Vol 35 issue 22

UTM Vida helps expand the map page8 Monday, March 9, 2009

page10

page15

Volume 35, Issue 22

Inside the UTSU election From Tuesday March 10 until Thursday March 12, students at the University of Toronto will be voting to elect a new student union, which will either be the “Change U of T” slate of candidates or the “Demand Access” ticket.

Jason Marin from Change and Adam Awad from Demand Access discuss their reasons for running and what their tickets represent.

photos/Naushad Ali Hussein

Adam Awad, Demand Access “I am running with Demand Access, a team of people who are dedicated to students' rights, more engagement on campus, and the students' ability to access a high-quality education in all of its forms with as few barriers as possible. Our plan is to address a wide range of issues affecting students, from lobbying for food services to be open later, advocating for UTM students to be able to declare a credit pass/fail, working with the green movement on each campus to push Naylor into signing the Presidential Climate Commitment, to extending the Health Plan benefits without increasing the fee.

Demand Access is a group of experienced student leaders, some who are running for re-election and fresh faces from colleges and campus clubs. We believe that there are three main roles of the students' union to: provide money-saving, student-run services, offer fun and free events, as well as to advocate for the rights of students. Some student leaders might prioritise organising club nights, and deemphasise students' rights. I don't because, with the government considering a twenty-five per cent tuition fee increase, we need to have a students' union that organizes, along with services and events, against higher costs of education. The election is a great time to have this debate.

I am confident that students will choose the best candidates to serve them next year. A team's ability to communicate their platform to students will be a factor in deciding the election results but so will their platform and what they stand for.

Demand Access is a strong contender because our team represents unity across the colleges, the diversity of our school, experience and effective leaders, and we are proud of our ideas to make U of T a community we can all access, study and enjoy.”

Jason Marin, Change U of T “I am running for President to bring back the student voice at the U.T.S.U. and inject the student union with a healthy and much needed dose of a new style of transparency in governance, a firm commitment to supporting clubs and through them building community, and enhancing the services that U.T.S.U. offers for its members. Collectively, the Change slate brings many years of experience, leadership and good rapport with other student leaders which will help us implement our platform. The trust, respect and credibility we bring to the table is key. By reaching out to clubs and student leaders, by providing better services, and by effective lobbying we will provide a better student experience.

We believe leadership is achieved through empowerment; it is not a top-down process that can be demanded. The members on our ticket have risen through the ranks of student leadership, with either a college council or student society background, which gives us a good vantage point of assessing what the priorities are for students and clubs, and how the U.T.S.U. can engage those issues.

Fighting with the university to lower tuition fees has been a long and protracted battle, and the Change slate feels that we can convince the University to lower its tuition if we are able to force the provincial government to provide more funding for U of T and other schools. Our approach to campus life is one that involves giving our clubs more funding, making it easier for them to book space on campus, and ensuring that there is an effective flow of communication and collaboration between student societies.

The executives on the Change Slate are fully committed to upholding the Memorandum of Agreement between UTM and U of T. Moreover, our UTM Platform also speaks to our commitment to reaching to students at both campuses; we seek to allow more than four credits to be transferred between students at either campus, as well as cross-promote events and campaigns.”

2 THE MEDIUM

NEWS

MONDAY,MARCH

9, 2009

FINDING WAYS TO FIGHT THE MAN

“No Clarkson power plant�

ANDREW HAMILTON SMITH NEWS EDITOR

Almost 400 concerned citizens crowded into the Ontario Racquet Club on Tuesday March 3, to hear why the Ontario Power Authority (OPA) felt that pollution levels in Clarkson would not be affected by the addition of an 850MW natural-gas power plant in the area.

Attended by local residents as well as local government leaders such as MPP Charles Sousa, Ward 2 Councillor Pat Mullin, and Mayor Hazel McCallion, the OPA explained how their hypothetical modelling system predicted that there would be a “zero increase� in deaths as a result of the proposed building of the Clarkson power plant.

This study and its conclusions, produced by the firm Jacques Whitford Consultants, were then addressed by Dr. Boyd Upper and Julie Desjardins, both of whom are members of the Clarkson Airshed Study Advisory Committee and who pointed out the numerous flaws it contained. For example, the model subtracted average emissions from Lakeview (as well as Nanticoke and Lambton) from the Clarkson area, despite the fact that Lakeview has been closed since 2005. Also, the dispersion models used by Jacques Whitford were not according to industry standards, and so the conclusion that resident health would not be affected is questionable as

New city by-law to restrict student housing

well.

Councillor Mullin noted that it was the Ministry of the Environment, not the OPA and Ministry of Energy, which conducted the Clarkson Airshed Study (CAS) and that it was shameful the Environment ministry was not present at the meeting defending the air quality of residents. Mayor McCallion went a step further, telling OPA officials on hand that “the message tonight is clear� and as far as she is concerned, “no plant is coming to Clarkson.� These remarks were met by thunderous applause and a sustained standing ovation from the assembled citizens, not to mention the obvious discomfort of the OPA representatives.

Dr. David Mowat, Peel Medical Officer of Health, agreed that the Whitford study used by the OPA to argue that pollution would not be produced was flawed. He also agreed with Upper and Desjardins that the measured air quality would almost certainly degrade with a power plant in the area, based on measured results from many other communities.

Since the Clarkson (Sithe) plant is being proposed as a “peaker� generating station – only used during peak demand periods – Mowat pointed out that it will produce more pollution than on average, since the greatest emissions occur during start-up and shut-down. This also means that it will be used during the hottest times of the year, when air quality is already at its worst.

ANDREW HAMILTON SMITH NEWS EDITOR

On Wednesday March 11, the Mississauga City Council will vote on whether or not to accept a number of changes to zoning by-law 0225-2007, which includes altering the definition of a Lodging House or Unit. This move will significantly reduce the amount of available student housing in the city, according to University of Toronto Mississauga Student Union VP Joey Santiago, making off-campus residence an unaffordable option for many. “The [proposed] definition of a Lodging House means that a house in Mississauga cannot have more than three individuals renting in it,� explained Santiago. “Also, only a detached home can be a Lodging House, and furthermore all lodging houses must be 500 metres away from each other.�

The Planning and Development Committee Report on these changes states that not more than four “Lodging Units� will be allowed in a single

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September, and students at UTM were completely left out of the loop. “Mayor Hazel McCallion sympathized with us [being left in the dark] and stresses that this is only a shortterm solution, promising a long-term solution in the future,� added Santiago.

Councillor Mahoney could not be reached by The Medium as of press time to confirm or deny this.

Caught in the middle, students themselves may be the ones to suffer if they are faced with housing problems in the short-term, and it is not clear what options will be available to them if there are fewer rentals available next year. “UTM currently does not have the capacity for any more housing if there is a shortage, residence at UTM always has an enrolment close to its capacity,� warned Santiago. Furthermore, the financial difficulties that Mississauga is currently experiencing suggests that money for the ARHS may dry up if the economy continues to decline and the city continues to need more money for other priorities.

The end of the year is almost here, but your chance to write could still be near. news@mediumonline.ca

Task force mission challenges racism FIONA BUCHANAN ASSISTANT NEWS EDITOR

check it out at

Lodging House, that they must be 120 meters (400 feet) away from one another, and that they should be detached in ideal circumstances.

The City of Mississauga is attempting to crack down on illegal and unsafe rooming houses in the city, as well as implement an Affordable Rental Housing Strategy (ARHS). As part of those efforts, several definitions need to be changed. A “single-family detached� is now simply referred to as “detached,� for example, and the defining features of each – in legal terms – will be altered as well. The need for definitions to be “distinct from one another� is important because unsafe housing is currently justified under vague and overlapping housing definitions, according to the report.

Any new Lodging Houses proposed within Mississauga will be forced to undergo a review by the city, in order to assess the appropriateness of each by how well they meet certain criteria, such as proximity to public transit.

While the objective of the city in trying to improve tenant safety and liveability is admirable, the question of student housing costs and availability does not appear to have been adequately addressed or safeguarded.

According to Santiago, Ward 8 Councillor Katie Mahoney has been pushing for these changes since

Approximately fifty students attended the Task Force on Campus Racism hearing at the University of Toronto’s Bahen Centre on March 5. The goal of the Task Force, which was launched by the Canadian Federation of Students, is to give students the opportunity to share experiences, concerns and successes regarding the issue of racism, and to develop strategies to challenge racism.

Only one week after the Task Force began, their primary spokesperson Hildah Otieno received a raciallymotivated death threat by mail. “There is no way that threats and insults are going to intimidate students out of confronting racism. We won't back down,� Otieno stated in a Canadian Newswire press release.

At the end of the hearing tour, the Task Force plans to submit a report with recommendations for various institutional and governmental agencies on how to fight racism. “We are collecting stories or anecdotes from students. We will analyse them for

trends and themes and put particular emphasis on what works and what doesn’t work when responding to racism,� said Joel Duff, organizer of the hearings.

�Racism isn’t going to be eliminated overnight, but we can challenge it.�

Joel Duff, organizer The hearing at U of T attracted a diverse group of students from various ethnic and racial groups. “The talks weren’t just about individual experiences but about systematic exclusion and systematic racism,� explained Duff, noting that issues came up about texts and curriculum. Students expressed concerns that course materials and content often fail to reflect the knowledge of the entire world, and are largely limited to the views of white, male scholars. “Students don’t feel represented in what they are

learning at U of T,� added Duff.

Another topic of discussion was admission requirements to university.

It was suggested that these should consider life experiences as well, rather than just grades to determine merit. Duff explained that due to economic and racial inequalities – and the subsequent pressure on high school students facing adversity – universities may be denying opportunities to candidates who could be very successful, but underperformed in the high school system. “If we only look at grades, we won’t be able to break the cycle of racism at the high school level,� he argued. “Racism isn’t going to be eliminated overnight,� Duff stressed. “But we can challenge it. In doing so, victims and the community will feel empowered and will be strengthened [against racism].�

Made up of nine members, the Task Force has been travelling to universities within Ontario, including Queens, Ottawa and Toronto. The Task Force on Campus Racism plans to visit UTM by the end of the school year, although no date has been confirmed at this time.

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MONDAY, MARCH

9, 2009 THE MEDIUM 3

CHARITY AND CAUSES ON CAMPUS

What do you think of the UCS “Biz Frosh” chants?

