The McGill Tribune Vol. 24 Issue 23

4

ii

Tuesday, March 8, 2005

P U B L I S H E D BY T H E S T U D E N T S ' S O C I E T Y OF M C G I L L U N I V E R S I T Y

V o t e is o n f o r A + U n iv e r s ity c o n t e m p l â t e s g r a d in g

P r a y in g fo r a M u s lim

stu d e n ts

d e a d lo c k e d

JENNIFER JETT There is no resolution in sight for the issue of Muslim prayer space on campus, after the Muslim Students' Association boycotted a Thursday meet­ ing with the administration. This is the latest development in an increasingly complex debate.

Two years ago, McGill began leasing space in the basement of Peterson Hall to MSA through the Students' Society.

Last summer, Vice-Principal (Administration and Finance) Morty Yalovsky notified SSMU that the lease would expire on May 31. While the administration says it needs the space for an archaeology lab, MSA members claim McGill is more concerned with maintaining its secular reputation.

A long history of miscommunication According to the administration,

Some administrators and faculty members have proposed that an A+ grade be introduced at McGill to both challenge students and recognize their achievements. Opponents of the pro­ posal argue that it would reward a very small percentage of the student body while putting the majority at a disadvantage.

To gauge student opinion on the issue, the Students' Society has placed a plebiscite question on the spring election ballot asking students whether they support a change in the current grading scale. The results will then be reported to the Academic Policy and Planning Committee, which could open debate to. install A+ grades.

The idea of introducing A+ grades has come up several times in

s o lu t io n w ith

M c G ill o v e r

McGill has provided the MSA tempo­ rary prayer space three times- since 1998, always on the condition that MSA seek permanent space off-campus with the help of SSMU. Muslim students continued to ask for extensions, the uni­ versity claims, because "they had made no progress with the SSMU." When they signed the Peterson Hall agreement in 2002, however, MSA executives believed it was a long­ term if not permanent arrangement.

SSMU and MSA began cam­ paigning in October to preserve the prayer room or find another space on campus. MSA members grew hopeful when Principal Heather Munroe-Blum invited them to meet with her.

"We thought we were in for a brainstorming meeting," said MSA member Sarah Elgazzar. "[Instead], it was a meeting to tell us that the only viable option we had was to fundraise and buy a space off-campus."

c h a n g in g

s c a le , b u t stu d e n ts

TRACI JOHNSON

g ra d e

m a y

su ffe r

the past, pushed by the Faculty of Science, but has never been approved. The proposal, which is still under discussion, would render either a 93 and above or a 95 and above an A+. This would be recognized by either a distinction on the transcript or a 4.3 factored into the GPA. Dean of Science Alan Shaver supports the addition of the A+ to the grading scale as a way to distinguish the top students without downgrading the rest and to uphold McGill's reputa­ tion for high academics.

"Our students are some of the brightest in the country," he said. "This isa way to challenge themand recog­ nize excellence."

Andrew Bryan, SSMU vice-presi­ dent (university affairs) and acting president, disagrees with this position.

See COMPETITION, page 2

p rayer s p a c e

Elgazzar said such a long-term and expensive project is not feasible.

Nonetheless, MSA began scouting locations in the area confined by rue Sherbrooke, avenue des Pins, rue Peel, and rue University.

"There is nothing [in that area] that is not owned by McGill," said Elgazzar, who added that MSA would have to raise about $2 -million.

Though he supports their cause, Arts Representative to SSMU Anthony Dursi questioned whether MSA has suf­ ficiently looked into buying space.

"There are so many NGOs that would be able to help you fundraise," he said. "The best solution here would be for the MSA to own a place of its own."

Elgazzar said the MSA has fewer local resources than other groups.

"We're not in a situation where See BACK AND FORTH, page

oot! W oot! The Features Feminism spread has arrived, and it's chock full of thoughtprovoking goodness. Plus, with International Women's Day popping up this week— Tuesday, M arch 8, to be exact—our issue on all things woman is extra timely.

W

6

M c G i l l A t h l e t i c s H o s t s t h e C I S W o m e n ’s I c e H o c k e y C h a m p i o n s h i p T h u r s ., M ar. 10 # 1 - 4 p m W L U v s M a n ito b a / #2 - a t 7 pm A lb e r t a v s S t -F X F r i., M a r. 11 a t 4 p m C o n c o r d ia v s L o s e r #1 / a t 7 p m M c G ill v s L o s e r # 2 ^ S a t ., M a r. 12 a t 4 p m C o n c o r d ia v s W in n e r #1 / a t 7 p m M c G il v s W in n e r #2 S u n ., M ar. 13: 5th/6th P la c e 9 am , B ro n z e 1 pm , N a tio n a l C h a m p io n s h ip 4pm R e d m e n H o c k e y h o s t t h e D M A E a s t F in a ls

G am e 1: Wed-, Mar. 9 at 7pm v s UQTR G am e 3s Sun., Mar- 13 at 8pm v s U Q TR <wnec-gago

m

QUA e a s t F inals

Do you want to get involved in campus life next year?

The Studentsâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; Society of McGill University is currently seeking enthusiastic and dedicated people to fill the following positions for the 2005-2006 academic year: Secretary General Interest Group Finance Administrator Speaker of Council Recording Secretary Faculty Relations Commissioner Francophone Commissioner Environmental Commissioner Judicial Board Justice (Justice must be 3rd or 4th year Law student)

Student Equity Commissioner Academic Research Commissioner Communications Commissioner SSPN Programming Commissioner Student Involvement Commissioner Webmaster SSMU Handbook Editor-in-Chief

McGill Tribune Editor-in-Chief (E ditor-in-C hief deadline: March 22)

Safety Commissioner Federal Policy Commissioner Provincial Policy Commissioner Municipal Policy Commissioner Ghetto Residence Association Director Mini-Course Manager Sadies Manager POST Manager Sponsorship Manager SSMU Front Desk Staff Elections McGill Chief Returning Officer Election McGill Deputy Returning Officer Elections McGill Election Coordinator Mobilization Coordinator

SSMU Coordinators for the following events Frosh - Open Air Pub - Activities Night - Snow Air Pub - Blood Drive CultureFest - Equity Week

Members at Large for the following committees Senate committees (mcgill.ca/senate) Constitution and By-law Review Media Advisory Board Financial Affairs Committee Financial Ethics Research Committee Student Equity Committee McGill Ghetto Residents Association Library Improvement Fund Committee

The deadline to apply for any o f these positions is 5:00 PM on Friday, March 25, 2005. Applications must include a CV and cover letter, and can be submitted in person to the SSMU Front Desk, Suite 1200 o f the William and Mary Brown Student Services Building, or by e-m ail to Skeena Haider at getinvovled@ssmu.mcgill.ca For any more information on the above positions, please see www.ssmu.ca or contact Skeena Haider at getinvovled@ssmu.mcgill.ca

Studentsâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; Society Programming Network Safety Network Presidential Affairs Committee University Affairs Committee Clubs and Services Committee Community and Government Committee Communications and Events Committee Operations Committee

the mcgill tribune | 8.3.05 | news

CAMPUS

new s

A

NEWS

sh o rt M U S c o n te s t

M a n a g e m e n t s tu d e n ts

CAMPUS

NEWS

ROBERT CHURCH On Thursday, election results for positions on next year's Management Undergraduate Society executive were announced, drawn from a field of 23 candidates. Voting occurred on Wednesday afternoon and all-day Thursday, and was done solely online.

Of 2020 eligible students, 708 chose to cast a ballot—a 35 per cent turnout. According to Robert Sutherland, Chief Returning Officer for MUS, the election had the highest turnout in years.

Esfandiar Yeganegi, elected vicepresident (information technology), said that one of his goals is better implementation of the 21st Century Fund, a mandatory fund paid by all Management students that is used to support MUS and Management tech­ nology facilities.

Ffe added that he was satisfied with the field of candidates.

"The field was surprisingly small," he said. "Everybody was surprisingly qualified, and I'm sure it was a tight race."

Guillaume Lessard, one of the candidates for MUS president, felt that the events ran smoothly and that one day of voting was sufficient. "I don't have any regrets," he said. "There's only a certain percentage [of students] that actually give interest in the cam­ paigns, and I think that the voting peri­ od was enough time for those same people to vote."

In addition to the contest for exec­ utive positions, a question was also put forth on the ballot regarding the ongoing efforts of the MUS to become accredited by the Government of Quebec. Management students voted 84.2 per cent in favour of accredita­ tion. The MUS can now apply for accreditation, provided that the required documents are submitted to the provincial government before April 1. Management students approved a similar question on last year's ballot, but the proper paperwork was not filed in time. ■

C o m p e t it io n fo r t o p g r a d e s c o u ld s t iffe n Continued from cover "I don't buy it," he said. "If there i: a higher A, everyone else's As are worthless because there is a better pos­ sible grade. The systemwould benefit a small percentage of students."

One argument in favour of the A+ grade is that it could make applicants for graduate schools and fellowships more competitive, by aligning McGills grading scale with its peer universities.

Many of these schools, namely the Canadian research institutions which make up a group called the Gf 0 , and the Association of American Universities, to which McGill and the University of Toronto belong, have A+ grades. Most Quebec universities are also on the 4.3 GPA system, and hav­ ing the same grading scale would facil­ itate the transfer of credits between uni­ versities.

Not all members of the G10 or the AAU have A+ grades. The University of Toronto returned to a 4.0 scale after briefly instituting a 4.3 scale, and neither Harvard nor Yale give A+ grades.

NEWS

ers and opponents agree that it would increase academic competition.

Shaver argued that competition would demonstrate the high capabilities of McGill students."This is a way to bring out the best in our students," he said. "We're not trying to make it hell, but we are trying to make it challenging."

Whether increased academic competition is desirable is also a sub­ ject of contention.

"I don't think this is good for the mental health of the student body," said Bryan. "This would definitely mean more competition and more stress when we already have an overflowing men­ tal health clinic."

The APPC will meet after the plebiscite to decide whether to open the issue to debate, taking into account student response to the idea of A+ grades.

"I don't think the system could be put into effect for next year because there isn't enough time," said Bryan.

"But this issue is dear to the heart of the Faculty of Science, and I wouldn't dis­ count the issue totally." ■

ANALYSIS

S a v in g H o w

Another factor favouring a change in McGill's grading scale is that the cur­ rent system is inequitable in that it assigns a 1 0 0 per cent performance the same value as an 85 per cent one.

An A+ grade would give students a greater change to make up for a low mark in another.

However, introducing further differ­ entiation in the grading system could create polarity between courses in which grades are more easily meas­ ured quantitatively, like Science cours­ es, and classes measured more qualita­ tively, like writing-oriented Arts classes.

Arts Undergraduate Society VicePresident (Academic) Zach Finkelstein does not agree that the 4.3 system would benefit students.

"It is more likely to score a 98 on a multiplechoice exam than a poli sci essay exam," he said. "I can see where it might help Science courses a little, but the basic problem is it would actually deflate our grades."

While the question of whether introducing the A+ grade would bene­ fit students applying to grad schools remains open to debate, both support­

S SM U

a

se at c a n d id a te s

a re

a v o id in g

n September, Students' Society by attending McGill," he said.

The univerity refused to extend President Alam Alii—who had just completed two undergraduate Alli's undergraduate status because degrees—was forced to resign he had already completed two under­ because the university refused to graduate degrees.

"After next year, I'll be both a extend his undergraduate status. He left office because he could no longer graduate and a university drop-out," meet the conditions of article 2 0 . 2 of van Eyken jokingly added. the SSMU Constitution, which states An archaic rule? that all officers must be members of Elsewhere, neither Conter nor SSMU for the duration of their term.

In the impending SSMU and van Eyken would have to worry Senate elections, several of the candi­ about their student status. Some uni­ dates are eligible to graduate and versities have done away with the may face similar complications. Can requirement that student government students rest assured that their student officers be enroled in classes while government will not founder because filling an executive office. The University of Western Ontario, for of missing executives?

Presidential candidate Adam example, with the "largest student Conter and Vice-President organization in Canada," according (Operations) candidate Eric van to its University Students' Council Eyken are among those with a grad­ Web site, has 60 full-time positions. uation date set for the end of this Full-time positions allow for a stricter semester. To avoid following in Alli's focus on the obligations exacted by footsteps, Conter and van Eyken are student government and a release applying in advance to extend their from the stresses of maintaining a GPA. time as McGill students.

Conter and van Eyken, howev­ Conter said that any reason is reason enough to stay in Montreal for er, respect McGill's rules for maintain­ another year, but being SSMU presi­ ing student status while in office.

"If you're going to govern the dent is his main motive.

"There's a lot that can get student body," Conter said, 'you done," he said, "and I think I'm the should probably be a student."

While this is a valid point, the man to do it."

In order to complete the job, bulk of the duties exacted by student should he win, Conter has taken on a government positions may put an Canadian Studies minor, for which undue burden on officers who are forced to take classes simultaneously. he needs nine more credits.

Van Eyken has reapplied to Further, education sometimes takes a McGill for both another BA and a backseat for many of the current offi­ law degree, in the hope that at least cers.

Current SSMU Vice-President one of the options will pan out.

"Hopefully I haven't lost value (Communication & Events) Mark

I

a

th re e p e a t

Sward, who successfullyextended his degree, is only taking three credits this semester.

Van Eyken intends to take only one class a semester, which he will have graded on a pass/fail basis.

Although he believes that it is impor­ tant to be a student while holding a position as a student representative, for him, the importance lies in the active connection to the student body more than in the student status.

"Do I become less of a student representative having graduated?" he said. "Are student concerns less my concerns?"

While both Conter and van Eyken are trying to ensure that they respect the SSMU constitution, the validity of the requirement remains questionable, especially when chal­ lenged by a large student council like Western's.

With candidates prepared so early in the game, McGill just might see a year of problem-free student government.

The remaining question is why students would want to stay an extra year at McGill to serve the student body. For those who scoff at the value of the student government, this issue is especially valid.

But according to van Eyken, the high-level SSMU positions require highly competent people with exten­ sive experience and skills that take years to acquire.

"To explain why I really want to stay another year to do this," he said, "I'll quote Marx: 'To each according to his ability.' I have a social respon­ sibility to do this." ■

3

s e le c t e x e c

RESULTS

And the votes g o to...

President Joshua Lebovic: 49.3 per cent Christina Devuono: 31.6 per cent Guillaume Lessard: 13.8 per cent Vice-president (Internal) Jessica Miles: 37.4 per cent Ralph D'lorio: 36.3 per cent Harold van den Boogaerde: 12.7 per cent Vice-President (Finance) Sharlene Quintal: 41.1 per cent Caroline Hacikyaner: 26.3 per cent Anny Le: 21.5 per cent Vice-President (Information Technology) Esfandiar Yeganegi: 47.2 per cent Jennifer Howe: 43.4 per cent.

Vice-President (Academic) Farhad Merali: 58.6 per cent Jean-Michel Marcotte: 18.5 per cent Shanlee von Vegesack: 17.1 per cent.

Vice-President (Communications) Lindsay Ho: 30.4 per cent Keigan Ashall: 21. 6 per cent Lynne Hsu: 21.0 per cent Wade Sahni: 17.2 per cent Vice-President (External) Stephanie Cimon: acclaimed Representative to the Students' Society Aneeruda Borkotoky: acclaimed

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4

news | 8.3.05 j the mcgill tribune

SSMU

ELECTION

RACE

2004-05

C a n d i d a t e s in t h e h o t s e a t P R E S ID E N T

BY LAURA SABA

Adam Conter U3 History and Theatre Halifax, Nova Scotia Do you speak French?—I under­ stand it, but I don't speak it well.

Departments rep to [Arts Undergraduate Society] coun­ cil last year. Creator and president of McGill Shave to Save, Young Judea at McGill, I've also worked with Drivesafe. Producer at [Thursday Night Tradition], Volunteer with Big Buddies. OAP coordinator.

3. What are your goals? If I get elected, by the end of the year, I want to have achieved efficient coun­ cil meetings where the committee system works proper­ ly, and meetings are no longer so undesirable. I would 1. Why are you hope to have accomplished more student involvement running for this posi­ in more successful financial activities on campus. I'd tion? I think there are like to see better spirit at all varsity sports games. Most issues that need to be addressed in an organized and of all, I'd like proper representation of all faculties on efficient manner within SSMU. I also think student gov­ campus, by creating proper communication between ernment should represent all students by providing more SSMU and all student faculty associations. SSMU can't opportunities for student involvement. be for SSMU, it's got to be for 18,000 students.

2.

What experience do you have? Worked on Coordination has to come from bottom up, and coop­ referendum committees, as well as was English eration from the top down.

Kristôf Karczsa U2 Micro. & Immuno.

Hungary and Montreal Do you speak French?— Yes 1. Why are you running for this posi­ tion? There are things on campus I would like to change, such as the situation at the health clinic. I'd like to help remedy prob­ lems such as the Gert's problem. I'd like to make.a change—if better is possible, then

good is not enough.

2. What experience do you have? I've worked in office settings, I've managed a restaurant. I've seen many students, I know what problems they can have. One of my strengths that I can bring to the position is my experience as a student and know what I want to change.

3. What are your goals? I'd like to strengthen volunteer-based initiatives such as the Midnight Kitchen, to serve more stu­ dents. I'd like to solve the patient wait prob­ lem at the clinic. Increase communication within SSMU. I'd like to help solve the prob­ lem with the tuition fees and classroom sizes. Make use of things like [student radio station] CKUT to make students more aware.

O P E R A T IO N S

BY JAM ES G O TO W IEC

Trevor C. Hanna U1 Physics Montreal Do you speak French?—Yes 1. Why are you run­ ning for this p o s itio n ?

What drew me to [Operations] in particular was, first of all, that I'd be in charge of the Shatner build­ ing, and I feel that there is a certain measure of direct influence I could have over a certain area of the university.

2. What experience do you have? High school grades seven through 1 1 , with the exception of grade eight, I was on student council. Grades 10 and 11 I was vice-presi­

CAMPUS

dent and president, respectively, and I sat on my h[gh school's governing board. First year of CEGEP I was on the student government there as well. So I've experienced student government positions.

3.

What are your goals? One of main things is to have the Shatner building retrofitted... so we can make it more energy efficient. I'd like to see it be a leading exam­ ple on campus for how buildings can be in terms of energy efficiency and environmental sustainability. I'd like to look at getting some solar panels installed on the roof... There are people who do environmental audits, and I'd like to have them come in. I don't claim to have all the answers at this point. I have an idea of what I want to do, but obviously if I get the position, one of the first things is to set a timeline, and look at how realistic some of those things are. In general, I'd like to see more concern for the environment.

Eric van Eyken U3 Economics and Honours Political Science Montreal Do you speak French?—Yes

my

1. Why are you running for this position? For a num­ ber of reasons. I'm probably the most qualified for this position—work­ ing in SSMU, working for SSMU accounting, work­ ing on planning the budget, having insider knowl­ edge on most of SSMU's business and what we do.

Also, [current SSMU Vice-President Operations] Anthony Di Carlo asked me to run.

2. What experience do you have? I was vicepresident (finance) of [the Arts Undergraduate Society] for.a year, I chaired the Finance committee,

I've been a member on and off of the Financial Ethics committee, and I'm a quasi-member of the Operations committee. I helped write the budget for this year, and over at AUS as VP finance I managed a budget of $700,000, the most of any faculty asso­ ciation.

3. What are your goals? Two-pronged, I guess... We need to engage in a serious discussion about Gert's. Right now it's hemorrhaging money, and it's been hemorrhaging for the last two years— $79,000 last year... and probably $60,000 [this year]. We need to engage in a debate of "Is it worth it?" The other thing is a review of all the contracts we have coming up. Most SSMU contracts go to 2005, so they are all up for renewal now. A number of them are going to have to go through the Financial Ethics Review Committee. How do we feel about the MolsonGoors merger? Why not start looking at a new contract? Let's see if we can get some small local breweries in, get some more choice. Choice is good.

QUIZ

A re Who is the dean of Arts?

B un UJ (john A D Hall} a £

th e

Who is the vice- ! How big is principal admin­ | SSMU's istration and budget? finance? ! ($3.8(Marly yblovsky} rrtifcrçl

c o n te n d e rs How much is the Shatner renovation fee per semester? ($11.84)

How many libraries are there on campus?

(16)

CANDIDATES Adam Confer

John Hall

Kristôf Karczsa

1don'1 lerrambar

Tievar C. Hanna

Idon't know, but I'mbaking farword to mootinc thcimand having a pbasanl workin relationship.

Ert van Eyken

i Idon't lemnmbar

Around $ 3-mi lion. ............................

Don’t ramambar.

Around $1 - to $2-milion.

u p

to

Who is the Quebec Minister of Education?

0earM4oru Fournier)

s p e e d ?

What was the Redmen football team's reguhrseason record this year?

(4-4,. or .500)

How many female principals has McGill had?

(One—Heather Munro&Blum)

What is the fur­ thest point you have been to on the island of Montreal (not in transit)?

What year did the Tribune start pub­ lishing? [J90JJ

Around $B pur semester

17

let's move on.

ust above .500

One —it's HMB

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702 ‘022 Aiound then.

