The Fulcrum- Volume 77, Issue 14

VOL. 77 ISSUE 14

Dec 1, 2016

o y li d H a I s s e u e h T pg. 11.

Let’s clear the air Starting December 1, 2016, water pipe smoking will be banned in all workplaces and public places.

The use of water pipes (also known as hookah or shisha) will be banned in enclosed workplaces, enclosed public places and outdoor restaurant and bar patios.

The municipal regulations also ban the use of water pipes in the Parkdale Market and Byward Markets stands and on outdoor municipal property including parks, sport fields and beaches.

Learn more at:

Ottawa.ca/Smoke Free For information to quit smoking:

myquit.ca ∙ moijecrase.ca 1.877.376.1701

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In this week’s issue...

It’s great to meditate! P. 5 U of O med students are using mindfulness techniques to avoid burnout Not your typical orchestra P. 12 The U of O Pop Orchestra puts a nerdy twist on their holiday concert Celebrate this season with our Holiday Issue! P. 11 No matter what you celebrate, the Fulcrum has you covered Sticking with it P. 19 Women’s hockey still first in RSEQ Game of drones P. 21 Canada should be more open with its drone regulations You can’t see it, but it could be there P. 27 Busting the myth of what it “looks like” to struggle with mental illness

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NEWS

NEWS EDITOR

Graham Robertson news@thefulcrum.ca (613) 695-0061 @_grahamr

New double-degree program introduced with Belgian university

U of O international office hopes to foster sense of community between students Zainab Al-Mehdar

associate news editor

O

n Nov. 18 the University of Ottawa hosted a delegation from Belgium’s Université catholique de Louvain (UCL), the largest French-speaking university in Belgium, where the two schools officially introduced a new master’s doubledegree in criminology.

According to Regine Legault-Bouchard, assistant director at the U of O’s International Office, the UCL was chosen as a partner university for the new degree because of its excellent criminology program, along with the strong research ties that exist between professors at the two schools.

What made the new

program work in LegaultBouchard’s eyes was that the U of O was already familiar with the UCL’s curriculum and many of its staff, and so the partnership “made sense.”

“UCL is one of the top universities in the world, very highly ranked, and that is something we want to give to our students, obviously a very good learning opportunity,” said Legault- Bouchard.

In the 2017 ranking by the Times Higher Education the UCL placed 128th worldwide, and claimed the 243rd spot on the Centre for World University Rankings’ 2016 list.

This program differs from typical exchanges, which is what Legault-Bouchard and her team intended, “because UCL students and U of O students wouldn’t see each other if we were (just switching places).”

Therefore, the double-degree program was designed so

The Université catholique de Louvain is the largest French-speaking university in Belgium.

that U of O students wishing to participate would spend their first year at the UCL, and then students from both universities participating in the program would study in Ottawa during their second year.

At the end of the two-year program, students would end up with two separate degrees—one from the U of O and one from the UCL—as opposed to a joint degree between the two schools.

U of O students wishing to

Photo: Remi Yuan.

apply for the program must apply directly to the master’s in criminology program, as well as submit a letter of intent explaining why they would like to participate in the double-degree program.

“I think it is paramount for

students to be able to have that experience abroad, and to be able to get a diploma out of it is extremely interesting … for someone that has that background, to have two different perspectives, the European perspective and the Canadian, in one,” said Legault-Bouchard.

While the program is only offered in the Department of Criminology, the U of O’s International Office hopes to expand this experience to other faculties in the future.

“I think, as a representative from the International Office, it is something that we will try to duplicate, do in other fields, with other countries and other top institutions. It only makes sense,” said Legault-Bouchard.

For more information on the program, students can visit the criminology section of the U of O’s official website.

U of O researchers ask why women engage in “fat talk”

Study finds link between non-self-determined behaviour and body negativity Zainab Al-Mehdar associate news editor

A new study by a group of University of Ottawa researchers is providing a deep dive into issues surrounding women’s body image.

More specifically, they are looking to discover why so many women engage in “fat talk,” or self-deprecating comments like “I feel fat” and “I hate my thighs.”

This study, titled “Why do women engage in fat talk?

Examining fat talk using SelfDetermination Theory as an explanatory framework,” was conducted by four researchers, all of whom hail from the U of O’s School of Psychology.

According to Camille Guertin, a PhD student who was one of the four academics responsible for putting this research together, her focus of study is on eating disorders, which lends itself nicely to this kind of subject matter.

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This study is the first to look at the relationship between individual motivation and “fat talk.”

“Everything that I research is always on eating behaviours and how to motivate people to engage in healthy eating,” she said. “Fat talk is based on a sociocultural model of eating pathol-

ogy … Fat talk is a consequence of that (so) people that are pressured to be thin or endorse the thin ideal are going to be prone to eating disorders.”

Guertin’s study notes that

Photo: Remi Yuan.

there have been no studies prior to this one that have examined the relationship between individual goals and motivation and the prevalence of fat talk, or the relationship between fat talk

and eating regulation.

With this in mind, Guertin teamed up with four research partners—Dr. Luc Pelletier, Kheana Barbeau, and Gabrielle Martinelli—to address this blind spot.

To gather the data necessary to complete this study, the team submitted an online questionnaire to 453 female undergraduates, aged 17 to 50, over a period of four months through the Integrated System of Participation in Research program.

Using the self-determination theory, a basic theory of human motivation, this questionnaire was meant to examine the motivational processes behind each individual’s use of fat talk and its possible association with unhealthy eating behaviours.

After compiling all the necessary data, Guertin said they were able to conclude that “fat talk” was closely associated with “non-self-determined” behaviour, or actions that occur because people feel external

pressure to do something.

“You don’t know why you are doing the behaviour, or you feel guilty if you don’t do the behavior,” explained Guertin.

Conversely, self-determined women, who put more of an emphasis on intrinsic goals like health, were significantly less likely to engage in negative body talk.

Guertin believes that this research reinforces that body negativity is a pervasive problem in our society, but also points to the individual’s motivation as an underlying determinant of whether they engage in healthy self-talk and eating habits—and this is research she hopes to continue in future.

“I think we are all exposed to it, and when you are not aware of the consequences you kind of engage in it without realizing it,” said Guertin. “And I think it’s really good be aware of that … rather than contributing to the thin ideal and the way you look.”

NEWS | 5

U of O implements mandatory meditation for medical students

Mindfulness sessions designed to help relieve stress from intense curriculum Graham Robertson news editor

The University of Ottawa’s Faculty of Medicine has recently implemented new meditation sessions as a way for students to relieve stress.

The sessions will occur bi-monthly, with four during the academic year for first- and second-year medicine students, and half-day sessions for third-year students.

The implementation of these meditation sessions into the curriculum was led in part by Dr. Heather MacLean, an assistant professor specializing in neurology at the U of O’s Faculty of Medicine.

MacLean spoke to the Fulcrum about her views on the importance of the new meditation sessions, and why she believes that learning to destress is vital for health-care practitioners.

“Medical school is well known to be a gruelling

course of study,” said MacLean. “It can be one of the most rewarding times in our students’ lives, but (it) also can be a time of risk with many students suffering negative stress-related outcomes.”

“The rates of burnout in medical students are much higher than for the general population,” said MacLean.

Along with others in the Faculty of Medicine, she developed the program by asking how to foster selfcare skills and embed them into the medical school curriculum.

MacLean gathered evidence on mindfulness from other post-secondary institutions such as Monash University in Australia, which showed that mindfulness—the practice of being aware of how one’s thoughts and emotions affect their actions—can lower anxiety and depression and improve the quality of one’s life.

MacLean and her colleagues in the Faculty of

There will be four sessions a year for first and second-year med students.

Photo: CC, MeditationMusic.net.

has established its place on the U of O campus, with this initiative joining the recent implementation of the Academy of Mindfulness and Contemplative Studies.

According to MacLean, who practices meditation herself every morning, re-

Medicine implemented aspects of the program from other universities, where this mindfulness training is typically optional, and decided to make it more consistent with regular sessions for students in all years.

The study of mindfulness

ducing stress can ultimately improve performance at work. For health-care practitioners, this means improved patient care.

While not all students have taken advantage of the new meditation program yet, some are already seeing its value.

Matthew Hughes, a fourth-year U of O medical student told the Fulcrum that “medical students are, by-in-large, resilient people … but many people underestimate the stress of being a member of top-tier students, asking people intimate questions, and making choices that impact the lives of others.”

“Since mental illness occurs in nearly a third of medical students, positive coping mechanisms and stress-relieving initiatives are crucial for medical students,” said Hughes.

“I think there is a delicate balance between how much you commit to your stress relief and how productive you ultimately are, but maintaining wellness makes you more productive in the long-run,” he continued.

“Meditation reminds medical students to stop and smell the roses from time-to-time. It allows us to keep centred and re-evaluate situations.”

CFS passes motion to ease defederation

Only 15 per cent of member approval needed for referendum on leaving CFS Graham Robertson news editor

Following their recent National General Meeting (NGM), the Canadian Federation of Students (CFS) have made it significantly easier for student unions to leave their organization.

With the NGM’s commencement on Nov. 18 in Gatineau, Québec, proposed motions were brought forward and discussed in subcommittees over two days. The motions were then put to a vote on Monday, Nov. 21.

One of these motions involved making it easier to defederate from the CFS, a process that unions like the University of Toronto Students’ Union have called “overly burdensome” in the past with its 20 per cent signature threshold.

The motion for lowering

6 | NEWS

The CFS is the largest post-secondary student union in Canada with over 80 institutions as members. Photo: Jaclyn McRae-Sadik.

the signature threshold to trigger a referendum on defederating from the CFS ultimately passed during

the NGM. Now, should a student union wish to revoke its membership from the fed-

eration, a petition calling for a referendum on defederation must first receive signatures from 15 per cent

of its members.

From there, the petition would be reviewed and, if it is found to be in order, the CFS executive and the member union would schedule a time for the referendum. A chief returning officer for the referendum would be appointed, and a notice of the vote would be given to the member-local.

A vote would then be held, and if the vote passes, a formal Procedure for Application of Withdrawal would begin. If the procedure is found to be in order, all voting members would be made aware of the decertification, and a vote would be held at the next NGM to ratify the decision.

The defederation would officially begin on June 30 of the academic year in which the petition was launched.

With over 80 postsecondary institutions as

member-locals, consisting of a total of over half a million students, the CFS is the largest student organization in the country, providing services such as the International Student Identity Card, assistance with tuition fees, and financial assistance programs.

The CFS was launched in 1981, and according to the Student Federation of the University of Ottawa (SFUO), “for students to be truly effective in representing their collective interests to the federal and provincial governments, it was vital to unite under one banner.”

