The Fulcrum - Vol 76 Issue 27

VOL. 76 ISSUE 27

april 14, 2016

The Travel Issue

Université d’Ottawa

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University of Ottawa

EDUCATION

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In this week’s issue...

BOA meeting confronts SFUO finances P.5 Questions period extended twice to cover all concerns Food for thought P.10 Poetry meets pancakes at local spoken word events Step away from the TripAdvisor list P.18 These unlikely destinations might be your best vacation yet A Gee-Gees year in retrospect P.21 Our bi-annual Cavalry awards, featuring top 2015-16 athletes Getting to the root of racism P.26 In matters of hair, racial biases still can’t be tamed See the solution on thefulcrum.ca

Love on top P.28 Check out Di’s final tidbits of advice for the year

Campus Station Closes April 24

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NEWS

NEWS EDITOR

Eric Davidson news@thefulcrum.ca (613) 695-0061 @Eric_Davidson93

Final BOA meeting sees lengthy SFUO finance discussion Students release statement addressing ‘austerity’ Eric Davidson & Jaclyn McRae-Sadik News Editor & Associate News Editor

T

he Student Federation of the University of Ottawa (SFUO) held its final Board of Administration (BOA) meeting of the year on April 10, and its first since a statement was released to the public on March 31 announcing staff and services cuts effective this summer.

The meeting started off with a 20-minute question period, which was then extended two more times.

The majority of questions focused on the SFUO’s response to its “cash flow shortage,” as they wrote in the statement.

Near the end of the meeting, Selena Hofman, board representative for the Faculty of Social Science, read a statement from a group of current and former BOA members and some service workers “facing austerity.”

The letter is also posted on her Facebook.

The number of supporters rose from 11 to 16 after the meeting. In the letter, they stated that they were publicly showing their disapproval for the executive committee’s recent handling of the financial problems, stating, “it has become evident that the SFUO executive has made decisions against working for transparency or accountability to their membership.”

Budget update

Early in the meeting, vice-president finance Camelia Touzany announced that an updated budget, which better represents the SFUO’s current financial situation, will be posted on their website soon.

In her statement, Touzany said that the SFUO’s deficit was around $914,000,

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and that a large part of that, approximately $833,000 is due to the health plan.

Touzany also outlined the next steps being taken by her and her successor, Rizki Rachiq. First is to hire a comptroller general, a position which was left vacant this year, which she said is important in ensuring financial accountability.

Another is meeting with the university to discuss having lease rates reduced, especially for the campus bar 1848 and Café Alt, which costs the SFUO a significant amount of money.

Touzany also said she is looking into sponsorships as a means of income, and is working with the marketing department.

The executives also stated that some services’ employment gaps could be filled by incoming executive members, specifically incoming vice-president communications, Francesco Caruso, and incoming vice-president equity, Morissa Ellis. As for what those roles might be, they said that they were roles that fell under the purview of the vice-president equity, and that they would provide “services where students come in needing support.”

They could not comment specifically on how this would work, saying it would need to be discussed with the incoming execu-

The BOA held the equivalent of four question periods, most of the questions pertaining to the SFUO’s financial situation.

ing a lot of money on it, but that they were looking into sponsorships to help pay for events.

tive.

As for next year, the execs said that there could be cuts to any aspect of the SFUO that isn’t funded directly by student levies. Examples they gave were the social, campaigns, and clubs budgets.

When asked about 101 Week, vice-president university affairs Vanessa Dorimain answered that to her understanding the SFUO would not be spend-

Cash flow shortage

Confusion arose as to whether the financial issues were due to deficit or a cash flow shortage, followed by questions as to why the SFUO didn’t take a loan in order to keep the service staff if it was simply a short-term cash issue.

Touzany responded by saying if they wanted to take out a loan that was a decision for the BOA, not the vice-president finance, and that she felt it would be irresponsible to get a loan if they didn’t know if they could pay it back. She followed by saying the next executive should consider getting grants and that she was presently drafting letters for this.

Following this discussion, Emile Hashem, representative from the Faculty

“It has become evident that the SFUO executive has made decisions against working for transparency or accountability to their membership.”— Former BOA members and SFUO service members.

of Medicine, asked if they had considered leaving the Canadian Federation of Students (CFS), noting that they pay $250,000 per year to the organization.

Lee Chitty, a proxy for Faculty of Common Law representative Amani Delbani, responded that students pay the CFS directly, and that the SFUO wouldn’t get the money if students did decide to quit the CFS. Nicole Maylor said she “cautioned” around conversation of leaving the CFS, as students had voted in favour of being members in 2008. She asked if Hashem had done his research on this proposal and advised him to do so, and that it would take a referendum by the students to leave.

Hashem also asked if they had consulted a lawyer on declaring bankruptcy, to which Maylor quickly responded, “we are not bankrupt.”

Photo: Jaclyn McRae-Sadik.

Touzany explained that the SFUO’s account is not in the negative, but it would be if it did not reduce staff and services over the summer.

Hashem brought up another point related to the BOA’s initial adoption of the 2015-16 budget. He said that at the BOA meeting when the budget was presented last August, the budget was put up on a powerpoint, but that members were not given individual topics to look at, and said that this could have helped the BOA to examine the budget more effectively.

The execs were also asked if its accounting department deserved any blame and why they were not being reprimanded.

SFUO president AnneÉmilie Hébert started to answer but could not finish as Ahimakin cut her off.

Ahimakin simply said that the SFUO would not be investigating that.

NEWS | 5

BOA meeting includes motions and departures

Faculty of medicine rep leaves in protest, VP equity says this was her last meeting Eric Davidson & Jaclyn McRae-Sadik News Editor & Associate News Editor

While much of the Student Federation of the University of Ottawa (SFUO)’s April 10 Board of Administration (BOA) meeting was taken up with questions about the student union’s financial status, there’s a lot more to know.

Motions were passed, vicepresident equity Nicole Maylor departed early, and Faculty of Medicine representative Emile Hashem left the meeting in protest.

Updates

The meeting was presided over by Sylvia Soufi, who presided over the most recent GA, as Katherine Giroux Bougard, BOA chair, was again not present.

At the beginning of the meeting, Ahimakin talked about the mobile app he had proposed earlier in the year, saying that it was still in “the development stage,” but that he hoped it could be ready some time in the summer.

When asked about an executive member(s) losing credit card privileges, Touzany said she can’t comment on who exactly lost the privileges, but that it was up to the vice-president finance’s discretion, and that one of the factors was whether or not executives returned their receipts on time.

Multiple BOA members raised concerns about the previous BOA meeting, and the fact that it was rescheduled on short notice to March 23. Hashem said that the timing made it impossible for people in his faculty, who are doing clinical placements, to be present.

In the middle of the meeting, vice-president equity Nicole Maylor left the room and did not return, and reports later surfaced that she had resigned. Maylor was not available for an interview, but after consulting with her, Ahimakin told the Fulcrum “she did not submit her resignation to the board.”

He said that what she did was notify the BOA that Friday, April 8 was her last day, and used her vacation time to go on break. “As she said at the BOA, she’s very, very tired at the moment, and she’ll be using her vacation time to take care of herself.”

Hashem left, and tweeted that he was “leaving in protest of the execs mismanagement and accountability throughout the year. Also in solidarity with staff.”

Motions

There was an emergency motion added to the docket, which would have the executive look into finding the best way to provide financial training to next year’s BOA members. The motion, brought by BOA representa-

tives of Social Sciences and Arts, Francesco Caruso and Chloé Rockarts, was designed “taking into consideration everything that happened in the last month,” said Rockarts. The motion passed unanimously.

Another motion, brought

by Telfer School of Management representative Tanner Tallon, sought to put in place a system for accommodating more regular financial updates by the SFUO. It read that additional financial updates released by the SFUO would be looked over by the finance committee. It also passed.

Almost all motions brought forward received passing votes, apart from one to amend terminology in the University of Ottawa Student Emergency Response Team (UOSERT) constitution.

Motions for the composition of UOSERT’s advisory committee, the duties of the finance committee, a change to vice-president social’s title to ‘vice-president of social affairs’ and bracelet cutting training for 101 Week were all passed.

A second reading for the BOA to have oversight of the executive work manual was also passed, as well as a second reading on the formation and details of a General Assembly (GA) outreach committee.

Two motions from the previous BOA meeting were

The BOA also dealt with a number of motions, dealing with new finance practices, the executive work manual, and more.

Photo: Jaclyn McRae-Sadik.

brought forward which were originally presented at the GA. The first, the Emergency Hardship Fund, was amended to be brought forward in the 2017-18 budget, as opposed to its original implementation in 2016-17, due to

the recent financial issues.

The motion was passed with the amendment, so it will not be available in the upcoming academic year.

The second motion, which aimed to promote bilingualism among SFUO executives was defeated, with several

board members saying it would make the positions less accessible.

This was the final meeting for the current BOA. The first meeting for the next BOA will take place in July.

Campus station closing on April 24 eric davidson news editor

OC Transpo will be stopping service to the University of Ottawa’s Campus Station on April 24, while exams don’t wrap up until April 27. The service changes are due to the city of Ottawa’s planned construction on the Light Rail Transit (LRT) system, which is expected to be finished in May of 2018.

According to the OC

Transpo website, buses will continue to stop near campus at Laurier station and all stops on King Edward Avenue.

According to the U of O’s Gazette, OC Transpo staff visited over 500 classrooms April 4–8. The university sent out emails to staff and students during this time as well. OC Transpo staff will also be boarding buses between April 24 and 27 to let students know the buses will

not stop at Campus Station.

On April 24, the transitway between Laurier and Lees stations will be closed, with most routes taking Nicholas Street instead, which could result in longer transit times.

According to the U of O’s Facilities site, the pedestrian tunnel below the transitway will also be closing “during the summer 2016” until August 31.

Photo: Jaclyn McRae-Sadik

6 | NEWS

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U of O study finds high levels of arsenic and mercury in northern lakes

‘So high we couldn’t believe it at first’: Professor Jules Blais Jaclyn mcrae-sadik associate news editor

The long-term repercussions of gold mining in the Northwest Territories are still being studied more than a decade after the closure of The Giant Mine located just outside of Yellowknife.

A study published in the scientific journal, PLOS ONE, this past week by a team of researchers from the University of Ottawa has found high levels of arsenic and methyl mercury, a toxic type of mercury that can accumulate in food chains, in lakes near the mine.

The original study began in 2010 when researchers were looking at climate change and its thawing effect on permafrost, and how these issues were affecting the surrounding lakes.

Lead author and PhD candidate in the Department of Biology, Adam Houben, said the group began comparing water chemistry in proxim-

ity to The Giant Mine out of curiosity, and were surprised at how strong the correlation was between the distance of the mine and the concentration of arsenic.

“When we saw the results for the arsenic, it really became clear that the arsenic was going to be the big story,” said Jules Blais, director of the study and professor of biology and environmental toxicology at the U of O. Houben said some of the samples tested well over the guidelines for both aquatic life protection and acceptable drinking water. Water quality guidelines for drinking water are 10 micrograms per litre (µg/L) and 5 µg/L for the protection of aquatic life.

“We were up over, well over, 100 micrograms per litre, even some places that were over 200. So yeah, there was some very, very high arsenic, so high we couldn’t believe it at first,” said Blais.

The study also showed that larger lakes had lower levels

of arsenic than smaller ones, most likely because they have a larger surface area, therefore receiving more rain and snowfall, which is uncontaminated, said Blais.

