The Ontarion - 185.11

185.11 | Nov. 29, 2018

UNIVERSITY OF GUELPH’S INDEPENDENT STUDENT NEWSPAPER

IN THIS ISSUE HOMELESSNESS IN GUELPH P.12

special holiday Section P. 03-07

Growing roots in the Guelph community.

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HOLIDAYS

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O N TH E S TR E E T

What Gryphons are most looking forward to this THE ONTARION TALKS TO U OF G STUDENTS | ALORA GRIFFITHS

ATNU BHATTACHARYYA BIOMEDICINE “Looking forward to going home and enjoying Christmas with the family.”

Sierra Vanderkamp MOLECULAR BIOLOGY & GENETICS “Not studying molecular biology and genetics.”

BOLANLE AKINYEMI AGRICULTURE “I can’t wait for Christmas, so I can finally get to rest and speak to my mom every day.”

KAMMY KASHEFI BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES “Spending time with my dog and family.”

HARRISON LAVEIN NEUROSCIENCE “I think the thing I’m most looking forward to this holiday season is the downtime and seeing my family and pets.”

TIANA SINNATAMBY BUSINESS & ACCOUNTING “I’m looking forward to seeing my family and dog, and not studying.”

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Healthy Christmas Baking you can indulge in well into the new year NO-BAKE ALMOND BALLS AND CHOCOLATE CHIP COOKIES S TO RY & P H OTO S BY S A R A N A I M

CHRISTMAS IS ABOUT spending time with family and friends, and indulging in scrumptious holiday feasts and decadent treats. It is a time of joy and happiness; a time of giving and sharing with loved ones.

When I was a little girl, my favourite time of the year was the time I spent with my mom in the kitchen as we prepared for the holidays. We would bake dozens of traditional cookies to enjoy with the family and gift to our nearest and dearest. As I grew older, my love of baking not only continued but flourished every year and I enjoyed creating new treats for every occasion. To this day I still bake a batch of gingerbread cookies, which we enjoy with a hot cup of cocoa on Christmas morning.

But the past year also came with new commitments for me; 2018 was the year I ran my first 10-kilometre race, my first half marathon, and my first marathon. It was the year I committed to eating clean and focusing on healthier alternatives. As the holidays approach, I am excited to enjoy some of the traditional baked goods that I grew up making and loving, but I am also excited to prepare healthier treats to enjoy as we celebrate and look forward to a new year and new commitments.

Below are two of my favourite treats, which are perfect for individuals with food sensitivities but can also be enjoyed by everyone during the holidays and as you start a healthier and happier new year!

CHOCOLATE CHIP COOKIES Everyone will love these chocolate chip cookies — warm and gooey, fresh out of the oven, and perfectly paired with some holiday nog!

NO-BAKE ALMOND BALLS These treats are easy to make, require no equipment, and you can feel good about this recipe as it contains real food ingredients that are also vegan and gluten free!

Ingredients • 1 cup almond butter • ½ cup ground almonds • 1 tablespoon maple syrup • ¾ cup dark chocolate • Cacao nibs or chopped almond for decoration Instructions 1. Combine almond butter, ground almonds, and maple syrup in a large bowl until completely blended.

2. Roll batter into one-inch balls and place them on a lined baking sheet. Place in freezer for about 15 minutes.

3. Meanwhile, place the dark chocolate in a small bowl over a pot of boiling water and melt the chocolate, stirring continually.

4. Remove almond bites from the freezer and pour the melted chocolate over each ball until they are covered.

5. Garnish with your choice of cacao nibs or chopped almonds.

Ingredients • ½ cup coconut oil melted and cooled (if the coconut oil is too hot, it may cook the egg when combined) • 1 egg at room temperature (1 tablespoon of flax with 3 tablespoon of cold water for vegan version) • ½ cup coconut sugar • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract • 1½ cup chickpea flour • ¾ teaspoon baking soda • ½ teaspoon salt • ½ cup dark chocolate chips or dark chocolate bar chopped Instructions 1. In a large bowl, mix together the coconut oil, egg, coconut sugar, and vanilla extract until smooth.

2. In a separate bowl, combine the chickpea flour, baking soda, and salt.

3. Add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients and mix until well combined.

4. Fold in the chocolate chips or chunks.

5. Use a spoon to scoop dough onto parchment lined baking sheet.

6. Bake in preheated oven at 350 degrees Fahrenheit for about 12 minutes or until the edges are slightly golden.

7. Enjoy with family and friends!

Gluten-free lemon shortbread cookies THE PERFECT TREAT WHEN YOU’VE HAD ENOUGH PEPPERMINT AND CHOCOLATE H A N N A H S T E WA R T

WHEN IT COMES TO Christmas cookies, there are many tried-andtrue favourites, but sometimes, it can be nice to mix things up and try new variations of classics. I have never loved traditional shortbread cookies, but when I came up with this recipe, it quickly became a favourite. It seems to incorporate all of the things that my friends and family love about shortbread, while incorporating enough new elements to make them interesting.

As someone with celiac disease, I often find it difficult to make gluten-free cookies that have a good texture. These cookies aren’t too dry or too rubbery like many gluten-free cookies. Personally, I like to cut the dough into stars to add some festivity to the recipe, but the decoration is really up to the baker. After all, decoration is one of the best parts of baking — second only to eating.

INGREDIENTS Cookies • ¾ cup of butter (or a little more as needed — the dough should feel sticky) • 1½ cups of white sugar • 1 large egg • 1 tablespoon of lemon extract • 2 cups of gluten free all purpose flour mix (I use Namaste flour; but if you use a different flour blend, make sure that it contains xanthum gum) • ½ teaspoon of baking powder • 1 teaspoon of salt • Grated zest of 1 lemon Glaze • 2 cups of icing sugar • 4 tablespoons of fresh lemon juice

INSTRUCTIONS 1. Combine softened butter and sugar in a mixing bowl. Cream together with an electric mixer until light and fluffy.

2. Add egg and lemon extract to creamed butter-sugar mixture.

Beat until combined.

3. In a separate bowl, combine flour, baking powder, salt, and lemon zest and stir thoroughly.

4. Add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients and stir. After a little while the dough will become thick like bread and you will have to knead it so that it will absorb all of the dry ingredients.

5. Bake at 375 degrees Fahrenheit for about 12 minutes. They

should be soft in the middle and a little bit crispy on the edges.

6. Let cool, then add glaze by drizzling on top with a spoon or butter knife.

7. Enjoy!

PHOTO OBTAINED VIA PILLSBURY

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Five holiday things to do in Guelph Five festive flicks that WE’VE GOT YOUR ROYAL CITY will spark your inner WINTER STAYCATION COVERED holiday spirit O D E S I A H OW L E T T

IF YOU’RE STAYING in Guelph over the holidays, here are five budget-friendly ideas to entertain yourself and take your mind off the cold grey days.

1. EXPLORE THE ARBORETUM

Located on the east side of campus, the Arboretum spans 400 acres and is open to the public, free of charge. Although the university closes over the holidays, the Arboretum remains open year-round. For nature lovers, the fresh layer of snow gives the trees an additional glow and can make it easier for you to see different animal tracks. But be careful to stay on the trails, as they are not maintained in the winter.

2. CURLING ON A BUDGET

Curling is one of Canada’s most popular winter sports, and there’s no better time than over the winter break to learn how to play. The Guelph Curling Club,

located just north of Woolwich Street and Woodlawn Road East, offers “learn to curl” sessions in which you learn basic safety, how to throw a rock, sweeping techniques, and strategy. At the end of the session, you’ll get to play against other learners. There are also weekly Sunday pickup games for $22 per person for two hours, equipment included.

3. SKATE AT MARKET SQUARE

A Guelph favourite is skating at Market Square. You can rent skates for an hour for $12 from the Hockey Shop Source For Sports across the street and spend your day skating alongside friends and families. For those who have their own skates, check your neighbourhood for a public park — it might just have a community-maintained rink.

Park anytime between Dec. 16 and 31 to see the lights from the annual Sparkles in the Park event, hosted by the Rotary Club of Guelph. You can make a whole day of it on New Year’s Eve by staying to watch the fireworks.

5. MERRY MAKER NIGHT MARKET

Spend an evening at the Farmers’ Market on Dec. 19 from 4 p.m. to 9 p.m. and get all your holiday shopping done in one go. With over 80 vendors and artisan items, you can find some beautiful one-of-a-kind pieces while supporting local talent.

There are also food trucks and live entertainment for those who want a simple, fun night out.

Bundle up, grab some hot cocoa, and head over to Riverside

Dear Santa Paws…

A VET STUDENT’S WISH LIST

2. A CHRISTMAS STORY (1983)

C A R L E I G H C AT H C A R T

I’ve been a good girl this year.

Okay, I’ve mostly been a tired girl, but I’ve also been good. I’ve been eating lots of veggies, calling my parents regularly, and handing in my homework on time (‘minutes to spare’ is still on time). I’ve made an effort to be on my best behaviour, and so this Christmas, I’d like to share with you my special wish list.

It’s probably not the same as most kids’ lists (you’re still a kid in your 20s, right?), but I’d be super grateful to find an item or two from this list under the tree on Dec. 25. And if you and your fairly-compensated elves don’t mind working some magic, I may even throw in a free consult for those reindeer of yours.

1. TRAVEL PILLOW

We don’t have the time nor funds to actually travel, but we vet students get some of our deepest sleep during classroom hours, and our necks are starting to get sore from the school’s furniture. Anything that can shrink down into a lab coat pocket will do.

We often spend an entire afternoon in the same seat of the same classroom. The walls of the pathobiology building have lost their magic, and a change of scenery (the Swiss Alps, perhaps?) would be swell.

3. SELF-REFILLING COFFEE MUG

I don’t personally drink the stuff (I fear developing a caffeine dependency), but many of my peers do. Since Christmas is the season of giving, I’m sure they’d all be thankful for the convenience of a constant coffee supply. I know what you’re thinking and don’t worry — we still want the napping pillows.

4. TIME IN A BOTTLE

I did the math, and I can attend all labs, lectures, club meetings, volunteer sessions, dog walks, and plans with friends — while maintaining my relationships, house, health, GPA, and some level of personal hygiene — with approximately 30 hours a day. I’m not an economics major, but I’m pretty sure that leaves me in a deficit, so if you could bottle up some of the good stuff and tie it in a bow, that’d be great.

The holiday season is upon us, which gives us the perfect excuse to kick back, relax, sip on some eggnog, and of course, watch our most beloved Christmas movies.

So, to get you in the spirit, “I have passed through the seven levels of the Candy Cane forest, through the sea of swirly-twirly gumdrops, and then I walked through the Lincoln Tunnel” to bring you this list (checked not once, but twice!) of my favourite yuletide flicks.

This fantasy comedy-drama film is a well-loved Christmas classic, and tells the story of George Bailey, a man who wants to commit suicide on Christmas Eve, but is saved by angel Clarence Odbody, revealing to him how life would have turned out if he hadn’t been born. Warning: The feel-good story about family and redemption is guaranteed to bring tears to the eyes — keep a tissue box at hand!