“People have a freedom of speech, but there is a time and a place. These things can be addressed in a more mature, effective manner.”

NEWS

Commerce cares

Kim Birch, third year art and art history student “If it bothers students, they need not attend Biz Frosh. It’s a student event, it’s always been a success and everyone loves it. It brings us together!”

Delina Verma, second year psychology student “I don’t think the chants are very offensive but I think that because UCS represents the students, they should consider their opinion and value it.”

Sarah Vaitnilingam, fourth year science student

“Why would you chant some thing like that? There’s no point. It just makes the people themselves look like idiots.

Real classy.”

Sam Smith, second year English student

UTM campus crime report February 27, 11.52 a.m.

Transport to hospital The Peel Ambulance attended the campus for a male rehabili tation patient experiencing chest pains while at the Recreational Athletics & Wellness Centre. The male was transported to local hospi tal by ambulance.

February 27, 12.24 p.m.

Harassment A group of UTM students attended the Campus Police Office to report harassment via E mail by a male non stu dent.

February 27, 3.45 p.m.

Theft under $ 5,000 A student reported the theft of his cellular phone from the Hazel McCallion Academic Learning Centre. The student had been studying on the fourth floor of the library when the theft occurred.

March 1, 11.30 p.m.

Library Code of Conduct Security at the Hazel McCallion Academic Learning Centre seized two UTM stu dent cards and handed them

over to Campus Police. The two non students were escort ed out of the library by Campus Police. The owners of the student cards were con tacted and cautioned not to loan out their identification.

March 2, 10.00 a.m.

Mischief under $ 5,000 Campus Police were contact ed in regards to a fire extin guisher that had been dis charged by person(s) unknown on the P5 level of the CCIT Garage.

March 2, 11.27 p.m.

Suspicious Persons Campus Police was contacted in regards to a group of males loitering in the lower level of the CCIT Garage. The group was gone prior to the arrival of Campus Police.

March 3, 12.35 p.m.

Harassment A staff member reported harassment by an outside business firm while at work on campus. The business was contacted by Campus Police and was advised to stop harassing the employee.

Photo/Matthew Filipowich

The Undergraduate Commerce Society (UCS) held their “Rent a Date” event last Thursday at the Blind Duck Pub, drawing close to 200 students in attendance. Several UCS members, both male and female, were put up for “auction” as dates for the UCS formal on March 27. This was all done for the purpose of charity of course – all proceeds from the auction went to the Sick Kids Foundation. Approximately $2,000 was raised in less than an hour.

Above: Host Tushar Sidhar marks another bidder for Ethan Rupnarian (left), a first year commerce student who was auctioned off for $50 to Warda Tasmi.

Green Team reaches out through Environment Week KAREN AKHTAR ASSISTANT FEATURES EDITOR The Environment Week (EW) Finale last Friday in the South Building Council Chambers was a big success, leaving students at the University of Toronto Mississauga more aware of how to reduce their ecological footprint.

The party started just after 3 p.m. with everyone helping themselves to pizza and soft drinks, while photos taken during EW events were also shown on an overhead. Prizes were also handed out to UTM Green Team volunteers who filled out a ballot, and the winners got to choose their own prizes.

Some of the events held during Environment Week include The Amazing Green Race, where 7 stations were set up across the UTM campus. Students answered questions about the environment at each of the stations and received points for answering them correctly. The event was organized by Jeffrey Fernandez, who is a member of the UTM Green Team.

The UTM Green Team is supervised by the Environmental Affairs Office, and consists of student volunteers who come from a variety of academic disciplines. Ashley Warnock, one of the UTM Environment Week coordinators, spoke about the mission of the UTM Green Team and its responsibilities, which includes carrying out a variety of projects such as encouraging the use of duplex printing (printing on both sides of a sheet of paper instead of using only one side in order to save paper).

Rohit Mehta, a first-year Environmental Management student

Photo/Matthew Filipowich

UTM students Alyssa and Louise display their freshly made home worm composter. who is also the Promotions Coordinator for the UTM Green Team, spoke about the personal development he gained from working with the group. He also explained the importance of some of the projects the Green Team has carried out, such as the waste audit conducted earlier this year. Another student, Anum Maqsood, a fourth-year Commerce and Marketing specialist, gained valuable work experience by taking the

positions of Smart Commute Coordinator and U-Pass Coordinator.

The UTM Green Team also includes Tooba Shakeel, one of the Environmental Data Managers, Subin Yoo, who is the Volunteer Coordinator, Kristen MacEachern, another one of the UTM Environment Week Coordinators, and Aubrey Iwaniw, the Sustainability Coordinator, as well as over twenty staff and thirty volunteers.

4 THE MEDIUM

MONDAY, MARCH

9, 2009

MONDAY, MARCH

9, 2009 THE MEDIUM 5

OPINION

Letters to the Editor UCS addresses Bizfrosh debacle To the UTM Community,

ALI KASIM EDITOR IN CHIEF editor@mediumonline.ca

EDITORIAL 108 comments. And counting. That’s how much hype the UCSBizfrosh (re: last week’s front page article) affair has generated on our website. And to think that a week ago, the Undergraduate Commerce Society felt the whole issue wasn’t really “news.”

The council members, in particular UCS President Jyotin Handa, have since apologized for their inapproachability and initial reluctance to comment on the issue. I’ve assured him in return that considering all the pressure he and his execs were under at the time, it was quite understandable.

While it may be appeasing to the administration and the Student Union that UCS has issued a statement of apology, I hesitate to conclude that the issue is wholly corrected and resolved. Don’t get me wrong – I’m not in any way questioning the sincerity of Mr Handa’s letter, but it’s one thing for the UCS execs – all of whom are student leaders in their own right – to express their regret and assurances over the matter, and another altogether for so many commerce students to simply resent the fact that Bizfrosh is under investigation in the first place.

You see, for effective change to occur, willingness must come from all concerned. And judging from the 108 comments posted on our website this past week, it seems that a high number of commerce students (or non-commerce students who frequent Bizfrosh every year) are relentlessly unwilling to comply. As our poll indicates, the majority of them seem to think the whole affair was “overblown” to begin with.

Most of the comments centered on the apparent hypocrisy and double standard-ness of UTMSU, as they themselves are under investigations for controversial cheers during their own Frosh Week. Several students even went so far as to comment on how The Medium is simply a “puppet” for the student union in this regard. Well then, I wonder what these students were thinking when we publicized UTMSU’s proxy misdealings at their Annual General’s Meeting last November. How easy it is for us to slander one another as biased. If as university students we cannot shed our hasty defensiveness and objectify our opinions as much as possible, then I shudder to think of our future.

In defence of UTMSU, and as already mentioned in the article last week, they have already taken steps toward reprimanding themselves with regards to the homophobic chants overheard during Frosh Week; hence, the implemented policy which UCS hesitated to adopt.

Another common argument posed by these individuals is that the chants are “just chants.” Nothing serious, nothing sinister, and certainly nothing to get carried away with. “It’s about having fun,” writes one student. “It’s not as if we’re actually promoting and encouraging underage sex.” Well, then why yell it out as if it’s “cool?” More significantly, do you really need to shout words like “cum” and “g-spot” to have fun or to appear bold and appealing cavalier? Aren’t we all a little too old to still be shocked and excited by such words?

I won’t go into repeating my stance and rhetoric from last week’s editorial. Instead I’m going to keep this week’s short and refer you to Mohammed Ashour’s letter to the editor, “The UCS-Bizfrosh debate.”

Mr Ashour has very eloquently echoed my sentiments on the matter, and while I commend the UCS council members for their decision to express their regret over the matter and account for their actions, I urge all you students who voted “Overblown” on our website to keep an open mind as you read the letter. I honestly feel you’re missing something very important in this debate. Perhaps you might find it somewhere amidst Mr. Ashour’s words.

Yours,

Ali Kasim

EDITORIAL Please write to:editor@mediumonline.ca Letters to the editor will be edited for spelling, grammar, style, and coherence. Letters will not exceed 650 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.

This message is written in response to the article posted in last week’s edition of The Medium. The Undergraduate Commerce Society (UCS) recognizes that the cheers present at some of our social events have created a non-inclusive environment, unfair to members of the University community. We understand that this behaviour has caused students to feel uncomfortable and discriminated against, and has as a result tarnished the reputation of UCS, the Commerce program and the University of Toronto. We apologize and fully accept responsibility for the negative environment we have created on campus, as well as for the embarrassment brought upon our various stakeholders.

Our behaviour is inexcusable and it is with great humility that I write this message.

We have taken the initial steps in addressing the situation, creating a culture shift in UCS to the positive space that the University is known for. Our council has held a discussion, and been educated on the seriousness and implications of this behavior. We have also begun working in conjunction with various campus resources, including the Department of Management and UTMSU to develop a zero-tolerance policy and Code of Conduct. We will also be developing a full time executive council position (Director of Ethics & Equity) that will be responsible for overseeing the implementation of the policy, and maintaining an inclusive community within the Commerce student body. Additionally, UCS will be adapting new and positive cheers, as well as equity training for the incoming UCS council and Bizfrosh leaders. In the long run, UCS hopes to ensure a cul-

The UCS BizFrosh debate Dear UTM, It appears that the moral of the “BizFrosh” story has been lost in a web of contextual confusion and buried underneath the rubble of false analogy. While it is still possible to unearth this moral and even rescue its valuable meaning, we must agree to prevent our emotionality from hijacking our objective reasoning. We must agree to be unbiased and constructive.

It would be tempting to conclude that the Undergraduate Commerce Society (UCS) is made up of a bunch of sexually hyper, morally bankrupt individuals. This conclusion offers a simple and elegant explanation for the viscerally disgusting nature of the chants that the UCS allegedly propagated during BizFrosh. Indeed, many people have not only arrived at this conclusion, but further, are unwilling to accept an alternative explanation.

In my opinion, this position is blatantly ignorant and stinks of hypocrisy. If you would not appreciate being written off as devoid of moral fiber on the basis of one, two or even ten really big screw-ups, then neither would the UCS. So then, what would qualify as an alternative explanation? What is it that possessed the student leaders of the UCS to not only permit these chants, but to also encourage them?

