The Voice of the University of Toronto at Mississauga
MEDIUM THE
MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 8, 2008
VOLUME 35, ISSUE 2
www.mediumonline.ca
Even babies enjoy V-fest
Vote for the enviroment
Blues prevent the big five-oh
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Photo/Matthew Filipowich
UTM students doing the wave as they flood the streets of Toronto during the frosh parade.
APUS wins lawsuit to reclaim membership at UTM MEREDITH LILLY NEWS EDITOR The planned merger between the Association of Part-Time Undergraduate Students’ (APUS) and the UTM Student Union (UTMSU) has been left unsettled as a Superior Court decision overturned referendum results. On Wednesday August 27, The Ontario Superior Court upheld an application by APUS to retain its membership at the University of Toronto Mississauga (UTM). The application concerned a referendum that took place February 5 and 6 of this year. UTMSU called upon part-time students to vote in favour of a merger between the Erindale Part-Time Student Union (EPUS) and UTMSU. EPUS is an organization affiliated with APUS, a union that represents part-time students on all three University of Toronto campuses, and is not affiliated with UTMSU. APUS executive director Yolisa Dalamba further clarified the organization’s position: “EPUS operates as an autonomous organization but provides services through APUS’ assistance. EPUS members benefit from APUS by way of the health and dental plan, management and financial support, advocacy on behalf of students, events, cam-
paigns, representation at the Canadian Federation of Students (CFS) as it relates to serving part-time students, and more.” The February referendum asked if part-time students wished to be represented along with full-time undergraduate students by UTMSU or remain represented by a separate organization, EPUS. In a January 28 letter to the editor published in The Medium, thenUTMSU President Walied Khogali stated that the referendum “was endorsed by both organizations through their Executive Committee, Board of Directors, and membership at our respective annual general meetings.” However, in a recent press release following the lawsuit, APUS stated that “students were denied the right to make an informed decision, as APUS had not been given an opportunity to participate and campaign against folding EPUS for membership in UTMSU.” “APUS was not properly informed about the referendum held by UTMSU. Ironically, on several occasions, UTMSU officially claimed the referendum had nothing to do with APUS, which was clearly not the case,” says Dalamba. Following the referendum, Khogali stated that the decision to merge EPUS with UTMSU was “endorsed by nine-
ty-five percent of the part-time students that participated.” The ninety-five percent cited as participants in the referendum represented fewer than 10 percent of the part-time student population, however, as only 57 out of 1000 voted. In an interview with The Medium, published on February 13, 2007, Khogali detailed efforts to consolidate the university’s student governments, which included UTMSU taking over the duties and representation of the University of Toronto Students’ Union (UTSU) at UTM and EPUS. Khogali believed these measures “would add to better allocation of student money.” Although UTMSU was optimistic about the merger, APUS did not feel the same. The decision to merge the part-time and full-time student unions at UTM came as a surprise to Dalamba. “APUS only heard from [the president of EPUS] a month after the EPUS office had been closed when we had already begun receiving complaints from students who desperately needed services.” The referendum results were approved by the university’s Governing Council and University Affairs Board, two of the highest decision-making bodies at the University of Toronto. Dalamba is critical of the uni-
versity administration, which she claimed could have examined the referendum more closely before approving the results. “The administration quickly approved what the Superior Court agreed was an illegitimate referendum through Governing Council and University Affairs Board. In order to justify this they acknowledged they would reinstate our membership in the event that we won the case, which we did.” In preparation for the result of the referendum, UTMSU elected an additional VP to student council to represent part-time students, Mubashir Ali. There were concerns about one representative managing the tasks of an entire union, especially as UTM’s population increases steadily with each passing year. “APUS must take lead on issues affecting our members and certainly after forty years of service it is clear that part-time students need organizational support and cannot be served by one person, no matter how dedicated they are,” says Dalamba. APUS remains open to discussion with UTMSU, and hopes to resolve the matter in a way that best serves parttime students. “As far as APUS is concerned, this is not about being one big union or smaller union. It is about ensuring our
members with distinct needs are represented. Sadly, the status quo (the default) all across campuses at the university, is full-time,” says Dalamba. “Our union challenges this pervasive concept and creates a vital space for learners who do not fit this definition. What this court case proves is that too few still understand the uniqueness of part-time students, the challenges they face, and their experiences.” At the time of publication, the matter had not been resolved between the two unions. In a statement issued to The Medium, UTMSU president Wasah Malik explains: “The merger between UTMSU and EPUS has been recognized by the U of T which means UTMSU is representing part-time students at UTM. The court's decision only affects APUS's fees collected at UTM. UTMSU is in the process of collaborating to ensure part-time students receive both the services and representation they deserve.” Malik continues, “Last year's referendum was done based on University of Toronto guidelines as requested by EPUS. The courts confirmed that UTMSU and EPUS acted in good faith, despite APUS's claims. However, due to a technicality, UTM students, according to the ruling, would still have to pay fees to APUS despite the referendum result.”
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Monday, September 8, 2008
Carnival entertains first-year students Monday, September 8, 2008
LUJAYN ALI
Frosh Week was back again this year, but bigger and better than ever before. Lot 2 by the Hazel McCallion Academic Learning Centre was transformed into a lively, engaging, and entertaining carnival ground on September 3, 2008. One thousand first year students crowded the parking lot in brightly coloured green t-shirts among inflatable rides, a Ferris wheel, and enthusiastic cheering. Frosh Week is a traditional orientation festival that takes place at the University of Toronto, Mississauga every year. Newly admitted students have the opportunity to experience an exciting introduction to university life. The University of Toronto Mississauga Student Union (UTMSU) has planned Frosh Week for almost twenty years, and this year attendance has drastically increased. Originally there were 900 expected first year students to attend orientation, but as spots filled up quickly, registration capacities were soon raised to 1000. As of Tuesday, September 2, registration was completely sold out. Because this year’s orientation week fell during the Islamic month of Ramadan, many first year attendants were fasting. For the first time, Halal accommodations were made and Halal food options were provided so that the students could break their fast at sunset and use the designated prayer rooms. Upper-year group leaders were sta-
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NEWS
tioned in Lot 2, leading their first-year teammates in various cheers. Group leader Helen Chiang has taken part in Frosh Week for three years, and says this year’s orientation was her best. “At first, the first-year students were quiet and shy. Frosh Week really helps them get comfortable with each other,” Chiang observed. When asked which her favourite cheer was, first-year Life Science student Michelle responded: “This is madness, this is UTM!” Spirits were high at the inflatable rides, where students lined up to show their skills and represent their group in encouraging competition. Students from each group competed against opposing teams in speed and endurance contests as others cheered. The dancers also gathered a large audience and proved to be a big hit. People cheered and took pictures at the elaborate break dancing display, where students gathered around an outdoor dance floor to display their skills. Each contestant took turns dancing to a number of different songs from a variety of genres. The pub night was also successful, and students enjoyed a guest appearance from Toronto’s urban radio station, Flow 93.5. The objective of Frosh Week this year was to promote group teamwork. Lester Carreon, an orientation coordinator for UTMSU, was proud that cooperation and enthusiasm was high this year, allowing the event “to run smoothly.” “The team members were encouraged to work together,” said Carreon, “and win competitions as a team.”
