Montreal Architect Honoured in Major McCord Exhibit by Marie-Christine Colban A major retrospective of Percy E. Nobbs (1875-1964) opens at the McCord Museum April 21, 1982 and will run until July 18. Then it will travel to the Ring House Gal lery in Edmonton as a part of the 75th anniversary of the University of Alberta, and later on to Kingston and Calgary. As a former director of McGill's School of Architecture, Nobbs was responsible for many major buildings in Montreal and Edmonton. Among his most visible works in our city are: the former Union building (now McCord Museum), the University Club, the Birks Building, the Drummond Medical Building and the Pathological Institute (on Pine Ave.). The exhibition will include some of his own paintings, furniture, stained glass and wrought iron creations, as well as his architecture studies in various media. A bilingual monograph on Perry Nobbs, written by guest curator Susan Wagg, will seek to entertain as well as to educate the public on this major Canadian artist, whose works are now for the first time assembled under one roof. Admission is free and the museum is open Wednesday through Sunday from 11:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Proposed Terrace Restaurant by Anne MacLennan Classy dining will soon be a part of the McGill University campus. Plans for a summer terrace restaurant are currently in the works at Students' Society. The restaurant will be located on the terrace just outside the Redpath Library. This new endeavour is an experiment in a different type of food experience for M cGill. Unlike G ertru d e's and the cafeterias scattered around campus, this restaurant will not be aimed specifically at the student population. It will be an out door operation with sixteen umbrella tables, seating sixty-four people in all. Students' Society has employed a num ber of highly qualified people in their food service staff. Keith Davis, who has a solid background in airline and hotel catering, will be heading this operation. This kind of summer activity will help the Students' Society retain its good employees and put their talents in food preparation and pre sentation to much better use. This restaurant will also serve another purpose in that it will increase Students' Society's ability to host conferences and banquets in the future. It has been decided that the restaurant will be a first class operation. In négocia
tions with the university, it was agreed that if this project did not meet with speci fied high standards, it would be closed immediately. It is to be a special dining experience and corisequently it will be expensive. A few of the sample items from the menu will be: vichyssoise, canopés, smoked sal mon, shrimp, salads and a hot daily spe cial full bar service will also be one of the features of this restaurant. The project is an experiment at this stage. It will be open strictly for lucheon dining. The arran g em en t is p rogressin g although it still has a few physical prob lems to overcome. Power problems, toilet access and security are yet to be put in order. However, with the help of the uni versity, various permits are being applied for and indications that they will be approved are positive. The incoming and outgoing executive committees have ex pressed a general concensus to proceed. Equipment such as a refrigeration unit and rechauffé table have been purchased from the Physical Plant. These purchases were left over from the James Bay De velopment and were bought at 15% of their retail price. Thus, it would seem that the restaurant, although still lacking a name, is almost ready for the summer season.
D e d p a th
te rra c e
( P r o p o s e d menu. May 1982)
ôoups Vichyssoise Daily Cold Soup Daily Hot Soup
ôalacb C h efs Salad Vegetarian Salad S e a fo o d W atercress Chicken Salad Pineapple
Plates Yi C old L ob ster Mayonnaise Canapés au Choix Plat du Jou r (C haud) lull range o f d e s s e rts and bar serv ices will b e available
In Memory of Terry Fox by André Bluteau In recognition of the extraordinary accomplishment made by the youngest Canadian to be invested as a Companion of the Order of Canada, Terry Fox, the government of Canada, under the aegis of Fitness and Amateur Sport, has created the Terry Fox Humanitarian Award Pro gram. This program is intended to encour age Canadian youth to seek the high ideals represented by the granting of com memorative scholarships for the pursuit of higher education. There are 200 renew able annual scholarships of $3,000. Selection criteria for recipients will be based on demonstration of the highest ideals and qualities of citizenship and humanitarian service while in pursuit of excellence in their academic, amateur sport, fitness, health or community re lated endeavours. The deadline for application is June 15, 1982. For more information on this prog ram or application forms, please inquire at the front desk of the Students' Society in the University Centre.
Page 2
Me Gill Tribune
New Program Board Chairperson Appointed by A nne M acLennan
A ngèle M ullin s, form er co chairperson of Winter Carnival, is the new Program Board chairperson. She has been heavily involved in the board's activities for the past two years: starting in 1980-81 as a member of the executive committees for both Winter Carnival and Open House. This year she was Vice-Chairperson of the Program Board in chargé of Winter Carnival. Thus she is well versed in the board's activities and involvement on campus. She feels that the two largest prob lems facing her will be budget cut backs and the usual student apathy on campus. To encourage a greater amount of student involvement, Mul lins hopes to establish subcommittees for general programming and more student input. She would also like to promote a better image of the Prog ram Board, possibly by greater cover age of events in the McGill Daily. One goal for the beginning of term is to set
up a poll for direct student comments on groups, events, speakers and any other ideas or suggestions. The Program Board hopes to be able to use room B-01 in the Union Build ing next year on a regular basis for movies, T. V. specials and other types of activities using the video equip ment they hope will be set up there. Mullins would also like to see the board have greater input in the prog ramming at Gertrude's to see that its entire budget is used for booking en tertainment. Her main goal is to attract the atten tion of new students and returning ones immediately, even as early as Welcome Week and keep their in terest throughout the year. She in tends to hold regular open meetings so that anyone who is interested can become involved and contribute to the programming of next year. Angèle M ullins affirms that the board is apolitical and exists to serve the entertainment needs of students.
April 6, 1982
Vice-President External Affairs Jean-François Bélanger N o pensketch available.
Jed Maitland-Carter I feel the major issue is the money (in the form of ed u cation al grants given to M cGill by the Province) which is being withheld from McGill. I would try to get the grants back and if they were still withheld I would seek sponsorship from wherever I could. Thank you.