To start, 72 per cent of individuals polled consider this BizFrosh “fiasco” to be blown out of proportion, and most of the one-hundred plus comments on the article seem to sympathize with the UCS. But wisdom is not always (or even usually) in crowds. Not many centuries ago, there was a worldwide consensus that our planet is flat. Maintaining this view today is not only scientifically indefensible, it may be considered a symptom of insanity. Sometimes, numbers mean nothing.

To prove my point, none of the dozens of comments posted by the proponents of BizFrosh came close to offering a sound justification (or even a legitimate explanation) for why these chants went by uncensored. In fact, I was disturbed to note that most of the arguments seemed to actually distract from an explanation.

In their defense, for example, the majority of respondents noted that similar (or worse) chants were allowed by UTMSU during their Orientation Week. In other words, if the UCS is going down, then UTMSU, too, better go down, and

harder. This is not only a failed attempt at dodging accountability; it is simply a self-defeating argument.

Comparing something bad to something worse does not make the former good. It just makes it less bad.

Another false conclusion was also drawn on the basis of integers. That is, only two students out of two-hundred that attended BizFrosh were disturbed enough to make an issue out of it. Mathematically and statistically, this is an insignificant figure that is not representative of the rest of the attendant population. As such, if these two students didn’t like what they heard, they should not have participated.

Inspired by this rationale, I suggest that we eliminate accessibility from our campus, since less than 10 per cent of the UTM population are persons with disabilities. If they do not like that our campus is inaccessible, well, too bad. They should find another University. Why should a significant portion of the tuition fees of the majority go towards accommodating the special needs of the minority? I hope it is clear to the reader that to pursue this line of reasoning, at the very mildest, is to satiate selfishness at the expense of starving inclusivity.

So what is the reconciliation for all of this? I believe we have been pointing the finger of blame in the wrong direction. The problem is not in the students of the UCS, for I am sure most of them are genuinely good people who exercised terrible judgment. The true problem lies in a naïve system that arms unsupervised students with power and resources they are neither experienced nor mature enough to handle, yet this very system (foolishly) raises an eyebrow when things go sour. This is not to undermine the intelligence of the students at the UCS, who should know better than to laze their intellectual muscle in light of tradition.

No one has a say in what traditions they inherit. But to blindly adopt tradition without careful scrutinizing it is to close one eye to responsibility and another to critical thought.

One wonders how many long-held traditions they would embarrassedly discard if they were to merely question them.

ture of inclusion and equity at our events, setting a positive example for other student groups to follow.

It is important to note that the scope of this issue goes beyond UCS, the Department of Management, or the University of Toronto. As individuals, we are bound by the Ontario Human Rights Code, and may face legal consequences outside of our institution’s sanctions.

Lastly, on behalf of the Undergraduate Commerce Society, I would like to apologize to The Medium for the negativity that has been brought upon it as a result of the situation.

Regards, Jyotin Handa President Undergraduate Commerce Society

EDITORIAL EDITOR IN CHIEF Ali Kasim editor@mediumonline.ca NEWS EDITOR Andrew Hamilton Smith news@mediumonline.ca A&E EDITOR Michael Di Leo arts@mediumonline.ca FEATURES EDITOR Alain Latour features@mediumonline.ca SPORTS EDITOR Christopher Sa’d sports@mediumonline.ca COPY EDITOR Shelley Bahorie PHOTOGRAPHY EDITOR Matthew Filipowich photos@mediumonline.ca COMPOSITE EDITOR Matthew Filipowich WEBMASTER Verisha Khanam DISTRIBUTION MANAGER Ali Kasim BUSINESS MANAGER Romano Bergic ASSISTANT NEWS EDITOR Fiona Buchanan ASSISTANT A&E EDITOR Ayman Saab ASSISTANT FEATURES EDITOR Karen Akhtar ASSISTANT PHOTO EDITOR Lara Matiisen BOARD OF DIRECTORS Christine Capewell, Isa Cunanan, Raji Aujla, Laura Gaspini, Umeimah Bastaki, Bhagyashri Bhandakkar, Julie Tyios MEDIUM II PUBLICATIONS 3359 Mississauga Road, Room 200, Student Centre, Mississauga, ON, L5L 1C6 Phone: 905.828.5260 Fax: 905.828.5402 Advertising: 905.828.5379

Sincerely, www.mediumonline.ca Mohammed Ashour

6 THE MEDIUM

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9, 2009 THE MEDIUM 7

SRI LANKANS SPEAK SINCERELY

OPINION

Response to “UTM Tamil Students’ Association Protests Conflict in Sri Lanka”

The Medium’s response to the SLSA

Dear Editor,

Let me first thank you for taking the time to read my article, I always appreciate getting feedback from as many sources as possible. You may be surprised to know that I was also contacted by the Tamil Student’s Association shortly after publication, asking me why I did not call more attention to the atrocities apparently committed by the Sri Lankan government.

My own belief is that everyone is entitled to their own opinion, and that it is nearly impossible to determine objective truth, especially when humans are the subject involved.

That being said, as a journalist, I am often faced with the difficulty of how to be objective, particularly when writing about very sensitive or controversial issues. You may notice that the bulk of the article – all but two paragraphs – dealt only with the protest fast being staged by the Tamil Student’s Association, since The Medium exists primarily to highlight students and student groups. The two paragraphs of background information on the conflict that I provided – condensed from various online sources – blame both sides equally and attempts to provide

I am very disappointed with The Medium’s coverage of the Sri Lankan conflict in the February 2 issue. The article, written by Andrew Hamilton-Smith, did not represent the reality of the situation and contained many false allegations.

The article claimed that the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) are Tamil fighters. The LTTE have been proscribed as a terrorist organization by 32 countries, which includes Canada. They are not the sole representatives of the Tamil people and hence it is inappropriate to call them “Tamil fighters”. In fact, the LTTE are notorious for committing atrocities against all Sri Lankans (Tamil, Sinhalese, Moor, and Burgher), assassinating several Tamil and other political leaders, carrying out suicide missions and recruiting child soldiers. The fear for safety and the sense of uncertainty similar to that experienced by North Americans post 9/11 is experienced

by Sri Lankans on a daily basis.

I am disappointed that the TSA chose to speak about the issue in a one-sided manner, instead of a truthful and unbiased alternative. There was no mention of the LTTE’s entrapment of the Tamil civilians by using them as human shields or of the LTTE’s murder of Tamil civilians as they attempted to flee. Rather all fingers were pointed at the Sri Lankan government who are currently providing the escaped civilians with food, water, housing, medical attention and most of all protection from the LTTE. The LTTE leader, Velupillai Prabahakaran, is hiding behind the same men, women and children whom he promised to protect!

TSA also forgot to mention the reasons behind the closure of the A9 highway. The A9 highway, a link between the south of Sri Lanka and the Tamil dominated Jaffna peninsula, was closed after the war between the government and the LTTE escalated to heavy fighting in 2006.

Extortion of money from civilians by the LTTE also played a role in the closure of the highway. After 23 years of power shifting between the LTTE and the government, the government regained total control over the entire highway in January 2009.

On March 2 2009, after repairs and demining, the highway was reopened.

As for the claim that Tamils are being massacred in Colombo, I must point out that Colombo is the racially diverse administrative capital of Sri Lanka. Sri Lankans live as one in Colombo with no ethnic tension.

Please provide a credible source for your claim that minority ethnic Tamils living in Colombo have been massacred in recent years.

All Sri Lankans live, work and learn together and even face terrorist attacks together. The recent claims of genocide are untrue. The UN Security Council has acknowledged that there is no genocide but rather a humanitarian crisis due to restricted movement of civilians by the LTTE. I am by no means claiming that the government has not committed any crimes. However, the LTTE has committed far greater and heinous crimes against humanity.

Recently, the Sri Lankan national flag was burnt at both York University and the University of Toronto at Scarborough. As a proud Sri Lankan I was utterly disgusted to see my national flag treated with

such disrespect. I fear that other universities will resort to this kind of immoral conduct due to similar onesided views as expressed by the TSA. Everyday a new propaganda video is released and protests are held, misleading those who are not fully informed about the situation. In the past, the Sri Lankan Student’s Association has not involved itself in politics. However, we have made an exception here because this biased report by The Medium presents Sri Lanka is a very negative sense.

I am deeply disappointed by the lack of research with the February 2 article and kindly request that this type of biased reporting be attended to and corrected by senior Medium staff. I truly hope that neither I, nor any other Sri Lankan at UTM would have to witness this situation again.

Sincerely, Sachindri Wijekoon President of the Sri Lankan Students’ Association

To Sachindri Wijekoon, President of the Sri Lankan Students’ Association

only dates, facts and events that have been confirmed and are undeniable.

Allow me to call your attention to a specific phrase: “both sides inflicting heavy civilian casualties.” In order to be objective, I chose not to identify either side, Sri Lankan or Tamil, as being correct, justified or “right” as you are suggesting. You argue that the absence of information blasting those Tamil “terrorists” is thus implicit support of their cause? Please note that I stated “Tamil Tigers launched an attack” starting the war, before quoting my source and stating that 400 to 3,000 ethnic Tamils were killed in the years that followed, adding that all death tolls were unreliable. If anyone is being blamed here, I would think it is the LTTE. In short, this article was intended to be a profile of a club event first and foremost, and I think I accomplished that.

Through deliberate action I tried to avoid “pointing any fingers” as you colourfully put it, or referring to the conflict except where necessary. Although I may not have reached that hypothetical and theoretical point of “pure objectivity” I think I came pretty close considering the subject.

On the other hand, your letter to me is completely one-sided and biased, an

excellent example of the “propaganda” that you say is “misleading people.” You admit “I am by no means claiming that the government has not committed any crimes; however, the LTTE has committed far greater and heinous crimes against humanity.” The terrors of the LTTE you provide in detail, yet there is not one mention of any actions by Sri Lankans, except “providing the escaped civilians with food, water, housing, medical attention and most of all protection from the LTTE.” Is this showing both sides, or just one?

Your brief account of the entire situation, which I admit is highly complicated, pays no service to objectivity and makes it clear that you are very much taking up one side against another. By responding to my article with heated rhetoric and partisan attacks, it is obvious why you read it as being pro-Tamil. Of course I respect your right to hold whatever opinion you wish, but let’s be clear about who is being biased and opinionated here.

Sincerely, Andrew Hamilton-Smith News Editor

Architecture Nature People Campus Life $100.00 for the winner of each category submit entries to mediumonline.ca/photocontest

photos must be 200 dpi and at least 1600 pixels x 1600 pixels all students must submit a name, student number, and telephone number.

