April 2015

April 2015

Meet Stephen Toope

Behind the Camera Lens

#Dontourage

A conversation with the new Director of the Munk School.

Alexandra Witt interviews Trinity’s prominent photographers.

Simone Garcia interviews the Trinity Dons.

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Content

21ST CENTURY RUSH PUB

The brutal odyssey of Trinity’s blood sport P.

Alumni Viriginia Froman p. 3

NO ONE PUTS SANA ALI IN A CORNER

WALLBALL

Can this tradition align with modern progressive values?

A Letter from the Editors p. 2

APRIL 2013

April 2015

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Our exclusive interview on her public departure from Team Renew

Features

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From Drama To International Politics by:

Madeline Torrie

Meet Stephen Toope, the New Director of the Munk School of Global Affairs.

Cliquey Cocktails Amanda Greer p. 4

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The Politics of Social Media Patrick Andison p. 5

Behind the Camera Lens

House of Shards Rhiannon Langford p. 9 Musical Musings Eleanor Laffling p. 10

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by:

Alexandra Witt

The Salterrae’s Senior Photographer interviews three of Trinity’s prominent photographers.

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Trin Goes to Tbilisi Madeline Klimek p. 14 The Klamboner Iris Robin p. 15 The Second Year Slump Maddy Torrie p. 20

#Dontourage

by:

Simone Garcia

Canadian protest culture, Trin traditions, and graduate studies: a discussion with Trinity’s Dons.

Mental Health and the Undergraduate Emma Smith p. 21

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Bookshelves Rebecca Zhu p. 22 It’s Getting Hot in Here Veronica Stewart p. 23

On Progress and Policy

Things to Do Around Town Simone Garcia p. 24

The lessons we can learn from this year’s student elections.

by: Iris

Robin

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Salterrae • April 2015

Editor-in-Chief Sonia Liang

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Simone Garcia

Senior Design Editor Helen Picard

Salterrae Executive Copy Editors

Amanda Greer Iris Robin Maddy Torrie Junior Copy Editors Nikita Gupta Sarah Millman

Design Editors

Claire Shenstone-Harris Veronica Stewart Guy Taylor Junior Design Editors Amanda La Mantia Rachel Chen

NO ONE PUTS SANA ALI IN A CORNER

WALLBALL

Can this tradition align with modern progressive values?

Senior Copy Editor

APRIL 2013

Masthead

The brutal odyssey of Trinity’s blood sport

Director of Public Relations . 21 . 18 Amanda Greer P

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Senior Photographer Alexandra Witt Treasurer Allison Spiegel

Salterrae Contributors Columnists

Simone Garcia Amanda Greer Damian Klambauer Rebecca Zhu

Staff Writers

Iris Robin Emma Smith Veronica Stewart Madeline Torrie

Our exclusive interview on her public departure from Team Renew

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Writers

Patrick Andison Virginia Froman Madeline Klimek Eleanor Laffling Rhiannon Langford Alexandra Witt

Photographers and Illustrators Nathan Chan Benjamin Jakabec Sonia Liang Amanda La Mantia Marissa Martins Helen Picard Bethany Pile Syndi Li-Walton Giselle Wenban Adriana Workewych

Cover Photography Alexandra Witt

Letter From The Editors Dear Friends, Spring is in the air.

Quad Party has come and gone, along with our dignities. Classes have finished. A few pesky exams are all that lie between us and freedom.

Now that we are nearing the end of our reign as senior editors, we would like to take some time to reflect on the past year and on the challenges, achievements, and changes that have been part of it. It’s been a good year: one full of thoughtful dialogue, intense discussion, and progress.

As these conversations have taken place, we have tried to make the Salterrae a forum where students can express different opinions and share new ideas.

We would like to finish off the year with commentary on this year’s student elections; a feature of Trinity’s talented photographers; and wise words from our lovely team of Dons.

It’s been a pleasure working with such a fantastic team. Now, it’s time for us oldies to step back and leave the magazine in the new team’s very capable hands.

Adieu!

Sonia Liang, Simone Garcia, and Helen Picard

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Virginia Froman • The Alumni Column

The

Alumni Column An Alumna Looks Back By: Virginia Froman Illustration: Giselle Wenban

Labour Day weekend in 1977, I landed in Toronto for the first time, with one red suitcase and nowhere to live. Back then, first year students were not guaranteed a place in residence. But then, the room of a late-returning second year student was available for me until the end of Frosh Week. Climbing the stairs at St Hilda’s, suitcase in tow, I turned at the landing halfway and was hailed from the top, ‘Hi, I’m a Divine” said a commanding figure. Friendly, I thought, but what is that? A Divinity student, it turns out.

Still, most of orientation had to be spent away from Trinity, pounding the pavement until I finally found a room to rent in a house on Beverley Street. In November there came word of a room at St Hilda’s! A fellow student had dropped out.

What appeared to be her loss seemed my gain as I was immersed in the College community.

Trinity was overwhelming at first: I felt anything but sure of myself. There seemed to be a ton of stuff going on, including strange things, no clue what purpose they were meant to serve. Before the Freshman Debate, a classmate and I were coached by the Prime Minister of the Lit in the (dubious) art of innuendo. The resolution, we were debating was, ‘Be it resolved that any woman can…’ How did I not know about any of this? I felt I should have asked more questions, done more research… surely others felt the same?

Since 1851, members of this College have, in one location or other, debated, studied, played music and sport, formed societies and committees, danced, chanted, mourned and frequently feared that the sky was falling. I know my peers were also uncertain, inquisitive, rebellious and, consequently, over the decades, Trinity has changed.

And change is relative. It’s both internal and external and we are able to feel both as we have impact and are impacted by a community. Students used to churn out the next issue of the Salterrae

late on Sunday nights on an old mimeograph machine in a closet-like space in the basement of St Hilda’s. This seems antiquated given that I’m creating this document using technology that did not exist during my time as an undergraduate.

Was I inspired or alienated by the perspectives of my peers? One year on Second Kirkwood, the door next to mine bore a little taped-on note which read, “l’enfer, c’est les autres...” And did people really believe that allowing women to live in residence at Trinity (Proper) would irrefutably and forever alter the ethos of the College? This was a fiercely contested issue circa 1980.

And did the fellow student who broke OAK to ask to borrow my typewriter truly believe she had a higher need? I was actually and audibly using it at the time, working on my own overdue essay, hence the OAK sign on my door on 2nd Massey.

(When academic focus was imperative, we would write ‘OAK’ on an index card and tape it to our door to signal Please Do NOT Disturb. This tradition was said to have originated in England, perhaps Oxford, where students would close the outer Oak door to their room when they needed to study. Not having an outer door, we posted an OAK sign. This was used judiciously for study purposes and respected.) I remember being both irritated and shocked at this interruption. No, I replied, a small word, very useful.

It was strange how the capacity to feel belonging could sometimes shift to the opposite. While many aspects of college life drew me in, others repelled. Yet, day after day, class after class, debate after debate, haring space and food and friendship, we all navigated as well as we were able. And in any context, it is by navigating with others through the issues of the day that we each find a sense of perspective, learn to calibrate what to pay attention to, what we can find in common, where to draw the line.

Some students may flee, as did the previous occupant of my room. This can be a good option too,

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Did people really believe that allowing women to live in residence at Trinity (Proper) would irrefutably and forever alter the ethos of the College? This was a fiercely contested issue circa 1980. one which I now understand. Yet somehow, most of us graduate and move on. But the buildings don’t hold us together. And what does connect us includes more than youth and shared experience. We each belong, not because we believe in or agree on a specific thing, but because belonging is reciprocal, give and take.

One way or another we each put into the Trinity community some measure of what matters to us, perhaps a little, perhaps a lot. And I know that through the mistakes made and forgiveness found as part of this community, through all of the frustrations and the triumphs, the friendships stay with us, perhaps silently.

Salterrae • April 2015

THE FOOD COLUMN

CLIQUEY COCKTAILS By: Amanda Greer Illustration: Adriana Workewych

Outside, the snowdrifts that usually reach about three toddlers in height are slowly melting.

Queen’s Park is beginning to look like a swamp, and Quad Party is fast approaching. (In fact, it may already have come and gone, depending on when the Salterrae team gets this printed.)

Spring is in the air.

For some of us, namely the illustrious 1T5s, this means graduation. The muddiness of the grass outside and the lingering smell of long-frozen fecal matter coming to a thaw means that it’s time to say goodbye to Trinity and hello to the Great Unknown. Which most likely contains plenty of debt, whisky, and failed OkCupid dates.

For my final food column, I thought I’d leave you all with a series of cocktails designed to pigeonhole you based on your interests.

If you’re wondering, my inspiration was the standout musical number, “Stick to the Status Quo” from the Disney Channel Original Movie High School Musical. I’ve painstakingly created a cocktail for each of the clubs at Trinity that came to mind while writing this column.

So find the one that best suits you, and accept that you will be confined to a finite list of ordinary traits for the remainder of your years!

Cliques are forever!

1. The TCD-YASSSS Club: Figure it out for yourself.

If you’re a born performer who longs for the spotlight and always has to make everything about you then this cocktail is pure perfection.

Glitzy, bubbly, and worthy of an Iggy itself, the TCD-YASSSS is the ultimate pre-karaoke beverage. Just pour some cognac and Grand Marnier into a champagne flute, and top it off with real (or fake) champagne. If you drink this, you can pretend that you have a chance of experiencing upward social mobility!

Alternative options: Bubbly STRAIGHT FROM THE BOTTLE. 2. The Heavy-Lifter

Club: TCAA/SHAH

Top this sucker off with Guinness.

This cocktail is perfect for those of you who value a healthy body along with a healthy mind, since it will probably destroy both those things!

Simply add 1 ¼ cups of cranberry juice to two scoops of vanilla protein powder and top it off with vodka. Build protein while you obliterate brain cells - that’s the way to become the athlete of your dreams.

Again, I reiterate, do not try this unless you’re certifiably insane, have a stomach made of steel, or are harboring a death wish. There are no winners in this situation—only inebriated warriors with many regrets ahead of them.

Alternative options: Just don’t.

