Vol 37 issue 3

Monday, September 20, 2010

Volume 37, Issue 3

Students rush to clubs week

Campus road closures block inner circle STEFANIE MAROTTA ASSISTANT NEWS EDITOR

Wade Diarc/The Medium

The Muslim Students Association recruits new members during the annual clubs week.

STEPHANIE VEGA

The annual Clubs Week featured societies and clubs from the arts, athletics, charity/volunteer work, religions, politics, sciences, local/national issues, and other fields.

Current club members spoke with curious students about the nature of their club and the club’s planned events for the academic year, and to provide answers to students’ questions.

Throughout the week, academic societies and clubs assembled exhibits in and around the Student Centre to inform and recruit potential members. Colourful posters and enticing music attracted numerous students to get involved in the campus community.

“I love English,” expressed English and Drama Student Society (EDSS) executive member, Ellise Ramos.

“English is a small program, and I feel we have more of a sense of community as opposed to other programs. I want to bring English out to the UTM community.” In regards to what the society offers, president Trevor Abes replied, “Poetry slams.

We’ll have a major writer as a guest speaker, and essay workshops for first-year students,” as well as pub-

lishing a third EDSS anthology. “It’s to share our love of literature.”

Other arts-oriented organizations, such as the UTM Music Club, also wanted to give students the opportunity to participate in a common interest. “We want musicians and artists to come together to bring music to the UTM campus,” said president Umar Syed. “Whether you play well or not, it’s all about the music. We’ll be hosting open mic nights, jam sessions, music lunch hours, talent shows, and a charity dinner.”

A variety of athletic organizations also hoped to bring something new to UTM. “I love soccer,” declared Sabiha Sumra, UTM Soccer Club events co-ordinator,. “I want to inform more people about soccer culture, which is dead at UTM.” Alongside soccer recruiting and competitions, the club intends to screen soccer documentaries to provide students with a better understanding of soccer culture around the world.

“We noticed there wasn’t a club for students in terms of tennis,” said Anita Tewari, VP External of the Tennis Players Association, a new club on campus. “We’re a club that allows people of all skill levels to play tennis—a great way to get into the sport if you’ve never played before, and a great way for players to meet

other players.”

Other athletic clubs are tailored to seasonal sports. Meeting co-ordinator Lynn Tran of the University of Toronto Ski and Snowboard Club said that the club “is a great opportunity to meet other students at the University of Toronto and to make friends with people who share my passion for winter sports.” The club offers eight trips to Blue Mountain

“We’ll be hosting open mic nights, jam sessions, music lunch hours, talent shows, and a charity dinner.”

— Umar Syed, president of the UTM Music Club over an eight-week period between January and March (available to those who purchase a Club Membership). “It’s a way for me to improve my snowboarding skills because I am able to make progress by going consecutively.”

There were also charity organizations. The Erindale College Special Response Team, affiliated with St. John’s Ambulance, is one. “We’re the

medical first-responders on campus,” said Kirushanth Gnanachandran.

“We train all our members and provide standard first-aid courses at a discount rate.”

Other clubs included the “Style and Profyle” fashion and dance show. “It’s a fundraiser for different charities throughout the world,” explained vice president Lenita Abraham. “We focus on providing education to children and university students who want to study but don’t have the means to.” This year’s Style and Profyle theme is “Love and Lust”.

“Last year we sponsored a university student to come to UTM from Somalia, whose refugee camp was in Kenya,” added vice president Lahiru W. “He’s currently studying at UTM.” A sponsored student’s first-year costs are paid for in full. In second year, the Student Refugee Program, subsidizes costs and helps the student find employment.

Nourah Irfan, PR Officer of the Student Refugee Program, added that WUSC (World University Service of Canada) “sends profiles of refugee students to our committee, and we look at which student is the most suitable for UTM.”

Clubs continued on page 2

This Wednesday and Thursday UTM students, especially those that use the UPASS, will have to reroute their usual commute to campus. The Middle Entrance and Inner Circle Road will be blocked to traffic between the hours of 7 a.m. and 7 p.m.

The reason behind the road closures is related to the renovation project taking place beside the Student Centre. Workers will be transporting 18 prefabricated units to the construction site that will be the new Academic Annex. The construction began late last semester.

Parking in the Inner Circle will be restricted to only those with an Accessible Parking Permit.

For students that drive to campus, either the North Entrance (closest to Burnhamthorpe Road) or the Collegeway Entrance (closest to Dundas Road) can be accessed.

For students that are normally picked up at the South Building, be sure to let your ride know to wait somewhere else.

The UTM Shuttle Bus will arrive and depart only from the North Building stop.

For students that depend on Mississauga Transit, the routes have changed enough to cause possible late arrivals to lectures, tutorials, and seminars.

Students are advised to plan their routes to and from the UTM campus with the closure in mind.

Road closure continued on page 2

Off-Campus Housing PAGE 2 Textbook Rental PAGE 3 A Farewell to TIFF PAGE 7 Debt Management PAGE 8 Stanley Cup Champs PAGE 11

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2 THE MEDIUM

MONDAY, SEPTEMBER

20, 2010

NEWS BYLAWS CROWD CAMPUS

Road closure bus route changes New bylaws for off-campus living Road closure continued from cover

Clubs continued from cover “It’s a lot of fun,” expressed the director of Sisters of Substance, Veronica Marchuk regarding the charityorganization Continental Rescue Africa. “We do a lot of work in Ghana and Uganda. We take children through educational, social, and self-esteem programs.”

The week also showcased many clubs that focus on other student interests. President Suvrat Barar of the UTM Debating Club explained that the club is “a forum for University of Toronto students to come out and debate.” One of the group’s goals this year is to organize a professor debate.

“We’ll get professors to debate about a topic they’re interested in and invite others to watch,” said Barar.

The UTM Gaming Club was also popular. “I joined because it’s a fun way to have social activities on campus involving games,” said Michael Hansen, the club’s social co-ordinator.

“There’s a good community behind it.”

Vice president Megan Gallagher added, “We play all kinds of games ... we play casual games and video games.”

For a full list of academic societies and clubs at UTM, as well as information on how to register a club, please visit the UTMSU Clubs website at www.utmsu.ca.

Here are the temporary route alterations, provided by the university administration.

ROUTE 1C Eastbound buses will not enter campus. Patrons will board/disembark at Stop #0984 on Mississauga Road, north of the UTM entrance.

Westbound buses will not enter campus but will turn directly left onto The Collegeway from Mississauga Road. A temporary stop will be located on the north side of The Collegeway, just west of Mississauga Road.

ROUTE 110 Northbound buses will not enter campus. They will turn directly left onto the Collegeway from Mississauga Road. A temporary stop will be located on the north side of The Collegeway, just west of Mississauga Road.

Southbound buses will turn left on to Erin Mills Parkway from the Collegeway, right onto Burnhamthorpe Road, right onto Mississauga Road, and right onto the Collegeway. Patrons will board/disembark at Stop #0984 on Mississauga Road, north of the UTM entrance.

ROUTE 101 Eastbound buses will turn left on to Erin Mills Parkway from Dundas, right on to the Collegeway, right onto Mississauga Road, and left back onto Dundas Street. Eastbound patrons will be directed to Stop #1038 on Erin Mills, north of Dundas.

Westbound buses will turn right on to Mississauga Road from Dundas, left on to the Collegeway, left onto Erin Mills Parkway, and right onto Dundas Street again.

Westbound patrons will be direct ed to a temporary stop on Erin Mills at Dundas (northwest cor ner). A temporary stop will also be located on The Collegeway, west of Mississauga Road.

The regular 101 stops (#0535 and #1037) on Dundas at Erin Mills will not be serviced.

ROUTE 44 Northbound buses will not enter campus. Patrons will board/disembark at the temporary stop on Mississauga Rd. at the UTM entrance.Southbound buses will not enter campu but will con tinue south on Mississauga Rd. Patrons will board/disembark at Stop #0984 on Mississauga Road, north of the UTM entrance.

With the fall semester in full swing, many students have left home to live on their own, either in residence on campus or renting a place near it. Residence housing gives students guidelines and is probably not as stressful as living off-campus; it also allows students to be in the heart of the campus. Many first-years living in residence are able to better learn about the campus, including its facilities, buildings, and overall campus life.

The UTM website recently posted a list of new bylaws for residential rentalaccommodation licensing for students renting off-campus in Mississauga.

Lodging houses are one of the focuses in the new licensing bylaws. (These bylaws do not affect houses with three or fewer rental units.)

For students renting a room in a house with four or more renters, their landlord must have a renting license. If the landlord does not have a license, the business may be illegal. Students are encouraged to contact their landlord and ensure that they have their license. Landlords who refuse to obtain their license may have their lodging houses closed, forcing the students to find other arrangements.

A license does not affect the cost of rent. Rent is set by the lease and the Ontario Landlord and Tenant Act. Also in the licensing bylaws, lodging houses cannot use the basement as a rental space. Lodging houses are required to have a fire escape plan and will be inspected annually for fire safety. This includes ensuring that fire and smoke

alarms are installed properly and are working, and that no rooms have refrigerators, cooking appliances, or washing machines.