Contest Rules: Entrants must be current students at UTM and may not be part of The F^]bnf l ^]bmhkbZe [hZk] hk [hZk] h_ ]bk^\mhkl' Lmn]^gml fnlm ln[fbm Z gZf^% lmn]^gm number, and telephone number with entries. A maximum of five entries per person and no more then two per category is allowed. All entries must be original work. Entries will be assigned a number for anonymous judging. All decisions by the judges will be final.

Late entries will not be accepted.

8 THE MEDIUM

MONDAY,MARCH

9, 2009

Grads present: Didactic UTM and Sheridan College’s graduating art students showcase their work at the Blackwood Gallery SAMANTHA OUELLETTE

The Art and Art History Graduate Exhibition Didactic held its opening reception at the Blackwood Gallery on Wednesday, March 4 from 5:30 p.m. – 7:30 p.m. The show was an opportunity for UTM and Sheridan College’s graduating art students to exhibit and celebrate their achievements, while witnessing their growth over the course of the program. It was also a chance for the artists to showcase their work to the public and for the viewers to anticipate where the work is headed once these graduates step out of their academic careers.

Blackwood had to expand its gallery space to allow for the waves of viewers who stood elbow-to-elbow in appreciation of the art on display. In

attendance along with friends and families of the student artists were proud professors from the Sheridan campus as well as with Art and Art History program alumni.

Professor John Armstrong, who is also the program coordinator of the Art and Art History programme, extended messages of thanks and support, and explained how the grad show has been a running tradition since 1972. Armstrong stressed how the students “moved from their arrival of uncertainty into realized individuals capable of individuated work.”

This year the students namely, Michelle Johnson, Drew Lesiuczok, Ryan Lord, and Jaclyn Quaresma, initiated their own active roll in the event’s organization with the help of Christof Migone, Blackwood

photos/Matthew Filipowich

Visitors gather to view Michelle Johnson’s video installation featuring her alter ego, Lady Deathstar.

Gallery’s director and curator.

Migone explained how the show is like a marker because “it is meant to signify the culmination of something, but also implies the beginning of something else.”

The works on display are executed in a variety of media from all of the studio disciplines including painting, drawing, print media, photography, design, sculpture, and video installation. Each piece demonstrated its own exemplary level of growth and sophistication on both a conceptual and technical level. Themes are as broad as the medium choices and span from topics of personal interest and self-discovery to catalogues of the social, political, and cultural depending on the concerns of each artist.

Mallory Diaczun’s Slam Dunk Project encourages viewers to create signs in support of her efforts toward achieving a slam dunk; she examines gender and racial stereotypes through the merging of art and athletics.

Johnson go also encourages viewer participation with his haiku piece Variations of Self. Other artists explore the possibilities of watercolour, gouache, acrylic, and oil on a wide range of supports as they execute their individual studies in painting.

Some paintings include Tricia Chiu’s Untitled, Riccardo ConteOro De Arco’s Hand me Downs, Gurpreet Sehra’s Drink Water, and Jenna Pyle’s Scaffolding. Chris Lengyell works in a variety of media with his drawings and paintings titled Rumours, Colours, and

eighbourhoods. Beyond two dimen-

Didactic is a collection of pieces from UTM and Sheridan’s graduating art students. The featured artists above are joined by program coordinator John Armstrong (far left). sions, sculptors work with found objects like fake eyeballs, VHS tape, and pantyhose as seen in Elena Cherepina’s Octopeye, Eva Tsang’s Untitled, and Jaclyn Quaresma’s Preservation and Virgin Pin. Michelle Johnson’s videos address the issue of exploitation with the help of her character Lady Deathstar.

Some print artists include Albert Dalton with his otlad’s Meticulity, and Reena Patel and her screen-print entitled 238 Diatoms. Johnson Ngo and Shelly Williams even have work on display on the video wall in the eGallery. This is just a fraction of all the great work that is spiraling through the walls of the Blackwood Gallery.

There are eighteen artists currently

displaying work in the first exhibition: Kora Bakier, Myra-Ann Boyle, Tricia Chiu, Elena Cherepina, Claudia Ciornei, Albert Dalton, Ricardo Conte-Oro De Arco, Mallory Diaczun, Paige Haggett, Johnson Ngo, Reena Patel, Jenna Pyle, Jaclyn Quaresma, Gurpreet Sehra, ishanti Siracanadrayagam, Eva Tsang, Monica Vogt, and Shelly Williams.

Didactic will be running until March 15. If the gallery walls could speak, they would encore for a second round. The second grad show exhibition Dialectic features the remainder of the artists, and it is taking place on March 18-29. The opening reception is on Wednesday, March 18 from 5:30 p.m.-7:30 p.m.

Watchmen lives up AYMAN SAAB ASSISTANT A&E EDITOR

Last summer, the fanboy fest known as “Comic-Con” was buzzing with anticipation for the film adaptation of one of the most popular comic books of alltime. This past weekend finally saw the release of the long awaited Zak Snyder (300, Dawn of the Dead) film Watchmen, packing theatres all across North America with jaw-dropped comic book enthusiasts and average film goers alike.

Since its 1986 comic book release, The Watchmen saga has attained a devoted following of readers and has remained one of the most critically acclaimed pieces of comic book literature. While not having gained the mainstream fame like Batman, Superman, or Spiderman, the Watchmen film attempts to remedy this general anonymity.

Watchmen is a complex and philosophical film that provides a chilling exploration into the darker world of

crime-fighting “heroes”. Despite the film’s relatively heavy content, it’s important to stress that David Hayter and Alex Tse’s screenplay allows those who are unfamiliar with comic book series to still appreciate and enjoy the film in its entirety.

The plot itself is very dense, and any attempt to elucidate the main plot points might result in a dozen tangents, leading to further digressions and detours.

Films adapted from comics or graphic novels are perhaps easier to follow than a spoken or written explanation as the visual element is essential for plot development and understanding. So, with that in mind, please forgive the following, heavily condensed, plot summary.

The film takes place in 1985 America, a time where Nixon is still president.

Yes, the same Richard Nixon who resigned in 1974. You see, the world in which the film takes place is a surrealrealist interpretation of 80s America.

This alternative universe, which sees America “victorious” in Vietnam, and

amidst heightened Cold War tension, is ultimately shaped by the presence of these masked crime-fighters.

The masked crime-fighting trend emerged during the 40s, but was eventually outlawed in 1977 by Nixon. After the murder of one of the original vigilantes however, The Comedian/Edward Blake (Jeffery Dean Morgan), along with the remaining crime-fighters (some original, others reincarnations of the originals) are forced to re-group and re-evaluate their role in the world as America and the Soviet Union verge on a nuclear holocaust.

While the actual aesthetic of the film and its digital effects are revolutionary, it is the story which is perhaps even more astonishing. The characters are all flawed, not quite like Superman and his whole kryptonite issue, but more like those of us who do not have secret lairs or the ability to leap over tall buildings in a single bound.

Continued on next page

MONDAY, MARCH

SAINTS AND SINNERS

9, 2009 THE MEDIUM 9

ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT

Sainthood is easy An open letter to Pope Benedict XVI MICHAEL DI LEO A&E EDITOR

Holy Father, Canonize ‘em already!

No, not those four irrelevant baldies from your homeland. They get enough appreciation at the local scenester hang, not to mention all of Bambaataa’s jams.

I’m talking about the fellas from Dublin, the boys from the good ol’ neighbourhood, the world’s favourite adopted heroes. I’m talking about U2.

Yes, the same U2 who single-handedly brought all of humankind together, albeit for just a moment, when they released “One.� Yep, the same ones who revolutionized live shows and the same guys who embody all that is philanthropic in the world of rock-

stars-cum-saviors.

I know what you’re thinking Pope, and the answer is No – they do not have three documented miracles in their name, but who needs that shit anyway?

In this day and age of super sweet sixteens and celebutards, isn’t it enough for them to be a wholesome band who, at the same time, are talented out the ass? And if not, wouldn’t you agree that the scale to which Bono has selfaggrandized is at least enough to merit a stained-glass window or two?

You’re a quiet guy Benny, but surely you must have noticed all the Oprah appearances. No? What about Live Aid? I know you were around way back when. On the wrong side of the curtain were you? Okay, but you must have heard watercooler talk of the Letterman performances this past week. Ah yes, Bono and the boyz strutted some new stuff that’s for

sure. But is it any good? Does it make Joshua Tree-era Bono quake in his leather slacks? Let me explain‌ On the one hand, their newest album

o Line on the Horizon has all the makings of a strong, non-mid-to-late90s U2 record with its texturized patterns and its inherent Edge-eyness. Add a little North African twist and a few disco synths (which, in case you’ve been busy castigating cardinals for some reason, are all the rage right now) and you’ve got yourself some of your very own U2 circa oh nine.

On the other hand, Bono is in poor shape with his words. Sure, this time he’s playing around with different “characters� in his songs, but we all know that’s hogwash. It really just means that he’s run out of clever metaphors and this is his way of pretending his poetry actually has a purpose to it.

It’s a bit depressing considering this is the man who penned the entirety of The Unforgettable Fire and who, back in the day, was considered a great innovative lyricist. Remember when they released October? Those words were mostly improvised. Who saw that coming? You must have been impressed though, with all that religious imagery ‘n shit.

But hey, let’s not digress. Remember we’re talking about Bono here. He invented the (RED) campaign. He came up with the idea to put struggling African families to work in Gap t-shirt

factories. If that ain’t saintly, I don’t know what is anymore.

Surprisingly, I found very little of that theme on o Line. Not to say that’s a bad thing, but I was expecting some “We Are the World� brought-into-thefuture type outpour.

Instead, what we have here are some average U2 tunes. “Magnificent,� “Breathe,� and “No Line on the Horizon� are clearly the album’s standouts, but the rest of the tracks fail to remain in memory. Their only single thus far, “Get On Your Boots,� is really not so grand, especially after about a million airplays. “Stand Up Comedy� and “White as Snow� aren’t remarkable either, nor do they contribute in any way to the rest of the album. Other songs, take “Cedars of Lebanon� for example, have at least some sort of emotional impact, save the drudgery of a few Bono verses.

