The Fulcrum - Vol 77 Issue 1

VOL. 77 ISSUE 1

aug. 25, 2016

U of O to Rio pg 14.

In this week’s issue...

SFUO exec spending brought to light P.5 Comptroller general report highlights areas of concern Can’t rain on this parade P.9 U of O students unite to celebrate Capital Pride finale The best business tactic there ever was P.12 How Pokémon GO fits into Ottawa’s business scene Start the year off on the right foot P.16 Fulcrum staff pick you out some new kicks U of O replaces parking lot with more concrete P.19 Concrete oasis dazzles campus community Best ways to spend the dog days P.23 What to do around town before the sun goes down

NEWS

NEWS EDITOR

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

BOA meeting centres on comptroller report, SFUO budget

Student fed says cuts caused by health plan, 2015-16 year deficit graham robertson News Editor

T

he most recent Student Federation of the University of Ottawa (SFUO) Board of Administration (BOA) meeting focused on the SFUO’s financial situation for the 2016-17 year.

The Aug. 16 meeting began with updates from each member of the SFUO executive. Vice-president social Hadi Wess spoke about this year’s 101 Week, highlighting the fact that, that due to the SFUO’s financial situation, there was no budget for the week. Wess said that this year money for the event will come from sponsorships with companies and banks.

Motion to go in-camera for financial report fails Following these updates, the board motioned to present the comptroller general’s report of the SFUO’s expenditures.

Comptroller general Tanner Tallon motioned to present the report in-camera, which led to concerns from a number of board members who raised the question of transparency.

Faculty of Sciences representative Nick Robinson said it is “undemocratic” and “absurd” for students to not know where their money is going, while Faculty of Arts representative Erin Chapman said that if the SFUO believes in transparency, they should not be hiding numbers from the public.

In response to these concerns, members of the SFUO executive said that because the numbers were not yet official, they were hesitant to make them public.

“It’s bad practice to release unofficial numbers to the public,” said Francesco Caruso, vice-president of services and communications.

SFUO president Roméo Ahi-

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BOA members and SFUO executives assembled for Aug. 16 meeting.

makin said that it was prefeable to go in-camera for the presentation of the comptroller general’s report to protect “sensitive information” as well as the SFUO itself.

Vice-president of university affairs Vanessa Dorimain also noted that the comptroller general’s report would be released to the public. The report has not been released as of the date of this publication.

The motion to go in-camera failed, and Tallon presented his findings publicly.

Com p t rolle r general’s report highlights areas of concern Tallon’s report highlighted four areas of interest, the first being taxi chits, or receipts, used by SFUO executive members this past year.

According to Tallon, taxi usage by SFUO executive members was significantly higher than in previous years, with two members using a combined total of $1,820.64 in taxis in the past year.

Tallon highlighted that “the most concerning part about the usage over the past two

was later implemented.

“The discount is the same as the Pivik staff receive. There are two concerns I would like to flag. First is financial impact to the business,” said Tallon, mentioning that the discount for SFUO executives resulted in a $1,000 loss for Pivik. “In perspective, the Pivik only made $7,000 last year.”

Tallon’s second concern was that this discount was only applied to SFUO executive members, while other business staff, such as those from 1848, along with others employed by the SFUO, did not receive this discount.

The fourth item which Tallon addressed in his report dealt more with “the financial controls of the (SFUO).”

Tallon also noted that this audit should be taken more seriously than it had been in previous years.

“Some of the items and issues that are currently affecting the federation could have been prevented or adequately prepared for should the auditor’s report have been taken more seriously,” said Tallon.

Tallon then listed a number of recommendations to the

months is that most of the taxi chits ... almost exclusively by two members, have been used to shuttle between the executive’s house and events, with less than half being used outside of normal business hours.”

The findings represent a 428 per cent increase in executive taxi usage from 2014-15 to 2015-16, or a $1,000 increase from the summer of 2015.

Secondly, Tallon discussed a $330 charge for a single room at the Delta hotel in downtown Ottawa for one night, for the purpose of an SFUO executive retreat.

“Whereas this would not normally be an issue, spending $330 on a hotel room within the city of Ottawa is excessive given our current cash flow situation,” said Tallon.

The third item in the report pertained to a tab which members of the SFUO used at the Pivik convenience store, when they had forgotten their wallet and could not pay. This was “not seen as okay” by Pivik manager François Lavigne.

Following a series of meetings to discuss solutions to this issue, the SFUO executive proposed a discount system which

Photo: Eric Davidson.

SFUO as a result of these issues, including the implementation of a taxi usage policy along with the upkeep of a finance journal by the president, vice-president of finances, and vice-president of communications.

SFUO executives question comptroller general’s findings In response to Tallon’s report, Rizki Rachiq, vicepresident of finances, said that some numbers presented were not accurate, while Wess questioned if Tallon had interviewed the SFUO executive about his findings, or if these were merely assumptions.

Tallon confirmed that he did not interview any of the SFUO executive about his findings.

In regards to the taxi chits, Wess said that just because a taxi was paid for under an executive’s name, it does not mean that the executive had used the taxi. For instance, the taxi could have been used to take an intoxicated 101er home during 101 Week.

Ahimakin also addressed that some members of the

SFUO executive do not live close to campus—two members live in Barrhaven, while another lives in Gatineau. Wess said that finding a way home after a night event during 101 Week is impossible, considering that most transit systems do not operate as late as 2 a.m.

In response to Ahimakin’s comments, Chapman said that the SFUO executive gets paid for their work, while most students who volunteer as guides for 101 Week are not paid, and still find their way home after night events.

Finally, to address the hotel expenditure, Rachiq said that the large room was booked so that six people (the entirety of the SFUO executive) could meet and discuss business matters.

Following these statements, executive members informed the BOA that they would be taking the comptroller general’s recommendations seriously, and Caruso thanked the BOA for holding the SFUO accountable.

SFUO 2016-17 budget presented in-camera After a 10-minute recess, Rachiq moved to present the budget for the 2016-17 year.

There was another motion to go in-camera, which again raised concerns from board members about democracy and transparency between the SFUO and the public.

“Being undemocratic and not transparent is the opposite of what we are trying to do,” said Caruso. He then confirmed that the budget would be released online via the SFUO website and potentially over social media. The 2016-17 budget has not been posted online as of the date of this publication.

The motion to go in-camera then passed, and the budget was presented. It was later adopted publicly after the incamera session.

The next BOA meeting will be held on Sept. 18 at 1 p.m. in Tabaret Hall, room 083. Meetings are open to the public.

NEWS | 5

Police arrest alleged assailant of former U of O student Mélodie Morin

Former U of O student, Ayham Aloulabi, to appear in court to face sexual assault charges laid in 2015 Savannah awde editor-in-chief

A man has been arrested in relation to sexual assault charges in the case of former University of Ottawa student Mélodie Morin, which were laid in absentia in January 2016 after the alleged assailant left the country.

Ottawa police confirmed that 27-year-old Ayham Aloulabi was arrested on Aug. 10 at the Ottawa International Airport.

Aloulabi’s court date is scheduled for Aug. 22, where he will face charges of sexual assault and overcoming resistance by attempting to choke.

Aloulabi was released from police custody on Aug. 10 on a promise to appear in court.

None of the allegations made against him have been proven in court.

The arrest comes almost one year after Morin went public with allegations that she was sexually assaulted by another student near the U of O campus. Morin also alleged that she was told by detectives handling her case that charges would not be laid because the alleged perpetrator

“thought it was consensual,” and Morin “was just playing hard to get.”

After an open letter published on Facebook about the case gained traction, Ottawa police responded with a statement that said a second-level review by a Sexual Assault and Child Abuse Unit supervisor “determined that the conclusions of the investigator may have been premature, as not all investigative avenues had been exhausted.”

Balancing investigation focus with mental health and wellness needs In an interview with the Fulcrum on Aug. 12, Morin said that while the university was helpful in investigating the avenues by which they could discipline the alleged perpetrator, she alleged that they failed to inform her of basic, on-campus resources for survivors of sexual violence, such as the Women’s Resource Centre and Student Academic Success Service’s free counselling service.

“To have access to all those things, I’m the one that kind of had to research it, I had to

tell myself ‘I wonder if they have a counselling service on campus,’ and then research it.

And oh, ‘I wonder if there’s a women’s centre on campus,’ and then research it,” she said.

“There’s no one who actually showed me or told me that all these resources were available to me.”

In an email to the Fulcrum, media relations manager Néomie Duval said that sexual violence support is a shared responsibility at the U of O. “Protection Services and the Human Rights Office work together to ensure our students receive the support they need for any situation they face,” she said.

Duval also noted that the university launched a support website for sexual violence in September 2015, which “offers students and employees a one stop shop to all the resources, policies and information available on campus.”

Section 1 of the recently implemented U of O sexual assault policy states that part of the policy’s purpose is to “provide information about supports and services available at the University and in the community and to ensure follow-up once a report

is made to the University.”

In addition, section 5.6 of the new policy lists out the oncampus services available to survivors.

E s ta b l i s h i n g protocol for profs to accommodate survivors According to Morin, following the alleged assault, she was told by professors that they had never had a case like hers happen before, and that they “don’t quite know how to deal with this problem.”

She also noted that while the doctor following her case gave her a note to be excused from classes and exams for three weeks, one of her profs expected her to write missed exams on her first day back in school.

“I was supposed to take those three weeks to recover, not to study for an exam. I was supposed to take those three weeks to sleep, I was supposed to take those three weeks to literally recover, to go to a therapist,” Morin said.

“I was on so many medications that I was literally intoxicated … there’s no way that in those three weeks I

One year after alleged assault, Morin embraces ‘activist’ role Morin filed the original incident with the Ottawa police service on September 26,

2015. Now, almost a year later, she said that while the year has been tough she is proud of herself and the impact her story has had on other women.

“I’ve had other women come to me asking for help, I’ve done speeches, I’ve went to events to do speeches, I’ve been able to really get out of my little cocoon and talk about these problems that are going on in society,” said Morin.

“Because of the fact that I’ve been working on this case for so long, not only working on this case but also working on trying to sensitize people, I feel like I became an activist,” she said.

“That actually makes me feel a bit better about what happened to me because I can make something out of it.”

Despite what she said has been a tough experience, Morin remains positive about the prospects for social change in how sexual assault victims are treated. “I think that eventually all of society, we’re going to be able to work together to change those things and really sensitize people about sexual assault.”

Aloulabi’s arrest comes nearly a year after Morin brought sexual assault allegations against him.

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would’ve been able to study for an exam.”

Morin believes that the U of O campus would benefit from a program to ensure that profs are more sensitive to issues faced by student survivors of sexual violence.