What makes you proud to be a UTM student? The spirit is unbelievable; other campuses do not compare. - Nieves Hajdin
The community, the spirit, the education. - Akil Ladha
UTM students have a lot of spirit and are very inclusive. - Brandon Haynes
Frosh parade a smash
Photo/Matthew Filipowich
A breakdancer bustsamove on the linoleum.
MEREDITH LILLY NEWS EDITOR
Thursday, the fourth day of the University of Toronto, Mississauga (UTM)’s Indiana Jones inspired “Time For Some Action” orientation week, saw thousands of first-year students flood the streets of Toronto in the annual U of T orientation parade. UTM frosh leaders and coordinators worked the crowds into a screaming frenzy—chanting, cheering, and jeering the other colleges while marching around King’s College Circle. UTM’s latest editions led the crowd down a three kilometre route that circled St. George, Bloor, and Wellesley to arrive back at King’s College Circle. There was a significant police presence at the parade, watching students closely to ensure their safety as they occupied the busy streets. Frosh Coordinators Ishani Sharma and Lester Carreon, VP Campus Life Johnny Ho, UTM Student Union President Wasah Malik, and Orientation Sponsorship Coordinator Conrad Muan led students through the parade route from the back of a truck,
setting the pace and keeping everyone excited with cheers and music. An estimated 4000 new students marched to upbeat top forty hits from the past fifteen years. Students too young to remember Chumbawamba’s Tubthumper were introduced, and the Pussycat Doll favourite “Don’t Cha” got VP Ho singing. UTM frosh accounted for about a quarter of the participants, and they were all enthusiastic. The energy of the frosh leaders was catching. Onlookers got in on the action by dancing and cheering along with the students. The parade wasn’t without a few mishaps. Three very young-looking high school girls seemed a little terrified of the 4000 college students jeering at their school. UTM students were coached in a variety of cheers over the course of Frosh Week, which deviated significantly from the positive and inclusive language rules many were introduced to during residence orientation. Trinity College, one of U of T’s smallest colleges, was greeted with cheers, including: “Turn you back, because we like it like that.” “You’re too small, you don’t
count.” “You study, you read, but you don’t get laid.” And of course, “Virgins.” The traditional off-colour cheering broke through the inhibitions of nervous first-years. After the parade, UTM students had time to catch the opening acts of the University of Toronto Students’ Union “Ignite Your Student Movement Orientation ̕ 08” concert before making their way to Medieval Times. Singer Basia Bulat and rapper Cadence Weapon entertained students during the act. A little out-of-sync with the crowd’s vibe, Weapon remarked: “I heard you guys cheering. I didn’t like it.” Rain was in the forecast, but the weather held up beautifully for the parade. UTM Student Union VP External Dhananjai Kohli, attending his fourth frosh week, described the events as “incredibly amazing.” “For the parade, you hope for the coolest weather possible without rain,” said Kohli. “We had perfect conditions this year. The energy level was amazing.”
“This will be a very difficult election. For any party to gain significant ground it will take a lot of hard work,” said Herrche. “I think that one of the reasons Harper called the election so suddenly is the forthcoming Presidential election in the United States,” Herrche observed. “The Obama/Biden ticket is the strongest contender. The historically friendly relationship between the US Democrats and the Liberal Party of Canada could sway Canadians to vote Liberal. Harper made a good
decision scheduling the election three weeks before Americans go to the polls.” Omar Alghabra, MississaugaErindale MP, predicts on his website that during the election season “Canadians will see two decisively different approaches to political leadership.” Alghabra is presumably referring to the Conservative and Liberal parties, but the role of the New Democrats and the Greens could be the decisive factor in federal victory.
The New Democrats, once focused on courting the opposition, are now actively bidding for the plurality of seats. “Unlike Stephen Harper, I’ll act on the priorities of the kitchen table, not just the boardroom table,” Layton said in his opening speech. Students looking to become involved in Federal politics should contact Herrche, who can help them get plugged-in on campus, or contact the office of their local Member of Parliament.
Harper calls for October 14 federal election MEREDITH LILLY NEWS EDITOR
Prime Minister Stephen Harper announced an election date Sunday morning, reminding Canadians of his steady governance over the past twoand-a-half years. “Between now and October fourteenth, Canadians will choose a Government to look out for their interests at a time of global economic trouble,” said Harper on Sunday.
The election date will come as a surprise to very few, but results of the October vote will be very difficult to call. “We believe it’s going to be a tough election. We believe it’s going to be a tight election,” Harper told reporters. Harper’s sentiment was echoed by campus politico Sara Herrche, incoming president of the University of Toronto, Mississauga (UTM) Young Liberals and Vice President of the UTM Political Science and Law Association (PSLA).