Adam Clayton and Larry Mullen Jr. are strong as always, but The Edge’s brilliance comes and goes from song to song. The guitar work in “Breathe� is masterful with its transitions – from trademark chiming and shimmering delays to hard, overdriven riffs. “Magnificent� showcases The Edge’s synth work which brims with expanding keyboard lines and the instantly satisfying sounds of the Rhodes piano.

But when we get to songs like “Stand Up Comedy� and “Put On Your Boots,� we hardly notice anything spe-

cial. Now we don’t need the Joshua Tree dynamic on every song here, but these tracks probably wouldn’t have made the cut on any other U2 album.

The bottom line, Pope, is this: these guys are getting to the end of the line.

Not to say they’re shit – because with production work from Brian Eno and Daniel Lanois that’s quite impossible – but that in trying to stay relevant and youthful, they’re losing that cool edge they once had over all the oldies. The album is alright, nothing special, but you can tell that they aren’t pushing the envelope like they used to. How To Dismantle an Atomic Bomb was huge because they opened themselves up emotionally and to a new generation of fans. People feel that. Fuck, people who have been listening to U2 their entire life felt that. But this is nothing like that.

In all fairness, that doesn’t make them any less great or influential than they were already. Their concerts seem to get bigger and better every tour, as do their political and humanitarian efforts.

For that they get my vote for induction into sainthood. And I hope you’ve seen the light, because if not, you might just be too late.

Fondly, Michael Di Leo

MMM

Reviewing Watchmen Continued from previous page

The Comedian, an emotionally skewed government pawn, is angry at the world. He’s seen the devastation and evil that exists and is simply fed up, but as a defense mechanism, attempts to be even crueler and harsher. Nite Owl (II) / Dan Dreiberg, convincingly played by Patrick Wilson, is reluctant to revisit his crime-fighting past, and struggles to regain his crime-fighting libido. Amidst his midlife crisis, Dreiberg begins an intimate relationship with Silk Spectre II/ Laurie Juspeczyk (Malin Akerman), a troubled young woman, struggling with her own domestic demons.

The other three primary characters, Doctor Manhattan / Jonathan Osterman (Billy Cudrup), Ozymandias / Adrian Veidt (Matthew Goode), and Rorschach / Walter Kovacs (Jackie Earle Haley), are considerably more complex. They provide a heightened sense of fantasy to the film and are of mental states that extend far beyond any average human being.

Zak Snyder’s directorial vision, large in scale and relatively true to the original comic, is simply stellar. His ability to direct fast-paced, bonecrunching, blood-splattering violence is accompanied by vivid historical reimaginings as well as tender, and at times highly erotic, love scenes. It’s inevitable that Snyder will face criticism by hardcore Watchmen fans, but he deserves credit at least for not allowing this epic story to lose any of its intensity.

There is a glut of information presented to the audience. The film is 160 minutes of non-stop narrative; the sort of film that requires you to concentrate on every scene. While newcomers to the series can still enjoy the film, don’t expect to get the full effect. Just like the original comic book, the film requires a second, third, or perhaps even a fourth revisit to truly identify the significance of the narrative minutia. And if you’re not well versed in the philosophy of Thomas Hobbes, behaviourism, and astro/nuclear physics, then much of the dialogue may not be as stimulating.

Perhaps the most surprising element

of the film is its soundtrack. Snyder, rather than employing a lavish score, which is typical of the superhero genre, decides to use culturally significant popular music to heighten the dramatic moments. Bob Dylan’s “Desolation Row�, Jimi Hendrix’s cover of Dylan’s “All Along the Watchtower�, and at King Cole’s “Unforgettable� are perfectly placed throughout the film.

This isn’t your usual “popcorn flick,� so don’t let the special effects and hype fool you. But if you’re in the mood for a visually intense and intellectually arousing experience then, by all means, Watchmen is worth a watch.

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10 THE MEDIUM MONDAY, MARCH 9, 2009

Eliminating borders UTM VIDA: “Our community doesn’t end in Mississauga” JEFFREY MINUCCI

UTM is a hub for volunteer organizations dedicated to fulfilling the ideal of global citizenship. One of these groups, UTM VIDA (Volunteers for Intercultural and Definitive Adventures) has partnered with VIDA, a non-profit out-

fit headquartered in Costa Rica, to organize a student mission to Nicaragua from May 5-12, 2009.

A team of forty UTM students will deliver medical and dental relief to impoverished communities, travelling and working closely with doctors, aid workers, and affected families. The primary aim is to transform lives while also spreading awareness and promoting

humanitarianism among youth. As such, VIDA serves as a resource to harness volunteerism in the service of humanity, operating across cultural and national boundaries within Central America. In the words of its mission statement, VIDA aims to “create a humanitarian, not-forprofit, apolitical, secular, grassroots organization that empowers individuals and benefits communities”

and “offer volunteers hands-on, eye-opening, mind-enriching experiences in a constructive and intercultural environment.” VIDA is officially registered as a charity, and UTM VIDA is a campus club subset of the international organization.

One of UTM VIDA’s cofounders, Jason Patel, expressed the sense of purpose within the organi-

ONE YEAR TO A GREAT CAREER!

zation he helps to lead. “For more than a year, my colleagues and I have desired to make a significant community impact. After reviewing the clubs offered by UTM, we concluded that too many seek to benefit the individual or the local community.”

Patel adds that while there is nothing wrong with that, VIDA’s goal is to encompass a truly global perspective. “We are seeking to change common perceptions of ‘community’ by encouraging students to embrace the world beyond Mississauga. We want to extend a helping hand to those in need overseas, to make a positive change in the lives of those not fortunate enough to live in as prosperous a country as Canada.”

A team of forty UTM students will deliver medical and dental relief to impoverished communities, travelling and working closely with doctors, aid workers and affected families.

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UTM VIDA has tirelessly fundraised over the course of the current academic year, approaching companies and raising money on campus through water balloon, hot chocolate, and bake sale stations.

UTM VIDA’s team continues to seek support for its cause. On March 31, they will sponsor a professor-student soiree, to provide a social venue for interaction between students and faculty.

The soiree will utilize a concept pioneered on other campuses – interdisciplinary events featuring one-on-one discussions between students and professors. It offers an extraordinary opportunity for networking and communication in a relaxed, enjoyable setting.

In addition, this event will feature a full dinner, live jazz music, and a silent auction. All proceeds from ticket sales and auctioneering will be used to purchase medical supplies for Nicaragua.

All students and faculty members interested in attending the event are encouraged to come out and show their support. Tickets are only $10 ($12 at the door) and will be on sale at the Student Center Info Booth starting March 2.

UTM VIDA has also collaborated constructively with UTMSU VP equity Saaliha Malik, who has been assisting the group in their organizational efforts. The use of the union’s space and resources has helped UTM VIDA spread a message of hope and optimism in tackling humanitarian challenges.

MONDAY, MARCH

9, 2009 THE MEDIUM 11

University of Toronto Mississauga Students’ Union

2009 Spring Referendum Notice

The WUSC Student Refugee Program has enabled more than 1000 student refugees from countries of origin as diverse as Ethiopia, Democratic Republic of Congo, Somalia, Rwanda, Sudan, Burma and Afghanistan to re-settle in Canada as permanent residents to pursue their education in an environment free of violence and fear. The Student Refugee Program at UTM commits to supporting the sponsored student financially and socially through their first year at UTM. The cost of sponsorship is approximately $25,000.00. UTM has sponsored two students who have been successful in this program. The Student Refugee Program will only be successful if the majority of students who cast a ballot vote "yes" in this referendum.

Do you support the Student Refugee Program with an introduction of a student levy of $1.00 per student per semester?

UTMSU currently operates a campus food bank which offers food and resources to those in need in the UTM community, including all students, staff and faculty.

For the past five years the food bank has been running without any funding and is in desperate need of resources. The campus food bank will only be sustainable if the majority of students who cast a ballot vote "yes" in this referendum.

Are you in favor of an introduction of a student levy of $0.50 per student per semester to support the on-campus food bank available to all students?

You will have the chance to vote "Yes" or "No" to the following questions.

Voting stations will be located in the South Building, CCT Building and North Building

Voting days: MARCH 24th, 25th and 26th

Voting days: MARCH 24th, 25th and 26th

12 THE MEDIUM MONDAY, MARCH 9, 2009

2009 Governing Council Election for Students: Candidates’ Statements Voting will take place on ROSI (www.rosi.utoronto.ca) - Monday, March 9, 2009 to Friday, March 20, 2009

Full-Time Undergraduate Students, Constituency I (Arts & Science) Andrew Agnew –Iler To quote a friend, “We look for continuing and increasing growth in the future without the accompanying evils which we have known in the past. The challenge is to take full advantage of Canada’s great opportunities, of our rich human and material resources and of the unprecedented scientific advances to build a Canada which will be a model of democratic equality. We can do so if human needs are placed above corporate profits, if human fulfillment replaces material greed as the motive power in society and if the enrichment of human life becomes the universal goal of our collective endeavours.”

Kyle Boyko [no statement submitted] Erik Bracciodieta Hi! My name is Erik Bracciodieta. You’ve probably never heard of me, but don’t let that determine who you’ll vote for.

Our university is facing epic challenges: the economy, conflict between student needs and corporate benefactors and the recent student actions at York. What can be done? How does a vote for me change how the Governing Council deals with these issues? I promise to sift through the bureaucracy and culture of apathy that has strangled creative thought in our government. I welcome all advice for strengthening our school. Together we can better the student experience for years to come.

Casey-Anne Bradfield I am a first-year student at the University of Toronto; coming from Central technical school. Through my high-school, I was associated with the “LAWS” program (a program involving students at University of Toronto’s Faculty of Law who provide tutoring and guidance to high school students), and have since been interested in participating in the University of Toronto’s clubs, groups and committees. Thanks to the LAWS program, I was able to work for Ryerson’s Board of Directors last summer; and will bring my experience at Ryerson and dedication to LAWS to the Governing Council. Thank you for considering my application.

Maximilian Cadmus Max is a loyal and experienced leader who strives to balance progress and tradition. He studies a variety of topics ranging from Biology to Political Science to German. Neither withdrawn nor timid, Max is not afraid to challenge norms, fight for his constituency, and inspire change. He recognizes-and intends to address-the different needs of commuters versus dormers, Canadian versus International Students, and other sub-groups of full-time undergraduate studies. Max will make a brilliant addition to the Governing Council and vows to always do his best to do right by his constituency, and this University.