Around $20.

15.

h's their actioni that mottot not their names.

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A bw decodes ago... live decade*.

If 1wontrd to fcrirf/ brgo—Six knew that I’d iguros. half a millookat SSMU ton maybe. documentation.

Mora ihon you con count on two hands.

Fiore Rod—1 vlo doa. Not as good bolove it ii, but as tho Unwonityof thano was □ Montreal. cabinet shuffb.

At bast one.

Macdonald campus.

Sorratima before 1was born.

John A. Hall- Marty Yalcwsky has a good friand of mini.

$21,50/student plus $3 for FEUQ

do believe Hi [10 per semester.

Sevan.

It usad ta be Parc Rad.

don t actually read the 1believe [Healher] East: Olympic stadium; Early 'BOs... ports section of the Munroo-Blums the first Wist: Maadonad cam­ iifcuno. ana. pus.

Roz Freeman

Qaon Hall.

$7.50.

51-milion

Five.

Not even going to guess.

hey won like one □me2

Peter Ochodo

Don't rairambar

Around $11.

$480,000$500,000.

17.

Lean Mwatla

Don't know.

Jash Pavan

Biuca M. Morty Yalovsky Shoo.

--;----- ~--— J John Hall.

Marly Yolovsky

12.9-millbn, 1think. Around sixor sown.

Around $ 2-million. Around 15.

Richard Stern

No idoa.

Idon't ramambar...

VP Doodia-ponts— What's his noma?

No daa.

1think just above $10.

No idea.

'tababiy 200,000.

Six

One.

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Oh, the oontrcMjr- 4 points? sblchop; nomo escapes mo.

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Od Part.

1921.

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Heather Mnnroo-Blum Univeriito de Montreal is the first. and jean Tabn market

Sorratima intha ‘70s, 1 think.

Zoo.

1912.

'to daa.

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Fiera Red and it just changed.

No daa.

ndokiatad.

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Inthe 19B0s.

i

BY LAURA SABA C O M M U N IC A T IO N S & E V E N T S done an Arts Tavern and am planning Red & White. Two years ago, I coordinated AUS Frosh. I was on the McGill Athletics Promotion committee. I was the manager of OAP and SnoAP this year.

3. What are your goals? There needs to be more responsibility put on SSPN members. They 1. Why are need to understand the executive side and the you running for money aspect. Sometimes they get carried this position? It away, so the leak is very high and that needs to bothers me be put under control. We need to revitalize the when our stu­ events. We need to use POST more. The small­ dent societies don't pay enough attention to the er faculty associations have great ideas, so I students' needs and the services we should be want to increase communication between all providing them. I want to help bring back a faculties, and I think we can have SSMU events strong social element and a strong sense of be more diverse and more representative of the student body. I want to run a huge campaign to social camaraderie.

2. What experience do you have? [As] make SSMU more representative and transpar­ AUS vice-president (internal), I've run Frosh, I'Ve ent, bring it to the forefront of our student body.

Roz Freeman U3 Political Science Ottawa Do you speak French?—Yes

Discover McGill group leader and a leader train­ Peter Ochodo er. As far as on-campus events, I've spoken to the U1 Software ple that go to them, and the people that are Engineering ind them.

3. What are your goals? SSMU needs a Kenya face, not just text. I want to begin sending relevant Do you speak emails, to the right people at the right time. For French?—Un example, scholarship application information peu. should be sent during the summer, not during ’ 1. Why are midterms. I think we can use text messaging as ' ; T.' Ç: you running for well. I want to introduce a system using cell this position? 1 phones. Say for example you want to know what's WUIII IW11IipiUVC 11lv »1— ' happening Friday night at Gert's. You can send a vant communication. Most students have a very text message to a central number, and you'll get a pessimistic view, I want to change it to one of opti­ reply [with all the information]. I've spoken to a few mism. companies who can do it, and it's pretty cheap.

2. What experience do you have? On cam­ I've also been speaking to [current Vice-President pus, current U1 Software representative to both C&E] Mark Sward about an idea to make visible EUS and the Software departmental association. to students what SSMU does, and if I get elected, Engineering Frosh leader last summer. Both a I plan to work on that. \m Bm

K

BY CHRI STI NE CULLEN C L U B S & S E R V IC E S i|P»iff

Leon Mwotia U2 Political Science and IDS Nairobi, Kenya Do you speak French?—Broken French, yes.

1. Why are you running for this position? I have experience and I've got ideas about where Clubs and Services should be headed. I think theres room for greater student involvement. I'm running for this position because to improve the Society as a whole, one has to focus on the Clubs and Services portfolio.

2. What experience do you have? This past year I ve served in SSMU council as a Clubs and Services representative. I've spent a year as an executive in a SSMU service, the Black Students Network. I ve sat on the Clubs and Services committee, the Operations committee, and the Finance committee.

3. What are your goals? I have five main goals. First is the book drive. I see it on a larger scale, taking place in the Shatner ballroom and putting money back in stu­ dents' pockets. Second is to subsidize club activities off campus. That's been one of the major concerns with clubs. Third is to institute a Residence outreach program, where clubs and services can go to the Residences and set up tables. Fourth is set up a clubs network, which is like a McGill classified for clubs, which enables clubs to exchange ideas about speakers, event locations, and prices. Last is the club council. It informs the VP Clubs and Services whats going on with clubs and serv­ ices and facilitates greater representation by club reps.

C O M M U N IT Y & G O V E R N M E N T Aaron Donny-Clark U2 Music Columbia, South Carolina Do you speak French?—Plans to improve his spoken French this summer.

For the third consecutive year, there was no competition for this position. Aaron DonnyClark has been acclaimed Students' Society vice-president (community and government).

To reverse student apathy about poli­ tics, DonnyClark said students must be informed. He explained that, due to lack of information, many students at McGill are unaware that 70,000 CÉGEP and university students are on strike in the province to pressure the Quebec government to reinvest the $ 103-million it cut from financial aid last year.

"I don't think McGill as a whole should go on strike because I doubt its viability," he said. "If the majority of students aren't going to go on strike, it's just not going to work and it's going to be unpopular."

Josh Pavan U1 Political Science and Women's Studies Lethbridge, Alberta Do you speak French?— i j p IÉL No .lé * . l Why are you running i l , i ...l , I k 't it ' for this position? I thought I ■ H H H M would be excellent lor it I have vast experience with clubs and services, and dedication and commitment to them.

2. What experience do you have? I'm the current co-presi­ dent for NDP McGill, I sit on the SSMU Workgroup for Socially Responsible Investing, I'm an active volunteer for the Midnight Kitchen, and I volunteer for Allies, the Queer McGill outreach program.

3. What are your goals? To have the Shatner lounge open 24 hours during exams—it's the most comfortable place to sleep on campus. To gradually replace the ads that plaster Shatner with student art. To make the Midnight Kitchen financially independent, so they can increase their serving davs.

Richard Stern U3 Computer Engineering Montreal Do you speak French?—Yes 1. Why are you run­ ning for this position?

For fun, I'd say. It sounds like an adventure. I've always wanted to get into SSMU politics and this seemed like an opportune time.

2. What experience do you have? I have experience working with clubs at Marianopolis College. I've done some volunteer work and I have a lot of contacts with the SSMU executive in my fraternity life because we often need to meet with them for our charity events.

3. What are your goals? I'd just like to make it run more smoothly. It seems there's a lot of angst between the executive and clubs and services, and I don't see why there should be.

BY LISA VARANO Instead, he expressed his support of current Vice-President (Community and Government] Daniel Friedlaender's strategy of allowing faculty associa­ tions decide whether or not they want to cancel classes and strike.

Information can be made available to students through the class announcements, improved postering, guest speakers, and distribution of stu­ dent movement publications, DonnyClark said.

"The goal is to see the student body here start to care about what's going on in Montreal, in Quebec, in Canada, and in the world—and start to realize there are all these things that are affecting them either directly or indirectly," he said.

DonnyClark has experience in student politics as the Music representa­ tive on SSMU council and the vice-president (finance) of New Democratic Party McGill. He is also involved with the Grassroots Association for Student Power.

As the vice-president (community and government), he will represent McGill students to La Fédération étudiante universitaire du Québec and the Canadian Alliance of Student Associations, the provincial and federal student lobby groups to which SSMU belongs. He said that debate on campus would inform the positions he should take at FEUQ and CASA. "The best way for me to do my job is for students to start having these discussions," he said. ■

Voting To-Do List Visit m cg illtrib u n e .co m for interviews with Senate candidates for Arts, Education, Law, Medicine, and Science. | Attend the debates: Senate and referenda —7pm Wednesday in the Lev Bukhman council room (second floor of the Shatner University Centre).

SSMU—7pm Thursday in the Lev Bukhman council room. | After the debates, visit www.mcgilltribune.com for full coverage. | Advance polling begins Friday and continues until Wednesday, March 16. To vote, visit ovs.ssmu.mcgill.ca.

THE

NUMBERS

BY JENNI FER JETT

Percentage of e-mail sent to McGfl addresses that qualifies as "spam." Most is filtered before it reachés inboxes. "It is a battle, and we're continuing to fight it," Chief Information Officer Anthony Masi said.

U N IV E R S IT Y A F F A IR S Max Reed U2 IDS and Political Science Toronto Do you speak French?—Yes As the only declared candidate, Max Reed has been acclaimed Students' Society vice-president university affairs.

The vice-president university affairs acts as a student liaison to the administra­ tion for academic issues such as advising and text-matching software like Turnitin.com.

By contrast to this year's showing, last year's race was hotly contest­ ed by four candidates. Reed attributed his one-man race to a lack of infor­ mation about the job, but noted the unusually competitive Senate races.

"There's an incredible amount of interest in faculties like Education, which didn't even elect someone last year," said Reed, currently an Arts senator. "I think that's sort of a testament to some of the good work we've done in Senate this year."

This year Reed also sat on the Students' Society council, chaired the University Affairs committee, and was heavily involved in the Coalition for Action on Food Services.

"My project for the year was basically ensuring student-friendly food services on campus," Reed said. "Our biggest challenge was to preserve the ability of students to sell food to fundraise, which it seems like we were successfully able to do."

Reed was instrumental in the creation of a permanent Senate commit­ tee overseeing Ancillary Services—including Food Services.

Next year's agenda likely includes the long-awaited approval of the anti-discrimination and harassment policy, defining a McGill policy gov­ erning political events on campus, and improving course evaluations.

Principal Heather Munroe-Blum has also made advising one of the cornerstones of her new Task Force on Student Life and Learning. Reed plans to follow up on that commitment.

"I think they will have to be pushed in order to commit real resources to it," he said.

Reed said he wants to involve more students in his portfolio.

"There's a lot of frustration with McGill out there,' he said. Its my hope to try and channel some of that into some sort of positive change." ■

SSMU

IN

30

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S:¥i:W SSSSSSSfJSW fSSS

Students' Society Vice-President Clubs and Services Sameen Shahid has dropped out of the SSMU presidential race... Senate acclamations: Justin Campeau for Management, Marie-Alice Mandich for Dentistry, and David Matthews for Music... The Finance Committee granted the Red Herring an additional $672.50.

6

news j 8.3.05 [ the mcgill tribune

CAMPUS

NEWS

we have a mother organization," she said. "We really are just a bunch of students."

University of Toronto provides four daily prayer said. spaces on its downtown campus alone. The U of T Robinson said it is inappropriate for MSA to Muslim Students' Association supports McGills bring in outside counsel.

B a c k a n d fo rth Still no place to pray MSA. "We're committed to working with our stu­ Speaking at SSMU council Thursday, "Having something like this deprived from dents," she said. "I don't see how bringing in this Continued from cover Elgazzar outlined the problem Muslim students and Muslim students on campus is a big equality and lobby group can assist in that process." staff will face once the prayer room closes. human rights issue," said religious accommodations SSMU acting President Andrew Bryan said Practicing Muslims must pray five times a day at executive Ahmed Abdel-Rahman.

MSA has been unduly aggressive in its letters to the designated times.

McGill Associate Vice-Principal administration—the second letter mentioned the Last semester, Elgazzar said, she had several (Communications) Jennifer Robinson said that prac­ possibility of filing a complaint with the Human hours of uninterrupted class and was often late due tices at other universities do not dictate McGill pol­ Rights Commission. While Elgazzar said such to prayer. icyaction is a last resort, former MSA president Isam "Between each of those classes there was a "Just because other universities choose to oper­ Faik argued it was not a drastic step. prayer I had to pray," she said. "Even on campus ate in a certain way doesn't mean that McGill [has "We've been dealing with this issue for you still have trouble." to]." years," said Faik. "We waited quite a bit, there Missing prayer is not an option, said was a lot of back and forth with Yalovsky, [and] it Elgazzar, who estimated the prayer room is used Stuck at an impasse was going nowhere." by about 500 people.

Relations between MSA and McGill have Bryan noted that'the university has offered to Muslim prayer space has become an issue at soured since the meeting with Munroe-Blum, as the provide the MSA fundraising training and the free IWONA LINK other universities as well. Students at UQAM's École university has refused to meet with MSA's advocates services of staff in the Office of Planning and de technologie supérieure await a similar decision. from the Canadian Council on American-lslamic Institutional Analysis. Director Chuck Adler has Sarah Elgazzar: "I feel like at the end of this Setting aside Muslim prayer space is a com­ Relations—which CAIR Executive Director Riad been contacting real estate agents on MSA's year, my other eyebrow's going to turn white." mon practice at other universities, however. The Saloojee said is almost unheard of. When the uni­ behalf. versity working group met "It wasn't the ideal situation, I give you," Bryan last week, the MSA did not said, "but they weren't leaving you out on your attend. own."

"For us to go into a Saloojee said McGill has treated MSA paterworkgroup with no repre­ nalistically, which is "unusual given that McGill is a sentation is difficult because cosmopolitan university with a reputation of being the university knows exactly sensitive to the needs of its diverse student body." ■ what it's doing," Elgazzar

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A dispute with the Students' Society over money has led the Law Students' Association to consider breaking away from SSMU—and joining the Post-Graduate Students' Society instead.

LSA President Michael Hazan and SSMU acting President Andrew Bryan met last night to discusswhether SSMU should continue to provide LSA special funding. Hazan says that with­ out it, LSAwill be unable to fund its stu­ dent clubs. At press time, the meeting was still underway.

Six years ago SSMU began granting LSA $6,000 a year upfront to fund LSAclubs and special projects.

The money comes from the Campus Life Fund, a source of supplemental funding for SSMU clubs and services.

In exchange, Law students are ineligi­ ble to apply for further CLF grants.

"That was supposed to be recog­ nition of the fact that fewer Law stu­ dents got involved with the SSMU than your standard undergraduate [in] Arts, Science, whatever," Bryan said.

Bryan initially refused to pay LSA this year, prompting Hazan to threaten legal action.

"He came into my office and sat down and said, 'Give me the $6,000 or I'll sue,'" Bryan said.

Although the threat of litigation was not a factor, Bryan said, upon fur­ ther review he decided that SSMU had a legal obligation to pay. After, signing this year's cheque, however, Bryan notified LSA that the SSMU executive wants to renegotiate for next year. "[We] don't think that this arrangement makes sense," said Bryan, who has two undergraduate law degrees from McGill.

Law students already pay a reduced SSMU fee, yet they can join and be executives of any SSMU club or service. In addition, Bryan said, it is inappropriate to set aside part of CLF. "We may actually be short­ changing Law students who on a merit basis may well do better than

la w

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IS A

[$6 ,0 0 0 ]," he said.

Hazan argues that, as pre-profes­ sionals, Law students have special needs. They tend to join LSA clubs rather than SSMU clubs, he said— without the $6 ,0 0 0 , those clubs will dissolve. LSA clubs like the Black Law Students' Association cannot re-estab­ lish themselves as part of SSMU because they target Law students specifically. SSMU clubs must be open to students from all faculties.

"Andrew seems to think that our students would thrive under the SSMU, but I find that they'd be lost in the shuf­ fle," Hazan said.

Bryan disagreed that Law stu­ dents cannot be as involved in SSMU. There are many roles that are ideal or even reserved for Law students, he said, including positions on the Judicial Board and Elections McGill.

"They're regular and good con­ tributors to the Debating Union, to IRSAM," Bryan said. "I reject the proposition that Law students don't benefit from [SSMU] clubs. It's just not true."

Although he is not familiar with the LSA budget, Bryan said he is skep­ tical that the loss of the $6 , 0 0 0 will jeopardize the existence of LSA clubs.

"If having groups exclusively for Law students is a big priority for the LSA, they have money, they can fund it," he said.

Now it is up to LSA, Bryan said, to set the pace of renegotiation.

However, the LSA executive has already had informal discussions with PGSS. Hazan said that considering Law students pay SSMU about $30,000 a year in fees, they may not be getting value for their money.

"These are 500 constituents that contribute a lot to the McGill commu­ nity, and I think that [SSMU] can afford to keep Law students happy and within their organization," he said. "A lot of other student groups need to look at what they're paying, and what they're getting in return." ■ L a w students are invited to attend a town

hall

1 2 :3 0 p m

m eeting in N e w

Hall, room 102.

W ednesday

at

C h a n ce llo r D a y

the mcgill tribune | 8.3.05 ] news

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For only a toonie. you can get a listing inthe print and online editions ol the Trib. Drop by the SSW office (Brawn Student Building, Suite 1200) to pick upa form. Deadlinesare Fridaysat 3:30pm. For mote information, email calendai@tnbune.mcgill.ca TERRI ALDERFER

American President George W. Bush and Russian President Vladimir Putin may have their discrepancies over the definition of democracy, but one issue that the two countries easily agree upon is the importance of space research.

American astronaut Mike Fincke and Russian cosmonaut Gennady Padalka spoke at McGill on Wednesday about their six-month expe­ rience as crew members for Expedition 9 to the International Space Station, which launched in April of 2004 and landed in October of that year.

The International Space Station is the largest and most complex interna­ tional scientific project in history. The Station itself draws upon the scientific and technological resources of 16 nations, making it a truly collective proj­ ect.

Flosted by McGill's Association for the Development of Aerospace Medicine, Fincke and Padalka described their numerous scientific experiments and four space walks—a record for this type of mission. The pair conducted studies of metal in space, Fincke said, in the hope that some day humans can “use the resources of space to manufacture things," rather than using the resources of the planet.

The astronauts screened a brief film produced by NASA about their expedition. When they weren t perform­ ing scientific experiments, the crew mentioned that their favourite activity aboard the ISS was to watch at the

planet as it rotated. They were able to see the Andes Mountains, the Congo River, the Pyramids in Egypt, and even hurricanes, looking directly through the eye of Ivan from-space.

Life wasn't all relaxation on the ISS, however. The astronauts were required to run on a treadmill for 2.5 hours each day to keep muscle and bone mass from deteriorating. Despite this rigorous exercise, both still lost some mass, although they fared better than the crews before them.

"We need to understand this phe­ nomenon," Fincke said, referring to the loss of muscle and bone mass that occurs in space.

U3 Physics student Christine Dumoulin said she was very interested in the ISS Expedition. "You don't really see too much of that [in Canada], she said.

Despite two serious malfunctions on the Expedition—the breaking down of an oxygen generator and a faulty space suit—the Crew returned safely to Earth in October. Although the astro­ nauts had to adjust to gravity upon their return, Padalka said their homecoming "was a very touching event after six months."

NASA Astronaut Leroy Chiao and Russian Cosmonaut Salizhan Sharipov of Expedition 10 to the ISS are current­ ly in space, scheduled to return to Earth in April.

The astronauts said that the more people who can visit space, the better off humankind will be.

"We can take all of the resources that we're spending on fighting and put themtoward space flight," said Fincke. ■

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news | 8.3.05 j the mcgill tribune

ANGLES

K i n g s v e r s u s C o m m i e s in N e p a l REBECCA GRABER

' G iv e n the scale o f 'disappearances' w e have docum ented, the heightened role o f the arm y after the k in g s seizure o f p o w e r is frightening. M a o ist forces have a horrendous record o f killings, torture, a n d intimidation, but the response can't b e to unleash an arm y that has b ee n responsible for so m an y 'disappearances' a n d other egregious hum an rights a b u se s."

