The Queen's Journal, Issue 26

AMS

Three teams announced for executive election B y S avoula S tylianou Assistant News Editor

This is the first time since 2006 that more than two teams have run in the election.

Three teams were placed on the Team GPP consists of ballot for the upcoming AMS presidential candidate Rico Garcia, executive elections after being ArtSci ’13, vice-presidential ratified last night at AMS Assembly. candidate of university affairs T.K. The teams had to provide Pritchard, ArtSci ’12, and vice750 nomination signatures from presidential candidate of operations the Undergraduate student body Duncan Peterson, ArtSci ’11. before being eligible for ratification.

Team JDL is comprised

of presidential candidate Jeffrey McCarthy, ConEd ’12, Doug Johnson, ArtSci ’12, and vice-presidential candidate vice-presidential candidate of of operations Bryor Snefjella, university affairs Mira Dineen, ArtSci ’12.

ArtSci ’11, and vice-presidential Campaigning began at candidate of operations midnight and will continue Tristan Lee, ArtSci ’12. until Jan. 30.

Sean Renaud, ArtSci ’15 is The debates for vice-president of the vice-presidential candidate of university affairs and vice-president university affairs for team RMS, of operations are scheduled for alongside presidential candidate Monday on west campus. The

debate for presidential candidates will occur at Common Ground on Tuesday.

Online voting runs on Jan. 31 and Feb 1.

For full coverage of the AMS, faculty and MCRC elections, see the Journal over the next two weeks.

F r i d ay , J a n u a r y 2 0 , 2 0 1 2 — I s s u e 2 6

the journal Queen’s University — Since 1873

AMS

AMS witholds funds from admin B y M eaghan Wray Assistant News Editor The AMS won’t be contributing $25.5 million towards the Queen’s Centre because two phases have been “postponed indefinitely,” says AMS President Morgan Campbell.

Instead, $10.6 million of collected student fees have been allocated to go towards the current phase of the Queen’s Centre. From this, $1.2 million of those funds will go towards a rejuvenation and restoration project on the JDUC. “It’s a reality that Phase 2 and Phase 3 are not going to be constructed and so we had to find a resolution to be able to move forward,” Campbell, ArtSci ’11 said.

The decision was passed last night at AMS assembly.

The three phases of the Queen’s Centre were previously set to be completed by 2015 before the administration put Phase 2 and 3 on hold due to funding constraints.

“The University will be making an announcement that Phase 2 and 3 will not be happening,” Campbell said. “Phase 2 and Phase 3 are put on hold indefinitely and to be honest probably cancelled.”

Queen’s administration officials were unavailable for comment on Thursday.

In March 2005, AMS assembly motioned to contribute $25.5 million of AMS student fees to the three stages of the Queen’s Centre.

A student fee of $70.50 was put in place in 2005 to begin collecting the proposed $25.5 million. It doubled to $141 when the ARC opened in 2009.

Campbell said this student fee will be defunct in the following year because Phases 2 and 3 won’t be completed.

“The VP Operations will be declaring the fee ineligible because the originally stated purpose of the See Funds on page 5

Photo By Justin Chin

Last night AMS assembly passed a motion to reallocate the $10.6 million originally collected to go towards Queen’s Centre Phases 2 and 3 to the Queen’s Centre project.

Student life

New retailers plan to offer student jobs Grocery Checkout, Drug Smart pharmacy are moving into the vacant Queen’s Centre space B y S avoula S tylianou Assistant News Editor Construction has started on Grocery Checkout and Drug Smart pharmacy in the Queen’s Centre.

The retailers are set to open on March 1.

Nathan Felder is the chief executive officer of Grocery Checkout, a grocery store that opened its first and only other location at the University of Western Ontario.

Felder said he was first approached by current AMS Vice-President of Operations Ashley Eagan when she visited Western two summers ago.

“She asked if bringing the grocery store to Queen’s was a viable option and we said yes,” Felder said.

Construction in the Queen’s Centre is going well so the grocery store could be sooner than expected, Felder said.

“We might actually be closer to opening the first week of February, so we’ll see. That’s what we’re aiming for.”

Felder said Grocery Checkout differs from larger grocery companies because he works with local suppliers.

“About 18 suppliers are interested as of right now, and I think they’re the best in Kingston,” he said.

“Obviously in the winter, we won’t have as much locally grown foods as in the summer just because of growing restrictions.”

Felder added that the local focus is Grocery Checkout’s biggest strength.

“For example, if we carry chips, they will be from Canadian suppliers and smaller suppliers, they won’t be a mass-produced product,” he said.

He also said students can expect fair pricing from the grocery store.

“As far as seeing a good product at a good value, students will see that our pricing is probably the same if not less than Metro,” he said.

Felder said Grocery Checkout will be looking for 16 to 17 student employees when hiring begins next week.

“We love hiring students and

it’s worked out great for us in the past. They’re very bright, very unemployed and have a lot to offer,” he said.

Grocery Checkout is also looking to bring a delivery service to Queen’s.

“We started it at Western and

it’s done well. We’re still looking at that here, but we’ll probably be launching that in September of next year,” Felder said.

When the current AMS executive ran for election last year, they campaigned to bring a See Pharmacy on page 6

Inside News

Arts

Student-comedian Ben Bankas relives his first standup show.

Page 10

Via Rail stops several Kingston routes. page 5

Feature

Canadian schools pilot block-style learning.

Sports

An inside look at women’s basketball pracices. page 13

page 3

Dialogue

A look at what it takes to be a Gael during Frosh Week.

Page 9

Postscript

Investigating urban stressors. page 16

News

2 •queensjournal.ca

Friday, January 20, 2012

AMS

Student appears at AMS court over house party Judicial hearing rules against second-year and orders him to write report B y S avoula S tylianou Assistant News Editor A second-year Commerce student will have to pay Queen’s $100 if he fails to follow the rules of the Queen’s Code of Conduct again.

Michael Friedman was brought to an AMS judicial hearing after he contested a report filed by Campus Security surrounding a party at his Earl Street home in September.

AMS Judicial Affairs Deputy Andrew Green was assigned to Friedman’s case as part of the AMS non-academic discipline system.

He said Campus Security arrived at Friedman’s house at 12:45 a.m on Sept. 11.

“When Campus Security came for the first time, they issued a warning to Michael to shut the party down and stop the noise,” Green, ArtSci ’11, said.

Campus Security came to an agreement with Friedman that he would stop the party, but later received a second complaint, said Green. Campus Security then notified the Queen’s Emergency Response Centre who notified Kingston bylaw enforcement.

campus

The AMS Judicial Affairs Office in the JDUC deals with cases of non-academic discipline on campus and the surrounding area.

Campus Security didn’t tell me to of Conduct, abide by the Criminal shut it down, but to quiet down,” Code of Canada, comply with Friedman, Comm ’14, said at the Queen’s Campus Security and hearing on Tuesday night. It’s Kingston Police and not give false the first open hearing to be held information to a judicial body for the 2011-12 academic year. authorized by the University.

After the six-member Judicial Friedman said he told his housemates that Campus Security Committee deliberated, it was decided that officers had asked them to quiet unanimously down. He then left the party. Friedman would be subjected to “I relayed the message that the $100 trigger bond, meaning he Campus Security gave to me to the will only pay the fine if he violates people who were actually hosting the Code of Conduct again in the the party, then I did my own thing,” next year.

He also has to write a he said.

“I believe people were quite Two of Friedman’s housemates two-page response addressing his chief communications officer happy to be in comfortable, private decided to adhere to the sanctions responsibilities as a tenant and Helen Simeon.

A one-time review that took rooms that were conveniently imposed by the Judicial Affairs what he would do differently in a Committee and their cases future situation. place from fall 2010 to spring 2011 located,” she said.

The committee cited their Confederation Place Hotel is were settled in closed hearings, brought the problems to light. reason for applying the sanctions “The Lodge was proven about a three-minute drive from Friedman said.

At the hearing, Friedman was to be that even if it wasn’t to not be suitable for patient from KGH. There were five staff working at found to be in violation of sections Friedman’s party, as a tenant he is accommodations,” Simeon said. “It would’ve been expensive to bring the Lodge and through the KGH one through four of the Queen’s still responsible for what goes on in his house. it up to the standards of safety and human resources department. Student Code of Conduct.

Friedman said he wouldn’t These sections state that a accommodation that was required.” Employees have either found Some specific problems included alternate jobs at the hospital or have student must abide by the Code adhere to the sanctions. a lack of wheelchair accessibility taken a compensation package. and shared washroom facilities, Simeon said.