4. SPARKLES IN THE PARK

2. CUSTOMIZABLE GREEN SCREEN

SARAH REGAN

1. IT’S A WONDERFUL LIFE (1946)

D IARY O F A V E T S TU D E NT

DEAR SANTA PAWS,

CLASSIC CHRISTMAS MOVIES THAT WILL EVOKE HOLIDAY NOSTALGIA

5. A HOME FOR THE HOLIDAYS FOR THE ANIMALS LEFT BEHIND

At no fault of their own, there are millions of animals throughout the world that have been abused, abandoned, or neglected. As a future vet, I’m doing my best to learn the skills required to provide a better life for those unable to speak for themselves, but I know I can’t save them all. This Christmas, I’d be happiest of all if everyone — of every species — received the love they deserve.

Thank you, Santa! And Merry Christmas to all!

This film will be forever nostalgic to me, perfectly capturing the spirit of being a kid during the holidays. Set in the 1950s U.S. Midwest, nine-year-old Ralphie’s mission to receive an “Official Red Ryder Carbine-Action TwoHundred-Shot Range Model Air Rifle” from Santa Claus is the stuff of childhood dreams, and it can’t help but bring a warm and fuzzy feeling. Just don’t forget, “you’ll shoot your eye out!”

3. NATIONAL LAMPOON’S CHRISTMAS VACATION (1989)

T he reason behind this movie being a must-watch every Christmas? It is relatable! Clark Griswold is determined to get his “old-fashioned family Christmas,”

all the while dealing with pushy relatives, a deranged squirrel, and 25,000 strands of Christmas lights that just won’t light up.

This flick reminds us how much can go hilariously wrong over the holidays! Lesson: family time is precious, embrace it this time of the year — chaos & all!

4. HOME ALONE (1990)

Prepare to feel old... It has almost been 30 years since the release of this holiday favourite, which means it has been almost two decades since Kevin McCallister booby trapped his home in the suburbs to ward off the “Wet Bandits,” and taught kids everywhere a thing or two about independence. I am still loving every moment of it!

Tip: Watch this one with “a lovely cheese pizza” just for you!

5. ELF (2003)

I have to be honest: no matter how many times I watch this movie, it’s just never enough! The story of Buddy, a charming but misguided elf who tracks down his grouchy father in NYC gives us a reason to smile every year and is definitely an overload of holiday cheer. Enjoy with the main food groups: “candy, candy canes, candy corns, and syrup.”

Now, don’t be a “cotton-headed ninny muggins,” stock up on hot chocolate, claim your favourite spot on the couch and enjoy these festive flicks, along with your own go-tos! “Merry Christmas, ya filthy animal[s]!”

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Sustainable gift wrapping tips that show how much you care BEAUTIFUL, TRENDY, AND GOOD FOR THE ENVIRONMENT S TO RY & P H OTO S BY S A R A N A I M

AS HOLIDAY CELEBRATIONS approach, Canadians are busy selecting the perfect gifts to give to their loved ones. A favourite holiday pastime for many is listening to Christmas music and wrapping presents at home, or opting for the bright gift-wrapping stations that pop up in shopping centres by mid-November.

But did you know that traditional gift wrapping can be extremely wasteful? According to Zero Waste Canada, a Vancouver-based advocacy group, Canadians will send the equivalent of 100,000 elephants worth of wrapping paper to the dump in just one year. Canadians purchase 2.6 billion Christmas cards every year, the majority of which will find their way to the dump in the new year. And if all

that wasn’t enough, six million rolls of tape are used at Christmas each year in Canada alone.

Gift bags, tape, and ribbon cannot be recycled. We all love the bright colours and that bit of extra glitter on holiday wrapping paper, but unfortunately this extra bit of shine comes at a price we can no longer frivolously spend.

Fortunately, there are so many ways to beautifully wrap those carefully selected gifts by using recycled and compostable materials. My personal favourite is using recyclable brown paper, which can be purchased at most craft stores and dollar stores and is perfect for gift wrapping. For smaller gifts (or perhaps some homemade treats) it is a great idea to use recyclable brown lunch bags!

Get creative with your gift wrapping this year by using natural decorations like fallen sprigs.

To secure your eco-friendly wrapping, use paper tape to seal it and twine or hemp to tie your gift bag and secure embellishments. When I think of embellishments, I think of using real plants. You will be surprised by how many beautiful sprigs and twigs you may find by simply going on a short walk!

You can also make personalized gift tags by writing on recycled paper or cardstock. Or, even better yet, make some cinnamon ornaments! Simple, sustainable, and beautifully scented!

D ire c ti o ns fo r ci nna m o n o r n a m ents: 1. Combine

½ cup cinnamon and ½ cup apple sauce until well blended and the dough forms a ball without being too sticky.

2. Sprinkle your clean working surface with extra cinnamon and use a rolling pin to roll out your dough to ¼ inch thickness.

3. Use cookie cutters to cut desired shapes and use a skewer to poke a hole in each ornament.

4. Place ornaments on baking pan covered with parchment paper

and bake at 200 degrees Fahrenheit for about 2 to 3 hours (or until ornaments are rock hard).

5. Once cooled, loop twine or hemp through the ornament and use it as the finishing touch on your eco-friendly wrapping.

Sustainable shopping can be easier than you think WHAT THOSE CERTIFICATIONS ON YOUR PURCHASES REALLY MEAN K AREN K . TRAN

W I T H T H E G I F T- G I V I N G season upon us and endless shopping options available, you may be asking yourself where to start looking. If you’re trying to shop consciously, it can be difficult to discern which products are sweatshop-free, eco-friendly, sustainably-sourced, and fair to employees. It can also be confusing to figure out what these certifications actually mean, and therefore decide if these products are worth the extra money they may cost.

Keep in mind that while these are great indicators of verified sustainable practices, many other companies practice sustainability and pay fair wages, though you will have to do your own research.

Whether you’re shopping for a present or greeting card, dining out or buying ingredients for a home-cooked meal, here are some of the most popular sustainable certifications you can find on local products and services.

B CORPORATIONS

This international certification is one of the most rigorous, ensuring that companies who earn their B Corp Certification meet the highest standards of social and environmental expectations. The nonprofit B Lab verifies that a company has scored at least 80 out of 200 points in their assessment, which rate the company’s employee benefits, sustainable practice throughout the entire supply chain, legal structure, volunteer and charity efforts, and more.

• Certified B Corps in Guelph include: • Sweet Temptations Cupcakery • Cupanion • Grey Rock Clothing Co. • Grosche Coffee & Tea boutique • Miijidaa Cafe + Bistro • And more that can be found through B Corporation’s online directory

RAINFOREST ALLIANCE

BULLFROG POWER

The Rainforest Alliance is an international non-governmental organization (NGO) that works to ensure environmental, social, and economic sustainability to conserve biodiversity by exercising responsible land management as well as help generate income for Indigenous communities. Their green frog symbol is found on certified products such as: • Paper products • Coffee and tea • Cosmetics • Tourism services

This Canadian green energy company provides renewable energy to its clients. Rather than directly powering companies, Bullfrog ensures that energy from renewable sources (such as wind, low-impact hydro, and renewable biogas) are put into the grid on behalf of the client company.

Bullfrog Power is a B Corporation and its independent Guelph clients include The Wooly Pub and Mirexus.

FAIRTRADE

This independent third-party certification ensures that farmers and other producers receive fair pay, have safe working conditions (no child labour), and help increase the economy of small communities.

U of G b ec a me t he f ir s t Fairtrade campus in Ontario in 2012, and as such, offers only fairtrade coffee at hospitality locations on campus, as well as at least three tea Fairtrade options and one chocolate, where available. Local coffee chain Planet Bean is a Fairtrade certified operation.

Keep in mind that while these are great indicators of verified sustainable practices, many other companies practice sustainability and pay fair wages, though you will have to do your own research.

NEWS

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THE ONTARION

@theontarion ON the Radar COMPILED BY MATTEO CIMELLARO GENERAL MOTORS TO CLOSE PLANT IN GLOBAL RESTRUCTURING General Motors (GM) announced that they will close a plant in Oshawa at some point in 2019, according to CBC. The plant’s shutdown will leave 2,500 workers out of a job. GM told CBC that the move is an effort to restructure and lower carbon emissions On the same day, GM announced that they will close four other plants across North America, according to CNN. RUSSIA-UKRAINE NAVAL CLASH Tensions have raised after a naval clash between Russian and Ukrainian ships. Russia fired on and seized three Ukrainian ships and their crews in the Kerch Strait, which sits between the Russian mainland and the partially annexed Crimea. According to the Guardian, the Russian foreign minister has accused Kiev of coordinating with United States and European Union forces. Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko asked Parliament to declare martial law after the incident.

TRUMP ISSUES REPORT THAT CONTRADICTS CLIMATE POLICIES The report, analyzed by the New York Times, found that the Trump administration pro-coal policies and loosening regulation directly contradicts a 1,656 page report from congress that details the most comprehensive report on the effects of climate change on the U.S. economy, public health, coastlines, and infrastructure.

The report states that climate change will cost hundreds of billions of dollars in damages in the coming decades. In the past, President Trump has often mocked and questioned the human-caused effects of climate change, according to the New York Times.

CALGARY STAMPEDERS WIN GREY CUP The Stampeders have defeated the Ottawa Red Blacks 27-16 at the 106 Grey Cup in Edmonton.

O N TH E H I LL

Indigenous women coerced into sterilization SENATOR’S REPORT POINTS TO CONTINUED SYSTEMIC DISCRIMINATION E L L A H A RV E Y

MANY CANADIANS ARE aware of Canada’s historically inequitable treatment of Indigenous peoples.

The mention of residential schools conjures up a dark time in Canada’s past when Indigenous children were forced to assimilate to EuroCanadian culture at “schools” where physical and sexual abuse was normalized. However, the mistreatment and oppression of Indigenous peoples in Canada may not be as far back in Canada’s past as we would like to think.

A July 2017 report by Senator Yvonne Boyer, a Métis lawyer and former nurse, and Dr. Judith Bartlett, a Métis physician and researcher, shows that forced and coerced sterilization of Indigenous women has happened in Canada as recently as 2014. The report describes how Indigenous women

in the Saskatoon Health Region were sterilized through the severing, burning, or tying of their fallopian tubes after childbirth.

According to Amnesty Intern a t ion a l C a n a d a’s w eb sit e , “‘sterilization under coercion’ is when people give their consent for the procedure, but on the basis of incorrect information[…] or other coercive tactics such as intimidation or that conditions are attached to sterilization, such as financial incentives or access to health services.” For example, if the permanency of the sterilization is misrepresented by the medical professionals carrying out the procedure, consent cannot be considered fully informed. According to Dr. Boyer’s report, in many of the cases, the consent was compromised in some way. For example,

some women were under anaesthesia when asked to give consent, and others were forced into agreement while still in labour.

