The Voice of the Univerisity of Torotno at Mississauga
MEDUIM TEH
MONDAY, MARCH 31, 2008
VOLUME 34, ISSUE 25
www.mediumonline.ca
Banging out the beats
Creative Corner
Champ vs. Prez
Page 7
Page 9
Page 11
Smooth and successful this time around MEGHA KUMAR ASSISTANT NEWS EDITOR
On March 28 and 29, large crowds of University of Toronto Mississauga (UTM) students fled towards the Blind Duck to witness a handful of students play model-for-a-day. Style and Profyle (SAP)'s fifth annual UTM fashion show, aptly titled “Style Wars: A Journey through the Genres,” featured a series of catwalks intertwined with performance-based entertainment. With three shows held over the course of two days, the Saturday matinee didn’t sell as much as the previous evening, but those in attendance were treated to an equally vibrant and energetic show produced by Michael Ross, Paulina Filewska, Daniella Fragomeni and Michael Lombardo. Hosts Norris Yacoub and beat-boxing Oren Williamson had the audience laughing and cheering with their onstage chemistry and friendly banter, while the thematic choreography showcased cultural variations, from a Michael Jackson number featuring fedoras and black pants to disco-styled outfits from Unicus at Square One. The intricate choreography of the Steppers was well synchronized, but if audience reaction is anything to go by, then the highlight of the show had to be Oren Williamson's pirouettes while wearing a pair of skin-tight black leggings.
Other memorable segments of the show were “Romantic,” a poignant dance number which involved a blindfolded Michael Lombardo with the ballet-inspired Diana Pandya, and a salsa number featuring producers Fragomeni and Ross, amongst others. But it was the belly dance number “Belly” that drew the loudest applause and cat-calls of the day. And it was no wonder, considering it was lead and choreographed by the talented and beautiful Meghna Venkatesh. But there was on glitch as Victoria Paige, a design student and friend of one of the models, had her personally designed clothes struck off the repertoire at the last minute. “You know what the worst part of the show was? That my daughter spent the whole night designing these beautiful outfits and [they] refused to wear them,” Mrs. Paige said. Mrs. Paige insisted that her daughter's name be removed from the event itinerary, and even after the hosts apologized to her and urged the audience to clap on behalf of Victoria Paige's tremendous efforts, she proceeded to walk out of the show midway. Regarding the incident and the rejected clothing, Ross commented, “There was a wardrobe malfunction, so we had to replace [the clothes.]” Before the show, while speaking to The Medium, Ross commented on last
year's Fashion Show controversies: “Whatever controversy happened in the past, happened in the past. Our goal is to have no negativity. This year, Style and Profile has a new face with new members… we intend to take the club in the right direction, to help the community. Any controversy that went on before, it wasn't me, I wasn't running it… but that's not our goal for this year.” The audience's stunned reactions at the incident simmered down after some lively hip-hop and soul numbers that focused on bright tones and a lot of athletic, preppy wear. At the end, the cast and crew of the show gathered on stage to celebrate months of hard work, effort and an overall successful show. “The organizing was smooth from day one. Last year was a lot more choppy in terms of organizing, but this year was very smooth. I have no complaints with the producers and had one of the best times ever working on this fashion show!” said Meghna Venkatesh. Proceeds, which amounted to $4,000 as of Wednesday (based on pre-sale alone), will be given to the Canadian Cancer Society. Audience members during each of the three shows were handed gift bags with perfume samples and discounted shopping cards from retail sponsors. With files from Ali Kasim
Photo/Melissa Di Pasquale
Student performers gave a fantastic show at the fifth annual Style and Profyle Fasion Show.
Fee increase approved despite protest MEREDITH LILLY On March 25, the University Affairs Board approved plans to increase residence fees for New College by 13.1 per cent. The fee increase places New College fees in the mid-range of residence choices for students at the St. George campus. According to Rick Halpern, New College principal, the fee increase will not touch the accumulated debt (which is in excess of six million dollars), but will allow New College to “staunch the hemorrhaging.” The fee increase was shrouded in controversy, due largely to a demonstration organized for March 20 in Simcoe Hall. A peaceful sit-in turned ugly when protesters refused to leave and police were called in to ensure that all staff could exit the premises. Students, police and staff alike claimed that
they were injured and harassed in the process. Naylor issued a statement in response to the events at Simcoe Hall, condemning the actions of the protesters. “We do not accede to thuggish tactics by mobs, and we can scarcely engage in rational discourse with protesters yelling obscenities and slogans in support of grievances on a wide range of local, national, and international issues,” he stated in the letter. Naylor stressed that the offending protesters represented a fringe on campus, and was very critical of the support the demonstration received from the Arts and Science Student Union, the University of Toronto Students’ Union, and the Ontario Public Research Group, all of whom receive funding from a compulsory fee collected from all U of T students. Following the protest, the unions have
dissociated themselves with the demonstration. The protesters present on March 25 were met by six uniformed officers outside of Simcoe Hall. Security within Simcoe was equally tight, with officers stationed at every corner leading to the Council Chamber. UTMSU president Walied Khlogali arrived late and was initially denied access to the meeting. He was allowed to enter only after the protesters urged the police by chanting “let him in!” Not all students were pleased with those demonstrating on their behalf. Students responded quickly to what they perceived as a misrepresentation of their interests. Some started the Facebook group “Shame on you: ASSU and AlwaysQuestion do not speak for me,” which has over 200 members, at the time of printing.
Some also started the “U of T Love Movement (anti-senseless-protest protest)” and launched the website www.questionalwaysquestion.info in reference to AlwaysQuestion, a student activist group that played a role in organizing both protests. The Love Movement organized a counterprotest on March 25 in response to students’ tactics at the March 20 protest. Jesse Cohen of the Love Movement said that the rowdy protesters “do not represent student opinion,” and was concerned at the impression demonstrations of that kind give to the administration. “Next time we have a legitimate concern about a decision the administration makes, do you think that they will be super responsive, or very weary?” Cohen wanted to provide a positive non-aggressive voice on behalf of students.
Deena Dadachanji of Always Question doubted the motives of the Love Movement and thought that they were “being rude.” “The Love Movement protesters do not understand the history behind the demonstration. We have tried other means of protest, but they were ineffective. They don’t understand the opposition,” she said. For students discouraged by the decision to increase fees, Dadachanji encouraged continued student involvement with the decision-making protest. “We are calling on all students to stand up and assert their rights to a free and fair education system. As individuals who are committed to social justice, we know in our hearts that what the administration has done to our brothers and sisters is an injustice, and so we will not step down until justice is served,” she said.