Michel-Adrien Sheppard Sou th A frica C om m ittee ch air p erso n ; delegate O ctob er 1981 students anti-cuts conference; French Daily reporter. — anti-cuts fight on basis of common front with other groups hit by cuts (h ealth and social service employees, community groups). — closer w orking alliance with M cG ill stu d en t groups and department associations to build solid campus fight-back network. — use new mechanism of studentin itiated referen d a to work towards decision-making assem b lies to m obilize stud en ts against the cuts.
Last W ednesday, incoming and outgoing Faculty Society Presidents m et with Liz Norman and Bruce W illiam s for the third annual Presidents' Dinner, sponsored jointly by the G rad u ates' Society and the Students' Society. Wrapping up a year that has seen the d ram atic evolu tion of the Presidents' Council into a cohesive group, outgoing Society President Liz N orm an stated that "o n e highlight of the Council was the creation of Access McGill to assist handicapped students". She went on to thank the presidents for their support and good efforts in assisting her to deal with this year's Union politics. Bruce Williams, President-Elect, thanked outgoing presidents for their m ajor strid es in m aking the Presidents' Council an effective force on campus. He felt that, "faculty presidents were more in touch with th eir ind ivid ual m em bers than
anyone else" and pledged use of that knowledge in the Students' Society decision-making process next year. Society Executive Director, Ron L erm an, en couraged incom ing presidents to "utilize staff resources of the Students' Society" stating that although staff worked "for and with the S tu d en ts' C o u n cil" it was important to remember that students could tap into existing expertise. Tom Thompson, Montreal Branch Director of the Graduates' Society, spoke of McGill's "network of alumni throughout Canada and the world" encouraging the Presidents to become involved and to request assistance when needed. The meeting was very positive as the presidents began to articulate some common concerns and ideas for the year ahead. Post G raduate Students' Society President, Andy Haber, hosted a well-attended after dinner get-together at Thompson House. , '
Benjie Trister E xperience:
— Vice-President (Finance), Arts and Science Undergraduate Society 1981-82 — C o-ord in ato r, Program Board Speaker Committee 1981-82 — C hairm an ASUS Speakers Committee 1981-82 — Facu lty of A rts Curriculum Committee 1980-81 — Open House Executive respon sible for External Affairs 1980-81 O bjectives:
Responsible representation for McGill in the student movement — Better communication with the Canadian Federation of Students — Strengthen and diversify RAEU Speak out on the issues. Increase in student services — Rising unemployment — Loans and bursaries — Cutbacks V otez B en jie Trister! Pour bien rep résen ter vos priorités tout en mettant l'accent sur les services aux étudiants.
Graduate Representative to the Board of Governors Keith H. Schmidt
Faculty Presidents Do
— the slogan "N O TO CUTS" is not enough; we must fight for free and better education for all.
W ith the upcom ing cu tbacks, graduate students must ensure that their needs and interests will be taken into consideration. A responsible, in formed and concerned representative to the Board of Governors is what you want. A strong and sound voice on the Board is required. I would like your vote. Vote for responsible repre sentation. — m em ber o f G raduate H istory Students A ssociation — representative to H istory D epartm en tal A ssem bly — involved in the Y ellow D oor.
Usha Buenger The Board of Governors is a very powerful administrative body at this University. Decisions formed there will affect all of us. Although student representation is limited, it exists
nevertheless. If elected I hope to be an effective representative for graduate students. My past experience includes a long association with the McGill Savoy Society and helping to establish the Physical and Occupational Therapy yearbook in 1979. This year I was in stru m en tal in getting the M cGill Choral Society started, where I am currently treasurer. I am also working hard for Access McGill to help make the University more accessible to the handicapped. At present I am in a Master's Prog ram in N eurology and interested mainly in representing all graduate students' views. I know financial cut backs and South Africa divestment are two important issues, and hope with input from you to present these and other views to the Board of Gov ernors. Your support will be appreciated.
The McGill Tribune is published by the Students’ Society of McGill University. Opinions expressed are not necessarily those of the Stu dents’ Society. Editorial inquiries may be made by calling 392-8927. Letters to the editor should be left in the Tribune mail box in the Students’ Society General Office. Editor-in-Chief Associate Editor Managing Editor
Luranah Woody Anne MacLennan Mary-Louise Prosen
Page 3
Me Gill Tribune
April 6, 1982
D IALOGUE ON ISSUE*
Free Tuition by W .L. Pollender Six years ago, the Parti Québécois was swept into power on a platform which included the abolition of tuition fees for university students. Since that time, we have seen tuition fees for foreign students increase five-fold, and we are now hearing ugly rumours that all students may soon be facing substantial fee increases. This trend may be observed throughout the rest of the country, as well as in Quebec. As inflation and unemployment increase, and over-all economic conditions worsen, we hear calls for students to start paying a larger proportion of the cost of their education. In fact, this is the "short-term gain for long-term pain" approach. The time has come for tuition fees to be abolished, and for universities to be made accesible to all. At the present time, federal and provincial funding provide around 80% of McGill's operating budget, with the private sector (i.e., alumini, corporate donations) making up much of the rest. Student fees actually make up a relatively minor proportion of the university's income. A shift to direct funding, based on student fees, would mean an overwhelming jum p in tuition costs in the neighborhood of 400%. How many of those students reading this, faced with such an increase, would be able to continue their education? Some point to the U .S. as an example of students paying a greater share of the cost of their education, without shouldering the entire burden themselves. The U.S. system, however, is more an example to be avoided than emulated. These days, a Bachelor's degree at one of the better-quality U .S. universities (such as Harvard, "th e McGill of the South") will run you $40,000. And it's important to bear in mind that this $40,000 does not guarantee you a good job, with lots of potential for advancement; it is merely the minimum admission price for entry into the lower rungs of the job market. A B.A. or B.Sc. is no longer the sign of a higher education — it's a necessity (unless you really wish to spend th e re st of you r life w ash in g d ish es or sellin g flow ers on St.-Catherine Street). O f course, there are those for whom $40,000 — or even $100,000 — in tuition fees represents no major obstacle. However, if we allow our educational system to deteriorate into a training ground for the elite, we run the risk of alienating the other 95% of society. What is the cost of subsidizing a student's university education compared to the cost of subsidizing him and his family on welfare, or of keeping him in a penal institution? The Canadian government has decided, with the support of the nation, that basic medical care, that legal representation, that decent food, clothing, and housing, are essential to all people. The time has come to recognize the fact that a decent education is no less essential to a human being, that a country cannot be governed by W onder Bread and constitutional circuses. A country that can afford to put urea formaldehyde foam insula tion into every home can afford to give every citizen an education. It can't afford not to.