Since Dr. Boyer released the report, more Indigenous women have come forward. In fact, at least 60 Indigenous women are seeking compensation from various Canadian healthcare providers for forced or coerced sterilization through a lawsuit filed in 2017 by Maurice Law Barristers & Solicitors. These healthcare providers include the federal government, the Saskatchewan government, and individual medical professionals. The main concern of the lawsuit is whether informed consent was obtained prior to sterilization.

Although the report was released in 2017, the issue is currently gaining attention because both Maurice Law and Amnesty International tabled reports on the matter last week at the 65th session of the UN Committee Against Torture (CAT).

The CAT is taking place from Nov. 12 to Dec.7, 2018, and the committee heard from Canadian delegations on Nov. 21 and Nov. 22.

In its report to CAT, Maurice Law suggested that forced sterilization should be criminalized, and that the federal government provide health professionals training on what constitutes proper and informed consent. Similarly, in their report, Amnesty International called for the federal government to investigate the allegations of forced or coerced sterilizations of Indigenous women and girls in Canada, and to develop a National Action Plan to prevent gender-based violence against Indigenous women in Canada.

In the same vein, Indigenous Services Minister Jane Philpott told the Canadian Press “the issue of forced sterilization of vulnerable people, including Indigenous women, is a very serious violation of human rights.” According to Amnesty International, forced and coerced sterilizations are a form of gender-based violence and torture, and they violate the rights to equality, non-discrimination, physical integrity, health, and security.

Psychology professor drops scantron testing HELPS STUDENTS RETAIN COURSE CONTENT AND LOWERS STRESS L AU R A VAU TO U R

THE ONTARION SAT down to speak with social psychologist and U of G professor, Saba Safdar, who has implemented a new testing method for her midterms and finals. Safdar first found out about this new technique from a colleague in the family relations department who was using it as a tool during lecture.

“When I decided to use it, I thought it would be a very good way of providing alternative methods to regular multiple-choice exams,” Safdar said. “I wanted to see how students liked it and how it would work out. In the last three semesters I have used it, it consistently received [positive] feedback from students.”

Mike and Beth Epstein created the Immediate Feedback Assessment Technique (IF-AT). The pair became frustrated with the traditional multiple-choice testing system and the fact that once you leave the testing room, you have no idea which answers are correct and which ones are wrong,

according to the Epstein Educational Enterprises (EEE) website.

The IF-AT looks and works sort of like a lottery ticket, with less colour and risk. It has an opaque film over the four options that you scratch off to reveal the correct answer. If you choose the right answer, a star will indicate that you chose correctly; if you do not, nothing will appear, and then you will scratch each of the four options until revealing the correct answer. The professor who administers the test decides whether the second, third, or fourth choices will receive partial marks, the EEE website reads.

Tristan Kimball, a second-year psychology student at U of G, spoke with The Ontarion about his experience in Safdar’s second-year social psychology course. “It allowed me to figure out what concepts I understood immediately, and I found that to be vital for comprehension,” said Kimball.

Kimball “enjoyed the immediate feedback, not having to wait and stress about what mark [he received]

was very helpful.” Kimball also added that “knowing that this type of test could give me partial marks was important for [decreasing my anxiety and stress levels].”

“Overall, this was a very beneficial experience and helped me reduce my stress before, during, and after the exam. While some may argue that this type of testing means you can know less and still get a high mark, in providing me with immediate feedback, I feel I now know the material better than I would have otherwise.”

So why is this method not being used more? Safdar believes “a major aspect of [it not being used] is that it is an expensive method, particularly for large classes.

[The IF-AT templates] come from the U.S., and are patented. [The department] cannot reproduce them hence the difficulty, it is not something that all departments can accept in terms of extra expense.” Safdar adds that if the use increases, the cost might come down.

Safdar also mentions that it takes time and some adjustment for the professor to organize the questions onto the template, rather than the traditional multiple-choice scantron that students

receive. “The other reason could be that it is a new method of assessment. There are a few studies on [the effectiveness of IF-AT versus other assessment methods], and although they consistently show it is effective, we need more research as the use of it increases over time.”

Only time will tell if the IF-AT method is an effective method of assessment in lowering stress and helping retain course content.

Immediate Feedback Assessment Technique. | Photo by Laura Vautour

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Freedom of expression mandated policy FAILURE TO COMPLY MAY IMPACT GRANT FUNDING S TO RY & P H OTO BY M AT T E O C I M E L L A R O

Student leaders meet to provide finalized input to the Freedom of Expression policy.

ON AUG. 30 of 2018, Doug Ford and the PC party issued a mandate to Ontario post-secondary institutions to develop a free speech policy.

Universities and colleges have until Jan. 1, 2019 to “develop, implement and comply” to a free speech policy, according to a statement from the Office of the Premier. If a university or college fails to comply, the school will risk “a reduction in operating grant funding.”

Starting in September 2019, colleges and universities will have to report annually on their progress to the Higher Education Quality Council of Ontario (HEQCO).

The Central Student Association (CSA) issued a statement in response to Premier Doug Ford, voicing opposition to the mandate.

“There is no free speech crisis on campus. This false perception of a lack of open discourse ignores the work of our student union and groups, faculty associations and labour unions,” the statement reads. “This Freedom of speech directive of the Ontario government does not benefit universities, faculty, or workers and it punishes students with a heavy hand.”

“Freedom of expression is fundamental to a thriving University,” VP (student affairs) Carrie Chassels told The Ontarion. “It’s important for students to know that freedom of expression policy is intended to facilitate freedom of expression and to do so in a way that is safe, but also doesn’t restrict people’s rights to express themselves through peaceful protest.”

The mandate arrives following highly publicized incidents at Wilfrid Laurier University where teaching assistant Lindsay Shepherd was reprimanded for showing a clip featuring Jordan Peterson, who gained global recognition for his controversial stance on genderneutral pronouns.

Shepherd brought Faith Goldy, who was fired by Rebel Media for appearing on a podcast associated with the white supremacist website The Daily Stormer, to Laurier’s campus in March 2018 as part of her “unpopular speaker series.”

The talk was shut down after a student pulled a fire alarm.

At a town hall held for students on Wednesday, Oct. 10, the majority of students voiced concerns about the policy opening doors for speakers like Goldy, or hypothetical Holocaust deniers.

Another student voiced support, arguing for free debate even when it comes to the most controversial topics.

“This policy or statement at Guelph will ensure us that freedom of expression has its limits and that it does not supersede hate as already put in the Canadian law,” Jane Ngobia, assistant vice president at the Office of Diversity and Human Rights, told The Ontarion. “The limits of speech says you cannot express yourself, so that it does not discriminate any group, or that it calls for violence against any group.”

Smoke Free Campus slated to arrive in late May or June U OF G ADMINISTRATION DRAFTS POLICY WITH COMMUNITY INPUT

policy will be done through education and resources like ‘stop smoking’ campaigns and a boundary map. However, O’Leary told The Ontarion that under current existing legislation there are fines and penalties for repeat offenders, but he said that “would be a very last step.”

That policy could change in future revisions.

In the information session held on Nov. 26 in Peter Clarke Hall, O’Leary said there are no plans for designated smoking areas, including smoking areas for physical resources and hospitality staff.

When asked if staff will have time-leniency to walk to an acceptable smoking area during their 15-minute break, O’Leary said that

FOSSIL FREE GUELPH AND FIVE YEARS OF PROTESTS M AT T E O C I M E L L A R O

CREDIT: MARS CHESTER CHOW

OVER THE PAST five years the student activist group Fossil Free Guelph (FFG) has staged over 20 protests and reports for policy input, pushing for a blanket divestment from fossil fuels to take place over the next five years.

On Monday, Nov. 26, about 20 activists split into two groups to protest on the corner of Gordon Street and Stone Road as well as Gordon Street and College Avenue.

“I think everybody here at Fossil Free is really optimistic. Since the initial postponement of the original decision, we have had a really good dialogue on an individual level and a committee level,” Ben Stuart, a long-standing member of Fossil Free Guelph and environmental activist, told The Ontarion.

The administration has postponed their final decision on divestment for two years, the latest in April of 2018.

“As of now they told us they will have a decision by Jan. 23, they also said that last year. Given

the history I’m not certain it will happen,” Megan Peres, another member of Fossil Free Guelph, told The Ontarion. “I spoke to the chair of the finance committee last week, and she said that they are really trying to work out a way to make it happen.”

“Again though, she was pretty vague as [the administration] usually are when we speak to them about where their direction is going,” Peres continued.

The Ontarion reached out for comment but was unable to contac t Nanc y Brow n A ndison, chair of the Board of Governors Finance Committee, at the time of publishing.

Peres said that she is “hopeful,” but does not want to get her “hopes up” regarding any speculative decision by the Board of Governors.

In 2017 following a three-month student campaign, Laval became the first Canadian university to commit to fossil fuel divestment, ricochet media reports.

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he will leave it to the discretion of the supervisors, but sees no reason there wouldn’t be leniency.

“I think supervisors have to be respectful of [smokers] and work with people over time,” O’Leary said.

He also mentioned that at this point, a cannabis ban has not been integrated into the smoke free policy. Extra time is needed to allow for President Vaccarino to consult with the community regarding a cannabis on campus policy, according to O’Leary.

9

Students pressure admin to end $33 million of investments

RBC Dominion Securities Inc.

M AT T E O C I M E L L A R O

UNIVERSIT Y OF GUELPH administration is drafting their policy to ban all tobacco-related products like cigarettes, e-cigarettes, chew, shisha, and pipes.

The ban will not take effect in January of 2019. The committee charged with drafting the policy will continue their work throughout the winter.

Exceptions to the campus ban will include Indigenous use of traditional medicines and practices, as well as tobacco-related research studies.

The administration hopes to have the policy implemented shortly following the winter semester.

Don O’Leary, VP (Finance, Administration & Risk), said that most of the enforcement of the

| N E WS

Desmond McCullough, Ph.D., CIM Investment Advisor & Associate Portfolio Manager 519-822-1362 desmond.mccullough@rbc.com

Maysa Mimi Ramadan, CIM, PFP Investment & Wealth Advisor 519-822-1910 mimi.ramadan@rbc.com

RBC Dominion Securities Inc.* and Royal Bank of Canada are separate corporate entities which are affiliated. *Member-Canadian Investor Protection Fund. RBC Dominion Securities Inc. is a member company of RBC Wealth Management, a business segment of Royal Bank of Canada. ® / ™ Trademark(s) of Royal Bank of Canada. Used under licence. ©2018 RBC Dominion Securities Inc. All rights reserved. 18_90551_GWW_002

ARTS & CULTURE

10

THE ONTARION

1 1 | G RE AT LA K E SWI M M E R S

1 4 | WINTER PHOTOGRAPHY TIPS

@theontarion

U of G theatre prof faces backlash over Vivek Shraya comments TORONTO THEATRE CANCELS CELEBRATORY READING OF SKY GILBERT PLAY O D E S I A H OW L E T T

A PUBLIC READING of the 1986 play Drag Queens in Outer Space: A Dreamplay by U of G theatre studies professor Sky Gilbert was cancelled after he wrote a controversial poem in response to trans artist, director, and writer Vivek Shraya’s recently published book.

