T u e s d ay , J a n u a r y 3 1 , 2 0 1 2 — I s s u e 2 9
the journal Queen’s University — Since 1873
ACTIVISM
NOPIRG plans to stop student fee
Opt-outable $4 fee makes up almost half of organization’s revenue, says co-ordinator B y K atherine Fernandez -B lance News Editor A ‘no’ campaign has been launched against the Ontario Public Interest Research Group’s opt-outable student fee. It’s the first time in the organization’s history at Queen’s. The $4 fee has been in place since OPIRG was started at
Queen’s in 1992. AMS student fees official ‘no’ campaign. go up for renewal every three years. According to AMS policy, a ‘no’ “The chief motive behind the campaign can be organized against campaign is the use of student a student fee referendum question. dollars or more precisely the ‘No’ campaigns are entitled to a $50 misuse of them,” said Stuart budget and a maximum amount Clark, chief organizer of the of 25 posters in accordance with NOPIRG campaign. AMS policy. On Jan. 24, Clark, ArtSci ’14, The campaign started last submitted a letter of intent to the Tuesday under the Facebook AMS to register NOPIRG as an page QSAFE.
Arkells come back
Clark said around 24 volunteers have become involved with NOPIRG and have helped put up posters and deliver class talks for the campaign. “Any contact that we’ve had with OPIRG has been largely confrontational unfortunately,” he said. “At the [cafeterias] we’ve had certain OPIRG sympathizers surround and yell at our volunteers.” Clark said the volunteers have been called “fascist” and “racist.” Kavita Bissoondial, OPIRG Kingston coordinator wasn’t present during the incident and said she was unable to provide comment. “This event lead to the adoption of student constables,” he said. Patrick Allin, AMS speaker and chief electoral officer, said a student constable was offered to each group during the campaigning due to increasing hostilities. Only NOPIRG has utilized this thus far. Allin, ArtSci ’13, said the AMS has been in regular contact with both parties and neither has violated the rules of AMS referendum, though supporters
of both groups have “publically harassed and defamed members,” of the other group. According to an AMS press release issued yesterday, those responsible will be held accountable under the non-academic discipline system. Clark said NOPIRG doesn’t take much issue with OPIRG as a whole. “The issue that we have is about the use of publically available funds for certain activities that don’t reflect the values of the entire community,” he said. Clark said right now QSAFE is committed to stopping OPIRG’s student fee. “Even if they lose the ability to opt out, no student is prevented from making an individual contribution to the $30,000 salary of the co-ordinator,” he said. Bissoondial said her salary becomes $24,000 after tax. “I definitely do think that [NOPIRG] is personal,” she said. “The campaign about my salary is absurd.” See Harassment on page 5
POLITICS
Elizabeth May comes to campus B y J anina E nrile Assistant Features Editor
Room as part of Ban Righ Centre’s special speaker series. “It’s her analysis of environmental issues and how everything is interconnected: the economy, the political parts of things, the policy, the environment, the choices we make in our daily lives,” Webb said. “She can interweave all of those things and come out with a clear idea of what action is required.” May, who recently attended the UN climate talks in Durban, South Africa, was on her way to catch a 2:30 p.m. train to Windsor when she sat down with the Journal to talk about student voting, environmental activism and the Green Party’s future.
The campaign to bring Elizabeth May to Queen’s started after the Green Party leader was elected as photo by justin chin The Arkells played a sold-out show at Ale House on Friday night, playing hits including “Kiss Cam” an MP in the Spring. “We wanted to focus our and “Book Club” from their new album Michigan Left. For full story see page 8. attention on the connection between human beings and the Shafia trial natural world this year,” said Lisa Webb, an organizer of the event. May is a former Queen’s School of Policy Studies professor and is the sole Green Party representative in Ottawa, representing the riding take issue … is sort of branding all Sunday’s conviction. B y J ustin C hin of Saanich-Gulf Islands in B.C. Superior Court Justice Robert Afghans, or branding all Muslims Assistant Photo Editor (Video) She spoke to a crowded room as barbaric, as the otherness people Maranger described the crime to of students and Kingston residents Queen’s student Irfan Tahiri stood who don’t really have the shared See Three on page 4 on Friday in the Ban Righ Fireside See Green on page 4 outside the Frontenac County values that we do.” A crowd of over 50 people Courthouse on Sunday to hear the gathered to watch the handcuffed Shafia trial’s verdict. Tahiri is Canadian-born , with Shafias leave the courthouse. The Afghan roots and has followed the crowd cheered and applauded as three-month trial surrounding the the Crown attorney walked out of honour killings. the courthouse after the trial. According to the United Mohammad Shafia, his wife Tooba Mohammad Yahya and Nations news release on domestic son Hamed plead not guilty violence in Mar. 4, 2010, there are to killing four female family as many as 5,000 honour killings a members in 2009. Shortly after year globally. Most of them aren’t 1 p.m. on Sunday, all three were reported by the media at all. found guilty of four counts of The Vancouver Sun reported in first-degree murder. Jan. 29 that since 2005 there have for the Journal’s AMS “I think the verdict is true. I think been 11 victims of honour killings election endorsement they were guilty,” Tahiri, ArtSci ’14, in Canada and eight convictions See page 6 said. “The one thing that I really have been made. This includes
Student speaks on verdict
News
2 •queensjournal.ca
Tuesday, January 31, 2012
ams
CoGro to compost Staff will begin in February B y J ordan R ay Staff Writer Common Ground is planning a new composting system that could cut waste output in half. “Hopefully by the beginning of February we’ll have the supplies in and be able to start implementing this,” said Sam Guertin, Common Ground Head Manager. Common Ground management requested composting bags from their supplier Gordon Food Services this month. The cost of implementing the program is still unknown.
We couldn’t get “it started at the
beginning of the year ... it wasn’t like we weren’t interested, we were pretty busy for the first little while.
”
— Sam Guertin, Common Ground head manager
“The suppliers said as soon as they have found something for us, they will let us know,” Guertin, ArtSci ’11, said. The initiative has been in the works since the creation of the Commission of the Environment and Sustainability last year, headed by commissioner Adam DiSimine.
“[DiSimine] did contact us in the summer ... asking if this is something we’d be willing to do, to implement a composting system,” Guertin said. She added that the reason the composting initiative didn’t happen earlier was due to the yearly turnover of staff in the coffee shop. “We couldn’t get it started at the beginning of the year ... it wasn’t like we weren’t interested, we were pretty busy for the first little while.” Guertin said she’s excited to see the amount of waste that will be cut by the new system, adding that more than just lettuce, tomatoes and coffee grounds can be composted. “Our forks, knives, spoons, cups, java jackets, lids; everything is biodegradable,” she said. “That’s something that’ll be tossed into the compost bin.” Common Ground pays two cents extra per biodegradable cup, Guertin said. Biodegradable utensils also cost more. She also said there is an extra cost for the coffeehouse to compost because they require heavy duty brown paper bags with an inside lining to be able to handle the volume of composting. “We’re looking for alternatives from our suppliers, Gordon Food Services,” she said. Guertin estimated that Common Ground will save on at least three bags of garbage per day with the new system. “At least half of the stuff
Common Ground head manager Sam Guertin says Common Ground incurs a small extra cost for their cups and utensils are all biodegradable and compostable.
that we bring downstairs is probably compostable.” Guertin said the composting bags will be used in the kitchen first before they are moved to the outside serving area for customers to use. “We’re going to train our staff to use the composting bags and hopefully come up with a way to make it easier for customers,” she said. “We would try to
have something out by March for customers.” TAPS head manager, Fay Yachetti, said if AMS pub services were to implement a similar composting system, there would be a space issue. “We don’t have a very big kitchen at all,” Yachetti, ArtSci ’11, said of the QP facility. “It’s something that maybe next year’s team could implement.”
PHOTO BY JUSTIN CHIN
While she said there were discussions about starting composting at TAPS this year, the system would have needed to be implemented earlier in the year due to space restrictions. — With files from Katherine Fernandez-Blance and Savoula Stylianou
Tuesday, January 31, 2012
queensjournal.ca
•3
Feature Local business
Princess Street theatre to close Ninety-year-old downtown cinema will move to larger uptown location this year B y C aitlin C hoi Assistant Arts Editor Gone are the days of cheap Tuesdays at the downtown theatre. Empire Theatres announced the closing of Capitol 7 cinema on Princess Street last month. After Empire finds a buyer for the seven-screen theatre, the company will move its operations into a new 10-screen megaplex at Division Street and Dalton Avenue, near Highway 401. The Capitol 7 building has been a mecca for mainstream moviegoers in Kingston for more than 90 years. Empire bought the theatres in 2005 from Famous Players, who purchased the site shortly after it was built around 1920. Students get a discount of over 30 per cent when they show their student card at the theatre. The new tenant at the Princess Street location won’t be able to screen movies. A clause in Empire’s sales contract negates any opportunity for competing interests. “It’ll be sold to somebody that will not operate it as a movie theatre,” said Dean Leland, vice-president media and studio relations at Empire Theatres. According to the records of the City of Kingston Heritage Committee, the Capitol 7 building isn’t a heritage site. But the cinema is a landmark in a long legacy of theatres on Princess Street downtown. In the 1940s, buildings that currently operate as James Red Furniture Kingston store, the Trailhead building, Stages nightclub and Ale House were all one-screen theatres. When Empire’s Capitol 7 theatre closes, the Screening Room will be the only movie theatre in the downtown area. “I know that there’s a large
amount of people in Kingston who live downtown, work downtown and go to school downtown and going to the new Empire location or going to the Cineplex is just too far to travel,” Screening Room owner Wendy Huot said.
