Vol 36 issue 11

Monday, November 30, 2009

Volume 36, Issue 11

UTMSU AGM runs smoothly

Matthew Filipowich/The Medium

UTMSU Executive Director Mohammed Hashim answers questions regarding financial statements at the UTMSU AGM last Thursday.

ALAIN LATOUR EDITOR IN CHIEF

with notes from KATHERINE LUCZYNSKI ASSISTANT NEWS EDITOR

UTMSU’s 2009 Annual General Meeting took place last Thursday afternoon in the Council Chambers in the South Building. Attended by approximately 50 students, the AGM saw no mention of the proxy collection process until it reached the “other business” point in the agenda. Associate to VP university affairs James Boutilier recommended that a review in proxy procedures be performed, stating that proxy forms “have been abused too many times.”

Boutilier referred to last week’s irregular management of proxies for the University of Toronto Students’ Union AGM. Instead of the usual hand-delivery, UTM’s proxies were faxed to UTSU headquarters past the deadline. Before they were faxed, the unnumbered proxies were in the possession of a

then unlisted UTMSU staff member, bypassing the normal collection process at the hands of UTMSU office administrator Linda Feener.

Following Boutilier’s recommendation, UTMSU President Joey Santiago said that the policy committee will discuss this issue at their next meeting. Santiago assured Boutilier and those in attendance that students are aware of the issues pertaining to the AGM when they give their proxy to someone.

Feener signed out approximately 40 proxy forms for the UTMSU AGM. Not all were returned, but any student who attended without having signed out a proxy form was still entitled to one vote—their own. Moreover, students were asked to sign in and pick up a voting card before entering the meeting.

Recent UTMSU accomplishments highlighted at the meeting include closing down a dumpsite, regaining the 24/5 library service during exam periods, successes in achieving a discount for the TTC metro pass, the UTM book exchange, and a profit at the Blind

Duck pub, said Santiago.

Among the Union’s goals that were listed during the AGM are holding regular town hall meetings, working on a “close relationship” with the city of Mississauga and uniting students.

VP internal and services Carol Au Yeung continued the meeting with the presentation of the financial statement for the 2008-2009 academic year. “The Blind Duck Pub has an increase of 45% in sales this year,” said Yeung. Students unanimously passed the audited financial accounts as well as the appointment of the current auditors.

The meeting also presented UTMSU’s constitution and bylaw changes, which included an official change in the positions of the VP external and the VP equity. The VP external now takes charge of international student issues and the VP equity takes charge of social justice issues. The reason for the change, Santiago explained, is to be more cohesive with UTSU’s executive positions.

Students in attendance were invited to ask any questions per-

taining to any topics that were or had yet to be addressed. The president of the Mississauga Free Thought Association asked how long-term funding is approved for clubs at UTM. “We have over 70 clubs this year.

All clubs never get 100% of what they ask for,” said Santiago. “The funding for clubs is bound by the policy manual and the allocation of funds for each club is available on the UTMSU website for public viewing.”

“Can we make it a rule that first year reps and ministers be trained?” asked Sabiha Sumra, minister for education and outreach at UTM. The next policy meeting will address this issue.

Further questions addressed funding for clubs at UTM and all questions were received with an affirmation at making changes, such as having club funding information present as well as beginning club meetings.

Students interested in receiving more information about any problems or questions can email the UTMSU president directly or visit www.utmsu.ca for more information.

Masquerade ball raises awareness STEFANIE MAROTTA ASSISTANT NEWS EDITOR Last Friday, the UTM Sexual Education & Peer Counselling Centre hosted the first World AIDS Masquerade Ball. With the slogan “Finally a Party with Taste,” the ball was held in the Blind Duck to raise donations for the Peel HIV/AIDS Network.

Upon entering, students chose from a selection of funky masks that were laid out on the pool table.

Bunches of white and red balloons and twinkling white lights were strung around the room. Food was served buffet-style and servers went around offering drinks to attendees.

Singer Natasha Randhawa kicked off the night. Attendees danced to tunes played by a DJ from UTM’s CFRE Radio.

A table displayed various prizes up for grabs during the silent auction.

Related clubs and organizations on campus supported the cause, and donated gift baskets for the auction.

Out@UTM donated a basket of coffee and chocolate. The Health and Counselling Centre provided a U of T sweater.

A favourite amongst attendees was the “Basket of Feminism” offered by the UTM Women’s Centre, which included a shirt that read “This is what a feminist looks like.” UTM S.E.C and UTMSU offered other prizes, including Lush baskets and the Lover’s Basket that included items from the Everything To Do With Sex Show.

Attendees could also play games to win raffle tickets. The participant had to throw a bean bag into one of the holes in a board and answer a question related to HIV/AIDS. Peel HIV/AIDS Network (PHAN) provided the information.

see Masquerade on page 3

INSIDE Students remember Mumbai PAGE 3 Arts pub night PAGE 6 Exploring UTM PAGE 8 Golf on campus PAGE 11

3° 0°

6° 1°

7° 1°

2° -1°

1° -2°

1° -2°

4° -1°

2 THE MEDIUM

MONDAY,

NOVEMBER 30, 2009

NEWS BLOOD CAFE

Season of giving starts with blood Second donor clinic of the year a success

Alumni Association hosts Philosopher’s Café

KATHERINE LUCZYNSKI ASSISTANT NEWS EDITOR

EMILY ACHESON

An arrow pointed toward the Student Centre doors with the words “donate today” written in red. Inside, a sterile smell hung in the air. Chairs, tables and cabinets cluttered the Presentation Room.

Men and women sporting red and white shirts with the emblem “Canadian Blood Services” bustled through the room. A woman in a white shirt sat at a laptop, smiling and taking registrations.

Last Friday, a blood donor clinic set up in the Student Centre f r om 1 0 a . m . t o 4 p . m . A n y on e wishing to donate blood was asked to register at the front desk.

Students were given a blood donor sticker, a bottle of water or juice, and a folder with information on the importance of donations.

First-time donors were only accepted if they were within the 17 to 61-year-old range and if they weighed at least 50 kilograms.

Regular donors could be up to 71 years old. They couldn’t have received any recent dental treatment, ear or body piercing or tattooing, or exhibit signs of a flu or cold. Moreover, donors couldn’t have given blood within the last 56 days.

Before students donated blood, Canadian Blood Services representatives asked them several questions and tested their hemoglobin (iron) levels with a simple pinch to the finger to determine eligibility. They also took students’ blood pressures and temperatures to ensure the good health of the applicants. Finally, they drew the blood. Donors

Giles Blunt, best known for his fournovel John Cardinal crime series, read from his recent novel No Such Creature last Wednesday at 7 p.m. Blunt was the first guest for U of T’s Philosopher’s Café, a series of events showcasing U of T alumni who have graduated from or are currently involved in the arts. The animated reading, complete with Blunt’s affected British and New York accents, was followed by a questionand-answer session. Over thirty U of T alumni and students attended the reading in the Dean’s Lounge in the North Building.

Blunt, a UTM alumnus, obtained his Bachelor of Arts degree in 1975.

During his undergraduate years at UTM, Blunt was greatly influenced by Shakespeare. He particularly remembers Macbeth and Othello.

“They were just so brilliantly constructed in terms of suspense. It’s useful for any writer,” said Blunt. “And then there’s all the wealth of insight into human nature that he brings. Just on the concrete level of telling a story, there’s nobody better.”

Blunt is also the winner of the British Crime Writers’ Macallan Silver Dagger and Canada’s Arthur Ellis awards. His recent John Cardinal novel, By the Time You Read This, was shortlisted for the Duncan Lawrie Dagger award, the most prestigious crime fiction award in the world.

Blunt’s desire to write emerged when he was eight years old, after reading The Adventure Series by British writer Enid Blyton.

“I wanted to write one of those because I loved them so much,” Blunt said. “So I sat down with my mother’s typewriter, and I started typing away

Jason Hu/The Medium

had the option of lying down before leaving the clinic.

Only about half a litre of blood is drawn at one time, and the body quickly replenishes the donated

blood. For more information about blood donations or to find clinics near you, visit www.blood.ca or call 1-888-2 DONATE.

Campus police weekly summaries November 19, 2009 to November 25, 2009 November 19, 2009 - 9:09 p.m.

Careless driving A student complained about an aggressive driver. The incident occurred at a crosswalk.

November 19, 2009 - 6:08 p.m.

Harassment via email Campus Police investigated a complaint by a student about being harassed. She received unwanted emails.

November 20, 2009 - 8:45 p.m.

Theft under $5,000 Campus Police investigated the theft of a cellular phone belonging to a student. The theft occurred at

the Library November 20, 2009 -6:20 p.m.

Reckless driving Campus Police investigated an on line complaint about a reckless driver. The driver was cautioned.

November 22, 2009 - 10:05 a.m.

Suspicious person Campus Police investigated a complaint about a suspicious man in the Shreiberwood area. The person left before the arrival of Campus Police.