— B ra d A dam s, A sia director for H u m a n Rights W atch

hile trying to knit a hat last week, I mysterious­ Effective diplomatic intervention is still possible. ly turned my knitting inside out. So instead of India, the European Union, the United Kingdom, and a shiny navy blue toque, I was left with a knit­ the United States have threatened to cut off arms sup­ ted mobius strip: no beginning, no end. Keep on if democracy is not restored. Gyanendra plies walkin', but you'll just end up where you began.responded by promising the Indian Foreign Office to I am a philosophical dork, so I decided to keep restore political processes in a few months. my mutant woolen friend around as a reminder of how Gyanendra is hardly trustworthy, but he is respon­ easy it is to go nowhere, if you don't make an effort to sive to international pressure—enough of which could grow. Or if you unwittingly invert your needles. possibly force the warring parties to the negotiating On February 1, King Gyanendra of Nepal dis­ table. missed the government, assumed direct power, and On March 1, as the Royal Nepalese Army killed instituted a state of emergency. In a crisis point of a 50 Maoist rebels near the Indian border, UN nineyear conflict between the government and the SecretaryGeneral Kofi Annan was meeting with world Maoist fighters of the Communist Parly of Nepal, polit­ leaders for a conference on the Palestinian Authority. ical leaders have been arrested and basic rights sus­ Annan managed to bring up Nepal—yet, unsurprising­ pended among the general population. ly, no action has been agreed upon, nor was a date A fog of secrecy has descended as communica­ set for further discussion. tions links within Nepal and with the outside world are The world, Canada included, has a role to play severed and the independent Nepali media is shut in mediating and in helping the Nepalese construct a down. viable democratic government. India has voiced its A new report by Human Rights Watch asserts that commitment to seeing democracy emerge. Are we at least 2 0 0 "disappearances," including those of cowering because this is a "regional" conflict? civilians, have occurred since Gyanendra assumed Because we like neither monarchists nor Maoists? Or sole authority. In almost all cases, disappeared individ­ because our commitment to democracy is driven by uals were last seen in government custody. strategy rather than ideology?

Nepal had the highest number of new disappear­ Oh Bob, you knew the truth when you wondered, ances in the world during 2003 and 2004. More "How many ears must one man have, before he can than 1,200 cases perpetrated by the Royal Nepalese hear people cry?" He must be wearing a deformed Army have been documented over the past five years. hat, too. ■

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A N N O U N CEM EN T O F R EFER EN D U M Q U E S T IO N S

S S M U C O N S T IT U T IO N A L A M E N D M E N T 1

S S M U H E A L T H A N D D E N T A L P L A N Q U E S T IO N 1

W H E R E A S the Students’ Society of M cG ill U niversity (S S M U ) Legislative Council has review ed the S S M U Constitution, and has recom m ended changes to reflect the reality o f the Society;

W H E R E A S the Students’ Society of McG ill U niversity (S S M U ) Health and Dental plan fee has not increased since January 1st, 1997;

W H E R E A S the S S M U Legislative Council has review ed the S S M U Constitution, and has recom m ended changes to the m em bership and procedures of Council to m ore accurately and equally represent m em bers of the Society; W H E R E A S any change to the S S M U Constitution m ust be placed before the m em bers of the Society in a referendum ; .

D o y o u a g r e e t o m a k e t h e fo llo w in g c h a n g e s * t o t h e S S M U C o n s titu t io n , e f f e c t iv e M a y 1 , 2 0 0 5 ?

YES / NO #

*To view the current and revised constitutional articles please visit www.electionsmcgill.ca/constitu 1.pdf V o te Y E S b e c a u s e : S S M U Council has spent the year review ing the Constitution, and has com e up w ith changes to reflect the reality o f the Society. These changes include m any slight adjustm ents and clarifications to w ording, m ost of w hich have little or no effect on the actual m eaning of the text. Som e m ore substantive changes include prohibiting dis­ crim ination based on gender identification; elim ination of the obsolete position ofTreasurer; rem oval o f com m issioners’ descriptions from the Constitution (to be instead described in the bylaws); and finally, an increase in th e quorum for refer­ enda from % to 15%.

10

A N O C o m m itte e w a s n o t fo r m e d

W H E R E A S in recent years, the vo lu m e of claim s m ade by students on the S S M U Health and Dental plan has increased by approxim ately 15% annually; W H E R E A S if the current level of S S M U Health and Dental plan fee is unaltered, students w ill continue to see a progres­ sive decrease in coverage; W H E R E A S the S S M U has the intention to m aintain ap p ro xi­ m ately the sam e level o f plan coverage for the next four (4) years; D o y o u a g r e e t o in c re a s e t h e c u r r e n t S S M U H e a lth a n d D e n ta l p la n fe e p a id b y s tu d e n ts b y $ 3 6 . 1 3 (p ro r a te d t o t h e a p p lic a b le H e a lth o r D e n ta l c o m p o n e n t) in o r d e r t o m a in t a in t h e a p p r o x im a te c u r r e n t le v e l off p la n c o v ­ e ra g e ?

YES / NO

S S M U H E A L T H A N D D E N T A L P L A N Q U E S T IO N 2 W H E R E A S in th e future th e Students' Society of McG ill U niversity (S S M U ) Health and Dental plan m ay require sm all annual adjustm ents to offset rising health care and dental care costs and in order to m aintain a given level of coverage; D o y o u a u th o r iz e t h e S tu d e n ts ' S o c ie ty o f M c G ill U n iv e r s ity (S S M U ) L e g is la tiv e C o u n c il t o in c re a s e th e c o s t o f t h e S S M U H e a lt h a n d D e n ta l p la n b y a m a x i­ m um o f % per annum ?

10

S S M U C O N S T IT U T IO N A L A M E N D M E N T 2 YES / NO W H E R E A S the Students' Society Legislative Council (S S M U ) Legislative Council has review ed the S S M U Constitution, and has recom m ended changes to clarify the procedure in case of resignation, rem oval, or inability to act of an S S M U Executive Officer; W H E R E A S any change to the Constitution m ust be placed before the m em bers of the Society in a referendum ; D o y o u a g r e e t o m a k e t h e fo llo w in g c h a n g e * t o t h e S S M U C o n s titu t io n , e f f e c t iv e M a y 1 , 2 0 0 5 ?

YES / NO

*To view the current and revised constitutional articles please visit www. electionsmcgill. caZconstitu2.pdf V o te Y E S b e c a u s e : S S M U Council has spent the year review ing the Constitution, and has com e up w ith changes to reflect the reality of the Society. O ne of the m ost im portant changes is an adjustm ent to the procedure in case of resigna­ tion, rem oval, or extended incapacitation of an S S M U Executive. This is im portant and tim ely, due to recent resigna­ tions and illnesses of executives. This proposal w ould require a by-election in case of a presidential resignation in the first half o f the term , and w ould provide for replacem ent of te m ­ porarily ill executives.

A N O C o m m itte e w a s n o t fo r m e d

S S M U H E A L T H A N D D E N T A L P L A N Q U E S T IO N 3 W H E R E A S currently only students covered by another co m ­ parable extended health and dental plan have the right to optout of the S tudents' Society of McG ill University (S S M U ) Health and Dental plan; W H E R E A S allow ing the option to opt-out of the plan w ith o u t providing proof of com parable coverage w ould increase the prem ium of the plan by approxim ately $40 (or 25%); W H E R E A S m any students opt-out of S S M U fees because they are financially constrained; D o y o u a g r e e t h a t s tu d e n ts s h o u ld b e a llo w e d t o o p to u t o f t h e S S M U H e a lth a n d D e n ta l p la n w it h o u t p r o o f o f c o v e ra g e fr o m a c o m p a r a b le p la n ?

YES / NO

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^ e d ito r ia l SAM GOFFMAN

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N o city should b e too large for a m an to walk out o f in a morning. "

—Cyril Connolly, British critic ticking to the old adage that the best solution to off Gert's. a problem is to run away from it—at least we Wide open spaces. The walls of the city are clos­ think that's how it goes; we always fell asleep ing in on us. Enrolment is on the rise, but downtown when granny spouted her wisdom—we have space constraints mean McGill has no room to grow. decided that the only way to solve McGill's Students need plenty of land for free academic reign. many woes is to move to a land far, far away. OurRelocation aca­ settles more than the classroom shortage, demic institution's issues can be boiled down tohowever. one That pesky Muslim prayer space problem? thing: money. Seeing as we have no control overSolved! that, Practicing Muslims could have a building, not a unless a brave McGillian iswilling to sexually manipulate basement. And just think of the rows upon rows of ellipti­ Charest and his cabinet (any takers?), we must target the cal machines we could set up at the new Sports second most troublesome factor: Montreal.

Complex—no more mile-long sign-up sheets!

Thus, it's off to Ascot Corner, Quebec, population Our team is what? Red hot! With no profession­ (pre-McGill invasion): 2,340. Just a hop, skip, and a al sports teams around, we'd have no choice but to head multi-hour drive away. Located in the Eastern Townships, to Molson Stadium with 18,000 of our closest friends on 45 minutes from Sherbrooke (if you hit Moulton, you've a Saturday afternoon to watch the Redmen do their thing. gone too far), the town of Ascot Corner is the perfect Reason more, the McGill athletes who crave so much place for us to settle—they even have a rue des PinsI It's fame and fortune but get so little regard from students a community rich in history, none of which we know would actually be recognized and celebrated on cam­ because it hasn't been sufficiently documented. pus—can't you just imagine all the Ugg-afflicted fashionHowever, it is safe to say that it was named for the ascot istas swooning over star quarterback Matt Connell (or possibly the ascot racehorse or, more likely, a person instead of that sketchy rue St-Laurent mimbo? named Ascot), which is a fabulous article of clothing with ! spy with my little eye, something that is wide square ends that are held in place with a decora­ SSMU. Students' Society elections would average 15 tive pin, something the founding father of McGill likely candidates per race—in Ascot Corner, getting elected wore, SSMU President would be like being crowned king of the In Ascot Corner, not only could McGill host turf wars world. Voter turnout would go from about 20 per cent to over abandoned cornfields with rival badass Bishop's, 95 per cent, with the other five per cent assumed to have but it could flourish without the setbacks of expensive, gone cowtipping. A shortage of things to do off-campus nonexistent Montreal real estate, and accordingly, with­ would force students to participate in clubs and activities out the student population scoffing at the concept of on campus. They would realize how disorganized and school spirit. inefficient certain factions within their representative body Tapping tourist dollars. Sure, middle of nowhere can be (cough—Council—cough), and would be less Quebec isn't exactly a prime destination for a day trip apathetic about who is chosen to represent them. in the winter. Bare, snow-covered trees may be scenic, Naturally, the possibilities are endless. Ascot Corner but that isn't enough to lure cash-toting visitors—unless, is quaint and has the few amenities required to survive of course, those trees are maples, in which case tourist until our plush accommodations have been erected. The success can be tapped. If McGill opened a cabane à Macdonald Campus students would feel right at home— sucre on campus, it would have a seasonal revenue-gen­ there's even a Soil Conservation Service and a 73-site erating source of about $20,000. Visitors and tourists campground for those who get off on nature. alike could spend the bitterly cold days hopped up on Nothing against you, Monty, you're everything we sugar. Sweet. like in a city. Entertaining, beautiful, romantic, lively, and Campus all abuzz. It's not just the party organizers' occasionally icy, though that only makes us want you fault that turnout at 4Floors is laughably measly. Students more. You're just too damn interesting. It's because of you have 1 0 , 0 0 0 reasons—beyond the general lameness that we neglect our comparatively dull companion, and overuse of smoke machines—not to attend McGill McGill. And so, we must part ways, for the good of our events. That's right, kids, we have that many bars and school. restaurants at our fingertips. But move us eastbound to a We won't deny that the move will be an adjustment, town—if we can even call it that—where only 40 out of but this is one that will perpetuate fantastic opportunities 2,340 speak English, the only four restaurants in the and experiences for all of us, and ensure a great future vicinity require a car and a road map, and local bands for the town of Ascot Corner. And to those skeptical stu­ specialize in rambunctious chansons—with cuillères dents: you may pout, kick, and scream at first, but even­ accompaniment—and we might just reconsider writing tually you'll thank us. Remember: change is good. ■

S

I am

ow, exactly, are we to react to Friday's mistaken shooting of Italian journalist Giuliana Sgrena, newly freed by her kid­ nappers in Baghdad, by American soldiers? It was the kind of sickening mix-up—Nicola Calipari, an Italian bodyguard that helped negotiate Sgrena's release, was killed while shielding her with his body—that triggers strong anger and a desire for account­ ability. But blame is not so easily assigned for such an incident.

The soldiers should have been more careful in their choice of tar­ gets; the higher command should have informed them that Sgrena was coming (though it's not clear that they knew); Sgrena's driver should have responded to the soldiers' alleged warnings to stop.

The most honest outcry is one of frustration: "Another victim of an absurd war," lamented the leader of Italy's Green Party.

It is indeed hard to find meaning in such a stupid and point­ less thing, and we can only add it to the list of all the other stupid and pointless things the US has achieved. Conspiracy theories aside, the deliverance of a hefty cruise missile down the chimney of the Chinese embassy in Belgrade in 1999 and the bombing of Canadians training in Afghanistan in 2002, to name just two, were royally stupid acts, and ones that caused not only embarrass­ ment, but death. From wherever in the world the American hand falls, it seems, comes some kind of bad news.

Is incompetence an American trait, or does the superpower merely suffer from constantly being thrust into the spotlight? Of course mistakes were made in the war in Iraq, its defenders would

H

From w h erever in the w orld the A m erican hand falls, it seem s, co m es som e kind o f b a d new s.

say. It is, after all, a war, and, as any soldier will tell you, in com­ bat the only certain thing is uncertainty. The US is more readily crit­ icized for its foibles simply because it is the US. Broad and con­ sistent condemnation, the argument goes, is unfair—with all bold acts comes risk, and mistakes along the way should not be taken as proof of unequivocal failure.

This reasoning would be easier to swallow if the Bush admin­ istration were more willing to own up to its folly. As it is, admission of error comes only grudgingly, if at all, and the ability to learn from mistakes seems to be even more uncommon. The American right seems stubbornly unwilling to admit any kind of guilt, a habit that emerges even in what seems to be the clearest of issues. As Bill O'Reilly said in September during an interview with Bush (who agreed with him) of America's greatest 20th century blunder, "The South Vietnamese didn't fight for their freedom, which is why they dont have it today." This kind of shocking revisionism—worse even than the more typical conservative argument that it was the hippies who lost the war—reveals the lengths conservatives will go to deny any kind of guilt.

Salvaging the situation in Iraq would be a whole lot easier with a few more friends. Bush's pleas for money and help during i his recent trip to Europe would surely have gone over better had he admitted that mistakes have been made. Instead, Europeans : heard what Jon Stewart called Bush's version of the Pottery Barn rule: "We broke it, you bought it"—all the more trenchant with Calipari's death in mind. Everyone makes mistakes, but when it comes to someone big, brawny, and bullheaded, flailing around can break a lot of stuff. ■

w it h o u t iP o d JAMES SCARFONE

do not own the musical device that seems to have exploded as this year's iconic campus phenomenon. I do not walk around with those white earphones all day long. I do not have over 1,000 mp3s embedded in my computer, either. I have no such portable device to listen to my umpteen Stone

I

I do not like to nap. I do like to spend my time doing something more useful. I do like to include reading road atlases as part of the previous assertion.

Temple Pilots', Van Morrison, or Big Pun tracks.

I do not press my cellphone up against my ear 2 4/7 like it is my only saving grace in this topsy-turvy universe. I do pass upwards of seven people between classes every day who do have this apparatus pressed up against their ears. I do hear

annoying rings, from Coldplay's "Clocks" to Usher's "Yeah!," I do like to watch cult favourites T/fë-’O.'C. and 2 4 . I do screaming through lecture halls. I do see the professor subse­ not wish to analyze them to death. I do like to analyze Seinfeld quently cringe at the obvious interruption. till rapture.

I do not own millions of DVDs, two-thirds of which are just I do not like studying for the LSAT. I do like the party that plain awful movies that were only purchased because of one will ensue afterwards. I do like to finish what I start. I do like to good quote or two good breasts. I do own classics. set goals. I do not like to set long-term goals.

I do not celebrate the elaborateness of Valentine's Day, I do not like to nap. I do like to spend my time doing some­ Halloween, or Boxing Day. I do celebrate St. Patrick's Day, thing more useful. I do like to include reading road atlases as Victoria Day, and Canada Day. part of the previous assertion.

I do not toss grated radish on top of my salad. I do not I do like to have my pair of shoes—my o n e pair of garnish" my meals. I do not put a lemon in my supposed-to-be- shoes—last for a good year before I chuck more cash at bland water. I have no interest in changing my Brita filter as fre­ footwear. I do like to have a fall/winter/spring jacket. quently as told by the $50-per-filter salespeople.

I do like to watch young kids at play and recall simple I do not have the desire to fix my hair for half an hour times that have gone by. I do not like to hear campus gossip, before I go to Bifteck. I would rather go to Bifteck than Lodge. stress talk, or soap opera chatter.

I do not like to go to Café Campus on Tuesdays. I do like to go I am a simple kind of man. I am something I love and to Miami on any day. understand. ■

the mcgill tribune I 8.3.05 j opinion ] ]

Deconstructing the facade

The

IV Ic G ill

B a ttle s

T rib u n e Curiosity delivers.

E ditor - in - C hief

Natalie Fletcher editor@tribune.mcgill.ca M a n a g in g Editor

James Scarfone seniored@tribune.mcgill.ca N ews Editors

Jennifer Jett Laura Saba Lisa Varano tribnews@tribune.mcgill.ca Features Editors

Liz Allemans Panthea Lee features@tribune.mcgill.ca A & E E ditors

Daniel Chodos Lise Treutler arts@tribune.mcgill.ca S ports E ditors

on

th e

fr o n tie r BRETT SCHREWE

brett.schrewe@mail.mcgill.ca he advent of global American supremacy hap­ nation can afford to live like kings. On the labour pened innocuously enough; a smattering of side of the coin, it has also managed in 40 short musket shot in two sleepy Massachusetts vil­ years to make itself an indispensable part of the lages provided the first cracks in the seeminglyglobal economy, becoming the largest private employer in North America. invincible British Empire.

Something, however, is inherently wrong with Speaking of empires and provincial outposts, last month Wal-Mart made the choice to close its this picture. In the low, low price tags of the prod­ threeyear-old store in Jonquière, ostensibly due to ucts on the shelves, the only number given is the financial impracticality. However, this decision has price the consumer must pay in the immediate followed a seven-month period in which the retail transaction. There is no description of the cost to world has witnessed something unprecedented: a the environment or the community. There is no unionized Wal-Mart. In short, just as nature abhors mention of the Wal-Mart strategy of building on the a vacuum, Wal-Mart has a history of intolerance to fringes of communities, the destruction of local busi­ nesses by the realpolitik of its economy of scale, or unions.

The big blue southern giant is an emissary of the massive importation of goods from China the consumerist society from which it originates. (US$ 18-billion in 2004, making it China's eighth Bright yellow ball smiles herald the arrival of one- largest trading partner, ahead of even the UK) that stop shopping, where everything from Paul Simon allows for gaps in accountability as to whether the to Pringles to pantyhose can be purchased for goods produced are done so ethically. All of these prices pleasing to the pocketbook; there is the have costs attached that go unpaid by the discount inherent promise of a better lifestyle for the commu­ shopper, yet—to quote a famous proverb—nothing nity-new jobs created, new buildings erected in in life is free. Who is picking up the slack?

Further and germane to the situation in new development, and new products made avail­ able—all purported to be symbiotic with its new Jonquière, the retailer has been able to keep wages low due in part to its successful efforts to neighbourhood.

Wal-Mart is the self-styled champion of the prevent unionization. The lack of collective bar­ working class, where' peasants of the neo-liberal gaining effectively short-circuits a corresponding

T

labour economy of scale; this practice thus gives Wally World freedom to dictate its wages. The viability of its stores cannot be challenged by the power of a strike, and there is no monetary com­ pulsion to increase wages and provide full health care. The only appeal to fairness and living wage must come from personal morality, which is sub­ servient to the goals of the fundamentally imperson­ al corporation.

There is now a second store with a union, but it too lacks an agreement with management.

Whereas Jonquière was Lexington, St-Hyacinthe may be Concord. Battlegrounds are places where ideologies come to blows, where here the pro­ claimed champion of the workers is shown to be an exploiter of the desperation of people in need of employment, a hangman whose pursuit of lowprice provision has paradoxically made life harder for the customers it has promised to aid. In its dra­ conian actions against the community ofJonquière, Wal-Mart has shown itself to be an orthodox believer of profit before people, a cruel inversion of its cultivated persona. Now that its polished veneer has begun to tarnish, perhaps this will be the opening fusillade of a radical rethink of how we determine where to buy the products of everyday life. ■

Radically respectable

Mohit Arora Andrew Segal sports@tribune.mcgill.ca

G iv e

c e lib a c y

so m e

re s p e c t KIM D'SOUZA

P h o t o Editors

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Vasemin Emory Iwona Link photo@tribune.mcgill.ca C o py Editor

Sam Goffman sam.goffman@mail.mcgill.ca D esign E ditors

Lara Bekhazi Benji Feldman Heather Kitty Mak design@tribune.mcgill.ca O nline Editor

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Chad Ronalds C ollaborators

s Pride Week celebrates sexual diversity, I'm getting into the spirit by arguing that society should foster a greater appreciation of celibacy.

Attacks on celibacy are an old staple in North America. A great example is the fabricated account contained in Maria Monk's A w fu l

A D isclosures

of

the

H otel

D ie u

N unnery

of

which sold, hundreds of thousands of copies in 19th century America and was set, inci­ dentally, in the charming building with the big dome at the end of rue Ste-Famille. A former nun, Monk wrote that the main responsibility of nuns was serving the sexual needs of Catholic priests.

Babies born of these unions, she alleged, were routinely strangled and buried in the basement, along with young nuns who wouldn't go along with their "responsibilities."