No medical facilities were on site as the hostel was meant for overnight accommodations when receiving treatment at KGH. Operations moved to Confederation Place Hotel on Oct. 31, 2011 where patients may stay in rooms for no cost. If a room is requested with enough space, visitors may stay in the room along with the patient.

“We cover their costs through the operating budget,” Simeon said.

“We also pay for transportation back and forth to the hotel if they need it. Patients only need to pay for their food.”

Simeon said there was a decrease in the number of patients using the Lodge since 2006. She attributed this to the opening of other cancer centers in Ontario, including one in Oshawa.

Although the Lodge had approximately 35 rooms for patients, there were only five to eight patients staying at a time.

In the winter, more patients would stay overnight due to bad driving conditions.

Photo By Gina elder Simeon said the initial response The Quinte Thousand Island Lodge was used as a cancer patient hospice. After a review found to the move was positive. the building isn’t suitable for patients, operations re-located.

It was at this point that Kingston bylaw enforcement issued two $235 fines to the six tenants of the Earl Street house.

Friedman said his other

housemates split the two fines amongst themselves and the 30 people who were at the party.

Friedman chose to not pay the fine.

“What’s incorrect about that is

Waldron Tower expands

Closure of adjacent Cancer Centre makes room for more students B y C atherine O wsik Assistant News Editor Waldron Tower will have room for 48 more students come September, an addition to the 225 students already in the residence.

The space comes from Quinte Thousand Island Lodge, an external three-storey building that is attached to the east side of Waldron Tower.

Kingston General Hospital (KGH) has leased the building from Queen’s since 1974 and used it as the Cancer Centre’s Quinte Thousand Island Lodge.

The Lodge offered hostel-type accommodation; patients could stay in a room overnight for free and visitors could stay for $25 to $45 a night.

Bruce Griffiths, director of housing and hospitality services at Queen’s, said the new residence rooms will be similar to those already in Waldron.

“Plans call for 48 students mostly in single rooms,” Griffiths told the Journal via email. “We are in progress with design and hope to begin renovations in March.”

The renovations are estimated at $2.5 million and will be taken out of the residence budget, Griffiths said.

Additional cleaning and residence life staff will be hired to work in the building.

Griffiths said the project will generate approximately $500,000 of revenue each year.

KGH didn’t renew their multi-year lease with Queen’s due to issues with building code and accessibility standards, as well as patient comfort, said KGH

Photo By asad chishti

Friday, January 20, 2012

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Feature

Supplied by Colorado College

Block courses have a maximum enrolment of 25 students who study one subject for a span of three weeks.

education

Canadian schools pilot semester-less system Algoma University and the University of Northern British Columbia are testing an intensive learning structure B y Terra -A nn A rnone Features Editor This fall, 25 students at Algoma University will take their classes in a 19th-century school house in St. Thomas, Ont. They’ll be part of the University’s pilot program testing out block education within its Arts and Science faculty.

In the block structure, students take one course over the span of three weeks — they go to the same three-hour class five times a week and write the final exam before moving onto another subject.

Each three-week course translates into a half credit in a traditional education plan.

Algoma University President Richard Myers said he has high hopes for the pilot program, which will run at the same time as the University of Northern British Columbia’s block learning test drive next year.

“I think one of the main attractions of the block approach to delivering courses is it enhances student success,” he said. “It’s attractive to me in that it opens the doors to all sorts of innovative teaching approaches.”

Geography students enrolled in Algoma’s block plan pilot will take classes in St. Thomas for two years before moving to the University’s main campus in Sault Ste Marie.

Tuition fees, starting at $5,400, are the same as for any other student at Algoma. After the two years, the bachelor of arts students will have earned the equivalent of 10 credits.

“The block plan creates an infinite number of university programs converted to study abroad,” Myers said, adding that in January 2013, a block class will spend three weeks in Havana, Cuba for a history course.

A local donor is footing the bill. Money from the estate of the late Dorothy Palmer, whose will is executed by Queen’s alumnus Andrew Gunn, is covering the cost of airfare and lodging in Havana.

“He was entrusted to use some money from the estate to improve, among other things, educational opportunities in St. Thomas,” Myers said.

He said finding qualified faculty to teach the block program has been a challenge. St. Thomas, located 30 km South of London, has a population of about 36,000.

“You don’t necessarily have a bunch of people in a small city who would have doctorates,” Myers

said. “We think it’ll be easier for us to find qualified faculty and bring them to St. Thomas if they’re not already there.”

According to Myers, the block plan allows professors free time to conduct research after they’ve finished a three-week course.

“There’s a great deal of flexibility,” he said.

There’s no research to prove that block learning boosts retention rates, but Myers said he’s hopeful it will.

“You know there are a lot of students who don’t make it through first year,” he said. “We [Ontario universities] have this strange practice of moving students out of a K-through-12 system, where somebody else is openly responsible for them.

“Then you show up at university and you’re 100 per cent responsible for your own learning.

All of a sudden, November hits and it all comes at the same time and you crash.”

He said with the block plan, students don’t “get nailed with an end-of-term crash, because there is none.”

Professor Robert Loevy says block learning originated at Colorado College in 1970.

“A major characteristic of the block plan is students can’t hide anymore,” said Loevy, who started at the College in 1968. “The block plan tries, and I think majorly succeeded, in delivering on what a

small liberal arts college is supposed to be about.”

The College of 2,000 students continues to only offer block courses. Students are given a four-day break in between blocks.

Unlike Canadian versions of the plan, Loevy said professors can begin and end classes whenever they’d like. There’s no quota for time spent in the classroom during a block.

“If class is going well and students are participating, why in the middle of a discussion should it end if the bell rings?” he said. “So it doesn’t.

“On the other hand, if things aren’t working right, the professor can end the class early and tell the students to go back and do more reading.”

Cornell College in Iowa, Tusculum College in Tennessee and Quest University in B.C. also run courses in block format.

Nova Scotia’s Acadia University first tried out the block plan in fall 2005 with their biology department. They ran the program again in fall 2006 and one last time in winter 2009.

Acadia Vice-President of Academics Tom Herman said while the block program garnered positive feedback from professors and students, it posed bigger logistic challenges which proved insurmountable.

“Even brief absences due to illness or other commitments

can be problematic because of the intensive coverage,” he told the Journal via email, adding that students struggled with significant reading requirements.

“The greatest challenge is cultural — convincing an entire institution to re-think its approach to course delivery is a daunting task.”

Herman said a blended model, which incorporates both term-based and block-style courses could be effective, though Acadia hasn’t attempted it yet. “[Block learning] is not for the faint-hearted,” he said, adding that Acadia has maintained one semester of block learning in a fourth-year arts course.

Erica Newton was a biology student at Acadia in fall 2005, during their first pilot of the block program.

“That was by far the best semester that I had at Acadia, both in terms of social experiences and learning,” Newton, now a masters student at Trent University, said.

“We did so much during that block and I was able to put it on my applications to grad school and resumé.”

Newton said what the program lacked in theoretical learning, it made up for in hands-on experience.

“The class was so small that we were able to learn how biology was actually done,” she said. “We were really asked to use our brains in

Students at Colorado College travelled to Utah during their geology block last year.

supplied by Colorado College

a completely different way, and I don’t think that universities focus on that enough.”

According to Queen’s Provost Alan Harrison, the University has no plans to adopt block learning in the near future.

“The critical thing is there’s nothing sacrificed by the normal university term” he said. “I think the majority of teaching will continue to follow the standard schedule because that’s the schedule that works well for most of those involved.

“There are exceptions and it’s difficult to predict where it might go, but I can’t be more specific than that.”

The Queen’s Academic Plan — released in November 2011 — was developed to improve the University’s approach to education.

“The real learning … [is] the result of time spent individually or with a small group of peers,” the plan reads. “During this intensive process, students should have access to a full range of resources and support services and be guided and supervised by instructors or TAs.” Kieran Slobodin, AMS vice-president of university affairs, said the Academic Plan is a good way for the University to continue improving its methodology. He said block learning could work for smaller schools, but would be a challenge at Queen’s.

“If you’re able to devote more attention over a shorter time, you can get a better grasp of it,” he said. “But it’s difficult to do when everything else in your life is telling you to spread thin.”

Though the block structure couldn’t work for every faculty, Slobodin said similar programs already exist at Queen’s. He cited month-long summer credits as a good example of sequential learning on campus.

“It works in small doses,” he said. “But for the University to make a drastic change, it would rely on Ontario making a drastic change. It would step us out of sync with literally every other aspect of post-secondary education.”