COURTESY OF PENGUIN RANDOM HOUSE CANADA

The reading was to take place at Buddies in Bad Times Theatre in Toronto. Buddies, which Gilbert co-founded, is the world largest and longest-running queer theatre.

Gilbert’s reading was replaced by a community dialogue event about intergenerational issues and allyship within the queer community.

Shraya’s first non-fiction publication, I’m Afraid of Men, details how aggressive and toxic masculinity

affected her through boyhood and continues to follow her into girlhood. She talks about gender identity, privilege, transphobia, homophobia, and misogyny and does not point the finger exclusively at men. In an article with the Toronto Star titled “Vivek Shraya’s I’m Afraid of Men a powerful look at how words hurt,” she explains, “It always feels important to think about the role that people beyond the oppressor have in giving power to masculinity.”

Masculinity is written as a concept that is not restricted to men exclusively, but rather anyone who finds solace in misogyny.

On his personal blog, Another Blog that Nobody Reads by Sky Gilbert, he wrote both a poem and an open letter in response to Shraya’s book. The poem, titled “I’m Afraid of ‘Woke People,’” was posted on Nov. 10, and outlines a fear of ‘woke people’ because of an apparent censoring of his identity.

His poem begins, “I’m afraid of ‘Woke People’ because they divide humanity into either ‘us’ or ‘them’ / I’m afraid of ‘Woke People’ because they taught me to fear being gay…” and continues for 17 more lines. He expresses concern for his self-identity, the power of privilege, and social norms being affected by social justice warriors.

The public reading for Drag Queens in Outer Space was part of Buddies’

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40th anniversary series, of which Evalyn Parry is the artistic director. The Buddies website states that “Sky obviously does not speak for Buddies; in fact, we feel the sentiments he has expressed in his piece stand in opposition to our values and current leadership.

After some dialogue with Sky, we feel it is no longer appropriate to continue with a celebratory reading on Monday. However, we are committed to our theatre continuing to be a place that holds space for differing viewpoints and difficult conversations.”

On Nov. 25, Gilbert announced on his personal blog that he is stepping away from Buddies and will no longer be associating his name, voice, essays, ideas, plays, novels, poems, or art with the theatre. As of now, however, Gilbert’s new opera Shakespeare’s Criminal, which was co-written by Dustin Peters, is still scheduled to play at Buddies in April 2019.

The Ontarion asked Gilbert the following question over email: Based on your post on your blog (poem directed at Vivek Shraya), it’s possible to discern that you had not read the book before posting. Is that accurate?

Sky Gilbert: “There are two blogs: The first: An Open Letter to Vivek Shraya. This was written when I had NOT read the book.

The blog is about the TITLE, only.

The second is: I’m Afraid of Woke People, subtitled ‘for Vivek Shraya, upon reading her book — I’m Afraid of Men.’ As it clearly says there, I wrote the poem I’m Afraid of Woke People, about the book, after reading it, so I DID read it, and it’s about being upset by some of the things she says about gay men in the book.”

VISHTEN* Horizons (Self-Released)

LUGE* Tall Is Just a Feeling (Self-Released)

MAKAYA MCCRAVEN Universal Beings (International Anthem)

DILLY DALLY* Heaven (Dine Alone)

LONELY PARADE* The Pits (Buzz)

HAOLIN MUNK* Planestasia Suite (HAVN Records)

HOULE / HAWKINS / EISENSTADT* You Have Options (Songlines)

KAIA KATER* Grenades (Acronym)

INNES WILSON** Seaview EP (Out Of Sound)

ADRIANNE LENKER Abysskiss (Saddle Creek) *Canadian Artist | **Local Artist

Vivek Shraya is a Canadian musician, writer, and visual artist. | Photo obtained via Blog TO

U of G Prof. Sky Gilbert will no longer be associating his name and art with Buddies in Bad Times Theatre, an iconic queer theatre he co-founded in 1978. | Photo courtesy of Buddies in Bad Times Theatre

T h e O nta rio n rea ched o u t to U of G Co l l ege of A rts fa cu l ty fo r co m m ent a bo u t the s it u at io n a nd thi s i s what they h a d to sha re:

“Freedom of expression is a very important principle in democratic societies. Exercised appropriately, freedom of expression requires each of us to be aware of the power of words. They can facilitate better understanding between people but they can also lead to harmful divides between people. Each of us should express ourselves with care.”

—Ann Wilson, Director of the School of English and Theatre Studies “I’ve read Sky’s poem and comments, and I don’t share his perspective. I’m pretty comfortable using ‘they’ pronouns and I don’t find it threatening. As a fellow self-identified queer faculty member, I have more to say. But as Dean, my role clearly includes protecting Professor Gilbert’s freedom of expression. I respect Professor Gilbert’s right to express his views even as I disagree with them. The University and the College of Arts protects freedom of expression for individuals but in doing so we are not condoning the message or opinions expressed.”

—Samantha Brennan, Dean of College of Arts

Ra nd o m Tweets:

Evelyna Ekoko-Kay (@EvelynaEkokoKay): sky gilbert hasn’t even read “I’m afraid of men” yet was confident enough to publicly criticize vivek shraya in 2 separate blog posts based on his interpretation of the title. The simultaneous entitlement and fragility he possesses could sustainably power a small country Robin LeBlanc, from work (@TheThirstyWench): I feel that people who really helped the cause 30+ years ago shouldn’t get an eternal pass for damaging and outdated behaviour if they still want to work within the community. That’s not about conformity, it’s about acknowledging ab evolution in how we interact David Weitzner (@WeitznerDavid): Studying [Brad Fraser] and Sky Gilbert as a humanities student in the 90’s made me a better ally for marginalized communities.

I’m even more interested in what they have to say today. Wisdom comes with experience. Our elders are not our enemies. They are our best hope for truth.

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Great Lake Swimmers and Sister Ray wow Royal City Church crowd A NIGHT OF REMINISCENCE & DISCOVERY STORY BY LAURA VAUTOUR | PHOTOS BY LAURA & DANIEL VAUTOUR

ON NOV. 22, Canadian folk-rock band, Great Lake Swimmers, played at the Royal City Church in Guelph.

Opening act Sister Ray’s vocals not only wowed the audience to a soft, attentive silence, but her wisdom and understanding beyond the age of her youth were refreshing and hear t-warming. She introduced herself as Sister Ray, but said her friends call her “Ella,” and by the end of her set she told the audience she hoped we would consider ourselves her friend. Her lyrics, written from times of pain

and grief, are victory cries of celebration in the sadness. It is safe to say the audience became friends with Ella by the end of the night.

Great Lake Swimmers came out on stage to a warm welcome from many new and long-time fans. Tony Dekker, lead-singer and songwriter of the group, took time to honour each of his bandmates and Sister Ray. There was fantastic coordination between band members and the switching of instruments — Kelsey McNulty on keys and accordion, Erik Arnesen

Great Lake Swimmers have a special connection to playing in venues like the Royal City Church — they recorded their latest album, The Waves, The Wake at Bishop Cronyn Memorial Church in London, Ont.

Sister Ray played an intimate set where she invited the audience to become her friend.

on banjo and guitar, and Bret Higgins on stand-up and electric bass. Drummer Josh Van Tassel carried the backbone of each song through to the next. McNulty and Arnesen exchanged grins as only close friends do, allowing the audience to share their joy. The harmonious unity of each member’s performance was a treasure and embodied the meaning of teamwork. Great Lake Swimmers not only has some of the most meaningful and impactful lyrics, but amazing versatility and variety concerning instruments.

Watching this band live was stunning and a dream come true.

The group received two standing ovations and after the show, the band welcomed personal greetings from their fans at the merch table in addition to signing records.

808s & Heartbreak turns 10 A CLASSIC KANYE WEST ALBUM, REVISITED MANNAN SHARMA

COURTESY OF ROC-A-FELLA RECORDS

Released on Nov. 24, 2008, this week will see the 10-year anniversary of Kanye West’s 808s & Heartbreak. The release followed the untimely death of his mother, Donda West, and the breakup between West and his then-fiancé, Alexis Phifer. 808s & Heartbreak, as the title suggests, is an album embedded with pain, sadness, and regret created with the use of 808s

(a rhythm composer, the Roland TR-808) and autotune.

The first track of the record, “Say You Will,” describes the overarching tone of the album. West sings: “I wish this song would come true / I admit I still fantasize about you, about you / Don’t say you will.” Kanye talks about his regrets with his relationship with his ex-fiancé. In fact, the entire album is filled with lyrics about his ex and about the hardships he faced in his life and a decade later, the album serves as an influence to many artists around the world.

Rappers were never known for singing about pain.

According to West, people advised him to release the album under a different name, fearing that this album would hurt his image. The album spawned a form of “emo rap,” a style in which people rap about their feelings

and the suffering they felt. Juice Wrld, the rapper behind the 2018 hit “Lucid Dreams” listed West as a major influence in his sound.

The song describes the feelings a person has when going through a breakup. The Weeknd credited 808s as the guide behind his 2016 hit “I Can’t Feel My Face.” The album has aged incredibly, and with sounds that are still heard in today’s music, it is evident that Kanye’s album influenced an entire generation with his icy, dark sound, spawning a new wave of rapper in the process.

808s and Heartbreak retains its relevance due to its superb use of autotune and 808s accompanied with lyrics about regret and pain.

With features from artists such as Lil Wayne, Kid Cudi, and Young Jeezy, the album solidified West’s place in the music industry.

The album not only introduced a new style of music, but it also inspired numerous artists around the world, such as Frank Ocean, Drake, and Kid Cudi. The decision for a rapper to create an entire album based around heartbreak

and pain was a bold move, but it was a wise one. The choice to distance himself from the traditional rap style of previous songs was a risky one, but I believe it made

West a legend in the process.

808s and Heartbreak was released on Nov. 24, 2008 via Roc-A-Fella Records.

dragonguelph.com

THE HEART OF HELPING THOSE IN NEED THE STORY OF THE WELCOME IN DROP IN CENTRE AND ITS ONGOING JOURNEY

The Welcome In Drop In Centre is inviting on a cold day, providing a safe place for people to get warm. From 8 a.m. to 3 p.m., 365 days a year, the Drop In Centre offers food, shelter, and support in the Guelph community.

STORY BY ADAM MAUE | PHOTOS BY ALORA GRIFFITHS

A

variety of people pass through the Drop In Centre’s plain glass doors, each with their own individual needs and stories. Some suffer from mental illness, addiction, and homelessness.

Others come for social interaction and structure in their lives. Donations of food, clothing, and toiletries arrive year-round. People can pick through the pantry once a week and take home up to five items each. Above all, the Drop In Centre is like a family supported by an amazing community of volunteers, clients, and staff.

