The Queen's Journal, Issue 27

candidate profiles AMS election, pages 2 to 3 ASUS election, page 4 CESA and COMPSA elections, page 5

T u e s d ay , J a n u a r y 2 4 , 2 0 1 2 — I s s u e 2 7

the journal Queen’s University — Since 1873

Queen’s Centre

Inside

Mixed message

news Dual degrees with Arts and Science will soon cease. page 6

B y K atherine Fernandez -B lance News Editor The future of Phases of 2 and 3 of the Queen’s Centre remains ambiguous.

On Jan. 19, AMS President Morgan Campbell told the Journal that the Queen’s Centre phases had been cancelled and the AMS wouldn’t be contributing the $25.5 million in student fees that were collected as an AMS contribution to the project.

“What it means is we can cancel the student fee now,” Campbell said of the $70.50 student fee that had been in place since 2005. “Students are done. As of right now students will never pay another cent to that project.”

There has been no public statement from the University stating that Phases 2 and 3 won’t occur.

Last week, an AMS assembly motion decided to withhold over half of the originally-expected capital contribution. The motion resolved to only contribute $10.6 million — the amount collected since the fee was established seven years ago.

“One of the things we were asking for was for the University to give an official statement,” Campbell, ArtSci ’11, said. “The passing of this resolution at last Thursday’s assembly, that is the announcement — that Phase 2 and Phase 3 are finished.”

Campbell said the decision to contribute $10.6 million in previously-collected student dollars is directly tied to the cancellation of Phases 2 and 3, with the money going solely to Phase 1.

“This whole thing was wrapped up together,” she said.

The Board of Trustees had a preliminary discussion of the AMS capital contribution at their December meeting. Campbell said the contribution had been previously discussed at AMS Assembly and President’s Caucuses.

The $10.6 million contribution will go towards the completed phase of the Queen’s Centre.

“The fee is cancelled, if the University was to explore the opportunity of going to Phase 2 See Student on page 6

Dialogue Reflecting on the First Nations summit starting today in Ottawa. page 9

Arts

Two artists with distinct styles come to Union Gallery. page 10

Sports

The men’s hockey team reacts to a referee ruling during the Gaels’ shootout loss to the Nipissing Lakers on Friday. See page 13 for story.

Photo by Corey Lablans

AMS elections

Debate maps out plans

The Journal takes a lot at BEWIC Sports Days. page 14

postscript

Vice-President of University Affairs candidates talk platform points B y C atherine O wsik , S avoula S tylianou and M eaghan Wray Assistant News Editors Last night, candidates for AMS vice-president of university affairs — Mira Dineen of Team JDL, T.K. Pritchard of Team GPP and Sean Renaud of Team RMS — took part in the first AMS election debate of the week.

There were about 50 people in attendance – mostly made up of AMS Assembly members. The vast majority of questions came from students currently working or volunteering within the AMS, though questions were also sent in via Twitter.

The three teams agreed on broad issues — clarifying student fees, reaching out to faculties other than Arts and Science and making the AMS more approachable were uncontentious issues.

Specific platform points became the subject of debate.

Team GPP’s platform promises a course registration waitlist that aims to benefit students, highlighting which classes are most in demand.

Dineen from team JDL agreed that the current SOLUS registration

process is problematic, especially for students working summer jobs. However, she said team GPP offered an unrealistic goal.

“Policies would have to be passed at faculty boards, altering really

Flash Mobs increasing popularity. page 16

See Vice-presidential on page 7

AMS elections

JDUC a focus for candidates

Rejuvenation project takes different direction for each team B y C atherine O wsik , S avoula S tylianou and M eaghan Wray Assistant News Editors The three executive team hopefuls have differing views on what the $1.2 million going towards JDUC renovations should be used for.

On Jan. 19, AMS Assembly

passed a motion that finalized vice-president of university affairs the AMS’s capital contribution to candidate T.K. Pritchard — want the Queen’s Centre. Of the $10.6 to turn the area that houses the million, $1.2 million is slated to TD ATM in the JDUC, into a go towards a JDUC rejuvenation performance space. project over the next three years.

There is currently a performance Team GPP — comprised of lounge located in the Erikson Wing, presidential candidate Rico Garcia, however the University is now vice-president of operations negotiating a new tenant for the candidate Duncan Peterson and See Differing on page 7

2 • queensJournal.ca

Tuesday, January 24, 2012

FeaTURe

AMS EXECUTIVE CANDIDATE PROFILES

AMS ELECTIONS

Executive candidates talk shop commission be successful, they need the funds to back it up.”

What’s been your best experience at Q u e e n’ s o u t s i d e o f the AMS? “I was able to work first on Vogt A as an assistant stage manager and then on Vogt B doing sound design and the opportunity allowed me to gain valuable theatre experience and learn new skills,” Pritchard said.

Team GPP From left to right: Duncan Peterson, Rico Garcia and T.K. Pritchard.

B y s aVOULa s tyLianOU Assistant News Editor The first thing T.K. Pritchard noticed was the matching ties.

ASUS President Rico Garcia and Vice-President Duncan Peterson are known for wearing matching outfits. It was all Pritchard knew about his running mates before meeting the pair in the fall.

“Once I got over the fact that they were matching, I thought they both had valuable input,” Pritchard, vice-presidential candidate university affairs, said.

Garcia is the team’s presidential candidate and Peterson is the

vice-presidential candidate of operations.

Pritchard said running with two ASUS executives was a calculated move.

“I wouldn’t have wanted to run with an AMS internal team. It’s too easy to get locked into AMS culture, he said.”

Pritchard, this year’s AMS social issues commissioner, said he knows first-hand how the AMS executive can work with commissioners to establish common goals.

“I know what it’s like to be a chair of a club looking for resources and not knowing where to look or what the AMS is,” he said.

Photo by Justin Chin

Why are you running?

What’s the incumbent AMS team’s biggest accomplishment?

“We want to make sure that “I’d like to ensure that the great students’ money is spent responsibly work that’s been done this year and that students have a real voice to make the SLC [Student Life in decision making,” Garcia said.

Centre] a hub for student activities and events on campus continues,” Peterson said.

What makes you

qualified to run?

What’s their biggest downfall?

“As vice-president and chief financial officer of ASUS, I oversee the creation of all the budgets that “It’s a matter of priority. I guess make up ASUS,” Peterson said. “In having open office hours wasn’t a order to have the goals of every priority for the current executive

through no fault of their own.

They didn’t have set hours where students could come in and talk to them,” Peterson said.

What’s your team’s biggest flaw?

“Our biggest flaw is that all three of us are in ArtSci. We acknowledge that we haven’t had the perspective of a different faculty. We will continue to work towards that understanding,” Peterson said.

What’s the first thing you’ll do if elected?

“Pep talk [to council] acknowledging the hard work they’d done in the preceding weeks and recognizing them and at the same time reminding them that the primary reason they’re there is to serve students,” Peterson said.

Why should students vote for you?

“We have a strong work ethic and we will continue to be approachable and accessible,” Garcia said.

Feature

Tuesday, January 24, 2012

Team JDL From left to right: Doug Johnson, Mira Dineen and Tristan Lee.

B y M eaghan Wray Assistant News Editor Team JDL chose green to represent their campaign because it’s a blend of blue and yellow – the colours of Arts and Science Frosh Week.

Mira Dineen, vice-presidential candidate of university affairs, and Tristan Lee, vice-presidential candidate of operations, met in 2008.

“Mira was actually my Gael during Orientation Week, so we’ve known each other since actually the first day that I was at the school,” Lee said. He was head manager at Common Ground last year.

After meeting with Lee and

presidential candidate Doug Johnson separately, Dineen brought the team together.

If elected, Dineen will be staying for her sixth year as an undergraduate student at Queen’s.

“If I thought it would be mostly detrimental, I wouldn’t be doing it,” she said.

The team said they’re worried about being labeled AMS insiders — all three have held positions within the society — but are hoping to overcome it during campaign period.

“We are trying to work on, as a team, reaching out to students in groups that are not really a part of the AMS,” said Johnson, who was

Photo by Justin Chin

ASUS president in 2010-11.

“One of the questions that we ask the clubs and the students we meet with … is not specifically what do you think of the AMS, but what do you think of Queen’s University as a whole.”

Why are you running?

queensjournal.ca

What makes you qualified to run?

What’s their biggest downfall?

“I do think of course that being [AMS] academic affairs commissioner this year has changed my perspective of how post-secondary education [at] Queen’s works,” Dineen said.

“That experience led to policy analysis and understanding government relations.”

“There does need to be improvement in terms of reaching out to other faculty societies and not just having an Arts and Science focus,” Dineen said.

What’s your best experience at Q u e e n’ s o u t i s d e o f the AMS?

“One thing I think a lot of people see our team as right now is ‘the insider team’, the insider AMS team,” Johnson said.

“It’s the first connection to Queen’s that anybody has,” Lee said of his time as a Gael in 2009. “[I learned] then how to devote myself 100 per cent to something, and really devote all of my time to an experience that I absolutely fell in love with.”

What’s the incumbent AMS team’s biggest accomplishment?

“I kind of realize that professors “I would say that the biggest don’t engage with students on this level anymore,” Johnson said. “It accomplishment for the current just struck me that this is something AMS executive will be open within the next two weeks, and that’s the that I wanted to continue doing.” grocery store,” Johnson said.

What’s their biggest downfall?

“We don’t necessarily agree with who they chose as a grocer,” Snefjella said. “If [Grocery Checkout] set prices like they do at [their other outlet at] Western it’s going to be a chunk more expensive than the most expensive supermarket in Kingston.”

