This could mean that students watch movies and examine visual media like photos, in addition to reading a large variety of literature. If English is not your thing, try to find a class in a different department that focuses on Canada or Montreal in relation to Canada and the world.

Special Topics in Canadian Studies (ENGL 441): In humanities, the focus is all too often on Britain and America. Most courses focus on these countries, and will add notes here and there about how, and if, Canada plays a role in a particular field. Courses like Special (ycdsb.ca, chemistryviews.org, infactcollaborative.com)

pro tips

Personal budgeting basics: getting your finances in order Tips and tools to ensure your bank account survives university Marlee Vinegar Student Living Editor Many students begin the road to independence upon commencing university. Part of this change is taking on new responsibilities— especially financial ones. Whether you’re working two jobs to pay for your tuition and housing or still living with your parents and receiving a monthly allowance, you make monetary decisions every day of your life. These choices can influence the state of your finances years into the future.

Due to increasing tuition fees, it is difficult for students to support themselves, and the ease with which students may acquire credit cards makes it all the more probable that they will accumulate potentially crippling debt. In the Bank of Montreal’s 2012 Student Survey, more students ranked paying for their education as their top source of stress, rather than the stress of succeeding academically or finding a job after graduation. Although just hearing the word ‘budget’ may make most McGillians cringe, personal budget-

ing is essential for a fiscally responsible life.

No matter what budgeting format you choose, planning a budget comes down to the same basics of estimating, prioritizing, and persistence. The first step is to estimate your total pool of monetary resources—for example, from a job, student loans, and parental assistance like Registered Education Savings Plans (RESPs). Then calculate your total costs, starting with known ones such as rent and tuition, and moving on to other living expenses like groceries, transportation, and entertainment. These costs can then be prioritized—ideally allocating more for necessary costs and savings for the future, and fewer for bar tabs.

Although this may sound difficult and intimidating, there are fortunately plenty of resources available to help students manage their finances. One valuable tool is The Frugal Scholar Program, which is run by McGill’s Scholarships and Student Aid Office. This program provides financial guidance for students and advice on how to be money-wise.

The website provides a step-by-step

explanation for how you can plan your budge for both your year and the entire duration of your education at McGill.

If you’re interested in technology, there are also numerous other budgeting tools available online and for mobile devices. The Financial Consumer Agency of Canada (FCAC) has a free budget calculator that creates downloadable summary reports and Excel spreadsheets.

Another free online option is the website Mint.com, which connects information from all of your bank accounts together, tracks spending and payments, sets up budgets, and identifies financial goals and potential ways to increase savings. You can access your account from a computer or with the smartphone app.

Living on a budget takes some practice and the hardest part is sticking to it. It can be so easy to just pull out some plastic to pay for a round of drinks or cab to Upper Rez when it’s -20oC without considering the consequences. Beyond having selfrestraint from over-spending, it’s also prudent to record spending to ensure that you’re staying within

your budget. Doing so allows you to reap the benefits of being able to see where to cut back on spending, or if there’s an opportunity to increase savings.

The school year is just beginning, making now the perfect time

to plan out a budget before all your summer earnings are spent on alcohol, new shoes, and overpriced groceries. Here’s to a new, fiscally responsible school year!

Even without the penny, every cent counts. (Alexandra Allaire / McGill Tribune)

WORD ON THE STREET Montreal’s street food pilot program comes to campus Jenny Shen When asking someone to put together a list of top destinations here in Montreal, it should come as no surprise that restaurants and other foodie favourites will take up a massive chunk of that list. Whether you find yourself partial to the world-famous smoked meat from Schwartz’s Deli, or to a T-Rex poutine from La Banquise, Montreal offers an eclectic and unique dining experience, be it in the heart of downtown, or way out past the Plateau. Students and residents alike will travel far and wide and even brave the biting cold weather just to grab a dish from their favorite joints. Luckily for them, this year, they might not have to go further than campus.

This summer, students had the opportunity to try food trucks that came to McTavish Street. “McTavish Street [had] been selected as an official site for the food trucks to be stationed, [even though] the university was never consulted on the site selection,” explains Mathieu Laperle, the Senior Director of Student Housing and Hospitality Services (SHHS) at McGill. His team met with the city during the summer and came up with an agreement that transferred permission to McGill under the management of McGill’s SHHS. “In the future, McTavish Street won’t be used as an official food truck location,” Laperle says.

However, McGill foodies will have reason to be excited once again.

Why? Because the food trucks have returned to McGill’s campus.

Beginning on Tuesday Sept. 3, food trucks will be parked on Mondays through Fridays behind the Redpath Museum on the Downtown campus and on most weekdays in front of the Centennial Centre Building on Macdonald campus, according to Laperle.

Although meal plans will not be accepted at these food trucks, this new option will add variety to campus cuisine.

“We’re very excited,” says Laperle. “We’re now able to provide something different [...] for our community. It’s local and trendy!”

This passion for gastronomy may well be the reason why, when mayor Michael Applebaum announced back in April that Montreal would be featuring a wide variety of street food through a twoyear pilot program (after a 66 year ban), the whole city exploded with piqued interests and excited talk. As it turns out, the city of Montreal actually banned street food in 1947 due to concerns about the cleanliness of the city streets. Undoubtedly, having a meal in an open, public space could easily lead to excess littering and the occasional bit of ketchup dripping from the edge of a seemingly harmless hot dog.

Except that’s the thing— the trucks that are out and about on the streets of Montreal are not your typical New York City hot dog and pretzel stands. In fact, potential vendors were required to go through a strict application process, through which a selection committee chose the vendors that would be able to sell their food when summer finally rolled around. This choice was based not only on the quality of the products used by each vendor, but also the overall uniqueness of menu. The committee “favours gourmet street food coherent with sustainable urban and touristic development in Quebec,” according to the Quebec Street Food Association (QSFA) website.

In other words, don’t expect to be buying three churros for five dollars on Montreal streets any time soon. “I think that if you’re already going to sacrifice frugality to order from a food truck, you might as well get something more ‘exotic’ than a hot dog to make it more worth your time and money,” Andy Gao, a U3 physiology student who dined at a handful of Montreal’s food trucks this summer, said in defence of the ‘gourmet vibe.’

Because these food trucks have a distinctly gourmet flair, prices aren’t necessarily wallet friendly, especially on a tight student budget. The lower end of price ranges for most food trucks are around eight or nine dollars, while most choices average in the double digits. While not completely outrageous, these prices have turned quite a few students away from food truck dining. While some students don’t mind shelling out the cash, others find it much more cost-effective to either cook at home or seek out cheaper alternatives for dining out.

“I think the prices tend to be inflated, but given what they’re operating out of and the circumstances they’re in, like the price of fuel for example, it’s understandable,” Gao reasons. “A lot of places also tend to use organic or locally grown ingredients, so that tends to elevate the prices, too. Aside from that, I think a lot of it is [the food trucks’] novelty value.”

But the rules and regulations don’t end there. With Montreal being a congested and busy place, the city also opted to pick out seven specific locations based on suggestions from all Montreal boroughs, ranging from the Mont-Royal Park to Square Victoria to Cité du Multimédia all the way over by the Lachine canal.

There are 27 trucks with city-wide permits that allow them to rotate between the seven pre-determined locations. Fourteen other trucks, such as Dic Ann’s, are located only at one location with a specific lease—for instance, in Old Port. Anthony Zammit, the franchise consultant from Dic Ann’s, explained the difference between having a specific lease as opposed to a city-wide permit.

“Those food trucks that go around [with the city-wide permit] have to prepare their food at their home based restaurant [before hitting the road],” Zammit explains. Dic Ann’s specializes in burgers and fries, and they do cook their patties and fries in the truck with a fryer, which the city-wide trucks do not do.

Trucks also differ in that some are extensions of preexisting restaurants and others are independent “Food trucks will vendors. For those who have not started their business from a typical be parked on brick and mortar restaurant—which is usually a much more expensive the Downtown investment— food trucks can and Macdonald provide an opportunity for budding restaurateurs and entrepreneurs who campuses.” might find potential in this street food market. On the other hand, food trucks can increase business for pre-existing establishments. “Serving the public is similar [between the two],” Nick Morena, the owner of St. Viateur Bagel & Coffee says of the differences between running a restaurant and running a food truck, “But we are driving to [the customers], and people are happy about that.”

In order to overcome any business and marketing obstacles, vendors have been using what thousands of other marketing teams worldwide have been taking advantage of: Twitter, and other forms of social media. In fewer than 140 characters, street vendors have been broadcasting online where they’ll be, when they’ll be there, and whether or not they’ve sold out for the day— which happens all the time. “It helps get your name out there,” Zammit says of social media. “One time, I saw a customer come in and he told me he’d never tried our food before, but he saw a friend posting a picture [of our food] on Instagram, so he wanted to come in to give it a shot. If you have friends posting positive feedback toward your brand, the word will spread—and there’s nothing better than word of mouth.”

Whether you are a hungry student, a hopeful food truck owner, or perhaps even someone aspiring to get into the business, the reintroduction of street food to Montreal through this temporary pilot program— with the potential to become a more permanent fixture— has unarguably created some major buzz in the city, and you might find yourself embracing it as another slice of Montreal’s already dynamic culture.