When Sister Christine Leyser founded the Drop In Centre in 1983, it was with a message of “food and friendship.” Meals are served twice daily, at 11 a.m. and 2 p.m., and it was her insistence that food always be free and that coffee be 25 cents. She has been described as warm, but no pushover. Sister Christine, now in her 80s and no longer working at the Drop In Centre, has left a lasting legacy, and many people remember her as the person they owe their lives to.

Brian Trimble, 70, looks back on his experience at the Drop In Centre: “I’m a schizophrenic, alcoholic, drug addict. It’ll be 14 years coming up December that I quit. I quit smoking, drinking, and drugging all at the same time.

The reason I quit was Sister Christine. She said, ‘Brian you can’t go on like this anymore.’ She showed me the right road to go down. She worked with me and worked with me. I love her, God bless her.”

Today, Trimble helps serve coffee at the centre. “There’s givers and takers in the world,” he said. “There’s people that give and help, and there’s people that take and never give back. For the longest time I was a taker.”

Gail Hoekstra, a U of G graduate and executive director, first started working at the Drop In Centre as an outreach worker in mental health. It was here, some 20 years ago, that she first met Sister Christine. Since then she has looked up to Sister Christine as a mentor. Six years ago the two focused on making the centre a hub for services like the

Canadian Mental Health Association (CMHA).

Under CMHA people can access the following services: outreach, senior, court, and mental health. Unfortunately, services can become stretched, as addressing people’s needs requires numerous resources.

“Even though they have difficult life situations,” said Hoekstra, “they’re resilient and they struggle and they’re giving. It’s really one of the most giving communities I’ve been in. And so any one of us that works here loves being here for those reasons. We get to meet the most interesting people that are very generous in spirit and experience.”

Hoekstra mentioned Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs as a template to improving people’s lives. The hierarchy begins with food and shelter as a foundation and then progresses in stages towards people’s emotional needs. Unfortunately, affordable housing is a problem, especially for those who are already receiving social services and still finding money to be tight. Candace Wrixon, manager of housing programs at the Drop In Centre, works with services like homeless shelters to ensure people have a roof over their heads. As shelters only offer a maximum stay of 28 days and space is limited, it’s the long-term housing efforts that are most important. From there people can get on their feet and begin to improve their lives.

The Streetwise Community Initiative, funded by the Ministry of Community Safety and Correctional Services, gets people involved in recreation and volunteering activities.

Housing Stability support worker Carlin Dykstra at the Drop In Centre runs the initiative and organizes events like volleyball, bowling, and dances. The aim of the initiative is to improve community integration, safety, and wellbeing.

It is through these services that people can build their lives from the ground up. The ultimate goal is to give people hope and purpose in their lives.

Sometimes basic shelter is hard to come by. During the winter it becomes a daily struggle for people to get out of the cold. Clay Fry, who is homeless and currently sleeping

in a heated restroom, visited the Drop In Centre and said: “A lot of us don’t have anywhere to go in the nighttime.

We freeze.”

Fry started a petition called Score Some Help (SSH) in an effort to generate ideas towards a solution. The opening sentence reads: “I am writing this petition to ask whomever it may concern to support the concept of putting in place a warm and safe spot for the homeless and stranded people of Guelph to escape the bitter cold at night and during the day if in need.”

SSH goes on to outline that as well as shelter, people will be able to work on themselves through a variety of services. Fry presented SSH on Nov. 15 at city hall’s Thursday morning open forum, and has thus far received some 130 signatures, including members of council. Fry is aiming for 400 signatures.

Improving people’s lives is an ongoing process. There are up and downs; some people make it and others don’t. As a reminder of the important work done at the Drop In Centre, a wall of remembrance is on display with pictures of people who have passed away. The pictures are not always of the people at the age of their death, or at their hardest times, but are rather pictures of them at their best times.

A question I asked the many interesting people I met at the Drop In Centre was “what would you want people to know about the people that come here?” The answer was always the same: that there’s a richness in these lives, each one with an amazing story to tell.

As the holidays approach many of us may find ourselves wanting more. Places like the Welcome In Drop In Centre help us to realize that ‘more’ often means so little when we see the bigger picture; places like this can help all of us to grow, to realize that rather than wanting more we should strive to give more — whether those are material things, our time, or simply our understanding — this holiday season and all year around.

Happy Holidays, Guelph.

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A RT S & CU LTU R E

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N OVEM B ER 2 9, 2018

TH E O NTA R I O N

HOW TO CAPTURE A PERFECT WINTER MEMORY

READING THE HISTOGRAM ON YOUR DSLR CAMERA

When using a DSLR camera it can be easy to fall into the habit of just looking at the LCD screen.

During winter time the brightness of the snow surrounding you throws off your perception causing under-exposed images to look bright and correctly-exposed ones to look washed out. As tempting as it may be, DO NOT delete any images in the field. Use your histogram to determine what actual exposure your camera is getting.

A LO R A G R I F F I T H S

INTERESTED IN PARTAKING in winter photography this break?

Here are some useful tips for both iPhone and DSLR cameras.

HOW TO READ A HISTOGRAM

A histogram is a graphical representation of the pixels exposed in your image. The left side of the graph represents the blacks or shadows, the right side represents the highlights or bright areas, and the middle section is mid-tones (middle or 18 per cent grey areas).

CREDIT: TIFFANY AGLIANI/IPHONE 8 PLUS

USING YOUR IPHONE

If your iPhone has “portrait mode” and you’re looking to take nice family photos or photos of your pets, I would suggest using

CREDIT: TIFFANY AGLIANI/IPHONE 8 PLUS

that. With portrait mode, you’re able to create a depth of field effect. This lets you have your subject in focus while the background has a bokeh blurred effect.

CREDIT: ALORA GRIFFITHS/CANON 6D

HISTOGRAM FOR PHOTO LEFT

CHOOSING A CORRECT SHUTTER SPEED

When the snow is falling slowly on those nice winter days, you can get away with a shutter speed of 1/125 seconds. If you find yourself in a blizzard you might want to bump up the shutter speed to 1/350 seconds.

PERSONAL PROTECTION

CREDIT: TIFFANY AGLIANI/CANON T6I

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It can get mighty cold here in Ontario during the winter months.

Make sure you’re wearing gloves.

Gloves that maintain dexterity will help working the camera and keeping your fingers warm.

One last tip for winter photography: get creative out there. Don’t just photograph snow - breathe some colour and life into those shots by photographing people’s reactions to the snow. Animals in the snow are good subjects too; they look so beautiful!

CREDIT: ALORA GRIFFITHS/CANON 6D

All the best! If you think you’ve put these tips to good use consider entering our photography-based social media contest. Here’s everything you need to know:

CREDIT: ALORA GRIFFITHS/CANON 6D

’Tis the season for hot chocolate, ugly sweaters, and winter festivities. What are YOUR favorite holiday traditions? We would like to see you make the most of your winter break.

Share your photos with us until January 5, 2019, for your chance to win a surprise prize*!

Tag us on Facebook, Instagram, or Twitter with #ontarionwinter. Photo entries can include winter scenery, cozy sweaters, hot chocolate by the fire, festive pets, holiday décor, new year’s

celebrations, and more! Ho ho ho, bring on the holiday spirit! * T he prize is a sur prise because surprises are fun. Not because we haven’t figured out the prize yet and our printer deadline is approaching. On a separate totally different topic: if you’d like to donate a prize for a social media contest to your friendly neighbourhood not-forprofit independent university student newspaper email Anna at anaim@theontarion.com

Bad Weather Ahead?

Know Where to Get Info on University Closures

fill a gap in your program

When a winter storm hits, trust these sources to find out whether the University is open Athabasca University has over 850 courses to choose from to meet your needs and courses start every month. AU has over 6,600 transfer agreements around the world (including with this institution).

Sign up to receive emergency email, phone or text message alerts www.uoguelph.ca/beprepared

If the University decides before normal working hours to close because of bad weather or an emergency, every effort will be made to communicate that decision by 6 a.m.

MAKE YOUR EVENINGS & WEEKENDS REALLY MATTER! Join the Jake’s Place Team Job Profile We’re looking for a special kind of weekend/evening warrior to be part of a dynamic support team for our 24-year-old son with autism. We’ve created a vibrant and fulfilling life for him, and we’re looking to add some smart, energetic and community-minded individuals to our team.

The Community Support Associate position is located in Guelph, is casual work on evenings and weekends that pays between $18-$25/hr depending on qualifications and experience.

You’d be part of a team that’s creating an engaging, active and fulfilling life in the local community for a charming and loving life-long learner who lives with intense symptoms of autism.

This position will support our son’s daily activities including employment, household chores, recreation and fitness activities.

This position offers the opportunity to be taught, supported and supervised by some of the most qualified professionals in this field. Being on Jake’s team promises an invaluable experience for whatever else you do in your life.

Qualifications

• Having or working towards a diploma or degree in health sciences, community, social work or related fields, and/or Behaviour Science Technology diploma • Compassion, communications, creative and critical thinking are essential • Experience working with autism spectrum disorder an asset • Valid driver’s license • Vulnerable sector screening • Crisis management training will be provided If you want to enrich your life and the life of our son, forward a letter to tell us why this is the job for you and what you would bring to Jake’s Place. Submit to lenkahn@gmail.com

by December 15, 2018.

Only applicants being considered for an interview will be contacted.

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SPORTS & HEALTH THE ONTARION

1 7 | S C I E NCE OF STR ES S

1 7 | WEED STRAINS

@theontarion

O UTD O O R C AT

GRYPHON SCOREBOARD

Compiled by Rachel Weitz WOMEN’S HOCKEY 7-3 (THIS WEEK: 1-1) 

*Gryphons 2, Ryerson Rams 3 Gryphons 3, U of T Varsity Blues 1 Women’s Hockey currently stands at number 5 in the province.

MEN’S HOCKEY 6-9 (THIS WEEK: 2-0) 

*Gryphons 5, York Lions 2 Gryphons 1, Windsor Lancers 0 Men’s Hockey moves up to stand at number 7 in the OUA Western Conference.

MEN’S RUGBY (USPORT NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP: 1-2) 

Gryphons 7, UBC Thunderbirds 34 Gryphons 5, Concordia Stingers 19 Gryphons 62, UNB Ironmen 14 Men’s Rugby season is over after finishing fifth at Canadian USport Nationals in Victoria, B.C. WOMEN’S VOLLEYBALL 4-4 (THIS WEEK: 0-2) 

Gryphons 0, Brock Badgers 3 Gryphons 2, McMaster Marauders 3 Women’s Volleyball moves down to stand at number 3 in the OUA Western Conference.

MEN’S VOLLEYBALL 3-3 (THIS WEEK: 1-1) 

Gryphons 3, Brock Badgers 1 Gryphons 0, McMaster Marauders 3 Men’s Volleyball currently stands at number 4 in the OUA Western Conference. *home game Record: Wins-Losses

Bird box cleaning with the Wildlife Club ENTRY #3, GUELPH LAKE CONSERVATION CENTRE, FRIDAY, NOV. 23, 2018 STORY & PHOTOS BY CAT COOPER

I KNOW MY boots aren’t warm enough for walking through the snow, but I keep going anyway.