While most drinking water is derived from the Yellowknife River, a larger one presenting less of a risk, it’s communities that fish or use wells, which may get water from smaller lakes, that are at risk of contamination.

Professor Laurie Chan, a specialist in toxicology and environmental health at U of O, is heading to Yellowknife soon to meet with officials from the department of health and the chief medical officer, and begin a follow-up study on the effects of human exposure from arsenic.

“Any advisory to the people to do something or not to do something has to come from the chief medical officer, so I will be discussing with them the interpretation of the results,” he said.

Chan said although there

A study by U of O researchers found high levels of arsenic in water in the Northwest Territories.

have been cases of high arsenic contamination in other countries linked to bladder and skin cancers, they aren’t expecting to see such high levels around Yellowknife.

Because arsenic doesn’t stay in the body long, often

only days or hours, it’s unknown whether residents of the surrounding communities have already been affected by the contamination, as they previously weren’t being monitored, said Chan.

“We’re not expecting people

Photo: CC Viv Lynch.

currently exposed to the high level though. But historically, whether they’ve been exposed to such high levels or not, we don’t know.”

Ryerson’s new meal plan rules won’t work at U of O, says Card Services manager Eric Davidson news editor

Recently, Ryerson University altered the structure of its meal plan funds, giving students options to reallocate any funds that remain at the end of the year, instead of having leftover funds go directly to Food Services.

New options for Ryerson students include carrying remaining money over to their card to be used next year, transferring it to their Campus Funds—which cover a range of services similar to the University of Ottawa’s Flex dollars—donate the remaining amount to emergency food funds, or put it into their Ryerson Admin-

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istrative Management Self Service account, which they can use to pay tuition or residence fees.

According to Danny Albert, manager of the U of O’s Card Service, Ryerson and the University of Ottawa have different meal plan models.

He described Ryerson’s setup as “a declining balance meal plan,” where a total amount of money is preloaded onto a card, and the balance declines as the card is used.

He said that up until this year with the new cafeteria, the U of O used a declining balance system as well.

And while students didn’t get the money back, they could sign a form and have it transferred to flex dollars,

which can be used for different services around campus, including the bookstore and docUcentre—but not rent or tuition.

With the new cafeteria there are two options. The first is a pay-as-you-go plan, which is declining balance, and transfers any leftover funds to flex dollars automatically.

The second is an unlimited access plan, meaning students can use the cafeteria as many times a day as they want for either five or seven days a week. For this method, there is no balance at all, said Albert.

The university’s cafeteria has faced complaints over changes that limit access for students, including forcing students to leave and pay

Photo: Jalcyn McRae-Sadik

to re-enter at certain time periods and not allow them to bring backpacks inside, as well as their practice of mandatory meal plans for students in certain residenc-

es.

In their Board of Administration meeting on March 25, the Student Federation of the University of Ottawa passed a motion leftover

from the General Assembly that requires them to “lobby” Food Services and the university to “eliminate barriers to entry at the new dining hall.”

NEWS | 7

National News

Ryerson Students’ Union closes two equity centres for summer Lack of funding leaves RU without Racialised Students’ Collective, RyeAccess services nicole schmidt & keith capstick the eyeopener

Toronto (CUP)—This summer, some of the Ryerson Students’ Union (RSU) equity service centres will be left unstaffed and empty.

The RSU recently decided that both the Racialised Students’ Collective and RyeAccess won’t remain open through the summer months. Staff members from both centres are troubled by the move, and say the need for these services doesn’t end with the academic year.

“Marginalized students don’t disappear in the summer. We don’t just stop going to school, we don’t just stop existing in these spaces and there’s still things we need support on,” said Sydney Drmay, a part-time staff member at RyeAccess. “To not have spaces for people in the summer just implies that in the summer they don’t matter.”

Last summer, all six centres remained open. Natasha Campagna, RSU general manager, said 2015 was the first year the RSU was able to hire a full equity staff for the summer because of additional funding from the Continuing Education Students’ Association of Ryerson (CESAR), which was not provided this year.

The equity service centres are co-funded by CESAR and the RSU. Denise Hammond, president of CESAR, said in an emailed statement that she was not aware of the summer closures.

“It is entirely disappointing that the RSU would allege CESAR is withholding funding and is at fault for the closure. Last year CESAR renegotiated a contract that increased funding for joint services, that contract remains in place, despite the RSU not adhering to its basic terms,” shesaid.

Hammond said that CESAR was not asked if they could contribute more funding to the equity centres for the summer.

In April 2015, the two unions signed a contract binding them together in the staffing of the equity service centres. Accord-

8 | NATIONAL NEWS

The Racialised Students’ Collective and RyeAccess won’t be open during the summer.

ing to a financial statement provided by CESAR, the full amount for the fiscal year outlined in the contract was paid to the RSU in June 2015.

A disconnect in communication created several conflicts between the unions, including a delay in providing opt-out cheques.

“Despite our political differences with the RSU… CESAR has and will continue to support the Equity Service Centres operations financially and otherwise,” she said.

Funding discrepancies and issues related to workplace privacy and student relations have also posed challenges within the equity centres over the past year.

“If (a student) came to anyone on the staff or on the board with a problem or an issue that their needs are not being met because of a centre not being open, we would do whatever we can to ensure we are helping that student,” Campagna said. “Just because the centre isn’t open, doesn’t mean that we’re going to deny service and say we can’t help.”

RSU vice-president equity, Ra-

bia Idrees, added that programs running during the summer tend to have lower turnout, which can contribute to budget issues during the school year.

But Drmay said the number of students visiting the equity centres last summer was steady.

They added that some centres were able to break ground on programming that is difficult to start up during the school year.

The Trans Collective was also planned to close for the summer, but pushback from the collective and its members resulted in an additional hire. Evan Roy, a coordinator at the Trans Collective, said they’re not going to take “one victory as a victory for all.”

Not hiring coordinators for every centre, they added, is a “huge oversight.”

Campagna said that during the summer a lot of students aren’t RSU full-time students.

“We wouldn’t be catering to our membership directly by having the centres open,” she said. Idrees said the university also provides equity services that help students.

Photo: Chris Blanchette.

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A&C EDITOR Allegra Morgado arts@thefulcrum.ca

ARTS&CULTURE

(613) 695-0062 @allietate

OCTEVAW urges men to join conversation against gender-based violence Ottawa-based organization holds film screening and fundraiser at ByTowne Anchal Sharma Staff Contributor

A

lthough fewer people are starting to shy away from the “f-word”, feminism still strikes a bad chord for many—especially men.

The Ottawa Coalition to End Violence Against Women (OCTEVAW), however, believes that a large part of setting the wheels in motion is having men in the equation.

This is why on April 6 OCTEVAW, who have worked with professors and done guest lectures at the University of Ottawa in the past, held a screening of the documentary film, The Mask You Live In, to raise money for their public awareness campaign catered to men, MANifest Change, at the ByTowne Cinema.

Often times, we tell our boys to “man up” or to “tough it out” without thinking of the negative effects these remarks

have on their cognitive and emotional growth. The 2015 documentary brought these issues to light by visiting schools, juvenile detention centres, prisons, and people’s homes to discuss the issue with the variety of men featured in the film.

This ties into the mission of MANifest Change, which focuses on empowering and engaging with men to help combat violence against women.

“Tonight’s film was about looking inwards at masculinity so that our efforts to address violence against women are put into the context of… how men are socialized to be men,” said Matt Schaaf, the project manager of the MANifest Change campaign.

Although many people are aware of the societal and cultural pressure women feel to behave and look a certain way, men are often overlooked or not included in the conversation. The portrayal of men in media—from music, to video

games and pornography—is often as unattainable as that of women, and perpetuate the idea that men are only valuable in society if they are physically strong, make a lot of money, and non-emotional.

The film addressed the need for men to be recognized by their peers, which is especially common in a university setting. Men feel the need to prove themselves and this has the potential to lead to binge drinking, violence and, sometimes, rape.

“What’s so hard about this for men is that we don’t talk to each other about this stuff,” said Schaaf. He urges men to become agents of change by taking a stand against sexist comments, violence in relationships, and homophobia.

During the question period following the film, a woman asked about whether there’s an age when men can take the most away from MANifest Change workshops. Schaaf answered this by saying the

Photo: The Representation Project, via YouTube.com

organization mostly focuses on young boys, but that he believes that all men can take away something from the campaign and film.

“One of the takeaways from the film is that for men to have a role in ending gender-based discrimination, we have to be

active,” said Schaaf.

The Mask You Live In addressed men’s conditioning from a young age to exert power over women, and the resulting gender-based differences in issues like depression, sexual violence, and bullying due to this socialization. The

MANifest Change project is about raising awareness to men that these issues exist and that they have a hand in ending them.

For more information about the coalition and their project, follow them on Twitter at @OCTEVAW.

The perfect pairing of poetry and pancakes

Local spoken word series hosts new show at Flapjack’s Pancake Shack Argyropoulos, who has been a co-director since May 2015, says that Urban Legends is attempting to revitalize themselves this year after their 2014-15 smaller season. This means U of O students can look forward to a variety of events outside of their flagship slam competitions.

“We found this to be a perfect opportunity to… showcase poets that aren’t necessarily competitors or don’t want to be in the competitive stream,” says Argyropoulos.

The second edition of Poets and Pancakes took place on April 7 and featured four female poets. The four poets performed poems focusing on everything from writer’s block to the Black Lives Matter movement.

For Radiyah Chowdhury, the third performer of the night, the event had a special significance. Chowdhury is

Allegra morgado arts & culture editor

When people think of spoken word poetry, often the most appropriate setting that comes to mind is a bar or a café.

Somewhere dimly lit fits well with the type of performance— a cozy space where people can feel free to share their emotions with peers through the art of poetry.

A breakfast restaurant, namely Flapjack’s Pancake Shack, is probably one of the last places where one would imagine a spoken word poetry event would take place.

Urban Legends Poetry, however, believes that Flapjack’s is the perfect place for poetry performances, which is why they have begun a new series at Flapjack’s on Preston Street called “Poets and Pancakes”.

“Pancakes are delicious, alliteration is great—so Poets and

10 | ARTS & CULTURE

Photo: Allegra Morgado.

Pancakes has a great name to it—and one thing that we’re really pushing, and it started with Urban Legends at its inception, is we wanted to try

and bring poetry out of a bar setting,” says Panos Argyropoulos, University of Ottawa M.Sc. alumni and co-director of Urban Legends.

finishing up her undergraduate degree in journalism at Carleton University this month and moving back to Toronto, finishing her time in Ottawa.

She shared many emotional poems during the set, including one about her difficulty as a journalist separating herself from the stories she writes, especially those concerning sensitive topics.

Argyropoulos believes that speaking about sensitive subjects and being vulnerable is an inherent part of spoken word poetry, and because of this it lends itself to having a strong and supportive community.

“You have to create a community to be able to actually address or to feel comfortable enough to do spoken word,” says Argyropoulos.

Close communities can be difficult to find your place in, and getting up to share your feelings in front of an audi-

ence is never easy, but Urban Legends is working to include more people in the community the way that they know best— through sharing their love of poetry in writing circles.

“That’s one of the things we’re trying to do to kind of build writers up,” says Argyropoulos.

Urban Legends Poetry is having their next writing circle on April 17, and hoping to have their next Poets and Pancakes event near the end of May. After the success of the first two shows, Argyropoulos is optimistic about their future events at Flapjack’s.

“You can’t really go wrong with pancakes. Pancakes and words, they go together.”