Many upper-year students choose to live off-campus, and will be living on their own. One option is renting one room in a lodging house (a house that rents four or more rooms to students), or renting a house with a group of friends. Without parental supervision the temptation for students to set their own house rules is attractive, but living off-campus doesn’t mean that you shouldn’t act like rules don’t matter.

The Mississauga Good Neighbours Guide for University Students, a pamphlet produced by the City of Mississauga working with UTM, is designed to give students living offcampus tips on how to be a good neighbour. They include being friendly, considerate, and respectful, contributing to safety, following garbage schedules, planning safe parties, and following a safety checklist (which includes ensuring that fire and smoke alarms work, that a fire extinguisher is present, and that students have an emergency kit handy with a flashlight, batteries, water, food, and blankets).

Students are advised to see the Student Off-Campus Accommodation website at places4students.com to find a place to rent. Information about the Ontario Landlord and Tenant Act can be found at www.ltb.gov.on.ca.

For questions about licensing bylaws or specific rental properties, students should contact the City of Mississauga’s Compliance and Licensing Enforcement Section by phone at 905-896-5558 or email at bylaw.enforcement@mississauga.ca.

Campus Police Weekly Summaries September 9 to September 16, 2010

September 9, 2:45 p.m.

Motor Vehicle Accident Report of a motor vehicle accident involving two vehicles in a UTM parking lot. Campus Police attended and investigated. No injuries to report.

September 10, 12:35 p.m.

Disruptive Behaviour Campus Police investigated a disruptive male inside a chartered bus on a campus road. The student was cautioned in regards to his behaviour.

September 9, 11:55 p.m.

Noise Complaint Report of a noise complaint from a residence. Campus Police attended and spoke with the tenants of the unit. The tenants were instructed to keep the noise level down.

September 11, 12:41 a.m.

Assault Campus Police were contacted in regards to an off-campus assault complaint and are investigating the incident.

September 10, 2:17 a.m.

Noise Complaint Report of a noise complaint from a residence. Campus Police attended and spoke with the tenants of the unit and instructed them to keep the noise levels down.

September 10, 1:45 a.m.

Liquor Licence Act Campus Police investigated a female for a Liquor Licence Act violation. Peel Regional Police attended and assisted with the occurrence.

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September 13, 10:54 a.m.

Motor Vehicle Accident Campus Police investigated a motor vehicle accident in a UTM parking lot.

Incident reported as failure to remain; the investigation continues.

September 13, 6:55 p.m.

Theft Under $5,000 Campus Police were contacted in regards to a petty theft that occurred in the HMALC. Campus Police are investigating the incident.

September 14, 9:45 a.m.

Driving Offences Campus Police investigated a driving complaint near the Student Centre.

September 14, 11:26 a.m.

By-Law Offences Campus Police were contacted in regards to an injured animal outside a UTM building. Mississauga Animal Control Services were contacted; they attended the scene and retrieved the animal.

September 14, 7:42 p.m.

Theft Under $ 5,000 Campus Police are investigating an petty theft complaint (submitted online). The item was last seen in the Student Centre.

September 15,1:11 p.m.

Theft Under $5,000 Campus Police investigated a petty theft report from the UTM Bookstore. Campus Police is investigating the incident.

September 15, 7:00 p.m.

Information Request from Another Emergency Service Campus Police were requested to assist Mississauga Transit Enforcement in regards to a complaint involving fraudulent use of a U-Pass.

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MONDAY, SEPTEMBER

20, 2010 THE MEDIUM 3

SALARY FOR TEXTBOOK RENTALS

U of T salary gap between genders LARISSA HO

The University of Toronto ranked as having the widest salary gap of degree-granting institutions in Canada. Although women often have the same qualifications as their male counterparts, the salary gap between genders is apparent.

A recent study from Statistics Canada reported a $20,158 salary gap between male and female professors at the University of Toronto, in favour of males. The report, which was based on the 2008-2009 academic year, includes full-time teaching staff under a 12month (or more) contract, and of

A recent study from Statistics Canada reported a $20,158 salary gap between male and female professors at the U of T all disciplines and levels in their careers, excluding medical and dental faculty.

Un iv e r s i t y o f f i c i a l s o f fe r t w o explanations for the salary gap.

Senior faculty—which earn more than junior faculty—are mainly men, because they were hired under the practices of 30 years ago when women were not earning PhDs. The survey also does not consider factors such as different disciplines, age, and market salary.

Officials say that comparing the salaries of women and men who are of the same rank and the same academic discipline would not show a great difference. Also,

U of T has a wider range of disciplines than most universities, which broadens the spectrum of higher-paid vs. lower-paid disciplines, further widening the gap.

Salaries tend to be higher in male-dominated disciplines, such as business, engineering, and law.

Disciplines that receive lower salaries, such as education, humanities, and social sciences, are more often occupied by w o m e n . T h e s e f in d i n g s s u g g e s t that if a woman chooses the right discipline, she earns as much as or more than a man. However, it may also make us ask why the disciplines more often staffed by women are the same ones that are paid less.

Another explanation is that women work fewer hours than men, since they are more likely to be caregivers to their families, spend time with aging parents, and balance their work and social lives.

This is a simple trade, less work for less pay. But if these additional responsibilities are unavoidable, perhaps they deserve compensation for not being able to work.

The good news is the historic salary gap has not remained static throughout the years and appears to be narrowing.

The numbers show that there is less of a gap than before. In 1991, women in their 20s earned 20% less than men and in 2001, earned about 18% less than men.

Hopefully later studies will show even more improvement. The presence of women is steadily increasing in academia, regardless of outdated social norms and expectations. U of T also offers parental leave and child-care policies, and boasts a family care office, which makes it more convenient for women to work on campus.

Textbook rental program now available at bookstores 100 new titles now available for rent at UTM and U of T bookstores ROHIT MEHTA

In a student survey done in September 2009, 66% of students told the U of T Bookstore that they were interested in renting textbooks. In response, in May the Bookstore became the first major university bookstore in Canada to launch a textbook rental program.

The program currently supports 100 titles, including 28 titles available at UTM. The rental process begins at www.uoftbookstore.com. Students select their rentals, read and agree to the terms, and complete payment online. Once the books are ready, students are able to pick them up in the store, with identification.

The students can then use the textbooks for the term. Normal amounts of highlighting and notetaking are allowed. The same rules that apply when the Bookstore

buys back a book apply to rentals.

Finally, students will receive two reminder emails at the end of the term, and they simply return the book by the return due date. From there, the Bookstore works with wholesalers, who purchase the used books back from them.

According to Chad Saunders, VP Retail, response to the program has been quite positive from students and faculty on campus. ”Students win, as they can still get a new book but save quite a bit of money and not have to worry about what they can sell their books for at the end of the term,” said Saunders.

The Bookstore has also recently added more used books to its shelves, and doubled the number of cash registers during the busiest times at UTM. “This is really the theme that you can expect from the Bookstore,” Saunders commented. “We ask students what they want; listen, and innovate, then start the cycle all over again.”

NEWS

Photos from First Pub

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OMSAS

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Ontario Medical School Application Service September 15, 2010: Last day to create an account for the online application October 1, 2010: Application deadline

OLSAS

www.ouac.on.ca/olsas/

Ontario Law School Application Service November 1, 2010: Application deadline for first-year English programs May 1, 2011: Application deadline for upper-year programs

TEAS

www.ouac.on.ca/teas/

Teacher Education Application Service December 1, 2010: Application deadline for English programs March 1, 2011: Application deadline for French programs

ORPAS

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Ontario Rehabilitation Sciences Programs Application Service (Audiology, Occupational Therapy, Physical Therapy/Physiotherapy, Speech-Language Pathology)

January 7, 2011: Application deadline

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4 THE MEDIUM

OPINION

MONDAY, SEPTEMBER

20, 2010

EDITORIAL As Clubs Week wrapped up, hundreds of students happily joined a new society or club, and I was reminded that we students do want to be involved and are enthusiastic about joining clubs and meeting new people. There’s something really exciting about Clubs Week: it’s an opportunity to become a member of a group, find a new (and social) hobby, or just soak in the information and atmosphere. It’s great to have people to be with and places to hang out between class.

For me, that’s The Medium’s office, where I hang out with my editors during the week and every Sunday as we put together the paper. This week, the opinion page has a common theme: be engaged.

This week, I received three letters: one from Amir Ahmed, the Features Editor here at The Medium, one from Vickita Bhatt, president of UTMSU, and one from Peter Buczkowksi, a UTMSU director. Mr. Ahmed asked for your thoughts on our paper—what you like about The Medium and what we can change so that you’ll want to pick it up and read it. When he personally handed out copies of The Medium to students waiting in line for the U-Pass, and he was surprised to find that some people weren’t even interested. Maybe they thought he was pushing an agenda or trying to annoy them, but he was actually just trying to give people something to read while they wait—a paper made by students for students.

Then there are students like Mr. Buczkowski, who writes me a letter every week because he cares about what happens on campus, and even asks you for suggestions, faithfully listing his e-mail address each week. How many people actually bother to write in? But we all do have things we want improved, we all do have things we’re grateful for. Each year thousands of students line up and get their U-Pass—which the student union lobbied for and won, at the request of students. Is sending them a line or two now and then that much harder?