FOOD TRUCKS COMING TO CAMPUS Café Dispatch: Espresso and coffee Chaud Dogs: Gourmet hot dogs Gaufrabec: Belgian waffles Guru: Indian cuisine Landry & Filles: Traditional Quebecois cuisine Le Super Truck: Fried chicken and other fried goodies Lucille’s: Lobster rolls and oysters Nomade S06: Variety of sausages Norman Luncheonette Urbaine: Sandwiches Nouveau Palais: Hamburgers Ô sœurs volantes- Home-style cooking P.A & Gargantua- Grilled Cheese Pas d’cochon dans mon salon: Pulled pork and BBQ Roux: Sandwiches and poutine Tuk Tuk: Thai cuisine

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this in

science & technology

month

Known for its excellence in research, McGill University is home to a host of professors and scientists known for their prestigious work and contributions to scientific innovation. In tribute to the amazing research conducted within McGill’s walls, each month SciTech will feature several student researchers who have helped contribute to the cutting edge science conducted at the laboratories. This series hopes to add a spotlight to the hard work of undergraduate students who dedicate themselves to research in the lab.

research

By Caity Hui

lift a film off a wafer. The film was like 30 microns, and if I just tried to peel it off with tweezers, it ripped.”

While Jia initially came to McGill under the impression that he wanted to go to medical school, his experience in research has inspired him to consider graduate school in biomedical engineering.

“Every day I walk into the lab, and I feel humbled and wow-ed by the many amazing people that I work with […] the people at my lab are phenomenal, and I have really enjoyed my experience here thus far.”

Favourite lab task: “Microscopy—that’s all been really cool. I also thought the microfabrication techniques were really cool. I actually got to work a little bit in the McGill nanofabrication lab!”

Interview with Blair Jia Getting published as an undergraduate student is a honourable achievement—one of which U3 quantitative biology student Blair Jia received this August. This summer Jia designed a fabrication protocol to improve the imaging chamber used in Convex LensInduced Confinement (CLIC) microscopy under the supervision of Assistant Professor Sabrina Leslie from the Department of Physics.

Jia focused his efforts for about seven months on designing an alternative fabric to replace the ‘tape’ used by the lab in their CLIC microscopy. The device relies on a simple principle where the sample of fluid containing molecules under observation is compressed into a well-defined nanoscale gap using a plano-convex lens. Chambers made of glass coverslips sandwich a piece of tape which has a shape cut out of it to form the chamber.

The lens deforms the chamber as it is brought down over it, creating a unique and diverse height profile for the confined molecules.

Currently, the lab uses this technique to study how transcription factors— molecules that control gene expression—search and read the genome.

While the tape allowed the molecules to be viewed clearly, it was stored on wax paper backings, which introduced a lot of bumps in the chamber. These caused variations in height within the chamber which were problematic for the laboratory’s research.

“Because my lab is mostly biophysicists they weren’t very experienced at fabrication [the process of designing and constructing devices],” recalls Jia. “So when I initially approached this problem, I

| Curiosity delivers.

Advice for students applying to a lab:

Blair Jia, U3 quantative biology (Alexandra Allaire / McGill Tribune) consulted a bioengineering professor, David Juncker [...] He does is that he works with a material known as Polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS).

With this material he makes lots of microfluidic devices, and he fabricates them on a micro and a nano scale.”

Using PDMS, Jia was able to design a protocol to produce a film that was only a few microns thick.

He spin-casted thin PDMS membranes and treated their surface before bonding the membrane to a glass coverslip to form the improved chambers.

Although Jia did not enter the lab with the intention of getting published, it was a rewarding outcome after seven months of hard work.

“I definitely tasted the bitterness of scientific research. I can’t say I was a victim, but I definitely tasted it,” said Jia, “When I was going over my concept and my protocol, on paper it was super simple […] but in between the steps, there are these subtle difficulties that took a long time to overcome. An example would be when I was trying to

“I think it’s good to enter research if you’re set to learn something new. At McGill, there are all these world-leading researchers who are top-notch in their fields; and I think the right mindset is to go into the lab and say, ‘Wow, I’m going to be working with Canada’s premier oncologist; I’m probably going to learn some really frontier science.’

I think a lot of students— especially in life sciences— are motivated to go into research because a lot of people tell them to, for reasons like, ‘It’s great for med school applications, or it looks good on your resume.’

I would say go into research if you are looking to learn something firsthand with an expert in the field.

I think it really helps. There is nowhere else you can go where people are so open to accepting students than professors.”

If you could be a mad scientist, what would you do in your lab?

“People take different molds and they cultivate different strains and mutate them to see which ones produce a specific antibiotic to ward off bacteria. I was wondering if you could cultivate cancer cells, because they mutate the fastest, to see what kind of cells actually survive an infection the best.”

Interview with Carl Ulysse For Carl Ulysse, working at neurologist Lesley Fellows’ lab was both an inspiring and rewarding experience. Unsure what to do with his summer after completing his first year in medicine, Ulysse applied to the Faculty of Medicine’s research bursary program, which provides funding for student research for eight weeks during the summer.

Through the program researchers list projects on a website, which students can sift through and use to apply to various supervisors.

Through this process, Ulysse stumbled across Fellows’ research and was excited when she accepted his application to assist her in her project regarding HIV and its impact on people’s cognitive abilities.

Fellows specializes in disorders of cognition. Her research focuses on the functions of the frontal lobes, which are involved primarily in controlling emotions as well as many other functions like memory and problem solving. “[Fellows] is a clinician scientist, so she does a bit of both clinical medicine and research,” explains Ulysse, “For this project, she works with a whole team. There is a psychiatrist, neurologist, kinesiologist, and an occupational therapy and physical therapy psychologist. They are basically working to help people with HIV deal with their cognitive issues.”

According to Ulysse, the HIV virus targets the brain, causing a host of problems. “It’s really hard to detect, and really hard to treat, so I’m trying to do something about that,” adds Ulysse.

In response to the virus’ detrimental cognitive effects, Fellows’ lab is working on developing means for those afflicted to deal with cognitive impairment.

“My project is developing a self-management program for cognitive impairment,” explains Ulysse, “So I’m building scripts for people [...] to use to learn tips and tricks about attention and memory. I’m working a lot with the computer, actually, because I’m working on the scripts, but I shadowed a bit in

Carl Ulysse, second year medical student (Courtesy of Hossein Taheri) psychiatry and neurology to see what the people I was targeting were like.”

According to Ulysse, “Script writing is [essentially] data analysis.

I had never done it before, so I just learned it now. I definitely regretted not taking a statistics class [before]—it would have been useful!”

Ulysse based these computer scripts off of research he gathered from his time shadowing at Royal Victoria Hospital (RVH), as well as from surveys distributed by the lab.

Though it was a daunting project, Ulysse was happy to take on the challenge.

In addition to script writing, Ulysse found that he developed strong problem-solving skills over the summer thanks to his lab work.

“The project I’m doing right now is not [actually] the project that I applied for. We’re dealing with an online survey, but the response was not high enough so I had to do a turn-around and find something else to do with the help of the lab. That’s something you have to learn how to deal with: What do you do when something doesn’t work out?”

Despite this challenge, Ulysse loved the experience he gained this summer from his time in Fellows’ lab. Working with so many scientists, he was inspired by this opportunity to see firsthand an interdisciplinary team of researchers collaborating together—a novelty that his classes emphasize will form the future of medicine. Although Ulysse is unsure of where he wants to be in 10 years, he says he feels that research will probably be part of it.

BONUS ONLINE INTERVIEWS

MCGILLTRIBUNE.COM

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science & technology

| Curiosity delivers.

SCIENCE

Physics theory proposes universal Inception Boltzmann brains explain human life as product of lone fluctuating intelligences Kieran Steer Contributor What are the chances that our existence—or lack thereof—could be a mere projection from someone or something’s mind, just like the premise of The Matrix or Inception?

Ludwig Boltzmann (1844-1906), the same German physicist who derived the blackbody radiation laws, proposed this reasoning during the 1800s and it is still discussed today as one of the most interesting and disturbing ideas of science.

Boltzmann posed the idea, that just as humans with self-aware, conscious minds inhabit the Earth, there may be other self-aware minds— dubbed Boltzmann Brains—blipping in and out of existence throughout the universe.

The theory is based on the second law of thermodynamics, which states that the entropy— disorder, or the measure of the number of states in which a particular system can be arranged— of the universe is perpetually increasing. This law requires our universe to spontaneously approach a thermodynamic equilib-

rium of high entropy and disorder.

Low entropy, or order, is unlikely to occur in a universe such as ours.

However, in the midst of this theoretically chaotic universe exists Earth: a perfectly life-supporting world inhabited by humans— intelligent and self-aware creatures.

Based on the law that entropy is continually increasing in a highly disordered equilibrium, it seems unlikely that such a highly ordered planet with such highly-ordered minds as ours, could happen. In fact, it should be astronomically rare that we exist.

Fortunately, the infinite size of the universe allows events of low probability to occur, meaning it is incredibly unlikely, albeit statistically possible for a fluctuation in the entropic equilibrium to lead to life like ours.

Boltzmann Brains come in when considering the following: If a self-aware mind as a product of a random, low entropy pocket in the universe is unlikely to happen, then a self-aware mind on a habitable planet among millions of other self-aware creatures would involve a substantially lower state of entropy, and is therefore significantly less

likely to happen—the probability is nearly impossible.

