The Fulcrum- Volume 78, Issue 1

VOL. 78 ISSUE 1

Aug. 22, 2017

BUILDING A BETTER YEAR

In this week’s issue...

Deconstructing campus construction P.7 Take a look at which university buildings are still standing Dr. Worldwide P.8 U of O medical student gained surgical experience in Nepal The student parent paradox P.10 The Fulcrum takes a look at student parents on campus Pulling the rug out from under the USA P.12 Gee-Gees women’s rugby members joined team Canada’s bout with the USA SFUO 2.0? P.15 Here’s how the SFUO can improve this year The importance of proper pronouns P.17 Sex, gender, and pronous.

NEWS

NEWS EDITOR

Zainab Al-Mehdar news@thefulcrum.ca (613) 695-0061 @ zainabalmehdar

Budget presentation delayed at Aug. 13 BOA meeting SFUO vice-president finance uncertain if he will remain in position Zainab Al-Mehdar

News Editor

T

he second official Student Federation of the University of Ottawa (SFUO) Board of Administration (BOA) meeting took place on Sunday, Aug. 13, which saw discussion on the Charlottesville protests, 101 Week, and the position of the vicepresident finance.

The meeting began as usual with updates from the executive members. A new online clubs registration system was put in place, and has been in effect since Aug. 10. All existing clubs must register again, and follow new the guidelines by the federation.

U-Pass distribution has also been revamped, where students can reload their 2016-17 cards using one of the machines located around campus. The system is set to be in full effect on Aug. 21.

MOTION ON CHARLOTTESVILLE PROTESTS Shawn Philip Hunsdale, who was chairing the meeting, brought forward a motion for the SFUO to “publish an official statement condemning the hateful and violent acts that have occurred in Charlottesville, Virginia” to show solidarity with those impacted by the protests.

Vice-president equity Leila Moumouni-Tchouassi proposed an amendment stating that “the SFUO look into providing the solidarity Cville anti-racist legal fund with a donation of an amount determined by the SFUO.” The motion was seconded

by SFUO president Hadi Wess.

Some members of the

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board raised concerns about where the money would be coming from—specifically, if it would be out of students’ pockets. However, Wess said that there is “an allocated section of the budget for stuff like this.”

The board then moved to vote on the motion with M o u m o u n i -Tc h o u a s s i ’ s amendment, which passed.

2017-18 PRIORITY REPORT Wess proceeded to discuss the SFUO’s 2017-18 priority report, which lists the shortand long-term goals for the federation.

Some items on the report include: Rebranding with the new logo, which has seen its first change in 50 years; Advocating for town hall meetings, a forum for students to meet the execs and ask questions; Advocating for free feminine hygiene products to be available across campus; Enforcing essential training for first-year to protect against sexual assault; Mental health awareness and sexual violence campaigns to take place in the fall; A mural on campus representing the U of O’s Indigenous community; Advocating for a bigger prayer area to accommodate for the growing Muslim community on campus.

The board passed the priority report, which will be posted on the SFUO’s website.

BUDGET AND POSITION OF VICE-PRESIDENT FINANCE The budget, which was set to be presented to the board at this meeting, was pushed forward due to concerns by Faculty of Arts representative Tristan Lamonica that it was not brought to the finance committee ahead of time. Standard procedure is that the budget must be reviewed and approved by

the finance committee at a meeting prior to its presentation to the board.

According to Lamonica, the board also received the budget one hour prior to the meeting, and not with the original motions package.

A subsequent meeting has been scheduled for Wednesday, Aug. 30 for the budget presentation.

Vice-president finance Rizki Rachiq then brought forward a motion regarding the eligibility of his position, and that it be changed from a one-year elected position to a three-year fixed-term contract and appointed by the board. He also said he was unsure of how he would proceed with his role.

“I don’t know what will happen to me, if I resign in September or October before by-elections,” said Rachiq.

The motion will have to go through two readings before being voted on, and due to time constraints, was moved to a later meeting.

101 WEEK 101 Week took up a significant portion of the meeting, with bracelet cutting as one of the first items. Guidelines were set regarding the various circumstances under which a bracelet is cut, which are as follows: a. for a 101er: they may no longer participate for the remainder of 101 Week, but may participate in future 101 Weeks as a Guide once completing guide trainings. b. for a Guide: they may no longer participate for the remainder of 101 Week and in future 101 Weeks. c. for a Federated Body Executive, Safety Ambassador, and/or 101 Crew Member: they may no longer participate for the remainder of 101 Week and future 101 Weeks.

These members may also not be eligible to run for SFUO or Federated Body elections pending the decision of the 101 Council.

The BOA discussed finances, 101 week, and more at their latest meeting.

d. for a UOSERT Member, penalties shall be the at the discretion of the UOSERT Advisory Board. e. The 101 Council may add disciplinary measures to the above-mentioned penal-

“I don't know what will happen to me, if I resign in September or October before byelections.” — Rizki Rachiq, SFUO vicepresident finance. ties but may not reduce.”

According to the SFUO constitution, Take Back the Night is a mandatory event

for federated bodies to attend, and in order to promote a high turnout, Moumouni-Tchouassi proposed a motion which reads: “Federated bodies and other groups approved by the SFUO may not schedule events that would conflict with the mandatory events listed in 10.2.2.2 and must ensure that any other events during their 101-week schedule do not prevent the maximum number of students from participating in the mandatory events. Fed bodies that fail to do this will subject themselves to a 25% penalty on their first levies after a unanimous vote of the executive. Federated bodies excused in paragraph 10.2.2.2.1 are not subject to this paragraph” “This isn’t meant to penalize students, it’s meant to ask fed bodies and their executives and their guides to take this event seriously,” said Moumouni-Tchouassi, as Take Back the Night raises awareness on gender-based violence.

“This is a very serious issue that continues to be very

Photo: Eric Davidson.

dangerous to students ... and a lot of the time they are not given the resources, knowledge, or tools to properly take care of themselves or each other,” she continued.

After much debate the motion was passed.

QUORUM The board then saw a motion brought forward on meeting quorum, which is currently set at fifty per cent of directors plus one. The new clause adds that in exceptional circumstances,“the Board of Administration which has quorum can vote on reducing the quorum to forty percent (40%) plus one for the remainder of the session.”

The motion passed.

“This is not a band-aid solution,” said Kathryn LeBlanc, vice-president of services and communications, who went on to explain that it is difficult to meet quorum during exam days and on days when board members are generally unavailable.

The next BOA meeting will take place on Wednesday, Aug. 30 for the budget presentation.

Meetings are open to the public.

NEWS | 5

U of O master’s student dies of stroke after travel injury

Friends of student describe her as “vivacious,” full of life Zainab Al-Mehdar News Editor

On Friday, May 19, Kathleen Brennan, a master’s student at the University of Ottawa, died of a stroke at the Ottawa Hospital (Civic Campus) after taking a fall earlier that month while traveling in Dubrovnik, Croatia.

According to Stewart Cattroll, Brennan’s boyfriend, her injuries from the fall were mild, but resulted in a blood clot that led to a stroke just one day after the accident.

“Her death was peaceful and sudden and she was not in any pain other than a fractured wrist from the fall,” said Cattroll.

Brennan, who was 23 years old at the time of her death, had been pursuing a master’s degree in international development and globalization at the U of O. She had graduated from Carleton University on 2015 with a bachelor’s degree in political science.

Friends described Brennan as fearless, full of life, ad-

venturous, passionate, and a traveler who loved to explore new places and different cultures, having visited more than 20 countries during her life. She also had a deep love for animals and classical music.

A celebration of Brennan’s life took place at the Hellenic Meeting and Reception Centre in Ottawa, on Saturday, May 27. According to Cattroll, he and Brennan’s family wanted to make the celebration “as positive as (they) could, because that’s how (Brennan) lived her life.”

“She was not built negative, she was built focusing on the positive,” said Cattroll.

The celebration was attended by around 400 family and friends from across the country.

Brendan Montgomery, a close friend of Brennan, told the Fulcrum that he naturally gravitated towards her energy and passion for travel. Some of their adventures included playing paintball on top of old mansions in Colombia and visiting Chernobyl.

“We did some badass shit

together,” said Montgomery.

Brennan and Montgomery also visited over seven countries together, such as Morocco, Ukraine, and Turkey.

“We were always pushing each other for the next one,”

said Montgomery. “There is too much to say … everyone should go out and travel for (Brennan).”

Brianna DaSilva, a secondyear master’s student in Brennan’s program described

her as “vivacious.”

“Being her friend, she really got me out of my shell, She always made you feel comfortable and made sure you have a good time and always there for you,” said

DaSilva. “She was the kind of friend that made you feel invincible.”

On June 6, 2017 Brennan was awarded a masters degree posthumously by the U of O.

Kathleen Brennan, who was a master’s student at the the U of O, passed away on May19.

Photo: Brendan Montgomery.

Sexual assault trial of former U of O hockey players further delayed

Proceedings now slated to begin on Feb. 5, 2018 eric davidson Editor-in-Chief

The sexual assault trial of two former University of Ottawa hockey players, David Foucher and Guillaume Donovan, which was scheduled to take place on August 21, has been pushed back to Feb. 5-16, 2018.

Both players were charged after allegedly sexually assaulting a Lakehead University student in February of 2014. The U of O consequently shut down the hockey team following a police investigation.