According to the Varsity, CFS national chairperson Bilan Arte said that the motion for lowering the percentage required for a referendum on leaving the federation it comes after “years of discussion.”

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National News

Student who accused Steven Galloway of sexual assault breaks silence

Announcement comes on the heels of professor’s first public statement since dismissal Sruthi Tadepalli & Samantha McCabe the ubyssey

Vancouver (NUWire)—The former University of British Columbia student who accused Steven Galloway, a creative writing professor until he was fired this past June, of sexual assault has released a statement saying that her complaint was not regarding a “consensual affair.”

“MC (the former UBC student) has stayed silent since Galloway was suspended, out of respect for the process and the confidentiality of everyone involved. The so-called ‘secrecy’ of the investigation process has protected Galloway, perhaps more than anyone else,” read the statement, which was released through her lawyer Joanna Birenbaum.

This statement comes in the wake of Steven Galloway’s first public statement since he was fired by the university, in which it is said that the only substantiated complaint of a sexual nature had to do with a two-year, extra-marital affair he had with a student. The Nov. 23 statement also claims that the Honourable Mary Ellen Boyd, the

Steven Galloway was fired from his position at the University of British Columbia in June of 2016.

former British Columbia Supreme Court judge who conducted an investigation on the complaints the university received about Galloway, cleared him of that complaint against him.

“He wouldn’t appear to be apologizing for the finding he has admit-

ted was made against him by Ms. Boyd, which was misconduct for ‘inappropriate sexual behaviour with a student’: conduct which is an abuse of trust and his position of power,” reads MC’s statement, according to a Canadian Press article.

As covered by another article

Photo: Nancy Lee.

published by the Ubyssey this summer, Martha Piper, interim UBC president at the time, noted that she remained concerned about how “consent” and “conflict” are defined in an environment where there is a power imbalance, even with the restrictions put in place by UBC.

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“Mr. Galloway has not made clear to whom he is apologizing or what he regrets, other than presumably the consequences to him.

His reference to the ‘tragedy’ of the events does not explicitly consider the devastating impacts of abuse of power on women affected,” reads MC’s statement.

Galloway was first suspended from the university in November 2015 after UBC received serious allegations of misconduct against him, after which more complaints were received as well. He was then fired in June for a reported “irreparable breach of trust.”

The way in which information has been communicated about the Galloway case has been hotly debated by the Canadian writing community, with Margaret Atwood and over 80 others signing a letter affirming Galloway’s “right to due process.” These signators include the likes of Yann Martel, Madeleine Thien, Michael Ondaatje, and film director David Cronenberg.

The Twitter hashtag #ubcaccountable has also gained significant traction as breeding ground for debate.

national news | 7

A&C EDITOR Anchal Sharma arts@thefulcrum.ca

ARTS&CULTURE

(613) 695-0062 @imtherocks

U of O alumna revisits campus for book launch

Dr. Lisa Monchalin scheduled to talk Indigenous issues at Alex Trebek Alumni Hall Anchal Sharma arts & culture editor

O

n Dec. 5, University of Ottawa alumna Lisa Monchalin, the first Indigenous woman to graduate with a PhD in criminology in Canada, will be holding court at the Alex Trebek Alumni Hall to help shine a light on the issues faced by Indigenous people today.

Her new book, The Colonial Problem: An Indigenous Perspective on Crime and Injustice in Canada, is an incredibly relevant piece of work, which can contribute to valuable discussion both inside and outside of the classroom.

“In criminology, Indigenous peoples is not something covered enough,” Monchalin wrote in an email to the Fulcrum.

“Thus I wanted to write this book in order to add to this area of work within criminology. I

want to work towards making Indigenous peoples and justice central within criminology.”

For this book launch, students, staff, and members of the U of O community alike are invited to meet Monchalin for the launch and signing of The Colonial Problem, which intends to educate the masses about the overrepresentation of Indigenous people in Canada’s criminal justice system.

Monchalin’s hope is that through this book launch she can inform people of the norms around justice in her community.

“I aim to make a difference to the criminalization and victimization impacting Indigenous peoples through education,” she explained, adding that “(the topic) has been important and continues to be important because this is Indigenous land, always has been, and always will be. ” Jeffrey Bradley and Nisse Bourne of the U of O Crimi-

nology Graduate Student Association (CGSA) put this event together in the hopes of spreading Monchalin’s message.

“People really care about these issues, and they recognize that it’s important to talk about,” said Bourne. “And I think that people in Ottawa have really been waiting to have something like this happen. We’re fortunate enough to be able to facilitate that.”

Members from the Institute for Aboriginal Studies, the Anthropology and Sociology Graduate Student Association, and the Institute of Feminist and Gender Studies will all be in attendance for at this Dec. 5 event and have all showed their continued enthusiasm during the planning process, according to Bourne.

“We’ve engaged a lot of different departments, so I think this is a good jumping off ground to open up conversations about how Lisa’s book could be integrated into a

Lisa Monchalin, author of The Colonial Problem.

course,” Bourne explained.

Marcelo Vargas, an Indigenous elder, will be opening the book launch, followed by a presentation by Monchalin that will outline her inspiration behind writing The Colonial Problem.

The event will also feature keynote speakers and panelists including Kathryn Campbell, a professor in the Department

Photo:Courtesy of Concrete Indians.

of Criminology, Daniel Ruck, a history professor at the U of O, as well as Bridget Tolley, an activist for Indigenous rights with the Families of Sisters in Spirit, an organization that helps raise money and awareness for murdered and missing Indigenous women.

“This event is not just about a book, and it’s not just about Dr. Monchalin ... but it’s about

showing solidarity with Indigenous peoples,” said Bourne.

Bradley believes that these kinds of issues are more timely than ever, especially with the controversy surrounding the recent Kinder Morgan pipeline protests.

“This is a really hot topic issue, especially since the Trudeau government has been in power for almost over a year now and it’s time for change. It’s time to consult with Indigenous people.”

While the book launch is free to attend and open to the public, registration is required.

Refreshments will be provided, and attendees may purchase the book for a reduced price of $40.

The Colonial Problem is available online on Amazon, University of Toronto Press, and will be offered at the U of O school bookstore following the event.

For more information regarding the book launch you can follow CGSA on Twitter, or Facebook.

U of O Pop Orchestra invites you to their winter concert

Prepare to excite your inner child with music from Beethoven to Star Wars Ryan Pepper

Fulcrum freelancer Classical music geeks and nerds in general will have a lot to enjoy with the University of Ottawa Pop Orchestra’s winter concert on Saturday, Dec. 5.

This student-run organization was founded in 2012, and specializes in playing a wider variety of music than your typical classical music program.

“We offer a repertoire that is different from the University of Ottawa’s repertoire,” said Matthieu Roy, the founder and executive director of the club, and a fifth-year student in music pedagogy. “It’s a pop orchestra, which encompasses every genre of music.”

For example, in their upcoming winter concert at St. Joseph’s Church the U of O Pop Orchestra will be performing six pieces of music. The first half of the night will feature

8 | ARTS & CULTURE

strictly classical numbers like Ludwig Van Beethoven’s “Symphony No. 9,” “Pavane”

by Gabriel Fauré, and “Suite a l’Arèsienne, Farandole” by Georges Bizet.

During the second half of the show the orchestra will be performing decidedly more modern pieces of music, including the score from the animated short The Snowman, the “Anniversary Medley” from The Legend of Zelda 25th Anniversary Symphony, and the signature score from Star Wars: The Force Awakens by John Williams.

Although this group may not attract the conventional music student, the U of O Pop Orchestra doesn’t just let anyone in. According to David Ek, a fourth-year biomedical student and vice-president logistics of the club, if you want to join their ranks you have to survive a competitive audition process.

Matthieu Roy (Left), executive director, and David Ek, vice-president logistics.

Photo: Jaclyn McRae-Sadik.

“We’re feeling a new level of playing that we’re reaching, and every year I feel like we’ve only been getting better and better,” Ek said.

“We are using (the auditions) to ensure that everyone has the best possible experience. We want to be musical, but we want to be a club as well.”

Moving forward, the orchestra is hoping to garner interest from the larger community, and make themselves a viable option for students from any program who don’t have the chance to play in the music school ensembles.

“We want to insert ourselves, as far as playing level goes, underneath the univer-

sity orchestra here, but (right) where graduates of the Ottawa Youth Orchestra can come and play,” said Roy. The orchestra is also gearing up for a January performance at G-Anime, Gatineau’s annual anime convention, where they’ll be playing video game and anime music. A spring concert is also on the horizon, which will be centered around Canada’s 150th birthday.

The group is affiliated with the Student Federation of the University of Ottawa (SFUO), but, like with many other clubs on campus, funds have been drying up recently.

Since the orchestra is costly to maintain, the group is in the process of severing their ties with the SFUO and becoming a non-profit based out of the school.

“One season costs us $15,000 dollars to operate.

That covers equipment, trans-

portation, advertising,” Roy said. “It’s very expensive to run and the SFUO cut off all of our funding.”

“Moving forward we’ve decided we’re going to separate from the SFUO this year … and that way we can have government funding,” Roy said.

The group is looking forward to their winter performance and hopes that new members will join their ranks.

“We understand that, relatively, we are a new club so not everyone knows about us,” said Ek. “(But) we want to make sure that people are aware that this is an opportunity for people coming out of high school or not studying music, that music can still be a part of their lives.”

The upcoming winter concert will be held at St. Joseph’s Church at 8 p.m. on Saturday, Dec. 5. Admission is by a recommended donation of $10.

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Holiday specials you should have seen

With finals right around the corner, you may not have time to get into the festive spirit and walk through the snow-filled streets of Ottawa. So instead, stay inside and revisit some of your favourite TV series and their most iconic holiday episodes.

The Office—“Christmas Party” (S2: E10) Re-live some cringe-worthy moments with Michael Scott, Jim Halpert, and Dwight Schrute as they re-enact one of the simplest and yet most complicated holiday season traditions: secret Santa.

The writer of this episode manages to incorporate almost every element from this awkward real-life ritual: the frequently suggested, yet never followed, price suggestions for gifts, the inherent weirdness of buying presents for people you barely know, and a holiday freakout for good measure.

If this doesn’t sound like your cup of eggnog, then fret not. The episode also manages to remind us of the caring nature of the season.

In terms of dramatic arcs, “Christmas Party” really sets the stage for The Office’s most beloved relationship: Jim and Pam. Even though his doofus boss almost ruins everything, Jim goes out of his way to make a homemade gift to show Pam just how much he cares for her.

As Jim explains, “Christmas is the time to tell people how you feel.”

