Vol 37 issue 16

2 THE MEDIUM

MONDAY,MARCH

14, 2011

Katherine Luczynski, Editor | news@mediumonline.ca

Students claim to be unfairly disqualified A boycott has been called for the UTSU elections by students who were disqualified less than 24 hours before the campaign period began. they were eligible. “…The CRO pulled aside one of our executives and said, ‘Sorry, you can’t be here. You aren’t a candidate.

You’re not eligible to run.”

Gray told the CRO, “It’s basically an affront to the principles of democracy.”

Verification of the signatures was an The U of T Student Union elections have undergone controversy after a slate of opposition candidates have boycotted the elections, claiming the process is unfair to all students. Several of the team’s candidates were disqualified less than 24 hours before the first day of campaigning.

“The incident that happened basically showed to us that the way the election was going to be held wasn’t going to be free or fair, and it is our belief that due to institutional biases with the Chief Returning Officer and the Elections and Referenda Committee. The election itself would not be fairly contested and it would not be something where we would really have an opportunity at winning,” said Matthew Gray, who was a UTSU presidential candidate until he decided to boycott the entire process.

The boycott came after the Student Union CRO disqualified the opposition’s candidates only minutes before an all-candidates meeting. The disqualification was reasoned as being due to invalid signatures collected by Gray’s team.

“You submitted your nomination signatures on a Thursday and it was supposed to be within a 24-hour window that we were notified as to whether or not our candidates were eligible or not. I was notified that my signatures were eligible and that I had a sufficient number, and that was within that timeframe, and most of my candidates were notified that they were eligible,” said Gray.

Gray claims his team StudentsFirst went to the meeting with the understanding that

“We can’t do much inside the system. There’s nothing we can do to create change; and I mean, really, all that we really want is elections that are free and fair.”

—Matthew Gray

option, but re-entering the election was not, said Gray. “I specifically asked the CRO whether or not we would be allowed to verify the signatures—to which he said yes, we could verify the signatures. I then asked, ‘If that is the case, and we find that you were mistaken and the signatures are in fact in working order, will my candidates be allowed to run?’ and the CRO hesitated and wasn’t responding and then proceeded to dodge the question... And I said, ‘No. I want a yes-or-no answer to that.’ And he looked to the Elections and Referenda Committee, which was sitting in the corner, and somebody stood up…

I’m not entirely sure who it was, but I know they have ties to the UTSU and to the incumbent slate—and he said, ‘No yesor-nos. We’re not going to give you an answer on that.’ ” With no opportunity of re-entering,

Edward Cai/ The Medium

Gray says his boycott is permanent until UTSU becomes democratic.

Gray and his team boycotted the elections.

Although the CRO could have been wrong about the validity of signatures, Gray saw no way of rectifying the situation and saw a boycott as his only option.

“I think that it’s very obvious that the UTSU is not going to want to change the way that things are run, and I think this has been made incredibly evident through the ERC’s responses to our boycott,” said Gray. “They have sought to change the facts and change the understanding of what has occurred and it is clear that there is a lot of institutional inertia.”

“They don’t want to give up their hold on power. We can’t do much inside the

system. There’s nothing we can do to create change; and I mean, really, all that we really want is elections that are free and fair.”

Gray spoke about current UTSU and UTMSU presidents: “There has been no one that’s beat sitting incumbents, basically since they joined the Canadian Federation of Students in 2003. If you look at Adam Awad, the current president of the Student Union, as well as the president of UTMSU, both of them currently endorse Unite for Action. Now these are both sitting presidents. They have been elected and they are endorsing a team, which also consists of two sitting executives on UTSU. So this is a

pattern which has repeated itself throughout the years. It’s our belief that it isn’t conducive to democracy.”

Gray says his boycott is permanent until such time as changes are made to the system.

“It’s definitely not something we want to participate in until such time [as] there is correction on that front, and until there is an impartial and independent CRO who is capable of making decisions that are independent of the ERC, and also including an ERC that is independently appointed and is capable of independent calls on the election.”

Some members of Gray’s team are continuing to run for Board of Directors.

“We are encouraging students to become politically involved and to become aware of the situation that has happened,” said Gray.

“I think that this entire incident really serves to show the decline of governance at U of T and the quality of governance at U of T, and I think that without space for debate and for political discussion, a lot of students are going to be disenfranchised with the Student Union and with the way that these elections are being run. And I think that this just goes to show that it is not possible to win these elections, but I think that it will very negatively affect voter turnout, which I think is very disappointing.”

Gray claims contact with the CRO has been nonexistent. “The CRO has failed to respond to numerous emails. We have sent emails on clarifications of specific points and the CRO has been quite difficult to get in contact with,” said Gray.

The CRO and elections committee have since issued a statement on their website, quoting a section of the elections and procedure code. Information on CRO ruling can be found at utsu.ca Voting will take place March 8 to 10.

Unite for Action says “we’re just ordinary students” STEFANIE MAROTTA ASSISTANT NEWS EDITOR

Third-year student Lena Elamin is the sole candidate in contention for the position of VP Equity for the University of Toronto Student Union. Elamin has found herself on the on the slate United for Action, the only full slate left after the disqualification of candidates from StudentsFirst. Last week, the candidates of United for Action and the only individual candidate, Nathaniel Tang, interacted with students to increase voter turnout.

Elamin, who has been highly involved in social justice causes at UTM since her first year, wants to further unite the St. George and Mississauga campuses through Expression Against Oppression Week. She stresses the importance of supplying UTM with equity officers, who are currently only available at St. George, so that students have an accessible resource when seeking guidance in regards to discrimination and oppression.

“I want to speak with students and find out what they want to collaborate on,” Elamin said. “We want to increase activism on campus and lobby for causes such as flat tuition fees and parking fees.

We want to provide students with a better experience and address their needs.”

Rather than run for an executive position at UTM, Elamin chose to focus her efforts on the St. George campus to increase representation for UTM at the administrative level. Elamin says she was an independent candidate up until she met the rest of her Unite for Action teammates at the All Candidates Meeting on Sunday, February 27. The Unite for Action posters, website, and Facebook group complete with team pictures were launched less than 24 hours later.

Dubbed by critics and opponents as the incumbent slate, Unite for Action faces criticism of being favoured by an alleged biased Elections and Referenda Committee, the body in charge of enforcing election policies. The ERC consists of current UTSU executives, who are colleagues of candidates on Unite for Action. Presidential candidate Danielle Sandhu is the current VP Equity and VP Internal and Services candidate Cory Scott is the current VP Campus Life.

“I don’t believe we’re an incumbent team,” Elamin said. “We’re just ordinary students with extraordinary hopes to enhance the university experience for students.”

Even though Elamin says that Unite for Action formed at the All Candidates Meeting, a list of victories achieved throughout the year by the UTSU and other student organizations, including

David Pike/

Unite for Action is the only team now running in the UTSU election.

UTMSU, is posted on the slate’s website.

When asked why Unite for Action takes credit for collective student achievements that took place before the slate was conceived, Elamin said, “Individuals of Unite for Action have worked on these initiatives. It’s any victory done for the students by the students. That’s as much as I can say about that.”

Unwilling to comment on the boycott campaign and the impromptu candidate disqualifications of the former opposition

team, Elamin said that it is not her place to discuss the ruling of the Elections Referenda Committee.

“It’s an issue that is to be addressed with the Chief Returning Officer,” Elamin said. “In regards to United for Action, we are a positive, realistic, compassionate group of students who have a vision in unity. United for Action is intent on one purpose: not to find our own way but to find the common way. With all the chaos and commotion, I can’t comment on the

decision made by StudentsFirst.”

Students can vote at polls from March 8 to 10 in the North Building, CCT, and the Davis Building.

The Unite for Action team platform points include working to improve the status of women and other marginalized groups, fighting proposals that threaten students, ensuring that the campus is a safe and accessible space for all, and are committed to provide high quality services for students studying at UTM.

MONDAY, MARCH

Student Centre expansion has yet to occur STEFANIE MAROTTA ASSISTANT NEWS EDITOR

As a part of their campaign contract, the executives of UTMSU who ran on the Students United pledged to obtain a commitment from the university’s administration to expand the Student Centre. Among promises such as lobbying for reduced parking fees and the credit/no credit policy, the UTMSU included that they “secured a commitment for a Student Centre expansion” on their poster of accomplishments in the Davis Building.

Since UTMSU first proposed expansion in 2007, and the project’s subsequent failure in 2009, the university has remained committed to pursuing an expansion plan. In the development of the new master plan, the document that identifies building opportunities on campus, the administration included a provision that would allow for a Student Centre expansion project.

In August, the UTMSU spoke with the administration about recommencing expansion plans. When Paul Donoghue, the Chief Administrative Officer, raised the matter with UTMSU again in September, they informed him that they were working on a space proposal. Last month, UTMSU president Vickita Bhatt reassured the board that UTMSU had been actively working with the administration on the project, but did not present any concrete updates.

When students returned to campus after Reading Week on February 28, UTMSU had posted their completed contract in the Davis Building; however, the administration did not receive a report on Student Centre expansion until March 2—after the contract was posted and after a member of the board began to inquire about overdue updates on the project.

According to Peter Buczkowski, Division III Director, the UTMSU struck a student committee at the beginning of the year to pursue the project, but only one meeting was advertised. Buczkowski was surprised when UTMSU executives announced at the last board meeting that they had made progress on the project.

“The UTMSU Board of Directors had no prior notice of this report, therefore did not formally vote on sending it,” said

Buczkowski. “There is no mention of this report anywhere else that I could find, which is concerning. When I asked who created this report I was told that it was the Ministry of Student Services; however, no hard copies were ever distributed to the board until after the administration received them on March 2.”

The new report lacks concrete information, such as a space proposal, survey statistics, and a business plan.

“We agreed that [a revised space proposal] would be required if we wanted to

“We have received reports from UTMSU on other issues such as parking fees, but not on the Student Centre.”

—Prof. Lee Bailey, chair of the Resources Planning and Priorities Committee restart the Project Committee and I indicated that I looked forward to working with them on their revised plans,” said Donoghue. “Although they did submit a Student Centre Expansion Report to vice president Saini on March 2, that report does not include a revised space proposal.

They may still be working on that key element and I look forward to receiving it when it is ready.”

According to Bhatt, UTMSU conducted a student survey in September that was created by the Ministry of Student Services to identify key areas for expansion. Even though the university administration and Board of Directors did not receive a space proposal or survey results with the Student Centre Expansion Report, Bhatt claims that UTMSU has consulted with the original architect of the Student Centre and completed the proposal.

“Last year, Ian Orchard, UTM’s former vice president and principal, was opposed to the vision proposed by UTMSU of an expanded Student Centre,” Bhatt said. “I am pleased to announce that the administration agrees with our vision, and is actively supporting the Student Centre

expansion, unlike last year. This is a huge step forward from the hard ‘no’ to the expansion last year.”

Constructed in 1999, the Student Centre is equipped to accommodate a student population of 6,000. The administration agreed to match 50 cents for every dollar funded by a student levy to finance the new building. Since then, student enrolment at UTM has nearly doubled. The building, home to the Blind Duck Pub, the UTMSU, club offices, and other student services, lacks the capacity to provide meeting, study, and leisure space for the rapidly increasing student population. With 30 clubs sharing the 15 club offices in the Student Centre and approximately 50 clubs without office space, the idea of expansion is popular among students involved in clubs and organizations like the Muslim Students’ Association and ECSpeRT. In 2007, the UTMSU submitted a proposal to the University Affairs Board, the body of the Governing Council concerned with the quality of student and campus life, to persuade the administration that a Student Centre expansion is in the best interest of both the students and the university. The report, which included student survey results, a potential blueprint for expansion, and business suggestions, convinced the administration to pursue talks with the UTMSU and a Planning Committee was struck.

In 2009, the UTMSU and the university had difficulty negotiating food services.

The university wanted UTM Food and Conference Services to manage food retail space in the newly renovated Student Centre. Instead, the UTMSU wanted to introduce new student-run eateries to increase food diversity, using the Blind Duck as an example. Unable to come to an agreement, the project was put on hold.

No negotiations on that matter have been undertaken by the UTMSU this year.

“We have received reports from UTMSU on other issues such as parking fees, but not on the Student Centre,” said professor Lee Bailey, chair of the Resources Planning and Priorities Committee. “The only discussion at RPPC this year that involves an expansion of the Student Centre would be the development of building envelopes as part of the campus master plan.”

Notice of Medium II Publications Editorial and Board of Director Elections Nomination forms will be available outside The Medium office (student centre room 200) beginning March 7th.

Positions available Editor-in-Chief [1] News Editor [1] Features Editor [1] Sports Editor [1] Arts Editor [1] Board of director positions available [5] The deadline to return forms will be March 17th at 5 p.m. to The Medium office.

Candidate forum and speeches will take place on Friday March 18, 2011 at 1 p.m.

7, 2011 THE MEDIUM 3

NEWS

People are more moral than they think New U of T study finds that emotions appear to be the “missing link” between moral reasoning and moral actions.

LARISSA HO ASSISTANT NEWS EDITOR

People may say that when an opportunity arises, they would choose to act morally. The question is, would they really do so? Are people really as moral as they think they are?, researchers ask.

Rimma Teper, Michael Inzlicht, and Elizabeth Page-Gould of the psychology department at U of T Scarborough have just published a study on human morality in Psychological Science, a journal of the Association of Psychological Science.

