The Queen's Journal, Issue 38

News special project The News team investigates AMS finances in three parts.

See inside for part one of the project examining commission finances. For further installments, page 5 look for upcoming issues of the Journal.

PHOTO BY JUSTIN TANG

F r i d ay , M a r c h 2 5 , 2 0 11 — I s s u e 3 8

j the ournal

Q u e e n ’ s U n i v e r s i t y — C a n a da ’ s O l d e s t S t u d e n t N e w s pa p e r — S i n c e 1 8 7 3

Cuts for a cause

rECTOR

Day not over

inside OUA Final for squash

Principal Woolf says University Council has no power to remove rector B y J ake E dmiston C lare C lancy Journal Staff

and

Though AMS members voted to recommend the removal of Nick Day, the recipients of this recommendation don’t quite know how to do it.

Twenty-six per cent of AMS members voted in the Special Student Vote on Tuesday and Wednesday—3,803 voters out of an eligible 14,244. Seventy-two per cent of them voted in favour of an AMS recommendation to the University Council to axe Day from office.

“The University Council has no power to remove the rector,” Principal Daniel Woolf said yesterday following a University Senate meeting. In section K of the University Council by-laws, there are instructions on the election of the rector, but not the removal.

Woolf sits on the University PHOTO BY ASAD CHISTI Council along with the University Emma Patterson, ArtSci ‘11, and Lisbeth Moiseshyn of ECHO Hair Studio give Sarah Chancellor, members of the Board Connolly, Artsci ‘11, a new hairstyle at the Common Ground on Wednesday night to raise funds for See Seventy-two on page 3 Queen’s Health Outreach.

The men’s team finished in second place while the women’s side came in second. page 16

a lesson in crime

Newmarket’s own Tokyo Police Club talks to the Journal about Junos and growing up. page 13

dishing with darcy The dapper quartet brings their indie rock tunes to Clark Hall Pub. page 12

short fiction contest

ACADEMIC PLANning

Debate over writing courses Faculties raise questions over role of writing in students’ education B y J essica F ishbein Assistant News Editor The Academic Planning Task Force will be releasing a preliminary report on April 28 and a final report will be issued by the end of September, but opinions are still divided as to how writing should factor in.

The Academic Planning Task Force was created to draft the University’s academic plan. It’s composed of undergraduate and graduate students, as well as faculty members. The Task Force has suggested adding more types of writing courses to all programs, but the type of courses and why they are necessary is under debate.

According to Chris Rudnicki, AMS vice president (university affairs), members of the Academic

“We’re still in a listening and Planning Task Force are worried Academic Planning Task Force isn’t that student’s writing skills talking about implementing another information gathering phase, are slipping. mandatory first-year writing course and have a completely open “Their concern is that due to and it’s up to individual faculties mind. We’re not going to impose factors including increasing class to decide how to incorporate anything on anybody,” he said, sizes and early graduation, students more writing instruction into adding that the Task Force wants to provide suggestions about what aren’t leaving university with the their disciplines. same writing skills as 10 years ago.

“The scope of the plan is skills students need to acquire This is a widely shared concern incredibly broad, and the plan will at university. … with engineers, math students, need to shy away from detailed “We want to tell people what philosophy students,” Rudnicki plans of what each department we think are important things said.“[It’s] part of a more general needs to do. We are drawing the undergraduates need to leave with,” shift in university culture towards map—it’s up to different faculties he said. content-based learning instead of to navigate through the map and According to Doug Babington, inquiry. We are often expected to set the general direction,” he said. director of Queen’s Writing Centre, just digest content and spew it back Mathematics and statistics, over 3,000 students a year book out … [but] everyone needs to biology and education Professor one-on-one consultations at the know how to write.”

Peter Taylor is the chair of the Writing Centre.

Rudnicki said he had a lot of Academic Planning Task Force.

“We see a really broad spectrum correspondence with engineering He said the Task Force is open of students, including lots of english, students who have cautioned to suggestions about possible global development and politics against mandatory writing courses. recommendations to include in the students. However, [life science] However, Rudnicki said the upcoming report.

Please see We’re on page 7

Featuring the first-place winner in the Postscript Short Fiction Contest. page 20

TUItion policy Panel discussion on reforming the tuition payment process. page 9

fighting homophobia Distinguishing between religion and homophobia. page 9

taking a drag

Queen’s study shows cannibus can result in sexual dysfunction for its male users. page 6

2 •queensjournal.ca

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Friday, March 25, 2011

Friday, March 25, 2011

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PHOTOs BY JUSTIN TANG

Seventy-two per cent of AMS voters say yes continued from page 1

of Trustees and Senate.

“As soon as we discovered that the referendum was indeed being planned, we obviously wanted to find out … the possible courses depending on the outcome of the vote,” Woolf said. “The only way a rector leaves office is when another one is elected and the process of calling elections is very much a student matter.”

University Secretariat Georgina Moore was in touch with AMS officials after the council investigated possible courses of action. She contacted AMS Chief Electoral Officer Rob Lee to inform him of the policy gap surrounding rector removal.

“Like us, they’re kind of going into uncharted waters,” Lee said.

“The only thing we had was that we could make a recommendation to University Council.”

The question posed in the referendum was excerpted from section 13.02.05 of the AMS constitution, which details a successful referendum and subsequent recommendation as the only instruments available to the AMS when looking to remove a rector.

The motion calling for a referendum was passed at the Mar. 10 AMS Assembly after controversy arising from an open letter Day addressed to Federal Liberal Party leader Michael Ignatieff. The letter, which Day signed with his rector title, denounced Ignatieff’s stance against Israeli Apartheid Week and was posted to Facebook and Rabble.ca.

AMS officials said votes cast in favour of recommending Day’s removal outnumbered the votes that won him the rectorship last year. Day won the rector election last year with 2,508 votes. However over 2,700 AMS members voted to recommend the rector’s removal.

AMS students only make up a portion of the electorate, though.

Members of the Society of Graduate and Professional Students (SGPS) also vote in rector elections. At the SGPS annual general meeting on Tuesday, members voted in favour of supporting Day. The SGPS voted to sign a petition written by the organizers of ‘Support Academic Freedom and Queen’s University Rector Nick Day’ and send a signed letter to the principal, provost, chair of the Board of Trustees, chair of Senate, AMS president and chancellor. 99 students voted for the motion with 42 students against.

Approximately 3.5 per cent of eligible SGPS voters attended the assembly.

This followed the failure of a motion which, if passed, would have placed two questions on the ballot in an SGPS referendum.

The questions were: “should Day be removed from office, left in office or censured?”; and should the SGPS officially sign a petition in support of Day. There were 84 students in favour and 110 against.

Another motion had called for the SGPS to sign a letter which recommended Day’s impeachment.

It failed with 120 students against and 50 in favour.

SGPS President Jawad Qureshy said the SGPS will not take any action against the AMS referendum.

“Both societies respect each

other’s students, procedures and policies,” he told the Journal via email. “The SGPS has no stance on the AMS vote that I am aware of. Many SGPS students feel that the issues raised by the actions of the rector and the reactions of the Principal to his actions fall within the rubric of academic freedom.”

Over the past week, supporters for impeachment posted photos of Day on Facebook with slogans like, “I accused Israel of genocide on behalf of all of us. That cool?” Qureshy said reactions to Day’s letter created an unsafe environment on campus.

“I hope there is some action taken to also improve the way these issues get debated rather than just thinking about who should hold the office of the rector at this time,”

he said. “I know that SGPS student advisors have already responded to some serious complaints and I hope that the Principal and Provost would do more to improve the environment on campus over this issue as well.”

Confusion surrounding the next step for the University Council is furthered by the discrepancy in SGPS and AMS positions on the issue. Secretariat Moore said with the council’s by-laws unclear, the apparent disagreement among the body that elected Day make any action more difficult.

“We’re in a position where the AMS conducts an election for the rector for all students,” Moore said, adding that the section of the AMS constitution about the referendum only applies to AMS members. She

said it wasn’t updated to include SGPS students when the graduate student population split from the AMS in the 1980s.

“There’s absolutely no statement or guidance at all about what the University Council could or couldn’t do,” Moore said.

“The by-law is silent, that’s all I can say. I guess I can’t predict what the council may or may not do. We have received the result of the referendum, they’ve published it and sent it. And we are aware that the SGPS passed a motion,” she said. “It would be those two differing position to the council.

The first step would be putting it to the [University Council] executive committee as to what, if anything, could anybody do.”

Sit-down Series PHOTO BY JUSTIN TANG

Interview

Talking with Nick Day Why did you want to be rector?

“I really wanted to be rector because I thought students needed good advocacy and because I thought that we ... needed to [make] the politics on campus [more progressive] and have leaders bringing more attention to social justice issues and equity issues and that sort of thing.”

What’s the role of rector, in your opinion?

“The rector represents every student of Queen’s, that’s an extremely serious responsibility, but there is no such thing as a consensus there’s no view that everyone holds at the same time ... representation is about standing on principles and sticking to them and being engaged in community, there’s always going to be disagreement but it should be productive, it should

be constructive, and it should work towards the improvement of everybody not towards attacks.”

How’s your life different as rector?

“It’s been a huge learning curve … I’ve learned a ton about working with communities, about advocacy … it’s really interesting to learn about how you would make relationships with administrators, and become part of these policy making discussions and advocate the interest of groups and causes on campus. My life is different in the sense that I’ve learned a ton, and it’s been an overall really great experience.”

How’s your day-to-day life been affected by this referendum campaign?

“I’ve really just been trying to focus on the rector duties.

Right now we have the tricolour committee going on so that’s really exciting … And obviously going to SGPS AGM, I’ve been busy doing my TA-ing, my coursework and my rector duties.”

these views, otherwise what’s the point of being here.”

Hundreds of students showed up to the Mar. 10 AMS Assembly following controversy over your letter. What kept you from it?

“As far as what’s happened, I think that students definitely have the right to organize and express their opinion and that’s always a positive thing if we’re out expressing our opinions or having debates. This is a university, as long as everybody’s safe, there’s no unsafe practices, it can only be a good thing if we get out there and we talk and we share ideas. That’s really important to me, that’s why I did this.”

“I had received a lot of really aggressive emails, so I felt very strongly that it was going to be an unsafe space.”

What does that mean to have a democratic process like that feel unsafe?

“That’s super dangerous, it’s an academic campus, and everybody no matter what your views are has to feel safe to engage in these debates, has to feel that they’re not under personal attack for having

Talk about what’s happened with the campaigning for your removal.

This interview has been condensed and edited for space.

—Jake Edmiston and Katherine Fernandez-Blance

4 •queensjournal.Ca

News

Friday, MarCh 25, 2011

tUItION

Provincial policy changes in the works OUSA and AMS weigh-in on tuition framework options B Y L ABIBA H AQUE Assistant News Editor With the current tuition policy framework for Ontario’s colleges and universities set to expire in the 2012-13 academic year, the province is looking for new alternatives.

Recently, the Higher Education Quality Council of Ontario (HEQCO) released a list of tuition framework options—the fee cap approach, the shares approach, constrained deregulation and full deregulation.

does try to lobby “theOUSA budget and stress what students need in terms of tuition. ” —Kieran Slobodin, AMS academic affairs commissioner

Ontario Undergraduate Student Association (OUSA) Executive Director Alexi White said the province currently uses the fee cap approach.

“It tells the institution exactly how much they can increase tuition by,” he said, adding that the cap is currently set so that universities cannot increase their tuition by more than five per cent per year.

“This is the option that we have traditionally lobbied for based on the interests of our students,” White said.