“I think there should be some kind of group at the U of O that literally helps teachers know how to deal with cases like these, what they should do when things like this happen,” she said. “They should help the teachers realize that there might be some things they could change to fit the students better.”

Duval said that, in relation to the adoption of recommendations made by the U of O’s Task Force on Respect and Equality, sexual violence training sessions have been offered to key staff, senior administrative management, deans, and more since June 2015.

Photo: Kim Wiens.

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In memoriam: Mauril Bélanger

On the legacy of the late Ottawa-Vanier MP and former SFUO president graham robertson News Editor

Ottawa-Vanier Liberal member of parliament, Mauril Bélanger, passed away on Aug. 16 at the age of 61, after a battle with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS).

Bélanger attended the University of Ottawa in the 1970s, serving as the 1977-79 president of the Student Federation of the University of Ottawa (SFUO).

In an interview with the Fulcrum, defence lawyer and former vice-president of academic affairs, now known as vice-president of university affairs, Lawrence Greenspon shared his experiences working with Bélanger in the student federation.

“He was a 60-70 hour a week kind of guy,” said Greenspon, recalling how Bélanger slept at the university overnight when the workload became heavy. “He had a cot in the university centre, this was indicative of how hard he worked.”

Greenspon described Bélanger as “ambitious” and “hardworking.” During his

time at the U of O, Bélanger had focused on a number of initiatives, including developing a student tutorial service with Greenspon while on the SFUO. Most significantly, perhaps, was the relationship

that Greenspon had fostered with Bélanger.

“Lifelong friendships were made,” said Greenspon, who is also greatly in volved in the planning of Bélanger’s Aug. 27 funeral.

In an email to the Ful-

crum, Alain-Michel Sékula, who served as the SFUO’s vice-president of finance during Bélanger’s second term as president, said that Bélanger’s accomplishments are still evident on campus today.

“Under his leadership he opened or assumed management of Pivik, the student bookstore, (and) the rental of mini-refrigerators to residents,” said Sékula.

Bélanger also reformed the SFUO constitution to make it more inclusive and representative of the student body.

“His passion for democracy, fair and equal rights and representation, bilingualism, innovation and most importantly, politics, were probably reinforced by his tenure as SFUO student president.”

Like Greenspon, Sékula is also involved in the planning process for Bélanger’s funeral, having also stayed close friends after their time together at the U of O. “Our lifetime friendship started that fateful day in 1978 when he approached me to run for vice-president finance, and set our paths

Photo: Eric Davidson.

for both our future careers.

He became an acclaimed member of parliament and I became a humble banker!

We will all miss him,” said Sékula.

Though Bélanger is gone, his contributions to Canada, as well as to the U of O and the student federation continue to be remembered and celebrated.

Current SFUO vice-president of services and communications Francesco Caruso wrote in the SFUO’s official online statement that “Mr. Bélanger has been an integral part, not only of our Student Federation, but also of our entire political system, proudly representing the students that live in his riding.”

“The work that Mr. Bélanger has accomplished will continue to inspire future generations to fight for their rights. We couldn’t have asked for a better representative within federal politics.”

Mauril Bélanger’s funeral is open to the public and will be held on Aug. 27 at 10 a.m. at Notre Dame Cathedral Basilica, 385 Sussex Dr.

U of O prof helps publish study on endangered species

Invertebrates neglected in biodiversity conservation efforts, says study Zainab Al-Mehdar

associate News Editor Professor Jeremy Kerr of the University of Ottawa’s Department of Biology joined a group of Carleton University students in a study of the conservation and protection of different endangered species, and found that research on invertebrates is lacking.

The study, published in the journal FACETS on July 26, showed that the conservation efforts surrounding these species is also falling short.

“We wanted to try to measure the discrepancy, how much more we are studying mammals and birds and reptiles relative to the far more diverse invertebrates which includes insects. A lot of little things that don’t get a lot of attention,” said Kerr.

As a specialist in invertebrate studies and the study of

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Professor Jeremy Kerr with a butterfly, one of species which his research focuses on.

insects, Kerr was able to shed some light on how little is known about these species in the new study, entitled “Taxonomic Bias and International Biodiversity Conservation Research”.

The research team used data on more than 10,000 species from the International Union for Conservation of Nature Red List to examine “taxonomic and geographic biodiversity conservation re-

Photo: Courtesy of Bonnie Findley.

search trends worldwide,” as stated in the study’s abstract.

The study highlights that the effectiveness of conservation strategies such as the United Nations Convention on Biological Diversity depends

on a wide variety of factors, which include funding, government intervention, and the condition of ecosystems.

According to Kerr, there is a general lack of funding for invertebrates, which results in poor conservation of these species as well as a subpar knowledge of what they contribute to the animal cycle.

The study also cites “technical limitations” in reference to the lack of public knowledge on invertebrates, suggesting that it is more difficult to study insects than it is to study larger animals.

In his work, Kerr advocates for a diversification in society’s views on insects.

“The problem is we built the net to protect vertebrates.

We haven’t done a very good job at building a net to protect invertebrates, and there are way more species out there that are invertebrates (which)

do things we cannot do without, like pollination. That is entirely a function of the activities of insects and they get disproportionately small attention.”

Kerr said that if these endangered insects go unnoticed they might eventually go extinct, which can result in the destruction of the animal kingdom, as invertebrates make up most of the life on Earth.

However, as mentioned in the study, more research on endangered invertebrates does not necessarily ensure their survival. But what it can do is provide a greater awareness of these species and promote the development of policies aimed at their protection.

“We need to make sure if we are building a conservation net that it is attaching everything, not just the stuff that is big and fuzzy.”

NEWS | 7

National News

C-51 review expected to launch before Parliament resumes

Liberals promise in campaign to overhaul “problematic elements” of controversial anti-terrorism bill Amanda connolly ipolitics

Ottawa (iPolitics)—The government’s highlyanticipated review of its national security framework, including the Harper government’s controversial anti-terrorism legislation C-51, is expected to start before parliamentarians return from summer break.

“Yes, it will be soon—so most likely before parliament resumes,” said Scott Bardsley, press secretary for public safety minister Ralph Goodale.

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau campaigned on a promise to “repeal the problematic elements of Bill C-51, and introduce new legislation that better balances our collective security with our rights and freedoms.”

But so far, he has not provided details on when he envisions starting that process, despite pressure from critics of the law.

In Bridgetown, N.S. on Aug. 16 Trudeau reiterated his position on the importance of balancing security with civil liberties—a balance critics of C-51 said the previous government did not achieve.

“All Canadians expect their government to do two things: to keep Canadians safe and to defend and uphold the values and rights that all Canadians hold dear,” Trudeau said. “Getting that balance right isn’t always easy in the challenging situation we now live in but it’s extremely important.”

As Goodale recently reiterated in a column with the Huffington Post, the problematic C-51 elements identified in the campaign platform are

Ottawa residents protests Bill C-51 in front of the Parliament buildings.

only the minimum of what the government will do to fix national security legislation.

In particular, those elements include the need to “ensure compliance with the Charter of Rights and Freedoms, full protection for advocacy and protest, the correction of appeal procedures in respect of ‘no fly’ lists, a more precise definition of ‘terrorist propaganda’, and a full review of all anti-terrorism laws after three years.”

Input from Canadians could see those priorities expand during the course of the national security review, which is expected to wrap up this

8 | NATIONAL NEWS

security law at the University of Ottawa, described the bill creating the committee as flawed but not fatally so, noting that while the legislation is a good move overall, the restrictions set on it essentially relegate the committee to focusing on “high-level” issues by allowing the government to withhold requested information, shut down investigations, and censor reports before they can be tabled in the House of Commons.

He likened one exception allowing the government to withhold information from the committee for national security reasons as a “po-

fall.

A more specific timeline will be announced once the review is launched, Bardsley says.

Nine months into its majority government, Trudeau and his ministers have been ticking off national security items from their campaign platform, though not always in the way they had promised.

One of those was the promised national security committee of parliamentarians, a key issue for opponents of C-51, which Goodale has said should be up and running this fall.

Craig Forcese, a professor focusing on national

Photo: The Canadian Press.

tential Mack truck exception.”

The committee will not be subject to judicial review, meaning members will have no formal recourse through which to challenge government refusals to disclose information or orders to shut down investigations.

Originally, the Liberals had promised to allow the committee to have an oversight function but abandoned that term in the weeks leading up to the committee’s announcement and instead scaled back its role as one that will “review and scrutinize” intelligence activities.

As well, the govern-

ment has moved ahead on a promise to help those whose names match those on the no-fly list and who face travel delays during the extra time needed to clear their name in the system.

In June, Goodale announced the creation of a new government office to support those travellers, with the eventual goal of allowing those travellers to apply for a unique identification number to distinguish them in aviation systems.

That overhaul could take roughly a year and a half, Goodale says.

Former prime minister Stephen Harper brought in C-51 following the October 2014 attacks on Parliament Hill and in StJean-sur-Richelieu, Quebec that killed two Canadian Forces members: 24-year-old Cpl. Nathan Cirillo and 53-year-old Warrant Officer Patrice Vincent.

Bill C-51, which received royal assent in June 2015, criminalizes the promotion of terrorism, cracks down on vaguely-defined “terrorist propaganda” and gives judges the authority to order its removal from the Internet.

It also widens the net of who can be preventatively arrested without a warrant, allows for expanded information sharing on people deemed threats to national security among 17 different government departments, and grants the Canadian Security Intelligence Service the new power to actually disrupt suspected terrorist plots instead of just collect information about them.

thefulcrum.ca

A&C EDITOR Anchal Sharma arts@thefulcrum.ca

ARTS&CULTURE

(613) 695-0062 @imtherocks

You can’t have a rainbow without a little rain U of O student groups come together for annual Pride parade anchal sharma

arts & culture editor

F

rom the Pride Pageant to Queer Con, Capital Pride week has always been a diverse and accepting celebration of Ottawa’s LGBTQ+ community.

From the Pride Pageant to Queer Con, Capital Pride week has always been a diverse and accepting celebration of Ottawa’s LGBTQ+ community.

The week ended on Sunday Aug. 21 with the annual Pride parade beginning at Bank and Somerset and making its way downtown.

Despite the festive atmosphere, the event began on a more solemn note, starting with a moment of silence in recognition of the Orlando nightclub shooting this past June.

All in all, the parade was a reminder of the long way we have come as a community in accepting and uniting people of all backgrounds.

The street was lined with an array of businesses, banks, political parties, and charitable organizations—like the Foundation for Wellness Professionals of Ottawa—all standing in

solidarity and support for the promotion of LGBTQ+ rights.