What’s your team’s biggest flaw?

Team RMS

From left to right: Bryor Snefjella, Sean Renaud and Jeffrey McCarthy.

B y C atherine O wsik Assistant News Editor Executive candidates on team RMS say they aren’t concerned about being the only team that has no experience in the AMS. “We decided to form our team based on how well we work together. That’s one of our strengths,” Jeffrey McCarthy, presidential candidate, said.

McCarthy met vice-presidential candidate of operations Bryor Snefjella during First Years Not in Residence (FYNR) Frosh Week in 2008.

The pair met Sean Renaud, vice-presidential candidate of university affairs, this year when they were FYNR Frosh Week executives and he was a frosh.

McCarthy and Snefjella brought Renaud on board because of his extensive experience outside of the school.

Renaud taught in China for two years, earned a college degree and opened up a pawn shop in Kingston with his uncle before enrolling at Queen’s.

“In October we met and were

saying ‘Look, there are some things we think the AMS can change,’ and [Renaud] was very on board,” McCarthy said.

The threesome want to make students more involved in AMS decisions, and pledged to hold a contest to decide the new name of Alfie’s night club.

As for their team colour, RMS took what they could get.

“Our team didn’t make it as public to the other teams that we were running,” McCarthy said, adding that the other teams had decided on team colours before RMS entered the race. “We picked blue.”

Why are you running?

“I want to show that the AMS can be more accessible. It’s something that people talk about in elections every year, but to reach out to students, I want to make that happen,” McCarthy said.

Photo by Justin Chin

What makes you qualified to run?

“There’s the possibility that we’ll be perceived as amateurs or outsiders,” Snefjella said. “We’re not outsiders, we’re external.”

Why should students vote for you?

“We come from an external and user-perspective and we promise we won’t lose sight of that in “When you’re deeply involved office,” McCarthy said. “All of us want to see how we can make the in something, sometimes it’s hard to know what knowledge you have AMS better.” that other people don’t have,” Snefjella said. “Our perspective lets What’s your best us know where there are sometimes experience at Q u e e n’ s o u t s i d e o f holes … We want to get in there and fill in those gaps.” the AMS? “Non-academic events like [TEDxQueen’s conference],” Renaud said. “It’s the non-academic facet of university that grows you as an individual.”

What’s the incumbent AMS team’s biggest accomplishment?

•3

What’s the first thing you’ll do if elected?

“I would set up and have the Peer Support Center renovated into a new space with soundproof insulation, a confidential meeting area and a reception area,” McCarthy said.

“Visibility has been a really strong thing for this year’s executive,” McCarthy said.

For a liveblog of Wednesday’s presidential debate, check queensjournal.ca

What’s your team’s biggest flaw?

Why should students vote for you?

“Everybody here needs an AMS executive they can trust,” Lee said.

“People can really trust us based on our past experiences and how it will tie into the work we’ll hopefully have to do in the coming year.”

What’s the first thing you’ll do if elected?

“The first thing that we would do is a more concerted effort to reach out to the student body to consult students on what their priorities are,” Dineen said.

Role breakdown AMS PRESIDENT The President acts as Chief Executive Officer of the AMS corporation and oversees the society’s annual $14-million budget. They also manage the marketing and communications offices.

AMS VICE-PRESIDENT OF OPERATIONS The VP of operations manages the retail services, hospitality and safety, and media service directors.

They are also responsible for the student centre office and human resources office, as well as budgeting for the society.

AMS VICE-PRESIDENT OF UNIVERSITY AFFAIRS The VP of university affairs oversees the society’s six commissions and Information Technology office.

Additionally, they sit on the Ontario Undergraduate Student Alliance.

— Source: myams.org

news

4 •queensJournal.ca

Tuesday, January 24, 2012

ASuS electionS

Two teams for Arts and Science society John and Tom, and Musonda and Kate bring differing plans from ASUS Red Room to platforms B y r Osie h ales Staff Writer

students and bringing more content plans for the Red Room. They as well as making sure that the students can voice their complaints to them. Now, we want to provide want to extend its operating hours. smaller programs within ASUS are outside of ASUS or AMS assembly.

“If a student wants to voice their “The Red Room is currently only attended to if they have issues,” a platform that allows for two-way opinion then they have to speak open from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. and Irwin, ArtSci ’13, said.

The two teams running for communication and feedback.”

Currently, no scholarships are at assembly or to a commissioner Jacobs said currently the that’s when a lot of people are in next year’s Arts and Science which can be very intimidating,” Undergraduate Society (ASUS) team hopes to build on ASUS’s class,” Yamfwa, ArtSci ’13, said. offered through ASUS. “Many students are in need Irwin said. “We’d like to host “It’s also not open on Sundays when executive have something in Facebook page.

Another initiative for the team students are usually looking for of funding and we believe that casual events where students common. Each team consists of ASUS could definitely step up and can voice their opinions in a less is the creation of the Student study space.” two housemates. begin offering financial assistance,” formal setting.”

Initiatives Exhibit (SIE).

Irwin said.

“It will be a weekend-long event Many students are The idea’s to take The team said they would take — With files from Katherine in need of funding and where Arts and Science students all those [MindFind] money for an endowment fund Fernandez-Blance and can showcase their hard work, we believe that ASUS whether it is research-related or tutors who currently from the amount left over from the Savoula Stylianou could definitely step work and put them in Red Room budget. something of their own creation.” up and begin offering the Red Room.

“It’s [around] $140,000 right The team said the SIE will now. For instance, each chair costs eventually be a place where financial assistance. $2,000 and they’re nice chairs, but potential employers can observe — Tom Jacobs, ASUS vice-presidential we feel giving $2,000 to a student some of the work that Arts and — Kate Irwin, candidate ASUS vice-presidential should be huge,” Irwin said.

Science students are involved in. candidate Yamfwa and Irwin also want to “It would not be where you go Yamfwa added that the team hold events where Arts and Science to find a job, but where the job plans to work with resources Presidential candidate John goes to find you,” Whittaker said.

Whittaker and Jacobs have already available through the Whittaker and vice-presidential c l a r i F i c a t i o n candidate Tom Jacobs want to plans for the ASUS Red Room, an newly-elected ASUS marketing strengthen the Departmental ASUS-funded room in Kingston commissioner to increase the The debate for AMS vice-presidential candidates of operations will take Student Councils (DSCs) within Hall that is for the exclusive use of popularity of the Red Room. place Jan. 24 at 7 p.m. in the Common Ground.

“It would be great to Arts and Science students.

Arts and Science.

They plan to make the space accommodate first-years who The debate for AMS presidential candidates will take place Jan. 25 at 7 “All the DSC chairs will come to the Red Room before Faculty more practical for studying, maybe don’t have a common room p.m. in the Lower Celidh of JDUC. a full-time in their residences,” she said.

Board meetings and be briefed on incorporating A major point of Yamfwa’s the agenda,” Whittaker, ArtSci ’14, tutoring service.

Currently, the MindFind and Irwin’s election platform said, adding that this will make c o r r e c t i o n tutoring service provides Arts and includes instating the position of DSC meetings more constructive.

Communication and marketing Science students with paid tutoring. an education officer within ASUS The Judicial Committee ruled that Michael Friedman violated sections “The idea’s to take all those to focus solely on the advocacy and one and four of the Queen’s Student Code of Conduct for a house party are also listed as improvements on tutors who currently work and put accessibility of education for Arts held on Sept. 11. the team’s platform.

“A consistent visual identity them in the Red Room,” Jacobs and Science students. The officer would receive a small honorarium. Incorrect information appeared in the Jan. 26 issue of the Journal. legitimizes everything that we said.

“The education officer would Presidential candidate Musonda do,” Jacobs, ArtSci ’14, said.

“Communications this year have Yamfwa and vice-presidential be able to provide information The Journal regrets the error. been working heavily on engaging candidate Kate Irwin have different on scholarships to students

“

“

”

Tom Jacobs (left) and John Whittaker (right) plan to create a student initiatives exhibit to showcase the work of Arts and Science students

Musonda Yamfwa (left) and Kate Irwin (right) want to instate an education officer to focus on the advocacy and accessibility of education.

”

Photo by Corey LabLans

Photo by asaD Chishti

News

Tuesday, January 24, 2012

Faculty society ELECTIONS

queensjournal.ca

•5

CESA candidates seek to change Council image

Team PACt runs unopposed for executive, plans to implement class representatives B y Vincent M atak Staff Writer

we see it as having so much potential,” Lloyd, ConEd ’13, said.

One of the team’s main priorities is The only team running for the Concurrent building on the changes made to the CESA Education Student’s Association’s (CESA) Council this month by the current CESA executive wants greater transparency executive. The motions passed resulted through the revised CESA Council. in a decrease in council members from Team PACt is comprised of presidential 43 to 23. Lloyd said this was due to the candidate Philip Lloyd, external overrepresentation of students by those with vice-presidential candidate Ariel Fan voting power. and internal vice-presidential candidate Lloyd has sat on CESA’s Council for Catherine Franey. the past two years, formerly as community “When we have all this spirit and all this affairs commissioner and currently on the commitment to the program and to Queen’s, executive for the Queen’s Conference

on Education.

Lloyd said that the number of students in ConEd has increased and the revision of the Council was necessary to ensure that the Council adequately addresses student needs and interests.

Franey said making the Council smaller will help students become more aware and engaged in what the Council does.

“We want people to see [the Council] as welcoming and open body, rather than what it is right now, where people see it as more than less of a secret. People don’t really know what goes on there,” Franey, ConEd ’13, said.