What’s stopping you? Maybe you feel that nothing will change, or that nothing bad has happened lately, so “if it ain’t broke...”? Maybe the student politics scene turns you off, or maybe you don’t think the student union actually can change or improve your university career.

On the other hand, Ms. Bhatt says the student union will listen. Both she and Mr. Buczkowski invite you to the Commission meeting this Thursday, where you can share your input directly with the student union.

It’s the responsibility of The Medium to keep you informed, but also to keep you engaged. We’d like every student to be in the loop and know how to take part. For example, you could get your opinion heard by writing for us like Mr. Ahmed; you could help keep the union in check like Mr. Buczkowski; or you could run for office like Ms. Bhatt—but I’d be happy if you just picked up the paper again next week.

Saaliha Malik

Yours,

My name is Amir Ahmed; I edit the Medium’s Features section. A funny thing that happened last Tuesday, something that prompted me to emerge from the pit of selfloathing that is my life, and write this op-ed.

I was in The Medium office with Photo Editor Edward Cai, Sports Editor William Robertson, and our Editor-in-Chief Saaliha Malik. The U-Pass distribution was going on downstairs in the student centre.

The first floor was packed with a tight line-up of people, moving slowly and just growing larger.We reasoned that these people were probably bored, who wouldn’t be?

I’d just seen someone move about three metres in three minutes, with a long way to go. What could we do to alleviate their boredom and show loyalty to our readership?

And then we realized – newspapers! We had copies of our first September issue lying around. Edward and I reasoned that if we each took a stack, we could supply some people waiting in line downstairs with papers. There were at least two hundred students down there, so even accounting for the ones on their phones or talking with friends, there had to be some people who’d appreciate a break in the monotony of the lineup. I went down with Edward, ready to bond with the students and spread the good word of The Medium.

I found in that sea of bored humanity, the majority of students passed on taking a copy of The Medium, maybe they thought we were trying to sell it to them?

I don’t understand how the majority of students would rather stare at the floor than read their campus paper. As a casual observer of human behaviour, I can only ask: what the hell?

Maybe it was just me and my rictus

grin that scared people off, but something tells me that even if I’d been suave man-god Aamir Khan instead of pasty, awkward Amir Ahmed, I’d have done no better. This means something far scarier is going on than me and my Charles Manson smile.

Now, here’s the thing: all the section editors of the paper really want people interested in our articles. We want to make you laugh. We want to make you think. We want to show you things that you hadn’t seen before. We brainstorm article ideas, we come up with distribution plans, and we spend our Sundays from noon to midnight laying this paper out, all to get you guys reading. But if all we produce at the end is going to lie on the stands bleaching in the sunlight, then what’s the point? I might as well put graphic descriptions of my daily bowel movements on my section’s front page every day.

That’s why I’m going to ask you – yes you – that breed of student who reads the paper – to do us a favour.

Comment on the website and email the editors. If you see an article that you disagree with, send a letter. If you see an article that you like, tell us so we can try to do more of that. I can’t promise we’ll be able to follow every suggestion (we have to follow rules and conventions just like any other newspaper), but maybe we can start to understand what it is that’ll get people taking papers off the stands, instead of using the stands to adjust their backpacks and purses (yeah, we saw that too – we see everything).

This is the only newspaper by and for UTM students. I personally would love it if you to read, and enjoyed it.

Yours, Amir Ahmed

Dear Editor, We are now starting the third week of school, and so far it’s been a phenomenal time. During the first week of school, we had UTMSU Frosh: The Sequel, where we saw 1,000 UTM students go downtown, cheer-off against the rest of U of T, and then lead the parade through the streets of Toronto. After that, students chilled out listening to amazing local artists like Chromeo and Zeus, before heading to Guvernment to party with all of U of T. The second week was Clubs Week, where we saw various clubs on campus showcasing themselves, so that students could get more involved with things they feel passionate about. The Student Centre was jam-packed throughout the week with students looking for the clubs they love, or discovering new ones.

Finally, on September 16, we had First Pub, which sold out. The party started at 10 p.m., the mus was live, and nobody wanted to leave till the very end. I would like to personally thank every student who showed up.

However, I would also like to point out something here. All three of these events—in fact, every event that UTMSU hosts—are only a success because people get involved and come out. And it’s not only about parties. For the past two weeks, UTMSU has been tabling all over campus, talking to hundreds of students about the various services we offer and issues we tackle. This week, there are two very important

ways that you can take another step in getting involved and can contribute to making this campus a better place.

This week, the nominations open for Erindale College Council, which is the highest decision-making body at UTM. ECC decides on residence, meal plan, and parking fees. There are 50 seats for full-time students and 14 seats for part-time students.

If you have concerns about any of these fees, then you can run for these seats and have your voice heard at ECC meetings. If you have any questions about the process, please come by the UTMSU office (Student Centre room 100) and we will find the answer for you.

Also, this Wednesday (Sept. 22) at 5 p.m., UTMSU is hosting its first Commission Meeting of the academic year in the Student Centre. The UTMSU Commission is the first step in making a positive change on campus. Each student has a vote at this body. It’s a great way provide input about the direction that you want YOUR Students’ Union to take. If you have an issue you’re passionate about, come out to the Commission Meeting to make your voice heard.

If you want to know more about our events, join our Facebook group “UTM Students’ Union (UTMSU)” and follow us on Twitter at “myUTMSU”.

Don’t forget to come into the UTMSU office at any time, because we’re always there for you.

In student solidarity, Vickita Bhatt

Dear Editor, I am sure most of us received about 300 Facebook messages last week. A large chunk of those messages were in fact about the Commission Meeting.

The first few said it was last week but the second wave said it was this week.

I’m willing to bet that about 75% of students that received these messages either ignored them or didn’t know what the Commission is. So I decided to delve into what the Commission is and why it should be important to you (mostly because the word “delve” is underused).

The Commission is a big meeting where every student has a vote. This might sound basic, unimportant, and silly, but it really isn’t. The purpose of the Student Union is to represent your voice. You elected members to listen to you and represent you. Unfortunately, because most of those representatives are only human (except Rufus, the dog), they can’t read your minds. So it is very important to come out to the Commission Meeting if you want to be heard.

During the Commission meeting you will also be briefed on what the Union is doing. Don’t like what we’re is doing? Tell us. If you think we should be focussing our efforts on finding out what services work and what services don’t, tell us. If you think we should be running a campaign to buy a parcel of land on the moon, tell us. If you have a sweet new idea or perspective on an issue, or want to bring up an issue, tell us.

Last year, voter turnout was at an alltime high at UTM. With such a large voter turnout, and such a contentious election, it would be a shame to let all that energy die out. In our society, people say that we need a strong united voice—but united in what? And how does that voice gain volume? If you disagree with what it’s saying, how do you get it to listen to you? How can UTMSU be the voice that represents agreement and disagreement in all aspects of your student life? The Commission Meeting is a great way to test the UTMSU, to see if they can take criticism and adapt to that criticism to make UTMSU a better service for students.

Don’t just be involved in the Commission Meeting, though. There

are many ways to get involved at various levels. We have a board of directors (such as myself) which was elected with the executives, and most of us take our jobs seriously. As in, if you have a concern, we will act on your behalf. If you want to know why your club received the amount of funding it did, contact a board member. If you think that the Union stinks and is a corrupt cesspool, contact a board member with your ideas for better transparency and accountability. If you love the Union and think that it’s the best thing since sliced bread, tell a board member. Our job is to reflect your views in the second-highest decision-making body of the Union. (The highest is the membership at the Annual General Meeting (AGM), but I’ll talk about that closer to when it comes up.)

However, I leave you with something to consider about why you should get involved with the Commission Meeting. It’s an amazing apparatus that we are very lucky to have: the Commission allows the everyday student that wants change to suggest it. It allows for criticism and praise on every aspect of the Union. But alas, the last one, held on July 28, had 18 out of 23 members being current or former elected representatives or employees of the union. This leads me to believe that most of the ideas that were brought up at that meeting were already more or less on the table. How can the Union do anything new or different if the only students that show up are already a part of it?

Let me get to the point. The Commission is the voice of the students. Electing people to speak in your name is only half of making your voice heard—you can also give them direction. Sure, UTMSU does some amazing things, but it’s hard to be critical of any organization you’re heavily involved in; we need your input and the Commission Meeting is the place to do it. Don’t let elected officials and the people they hire use YOUR money and support without YOU telling them how, where, and for what. Come out to the meeting on Wednesday, Sept 22 at 6 p.m., and have YOUR voice heard. If you have any questions or concerns email me at Peter@utmsu.ca.