Now, my claim is broader than a defence of Roman Catholic priestly celibacy, but Catholics happen to have the most examples—and even today, the sexual abuse of children committed by some "pent-up padres” is often linked to their vow of celibacy. Pedophilia should incite moral out­ rage, as should the crimes described by Maria Monk, but blaming celibacy is a facile response.

It's bizarre to suggest marriage as a cure for a dis­ ordered attraction to minors.

Montréal,

Kevin Afshari, Terri Alderfer, Dave Barber, Andrew Bauer, Meg Briggs, Dave Brodkey, Robert Church, Susan Cooke, Kira Costanza, Trevor Craig, Simone Cruickshank, Christine Cullen, Kim D'Souza, James Gotowiec, Tasha GordonSolmon, Rebecca Graber, Sarah Grynpas, Adam Heller, Genevieve Jenkins, Traci Johnson, Catherine Lemery, Ben Lemieux, Dan McQuillan, David Nataf, Shelby Parnes, Branka Petrovic, Dave Piccin, Jeff Roberts, Brett Schrewe, Elisha Siegel T ribune O ffices Editorial. Shatner University Centre, Suite 110, 34 8 0 McTavish, Montreal Q C Tel: 514.398.6789 Fax. 514.398.1750 Advertising. Brown Student Building, Suite 1200, 3600 McTavish, Montreal Q C H3A 1Y2 Tel. 514.398.6806 Fax. 514.398.7490

The M c G ill Tribune is an editorially autonomous newspaper & Thrust and Reaction Engine — * !~ I- J............... '-----

Those who choose celibacy should do so Lorenzo Albacete wrote beautifully in the N e w freely, with proper motivations and not in order to York Times M a g a z in e that celibacy "is the radical, hide shameful sexual tendencies. Particularly right outward expression of the poverty of the human heart, the poverty that makes true love possible by now, society needs celibacy.

Hermits, priests, nuns, monks, shamans, preventing it from corrupting into possession or gurus, and fakirs of many of the world's religions manipulation. That is why child abuse by priests is have lived abstention from marriage, and hence so shocking, so horrible, so destructive. It places all sexual relations. A small number of people celibacy at the service of power and lust, not of throughout history—including Florence love."

Celibacy also highlights the importance of Nightingale and Soren Kierkegaard—have seen celibacy as a way to be totally dedicated to their struggle in the domain of love and sex. calling by sacrificing the possibility of marriage Nowadays, we tend to think that love and sex and children. That celibacy is a sacrifice means shouldn't be something we have to struggle with, that authentic celibacy sees marriage and sexual at least not over long periods of time. But pleasure as beautiful and good, post-Freudian monogamy—or the notion of "till death do us part"—is premised on the understanding of perpet­ interpretations of religious attitudes to sex.

Healthy celibacy is possible. There have ual faithfulness as something towards which a lov­ been too many well-integrated celibates—Mother ing sexual relationship must constantly strive. One Teresa of Calcutta, the Dalai Lama, and PopeJohn of the reasons why lifelong monogamy is increas­ Paul II are only the famous examples in our life­ ingly rare in our society is because people believe time—to assume otherwise. But I'm not saying that close sexual relationships are meant to fulfil their it's easy. Celibates are not asexual, they are peo­ emotional needs. But as polls like the Tribune ple who choose to use their sexuality as a gift for Valentine's Day survey show, if young people still service. And it's precisely because celibacy isn't want marriage and lifelong monogamy, then they had better be prepared to put a lot more than their easy that it's valuable.

Celibacy, like all forms of authentic human fickle emotions into it. Celibacy is a public love, is self-sacrificing love. In 2002, at the height reminder par excellence of the need to be vigilant of the priestly pedophilia scandals, a priest named that love doesn't degenerate into selfishness. ■

of the President and the VP Academic AUS did what it could I am dismayed by your recent story meant that less was at stake in this elec­ on the results of the AUS elections, and toral season. I disagree that the AUS its kicker: "Voter turnout low at 16 per has been invisible this year. There's just cent of Arts students" (Fresh set of nine to less interest overall. See also the not-toogovern AUS—2.3.05). Yes, 16 per hotly contested upcoming SSMU elec­ cent is lower than last year. But it's also tions.

— Rob Salerno, President, A U S twice what it was two years ago. In fact, at 16 per cent, this was the sec­ The end of sports as we know it ond-highest turnout in the history of In response to Mohit Arora s article AUS. This is also in the face of multiple on John Chaney's choice to send in a factors that suppressed voter turnout. goon to cause some mayhem: sorry Most notably, the election was delayed your bubble has burst, Mohit, but that by a day because McGill's new securi­ stuff has been going on forever in sports ty features prevented usfrom running our (A Temple without an idol—2.3.05). voting system on day one. This forced Part of the game, they say. And it is. us to extend the voting to Friday before And it's awful.

—B .W . M orrison Reading Week, when very few students Winchester, Massachusetts are on campus. Also, the acclamations

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delicious?

Of course you do. Become an editor and brag about it all the time. Application packages will be due soon, so get thinkin'.

For information, e-mail tribune@ssmu.mcgill.ca

rMihlkhwi U, the Students' Societv of McGill University in collaboration with the Tribune Publication Society. All submissions, including letters, Dispatch Box, Parry ~

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12 opinion j 8.3.05 | the mcgill tribune

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DANIEL CHODOS |

t iscommon knowledge, among both base­ out for the coach's sign. If he's telling you to | ball fans and non-baseball fans, that first stop, then there's probably a good reason. j base refers to more than just a padded So keep an eye on your wingmen, guys. j cushion 90 feet away from home plate. Yes, In baseball, getting to third base is noto- 1 there is a sexual context that has arisen almost riously harder than getting from first to sec- 1 naturally from the "bases" concept. However, ond. Life is no different. Often, the offensive | the clarity of the underlying meanings of each player gets hung up in a rundown between 1 base in a sexual conquest issomewhat shady the bases when he takes a silly chance. If § | at times. you're caught in a rundown, you're probably | For starters, "getting to first base" is here­ not coming out of it safely; you will get I after defined as getting underneath the shirt, tagged (probably in the face). As such, the I but over the bra. On the other hand, second prudent choice is to high-tail it back to sec- 1 base seems to be most often signified by get­ ond. But if you get into third somehow, then J ting into a girls pants. Stop right there. The you're my new hero. discrepancy between these two levels cannot Once you've hit third base, you're just 1 be ignored. itching to get home. It's only 90 feet away, I Fortunately, baseball accounts for this after all. But stealing home is rarely advis­ possibility. Certainly, many kids have reached able. If you're going to try it, you should at Jf first base, only to get picked off when lead­ least use some protection; a suicide squeeze, I fH U H t th e ing too far towards second. Big mistake. If the wherein the batter sacrifices himself while you 1 girl is stepping off the mound, and throwing steal home, is the national pastime's equiva- j tw u over to first, just be happy with your single lent of the condom.

1 and engage in some "batting practice" later Of course, the home run always makes 1 p * on. for a pleasant evening. Sadly, manya-lad is 1 There is also the coveted balk. This corking his bat these days, a practice || occurs when the pitcher makes a mistake, frowned upon by most traditionalists (thanks, p thus allowing the runner to automatically Viagra). Nevertheless, she probably won't j move up a base. Chin-ching, you just moved notice unless your bat shatters. Ouch. up a base without doing any work at all. The The ultimate male achievement is, of 1 The R itz Carlton Hotel, 1228 R ue Sherbrooke O uest classic "guilt trip" is a great way to induce a course, the grand salami. Not only have you |t balk from a girl. Just keep in mind that they crossed all four bases, but so have three other f a casually elegant afternoon featuring speakers, musical entertainment, don't happen often, so take advantage when players. However, unlike in baseball, there they do. can be unwanted side effects as a result of | refreshments, a silent auction with designer clothing, jew elry, signed spot engaging in a grand slam of sexual propor­ paraphernalia, artw ork and a raffle fille d with wonderful prizes. tions. If you get three "players" together, chances are these people find themselves on 1 T ick ets: $ 2 0 fo r stu d en ts, $ 4 0 for n on stu d en ts Now you're standing comfortably at the bases a lot. Let's just say, analyze the dirt 8 second base. Scoring position. The defence on their batting gloves; otherwise you might E m ail: th in k p in k m cg ill@ h o tm a il.c o m or C a ll 5 1 4 -2 8 1 -7 6 3 8 is starting to look a little shaky, so you might end up on the disabled list... for a long, long §1 | consider trying for third. Third base signifies, time. ■ in my experience, "everything but sex." But there are a number of obstacles between sec­ ondDose and third base. You absolutely must look The

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Sunday, March 20, 2005 from 2-5

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elisha.siegel@mail.mcgill.ca

All Proceeds go to the Quebec Breast Cancer Foundation

R em em ber m e w hen

I 'm

g o n e

ELISHA SIEGEL

hen Hunter S. Thompson blew top and his marriages keep falling apart. his brains out last week, I felt like But on the other hand, he's got a couple I'd lost a friend. If you can relate buildings named after him in the greatest to the drug culture or you just respect an metropolitan centre in the world. It would old-fashioned shit disturber, ‘bethen naive to think that he doesn't get off on Thompson had to be one of your heroes. the idea that Trump Tower will continue to But I couldn't help but think that the cast Good a shadow on Fifth Avenue long after Doctor waited a little too long to cut the his life The Donald has passed on and the short. Had he passed away during the authorities have anesthetized his hair­ height of the drug culture, Thompson piece. would have left a larger than life legacy.

And what about Michael Jordan?

He could have been the icon of the coun­ You'd be hard-pressed to find a single per­ terculture; instead he'll be remembered as son on the court who doesn't, in one way a footnote to the Nixon administration— or another, model his game after His not that impressive.

Airness. I once heard Phil Jackson, But if you think about it, that's more Jordan's coach with the Chicago Bulls, than most people get. When you're gone, explain that number 23 had an innate that's pretty much it. Sure, your grandkids sense of history. You think he didn't know will remember you and a few others will that when he took that last shot against carry on your memory for a generation or Utah in the 1998 NBA Finals that it was so, but the vast majority of usworking stiffs the perfect bookend to a storybook are doomed to fade into obscurity. It's like career? But Jordan didn't become the the cowboy says in The B ig Lebow ski: "I greatest player in basketball history solely guess that's the way the whole durned on the basis of his athletic skill. He human comedy keeps perpetuatin' itself achieved this status because he nurtured down through the generations." his legend as he went along. Everything Call me a cynic (no really, call me a from his style off the court to his love for cynic), but I sometimes get the feeling that drama on it was a way for Jordan to a fear of leaving this world without a suffi­ ensure his immortality. cient legacy iswhat motivates a lot of peo­ This universe has a crazy way of ple to do what they do. I mean, why making us feel painfully insignificant. I would anyone in their right mind strive for know Tull well that I'm replaceable. In the greatness? Take it from me, there is no context of the universe, my existence is greater joy in this world than underachiev- about as pathetic as your average Leafs ing. fan. I know that my conception wasn't But not everyone shares my love of much more than a lucky night in Vegas for couch-couture. Take Donald Trump, for one beely sperm. I may strive for individu­ example. Here's a guy who's made bil­ ality, but it's out of fear that one day I'll go lions of dollars building huge monuments the way of the dodo and Kirstie Alley's to his penis all over New York City. But is waistline. So if I die tomorrow, please he a happy man? Rumour has it that he's remember me as that kid you always read burned a lot of people on his way to the while sitting on the cropper. ■

The Department of Jewish Studies BLACHER AND GLASROT FAMILIES MEMORIAL AWARD FOR HOLOCAUST RESEARCH

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s t a b lis h e d in 2 0 0 0 b y Mr. a n d M rs. j o s e f G la sr o t, s u r v iv o r s o f th e H o lo c a u s t a n d r e s id e n ts o f M o n tr e a l. O p e n t o a n y s t u d e n t at M c G ill U n iv e r sity ,

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• The competition is open to undergraduate and graduate students at McGill University.

• Students must submit typed copies of their essays together with full contact information.

• Essays can be based on primary or secondary materials and work in all related disciplines will be considered.

• Essay submissions must reach the Department of Jewish Studies Office, 3438 McTavish Street, no later than April 13, 2005.

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P R E S ID E N T

P R E S ID E N T

VP CLUBS AND SERVICES

Kristôf Karcza I intend to solve the patient overload situation ofthe McGill healthclinic, expand midnight kitchen's resources and encourage similar initia­ tives, increaseand enhance communications between SSMU and students making more effectiveuse of CKUT, createwarmer and closer environment between studentsof different faculties, revitalize McGill administrative bodies and strive to improve Dawson hall services. My trilinguaIity, expert ence inworking inan officesetting astechnician and interpreter, inarestaurant asassistant-man­ ager, etc areassets that I will useto fulfill my role inaserious, organized, and amoloch-like fashion.

Sameen Shahid This year, I wasVP Clubs and Services of the SSMU. The experience gave me the opportunityto find out what's going right, and what wrong, with SSMU. Quite glaringly, the largest problemisa lack of communication withthe students! I want to bring ’SSMU backto the students', sothat it cantruly start representingyour needs. I alsowant to lobby McGill admin to regulate room-booking fees outside Shatner, tomake coordinating oncampus events affordable for students.

I havethe experience, the ideas, and I'll stick around for theWHOLE term! ... so vote SAMEEN for SSMU President!

Leon Mwotia My campaign isabout time.

It'sabout thetimethat I have dedicated this past year as a clubs and services representa­ tiveto SSMU council and as an executive of a SSMU serv­ ice. It isabout thetime I have spent on various committees learning howthesystem works and understanding howto make it work best for both clubs and services. With time and experiencecome fresh ideas: subsidizing club activities off-campus, prompt e-mail response, reassesment of roombooking system, residence outreach program, club council. VoteLeon, it's about time!!

Josh Pavan "OK,”you thinktoyourself.

"What does this boy haveto offer?" Co-president of NDPMcGill and actively involved inthe SSMU Socially Responsible Investment Workgroup, Midnight Kitcher Queer McGill and more. He's got the Clubs and Services experience. But then you get distracted Why can't I sleep inthe Shatner Lounge during exams?Why ismy university building plastered with GAP ads rather than actual student art?

Why doesn't Midnight Kitchen havethe inde­ pendent funding to be servingtoday?" It doesn' haveto be likethat. He's got the ideas and the answers but you’ve got the power. Vote Josh.

VP CLUBS AND SERVICES

VP COMMUNICATIONS AND EVENTS

VP COMMUNICATIONS AND EVENTS

VP OPERATIONS

VP OPERATIONS

Richard Stem I've been here for ages. I knowthe ropes, and I'vegot more positive energy than a sackfull of smurfs. I've learnedto handle stress from aHung Gar-style kung fu master and I've been on the “Clubs" sideof "Clubs and Services" on numerous occa­ sions, sothe odds of me becoming acruel, uncaring tyrant are relatively low. Besides, I've got skillz. Mad skillz. Ciao! And thanks for all the fish! - Richard Stern PS: Stay away frommy bag of smurfs.

Roz Freeman As 2004-2005VP Internal of AUS, I used my experience as aprevious Froshcoordinator to run anArts Froshthat was both fiscally responsible and acrazy good time. This year I managed SnowAP and brought you nine days of non-stop McGill entertain­ ment. Ifelected, Iwould raiseawareness of SSMU through extensive promotion campaigns, overhaul student event planning (SSPN) to make it better reflect student input, and promote inter­ faculty relations in order to have more diverse and far-reaching activities. So if you want wellrun, well-advertised, and well-budgeted SSMU events, votez Roz commeVPcommunications et événement de l'AÉUM!

Peter Ochodo Hey McGill! Ever feel spammed by SSMU's Bulletins? Do you findthem too long, too many, and unwanted?AsVPC&E I will makethese emails optional.

Better yet, I will introduce an alternative: acellphonetext­ messaging ENQUIRY service.

Messages will beshort, few, and wanted! I will also increase the number and quality of SSMU class announcements. Do I have experience?

Software Engineering student, rep in Engineering Undergraduate Society (EUS) and ExCESS councils, President of the FirstYear Engineering Council ('03), EUS Store Manager's SELCOM, LeaderTrainer for Discover McGill, Engineering Frosh Leader. SoVOTE PETERand stay Informed, Involved, and Intrigued!

Trevor C. Hanna Inafoolish attempt to secure your vote, insteadof patroniz­ ingyou by claiming we share the same values and ideals, I'll be completely honest. I'd liketo seethe Shatner build­ ing becomethe leader on campus interms of energy efficiency and sustainability.

Rather than having food services on campus monopolized, I'dliketo see more student-run ini­ tiatives. Furthermore, despite their historywith the school, let'sadmit that Molson makes awful beer. I'mintent on finding asuitable replace­ ment, preferably not affiliated withthe Republican Party. For more details, writeto trevor.c.hanna@electionsmcgill.ca

Erik van Eyken With 3years of student gov­ ernment experience at McGil and having held two execu­ tive titles, Eric van Eyken has the dedication, and integrity to beyour VP Operations.

Through hiscurrent role at SSMU administering the finances for clubs &services, aswell as assisting inthe budgeting process Eri. has developed the practical experience and insightsto get thejob done. Next year, the SSMU will be renegotiating anumber of con­ tracts that will have a major impact on student life, and it will takesomeonewith the brains anc the brawnto steer thecourse, someone like Eric

VP COMMUNITY AND GOVERNMENTS

VP UNIVERSITY AFFAIRS

ARTS SENATOR

ARTS SENATOR

ARTS SENATOR

Aaron Donny-Clark SSMU has sufferedfroma disconnect withthe students' movement at all levels. I believe this disconnect to be caused by a lackof informa­ tion on the part of our student body. It ismy hope that, given more information about the issuesthestudents' movement isfacing, our student body will be ableto have informed debates and takestrong positionson the issuesthat affect themmost.

My primary goal, therefore, should I become Vice-President Community and Government, will beto foster an environment on campus that will allowfor greater student participation inpolitics at all levels.

Max Reed I'mrunning to make McGill a better university for under­ graduate students. This year I was aSenator, and sat on SSMU Council where I chaired the UniversityAffairs Committee. I alsohelped to successfully leadthe CAFS campaign toensurestudent groups' abilitytosell food on campus. Next year I want tocontinue work with CAFS to ensure stu­ dent friendly food services at McGill, improve course evaluations, ensure adequate Muslim prayer space, and work for a fair protest policy.

So ifyou want strong, effective, and progressive representationto McGill then put your voteto the Max.

Cole Ryan Insert creative first line. I am running for the McGill Senate based on acampaign of hilar­ ity. If I amelected, Iwill attempt to get dogsleds for cross-campus transportation, I will throwrocks at Concordia, and Iwill say something funnier than this. I amfromasmall town inVermont, the fearless VP Internal of New Rez, and passionately opposed to theconcept of pants. I likeskiing, lighting stuff on fire, gallivanting around, drink­ ing, boondoggling, 99-cent pizza, and being your senator...so vote for Cole Ryan.

Ryan Stoa Currently the President of the New ResidenceCouncil Hall, I alsoserveon the University Residence Council, InterResidence Council, and pre­ sentedtothe Dining-at-McGill committee. I ski for the varsiNordic ski team, and am >oinvolved inthe Student Association for Medical Aid. I amafrancophone, and last year was voted Best Speaker of the Senate atWinona State University. Some of my interests include wildernesscanoe trips, karate, rockclimbing, and anything else inthe outdoors.

As senator, I can provide superior representation of theArts Faculty, and the skills neededto fulfill these duties. Vote Stoa!

ARTS SENATOR n_,,| r ‘i, » /__I raui-trik Veel

ARTS SENATOR

SCIENCE SENATOR

SCIENCE SENATOR

SCIENCE SENATOR

Malek Yalaoui Senate is McGill's main gov­ erning body. It'swhere all the decisions affectingyour stu­ dent lifeare made! From campus monopolies (Chartwells) to coursepack coststo your student rights.

Students protested for two years tofinally get seatson Senate in 1968. Nowthat we have this voice it's important that we use it effectively. Having spent theyear representing students in Residences as InterRez president, I have the experience ittakes to represent you. More importantly, asanArts student, I care about creating a better Faculty, about what you havetosay. Votefor someone who'll work for you.

Jieun Kim This is not about politics.

(And I can't talk politics any­ way.)This isabout being ears and a mouth for the need of McGill Science Undergraduate Students as a Science Senator. I amjust an average U0 Science Student who wants to make adiffer­ ence inyour life- yes, you, science undergradu­ ates. I may be appearedto be atypical quiet and bashful Asian girl toyou, but I'vegot the capaci­ ty and the heart toserveyou andto bethe bridge betweenyou and McGill University where the great minds meet.

Chris Newlove Hey everyone, my name is [Chris Newlove and I amrun­ ning for the position of Science Senator. Born and (raised here in Montreal, and I amrunning for the Senate since I want thechanceto represent the Sciencestu­ dents of McGill at aschool­ wide level. I have previous Senate experience, as I was the Science Senator for the CEGEP Dawson College. So pleasevote for me as I promise torepresent theopinions and views of science students, tothe best of my ability, on the senate ifelected.