The team also hopes to increase ConEd merchandise through the sale of items like mugs and pens.

“Before that the main ConEd merchandise was clothing,” Lloyd said. “We wanted to kind of extend that and have a few more options available.”

— With files from Katherine Fernandez-Blance Online voting occurs on Jan. 31 and Feb. 1. PACt’s platform can be viewed on their Facebook event, ‘PACt for CESA Exec.’

Faculty society elections

Candidate wants focus on resources Presidential hopeful for Computer Science Association plans to establish a resource library B y C hristiane Peric Contributor

“Students can volunteer to donate their books. Other students can come in and photocopy pages or take the books out on The only contender for the president of an hourly basis,” she said. the Computing Students’ Association This year, a new website service was (COMPSA) hopes to make the society more built to allow groups on campus to get help visible on campus. building websites.

Elizabeth Lappin, CompSci ’14, said she “Right now the service is basically run isn’t overly confident about the election through our project manager,” Lappin said. even if she has no competition.

She added that charging groups for the “I still have to get a vote of confidence, so service is based on a case-by-case basis. there’s still that,” she said.

“I want to make sure that this is sustainable.

Lappin said being part of a small The first year is critical to its success, so I faculty — there are only 240 undergraduate want to see that this goes well.” students — means there’s a lack of resources.

Lappin is currently COMPSA’s “It is very difficult to find extra help and vice-president of university affairs. resources outside of classes, since we are a “I want voters to consider that as small faculty. We need to ensure that these students, we can’t change everything, but resources are still available despite our size.” we can change something. Whether it is Lappin said one initiative she wants to academically or socially, we can have an launch is a peers-helping-peers program. impact,” Lappin said.

“We would talk to professors to see what Jennifer Andrea and Isabel McCarten specific areas students are struggling with or will be running campaigns for the position what assignments they need the most help of vice-president of academics, while Sahib with,” she said. “Then hopefully we could Purba, Maggie Laidlaw and Diana Ma get upper-years to come out and help the will be on the ballot for the positions of younger students.” vice-president of university affairs, viceLappin added that she also plans to president of operations and upper-year establish a resource library for computing representative, respectively. students, where they could find basic computing information.

— With files from Savoula Stylianou “The library would be located in our COMPSA office which is on the fourth Voting will take place online from Jan. 31 and Feb. 1. floor of Goodwin Hall,” she said.

Lappin said the library would come at no cost to COMPSA.

Photo by Corey Lablans

Concurrent Education Society candidates Catherine Franey, Philip Lloyd and Ariel Fan (from left to right) plan on building on changes made by the current executive to reduce the amount of voting members on CESA Council.

Editor in Chief nomination packages are now available for volume 140.

L A I R O T EDI

Elizabeth Lappin plans to launch a peers-helping-peers program if elected.

Voting takes place on Jan. 31 and Feb. 1.

photo by Justin Chin

The deadline for the nomination package is Jan. 29 and should be submitted to the Journal by 4 PM. All AMS members are eligible to run.

news

6 •queensJournal.ca

Tuesday, January 24, 2012

AcAdeMicS

Dual degrees discontinued

Queen’s to no longer offer students in Applied Science, Commerce or Nursing a chance to earn a secondary degree in Arts and Science B y vincent M ataK Staff Writer Come September, Queen’s will no longer offer dual degrees with the Faculty of Arts and Science for students enrolled in Nursing, Applied Science and Commerce.

Hugh Horton, associate dean of studies for Arts and Science, said the dual degree program is impractical.

“If you’re doing a combination there’s no way to manage a time table and the student can end up getting very frustrated in trying to schedule their courses,” he said.

“That’s a major problem.”

The program takes an average of five years to complete and allowed students in Nursing, Applied Science and Commerce to pursue a secondary degree in the Arts and Science faculty.

The decision was approved in the summer.

Students choose to enrol in dual degrees in their second years, Horton said, leading to problems later in university.

“Students at the beginning of their second year are not necessarily thinking about how they’re going to feel at the end of their fourth year,” Horton said. “All your friends leave because they’ve graduated and you still have another year or two years at the University and you’ve got no

degree yet.”

Horton said the Faculty of Arts and Science became aware of the issue through student-complaints to academic advisors.

There’s no way to “manage a time table

and the student can end up getting very frustrated in trying to schedule their courses.

”

— Hugh Horton, associate dean of studies for Arts and Science The 120 students currently pursuing dual degrees will be allowed to finish their programs.

Applications for admission to a dual degree program will continue until June 1. A dual degree in economics and Nursing, Applied Science or Commerce will still be allowed.

“We are focusing where our strengths are in the dual degree program. The only department that has a good grounding is the economics department,” he said.

Horton said students that aren’t enrolled in Arts and Science will soon have the option of pursuing certificates on top of their degrees.

Horton was unable to comment on

how soon this would be.

“Students will have the option of [attaining] a certificate in popular subjects like a liberal studies certificate, a medical sciences certificate, or a global development studies certificate.”

Nicholas Wesley-James is currently doing a dual degree in engineering and economics after finding engineering too specific.

“Doing Engineering you’re only required to take three Arts courses,” he said. “I wanted to take more.”

Wesley-James, Sci ’12 and ArtSci ’13, said he didn’t find the dual degree more stressful than a single degree.

“It just took more time,” he said.

“Economics is significantly easier than Engineering, so I like mixing it up.”

Though his dual degree program Students currently enrolled in a dual degree program will still be available for future will complete their degrees. students, he said shutting down other dual options is unfortunate.

“It … further contributes to the streamlining of education,” he said. “It seems like removing an avenue for students to broaden their academic horizons.”

-— With files from Savoula Stylianou

Student fee cancelled Continued from page 1

and Phase 3 in the future, we would go back to students and ask if they would want to contribute at that time,” she said.

Provost Alan Harrison said completing Phases 2 and 3 of the Queen’s Centre wasn’t currently financially viable.

“It’s not to say they’ve been cancelled, I think we still are committed to a vibrant student life

centre at this University and one that supports the learning environment appropriately,” Harrison said. “We cannot say at this point how long it will take us to do that in addition to everything else that we need to do.”

Harrison said conversations with the AMS about their capital contribution to the Queen’s Centre had begun before he was appointed provost in August.

“The discussions with the AMS precede their taking office and my

arriving in this position,” he said.

Harrison couldn’t point to a statement released by the University announcing the ending of Phases 2 and 3.

“In my defence, the discussions with the AMS were ongoing when I arrived here,” he said. “To be perfectly honest I didn’t go back and look to see exactly what was said publicly.”

The University hasn’t officially cancelled the construction of Phases 2 and 3 of the Queen’s Centre.

Photo by Corey LabLans

Photo by Corey LabLans

News

Tuesday, January 24, 2012

queensjournal.ca

•7

Vice-presidential debates spark little controversy members of administration Another point of debate was including Jo-Anne Brady, the a platform point from team JDL. the fundamental aspects of their former University Registrar, and The team outlines a plan for an registration processes,” Dineen, Alistair MacLean, the dean of arts occupancy metre for seats in ArtSci ’11, said. “It seems simple and sciences.

Stauffer Library. on the outside, and we learned “They were very interested in “We envision libraries being the it would actually be a lot more this idea and they said it would hub of academic learning on the difficult to implement.” help them get information on what Queen’s campus,” Dineen said.

In rebuttal, Pritchard, ArtSci classes students are trying to get “One of our ideas is developing ’12, said team GPP met with into,” Pritchard said. an app in collaboration with the Continued from page 1

library, so people can know how many seats are available before you go.”

Renaud, ArtSci ’15, from team RMS said he doesn’t think the idea is feasible.

“The application that JDL proposes, it’s a great idea but it’s not accessible to all students. Not everyone has a Smartphone or a

phone capable of apps,” he said.

Dineen rebutted that the application could also be accessed on a website.

Last night’s debate took place at 7 p.m. in Jean Royce Hall on West Campus.

graphic by justin chin

Differing plans for million-dollar contribution Continued from page 1

space, Garcia, ArtSci ’13, said.

“That is why we cannot use the space,” he said.

Garcia added that the team originally wanted to use the spaces in the north end of the JDUC next to Signatures hair and tanning salon, but found out they couldn’t.

“We initially wanted to use that space for teaching classes and when we were meeting with people, we were told it’s a University-controlled space, so there’s already plans for that space,” he said.

After meeting with members of Physical Plant Services, the team said it’s a priority to have more bookable performance space for clubs and organizations.

Peterson, ArtSci ’11, said Team GPP has a proposed cost for renovations to the JDUC, totaling $1.1 million. Within the total, 20 per cent is for unforeseen costs to be used only for contingency purposes.

“Ultimately, our proposal will not incur any additional costs to students,” Peterson said.

Team GPP also wants to create a new committee under the Campus Activities Commission, which will be in charge of booking student teachers for the performance space they plan to create.

Pritchard said this is a great opportunity for the AMS to reach out to people.

“I’ve spoken to different students that have interests that they would love to share with other students,” Pritchard, ArtSci ’12, said.

Pritchard added that it’s the job of the committee to find student teachers.

“The committee itself would be fairly small, just a core team of a few people to do the marketing,” he said.

Team JDL — made up of presidential candidate Doug

Johnson, vice-president of university affairs candidate Mira Dineen and vice-president of operations candidate Tristan Lee — wants to integrate the Queen’s Centre, JDUC and Physical Education Centre as a student life hub.