However, in recent years the balance between what the government pays and

what students pay has shifted, and White said this has caused OUSA to shift its approach.

He said student tuition should be paying for approximately 45 per cent of the University’s operating budget, but Queen’s students are paying approximately two thirds.

Thus, White said the shares approach is one that OUSA now sees as their long-term vision for tuition.

“This approach kind of looks at how much tuition is needed,” he said.

The shares approach establishes a maximum share that tuition can be of total college and university operating revenue.

If the current share is below this figure, AMS Academic Affairs Commissioner Kieran Slobodin, ArtSci ’12, says students JOURNAL FILE PHOTO tuition fees would increase more than grant should exercise their democratic power. increases but there would be a ceiling rate White said this has never happened at the This could mean that although students on the increase each year. If the current share is below the target, tuition fees would university level in Ontario, although it has save money in tuition one year, they may be rise slower than grants until the target was been done for certain programs, including spending a lot more the next.

“In the case of the shares approach, the reached. Changes to tuition fees and grants engineering and medicine. The problem each year would therefore depend on with this approach is that the students fund provincial government decides who will a disproportionate amount of the university determine which percentage of the tuition perceived revenue needs. fee comes from the student and how much However, one of the disadvantages to operating budget.

The last option is full deregulation, which the government will fund. this approach is that that the rate becomes “Of the frameworks in HEQCO’s report arbitrary and therefore tuition from year to allows the institution to set the tuition at which ever amount they’d like with no it would be a combination of shared and year may vary.

Another suggestion for the tuition policy overall tuition cap. White said this would fee cap. Students should be paying no more framework is constrained deregulation, hinder the accessibility of students wanting than a reasonable share of their tuition which provides universities with a high fee to attend the institution. This is because (approximated at one third by OUSA) and cap allowing them a fair amount of discretion adopting such an approach would most tuition fees should be capped at the lowest when setting tuition. Higher rates of tuition likely result in higher fees. However, on reasonable level to ensure affordability.”

Slobodin said that in terms of student for certain programs are justified based the flip side, the higher tuition rates would on the presumption that graduates from allow universities to allocate more funding input, the best ways for students to be aware of the issues in regards to tuition is to the program would have higher average to financial aid.

Kieran Slobodin, AMS academic affairs exercise their democratic power. earnings and employment rates over their “OUSA does try to lobby the budget and commissioner, said the benefit of a fee cap working lives. approach is that it allows for predictability, stress what students need in terms of tuition.” while the shared approach can allow for a large difference in tuition from year to year.

C O R R E C T I O N Principal Daniel Woolf gave an address at the opening event of Pride Week.

Incorrect information appeared in the March 18 issue of the Journal.

The Journal regrets the error.

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NeWS SPeCIal PROJeCt — PaRt ONe

AMS commission finances explored Investigating the financial inner workings of the five AMS commissions, funded through assembly allocation B Y L ABIBA H AQUE Assistant News Editor AMS commissions are responsible for everything from Frosh Week to promoting the municipal elections. This year saw funding for commissions increase by $25,957.92.

There are five commissions, but the Campus Activities Commission (CAC) has by far the largest budget, totaling $539,783.

While the commission oversees 11 events, including orientation week and AMS Charity Ball, it only receives $61,127 in student dollars. The rest is funded by the events themselves.

“

The publications for example, we wouldn’t be able to produce them unless funds were allocated to them. They offer a venue for different students to express themselves that they probably do not find anywhere else.

”

—Daniella Dávila, AMS social issues commissioner Campus Activities Commissioner Lara Therrien Boulos said that for most events, the numbers seem on track. However, she said that isn’t the case for all events.

Charity ball each year fundraises to supplement costs but also allocates a certain number of student dollars to donate.

Fundraising in the 2009-10 year resulted in just enough to break-even with the costs of the event. This meant that the $1,500 assembly allocation was the largest component of the donation, rather than a significant addition to it.

“Charity ball this year, although I don’t have final numbers, the projections of the committee’s fundraising is to be about $700 to $800 in addition to the assembly allocation,” Therrien Boulos, ArtSci ’11, adding that this is despite the implementation of the HST, which increased costs of the events.

Therrien Boulos said the committee looked for innovative ways to keep costs down. For example, the event chairs re-negotiated food with Queen’s Event Services in regards to pricing of food, which made a big difference in the overall cost of the event.

The First Year Not In Residence (FYNIRS) comittee of orientation week also had to think on their feet to stay on budget.

Therrien Boulos said FYNIRS last year brought in $4,800 in revenue. Although this year’s budget projected $6,500 in revenue, the total came in closer to $2,500.

“It’s because we had quite a large drop in participation this year,” she “This year the dates for the orientation week changed, so all the information that was sent out to students was wrong.”

Last year orientation week dates were changed to accommodate students celebrating certain religious holidays. Therrien Boulous said committee members forgot to note the change of date in much of their promotional material and thus many students, believed the last day of FYNIRS coincided with the first day of faculty orientation and chose not to sign up.

However, given the lower number of participants the FYNIRS committee was able to lower their costs. This resulted in an unexpected surplus, which the committee used to buy an orientation week flag.

Another orientation week committee, New Exchange Woohoo Transfer Students (NEWTS) was not so lucky and they are projected to end the academic year in the red.

“We had about $10,000 stolen, because it wasn’t locked up properly,” Therrien Boulous said.

A volunteer on the committee had not abided by proper protocols during orientation week and took the money home for storage rather than locking it in the AMS safe. Later the volunteer’s house was broken into, in which both the money and some NEWTS week supplies were stolen.

“Unfortunately, because this was an HR issue I can’t disclose the information,” Therrien Boulos said. “However, appropriate conversations and measures were taken in deciding how to deal with them.”

With the CAC comprising its budget largely from event fundraising, it’s a direct contrast to the Academic Affairs Commission (AAC,) which is solely funded by $41,117 of student dollars. Academic Affairs Commissioner Kieran Slobodin said the commissioner salary, which is budgeted at $23,947, is the largest expenditure, followed by public relations and promotions, which is budgeted at $4,000. Currently, the commission looks to be on track for most of its timelines. Slobodin said the commissioner salary line item will be under budget by approximately $1,200.

“I was an orientation committee member last September, so I had to take a two-week leave of absence, as well as my leave of absence during the election period to campaign,” Slobodin, ArtSci ’12 said.

He said this money will be reallocated to the deputy honoraria, to represent the extra work they put into the commission during Slobodin’s absences The AAC mainly focuses on promoting awareness, reacting to the changes to tuition payment and working with the student advisory team to ensure transition from QCARD to SOLUS. Thus, a lot of their funding is put towards advocacy work.

“With a commission like the AAC you don’t want a surplus,” he said.

Compared to the AAC, the Commission of Internal Affairs (CIA) focuses largely on the internal operational costs of the AMS. The CIA has a total budget of $126,302, with $116,852 of it coming from AMS student fees. The other portion of the money is funded through election and referenda recovery, Judicial Committee bonds and Judicial Committee fines.

Calum Macbeth, commissioner of internal affairs, said that with three full-time positions, the commissioner, the clubs manager and the judicial affairs commissioner, salaries are by far the largest expenditure.

This year the CIA saw an increase in cases of non-academic discipline, hearing 78 cases as opposed to the 46 heard last year.

“It affects the operations of the office in terms for pure hours work but it doesn’t actually affect the [finances] … there’s just fixed costs. The case load doesn’t affect the operational budget,” Macbeth, ArtSci ’11 said. “It’s pretty standard sort of year-to-year.”

The budget for the Municipal Affairs Commission (MAC) is also fairly standard from year to year, said Municipal Affairs Commissioner Hilary Windrem. She said the commission aims to engage and educate students about community issues and predominantly focuses on advocacy work.

This year, the MAC was budgeted at $69,797, an almost $10,000 increase over last year. Windrem said this was due in part to an additional $3,000 that was allocated for the promotion of the municipal elections and an extra $1,500 for other public relations and promotions. The commission’s budget is funded by student dollars and supplementary grants. The United Way Revenue is one exception, coming from an opt-outable fee.

“As of right now, I don’t have exact

numbers for the commission, however one thing that will be going over budget is the [promotions for] the municipal elections,” she said, adding that since there hadn’t been a municipal election in four years she didn’t have a point of reference for this line item.

Windrem said that there aren’t a lot of things that she would do differently budget-wise, however she would recommend the incoming commissioner allocate funds for the employment opportunities coordinator to expand the portfolio.

We had about $10,000 “stolen, because it wasn’t locked up properly.

”

—Lara Therrien Boulos, AMS campus activites commissioner “Right now, [expenses for the employment opportunities coordinator’s projects] comes out of deputy’s special projects funds, which is fine to maintain what it currently is, however to really … provide [students] with summer employment opportunities in Kingston, I feel like we need to be more proactive,” Windrem said.

AMS Social Issues Commissioner (SIC) Daniella Dávila increased the SIC budget by almost $20,000. This is because of new publications such as Able as well as equity grants.

She said most of the SIC committees are currently slightly under budget, which Dávila said is due to an emphasis on advocacy work. The SIC was allocated $68,927.50 this year, compared to $49,718 last year,

demonstrating a $19,209 increase in funds.

The SIC is budgeted for a total revenue of $80,927.50. Although the total has increased significantly from last year’s total of $59,518, Dávila said that the increase correlates to a new publication, an increase in equity grants and larger budgets for things like the Education on Queer Issues Project (EQUIP) and Outwrite.

Last year, the SIC ended the year going over budget by $5,392. Thus, the larger budget is also in part a better reflection of reality. This year, EQUIP is budgeted at $5,000 and Dávila said they seem to be on track. This was not the case last year, when the Project was budgeted at $1,750 but spent $5,592.

“It’s important for the commission to have these funds,” Dávila said. “The publications for example, we wouldn’t be able to produce them unless funds were allocated to them.

They offer a venue for different students to express themselves that they probably do not find elsewhere in this university.”

onLine For an explanation of how assembly approves commission budgets, please see queensjournal.ca

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Friday, March 25, 2011

health

Cons of cannabis Study finds male sexual performance affected by pot

By Tom Tevlin Contributor A recent Queen’s study concluded that marijuana could have negative effects on male sexual health.

“Up until about two years ago, we were under the impression that cannabis could only affect receptors in the brain, but now we have observed that there are also cannabinoid receptors in the penis which are responsive to the THC in marijuana,” said Queen’s postdoctoral fellow Rany Shamloul.

message that needs “toAbekeypassed to the younger

generation is this: think twice before you smoke marijuana, because cannabis you use today may adversely affect your sexual performance in years to come.

”

—Rany Shamloul, Queen’s postdoctoral fellow When conducting his literature review, Shamloul came across findings from the last few years which indicated that the main psychoactive chemical compound in marijuana, tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), was responsible for causing a lack of sexual desire in both men and women. This was because it interfered with proteins known as cannabinoid receptors in the brain.

“This is an in depth review ... which went through all the articles published on marijuana and sexual dysfunction from [the] early ‘70s to 2010,” he said. “We analyzed

details ... comparing the old data to the current data we have right now. We look both at ... basic animal studies, animal tissue labs and clinical studies.”

Shamloul’s study, which lasted from Feb. 2010 to June 2010, led him to suggest that THC can interfere directly with the muscle tissue of the penis.

When conducting the research, Shamloul examined studies that have used different animals such as rats and chimpanzees. He found that the strongest correlation between cannabis use and impotency came from the primates, indicating that the results could potentially be applied to humans.

Shamloul said that theoretically, women’s sexual performance could also be adversely affected.