Yours, Peter Buczkowski

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Nives Hajdin, Editor | arts@mediumonline.ca

Farewell, TIFF

As week two came to a close, we review some more of the festival’s best films that opened in the Oscars pool

As the Toronto International Film Festival made its dazzling debut less than two weeks ago, so too did it make its regrettable departure. Yesterday’s awards reception at the Intercontinental Hotel officially closed this year’s festival, one that really left a resounding effect on moviegoers and industry reps alike. A number of films received incredibly strong support from audiences, including The Conspirator, Sarah’s Key, and Potiche, all of which went on to secure film distribution in the United States. One of the festival’s main themes was the sweeping influence of French cinema, including the aformentioned Sarah’s Key and Potiche, as well the equally popular Little White Lies (Les Petits Mouchoirs), all of which were Gala Presentations and received standing ovations. In addition to producing all kinds of Oscars buzz, TIFF managed to provide some of the best customer service in the hard work and help of thousands of festival volunteers and staff. Going out with a bang, here’s week two of TIFF in review.

Potiche Women continue to take the business world by storm and if you’re not careful, Catherine Deneuve might just take your job too. In François Ozon’s foreign comedy, Deneuve plays Suzanne Pujol, the wife of an egotistical, sexist, and adulterous umbrella factory owner (Fabrice Luchini), and has no responsibilities except for domestic affairs—until her husband suffers a heart attack. She seeks the advice of a former flame, Maurice (Gérard Depardieu), who advises her to run the company until her husband recovers.

With the help of Maurice and her children (Judith Godrèche and Jérémie Renier), Suzanne reconfigures operations at the factory following a strike against her husband’s dictatorial methods, and becomes the first uplifting boss the company has seen in a long time. But when it’s time for her to hang up the umbrella, she instead challenges her husband for the position and won’t go down without a fight. Furthermore, she begins to spend more time with Maurice; and, though the effects of a real-life affair can be widespread and devastating, Ozon manages to infuse the plot with tasteful and side-splitting French humour from beginning to end.

Deneuve’s legendary class and regality mixed with her wit and bold personality make her the perfect actress for the role, while Depardieu’s cool and jovial demeanour provides a nice contrast to the despicable, yet entertaining antics skilfully portrayed by Luchini. The story is light yet poignant, and hilarious yet cruel, but most of all, even though the film takes place in the 70s, the same situations and relationships still resonate strongly. For that, Potiche is a winner in 2010 ★★★½ The Conspirator Legendary actor and director Robert Redford delves into the time of the American Civil War, as tensions flare between the Union and the Confederacy. As the northern states see a victory in their sights over the southern rebels, the nation’s hope is shattered when President Abraham Lincoln is assassinated by the crazed stage actor John Wilkes Booth. He and the other conspirators flee the scene, with some apprehended, one who gets away, and one shot dead: Booth (sorry for ruining the surprise, but it’s history, after all!).

The authorities soon arrest another suspect, this time a woman, who is the mother of the escaped man. Mary Surratt (Robin Wright), a devout

mother from the south, is accused of welcoming the conspirators into her boarding house and providing them with a location to discuss their plan to murder the president. Which she did— her son John is one of them. A trial ensues, even though the military tribunal’s preconceived contempt for the woman almost ensures she’ll be proved guilty.

The southern senator (Tom Wilkinson) defending her realizes he can’t influence the Union into giving her a fair hearing, so he pushes his young northern protégé Frederick Aiken (James MacAvoy), a lawyer and military hero, to take on the case. Aiken is strongly opposed to defending a woman whose rebel countrymen he nearly fought to the death, but his moral obligation to the law forces him to represent Mary and as he gets further into the case, he discovers she may in fact be innocent. He soon becomes aware that these men of law have no regard for justice whatsoever, rejecting every claim he makes and turning every one of his witnesses against him. He is shunned from high society and loses all his colleagues’ previous respect. He realizes that he can’t emerge victorious from the case either way: if he loses he’ll seem like too inexperienced a lawyer, and if he wins he’ll be seen as a traitor.

Aiken’s last hope is to have Mary’s daughter Anna (Evan Rachel Wood) give testimony to her brother’s guilt in order to prove her mother’s innocence.

Everyone around Aiken condemns him for supposedly wavering loyalty, but he feels he must do what is right by the constitution, by justice, and by his heart, even if it means losing everything.

MacAvoy gives a wonderful performance as a reputable war captain, and commands the screen as he infuses his character with bravery, compassion, and the desire to seek justice at all costs.

He masterfully manages to evoke a nervousness in Aiken, who is clearly lacking in legal experience, yet transforms the character with perception and confidence, shocking both the fictional jury and the real-life audience.

Robin Wright instils every ounce of pain and suffering into her battered character, and is quite spectacular to watch, even when her character is silenced by the gravity of her situation.

The conviction she delivers as a mother protecting her guilty son is so genuinely and effortlessly conveyed, as many of her past performances have been. The cast also includes the various talents of Kevin Kline, Justin Long, Alexis Bledel, Evan Rachel Wood, Steven Root, and Jonathan Groff, all of whom make up an American dream-team of actors and actresses. ★★★★ Buried Rodrigo Cortés’ claustrophobic thriller Buried was perhaps the only film of its kind at this year’s festival.

With a cast of one, Ryan Reynolds literally commanded the screen for 94 minutes as the action never leaves the confines of the wooden box in which truck driver Paul Conroy is buried alive. The only items available to him are his cell, a Zippo lighter, and a small flask of water, all of which are slowly becoming less and less useful. Though one might expect the film to become dull within the first 20 minutes (really, how much can be done in the same scene for an hour and a half?) you could not be in for more of a shock.

Just when you think there’s nothing left to explore, an entirely new element manifests itself and makes the audience gasp and squeeze their eyes closed. We are along for the ride with Reynolds and feel just as trapped as he does in every single moment; we feel his pain as he struggles to move around, as well as his frustration at the ineptitude of emergency phone line operators.

Cortés’ real skill is in the way he adjusts

the camera around Reynolds, so as to show the fear in his eyes or the beads of sweat trickling down his throat. The use of lighting and colour is also a key feature of the film; when Reynolds’ character is bathed in a green light, it seems to calm both him and the audience; when the regular white light is on, it reassures us that he is buying himself more time; and when the red light fills the space, an uneasiness creeps in and sends chills through your veins. There is a definite psychological element at play which is reminiscent of Alfred Hitchcock, and even moreso of the unknown, as we are left guessing right up to the film’s final moments. ★★★★ Black Swan Every year, the festival has a favourite film that people don’t want to stop talking about, and Darren Aronofsky’s Black Swan could very well be this year’s “it” movie. When Nina (Natalie Portman), a New York City ballerina, gets the part of the Swan Queen in Swan Lake, she pushes herself even harder to be able to nail the other half of the performance as the Black Swan. She is perfect for the White Swan, but is too innocent and not impulsive enough to play the dark side...yet. As she begins to spend time with Lily (Mila Kunis), a new dancer and a less-than-ideal influence on her, Nina begins to transform into something visceral, both in a mental and physical sense. Her impulses become nervous ticks, and she becomes exposed to a world that didn’t exist before. Her desire to be perfect in her pursuit of becoming the Swan Queen overrides everything else, and her decisions converge into a dramatic climax from which there is no going back.

Portman’s portrayal is quite simply one of the most invested and impressive female performances of any of this year’s films: she transforms from a sweet, timid girl into a dangerous, disillusioned fanatic with a fiery passion

and a disturbing mindset, which is unlike any of her previous cinematic roles. Nothing is off-limits for Portman when it comes to acting, and the level of comfortableness she projects in difficult situations is incredibly admirable.

Kunis emerges as a contender for the supporting actress role, as she too completely invests herself in whatever is expected of her, and examines the complexity of her character by portraying various different emotions and states of mind. Aronofsky’s shadowed corners and eerie encounters between characters do an incredible job of creating spooky moments, as does the music throughout the entire film. It infuses a life of its own into the plot, and sends goosebumps along your arms as your mind adjusts itself to the peculiar surroundings. Black Swan is shocking, provocative, agonizing—and completely mesmerizing. ★★★★★ Little White Lies Guillaume Canet’s film will disappoint those expecting ruthless scandals and cold-hard confrontations, but pleasantly surprise those that like some comedy in a serious film. Funnier than its title suggests, Canet’s film examines a group of friends on vacation together in the countryside of France, but in the back of their minds is the thought of their friend lying unconscious in a Paris hospital after a motorcycle accident.

They try to make the most of their trip by boating and bonding, but when certain secrets start revealing themselves, everyone is on edge, trying to cope with the news they receive. However, with situations like a 35-year-old man trying to decipher a woman’s text messages, Marion Cottilard on a raft on the open water, and a man’s pant leg getting stuck in the mud and causing him to freak out, the film is absolutely chockfull of laughs—none of which are lost in translation, but even enhanced by a uniquely French humour. Nevertheless, the film’s ultimate sense of gravity is not lost, and the humour is tastefully

done in order to provide a perfect balance of both ends of the emotional spectrum. ★★★★ Sarah’s Key Gilles Pacquet Brenner’s emotional tale of a Jewish family’s separation during World War II is the focus of Sarah’s Key. Sarah locks her little brother in a closet to hide him from the police when their house is raided., and promises to return for him, but is taken to the French camps and separated from her parents. Rather than depicting only the traditional brutality and inhumanity of officers during the war, Brenner showcases a glimpse of mercy that may have been more common at the time than we expect.