In the interim, 24 former members of the team who were not charged have launched a $6 million class action lawsuit against the U of O for defamation. The players allege that by eliminating the hockey team, many of their careers were put on hold, and that their reputations were tarnished due to the sexual assault allegations against their former teammates.

This is the second time that the trial of Foucher and Donovan has been delayed. Initially slotted to

begin in August of 2016, the proceedings were delayed at the request of one of the defence attorneys due to a family emergency.

The Ministry of the Attorney General told the Fulcrum that the trial was delayed again after a request from the defence, but did not specify any further reason.

This comes as the debate around trial delays is heating up. A recent Supreme Court of Canada decision, R. v. Jordan, set a precedent around defendants who face excessive delays, ranging from 18 months in a provincial court to 30 months in federal court.

However, Ottawa criminal defence lawyer Anne-Marie McElroy told the Fulcrum that if the defence had asked for the delay, then they probably relinquished their right to use the delayed time to get the case thrown out.

But delays in criminal trials can have impacts outside of the courtroom as well.

“All members of our community who are involved in a criminal justice process are affected negatively by delays,” said Michael Spratt, an

Ottawa-based criminal defence lawyer at Abergel Goldstein and Partners. He noted that trial delays can be a problem for all parties involved.

“Especially if you’re a complainant who has actually been a victim of a crime, one could only imagine the psychological effect that delays have, and that can result in revictimization over the months and years leading to a trial.”

And delays are just as bad if someone innocent is accused.

“You can also imagine an innocent accused who suffers from the stigmatization of a criminal charge,” Spratt added.

Overall, the delays can affect the public’s perception of the justice system as a whole.

“The community needs to see that justice is being done, with fair results delivered in a timely fashion, and delays can erode confidence in the justice system,” Spratt said.

The U of O’s media relations team told the Fulcrum that it would be “inappropriate” for the university to comment on “the trial, its delays or its outcome.”

Foucher (pictured) and Donovan will be tried for sexual assault.

6 | NEWS

Photo: Megan Balah.

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Faculty of Education graduate gets first Alex Trebek Leadership Award

Hunter Kelly recognized for work with foster youth, fundraising in Uganda ellie sabourin

Associate News Editor Early in August the University of Ottawa issued its first Alex Trebek Leadership Award to Hunter Kelly, a graduate of the Faculty of Education. The $10,000 prize recognizes the academic and community achievements of an outstanding graduating student.

The award is funded by U of O alum and Jeopardy! Host Alex Trebek, who also funds the Alex Trebek Distinguished Lecture series and the Alex Trebek Forum for Dialogue at the university.

“I was completely honoured and shocked when I found out I got the award. It was sent through email and I probably read the email eight times,” said Kelly. “I couldn’t even believe it.”

Kelly was recognized for her local volunteer work with foster children in the Ottawa community and her international volunteer work in Uganda this past April.

“For the past nine years, I have

worked with five foster teens,” Kelly said. “We do activities together and I take on a mentor and parental role for them.”

In addition to her volunteer work with foster teens, Kelly travelled to Uganda this past April to teach at a Boys and Girls Club for two weeks. The trip, which was organized through

“I thought that there was probably someone else who was better suited, but you miss 100 per cent of the shots you don't take.” the U of O’s Faculty of Education, comprised of Kelly and two other student volunteers who raised

$8,000 for the Agnes Zabali Boys and Girls Club, along with school supplies.

Kelly says that she is thankful for the award because it has allowed her to better prepare for a career in education by financing additional qualifications, and pay off student loans.

Kelly is currently on the supply teacher list for the Ottawa Carleton District School Board and will begin teaching in September.

The Alex Trebek Leadership Award is open to all undergraduate students graduating in the winter semester. Students must demonstrate academic excellence and have distinguished themselves through volunteering and community service activities or initiatives.

“The biggest piece of advice I have for students is to apply,” said Kelly. “When I applied, I had no idea I would be selected. I thought that there was probably someone else who was better suited, but you miss 100 per cent of the shots you don’t take.”

Hunter Kelly received the first-ever Alex Trebek leadership award.

Photo: Bonnie Findley

Campus construction still underway, deadline set for 2018 Energy saving measures, updates on STEM building, learning centre ellie sabourin

Associate News Editor With the end of summer in sight and a new school year around the corner, the University of Ottawa is working to complete the construction around campus.

The current projects, led by the U of O’s facilities team, are set to improve learning, teaching, and research at the university. According to Marc St-Amour, manager of facilities planning and client engagement, “(their) work is guided by the values of professionalism, accountability, sustainability, teamwork and continuous improvement.”

Here is a look at some of the projects that are still under way: ARTS COURT The university is set to have a state of the art new theatre as part of a 35-year lease agreement with the City of Ottawa in the new Arts

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Court building. This facility will include a 120-seat black box theatre and four classrooms. The project is expected to be completed in 2018.

LAMOUREUX: LEARNING CENTER The new Learning Centre still has a ways to go, with a deadline set for 2018. “The new space will offer modern, interdisciplinary study rooms and a new food service area on the first floor,” said St-Amour. Currently, the passageway linking the Montpetit and Lamoureux buildings will be unavailable until the end of August while it is expanded to provide access to the Learning Centre.

NEW STEM BUILDING (FORMER SITE OF MACDONALD/CUBE) Constructionwill continue on the new STEM complex, which will house additional spaces for the Faculties of Science and Engineering, complete with new classrooms, multidisciplinary

and student spaces, openconcept teaching labs, and 3D-printing Makerspaces.

The complex is expected to open in 2018.

LIGHT RAIL TRANSIT (LRT) The City of Ottawa is still completing construction on Campus Station. This summer, the sidewalk along the Marie-Curie Private was replaced in order for services to reach Campus Station.

Miscellaneous sidewalk and asphalt repairs across campus were completed this summer, including the front entrance of the Fauteux building, the Montpetit sidewalk, the front entrance of SITE, interlock releveling, and a small retaining wall behind Colonel By Hall, which will be under construction until the end of September.

Campus facilities is also currently preparing for a campus-wide retrofit of over 90,000 LED bulbs. The retrofit promises to reduce energy consumption by

The U of O has stated that most of its construction projects will be completed by 2018.

roughly 40 per cent, or $945 thousand annually. The project is scheduled to begin in September and be completed by December.

“A lot of construction was

started over the summer,” said St-Amour. “Our projects focus on building and site maintenance to improve student experience, as well as to protect and maintain our

Photo: Christine Wang.

facility assets. Our team is environmentally motivated and are looking for sustainable ways to improve our surroundings, reduce costs, and impact on the environment.”

NEWS | 7

A&C EDITOR Ryan Pepper arts@thefulcrum.ca

ARTS&CULTURE U of O undergrad shares experience working in Nepali hospital (613) 695-0062 @pep_ryan

Hands-on experience gained in surgical oncology, ear-nose-throat wards Jenna O’Reilly

Fulcrum Contributor

I

n May of 2017, I left for a medical trip to Nepal through a volunteer organization called Projects Abroad. My placement was held at Bhaktapur Cancer Hospital where I received training in surgical oncology and ear-nosethroat surgery.

Nepal is home to the world’s tallest mountain, the deepest gorge, and a jungle known for bringing back the Asian elephant population.

The country also has many hospitals welcoming students from around the world to teach medical techniques, by taking part in procedures and surgeries, as well as Nepali culture and tradition.

After arriving at the Bhaktapur Cancer Hospital (BCH), about a 20-minute bus ride from the capital, Kathmandu, there was an undeniable spir-

it of gratitude and joy from all of the patients waiting on the sidewalk, the stairwells, or in their beds to be treated.

BCH staff were working around the clock to treat as many patients as quickly as they could, yet never lost their smile and positive attitude which brought a sense of hope to their patients. The staff have their patients diagnosed and treatment started with a specialist within a couple of hours.

This hospital had all the units of a typical Canadian hospital but condensed, and I was fortunate enough to spend most of my time in the ear-nose-throat (ENT) and surgical oncology wards. As an undergraduate student, it was exciting to perform aseptic techniques and procedures in an operating room (OR).

After one week in the OR, I had helped the surgeons complete six double mastectomies, two complete hysterectomies, one exploratory lapa-

rotomy, one cystoscopy, and three ENT tumour removals.

I was also able to learn and perform suturing—a technique to close tissues after an injury or surgery—and assist during surgery.

It was an incredible opportunity to gain the knowledge and hands-on experience that I would never have received here in Canada at this stage of my education.

The staff at BCH are always thankful to have extra hands and are happy to impart their knowledge, and love being taught in return.

I was able to bring notes on their aseptic techniques and conditions for scrubbing into surgery with me, and I wrote them a recommendation guide before I left on future changes that could be made if additional funding is received.

Quality medical care is often hard to find in many parts of the world, so projects like these give you a new

U of O student Jenna O’Reilly finished a medical placement in Nepal.

appreciation for how easily we can access it in Canada.

Practicing medicine overseas will open so many doors for you to learn new skills, techniques, and patient care in different cultures. It also

gives you an opportunity to learn about yourself and what type of medical practice you are passionate about.

BCH and Nepal provided the perfect environment for selfdiscovery, academics, and ad-

Photo: Jenna O’Reilly.

venture going into my final year of my undergraduate studies.

For more information about Projects Abroad and trips like Jenna’s, you can visit their website.