Alternative options: JAGER BOMBS. THEY BUILD CHARACTER. ALSO BEER. 3. The Philanthropist’s Punch Club: The Trinity College Volunteer Societ After a long day of doing good deeds and paying it forward, it’s always nice to put those weary feet up and drown your sorrows in sugary drinks! No one ever rewards you for your charitable endeavours, so let me give you this gift of cocktail perfection as a form of repayment. Purée two cups of mint leaves with two cans of frozen Bacardi’s Margarita Mix and one cup of water. Strain into a punch bowl, and add one bottle of white rum, some limes, and ice. I can’t think of a way to align this drink with the TCVS specifically. I just think it sounds delicious, and I would like everyone to agree with me at all times.

Alternative options: There are no alternative options.

4. The Horse’s Ass Club: The Lit This one is not for the faint of heart, but then again, neither are most members of the Lit. Apparently it was invented by Anthony Burgess for “A Clockwork Orange,” and consists of a double shot each of gin, rum, whiskey, brandy, and port, all poured into a pint glass.

I’m not even close to finished. You then have to add four ounces of champagne or sparkling wine.

Think I’m through? You’re too naïve.

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There you have it: four cocktails based on four clubs, which are in turn based on a few salient interests common to a select group of people.

Perfect for the all-inclusive environment that Trinity is so fond of encouraging, right?

I’d like to take this opportunity to thank the Salterrae and the Trin community at large for two great years as your Food Columnist. Cue Simple Minds’ “Don’t You Forget About Me.” Stay Salty.

Patrick Andison • The Politics of Social Media

The Politics of Social Media

Discussing the Role of Facebook in Trinity’s Electoral Policy By: Patrick Andison Illustration: Amanda La Mantia

It would be hard for anyone to deny that Facebook has become an embedded part of Trinity College culture. Similar to our ongoing discussions on sex, alcohol and diversity, it is time for our college to talk about how we interact with Facebook.

This spring the College endured yet another tumultuous and tense season of student elections - one that for myself was defined by moments of online commentary, some positive but many deeply disappointing. As a community, we are working incredibly hard to define appropriate and accessible student life at this college. We need to ensure these efforts encompass the virtual world, and address how as a college we use and abuse Facebook.

“There is no faster way to spread a photoshopped picture of Tina’s head, on Connor’s body with Victoria’s legs, wearing Kaleem’s socks and Aditya’s glasses than through Facebook.”

For the purpose of this discussion I want to divide Facebook communication into three general categories: the dissemination of information, private communication and public discourse. The first two categories I argue are useful tools for increasing the accessibility of our leaders, while the latter arguably requires careful consideration and some level of communal restraint.

There is no repudiating the power of Facebook for activism, participation, and the dissemination of information. We are able to connect further with our community and with greater speed than ever before. Just today, I watched as the Quad Party event gained over 300 attendees in just over an hour. There is no faster way to spread a photoshopped picture of Tina’s head, on Connor’s body with Victoria’s legs, wearing Kaleem’s socks

and Aditya’s glasses than through Facebook. It is an incredible tool that we must continue to use to the best of our ability to improve the active participation of our fellow students in the Trinity community.

However, when communication on Facebook moves from informative to divisive discourse, we risk creating dangerous barriers and fears for individuals looking to get involved in our community. If students are uncomfortable sharing and posting information, advice, or opinions on Facebook out of a growing fear of the impending vitriol of online comments they will receive, then we have already stifled conversation in our community—and are weaker because of it.

Reflecting on my four years of undergraduate education, I am immediately overwhelmed with positive social and educational experiences, most of which occurred outside of the walls of any classroom. But they all occurred within the “real” world. We have all read thought-altering arguments in textbooks, online articles or via Facebook links, but the experiences and discussions that have shaped my learning experience have occurred around the tables in Strachan, on the couches in the Buttery, and in countless other places on our campus. The Internet, and by extension social media, have become tools for me to gather information and develop initial perspectives, but it is through peer discussion that I have truly enjoyed the formative development and collaborative progression of my ideas and my perspectives.

Trinity College is filled with some of the brightest and most accomplished young leaders in Canada. As a community, let’s take advantage of each others’ knowledge and leadership. Let us refrain from reducing our fellow members of college to mere Facebook statements, prepared in

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haste and often emotionally charged. Conversational discourse requires a certain rhythmic and improvisational dynamic, often layered with an emotional and personal perspective but perpetually balanced by an individual’s inflection, tone, and pace. This is an intricate dynamic that can never be effectively mimicked by a written post or comment on Facebook.

In conversation we can learn, empathize, and most importantly react to far more than just the words of our counterparts. In conversation, it is the sentiment and the intent of our fellow students that takes precedent—something often misinterpreted or forgotten in an online forum.

“There is no repudiating the power of Facebook for activism, participation, and the dissemination of information.”

As I leave this College in the coming months, I will undoubtedly be overwhelmed with an incredible sense of nostalgia and compassion for the student community of which I am proud to call myself a member. I will reflect on those learning experiences I shared with some of my dearest friends and some of my most hardened political adversaries, knowing that they shaped who I am as an individual and how I see the world around me. I encourage Trinity students now and in the future to proceed with caution in the dangerously provocative world of Facebook and instead strive to maintain the benefits of intelligent, collaborative, and respectful public discourse within the Trinity community. After all these experiences reflect the fundamental concepts of leadership, excellence, and responsibility upon which our community was built.

Salterrae • April 2015

An Interview with

Stephen Toope

Drama and International Politics with the

New Director of the Munk School

“I was always an actor. I just loved it.”

This was certainly not the response I was expecting when I asked Stephen Toope, the new Director of the Munk School of Global Affairs, about his time as a student. Eyes twinkling through his horn-rimmed glasses, Professor Toope eagerly recalls his forays into the world of acting. The undergraduate experience of the man who would become Dean of Law at McGill University and President of the University of British Columbia certainly wasn’t lacking.

“I worked on a production of a play called Marat/Sade about the relationship between Marquis de Sade and Jean Paul Marat, who was a revolutionary figure. It was set in an asylum.

You can imagine that it was a very strange production,” Toope says, grinning as he remembers his acting days at Harvard. He continues, “I worked with a director named Giles Havergal who was from the Glasgow’s Citizen’s Theater which was one of the most creative theaters in the United Kingdom. This guy was so challeng-

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ing he was frankly a bit scary to work with, but he was so knowledgeable and pushed us so hard I found that I learned enormously in the process.”

Asking what advice he would give to undergraduate students regarding extracurricular activities, he pauses.”There is no one route for any student.

I genuinely believe that students should follow their true passions when it comes to both studying and extracurriculars.”

Already feeling on familiar terms, only a few

Madeline Torrie • Meet Stephen Toope

minutes previously I had been ushered into his office by his assistant, Sarah Namer. “You should be ready to roll right away,” she says. Squeezing in an interview with the Salterrae in his busy schedule, the life of the director of Canada’s leading institution in Global Affairs is one of constant activity. “He will be out of the country next week,” says Sarah.

Comfortable in his new office, Toope seemed as if he was in no rush at all. After reminiscing about his involvement in student productions, he continues to describe his formative undergraduate experience.

“Harvard for me was a revelation. I was coming from a public high school where no one had been to a place like Harvard before. I was very lucky I got the opportunity to go there. From Harvard I got the sense that the world really was on offer and I didn’t really have to restrict my choices to predictable paths. And that to me was extremely rewarding. I met professors who were challenging and opened up the world for me.”

Finishing up his studies at Harvard, Toope then returned to Canada to study Law at McGill.

“Social Sciences help us understand the world and humanities help us understand ourselves.

Those are both hugely important.”

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“It was rewarding to think about issues without assuming that there was one single answer to the problem we were facing. Because I was studying both the common law and the civil law, I was able to look at many subjects in a variety of different ways. I think that was very stimulating. It was also a very collegial environment. I learned a lot about that in my subsequent career.”

His memories of McGill are undeniably fond. “I really felt that I was part of a process. So many people there helped me feel that I had a role in the law. I wasn’t just trying to get through school to go to another place. I was actually contributing to the law, which felt pretty good.”

Times have changed, of course. For the students at Trinity considering law school, Toope has some words of advice for how to navigate this new, increasingly competitive environment.

“There is no doubt that it is harder to get into law school today that it was twenty-five years ago.

So the first thing I would say is, don’t think of law as a fallback position. I think you should study law only if you are really interested in studying law. For a few students over my years as a law professor and dean, I thought to myself, ‘why are

Salterrae • April 2015 missing opportunities to help make the world a better place. I am hopeful that this is just a cycle and over the next few years things will change.

When I talk to students, I know that many are passionately interested….I am hopeful we can capture more of a commitment to global affairs, give them new life. But we have a way to go.”

Toope’s desire to engage students in international affairs is apparent not only in his career as an educator at the head of Canada’s top universities, but also from his work with the Trudeau Foundation. He has spent many years in the service of the Foundation, a charity that works in four key areas: human rights and dignity, responsible citizenship, Canada’s role in the world, and people and their natural environment. His voice growing passionate, he links his work there to his new position at Munk. “There is a strong connection between the Trudeau Foundation and the mandate of the Munk School. Here at the university, we take what we are studying, turn it inside out, and bring it to the community. That’s what the Foundation does, too.”

Speaking about the importance of social sciences, Toope discusses the need to emphasize these subjects and make sure they remain a key component in students’ education. “I am about to become President of the Federation of Social Sciences and Humanities. When I was initially asked about the post, I sighed to myself and thought, ‘do I really want to do that after stepping down as President at UBC?’ I ultimately decided I did want to do it because I feel very strongly that we need to reinforce the importance of the social sciences and humanities. There has been so much emphasis on the so-called STEM disciplines. Social Sciences help us understand the world, and humanities help us understand ourselves. These are both hugely important.”

you doing this? You have no real passion for law.’ for this.’ It’s a hard slog. I would really recommend people do it only when they are really interested in it.”

He continues with more tough love for prospective legal scholars. “Don’t imagine there is a thing called ‘pre-law.’ There is no such thing.