November 23, 2009 - 10:47 p.m.

Trespass to Property Act

Campus Police charged three noncommunity members with trespassing. The three men were skateboarding inside the CCT Garage.

November 24, 2009 - 6:30 p.m.

Theft under $5,000 Campus Police investigated the theft of two USB keys from a lab at the CCT Building.

November 23, 2009 - 11:17 p.m.

Library Code of Conduct Campus Police investigated a person at the Library after she failed to show her identification to library security.

November 24, 2009 - 8:20 p.m.

Theft under $5,000 Campus Police investigated the theft of a laptop from the Library.

The laptop was owned by a student.

November 24, 2009 - 1:20 p.m.

Theft under $5,000 Campus Police investigated a theft from a locker at the men’s change room in the RAWC.

November 25, 2009 - 4:55 p.m.

Theft under $5,000 Campus Police investigated the theft of a cellular phone from the Library.

my adventure story and I think I got to page two and a half, and I ran into plot problems. It’s still on the shelf.”

No Such Creature tells the story of an old man named Max, who failed to become a Shakespearian actor but succeeded in becoming a charming thief.

His associate is his adopted greatnephew Owen, who slowly realizes he longs for a life without crime. The unlikely pair relish in their usual, lucrative summer. That is, until they learn about the Subtractors.

Thought to be an urban myth, the Subtractors are a gang of thieves who hunt other thieves. Upon learning of a fellow thief’s successful operation, the gang captures him and ‘subtracts’ parts of his body until he gives up the bearings of the loot. Soon, Max and Owen find their recent success in Las Vegas becoming a gamble of life when they learn they may be next on the Subtractors’ list. But the Subtractors are just a myth, aren’t they?

In 1980, Blunt moved to New York.

During his time in the United States, he wrote for crime TV series such as Night Heat, Diamonds and Law and Order.

Blunt now resides in Toronto with his wife Janna.

Giles Blunt plans on writing two more novels for his John Cardinal series, but also hopes to write more stand-alone novels like No Such Creature. His latest novel, Breaking Lorca, tells of the interrogation of a young woman in 1980s El Salvador.

The woman, Lorca, becomes a victim of human cruelty in the government’s torture squad headquarters. The crime tortures the offender as much as the victim for years to come. Breaking Lorca is now available in stores.

Philosopher’s Café and Alumni Association plan to hold many upcoming events that will take place early next year.

CORRECTION NOTICES In The Medium’ s Monday, November 29 Issue, the arti cle entitled “ Tensions run high at the UTSU AGM“ incorrectly stated that James Finlay was the president of the St.Michael’ s College Student Union. James Finlay is a general councillor of the SMCSU and Francesca Imbrogno is the president.

In The Medium’ s November 9 issue, the article entitled “ The cost of education” stat ed 500 students attended the Day of Action.

Approximately 500 UTM stu dents attended and approxi mately 2000 students across the GTA attended the protest.

MONDAY,

NOVEMBER 30, 2009 THE MEDIUM 3

AWARENESS AND REMEMBERING NEWS

UTM remembers Mumbai A vigil is held to commemorate the victims of the Mumbai attacks

“In retrospect, do you think the 12 week term at UTM was a good or bad idea?”

STEFANIE MAROTTA ASSISTANT NEWS EDITOR Last Thursday afternoon, approximately 20 students gathered in the Student Centre Board Room to reflect on acts of terrorism and commemorate those who died a year ago in Mumbai. The hourlong vigil was held by the Hindu Student Council.

Last year, on November 26, Lashkar-e-Taiba, an Islamist extremist group, attacked civilians at ten public sites in Mumbai, including the Taj Mahal Palace and Tower. Members of the Lashkar-e-Taiba held hostages in a hotel until November 29, when National Security Guards secured the location. Over the three days, nearly 500 people were killed or injured.

The U.S. State Department declared Lashkar-e-Taiba a terrorist organization in 2006. Oth er countries have banned the group.

Hindu Students Council president Garima Bhatt started off the vigil with a speech describing the attack to the audience. He addressed the necessity of unity under such circumstances. “We need to change our views and spread understanding. Mumbai is one of the darkest hours of our time,” said Bhatt.

Students passed by and peaked into the room, curious to find out what was happening. Upon learning the purpose of the event, many of them decided to stay.

The HSC wanted to remind students of the horrific event, but to also recognize the reaction of students at UTM. Last year, various clubs from different religious faiths held a candlelit vigil in the CCT building. The event, ran by the HSC, Muslim Students Association, Sikh Students Association and UTMSU, saw over

“I think it’s good and bad.

Good because there’s a study period, but bad because we have to learn everything quicker.”

Chelsi Ng 2nd year Economics

“I think it’s a good idea—the university always knows best.”

Hassan Salha 2nd year Commerce

”The semester goes by faster, so it made me ner vous, but now that it’s done, it’s not a bad idea. It gives students an extra week to study before exams.”

Reuters Photo

100 students in attendance.

Former HSC president Vivek Govardhanam asserted the necessity of relinquishing the fear of a particular culture or religion as breeders of terrorism.

“It’s not about being Pakistani or Indian. It’s not about being Muslim or Hindu. The war against terrorism to achieve peace is against extremists,” said Govardhanam.

The HSC emphasized the effects the attacks in Mumbai had on the religiously and ethnically diverse UTM community.

“We shouldn’t point fingers at a religion or ethnicity. We need to stand united as one against terrorism. Everyone here today has

shown we are capable of that,” said HSC vice president Meenal Tayal.

Attendees were invited to light a candle and sign a poster that proclaimed “We Remember You” in memory of those who have been affected by the attack on Mumbai.

HSC showed a video of images captured over the three days while students lit the candles. Everyone stood up and bowed their heads for a moment of silence.

“The vigil is important to display strength against terrorism.

They can attack us, but they cannot divide us. We must learn from what happened, move on, and find a way to prevent it from happening again,” said HSC events coordinator Maryam Masood.

Claire Morcos 2nd year English, French

Answer this question on our poll at mediumonline.ca/poll

DECA reaches out to campus

Students support AIDS awareness Masquerade continued from cover

“This event is such a positive atmosphere. And the games were fun and informative,” said student Elleni Javier.

PHAN provides support for those affected by HIV/AIDS, and information to educate people and promote understanding. The organization, based in Mississauga, Brampton and Caledon, was founded in 1991 and is the only HIV/AIDS service provider in the Peel Region. A representative from PHAN gave a brief presentation about their organization at the Ball.

S.E.C. and other participating groups wanted to give students a fun way to provide support for prevalent issue, said organizers.

“My uncle died of HIV/AIDS. My family doesn’t like to talk about it, but it’s important to deal with stigmas surrounding the disease.

I’m proud to be part of this event to raise awareness and donations,” said Out@UTM member Afi Browne.

S.E.C. coordinator Maeve Tremis was pleased with the way the event had turned out. “This year we wanted to include the UTM community in a fun way to circulate knowledge about the cause. The disease isn’t discriminatory.”

Edward Cai/The Medium

PRIYA VERMA

Photo Courtesy S.E.C.

Organizers welcome guests to the first Masquerade ball held at UTM. Attendees were in high spirits and enjoyed the festivities. Student Jason Carnevale noticed that a few balloons had come loose and floated to the ceiling. “The balloons coming loose represent the aware-

ness that has been raised at this event. It was a job well done by S.E.C.” Students can look forward to Sex Pub, the next S.E.C. event, coming up in March.

On November 19, approximately 230 UTM students attended an event called “How to Market Yourself.” The event was held by DECA, an international association of high school and college students studying marketing and management.

Guest speakers Vinny Verma and Rup Jolly, who work as business development managers for XCINO, an IT company catering to small and medium-sized businesses, each gave a 35minute presentation. Verma lectured on the challenges facing generation Y students in the marketplace, while Jolly spoke about how to deliver a successful elevator pitch.

Verma’s presentation was structured around the problems many students face in the job market after leaving university. Verma divulged his experiences

regarding these problems and gave advice on how students can overcome them.

According to Jolly, an individual pitches an idea to an investor in the time it takes to ride an elevator during an elevator pitch. It is an extremely brief presentation designed to capture the interest of an investor. While an elevator pitch is typically meant for entrepreneurs looking for an investment, the concept, Jolly explained, can be applied to many situations, from job interviews to getting a date.

Although the event was open to all students, it was also intended to help educate DECA members on how to succeed during their competitions, which are scheduled to occur in January. The competitions are primarily situated around sales and marketing.

Only in its first year at UTM, DECA has already attracted 50 members. It is scheduled to hold more events soon.

4 THE MEDIUM

MONDAY, NOVEMBER

30, 2009

OPINION THE PAST AND THE FUTURE

Letters to the Editor

Our near future tographers • to write more about science • to continue to feature opposing op-eds • to improve layout by redesigning the masthead and the index box • to get a cartoonist (alas, maybe our toughest goal).