The Boltzmann Brain theory argues that based on probability, it is far more likely that lone conscious minds exist than aggregates of organized and self-aware civilizations, like ours do. Boltzmann postulates these brains would flip in and out of existence in random spots of the universe.

However, imagining these socalled ‘intelligences’ is quite challenging. Cosmologist Sean Carroll in his novel From Eternity to Here described the minds as, “Lonely, disembodied brains, who fluctuate gradually out of the surrounding chaos and then gradually dissolve back into it.” As the idea is highly theoretical, the shape or form of these brains can only be postulated.

A more extreme theory arising from this concept suggests that our entire life, history, and existence is a projection of a single Boltzmann Brain in the universe, much like the idea behind Inception, where a single mind creates a dream world for a society to reside in.

However, we don’t need to de-

mote ourselves to the existence of a SIM computer character just yet.

Prominent physicists such as Richard Feynman have found ways to contest Boltzmann’s extraordinary theory.

Feynman postulates that since any random locaTheory suggests humans are projections of tion on Earth is expected lone minds in the universe. (www.bluesci.org) to exist in a highly ordered state, like everything around ory’s Latest Folly” from New Scienit, it is unlikely that the entire uni- tist compares the Boltzmann Brain verse as we see it is merely a fluctu- contemplation to Thomas Aquinas’s ation in entropy: there must be fac- medieval debate about “How many tors other than entropy that ensure angels could dance on the head of a pin?” Krauss points out that though our existence.

“If our order were due to a fluc- Boltzmann provides an interesting tuation, we would not expect order debate, there is no real way to solve anywhere [except] where we have or learn from such an abstract theojust noticed it,” says Feynman in ry, so we might as well be arguing a 2011 TED talk. He goes further over the number of angels that could to deduce that the observed order dance on a pinhead.

The idea is intriguing, but for could be remains from a highlyordered (low-entropy) past from the now, the Boltzmann Brain theory universe’s onset, which have persist- will remain both an incredibly interesting and somewhat frightening noed over millions of years.

In an entirely different response tion until science evolves the means to the Boltzmann Brain theory, Law- to further investigate the fluctuarence Krauss’ article “String The- tions of entropy in space.

TECHNOLOGY

Australian restaurateur develops symbol for ‘the’

Tweeting could drive the evolution of language towards short forms Abhishek Gupta Contributor With the development of social media and communications technology, language is facing external pressures to shift towards a more condensed form, as seen in the current use of slangs, abbreviations, and connotations.

Take, for example, restaurateur Paul Mathis, who is trying to transform the way we send texts and tweets by creating a shorthand symbol for the word ‘the’—the most commonly used word in the English language according to oxforddictionaries. com. He proposed combining a capital ‘T’ with a lowercase ‘h’ sharing a common stem. Though not much shorter than the original three-letter word, Mathis argues that it will increase efficiency by saving two extra characters every time you tweet.

“The word ‘and’ is only the fifth-most used word in English, and it has its own symbol—the ampersand,” said Mathis in an interview with the Sydney Morning Herald. “Isn’t it time we accorded the same respect to ‘the’?”

However, Mathis’ new symbol did not receive the hype he had hoped for. Its similarity to a Cyrillic character (used by Slavic languages), awkward font spacing, and Apple’s refusal to allow such a symbol to be used on their devices halted its rise to becoming commonplace.

Despite its lack of success, Mathis is not alone in his preference for short forms. Since the advent of Twitter in 2006, the use of acronyms shot up significantly.

Expressing oneself in 140 characters is evolving to become very much the norm, and to some extent, an art form.

Acronyms, too, are evolving to move away from their original meanings when they were first used in Internet Relay Chat (IRC) rooms to acquire new connotations.

For instance, some of the acronyms employed in text messages are no longer used in their original context. For instance, ‘LOL’ no longer singly stands for ‘laugh out loud’; rather, it is used more often as a standard response in conversations that are not necessarily funny.

Hashtags used on Twitter and Instagram— and more recently on Facebook— also represent a shift in the way

Apple refused to implement the ‘the’ symbol on its devices’ keyboards. (laughingsquid.com)

we interpret these symbols and the meaning that they carry. Showing an Instagram photo littered with hashtags to someone in the ‘90s would definitely have left them baffled by the use of a symbol that meant ‘phone number’ preceding captions of a picture.

However, not everyone is on board with this evolution of the written word.

Some puritans of the English language argue that such a change is pulling us away from what is widely accepted as the ‘correct’ way to write and express oneself. For instance, a study conducted in May 2012 by the Pennsylvania University Media Effects Research Laboratory showed that children who recently engaged in text messaging performed significantly worse on a grammar exam than those who did not.

While the benefits of this new type of language are up for debate, evolution is certainly at work. Considering how English changed from Chaucer to Shakespeare, or to the pre-Internet era; this phenomenon is hardly new. Unlike these past changes, which were largely dictated by changes in verbal communication, today there seems to be a disconnect between the short forms used on the Internet and our conversations in person. In the age of texting and tweeting, perhaps we’ll soon all be speaking in hashtag, too.

SCITECH calendar

Soup & Science Everyday Sept 9-13, starting at 11:30 a.m. (Hint: get there early!)

An exciting opportunity to meet professors, learn how you can get involved, and listen to short, three minute talks about their research. www.mcgill.ca/science/research/ours/soupscience Redpath Museum, Free Cognitive Science Research Day Mid-September Research day is an all-day event where professors from all five cognitive science streams come to talk about their research. It is a great opportunity for students to see what their studies could lead to and to explore cognitive science’s different programs. www.cogsci-mcgill.com/ Science documentary film: An Inconvenient Truth (2006) Sept 8 3:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m.

Showing at the Redpath Museum auditorium, 859 rue Sherbrooke Ouest Free with donation to Museum Strange New Worlds and the Quest for Life Outside the Solar System Sept. 10 7:00 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.

Thought-provoking talk by professor René Doyon, physics department of the Université de Montreal, about his study of exoplanets and the development of complex state-ofthe-art astromonical instrumentation.

Raymond Building: 21111 Lakeshore Road, Ste. Anne de Bellevue

arts & entertainment VISUAL ART

Chihuly exhibit continues to dazzle Montrealers Montreal Museum of Fine Arts’ featured glass show enters its fall season Julia Donahue Contributor If you have walked by Sherbrooke and Crescent recently, you have likely already noticed one of the staples of American-born sculptor Dale Chihuly’s repertoire. The sculpture, entitled The Sun, emerges from a mass of glass tubes that snake around each other in a brilliant, chaotic tangle of yellow and red.

A prolific modern-day artist, Chihuly’s fame arose from his elaborate sculptures made entirely of blown glass. An exhibit of his works currently resides at the Montreal Museum of Fine Arts (MMFA) until Oct. 20.

Chihuly’s Persian Colonnade surrounds the staircase entering the exhibit, welcoming us to his world of art. Sunlight streams through the windows and illuminates these flower-like creations to strike a harmonious balance between natural and man-made beauty, a frequently recurring theme in his work.

In the next room, spotlights on the ceiling break through darkness, illuminating vibrant bowls that skirt the room on tall pedestals. This Macchia Forest contains

over 300 colours which, along with the elevation of these creations, instills a humbling effect on viewers.

One of the more experimental works in the collection was Chihuly’s Glass Forest #6. In this piece, tree-like pieces of blown glass glow a vibrant white and pink, the result of being filled with argon gas and neon. Mirrors surround the artwork, creating a mystifying, psychedelic

ering over small, germinating seeds.

This neon forest conjures the idea of manmade objects invading nature, and creates an eerie panorama.

In the next display, two boats rest on a dark black platform dotted with an assortment of glass-blown spheres. At first glance, it appears as though the boats rest upon calm surface waters. Soon, however, the mixture of blown glass stacked with-

adds to the ‘controlled chaos’ of the piece; while one boat is only filled with spherical glass, the other contains an assortment of glass-blown organisms, seaweed-like tendrils, and shells. The profound contrast between motion and stillness creates an unsettling scene and a sense of unpredictability within the work.

Again, we see Chihuly’s use of striking colour contrasts, as he uses an

Dale Chihuly’s Persian Ceiling captivates onlookers. (Courtesy of Pierre Longtin) scene. In this sculpture, various stages of growth can be observed, with tall ‘full grown’ structures tow-

in the boats shifts the scene to that of two sunken ships filled to the brim with sea creatures and rocks. This

entirely black backdrop against the illuminated and vibrant glass structures. Although none of the indi-

vidual objects within the boats are the same, there remains a noticeable theme in each.

The highlight of the exhibit was Chandeliers and Tower. These several-hundred kilogram sculptures hang together in a single room and startle observers with their majestic beauty. Lit from above in an otherwise entirely dark room, they are built to represent stalagmites and stalactites in caves. Once again, we observe a stirring within the structures, as tubes of blown glass reach in all directions and entwine around each other in a shadow of movement. Each structure possesses its own vibrant colour, which further intensifies the display.

Although there are recurrent themes within much of Chihuly’s works, each of his creations is visually distinct. The exhibit within the MMFA contains only a small portion of Chihuly’s many works, but this tip of the iceberg is well worth a visit for both veteran art enthusiasts and intrigued novices alike.

Chihuly: Utterly Breathtaking runs at the Montreal Museum of Fine Arts until October 20th. Student admission is $10.44.