Screening Room “isn’tThereally big enough to fill the gap that’s left. I’m not planning to start playing really mainstream content to take its place just because I know that’s not our strength.
”
— Wendy Huot, Screening Room owner
“I don’t have a car, and not having that multiplex downtown is a bit of a problem if you want to see a studio Hollywood film.” The two-screen Screening Room
is known for stocking alternative flicks, making it a favourite for indie-lovers and regional-film junkies. Its 89- and 56-seat theatres keep things intimate compared to Capitol 7, which houses hundreds of seats. “I anticipate it’ll be an increase in business for us, which is good,” Huot said. “But I do have a worry or concern that it redefines the Screening Room’s niche in Kingston.” Huot said she isn’t ready to take on the hole Empire Theatre is leaving behind. “I enjoy going to the Empire Theatre and I enjoy seeing movies that are big spectacle films,” Huot said. “But we’re not really the right venue for seeing really big movies. “The Screening Room isn’t really big enough to fill the gap that’s left. I’m not planning to start playing really mainstream content to take its place just because I know that’s not our strength.” Huot noted the potential for
another movie theatre to occupy the downtown landscape. “With the Empire leaving the downtown it leaves an opportunity or a market for another movie theatre that plays new Hollywood films,” she said, adding that several people have asked her whether she’ll consider taking over Capitol 7. “Of course I won’t because I don’t have that much money,” she said. “But I’ve heard people talk about if there’s a way we can save it or if it could continue to operate as a movie theatre under new ownership.” “It probably does mean that it’ll make it easier for the Screening Room to get the local rights to play certain films,” Huot said, adding that both the new David Cronenberg film, A Dangerous Method, and the Roman Polanski comedic-drama Carnage — which are currently running at Capitol 7 — are examples of films that she’d like to screen.
Princess Street in the 1960s. Famous Players owned the Capitol Theatre (left) until 2005.
Empire Theatres bought the Princess Street location in 2005.
Supplied by Queen’s Archives
“It might make it easier for us to play the kind of films that are nominated for Oscars.” Empire’s closing leaves organizers of the annual Kingston Canadian Film Festival (KCFF) wondering where they’ll be housing the week-long event in 2013. Launched in 2001 at the Screening Room, KCFF expanded to use Capitol 7 Theatre a year later. Festival chair Blaine Allan is also a professor in the film and media department. He said he’s concerned the annual festival will suffer from the cinema’s closing. "We tried to keep it downtown as much as possible,” he said. “I don’t know that once it closes that there will be enough spaces downtown to accommodate all that the festival does and wants to do.” KCFF 2012 will use both Capitol 7 and the Screening Room theatres when the festival runs in March. “Movie theatres are characteristically part of the downtown landscape,” Allan said. “This [closing of Capitol 7] means that the last one will be gone, the last major theatre of any historic record.” Under the ownership of Famous Players, the site was gradually revamped from a single-screen theatre to a seven-screen multiplex in the early 1990s. In fall 2011, Empire upgraded the theatre from 35-mm film to a completely digital operation — no classical film is stored on site anymore, with modern movies kept on a hard drive. “[The theatre] has clearly served the people who live downtown very well, for its convenience and for being within walking distance,” Allan said.
Screening Room owner Wendy Huot says she has no plans to take over the Capitol 7 Theatre.
Photos by Corey LaBlans
news
4 •queensjournal.ca
Tuesday, january 31, 2012
Green party leader sits down to discuss politics Continued from page 1
The AMS election
Q: A lot of concern surrounds student voter apathy in AMS elections. What can you say to that? A: If it’s student government, then they’re going to make decisions that affect your experience as a Queen’s student so surely you must have some preference about what kind of decisions you want. Voting in that will make a difference … You know it’s both a responsibility of citizenship and it’s a responsibility of being a community member to exercise your right to choose the best kind of representation you have on offer, and to run yourself if you don’t like what’s on offer.
Q: How can low voter tunout be improved in Canada?
The AMS election
Q: How can students get involved with environmental activism? A: We’re all citizens and we all have a voice and we all have the ability to change everything. You could routinely devote ... [an] hour or two a week spent writing letters to an editor, or the hour of two a week to go to a civic engagement. So, committing some of your time to being vocal, being active and speaking out will have real impact. If everybody who cared about the issues we care about spoke out on them, the noise would be deafening. But we somehow think we can’t make much of a difference, so we don’t try.
The AMS election
Q: Where do you see the Green Party going in the future?
A: We have a different approach to politics. We like to see a more A: We need Canadians to respectful dialogue. We don’t like understand that votes do count the hyper-partisanship. I’m positive even under this really perverse in the next election we will be voting system we have of electing many more Green MPs than we currently have. first-past-the-post. One of the reasons it was so hard When you start realizing that the difference between a Conservative for me to get elected, or anyone to minority and Conservative get elected was the media saying, majority was 6,201 votes, you have ‘Well Greens can’t get elected in to know the day you go out to vote, Canada.’ Well, the leader’s elected. you simply can’t know whether That makes it pretty clear; Greens you’re going to be in one of those can get elected. ridings where your vote makes the difference between a party you really like winning and a party you like better winning.
As part of a special winter speaker series, Green party leader Elizabeth May speaks in the Ban Righ Fireside Room on Friday afternoon.
photo by coREy LAbLAns
The AMS election
Q: What are the Green Party’s plans for tuition?
WANT A VOICE?
A: Some form of loan forgiveness or alternate program needs to be brought forward so students can afford to go to university. The Green Party policy is that there should be access to quality education that’s affordable for all. We have a whole range of different programs and bursaries and scholarships and … we’re also very concerned about the fact that there’s persistent youth unemployment in Canada post-recession.
Check your webmail and vote today or tomorrow
This interview has been edited and condensed.
Three accused found guilty Continued from page 1
the courtroom as “a sick notion of honour that has absolutely no place in any civilized society.” At a press conference following the delivery of the verdict, the chief Crown prosecutor Gerard Laarhuis said that this is a “good day for Canadian justice.” “This verdict sends a very clear message about our Canadian values and the core principles in a free and democratic society that all Canadians enjoy and even visitors to Canada enjoy,” Laarhuis said. Gender Studies professor Audrey Kobayashi said the general public has a “precedential and uninformed” perception of Afghans and Muslims. “Honour killing is not something that is part of the Islamic religion,” she said. Kobayashi said she’s pleased that Canada has chosen to not treat honour killings differently from regular crimes. “This is a trial of the murder of four innocent women. Not a trial of Islam,” Kobayashi said.
photo by justin chin
Second-year student Irfan Tahiri speaks to reporters outside the courthouse after the announcement of the guilty verdict.