Jesse Pasternak Jesse Pasternak- Incumbent.

As your current Science Senator I haveworked very hard on the issuesthat matter toYOU! I have increased lec­ ture recordings inclassrooms and will continueto move for­ ward withthis-initiative. I currently play amajor role in developing a newsenatecommittee that addresses issues suchas food serviceson cam­ pus. I have made great progress inthe platform I set out to accomplish last year and there is nothing Iwant more than to finishthejob with another terminSenate. Keepyour trust in me, re-elect Jesse Pasternakfor sciencesenate.

SCIENCE SENATOR

EDUCATION SENATOR

EDUCATION SENATOR

EDUCATION SENATOR

LAW SENATOR

Heather Finn Upham It takes many things to be a good science senator: famil­ iaritywith the system, knowl edge of the issues, good com munication skills, and an ear tothe voices of sciencestu­ dents. Inthreeyears, I have learned alot through student government, having served as president of the SUMS and represented my peerson AUS and CAFS. As senator, I will strengthen to link between Senate and students by Finding new ways to bring you information on your issues food services, programchanges, environmental policy - and listening carefully toyour response.

So wear the Môbius and vote for me March 14th!

Ivy O'Reilly-Trudel Let the student voice be heard!!! I have talkedto many students inthe Faculty of Education and I hear the sameconcerns, and the same frustrations. I feel thetime hascometodo something about it. I want to hear it all; the good, the bad, and the ugly! I will beyour voice! I will workto make changestothe programs based on whatYOU want and howYOU feel.The students, YOU, ME, WE arethe foundation of this university and our needs and opinions are important. Let me repre­ sent us, Vote Ivy O'Reilly.

Jennifer White As a U2 education student, I hope torepresent the faculty of education by bringing your [concerns and ideasto atten­ tion. Better, cheaper, and morediversified cafeteria food, and faculty-based social events, aswell as more stu­ dent awareness and involve­ ment in university affairsare student identified issuesthat must be addressed. I hopeyou give methe privilege to represent the faculty of edu­ cation and bring your suggestions and ideasto theforefront.

Ewa Krajewska Durant mon premier cycle à McGillj'étais trèsactive dans les activités étudiantes - from being aresidence Don, à aidant aorganiser les "Monologues duVagin',' to lobbying federal and provin­ cial governments on behalf of the SSMU. This year, I stayed busy asthe Speaker of SSMU Council and been active inthe LawWomen's Caucus. Tant que Sénateur,je voudrais assurer que nos bibliothèquescontinuent àetreamer liorer, that the Senate adopt an effective University-wide anti-discrimination policy and that theAdministration's strategic plan has a strong focus on students' needs and life.

Votez Ewa for energy and commitment.

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Adam Conter Hello. My name isAdam Conter and I amrunning for SSMU President. "President?"

y°u sa^as y°u scratch Y°ur

head. Yes indeed SSMU used to have presidents and they should again. I’ve been \ _ involved in many activities at <srfii3fc-TW-1McGill, includingAUS Council, Club Executives, StudentTheatre, Breast Cancer Fundraising, ReferendumCommittees and more! We need agovernment that works for the undergraduate student. We needto increase school spirit and support our teams. We need to represent the diversity of our students, and com­ municate efficiently. Build our Community, increasespirit, communicate and respect diversi­ ty.TakeACTION, Vote Conter.

Withthe complexity and breadth of issues beforethe Senate, Arts students need competent representatives who will consult them, listen totheir needs, and act intheir .dÊSt best interestson each and every issue, and that’swhy I'mrunning.

My threeyears of academic studies and dedica­ tionto student activities as diverse asthe Debating Union, Wind Symphony andArts Frosh have given me the understanding and leader­ ship experience needed totacklethe issues stu­ dentscare about, be ittoturnitin.com, ancillary services and roombookings, etc. Ifyou want strong and accessiblerepresentation, vote PaulErikVeel for Arts Senator.

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Stephen Ross Several years at McGill have equipped me withthe experi­ ence necessaryto serve as your representative onthe Senate. I believethat I have a good understanding of,the needs and concerns of the student body and will do my best toaddressthem.

VP CLUBS AND SERVICES

\

MEDICINE SENATOR

MEDICINE SENATOR

LAW SENATOR

Cyrille Naim

Maxim Ben-Yakov Nick Peters I have been aPhysical and Nick Peters: A ProvenTrackOccupational Undergraduate Record. I'mcommittedto Society member for the past building on my previous two year as PT curriculumand years of experience in CapsAdvisory Board mem­ McGill's Senate, where I rep­ ber. Ithink I should do afair resented students intheArts job representingthe facultyof Faculty. AsArts Senator, I Medicipe and School of PT OT achieved support for key stu­ Iat the Senate Caucus and I dent-led policies, successfully thank a ll students of Medicine, School of lemented McGill's first environmental policy, ressed CoursePack issues, increased library Physical and OccupationalTherapy for support­ iing, and added study space. I championed ing me.

Jent-supported academic integrity policies, roved academic advising, implemented necourse evaluations and fought to improve I examconditions. This year, I served as First Class President, and SSMU Federal Policy nmissioner. I would be honoured tocontinue epresent your interestsas LawSenator.

3

MUSIC SENATOR

Justin Campeau Last termI served as Sponsorship Director for CASCO, raising arecord $28,000 in sponsorship for the Montreal Children's Hospital. I also have a lot of debating experienceon an international level which will serve me well when lobbying other senategroups on your behalf. Inaddition to representing students on all issuesthat come before Senate, I aminterested inworking towards the enhancement of career center serv­ ices for all faculties aswell as exploring small scale, cost-effective campus revitalization and beautification projects.

David Matthews Greetings Music Students, my name is David Matthews and I amrunning for Music Senator. As President of MUSA this past year I have worked hard to represent stu­ dent interestswithin our Faculty. Having gained valu­ ableexperience inthis posi­ tion, I nowfeel ready to address student con­ cerns inthe larger McGill Community. Key issuesthat I hopetotackle includethe lackof academic advising and student support provided at McGill, the shortage of student space (espe­ cially inthe Facultyof Music), and the ongoing reviewof undergraduate programs. Thanks for your support!

FINANCIAL ETHICS RESEARCH COMMITTEE

FINANCIAL ETHICS RESEARCH COMMITTEE

FINANCIAL ETHICS RESEARCH COMMITTEE

CKUT BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Cleve Higgins I amrunning for the position of Financial Ethics Research Commissioner because Ithink that it isvery important for universitiestotakeadvantage of the opportunity that we haveto exert some influence onthe business practicesof corporations that may not otherwise be held accountable. As individual consumers we effectively have no influence over these corporations, but collectively we can require that they meet our ethical standards. As a Financial Ethics Research Commissioner I would work toensurethat our collective influ­ enceas consumers isusedto hold these corpo­ rations accountablefor their business practices.

Naomi Sather SSMU’s business practices areareflection of not only McGill asan institution but alsoofthe students who make afinancial contribution tothis Society. Wouldn't it be great to have peaceof mind knowing that SSMU only did business with companies who arefair and ethical?As agood hearted, diligent ad hard working person I believe I would make an excellent contributiontothe Financial Ethics Research Committee.

Steven Spurr I aminthe process of com­ pleting my first year here at McGill as an Economic major and looking forward to repre­ senting the student body as Financial Ethics Research Commissioner during the 2005-2006 term.The responsi­ bilities of this officeoffer a truly unique opportunity to engage the Student Society at the highest levels and I will commit myself to all whom have avested interest inthe financial decision-making of the Student Society though fair and ethical expenditure of your stu­ dent fees.

Brooke Rothman I amaU0Arts student from the States and atrained CKUT volunteer running for the CKUT Board of Directors. In this position, I help readthe fine print, approvethe annual budget, and striveto bridge the gap between McGill stu­ dents and itsdiverse and alternative radio station. I would do thisby increasing publicity around campus of thesta­ tion's many events/programs. My love for dis­ covering the often bizarre, but prominent cultural side of Montreal, and meeting new people, will benefit inworking withthe general Montreal community and McGill students.

DENTISTRY SENATOR Marie-Alice Mandich

MANAGEMENT SENATOR

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V o ic e y o u r c o n c e r n s !

A L L

C A N D ID A T E S ' D E B A T E Wednesday March 9th at 7pm - Senate Candidates and SSMU Referenda

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Thursday March 10th at 7pm - SSMU Executive positions Join us at the Lev Bukhman Council Room, 2nd floor Shatner University Centre Can't make it to the debate? Still want to grill the candidates with your concerns?

Send your burning questions to contact@electionsmcgill.ca and we will read them out for you. Please provide your name, faculty/year and the name of the candidates(s) you would want to interrogate.

Questions?

C o n ta c t E le c tio n s M c G ill a t con tact@ election sm cgill.ca

But wait... there's much more!! Join our live electoral debate any day, any time. Log onto our online discussion forum AGORA, and voice your concerns and comments to the stu­ dents that will be representing you next year. Go to www.electionsmcgill.ca/agora What are you waiting for?

Voting will take place from Friday March 11th to Wednesday March 16th. Vote from our official poll station at the lobby of the Shatner University Centre (wheelchair accessible) or from ANY computer at www.electionsmcgill.ca/vote.

V O T E a n d w in up to 2 ,0 0 0 C A D , for m o re info sta y tu n e d or v isit ou r w e b site .

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" ■ S îîS ÿ , NO T A U N T W IU CO TO W A S TE! DISCOVER McGILL McGill’s one-day, campus-wide University Orientation day needs you! Get involved & represent your faculty as one of our volunteers and make a difference by creating a great McGill experience for our new students, right from the start. Your day will be fun & action packed. A Group Leader guides a group of new students throughout the day’s activities, assisting them by providing personal leadership and sharing your advice & experience; Logistical Staff provide invaluable assistance behind the scenes, helping with various tasks, e.g., staffing information kiosks, handing out the pizza, etc. Discover McGill will take place on Thursday, August 25, 2005. Volunteers will also need to be available on Wednesday, August 24 for training and coordination meetings.

ORIENTATION CENTRE & FIRST-YEAR RESOURCE ROOM Another great opportunity to have fun, meet people and help out is through the Orientation Centre & Resource Room. Student volunteers greet new students, provide information on McGill and Montreal, help with registration on MINERVA and generally dispense wisdom and comfort to new and returning students. The Centre & Resource Room will be open weekdays from Monday, August 22 - Friday, September 9, 2005.

FIRST-YEAR BUDDY PROGRAM Perhaps you would like to act as a mentor, friend, trouble shooter or just be a "buddy" to first-year students in general? First-Year Buddies will be connected with first-year students throughout the summer and are encouraged to communicate with one or two first-year students by e-mail, to address their concerns or to alleviate anxieties. A “Starters Kit” is made available to all First-Year Buddies to assist with answering ques­ tions and providing accurate referrals.

INTERNATIONAL STUDENT BUDDY PROGRAM If you are a returning international student (or even if you're not), this is also a great way to help ease the transition for new students. The International Student Buddy Program,

e i T IN V O L V E D - T H E R E W A R D ! A R E M A N V !

PLEASE PR IN T (Ms/Mr.)

(First Name)

FACULTY:

ID NO:

(Last Name)

YEAR:

McGILL E-MAIL: _ OTHER E-MAIL: (1) (

CAREER PEER EDUCATOR PROGRAM Participate in this great program! You love people and want to help your peers find the job of their dreams. In return, you will be trained to facilitate informal group workshops on effective work search strategies and assist in the planning and delivery of career forums. Think of the possibilities!

McGILL PHONE-A-THON Are you interested in helping students choose McGill? Then volunteer for the annual Recruitment Office’s Phone-A-Thon. The goal is to encourage individuals to accept McGill’s offer of admission by calling potential students and congratulating them for being accepted to McGill. You will help answer any questions they may have about the University or refer them to the right places for answers. You will have the opportunity of talking with individuals who are interested in your area of study and who are poten­ tially from the same high school or area you grew up in! The Phone-A-Thon takes place in the evenings from 5:00-8:00 on various days during April, May and June. If you have one or two evenings free, come chat with other students and enjoy dinner on us!

McGILL SUMMER SEND-OFF The McGill Summer Send-Off is a social event for new students coming to McGill, host­ ed by the McGill Alumni Association. The knowledge and experience of McGill students is invaluable to incoming students since you know the challenges, surprises and fun stuff going on at McGill and in Montreal. They are held all over the world - there is prob­ ably one in your home town! Most send-offs take place between the last two weeks of July and first two weeks of August, so if you like meeting new students and answering their questions, then let us know you'd like to be involved.

S T U D E N T S E R V IC E * - P R O M O T I N G S T U D E N T S U C C E S S !

I a m in t e r e s t e d in p a rt ic ip a tin g in th e fo llo w in g v o lu n t e e r p r o g r a m ( s ) : ( C h e c k a s m a n y a s y o u r w ant!)

NAME:

PHONE N 0(S).

administered by our International Student Services, assists new international students with their initial adjustment to McGill and Montreal. "Buddy" duties are flexible depend­ ing on the needs of the incoming students.

)_ Montreal Home Phone

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T h e f e m a le r e p e r t o ir e A c tin g t h e

p a rt o f a

a ll a b o u t d o d g i n g

BY N A T A L I E

f e m i n i s t in u n i v e r s i t y is

s t e r e o t y p ic a l th e a tr ic s

FLETCHER

are are those words that can be taken simultaneously as com­ longer be necessary? Or, on the flipside, is it attitudes like these that pliments and insults. When a universityaged woman iscalled impair the women's movement from facilitating true equality?

University environments certainly pressure women into becoming a feminist these days, its understandable why she's unsure strong female role models, whether or not they feel comfortable with that whether to turn crimson or take up arms. No longer a mere staple in political and academic jargon, "feminist" has sifted responsibility. With no clear-cut way of being feminists, many twen­ tysomething girls end up becoming conglomerations of a variety of fem­ its way into mainstream vocabulary, becoming as trendy a descriptive stereotypes, none of which seem independently capable of keep­ as terms like open-minded, strong-willed, and forward-looking,inist while ing the proverbial ball rolling. Here, a look at some of the widespread being used interchangeably with adjectives like overzealous, brazen, clichés that grate on so many McGill gals. intimidating, and stubborn.

Almost a century after the first International Women's Day celebra­ STEREOTYPE #1 : The anti-anything-feminine feminist—a young tion in 1909, many girls today feel confident dropping loaded words like equality and empowerment in everyday conversations, though few woman who chooses to be truly "female" by being anything but femi­ would use the word "feminist" to describe themselves. Clearly we're not nine. She scorns the "airly girl" types and certainly disapproves of talking the kind of on-campus visionaries whose keen awareness of North America's ever-blossoming beauty industry. She avoids typical­ women's issues colour their daily pursuits and life ambitions. These are ly feminine behaviour and clothing in order to push the notion that girls who, like their proudly feminist classmates, have inherited a lifestyle gender is a social construct.

Sure this girl has bad breath, but she has a beautiful mind. So for which many before them have fought, one that allows them to freely be the women they are, yet are content simply living with that freedom. scared is she about "becoming a woman” as Simone de Beauvoir cau­ These aren't girls who hum Helen Reddy lyrics on the way to school, tioned, that she flees from any qualities, habits, or behaviours tradition­ clutching their tattered copy of The Feminine Mystique; they don't see ally associated with femininity. Razors? Mascara? Perfume? Pantyhose? themselves as members of a group called "women, nor do they Doesn't know, doesn't care. She enjoys her body odour, thank you.

"I actually know girls like that," says Clida Cotron, a U2 doggedly ponder their breadth of opportunities—though if asked, they d surely agree they are as deserving of them as anyone else. Instead, their Management student. "I have a lot of respect for them because they're standing by what they believe and if that's their attitude and outlook on "feminism" is performed subtly.

"A lot of young women feel the gains have been made and that life, then so be it."

Usually well-versed in the latest feminist rhetoric, the girls who there is no particular need for a women's movement any longer," says Suzanne Staggenborg, a professor with Mcgill's sociology department. appropriate this stereotype uphold that the physiological differences "Or they support the women's movement, but don't call themselves fem­ between men and women are socially arbitrary: gender is unrelated to biology and is based on antiquated, destructive views on how the sexes inists because they aren't activists." should behave and interact. However, in their efforts to prove themselves infallible, these girls overlook recent research that suggests men and women do experience the world differently on many subtle levels. For instance, colourblindness, stuttering, and even hiccupping is more com­ mon in men than in women.

It is these understated differences that pit such anti-feminine femi­ nists against other girls who are comfortable celebrating their "girlish­ These girls, for instance, may celebrate ness."

"I think girls and guys are different, and you can be different, International Women's Day by forgetting it altogether—after all, if gender is a social con­ argues Jessica Sheardown, a U2 Economics student who is uncon­ struct, does it not show progress that they feel vinced by fellow students who try to push their agenda on her. "You strange and uncomfortable recognizing their shouldn't say you're not going to do something because it's a 'girl' thing economic, cultural, and political achieve­ to do. Sometimes dressing up is fun."

Interestingly, these types of feminists end up spending so much time ments as w om e n rather than as p e o p le ? Isthis not precisely what feminists wanted all along: trying not to be "feminine" that they lose See pages 18 & 19. to reach a time when feminism would no touch with other women.

R

P H O T O S BY YASEMIN E M O RY

CAMPUS

TRENDS

Girls only Education professor Lynn Butler Kisber loves teaching. When she start­ ed, she gravitated towards younger children, but today she enjoys work­ ing with student teachers just as much. To her, teaching is teaching, no mat­ B o y , g ir l, b o y , g ir l ter who or what. She's attempted to convey her passion to male recruits, trying to convince them to enter teaching, a traditionally female profession.

W h y a n t h r o is f o r g a l s She admits, however, that it's a hard conversion for men to make. "Males may pursue professions that have a higher remuneration because they are a n d m e c h is f o r g u y s the breadwinners," she says.

Still, she feels that there's no bias at the faculty and that traditional roles are changing. Men are joining the education faculty in greater num­ bers and upper level administration, previously predominantly male, is now more open to women.

The same gender homogeneity problem exists in the anthropology department, where of the 463 undergraduates, only 111 are men. Given that students choose their majors after they are admitted, it is clearly a self­ selection process. Some fields of study are traditionally male, others female. "Part of it may be the cultural perception that anthropology, being ANDREW BAUER concerned with human behaviour, is a more appropriately 'female sub­ ject,"' says Anthropology Chair Professor Michael Bisson. "In effect, it e've come a long way, right? A hun­ reflects an inherent sexism in society." dred years ago, women weren't even Heidy Schopf, U1 Anthropology, says that the whole female-male admitted to McGill. Now, over half of profession distinction is changing and that the gender gap seems to be all students are female. Women today often closing. "! think that's just part of the gender struggle." dominate traditionally male university strong­ holds: the sciences, medicine, and law, and in Engineering: "One of the last bastions" Arts at McGill, they make up about 70 per cent Nowhere on campus is the gender disparity more obvious than in the of students. As for men, for the first time, we're two engineering buildings on rue University. One administrator called the seeing bearded nursing students and secre­ faculty "one of the last bastions" and for good reason. Only one in four taries who have trouble crossing their legs. engineering students is female. Amazingly, there is only one woman Evidently, the sexual revolution was a success. mechanical engineering professor out of 28 full time faculty. The engineer­ But one glance at the statistics reveals ing profession just seems to be lagging behind, says Mechanical some anomalies. Only 20 per cent of educa­ Engineering professor Larry Lessard. "Maybe [women are] more reluctant tion students are male, while a paltry 28 per because it's a male-dominated profession and the old boys network is still cent of engineering students are female. Why the gender disparities in different faculties and Lessard is a radical in the faculty. Wearing a multicoloured and departments, not just at McGill, but throughout sparkling bandana, his decorating choices give away his political biases.

North America?

W

Pictures of highway signs adorn a corkboard above his desk. A Che Guevera poster hangs behind his head. Still, he doesnt believe all politi­ cal views should be equally represented on campus.

"I saw an EUS poster of one of the candidates. It said, 'What we need in engineering is more beer and titties.' It's completely stupid, he says. "If a woman sees that, she's going to wonder, 'what am I doing in this faculty full of people with unenlightened ways of thinking?"'

Lessard ripped down the poster from the elevator. He's disgusted by the "boorish behaviour" he sees at McGill's engineering faculty, behaviour that might be steering women away from the field. But the students inter­ viewed for this piece, both men and women, suggest that publicly calling for 'more beer and titties' is merely an inoffensive appeal to party. Its just a way of expressing ourselves,” says U3 Mechanical Engineering student Sherzad Nilamdeem. "'Beer and titties'—it doesn t mean anything.

Aside from rampant sexism and the traditional view that engineering is a male field, a major stumbling block remains for women entering engi­ neering: a lingering belief that men are biologically adapted better for the hard sciences. Many men in engineering still show a reluctance to accept women into what has traditionally been their vocation. Jean-Raymond Simard, a Masters Computer Science student, argues that women's brains have more difficulty with programming languages, and that guys have "relations" with their computers while girls "like to socialize more.

"Their natural approach for a problem is talking and understanding, he says. "That approach doesn't really work in a computer science set­ ting."