A major project will be connecting the Queen’s Centre, JDUC and PEC to create a united Student Life Centre, JDL said. The team says they spoke to Meghan McDonald, facilities manager, who was supportive of this project idea.

“Initially there was this idea of having a crossroads which was kind of the meeting spot between all of the buildings,” Lee, ArtSci ’12, said. “We envision this as our Student Life Centre.”

Team JDL also wants to renovate the cafeteria space in the northern end of the JDUC. “Our idea was to kind of make it into a more lounge feel, almost how the Lazy Scholar is,” Lee said. “So it is a very permanent space where people would feel more comfortable coming and spending time.”

Johnson, ArtSci ’12, said renovating the JDUC’s historic aspects will most likely be a slow process.

“We’d have to go through the Heritage Committee … and that is a slow process definitely,” Johnson said.

Regardless of how long the process will take, Lee said money for maintenance repairs will come from a $200,000 amount from the University.

“This $200,000 is basically the University saying [they] understand that there will be some problems … this money should go towards fixing them up so that the building is safe for students,” he said.

Team RMS includes vicepresident of university affairs candidate Sean Renaud, presidential candidate Jeffrey McCarthy

Last Thursday AMS Assembly approved a $1.2 million contribution to the rennovation of the JDUC.

and vice-president of operations candidate Bryor Snefjella. The team wants to improve upon the JDUC through the renewal of spaces and services already located in building.

One focus for the team was for the Peer Support Centre to increase in size.

The Peer Support Centre is currently located in room 34 of the JDUC and is used to provide short-term counseling for students.

“We were surprised that it didn’t have soundproof walls in place and that it didn’t have a meeting area,” McCarthy, ArtSci ’12, said.

Team RMS is looking to relocate the Peer Support Centre into the old AMS boardroom in the JDUC, a space that isn’t currently used. A one-time investment of $30,000 from the $1.2 million capital allocation fund would install soundproof insulation in the room. This would include building

a soundproof partition wall that would separate reception and counselling areas.

“The Peer Support Centre would then have a much larger and soundproof space in order to really make it a safe space for students,” Renaud, ArtSci ’15, said. “They can increase the amount of people they see.”

Another RMS platform point is to rebrand Alfie’s.

Creating a new brand image for Alfie’s would include a contest to change the name, creating clear signs outside the club and to promote it as a space to hold special events.

“It’s a matter of creating a strong brand and knowing what you’re getting when you go there,” Bryor Snefjella, vice-presidential candidate of operations, said.

“Currently, Alfie’s is totally spread by word of mouth.”

photo by Corey Lablans

He added that by lowering the cost for people to book Alfie’s for their own events, they hope to make it more attractive to students.

Snefjella said there isn’t a cost in mind.

“We really want to make it visible and conducive to special events,” Snefjella, ArtSci ’12, said. “As opposed to competing for business with the Hub and QP.” Furthermore, RMS is looking to update the quality of the Queen’s Pub with a wider selection of Ontario-brewed beers and if feasible, to update their physical infrastructure.

“I met with the TAPS manager, most of the meeting was based on physical allocation,” Snefjella said, adding that QP currently has very limited storage space and a small preparation area.

8 •queensjournal.ca About The Journal

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Editorials The Journal’s Perspective

““

Integrating sound, video and animation into a lesson could serve to illustrate points in a creative way.

iEducation too expensive

O

n Thursday, Apple Inc. announced a plan to publish textbooks on iPads. With partners Houghton Mifflin Harcourt, McGraw-Hill Cos. and Pearson, the deal covers the production of about 90 per cent of U.S. textbooks.

Digital textbooks have the potential to revolutionize the textbook industry, but Apple’s initiative also raises serious questions of accessibility.

Students will be able to purchase digital textbooks for around $15 each, with access to the latest editions. But these perks only come after students make an initial investment of $519 — the retail cost of a no-frills iPad. It’s a one-time payment that’s too high for many students, even though the savings accrued by purchasing digital textbooks could make

annotated video that shows each it worthwhile over time.

Apple has also released an distinct step. Textbooks have great application for creating digital content, but are hindered by a textbooks, but it’s only available on simplistic method of delivery.

With information trending the Apple operating system. The closed nature of Apple’s programs towards digitization, textbooks should follow suit. Apple is makes them inaccessible.

To make iPad textbooks more initiating this new genre of accessible for students and to textbook, but the digital textbook expand their market share, Apple world will eventually belong to the needs to market a simplified tablet. company with the best product at A stripped-down iPad specially the lowest cost.

As it stands, the monopoly geared towards textbook functions would serve to make the product held by the three largest textbook companies has shifted slightly into more affordable.

Tablets have immense potential Apple’s hands. If a competitor can to improve textbook learning. create a less expensive tablet with Integrating sound, video and textbooks of a comparable quality, animation into a lesson could serve then the market will begin to to illustrate points in a creative shift again.

With greater competition in the way, appealing to a wide range of textbook market, students stand to learning styles.

Teaching students about the benefit from superior products at a process of mitosis, for example, lower price. would be more effective with an

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”

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Tuesday, January 24, 2012

Human Library

Library has novel idea O

n Saturday, Ottawa city libraries will host the Human Library, where patrons check out people instead of books. The volunteer-based program brings together a diverse group of about 60 people, including a pediatric neurosurgeon, an HIV-positive man and a prostitute.

Library patrons can sign up for a 20-minute one-on-one chat with one of the volunteers after reviewing short biographies. It’s a novel spin on the learning process and provides a chance for interactions that might not happen otherwise.

Ottawa’s Human Library is a take on a similar program that started in Denmark in 2000. The program’s aim was to reduce prejudices and promote dialogue.

The Human Library program is not without its problems, and its main flaw comes from marketing.

The gimmicky use of the words “book” for the program’s volunteers and “reader” for the library card holder implies a degree

of objectification for those involved. and learn from another’s subjective In the program’s etiquette experience. Having a personal rules, phrases like “The Reader is conversation with a police officer not allowed to ask the Book for or a refugee, two of the people personal contact information,” are partaking in the program, would provide a glimpse at a life that’s more kitschy than useful.

Labeling someone according to otherwise unknown.

Speaking with someone for their profession can do them a disservice. But in this case, the labels 20 minutes doesn’t provide a full are used to direct conversation understanding of his or her life, but a conversation can provide a rather than facilitate prejudice.

People are participating in the chance for unconventional learning.

Research collected in books is program on a volunteer basis and their label is self-assigned. born from compiling subjective Along with providing access to experience. Primary sources, like information, the Human Library the volunteers telling their stories program shows that human books are the foundations that books are built upon. are more than their title suggests.

The volunteers may not Libraries have struggled to maintain relevance in a time where have the authority that a an infinite amount of information well-researched book has, but the human books can enlighten people is available online.

The Human Library program in a different way. Listening to a allows libraries to expand their story has a different effect than role. Libraries are no longer simply reading an account and just places of learning but also first-hand experience has a distinct value alongside academic books. community centres.

The Human Library is a chance for people to have conversations

Andrew Stokes

Eyes open R

ecent research from the University of Maryland points to growing numbers of pedestrians injured or killed while wearing headphones. According to the findings, published on Jan. 17 in Injury Prevention, the danger lies in two phenomena.

From 2004 to 2011, 116 accidents involving headphones were reported and 81 of them were fatal. Over the study period, the rate of accidents per year tripled.

It’s absurd. People wearing headphones need to take responsibility for their survival. It should be simple. Listen to music all you want, but don’t forget about your surroundings. Stumbling in front of a train or a car because you’re too distracted by your iPod shouldn’t happen.

To someone looking out for the public good, these numbers seem like a rising threat to the health and well-being of the populace. If the situation sounds unlikely, think back to 2009, when Ontario legislature unanimously passed a law against “distracted driving.” With legislative approval, texting or making phone calls while driving a car became illegal.

“Anything that can reduce accidents on our roadways is going to be good,” Conservative MPP Christine Elliott told the Toronto Star in April 2009.

The justification for laws against using phones while driving could easily be applied to deaths and injuries related to headphone use while walking. But the reasoning isn’t the same.

Walking and wearing headphones doesn’t represent the same threat as driving while distracted.

There are significant flaws in the Injury Prevention study. Factors such as substance abuse or suicidal intentions weren’t considered when accounting for injuries and deaths.

Simply aggregating information without looking at context can produce inaccurate results. Further research needs to be done before the results can be called conclusive.

The trend towards greater headphone-related injury and death doesn’t call for legislative intervention. Distraction is a danger at any given time, and it can’t be legislated away.

Headphone wearers need to be more aware of their surroundings and take care around train tracks and intersections. Life presents risks and the government can’t have a hand in protecting us from everything — particularly when it comes to risks we take by choice.

Turn your headphones up, but keep your eyes open.

Tuesday, January 24, 2012

DIALOGUE

Perspectives from the Queen’s community

queensjournal.ca

““

Being excluded from the law-making table, it’s not hard to see why First Nations rights are so poorly addressed.

”

Canadian Politics

Landmark summit a chance for change

•9

Talking heads ... around campus Photos By Brendan Monahan

Should Queen’s adopt a block-learning model?

Harper must embrace opportunity to set a roadmap for economic success within many Aboriginal communities

A arondeep S ingh B ains , JD ’14

When Stephen Harper meets with Aboriginal leaders at today’s First Nations summit in Ottawa, he’ll have a lot of ground to cover.

After all, the summit will mark the Prime Minister’s first official meeting with First Nations chiefs since taking office in 2006 — and it’s about time.