4 THE MEDIUM
Letter to the Editor EDITORIAL
Opinion Ali Kasim, EDITOR-IN-CHIEF | editor@mediumonline.ca www.mediumonline.ca
EDITORIAL When the University of Toronto Mississauga Student Union (UTMSU) decided to merge the University of Toronto Students’ Union (UTSU) last year into one student union for all, there were voices of cynicism from several parties. Nonetheless, that merger made sense on paper – one student union meant one “unified voice,” easier overall management, etc. I’ll admit it, when I first enrolled at UTM I failed to see the rationale of having two separate unions, both preaching and advocating the same thing. And so the merger took place, and with it some rapid restructuring. The result: a tighter-run, more efficient union and student centre; so far at least. Last year, when Walied Khogali, then president of UTMSU, campaigned to merge the Association of Part-time Undergraduate Students (APUS), many raised their eyebrows even higher than before. The cynics speculated it was all for the control of more money; money from incidental fees collected from each and every student on campus. That, to this day, remains mere speculation, but one thing was certain - UTMSU wanted total control. Now to run the student centre and the Blind Duck Pub is one thing, to assume responsibility for the 1000 part-time students enrolled at UTM is another. Surely, UTMSU were planning on taking on too much. Good intentions or not. But all that is another debate, for what’s at hand right now isn’t so much the intention behind the merger, but the modus operandi of UTMSU. The details of what transpired last year aren’t clear, with much of what The Medium has heard from both parties falling in between the lines of he-said, she-said. APUS claims it was not “properly informed” about the referendum, while UTMSU claims that APUS wasn’t directly involved in the merger, only EPUS was. Clearly, it’s an issue over the spheres of jurisdiction here. But if the referendum had nothing to do with APUS, how then could UTMSU be able to collect the fees from it in the end? And if the student union were passing a motion which concerned the entire part-time student body, how can only 5 percent (57 out of 1000 students) of part-time students’ votes be enough for the referendum? What thickens the plot however is UTMSU’s argument that “the referendum was approved by both the university’s governing council and University Affairs Board.” As it stands, negotiations are underway between UTMSU and APUS. It has not been established what exactly both parties are vying to come to terms with, but one thing for certain is that VP Part-time Affairs Mubashir Ali is still on the union roster. Whether or not he and the rest of UTMSU can provide for UTM’s part-time student population the same way EPUS has in the past is up for all to see, but ultimately that is only the thing we should be concerned with henceforth. As far as good faith is concerned, UTMSU’s initiative is there. Maybe this debacle would only serve to spur the union to prove everyone wrong. Maybe they are indeed capable enough. Time will tell. For now, we can only keep you updated.
Yours,
Ali Kasim
No time. AGAIN. Can’t write the blurb. So passed it on to sports and arts. I have no idea what they wrote. Hopefully nothing offensive. Oh and by the way, I CAN’T JELLY MY DICK UP YOUR ASS. Way to go Danni. You’re welcomed in this office, anytime. Here’s Chris: So I was sitting on the bench beside the Blind Duck pub and thought to myself, "What am I going to do with UTM?" Basically UTM is great, so I decided to go on a mission and high-five everyone. I stepped up to the first person I saw who was wearing purple and yellow air force ones--which are extremely fuckin' ugly. "Hey loser, high-five?" He stretched out his hand and missed. "Are you an idiot?" He looked at me with nothing to say. So I taught him something. If you always look at the elbows , you'll never miss. And it works. The science of high-fives is incredible. I don't know how it works but it does and it's amazing. It's a better idea than any of those pompous science pig fuckers have to say. But then I say this girl walking by and I asked her if I can stick my thumb up her ass. I thought it was a good idea until I witnessed the aftermath. She didn't slap me or even hate me, it just smelled. So maybe I'm not the smartest apple in the barrel. So it’s Mike. Or Jimmy Fallon, whichever you prefer. You’ll understand next week. Unfortunately I’m stuck in the Saugs tonight with the crew. I don’t know how many more weekends of this I’ll be able to take. For those of you who are still wondering, the answer to our skill-testing question from this past frosh is: “You can’t jelly your dick into your mom’s ass.” Or something along those lines. Way to go Dani! You are funny, smart, and smoking hot. Will you date me? Matt/Josh jumped into a river to take a photograph and Ali is Daddy Yankee. Chris and Andrew are the usual. Meredith seems unhappy. Back to me the Chief. Michael’s staying over. It’s 3:07am - no editorial yet. Not even a word. It’s all Chris’s fault. If i didnt have to spend so much time editing his shit on Saturday, i would have been done by now. I’m typing as fast as i can to reach the end of this damn line. 24 issues left. Fuck your mother.....
THE
MEDIUM 3359 Mississauga Road, Room 200, Student Centre, Mississauga, ON, L5L 1C6 Phone: 905.828.5260 | Fax: 905.828.5402 | Advertising: 905.828.5379 E-mail editor@mediumonline.ca | Website: www.mediumonline.ca
Board of Directors Christine Capewell, Jane Ngobia, Isa Cunanan, Raji Aujla, Laura Gaspini, Umeimah Bastaki, Bhagyashi Bhandakkar, Julie Tyios
Monday, September 8, 2008
Welcome letter from your student president On behalf of the union, the elected Executives, Board of Directors and Staff Members, I would like to welcome and congratulate you for beginning the new 2008-2009 academic year. The summer session was very busy for UTMSU as your students’ union went through phenomenal changes. Since UTMSU & UTSU consolidated offices, several renovations to the office were made in order to provide students with more enhanced services and campaigns as promised. Most of the services provided by UTMSU have been moved to Room 115 in the Student Centre. Room 100, the Creative Commons Room has been opened for clubs to mobilize for campaigns, organize for events and for students’ general use of the computer workstations. Some of UTMSU’s successes UTMSU over the summer period were as follows: • 3.0 FCE drops in 20.0 FCEs required for degree; provided such a request is made by the last day of classes at the Office of Registrar. • Introduced a new Photocopy Centre for an improved photocopying service. • Improved Orientation Week • Established a UTM Local at the Canadian Federation of Students to improve UTM students’ representation. • Committed the University to ensure that the new Permanent Child Care Facility be open by January.