ALBUM REVIEW: Arcade Fire • Everything Now | Sonovox Records | 7.5/10 ryan Pepper

Arts & Culture Editor

Time moves faster now, that’s for sure. 2013 surely couldn’t have been that long ago, and yet it feels as far away as the Middle Ages. I wish I could say it feels as distant as the Second World War, but alas, that’s just not true.

2013 is the year Arcade Fire released their fourth album, Reflektor. It was a groovy, danceable follow-up to their 2011 Album of the Year-winning The Suburbs.

In 2013, Reflektor continued to appeal massively to misfit white kids. That was okay, though, back then.

Now, it’s a different story.

Everything Now graced us with its presence in July 2017. It was out of place at the top of the Billboard 200.

Those other albums reflect-

ed increasingly deteriorating race relations and the rise of extremism. Arcade Fire still appeals to maverick white kids. In the current political climate, then, Arcade Fire seems very out of date.

But it would be very, very wrong to write them off as nostalgic or not with the times. Everything Now is just as much a creature of 2017 as any other album, though it skips on the violence, protests, and political extremes that mark this year. Instead, it targets the rampant corporate culture and quick-access consumerism that’s smothering us all, the stuff that gets shuffled off to the side as the blaze of Tiki torches gets brighter.

Everything Now’s muchmaligned ad campaign consisted of fake news. Arcade Fire created a fake Twitter

Arcade Fire’s new album hits stores in July.

account, which was fakehacked by fake-Russians.

They sold fidget spinners ($109 each). There was an entire fake website with pre-reviews of the album written by people hired by the band. It was a pile of

Photo: Sonovox Records

fake news that infuriated people—wait, am I talking about certain press secretaries or an album? Well, I’d say that was the point.

The songs hit just as close to home in the social and political climate of 2017. Songs

like “Everything Now” and “Infinite Content” rail against the consumerist and corporate culture that we’ve found ourselves so deep within. Win Butler sings “Everything Now/ I want it/ Everything Now/ I can’t live without,” or “Infinite content/ We’re infinitely content,” as a parody and a takedown of toxic beliefs.

Arcade Fire knows we have holes in our lives that we fill with possessions, to our own detriment.

Arcade Fire continues to exercise their remarkable gift for anthems in “Creature Comfort.” With a spoken-sung refrain of “God, make me famous/ If you can’t, just make it painless,” it touches on every person’s deepest desires. The rest of the lyrics talk about suicide, depression, and bitter uncertainty about life. A clas-

sic Arcade Fire anthem.

“Put Your Money on Me” is a six-minute ode that preaches supporting one another in an increasingly hostile world. “Signs of Life” has sleuths looking for life every night, but they never find anything—an apt critique of our modern tendency to hide away behind our screens and in our echo chambers.

Rock music in its entirety seems dated in 2017, but Arcade Fire’s anthems are still capable of touching everyone. They don’t shy away from major issues. People spend more time on Twitter than with each other.

If they don’t sing about the issues plastered over social media, they sing about social media itself, and the stranglehold it has on us.

And in many ways, that’s just as important.

8 | ARTS & CULTURE THEFULCRUM.CA

SUMMER MOVIES

2017 Photo: Warner Bros.

Deborah Sogelola Fulcrum contributor

GIRLS TRIP

Girls Trip is a light, fun, and heartwarming movie, making it a must-see for the summer. Starring fan favourites such as Regina Hall, Queen Latifah, and Jada Pinkett Smith, Girls Trip focuses on a group of old college friends who reunite for a weekend of drunken debauchery. As one would imagine, hilarity ensues.

Aside from it’s A-list cast and comedic value, Girls Trip’s success comes from being one of the rare big-budget movies showing women of colour as carefree, well-

rounded individuals. Women of colour also comprise all the leading roles.

This movie is best described as The Hangover for women, but despite its raunchiness, it’s still a chick flick of epic proportions with an extra bit of cheesiness thrown in.

Overall, Girls Trip is an enjoyable and endearing production. Nearly every scene is comedic gold, and it’s sure to leave you laughing.

The End

Bethany Keeshan Fulcrum contributor

DUNKIRK

Christopher Nolan’s World War Two film Dunkirk recounts the experiences of hundreds of thousands of British soldiers trapped in occupied France, separated from safety in England by only the English Channel.

The film is hauntingly realistic, as the audience is bombarded by the fear and desperation of the young soldiers.

Nolan does not hide the tragedy of war, yet he also manages to illuminate the good in people, as seen in Dunkirk’s ending, which is as uplifting as any sentimental Hollywood

blockbuster. (Don’t worry, no spoilers here.)

Dunkirk is a sober demonstration of human resilience, juxtaposed with a reminder of the destruction of which humans are capable. The film is important to watch—not only to bear witness to the men who lost their lives on that beach, or those who risked everything to save them—but to remember that history can sometimes be stranger—and more inspiring—than fiction.

Ryan Pepper

Arts & culture editor OKJA

One of the most subversive films of the year, Bong Joon-ho’s sci-fi thriller Okja dazzles, disgusts, moralizes, and melts the heart in equal measure.

The Netflix exclusive centres on the relationship between Mija, the granddaughter of a rural farmer, and Okja, an adorable super-pig lauded with the ability to curb world hunger. It’s an admirable goal, but to eat the super-pig, one must kill it, and that is what sets the movie on its frenetic adventure, as Mija travels from her mountain farm to Seoul to New York City to save

Okja from the slaughterhouse.

The End

The film is a much-needed reflection on our current consumption of animal products, as it tackles GMOs, mechanical slaughtering practices, and the fundamental idea that animals just don’t feel fear and pain like we do. But one can watch it and not become a vegetarian—and it’s really not that preachy. Seriously. It’s not that preachy.

Though it isn’t without a few very disturbing moments.

Watch it for the moral grandstanding, or watch it for Paul Dano really, really liking animals and a deranged Jake Gyllenhaal. Or watch it for the cutest thing to grace our screens in a long time, because it’s pretty tough to beat that super-pig for sheer adorableness.

New exhibit brings history of Ottawa forests to life U of O grad student presents art thesis project at city hall Ryan Pepper

Arts & culture editor A photo exploration of the old world that Ottawa used to be is on display now in city hall. And it’s all about the trees.

And Perhaps in me someone very old still hears the living sound of wood is the thesis project of University of Ottawa graduate student Sarah Fuller from the Faculty of Fine Arts. Perhaps in me focuses on the forests around the city, particularly Gatineau Park, not as they are today, but as what they once were before the impact of the logging industry in the area.

“It’s basically looking at the land around Ottawa and thinking about the timber industry that was in its heyday in the early 19th-century, like, early-1800s basically, and how that logging has a lingering presence in the landscape,” Fuller said of her exhibition, “particularly with the absence of oldgrowth forests in Ottawa.”

U of O grad Sarah Fuller’s exhibit focuses on the forests around Ottawa.

Fuller, who specializes in studio arts, was inspired by the book The Hidden Life of Trees, which discusses how trees feel and communicate.

To explore that idea, Fuller used a custom-made pinhole camera made from wood taken from the bottom of the Ottawa River, which helped connect her abstract theme of tree communication.

“Those cameras were used to photograph the landscape. So I say abstract because it’s this idea of using a camera made with an old tree to take photos of a present-day forest,” Fuller

said, elaborating on her chosen theme.

“I’m not sure if it’s exactly explicit; there’s no drawing or photograph or anything that shows these are trees communicating, but I’m kind of thinking through these ways of relating the two.”

Fuller also used contact mics to pick up the sounds that the trees made, to strengthen her theme of arboreal communication.

“We’re all familiar with the creaky sound of the forest, but from the inside of the tree is this really deep kind of sound,” Fuller said.

Photo: Alina Wang.

The recordings, which accompany the photos in her exhibition, produce “a deepbooming sound.”

Fuller compared the natural sounds of the trees with ships, which isn’t surprising since both are made of wood, but it’s also interesting to note that the British Navy used many old-growth trees from Gatineau forest to build their ships.

Fuller spent 13 years as a practicing artist in different places across Canada before pursuing her graduate studies at the U of O. After 11 years in Banff, she’s had to

readjust to Ontario and the Ottawa arts scene, but she says there are benefits to living in the capital.

“In terms of the art scene, I’ve really enjoyed going to see shows here, both on a more local, artist-run, entrypoint, and then also having access to see shows at the National Gallery, that’s pretty special,” Fuller said.

As for the take-home message from this exhibition, Fuller wants people to think more about the natural world around them, both past and present.

“I think it can be an inter-

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esting way to think about this place and the way it’s been represented and hopefully have a fresh set of eyes on the landscape around,” Fuller said. “I hope it’s just a place to think about and contemplate this other way that the landscape used to look and what are the implications of that.”

And Perhaps in me someone very old still hears the living sound of wood runs from August 18 to September 24 at the OAG Annex in city hall. The drop-in vernissage takes place on Thursday, August 24 at 5:30 p.m.

ARTS & CULTURE | 9

Textbooks, tuition, and toddlers Are student-parents falling through the cracks at the U of O? It’s the first day back at school. You’re all ready to go—backpack, coffee, and son or daughter in hand.

Can’t relate? That’s no surprise, given that the most recent estimate by researcher David Holmes puts the proportion of Canadian student-parents in university and college at about eight per cent and 22 per cent of the total student population, respectively.

Although this group may be small and oft-overlooked, their experiences at Canada’s post-secondary institutions may become more and more common as our society and economy changes.