The reality is that Aboriginal Peoples have long been left out of discussions regarding Canada’s role in Aboriginal governance.

Unfortunately, there are parallels between the way our legal system accommodates the needs of Aboriginal Peoples today and the treatment of other groups, like women, in the past.

Until the 1960s, the Criminal Code contained provisions that were broadly interpreted to make misogynistic value judgements on women. Provisions dealing with rape — now termed sexual assault — were interpreted to degrade women’s credibility and, all too often, helped lawyers make criminals out of sexual assault victims on the stand.

So, what’s changed regarding the treatment of women in Canada? For one thing, we’ve seen an influx of female litigators and lawmakers. With time, the law and its officers changed to adapt and become more progressive.

Female presence in courtrooms and at the table of legal debates has helped ensure this societal group is represented when laws are enacted and interpreted.

But while Canada has certainly come a long way in its treatment of women, Aboriginal Peoples haven’t received the same benefit.

In fact, these Peoples currently face almost identical issues that women faced in the legal system and in broader society.

The comparison I’m making

was illustrated recently during a panel discussion by Queen’s professor and former Chief of the Ardoch Algonquin First Nation, Robert Lovelace.

He remarked on the similarity between certain provisions of the 2007 United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples and the old provisions regarding women and sexual assault in the Criminal Code.

While I don’t believe it was intentional, the use of the term “prior consent” with respect to Aboriginal lands in the 2007 UN Declaration almost mirrors the sexual assault provisions in our Criminal Code.

The resemblance brings to mind sexual encounters and male sexual conquest when the term is in fact used to refer to consent over the development and use of Aboriginal lands.

It’s a subtle but important reflection of the mentality many Canadians have towards Aboriginal Peoples.

Recently, much discussion regarding First Nations has centred around the housing and infrastructure crisis at the Attawapiskat First Nations settlement. In October 2011, regional leaders officially declared a state of emergency.

I recently observed a debate over the issue at a dinner table of graduate and undergraduate students. They discussed who could be blamed for this crisis.

I was startled by the opinion of one individual: she demanded to know the accounts of the reserve’s spending — suggesting that any money given to the reserve and its expenditures should be thoroughly accounted for and checked by the government.

I thought I had fallen into a 1950s debate amongst men — men who were mocking the frivolous expenditures of each other’s wives.

Never have I heard anyone ask, for example, to see the expense records of Newfoundland or any other province which sustains itself on equalization payments.

“Yes, students learn more when focusing intensively on one course at a time.”

Matthew Elia, ArtSci ’12

Housing conditions in Attawapiskat, like those pictured above, led Chief Theresa Spence to declare a state of emergency in October.

sUPPLIED

That dinner discussion presented even more examples of how many Canadians degrade the problems and struggles faced by Aboriginal Peoples.

Moreover, every participant of the debate appeared to have the so-called “solution” for the current problems at Attawapiskat — and yet, at a table of several people, only one of us had ever set foot on Aboriginal land.

The reason why older laws discriminated against women in Canada, and why they still do in other countries today, is because women weren’t at the table when they were debated and interpreted.

Today, Aboriginal Peoples face the same exclusion. They are treated as other disenfranchised groups have been in the past: they’re presented with solutions by others who claim to know their problems, then granted money, only to have its use criticised.

If the government wants to build a positive relationship with First Nations peoples, the time is now. Today’s First Nations summit is a step in the right direction — but it shouldn’t end there.

As a student in Queen’s law and

having recently met students from almost all major law schools in Canada, I find it disconcerting that I haven’t met a single aboriginal law student. The difficulties stacked up against Aboriginal Peoples, especially those living in rural reserves, makes things such as getting into law school extraordinarily difficult.

Yes, many law schools include access categories for Aboriginal applicants. But with ever-increasing competition, it’s becoming harder and harder for disadvantaged applicants to get fair consideration for entry into law school.

Being excluded from the law-making table, it’s not hard to see why First Nations rights are so poorly addressed. Aboriginal issues are mismanaged and wrongly presented and, frankly, Aboriginal customs and practices are treated as second rate.

One must be able to be present at the table in order to have laws that reflect one’s needs and practices and protect one’s integrity.

As environmentalist Andy Hoffman put it: “If you aren’t at the table, you’re on the menu.”

undergraduate students are eligible to receive the new grant this year.

Although the 30 per cent off tuition grant may not be the so-called “be all and end all” of what the government can do to help students, it’s a step in the right direction towards getting more students into post-secondary schools, especially after years of neglect by previous NDP and Progressive Conservative governments.

During the 1990s, the record of the NDP government in Ontario was an increase in tuition of 50 per cent and the Conservatives under Mike Harris allowed tuition

to skyrocket a further 66 per cent.

Ontario Liberals are taking steps to make university more affordable.

For students that are ineligible for this program, there are many other grants and aid that those students can apply for. They are available on the OSAP website.

As a student at Queen’s, I hope we can come together and realize that this program is a big help to Ontario students. So far, over 1,221 Queen’s students have applied.

“Learning an entire course over a short period of time might make it harder to absorb information in the long term.”

Jessica Allum, ArtSci ’12

“I don’t support it because it’s too different from what students are currently used to.”

Timi Boyo, Sci ’14

“Queen’s might try it on a small scale but we shouldn’t widely adopt it yet.”

Wendy Fang, Sci ’12

Letters to the editor Give grant a chance Re: “Rebate a success, for some” (Jan. 17, 2012).

Dear Editors, In October 2011, Dalton McGuinty and the Ontario Liberal Party won the provincial election on a big campaign promise — the 30 per cent off Ontario tuition grant.

On Jan. 9, this became a real policy. With seven out of 10 jobs now requiring education beyond high school, this grant is meant to help make post-secondary education more accessible

and affordable.

This new grant for full-time college and university students — less than four years out of high school — will save families $1,600 per student in a university program. That’s a huge saving — every school year.

There has been much criticism over the eligibility of students for this grant. But let’s remember this is a grant, something that’s targeted for a specific group. It’s not meant to be given to every student. Rather, it’s meant to help high school students have a smooth transition to post-secondary education.

More than 300,000

Wesley Cohen, ArtSci ’13, executive vice-president, Queen’s University Liberal Association

“We should approach it on a program-by-program basis.”

Paul Schwartzman, JD ’12

In the block model, students take only one course for a three-week period before moving onto the next subject.

10 •queensjournal.ca

Tuesday, January 24, 2012

Arts Art Review

Unfinished narratives Union Gallery’s new exhibit Stories We Tell Ourselves brings together two distinct artists with ambigious messages B y B renna O wen Contributor A new exhibit at Union Gallery features two seemingly incompatible artists.

But when hung together, the collections reveal common themes in the aptly titled show Stories We Tell Ourselves. Fourth-year BFA students Mackenzie Browning and Heather Smith explore the mystery of unfinished narratives, which viewers must contemplate.

Smith uses numerous printing methods, including woodcut, lithography and copper-plate etching to create storybook images.

Her stylized prints are a decorative, romanticized take on natural forms.

In Smith’s Into the Woods, a starry night sky and entwined tree branches give the piece endless depth and a foreboding quality.

It’s not hard to imagine being swallowed up by this gateway into a fairy tale.

Like Smith’s dark, fabled collection, there is something eerie about the family secrets behind Browning’s images.

Smith’s smaller prints are in two unframed clusters. The focal piece of her collection, I Searched for Stories in the Land (I), occupies a large part of the gallery’s north wall. Included in the piece are two carefully carved woodblocks, which provide insight into Smith’s

Next issue On Hiatus?

Hardcore punk band Fucked Up addresses rumours.

Glass Half Full Exhibit Other Random Encounters explores conversation, projecting faces onto mugs.

artistic process.

Amidst layers of inky black and pale blue are bursts of lively metallic gold and rosy inks that punctuate Smith’s pieces. The thin pages flutter, breathing life into Smith’s storybook world. Smith demands from the viewer the same attention to detail that was required to create her collection.

Browning’s work is brightly coloured, contrasting Smith’s earth-tone pallet. Wide stripes of rich purple, yellow and blue acrylic paints enliven the vintage photographs, which were transferred onto the canvasses using screen-printing.

As with Smith, Browning’s craftsmanship is evident. The images are precisely aligned, reminiscent of 1950s and 1960s pop art.

Browning collected the lost or discarded photographs, appropriating the nameless, smiling faces for his re-authored collection.

He uses the works’ titles to rewrite the stories in the photographs that depict families relaxing in the outdoors.

My Father’s Friend depicts a smiling man named Charlie, reclining by a lake in the summertime. The sunbathing figure embodies the spirit of progress of the 20th-century American Dream.

But the bright colours and smiling faces are isolated in their time. Like Smith’s dark, fabled collection, there’s something eerie about the family secrets behind Browning’s images.

The mystery is increased by

Doctor Rapper Joe Gabriel is a Queen’s medical student who has made the transition to rapping.

Canadian roots Ahead of his two-night stop in Kingston, Cadence Weapon talks about growing up in Edmonton and his efforts to stay true to his Western Roots.

Browning’s installation of a camera tripod that stands at the entrance of the exhibit like an all-seeing eye.

Browning’s and Smith’s Stories We Tell Ourselves is an ambiguous reflection on how we view our lives through the fictions we create. The show encourages self-reflection on what is true in our lives and what stories we have modified to suit present-day emotional needs.

Stories We Tell Ourselves is in Union Gallery’s Main Space until Feb. 14.

Photos supplied

Stories We Tell Ourselves brings together the printmaking of Heather Smith (left) with the screen-printing of Mackenzie Browning (right).