Anthony Darcovich My name is Anthony Darcovich and I am second year student in International Relations and Environmental Science. Serving on the executives of the United Nations Society, the HH Investment Club, and the Entrepreneurial Society, as well as a student representative on the Arts and Sciences Council, I have extensive experience in representing the interests of students.

As your student governor, I am committed to forging a more successful working relationship between Student Unions, student clubs, and the Administration, ensuring that Governing Council decisions represent the interests of all students. Feel free to email me with any questions at a.darcovich@utoronto. ca.

Zayne Dattu My name is Zayne Dattu and I am running for Governing Council. If I am elected, I would work hard to improve the student academic experience as well as campus life. I would ensure that the University’s money is spent wisely for the benefit of students, and that the issue of tuition is dealt with in a fair manner in consultation with students. Finally, I would make sure that Governing Council is more transparent and accountable to students and as such, that the student’s point of view is heard by the administration. It’s your education. You deserve a voice.

Albert Delitala I am currently pursuing my Honours B.Sc. at University of Toronto, with a double-major in psychology and industrial relations. I spent part of this past summer in Hong Kong as part of the university’s summer abroad program, where my fellow students and I represented U of T at The University of Hong Kong. I am proud to be a part of the U of T community, and it would be of a great honour to serve on its Governing Council. As a student of the Mississauga campus, I believe that I will bring a very unique perspective to the council.

Grant Gonzales My name is Grant Gonzales. I am seeking re-election for Governing Council. As your current governor, I serve you on the Executive Committee and University Affairs Board.

Furthermore, I am a student representative on the Faculty of Arts and Science Council and an Executive Member of the Arts and Science Students’ Union. Working collaboratively with the administration, student groups, and regular students continues to be a particular focus of mine. This working relationship provides quality leadership students deserve. I am running to ensure that we do not stray away from this valuable relationship.

Please e-mail any questions to grant.gonzales@utoronto.ca.

Vik Handa My name is Vik Handa. As a member of Governing Council I will be a voice for students, representing your interests and ideas. In ‘09 we really need to focus on improving the quality of student life at our university. All students from St. George, to UTM to UTSC can agree that there is a lot of important work that needs to be done, and I as your member of Governing Council will get results.

Vote Vik Handa in ‘09.

Darryl Hoving I’m a student at the University of Toronto, St George Campus, in second year physics. I live in Toronto during the school terms, and this semester I’m in Singapore on a student exchange.

U of T is going through important changes. I want to try to understand the system better and hear what the perspectives on all sides are, and then pass that on to others. I have no illusions of greatness, and I can’t promise that I’ll change anything. But I do promise I’ll listen, try to understand, and do what I can.

Areeba Jawaid Areeba is a third year student in Human Biology and Geography.

Over the years she has been involved with the Centre for Community Partnerships and The Multi-Faith Centre. She holds an executive position at UT’s Meal Exchange, an organization that deals with local poverty and hunger. More recently, she has been striving to integrate sustainability in her life and has been involved with UTSU’s Sustainability Commission. She also played a crucial role in initiating a student led Inter-Faith service initiative. Areeba strongly believes in enhancing the student experience by ensuring that their concerns are heard.

Margaret Min Hee Kim Often, I find the majority of the university marginalized and the will of the many is feebly represented by a few. As your rep, I promise to bring tangible changes in tuition changes, sustainability and student life. I will be the bridge between the huge system and YOU. Studying Political Science and Ethics, Society & Law, I have diverse experience as a liaison between admin and students and serving the students. With a humble leadership and funk, I will work to make our university BETTER. Vote for Margaret Min Hee Kim. Trevor (Changgun) Lee In my final year at UofT, I want to make a contribution to the UofT community as your representative on the governing council. I will stand with my fellow undergraduates to listen to their concerns and to become their voice on the council.

Listening is a skill I have learned well working as a volunteer with victims of torture, terminal AIDS and cancer patients, and mood disorder immigrants. I will be a strong advocate bridging the concerns of majority and minority groups on campus.

Organizing to increase voter participation in this election will be my goal. Vote commitment and understanding.

Laura McConnell Student Governor is a role that fits my experience, expertise, personality and interests. To me, this position is not just something to add to a résumé; it means a lot to me and is something I truly want to do. Last year, I gained substantial experience serving on the Algoma District School Board as a Student Trustee involving similar academic and administrative issues. I value honesty and I have a high level of responsibility, integrity and commitment. I have a passionate desire to serve as one of your Student Governors and I would be honoured to receive your vote.

Michael Motala My name is Michael Motala, and I’m a second year undergraduate student specializing in International Relations. Beyond academics, I spend my time on campus as a dedicated student leader, a Varsity athlete, and a committed student advocate. I am involved with the Rowing Team, the International Relations Society, the North Korea Research Group, the University of Toronto Model Parliament, LGBTOUT, and the Arts & Science Students’ Union. As a Governing Council representative, I would pursue increased undergraduate financial aid, athletic funding, and a sustainability policy. Let’s work together to make our University better for students. Vote Michael Motala.

Gregory Rebejko My name is Gregory Rebejko and I am running for full-time undergraduate student governor in constituency I. I am a second year student specializing in Political Science and Philosophy. As governor it will be my priority to insure all student concerns are heard and acted upon in a considerate and thoughtful manner. One of the major concerns that all students share is the rising cost of student fees. I promise you that student fees will decrease if elected governor. By working with faculty members and having the support of the student population, together as one powerful voice, anything is possible.

Fariya Walji Lowering Fees, Increasing Scholarships, Promoting a Louder Student Voice – These are just a few things I stand for, and will strongly emphasize while representing UofT students during my term on Governing Council. My understanding of campuses (as a 1st year student at UTSC and current St. George student), my studies in disciplines across departments, combined with my experience commuting and living on residence (thus understanding the needs of both groups) proves my mandate – I am the candidate who will fairly represent students from all perspectives. I’m one of you – a vote for me, is really a vote you.

Full-Time Undergraduate Students, Constituency II (Professional Faculties) Ryan Campbell My name is Ryan Campbell and I am currently enrolled in the Infrastructure option of Engineering Science. During my time at this University I have served as a student Governor, a member of the Governing Council’s Academic Board, a Director from Engineering on UTSU’s board, and Speaker of the Engineering Society. If elected I would continue to be a strong advocate for the issue of accessibility at this University for students with disabilities, mental, physical or otherwise. I would also fight for the lowest tuition possible for all students, and ensure that students’ voices are heard within Governance.

Alexander Pazionis I’ve been a first year representative for the Mechanical Engineering Club, the Engineering Society, and the U of T Student Section of the American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME). I’m the second year representative for the latter of these organizations, a Mechanical and Industrial Engineering (MIE) Mentor and an MIE Ambassador. I know how to lead. I also know how to stand up for the issues that matter, and I’ll do so without a moment’s hesitation.

MONDAY, MARCH

Part-Time Undergraduate Students Binish Ahmed Binish Ahmed brings experiences such as founding CoPresident of Chance, member of Dignitas International, and a representative on various student councils, where she had the opportunity to collaborate with many campus organizations including Engineers Without Borders. Additional experiences like Loretto College academic mentor, South Asian Youth Council President, former Course Unions representative to ASSU Council, an ASSU Executive, will give part-time students an effective voice against issues such as accessible post-secondary education. Ahmed is a prudent thinker, who believes in/advocates for living on this planet “sustainably;” and is pursuing: double minor –South Asian Studies/History, double major – Political Science/International Relations.

Ken Davy I am a fourth year undergraduate student in the History Specialist and American Studies program at the University of Toronto (Woodsworth College). I have represented part-time students on the Governing Board of the University since 2007, and am seeking re-election. My focus is on ensuring that the concerns of part-time students are represented, such as convenient class times and scheduling. I bring valuable knowledge and experience from membership on the Academic and Appeals Boards as well as the Planning and Budget, 2030, and curriculum renewal committees. I hope that you will vote for me.

Joeita Gupta Part-time students have full-time concerns. Being a parttime student, I identify with the need for and will work hard to promote on campus accessibility, including financial aid, affordable housing and childcare for part-time students, along with increased evening and weekend classes. My goals are to implement reforms to the appeals process and to enhance student involvement in decision-making bodies at UofT. I’ve long advocated for social justice issues through community radio, anti-poverty groups, the Centre for Women and Trans people and as a member of the part-time union. I’m passionate, hard-working, articulate, and determined to collectively affect change at UofT.

9, 2009 THE MEDIUM 13

Graduate Students, Constituency I, (Humanities and Social Sciences)

Graduate Students, Constituency II, (Physical Sciences and Life Sciences)

Olivier Sorin As your representative on Governing Council, I will continue to push the University to upgrade its academic infrastructure for graduate students (the number of professors in departments, accessible resources, space and equipment, and better email services). I will also press for an increase in the funding package so that students in humanities and social sciences can be on equal footing with their colleagues in divisions 3 and 4. Furthermore, I will ensure that there are more services and campus space for graduate students to help us interact and learn outside of the classroom. Thank you in advance for your support.

Jason Grenier Jason is a doctoral candidate in the Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering. He is completing his second year as a member on the Graduate Education Council and was recently chosen to represent graduate students on the ECE Chair Advisory Committee. Jason received the BASc. and MASc. degrees from the University of Waterloo. During this time, Jason was a director on the Graduate Student Association (1.5 years) and held a part-time position as Residence Life Coordinator at a residential college (4 years) .

He is a member of the IEEE, SPIE, OSA, and the Institute for Optical Sciences.

Bernard Pui Lun Wong I am currently an MBA candidate at the Rotman School of Management. Having completed my undergraduate degree and also currently pursuing my graduate degree at the University of Toronto, I am familiar with the needs of the students and the changes that are necessary in improving the student experience, including increased study spaces, lower tuition, etc. During my undergraduate studies, I represented my class as the Faculty Representative at the Faculty of Applied Science and Engineering and I understand the dynamics of university governance. I hope to represent you for the upcoming year.

Thank you for your time.

Paul York Paul York is doctoral student active in several social and environmental justice groups, including GSU Social Justice Committee, UTSU’s Sustainability Committee, Science for Peace, Pugwash, and Students Against Climate Change. He is committed to the vision of a just, egalitarian, environmentally sustainable and participatory society. He believes that universities should strive to uphold these principles by ensuring the highest standards of academic freedom, affordable education, socially responsible investment, transparent decision-making, emissions reductions, cost-cutting and energy conservation, accountability, and inclusivity. He is concerned that increasing corporatization may reduce the quality of education and compromise academic freedoms.