“The erectile tissue in the penis is similar to the tissue in the clitoris in that they both JOURNAL FILE PHOTO have cannabinoid receptors, so cannabis use Rany Shamloul, a postdoctoral fellow, did a literature review which found could, in theory, affect a female’s ability to that THC can interfere directly with the muscle tissue of the penis. become sexually aroused as well,” he said, Drug Report by the United Nations Office adding that currently the information about found the opposite.

“The next step is to confirm the previous on Drugs and Crime, approximately 16.8 the connection between female arousal and data by doing our own studies in a lab,” per cent of people between ages 15 to 34 cannabis use is scarce. smoked marijuana in 2006, compared to the This is because so far most of the research he said.

“We are currently formulating a grant and 3.8 per cent world average. in this field has been targeted towards males, “A key message that needs to be passed as they tend to use cannabis much more research protocol ... to try to find a way to fund the project. The project will ... monitor to the younger generation is this: think frequently than females, he said.

Shamloul said his study only dealt with [men] over a number for years ... as young as twice before you smoke marijuana, because erectile dysfunction in the short term. A teenage men [of] 13 and 14 up to 40 years cannabis you use today may adversely affect long-term goal would be to observe the old .... Hopefully we can do that over the your sexual performance in years to come.”

Shamloul’s findings will be published in next couple years.” results over five to six years.

Shamloul said that although the facts the upcoming issue of Journal of Sexual Since previous studies exploring the effects of cannabis use on male sexual may not necessarily make a conclusive Medicine, in late 2011. function have been limited, many have statement about the relationship between —With files from Clare Clancy produced contradictory results, Shamloul sexual dysfunction and cannabis use, he does said. While some studies have indicated believe it’s an important issue that more that cannabis could have negative effects on people should be aware of, especially in erectile function, other investigations have Canada, where according to the 2007 World

NEWS IN BRIEF Aboriginal Awareness Week 2011 Last week, Queen’s Native Student Organization (QNSO) presented Aboriginal Awareness Week 2011.

The week featured the theme “Recapturing Lost Identities” and had several events taking place daily on and off campus.

Events included dance performances, movie screenings, panel discussions and talks from guest speakers. Admission to all events was free.

The goal of the week was to increase dialogue about Aboriginal topics and issues on campus, as well as celebrate the contribution made by Aboriginal staff, faculty and students to Queen’s.

—Jessica Fishbein

Motioning for a bouncy castle This week’s AMS annual general meeting (AGM) saw an unorthodox motion brought forward by students.

The motion read: “that AMS assembly strongly recommends the renting of a bouncy castle and provide pink fluffy unicorns dancing on rainbows inside the castle to be the responsibility of the incoming AMS

executive council to make it available to all undergraduate students by Nov. 15 2011.”

A friendly amendment was added to make the motion apply to the current AMS assembly and to change the deadline to April 30, 2011. It also allowed for “reasonable equivalents” as opposed to the original demands of “pink fluffy unicorns dancing on rainbows.”

The motion failed by two votes with 54 students voting in favour and 56 against.

There were six abstentions.

The intent of the motion was to make a point about the AMS AGM, according to the mover of the motion, Wesam Aleyadeh.

Aleyadeh, ArtSci ’13, said the AGM allows every student a vote, but that the AMS doesn’t take significant measures to ensure a large turnout.

“The AMS AGM is held every year in a venue that does not accommodate the entire student body,” he said in a statement during the meeting.

Aleyadeh said student interest groups can use voting block power, where they bring out a large number of supporters, to pass motions that might not be in the interest of most students.

“This motion will show you that even more ridiculous motions can pass,” he said.

—Clare Clancy

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‘We’re not going to impose anything on anybody’

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CAMPUS CALENDAR Friday, March 25

Wednesday, March 30

Enhancing the quality of writing at Queen’s: a cross-curricular forum Beamish Munro Hall, Room 109 3 p.m. to 5 p.m.

Three Sisters Feast Four Directions Aboriginal Centre 5 p.m. to 7 p.m.

Monday, March 28 Noontime meditation Ban Righ Centre 12:30 p.m. to 1 p.m.

Tuesday, March 29

The Writing Centre sees over 3, 000 students a year for one-on-one writing consultation.

PHOTO BY JUSTIN CHIN

Implementing a mandatory, papers in three years,” she said. first-year writing course across “Otherwise, the writing we’re doing is actually our biggest group, and disciplines was an idea that came up is clinical notes, which includes a lot of natural science students at the Town Halls, but Babington reports of how patients have come in for help with lab reports,” said he doesn’t feel that’s a been doing, clinical findings and progress notes, not formal papers.” he said. “We help with writing viable idea.

“There would need to be more At the town hall, Eubank from all perspectives. The Writing staffing, investment and significant suggested that there be a higher Centre is cross-curricula.”

Babington said many students planning to make it a course other grade cut-off for incoming students’ aren’t given a template for how than one where students would english marks. feel locked in a jail cell and not pay “Raising the admission average — to write.

“Students don’t realize how attention,” he said, adding that a making it higher by making it a 75, much report writing they’ll do on university entry-level writing test is or making it an 80—ensures that an idea worth debating. students coming in have a stronger a job,” he said.

Kayt Eubank, Nurs ’12, base of English and writing. This The Academic Planning Task Force organized two Town attended the most recent Town would save time and resources …

Hall meetings, on March 7 and Hall to voice her concerns. She so you don’t have to take staff March 10, to gather feedback said she mostly does clinical writing away from other programs to teach from students regarding the place in her program, and that this style writing,” she said. “The [Academic of writing in their faculties and of writing will likely be the most Planning Task Force] was stumped. whether the Task Force should relevant for her future career goals. There’s a lot of planning that hasn’t consider implementing more “I’m a third-year student, and been looked at yet.” writing instruction in all disciplines. we’ve had about three research Continued from page 1

•7

Chinese Film Night Kingston Hall, Room 200 7:30 p.m. to 10 p.m.

Thursday, March 31 Sean Aiken’s ‘Discover your Passion Tour’ BioSciences Complex, Room 1101 7 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.

Queen’s School of Computing Invitational John Perkins: Hoodwinked!

High School Programming What wrecked the economy?

Contest Robert Sutherland Building, And how to fix it.

Chernoff Auditorium Room 202 6:45 p.m.

11 a.m. to 2 p.m. $10 See qidc.org for more details.

8 •queensjournal.ca About The Journal

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Editorials The Journal’s Perspective

““

The problem isn’t whether or not creating a red light district is a good idea, but instead where it should be located.

Red light plan for island

T

oronto City Councillor Giorgio Mammoliti is pushing a controversial plan to generate revenue for the city—regulating and taxing brothels.

Having advocated for the establishment of a red light district in the city in previous years, Mammoliti has expressed renewed interest in the idea, suggesting the Toronto Island as an ideal location.

Mammoliti points to the existence of unregulated sex-trade venues across the city as an unexplored source of revenue for the municipal government.

His ideas come on the heels of an Ontario Superior Court ruling that relaxed prostitution laws late last year—though the ruling is currently pending appeal.

The councillor also included the idea of a sex-trade district in his failed bid for mayor last year.

The benefits of establishing a red light district are clear. By creating a centralized area for sex

trade, the city would both help protect sex workers and cut down on criminal activity associated with human trafficking.

The problem isn’t whether or not creating a red light district is a good idea, but instead where it should be located.

It’s hard to picture the residents of any residential area being open to the idea. The Toronto Island community is no exception, and understandably so.

Any newly-created area associated specifically with sex trade will inevitably be the target of stigma. By placing a red light district—regardless of its size—on the Toronto Island, the City would label the island as a whole.

Even if no existing stigma were present, virulent opposition from the Island’s residents would ensure that the image of the project suffered greatly.

The problem isn’t simply that

the residents don’t want to live near a red light district, but that the presence of the district might change the atmosphere of the Island itself.

While it’s unlikely that the Toronto Island would suddenly be overrun with criminal activity, it’s also difficult to imagine it continuing to function as a family-friendly tourist site.

Mammoliti has pointed to the existence of a clothing-optional beach as evidence that the island is already less wholesome than some are willing to admit.

Even if one accepts his line of thought, there’s a substantial difference between a nudity-friendly space and a red light district.

While no community is likely to welcome a red light district with open arms, it’s clear that such an area needs to be established away from a residential community—and on solid ground.

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Contributors

Friday, March 25, 2011 • Issue 38 • Volume 138 The Queen’s Journal is an editorially autonomous newspaper published by the Alma Mater Society of Queen’s University, Kingston.

Editorial opinions expressed in the Journal are the sole responsibility of the Queen’s Journal Editorial Board, and are not necessarily those of the University, the AMS or their officers.

Contents © 2011 by the Queen’s Journal; all rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced without prior permission of the Journal. The Queen’s Journal is printed on a Goss Community press by Performance Group of Companies in Smiths Falls, Ontario.

Contributions from all members of the Queen’s and Kingston community are welcome. The Journal reserves the right to edit all submissions.

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Please direct editorial, advertising and circulation enquiries to: 190 University Avenue, Kingston, Ontario, K7L 3P4 Telephone : 613-533-2800 (editorial) 613-533-6711 (advertising) Fax: 613-533-6728 Email: journal_editors@ams.queensu.ca The Journal Online: www.queensjournal.ca Circulation 6,000 Issue 39 of Volume 138 will be published on Friday, April 1, 2011.

”

LIFE

Andrew Stokes Catherine Owsik

Jason Chalmers Michael Scott Tom Tevlin Meaghan Wray

Friday, March 25, 2011

Student Politics

ASUS also faces red light

O

n March 16, the Arts and proposed for West Campus surplus, the executive team Science Undergraduate to be used for team building faces considerable pressure accomplish something Society (ASUS) overturned an exercises both within the Queen’s to “big”—making one large project all existing opt-outable Development community and at large.

A number of objections were the more alluring. fee of $8.57, which it has been Garcia showed a commendable raised concerning the feasibility collecting for the past three years.

The fee was overturned at the and value of such a construction, willingness to assess the value of ASUS Annual General Meeting, and rightly so. The substantial the fee into question by putting it which gave all Arts and Science cost associated with building and to a student vote.

The concerns raised at the students in attendance the freedom operating the rope course makes it to vote on its future. an idea not worth pursuing.

ASUS annual general meeting by ASUS should consider directing members-at-large are valid.

Over the past three years, the In light of its outstanding surplus fee payments accumulated to the surplus funds to a project that slightly more than $180,000. ASUS has a more immediate and tangible of funds—and lack of a clear plan spent approximately $40,000 of benefit to the Queen’s community. to dispose of them—it would be the accumulated funds renovating It’s important to recognize that inappropriate for ASUS to continue the Red Room, a space donated to ASUS executive teams—like many to collect student monies.

ASUS five years ago by then-dean other top student positions—have At the same time, the ASUS executive needs to ensure that of Arts and Science Bob Silverman. only one year in power.

Incoming ASUS president Rico This makes it difficult to push the funds are properly spent, Garcia put forth several suggestions through initiatives that involve a particularly because the amount of prior to the start of the meeting, substantial amount of long-term unused money is so large. including the construction of an planning and troubleshooting.

“Alpine Tower”—a rope course In the face of a large budget

Labiba Haque

What?

T

his is madness! Madness? This is clearly Queen’s.

Working in the news team this year, I don’t think I can recall a time where there has been such an abundance of contentious student issues. From discussion surrounding Rector Nick Day’s letter and the special vote that took place, to the Alpine Tower controversy at the ASUS Annual General Meeting (AGM), to a motion for AMS to rent a bouncy castle with dancing unicorns and rainbows, I wonder; has this campus gone insane?