Slobodin said he doesn’t foresee big changes in Queen’s current education model over the next few years.

“If anything, the trend has been to streamline universities in Ontario into the same system,” he said.

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4 •queensjournal.ca

fAcultY

Diversity training to expand

Sessions caution faculty could discriminate unknowingly B y k atherine FernanDeZ -B lanCe News Editor A revamped program on campus is looking to show faculty members how course content can be made more inclusive.

More participants in the Focus on Diversity training program are expected this year after the structure of the free event was rejigged by its organizers.

The program, run through the Centre for Teaching and Learning, has added an online module this year and removed several in-class sessions to accommodate busy schedules.

Joy Mighty, director for the Centre for Teaching and Learning, said the aim of the program is to teach faculty about diversity and how this can be applied to the classroom.

“The whole idea is ‘What does the content look like in our classrooms, especially in a global context?’ ” Mighty said.

In the program, which has its first of two in-person sessions on Feb. 2, the term diversity is used broadly, Mighty said.

We disadvantage “students when we give them only one type of assessment over and over again.

”

— Joy Mighty, director for the Centre for Teaching and Learning

“We’re talking about disabilities, we’re talking about learning styles, socioeconomic status,” she said, adding that sexual orientation, race and gender are also included.

One year, Mighty was told an international student at Queen’s went through an entire semester too afraid to ask her professor what WebCT was.

“That’s just one example to show how we can be excluding unintentionally in the classroom,” Mighty said.

Faculty members typically teach

Photo By Corey laBlans

Joy Mighty says the Focus on Diversity training program is adding online modules to become more available to educators.

in a similar way to how they were found that either people don’t taught as students and this can be know about it or aren’t interested.”

Due to limited resources, the problematic, she said.

Another example Mighty uses Centre for Teaching and Learning involved a professor at an American only offers the training once this university who gave students a academic year. Mighty said that math problem that focused on a while she has considered asking participants to pay, she doesn’t heterosexual couple.

“There was a male student want to limit who can participate.

Unlike training offered by the who came up to him and said ‘Could you not have found another Human Rights Office and Equity context?’ ” Mighty said. “We Office, Mighty said the Focus disadvantage students when program is specifically for faculty we give them only one type of and those involved in teaching.

This year will also feature assessment over and over again.”

Through the use of panel greater student involvement discussions and films screenings, in the program.

“One of the things we will have Mighty hopes that participants will is a panel of students who will talk become better instructors.

While the program was started about their experience,” she said. in 2006, registration never reached “We work very closely with students, because it’s all about them.”

35-person capacity.

“I’m hoping that more and more people come,” she said. “We’ve

CAMPUS CALENDAR Friday, Jan. 20

Monday, Jan. 23

Thursday, Jan. 26

CFRC DJ night Grad Club 8 p.m.

Free

Feminist Legal Studies Lecture: Commissioner, Ontario Pay Equity Commissioner and Lawyer Emanuela Heyninck Macdonald Hall, room 201 1 to 2:30 p.m.

Careers in Public Service and Policy Gordon Hall, room 402 B 12:30 to 1:30 p.m.

Free

Old school hip-hop night Alfie’s 9 p.m.

Free Saturday, Jan. 21 Beekeeper, James & Blackburn and guests The Mansion Doors open at 9 p.m. $8 Sunday, Jan. 22 ThunderSledz AB Field Noon to 4:00 p.m.

QGEM: International Genetically Engineered Machine Information Night Stirling Auditorium C 7 to 8 p.m.

Tuesday, Jan. 24 QSAA: 99 Days to Graduation 6 to 7:30 p.m.

Walter Light Hall foyer Free Rae Spoon and Vivek Shraya 9 p.m. at The Artel $10

Arabic Film Night: Caramel Kingston Hall, room 201 6:30 to 9 p.m.

ReelOut Film Festival Various locations 7 p.m.

Runs until Feb. 5 $10 for general admission Saturday, Jan. 28 Sustainable Kingston Community Forum Four Points Sheraton Hotel 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Register online for $25

Friday, january 20, 2012

news

Friday, january 20, 2012

tRAnSpORAtiOn

queensjournal.ca

•5

VIA Rail closes three Kingston routes Night stops in Kingston cancelled due to poor ridership and funding constraints B y S avoula S tylianou Assistant News Editor

train will leave from Toronto at 6:35 p.m. and will only go as far as Kingston at 9:15 p.m. Monday to Friday. The train will not VIA Rail is cancelling three night stops operate at all on Saturdays and will only go towards Ottawa on Sundays. in Kingston.

Train 650, which operates five days a The company made an announcement on their website on Dec. 23 and the changes will week from Toronto to Kingston, will also be changing. There will no longer be a 10:30 come into effect on Tuesday.

Malcolm Andrews, a spokesperson for p.m. train and the last train to leave from VIA Rail, said these routes are being affected Toronto on weekdays will be at 6:35 p.m.

Andrews said that VIA Rail is taking the because of low ridership.

“These were the trains that were change seriously.

“We appreciate that sometimes when you performing least well and had the least make a change like this, there are people popularity,” he said.

He added that the company was suffering who are going to be inconvenienced, and we regret that.” financially from keeping the routes open.

Since 2007, VIA Rail has received nearly “We were undergoing significant costs and expenditures,” he said. “We’re paying to $1 billion in federal funding.

Andrews said the changes to the routes have our train on the track, we’re paying fuel are part of VIA Rail’s improvements and we’re paying employees.”

Train 69, a daily train which leaves to the service.

“We started to take a look at routes Montreal at 6:10 p.m. and arrives in Kingston at 8:58 p.m. heading to Toronto, probably in the middle of June 2011,” he said. will be cancelled.

Andrews said part of the process Train 68, will change its route. The last

of changing and adding new routes was speaking with Canadian National freight trains (CN), who use the same tracks as VIA. “We have had to sit down with them and submit what we would propose to do in terms of a modified schedule of trains,” he said, adding that the CN meeting was held from September to November.

With the new improvements, Andrews said VIA Rail expects their yearly revenue to increase.

“VIA carries over 4 million passengers

per year total … our calculations and expectations tell us that we will attract as many as 100,000 more passengers per year.”

Another new feature will be a daily nonstop express train from Toronto to Ottawa and back, and is expected to take three hours and 57 minutes.

Andrews said the new developments will be completed this year.

“There will be at least 80 kilometres of new tracks,” he said.

AdMiniStRAtiOn

QUASR gets boost Additional $800,000 given to new HR system B y k atherine FernanDeZ -B lanCe News Editor The Queen’s University Administrative Systems Replacement (QUASR) project has received an $800,000 boost from the University’s operating budget in order to complete the last leg of a three-year task.

QUASR, a $35 million project, is comprised of new financial software, released in 2009, SOLUS, released in 2010, and a new human resource system which was set to be released in 2011.

“The human resources system includes payroll, so it means that all the employees at Queen’s, they will receive their paycheques through this new system,” said Vice-Principal of administration Caroline Davis.

In December, the Board of Trustees approved the additional funding as well as an extension for the human resource component until Feb. 17.

SOLUS will be shut down until Feb.

20 during Reading Week to allow for the installation of the HR system.

“Some students get paycheques,” she said.

“There are interactions between the SOLUS system and the HR system.”

Davis said the delay was due in part to labour negotiations between the Canadian Union of Public Employees and the Queen’s University Faculty Association over the summer.

“We figured that getting these collective agreements done so the University could keep operating was probably more important than finishing off the human resources component,” she said.

The additional funding will go towards the wages of eight consultants, four staff positions and the licensing fee for the old system.

“What we’ve done is essentially borrow money from ourselves and then we’ll be repaying it through the operating budget over the next [nine] years,” she said.

Funds used for JDUC In March 2011, the Board of Trustees passed a motion to allow full AMS fee collection is no longer in existence,” management of the Student Life Centre, she said. contingent upon the AMS resuming the Phases 2 and 3 were initially focused on Queen’s Centre payment to the University. improving spaces in Stauffer Library with a A similar motion was passed last month by new central help IT desk, the implementation the Board of Trustees to find a resolution to of an electronic classroom and more group the capital contribution situation. study rooms, as well as an on-campus field “[The motion] was to find a resolution house and arena. regarding whether or not the management Due to a stall on Queen’s Centre of the Student Life Centre was going to construction, In 2009, AMS assembly passed be continued,” Campbell said. “That was a motion to withhold the funds until the contingent on us finding resolution to this University resumed construction. capital agreement.”

