Acadia’s Student Newspaper since 1874 October 1st, 2015 Issue 78.2
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Forward: On the cover AWorking Response to the Resignation of Liam Murphy, ASU President
Robin Lawson Productions Manager Our cover photo this week
features Hanna Wallace and Emily Harris, sitting topless out on the Dykes in Wolfville. When asked what her inspiration for the photo was photographer Anjuli Ripley replied: “My inspiration was basically just the idea of absolute freedom. There is nothing in the picture holding those girls back, the only thing in front of them in the water. No other obstacles.”. You can find more photos from the shoot on her Facebook page: Anjuli Ripley Photography. The Athenaeum Acadia University’s Student News Paper Issue 78.2 ASU Box 6002, Acadia University Wolfville, NS, Canada B4P 2R5 Editor-In-Chief: Andrew Haskett email: eic@acadiau.ca SUB room 512 EIC Office Hours: Monday, Wednesday, Thursday 3 - 6 Advertising Enquiries: connell.finance@acadiau.ca Business Enquiries: 116765m@acadiau.ca Section Editors Art: Adam Langille Creative: Chad Durling Features: Hope Latta News: Hanna Hutchinson Opinions: Kody Crowell Science: Katie McCulloch Sports: Sam Gillis Production Manager Robin Lawson
Photo Manager Anjuli Ripley Copy Editor Tyler Nelson Online Manager Senewa Sena Advertising Manager Theresa Connell Business Manager Robyn McMillan Managing Editor Kendra Petrie
The Athenaeum is the official student newspaper of Acadia University and is published in print and online year-round at theath.ca. The opinions expressed herein do not represent the Acadia Students Union or the staff of the Athenaeum, they are held by the individuals who contribute to the Athenaeum as essential members of our completely student-run newspaper Articles submitted will be published at the discretion of the editorial board. If there is content that we feel will not add to the philosophy, dialogue, or tone of our newspaper, it will not be published. That being said, all of our staff members look forward to working together with writers to improve their quality of writing, and to make sure the Athenaeum remains professional and well-rounded. The Athenaeum may accept submissions from any student or member of our campus, present and past, and is always looking for more writers and photographers. If you are looking for coverage of an event or story, would like to notify us of a complaint or correction, or would like to submit a letter to the editor, contact Andrew Haskett at eic@acadiau.ca There are open story meetings every Wednesday at 6pm in the Athenaeum office, room 512 in the SUB—all are welcome, and we encourage you to come!
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Andrew Haskett Editor-in-Chief On September 23rd Liam Murphy, an Acadia University student, resigned from his position as President of the Acadia Student’s Union. His resignation was prompted by reasons that currently remain unknown and are described as “personal.” In the interim Suzanne Gray, the President Alternate, will perform Mr. Murphy’s duty as standing President of the ASU. According to Article III, page 15, note (2), and in accordance of by-law 3 of the Acadia Student Union’s constitution, in the event of the death/resignation/ etc. of a sole candidate a by-election will be held within thirty (30) days of resignation. In this stature, a by-election will be held by the ASU no-later than October 23rd, placing the now-impending ASU election very close to the upcoming Canadian federal election.
In a statement gathered from Suzanne Gray, interim President, it was said that “[…] this is not a setback for the Acadia Student’s Union and community. It is, instead, a show of compassion to the students and faculty involved, and we strive to continue working for the student body and its goals.” Although little information is available in relation to Mr. Murphy’s resignation it is to be known that any and all information interpreted without viable confirmation is to be viewed with scrutiny. As this is a developing situation there will be a more concise array of information released within the coming weeks. Accompanying this article is a statement from the folks at #kNOwMore, an organization that advocates for equality and social justice among student populations and at large. Stay tuned.