This all was made clear to me when I attended last Tuesday’s AMS AGM and the motion to have AMS rent a bouncy castle and have pink fluffy unicorns dancing on rainbows or have their equivalent inside the castle. I don’t know the original intentions of the person who presented the motion, and as the meeting progressed my opinion became very unsure.

Originally I had thought that the intention behind the motion was to prove to the AMS that it’s easy to pass any motion at the AGM, so long as the presenter of the motion has enough student support.

However, as the debate continued, the argument itself became unclear. What originally started as an attempt to encourage student participation in holding student government accountable soon became a push to actually rent a bouncy castle for students.

Some students stated that passing the motion and having a physical bouncy castle in front of a location such as the JDUC will generate student interest. On the other hand, others spoke about how passing the motion and purchasing such a castle would be a waste of time and resources, because if students wanted to be involved they would have come to the AGM. Some students agreed with the intention behind the bouncy castle, but didn’t believe that the AMS should actually invest in it as a physical entity. That’s when things started getting a little crazy.

There was talk generated that the bouncy castle would be a great resource for students as it would allow them to relive stress.

Others pointed to the logistics of the situation, as they were unsure if the unicorns were supposed to be printed on the bouncy castle or would have to physically be there.

As the lines became unclear, the fact that the motion almost passed with a vote of 54 in favour and 56 against was absolute insanity!

This makes me question, whether or not increased student involvement actually means greater opportunity for betterment, or does it just slow the process down and pose time-consuming objectives along the way?

Friday, March 25, 2011

DIALOGUe Perspectives from the Queen’s community

““

queensjournal.ca

Editorial integrity includes truthfulness, accuracy, objectivity, impartiality and accountability. The Journal’s recent actions do not demonstrate any of the latter three qualities.

Campus Media

•9

”

The Queen’s Journal: autonomy or integrity?

Its recent campaign against an AMS audit has only underlined the severe problems at the Journal delicious an irony as I’ve ever seen.

The point of the proposed audit is to determine how much of the Journal’s content is of interest to students. The rationale for this audit is simple—approximately one-third of the publication’s J ames S impson , A rt S ci ’11 budget comes from mandatory student fees.

If you are an undergraduate In its March 18, 2011 issue, the Journal epitomized student, you paid $6.54 this year unprofessionalism. It printed an to ensure that the Journal’s exists. advertisement that specifically Since students are paying for the attacked the president of the publication, they might find it Engineering Society for a motion interesting to know how much of she brought forth at AMS Assembly the content is actually relevant.

The Journal’s staff have taken to audit the content of the Journal, the AMS motion to be a siege which passed by a wide margin.

In conjunction with its spiteful against editorial autonomy. This advertisement, the Journal set up a argument is bizarre. The AMS website to continue its vilification motion seeks to audit the content of the Journal without judgment. of the EngSoc president.

It’s meant to build bridges— The motion passed by AMS Assembly sought to help the Journal without the kind of traditional develop accountability towards metrics available to other the student body. In response, the newspapers (the Journal is free Journal staff published an editorial and thus it’s impossible to track noting that they should be “free individual print subscriptions), it from the influence of student would be useful to have data on government … with regards to whether the Journal is fulfilling its mandate. [our] editorial integrity.”

I would not support that Stating the importance of maintaining “editorial integrity” anything be done with this data, while running a campaign that but I also cannot understand why specifically targets an individual the staff of the Journal wouldn’t Queen’s student—who is trying want it. If I were part of the to increase the publication’s Journal, I would love to know accountability—is about as whether we were providing news

that was of interest to students. It issues with such a process. The public referendum.

There are no limits on what would be useful to determine areas Journal’s endorsement carries substantial weight—every team can be said and the Journal of improvement.

Currently, no such process they’ve endorsed since 2006 has isn’t accountable to anyone. It’s exists—editorial staff at the Journal won the election. But the successful therefore unsurprising that some have no way of knowing whether teams are directly responsible for editors act in their own self-interest they’re doing a good job. hiring the Media Services Director, and ignore their responsibilities to Furthermore, the campaign the person who maintains fiscal the students at large.

The AMS Constitution gives against the president of the oversight of the publication.

Engineering Society is personal.

Is it right to have the nominal the Journal the right “to give an Tyler Ball, the Journal’s Editor in power to influence the hiring of accurate account of news relevant to the University, and to discuss Chief, tweeted, “Personal attack? your future boss?

No, more like a taste of their own The Journal also publishes questions of current interest.” This medicine.” In other words, the unsigned editorials, which are does not include the right to use campaign isn’t a personal attack, meant to represent the view of the their power to influence opinion it’s merely vindictive. editorial board at large on an issue. on a topic.

Endorsing AMS candidates or With this campaign, the Journal For instance, in its March 4, has demonstrated precisely why 2011 issue, the Journal published writing unsigned editorials do not more accountability is necessary. an unsigned editorial discussing constitute discussion of a question, Editors of the Journal have the media’s responsibility to report they represent an attempt to virtually no leash and can do truthful information. They state influence the opinion of the student whatever they want without that “media outlet[s] … must body at large. This is neither an consequence, even if that involves be held to the highest standard objective nor ethical practice.

Editorial integrity includes targeting and running ads to smear of accountability.”

Printing this statement truthfulness, accuracy, objectivity, the reputation of someone they don’t like. two weeks before frantically impartiality and accountability.

Let’s face it: the Journal engages opposing a move to increase its the Journal’s recent actions do in a number of questionable own accountability illustrates the not demonstrate any of the latter practices. For the past several years, problem inherent with these types three qualities.

Editors at the Journal need it’s endorsed an AMS team at of editorials—they’re not objective, and they’re often just a load of to reconsider their stance on election time. editorial autonomy.

Normally, it does so after the self-serving bullshit.

Their unsigned editorial in the campaign period and right before Hubris has no place in editorial the election begins, meaning teams integrity. Yet it drips from every March 18, 2011 issue is titled do not have the ability to respond issue of the Journal. And why “Autonomy, or monotony.” The to the Journal’s endorsement (or wouldn’t it? The Editor in Chief real title should be “Autonomy, lack of one). essentially cannot be fired—their or integrity?”

It shouldn’t be a difficult choice.

There are massive ethical removal requires a 2/3 vote in a

campus issues

Condemning faith-based homophobia at Queen’s One can have faith in his or her religious convictions without feeling hatred for gays and lesbians change the way a person perceives large that homophobia reared its repulsive head. Posters were and reacts to other identities.

This is the point where religion defaced with homophobic slurs can become deeply and tragically and ripped down, but what intertwined with all kinds of really churned my stomach was oppression against those of different the outright violence experienced faiths, genders, races or sexual by certain committee members.

One, while putting up a poster, M ichael S cott , A rt S ci ’13 orientations. This oppression is not an inevitable consequence had it ripped down and was told “you’re going straight to hell.” I Last week, the rainbow pride flag of religion.

There is, however, no denying remember saying to myself that was hoisted proudly at Union and University for Pride Week. To me— that faith-based oppression can this was the first time in my two and, I imagine, to many others— happen. For this reason, I’ve sought years here I was truly ashamed of the Queen’s celebration is a show in my position this year to address my school.

I expected better of Queen’s. I of natural solidarity, with similar the relationship between religious expected better at a university—a events held across Canada and issues and other social concerns.

It was with this goal in mind supposed bastion of progressive around the world.

Nothing could make me that I approached the chair of thought—than this bigotry.

You may be wondering why, of happier than seeing this event EQuIP (Education on Queer Issues so well established at Queen’s. Project) in January with an idea to all forms of homophobia, I find However, we must never allow collaborate on an event aimed at faith-based homophobia to be the feel-good sentiment that this tackling faith-based oppression of particularly insidious.

Stop and think for a second vibrant week evokes let us forget Queer identities. that this campus remains wrought The event featured a screening about what the statement “you’re with homophobia. and discussion of the beautiful going to hell” implies. Hell is a I’m writing to draw attention documentary For the Bible Tells place for lost souls, a place (in to a specific form of homophobia Me So, a film claiming that most Christian traditions at least) running rampant at this university reconciliation of religious and of eternal torment for souls so steeped in sin they are utterly that I find particularly insidious queer identities is possible. in nature—religious intolerance of We hoped that by working unworthy of the presence of God. When a believing Christian tells Queer identities. together on this event we could I’m chair of the AMS religious bring together people of many an LGBT person he or she is going affairs committee. I know that identities for an educational to hell, they are showing contempt religious faith can be a wonderful, discussion, and by many accounts for his or her soul, the very essence powerful thing that can profoundly were successful at doing so within of the person’s existence as a that room. human being. influence a person’s identity.

It was on Queen’s campus at This is a dehumanizing However, religious faith can also

dimension of hatred far deeper simple yet powerful statement than simple distaste for a of the entire Bible, Jesus tells us certain sexual orientation or to “Do to others whatever you gender identity. would like them to do to you.

It’s not my intention to single This is the essence of all that is out Christianity. I’m well aware that taught in the law and the prophets,” faith-based intolerance of Queer (Matthew 7:12). identities is by no means limited to Did you get that last bit? Basically, certain Christian-identified people. Jesus is saying “I just summed up I’m writing to denounce hatred. the entirety of God’s law for you in No one should ever go through a nutshell. Follow this one simple the kind of sick abuse that people rule, and God will be happy.” involved in our event had to go He also tells us to “Love thy through. Period. End of story. neighbour as yourself.” I don’t Case closed. think you have to be Christian to I feel that it’s my responsibility agree that this is probably some as a concerned member of this pretty good advice. community to bring to public Fellow students, regardless of consciousness the ugliness of religious convictions, gender, race the intolerance still present at or sexual orientation, we are this school. all “neighbours” in this unique We’re coming into a time and wonderful place we call when Queer identities are (slowly) Queen’s University. becoming accepted in the public Despite our great diversity of sphere. The intolerance, however, identities, we have in common a hasn’t gone away; it’s just fundamental desire to be treated less blatant. as independent, thinking, feeling, Incidents such as those loving human beings. surrounding my event, while rare, It would be nice if we could nevertheless serve to confirm do a better job at this school this sad reality. We must, as a of respecting each other as such. community, not allow ourselves to be lulled into a false sense Michael Scott is chair of the religious affairs committee in the Social Issues of security.

I’d like to finish with a bit of Commission (SIC). my favourite scripture. In what I consider to be the most beautifully

DIALOGUE

10 •queensjournal.ca

FRIDAY, MARCH 25, 2011

TaLKiNG pOiNTs paNeL

A discussion on tuition payment policy Our panelists debate how to improve the tuition payment process

Talking Heads ... around campus PHOTOS BY CRAIG DRAEGER

How much school work do you have?

D an o sBorne , a rt s ci ’12

l inDsaY K line , a rt s ci ’11

D eVin m c D onalD , a rt s ci ’13

Pacta sunt servanda: “pacts must be kept.” This Latin expression is the concept behind modern contract law. Modern civilization has been built around this concept and saves us from reverting to the barbarism of ‘whoever has the biggest gun wins.’ Indeed, within the context of modern society, practically everything derives from one contract or another.

When one thinks of a contract, he usually thinks of the explicit sort.

Those are the sorts of contracts that you sign when you buy a car or a house or set up a Twitter account.

These contracts are only a small portion of the total number of legal contracts in society; many more are of an implicit nature.

The intent of implicit contracts is to make small things, say purchasing a hamburger, easier than going through the route of an explicit contract.

Most of the time, implicit contracts are limited to small, inconsequential contracts.