FILM

Drinking like there’s no tomorrow The World’s End is an entertaining ride through a booze-filled alien apocalypse Daniel Fishbayn Contributor If there is one lesson to be learned from all three features written by Edgar Wright and Simon Pegg in the last decade, it is that looks are always deceiving. In Shaun of the Dead (2004), the titular Shaun treks to the corner store to buy Cornettos— the U.K. equivalent of Drumsticks, and a recurring motif in each of the films­— oblivious to the fact that a zombie apocalypse is occurring around him. Similarly, Hot Fuzz (2007) played upon the superficial innocence of a sleepy English village. The creative duo revisits these themes of lurking malevolence in The World’s End, this time waxing Sci-Fi while simultaneously exploring one man’s yearning to return to his golden youth. The result does not disappoint.

Pegg stars as Gary King, a 40-year-old alcoholic deadbeat who

tries to relive the greatest night of his life by dragging his high school buddies, now successful businessmen, back to his hometown of Newton Haven. They plan to finish the ambitious 12-stop pub crawl, culminating at the aptly named ‘World’s End’ that they failed to complete 20 years earlier. Yet an unlikely obstacle stands in their way: body-snatching aliens have settled in Newton Haven. The concept works brilliantly as we watch King gallop from pub to pub, his resentful friends trailing along behind him and berating his idiocy as they are forced to battle with malicious humanoids.

Also key to this film’s appeal are excellent performances on the part of Pegg and the remainder of the film’s entire supporting cast.

Pegg perfectly portrays King’s groan-inducing immaturity and desperate nostalgia as he enters middle age, while his buddies provide other moments of hilarity. Martin Freeman is excellent as the Bluetooth-

sporting Oliver, whose catchphrase — “Double-you tee eff, Gary!?”— gets increasingly hilarious with each repeated exclamation.

If The World’s End has a weakness, it’s that it tries to cram so much material into its modest running time of 109 minutes that the viewer can sometimes feel left in the dust.

Wright and Pegg seek to bring the audience up to speed by kicking off the film with a delightfully kitschy prologue telling the whole story of the legendary 1990 pub crawl through King’s eyes. But because the sequence moves so rapidly and we get so little time with each character, it’s frustrating to figure out which friend is which in the presentday scenes that follow.

Luckily, we have Wright’s dynamic directing style to keep us engrossed from start to finish. That being said, Wright offers nothing new here stylistically; almost all of the ingenious techniques he uses are recognizable from his previous

Simon Pegg’s latest film does not disappoint. (standard.co.uk)

work. Also reused are a number of sight gags: characters find creative ways to finish off their inhuman foes just as they did in Shaun of the Dead, and turn their heads only to be met with the creepy, synchronized stares of the townspeople just as they did in Hot Fuzz. Nevertheless, the visual gags have been used just sparingly enough that they still feel fresh and entertaining here. Moreover, some of them— like when King tries to jump over a fence and instead knocks it over (a trilogy trademark) —are clearly intended to be winking

tributes rather than lazy repeats.

The World’s End doesn’t try to hide the fact that it owes a great deal to its predecessor and to classic Sci-Fi staples like Invasion of the Body Snatchers and Doctor Who. In the end, it doesn’t need to, since Wright and Pegg have the imaginative potency to make even the most recognizable movie clichés feel new again.

The World’s End was released on Aug. 23 and is currently playing at the Scotiabank Theatre on 977 rue Sainte-Catherine Ouest.

Curiosity delivers. |

arts & entertainment

| Wednesday, September 4, 2013

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Montreal convention for an unconventional art form hosted this weekend at historic Windsor Station Mira Sharma Contributor With the increasing popularity of tattoos, they have gained recognition as one of today’s more overt expressions of personality. Tattoos are no longer largely perceived as symbols of dissent and delinquency; a contemporary view of them now leans closer towards a holistic understanding of these designs as visual art.

Breaking away from stereotypes of skulls and barbed wire, more varied tattoos have skyrocketed in popularity. The human skin is now ‘the new flesh’ for tattoo artists such as Sandi Calistro, a Denver-based artist participating in Montreal’s annual Art Tattoo Show.

In Calistro’s opinion, there may be a number of explanations for the rise in popularity of tattoos.

“Maybe when it initially started, it was more sailors tattooing,” Calisto says. “When I was getting into it, the tattooists I knew were art students; the new generation that started tattooing brought a different style to the table [...] but I think it really exploded when they started the reality TV shows [like L.A. Ink and Tattoo Rescue]. Because then people saw that tattoo shops weren’t scary

to go into […] They [were] creating crazy art pieces; [people] didn’t know tattoos could look like that.”

Unlike attending a gallery showing, getting tattooed is not a passive visual experience; it is a shared encounter between two people. Calistro explains: “It is a really intimate experience. The person is putting a lot of trust in you and they are kind of in a vulnerable situation because you’re inflicting pain [...] they open up to you quite a bit. For some people it is therapeutic. There’s something about it that’s a release.”

In return, an artist will imprint a little bit of themselves in their work; during the short time the service is being rendered, it is a truly symbiotic relationship.

Where some find a sense of therapy in receiving a tattoo, others definitely feel the pain that comes with getting a valued piece of work.

“For me, it’s quite painful,” Calistro describes. “Tattoos hurt for sure, but it’s kind of like a rite of passage that way. You go through the pain of the tattoo and you kind of feel like you’ve conquered something by doing it.”

In recent years, tattoos have grown in popularity with women.

Once deemed more appropriate for a

masculine crowd, body art has been readily welcomed by a female clientele. With an increasing demand for more feminine elements, a new generation of female artists has emerged. Calistro’s work has dutifully catered to the growing call for feminine art. Her work surpasses the simple objectification of the female, drawing inspiration from contemporary artists like Frida Kahlo.

Calistro is a familiar face at the Montreal Art Tattoo Show.

“A friend that did the convention and invited me to come – that’s how I got involved in it. Montreal is my favourite because first of all, you get to experience the city as well as the convention. The convention is put together perfectly— the artists are all really good and everyone that runs the convention is super friendly and makes you feel super at home like family. It’s my favourite.”

Calistro describes the experience of getting a tattoo at a convention versus a studio: “The atmosphere is extremely different; for the client it might be better because they have all of these distractions— basically, [for the] people watching— it’s like this over-stimulation that can help with the pain.”

Whether you are looking to get

Meet the parents. (sandicalistroart.com) your first ‘tat’ or add to your collection, the convention will feature over 100 artists from around the world and right here in Quebec. As a veteran of the convention, Calistro reassures that, “if you are looking to get a tattoo, you will find every style you can imagine. If you were ever contemplating a tattoo, you would find what you were looking

for there. There’s going to be a lot of artwork to look at.”

The convention runs from Friday, Sept. 6 to Sunday, Sept. 8. Tickets are available for purchase at the door at Windsor Station. Find more information at http://www.arttattoomontreal.com.

Film

Our Nixon can’t deliver the reel goods ‘America’s funniest home videos’ a more apt name for presidential biopic Ira Halpern Contributor It turns out that if Richard Nixon’s key aides were a few decades younger, they probably would have been really into Instagram. Penny Lane’s new documentary Our Nixon, released Aug. 30, uses mostly amateur Super-8 camera footage, shot by the former U.S. president’s White House chief of staff, H.R. Haldeman; John Ehrlichman, his domestic affairs assistant; and Dwight Chapin, his deputy assistant, who all ultimately ended up serving jail time for their involvement in the 1970s Watergate scandal. Henry Kissinger appears in the film fairly often too, though he was apparently too busy addressing international relations and his relationships with women to fool around with a camera.

Without any voice-over narra-

tion, the film takes a genuine stab at working in the style of cinéma vérité— candid scenes unguided by a director. However, the shaky footage shot by Nixon’s aides reveals nothing particularly shocking. It mostly presents a warm-andfuzzy, sometimes goofy picture of the mundane, as home videos often do best. We see Nixon at his desk and on vacation, White House dinner parties and entertainment, and a lot of the White House gardens — too often, unfortunately, to hold our interest. We also see Nixon’s advisors filming each other, and the sheer volume of such footage that Lane incorporates into her documentary seems to imply a criticism of an indulgently inward-looking old-boys-club not fully in touch with reality.

Lane’s arrangement of clips reveals a particular interest in the awkward theatrics of Nixon’s life.

“The film suffers from a lack of thematic unity and structure.“ One of the film’s most perfectly cringe-worthy moments occurs when Nixon introduces The Ray Conniff Singers, who are playing at the White House, with “If the music’s square, it’s because I like it square.” Soon afterwards, however, one singer uses the microphone to harshly criticize Nixon for the war in Vietnam. In China, Nixon and his aides attend a play with Communist propaganda. According to Haldeman, though the play “would have been horrifying at home […] it all seemed to fit together here.”

With these scenes, personal drama overshadows actual politics in the film, and the result­— despite echoing Nixon’s nebulous legacy— is a

film that leaves us with more questions than answers.

Pairing this home-video footage with other archival footage occasionally results in clever, ironic juxtaposition. This includes Nixon’s television addresses as well as interviews with his aides. It also features some deliciously horrifying clips from the White House tapes, which is where the shock value of the Nixon story continues to lie. Behind Nixon’s on-screen façade of confidence is a man who is paranoid, insecure and out-oftouch with reality. For instance, while viewing the perfectly manicured White House gardens, we hear Nixon rant: “You know what happened to the Greeks? Homosexuality destroyed them [...]you see, homosexuality, immorality in general, these are the enemies of strong societies. That’s why the Communists and the left-wingers

are pushing it; they’re trying to destroy us!” But the film is neither didactic nor strictly one-sided. In fact, it does present glimpses of Nixon’s charming side, such as showcasing his deep loyalty to his criminal colleagues.