SEE QUEENSJOUrNAl.CA fOr rESUlTS
news
Tuesday, january 31, 2012
queensjournal.ca
•5
Harassment reported organizers believe OPIRG shouldn’t receive student funding. Bissoondial, ArtSci ’10, said she Bissoondial said NOPIRG’s organizers has dedicated her life and work to have confused the political with community-organizing. the ideological. “Twenty-four thousand dollars for a recent “To me the issues that OPIRG works Queen’s graduate, it’s not a lot of money,” on, those being social and environmental she said, adding that hers is the only salary justice … are not left issues but they’re issues OPIRG Kingston pays for. that effect everyone,” she said. “We work on The focus of the NOPIRG campaign is on that to better all students.” defining OPIRG as a political organization, OPIRG Kingston is one of 12 provincial Bissoondial said, adding that NOPIRG public interest research groups. They are all comprised of working groups that focus on social issues. ‘NO’ OPIRG CAMPAIGNS Bissoondial said the AMS student fee amounts to $36,000, almost half of the organization’s revenue. Jan. 31 and Feb. 1, 2012 Other sources of annual revenue include around $10,000 from the Society of Undergraduate students will vote whether or not to continue to Graduate and Professional Students (SGPS) provide student funding for OPIRG and $12,000 from an agreement with at Queen’s in the AMS referendum. the other public interest research groups in Ontario. Nov. 25, 2011 The SGPS opt-outable OPIRG fee of $4.36 isn’t up for renewal until next March. The University of Toronto The NOPIRG campaign only extends to the Graduate Student’s Union AMS student fee. voted against removing “OPIRG Kingston’s fee is actually the OPIRG’s funding. lowest of all the PIRGs in the province,” Bissoondial said. Sept. 15, 2011 The organization has thought about raising the fee in the past, she said, but this An open letter, addressed to McGill has never come to referendum. students, is posted online entitled “We recognize the climate on this campus,” “QPIRG: Opt Out! Your Money, Their she said. Politics”. Two weeks ago a similar campaign was launched at Carleton University to try and Aug. 5, 2011 rally students to opt out of the $6.47 student fee. The results of the campaign haven’t SFPIRG faced a possible eviction been announced. at Simon Fraser University. They If OPIRG does lose the opt-outable fee haven’t been evicted. Bissoondial said she would go to the AMS Annual General Meeting in March to try and Jan. 21, 2009 bring it back. “It’s not the end,” she said. Ontario Progressive Bissoondial said on Thursday there was Conservative Campus Association a verbal confrontation between OPIRG and Campus Activism Training Sessions NOPIRG volunteers. occur at three universities. Specific “There was an argument, but it was a sessions include ‘Campaign reciprocal situation,” she said. Strategies and Tactics for OPIRG isn’t utilizing a student constable. Challenging and Defeating PIRG.’ “I don’t’ really understand the use or need for student constables, I feel like most of the — Meaghan Wray attacks … have been online,” she said. AMS Clubs Manager Craig Draeger took a three-day leave of absence from his position Continued from page 1
NEWS IN BRIEF Senate passes motion on transcript notations Students will now be able to drop courses until Week Eight of the term without academic penalty. The change comes after a motion was passed by Senate on Jan. 24. Prior to this, courses dropped after open enrolment would be included on students’ transcripts with a notation of “DR.” The inclusion of a “DR” on an academic transcript mostly affects students applying for extra funding or those applying to graduate school. — Michael Green
the least amount of trash per capita. Canadian schools that will be taking part include University of Alberta, University of Calgary, University of Guelph and University of Ottawa. The final results will be posted on April 13. — Savoula Stylianou
Chancellor receives award
On Jan. 17, Queen’s Chancellor David Dodge received the 2011 Vanier Medal. The medal, presented to him by Governor General David Johnston at Rideau Hall, recognizes Canadian public administrators. Queen’s to participate in The medal is given out by the Institute of recyclemania Public Administration in Canada. As one of For the second year in a row, Queen’s will be the highest forms of recognition for public taking part in Recyclemania, a competition administrators, it’s awarded to one Canadian that takes places on college and university individual each year. campuses across the globe to promote From 2001 to 2008, Dodge, LLB ’66 and environmental sustainability. former Queen’s law professor, spearheaded This is the 11th year that Recyclemania the Bank of Canada. Dodge was also deputy has taken place with and more than 100 minister of finance from 1992 and 1997, as schools across North America are taking part. well as deputy minister of health from 1998 During the eight-week competition, to 2001. Queen’s will collect data of its waste and Dodge is currently in his second term as recycling efforts. Queen’s chancellor, after being named to the Schools will be ranked based on who has position in 2008. the largest amount of recyclables per capita, the largest amount of total recyclables and — Meaghan Wray
Stuart Clark, ArtSci ’14, wants OPIRG to lose its opt-outable student fee.
to join the NOPIRG campaign. “I was dragged into the referendum campaign by a series of online assaults on my character, identity, and integrity that were supported by OPIRG affiliates,” Draeger told the Journal via email. “This included a very homophobic and queerphobic rant about my sexuality, as well as the misappropriation of my image by their previous Director.” Draeger said his relationship with OPIRG in his professional position has revolved around making AMS-owned resources like funding and spaces available to them. “The Clubs Manager has no responsibility ‘over’ an organization like OPIRG,” he wrote. “When I return to my job on Thursday
photo by coREy LAbLAns
morning, I will resume treating OPIRG with the respect and professionalism I have always displayed.” This isn’t the first time students have campaigned against an initiative or fee. In 2002, students campaigned against the AMS joining the Ontario Undergraduate Student Alliance (OUSA). Though 50.1 per cent of voters voted against OUSA, the campaign was dismissed after it was found that it had violated campaign rules. Campaigns against the Bus-It student fee, that allows students to ride Kingston Transit for free, have also been launched unsuccessfully.
6 •queensjournal.ca About The Journal
Editorial Board Editors in Chief
Clare Clancy Jake Edmiston
Production Manager
Labiba Haque
News Editor
Katherine Fernandez-Blance
Assistant News Editors
Catherine Owsik Savoula Stylianou Meaghan Wray
Features Editor
Terra-Ann Arnone
Assistant Features Editor
Janina Enrile
Editorials Editor
Andrew Stokes
Editorial Illustrator
Janghan Hong
Dialogue Editor Arts Editor
Brendan Monahan Alyssa Ashton
Assistant Arts Editor
Caitlin Choi
Sports Editor
Gilbert Coyle
Assistant Sports Editor
Benjamin Deans
Postscript Editor
Jessica Fishbein
Photography Editor
Corey Lablans
Assistant Photo Editors
Justin Chin Asad Chishti
Copy Editors
Jessica Munshaw Terence Wong
Blogs Editor
Kelly Loeper
Assistant Blogs Editor
Carolyn Flanagan
Staff Writers Emily Lowe Peter Morrow Jordan Ray Peter Reimer Anand Srivastava Jerry Zheng
Contributors
Michael Green Mariane Heroux Brendan Horgan Aryssah Stankevitsch
Photographers Timothy Hutama Justin Tang
Business Staff
Business Manager Daniel Weinshenker
Sales Representatives
James Bolt Kyle Cogger Katherine Pearce
Tuesday, January 31, 2012 • Issue 29 • 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 30 of Volume 139 will be published on Friday, February 3, 2012.
Editorials The Journal’s Perspective
AMS elections
““
Tuesday, January 31, 2012
While GPP offers a run-of-the-mill platform, the team makes up for a lack of creativity with personality.
”
Journal endorses GPP by single vote T
eam GPP won the Journal’s endorsement by one vote. Presidential candidate Rico Garcia, vice-presidential candidate of operations Duncan Peterson and vice-presidential candidate of university affairs T.K. Pritchard form a well-rounded, cohesive team. After conducting interviews with all three teams, the Journal’s Editorial Board cast nine votes for team GPP and eight for team JDL. Team RMS received five votes and there were two abstentions. Team GPP offers the best option as a whole, but their platform lacks the specific ideas of team JDL — comprised of presidential candidate Doug Johnson, VP university affairs candidate Mira Dineen and VP operations candidate Tristan Lee. While GPP offers a run-of-the-mill platform, the team makes up for a lack of creativity with personality. Each member of GPP is humble enough to be open to feedback, criticism and concerns. T.K. Pritchard is the strongest member of the team. He displays intense dedication to the welfare of the student body and would effectively lobby student interests. His wealth of experience and friendly personality make him the best choice for VP of university affairs. Team GPP’s weakest link is presidential candidate Rico Garcia. It’s unclear how effective he’ll be at standing up for students and negotiating with the University. If Garcia is elected, he needs to assert himself. He stated that one of his greatest skills is knowing how and when to listen, but the AMS president also needs a keen sense of when to speak up. Garcia’s $100,000 alpine tower proposal last year — shortly before he took office as Arts and Science Undergraduate Society (ASUS) president — was concerning, but he admitted it as a mistake when asked about his flaws. Duncan Peterson, team GPP’s candidate for VP of operations has worked with a large budget before as vice-president for ASUS. He has good managerial skills, and gave quantifiable answers regarding his mistakes and shortcomings. He’ll be a capable VP of operations. It’s unfortunate though that Peterson’s competitor, Tristan Lee, doesn’t have a stronger team. Lee showed a considerable knowledge of business management and a sharp financial acumen. He’s the best candidate for VP of operations. Working as Common Ground’s head manager, Tristan drastically reduced the service’s deficit in the 2010-11 year. Trailing just one vote behind GPP, team JDL has run a well-polished campaign. Each member of JDL is individually suited for his or her position, but they lack the strong group cohesion that both GPP and RMS demonstrated. Throughout the Journal Editorial Board, both of JDL’s VP candidates seemed dependant on Johnson for validation. Team JDL’s vice-presidential candidate of university affairs Mira Dineen has extensive
knowledge and experience in Kingston. Her work as the AMS’s academic affairs commissioner is a natural stepping stone to the vice-presidential position. But Dineen was frequently taken aback by questions and wasn’t persuasive. Johnson, JDL’s presidential candidate, offered a mix of benefits and drawbacks. Having been ASUS president and currently representing the Society as student senate caucus chair, Johnson has ample experience interacting with administration. But Johnson’s claim that he “knows how to speak the language” of administrators is what makes him unapproachable for students. While their platform has specific metrics of success, problems came in the form of prioritization. When asked to identify the single most important aspect of their platform, JDL selected their library improvement package. It includes increasing library study space and the creation of a mobile app that shows an estimate of how many
Renaud proved himself as a seats are available in each library. These ideas seem trivial in light contender. As a mature student of more pressing issues facing with multiple college degrees the University. Suspension of a and experience managing a program due to financial troubles company, he would be an effective is more important than open seats VP of university affairs. VP operations candidate at Stauffer. This AMS executive race Snefjella was the clear weak link on is the first time since 2008 that the team, something he admitted in three teams have run. Having a his interview. His experience with fully-external team like RMS in the budgets extends only to a $10,000 race is refreshing and presidential not-for-profit organization he candidate Jeffrey McCarthy, VP runs in Kingston, and his lack of operations candidate, Bryor practical experience could be a Snefjella and VP of university liability for AMS operations. In the current financial affairs candidate Sean Renaud climate of the University, a strong should be commended. Team RMS received the lowest president is needed to stand up number of Journal votes at five, to administration in the face of but they deserve recognition cuts. RMS’s presidential candidate for their efforts. They did McCarthy was genuine and principled. Unfortunately, he didn’t their research. They’re an honest and humble display a firmness neccessary to trio but failed to sell their external contend with administrators. An endorsement is our perspective as more of a benefit than a detriment. With a year-long term, opportunity to voice who we think teams cannot spend the majority of would best serve student interests their time becoming familiar with at the executive level. By a narrow margin, it’s GPP. the job.