The day began at a slower pace due to a sporadic rainfall, but more people slowly trickled in as the rain died down. By the end of the afternoon, the parade was in full bloom with a large crowd following the floats and the skies clearing up.

Familiar faces from the Canadian Federation of Students and the Student Federation of the University of Ottawa (SFUO) made their presence known with a literal truck full of supporters.

Francesco Caruso, SFUO vice-president of services and communications, explained that the federation’s choice of float was meant to symbolize unity of different student groups for a shared cause.

“This year, instead of having separate student floats for every students union, we united all the students unions in the city to march under one banner,” said Caruso, mentioning that they invited members of the Graduate Students’ Associations from the U of O as well as from Carleton.

“All of that together is just supposed to show that we’re not supposed to be

siloed. We’re supposed to work together as a student movement and that’s what we want to show here.”

A group of students from the U of O Faculty of Medicine were in attendance to promote a similar kind of sentiment.

Leah Rosetti, a thirdyear medical student at the U of O and executive member of the medical diversity awareness group, discussed why it was important for the group to be a part of the parade.

Rosetti explained that the medical diversity awareness group is a place where “everyone in medical school and health care professionals (can) come and learn about the issues of gender and sexuality as it relates to medicine.”

“I just think it’s very important to have representation in the community of healthcare providers who are queer to show people that their doctors can look a lot like them,” she shared.

The parade was overall an exciting event where Ottawans from all walks of life could share in a joint cause. Despite the less-than-ideal weather, no one can say it truly rained on this parade.

Photos:Jaclyn McRae-Sadik

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ARTS & Culture | 9

U of O alumni Rise Up against sexual assault at Orange Art Gallery Local fundraiser shines a light on holes in Canada’s justice system Yòmi Orimoloye fulcrum contributor

It was a night to remember on Aug. 19 as various local artists, politicians, and activists came together at the Orange Art Gallery for Rise Up, a fundraiser to raise awareness about sexual assault in Ottawa.

The event, which was dedicated to raising awareness and funds for the Ottawa Rape Crisis Centre, was packed with interesting theatrical pieces, and raised $5,000.

Perhaps the most elaborate showcase of the evening was a dance theatre production called The Ghomeshi Effect, a verbatim play that tells true life stories of sexual assault survivors.

Jessica Ruano, a graduate of the University of Ottawa’s theatre program, directed the play and dis-

cussed the importance of this type of performance art afterwards.

“I think it’s important for people’s stories to be told which is why I’m doing this,” she said. “I think it’s important to share this with younger people who (are) still forming ideas in their heads about what’s true and what’s not.”

Ruano plans on touring schools in the hopes of reaching out to students in the community after the play’s first run in January.

Shannon Fournier, the organizer of Rise Up and a former criminology student at the U of O, explained that through her own experiences, and during her time at the university, she learned about the holes that exist in the criminal justice system for victims of sexual assault when reporting crimes.

“There’s a lot of people who think, because we

From left to right: Marc-Andre Charrette (performer), Jessica Ruano (Director/Producer), Leah Archambault (performer), Amelia Griffin (Choreographer), and Emmanuel Jean-Simon (performer).

Photo: Yòmi Orimoloye

“Don’t get me wrong, there are a lot of good things about Canada.

But when it comes to our

do live in Canada and we live in Ottawa especially ... that we have it really good, and we do,” she said.

criminal justice system and the way that victims are treated in this system, I think people just need to

be aware (that their rights are being ignored).”

The event also featured powerful words from guest speakers including current attorney general Yasir Naqvi, vice-chair of the Transportation Committee Catherine McKenney, civil lawyer Blandi Samson—who works with the new Ontario program which funds free legal advice to survivors—and sexual assault survivor and activist Hannah Kurchik, who delivered a powerful speech about her experience with the criminal justice system.

For those looking for a more theatrical interpretation of the problems ingrained in our legal system, The Ghomeshi Effect is set to run at The Gladstone Theatre from Jan. 19 to 28.

Tickets can be purchased on the theatre’s official website.

Classic Italian comedy gets a modern facelift

Former U of O prof directs Odyssey Theatre’s annual show under the stars anchal sharma arts & culture editor

Worlds collide in more ways than one in Andy Massingham’s take of The Servant of Two Masters, a classic Italian play written

by Carlo Goldoni in 1746.

Performing at Strathcona Park from July 21 to Aug. 21, the show was consistently met with a comfortably full house. Delivering on its promise to be quick witted and packed to the punch with comedic gags, the outdoor Odyssey Theatre production was a delight to watch.

Odyssey Theatre has done productions of this play before, but what makes this version stand out from its predecessors is that it’s set in 1950s Venice as opposed to the 1700s.

Andy Massingham, a former University of Ottawa theatre professor and director of the play, explained that his decision to alter the time period came from his affection for 1950s Italian cinema, especially when it comes to legendary filmmaker Federico Fellini.

10 | ARTS & CULTURE

“I was loving his films,” says Massingham,” and (I thought) wouldn’t it be fun if The Servant of Two Masters was set in this kind of sexy, everybody’s high fashion … world of the fifties (where) we have rock and roll music (alongside) traditional music?”

The plot follows Truffaldino, a poor servant who follows his master Beatrice to

ending hunger for a good meal isn’t easy, and Truffaldino’s antics often lead him to trouble—dubbing him the harlequin of the production, and leaving the audience empathetic and entertained.

In the end, Truffaldino learns that you can have too much on your plate without having eaten once.

The actors took it to a

Venice while she’s disguised as her brother to collect a debt and search for her true love. While there, Truffaldino encounters a young man in search of a servant and decides to take on two jobs.

It’s a classic comedy of errors, and our protagonist is at the center of it all. Working for two masters while trying to balance his love life and satisfy his never

Odyssey Theatre productions are well known for their use of dramatic masks.

Photo: Andrew Alexander.

whole new level for this production, clearly enjoying themselves as they used the park setting to their advantage, with plenty of fourth wall breaks to engage with the audience. The dramatic acting and the over the top expressions paid off in making the show a huge success.

Despite the roaring laughs and the soap opera-esque acting, Massingham emphasizes that the show doesn’t lack depth.

“It’s not fluffy. It’s very hard hitting, (and) the main character is actually going through a huge emotional crisis. It does speak to people of this age overachieving and trying to make ends meet.”

It’s easy to see that although changes to the script were made, the integrity of the classic play managed to endure.The quick back and forth was sprinkled with interruptions of old Latin, in tribute to the original work.

It was expertly put together, especially with the use of masks for which Odyssey is so well known.

Massingham explains

that by having only four of the nine cast members in masks, the audience can make a clear distinction between the opposing worlds and viewpoints in the play.

“The two worlds actually can get along is what we’re going for,” he said, pointing out that “after a while we forget the masks are on” and rather than hide the characters, they reveal character traits.

Massingham is confident in the production and for good reason, mentioning that he hopes audience members return to see the gags they missed. “You can’t see it all in one go” he explained, going on to share that this play is exceptionally different from some of the company’s other productions.

True to his word, while the humour, wit, and physical comedy is all attributed to Odyssey, the costume design, set change, and blocking under the stars of Strathcona Park make Massingham’s rendition a wonderfully unique experience.

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ALBUM REVIEW: Frank Ocean ∙ Blonde Boys Don’t Cry | 10/10 lo,” comparing a woman’s want of an engagement ring to the championship desires of NBA player Carmelo Anthony, evidently absurd enough to be fueled by cocaine.

Later he sings “RIP Pimp C/RIP Trayvon, that nigga look just like me,” lamenting the fall of Texas hip-hop legend and the well-publicized death of black teen Trayvon Martin in 2012.

“Ivy” has an upbeat, pop-rock feel with deep lyrics about truly growing up, something that is a theme for the 28-year-old Ocean on this project.

“Pink + White” is funky and layered, sounding like something straight off of Channel Orange, while “Self Control” and “Nights” sound new and distinct.

“Noses on a rail, little virgin where’s the white?/You cut your hair, but you used to live a blinded life/Wish I was there, wish we’d grown up on the same advice/ Wish our time was right,” he sings on “Self Control”, a sad yet beautiful tale about losing innocence along with someone you love.

The project is light on guests, and most are just used in the background apart from Andre 3000 on “Solo (Reprise)”, where the legend pops up on his fellow-recluse’s album to remind us that if he really wanted, he’d be the best rapper in the world.

Spencer murdock

sports editor/ rap correspondent Four years after his landmark debut record Channel Orange, the iconic R&B recluse Frank Ocean reemerged and delivered some absolutely stunning new material.

In January 2015, Ocean announced the title of his new album and accompanying magazine then entitled Boys Don’t Cry and teased a release date in July of the same year. Summer came and went with no album to speak of, leaving a hoard of increasingly agitated fans thirsting for new material.

Throughout the ensuing year, fans were teased by rumours and disappointed as each Friday ended albumless.

Once again July passed, and fans reached new levels of anger and frustration. However, things started turning around on Aug. 1 when a live streaming video appeared depicting a minimalist warehouse workspace and Ocean partaking in a woodworking project.

Over the course of 15 days, Ocean was present and aloof at various times as he constructed his mystery work. Everything culminated on Aug. 16, when new music began playing as Ocean finished assembling his “stairway to heaven”. Shortly afterwards, the nearly

Ocean truly impresses on his new master work.

Photo: CC, Andy Holmes.

covers of songs and shorter interludes that come together in a rudimentary album form.

Conversely, Blonde is a sprawling, emotive, compelling, and concise album that forces us to forgive Ocean for essentially ghosting on us for four years.

The album begins with the single “Nikes”, a woozy and vocally modulated anthem, chocked full of sometimes clever and other times poignant lines.

Ocean poses the lines “She said she need that ring like Carmelo/ Must be on that white like Othel-

45-minute visual album titled Endless was made available on Apple Music.

However, it wasn’t long before reports emerged that a more “traditional” album would also be released by the weekend.

Finally, on Aug. 20, Ocean released a 17-track album entitled Blonde, also exclusive to Apple Music.

Now, musically speaking, Frank Ocean is at his absolute best on both projects. To be clear, Endless is much more of a soundtrack to his art project, one that is filled with

movies have seen

you should

kyle darbyson

Why seen it

managing editor

haven’t

Despite the fact that expensive Hollywood blockbusters are a dime a dozen these days, Ben-Hur still stands apart from the crowd more than half a decade later. Starring Charlton Heston as the exiled Jewish prince who swears vengeance on his Roman oppressors, this biblical epic established a cinematic scope and scale that still hasn’t been topped to this day.

This is because director William Wyler didn’t have access to modern special effects, and had to make do with physically building gigantic sets and commissioning thousands of extras in order to do this classic story justice.