For more information about Urban Legends Poetry and their upcoming events, visit their Facebook page.

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An Ode to undergrad

BFA grads transform VA building into one final exhibit ryan pepper

Staff Contributor Although creating art is normal in the University of Ottawa’s visual arts building, it’s rare that the building acts as an exhibit itself. However, on April 22 the building will transform into a massive exhibit for all 43 graduates of the bachelor of fine arts program at the U of O to showcase their tremendous talents all together for the last time.

Ode, this year’s grad show, will be one of the largest ever.

An annual tradition, this is the last opportunity for artists in their final year of their undergraduate degree to present their work that has been the product of four years of artistic exploration and self-discovery.

The exhibit is run entirely by the students, who organized themselves into groups responsible for fundraising, planning for the opening night, or creating the catalogue.

Sabrina Chamberland, a fourth-year visual arts student

The graduating BFA students who are working to put together their final show, Ode.

and one of three coordinators of the exhibit, says the show is a requirement to graduate for the visual arts program, giving students the chance to experience what it’s like to organize a professional show while still completing their degree.

Photo: Courtesy of Martin Golland.

“There’s no theme. It’s mostly coming together of all these very diverse artists. There’s going to be a lot of different things to see,” says Mercedes Ventura, another coordinator and fourth-year visual arts student. There will be sculptures,

paintings, photographs, and video and other media installations. In short, it’s a mix of artistic approaches spread over four floors.

Planning began in September 2015, when the coordinators and leaders of the various

groups were chosen, and things really started getting busy in January. Marla McDougall, another fourth-year visual student, rounds out the coordinators team.

On the morning of the April 19 the massive clean up will begin, turning the building into a place suitable for the exhibits.

During the day on April 22, no one is allowed in the building while the professors go around marking the final projects, and figure out who will be winning awards on the opening night.

“It’s the day we move all the lockers, all the chairs, all the tables, clean all the floors, repaint the floors, patch up the walls, put in temporary walls,” says Chamberland. After that exhaustive list is finished, all in one day, then set-up of the exhibits begins.

“As of seven I’m sure it’s going to be flooded with people,” Chamberland says of the opening night. To help with the crowds, there will also be a livestream of the awards ceremony that can be watched online or

from some of the less crowded parts of the building.

While this night is a busy event, it’s all still centred on the artists and their creations and discoveries over their years at the university.

“I thought I was going to paint, and now I’m doing installation media video art,” says Ventura, whose changes and self-discovery are likely mirrored in nearly every artist at the event.

“It’s not the professors pushing you. You just come into your own,” explains Chamberland.

Ode will be the best representation of the art of the graduating class. The students are expecting it to be a fun and high-energy event, as it’s not only their chance to showcase their work, but also to celebrate together for the last time.

Ode opens at 7 p.m. on April 22 and runs until the 24. Admission is free. Check out the Facebook event and their website at http://www.ode2016.ca for more information.

The PepTides to make triumphant return to Bluesfest

The Fulcrum chats with local band about appearance in upcoming music fest allegra morgado arts & culture editor

As the weather begins to warm up, class begins to wrap up, and summer seems like it’s finally in reach, there’s one thing on many students’ minds—festival season.

Music lovers will soon be using their leftover OSAP money to buy $100+ festival passes to see their favourite artists, from obscure indie bands to mega-rappers. Us lucky Ottawa students will have one of the best festivals right in our backyard—RBC Bluesfest. The annual festival takes place at LeBreton Flats July 7–17, and has featured everyone from Kanye West to Alice Cooper over the years.

Although the bigger acts, like Red Hot Chili Peppers and Future, often tend to overshadow smaller bands, Bluesfest always features a wide variety of performers to suit everyone’s taste—including an always-stellar lineup of local Canadian acts.

One of those acts, The PepTides will be returning to the Bluesfest stage for the first time in four years, something keyboardist and University

thefulcrum.ca

of Ottawa alumnus Scottie Irving is particularly excited for.

“We’re kind of back to where we started, but we’re different people, and we’re a different entity, we’re a more mature band, and I’m really proud of how far we’ve come since then,” says Irving.

Irving and his bandmates have gained a lot of experience touring since their 2012 performance at Bluesfest, and as much as he says they love the intimate shows that they have been performing at, Irving says that “nothing can match hordes of screaming fans.”

The band has also been working on a new EP, which Irving says has been mixed in a way that gives the listener the feel of a live show.

Nothing, however, compares to The PepTides’ real live performances, and at Bluesfest, due to the scale of the show, they’re able to pull out all the stops—which is much harder to do in the smaller venues they frequent.

“We’ve put all of our energy and creativity into constructing this really elaborate, co-

The PepTides decked out in their colourful outfits for a lively performance at the Ottawa Folk Festival in 2014.

lourful, bright, inspiring, exciting show, and we feel that that really comes across when we do get onstage and perform it live,” says Irving. “The scale (of Bluesfest) matches where we’re at in our heads

when we’re dreaming of these crazy shows.”

Irving says that he is also excited to attend the festival himself, with his two top picks for this year being Torontobased electronica band Holy

Fuck and Canadian singersongwriter City and Colour.

Some other exciting features this year include Billy Idol, The Lumineers, Coeur de pirate, Nelly, and a wide variety of other acts, from rappers to

Photo: Marta Kierkus.

rockstars.

No matter who you’re planning to see, the 2016 RBC Bluesfest is sure to be an exciting and exhilarating experience—for attendees and performers alike.

ARTS & CULTURE | 11

ALBUM REVIEW: Weezer • Weezer (The White Album) | Atlantic Records | 7.5/10 changed in 2014 when Weezer frontman Rivers Cuomo locked himself in a woodland cabin for several weeks, and the band returned with their strongest record in almost a decade, Everything Will Be Alright in the End. Through reconciling the band’s pop direction with their punk rock roots, Everything felt like a return to form for the group.

Weezer (2016), or The White Album, picks up where Everything Will Be Alright in the End left off, and continues to build upon the progress by delivering one of the most consistently strong records in the band’s massive discography. Opening with a trio of instantly classic, alt-rock anthems, the LP immediately exemplifies all of Weezer’s strengths, both reassuring long-time fans and creating new ones.

On the album opener “California Kids”, Cuomo seems at his rawest and most emotional since the Pinkerton era, his lyrics heartbreaking and nostalgic. “You don’t have to have the answers, don’t you worry,” he sings, projecting his anxieties upon the lis-

Alex Grichmanoff Fulcrum Contributor

More than two full decades after the release of their debut album, and following a series of lackluster releases throughout the mid-2000s, Weezer has abruptly changed direction to create one of the best records of their career.

It’s not uncommon to hear Weezer referred to as “the best band with the worst discography”—a label the band hasn’t openly dismissed. After their quick rise to mainstream success with their self-titled debut record and the subsequent critical takedown of their experimental, dark sophomore LP Pinkerton—an album now heralded as one of the best records of the 90s—Weezer dramatically changed their formula, moving their sound closer to that of the pop-rock scene evolving on MTV. Despite this success, the band ultimately found itself spiralling. While Weezer still managed to churn out hit after hit, their albums suffered, and much of the raw songwriting that led Weezer to their success had vanished.

However, something

tener.

Similar themes of darkness are found throughout the album, buried under catchy hooks and blaring guitars.

“King of the World”—which features one of the catchiest verses Weezer has ever recorded—sees Cuomo singing about the abuse his wife suffered at the hands of her parents as a child.

Although darkness manages to creep into the far corners of Weezer, the record finds a way to remain light hearted and incredibly fun.

The heavy guitar on “California Kids” smoothly transitions into the poppy piano found on the forward looking track “Wind in Our Sail”, a track where Weezer sounds polished to the point of absolute perfection.

Weezer is a Swiss Army knife, providing an incredible display of the band’s versatility. “L.A. Girlz” has Cuomo singing Sinatra-style over intense guitar riffs, “Thank God For Girls” is as close to an absolute banger as rock music can provide, and the track “Do You Wanna Get High?” is a direct callback to the classic sounds Weezer established

Mixes with Mack The Summer Snoop

2 ½ oz. Brokers Gin ½ oz. fresh lemon juice 1 oz. Ginger Simple Syrup (recipe follows) Ginger Simple Syrup: ¾ cup sugar ½ cup water 3 tablespoons fresh grated ginger

Mackenzie Gray fulcrum president

With school nearing its end, it’s time to finally look forward to summer. Soon you’ll be out of the library and sweltering under the hot summer sun. Try this spiked lemonade to help escape the heat, and forget about exam season as quickly as possible.

DIRECTIONS FOR GINGER SYRUP: In a small pot, bring sugar and water to a boil. Add grated ginger and reduce heat to a simmer. Stir until sugar dissolves and ginger infuses the syrup, for about 3-5 minutes. Remove from heat and allow to cool before using. Keep refrigerated. This will last you for about a month.

12 | ARTS & CULTURE

Directions for the cocktail: Pour gin, lemon juice and ginger simple syrup into a cocktail shaker half-filled with ice cubes. Shake well.

Strain into a glass, and serve.

What’s in the Drink?

Broker’s Gin: There are a number of acceptable gins in the $30 range for a 750 mL bottle, but Broker’s is my personal favourite. I

with Pinkerton.

Cuomo knows the band can’t create another Blue Album, and he isn’t interested in trying. The music industry has changed dramatically—the MTV and Rolling Stone that once propelled their band to success have lost their relevance, and the

likelihood of a rock band penetrating a Top 40 ruled by pop icons like Justin Bieber or Taylor Swift is unlikely.

Instead, the band seems free of the pressure to create another mainstream radio hit, channeling their creative energy into what they do best—being Weezer. That

is, writing painfully honest music channeled through a sound and a style that, after taking the better part of two decades to perfect, only they could make. Weezer is back, Weezer is at their best, and Weezer is looking towards the future.

find it to be more balanced and subtle than most, which lends itself well to a drink where the lemon and ginger are the stars.

You could also reach for Tanqueray, Boodles, Bulldog or Bombay Sapphire.

Whatever you do, never buy Beefeater.

Lemons: This drink requires fresh lemons, which are used for both juice and garnish. I don’t take the old lemons out of my drink to enhance the lemon flavour with each subsequent drink. The peel and rind provide a strong lemon flavour, without diluting the drink. Don’t make this drink with fake lemon juice, the excess sugar will overload your taste buds and taste awful.

Ginger Simple Syrup: This is a simple twist on an already simple recipe. Make sure you cut the hard outer shell of the ginger, just grat-

ing the inner portion. If you can, use a coffee strainer or French press to remove the ginger before transferring into the bottle you’ll

store it in. This will prevent small pieces of ginger from getting into your drink, and eventually your teeth.

Photo: CC, Rolb Bertholf

thefulcrum.ca

“Not all those who wander are lost.”—J.R.R. Tolkien

I’ll be honest: I’m not the most accomplished globe-trotter in the world. I’ve never been wine tasting in Tuscany, I’ve never gone skiing down the Swiss Alps, and the only time I’ve scoured the ancient pyramids of Egypt is through the magic of film.

However, just because I’ve never left the cozy confines of North America, that doesn’t mean I’m totally ignorant to the joys of travel.

After all, when I was young my parents made a point of dragging me across this great country of ours, from the maritime shores of Newfoundland to the sublime mountains of the West Coast.

This kind of experience definitely puts you in a weird mindset, where all of your troubles gradually fade away and things finally start to get put in perspective, especially when your life is full of uncertainty.