Film Festival

Family-friendly reel Reelout 13 is moving away from Queen’s campus and now offers queer films geared towards young families B y K atherine Fernandez -B lance News Editor From its humble beginnings at a rundown bar on Princess Street, to its current venue at the Screening Room, the 13th annual Reelout Queer Film Festival has increased its international exposure. This year will include more than 40 international films.

Reelout, an 11-day-long festival, has a campy vibe this year, with the 30 films utilizing the popular type of humour.

“It’s historically something that queer audiences have embraced,” Matt Salton, director of Reelout, said. “A lot of queer filmmakers utilize intentional camp.”

While the festival has traditionally occurred on both Queen’s campus and at local venues like the Screening Room, this year the festival won’t take place on campus at all.

“Obviously we want to keep a very strong Queen’s presence, but we felt, based on the audience feedback that those not at Queen’s find it a bit daunting,” Salton said,

adding that Queen’s students didn’t view the on-campus events as a natural fit for the festival.

“We thought this would bring the magic back,” he said.

Though Salton still expects the Screening Room to attract the average 2,000 attendees, there are drawbacks to the decision he said.

See Art on page 12

supplied by Sabine bernardi

Rick Okon (left) as Lukas and Maximilian Befort (right) as Fabio star in Reelout Queer Film Festival’s Romeos.

ARTS

Tuesday, january 24, 2012

queensjournal.ca

• 11

iNterview

From country to electronica Rae Spoon’s new album I Can’t Keep All Of Our Secrets explores the devastating loss of a friend B y a lySSa a ShtOn Arts Editor Rae Spoon has six albums since the 2001 debut EP Honking at Minivans. Despite over a decade in the music industry Spoon is quite content with their slow incline in popularity.

“Things move faster than ever in the music business these days,” Spoon told the Journal via email.

“I feel fortunate that I have been able to keep an audience interested in me for this long. I truly believe in the longevity of a grassroots following as opposed to a hype-driven career.”

Spoon’s latest release, I Can’t Keep All Of Our Secrets, tells the harrowing tale of the sudden death of a friend.

“I’ve always used writing music to process my emotions,” Spoon said. “This time it was a lot more specific than other albums, but I wanted to be clear about what it was about. I think it helps contextualize the material. It’s hard to be open about, but that’s how people get to know each other.”

Shockingly the painful subject matter is layered with sweet and

soothing harmonies.

“I wanted the album to be somewhat uplifting even though it’s sad,” Spoon said. “If the music was all sad, I think it would be too much. The beats help carry the message.”

Spoon was first hailed a country crooner, but has now morphed into an electronica singer.

“Making pop/electronic music using the format of folk songs was a challenge that I started working on four years ago,” Spoon said. “I was living in Germany and I wanted to see how I could incorporate the techno I was hearing everywhere into what I was already doing.”

This year, Spoon plans to release a short-story collection and documentary about coming out as transgendered in high school.

“I have a book of short stories inspired by my childhood in Alberta being published by Arsenal Pulp Press in September,” Spoon said. “The documentary/musical is still a work in progress by director Chelsea McMullan. It should come out in a year or so.”

In a Jan. 3 post on Spoon’s tumblr account, the singer-songwriter declared a

preference to be referred to with the pronoun “they.” As a transgendered artist, who officially changed their name at 19 years old, Spoon weighed in on the recent controversy in the American Girl Scouts. Earlier this month, a 14-year-old girl launched a boycott campaign to protest the organization’s decision to allow transgendered children to join troops in Colorado.

“The child who is demanding the boycott has a lot of time to rethink her opinion,” Spoon said.

“I was raised in a family that was conservative like that and found my way out.

“However, there are so many trans children who need people to speak out against this type of thing. Rae Spoon has done covers of Beyoncé and Lady Gaga songs, but is I’m glad people are being so vocal unsure who they will cover next. They say maybe George Michael. about trans acceptance in the Girl Scouts. The message will get to ones who need it the most. Mass media creeps into even the most conservative homes.”

Rae Spoon plays the Artel tonight.

Doors open at 8:30 p.m. and the show starts at 9 p.m. Tickets are $10.

Art review

Archaic aesthetic Kingston artist Tim Murphy’s multi-faceted exhibit, Cheap, Fast, and Easy, is refreshingly rough around the edges

Tim Murphy has two created two zine publications of his own, Noise Queen and Ponyboys.

B y M arcin M azUr r USaK Contributor A new exhibit at Modern Fuel’s State of Flux Gallery is chronicling the progression of an artist’s career.

Kingston artist Tim Murphy’s discography is laid out among countless crinkled editions of his zine Ponyboys in his exhibit, Cheap, Fast, and Easy.

Murphy published his zine Noise Queen from 1996 to 2001 and then published Ponyboys until 2008. The do-it-yourself style of zines accurately represents the style

of his exhibit — his photographs are intended to look like photocopies and the audio quality of his music recordings would make an audiophile cringe. It’s rough and unpolished, but it’s original.

Some parts of the exhibit seem like artifacts. The low resolution of the photographs stands out to anyone who is used to high-resolution digital images.

A single audio tape amongst Murphy’s many CDs brings to mind the homebrew mixtapes that preceded Mp3 playlists.

The gritty, almost archaic

Photo by asad Chishti

feeling of the work shows how rapidly the way we exchange ideas changes. His work is completely separate from the Internet and isn’t reliant on syndicated distribution.

What gives the exhibit its charm is experiencing the work of an individual who effectually rejects avenues which seem unavoidable today.

Cheap, Fast, and Easy runs until Feb. 18 in Modern Fuel’s State of Flux Gallery.

suPPlied

12 •queensjournal.ca

ARTS

Art as resistance Continued from page 10

“The theatre only holds 56 seats, and if we weren’t a charity and we were in it to make a profit it wouldn’t be feasible to keep it there,” he said.

Venue isn’t the only change the festival has made this year. On Feb. 4, the festival will offer a short-film package aimed at a younger audience.

“There are a lot of young queer families with children,” Salton said.

Because of Reelout’s timing, Salton said it’s one of the first queer film festivals every year.

“Most film festivals gear up in the summer time,” he said. “We’re able to get a lot of premieres and we’re also able to celebrate the best of 2011.”

Salton said Reelout originated as a joint project with Kingston’s OPIRG in 1999.

“It was originated as a collective that felt the need to raise the profile and visibility of the queer community,” Salton said. “They did test screenings at the local gay bar at the time.”

After audience surveys found that Kingstonians wanted more opportunities like Reelout, the festival was incorporated in 2004.

OPIRG Kingston director Kavita Bissoondial first attended Reelout five years ago.

“Reelout when it began was actually run out of the Grey House,” Bissoondial said.

Now, OPIRG’s main involvement in the festival is financial, contributing between $750 to $1,000 to the annual festival.

Reelout offers queer filmmakers the chance for their work to be recognized and showcased outside of their hometown.

Of the films screening this year, two are by local filmmakers Rebecca Anweiler and Francoise Doherty.

“Art has always been a part of resistance and gives people a chance to represent themselves,” Bissoondial said. “Art is the form that’s most accessible for people to do that.”

Bissoondial said there’s nothing like Reelout in Kinston.

“Kingston actually has a really huge LGBTQ population,” Bissoondial said.

“To have this event happen every year is really necessary, it’s a chance for us to represent ourselves.”

Reelout 13 runs from Thursday until Feb. 5. For ticket times and prices see reelout.com.

suPPlied

Kink Crusaders will play on Thursday night, revealing a behind-the-scenes look at the annual Mr. Leather competition.

Tuesday, january 24, 2012

Tuesday, January 24, 2012

queensjournal.ca

men’s hockey

Call in question

men’s basketball

Sports

No wins in capital Weekend losses in Ottawa extend Gaels’ winless record to 14

Official’s call contested in Gaels’ shootout loss to Lakers

B y Peter R eimer Contributor

B y Peter M orrow Staff Writer Kelly Jackson would have led the Gaels to victory over the Nipissing Lakers — but his shootout attempt was ruled a miss by referee Ron Stakes.

The Gaels couldn’t recover from the 4-3 loss to the Lakers on Friday and fell 3-0 to the Toronto Varsity Blues at the Memorial Centre on Saturday.

Head coach Brett Gibson declined interviews after the game against the Lakers on Friday night.

The next day, he told the Journal that he approached the referee after the game to contest the call.

Gibson said Jackson’s shot went through the net’s mesh and hit the boards.

“I showed the referee [the video] after the game,” he said.

“He just made a mistake, and that’s human error.”

According to the OUA’s Referee-in-Chief Bryan Lewis, protocol was followed during Friday’s shootout and no footage has been submitted to the league to suggest the decision on the ice was inconclusive.

After Jackson’s goal was disallowed, Lakers forward Brogan Bailey scored the game-winner.

Despite the controversial call,

Referee Ron Stakes ruled forward Kelly Jackson’s shot a miss in Friday’s shootout. After the contested call, the Nipissing Lakers scored to win the game.

Gibson said his team should have maintained their 3-2 lead late in the third period.

In the final minute of regulation play, forward David Chubb coughed up the puck on a clearing attempt and Lakers forward Dorian Peca scored seconds later to send the game into overtime.

“We played a great game and a perfect third period,” Gibson said.

“But a mental lapse by a player cost us the game.”

Saturday’s loss to the Varsity Blues was only the third time all season the Gaels have been held scoreless. Gibson said his team

was outplayed in every aspect of the game.

“There was zero effort,” he said.

“We never showed up from the minute that game started.”