According to the 1976–2005 Canadian Labour Force Survey, the proportion of student-parents at university increased by 55 per cent over the years studied.

More recent data from the United States’ National Center for Education Statistics shows that older students are making up a greater proportion of the country’s college campuses, with 17 per cent of all college and graduate students in 2009 found to be over the age of 35. This number is expected to jump to 19 per cent of that total by 2020.

Although the University of Ottawa does not keep data on the number of student-parents enrolled at the institution, it’s not hard to picture a similar scenario full of older students in our own backyard.

But (spoiler alert), student-parents are already here. With the help of their experiences, the U of O can prepare for the future while ensuring that all students—including the ones balancing both toddlers and textbooks—feel supported.

NO (CHILD-FREE) GEE-GEE LEFT BEHIND

When I asked Vanessa Dorimain, a former student-parent and executive coordinator of the Student Federation of the University of Ottawa (SFUO), whether she ever considered postponing her studies, she laughed.

“Of course.”

This was no surprise, given that the Canadian Journal of Higher Education’s Profile of Undergraduate Student Parents in Canada report notes that having children often acts as a barrier to completing post-secondary education.

This is a problematic trend since, according to Statistics Canada, completing some post-secondary education without fully earning a degree does not result in significant improvements over merely obtaining a high school diploma.

Dina Salama, an incoming master’s student at the U of O, was hesitant to even apply to her master’s program after doing a one-year diploma at the U of O while her child was less than a year old.

With the economy changing so rapidly in the face of new technologies such as robotics and artificial intelligence, the World Economic Forum estimates that 65 per cent of children entering primary schools today will work in jobs that don’t currently exist. And with recent massive geopolitical shifts, from Brexit to the upcoming North American Free Trade Agreement re-negotiation, the future of the job market is as uncertain as ever.

Further, according to Holmes’ study, studentparents on average work longer hours for pay than other students. Dorimain emphasized that this, paired with the typical class schedule, makes for an extremely hectic lifestyle.

One thing is for certain: re-tooling is often necessary to adjust to the needs of a changing job market, and that will likely come with a greater presence of parents studying on our campus.

“Having to find child-care services that could run until 7 p.m. or 9 p.m. to have people who would be able to take care of my child until I finished my classes was very difficult.”

Savannah Awde Features editor

Illustrations: Christine Wang

Salama agrees that finding childcare is another barrier to success at school, and says that she’s still waiting on a spot to open up for her child to have subsidized care.

Dorimain says that when she couldn’t find someone to watch her child, she had no choice but to bring him to her classes. But this didn’t exactly go over well with professors and other students, and she would later miss classes because she didn’t want to “be embarrassed or shamed” for bringing her child.

“I want to be specific that it was not my child that caused me to fail. It was that fact that people were not accommodating for the fact that I had a child... it’s the fact that our institutions themselves are not accommodating to people who have children.”

— Vanessa Dorimain, SFUO executive coordinator and former U of O student.

“I was doing it to support myself and my child, but at the same time I was barely there to be with my child,” says Dorimain.

“I had a midterm, and I had to bring my child in with me because there wasn’t anyone to watch him,” Dorimain recalls. “And then my prof asked me if I could just leave my child outside… and I was like, no, because there wouldn’t be anyone to watch him there either. There was nothing I could do.”

WHERE DID WE GO WRONG?

STRENGTHENING A BROKEN SUPPORT SYSTEM

But when it comes to unpacking the problem of student-parents being left behind in their studies, there’s no catch-all solution. Dorimain says that although the U of O’s Graduate Students’ Association opened a nursing room in the University Centre last winter, the campus as a whole is still not very child-friendly.

Although there are many institutional changes that the U of O could make to prevent its student-parents from falling through the cracks, Dorimain says that change can start at the student level.

“There are other parents that go to the U of O that have classes elsewhere, so to have one nursing room in one building, well obviously to me I don’t think that’s accommodating student-parents,” says Dorimain.

She recalls that before the nursing room was available, she had to feed and change her young son in a bathroom stall, or in one of the student federation’s equity centers.

Dorimain’s concerns are echoed by Salama, who took all classes for her diploma at Roger Guindon Hall, which had no nursing spaces on campus.

“I had to pump while I was at school in order to maintain my milk supply, so finding a private place that I can lock on the inside so I’m not interrupted, at the same time is not a washroom, was somewhat of a challenge at first,” Salama says.

“I used to find security guards and explain my situation every single time so they can find an empty room for me.”

According to Néomie Duval, media relations manager at the U of O, and Marc Duval, director of Community Life Service, there are currently no plans to open any other nursing rooms or daycare facilities on campus. They do note that the university is open to suggestions for opportunities to better serve its students, faculty and support staff.

But it’s not just the facilities that need an update—Dorimain’s experience with the U of O’s professors suggest that it’s time to look at how well student-parents are supported by their instructors, too.

Dorimain recalls one particular time where she needed to defer an exam due to her child’s illness.

“I brought in a note saying my child was very sick, but then the prof had told me I could not get an extension or re-do my exam for that reason because it had to be that I was sick,” she explains.

“But if my child is sick, I’m the one who has to take care of him.”

The current exam policy at the U of O states that the only acceptable reasons for missing an exam are physical illness, psychological illness, or exceptional personal circumstance. However, in case of personal circumstances, the policy specifies that the student’s faculty reserves the right to deny a deferral—which can leave parents like Dorimain in a tough spot with no clear solution.

She puts it bluntly, suggesting that when a student-parent brings their child into a lecture, classmates should try not to act like they’re bringing in elephants. Similarly, Dorimain believes profs could put in more effort to accommodate student-parents when they can’t avoid bringing their child into the classroom.

Salama recounted her experience with U of O professors in a more positive light, saying that her professors told her she could bring her child to class if she needed to—although she says this would have been “difficult.”

Federated bodies and the student federation can also be agents of change—Dorimain suggests having more parent-friendly events, including during 101 Week.

According to Kathryn Leblanc, the SFUO’s vice-president of services and communications, the federation is already using a three-fold approach to supporting student-parents at the U of O. “Firstly, the SFUO takes into account the needs of student-parents when we’re fighting for changes at the U of O or in the provincial government, for example whenever there’s a conversation about accommodations policies, or opening hours for our services,” says LeBlanc.

It may come as a surprise that the SFUO’s Food Bank is also a student-parent friendly service, as LeBlanc says the service is well-equipped to provide most baby-care supplies to anyone studying at the U of O. “There is baby formula, diapers, baby toys, lots of baby food, baby cereal, really anything you need.”

In addition, according to LeBlanc the equity centers in the University Centre are part of the student-parent support system.

“The women’s resource centre (WRC) has run a program called ‘We Care Child Care,’ and it’s a drop-in child-minding space.”

However, she emphasizes that child minding is different than child care, with more stringent regulations placed on childcare centers. For example, childminders working from their own location may only watch five children under 10 at one time. This means that these WRC services aren’t sufficient to replace on-campus child-care services.

“We’ve lobbied the university quite extensively to have affordable childcare in more spaces on campus,” notes LeBlanc.

According to Duval of media relations, however, the U of O does reserve 44 full-time spaces for students and staff at the La Garderie Bernadette Child Care Centre on campus.

Despite this limited space available, Dorimain believes that all students should have the choice to pay a fee for guaranteed childcare while they are in school.

“Child-care costs are super expensive, and I think that if we’re already paying for school at the U of O we should have some type of benefits to also be able to study knowing that we have childcare there.”

NO GEE-GEE LEFT BEHIND

In the early weeks of September, students all over Canada will flock to university campuses to start their post-secondary studies with some sleepless nights and booze-filled days during 101 Week.

But amidst this chaos of moving vans, rowdy crowds, and endless line-ups, it’s important to look beyond what we’ve come to accept as the “normal” student experience. Most of us forget to empathize with those who struggle to do the very things child-free students often take for granted.

Perhaps it is this same lack of empathy that leads the U of O administration to overlook student-parents in their future campus planning, leaving nursing rooms and child-care centers off of the blueprint for now.

No matter what the future of our campus looks like, student-parents are here to stay. And if student-parents continue to struggle on our campus, Dorimain refuses to believe it is because of their children.

“I want to be specific that it was not my child that caused me to fail. It was that fact that people were not accommodating for the fact that I had a child... it’s the fact that our institutions themselves are not accommodating to people who have children.”

SPORTS

SPORTS EDITOR Nico Laliberté sports@thefulcrum.ca (613) 695-0062 @FulcrumSports

Three Gees represent Canada at U20 series vs. USA

For coach Boyd, the opportunity to coach at at home was something special Nico Laliberté Sports Editor

F

rom Aug. 1-7 Rugby Canada and USA Rugby competed in a four-game series featuring the countries’ U18 and U20 teams. Canada’s U20 team featured two GeeGees athletes, helmed by Gees head coach Jen Boyd.

For Boyd, the opportunity to coach team Canada comes on the heels of her being named Rugby Canada’s female coach of the year last March. While Boyd has previously coached for Rugby Canada, she felt there was something special about getting to do it on her home turf.

“It was pretty unique being in Ottawa with a lot of support—family and friends—for the girls but also for me personally as a coach,” said Boyd.

“So it was nice to not have to travel and just be really comfortable at home on our field at (the University

of Ottawa) and using our equipment and stuff, and working with all the event staff that I knew was very comforting.”