And while the act of walking the Camino de Santiago in Europe isn’t a The Palace of Fine Arts Theatre, San Francisco, California (US) Photo: Dongjiao Wang

guarantee that you’ll develop a renewed sense of purpose, a journey like this still presents you with an opportunity to get out of your comfort zone and see this complicated world of ours through a completely different lens.

But you don’t have to take my word for it.

The Travel Issue that sits before you was put together to give a variety of University of Ottawa students a platform to share their own unique stories and wisdom when it comes to the minutiae of traversing the globe.

Hopefully, with this knowledge tucked away in your cranium, you’ll be ready to take one more step towards setting off on a righteous quest of your own once you’re released from the shackles of academic responsibility.

Heck, after editing this issue maybe I’ll get similarly inspired.

Only one way to find out…

—Kyle Darbyson, Features Editor

Navigating borders When you’re a Canadian citizen traveling the globe, here are a couple facts to keep in mind when it comes to your traveling privileges.

There are several countries where Canadians can visit visa-free. At the top of the list

is the United States, where Canadians can stay for up to six months without a visa.

Nicholas Robinson Staff Contributor

There are a number of other countries Canadians can visit for a limited amount of time

(usually one to three months) without a visa. These countries are spread across multiple continents, ranging from Japan to Botswana to Chile.

The Canadian passport has been ranked the sixth most flexible on the planet, with the German passport ranking the highest,

and with Sweden claiming second place.

It’s usually a good idea to take note of the federal government’s travel advisories, which provide important information on the

state of other countries—such as security measures and health warnings.

There are currently 13 countries listed as “avoid all travel”, such as Syria, North Korea, and Somalia.

Some of these travel advisories contain interesting warnings. For instance, the government warns Canadians about American gun ownership rates, jaywalking in the Czech Republic, and the “chronic lack of parking spaces” in the Netherlands.

Since Canadians are also citizens of the British Commonwealth, we have certain additional rights under British nationality law.

For example, if you have a grandparent who was born in the United Kingdom you could be admitted for up to five years on that basis. This should come in handy if you end up visiting the U.K., and end up not wanting to leave anytime soon.

While English is one of the most commonly spoken languages in the world, it’s always helpful to know a couple of words in the

native language of the country you’re visiting.

But if you’re really lost and are in need of help, you should know that the youth of foreign nations (someone under the age of 30) are much more proficient in English than older members of the population.

How to not be a voluntourist Summer is fast approaching, and many students find that a meaningful way to spend it is by travelling overseas and engaging in some volunteer work

for humanitarian purposes. This is definitely a worthwhile enterprise, but you need to be careful that you don’t veer off into the realm of irresponsible voluntourism.

Lavinia Allary Fulcrum Contributor

We all know a friend or an acquaintance who has fallen into this category:

someone who is much more pre-occupied with taking selfies with the locals and seeing how many likes that can generate for their social media post than actually helping the less fortunate.

So, follow these tips and you might even be able to avoid the trap of voluntourism and actually do some good in the world.

This is not a vacation

If your volunteering plans are full of sunshine and relaxation, then you should stop and think twice.

If you start committing your time towards getting a tan or booking a hiking tour of the Himalayas, then you could potentially create tension amongst yourself and the staff. After all, they may be counting on you to work in the office or the field in the early morning and late night.

Having some fun during your off-time is allowed of course, but don’t try to artificially squeeze it in during your working week.

Know your strengths

There is a simple rule that I learned during my numerous overseas volunteering experiences: the more you try to be useful, the more you get in the way. It’s not just about having the desire to help, but it’s also about having the proper skills to do it.

Many project managers will get frustrated with the volunteers, not because they are mean, insensitive, or culturally

biased, but because they will be forced to spend too much of their work time and energy taking care of volunteers who don’t possess any practical skills that they can utilize.

Project managers will accept that sometimes volunteers are young and inexperienced, but they are also expecting you to be fully engaged with the project.

In the field, there’s a huge need of practical skills like engineering, teaching, communications, or administrative work.

As such, it’s important to choose a volunteer experience that will complement your skill set, not just a random project that looks exciting.

Don’t think you’re going to save the world

On the plane ride over, don’t overly romanticize the idea of you helping others.

As the old saying goes: “the road to hell is paved with good intentions”, which can usually come into play when some of these “good intentions” start to supersede common sense.

For example, befriending a vulnerable child might seem totally innocuous—giving them chocolate or a hug, and making them trust you. However, you ultimately will be leaving them behind at the end of your term, so tread lightly with these interactions.

After all, depending on the project and the culture you are about to enter, your accommodation period overseas can take from one to six months. In reality, it takes years of hard work and commitment to really make a difference in somebody’s life.

This allure of taking on a white saviour complex is particularly strong for people who are dealing with their own personal issues like not finding a job after graduation, a troubled relationship, or very demanding parents.

As such, do not plan your volunteer work overseas if you are just

looking for love, self-esteem, or a new meaning to your own life. The volunteer work is not about meeting your own needs and desires,

and instead should be focused on the people you are there to help.

At the end of the day, to be a true volunteer you should approach

communities with humility, openness, and a true desire to learn how to help.

Learn to listen. Learn to be generous. That way, you can learn to become a real volunteer.

Siena, Photo: Tuscany (Italy ) Ka y a G audet

Long term benefits of traveling Nadia Helal Fulcrum Contributor ent e independ r o m g in m Beco you get could help

, a passport aparents avel destin While your plan your tr n ve e d n a r othe oney, be on the give you m ultimately ill w s). ho w u uple friend tions, it’s yo r with a co (o e n lo a d worl indepenside of the in level of a rt ce a s uarantee And this g tels, but dence. eals and ho m of s ce ri search p hen you’re You can re specially w e — ip tr a st of ody speaks the real co ctically nob ra p re he w ce you country discover on ill stuck in a w u yo ly on something English—is itely lunge. lf will defin take the p for yourse g in d n fe nt of when you This eleme , especially fe Ii n o r e ndy late p of all—lif come in ha biggest lea e th r fo re pa have to pre tion. ua d after gra

It’s sad when I hear about friends in their 20s who have never left Canada. Unfortunately, it’s easy to see why.

In the today’s political climate, the media tends to deter young minds from traveling by focusing on terrorism and other dangers worldwide, However, the risk for travellers is practically non-existent. The actual

chance of dying in an airplane is 1 in 8,450,000, with death by a terrorist attack even more unlikely with a 1 in 9,270,000 chance.

Others are detered by financial barriers, which can be mitigated by strategies like working overseas, collecting travel miles, and various other cost cutting methods.

Recent health panics like that of the 2014-15 Ebola outbreak have

similarly scared a lot of potential travelors off, even though a simple

trip to online resources like ones offered by the Center For Disease

Control and Prevention can give you a heads up on what to expect in terms of international health risks.

So, despite all these alleged barriers, you should really give interna-

tional traveling a shot, especially since the experiences that follow are

rife with opportunities to better yourself as a person and ensure wellrounded psychological development.

sful ore succes travel m g in m o c at Be n believe th

ca n ve e rts Some expe mic success ater acade re g to te transla ad. down the ro found somewhere agner group W e th by y ud youth havr A recent st ips in their tr k o to ho w n’t, with 80 that adults se who did o th t a th vel des saying tra better gra spondents re e th f e o hat th y p e r c en t rested in w te in re o m made them school. are learned at ke time off ople who ta e p , d are re n o a rm Furthe r morale have highe , ve ti job. uc e d th ut” on more pro lly “check o ta n of e m ss le to have less likely stress and ss le rt o p re They also ut.. f burning o o e a chanc

Becoming more empathetic

Underrated travel destina tions like South Korea, Cro atia, or Portugal can teach you a lot about the everyday str uggles of common folk.

I taught English for a yea r in a South Korean village, thriving on the nearby nuclear plant and rice fields. Most of the people worked six to seven days a week, with some rec eiving no more than a day off eve ry two weeks. What used to seem unimaginable to me, helped me create a newfound em pathy and appreciation for the country’s persistent hard work (unsurprisingly, South Kor ea is constantly nabbing the top spot in “hardest- working countr ies” lists).

Furthermore, when we tra vel, we meet people from all corners of the world which ope ns us up to different cult ures and points of view. I once ser ved as an unofficial transla tor for three (French, Spanish, and Arabic) girls in my hostel room in Sydney, Australia. We all got along terrifically and as a result, formed lasting friendships .

Orlando, Flo Photo: Kayarida (US) Gaudet

he ss of a clic le g in m o c e B t with are conten

e staying clos s n ia n ad A lot of Ca l we do trave to home. even when , n a C ts ta to S nited According nadians (U sited by Ca vi s ose ie tr un a nce) re cl the top co ingdom, Fra K d e it n U ico, ge.

States, Mex , and langua phy, culture ra s, g o e g of these place in terms with visiting g n ro d w g a n hi a plane n There is not n, involves io in op y m as avel, in use English but real tr necessarily ’t sn e o d t tha a country e. tiry languag a nother con their prim urney to a jo a g r n ki a ert up to othe So, by und g yourself in n e op ly n ing not o ly challeng nent, you’re also active re u’ yo ut b s, boring experience ns are all at Canadia th n o ti p the assum homebodies.

Illustration: Reine Tejares.

Four things no one tells you about going on a safari Adriana Sgabellone After walking off of the airplane in Tanzania for the first time, the only thing going through my head was “What the hell am I doing here?” Don’t get me

Fulcrum Contributor

wrong, I am an avid traveller with wanderlust in my veins. I love new cultures, food, people, and scenery.

What I don’t love is dirt, bugs, or anything even mildly outdoorsy. My idea of

roughing it is a three-star hotel. I’ll admit it, I’m a complete city girl and I was

a little skeptical and scared at the idea of traversing the wilderness in a seven seat Toyota Land Cruiser.

Despite these reservations, Tanzania turned out to be absolutely breathtaking.

Everywhere we visited—from the Ngorongoro Conservation Area to the Serengeti

National Park—revealed a different landscape. These ranged from the lushest forests I have ever seen to areas that showcased nothing but the vast expanse of desert in every direction. Plus, there was the promise of the sunset every night,

which—no matter where you found yourself—will shine with colours that you didn’t even know existed.

If you are seeking a surreal experience guaranteed to be wholly unlike anything you have ever seen, then Tanzania is for you.

With that being said, there were still a couple things that I would have liked to been made privy to before I took off on my grand safari adventure.

Motion sickness

I have a history of getting motion sick, but nothing could have prepared me for

what a safari induced. Winding, bumpy, unpaved roads for six hours a day is taxing.

I spent more time curled up in the backseat of the truck than I care to ad-

mit, only to poke my head up occasionally to look at animals and scenery. So, if you’re prone to car sickness or nausea like me, prepare accordingly.

Serengeti National Park, (Tanzania) Photo: Adriana Sgabellone

Clashing temperatures

When we first got off the plane in Tanzania at 10 p.m., it was 43°C. Even the breeze was a heavy blanket of heat that mercilessly wrapped itself around us.

But as blistering as the days and nights were, the early mornings were surprisingly cold. On mornings that we left the hotel before the sun was up, the temperature hovered around 5°C.

I had rolled my eyes when my dad told me to pack a hoodie and sweatpants for our trip to Tanzania, but I was glad I listened. My advice is to pack layers—you’re going to need them.

The real circle of life

Before this trip I had only ever seen exotic animals in the zoo, which may be why I had embarrassingly assumed that all of the animals we found on the trip would be in segregated groups.