One officer looks into Sarah’s eyes, and helps her escape under the barbed wire before any of the others notice.

This scene is one of many emotionallycharged moments in Sarah’s life, as the audience is taken back and forth between the time of the war and present day. In the latter, a woman (Kristen Scott-Thomas) is working on a magazine feature about the Jews during the war, and is looking to uncover the truth about what happened to Sarah and her brother all those years ago.

Scott-Thomas gives a strong performance as a character striving to lay some demons to rest, both her own and those of Sarah’s family. Aiden Quinn, though only playing a small role as Sarah’s son, manages to convey an absolutely genuine revelation when he finally discovers some of his mother’s true history 40 years later. Though the film touches you deeply at many points, there could have been a lot more development for Sarah’s character (as well as the subplot with her brother); instead, most of the film focuses on the present search of answers in retrospect, and so creates somewhat of a disconnect between the real experiences of Sarah and the stories that were simply recounted. ★★½

THERE’S MORE KILLER SUSPENSE IN THIS

ONE-OF-A-KIND FILM than you’ll find in a dozen thrillers. You’ll be talking about this spellbinder for weeks. It pushes every button. Don’t let anyone spoil this story.

Peter Travers

POWERFUL

SUSPENSEFUL

Powerful and startling work. Jaw-dropping, suspenseful and touching.

A suspenseful, poignant and utterly compelling human drama.

Steven Zeitchik

John Lopez

LANGUAGE MAY OFFEND

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6 THE MEDIUM

MONDAY, SEPTEMBER

20, 2010

ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT

Albums of the week

The Medium takes a look at the latest efforts of Weezer, Brandon Flowers, and Azure Ray COLLEEN MUNRO ASSISTANT A&E EDITOR

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Hurley - Weezer After a low point in their career, Weezer offers hope for fans with an unlikely album.

Pop-punk mainstays Weezer saw more than a few raised eyebrows when they unveiled the name and rather striking cover image of their eighth studio album, Hurley. And after their recent string of dubiously-received albums, it would be easy to accuse the band of resorting to gimmicky marketing. But the good news is that Hurley has more working in its favour than just the smiling face of cover model/actor Jorge Garcia (who portrayed the album’s namesake on the TV series Lost).

Fans and critics who are waiting for Weezer to recapture the freshness of the band’s first two albums, 1994’s Weezer (The Blue Album) and 1996’s Pinkerton, are unlikely ever to be satisfied. Yet that doesn’t seem to stop them from welcoming each new Weezer release with a well-rested sense of hostility. (Was 2005’sMake Believe really so offensive?)

However, if listeners keep an open mind, this latest effort may actually reignite some hope in those who’ve all but given up on the band. Hurley is certainly not Pinkerton 2.0, but it is one of Weezer’s strongest recent efforts.

One of the reasons why Hurley succeeds is that it’s succinct. Weezer rarely benefits from having a track run over four minutes, and everything about Hurley is breezy. As a whole, it plays much quicker than their previous effort, Raditude. That album was only 34 minutes, but it felt twice as long.

Hurley doesn’t offer any hits as obvious as “(If You’re Wondering if I Want You To) I Want You To” (from Raditude) or “Perfect Situation” (from Make Believe). However, the band seems content to trade hits for consistency, and the album is stronger for it.

There aren’t any glaring low points on the album (though the lead single, “Memories”, suffers from a bagpipe accompaniment and lack of a tune), and everything works nicely together on Hurley. It wouldn’t be a Weezer album without some camp, but their winking angst feels less contrived and doesn’t overpower the album.

A few songs stand out as strong additions to the Weezer catalogue.

“Unspoken” goes in an unexpected direction by starting as an acoustic ballad (and features some raw vocals from frontman Rivers Cuomo). It’s one of the rare tracks that harks back to their earlier work before bursting into a massive chorus, complete with strings.

“Run Away” covers the standard topic of lost love. But rather than starting with a bang and never relenting, as many of the band’s songs do, it takes its time to build up to an enjoyably unhinged peak.

That said, Weezer isn’t reinventing their sound on Hurley, and that’s fine.

“Ruling Me” may be typical Weezer in the sense that it offers self-deprecating lyrics and a massive chorus, but it avoids feeling tedious thanks to its joyful “ooh” and “ahh” backing vocals. As well, “Hang On” has an anthem-like quality that feels meant for a stadium, and it sits comfortably in the midst of the album’s other hook-filled offerings.

In their past couple of albums, it sometimes seems like Weezer tried to dumb down their music for a wider audience with easier-to-grasp and polished melodies, and lyrics that verged on self-mockery. Hurley feels much simpler than anything they’ve released in the past nine years, but ironically it works better. There are moments (like the closing track, “Time Flies”) that feel refreshingly uncalculated, and the band seems to have stripped away some of the artifice that put people off.

Some critics complain that the band has lost its touch, but while Weezer’s previous greatness may still be out of reach, Hurley stands well on its own. It has enough hooks to invite new fans, while older ones may be surprised by how much there is to like.

Flamingo Brandon Flowers The Killers’ frontman Brandon Flowers is back with a solo effort, ADRIANA FLORIDIA the heavily Las Vegas-inspired Flamingo. After four discs with his glam-rock band, Flowers brings himself even more to the front, but only shows us more of what we have already heard before. With Flamingo, the singer / songwriter focusses on his hometown to show us the kind of man he is; but The Killers’ s e c o n d album, Sam’s Town, had the same idea, so Flamingo’s new songs don’t sound quite so original.

The open-

ing track, “Welcome to Fabulous Las Vegas”, has good intentions, though it feels like the opening song to a video game. It isn’t as “fabulous” as the title suggests, but it gives you a good idea of the rest of the album.

“Only the Young”, the second single, is the strongest song here, both musically and lyrically. It has a very catchy chorus, a strong refrain (“Only the young can break away”), and a powerful beat, all of which stay true to The Killers’ signature synth style.

“Hard Enough”, the third track, is a collaboration with alternative-country sweetheart, Jenny Lewis. Flowers and Lewis co-wrote the song, but with these two talents working together, one expects something better. Lewis barely

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sings at all on the track, which is disappointing because her powerful voice could have lent so much to it.

The fourth track, “Jilted Lovers & Broken Hearts”, is a very Las Vegaslike version of a break-up song. With lyrics like “Why did you roll your dice, show your cards, jilted lovers and broken hearts?”, Flowers compares love to casino gambling. While the song is decent musically, the lyrics try a little too hard and almost end up clichéd.

“Playing with Fire” is very mellow and rich in guitar, and has a strong atmosphere to it. Lyrically, however, despite its strong idea, it feels like Flowers is throwing in different lines that don’t necessarily fit together.

“Was It Something that I Said?” is a strange song that has the same feel as “The Ballad of Michael Valentine” (from the compilation album Sawdust), except not as memorable. It has more of a country-rock vibe and sticks out like a sore thumb on the album.

“Magdalena”, Flowers’ self-proclaimed “proudest track” on Flamingo, doesn’t spark the way Flowers thought it would It gets better as it goes, but even a powerful key change can’t make it fit in with the rest of the album.

The album’s lead single, “Crossfire”, is one of the stronger songs in this collection, being both musically prominent and lyrically wise. Flowers’ falsetto voice works well on this track as well, and though instrumentally it’s very reminiscent of TheKillers’ work, it still distinguishes Flowers musically from the rest of the group.

“On the Floor” starts out as an emotional ballad, with strong lyrics and a great mellow feel.

However, the introduction of a gospel choir doesn’t do much to to enhance the melody, and though it isn’t too overwhelming, the song would probably be better without it.

“Swallow It” is an interesting choice for the closing track on the album, but in a way it sums up the themes of Flamingo. It has intelligent lyrics and makes good use of layering harmonies of Flowers’ voice, and is therefore a rather strong track on an overall weak album.

For fans who plan to go for the deluxe version, save your five dollars. It’s four extra tracks which aren’t much bet-

ter than the album’s original ten, perhaps with the exception of “I Came Here to Get Over You”.

All in all, Flamingo is an “effort” at best, but is pretty disappointing for big fans of The Killers. Flowers uses the signature style and sound of his band, but it comes off a lot weaker without the three other band members. For those who love the album, don’t forget

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to see Brandon Flowers in concert at ANDREA AMBROGI The Sound Academy on December 4.

Drawing Down the Moon - Azure Ray The American duo Orenda Fink and Maria Taylor have broken their sixyear silence to offer their latest Azure Ray album, Drawing Down the Moon.

This album offers the kind of sound you would want in your ears when your soul feels cold and hungry. It’s a whispering giant that nurtures you and assure you that good music still exists.

The aptly titled opening track, “Wake Up, Sleepyhead”, is a short number with soft vocals and a cradling melody that invites you to grab a warm blanket and snuggle up to this record.

It opens with a glorious harp line and sounds a lot like something you’d hear en route to the pearly gates.

Another stand-out track is “Don’t Leave My Mind”. It’s a melodic departure from the opening track, with a prominent bass line and the sound of distant bongos. The double-tracked vocals also complement the track. The voices are strong and the lyrics tell a beautiful story.