Famous lines Judah Ben-Hur: (After he is exiled from Jerusalem) May God grant me vengeance! I will pray that you live until I return!

– Quintus Arrius: (Addressing an enslaved Ben-Hur) Your eyes are full of hate, forty-one. That’s good.

Hate keeps a man alive. It gives him strength.

– Judah Ben-Hur: You may conquer the land; you may slaughter the peo-

Unlike the latest cash-in remake, the 1959 version of Ben-Hur didn’t need half-assed CGI or a bad Morgan Freeman wig to create an epic feel.

All the filmmakers needed was a cast of thousands, a then unheard of $15-million budget, a bombastic score, and a polished script based on an 1880 novel by Lew Wallace.

Oh, and there’s also the fact that the whole project is anchored by a

Clocking in at nearly four hours, this movie’s run time may be daunt-

legendary screen actor like Heston, who Forrest Gumps his way through biblical events with the right balance of poise and gravitas.

Why you should watch it anyway

Why it might be tough to get through

Ben-Hur (1959)

ing for some modern audiences, especially those who are used to seeing their big tent-pole movies being sliced up into two separate parts (Hunger Games, Harry Potter).

For those who can’t get past the more antiquated aspects of old-school Hollywood filmmaking, this movie is a hard sell.

Case and point: even though Heston and co-star Hugh Griffith picked up Oscars for their work here, some of the acting on display is still pretty hammy by today’s standards, with plenty of corny lines and dramatic head turns that wouldn’t be out of place in a Spanish telenovela.

Why it’s famous

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you

Listening to Blonde feels like one of those early fall days where the sun is still shining, but the air is much chillier than it was a few weeks prior. On the surface the album is nearly happy, but in many ways it’s still heartbreaking.

The attention to detail and the variety in instrumentation that Ocean curates on the album is unparalleled, and his maturity shines bright in his songwriting, experimentation, vocal performance, and overall artistry.

Frank Ocean disappeared for a long time and we all knew it would be big when he came back, but this is much bigger and better than any of us probably could’ve expected.

For that, Mr. Ocean, we thank you.

ple. But that is not the end. We will rise again.

Fun facts This is the first film to win 11 Academy Awards, including Best Picture (a feat only achieved by two films since: Titanic and Lord of the Rings: the Return of the King).

While some may bemoan the 2016 remake of Ben-Hur, the 1959 version is itself a remake of two different silent films (released in 1907 and 1925, respectively).

Legendary “spaghetti western” director Sergio Leone served as an uncredited second unit director for the film’s famous chariot race sequence.

ARTS & Culture | 11

! u o y e s o o h c I , Alexa-Eliza Carter a w a t w a t t O Features editor Ot Pokémon GO is changing how we socialize and do business in the nation’s capital.

On July 17, the app Pokémon GO was released in Canada and in just a short time it has garnered staggering success.

Throughout the summer Pokémon GO has made over $268 million and has been downloaded over 100 million times.

Part of this success comes from the 90s nostalgia at play, but a lot of these staggering numbers can be credited to the augmented reality component of the game that encourages people to get outdoors, visit public spaces and historical sites, and find digital pocket monsters.

The popularity of the augmented reality game has even taken hold of the nation’s capital.

Notable tourist locations like Confederation Park have been taken over by virtual Pokémon trainers. Long OC Transpo bus routes have suddenly become bearable now that oodles of virtual PokéStops are sprinkled along the way.

Prominent local celebrities have been getting in on the social phenomenon, including Ottawa Senators captain Erik Karlsson and mayor Jim Watson.

Even the University of Ottawa is a pillar of Pokémon GO achievement, since 19-year-old finance student Jack Lau made headlines after becoming one of the first people in Ottawa to catch all 142 Pokémon available in North America.

Of course, with such a fast rise in popularity, Pokémon GO has experienced an equally swift backlash. People like Ottawa Citizen columnist Floralove Katz assert that this game deters people from “communica(tion) with others” and “represent(s) a colossal, collective waste of time”.

Admittedly, it is hard to see this game as anything more than just a video game app. However, the app is undeniably prompting a shift in the video game industry and businesses hinging on its social popularity.

Still, one has to wonder if Pokémon GO will be just another trending topic over social media or if it will have a potentially long-term impact?

Social catalyst for business To understand how Pokémon GO is affecting businesses, we must first realize the magnitude of how it affects social behaviour.

Enter Pokémon GO, a mobile app that is easily accessible to the masses, only requiring a re-

cent smartphone and with no additional cost. This game can easily persuade you to travel all over Ottawa, seeing places you would have otherwise perhaps not taken the time to go.

This is the case for University of Ottawa student Angela Wen who has visited a lot of places in Ottawa over the summer like Dick Bell Park in Nepean, Mooney’s Bay, The Canada Agriculture and Food Museum, the Trans Canada Trail along the Ottawa River, and John Ceprano Rock Sculptures.

“I ended up going to all these different places because different Pokémon spawn in different locations in Ottawa,” said Wen. For U of O marketing assistant professor Michael Mulvey, he downloaded the app on his phone as a way to bond with his kids. So far, it has proven to be a way for him to interact with them and talk strategy.

“It’s a very group interactive game, much more than I appreciated initially,” said Mulvey.

While some young people are taking advantage of this social aspect through Pokémon GO-themed pub crawls, the game may also prove to rival popular dating apps like Tinder.

Algonquin student Patrick Toutain discovered this when he met his girlfriend through playing Pokémon GO. “I’ve tried Plenty of Fish, I’ve tried Tinder, OKCupid, nothing—no luck whatsoever. And then right away with Pokémon GO I met someone,” said Toutain in an interview with CBC News.

His girlfriend, Chelsea Lemire, said that her and Toutain’s mutual love of this Japanese media franchise was all they really needed to start a connection.

“A lot of us grew up with it, so to meet somebody else that kind of had the same childhood growing up with it, you instantly connect.”

Business marketing goldmine It didn’t take long before business owners figured out that Pokémon GO’s ability to bring large groups of people together could be used for more than just fostering “good times” in the park.

Using the lure functionality of the app local businesses aim to garner a huge influx of customers.

This is a short-term marketing strategy, because the store is not investing a lot of money or time to market this trend—it is fairly commitment free.

In order to take part in this marketing trend, Ottawa museums have used lure parties to attract more visitors. On July 29, the Canada Aviation and Space Museum had a lure party by placing a PokéStop at their main entrance.

On Aug. 6, there was free admission and lures at the Canada Agriculture and Food Museum to attract more people to visit.

Carleton University student Mona Ahmad said her family has decided to adopt the popular social trend for the annual Palestinian Festival, which runs from Aug. 26 to 28 at city hall. “(It) will bring people together to witness the Palestinian culture. Our goal is to share our culture with the community,” said Ahmad.

In Ottawa, a mix of private stores and chain stores along Bank Street combined their efforts with their first lure party on July 30, where many businesses made a point to reach out to the Pokémon GO players.

According to Bank Street B.I.A. marketing manager Julia Weber, approximately 500 people participating in the Pokémon GO lure party. She attributes this success to the increase of the Pokémon GO marketing, since it was “giving people an extra incentive to visit the area and explore new stores.”

In an email to the Fulcrum, Comic Book Shoppe owner Rob Spittal recounts that he dressed up in a “Charmander onesie, setting the lures from Lisgar to the Queensway” because they “have 25 PokéStops, and 2 Gyms, in the stretch of the BIA, which is Wellington to Catherine.”

Both Weber and Spittal confirmed that there will be an upcoming second lure party held in September.

While Spittal has recently noticed a decline in the amount of people playing Pokémon GO on the street, he said that the technology has opened up a whole new world of marketing opportunities, especially with established pop culture properties.

According to Mulvey these businesses cannot sustainably rely on the appeal of Pokémon alone to make money, and will need to be “more creative, agile, and adaptive (as) they’re constrained for time … (with) limited resources.”

While large franchise and chain stores like the Hudson’s Bay have used the Pokémon GO game in their promotional marketing advertisements over the summer, some are in it for the long term.

In July, Time, Forbes, and The Wall Street Journal all confirmed a new partnership between the app’s developer Niantic and McDonald’s, though specific details have yet to be released. This could have long-term benefits because of the global scale—but how long can trending topics stay profitable?

may be the key to drawing in the most customers, even for a short period of time until the next wave hits.

In Mulvey’s mind, “The Bank Street BIA is less committed.

Ride the wave, have some fun. It’s part of the community (so) you want to keep it dynamic and fresh.”

This may be where small, privately owned businesses may have the upper hand on large corporations, since the big boys require more planning and financial investment to make national or global marketing changes.

That being said, large corporate partnerships with global presence could monopolize this trend, overshadowing the small privately owned stores.

Poké wrap-up Of course, all of this discussion leads us back to the initial question: is Pokémon GO just a popular smartphone game or will it have a lasting impact on how we interact and do business going forward?

U of O international entrepreneurship and marketing professor David Crick says that “The impact on businesses (large and small) will be to operationalise their business models to ride on the crest of the wave and generate profits while it remains popular.”

While the impact is great in such a short period of time, Mulvey asks, “How will they extend it?”

Pokémon GO may just be a cute video game app, but over a short period of time it has already translated into enhancing social connections, building business clientele, and helping out privately owned, local businesses as a short-term marketing strategy.

Both Crick and Mulvey agree that Pokémon GO will have an influential lifespan, but how long that lifespan is has yet to be seen.

Next week, thousands of new students at the U of O will be the first to potentially incorporate Pokémon GO as part of their freshman experiences.

How will the group dynamics shift on 101 Week? Will campus businesses implement short-term marketing strategies like lure parties? Will this increase attendance and participation at Frosh events?

Only time will tell. But in the interim, “Get up, Get out, and Explore!”

Conversely, short-term marketing strategies that follow trending topics of store clientele

Illustrations: Jaclyn McRae-Sadik

SPORTS

SPORTS EDITOR Spencer Murdock sports@thefulcrum.ca

@SpencerMurdock @FulcrumSports

Former Gee-Gees athletes take Rio

Watcham-Roy wins Olympic bronze on the pitch, Makinde 4x100m bronze reserve Spencer Murdock Sports Editor

E

very two years, the world is enthralled with Olympic fever.

Be it the summer or winter games, there’s something about the best athletes on earth coming together in competition that gets people excited.

This year, athletes from far and wide descended upon Rio de Janeiro to compete at the summer games— and some of Canada’s team members represented the University of Ottawa on the world stage.

Four former Gee-Gees donned the red and white in Brazil, with two receiving medals and all of them doing their nation proud.

Former Gees star Natasha Watcham-Roy made her presence known in the rugby sevens tournament,

scoring a try in an early 45-0 blowout win over Japan.