You could be doing a number of undergraduate programs and be appropriate for law school.

Some of the most impressive people I taught in law were mathematics and music majors. Law is often about the ability to think logically, to organise your own thoughts and to systematise and create institutions. I think people really need to think about their options and not put all their eggs in one basket.”

Toope certainly hasn’t put all his eggs in one

basket, taking on a multitude of roles in his highly esteemed career — from consulting roles, to university administration, to not-for-profit work at the Trudeau Foundation. “I’ve done a lot of consulting work and a lot of advising work over the years. Both for some international governmental organisations like the United Nations, and elsewhere. I have done a lot of work on human rights issues, legal and judicial reform issues, and broadly on Canadian foreign policy.

There has been a long-term secular trend where Canada as a nation has withdrawn from its previously active role in foreign affairs.”

On this note, he grows more contemplative over the state of our foreign policy. “I would say that we have become more internally focused. More focused on our relationship with the United States post-NAFTA. Frankly, I worry that we are

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Throughout the interview, Toope’s open and relaxed demeanour did not change. I could tell from the enthusiasm with which he answered my questions that he genuinely enjoys working with students. Certainly, he will be the approachable face of the Munk School in the coming years.

Emboldened, I asked the question which is on everyone’s minds: Why did Toope step down as President of UBC to take the top post at the Munk School? “When I decided I was going to step down from my position, I said in my letter to the community that I wanted to go back into international law. Happily, the University of Toronto shortly thereafter said, “look, the Munk School position is open, is it something that you might be interested in?” It was an easy decision for me because I think the Munk School has incredible opportunities to be the leading Canadian voice in international affairs outside of government. There is a lot of good work which has been done, and a lot of good work which is still to come.”

Rhiannon Langford • House of Shards

HOUSE OF SHARDS

The Leadership Problem at Trinity College By: Rhiannon Langford

On February 28th at 1:09 am, students were surprised to see a dismal list of Heads candidates, in which four out of six positions were unopposed.

These results exposed the leadership crisis that Trinity currently faces. A significant part of the admissions application relies on competent leadership experience. It is clear that there is no deficit of leaders in our community. Why is it that so many qualified individuals have become discouraged from running for senior leadership positions this year?

Week One Elections had a slew of their own problems, many of which have been attributed to structural problems at Trinity. According to Electoral Policy, limited campaigning for a 14day period is allowed. Despite this, candidates are constantly heckled with “no campaigning” proclamations from policing community members. When every act of kindness is attributed to a campaigning strategy, it is no wonder that students fear the electoral scrutiny. Expressing interest in a Heads position before the electoral period can evoke similar criticism. In the Head of Non-Resident Affairs forum, Head of NonResidence Affairs Elect Emily Brade stated, “not being able to express a desire to run for positions is perverse.” This attitude is an overall indication that our policy and our culture fail to encourage students to put their names on the ballot.

Once students do take the risk to put their names on the ballot, the electoral period is one of total valuation. Many claim this is merely politics, but the cultural standard of evaluating the morals, and education they are expected to know but have yet to receive through Heads training, is very atypical of a healthy participatory environment. Position papers this year were diplomatically written and hardly contentious, intentionally avoiding critique.

This inspired former Head of College Maha Naqi to create a Facebook group to ask Heads candidates more substantive questions. Questions about mental health, sexual assault, and even the disputed “Conversat-Gate” of 2015 appeared.

While these questions all deserved an answer, the constant bombardment placed an unprecedented amount of anxiety on candidates, some claiming that they could not sleep thinking about when the next question would arise. An unnamed candidate even stated, “this is why people don’t run for Heads positions” when asked about the Facebook group. Headship is an undeniably challenging role that only the most qualified students

are suitable for. However, at what point does skill testing become a disincentive for leadership?

Only next year’s election season will tell if this enhanced answer period encourages or discourages students to run, although this negative trend is not promising.

ment to why most are unwilling to compete once they hear whispers of a popular student’s candidacy. With the recent electoral success by reopen nominations in the Male Head of College race, it is apparent that the Trinity community is challenging these divisions of power.

Equity has been a primary theme of student politics this academic year. Considering this, it would be a significant oversight to ignore how inequitable Headship is as a whole, starting in the pre-electoral period. The unequal division of power at the College, wherein few students hold most positions, gives these individuals an unfair advantage to Headship straight out of first year.

During the Female Leadership High Table, Head of Arts Victoria Reedman described this phenomenon. “It felt like the cream of the crop were groomed into their positions by upper years. If you weren’t a debater, a delegate, or an IB graduate, where was your place?” In an environment where your social worth is attributed to what positions you have under your belt, Headship is out of the question without these advantages.

Democracy is what makes our political structure truly unique. However, how democratic are our institutions if people are discouraged from participating? These structural problems must be addressed, but policy change can only be accepted in the community after a cultural change occurs. This starts with changing the culture of competition and elitism to a culture of empathy and encouragement. Female Head of NonResident Affairs Candidate Alessandra Harkness accurately described this cultural temperament during her forum. “The mentality of when first years come in is belittling them. We should be encouraging people to run for things not because they look good on a resumé, but because they genuinely enjoy them.” Changes to traditions that counter this mentality are in discussion, but only the results of the Student Experience Survey can tell to what degree cultural change is on the rise.

“The lack of diversity is a testament to the way in which most are unwilling to compete once they hear whispers of a popular student’s candidacy.”

Upper-year grooming is not the only factor that shapes electoral outcomes, so do social dynamics.

Out of the already few candidates, many were from the same friend group. During his forum, Male Head of Non-Residence Affairs Elect Ben Horvath commented “the idea of running as a group scares people away.”

Our current institutions are set up to support this mentality: five out of seven TCM event Facebook pages featured parody images of Heads candidates and current Heads. When our governance structures indirectly make celebrities of students through pre-season campaigning, it is undeniable that these divisions of power are institutionally embedded. Popularity and elections go hand in hand, but this lack of social diversity is a testa-

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It is clear that there are many disincentives to run, but outside of a resumé boost, are there enough incentives in the first place? Being a student head is almost a full-time job, yet the compensation is limited to a miniscule end-ofterm bursary. The financial burden of being a head, from the credit card debt to the residence fees, can be addressed by adding a Heads levy.

At Victoria College, the Student Administrative Councils’ President gets a salary of $8,000.

Trinity is the only college lacking such financial incentives to leadership. By neglecting this, we are structurally enforcing that our Heads aren’t worth supporting, even when we expect them to give all of their free time to student needs.

For all those who risked the public scrutiny and evaluation of their character by running in this year’s elections, thank you for your dedication to the College. It is the job of our leadership to start implementing these changes. This is only a small part of the general question of student participation; a question that will not be answered within one term of headship. It starts with culture, policy, and a Head willing to make a change to the structures that brought them into power in the first place.

Salterrae • April 2015

In Conversation: A Trinity Perspective on Musical Musings Interview: Eleanor Laffling

Illustration: Giselle Wenban

one aspect of it — that I love, by the way. But that’s not all of it. A lot of rappers, who don’t get as much airplay like Joey Bada$$, Childish Gambino, Vic Mensa, Omen, J. Cole, Chance The Rapper: they are poets. Like, POETS. Storytellers even. Rap is probably the most verbally intellectual music genre I know. It’s just sad that more people don’t see or hear this. It also shapes the way people view the black community, as we are the figure heads of hip hop.”

Changing gears a bit, I ask them about one of today’s big pop stars: Ariana Grande. India likes her; Angelo not so much. “There’s something about her music, something about the timbre of her voice and the way she enunciates that just makes you know it’s her,” says India. “Even though she’s not a super unique artist, you know it’s her. She hits a certain register that is comforting. Whiny, and also a bit nasal and raspy. It seems like she doesn’t have a personality as an artist, she’s kind of someone you project on.”

I ask if that’s a good thing. “I mean, it sells albums” replies India.

Writing: the Salterrae Team In a St. Vincent interview, musician Annie Clarke spoke of music as being a rare form of energy that gives more than it takes from the listener. With this in mind, I was curious about the position of music in the lives of Trinity students.

In conversations with India McAlister, Angelo Gio Mateo, and Bosibori Moragia, thoughts were shared on everything from Ariana Grande, to the influence of hip hop, to the way that music is a form of not only artistic, but also social and political expression.

Talking to Bosibori about how success in the music industry today is as much about the music you produce as the image you create of yourself in the media, Bosibori is pensive. “These days, the way an artist conducts themselves in public makes a huge difference on how we perceive their art.

Back in the day, when mixtape recordings were all you could get, and paparazzi wasn’t much of a thing, we didn’t care. That’s what PR agents are good for right? It’s so weird. Look at Jennifer Lawrence! People love her because she’s goofy and shit, just like a ‘normal’ girl. Public perception definitely influences music.”

Music also has a tremendous ability to change perceptions and bring about social change. Hip hop in particular often speaks to issues of community.

“Run the Jewels’ latest album really speaks about a lot of social issues that America is going through, especially all the issues about race in America,” says Angelo. Elaborating on their sound, he says, “it’s introspective, it’s angry…but also witty. They dropped their album at such an important time.

“It’s also supremely entertaining,” adds India.

Angelo thinks that, as an artist, she has a long way to go: “She has some really great producers that are making really great production for her. She has a lot of potential but she’s just not there yet.”

Bosibori chimes in with some thoughts about the responsibility artists have to their community, first in the context of Kendrick Lamar. “I love his ‘voice of the people’ persona. I disagree with some of his messages for sure (like telling black people to respect each other before asking anyone else to respect us). But I love what he’s trying to do.”

Lastly, I ask them about their musical recommendations. “Listen to “Sunday Candy” by Donnie Trumpet & “The Social Experiment” featuring Chance the Rapper,” says Angelo. “They say rappers shouldn’t rap about their grandma. Well this whole song is about Chance going to church with his grandma. I love it. Then there’s Sia’s “Chandelier”.”

“Rap is probably the most verbally intellectual music genre I know.”

“The one artist I’ve liked for a really long time is Paolo Nutini,” says India. “His newer albums are really really great, his older stuff is really good too. More people should listen to it if you’re into James Bay, George Ezra, that kind of new British invasion of folk rock.”