The harmonies in “Walking in Circles”, paired with the fairytale music, make the track charming and strangely familial. Larraine steals the show lyrically and the whole song has a “story-time” vibe.

The musicianship on this album is actually something to admire. From twinkly piano lines to strategic intervals of twangy guitar, it keeps your appetite whetted and your eardrums satisfied. No two songs sound alike, and lyrically the album spans a fair range of topics, mostly in the form of stories, which makes them feel like memories.

In my opinion, this album kisses the ears. Its composition and production are powerful but not overwhelming. It satisfies all the senses—yes, even taste!—thanks to its tangible imagery.

The melodies are both gently and carefully crafted, and it’s surprising how whole and full the songs sound.

“Simplicity” is sometimes a synonym for “hollowness”, but Drawing Down the Moon is certainly not hollow.

MONDAY, SEPTEMBER

20, 2010 THE MEDIUM 7

ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT

Becoming an original guido Meet the cast of Jersey Shore and join the fan club MARIANA COMITO ASSISTANT FEATURES EDITOR From fist-pumping guidos to crazy guidettes, the party never stops at the Jersey Shore—or, in this season, Miami Beach. With catchy words like “chode”, “juicehead”, “grenade”, and “landmine”, the Jersey Shore cast has invented new vocabulary that has become universally recognized. The first season became a hit on MTV as thousands of viewers tuned in to watch a reality show about eight Italian-American “original guids”.

Extra TIFF coverage: Ben Affleck’s The Town RAVI GABBLE

Chaos. That’s how I would describe the red-carpet world premiere of The Town, Ben Affleck’s second directorial venture, at the Toronto International Film Festival on Saturday, September 11.

Don’t get me wrong—the film was great. (More on that in a second.) But, boy! did I ever witness a completely new side of human behavior that day! People shoving, yelling, crying, screaming, extending their cameras to catch a snapshot of their favourite star, telling you to “watch it” because your arm is in their wife’s way (yes, I actually got that one).

Oh TIFF, how I love thee.

Screening at the festival’s largest venue, the elegant Roy Thompson Hall, The Town was considered one of the festival’s most anticipated films right from the start. Just take one look at the stellar cast, and you’ll see why. For those of you out of the loop, the film stars Ben Affleck (director of Gone Baby Gone), Jon Hamm (Mad Men), Jeremy Renner (The Hurt Locker), Blake Lively (Gossip Girl), and Rebecca Hall

(The Prestige).

Debuting in theatres this past Friday, The Town is set in the neighborhoods of Boston and tells the story of a band of bank robbers who go around stealing millions of dollars, all the while dressed up in eerie Halloween-style costumes (evil nuns, anyone?). All pretty generic so far, right? Well, things start to shake up when Doug MacRay (Affleck), the lead planner of the bank robberies, falls in love with one of his hostages (Hall).

Although she is let go and is unaware of the identities of her abductors, she is left traumatized by her near-death experience. But she doesn’t realize she’s being pursued by Doug, who’s becoming attracted to her. The two develop a relationship, which doesn’t sit too well with either James (Renner), Doug’s hotheaded best friend and partner-incrime, or his ex-girlfriend Krista (Lively). Doug wants to leave the world of crime behind and settle down with his love, but how can he when his best friend, ex-girlfriend, the FBI (led by Hamm’s character), and the crime lords of Boston are standing in his way?

It may sound a bit procedural and straightforward (and to be honest, it

mostly is), but there’s something to be admired in Affleck’s skilled direction and character development. As with his directorial debut, Gone Baby Gone, Affleck has a gift for conveying the grittiness and harshness of reality in his depiction of crime, justice, and law enforcement. For example, the chase scenes in this film will keep you on the edge of your seat, not only because the camerawork and background music are amazing, but as an audience member you feel like there are real consequences and outcomes involved for the characters in the film. Affleck’s characters are so deep and complex that they seem to have emerged straight out of real life (and in fact, the film is based on a true story). Affleck’s performance as Doug is particularly noteworthy because he successfully conveys the character’s pain and suffering, even if you only watch his eyes and body language.

The Town is the definition of a wellmade film; everything from the cinematography to the acting is top-notch.

Again, it’s nothing we haven’t seen before, but watch it for the tremendous artistic skill on display. Trust me on this one: it’s worth it.

The cast consists of a unique set of people, each with different personalities that bring humour and surprise to each episode. Mike “The Situation” turned heads with his toned six-pack. How did he get his nickname, you might ask? Well, it’s a story he tells repeatedly: a young guidette looked at his body and said, “Well, now, that’s a situation!”… and the rest is history. His buddy, DJ Pauly D, is known for his “blowout” hairdo and his brand new track, “Beat that Beat”. In every episode, the two rebels are trying to hook up with any girl who walks their way.

Two BFFLs in the house are Jenny “JWoww”, and Nicole aka “Snooki”.

JWoww is known as a man-eater: she’s a girl with zero self-control, fake breasts, and an aggressive attitude.

Everyone knows not to mess with this bombshell.

Her sidekick Snooki is the shortest and cutest of them all. With her five foot frame—including her towering poof—Snooki loves disturbing the peace with her antics. The ultimate guidette, Snooki loves to “smush” and enjoys dating “ ’roided, juicehead guidos”.

Vinny, the youngest cast member, is a low key, easygoing guy. He comes from the typical big Italian family and is a true mamma’s boy. He loves his pasta, and his family appears in a couple episodes. His rival, Angelina is back (after leaving during season one), speaking her mind and not caring who she offends. This outcast is known for talking smack about her roommates and being a double agent.

Her excessive drinking gets her into trouble, and has resulted in many night hook-ups.

Sammy “Sweetheart” is probably

the most oblivious girl in the world.

With a deep love for Ronnie, she’s clearly being taken for a ride. She was single at the start of season one, but she and Ronnie have been on-and-off together for both seasons. She loves to cuddle and hates hardcore parties, but Ronnie loves to party and get wasted. During his “Single-Ronnie Days”, he gets into four-way kissing and drinking to the point of no recollection. If you’re in a brawl and need some help, Ronnie is the man to call.

With his huge muscles and short temper, he’s always ready for a fight.

Entering season one, his golden rule was to never fall in love at Jersey Shore— but it seems he’s under a spell.

This summer, the second season aired and filming of the third season is currently underway. Although the cast has a huge fan base, not everyone is a supporter. Unico National, the largest Italian-American service organization in the US, has claimed that many outraged Italians called and requested that the show be cancelled.

Similarly, some advertisers have pulled their commercial ads from the show. However, MTV continues to stand by the hit, claiming that they are not stereotyping Italians, but are “depicting just one aspect of youth culture”.

If you enjoy reality shows like the Real World and The Hills, and are not easily offended, then this show is definitely for you! With their late-night partying, drinking habits, and loud antics, the Jersey Shore cast will make you laugh and sometimes cry. Watch the second season, Jersey Shore: Miami, Thursdays at 10 p.m.—and learn how to fist pump the night away.

8 THE MEDIUM

MONDAY, SEPTEMBER

20, 2010

Amir Ahmed, Editor | features@mediumonline.ca

What it means to be a player DERIC VARCOE

If you’re looking for tips on how to be more of a ladies’ man, or work on your pickup lines, I’ve already misled you with this article’s title. I’m talking about video games. From the D-Pad to the joystick to motion-sensors, video games have only become more immersive, giving players an easier way to suspend reality. But why do guys love it so much? And why is going home and turning on your Playstation 3 such a �guy thing�?

I’m not saying that there are no women who like to go home and unwind by playing some Madden ’11; I’ve had my ass handed to me a few times by girls playing online. However, gaming is certainly usually marketed to boys and men, so it’s no wonder that the testosterone-driven hobby doesn’t appeal to a lot of females.

The consensus among the girls I spoke to about men playing video games was a collective sigh; it was the sound of disappointment in the opposite sex, a reaction that would make any man feel the need to hide his love of gaming. I wasn’t surprised—I have a Playstation 3 and a girlfriend, and I know that when I’m playing with one, I can’t play with the other. Still, I saw it as my responsibility to find out why women feel so negatively about guys that play video games.

No matter who I talked to or what I read, it all came down to a few things.

Most video games are marketed for men. No big surprise; but when 99% of the advertising and

are looking for love, but have already found their passion in gaming, I offer a “strategy guide� to juggling both.

dailyonce.files.wordpress.com

You can’t have him and her at the same time. Although that would be awesome. games are geared toward shooting, explosives, or sports, do we really expect anyone who’s not blinded by absurd amounts of testosterone to really care? And there aren’t many games that specifically target women as the audience.

Let’s take it a bit further. Video game companies typically target two groups: one is men, as I mentioned already, and the other is children. Every girl I spoke to said they thought men who play video g a m e s w e r e i m mature; whether it’s a Playstation or a NES, they’re still considered toys. One student related a man playing video games to a woman playing with dolls. I agree that if I found a woman who

still played with or even owned a Barbie collection, I’d think they weren’t all that grown up—or stable. But is this really the case for games? Are video games childish?

As somebody who owns and plays them, I beg to say no. More than half of all games these days have 18+ ratings and are NOT made for kids, but it doesn’t seem to matter.