Contact paulyork.2008@gmail.com

Jemy Joseph Jemy completed her undergraduate at UofT Scarborough and is currently doing her Masters with the IMS department. She has been a tireless student advocate at all levels of university governance and administration such as the Academic Board, UTSC Council, Council on Student Services, Programs and Curriculum. Furthermore, she was part of the Scarborough Campus Students’ Union as Vice-President Academics (full-time), Vice-Chair and Life Sciences Director. She was selected as UofT’s 2008 John Moss Scholar. If elected, Jemy will ensure that the current economic crisis does not severely affect graduate students (funding, TA position, etc.). For more info, visit www.jemyjoseph.ca Gregory West As a representative on the GSU, I have worked with graduate students, the university administration, and organizations such as CUPE 3902, on issues affecting our academic and financial conditions. Graduate students are integral to the university and require strong representation; in lobbying governments for adequate investment in research infrastructure and financial support for students, in ensuring the responsible stewardship of the university’s budget – comprised largely from tuition fees, and in academic issues surrounding intellectual property and copyright. I commit to being a strong voice for graduate students and ask that you cast your vote for ‘Gregory West’: www.gregwest.ca

Governing Council Elections for Teaching and Administrative Staff, and Academic Board Election for Librarians Voting will take place Monday, March 9, 2009 to Friday, March 27, 2009

Teaching Staff (Constituency VI)

Administrative Staff

Ellen Hodnett I am a Professor of Nursing, teaching in undergraduate and graduate programs since 1975. I am a Fellow of the Canadian Academy of Health Sciences, and a member of the Faculty of Pharmacy Council. Almost four years’ experience as a Governor, including membership on Executive Committee, Planning and Budget, and Academic Board, has provided me with an excellent education in University governance. I am committed to helping the University to continue to achieve its mission during the current economic crisis. I am unafraid to voice my opinion, if and when I believe my opinion to be wellfounded and worth expressing.

Diana Alli Senior Officer, Service Learning, Community Partnership, Student Life, Faculty of Medicine. During her 34+ year administrative career, Diana filled multiple roles, and earned accolades for her professional achievements. www.dianaalli. org. A passionate visionary committed to social justice, Diana is considered a trailblazer in community leadership and volunteerism. Her positive contributions on campus and nationally are immeasurable. Thanks to your vote, Diana has served on Governing Council’s Executive, Planning & Budget, University Affairs Committees. Job security, work overload, fairness, equity, for all staff (unionized, confidentials and professionals), are her key goals to ensuring the best “opportunity” to be successful. YES YOU CAN!

Peter Pennefather During my 24 years at UofT, I have been a Faculty representative at various level of governance: Pharmacy representative on Academic Board; UofT Life Sciences Committee Chair; advisory board and Inter-Faculty Curriculum Committee, Centre for the Study of Pain. I have many contacts and associates in all 4 Faculties that make up Constituency VI. As a member of the Governing Council, I will work to advance the inter-Faculty collaboration in addressing issues of mutual concern, especially those concerning education and research dealing with personal, public, and global health issues addressable through inter-professional collaboration and accessible information.

Diane Crocker Diane Crocker is an enthusiastic, energetic and highly effective advocate of student success. Her wide-ranging 27-year career in postsecondary education has included government and university-based strategic, policy and planning leadership roles resulting in superior experiences for postsecondary students, and the institutions they attend. As the Registrar and Director of Enrolment Management at U of T Mississauga these past six years, she has spearheaded projects that have revolutionized the manner in which the university interacts with students by developing and implementing an award-winning, leading-edge, digitized information and records system while maintaining the hallmark U of T Mississauga personal touch.

Paul Ruppert The interests of administrative staff need strong and clear representation on Governing Council, especially during uncertain economic times with tough decisions coming. With more than 20 years of dedicated service to the University, and experience gained from working at the Departmental, College, and Divisional levels, I will be your voice. I have had a strong

record of success as your representative on Academic Board.

I will work to make certain that the needs and concerns of all administrative staff are represented and considered at Governing Council. My record is clear. I work for you. Together, we make a difference! paul.ruppert@utoronto.ca Donna R. Wheeler I’m running for Governing Council because I believe that administrative staff needs effective representation at the highest level. I’ve been with the university for the past twenty years and am a laboratory technician at EEB. As your representative on GC, I’ll work hard to protect jobs, advocate for more resources for staff development and ensure that your voice is heard on pensions and budgetary issues. I’m Co-Chair of the departmental Health and Safety Committee and Union Steward for Arts and Science. These attributes have equipped me with the knowledge and experience that will help make the positive decisions on GC.

Librarians [Academic Board] Bonnie Horne [no statement submitted] Mary Ann Mavrinac Mary Ann Mavrinac has been Chief Librarian, University of Toronto Mississauga since July 2001. Before, she was Head, The D.B. Weldon Library, University of Western Ontario where she worked for several years. With many people and many teams, she lead the library from vision to occupancy of a $34M new academic library project in the Hazel McCallion Academic Learning Centre which opened October 2006. Mary Ann would welcome the opportunity to serve on the Academic Board, viewing this as a privilege to represent Librarians in this capacity.

For details on the voting process see: http://www.governingcouncil.utoronto.ca/elections.htm

14 THE MEDIUM MONDAY,MARCH 9, 2009

FEATURES

SEX AND FICTION

Creative Corner

Patch Quilt of Desire I met a nice man who is made out of thrad.

He cuddles me up and tells stories in bed.

He has a life of all colours and they’re all stitched together: Full of people and places, from satin to leather.

His arms wrap me tightly and never let go, Like a bright checkered past that is strong and controlled.

He has beautiful blue eyes that roll at my dreams; They burn holes in my soul and cut open my seams.

He flosses with lies born of cinnamon lips, And has wet little kisses that burn at the hips.

He brushes my hair as he’s drawing me in, Unravels tales of his ex, how he glitters with sin.

Choked by my shirt and the things that he says, Pants are unbuckled and I’m pinned down in bed.

I cry tears of blood since I’m part of his game, As he slaps me for fun and slanders my name.

He ripped out my heart and ignored how I felt.

It just goes to show I’m another patch on his belt.

A man of all colours wears his heart on his sleeve, I’m darted with guilt, unravelled, deceived...

I try to get dressed, piece my heart back together, This quilt of a man is no shield from the weather.

He lights up a smoke as he’s turning to go, And he won’t even help because he can’t even sew —SAMANTHA OUELLETTE

I’ve been dating my boyfriend for a long time and he’s a year older than me. He graduated last year and works full-time now but I’m still a student. It was okay in the beginning because he was excited about his new job, but now he’s gotten into this rhythm of going to bed early and I usually like to stay up really late. Because of this, we’ve been having trouble finding time to have sex. A lot of my classes are at night or in the afternoon so I normally get home around 10 p.m. and he’s usually ready to go to bed around that time. Sometimes in the morning he wants to have sex but I’m usually too tired. I don’t know what to do; our schedules aren’t going to change. It’s really starting to stress us out. Any advice?

Because I’m not able to suspend time for you, the solution to your problem is going to have to come down to scheduling. There’s really not much you can do in this situation other than making time for each other. That being said, you can be creative about it.

1) There’s a difference between work and sex (well for most people).

Sex is something that you need to be in the mood for and it’s hard to get there if you’re concerned about scheduling it in. You need to start getting excited about having sex again. Instead of psyching yourselves

out about it or worrying about when you’re going to find time to have sex you need to want to make time for it.

If the only time that you two are together is when you get home from school then you should focus on that time. Try talking to each other throughout the day on the phone or via E-mails about what you’re going to do when you get home. That way, you’ll be building up the anticipation and the mood for sex by the time you get home.

2) Also, I know that you claim there isn’t a chance to have sex, but it’s unlikely that there are absolutely no opportunities. If he’s still awake when you get home from school, there’s an opportunity to have sex then. It seems like the problem could be that your energy levels are peaking at different times of the day. There are a lot of things that both of you could do that could boost your energy, i.e. working out, eating healthy, etc. Another way to get your energy levels in sync is by getting your schedules more in sync. Since his schedule is slightly less flexible it seems you’ll need to do more of the compromising. It doesn’t need to be a permanent change but two or three times a week you could try going to bed at the same time as your boyfriend and make up for the time you lose at night the next morning.

3) Lastly, and I’m making an assumption here, but this seems to be

a temporary situation. You didn’t have problems with your schedules when you were both in school together. Chances are, when you finish school and get on a regular work schedule, you’ll both be on the same rhythm. It’s important to remember this because it might just decrease some of the stress over the issue.

It’s hard to be the one who needs to compromise especially if your schedule is the one that you both used to follow when you were both students.

But as long as you are both willing to work on your sexual relationship and differences in schedule, you should be able to work this problem out.

It’s important to realize now that sometimes finding time to be intimate isn’t going to come easily. A lot of couples have incompatible work schedules that tend to be a lot more permanent.

Please note this column is intended for educational purposes only. If you have any questions that you want answered in our sex column, please send them to sex.column @utmsec.ca

MONDAY, MARCH

9, 2009 THE MEDIUM 15

The Eagles are hitting the final stop After a close and exciting game against Woodsworth, the Men’s Division One basketball team are on their way to the championship game MATTHEW LONGMORE

On Wednesday, the UTM Eagles Division 1 Men’s basketball team laced up for their semi-final game against Woodsworth College. This was the first and last time the two teams would play each other as they both faced the looming fate of elimination.

In preparation for the game, the Eagles held a defense oriented practice, geared towards shutting down Woodsworth’s top scorer, ex-varsity star player, and Division 1 threat, Mike DiGiorgio.

“Just containing one guy is what our defense revolves around,� said Mohammed Syed, UTM’s threepoint specialist. “Pretty much getting DiGiorgio to give up the ball, double teaming him, and making him uncomfortable throughout the game; that’s what our practice was all about.�

UTM played a stifling 3-2 zone that had two players trap DiGiorgio with UTM’s shooting guard Andre Woodruffe showcasing his defensive tenacity by jamming the passing lane and coming up with the first steal of the game. Woodruffe also drained the first basket to put the eagles up by three.