In addition to listing our goals, I’d like to thank our readers and contributors. Our readers, of course, justify our existence as writers. Whenever you learned something about UTM that you didn’t know, whenever you picked up a paper because a headline or photo grabbed your attention, whenever we made you smile, whenever we made you frown, whenever you praised us and whenever you criticized us—you made our day. You gave a purpose to our work. And for that, we thank you.

As for our contributors: you may not realize it, but this paper wouldn’t be possible without all of you. Thanks for all the hard work, the dedication, and the support.

Lastly, I’d like to announce our new Assistant Editors. They became Assistant Editors by working hard almost every week. They proved they were reliable, not just by turning in their stories on time, but also by saying, when need be, that they wouldn’t be able to take on a specific assignment (word to the wise: editors will always prefer writers who refuse an assignment they won’t be able to hand in to writers who promise, then fail to deliver).

And so it gives me great pleasure to welcome Katherine Luczynski and Stephanie Marotta, our Assistant News Editors; Patricia Figueiredo, Assistant Arts and Entertainment Editor; William Robertson and Sarah Malagerio-Bruno, Assistant S p o r t s Editors; and Edward Cai, Assistant Photo Editor.

We know you will all help us make The Medium a better newspaper.

ALAIN LATOUR EDITOR-IN-CHIEF

ne January afternoon of my first New Year in Canada, at around four o’clock, not the busiest time at most gyms and certainly not at mine, I stood in front of a dozen cardio machines. Every single one of them was occupied by enthusiastic patrons. I hadn’t seen any of them before. I stepped into the weightlifting room. It too was full. A trainer I was friendly with brushed past me. I grabbed his arm.

“What’s going on? Are you guys giving away free passes?”

He shook his head. “New Year’s resolutions,” he scoffed. “Most of these people will work out like mad for a couple of weeks, then never come back. It’s the same every year.”

I wasn’t aware of New Yea r’s resolutions as a cultural phenomenon until that January evening.

People in many other countries are not in the habit of publicly committing themselves to a new goal in December. It sounds like a good idea, one worth emulating, provided you choose a realistic goal, break it down to measurable steps, reward progress and announce the goal publicly.

It’s not December yet, but this is our last issue for 2009, so I thought I’d list The Medium’s goals for the New Year. Risky move, you might say, especially given my introduction. But like Einstein said, "Anyone who has never made a mistake is someone who has never tried anything new." Besides, we do owe it to our readers to share our vision for The Medium.

Here are our resolutions for 2010: • to add more infographics to our print version • to add more videos to our site • to get more writers and pho-

O

4 8

1 7 3 5

7

1

5 7 1 8 9

9 6

Re: last week’s Letter to the Editor, “Speaking out against oppression.”

Dear Editor,

SPEAKout is a spoken word competition that was held in collaboration with the UTMSU this past Nov. 20. It was initially meant to be the finale of the UTMSU’s eXpression Against Oppression week, but this was postponed to second semester barely two weeks before the event.

SPEAKout is independent from UTMSU. We receive the poetry applications and choose from the flood of poets who apply. This gets tricky, as we are weighing, alongside the very important overall quality of poetry, two important rules that are stated on our website: “No racial slurs, vulgar language, profanity or sexual references,” and “Respect others! We value people of all ethnicities and cultural backgrounds.”

The challenge is not an easy one, but the concepts of selfrespect and respect for others lie at the very core of SPEAKout.

When we, as a small group of individuals, first decided to work very hard and spend the majority of our days organizing this loveaffair of an event, there had to be an ideal, a passion to pursue. We as organizers receive no financial compensation for the time and effort spent in logistically bringing the event together, and any extras we make from one contest goes into the account for the next event—and we don't want any. At the very essence of SPEAKout is an opportunity to prove that we as human beings, free and completely unrestrained, could speak our hearts and minds with loving praise or harsh critique, while maintaining a level of self-respect

3 2

7

3 6

and dignity that steers clear from using any profanity.

Our challenge is that of the proverbial fist's right to swing only as far as the next nose starts, and no further. We believe that our rights to free speech are bound by logical constraints, where for example a right to free speech does not include the right to yell “fire” in a crowded theatre.

We cater to a unique audience that recognizes the value of tasteful poetry, which in our opinion would inherently respect the two rules on which we've built SPEAKout.

Our events truly are for anyone, which might not be suitable for everyone. Just as anyone is entitled to their right to speak their mind, so is everyone else entitled to the respect and upkeep of their moral dignity, and these we've found not to be a small number.

We believe that we have found an utterly unique niche, that is neither prude in its restraint nor excessive in its liberty, which facilitates such thought-provoking events.

It is no secret that constraints are a necessity for genius, and we have found that by challenging our poets to respect the attendant audience, a consistently colorful and creative roster of poets have graced our stage, leaving our crowds wanting more every time.

We will continue along this path, so long as there are those who believe that there is a rational, liberal, non-toxic approach to freedom of expression. For more info about SPEAKout, check out speakoutpoetry.ca or drop us a line at speakout@lifemakers.ca.

Besma Sultan

More on silence and respect Dear Editor and UTM students,

3 6 9 2

Speaking out against oppression (the other side)

I just read Mr. Zdravko Dimitrov’s letter, “On Silence and Respect,” and felt an immediate need to voice my agreement. Students’ behavior in the Library is absolutely unacceptable.

I work in the Library and would like to answer a question raised by Mr. Dimitrov: Yes, all library staff is required to enforce the Library code of conduct, which includes telling people to lower their voices or stop talking altogether.

However, many of us have other main tasks which keep us busy so we cannot fully control the situation at all times. Also, unfortunately, most students simply do not listen. I have lost count of all the times I have told people to stop yelling, stop eating, stop talking loudly. The reaction is mostly either to ignore my warnings, or to con-

www.mediumonline.ca 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 EDITOR IN CHIEF Alain Latour editor@mediumonline.ca NEWS EDITOR Saaliha Malik news@mediumonline.ca ASSISTANT NEWS Katherine Luczynski Stefanie Marotta A&E EDITOR Michael Di Leo arts@mediumonline.ca ASSISTANT A&E Nives Hajdin Patricia Figueiredo FEATURES EDITOR Amir Ahmed features@mediumonline.ca SPORTS EDITOR Andrew Tysiak sports@mediumonline.ca ASSISTANT SPORTS William Robertson Sarah Malagerio Bruno COPY EDITOR Su Lyn Liew PHOTOGRAPHY EDITOR Matthew Filipowich photos@mediumonline.ca ASSISTANT PHOTOGRAPHY Edward Cai COMPOSITE EDITOR Matthew Filipowich WEBMASTER Matthew Filipowich DISTRIBUTION MANAGER Heather Friesen BUSINESS MANAGER Romano Bergic BOARD OF DIRECTORS Chris Cauchi, Paul Donaghue, Ali Kasim, Kristian Jurlewicz, Aly Khan Madhavji, Paola Savasta, Phoebe Leung COMPLAINTS

tinue talking even louder.

It has gotten so bad that only two places in the Library are even remotely suitable for learning, studying and concentrating.

It's really disillusioning to see university students demand all the rights and privileges from the university (such as 24/5 hours), yet not exercise the responsibility that comes with these rights. I find it quite unusual that I should have to treat relatively grown up people like a bunch of kindergartners just so they would follow well established rules.

I second Mr. Dimitrov’s proposal that the Library should now either start hiring people solely to enforce the code of conduct or strictly punish people for failing to follow it.

Romesa Khalid UTM Student

Comments, concerns or com plaints about The Medium’s con tent should be directed to the Editor in Chief who can be locat ed at the email address above.

COPYRIGHT All content printed in The Medium is the sole property of its creators, and cannot be used without written consent.

DISCLAIMER Opinions expressed in the pages of The Medium are exclusively of the author and do not neces sarily reflect those of The Medium. Additionally, the opin ions expressed in advertise ments appearing in The Medium are those of advertisers and not of The Medium.

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR Letters to the editor will be edit ed for spelling, grammar, style and coherence. Letters will not exceed 1,000 words in print.

Letters that incite hatred, vio lence or letters that are racist, homophobic, sexist or libelous will not be published.

Anonymous letters will not be published.

MONDAY,

NOVEMBER 30, 2009 THE MEDIUM 5

Michael Di Leo, Editor | arts@mediumonline.ca

UTM’s own: Artist profile Richard Lindo was a regular UTM student. So what makes him so special?

MAYA SHAHID

Many students enroll at UTM, graduate and leave without a trace.

Not Richard “REL” Lindo.

A UTM Honours Bachelor graduate, Lindo managed to embraced his creative side during his time at UTM. Since the age of 9, Lindo’s hobby was writing stories and songs. When the time came to decide what his career would be, Lindo was forced to take into account the waning health of his father as well as his financial struggles. He decided to put his music career on hold and pursue a degree.

“Every black kid under the age of 25 wants to be a rapper. I had to be realistic about a career and decided to get my degree. I couldn’t be selfish—it was for the family,” Lindo said. “There’s nothing like education—if you’re not educated in this world, forget about it.”

myspace.com/photo

Richard Lindo with other artists.