I can’t stop listening. It’s such a good production, such witty lyrics from Killer Mike and El-P.”

As for artists that leave her unimpressed?

Drake, in her eyes, often falls short. “While I can’t discredit his talent, I can’t get over his ego. My problem with him is that his work is very selfinvolved. I prefer a hip hop that speaks to issues of community, especially the Black community.

I’ve found that most black people who are conscious don’t rock with Drizzy and tend to go for J. Cole and Kendrick Lamar. Because they’re pissed about systemic racial discrimination — aka real daily life — and so are we.”

Speaking more generally about how hip hop and rap are perceived in popular culture and on mainstream radio, Bosibori sighs. “Too often people’s mindset is that rap is just a stupid, feel-good genre that promotes a raunchy lifestyle. And yes, that’s

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Bosibori, continuing on the theme of how music and questions of identity are so interwoven, recommends listening to “Black Star Elephant” by Nico and Vinz. “I would recommend it to anyone who wants to get into the Afrobeat genre.

The album is a mix of Western and African influence, like it’s creators. Which is a happy medium for some of us in the “New Africa” generation who’ve been toeing that line since birth. It’s beautiful in the sense that it explores both worlds, virtually getting rid of the middle space, and telling the listener that it’s okay to be the product of both cultures.”

Trin, put your records on: it’s time to discover some new music.

Behind

the Lens

Photo by Benjamin Jakabec

Our Senior Photographer Interviews Three of Trinity’s Prominent Photographers By: Alexandra Witt The number of photos taken worldwide has dramatically increased as a product of our digital age. Aside from the spike in frivolous photos, this rising number also means that there is a substantial increase in the number of people exposed to, and getting interested in photography. The art form is far more accessible nowadays than ten years ago, both because of smartphones and the fall in cost of introductory cameras. With an overwhelming amount of information out there, I felt it appropriate to reach out to three very different Trinity photographers on key questions I would have wanted answered as a novice photographer.

What got you into photography and why are you drawn to it as an art form?

Benjamin Jakabec - I started photography when I was 13. I was on a family trip in Budapest, Hungary visiting some relatives. I guess what I really enjoyed at the time was trying to recreate all the angles and perspectives that photographers used. I was still a kid so the idea that you couldn’t just stand and shoot to get a

great shot excited me; which meant that I had to run around to get the right angles....I ended up coming home every night with stains on my pants from trying to get low angle shots of statues, monuments, etc... When I got home from the trip I posted the photos online, and one of the photos was soon published in a travel guide.

Photography just sort of stuck with me thereafter.

Nathan Chan - I think I’ve always had a fascination with photographs and recorded media: the space for creative expression is infinite in photographs, and their ability to capture moments is not something that words can do. As for what specifically got me into photography, I joined a photography club at the end of elementary school which transformed my interest from observing photographs to creating them myself.

Syndi Li-Walton - I’ve always been interested in film as an art form, and photography just followed naturally. It started off with me and an old cam-corder filming and editing our family events.

It was a natural progression for me to go from film to photography – I had the tools on hand and a vague sense of how things should look.

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Do you have any recommendations for people looking to get started?

Benjamin Jakabec - Practice. It’s great to know the technical stuff but at the end of the day its an art form. Creativity is what matters - how you actually get the photo you want will come with time (both technically speaking and in terms of vision). In more specific terms, Kijiji has a great selection of used camera equipment at good prices. Just make sure to know exactly what you want and maybe bring a photography buddy when buying equipment so that they can check if there are any problems, such as lens mold.

Did you know that lenses can get moldy? They can. And it’s a nightmare. Also there are a lot of great places to practice in Toronto so you don’t have to feel like going abroad is your only option: Queens Park, UofT campus, High Park, Humber Valley Park, the Distillery District, street photography on Queen or Yonge street, the botanical gardens out in Burlington, etc.

Nathan Chan - First, recognize the level of photography and dedication you would be willing to put into the subject. If you’re okay with sticking to the basics, then a point-and-

Salterrae • April 2015 shoot approach is great. If you want to learn more though, definitely go with a DSLR. Learn what the different shooting modes do (Auto, Av, Tv, M, etc.) and from there, read up on the literature to discover what others have thought are the “ideal” settings for a photograph. After a certain point, you’ll have the knowledge to judge what’s ideal for your style.

Syndi Li-Walton - Use what you have on hand – be it your phone, iPod, or any analogue film you have (Polaroids, instant Kodaks). It’s a great idea to start with analogue. There’s this enormous sense of satisfaction when you see something you’ve captured on film for the first time.

It makes you take great care in how and what you photograph, and that’s important in helping progress past this idea of just ‘point-and-click.’

What do you enjoy taking photos of the most and why?

Benjamin Jakabec - My favourite subjects are natural landscapes and wildlife. I guess I haven’t really changed since the days of Budapest in the sense that getting the right perspective is still half the fun for me. I’ll climb a big hill to get the right light, or spend twenty minutes stalking a lizard to get up close. I have branched out over the years, and now I also do street photography, mostly in Asia, as well as some cityscape shots.

Nathan Chan - That’s a really, really, REALLY tough question for me. Portraits, landscapes, macro, objects, creatives, night - I’ve tried them all and enjoyed them all. If forced to choose

though, I think it would be street photography.

Nothing gets you out there quite the same way as street photography, and the changing environments of street photography test your ability to identify what makes the best photo in very brief periods of time.

Syndi Li- Walton - People. Everything is so versatile with people. A different time, place, or expression, and the whole photo changes. I love taking photos of still objects like landscapes and places, but there’s just much more to play around with when taking photos of people.

Do you have any suggestions for ways to experiment in photography?

Benjamin Jakabec - Take lots of photos - a ridiculous amount. Play around with the settings on your camera, get fresh perspectives, don’t be afraid to get up close - too many beginner shots have ‘dead’ space’ all around their main subjects - and look to other photographers for inspiration.

If you cycle all these factors into your working process, then your shot will definitely turn out great and more importantly different; maybe not what you expected either?

Nathan Chan - The beauty of (digital) photography is that you can photograph nearly anything an unlimited number of times. If the photo doesn’t work out the way you wanted the first time, try again. Recompose, reframe, and reshoot. Given enough experience, you’ll quickly find what works well and what doesn’t, and over time, the process becomes much quicker.

Syndi Li-Walton - There was something I tried a few years back with a friend. He took photos of different places in the United States on a film camera, and mailed the camera to me in China.

Then I took photos of different faces over the already exposed film to see what would happen.

We actually lost the camera before developing the film, but I’m sure they were interesting enough.

What do you get out of photography?

Benjamin Jakabec - I usually only photograph while traveling, so for me its mostly a time capsule. But at the same time its great to share your work with other photographers, friends and people online. At the end of the day I do it for the sense of satisfaction that one feels when you get ‘The Shot.’ This is usually followed by a little victory dance.

Photo

Nathan Chan - Photography lets me exercise the creative half of my mind, balancing my interests with the hyper-rational world of sciences (my current field of study). It’s also a very private activity for me, and as a result, it provides an almost meditative-like relief from the busy life of a university student.

Syndi Li-Walton - I like having a final piece; a presentation that I can share with other people.

It’s a physical form of creative expression that says something about both about the artist and the subject.

Photo

Photo by Nathan Chan

Photo by Nathan Chan

Photo by Syndi Li-Walton

Photo by Syndi Li-Walton

Photo by Benjamin Jakabec

Photo by Benjamin Jakabec

Photo by Benjamin Jakabec

Photo by Benjamin Jakabec

Photo by Benjamin Jakabec

Salterrae • April 2015

Trin Goes to….Tbilisi

The 2015 International Course Module to Georgia (The Country) By: Madeline Klimek Photography: Sonia Liang

Earlier this year, I applied to go to the Republic of Georgia, a small country in the South Caucasus, to conduct original research. This opportunity was offered as an International Course Module (ICM) through Professor Austin’s European Politics class. As one of the lucky nine students —five of us from Trinity — selected to go on the trip, I now had the opportunity to travel halfway across the world and discover this country on the border of Asia and Europe.

All of our research projects were in some way related to Georgia’s hopes for integration with the European Union, with projects ranging from energy relations, regional cooperation, LGBTQ rights, to the legacy of the Soviet Union on Georgia’s development. After months of preparation and two straight days of travelling (of which nine hours were spent on the lovely floors of Istanbul’s Atatürk Airport), we arrived in Tbilisi, Georgia’s capital. Tbilisi is the political centre of Georgian life, and home to a multitude of unregistered taxi drivers who have no idea where they are going. My advice for next year’s group? Prepare to get lost. And just roll with it.

the current political situation, they explained the difficulties that Georgia faces transitioning from an authoritarian Soviet-style state to a fully democratic country with an eye towards Europe.

Some of the key challenges lie in the realm of economic and judicial reform: high unemployment and an inefficient agricultural sector make it hard for the country to move forward.

Many are worried about political retribution, with the new Georgian Dream administration cracking down on former government members like President Mikhail Saakashvili, who is under investigation for various alleged crimes, mainly malfeasance.

In between our interviews we had time to wander around the capital. In Old Tbilisi there is a majestic medieval fortress that overlooks the entire city. Surrounded by Georgian Orthodox churches, it is a site to behold. Georgia is still a

tainly had our fill. And of course, no meal would be complete without traditional Georgian wine.

An avid wine producing country, Georgians are very proud of the wine that once supplied the entirety of the Soviet bloc. This pride was seen when we toured a winery outside of Tbilisi, in a picturesque town up in the mountains. For those of you who want to try some, Georgian wine can even be found at the LCBO! I know all of us are extremely proud to have been part of this trip. We survived when we got frequently lost. We learned more about Georgia than we probably know about Canada. We had the opportunity to meet so many warm and welcoming people who were genuinely interested in our research projects.

Although Georgia is a small country, its rich and lengthy history makes it impossible to study it all in one week, but it continues to supply interesting and complex research initiatives. At a geopolitical crossroads, Georgia will certainly be a focus in the coming years as its northern neighbor, Russia, continues its aggressive and expansionist foreign policy.