UTM played an up-tempo game for the first ten minutes of the half, pushing the ball for easy fast-breakpoints. On defense, they kept the clamps on DiGiorgio, swarmed the perimeter shooters and swallowed every rebound, with no contest.

UTM finished the half with a tenpoint lead.

The second half however told a different story. UTM had more turnovers than a ride on a Ferris wheel Their bad passes, traveling violations, and ill-advised shots meant Woodsworth were kept in the game.

The fans on the sidelines decided they had to help their Eagles team

out. Chants of “Defense‌Defenseâ€? from UTM’s bench made it hard for Woodsworth to concentrate.

However, DiGiorgio, who only scored three points in the first half, broke loose from the defensive shackles and hit two threes in a row.

The same kicked into fifth gear with seven-minutes left when DiGiorgio drained two threes.

However, in the dying minutes of the game it was Woodsworth’s point guard, Eddie Kagemana who took center stage when he hit a heartwrenching jump-shot to give Woodsworth the lead. Woodruffe then answered back with a quick jumper. He finished the game with

26 points and four steals.

With 34 seconds on the clock, Kagemana hit a three, making the score 69-68 for UTM. Woodsworth immediately fouled Alan Carty, sending him to the line for two. The crowd was silent, players were anxious and Carty remained focused.

He nailed both free-throws to extend the lead by three. With 2.7 seconds left, Digiorgio caught the ball off the inbound, dribbled once, and hoisted the ball into the air for a Hail Mary shot that sailed out of bounds. Final score: 71 to 68 for the UTM Eagles.

UTM now prepares for their championship game on March 11 at 8 p.m. at the RAWC.

A common trend in Toronto ANDREW TYSIAK

With Bryan Colangelo running the Toronto Raptors and Brian Burke recently hired as the Toronto Maple Leafs’ President and General Manager, it seems that the two highprofile Toronto-based organizations are spoiled with leaders that hold a belt of experience, intelligence and a history in success.

Prior to Colangelo’s arrival in Toronto, he helped build the Phoenix Suns into a respectable and competitive team during his 11-year reign as their GM. Burke arrived here with a pretty impressive resume himself – a string of achievements which includes a Stanley cup with the Anaheim Ducks in 2006.

Makes you wonder though when the Toronto Blue Jays will ever follow the trend and hire an experienced and successful general manager.

Since GM J.P. Ricciardi’s hiring in 2001, the Jays haven’t exactly been noted for success. Not only have they missed the playoffs every season since Ricciardi’s arrival, they’ve also lacked stability and consistency. More significantly though, they have failed to even come close to keeping up with their division rivals, namely, the New York Yankees and Boston Red Sox. During Ricciardi’s reign, the team has also gone through four head coaches in only seven years, and their best record was a mere 87-75 during the 2006 season. As for consistency, whenever they have a “considerably� successful season, they always seem to plummet to the bottom in the American League-East the season after. In 2003, after posting an 86-76 record, the Jays fell to a dismal 67-94 in 2004; the worst record the team has posted during the Ricciardi era.

Is this all down to bad luck or Ricciardi’s lack of managerial skills? You can only blame the players for so long before you have to stop and look at the individual responsible for assembling the team.

Ricciardi’s philosophy on building a successful team is questionable, placing little importance on speed, defense or bunting. The team has ranked near the bottom in stolen bases in most of Ricciardi’s seasons with the Blue Jays, relying too much on power and clutch hitting to manufacture runs. Rather than increasing your chances with scoring runs by stealing bases and bunting, the Jays have elected to swing their way through tough situations. Through this strategy, the team has hit into a high number of double plays, leaving runners in scoring position at the end of the inning in practically every game.

His bad drafting decisions are another woe to the Jays, as he prefers selecting collegians over high school players in the draft – Travis Snider in 2006 the only exception. Many successful Toronto Blue Jays draft picks prior to Ricciardi’s hiring, such as Carlos Delgado, Vernon Wells, Roy Halladay and Chris Carpenter, were drafted out of high school and never played a game of college baseball.

Why not continue something good?

He has wasted first-round picks on players such as Russ Adams, Ricky Romero, and Zach Johnson, who have all failed to meet expectations and progress into proven MLB players. Over the last few years, the Jays haven’t been able to develop a core of young players to build a team around, and consequently, have had to rely too much on free agent signings.

Finally, the combination of Ricciardi’s poor fairing in the free agent market and his questionable trades has prevented the team from

becoming championship contenders.

Rather than sign high profile players at the prime of their careers, Ricciardi has opted instead to sign low-salary players that are aging, plagued with injuries, and are essentially players that no other team in the MLB were interested in signing.

Prior to the 2007 regular season, the Jays re-signed pitcher Ted Lilly and coveted free agent Gil Meche.

Ricciardi then decided to take chances on “has been� players such as John Thompson, Tomo Okha, and Victor Zambrano to fill the holes in their pitching rotation. All three pitchers failed to impress during the 2007 season and were all subsequently released from the team before the season even ended. The only offseason Ricciardi really showed any drive was in 2005 when he signed pitchers AJ Burnett and BJ Ryan, and traded for powerful third basemen Troy Glaus. Burnett and Glaus however, are no longer with the team.

Some of the bad trades and decisions Ricciardi has made over the years include trading Paul Quantrill and Cesar Izturis to the Dodgers for Luke Prokopec and Chad Ricketts when the Dodgers were offering Eric Gagne. Gagne eventually went on to winning the Cy Young award in 2003. He also released Brandon Lyons with three years remaining on his contract, who went on to have many successful seasons with the Arizona Diamondbacks as a mid reliever and closer.

His worst decisions were not resigning future Cy Young Award winner Chris Carpenter when all Carpenter wanted was the $300,000 minimum, and giving Eric Hinske a five-year $14.75-million deal after just one season of success. Hinske went on to bust and was eventually traded to the Boston Red Sox. Defenders of Ricciardi have insisted that Ricciardi’s inability to

create a competitive team is down to the payroll restrictions and limitations put forth by Rogers Communications, owners of Blue Jays. This argument however is easily refuted when you think about the 2003 Florida Marlins who won the World Series with a mere $54 million payroll – 21st in the league out of 30 teams.

The Blue Jays need to do some-

thing they should have done along time ago and fire J.P. Ricciardi. The Jays have not had a proven and successful GM installed since Pat Gillick, and if the organization wants to launch itself above mediocrity its time they pick up a few pointers from the other two sports teams in Toronto and hire somebody who not only knows how to manage, but knows how to win.

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16 THE MEDIUM MONDAY,MARCH 9, 2009

SPORTS

SPORTS UPDATES FROM AROUND THE GLOBE

Obvious NHL non-trades CHRISTOPHER SA’D SPORTS EDITOR

The best part of every NHL trade deadline is hearing about the trades that twirl in the rumour mill, and then end up just not happening.

It was a week full of transactions to support the decreasing salary cap

for the summer free agency market, catered especially toward getting rid of long-term, high-priced lucrative contracts like the Toronto Maple Leafs’ Jason Blake and the New York Rangers’ Wade Redden.

Neither move happened.

Here are another couple of trades that disappointingly, never materialized:

Jay Bouwmeester - D Florida Panthers to Vancouver Canucks Near to the end of the deadline, there was big talk about Bouwmeester moving to Vancouver.

However, it was never Jacques

Martin’s intention to trade the solid defensemen. “I’ve talked to him the last few days. I want to keep him in the squad and not lose him,” said Martin during an NHL phone conference just before the deadline.

Vincent Lecavalier - C Tampa Bay Lightning

to Montreal Canadiens This move was in talks for a few weeks, but Bob Gainey couldn’t afford him and the Bolts were just not ready to give him an $11 million contract. There was no chase for Vinny and Brian Lawton just couldn’t get a bargain.

USA takes Canada to the last inning The Americans, thanks in large part to a solid performance by their bullpen, held off Team Canada in a 6 5 win before an overwhelmingly pro Canadian crowd of 42,314 at the Rogers Centre on Saturday.

Victory for the American team avenges a loss to their north ern neighbours in the inaugural Classic in 2006. (MLB.com)

Jagr Renney Reunion In Edmonton Possible According to a well placed source, Jagr was attempting to negotiate his way out of next season’s obligation to Avangard Omsk so he could have signed with Edmonton last week, a day or two before the NHL trade deadline.

The contract with the Oilers would have included a “poison pill” obligation of $7 million for next year in order to discour age the competition – specifically Pittsburgh – from claim ing Jagr on waivers upon his return to the NHL. (NYTimes.com)

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Lakers first to 50 wins The Lakers racked up another one for the win column this past week after a posting a 110 90 victory over the hobbling Minnesota Timberwolves at the Staples Center.

Unlike their sobering experience Sunday against the seri ously depleted Phoenix Suns, the Lakers (50 12) delivered against the Timberwolves.

They became the league's first 50 victory team this season and, of greater importance, lead Cleveland (48 13) and Boston (49 14) by 1 1/2 games for the NBA’s best record.

(LA Times.com)

FA Cup semi finalists lined up In FA Cup action this past weekend, Chelsea and Manchester United cruised past their opponents – Coventry City and Fulham respectively – to book their places in the competition’s semi final stage.

Everton followed suit on Sunday after they survived a first half scare to rally past Middlesbrough 2 1 at Goodison Park.

The Merseysiders now play Manchester United in the semis at Wembley Stadium on April 18 while Chelsea await the winner of the Arsenal Hull quarter final clash.

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“ That was more frustrating than anythingthe pointing”

Sidney Crosby referring to Alexander Ovechkin’s taunting during last week’s Penguins-Wizards game.

“I don't want to say he talks too much, but he's talking.”

Ovechkin responds to Crosby

come in today or call 1-800-HRBLOCK (472-5625)

To qualify for student pricing, student must present either (i) a T2202a documenting 4 or more months of full-time attendance at a college or university during 2008 or (ii) a valid high school identification card. Expires July 31, 2009. Must also qualify for Instant Cash Back and Cash Back products. See office for details. Valid only at participating H&R Block locations in Canada. SPC Card offers valid from 08/01/08 to 07/31/09 at participating locations in Canada only.

For Cardholder only. Offers may vary, restrictions may apply. Usage may be restricted when used in conjunction with any other offer or retailer loyalty card discounts. Cannot be used towards the purchase of gift cards or certificates.