More important than the association with immaturity, or a possible misunderstanding of gaming, is the “typical� image of a gamer.

Thanks to a small group of “hardcore� gamers, the entire world views video game players as “losers� and “geeks�. Most people

believe that the only ones who play games are the ones who feel like they have nothing good happening for them in reality. Now, don’t get me wrong. There are many out there who fully immerse themselves in the games they play, discarding all of their real friends for people they only know by online nicknames—but that’s a minority! Of the three girls I spoke to in preparation for this article, none of them thought I was somebody who played video games regularly. That suggests that there’s still an inaccurate stereotype of the typical gamer and it’s a turn-off.

So, for the guys out there who

1.Try to defect from the stereotypical gamer look as much as possible; don’t wear video –gamethemed clothing, don’t talk “gamer speak� with her (“Hi, I’m Steve and I’d love to be your noob boyfriend�), and don’t bring up your love of gaming.

2.If she brings it up, downplay it.

Tell her you play when you’re bored, or just occasionally, even if your current game of Madden ’11 is paused at home while you’re at school.

3.Don’t hide your system(s); I’ve found that girls don’t really mind if we play video games, as long as we don’t do it when they’re with us, and we don’t start showing the signs of becoming what they think is a hardcore gamer. At the same time, don’t start showing up on dates with the portable systems like the PSP; she won’t mind seeing it at home, but she doesn’t want it to be a fixture in your relationship.

4.Make her the priority. If she needs you, the games shouldn’t matter. You may get infinite chances in the game, but not with her.

I think if you stick to all that, you should be successful in both facets of your life; and maybe do your part in changing the stigma associated with gaming. Oh, and if you do find a woman who happens to be into gaming as much as you are, hold on tight, because you’re on the winning end of a glitch in the system.

The dangers of debt CHRIS ALI SARVGHADI

MMPA

Master of Management & Professional Accounting

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Many young adults have never been taught the structure of credit, interest, tax, and debt that can trap people in a cycle of wasted income and wasted time. It wasn’t taught in high school, and we aren’t necessarily taught it at home. Even financially-aware parents may not have shared their wisdom with their young high school graduates yet.

According to the website canada.creditcards.com, Canadians had $73.9 billion in outstanding credit card debts in 2009. With most cards accruing interest at a rate of 20-30% per annum, we’re looking at about a $15-20-billion profit for the credit card companies—and for doing what?

Lending you money that they collected on other people’s debts.

Collegestudentcreditcard.com has some interesting statistics specifically regarding student debt. According to their database, students have an average of 2.8 credit cards, and $885 aver-

age balance owed. Only 55% of students pay off their credit card debt every month. Interestingly, the site also claims that more students drop out of school because of financial difficulties (8.5%) than because of academic inability (6%).

“Students have an aver age of 2.8 credit cards, and $885 average bal ance owed. Only 55% of students pay off their credit card debt every month.�

Student life isn’t often luxurious.

With tuition, books, phone bills, going out, and perhaps parking passes and car insurance, it isn’t rare for a student to count their pennies. But without a disposable income, there isn’t any sense in spending money you don’t have.

If you can’t pay right away, you’ll soon be facing high interest charges

on your debt. The longer you take to pay, the more your payments go to paying off interest, rather than your initial loan. Now those extra dollars you’ve been sweating for are essentially being thrown away. This system of credit, debt, interest, and tax has so many people today stuck in the proverbial “rat race,� and it only gets worse as your income increases. Apply the same principles to nicer, faster cars, bigger houses, and the costs of raising children. Instead of a $500 student credit card debt accumulating interest, you’ve got a debt of hundreds of thousands of dollars, known as your mortgage. So don’t be surprised if the revenue agency comes after your house!

Of course, everyone has the right to spend their money and credit however they wish. But think twice before you swipe that Visa when your debit card can’t cut it. The creditors may say they’re lending you that bit “so you can get what you want now�, but remember that they’re more interested in your money than your well-being.

MONDAY, SEPTEMBER

20, 2010 THE MEDIUM 9

FEATURES

Avoiding an Armageddon EMILY ACHESON

Dinosaurs may not be the only ones to see a huge asteroid coming their way. Luckily, humans can develop methods to predict and destroy asteroids before they destroy us.

The Association of Space Explorers, headed by Canadian astronaut Chris Hadfield, submitted a proposal to the United Nations suggesting plans to detect and handle any incoming asteroids that could cause widespread destruction.

An example of such an impending threat is Apophis, a 320-metre asteroid that is predicted to have a 1 in 37 chance of colliding with Earth on April 13, 2029. If it misses, there’d be another potential impact in 2036 What effect would this asteroid have? To give you an idea, Siberia suffered a 45-metre-wide space boulder crashing into a forested area in 1908. About 2,000 square

kilometres of trees were obliterated.

Fortunately, the area was uninhabited—but, Hadfield says, we can’t always be so lucky.

Every day about 3,000 meteors, smaller, broken pieces of asteroids and comets, hit the earth. Most are unnoticeable because they are so small. The famous asteroid that supposedly annihilated most of the dinosaurs when it collided into the earth around 65 million years ago measured 15 km in diameter.

Asteroids that big rarely hit Earth.

The proposed asteroid detection plan involves a powerful telescope called NEOSSat (Near Earth Object Surveillance Satellite). This $15-million technology will circle 700 km above the Earth and scan for incoming asteroids. Scientists hope to launch it in March 2011. Russell Schweikart, former US astronaut and chair of a 2008 report on asteroid threats, says new telescopes will increase our current knowledge of

7,000 space objects to more than 1,000,000.

Currently, the UN and the Association of Space Explorers are holding workshops to brainstorm ways of averting an asteroid impact.

One idea involves shooting a spacecraft into the asteroid to blow it up or throw it off course. Another idea involves a spacecraft called a “gravity tractor” that would hold its position near the incoming asteroid and use gravitational pull to tug the asteroid off course. Offsetting the asteroid could take days (and hundreds of millions of dollars) depending on its size.

However, asteroids sometimes offers unique opportunities. In April, US President Barack Obama set a goal for NASA astronauts to visit a 500-metre wide astronaut by 2025. The astronauts are supposed to ride the asteroid, named “1999RQ36”, past Earth for two weeks.

Forget the moon, Armstrong.

Humans will be flying by it on asteroids.

Until that time comes, the UN and its affiliates in space exploration will continue developing sophisticated technologies aimed at the skies.

Meanwhile, more attention may be paid to these developments with the recent talk of the Mayan calendar predictions. The Maya, an ancient Mesoamerican civilization, created a calendar which suggests that they prophesized the end of the world in late 2012. The cause is not indicated.

As it happens, Chris Hadfield will lead the International Space Station in a mission to observe asteroids up close, geared for late 2012.

Coincidence? Perhaps. But with scientists predicting that about 300 asteroids could collide with the earth in the next 100 years, one can only hope that the stars are in our favour.

eso.org

ERINDALE COLLEGE COUNCIL University of Toronto Mississauga The Council of Erindale College, also known as the University of Toronto Mississauga (UTM), exercises its powers and duties under the University of Toronto Act, 1971, as amended.

NOMINATIONS ARE OPEN FOR THE FOLLOWING POSITIONS: Full-time undergraduate students ² 50 positions available Part-time undergraduate students ² 14 positions available Administrative Staff (non-academic staff other than department heads) ² 8 positions available

Nominations may be submitted through the Council website: www.utm.utoronto.ca/council/

Questions about the nominations? Contact: 905-828-5233 / t.breukelman@utoronto.ca

NOMINATION PERIOD for Erindale College Council Membership: September 16, 2010 - 9:00am to September 30, 2010 - 12:00 Noon Elections*: October 7, 2010 - 9:00am-5:00pm

Nomination Period for Standing Committee membership for students: October 15, 2010 - 9:00am ² October 22, 2010 - 12 Noon. Elections if necessary*: October 27, 2010 - 9:00am ² 5:00pm. *If the number of nominations exceed the number of available positions

36 C64@8?:K65 36 C64@8?:K65

10 THE MEDIUM MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 20, 2010

FEATURES

How not to handle a breakup LYSAN SEQUEIRA

After a breakup we can do some pretty irrational things. I went around campus last week and asked people their best tips about what NOT to do after a breakup. Mostly, people tended to agree on one thing: don’t make a fool of yourself trying to bring it back “just like that”. Here are a few tips that will hopefully help to keep your sanity and avoid future humiliation.

DON’T Become Desperate The whole “they broke up with me out of the blue” speech is pure BS. Whether you noticed or not, chances are your ex saw the demise of your relationship well before you did. Being desperate will only make it worse; despite what you may think, desperation is never hot! Wipe the tears and snot off your face and walk away with some dignity!

DON’T “LOL” it off Just because you can call, text, BBM, IM, and e-mail anyone at any time these days doesn’t mean you’ve got the green light to do it to your ex.

Texting him or her to say “I was just thinking of you” will no longer be romantic or sweet—instead it’s stalker-esque. Do yourself a favour and avoid using your phone or computer when thoughts of your ex start bubbling over.