If you’re lucky, this classic episode may even inspire you to go out and similarly spread some holiday joy of your own.

So, whether you feel like getting into that festive mentality or just want to share in a holiday laugh, this 22-minute study break might be the right choice for you.

—Iain Sellers.

Photo: via Netflix.

Community—“Regional Holiday Music” (S3:E10) Dan Harmon’s surrealist sitcom Community, chronicling an unlikely group of friends at America’s worst community college, is beloved for its metafictional humour, pop culture references, and simultaneously heartwarming and sarcastic take on friendship.

The Christmas episode from Community’s third season is equal parts deranged holiday special and caustic satire of Ryan Murphy’s Glee.

Facing a Christmas alone, socially awkward Abed falls under the influence of Greendale’s glee club director Mr. Radison (Saturday Night Live’s Taran Killam). With the annual Christmas pageant around the corner, Abed must use the magic of song to bring some holiday cheer to his cynical study group.

When this episode originally aired in 2011, Glee was still a ratings juggernaut and “Regional Holiday Music” is not a loving send-up.

“Not liking Glee Club doesn’t make us bullies,” Jeff declares at one point. “And implying that is reverse bullying!”

Although Harmon’s target of scorn has been off the air for over a year, the parody doesn’t feel dated. The episode’s script is clever in its own right, and draws from the characters’ established personality traits—Abed’s chronic loneliness, the study group’s self-absorption—to form a solid standalone special that contributes to the dramatic arc of the series.

“Regional Holiday Music” isn’t your standard musical holiday extravaganza either. The songs are intentionally awful, the jokes are biting, and cynicism reigns supreme.

“Maybe forcing things to be bright just makes the darkness underneath even darker,” Abed says near the end of the story, quickly summing up the episode’s theme.

It’s the lack of false cheer that makes the show’s redemptive moments feel so genuine. As the study group joins Abed for a viewing of the Inspector Spacetime holiday special, a timeless moral emerges: Christmas doesn’t need to be a big production if you have friends to share it with.

—Madison McSweeney.

Photo: via Netflix.

Pinky and the Brain—“A Pinky and the Brain Christmas” (S1:E08) Take a trip down memory lane with one of the best cartoon spin-offs to date. You may have been too young to remember Pinky and the Brain, which originally aired on The WB from 1995 to 1998, but you should recognize them from re-runs of this classic holiday special.

At 22 minutes in length, this episode won a Primetime Emmy award for outstanding animated program (for programming of one hour or less), and for good reason. The kidfriendly backdrop of this episode is offset with jokes and references that adults can enjoy, and the overall message is less goofy and more heartwarming than is the norm with this show.

As is established throughout the show’s run, Pinky and the Brain are no ordinary mice. While Brain’s quirky schemes to achieve world domination never fail to impress, even more surprising is his unlikely friendship with his slightly “insane” partner Pinky. This unusual dynamic rightly takes centre stage for a genuinely moving holiday special.

The show starts in Acme labs, with Pinky writing a letter to Santa. Meanwhile, Brain creates a doll that he calls the “Noodle Noggin” and inserts a hypnotizing device into it. He plans on spreading the doll to every household in the world while controlling it from his home base, and even manages to slip one under then-president Bill Clinton’s tree.

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However, in order to carry out his plan the mice need to break into the North Pole and put the Noodle Noggin on every child’s christmas list.

After the two friends go through helicopter rides, dog sledding, impersonating elves, and working in a mailroom to finally become successful in their undertakings, a little thing called friendship gets in the way.

This episode is especially great because it delves into Brain’s more sentimental side. Not only is it guaranteed to bring you to happy tears, but it will also give you a whole new appreciation for the true meaning of Christmas, which, as the Brain eventually learns, does not involve bending others to your will.

—Anchal Sharma.

Photo: CC, Suzie aka The Blockbuster Chick.

ARTS & CULTURE | 9

SwimAbility starts their winter season with a fundraiser

U of O’s chapter of national nonprofit helps disabled children learn how to swim Anchal Sharma arts & culture editor

“Just keep swimming” isn’t this club’s motto, but it should be.

SwimAbility Ottawa is the local chapter of a national nonprofit that aims to help children with special needs learn how to swim.

Instructors volunteer their time once a week throughout the winter and spring seasons to give oneon-one training sessions to kids with disabilities ranging from cerebral palsy to autism.

“We’re really passionate about kids with special needs, and allowing them a program that’s accessible and affordable,” said Meagan Stewart, a U of O alumna who has been with Swimability for five years.

In order to keep the organization afloat, fundraisers are held every year for the following school year.

Guests enjoyed board games, free snacks, and live entertainment.

On Friday, Nov. 25, a coffee house and raffle event was held at Happy Goat Coffee Company in order to raise money and awareness for the club.

Photo: Remi Yuan.

An entrance fee of $7 was charged at the door and guests were entertained with free snacks, board games, and live music performances from local mu-

sician Kyle Ivanich.

“We’re constantly trying to get out into the community,” said Stewart, describing the event as family oriented, but also something

for the instructors. “It’s (got) a mingle aspect, but (it’s) also a fundraiser to actually raise money for our pools because we have to spend about $7,000 a year ... so that we can get our time to actually run our program.”

The trendy coffee house was packed with locals all vying for awesome raffle prizes donated by businesses in the area including Starbucks, the Loft, Stella Luna, Midway Family Fun Park, Elevate Yoga, and House of TARG. Brooklynne Eeuwes, a recent U of O political science graduate who joined SwimAbility this year, shared that some of her techniques as an instructor include singing and playing games with the kids.

“It comes down to building a relationship,” said Eeuwes. “It’s the best thing that I’ve done this year. It’s been the most rewarding

and inspiring experience.

I’ve been teaching a little girl, she’s four and has cerebral palsy, and she’s non verbal and … she is fully conversive with me now.”

“I think it’s such an amazing program that a lot of people don’t know about, but the turnout for this event is amazing.”

Over the past seven years, the program has grown from catering to 12 children to over 100, and group members hope that this growth will continue.

Recently the club expanded on their training by having instructors attend sign language seminars with the Center for Students with Disabilities on the U of O campus.

“It’s really great to see that something we do once a week is such a big part of their world,” said Stewart.

To find out more about SwimAbility Ottawa and how you can join, you can follow them on Facebook.

It’s lit in the library: Every Falling Star | Sungju Lee Sara Sanchez

Fulcrum Contributor During the school year, when you feel like readings are piled up to your ears, reading for fun can seem like a ridiculous idea—but it shouldn’t. Reading is the fastest way for you to make an escape into the world of your choosing, and expand your vocabulary without even knowing it. The underappreciated world of literature offers endless benefits, so without further ado, check out this week’s read.

North Korea is a country that is renowned for being shrouded in mystery, but Sungju Lee’s memoir titled Every Falling Star: The True Story of How I Survived and Escaped North Korea manages to reveal some of the

10 | ARTS & CULTURE

nation’s best-kept secrets.

The memoir begins with a brief history of North Korea, which is aptly designated as “the Hermit Kingdom” for its complete detachment from the rest of the world.

It’s against this backdrop that Lee begins his story.

The narrative starts with Lee’s upbringing, where he was born into an affluent military family in the country’s capital of Pyongyang.

He had dreams of following in his father’s footsteps and becoming a general in the army. His parents were very loving and had every intention of providing him with the means to achieve these dreams.

However, once he reached the age of 12, Lee’s parents were exiled from Pyongyang. Although Lee does not go into detail about the reasons behind their banishment, he states that

their actions would have been seen as acceptable in a Western democratic society.

Lee then chronicles how his life suddenly shifted from that of an ambitious boy with blind faith in the North Korean regime, to a homeless child who was forced to grow up all too quickly.

This book outlines his time on the streets, where he formed a gang with seven other boys in similar circumstances. While it’s easy to see the word “gang” and assume that these boys were villainous, Lee portrays them as loyal and selfless. He eventually came to call these boys his brothers, since they were all condemned to a life of thievery and street violence in order to stay alive.

Despite eventually escaping from this oppressive regime of North Korea, Lee

still wishes to return to his home one day under better circumstances.

All in all, it’s an enlightening read that highlights how freedom in Western countries is often taken for granted. Even if memoirs aren’t your usual cup of tea, you’ll find yourself rooting for Lee and hoping that he will find freedom and happiness.

Although his memoir is categorized as young adult literature, Every Falling Star is an important book for readers of all ages. Lee’s writing manages to remain appropriate for younger audiences, while still depicting a mature account of his harrowing experiences.

So if you’re looking for a book that inspires resilience and sheds light on the elusiveness that surrounds North Korea, Every Falling Star is for you.

The book follows Sungju Lee’s life in North Korea.

Photo: Courtesy of Harry N. Abrams.

thefulcrum.ca

Six Days of Holidays

Illustrations: Marta Kierkus.

Holiday traditions

A special time for everyone, no matter what the celebration

Snap, cracker, and pop Every year at Christmas dinner, my family has a special tradition of opening up Christmas crackers just before the meal starts.

Opening up these colourful, cardboard paper tubes is a real effort on the part of everyone. We all hold on to two each, with our hands criss-crossing over ourselves to help the person next to us pull. A great popping sound usually follows, which signifies that the effort was a success. Everyone then retrieves their gifts from the crackers, which consist of special multi-coloured hats and little knick-knacks such as a ring or a marble.

As well, a tiny piece of paper containing a joke (in both English and French) is included, which always provides some funny, if tired, jibes. Despite its quirkiness, the Christmas cracker tradition is something that I’ll definitely be looking forward to again this holiday season.

—Natasha Lomonossoff.

Delicious food and storytime Christmas is a recognized holiday in the Hindu religion, and this special time of year gives my family a chance to unplug and wind down to a flavorful roast and grounding connections.

To us, Christmas means shedding light and positivity on our busy lives, especially when it rolls around to this time of year—the dreadful stretch of final exams.

When it comes to my family traditions, there’s nothing more delightful than my mom’s tender roast, complimentary wine and, of course, golden tales of our family. I especially enjoy heartwarming pastimes from my parents, which I feel connects our family in a special way.

All in all, Christmas truly brings all of us together like no other time of the year, so we can just catch up on life, love, and laughter.

—Perushka Gopalkista.

Eid 101 Eid is the Muslim holiday that marks the end of Ramadan, and brings people together to celebrate family and be thankful for all that one has.

We wake up at the break of dawn with our new clothes lying so crisp on the edge of our beds. The scent of traditional Eid breakfast fills the air. We would go to our local mosque to attend the Eid prayer, then visit relatives and friends who greet us with gahwa (Arabic

coffee) and sweets like baklava, kanafeh, and petit four. It is quite inevitable to fall into a mini food coma after a couple of house visits.