Instead, I quickly discovered that they were all intermingling. The wildebeest were casually lingering around the hippo pool, while the zebras were drinking out of it. But when some predators came calling, Mother Nature triumphed in the end.

As such, we saw the circle of life complete right in front of us a couple of times, and it wasn’t the whimsical Disney version we’re all used to.

Whether that seems fascinating or repulsive to you, you should expect to see some blood.

Guilt

This is an uncomfortable one. There’s a big difference between knowing that there is unimaginable poverty in the world, and seeing it up close.

The juxtaposition of our hotels against poorer communities right outside of the gates was heartbreaking. One time we even had a little boy run after our truck waving frantically and yelling. Our tour guide told us later than he had been yelling for water. I don’t need to tell you what that does to your conscience.

In memory of Donald Patrick Timmins, avid traveller and incredible godfather who was taken from us too soon, shortly after

Underrated travel destinations

Paris, Hong Kong, Barcelona—these are exotic summer vacation spots that (if TravelAdvisor is to be believed) young people usually flock to once they’re released from the shackles of exam season.

But which travel destinations don’t get the spotlight that they deserve? Members of the Fulcrum weigh in on their favourite underrated travel locations.

South Okanagan, British Columbia

As Canadians, we’ve all heard about how beautiful British Columbia is, but there’s an underrated, little gem hidden in BC’s famous mountains: The South Okanagan.

Located in the Southern Central area of the province (only a four hour drive east of Vancouver), this region is a favourite summer vacation spot for British Columbians and Albertans alike. Outside of containing Canada’s only true desert environment, South Okanagan is also noteworthy for sporting traits similar to that of the Niagara area, one of Canada’s few fruit-growing and wine producing areas.

The area’s warm lakes are perfect for swimming and boating, something that you will easily find out by visiting charming municipalities like Penticton and Osoyoos.

So when you visit you can choose between sitting on the beaches, driving along mountain roads, exploring wineries, or eating freshly picked fruits and veggies from the numerous fruit stands in the region.

What better way is there to spend the summer?

-Catherine Frasch

Helsinki, Finland

One of European’s youngest capitals, Helsinki is easily one of its best. Not only is the city a hotbed of innovative culture and design, but it’s also a centre of the far-from-boring Finnish history.

This includes the traumatic civil war that ocPhoto: CC, Keith Ewing

curred after the Finns achieved independence in 1917, and the heroic Winter War that they waged against the Soviets during World War Two. Most of all, one of the best things about Finland is the Finns themselves. Despite the stereotype of being depressed introverts, Finns are actually wonderful people—cheerful, helpful, and amazingly nice. Finnish is also a lovely language, but Finns usually speak excellent English, so you probably won’t have to worry about that pesky language barrier.

-Nicholas Robinson

Photo: CC, Jorge Lascar

Photo: CC, Sarah Stierch

Edinburgh, Scotland

Primarily known as the land of bagpipes and kilts, Scotland often gets an unfair rap as a place of unrefined culture and Braveheart stereotypes.

While it may not be the first destination that comes to mind when planning a summer vacation, the capital city of Edinburgh is well worth a visit. From the central area of the Royal Mile to the Georgian-designed New Town, Edinburgh is filled with historic sites, fascinating museums, and superb shops and restaurants.

Edinburgh Castle and Holyrood Palace provide interesting half or full-day excursions, while museums such as the National Museum of Scotland and the National Gallery of Scotland contain a myriad of excellent exhibits, which are entirely free to the public.

In addition, summer is the time when many festivals and events take place, including the famous Edinburgh Military Tattoo and Edinburgh Festival Fringe.

Bottom line, if you’re thinking about going to the UK this summer, you should definitely consider Edinburgh.

-Natasha Lomonossoff

Busan, South Korea

Despite its relatively small size, South Korea boasts an endless list of national treasures, with Busan being one of the most beautiful and underrated cities in the country.

Since it’s a coastal city, the sea plays an important role in shaping the local tourist scene. Haeundae Beach, Jagalchi Fish Market, and the Busan Aquarium are just a few of the splendid seaside attractions in the country’s second-largest city.

Photo: CC, Navin75

An aquarium may sound a little boring for a university

Kangaroo Island, Australia

student, but it was there that I got the chance to

Places like Sydney and Melbourne are considered typical vacation spots in Australia, but if you talk to any true Aussie they will tell you the experience is not truly authentic until you visit “the bush”.

swim in a tank with actual sharks and giant turtles.

The nightlife is also fantastic, with numerous pubs and clubs overlooking the Pacific Ocean.

Australia is home to many unique animals and vegetation that are not found natively in any other part of the world, with the kangaroo obviously being the most famous. Kangaroo Island, located off the southern mainland, is one of the most incredible wonders of the world, where marsupials outnumber humans by a staggering 13 to 1.

The sizable island is only a 45-minute ferry ride from the mainland, and is teeming with wildlife in every corner, with kangaroos as far as the eye can see. The animals on this island also flaunt a number of unique characteristics, since they evolved separately after rising sealevels disconnected the island from the mainland approximately 10,000 years ago.

For this once-in-a-lifetime nature experience, it’s definitely worth a trip.

-Kaya Gaudet

Photo: CC, Mark & Emma Hambleton

-Nadia Helal

Photo contest: honourable mentions

Golden Temple, Amritsar (India)

Borobudur Temple, Java (Indonesia)

Photo: Gursimran Singh

Photo: Liban Mohamed

Aosta (Italy) Photo: Kaya Gaudet

Arles (France)

Capitol Reef National Park, Utah (US)

Photo: RaphaĂŤlle Robidoux

Photo: Dongjiao Wang

SPORTS

cavalry

Male M.v.p.

Photo: Marta Kierkus

In his fifth season with the Gee-Gees men’s basketball team, point guard Mike L’Africain ascended to another level, proving his elite status in the nation. The fiery guard slashed opposing offences throughout the team’s second semester, including

two landmark wins over eventual national champion Carleton Ravens. L’Africain led the team scoring 20 points and dishing out five assists per game throughout the season. His play earned him the Mike Moser Memorial Trophy, awarded to the top player in

awards

female m.v.p. track and field

the nation, which was only the second time it’s ever been won by a Gee-Gees player.

L’Africain will also leave the U of O as the school’s all-time leader in assists.

—Spencer Murdock

Devyani Biswal was undoubtedly the female MVP of the year, as she had an incredible season for the Gee-Gees Track and Field team. Biswal, fourth-year financial math and economics student, finished first and captured the Gee-Gees’ first-ever CIS medal in the

best moment best coach With 33 seconds left in the Gee-Gees women’s hockey team’s playoff series against the McGill Martlets, Mélodie Bouchard scored a massive goal. Although the goal didn’t turn the series for the Gees, it did however show that they wouldn’t go down without a fight. The exhilarating overtime-inducing goal over the third-ranked team in the nation sum-

marized the team’s entire season in one moment.

Constantly being the thorn in the side of elite teams, year-by-year, the Gees are catapulting themselves into contention for a national title. Bouchard’s goal proved that after 2015-16, the team may not be as far away from the top as some might think.

—Spencer Murdock

@SpencerMurdock @FulcrumSports

Photo: Mundo Sports Images

devyani biswal

mike l’africain men’s basketball

SPORTS EDITOR Spencer Murdock sports@thefulcrum.ca

andy sparks women’s basketball Andy Sparks was a driving force in the women’s basketball team’s successes this season. The University of Ottawa graduate led the Garnet and Grey to a 17-2 regular season, to place first overall in the Ontario University Athletics (OUA) and earn a berth in the Canadian Interuniversity Sport (CIS) national championships.

It was a spectacular season for the Gees, whose progress was only hampered by a string of unfortunate injuries to several key players. Sparks

brought Ottawa to the CIS national championship tournament in his first season in 2007-08, after inheriting a team that went 3-19 the previous season. The Ottawa native has led the program to five CIS national championship appearances and four OUA Final appearances, while collecting one CIS bronze, one OUA gold, three OUA silver, and one OUA bronze medal. In 201516, Sparks was named the OUA Coach of the Year for the fourth time.

—David Agbaire

women’s 60m hurdles, all while making history in the process. In her fourth season with the Gees, she claimed a gold medal in both the OUA and CIS finals. She ended up saving her best for last, smashing the school record with a personal best time of 8.40 seconds in her final run

of the season. For her stellar season, she was awarded a host of personal accolades, namely a place on the CIS All-Canadian team, OUA All-Star team, the Gee-Gees Track & Field MVP, and the U of O Female Athlete of the Year.

—David Agbaire

fan favourite For the first time since 2007, the Gee-Gees men’s basketball team were the victors of the Capital Hoops Classic. With the rivalry of Ottawa vs. Carleton, any time the teams play it’s bound to be a big deal. With over 10,000 in attendance, the overpowering of the Ravens resulted in the first time Gee-Gees fans could

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storm the court at the Canadian Tire Centre in nearly 10 years. The melange of students and players on the floor after the game was a rewarding moment for those that painstakingly sat through the same celebration for the Ravens fans in years prior.

—Spencer Murdock

Sports | 21

Top summer fitness activities in both Ottawa and the GTA

Ottawa

spencer murdock Sports editor

Running throughout the city

Shoot some hoops at public courts

Take advantage of the beautiful Ottawa weather and the scenery the city has to offer while getting some cardio in. There’s a wealth of places around campus to lace up your sneakers and get moving—of course a commonly used place is along the Rideau Canal, but with a newly opened footbridge across the Rideau River, running from Strathcona Park to Riverain Park in Vanier is much more accessible now.

Grab a ball and some friends and head out to one of the hundreds of public basketball courts across the city. One of the benefits of living in a city is the accessibility of various facilities everywhere, so a pickup hoops game is not hard to execute throughout the summer. You may not be good enough to play for the Gee-Gees, but practice makes perfect.

Hikes in Gatineau Park

Photo: CC, NDH.

Only minutes away from Downtown Ottawa is the sprawling Gatineau Park, where you can spend a day hiking, running, biking, or just out for a stroll. It’s one of the closest and best places to escape the bustle of the city to get a workout in the sun and fresh air in your lungs. There are various events happening throughout the season in the park—just watch out for the bears.

Take a swim at Britannia Beach

A 15–20 minute drive from campus, Britannia Beach is a favourite summer spot for Ottawans and visitors alike. Catch some rays and take a dip in the Ottawa River to get some exercise (and a tan) on a hot day.

Parliament Hill Yoga

From May to September, you can take a midday stretch on the lawn in front of the Peace Tower.

Not only is it great to get out and be active, but you can do it somewhere that others across the country could only dream of. Why not take advantage of being in the nation’s capital by bringing your mat to Parliament and enjoying summer freedom. More information will be announced on lululemon Ottawa’s Facebook page

Greater Toronto Area City of Toronto:

Peel region:

Toronto Marathon weekend is always a massive event in the city. On May 1, you could kick the summer off with going after a personal best in one of the offered races. There’s a full marathon, a 10k, 5k, and relay, so even if you’re not quite in 26.2 mile shape, there’s still something for you. There’s over 14,000 runners each year, so if you’re in the GTA, take the leap and participate in the weekend.

With numerous golf courses throughout Mississauga, Brampton, and Caledon, it should be easy to get out and swing the clubs this summer. Golf is a very underrated sport, as it offers a solid workout, and if you skip the golf cart you’ll get even more exercise walking across the course. If not for the workout, playing a round of golf gets you outdoors and enjoying the beautiful weather.