For second-year Gee-Gees Taylor Donato and Alex Ondo, the comfort of playing in familiar settings and with their university coach was a big help in a new, high-pressure situation.

“It was really different than anything rugby-related I’ve done before,” said Ondo. “Having coach Jen as well made it a lot easier to go into; less stressful because it was familiar in that sense, especially with it being at the university.”

“I’ve only been with the Gee-Gees for a year but I think Gee-Gees have been, in terms of rugby, the biggest impact for me so it was nice to take a team Canada experience and have it somewhere familiar,” said Donato. “I really like being a Gee-Gee, so it was nice that I got to get the two in one experience there.”

Team Canada’s U20 team per-

Second-year Gee-Gees Taylor Donato and Alex Ondo with coach Boyd.

formed exceptionally in the series, defeating USA 45–24 and 50–12.

Boyd was particularly impressed with how her two Gee-Gees athletes performed on the national level.

“I knew they were ready; I wasn’t sure if they knew they were ready,

Photo: Courtesy Sports Services.

but they were. Ondo could have easily been a player of the game in one of the games and Donato started one game and came off the bench in another game and made a real impact to the team, so it’s really great to be able to share that with them.”

For Donato, the series was an opportunity to measure herself against the best North American rugby players her age.

“I really enjoyed the rugby, I really enjoyed the team. Team USA was a good battle because they were really tough and they were really feisty and they were really good at tackling.”

Meanwhile, Ondo credits the series with giving her a boost of confidence ahead of her second season with the Gees.

“In the past, with the university for example, I’d get really nervous for a game and (the series) helped me be more confident in my playing and my personal performance.”

Playing at the national level provided a chance for Donato and Ondo to get some invaluable experience ahead of their second year with the Gees. And as Boyd continues to add to an impressive coaching resume, the Gee-Gees rugby program is in good hands for years to come.

Gee-Gees men’s basketball team faces off against NCAA talent Gees get chance to see how they stack up against US teams Nico Laliberté Sports Editor

The Gee-Gees men’s basketball team is once again competing against various universities from around the U.S. The Gees typically begin their preseason with a number of exhibition games against teams from the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA), which offers a good opportunity for the players to get up to speed against some top U.S. competition.

These exhibition games also allow for the coaching staff to evaluate players and give playing time to some younger talent.

This year, the Gees are playing without fifth-year star forward Jean-Emmanuel Pierre-Charles, who is currently in Taipei, Taiwan representing Canada at the

2017 summer Universiade.

GAME 1 VS. ALABAMA, AUG. 10 – 6:30 P.M. (MONTPETIT HALL) Probably the most talented team on the Gees docket, the Alabama Crimson Tide were a good measuring stick for the Gees to start the year. Boasting four returning starters, including their leading scorer from last year, Braxton Key, the Crimson Tide reached the National Invitational Tournament with a no. three seed in 2017.

The Gees gave it their all against Alabama, ultimately falling 81–71 to the Crimson Tide. Second-year guard Gage Sabean lead the Gees on offence with five 3-pointers and 17 total points. Sabean averaged 3.9 PPG last season coming off the bench.

Fifth-year Gees forward Brody Maracle pitched in 16 points and had a game-

high 10 rebounds. Maracle averaged 11.7 PPG and 6.1 rebounds per game with the Gees last season.

GAME 2 VS. NEW HAMPSHIRE, AUG. 21 – 6:30 P.M. (COLLÈGE JEAN-DEBRÉBEUF , MONTREAL) Another tough opponent for the Gees, the New Hampshire Wildcats went 20–12 in the 2016-17 season, making it to the America East semifinals. The Wildcats are led on offence by Tanner Leissner, who paced the team with 17.1 PPG last season.

GAME 3 VS. CANISIUS, AUG. 22 – 7:30 P.M. (MONTPETIT HALL) While they weren’t as successful as Alabama and New Hampshire in 2017, the Canisius Golden Griffins will still provide a good matchup for the Gee-Gees. Canisius held a record of 18–16 in the 2016-17 season, ultimately

The Gees played a solid game against the Alabama Crimson Tide.

getting eliminated in the quarter-finals of the Metro Atlantic basketball tournament.

GAME 4 VS. RAMAPO COLLEGE, AUG 28 – 7 P.M. (MONTPETIT HALL)

The lowest-ranked team on the Gee-Gees’ docket, Ramapo College is a Div. 3 team from New Jersey. Ramapo College finished their 201617 season with a 26–3 record and a berth in the Div. 3 na-

12 | SPORTS

Photo: Greg Mason.

tional tournament, where they were eliminated in the second round.

Tickets to all remaining games can be purchased from the Gee-Gees website.

THEFULCRUM.CA

Varsity sports preview 2017-18

A look at how the football, rugby, and soccer teams are shaping up for the year Nico Laliberté sports editor

FOOTBALL

The Gee-Gees football team went 6–2 last season, finishing in a three-way tie for third place in the Ontario University Athletics (OUA) division. OUA has since been renamed U Sports. Despite a solid regular-season showing, the Gee-Gees were eliminated from the playoffs by Carleton in the first round.

This year the Gee-Gees will be recovering from the loss of reigning OUA MVP and all-star quarterback Derek Wendel, and allstar receiver Mitchell Baines. The two led the OUA in throwing and receiving yards respectively.

Fifth-year quarterback Victor Twynstra is the heir-apparent to Wendel. In eight regular-season games last year Twynstra had a 66.7 completion per cent, averaging 12.5 yards per attempt, and he is poised to take over as starting QB this year.

While no single receiver will be expected to single-handedly fill the void left by Baines, fourthyear receiver Tyler McLaren will be one of a number of players looking to step up this year. Last year McLaren was second on the Gees with 54.4 receiving yards per game.

On defence, free-safety Ty Cranston is entering his final year of eligibility. Cranston led the Gees with 6.8 tackles per game last season, and will be expected to continue being a leader on defence. The Gees also have a number of young players and new recruits who will be called on to step up on defence.

On top of a large recruiting class, the Gee-Gees had a new member when training camp opened this month. The Gee-Gees debuted the MVPIDRIVE, Canada’s first robotic tackling dummy.

The MVPIDRIVE, nicknamed “RoboDom,” was introduced with the goal of reducing injuries by eliminating player-on-player contact during practices.

With a young line-up looking to take the next step forward, and a strong recruiting class, the Gees should be able to make up for the loss of their two star players. It’s expected that they will put up another solid season and then hopefully make some noise in the playoffs.

The Gee-Gees begin their regular season on Aug. 27 at 1 p.m. at

Guelph. The Gees’ home opener will be on Sept. 4 at 2 p.m. against Queens. The Panda Game will be on Sept. 30 at 1 p.m. Tickets for all home games can be purchased from the Gee-Gees’ website.

RUGBY The Gee-Gees women’s rugby team had a phenomenal season last year, finishing first in the Réseau du sport étudiant du Québec (RSEQ) and getting silver at the national level. This year the team will look to continue the outstanding success they have seen under head coach Jen Boyd.

This year Boyd is going to be full-time at the University of Ottawa, a change that will hopefully help the team both on and off the field.

“My time won’t be mostly at Ashbury (College), so that’s going to make a big difference, just my availability to the athletes,” said Boyd.

Boyd stresses improving each day, and it’s something that she has personally taken to heart in the off-season.

“I’ve been doing a lot of professional development through the winter, through the university and my advanced coaching diploma. So I’ve been working really hard to just keep improving.”

A strong recruiting class joins 27 returning players for the GeeGees, and they will be looking to repeat what has made the team so successful in the past.

“Every season we focus (on) the process, not the product,” said Boyd. “As much as we want a national championship we know that those are hard to win. There’s a lot of factors involved and we just try to get better everyday and develop and be stronger and fitter, and be strong role models to young girls.”

Among those 27 returning players is second row Alexandria Ellis, who is entering her fifth and final year of eligibility. Last year Ellis lead the Gees in scoring with 55 points, and she will be called on to lead the offence again this year.

While most of her roster is set, Boyd said that there’s still a chance to add a few more players through open tryouts.

“There’s always someone that surprises. Rugby is still a fairly new sport and some late transfer kids can end up being real players at the U Sports level.”

With Boyd at the helm again, and the majority of players re-

turning from last year’s silvermedal team, there’s no reason to believe that the team can’t repeat their success from last year, and maybe even bring home a national championship.

The Gee-Gees begin their regular season on Sept. 2 at 4 p.m. at Laval.

The Gees’ home opener will be on Sept. 9 at 3 p.m. against Concordia.

Tickets can be purchased from the Gee-Gees’ website.

SOCCER

Last year was a story of two seasons for the Gee-Gees soccer team. After rattling off nine consecutive wins to start the season, the team’s offence dried up and they limped into the playoffs without a win in their final seven matches. Ultimately Queen’s eliminated them in the OUA quarterfinals.

This year the team has a good chance to improve on their 201617 performance. Other than striker Victoria Marchand, most of the team will be returning with another year’s experience under their belts.

With a number of players getting their first taste of university sports action last year, this season will be a good chance for those young athletes to take the next step in their development.

Second-year midfielder Katherine Bearne led the Gees offence last season, and she will be looked to again to provide scoring for a team that struggled to find the back of the net down the stretch.