Increased Tuition by Janet Belch, President, University Students' Council, University of Western Ontario and Mike Medline, Vice-President External, University Students' Council, University of Western Ontario. Traditionally student organizations at Canadian universities have harshly resisted tuition increases. It is argued that tuition increases strongly compromise the principle of accessibility, an expressed goal of the Canadian university system. It seems odd then, that on March 3, 1982, W estern's University Students' Council voted to recommend that administration raise tuition to the Ministry of Col leges and Universities maximum tuition level. Because neither high tuition nor diminished accessibility is a policy of the USC, the question, "W hy accept a tuition increase?" cannot be answered as if it were a general principle of our organization. It is only possible to outline the specific factors and rationale which informed W estern's council at the time ot its decision. The decision before the USC was between advocating the 12.2% minimum increase suggested by the Ministry, or recommending a 14.3% increase, a full 110% above the Ministries' formula fee base. Our final desicion was based on three related considerations. What are the most important problems affecting post-secondary educa tion in Ontario? What is the most effective method of remedying those problems? What would be the consequences of recommend ing either a 12.2% or 14.3% increase on the relationship between student council and University administration? The most pressing issue facing Ontario Universities is underfund ing. A half decade of continuous underfunding has resulted in an accumulated shortfall of 16.2% for the Ontario university system. U nderfunding is reaching a critical level which threatens the academic quality of university programs. Western USC recognizes that levels of government are the cause of underfunding and that continued underfunding will seriously threaten the quality of education at W estern. If underfunding is to be remedied, it will be necessary to decide upon the most effective method of persuading government to adequately support the system. In the opinion of the USC, the decision to allow a 14.3% increase is the most effective method of persuasion. Our decision, between recommending a 12.2% or 14.3% increase translates into a difference of $19.00 to the tuition fee of each W estern student. In turn, the rather small sum of $19.00, means a sizeable difference of $300,000 to the total university budget. Following an informed debate, Coun cil decided on a 14.3% tuition increase. Our concession to adminis tration in this decision, was a real cost of $19.00 to each Western student. In return, our concession should yield numerous accomplish m ents. By adding $300,000 to the university budget we have both made a statement about the seriousness of underfunding and en sure ourselves a viable education during 1982-83. Most importantly, accepting a full increase will circumvent the well known Ministry of Colleges and Universities strategy to "divide and conquer" students and administration have pledged to work together to alleviate the crisis of government underfunding, a problem whose origin and solution lies beyond the narrow boundary of student and adminis tration disagreement. Only the actions of a broad and unified alliance will resolve the crisis of underfunding. To ensure that our decision should not be misconstrued, USC has sent letters of ex planation, protesting underfunding, to the Minister of Colleges and Universities, Bette Stephenson, and Gerald Regan, Secretary of State.
Page 4
Me Gill Tribune
April 6, 1982
gPEA K D U T
Increasing Students’ Society Dues by Colin McGregor A nominal increase in the Students' Society Fees that you have to pay next year? A bitter pill to swallow, perhaps, but one which, given the present financial constrictions that the people who gave you Gertrude's, presently find themselves in, one which we should gladly take. (Beer chaser, please). The present situation is this — it takes $ J/2 million to run the Students' Society as it now stands. This includes maintenance for the Union Building; money for the de partmental associations; food and bever age operations across campus; and, of course, all those wonderful Students' Society projects and crusades that we couldn't cut even if we tried, and wouldn't want to anyway. But they need about $50,000 more next year if they're going to "stay above w ater". Keeping afloat means keeping out of receivership — that highly regrettable situation that exists when stu dent government becomes debt-ridden, and is taken out of the hands of "u s" (stu dents) and put into the hands of "them " (the University administration). It has happened once before, in the mid-70's, and it wasn't a pretty saga. Students, hav
ing no control over their own affairs, sat on the sidelines as the bureaucrats and staff ran the show. No one wants this (I hope), but to avoid this sort of wicked turn of events, money is needed. There are two ways of getting and keeping this sort of cash — the Stu dents' Society can make it in profit out of pubs, dances, fund-raisers etc., or can in crease student fees by about three dollars per student. Three whole dollars! The prospect of increasing student fees is a bit of a burden on you and I (although not too substantial), but the consequences I find a great deal more frightening. Particularly in light of the new "bread and circu ses" Students' Council that McGill has recently elected, raising the money through beèr and carnivals does not on the surface seem to be too bad an idea, right? Dead wrong. Think about it more care fully — given normal business practices, to raise $50,000 of cash through the sorts of means mentioned above, you have to generate sales ten times that amount, or $V4 million. This would be equivalent to doubling the present size of the Students' Society, from V2 to 1 million dollars worth
of business for the next year. Now I'm not ag ain st capitalism (or expanding businesses) because it exploits the poor proletariat student worker and encour ages the running-dog pig swines etc. etc. etc. What is dangerous about this whole thing is the doubling of bureaucracy and activities that it entails. Our student bureaucracy is big enough, to double it would make it cumbersome, unmana geable, and in the end highly detrimental to our interests. Becoming a business empire, a world-within-itself, the Stu dents' Society would most closely resem ble a large, "profitable" Frankenstein. And besides, even if we did double the number of dances in the Gym and in the Union Building, or opened up another Gertrude's, how could we guarantee that these new places-for-debauchery would be as popular and successful as the old ones? Would we have the demand for ser vices and activities to be able to provide drinkers and partyers for two pubs, and a dance every Friday and Saturday? Im agine if we had TWO Gertrude's and EIGHT floors of entertainment. It boggles the mind. Heavy drinkers, thank God, do not grow on trees, and there is nothing to
guarantee that we wouldn't actually loose money when they finally counted up the receipts. So an increase in fees by $3 does not seem so severe in the long run. Students pay only 15% of their education, and their Students' Society costs, per year — it's important that we hold our end up, and keep the stability of the sorts of things that are already in progress going for the fu ture, as well as keeping our noses out of whatever it is that our noses could get into. McGill at present is the political lead er in the province — in an age of apathy and servile selfishness, it is the University most active in the move towards fighting the sorts of cutbacks that threaten all of our education. It is McGill that keeps RAEU (the Provincial Post-Secondary Stu dents' Union) afloat, and gives it direc tion. Students' Society is more than beer after a football game — it's an important force in the lives of all students. Students' Society, though, is beer and dances as well, an important thing to keep in mind. To keep these things going, a fee increase will do the trick and ensure the survival of what now is a much abused, but good thing. Let's not loose it.