It’s only ankle deep, but I can already feel my toes going numb, my wool socks doing little to prevent it. I am volunteering with the Guelph Lake Conservation Centre through the Wildlife Club, cleaning bird boxes they have set up on the property.

These boxes provide shelter to small birds who are preyed upon by hawks and cats, and allow them to raise their young in a protected environment. It also means that the debris needs to be cleaned out every few years, as the material can’t be cleaned out naturally.

We are in t eams of seven people: t wo mapper s, one r e c o r d e r, o ne w o rk i n g t he screwdriver, one person on the GPS, and two cleaners. I’m the recorder, so I have to take notes about the coordinates and condition of the box. The person with the screwdriver takes out a screw from the bird house and opens the panel on its hinge, revealing the birds’ hard work. Two or three nests, all stacked one on top of the next and tightly

Cat and members of the Wildlife Club examine a bird box.

Wildlife Club visits Guelph Lake Conservation Centre to clean bird boxes.

packed. One of the cleaners pulls out a chunk off the top, a perfect cube of woven twigs and feathers packed with dirt.

The sun is setting, so we clean the houses as fast as we can.

Although the houses protect the young, it can’t always protect the adults who must venture out for food. Sometimes they are caught by a predator and their babies are left stranded, vulnerable, and unable to feed themselves.

We see evidence of this when we open up the side of one of the houses and pull out a baby bird, preserved by the shelter provided by the birdhouse. Its feathers

make it look like it could still be alive, but the exposed breast bone tells a different story. It seems to be almost fully grown, but obviously still too young to take care of itself.

We find another bird at the next box, this one younger than the first. After that, we find even more casualties, this time three bright blue bluebird’s eggs, which we identify by the feathers that line the nest. The deaths are not taken up wholly as tragedies, but as a learning experience. The birders identify the species of the dead birds and the eggs, and those interested in bugs examine

the remnants of the species who fed on the animal after it had passed, as well as the spiders who have taken up residence in the boxes. By the time we have finished the second field of boxes, I can no longer feel my toes and the sun has almost completely set. I’m cold, but not as cold as I could be, which I remind myself while trying to ignore the pain in my toes. I’m glad when we head back to the car, but can’t wait to come back.

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| S P O RT S & H E A LTH

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The science of stress THE BODY’S PHYSIOLOGICAL RESPONSE TO STRESS O D E S I A H OW L E T T

WITH FINAL EXAMS coming up, students have begun to study and spend all their free time in the library or empty classrooms. For those hoping to boost their overall mark with their exam, the pressure is on to study class notes and textbook readings. This is when stress manifests itself the most.

Did you know that stress can physiologically affect the body?

The American Psychological Association, a hub for scientific and professional research regarding psychology, outlined the different bodily responses to stress.

At the most basic and common level, stress can cause headaches and migraines. When the body is stressed, the muscles tense until the stressful period is over. During long periods of stress, the muscles are tensed so extremely that they can be the reason for many tension headaches and migraines.

Unfortunately, alongside muscle tension, stress can cause issues with the heart. Sometimes when stressed, you can hear your heart beating (and often quickly). That is because the heart muscles are

contracting stronger and faster than in a rested state. Because more blood is racing to the heart, adrenaline, noradrenaline, and cortisol are produced by the adrenal glands and cause the body to enter a “fight or flight” state. The skin might become flushed or pale, and pupils will dilate. Long periods of this type of stress makes the body more susceptible to heart attacks, hypertension, and strokes.

During the fight or f light response, the liver produces glucose to give the muscles energy to protect itself. Once the stress has passed, in most people, excess glucose is absorbed, but in groups susceptible to Type 2 diabetes — like those with obesity or certain Indigenous groups — that excess sugar can enhance the possibility of being diagnosed with this condition.

Stress also has negative effects on testosterone and sperm production. If excess amounts of the stress hormone cortisol are in the system often, normal biochemical functioning can be altered and cause erectile dysfunction

To combat the negative effects of stress on the body, get adequate amounts of sleep, exercise regularly, and have a healthy social support network. | Photo by Gabriel Matula - Unsplash

or impotence. During menstrual cycles, premenstrual symptoms (PMS) may become intensified with bloating, cramps, and mood swings.

To combat the negative effects of stress on the body, get adequate amounts of sleep, exercise regularly, and have a healthy social support network. The Library,

Central Student A ssociation (CSA), and Student Life have selfcare events over the exam period to help students combat stress.

The different types of cannabis and what to expect WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW: SATIVA VS. INDICA M A R S C H E S T E R C H OW

AS MORE PEOPLE begin to explore the many available cannabis options, a big factor in the

decision making is whether to pick a sativa strain or an indica strain.

Two major compounds found in

Sativas are higher in THC than indicas, which are relatively higher in CBD. Image courtesy of Leaf Science

cannabis are cannabidiol (CBD) and tetrahydrocannabinol (THC).

The compound responsible for the “high” feeling is the THC, which is the main psychoactive compound found in cannabis. CBD on the other hand helps with pain relief and is responsible for the relaxing effect of cannabis. Generally, sativas are higher in THC than indicas, which are relatively higher in CBD. Sativa plants tend to grow taller, with longer and narrower leaves, and are less dense compared to an indica plant. They’re lighter in colour and are better suited to daytime use as they give the user a “head high.” The effects of a sativa strain include higher alertness, increased energy, and feeling more creative. It has anti-anxiety and antidepressant effects and make the user generally more uplifted and euphoric. This is due to the increased release of serotonin, as they have a higher count of the psychoactive THC. Indica plants tend to be short, bushy plants with wider leaves and are much more compact and dense when compared to a sativa strain. It gives the user a “body high” so they are more suited to nighttime use. Indica strains induce a feeling of deep relaxation, as they soothe the mind and

muscles. This also helps with acute pain and increases appetite or as some people call it, the “munchies.” Many of the aforementioned effects are because of the increased levels of dopamine from the higher CBD count.

While the strains can be found separately, they can also be found in hybrid form.

Editor’s note: Even though cannabis is legalized now, it’s important to educate yourself before making any decisions.

When in doubt, treat cannabis use as you would alcohol — always use responsibly and familiarize yourself with what is and isn’t legal where you reside.

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|

N OVEM B ER 2 9, 2018

TH E O NTA R I O N

TALK N E R DY TO M E

World AIDS Day to take place on Dec. 1 “KNOW YOUR STATUS” IS THIS YEAR’S THEME TA S H A FA LC O N E R

DEC. 1 IS World A IDS day.

Founded in 1988, the day aims to unite people in the fight against HIV/AIDS, show support for those living with it, and commemorate those who have died from AIDSrelated illnesses.

The human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) weakens the immune system. If untreated, HIV can progress to acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS), which is the most serious stage of an HIV infection and can cause patients to contract life-threatening infections.

According to World AIDS Day, HIV was first identified in 1984 and has since been one of the most destructive pandemics in history, taking the lives of more than 35 million people.

While there is no cure for HIV, treatment is available, so knowing if you are HIV-positive or HIVnegative (what is known as your

status) is extremely important.

The Community AIDS Treatment Information Exchange (CATIE) notes that 14 per cent of Canadians do not know their HIV status.

Anyone can be infected with HIV and the main modes of transmitting it are sex and needles. There are six new infections in Canada every day. HIV can be prevented by using condoms, preexposure prophylaxis (PrEP), or having an undetectable viral load.

PrEP is a prescription pill for individuals who are HIV-negative to prevent them from getting HIV. A patient with an undetectable viral load has copies of the virus that are undetectable to tests. If your viral load is undetectable for six months, you cannot transmit HIV. This prevention method also aims to reduce stigma and discrimination.

The United Nations (UN) has

The ribbon for World AIDS Day is red. | Photo by Tasha Falconer

two goals in relation to HIV. The first is to reach 90-90-90 by 2020, which means they want 90 per cent of people living with HIV to know their status, 90 per cent of people diagnosed with HIV to be on treatment, and 90 per cent of those on treatment to have achieved viral suppression. According to CATIE, 86 per cent of Canadians currently know their status, 81 per cent are on treatment, and 91 per cent have

achieved viral suppression. The UN’s second goal is to end the AIDS epidemic by 2030.

This year the UN theme for World AIDS day is “Know Your Status.” The easiest way to do this is to get tested via blood test. In Ontario you can get HIV testing from healthcare professionals (doctors, nurses, and midwives), through a testing site, through some sexual health clinics (for

example the clinic on Chancellors Way), or through some health organizations like the HIV/AIDS Resources and Community Health (ARCH), which offers weekly HIV testing. The AIDS and Sexual Health Info Line has information about testing locations.

The A ID S a nd Sexu a l Hea l th Info Li ne ca n be rea ched at 1-800-668-24 37

Looking to get involved with a non-profit organization?

VOLUNTEER FOR THE ONTARION

BOARD OF DIRECTORS Contact Josh at jmillen@theontarion.com for more information.

EST. 1951

OPINION

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THE ONTARION

@theontarion

A contrary view on the rise of the alt-right in Canada THOUGHTS FROM A “RIGHT-LEANING” PERSON C AT C O O P E R

I AM A CENTRIST and a classical liberal, which (these days) qualifies me as a “right-leaning” person. As such, I wanted to write a response to The Ontarion’s coverage of the state of the alt-right in Canada.

Do I believe the alt-right exists?

Of course, the proof is in the Nazis that roam social media platforms.

Do I think alt-right violence is a problem? Yes, any violence carried out in the name of any cause is a problem, no matter the political affiliations, right or left.

Do I think it’s a big movement, or that there’s been a massive surge in those who subscribe to it? Not significantly. Those who identify themselves as alt-right are a tiny percent of the population, and those who carry out violent

acts are an even smaller proportion. Many white nationalist rallies are attended by many more counter protesters than protestors. At the “Unite the Right 2” protest that happened in August of this year, white nationalists numbered just a few dozen, who were “vastly outnumbered by throngs of counter protestors,” according to CNN. In the same article, CNN writes that at a KKK demonstration that occured in Charlottesville in 2017, “Klansmen were outnumbered 20 to 1.”

White nationalists are being repeatedly outnumbered and outmatched.

But why is this happening? The reality is that the current political climate we are fostering is one of acceptance and inclusion, unless you are male or white. Acceptance

and inclusion are great for everyone else, especially the many people who need to be empowered, but it’s leaving behind a whole generation of men, more than three million between the ages of 15 and 29 in Canada alone, who have little support or direction from the public at large, and seem to me to be constantly harassed online to check their privilege.

No one tells white boys that they can do anything or be anything, because most people assume that they are all entitled and believe that already. In extreme cases, that is what drives some people to the alt-right, seeking a sense of belonging among people who claim to accept them.