The study was conducted on 67 U of T student volunteers, divided into three groups, who each had to take a 15-question math test. The first group was promised $5 if they were right on 10 or more questions. They were also told that a “glitch” in the software would cause the correct answer to show on the screen if they hit the space bar, but only they would know if they hit it. The second group was informed of this dilemma of the opportunity to cheat, and then asked to predict whether they would cheat or not. The third group took the test without the chance to cheat.

During the study, electrodes measured the strength of each participant's heart and breathing rates and the level of sweat on their palms.

All of these increase when one experiences heightened emotions. Those facing the real dilemma were at the most heightened state of emotion.

These emotions about the moral dilemma apparently influenced them to do the right thing and refrain from cheating, leading the researchers to conclude that emotions influence moral behaviour.

The volunteers asked only to predict their actions were calmer, and were more likely to say they would cheat, the study found. The participants who took the test with no opportunity to cheat were calm as well. On average, people in the predictor group said they would cheat on five out of the 15 questions. In the moral dilemma group, on average, members cheated on only one

question. Their physiological responses were also higher than the dilemma group.

However, “If the stakes were higher—say, the reward was $100—the emotions associated with that potential gain might override the nervousness or fear associated with cheating,” said Teper in a statement.

A few previous studies have found just the opposite: people do the right thing less often than they predict.

“This time, we got a rosy picture of human nature,” said Inzlicht, an associate professor of psychology, in a journal news release. “But the essential finding is that emotions are what drive you to do the right thing or the wrong thing.”

Emotions appear to be the “missing link” between moral reasoning and moral actions, particularly fear, guilt, and love. Fear tends to be the predominant emotion, causing people to change their minds at the last second. In this study, the hypothesis is that the fear of getting caught made the subjects refrain from cheating.

While emotions caused the students to make the moral decision not to cheat, emotions could easily play the other way in other situations, she said.

For example, one might have decided to confront someone and tell them the truth and decide at the last second to lie instead.

It turns out people are not good predictors of what they will do when actually placed in the hot seat. When people are contemplating how they’ll act, “They don’t have a good grasp of the intensity of the emotions they will feel,” says Teper, “so they misjudge what they’ll do.”

“I think the take-home message of the study is emotions, whether they’re moral emotions or they’re self-serving emotions, are really what will drive the decision you make,” the researchers concluded.

“We have to be careful when looking at what people say they might do and what people think is right because it might not always translate to real-life behaviour.”

In future research, Teper reveals, “We might try to turn this effect around and see how emotion leads people to act less morally than they forecast.”

Upcoming Events UTM MSA Islam Awareness Week March 8 to March 11 International Women’s Week begins March 8 UTMSU Nomination period begins March 8 Barbara Gowdy Q&A March 8 USTU voting period March 8 to March 10 Mardi Gras Bowling and Poker Party Fundraiser (sostickets@hotmail.com) March 12

4 THE MEDIUM

NEWS

MONDAY, MARCH

7, 2011

“Will you be voting in the UTSU elections?”

“Yes, I will.”

—Madiha Aziz 2nd year psychology major

“I wouldn’t and I’m not going to.”

—Dominic Ip 1st year comp. science major Edward Cai/ The Medium

Breakdancing, a debkha group, bands, and comedians perform at the talent show.

“I didn’t even hear about them yet.”

—Kulwinder Ghotra 1st year social sciences major

“I don’t know much about it, so I wasn’t planning on it.”

—Grace Rocha 2nd year psychology major

Let us know at mediumonline.ca

S S E IN S U B L A B O GL MANAGEMENT

UTM’s Got Talent a smash CHRYSTAL COLQUHOUN

On March 4, over 200 students came out the Blind Duck for the third annual UTM’s Got Talent. The event was funded by the UTMSU and organized in collaboration with the UTM Arab Student Association, UTM Music Club, and Erindale Punjabi Association.

Over 40 performers auditioned on February 17 and 18. Six groups and eight individuals were chosen to perform and compete in the talent show.

Doors opened at 7 p.m. Spirits were high and students were curious to watch live performances, cheer on their friends, eat free food, and enjoy a night of relaxation and fun.

“I’m here because I heard there was free food, talent, and some good stand up,” said Muhammed Saif, a third-year student and self-proclaimed moocher.

The judges for the competition included Vickita Bhatt (president of UTMSU), Umar Syed (president of the UTM Music Club), Grayce Yeun (VP University Affairs and Academics), and Huda Al-Imari (president of the UTM Arab Student Association). After each

performance, the judges gave scores out of 10 based on talent, audience impact, stage presence, and overall performance.

“We have breakdancers, a debkha group, bands, comedians, and numerous other acts. Here at UTM there’s so much incredible talent. I mean, we’re university students and we’re all concentrated on our studies, but when one of us has a deep talent, it brings life to the campus,” said Huda Al-Imari.

The Emcees for the event were Gilbert Cassar and Loriel Ducoy, who introduced the contestants, demonstrated their own singing abilities, and kept the audience entertained. The performers assiduously meticulously in the room adjacent to the Blind Duck minutes before they were called onto the stage.

“I enjoy being nervous sometimes. It gives you that extra boost,” said Jeanette Ricasio, a first-year student who performed a rendition of “I Believe” by Nikki Yanofsky. “Do not be afraid to perform. Honestly, it’s fun.

Everyone has their own stories to tell.”

Individual acts included Arun Rayn, a magician on campus who demonstrated his skills through various card tricks and illusions, as well as a

Campus Police weekly summaries

POSTGRADUATE CERTIFICATE

February 24 to March 2, 2011

One smart career choice.

So many opportunities.

February 24, 11:10 a.m.

Trespass to Property Act Campus Police investigated two men using the RAWC facilities without a membership. Both men entered the facility using someone else’s membership cards. Both men were charged and fined under the Trespass to Property Act.

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!

business.humber.ca

comedian that the judges refused to evaluate because of explicit and potentially offensive content in his performance. Group performances included metal bands, bands with unusual instruments, and Tripping the Night Fantastic, a folk-fusion band.

Judges chose the top performances and students cheered their favourite act into first and second place. For group performances, Layaleena Arabic Cultural Group won first place for their performance of cultural dances from Lebanon and Jordan. GG Squad, a hip-hop and breakdance team, placed second in the group category. For solo acts, Anita Tewari placed first and Sara Da Silva placed second. Prizes ranged from $100 to $500 for individual and group performances. Audience members also had a chance to win numerous prizes, such as $50 gift certificates to Square One, Raptors tickets, and movie tickets.

The response to UTM’s Got Talent was positive, with students appreciating the creativity and diversity in all the performances.

“The traditional [Arabic] dance was amazing. It definitely made the night for me,” said Shervin Mohammadin, a fourth-year student.

February 24, 12:55 a.m.

Noise Complaint Campus Police responded to a noise complaint in the CCT Building.

Campus Police spoke with all the persons involved and instructed that the noise level be kept down. The group complied.

February 24, 9:06 p.m.

Medical Call Campus Police assisted a male student who had collapsed at the RAWC. The male student had an allergic reaction and collapsed. Emergency Medical Services were contacted and the male was transported to the hospital.

February 24, 10:21 p.m.

Medical Call Campus Police assisted a female student who had collapsed at Oscar

Peterson Hall. The female was assessed by the Emergency Medical Services but was not transported to the hospital.

February 25, 4:00 p.m.

Motor Vehicle Accident Campus Police responded to a motor vehicle accident on Residence Road.

Both vehicles received minor damage.

Peel Police attended and assisted with the investigation. Neither driver sustained any injuries.

February 26, 10:40 p.m.

Noise Complaint Campus Police responded to a noise complaint in residence. Campus Police spoke with the unit’s occupants and instructed that the noise level be kept down. They complied.

February 27, 8:04 p.m.

Library Code of Conduct Campus Police responded to a call regarding a student not abiding by library policy. The student was asked to leave the library for the remainder of the evening.

February 28, 3:45 p.m.

Trespass to Property Act

Campus Police investigated a complaint from the Department of Parking and Transportation regarding unauthorized flyers posted inside the bus shelter near the Kaneff Centre.

March 2, 10:10 p.m.

Theft under $5,000 Campus Police investigated the theft of a cell phone inside the women’s washroom from the third floor of the Hazel McCallion Academic Learning Centre. Estimated value of the stolen property is $650. Investigation continues.

March 2, 4:32 p.m.

Library Code of Conduct offences Campus Police responded to a call in regards to four students not abiding by library policy. The students were asked to leave the library for the remainder of the evening.

March 2, 6:01 p.m.

Medical Call Campus Police and ECSpeRT (Erindale College Special Response Team) assisted a male student who had injured his knee during a basketball game. The male was transported to the hospital by an ambulance.

MONDAY, MARCH

7, 2011

THE MEDIUM 5

Amir Ahmed, Editor | features@mediumonline.ca

In praise of emoticons: the best way to express yourself?

MARIANA COMITO ASSISTANT FEATURES EDITOR Whether it’s through BlackBerry Messenger, email, Facebook chat, or text messages, the cute little emoticons we’re all so fond of have been a way for everyone to express themselves. Sometimes people get excessively excited about emoticons, but it helps us express ourselves—especially when words just don’t do it justice. When we’re happy we use the simple smiley face, but when we’re extremely happy we send the emoticon that bares not just the smile but the teeth too! BlackBerry Messenger has a variety of emoticons to choose from (45, to be exact). Everything from “I’m on the phone” to “I’m sleepy” or “I’m dancing it up on a Friday night” are options!

mediamoore.com

But emoticons don’t just help us state the obvious; when we love someone we might break out the heart, or when we’re mad we use the red, angry face.

They can also get us out of awkward conversations. Have you ever said something that was a joke but the other person didn’t get it? Just add the LMAO emoticon and hopefully the other person (if they aren’t a prude) will smile

The prodigal reader LUKE SAWCZAK COPY EDITOR Don’t get me wrong. I used to read a lot. I remember my gramma teaching me to read when I was four, and when I read a whole Curious George, she gave me a prize: a little toy lion standing proudly. I was thrilled, and I associated getting prizes with reading.

In the years that followed, I read not only more about delightful monkeys, but everything I could get my hands on. There was a pattern though, as it got drier and drier— comics, fantasy, science fiction, historical fiction, autobiography, philosophy, and finally textbooks. My writing, too, went from superhero stories to fantasy to modern-day mundane life, peppered throughout by academia and essays. I got older and my taste got more “mature”, which to a reader means “boring”.

All throughout, the little “Lion of Literacy” stood on my bookshelf, representing my and our culture’s ability to read and write—and getting dustier and dustier.

At the end of high school, just before university, I thought I should give my writing teacher something, since it was a great class (12 students, all friends) and I felt I owed him something. I was throwing out some old junk when I came across the Lion of Literacy again, and of course it was perfect. But I realized I’d lost that childlike wonder that draws you deeper and deeper into a story, whatever else I’d gained. But I just felt like I didn’t have time. Last year, all I read besides course work was C.S. Lewis—Narnia, you exclaim, that’s not that bad!—ah, no. A collection of his letters—a 1,700-page tome about his daily life as a professor. Actually, it was volume three.

I’m ashamed to admit that going into this year, I’d only read two books over the summer, both nonfiction. I was more or less lost as a reader. But by chance I met a friend from another program—English specialist—and, though we didn’t really keep in contact at first, when the Christmas break came by I found myself bumming around with

nothing to do. I phoned the friend to hang out. We set the date for a week from the day—“Why so late?”

I asked. The reply? “I’ve got so much reading to do.” “But school’s over.” “School!?” laughed the friend. “Is that what you read in your spare time?”

I was reluctant at first; years and years of dry, technical writing had ruined any association with prizes or proud lions.

The first book started off slow, but I hardly noticed when it grabbed my attention...

I blushed, as I often do. “I don’t read in my spare time. I mostly watch movies, play games, play music...” “Stop right there. Have you read The Picture of Dorian Gray?” “Um, no?” “Well, now you will. What about Saul Bellow’s Seize the Day? No? What have you been doing with your life!” Before long I was bogged down with titles of masterpieces—and, thank God, it’s the kind of friend who shows you neat things and then hounds you until you get around to doing it so you can actually have a conversation.

What happened? It was amazing!

I was reluctant at first; years and years of dry, technical writing had ruined any association with prizes or proud lions. The first book started off slow, but I hardly noticed when it grabbed my attention, made me fascinated, and soon had involved me so thoroughly that I forgot there was another world— no, millions of them—waiting in those pages.

I don’t have a lot of time, still.

But I get by. I have multiple friends suggest their favourite books to me, and I exchange mine with them. I steal time in commuting, in bed before going to sleep, and even, er, in the washroom. Whatever! I get my fix in bits and pieces; I’m a reader again. My writing teacher would be proud. No, scratch that— I’m in this for Gramma and Curious George.

back and get the joke. Or anytime you say something and people take it out of context and don’t get what you meant to. Well, if you used an emoticon you’d have avoided this!

Let’s say you’re confused about what your friend just wrote to you; BE LAZY and just send the confused emoticon. If you’re on the phone, don’t waste your time y typing out the whole phrase—

just use the emoticon of holding a phone to your ear (or lack thereof).

Life’s a lot easier with emoticons, ain’t it?

And let’s not forget those awkward, unbearable conversations. If you’re speechless, send an emoticon and voilà.