An avid wine producing country, Georgians are very proud of the wine that once supplied the entirety of the Soviet bloc With the amount of interest in international relations and history

Over the next few days we spoke to as many people as we could, from government officials like the Deputy Foreign Minister, to the head of NGOs like the Georgian Young Lawyers’ Association, to members of the EU Delegation to Georgia. The culture in Georgia is very friendly and informal: while we tried to arrange as many interviews as we could ahead of time from Toronto, once we got to Tbilisi people were happy to put us in touch with various organizations and were on the whole very frank and open in their discourse.

Speaking to actors with very different views on

very traditional and conservative country and the Church is one of the mainstays of Georgian life. The Georgian Orthodox Patriarch, Ilia II is considered the trustworthiest man in Georgian society. This can help explain the lack of LGBTQ rights that exist in Georgia.

No ICM would be complete without delicious food! Every night we enjoyed traditional Georgian food. Consisting of bread, meat, and more cheese than you can possibly imagine, we cer-

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at Trinity, this trip is an excellent opportunity for students to go abroad and explore a place they have never been, and are unlikely to go on their own. The Georgia ICM is a chance to learn research skills that will be incredibly valuable for future post-graduate education. If you have the chance, apply to go! You will not regret the time you put into your project and the people you will meet.

Damian Klambauer • The Klamboner

The Klamboner Behind the Velvet Curtain: A Sexposé on the Psychic Industry By: Damian Klambauer Illustration: Helen Picard After a busy February and a hectic March, no matter how Valentine’s Day or midterms went, we often find ourselves wondering about the future. To untangle the web of could-be’s and possibilities, it is reasonable and entirely normal to turn to a psychic for aid.

Do not feel embarrassed. Everyone occasionally seeks mystic assistance. You are not a weirdo. No one will make fun of you if they find out about this, like that one time in middle school Becky G. told everyone about your crush on Dame Judy Dench. She just didn’t understand, and anyone who would mock you for getting life advice from a psychic doesn’t understand either. This article will explain the truth of the psychic profession and reveal some new saucy details. If Becky gives you any trouble, show her this article, and then spit in her eye for ruining your prom night.

Psychics have a long and sexy history. Legend has it that the first psychic, Pervyocula, invented the crystal ball while trying to spy on hunky Spartan blacksmiths washing the grime and dirt off their big muscles after a long day working the forge.

Her original apparatus was actually two crystal balls, suspended in a wool sack from one side of her hut’s roof-beam, but she found that when she tried to look through the crystal balls she would get hairs and bits of wool from the sack stuck in her eye. This caused her to refine the design to the simple crystal ball we are familiar with today.

Another notable user of the crystal ball was Madame du Pompadour. King Louis XIV’s most treasured mistress needed a little help to maintain his affections throughout over twenty years. To keep up with the King’s notoriously varied appetites and fickle changes of fetish, by the 1650s Madame du Pompadour had begun

using a crystal ball to view the King’s private chambers, in an effort to find out what he was into at the time.

In those days, before the advent of the internet, pornography was a luxury of the rich, and only royalty could afford to keep a spank-bank of erotic paintings and sculptures. The fabulously wealthy Louis XIV had entire wings of Versailles dedicated to storing his mastur-pieces and armies of artists on retainer to craft at a moment’s notice whatever fantasy seized his fancy. Through her clairvoyant practices, the Madame kept abreast of the King’s shifting moods, and the results of her efforts and exertions on the King and the state of France is, as we say, herstory.

“Do not feel embarrassed. Everyone occasionally seeks mystic assistance.”

Here we see another important aspect: the practice of the psychic arts often drove history and economics. Madame du Pompadour’s need to stay abreast of Louis’ appetites single-handedly supported the French glass-blowing industry. It should be no surprise that the King had some pretty disgusting fetishes, and the depravity of them caused the Madame’s crystal balls to crack and shatter almost as soon as she focused on the King’s erotic art. Left with only glimpses, if she were to ever find out what it was that the skimpily clad army of dwarves were hunting, she needed further looks at the paintings, and for this

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reason she always kept a pile of crystal balls in the corner of her chamber.

“In those days, before the advent of the internet, pornography was a luxury of the rich, and only royalty could afford to keep a spank-bank of erotic paintings and sculptures.”

Visitors to Versailles would hear the shattering of glass and see the shipments of new crystal balls being brought to the Madame’s chambers, and they assumed that these strange spheres were some new delicacy imported from a far off land.

The practice of eating crystal balls to look classy and elegant persisted among the French nobility even after Madame du Pompadour’s death. Her psychic practices would define France’s economy for decades to come.

So you see, Becky G. is a misinformed dolt.

Psychics are a noble profession, and she is just a stuck up, smalltown, shortsighted, plain, little bully; unloved even by her cats.

Salterrae • April 2015

#Dontourage A Discussion with Trinity’s Dons By: Simone Garcia Photography: Sonia Liang

They had to see it coming. On the minds of students and faculty alike for the past month and a half, a question for the Trinity Dons on the CUPE 3902 strike was inevitable.

After I posed my question, those in the room glanced furtively at one another. Nervous laughter erupted, as did a wave of groans and rolled eyes.

I wondered if I should have stuck to my questions on their favourite hobbies.

“Igor – you want to start off on this one?” asked Dave DeMarco, Trinity’s resident Physics and Math Don. Promising to avoid a political rant – to the great amusement of the rest of his peers – Igor Shoikhedbrod began to speak, delivering his words with the cool efficiency of someone who knows exactly what they mean to say.

“In return to this question, I pose a question to you: what is the likelihood we will go back to work when the administration isn’t even willing to work with [our previous] strategic, conciliatory offer? I don’t think it’s going to be resolved anytime soon, and that’s putting your futures at stake, as well as ours.”

At the time of our interview, the members of CUPE 3902 were in the process of voting on an agreement. To the chagrin of many, it ultimately failed to pass, lengthening both the strike and student frustrations. As I write this, a settlement has just been reached. To the relief of many students, the strike is over. Still, its lingering repercussions remain to be seen.

Asking the opinions of those directly involved in the strike was sure to elicit strong responses.

However, in opening the conversation to include values, opinions, and personal experiences, a path

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was paved for a broader discussion about the university itself, Canadian protest culture, the value of a Humanities degree, and - of course - Beyoncé.

Trinity is unique among the colleges at U of T for the academic support provided by its community of resident Dons. As students themselves – many of whom are pursuing a graduate degree or PhD – the Dons easily recall what life was like as an undergraduate, and are available for tutoring, academic counselling, and general support. More than that, they are woven into the fabric of Trinity life.

Easily visible at high tables, college events, and on the wall of Trinity proper as one walks from Whit to Strachan, the presence of the Dons reinforces Trinity’s reputation for being different from the other colleges. The Dons themselves are intimately aware of this. When asked about his

Simone Garcia • #Dontourage favourite Trinity memory, Senior Don Chris Pugh noted, “I think for me it was working on the committee to create a new alcohol policy, back when Melissa Beauregard was a Head. She and I are both Americans, and she was one of the first ones to help me understand how Trinity was different from other places. Being here for Deports reinforced this.”

Certainly, traditions at Trinity seem to have dominated student debate this year. While the verdict is out on the continued relevance of customs that may be exclusionary, the general consensus among the Dons is one of detachment - a feeling that Dave defined as “the ebb and flow of involvement and non-involvement.”

Chris echoed Dave’s point on the conscious uncoupling – to quote Gwyneth Paltrow – of the presence and non-presence of Dons at certain events, noting, “We don’t really play a role during Deports. We actually just kind of pretend it doesn’t happen.”

While this may be the case with many other events – especially those that feature ubiquitous underage drinking – the Dons’ contribution to student life is generally more nuanced, often extending into realms beyond the academic. The Dons’ participation in community policies, including those related to alcohol, equity, and mental health, bridges the gap between the educational and social aspects of their jobs. So do the regular events they plan for their student neighbours, many of which feature snacks or a movie. Indeed, the Dons’ as individuals embedded in student life, sharing spaces with hundreds of undergraduates, blurs the lines between their roles as academic advisors and their place in the community as mentors and friends.

Ian Garner, our resident British expat, Russian language enthusiast, and Political Science Don, summed up this concept nicely. “There are a lot of things that students come to us dealing with that the university itself doesn’t address. What I like to tell them is that it doesn’t really matter how smart you are or how hard you work, because there’s still a lot of crazy stuff you need to work out in your life that is wrapped together with the academic side of things. You’re at university and you’re trying to figure out how to both succeed and how to be an adult. It’s rapid development.

Your self-worth is not reflected in your marks on an essay.”

At this, Dave began to chuckle. “Where were you when I was an undergrad?” he asked.

The visible friendship between the Dons is an aspect of their presence that few students may have witnessed firsthand. Whether by way of affable teasing or general amusement at my initial inability to distinguish between Dave and Dan or Payam and Marlee, it’s clear that the group operates as an eclectic family of sorts, bound by their roles as Dons, their lives as students, and through their affiliation with Trinity College.

When asked how we compare to other universities, Erin Gleeson, a Life Sciences Don who had previously worked as a Don at Laurier, stated, “It’s hard to compare the two, since Laurier is set up completely differently. There, my focus was on helping students transition from high school to university. The academic aspect of the job here is definitely the biggest change.”

Often asked for advice on pursuing a second degree, it is safe to say that most Dons agree in their approach to education and are happy to share this

view with students.

“The first thing I would ask [if a student is pursuing graduate studies] is why,” said Andrew Wang, a second year Law student and the resident Economics and Philosophy Don. “If they don’t give me a good answer – and even if they do – I always suggest taking some time off between degrees.”

At this, almost everyone nodded. While nearly all I have talked to – from professors to department heads – about pursuing a graduate degree has agreed that time is often a student’s best friend, there seems to be a cultural expectation in Canada that a Bachelor’s degree is insufficient. Whether or not this is the case, the desire for higher education works in tandem with the perception that it is a student’s responsibility to cram their learning in a short amount of time.