One of my favourite traditions on Eid would definitely be getting money from relatives.

All year round my siblings and I would wait eagerly for that envelope full of cash. Because it’s a blessed holiday people are very generous, and, if you have lots of relatives, you know you’re coming out with pockets full of cash.

All jokes aside though, being away from home for school makes you yearn for the closeness of family and that continuous loop of unconditional love. What my parents taught me more than anything is to always be thankful—which is what celebrating Eid is all about.

—Zainab Al-Mehdar.

Hanukkah vs. Christmas Full disclosure: I’m only half Jewish. But as any good minority would, I jump at any chance to cry foul when someone says “Merry Christmas” without following it with a “Happy Holidays!”

The most important thing to remember when discussing Hanukkah with Jews is that everyone knows Christmas is better. Sure, you’ll hear the classic “I get eight days of presents,” or “my holiday has doughnuts” rebuttal, but we only hold onto these arguments so tightly because if Chanukah was any good we would have settled on a singular way to spell it and marketed the hell out of it already. But rather than a journalistic exposé of Watergate-like proportions, here are the basics for all you non-Jews looking for a way to relate to Drake on a deeper level.

First of all, Hanukkah is not a religious holiday. We have holy days like any religion, but these eight days ain’t them. Because Jews follow a lunar calendar it hops around December, and this year it goes from Dec. 24 to Jan. 1. We call it the festival of lights, but we also celebrate oil—this is why we fry potatoes and doughnuts. Poutine is also a reasonable Hanukkah treat if you’re not keeping kosher.

Heard of the dreidel? It’s actually a fantastic version of gambling for children! Think roulette, but with higher stakes—because the money is actually chocolate.

Unfortunately, for those of you who like your holiday drinks spiked, Hanukkah doesn’t have a rum and eggnog or mulled wine equivalent. For this reason I encourage celebrators to improvise. Have a Chanukah-inspired tequila sunrise… As long as you follow it up with a festive Hanukkah poutine and sour cream glazed while blasting Gene Simmons, you’re winning at Chanukah. So grab a yarmulke, light some candles, and l’chaim!

—Dayne Moyer.

Illustrations: Jaclyn McRae-Sadik.

Yummy holiday drink recipes

Nothing says the holidays like sugar, cream, and plenty of alcohol Miguel Marchildon Staff Contributor

If you’re like me, December isn’t the same without specific beverages being on the menu. From eggnog with rum, to Baileys coffee, to peppermint schnapps-flavoured hot chocolate, these holiday-themed concoctions will definitely put you in the mood for singing carols, putting up decorations, and wrapping presents.

At the very least, these drinks might help you forget about your mediocre semester at school, or help you get through a conversation with your awkward cousin Dave at the family reunion.

Eggnog Eggnog is the granddaddy of holiday drinks at my parents’ place.

For those of you that may not be familiar with this seasonal staple, it basically consists of a mix of milk, egg yolks, and spices such as cinnamon. This is a decidedly odd combination of ingredients, but the result is fantastic.

Eggnog is an absolute must during the holidays, and you can purchase it at most grocery stores. If you want to spice things up, pun intended, you will need: • 1 oz. of spiced rum • 4 oz. of your favourite eggnog • A pinch of nutmeg Simply mix all of these ingredients into a tumbler, with or without ice, and enjoy the warm feeling inside.

Irish coffee You may have been drinking large quantities of coffee during the semester to stay up and study, but now you have the opportunity to indulge in this brew for strictly recreational purposes.

Coffee is a staple with my mother’s family, especially to make it through the present unwrapping extravaganza that is Christmas Eve. That little caffeine boost can also come in handy if you need help to wake up for that holiday brunch at noon, or stay up for a revéillon at midnight.

If you need a little extra kick during the holidays, this delicious whiskey and cream liqueur is made for coffee—if you need any more convincing, simply mix the following: • 2 oz. of Baileys Irish Cream • 6 oz. of fresh hot coffee • 1 oz. of your favourite whiskey Serve these ingredients in a mug topped with whipping cream, and be prepared to stay up all night revelling in the holidays.

Hot chocolate with peppermint schnapps Most Canadians have fond memories of drinking hot chocolate as children. I can remember going to my grandfather’s home in the country, playing outside with my cousins, and enjoying some hot cocoa. Now, as adults we can indulge in a delicious twist on the classic holiday beverage.

Look no further than a peppermint schnapps-flavoured hot chocolate. For this you will need: • 1 tsp. of cocoa • 1 tbsp. of sugar • 6 oz. of hot milk • 1 oz. peppermint schnapps • 1 crushed candy cane • A dollop of whipping cream Mix the sugar and the cocoa together. Then pour in the hot milk, and the peppermint schnapps. To finish, top with whipping cream and the crushed candy cane, and enjoy all the happy memories that flood back from childhood.

Illustrations: Jaclyn McRae-Sadik.

No family in town? No problem!

Things to do in the nation’s capital when you’re all alone for the holiday season Alexa-Eliza Carter Features Editor

If you find yourself stranded in Ottawa over the holidays without much in the way of family or friends, fear not. There are plenty of activities that can keep your mind occupied and away from mopey thoughts. Here are just a few things you can do to make your solitary holiday season a special one.

ichael Pardo .

Christmas dinner (St. Peter & St. Paul’s Anglican Church, Dec. 25 at 2 p.m. and 4 p.m.)

Probably the hardest element of the holidays to replicate if you’re on your own is the Christmas dinner. This year marks the 49th annual Christmas dinner held by the Knox Presbyterian church, located at 120 Lisgar Street. For music, games, and a Christmas dinner away from home, visit or even volunteer at this event and discover the true meaning of Christmas.

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A Christmas Carol (National Arts Centre, Dec. 13–31, 2016) This Charles Dickens classic has been adapted probably more times than any other piece of classic literature, but that doesn’t mean director Jillian Keiley is afraid to give it a try. Tickets start at $32, with student discounts available. Weekday performances are at 7:30 p.m., and weekend matinees are at 2 p.m.

Photo

Christmas Lights Across Canada (Parliament Hill, Dec. 7, 2016–Jan. 7, 2017) This is the 32nd annual event of a light show cast on the Parliament buildings.

This is a free event, with the official kick-off ceremony at 7 p.m. on the night of Dec. 7.

This event includes Christmas carols, performances, and fireworks. The regular light show on the hill runs daily 5:30 to 11:30 p.m. until Christmas.

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Illustrations: Anastasiia Cherygova.

I’ll (Not) Be Home For Christmas KeriLynn Cheechoo Fulcrum Contributor

In our Winter Solstice We celebrated the sun And each other Through the long day We feasted We visited (Baby, it’s cold outside) Until Until we were Banished Banished into the spaces Of neither here And neither there We were in between Their Church And our Land In the 1870s Indigenous children Celebrated escape Escaped into the cold Before The Longest Day And visits from priests (Better watch out, better not cry) In the 1870s, Settler children Celebrated Santa Claus Celebrated the night Before Christmas A visit from St. Nicholas (You’ll go down in history)

Illustrations: Jaclyn McRae-Sadik.

Author background I am a Cree woman from Long Lake #58 First Nation. I am mother to five, and grandmother to two. I am a wife, an auntie, a niece, and a cousin. I am daughter to a parent who has experienced the horrors of Indian Residential Schools. My father subsisted through his childhood in residential school; my mother is daughter to survivors of Residential Schools. They both live what they know.

Background The poem “I’ll (Not) Be Home For Christmas” is a direct juxtaposition of Indigenous and settler children’s lives. In the 1870s Indigenous children began to be apprehended from their families and were forced into violently oppressive assimilation. In contrast, in the 1870s settler children indulged in the delights of Christmas, and the creation of Santa Claus without being forced to leave their homes or families. I have intentionally placed impacting snippets of Christmas carol lyrics throughout the poem to create cognitive dissonance.

Residential schools continue to impact every life it has touched. To combat the devastating travesty that is residential schools, the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada (TRC) was formed to renegotiate Canadian “public memory” of these events. This is a sharp reminder that as we move forward together, interconnection becomes critical.

The creation of the TRC is an attempt, in my opinion, to navigate the constructs of a shared Indigenous memory, but within a Westernized framework, and renegotiate that memory. Renegotiating collective memory resonates in the Report of the Royal Commission on Aboriginal Peoples, which “urged Canadians to begin a national process of reconciliation that would have set the country on a bold new path, fundamentally changing the very foundations of Canada’s relationship with Aboriginal peoples.”

When we study the 94 Calls to Action (TRC Recommendations), we see that the Council of Ministers of Education of Canada have been ‘flagged’ to reconstruct Canada’s nationhood, and to maintain an annual commitment to Indigenous education issues.

Forging a fresh, shared history via the Calls to Action by bringing forth and enacting reparations, offers opportunity to weave fresh tapestry into Canada’s grand narrative.

Bold, cheesy, and, of course, ugly Finalists in the Fulcrum’s ugly Christmas sweater contest

Kyle Darbyson

eric davidson

anchal sharma

jordan kent Illustrations: Yomi Orims.

alex grichmanoff

jaclyn mcrae-sadik

Extend a helping hand this season

How to best donate your time or money over the holidays

Planned parenthood Planned Parenthood provides resources that include access to abortion, birth control, women and men’s sexual health information, testing for sexually transmitted infections, and more. While this organization originated in the United States, Planned Parenthood is found across Canada with a local chapter located here in Ottawa, where you can also volunteer. Additionally, their global initiative provides care for people in Latin America and Africa, where a large portion of the population don’t have access to adequate sexual health services. With the current political shift in the United States, indicating a likely Republican Supreme Court majority, it is clear that this fundamental organization will be in need of all the support people can provide.

In order to continue their work in advocating the importance of sexual health knowledge, they sure would appreciate your donations.

—Alexa-Eliza Carter.

Himalayan Life Himalayan Life operates in Nepal, and most of their attention is driven towards the regions that suffered the most from the earthquakes during the spring of 2015. This event destroyed surrounding settlements, especially the village of Yangri, and Himalayan Life conducted a successful fundraiser to restore the village from shambles. Founders Daniel and Karina Burgi even rebuilt a hydropower plant that restored light to Yangri. The organization is focusing on building schools throughout Nepal for children whose families cannot support the children enough to properly educate them. They also hope to develop a unique funding technology of plastic filtering to provide funds for the construction of various schools.

—Anastasiia Cherygova.

Illustrations: Jaclyn McRae-Sadik.