These setbacks did not stop Lindo from rapping. Instead, he used music to relieve his stress.

Relying on his knowledge of audio engineering, Lindo composed, mixed, recorded and produced his first mixtape, The Road Less Travelled: Escape From Babylon.

The album reflected on his life as

Lindo struggled to devote whatever free time his 65 hours a week at Trillium Hospital left him to work on his passion.

The Road Less Travelled consists of 17 songs, including some collaborations with local artists.

Lindo’s love for social work and education, along with his life expe-

riences, provided new ways to shape the lyrical content for the album.

A f e w y e a r s a g o , L in d o c a m e back from Iksan, Korea, where he taught English for a year. That period opened up his eyes. “For me, education and music go hand in hand because being an Emcee, you have to deliver a message, and music is one outlet where I can educate and encourage my audience to create changes in their life for the better,” said Lindo. “After I came back from Korea, I realized some themes are universal: oppression, discrimination and pain.”

Richard “REL” Lindo can be seen performing at local events and shows.

He recently won the Spoken Word Cover of The

competition at the SPEAKOut event held at UTM, and took part in the Toronto Individual Music Awards for the Best Live Urban Showcase. Lindo will release another album by the end of 2010.

For more information, visit his artist page online at myspace.com/relrichlindo.

myspace.com/photo

mixtape.

Road Less Travelled

November 29, 1979 - MEDIUM II

12" singles that play on and on....

PETER STASIEROWSKI

Many are of the opinion that the disco sound is becoming a dying music form. If such is the case, then the record companies have not yet received the message. In fact, the success of the twelve inch disco single has been expanded to the extent that record companies, in this case Quality Records, are using the twelve inch disco single to introduce new artists. Thus, in order of a bad to god, we present a quick review of four new disco hopefuls. If the songs aren’t ear catching, the names are sure to be.

CONTORTIONS - Designed to Kill: If there ever were a vinyl that deserved to broken, this would be one of the top. The music is totally lacking of any disco consistency, and would be better suited to be released as a poor quality, bad sounding, jazz song, simply because of its musical orchestration. The voice is very inadequate and only adds to the poor sound. The average shower sound better. In sort, it is better left unheard.

JAMES WHITE AND THE BLACKS - Comfort Yourself: For lack of a better word, the song atlas possesses the basic attributes of disco - a strong driving beat, which if more time and practice were given to the piece, could produce a listenable and even danceable song. The song is very repetitious, more so than normal.

Unlike the successful disco songs "Contort yourself lacks that little innovative gimmick or catchy musical phrase. However, the greatest flaw of the song is in the brass additions in the transition satin parts. It is simply not required. Better luck next time.

AURAL EXCITERS - Spooks in Space: Using a theme that is very reminiscent of the Cantina Band section of the 'Star Wars Main Theme', a catchy disco beat is added producing a very danceable tune. Several transition excerpts keep the song from becoming dull and repetitious. The tune is simplistic, but because of this it can only carry a song for so long.

This seems to be the major flaw of the song. It should end about 90 seconds sooner. Despite this though, the song is good and the innovative sound augers well for the groups feature.

DON ARMANDO'S SECOND AVENUE RHUMBA BAND - I'm an Indian Too: This group would seem to have the greatest chance at success of the four.

Using an Irving Berlin tune, the song consists of a blend of the basic disco beat with the Indian drum beat to produce a catchy and moving tune. The orchestration for the song is excellent. The music is a little weak at the transition sections, but experience should easily coercer that. If the song has a flaw it is the fact that it sounds too much like a show musical to be taken seriously as a disco song.

Even so, the disco interpretation of the Berlin tune is much better than many of the others on the music market now. For the pure disco fans, Side Two provides a better disco song. It possesses a good disco beat, it is rhythmically sound, it moves, but most of all it sounds good.

Thus, of the four songs reviewed we come up with one bad, one below par, one above par, and one very good. Not bad for a dying art, eh? It would seem as though disco has not begun a downward trend but rather it has reached a levelling off point.

Only the future can provide the answer to the success of disco.

POSTGRADUATE CERTIFICINGACTAERESERS FOR REWARD

FINANCIAL PLANNING GLOBAL BUSINESS MANAGEMENT HUMAN RESOURCES MANAGEMENT INTERNATIONAL DEVELOPMENT INTERNATIONAL MARKETING MARKETING MANAGEMENT PUBLIC ADMINISTRATION

business.humber.ca

6 THE MEDIUM

MONDAY,

NOVEMBER 30, 2009

ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT PUB ART

When art gallery meets Pub Night Last Thursday marked the opening of Inset Space , a student run art gallery, along with Up Up Down Down, UTM’s first ever alternative/indie pub night. Here are the deets PAOLA SAVASTA

Up Down Down.

The event delivered on its promise of live DJs, projections, live graffiti, Jumpology!, The fall semester is on its last legs, free stuff, loot bags and CD after going through a series of giveaways (as per their physically impossible actions (but Facebook event page). House totally tangible metaphors) like of Pain’s “Jump Around” was falling, jumping and flying, but, appropriately played and torn curiously, never, landing. Your apart by the movers, shakers, bumpers and grinders of the dance floor.

Everything from Peaches, Arctic Monkeys, Vampire Weekend to Passion Pit, Death From Above 1979 and one Justin Timberlake (accidental?) track, was played. CFRE’s Daniel Wilson and Sam Montgomery composed the playlist.

Ken Chatoor, Sufian Malik, Ashley Warnock and Shelley Williams were some of the other DJs present.

In conjunction with Up Up Down Down was the launch of Jessica Vallentin and Mallory Hazlett’s show, UP and Paola Savasta photos AWAY at Inset Space, a feet are never on the ground and newly established student gallery t h e r e i s a l w a y s a n t i c i p a t i o n o f in the North Building. The show w h a t m a y h a p p e n n e x t . T h e was composed of works and perBlackwood Gallery has held a formances by student artists n u m b e r o f f a l l i n g a n d j u m p i n g Jennifer Chan, Mallory Diaczun, events this year, and has put hair Amanda Haller, Mallory Hazlett, on our chest while doing so. Last Krista Keller, Emily Read, Breann Thursday night, the Blackwood Ritchie, Nicole Schlosser, Wesley Gallery, along with CFRE Radio, T s a n g , J e s s i c a V a l l e n t i n a n d co-hosted the Blind Duck’s first m y s e l f . U P a n d A W A Y w a s and best alternative/indie pub, Up inspired by the ideas behind the

current Blackwood Gallery shows, Fall In and Fall Out, which focus on concepts and ideas related to gravity.

UP and AWAY runs from November 26, 2009 until January 22, 2010.

The show kicked off with Amanda Haller’s piece, “J’ai Une Ame Solitaire.”

The show was to be held at the empty field between the CCT Building and the Library, but due to the typically shitty weather of late November, was relocated to the Link between CCT and the Library. The motivation to Haller’s piece was to “enliven and transform an otherwise mundane and dead space into a space that students would feel comfortable using, even if it was for a short while.” The event offered free hot chocolate, blankets, sweet party hats, and lots of friendship.

As a part of the ongoing show, Jennifer Chan will be hosting “Throw Up: A Very Informative,

Informational & Informal, Fast, Free & Fun Lecture On The Ethics of Gastrointestinal Self Care and Cultural Recycling” on “a very decisive day in January 2010.”

This event will be followed by a roundtable on the relationship of vomit to cultural operations. This roundtable will feature St. George campus’ Maria Luiza Campos, UTM’s Joseph Ticar and York U n i v e rs i t y ’ s B r a d T i n m o u t h . A kite-share program and a gi ant slingshot will also be featured in January 2010.

View our new and improved website on your iPhone without hassles. mediumonline.ca

come by and let us know what you think about the medium check office hours for matt, michael, or alain. while supplies last

“UNATTAINABLE” BY LITTLE JOY GO TO MEDIUMONLINE.CA/SONGOFTHEWEEK TO LISTEN

MONDAY,

SUMMER STYLE ARTS

Book review: Fun times with Summertime twice.

As if that wasn’t enough, he also won the Nobel Prize for Literature in 2003.

Coetzee’s success may make younger writers shy away from his prose. I know it happened to me.

How does one approach the writing of such a great living author?

Well, Coetzee’s latest work eliminates that problem, because when Summertime rolls around, he’s dead.

Summertime Written by John Coetzee Published by Harvill Secker (2009) AMIR AHMED FEATURES EDITOR Summertime, John Coetzee’s latest novel, takes an interesting twist with the idea of the memoir. This inventive turn comes as no surprise, considering his resume.

John Maxwell Coetzee, born in South A f r i ca a n d n o w l i vi n g in Australia, may be one of the most decorated living English authors today. He’s won two Man Booker Prizes, one in 1983 for his novel The Life and Times of Michael K and another in 1999 for his novel Disgrace. To date, Coetzee is the only person to win the award

Reading Summertime as an untalented English major, I find the experience to be like staring up at the CN tower.