Overall, however, the film suffers from a lack of thematic unity and structure. It is not always clear why a particular piece of footage has been included— why, for instance, are we looking at a prolonged shot of a squirrel in the White House gardens? The drifting, rambling quality of the film makes you feel as though you are traveling back in time in a dream state. When you wake up, a general confusion tempts one to consult a real biopic for clarification.

Our Nixon begins screening at Cinema du Parc (3575. av. du Parc) on Sept. 6.

16

Wednesday, September 4, 2013 |

arts & entertainment

Album

| Curiosity delivers.

could be good

reviews

MUSIC Esmerine + Matana Roberts + Kingdom Shore Canadian acts Esmerine, a percussive chamber music band with a brand new album, Damarak; and Kingdom Shore, who make punk and hardcore with classical instruments, join New York City sound experimentalist Matana Roberts at Sala Rossa.

Wednesday, Sept. 4, 8:30 p.m., Sala Rossa (4848 St. Laurent). Admission $1315.

Still Life Mourning Trance

Earl Sweatshirt Doris

Juicy J Stay Trippy

Arts & Crafts

Columbia

Taylor Gang Records

Often, archetypal indie pop concerns itself with loss, generally that of some idealized relationship or another. However, Still Life’s new album shifts its creative focus to a different type of loss: mourning the deaths of extended family members of the band. This theme attests to the collective history of the musicians, who have been playing together since childhood. Every track reflects on these experiences, but it feels more like a tribute to living on rather than a cry against the unfairness of the world.

Mourning Trance opens with “Burial Suit,” a sedate track that sometimes suffers from poorly intertwined elements, drowning out lyricism. “Dancing Spines” is where the album begins to engage, with punchy vocals and bass riffs that clearly represent one of the band’s strengths. “Revolving Doors” is another exemplary song, in large part due to the mastery of the layering of different sections that the band seemed to strive for in the beginning of the album- every component seems deliberate. “Hanging With Our Family” begins almost like a hymn, with a lethargic coupling of vocals and keyboard. Only as the song and the album itself come to a close does it begin to be drowned in sonic feedback.

Unfortunately, Still Life hardly differentiates themselves sonically from their musical peers. Nevertheless, most of the album is likable, and there’s no good reason to bemoan the interesting sound of Still Life’s mourning music.

The last time Earl Sweatshirt was in the spotlight—for his muchhyped mixtape Earl—he dropped everything and disappeared to Samoa. Soon, rumours, mainly fueled by colleague and collaborator Tyler the Creator’s more-than-halfserious “Free Earl” campaign, circulated that he was forced into a boarding school by his mother. Now he is again a product and a victim of hype; on his latest album, Doris, he airs his grievances and talent in equal measure.

When Earl (née Thebe Neruda Kgositsile) returned to America, he cleared the air: no, he wasn’t forced to go to Samoa; rather, he went to finish high school and deal with his drug addictions and general delinquency. Although the album is named after his late grandmother, Earl focuses much more on his own life than Doris’ death, besides a quick lament in track two, ‘Burgundy.’ Anxieties and anecdotes spill into monotone bars, which are rapped over simple bass melodies mostly produced by Earl himself.

Earl’s deadpan works as a nice contrast to his serious topics and complex wordplay. His blasé delivery forces the listener to pay close attention to off-hand puns and clever metaphors, which take a second to register, especially without any pronounced intonation. Doris produces line after line of feelings that follow close behind one another in one long string, as the tracks rarely pause for a hook. Still, with the excellent beats by hip-hop producers RZA and Samiyam, Earl’s minimalist production is sonically dull. Right now, Earl stands as an MC with potential, but when you’re widely regarded as the best rapper in your group, maybe it’s time to break off and branch out.

For Juicy J, being ‘trippy’ is both a state of mind and a lifestyle, and in Stay Trippy, he raps about living it for 20 years. Throughout, the former Three 6 Mafia member condones codeine, crime, and cannabis, detailing his experiences with each.

Dipping between tempos, he will rap pointedly over a beat and then continue in double-time. In his intro, ‘Stop It,’ he speaks of “getting high like I’m eighteen but I been rich since the late eighties,” and continues to reference themes of intoxication and career longevity throughout the album.

Juicy J never strays far from his mantra of sex, drugs, and other vices, and his articulate and frank lyrics result in a series of reckless, escapist anthems. With a total of 16 songs, Juicy J would have done well to cut weaker tracks, such as “So Much Money” and “No Heart No Love,” where extended and repetitive hooks are grating rather than exciting. On nearly every other track, however, Juicy J’s charisma shines through. Ridiculous lines like “Got a house on the hill cost a couple of mill/Juicy J got bank like Uncle Phil” cleverly combine braggadocio and over-the-top, jokey hyperbole.

As a rapper in the midst of the third stage of his career—he is now signed to Wiz Khalifa’s Taylor Gang Records after 2002 and 2009 solo releases that resulted from his split with Three 6 Mafia—Juicy J is a rarity, and one would expect new ideas and artistic progression to be the only way to succeed in a subgenre that creates such transient artists. Juicy, however, easily surpasses trendy raps that lack his experienced, confident flow. On Stay Trippy, Juicy J ultimately succeeds by doing what he does best—producing party bangers better than any of his imitators.

—Will Burgess

—Will Burgess

—Alex Kpeglo-Hennessy

FILM FESTIVAL Poor but Sexy The Goethe Institut kicks off their lowbudget, German-produced film festival with Jan Ole Gerster’s critically acclaimed Old Boy. The festival celebrates the city of Berlin and the ingenuity of self-financed films in an eight film series that runs until Halloween.

Thursday, Sept. 5, 7:00 p.m., Cinéma Excentris (3536 St. Laurent). Student admission $9.82.

DANCE Triana Project Toronto-based flamenco dancers, singers, and musicians perform as part of the second annual Montreal Flamenco Festival, which presents a series of events throughout September in Mile End.

mcgilltribune. com

Monday, Sept. 9, 8:30 p.m., Casa del Popolo (4873 St. Laurent). Admission $10.

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ART LIving in a Material World Centre PHI presents a free vernissage of Paul Bureau and Valérie Kolakis’ artisitic examination of raw materials including glass, metal, bronze, marble, and cement.

Friday, Sept. 6, 5:30 p.m., PHI Centre (407 St. Pierre). Admission is free.

NIGHTLIFE POP Montreal Program Launch Party POP Montreal organizers celebrate the launch of their official program with DJ Noah Bick playing amidst ticket raffles and POP announcements at S.A.T.

Wednesday, Sept. 4, 6:00 p.m., Société des arts technologiques (SAT). Admission is free.

Triana Project. (Photo by Levent Erutku)

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19

SPORTS

POINT

COUNTERPOINT Against boycotting Sochi Before beginning, I would like to make it clear that I believe that the Russian government’s behaviour is clearly wrong.

The Russian anti-gay legislation is a grave human rights violation. Unfortunately, despite this glaring fact, the 2014 Winter Olympics is unlikely to be moved. Many athletes and countries will be forced to make a tough decision: whether or not to boycott the Games. I believe they should not.

Qualifying for the Olympics is no easy feat, and those that do make the cut will probably only do so twice during their career, maybe three times if they’re lucky. Athletes spend their entire lives dreaming about an Olympic gold medal, but they have very few opportunities to realize this goal. If countries boycott the Games entirely, they will be taking away one of the few chances that a competitor gets to reach the pinnacle of athletic success. While a boycott by countries such as Canada or the United States would be detrimental to Russia and the Olympics, the impact would be brief and not very noticeable in the long run. However, the effect it would have on athletes and staff from the boycotting country could be very significant.

This is why the decision to participate should be one that each athlete makes individually.

While some athletes will not be comfortable being a part of the Games, for most, it would be a mistake to boycott. If one athlete snubs the Games, another who didn’t

In July 2013, Russia’s president, Vladimir Putin signed a law which gave police officers the right to make arrests on the grounds of disseminating “gay propaganda.” A number of other anti-gay laws have since followed under Putin, creating a whirlwind of controversy. Two contributors weigh in on whether a boycott by athletes and nations of the 2014 Sochi Olympics would be a good idea.

For boycotting Sochi

originally qualify will surely be willing to step in to replace them. These “replacements” would likely have been just seconds too slow to qualify. Thus, even with boycotts from certain athletes or countries, the level of competition would remain high and the actual product would likely not be significantly worse than what was offered by past games.

The Athletes who do want to compete are not who we should be demonizing. Instead, both Russia and the International Olympic Committee (IOC) should be punished.

The most effective boycott would be one by the viewers. Don’t watch on television and don’t purchase tickets to the events. If there is Olympic gear for sale, make sure that it stays on the shelves. This would serve the purpose of driving down the attention that these Games receive. Low television ratings and reduced media coverage would send a clear message to the IOC and to the Russian government that we as viewers will not be a part of future Games with similar situations. With all the problems that are surfacing in Brazil in anticipation of the 2014 World Cup, it seems that the IOC may have to make another difficult decision in a few years about leaving a host nation with significant social problems. A viewer boycott, not one by athletes or countries, would set the IOC on a path to making the right choice come 2016.