While the holiday season is known for shopping sales and fulfilling wish lists, make sure you spend time thinking of others in need too. Whether they’re located in your local community, across Canada, or at the other end of the planet, find an organization that means something to you, and donate your time or any money you can spare. When we help each other, we all become better people as a result.

Ottawa Community Immigrant Services Organization The Ottawa Community Immigrant Services Organization (OCISO) offers services from settlement and integration assistance, language lessons, career mentoring, and counselling. It’s been about a year since the first plane of Syrian refugees arrived in Canada, and a lot of local organizations have been working tirelessly to make these newcomers feel welcome and help them find success in their new lives. Supporting them through the OCISO is a great way to see your donation directly improve our community.

—Janoah Victoria-Willsie.

The Trevor Project The Trevor Project is an American support centre for crisis intervention and suicide prevention for LGBTQ+ youth. They provide online education resources such as workshops that discuss topics including sexual orientation and gender identity, and aim to teach middle and high school students. They have online training programs like Step In, Speak Up, and in-person training like Ally and CARE for youth-serving professionals. They are available at a moment’s notice via text, chat, and phone.

—Alexa-Eliza Carter.

Happy Holidays

Photo: Jaclyn McRae-Sadik.

Love, The Fulcrum

SPORTS

SPORTS EDITOR Nico Laliberté sports@thefulcrum.ca

Gee-Gees shut down Stingers in overtime

@nico_laliberte @FulcrumSports

U of O women’s hockey continues hard campaign for top spot in RSEQ Kyle Darbyson managing editor

A

fter suffering a tough loss at the hands of the Montreal Carabins on the road, the University of Ottawa women’s hockey team returned home to try and regain some footing at the top of the Réseau de sport étudiant du Québec (RSEQ).

On Sunday, Nov. 27 they were able to recover some of that lost ground by besting the Concordia Stingers in a thrilling overtime match-up at the Minto Sports Complex.

Even though Concordia is ranked near the bottom of the RSEQ, they definitely came to play on Sunday and kept the Gee-Gees on their toes right until the bitter end.

Despite the fact that the Gees took a 1–0 lead two minutes into the game, thanks to

a goal from forward Cindy Laurin, both teams had their offensive units firing on all cylinders throughout the first period.

This intensity continued into the second, even after Marimée Godbout-Parent found the back of the net five minutes in, giving the Gees a 2–0 advantage going into the third.

In fact, the Stingers’ inability to capitalize on any of their numerous opportunities for the first 40 minutes was mostly due to Gees goaltender Émilie Bouchard, who hasn’t started in net since their Oct. 22 home opener against Carleton.

Despite this long stretch of time in between games, Bouchard looked right at home on the ice and managed 27 total saves on Sunday afternoon.

“It’s the mental side of being a goalie—always be ready,” said Bouchard, explaining how she was able to seam-

Concordia made it close, but the Gees prevailed in overtime.

lessly slip back in between the pipes after over a month.

“During all the time that I was not playing I did my visualization game, I always went to practice, I always do my work.”

However, despite Bouchard’s solid performance, Con-

Photo: Courtesy of Ellen Bond.

cordia’s never-say-die offence eventually started paying dividends at the very end of the third period. With less than three minutes left in regular time, the Stingers scored two goals in rapid succession to send the game to overtime.

Once overtime started, the

Gees’ offence didn’t waste time resolving the situation.

All-star forward Mélodie Bouchard broke through Concordia’s defense 25 seconds into overtime, roofing the puck into the top shelf and securing a 3–2 victory for the Gees.

“I thought we played outstanding today,” said Gee-Gees head coach Yanick Evola. “We asked for some consistency for 60 minutes and I thought we did play for 60 minutes.”

Now that the first half of the regular season is almost behind them, Evola believes his team should be able to look back on their efforts over the last month-and-a-half with pride, especially now that they, as of this publication, are sitting at the top of the RSEQ. “There’s no cake walk in this league, I can guarantee,” he said. “Every game is hard fought. Whether it be Carleton, Concordia, McGill, Montreal, you’ve got to play your best ... you need to compete every day and that’s what we’re doing.”

For their final regular season game of 2016, the Gees will be taking on the McGill Martlets on Dec. 4 at 2 p.m. at the Minto Sports Complex. Tickets are available at the Gee-Gees’ website.

Men’s hockey downs Gaels, foiled by Ridgebacks

Weak power play will cost the Gee-Gees in the long run if not addressed 22–18 in favour of the Gaels, and the U of O should be happy to come out of the game with a win, considering it’s rare to score six goals on just 18 shots.

Nico Laliberté Sports editor

The University of Ottawa men’s hockey team had an offensive explosion against the Queen’s Gaels on Friday, Nov. 25, but couldn’t stop a lethal University of Ontario Institute of Technology (UOIT) power play the following afternoon.

Queen’s Six different players found the back of the net for the U of O on Friday, as the Gee-Gees downed the Gaels by a final score of 6–3.

The game started with the Gaels dominating much of the first period.

However, it was Gees forward Kevin Domingue who scored the only goal of the frame, netting his team-leading seventh goal of the season at just past the 14-minute mark.

Queen’s owned a 10–3 shot advantage entering the second, and the Gees were lucky to be up by one at the start of the frame. Forward John Deacon scored his third goal of the season just

The Gee-Gees exploded for six goals against the Gaels.

23 seconds into the period to increase Ottawa’s lead to two.

Midway through the second, Queen’s scored a shorthanded goal on the Gees to make the game 2–1. The U of O’s power-play struggled this weekend, going 0–9 and allowing one shorthanded goal.

Despite this lackluster power-play, Gees forward Marc Beckstead would

Photo: Remi Yuan.

make it 3–1 before the end of the second period.

The third period saw an explosion of goals compared to the first 40 minutes of play. The Gees outscored Queen’s 3–2 off of contributions from Adam Beveridge, Jacob Hanlon, and Michael Poirier to bring the scoreboard to 6–3.

The shots on goal for the game were

UOIT While the penalty kill has been a strength for the Gees all season long, it would be their undoing against the UOIT Ridgebacks.

The first period started slowly, with neither team able to generate much.

The Gees had a power-play early on that was completely stifled by UOIT, and sustained pressure from the Ridgebacks later caused the Gees to take their first penalty of the game.

The Gees almost killed off the man advantage, but with 22 seconds left the Ridgebacks found a way past Gees goaltender Graham Hunt to go up 1–0.

Just one minute later Ottawa took another penalty, and the Ridgebacks would make them pay for it again with a goal, going up 2–0.

UOIT did everything they could to give Ottawa the game in the second period, allowing the Gees to have four

thefulcrum.ca

power-plays, including a full two-minute five-on-three advantage.

Unfortunately the Gees couldn’t defeat Ridgebacks’ goaltender Brendan O’Neill, and with under a minute to go in the period UOIT would score their third goal of the game on their third power-play opportunity.

Midway through the third period, Ottawa finally managed to beat O’Neill to close the gap by two goals.

Sadly, that was as close as they would come. UOIT scored an empty-netter with six seconds left and the game would end with a 4–1 decision in favour of the Ridgebacks.

Ottawa’s offence has been its weakness this year, so it was nice to see them get six goals against a strong Queen’s team. However, they need to find a way to get their power-play going if they want to do better heading into the second half of their season.

The Gees’ last two home games of 2016 will take place on Dec. 2 at 7:30 p.m. and Dec. 3 at 7:00 p.m. at the Minto Sports Complex. Tickets can be purchased from the Gee-Gees website.

Sports | 19

Women’s basketball team takes out Laurentian, Nipissing Gees remain undefeated in the regular season after two big wins The Gees showcased their power on the glass as well, grabbing an offensive rebound to stretch their lead to double digits early on in the second quarter. The game tightened up with four minutes left, as Laurentian managed to cut their deficit to just one basket.

The first half came to a close with the U of O only holding a 31–28 lead.

Laurentian tied the game early in the second at 33– 33, fully erasing the Gees’ 10-point lead from earlier in the game. However, the garnet and grey quickly regained control with a sevenpoint run that would force the home team to take a timeout.

The officials continued to control the game, calling foul after foul after foul. Laurentian took their first lead since the beginning of the game with three minutes left in the frame.

Ottawa fought back for the lead, and fourth-year Sarah Besselink hit a huge three pointer to bring their

Zack Goobie

associate Sports editor Following their season opener win against Algoma University, the GeeGees women’s basketball team took to the court on Nov. 25 and 26 against two of their North conference rivals, the University of Laurentian Voyageurs and the Nipissing University Lakers.

Laurentian University Even though Laurentian came into the game without much in the way of momentum, they still gave the Gees a run for their money.

A good press was put into play early on by the University of Ottawa team, resulting in a few turnovers by the Voyageurs, who struggled with their ball movement.

At the end of the first quarter the U of O had a 22– 16 lead. Officiating played a major role in the first quarter, with the referees calling an absurd 13 fouls in the frame.

The women’s basketball team is holding their ground as they remain undefeated.

Photo: Courtesy of Brian Doherty.

seven.

With two minutes to go in the game, U of O defense stayed strong as the game ended with a 71–60 decision, keeping the Gees’ undefeated record intact.

Rebounds guided the GeeGees to their second victory of the year, overpowering

lead up to five with two minutes left in the period.

The pace picked up at that point, as both teams went back and forth. The quarter ended with the Gees holding a 50–45 advantage.

Both teams exchanged threes early on in the fourth, keeping the Gees’ lead at

Laurentian beneath the hoop. The U of O also generated some key second-chance points, which contributed to their victory immensely.

Nipissing University A day later, the Gees handed the Nipissing Lakers their sixth consecutive loss of the

season.

The U of O got caught playing catchup for the first quarter, getting outscored 18–16 by the Lakers.

The lead changed hands a few times in the second quarter, but Ottawa ended the half up 32–27. The Gees pulled away in the third quarter, outscoring Nipissing 13–6 in the frame to take a 45–33 lead.

The Lakers were briefly able to get back within ten points in the fourth quarter before the Gees once again pulled away. The game ended 62–44 in favour of the Gees.

Fifth-year point guard Julia Soriano really stepped up for the Gees, with 17 points and eight rebounds in the win.

At this point in the year, veterans like Soriano and Besselink are doing their part early on to power the Gees to early-season success.

The Gee-Gees’ next game is their home opener on Dec. 2 at 6 p.m. in Montpetit Hall. You can buy tickets from the GeeGees website.

Men’s basketball remains undefeated at 3–0 Gee-Gees take down Laurentian, Nipissing teams in weekend action Friday, recording a double-double with 16 points and 12 rebounds. He also showed off his skill in the lowpost as well as his mid-range shooting.