Students’ Society Holds Open Meeting Despite McGill Daily pleas for the student body to storm the Bastille and take over their own Students' Society, the annual open m eeting in late March drew only 10 students, 70% of whom were Daily staffers. The only topics discussed from the floor were the Daily's push to have the Tribune become an insert in the Daily, and another pitch that would have the Students' Society cease pub lication of its annual Handbook, so that the Daily could take over. An o b serv er n oted , D aily E d itor-inChief, Brahm Pascal-Resnik sounded more the used car salesman —
profit and loss and hard cash income. Was this really our McGill Daily? It is difficult to know exactly why open meetings draw so few students. One observer suggested that the Stu dents' Society is so open, that an open meeting is superfluous. To our know ledge, no person has ever been de nied a chance to address the Council or Executive on any matter whatsoev er. Similarly, the committee system at the Society is set up so that virtually any student wishing to participate in the decision-making process is wel comed and encouraged.
p EEDBACp f
This year several native and non-native students at McGill have formed a group called the McGill Native Student Associa tion. We have sponsored several success ful events designed to make the campus more aware of North American native literature, art and social issues. For exam ple, the poetry reading by Rita Joe last week. However, we are faced with one major problem — membership. Although membership in our group is open to all McGill students interested in North American native culture and issues, we are, of course, particularly interested in contacting the 20 to 25 native students
at McGill to get them involved. Unfortu nately, most native students list English as their mother tongue so the University cannot give us a list of these students. We would therefore appreciate any help you can give us in getting word out to native students and non-native students interested in our group concerning our next meeting. This meeting will begin planning for next year's activities. It will be held in Union B09 on April 7th at 5 p.m. Only with involvement by McGiU na tive students will our group survive. Ron Francis President Native Student Association
P hoto by C athy Bow es
Attention Native Students To the Editor:
Gilbert and Sullivan's The Mikado, presented by the McGill Savoy Society in March, turned out to be one o f the most successful productions in recent Savoy history at McGill. Five of six scheduled shows were sold out and a final Saturday afternoon matinée was held to keep G&S aficionados happy.
April 6, 1982
Page 5
Me Gill Tribune
Æ M T Patrick H.F. Baillie, Ombudsman At Bat is a regular column o f the McGill Tribune wherein the Students Society Ombudsman stands up fo r students when the Administration gives you no assistance. To The Ombudsman: I've been getting the administrative run arbund and many inadequate answers in response to my problem, so I've decided to try your Office. The University has assessed a $50 later registration fee on my account because I did not register at the Currie Gym Cattlemarket at the start of September. As a result of a job commitment, I had to stay out West until after Labour Day and then register during the later registration period. The problem is this: If I had left the job in time to return for registration, then the hotel which employed me would not give me my gratuities for the entire summer. Basically, the choice I made meant that the University took its share of my tips due to a double bind and I don't think that that is fair. Can you help? $50 in the hole. Dear $50: The University's policy is that job commitments do not override your responsibilities to McGill, however, exceptions can be made. In your case the Registrar, J.P. Schuller agreed that you were caught in a tough dilemma and has decided not to assess the $50 late registration charge. Your account has been credited. It is also worth noting that this year, registration will occur after Labour Day, Sept. 6th, so that excuses for missing the Currie Gym experience will need to be improved. To The Ombudsman: la m a second-year history student running into an administrative brick wall. 1 need your help. My professor recently returned a term paper with a grade much below that which I had anticipated. We disagree on our political ideologies and I think that may have hurt my mark. I don't want to confront him because that might only exacerbate the situation, but I would like a fair reading of the essay. What should I do? Angry Leftist Dear Lefty: There are two problems here. The first, the personality conflict that you have with the professor clouds the second, the unfair evaluation. By approaching the professor on behalf of "an anonymous student", I was able to arrange for another member of the department to read the paper, however, according to the present regulations, you must submit the original copy, complete with any professorial comments, for the re-read. This is not totally fair because the red ink may bias the new reader, but you'll have to trust the integrity of the academics staff and realize, too, that the second professor who is rereading the paper may disagree with your professor just as much as you do. There is a $10 fee for the re-read which will be refunded if your grade is raised, but you lose it and must accept the new grade (unless you wish to appeal further) if it is the same or lower than the original evaluation. Drop off the essay at the StudSoc General Office and I'll take care of the re-read for you. The Ombudsman can be reached by calling 392-8922 during the day and leaving a message or by calling 286-1373 in the evenings or on weekends. Patrick H.F. Baillie, Ombudsman
]y [ARTLETS & M U PPIEg Martlets To Prof. John Harrod, President of MAUT, for his leadership role in bringing to bear the collective forces of MAUT and McGill's Students' Society in opposing government cutbacks in education. Mud Pies To Principal Johnston for casting the tie-breaking vote which disallowed students from selecting outside individuals to represent them when facing the Senate Committee on Student Grievances. It's nice to be a lawyer, Mr. Johnston, but most of us aren't. Martlets To the McGill Chaplaincy Service for special efforts and long hours associated with the goal of responding to McGill students and their needs. Mud Pies To Assistant Vice-Principal Academic, Michael Cartwright, for turning away two stu dents who wished to observe a meeting of the new and revised Programs Committee of Senate, this in direct contravention of Senate regulations. Martlets To Vice-Principal Finance, John Armour, for remaining an open and productive mem ber of the University community as it debates the issue of South African divestment. Mud Pies To the Faculty of Dentistry for refusing to disclose information rendering a student less able to defend her most basic rights before the Senate Committee on Student Grie vances. Mud Pies To Dean of Students Michael Herschom and Associate Dean Sibbald, for diverting Students' Society President Liz Norman's attempts to make Student Services more responsive to student needs. A good plan for the future only threatens those committed to the status quo. Martlets To the Academic Policy and Planning Committee for including a student on its prop osed five person systematic, cyclical review committees. This can only be tempered with a M ud Pie for requiring that th eselected student be appointed by the Faculty Dean as opposed to his/her fellov^tudents. If this is intended to be the selection process, why was it not said so? Martlets To Vice-President External, Paul Smith, for his campaign against budget cutbacks and to all those who participated in recent demonstrations.