In response to this idea, Andrew continued, “You can really like what you do, but at the tipping point of your career, you really regret not taking time off. There is always time to do these things.

The last thing you should do is pick a money and time-heavy investment right away when you’re not sure it’s what you want to do.”

Ian – who was fast becoming the philosopher of the group – elaborated on this point. “It’s such a big decision, both in terms of time and finances.

There is truly no pressure to know what you need to do and have to do. People get wrapped into this culture of being afraid of making the wrong decision, of thinking ‘I have to decide now and do this and this and this’ … but the truth is that life is beautifully unpredictable.”

While giving advice may come naturally to the Dons, Ian’s sentiment is one to keep in mind – especially for those who may be working towards a Humanities degree. When asked about the utility

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Salterrae • April 2015 of such an option, Chris visibly bristled. Again, I wondered if I had unknowingly opened up Pandora’s box.

are striking TAs, there were also those unaffiliated with CUPE 3902 who chose to speak. Payam Zarin, a Life Sciences Don, was one of them.

In response to my query, Marlee Rubel, an English and Literary Studies Don, was quick to remind me that the value of a Humanities degree is often in the versatility it provides: for example, while she pursued a degree in Cultural Studies at McGill during her undergrad, she is currently working towards a Masters of Counselling.

“Even though the TA strike doesn’t directly affect me, I do feel strongly about it. A lot of students don’t realize how much this affects them. The undergrads are the ones who will be in the system in the next few years. They are the ones who need better living conditions in order to survive on their own and avoid accruing more debt. It’s not just the TAs – it’s the whole culture that has to change.

We get a lot of undergrads who come to our lab and they say: ‘Oh, I’ll volunteer and I’ll work for free.’ I am wholly against that. If you want to learn something, shadow someone for a couple of days, but don’t spend three months working for free thinking that this is okay. This is not okay.”

“Still, it set me up with the best foundation for what I’m doing now, and enabled me to enter my next degree with a critical lens,” she said.

Both Chris and Marlee emphasized that a degree in the Humanities most certainly does not directly translate into a job. However, in considering its utility, Chris noted, “I have resistance with this question as it infers that degrees have to have takeaway benefits or utility that I can point to. This is a very capitalist idea, because it forces one to quantify and make their discipline exchangeable.

Humanities as a whole is an extremely valuable discipline – it is the lens that reminds us that corporatization is an issue, and that equity is an issue.

These are all the kinds of things that the humanities takes under its belt.”

He continued, “Will I be able to find a job with this degree? Probably not. But that doesn’t mean that my degree isn’t useful, and that I have a useful voice. And I certainly hope that some of my students – that aren’t right now being taught by me – use the things they’ve learned to focus on the questions that we’ve talked about tonight.”

And so, we had come full circle and were back on the topic of the strike. While many of the Dons

Indeed, the increasingly corporatist nature of both university and life beyond it was a hot topic of our discussion. Speaking to this, Igor, Trinity’s Community Outreach Don, stated, “In our tendency to rely on private sources of funding, it seems that we have forgotten that U of T is a publicly funded university. I think it should remain this way for the betterment of the students and those who work for the students. The corporatization of the university is part of a broader idea that privatising things is a better way of sustaining institutions, public institutions in particular.”

The idea that what is happening at our university is a symptom of larger societal changes is not a new or radical one, as Chris noted. “The CUPE strike is part of a larger problem. In my opinion, education should be a right. Tuitions have been consistently rising. Undergraduates can no longer exist at this university and live. Most of your

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faculty members are sessional contract employees who are barely making a living wage, and are overworking themselves to do so. The university as a whole is no longer an equitable, accessible environment. I would like to see this be, one, part of a larger discussion of changing things, and two, as a member of a larger community, see the students that I have seen be here for four years start to really look at their environment and ask questions about it.”

However, when asked about the general sentiment of students towards the strike – and to protests in general – Ian was quick to dismiss our protest culture (or lack thereof) as “depressing.”

“All over university, it’s like we are willing to take things lying down. If something has been poorly marked, most students will just accept it. This is not the way that university should be. If I was an international student [paying international student fees] I would be furious with some of the classes – like that POL101 class with thousands of students. It’s ludicrous.”

While I can hardly imagine arguing a mark when I was in First Year, Ian makes a salient point. As students, our preconceived ideas about the world are constantly being challenged – by professors, our peers, and our daily confrontations with adulthood. Amidst the stress of meeting deadlines, studying for exams, and worrying about where our next degree might take us, we would do well to remember that we are not alone. Trinity’s team of Dons provides an invaluable resource for undergrads, both academically and beyond. More than that, they are generally pretty interesting to get to know. If you need proof, just ask Andrew about Blue Ivy.

Iris Robin • On Progress and Policy

On progress and policy: What we can learn from this year’s elections By: Iris Robin This time last year, I wrote a much-needed article in defence of campaigning. Today, I can say with full confidence that we have experienced a rigorous and successful campaign period, especially for Week One elections. This is due to a confluence of factors.

confidence in our own democracy to cast our ballots with conviction and with full knowledge that they mean something, that we value electoral integrity and that we respect our procedures and that we are empowered to enact change.

At this point in the year, I want to reflect on where we are, how we got here, and our direction for years to come.

First and foremost, we are having complex conversations about identity, representation, policy, and equity — topics that I never imagined we would discuss at this College, which is still such a beacon of privilege. I confess that I had never thought about these things until more recently than I would have you believe. For context, I can for example admit that I was against a spontaneous Rush format for Saints Ball in November 2013.

Between the language and gender-based reforms proposed repeatedly by Haley O’Shaughnessy and myself, and the ongoing Board of Directors structure debate at the UTSU, as a student body we have been forced to consider how best we can represent and interact with our membership, who we include, and who we exclude.

At the Heads’ forums and online, our concern with these issues was evident. Prior to election season, I organised Equity Training for all interested parties, extending a special invitation to holders of elected office. Equipped with the tools needed to discuss equity and its practical ramifications, our questions took our future leaders to task. We challenged them to name structures of oppression and to identify mental illnesses. We asked what reforms they had in mind and what their broad visions for college governance were. In my opinion, each candidate engaged with these issues seriously, even if I disagreed with them on many counts.

world, which we so often — and sometimes willingly — forget. Our notoriety enhanced by a Varsity article on the subject, prompting a response in The Strand and several Comment pieces, we were rudely awakened to the fact that we do not exist in a vacuum.

“The widespread external condemnation of the rejection of the original “Members of College” motion, under secret ballot, showed we are held to the same standards as the outside world, which we so often — and sometimes willingly — forget.”

The relationship between us and our elections process has also changed. The appointment of an external CRO and DRO shows that we are no longer afraid of non-Trinity students bursting the Trin Bubble, so to speak. In my first year, the CRO and the DRO were both Trinity students and even had votes of their own. This year, I requested that the TCM Chair call the Electoral Commission correctly and solicit applications campus-wide.

This endeavor was a enormous success, if I do say so myself. The CRO’s report highlighted issues in our electoral system that I have no doubt we will fix. We have come to embrace change and evolution, not shun it in fear.

For me, the crowning jewel this year was the victories of #TCM911. The vast majority of equityrelated motions proposed passed, and we stayed

“We are finally having conversations that will propel us into the twenty-first century, where we belong.”

Policy-oriented discussions that have been taking place all year, both internally at Trinity College and externally at the University of Toronto Students’ Union (UTSU). An online “Ask Your Candidate” forum has been created. We have also hired a non-Trinity Chief Returning Officer (CRO) and Deputy Returning Officer (DRO) for the first time since I have been a student here.

Also significant was the introduction of several equity-related motions and reforms at the Trinity College Meeting (TCM).

I am impressed. This year’s elections are testament to a desire to finally address the need for open discourse on a wide variety of issues at this College. They are evidence that we have enough

The important thing is that we are talking. We are finally having conversations that will propel us into the twenty-first century, where we belong.

The results of the elections themselves have demonstrated that we value accountability, progressive attitudes, competence, and fiscal responsibility.

Above all, we value community. I am pleased that these are finally the values that the College has, and that our leadership choices reflect them.

I would even go so far as to say that we are starting to realise our place on this campus and at this university. The widespread external condemnation of the rejection of the original “Members of College” motion, under secret ballot, showed we are held to the same standards as the outside

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up until midnight, extending the meeting and covering all 14 pages of the agenda. In all honesty, I couldn’t believe that so many progressive motions passed with much less opposition than I had anticipated.

We are in an excellent place. I hope that our discourse continues to be healthy, that we continue to listen to each other with open hearts and minds, and that we continue to be an empowered body.

I hope that this year is a landmark year and paves the way for future precedent.

Salterrae • April 2015

Hangovers and Character Development:

The Second Year

Slump By: Madeline Torrie

In my first year I kept a diary. In my second year I stopped.

I wasn’t exactly sure why, but looking back now, it seemed that second year didn’t fit into the neat narrative that my first year did. And it isn’t just me. Every year there is a new movie or TV show about freshmen going to university. The narrative was already preordained for us: step one, “tearful” goodbye from parents; step two, make friends; step three, binge drink; step four, wake up hung-over; step five, character development.

The reason why there is no popular version of “Animal House” about second year is because it is all steps four and five. Second year is all hangover and character development. We already have Lena Dunham for the odd time that we want to see young people getting their lives together.

The best part of first year for me was undoubtedly looking forward to second year. I couldn’t wait to be a Frosh Leader, to sit at the secondyear table, and to have all the privileges of second year that had been promised to me.

For first-years reading this, second year wasn’t a letdown, it was just different than anything I had expected. I hope for my fellow second years that you will identify with at least part of this article. All of this is to say that I wanted to write something funny about second year in a neat and tidy list format that everyone at Trinity loves so much. I wanted to write in a sarcastic tone, in a piece similar to my Frosh Week article about the trials and tribulations of going through events a second time, but with the privilege of buying drink tickets. From Halloween to Conversat to the long overdue quad couch, I wanted to write something quirky and funny. This is not that article.

The Sophomore Slump: when you wake up from

first year. In England, this is known as the “second year blues”. In Australia it is called “second year syndrome.” It is a rut: an uninspired routine or pattern of behavior that continues unthinkingly.