Hit the links in Peel

Break out the running shoes

Durham region:

Halton region:

Watersports on Lake Scugog If you’re looking to spend the day on the water to cool down this summer, head to Port Perry, along the shores of Lake Scugog. Conveniently located less than an hour from Downtown Toronto, you can kayak, canoe, waterski, wakeboard, and fish to your heart’s desire all summer long. You can also take part in organized events on the water.

The annual Canoe the Nonquon in June is the longest-running canoe race in Ontario, and the Port Perry Dragon Boat Festival is one of the biggest events in Durham all summer.

22 | SPORTS

Peddle through the westside

Photo: CC, Rob MacEwan

Visiting or living in Halton Region means that you’re in the cycling epicenter of the GTA. If you want to hop on your bike and get active this summer, both Kelso Conservation Area and Hilton Falls Conservation Area in Milton offer some of the best mountain biking anywhere in Ontario.

Halton is also home to the Mattamy National Cycling Centre, a state-of-the-art velodrome, where you could try your hand at Olympic cycling.

York region:

Community and Rec Centre fun

Community centres are the heart of many neighbourhoods in York Region, so it’s a good idea to check them out to keep fit this summer. Most centres like the Thornhill Community Centre and Mount Joy Community Centre come with a full-size multipurpose gym, which can be used for a number of sports such as basketball, netball, indoor hockey, and much more. They also have multi-purpose turf fields for various activities. If sports aren’t your thing, there’s always Zumba, aerobic fitness, and many other classes to pique your interest.

-David Agbaire

thefulcrum.ca

Update on the newest additions to Gee-Gees varsity teams spencer murdock Sports editor

With the summer approaching, focus has shifted to the next season for GeeGees varsity teams.

There have been numerous recruits announced for the 2016-17 season, and here are some of the most highly anticipated players that are preparing to don the garnet and grey next season.

Women’s rugby After an incredible sea-

son last fall, the Gee-Gees are stocking up on some of the best talent in the nation

to carry their momentum into next year.

The team recently locked up five recruits, three from Ottawa, one from Nova Scotia, and one transfer from McGill.

Headlining the Ottawa recruits is flanker Rachel McCallen, who won a silver medal with the U17 national team. The two other Ottawa products have also dabbled in provincial and national team play.

Julia White joins the team from the Martlets after finding early success in her career. The forward is familiar with the confer-

ence, having played for four years in Quebec. White adds another veteran presence who also has national championship tournament experience.

The additions prove that the Gees are prepared to become a powerhouse after their last two seasons, and early indications show that 2016 should be just as successful.

Men’s basketball The Gee-Gees added depth from beyond the arc with the recruit of Port Williams, N.S. native Gage Sabean.

If Sabean can continue his elite performance from high school, the 6’5” forward will be a massive addition to the Gees going forward.

Head coach James Derouin told Sports Services that Sabean “brings size, athleticism and is one of the best young outside shooters in the country” and that “he will have an immediate impact with the team.”

Given the success of the Gees, there is no doubt how attractive the school was for the east coast shooter.

Football After a slow start to the

recruiting year, the GeeGees football team is starting to bring in size and talent for their team going forward.

Headlining the crop of new gridiron Garnet and Grey is Ottawa-native Nick Parrish, a 6’0” 296 lb. defensive tackle transferring from Holland College in P.E.I. The former Hurricane recorded 15 solo tackles, 10 assisted, two sacks, and two fumble recoveries last season.

The Gees continued to address lack of size concerns as they added more linemen

to their roster.

On the offensive line, the team added Patrick Spellman (6’2”, 280 lbs.) and Piri Sinnathurai (6’3”, 265 lbs.)

The Gees also added a pair of defensive ends, bringing in Brandyn Pietrantonio (6’2”, 225 lbs.) and Austin Szereda-Papenburg (6’4”, 230 lbs.)

With these additions, the Gees will look to improve weak spots on both sides of the ball in hopes of posting a winning season again next year.

FIFTH-YEAR FILE: Ian Stewart spencer murdock sports editor

Fifth-year file will outline the career of a graduating athlete that has spent five years as a Gee-Gee. These seniors have all had an impact on advancing varsity athletics in their time at the University of Ottawa.

Wide receiver Ian Stewart had a very systematic rise to becoming one of the best receiving threats in the nation.

The 6’0” Burlington, Ont. native joined the Gee-Gees in the 2011 season and despite dressing in only four games the freshman made an impact, pulling in five receptions and scoring a touchdown.

The Gees had a trainwreck of a season in Stewart’s second year, as the team’s 2-6 record kicked off with five consecutive losses—the worst in re-

cent Gee-Gees history.

No player on the roster that year had a particularly great season, and Stewart was no exception. At the year’s end, Stewart only caught eight passes and didn’t find the endzone. It was at this point where things began to turn around.

In quarterback Aaron Colbon’s final year with the team, Stewart found himself to be a greater force in the new Gee-Gees offence under head coach Jamie Barresi.

Stewart’s production spiked by nearly 30 more catches as the Gees celebrated the opening of their new stadium at Lees. The third-year had two TD receptions and averaged 62 yards per game.

After his breakout year, Stewart would become the go-to option of new starting

QB, Derek Wendel. The pair would soon become one of the most deadly offensive combinations in the nation.

In 2014, Stewart pulled in 44 receptions and found the endzone four times. He also started establishing himself as a premier deep threat, highlighted by a 74-yard touchdown reception in an upset win over McMaster to clinch a playoff berth.

Stewart would save his best season in garnet and grey for his last, as he broke school records and gained national recognition at the end of his fifth-year.

The finance major would rack up significant numbers, as he pulled in 57 receptions, gained 1,091 yards and scored a striking nine touchdowns in the year.

Stewart averaged the most

Stewart steps out of a tackle in his final home opener.

yards of any receiver in the nation with 136.4 per game, and with 228 yards in one game he broke the Gee-Gees record. His landmark year earned him a place on the Ontario University Athletics first-team all-star list.

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To cap off his career, Stewart was named a first-team All-Canadian, the only from the Gee-Gees in 2015.

From the contributions of his early years to becoming a massive threat for the Gees, Stewart’s production and

Photo: Marta Kierkus.

leadership will be missed in the future.

With Stewart out of the equation, Wendel will need to find another top receiver if the Gee-Gees hope to make an appearance in the playoffs once again.

Your budget is tight but you still need to look your best. Not your father’s barber has you covered. student discounts every day, free wifi, big screen tv’s and a complimentary beverage with every service. Walk-ins always welcome but if you’re tight on time, we also take appointments!

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Sports | 23

OPINIONS SFUO report card—a year in review

OPINIONS EDITOR David Campion-Smith

opinions@thefulcrum.ca (613) 695-0062 @davidcs96

Grading the SFUO on communication, staffing, promotion & student engagement david campion-smith opinions editor

The 2015-16 year has been tough for the Student Federation University of Ottawa (SFUO) which ended the year heavily reducing summer staff to avoid bankruptcy. Here’s the SFUO’s report card for the last year in four important areas: event promotion, communication, staffing and

student engagement.

COMMUNICATION

C-

Communication is more specific than just blasting out event promotions. The SFUO has done a poor job of keeping students aware of their financial situation, up until they announced their recent decision to cut staff over the summer, as at the most recent General Assembly there wasn’t even an updated budget available—a flaw the SFUO attributed to financial reports not yet submitted by federated bodies.

The SFUO website still contains no budget for 2015, only predictions for 2015 and a budget for 2014. There’s also only one budget, making it difficult for everyday students to create a clear financial picture across time.

A disciplinary committee called to investigate claims of harassment between execs has yet to release their findings to the public.

However the SFUO has made efforts in the past few weeks to address concerns about their financial future. After the last General Assembly they answered questions for twenty minutes, and they also extended the question period at the end of their last Board of Administration (BOA) meeting on April 10. While these efforts at proper communication is notable, these attempts came only when students were clearly frustrated with their student federation. In the future the SFUO should keep students aware of situations, particularly negative ones, as they come up.

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PROMOTION

C

Photos: Jaclyn McRae-Sadik

STAFFING

D

At a recent BOA meeting, a disciplinary committee was called to address the issue of harassment towards vice-president finance Camelia Touzany by other members of the executive. While it’s good that a committee was called to address the problem, the fact that things got so out of hand that a committee had to be called is completely unaccpetable. Students should be able to expect more professionalism from their executives.

There were a number of staffing difficulties throughout the year, as the exec saw two early resignations. A new president was only elected halfway through November, as well the posts of vice-president finance and vice-president services and communications. How can the SFUO maintain its mandate as a student-elected body, and provide the students with what our fees pay for, while at least three of its positions are vacant?

STUDENT ENGAGEMENT

C+

SFUO events have a history of low student engagement rates. This year’s election saw a voter turnout of 2,556 students, or 7.8 per cent of the student population.

The failure of the GAs to reach quorum has also been well documented, with each GA proving unable to gather enough attendance to read and vote on any motions.

While the failure of students to come out and vote isn’t fully a shortcoming of the SFUO, they can definitely do a better job at promoting their events. The SFUO has listened to some of students’ concerns about the GAs, as their fourth GA was held on campus during a Wednesday night instead of a Saturday morning at 10 a.m. GAs are now held on campus, making it easier for students to attend. The failure of the GAs is partially due to student apathy, and the SFUO has made some changes that make it easier for students to attend.

It’s time for someone to remind the SFUO that they’re living in a digital age.

For the entire month of February there was not one tweet from the SFUO’s Twitter page despite the fact that they were running the General Election Even once they did tweet, they put out six tweets about poutine fest and none about the GA on March 15—true to form, there wasn’t even one tweet about it on the date it was hosted.

Their Facebook page also has more posts about poutine fest than the GA, although at least there actually were some posts about the most recent GA. The last one of those posts however is from February 23, and is about academic amnesty for the GA. It’s unbelievable that a student federation spreads information about a poutine festival more urgently than they do when advertising students’ chance to take part in our school’s democratic process.

The SFUO’s grade in promotion would be lower if they didn’t promote any of their events at all. The SFUO occasionally succeeds at promoting their social events, but needs to focus more on promoting the events that give students a voice in our student federation’s operations.

Racism still rooted in our attitude towards hair More than just ‘hoopla over hair’—afro shaming runs deeper than style Candide Uyanze fulcrum Contributor

Two weeks ago, a video filmed at the San Francisco State University which depicted Bonita Tindle, an African American woman, confronting Cory Goldstein, a white man, about his dreadlocks made rounds around the web. Tindle claimed dreadlocks were a part of her culture and physically restrained Goldstein from leaving.

To the onlooker, this may seem like a lot of fuss over dead skin cells and keratin.

However, the Black hair discussion is not as banal as one may think, especially in a time when snatched weaves have entered everyday dialect, braid extensions can be seen around campus and celebrities like Kylie Jenner are wearing cornrows.

The issue surfaced once again just a few days ago when Cree Ballah, a mixed race woman from Toronto, was accosted by her two managers at Zara about her box braids, which they felt weren’t a clean, professional look, despite Zara’s lack of a policy on hairstyles.

In a similar situation, Tayjah Deleveaux, an Afro-

Photo: CC, Aidarile.

Bahamian student in the Bahamas, was told by her school principal in February that her afro hairstyle was “untidy, ungroomed, unkempt, and looked like it has been uncombed for days.”

Her classmates reported how they themselves have been threatened with expulsion or suspension if they didn’t straighten their hair, spurring the #SupportThePuff movement.

Though I disagree with Tindle’s use of violence and could care less about Goldstein’s dreadlocks, I think the incident, along with the ones that follow, sheds light on the historical controversy sur-

rounding afro-textured hair.