These issues may not directly cause deaths, but they are the most basic symptoms of the problem that start people on the path towards violence. This is not exclusive to white people, or men, or people who identify as being

alt-right nor is violence exclusive to these groups.

Bettering education and critical thinking to prevent the violence carried out by the far-right is a great start, but I don’t believe that’s the only solution we need. It is classist to assume that everyone can afford to be educated in history and critical thinking in order to combat extremism. When nearly four million Canadians are food insecure and struggle to survive, some kids have to work during high school to support their families and do not have the luxury of prioritizing their education.

The more accessible solution is compassion, constructive discourse online, and an emphasis on providing mental health services to people in need before radicalization or violence occurs. This, like education, is a preemptive measure, and should be afforded to everyone regardless of gender, skin colour, or sexual orientation.

We might be able to foster understanding and moderation when everyone’s needs and concerns are addressed, and negate the need for violence before it happens again.

This is not to say that compassion will bring to an end all of society’s issues with violence.

However it may start to bring an end to the violence that has been fostered within our own society.

Compassion gives those who feel helpless more opportunities to speak up and be heard without insults or abuse being levelled against them, and more options to help themselves, be it through accessibility to mental health resources for those who are ill and more likely to commit acts of violence or through diplomacy in an online discussion.

After all, what is violence but the reaction to a perception that there are no other options?

LI B R ARY I N S I D E R

What do you know about exam preparation?

HOW TO GET LESS STRESSED DURING EXAMS EMMA EVENDEN

AS THE SEMESTER draws to a close, the dreaded exam season begins. Those two weeks are usually a blur of stress, coffee, notes, and practice problems (for me at least). Here’s the thing: I’ve never been great at taking tests — the high-pressure exam environment is not for me. As an already anxious person, I get worried about minor aspects of exams. I’m worried that I haven’t studied enough or that the TAs monitoring the room will think I’m cheating if I look at the clock more than twice during the exam. However, during my second year I set a personal goal to make the exam season as comfortable as possible, and I want to share my tips with you.

TIP 1

I make sure to do most of my studying outside the home. I want to associate my apartment with a place to relax and decompress after studying, not a place where I feel frustrated and stressed. By not studying at home, I’m able to steer clear of distractions — like doing laundry or making a fivecourse meal.

My favourite study spots are the Planet Bean café downtown, which has some of my favorite coffee and, of course, the library.

At the library, I like to study in the individual carrels. The study carrels provide a space where I won’t be interrupted, so I can really focus on getting things done.

I’m my most productive in the carrels since there is nothing to do but study and work. I always tell people that when I work there, I feel like I’m in a time warp because I’m able to get so much more done in less time without distractions. However, if I need a change of location, I’ll sit on the soft seating on the first floor or in the basement. The soft seating is comfortable, but not so comfortable that I feel like taking a nap instead of studying.

TIP 2

My second tip is to get familiar with the layout of your exams. I had my first essay-style exam last year and had absolutely no idea what the most effective way to prepare for it was. My previous exams had always been multiple choice or

problem solving, so an essay exam was new territory. I remember thinking that I should write out the entirety of my exam and just memorize it before going into the exam room, but it became apparent that memorizing a full essay was not the best way to get ready.

One of my friends recommended looking at the online library guide to better understand the purpose of an essay exam and what my professor or TA may be looking for.

Through the guide I learned that when writing an essay during a time crunch it’s easiest to plan out answers by making bulleted lists and then using transitional words and conclusions to make the essay easy to navigate. These guides are available anytime on the library’s website and provide insight for a variety of exam types including short answer exams, lab exams, and bell-ringer exams. By prepping more effectively for this exam, I felt more comfortable going in, and was able to relax while writing it.

TIP 3

The last tip I have is to take breaks while studying. Some days during exams I get in the zone.

In fact, I get in the zone so much that my roommates have to remind me to eat dinner. With the stress of exams and the pressure to be studying 24/7, it’s easy to forget to

CREDIT: ALORA GRIFFITHS

take time for yourself. My favourite study break is taking a walk.

Whether to grab another coffee or just to get some fresh air, it’s what works best for me. Another way is to participate in stress busters around campus. During exams, many departments on campus will provide free activities that encourage students to take breaks. One of my favourites is Take a Paws, where students get to cuddle with therapy dogs in the library and in res — this year it’s on Dec. 5 and 6 and requires registration online.

Other activities, like Coffee with a Cop, made me feel more connected to campus; I really feel that the U of G community understands the stress of exams and cares about us as students.

Sadly, with the end of the semester comes the end of my co-op

term with the library — which means I will no longer be your Library Insider. If I have learned anything from my time here, it’s that the library is so much more than just a place to sit and study or check out books. There are so many resources available to you that can help you succeed academically and overall in life.

University is hard, it’s meant to challenge you — but that doesn’t mean you need to go through it alone. Ask for help, even when you think you don’t need it, because people want to see you succeed. I hope that through this column I have been able to help you better understand what the library has to offer, and that it now seems a little less intimidating.

Good luck with exams!

EDITORIAL

20

THE ONTARION

@theontarion

The grinch who analyzed Christmas AN OUTSIDER’S PERSPECTIVE ON THE WINTER HOLIDAYS AND WHAT THEY SEEM TO MEAN R AC H E L W E I T Z

THERE ARE A FEW things about the Christmas season that appeal to me. I like how especially-festive homeowners go above and beyond, using colourful lights and sparkly decorations to make masterpieces of their houses. I like peppermint. I like how happy people are because they associate this time of year with seeing their families and cozying up at home. I like ham (even though I’m Jewish, I’m not kosher, but more on that some other time).

What I don’t like about the Christmas season is everything else, but most of all I dislike the commercialization of Christmas.

From my perspective, Christmas seems more like a brand with each passing year. Big box companies use a holiday that was once observed religiously by Christians on Dec. 25 to push specialty merchandise on consumers as soon as the temperature drops. The way I view it, Christmas is the hallmark

PHOTO OBTAINED VIA PINTEREST

The Ontarion Inc.

of western capitalism.

Starbucks’ cups transition from their classic white to red and green with wintery designs on Nov. 1. By then, certain franchises will have their employees wear special uniforms and Santa hats during their shifts. Don’t get me wrong, I think it’s nice that people are choosing to celebrate and are in high spirits during the harsh Canadian winter weather, but not everyone is as cheerful as the carols would have you believe.

For consumers and workers alike, Christmas starts early, and that is stressful. There is an expectation that comes with Christmas time — however long that may be — and that is to shop ’til you drop.

People begin their holiday shopping so far in advance, trying to find the gifts is overwhelming. I just don’t understand it.

Black Friday falls almost exactly a month before Christmas every year, right around American Thanksgiving, so that corporations can catch everybody while they’re home for a holiday and get them to buy presents. Black Friday, this year’s just passed on Nov. 23, is a statutory holiday in the States, designated solely for the purpose of shopping for a different holiday!

Just last week, people lined up outside malls and stores hours before opening. Once customers entered, it was pandemonium.

There are videos to accompany horror stories of people physically fighting for a sale item that will make the perfect gift. Some have even taken the time to curate multiple videos of consumers hashing it out in the battlefield that is

Black Friday Shoppers. | Photo obtained via Vox

Walmart. I came across a YouTube video entitled “WALMART BLACK FRIDAY FIGHTS 2018.”

How can a holiday that is made out to be cheerful, communal, and comfortable drive people to such aggression? And that’s just one side of it. There are multiple other methods for capitalism to profit from consumerist holidays that were once religious, but are increasingly secular.

Hollywood racks in the most Christmas cash. Every year, new Christmas movies, Christmas songs and albums, and of course many Christmas TV specials — and billions of people buy into it.

There are Spotify and Apple Music playlists dedicated to renditions of Christmas carols by A-List musicians which accumulate millions of listeners worldwide each passing year. There is no time of year more profitable than Christmas. The

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National Retail Federation estimates that the average American shopper spends $700 on Christmas gifts every year. In the U.S., Christmas is a $465 billion industry.

This article is not coming from a salty Jewish girl disappointed because Hanukkah isn’t commercialized and made popular in the same way as Christmas is.

No, this article is coming from a Jewish girl who is perfectly happy spending Hanukkah exchanging small gifts with my family, reciting prayers and songs, and admiring the history of the holiday… and then spending Christmas eating Chinese food while desperately trying to find something on TV that isn’t a Christmas special.

CONTRIBUTORS Samantha Casey Carleigh Cathcart Mars Chester Chow Cat Cooper Emma Evenden Tasha Falconer Ella Harvey Odesia Howlett Vicky Huang Anna Koldewey Aurora Klassen Sara Naim Sydney Reeves Sarah Regan Mannan Sharma Hannah Stewart Daniel Vautour Laura Vautour Jenna Smith

The average American shopper spends $700 on Christmas gifts every year. In the U.S., Christmas is a $465 billion industry.

The Ontarion is a non-profit organization governed by a Board of Directors. Since The Ontarion undertakes the publishing of student work, the opinions expressed in this publication do not necessarily reflect those of The Ontarion staff and Board of Directors. The Ontarion reserves the right to edit or refuse all material deemed sexist, racist, homophobic, or otherwise unfit for publication as determined by the Editor-in-Chief. Material of any form appearing in this newspaper is copyrighted 2017 and cannot be reprinted without the approval of the Editor-in-Chief. The Ontarion retains the right of first publication on all material. In the event that an advertiser is not satisfied with an advertisement in the newspaper, they must notify The Ontarion within four working days of publication. The Ontarion will not be held responsible for advertising mistakes beyond the cost of advertisement.

The Ontarion is printed by Hamilton Web.

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F E ATU R E

What’s all the buzz about bees?

NATIVE BEE SPECIES YOU MIGHT NOT HAVE HEARD OF BEFORE, AND HOW TO HELP THEM AU R O R A K L A S S E N

T

HERE ARE 400 species of bees in Ontario, and many of them look and behave very differently from what we expect. In fact, even though common bees are known for their social lifestyle and hive communities, many wild bees are solitary.

This means they build their own nests and raise their young without help from a colony.

There are five families of native bees in Ontario: Apidae, Andrenidae, Colletidae, Halictidae, and Megachilidae.

The family Apidae is where honey bees belong. This is also the family of the bumblebee, a well known native bee. There are 27 different species of bumblebees native to Ontario, and each separate species has different colours and pattern markings. Bumblebees live in colonies, but with smaller colony sizes than honey bees.

The Apidae family also includes the Ontario native carpenter bees and squash bees. Carpenter bees look similar to bumblebees, but are not fuzzy. They are solitary and create their nests by making holes in wood and crawling in.

Squash bees are also solitary, do not sting, and nest by digging tunnels in the ground. Squash bees only forage pollen and nectar from plants within the squash family (squash, pumpkin, and zucchini).

The Andrenidae family has only one type of bee native to Ontario: The miner bee. Miner bees are smaller than bumblebees and build nests in the ground. They are solitary bees, but usually nest within the same vicinity. Miner bees become active foragers early in spring, and therefore plants

that bloom early are important to them. These bees have stingers, but thankfully human skin is too thick for them to do any damage!