Last season the Gees defence was one of the best in the OUA and they are poised to be a dominant defensive team again this year. The Gees benefited from outstanding goaltending from first-year keeper Julie-Anne Lamarche, who posted a .930 save percentage. If Lamarche can continue her outstanding level of play, she will keep the Gees competitive in every game.

While last season didn’t finish quite the way the team would have liked, there were a lot of positives to take from it, and with a large number of returning players, the team has a real shot at taking a big step forward this year.

The Gee-Gees varsity teams are gearing up for the coming year.

The Gee-Gees begin their regular season at home on Aug. 26 at 4 p.m. against Trent. They play again at home on Aug. 27 against UOIT. Tickets can be purchased from the Gee-Gees’ website.

THEFULCRUM.CA

Photo: Jaclyn McRae-Sadik.

Photo: Remi Yuan.

Photo: Marta Kierkus.

SPORTS | 13

OPINIONS

OPINIONS EDITOR David Campion-Smith

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

Point Counterpoint: Safe injection sites in Ottawa Health Canada recently approved the motion to establish a safe injection site at the Sandy Hill community health centre. This site will provide a location for drug users to use their drugs under medical supervision, as well as provide resources on addiction treatment programs.

THE GOVERNMENT SHOULDN’T BE ENABLING ILLEGAL DRUG USE

Mayor Jim Watson has long been vocal about his opposition towards safe injection sites—and he’s not alone. Despite overwhelming evidence that safe injection sites decrease overdose rates and overdose-related deaths, help people quit drugs, increase the use of addiction treatments, reduce the practice of syringe sharing and the spread of communicable illnesses, save money, reduce the strain on the public healthcare system, and improve public order, their critics remain baffled by the idea.

Some argue that harm-reduction programs do nothing more than subsidize drug use, rewarding people for engaging in illicit activities, while others believe these facilities run the risk of affecting the “charm” of their communities.

Countless articles have already combed over the scientific evidence demonstrating the economic and social benefits of safe injection sites.

What few analyses have endeavored to explore, however, is how most arguments formulated against safe injection site rely on one basic premise: that their potential users, by virtue of their engagement in a criminalized activity, are simply unworthy of empathy or humanity. Thus, their survival could not possibly trump the sanctity of anti-drug legislation, or the quaint appeal of an injection-site free community.

In other words, safe injection sites may save lives, but not the ones we care about. As a result, no matter how much evidence is presented on the benefits of safe injection sites to drug users’ health or longevity, none can convince these opponents that such facilities are desirable.

Any argument for safe injection sites should begin with the premise that drug users are human. If the fentanyl crisis, tragic as it is, has taught us anything, it’s that illegal drug users can be our neighbours, our partners, our parents, our friends, and even our children. They have faces, names, hopes, dreams, and families. Our common goal in seeking solutions to drug use should therefore be to protect and improve the lives of individuals who have suffered from addiction and the stigma, poverty, incarceration, and ostracization that accompany this chronic disease.

This is precisely what the Supreme Court of Canada recognized in its landmark ruling in Canada v. PHS Community Services Society, which directed the federal government to stop obstructing Vancouver’s supervised injection clinic. It recognized that injection drug use is both an effect and a cause of “a life that is a struggle on a day to day basis,” and that in administering criminal law, “the state [may] not deprive individuals of their s. 7 rights to life, liberty and security of the person.” It reminded Canadians that even those who are addicted to dangerous substances have the right to survive.

A safe injection site would have no negative impact on the lives of drugfree Ottawans—at worst, it would involve the erection of yet another brutalist eyesore of a building and make some people feel uncomfortable. It is likely, however, that it would save the lives of countless residents affected by addiction.

Just as most religions include some iteration of the principle “love thy neighbour,” the social contract that is our Charter of Rights and Freedoms tells us to protect the lives of all of our citizens. This makes it our business to care about the wellbeing of drug users, and engages us both morally and legally to ensure their survival, whatever the nominal cost.

Ottawa will soon be getting a supervised safe injection site despite objections from Mayor Jim Watson and the Chief of Police Charles Bordeleau. The site will be attached to the Sandy Hill Community Centre, on the corner of Rideau and Nelson St. This will be a space for drug users to inject, with medical professionals available to deal with reactions or overdoses and provide information on addiction treatment services.

Supporters of these sites argue that they reduce the spread of disease and allow for a more health-focused approach to drug policy.

In reality, however, this type of service is merely a strange halfway point between our current drug policy and decriminalizing drug use.

Until current drug laws are modified, let’s call a safe injection site what it is—the government enabling the use of illegal drugs.

One of the most oft-repeated points by supporters of safe injection sites is that they prevent the spread of communicable diseases by giving injection drug users new, clean syringes. The idea of giving away clean syringes is a good one, so good in fact that the City of Ottawa already has the Site Needle and Syringe Program. The program itself has one location, and works with other community health centres to provide the service. The program is also mobile, using a van to bring the service to other parts of the city. If the goal is stop to the spread of communicable disease, then perhaps more funding is required to expand these needle exchange services and make them more widely available.

No one is saying that the lives of injection drug users don’t matter, and that is why firefighters and ambulance crews throughout the city carry Naloxone kits. If it’s a matter of providing more funding to existing programs then let’s provide that funding, but a safe injection site will medically be providing the same support as first responders, and will still have to send people to the hospital.

To really provide support to users, let’s drag this whole issue out of the darkness and decriminalize drug use. That’s the only way to effectively change the long-term discussion on this issue. Anything until that line is just a band-aid solution. The only drug users that will make use of any of the resources provided by this service to get clean will be those that already have a desire to do so.

Instead of opening a safe injection site in Ottawa, let’s increase the funding for needle-exchange programs to reduce the spread of communicable diseases and provide more support for outreach and addiction-recovery programs. Instead of establishing a centre where illicit drug use is quasi-legal let’s decriminalize all drugs so that these conversations and support mechanisms can take place without negative connotations.

—Jasmine van Schouwen, Fulcrum Contributor.

POINT

COUNTERPOINT

WE HAVE A DUTY TO PROTECT THE LIVES OF ALL RESIDENTS

—David Campion-Smith, Opinions Editor.

14 | OPINIONS THEFULCRUM.CA

HECKLE: Stop defending Nazis Anchal Sharma Fulcrum Alum

More and more each day the world we live in feels like Gotham City. But unlike the fictional Batman metropolis, the villains we face are real—and boy, are they scary.

The latest in a long line of events sure to make your blood boil is the resurgence of Nazism, and it’s happening in our own backyards, just south of the border. To recap, on Friday, Aug. 11 and Saturday, Aug. 12, a white supremacist rally called “Unite the Right” met at the University of Virginia campus in Charlottesville to protest the city’s decision to remove a statue depicting confederate general Robert E. Lee. The group was made up of members hurling racist, anti-black slurs, bearing Tiki torches, waving swastika-laden flags, performing Nazi salutes and chanting Nazi slogans.

To put it more succinctly, this was a group of Nazis.

Counter-protesters took to the streets to oppose the white supremacists. Many members of the opposition were injured, and one was killed by a vehicle intentionally driven into the crowd by a radical white terrorist.

While the events that took place

on Saturday were devastating to say the least, what’s worse is the mixed reactions from people concerning Unite the Right. Instead of rightful condemnation of these terrible acts of violence, President Trump insisted there were “many sides” to the issue, even going so far as to lay blame on the “alt-left” for inciting violence and

“However, when an active group of literal Nazis takes to the streets with torches, shouting things like “Blood and Soil” and bearing swastika-laden flags, suddenly everyone is concerned with being politically correct.”

claiming that “there are many fine people on both sides.”

This is an outrage. It’s ridiculous that there are people who even consider this a debate, and it’s even more ridiculous hearing this from the president of the United States.

What happened on Saturday is not some goofy protest by a bunch of silly white frat boys, it was an act of domestic terrorism, and needs to be condemned as such.

No one blinks an eye at unfairly labelling all 1.6 billions Muslims as terrorists after the actions of a handful of radicals, or attempting to criminalize Black Lives Matters activists, resulting in violence and hatred towards these marginalized groups.

However, when an active group of literal Nazis takes to the streets with torches, shouting things like “Blood and Soil” and bearing swastika-laden flags, suddenly everyone is concerned with being politically correct.

If you are someone who is saying that “Nazi” is not the correct term for these people then you are part of the problem. In fact, you are just as ignorant as the people spouting the lines about “not all men…” and “all lives matter.”

Stop propagating hate crimes under the guise of free speech. It

Illustration: Brenna Bova.

is with sadness and disbelief that I write this article, but I sincerely hope that humanity will get it together enough to move past this sudden backtrack in history, and fight to reclaim the rights of the

people being so viciously attacked for simply existing.

For anyone interested in making their own voice heard, a protest against white supremacy will be held on August 22 at 12 p.m. outside the U.S. Embassy.

Dear SFUO: This year, get it together

From resignations to exec pay raises, we need a union that represents us david campion-smith Opinions Editor

The Student Federation of the University of Ottawa (SFUO) has long framed itself as a union advocating for the campus community, through better representation of the university’s Indigenous and Muslim populations, and bringing awareness to financial barriers to education. The SFUO has also showed continued vocal opposition towards annual tuition hikes by the university administration.

Yet, while they say they are on the side of students, the federation has taken numerous actions to strip power away from the voices they represent. In the past few months alone, the SFUO has done everything from increasing their own salaries to reducing the power of the General Assembly (GA), and most recently, threatening the funding of federated bodies. Oh, and let’s not forget the resignation of an exec just two months into his mandate.