COMMITTEE REPORTS
Board of Governors 1981-82 by Liz Norman It is difficult to commit an entire year's worth of experience at the Board of Governors to an article of a few paragraphs. The most tangible result of student effort at the Board was the divestment of the University's shares in Mobil Oil Corporation and Royal Dutch Petroleum. That may not seem very impressive, but behind that action lies an extensive process of discussion. At first the discussion centered on "what was really going on in South Africa". As differences of opinion began to be resolved and as the participants became increasingly fluent in their knowledge of the subject, the focus of the discussion shifted to "what sort of an obligation did we, as a University, have to a society thousands of miles away". The logical conclusion of the discussion is of course, "W hat is the role of the University in society as a Whole?" After hours and hours of discussing, arguing, filibustering, pleading, reacting, de manding, listening, worrying, and hoping, the immediate return is not overwhelming; we can only hope that like seeds well-planted, these efforts will eventually bear fruit. The process goes on. Students continue to act as catalysts, and the Board considers... carefully. Personally, I have sometimes found this process frustrating. I have often disagreed with many of the Board members. Our "perceptions of the world" differ, and so do our perceptions of the responsibilities and obligations of the University to society. I am of the opinion however, that this is a healthy disagreement among thinking people, for as I have significant differences of opinion with many Board members, I have also come to respect them as intelligent individuals who are motivated by genuine concern for this University. I respect their right to thejr opinions, and I suspect that most of them respect student opinions as well. As mutual respect is developed, one becomes free to acutally try to change the opinions of others. Why am I not outraged that we haven't been successful in our demands for immediate divestment? I think they care and are trying to think through this issue and the impact that it will eventually have on the role of the University in the future. These are difficult questions, and as society changes, so must the traditional and isolated role of the University. It takes courage and intelligence to make such hard decisions, and I hope that they will.
Com m ittee to Coordinate Student Services
"Quick at the Gate But Slow in the Stretch" c
The Committee to Coordinate Student Services (CCSS) is a committee of 46 indi viduals, half of whom are students. The committee is a creature of the Senate and works with the Dean of Students in overseeing the various departments within Student Services such as Athletics, Health, Chaplaincy, Student Aid and Off-Campus Housing. At its Executive Committee retreat in the spring of 1981 the Students' Society identi fied Student Services as an area not traditionally open to student input nor to innovation at the Administrative level. To combat this problem, the following goals were set: — increase the number of meetings of the CCSS from its traditional two per year to once per month during the academic year; — appoint active student members to the Steering Committee of the CCSS who could bring an overview knowledge of Students' Society's goals and objectives to the CCSS; — increase the scope of the Steering Committeeso that it could address the long range planning needs of Student Services as opposed to merely rubber-stamping previous ly conceived administrative budgets; — begin moving Student Services in a direction which called for more support to student-initiated programs and services. Having taken an intensive planning seminar during the spring of 1981 in Chicago, President Liz Norman introduced a "plan for a plan" at the first meeting of the Steering Committee. The Committee accepted the idea of an increased mandate but referred the matter to the CCSS as a whole. A Students' Society document was drafted explaining the purpose of the planning function to the CCSS. At a fall meeting the CCSS encour aged its Steering Committee to begin the planning process. Nothing happened. Despite Liz's attempts to focus the committee on the tasks at hand there was acute reluctance to foray into the unknown. It was clear that too many individuals had as their sole objective "keeping the ship afloat". Another attempt was made. At the Students' Society's insistence, the entire CCSS Committee addressed, for one hour, questions relating to the possible future accom plishments and/or challenges facing Student Services. ' With close to 46 people sitting around the table for an hour, virtually nothing was achieved. In fact, when directly asked his opinion as to what future problems or accomplishments might be facing Student Services, Dean Herschorn refused to reply stating that the question was "loaded". One last try. The Students' Society prepared a paper outlining a committee which would poll the students as to their feelings on the matter of Student Services. The committee was designed to accomplish what had been sought in futility all year long. The committee did not hamper the CCSS or its Steering Committee. Rather, it invited their participation but put the focus on volunteer students who would be given a meagre budget and specific tasks to be accomplished during the spring and summer months. The CCSS machine torpedoed this final initiative. What they were not prepared to do, they would not let others do. As the year draws to a close, we are not much closer to our goals as stated in the spring of 1981. However, the nature of the beast is known. In the year ahead, one can only hope that initiatives put forth this year may reach their fruition under the guidance of the Students' Society's new leadership.