These little pictures seem to be everyone’s best friend. They save time when chatting it up with too many people to

remember who you’re talking to. If you’re heading into class and won’t be able to check your phone (because your prof is super anal), just send an emoticon to your five BBMs and three texts. If you’re not so popular and don’t have that many missed messages, send an emoticon anyway—I promise you’ll feel better. If worst comes to worst, send one to yourself and pretend it’s from someone cool!

If you haven’t been using these little people in your conversations, where have you been? Emoticons will take over the cyber world. Soon there will be an emoticon for every word or phrase, and we won’t ever type again. Maybe in a couple of years articles will be written in pure emoticons. Now wouldn’t that be fun to read? :)

Book holsters: the “Snuggie” of reading AMIR AHMED FEATURES EDITOR Kindles disgust me, and so do iPads with their misplaced little “i” and inability to make phone calls. Part of the reason is sour grapes from the price, but another part is the sheer decadence of the technology: it costs $200 to (badly) imitate something humans have been making for the past 7,000 years.

But still, I can’t blame Kindle users Step 1: Take a strip of tape and wrap it around something with the sticky side facing out. You should create a solid loop of tape. This’ll form the main body of your holster, so make sure that the loop you make is big enough to fit your book through. In this photo, I’ve just used the roll of tape to make my loop.

Step 2: Take a second strip of tape and neatly wrap it, sticky side in, around the loop you just made. This will create a loop that won’t stick to anything – not books or pants or anything.

Step 3: Repeat steps 1 and 2 to get a second loop of tape.

Step 4: This part requires some dexterous fingers: line up the two loops you’ve created and space them far apart enough to hold the full length of your book. Slip down another strip of tape –sticky side facing out -- to connect them together. Then take the strand of tape and let it wind back, connecting the other two sides of the loops together. This should turn your two loops into a sort of pouch or pocket. Test it out by putting your book in it.

Step 5: Create the smaller loops that’ll let you wear your new holster on your belt. Take the same steps you used in 1 and 2, except make smaller loops about as wide as three of your fingers.

While making these loops, sandwich the first loop between the tape-strands of your belt-loops.

Step 6: Wear your book holster.

Wear it with pride. You’re like Clint Eastwood now, except with Michael Crichton instead of a lasso.

that much. It’s hard to carry around a real book in everyday life. If I want to bring a nice hardcover on the bus with me downtown, I have to hold it in my hands, like a buffoon. If it’s winter my hands will get cold. If it’s summer my book will get sweaty.

Because of my incredible amounts of testosterone I can’t use a purse, and I don’t want to carry around a backpack just to hold a book inside.

Which is why I invented the book holster: a device made to slip

between a belt and dangle comfortably from the wearer’s waist. These holsters can carry any size of book, mostly because you have to make them yourselves to your own specifications. I want to encourage good style as much as I want to encourage good reading, so I drew up a list of instructions with pictures on how to make them. Happy reading.

By the way, don’t mistake this article for irony in any way. I use these things all the time.

6 THE MEDIUM

MONDAY, MARCH

LIFESTYLE

7, 2011

WRITE FOR FEATURES. IT’S... UNIQUE

How to deal with an enraged allosaurus GORDON FREEMAN

EMAIL AMIR AT FEATURES@MEDIUMONLINE.CA

To be honest, I don’t even know how you ended up here. I mean, it’s hard enough to find an allosaurus, much less get one mad at you. Anyway, no use crying over spilt milk. Let’s get this done.

Now, in case you weren’t aware, the average Allosaurus stands about 9 feet tall and 25 metres long. Its brain structure resembles that of a crocodile and it weighs about 2.5 tonnes, the weight of an SUV, except with teeth.

It doesn’t have the big teeth associated with, say, a T-Rex—but frankly, it doesn’t need that to end you.

Now, if you’ve seen Jurassic Park, you’re going to think an allosaurus’ vision is based on movement. This is not true, and will get you killed. If an allosaurus comes at you, you should run.

But where to run? Well, take a look around you. Are there any tiny spaces you can fit into that it can’t? Are there any other, larger animals or students that you can run past, diverting the beast’s attention with a tastier, slower meal? Step for step, this monster can outrun you, so you need to think in terms of nearby, tiny spaces.

wikimedia.org

If you have to communicate with others during your flight from the dinosaur, I suggest using highpitched, squeaky tones. The allosaurus is hypothesized to hear low-frequency sounds best. So if you chirp out a few words to your comrades, you’ll keep your position safe and keep the dinosaur confused. Of course, to the best of our understanding, allosauri wouldn’t understand you anyway, but that’s not a risk you want to make in the field.

Under no circumstances should you attempt to fight the allosaurus.

29

95

$

This thing is experienced with hunting sauropods and stegosauri—in other words, big lizard-tanks. It can take you down. In fact, the only sure survival strategy beyond running does not involve fighting at all. You should instead fall to the ground in a foetal position and weep, hoping your small size and obvious pathetic nature will sicken the dinosaur with pity.

If you survive, check out the next issue of The Medium, where we’ll look at how to escape after being tied up in a chair by ninjas. Of course, if it’s ninja allosauri, you’re screwed.

Awful lines, break-up and pick-up —and your responses MARIANA COMITO ASSISTANT FEATURES EDITOR “It’s not you, it’s me.”

Shut up! It’s obviously me or else I’d be the one breaking up with you…

“Sometimes, when you love someone you have to learn to let them go.”

Two weeks later you see your ex with someone else. Guess that’s why I was let go.

$tudent pricing

“I love you, but I’m not in love with you.”

And you just figured this out today, right before your trip to Vegas?

“I want to know what it’s like to be single again.”

But we’ve only been dating for two weeks?

“You’re too good for me. I don’t deserve you.”

Damn straight, honey! Your loss!

For just $29.95, walk in with your taxes, walk out with your refund. Instantly.

You’ll also get a free SPC Card to save big at your favourite retailers.*

maximum

refund**

“Did it hurt… When you fell from heaven?”

(Just walk away…)

“I’m not drunk, I’m just intoxicated by you.”

Wow, I think I need to be drunk to listen to this stuff…

we make taxes easy

free SPC Card

Follow us on Twitter and Facebook

“You must be tired, because you’ve been running through my mind all night, baby.”

That’s from Fresh Prince. NEXT!

hrblock.ca

© 2011 H&R Block Canada, Inc. *$29.95 valid for regular student tax preparation only. Cash back service included. 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 2010 or (ii) a valid high school identification card. Expires December 31, 2011. Valid only at participating H&R Block locations in Canada.

SPC Card offers valid from 08/01/10 to 07/31/11 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. **If H&R Block makes any error in the preparation of your tax return that costs you any interest or penalties on additional taxes due, although we do not assume the liability for the additional taxes, we will reimburse you for the interest and penalties.

“Can I ask for directions… to your heart?”

Yeah, take a left at the corner of Cheesy and Lines.

“You look cold; want to use me as a blanket?”

No thanks, I’ll freeze to death.

“Bond. James Bond.”

Leave. Leave now.

MONDAY, MARCH

7, 2011

THE MEDIUM 7

LIFESTYLE

Creative Corner

The Ruin Men

Before Elections

MANSOUR MELKOUMIAN

PETER BUCK

Little shadow man rubbing shadow arms back and forth and back

’Twas the week before elections, when all across the campus not a student was caring, not even a frosh.

The posters were hung on the wall with care, in hopes that the voters soon would be there.

and forth The candidates nestled all snug in their beds, while visions of victories danced in their heads.

And my girlfriend in her ’kerchief, and I in my cap, had just settled our brains for a quick power nap,

Powder trails flying in breeze that’s blowing through the ruined church.

when in the meeting place there arose such a clatter, I sprang from the couch to see what was the matter.

Away to the library I flew like a flash, tore through the campaigners in such a dash;

Grinding down the world to dust

Green Closet Door LUKE SAWCZAK COPY EDITOR The way the corduroy curtain hangs it leaves a sliver of the window uncovered. A thin gold laser scans up the blanket toward my pillow. It slides over my chin and mouth and when it hits my eyes I come out of my dream with a jolt.

In my dream my brother announced the diagnosis of cancer. I reacted with more screaming than I would’ve expected. But awake, there is no such thing as cancer or cancer growths. After the light passes over I open my eyes and the green closet door stands facing me. I think of the dream-catcher sitting behind it on a shelf in the darkness. “I’ll tell you the truth, as I always do,” I said yesterday to the girl who gave it to me for Valentine’s, “I’m going to treat it as an ornament. It’s not hanging over me while I sleep.”

I stretch my right arm and grope until I yank the curtain back. Light floods in and illuminates the patchwork blanket the same girl gave me for Christmas, and dimly, out of view of the window, my brother in his bed.

I slide onto my feet, pull on yesterday’s clothes, and reach into my mouth to remove my retainer. I deliberate a second: yes, I should wash my hands after that.

In the passenger seat beside my brother, puttering along the familiar old roads to school, my head is turned to the fields, half full of snow caught in the act of melting. I notice the door is unlocked and for some reason I click the lock in. There is music—there usually is—but it’s almost inaudible. On the dashboard, a green display switches from 8 to 9, the only way I know the track has changed. I think he doesn’t have to hear it to know what song it is; it’s a favourite CD. “Didja ever go skating since grade school?” asks my brother. His sleeves are pulled up over his hands.

“No.” That’s the main thing that links me and him and even our younger brother: school memories.

We’ve all gone to the same schools, following each other to the same teachers, playgrounds, hymns, skating events. Every year the grade school holds a skating event for the kids at the local rink, with a lot of fuss and hot chocolate with little dissolvy marshmallows. We’re in

university now, waiting for our younger brother to catch up, and we still remember these things because we have always had only them in common, only them to talk about. “ ’Dja like it though?” he asks.

“Yeah.”

“Ever go couple skating? Back then, I mean?”

“No, never.”

“I did in grade seven,” he says. My gaze drifts from the steering wheel to the window again. “With Maggie, the girl I liked. Actually, before that I asked Lucy Berg. Three of us asked her,” he adds, his lip curling characteristically, which with him means something is funny because absurd.

“She couldn’t decide between us, she didn’t want to hurt our feelings, so she just cried.” He pauses, as if it that were the end of the story. “But I bought her hot chocolate after.”

“Excellent,” I say absentmindedly.

I think of Jaclyn, the dark-haired Dutch girl I would have loved to ask in grade seven, if my friend Rob hadn’t already wooed her on the class trip to Medieval Times. He had wooed her with a flower he got from God knows where. I forget how or why but I was later accused of eating the flower. And then she went couple skating with him. My thoughts trail even farther; I remember my younger brother coming home from Smoky Trail Bible Camp with our grandma and telling us he’d had his first kiss.

“I was pretty bad at skating,” continues my brother, having waited long enough for me to say more. “I just kinda went back and forth. But I remember they were playing Crocodile Rock. I was really into Elton John. And I remember thinking this is, like, the happiest three minutes of my life—skating with the girl I liked, while they played Crocodile Rock.”

For a while we drive on in silence, while out the window fields slowly morph into intersections, road signs, fences, sidewalks, buildings, blue sky smudged by smoke rising from distant stacks. I wonder vaguely what makes him and me different, if anything. It’s seemed like less and less as our lives have converged. I wonder if subconsciously I want to be like him.

Movement from his direction catches my eye, but it’s just the display going from 11 to 12.

“Awesome, I love this song,” says my brother.

when what to my apathetic eyes should appear, but a pep rally, and those coloured t shirts, I fear!

With a student, annoying and apt to pursue, I knew iright away it was a Student Issue.

More rapid than arrows his campaign points came, and he whistled, and shouted, and called me by name: “Now you, listen up! Can’t you tell!?

Tuition’s too high! U of T’s going to hell!

To the dean’s office! To the president of U of T! Vote now! Vote now! Vote now for me!”

And as he kept shouting, like a big goof, the hissing and cawing was always half untruth.

As I drew in his words, my head was spinning around: down to earth I must bring him in a bound.

“What of my education and theirs, and all that is good?

The amazing profs and TAs and all that you would throw out with the bathwater if only you could?

Support staff and workers, library and new, buildings and labs wouldn’t exist if it were up to you.”

His brow—how it wrinkled! His smile evaporated!

His cheeks were like roses, his teeth, how they grated!

This drone was annoyed by a student’s free thought, but to win my vote, on the candidate fought.

The words he said came tight through his teeth: “What nonsense is this,” his anger did seethe.

A voter with a mind, who won’t just listen?

They never taught me how to deal with such a villain!

He was confused and fought, but to no avail; my ideas on free market and discrimination prevailed!

And I laughed when I saw him, in spite of myself!

Soon I realized he wasn’t from here, but from Guelph!

He spoke not a word, but went back to his work, and forced his ideals on everyone, the jerk.

And no one stood up to fight this injustice!

Even if their team is supported by the caucus!

He sprang to his van, and to his team gave a whistle, and away they all flew like the down of a thistle.

But I heard him exclaim, as he drove out of sight, "Happy elections to all, and to all a goodnight!"

MONDAY, MARCH 7, 2011

THE MEDIUM 8

OPINION

EDITORIAL The University of Toronto Student Union (not what I usually call them) are holding their elections this week. I don’t know where to start, so I’ll just state: I am not voting in this election. The process is so flawed and slanted toward favouring the same students each year that I don’t see the point in voting and giving these individuals reason to believe that any student casting a ballot is participating in an election. UTSU took away any choices that we had in this election by eliminating the “opposition”.