Goaltender Riley Whitlock made 24 saves against the Varsity Blues.

The Gaels were visibly frustrated on Saturday — forward Bryant Doerrsam picked a fight with Varsity Blues forward Kevin Deagle immediately after the Varsity Blues’ third goal, earning a roughing penalty, a fighting penalty and a game misconduct.

Saturday’s game was the team’s

photo by corey lablans

third in four days. First year forward Tyler Moore said even though fatigue was a factor on the weekend, it won’t be a valid excuse if they miss the playoffs.

The ninth-place Gaels are two points behind the Concordia Stingers for the final playoff spot in the OUA East, but have two extra games to play. They travel to Ottawa to play the fourth-place Carleton Ravens on Tuesday.

— With files from Benjamin Deans and Jake Edmiston

women’s hockey

Back on track after losing streak Team beats Brock Badgers on Sunday for first win since Jan. 3 B y E mily L owe Staff Writer The women’s hockey team’s losing streak reached four games after Saturday’s 4-0 home loss to the Guelph Gryphons — but the Gaels bounced back to beat the Brock Badgers 3-2 on Sunday in their first win since Jan. 3.

it takes “aSometimes, couple tough losses to remind you of just how hard you have to work.

”

— Matt Holmberg, women’s hockey coach “Sometimes, it takes a couple tough losses to remind you of just how hard you have to work,” head coach Matt Holmberg said, adding that he hopes the win will spark a turnaround similar to last season’s.

After an 8-1 loss to the Laurier Golden Hawks in January 2010, the Gaels won eight of their last nine regular season games en route to an OUA Championship title.

On Saturday, the Gaels

• 13

couldn’t find the back of the Gryphon’s net, despite six power-play opportunities.

“There were a couple opportunities where our power play could have brought us back in the game,” Holmberg said. “But not only could we not muster shots, we had trouble just getting out of our own zone.”

The loss to the second-place Gryphons narrows the Gaels’ chances at a first-round playoff bye — with only six regular-season games remaining, Queen’s is six points back.

“I know we have the potential to belong in the same sentence as [Guelph],” Holmberg said after Saturday’s loss. “[But] we have to pick it up.”

On Sunday, that’s exactly what they did.

The Gaels jumped out to a two-point lead with goals scored under a minute apart from defender Kelly Eustace and captain Shawna Griffin.

Holmberg said the early lead gave his team some much-needed confidence.

“We’ve had a couple games recently where we had a good first

period but we were down 1-0,” he said. “It was nice to see things go in our favour.”

The Badgers erased the Gaels’ lead with two early third-period goals, but Griffin notched her second goal of the game to clinch the win. Karissa Savage started for the Gaels and made 35 saves.

Winger Brittany McHaffie is still out with an injured knee and

it’s uncertain when she’ll return to the lineup. Holmberg said the offence has suffered without her.

The win and the loss leave the Gaels in third place, only two points ahead of the York Lions and the Toronto Varsity Blues. They head out on a two-game road trip this weekend to play the Western Mustangs on Saturday and the Windsor Lancers on Sunday.

The Guelph Gryphons beat the Gaels 4-0 on Saturday.

photo by corey lablans

Ottawa native and guard Mackenzie Simpson had a 32-point weekend in his hometown. But he couldn’t stop the men’s basketball team from dropping two games by a combined 61 points.

The Gaels’ winless record extended to 14 games after losing 96-64 to the first-place Carleton Ravens on Friday and 87-58 to the second-place Ottawa Gee-Gees on Saturday.

Guard Ryan Golden scored all of his team-high 17 points in the first half against the Ravens on Friday night, helping his team stay in the game through two quarters.

He was perfect from beyond the three-point line, converting all four attempts as the Gaels went into the half trailing by 11.

But in the third quarter, Canada’s top-ranked team shut the Gaels out for almost seven minutes during a 26-0 run.

“We expected [them] to come out and play a much better second half,” Golden said. “We kept battling, but some defensive breakdowns allowed openings for their shooters and they made shots.

“Offensively, we just weren’t hitting shots ... When a team like that decides to lockdown on [defence], it’s tough for any team to execute.”

Simpson led a strong fourth quarter effort with eight points, but he was no match for Ravens guard Elliot Thompson, who scored seven three-pointers.

Golden said the Gaels saw Friday’s game as an improvement.

They put up their best shooting percentage of the season, going 21 for 47 from the floor and 57 per cent from the three-point line.

“Nobody expected [us] to compete at the level we did,” Golden said. “We hustled hard … we hit guys on screens and played a gritty, tough game.”

On Saturday against the Gee-Gees, the Gaels were behind by 17 points at halftime.

Despite a 15-point second half from Simpson, the Gee-Gees cruised to an 87-58 victory. Ottawa guard Johnny Berhanemeskel led all scorers with 31 points.

Golden said the Gaels’ lack of energy let them down on Saturday night.

“Our team needs to be the hardest working team in the country,” he said. “We aren’t going to be the most athletic or talented team on the floor. We need to play smarter and harder.”

Simpson finished the game with a team-high 19 points and added five rebounds. Rookie centre John Lenz had 12 points and seven rebounds.

The 0-14 Gaels will travel to Toronto this weekend to play the Toronto Varsity Blues and the Ryerson Rams.

Sports

14 •queensjournal.ca

Tuesday, January 24, 2012

women’s basketball

Team drops two on trip to Ottawa Gaels lose to Carleton Ravens and Ottawa Gee-Gees by a combined margin of 54 points B y J erry Z heng Contributor

I’ve seen in my history at Queen’s,” he said.

The Gaels lost 59-27 in Ottawa to the OUA East-leading Ravens.

Six Gaels were held scoreless and the team was outplayed in every statistical category. Guard Liz Boag was the team’s leading scorer with 11 points.

Dave Wilson has coached the women’s basketball team for 30 years, but he hasn’t experienced many games like Friday’s loss to the Carleton Ravens.

“One of the worst performances

“Nothing was falling at all,” captain Brittany Moore said.

“Carleton is probably one of the best defensive teams in the country ... that in combination with our poor shooting did not bode well for us.”

The Gaels were better on Saturday night against

BEWic sports days

A look at BEWIC Over 1,000 students and 32 teams swarm ARC for annual competition B y K irstyn H evey Contributor There was unusual commotion at the ARC this weekend. Over 1,000 students spent Friday and Saturday camped out at the building to compete in four made-up sports.

The 27th-annual BEWIC Sports Days tournament consisted of 32 co-ed teams competing in rugby basketball, inner tube water polo, floorball and water volleyball.

BEWIC co-ordinator Duane Parliament said the tournament has been growing steadily in recent years. “[It] started as a co-ed-crazysilly-fun weekend a long time ago,” he said. “They’ve been doing it ever since.”

The tournament wasn’t solely results-based. Teams were ranked partly on competitive results and partly on sportsmanship shown towards officials and opponents. .

Team B.Ed. Bugz came first overall in BEWIC. Team Athletes In Action won the Spirit Award.

Rugby basketball Winner: Team KO

the second-place Ottawa down and taking away what their Gee-Gees, but still fell 73-51. opponents want to do.”

With four Gee-Gees over 6’0, Moore and wing Christine the Gaels struggled to match up Wallace were the only Queen’s on defence. players to record more than 10 points, scoring 12 each. Just like on Friday, the Gaels trailed in One of the worst every statistical category except for performances I’ve personal fouls. seen in my history at The Gaels came to Ottawa Queen’s. in third place, with aspirations to move past the Gee-Gees into — Dave Wilson, second place in the OUA East. But women’s basketball coach they now stand in fifth place at 7-7 and are unlikely to earn a “We do have difficulty matching first-round playoff bye. up with Ottawa because of their size The Gaels are back on the road up front,” Wilson said. “They’re this weekend to face the Toronto very well-skilled on their defensive Varsity Blues on Friday and the end in shutting their opponents Ryerson Rams on Saturday.

“

”

Floorball Winner: Team Power to Change “When the Jock Harty Arena was demolished for the Queen’s Centre, we needed a replacement sport for broomball, which is when floorball was introduced,” Parliament said.

The game is similar to hockey.

All players, except the goalie, use floorball sticks in the game.

Water volleyball Winner: Team PHEranKINsteins “When we moved from the PEC to the ARC, we needed a fourth sport to replace volleyball, so volleyball was replaced with water volleyball,” Parliament said.

Water volleyball was played in the ARC pool and follows the rules of volleyball. The ball can touch anywhere on a player’s body, but can’t hit the water.

Rugby basketball sticks to the rules of basketball, but the players use an awkward rugby ball. Players can travel three steps in any direction without dribbling, then must pass or shoot.

“The rugby basketball was a little nuts. It’s hard to grasp the idea of it.

You are kind of playing basketball, handball and rugby,” Hayley Pollak, PheKin ’15, said.

On Saturday, BEWIC Sports Days participants gather at the ARC for an awards ceremony.

photo by asad chishti

Inner tube water polo Winner: Team Con-Ed #1 Inner tube water polo was an original BEWIC sport. Players can’t stand on the bottom of the pool and can’t hold or push off others’ tubes as they attempt to score.

“One of the good things about BEWIC is the opportunity to play different sports, which is why rugby basketball and inner tube water polo were ideal when it started,” BEWIC co-ordinator Duane Kevin Proudfoot reaches for a point in Parliament said. rugby basketball.

photo by corey lablans

Team Aesculapians dive to keep the play alive in water volleyball.

photo by corey lablans

Sports

Tuesday, January 24, 2012

queensjournal.ca

• 15

MEN’S VOLLEYBALL

Rookies beat RMC

get game updates

First-year Gaels prepare to ‘step up’ next year, head coach says B y A ryssah S tankevitsch Contributor The Gaels’ rookies were too much for the winless Royal Military College Paladins on Friday night.