• Currently distributing the UPASS to UTM full time undergraduate students. • Enhanced the Food Resource Centre. • Helped bring a WUSC student to UTM. I would like to introduce you to your elected UTMSU executives. Joey Santiago (VP Internal & Services), Marijana Josifovska (VP University Affairs & Academics), DJ Kohli (VP External), Saaliha Malik (VP Equity), Johnny Ho (VP Campus Life) and Mubashir Ali (VP Part-Time Affairs). Your elected Board of Directors are as follows: Carl Ewan-Lewis, Lauren Ng, Tara Ahmed, Ahmed Yousuf, Ali Awan, Farhan Siddiqui, Marc Bressler, Maria Galvez, Sarah Ali, Vickita Bhatt, and Vadym Kononenko. There are a few projects that your elected representatives are currently working on: • Organizing a Fall Election for the Division I Board of Directors positions. • Preparing a referendum to work towards introducing a UPASS for UTM part-time undergraduate students. • A full year U-PASS for both fulltime and part-time undergraduate students. • Working towards expanding the Student Centre to enhance student campaigns and services. • Ensuring that UTMSU moves towards an environmentally sustainable
environment. • Introducing new events to enhance campus life for UTM students. • Increasing food diversity at the Blind Duck. My office is locates in the UTMSU office in the Student Centre. Please feel free to visit me if you have any questions, concerns, suggestions or if you want to get involved with the union to enhance your student experience. You can find several avenues of getting involved to improve student experience on campus: you can join and become an active member of a club, join ministries at UTMSU, apply for associate positions to the executives, or become an active volunteer to help organize effective campaigns and events to enhance the university experience for all undergraduate students. You can keep yourself updated with UTMSU’s campaigns & services and improvements by visiting www.utmsu.ca. May I also suggest you join the facebook group, “UTM’s Student Union (UTMSU)” to receive regular updates from the Union. I wish all of you the best of luck in the 2008-2009 academic year and hope to see you all in the near future. Regards, Wasah Malik President UTMSU
Sudoku
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Email Ali at
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editor@mediumonline.ca
EDITORIAL Please write to:editor@mediumonline.ca Letters to the editor will be edited for spelling, grammar, style, and coherence. Letters will not exceed 500 words in print. Letters that incite hatred, violence or letters that are racist, homophobic, sexist, or libelous will not be published. Anonymous letters will not be published. Letters and and other editorial materials reflect opinions of the authors, and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of the editors, staff, volunteers, or Board of Directors of The Medium. In other words, just because we print it doesn’t necessarily mean we agree with it. Submission does not guarantee publication. Submission of materials to The Medium presumes the writer has read, and agrees with, this policy.
Editor-in-Chief Ali Kasim
Composite Editor Matthew Filipowich
News Editor Meredith Lilly
Copy Editor Shelley Bahorie
Features Editor Andrew Hamilton-Smith
Distribution Manager Ali Kasim
Arts & Entertainment Editor Michael Di Leo
Business Manager Romano Bergic
Sports Editor Christopher Sa’d
Webmaster TBA
Photography Editor Matthew Filipowich
or drop by The Medium office (Student Centre, Room 200) at any time to speak with one of the section editors.
The Medium is looking for Assistant Editors for all four sections - News, Features, Arts, Sports. If you have been writing for us the past year or so, and want to be part of the team, let us know. Email your section editors or the Editor-in-chief with your cover letter, resume, and some writing samples.
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Monday, September 8, 2008
Arts & Entertainment MICHAEL DI LEO, EDITOR | arts@mediumonline.ca
Rockin’ to a familiar tune ALI KASIM EDITOR-IN-CHIEF
It’s hard not to compare everything Guy Ritchie does after Snatch to...Snatch. Remember being blown away with Ritchie’s roller-coaster ride of a film which saw the rise of Jason Statham, the burgeoning of an already high-profiled Brad Pitt, and more significantly, the introduction to a kind of powerhouse, British gangster-action flick never since replicated by Hollywood? If you’ve forgotten, watch RocknRolla, because it’s all there again. The only problem is, it really is all there again. You see in RocknRolla, a story of sex, thugs, and rock ‘n roll, it’s almost as if Ritchie plagiarizes himself. Not with the same plot of course, but with the same setting, the same stylistics, and the same theme of characters. Only this time, instead of bookies and an underground kickboxing circuit, it’s rich Russian immigrants and real estate. Two-time Oscar nominee Tom Wilkinson is Lenny Cole, old-school gangster/real estate developer who lands a seven million euro deal with a new Russian billionaire on the block, Uri (Karel Roden). The deal is compromised after Lenny loses the “lucky” painting Uri has loaned him in a display of good will.
The painting, somehow (Ritchie doesn’t quite show us this), winds up in the hands of Lenny’s stepson, crackhead musician Johnny Quid (Toby Kebbell), who newspaper reports suggest is dead. Although, “if he’s dead, that’s the third time this year!” claims his small-time American record producers Roman and Mickey (Jeremy Piven and Chris “Ludacris” Bridges respectively). Indeed, rock musicians fare better dead than alive. Also in the mix is a trio of amateur stick-up guys: One Two (Gerard Butler), Mumbles (Idris Elba), and Handsome Bob (Tom Hardy), who after finding themselves cruelly in debt to Cole, hatch a plan with Uri’s femme fatale accountant Stella (Thandie
ewton) to rip off the Russian’s seven million euros, acquiring the painting along the way. At the centre of each character is Archy (Mark Strong) who as Cole’s levelheaded right-hand man, narrates us through every element of the film, from street criminal to high roller. As you’d expect from Ritchie—and this is what we love about his films— everyone at some point collides as they track the painting, find out who’s doublecrossing who, and jockey for dominance. And of course, it gets messy, just like it did in Snatch. Everything is almost parallel between the two films: Cole, as the
bad-guy mob boss, threatens to feed his captives to—instead of pigs—crayfish, the amateur thieves are a bumbling lot who provide for most of the film’s comic relief, and the hired muscle from Russia, like Boris the Blade, simply cannot be killed off. With so many striking resemblances, how then, can you not compare the two films? When you do, RocknRolla pales slightly in comparison. As well, you would probably expect a smashing soundtrack from a movie titled RocknRolla, but unlike Snatch with Klint’s “Diamond” and Overseer’s photo/outnow.ca “Super Moves,” Rolla supMark Strong (left) and Toby Kebbell give clinical performances in RocknRolla. plies little in this area. A gy—everything is cut and paced with Ritchie, through some irresistible couple of Brit punk tracks in between, and the only rock tune worth breakneck speed, with every character British humour, once again defies the noticing was The Subway’s “Rock & living on the knife’s edge of life and boundaries of a straight-up action comeRoll Queen,” played during the opening death. In one of the film’s more memo- dy or crime caper. To his credit, he has rable scenes, One Two and Mumbles are kept with the style that has made his films and closing credits. On its own, RocknRolla is still the chased through backyards, train tracks, so popular from the beginning—you roller-coaster ride that it promises to be. and warehouses by two Russian thugs. can’t do too much wrong with the tried You will be entertained. And with Toby The Russians are shot at, clubbed repeat- and tested. But there were distinctions Kebbell dazzling as the drugged-up and edly, even car-crashed into, and yet between Lock, Stock and Two Smoking eccentric Johnny Quid, there’s much refuse to lie down and die. Via some Barrels and Snatch. Because if you’re great aesthetic, it’s one of the most going to do something new, do someoffered on the acting front as well. thing new. Ritchie’s style rests upon pure ener- unique chase scenes you’ll ever see.