Aping males One striking statistic is that in the traditionally male hard sciences, women are winning the top awards in a greater percentage than their num­ bers. In other words, women are doing better than men. Bisson claims that women have only recently been given access to the hard sciences, yet many have residual feelings of societal discrimination. These feelings cause women in these fields to work harder at the undergraduate level, leading to higher average performance. Of course, men could be causing this phe­ nomenon as well. "In part, it may be related to more goofing off by com­ placent males spending too much time at the bar and not enough time at the books," says Bisson. ■

18 feature j 8,3.05 | the mcgill tribune

BO Y BL AB Continued from previous page.

W hat are the first words that come to mind when you hear the term "feministf" "Trying to improve the rights of women in a society that disempowers them."

"I think of hippie lesbians who hate men."

"The first sentence that popped into mind is the title of a book: Feminism is not the story o f m y life. I haven't read it yet, but I like the author, Elizabeth Fox-Genovese, an Emory University history professor and founder of Emory's women's studies pro­ gram. The subtitle is something like 'How America's feminist elites have lost touch with the concerns of women.'"

"I think of my roommate because that's all he ever talks about. He’s [probably] the only non-gay male in women's studies. He talks about what gender means, and that kind of thing. [He thinks] gender means whatever you want it to mean."

"A feminist is someone who values the beauty and sophistication of the female in mind, body, and spirit."

"Shrill. They're always getting mad about stuff unnecessarily. I hate people who are overly PC so they drive me crazy."

"I must just be out of touch because I don't seem to realize all the inequalities that still exist. I always thought that things were pretty okay, so i get kinda annoyed by

feminists because I was always raised to treat women equally. Everyone I know treats women equally yet there are appar­ ently still lots of problems that I have no idea about."

“They like sex according to

The

B ig

Lebowski."

“'Post-modernism' because that's what we’re talking about in my feminism class right now. When I think of feminists, I think of a very eclectic group of people. I think of a group that is profoundly at odds with itself because it's trying so hard to avoid falling into the traps of the socalled oppressor that it tends to undermine itself and constantly question itself The second you set up one version of feminsm, some­ one will come across and tell you its oppressive in some way. Feminists them­ selves are constantly undermininq each other."

"Gender equality—trying to level the play tng field as far as gender goes."

"I think about how there's a widespread misunderstanding of what the movement is all about."

"I think of one of my professors. I think of inequality."

OPINION A b o lis h

th e

JEFF ROBERTS

g ir ls ' c lu b s

d e facto excluded from entering senior positions. ("Tell themyou're infertile" isthe grim joke passed between young women t's not fair that there are so many schol­ preparing for corporate law firm inter­ arships reserved for women. This opin­ views.] This is a sad and continuing real­ ion is not to be trotted out at a cocktail ity in our society. But it does not justify party, and will certainly engender either providing special scholarships to women embarrassed pity or outright contempt in a university milieu like McGill where towards anyone foolish enough to they dominate. espouse if. But it is true all the same.

The preponderance of male profes­ Those jostling for scholarships are sors on campus represents another super­ well aware that McGill and other univer­ ficial justification for the continuance of sities have a number of scholarships for women-only scholarships. This argument which only women can apply. At McGill, is a tenuous one, however, given that hir­ these include the Claudette Mackay- ing ratios have been equal or tilted in Lassonade and the Mabel King scholar­ favour of women for at least 15 years. ships. These awards were intended to Unless we decide to purge every profes­ represent a symbolic and financial sor over the age of 50, we must accept encouragement for young women enter­ this disproportion for the present, and ing domains traditionally dominated by know that it will be only marginal in just men. Today, though, women-only scholar­ a few more years. ships are both outdated and an Finally, reserving scholarships for inequitable distribution of student aid. women is just, well, unfaiT. There is noth­ A quick look around campus con­ ing to justify excluding men from a num­ firms this proposition. Women are a ber of award categories simply because majority in most faculties, and not just they have penises. Male students sweat, those traditionally characterized as study, and aspire just like women, and "female" such as Arts, Education, and there is no reason that they should not be Nursing. Today, there are easily more rewarded for their academic abilities on women than men in both Law and the same basis as their Very successful Medicine, and something closer to parity counterparts. is being achieved even in alleged bas­ The underlying point here does not tions of "boydom" such as Engineering represent so much misguided misogyny. and the hard sciences. It seems silly— Rather, my purpose is to call attention to and even discriminatory—then, to allo­ the fact that a chunk of aid is being cate scarce scholarships on the basis of reserved for a category of students that gender. Privileging women for these no longer needs special encouragement awards makes about as much sense as to enter university. In keeping with the creating special bursaries for white spirit behind such awards, it is time to Protestant men. redirect these scholarships towards those To acknowledge this fact is not who truly are excluded from higher edu­ implying that capitalist society has cation. The children of Montreal's Haitian ceased to affect systematic discrimination community are hardly omnipresent on against women. The ugly reality remains campus, and there are just as few stu­ that women are often forced to make a dents appearing from neighbourhoods stark choice between professional like St-Henri or Little Burgundy. Let's create advancement and having children. Most a special category of scholarships for ; of those who choose the latter option are them instead. ■

I

"I find that when I encounter women in university who identify themselves as being feminists in this way they are so intense about what they believe that it really turns me off,” confesses Kathleen Brosnahan, a U3 Microbiology and Immunology student who would rather define her strength and independence without involving the touchy "feminist" label. "When I think of feminism now, I think of those women I can't have a dis­ cussion with because they're always interrupting me to tell me that I'm wrong and that I'm bowing to male domination."

Ultimately, self-proclaimed feminists who look down on other women are not going about defending women's interests in the most productive way.

STEREOTYPE #2: The Barbie-turned-businesswoman feminist—an ultra-feminine young woman who believes she can use her beauty to get what she wants. She sees nothing wrong with sleeping her way to the top—she's in control, after all —nor with using her feminine wiles to maintain the upper hand in relationships. Sex is her means of reaching her goals and she'll take on anyone who claims she's letting herself be used.

Though the lovefor-sale notion isn't new, its current incarnation definitely has a newish twist. Blame Gilette Venus ladies' razors for confusing confidence with sex appeal, but however way you look at it, for many girls, sexuality isa weapon. These girls succeed because they use use their looks strategically: it's all about bigger smiles, bigger cleavage, bigger promises—"All the bet­ ter to connive you with, my dear." And their army's gain­ ing forces.

In his 2001 biography of Madonna, Londonbased writer Andrew Morton argued that the singer's "indomitable, sexually unashamed, supremely confi­ dent" public persona had an unprecedented influence on teenagers.

"Many of these young women had been brought up, like their heroine herself, with old-fashioned stereo­ types of women as virginal brides or as whores, or with feminist values that rejected the use of a woman's looks for her self-advancement," he said. "To these girls, Madonna was saying that it was okay to show off your body as well as your brain; that one could be sexy and successful. Here was a woman who dressed wantonly and behaved badly, yet who, far from being punished for this behaviour, was instead richly rewarded."

Nowadays, it's not uncommon for university-aged women to pay off their student debt by working at strip clubs. In a March 2002 Tribune interview, one student stripper confessed to finding her work "empowering in some ways. I felt like I was pulling one over [the male clients]."

Of course, intuitively, there's something more gen­ uine about conscious, Madonna-esque exhibitionism than Christina Aguilera-type vanity. In a January 2003 interview with M axim , the songstress justified her new Xrated image by claiming it mirrored her "true" identity.

"I'm not conservative when it comes to that sex stuff," she argued. "I have a problem with the whole society thing where guys have sex and get praised for it but girls do it and get labels put on them. So more power to the girl who says she can enjoy sex and not

be ashamed of it. I'll back that up 100 per cent."

McGill students like Carol Modesto think this kind of feminism is misguided.

"I think that she has her feminist views mixed up with her self-esteem issues," notes the U2 Social Work student.

Cotron believes the result is a false sense of empowerment that is unfairly acquired. "Are you using them or are they using you?" she asks. "If you're able to do that and go to sleep at night, maybe it's fine. But if you're going to get to the top it shouldn't be based on who you sleep with or how you look."

In the end, having losf the respect of their peers, those who adopt this approach to female empowerment end up on a lonely crusade.

STEREOTYPE #3: The l-choose-to-be-traditional feminist—a young woman who has talent and intelli­ gence to burn, but still believes a diamong ring and white picket fence can be reconciled with her women's studies degree. She sees nothing wrong with her want­ ing to be a housewife and mother since she is choosing to do so. She'll happily give up a career to follow her future husband and she'll defend some oft-thought "sexist" stay-at-home-Mom traditions, claiming that the contemporary family must be saved and women are much more able to salvage it than are men.

This stereotype sheds a whole new light on the cult of the Mother as Goddess. It unites the Charlotte Yorks of the world, shrieking "I choose my choice!" as they throw in their work towel in exchange for an apron.

Some have called these types anti-feminists, women who embody the Queen Bee mentality that they can be both professionally and socially successful, though not necessarily at the same time.

While this stereotype may have had bad connota­ tions in previous decades, it seems to be gaining popu­ larity.

"It's just another profession," says Sheardown of the

BOYS ARESTUPID, THROW ROCKS AT THEM !

Purchasing feminism : Girl power gone haywire C e l e b r a t e in t e r n a t io n a l W o m e n 's D a y b y p i g e o n h o l i n g y o u r s e lf!

rom Madonna's "Boy To/' belt buckle to the The Angry Paraphernalia. Yay to breeding cynicism in glut of nauseating T-shirts propagating cliched children. The Trendy Wendy and Angry Little Girls clothing mantras, nowadays feminists can wear their lines encourage girls to be self-absorbed a n d valourize cru­ honours... literally. Don't get the complexities ofelty with slogans like "That's queen bitch to you" and "Boys Women's Lib? Buy your beliefs instead. Girl powerare for yelling at." For especially irate lasses, Jim Benton's is just a click and a credit card number away. AndJust Plain Mean line features a little girl kicking the crotch of you don't have to drop $300 on an original 1971any boy who dares approach her. And of course, the "Boys are stupid, throw rocks at them"-themed clothing continues "Woman Freedom Now" poster either. to foster positive girl/guy vibes.

F

th^TTcgNMriDune | W .U !> |le a W è i y

staycrt-home wife and mom. Terrorist Conspiracy from Hell) are the ones responsible for instilling "People don't look at it as a pro­ in such girls an irrational hatred for the opposite sex. Rather than fession but it really is. If a person integrate themselves into a system that oppresses them, they want chooses to take that path, there's to create their own, a matriarchy based on the "politics of care and nothing wrong with that. I would­ community."

Yet just as the sexist guys they loathe, they are guilty of essenn't look down on them and think tialism, defining men and women in strict, inflexible terms. they were worth less."

Elspeth Edelstein, a Ul Linguistics student, feels this kind of In fact, many universityaged women are seeking self- attitude is not only sexist, it's absurd.

"It's not possible, you can't have a female-only world," she worth as good wives and moth­ ers. When Maia Rotin, a Ul says.

"I think that pushes the idea of equality too far past the line, French Language and Linguistics student, told one of her friends adds Rotin. "You end up criticizing someone else in the same way she could see her becoming a they were criticizing you and it's counterproductive."

Many women leaders have noted the irony of feminists typical Québécois housewife, defending morality and compassion in the most aggressive and insolent ways imaginable. Former Canadian Prime Minister Kim Campbell, for instance, was hesitant to define herself as a femi­ nist, scared it would negatively affect her working relationship with her male colleagues.

"There have been a lot of male leaders who have done great things and [feminists] should try to work with them not against them," argues Modesto, stating that a condescending attitude towards men is just another form of oppression.

It is this kind of stereotypical feminist that gives credence to M a c le a n s columnist Barbara Amiel's claim that "what the women's movement has insist­ ed upon is not the idea of individual equality but the she was surprised by the dreadful concept of group parity." reaction she received. "I Stereotypes: revealing but not conclusive was trying not to insulther; I No matter how pervasive, stereotypes are the natural out­ was like, 'No offense, but that is really your personali­ come of any form of activism and cannot foot the blame for the ty. And she was like 'Oh, thank you! That's exactly what I want.'" seemingly decreased popularity of feminism among our genera­ According to Modesto, as long as the choice is a free, con­ tion. Gender equality is not a full-fledged reality and the fact that scious, and educated one, having home-oriented ambitions is per­ this is seldom a concern for university-aged women is interesting.

"School and university are probably [one of] the most gender fectly acceptable, if not commendable. egalitarian experiences most people ever get to have in their lives "I think the time and energy that it takes to raise a family and keep a house is underrated. People really overlook how much and so there is nothing in many young women's experience to effort and strength it takes," she says, citing her mother as an exam­ make them think that feminism has anything to do with them," ple of a woman she admires for having chosen to spend time with asserts Suzanne Morton, a professor with McGill's history depart­ her children and give themvalues rather than stick them in daycare. ment. "Many young women are justifiably proud of what they have accomplished and are invested in an understanding of 'individual "I think society should reward them for it."

With some, however, the traditional vocation becomes more meritocracy.' It is only when they leave school, and face new of a safety net than a chosen lifestyle. Cotron describes Se x a n d employment, personnel, domestic, child rearing, social, and polit­ ical situations, that the idea of individual merit begins to have prob­ the City's notorious good girl, the character of Charlotte, with reser­ vation. "Obviously she's very set in her ways, but once her friends lems, and systemic or structural understandings come into play."

Indeed, the discrepancy between men and women's income show her the other side, I feel like she wants to break the glass and is still significant, while the male-focused nature of many business doesn't. I feel like she's always afraid."

At the end of the day, reclaiming nurturing as a valid aspira­ relationships makes the boys' club a tough nut to crack. "Women often are excluded when political, business, and academic rela­ tion requires re-educating women about their biological potential. tionships are reinforced by sports culture, like playing golf and STEREOTYPE #4: The all-boys-are-evil feminist-a young hockey," says Morton.

Young women should not forget that their increasing freedoms woman whose feminism is more about sexism than equality between the sexes. She has no interest in men on any serious, result directly from feminist agendas. As Staggenborg notes, the substantial level: she is career-minded, driven, and outspoken, actions of contemporary feminists often go unnoticed since they and may find most of the men she encounters intellectually and target not only political but cultural institutions and mobilize around issues such as sexual harassment, violence, sexual abuse, body emotionally inferior to her. She surrounds herself with strong female friends, believes the world would be better were it con­ image, eating disorders, gender identity, the environment, global­ trolled by women, and seeks to develop a "feminist" reading of ization, and sexism in art, music, film, and the popular media. The Union for Gender Empowerment at McGill, for instance, works in all intellectual endeavours from the pre-Socratics to the present.

This is the kind of girl who would be shocked and appalled may indirect ways towards "recognizing there is gender-based were her father to condescendingly ask why she has yet to have inequality in society and taking steps to challenge and rectify that had a boyfriend. She's a dateless wonder and she is so for a rea­ inequality."

At the same time, feminists should not discount the "ordinary son. She has places to go, people to see—she's a career woman, girl's approach to her everyday life. Just how many heirs feminism choke on that. She venerates the female praying mantis, cfnd recites Robin Morgan's poem "Monster" with alarming accuracy: will find in our generation may be uncertain, but what's clear isthat "May we go mad together, my sisters... I am a monster and I am if International Women's Day is the story of ordinary women as makers of history, it is important to gauge what kind of story young proud."

The radical feminists who spawned organizations like SCUM women are choosing to write right now. ■ — With files from Liz Allem ang (Society for Cutting Up Men) and WITCH (Women's International

GI R L GAB D o you characterize yourself as a feminist?

"No, I don't really consider myself a feminist, but I don't not consider myself a feminist either, ft's just a label I never really use."

"You know, it's never really come up. I've never had to call myself a feminist and I don't think f would. It has too many negative meanings these days."

"I am most definitely a feministl I think that any woman with a univer­ sity level education has to be a feminist. Once one isaware of all the injustices and forms of oppression that continue to exist in society today in regards to women, how can one not be? I am an advocate for equal rights and equal opportunity for all people."

"I think I'm secretly a feminist, but I haven't admitted it ever. I think peo­ ple judge you too quickly, they think you're going to be a politically correct bitch."

"I used to think I was a feminist until I came to McGill and Canada in general and saw how extreme this vision of female emancipation is executed. I am a feminist when it comes to believing that I can do the job as well as—if not better than—any man and that I do deserve equal pay. I deserve not to be punished for being a woman, but I do not want to have to part with my femininity. I just bve being a girl too much!"

“I don't think so. It's not something I think about at all. But then again I've never been interviewed for a job and been told I'm not going to get it because I'm a girl."

"I don't really understand what feminism means. I know the general definitions but I don't know enough to label myself. There are a lot of stigmas associated with being a feminist and I would rather be myself."

"I am 1 0 0 per cent a feminist, and have never been afraid to say so, and hate that many people are. I am a feminist because I am a woman, and I believe that all women should have rights that are equal to those of men, and should be able to live their lives free from oppres­ sion and gender-based violence. It really pisses me off when women refuse to identify themselves as feminists—regardless of potentially neg­ ative connotations that may come with the term."

"I don't at all. I'm not the kind of person who is against males in any way or will go protest anything. I participate in sports, I do a lot of things that are 'guy' things, and I'm not a really a 'girly girl.

"I think in my everyday life I'm somewhat of a feminist. I don't think fem­ inismisonly about protesting and joining rallies. I have the mindset that I am equal to men and ) am just as capable of achieving what they achieve and moving up in the world. I do it in my own way.”

“Yes and no, in that I think all things should be equal but I find that fem­ inismas a movement is militant and kind of crazy, and it scares the shit out of me I think people would lake me a lot less seriously if I said I were a feminist, whereas if I just prove myself they will be impressed."

"I sometimes don't like to consider myself a feminist because there's such a negative conception of feminism in general. Often when peo­ ple think of feminists they think of women who hate menand women who are constantly being shortchanged even when they may not be."

"It depends on ihe situation. When you think of feminism, sometimes you think of the bra-burning feminist who is like 'Raaa, women's rights!'

I don't think I'm that enthusiastic about feminism but I am aware of the "No. I believe in women's equality and liberation but, coming from an all-girls school, I have issues with certain things about feminism, espe­ cially when I think of ihe reverse with men: it would be unacceptable for them to take on similar initiatives, so l find ithard to handle women who do that."

“I did at one point. But once I arrived at my excessively liberal, cqlly correct, kan't-believeit's-not-alfernative high school, the girls whose definition of feminism was more stereotypical attacked me for being an anti-feminist. I always thought feminism was doing whatever you wanted with your life—in North America we are (for the most part) liberated after all.”

"No. Feminismtakes things to the extreme. I think moderation isthe key to women's issues.

«

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Dress for slut-cess, says the ad. From thongs to halters to PJbottoms, you can have your favourite garb read "Look but don't touch," "I know what boys like," or "It ain't gonna lick itself.” Classy.

The Cartoon Hero. Nothing says female empowerment like a Super Girl vinyl lunchbox. Throw in a Betty & Veronica "Anything the boys can do I can do better" mug and a Rosie the Riveter plate, and voilà—you're practi­ cally indestructible. If you're a real zealot, a "Girls are Smarter" Lucy Van Pelt sticker will add that necessary touch.

The Straightforward Accessories. Why beat around the bush? A "Fabulous Feminist" bag says it frankly and forthrightly.

But if you're real witty, you might just pull off that timeless parody of the "Von Dutch" logo. Clever.

The Bumper Sticker. Re-define "driven" with these much-loved fender-bender classics: "Back Off! I'm A Goddess," "God Is Coming And She's Pissed," "Women Who Seek To Be Equal To Men Lack Ambition," "T.G.I.F. Thank Goddess I'm Female," "Against Abortion? Have A Vasectomy!" "Some Women Are Born Leaders; You're Following One," "A Woman's Place Is In The House And Senate, They re Not Hot Flashes... They're Power Surges," "Men of Quality Are Not Threatened By Women's Equality," and finally, a personal favourite, "Eve Was Framed.

The empowered garbage can. Yep, it's a Barbie wastebasket. Enough said.

"I would hesitate to call myself a feminist. It depends whether the situ­ ation would warrant mysetf some harrassment for labeling myself that way. It's better to believe and defend feminist arguments than label yourself a feminist."

"I think that being a feminist has a certain connotation of being militant and almost anti-male." . "I'd like to but I'm hesitant. I've read a bt of feminist theory and under­ stand that women are still facing many inequalities, but I find it hard to reconcile the theories with my personal experiences, which have been extremely positive. I'm scared that saying I'm a feminist equates to saying I deny the progress that has been made by dwelling solely on the negative."

T h e fiv e e le m e n t s o f K o p s C r e w CATHERINE LEMERY

rom beat boxers to deejays and rappers to graffiti writers, Kops Crew is a collective group of hip hop artists from the Montreal area who have come together in a circle of hon­ est expression. Rising eminently along the Montreal hip hop scene, Kops Crew has grounded their reputation in talent and creativity.

Consisting of approximately 14 members and promoters, Kops Crew ventures into all elements of hip ho,p culture. They originally met through graffiti writing, and have been together for the last six years throwing parties, displaying their art, and performing at concerts.