Before getting into the politics of things, let’s start at the root. The shape of your hair follicle (the hole your hair grows out of) determines the shape and texture of your hair. People with straight hair have thicker, rounder follicles, while people of African descent, such as myself, tend to have follicles with a thin, elliptical shape. The helix-like, zig zag shape of each hair strand is what creates the gravity-defying Afro.

Unfortunately, it’s diverging appearance and the fact that it is characteristic of black people means afrotextured hair has suffered from colonialism, slavery, racism and residual Eurocentric beauty ideals. Typical descriptors for hair of this texture include nappy, unkempt, messy, ugly, wild, unprofessional, and untamed— yes, even today.

Hair that is softer, straighter and easier to manage is praised as “good” while hair that is more coiled is looked down upon, especially from parents, family friends and hair stylists who don’t know how to manage it. In the pursuit of unattainable beauty standards, many resort to

damaging hair relaxers that often leave chemical burns or straighteners that cause heat damage over time.

This conditioned disdain for afro-textured hair hasn’t gone uncontested. In fact, the civil rights movement in the United States led many African Americans to rock their afros—the Natural hair movement for example has gained momentum worldwide, leading to the decrease in sales for chemical relaxers and increase in dedicated hair blogs and products.

Progress has definitely been achieved, but the countless examples of unreasonable shaming, such as the ones mentioned earlier, prove that damaging attitudes towards afro-textured hair still linger.

Hair might be meaningless to some, but it’s important to acknowledge the significance it can bear to the one it belongs to. For people of African descent, afro-textured hair is intrinsically linked to our identity and continued effort to accept ourselves as we are. That is why efforts like #SupportThePuff are more than just hoopla over hair.

No seriously, Internet access is a human right Anti-poverty group is right to push for cheap, basic plans david campion-smith opinions Editor

We live in a digital world.

For most people the Internet, whether for recreation or for work, is an essential part of life. Anti-poverty group ACORN and advocacy group Open Media, among others, are currently lobbying the Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission to force Internet companies to provide a $10 per month, high-speed Internet package for Canadians.

Some companies already provide an option close to this, such as Rogers’ subsidized Internet for people living in community housing, although that’s only available to people in Ontario, Newfoundland and New Brunswick. This service is limited however, both

26 | OPINIONS

geographically and demographically.

Requiring Internet providers to supply a low-cost, bare bones Internet package is a fairer solution than requiring that every household be given a free package. It’s also a more realistic solution, as paying for the service keeps Internet companies in business and provides incentive to supply the discounted service.

While discounted Internet service is a good way to provide Internet to homes, there are other measures that cities can take to provide greater access to their residents.

Municipal Wi-Fi has been made a reality in many cities, in some cases just in parks, or for specific city services. Since it would be difficult to provide all of Ottawa with free Inter-

net, as the city is spread out, it could instead be provided in smaller doses to start—only in city parks, the downtown core and OC Transpo busses and stops.

In such a heavily digital society reliable and convenient Internet access is a necessary requirement to be a properly functioning part of our modern society. Keeping and finding employment will be difficult if you don’t have access to e-mail, or can’t stay updated on the information that is only updated on websites. When so many people do have reliable access, people who don’t are at a serious disadvantage. Internet isn’t a life saving right, and you won’t die without it, but we’ve agreed that a free high school education is a right, and Internet access also pro-

vides a higher quality of life.

The practice of providing free Internet to the public hasn’t been accepted in Ottawa yet. However, it’s clear

that in an increasingly digital world Internet is a basic human right, and as a right it must be protected and evenly distributed. Providing a basic

and paid plan for all is just one of the ways that Canada can ensure equal access.

thefulcrum.ca

Blue Jays manager’s comments subtle but damaging Sports world should recognize women, not see female presence in sports as weakness Faith jamael

Fulcrum contributor In a recent game against the Tampa Bay Rays, Blue Jays player José Bautista made contact with an opposing baseman’s foot while sliding into base, resulting in a ruling that potentially cost them the game. Disappointed by the call, Jays manager John Gibbons said, during a press conference, that he felt his team should “come out wearing dresses” in a latter game, implying that the rule is unnecessary and detracts from the masculinity of baseball.

Gibbons latter faced backlash for the comment, and its obvious degradation of women. While he was unapologetic, and many defended the comment saying it was just a joke, it’s an example of the microaggressions that women must face every day, particularly in the world of sports. It’s comments that perpetuate the idea that words pertaining to

Photo: CC, Keith Allison

women are synonymous with weakness.

Women are constantly exposed to comments that harm their self-worth, and it’s important that comments like Gibbons’ are recognized for how they contribute to a greater societal norm of view-

ing women as the weaker sex.

Despite the fact that Canadian women have been just as successful on the international stage in their respective sports, if not more so, their accomplishments are still not as celebrated as those of men.

While yes there have been

many improvements, there is still a ways to go.

For example, in the 2010 winter Olympics 27.6 million people watched the men’s gold medal hockey game. However we don’t even know how many watched the women’s game, because it was never

determined, which saw the Women take home gold.

Many professional athletes also feel that the femininity and therefore the validity of a woman is questioned the minute she enters sports. As former Olympic gold medallist in downhill skiing Kerrin

Lee-Gartner identifies, the competitiveness needed to compete is celebrated among young boys, but frowned upon for young girls.

It’s important that both men and women work together to erase the stigmas and stereotypes, as they affect men as well. I’m not mad at Gibbons directly—after all, he was raised in a society that perpetuates these seemingly innocuous comments.

I’m upset with the society in which we live in where the continuous system of oppression makes comments such as these acceptable to say.

This and its effects on women is just the tip of the iceberg. Just as a Muslim woman with her hijab, or an LGBTQ+ individual with the pride flag, I want my symbolism to be used for empowerment and not a symbol of weakness.

The Trudeaus are just like us

Social media addicts and they even use their legs!

Nadia helal & David campion-smith

eryday Metro bag broke the Internet, the Tomato has put together a list of the other ways that the Trudeau’s are just like other Canadians.

Staff contibutor opinions Editor

For decades, Canadians have been suffering under the leadership of several unrelatable prime ministers. Harper, Martin, Chrétien all spring to mind as older, and completely unconnected with most Canadians. Justin Trudeau, however, clearly has something those leaders never had—relatability.

The Trudeaus are the most relateably, relatable family ever to grace this great nation. Whether it’s Sophie Grégoire-Trudeau sporting a reusable Metro bag or Justin’s original

Food

Illustration: Marta Kierkus.

sock collection, this family clearly knows how to

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charm the public. After Sophie’s use of the ev-

While previous prime ministers and politicians survived on a diet of nothing but liquified copies of laws. Sources close to the Trudeaus say that they sometimes eat food - just like students!

“I even saw Justin cooking ramen once, which made me feel better about only eating instant noodles for a week in a row,” said third-year political science student and House of Commons aide, Angelo Fortin.

They’re addictThey use their legs to move ed to social media

While many former prime ministers were carried by their staff from their homes to their limousines, Trudeau and his family have no problems being publicly seen using their legs to get around. Many photos have been circulating that clearly show Justin using both his legs to walk from place to place.

Not only that, but Justin can answer questions while walking. He even spoke to a Tomato reporter about strengthening the middle class while climbing an escalator.

The Trudeaus are just so annoyingly relatable with their consistent Twitter, Facebook, Instagram and Snapchat activity. Such a heavy social media presence makes them a very different family from former prime ministers who used scrolls and carrier pigeons to reach voters.

Justin seems to be just as addicted to social media as every other overwhelmed student. “I once saw him mindlessly trolling through Twitter instead of reading notes for a conference,” said Trudeau staffer Nerissa Bennett.

THE TOMATo | 27

DISTRACTIONS

Dear Di,

I am a 26-year-old healthy gay man, but I have a problem with topping. Now don’t get me wrong, I very much enjoy the art of anal intercourse, but I just can’t seem to get it right.

When I’m intimate with someone, I still get aroused and get an erection. But when it’s time to do the deed I get flaccid quickly, and when I finally do get it in all it takes is two strokes and I’m done.

This had caused me to be the bottom in most of my relationships and other encounters. But I don’t only want to be a bottom forever. I want to top too.

What would be your advice to help me become a better top?

Dear Di

28 | DISTRACTIONS

Dear Di, I’ve always wanted to try pegging with my boyfriend. I think it would be a great experience for the both of us.

How could I bring it up without scaring him off?

Dear TAP, Pegging—for those of you who don’t know—is when a woman takes the driver’s seat during anal sex and penetrates their male partner with a strap-on penis.

While it might sound super scary to the uninitiated, you should remind your boyfriend (if he’s open to the idea) that pegging can actually be a great way to walk a mile in your partner’s shoes and gain deeper empathy for one another.

For men, sex is usually something that happens outside the body, so when the roles are reversed it can be an enlightening experience of how moods, emotions, and sexual arousal can be affected when you’re being penetrated.

On the other side, women can use this practice to communicate with their partner in a different way.

So be open in your communication, and explain how pegging can really help the both of you grow in compassion, intimacy, and understanding. If you don’t want to directly admit you’d like to peg, you can just bring up the topic in a casual setting and gauge your partner’s thoughts or reaction.

You can always say that the idea came to you after browsing for strap-ons at a sex shop. Or you could always claim that you read about it in the Fulcrum.

Dear CTO,

Love, Di

features@thefulcrum.ca (613) 695-0062 @KyleDarbyson

-The art of pegging

-Can’t top it off

It can be frustrating going flaccid right before penetration, but as long as you and your partner remain patient with one another, there are plenty of things you can do to become a master of being on top.

Some of this may just boil down to performance anxiety, since topping is not your go-to position. If you have a stable partner, I would recommend trying to be the topper for a month.

Even if you go flaccid a few times, take a break and return to kissing and caressing until you get hard. Then try again, but don’t forget to be patient with yourself.

Cock rings can be a great boost to your performance as well. You can try incorporating them into your sexual play and see if they make a difference when you’re on top. However, I would stay away from drugs like Viagra to assist, as they do have side effects and should only be used if there is a physical problem with erection.

It might be beneficial to consider the psychological reasons that may make you go flaccid. Does being on top make you feel more vulnerable?

Pay attention to what thoughts enter your head as you’re about to penetrate your partner, and reflect on them later on.

It also goes without saying that communicating openly with your partner about your desire to be on top is important, since you need to work together to make it happen.

At the end of the day, with a little patience and perseverance you’ll be the top dog in no time.

FEATURES EDITOR Kyle Darbyson

It wouldn’t be the first time someone’s used Dear Di as a catalyst for some kinky sex.

To get all your sexy and saucy questions answered, email Di at deardi@ thefulcrum. ca ;)

Love, Di Five tips to help you prepare for anal sex 1. Make sure it’s something you actually want to do, and not just something you’re doing to please your partner.

2. Lube, lube, and more lube! Your anus isn’t self-lubricating, so to ensure everything goes smoothly use lots of lubricant.

3. Prepare your space. Some people are more comfortable laying down a towel, since it prevents the lube you’ll be using from getting all over your sheets.

4. Relax. Your sphincter needs to be very relaxed in order to let anything in—otherwise, the sex can be quite painful. Having an orgasm before doing anal can also help you relax!