Although Watcham-Roy had a smaller role on the team, she still contributed on both sides of the ball throughout the tournament, including a 33-10 win over Great Britain to clinch a bronze medal for Canada and the U of O. Sprinter Oluwasegun “Segun” Makinde was a hometown star for the Gees during his tenure at the U of O. Now, along with his teammates in the 4x100m relay, he is an Olympic bronze medalist.

Makinde had the opportunity to go to London in 2012 as a reserve while he was still a student. Unfortunately, the Canadians did not medal after they were disqualified from the race.

This year, led by breakout star Andre De Grasse, the six-man relay team defied odds and medaled

Sprinter Segun Makinde during his time at the U of O.

14 | SPORTS

Photo Richard A. Whittaker.

Former Gee-Gees captain Natasha Watcham-Roy brings home bronze.

Photo: Michelle Ferguson.

Makinde graduated from the Telfer School of Management in 2014 and can now add an Olympic bronze medal to his already impressive resume.

Makinde’s former GeeGees teammate, hurdler Sekou Kaba, achieved his lifelong dream of representing his country on the biggest stage.

Participating in the 110m hurdles, Kaba posted a time of 18.70 seconds, good enough for 28th raking overall. Unfortunately, his time tied with Antwon Hicks of Nigeria who nabbed the last semifinal qualifying spot, leaving Kaba out of medal contention.

After his heat, Kaba took to Twitter to express his feelings and gratitude for the support given by his fellow Canadians.

“Tried 2 put on a front but failed to hold back tears. I’ve never felt support like this.

Thank u guys sooo much.

Will do better next time!” wrote the Guinea-born 25year old, who graduated from the U of O in 2015.

Gee-Gees competitive

thanks to the United States’ dramatic disqualification.

Canada has been historically tortured in the event since their astonishing gold medal run in 1996. Since then, heartbreaking disqualifications have been commonplace. Instead of being burned this time around, they benefited from what has hurt them so many times.

Although the former Gee-Gee didn’t get to actually race for the bronze, he was a valuable member of the team as an alternate.

The bronze is extra sweet when looking back to 2012 and how his expectations became reality.

In an interview with the Fulcrum after the London games, Makinde highlighted what his hopes for Rio were.

“I expect to hopefully be on the podium … the hope is to come home with more than one medal in 2016.

That’s what I’m working for,” said the sprinter.

Although he is returning to Canada with only one medal, he is likely not disappointed.

clubs also had representation in Rio with rower Cristy Nurse, who spent time with the Gees during her tenure at the U of O’s Faculty of Law, of which she graduated in 2013.

Nurse, a leader on the women’s coxed eight squad, assisted Canada in earning an appearance in the finals in her first Olympics.

In their heats, Canada narrowly missed automatic qualification in their very competitive heat, finishing third of the three countries. In the ‘repechage’ heat, where teams that didn’t win their heat have a chance to qualify, Canada easily beat the field by nearly five seconds, giving themselves strong chance in the medal finals.

After finishing behind Canada in the repechage, Romania and New Zealand stormed ahead in the finals and crushed Nurse’s hope

at a medal as she pulled into fifth.

Regardless of the end result, placing fifth in the world is something the team can be proud of, and there’s plenty of expectation for the Canadians to contend for a medal at the next summer games in Tokyo.

Now that the Rio summer games are over, future olympians are already preparing for competitive athletics this year at the U of O. Whether it’s the next winter Olympics in Pyeongchang or the 2020 summer games in Tokyo, there will continue to be Gee-Gees that strive for a trip to the Olympics.

For now, it’s best to get familiar with names in garnet and grey, because it won’t be long before you see them representing Canada in red and white.

Former captian Kaba didn’t have the performance he would’ve liked in Rio. Photo: Richard A. Whittaker.

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Fresh start for Gees women’s soccer in 2016 campaign After heartbreaking finish last year, hopes are still high spencer murdock sports editor

Last year, the Gee-Gees women’s soccer team had their sights set on a national title after a 13-0-3 regular season.

Their aspirations came crashing down in the Ontario University Athletics (OUA) playoffs, when the Laurier Golden Hawks scored at the last minute to upset the host Gees.

The women eventually went on to defeat York for the OUA bronze, but the team did not qualify for nationals.

Their singular loss last year cost them everything.

Although spirits were high after the team’s final win, it doubled as a goodbye to the three most consistent soccer stars in the team’s history.

Julia Francki, Pilar Khoury, and Cynthia Leblanc all graduated at the end of the 2015-16 season, and the Gees are now without their top scorers and goaltender, as well as most of their veteran leadership.

There is no doubt that there will be a stiff learning curve

for the team this year, but being a program consistently contending for a national title, the Gee-Gees should have enough weapons in their arsenal to stay atop their division and make some noise come playoff time.

Looking at the team’s schedule, late August and

September should give them a little bit of a break. They will open their season on Aug. 26 on the road in Oshawa to take on the University of Ontario Institute of Technology (UOIT) Ridgebacks before returning home two days later to face Trent at home.

The team will have plenty of

time to come together with the comfort of playing at Matt Anthony Field for the majority of matches in September, apart from two small trips to Kingston.

Conversely, during October, the team will have to prepare to spend the majority of time on the road, with trips

Though it may be a rebuilding process, Gees women’s soccer still looks strong.

Photo: Marta Kierkus.

to North Bay, Sudbury, and Toronto.

Regardless of the losses in their line up, the Gees’ offensive game should remain strong this time around.

Last year, Théa Nour was the leading scorer behind Francki and Khoury with five goals, which is a number that should rise this year.

Other offensive contributors that will likely prove to be scoring threats this year are fourth-year Hannah Landry, third-year Delaney Rickert-Hall, and Katherine Berne, who is only in her second eligible year after missing last year rehabbing from knee surgery.

Second-year goalkeeper Rosalie Bouchard-Guerin will likely step in to fill Leblanc’s place between the posts.

Bouchard-Guerin gained valuable playing experience last year, and in five games she allowed only one goal in 116 minutes of action. Building on her success last season and entering this year with confidence is key for the young goaltender.

With most of the OUA’s powerhouses playing in the west division, the Gee-Gees face typically lighter competition in the east. However, marquee matchups with Laurentian, UOIT, Queen’s, and rival Carleton will provide the team with valuable experience needed in a potential playoff run.

Head coach Steve Johnson is entering his 22nd year at the helm for the Gees, and given his quality of coaching over that time the team should be well prepared for what the season throws at them.

Consistency is key in sport, and it’s hard to expect a team to struggle when they haven’t done so for the better part of two decades.

While this year may be drastically different from years past, the expectation for the women’s soccer team is success—and that won’t change anytime soon.

The Gee-Gees’ season gets underway at 6 p.m. on Aug. 26 at UOIT. The game will be livestreamed on OUA.tv.

Varsity update roundtable Collecting news and notes from across Gee-Gees athletics spencer murdock sports editor

While football, soccer, and rugby players power through their final days of training camps, Gee-Gee swimmers and track & cross country athletes prepare for theirs to start soon.

Late summer is a period of time in flux for many teams, but some are already making waves with various news and notes.

Men’s basketball: Gees take on NCAA competition in Costa Rica After a disappointing performance at nationals last year and parting with three top players in Mike L’Africain, Vikas Gill, and Mehdi Tihani, the Gee-Gees men’s basketball team has to reload and prepare for a fast-approaching new season. A preseason trip to

Costa Rica, where they faced some significant American competition, proved that the team should still be a top force come November.

Caleb Agada is coming into form early as he helped propel the Gees to wins over Liberty, Boise State, and Norfolk. Offseason additions to the roster seem to be paying dividends early, and there should be a lot to look forward to as the regular season approaches.

tion against American opponents.

In Costa Rica, the team went winless with their closest effort being a 57-46 loss to Middle Tennessee State. The team then returned to Ottawa for a game against the Seton Hall Pirates where they looked improved. However, they still lost 75-61. Although it may not be an indicator of what’s to come for the Gees, they will have to find an solid identity in the coming months if they want to be as competitive as they were last year.

Women’s basketball: Early identity crisis Men’s hockey: causes struggles in Costa Rica Team announcexhibition and home loss es schedule, builds to Seton Hall excitement for Without the services of recent grads Kellie Ring and return Catherine Traer, the Gee-Gees women’s basketball team found some early struggles in preseason exhibition competi-

Before their return to the ice for the first time since 2014, the Gee-Gees men’s hockey team will take on some stiff competition to see if they are

as good as their recruiting class might indicate.

The Gees will start things off with a trip to Montreal on Sept. 14 to meet with McGill. Following that matchup, they will take the ice at Minto Sports Complex to do battle with Université du Québec à Trois Rivières, a national powerhouse.

Following their games against Quebec teams, the Gees will shift the focus to Ontario schools, squaring up against Windsor and the Royal Military College of Canada on Sept. 23 and 24.

The team will then turn around and prepare for their home opener against the University of Ontario Institute of Technology on Oct. 7.

Women’s volleyball: Team adds veteran recruit, preps for intro to RSEQ

New masters student and former collegiate volleyball star Kaiva Mateus is joining the Gee-Gees for her final year of Canadian Interuniversity Sport (CIS) eligibility after last suiting up for the McGill Martlets in 2012. Since then she has played professionally in Europe, but a drive to further her education has led her back to CIS volleyball.

This year is also a fresh start for the team as they say goodbye to playing Ontario opponents and enter the Réseau du sport étudiant du Québec (RSEQ). The Gee-Gees will adjust to a much more repetitive schedule than they are used to, as they will only face McGill, Montreal, Sherbrooke, Laval, and Université du Québec à Montréal on a loop. The change may be welcome for the Gees after they struggled against Ontario teams last year.

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Women’s hockey: Upstart GeeGees gear up for Ontario exhibition games Coming off of a solid year where the Gee-Gees broke the CIS Top 10 at multiple points, the young, up-and-coming team is preparing for a new season with some different competition. The monotonous RSEQ schedule of games that require travel between Ottawa and Montreal every weekend can be tiring, so the team is scheduled to face some Ontario University Athletics (OUA) competition before getting in the routine of a new season.

Starting on Sept. 16 and extending to Oct. 2, the Gees will go head to head with OUA squads Nipissing, York, Waterloo, Queen’s, Guelph, with the outlier being Alberta of the Canada West conference.

Sports | 15

Top athletic shoes for the new school year

Just in time for back to school, Fulcrum staffers give you some suggestions on the different types of athletic shoes you can pick up to start your semester off on the right foot.