The Massive Riot gallery, an innovative art space on boul St-Laurent, started as a temporary project by Comos and Ill-Relevance, two members of Kops Crew, and has now been running for about eight months. When asked about the criteria for displayed work, IllRelevance responds, "There's a certain aesthetic we go for and it's hard to pinpoint, but if it's got a reference to street art and contem­ porary graffiti, we'll want to feature it."

Hip hop, for the uninitiated, is comprised of five basic elements: rapping, deejaying, breakdancing, graffiti, and knowledge. Kops

F

HANDS

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Crew has shown the different angles to hip hop that make if a gen­ uine cultural movement, rathet than simply a whitewashed medium.

Kops Crew members all take part in at least one of the elements list­ ed above and, most important, they actively partcipate in the Montreal community.

According to Ill-Relevance, "We promote art and creativity, and offer something to the community. It's not just a passion but also a business. In the art of graffiti writing you want people to recognize your name and talent. You want people to be there for what you're offering to them." Kops Crew members garner a lot of respect in the Montreal hip hop community, and are always looking to expand their fan base.

"Larger audiences need to come out and more people should be willing to support us. It's not that people from here aren't willing, it's just that the scene is very down-low and it's hard to get people out to a show," says Abra, another member.

Some may argue that there is a smaller fan base for their work in Montreal than in Toronto, Vancouver, Halifax, or Ottawa. It is arguable that the French and English division in Montreal at large creates two separate social arenas, which promoters must overcome at times. Abra adds that the Montreal hip hop scene has indeed been saturated by the American mainstream music market.

Furthermore, some people do not know what to follow because the nightclubs are so dependent on mainstream music. Consequently, many hip hop followers have isolated themselves from their own local hip hop bubble.

Abra explains that he would like to see more involvement and communication between artists to expose local hip hop performers internationally. "There's a lot of good talent, but it's about marketing properly and having a proper group of people behind it," he says.

The people are all here, it's about taking.the time and initiative fa invest the money. There are so many good emcees in the city, but how are they supposed to blow up if they're not selling any records and laying any big shows."

For Abra, beat-boxing has always been a part of his life. He recently got back from New York City, where he organized and per­ formed in the Second Annual International Human Beat-Box Competition. Abra and his partner, X-Wam, will be beat-boxing at Jupiter Room tomorrow.

The Crew rang in 2005 by throwing their notorious New Year's

Party, featuring over 20 deejays performing throughout the night, including the well-known Sixtoo and Grandtheft. When Abra and XWam went up to do their beat-boxing set, you could feel their exu­ berant passion.

Kops Crew members are progressively blending together the elements of hip hop. As Ill-Relevance explains, "None of us are strict hip hop heads. That iswhat's attractive about hip hop, because there are so many elements to it. Hip hop started from a much bigger con­ text, listening to funk like Blondie and b-boying to electro beats. It's always been about bigger things. Hip hop is about diversity, new avenues, and new creations."

Being a big part of the community, Ill-Relevance and Abra express how they have had to overcome a lot of misconceptions about who Kops Crew isand what it stands for. Perhaps Ill-Relevance puts it best: "We're too hip hop for the general population and when it comes, to hip hop heads, we're not hip hop enough. However, things are changing now and people can no longer argue with six years of us being active in the community. For the first four years it wasn t that easy, but people are finally putting respect where it's due.

We want people to acknowledge that we're here and we're not going anywhere." ■

CAN VAS

T h e " F a m ily C ir c u s " — m in u s t h e

p ic tu r e s ; u p p in g

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sm ut SIMONE CRUICKSHANK

y mother, it seems, is trying single-handedly to I allowed myself to indulge in a moment of silent, bring the newspaper column into the entertain­ choking horror before answering. ment industry. A few days before Reading Week, "Don't!" I begged. "Please. The last thing I, or anyone which my boyfriend and I were scheduled to spend else,atwant to read about is your philosophical take on my home with my family, she called with her news. sex life. That's just intrusive and, frankly, kind of weird.

"I'm starting a new column in a couple of weeks," she Can't you find something else to write about?" announced, "and I want to write my first one about you."

My mom sounded disgruntled and a little bit hurt in her My mother—now an editorial writer—was, in her pre­ reply. vious incarnation as a career-journalist, a magazine editor, "I just wanted to make it funny so that people would whose monthly letter often poked fun at some aspect of my want to read it," she argued. "You know, a 'diary of a mad taste in clothing, music, or friends. Thus, while somewhat working mother' kind of thing. Everyone has kids. They can flattered at the prospect of being the subject of her inaugu­ relate. I want this column to be a success." ral column, I was also a little bit wary—and as it turned out, This exchange, horrifying as it was, got me thinking with good reason. about how we view entertainment, particularly in print "I'm going to write," she continued, "about how I ago­ media. Usually we get our fun and funny from just atout nized over what to do about your sleeping arrangements any source other than the daily newspaper: we watch TV, with your boyfriend while you're here at home. I want to go to the movies, or even read the comics, rather than try" make the column all about how a mother deals with her ing to pick up the humour from columnists' views of modern child's... err... intimate relationships and stuff when she life. Most of the time, we see the newspaper as just that: a arrives at the door toting her significant other. What do you resource for news and film schedules—not much else. think?"

But what my mother said made sense; she wanted to

M

engage people and entertain readers by regaling them with the foibles of family life, and, in the grand tradition of People magazine, needed to find a provocative hook with which to do that. When barred from exploiting my sex life, she turned to the always reliable Paris Hilton for material.

In fact, her take on Paris—"how the hell would you feel if you were that girl's poor mother?"—was essentially the same as her take on me, if we substitute the sex tape with sleeping arrangements. For my mother to use Paris as inspi­ ration underlined to me just how she was trying to pull peo­ ple in by making real life amusing, hoping to revamp the traditional column and make hers something new, different, and fun.

In our world of perpetual over-stimulation, my mother proved that entertainment can be found everywhere in everyday life, particularly in the way we negotiate tough questions to allow your daughter's sinful behaviour or not?—and interact with other people. Time will tell if she'll turn the newspaper into the reader's equivalent of a day at the movies, but until then, at least her column is something a little less tasteful, and a lot more comical. ■

the mcgill tribune j 8.3.05 | a&e 21

P R E V I E WS

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MUSIC. Tha Alkaholiks—Foufounes Electriques-87 rue Ste Catherine E.—Tuesday, March 16.

Next Tuesday, U nd e r Pressure magazine is bringing another great hip hop night to Montreal s Foufounes Elec­ triques. The concert is featuring Tha Alkaholiks on their farewell tour, with guest Embassy from Toronto, and Montreal's own Offsides, DJ DR1, and DJ Grandtheft.

Over the last decade Tha Alkaholiks have consis­ tently been able to crossover the commercial and under­ ground hip hop scene. The group is made up of three members, E-Swift, J-Ro, and Tash, and it has collaborat­ ed with platinum selling artists like Busta Rhymes, Xzibit, Nas, Snoop Dogg, and Wu Tang Clan. They have released four critically acclaimed chart-topping CDs, and are to release their new album this summer.

Offsides have become one of Montreal's most sought after hip hop groups. They got their start in 1996, and have released a couple of great albums, toured internationally, and won the CBC's “Big Break contest of 2003. The doors open at 9 pm and admission is $7.

a r ts @ tr ib u n e .m c g ill.c a .

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PARADE. St Patrick's Day Parade-along rue SteCatherine (rue du Fort to rue Jeanne-Mance)—March 13.

It may not feel like the real thing to us wannabe alcoholics at McGill, but the St. Paddy's Day Paradethe oldest such parade in North America can be a blast if approached with dignity and lots of booze!

Moreover, as 40 per cent of Quebecers have Irish her­ itage somewhere along the line, participation is a must for any cultural connoisseurs in this city. So have a drink to our provinces green and white pioneers, and enjoy a most excellent prelude to the drunken festivities of March 17. For further information, visit the United Irish Societies of Montreal Web site at w w w .b a r-re sto.co m /u is.

FESTIVAL. International Festival of Film on Art (FIFA)—various venues—March 10-20.

As per usual, Montreal is fortunate enough to be the authority on Film as Art, boasting the only festival dedi­ cating specifically to this pursuit. In its 23rd year, FIFA (no, this is not a soccer thing) is a must-attend for any avid reader of this section, featuring 270 films from 25 countries. Some of the major attractions at this year's event include a tribute to the late Guido Molinari, one of Canada's most influential modern painters, as well as the North American premiere of N a p o le o n , D a v id — Le Sa cre d e l'im age, which is being co-produced by The Louvre, no less. For the complete scoop on the festival, check out

»

w w w .artfifa.com /e n / a c c u e il.

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The Jacket—

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In our modern age of postmodernism, "mish-mash­ es" refers to a whole lot more than your grandmother's dinner. The Jacket, a science-fiction/war epic/courtroom drama/psychological thriller/love story, is just that: a potentially successful mish-mash of ideas that have worked in the past, all chucked into one half-baked movie-going experience. So suspend disbelief, remem­ ber that a movie does not have to obey the rules of real life, and enjoy a career-making performance by Adrien Brody (The Pianist), whose character, Jack Starks, is thrown into the middle of all this nonsense, and tugged in all directions.

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make excellent use of the contrasting heights and various spaces on stage. The sole problem with the generally well-executed staging is that the stage at Moyse Hall can be too small and confining for he McGill Savoy Society's annual main stage some of the sailors' more exuberant dance moves. production—this year, H . M . S . Pinafore— The costumes, meanwhile, were flawless; noth­ débuted last week, and as usual the production was on par with the grandest of Savoy societies.ing becomes a "monarch of the sea" so much as a The stage was filled by an extremely talented cast,hat with enormous feathers and a uniform with shiny particularly the La Scala-worthy performance bygold accents. The women's costumes, large period dresses with matching hats and parasols, con­ Megan Skidmore asJosephine, the captains sailorloving daughter. The clarity and polish of her sopra­tributed to the striking look of the production. Their no alone makes the show worth seeing, especiallyover-the-top ensembles heightened the comedy as when accompanied by the angelic tenor of Ivan the admiral's cousins, sisters, and aunts ran back Corpus as her forbidden sailor lover, Rick and forth across the stage, flouncing their bustles with every step.

Rackstraw.

Aside from the catchy music, talented perform­ Sean Waugh gave a scene-stealing character performance as the captain of the Pinafore, thankful­ ers, and beautiful production values, this musical ly failing to call up any memories of Sideshow Bob. showcased the major appeal that Savoy shows Sean Hutchins is great in portraying Dick Deadeye often have: the sense that everyone involved is there as a hilarious old salt, and provides quite a surprise for the love of the show. Confirmed Gilbert and when he breaks out his strong voice. The accompa­ Sullivan fans and operetta virgins alike will be enter­ nying chorus of sailors sounds fantastic as an ensem­ tained—quite like a certain audience member, who ble, all the while clearly putting energetic heart into giggled uncontrollably throughout an entire dance their dancing efforts. Though the same was true of sequence—as this well-produced show has some­ thing for everyone. Besides, what's not to love about the ladies, they were a tad more graceful. dancing sailors? ■ H .M .S . Pinafores set was a brilliantly construct­ ed ship's deck—and, of course, the playground for H.M.S. Pinafore runs M a r c h 10-12 at a large group of frolicking sailors as well as cousins, sisters, and aunts. The cast was well-directed to 8:0 0 p m , a n d on M a rc h 12 at 12:00pm . S e e www.savoy.ca for ticket information.

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ANDREW SEGAL

S a v o y S o c i e t y s a ils t h e o c e a n

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traditional movement, and Second Grade's playing did not enhance the overall ambi­ t's only fitting that the title of the Fatboy Slim ence. album that contains "Praise You"—a song But don't let the slow start put you off. whose video contains a fine example of Things picked up rapidly from there, with eclectic dancing—should apply to the Inertia highlights including a solo dance choreo­ Modern Dance Collective. You've come a graphed and performed by Nicola long way, baby, indeed.

Haffenden to the tune of Maurice Williams & Established only one year ago by The Zodiacs' "Stay," and a number choreo­ McGill students Tasha Gordon-Solmon and graphed by collective member Meredith Britni Troy, the collective aims to further the Kinoshita that featured three of the dancers progression of modern dance as an art form, wearing formal gowns and moving together something the founders believed was missing to Peggy Lee's jazz classic "Fever." Gordonat the university.

Solmon's solo dance, entitled "Lullaby" and "Britni and I saw a lack of a modern performed to "Didn't Leave Nobody but the dance community at McGill," says Gordon- Baby" (best known from the O Brother, W h e re Solmon. "We wanted to create a forum Art Thou? soundtrack), was also particularly where people could create new work." emotive.

If their first big show, "Oscillation," But the showstopper was the final per­ which runs at the Players' Theatre from formance of the night, "Breaking Ground," Wednesday to Saturday, is any indication, designed by Gordon-Solmon and Troy. It fea­ Inertia has found some extremely creative tured all the performers, and they managed to minds in its short existence. The 11 members show fine form and a great deal of energy, of the company—seven of whom also acted enthralling the crowd even after having been as choreographers—put on a scintillating dancing for nearly 90 minutes. show and managed to captivate a reporter Gordon-Solmon explains that the show who will admit to knowing absolutely nothing was termed "Oscillation" in homage to the about and having little interest in dance. modern dance philosophy that everything is The show opened with all the dancers considered dance and a form of movement engaging in improvisation while accompa­ "It refers to fluctuating and vibrating, and nied by Second Grade, a three-piece jazz in terms of movement, expansiveness," she combo whose drummer kept yelling out ran­ says. "It's about a lot of different areas and dom lines such as "five minutes linen" and diversity." "nine minutes polyester." The performers To be sure, then, you should not oscillate spread nicely across the entire space, with about seeing the performance. And based on some even standing on top of seats in the first this auspicious beginning, it seems that more row, but it seemed that there was too much greatness is on the way from the collective: rolling around on the floor and not enough Inertia isdoing anything but remaining at rest. ■

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the mcgill tribune | 8.3.05 j a&e 23

©

O B T A IN

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What's behind a francophone world music band?

J u n o -n o m in a te d

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BRANKA PETROVIC

ave you ever thought about wandering beyond rue Crescent or peeking out of Peel Pub? Maybe you re seeking more exotic adventures in bars, where the music will transport you to obscure regions of Europe? If you have entered the realms of venues such as Café Sarajevo 2080 rue Clark) or Les Bobards (4328 boul. St-Laurent), chances are you have already encountered the Montrealbased band Les Gitans de Sarajevo.

With a name that translates in English to the "Sarajevo Gypsies," the band is composed of seven musicians, all of whom are as passionate about their music as they are tal­ ented. Their popularity has soared to new heights, as their album, En Voyage, is gaining national recognition. And no, it's not hip hop. And yes, there are other genres out there.

The bands' influences stem mainly from the former Yugoslavia. What is unique about Les Gitans de Sarajevo is that although their music revisits traditional gypsy songs, their rhythm is rooted in the oriental beats of the Balkans, setting a cheerful^t-melancholy atmosphere. Recently, they were nominated for a Juno Award, finally recognizing a band for its distinctive and enticing style, and not only its ability to re-create already overdone sounds.

The various nationalities of the band members parallel the great diversity of the music. The charming voice of lead singer/pianist Boris Çartula passionately evokes the moody themes of their songs. Miron Rafajlovic's golden trumpet, mixed with the compassionate melody of Goran Jezdimir's saxophone, transforms the mood of the bar from lifeless to vivacious. When Montreal-born Brigitte Dajczer's fervent violin begins to play, the strings transport us into the sad­ dened reality of a war-torn country, while drummer Anes Berglergegovic seduces the crowd with intensely oriental rhythms. Equally as talented, Bulgarian-born bass player Georgi Stankov, and guitarist Dejan Rafajlovic—like Bartula, Rafajlovic, and Jezdimir, who all hail from Sarajevo—form the rhythmic foundation of the music.

The diverse themes of the songs speak to us all. Mostly upbeat, they all celebrate life, and also cover such periph­ eral topics as vanished or unobtainable love, nostalgia for a country, and optimism for the future. These are songs that evoke the strong spirit of the Balkans, and you cannot help

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Popular with a variety of crowds, Les Gitans de Sarajevo's music frames a wide portrait of nationalities.

They ardently defy all expectations by fearlessly blending various rhythms, which have become a favourite among belly dancers who often come to flaunt their assets to the beats.

The true uniqueness of this band lies in not only their ability to evoke the reality and past of the Balkan countries, but also to reunite the former provinces of Yugoslavia. The jovial harmony symbolically reunites supposed enemies by celebrating not that which is lost, but that which can be restored. Inspirational, cheerful, and full of life, their music leaves us all with a little sense of nostalgia.

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Opening night trouncing The stage for McGill's strong play was set two nights before, when the Redmen held home ice advantage in the 8-1 romp. Playing their first playoff game in two years, the Red 'n' White hit their stride early, when LeBlanc found the back of the net on the power play, one of six goals with the man advantage on the night for McGill.

Though Ottawa tied the score soon after, the Redmen pulled away in the second frame on goals by Shawn Shewchuk, LeBlanc, and Benoit Martin.

The third period was more of the same, as the Redmen exploded for another four goals, turning the game into a rout. Sébastien Langlois and Mark Debusschere extended the lead to 6-1 before LeBlanc completed the hat trick and Eric L'Italien rounded out the scoring, all on beleaguered Ottawa goaltender Martin Bricault, who remained in net for the entire game. He made 33 saves in the match, while Poitras made 18 stops to earn the win.

Redmen Head Coach Martin Raymond defended the final lopsided score.

"We didn't run up the score," he claimed. "They kept taking stupid penalties. When they take penalties that could have injured our guys, we have to respond with our first powerplay unit."

Wednesday's game was an important one for Raymond and his charges, as McGill had lost its last eight post-season contests before fac­ ing off against Ottawa.

The Redmen didn't let a long layoff slow down the momentum they gained at the end of the regular sea­ son. Forced to wait 10 days to face Ottawa after earning a first-round bye, the Redmen showed no rust against the Gee-Gees, sweeping the series 20 after an 8-1 thrashing at home on Wednesday and a 4-1 clincher in Ottawa Friday night.

Fourth^ear winger Greg LeBlanc attributed ihe Redmen success to preparation and confidence.

"We were really focused on the game," he said.

"Before [Wednesday], we were pretty calm and loose. We wanted to have fun . and play a big game."

The referee may have been the busiest man on the ice in Game 2, played in front of 800 fans, calling 27 penalties on both teams and assessing a whopping 4 9 penalty minutes to an undisciplined Ottawa squad. The dif­ ference was that McGill made the Gee-Gees pay for their sins, whereas Ottawa couldn't capitalize when it had the chance.

The turning point was when Redmen netminder Mathieu Poitras stopped a penalty shot at 13:17 of the opening frame, maintaining the scoreless tie. McGill then scored four minutes later, with Mathieu Leclerc connecting on the power play.

Alexandre Pagé emphasized the importance of the save.

"We got really pumped after Poitras made the save," he explained.

"It could have been 1-0 Ottawa."

The rookie goaltender went on to make 45 saves in the game, while Tough opposition Ken Davis, Lucas Madill, and Pagé After disposing of the Gee-Gees, potted the other Redmen goals. the Redmen will now go on to face a

DAVE PICCIN

With Wednesdays 8 - 1 defeat of Ottawa, McGill snapped an eight-game losing streak in the post-season. very tough opponent in the Université du Québec à Trois-Rivières. The Patriotes boast the most productive power play in the country, scoring on 31 per cent of their chances.

However, the Red 'n' White penalty kill has successfully blanked opponents on 87.8 per cenf of the power plays faced during the regular season.

UQTR sent three players to the World University Games earlier this year—netminder Dany Dallaire,

defenceman Jean-Philippe Glaude, and forward Jérôme Bergeron, while the lone McGill representative was Martin. The Patriotes' leading scorer, Nicolas Pelletier, could prove difficult to contain, as he tallied 20 goals in 23 games this season. McGill took the season series 2-1-1, winning both games at McConnell Arena.

Pagé believes the teams are familiar with each other, and the series will come down to the team that works

harder.

"It will be a very tight series," he offered. "We know each other and it will come down to who wants it the most."

As it stands, the Redmen are cur­ rently playing their best hockey of the season. UQTR will prove a mighty foe, and there is no telling how these teams will play knowing that two wins are all that stand between them and a berth in the CIS championship. ■

THE RED Z ONE

Oh my God! That's Tie Domi's music!

ANDREW SEGAL

ust when it seemed like its business dealings couldn't get floundered since its inception, and the XFLfolded after one year. player has? A single united ownership group can keep salaries any stranger, the National Hockey League has managed to An even worse fate befell one league that had individual own­ extremely low by having all the teams under its control simply shock, but not awe, onlookers once again. ers and was then bought by a single entity. Isiah Thomas pur­ refuse to shell out the dough, and the players will be left without Only weeks after the season was cancelled, revived, and chased a stable minor basketball league, the Continental an alternative. So much for resolving trie issues that surround the then cancelled again, comes the news that two Boston firms Basketball Association, for $ 10-million in 1999, and less than lockout. have pledged nearly $3.5-billion (all figures US) to buy all of the 18 months later, the league was kaput—although that may have In fact, under such a system, there would be.no point to league's 30 teams. Commissioner Gary Bettman invited the had more to do with Thomas's propensity for running everything free agency, since players wouldn't actually have any value on companies to make their pitch to the league's owners, and when he touches into the ground than any other factor. the open market. And once there's no competition for players, reaction to the 30minute proposal by Bain Capital Partners and With those failures in mind, the plan will, in all likelihood, there might as well be no competition between the teams, right?

