P.6&23
Economics and Netflix
Pro-pit bull
P.9
Bouncing back against the Blues
P.15
P.17
IN THIS ISSUE What’s up in Ward 12 P.4-5 Who’s who in the Rideau-Vanier election
Lobby in the new lab P.7 SFUO-led protestors crash ARC opening
Up your cocktail game P.11
Hawleywood shares his Sidecar recipe
Censoring scientists or supporting politicians P.12
Examing whether findings are manipulated to support policy
Double victory P.14 Women’s soccer takes out Nipissing and Laurentian
Get the right support P.16 Reviewing our favourite sports bras
Liberia’s Ebola outbreak P.18
Government corruption breeds distrust
Question for question P.19
Eliminating answers from the House of Commons
NEWS
Housing, transportation among top issues in Ward 12 Nadia Drissi El-Bouzaidi & Lindsay MacMillan News Editor & Associate News Editor
In the 2010 municipal election in Ottawa, Mathieu Fleury edged out a win by a mere 88 votes to become city councillor of Rideau-Vanier, the ward that contains the University of Ottawa’s main campus. Mathieu Fleury, a 28-year-old U of O graduate, is up against a slate of new competitors for the Oct. 27 municipal elections. Marc Aubin, 34, also a U of O alumnus, is taking time off from his position as president of the Lowertown Community Association to run for office. Catherine Fortin LeFaivre, 32, is the director of communications at Skills Canada, a non-profit organization that promotes the development of skill and trades. George Atanga, 57, has worked in many areas in Ottawa, including with OC Transpo, where he says he gained an in-depth knowledge of the transit system.
4 | NEWS
Solutions to the ongoing dearth of student housing on and near the U of O campus will be at the forefront of the election as several candidates intend to pursue a housing strategy. “I don’t think one thing will solve the issue of housing. I think that it’s a more comprehensive approach,” said Fortin LeFaivre. The main focus has been on Sandy Hill, but a desire to preserve the character of the neighbourhood has complicated the situation. Aubin said city council should be looking into other development areas such as Vanier or Lowertown. Fortin LeFaivre also suggested looking at spaces in ByWard Market. “Students want to be close to where there’s action and stuff going on,” she said. “I think it makes a lot more sense to have them there than in the middle of Sandy Hill.” She’s also advocating to invest in housing built purposely for students, rather than just converted houses. The Light Rail Transit (LRT) system will make student housing further from the university a more feasible option. Atanga advocates for the promotion of affordable and low-income housing. Both Vinette and Oldham s a i d tem-
t
hi
porary housing could be a potential short-term fix. As the city completes its review next summer, the next councillor of Rideau-Vanier will also have to consider the possibility of landlord licensing. Although licensing will raise the standards of student housing, Ottawa landlords oppose the idea, saying it will raise the price of rent. Vinette said he’s also skeptical. “Show me a municipality where it worked and I’ll consider it. But there isn’t one,” he said. Councillors in other wards have proposed implementing zonespecific licensing, but Fleury opposes the idea because of the diaspora of students in Ward 12. “In our area, zone-specific would be challenging because students are in Lowertown, they’re in Sandy Hill, and they’re in Vanier,” he said. Fleury declared a conflict of interest in 2010 regarding Claridge Homes, a developer at which his father works, which has prevented him and his staff from addressing zoning issues that involve the company, according to the Ottawa Citizen. “If you’re not able to do a large part of your job because of a conflict of interest, that’s a problem if it’s affecting the kind of representation your community needs,” said Aubin.
eu Fle
u
a
M
Marc Vinette, 46, is the owner of the Hot Head Tees clothing store and says he didn’t want to run, but chose to out of a lack of a better candidate. He’s advocating for cutting city councillors’ salaries, installing marijuana dispensaries around the city, and removing fluoride from the city’s water supply.
Housing
Ma
David-George Oldham, 23, made the news this summer when he was fired from his job at TD Bank after he refused a request from human resources staff to show his medical marijuana licence. He is running for city councillor because he “saw an opportunity to enter and correct these issues” of his dismissal.
Nadia Drissi El-Bouzaidi news@thefulcrum.ca (613) 562-5260
ry
Six contenders vying for city councillor in U of O’s ward
NEWS EDITOR
All photos couresy of candidates
rc
i Au b
n
thefulcrum.ca
The election will be held Monday Oct. 27, 2014. Visit ottawa.ca/en/city-hall/your-city-government/2014elections for more information on voting eligibility, polling locations and Ward subdivisions.
Transportation
thefulcrum.ca
e At
an
ham
rge
O
a
rc
e
g
rg
eo
M
Ge
o
a
Fo r ti n
cision-making process is a good way to build engagement. Several of the candidates have made or will make the opportunity to engage university students by visiting the campus and knocking on doors in the area. The next candidate debates are scheduled for Oct. 15 at 7 p.m. at the Guigues Centre, and Oct. 17 at 7 p.m. at the Sandy Hill Community Centre.
ld
-
i
G
Le
ther
e
In 2010, Rideau-Vanier was the ward with the lowest voter turnout, at 39 per cent—with students being the least likely to cast a ballot. “Every five years there’s a turnover of about half the population (in Ward 12), which often includes a lot of those students,” said Aubin. He said integrating different community groups into the de-
D av i d
Ca n
improving those services. Another transportation talking point is the concept of complete streets, a new city policy that aims to accommodate all modes of transportation. Fleury, Aubin, and Fortin LeFaivre all listed it as a priority. Candidates also took aim at the downtown truck route, which sees more than 3,000 transport trucks on Rideau, Waller, and King Edward per day. The city has looked at plans for a bypass tunnel, but candidates are looking for a more immediate solution. Aubin has been a member of the King Edward Avenue Task Force for 15 years. He said short-term safety measures should be a priority. Fortin LeFaivre said she wants to see physical barriers near dangerous intersections and a limit on the hours that trucks are allowed to pass through downtown.
Fa i v r e
Some have said more accessible public transit could be a solution to the housing crunch. In addition to the LRT system, which is scheduled for completion in 2018, candidates also support reforms to the U-Pass. Students at the U of O have criticized the transit pass because of the cost, and because it’s not available during the summer. Aubin said he has discussed the U-Pass with Student Federation of Ottawa (SFUO) president Anne-Marie Roy, and he, along with Fleury and Fortin LeFaivre, support its reform. Atanga, Oldham, and Vinette brought more attention to Para Transpo, meant to help those whose disabilities prevent them from using other methods of public transit. Atanga said his top concern would be
Voter Engagement
Vin
t t e
NEWS | 5
Muslim students demand more space at U of O Students seek prayer room on south side of campus
Photo by Lindsay MacMillan
Lindsay MacMillan Associate News Editor
Muslims across the world will soon be celebrating Eid-aldha, one of the major holidays of the Islamic calendar, but Muslim students at the University of Ottawa are frustrated by a lack of prayer rooms on campus. The Multi-Faith Centre was opened in 2010, but a growing student population has since rendered it insufficient, according to the University of Ottawa Muslim Students’ Association (UOMSA), which is now demanding a space on the south
end of campus. The UOMSA is the largest association on campus, with 3,000 active members. The Multi-Faith Centre, located at UCU125, sees 5,000 visits per week with the numbers growing each year. The student group, along with the larger Student Federation of the University of Ottawa (SFUO), sent a letter to U of O president Allan Rock asking for a prayer room for the science and engineering faculties. Their current room in SITE just isn’t big enough, according to Mahmoud Dief, president of
the UOMSA. “It doesn’t fit the demand,” said Dief. “It’s a closet that holds 10 people. So there’s lineups there, and students walk to the UCU to wait in a line that goes into the cafeteria. It directly affects education and productivity.”
hoping the letter opens up the chance for formal negotiation. The university said in an email that the Space Management Committee has been notified of the request, but did not provide further comment. The SFUO agreed to help the
“There’s definitely an issue with space on campus for all students.”—Anne-Marie Roy The UOMSA has been informing the university administration about the demand for the last four years. They’re
UOMSA with lobbying, just as they did to open the MultiFaith Centre. “There’s definitely an issue
with space on campus for all students,” said SFUO president Anne-Marie Roy. “It’s difficult to find a place for studying, organizing, or hosting clubs.” Roy promised an increase in multi-faith spaces in her election platform last February. “The UOMSA is the only group that’s come forward with a specific request to open negotiations with the university, but if others asked we’d do our best to accommodate,” she said. Dief said his association has had to be patient with the university. “They know it’s an issue but haven’t responded yet.” The letter references other
schools that have developed a long-term plan for religious accommodation. The University of Toronto, for example, has a multi-faith centre that holds 400 students for Friday prayers, with other services available on campus. Other religious groups have access to their own rooms. Last year, the UOMSA issued a complaint against the university’s Food Services due to a lack of clarity on halal food options. “It’s important for the campus to feel welcoming,” said Roy. “Everyone should have the chance to practise their fundamental human rights.”