Campbell said withholding the funds Campbell said this year’s AMS executives was meant to encourage the University to have begun the conversation, and it’s up to continue construction. next year’s office to continue dialogue with “In 2009 we passed an apportionment the University. motion … we wanted a certain amount of “Our big goal was to get to this resolution,” [the funding] to go to the arena, a certain Campbell said. “We’re going to let next amount to go to the field house ... elements year’s executive steer that next conversation that we obviously do not see right now and that will be an opportunity that they can on campus,” Campbell said. “The idea take on and that will become their legacy.” behind that was to try and incentivize the construction of those elements in a certain priority list.”

Continued from page 1

VIA Rail announced the change to three Kingston routes on Dec. 23. The changes come into effect on Tuesday.

Davis said Queen’s employees on a bi-weekly pay period will get their first paycheques from the new system on March 2, while those on a monthly system will get their paycheques on March 30. She said neither group will face a delay in pay.

Davis said the old human resource system was maintained by a small group of

Photo By siMona MarKoViK

employees who are set to retire soon.

“We had an old system, very old technology.

Three or four people in the whole world who knew how to run it … it’s too big of a risk,” she said. “When the administration sat down four years ago, primarily it was because of the risks involved in trying to maintain these very old, creaky systems going forward.”

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6 •queensjournal.ca

Friday, january 20, 2012

Pharmacy plans to offer health-specific clinics

Left: An artist’s rendering of Grocery Checkout’s layout in the Queen’s Centre. Right: A grocery store and pharmacy began construction in the vacant Queen’s Centre space in January.

Continued from page 1

pharmacy to campus as well as the grocery store.

Irfan Jetha, one of the people who runs Drug Smart pharmacy, said it’s a family business.

“We run independent pharmacies. My dad’s a pharmacist and so am I. He opened the first pharmacy in 1980 in a small town near Peterborough,” he said.

Jetha said it’s important to

Drug Smart pharmacy to keep in line with the AMS’s initiative on healthy living.

“No chips, no chocolate bars – that’s perfectly fine with us.

Concentrating on a healthy lifestyle is important and that is something we can contribute,” he said.

Specific things that Drug Smart will be carrying include health supplements, a variety of sports aids and braces, vitamin and nutritional supplements, condoms

suPPlied

and other family planning products, prescription medications, over-the-counter-medications and feminine hygiene products.

“Our products complement our surroundings with the athletic centre,” he said.

Jetha added that what makes Drug Smart pharmacy different to larger chain stores like Shoppers is their ability to adapt.

“We can tailor our services to the student clientele, which our

WAnt tO WRite fOR neWS ? eMAil JOuRnAl_neWS@AMS.QueenSu.cA

Photo By asad Chishti

competitors can’t seem to do,” he said.

He also said the pharmacy will be hiring up to 10 student employees.

“The hiring process would be from the middle of February to the end. Ideally, we’re looking for pharmacy experience, but our number one goal is good customer service,” he said.

Jetha added that the pharmacy will be able to provide unique

services to students that will help in their daily lives.

“We can do specific clinics, like nutrition clinics, smoking clinics or diabetes clinics. We have a certified diabetes educator on staff that can come in and do tailored counselling for patients,” he said.

Friday, january 20, 2012

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queensjournal.ca

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8 •queensjournal.ca About The Journal

Editorial Board Editors in Chief

Clare Clancy Jake Edmiston

Production Manager

Labiba Haque

News Editor

Katherine Fernandez-Blance

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Janghan Hong

Dialogue Editor Arts Editor

Brendan Monahan Alyssa Ashton

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Caitlin Choi

Sports Editor

Gilbert Coyle

Assistant Sports Editor

Benjamin Deans

Postscript Editor

Jessica Fishbein

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Corey Lablans

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Friday, January 20, 2012 • Issue 26 • Volume 139 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 © 2012 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.

Subscriptions are available for $120.00 per year (plus applicable taxes).

Please address complaints and grievances to the Editors in Chief.

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 27 of Volume 139 will be published on Tuesday, January 24, 2012.

Editorials The Journal’s Perspective

““

Friday, January 20, 2012

This sort of censorship would strike a direct blow to the health and function of“ the Internet.

Internet legislation

”

Blackout works as warning O

n Wednesday a their own users or else be subject to number of popular websites, fines or censorship.

This sort of restriction would including Wikipedia and Reddit, were blacked out. It was a decision strike a direct blow to the health made in protest of proposed U.S. and function of the Internet. While legislation that could hinder free it’s questionable whether or not ISPs would block sites that are as and open Internet access.

The plan showcased how large and robust as Facebook or important this access is in the Youtube, it would be dangerous modern world and the potential for start-ups.

The free flow of information effects of restrictive legislation.

The Stop Online Piracy Act (SOPA) and Protect Intellectual Property Act (PIPA) seek to alter the law to protect intellectual property and copyrights. These acts are contrary to the very nature of the web.

The legislation would empower Internet Service Providers (ISPs) to block the domain name of sites that feature or link to pirated content.

If someone tweeted a link to a pirated TV show, the ISP would have the right to block Twitter.

It’s legislation that has horrible implications for all social media sites. Facebook, Twitter, Tumblr, Soundcloud and YouTube, to name a few, would have to start censoring

and products, such as music, movies and software, is desirable for the Internet user and consumer, but protecting the livelihood and viability of producers is more important.

Internet users want to think that everything on the net is free, but it’s simply not that way. Protecting intellectual property is important, but the legislation fails at its

Education

End unearned adulation A

new U.S. teaching policy is trading methods that boost children’s self-esteem for ones that encourage them to struggle and find the right answer.

On Jan. 15, the Washington Post reported on the policy, which stresses the development of persistence, risk-taking and resilience.

This new teaching style isn’t a cure-all to every problem in the education system, but it’s an avenue worth pursuing.

With the new method, if students answer questions incorrectly, the teacher tells them they’re wrong and waits for them to work out the answer. Instead of stroking students’ egos, critical thinking is the priority.

The policy is supported by new advances in brain imaging and a body of research that has developed over 30 years.

Prior to implementing the new teaching regime, students at test schools were given a crash-course in brain development. Students were informed that nerves multiply and grow stronger as they learn and practice new skills. When students were told that they have control over their own intelligence, those lagging behind were more inclined to assert themselves.

Earning applause for trying alone isn’t beneficial in the long-term. Students benefit more from failing and being pushed to correct their errors. Teachers cushion student egos too often and supply the right answer instead of showing students how to push through their mistakes.

School is meant to help individuals grow, but the

primary goal is to provide an education. When preserving self-esteem trumps learning, education becomes a façade.

It’s better to have an unconfident student who’s willing to learn than a proud student who can’t solve problems. As preparation for the

adult world, schools need to teach problem-solving on the spot.

The success of this policy hinges on the atmosphere it will create in a classroom. Teachers need to provide support. It would be problematic if the policy were taken too far, with teachers intimidating students.

Corporate interest money, or the lack thereof, in our student government.

Legally, the AMS has no obligation to give us these statements. We found this out after we attempted to file for the information under the Freedom of Information and Protection of Clare Clancy Privacy Act. The Act only applies to public ince October, the Journal has attempted to gain access bodies, so the AMS isn’t required to AMS credit card statements. to oblige our request. But we filed Numerous requests for this one anyway with the University’s information have been denied Access and Privacy Co-ordinator

by AMS officials, including Diane Kelly, who sent a letter Vice-President of Operations to Campbell.

“I acknowledge that the AMS Ashley Eagan and President is a separate legal entity from Morgan Campbell.

There are six corporate credit Queen’s University and that your cards, with a combined worth of records are neither within the $55,000. Full-time AMS employees University’s custody nor under its can request to use a credit card control. However, I ask that you when a purchase needs to be made consider disclosing the requested — the Journal is no exception. information,” the letter read.

The AMS is our publisher and is “Since the AMS is funded by involved solely in our finances. students and run for their benefit, In September my co-editor and it should be transparent and I asked to use the society’s general accountable to them. Disclosing the card in order to renew our online requested credit card information subscription to the Canadian Press would be a gesture of goodwill to Style Guide, a cost of roughly $70. the student community.”

We were told it was maxed out, Campbell replied on Nov. 28 which led to the request for credit that the AMS was advised “not to card statements. As journalists, we release the raw credit card data” were curious about the flow of by several parties, including the

S

core goal.

Internet is a part of daily life, and legislation that aims to ruin the web as we know it needs to be challenged.

Not having Wikipedia for a day was frustrating, but not having it ever would be detrimental to the Internet as a whole.