Harper’s economic plan is Although the Canadian dollar short-sighted. It leaves us improved strongly in this period, vulnerable to the Dutch disease, a employment rates in Quebec and phenomenon termed after Holland Ontario still dropped by 2.3 per exhausted its natural gas reserves cent and 2.4 per cent, respectively. in 1959. After the recent recession, the Gilbert Coyle The Dutch disease occurs when Canadian dollar improved, but a country’s reliance on natural manufacturing output continued resources leads to a decline in to struggle. From 2009 to 2010, its manufacturing sector. When manufacturing employment fell a resource boom leads to higher by 2.1 per cent though overall t last week’s World Economic currency and a higher exchange employment grew by 1.4 percent. Forum in Davos, Switzerland, rate, manufacturers struggle to stay The Dutch disease is already Stephen Harper revealed plans attractive in the world market. here — Harper’s transformative to aggressively export Canada’s Dutch disease usually sets in agenda will only perpetuate it. natural resources to China while after a resource boom ends, but Canada isn’t set up for a tightening immigration laws, Canada’s geographic size and resource-based economy. Since retirement income support and diversity means we’re already income from natural resources health care. feeling it. falls primarily into provincial We’re better than that. With 95 per cent of our oil jurisdiction, excessive resource Canada is supposed to be a concentrated in Alberta and 75 per exploitation could permanently world leader. We’re known for a cent of our manufacturing industry damage the cohesion of our diversified economy based on both based in Ontario and Quebec, a federal economy. Western oil boom hurts Eastern A responsible government natural resources and trade. should instead focus on innovation. We’re not a country that ignores manufacturing economies. social responsibility to pursue Look at the patterns of our Competitive manufacturing short-term economic gain. top two export products. Between industries requiring skilled labour Harper is transforming us 2001 and 2007, Canada’s crude oil would represent a more sustainable into a resource-exporting country, exports increased from $16 billion way to tap into emerging a strategy that encourages to $41.8 billion, while revenue world markets. international dependency and from automobile exports declined Otherwise, once that oil boom restricts national innovation. from $41 billion to $32.6 billion. ends, we’re screwed.
Be better
A
Tuesday, January 31, 2012
DIALOGUE
Perspectives from the Queen’s community
queensjournal.ca
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Unfortunately, there’s a coffee culture at Queen’s that leaves no shortage of demand for the new Tim Hortons extra large.
Health
Sizing up Tim Hortons
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Talking heads ... around campus Photos By Brendan Monahan
What do you think about MyBar closing?
Canadians must consider health implications of new 710-ml coffee cup
“It truly is a tragedy.”
M ariane H eroux , P h D ’12 The fast-food industry has often lived by the saying “bigger is better” — and our beloved Tim Hortons is no exception. On Jan. 23, Canada’s largest publicly-traded restaurant chain officially rolled out its brand new extra-large coffee cup. The 710-ml serving size has already been a hit with customers. Last Friday, Tim Hortons launched a photo contest asking customers to creatively show how much they love the new cup by posting to the restaurant’s Facebook page. The up-sizing trend has defined the fast-food industry for decades. Between 1955 and 2006, a regular serving of McDonald’s fries increased by 250 per cent. During the same period, the size of a McDonald’s hamburger patty increased by 500 per cent. But while many Tim Hortons coffee lovers are rejoicing at the existence of a new super-sized cup, few are likely to stop and ponder the unhealthy impact of such a beverage. A typical cup of coffee is about 300 ml and contains 100 mg of caffeine. The new 710-ml cup has a bit more kick, containing about 240 mg of caffeine. According to Health Canada, a healthy adult shouldn’t consume more than 400 mg of caffeine per day. Consuming in excess of this amount can result in negative side effects such as muscle tremors, nausea and high blood pressure. It can also have behavioural effects such as increased anxiety, mood changes and irritability. Sure, if you only consume one 710-ml coffee then you remain under the recommended limit. But don’t forget that several other common foods like chocolate contain caffeine. Canadians should consider the impact this new enormous cup could have on their caffeine intake.
Scott Murray, ArtSci ’11
Tim Hortons’ 710-ml extra-large coffee is larger than the biggest sizes available at McDonald’s, Starbucks and Common Ground on Queen’s campus.
It’s important to consider the nutritional content of such a large serving. After all, the main reason we eat and drink should be to nourish our bodies for optimal functioning. The new extra-large cup isn’t just for coffee. Tim Hortons serves a variety of other beverages with which they can fill their new gigantic cups.
We’re witnessing alarming rates of obesity and other chronic illnesses ... continuing to supersize menu items probably isn’t a great idea. While black coffee is low in calories, many of Tim Hortons’ other offerings contain much higher caloric and fat content. Let’s examine a common Tim Hortons favourite, the French Vanilla cappuccino. This beverage, in the new extra-large size, contains a whopping 600 calories — including more than 19 grams of saturated fat — as well as 74 grams of sugar. That’s like eating two tablespoons of bacon grease and 19 sugar cubes. At the same time, this beverage
Graphic bYJustin Chin
“Justice has been served.” Alex Siu, ArtSci ’14
delivers almost no vitamins or minerals to your body, both of which are vital for optimal health. For 600 calories, you could eat 120 grams of grilled turkey breast, two cups of mixed vegetables, half a cup of quinoa and a baked apple sprinkled with pecans and cinnamon. If you didn’t want to skip the cappuccino, you could work off the extra calories by cycling on a stationary bike for two hours or running quickly for one hour. No big deal, right? Unfortunately, there’s a coffee culture at Queen’s that leaves no shortage of demand for the new Tim Hortons extra large. But the big question is: why are students in need of such large caffeinated beverages? Many students feel they need a caffeine fix to ward off tiredness or cope with a heavy workload. But if you’re getting adequate sleep and eating a healthy diet, a 710-ml coffee isn’t necessary. Don’t get me wrong: caffeine isn’t all bad. In fact, moderate caffeine intake has been shown to have some beneficial health effects. It can reduce the risk for type 2 diabetes, for example. It’s also been linked to reduced risk of degenerative brain diseases like Alzheimer’s and dementia.
That being said, these benefits were found for caffeine intake alone — not for the cream and sugar often added to coffee, which are associated with negative health outcomes. The bottom line is that Tim Hortons’ decision to introduce the 710-ml cup was unnecessary. Giving consumers the option to purchase such large portions only leads to overconsumption and indulgence, posing a further threat to health and well being. In a time when we’re witnessing alarming rates of obesity, cardiovascular diseases and other chronic illnesses — all of which are likely influenced by the habitual overconsumption of high-calorie and low-nutrient fast-food products — continuing to supersize menu items probably isn’t a great idea. So next time you’re waiting in line at Tim Hortons, ask yourself if ordering a 710-ml extra large is necessary. Try opting for the 300-ml small coffee. Better yet, skip the line and drink some water.