Photo Credit: Andrew Haskett
#kNOwMore The Faculty of kNOwMore Contributor The recent reports of sexual assault on our campus are a topic that cannot be swept under the rug. The #kNOwMore campaign would like to make themselves a visible entity on campus that promotes discussion and awareness in regards to these issues. We would like to acknowledge and support those who have spoken out about their sexual assaults and stand in solidarity with those who have been made to feel as though they cannot come forward. An email that was recently circulated by administration claimed that Acadia University is committed to a zero tolerance policy when it comes to sexual assault. Conflicting with this statement is that there is no written zero tolerance policy on sexual assault. Words need to be translated into action. In addition to this, Acadia’s policy against harassment and discrimination has not been updated since 2007. Zero tolerance should be a commitment and a practice. Proactivity, and not reaction, should be Acadia University’s mantra against sexual violence. This is
Photo Credit: Andrew Haskett not an adequate response to the problem of rape culture on campus. There is a need for ongoing conversation that involves students, faculty, and administration. We plan on hosting a group discussion that will be open to all who wish to help build a safe climate on campus. As students we encourage everyone in the Acadia community to speak out against sexual violence and be proactive in addressing these issues. Please
stay posted for the date of our open dialogue.
Sincerely, The Faculty of #kNOwMore; ------------Nora Allen Vicki Archer Kira Awrey Stephanie Bethune Kate Dalrymple Christine Moreau Reed Power-Grimm Marianne Warren
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Amy:
Movie review
Raymond Wieser Contributor A few years back, I had never heard of Amy Winehouse before. Yet I distinctly remember the day of her death, as if I had been a fan my whole life. Although I didn’t feel the sadness or importance of her passing at the time, I can honestly say that I now understand completely the devastation around the world that came with that tragic day. This year, from the award winning team behind last year’s hit documentary Senna, comes the critically acclaimed documentary detailing the life of Amy Winehouse told through her eyes. Directed by Asif Kapadia, Amy is not a typical bio-documentary; instead of the typical mirage of interview footage with various family members, friends, and record producers, the focus is on Winehouse herself. A massive amount of research went into finding archive footage, homemade videos, unseen concert footage, and even recordings of previously unheard/unreleased tracks. In
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this way, Kapadia has produced a unique experience in that we get an unparalleled glimpse into the raw emotions and hardships of Winehouse’s life. The documentary is an emotional rollercoaster of joy and grief, an exploration of pop-culture, fame, and drug abuse. One might even argue that the media and her rise to fame killed her. As tragic a point of view as that is, Winehouse is shown saying she does not want to be famous many times, almost too many. For her, obscurity would keep her sane, as she would go crazy from fame. Consumers didn’t listen, and the result may have been her death. In addition to the powerful story of media frenzy surrounding her rise to fame, and the emotional story of her romantic relationships, there is the drug and alcohol narrative. In some ways, one could say this documentary is an anti-drug film. Alcohol and drug abuse played a monumental part in Winehouse’s life, and this is not lightly skimmed over by Kapadia. A juvenile detention centre in Thailand has recently taken to showing Amy as an antidrug film to inmates in the hopes that it might dissuade them from a life of addiction (The Guardian,
2015). Kapadia’s film, which became the second-biggest documentary ever in UK cinemas this past summer, has been critically acclaimed around the world after its screening at the prestigious 2015 Cannes Film Festival. Surprisingly, negative comments from Amy Winehouse’s father Mitch Winehouse came forth after the release. There was tension between him and the crew during production due to disputes over his negative portrayal in the film. According to the director, who was dedicated to a truthful telling of the jazz legend’s life, nobody did anything about Amy’s addictions and problems which ultimately resulted in her untimely death. Asif Kapadia’s Amy is unique in the documentary genre for its intimate and unusual style of editing. No interview footage is ever shown; interviews are instead heard as background to home video shot either by Winehouse or her friends and family. In terms of music, this documentary is almost a musical. Through the clever placement of songs (previously released, and new), a deeper understanding of the story behind each song is possible, and therefore a must