While the SFUO may fight against increases to our tuition, they have no problem raising their salaries with money coming out of our pockets. At their April 26 Board of Administration (BOA) meeting, the board passed a motion for a $2,000 pay raise, after a raise of $6,200 was voted down by students at the March 14 GA. That same meeting also saw a motion passed that requires a two-thirds ratification by the board for anything passed by the GA. If the SFUO cared about students as much as they say they do, they would respect the clear intentions expressed at the GA, and take measures to strengthen the assembly—a place for students to have a stronger voice in the decisions that impact them.

At last weekend’s BOA meeting, the board also voted in favour of a cut of up to 25 per cent of federated bodies’ first levy if they fail to bring the maximum number of students to Take Back the Night

The SFUO faced criticism last year over how they handled their finances and dealt with student general assemblies.

during 101 Week. This event is certainly a positive force on campus, highlighting the issues surrounding genderbased violence, however the cut could have drastic financial implications on federated bodies that are unable to meet this undefined “maximum number” for completely le-

gitimate reasons. This also leaves us wondering where the money taken away from fed bodies will be spent.

For years now, students across campus have made it clear that the SFUO does not represent them, and as a new year begins, this same sentiment holds true. It’s easy for

the SFUO to say they act in our interests on larger issues like tuition increases, but it’s in the more mundane operations of the federation that we see who they really support.

With September right around the corner, it’s time for a change in the way our student union represents our

Photo: Christine Wang.

interests. It’s up to the SFUO to not just fight against the administration on our behalf, but more importantly to support students. Whether it’s the decisions we make together at the GA, or concerns over where our money is going, this year we need the SFUO to hear us loud and clear.

THEFULCRUM.CA OPINIONS | 15

U of O students to see dampening new rules for 2017-18

Admin enacts curfews for students in residence, 101 Week chaperones natasha Lomonosoff Fulcrum contributor 101 Week is right around the corner, and students across Canada will be ringing in the new school year with parties, dancing, and concerts.

This year, however, students at the University of Ottawa have nothing to celebrate, as new regulations brought in by the administration may put a damper on many aspects of campus life, 101 Week included.

From September 3-9, the university has placed a blanket ban on all music and dancing after 8 p.m., as well as a requirement that all students living on campus must be in their residences by 10 p.m. The administration claims this measure is needed to avoid complaints from Sandy Hill residents.

Leonie Dorval of the U of O’s media relations team explained that the university “plans to make better campuscommunity relations a priority for this year. It’s not like students are a part of the community.”

Adding to the comparative dullness of 101 Week this year is a new policy that all off-campus events will require accompanying professors or

university personnel as chaperones.

This requirement, coupled with the strict curfew, has some students giving up on 101 Week altogether.

“I was really excited for 101 Week because I thought that I would get to party,” said Sam Hogan, a first-year economics student at the U of O. “Now I guess I’ll just hole up in my residence, play video games, and binge-watch Netflix.”

But students need not worry, as the administration is planning to compensate with a slew of fun “spirit rallies” during the rest of the school year.

These rallies, held once a month, are intended “to promote school spirit and a sense of community among our students,” according to U of O president Jacques Frémont. Among the activities at the rallies will be a school cheer session, games like musical chairs, and speeches by members of the university administration.

While these activities may be reminiscent of the juvenile days of high school, the U of O believes they’re key in promoting spirit, so much so that students will now face a two per cent penalty on all final grades for each rally that they miss.

New U of O regulations this year will include spirit rallies and curfews to ensure maximum fun.

“School spirit is not very strong at the university, so we have to find ways to force students to come together as a community,” Frémont

explained. While the new regulations may not be popular with some students, they prove that students have an administration that looks

Photo: CC, RobCA. Edits: Christine Wang.

out for them. And besides, more time spent in residence and at rallies means avoiding that never-ending construction across campus.

City gives itself a second chance at Canada 150

Ottawa turns back the calendar 365 days for a better party

DAvid Campion-Smith Opinions editor This week, the City of Ottawa announced that due to the recent success of La Machine, which eclipsed that of the Canada day revelries, they will be hosting the Canada 150 celebrations for a second time.

In order to make this possible, all of Ottawa will be turning their calendars back to 2016.

To begin the process, City officials are removing all 201718 calendars from stores, and will be releasing a new and improved version of the Canada 150 advertising campaign in a few months. As part of the festivities, all businesses and residents will also be required to travel 365 days into the past.

“We think this really is the

The second attempt at Canada 150 will feature more robots

best solution, even though we have to redo a year’s worth of paperwork,” said newly-appointed director of time travel

Photo: CC,US Embassy Canada, Stu Spivack. Edits:Christine Wang

Philip Farnsworth.

“We have a chance here to throw a better event than ever, and we’re embarrassed

that we didn’t think of metal dinosaurs in our original planning,” said Mayor Jim Watson.

Inspired by La Machine, the

second Canada 150 will see robotic versions of Canada’s first prime ministers, as well as a metallic Justin Trudeau that will spend the day at Mooney’s Bay kayaking and being robo-shirtless for photo-ops.

With the chance at a redo, the event organizers are aiming for an even more obscure list of musical performers.

When asked about this new policy, Watson responded, “We sent a few people to hang out at karaoke nights and just invited anyone who seemed to be decent.”

This time change means that all residents of Ottawa will now be a year younger, but only within the borders of the city. When asked to comment on how this would work logistically, City officials re-

sponded, “At least age doesn’t affect anything important like your ability to participate in elections or drive.”

After being reminded that both of these things are affected by age, Farnsworth retaliated, “Can’t you youths just shut up and enjoy your second 20th birthday party?”

The City has advised that those affected by the time change may face a variety of side effects, including, but not limited to; reduced ageing, rapid greying of hair, and most importantly, confusion. Any residents with questions about how the change will impact them are urged to visit the new time travel office at City Hall, which will open on September 26, 2016. So really, it’s either been open for a year or it’ll open in a few weeks.

16 | THE TOMATO THEFULCRUM.CA

DISTRACTIONS DEAR DI

Here are some fast facts about Ontario’s transgender population, according to the Trans PULSE report to inform human rights policy.

•Fifty-nine per cent of trans people know that their gender identity does not match their body before the age of 10.

•Only eight per cent of trans people report that they lived their experienced gender by age 14.

•In the academic world, 58 per cent of trans people could not get a transcript with their correct name and pronoun.

•Approximately twothirds of trans Ontarians had avoided public spaces because they feared harassment.

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

FEATURES EDITOR Savannah Awde

features@thefulcrum.ca (613) 695-0062 @s_awde7

Dear Di,

One of my good friends just came out as transgender, and wants me to use she/her pronouns, even though they were born male. I’m confused about this request; I don’t want to be disrespectful to my friend but I’ve always thought that a person’s biological sex (the “parts” they were born with, for lack of a better term) is the same as their gender. I’ve never met a transgender person before, so this is all new to me. Can you help clear this up for me?

-Fluidity fumble Dear Ff I’m so happy to hear that your goal is to learn while being respectful to your friend—coming out is a major feat, and your friend will likely appreciate the support!

Now, to answer your question, I would like to start by defining sex versus gender. Merriam-Webster defines sex as being on the basis of reproductive organs and structure, whereas gender is defined as behavioral, cultural, or psychological traits typically associated with someone’s sex. In other words, sex can be thought of as biological, whereas gender is actually something that humans define based on their society and culture.

Many Western cultures traditionally accept the notion of two genders.

It’s important to remember that being transgender doesn’t just mean transitioning from male to female (as in the case of your friend) or from female to male. While your friend is one example of a transgender person, trans and gender-variant identities extend far beyond our longstanding Western notions of just two genders.

Many countries across the world have long held more than two genders as the norm—for example, India legally recognizes a third gender, hijaras. Both native Hawaiian and Navajo culture recognize two-spirited people, or those who identify with being both male and female. In New Zealand, the Maori culture recognizes wakawahine, or men who prefer to partner with women but adopt traditionally feminine social roles. All of these identities challenge our preconceptions of male and female, and just like your friend, they all deserve to be respected and valued.

Clearly, this gender bender has always existed, and life in Canada is no exception.

While it may seem confusing at first, much of that misunderstanding is rooted in our expectations of gender. Here in Canada, along with many other Western countries, we are conditioned to see gender as a binary of only male and female, so it can catch people off guard when their friends ask to be referred to with pronouns that may not correspond with these expectations.

Luckily, this is easy to fix by simple communication. Your friend has communicated their identity to you, and now you know! If you assume someone’s gender identity incorrectly, politely apologize and correct yourself. Don’t feel the need to apologize excessively—just try to remember for the future.

Still stuck on the mismatch between sex and gender? A lot of people cite biology as a reason why they believe gender and sex must correspond.

However, various studies have actually suggested that there is a biological basis for transgender identities.

In one study, psychobiologist Antonio Guillamon of the National Distance Education University in Madrid and neuropsychologist Carme Junqué Plaja of the University of Barcelona used MRI to study the brains of 24 female-to-male and 18 male-to-female trans people—both before and after treatment with cross-sex hormones.

Their results showed that even before treatment, the brain structures of the transgender participants were more similar in some respects to the brains of their experienced gender than those of the gender corresponding to their biological sex.