Two genera of Ontarian bees are in the family Colletidae. One of these, the cellophane bee, is a solitary bee with a heart-shaped face and a lean body. They dig within the ground and line their nests with a waterproof secretion which resembles cellophane, hence their name.

Under the family Halictidae, there are two genera native to Ontario: the sweat bee and the pearly-banded bee. The sweat bee is small, and its colouration is shiny green or blue. They are named sweat bees because they have been observed licking the sweat off of humans. Sweat bees live in burrows in the ground, sometimes sharing a burrow entrance with others, but always nesting alone.

The Megachilidae family contains the genus of mason bees, leafcutter bees, and orchard bees.

Mason bees are burly but small; they are usually a metallic dark blue colour and have long hairs.

They create their nests out of mud within cavities, sometimes

even nesting in flower stems.

Bees of this family are essential for orchard pollination, and they typically forage on fruit trees.

Native bees are currently facing trying times. The landscape is continuously changing to benefit humans, but by removing fields and other natural areas to build infrastructure, life becomes much more difficult for pollinators. Native bees require access to flowers, so they can feed on pollen. Loss of natural habitat is much more devastating to specialist species of bees, like squash bees, since specialist bees can only gather pollen from certain species of plants. When these native plants are removed and invasive species are introduced, the specialist bees

A bi-coloured sweat bee forages on a flower. It is one of many native bee species in Ontario. | Photo by Juliana Clark

Native bees prefer native flowers, so to encourage native pollinators, try creating a garden that focuses on wildflowers.

cannot adapt. Bees are critical to human life because much of the food we enjoy is pollinated by them. So how can we help and protect the bees that are native to Ontario?

Nat ive b ees prefer nat ive flowers, so to encourage native pollinators, try creating a garden that focuses on wildflowers. If possible, incorporate plants that bloom during different parts of the season so that the bees have food all season. Purple coneflower is not only beautiful, but it also attracts many species of bees, including bumblebees and leafcutter bees!

New England Aster lasts late into the fall and provides sustenance to honeybees and bumblebees before winter hits.

The use of chemicals increases the risk of bees becoming stressed from chemical interference. Bees do not need any extra stress, as they are already dealing with habitat loss and less native plants to forage frome, so give them a better chance of survival by giving up insecticides and pesticides.

Solitary bees make nests in places most people wouldn’t consider, so when cleaning your garden, try to leave some nesting sites available. Hold off on digging in your garden so that groundnesting bees do not have their nests destroyed, leave plants with pithy (thick) stems in the ground so that bees like mason bees can nest within, and keep logs outside for the carpenter bees to crawl in.

Even just leaving some leaf litter in the yard can provide a place for bumblebees to nest.

The last step to helping native bees is simple — spread the word!

Tell your neighbours, friends, family, and everyone you know about how to provide spaces for native bees. Native bees pollinate our flowers and food, so the least we can do to repay them is understand that they exist and attempt to make our environment suitable.

F U N PAG E

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The Ontarion

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COMMUNITY CHALKBOARD

Fill in the empty squares so that each of the digits 1 through 9 appear once in each row, column, and 3-by-3 block.

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FRED EAGLESMITH SHOW

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Badenoch Community Centre, 4217 Watson Rd. S, Puslinch. Dec. 13, 7pm. Advanced tickets $30 at The Beat Goes On Guelph + www.fredeaglesmith.com or call 519-583-3878.

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BE FEATURED ON THE COMMUNITY CHALKBOARD!

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To be featured on this page, Send your listing to Patrick at onsales@uoguelph.ca Listings should be under 30 words and include a title.

Text only. $15 per spot.

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CROSSWORD CLUES Across

Down

1–Alabama city

1–Dupes

6–Impair

2–Notable periods

9–Takes on

3–Metallica drummer Ulrich

14–Thin as ___

4–Actress Farrow

15–Ecol. watchdog

5–Math subj.

16–Missouri feeder

6–Wherewithal

17–Brief article

7–PDA entry

19–Coniferous evergreen

8–Stadium cheers

forest

9–Griddle-cooked batter

20–Draft org.

10–Singer Chris

21–Tolkien tree creatures

11–Bluffer’s ploy

22–Durango dwellings

12–Actress Samantha

23–Ladies of Sp.

13–Mariners can sail on seven

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of these

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18–Harvests

29–Neb. neighbor

23–Villain’s look

31–Concurs

24–Actress Charlotte

32–Shielded

25–Dallas player, briefly

36–Sound quality

26–Krazy ___

37–Anatomical pouch

27–Aviation pioneer Sikorsky

38–___ for All Seasons

28–Bond classic

40–Finback

29–Milan’s La ___

43–Strip

30–Medic

45–Annapolis inst.

33–Tirades

46–Beginning

34–Flightless flock

47–Pond scum

35–Miami’s county

50–Screws up

37–___ Francisco

51–Astrologer Sydney

39–After taxes

52–Delhi dress

41–Fourth part

54–___-cone

42–Ply

57–Morocco’s capital

43–Column style

58–Schooling

44–Where It’s at

61–Military camp

47–Stradivari’s teacher

62–Dr. Dre’s genre

48–Father of Leah and Rachel

63–Fabric of jeans

49–Wine fruit

64–Cruise ship

50–Blow one’s top

65–Gallery display

51–Hurler Hershiser

66–Think the world of

52–Lab fluids 53–Jewish month 54–Prefix with Tibetan 55–Film ___ 56–Treater’s words 59–Oklahoma city 60–A Kennedy

Missing last week’s puzzle answers? It’s because we’re doing a special puzzle competition! Winners TBA in our January 17, 2019 issue.

Successful completion of the puzzles in issue 185.10 will enter your name into a draw to win one of these prizes: • Bob’s Dogs voucher (two dogs and two pops) • $10 gift card for The Bullring • $20 gift card for Brass Taps • $25 gift card for Hospitality Services

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For your chance to win TWO FREE BOB’S DOGS, submit a completed crossword to The Ontarion office, UC 264, by Jan. 7, 2018 at 3 P.M. Winners TBA in our January 17, 2019 issue and should collect their voucher from The Ontarion office.

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The Ontarion

Nov. 22-Dec. 2

Dec. 1

Dec. 5 to 9

Firebird Children’s play written by Rose Scollard, featuring on-stage foley effects Various times, Guelph Little Theatre

Any Dream Will Do: The Music of Andrew Lloyd Webber An evening of story and song featuring songs from Webber’s popular musicals including The Phantom of the Opera and Sunset Boulevard 8 p.m. River Run Centre

God of Carnage: A Comedy of Bad Manners One act play presented by the Downtown Theatre Project Various times, The Making-Box

Nov. 29 Rural History Roundtable: The making of maple syrup Exploring the settler history of a Canadian commodity lecture with Beth Jewett 4 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. J.D. MacLachlan 107 Big Lonely w/ Hudson Say, LUVR, and Waivers Burlington-based band celebrate sophomore LP release 9 p.m. The eBar

Nov. 30 Gryphons Basketball Double Header vs. Ottawa Gee-Gees Women’s start time: 6 p.m., Men’s start time: 8 p.m. Guelph Gryphons Athletic Centre

Dec. 2 Gryphons Basketball Double Header vs. Carleton Ravens Women’s start time: 1 p.m. Guelph Gryphons Athletic Centre Men’s start time: 3 p.m. Guelph Gryphons Athletic Centre

Dec. 2 to 10

Sparkles in the Park A festive display of lights and free carousel rides from Dec. 23 to 31 5:30 to 9:30 p.m., Riverside Park

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Merry Christmas

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Dec. 26 to Jan. 1

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Dec. 25

Happy Kwanzaa

Dec. 5 & 6

Fireworks display 7:30 p.m. Riverside Park

Remembering the Montréal Massacre Twenty-ninth anniversary of the Montréal Massacre, when 14 women were murdered in their classroom at Montréal’s École Polytechnique.

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Dec. 31

Dec. 6

S M T W T F S

Dec. 16 to 31

Happy Hanukkah Take A Paws 15-minute cuddle session with dogs to destress. Requires registration online.

Various times, McLaughlin Library

December

Jan. 1 Happy New Year

Jan. 7 Merry Christmas to those celebrating in the Orthodox church

Jan. 17 Dial Down Stress & Anxiety with Kathy Somers Free one-hour seminar organized

by Student Wellness 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. UC Room 335 New issue of The Ontarion on stands

RESEARCH POSITIONS FOR SUMMER 2019

Paid positions are available to students through two unique programs: the NSERC Undergraduate Student Research Award (USRA) program and the Undergraduate Research Assistantship (URA) program.

These positions are 16 weeks in length.

NSERC UNDERGRADUATE STUDENT RESEARCH AWARDS

UNDERGRADUATE RESEARCH ASSISTANTSHIPS

For more information see: uoguelph.ca/registrar/studentfinance/usra/index

For more information see: uoguelph.ca/registrar/studentfinance/ura/index

Eligibility:

Eligibility:

• Must be a Canadian citizen or permanent resident of Canada.

• Must be registered full-time at the time of application in a bachelor’s degree program in natural sciences or engineering. Normally students participating in this program are students at the Univeristy of Guelph but students from other institutions who meet the academic criteria are also eligible.

• Must have a cumulative average of at least a ‘B-’ standing (>=70%) during the course of their undergraduate study.

• There are no conditions of financial need.

• Must have completed at least the first two semesters of a baccalaureate program.

• Must not have started a graduate program at the time of the award.

• Must be engaged in full-time research during the time of the award.

To apply:

Forward a complete application to the respective department/unit. Complete applications consist of (1) NSERC’s Form 202- Part 1 (now an online application), available on the NSERC website: http://www.nserc-crsng. gc.ca/OnlineServices-ServicesEnLigne/Index_eng.asp; (2) the University’s Form 2 Student Profile (printed from Student Financial Services documents webpage); and (3) a copy of your official transcript.

• Must be a Canadian citizen or permanent resident of Canada.

• Must be currently registered in an undergraduate degree program.

• Must have a cumulative average of at least a 70%, however departments may have additional academic criteria above this minimum. This condition may be waived at the discretion of the hiring faculty member.

• Must have a complete and error-free OSAP (or applicable provincial/ territory student assistance program) application on file at the time of application.

• Must have demonstrated financial need as determined by the submission of the Financial Need Assessment Form (NAF) for URA. • Must return to study in an undergraduate degree program in Fall 2019.

• Must be engaged in full-time research during the tenure of the position.

However, a student may register as a part-time student (up to 1.0 credits) during the award period at the discretion of the supervisor.

To apply:

Submit a URA Financial Need Assessment Form (NAF) to Student Financial Services for assessment, beginning December 10, 2018.

SFS will assess financial need and notify students of their eligibility. Once an approval email is received, students can apply for the position(s) that interest them.

Further details about the application process will be posted on the Student Financial Services website (link above).

For deadline reminders, follow us:

uoguelph.ca/studentfin

@UOGStudentfin

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