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This year’s edition of V-Fest was said to be the best yet. A&E Editor Michael Di Leo checked out what went down on the islands to give his verdict MICHAEL DI LEO A&E EDITOR “Shhh. I don’t like it when you sing,” explained Dave Grohl after stopping midway through “Times Like These.” “It just sounds wrong.” Grohl and the Foo Fighters were here in Toronto on Saturday headlining Day One of the Virgin Festival, a two-day music event held on the Toronto Islands which brought together over 50 international artists of all different genres. This year’s instalment, the third to ever grace the city, featured other headliners Oasis, Paul Weller, and Stereophonics, a DJ dance tent, and three stages set up across the island. With more than 40,000 people expected in attendance, this year’s festival was touted to be the best yet. Designed to have more of a grassroots impact, the V-Fest featured more local and emerging acts who even had their own stage devoted to them. The day began with We Are The Take, a Toronto-based pop-rock group playing to a less-than-packed audience. While their stage presence wasn’t overly energetic, they managed to get everyone grooving with their
Monday, September 8, 2008
ARTS
photos/Rose Mustard
catchy harmonies and memorable choruses. Guitarist Craig Sticland was in good form, working the delays and heavy reverbs to create an almost emotional aspect to the already emotive Aerosmith-like pop gems. The group seamlessly transitioned back and forth from pop numbers to harder, edgier tunes all the while keeping unbelievably tight form. The songs, though at times slightly awkward due to some questionable song-writing choices, were altogether fun and interesting, and by the end of the performance the crowd was packed and amped, just in time for the next performance from the Saint Alvia Cartel. As per usual, St. Alvia came out heavily-guitared, spewing sharp riffs. The aggressive element played well with the audience, who in turn raged back at the band. As the Clash-like sonic landscape was being formed, the group would take the music in a new direction entirely, leaving the political satire behind and focusing on cooler, more “chill” jams which were equally crowd-pleasing. The set finished with their main hit “Blonde Kryptonite,” a quick and catchy tune with a classic Joe Strummer progression. The number of groups performing
concurrently at this year’s V-Fest allowed for concertgoers to acknowledge the lesser-known bands, and in doing so, introducing them to new favourites. One of the biggest attractions of the day came in the B-Live area, a stage dedicated for the numerous DJ sets. Let’s Go To War, a three-piece DJ/Emcee outfit played alongside a thirty-piece marching band which came marching through the dance floor amidst mojito-filled dancing girls mid-set, culminating in a
which acts to see is appreciated by most, scheduling conflicts often arise in this sort of multi-stage situation. Many attendees were left undecided LEFT: Craig Sticland stirs things up with his rad guitar-playing. ABOVE: Rob Pasalic plays and looks like Joe Strummer. RIGHT: Babies have fun at V-Fest too. With proper protection of course. BELOW: Against Me! heating it up on the main stage.
triumphant version of Kanye West’s “Stronger.” After the band departed, the DJ’s continued to blast huge beats, leaving everyone in the general area wanting to dance. While the amount of choice between
when left to choose between Canadian favourites Wintersleep and Against Me!, many selecting the latter because the following stage acts were more popular. Although the smaller acts did get a good showing, the main Virgin Mobile stage was easily the most viewed. In the afternoon, psychedelic rockers MGMT took to the stage and blasted through almost the entirety of their first and only album to date. The songs were surprisingly similar to what is on the record — a difficult task, especially when considering the amount of synth overdubs present. “Time to Pretend” and “Electric Feel” were easily the audience favourites while “Pieces of What” and “Kids” brought the crowd into a giant hippiedance. This eventually led into a hugely aggressive set from the Florida-based post-punk group Against Me!. The band was the most energetic of the day and had the best set of any group. While the disco-rock bands were good and fun, Against Me! was the only good old-fashioned rock group to play, and being so, built up an enormous crowd — all of whom were feeling the vibe. The foursome played through most of their new material, particularly focusing on “Up The Cuts” and “Piss and Vinegar,” which were extended for jam purposes, building up into a giant wall of noise
encompassing the surrounding area. After their set, there was an unusually lengthy delay waiting for English indie rockers Bloc Party to assemble. Their set was weak and generally unenthused, and it was obvious to everyone that for whatever reason,
Bloc Party was not happy about playing. While they did perform songs from their acclaimed debut album, their more recent material has been rather weak, and this came through in their lagging performance. At this point, all that was left to see was the Foo Fighters headlining set, and the entirety of concertgoers began to file into the stage area. By the time their set started, more than 20,000 people were in attendance, with Dave Grohl taking full advantage of the popularity. “Why have some of you never heard this band before?” While he was playing the part of the rockstar, little music of any consequence — save the few major hits — was being played, and some of the audience began to leave. Feeling somewhat enraged, the band delved into vigorous renditions of some of their newer singles, satisfying themselves and the fans. Grohl confided, “you’re not going to hear that anywhere else.”
Monday, September 8, 2008
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The Style Sartorialist Editor’s ote: We at The Medium are proud to present a new feature to our A&E section: The U of T Style Sartorialist. Inspired by similar commentators at GQ and Vogue, our Sartorialist is here to give fashion advice and comment on our own styles on a bi-weekly basis. Be sure to keep track of what is going on in the fashion world!
CORBAN CONSALES
I would like to extend a warm welcome to the Frosh of the 2008-2009 academic year, and a welcome back to all you returning students.The “U of T Style Sartorialist” is a new addition to The Medium and will cover a broad spectrum of fashion related topics from haute couture, style tips, and answers to your sartorial conundrums. The University of Toronto is a truly world class school, with a list of achievements that would turn many “Ivy League” schools green with envy (corny pun fully intended). However, it is unfortunate that as a whole, we lack a fashion savvy that would be worth any sort of merit. O n r e c e n t t r i p s t o Y a l e, Oxford, and the Sorbonne, many of the extremely brilliant were, well, dressed brilliantly. There seems to be this m i s c on ce p t i o n a m o n g s t many at U of T that intelligence, style, and comfort cannot co-exist. Yet many students I met abroad managed to combine them quite successfully. The growth and maturation t h a t o c c u r s a t u n i v er s i t y should not only be present academically but should also take place on a social level, particularly in the way
we present ourselves to the world. We shouldn’t be thrust into our professions without any experience in personal presentation. After all, as the old adage goes, “dress for success.” What better time to begin our education, then with the start of this upcoming school year. It is understandable that we will have our off days and will attend class in sweats and the like, however this shouldn’t become routine. Now some of you may make the argument that this type of clothing is just plain “comfortable.” This may be true, but dressing in clothes that are similar to those you have slept in, or perhaps those you did sleep in, sends a subconscious message that we haven’t fully transitioned out of sleep mode. How can we focus in lectures if our heads are still in bed? Dressing well is something that everyone can do as long as a conscious effort is made. And can in fact be very comfortable if done properly. This may sound difficult at this point in time, but don’t fret, the U of T Style Sartorialist lives specifically for this purpose. Over the course of the year, simple yet crucial tips will be given to you with a subtle nod to the trends set b y c o u t u r i e r h ous es around the world. This will be done with the a i m o f c re a t i n g an individual wardrobe that not only reflects your personality, but that also exudes confidence as well as intelligence, all the while demonstrating your eye for fashion trends. So you may be asking yourself: “where are these fantastic fashion tips?” All in good time. The U of T Style Sartorialist is here to lend a helping hand to all of you on your journey towards fashion enlightenment. After all, you are smart, so dress the part.