Summertime, you see, takes place after Coetzee’s imagined death.

The novel/memoir follows the interviews of a biographer deciphering Coetzee’s life through five of the great man’s acquaintances.

The biographer presents Coetzee’s own autobiographical passages at the beginning of the book, to which are added—apparently by Coetzee himself—notes such as “Features of his character that emerge from the story: (a) integrity” and “Question: how would he react if his father were to grip his arm like that?” Summertime’s Coetzee intended to write his own memoir, but died before he could.

In this novel, Coetzee faces some

of the most fundamental difficulties of writing: voice, style, and plot. Needless to say, he does it well, even slightly satirizing his own style in the interviews Summertime’s biographer carries out. The biographer has a hard time in his task, especially since he never knew Summertime’s Coetzee.

In an interview, the biographer says to Coetzee’s former lover, “I never corresponded with him. I thought it would be better if I had no sense of obligation… It would leave me free to write what I wished.”

Knowing these details, English majors’ critical analysis alarm bells should already be ringing, and not without reason. Coetzee teaches literature, and has for many years, so he’s perfectly aware of the literary ramifications of a work like this. Summertime takes an ambitious imagining of the artist through the lens of an outsider, the downside being the difficulty of describing a book where author, novel and narrators interconnect with each other so extensively.

Reading Summertime as an untalented English major, I find the experience to be like staring up at the CN tower. I can see the foundations of the issues and problems that Coetzee brings up, but I lack the insight to see their end. But perhaps this murkiness has a point. Coetzee shows us an artist, one so embroiled in fictions that he himself falls into the retelling, and dies inside of it.

NOVEMBER 30, 2009 THE MEDIUM 7

& ENTERTAINMENT

Style on campus Emily Davidson takes a look at what people are wearing at UTM Kelsey Goldberg

Dan Dou

Theatre/ Drama Love the scarf and flo ral sweater, trade the gray dress for a bright colour and lose the floral dock martins. Try ankle booties or tall brown boots.

Boots: Dr. Marten Leggings: Am. Apparel Dress & Sweater: Urban Outfitters Jacket: Zara Purse: Dooney & Burke

Commerce Always offset patent boots with matte materials.

She’s lost in an oversized pea coat and bag. A sweet black leather jacket would give this outfit the boost it needs.

Boots: Geox Leggings: Aritzia Dress: Aritzia Jacket: Fcuk Scarf: Le Chateau

Want to comment on this article?

Want to write for Arts? go to

www.mediumonline.ca

8 THE MEDIUM

MONDAY,

NOVEMBER 30, 2009

Amir Ahmed, Editor | features@mediumonline.ca

Windows’ lucky number 7 After the Vista fiasco, Windows 7 may help Microsoft regain its credibility USMAN MURTAZA

On October 22, Microsoft released its flagship operating system, Windows 7, the company’s most significant retail release since Windows 95. Haunted by program flaws and poor public perception, Microsoft needs to salvage its pride and win back disgruntled users. Is Windows 7 the system to do it?

The answer is probably not— but it does make a damn good attempt. XP users will be able to jump into a glossy and sleek world, Vista users will be able to say, “Finally, something that works!” and Mac users will need to keep their egos in check, since Windows 7 is not too shabby.

Windows 7 gives an appearance of significant change rather than actually having it. Appearance, however, does count. It provides the user with the element of control, a distinction Vista lacked.

As far as performance, Gizmodo.com, the prestigious tech site, ran real-world benchmarking on two test machines: a nearly two-year-old Dell XPS M1330 with 2.2GHz Core 2 Duo, 2 gigs of RAM, an Nvidia 8400M GS and a 64GB SSD, and an 18month-old desktop with 3GHz Core 2 Duo, 4 gigs of RAM, an Nvidia 8800GT and a 10,000 rpm drive. The test’s results suggest that Vista and Windows 7 perform about the same on the same hard-

ware (except Windows 7’s shutdown time, which was significantly lower than its predecessor’s).

Aware of how in 2006 manufacturers struggled to release Vistacompatible drivers, which made upgrading a hassle, this time Microsoft made sure that its update service would provide the drivers necessary to upgrade without complications. And although Vista and its installation pushed some users to the brink of their mental capacity with driver failures, program crashes and the occasional blue screen of death, Windows 7 avoids this, something gamers will be especially grateful for. Users doubtlessly already appreciate Windows 7, since everything from the initial boot to drivers and programs works fine.

Window 7’s taskbar sets it apart from the Mac’s Dock. The taskbar is potentially the most important user interface change since Windows 95. The “superbar” (a developer’s term for the Windows 7 taskbar) is not only a thing of visual beauty, but a beauty of design as well. Users can pin favourite programs to it, which makes a subtle shine appear on the program icon to indicate the program is open.

The taskbar also alerts users when a program wants their attention and compiles multiple windows under similar groups, instead of running off a long, indecipherable list. Rolling over on the icon will preview every

window of that application and let users select which window they need. The superbar and Dock share some drawbacks, especially when it comes to accessibility between folders and shortcuts.

Overall, the superbar makes running multiple applications a breeze. Users can find programs and windows, no matter how badly cluttered their desktop is.

A few other features make Windows 7 unique and fun, such as the Aero Shake and a new approach to Gadgets and customisation. It may sound like a dance move, but the Aero Shake is a fun, neat, albeit useless tool. If you have tons of windows open, grab one you like and shake it side-toside. Everything else will minimise. Shaking again revives all the other windows. Vista users will recall “Gadgets” as miniapplications that can tell the time, temperature, or currency values.

In Vista, gadgets were neatly lined up on the screen’s side, only allowing users to rearrange their order. The new operating system allows users to put gadgets anywhere on the screen.

There are also new keyboard hotkey shortcuts that use the Windows key; Win+T cycles through applications on your taskbar for quick access to programs, and Win+G bring all of your gadgets to the front.

Back in the day, Windows XP was a really great operating system. Windows Vista, like a rose

petal bearing many, many thorns, took several months to find its footing. But it took Windows 7 to bring Microsoft back into driver’s seat. They’ve fixed every problem users hated about Vista, and created what Vista was meant to be in the public eye—a solid operating system with plenty of modern eye

candy. Windows 7 mostly succeeds in taking Windows usability into the 21 st century.

Microsoft has announced a Windows 7 discount for college and university students. If your fingers are tingling for the taste of a $29.99 operating system, go to www.win741.com for more details.

circledock.wikidot.com

Windows 7’s superbar, along with its new improved and customizable features, set it apart from its predecessor.

Discovering UTM: The Artist’s Cottage AMIR AHMED FEATURES EDITOR

Stop by Principal’s Road on the way to the paleomagnetism lab (yes, we have one) and you’ll see a cottage on one side. Built in the English Cottage style and identified on UTM maps as the Artist’s Cottage, it is a far cry from the brutalist architecture of the South Building or the sleek modernist design of the CCT Building. In fact, both the Artist’s Cottage and the nearby Lislehurst House seem a far cry from Mississauga. Where else can one find buildings like these?

Surprisingly enough, the Artist’s Cottage, and the story behind it, incorporates over a hundred years of Mississauga history, including the founding of Erindale College and— eventually—UTM. In 1869, the land now occupied by U of T changed hands and blood-

lines over time to be owned by the Schreiber family, who came originally from England. They constructed three houses on the land in 1878: Lislehurst, Mount Woodham and Iverholme. Today, only Lislehurst survives, and the house is occupied

by UTM Principal Ian Orchard.

The Artist Cottage’s building date is uncertain, however Jack Raymond—a former UTM groundskeeper—once claimed to have seen a date inscribed in the stone foundations of the building. Today, some say a weathered “77”—as in 1877—is visible in the stone. Since Lislehurst, Iverholme and Mount Woodham were completed a year later, Heritage Mississauga reports that it is possible the Schreiber’s building designer lived in the cottage while Lislehurst and the other buildings were being built, although this information is unconfirmed. If it is true, however, the Artist’s Cottage—at least part of it— is the oldest building on the UTM campus.

In 1930, the Schreibers sold the land to one Reginald Watkins, son of Hamilton’s Right House Department Store’s founder. Watkins expanded Lislehurst and remodelled it to the

Tudor style it adopts today. The Artist’s Cottage also changed under Watkin’s ownership, who remodelled it extensively into its current state to match a more English aesthetic. Mississauga Heritage suggests the chimney may be intact, while the basement and interior are visibly renovated. During his ownership of the land, Watkins also built Thomas Cottage, referred to in an earlier edition of The Medium.

In 1963, U of T acquired the Artist’s Cottage, originally designated as the Schreiber-Watkins Cottage, when it purchased the Schreiberwood land as a base for Erindale College.