Overall, the Gees took it to the Voyageurs underneath the hoop, dominating the glass with nine rebounds. The Gees played solid defensively, limiting their opponents to 38 per cent shooting from the floor.

Zack Goobie

associate Sports editor Throughout the weekend of Nov. 25–26, the nationally fourth-ranked University of Ottawa men’s basketball team faced off against two of their north division rivals in the Laurentian Voyageurs and the Nipissing Lakers.

Laurentian University The Friday match-up was tight early on, but Jean-Emmanuel PierreCharles broke that stalemate as he worked well in the low post, giving his team an 10–8 lead with three minutes left.

Very good defense was on display in the first quarter, and the score stood at 12–12 at the end of the frame.

Both teams looked to be evenly matched in the second. The lead changed hands a number of times, with neither team managing to pull away.

In the third quarter, the Gees finally took control of the game with Pierre-Charles showing off his mid-

range shooting and stretching the lead to seven.

The Gees showed some good offensive play to increase their lead to 52– 36. Pierre-Charles drained one inside to increase the Gees’ lead to 20, and at the end of the quarter the scoreboard showed a 59–37 lead for the U of O. Following their 31-point offensive explosion in the third quarter, the

20 | SPORTS

The Gees defeated the Nipissing Lakers on Nov. 26.

Nipissing University The following day, the Gees faced the Nipissing Lakers for their second game in as many nights.

Just like in the Gees’ first match of the weekend, the game started with some back-and-forth play. The lead changed hands a few times early on before the Gees started getting some momentum. Fifth-year guard Caleb Agada lead the charge, putting up 10 points for the Gees, allowing them to take a 23–18 lead at the end of the first.

The second quarter started much like the first one, with both teams exchanging baskets. Once again, the

Photo: Courtesy of Brian Doherty.

Gee-Gees brought in some of their reserves to play in the fourth quarter.

The Voyageurs outscored the Gees in the frame by seven points, but that wasn’t nearly enough.

The U of O took their second game of the year, and their first of the weekend, easily by a score of 74–59.

Veteran Pierre-Charles turned in a great performance for the Gees on

U of O took control halfway through the quarter, and lead the game 47–35 entering halftime.

The third quarter started off slowly, but halfway through the frame the Gees began to create more distance between themselves and the Lakers, finishing the quarter with a 65–46 lead.

Nipissing would push back a little bit in the fourth, but it was too little too late and the game ended 79–63 in favour of the Gees.

Agada had a monster game for the U of O, draining 23 points and adding ten rebounds.

Agada and Pierre-Charles continue to drive the offence for this team, each putting up a double-double over the weekend.

Now that they have three wins in a row, the U of O is in serious contention for the top spot in the northern division of Ontario University Athletics.

The Gees’ next game is their home opener on Dec. 2 at 8 p.m. in Montpetit Hall. You can buy tickets from the GeeGees website.

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OPINIONS

OPINIONS EDITOR Eric Davidson

opinions@thefulcrum.ca (613) 695-0062 @eric_davidson93

Canada needs to embrace private drones

Technology could advance journalism, search and rescue, and more for Canadians Nicholas Robinson staff contributor

T

he use of drones— sometimes known as unmanned aerial vehicles— for commercial and personal use is becoming more and more widespread in our everyday society.

As they continue to populate the skies, governments are struggling to respond appropriately to this new technology.

Recently in Canada, there was almost a crash between a Porter airlines flight and what is suspected to be a drone. After the incident, Kate Young, the parliamentary secretary to the minister of transport, said that the government is working quickly to pass new legislation on drones to make the skies more secure.

Meanwhile, in America,

outgoing Secretary of Transportation Anthony Foxx has been doing all he can to open the skies up to drones.

Given the potential benefits of the technology, Canada needs to think big and embrace the potential of drones, similar to what our neighbours to the south are doing.

There is no shortage of potential uses for drones. Think, for instance, of the debate over Canada Post and home delivery. The government should be actively looking at how they could use drones to deliver packages right to the doorsteps of Canadians.

Another place to advance could be with pilotless planes.

After all, planes are much safer than cars and we’re already experimenting with driverless cars. The list goes on: photography for art and journalism, search and rescue, expanding Internet access, agriculture, and even just for hobbies.

Current drone regulation in

Drones have the potential to be a real boon for Canada.

Canada is way too overbearing, and should be loosened.

Current laws forbid flying drones within 150 metres of people, animals, buildings, structures, or vehicles, and higher than 90 metres. This doesn’t leave much room for drones to maneuver in general. The government could

Photo: CC, Don McCullough.

also look at encouraging innovation by offering grants for innovative drone use and development.

But these regulation issues shouldn’t be a surprise, since governments have always struggled to respond adequately to technology. Take the example of Uber, where

governments floundered on the issue for quite a while, before eventually bringing in more or less adequate regulation.

Another good example is that of genetic engineering in Europe. After badly mishandling the spread of mad cow disease and losing consumer

confidence, European governments went overboard in their restrictions of genetic engineering.

Sadly, this isn’t unexpected.

Not only is scientific illiteracy rife in our society, but there are far too few scientists and engineers in our parliaments.

It’s hard to expect that our lawmakers can make good decisions about technology when they don’t understand even the basics of that technology.

But in the end, drones are going to be sticking around, whether we like them or not.

The challenge is allowing people to take full advantage of the benefits, while making sure that the disadvantages don’t get out of hand. The best way we can do this is by giving these devices more freedom to operate and to encourage the beneficial uses of drones.

We need to embrace drones, not shun them. We need to let them fly.

Canada to ban coal, but that won’t be enough

Pipelines, renewable biofuels, and infrastructure plans should be examined Ying Xiang

fulcrum contributor

Minister of Environment Catherine McKenna announced on Nov. 21 that Canada will be phasing out the use of coal by 2030. The objective of the plan is to reduce annual greenhouse gas emissions by 30 million tonnes by 2030. While this is definitely a step in the right direction, can Canada succeed in reaching the target set during the Paris Agreement without the cooperation of the U.S.—the second-largest carbon dioxide emitter on the planet?

If the Liberal government is serious about meeting its target with the Paris Agreement, a feat that will only be made harder by Presidentelect Trump’s proposed policies, pipelines—including the Keystone XL, Trans Moun-

Canada has many options to improve their environmental performance.

tain, and Energy East—are not the way to go.

Instead, the government should be looking to invest

in renewable energy for long-term economic growth and environmental sustainability.

Photo: CC, Rebecca Humann.

For example, renewable biofuels could be used as an alternative as Canada is one of the largest agricultural

producers and exporters in the world. Clean Energy Canada, a think thank based from Simon Fraser University, estimates that biofuel will play an important part in reducing transportationrelated emissions and will account for 20 per cent of liquid fuels by 2030 and 90 per cent by 2050.

We also need to make sure that the Liberals’ $186-billion infrastructure plan spends a third of the budget on green infrastructure, as they promised. After all, the government has a history of spending less on infrastructure than what Parliament allocated. Not only does green infrastructure benefit the environment, but is also could be the backbone of our economy in the future.

International cooperation will also be crucial to really

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make an impact on climate change. The Liberal government can replicate China’s huge cap-and-trade system and the revenue generated from the carbon tax should be invested towards renewable energy.

But how can we be sure that the Liberal government will follow through with their commitment?

The government will need the cooperation of the private sector. Economic incentives will ensure that businesses invest in renewable energy, and the government could also use legislation by strengthening the Federal Sustainable Development Act. All in all, dropping coal by 2030 is a good step, but Canada needs to enforce other policies as well to make a significant impact.

OPINIONS | 21

Our student federation can’t afford to run 1848 Student bar costs will stop executive from making progress with health plan, U-Pass Eric Davidson opinions editor

Student bars—they’re a great place to get cheap food and beer, and maybe even play some pool. Everyone loves them, right? Well, maybe not.

The University of Northern British Columbia’s undergraduate student society (NUGSS) recently announced that it was $100,000 in debt.

Executives noted that the student bar run by NUGSS— the Thirsty Moose—was losing an average of over $50,000 per year. They also said they had considered closing the bar.

Over the summer, Oliver’s—the student bar run by the Carleton University Students’ Association—posted a $120,000 deficit.

And it looks like 1848— the Student Federation of the University of Ottawa’s (SFUO) student bar—may be headed down the same road.

The SFUO does not release

a budget for 1848, but in a recent Board of Administration meeting, vice-president Rizki Rachiq announced that the SFUO has faced numerous problems with 1848 and other businesses, with lots of staff leaving and broken equipment needing to be replaced. There was even a full week this year where 1848 closed down entirely.

Yes, student bars are fun, and I don’t think anyone would argue that we shouldn’t have them if we can. In the case of the University of Ottawa, however, having a bar run by the SFUO is just not feasible at this juncture.

At a certain point, when too much student money is being thrown into what has proven to be a risky business venture in Canada, it’s time to throw in the towel—at least for now.

At the meeting, Rachiq noted that the finance department has been spending

Student bars can be a tremendous drain on resources.

a lot of time and money dealing with issues surrounding student businesses, especially 1848. These are resources that aren’t going towards other work done by the student federation, like providing services, social events, and club funding.

Photo: Jaclyn McRae-Sadik.

On top of that, the SFUO manages students’ health plans and U-Passes, which together account for almost 90 per cent of SFUO spending.

Both of these strategies have seen problems in the past couple years, and, in the case of the health plan, stu-

dents are still paying for it.

In addition to the earlier examples, it seems that student-run pubs in Canada are bad across the board.

According to a Maclean’s article from November of 2013, “Campus pubs propped up by student fees are sur-

prisingly common, due to bad management, high labour costs and pressure from students for artificially low prices.” And, as mentioned in this article, student bars across the country have had to shut down for these reasons, even while receiving free rent, and sometimes carrying debt in the millions of dollars.

And the fact is, while there are many bars on campus that offer good prices to students—La Maison, Draft Pub, University Bar and Grill—there’s only one body that provides club funding, student healthcare, and a UPass.

Until the SFUO has the time and funds to properly manage a student bar, they should take a knee. Because as long as they sink money into the student bar while struggling to manage more essential services like clubs subsidies, the U-Pass, and healthcare, they won’t make progress on any front.

SFUO needs to present legal information more clearly

Stricter rules on informing BOA members would ensure efficiency and transparency eric davidson opinions Editor

At the Student Federation of the University of Ottawa’s (SFUO) last Board of Administration (BOA) meeting, several students showed up to protest a motion which would make General Assemblies (GA) less powerful.

SFUO executives said that the motion was determined to be necessary after a meeting with lawyers in the summer where they looked to identify the federation’s weak spots.