deeper and emotional connection to the subject is established. By the end of the roughly two-hour film, I cannot help feel deeply moved and saddened by this masterpiece of filmmaking and music. This is the story of an incredibly talented woman who was vulnerable and humble. Her talent gave her the attention she never desired, and as a result of the fame and ensuing media frenzy she took to alcohol and drugs (with heavy influence from romantic partners). As a recent fan of Amy Winehouse, this film has shed light on her life and her incredible talent for me that I had no knowledge of, and gave me a newfound reverence for her and her music. Asif Kapadia has created a film and music story that is passionate, intimate, and honest. It is a beautiful and heartbreaking tribute to the great Amy Winehouse. Director: Asif Kapadia Starring: Amy Winehouse, Yasiin Bey, Mark Ronson, Tony Bennett, Mitch Winehouse Runtime: 128 minutes Release Date: July 3, 2015 MPAA Rating: R (for language and drug material)
is a castle built on foundations of musical maximalism and hip-hop. It’s a constant outcry against modern day capitalistic culture, while at the same time it celebrates it. The dichotomy is at first is hard to understand, but Kanye has always had a polarizing relationship with latestage capitalism. He sees the worth in the ability of the every-man to achieve something great, while hating the ability of the system to mold you into something that you despise. In a nutshell, it’s an album about capitalism saving him and killing him at the same time. It was critically acclaimed by nearly every musical publication, and also lauded to be one of the best albums of the decade. His most recent release was perhaps his most abrasive, reductionist, and minimalist work. The album Yeezus (2013) favored a grungier, acid house, and industrial influenced tonality. I see it as the natural succession of 808s and Heartbreak, but this time, Kanye is happy. He has a beautiful girlfriend, a burgeoning musical career, and
boatloads of money. The lyrical content focuses around this, and also eschewing modern day racism (he sees it as a byproduct of the capitalist structure, still having a salient presence in his life). The album is probably his happiest album since Graduation, and yet it sounds corrosive. But it did win its due accolades, placing itself on many “Best of The Year” lists. If by this point the sonic experimentation fails to impress you, then you should know that he’s garnered over 350 nominations for different musical awards shows, won twenty-one Grammies, and every one of his album’s has been critically lauded in various different publications spanning every platform possible. Blind luck for six albums in a row spanning over eleven years? If people have to resort to such paradoxical conspiracies to defend the vestigial view that he is an untalented imbecile, then we might just have to admit that his music does hold merit and relevance.
My rating: 4.5/5 stars
Making A Case For Yeezy Sid Kondapurm Contributor When talk of oft-hated mythical figures arises, people either think about the Loch Ness Monster or Kanye West. West receives undue hate from puritanical elitists as they dismiss him as irrelevant, painting him as an untalented peasant - an outsider violating the sanctity of a sterling industry. Why do these elitists despise him with such self-righteous fervor? What has he done that offends the general public? Well, at the risk of sounding condescending, let me repudiate the same old ranting tirade I hear about his lack of talent every time he is brought up in a discussion: He’s not a musically untalented peasant. The guy’s actually a very talented producer who has made highly innovative music. His sonic metamorphosis has been one of unrelenting undulation. Kanye started it off with a sound marked by Soul and R&B inspired beats, drizzled with a lush and silky string
accompaniment i.e. his first two albums: The College Dropout (2004) and Late Registration (2005). The sound subsequently rocketed to the other end of the spectrum - ending up somewhere between pop superstar and chauvinist rapper. His next album, Graduation (2007) - the sonic equivalent of him coming to terms with the newfound fame, was characterized by an increased amount of electronic and synthesizer influenced backing. Perhaps his most introspective album came next. 808s and Heartbreak (2008) was an attempt to reconcile his musical career with the death of his mother. The sound was something ineffable - not quite pop, not quite melancholia, and not quite rap. It was an experiment, and it worked. It bares soul; it has a unique depressive stripped down aesthetic marked by a heavy use of auto-tune to convey unusually solemn lyrical content. We arrive then at his magnum opus, My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy (2010). The album