Page 6
Me Gill Tribune
April 6, 1982
0 N CA M PU Inter faculty Debating Revived by John McLaren Long dormant, an old internecine conflict is showing signs of rekind ling. The McGill Interfaculty Debating Tournament, an annual event from the 1930's to the 1950's, was resusci tated this year by the Debating Union in hopes of achieving, eventually, a full-scale revival of what was once a strong tradition on campus: a debat ing rivalry between many of McGill's thirteen schools and faculties. The battleground was the Union Building on March 6 (a Saturday after noon). Teams representing the facul ties of Arts, Science, Engineering, Management, Religious Studies, and Education gathered to debate on three different resolutions, all announced on the day of the tournament (spon taneity is a cardinal virtue in this kind of competition). The first round re solution brought out some heartfelt strains, for obvious reasons: "R E SOLVED that this house regrets the liberal arts education." Light philo sophical and political topics were in voked in the remaining two rounds, the resolutions respectively decrying the United Nations and praising the cynical outlook of Machiavelli. (As per standard debating formality, the teams were divided for each round into groups of two, each pair contain ing a team to argue in favor of, and one team to argue against, the resolu tion.) Recombinant genetics do have their advantages; it was a hybrid team that won the tournament. John Robinson and Chris Joy, the "Arts/Education" team (Robinson in education) defe ated the Arts team of Robert Spiegel and C olin M cG regor in the final round. The resolution, "RESOLVED that less is m o re," was perverted rather astonishingly into an analysis of prime-time television's WKRP in Cincinnati as a metaphor of modern society — an accomplishment not likely to be repeated for some time. Some individual speakers received honorable mentions, including the highest-scoring novice, Ravi Durvasula of Science. Among those who have won the tournament in the past is Reginald Hollis, the current Anglican Bishop of Montreal, who won for (not surpri singly) the Faculty of Religious Stu dies in 1956. But success in the "Interfac" is not limited to those with high ambitions (temporal or otherwise). With any luck, in the coming years the tournament will grow to the status it once had, as more and more of the McGill community discover the plea sure and the challenge of university debate.
by Jake Weinstein Move over, Saturday Night. Just a minute, SCTV. There's a new group in town. It's Montreal's newest com edy troupe, the Laughing Stock. The group, made up of five McGillers and one CEGEP student, premiered ear lier this month at McConnell Hall resi dence, to an adoring crowd. And whether the skit was a commercial ab out Ambivalence Cologne ("for the alternative lifestyle'7; a news bulletin ("Plattsburgh has just.declared war on Quebec"), or a visit to Knifty Knick Knacks the audience loved it. At the end of' the show, as the cast' was being introduced, each of them re ceived a well-deserved ovation. This is definitely a comedy force to be reckoned with. Formed back in November, director Mike Harwood recalls: "I was always in awe of people in the entertainment world. I'd watch comedy shows and think, why can't we do that? Then one day I said, the only way to become known is to go and do something about it! It was a risk, because we didn't know who we'd be getting. All I did was put an ad in the paper. I didn't know if the people who called were good enough — I didn't even know if I was good enough. But I knew there was talent in this university, and I was deter mined to find it. They told me not too expect too much. But I was positive. I didn't say maybe; I said that we were d efin etely form ing the com edy troupe, do you wanna join? Those who did had the guts to stick with the
The Joke’s the Thing with Laughing Stock show, and I respect that." The Laughing Stock players repre sent a wide variety of stage experi ence. They include head writer Jack Kwok, an engineering student who can turn out scripts faster than most photocopiers; Louis Rakita, a drama student who has been active at Play er's, TNC and Radio McGill for two years; Ron Hall, a computer-science stu d en t who had w ritten several sketches before but had never had them perform ed; and Nancy Des Roches and Susan Davidson, neither of whom had performed on stage in several years, but were just waiting for the right opportunity to have a good time, and provide a few laughs. They all love to laugh, and also to write — about 90% of their material is original, written by Kwok, Harwood, and Rakita, not including scenes by Ron and the others which haven't seen performances yet. Both Harwood and Rakita have done stand-up comedy in the past, at the now-defunct Stitches and Yuk Yuk's, but the Laughing Stock is diffe rent. It's sketch comedy individual scenes of two or three minutes. Their range of humour is wide — it can appeal to the intellectual, like the
news sketch,; to the drug-lovers, as with "Umbrella High"; to those who want a little craziness, as in the "Dr. Hans O ff" scène, and most tastes in between. Everyone has something to laugh at. "The laugh's the thing," says Raki ta. "W e're not out to make a point or to stir up controversy. We're out to have fun and make our audience laugh." Harwood agrees. "Entertaining an audience gives you the greatest feel ing in the world. It's a dream which is now becom ing a reality. I'm very pleased with the chemistry and the 'Let's-go-get-'em' attitude we have." The show was about an hour long, including a ':'halftime breather", but people wished it could have gone on longer. To complete the variety, there was music — and not just any ordin ary music. Songs included You Light Up My Joint, by Elliot Miller, and two Rakita originals, Zzzypt Away and Blame the MUC, all of which produced pleasant side-splitting laughter. No body really wanted it to end, and everyone asked when they'd see the Laughing Stock again. And what does the future hold? W ell, according to Harwood, the
NOTICE TO ALL McGILL STUDENT GROUPS
REGARDING REQUESTS FOR BUDGETS & OFFICE SPACE (Deadline: 4:30 p.m., Friday, April 30th, 1982) (Earliest date submissions will be received: April 1st, 1982) Budgets Budget requests are limited to groups directly recog nized by the McGill Students’ Council (i.e. organizations classified as “functional groups” or campus-wide “ in terest groups” ). Interests groups must have been in operation since January 1st, 1982 in order to submit a budget request and shall not show a budget deficit of more than $400 which represents the subsidy to be received from the Students’ Society. Interest group budget requests must include in the revenue column membership fees from not less than 30 members each paying not less than $2.00. These membership fees and a signed mem bership list must be handed in no later than October 31st, 1982 by any interest group with an approved budget. Interest group budgets will be approved on a first come, first served basis. Certain interest groups are not eligi ble to receive Students’ Society funds as per Council policy adopted December 7th, 1977. These include groups with political or religious affiliations or beliefs. Any other groups which, by the nature of its doctrine, discourages membership by all except those which adhere to that doctrine, as determined by Students’ Council, is also ineligible to receive Society funds.