Carleton student union issues legal threat to blogs
Students voice concerns about fee use, free press at CUSA meeting Nadia Drissi El-Bouzaidi News Editor
A panel held at Carleton University to discuss safe space issues on campus was overshadowed by news of a legal threat issued by the Carleton Undergraduate Student Association (CUSA) and former CUSA president Alexander Golovko regarding an article published on Rabble.ca. The Leveller reported that law firm CazaSaikley sent a letter on Sept. 11 threatening legal action to Mathieu Murphy-Perron, the author of the article, Rabble.ca for publishing the article, and Jarrah Hodge for linking to the article on her blog. The letter said several of the article’s statements were “absolutely false, defamatory, factually baseless and designed to destroy our clients’ impeccable reputation and cause harm to their families.” Michael Bückert, vice-president academic of the Carleton Graduate Students’ Association (GSA), was disappointed in how CUSA has handled the issue. “Instead of making a counter-argument, showing how these previously-reported events are actually not true, they have apparently decided to try to intimidate their critics into
6 | NEWS
silence,” Bückert wrote in an email to the Fulcrum. The article first appeared Sept. 7 on Murphy-Perron’s blog following the circulation of photos of several Carleton student leaders wearing T-shirts that read “fuck safe space.” Murphy-Perron argued that the incident was a result of a growing conservative influence at Carleton Uni-
linking to an article,” Bückert said. “I also linked to the article on Twitter, are they going to sue me next?” CUSA published a statement regarding the letter on Sept. 24, which did not name Hodge as one of the recipients of the letter. CUSA president Folarin Odunayo told the Leveller it was a mistaken omission that did not indicate a change in position.
ities councillor Roy Sengupta asked whether Odunayo found it concerning that “we are essentially reviving the litigation culture of this organization through basically pursuing a private political interest using public resources.” Odunayo replied: “As of this point, the article in question said a lot of inappropriate things about
“It is very disturbing that CUSA is threatening to sue someone for simply linking to an article.” —Michael Bückert Legal documents filed against rabble.ca Photo: Sam Heaton, courtesy of the Leveller
versity. He wrote: “All I can do is weep for the school’s all-too-predictable descent into the poster-child of oppressive bullshit courtesy of the wellcalculated right-wing takeover of the student union three years ago.” Hodge posted a link to Murphy-Perron’s article on her own blog Sept. 9. “It is very disturbing that CUSA is threatening to sue someone for simply
Odunayo also stressed that day at a CUSA council meeting that the union hasn’t initiated any legal action yet. He said everyone is entitled to their own opinions, but “at no point are they entitled to their own facts. I don’t want to be silent because sometimes silence can be almost implicit acceptance.” At the meeting, CUSA human-
CUSA’s actions, things that CUSA had done. At some point in the life of an organization or in your life, you must stand up and say something. We’re not going to accept the facts or opinions of some guy who is, quite frankly, irrelevant.” According to Emily Niles, a University of Ottawa student and campaign organizer of Sustainable SFUO, the
move “absolutely threatens independent media efforts.” Niles wrote in an email to the Fulcrum: “People will be hesitant to deliver the truth or to provide a critical analysis when they could go bankrupt for doing so.” At the Sept. 24 meeting, some CUSA councillors expressed concern about using student funds to possibly pursue legal action and protect the reputation of a former CUSA president. Golovko no longer serves on CUSA, but works for the university. According to CUSA’s operating budget for 2013–14, they have set aside $80,000 for legal and professional expenses. This is far from the first time the association has found itself in a legal dispute. CUSA was suspended for the duration of the fall semester in 2011 due to an ongoing legal battle with 16 student councillors. In October 2012, the GSA initiated a lawsuit against CUSA because of a disputed health plan. The student group’s latest legal action was in January of this year, when CUSA filed legal proceedings against the GSA claiming they were owed $113,000. The article has not been removed and no further legal action has been pursued as of the time of publication.
thefulcrum.ca
Students crash ARC opening party with ‘drop fees’ protest
SFUO execs part of group that demanded provincial minister invest more in post-secondary education Adam Feibel MANAGING Editor
The University of Ottawa held a party for the official launch of its new research building—and student officials were there to crash it. Several executive members of the Student Federation of the University of Ottawa (SFUO) and a few other students showed up at the unveiling of the Advanced Research Complex (ARC) to demand the Ontario government drop student tuition fees, and further invest in post-secondary education. The morning of Sept. 30, the university celebrated the opening of the $70-million ARC, located on King Edward Avenue near the Minto Sports Complex. The school revealed plans for the five-storey, 14,000-square-metre complex two years ago, designed to give a bigger home to the university’s advanced photonics and geoscience research. In attendance was Reza Moridi, minister of training, colleges and universities, which granted the group of students “a brilliant opportunity to raise awareness and put pressure on him about students’ discontent,” according to Nicole Desnoyers, the SFUO’s vice-president of services and communications. At the launch, SFUO executive Chris Hynes stood a few metres from the podium, where he interrupted the university’s vice-president of research Mona Nemer with a pre-written speech while fellow members stood nearby behind a large banner. “We are here on behalf of students of this university to send Minister Moridi and the Government of Ontario a message: defy the conventional and invest in post-secondary education,” Hynes began, playing off the slogan from the U of O’s new marketing campaign
launched last month. “This is a research centre, and research for the public good requires public funding,” he continued. “Under the current Liberal government, however, we have seen nothing
a greater rate than revenues. For the first time, government funding accounts for less than half the university’s current $1-billion budget. Hynes’ short speech was followed by a call-andresponse chant between an audience member and
“When push comes to shove, students will fight back.”—Nicole Desnoyers Rock asked the students to step down out of “respect for the occasion.”
Screenshot courtesy of SFUO/Facebook
but cuts to our PSE institutions.” Hynes, the SFUO’s vice-president of university affairs, cited rising tuition fees over the last decade that he said are “largely due to underfunding of our education.” According to the Canadian Association of University Teachers, Ontario has the lowest perstudent funding in Canada. The U of O saw provincial funding drop by one per cent in 2013–14 and by two per cent in 2014–15, representing a total loss of $6.2 million from its budget over the last two academic years. Tuition at the U of O has increased annually for the last nine years. The latest hike came this May, when the university’s Board of Governors voted in favour of a three per cent increase for undergrads and a five per cent increase for graduate students. “When push comes to shove, students will fight back,” said Desnoyers. However, the university has said it’s just trying to offset costs, since expenses mount at
the SFUO executive: “Drop what? Drop fees!” After Nemer finished speaking, university president Allan Rock took the podium. Rock emphasized his appreciation for the “major contributions” from the provincial government and then asked the group of students to step out. “Now, we’re very proud of our students—all of them,” Rock said, drawing a laugh from the crowd and the protestors themselves. “We’ve had some students here this morning expressing their point of view. I think they’ve done that very clearly. And I would now ask that they show respect for the occasion by withdrawing.” The SFUO uploaded a Facebook video of the demonstration that drew a polarized response from students, some of whom deemed the action “justified” while others said they were “embarrassed”
by the “disrespect” shown by the group. Kyle Larkin, an elected student official who represents the Faculty of Social Sciences on the SFUO’s Board of Administration, said he agrees that tuition fees are too high, but the federation’s plan of action that day was wrong. “It’s not an effective tactic if you’re pissing off the people that you’re trying to lobby,” said Larkin, who also works at a firm that deals with government lobbying. “First of all, when you disrespect someone, they don’t want to talk to you,” he said. “Second of all, when you are going out and disrespecting not only elected officials but also the administration of the school … on behalf of students—I don’t think people are voting you in to disrespect people who hold important positions within the government or within the University of Ottawa.“ Desnoyers said the SFUO engages in a number of lobbying tactics, and protests like this one are a necessary part of that. “Through years of having these conversations with university administrations and with the government and not seeing a lot of action coming from them, students feel the need to escalate,” she said. The protest wasn’t necessarily about the ARC itself, Desnoyers said, but she did point to criticisms that despite a space shortage on campus, “millions of dollars went into this … that only a handful of students will actually have access to because it’s prioritizing external researchers.” The university did not provide any further comment.
NEWS Brief
BOA member resigns after frustrating first meeting “I don’t have nine hours out of my Sunday to deal with the stupidity at this table,” James Daniels said as he resigned from his position on the student federation’s Board of Administration (BOA) at its latest meeting. Daniels, who represented the Faculty of Arts for the Student Federation of the University of Ottawa (SFUO), said he was frustrated with the BOA, calling it “just a rubber stamp for the executives.” He was referring to the executive team comprised almost exclusively of Student Action slate members, which he said results in “several hours fighting against inevitable outcomes” at the meetings. BOA meetings regularly last eight hours or more. Daniels said his other time commitments also played a role in his resignation. SFUO president Anne-Marie Roy pointed out that it was Daniels’ first board meeting. “I have a hard time feeling bad for the kid right now be-
thefulcrum.ca
cause he resigned and it was the first time he showed up to a board meeting,” she said. The current SFUO board had two prior meetings during the summer, which Daniels said he was unable to attend due to prior commitments. He said that scheduling meetings in the summer was a deliberate attempt to limit opposition to the views of the SFUO executive team. SFUO members have the option of selecting a proxy from their respective faculties to represent them at BOA meetings in the event that they cannot attend, which Daniels did not do during the two previous meetings. Daniels said he felt uncomfortable expressing his opinion at the BOA. “It’s not really a comfortable place for opposing viewpoints,” said Daniels. “Certainly, I felt uncomfortable at the last meeting when anti-Semitic views were expressed and Israel was called an apartheid state.”
Roy insisted no such language was used. “It’s dangerous to use language and label individuals who are opposed to the Israeli apartheid as antiSemites,” said Roy. “I personally take a lot of offence to that.” The BOA consists of 25 representatives elected by their respective faculties, one special student director appointed by a selection committee of the BOA, and the six executive members of the SFUO. Five of the six executives are part of the Student Action slate, except vice-president of equity Maya McDonald, who ran as an independent. “I’m sure that their hearts are in the right place. They clearly care about this school,” said Daniels. “But at the same time they do it in such an aggressive manner and in such a way they have such a disregard for people who express differing viewpoints.” —Nadia Drissi El-Bouzaidi
NEWS | 7
National News
George Brown students wants residence named after Blackburns Escaped American slaves and active abolitionists inspire naming campaign Coty Zachariah
The Dialog (George Brown College) TORONTO (CUP)—For the past few weeks, students have been going around the campuses of George Brown College collecting signatures for the naming of the school’s first residence. The building is scheduled for completion in 2015, and will be available for students to take up residence after the Pan Am Games Village is finished hosting athletes. Students are welcome to submit a potential name, but the college’s student association is pushing to name the housing facility Blackburn Residence, after Lucie and Thornton Blackburn. The Blackburns were escaped slaves from Kentucky who made their way up to Toronto, where they became very active abolitionists and opened the city’s first taxi business. From the 1830s to 1850s, Thornton Blackburn and George Brown worked tirelessly to
create employment opportunities for refugee to community through self-help investment and house on the east side of Toronto’s downtown core, slaves in Toronto. organizations for fugitive slave families,” she said. where they lived for almost five decades. The “The Blackburns were very important to Toron“These heroes deserve to be celebrated.” house was secretly used as a stop on the historic to’s community as well as Ontario’s past,” said CynThe freedom-seeking power couple built a small Underground Railroad. thia Wilkey, chair of the There are plaques at West Don Lands CommitInglenook High School and tee and a leading advocate articles online to commemofor naming a visible monurate the couple, but no buildment after the couple. ing named after them. —Cynthia Wilkey, chair of West Don Lands Committee “They are recognized “Where the residence is by Heritage Canada. Fubeing built, you can overgitive slaves that escaped look where the Blackburns jail to establish the imporstayed during the 1800s,” tant principle that slaves said Geneve Gray, the stucould not be extradited. dent association’s director of Among the first five to finance and operations. have a law about extradi“It would be one of the tion interpreted in Canafew honours in the Africanda, setting a legal preceCanadian community if dent for the underground this residence is named the railway. They gave back Plans for George Brown College’s first residence building. Handout Blackburn Residence.”