I have a lot to say on this matter, but one question keeps coming to mind: what are they afraid of? These individuals who, year after year, organize these “slates” and try to maintain the ideologies of the deeply sickening Canadian Federation of Students (never have I heard of a more hypocritical and polarizing organization). What are these incumbent slates afraid of?

Many of them haven’t been students for years. What are you afraid will happen if you let real students, not even “take over”, but merely have a chance to run in an election? Could it be the comfortable salaries? The ability to do whatever you want at your “workplace”? Or the idea that you’re somehow relevant and the real world is too scary for you? I just can’t understand why some people are working so hard to make sure their friends and allies stay in power at the student union.

One thing’s for sure: UTSU is an organization that claims to represent all students, “students working for students”, with no real results. Take, for example, a platform point from Unite for Action: “The Unite for Action team is committed to offering services that make students’ lives easier, and saving money.” Is that supposed to even mean anything, or is it just rhetoric? Who wouldn’t vote for that? I think they mean they’re committed to making their lives easier and saving their money.

What’s more disturbing than how the Elections and Referenda Committee is stacked against any opposition, going as far as disqualifying people and not letting them attend an all-candidates meeting (which would have disqualified them even if they appealled their disqualification). They created a situation where these students would inevitably have been disqualified and the remainder of the team would have to run as independent candidates.

I was the chair of the Elections and Referenda Committee when I was an executive at UTMSU. The chair of the UTSU Elections and Referenda committee, Maria Pilar Galvez, was actually a student, running in the elections for the slate “UTM Movement”; she herself was disqualified for not reaching the correct amount of nominations, but was given an opportunity to attend the all-candidates meeting and campaign for the entire two weeks, and then appealled her disqualification. Unfortunately, the double standard exists and not everyone believes in equal opportunities, or even giving to others the same opportunities that you had.

This is just one of countless examples that I’ve seen of these individuals who run year after year on the same baseless platform points, all to remain in “power” at the student union level—all I have to say is dream bigger, folks.

Will you be voting in election this week? I know I won’t.

Saaliha Malik

Yours,

Dear Editor, As Residence Council President I decided to give back my full honorarium. The reason why I decided to do this is because we ran tight on our budget because our 3 years of prior audits that we had to get completed which were very costly and a large debt accumulated from prior years. The money that I am returning will help fund UTM Arts Festival which is a very large event at UTM that currently does not have enough funding, for a charitable poker tournament, and to help fund bursaries for students who cannot afford to go to our year end Residence Formal. I believe that students pay a lot for university, including international students who pay through the

roof. They do not expect council executives to get paid, and that is why I returned this amount. Also we have pending changes to our constitution to make these positions fully volunteer in the future.

As Residence Council President I have spent over 60 hours eve ry week dedicated to make the Residence student experience better. We have created new shuttle bus times for next year and also have a sushi chef every weekday in OPH preparing lunch. Our council hopes that students really appreciate the dedication Residence Council has made to students.

Yours, Aly-Khan Madhavji

Check out our magazine featuring CBC’s Jian Ghomeshi on stands now or online at mediumonline.ca/magazine.

If you would like to be part of next year’s magazine e mail editor@mediumonline.ca

Dear Editor, The month of March. With it comes the final days of classes, warmer weather, and student union elections. As the voting period for the election nears, many classes are graced with the presence of election candidates who use the first minutes of classes to provide speeches to unsuspecting students. More time is lost listening to speeches a second time, since each candidate repeats their speech to different classes.

Hopefully, this passive campaign of listening to speeches and lost class time doesn’t bother students too much. Will that change during the voting period, when students are stopped in the halls and asked to vote every time they approach a voting booth?

When walking past a voting booth, students will be surrounded by the legion of election people and asked, “Have you voted?”

Since ignoring someone is rude, I plan to reply, “I’m not voting,” and quickly walk away. I will probably be in a rush because I tend to not plan for time on my way to class to debate my voting preferences. Perhaps a sticker should be provided to voters, proving they voted. Only students lacking stickers would be questioned and thus a market for fake

stickers would be born.

The only real cost of this election, besides time and being accosted on your way to class, is the amount of paper each candidate uses for posters they place so close together on walls. Excessive amounts of election signs may be p a r t o f f e de r a l , p r o v i n c i a l , a n d municipal elections, but why do they need to be part of UTM’s? Is there no other way of acquiring knowledge about candidates besides posters on walls? It goes without saying, but I will anyway, that these posters have no use after the election. Not much use during the election either, ’cause I suspect they’re widely ignored.

In case I have misled readers so far, I am not against all elections.

I am against repetitive, “in-yourface” campaigns. Student government, elections, and campaigns are all good learning experiences for students and for improving student life at UTM. Forcing an election down students’ throats for three weeks of the year is not.

Since writing itself is not actually a means to change campaigning, perhaps a petition or referendum for the 80% of students who didn’t vote last year would be a good idea.

Yours, Jonathan Joseph

Dear Editor, At a Ministry of Student Life meeting held on March 3rd 2011, a working group was struck to research into the possibility of intergrating Greek Letter Societies into UTM's campus life.

Greek Letter Societies include Fraternities, Sororities, Academic Honorary Societies, and Professional Societies. These groups have not been recognized by the University of Toronto since 1959, due to a case of racism.

“The Greek Life society has changed a lot in 52 years.” said fourth year student Peter Buczkowski, UTMSU Director and brother of Phi Gamma Delta, one of many fraternities which call Toronto home. “While we admit that we have had bad experiences in the past I think the issue needs to be readdressed.” Peter continued that his fraternity includes people of all walks of life. “My fraternity is more diverse then most clubs on campus. The race, social class, or sexuality of our members

has never been an issue of contention”.

The working group was established to research and make recommendations to the board on whether or not UTMSU should pursue recognizing Greek Letter Societies, and if so how to do it separately from Clubs and Academic Societies.

“The goal is not to either allow or disallow Greek Letter Societies,” UTMSU Division III Director Robert Ciszek continues, “but it is to do research. If all it does is start discussions on the issue, then it has done it's job.” Stereotypes run rampant about what Greek Life means, Buczkowski claims. “The point of the group is to research and see if Greek Life could fit into UTM, in any capacity.”

The working group will be meeting Wednesday at 12 p.m..

Any student is welcome to join.

For more information contact GreeksatUTM@gmail.com Yours, Peter Buczkowski

www.mediumonline.ca 3359 Mississauga Road, Room 200, Student Centre, Mississauga, ON, L5L 1C6 Phone: 905.828.5260 EDITOR IN CHIEF Saaliha Malik editor@mediumonline.ca NEWS EDITOR Katherine Luczynski news@mediumonline.ca ASSISTANT NEWS Larissa Ho Stefanie Marotta A&E EDITOR Nives Hajdin arts@mediumonline.ca ASSISTANT A&E Colleen Munro FEATURES EDITOR Amir Ahmed features@mediumonline.ca ASSISTANT FEATURES Mariana Comito ASSISTANT FEATURES Emily Acheson SPORTS EDITOR William Robertson sports@mediumonline.ca ASSISTANT SPORTS Michelle Duklas Chris Callahan COPY EDITOR Luke Sawczak PHOTOGRAPHY EDITOR Edward Cai photos@mediumonline.ca DESIGN EDITOR Brent Hartford WEBMASTER Gary Li DISTRIBUTION Sandes Samararatne Waleed Malik BOARD OF DIRECTORS Marc Bressler, Paul Donoghue, Yasmeen Husain, , Michael Di Leo, Sarsour Mansour, Mariano Comito, Matthew Filipowich C OM PL A IN TS Comments, concerns or com plaints about The Medium ’s content should be directed to the Editor in Chief who can be located at the email address above.

C OP YR I GH T

Dear Editor, My name is Neel Singla. I have been at Community on Campus since January 2010. In September, I went to clubs week at UTM and signed up to be a part of Style and Profyle. Style and Profyle is a club that encourages students to discover their creativity by showcasing their individual clothing styles to the public. Currently, Style and Profyle is preparing for a fashion show from March 10th12th. All proceeds go to support D.R.E.A.M, Discovering the Reality of Educating All Minds, to help them build schools in India.

I had the opportunity to meet the president of Style and Profyle, Cheyenne, and she asked if I would like to be part of the fashion shows. I was very excited to be given this opportunity and

accepted their invitation. Now, I practice for the fashion show every Sunday 2-4 pm at the Student Center. At practice, I wear the clothes I will be modelling for the show and I practice the two scenes I will be in. You s h oul d c om e a n d c h ec k out m y awesome clothes March 10th-12th at the Blind Duck pub in the Student Centre. Tickets are only $10. See you there!

Thursday, March 10 (doors open at 7:00, show starts at 7:30) Friday, March 11 (doors open at 7:00, show starts at 7:30) Saturday, March 12 (doors open at 6:00, show starts at 6:30) For information on getting tickets call the Community on Campus (SB2077) office 905-828-5386 Yours, Neel Singla

Have something to say?

E mail editor@mediumonline.ca Letters cannot exceed more than 500 words.

A l l c o n t e n t p r i n t e d i n The Medium is the sole property of its creators, and cannot be used with out written con sent.

D IS CL A IM ER Opinions expressed in the p a g e s o f The Medium a r e exclusively of the author and do not necessarily reflect t h o s e o f The Medium.

Additionally, the opinions expressed in advertisements appearing in The Medium are those of advertisers and not of The Medium.

L ET TE R S TO TH E E DI TO R Letters to the editor will be edited for spelling, grammar, style, and coherence. Letters will not exceed 500 words in print. Letters that incite hatred or violence, and let ters that are racist, homopho bic, sexist or libelous, will not be published. Anonymous let ters will not be published.

Letters must be e mailed to the Editor by Friday at 5 p.m.

MONDAY, MARCH

7, 2011 THE MEDIUM 9

Nives Hajdin, Editor | arts@mediumonline.ca

Italian students take the stage Teresa Lobolsamo leads her third year Italian students in this year’s play, La Calandria STEFANIE MAROTTA ASSISTANT NEWS EDITOR

Buona sera a tutti and welcome to a night of scheming, scandals, and screw-ups, Italian style. La Calandria, this year’s Italian production at UTM, opened this weekend to a diverse and appreciative crowd of students and Mississauga residents.

Originally written in Italian prose in 1470 by cardinal and playwright Bernardo Dovizi da Bibbiena, La Calandria is a surprisingly modern comedy, full of humour that spectators of any age can enjoy. To follow the plot, a little background is required. Lidio and Santilla are twins that are separated at the age of six when their father perishes in Modena in an a t t ac k b y t h e T u r k s . U n d e r t he impression that Lidio had been killed, Santilla’s servant dresses the young girl as a boy and gives her Lidio’s name. They are captured and then brought to Rome by a Florentine merchant. The merchant brings the captives to Rome where he decides to give his daughter in marriage to Santilla, who is still dressed as Lidio.

While Santilla is busy with her own misfortune, Lidio and his servant, Fessenio, venture to Rome. Lidio dresses in drag to k e e p h i s a f f a i r wi t h F u l v i a , t h e wife of Calandro, under wraps.

Lidio scampers around Rome dressed as Santilla and Santilla

connives dressed as Lidio.

Calandro, the city’s fool, falls in love with Lidio, who is still dressed as Santilla, and asks Lidio’s servant, Fessenio, for romantic advice. Lidio decides it’s probably best to stay away from Fulvia and Calandro until matters settle down. In the meantime, Fulvia, undergoing a crazed search for her lover, sees Santilla, dressed as Lidio. Santilla agrees to meet with Fulvia to escape her own tangled mess of a wedding.

Confused? So were the native speakers of Italian. After all the confusion, Lidio and Santilla find each other at last, and the problem is resolved.

A product of the third-year Italian Text and Performance class, the cast is made up, not of hopeful actors, but of students dedicated to the Italian language andculture. This passion shines through in their performances.

Luigi Giangrande as Fessenio and Matthew Lima as Calandro give fantastic comedic performances, lighting up the stage with their playful gestures. Karolina F r a s u n k i e w i c z went ab ov e and beyond in her performance as the love-crazed Fulvia, while Antoinette Battaglia gives a believable and engrossing p e r f o r m a n c e a s Samia, Ful vi a’s servant, and pulled the audience along with all the chaos and confusion. Alanna Bolotta and Christian Tribuzio do an astonishing job of playing the twins, who act, speak, and look the same.

Edward Cai/The Medium

Michael Esposito as Fannio and Ivanca Naje as the narrator command the stage and brighten the play, even when the audience is confused by the twists and turns in the plot. Robert Rogers as Ruffo keeps the audience laughing with his honest and comedic

performance.

In this, the first time professor Teresa Lobalsamo has taken on the Italian Text and Performance course, she exceeded her duties in directing a cast without theatrical training and invoking passion in students.

The final showing of La Calandria takes place Saturday, March 12 in CCT 1080. Visit the Italian Department for more information. English subtitles are projected onto an overhead screen, so all audiences will be able to enjoy the spectacle.

Senior print media students invade inset space Co curator Brent Hartford reflects on the exhibition, Shall We Kill Daddy?

BRENT HARTFORD WITH NOTES FROM LINDA NGO

Shall We Kill Daddy? is an exhibition showcasing the emerging artists in the Art & Art History program at the University of Toronto Mississauga as well as faculty members. Since this exhibition will be a collaboration of artists with diversity in style, content, technique, and aesthetics, it was important to u nify them by theme.