5. Start slow. There’s no rush, and you don’t want your muscles to tense up as this will cause some real pain.

thefulcrum.ca

May to August 2016

THRYLLABUS

SUMMER TIME FUN Thursday, May 12Monday, May 23 Canadian Tulip Festival Known as the largest celebration of its kind, the 71st annual Canadian Tulip Festival is set to take the nation’s capital by storm with its display of over 300,000 flowers by Dow’s Lake. can still soak in your fair share of

arts Sports

Dutch culture, flower arrangement workshops, and fireworks.

Friday, May 13- Sunday, May 15 Ottawa Comic Con, EY Centre Featured guests include Billy Dee Williams (Star Wars), Carl Weathers (Rocky), Eliza Dushku (Buffy the

FUN Thinking

if you don’t it’s basically a second St.

Ottawa Fringe Festival

Plus, this year it falls on a Friday. What

If Bluesfest is too mainstream for your taste, check out Ottawa’s biggest platform for celebrating alternative theatre, music, and contemporary

Even if tulips aren’t your thing, you

MUSIC

Wednesday, June 15Saturday, June 25

Vampire Slayer), John de Lancie (Star Trek: The Next Generation), Karen Gillan (Doctor Who), Lou Ferrigno (The Incredible Hulk), and many more.

dance.

Thursday, June 23-Sunday, June 26 Tim Hortons Ottawa Dragon Boat Festival, Mooney’s Bay Come for the awesome dragon boat races, stay for the free music, with headliners like July Talk, Mother Mother, Alvvays, and A Tribe Called

Patrick’s Day, but on steroids. more could you ask for?

Thursday, July 7-Sunday, July 17 RBC Bluesfest, LeBreton Flats Featuring musical acts such as Red Hot Chili Peppers, Duran Duran, Future, Billy Idol, Alessia Cara, Nelly, Jeff Ross, and many more.

Thursday, July 28-Monday, August 1 Ottawa International Buskerfest, Sparks Street

Red.

Busking is an art form—don’t let

Thursday, June 23Sunday, July 3

some of these street performances—

anybody tell you different. In fact, including clowns, jugglers, and

TD Ottawa Jazz Festival, Confederation Park

acrobats—are downright jaw

Featuring musical acts such

Admission is also free, so there really

as Kamasi Washington, Sarah McLachlan, Buffy Sainte-Marie, Stacey Kent, and many more.

dropping. isn’t anything stopping you from participating in the 25th anniversary of this amazing show.

Friday, July 1 Canada Day We all should know what Canada Day is like in the nation’s capital. But

thefulcrum.ca

DISTRACTIONS | 29

LETTER TO THE EDITOR

Rape culture is a social reality

The term culture is in no way controversial; it is just a word that denotes customs, traditions, and beliefs held by a sub-population.

However, when someone specifies “rape culture,” many become defensive or simply incredulous, even to the point of denying its existence. Rape culture refers to any segment of society that normalizes sexual assault.

This does not necessarily mean that rape is an epidemic. It means that the attitudes we possess and the behaviour we exemplify create an atmosphere that tolerates and downplays sexual assault.

One prominent example concerns victim blaming. Our tendency to focus on what the victim was wearing, drinking, or doing shifts the focus away from the victimizer.

This effectively implies that people should be censoring themselves to avoid being assaulted, that somehow, the victim is partly responsible.

A more concrete illustration of rape culture concerns a startling statistic: only 8 per cent of sexual assaults are reported to police, according to a 2004 General Social Survey on Victimization. Statistics Canada Report. The reasons held for not reporting a violent crime include shame, fear of persecution, and even helplessness, which undoubtedly stems from the uncertain outcomes of coming forward with an attack.

A third exemplar of rape culture includes something as seemingly harmless as a joke.

When the punch line includes any form of sexual assault—and then garners laughter— society is complicit in the act. From the common examples listed above, there are many ways in which a well-intentioned person can propagate and normalize rape culture.

Since rape culture can be defined and examples provided to defend it, the question begs: Why do people deny its very existence?

One common reply suggests that men are also rape victims. Nobody would deny this claim. The problem, however, with this argu-

ment is that it ignores what statistics have demonstrated, namely, that men are generally reported as the assaulters, be it of female or male victims.

According to Statistics Canada, in 2008, the rate of police-reported sexual assault against females (68 per 100,000 population) was “more than 10 times the rate for males” (6 per 100,000 population), with “females accounting for 92 per cent of sexual assault victims in Canada.” To add, overall rates of sexual assaults for female victims were “significantly greater than males across each age group.”

Another common defense against rape culture notes that men are overlooked because they often do not report being a victim of female abuse. However, this is actually a point in favour of rape culture because when asked why men are not reporting rape, it’s because of the shame they feel—shame that stems from traditional gender roles in which men should be strong and in control. As with female victims of rape, men are made to feel that they are partly to blame for the assault.

What mainstream feminists are saying is that it’s time to put an end to these kinds of false stereotypes attributed to the victims of either gender.

When anti-feminist lobbyists hear the term rape culture, the misguided association between feminism and misandry is forwarded, and rape culture deniers will quickly jump to men’s defence. Contrary to popular belief, however, feminism advocates for both men and women in the struggle for equality and respect.

Therefore, if we set aside our biases and challenge gender stereotypes, perhaps more effort can be taken to dismantle the attitudes that continue to reinforce rape culture – once and for all.

30 | LETTERS

—Emily Roach Third-year communications student

thefulcrum.ca

EDITORIAL

Our most interesting travel experiences

Volume 76, Issue 27, April 14, 2016 Globetrotting since 1942.

Phone: (613) 695-0061 | Fax: (613) 695-9006 631 King Edward Ave. Ottawa, ON K1N 6N5 Recycle this paper or we’ll exile you to St. Helena.

Nadia “Madagascar” Drissi ElBouzaidi Editor-in-Chief editor@thefulcrum.ca

Egypt: Before the Revolution In the spring of 2010 my family and I spent a week in Cairo. It was a trip that my father always wanted to take with us, considering he visited the Egyptian Capital 30 years beforehand and was curious to see how the Arab hub had changed. Having visited Morocco multiple times before, some parts of this complex metropolis felt familiar. However, even then you could see the seeds of unrest that would flourish in the Arab Spring a mere eight months later.

—Nadia Drissi El-Bouzaidi, Editor-In-Chief

Kim “Spain” Wiens Production Manager production@thefulcrum.ca Savannah “Bangkok” Awde Managing Editor content@thefulcrum.ca Eric “Argentina” Davidson News Editor news@thefulcrum.ca Allegra “Azerbaijan” Morgado Arts & Culture Editor arts@thefulcrum.ca Spencer “Italy” Murdock Sports Editor/Rap Correspondent sports@thefulcrum.ca

European dream

Kyle “Batman” Darbyson Features Editor features@thefulcrum.ca

Reine “Ireland” Tejares Webmaster online@thefulcrum.ca Marta “Mauritania” Kierkus Visual Editor visual@thefulcrum.ca Jaclyn “Brazil” McRae-Sadik Associate News Editor associate.news@thefulcrum.ca Zach “Vanuatu” Verret Multimedia Coordinator multimedia@thefulcrum.ca

New Year’s in Sweetwater, Tenn.

As 2007 quickly approached in a matter of hours, our car pulled into a hotel off of I-75 in Sweetwater, Tennessee. The ensuing night would be one of the most memorable New Year’s Eves in my life. The ‘good ol’ boy’ working the front desk informed us we were in a dry county, which was okay with me because I was 11 and had some gnarly food poisoning. I puked in the sink and watched a football game before crashing prior to midnight. The Packers beat the Bears that night and I’ve never returned to Sweetwater.

—Spencer Murdock, Sports Editor

Nicole “Nigeria” Rutkowski Associate Features Editor associate.features@thefulcrum.ca David “Costa Rica” Agbaire Proofreader Dayne “Israel” Moyer General Manager & Advertising Rep manager@thefulcrum.ca ads@thefulcrum.ca

Contributors

Kaya “Greece” Gaudet Ryan “Rwanda” Pepper Rémi “Romania” Yuan Julia “Japan” Miraflores Anchal “Alohomora” Sharma Alex “Australia” Grichmanoff Mikayla “Morocco” Dunlop Nicholas “Norway” Robinson Lavinia “Lithuania” Allary Nadia “Hungary” Helal Adriana “Sierra Leone” Sgabellone Catherine “Finland” Frasch Candide “Uruguay” Uyanze Faith “Jamaica” Jamael

A mountain in Malaysia In the winter of 2003, my family took a trip to Kota Kinabalu to visit Mount Kinabalu located in Sabbah, a province in Malaysia. It’s currently the 20th highest mountain peak in the world. Aside from the insects and countless hours of walking up pathways, the wildlife at the summit was spectacular. There were many local tour guides who were generally friendly and well informed about the history and topography of the region. My family are not known for roughing it, so the accommodation and restaurants at the halfway point of the mountain, about 3,270 metres (10,730 ft), definitely came in handy to ensure it was a memorable stress free trip.

—David Agbaire, Proofreader

Board of Directors

Mackenzie “Macedonia” Gray President board@thefulcrum.ca Simon “Grenada” Gollish Vice-President Katelyn “Maldives” Murray Chief of Staff Jonathan “Jordan” Rausseo University Rep Benjamin “Belarus” Miller Student Rep Carolyn “Cambodia” Mutis Student Rep William “Haiti” Hume Student Rep

I know, I know. In terms of travel destinations, nothing sounds more mundane than a highway in Nova Scotia. However, driving down this famous roadway, which runs along the northern tip of Cape Breton Island, is like stepping out of a time machine. With its beautiful ocean vistas and stunning old-growth forests, the Cabot Trail possesses an eerie, timeless quality, almost like parts of it haven’t been touched by modern society since John Cabot landed there in 1497.

—Kyle Darbyson, Features Editor

Wonderful Ourika

I went to Europe over March break with my high school, and the whole thing was amazing. We toured France and Italy over 10 days, and I got to see some of the most famous landmarks. But we also got a chance to visit a few small towns in between. It gave me a taste for traveling that I won’t forget, and I can’t wait to go back.

—Reine Tejares, Webmaster

David “Denmark” Campion-Smith Opinions Editor opinions@thefulcrum.ca

The Cabot Trail: a trip back in time

Most people might think of Marrakech or Casablanca when Morocco is brought up. But when I visited this country—which truly can’t be defined by one city alone—my favourite experience was traveling to Ourika. Never heard of it? Tucked away in a lush, mountainous, off-the-beaten-path region, and a Berber tribe territory, so it’s pretty easy to miss. Once found, it is the most calming and beautiful place to be. Wandering the small town and having tea surrounded by mountains was more relaxing than any beach vacation.

—Savannah Awde, Managing Editor

A rapid adventure Two summers ago, some friends and I drove over to Algonquin Park and rented a couple canoes. Travelling often seems like a whirlwind, like I’m racing to take in as much as my overwhelmed senses can handle. It was refreshing to focus on only a few things, like not tipping my canoe over, or looking at the starkly star-filled sky. It didn’t all go smoothly—we walked 20 minutes against some shallow rapids only to turn the corner and stare up at a waterfall—but I didn’t seem to mind.

—Eric Davidson, News Editor

The perfect shot We were hiking Colca Canyon in Peru and at one point there was a river we had to cross. Instead of carefully crossing the slippery rocks like I should have I was taking pictures and, of course, I slipped. I decided to save my camera gear and smash my knee and legs instead because we’ve got health care but that equipment wasn’t cheap. The battle wounds were worth it.

—Jaclyn McRae-Sadik, Associate News Editor

Cover: Janie Joanne Pepin

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EDITORIAL | 31