For example, the female-to-male subjects had relatively thin subcortical areas, a region that tends to be thinner in men than in women. Conversely, male-to-female subjects tended to have thinner cortical regions in the right hemisphere, which is characteristic of a female brain. In other words, the subject’s experienced gender was reflected by aspects of their brain biology.

So to get back to your question, it’s time we think about transgender people beyond their genitals. The brain studies done so far suggest that gender may be partially rooted in our biology, but to assume the biology of gender boils down to genitals alone is just inaccurate. Listen, learn, and be respectful.

Still scratching your head at the difference between sex and gender? Send me your questions at di@ thefulcrum.ca!

Love, Di

THEFULCRUM.CA

DISTRACTIONS | 17

AUG. 21- AUG. 27, 2017

THRYLLABUS

MUSIC ARTS SPORTS FUN THINKING

Monday, Aug. 21 Naked Boys Reading: Pride Edition (unclothed men reading you a blissful combination of literature), tickets $12 in advance or $14 at the door, doors open at 7 p.m., LIVE! On Elgin—8 p.m.

Guns N’ Roses, TD Place—6:25 p.m.

Tuesday, Aug. 22 Anti-racism protest (in solidarity with Charlottesville), outside the U.S. embassy—12 p.m.

Gee-Gees men’s basketball vs. Canisius College, NCAA game series, Montpetit Hall— 7:30 p.m.

Mr./Mrs./Mx.Capital Pride Pageant 2017, Ottawa Marriott Hotel, tickets $15, doors open at 7 p.m.—8 p.m.

Wednesday, Aug. 23 Family picnic in the park (in partnership with the U of O to celebrate LGBTTQ+ families of all

kinds), free registration, free BBQ, Hintonburg Park—4 p.m.

Un Sac de billes (film based on autobiography

by Joseph Joffo, story of a French-Jewish family living in Paris during World War II), ByTowne Cinema—6:50 p.m.

Thursday, Aug. 24

A day in Ukraine: Ottawa welcomes the world 2017, free admission, Lansdowne Park, Horticulture Building—10 a.m.

TD Pride Speaker Series, free admission, council chambers at city hall— 6:30 p.m.

language, music, fashion and dance), first day, free admission, Marion Dewar Park at city hall—11 a.m.

Canada’s Capital Kings Pride Show, Rainbow Bistro—9 p.m.

Saturday, Aug. 26

Exhibitions of final thesis projects by MFA graduates, Arts Building, 70 Laurier—all day Ottawa Dyke March (part of Pride 2017), Human Rights Monument on Elgin Street—12 p.m.

BC Lions vs. Ottawa Redblacks, TD Place—3:30 p.m.

Sunday, Aug. 27

Pride LGBTTQ+ Human Rights Vigil, Human Rights Monument on Elgin Street—8 p.m.

Pride Parade, Bank Street—1:30 p.m.

Baconpalooza, Canadian Agriculture and Food Museum, $12 admission, first day— 6 p.m.

House of PainT (celebrate hip hop with DJing, MCing, graffiti art and urban dance), Brewer Park, last day—7 p.m.

Friday, Aug. 25

Palestinian Festival (event showcasing the cuisine,

Ottawa Fury FC vs.

New York Red Bulls, TD Place—2 p.m.

18 | DISTRACTIONS THEFULCRUM.CA

EDITORIAL Volume 78, Issue 1, aug. 22, 2017 Shattering stigma since 1942.

Phone: (613) 695-0061 | Fax: (613) 695-9006 631 King Edward Ave. Ottawa, ON K1N 6N5 Please recycle this paper.

Eric “Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2” Davidson Editor-in-Chief editor@thefulcrum.ca Jaclyn “Valerian and the City of a Thousand Planets” McRaeSadik Production Manager production@thefulcrum.ca Graham “Baywatch” Robertson Managing Editor content@thefulcrum.ca Zainab “King Arthur” Al-Mehdar News Editor news@thefulcrum.ca Ryan “Okja” Pepper Arts and Culture Editor arts@thefulcrum.ca Savannah “Annabelle: Creation” Awde Features Editor features@thefulcrum.ca Nico “Dunkirk” Laliberté Sports Editor sports@thefulcrum.ca David “Baby Driver” CampionSmith Opinions Editor opinions@thefulcrum.ca Christine “Wonder Woman” Wang Visual Editor visual@thefulcrum.ca Dmitri “Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Men Tell No Tales” Bakker Social Media Coordinator social@thefulcrum.ca

MIFE-GYMNASTICS: WOMEN STILL JUMPING THROUGH HOOPS TO ACCESS ABORTION PILL

When governments bring in new solutions, it’s in response to a certain issue.

That was the plan when the Canadian government legalized Mifegymiso, also known as RU-468, an abortion pill touted by the World Health Organization that offers a fast alternative to the surgical procedure.

Many hailed Canada’s legalization of the drug as a big step in improving access to abortion across the country.

Okay, to be clear, it was a big step already taken by more than 50 countries, including the United States 17 years ago and France nearly 30 years ago.

Many in Canada hope the introduction of Mifegymiso will increase the availability of abortions for women and anyone who does not currently have easy access, especially those who are living outside urban centres.

The disparity can also be drawn along provincial lines, with people in Quebec and British Columbia having more options while those in other provinces, especially the Atlantic provinces and

the territories, often lack choices.

But an early look at Canada shows introducing the pill hasn’t been enough to stop these problems.

One of the main issues the introduction of Mifegymiso was meant to address was a divide in access between urban and rural women. But with the the way Mifegymiso is regulated in Canada, this gulf in coverage could actually widen. That’s a big problem.

These irksome regulations include that fact that a doctor must be present to dispense the drug, which prohibits other medical professionals from doing so, and requiring an ultrasound, which may not be accessible for many people. This is especially true in rural areas, doctors are less likely to have access to the necessary equipment.

Another cause for concern is the fact that the pill is only allowed within 49 days of pregnancy, while other countries have longer timelines— the U.S. for example allows up to 70 days.

An even bigger prob-

lem is the overwhelmingly strict regulation of who can dispense the drug. Current policy in Canada is that only doctors can dispense Mifegymiso, but that will do nothing to help close the wide gap in coverage across the country.

It’s especially frustrating because not long before Canada even started rolling out the drug, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration relaxed regulations around it to extend the period it could be used for and reduce trips to clinics. Unfortunately, Canada paid no attention to the update in policy south of the border.

There is also work to be done when it comes to expanding the list of medical professionals who can dispense Mifegymiso. While some provincial governments have been working on training programs, few doctors are actually being licensed to dispense the drug.

Take Ottawa for example, the CBC found that despite plans to make the drug accessible across the city, only two doctors have actually received

the training.

A recent U.S. study also suggests that telemedicine is an effective way to expand coverage of the drug, but the power of this solution would be much stronger if you had access to a variety of medical professionals on the other end of the screen.

Also limiting access is the issue of ultrasounds. Current guidelines in Canada require a woman to get an ultrasound before Mifegymiso can be prescribed. However, access to ultrasounds can be extremely spotty in many areas around Canada, so this serves as yet another limiting factor.

Throw in confusing rules about pharmacists needing to ship pills to doctors instead of just giving them to patients and the mess only gets worse.

In addition to geographical disparities, the cost of the pill, around $300, poses a barrier of its own. To at least begin making a dent in the unequal distribution of the medicine, provinces need to cover its full cost. As simple as that is, there is apparently

still a wrong way to do it.

New Brunswick, Alberta, and Ontario are fully covering the cost of the drug, and that’s the way to go.

Manitoba, however, is taking a different approach. The province will cover the drug, but only in areas where the medical facilities already provide surgical abortions.

This misses the crucial point of expanding access completely. It’s especially bad since Manitoba ranks lower in abortion access than other provinces.

The truth is, when it comes to equal access to medical abortion, we’re farther behind the curve than you might think. Canada trailed the U.S. and Europe in introducing Mifegymiso, and is not faring better when it comes to regulating the drug.

It’s not too late, but the federal and provincial governments need to make changes, and they need to do it soon.

If they don’t, the drug’s potential to expand abortion access across Canada will be wasted, and those who need this critical procedure won’t get the help they need.

Ellie “Transformers: The Last Knight” Sabourin Associate News Editor associate.news@thefulcrum.ca Nadia “Rough Night” Drissi ElBouzaidi Associate Features Editor Lucas “Girls Trip” Ghosn General Manager manager@thefulcrum.ca Kaylum “Atomic Blonde” Bobal Advertising Representative ads@thefulcrum.ca

Contributors

Alina “Polaroid” Wang Anchal “The Hitman’s Bodyguard” Sharma Natasha “Despicable Me 3” Lomonosoff Jenna “Spider-Man: Homecoming” O’Reilly Jasmine “47 Meters Down” van Schouwen Deborah “Cars 3” Sogelola Bethany “All Eyez on Me “Keeshan

Board of Directors

Raghad “Wish Upon“ Sheikh-Khalil Katelyn “War for the Planet of the Apes” Murray Jonathan “The Emoji Movie” Rausseo Mackenzie “The Dark Tower” Gray Fadi “Kidnap” Azzi Spencer “Detroit” Murdock Kim “The Glass Castle” Wiens Maggie “Logan Lucky” Gollish Cover Credits: Christine Wang.

Photo: CC, Charles Williams.

THEFULCRUM.CA

EDITORIAL | 19