(those able to list eight societies) as correct although they were missing the NSS from their answers, meaning that even the Journal didn’t realize that the NSS is a faculty society. The NSS represents over 400 nursing students including those within the four-year Bachelor of Nursing Science (BNSc) program, the two-year advanced standing track BNSc program and those in the post-Registered Nurse BNSc program. The NSS hosts a variety of events throughout
the year, including charity fundraising events, BBQs, social and athletic opportunities as well as career-building workshops and annual conferences. We may be small, but we are still a faculty society and we definitely sit on the AMS.
“I’ve never been to MyBar.” Adam Blankenstein, Sci ’14
“It doesn’t affect me.” Lauren Mathieson, ArtSci ’14
Mariane Heroux is a PhD candidate in the Queen’s School of Kinesiology and Health Studies.
Letters to the editor Don’t forget about Nursing Re: “Candidate (Jan. 27, 2012).
quizzes”
Dear Editors, I thought the recent Journal story, “Candidate quizzes,” was a great approach in testing the knowledge of the AMS executive candidates. It allowed me to not only see the candidates’ personal knowledge of the university and AMS, but
also it allowed me to realize what I didn’t know in some of the questions asked. However, I did find it interesting that none of the candidates were able to recall that NSS (Nursing Science Society) is a part of AMS, when asked to list the faculty societies that comprise the AMS. This means that the NSS and the incoming executive need to establish a better relationship. However, what I thought was more interesting and somewhat concerning, is that the Journal considered two of the candidates
Kalem Boomhouwer, BNSc ’13 Nursing Science Society President
“Queen’s is losing an institution.” Natasa Krsmanovic, ArtSci ’13
Have your say. Comment at queensjournal.ca
8 •queensjournal.ca
Tuesday, January 31, 2012
Arts
Arkells pack Ale photo by Justin chin
The Arkells played songs from their latest album Michigan Left and invited openers the Darcys on-stage to sing a cover of Hall & Oates “You Make My Dreams.” For a photo gallery of the concert, see page 9.
Interview
The Journal sits down with the Arkells ahead of their sold-out show on Friday night B y J ake E dmiston Editor in Chief The Arkells frontman hadn’t forgotten. “We played this song in Kingston and our PA went out. You guys carried us through it,” lead singer Max Kerman told the sold-out crowd at Ale House on Friday night, referencing a Zappas Lounge appearance last year. The Hamilton band uses their Kingston concerts to map progress. It started with a humble 2008 Clark Hall show, on a tour to promote their debut album Jackson Square. In 2010, they opened for Metric at the K-Rock Centre. This
year they headlined Queen’s Frosh Week concert and recorded their new album at the Tragically Hip’s Bathhouse Studios. But the most notable is still that Zappas show, when the microphones went dead during “The Ballad of Hugo Chavez” and the crowd kept singing. “At every stage of the way you can feel a growth, especially in Kingston,” guitarist Mike DeAngelis said in Ale House’s basement ahead of Friday’s show. The Kingston date was the first stop to sell out after the tour schedule was announced in November. Arkells management avoids
booking interviews after their concerts — the post-show schedule is reserved for the band to interact with fans. After Friday’s show, the band hovered around their merchandise table, taking with fans and posing for pictures. “After every show we go out to the merch table and meet as many people as we can,” DeAngelis said. “It has become, not a tradition, but a habit.” T-shirts for sale at the Arkells’ table listed the band’s union affiliation, Local 467 of the American Federation of Musicians of the United States and Canada. “We actually just got our new
union cards,” DeAngelis said. The five-piece had day jobs when they recorded their debut album. But their tour schedule has since become too demanding. They started their Eastern Canada tour this month in support of their sophomore release, Michigan Left. Kerman was particularly animated at Ale House. Arkells are known for their live presence, but the stories within the songs on Michigan Left seemed to arouse an advanced set of emotions in the lead singer. The new album maintains references to working-class life — it’s a theme that DeAngelis said won’t fade, regardless of the
band’s mounting success. “The working-class themes, I think have a lot do with being in Hamilton. I think that city has a tendency to wear off on you,” he said. “In terms of lyrical limitations, it’s best to just not worry about it and let it take care of itself. “I think that there’s different ways to talk about class issues. A guy like Bruce Springsteen will still talk about class issues and after the show he’s not going to pump gas, he’s a wealthy man. “The really beautiful thing about his lyrics is that he always focuses on the stories.”
Festival preview
Dark illumination The third-annual Artiginite festival will bring films, art and theatre to the downtown core B y Terra -A nn A rnone Features Editor
she said, adding that over 30 of the events are free. The festival has run every A two-week marathon of art winter since its inception in exhibits, stage productions and 2009 — deliberately scheduled to concerts will draw revelers from fall over the coldest, darkest two weeks in the city. across Ontario. “What we hope to do is raise Artignite co-chair Roxy Denniston-Stewart said the festival everyone’s spirits and make them will bring together the Kingston feel better through the arts,” and Queen’s community with Denniston-Stewart, Queen’s events at Union Gallery, the associate dean of student affairs, Kingston School of Art and the said. “It makes you feel warm and cozy, and that’s what Artignite is.” Screening Room. Its original goal was to It makes you feel merge Kingston’s local art scene warm and cozy. with Queen’s students, though Denniston-Stewart said the festival — Roxy Denniston-Stewart, has grown to be a fixture for on the effects of Artignite residents of the downtown core. On Friday, Queen’s graduate “There’s a wonderful economic student Barbara Meneley will spring-off not just because it brings run Illuminance, one of the people into the community, but festival’s headlining events. The because of the events themselves,” collaborative project will exhibit
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A capella group, the Caledonias, will cover Kings of Leon, Simon and Garfunkel and the Beatles at their show at Artignite.
her homemade lanterns, sculpted out of snow and ice, as well as ones made by community members at Spring Market Square, where the ceremony will take place, before the show. Meneley will be hosting a how-to session for the project beforehand and lucky participants will watch their lanterns light up after dark. Queen’s all-girls a capella choir,
the Caledonias, will sing through the event. The 15- to 20-member choir will perform covers of Kings of Leon, Simon and Garfunkel and The Beatles during their set at Artignite. “When you come back from winter break, everyone’s all pissed off to be back at school,” Caledonias co-director Megan
photo by Corey Lablans
Khan said. “But I’m like, ‘We have Artignite, we have something more than school. “It’s just nice to be a part of something with other artists,” Khan said. “We get to really showcase more than just our choir side.” Artignite will run until Feb. 12. For more information on events see artignite.ca.
Arts
Tuesday, January 31, 2012
queensjournal.ca
•9
Q&A
Familial inspiration Postdata’s self-titled album was written by the Murphy brothers for their mom Wintersleep frontman and guitarist Paul Murphy was at home in Yarmouth, N.S. and had too much time on his hands. Over some scotch, Murphy and his brother Michael created an album. Now the brothers are touring their album under the name Postdata. Paul talked to the Journal via email about the new project. 1. What is it like working with your sibling on a project? It is a really wonderful experience. We are really good pals and yeah, he was trying to figure out a recording program that he bought over Christmas break. 2. Did your parents play referee? No, but my dad came down and asked me how it was going a few times. 3. You have said the album, Postdata, was for your mom. What do you hope she gets out of it? Well, she listened to it a few times and I think it is maybe a bit mellow for her, but I think she was happy that I spent the time at home
working on a record and drinking scotch as opposed to maybe just drinking scotch. 4. On your website, you say the songs came to you in a dream from your grandparents. Can you describe this dream? I had pretty vivid dreams after my grandmother passed away and the mood of the dreams was what I was most inspired by. Tried to make it feel streamy and warm & mysterious in the ways dreams can be. I’m starting to sound like I write horoscopes for Yahoo. 5. You clarify on the website that these dreams weren’t “Coleridge-esque opium dreams.” Are you a fan of Romantic poets? Who’s your favourite writer? I really, really love that period of writing, especially Blake, Donne, Wordsworth and Coleridge. I think my fav writer is Don DeLillo. Jonathan Franzen is giving him a run for his money though. 6. You said you began writing because you had free time and scotch. Any other items that help
with the creative process? Mostly free time and scotch. But yeah, I guess other things creep in. Other types of music, and art and literature. Hard to put a finger on specifics because I just try to write as much as possible all the time. 7. Is there a plan to go back to Wintersleep? These Postdata shows are just something fun to do, and something different. An excuse to get back home and play some shows and to keep busy too. Wintersleep just recorded a record, so we’re keeping a pretty low pro. Should be out in the Spring. 8. Do you find it hard to balance multiple projects? No. I have toured this record for one month in total and I guess this will be one more week added to that. 9. What can fans expect next for Postdata? Not too much actually. I’m not sure if that is the best way to sell
Paul (above) and Michael Murphy originally recorded their songs on a laptop. They took an eight-month break before creating the record.
oneself to an interview. Wintersleep will be touring like mad so yeah, this might be the only Postdata show eva in Kingston — trying to balance the earlier point I said about not doing much. Add some hype. 10. Do you have a favourite memory of Kingston? Wolfe Island opening for the Constantine’s, and crashing on [festival organizer] Virginia [Clark]’s couch. My cousin John and his wife came, and yeah, just remember it being a really wonderful time in the sun on the island. I slept in a hammock in the afternoon before the show.