Unfortunately, our contracts with Queen’s University are implicit too.

Entering Queen’s University, students are presented no clear contract regarding how much they are to pay the university and what they are to get in return.

We’re trusting that the university will always function in our best interest and we really have nothing to hold them to account if they fail.

Most students have no problem with the University and their implicit contract with the body, but a minority are subject to injustice.

Some engineering students thought they had finished paying their fees at the beginning of the year. But—thanks to the lack of a real, substantive contract— students are being charged at additional $3,000.

The change to the GPA system, the charges on engineering students and everything else at this university should have been subject to an explicit contract with students, a contract which is lacking today.

Queen’s tuition costs are reaching an all-time high, and thus represent an all time low for the University’s reputation among students.

Everything from the $3,000 mistake the Registrar’s Office made—affecting 30% per cent of engineering students—to the new tuition payment deadline of Sept 1.

The administration is becoming less and less popular among students, not that it ever was in the first place.

For some students, the ability to pay tuition costs is a matter of phoning home and asking for the money. For others, tuition is more of a hurdle that necessitates prolonged planning and saving.

Thus, the University’s recent choices associated with tuition are problematic for the very people they are trying to aid—the students.

The administrative institution responsible for the operation of finances and student tuition costs is poorly and inefficiently run.

The open environment whereby students are asked to provide personal financial information is a violation of privacy and is an embarrassing experience for many students. Rather than providing a confidential and supportive environment for students, the Registrar’s Office mirrors that of a business based on paper work and job security rather than the people they are told to serve.

Recent changes to tuition continue to exacerbate the divide between students and the administration. The inability for non-Ontario students to receive funding because of their out-of-province status and the vagueness associated with optout fees are just more examples indicative of the problematic processes the financial sector of Queen’s has overlooked. Students put a great amount of trust in their university to be honest, helpful and supportive. At the moment, the new stipulations for Queen’s student tuition are not representative of this.

Possible solutions include tuition caps, lowering admission rates or at the very least having private rooms for students to discuss their financial woes. Until positive changes are implemented, the registrar’s office will continue to be seen as that ghastly place we have to go, but really don’t want to.

As a student who is affected greatly by changes to the payment structure, I have a particular interest in the topic at hand. I don’t have the privilege of being able to pay the total sum of my tuition at the beginning of the year, so I have the cost of my tuition deferred, as I’m dependent on OSAP to pay for the cost of my education.

Assuming I’ve filed the necessary OSAP papers in time, I would find no changes to my own fee schedule, as the administration has made a provision for OSAP students.

The victims—if I may employ such a term—of the changes to the payment schedule are those students who cannot pay the full sum by Sept. 1 due to alternative non-Ontario based governmental funding.

What the administration has neglected to consider is the way in which they’ve saddled lower income student with the extra stress of meeting another, earlier deadline.

The argument holds that the Queen’s administration is just building barriers against low-income access to high quality education.

The Registrar’s Office isn’t particularly accommodating to low-income students—there is little attempt on the part of the administration to lead students to believe the Registrar’s Office is there to help student overcome financial hurdles.

Yet I depart from my critique in that I don’t label the changes in the fee schedule as unwarranted. Prior to passing judgment on the decision, we ought to weigh the actual cost of the changes. Weight ought to be placed in consideration of Queen’s current fiscal crisis and the effects it has on their fiscal scheme.

At the end of the day, the changes will cost a small portion of students rather minor debts as a result of the sub-prime interest rates Queen’s charges on late tuition payments.

I don’t mean to be crude or to suggest that $50 is an irrelevant sum of money, my point is that this program raises a fair chunk of change just from the interest earned on earlier acquired capital.

The cost is relatively small on the student end. However, I do hope the administration will take a more earnest consideration of the process by which students can evade charges due to extenuating circumstances.

Every week, Journal Dialogue brings together members of the Queen’s community to discuss events of the day.

See our next edition for a discussion on the campus water bottle ban.

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e lamin a BDelmahmoUD , a rt s ci ’11 The Registrar’s Office could well be equipped to deal with all special cases and special circumstances of students unable to register for their classes under the new “commitment “I retired from academics after a long and fruitful career.” to pay” policy.

I’m quite certain that the Registrar’s Office isn’t filled ALISON BROWN, ARTSCI ’12 with people who are purposely attempting to obstruct the futures of Queen’s students, and I’m also quite assured that the new policies aren’t intended to be a hurdle thrown in the path of low-income students.

That said, the problem persists: the very existence of this panel discussion is proof that there are anxieties and questions revolving around the new university payment policy.

“Way too much, it’s piling up.”

I would like to suggest that the questions that exist and persist NICK FRANCIS, ARTSCI ’11 are not directly resulting from the new policy structure, but instead from the history of the relationship between the Financial Aid Office and students who require it.

Every year, students stand in the OSAP line at Gordon Hall to pick up their loan documents, or deal with private concerns. The nature of the physical space and the way Financial Aid is structured allows for only one scenario to play out, over and over again: with “Too much.” many students behind you in line, you must loudly talk about your LAUREL JOYNT, ARTSCI ’11 financial situation with the officer at the desk, while having to deal with the fact that there are 10s of other students behind you.

This experience can be quite dehumanizing to some students because of the personal nature of their visit.

Should they pass this particular hurdle, they may be faced with the obligation to answer numerous (relatively invasive) questions about their exact personal and “I’m a grad student, so it’s undefined.” financial situation.

Again, I’m assured that everyone in Gordon Hall means well. But MATTHEW STEPHAN, PH.D ’13 the experience comes with hardly any respect to the privacy of the individuals who are going to Financial Aid. What I mentioned are mere examples of a pre-existing lack of trust, and a justification to the level of wariness that low-income students have when it comes to dealing with the Financial Aid office.

If these students trusted that the culture in that office is structured “I don’t plan to sleep this week.” around protecting their privacy and dignity, I doubt we would have JESSE WEINBERG, ARTSCI ’14 these anxieties.

But that trust relationship doesn’t exist, and when you add additional strain to the relationship through the policy changes, the understandable anxieties Have your say. are exacerbated.

By fixing these symptoms, we Write a letter or visit can assure students that the new queensjournal.ca policy will not threaten their futures.

to comment.

Friday, March 25, 2011

DIALOGUE

LETTERS TO THE EDITORS Criticism of campus media

At the very best, allowing such a personal attack to be printed demonstrates a lack of moral integrity on behalf of the Dear Editors, editors. At worst, the misrepresentation of As a former President of the Engineering the motion and the opinions of Ms. Pleavin Society of Queen’s University and is libelous in nature and you should be student representative at AMS Assembly, I reprimanded for your actions accordingly.

Ironically enough, it seems that am writing to condemn the “advertisement” posted on page 17 of the March 18, 2011 AMS Assembly would be responsible for this (Section 15.01.04 of the AMS Constitution). edition of the Journal.

The fact that you would permit a As such, I encourage the AMS Executive full-page ad to be printed that twists facts and Assembly members to review this and directly targets an individual student at case and determine if such a violation has this university—clearly posting her picture taken place. In my opinion, Ms. Pleavin and her name (twice)—is a reprehensible deserves an apology from the editors who and disgusting misuse of the power you printed this misguided advertisement and wield as a campus news provider. The a full-page ad should be placed in next so-called “advertisement” is nothing less week’s Journal to this effect. than a publicized witch-hunt and belongs in Connor Langford, the pages of the National Enquirer next to AMS Assembly Representative 2005-2007 a photograph of a swamp monster in Lake Engineering Society President 2006-2007 Ontario, not our beloved Queen’s Journal.

AMS Assembly Speaker and Chief First off, the motion is hardly a threat Electoral Officer 2007-2008 to editorial autonomy and the language used to drum up support for the “Team Journal” cause is both misleading and Dear Editors, inflammatory. If you take the time to read (and properly report on) the motion that was proposed at AMS Assembly on I’d like to express how very hurt and March 10, 2011, you would realize that disappointed I was upon picking up the the motion presented simply requests that March 16 issue of Golden Words.

On the front cover, there were four the Media Services Director analyze the “percentage of content that directly addresses pictures under the heading, “St. Patrick’s Day Goes Too Far,” one of which was a student activities and events.”

Given that you are obligated to give photo-shopped image of Pope Benedict XVI, an accurate account of news relevant to made to be vomiting into a chalice.

As a member of the Roman Catholic the university (Section 15.01.01.iii.b of the AMS Constitution), this seems to Church, I found this tasteless, utterly be a logical way to ensure that you, as inappropriate and very hurtful.

Consider for a moment if Golden Words an AMS organization, are meeting had instead depicted the Dalai Lama or this requirement.

Perhaps you could explain to me Muhammad in this manner. Apologies how Victoria Pleavin and the 20 other would probably already have been made to members of AMS Assembly who voted Buddhists and Muslims for such an offense.

For some reason, however, the Catholic to adopt the motion are trying to “restrict the Journal’s ability to report on issues that Church is chosen for attack, and receives matter” to the reader? If anything, these little respect. Consider also the religious students are trying to ensure that this meaning of St. Patrick’s Day. Although to many it means little more happens, and to print an advertisement than an occasion for drinking and partying, stating otherwise is inappropriate.

As editors, you are directly responsible for Catholics it is a day to celebrate an for the material you print in the Journal. important historical figure in our Church.

How very disappointing to think that Writing an editorial to encourage students to educate themselves on this issue is one thing, Golden Words would choose to offend but allowing a committed and hard-working Catholics, and on an occasion such as this. I student representative to be publicly defamed am thoroughly disgusted. is a gross misuse of the power you have as a Rachel Helferty, ArtSci ’13 campus news provider.

queensjournal.ca

• 11

12 •queensjournal.ca

Friday, March 25, 2011

Arts Q&A

Rebuilding with voices

After gaining notoriety as the band who were down but not out, The Darcys came out of this year’s Canadian Music Week heralded as the best live band in Canada B y A lly H all Arts Editor If I’d been chatting with The Darcys’ drummer Wes Marskell at this time last year, he may not have been in the position to be so generous. By the time our 45-minute phone call concluded I’d been told a secret and promised a Toronto Metropass, a carton of $1 strawberries and a drink ticket.

First, some background. As the story goes, the band and their lead singer severed ties just days before the completion of their sophomore record and a 2010 Canadian Music Week showcase forcing them to either refurbish, or call it quits.

Marskell, now-vocalist and guitarist Jason Couse, guitarist and organist Mike le Riche and bassist Dave Hurlow took the bull by the horns to form the current lineup—the quartet seizing an opportunity to turn the page with Couse stepping into the front man’s shoes.

“It felt like there was new breath in our lungs and wind in the sails that wasn’t there before,” Marskell said. “Everyone’s been so generous since then. The shows have grown

exponentially and people have been quite kind about the transition and the live show and the sound.”

To focus overtly on their past is counterproductive and an over simplification of their history and potential. It would be doing The Darcys a disservice to painstakingly explain the transition process rather than explore the resulting merits of their new projects using their admittedly buzz-worthy back-story as a starting point.

Marskell spoke candidly, filling me in on new facets of the foursome, his determination and refusal to sit and wait is as infectious and far-reaching as the philosophy behind their songs and their nostalgic goal of making the record an event again.

So you guys are making your way here Thursday?

Next Thursday, yeah. We have a show in Kingston, then Ottawa, then Montreal.

Have you Hall before?

played

Clark

Until his 11 year-old daughter Cleo (Elle Fanning) comes into the picture, professional stuntman Johnny’s (Stephen Dorff ) life resembles that of a stagnant car spinning its wheels.