Monday, September 8, 2008
Week 2 of TIFF
photos/outnow.ch
The Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF) is running into its second week. And if you’re a TIFF veteran, you’d know that’s when the festival really kicks in. Among some of the highlights this week are the premieres of Synecdoche, NY – the directorial debut of writer Charlie Kaufman which stars Oscar-winner Phillip Seymour Hoffman (above), and The Wrestler directed by Darren Aronofsky and starring Mickey Rourke, which won the Golden Lion award at the Venice Film festival.
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Features ANDREW HAMILTON-SMITH, EDITOR | features@mediumonline.ca
Humans versus Earth Why are we even fighting in the first place? ANDREW HAMILTON-SMITH FEATURES EDITOR The other day I was walking along the Sawmill Valley Creek, just on the other side of Mississauga Road across from campus, and I couldn’t help but notice the wretched state of the riverbed. Massive summer flash floods have gouged the sides of the creek, and large rocks torn from upstream stand everywhere like litter. Having been caught in at least one pelting hail storm this August, I had previously noted the summer’s unusual weather—but I was still startled to see the extent to which this little creek has suffered. Parts of the creek where the city has built artificial chain-link embankments lie in ruins. Ripped apart, jagged wires point everywhere. Is this the new norm, I wonder? Is the earth finally fighting back against the humans who are killing it? A lot of people talk about global warming these days, and yet there remains a great deal of confusion— largely due to sensationalist media— about what causes it and what its effects will be. I admit to being a bit confused myself, prior to renting An Inconvenient Truth, which I watched for the first time just this week. Al Gore does a sensational job of explaining the science behind global warming in a way that can be understood by the common layman, even though he regrettably takes ample opportunities to knock George W. and congratulate himself. He explains how one of his university professors began measuring planet-wide carbon dioxide (CO2) levels in 1958, and how the empirical data showing rising CO2 levels is beyond debate. It is cold, hard fact. He points out that science can measure past temperatures and CO2 levels, using ice core samples from glaciers and the poles. These past measurements show that in 650,000 years, the planetary CO2 level— although it fluctuates dramatically year to year—has never been above 300 parts per million (ppm). Today’s measurements are close to 700 ppm and rising, and much of the current debate is focused on what this means exactly. Recent events may offer some insight. The ten hottest years ever recorded occurred over the past fourteen years, and Japan had a record number of typhoons in 2005, the same year New Orleans was destroyed by a massive hurricane. These are just coincidences, according to some people. But as Mr. Gore explains, these people are wrong. The atmosphere is the most vulnerable part of the planet, and when we begin to see massive changes within it, such as rising ocean temperatures, traditional species loss, invasive species growth (including viruses), and off-the-chart CO2 increases, they should be seen as a “canary in the coal mine,” as he puts it. The time for action can not be put off any longer. So why is no action being taken? No one deliberately sets out to kill the planet each day, yet that is the undeniable effect. How did it come to be that over six billion people, some of them sub-consciously, play a role in destroying the earth? Mr. Gore provides a troubling statistic in his film: in the past fifty years, in over 800 peer-reviewed journals, the topic of
global warming has never been disputed or denied. However, in almost 1000 public media publications over the last 50 years, the topic of global warming was disputed 53 percent of the time. It is almost as if there is someone or something out there deliberately putting out misinformation. Mr. Gore draws a comparison to cigarettes: when they were found to cause cancer, many cigarette companies paid doctors and scientists to produce studies questioning the link between smoking and cancer. The cigarette companies stood to lose a lot of money—billions—if people thought they would die from smoking, so they did what any responsible corporate entity would do. They fought to save their profits, and fought for their shareholder’s interests, by misleading the public and preventing legislation against smoking at all costs. The fight to stop smoking and save our lungs parallels our current battle to stop polluting and save our planet, according to the 2006 documentary Who Killed the Electric Car?. Again we see money taking precedence over
Working together, consumers could force governments and corporations to reduce pollution and provide ecofriendly solutions. human interest and welfare, with oil companies and—shockingly—auto manufacturers doing everything possible to prevent electric cars from being sold in North America. Some may remember the famous World Solar Challenge race from Darwin to Adelaide, Australia in 1987, which saw the Sunraycer win the global competition to build a fast and efficient solar vehicle. General Motors (GM) asked the Sunraycer design team to create a marketable electric car, to be called the EV1, in order to comply with the Zero Emission Mandate passed by the California Air Regulatory Board in 1990. The result was astounding: a two-seater electric car that could travel faster than 150 km/h, drive 70 miles at a time, and recharge overnight through a wall socket. The Impact, as it was called, was leased to 800 people between 1996 and 2000 for only $250-500 per month through GM’s Saturn division. The car was an instant hit with everyone allowed to drive it. Mel Gibson and Tom Hanks are seen in the movie giving positively glowing accounts of driving the car, along with dozens of other EV1 drivers. So why does no one drive an Impact today? They really did exist at one time, although today they have all been crushed and shredded (yes, cars can be shredded, as we see in the movie) by GM. There are many groups that can bear some blame for the death of the electric car, though the primary actors are shown to be the corporations, the government, and the consumers. The final blow was delivered by GM, however, when the company recalled every last EV1 between 2000 and 2001. These EV1’s were working perfectly and adored by their owners—many of whom are shown crying as their cars are towed away— when they were seized and scrapped. According to GM spokespeople, the EV1 was not a profitable model,
photos/Andrew Hamilton-Smith and Matthew Filipowich
Sawmill Valley Creek in 2007 (left) compared to the same location in 2008 (right). The destruction is evident. despite the fact that the waiting list to get one had over 4000 people on it and the car had not even reached mass production mode. There was no demand, they insist, but the movie wonders if GM really even tried to sell the Impact. According to Saturn sales staff, the company told them to begin pitches by describing the weaknesses of the Impact, such as range and speed limitations, to potential customers. There was no widespread advertisement campaign—just a lengthy paperwork process in which GM would “ask a lot of personal questions,” in the words of Mel Gibson. It was almost as if GM didn’t want to lease their cars, and in fact, years later when a group of former EV1 drivers offered the company $1.9 million for the last seventy-eight remaining Impacts, they were turned down and the cars were