The title and theme of the show is based on the article written by Mike Kelly for the catalogue on the work of Douglas Huebler: "...When we are forty, other younger and stronger men will probably throw us in the wastebasket like us eless manuscripts…”

The question posed becomes a confrontation of the generation gap with the emerging artist and the generation that has trained them. Shall We Kill Daddy? is a proposition as to whether the student generation is pushing the

training generation out.

The exhibition had its grand opening on Wednesday, March 2, and remains open to the public until March 14. The oncedreary walls of the Inset Space in room 160 of the North Building have now been given life through the showcasing of artwork from senior printmakers Arnold de Guzman, Brent Hartford, Krista Keller, Emily Mahon, Katy Montica, Hannah Murray, Linda Ngo, Catherine Red, Natilee Zulerons, and professor Lisa Neighbour. The exhibition was co-curated by Brent Hartford and Natilee Zulerons with guidance and assistance from Neighb our and Keller.

Shall We Kill Daddy? took the neglected Inset Space and translated it from a heavily academic workspace back to its true purpose as a gallery for displaying students’ artwork. The show has also been an opportunity for the senior print media students to showcase the high caliber of artwork that has been fostered through a skilled and passionate faculty.

Edward Cai/The Medium

10 THE MEDIUM

MONDAY, MARCH

7, 2011

ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT

Rock the Runway 2011 Nives Hajdin Article

Edward Cai Photography

MONDAY, MARCH

7, 2011THE MEDIUM 11

ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT

U of T’s fourth annual Rock the Runway fashion show returned to its home at the Royal Ontario Museum on Saturday night for an evening of fashion, music, and philanthropy. Founded in 2007 by Juliana White, Fa tima Y usuf, Heat her Mc Ca nn, and Ra ndy A lex and er, Rock the Runway has managed to raise over $20,000 for War Child Canada, an organization that reaches out to impoverished children around the world. Dr. Samantha Nutt, founder and executive director of War Child Canada, spoke briefly on the organization’s 2011 project in Afghanistan which tar gets the largely illiterate female population in order to help them to become self reliant in business and empowered in their daily lives.

While host Brendan Beamish (of the Toronto based band Nights & Weekends) expressed his love of the spotlight, this year’s show introduced a second emcee—Ms. Sarah Taylor of MuchMusic. Together they worked the crowd and got the excitement flow ing for the evening ahead, which began with an intriguing Black Swan inspired ballet performance across the runway.

The first designer of the night was S a r a h S t e v e n s o n , whose beautiful silk day gowns suggested a walk through the enchanting streets of Paris on a warm spring day. Stevenson earned her master’s degree at the Institute of European Design in Milan, and this European influence shines through in her hand crafted natural fabrics. Following Stevenson’s French reverie, a harmonica solo took the audience by surprise, yet it perfectly set the mood for the following designer. Next, the male design trio known as 18 Waits sent out their first model with a pair of antlers in hand and another followed with a bottle from which he proceeded to take a swig, much to the audience’s amusement. This playfulness is what 18 Waits is all about, and their rough and tough, functional out fits are “meant to be worn well, enjoyed, loved, and destroyed”, according to the designers’ vision. The first half wrapped up with Brazilian designer Baby Steinberg, whose line of women’s clothing aims to “reclaim, repurpose, and refresh” by recycling items such as plastic bags and coffee filters into high fashion pieces. Baby Steinberg’s environmentally conscious designs have been featured in countless shows, including Toronto’s LG Fashion Week last October.

Following the intermission, in which guests rallied to bid in a silent auction whose proceeds supported War Child Canada, the evening continued with some live entertainment from the band Y oung Empires, who recently supported Chromeo on tour. The band’s elec tronic and tropical vibe was a refreshing sound, and it became even more enjoyable when Cara Cheung models hit the stage and worked the runway to the pulsing beat of Young Empires’ infectious tunes. A former Chanel intern, Cheung fuses music and art into her designs to create a harmonious cohesion of rocker spunk and diva glam. The next designers to be showcased were Arnaldo Santos and Chris Nevin, both of whom look to classical styles as inspiration. Santos’ elegant gowns are designed to instil instant confidence in the wearer, and Nevin’s earlier urban, street style designs inspired his turn towards the black and white Hollywood glam of the 1920s and 30s. The show also featured a line of leather handbags by Ask & E mbla, all of which are hand stitched and one of a kind. The closing moments of the show featured another ballerina, this time in black, gliding across the stage and out of sight as the audience applauded the night’s events.

For the fourth year in a row, the evening was a huge success and with audience turnout increasing annually, the five year anniversary of Rock the Runway is sure to be another night to remember.

12 THE MEDIUM

MONDAY, MARCH

7, 2011

ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT

All that glitters is not gold

James Franco’s lacklustre hosting at The Oscars marked the show as one of the worst in history ADRIANA FLORIDIA

After a very predictable awards season, the Oscars did nothing much to spice things up. Hollywood’s most important night was big and beautiful, but not bold.

First-time hosts Anne Hathaway and James Franco were supposed to bring a young and hip vibe to the show, but instead they made it as boring as ever.

While Franco seemed to be in his own little trance, Hathaway tried to compensate for his lack of presence, and therefore their dynamic was a bit of a mess. However, it wasn’t entirely their fault. Whoever was in charge of writing the ceremony did an awful job. Not only the hosts but even the presenters had practically no material to work with. The pressure to reach a younger demographic, as well as to keep the show fast-paced in order to not go over the three-hour mark as it does most years, was not worth the trouble; it was one of the worst broadcasts the ceremony has ever had.

Not only was there a lack of humour, but even the star power seemed a little low. Big stars like Jack Nicholson, Meryl Streep, George Clooney, etc., were curiously missing from the Kodak Theatre. Instead there was a new crop of Hollywood A-lists who paled in comparison to the big stars that are usually the exciting people to see at the event.

On a slightly positive note, the opening that placed Anne and James into the world of Inception (and other selected Best Picture nominees) was mildly funny, though it’s been done much better in past years. The montages were very

nicely executed, but it did seem to push The King’s Speech a little too much.

Having all 10 movies playing to the speech of King George VI was fitting, though it did kind of give a hint as to who would be winning the big award.

Billy Crystal’s appearance on stage, paying tribute to Bob Hope on the first televised Academy Awards, reminded the audience of how much better the show could have been if a comedian, specifically one of the two men themselves (though Bob Hope is no longer with us), had been hosting that night. Among one of the funnier (or rather the few funny) segments was the Autotune bit, where Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part 1, Toy Story 3, and Twilight: Eclipse were made into music videos using the popular YouTube effect of Autotuning regular dialogue.

However, the joke seemed to aim only at a young crowd in the digital age, and was not too fitting for older audiences. The reflection on Oscar winners in all past categories was a nice touch, but it also seemed to take away from the current winner.

Now, for the actual awards (which are technically what the show should really be about), the winners could not have been more predictable. The only real surprise was Tom Hooper taking home Best Director for The King’s Speech, when that prize was much more deserved by David Fincher for The Social Network. As for Best Animated Feature, though it was a very strong year for animated film, there was no doubt that the award would go to Toy Story 3, which also had a Best Picture nomination. That

fact in itself basically omitted the need for an Animated Feature category, but the other two films nominated, The Illusionist and How to Train Your Dragon, still deserved their honourable mentions.

For the acting categories, Melissa Leo, despite her controversial self-published ads and Oscar campaign, still picked up the Best Supporting Actress trophy for The Fighter, in which she was clearly the best out of the nominees. Her infamous “F-bomb” moment on stage has already been criticized as premeditated due to her starvation for attention, but it would be nicer to believe that it was a genuine in-the-moment slip. Either way, it did make for one of the most entertaining moments of the night, as well as Kirk Douglas’ drawn-out presentation of the award. Christian Bale finally took to the stage to accept his own Oscar for Best Supporting Actor in The Fighter. Though he has never been nominated, he has had many noteworthy performances in his career and it was about time he got recognized. Natalie Portman picked up her first Oscar for Black Swan, and though her performance was incredible and iconic, it still was a very strong year for the Best Actress race, and any of the other winners would have been equally as deserving. She made up for her mess of a Golden Globe speech at the Oscars, though, playing it completely safe and giving quite possibly the most boring speech of the night. And last but not least, Colin Firth won his first Oscar for playing the stammering Duke of York in The King’s Speech. Though he is a very talented actor who has been in the busi-

University of Ottawa

timeinc.net

Franco in drag isn’t particularly attractive. ness for a long time, it’s kind of funny how “due” he was made out to be for an Oscar after only his second notable performance (and nomination—the other being last year’s A Single Man). In all, though anyone could have guessed these four names for the acting categories, they were all very deserving winners.

The Best Picture race was also very predictable, though the big question was whether the Academy would go the “young and relevant” route, the way they tried to with the ceremony itself, by choosing The Social Network, or would it go the “safe and traditional” route, by picking the winner The King’s Speech.

Either film would have been a very worthy win, but The King’s Speech did have an advantage over The Social Network in that it was a film with heart.

Though the show itself was quite a

bore, 2010 was an exceptional year for film, and seeing the right people get recognized was still a delight. Beautiful gowns, beautiful people, and unforgettable talent still managed to fill the Kodak Theatre, and though the show could have been so much better, especially with its hope to reach a younger demographic, the Oscars are still an event that everyone who appreciates film should have tuned into. Hopefully, next year the Academy will take a hint, and if they want to continue the route of dual hosting, a good suggestion would be Russell Brand and Helen Mirren, possibly the only good presenters of the night. It goes to show that just because someone is a good actor doesn’t mean they have the power and appeal to carry out a three-hour ceremony. Sorry, Anne and James, but that refers to you.

Graduate Studies

Friday, March 18, 2011

Open House Meet with Faculty representatives. Explore the campus.

Get answers to your questions.

Gain a real sense of what graduate studies at uOttawa is like.

FREE round-trip shuttle from Toronto. Spaces are limited!

Visit www.discoveruOttawa.ca to register.

MONDAY, MARCH

7, 2011 THE MEDIUM 13

ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT

Buying contraband cigarettes costs more than you think. It fuels other criminal activities, such as the trafficking of drugs and guns. Individuals caught in possession of contraband cigarettes face serious consequences ranging from a fine to jail time.

contrabandconsequences.gc.ca L’achat de cigarettes de contrebande coûte plus cher qu’on le pense : il alimente d’autres activités criminelles comme le trafic d’armes et de drogues. Les individus pris en possession de cigarettes de contrebande s’exposent à de graves conséquences, allant de l’amende jusqu’à l’emprisonnement.

consequencesdelacontrebande.gc.ca

14 THE MEDIUM

MONDAY,MARCH

7, 2011

ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT

Wounded Rhymes—Lykke Li Underneath the Pine—Toro Y Moi JULIA GRABOWSKA

It’s been a long couple of years since we heard Lykke Li’s highly e n j oy a b l e d e b u t al b u m b a c k i n 2008. Youth Novels was an obvious success with Li’s soft, high-pitched vocals along with catchy rhythms that filled the record. But as the years passed, everyone wondered where the Swedish native had disappeared to. Yet with the release of her new single, “Get Some”, a couple months ago, it was clear that Li was coming back with a bang. The soft-spoken indie gal has strayed from the fun path of Youth Novels, and has entered a new, dark mindset on Wounded Rhymes.

The first track, “Youth Knows No Pain”, has a very distinct sound of p l a y f u l o r g a n s a n d t h r o bb i n g drums. It definitely holds curiosity with the interesting title and catchy melodic hooks. We hear Li singing, “Come on, get down, make a mess,” and this foreshadows the sound of the remaining tracks. It looks like Li has shattered the crystal image of Youth Novels and crossed into the grey haze that her second album conveys. From listening to the very first track, there is absolutely nothing wrong and everything right about this darker feel.

Tunes such as “Love out of Lust” and “Unrequited Love” have a very heavy theme of love. Although the songs occur right after another on the album, redundancy does not seem to be an issue. Both of the songs have a mellow feel, accompanied by simple strings and slow drum beats. The effortless and outstanding harmonies, specifically in

“Unrequited Love”, share a sense of calmness and uniqueness.

In the dead centre of this record, the single “Get Some” is the perfect balance between the more ominous lyrics in the rest of her songs. It’s one of the songs on this album that allows the listener to let loose. With blatant lyrics like “I’m your prostitute, you gon’ get some”, it’s clear the record isn’t all about mourning and troubles. This tune illustrates that the more mature and demanding side of Li is surely alive.

As we move towards the end of Wounded Rhymes, the darker aura returns with the topics of surrender and pleading. In the song “I Know Places”, Li tries to persuade a lover that they would be better off in

another unknown place. This tune, along with the final few, is extremely soulful and raw, with Li’s heart placed on a platter for everyone to see. It is a beautiful sound of such honest and relatable words.

The overwhelming and sometimes church-like musical performance on this album is exceptional.

I t w o r k s p e rf e c t l y w i t h L i ’ s unadorned vocals and occasional harmonizing. Wounded Rhymes is an emotional story that can be celebrated on the dance floor at times, or therapeutically and intimately through your earphones. Overall, Li’s change of character was a step towards the dark side, and frankly, there’s nothing to be afraid of. ★★★★½

ELIZABETH LUONG DO

Chazwick Bundick, aka Toro Y Moi, has had buzz flying in all directions about him and his electrifyingly smooth sounds.

Easily classified under the summer genre of “chill-wave”, grouped with the likes of Washed Out and Neon Indian, Bundick brings the genre to a whole different level.