“These heroes deserve to be celebrated.”
Academics divided on merits of private sector funding at public universities Ontario has lowest per-student funding in Canada, leading schools to turn to private donations Peter Milonas The Ryersonian
TORONTO (CUP)—Cashstrapped Ontario universities are turning to the private sector for financial support, but at what price? Government funding has not kept pace with the cost of university operations, said Adam Kahan, vice-president of university advancement at Ryerson University. It’s private funding that supports the university and allows it to meet its objectives. According to the Canadian Association of University Teachers, Ontario has the lowest per-student funding in Canada. When government funds dry up, as they are wont to do, universities are forced to find alternative sources of income. “Private funding is essential for the continued growth and development of the university,” said Kahan. But when did Canadian universities begin accepting private donations? “This is new to Canada in relative terms, probably in the last 20 years,” said George Gekas, a professor at the Ted Rogers School of Management. Gekas said the idea to supplement university budget shortfalls with private donations came to Canada from the US. Ryerson president Sheldon Levy admits private contributions are important, but said “the university’s ability to work day by day is a function of govern-
8 | NEWS
ment grants and tuition fees.” Some say these two revenue streams are inadequate at their current rate. “Pervasive government underfunding means that the quality of university education is under threat,” said Kate Lawson, president of the Ontario Confederation of University Faculty Associations. “That’s a direct result of austerity pulling money out of post-secondary education,” said Matthew Flisfeder, a professor in Ryerson’s department of politics and public administration. Indeed, Ontario had the highest undergraduate tuition fees in Canada for full-time students in 2013, according to Statistics Canada. Gekas said universities must accept private donations as a matter of survival. “If we assume that the purpose of the university is survival, forget the educational purposes, you have to survive to achieve the other objectives—delivering education,” he said. “We have to find the funds. If we assume the funds from the public purse are inadequate to meet the needs of technology and education, we have to find other sources.” Not all faculties garner equal attention from donors. Joel Westheimer, a professor in the faculty of education at the University of Ottawa, said fields of research that may be leveraged for future profit— technology, for example—are
more attractive to donors. “While advanced computer chip design may be the next great money-maker for the university, it is only the arts and social sciences that help young people develop fully as human beings and as democratic citizens,” Westheimer said. Flisfeder said the problem is rooted in a socio-economic system that is driven by business interests. “When corporate and business interests start to dominate, all forms of reason and rationalizing are driven towards finding the most efficient and cost-saving way of accomplishing whatever objective we have,” he said. Another worry is that when universities receive private donations, they make themselves vulnerable to the demands of donors. Academics are divided on the issue of private funding in the university. Gekas said some of his colleagues are wary of private donations. “They feel that if you do that, you sell your soul to the devil, or more accurately the corporate entity, and the corporate entity will impose upon you its will.” But he said a diverse funding platform can be a “win-win situation.” “We live in a mixed economy, we have to realize that we need a healthy public sector and a healthy private sector to coexist, and the one to assist the other,” he said. “There’s no other way around it.”
Ryerson’s engineering building is named after philanthropist and developer George Vari.
Photo: Peter Milonas/Ryersonian
thefulcrum.ca
ARTS &CULTURE
A&C EDITOR Jessica Eritou arts@thefulcrum.ca (613) 562-5260
Don’t stop the funk for E.L.E Fest
Second annual night of music left students wanting more Jessica Eritou
Arts & Culture Editor
T
he second annual E.L.E (Everybody Love Everybody) Festival lit up the University of Ottawa on a Friday night as a crew of local musical acts kept the party rocking just outside Café Nostalgica.
One of the showstoppers of the Sept. 26 bash was BlakDenim, a nine-piece orchestra act that has mastered a combination of hip-hop and funk. The group kept the crowd bumping and connected with the audience superbly. “Intoxicated,” perhaps the catchiest song, left the crowd wanting more. You couldn’t help but bop your head to each song as they performed with enthusiasm and joy. There was a fair bit of time between each act, but it allowed the crowd to get a drink from Nostalgica and be back in time for the
next performer. It was well worth the wait for Connor Davis, otherwise known as C-Fresh. His beatboxing skills made the crowd gasp at times, followed by ear-splitting cheers. Festival favourite The Lionyls returned to E.L.E for the second year and gave the crowd a taste of everything under the sun with their unique bluesy funk rock. They knew how to keep the audience entertained musically and visually, as vocalist Zach Raynor, wearing a bright yellow jacket and mesh tank top, moved around on stage effortlessly. The band even earned the festival’s first encore. The audience was mostly filled with a tight-knit group of students along with young adult members from the Sandy Hill neighbourhood. At times some seemed impatient with the long wait in between acts, while others danced around in unison. Other acts included Zoo Legacy, City Fidelia, NDMA, and Sarah Bradley. ELEfest’s Erich Mrak
Photo by Rémi Yuan
Full house on deck for House of Cards discussion Steve Horwitz on his upcoming visit to discuss the Netflix hit and public choice economics Jessica Eritou
Arts & Culture Editor House of Cards is one of the most popular series on Netflix—and one professor believes the show hits closer to home than most realize. The Fulcrum caught up with Steve Horwitz to talk about his upcoming visit to the University of Ottawa. He speaks with a bold and confident demeanour, much like many of the show’s characters. “You can draw the nicest looking political policy or solution you want on a blackboard,” he says. “You can’t just assume that politicians will do what they say is the thing to do.” Horwitz, a prominent professor of economics at St. Lawrence University in New York state, will host a discussion with the Institute of Liberal Studies titled “House of Cards: Politics without Romance” on campus next week. Horwitz will illustrate the theory of public choice economics with examples from the first season of House of Cards. Much like Frank Underwood, the show’s main anti-hero portrayed by Kevin Spacey, Horwitz hopes students will recognize the fact that real-life politicians have self-interested incentives too.
thefulcrum.ca
If you’ve worked in politics, there’s a good chance you have met someone as ruthless as Underwood, he says. Horwitz aims to engage the audience with the hard truth about real-life politicians climbing the political ladder. Unde rwood is a great character, Horwitz says, but one stands above the rest. He says the lobbyist Remy, played by Mahershala Ali, has to be the “most realistic character in the show.” He exp l a i n s : “Frank is a little bit over-the-top but the point gets made. But Remy, there’s millions of Remys out there. They are a big part of the problem. He’s a mercenary, and he doesn’t much give a damn whether
the things he’s supporting do any good.” Horwitz says he doesn’t really care who runs for president in 2016—but what really matters are the ideas and institutions that arise during an election. If you don’t have the right polit-
is going to be is like rearranging deck chairs on the Titanic,” he says. Horwitz’s travelling lecture originated as a series of YouTube videos he made for the Institute of Humane Studies at George Mason University in Arlington, Va. What made his vid-
ical foundation, you won’t find much of a difference in the result either way. “Worrying about who the next congressman, president, or prime minster
eos so popular (with more than a million hits each) was his use of House of Cards scenarios to help viewers understand contemporary politics.
Photo: Marta Kierkus
Public choice economics applies the basic ideas of economics in order to understand how politics operates. “For example,” Horwitz explains, “we oftentimes assume that people in politics are completely public-spirited, while people in markets are completely selfinterested. What public choice says is, ‘Let’s assume people are the same.’” “Once you apply that notion of seeing politics as a form of exchange for people to achieve their goals, suddenly politics looks very different.” The Institute for Liberal Studies, an Ottawa-based non-profit educational organization, is the group responsible for bringing the lecture to the city. Executive director Matt Bufton expects students to enjoy a talk that’s as entertaining as it is educational. “Steve Horwitz is both a highly regarded economist and very in tune with popular culture,” said Bufton. “When I heard that he’d designed a talk that used House of Cards as a way of teaching some economic principles, I thought it would be perfect for students at the University of Ottawa, since so many of them are involved with the political scene in Ottawa and love the series.” Horwitz will give his lecture Oct. 8 at 4 p.m. The location has yet to be determined.
ARTS & CULTURE | 9
I want my baby back, baby back ribs
Southern-style flavour smokes up Sparks Street
#fulcrum food review
Amy Leppanen & Moussa Sanagre-Ponce Contributor & Associate Online Editor
In what was probably most people’s last barbecue of the season, Ribtoberfest fired up the grill on Sparks Street for one last time. The pedestrian avenue was host to eight different “ribbers” from across North America, offering a variety of meaty treats and sides through Sept. 25–28. With eight contenders to choose from at Ribtoberfest’s second annual celebration, all with a number of trophies displayed at each stand, it was difficult to pick just a couple of feasts. Silver Bullet’s half-rack of pork ribs, with a side of “cowboy coleslaw” and beans, and Gators’ BBQ beef ribs, with a side of potatoes, were both incredibly satisfying. The pork ribs were a little sweeter than the beef, but each had a strong and distinct barbecue sauce flavour. Opting to eat ribs without a table was not for the faintSilver Bullet’s rack of ribs and barbeque
hearted—white T-shirts are not recommended. Billy Bones BBQ and Crabby’s BBQ Shack also came out strong with their rib game. Crabby’s ribs tasted more or less the same as Gators, but Billy Bones managed to stand out with its especially succulent sauce. The ribs were marinated in an exquisite blend of sweet and salty. Surprisingly enough, as delicious as the ribs were, Billy Bones’ best item on the menu was their barbeque chicken. The sauce complimented the poultry better than it did their beef ribs. On the other hand, Crabby’s ribs and chicken sauce didn’t have much bite or robust flavour, while Gators’ sauce was too distinctive from its accompanying ribs to blend properly in your mouth—it was as though the sauce was an afterthought. Ribtoberfest still had some
options for non-meat eaters, such as smoked corn and twisted potatoes. Any true meat lover would understand what makes a rib taste great and understand why Crabby’s ribs won so many awards at Toronto Ribfest. However at the end of the day, we still preferred Billy Bones. Gators’ also gets bonus points for their awesome and useful rib bibs, which make for a fun photo op, especially for tourists. The vendors’ prices were relatively fair for the quantity and quality. And as is often the case, the more you pay for your rack, the better your ribs will be. Between this and the summer’s annual Ottawa Ribfest, the oft-neglected Sparks Street has garnered a tasty reputation for its many meat extravaganzas. We say bring it on.