When you are in second year, you are a “Member of College” but not yet an “upper-year” as bitter third-years love to remind you. It is a slightly uncomfortable middle ground where you are supposed to combine the seriousness (i.e. jadedness) of the upper-years with the frivolity and relevance of the first-years. Personally, I had to adjust to going out less. #TBT was no longer synonymous with throwback tequila, and gradually I adjusted from going out three nights a week to two, to ‘maybe I’ll have a drink at Whit rounds.’ I was comfortable with my friendships and my acquaintanceships, so I became happy enough staying in on Friday nights. But there is still the pressure to remain relevant, to be known by first-years and upper-years, and to assert one’s presence at major Trin events. In second year, I still considered myself too young to accept the blissful existence of a hermit.

#TBT was no longer synonymous with throwback tequila, and gradually I adjusted from going out three nights a week to two, to ‘maybe I’ll have a drink at Whit rounds.’

When you are in second year, you get to watch the rest of your peers slowly disappear from residence, then in a mass exodus to apartments on Spadina and St. George at the end of the academic term. In first year, the 1T7s took up four tables in Strachan hall, and at the beginning second year it was a struggle to find a spot at

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either of our tables. Whether some grow tired of the food, eat at friends’ apartments off residence, or spend more time at home, I am already prepared for the third year diaspora. It is not unfortunate to have less coherent social groups, it simply reflects that we are ready to grow in a way that hasn’t been pre-mandated by the expectations of the College.

In second year, I still considered myself too young to accept the blissful existence of a hermit.

When you are in second year, you realise that the traditions and events which fascinated and drew you to the College are the product of hours of hard work on the part of your own year and other upper-years. To quote the words of an upper-year friend of mine, “I feel like I am keeping Christmas alive.” Seeing the effort that goes into making an event magical, or at the very least safe and fun, takes away part of the illusion that was so important to you in your first year. High tables just don’t happen, and beer at the Lit no longer appears magically. Trinity, as much as I liked to think it was in my first year, is not Hogwarts or any sort of utopia. It is the constructed product of our members committed to keeping Christmas alive, and that is something to celebrate.

For the 1T7s, we are halfway through. Nothing will be like first year, or second year again for me, and that is a good thing. Routines and traditions will change. For if our experiences truly repeated themselves, there would be no point going through it all, again and again, four (or five) times.

Emma Smith • Mental Health and the Undergraduate

Mental Health and the Undergraduate Strategies to keep your stress at bay By: Emma Smith llustration: Bethany Pile

As I watch the sunrise through my apartment window, with orange and red streaks in the sky, light glinting off the high-rises across the street and birds chirping merrily on the windowsill, I realize that I have never in my life experienced anything quite so hideous. I have been up all night, struggling to complete a paper, and I am utterly exhausted. I want to cry, or laugh hysterically, but mostly I just want to sleep. However, the sunrise, no matter how beautiful, only reminds me that the new day has dawned and it is filled with more deadlines, more expectations, and more stress.

As the academic year draws to a close, deadlines loom and the pressure is on. There is no denying that spring is a stressful time of year. I know that dreaded all-nighter feeling. In the interest of saving myself from experiencing it again, I have collected coping strategies throughout my time at university. I hope that some of these strategies will work for you, and that one day we can learn to love the sunrise together.

Get Organized It seems obvious, but this one took me a long time to master. When you have a huge list of tasks, the idea of getting started can become daunting. Suddenly, finding out which potato Buzzfeed thinks is your inner potato becomes more pressing than studying for your upcoming finals. According to Dr. Nellie Perret, an academic coach and educational consultant at the Faculty of Medicine, it is important to “compartmentalize the stress to manageable levels.” Breaking your workload down into a list of smaller tasks gives you a place to start and makes the whole endeavour less overwhelming.

Don’t be too hard on yourself As clichéd as it sounds, believing in yourself is key.

There is a tendency among students to blame failures on a lack of self-discipline. We go to a competitive and prestigious school and we often have high expectations, both self-imposed and imposed on us by family, friends, and potential employers.

This can result in a crippling fear of failure. The best way to confront this fear is by being honest with yourself. If you know your strengths and limitations—how long can you maintain focus?

What time of the day is best for you? Et cetera— then you can set realistic goals. There is no feeling more divine than crossing something off of your to-do list. That sense of accomplishment might

give you the boost of self-confidence you need to keep plugging along.

Stay healthy When work mounts up, sleep and healthy eating are sometimes the first things to go. Although it is difficult, it is so important to stay well-hydrated, well-nourished, and well-rested. Exercise makes for a perfect study break; it allows you to take your mind off of your workload for a while and the rush of endorphins makes you feel better.

Do things that make you happy I used to think that studying 24/7 was the key to success. The result was tired eyes, a sore back, and a frustrating lack of focus. When you start to feel

your focus fading, allow yourself some time. It can be something as simple as a 10-minute walk in the fresh air or a quick chat with a friend. Personally, I like to take an hour every once in a while to visit Allan Gardens, a Victorian greenhouse on Jarvis, and read a book for fun. Doing something that you like to do is refreshing, and you will be able to work more productively and efficiently after your break. UofT Exam Jam events are another great study break option, offering course review sessions, study space, snacks, and assorted activities designed to help you de-stress. Sometimes, there are puppies! You can check out their Facebook page for the latest updates.

Spend time with those who love you When your stress builds, it is easy to start feeling isolated and lonely. A Skype session with your dog can be immensely healing. A Strachan-sitting session among friends can have a similar effect.

However, be warned: Strachan Hall is the Loth-

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lórien of Trinity College; time seems to stand still within its walls. Sadly, the rest of U of T goes on as normal and you have to come back out at some point.

Make use of university resources If you are having a mental block or feeling confused, visiting your T.A. or professor during office hours could help to clarify things. A visit to the writing centre can also help you to get your thoughts in order. There are plenty of wonderful tips on the Academic Success Centre website and they also offer workshops and individual appointments to help you develop your academic skills and confront stress.

Get help when you need it According to Dr. Perret, it is important to pay attention to “when stress becomes distress.” If you find that none of the coping strategies listed above are working for you, if you are experiencing panic attacks, or if you have fallen victim to unpleasant physical symptoms, these are all signs that you may need to seek further help. A little bit of stress is good; it keeps you motivated and gets your adrenaline pumping.

However, if your stress has become unmanageable or debilitating, there are resources available. You can call CAPS (Counselling and Psychological Services) at 416-978-8070. They will schedule a confidential in-person evaluation for you and direct you to the most appropriate resource option.

You can also contact the Ontario Mental Health Helpline at 1-866-531-2600. This free, confidential, and anonymous service provides information about counselling services and community support, and strategies to help you meet your goals, and basic education about mental illness. Do not be afraid to seek the help you need; Dr Perret says, “the key thing to remember about stress is that, absolutely, like anything else with heft, it’s most easily borne when you share the load with others.”

Good luck Trin; we are all rooting for you. Above all, remember that your mental health is more important than any grade.

Special thanks to Dr. Nellie Perret at the Faculty of Medicine for her guidance and input.

Salterrae • April 2015

On the Bookshelves of…

The Trinity Review By: Rebecca Zhu Illustration: Adriana Workewych To write good poetry, one must first read plenty of good poetry. To critique the poetry of others, one must first read a shitload of poetry (in varying degrees of quality). The good folk of the Trinity Review have seen it all, but for this issue of the Saltarrae, they have given us an inside peek at their enormous bookshelves: Emily Brade is currently reading…The Collected Poems of Robert Creeley by Robert Creeley

As one of the most innovative and versatile poets of the 20th century, Robert Creeley has made rich contributions to modern American literature. Although he is often associated with the Black Mountain or Beat poets, Creeley also forged a distinctive style of his own. Candid and personal, Creeley’s poems are always a treat.

Check out some crowd favourites, such as ‘America’ and ‘For Love’.

Daniel LeBlanc’s work of choice is…Lyric Philosophy by Jan Zwicky In Lyric Philosophy, Dr. Jan Zwicky, a University of Toronto alumna and professor emerita at the University of Victoria, explores the linguistic constraints of analytical philosophy while developing the notion of lyric. Two parallel texts simultaneously occur throughout the book, as Zwicky infuses and expands her argument with quotations from other authors. An interesting read for anyone who wants to know more about the theoretical boundaries and the intersections of philosophy and poetry.

Lorina Hoxha enjoys…Pale Fire by Vladmir Nabakov Vladmir Nabakov is best known for penning Lolita, but it this is not his only masterpiece. Pale Fire is a complex postmodern novel in the form of a 999-line poem composed of heroic couplets.

In this novel, the fictional character John Shade muses about his personal life and the creative process, while his equally fictional editor Charles Kinbote provides ample side commentary. Rich

To critique the poetry of others, one must first read a shitload of poetry (in varying degrees of quality) with complexities and cross-references, Pale Fire is perfect for anyone looking for an interesting literary challenge.

Emilie MacLeod is perusing through…Hark!

A Vagrant by Kate Beaton Canadian Kate Beaton has taken the graphic novel world by storm with her fun-loving and quirky drawings. Hark! A Vagrant spoofs famous figures in history and literature from Napoleon to Nancy Drew, and gives readers a refreshing and silly spin on classic tales. Beaton also keeps an up-to-date website with plenty of comics – check them out the next time you’re procrastinating at www.harkavagrant.com.

Hamish Ballantyne recently read…A Tomb for Anatole by Stephane Mallarmé Upon the death of his eight-year-old son, the 19th century Symbolist poet Stephane Mallarmé wrote A Tomb for Anatole to both mourn and immortalize his lost child. Honest and tragic, Mallarmé’s verse is fragmentary yet richly layered with meaning. The overwhelming sorrow embedded in this poem is evident, and Mallarmé actually struggled to finish A Tomb for Anatole, perhaps for this reason.

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Veronica Stewart • It’s Getting Hot in Here

It’s Getting Hot in Here Your Summer Must-See List By: Veronica Stewart Summer is the season of blockbusters - the all-ornothing, leave-it-all on the screen kind of blockbusters. These are usually not the movies that the Academy will review, but for the audience and the studio executives’ bank accounts these are the big winners. For the theatre-goer of summer 2015, superheroes are still in demand, sequels are big, and spies are making a comeback.