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One of the first notable festivals Wintersleep got to perform at. A lot of fav Kingston memories actually. The first time we ever played the Grad Club with Wintersleep … the venue told us we could have as much Apricot beer as we wanted — it was a test tap or something … I’ve never had so much Apricot beer in my life. And I haven’t touched the stuff since. Postdata play the Grad Club tonight with special guest Julie Fader. Doors open at 9 p.m. and the show starts at 10 p.m.
— Alyssa Ashton
Energetic encore
Photos by Justin Chin
Arts
10 •queensjournal.ca
Tuesday, january 31, 2012
pOetrY
Sleepless slamming The Sleepless Goat kicks off a slam poetry series B y a sad c HisHTi Assistant Photo Editor There was barely room to stand at the Kingston Poetry Slam on Sunday night. The event at the Sleepless Goat kicked off Kingston’s Poetry Slam season. Organizers will run slams at the Goat until September. Each contest will consist of seven contestants, one microphone and one emcee. Poets perform twice and are judged on delivery and content by three randomly selected audience members. Scores at the Goat were given on a one to ten scale. The time limit was three minutes, with a penalty of 0.5 for every five seconds exceeded. Any time a poet stumbled and forgot their verse, the audience snapped their fingers until the poet could collect themselves. The poems had no musical accompaniment. Some poets were better with
rhyme and rhythm and others threw in dramatic techniques, like having a conversation by changing their voice intonation. While many slams were performed by memory, winner Anne Graham’s second slam, “Late Bloomer,” was read off a piece of paper. This was Graham’s first time performing at a slam. Long-time Kingston resident, Winona Linn, a fourth-year student at the University of King’s College will fly in every month from Halifax to host the slam. While living in Kingston during a break from school, Linn decided to enter a Kingston team for the 2011 Canadian Festival of Spoken Word (CFSW). She competed with a Halifax team the previous year. “It dawned on me that I wanted to have a team for CFSW when I took a semester off from school,” she said. “I wasn’t living in Halifax but I wanted to compete at the
nationals. So I started a scene, I started a series so I could collect the poets and go to nationals. It was purely a selfish act but it paid off.” This will be Kingston’s second suppLied season of Slam Poetry. The Kingston From left to right: slam poets Arianna Pozzuoli, Ali Pow, Matt Slam Poetry team went to CFSW to Shultz, Sherry Huang, Winona Linn, Anne Graham, Raissa Killoran and compete at the nationals in Toronto Greg Frankson. last year and finished fourth out of 20. This year the competition will be held in Saskatoon in October. Raissa Killoran, ArtSci ’10, discovered the Kingston slam scene over the summer. “This was really the first time I was able to get involved and consistently write and do poetry regularly,” she said. “There wasn’t really an outlet for that before.” Kingston Slam will be held on the last Sunday of every month, beginning at 8 p.m. at the Sleepless Goat. The next date is Feb. 26.
interview
‘Influence is always evolving’ Young Empires come to Kingston after releasing their debut album
The Young Empires’ symbol (seen above) is found on the cover of their debut album Wake All My Youth.
B y B rendan H organ Contributor The lead singer of a “world-beat haute rock,” is excited to be returning to his alma mater. Matthew Vlahovich of Young Empires will return to Queen’s this week to open for fellow Toronto band, Kidstreet. “I went back to Queen’s for a Homecoming the year after I graduated,” Vlahovich, ArtSci ’05, said. “I haven’t been back since, so yeah, I’m definitely looking forward to it.” Young Empires release their debut EP Wake All My Youth today. But their sound has been circulating for two and a half years. “For the first two years, what we did is we put out our home demos online, and we were fortunate enough to have a few blogs talk about them. That’s how we got our international exposure,” Vlahovich said of the trio, which includes Jake Palahnuk and Robert Aaron Ellingson.
The new release has already gained some recognition — their song “Beaches” was featured on an episode of Jersey Shore. Although they have the blogosphere buzzing with complimentary reviews, Vlahovich said Young Empires is weary of critics’ attempts to characterize them. “We’re all influenced by a lot of different music and always listening to new music,” he said. “I think the state of influence is always evolving. I don’t think any one of us in the band would be able to say we’re trying to sound like this, or that this band is shaping us in any way. We want to let it happen organically.” Though Vlahovich stresses natural growth for the band, he has ideas about where they will go next. “Bands always struggle with what direction to move their future music in,” he said. “I think what we want to continue doing is still have a dance feel to our music, but also introduce slower-type music. We want to present people with a
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wide array of different vibes and feels and not stick ourselves into one genre or direction.” If there is any identifiable direction for Young Empires, it can be found in the title of their EP. “Wake All My Youth” is a lyric derived from their song “Rain of Gold.” “We want our music to be accessible to young people, something that has a little bit more energy, if you will, than other music,” Vlahovich said. The band has a distinct symbol to represent them — a triangle with an abstract design in the middle. Vlahovich was elusive about the meaning behind it. “I think meaning is open to interpretation,” he said. “There’s no direct meaning behind it. It’s really about building something deeper with your fans, making a community of people.” Young Empires play the Mansion tomorrow night with Kidstreet and Joey McWilliams at 9 p.m.
Tuesday, January 31, 2012
queensjournal.ca
• 11
sports
photo by corey lablans
The women’s volleyball team celebrates a five-set win over the Ottawa Gee-Gees at the ARC on Friday night.
women’s volleyball
Gaels top Gee-Gees in comeback win
Women’s volleyball team beats Ottawa Gee-Gees for first time in four matches and moves into second place B y A nand S rivastava Staff Writer The Ottawa Gee-Gees were only one set away from leaving Kingston with their fourth-straight win over the women’s volleyball team on
men’s volleyball
Hot streak Gaels beat Rams and Varsity Blues in straight sets B y A ryssah S tankevitsch Contributor The men’s volleyball team extended its winning streak to 11 straight sets after a perfect weekend in Toronto. The Gaels beat the Ryerson Rams 3-0 on Saturday afternoon and defeated the Toronto Varsity Blues by the same score on Sunday. The streak dates back to a 3-2 win over the York Lions on Jan. 15. It’s the first time the Gaels have won 11 straight sets since October 2009. Saturday’s game against the Rams was closer than the score indicated — the Gaels only won 25-23, 27-25, 25-21. Outside hitter Joren Zeeman recorded 12 kills, while setter Jackson Dakin posted 30 assists. The Gaels had an easier time against the Varsity Blues on Sunday, winning 25-18, 25-21, 25-10. With the wins, the Gaels improve to 10-6, tied for third place in the OUA with the Windsor Lancers. Head coach Brenda Willis said the reason for her team’s recent hot streak was improved serving and blocking, adding that Zeeman has been receiving better support from See Tied on page 14
Friday night. win to force a tiebreaker. After Ottawa opted instead for finesse at focus on being better at so that’s But the Gaels rebounded in an several close points, they prevailed the net and capitalized on several no longer somebody’s first option exhilarating five-set win, jumping 15-12 in the fifth set to earn a tip plays to catch the Gaels off to score on us.” past the Gee-Gees in the OUA standing ovation from the crowd. guard for the first part of the match. The 11-5 Gaels will close out standings to take sole possession Head coach Joely the season at home against the of second place with two Christian-Macfarlane said her team We’ve been on the Western Mustangs on Saturday and regular-season games remaining. showed poise and resilience that the Windsor Lancers on Sunday. other side of that Outside hitter Natalie Gray she hadn’t seen earlier in the season. It will be an emotional weekend when we’ve been up dominated the game with 19 kills “We’ve been on the other side for Gray and fellow fourth-year 2-1 and lost. and 19 digs. of that when we’ve been up 2-1 outside hitter Becky Billings — they “I never feel at any point that and lost,” she said. “It was nice to suit up for their last regular-season we’re going to lose a match,” she see us show that we are capable of — Joely games as Gaels. Christian-Macfarlane, said. “I know that’s the same with coming back.” “Becky and I have been trying women’s volleyball coach not to think about it,” Gray said. all the girls on the court.” Friday’s game showcased the “Every time we do we tear up.” In front of a 150-person crowd OUA’s top two offensive players “They scouted us well and scored at the ARC, the Gees-Gees were up — Gray and Gee-Gees outside 2-1 after three sets. But the Gaels hitter Karina Krueger Schwanke — a lot on tips,” Christian-Macfarlane countered with a 25-12 fourth-set promising to be a hitting clinic. But said. “It gives us something to
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women’s Hockey
Slump continues on road trip
The women’s hockey team drops two straight to Western and Windsor, falling to fifth B y E mily L owe Staff Writer
The Gaels have lost six of their eight games since the winter break. “It’s hard to put my finger on Matthew Holmberg can’t figure it,” coach Holmberg said. “We’re it out. battling to the end of the game The women’s hockey team ... and we’re getting lots of shots suffered two road losses this on net. weekend, falling 2-1 to the Western “That’s five games now where Mustangs on Saturday and 3-2 to we’ve only lost by one goal.” the Windsor Lancers on Sunday. On Saturday, the Gaels outshot
The Gaels lost 2-1 in London on Sunday.