While you had his debut album Causers of This on your iPod’s repeat list during summer of 2010, he was already busy writing and recording follow up album Underneath the Pine.

The feel of Underneath the Pine is entirely different but still holds true to Toro Y Moi’s signature sounds, heavy bass and hushed vocals, which are most definitely included. The album starts off with some heavy cowbell on the instrumental “Intro

towerrecords.ie

Chi Chi” which sets the ambience, and follows up with his released track “New Beat”.

Underneath the Pine encompasses this new retro, funky, sexy feel that Causers of This had a hint of, but didn’t fully unleash.

Bundick seems to have broken out of whatever hipster genre one would classify him under and has shown that he’s got it, whatever it is. With the same deliciously soulful lyrics and vocal sound, Underneath the Pine is definitely going to have you sitting on your bed nostalgic over the summer months to come. If you’re a fan, be sure not to miss Chaz at Toronto’s beloved Wrong Bar on April 7.

A notable track on the album is “Still Sound” and the funky beat and catchy lyrics will get you singing “Cause, I don’t, don’t, don’t want to be alone” while doing some weird dance in the middle of the sidewalk. ★★★★

gorillavsbear.net

Departing—The Rural Alberta Advantage COLLEEN MUNRO ASSISTANT A&E EDITOR

POSTGRADUATE CERTIFICAT ES Financial Planning Global Business Management Human Resources Management International Development International Marketing Marketing Management Public Administration

business.humber.ca

Toronto trio The Rural Alberta Advantage has earned buzz from bloggers and critics thanks to a pair of EPs and their 2008 full-length debut album, Hometowns. But now, on their followup record, Departing, they prove that they’re not one of the many bands who crumble under the pressure of creating a followup to a hyped debut album.

Their sound is distinctive, with their jittery, fuzzed-up style that they add to each song. And while this hook occasionally threatens to make all their songs sound alike, they dabble in a wide enough array of genres and tempos to keep Departing interesting from song to song.

One of the best songs on the album is “Muscle Relaxants”, in which the band flexes their rock ’n’ roll muscles and crafts a propulsive upbeat track with a great hook for a chorus. In fact, many of the album’s highlights are the more lively offerings. Singer Nils Edenloff ’s voice has an effectively gritty, strained quality which lends itself nicely to up-tempo songs.

“Stamp” is another garage rock gem that will likely please fans of their older songs, such as “Drain the Blood”.

As for the album’s more low-key offerings, “Coldest Days” shows a softer side to The Rural Alberta Advantage; the vocals and guitars adapt easily to the quieter songs, and this diversity gives the album some much-needed dynamics. As well, “North Star” is a sparse piano ballad of sorts, done over in the band’s uncompromisingly unique style.

Sharp drumming from Paul Banwatt also adds considerably to the band’s signature sound. The unrelenting drums not only propel the songs along but also make for great contrast when the rhythm

musicisamazing.com

section suddenly disappears. Interwoven with jaunty keyboard and distorted guitars, the drums only enhance the deceptively simple instrumentation on Departing.

The Rural Alberta Advantage knows how to give their music an almost atonal quality at times. Guitars endlessly play single notes, and Edenloff ’s vocals are sometimes nasal and discordant, but all of this is of course constructed. The band expertly combines this unrelenting clash of sound with the sweet, unassuming melodies that sneak up on the listener.

These may not be pop songs that get played on the radio, but a couple of the choruses here are likely to get stuck in your head for days.

Their lo-fi style may be popular, but The Rural Alberta Advantage brings little of the sneering detachment of artists who fit into that genre (such as Wavves and

Japandroids). They also offer more of a folk edge to their music, making them similar to fellow Canadian acts Wintersleep and The Weakerthans. At times (such as on “Stamp”), they even sound like a more minimalistic Broken Social Scene. Perhaps it’s a distinctly Canadian sound, but it’s one that often seems to appeal to indie music fans worldwide.

The Rural Alberta Advantage isn’t everyone’s cup of tea. Some listeners may be turned off by Edenloff’s vocals, which recall those of Kristian Matsson of the Swedish folk act The Tallest Man on Earth. But Departing marks a more polished step forward for a promising young indie act. They may be packing up and moving from the hometown on their first album, but The Rural Alberta Advantage seems to be heading towards bigger and better things. ★★★★

MONDAY, MARCH

7, 2011 THE MEDIUM 15

Amir Ahmed, Editor | features@mediumonline.ca

Does our culture value art?

ALEX TKACHUK I took my dad to a blues and jazz bar last week. We got there, had a couple of drinks, and listened to the music. The first band played modern blues. It had a guitar, a bass, drums, and a saxophone. It was one of those fringe bands that blur the line between blues and rock ’n’ roll.

My dad loved it, and honestly I can’t blame him; they were good—a tad simplistic, but good.

The second act was a real jazz band. It featured accomplished musicians playing complex rhythms, sophisticated horn solos, and a beautifully smooth bass player. After listening to two or three songs my dad turned to me and said he was bored.

We left the bar and went home.

On the way out my dad said to me, “That first band was so much better than the second, eh?” I smiled and said nothing.

My father isn’t dumb; he likes his music in 4/4 time, consisting of the same three chords played over and over and over again in a stock rhythm. He likes his music bland so he can understand it, and so he can pay attention to the lyrics—most of which have been recycled a dozen times by a dozen bands and a poet or two.

What makes his music less artistic? Is it less artistic? For hundreds of years the question of what is “art” has kept aesthetic philosophers arguing; some think art is defined

creativedeconstruction.com

by craft, some think it’s defined by the concept, some think it has to do with the feelings the artist instils in their consumers, and it seems like all parties are right. Good art is nestled in between concept, emotion, and complexity. Not all jazz is artistically better than all blues. But the jazz band I listened to was more original, more complex, and arguably more emotional than the blues band.

It was, simply, better art; but my dad didn’t think so, and though there is artistic value in the music my dad likes, other music has more of it. I believe his choice between blues-rock and jazz is reflective of our culture’s views on art in general.

I believe most people in our society

would rather be spoon-fed their entertainment than pursue the more sophisticated arts. But why?

One of the major factors is our technology. Technology has radically changed the climate for artistic endeavors. Now that aesthetically pleasing pieces can be created with minimal effort, our world has become saturated with simple arts and entertainment. A quick Google search will produce thousands of photographs, videos, or remixed songs, many of which can be quite visually or audibly attractive, but with the speed and ease at which they are produced, they cheapen society’s views of more complex arts, and disservice the arts as a whole. Our society has become so

saturated with simple arts that they spill into our soft drink ads.

Everything in excess loses some of its value, and though some of the art is still stunning, this oversaturation may have made us lose the ability to appreciate it.

What people get out of recorded art isn’t what they think it is.

Recording performance art is changing the medium of it, and in making this change the art loses some of its emotional appeal. The back and forth between an artist and an audience is part of the piece he is producing, and many of the more complex performance arts lose emotional appeal in this translation.

A perfect example of this is found in the jazz bar. One of the things

that make jazz so special is its improvised sections. A good jazz band will never have the same drum line for the same song from one performance to another, and they’ll never have the same solo twice.

Recorded jazz just sounds stale.

Our economy creates another hurdle the modern artist has to jump. It is more profitable to give an audience bite-size sitcoms and soap operas than to pursue complex or original artistic pieces. More people understand simple arts and entertainment. The people who own the television stations and recording companies know more people will buy simple arts and entertainment, so that’s all they produce.

With stale media being the only art many people come into contact with, it’s not surprising that people don’t understand more complex pieces. You can’t blame a person for not understanding a language the first time they hear it, and you can’t blame a person for not understanding artistic forms they never come in contact with.

I’m painting a depressing picture.

Yes, there are people who still appreciate art, though there are less of them than there once were. Yes, there should be a place for art in our society, though it’s smaller than it once was. In our world of Twitter and Facebook, in our world of television and YouTube, there is some hope. Yes, there should be all manner of arts in our society, even though only certain arts thrive.

Let them eat cake: Canadians and the monarchy AMIR AHMED FEATURES EDITOR On April 29, Prince William and Kate Middleton will marry. And no one, at least in Canada, will give a damn.

This is the latest sentiment echoed in an Angus Reid poll released on December 30, 2010. The poll indicates that 70% of Canadians surveyed said they were either “not too interested” or “not interested at all” in the event, and that 58% were not in favour of having a holiday held in honour of the occasion.

This came as a surprise to me. My mother’s Hello! Canada for January featured a prominent picture of the prince, and a March 3 article in the Toronto Star detailed the ancestry of his bride. Across the Atlantic a holiday is brewing and—according to an NY Daily News article—commemorative condoms are being sold for eight dollars a box. But despite the overseas excitement and Canadian media coverage, we just can’t be persuaded to care.

The disinterest with the wedding is in line with growing dissatisfaction with the monarchy: the same Angus Reid poll found that 35% of Canadians would like to sever ties with the monarchy after the death or abdication of Queen Elizabeth,

and a Canadian Press HarrisDecima survey found in 2010 that 48% of Canadians thought the monarchy was a “relic of our colonial past”. The polls also indicate that Canadian satisfaction with the Crown has dropped in recent years.

More and more people are saying that Canada should break its monarchic tie.

And some groups have been saying it for a long time: citizens for a Canadian Republic, an activist group founded in 2002 with chapters in Toronto, Montréal, and Vancouver, am ong other cities, aims to oust the monarchy for an entirely Canadian head of state. The CCR claims that the concept of a hereditary leader is incompatible with Canadian egalitarianism, and that continued leadership by the monarchy Britishizes our Canadian identity. The CCR website also details the taxpayer cost of royal visits, such as the 2010 visit by the Queen, which resulted in over $1 million of spending per day.

Canadians have other reasons to find the monarchy outdated or ineffective: the monarchy is a longstanding ill in Francophone Québec, where my father once learned how to fold a $20 bill in such a way that Queen Elizabeth’s face became a pair of parted buttocks. Many firstand second-generation citizens may

also find themselves fully Canadian but not fully loyal to an old woman with rocking hats on the other side of the ocean. The monarchy, like it or not, is distant geographically and culturally. And aside from the occasional wedding, we don’t even hear from them that much.

In 2005, CCR joined Common Cause, a coalition group made up of three other Republican groups based in New Zealand, Australia, and the UK. There is a strange irony that Common Cause is unified by their commonwealth status, and that this unity is exactly what monarchist claims is a major strength of the Crown: the Queen unifies what would otherwise be divided, and provides a common cultural base for Canadians, Indians, and South Africans that would otherwise be absent. This argument is one of many, along with appeals to tradition and the “checks and balances” system, that pro-crown activists adopt.

The biggest force behind the monarchy’s continued influence in Canada may not be the institution or the unity it offers, but Queen Elizabeth herself. The monarch herself is viewed favourably by 58% of Canadians, according to Angus Reid. Even the United States, who made their opinions clear on the royals back in 1776, views her

http://nearwestclevepastor.wordpress.com

Sorry your Highness, but we really don’t want a governor general. favourably; a 2002 report by Gallup found that Queen Elizabeth has been nominated for the title of “Most Admired Woman of the Year” 38 times from 1948 to 2001.

The Queen has had the most nominations since 1948, beating Mother Theresa—at 18 nominations—and

Oprah Winfrey, at 14.

In any case, and for whatever reason, whether or not Canada chooses to sever ties with the monarchy now, later, or neverI completely endorse the holiday on April 29, and a hold on all exams for that date. Hear that, Dr. Naylor?

16 THE MEDIUM

FEATURES

MONDAY, MARCH

7, 2011

Science Corner

Sexy science EMILY ACHESON ASSISTANT FEATURES EDITOR I pop Pride and Prejudice into my DVD player. I watch for the millionth time as Mr. Darcy stares into Elizabeth Bennett’s eyes. I listen as he says what every woman wants to hear: “You have bewitched me, body and soul, and I love you.”

It’s true love. It’s a match made in heaven. It’s destiny. Or is it a tangle of sex hormones, body signals, and a desire to reproduce?

Though we like to think that there’s a mystical cosmic reason for finding our soulmate, researchers believe our senses pick up on vital biological signals that hint at the reproductive viability of the opposite sex.

Love at first sight.

Elizabeth Bennett may have had large eyes, a small nose, a high forehead, and clear, smooth skin. Why? According to Jeffrey Kluger, science editor for Time Magazine, these traits are generally what men find attractive in a woman. These traits resemble those of a baby. Babyish looks indicate youth, and youth indicates higher female fertility.

Elizabeth may have also had an hourglass figure with a waist-to-hip ratio of 0.7 (meaning her waist was 70% the size of her hips).

Evolutionarily, women with this figure type communicate a higher ability to procreate. This is due to estrogen produced after puberty that usually settles 35 pounds of reproductive fat in the hips instead of the waist.

Recent research in the Netherlands has even found that women with waistto-hip ratios higher than 0.7 are less likely to have successful births.

Likewise, Mr. Darcy may have had broad shoulders moving down to slim hips. This triangular shape communicates strength and athleticism. For women, these traits indicate a good hunter-gatherer and protector of offspring.

For both men and women, symmetry is highly desirable. Scientists believe symmetry of the face and body indicates a strong immune system, which indicates good genes.

The first time I smelled you...

You may love how your partner smells, but have you ever wondered why?

Scientists believe that pheromones communicate a person’s genetic makeup. Each person has MHC genes, or major histocompatibility complex genes, that code for special marker proteins, and in particular communicate your type of immune system. These marker proteins help the body recognize whether a cell is native to the body or is an invader.