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film review

Minimalism, maximized In Sofia Coppola’s latest picture Somewhere, the audience is taken for a ride with a character seemingly going nowhere B y P arker M ott Staff Writer Movie: Somewhere Director: Sofia Coppola (Marie Antoinette) Writer: Sofia Coppola Starring: Stephen Dorff and Elle Fanning Duration: 96 minutes

 The opening shot to Sophia Coppola’s Somewhere inspires our attention because it doesn’t beg for it. Johnny Marco (Dorff), an upcoming actor in Hollywood, drives laps in a ring. His vehicle loops in and out of the frame, with us hearing only the car motoring closer and closer to us again. This shot must last for at least two minutes. But we aren’t irked.

Coppola’s exposition is set instantly.

In one long shot, this is a life going in circles, or more precisely, a life that is ‘spinning its wheels.’

Coppola has said to have made Somewhere as a reflection on her life with her father—renowned director Francis Ford Coppola.

Circles are a motif in Somewhere, expressing a life that is repetitious but wholesome. Johnny has a broken wrist from a stunt accident, so he relaxes in his Chateau Marmont suite and hires dancers to entertain him. He’s a ladies man, but his sex life is so boring he falls asleep during private strip dances and intercourse. Life, for Johnny, is a series of tedious observations

See Dashing on page 14

coming and going.

At least until Cleo (Fanning), his 11 year-old daughter shows up. The obvious implication is that Johnny is divorced from his wife, but the relationship with his daughter is not fraught. Somewhere is, therefore, a buoyant film about characters not hoping to change, as they would fear that would probably aggravate their daily patterns. But in this happiness, there is a stasis.

Johnny goes to press conferences, awkwardly poses with his sullen co-star (Michelle Monaghan) and then barely answers any questions regarding his film.

Johnny doesn’t want questions, but answers.

Or maybe there’s just nothing.

His willingness to stay put also gives him angst and existential thoughts. When Cleo comes into his life, he puts a smile on, lies about his promiscuous sex life and hectic disregard for everything.

He’s paranoid, but that’s part of Cleo’s affection for him. He thinks a black van is spying on him, so Cleo takes the van’s license plate.

They make a great team.

Coppola has said to have made Somewhere as a reflection on her life with her father—renowned director Francis Ford Coppola, who created masterpieces such as Apocalypse Now, The Conversation and The Godfather. Somewhere shows these characters as always on the go, in the fast lane, but See Life on page 15

next issue drop your gloves London’s Shad is returning to Kingston after he stormed Wolfe Island last summer, armed with his lightning-sharp wit and DJ TLO.

flood-free fuel

After Jason Couse (foreground) stepped up to front the new incarnation of The Darcys, the band turned on the internal pressure to focus fully on releasing new material. Drummer Wes Maskrell (background) cited the band’s mantra for writing as, “it better be fucking good.”

supplied

After Modern Fuel was temporarily closed for a flood, Susy Oliveira welcomes guests back to the gallery with art exploring varying forms and fauna of a garden.

Arts

Friday, March 25, 2011

queensjournal.ca

• 13

interview

Be a champ The members of Tokyo Police Club have grown up tremendously since their first EP release in 2006 and their music is following suit B y J ACoB M orGAn Staff Writer Despite the implication in the moniker, Tokyo Police Club is a rock band from the Toronto area. Keyboardist/percussionist Graham Wright, spoke with the Journal before the band’s upcoming show in Kingston on March 30 at Ale House.

Tokyo Police Club released their debut EP, A Lesson In Crime, in 2006. At that time With a Juno nomination for Alternative Album of the Year, the group gears up to perform tracks from their latest record Champ live at the supplied there was no shortage of blog buzz to go award show. Famous for work with Beck and Elliot Smith, Rob Schnaff mixed Champ cleanly to showcase the band’s advanced songwriting. around for aspiring artists with a Myspace page and the right sound. The spiky and Of course, sometimes a certain project Champ and provides the clean production of the Year. infectious garage rock instantly found favor must remain constant in order to function to complement the tighter and more robust Wright doesn’t think this means that the in the online hype cycle. doors to the mainstream will be more open properly. For example, Daytrotter, a website songwriting.

A clear signifier of their solidified to independent artists in the future. In fact, that uses off-the-cuff recording techniques We had some success ... but to capture bands and makes the recordings achievement is a Juno nomination for he said, “I think that’s already happened.

It’s not like [Arcade Fire] is some tiny band, available for download, have recorded Alternative Album of the Year. when our next record came they’re already huge and didn’t need the “We’ve never been to the Juno Awards Tokyo Police Club twice.

They first played out most people were Daytrotter around 2007, then again in ceremony before so we’re going to get Grammys. It’s been like that for a few years over it. all suited up and go have a good time,” now, it doesn’t matter if you’re a band from support of Champ in late 2010.

Canada or Katy Perry.”

“Daytrotter has stayed wonderfully Wright said.

—Graham Wright, Tokyo Tokyo Police Club is up against Arcade the same, their thing is their thing,” said Police Club’s keyboardist and Wright. The difference between the Fire for the award, the indie band from percussionist two performances lies in the evolution Montréal who shocked the music world Tokyo Police Club play Ale House on Wednesday of the band, and not in a change of the when they trumped the likes of Lady Gaga March 30 with Dinosaur Bones and Hollerado Five years later and with their second Daytrotter approach. and Eminem to win the Grammy for Album at 9 p.m. full-length album entitled Champ released, “We were more inclined to embrace Tokyo Police Club have outlasted many everything that’s good about Daytrotter the shorter-lived acts that came into the public’s first time around,” he said. “We were just awareness during the Internet era. Wright a little younger, less set in our ways, so we attributes the band’s relative longevity to a would dig in the cupboard and pull out some reliance on traditional methods alongside old keyboard and just use that. I think we online publicity. made up some alternative version of a song “At the beginning we had some success in and played it on the spot.” that area, but when our next record came He said that on their second visit to out most people were over it,” he said. “In Daytrotter they were less spontaneous. the meantime we toured, played shows and “It was not quite the same free-for-all,” built a fan base that way.” a fact that’s indicative of their direction.

Another reason the band wasn’t buried On their first album, 2008’s Elephant Shell, under the weight of blog posts in the wake and even more so on Champ, the band of their initial success, is that their sound scraped away much of the lo-fi aesthetic developed naturally over time. Instead while retaining the personality that made of pushing an attempt to reach a wider their early work so charming. Rob Schnaff, audience or continuing to record the same who has worked with Beck and Elliott sound over again, they’ve grown gracefully Smith, is behind the mixing board on into a distinctive style of indie rock.

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Arts

14 •queensjournal.ca

Friday, March 25, 2011

interview

Facing straights Dashing Last Flowers take inspiration from their icons and filter it into a decidedly more punk pop and hardcore nexus B y A ndrew S tokes Copy Editor

Despite a chaotic slew of contributions to their sonic landscape, Last Flowers give an air of finding and rocking their niche.

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

supplied

After talking with Last Flowers for only a few minutes, it’s become pretty clear that they’re total music geeks. I know this not just because they’ve told me a few times, but because the conversation is punctuated with numerous tangents where they lose track of a question to discuss the merits of one band or another. Their tastes are eclectic, and they have a passion for bands ranging from Circa Survive, to the Foo Fighters, to Sigur Ros. Made up of Tom Hinchliffe (guitar), Mac Cameron (vocals), Geoff Parent (drums), Dan Hughes (bass) and Ben Webb (guitar), they’re a band that takes all these disparate predilections and attempts to amalgamate them into their own personal style.

Their name for example, is a throw to a bonus track from Radiohead’s In Rainbows, but before settling on Last Flowers they considered Hunter’s Fang or some combination of words like mountain, sky and blood. “Last Flowers was the least dumb of all our ideas,” said Parent with a laugh.

Hinchliffe, Cameron and Parent met one another by varying degrees of chance and after discovering they had similar tastes, they started playing together. Their bassist Hughes got in touch with them after they put up a wanted flyer and they were quickly impressed with his abilities.

Hughes, having been classically trained as a jazz bassist, introduced a contrasting dynamic to the group.

One of their guitarists, Webb, knew Hinchliffe from their hometown, and joined after some subtle prompting. Dubbed “the veteran” by the rest of the band, he brings a punk element to the group.

This mixture begs the question of just what they actually sound like, and they provided first what others have suggested, such as At the Drive-In, Coheed and Cambria and even Black Sabbath and then what they hoped or wanted to sound like, which included Radiohead, Circa

Continued from page 12

No, actually we played outside in Kingston a few times now but I’m sort of excited to play on Survive, Brand New and Thrice.

“It’s really hard to place what campus … campus bars are always we sound like because we write a little more unruly and fun than parts we really enjoy playing,” said playing off-campus Cameron. “It’s not like we’re trying to emulate people as much as we’re How did you deal with re-allocating trying to write songs we would roles within the band? listen to.”

It was scary as fuck for the first After listening to their five-song EP, I’ve got to agree with month … we have a record where them, it’s tough to pin down a some of the songs are five, six stable comparison. Their opening people, you know how the studio song “Snake” is fast, rough and a works, you put more into than you little screamy, whereas “Brothers” would in the live show, when you’re takes a different angle. It has high, trying to work through that and multi-tracked vocals and a technical then also cover for somebody that guitar track that quickly maneuvers was a focal point in the band it got its way across the fretboard. With really intense.

“Brothers” the comparison to Jason, the singer of our band, he stepped up in such a wonderful way Coheed gains credence.

The album’s closer “Horses” is and such an impressive way and wild and frenetic; the drummer I always sort of forgot about that pounds the cymbals aggressively being my roommate and my friend and the various elements of the he just sort of, he didn’t complain, song seem to be competing with he just said I’m going to do this and one another. This can be said of we’re going to do this and here we their EP overall: there’s a bit too are, doing it.

We’ve been also working like much going on. It feels as though every instrument is vying for the crazy writing a new record so we lead, and they step on each other’s can come out with as much as possible, so that we can, I feel like toes a little too frequently.

Standing in contrast to these we still have to prove ourselves a is the winding “Dismantling the little bit, every now and then … it’s Eiffel Tower,” which is where Last better than feeling good all the time, Flowers really shows what they can I think that’s when people settle in do. Cameron’s vocals are ethereal and don’t do their best work. and the beat is reserved in a way that compliments the mood. The Has the change in band members or guitar line is steady and bright restarting been the most challenging before coming in strong when part of the project so far? the track takes a louder turn. It’s It’s weird because it’s a lot like well paced, melodic and the song I restarting, I feel like the record found to be most enjoyable.

There’s talent in the band, but that came before doesn’t really it’s a rough go for the unfamiliar ear. count anymore. I feel like this Their songs are a little too thrashy record on is how, you know, in and a little too loud to be truly well five years people will see the band. received by the average audience. So it kind of felt like starting But, if you’ve got the desire to from scratch but not starting over, go see a band that’s guaranteed we were a new band that just to be loud, hard, energetic and happened to have an old name and somewhere in the nexus of punk, some history ... pop and hardcore, these are your guys. Last Flowers may be a rough listen for the uninitiated, but there’s Please see no denying that what they do, they queensjournal.ca do well.

Last Flowers play The Mansion on March 31 at 9 p.m. Tickets are $8.

for the full Q&A with The Darcys.

Glutton for Punishment | Thirsty Traveller

An Evening with The Food Network's

BOB BLUMER & KEVIN BRAUCH

An irreverent evening of behind-the-scenes stories, culinary throw-downs, deathdefying demos and general mischief.