— Wyatt Fine-Gagné

VS

Editors’ pick: Don’t boycott the Games Although boycotting the Sochi Olympics would certainly send a powerful message to Russia about their mandate on banning homosexuality, there are other effective methods to make a statement without risking the dreams of athletes around the world. Top-level athletes only have a few opportunities to reach the Olympics, and a boycott of the Games is a brash solution to a complex problem.

THIRD MAN IN For university students, May is the month when our exam anxiety evaporates and we veer off to begin our promising summer plans. However, this summer brought with it a new cause for uneasiness and hope.

It was NHL playoff hockey, and it had finally returned to Toronto.

To say that the city was itching for the post-season is not dire enough. Toronto sports fandom in general took an unfortunate course over the past decade. Being removed from meaningful sports action for so long changed our ethos. Even in the most hopeful of circumstances when our confidence bordered on irrationality, our teams always seemed to crumble, triggering the regrettably familiar combination of self-loathing and self-deprecation.

In this case, the sentiment was amplified because it was the

Leafs—the pantheon of all Toronto sports teams—who finally seemed to have awoken from their decadelong trip of embarrassment.

The feat was that much more personally significant because the once unthinkable decline of the franchise occurred during the decade in which I, along with many of my friends and my peers, were wrestling with the culmination of gawkiness commonly known as adolescence. Our teams should have united us and made us secure, but those blankets left us cold, and that didn’t help our cause or settle my hormones.

However, with an outpouring of enthusiasm and excitement came rational fans that sensibly calmed the tide. The smart bunch argued that we should celebrate postseason qualification, and should be proud no matter how far the team went.

Boycotting the Olympics has been a failure in the past. It did not affect the Soviet Union’s behaviour following the 1980 Olympics. In fact, it only caused a backlash in 1984, where the Soviet Union and 15 other nations declined to attend the Los Angeles Olympics because their athletes could not be guaranteed safety. In the media, it has been largely judged that having a presence in Sochi is better in terms of making a pro-LGBT rights statement than to not be there at all. Still, a boycott has its benefits and should be considered a legitimate choice to make a change to Russia’s new legislation against “homosexual propaganda.”

First, a boycott of the Olympics would mean that Russia’s nationalist propaganda is not seen nor experienced by the world.

Jesse Owens, an African-American sprinter chose to participate in the 1936 Berlin Games, and his four gold medals in Nazi Germany were viewed as a triumph in disproving Hitler’s view of a ‘master race’. Unfortunately, the Olympics as an event was construed as a victory for the Third Reich.

While showing up to the Games can provide a platform to make a statement, small acts of defiance can only go so far.

Second, the Olympics could be potentially dangerous to athletes and guests to Russia. It is unclear whether Russian officials will really target foreigners at the event, risking strained relations in the international community or even causing a diplomatic crisis. However, we cannot preclude this possibility—the situation should

absolutely be approached with caution.

Third, a boycott can occur in more than one way. Pierre Martin, a writer for The Toronto Star, suggested that Canada boycott hockey at the 2014 Olympics because it would send a message to hockey-crazy Russia. Since hockey is a sport in which only a few teams—namely the U.S., Canada, and Russia—dominate the play, not having Canada or the United States attend would render Sochi’s most popular competition meaningless. Boycotting specific sports suggests that there is prominent governmental support for LGBT rights. Not only is the government voicing its opinion against Russia’s legislation, it is also actively supporting LGBT rights and the movement towards equality at home. Also, by boycotting only specific events, many athletes still have the opportunity to have a presence in Sochi and initiate dialogue on the issues.

Finally, doing this shows Russia that its behaviour is unacceptable; nations will not stand by and watch this happen. A study shows that two-thirds of Russia’s population accept and support the new legislation.

Although boycotting may be an extreme action, it ultimately produces a strong message. As actor Stephen Fry said in an open letter to the IOC and British Prime Minister David Cameron, “At all costs Putin cannot be seen to have the approval of the civilized world.” If we attend the Olympics, we will be giving Putin our approval.

— Rebecca Babcock

Woe is me, woe are the Leafs Many Leafs fans quickly began to share this feeling, especially once we drew the Boston Bruins—the Debbie Downer of our hockey existence.

What moderate hope we had held onto all but dissipated when the Bruins took a 3-1 series lead into Boston, one win away from closing out the Leafs. Strangely enough, most seemed content with the inevitable—we generally outplayed the Bruins, a few breaks didn’t go our way, but it was overall a quality experience for our young, promising core. We were, dare I say, learning, and ripe with real, tempered optimism, even on the brink of defeat. Perhaps we no longer fell victim to false hope.

Just remember though, it’s not officially over yet, so don’t poke the irrational bear.

Almost unbelievably, the Leafs

won Game 5 in Boston and then Game 6 in Toronto. The unfathomable was unfolding in front of our eyes. The series was tied at 3-3 and heading back to Beantown for the final, deciding game.

Please, please don’t poke the bear.

In a blink, Toronto somehow held a 4-1 lead in Game 7 with only 10 minutes remaining in the third period, an almost insurmountable deficit for any hockey team in any normal situation. Leafs Nation could think of only one logical outcome: the Leafs were going to beat Boston against all odds and then win the Cup because they are the team of destiny.

Poked.

Then, in our delirium, it happened again: 4-2 ... 4-3 ... 4-4...

Overtime.

Toronto, the team and the city,

internally combusted.

I warned you not to poke the bear.

The collapse was so predictable that it verged on laughable; this was a Toronto sports team, of course. Ridiculously, I was still hopeful, even after enduring 10 minutes of devastation and reassembling my body parts. Maybe, just maybe, the Leafs would calm down in the dressing room, somehow reverse the momentum, and prevail in overtime.

Who was I kidding? This was Toronto and we were the Leafs.

With another blink, it was 5-4. Bruins advance. Cue the YouTube reaction montages. I hate myself.

Four months later, it still stings. But hey, we actually might have a chance next year. Right?

— Steven Lampert

FC NORTH

FC SOUTH

Pittsburgh Steelers — After coming off a relatively disappointing season by Steelers’ standards, the team is hoping for a big bounce-back season. Much of their success will rely on the health of quarterback Ben Roethlisberger, who missed part of last season with a rib injury. The Steelers’ offence will also need to find a way to maintain the effectiveness of their run game, after losing Rashard Mendenhall in the off-season. The loss of veteran linebacker James Harrison begins the rebuilding process for an aging Steelers defence— one that was set in motion through the drafting of outside linebacker Jarvis Jones. Steeltown should expect its team to return to its winning ways, but that may not be enough to guarantee post-season success in a tough division.

Baltimore Ravens — The defending Super Bowl champions will have their work cut out for them after an off-season that saw the retirement of Ravens legend Ray Lewis, as well as the departure of fan favourites Ed Reed and Anquan Boldin. In order for the Ravens to have any hope of defending their title, Joe Flacco will have to prove that he is worth the six-year, $120 million contract that he signed in the off-season. Despite mutliple off-season departures, Baltimore is a supremely talented squad on both sides of the ball with emerging superstars ready to fill the void left by departing legends. The Ravens will have a fighting chance at reclaiming the AFC North title.

Indianapolis Colts — The 2012 Indianapolis Colts were a team of rebirth. The dismantling of the Colts as they entered the post-Manning era was spearheaded by new General Manager Ryan Grigson. He drafted a once-in-a-generation quarterback in Andrew Luck, who went on to shatter the rookie record for passing yards, along with wide receiver T.Y. Hilton and tight ends Dwyane Allen and Coby Fleener. Entering the 2013 season, Grigson beefed up the roster by spending liberally in free agency on defensive veterans to shore up the youthful core. Look for the Colts to snag another playoff berth off of the improvements of Luck, Allen, and Fleener.

Houston Texans — Even taking into account the rash of injuries that marred the roster, the Texans arguably underachieved in 2012. However, there were a number of bright spots in the season, most notably second-year defensive end J.J. Watt winning the NFL Defensive Player of the Year. The return of linebacker Brian Cushing will bolster the team both physically and emotionally. Offensively the running game will continue to be one of the league’s best with Arian Foster leading the charge. If rookie wide receiver DeAndre Hopkins proves to be a consistent threat opposite star Andre Johnson and the roster manages to stay healthy, this may be the year that the Texans finally break through.

Cincinnati Bengals — Coming into the 2013 season, the Bengals are the favourite to win the division. After two consecutive seasons of early playoff exits, the Bengals are hungry to finally make a playoff run. The addition of first round draft pick Tyler Eifert will help young quarterback Andy Dalton take the next step in his promising career. The Bengals also added veteran linebacker James Harrison. With the Ravens and Steelers both re-tooling their aging rosters, the Bengals are primed to capture the AFC North crown, and potentially make some noise come January.

Tennessee Titans — The Titans entered the off-season with a firm idea of their roster priorities. They selected All-American Chance Warmack with the 10th pick in the draft, hoping to boost an offence that ranked 26 in the league. Beyond the draft, the Titans’ brass came out spending in the off-season, managing to lure top lineman Andy Levitre away from Buffalo, as well as acquiring a number of other free-agents. The Titans also have a bright young linebacking core, but the team’s success hinges on the development of young quarterback Jake Locker. If Locker improves, it could mean job security for Head Coach Mike Munchak in a make-or-break season for Tennessee.