Photos: Amy Leppanen
Classic romantic ballet recreated with interactive video game
iGiselle, developed at U of A, aims to give more agency to tragic female character Shandi Shiach
The Gateway (University of Alberta) EDMONTON (CUP)—University of Alberta minds—and bodies—have teamed up to create an interactive installation on Microsoft Kinect that challenges users to rewrite the tragic romantic story of Giselle through dance poses. The game, called iGiselle, is one interdisciplinary facet of a larger project, applying a modern lens to romantic era ballets of the 19th century which typically end in the feminine protagonist’s demise. “For the game, there’s really two aspects of it,” said Sergio Poo Hernandez, a U of A computer science master’s candidate and iGiselle team member. “One is what we’re calling PACE (Player Appraisal Controlling Emotion), which is the project that I’m working on for my master’s thesis, which is how to create narratives interactively (and) adapt the narratives to adapt to players’ emotion—basically, if the author wants the player to experience a certain level of hope or fear at certain points in the story, matching that with the decisions that players are making,” he explained. Nora Stovel, a professor of English and film studies who fabricated the project, is trained as a professional dancer and says her first love is ballet. Her segue into writing about dance and ballet came naturally. Her project really took off after a faculty concert dinner at which she was seated
10 | ARTS & CULTURE
with Vadim Bulitko, a colleague from the Department of Computer Science. “He was working on video games and the whole idea of narrative branching, interactive narrative, and I thought that was really interesting and I started to think, not for the first time, that it would be interesting to be able to change the endings of these ballets,” Stovel said. “They’re all tragic. Giselle, for example, (in) Swan Lake, the ballerina always dies at the end, and I’ve been tempted to take a sort of feminist approach, ideally allowing the woman—the ballerina—some agency, and that would involve allowing her to stay alive. Vadim was quite interested in that possibility too, in terms of a video game.” As the story of iGiselle unfolds via music, voiceover, and images of dancers, the Kinect interface requires players to direct each plot point by striking dance poses to select their choice. iGiselle joins a growing number of innovative video games in an industry that primarily markets to men. “Ballet, I guess, stereotypically, tends to attract a more female or feminine audience,” said Laura Sydora, an English and film studies PhD candidate and dancer. “But we want to be able, too, to sort of appeal across gender divides.” The setting of the game has been adapted into a meta-ballet—students preparing for a production of Giselle. There’s also talk of potentially releasing iGiselle online, so people can download and play it on their own computer with Kinect game systems.
Beneath-your-stare, CC
thefulcrum.ca
Music Review
h i gh b a l l s WITH
HAWLEYWOOD
The
Sidecar Photo by Andrew Hawley
Andrew Hawley General Manager his brandy-based cocktail is truly deserving of its classic title. It was created during the First World War and later popularized by the likes of Humphrey Bogart, Coco Chanel, and George Gershwin. Although this does mean that legally you need to be at least 75 to order this drink today, its excellent balance of citrus, sweet, and sour tastes is re-popularizing it for modern times.
T
Liquid Gold
RECIPE: 1.5 oz (45 ml) cognac 1 oz (30 ml) Cointreau 1 oz (30 ml) lemon juice
Watch the video tutorial online with Hawleywood himself!
INSTRUCTIONS: Squeeze a wedge of orange over the rim of a chilled cocktail glass and dip the moistened rim into a saucer of superfine sugar (optional). Add the ingredients into a shaker filled with ice and shake. Strain into the cocktail glass. Garnish with a wedge of orange. Recipes for the Sidecar are varied, ranging from a drier 8:2:1 mix to a sweeter blend of 3:2:2. Regarding base, the drink is typically made with brandy from France, which is known as cognac. The complexities of making the drink make it pricier than other spirits. Hennessy is a good introductory brand (at $31.05 for 375 ml). As a bonus, its Irish name also makes it sound less pretentious than most cognacs.
WHEN TO
DRINK: Before dinner and at Great Gatsby parties.
Mick Jenkins The Water[s] | self-released Spencer Murdock Staff Reporter
The Water[s] is conceptual in a unique way. The central theme of the album is water’s importance to life. To Jenkins, water is more than something to drink; it represents all the things that are no longer present in today’s youth. It is an allegory of the thoughts and actions of a young man who feels like the only rational person left
in a changed world. The album features a jazzy sound and a narrative lyrical style, often slipping between soft storytelling and aggressive sonic clashes. The two styles complement the vast array of topics covered on the project. Jenkins is highly personal, giving you a look inside his life and the things he has seen, be it scarring events from his childhood or his love for Montreal.
Why it’s famous: The film adaption of Alan Moore’s graphic novel, V for Vendetta is probably one of the most iconic films of this generation. The film establishes itself as a poetic yet politically charged revolutionary call to arms that has influenced social movements around the word. It is best known for its novel use of the Guy Fawkes mask, which has become an unavoidable face used in protests such as the Occupy Wall Street movement and the Arab Spring uprising.
Jasmine Van schnou wen Contrib utor Famous lines: Evey Hammond: Remember, remember, the fifth of November, the Gunpowder Treason and Plot. I know of no reason why the Gunpowder Treason should ever be forgot. V: IBeneath this mask there is more than flesh. Beneath this mask there is an idea, Mr. Creedy, and ideas are bulletproof. V: People should not be afraid of their governments. Governments should be afraid of their people. Why you haven’t seen it: You were busy doing other stuff in 2005. I don’t know what. But it cannot have been useful if it prevented you from watching this. Shame on you. Why it might be tough to get through : As iconic as this movie has become, it is not devoid of Hollywood cheese. If you appreciate subtlety, you might have a bit of trouble dealing with this one. The parallels, references, and metaphors are transparent, the message can get a little in-your-face, and it has a tendency to be over-the-top.
thefulcrum.ca
“Martyrs” is perhaps the most striking track, as a chilling sample of Nina Simone’s classic “Strange Fruit” backs Mick’s commentary on a corrupted youth lost in a world where their actions do not bear consequences. Mick Jenkins may be a new name, but in a world where hip-hop can get all too complacent, someone so hungry and talented is extremely refreshing—much like a cool drink of water.
Why you should see it anyway: This is an unavoidable movie that is relevant whenever there is political discontent. Crafted with incredible artistry and attention to detail, no matter how cheesy you might find it at times, it remains a powerful, entertaining, and profound movie with a message that’s relatable in today’s political times.
Fun Facts:
• During the domino scene, V tips over black and red dominoes to form a giant letter V. Producers needed 22,000 dominoes to shoot the sequence. It took four professional domino assemblers 200 hours to set it up. • During the introduction of V to Evey, V uses words that begin with “v” 48 times. • Certain scenes feature James Purefoy as V, who was originally cast in the role but was replaced by Hugo Weaving four weeks into filming. Weaving’s voice was simply dubbed over Purefoy’s performance.
Most of the movies mentioned in Movies you should have seen are available for loan at the Morisset Library!
ARTS & CULTURE | 11
Jasmine van schouwen Contributor
SPORTS
SPORTS EDITOR Sarah Nolette sports@thefulcrum.ca (613) 562-5260
‘Big deal’ to wear Canada’s flag in France Three rowers from U of O return from international championship with pride “It’s such a big deal to get to wear the red and white, to get to put a maple leaf on your oars, to hear ‘go Canada!’ as you race down the course.” —Jenna Pelham
Simon Gollish Contributor
G
ee-Gees rowers Marika Kay, Jenna Pelham, and Lilianne Pagé are back in Canada and certainly have a lot to be proud of.
Pelham and Pagé finished sixth in the lightweight doubles final at the University Rowing Championships. But, all the ladies greatest sense of pride came from representing their school and country in international competition. The championship, held this past month in Gravelines, Northern France, brought together the best university rowers from across the world. “It’s such a big deal to get to wear the red and white, to get to put a maple leaf on your oars, to hear ‘go Canada!’ as you race down the course,” said Pelham. But it was a challenge. With the food, the equipment, and small regulation variations, France was markedly different from the racers’ usual setting. However, when it came time to race, the athletes felt at home in the water. “We are in a boat, we’re rowing two kilometres, and we want to get those two kilometres done faster than any other boat. That’s all,” said Pelham. A particular highlight was their ‘second chance’ repechage heat, which Pelham deemed their best race.
Gee-Gees rowing team making team Canada and uOttawa proud
Photos: Marika Kay
Kay, who raced with different teammates from Washington State University, the University of Western Ontario and the University of Saskatchewan, made it to the B finals in the women’s quad scull. The foursome wasn’t able to capture a spot on the podium, but Kay still felt positive. “All of us had good races and progressed well over the weekend,” she said. Her experience was especially different because she wasn’t familiar with her teammates prior to the competition. As it turned out, this was far from a bad thing. For her, the most memorable part of the trip was the drive from her team. “The focus and determination from my crew helped us work together and figure out the best way to move the boat quickly,” said Kay. The Gee-Gees group is now looking forward to the Canadian National Championship in Victoria, B.C. this November.
Strong performance by women’s soccer team
Gee-Gees come through with double-win weekend Rolando Ramirez Contributor
The Gee-Gees women’s soccer team racked up a total of 10 goals for two wins against Nipissing and Laurentian during a successful weekend at home. The Gees played with speed and impeccable offence throughout the Sept. 27–28 weekend, but the key factor to both victories was scoring early. On the Saturday, forward Pilar Khoury wasted no time against the Laurentian Voyageurs, scoring only two minutes into the match. The Voyageurs allowed too much time and space, granting the Gees the opportunity to score twice more in the first half. Before Laurentian could regroup in the second, the Gees sealed the deal with two additional goals to defeat the Sudburians with a final score of 5-0.