The lawyers were not present when the motion was being debated, and several BOA members had to stop the meeting to ask questions.

This, as well as the disqualification of a GA motion last year after consultation with their lawyers, could point to a troubling trend for the SFUO. The fact is, no matter which side of the issue you’re coming from, you

The SFUO needs to be more clear when presenting legal information.

should want this legal information to be clearly available. If you’re an SFUO executive, and you want people to understand why it’s important that these motions should be passed and want to avoid legal troubles, then it’s even more important to make sure people are informed.

At the same recent meeting, BOA members complained that they were not given enough time to fully review the motion, and there were no lawyers present to fully answer their questions they had. If the BOA is not provided with proper information on legal matters, then you can’t

Photo: Eric Davidson.

guarantee that they understand—meaning that our student federation’s governing body might make a mistake, possibly rendering any legal issues worse.

So, what changes can the SFUO make to avoid this going forward?

First, they should mandate that documents related

to a motion with significant legal ramifications for the SFUO be provided to BOA members at least a week in advance of a meeting to give them time to review.

Second, a lawyer who is not part of the SFUO must be present to answer questions. When the SFUO audit was presented at the BOA’s Oct. 16 meeting, the auditor was in the room to give the report, answer any questions, and give their objective, third-party opinion.

These measures would provide more clarity for BOA members and the students they represent. It also would ensure that no one can complain that the SFUO is misrepresenting information or misinterpreting the facts.

Not to mention that if there’s a significant legal threat to the federation, students will want to know about it. With this in mind, the SFUO could easily use social media to post about

22 | OPINIONS

the issue, and provide resources such as contact information for students who want to learn more.

One might argue that a legal matter is sensitive in nature, and shouldn’t be shared with the student body. However, if a motion with legal bearing can be shared in a BOA meeting, there is no reason it can’t be shared outside of it, since these kinds of gatherings are open to the public. Even if the board goes in camera, some form of information must be presented before such a vote can take place, and such information could be more actively shared with the student body.

If members of the SFUO argue that an issue must be voted on in a certain way because of a legal issue, then it’s their responsibility to provide the pertinent information in a reasonable time frame so the process is more efficient and transparent.

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“It’s 2016” rebuttal on the cusp of being obsolete

U of O debate society worried that current year argument will lose potency in 2017 kyle darbyson managing Editor For the University of Ottawa English Debating Society (EDS), the last twelve months have been a new golden age of reasonable debate thanks to the growing popularity of the “current year” argument.

“John Oliver and Justin Trudeau really started something special,” said EDS president Ganya Till. “Thanks to their public endorsement of such airtight reasoning, the art of competitive debate is now accessible to anyone with a working understanding of linear time.”

According to Till, the EDS experienced a massive boost in membership applications throughout 2016 because of this phenomenon, so much so that they’ve had to double their office space on campus to accommodate these newcomers.

“Whenever somebody disagreed with me in the past I would usually just call them a Nazi,” said Khan Trar-

An artist rendering of the U of O’s EDS’ last tournament debate performance. Illustration: Yomi Orims.

ian, one of the EDS’ newest recruits.

“But now, I know better. These days I simply point my opponents in the direction of the nearest calendar and continue with my day.”

Besides this boom of renewed interest in the EDS, Till said that the current year argument has helped

the club pick up a record number of local, national, and international debate tournament wins, which is unprecedented in their 136-year history.

“It makes sense,” said Till, explaining why this amazing rhetorical device eluded members the debate com-

munity throughout the late 19th and early 20th century. “Back then, life expectancy was half what it is today, so reminding people of their impending death by bringing up the current year probably wasn’t the quickest path to victory.”

However, Till and her fellow professional debaters are worried that these good times will come to an end once 2017 rolls around. Since early November they have experienced diminishing returns with their use of the current year argument, with a poor performance at a recent local tournament causing many to cast doubt on the effectiveness of this philosophical trump card.

“Maybe relying on this argument during such a crap year like 2016 was a bad idea,” said Till. “By bringing up memories of Brexit, the U.S. Election, and the deaths of prominent figures like David Bowie and Harambe, I think we might have poisoned the well for everybody.”

Because of these growing con-

cerns, the EDS executive are organizing an emergency meeting for early December, where they hope to brainstorm a slew of new debate strategies that can help keep their organization afloat.

“Current year had its time in the sun, but now it’s time for more nuanced arguments to take precedence,” said EDS treasurer Pico Nalesch. “I hear slippery slope might be making a comeback. Or, we could just remind our opponents that the sky is blue until they admit defeat.”

The EDS’ future is even more uncertain now that their club funding has been slashed by the Student Federation of the University of Ottawa (SFUO).

While SFUO president Roméo Ahimakin refused to officially comment on this subject, he did send the Tomato an email that, he claims, should provide the EDS with some words of comfort during these trying times.

The email simply reads: “Come on, it’s 2016.”

U of O board makes a stink about Fartgate

Members say something just doesn’t quite smell right eric davidson Tomato Editor After MP Elizabeth May recently challenged her colleague’s use of the word “fart” in the House of Commons, the University of Ottawa’s Board of Governors (BOG) has announced it will follow suit.

“Sure, rising tuition levels are an issue, but the real problem is our use of indecorous language, like the word ‘F-A-R-T,’” said Gobert Riroux, chairman of the BOG. “It’s fucking ridiculous the language that’s allowed. What a shitshow.”

The controversy started when incoming university president Fraques Jémont made a juvenile joke during a recent budget presentation to the board.

“Faculty of Arts? More like Faculty of Farts, amirite?” he said.

The assembled board mem-

bers looked at him, aghast.

Several members put their hands over their ears, while others just shook their heads gravely. As Jémont sadly put his whoopie cushion back into his briefcase, the majority decided the language needed to be dealt with immediately.

“I was shocked, shocked!” exclaimed board member Thomas Mann. “In my 52 years on this earth, I have never heard such filth.”

The BOG currently has a set of regulations to deal with the language that’s used by its members. The Wording Indecency Nomenclature Declaration (WIND) has been in effect since 1922, and sets out guidelines for what can and can’t be said at the BOG. However, many members are claiming the wording is too vague.

“With the current behaviour of some members of the

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The BOG is going all out to tackle foul language.

board, WIND is not working any more,” said BOG member Catherine Jones. “The BOG has officially broken WIND.” When asked what prompted her to raise issues with the existing rules, Jones said, “I can’t put my finger on it, but something just didn’t smell right.”

Photo: Jaclyn McRae-Sadik, CC, Grombo. Edits: Jaclyn McRae-Sadik.

In order to fix the problem, Jones suggested the board should pass a new motion with much clearer language, titled the General Amendment on Semantics (GAS).

At the recent BOG meeting, Jones stood up and made an impassioned speech on the new motion.

“Golly guys, after all this foul language the board needs to take immediate action,” she said. “The BOG needs to pass GAS and they need to do it now.”

The motion was on the cusp of succeeding, when one rogue board member raised an objection.

“I’m sorry, but I cannot let this gross injustice stand,” said Robert Malthus, another BOG member. “I’m sure my colleague would like to recant her use of the word ‘G-O-L-LY.’” Jones, equally offended, retorted, “Absolutely, as soon as my colleague recants his use of the word ‘G-R-O-S-S.’” This back and forth exchange continued for several hours, until the board reached the point of exhaustion.

In the end, the board was presented with a new motion, the Foulness Undoing Creation for Karma (FUCK). This motion states, in no uncertain terms, that any language that could be construed as rude will not be acceptable at BOG meetings.

“I think FUCK solves all our problems here,” said Jones.

“I’m happy we had such a productive meeting.”

THE TOMATo | 23

DISTRACTIONS Dear Di

Dear Di, I started seeing this girl quite recently, so I don’t know if I’m supposed to get her a gift for Christmas. I mean, we’ve only been on a couple dates and I like her, but I don’t want her to get the wrong idea too soon.

-Christmas Confusion

Dear CC,

FEATURES EDITOR Alexa-Eliza Carter

features@thefulcrum.ca (613) 695-0062 @acart043

Dear Di, My boyfriend says he makes New Year’s resolutions every year. He’s kind of leaning on me to make them too, but I think they’re ridiculous.

What should I do?

-Resisting Resolutions

Dear RR,

Not to worry, the holidays can be a stressful time for all of us, especially if you’re in the process of figuring out your true feelings for a new person in your life.

Given that you’ve only been dating for a brief time, it would probably be a smart move to buy a gift that isn’t too expensive or deeply emotional. Something like a tuque or scarf.

That being said, you could always modify the kind of gift you buy depending on how you feel towards her right now.

If you feel like things could be getting serious sometime soon, the most genuine gifts are those that are thoughtful, rather than costly. Some people would prefer the expensive gift right away too, but that would typically denote a materialistic, superficial, or needy person, since she’s expecting too much right away.

Something thoughtful and simple could do the trick, but be sure not to buy something overwhelmingly extravagant in case the other person didn’t get you something. You don’t want to make them feel guilty.

Alternatively, if you’re just getting to know each other, you could go for a gift that plays on the memories of the short time you guys have spent together.

If you’re looking to buy some jewellery or clothing, take note of what she currently wears and go from there. If there’s an activity you enjoy together, like video games, films, or music, you could also try adding to her collection.

Or, you could go full-blown romantic and plan your next date with two tickets to an event you both can look forward to.

No matter what you choose, she will appreciate the thought behind it if she’s a keeper.

While New Year’s resolutions may seem meaningless to some, they still provide you with the opportunity to reflect on your life and think about what you may want to work on.

For example, you may want to think about how to live a more environmentally friendly life, find ways to improve your income, establish career goals, or think of something thoughtful you can do for your partner.

If your boyfriend is a real keener for resolutions, why not find something you can do together come the new year—join a gym, go bungee jumping, or plan a trip.

Even if you’re not as interested in this topic as he may be, at the very least, it is essential to support each other over the holidays. Instead of shutting him down, talk about what he likes about resolutions, learn where he’s coming from, and why it means something to him.

You also may want to consider taking part in something you may find silly, but your partner may see value. Together you could resolve to show each other more appreciation and gratitude, more spontaneous sex, or better communication.

Despite the difference, you may want to consider compromising with him and giving a New Year’s resolution a shot. You may actually find you learn a bit more about yourself and about him too—just in time for 2017.

Love, Di

Love,

Have a safe and sexy holiday season! xoxo - Di 24 | DISTRACTIONS

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Dec. 1 2016 to Jan. 19, 2017

THRYLLABUS

MUSIC arts

Thursday, Dec. 1

Wednesday, Dec. 7

The Nutcracker, National Arts Centre—7 p.m.