When you smell your partner, you’re subconsciously receiving information about how similar (or dissimilar) his or her genes are to yours. The less similar they are, the more variation in genes, so the less likely that the offspring will be stuck with the harmful ones—they can take the best of both worlds. Amazingly, your brain works this out on its own.

When you call for me...

Women can judge a man’s masculinity by his voice. A recent study by McMaster University shows that men with deeper voices father more children.

A man’s rich voice usually indicates lots of testosterone. If Mr. Darcy had a deep voice, Elizabeth may have subconsciously found him more masculine, mature, and healthy.

Do you feel me?

Humans have a nervous system network under the skin that consists of tactile C fibres. These fibres only respond to gentle touch. As Elizabeth and Darcy held hands during the Netherfield dance, their tactile fibers may have activated the area of their brains that feels emotion, such as pleasure.

It’s in his kiss.

Maybe Mr. Darcy and Elizabeth didn’t kiss until the end of their story, but the kiss may have “sealed the deal”.

Scientists have found that a man’s saliva contains small amounts of testosterone.

Testosterone acts as an aphrodisiac for women.

By kissing a woman, a man may be sneaking this hormone into the woman and spurring her sexual drive. And in both directions, saliva, like pheromones, is also believed to communicate MHC. Everyone has theories on why Mr. Darcy and Elizabeth fell in love. Was it her intellect and wit? His mansion at Pemberly? My opinion: it was all in their MHC signal receptors.

Antibiotic resistance and human disease IOANA GHEORGHIU Antibiotics are natural substances secreted by bacteria and fungi to kill other bacteria that are competing for limited nutrients. The antibiotics used today to treat people are typically derivatives of these natural products, produced in a laboratory setting.

If a microorganism, such as infection-causing bacteria, can no longer be killed through antibiotics, then it is said to be “antibiotic resistant”.

Thought to have evolved through natural selection of random mutations in microorganisms that react to antibiotics, antibiotic resistance poses a significant risk to human health.

For example, if a bacterium carries genes that code for antibiotic resistance and is highly infectious, a pandemic could easily ensue.

There are a number of factors that have led antibiotic resistance to appear and to continue in populations of microorganisms, such as the addition of antibiotics as growth enhancers in the food industry, overprescription of antibiotics by physicians, and patients not completing their antibiotic treatment.

The routine feeding of antibiotics to farm animals has led to the emergence of many new antibiotic-resistant bacteria, such as S. Typhimurium Definitive Type 104 (DT 104), that was discovered in the 1980s and is characterized by multiple antimicrobial resistance. DT 104 is present in many animals (farm, wild, and pets), and can be transmitted to humans.

In at least half the world, antibiotics can be sold over-the-counter.

Yet even in places where antibiotics require a prescription, there is a tendency to over-prescribe. Sometimes, patients misuse antibiotics and do not complete their antibiotic treatment,

leading to a longer infection, and thus the greater risk of their bacteria population developping antibiotic resistance. As resistance becomes more common, there is a greater need for alternative treatments.

Staphylococcus aureus (colloquially known as “Staph aureus” or a “Staph infection”) is one of the major resistant pathogens. Staph aureus is found on the mucous membranes and the human skin of a third of the human population. It was one of the earliest bacteria in which penicillin resistance was found, in 1947, just four years after the drug started being mass-produced.

Sometimes processed food can become contaminated with bacteria such as Escherichia coli (E. coli) and salmonella. Eighty percent of E. coli bacteria found on contaminated meat is resistant to one or more antibiotics.

E. coli can cause bladder infections.

Salmonella was first found in humans in the 1970s and in some cases is resistant to as many as nine different antibiotics. Many people are hospitalized each year after becoming infected with both bacteria, and some die as a result.

Despite the urgency, there has been little research and development by pharmaceutical companies into new drugs that can treat these resistant bacteria. Physicians fear a future where effective antibiotics may not be available to treat seriously ill patients.

Major pharmaceutical companies have lost interest in the antibiotics market because these drugs are not as profitable than drugs that treat chronic conditions and lifestyle issues. Nevertheless, the pharmaceutical and biotechnology industries are the best sources to find a solution to this antibiotic crisis and to develop the new antibiotics needed to treat bacterial diseases.

bbc.co.uk

nextnature.net

So you think you know Life Sciences?

EMILY ACHESON ASSISTANT FEATURES EDITOR From March 11 to 13, the University of Toronto will host its first Canadian University Life Science Challenge (CULSC).

Organized on behalf of the U of T Department of Human Biology, the three-day competition will test undergraduate life science students from across Canada on various areas of their program. The challenge will be held in New College at the St.

George campus.

Teams of up to four students can collaborate to answer questions on anatomy, molecular biology, biochemistry, genetics, behavioural psychology, neuroscience, and physiology. The more diverse the team’s members in their academic backgrounds, the better advantage the team will have.

Before the first round, teams will be given a practice round to learn the routine. The questioning will imitate problem-solving games like

Jeopardy, Brain Bee, and Reach for the Top. Teams will then be sorted randomly into rooms. In each room, the first team will be asked a 100-level (lowest difficulty) question. The difficulty of the questions is based on first- to fourth-level undergraduate courses.

After six rounds of questioning, the three teams with the highest scores will advance to a large auditorium for the final round for prizes.

The top team will be awarded trophies and a monetary award, while

the two runner-up teams will be awarded medals. A prize will also be given to the winning team and the winning team’s university. Other prizes will be awarded throughout the competition, such as gift certificates to the most spirited team.

But the competition isn’t the only thing students will have to look forward to. Participants can also enjoy guest speakers in research, two lunches, free time to explore downtown, and social events on Friday and Saturday night. If team members

wish to stay downtown, affordable accommodations have been posted online at culsc.sa.utoronto.ca.

Registration has opened and finished. The entrance fee was $40 for four-member teams until February 20. Afterwards, the fee increased to $50 until March 7.

Students can learn more about eligibility requirements, accommodations, registration fees, and more at culsc.sa.utoronto.ca or at the Canadian University Life Science Challenge Facebook group.

MONDAY, MARCH

7, 2011

THE MEDIUM 17

FEATURES

WANTED:

RECHERCHONS :

COMMUNICATIONS TECHNICIANS

TECHNICIENS EN COMMUNICATIONS

“If our communications go down, lives could be at stake. My job is to inspect and maintain my team’s communications equipment. Keeping them in touch and keeping them safe.”

Corporal HAEBE BAGUIDY

« Des lignes de transmission rompues, ça peut vouloir dire des vies en danger. Mon travail consiste à inspecter et à réparer le matériel de communication de mon équipe. Je fais en sorte que tous restent en contact pour que tous restent en sécurité. » Caporal HAEBE BAGUIDY

18 THE MEDIUM

MONDAY, MARCH

7, 2011

William Robertson , Editor | sports@mediumonline.ca

NBA All-Star weekend needs drastic change MICHAEL SKRZYNIAK

A couple weeks ago, the NBA hosted its annual All-Star Weekend in Los Angeles. A weekend full of glitz and glamour, showcasing the sport’s best athletes became a dry, lacklustre event which made me realize that things have to change...

The biggest part of All-Star weekend for a hardcore NBA fan is the Slam Dunk Contest. So many big names have put on great shows for us in the past, including the Airness, Michael Jordan, Dominique Wilkins, and more recently Vince Carter and Jason Richardson. However, this year’s contest revolved around one man, Blake Griffin. As expected, Blake won the dunk contest, but once again, as in recent years, there was controversy as well a lack of aweinspiring moments. The dunk contest has become kind of a joke in the last couple years; there’s been more of an emphasis on props and product placement, for example Griffin dunking over a car which had to have a sticker with “Sprite Dunk Contest”

on it. Once again, everyone’s got to get paid. The dunk itself was moderate at best, and what further irked me was that the commentators kept proclaiming that he jumped over a car.

He didn’t. He jumped over the hood of a car—a feat which could be performed by 80% of NBA players.

DeMar DeRozan of the Toronto Raptors, who was shafted during the dunk contest, came out and proclaimed his disdain for the way the dunk contest is organized and scored, labelling it a “prop dunk contest”.

“I felt like the (props) take away from your dunk more than anything,” said DeRozan. “If there was a dunk contest next year, maybe I’d do it. But not a prop dunk contest.”

I love DeRozan for stating this and I completely agree with him. The Slam Dunk Contest has seen better days, and it was in these older days of Dr. J and Spud Webb where you saw actual creativity in dunks. As a sports purist, watching Javale McGee dunking on two nets, however entertaining, is not something I care about all that much, because you’d never see

that in a game. It looks cartoonish and gimmicky. The NBA would benefit from the old way of doing things.

With the athletic abilities of the NBA players today, I’m sure they could orchestrate some things we’ve never seen before.

The actual All-Star game itself was pretty boring as well. It seemed like it was about three players: Kobe Bryant, Kevin Durant, and LeBron James. The game should not be centred on only three players out of 24.

There was hardly a lick of defence played and it only featured a couple of highlight-worthy dunks. I am starting to believe the NBA might benefit from the NHL way of doing things. Let Kobe have one team, LeBron to have another team, and let them pick teams, just like they did in the streets and in their high school gyms.

The NBA must change something if they want to stop diluting their product. The NBA has too many talented players to let them be forced into this exhibition of product placement, dancing, and Twitter feeds.

But that’s just me...

abc.net.au

Blake Griffin dunks over a Kia Forte—well, the hood of it.

MLB off-season brings few changes CHRIS CALLAHAN ASSISTANT SPORTS EDITOR A quick look at how things have changed in Major League Baseball this winter reveals very little: Derek Jeter is still a Yankee, the Phillies once again have a collection of superstars that’s unparalleled in the National League, and the Pirates are still the lowly Pirates. It seems that a few of the already powerful teams simply got stronger and the rest of the league was left to fight for the remaining scraps.

The biggest off-season winners were the Boston Red Sox. By adding outfielder Carl Crawford and first baseman Adrian Gonzalez, the Red Sox now have a very intimidating lineup. If injured stars Kevin Youkilis and Dustin Pedroia can rebound in 2011, the Red Sox have a very good shot at making a World Series run.

The Yankees missed out on the pitcher they most coveted, Cliff Lee, but retained Derek Jeter and Mariano Rivera.

The Bronx bombers still have a lineup that will make them a force in the AL, but pitching could be their downfall.

They prepared for this contingency by signing three big-name pitchers that have declined significantly in recent years. If even one of the risky signings of Freddy Garcia, Bartolo Colon, or Mark Prior end up making an impact and returning to their past form, they will have a competent rotation led once again

by C.C. Sabathia and A.J. Burnett.

The Angels had a tumultuous off-season, missing out on their major target in Carl Crawford. Although overpaying for Adrian Beltre, who ended up signing with the Rangers, may not have been the right way to compensate for that, it may have represented a better option than taking on the outrageous contract

attached to Vernon Wells. The Angels can only hope they’ve kept up with the Yankees and Red Sox, but at this point that seems like a stretch, as they needed to make a splash and failed to do so.

The massive superpower in the National League once again got better as the Phillies added another ace, Cliff Lee, to an exceptional rotation that is now unanimously regarded as the best in the MLB. The Phillies lost Jayson Werth in easily the most perplexing move of the off-season: the Nationals rewarded the only one-time 30+ home run hitter with a seven-year, $126-million contract.

Even without Werth, the Phillies have more than enough offensive firepower to provide run support for their dominant pitching staff.

Also in the NL, the World Series champs retooled. They replaced World Series MVP Edgar Renteria with Miguel Tejada, a swap that on paper seems logical due to Tejada’s stronger skills as a power hitter. With a good nucleus of young phenoms like ace Tim Lincecum and catcher Buster Posey along with veteran sluggers like Pat Burrell and Aubrey Huff still intact, the Giants look like they could once again be capable of making some noise in the NL. The only thing that has changed from last year is that this time the league will be expecting it.

In an off-season where the familiar contenders dominated the headlines, one could conclude that next season will not be one of change, but then again very few experts were praising the Giants’ off-season a year ago. We will have to wait until summer to determine the true winners and losers of the off-season, but as of now it was one in which the familiar contenders fought each other for the big names that could give them the edge come October.

Help recognize teaching, research and staff service excellence at U of T Mississauga Submit a nomination and have an outstanding faculty, teaching assistant and/or staff member recognized for their excellence. The winner in each category will be recognized at a reception convened by the Vice-President and Principal in the fall and will receive a special award plaque.

Nominations from groups and individuals are invited for four awards: Teaching Excellence Award for Faculty Teaching Excellence Award for Teaching Assistants Research Excellence Award Staff Service Award Nominations from students are encouraged.

To nominate an outstanding faculty member, teaching assistant, and/or staff go to http://www.utm.utoronto.ca/council/ and click on Excellence Awards, where you will find important information on how to assemble a nomination package.

Deadline for submissions: Friday, May 20, 2011

MONDAY, MARCH 7, 2011 THE MEDIUM 19

SPORTS

germainmapleleafsquare.com

Dion Phaneuf has improved play lately and looks to guide the Leafs into their first post season in almost a decade.

Toronto Maple Leafs making final playoff push Assistant Sports Editor Michelle Duklas examines the latest push by Toronto to make the playoffs for the first time in six years.

The Toronto Maple Leafs are making that infamous playoff push that they’ve done ever since the lockout of 2004/05.