supplied by corey stanford
the Mustangs 34-32 and scored a said it’s an improvement, but power-play goal for the first time his team still wasted valuable in four games, but they still came scoring opportunities. “In both games … we had a up short. After the team fell behind in powerplay at the end of the game the second period, centre Morgan and we couldn’t make use of that McHaffie tied the game with a opportunity either time.” Winger Brittany McHaffie power-play goal early in the third. But the Mustangs responded with returned to the lineup after missing a power-play goal of their own five games with a knee injury only two minutes later and held — but Holmberg said she isn’t on for the 2-1 win. Goalie Mel fully recovered. “I know she’s playing through Dodd-Moher made 30 saves in some pain,” he said. “Hopefully, the loss. Against the Lancers on Sunday, she’ll be ready to go again winger Alana Smith opened the next weekend.” scoring before winger Taryn Pilon The two losses bumped the scored what Holmberg said was Gaels to fifth in the OUA. With “one of the best goals I’ve seen in only four games remaining in six years.” the regular season, Holmberg The Gaels led 2-1 at the start of said the team’s goal is to clinch a the third period, but the Lancers playoff spot. equalized after two minutes and The Gaels are back at home this scored the winner with under four weekend to take on the first-place minutes remaining in the game. Wilfrid Laurier Golden Hawks Goalie Karissa Savage made 29 on Friday and the ninth-place saves in the loss. Waterloo Warriors on Saturday. The Gaels were successful on Puck drop is at 7:30 p.m. for two of 14 power-play attempts both games. over the weekend. Holmberg
SPORTS
12 •queensJournal.ca
TUESDAY, JANUARY 31, 2012
men’s Hockey
Injury problems persist Men’s hockey beats Ryerson, loses to Toronto on the road B y PEtEr m orrow Staff Writer
“The best player on the penalty kill is always the goalie,” Gibson said. “We have a great one in Riley Whitlock.” But it was Varsity Blues rookie goalie Brett Willows who stole the show on Saturday, making 36 saves to secure a U of T win over the Gaels for the second time in eight days. Willows made 28 saves in his team’s 3-0 win against Queen’s on Jan. 21 in Kingston. The Gaels moved up to sixth
The men’s hockey team can’t escape the injury bug. Defenceman Rob Stellick suffered a concussion on Jan. 24 against the Carleton Ravens and missed this weekend’s games in Toronto. Without him, the Gaels beat the Ryerson Rams 2-1 on Friday, but fell to the Toronto Varsity Blues 1-0 on Saturday. Assistant captain Scott Kenway suffered an upper-body injury against the Rams and sat out women’s baskeTball against the Varsity Blues, joining Stellick, forward Payton Liske and forward Joey Derochie in the stands. “The injury list just keeps piling up, but what can you do?” coach Brett Gibson said. Stellick missed the entire B y J Erry Z hEnG first semester recovering from Staff Writer hip surgery and played for the first time on Jan. 3. Gibson said Guard Liz Boag had a happy it’s unclear when he’ll return to birthday on Saturday night, leading the lineup. the women’s basketball team to a Kenway sat out Saturday’s game 75-72 win over the Ryerson Rams. as a precautionary measure and Boag recorded a team-high said he expects to return soon. 17 points and posted four assists On Friday, the Rams scored four against the Rams, as the Gaels minutes into the game, but Gaels bounced back from Friday’s winger David Chubb responded 85-61 loss to the Toronto six minutes later. Winger Kelly Varsity Blues. Jackson scored the game-winning Boag didn’t miss a shot all night, goal on a second-period power going six for six from the field play. Goaltender Riley Whitlock — including five three-pointers. made 35 saves. “I was just confident with my The Gaels killed off all five Rams shots and they were dropping,” power plays on Friday, largely due she said. to Whitlock’s performance. Both teams were electric from
place in the OUA East after the win and the loss. With four regular season games remaining, only four points separate the fourth- and ninth-place teams. The Gaels will close the regular season on Thursday against the Royal Military College Paladins in the Carr-Harris Challenge Cup, an annual game established in 1986 to mark the 100-year anniversary of the inaugural Gaels-Paladins tilt Gaels defenceman Ben Munroe (left) rounds the in 1886. Puck drop is at 7:30 p.m. Ryerson net during Friday’s 2-1 win in Toronto.
supplied by stephen KassiM
Toronto trip snaps losing streak Gaels go 11 for 15 from three-point line in tight win over Ryerson, but lose 85-61 to Toronto three-point territory — the Gaels went 11 for 15, while the Rams were 10 for 14. Queen’s coach Dave Wilson said it was difficult for both defences to contend with the hot shooting. “[Players were] shooting threes from six feet beyond the three-point line,” he said. “I was screaming when the ball was on the other end.” The Gaels trailed by 11 points in the first quarter, but went on a 24-9 second-quarter run to take a four-point lead into halftime. The game remained tight throughout the second half — the Rams were one point behind the Gaels with four seconds remaining, but wing Christine Wallace made two free
throws to seal the win. Wilson said Friday’s win was a huge confidence boost for his team after three straight losses.
Varsity Blues, the Gaels were outscored in every quarter and trailed by double digits for most of the game. The Gaels gave up 20 offensive rebounds, allowing the I was screaming Blues to convert 20 points from when ball was on second-chance opportunities. the other end. They also tallied a season-high 31 turnovers, resulting in 33 points — Dave Wilson, women’s basketball coach for the Blues. Guard Brittany Moore led “Pressure is mounting in terms the Gaels with 19 points, while of securing a home playoff spot,” post Sydney Kernahan collected Wilson said. “[But] our ability to 10 rebounds. take care of the ball was much The Gaels will play back-to-back better, our decision-making was games against the Royal Military much better and we shot the ball College Paladins this weekend, very well.” away on Friday and at home on In Friday’s 85-61 loss to the Saturday. Both games start at 6 p.m.
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SPORTS
Tuesday, January 31, 2012
queensJournal.ca
• 13
PHekIn
Winter Adaptive Games take ARC by storm PheKin students and Kingston youths come together for Disney-themed games on Saturday B y tErrA -A nn A rnonE Features Editor Blair LaTour has competed in the annual Winter Adapted Games (WAG) for as long as his parents can remember. The 21-year-old was at the ARC on Saturday for the Queen’s School of Physical Education and Kinesiology’s (PheKin) 12th-annual WAG — a day of activities ranging from swimming to sleigh rides for 52 local youths with physical and developmental disabilities. LaTour is a provincial Special Olympics basketball player and an avid hockey player. On Saturday, he paired up with WAG volunteer Leah Gater, PheKin ‘12. Gater was one of over 130 volunteers from the PheKin
program helping out with the Disney-themed games. Before Saturday’s event, volunteers attended a four-hour training session on providing support to WAG competitors.
WAG is a great “opportunity for
volunteers as well as participants.
”
— Nick MacDonald, PheKin ’12
WAG was started by a group of local occupational therapists in 1990 before PheKin students took it over in 2000. This year, students raised nearly $2,300 for the event and the Physical and
Health Education and Kinesiology Student Association donated $500 to cover the $2,700 total for the event. An additional donation of $500 was made to sponsor a local athlete for the Special Olympics. Nick MacDonald and Jasmin Ma, both PheKin ‘12, co-chaired Saturday’s event. “WAG is a great opportunity for volunteers as well as participants,” MacDonald said. “It gives volunteers an opportunity to interact with children in the community and open up options for them if they want to look into occupational or physical therapy.” Competitors were divided into two groups on Saturday — one for kids aged five and 12 and another for those between 13
Fifty-two local youths came to the ARC for the Winter Adaptive Games on Saturday. Queen’s PheKin students raised a total of $2,300 to run the event.
supplied by Justin tanG
and 21. Representatives from the Special Olympics, Queen’s Revved Up and the H’Art School turned out to speak at closing ceremonies. The H’art school is a local non-profit dedicated to sharing art with the developmentally disabled. Revved Up uses student volunteers to run twice-weekly exercise classes for people with impaired mobility.