Running

Athleisure

Cross-training

When looking for the right pair of shoes, the two things to take into consideration are what terrain you will be using the shoe on and what activity you need it for. Some other important factors to look at when buying a new pair of running shoes is durability, comfort, and style. Your running routine can be made easier with a proper fitting shoe.

Available in both men’s and women’s sizes, the Under Armour SpeedForm Apollo 2 is an improved version of the Under Armour Apollo.

This pair is simple and solid, and lightweight to reduce distraction while you’re running. It emphasizes comfort with a foaminfused heel and provides great arch support.

You can pick this pair up at Foot Locker for $89.99, which is a reasonable price point for such a quality shoe.

If you are looking for a shoe you can use to train with as well as run in, a cross-training shoe is the best way to go. This type of footwear combines both aspects, and can maximize performance and prevent injuries while lifting weights.

The Nike Free Train Force Flyknit will allow you to lift weights comfortably and hit the road for a run with stability. This pair, which also comes in men’s and women’s sizes, offers support during lateral movements, a sturdy fit and ankle support with its mid-rise collar, and rubber reinforcement on the outsole adds traction and stability.

This pair can also be found at Foot Locker for $149.99, which is slightly pricey, but getting effectively two shoes in one will help justify the price.

Basketball

There is no rule saying that athletic shoes can only be used for athletic activities, it’s perfectly acceptable to wear them casually and stay in fashion. Nike’s Free line offers plenty of cute shoes that can take your gym-casual look to the next level. They all come in classic black and white, perfect for any outfit, as well as a variety of other fun colours and patterns to dress it up!

The Nike Free TR Fit 5.0 is a great choice for an everyday shoe, and you’ll love its sleek look and comfortable fit. You can pick it up on Nike’s website for $130 with free shipping, or find slightly cheaper or more expensive shoes from the Free line at Foot Locker or Sport Chek.

Whether you’re a pickup Steph Curry or the LeBron James of intramural ball, you need a good shoe that will hold up through a lot of wear and tear.

If you play outdoors on concrete, you should probably walk right past the Jordans, because no one should pay over $200 for a shoe to get torn up in a couple of months.

Instead, pick up something that is going to give you good support and mobility, but will also be able to take a beating at the outdoor court.

The same rules apply for indoor playing.

Although they may hold up longer, you don’t need professional shoes unless you play like a pro, so just save the money and get something that’s good and affordable.

The Nike Zoom Without A Doubt definitely fits this mold, coming in at a solid $100 at Foot Locker with a handful of classic colour combinations.

—Kim Wiens, Production Manager

—Zainab Al-Mehdar, Associate News Editor —Zainab Al-Mehdar, Associate News Editor

—Spencer Murdock, Sports Editor

Illustrations: Jaclyn McRae-Sadik

FulcFit food series

Simple Chicken Garden Salad Spencer Murdock Sports Editor

Coming into the fall semester, it’s best to perfect something that is healthy, quick, and easy to dish out in a pinch. Salads can sometimes get too complex for a student budget and timetable. Not this salad. This salad is as easy as it gets. It makes for a pretty big bowl and with the addition of chicken it will help leave your belly and wallet full!

During the school year, it’s all too easy to let your eating habits slip. To help fight this, the Fulcrum has some essential recipes to keep you full and fit all year long.

Ingredients: 1 large package of spring mix lettuce (or your favourite kind) 3 tablespoons of balsamic vinaigrette (can be flavoured) 1 chicken breast 1/2 english cucumber 1 carrot 1/2 cup toasted almonds (optional) Any other fruits or veggies that you want to experiment with Directions: Step 1: Cook chicken in pan with spices, ensure it is cooked through and slice

into strips.

Step 2: Place lettuce into large mixing bowl. Peel and dice cucumber, shave or

dice carrot, add other veggies of your choice to bowl.

Step 3: Add toasted almonds and dressing, toss well.

Step 4: Top with chicken and enjoy!

Photo: CC, timelewisnm.

16 | SPORTS

thefulcrum.ca

OPINIONS

OPINIONS EDITOR Eric Davidson

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

Time to investigate SFUO closing its meetings to the public

BOA has power to report on in-camera sessions, and they need to use it eric davidson opinions editor

T

he Student Federation of the University of Ottawa (SFUO) has gone through multiple scandals in the past year, including harassment among the executive, laying off most of its summer workforce to avoid bankruptcy, and questionable executive financial practices.

The student body would be far less informed about these issues if the SFUO executive had been successful in their motions to close the discussions in Board of Administration (BOA) meetings to the public via a vote to go “in camera”.

However, many of these motions do succeed, and there have been a number of incamera sessions over the past year—some lasting hours.

Now, in many situations these in-camera sessions are useful and important tools to an organization. However, at

previous BOA meetings there have been reports of financial practices by individual members of the SFUO, as well as disciplinary committee findings, that call into question whether these in-camera meetings have been misused.

In light of such events, the BOA should create a committee to investigate and report publicly on how in-camera sessions are conducted before continuing to use them.

One argument in favour of in-camera sessions, brought up at the most recent BOA meeting by vice-president finance Rizki Rachiq, is the concern about unofficial SFUO information being misunderstood and miscommunicated by a student present at the meeting or student media.

In the case of many corporations who use the rule in this situation, confusion about unfinalized earnings could cause shareholders to panic or stocks to plummet, causing real damage.

However, when it comes to the SFUO the only effect would be on perception of the organization, and keeping the numbers a secret from the

Members of the BOA voted twice on whether or not to close their Aug. 16 meeting to the public.

student population is just as likely to affect that perception.

Also, the SFUO is in a position, by updating their online budget projections, to control the definitive source that people could check these reports against, and so could easily correct any misinformation.

What’s more, the SFUO is no stranger to releasing unofficial data. After last year’s

elections and by-elections, the SFUO released the unofficial vote counts on its Facebook page, with no harm done to the electoral process.

The second main argument is that for sensitive personnel issues, an in-camera meeting can provide a safe space to work past the issue without publicly exposing any personal information involved.

Nobody denies that this

Photo:Eric Davidson.

right should be provided to all members of the BOA. However, it’s not clear that incamera sessions are currently providing this safe space as they should.

Before moving in camera at the recent BOA meeting, Justin Patrick, a proxy for Faculty of Social Sciences representative Tony Bui, asked whether the in-camera environment would be a safe space for participants, saying

he heard that the meetings could be quite intense.

Concerns about the provision of a safe space are only magnified by last year’s disciplinary committee report which stated unequivocally that the other members of the executive had been harassing then-vice-president finance Camelia Touzany.

The same report concluded that some members of the executive used “abusive in camera points.”

These concerns would never even have come to light if the previous chair of the board hadn’t overruled a motion to have the disciplinary committee’s report read in camera.

According to the SFUO’s constitution, the BOA has the right to create ad hoc or standing committees, and they should use this authority to create a committee to present a report to the public on the BOA’s in-camera sessions.

If the practices are sound, the SFUO can restore some much-needed trust with the student population. If they aren’t, then the student population has a right to know.

Drop your prior convictions before judging criminal dating service

New website lets Canadian criminals make public dating profiles, and that’s not a bad thing Meghan O’Meara Fulcrum contributer

“One of the first things I try to ensure the woman in my life knows is with me there is no need to feel insecure … And for that special girl reading this who may not see how important she is, allow me to remind you everyday of why it is you are simply amazing.”

Sounds romantic, right? Too bad he’s in prison for first degree murder. But does that mean he should be denied love?

Not your typical dating website, Canadian Inmates Connect provides the golden opportunity

for prisoners to find that special someone—or even just a pen pal.

For a mere fee of $35 a year, inmates—mostly men—submit photos and information about themselves to the website’s creator Melissa Fazzina, who then uses it to create a profile for them online. The dating site is available for the public to pick and choose who they want to contact. From there, it’s back to the old snail mail.

Unfortunately, many people don’t believe that these criminals deserve the chance to have a pen pal. But to see the value in this service, you really have to approach the situation from the

Canadian Inmates Connect is a services that lets criminals share public dating profiles.

Photo: CC pixbay.com

perspective of an inmate.

Many of them don’t even get

visited by family or friends, which can result in a damaging sense of isolation. In an interview with Chatelaine, Fazzina firmly stated, “(Communication) is a human right that all of these guys are entitled to.”

Next, we have to think about the long-term effect. This site will make it easier for inmates to transition from prison back to society. It could better prepare inmates to regain human connections when leaving prison and for many may lower the probability of recidivism.

After all, programs like the Salford Prison Project in the UK already offer a strictly platonic

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version of this kind of interaction, where volunteers provide inmates with moral support and mentoring as soon as they get out of prison.

The results speak for themselves—from 2013 to 2014 the reoffending rate for this program’s participants is less than nine per cent, compared to the country’s average of about 60 per cent.

In the end, sites like Canadian Inmates Connect may be different from this program, but they’re also providing the same kind of emotional support that could help fulfil one of the fundamental goals of most prisoners—never going back.

OPINIONS | 17

New provincial vaccination rules a good start, but not far enough

More of an emphasis on primary and secondary education, stricter rules are needed Nicholas Robinson fulcrum Contributor

In early 1998, a doctor named Andrew Wakefield created one of the greatest public health scares in decades when he published a study claiming a link between the Measles, Mumps, Rubella (MMR) vaccine and autism.

Since then, fuelled by an uncritical media, celebrity culture, the rise of the Internet, and widespread scientific illiteracy, vaccination rates have fallen, according to Statistics Canada. As a result, diseases like measles and pertussis, once practically eliminated, are coming back and claiming lives once again.

Finally, the provincial government is starting to take action. In May, Ontario’s Minister of Health announced plans to make parents take classes on vaccines if they refuse to vaccinate their children.

The Ontario government’s plan to require public health courses is a good one, and should be implemented as soon as possible. However, it isn’t enough—there needs to be more of an emphasis on science and health classes in primary and secondary schools.

Why? Because the anti-vax movement is dangerous. In a world as disease free as our Western society, it’s easy to forget just how prevalent disease once was and how much damage it caused.

As recently as 40 years ago, measles killed over 2.5 million people a year, according to the World Health Organization, and smallpox is responsible for wiping out 300 million people in the 20th century alone.

In light of this situation, it is encouraging to see governments take stronger stances for vaccination. Remember, parents do not own their children—they are stewards, responsible for ensuring their children’s well-being. With the overwhelming evidence in favour of vaccination, refusal to vaccinate does constitute neglect, on the same spectrum as trying to treat meningitis with garlic.

When you refuse to vaccinate, you are not only just putting your child in danger, but you are putting some of the most vulnerable sections of society at risk. Refusing to vaccinate will disproportionately affect people with

“Diseases like measles and pertussis, once practically eliminated, are coming back and claiming lives once again.”