14 | SPORTS
The garnet and grey built from that momentum to claim another victory against Nippissing on Sunday. The Gees scored in the third minute of the match, and continued to dominate in midfield attack and defence to score another four goals and only allow one on a penalty kick. The game ended with a solid 5-1. “What I liked about both games was that we scored really early in both matches and that gave the players a sense of control,” said head coach Steve Johnson. It was a good showing, but midfielder Julia Francki said there’s still room for improvement. “Our defence is getting better and our forwards are clicking, and definitely winning helps the team morale,” said Francki. “I think we can move on … and improve from there.” As the games go on, the Gees are still adjusting to the new lineup, having said goodbye to 10 players from
last year’s roster. “We are still figuring out who is going to be playing, where and with whom, which combination works best,” said Johnson. “It is exciting because I think we still have the away games to reach our potential.” Each season, veterans and rookies alike have to step into new roles and the team constantly has to grow. “Every year is different, every year you lose players and you need new players to come in and take those new roles,” said Khoury. “I think that the rookies have adapted well to the team and we hope to continue to build strongly as a team for future games.” The garnet and grey will truly be tested soon, as they prepare to face strong squads at the University of Toronto, Ryerson, Queen’s, and Carleton in the next two weeks. The Gee-Gees will be back in action at Matt Anthony Field on Oct. 11 to face the Carleton Ravens.
Pilar Khoury with outstanding defence against Nipissing Sept. 28.
Photo: Marta Kierkus
thefulcrum.ca
Gee-Gees find redemption in win over Varsity Blues Third win of the season essential for playoffs in the 2014 campaign Spencer Murdock Staff Reporter
Coming off their crushing defeat in the Panda Game, the Gee-Gees football squad took to the road hoping to bounce back against the Toronto Varsity Blues. The Blues have been having a forgettable season, with their only win coming against an even weaker York Lions team in the annual Red & Blue Bowl the week prior. Despite an inspired effort from Toronto, the GeeGees still came away with a 41-25 win. It didn’t take long to set the tone. Just seconds after the ball left the foot of the Blues’ kicker, Gees defensive back Jackson Bennett rushed it back 101 yards into the end zone, his first return this season. The Gees would not let up as they punched in a field goal and another touchdown on a 27-yard run from backup running back Bryce Vieria starting for injured first-stringer Mack Tommy. Toronto would look to mount a comeback in the second quarter as they got on the board with a short touchdown run and with a fumble recovery for a touchdown later in the frame. The Gees eventually extended their lead to 31-13 going into the half on a seven-yard touchdown pass from quarterback Derek Wendel to
Mitchell Baines. The Gee-Gees drew first blood after the break with a short rushing touchdown from Wendel. The Blues once again attempted to get back in the game with a touchdown followed by a field goal and a safety. At 38-25, the Gee-Gees defence stepped up to fend off the charge and put the ball back in the hands of the offence. This led to a 31-yard field goal by Lewis Ward with 25 seconds left on the clock to finally put the game out of reach for the Blues. Wendel continued his season-long dominance, completing 26 of 32 passes for 334 yards, as well as 51 rushing yards, and three total touchdowns. His performance was enough to keep him as the number one QB in the country in yards and completions, and top 10 in nearly every other statistical category. The Gees now have a 3-2 record going into the final three games of the regular season. Barring a catastrophic collapse, the Gees will see playoff action and hope to improve on the 2013 campaign by extending their berth past the first round. A struggling Waterloo Warriors team is next on the schedule when they come to Gee-Gees Field Oct. 4. The Warriors have yet to win a game this year and are tied for last place in the conference.
Tyler McLaren is prepared for action.
Photo: Marta Kierkus
Justin Sweeney and Cassy Aite – men’s soccer Raghad S. Khalil Contributor
Meet outside midfielder Justin Sweeney and striker Cassy Aite, two members of the men’s soccer team. Sweeney is a veteran of six years, while Aite is one of the latest and greatest additions to the roster. The two are soon-to-be Telfer graduates and good friends on and off the pitch.
Aite: I like Real Madrid. I was always a big (Zinedine) Zidane fan growing up. I went to the Santiago Bernabeu Stadium when I was about 12, and that was it for me.
The Fulcrum: How long have you played soccer? Justin Sweeney: Since I was five or six. Cassy Aite: Since I was four.
JS: Bend It Like Beckham. CA: Who was that in She’s the Man? Amanda Bynes? I’m going to have to give it to Amanda Bynes.
What do you do to pump up before the game—anything unusual? JS: Nothing out of the ordinary. Mostly before the game I try and just mellow out. Everybody is super pumped up and ready to go, but I’m really lazy, so I think with warming up and stuff I try to avoid it as much as possible—this is going to sound really bad. CA: No, I wouldn’t say so. I don’t do anything weird like that. I don’t think anybody does anything weird or unusual before the game.
“You’re going to get knocked down, but you just have to get back up and keep pushing forward.” – Justin Sweeney
Justin Sweeney & Cassy Aite Justin carrying Cassy
thefulcrum.ca
Which soccer club do you support?
JS: Manchester United. I’ve supported them since I was really young, ever since I could figure out what was going on. Photo: Raghad Sheikh-Khalil
Which soccer film is better: She’s the Man or Bend It Like Beckham?
Do you have any nicknames on the field or in the locker room?
JS: Just Cass for short. When we’re yelling at him out on the field it’s kind of hard to say Cassy. CA: Sweens or Sweener… or Grandpa. Grandpa is the one actually, because he’s been with the team for so long—he’s the old guy. Do either of you have a funny story about your friend that only the team knows?
JS: Cass likes to have ridiculously huge meals before we play a game. This one time, we had practice early morning and we had a game right after, so we went to (Father & Sons) in between. The guys were giving me a hard time for eating an F&S breakfast, and Cassy came and sat down beside me and ordered the Mikey’s Spe-
cial, which was the biggest meal on the menu. We finished practice around 11 and then we ran to F&S, ate, and we had to be back at the field by 12. We ended up winning the game 4-0. CA: Well, after the veteran appreciation night, Justin showed up to practice in stained basketball shorts and I think some running shoes he picked up in the lost and found. But he still showed up to practice. He didn’t go home the night before. Who would win a 100-metre sprint?
JS: Cassy for sure. Cassy is really fast. He doesn’t like running a lot, but he runs really fast, short distances. I would win the marathon, but he would win the sprint for sure. If you could pick one thing to describe each other, what would it be? JS: Hard worker. CA: Sweetheart.
Any parting advice for readers? JS: You’re going to get knocked down, but you just have to get back up and keep pushing forward. It might take you six years to finish your undergrad degree, but you just got to get up and keep going.
SPORTS | 15
Sports with support: The Fulcrum’s top athletic bras
$52.00
It’s stretchy, it’s smooth, and it’s soft. But most of all, Lululemon’s All Sports Bra keeps my girls locked down and secure. This bra is hands down my favourite piece of athletic wear. Throughout my life of high-intensity basketball and running, it’s been impossible to find a sports bra that’s comfortable, holds everything in place, and doesn’t irritate my skin. The All Sport Bra has thick cross-back straps that are supportive and don’t dig into my shoulders during physical activity. I love the sweat wick fabric that stretches around my body and fits like second skin. This bra is compressive, but I never get the uni-boob look. It keeps my shape and flatters my body. The flat seams across the entire bra ensure no chaffing. This is probably the best feeling in the world after a two-hour basketball practice. —Sarah Nolette
The Pole Dancing Society is getting busy with dancers of every shape and size Sarah Nolette Sports editor
Most people who pole dance these days are everyday women and men, not strippers. Pole fitness is increasing in popularity and becoming more sophisticated. This past April, pole fitness had its third annual Pole World Cup where more than 150 men and women from 36 different countries competed for the top prize of $32,000. It’s all about fitness. That’s what Chantal Gray and Robin Librach of the University of Ottawa’s Pole Dancing Society want students to know—and it seems they’re getting the message. This semester, the club had a huge increase in membership, and is now sitting at more than 70 active members. Compare that to Gray’s first year in 2011 when there were only Robin Librach stricking a pose about 30, and it’s clear the club has come a long way. Gray says she has stuck with it for the last three years because it challenged her in ways other activities couldn’t. “I took a class, and immediately I loved it,” she says. “I’ve tried so many different types of workouts. I’ve tried yoga, I’ve tried Zumba, everything else I drop within a month. This, I’ve done for years.” Librach, who’s in her second year at the club, first got into pole dancing when she was away on an exchange. She says there’s something unique about the U of O’s club. “I found out there was a pole society here, and
16 | SPORTS
$42.00
Buried under a mound of homework and responsibility, you have one concern as you pick out what you’re going to wear: comfort. Although this bra isn’t my first pick for intensive exercise, the Flow Y sports bra offers optimal comfort. The fun colours will remind you of better days when you bought it because you were “going to stay fit this winter.” Its design is simple yet stylish, with thin straps and a playful mesh panel. The bra feels great under that TNA sweatshirt you swore you’d never wear again. It even has a slick side pocket to hold your student card when you finally make it to the school gym. Comfort can be costly, but it’ll be worth it as you finish selecting an outfit of stretchy, overpriced bliss. Only now can you face the challenges ahead. —Nadia Drissi El-Bouzaidi
New Balance: Heidi Klum Hottie
$34.99
It’s exhausting to get through a game or workout with a tight-fitting sports bra. It just makes me want to shred it to pieces like the Hulk. But I bear with the sweaty, sticky, and itchy feeling. Taking it off is another story, and a hassle I wouldn’t like to share. But on one of my shopping excursions I found it: the perfect sports bra. It was tough. Going through bra after bra, enduring that same tight-fitting, distressing feeling like I did before. But after spending at least half an hour at the store, there it was: a purple bra meant for yoga. Heidi Klum’s New Balance bra provides support, comfort, and flexibility. It’s more affordable than most brands, and simply the best. Besides, look at the name—it’s not just for comfort, it looks great too. —Christine Tomlinson
I was really happy about it,” said Librach. “I don’t know of any other university that has an active pole society, so it was great for me to be able to continue and meet other people with a similar interest.” The society is sponsored by Ottawa Pole Fitness on Somerset Street. They hold all their classes there, and the studio also offers discounts to the club specifically. Each semester, the club offers beginner and advanced workshops. They also organize pole jams, which are basically pole parties, and pot lucks. The club rents out the studio space for two hours, with no instructor—just do pole, and have fun. But, studio costs aren’t cheap, so the society fundraises the majority of its expenses. They put on bake sales and sell lollipops to students at night clubs to bring in money and organize more events. UO Pole Dancing Society Overall, Gray says it’s the best workout she’s ever done. It was awkward at first, she says, but it’s perfectly normal for beginners to be nervous. “If you’re going to a first-time beginner’s class, most likely everyone else there has no idea what they’re doing, and everyone is super shy,” says Gray. “No one will act like they’re the stars.” Anyone can join the club for a one-time payment of $10. “It’s a really supportive environment,” says Librach. “People of all shapes and sizes can come in. You don’t need to be in shape before you get started—you get fit while doing pole.”