destroyed instead. Without delving into any conspiracy theories, which is essentially where the movie leads the viewer towards the end, it is enough to say that despite our best collective efforts to stop polluting, we are still coming up short. As Mr. Gore says, “human nature can be slow to respond to connect the dots” between old behavior patterns and new environmental changes. Even if we do sense that something is wrong with the earth, we might not necessarily know what we can do to help. In our modern interconnected society, consumers wield tremendous power over the global marketplace. Working together, consumers could force governments (through polls and voting) and corporations (through spending decisions) to reduce pollution and provide eco-friendly solutions
to the problems that we all face. Unfortunately, most consumers do not act consciously and collectively, and thus consumer behavior in most countries tends to be predominately selfish and short-sighted. Advertising companies rely upon and exploit this natural human self-interest, to make expensive products seem appealing to consumers who might otherwise have no need for them. By believing the fantasies offered to them through logos, slogans, images, and jingles instead of educating themselves, many consumers become unwitting participants in this game of global destruction. Consumers could make a major difference, it’s true, but at least their failure to save the earth is for the most part accidental and unintentional. Continued on next page
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Destruction of the earth continues unabated Creative Continued from last page
Corporations, on the other hand, rarely make any action or decision without careful deliberation and planning. When GM decided to cancel the EV1 series (and the planned RAV4 EV series), the company was well aware of the fact that it was closing the door on an opportunity to be a world leader in clean technology. The reasons why GM decided to cancel the car—unless you believe that there really is no demand for electric cars—may never be known. It is worth noting, as Who Killed the Electric Car? does, that there is an estimated $100 trillion dollars worth of petroleum oil reserves left in the world. The EV1 threatened to reduce the value of that oil to nearly zero. Imagine a hundred trillion dollars disappearing overnight. Oil companies own shares in GM, and vice versa. The shareholders of oil companies also own shares in auto companies. They all have a mutual interest in maintaining the status quo, or at least in keeping drivers dependent upon some kind of fuel. George W. Bush announced over $1 billion in funding for hydrogen fuel cell technology in 2003, which shocked many of those who are aware of his close ties to the oil industry. However, when one considers how difficult it is to produce, store, and run engines using hydrogen, it is worth asking why the President did not decide to invest in a proven technology like the EV1. Hydrogen technology is still in its infancy, but we need solutions today. Why don’t governments push companies to produce electric cars and use clean technologies that already exist? The short answer is that corporations have powerful players on the inside, protecting their interests. In the Bush administration alone, there are a sub-
photo/Matthew Filipowich
stantial number of cabinet members with close links to the oil and auto industries, companies which are also major contributors to both the Democratic and Republican parties. Dick Cheney, Vice-President, formerly of Haliburton; Condi Rice, Secretary of State, Chevron-Texaco; Andrew Card, former Bush Chief of Staff, GM—the list goes on. When crafting environmental policy for this administration, a former head of the American Petroleum Institute was allowed to make arbitrary changes to scientific reports, cutting out huge sections, even though he had no scientific background. One big reason why there is almost no legislation anywhere in North America enforcing strict carbon emission standards, is because many of our leaders and some of the most powerful people in the world
would stand to lose lots of money personally—sometimes billions of dollars—if such laws existed. We may not think about this often enough, but those same wealthy individuals who make money from the destruction of the earth reinvest a sizable chunk of their fortunes in keeping politicians in power who have the same interests as they do. The same is also true in Canada, though to a lesser degree, thanks to contribution caps on political donations, which are non-existent in the United States. However, both Stephen Harper’s Conservatives and Stephane Dion’s Liberals enjoy some form of political support from oil and car companies. An election is coming up, and one of the major issues will be the environment. It is worth considering how the various political parties differ, or are similar, in
their positions. Serious consequences can follow from electing people who do not properly understand an issue. In Ontario, for example, shortly after the provincial election in 2007—which saw widespread voter apathy and record-low turnout—a story broke in the media about how one electric car company in Ontario and another in Quebec were about to go out of business because they could not legally sell their vehicles in either province. Transportation is, after all, a provincial responsibility, and despite claiming a desire to pursue clean technologies, McGuinty’s Liberals continue to ignore the possibility offered by the electric car to this day. The Sierra Club of Canada recently released a “report card” on environmental issues for each of the political parties. The Green Party scored highest with A- and the Liberals were next with B+, which they apparently received for their Carbon Tax/Green Shift proposal. The NDP got a B because it does not support any new taxes, but supports a cap-and-trade system similar to the one currently used in Europe. And the governing Conservatives? They earned an F+ by having “completely inadequate” CO2 emission reduction targets and no realistic plan to implement their own limited goals. Don’t just believe the Sierra Club, though. Go out and educate yourself, both as a consumer and as a voter. Recycling is a good way to help save the earth, but voting is an important part, too. Maintaining a healthy environment and avoiding a global catastrophe is too important an issue to simply ignore the possibility of making a difference, no matter how small. Consumers and voters can contribute to saving the planet, but only when we all work together—so do your part and get involved in this election.
Corner Mr. Violet MURRIUM ZAHEER I feel like Mr Violet is a shy guy However, life is not a love market I feel I am throwing my thoughts away to an endless battle Used by many to reprimand I feel that I should confess but if I do who will endure the mess Giants crawl all over me by declaring a war. Truth or hidden lies of juicy folklore What is it about Mr Violet I like best… A hidden treasure overriding a subject of the mental state I am therefore left in Please save me from myself Crisis overwhelms me and I cry out loud “I’m crazy in love.”
The second installment of the short story Jared will appear in next week’s issue.