Friday April 1, 2011*

Time To Laugh Comedy Club

business.humber.ca

Darcys

394 Princess St. | Doors 8pm | Licensed/All Ages bobblumer.com | thirstytraveler.tv

BRUCE COCKBURN – WITH SPECIAL GUEST –

JENNY SCHEINMAN FRIDAY, APRIL 8, 2011** THE GRAND THEATRE

FRIDAY MAY 13, 2011* ZAPPA'S LOUNGE

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*Tickets at ticketscene.ca, Brian's Record Option, Tri Colour Outlet **Tickets at kingstongrand.ca, Grand Theatre Box Office, Brian's Record Option, Tri Colour Outlet eggplantent.com

Friday, March 25, 2011

Arts

queensjournal.ca

Life, or somewhere like it

Despite Johnny’s personal life being banal, dull and predictable, his daughter Cleo is happy. A particular standout shot depicts the duo relaxing by the pool with a magnificent pan out, putting the audience into a state of bliss.

Continued from page 12

then regressing slowly back to where they once were. Coppola frames her shots varyingly, in long and stationary, to emphasize the urgency to break free but the inevitability of not doing so.

It’s confusing because Johnny lives his life on the wild side.

He’s a stunt man; an action icon.

However, his personal life is banal, dull and predictable. Cleo is happy either way. They relax by the pool, another circular motif and Coppola does a magnificent pan out as the two of them nestle and tan by the pool. It puts us all in bliss.

earth hour power Kingston will participate in Earth Hour between 8:30 p.m. and 9:30 p.m. on Saturday.

Hit the lights and head to Market Square for the fourth annual volunteer-organized Kingston Unplugged concert featuring acoustic performances from your favourite local bands like The Gertrudes.

Beforehand, there’s also a dangerously symbolic shot of Johnny watching Cleo do headstands and hold her breath under water. She moves frantically showing she is going somewhere, as Johnny sits in the middle, inert.

I wish I could love Somewhere.

Sophia Coppola is a true talent who executes her films with the right shots, tone and pace. The film doesn’t take any obvious missteps, nor does it plod. We immediately accept that its intention is not to go anywhere, because that would be counter to its title. Simultaneously,

supplied

I was hesitant about the fact that the film never developed.

It’s called Somewhere, not Nothing. I have seen the film twice now and, through both experiences, believe there is only just enough to make a movie here—in terms of what it says and how it progresses.

Johnny’s inner demons don’t break any new ground either. He is tempted by women, he drinks and smokes. He’s an emotionally flat man, who lives life with a whole lot of muscle. But I wish the film collected itself in a way that something was learned or challenged our emotions more.

Is this a tragedy? No. Is this a comedy? No. I don’t know what to think of Somewhere, because Coppola never seems to learn much more about the characters than there was to know from the beginning.

But still, Somewhere is a different kind of delight. It’s an admirable film because the director has conveyed the right feelings for us and has let us go when the time was right. I’m not sure Somewhere has said anything completely distinct about the lives of these characters and maybe that’s the point.

Somewhere plays at The Screening Room today until March 31, for ticket information and showtimes see moviesinkingston.com.

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• 15

16 •queensjournal.ca

Friday, March 25, 2011

Inside Sideline Commentary Sports Editor Kate Bascom examines the recent decision by Saint Mary’s University to cut women’s hockey page 17

Next Week Colour Awards

sports Photo by Justin Tang

Squash

Strong showing for squash The men’s squash team captured an OUA silver medal last weekend while the women just missed the podium by falling to fourth in a tiebreaker B y L auri Kytömaa Assistant Sports Editor The spring season for Gaels athletics came to a close this weekend with the sound of rubber slamming against the ARC walls as Queen’s hosted the Squash OUA Championships. The home team enjoyed a solid weekend of play as the men’s team finished with 15 wins in 24 matches to secure a silver medal while the women finished with nine wins in 21 games to finish fourth.

The teams participating in the tournament were Queen’s, McMaster, Western, Toronto, Waterloo and the University of Ontario Institute of Technology.

Each team, except for the women’s sides of UOIT and Waterloo, was composed of six players who played matches over Saturday and Sunday. The six players were divided by division and only played against opponents of the same level.

A victory in a best of five match in any division was worth one point.

Queen’s team “isThe level, they are

and Waterloo respectively. Ford with a 9-3 record, trailing only a fell 1-3 in his first match against Western team that had yet to drop a tough opponent while Zufelt a match. pulled out a dominant 3-0 sweep Sunday wasn’t quite as of his Waterloo competition. productive for the Gaels as all The rest of the day went without six players finished 1-1 to give much incident as the bottom three the team another six wins. The players, Zufelt, Matt Twiddy and team had to face the dominant Bob Noakes swept their matches. Mustangs, leading them to drop a The top three, Ford, Amr Hamour match each. Nevertheless, the 15 and Aadam Tejpar each managed points accumulated were enough to split their two games to produce for the Gaels to edge out the another three victories. By day’s McMaster Marauders by two to end the team sat in second place take the OUA silver medal.

Considering that Western captured its 28th straight OUA title by finishing with a 24-0 record, the Gaels were content with their second place finish. Men’s head coach Eugene Zaremba said he was happy that the men played to their potential and was particularly impressed by the play of Ford.

“Alex had limited experience [coming into Queen’s], not nearly one of the better players in the junior ranks, he was fairly weak when he came,” he said. “The

Kingston Field

Moving out West

The Sports section will look at the end-of-the-year athletics banquet for both varsity and club teams.

Friday

Gymnastics Staff writer Sara Melvin discusses gymnastics at Queen’s University.

Friday

four years that he has been here he has improved tremendously; he got an all-star nomination [this year], bronze in the individuals.”

The 9-3 record by the bottom three players was also a major contributor to the team’s victory.

Zaremba said the wins came as a result of the team’s parity.

“Typically what happens is that teams have a couple of good players and [then] the team drops off,” he said. “The Queen’s team is level, they are interchangeable. Three down to six are pretty close, when you have that kind of situation you are going to come through.”

The women’s team entered the tournament as the reigning OUA champions but struggled to accumulate enough points on See Women on page 18

Rugby teams will move to West campus for the 2011 season B y K ate B ascom Sports Editor

interchangeable. Three down to six are pretty close, when you have that kind of situation you are going to come through.

Kingston Field is the latest site on campus affected by the University’s ambitious development projects.

With construction beginning last November, a combination of a deteriorating Stuart underground parking garage and a push for the West Campus development project —Eugene Zaremba, has led Athletics and Recreation men’s squash head coach to announce the building of two turf fields: one will be laid on West On the men’s side all six Campus and another will replace players played four games over the Kingston Field. weekend, while on the women’s The West Campus development side divisions one, four and six project is estimated at $2.5 million played only three games because of with the majority of money a lack of players. coming from fundraising. Athletics The men had excellent results contributed a small portion which upon opening the tournament, they diverted from an amount capturing nine of their 15 wins on reserved for a video screen for Saturday. Their division one player, the main ARC gym. The goal of Alex Ford, and division four player, Athletics and Recreations is to Erik Zufelt, kicked things off at have the West Campus turf field in the morning against McMaster completed by September 2011.

”

Kingston Field will be replaced by a turf field by the summer of 2012. Athletics and Recreation is adding an additional field on West Campus.

The fundraising target for the turf field replacing Kingston Field has yet to be reached but Athletics is hoping to finish construction by summer 2012.

Leslie Dal Cin, director of Athletics and Recreation, said there will be tremendous opportunities for athletes, students and members of the Kingston community with

the introduction of a turf field on main campus.

“From an Athletics and Recs standpoint moving from one artificial turf field, we’ve seen what Tindall has done to our world,” she said. “We’ve moved from 300 hours of programming to 2,300 hours of programming, [there’s] tremendous community

Photo by Justin Tang

relationship improvement [and] more free time and ability for our casual users.”

The benefits of Tindall field, which opened in October 2008, have impressed the Athletics department. There is less down time, as a turf field doesn’t require as much maintenance as See New on page 18

SPORTS

Friday, March 25, 2011

Sideline CoMMentaRY

Robbing opportunities Examining the impact of budget cuts on women’s hockey in Canada

queensjournal.ca

women’s sports leagues, it’s important that women continue to have a place to play the highest level of sports. In Canada, that’s at our universities. It’s important to recognize this unique issue in the cancellation of SMU’s women’s hockey program. It’s necessary for the university and supporters of collegiate sports to protect the opportunity given to female student-athletes to excel in both academics and athletics.

The Queen’s community is aware of the difficulties in funding, facing cuts in academics and budgetary issues causing the delay of building projects. Some think that the funding of varsity sports is frivolous and unnecessary in trying times, but that’s not an argument to be made with this issue.

(SMU) in Halifax being axed was disappointing. The decision came after school administrators asked the athletics department to trim between five and 10 per cent from its operating budget. The women’s hockey program, which costs B y K ate B ascom $60,000, was the most expensive Sports Editor As there are few of the women’s varsity teams professional women’s After the women’s hockey team according to school officials. sports leagues, it’s For a varsity team, their came from behind to win the important that women OUA banner over the Guelph significance and relevance is continue to have Gryphons on March 4, forward weighed by their athletic success, Kelsey Thomson said something among other factors. This was a place to play the that stuck with me. Thomson was not an issue for SMU. The SMU highest level asked to comment on the trend Huskies are a successful program of sports. of overtimes as each game except in the Atlantic division, winning one in the OUA playoffs went to a championship last year and Not all options had been back-to-back titles in 2003 extra time. exhausted. The SMU women’s and 2004.

Some will make the argument hockey program is being unfairly the opportunity to that if it had been any other sport, punished by the school and the watch the group of it wouldn’t have drawn as much blame is being laid solely on the women celebrate the support from the public and this team rather than the athletics success of a trying is not a bad thing. Hockey is a department. All their efforts, their season ... should not national tradition and has the most work and their commitment will public support from Canadians. be wasted if the program is cut. be taken away from I was in Waterloo covering the Unsurprisingly, outraged athletes, students students, athletes and residents of national championship, sitting or fans.

Halifax have pushed the Board only a couple rows up from the of Governors to reconsider ice, watching the Gaels celebrate a huge achievement for themselves, “It just shows how women’s their decision.

This was also a women’s their program and our school. hockey is becoming so close,” she said. “Any game is anybody’s. It’s team. The rallies held, the articles The opportunity to watch the whoever is going to outwork their written and the calls of support group of women celebrate the opponent. The talent on each team from players like Cassie Campbell success of a trying season—and Hayley Wickenheiser for many veterans on the team, is pretty equal so it’s whoever and wants it more at the end of the day.” show the commitment of the the accumulation of five years of With this in mind, the recent hockey community for women work—should not be taken away from athletes, students or fans. news of the women’s hockey participating in athletics.

As there are few professional program at Saint Mary’s University

stAt OF tHe Week The men’s squash team came in second at the OUA Finals against a dominant Western Mustangs team last weekend.

The Mustangs won their 28th consecutive OUA title. They won all of their 24 matches and dropped only two games the entire weekend.

“

”

“

”

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786

• 17

business.humber.ca

18 •queensjournal.ca

SPORTS

Friday, March 25, 2011

Women fall just New home for short of third Continued from page 16

Sunday for a podium finish. Like the men, the first day of matches was a good one for the women’s team as they won five of their 11 games to take a second place position going into the final day.

Lamb] “is[Heather our number two,

but [at] any other university she could play a number one position.