The policy needs to be implemented in a way that doesn’t make students feel ashamed or embarrassed. It also needs to be introduced at an early level to build a culture of acceptance where failure and shame aren’t seen as the same thing.

Strong self-esteem is important, but tough love has its benefits — a student shouldn’t be shortchanged in an attempt to boost confidence now.

Society’s legal counsel.

“We pride ourselves on financial transparency as a student funded organization,” Campbell wrote.

“The raw monthly credit card statements are only one small aspect of the expenses of the society.

Moreover, these statements include raw data about our suppliers.

Releasing this information could have a negative financial impact on our society and our students.”

As a corporation, there are grounds for keeping your financial statements within the walls of the organization and the AMS releases a financial statement audited by KPMG Financial at the end of each fiscal year. However, the AMS isn’t just a multi-million dollar corporation.

It’s a student government — one that’s funded by student money.

Officials within the organization should strive to give students information whenever possible.

Stonewalling reporters who are trying to hold a multi-million dollar organization accountable is concerning.

You can say no to a reporter.

You can say no to a Freedom of Information request.

Now we’re asking as your constituents.

AMS Exec, we won’t stop asking.

Friday, january 20, 2012

queensjournal.ca

DIALOGUE

•9

Talking heads ... around campus

Perspectives from the Queen’s community

Photos By Brendan Monahan

What did you think about Wednesday’s Wikipedia blackout?

“It was a good idea to raise awareness about the issue.”

Derek Sanders, ArtSci ’15

Photo Illustration By Justin Chin

Frosh Week

Why I didn’t wanna be a Gael Canada’s only student-run Frosh Week aims to be more inclusive for 2012 through new training sessions in accessibility and student engagement

A anjalie C ollure , A rt S ci ’13 I still think back to my uncertainty when I decided to become a Gael two years ago.

After all, I spent the majority of first year watching reruns of bad sitcoms in my residence room.

If an incoming first-year had asked me what to expect at Queen’s, I might’ve told them to expect to cry during the final episode of Friends. Or maybe I’d warn them that watching the first season of Survivor just for fun is never a good idea.

And so went my lacklustre list of useless advice I would give to first years.

The reality is that I often cringed at the thought that I could offer meaningful guidance to first-year students. I was still navigating the first-year university experience myself.

It didn’t help that I had no idea where Metro was or what lay beyond the dark abyss known as North of Princess.

It also didn’t help that I’d missed most of the events during my Frosh Week due to sheer shyness — further supporting my belief that participating as an orientation leader, in any way, was simply a bad idea.

Pelvic thrusting was awkward, and referring to myself as a Frosh

felt self-depricating.

In short, my sheltered experience as a first year made me doubt my potential to have any value as a Gael.

But new initiatives this year aim to make Frosh Week more visible and inclusive, and I welcome the changes.

The turning point for me was when I realized Frosh Week is an entirely student-run initiative.

Suddenly, my perception of what I had to offer changed.

As a first year, there’s something unique about knowing that prior to even applying to Queen’s, there are students making every effort to ensure you will have a smooth transition to university life.

My experience as a first year made me doubt my potential to have any value as a Gael.

Having been on the organizational side of Frosh Week, I now understand that even before the day my letter of acceptance wound up in my mailbox, events were carefully considered and reconsidered — all to ensure there would be something for everyone.

This year, the Frosh Week chairs are committed to increasing the visibility of cultural diversity at Queen’s. We’re also committed to making all orientation events as accessible as possible.

After being hired in November, the orientation committee immediately began considering ways in which every single

orientation-related activity can adhere to these commitments in a safe, inclusive and ultimately enjoyable way.

Incoming Gaels, too, can anticipate some changes in their roles. As our direct link to first-year students, we’d like to provide them with new training sessions in community relations, accessibility and Frosh engagement.

We want students to be more engaged in the planning process. That’s why we’ve added opportunities for past Gaels to share their experiences during the training period.

At its core, Frosh Week is about students helping students — so expanding this concept to the training side of things seems natural.

It was the prospects of a student-run orientation that led me to the Wanna Be a Gael meeting in January 2010.

In November, we held our first-ever Frosh Day, an initiative designed to show Frosh that upper-years are still resources beyond Frosh Week.

If the turnout to the event was any indication of the enthusiasm and dedication so many Queen’s students have for orientation, I anticipate this year’s Wanna be a Gael meeting, being held next Thursday, will attract even the most unsure among us.

Having been part of Frosh Week for my past two and a half years at Queen’s, I’ve met people with such a wide range of reasons for participating in the week.

For some, it was an instant

“It didn’t affect me.”

Victoria Milne, ArtSci ’14

connection: having attended all the events during Frosh Week, this group knew from the beginning that being deeply involved in this week would only bring more great memories.

We want students to be more engaged in the planning process.

That’s why we’ve added opportunities for past Gaels to share their experiences.

For others, like myself, who had a clumsy beginning to their university experience, this would be the greatest opportunity to contribute a different perspective to the week.

After all, at that point I’d come up with one piece of advice I could offer to first years: don’t do what I did.

I didn’t wanna be a Gael.

At least not initially — but I’m glad I was.

For many, participating in Frosh Week as a student leader was the first step to getting involved and finding their place at Queen’s.

Having the opportunity to share with a group of students everything you wish you could’ve been told when you were in first year is a difficult task. But it’s a challenge worth accepting.

Aanjalie Collure is Head Gael for ASUS Frosh Week 2012.

“I had a psychology paper and I found it really frustrating.”

Alix Gallant, ArtSci ’15

“It was a perfect way of demonstrating the ridiculous nature of SOPA.” Jim Kelly, ArtSci ’13

“My housemates were doing research and the blackout made it very difficult.”

Nina Butz, ArtSci ’14

HAVE AN OPINION?

Have your say.

Submit a letter to journal_letters@ams.queensu.ca

Comment at queensjournal.ca

10 •queensjournal.ca

Friday, january 20, 2012

Arts

photo and illustration by justin chin

Ben Bankas says he plans to finish his classics degree at Queen’s before heading to the US to pursue a stand-up comedy career.

Interview

First time fears

Rookie comedian Ben Bankas begins hosting Thursday open mic nights at Revolutions B y J essica F ishbein Postscript Editor It was going to be Ben Bankas’ first time.

This month, the second-year Queen’s student booked a stand-up show in Toronto.

“I prepared out of my mind.

I spent the entire day in my apartment, going over lines and videotaping it,” he said about his first show at Toronto’s P.J. O’Brien’s Irish Pub. “I knew if I did it really bad, I’d be a mess.

“Even if I did well, I’d be a mess.”

Though the pub was very busy, Bankas was so nervous he didn’t even register how his jokes went over with the audience.

“I ran through whole routine in like five minutes and then almost collapsed on the ground,” Bankas said. “I’m so happy the first time was done, and I never have to do my first time again.”

He may have no problem eliciting laughs from audiences, but Bankas gets mixed reviews from his family.

“My mom’s like, ‘You have such an amazing future,’” he said.

“My dad’s like, ‘Don’t quit your day job.’”

Stories of Bankas’ childhood and family make up much of his new comedy routine at Revolutions nightclub.

“I started realizing, whenever I told stories about being fat or about my grandma being deaf or my uncle being a gynecologist … I got laughs,” Bankas, ArtSci ’14, said.

Bankas said he initially phoned Revolutions after returning from winter break and left a message asking about stand-up opportunities. During a night

out in Frost Week, he went to Revolutions to discuss the matter in person and managed to book a set.

After the management saw his performance, he was offered a weekly gig of hosting Thursday open mic nights.

He said his childhood primary interests were comedy and eating.

“I liked McDonalds and lived with my grandma,” he said. “I started watching David Letterman when I was three. I didn’t have a lot of friends.”

Bankas’ father is a violinist and had specific hopes for Bankas’ future.

“He told me I’d get girls if I played violin,” he said. “I said ‘I can’t, Dad, I’m fat.’”

Bankas became interested in acting when he played Claudius in a fifth-grade production of Hamlet.

“As a kid, you don’t understand the gravity of things. You don’t understand ‘I’m doing Hamlet,’” he said.

Soon after, Bankas and a friend performed a ghetto version of Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet for a class assignment.

“We dressed up with bandannas.

I was Juliet,” he said, adding that he recited the famous call to Romeo from the top of a hill outside.

“I loved the laughs, and thought ‘Holy shit this is cool.’”

Bankas said the plights of his childhood helped him develop as an artist. Although Bankas took drama in his first year at Queen’s, he felt he wasn’t furthering his acting abilities.