NO Computer Love I don’t know how many times I’ve heard the following: “I was reading their status on Facebook today and they said such-and-such. They’re so talking about me.” There’s a good

chance that you’re off the mark or just paranoid. Reading too much into someone’s status will just make you crazy, and monitoring someone’s every move can not only be exhausting, but torturous. If they’re having a good day, you’ll feel slighted; if you feel they’re referencing you, you’ll gain false hope. Whichever way you spin it, it’s not good.

NO Breakup Sex We all know there’s a window time after a breakup where sex with your ex is acceptable (cue the Ne -yo music).

It’s only natural for you to still want to be physical with someone you’ve established a bond with; however, at some point, the loving becomes a really, really bad idea. I hate to tell to you, but your “long history” does not make you immune to booty-call status.

NO Social Stalking “Oh my God, I didn’t know you were going to be here!” Lies!—you’ve been with your ex for two years and can recite their daily routine in your sleep.

Now you’re surprised to find them at the bar they visit at Happy Hour?

Awkward encounters with your ex aren’t cool, they’re just awkward. Plus, your ex won’t be nearly as excited to see you. To avoid looking crazy, try not to show up where you probably won’t be wanted or invited.

DON’T Friendly Fire You can’t be friends with your ex if you’re still in love with them! Too many poor souls have tried to be a guy’s girl friend right after being his girlfriend or a girl’s boy friend right after being her boyfriend, but forcing yourself to see someone platonically

when they still have your heart is a lost cause. You’re only setting yourself up for heartache when the reality hits that they doesn’t see you the same way anymore. It’s best to get over the person completely before considering friendship with them.

Ex-Nay For the people who choose to ignore my previous rule (because I know there will be plenty) and are determined to be friends with your ex, avoid asking them about their new dating/sex life. You do not want to know how many people they’ve slept with since you two broke up last month, let alone find out they’re seeing someone new. Trust me, it won’t stop at one question, and you definitely won’t like the answers.

Sometimes ignorance really is bliss.

DON’T “Can We Talk?”

They haven’t answered your calls, texts, or e-mails, so you have this brilliant idea to surprise them at their place to talk. What are you thinking?

If they don’t want to talk to you what makes you think they would want to see you? They’re avoiding you for a reason, so you should avoid making a fool of yourself. It will most likely lead to a verbal blowup and having it all out again that they don’t want to be with you. Do you really want to hear that again?

Creative Corner

As I Lie in Bed MURRIUM ZAHEER

As I lie in bed, I look at the man beside me And he doesn't even have one tenth of my lover's greatness That lover who was snatched from me I would happily have been his mistress What life is there in life without him?

The man who loved me, true to the core, Without him my vigor is running thin Without him I don't want to live anymore My mother is the one who led me to this consequence.

Her prestige to her meant more than my happiness She wanted me to live within the white picket fence With a man who just wants me to wear a smile and a dress Every day I spend in his memories to see That lover with whom I found happiness As I lie in bed, I look at the man beside me And he doesn't even have one tenth of my lover's greatness

Red LUCY ZEMLJIC

There she sits and sighs, and waits to meet her love, and contemplates the colour red. Red like the dress that quivers by her feet, red like the lipstick that colours her lips, red like the leaves that flutter down the street, red like the petals of flowers stained with blood or the poem that remains never written.

There she sits and sighs, and waits to meet her fate, and contemplates the colour blue. Blue like the river that flows by her feet, blue like the colour of a drowning man’s lips, blue like the toy ball that rolls down the street when the child loses balance and falls.

There she sits and sighs, and waits to meet her end, and contemplates the colour pink. Pink like the little shoe on the newborn’s feet, pink like the smile on her little, pouty lips, pink like the stroller that rolls down the street when her mama loses balance and falls.

MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 20, 2010 THE MEDIUM 11

William Robertson , Editor | sports@mediumonline.ca

Stanley Cup champs retool MICHELLE DUKLAS Hockey season is just around the corner, which means that the players are gearing up and preparing for the pre-season. For those of you who haven’t been reading the news or following your favourite team over the summer, their roster may look a little different thanyou remembered it, especially if you’re a Blackhawks fan.

On June 23, Chicago general manager Stan Bowman manoeuvred a massive trade with the Atlanta Thrashers that saw Atlanta give Chicago a 2010 firstround pick, a 2010 second-round pick, Jeremy Morin, and veteran forward Marty Reasoner in exchan g e fo r D u s t i n B y f ug l i e n , Ben Eager, Brent Sopel, and prospect Akum Aliv. The cap savings from this deal are around $5 million for the Hawks. The Thrashers came away with the better part in this trade, since Dustin Byfuglien alone scored 17 goals and 17 assists in the regular season and added 11 more goals in the playoffs. Ben Eager had 16 points in the regular season, while Brent Sopel had eight. Atlanta

may have given away a first-round draft pick, but they had another from the Ilya Kovalchuk trade to New Jersey. They retained their own draft pick, which lets them choose eighth in the upcoming draft.

The same day, in a trade that didn’t get as much publicity, Bowman traded centre Colin Fraser (seven goals, 12 assists) to the Edmonton Oilers in exchange for a 2010 sixth-round draft pick.

Just seven days later, Chicago traded winger Kris Versteeg and prospect Bill Sweatt to Toronto in exchange for forwards Viktor Stalberg, Chris DiDomenico, and Philippe Paradis. Versteeg, age 24, scored 44 points in the 2009— 2010 season with the Hawks, as well as six goals and 14 points in the 22 playoff games he played this year. Viktor Stalberg, also 24, had nine goals and 14 points in 40 regular season games with the Leafs. This trade occurred because Bowman still had to trim the payroll.

Finally, on July 1, Chicago traded left-winger Andrew Ladd to the Atlanta Thrashers in exchange for defenceman Ivan Vishnevskiy and a 2011 second-round pick.

Chan Gailey: destined to fail?

CHRIS CALLAHAN

After four Super Bowl losses and a history of heartbreak, pessimism has been common among Buffalo Bills fans. The Bills disappointed again last season, which led to a search for new direction this offseason. The coaching staff was completely overhauled; interim head coach Perry Fewell and his coaching staff were replaced with fresh faces.

To football fans, new faces mean hope. With change, fans embrace a new regime promising the possibility of a brighter future. They begin citing buzzwords, like “rebuild� and claim that the team has the right plan in place to win. Will we see fulfilled expectations of a revitalized Buffalo franchise that is capable of competing again?

Whether or not the Bills succeed will depend on Chan Gailey, their new head coach. If history and the external factors working against him are any indication, the answer to that question is a resounding no.

It could be a short stay in Buffalo for Gailey as he takes over a team that is talent-starved and lacks skill in key positions. Most notably, the Bills have holes at quarterback, wide receiver, and along the offence line. A switch in defence schemes could only complicate the situation further. As they’re competing in one of the best divisions in football, it would be nearly impossible for even a great coach to transform the Bills into a winning team.

Gailey likely ended up in his

gloomy situation not by choice, but because it was the best position available given his rÊsumÊ. In fact, Gailey may be one of the most significant factors undermining the Bills’ chances of success.

The Bills hired Gailey because of his experience as an offence coordinator. The team hopes he’ll add a spark to an offence that has been anemic in recent years. His body of work as an offence coach suggests this will not be the case.

Gaileys reputation is largely tied to his two seasons in Dallas in 1998 and 1999, where he took the Cowboys to playoff appearances but didn’t win any playoff games.

Since being fired in Dallas, Gailey has consistently failed to duplicate the powerful offence that he had with the Cowboys. In his two NFL positions since that time, with the Chiefs and Dolphins, his offences ranked 26th and 24th in total yards. With Kansas City in 2008, Chiefs head coach Todd Haley was so disappointed with Gailey’s offence that he revoked his play-calling responsibilities in the pre-season.

It wasn’t the first time that Gailey made headlines for his ineffectiveness. He was fired from Georgia Tech, with a $1-million contract buyout, after six years without a top 25 finish. Last year he was out of football: no NFL teams offered him a position as coordinator.

Does Gailey have what it takes to give Bills fans something to cheer about? Considering his track record and the challenges the team faces, his odds seem slim at best.

According to Bowman, all these trades were made to keep the team under its salary cap, which has been tightening more and more.

By trading some of the bigger names (and therefore larger salaries), Chicago can stay below their salary cap and maybe rebuild a solid team.

This team will be built around Patrick Kane, Jonathan Toews, Duncan Keith, Brent Seabrook, and Patrick Sharp. Former goaltender Antti Niemi filed for arbitration over the summer and was awarded $2.75 million. Chicago walked away from the deal and instead signed veteran goaltender Marty Turco from Dallas for $1.3 million.

Now all that’s left is to see how all these trades affect the Chicago Blackhawk s. Will Kane, Toews, Keith, Seabrook, and Sharp be able to adapt to new teammates fast enough to allow them to contend for the Cup again this year?

Or will the team fall apart, as some of the more pessimistic Hawks fans are worried about?

Only time will tell, but it looks like a rebuilding year for the Hawks, since they were forced to trade away many key players.

blackhawkup.com

Marty Turco will be expected to shoulder the load between the pipes this year for the defending Champs as Niemi leaves Chicago.

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