The Artist’s Cottage’s moniker comes from the artist-in-residence program; the University used the cottage as a residence for whichever artist was currently serving their term on campus. David Blackwood, the first UTM artist-in-residence and the name behind CCT’s Blackwood Gallery, was the first Erindale College employee to occupy the cottage, from 1969 to 1974. The cottage is currently occupied by Dr. Henry Halls, a professor of Geology in the Department of Chemical and Physical Sciences.

Matthew Filipowich/ The Medium

The Artist’s Cottage may be the first building constructed on the land now owned by UTM.

MONDAY,

NOVEMBER 30, 2009 THE MEDIUM 9

LOOKING FORWARD FEATURES

Students plan campus wide TV station

Esposito examined

ALAIN LATOR EDITOR IN CHIEF

Last week in The Medium, Ovais Shah covered John Esposito’s lec ture series on pluralism between the Abrahamic faiths. Below is an interview by Ovais with Dr. Kurt Anders Richardson, a professor in Comparative Abrahamic Theology, discussing Esposito’s views

Andrew Hamilton-Smith, former News E di t o r w i t h T h e M e d i u m , wants to create a campus-wide TV station. His project, UTM/TV, will likely launch in January. The Medium’s Editor-in-Chief and former colleague of Hamilton-Smith sits down with his new collaborator/competitor to talk about UTM/TV, the campus, and increasing student participation.

When did you first think of creating a TV project for UTM? It cam e up l a st y ea r . I n ot ic ed , along with Matthew Filipowich [The Medium’s photo editor] that TV screens were not being utilized properly. At the time, we were wondering how we could use The Medium to put content up there.

And nothing came really came off it because it would’ve required video editing and video cameras, which we didn’t have at the time.

There was a lot of additional work to be done. But over the summer I found myself with a lot of time on my hands. No job. I was watching my son all day. When he was napping, I would have a lot of free time, and I ended up putting together this proposal—basically this station that could create the content to go on these screens and collect and facilitate as much creative and news content.

When you say TV screens, are you talking about the ones in the Student Centre?

Also the ones that used to be up in the common areas in the South and the North Buildings, and also there’re screens in the RAWC, there’re screens in the residences.

They’re all separate and they’re all owned individually. And the ones that came down in the North and the South were an advertising company’s. The ones in the Student Centre are owned by the Student Union.

You must have knocked on a lot of doors.

I actually tried to get the Student Union to support [the project] for a long a time. They didn't really seem to know what to do with you, you know? They were like, “Why are you coming to us?” And then after talking to some more people, someone suggested I contact the Media Generator, which we did, and they were actually very supportive.

Will students be paying for this through levies?

Again, we’ll be looking at different sources of funding. We have a little bit of funding from the Media Generator right now. We’re looking into everything from film grants to the Ontario Arts Council to departments within the school that might be willing to support us. We haven’t quite nailed down how we’ll receive long-term funding.

Given that we have a media program at UTM, how difficult has it been to find students who are trained [in TV production]?

I don’t want to say it’s been difficult, because we haven’t made extraordinary efforts to contact the various programs and the professors. We’ve spoken to some professors here and there, but we’re focusing on the demo right now. If we get too many people responding and we don’t have enough for them to do... We have enough people right now to do what we want to do. We do have some people who are trained or qualified. We have own facilitators who are training us [...] on an ongoing basis.

How has the experience been so far?

One of the biggest surprises has been the amount of work. I mean, it’s fun work, and there’s so much standing around while this or that is set up, it take five or fours to shoot half an hour of usable footage, and it’s exhausting. At the end you can’t even go out and celebrate.

How many volunteers have you gathered?

We have a regular core of volunteers of about 20 to 25. In terms of part-time volunteers, there’re probably 30 to 40 of those.

I have to confess something: when I first heard about UTM/TV, the print person in me felt threatened, like I’m sure many newspaper workers feel threatened by TV. As you know, many people barely read papers anymore. I worried that your project would detract from our readership. Then I realized, not much I can do anyway, and I’m happy that you’re involved in this project.

I don't think it will, I should add, because the nature of television is superficial, whereas the newspaper—you still see newspapers.

Their share of media has been declining, but they’re still there and I think the reason is because people want more in-depth stories sometimes, and you can only do that in a newspaper, whether online or print.

What will be the nature of UTM/TV? Will it be entertainment-oriented?

We have on creative producer who works with writers, actors (usually English-and drama-associated) who have ideas for sketches or series. We also have news and sports producers who are working on getting kind of a speaker’s corner set up somewhere, and they’re basically going to create this factual kind of spine for UTM/TV. We could show just creative stuff, but I feel this way we will be more in-depth, more multidimensional.

There is definitely going to be a news element to it.

Do you think being the UTM NDP president will present a

conflict when you run UTM/TV? I seriously do not. Among our volunteers we also have the president of the Green party on campus, the vice-president of the Liberals, we have covered Justin Trudeau, which was a Liberalfriendly event, and he was bashing other parties, and as much as I’d like to take part and spin with that, I feel it’s improper. I know my staff feels the same way. The production team is not going to let me abuse my position. I don’t think anyone would admit, “Yes, I’m going to abuse my position,” but I want to keep those two aspects separate.

How do you plan on operating?

Will you have a constitution or Board of Directors or set of guidelines, and what would those be?

We’re planning on incorporating, primarily for accountability reasons, but I feel that would enable us to attract more funding.

Having the oversight of a Board I think is the way we’re going to go.

It’s an expensive process, not overly expensive, but we’re working on it.

I’m glad to see someone is taking this initiative. It’s also a bit surprising that no one in, say, the CCIT program, would be actively involved in this. Do you find it hard to get people on board?

The Media Generator people were just as happy to see us as we were to see them—and we were pretty happy to see them. They said, “We can give you equipment and training, but can’t get you people and money.” We said, “We can take care of that, we can get people.”

They had tried to set this up, but they only looked within the CCIT program. They asked us, “You guys are poli-sci and English and environment and all these different non-CCIT area of study,” and that seems to confuse them. Like, “What’s your interest in starting a TV station?” And I think it’s because for us, we just want to tell our stories and the TV station is secondary to that. The CCIT students, I think, want to have a TV station for the sake of having that structure there, but then would have no content there.

I sometimes feel it’s a lack of direction. People have no one to guide them. And professors—not to blame them—but I think sometimes they could guide students to do stuff within our campus.

Many people seem nervous to contribute. They come and ask, “Can I contribute?” They’re almost submissive. And I say, “Come here, contribute! What do you want to do?” and they’re like, “Is there an application form? Is there a process? Do I pass?” And I say, “Why are you prejudging yourself already?”

Students inte rested in UTM/TV can go to room 3143 in the CCT building or email Hamilton-Smith at andrew@utmtv.ca.

OVAIS SHAH

The Medium: Professor Richardson, how do “we” know Professor Esposito in Canada or the West?

Kurt Richardson: Esposito introduced himself as a North American religion scholar whose early interest in Islam has proven itself to be prescient at a time when there was little interest in the subject. As a Georgetown University professor and with over 40 books to his name, he has led the Western world in positive and constructive descriptions of the religions of Muslims in the world.

TM: In present times, there is a notion of a Clash of Civilizations that was put out by Samuel Huntington in his book. What implications does Huntington’s thesis has on Muslims, Jews, Christians and the interfaith relations between these three of the world’s religions? Also, what effect does the discourse of Islamophobia, Orientalism and terrorism have on Muslims and their relations with Jews and Christians?

KR: I think that in recent years, Huntington’s thesis has placed a greater burden on individuals in modernity.

The Clash of Civilizations' paradigm essentially blocks the international friendship among the religions which would exist far more extensively than it does. As Esposito cites, there are religious leaders who use religious slogans

to denigrate the Islamic world. But at the same time, some of the most the outlandish criticisms of Islam are from secular, right wing sources that use religion for political ends. It is indeed difficult to regard the Muslim world as its vast majority truly exists: a majority segment of humanity that is intensely monotheist and committed to ethical norms that are fully consistent in belief with the best of their Jewish and Christian neighbors. Between Islam and Christianity, the world is overwhelmingly 'Abrahamic' in its religious orientation. Global Islam must not be assessed or measured according to extremism, which is rejected by all widely recognized Muslim leaders. At the same time, Western religious leaders should mediate the message of the copartnership of Islam as a friend to all things humane and peaceable. Of course, Judaism and Christianity take their own denigration in a world shared with secularism; but it is at least partially comforting that they too help to bear the brunt of anti-religious criticism.

TM: In your opinion, what is really the “future” of Muslim-West and Muslim-Christian relations? What do you envision—is it the same as Esposito’s point of view, who argues that more work at building bridges has to be done than ever before in today’s uncertain times?

KR: Well yes, Esposito points out that it is important not to shy away from the modern assessment and embrace of monotheistic religion. What is at stake is a truth of peaceful co-existence that does not require the surrender of fundamental beliefs between one religion and the other. What is most crucial is a welldeveloped understanding of the religious of Islam among its non-Islamic neighbors.

GLOBAL BUSINESS MANAGEMENT POSTGRADUATE CERTIFICATE One smart career choice.

So many opportunities.