“I was hearing irrelevant stuff that I didn’t need to know for acting,” he said.

Thanks to the encouragement of former segment manager Andrew Osborne, Bankas became involved

in QTV. He starred in Insiders, where he played a British talk show host. He was also featured on QTV Live, where he played a diverse set of characters ranging from an archetypal bro to a possessed student. Some of Bankas’ on-air antics included waxing his chest hair and stripping.

Quoted “A lot of people … haven’t been through an emotionally derailing experience.

This is an important lesson to realize as an artist.”

— Ben Bankas, on childhood struggles

“People were like, ‘Holy fuck, this is insane,’” he said. “I’d do anything.”

Bankas soon parted ways with QTV to focus on his career. He’s currently writing and acting in a

new project with Osborne called ProcrastiNation, uploaded every Monday on YouTube.

In addition, Bankas is starting to book more stand-up gigs.

Interview

In musical labour Trio beekeeper prepares for the release of their second album

Devon Lougheed says beekeeper’s name came from an uncle who said “Call it anything, call it beekeeper.”

A lyssa A shton Arts Editor Vancouver trio beekeeper said the process of releasing their debut album, Be Kept, was much like giving birth.

“It really was like a first time,” guitarist Devon Lougheed said. “We read all the books on parenting, we went through a really intense

labour, we were all holding hands.”

I told them raising children was like making pancakes, you screw up the first one and improve with the second.

“Hey, that’s my first child you’re talking about,” Lougheed said with a laugh.

For their second album, the band is releasing a seven-inch in April, with an A-side called Take

supplied

Me Back (To The Place) and a B-side called Bad Advice. The band said they felt more confidence in creating a second album.

“We were less worried about it and more excited about the product,” Lougheed said. “We love them both so much for totally different reasons.”

Lougheed said inspiration See Controlled on page 12

ARTS

Friday, january 20, 2012

queensjournal.ca

• 11

LIterAture

Written with care Kingston author releases his first novel, Critical Care B y M eGan c Ui Contributor Over 90 per cent of proceeds from a new novel will go to benefit developments at Kingston General Hospital (KGH).

Local writer, business-owner and actor Phillip Brown said he sees his novel Critical Care as a personal project, not one for financial gain.

The money from his book, released in November, will go toward improving KGH’s intensive care unit.

“I’m a firm believer in community, commerce and culture,” Brown said, who’s family business Brown’s Dining Solutions owns the Tim Horton’s franchise in the BioSciences Complex. “As a local business owner myself, I know the importance of fostering culture so that the community can thrive and then our economies will also follow suit in that manner.”

Two of Brown’s family members received care and assistance at

KGH. While KGH will receive the benefits of the book’s sales, Critical Care was actually set in a Boston hospital, depicting Peter Douglas who after a tragedy must fight against the doomsday clock.

The journey of writing Critical Care began nearly eight years ago.

Two thousand hours of writing and 2,000 hours of editing later and the novel was released in November 2011. Almost 300 copies have been sold to date.

Brown said he was supported by the Queen’s Writing Centre and the Queen’s department of English.

He hired for technical editing, English students Justin Tisdale and Brandon Crilly to comb through his manuscript.

“You have no idea just how extensive the editing process really is until you’ve tried to publish a book,” Brown said. “I gave the manuscript over to two other people, and suddenly you’re told all over again just how far you are from the finish line.”

IntervIew

More than a hobby Po’ Girl have travelled from Amsterdam to Cameroon with their urban roots tunes B y M athieU s ly Contributor In 2006, members of the urban roots trio Po’ Girl decided to drop their day jobs.

“You don’t want it to be a hobby, you don’t want it to be a sideline thing,” singer Allison Russell said.

“Really, the worst that can happen is it doesn’t work out and you have to go and get another job. You’re not going to die. You won’t die!”

Before her full-time music pursuit, she was a social worker in Vancouver’s east side.

Russell grew up in Montreal with French-speaking foster parents and a pious grandmother who would drag her along to church.

Russell left home at 15 years old and found a new religion.

“It’s like our church,” Russell said of music.

In Vancouver, Russell met fellow

singer Awna Teixeira and formed Po’ Girl — in between their day jobs.

Po’Girl now consists of Russell, Teixeira and Mikey “Lightening” August. They share singing duties and play a handful of instruments ranging from the clarinet to the gutbucket bass — an instrument Teixeira chronicled in her 2011 book A Brief History and Introduction to The Gutbucket Bass.

Russell and Teixeira will travel to Kingston for two shows with singer-songwriter JT Nero.

Local fans can expect to hear pieces from Teixeira’s solo work as well as collaborative pieces from Russell and JT Nero’s Mountains/Forests. The band will also play new tracks from their upcoming album Birds of Chicago Volume 1, which they just finished recording on Jan. 16.

The band is currently touring

LITERATURE IN THE LIMESTONE 1985: Kingston-born author Bronwen Wallace publishes her third work Common Magic, a book of poetry. The first Bronwen Wallace Memorial Award was given out in 1994.

1992: Booker Prize winning book The English Patient is written by Queen’s graduate Michael Ondaatje.

1995: Architectural historian Jennifer McKendry releases her book With Our Past Before Us: 19th Century Architecture in the Kingston Area.

2004: Queen’s geography professor Brian Osborne writes The Rock and the Sword, a book about the history of St. Andrew’s Presbyterian Church in Kingston.

2008: Kingston native Joanne Page releases a book of poetry about the aspects of water, called Watermarks.

2009: Hooked, the fifth book of poetry from acclaimed poet and Queen’s creative writing professor Carolyn Smart is published.

2010: Queen’s graduate Russell Smith’s novel Girl Crazy is published by HarperCollins Canada.

2011: Queen’s graduate Chris Turner writes The Leap: How to Survive and Thrive in the Sustainable Economy.

— Savoula Stylianou

Ontario, which Russell said is a chance to find inspiration.

“You spend a lot of hours in the van and that for me can be really good writing time,” she said.

Po’ Girl plays the Whip on Wolfe Island on Saturday night and the Mansion on Sunday night at 9 p.m. with JT Nero.

Po’Girl’s Allison Russel (left) and Awna Teixeira (right) will play two shows in Kingston with JT Nero (middle).

supplied

Phillip Brown has had two family members receive care at Kingston General Hospital.

photo by justin chin

ARTS

12 •queensjournal.ca

Controlled chaos

Beekeeper released Be Kept in November 2010 and their new seven-inch, Take Me Back (To The Place) will be released this April.

Continued from page 10

for the band’s music comes from ignoring boundaries.

“My biggest inspiration is the opportunity to break all the rules of pop, the challenge to make really great songs for dancing and singing along to,” he said.

“I’m inspired by controlled chaos, I think of it like being on a roller coaster.”

Lougheed and fellow bandmate Luke Cyca are cousins who have been making music together in family bands since childhood. But the pair felt they were missing something and added singer Brandi Sidoryk to the hive.

“We were like two dads and needed a mom,” Lougheed said. “We managed to find our dream mom in Brandi, making me officially the third hottest person in the band.”

Beekeeper has become known for their live show antics, which often end with the entire audience dancing on stage with the band.

The band was elusive about what fans should expect for their Kingston show.

supplied

“I don’t want to say ‘Expect the unexpected.’ That’s cheesy,” Lougheed said. “We recruit audience members to help us kind of create the night. By the end of our best shows, it feels like the audience is grooving along with us. It’s a big family thing.”

New pranks aren’t the only goals beekeeper has for 2012.

“I would like to become the second best looking person in the band,” Lougheed said.

Beekeeper play the Mansion tomorrow night at 9 p.m. with James and Blackburn and Hue.

NEXT ISSUE A CAMPY 13 The 13th annual Reelout Film Festival will celebrate the best in international queer films. This year the film festival will feature campy films and videos.

Friday, january 20, 2012

Friday, january 20, 2012

queensjournal.ca

• 13

Sports women’s basketball

Study session The women’s basketball team reviews video for every game B y B enjamin D eans Assistant Sports Editor Women’s basketball coach Dave Wilson spends 10 hours a week analyzing gametape on a computer screen.