MacDonald said it was a good chance for disabled participants to see the athletic options available to them. “We wanted the kids to take away what they learned from interacting with Queen’s students and … apply it to all other days of the year,” MacDonald said. “We want them to see what other opportunities are out there.”
Lenna Sonneveld (left) and Paula Wong, PheKin ’12, (right) participate in the Winter Adaptive Games.
supplied by Justin tanG
SPORTS
14 •queensJournal.ca
TUESDAY, JANUARY 31, 2012
men’s baskeTball
Gaels come close to wins
can’T GeT To THe aRc THIs weekenD?
Team loses twice despite best offensive performances of season B y PEtEr r EimEr Staff Writer The men’s basketball team had its two best offensive performances of the season, but still lost twice in Toronto, falling to 0-16. The Gaels scored a season-high 78 points in Friday’s 82-78 loss to the Toronto Varsity Blues and dropped another close game on Saturday, losing 73-68 to the Ryerson Rams. Gaels forwards Matt Baker and Nikola Misljencevic and guards Ryan Golden and Mackenzie
Simpson all hit double-digit point “There were some miscues totals against the Varsity Blues. boxing out,” Barrie said. “But even Simpson led the way with 19 when we did box out, [Varsity points and nine rebounds, while Blues centre Andrew Wasik] would Misljencevic added 15 points. just use his strength to push us Six Gaels scored first-quarter under the rim.” points to lead 20-19 heading into Wasik, 6’7, had a game-high the second quarter. But a 14-3 13 rebounds. Toronto scoring run saw the Gaels “He’s a fifth-year guy who’s a down by five points at the half. very powerful player down low,” The Gaels got back into the Barrie said. “He just physically game with a 23-point fourth quarter, manhandled our bigs.” but still came up four points short. On Saturday against the Rams, Coach Stephan Barrie said his team Misljencevic’s 15-point first half allowed the Varsity Blues to pick up helped the Gaels take a 33-25 lead too many offensive rebounds. at the break. Golden posted all of his 15 points in the second half — but he missed a three-point effort to tie the score in the dying seconds. Misljencevic ended up with a game-high 21 points while the Gaels shot a season-high 82 per cent from beyond the three-point line. Despite the losses, Barrie said he was impressed with the teams’ play. This weekend, the Gaels play a home-and-home against the OUA’s only other winless team, the Royal Military College Paladins. But Barrie said the Gaels can’t be considered favourites. “RMC, for us, is no different than anybody else in terms of our preparation,” he said. “We don’t have the luxury of taking anybody for granted.” Friday night’s game will be at RMC and Saturday’s game will be at the ARC. Tip-off is set for 8 p.m. for both games.
Forward Alex Weatherill defends the basket.
Tied for third Continued from page 11
his teammates. But she said the Gaels still have to prove themselves against the top teams. “One of the things you can do against weaker teams is rely on their blocks being defective,” she said. “Now we’re onto the contests of really good, high-level games, and we’re excited to play them at home.” The Gaels host the firstplace Western Mustangs and the third-place Lancers at the ARC this weekend to close out the regular season. They lost to both teams on the road before the winter break. In past seasons, the Gaels have vied for the OUA title with the Mustangs and the McMaster Marauders. But this season, the Lancers and the Guelph Gryphons are keeping pace with Queen’s — the Lancers are 10-6 while the Gryphons are in fifth place at 9-7. Willis said this is the most competitive OUA regular season in recent memory. “The competition has been fierce in the top half of the draw … if you don’t play through to the very last point, you don’t win,” she said. “We’re in the same boat as Canada West now, with a fairly even top end.”
supplied by stephen KassiM
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Tuesday, January 31, 2012
queensjournal.ca
• 15
postscript student life
Coupons, Groupon and the hunt for bargains Many Canadian retailers won’t accept online discounts, managers say
photo by corey lablans
A staff member at the Princess Street Metro says she doesn’t see students using coupons but isn’t sure why.
B y J essica F ishbein Postscript Editor At first, it doesn’t seem worthwhile. I covered my kitchen table in flyers and newspapers and sifted through them for a way to save $1.80 on milk. This was my introduction to couponing. It’s a ruthlessly competitive activity that has captured the attention of soccer moms, students and celebrities alike. Retail outlets have always provided customers with certain discounts and rebates, but the systematic use of coupons as an aggressive money-saving tactic has gained popularity in recent years. The Wall Street Journal dubbed the practice as “the Newest Extreme Sport” in a 2010 article. In the article, Timothy W. Martin suggests that extreme couponing gained prominence in the U.S. after the 2008 recession. According to coupon-processing company Inmar Inc, 3.3 billion coupons were redeemed in 2009, as opposed to 2.6 billion in 2008. The 27 per cent increase is the
largest yearly jump since the company started recording the statistics over a decade ago. Despite the wide prevalence of couponing, certain discount-hunters have garnered a stigma in popular culture — primarily the result of TLC reality show Extreme Couponing. I was initially confused why couponing isn’t a bigger phenomenon in Canada. While many of Canada’s major grocery outlets don’t accept online coupons, there’s huge potential for in-store savings.
We don’t accept “Internet coupons. If you print them off yourself, we can’t process them.
”
— Rachel Mooney, FreshCo customer service manager If you shop smartly, your savings will accumulate. FreshCo is known for its regular
discounts, so I took advantage of the advertised in-store discounts on a recent shopping trip. Using coupons I found in flyers I hunted down the items on my short shopping list. I saved $14.12 on a nearly $35 bill. While it doesn’t seem significant, it adds up and wasn’t too time-intensive. I spent ten minutes organizing my coupons. If you go the coupon route, be prepared to end up with items you don’t need. I now have Kleenex in bulk. It’s more effective when buying groceries for a large family, as discounted items often come in large quantities. Customer Service Manager of FreshCo Rachel Mooney agreed. Because couponing often provides deals on items in bulk, Mooney said most of FreshCo’s couponers are people who come into the store with coupons for large families. “We don’t have many people using plenty … just the odd person.” Mooney said she doesn’t think couponing is as big a phenomenon in Canada as it is in the U.S.
Local hair stylist says she saw an increase in client base after her salon used Groupon last week.
supplied
“In Canada there’s a lot of limits on things,” she said. “We don’t accept Internet coupons. If you print them off yourself, we can’t process them.” This doesn’t affect competition with other stores though. “I’ve heard customers say Wal-Mart takes [Internet coupons], but most other grocery stores don’t,” she said. “We’ve never had anyone use Groupon.” FreshCo accepts coupons from Save.ca and Websaver.com. These websites supply coupons for a wide range of grocery items and mails them to customers. Both FreshCo and Metro have a similar lack of student enthusiasm when it comes to couponing — something Metro employee Kathryn Jennings doesn’t understand. “If you can get just a buck off, it’s worth it.” Couponing isn’t just seen in grocery stores, though. Groupon was launched online in 2008, offering daily deals on products and restaurants. It now has 50 million users. For Franselly Hair Design and Spa, a salon on Wellington Street, Groupon meant a boost in business. According to Ashley Vanderhal, who works at the salon, three coupons have been offered through the popular website. Last week, they sold 300 coupons advertised on Groupon. For $12, the coupon provides a men’s cut, plus wash, style and scalp massage — a $25 value. For $25, Franselly Hair Design and Spa offered a women’s cut, plus wash and style — a $50 value. For $45, customers could get $100 worth of colouring services. The coupon expires in a year. While Groupons may not initially appear to be profitable to businesses, they can be advantageous. “You’re getting new people to a new place. If they like it you can get a repeat client, and they can bring in new people,” Vanderhal said. “They’re definitely helpful …
we’ve had quite the rush.” It isn’t the case for every business, though. The effects of Groupon can be overwhelming on small businesses, as seen with the mass purchase of a coupon for Posies Café, a small coffee shop in Portland, Ore. in 2010. Groupon allowed customers to pay $6 for $13 worth of products. Over 1,000 were purchased, flooding the establishment for three months. The owner admitted to having to pay an additional $8, 000 to her staff to accommodate the increase in traffic.
I don’t know anyone “whose used a Groupon more than once. ” — Steve Nikitopoulous, Campus One Stop co-owner Steve Nikitopoulous, co-owner of Campus One Stop, said he wouldn’t use Groupon for his business. While the site is good for advertising, it doesn’t present many other benefits, he said. “It’s good for exposure, but you don’t make money from Groupon.” According to Nikitopoulous, certain couponing websites may attract customers, but they don’t present an effective business model to owners. “With sites like Ethical Deal, Team Buy … they have steady customers but they’ll run out of people,” he said. “I don’t know anyone who’s used a Groupon more than once.” Moreover, Campus One Stop doesn’t have a merchant than can process online coupons. “We have no way of validating them,” he said. “But we’ve designed our own coupons.”
16 •queensjournal.ca
Tuesday, January 31, 2012