thefulcrum.ca
Photo: courtesy of nelly.com
$59.50
I was on the market for some new sports bras for my five-kilometre run training. I have a curvier frame with a well-endowed bosom, so I prefer maximum support. Victoria’s Secret is known for their undergarments, pajamas, and lingerie, so I was hesitant about their sports line, but I gave it a go. This one’s a push-up, which had me worried about my breasts hitting my chin. Indeed, it’s a little excessive at first, but at the same time it made me feel sexy. When I trained in it for the first time, I couldn’t believe the difference. The bra moulds to your shape and gives you the coverage and support you’ve always wanted, and the four-way stretch banding gives you the utmost comfort. The straps don’t dig and are adjustable with a cross-body backing. For the first time in my life I could run in comfort and ease, and not worry about a thing. —Jessica Eritou
Lululemon: Flow Y IV
Photo: Marta Kierkus
Photo: Marta Kierkus
Photo: Marta Kierkus
Victoria's Secret: Lululemon: The Standout All Sport
OPINIONS
OPINIONS EDITOR Kyle Darbyson
opinions@thefulcrum.ca (613) 562-5260
Pit bulls: inherently dangerous or lovable companion? Ontario’s pit bull ban turns entire breed into public enemy Under Emily Manns Contributor
S
tephanie Hurtubise would have been the proud owner of a canine companion named Django this summer, had it not been for a provincial law based on “myths and false evidence.”
a ria
nn
eB
or
to
lin
Philosophical Sh*t Is it worse to fail at something or never at temp t it in the first place?
John Azzi Contributor
Michael Jordan wasn’t born a basketball prodigy. The former NBA star, widely regarded as the greatest basketball player who ever lived, is known now for his unparalleled competitiveness on the court, but also for his later success in the business world. Believe it or not, Jordan has a failure story of his own. When he was a freshman in high school, he was cut from the team for another freshman. Back then, he wasn’t yet the talented player he would eventually become. He took the disappointment of being cut and kept pushing. He made the varsity team the following year, became a national champion in college, and was the unquestioned leader of six NBA championships. When you try something for the
thefulcrum.ca
the guidance of loving and nurturing owners, pit bulls can be as gentle and cuddly as any other breed of dog.
o: M
Whenever you fail at anything, whether it be in sports, love, or even school, you learn from your mistakes.
rings in the ‘80s. However, just as traits can be bred into a species, they can also be bred out. Under the guidedance of loving and nurturing owners, pit bulls can be as gentle and cuddly as any other breed of dog. Many dog lovers are looking to debunk the myths and misconceptions surrounding the breed by posting Youtube videos of their children playing with the family pit bull to show how calm and lovable they can be. Unfortunately, those are memories Hurtubise and Django aren’t allowed to share. “I’ve experienced more aggressive behaviour from my shih tzus and Yorkshire terriers than I have from a pit bull,” she said. “This law needs to be lifted so we can all meet a Django of our own, and learn how beautiful these dogs really are.” Phot
It’s a law that was enacted nearly a decade ago, when the Ontario government put a ban on the ownership, breeding, and selling of pit bulls, which was incorporated into the Dog Owner’s Liability Act in 2005 for the purpose of improving public safety. As a result of this ban, Hurtubise decided against adopting Django, not wanting to live under the constant threat of the dog being euthanized by one outside complaint. Because of this, she had to watch as Django was sent to live with another family in Quebec. “They are not the demon beasts the authorities make them out to be,” said Stephanie Hurtubise, a recent graduate from the University of Ottawa. “They are animals that, under numerous unfortunate circumstances, were wrongfully targeted by a society begging for an enemy to blame.” Pit bulls, the first and foremost on a blacklist of dogs that have become victims of our irrational fears and ill-placed judgments, have
certainly earned a reputation they don’t deserve. This particular breed has long been under public scrutiny. Most recently in Ottawa, they were thrown into public debate again after a 14-month-old girl was attacked by a pit bull in April, resulting in the loss of most of her nose. For some, the attack reinforced their preexisting prejudices toward the dogs. Although dog owners in Ottawa are legally bound by Ontario’s pit bull policy, according to a recent article in the Ottawa Citizen, authorities are reluctant to enforce it unless a pit bull poses a visible threat. It’s easy to see why. For one, it’s extremely difficult and impractical to identify pit bulls, since they are not a recognized breed and can only be identified by veterinary experts. Moreover, those who don’t have knee-jerk reactions to certain news stories should see that any dog, regardless of breed, can be a trustworthy and endearing companion if they are raised properly. A dog’s temperament is entirely dependent upon the actions of its owner. Unfortunately, the reputation of pit bulls has suffered at the hands of their owners. They became the dog of choice for gangs and drug dealers, who started using them to guard stash houses and participate in dog fighting
first time, there’s a good chance you’re going to fail horribly. But if Jordan had never tried, the basketball world would never know his name. Is it worse to fail at something or never attempt it in the first place? People encounter this dilemma at many different intervals throughout their lives, and they often find themselves not knowing how to answer it. Actually, there’s a simple answer: give it a shot. Failure can do one of two things: it’ll either give you an incomparable amount of motivation that’ll eventually lead to greater things, or you’ll be satisfied with the simple act of trying. Although it may not be your forte, attempting it shows more courage than making an excuse or cowering away. So why are so many people simply too afraid to put themselves on the line? Because it may not be worth
the effort? No, I think it’s because they don’t want to see their hard work crash and burn, something that might break their self-confidence into a million pieces. What people don’t always consider is that while you might get hurt in the end, getting hurt and learning something about yourself is much more valuable than simply living in fear. Whenever you fail at anything, whether it be in sports, love, or even school, you learn from your mistakes. This experience gives you the ability to grow, and with a determined mindset, you will not only improve, but eventually succeed. It would be unfair to hold people to the same standard as Michael Jordan. But anyone can learn a lesson from his experience and even relate it to their own lives. This man’s story began with a failure, and yours too can end with success.
OPINIONS | 17
Is it ever OK to drop the n-bomb? A personal reflection on the most polarizing word in the English language Moussa Sangaré-Ponce Associate Online Editor
ESPN’s Skip Bayless says it’s the most evil word in the English language. Oprah Winfrey says its use is hateful, degrading, and disrespectful to those who suffered in the Civil Rights era. Rapper Nas says it can be used, but only by ‘‘real’’ people, while 50 Cent and JayZ believe it all depends on the intent. Whether it ends with an “a” or an “er,” I’m still torn over the word’s use—and perhaps always will be. I grew up in rural Nova Scotia, where I was always told that the word had heavy racist connotations attached to it. At the same time, I grew up listening to the likes of Kanye West, 50 Cent, and Fabolous, three rappers who liberally use the word in their music. The contrast in attitudes has always brought up questions for me. One of the questions I keep coming back to is this: should I be offended when white people say “nigga” while singing along to their favourite rap song, or when they use it as a term of endearment? In short, I’d say yes. Before I came to Ottawa, there wasn’t a single time when a white person used the word kindly toward me. They used it to provoke and verbally attack me. Even when I started living in the city, I found they would use the word a lot more loosely, and there were hardly any consequences. When it comes to white people, my answer is simple enough—but I’m still conflicted by its use by blacks. Those in favour
18 | OPINIONS
might say it’s a form of re-appropriation, and I can concede that. If some members of the black community want to take an ugly word from the past and put a positive spin on it in the present, they should be allowed to do so. And they’re not the only ones—some in the LGBTQ community have reappropriated the word “queer,” which for the longest time was used to undermine people of different sexual orientations. But I also understand why some black people refuse to endorse the word, citing the misery and hardship it brought to their ancestors. But as a black person in the 21st century, I do not feel as strong of a bond to that period of time and the old wounds that were carried over from past generations.
I’m afraid there will never be a consensus within the black community about the use of the n-word. As we move further away from the Civil Rights movement, its use might become more and more frequent and socially acceptable. However, while vocabulary evolves and meanings can change, we cannot forget the history and pain attached to the word. I will not be a hypocrite and say that I have never used the word “nigga” and will never use it again. But the next time I do, I’ll be asking myself the same questions that I am asking right now. Regardless, it will always be the most polarizing word in the English language.