At a Tuesday night gametape session, Wilson gave scouting reports on each player in the Carleton Ravens’ starting lineup. photo by asad chishti “Number three. 5’10. She’s their The women’s basketball team watches head coach Dave Wilson conduct a video session at the ARC on Tuesday afternoon. shooter. Likes to cut through the players right now. college. Moore’s second in the The Gaels play the Ravens this two key. Decent rebounder,” he told his OUA server for other teams to players in the team’s room in the access. Wilson breaks down the 10 Friday and the Ottawa Gee-Gees Second-year guard Lisa Minutillo OUA and seventh in the CIS in hours of gametape he watches each on Saturday. Tuesday night was has a concussion and first-year wing scoring with 19 points per game. basement of the ARC. Moore and Wallace have made week into a single hour of footage dedicated to the Ravens’ gametape. Jillian Siemieniuk is out with a foot to show to his team, in preparation The team won’t see the Ottawa injury. Second-year wing Gemma the playoffs for the last four years, We don’t see all the Bullard’s season ended in training but they’ve only had one winning gametape until Saturday morning. for upcoming games. background stuff “We take things one game at a camp in August when she tore season. The Gaels are third in the “We don’t see all the background he does.

OUA East at 7-5 right now. Ottawa her ACL. stuff he does,” fifth-year captain time,” Wilson said.

After the gametape session, the is first at 10-2 and Carleton is Conversations with Wilson this — Christine Wallace, Christine Wallace said. “After one team captain of our practices, I went up — he season quickly move to the topic of team went up to the ARC’s main second at 8-4. This will be the first game the Gaels play against either had already done a full day and how healthy the team is. In January gym for practice.

Fifth-year captain Brittany team this season and one win Watching video of other teams practice — and he was looking last year, Wilson only had nine active players — four players had Moore was the only player absent could put them in contention for a is a big part of OUA sports. Teams at gametape.” on Tuesday night. Wallace said first-round playoff bye.

“We appreciate it. I like seeing suffered season-ending injuries. are required to film their home Wilson is only missing Moore was in class for teacher’s games and post the video on an the different aspects of every game.”

“

”

men’s hockey

Mirwaldt too much for RMC Forward scores twice to lead men’s hockey to 4-1 win over cross-town rivals B y Peter M orrow Staff Writer Jordan Mirwaldt is making up for lost time.

After missing the entire first semester with a broken foot, the winger has seven points in five games. He recorded two goals and an assist during the men’s hockey team’s 4-1 win over the Royal Military College Paladins

on Wednesday.

Mirwaldt’s first goal of the night — the game-winner — came on a power-play in the second period. His second was a stunning end-to-end rush, ending in a top-corner wrist shot.

“First couple games, you’re a little bit sluggish,” Mirwaldt said.

“But last couple games, I’ve been finding my stride and feeling pretty good out there.”

Wednesday’s win was the we’re here,” Gaels coach Brett Gaels’ eighth consecutive victory Gibson said. “[I’m] glad it’s over.” over their cross-town rivals. The Captain Jon Lawrance has been Constantine Arena, the Paladins’ playing against the Paladins since home rink, is abnormally small 2007. He said the matchups are and doesn’t give the players a lot of more competitive and aggressive space to be creative — resulting in than other OUA games. a reliance on physical play. The two “It’s partly the fact that you kind teams combined for 15 penalties of know the guys and see them on Wednesday. around town sometimes,” he said.

“It’s an intense rivalry. They Forward David Chubb and really want to beat us every time defenceman Stephane Chabot also scored for the Gaels.

Wednesday’s game was a preview for the Carr-Harris Cup — an annual matchup between the two teams scheduled at the K-Rock Centre on Feb. 2. The game was created in 1986 by the International Hockey Hall of Fame to mark the 100-year anniversary of the first Queen’s-RMC game in 1886.

“There’s always those bragging rights that come with [the Carr-Harris Cup],” Lawrance said.

“But I don’t think we’ve ever lost in the four years I’ve been here.”

The Gaels will stay in town this weekend to host the Nipissing Lakers on Friday and the University of Toronto Varsity Blues on Saturday. Both games start at 7:30 p.m. at the Memorial Centre. photo by corey lablans

Forward Jordan Mirwaldt has recorded seven points in five games since he returned from injury on Jan. 3. He scored twice against the Royal Military College Paladins on Wednesday night.

— With files from Kirstyn Hevey

Inside trip to Syracuse Assistant Sports Editor Benjamin Deans reflects on his NCAA experience. page 14

money for rugby Liam Underwood has been nominated for Ontario’s Quest for Gold bursary. page 15

Next week Playoff Picture The sports section examines the Gaels’ chances at the postseason.

Olympic Hopes Former Queen’s rower Rares Crisan is gunning for London 2012.

BEWIC WRAP The sports section reviews the school’s biggest intramural tournament.

Sports

14 •queensjournal.ca

The main gym in the ARC seats 1,904 people for Gaels basketball and volleyball games.

journal file photo

Friday, january 20, 2012

The Carrier Dome in Syracuse can seat up to 34,616 people for Orangemen basketball games.

supplied by syracuse university athletics

sideline commentary

Basketball on both sides of the border Taking in a college basketball game in Syracuse, N.Y. makes OUA and NCAA cultural differences obvious player would come to give autographs.

The whole stadium stood for the national anthem, and remained standing for two minutes until the Orangemen scored their first basket.

With his team up 25 points with 15 minutes left, Syracuse head coach Jim B y B enjamin D eans Boeheim took his starters off. But that didn’t Assistant Sports Editor stop an elderly Syracuse fan from screaming about his team’s lacklustre defence until the SYRACUSE, N.Y. — The city was orange. end of the game.

Syracuse’s college basketball team, the The Orangemen eventually beat the Friars Orangemen, were playing the Providence 78-55. It was no surprise — the Orangemen Friars on Saturday. There was no place to were 19-0 and ranked first in the NCAA, eat — every sports bar had a minimum while the 12-7 Friars were missing their half-hour wait. Parking was hard to find. leading scorer.

Ticket scalpers were on every corner within Two hours after the game, I was listening a kilometre of the stadium. to the local radio station in the car. Furious The Orangemen’s home — the Carrier Syracusans were calling in because the game Dome — seated 23,311 people at Saturday’s hadn’t been on ESPN. game, but can fit more than 34,000 for You could compare Queen’s basketball playoff games. The Toronto Raptors’ home to Syracuse basketball — all the players court at the Air Canada Centre seats 19,800. are University students. But it’s an Forty-five minutes before the game, a unfair comparison. crowd of about 50 people watched the The Syracuse team was on a totally Orangemen warm up. Every five minutes, a different level from the Gaels. Six of the

Orangemen are in ESPN’s list of the top 100 prospects for the 2012 NBA Draft. The rest have a good shot at playing professionally in Europe after graduation.

The school’s men’s basketball program is also a cash machine — Forbes magazine reported that the team’s annual revenue was $18 million for the 2009-10 season.

The school’s men’s basketball program is also a cash machine. Forbes magazine reported that the team’s annual revenue was $18 million for the 2009-10 season.

Most sports at Syracuse aren’t like the men’s basketball team — the women’s soccer team only brought in an average of 299 fans at home games during the 2010-11 season.

The basketball culture at Queen’s won’t ever be like Syracuse. The major growth in the sport happened decades ago. There’s an established order, where promising players

are poached by NCAA teams. Queen’s fans know it.

Personally, one Syracuse game was probably enough for a year — having two a week would make me lose sleep. I don’t need the emotional volatility of a college basketball obsession to accelerate the standard pace of Queen’s life.

Orange facts • School population — 20,407 •Carrier Dome capacity — 34,616 • NCAA titles — 2003 • NCAA Final Four Appearances — 1975, 1987, 1996, 2003 • Current ranking — 19-0, first place in national polls

big games on campus Home weekend for men’s hockey

Basketball heads to nation’s capital

The men’s hockey team will host the Nipissing Lakers on Friday and the University of Toronto Varsity Blues on Saturday at the Memorial Centre.

The eighth-place Gaels sit three points behind Nipissing and two behind the Varsity Blues. Both games start at 7:30 p.m.

The men’s and women’s teams travel to Ottawa to play the Carleton Ravens on Friday and the Ottawa Gee-Gees and Saturday.

The men’s team will struggle to compete in either game — the Ravens and the Gee-Gees are ranked first and second in the OUA East.

The third-ranked women have more to play for — if they win, they can jump past the second-place Gee-Gees and pressure the first-place Ravens.

Women’s hockey host Guelph, Brock The third-place Gaels entertain the second-place Guelph Gryphons at 3:30 p.m. on Saturday and the fifth-place Brock Badgers on Sunday at 2:30 p.m. at the Memorial Centre. If the Gaels don’t beat Guelph, they will drop out of contention for a first-round playoff bye.

Volleyball teams cross the bridge The Gaels travel across town to play the 0-13 Paladins on Friday night at 7 p.m.