Overwhelmed? Don’t be. This is your guide to the must watch films of the summer. Slip on your flip-flops and grab your popcorn.

The Avengers: Age of Ultron [MAY 1] To say that this is a much anticipated sequel may be the biggest cinematic understatement in recent history. A follow up to 2012’s hugely popular The Avengers, the plot has been kept largely under wraps. What we do know is that Ultron (James Spader) is the new supervillain, Tony Stark (Robert Downey Jr.) is suddenly interested in peace, and the fate of the world once again hangs in the balance. With the return of rest of the original cast including Chris Evans (Captain America), Scarlett Johansson (The Black Widow) Chris Hemsworth (Thor), Mark Ruffalo (The Hulk), and Jeremy Renner (Hawkeye), it is going to be difficult for Marvel to disappoint.

“For some, monogamy is unrealistic.”

Pitch Perfect 2 [MAY 15] Beca (Anna Kendrick), Fat Amy (Rebel Wilson) and the Barden Bellas are back in the second major sequel of the summer. The quirky first film, detailing the life of an aspiring DJ and her misadventures as the unlikely member of a competitive collegiate a cappella group was an unexpected success. As the singers return for a shot at the world championship, the Barden Bellas are poised to live up to the hype.

Tomorrowland [MAY 22]

Directed by Brad Bird and written by Damon Lindelof, Tomorrowland is a story of interdimensional travel, blurring the line between the real and the fantastic. A fascination for science and the possibilities embedded in changing technology brings together disillusioned genius Frank (George Clooney) and Casey (Britt Robertson) to a realm that transcends space, time, and often explanation. If you’re interested in science fiction, this is the movie for you.

Spy [JUNE 5] When two top CIA agents are compromised, it is up to one unlikely recruit to step out from behind her desk and into the world of covert espionage.

How hard can saving the world be? Spy is a refreshing twist on the worn out spy movie spoof, starring the hilarious Melissa McCarthy opposite action veterans Jude Law and Jason Statham.

Jurassic World [JUNE 12] The long awaited next chapter of the iconic Jurassic Park series sees John Hammond’s vision come to life, just as the appeal of a dinosaur theme park has waned. In a desperate attempt to increase visitor numbers, a new attraction is unveiled. However, when the plan backfires, man-of-the-moment Chris Pratt and the rest of revitalized cast become the ones facing extinction.

Inside Out [JUNE 19] Ever wonder what goes on inside your head?

According to neuroscience, your brain is made up of interconnected neurons. But according to Pixar it is home to the lovable little creatures that control your mind. From the people that brought you Up and Finding Nemo comes an emotional story about navigating the challenges of change.

Antman [JULY 17] Marvel’s second summer opening brings a new comic book hero to the silver screen. Paul Rudd’s remarkable wit is well placed in the role of Scott Lang, a con-man with superhuman strength of a subhuman scale. As his alter ego, Antman, he must learn to use his powers for good and protect

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them from falling into the clutches of evil.

Trainwreck [JULY 17] For some, monogamy is unrealistic. As an independent woman in the city Amy (Amy Schumer) has taken this belief to heart as she contently sleeps with whomever she wants and expects nothing in return. At least, she thinks she doesn’t.

All that changes when she meets a handsome doctor (Bill Hader) and is forced to reassess her stance on dating, guys, and love. A sobering portrayal of relationships, director Judd Apatow once again uses humour to expose the hardships of life in the post-modern world.

The Fantastic Four [AUGUST 7] Exactly a decade after the version most young people remember, Marvel is rebooting a much darker and more intense team of outsiders to become the beloved Fantastic Four. Endowed with strange new physical capabilities after spending time in an alternate universe, the safety of Earth now rests upon these exceptional individuals to overcome their differences and form an unstoppable team. Kate Mara of House of Cards plays Sue Storm leading a cast of newcomers to potential stardom.

“How hard can saving the world be?”

The Man from U.N.C.L.E [AUGUST 14] Continuing with the superhero theme, Superman (Henry Cavill) and the Lone Ranger (Armie Hammer) team up in Guy Richie’s 1960’s spy thriller about a CIA agent and KGB operative, who are forced to work together to bring down an elusive international organization stockpiling nuclear weapons.With mystery, suspense, epic fight scenes, and dapper gentlemen in suits, classic espionage is as intriguing as ever. For those looking for an alternative to James Bond or the Bourne trilogy, this is it.

Salterrae • April 2015 MUSIC and THEATRE What: The Barber of Seville – Know what goes well with spring? Singing. Lots of singing. Sadly, concerts have become so mainstream. Why not take it back a century and enjoy a night out at the opera instead? Inspired by the traditional dramatic style of commedia dell’arte, The Barber of Seville is a comedy in which Figaro, a crafty and outspoken barber, helps his former master, a Spanish count, woo and marry the girl he loves. The opera was later spoofed in the Bugs Bunny cartoon The Rabbit of Seville. If you love Bugs, you’ll the Barber.

Where: Four Seasons Centre for the Performing Arts, 145 Queen St. West When: April 17 – May 22 Cost: Rush tickets are available at the door, $20. Regular tickets vary $39.99 - $180.

What: Free concert series at the Richard Bradshaw Amphitheatre – Psychological studies have proven the link between listening to classical music and increased intelligence. It has also been correlated with stress relief and triggering endorphins – the happy hormone! Whether you are in the midst of studying for exams or you want to celebrate their conclusion, an afternoon of free music should not be missed.

Where: Four Seasons Centre for the Performing Arts, 145 Queen St. West When: March 3 – June 3 Cost: Free!

What: George Ezra – Even if you’re not in Budapest, it’s easy to enjoy George Ezra. If I were you, I would take this as an opportunity to discover the rest of his songs, the majority of which are not dedicated to European cities.

Where: Danforth Music Hall, 147 Danforth Ave. When: April 20 Cost: Tickets starting at $25.00 What: Great Lake Swimmers – Soulful, smoky, sexy – among other synonyms that begin with S – are all words that I would use to describe the Great Lake Swimmers. In your search for excellent indie artists, consider this band found.

Where: Randolph Theatre, 736 Bathurst St. When: April 23 and 24th Cost: $30.00 What: Passion Pit – For some reason, Passion Pit will always remind me of summer. Perhaps it is the group’s omnipresence at music festivals throughout the season, or maybe it is their incomparable ability to create joy. Whatever your reason is, step out into the warmer season with the group’s latest musical offering, Kindred.

Where: Danforth Music Hall, 147 Danforth Ave. When: April 29

Cost: $25.00 What: Little Dragon – It was a lucky 8tracks playlist that led me to discover Little Dragon.

With their catchy 2011 single “Ritual Union” still ringing in my head, I implore you to let Little Dragon musically – if not literally – transport you to Coachella. You won’t be sorry.

Where: Danforth Music Hall, 147 Danforth Ave. When: May 31 Cost: $26.50 What: Hot Chip – A British electro-pop band with a critically acclaimed sixth album, Hot Chip will revolutionize your summer playlists with their mix of mellow yet upbeat sounds.

Where: Danforth Music Hall, 147 Danforth Ave. When: June 3 Cost: $36.50 FOOD and CULTURE What: Wilbur Mexicana – Among the many new Mexican places that have recently emerged

imagine yourself there at Pai. Where: 18 Duncan St. When: If you can’t stand Khao San Road’s inhumane wait times any longer and are looking to try something equally delicious.

Cost: Average menu items range between $8 and $12.

What: Branca – Airline tickets to Argentina are not cheap. Plus, that country is currently heading into winter. For a typical asado experience, look no further than Branca, one of the best (and only) authentic Argentinian restaurants in the city. The mini empanadas will haunt you forever – in the best way possible.

Where: 1727 Dundas St. West When: March 5 and 6.

Cost: On the pricier side, but you get what you pay for and then some.

What: Salsa lessons at the Lula Lounge – For all of those that have seen Ben Stiller and Jennifer Aniston’s 2004 classic, Along Came Polly, the salsa dancing scene was arguably the film’s defining moment. If you, like me, have always wanted to re-create such an occasion (minus the food poisoning), then salsa lessons at the Lula Lounge are for you.

Where: 1585 Dundas St. West When: Friday nights at 9:30pm, Saturdays at 9pm, and Sundays at 12pm.

Cost: Free! Walk-ins encouraged.

Goings On About Town By: Simone Garcia on the culinary scene, Wilbur Mexicana presents a chic, cheap, and quick option without a hint of the fast-food seediness that often inhabits similar establishments. With a full-scale salsa bar, all of the chillies one could possibly desire, and burritos that come in bowl form, Wilbur Mexicana is worth the jaunt down King Street.

Where: 552 King St. West.

When: Whenever you’re in the mood for Mexican.

Cost: Food is cheap and delicious, and they have a great selection of Mexican beer and soda.

What: Pai – Designed to resemble a typical Bangkok backpacker’s hostel, Pai features all of the things you love about Khao San Road and generally has less of a wait. The khao soi and pad thai are not to be missed, nor is the Thai bucket of Red Bull and cola - truly the perfect drink to split among friends. While you may not be at a full moon party yet, you can certainly

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What: Kensington Krawl Food Tour – Kick off spring correctly by eating your way through Kensington Market. If you’re already a fan of the neighborhood or you are looking to learn more, a food crawl provides an excellent opportunity to discover one of Toronto’s most eclectic neighborhoods.

Where: Tour begins at Jimmy’s Coffee, 191 Baldwin St. When: May 1 Cost: $60 – includes six tastings and one alcoholic beverage What: Go Abstract technique workshop – Whether you’re a Claude Monet or a Jackson Pollock, workshops at Paintlouge have something for everyone, even those whose preferred kind of painting is by numbers. Great for a first date or a casual night out, an abstract workshop is a great way to take the pressure off of painting. After all, everything can be art.

Where: Paintlounge, 784 College St. When: May 2nd, 7:30-10:30pm.

Cost: $40.00