A Musical Offering for Christmas concert, Tabaret Hall—12 p.m.

Friday, Dec. 2

Tuesday, Dec.13

Holiday Gift Making Workshop, Makerlab, free admission, Colonel By Hall—2:30 p.m

A Christmas Carol, opening night, National Arts Centre—7:30 p.m.

Gee-Gees women’s basketball vs. McMaster, home opener, Montpetit—6 p.m.

Gee-Gees men’s hockey vs. Toronto, Minto Sports Complex—7:30 p.m.

Gee-Gees men’s basketball vs. McMaster, home opener, Montpetit Hall—8 p.m.

Saturday, Dec. 3 Santa Shuffle, fun run and elf walk, 1 km and 5 km, TD Place—8:30 a.m.

Gee-Gees women’s basketball vs. Brock, Montpetit Hall—6 p.m.

Gee-Gees men’s hockey vs. Ryerson, Minto Sports Complex—7 p.m.

Gee-Gees men’s basketball vs.

Brock, Montpetit Hall—8 p.m.

Sunday, Dec. 4

Sports FUN Thinking

Wednesday, Dec. 21 Canada vs. Czech Republic, 2017 International Ice Hockey Federation World Junior Championship, pre-competition scene, Canadian Tire Centre—7 p.m.

Tuesday, Dec. 27 Kinky Boots, National Arts Centre—8 p.m.

Friday, Dec. 30 Sens skills competition, Canadian Tire Centre—5:30 p.m.

Saturday, Dec. 31 Hogmanay, Scottish Celebration of New Year’s Eve, Lansdowne Park—5:30 p.m.

Saturday, Jan. 7 Gee-Gees women’s hockey vs. Concordia, Minto Sports Complex—2 p.m.

Gee-Gees women’s hockey vs.

McGill, Minto Sports Complex—2 p.m.

Christmas Lights Across Canada, last day, Parliament Hill—7 p.m.

Monday, Dec. 5

Gee-Gees women’s hockey vs.

McGill, Minto Sports Complex—2 p.m.

Lisa Monchalin’s book presentation: The Colonial Problem, free admission, Alex Trebek Alumni Hall—6 p.m.

Sunday, Jan. 8

Friday, Jan. 13

Gee-Gees women’s basketball vs. Laurentian, Montpetit Hall—6 p.m.

Gee-Gees men’s hockey vs. Lakehead, Minto Sports Complex—7 p.m.

Gee-Gees men’s basketball vs.

Laurentian, Montpetit Hall—8 p.m.

Saturday, Jan. 14 Gee-Gees women’s basketball vs. Nipissing, Montpetit Hall—6 p.m.

Gee-Gees men’s hockey vs. Lakehead, Minto Sports Complex—7 p.m.

Gee-Gees men’s basketball vs.

Nipissing, Montpetit Hall—8 p.m.

Sunday, Jan. 15 Gee-Gees men’s hockey vs. Laurentian, Minto Sports Complex—2 p.m.

Tuesday, Jan. 17 Gee-Gees women’s basketball vs. Carleton, Montpetit Hall—6 p.m.

Gee-Gees men’s basketball vs.

Carleton, Montpetit Hall—8 p.m.

Wednesday, Jan. 18 Gee-Gees men’s hockey vs. UQTR, Minto Sports Complex—7:30 p.m.

Thursday, Jan. 19 Pizza lunch with the Dean of the Faculty of Social Sciences (FSS), FSS Building—12 p.m.

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DISTRACTIONS | 25

26 | LETTERS

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EDITORIAL Volume 77, Issue 14, dec 1, 2016 Snowball fighting since 1942.

Phone: (613) 695-0061 | Fax: (613) 695-9006 631 King Edward Ave. Ottawa, ON K1N 6N5 Recycle this, or we’ll break your snow fort.

Savannah “Sally” Awde Editor-in-Chief editor@thefulcrum.ca Kim “Sugar Plum Fairy” Wiens Production Manager production@thefulcrum.ca Kyle “Clark Griswold” Darbyson Managing Editor content@thefulcrum.ca Graham “Mrs. Claus” Robertson News Editor news@thefulcrum.ca Anchal “Jack Frost” Sharma Arts and Culture Editor arts@thefulcrum.ca Alexa-Eliza “Fiona” Carter Features Editor features@thefulcrum.ca Nico “Snoopy” Laliberte Sports Editor sports@thefulcrum.ca Eric “George Bailey” Davidson Opinions Editor opinions@thefulcrum.ca Jaclyn “Scrooge” McRae-Sadik Visual Editor visual@thefulcrum.ca Allegra “Cupid” Morgado Social Media Coordinator social@thefulcrum.ca Reine “Buddy” Tejares Webmaster webmaster@thefulcrum.ca Zack “Luther Krank” Goobie Associate Sports Editor associatesports@thefulcrum.ca Zainab “Lucy” Al-Mehdar Associate News Editor associate.news@thefulcrum.ca Remi “Rudolph” Landry Yuan Staff Photographer photographer@thefulcrum.ca Syed “Frosty” Zeehad Multimedia Coordinator multimedia@thefulcrum.ca Lucas “The Snowman” Ghosn General Manager manager@thefulcrum.ca

Putting a spotlight on a forgotten illness

This past October, we saw hiphop artist Kid Cudi check into rehab for depression and suicidal urges.

He wrote in a Facebook post that it was hard for him to admit to his illness because he was “ashamed to be a leader and hero to so many while admitting (he had) been living a lie.”

But why should someone who has dealt with a high-stress environment, and is under constant watch from the public eye, feel shame about admitting that this pressure has a toll? The answer is simple—society’s stereotypes about those with mental illness often miss the mark.

When you picture someone with a severe mental illness, you might think about a person who must be hospitalized indefinitely. You may assign this label to someone who completely lacks meaningful relationships with others. Perhaps you jump to the conclusion that someone who is mentally ill cannot possibly excel in academia or work environments.

However, if we want to truly understand mental health, and if those who suffer from high-functioning mental illness are ever to be treated properly, we must deconstruct these ill-informed assumptions.

A joint study by the University of California (Los Angeles), the Uni-

versity of Southern California, and the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs seeks to do exactly that. The project follows a group of 20 people who have been diagnosed with schizophrenia or schizoaffective disorder—among them a lawyer, two doctors, and a chief executive officer.

While the study is ongoing, it has already forced the administrating psychologists to re-evaluate their beliefs about the prognosis of schizophrenia, and how a person’s lifestyle must be changed to adapt.

Dr. Stephen R. Marder is a director of the psychosis section at UCLA’s Semel Institute for Neuroscience and Human Behavior, a psychiatrist with the V.A. Greater Los Angeles Healthcare System and one of the authors of the study.

In an interview with the New York Times, Marder said that “For years, we as psychiatrists have been telling people with a diagnosis what to expect; we’ve been telling them who they are, how to change their lives—and it was bad information.”

It turns out that the participants in the study were able to reach their career goals not by lowering their standards based on illness, but by using certain techniques—medication, thought and perception checkins with others, active control of

their environment, avoidance of drugs and alcohol—to manage their illness.

This study pointedly suggests what we already know from the case of Kid Cudi’s struggle with mental illness—it is possible to suffer from a severe mental illness while maintaining a functional appearance and achieving one’s goals.

When we forget this, we dismiss a huge group of people as unable to reach their high goals—we forget that the goals of the mentally ill are in fact attainable.

This was true for Marsha M. Lineham, a woman who created a treatment, called “radical acceptance,” that is now used worldwide for severely suicidal people. Despite the fact that, according to the New York Times, Lineham was “an excellent student from early on, a natural on the piano … an outgoing woman who juggled child care with the Junior League and Tulsa social events,” she was also eventually hospitalized for her untreated mental illness.

The New York Times also spoke with a man named Joe Holt about his schizophrenia, which he is now able to manage despite providing voluntary care for a constant stream of foster children on top of holding a steady job. Similar to

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Contributors

Dayne “Seth Cohen” Moyer KeriLynn “Kate McCallister” Cheechoo Marta “Kim Boggs” Kierkus Ryan “Dasher” Pepper Madison “Ralphie Parker” McSweeney Iain “Edward Scissorhands” Sellers Sara “Kris Kringle” Sanchez Natasha “Frank Cross” Lomonossoff Perushka “Scott Calvin” Gopalkista Miguel “Kevin McCallister” Marchildon Jordan “Comet” Kent Alex “Yukon Cornelius” Grichmanoff Janoah “Cindy Lou Who” Willsie Nicholas “The Grinch” Robinson Ying “Howard Langston” Xiang Yomi “Jack Skellington” Orims Anastasiia “Karen” Cherygova

Board of Directors

Mackenzie “Tiny Tim” Gray Kate “Belle” Murray Carolyn “Yule Cat” Mutis Jonathan “Winter Warlock” Rausseo Raghad “Clarice” Sheikh-Khalil Will “Max” Hume Niharika “Hocus Pocus” Namulla Thivya “Schroeder” Naganathan Julia “Annabelle” Miraflores Maggie “The Nutcracker” Gollish Cover: Jaclyn McRae-Sadik.

High-functioning mental illness can be particularly insidious, as it is hard to detect early.

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Lineham, it wasn’t until Holt had a gun to his head that his loved ones took notice and he was hospitalized for his condition.

Rapper Kanye West, who is currently hospitalized due to ongoing psychotic episodes, also had his first six albums go platinum, and received 21 Grammy Awards. Although West has suffered loss and trauma throughout his career he continued to be productive, releasing hit albums following both his 2002 car accident and his mother’s passing in 2007. Despite his resilience, the stress of being under the media’s microscope as a successful artist was likely a barrier in addressing his budding mental illness.

If anything can be taken away from these stories, it’s that people with high-functioning mental illness can be especially at risk of going undetected until it’s too late.

A growing body of international evidence is showing that early intervention for those suffering from mental illness can make a huge difference. But this is what makes high-functioning mental illness such an insidious ailment—all too often people will not notice the person suffering until that person is at the point where they need to be hospitalized.

According to the Canadian Association of Mental Health, young people aged 15 to 24 are more likely than any other age group to experience mental illness. With this in mind, it’s time for us to re-evaluate our preconceptions of what severe mental illness looks like, and to dismantle the notion that it has a homogenous appearance.

Because when we assume that people are OK because they are succeeding at their goals, we delegitimize their experience with mental illness. If anything, we should be actively inviting those with high-functioning mental illness to share their experiences earlier than when they land in a hospital bed.

Perhaps then we can learn more about how we can all manage mental illness, and reach for our goals knowing that they are, in fact, achievable.

Photo: CC, Manny Broussard. Edits: Jaclyn McRae-Sadik.

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