Game Plan LLCwas not received warmly, rumours began to cir­ be dismissed. But the NHL is setting a terrible precedent by even The new owners could just start fixing games. Since all revenue culate that the companies' bid could go much higher. examining the idea at length, and making itself look extremely is going back into central coffers, why not have every team fin­ Financially, this deal is not as crazy as it sounds. It pegs the silly time and again doesn't bode well for a league that constant­ ish at .500, so no fan ever has to support a loser? Why not average value of a team at about $ 1 17-million, and includes a ly strives to be taken seriously by the majority of the American have the eighth-seeded playoff team knock off the league's best formula to compensate individual owners based on their assets. public. squad in septuple overtime, to provide added drama to TV Considering that the Mighty Ducks of Anaheim sold last week For instance, under this proposal, teams would have about broadcasts? for just $75-million, the NHL appears to have been offered more as much autonomy as a McDonalds franchise, as all decisions Better yet, why not let this new ownership conglomerate than most of its clubs are worth, so there will be plenty of cash about salaries, advertising expenses, ticket and even concession turn hockey into the WWE, complete with fake storylines? It left over to pacify big-market owners. prices would be made by higher-ups. This would also naturally could feature made-up feuds between enforcers, head coaches So perhaps that's why Bettman deemed the plan worthy of take clubs down a slippery slope to collusion. Currently, teams swinging sticks at each other, and players instructed on how fre­ consideration and brought it to the owners' attention. But as any battle each other for players, with each (in principle) trying to quently they should score. rational sports fan (or businessperson) knows, the side effects of sign the best skaters without paying too much for them. And if Thats just the tip of the iceberg. Indeed, the possibilities are this proposal would spell doom for the NHL. one guy demands too much from one team, another might deter­ endless for a single owner to entirely reshape the NHL as we First of all, leagues owned by one person or group just mine he's worth the extra cash. know it. don't experience success on a regular basis. The WNBA has But if there is only one owner, who decides what value a Hey, maybe this isn't such a bad idea after all. ■

J

PROFILE

-

ALPINE

the mcgill tribune | 8.3.05 | sports 25

SKIING

Rivals of the fittest Women skiers

1-2

OFF THE BEATEN PATH

in race for provincial crown

The

r e a l

D a n se C o n ta c te

SHELBY PARNES

Improv not just for Drew Carey anymore

The McGill alpine ski team often feels like a family. Whether during training or at races, skiers end up spending a great deal of time together, and the end result is a strong sense of camaraderie and friendship among teammates. But like most families, the ski team has its own sibling rivalry.

That is because Quebec's top two skiers are from McGill, and Kaylyn Morton and Alyson Bobby have been neck-and-neck all season.

Morton, a U2 Chemical Engineering student from Toronto, is a former member of the Ontario provincial team. Since arriving at McGill, she has been a valuable addition to the women s ski team, finishing second overall last year and qualifying for the University Games in Italy in 2003. Entering the final meet of the season this weekend, Morton stands atop the Quebec Alpine Ski Circuit with a total of 915 points, having won her last three races.

Lurking only 30 points behind her on the leaderboard is Bobby, a graduate student pursuing her Masters degree in Language and Speech Pathology, who has made an astounding come­ back to the sport after a six-year hiatus. Bobby also toiled on the Ontario squad, but then took three years off from the sport completely, during which time she did not so much as put on a pair of skis.

But her separation from the sport was only tempo­ rary, Kind she later volunteered at a ski hill in London, Ontario, and then coached at the London Ski Club for two winters. Her resurgence on the McGill team has been as impressive as it is, sud­ den, as she has finished second in her last four races.

Although both women were members of the Ontario team, the two only met at McGill once Bobby made her triumphant return to skiing. Their rivalry has turned into a close friendship, leading many of their fellow teammates to refer to Morton and Bobby as an "inseparable duo."

But that is not to say that the women don't enjoy competing against each other.

"I told her we should go out before our last race, and she said no way because she had to rest up so she could beat me, and I was like 'you can try,'" Morton jokes.

She concedes that the rivalry does have a bit of seriousness behind it, though in the end, “it is all fun and games."

According to Bobby, the fact that she's even in such close competition with Morton is encourag­ ing.

"I have taken a lot of time off between now and when I quit racing, so just to be finishing in the positions I am is amazing," she says. "I'm happy that I'm that close to her.”

The two skiers do have a bit of a different style on the slopes. Team Captain Natalie Dwoskin calls Morton's style "dynamic and powerful," com­ menting that Morton always looks fast coming down the hill. Bobby on the other hand does not

TASHA GORDON-SOLMON

E

Morton (left) and Bobby rule the slopes. seem as fast, though she is smooth and consistent.

"I get told a lot that I ski old school," Bobby remarks on her style. "I raced on a different kind of skis; they were much longer and straighter, so I still have that technique."

Bobby does not feel at all overshadowed by Morton's performance.

"My goal for the season was to win a medal; to have won four silvers is great," she says. "It's just great to be on the podium."

Though there is a bit of a playful rivalry, the girls' competitiveness serves as motivation in their races. In the end, however, ski racing is a team sport, according to the teammates.

"It's more encouraging that the number two skier [races for] McGill," Morton explains. I d be happy for her if she won the race."

To that end, Bobby states that if the top-ranked skier raced for another school, she would compete a little harder.

It is clear that Bobby and Morton have suc­ ceeded all year in balancing their competitiveness with the ability to enjoy the rivalry that they have developed. But for those who concern themselves with where the Quebec title ends up this year, rest assured that no matter which of the two women wins the championship, it's all in the family. ■ Soccer Martlets victorious in McGill Indoor Classic. See this and more in Round the Horn at

www.m c g illt r ib u n e .c o m

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leven sweaty girls were rolling on top of each other in a big clump, a blob of gyrating Lycra and skin accompanied by pulsating percussion sounds and heavy breathing. One pair stood up and began to talk.

"Can I touch your shoulder?"

"Yes." [Her shoulder is touched.]

"Can I touch your calf?"

"Yes..."

And that's just the warm-up. .

Though at first glance it may look more suggestive than the breakfast buffet at Club Super Sexe, it's not that kind of danse contacte; instead, it's a type of physical practice called contact improvisation. Contact alludes to the physical convergence of the dancers, which consists more of lifting and throwing each other into the air, rather than writhing on the floor. Improvisation refers to the fact that all of these lifts and movement are made up completely on the spot.

Contact improvisation began as a dance form in the early 1970s. Making use of centrifugal force, and the laws of motion and gravity, the first contact improvisers found that they could easily and safely lift one another over their heads, drop one another from this height, lift one another up again, and make a dance out of it.

In its most basic form, contact improv is a duet where two dancers always remain in physical contact with one another, but far from being sexual, contact improv is possibly the most politically correct sport in which one can engage. The

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In contact improv, dancers will always accept a lift from their friends. technique is completely egalitarian, and is based on the notion that if one prop­ erly applies the principles of physics, any person can lift any other, regardless of gender, shape, size, age, or ability.

The warm-up at the beginning of practice is to prepare for the lifts. By rolling around on the floor and learning how to relax their bodies into the floor, dancers teach their bodies how to fall properly, with the idea being that if someone drops you from a few feet off the ground, and you just relax and keep rolling, no harm will come to you—though I wouldn't recommend trying this at home for the first time.

After the rolling and falling, dancers begin to work specifically with one part­ ner, to establish physical relationships. In order to engage in contact improvisa­ tion, participants must completely trusf the partner with whom they are dancing, so the performers ask for permission before they touch one another, in order to create a comfort level and rapport.

From here the partners begin to move, with each constantly keeping a part of her body in physical contact with the other's while exploring different points of contact". First, the dancers start slowly, trying simple lifts and shifting their weight back and forth. They change roles between leader and follower, trying to develop a collective consciousness with their partner. Dancers must not only be physically in touch with their partner, but also have a mental connection so as to understand their partner's moves.

Once everyone is warmed up, the game begins. The exciting thing about improv is that it changes every time, and there's no way to predict what happens next. Improv is also beneficial because it is inclusive, as there are no winners or losers—every move is acceptable and a form of art. So it seems funny, then, that practitioners of contact improv do keep score. But in this case, the "score refers to the rules of the game, which are newly established each time.

The rules or limits established in a score serve as a foundation for how the dance will progress. For example, the "score” may be that everyone must dance in a group of three, keeping contact with both partners at all time. Or dancers may be required to travel in straight lines, or use certain props when they dance.

By establishing limits through using a score, dancers are able channel their cre­ ativity, thinking differently—and therefore dancing differently—each time.

Like any spectator sport or art form, the best way to understand contact improv is to see it or try it for yourself, and there are a number of organizations around the city open to those interested in finding out more. And although con­ tact improv can be performed anywhere at any time, taking a structured class is probably a better way to start off than going up to your roommate and asking to touch her thigh. ■ For more information or to attend classes, visit www.contactimpro.org. To see contact improv in person, check out the Inertia Modern Donee Collective s show "Oscillation," which runs at Players' Theatre from tomorrow through Saturday. Call 398-68 13 for tickets.

26 sports j 8.3.05 j the mcgill tribune

HOCKEY

-

CONCORDIA

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Downward dog days?

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2, M A R T L E T S

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L a te p e n a l t y s tin g s M cG ill in lo s s M artlets releg ated to sam e pool as top se e d Alberta ADAM HELLER After an impressive late-season run that saw them win seven of eight, then battling back from 1-0 deficits against both Ottawa and Concordia and showing they could go shot-for-shot with the nation's third-ranked team, it seems somehow disheartening that the Martlets' road to gold at the Canadian Interuniversity Sport championship will once again run through the women's hockey juggernaut that is the University of Alberta.

The Martlets were banished to the Pandas' pool for the nationals—which begin Thursday at McConnell Arenacourtesy of a too many men on the ice penalty in the final minutes of Sundays game at Concordia's Ed Meagher Arena with the score knotted at one apiece. The Stingers took advantage of the breakdown, potting the game-winner and earning the Quebec titlist's berth in the championship.

That the Martlets were even able to extend this series to the very end was surprising, given the way the Stingers dominated the series' first contest on, scoring 23 seconds in and never looking back on their way to a 2-0 victory.

But the women rebounded on home ice Friday night, showing poise by evening the series with a 2-0 victory of their own. Backup goalie Kalie Townsend earned the shutout, starting the game in place of Catherine Herron, who failed to beat the Stingers in five tries this season.

"We got rid of the nerves from Wednesday night," said McGill Head Coach Peter Smith. "We played a solid game tonight, a good 60 minutes."

Sixteen minor infractions were recorded in a penalty filled affair, making the game a battle of special teams.

Despite the Martlets' success at forcing play within the Stingers' zone, the first period ended with no score, but McGill would capitalize on Concordia's mistakes in the second, when Kristin Leuszler scored an unassisted powerplay goal at 15:50 of the frame.

Up 1-0 entering the third, the Red 'n' White put the game away 24 seconds in, when—while on the power play again—Katherine Safka streaked across the line and beat goalie Cecilia Anderson to give McGill a two-goal

S tr e ss g o t y o u d o w n ?

T a k e a b r e a k w ith a u n iq u e y o g a c la s s d e s ig n e d t o e a s e a n x ie ty a r o u n d e x a m -tim e .

P a r t m e d i t a t i v e a n d p a r t p h y s i c a l , i t ’s th e p e r fe c t o p p o r tu n ity to g e t y o u r

cushion. The Martlets protected the lead the rest of the way, and earned a win for Townsend.

"We just decided that we needed a bit of a change," said Smith of his decision to play the third-year backup goalie. "Sometimes change rejuvenates a team."

Game 3 one for the ages The rubber match went Sunday in front of a partisan Concordia crowd, and both teams knew what was at stake: a loss would send them to Pool A against the Pandas, who are the three-time defending national champi­ ons.

McGills game plan was no secret. Before the game, several players had written "feisty" on pieces of tape and stuck them inside the team's bench, and their adherence to this credo was evident in a tightly played and scoreless first period. The second period, however, was very different.

"I don't know what happened in the second," Smith said. "We seemed to lose our momentum."

The Martlets were outshot 13-2, and were badly out­ played. Hemmed in their own zone during an early power play, McGills scrambling defence coughed up the puck to Concordia forward Dominique Rancour, and the 4' 11" speedster beat Townsend top shelf, putting the visiting squad down 1-0 on the shorthanded goal.

"McGill looked tired during the second period," said Stingers Coach Les Lawton. "It looked like we had them on the ropes."

However, the Martlets escaped only down one, and stormed back in the third period, outshooting the Stingers 96 and generally controlling the flow of play. Christine Hartnoll tied things up at 14:48 on a goal assisted by Leuszler—who was the best player on the ice for the Martlets—and Valérie Paquette. But McGill's momentum was quickly squelched by the too many men call at 16:30.

A minute later, after Townsend was caught out of position after a point shot, Concordia forward Jodi Gosse shoveled the puck into the net to give her side a 2-1 lead and the Quebec crown.

"We just had too many men on the ice," Srr^th said about the penalty. "It was very unfortunate, but that's just what happened."

Even though the outcome was dis­ appointing, the series was a definite learning experience for the Martlets, who showed that—apart from a cou­ ple of defensive breakdowns—they could hold their own with one of Canada's best teams, the same squad that beat them in four of five regular season matchups. Whether this lateseason jelling will be enough to get by Alberta and into the gold medal game, however, is another matter entirely. ■

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the mcgiil tribune | 8.3.05 | sports 27

PREVIEW

C h ic k s w ith stick s t a k e th e ic e a t M c C o n n e ll W ilf r e d L a u r ie r G o l d e n

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Regular season: 17-2-2-1 (OL) National rank: 2 VIP pass: Ontario champions Top scorer: Laurissa Kenwor­ thy; 10G, 12A, 22 pts Goaltender: Cindy Eadie; 171-2, 0.73 GAA Coach: Rick Osborne Laurier employs a disci­ G O L D E N H A W K S plined style of play that does­ n't require a lot of goals to be scored, since Eadie and the Golden Hawks defence don't give up many either. Though Laurier played this year in a somewhat weak OUA West divi­ sion, the Hawks proved up to the task when they did face stiff competition.

Laurier defeated McGill and Concordia at the recent Theresa Humes Invitational tournament, proving that they have the ability to handle top national opposition. The only caveat for this team Js whether it'll have the ability to score timely goals when necessary.

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Regular season: 20-0-0 National rank: 1 VIP pass: Canada West champions Top scorer: Danielle Bourgeois; 18G, 28A, 46 pts Goaltender: Andrea Thomas; 1 1-00, 0.91 GAA Coach: Howie Draper How do you beat this powerhouse club? Don't ask a lybody from Canada West, as none of them have succeeded in doing so in 105 conference regular season and playoff games.

Alberta dominated once again this season, outscoring oppo­ nents 121-16 in conference play, while placing conference player of the year Bourgeois and Kristen Hagg in the top five in the country in scoring. Not to mention the stingy goaltending tandem of Thomas and Holly Tarleton. Needless to say, the Pandas remain the top team in the country until someone else proves oth­ erwise.

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o n s h ip , Regular season: 10-2-3 Rank: 3 VIP pass: Quebec champions Top scorer: Dominique Rancour; 8G, 13A, 21 pts Goaltender: Cecilia Anderson; 72-2, 1.71 GAA Coach: Les Lawton The two trends for Concordia this season were very evident in their tangle with the Martlets in the Quebec final. The Stingers' forte is their strong defensive play, backstopped by the extremely stingy Anderson. Other than Rancour, however, Concordia is weak up front, with just three other players scoring in double figures.

To win, the offensively-challenged Stingers need to take advantage of opposing defences' mistakes, as they can't create much on their own. If a team can shut down Rancour and pre­ vent such lapses on its own end, it merely needs to solve Anderson once or twice to escape with a victory. However, as Concordia has proven so far, this is easier said than done.

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Regular season: 7-1 1-2 National rank: 9 VIP pass: Canada West runner-up Top scorer: Kristen Nickel; 8G, 1 1A, 19 pts Goaltender: Heather Ash; 2-4-1, 2.29 GAA, Coach: Jim Rempel Manitoba snuck into the national tournament after a strong Canada West post-season. The Bisons upset Regina in the conference semi-final, where they overcame a 3-0 deficit on the road in Game 3 versus the Rams, eventually pulling out a 5-4 win. Manitoba then played Alberta tough in the conference final, proving that it shouldn't be taken too lightly at the national championship.

But post-season momentum can only count for so much, so it is unkown if Manitoba is a flash in the pan, or hitting its stride at the right time. This is an inexperienced team at the national level, so it remains to be seen if the Bisons are intent to prove themselves to the rest of the country, or simply happy to be here.

Alberta Wilfrid Laurier Concordia St. Francis Xavier McGill Manitoba

Thursday March 10, 2 0 0 5

Game 1 4pm Manitoba vs. Wilfrid Laurier Game 2 7pm St. Francis Xavier vs. Alberta Friday March 1 1 ,2 0 0 5

Game 3 4pm Game 1 loser vs. Concordia Game 4 7pm Game 2 loser vs. McGill Saturday March 12, 2 0 0 5

Game 5 4pm Game 1 winner vs. Concordia Game 6 7pm Game 2 winner vs. McGill Sunday March 13, 2 0 0 5

Game 7 9am Fifth place game Game 8 1pm Bronze medal game Game 9 4pm Gold medal game

Q u e b e c a ll- s ta r s

The Quebec Student Sport Federation announced its all-stars for the 2004-05 women's hockey season, and three McGill players were recognized for their efforts.

Forward Véronique Lapierre and defenceman Peggy Donahue were named to the conference's first team, while forward Katherine Safka nabbed second-team honours.

Lapierre tied for second in both goals and points with­ in the conference, registering nine goals and 17 points on the season. Donahue, a stay-at-home blueliner, recorded three assists for the Martlets. Safka tied Lapierre with nine goals, and added five assists in meriting the nomination to the second team.

The conference all-star teams were dominated by

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Concordia, who had five players honoured. Goaltender Cecilia Anderson, also named conference player of the year, defenceman Roxanne Dupuis, and QSSF leading scorer Dominique Rancour were named to the first team, while rearguard Marie-Pierre Cantin-Drouin and forward Jodi Gosse garnered second-team acknowledgements.

Ottawa saw four of its players added to the team.

Forward Kim Kerr was named to the first team, while goaltender Julie Lalonde, defenceman Danika Smith, and for­ ward Amy Bombay rounded out the second team.

Carleton, 0-14-1 on the season, was the only team not to have a player on either all-star team.

—Mohit Arora

Regular season: 16-2-0 Rank: 5 VIP pass: Atlantic champions Top scorer: Tracy Sullivan;

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19A' 37 pts Crystal Stewart; 10-2-0, Goaltender:

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214GAA

Coach: David Synishin Don't let the gaudy record fool you; the X-Women have beaten up on a league full of weak teams, and the AUS was the only league to place just one team in the national top 10. While the club's offence features three players who scored over 30 points and eight who put up a point or more per game, those numbers are also inflated by sub-par competition, as is goalie Stewart's record.

Still, despite their easy road to the nationals, that's not to say that the X-Women can't play; they went undefeated at home and beat both Concordia and McGill in Antigonish early in the sea­ son. However, when St. EX. visited Montreal, both squads avenged their defeats in convincing fashion, and since the cham­ pionship is being held at McConnell Arena—far away from the X-Women's friendly confines—they have to be considered a long shot to capture the title.

M c G ill M a r t le t s Regular season: 8-5-2 Rank: 4 VIP pass: Hosts Top scorer: Véronique Lapierre; 9G, 8A, 17 pts Goaltender: Catherine Herrofr; 2-4-1, 2.81 GAA Coach: Peter Smith Kim St-Pierre isn't available to bail the Martlets out in the national champi­ onship this year, so it's up to netminders Herron and Kalie Townsend to shut the door. Although Herron started many of the games this season and—in non-conference games at least, appeared to be the superior goalie—Townsend played well in the series against Concordia, so Smith may have a goaltending con­ troversy on his hands.

Beyond that, the Martlets are balanced offensively, with two lines capable of filling the net, play solid defence, and they have national championship experience that only Alberta can rival. If things break their way in the pool, they have a shot at knocking off a top team in the championship match.

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M c G i l l ’s G r a d u a t i n g C l a s s G i f t LEA V E Y O U R M A R K B Y H E L P IN G T O M A K E H IS T O R Y ! Y O U R TIM E AT M c G il l i s w o r t h C E L E B R A T IN G

Check out the details of this year's projects on the McGill w eb site under w w w .alu m n i.m cgill.ca/sites/for_stu d en ts and click on Class Action or e-m ail us at classaction.fund@ mcgill.ca