”

— Vic Sahai, women’s squash head coach

On Sunday, the team was only able to accumulate a total of four victories, one of which was a forfeited game. The nine wins moved them into a tie for third with McMaster. The Marauders held a 4-2 head-to-head record against the Gaels and secured the tie breaker, forcing the Gaels into

6 Altar constellation ACROSS 7 Greeted 1 Initial stake 8 Hairpiece 5 Mandible 9 Carry on 8 Jog 10 “Beetle Bailey” dog 12 Take extra 11 Norse thunder god precautions 13 Lather 14 Inauguration 19 Venus de Milo’s lack recitation 20 To and — 15 Used by all 21 Secular 16 “Do — others ...”

22 Scandinavian city 17 Tokyo’s old name 23 Frontiersman Daniel 18 Abductor Collarbone 20 Thread recommended 25 26 Black (Fr.) by dentists 27 Mausoleum 23 Dullard 29 “— for All Seasons” 24 Allergic reaction 31 Attention getter 25 Remark 33 “Cats” showstopper 28 Lubricant 34 “Clair —” 29 Fugard’s “A Lesson 36 Showroom sample From —” 37 He loves (Lat.) 30 Aah’s partner 38 Jeans pioneer Strauss 32 Order 39 Secondhand 34 FDR is pictured on it 40 Actress Thompson 35 Roof overhang 43 “— the ramparts ...”

36 Bowler hat 44 April 15 payment 37 Graduates 45 Netherlands city 40 Conger, for one 46 Fun and games 41 “The Bible Tells —” 42 Subway passenger, often LAst IssUe’s AnsWeRs 47 State with certainty 48 Citric quencher 49 Neat 50 Historic time 51 Business VIP DOWN 1 2 3 4 5

Joan of — Ultramodern (Pref.)

“Tiny” Dickens lad Become interwoven 2007 Ellen Page movie

fourth place.

The Gaels suffered from inexperience at the bottom of their team despite strong efforts from their top players. Division one player Erin Roberts finished the weekend with a 2-1 record for the individual silver medal. Her only loss was to the women’s most valuable player from Waterloo, Natasha Seth.

Division two player Heather Lamb also enjoyed a big weekend, finishing undefeated. Gaels number three, Caitlin Klein also had solid results finishing 2-2.

Women’s head coach Vic Sahai had only good things to say about his top three players. He said that Lamb was a particularly great role model for the younger athletes.

“Heather Lamb played brilliantly,” he said. “[She] is our number two, but [at] any other university she could play a number one position.

She focuses, she concentrates, and she practices hard even though she is in medical school. She always shows up to practice and always shows up to tournaments.”

The team’s bottom three players, Gwyneth Ross, Alayna Bradd and Rebecca McTavish had more trouble in their matches, finishing with combined record of 1-9. Sahai said that the bottom three players simply lacked the experience to win.

“When we first started this whole season some of the girls at the lower end couldn’t even carry on a rally,” he said. “Now they’re competing with some great athletes.”

With no Western goliath equivalent in the women’s league, the Gaels may have a chance to return to the top of the podium next season. Sahai said that he looks forward to the future.

“The whole team will be coming back next year,” he said. “I am looking forward to next year. It looks very positive.”

rugby

Continued from page 16

grass, opening up the field to the more people.

“The fact that people have really seen the benefits of Tindall field has really kind of opened up a new way of thinking about an artificial turf field and the benefits you get from it,” she said.

that field pretty “much looked like a

mud pit at the end of the season.

”

—Leslie Dal Cin, director, Athletics and Recreation

With letters of support from both the men’s and women’s rugby teams, the West Campus project will alleviate the stress on the field from its constant use by the rugby programs. Dal Cin said that recommended use of a grass field is 20 hours a week while athletics and recreation was putting between 35 and 40 hours of use on their fields a week. Without additional or improved fields, there was a threat of program cuts or a reduction in practice times.

“From our [rugby] program standpoint right now, the guys had 10 programs and the women had two … that field pretty much looked like a mud pit at the end of the season,” she said. “So the fact that they now can play, practice and prepare for games on a surface that is going to be 100 per cent safe [and] consistent is tremendous.”

For full article please see queensjournal.ca

Women’s number one player Erin Roberts puts the ball back in play against a McMaster opponent.

tHE JoUrNAL

CLAssIFIEDs ANNOUNCEMENTS

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613.544-1771 www. telephoneaidLineKingston.ca.

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Photo by Justin tang

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Call Gabe at 613- 533-6711.

HERE PAST APRIL? Community Living Kingston supports individuals with intellectual disabilities.

Volunteers are needed for friendship positions recreation, tutoring, teaching life skills and more. We match according to preferences, interests and availability. Call Eleonor at (613) 546-6613, ext. 284, or volunteer@kdacl.on.ca.

Friday, March 25, 2011

queensjournal.ca

postscript

• 19

vote for the best of kingston It’s that time of year again: send in your votes for your favourite restaurants, shopping destinations and more. Visit queensjournal.ca/bestofkingston.

photo by justin tang

Short fiction contest

God on Tuesday ““

But what signified to me that this was an article worthy of my effort was that it addressed me by name.

The first-place entry in Postscript’s Short Fiction Contest, by Jason Chalmers, ArtSci ’11 B y J ason C halmers Contributor The first time I spoke with God was on a Tuesday. I am certain of this because he initiated our conversation via the editorial section of the New York Times, which I subsequently clipped out and placed on my refrigerator for the kitchen to read. It states quite clearly, in Times New Roman, that the date of publication was ‘Tuesday, August 6. ‘ Every morning, after having consumed a cup of coffee, I hide my indecency and retire from my apartment, strolling two blocks downhill to the public library.

Although it is routinely the case that I arrive precisely at eight o’clock— the time at which the library officially opens—there appears to be a minor discrepancy between my pristinely calibrated pocket watch and the library clocks, which are of the sort that one usually finds caged in wire above the basketball net in a high-school gymnasium. So, to my daily ire, I am forced to wait a full two minutes before entrance is permitted.

Don’t take me for one of those ragged old men who wait anxiously for the library to open so that they can check their email and discreetly search Wikipedia for porn under the pretence of conducting anatomical survey. While it is not in my routine to shave, and my morning attire is casual, I have no concern for email or pornography.

I am there to read the newspaper.

The Times is all I want.

I have never purchased a subscription to a newspaper, myself.

It seems so utterly unnecessary.

When the library opens there is never competition for real news, as every other morning patron is addicted to pornography. And if I show up later than noon, it’s already been scavenged by teenagers and serial-killers in need of pasted letters for their scrapbooks or death threats. So, I read the New York Times at the library, daily, at 8:02.

And such is the context of the Tuesday on which I first spoke with God: I waited in line two minutes—surrounded by pornographers and murderers—passed through the automatic doors, grabbed the New York Times, and arranged myself at a table.

It contained the same news that it had contained on the previous day, month, year and decade: so-and-so country had invaded such-and-such nation, to the dismay of its locals and UCLA students, who sought to remedy this egregious violation of human rights with posterboard and glitter-pens; the foreign minister-of-whatever had met with economic and environmental diplomats-of-wherever in an effort to reach an agreement-concerningwhichever, which many supported fully while others opposed vociferously; some celebrity-orpolitician was found to be having an affair or a drug addiction or both, and was now seeking therapy in an effort to keep his-or-her marriage together, and not lose the faith of supporters. It truly was the most relevant and stimulating of all matters concerning the world of the day. All the news that’s fit to print.

Browsing the editorial section for meagre contributions of

individuals barely able to string together a phrase, I was caught by one editorial. The font was the same, and the ink of the same tone. It was not ciphered, and its language was written in the same, grade-school style in which most people write. But what signified to me that this was an article worthy of my effort was that it addressed me by name. It said this: Herbert Q. Spunker, The end is nigh, and I have selected for you to be my guardian of the future eon.

Keep in touch, God. I sat, reposed, observing the page.

I lifted my hand, scratched the top of my head with my index finger, lowered my hand, scratched my beard and read the editorial again.

I lifted my hand again, but this time placed it to my mouth and coughed nonchalantly into my fist. No one noticed.

So I stood slowly, retrieving my jacket from the back of my chair, casually putting it on. I closed the newspaper, folded it in half and pressed it between my rib and elbow as though it were an umbrella. Again, I raised my hand to my mouth and let out a subtle cough, which went again unnoticed. I then proceeded to the exit.

“Sir? Excuse me, sir?” a voice projected cautiously from behind the front desk.

I ignored it, and again coughed nonchalantly into my first. But this time it didn’t seem to work, as the

voice behind me persisted.

“Sir? Excuse me, but patrons are not permitted to remove materials from the library. Please come back here. That newspaper may not leave the building.”

Realizing that I’d been caught, I knew that to proceed further would end with me on the floor, in a stranglehold; the library is surprisingly endowed with security guards seeking to prove the necessary valour for recruitment to the metropolitan police force. I was trapped, so I turned.

“Yes, yes, what is it?” I asked, irritated, pulling my watch from my pocket and checking the time, then hurriedly glancing to the gymnasium clock on the wall.

“I’m sorry, but you’re not allowed to leave the library with library materials,” she stuttered shyly, “and I believe that newspaper belongs to the library.”

“What? This?” I asked, extracting the newspaper from my elbow and feigning some vision impairment by viewing the front of the paper at various distances. “Let me explain to you that this ... this newspaper is a misprint! Yes, this newspaper is a misprint,” I stated, holding the paper in front of me and repeatedly stabbing my index finger into the face of whichever politician graced the cover.

She stared at me with the mixed desire for an explanation and for the confrontation to be ended by my departure with the newspaper.

“Yes. A misprint. This newspaper is printed entirely in Cantonese!

Fortuntely, I am fluent in eleven languages of the Orient, and it says right here,” I proclaimed, opening the newspaper to a

”

random location and pressing my finger into the middle of the page, “‘ding now yoo, fyong di choy bing diyung miyoi’. Do you speak Cantonese, ma’am?”

With eyes wide, she shook her head as though she were being interrogated at gunpoint by a sasquatch.

“Well, then, permit me to translate for you. It says, ‘in the event of misprint, return this paper to the New York Times immediately,’ and I can guarantee you that any newspaper printed entirely in Cantonese is surely a misprint. So it is not only my duty—but my civic obligation!—to return this paper immediately to the distributor in order to save them any further embarrassment than that which they have already suffered. Have you ever incurred the wrath of the New York Times?

No? Well, believe me: you do not want to. I inadvertently did once, in my days as a political activist at UCLA, and it was not a pretty sight.

It was only after weeks of physical torture and water deprivation that I finally recanted, signed a non-disclosure agreement, and was given permission to leave.

So believe me, it is in the best interest of both you and I that this newspaper be returned immediately to the New York Times. The wrath of mass media is a terrifying burden to bear. Do you understand?”

She made an ambiguous gesture with her head, giving no indication that my pursuit would continue.

So I returned the newspaper to my armpit and left the building.

Short Fiction contest winners • The first-place winner is Jason Chalmers, ArtSci ’11.

• The second-place winner is Devin Clancy, ArtSci ’13.

• The third-place winner has been disqualified due to violating the rules of the contest.

20 •queensjournal.ca

Postscript

Friday, March 25, 2011

Key to the Village Award The AMS is pleased to recognize John McNevin, owner of Kingont Investments, with the 2011 Key to the Village award. Mr. McNevin was the recipient of this award in 2007, and it was clear from the multiple nominations he received how pleased his tenants are with his homes, and how deeply he values their quality of life. Students raved about his proactive approach to property management and pr his commitment to providing clean, safe, and affordable housing.

From exam care packages to unexpected renovations, In the words of one nominator,“it is clear Mr. McNevin is just the best.”

Congratulations to John McNevin and Kingont Investments!