Cleveland Browns — The Cleveland Browns continue to face an uphill struggle as they scratch their way back to relevance. Expectations are low once again coming into this season, as the organization failed to make any drastic off-season moves. Cleveland did, however, add solid young players that should help lay the foundation of a rebuilding organization. Rookie defensive end Barkevious Mingo will be a centrepiece in the Browns’ defence for years to come. They also poached linebacker Paul Kruger from the Ravens in an attempt to increase the talent level on defence. Offensively, the team will struggle to score, but running back Trent Richardson has the potential to be elite.

Jacksonville Jaguars — All eyes are trained on Blaine Gabbert as the Jaguars enter the 2013 season. The 10th pick in 2011, Gabbert had been tagged early on as the future franchise quarterback before prematurely stumbling into the media annals of failed firstround draft picks. New General Manager David Caldwell establised a new spread-formation offence and brought in draft picks Luke Joeckel and Denard Robinson to maximize Gabbert’s success. Defensively, new Head Coach Gus Bradley hopes to bring his vaunted defensive principles to Jacksonville. After a number of tempestuous personnel years, the Jaguars need to find stability to escape 2012’s disastrous 2-14 record.

season

CONTrIBUTORS: Steven Lampert adam taras Nicolas price drew allen

peter laing mayaz alam remi lu

FC EAST

PREVIEW FC WEST

New England Patriots — Although New England is not the powerhouse it once was, Bill Belichick and Tom Brady will lead a squad that should top the weak AFC East. The biggest question this season surrounds the receiving personnel. Brady’s favourite options are either injured, on different teams, or facing criminal trial. If new signing Danny Amendola can remain healthy, the offence will remain potent. The Patriots were stout in the run game, but their 29th ranked pass defence proved consistently leaky. They tried to overcome this weakness by resigning cornerback Aqib Talib.

Even then, their efforts seem more like a Band-Aid than a long-term solution for contention.

Denver Broncos — At age 36 last year, Peyton Manning led the Broncos to one of the most successful regular seasons in franchise history. Manning returns with a loaded group of wide receivers with the addition of veteran Wes Welker, who has averaged over 1000 yards and 100 receptions over the past six years. This offseason, the Broncos lost star defensive end Elvis Dumervil to, of all things, a clerical error. This puts added pressure on the defence to generate stops, as star linebacker Von Miller is suspended for violating NFL’s substance policy. If the defence holds up its end of the bargain, the Broncos should once again be contenders.

Miami Dolphins — The Dolphins are on the rise with a promising young quarterback in Ryan Tannehill and a potential star in running back Lamar Miller. They bolstered their receiving corps with Mike Wallace, who provides a much-needed deep option that the Dolphins lacked last year. Slot receiver Brian Hartline is coming off a career year and will form a tandem with Wallace that should help the running game. If Miami is going to have success, their strong defence, which finished seventh in points allowed, will need to continue to be elite. Miami opted to bring in younger talent to help in Dannell Ellerbe and Philip Wheeler, but it may not be enough to secure a playoff spot.

Kansas City Chiefs — Head Coach Andy Reid and quarterback Alex Smith were brought in to help right the ship after the worst season in Chiefs history. Star running back Jamaal Charles returns to the fold and has the luxury of running behind bookend tackles, Branden Albert and Eric Fisher— this year’s first overall draft pick. The defence returns an AFC-leading four Pro Bowl picks, all of whom are still improving. The Chiefs acquired cornerback Sean Smith, creating a back seven that can match up well with any in the league. Look for the Chiefs to bounce back after a disappointing and unlucky season, as a weak schedule might mean a playoff spot.

Buffalo Bills — The Bills have been mired in mediocrity for over a decade now but hope can be found in their first round draft pick— quarterback EJ Manuel. If he can be the latest rookie success story at the position and connect with receiver Stevie Johnson, then star running back C.J. Spiller will be able to anchor the offence. On the defensive end, Buffalo let go of aging and ineffective players and hired the respected Mike Pettine as their new defensive coordinator. Despite changes and optimism, a playoff spot seems unrealistic.

San Diego Chargers — The Chargers enter the season with limited talent but modest aspirations tied to the arrival of new Head Coach Mike McCoy. A patchwork offensive line was rebuilt to provide embattled quarterback Philip Rivers a chance to succeed. However, Rivers has little help from the running game and wide receiver Malcom Floyd was the only player to top 50 catches or 700 yards. Defensively, the Bolts have star safety in Eric Weddle, but have surrounded him with marginal talents. This will ultimately lead to anonther mediocre showing.

New York Jets —No matter who the Jets choose to select as quarterback, the future looks bleak. With no proven offensive weapons, this team will hardly light up the scoreboard. The defence is the only saving grace of this team, but even then the unit has been trending downwards. The loss of star defensive back Darrelle Revis only hurts them further. Rookies Dee Milliner and Sheldon Richardson will inject youth and talent in hopes of returning the team to its glory days.

Rex Ryan can talk the talk but it looks like the Jets will be far from walking any walk this season.

Oakland Raiders — Simply put, the Raiders will be awful. However, General Manager Reggie Mackenzie and the leadership team realize that reversing years of ineptitude will take time. If enigmatic running back Darren McFadden can stay healthy, he will provide offence for a team that lost two of its top three receivers and its starting quarterback.

Defensively, the Raiders defensive backs D.J. Hayden and Charles Woodson lead a solid secondary that will attempt to mask an otherwise mediocre unit. The Raiders will lead the race for the No. 1 overall draft pick.

FC NORTH Green Bay Packers — After another disappointing early post-season exit, the Packers enter 2013 with major question marks. The defence was horrendous last year, allowing the second worst yardage total in a single season in NFL history. The team’s success will rely on the development of its youth: Datone Jones, Nick Perry, and Casey Hayward. Another stud campaign from Clay Matthews should help the cause as well. Despite defensive issues, the Packers remain the class of the NFC North due to quarterback Aaron Rodgers, who should receive some help in the running game this year thanks to rookies Eddie Lacy and Jonathan Franklin. If they can effectively spell the Packers potent passing attack, then Lambeau will be rocking come January.

FC SOUTH Atlanta Falcons — The Falcons finished last season with the No. 1 seed in the NFC for the second time in three years. This was due mostly to the success of their passoriented game. The keys to their offence were MVP candidate Matt Ryan, as well as receivers Julio Jones, Roddy White, Harry Douglas, and veteran tight end Tony Gonzalez. The Falcons’ off-season acquisition of bruisers Steven Jackson and Osi Umenyiora, as well as top draft picks Desmond Trufant and Robert Alford will be immensely helpful for the 2013 season. With the continued improvement of Ryan and a young core that has grown into its own, the Falcons are nothing short of Super Bowl contenders.

Detroit Lions — The Lions returned to their usual struggles after a surprise postseason appearance in 2011. Nonetheless, Detroit remains optimistic due to an offence highlighted by gunslinger Matthew Stafford and superstar Calvin Johnson. The ground game receives help with the addition of Reggie Bush, but the Lions’ offensive line will determine their success. Ndamukong Suh and Nick Fairly could emerge as the best defensive tackle pair in the league, but the secondary needs improvement if the Lions wish to smell playoff action, which at this point seems unlikely.

New Orleans Saints — Following a surreal 2012 season, in which the Saints lost Head Coach Sean Payton and other notable personnel members to suspensions from the Bounty Gate scandal, New Orleans entered the offseason looking to reboot the team.

Payton, who was reinstated as head coach, immediately brought in fiery defensive coordinator Rob Ryan to repair the squad’s historically terrible defence. Payton and Ryan have chosen to implement a 3-4 defence for this upcoming season, and so far, the pre-season results have been encouraging. If the Saints can effectively run the 3-4, New Orleans has the personnel to grind their way to a promising record.

Chicago Bears — Despite a 10-6 record in 2012, the Bears missed out on the postseason, forcing the franchise to make a few significant changes. Former Montreal Alouettes Head Coach Marc Trestman hopes to re-invigorate an offence that has stagnated over the past few seasons. Quarterback Jay Cutler is in a contract year and has lots to prove, but his success will depend on the play of an offensive line that was a constant disappointment. Like last season, the Bears are again led by a strong defence, which finally enters the post-Brian Urlacher era. The unit’s front four rivals some of the best in the league, and may very well carry the Bears to a wild card berth.

Tampa Bay Buccaneers — The 2013 Buccaneers team is the most talented roster assembled during quarterback Josh Freeman’s tenure with the team. Following a 7-9 record this past year, the Tampa Bay brass went on a spending spree during the offseason, signing Pro-Bowl safety Dashon Goldson away from San Francisco, trading for cornerback Darrelle Revis, and drafting cornerback Johnathan Banks. Going forward, the Bucs’ frontline remains a strength, and the off-season moves have definitely boosted the secondary. This is a very big year for the Bucs, but the team will only go as far as Freeman can take them.

Minnesota Vikings — The Vikings opened last season seemingly in a rebuilding phase, but thanks to an otherworldly performance by NFL MVP Adrian Peterson, they snuck into the playoffs and have cause for optimism during the 2013 campaign. Minnesota’s success likely hinges on the play of quarterback Christian Ponder, who has yet to silence his critics. If he does not improve, the two sides may part ways next off-season. The Vikings’ defence was solid last year, and will need continued improvement from their secondary— especially given the quality of quarterbacks in the NFC North.

