The Argosy, Sept 5, 2013

Page 1

Mount Allison’s

THE September 5, 2013

ARGOSY Independent Student Newspaper

Unable to remember frosh week since 1872

Construction continues on campus

Vol. 143 Iss. 2

Music scene to adapt Key local musicians depart

Norman Nehmetallah Entertainment Editor

Progress continues on the Purdy Crawford Centre for the Arts, slated to open Fall 2014 (Nick Sleptov/Argosy)

Students returning to school this September will notice some dramatic differences in the Mount Allison landscape. Aside from the noticeable work on the arts centre, there have been a number of other changes, such as residence improvements and the restoration of Black House. But not everyone shares the University’s enthusiasm for renovation. The faculty union in particular has been critical of the administration’s construction

spending. Recent Mount Allison Faculty Association (MAFA) media releases have questioned the administration’s spending on buildings relative to perceived neglect of academic programs. A June 2013 MAFA newsletter raised concerns over issues such as the failure to replace many of this year’s sabbaticals, as well as the increasing ratio of contract faculty. Since 2006, the number of contract academic staff has increased by over sixty percent while the ranks of tenured faculty have increased by two percent. Mount Allison University has run balanced budgets for the past twentytwo years and has an endowment of over $100 million. There has been obvious progress on the Purdy Crawford Centre for the Arts. The tentative opening date of the building remains Fall 2014. However,

the Centre continues to be an object of some controversy, as the University is now contributing $10 million of operating money over six years as opposed to the originally planned ten, more money per year than initially thought. Renovations on the historic Black House, also known as Hammond House, were completed over the summer. Black House is resuming its former role as the president’s residence. The house, built in 1896, was the home of Mt. A presidents from 1958-1975. The current President and ViceChancellor Robert Campbell and his family moved into their new home in August. While there were initially many concerns about cost, an August news release boasts that the $1.3 million refurbishment of Black House was funded by the sale of the former

presidential estate, Cranewood, and by a donation that has been pledged but not yet publicly announced. The presidential residence hosts many events over the course of the year. More renovations are underway on the south side of campus, with Bigelow House temporarily closed for the 2013-2014 academic year. Some of the improvements include the creation of single ensuite rooms; new flooring, sprinklers, and lighting; bathroom renovations; and many more general improvements. In a June news release, President and Vice-Chancellor Robert Campbell said, “Though temporary, the decision was difficult to make given the history and spirit of Bigelow. The decision was one that made sense in terms of the health and viability of the entire residence system, a feature that is integral to the Mount Allison student experience.”

News

Science

Centrefold

Sports

Faculty union questions spending priorities Christopher Balcom News Editor

The MASU bike co-op A new discovery in A look back at Landsdowne field: fit Pg. 3 Pg. 7 Pg. 16 Pg. 10 for play? is running South America SappyFest 8

A handful of key members of the Sackville music scene will be departing this month and leaving noticeable gaps behind them. While the absence of a few individuals will have ramifications for a few of the scene’s most active and beloved groups, this is neither an unusual nor negative occurrence for the town and the music lovers within it. In fact, these upheavals keep the Sackville music scene relevant, interesting and vibrant. The last few months have been littered with the slow departure of key members of the Sackville scene: Evan Matthews, a member of the Mouthbreathers and Yellowteeth, as well as a constant collaborator and drummer for many local acts will be headed to Halifax; Scott Brown, a member of Kappa Chow and Jerked Damaged, as well as a prominent CHMA staff member will also be headed to Halifax; and Nic Wilson, a member of Yellowteeth and the Mouthbreathers, has departed for Montreal. Additionally, Jess Palmer, co-curator of last year’s Stereophonic, and members of Bolivia have relocated. The impending absences of these musicians do not mean their projects are necessarily finished. Despite two members moving to Halifax, Kappa Chow has a short tour planned and a seven-inch single slated for release soon. This isn’t the first time that a local band has remained active in spite of a partial relocation. Astral Gunk, a band comprised of former and current Mount Allison students, has members in Halifax, Montreal, and Sackville, and manages to play shows, even finishing a tour that included dates in the United States. Brown noted that “new bands are starting to form amongst the remaining members of bands, and the scene will adapt.” Sackville’s transient music scene and the radical shifts within it are nothing

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Inside... News Opinions Science Arts & Literature Centrefold Entertainment Sprots Ship’s Log Pg. Humour

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