The Choice The Global Business Management program prepares you for a wide range of careers.

Pursue a career in marketing, finance, advertising, international trade, retail, wholesale or supply chain management, in domestic or international businesses of any size.

The Opportunities Two years gives you the time to choose the specific path that is right for you.

Two work placements allow you to experience more than just one option before you graduate.

Apply now for January or September 2010

business.humber.ca

10 THE MEDIUM MONDAY, NOVEMBER 30, 2009

FEATURES POETRY AND PROSE

Creative Corner

Talk English, Teach Good

For you ATHRAN ZALA

JOSEPH TICAR

Min Hyung, the secretary from Ivy, calls me on Friday morning and asks if I can teach an SSAT Reading Class on Saturday.

Before I can rub the sleep out of my eyes, Min Hyung passes the phone to Terry.

“Hello Joseph. You can come in Saturday for young student? You teach them SSAT Reading.” I can see Terry in my head, leaning over the beat up computer desk that sits in his office. The desk is riddled with scratches, dents, and small splinters jab that at your skin if you run your hand over it.

“Why can't I just teach regular English?” I ask.

Terry sighs. “SSAT for assessment.

You teach English good to them so they go to UTS.” He takes a long slurp from a coffee cup. His desk is cluttered with crushed coffee cups, crinkled Korean newspapers, and empty packets of Marlboro cigarettes.

“What's UTS?” I stretch and try to stifle a yawn, pushing my blanket off of my legs. The red digital numbers on the clock beside my bed say 8:45.

Another (louder) sigh. “UTS University Toronto Schools, very hard school to go. Private.”

“Private what?”

“Private school.” Terry says thickly, over the crackle of interference from that cheap plastic phone that sits on his desk.

“Oh,” is all I can say while I try to swallow another yawn.

“So Saturday you come in and teach SSAT English,” Terry tells me.

“You have grade 6 student. ” “Well, I-…”

Click.

I spend the next two hours on the Internet researching UTS. UTS is a private school (for grades 6 and up) founded by the University of Toronto in 1910. Admission is limited: entrants need a grade in the top five percentile of the national SSAT. Most UTS students score in the top three percentile. UTS graduates move on to the University of Toronto, or to one of the Ivy League schools in the United States. It costs money to attend UTS: tuition runs about $16,000 a year.

I pull my bicycle from the cluttered storage room in my backyard and spend 30 minutes biking to Chapters to look for a book on SSAT testing. When I get to the bookstore, I stand in the doorway, staring at all the books. At 11:00 on a Friday morning, Chapters is deserted except for the staff. The smell of freshly brewed coffee wafts from the attached Starbucks. The SSAT testing books are hidden in the “Education and Learning” section. I take the books into Starbucks and sink into an overstuffed leather chair.

The SSAT is a comprehensive test, assessing mathematical, verbal, and written skills. The math section confuses me. What does (1.654)6 equal?

I can't even get the right answer with my cell phone calculator. The written section has essay questions like, “is imagination more important that knowledge?” (I imagine so?) and “is laughter the best medicine?” (No... because it doesn't cure cancer). The second part of the written component tests the stuff I teach at Ivy: grammar, vocabulary, figures of speech. I flip through sections on analogies (Wisdom is to understanding as fire is to ___—I don't know),

grammar identification (Circle the gerund—what's a gerund?), and definitions (Define Usufruct—Usufruct?

Is that even a word?).

Many of the grammar questions stump me and I turn to the back of the book for answers. My level of ignorance makes me wonder how I ever got into university at all.

Saturday comes. In the living room, I pick at the eggs and rice that my mom made for breakfast. She walks to the table, wearing her house shirt and yellow slippers. Dad's still sleeping.

Terr y winces and smiles at the parents, making sure none of them hear what I jus t said. “You go university,” he whispers, leaning in towards me. I can smell the pungent stink of Marlboro’s and coffee on his breath.

“Bakit hindi ka kumakain?” Mom asks. Why aren't you eating?

“Because I don't know how I’m gonna teach a test that I would probably fail if I took it now.”

“Anak, don't worry, you're a good teacher. These kids should feel lucky they have you. Eat your eggs.” Mom sips her coffee and picks up the TV controller, switching the channel to a rerun of Dr. Phil. Dr. Phil is trying to talk sense into some moron who is morbidly obese—“Big is beautiful,” the fat guy says arrogantly. Yeah, right—and on the verge of death.

“I dunno, mom, I never thought I'd be teaching something like this. I just thought I'd be teaching them how to write.” I get up from the table and bring my dishes to the kitchen.

“Listen anak,” she calls from the living room, “marunoong ka sa Inglis.” You're good at English. Am I? I wonder. My only qualification is that I was born in Canada.

“Yeah, I guess,” I say. “Anyway, I gotta go mom, I'm gonna be late.” I grab my keys and wallet. Mom slips me a folded twenty for gas.

“Ah, sigi, God Bless.” I lean down and kiss my mom on the cheek.

“And don't worry about those damn kids!” she says as I run out the door.

At Ivy, parents mill around the tiny lobby, muttering “hello's” in Korean. Mothers stand in clusters, making small talk. Fathers stand alone, glancing at their watches and cellphones. As the heavy metal door clicks shut behind me, Min Hyung nods without smiling. Usually she smiles and says hi, but Terry's here early (for once), so there's no smile.

Terry gestures at me and says something in rapid fire Korean.

The parents look at me with frank curiosity, probably wondering if this kid wearing a pair of flip-flops, surfing shorts, a hoodie, and a t-shirt that says MR. PERFECT can really be the teacher of their future doctor/lawyer/engineer. The fathers are dressed business casual: brown khakis, dress shirt unbuttoned at the collar, expensive wristwatch, Bluetooth receivers held to an ear.

I've seen their pictures in the Korean newspapers. They own foreign car dealerships or dental offices, or medical practices.

I tug at my sweater, trying to hide my MR. PERFECT t-shirt. Terry grabs my elbow and ushers me to classroom E. Nine students sit at their desks, staring at me. I grin and give them a quick nod. There’s ten minutes left before class starts.

“Joseph, this is SSAT class.” Terry says. He's wearing a velvet blazer, black pinstripe pants, and shiny patent leather shoes. Dressed to impress, Terry style. He flashes a smile at the parents who have followed us to the classroom. They stand uncertain, not sure what to say to me. I usually smile and nod politely when parents approach me to speak about their child’s progress in my class. When Min Hyung isn’t around to translate what they’re saying, I try to avoid the lobby entirely.

If I have to go to the washroom, I keep my eyes locked on the threadbare carpet while I powerwalk my way through the lobby to the men’s room.

“Uhh... are you sure you want me to teach this class?” I ask Terry.

Terry winces and smiles at the parents, making sure none of them hear what I just said. “You go university,” he whispers, leaning in towards me. I can smell the pungent stink of Marlboro’s and coffee on his breath. “... yeah, I do, but I’ve never taken an SSAT and I never went to UTS either.”

“Then you good English. UTS very hard to get into.” Terry whispers again. He puts a hand on my shoulder and says it loud enough for the parents to hear, “You teach students good English so they pass test.” He leans on one leg and taps a patent leather shoe on the worn out carpet.

“Yeah, pass test, big deal, whatever,” I say.

Terry weaves through the crowd, crossing the dingy lobby and retreating to his office. He closes the door.

I start walking into the classroom, pushing the hollow door open. A woman strides up to me. She's looks about 35. Her face is caked with makeup and she's wearing big, white-framed sunglasses, big hoop earrings, skinny jeans, Juicy Couture sweater, and high heels. I’m guessing that she’ll head to Yorkdale in her Lexus and spend a small fortune on more clothes, more jewellery, more makeup. She stands in the doorway, so I can’t close the door. “You, English?” she asks.

“I’m…Canadian?”

She nods at me like I’m an idiot.

“English.”

I sigh. “Oh. Yeah. English. Yeah, English.”

She points at one of the boys in the class and says, “My son.”

I look over and see a little boy who's a walking GAP ad, dressed in clothes that probably cost more than mine.

He doesn't make eye contact with his mother. He sits frowning at his hands “Must get into UTS,” the woman says. She fixes her son with stern eyes, jerking her thumb at me. “Teach English, you learn good.”

I close the door.

The boy looks up, his eyes darting between me and the white board, his fingers flipping a pen back and forth.

He’s just as confused as I am.

“Okay,” I say, opening my copy of the SSAT guide, the one with the answers penciled in. “Let’s see what we can do.”

Features needs short stories and poetry. Interested?