It has been seven years since the Leafs have made the playoffs, and that post-season competition is desperately overdue. They are legitimately in the running for a spot in the playoffs, and, in 10th place, are four points behind the eighth-place Carolina Hurricanes. The Leafs are 29-28-9 for a total of 67 points.

Their latest loss against the Chicago Blackhawks brings Atlanta within two poin ts of catchi ng up to the Leafs.

The Leafs have played exceptionally well since the All Star break, with a 10-3-4 record. This sudden surge of great playing has many Leafs fans wondering if this will finally be the year that the Leafs make an appearance in the playoffs.

There are many reasons behind this turn of events, one of which is James Reimer. The rookie goaltender has a 12-5-3 record with a .924 save percentage and 2.45 goals against average. Reimer has become known for his ability to stay calm under pressure. According to head coach Ron Wilson, Reimer has the skill of putting bad goals behind him and focussing on the present.

That’s something that he wasn’t

able to do effectively on Saturday night against the Hawks, when he let in five goals o n 19 s hots.

Hopefully, that was just an off night for him, and he’ll be able to bounce back and start the next game for the Leafs on Tuesday agai nst the Islanders.

Another key to this Leafs playoff puzzle is Phil Kessel. After “scoring” a goal when the puck bounced off of his pants, Kessel was able to snap his goalless game streak. After that, he scored eight goals in eight games. He now has a total of 49 points, second only t o Clarke MacArthur, who has 19 goals and 31 assists and 50 points.

Leafs captain Dion Phaneuf has been playing much better as well.

Ron Wilson credits this to the partnership with Keith Aulie. Aulie, a physical player, has taken much pressure off of Phaneuf to be physical, and it seems to have worked because Phaneuf has two goals in five games, after scoring only four times in his first 71 games as a Leaf.

Finally, the Leafs just play better in March. Perhaps it’s because the team has a week to rest during the All Star break, perhaps it’s because the pressure has been off in a few of the seasons, or perhaps it’s because the players don’t have to worry about being traded. Whatever the

case, the statistics stand for themselves. Last season, they went 9-5-2 for 20 points, in the 2008/09 season they went 6-6-1 for 13 points, in the 2007/08 season they went 8-4-1 for 17 points, and in the 2006/07 season they went 8-4-2 for 18 points— the year they missed the playoffs by one point. Granted, the team is comprised of entirely new players from a few years ago, but the atmosphere in T oronto stays the same.

The Leafs have 16 games left until the season ends. They have two games against t he ninth-place Sabres, one against the eighth-place Hurricanes, one against sixth-place Montreal, and one against the fifthplace Capitals. They need to win as many games as possible to make the playoffs, but their best chance of guaranteeing a spot is to win at least 12 of those games. While that is highly unlikely, it is not impossible.

However, the Buffalo Sabres, New York Rangers a nd the Carolina Hurricanes are going to make it much more diffi cult. All three teams are also fighting for a spot, and all three teams are above the Leafs in standings. With the Leafs’ latest loss against Chicago, they close the gap between themselves and Atlanta. Toronto has a twopoint gap separating them from the

Thras hers, w hich i s hardly any comfort. New Jersey is also eyeing Toronto’s spot.

This last month of hockey should prove exciting. With the Leafs playing great hockey—minus their game against the Hawks—who knows, they may be able to close the gap between themselves and Buffalo.

The Leafs could potentially have tied with Carolina if they didn’t lose in a shootout and in overtime in back-to-back games last weekend.

Their loss to the defending cup champions on Saturday may be the final nail in the coffin on their playoff hopes. Tim Brent is quoted after the game: “We were quick to find out why they’re the Stanley Cup champions. They capitalized on every mistake we made. We just kind of got away from what we’ve been doing so well lately ... and it came back to haunt us.” Even after the game James Reimer was calm ,even though he was pulled to begin the third period. He said, “[I] don't know if there’s a reason for it, honestly; don’t think we were nervous. I mean, I wasn’t nervous, and the energy in the room was the same as any other night. If anything, we were excited to play the Stanley Cup champions.”

Coach Ron Wilson has openly given the rest of the work in goal to

Reimer, as long as he maintains his winning ways. He truly believes in the group he has playing in front of him and was rather realistic about the game. After the loss, he said, “It would be awful idiotic to say that we were going to win every game the rest of the way, so I have no problem with the game tonight.

We’ll move on to the next one, learn our lessons, and get better.”

They had just finished playing the Stanl ey Cup finalists in Philadelphia and came out with an overtime victory so their emotions would be running high. The Leafs appeared to come out flat and a giveaway to Marion Hossa set them back early with the goal. A loss every now and then is to be expected, but hopefully it’s not too frequent. It appears that the Leafs always do this to the fans; they make a run for the playoffs in the final couple of months and eventually just fall short. This year they’re closer than ever and are playing better than years prior. That begs the ultimate question: can they make the playoffs? We’ll just have to wait and see. Anything can happen in hockey, so don’t be surprised if the Leafs sneak into the eighth seed. With a little help from other teams and “Optimus Reim” at the helm, it is certainly possible.

20 THE MEDIUM MONDAY,MARCH 7, 2011

SPORTS

NFL Collective Bargaining East appears to Agreement talks underway dominate league CHRIS CALLAHAN ASSISTANT SPORTS EDITOR

As the National Football League owners sit down with the NFL Players Association in the coming weeks, there will be three highly contested issues that need to be resolved in order for a new Collective Bargaining Agreement to be reached.

The expansion of the schedule from 16 to 18 games is an issue in which the greed of the owners will go head-to-head with the protective focus of the union. The owners are naturally after more revenue, as the ticket sales and larger TV contracts would be welcomed with open arms. The union sees this as an absolute atrocity given that the players would become more exposed to injury, an issue that has received a great deal of attention lately with the severity of concussions visible across several professional sports leagues.

The league proposes to tame this injury panic with an expanded roster and fewer pre-season games.

Unless the league offers more of a financial incentive than a slight boost in salary with two more games and more assurances that injuries won’t dramatically increase, the union is unlikely to budge on this issue.

The second substantial issue at the negotiating table will be a

rookie wage scale. Fortunately, both sides stand to benefit from this, making it a far less challenging obstacle than the 18-game schedule.

The way things currently stand, rookies are awarded contracts without any restrictions and the result is that many rookies are making substantially more money than proven players before they even play a down in the NFL. That doesn’t sit well with the owners, but because they seem willing to put that money elsewhere, the union is not completely opposed to a rookie wage scale. A rookie wage scale would predetermine specific contracts for rookies, with the amount descending with each pick in the draft. If the NFL and commissioner Roger Goodell agree that the money previously spent on rookies would inevitably find its way into the pockets of veteran players or their pensions, this issue could be solved rather quickly.

The final issue that needs to be resolved is the disclosure of the revenues generated by each NFL team.

Since the NFL is not a publicly traded company, they have no obligation to disclose their financial books, but that doesn’t stop the union from demanding it.

The union feels that they can’t appropriately establish what concessions the NFL should make if they lack the knowledge of how much money their players are generating for the owners. The NFL has

been very adamant that this information should remain private, but it might concede defeat on this issue in order to gain leverage for negotiating other topics.

While further analysis of the CBA negotiations seems to require a PhD in industrial relations, these are the key issues that are at play right now.

If resolved, they could pave the way to another exciting football season.

If not, a lockout could take place.

For better or for worse, these three issues will influence the future of the NFL. But whatever the influence on the NFL, if there is a strike, the NHL will reap the benefits because of the lack of football. Fans need an outlet and the NHL fill the void left with television networks for Sunday afternoons and Monday nights.

ESPN, NBC, and CBS will need to acquire contracts from the NHL to fill the timeslots left by the NFL and hockey fans can look forward to this as more games would be broadcast everyday. Hopefully it will not come to this, as the fans have already suffered enough through professional lockouts, such as the NHL lockout five years ago. The NHL lost out on billions of dollars which could very well be the case for the NFL and everyone involved with the league. Hopefully this question won’t even need to be discussed in a week’s time, and the fans can look forward to yet another exciting season.

MICHAEL SKRZYNIAK

The NBA’s Eastern Conference has endured a shakeup of the grandest proportions! The New York Knicks finally got their man when they traded four starters to the Denver Nuggets for small forward Carmelo Anthony. The Knicks now possess one of the strongest 1-2 scoring punches in the NBA with Melo and Amaré Stoudemire. The Knicks had been pursuing Carmelo since before the season started, along with their inner city rivals, the New Jersey Nets. Everyone (including myself) was growing really tired of these rumours; with the other top teams in the East pulling away from the pack, the Knicks knew they finally had to make the move.

Along with Anthony, the Knicks r e c e i v ed v e te r a n p o i n t g u a r d Chauncey Billups, who is no slouch.

He won an NBA Champi onshi p with the Pistons in 2004, and has a reputation of stepping up in big games while showing leadership and confidence. The Knicks also r e c e i v ed f o r m e r d u k e s t a n d o u t Shelden Williams, and journeymen R e n a ld o B a l k m a n a n d A n t h o n y C a r t er . T h e N u g g e t s b e n e f i t t e d from the trade as well, receiving Wilson Chandler, Raymond Felton, Danilo Gallinari, Timofey Mozgov, a first-round draft pick, a couple of second-rounders, and cash. The Nuggets are 5-1 since the Anthony

deal and are looking like a more complete team. There is balanced scoring and their team defence has looked exceptionally better, allowing 10 fewer points per game to opponents in the six games. I know it’s a small sample, but it’s a positive sign nonetheless.

The Knicks are now one of two teams in the NBA with two players starting in the All-Star game, Melo and Amaré, who were both top 10 in league scoring. The Knicks make the Eastern Conference a lot more interesting. The Celtics are still in first place; however, Miami and Chicago are only two and three games back respectively, and the Orlando Magic are 8-2 in their last 10 and now the Knicks, who currently occupy the sixth seed, are looking more and more dangerous.

The Knicks defeated the Heat in Miami last Sunday night in a thriller that went down to the last s e c o n d , w i th A m a r é b l o c k i n g LeBron’s last second layup attempt.

The Eastern Conference is one of the most intriguing stories in all of sports right now. The Celtics, Bulls, and Knicks are franchises with great legacies, and as a purist, I believe when these decorated sports franchises are performing well, it can only benefit the league. They are benefitting it already and I for one can’t wait for the NBA playoffs; I think they might give the NHL p l a y o f f s a r u n f o r t h ei r m o n e y , entertainment-wise, that is.

Trade deadline 2011: lacking excitement

One Year to a Great Career

MICHELLE DUKLAS ASSISTANT SPORTS EDITOR

Your degree or diploma is a great foundation — now get the job-specific skills employers are looking for in as little as eight months.

Sheridan offers 22 post-graduate programs that will prepare you for a career in business, management, communications, or digital media.

A variety of other diploma and degree progams are also available.

Get the rewarding job you want & shine brighter.

Live Webchat MARCH 16, 2011 6 – 7:00 P.M.

Register online!

postgrad.sheridaninstitute.ca

This year’s trade deadline came and went without much excitement.

There was excitement from the fans, if TSN’s claim that there was a record-breaking audience is anything to go by. But on paper, nothing spectacular happened.

The most notable trade took place between the Los Angeles Kings and the Edmonton Oilers. The Kings traded a first-round draft pick in 2011, a conditional third-round draft pick in 2012, and former firstrounder Colten Teubert, in exchange for Dustin Penner.

An undrafted player, Penner was signed as a free agent in 2004 by the Anaheim Mighty Ducks after he finished playing college hockey for the University of Maine. He won the Stanley Cup in 2007 in his rookie year. This season he has scored 21 goals and assisted on 18 for a total of 39 points. Colten Teubert, 21, was drafted by the Kings in 2008.

He is probably best known Washington made two trades at the deadline: they acquired Dennis Wideman from the Florida Panthers in exchange for forward Jake Hauswirth and a third-round draft pick in 2011, as well as acquiring Jason Arnott from the New Jersey Devils for David Steckel and a second-round draft pick in 2012.

Dennis Wideman was drafted in 2002 by the Buffalo Sabres in the eighth round. He had nine goals and 24 assists for 33 points this season with the Panthers. Jake Hauswirth, 23, was signed as a free

agent by Washington two years ago, and was assigned by the Panthers to their ECHL affiliate, the Cincinnati Cyclones.

The New York Rangers also made two trades on Monday February 28th. They traded Tim Kennedy and a third-round draft pick in 2011 for Florida’s Brian McCabe. Brian McCabe, a former Leaf, was drafted in 1993 by the Islanders. He has five goals and 17 assists for a total of 22 points this season with the Panthers. He was named the Panthers’ captain in 2009. Tim Kennedy, 24, currently plays in the AHL for the Rochester Americans.

This season he has 12 goals and 30 assists. He was drafted by Washington in 2005.

The Rangers traded with Toronto as well, obtaining John Mitchell for a seventh-round draft pick in 2012.

John Mitchell, 26, was drafted in 2003 by the Leafs.

The winners of the deadline have to be the Washington Capitals as they strive for a Stanley Cup. The acquisition of Dennis Wideman and veteran Jason Arnott adds depth, and Stanley Cup experience. These could be the missing pieces Washington needs to make the final push.

Another winner of their trades are the L.A Kings and the Edmonton Oilers. They both acquired what they wanted: the Kings got their big body in Dustin Penner and the Oilers recieved a draft pick and Colton Teubert. This fits well with their youth movement.

In any case, the new players should help their new teams regardless of where they are.