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Monday, September 8, 2008
Sports CHRISTOPHER SA’D, EDITOR | sports@mediumonline.ca
The Blues aren’t so blue anymore Rookie kicker boots winning field goal to register the Blues’ first win after 49 straight losses. SUNNY PATHAK Forty-nine games over the last seven years, and the Varsity Blues football team lost each and every one of them. For most of those games, the Blues didn’t even come close. Indeed, to have played for the Varsity Blues might classify as cruel and unusual punishment. You lose on game day, and then the next day you watch the game film of your loss. During practice, your coaches remind you that you’re losers and you can’t win. And then you lose the next game. Repeat this forty-eight times. It’s a tough gig. But the biggest surprise was that it took four seasons for the Blues Athletic Department to determine that former head coach Dave Howlett wasn't the right man to get the team back on track. I call it the John Ferguson Jr. syndrome. Forty-nine games. Even Wikipedia has all this documented. At least it didn’t get to fifty. Last week, the Blues defeated the Waterloo Warriors 18-17 at home when first-year kicker Andrew Lomasney nailed a 32 yard field goal right down Bloor Street with 26.2 seconds left in the game. Lomasney booted a conversion after missing two field goals earlier in the game. “I was pretty nervous for the game, and I was pretty nervous going out there for those first two kicks, and I hit them both wrong,” Lomasney said to the ational Post. “And I know you are supposed to forget about your misses, but I was still
thinking about them on the sidelines afterwards.” Before those series of misses, the Blues marched the length of the field, capped by UTM’s own Drew Meerveld 29 yard touchdown reception in traffic. Had this been collegiate football south of the 49 parallel, Lomasney, Meerveld, and fifth-year quarterback David Hamilton would have done the late night talk show circuit. Maybe even a nice feature on ESPN or a thirty-minute HBO special about a team which never gave up on themselves right before the season premiere of Entourage. Too bad this is hockey country; our boys didn’t even get an offer for an appearance on Off the Record, or even a chance to sit with Dina Pulgeliese of Breakfast Television. In fact, the only camera crew at the game belonged to one of the 2,562 fans at Varsity arena. For some reason, they believed in the Blues. “From the beginning, I knew we had a chance to win this game. We gave ourselves a chance to win, our coach gave us a chance to win, and we did it,” said the 6'6" Meerveld after the game. But just how did they do it? What made the difference this time? For starters, the players bought in to head coach Greg DeLaval. They believed in his system, his style, and most importantly, in him. “Our coach believes in us, and that means so much to each of us. He gives us our chances and wants us to succeed—I can’t really say that about our last coach,” said
photo & caption/torontostar.ca
U of T wide receiver Cory Kennedy takes the ball up the field against the University of Waterloo Wariorrs. a player who refused to be named. With one win under their belt, the Blues look to add another against the Windsor Lancers. The sweet bliss of victory has caught their attention. With a full season ahead of them, don’t be surprised if these Blues get everyone talking about them again, only this time for all the right reasons. Oh, and somebody change that Wikipedia page too. Back Iron, Fair and Foul, and more sports folly: Firstly, let’s thank the Philadelphia Eagles for becoming environmentally
conscious. At the Lincoln Financial Field, they already use 15 percent clean energy to power the stadium. But now the Eagles have gone a step further. In late July, the Eagles cheerleaders released a swimsuit calendar printed on recycled paper. Not only that, the cheerleaders’ bikinis were made of organic cotton. And to ensure a truly small ecological green footprint, very little organic cotton was used. Not a day goes by where I don’t get asked about the Jamario Moon freecoffee offer. If you don’t remember my promise from last year, if Moon makes a three pointer, you get a free
coffee. The offer is back, but not until the NBA season begins. I’ve got love for the Varsity Blues football team, but really, they don’t do themselves any favours when their website still has Dave Howlett listed as the head coach. Can someone please fix this? Finally, if you haven’t seen it yet— check it out on YouTube. LeBron James loses in a game of horse to David Kalb, a warehouse manager in Venice Beach. Explains James after the loss, “Because I didn’t have Chris Bosh, Kobe Bryant, Dwight Howard, Carmelo Anthony and Dwyane Wade to help me out. I was all by myself.”
U of T wins at annual Dad Vail Regatta JAMES WALKER AND
CHRISTOPHER SA’D SPORTS EDITOR
It was earlier this spring that the University of Toronto Varsity Blues rowing team surpassed every other college and university in North America, and proudly announced themselves as one of the best schoolbased rowing teams on the continent. Backed by coach Ming-Chang Tsai, the Varsity Blues travelled to
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania to participate in the 2008 Dad Vail Regatta, the largest collegiate rowing competition in the United States. The Blues entered three “pair” crews in the competition—two women’s pair boats and one men’s pair—and tested their mettle against 140 other colleges and universities from across North America to bring home a collection of medals. After training almost every day last winter, the Blues entered the competition, held every year at the beginning of May, with high aspira-
photo/Dave Dvir
The winning team lifting coach Ming-Chang Tsai.
tions, and through sheer bloody minded determination, each crew achieved their target and brought home a medal as a reward for their hard work and focus throughout the year and in the regatta. After winning their qualifying heat, the first women’s pair, Michelle Bradbury and Caitlin Pakosh, finished first in their semi-final sprints by beating their opponents with a 7second margin. In the final race, they squared off against U of T’s second women’s pairing, which comprised of Julia Sisler and Claire Hutchinson. With the possibility of a 1-2 finish in store, Sisler and Hutchinson did not disappoint as they crossed the finish line with a time of 7:29 minutes to bag the gold. Bradbury and Pakosh rowed short of second place by three seconds, conceding the silver to Brock University to finish with the bronze. Later on, the men stepped up to challenge for a place on the podium. After an exhausting semi-final race with one of the fastest times of the day, the Blues’ crew of James Walker and Denis Moiseenko had only a few hours to recuperate. Nonetheless, the duo pushed themselves to their limits to grab third place in the final and take home the bronze medal. With every member wearing a
medal as they returned home, the Blues’ have certainly announced themselves as a threat in the North American rowing circuit. Since then, the team has been training hard over the summer with efforts of adding more rowers to their roster to retain their competitive edge for the fall season. The only Varsity Blues sport at UTM, the rowing team has extended a challenge to UTM students by inviting both experienced and inexperienced rowers to try out for the team. One of Canada’s three gold medals
at the 2008 Beijing Olympics, the full-size “eight” category is currently the rage in Canada. This year, the rowing team intends to give it a try. The sport is only for the truly dedicated, requiring a commitment to six practices a week. You will find members of the rowing team at the CCT Building on September 10th from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., followed by an information session in the RAWC fitness studio at 6 p.m. More information can be found on the UTM rowing website, at www.utmrowing.com.
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