Contact Amir at features@mediumonline.ca

There's a fondness that needs no filling with a powerful aroma of body and emotion sizzling strong enough to lift me from a coma the feeling is thrilling no objections since we're both willing I show your figure immaculate affection as you begin spilling from your body, the manifestation of perfection I kiss and caress your essence at every section being intimate next to your unworn dress I’m unable to steer away from your alluring complexion your beautiful glowing skin, a sign that Im being beck oned removing your clothes, so slowly gently and enjoyably from your exquisite shape that broke the mold of the female form made it feel like mine came off in just a second now its left up to my body, to be in charge of your inspection Unrobed in front of me on the mattress where you've been passionately placed you radiate an irresistible mystique i go in for a taste lost in your gorgeous physique but i don't wanna escape I’ll kiss you everywhere between your knees and waist until that moment i can make you peak we've got the whole night, there's no need to haste It sends shivers up your spine and causes contractions that makes your silhouette on the wall move so divine but i demand satisfaction so we further entwine until i get a stronger reaction out of you like a gasp for air but i want to hear you moan in this moment we share that’s still too low a tone as far as we know, the world isn't there and we're all alone, i give a tug to your hair so let out your loudest groans while i watch your skin and bones turn into something beautiful I pull you closer with my hands at your sides using your curves as my guides in order to get inside where I'm meant to reside and though it is in one room confined the sensation has no limits its worldwide our skin, our hands, our lips, our hips, rub, caress, kiss and collide but I'm keeping good pace while my muscles look to your delicate skin to confide that between us there's no room for space and i think of the pleasure i want to provide For You

MONDAY,

NOVEMBER 30, 2009 THE MEDIUM 11

Andrew Tysiak , Editor | sports@mediumonline.ca

Eagles conquer PT/OT for championship UTM’s Ashley Nguyen led the charge with 15 points to cap off an impressive 42 39 victory ANNA BEDIONES

For most people, November 23 was just another Monday evening. For the ten players on UTM’s division 1 female basketball team, it was much more than that. This was the night they worked so hard for all season, the motivation behind all the wind sprints and suicide drills. This was their chance to claim that championship title that eluded them all of last year.

With a record of five wins and one loss, and a second place finish in an OCAA extramural tournament two weeks ago, the Eagles finished at the number one spot in division 1.

Although the majority of the roster consisted of returning veteran players, the Eagles are still relatively young. Under the direction of new coaches Neil Sehra and Andre Woodroffe, they showed significant improvement throughout this season.

Genevieve Maltais-Lapointe won the tip for UTM, which immediately led to a basket, setting the pace for the rest of the game. UTM took control of the first half, never allowing their opponent, PT/OT, to

take lead. However, this was not an easy task for the girls. Despite a size advantage, UTM managed to secure a lead for the first half of the game.

During halftime, the girls regrouped, knowing that the game was far from over.

At the break, UTMAC provided a halftime contest as well as free pizza and drinks to all supporters.

This was part of a UTMAC initiative that began in September to attract more spectators at home games.

The second half commenced with a PT/OT possession. They played a different, far more aggressive game.

UTM struggled as their lead dwindled, but knew what was on the line.

They played their hearts out and, despite a few close calls towards the end, managed to claim the victory.

When the clock expired and the buzzer rang, the girls ran to each other in celebration. The final score was 42-39, with Ashley Nguyen leading the team in scoring with 15 points in her best game this season.

In January, the Eagles will compete at the tri-campus level. For tryout dates and more information, check www.utm.utoronto.ca/physed or www.MYUTMAC.ca.

Edward Cai/The Medium

The Eagles celebrate their championship victory. They finished the season with a record of 5 1 and a second place finish in an OCAA extramural tournament.

Golf to tee off at the RAWC next semester Taught by expert Jim Beddome, the course helps UTM students improve their swing mechanics—for cheap ANDREW TYSIAK SPORTS EDITOR

As winter approaches and temperatures decrease, it would be a safe bet to say that the golf season is long over. Having put all their clubs away, golf fanatics must now wait at least four or five months before they can make their next tee shot. They will, of course, start out the new season rusty, enduring several rough outings before they can find their rhythms.

UTM students can avoid this process. Beginning January 13, they can get a head start and work out all their golf-related issues by signing up for golf lessons at the RAWC’s state-of-the-art golf cages.

This course introduces students to golf at a great price. A typical lesson at an average golf instruction facility is a minimum of $75 per hour, whereas the course is $60 for four one-hour sessions at the RAWC. Not only is the price affordable, but the learning experience is notably advantageous. Taught by Jim Beddome, UTM’s own golf professional, students will absorb 25 years of golf teaching experience and expertise. The courses have a maximum of three participants per ses-

sion, so students can be sure to get some high quality individual attention.

Rachel Tennant, program coordinator of the Department of Physical Education, noticed that students who have partaken in this course in past years share similar bad habits.

“The most common issues with people’s swing include too much power, lack of balance and no tempo,” said Tennant. “Practice, with correct feedback, is likely to help the student improve.”

Beddome’s personalized approach helps each participant improve their individual mechanics. The golf cages only allow the student to hit the ball eight feet, so they are forced to strategically develop their swing.

Without the pressure of hitting the ball far, students can focus on the accuracy and the biomechanics of the swing rather than the power in the swing.

The course also offers a video analysis of the student’s swing.

Participants can see what is good and what needs to be fixed, as well as see their swing compared to a swing with the proper mechanics.

For those who are even remotely serious about the game of golf, these lessons are essential. Trying to develop proper mechanics on your own is next to impossible due to the complexity and the science behind the golf swing.

Students can sign up for the

Matthew Filipowich/The Medium

The golf cages at the RAWC. The golf course runs on January 13 and 15, and on February 24 and 26. course either online or at the RAWC’s membership services.

There are no requirements for the course, and the Department of Athletics even provides clubs for use during the lessons. All UTM students and current RAWC membership holders are welcome to join.

For students unsure about signing up for the course, the RAWC also

offers “Try IT ” clinics for golf. They are free of charge and offer students one-hour learning sessions run by UTM coaches and instructors. These free clinics are scheduled to run on Wednesday, January 20, and Friday, January 22, from 12 p.m. to 2 p.m. and 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. at the golf cages.

As for the course itself, it will be

offered on January 13 and 15, and again on February 24 and 26. On Wednesdays, the sessions will take place at 6 p.m., 7 p.m. or 8 p.m. and on Fridays at noon, 1 p.m. or 2 p.m.

For more information on the course, contact program coordinator Rachel Tennant by phone at 905-828-3712 or by email at rachel.tennant@utoronto.ca.

12 THE MEDIUM MONDAY, NOVEMBER 30, 2009

SPORTS

TRADE TALK

Marc Savard a Toronto Maple Leaf?

The possible reunion between Savard and current Leaf forward Phil Kessel could revive a floundering season for the blue and white WILLIAM ROBERTSON ASSISTANT SPORTS EDITOR

Rumours surround Boston Bruins centre Marc Savard even after a broke foot caused him to miss fourteen straight games .Averaging a point per game, Savard is said to be close to resigning with the Boston Bruins for $39 million throughout seven years. He will, of course, be an unrestricted free agent at the conclusion of this season, and he has a no-trade clause in his current contract. Rumours also state that Savard is close to former teammate, Phil Kessel. They played several years together in Boston, improving each other’s techniques during their time there.

Both GM Brian Burke and Kessel are trying to entice Savard to the Leafs. The playmaking centre would provide a huge boost of offence instead of circling Mitchell, Stajan or Grabovski on the top line. Boston is looking to acquire a top four defenseman to help on the back end and if they cannot sign Savard, they will try to trade him. Conveniently, Burke is shopping Kaberle and looks to trade him for a top six forward.

Savard said he would love to play in Toronto for Canada’s team, as he grew up not too far away in Ottawa.

It has also been rumoured around the league that he recently bought a house in Southern Ontario and is preparing his family for a move, should one be required.

whom are capable of eighty point seasons.

One thing is certain: the Leafs need a top forward to play alongside Phil Kessel because he cannot pass himself the puck and Stajan is not a top six forward on any team, not even the Leafs. If the Leafs cannot acquire a centre by trading their only real trade bait in Kaberle, they will trade him away for draft picks.

Either way, it should be Kaberle’s last season in blue and white as he does not fit in with Burke’s plan for the Leafs.

If Burke and Kessel manage to persuade Savard to Toronto, it will make waves around the league, especially in Leaf Land. Toronto is the hockey capital of the world and Savard would fit nicely on the top line. Not only will the top line persevere, but the powerplay will improve when with someone who is proven to be a true playmaker.

Without a doubt, this trade would help the Leafs tremendously.

Associated Press

Marc Savard (Left) and Phil Kessel (Centre) celebrate a goal as members of the Boston Bruins. They combined for 61 goals, 87 assists and 148 points during last season’s 53 win squad.

If a trade takes place, it would probably send Kaberle and a fourth round draft pick for Savard. Savard is 32, and Burke has repeatedly said

that the Leafs transition will take time. He would have to sign Savard to a multi-year deal worth five to six million dollars a season, which does

not seem logical for the Leafs in their current state. If Savard is traded to the Leafs, expect the top line to be Kessel, Savard and Blake. All

DUE TO POPULAR DEMAND THE MEDIUM WRITING CONTEST DEADLINE HAS BEEN EXTENDED TO JANUARY 8, 2010