Photo courtesyof Heart to Heart International, CC
The crisis in West Africa Mistrust between government and its citizens has led to further suffering from Ebola outbreak Alex Regimbald Contributor
Illustration by Devin Beauregard
The recent Ebola outbreak in West Africa has been called the worst in recorded history. Nearly 3,000 people have already died, out of more than 5,700 cases discovered as of September. As the disease spreads, panic and chaos follow. Liberia has been the worst hit, with citizens openly disobeying advice from both the World Health Organization and their own government, hiding patients and stealing bloody bed sheets and mattresses. At its worst, armed mobs have even attacked hospitals and freed infected patients, allowing the virus to spread even further. It’s hard to understand why people would behave like this. At first glance it looks like intentional acts of suicide on a grand scale. But upon closer inspection, we can see that those who have participated in these raids and thefts are deeply suspicious of the government, and are under the impression that the outbreak has been intentionally inflicted upon the country’s population. So how did an entire country become so paranoid of its own government that it’s willing to steal soiled linen? The answer lies in Liberia’s recent history. Since 1989, the country has undergone two civil wars, both of which contributed enormously to the nation’s current destitution. Not only were hundreds of thousands killed or displaced as a direct result
of these wars, but the country now faces one of the highest cases of poverty in the world, scoring even lower than Afghanistan on the World Development Index. Life expectancy sits at around 57 years, with malaria and tuberculosis running rampant across the country. Liberia also has one of the highest rates of sexual violence against women, with a police
With a government that actively murders its population, sometimes in collusion with foreign interests, it's no wonder that Liberians believe that the Ebola outbreak is an inside job. force that seems unmotivated to take action. Amidst all this hardship, corruption is incredibly widespread throughout the government. Liberia scores a staggering 3.8 out of 10 (10 being very clean and zero being highly corrupt) on the Corruption Perceptions Index. In fact, most senior officials in the government use their positions of authority to increase their own wealth and power rather than
help the population at large. For example, during 22nd president Charles Taylor’s rule, much of the leader’s funds came from the exploitation of blood diamonds and the illegal timber trade. As if that wasn’t bad enough, Taylor was partnered in these industries with Pat Robertson, one of the most infamous evangelical preachers in the United States. In a predominantly Christian country with lengthy ties to the United States, one can only imagine how deep this betrayal was felt amongst the population. Because of these years of systematic abuse by the government, any semblance of trust between them and the people dissolved long ago. At best the system has proven indifferent about the plight of the average Liberian, and at worst it’s been outright destructive. With a government that actively murders its population, sometimes in collusion with foreign interests, it’s no wonder Liberians believe that the Ebola outbreak is an inside job. The outbreak has evolved far beyond anything the country can self-manage. Unfortunately, since Liberians have been taught that authority figures are naturally out to get them, it will take a lot of convincing before they start accepting humanitarian aid without resistance. Without the public’s trust, Liberians will surely continue to undermine any efforts to help as they lash out in fear and anger during this time of crisis.
thefulcrum.ca
Question Period will now consist of only questions MPs only allowed to answer questions with other questions h
alloug Ryan M
Contributor
Members of Parliament are set to put the question back in Question Period after Speaker of the House Andrew Scheer announced a major change to the rules of parliamentary procedure earlier this week. Starting Monday, the traditional question-and-answer format will be replaced by a question-andquestion format. This change came as a result of an incident that took place on Sept. 23, where NDP leader Thomas Mulcair recklessly ground Question Period to a halt by demanding that government answer questions regarding Canada’s Iraq Mission. Now, Scheer is looking to make sure that the pursuit of answers to simple questions never burdens future parliamentary procedures. “After careful consideration of the recommendations made by the parliamentary sub-committee on redundancy, I have decided to adopt the committee’s recommendation to eliminate answers from
Question Period,” the Speaker told the House of Commons on Tuesday. “Now, all members must either pose questions, or answer questions in the form of other questions.” The change, which has been staunchly supported by members of the University of Ottawa’s Alex Trebek School of Government, comes at a time when two-thirds of Canadians believe Question Period needs to be reformed. “One of the universal criticisms Canadians make about Question Period is that they feel it’s detrimental to public discourse because the government, no matter which party is in power, never really answers the questions being asked,” said Michelle Knight, assistant professor of political science at the
University of Ottawa. “By eliminating the answer portion of Question Period, we’ve solved half the problem right there.” It’s also a time when many Canadians are fed up with how parliamentary procedures are conducted. In fact, prior to this news, each new session of Question Pe-
riod that occurs is often followed by collective groaning and eyerolling from hundreds of journalists, political science majors, and
Canada’s House of Questions
the dozens of everyday Canadians who still watch CPAC. Spokespeople for the NDP, Liberal, and Green parties all welcomed the change as a way to get Canadians interested in watching Question Period for a couple of minutes, which would mark the
highest level of engagement with the procedure since the novelty wore off in 1868. “I think Canadians are asking
416style via wikimedia, CC
a lot of questions when it comes to Question Period,” said NDP spokesperson Tim Duvall. “I think this new format will really reflect the type of parliamentary behaviour that Canadians have come to expect.” Paul Calandra, parliamentary secretary to the prime minister,
issued a statement summing up the government’s reaction to the change. “Israel!” Calandra proclaimed during a Wednesday night airing of Power and Politics. The committee studied several other options to reformat Question Period. One of the ideas included a Deal or No Deal-type framework where MPs would select a briefcase containing a mystery question and attempt to negotiate the simplest inquiry possible through round-to-round negotiations with the leader of the opposition. A “dating game” setup was also considered, but was scrapped after it was decided that this format would be way too advantageous to Liberal leader Justin Trudeau. Democracy advocates are cautiously optimistic about the changes, and are hopeful it will highlight the problems in parliament. “It’s certainly something that will garner some attention, and attention is key,” said Knight. “I mean, when you stop paying attention to parliament, you get the government you deserve.”
Poop Fairy announces imminent retirement City dog owners left in a state of befuddlement
Stephanie Piamonte
Contribu
tor
In a press conference, Mayor Jim Watson confirmed speculation that the Poop Fairy, a long-time City of Ottawa employee, is finally retiring. The job description posted on the City of Ottawa website says the Poop Fairy is responsible for picking up after citizens who don’t pick up after their dogs. Benefits associated with the position include moderate exercise and good karma. The Poop Fairy, Ottawa’s longest-serving public servant, was once easily recognizable as the guy who wore sanitary gloves and carried extra plastic bags while walking around Ottawa’s streets and parks. The Poop Fairy achieved semi-mythical status in recent years as sightings grew less frequent. The Poop Fairy says he is still working fulltime hours, but in the last few years there has been a lot more pooping and a lot less scooping. “I’ve had to use my magical powers to jet around Ottawa at the speed of light, picking
thefulcrum.ca
up shit wherever it could be found,” he said in an interview with the Tomato. When asked to speculate on why there seems to be an increase in the level of dog poop left lying around Ottawa, the Poop
Fairy said, “I’ve thought about that a lot. I think it’s a case of people being apathetic. Most dog owners think, you know, if a dog shits in the street and nobody sees it, did the dog really even take a shit?”
Illustration by Devin Beauregard Liberal leaning unknown until now.
There are currently no plans for a job hunt to replace the Poop Fairy. Instead, Mayor Watson hopes Ottawans will follow the Poop Fairy’s example. “We hope the citizens of Ottawa will try to emulate the hard work and dedication of the Poop Fairy, who has truly been an inspiration to us all,” said Watson. “Even if people only pick up after their own dogs, they will be continuing the noble legacy of the Poop Fairy.” Ottawa’s dog owners are dismayed that no new Poop Fairy will be hired. “I hate picking up dog crap,” said one dog owner, who wished to remain anonymous for fear of public shaming. “What am I going to do now that the Poop Fairy is retiring? I’m still not going to pick up my dog’s poo, and that’s final. So the city had better just find the funds for another Poop Fairy.” When asked if he had any advice for novice pooper-scoopers, the Poop Fairy said he didn’t have any special technique to share. “It’s pretty simple, really. You just bend over and pick it up.”
THE TOMATO | 19
DISTRACTIONS
Dear Di,
I recently hooked up with a guy in my residence, and while we were doing 69 he licked my asshole. He didn’t ask before he did it and it made me feel pretty uncomfortable. I obviously didn’t return the favour and it killed the vibe. It wasn’t until I talked to my roommate later that she said I got a “rim job.” What is the normal thing to do after receiving some rim, and how should I feel about it?
—Anal Etiquette
Dear AE,
First of all, you should tell your partner that he should let you know before he does any further exploration of your body. Anything that makes you pause in the midst of your panting is a signal that you need to communicate with your partner. The second hole in your nether regions is a sensitive area full of erogenous zones and nerve endings—but the pleasure comes second to your comfort. Analingus, the fancy name for rim jobs, involves stimulation of the anus orally or through touch. There’s no norm when it comes to rear-end love, but it is important to let your partner know what you do and don’t like. If you don’t feel comfortable, say so. Your partner is the other half of this sexual equation, and it is their job to respect your boundaries. While your level of intimacy with your partner will dictate how down and dirty you want to get, your consent should be first and foremost. If you’re still feeling unnerved by the experience, I would definitely recommend going to talk to the Women’s Resource Centre, Health Services, your roommate, or another person you’re comfortable with about the experience. They’ll be able to help you get to the bottom of your feelings and offer some other options going forward. One uncomfortable sexual encounter shouldn’t put a damper on your sexuality—we’ve all had our share of odd experiences in the sack. However, if you find yourself feeling curious, you can try a little down-andaround-back exploration to find your G spot at the rear. Or, if you find yourself looking to try rimming for the first time, a great way to start is by combining it with a blow job. While your lips have his package preoccupied, you can begin with a little finger action around his pink bottom button. When he starts to respond, swap your hand to his member and amaze his a-hole with your lips. He can use the oral-anal combo on you too. Dental dams are also a great way to get around any unsavory situations, since your derriere serves other bodily functions besides getting pleasured. As with all the best things in life, communication and consent are always a must, and your enjoyment will come from your personal comfort with yourself and your partner. However, don’t forget that sometimes the moves that make you swoon the most are those you don’t expect.
FEATURES EDITOR Jesse Colautti
features@thefulcrum.ca (613) 562-5260
Dear Di,
I love having sex with my man. We’ve been sexually active for a long time and we’ve been playing it safe. He is so good and makes me feel so good. But when we do it together it doesn’t feel as good as when I do it on my own. They’re two completely different feelings, both very good, but my solo sex really puts the ‘O’ in orgasm and for some reason our sex does not. I’ve tried bringing this up but I don’t think he understands, nor does it make him feel particularly good that he can’t satisfy me. Is there something wrong with me? Will he ever be able to push me over the edge or will I always have to depend on myself to orgasm? How can I get my own mind-blowing orgasm during sex so that we’ll both be happy?