Carolina Panthers — Struggles on the offensive end were the biggest factors in the Panthers’ sub-par 2012 season. Offensive coordinator Rob Chudzinski and star quarterback Cam Newton butted heads at times over the season, leading to a disconnect on the field. Key players Luke Kuechly, Greg Hardy, and Charles Johnson helped anchor the surprisingly successful defence during the 2012 season; they will be essential to any success Carolina has. The Panthers are in danger of becoming a middling franchise, but if Newton manages to step up as a leader, Carolina may be in a position to reach the next level.

(www.dailygazette.com)

FC EAST Philadelphia Eagles — Andy Reid is out and Chip Kelly is in. The new coach ushers in a new era for the Eagles after a disappointing season. On the field, the Eagles feature a rebuilt offensive line that intends to give quarterback Michael Vick more time to throw.

Running back LeSean McCoy should post elite numbers in a high-flying offence tailored to his strengths.

Defensively, the Eagles will struggle as they switch from the 4-3 to the 3-4. If the Eagles do struggle initially, expect Kelly to be held accountable by a demanding fanbase.

New York Giants — The last two seasons have been turbulent for the Giants, and this year will be no different. Eli Manning has a skilled group of wide receivers that can stretch the field. The offence will lack balance after losing running back Ahmad Bradshaw.

Defensively, former standouts Jason Pierre Paul and Justin Tuck lead a unit whose success is integral to the team as a whole. Look for the Giants to make one of their trademark late-season pushes as this is a talented—albeit inconsistent—team that can get hot at any moment.

FC WEST San Francisco 49ers — San Francisco is a bona-fide contender for the Super Bowl this year after falling short last year. An elite defence headlined by Aldon Smith and Patrick Willis includes Pro Bowl players and quality depth throughout. Offensively, the electric Colin Kaepernick is looking to build off of his late-season emergence as a passing and running threat.

Running back Frank Gore will set a physical tone behind a dominant offensive line. Wide receiver Anquan Boldin was poached from the Baltimore Ravens this off-season in an effort to bolster the unit. Look for the 49ers to steamroll opponents on their way to another deep post-season run.

Seattle Seahawks — The Seahawks enter the season with high expectations. Leading the team is quarterback Russell Wilson, part of the new wave of mobile signal-callers that has taken the league by storm. Seattle’s off-season additions were bold and aggressive but the injury bug hit newly acquired stars Percy Harvin and Cliff Avril. The coaching staff has made a habit of taking late-round draft picks and turning them into stars on a big, talented, and physical defence. If the injuries don’t continue, Seattle stands primed to contend for the Lombardi Trophy.

Dallas Cowboys — In typical Cowboys fashion, Dallas missed the playoffs once again in 2012. Lucky for Dallas, the division remains wide open. Despite Tony Romo’s anti-clutch reputation, his passing output was elite. Wide receiver Dez Bryant will give the offence a boost as he continues to mature. New Defensive Coordinator Monte Kiffin will switch the team to a 4-3 system which will prove problematic for superstar defensive end Demarcus Ware.

The defence’s performance could vary dramatically. If they remain healthy and adjust, the Cowboys will be in the hunt for a playoff spot.

St. Louis Rams — The Rams’ season has the potential to bring many surprises and successes to St. Louis. However, it all hinges on the development of its large pool of young talent. Head Coach Jeff Fisher has orchestrated an impressive turnaround in the past 18 months. There is still uncertainty on offence, as rookie wide receiver Tavon Austin and a stable of young running backs have yet to prove themselves. If options emerge for quarterback Sam Bradford, an elite defence make this team the NFC’s dark horse candidate.

Washington Redskins — Washington turned to the draft to improve their defence, which ranked 28 in points allowed. Offensively, key faces Alfred Morris and Pierre Garcon return to the spread offence that took the league by storm last year. The engine behind the team’s success this year will undoubtedly be quarterback Robert Griffin III. The superstar quarterback underwent knee surgery over the off-season and it’s still unclear whether he and Head Coach Mike Shanahan can successfully work together. If their rift is not repaired, it could hang a dark cloud over the Redskins this year.

Arizona Cardinals — The Cardinals are going through an overhaul of their roster and coaching staff. Carson Palmer represents an upgrade over the revolving door they had at quarterback last year. New Head Coach Bruce Arians is implementing a vertical passing attack that highlights Palmer and perennial Pro Bowler Larry Fitzgerald. Defensively, the Cardinals return a solid core starring the dynamic Patrick Peterson. Leading pass rusher Daryl Washington is facing suspension, likely hampering Arizona’s already slim chances of success in a loaded division.

19

SPORTS FALL TEAM PREVIEWS

INSIDE:

NFL PREVIEW CONTrIBUTORS: MaYAZ ALAM, BEN CARTER-WHITNEY, ELIE WAITZER photos by: sIMON POITRIMOLT

REDMEN football The 2012 season offered many tough lessons for a rebuilding program that has survived multiple winless seasons. Despite the struggles of years past, the Redmen (0-1) have numerous reasons to be optimistic after finishing last season with a 3-7 record and an RSEQ playoff loss against eventual national champions, the Laval Rouge et Or.

MARTLET soccer Last season, the McGill Martlets reached the semifinals of the RSEQ playoffs. Their final game ended in a heartbreaking shootout loss to Université de Sherbrooke, which ended their hopes of making it to Nationals after a strong third-place finish (9-3) in the regular season RSEQ standings.

Sophomore midfielder Kris-

REDMEN SOCCER Coming off a disappointing year in which the use of an ineligible player forced McGill to retroactively forfeit 11 of its 12 games, the Redmen (22-2) will undoubtedly be looking to turn a new page this fall.

It will be a season of many new beginnings for the team, the most important of which will occur behind the bench. Marc Mounicot assumes

The biggest of these reasons is 6-foot-5, 305-pound offensive lineman Laurent Duvernay-Tardif.

Duvernay-Tardif, a senior medical student, finished last year on the CIS All-Canadian squad and has attracted attention from both CFL and NFL teams. Behind him quarterback Jonathan Collin—the 2009 RSEQ Rookie of the Year— has completed a long road of recovery from a leg injury in 2010 and plans to build on his previous success.

Although the Redmen lost nine starters from last year’s squad, the

most impactful blow to both shortterm and long-term success was the transfer of sophomore wide receiver, Shaquille Johnson. Johnson was a second team All-Canadian and also garnered CIS Rookie of the Year honours, playing a major role in leading the Redmen back to the playoffs and beyond.

Head Coach Clint Uttley enters his third season in the position and has done a commendable job so far of turning the program around.

Watch for Uttley to continue building on last season’s moderate suc-

cesses by developing a strong cast of rookies and sophomores, many of whom have been solid contributors so far in the pre-season.

The regular season has seen the Redmen drop its opener to Laval, 32-8, in a well-fought battle. They continue their season with their home opener on Sept. 6 with a Shaughnessy Cup tilt against crosstown rival Concordia. This game should provide an excellent chance to make a statement to the rest of the RSEQ that McGill Football is on the rise.

tina Pearkes thought that her team “started off strong but struggled to pull through in the playoffs” in a match that “could have gone either way.” Look for Pearkes to combine with senior Meghan Bourque and 2011 CIS Rookie of the Year Alexandria Hoyte to form a formidable midfield.

One of the biggest obstacles on their path to the playoffs will undoubtedly be the turnover on the sidelines as long-time Head Coach Marc Mounicot has left to coach the Redmen squad. His successor JoseLuis Valdes will look continue that

success. Valdes was a top assistant for the squad for nearly a decade and has been an important factor in five conference titles.

Furthermore, the team lost CIS All-Canadians Bahar Sansar and leading goal scorer and first team All-RSEQ Hannah Rivkin. Additionally, a leadership void must be filled as talented seniors Beth Armstrong and Julia Bahen have graduated.

Despite this, there is a sense of confidence in the locker room going into the 2013 season as the Martlets hope to build off of last year’s success. Sophomore Midfielder Julia

Conzon noted, “Although we lost some older players, there’s still a strong core of returning girls and we have a lot of new promising recruits.”

his new role as head coach after 15 seasons with the Martlets team.

In that time he received numerous Coach of the Year recognitions, and became the most successful coach in Martlets soccer history.

By all accounts, McGill will be fielding a young and mostly unproven squad this year. If pre-season lineups are any indication, only a handful of the team’s starters come into this season with more than a year of CIS experience. However, the returning contingent includes sophomore goalkeeper Max Leblond, who will look

to build upon an impressive rookie season, and already seems to be having a strong pre-season, posting two shutouts and boasting an impressive 0.60 goals allowed per game against CIS opponents.

The team will also look to Leblond to play an increased role off the pitch, given the absence of key veterans, namely last year’s MVP, Alexis Pradié. With Pradié’s departure, the club loses a two-time CIS All-Canadian and an invaluable member of the locker room.

Despite the uncertainty that

comes with so much off-season change, this year offers the Redmen an exciting opportunity at a fresh start. Although inexperienced, expect to see a talented and energetic squad this Thursday Sept. 5 at 8:30 p.m. when the Redmen take to Molson Stadium in their season opener against the Montreal Carabins.

The Martlets’ home opener is against Université de Montreal on Sept. 5, and a squad primed to take the next step will be ready for the new season.

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Shatner 110 For more info, contact: sports@mcgilltribune.com