The Ontario Minister of Health has announced mandatory public health courses for parents who refuse to vaccinate their children.

compromised immune systems like cancer patients and newborns who aren’t old enough to get their vaccines.

Not to mention that vaccines aren’t 100 per cent

effective: the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services says that they are between 90 and 100 per cent effective. This fact only increases the proportion of peo-

ple who are likely to get sick.

Ontario should also adopt the Australian “no jab, no pay” system where child-care benefits are refused to parents who don’t vac-

cinate their children.

According to the Australian government, early results are showing that it has worked.

It was 220 years ago that Edward Jenner tested his

Photo: CC, pixabay.com

pioneering smallpox vaccine for the first time. Since then, medicine has evolved dramatically from mostly superstition to an effective science bringing an in-

credible increase in our lifespan and health. It couldn’t have been done without vaccines— there’s no excuse to turn our back on them.

Proposed law to hand over passwords a step too far

New law must also consider interconnectedness of modern-day Internet, passwords eric davidson opinions editor

The debate surrounding encryption is a complicated one, with a delicate balance having to be struck between giving police the tools to bring justice to criminals and protecting individual rights.

If we want our society to function well, we should want our police forces to have the tools that they need to solve crimes. In that arena, existing laws, especially those surrounding encryption, are being quickly out-paced by the spread of free and easy-to-use encryption programs like TOR. While there is definitely a need for reform, a new law proposed by the Canadian Association of Chiefs of Police goes too far. The law would allow police, with

18 | OPINIONS

the consent of a judge, to demand that people hand over their electronic passwords.

A report by the International Association of Chiefs of Police (IACP) notes that increased data collection abilities from access to encrypted communications would lower the rate of wrongful convictions.

However, because of the wide array of material a personal password can provide access to, this could also increase the amount of convictions on crimes outside the scope of the warrant.

If a judge allows police to search the phone of someone indirectly involved in a crime they may end up finding evidence of a completely different offence, even if that person was never arrested or even a suspect in that first crime.

This is especially problematic since Canada has laws to protect against selfincrimination.

Section 13 of the Charter of Rights and Freedom states that “A witness who testifies in any proceedings has the right not to have any incriminating evidence so given used to incriminate

that witness in any other proceedings.” If we accept this when people are in court, then we should accept it in facets of everyday life as well.

Not only that, but if such a law were to exist, it would be nearly impossible to guarantee confidentiality in legitimate situations, such as

The Canadian Association of Chiefs of Police is proposing a sweeping new encryption law.

Photo: CC, , Yuri Samoilov.

journalists conferring with sources.

The IACP report also acknowledges that there is a “delicate balance that must be struck between protecting the communities they serve and safeguarding individual privacy rights.”

Despite this, even if permissions are granted selectively by a judge it will be nearly impossible to tell how far they will really go.

The nature of the Internet is that everything is connected. Gaining access to someone’s email also gets access to their social media, and who knows what other data, since email is often used as a backstop for lost passwords. You can also use Facebook to sign in to other websites, making your Facebook password your password for those sites as well.

Then there’s the simple fact that people are unoriginal, and often reuse passwords or make passwords similar to each other. Granting access to one password could naturally lead to access to other accounts in this way as well.

What this means is that even if a judge only grants police the right to demand a single password, that password could provide much more access than was originally intended.

While adapting police powers to modern technology is important, any law that does so would have to be much more judicious in the scope of personal information it would allow access to, especially in the case of citizens who are not even suspected of a crime.

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The SFUO takes its budget cutting to new heights Fireworks, clubs, sponsorships all part of student federation’s plan to save cash eric davidson

Opinions Editor After narrowly avoiding bankruptcy by firing most of its summer workforce, the Student Federation of the University of Ottawa (SFUO) has decided that, when it comes to cutting costs, it’s time to bring out the big guns.

“We recognize that times are tough, and we need to adjust,” said Crancesco Faruso, SFUO vice-president of communications. “After a lengthy discussion at our last Board of Administration meeting, we decided that members of the executive will no longer be permitted to use the private jet to fly home after meetings.”

“Not only that, but the amount granted to executives for taxi chits will be reduced to a mere $1,000 per month.”

Faruso also announced that, after a heated debate, the student executive has decided to decommission the life-sized marble statues of past SFUO presidents.

“I really think they would have liv-

ened up the University Centre, or distracted people from the cranes all over campus, but we all have to make sacrifices,” he said.

But the coup de grâce came when the SFUO offloaded some familiar flammables.

These past two years, everyone thought that the SFUO had simply bought store credit to be redeemed for $10,000 worth of fireworks—not so, said Faruso.

“We kept all the fireworks on campus the whole time, right under the SFUO offices,” he said. “Say what you will, it kept us on our toes!”

However, when the fireworks started to degrade, the SFUO was forced to turn to more informal channels to make the sale. The crates full of fireworks were exchanged for 12 italian sausages in a barter transaction with the hot dog guy on Laurier.

“And people said we couldn’t negotiate,” Faruso laughed.

Perhaps the most hard-hit by the cuts will be members of clubs. Recently, the SFUO announced that it will not

have enough money to subsidize oncampus clubs. But after learning that this would still not solve their money problems, the SFUO was forced to take things a step further.

“Unfortunately, due to a cash flow shortage we will now be charging the clubs $500 per semester to exist,” said Faruso. “We have just hired some very personable thugs to streamline the collections process.”

In a Facebook post the SFUO wrote that, to ensure compliance with this fee, these thugs will actually be carrying clubs.

The cuts will also affect the SFUO’s social budget.

“To help pay for 101 Week, we’ve had to make some significant sponsorship deals,” said Subway Wess, the SFUO’s vice-president social.

Wess said that, while a headliner for Fedstock has yet to be booked, the opening act will be a Staples sales representative giving a riveting 15-minute pitch to the crowd.

“I think this could actually become a staple in future events as well,” he said.

Due to its current cash flow problem, the SFUO was forced to stop using its private jet.

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

In lieu of a fireworks display, each of the six members of the SFUO executive will light off a single sparkler to mark the end of the festivities—an activity that doesn’t require a permit from the

fire station.

Faruso was asked if executive salaries would be affected by the cuts. “No,” he laughed, “That would be ridiculous!”

University unveils its new concrete space Additional concrete will help “defy the conventional”, university says eric davidson Opinions Editor After months of construction that involved digging up the parking lot in front of the Faculty of Social Sciences (FSS) building, the university has fully replaced it with something completely new and revolutionary—more concrete.

“We stand here today to witness what the University of Ottawa is all about—months of mindless construction for no real reason,” said Peter Stone, the head of the university’s Unnecessary Construction Department, at the unveiling ceremony.

According to Stone, the newly created Concrete Space was designed to be visually impactful.

“Any other university would have made the ground one colour, but not us. We decided to defy the conventional

The U of O’s new Concrete Space will feature a very small tree. You may need to zoom in.

Photo: Eric Davidson. Edits: Jaclyn McRae-Sadik.

with grey,” make gers.

He

51 different shades of Stone said, pausing to a hashtag with his finthen proceeded to ad-

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dress concerns about the small and frail-looking trees dotting the exterior of the space.

“Those trees might be small and green now, but you have

to look to the future,” said Stone. “In a few months, they’ll be completely bare, leaving even more space for our concrete to shine through.”

“Who knows, if we’re lucky, they may even die,” he continued.

Many members of the school’s student-run Concrete Sustainability Club (CSC) flocked to the stage to show their support for the Concrete Space.

“This new Concrete Space is far more than just a beautiful, grey piece of art.” said Connie Masters, president of the CSC. “It sends a message that, in a world where so many people are recklessly planting trees and covering our precious concrete spaces, the U of O stands firm in its commitment to unsustainable resources.”

Stone said he’s been so pleased with the project that he eventually wants to add more concrete spaces to the campus beyond the FSS parking lot.

“I have a vision for our campus,” he said. “Right now, there are so many spots that are just concrete. I don’t think

people realize that in a matter of years we could tear all of these areas up and replace them with more concrete.”

However, Stone would not comment on any future projects specifically.

“I would prefer to wait until the plans are more… concrete,” he said. “So far, nothing is set in stone.”

Near the end of his presentation, Stone paused. “What makes me the most proud of this project is that will put the U of O near the top of the highly-touted Concrete Sustainability List.”

The list ranks Canadian universities on who provides literally the most stable and concrete environment for their students.

When asked whether the university has any specific plans for the new Concrete Space, Stone responded “Oh, we’ll probably just let people park there.”

THE TOMATo | 19

DISTRACTIONS Dear Di,

Dear Di

FEATURES EDITOR Alexa-Eliza Carter

features@thefulcrum.ca (613) 695-0062 @aecart043

Dear Di,

I’m in a long term relationship. Or, at least it feels long. My boyfriend and I have been dating since high school and I feel like he’s a different person lately. Instead of talking about where our relationship will go in the future, he’s talking about what it would be like to have a threesome. I’ve been thinking that this would spice up our sex life, but maybe he just wants to be with other women. What do I do?

It’s always been my fantasy to have sex in an outdoor pool.

But my girlfriend is kind of wishy washy about the whole issue and feels it might be unsafe. Any intel I can use here to make this happen?

-Wanting it wet

-Threesome troubles Dear WIW, Dear TT, Sorry to hear about your frustration. Sounds like you and your boyfriend may be in two different places, at least sexually speaking.

From high school to post-secondary a person’s character changes a lot. You’re figuring out what you like, who you are, and what you are comfortable with. Through this process, it’s important to always trust your instincts and be true to yourself.

In terms of this threesome situation, the first step is asking yourself how you feel about your relationship. By this I mean: are you open to casual sex with a third person? If you are uncomfortable with this idea then you need to be honest with yourself and open with your partner.

If your partner is pressuring you into doing something you don’t feel like doing, regardless of how long you have been together, it’s important to not feel like you have to do something simply because you are in a relationship. If someone doesn’t respect how you feel, then they don’t respect you—period.

On the plus side, maybe this is a good time to talk to each other about other adventures between the sheets that can satisfy both of your needs. What is exciting to him about the idea of a threesome?

Maybe it’s the novelty that he likes. If he loves you and respects you, he should be willing to compromise with other ideas.

If that’s the case, there are several sensual ways that you can meet him in the middle.

Get into character. Remember playing dress up as a kid? You don’t have to save your Halloween costume for October.. Incorporate different outfits and looks and give yourself different names. Have you visited sex stores as a couple? That would give him free reign to show you what toys and costumes he is interested in.

If none of this appeals to you, and you or your boyfriend feel your needs are unfulfilled, it might be time to reevaluate.

Please remember, he is not the last man left on Earth and there is always life after whatever change may cum.