—Stuck in Solo ‘O’ Satisfaction
Dear SSOS,
Don’t worry! Your masturbatory orgasms are simply a testament to knowing yourself, and will make it easier to guide you both to orgasmic bliss. Since you know your body best, try a little monkey-see, monkey-do. By masturbating in front of your man, you can show him exactly how and where you get the most stimulation, and then try it together with penetration. If you’re a girl, try experimenting with your partner to stimulate your clitoris in different ways. Your clitoris is rich with nerve endings, so changing the pressure, type of touch, and speed of stimulation will help you climax. It’s up to you to help direct your partner to pleasure you how you want. The two of you might also want to take a racy read of the Kama Sutra to try some thrilling new positions that give you both better penetration. Positions where you are on top, or where he enters you from behind, will let you control the position and speed to have you hitting the high notes. Oral foreplay or introducing a vibrator or cock ring will maintain those sensual stimulations for you both. If you’re a guy, I would suggest also experimenting with different types of stimulation, toys, and positions to amp up your pleasure with your partner When it comes down to it, SSOS, communication is key. If you’ve been together a while, it may just be a case of mixing up how, where, and when you make love. Talk about what really makes you moan and groan. You can use this opportunity to have a better O as a learning curve for you and your man— what more incentive do you need to be more adventurous in bed?
Love, Di
Love, Di 20 | DISTRACTIONS
thefulcrum.ca
OCt. 2 to Oct. 24 2014
THRYLLABUS
MUSIC arts
Thursday, Oct. 2
Saturday, Oct. 11
The Study and Go Abroad Fair, Ottawa Convention Centre — 2 p.m.
Women’s soccer vs. Carleton, Matt Anthony Field —1 p.m.
Friday, Oct. 3 Alex Nevsky, National Arts Centre — 8 p.m. ($12 student rush tickets for any NAC event) Women’s Volleyball Preseason Classic vs. McMaster, Montpetit Hall — 5 p.m. Periphery, Ritual Nightclub — 6 p.m.
Saturday, Oct. 4 Women’s Volleyball Preseason Classic vs. McGill, Montpetit Hall — 11 a.m. Men’s football vs. Waterloo, Gee-Gees Field — 1 p.m. Jim Jefferies, National Arts Centre — 8 p.m.
Sunday, Oct. 5 Beach House, Bronson Centre — 8 p.m.
FUN Thinking
thefulcrum.ca
Electric Pow Wow, Babylon Night Club —10 p.m.
Sunday, Oct. 12 Hintonburg Public House Trivia Night, 1020 Wellington Street — 9 p.m. Mod Night, Babylon Night Club — 10 p.m.
Monday, Oct. 13 Blaze Bayley, Mavericks — 8 p.m.
Tuesday, Oct. 14 The Raging Nathans, House of TARG — 9 p.m.
Wednesday, Oct. 15
Women’s rugby vs. Bishops, Matt Anthony Field — 3:30 p.m.
Gob and special guests Seaway, Mavericks — 8 p.m.
Monday, Oct. 6
Thursday, Oct. 16
A conversation on the war in Ukraine, Faculty of Social Sciences Building — 12 p.m. International Exchanges Information Session, Tabaret Hall, Room 323 — 5:30 p.m.
Ottawa International Film Festival Begins at Mayfair Theatre
Tuesday, Oct. 7
Protecting the Victims of Human Trafficking in Canada and Europe, Faculty of Social Sciences Building — 9 a.m.
A Night of Spooky Stories, Maxwell’s Bistro and NIghtclub — 7 p.m.
Comedy for Canines, Absolute Comedy — 8:30 p.m.
A night dedicated to the telling of scary stories. Free scary stories.
Sports
Charron, Ritual Nightclub - 11p.m.
Thursday, Oct. 9 The F Word begins playing at Bytowne Cinema
Friday, Oct. 10 Women’s rugby vs. Carleton, Matt Anthony Field — 7 p.m. Current Swell, Mavericks — 8 p.m.
Fundraiser in support of Sit With Me Shelter Dog Rescue
Women’s soccer vs. UOIT, Matt Anthony Field — 1 p.m. Open House – Collections of Museum of Nature, 1740 Pink Road, Gatineau — 10 a.m. Chance to see some of the Museum of Nature’s 10.5 million natural history specimens, meet science experts, and visit labs where new discoveries are made.
Sunday, Oct. 19 Women’s soccer vs. Trent, Matt Anthony Field — 1 p.m. Beau’s Turntable Take-Over, Wellington Gastropub, 5 p.m. The Hintonburg Public House Checkers Club, 1200 Wellington Street West, 3 p.m. That’s right, a checkers tournament.
Monday, Oct. 20 The Mousetrap begins showing at Ottawa Little Theatre Written by Agatha Christie, and one of the most popular plays of all time. Student tickets for $12.
Wednesday, Oct. 22 EcoDistrict Beer Tasting, HUB Ottawa (71 Bank St.) — 7 p.m. Sampling of local beers from Beau’s, The Publican House, Broadhead, Perth Brewery and Kichesippi
Thursday, Oct. 23
Friday, Oct. 17
The Trews, Mavericks — 8 p.m.
Bey Bey All Beyoncé Dance Party, Babylon Nightclub — 11 p.m.
Friday, Oct. 24
Emmanuel Jal, Zaphod Beeblebrox — 8 p.m.
Saturday, Oct. 18 Thus Owls, National Arts Centre — 7:30 p.m.
Made in Ottawa Thriller Double Bill, Mayfair Theatre — 6:30 p.m. Men’s basketball Jack Donohue Tournament vs. WPI, Montpetit gym — 6 p.m.
DISTRACTIONS | 21
22 | DISTRACTIONS
thefulcrum.ca
EDITORIAL
Volume 75, Issue 6, September 25, 2014 Taking on the final frontier since 1942. Phone: (613) 562-5261 | Fax: (613) 562-5259 631 King Edward Ave. Ottawa, ON K1N 6N5 Recycle this or we’ll throw you out the airlock.
staff
We all need a little space
Sabrina “Starship Troopers” Nemis Editor-in-Chief editor@thefulcum.ca Adam “The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy” Ashby Gibbard Production Manager production@thefulcrum.ca
Marta “Zathura” Kierkus Visual Editor visual@thefulcrum.ca Nadia “Alien” Drissi El-Bouzaidi News Editor news@thefulcrum.ca Jessica “The Fountain” Eritou Arts & Culture Editor arts@thefulcrum.ca Jesse “Gravity” Colautti Features Editor features@thefulcrum.ca Sarah “Space Jam” Nolette Sports Editor sports@thefulcrum.ca Kyle “Ender’s Game” Darbyson Opinions Editor opinions@thefulcrum.ca Spencer “WALL-E” Van Dyk Online Editor online@thefulcrum.ca Spencer “Oblivion” Murdock Staff Reporter Lindsay “Lilo & Stitch” MacMillan Associate News Editor Moussa “Outlander” Sangaré-Ponce Associate Online Editor Annalise “Star Crystal” Mathers Associate Features Editor Savannah “Moonraker” Awde Staff Proofreader Chantale “Dark Star” Streeting Webmaster Deidre “Pandorum” Butters Ad Manager ads@thefulcrum.ca Andrew “Battlestar Galactica” Hawley General Manager manager@thefulcrum.ca
Contributors
Jennifer “Elysium” Vo Miriam “Capricorn One” Saslove Amy “Farscape” Leppanen Raghad “Solaris” S. Khalil Simon “Titan A.E.” Gollish Rolando “Flash Gordon” Ramirez Christine “Iron Sky” Tomlinson Emily “Firefly” Manns John “Moon 44” Azzi Stephanie Piamonte Jasmine “Dune” van Schouwen Ryan “Planet Hulk” Mallough Alex “Spaceballs” Regimbald Remi “Leprechaun 4” Yuan Julia “Serenity” Riddle L. A. “Cat-Women of the Moon” Bonte William “District 9” Hume Kathleen “Lost in Space” Matthews
Cover art A. Jennifer Vo B. Marta Kierkus C. Marta Kierkus D. Marianne Bortolin
B
thefulcrum.ca
T
he University of Ottawa Muslim Students Association (UOMSA) is requesting more prayer space on campus. As enrolment has risen, so have their numbers and the space provided is no longer adequate for their needs.
Adam “Riddick” Feibel Managing Editor content@thefulcrum.ca
A C
(SFUO) president Jock Tucot in 1965. Turcot died in a car crash while in office and students raised funds for the university centre in memoriam.
1965
As the UOMSA is requesting space for the religious purposes of a large number of students, it is without a doubt more pressing than many requests. However, space is an issue on this campus for everyone. The needs of one of the largest student groups on campus points to a larger problem. Set on a 42.5-hectare triangle of land in the middle of an expanding city, the U of O has been pressed for space for many years. While more and taller buildings have been added to the space, the main area has remained relatively the same. With enrolment going up by 10,000 students since 2000, the need for space is more important than ever. One of the biggest ways the U of O falls short is in meeting residence requirements for first year students. Incoming students are supposed to be guaranteed a residence spot, and university president Allan Rock has said he wants to double the number of students living on campus from 3,000 to 6,000 in the coming years. With little space to work with and pressure from residents to keep the number of students in Sandy Hill to a minimum,
this promise has at times been difficult to keep. In interviews with the Fulcrum, Rock has stated that student housing and a sense of community are priorities for the university administration. Private residences have been converted into student accommodations, a building at Rideau and Friel Streets was purchased, and a new residence is being built on Henderson Avenue. Ensuring first-year students have a place to live is part of creating a sense of community
2014
on campus.
Ensuring there are spaces for student clubs and services is also part of creating a sense of community. This is where we meet new people, make friends, gain out-of-class experience, and they can be a great way to integrate students who never live in residence. Social space for student clubs and services is also in need of an update. The Jock-Turcot University Centre was the brainchild of former Student Federation of the University of Ottawa
Built in 1973 to accommodate the needs of a much smaller student population, it still serves as the main building for clubs and services. Without space to expand, the building is now inadequate for the varied needs of a diverse student population. It’s great that we have one of the biggest student populations in the province, but perhaps expanding admissions should also mean expanding facilities to meet the needs of students we already have. New spaces for research like ARC are fantastic for the university, but spaces for living, praying, and the services that make up a wellrounded university life are also essential. With the upcoming Light Rail Transit (LRT), Rock has suggested that space issues may be alleviated as the campus expands around Lees. In the meantime, we’re left crowded into small spaces. UOMSA has proposed a space at the south end of campus, but it would alleviate only one of many needs for students on this campus. When the university presents its plans going forward, it would be a step in the right direction to have the issue of social space given as much attention as housing and research.
D
EDITORIAL | 23
Fulcrum Magazine Food Issue