The men’s volleyball team’s bench beat the Paladins in straight sets in Kingston to improve to an 8-6 record.

Head coach Brenda Willis said she used the game to keep her rookies and upper-year backups in game shape.

With fifth-year setter Dan Rosenbaum out with a long-term hip injury, rookie Matt Bonshor has earned regular minutes as the current backup setter behind Jackson Dakin. Bonshor tallied 26 assists in Friday’s game.

First-year Scott Brunet also continued his strong rookie season — he sits 16th in the CIS in solo blocks.

Willis said Friday’s performance shows why she’s confident about

the future of the program.

Willis said Fautley will play a “I’ll be turning to them soon,” major role this season if he can Willis stated. “With guys graduating, return to form.

“We have three more weeks some of them have to step up [of regular-season play], so we’re next year.” optimistic,” she said, adding that she was also pleased with the There’s a lot of progression of fifth-year outside movement that could hitter Niko Rukavina, who’s still happen ... it’s recovering from ankle surgery. anybody’s title After two straight wins, the to take.

Gaels are tied with the Guelph Gryphons for fourth in the OUA. — Brenda Willis, Willis said the Gaels could improve men’s volleyball coach their standing because all the top teams still have to play each other.

“There’s a lot of movement that Fifth-year outside hitter Bryan Fautley — who’s recovering from could still happen,” she said. “It’s a back injury that has kept him off anybody’s title to take.”

The Gaels will travel to Toronto the court all season — played for one set against the Paladins. next weekend to play the 2-10 “It’s a matter of getting Ryerson Rams on Saturday and the him enough reps,” she said. 2-10 University of Toronto Varsity “Attacking-wise and jumping-wise, Blues on Sunday. he’s already outstanding, it’s just the finer points of his game that — With files from Gilbert Coyle need to come back.”

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telephone 12 Payable 13 Therefore 14 A Great Lake 15 “CSI” evidence 16 Karate level 18 Popular condiment 20 That girl 21 —Stanley Gardner 24 Lightheaded 28 Winter road hazard 32 Pop 33 Help 34 Urban palls 36 Chum 37 Huff and puff 39 Shiner 41 Bewildered 43 Concept 44 Clear the tables 46 Hosiery material 50 Result of a star’s

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Rookie middle Tyler Scheerhoorn watches as setter Matt Bonshor places the ball. Bonshor finished the game with 26 assists.

photo by corey lablans

Sports in brief Women’s volleyball wins back-to-back The women’s volleyball team had a triumphant road trip to Thunder Bay, winning back-to-back straight-set games over the Lakehead Thunderwolves this weekend.

The wins propel the Gaels to 10-5, good for a second-place tie with the Ottawa Gee-Gees

in the OUA. Meanwhile, the the Gaels prevailed 25-21, 25-16, Thunderwolves remain in last 25-17. Outside hitter Katie place with an 0-13 record.

Hagarty followed up Saturday’s Saturday’s game was closer than 14-kill performance with 11 kills the straight–set decision suggests, on Sunday. with the Thunderwolves narrowly On Friday, the Gaels will losing 25-23, 25-20, 25-22. host the 10-4 Ottawa Gee-Gees, Outside hitter Kelsey Bishop led to determine sole possession of the women with 14 kills, while second place. setter Anna Pedjase recorded 40 assists.

— Gilbert Coyle On Sunday, outside hitter Natalie Gray led with 13 kills as

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Tuesday, January 24, 2012

postscript student life

Rise of the flash mob

Phenomenon created in 2003 by magazine editor B y K iran R ana Staff Writer

was sent out to a group of around 100 people on Facebook. Roughly 30 students committed to learning the dance and participating in the flash mob on the corner of University Avenue and Union Street. Participants included friends and followers of the campaign.

“My whole thing with flash mobs is that they can be really difficult to create,” Francis said.

“It’s always impressive to see people so synchronized but to be impactful like we were is more difficult.”

On Oct. 20, flash mob participants danced to “Moves like Jagger” on the corner of University Avenue and Union Street in support of Nick Francis’ campaign for rector.

corporations like Ford have even used flash mobs to push products, like the Ford Fusion.

Imagine hurrying through Grand But flash mobs weren’t created Central Station, amidst the busy with a serious purpose in mind. hustle of Manhattan, when you Bill Wasik, the senior editor of bump into the person in front of Wired Magazine and former senior you. editor of Harper’s Magazine, is You turn to apologize when widely credited as the inventor of you realize he’s standing still, flash mobs. mid-step. Confused, you look In 2003, Wasik sent an email around to see more than 200 to 60 friends and acquaintances, people scattered through the requesting that they forward it station, frozen in place. Then to others. suddenly they unfreeze and The emails instructed disperse as if nothing happened, It’s so difficult to participants to meet at four leaving onlookers puzzled mobilize humans, different bars on June 3, where and amused. so to see so many they received slips of paper telling This is a flash mob — a large people co-operating them to go to the Macy’s rug group of people who perform a is impressive and department in Manhattan. From premeditated action, often a brief there, 200 people gathered around dance, and immediately disperse. uplifting. a particular carpet in the back It’s a phenomenon that’s been —Nick Francis, corner of the store, telling the seen on university campuses Queen’s rector salespeople that they lived in a across Canada, and Queen’s is Long Island City commune and no exception.

Choreographers borrowed were looking for a “love rug.”

Rector Nick Francis chose to use Wasik went on to organize other flash mobs instead of an election moves from various Frosh Week video as part of his successful dances to ensure simplicity, flash mobs, including one where 200 people flooded the lobby of Francis said. campaign last fall.

“They were really smart about it the Hyatt hotel in synchronized “I was a little worried that it would be interpreted as a because they figured if they made it applause for about 15 seconds.

Wasik only publicly revealed gimmick and I’m so glad that it easy to follow, people will want to himself as the inventor of the flash be involved,” he said. wasn’t,” he said.

Francis said people react best to mob in 2006.

“You could feel the positive In a 2006 interview with energy, it was such a rush,” flash mobs when the organizer’s Harper’s Magazine, Wasik said flash Francis, ArtSci ’13, said. “It’s an goal is sincere.

“It might be a bizarre translation, mobs were “just a bunch of people unbelievable feeling being a part of but it’s like feeling a sense of doing something nonsensical for something like that.”

Rebecca Flynn, ArtSci ’13, support,” he said. “It’s so difficult no real reason.”

According to Queen’s Sociology and Ryan Keogh, ArtSci ’14, to mobilize humans, so to see choreographed the dance to so many people co-operating is Professor Vincent Sacco, flash mob success is due to effectively impressive and uplifting.”

Maroon 5’s “Moves like Jagger.”

Flash mobs have become engaging the masses.

Before the flash mob on Oct. “Sites like YouTube are not only 20, a video of the choreography vehicles for advertising, and

“

”

The Queen’s Step Crew club leads a flash mob outside of Stauffer Library on Nov. 20.

the forum for group expression, but also the medium which continues to popularize the whole idea of the flash mob.”

It’s not a totally new idea, Sacco said.

“In the 1960s people used to talk about a similar kind of idea, a public space of some sort called in the quaint language of the time, ‘a happening.’ Of course they involved much more work because the organizational logistics were so much more complicated.”

Though social media is an effective organizational tool, it can contribute to the darker side of flash mobs.

In March 2010, the New York Times reported on criminal offences during flash mobs. At least four violent flash mobs in 2009-10 broke out in Philadelphia, leading to injuries, property damage and at least three arrests. Onlookers described one such mob as chaotic and a “tsunami of kids.”

Flash mobs can also create mass inconvenience. In 2009, the BBC reported that the British Transport Police discouraged the implementation of flash mobs in busy public places, after Liverpool Station was closed when nearly 12, 000 revelers assembled to dance.

Regardless of their effect, flash mobs appeal to the masses.

“They allow anyone to take part in a public drama or public entertainment, which others can watch or react to,” Sacco said.

— With files from Jessica Fishbein

PHOTO BY JUSTIN CHIN

PHOTO BY JUSTIN CHIN

Flash mobs for change Students at the University of Guelph garnered national media attention for a flash mob in support of environmental sustainability.

On Nov. 24 2010, students stripped off their clothes and danced in protest of the rejection of Bill C-311, the Climate Accountability Act. In November 2010, Conservative senators decided to kill Bill C-311, a private member’s bill sponsored by the NDP that would have required targets on greenhouse gas emissions to be brought to 25 per cent below 1990 levels by 2020 and 80 per cent below 1990 levels by 2050.

The video of the scantily-clad mob saw nearly 40,000 YouTube views and received national media attention.

Paul Wartman is a fifth-year student at Guelph University and a flash mob enthusiast.

He said ultimately, flash mobs can be described as exhilarating and exciting.

“Euphoria takes over as a large group of friends does something socially exciting in a rather stagnant social environment such as a food court or library.”

Wartman participated in the University of Guelph’s “Vote Mob,” a non-partisan flash mob that aimed to combat voter apathy and raise awareness about federal elections.

“We got the idea for many of the flash mobs from videos online,” he said, adding that flash mobs were advertised through Facebook, Twitter, community list-serves and local community radio. Videos of the flash mobs then went viral.

“In one perspective, a flash mob is a type of protest that relies on positive actions to get the message across,” Wartman said, “which I believe to be the strongest tool in change.”