Office Space in the University Centre Any student group on campus may request office space in the University provided the group has been in opera tion since January 1st, 1982. According to Council poli cy adopted September 13th, 1978, the same groups
ineligible to receive Students’ Society funds are also not eligible to be given office space in the Union. Office space will be awarded on a first come first served basis with the following provisos: — groups with office space in 1981/82 will be given preference — Students’ Council reserves the right to assign office space to any new ad hoc committee it may form up to the time at which space allocation for 1982/83 is approved by Council. — the Joint M anagem ent Committee will review all space requests and, at its discretion, will decide which groups assigned space will have to share offices. — groups recognized by the Students’ Athletics Council will be entitled to one office only. This office will be shared by not more than 6 sports clubs as deter mined by the SAC. Due to the extremely high demand for office space in the Union, it would be highly appreciated if groups, which do not absolutely need office space, refrain from request ing an office. NOTE: ‘Application for Budget’ forms may be obtained at the Students’ Society General Office. There is no specific request form for office space. Requests with justifications should be typed and addressed to the Joint Management Committee. They should be delivered or mailed to Leslie Copeland, Op erations Secretary, Students’ Society General Office, Room 105, 3480 McTavish St., Montreal, Quebec, H3A 1X9 NO LATER THAN 4:30 P.M., FRIDAY, APRIL 30th, 1982. Brian Fish, Chairperson Joint Management Committee
April 6, 1982
Me Gill Tribune
group is on hiatus until exams are over— during which time there'll be a search for additions to the Stock. "We basically need one more male and one more fem ale," he feels. "But we have a super core of performers. They're all enthusiastic, talented, and team play ers, qualities we rate pretty highly." If there was any doubt about enthu siasm, says Kwok, it dissipated long ago. "W hen we rehearsed for the show ," he revealed, "w e all knew we were going to be big. But we didn't know just how big! Now, we all know
we're going places!". There are already a couple of tenta tive "gigs" scheduled for May, (the group is also available for rentals par ties etc.) but Hall, for one, isnt' wor ried. "If fame comes to us, it comes to us. We're not going out and planning it; we'll just keep doing what we're doing and see what happens". Fame or not, one thing's for sure — com edy, with the Laughing Stock, is here to stay! (If you're funny and would like to audition for the Laughing Stock, call Mike at 933-9638).
Page 7
Club Update by Joanne Bayly
ATTENTION A ll MCGILL STUDENT LEADERS If you are the 1982/83
of any McGill student
President Editor Chairperson Club Society Publication Council
Coordinator, or Chief Officer Committee Assocation Service, or Sports Club
you must register with the McGill Students’ Society by April 15, 1982 if you wish your organization to — be able to reserve meeting and events space in the Student Union at no cost — be able to book space in other campus buildings at McGill rates — receive the summer edition of the McGill Student Leader Bulletin keeping you informed of issues affecting campus groups — be informed about the leadership seminar in September — receive copies of operating manuals for club officers. Summer registration forms are available in the Students' Society General Office, Union 105, 3480 McTavish Street and should be handed in to Leslie Copeland, Operations Secretary NO LATER THAN APRIL 15TH, 1982, or complete the following:
N.B. Campus groups not registered by April 15th will be considered inactive and will lose all campus priviledges until such time as they are reinstated.
» Name of Chief Officer
Title
Summer Address
------------- Apt. -Postal Code-
Summer Telephone
(D-
-(2)-
-(3)-
If the chief officer will not be in the Montreal area during the summer of 1982, please fill in the name and summer address of one member of your organization who will be in Montreal. Name_
-Title-
Summer Address.