Love, Di 20 | DISTRACTIONS

Sex in a pool, much like sex on the beach, sounds sexy, fun, and adventurous, but in reality it can be tricky, awkward, and have uncomfortable side effects.

Remember, chlorinated pools are actually not good for your body if you’re in there for too long, with side effects including severe eye, skin, and lung irritation. So, if a marathon shag is what you had in mind, you might want to think again.

A salt water pool has less chemicals, but still uses chlorine, so you might have to choose between the lesser of two evils. But whether it’s a salt water pool or not, you still have to contend with decidedly unsexy issues like peeping neighbours, penis shrinkage, and floating ejaculate.

For these reasons, you might want to try shower sex, since it’s at least indoors. In terms of typical penis-vagina penetration, shower sex can still be tricky, but you could mitigate that fact by getting into a more comfortable position like doggy style. Or, if you’ve got the leg strength, you can lift your lady up against the wall and she can enjoy the ride.

Bottom line, no matter where you are having sex, don’t be afraid to tell her what you like or what you want to try. Your sex life will thank you, pool or no pool

Love, Di

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

thefulcrum.ca

Aug. 25 to Sept. 1, 2016

THRYLLABUS

MUSIC arts

Thursday, Aug. 25

Ottawa Redblacks vs. BC Lions, CFL football, TD Place—7:30 p.m.

Northern Lights: Sound and Light Show, free admission, Parliament Hill—10 p.m.

Friday, Aug. 26

Palestinian Festival, opening day, Ottawa city hall—11 a.m.

Ottawa Craft Beer Festival, opening day, Aberdeen Pavilion, Lansdowne Park—3 p.m.

Saturday, Aug. 27

Sports FUN Thinking

Ottawa Makers Market, final summer event, 50 per cent of proceeds go to Ottawa Centre Refugee Action, Centretown (Cooper

Street)—10 a.m.

Brooklyn, outdoor film screening, hosted by Ottawa Community immigrant Services Organization, Dundonald Park—9 p.m.

Sunday, Aug. 28

Ottawa Farmers’ Market, Aberdeen Square, Lansdowne Park—9 a.m.

Palestinian Festival, last day, Ottawa city hall—11 a.m.

The Iron Giant, Mayfair Kids Club, Mayfair Theatre—1 p.m.

Ottawa Fury FC vs.

Indy Eleven, TD Place—2 p.m.

Gee-Gees Women’s Soccer vs. Trent, Matt Anthony Field—1 p.m.

Monday, Aug. 29

Wiener-Dog (Todd Solondz film), ByTowne Cinema—9:15 p.m.

Tuesday, Aug. 30 Open Mic TUNESday Night, free admission, LIVE! on Elgin—8 p.m.

Wednesday, Aug. 31 Free Yoga, Parliament Hill—12 p.m.

Thursday, Sept. 1

Gatineau Hot Air Balloon Festival, opening day, La Baie Park—2 p.m.

The Grapes of Wrath (1940 film version), ByTowne Cinema—6:40 p.m.

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DISTRACTIONS | 21

LETTER TO THE EDITOR

Re: SFUO Clubs Funding Dear Editor,

I don’t normally publicly comment on any of SFUO’s actions, decisions, or activities. However, upon receiving a disheartening email today, I felt the need to at least say my two cents.

Earlier today, the SFUO clubs received an open email which stated: “After much consideration and financial consultation, the executive committee of the SFUO has reached the conclusion that we are unable to offer subsidies this year due to the cash flow shortage and financial situation currently facing the Federation.”

With saddened heart, I could not help myself but reflect on my SFUO clubs experience. For well over six years, I have been actively involved as an executive of one of the clubs on campus. And in the past six years of my experience with the SFUO clubs, I can honestly say that I have experienced the good, the bad, and the ugly.

And while it is true that the there have been some better times (now long, long gone), the memories come back way too quickly to the bad or the ugly; and in my situation, there have been plenty. But I won’t get into that.

It is rather shameful, however, that the SFUO clubs website contains registration dates for the Fall 2014 semester, and even worse, training ses-

sions from the 2009-2010 academic year. And if you’re looking for the Clubs Manual… well that’s nonexistent—and has been for a number of years now. Yet we, the people of the clubs, learned to thrive in this environment with limited information, hostile or nonexistent communication with the SFUO, and little to no support.

I do not wish to target you personally, my dear current SFUO executive. While I’m fully aware that the issues presented here, and which lead to the actions presented in (this) email are far more complicated and date back well before your time, I still cannot help but wonder if something could have been done. Yet for years, the clubs have been left out in the dark on any issue concerning, well, us.

We were never asked for our opinion, our advice, or our support—except, well, when campaigning for our votes of course. And for years, the lines of the communication between the clubs and the SFUO have been kept tightly shut. Unless you know the right people, that is.

Thus, here we are. Once again left in the dark, and this time also without any funds.

Today, and for the first time ever, I truly felt that the SFUO Does Not Represent Me. —Ina Lazarescu

22 | LETTERS

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EDITORIAL Volume 77, Issue 1, AUG. 25, 2016

Make the most of your last days of summer

Spreading the love since 1942.

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

Savannah “Football” Awde Editor-in-Chief editor@thefulcrum.ca Kim “Trampoline” Wiens Production Manager production@thefulcrum.ca Kyle “Dressage” Darbyson Managing Editor content@thefulcrum.ca Graham “Gymnastics” Robertson News Editor news@thefulcrum.ca Anchal “Archery” Sharma Arts and Culture Editor arts@thefulcrum.ca Alexa-Eliza “Parallel Bars” Carter Features Editor features@thefulcrum.ca

walk to the glebe I know what you’re thinking—why on earth wouldn’t I just Uber?? It is a long walk, but while the sun is out and you have circulation in your fingers and toes, walking down Bank Street to the Glebe is a great way to get outside, get moving, and discover some incredible local businesses. Your new favourite bookstore, bakery, coffee shop, and more, are waiting to be found! The walk will also take you over the bridge by TD place at Lansdowne—a perfect time for you to admire the Rideau canal before it’s frozen.

— Savannah Awde, Editor-in-Chief

Spencer “Athletics” Murdock Sports Editor sports@thefulcrum.ca Eric “Equestrian eventing” Davidson Opinions Editor opinions@thefulcrum.ca Jaclyn “Men’s diving” McRaeSadik Visual Editor visual@thefulcrum.ca Allegra “Rugby” Morgado Social Media Coordinator social@thefulcrum.ca Reine “Rhythmic Gymnastics” Tejares Webmaster webmaster@thefulcrum.ca Zainab “Boxing” Al-Mehdar Associate News Editor associate.news@thefulcrum.ca Lucas “Canoe Sprint” Ghosn General Manager manager@thefulcrum.ca

Binge drink… coffee If you’re like me and enjoy sipping your overpriced coffee outside on a patio with your friends while you all dread the upcoming school year, look no further than Hintonburg! Hipsters by the dozens to gawk at as they pass by, and when you finally finish that tiny coffee you’ve been nursing—which cost you almost an hour’s pay—you’re in luck because The Ministry of Coffee and Social Affairs also serves alcohol! The perfect place to drink your problems away. Ah… what a time to be alive!

—Jaclyn McRae-Sadik, Visual Editor

Dayne “Pommel Horse” Moyer Fulcrum Mensch dayne@thefulcrum.ca

Contributors

Nick “Fencing” Robinson

Yomi “Triathalon” Orimoloye Meghan “Judo” O’Meara

Board of Directors

Mackenzie “Badminton” Grey

Kate “Beach volleyball” Murray Carolyn “Modern pentathlon” Mutis Jonathan “Rowing” Rausseo Raghad “Sailing” Sheikh-Khalil Will “Table tennis” Hume Maggie “Basketball” Gollish Niharika ‘BMX” Namulla Julia “Mountain biking” Miraflores Thivya “Taekwondo” Naganathan Cover Credits: Jaclyn McRae-Sadik

Say your goodbyes to summer in ByWard What better way to end off your summer than by hitting up the best places in the Market? The ones you say you’ll go to during school but never have time for? Ahora is great if you’re craving Mexican, plus the portions are really worth the price. Or check out Blue Cactus for some awesome burgers and snazzy ravioli. And for dessert? None other than Cacao 70 of course, because who doesn’t love chocolate-everything?

Movie theatres—a godsend for the anti-social

Take a hike!

If you like to admire sweeping vistas, take in the fresh mountain air, or just get some physical activity that isn’t dictated by Pokémon Go, the solution is simple—take a hike! It’s a good way to relax—unless you’re that guy wearing a Camelbak and no shirt while sprinting along the trail—and put all those nagging thoughts of professors, assignments, and readings out of your head.

Views From The 6 is all well and good, but you can’t top the views from King Mountain at Gatineau Park.

—Eric Davidson, Opinions Editor

Savour the simple life Before the end of the summer I like to do the things I don’t get to indulge in when I’m swamped with deadlines. These could include taking a long bath, binge watching my favourite shows (Gilmore Girls, Suits, or The Newsroom), nursing a glass of Pinot Grigio, actually cooking rather than settling for a microwave meal, read a magazine, sit on the beach reading a book, or taking a Pokémon Go walk or run. Take a minute for yourself to relax before it’s too late.

—Alexa-Eliza Carter, Features Editor

If you’re an anti-social shut-in like myself, chances are you spent most of your summer sitting in a dark, sticky movie theatre. And why not? Outside of getting to pretend like you’re involved in some kind of exciting social event, you also get to reap the benefits of some free air conditioning. And even though late August is a dead movie season, you can mitigate that fact by checking out one of the local “cool kids” theatres like ByTowne Cinema or the Mayfair.

—Kyle Darbyson, Managing Editor

Get lost in Ottawa’s book shops Does the thought of hitting the books make you want to hit snooze? Well it shouldn’t! Ottawa has a great selection of independent bookstores that are as unique as the books they carry. Obviously there’s the student-run Agora book store for all your textbook needs, but why not put that off until school officially starts? Instead, try Perfect Books, Octopus Books, Black Squirrel Books, Singing Pebble Books, and the ever elusive Book Den, to fuel your next summer adventure!

—Anchal Sharma, Arts and Culture Editor

Go check out a game During the dog days of summer, there are still plenty of options for sports games to check out in the city. With the Ottawa RedBlacks, Fury, and Champions all in action, there is no excuse for you not to go catch a football, soccer, or baseball game.

If professional games are a little too pricey or far away, you can always check out the home opener of Gee-Gees women’s soccer and rugby! Go ahead and cheer your Ottawa teams on!

—Graham Robertson, News Editor

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—Spencer Murdock, Sports Editor

EDITORIAL | 23