LET’S TALK SCIENCE Teaching hands-on environmental lessons to elementary school students page 7
Monday, September 21, 2009
Volume 36, Issue 3
Clubs crowd campus
Clubs on campus come together to showcase UTM’s diverse social life KATHERINE LUCZYNSKI During the week of September 14 to 18, UTM’s Student Centre buzzed with music and excitement as club booths filled the area. The annual Clubs Week, where social and academic organizations have the opportunity to show students what they are all about, was once again a success. Over 60 booths lined the passage way of the Student Centre, the main entrance and the Presentation Room. Talk and laughter filled the walls of the building as students learned about organizations of their interest. The booths set up for Clubs Week showcased UTM’s diverse student social life. Clubs partaking in the week’s events included those dealing with religion, culture, gender, sexual orientation, sports and personal interests such as music. Other booths set up for the event focused on informing students about such issues such as how to stay protected during flu season. Volunteers not only informed students what they should do to stop the spread of viruses, but also offered a free dollop of hand sanitizer to passers-by. Although Clubs Week gives fresh-
Edward Cai/The Medium
Punjabi Club members pose during Clubs Week outside the Student Centre. men the perfect opportunity to learn more about the campus, it is geared towards the entire student body. New clubs recruit members and older clubs can gain new members. Students gain the chance to see what different clubs
have to offer and join the ones that appeal to their interests. “Exciting and interesting!” said Patrick Redegeld, a third year biology and psychology student. “It shows just how diverse our student body is. There’s something for
everyone of different cultures and interests.” Along with setting up informative Bristol boards, many booths also provided free pamphlets and buttons, allowing students to show their sup-
port for a particular club. OUT@UTM, a club geared toward the campus’ LGBTQ population, sold $2 fruit smoothies on Monday as part of the club’s Queer Orientation. Clubs such as the UTM Badminton Club, a new organization hoping to take off, “allows students to socialize and have fun without much stress on students,” according to its literature. Other clubs hold social gatherings where students can meet, mingle and eat. And Caribbean Connections, which gives its members “a taste of the Caribbean with events for cultural expression” will host an Afro Fusion event jointly with other clubs next month. Many other clubs at UTM work for a cause. Orphan Run works to sponsor underprivileged orphans. This year, their goal is to raise $10,000 while already having already reached 25,000 orphans in need. While many clubs strive to benefit students’ personal interests, the Biology Club at UTM has received much attention. “Students worry about their grades and we’re here to help,” says one of the club’s representatives. The club sells test packages aimed to help biology students do well in their courses.
Queer Orientation issue resolved
WalkSafe running again
STEFANIE MAROTTA
The WalkSafe program is open once again. If you are on campus at night and need someone to walk you to your car or residence you can call 905-607-SAFE (7233). WalkSafe's hours of operation are Monday through Wednesdays as well as Fridays from 7:30 p.m. to 11:30 p.m. and Thursdays from 9 p.m. to 2 a.m. New leaflets are available in the campus police office in the South Building.
Out@UTM held their annual Queer Orientation from September 13 through to September 18. By inviting the LGBTQ community and allies to come out and participate, Out@UTM’s aimed to provide the queer community with the opportunity to interact in a positive environment. With the help of UTMSU, the Sexual Education Center, LGBTQ resources at St. George and Urban Source Creative Catering, Queer Orientation included various events such as the Meet, Greet and Eat at the Blind Duck Pub, Sexy Bingo and transportation downtown to the Homohop, Toronto’s all ages queer dance party. Out@UTM provides a safe atmosphere for students to socialize and enjoy the events. “It is important to meet other people with similar lifestyle choices and to have a friendly environment in which you can discover who you really are,” said student Lauren Hawn. Plans for the orientation week ran smoothly until Out@UTM realized at the last minute that they would not
receive the funding initially promised to them by VP Equity Vickita Bhatt, who said she would allocate $1,000 from the equity budget toward Queer Orientation. Out@UTM claimed it would need a larger budget due increased attendance. However, a budget cut of $500 for the event was approved during a UTMSU meeting. When Out@UTM representatives expressed that in their view UTMSU had not given their requests enough consideration, Bhatt revealed that she had been unable to attend the meeting, which resulted in a miscommunication regarding the importance of the funds. This would force Out@UTM members to come up with the resources themselves, to be reimbursed for the costs at a later date. On September 16, Bhatt held a Ministry of Equity meeting that included a proposal to allocate $500 to Out@UTM from equity funding. She claimed responsibility for under-budgeting and explained that both allies and members of the LGBTQ community considered Queer Orientation a positive and friendly environment. With the
increase in attendance, Out@UTM was in need of funding for necessities such as food and extra transportation to events. The proposal passed unanimously. Out@UTM representatives say they are grateful to UTMSU for the achievements it has helped make possible and are pleased with the efficient and considerate manner in which the conflict was resolved. The two organizations will
continue to work together to achieve mutual goals: equality and positive space for students. Bhatt stated, “Queer Orientation is a perfect place to meet new students with shared experience and a safe environment for allies to attend as well. It is also a perfect place for discussion and support.” This year, UTMSU will focus on human rights initiatives and educational campaigns, emphasizing students as the priority.
INSIDE Highlights of First Pub P AG E 2 Blackwood Defies Gravity P AG E 5 Share a bike P AG E 7 Out@UTM
Students gather at the Meet, Greet and Eat as part of Queer Orientation.
Aikido at UTM P AG E 1 0