_Apt._ -Postal Code-
Summer Telephone
(1)-
-(2)_
_(3)_
AUTHORIZATION TO RELEASE INFORMATION The Students’ Society is often asked for the name, address and phone number of students holding various positions at McGill. Kindly initial one or both of the following categories authorizing the Society to give the above addresses and phone numbers to those requesting it. a) Student leaders on campus only
_____
b) Any member of the public asking to get in touch with the person holding your positions
_____
Hand this form in at the Students’ Society General Office or mail to: Leslie Copeland, Operations Secretary 3480 McTavish Street, Room 105 MONTREAL, Quebec H3A1X9
Thanks to the encouragement and support of many student members, McGill's clubs have had a very busy and productive year. Despite budget cut-backs and space limitations, the Union is still a hubbub of club activity and student energy. The Womens' Union has been espe cially active. Throughout the year it has maintained a drop-in centre and library, weekly meetings with plan ned topics, a film series in conjunction with the Film Society, and a varied speakers program. It continued its fight against violence against women with its march against pornography and its. distribution of rape informa tion cards. New members are always welcome. Gay McGill continued to function as a social support group and forum for gay men and women at McGill. Be sides holding three successful dances this year, it participated in inter group m eetings with other orga nizations, such as Concordia Uni versity, Continuing Education, and local C E G E P 's. Gay M cGill holds weekly m eetings and maintains a drop-in centre. The Outing Club is located in the Un ion Building. It organizes out-door activ itie s such as rock-clim bing, skiing, and bicycling. Each year it sponsors courses in cross-country skiin g , rock-clim bin g, and ice clim bing. All were well attended this year. The Outing Club maintains a retreat in Shawbridge where its many members (170 this year) can stay. N ew m em b ersh ips are always availabe. The Debating Union has had another successful year. It placed in the top 4 at the Worlds Debating Tournament in Toronto, and placed second and third at the Nationals. It hosted three tournaments of its own which were quite successful, including a revival of the Inter-Faculty Tournament. McGill's two theatre groups, Tues day Night Cafe and Players' Theatre, had a busy and varied production sche dule. Tuesday Night Cafe produced a w ide scope of plays, from the student-written (Julia Slavin) Forever E nshrined in Our H earts, to the student-starred (Rhona Frame) Miss Margarita's Way. Other productions included Jack or the Submission/The Fu ture is in Eggs and Mayor on the Wall. Players' Theatre presented four ma jor plays: Streamers, Witness for the Pro secution, M ajor Barbara, and Rosencrantz and Guildenstern, all of which were well-received. The Camera Club held its annual photo exhibition and contest with the winning photos displayed in Redpath Library. Next year will be the fifth year of this annual con test. The Camera Club offers courses in camera technique and darkroom each year. Next year they hope to acquire new equipment and new members. Their office is located in B 0 6 of the Union. A nyone in terested in joining the Camera Club can just drop in and find out about membership and courses. The Savoy Society presented a suc cessful production of Gilbert and Sul livan's The Mikado. It hopes to con tinue its success again next year.
April 6, 1982
Me Gill Tribune
Page 8
by Nancy Martin This is the last column. The final edition. Already. How quickly time flies when you're dodging slings and arrows! I'm sure I haven't man aged to dodge them all, but any that have found their mark must have lodged in my back, as, amazingly en ou g h , n o-on e has told me face-to-face that my column sucks out loud. Nor have I received any letters to that effect. I'm surprised. While a lot of people have told me that they really like and look forward to my column, I've also heard a lot of seco n d h an d static in the back ground, indicating that some indi viduals, who must be terribly shy, absolutely despise what I've been writing. I guess what all that means is that I've been successful. If some people adore me and others abhor m e, I m ust be doing som ething right. Thanks, group. Before I fade out of that great -(?) institution known as student jour nalism, I feel compelled to share with you some of the absurd sugges
M OTES FROM A B R O A p
tions for columns that have been offered to me by friends and others throughout the year. For some reason, of which I'm quite unaware, various people have thought it would be a terrific idea for me to pursue their personal vendet tas for them, in lambasting certain individuals and groups on-campus. My only response to that is that I like to maintain a slightly broad-er (tee hee) perspective on life than can be
obtained by limiting myself to the rather rarified atmosphere of McGill University. Quite frankly, I'm sure that the issues raging around be neath the three little larks will be of very little importance to us ten years from now, and thank God for that. Someone suggested to me that I should wrtie a column on the im portan ce of m aintaining correct physical posture. That idea struck me as rather amusing, as the some
one and I were both slumped drunkenly over a bottle of wine at the time. Someone else wanted me to write on the disgusting habit people have of mixing various elements of diffe rent fashion modes, such as wearing cowboy boots with things like swea ter dresses. I was very tempted by that suggestion, as I would like to p oin t out th at people w ith fat, tree-tru n k-lik e legs should only wear cowboy boots when they're riding horses. In the dark. A nother suggestion was that I should change the name of the col umn each time, to things like "Notes from a b o r e d ", "N O te s from a b ro o d ", "N O tes from a b re e d ", "N otes from a blond", "Notes from a brand", etc. ad infinitum. But I was happy to stick with the original, so every time I lie down, Dawnie can leap over me, cackling that she's doing the Broad-jump. So th a t's it. I'm done. It is finished. In the immortal words of some floozie of yore, "Thanks for the good time, sailor. See ya next payday."
NOW’S THE TIME TO VOLUNTEER TO HELP OUT WITH NEXT YEAR’S ACTIVITIES PROGRAM BOARD • BLOOD DRIVE • STUDENTS' SOCIETY PUBLICATIONS
VOLUNTEER FORM Name-----------------------------------Present Address_____________ No.
(Mr., Ms., etc.)
Family
Given
Apt.
Street
«
Telephone
Postal Code
City
Summer Address____________
Apt.
Street
No.
Postal Code (Zip)
Province (State)
City
Summer Phone No(s)
---- (2)-------------------------------------------- (3).
(1).
I wish to help out with (check more than 1 if you wish):
□ Blood Drive Activities Night □ Concerts/Dances □
——
□ Program Board
—
■—
■■■-
(indicate which area below)
Welcome Week □
Special Events □
—
Guest Speakers □
Winter Carnival □
Red & White Revue □
If you’re into photography, layout, writing, editing or design:
□ Student Handbook □ McGill Tribune □ Old McGill Yearbook
□ Student Directory
Check here □ if you will be in the Montreal area over the summer and are interested in getting involved during that time. Indicate any particular area(s) within the activities you checked off in which you’d like to work (e.g., publicity, logistics, finances, etc.)
Hand in completed form at the Students’ Soceity General O ffice'o r mail to: Leslie Copeland, Operations Secretary, Room 105 3480 McTavish Street, Montreal, Quebec H3A 1X9 (392-8930)