Women’s volleyball flies North The Gaels head up to Thunder Bay for a back-to-back series with the 0-11 Lakehead Thunderwolves.

BEWIC Sports Days Thirty-two teams and over 1,000 students will compete in a four-sport intramural competition at the ARC this weekend.

Events include rugby-basketball, innerturbe waterpolo, floorball and water-volleyball.

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Friday, january 20, 2012

queensjournal.ca

• 15

men’s rUGby

Underwood to be funded OUA top scorer makes shortlist for provincial bursary B y Peter M orrow Staff Writer The men’s rugby team’s top scorer might be getting paid to play in 2012.

Gaels star Liam Underwood was one of 16 Ontario athletes nominated last week for a grant on a provincial athlete assistance program. The flyhalf is in contention to qualify for Full Carding through the Ontario Athlete’s Assistance Program’s Quest for Gold funding pool.

If Underwood is selected, this season will be the third straight year he’s received funding from the program, which is run through the Ministry of Health Promotion and Sport (MHPS). He said he received $6,000 in each of the past two years.

Underwood qualified for the shortlist based on criteria established by Rugby Ontario.

He said the selection process was revised to be less biased and more accurate this year.

“They used to just ask for a rugby resumé,” he said. “Now they actually test you physically.”

The Quest for Gold program — established in 2006 — provides a bursary to reimburse selected Ontario players for training-related expenses like living costs, sport-specific equipment and travelling fees. They will also have access to state-of-the-art facilities in Toronto.

Rugby Ontario’s Executive Director Andrew Backer said all the players in contention for the funding participated in a combine — a series of physical tests — in December.

“It was only after we selected players based on the combine results that we considered previous rugby experience,” he said, adding that this year’s funding will likely be $6,000 to $8,000 per player.

Liam Underwood was the OUA’s top scorer this season.

journal file photo

Centre Matt Kelly made the list in 2010 and 2011, but an ankle injury helped to rule him out this year. Forward Myles Dingwall and women’s rugby prop Claragh Pegg qualified as alternates, meaning they could receive funding if a player with Full Carding is forced to withdraw.

Underwood missed most of 2010 — including the entire OUA season — with a broken ankle. But he said he made a faster recovery thanks to increased access to physiotherapy through Quest for Gold.

According to Underwood, Quest for Gold funding is considered the best way for Ontario rugby players to develop. He said the program helped both him and Kelly to get the chance to represent Canada at the Under-20 World Rugby Championship.

While representing Canada, Underwood and Kelly moved to Victoria, B.C. — the national program’s development base — where senior national players train and compete in the B.C. Premier Rugby Union.

Gaels men’s rugby coach Peter Huigenbos was Team Canada’s video coach at the Rugby World Cup in New Zealand last fall. He said being carded and selected for national teams is equivalent to professional experience.

“To have the opportunity to train like pro athletes and work with professional coaches is overall a great experience,” he said.

Although the Quest for Gold recipients haven’t been finalized, it’s almost certain Underwood will be chosen — there were eight names nominated for eight male Full Carding spots. According to Rugby Ontario’s website, funding will be released prior to March 31.

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postscript

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psychology

Combating stress in the city Study finds city inhabitants experience more stress than people from rural settings B y J essica F ishbein Postscript Editor Campus architecture can impact the student state of mind, says a Queen’s professor.

“There are buildings on campus that have positive effects on people’s mental health,” Patricia Collins, professor in the Queen’s School of Urban and Regional Planning said, citing the Tea Room as an example. “[It] was a rejuvenating space to be in.”

Features like natural light, indoor trees and benches make buildings positive spaces for students, Collins said.

“Larger foyer areas that invite students to interact as opposed to ones that just have them filter through,” she said.

However, some buildings have the opposite effect on students’ psyches.

Mac-Corry is notorious for having a confusing layout.

“Certainly if people have difficulty finding their way around that’s stressful,” Collins said.

“Locating exits is stressful, and people feel a loss of control in those kinds of moments.”

In addition, campus

residences don’t feature the most appealing design — it’s a problem that urban planners face when accommodating large numbers of people.

“It’s inevitable in residence … it costs money to make renovations to restore these buildings and bring it up to a modern standard.”

roads in “theCertainly Queen’s Ghetto are not as well maintained as in other places in the city.

”

— Patricia Collins, Urban and Regional Planning professor

Queen’s students also face unique urban stressors, she said.

“Certainly roads in the Queen’s Ghetto are not as well maintained as in other places in the city,” she said. “One of the things that urban planners might need to consider is issue of equity and who is exposed to different kinds of stressors by virtue of where they live.

“Certain neighbourhoods … because of where they’re located, have a higher concentration of busy roads and dangerous intersections

Cove chose to come to Queen’s and lack of safe cycling routes.”

Collins said noise, traffic largely due to its prestige, not urban congestion, poor air quality and environment, she said. But, after general density are other stress she came to Queen’s, Cove said common factors. Despite being a she understands urban sentiments small city, Kingston residents aren’t of anonymity.

“The hardest part was not immune to these factors.

“Any city will present potential knowing anyone,” she said. “I can exposures to stress to people living relate to feeling anonymous. All my classes are pretty big, and it’s hard in certain areas,” she said.

For Vicki Cove, Kingston is a to get to know a lot of people.”

Recent research suggests a highly urban setting compared to link between urban settings and her hometown.

Cove, ArtSci ’14, is from inhabitants’ stress levels.

An international study published Amherst, N.S., which has a in the journal Nature found that population of less than 10,000.

Compared to her small people who live, or have lived, in hometown, Cove found Kingston’s cities experience higher stress levels urban landscape disorienting, than those from non-urban settings.

Jens C. Pruessner is the director she said.

“Some people were talking of the McGill Centre for Studies in about how they used to carry maps Aging and an associate professor in around … I never did that, but I psychology, psychiatry, neurology always wrote down directions so I and neurosurgery. He co-wrote the study, which was conducted with wouldn’t get lost,” she said.

In addition, Cove said navigating researchers from the University of Kingston’s public transportation Heidelberg in Germany.

“The overall finding was system proved to be a challenge.

“The biggest difference for me that subjects react strongly to a from Amherst was taking public standardized stress test if they grew transit, I didn’t know what to do up in a city or live in a city,” he said.

The study defined non-urban for the buses,” she said. “I’m used to being in a town where I can settings as areas with less than walk anywhere I want to within 10,000 inhabitants.

In the study, participants in half an hour.”

The aesthetics of kingston Kingston’s Williamsville revitalization aims to introduce aesthetic improvements into the area.

Williamsville includes the two-kilometre stretch of Princess Street between Division Street and Bath Road.

The Williamsville Main Street Study aims to gather public input on what residents wish to see in Kingston.

In October, the Whig Standard reported that the study contains draft guidelines for Williamsville’s revitalization.

The study seeks to expand sidewalks, vary building heights and create more parks and open spaces.

“People have been looking for better street treatment,” said Sue Bazely, co-chair of the Williamsville Community Association.

The Williamsville Community Association is looking to implement commercial space without compromising the city’s aesthetic value.

“We’d hope there’s some good development for offices, but we want the street space to be treated nicely with trees and benches,” Bazely said.

Bazely said the Memorial Centre already has seen

improvements, with a new swimming pool and gardens.

However, the outside of the Memorial Centre wasn’t always an appealing environment for Kingston residents, Bazely said.

“For years the city used to dump their snow there,” she said.

“It would be filled with garbage and was treated badly.”

Germany wrote a standardized test that required them to perform mental tasks while receiving social feedback.

During the test, Pruessner said participants between 18 and 55 years old did mental arithmetic under time constraints and were told they were performing poorly compared to others.

Using MRI imaging, researchers found those who lived in an urban setting for the first 15 years of life.

I can relate to feeling “anonymous ... it’s hard to get to know a lot of people.

”

— Vicki Cove, ArtSci ’14

“The critical development period is the first 15 years of your life. How much big city life you endured is related systematically to your stress level. If after the critical period in a city, you moved to the country … there would still be that effect.

“Typically a big city lies with a more anonymous lifestyle, where you don’t interact with each of the people intimately,” Pruessner said. “If you grew up in a village, obviously the social net is different.”

While some might consider Queen’s to be a small, close-knit environment, Queen’s has over 20,000 undergraduate students, with more than 100,000 people in Kingston as a whole.

Pruessner said the size of a university could impact a student’s stress level.

“You can feel more anonymous and lost in the system, or like you’re just a number and its an assembly line of students,” he said.

“You don’t feel like you have the same amount of care … compared to a smaller college with a friendlier atmosphere.”