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Let’s think about Ink Anonymous Contributor A tattoo on your hand, a place you could never hide it, used to be one of the most provocative forms of self-expression imaginable. Now the hands have become the arms, and the face is the hands. More and more people display their artwork proudly, without fear of judgement. Working professionals carry ink on their hands and fingers, and the bravest of us cover our necks and faces in vivid imagery that may represent something incredibly personal, or may have been thrown on there for shits n’ gigs. The point is that we don’t need to be afraid of accumulating a healthy collection of ink. Some of us have grand portraits, some have small infinity signs with cute lettering, and some of us have something that looks kind of like a skull and was done with a sewing needle. No matter the size or quality of a tattoo, each one can carry a unique story. The tattoo could represent a meaningful time in your life, or the story could be how you acquired that jailbird style ink. Maybe you want to share your story with the world, and maybe you don’t. That’s your choice, but if anyone ever asks about your ink there’s always one
good answer: it’s badass. My favourite tattoo is also my shittiest tattoo. It’s a small design on my leg that I drew up one night in my dorm room with my best friend. I proceeded to break out my personal kit to make it a lasting memory. We burnt the sewing needle with a lighter, dipped it in ink we got from Wal-Mart, and went to work on it. I guarantee it looks like shit, and I may have spilt ink all over my bedding during the process, but it’ll be one hell of a story to tell my kids. I don’t regret the tattoo, and even though it looks pretty rough I don’t think I would ever change it. My friend and I really bonded over our willingness to experiment and express ourselves in a permanent form of art. I’ve spent over a thousand dollars on professional tattoos, with flawless lines and bright colours, but my favourite one will always be my shittiest one. Ink demands attention. Refute the pressure to hide yourself away. Companies sell tattoo coverup, basically concealer, so you can “look professional,” but all it does is perpetuate the idea that tattoos are shameful and irresponsible. Ink on someone’s skin does not have any effect on someone’s character. We are the politicians, the doctors, the teachers, and, in some
Photo Credit: Robin Lawson cases, the dropouts of the future. We don’t need to abide by an old time version of professionalism. If you care that much, tattoo a tie on your chest. If you’re hiding your art, what was the point of getting it in the first place? For those of you who are thinking about getting inked up, here are some tips: (1) Don’t over think it. A tattoo doesn’t have to show your life story for it to be meaningful. Getting a tattoo is a journey, and well worth the pain. Bring a friend with you and make some memories. If anything, they’ll
be there to laugh at you while you squirm in pain. (2) Shop for an artist you’re comfortable with. If you don’t trust your artist, they’ll be able to tell and the art will suffer. (3) Don’t use Google. If I can find your exact tattoo in a mass search, it probably isn’t that creative. (4) Finally, put it on your arm. Don’t hide it underneath layers of clothing, because you should be proud of your art. Also, the arm is a great starting spot, because it’s not that painful and it’s easy to tattoo. Always be proud of your ink, and quite literally wear it on your sleeve.
Art gallery review: Redress Project Emily Dunseith Contributor
Currently on display at the Acadia Art Gallery is The REDress Project by First Nations Artist Jaime Black. This captivating exhibit is aimed at bringing awareness to the issue of missing and murdered Aboriginal women in Canada. Jaime Black started this exhibit in Winnipeg and has since travelled throughout West and Central Canada, making appearances at a number of universities. This is, however, the first time REDress Project has made its way out east, now on display at the Acadia University Art Gallery until November 29th. As artist Jaime Black describes, “Through my ongoing installation, The REDress Project, I have placed the absence of the body as central to the work. This work involves empty red dresses installed ‘
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floating’ in public space as a spectral reminder of the hundreds of murdered or disappeared Aboriginal women across Canada. This installation piece attempts to situate the Indigenous female body as a contested entity and the specific target of colonial violence while reclaiming space for Indigenous female bodies.” Not only are red dresses hung in the gallery space, but there are also dresses located outside the BAC, hanging in the trees. Many students and visitors who have walked passed the Art Gallery are pulled in by the eeriness and emptiness that the dresses convey, while others are drawn simply by curiosity of the dresses themselves. One visitor described her experience in the exhibit as “a sad dance” as she walked around the dresses. The REDress Project can be over-
whelming, as it deals with a very difficult topic, but it allows the viewer to contemplate the issue in an encouraging environment. Though many visitors have commented on the effectiveness of the red dresses that hang outside the BAC on the trees, it seems that a few others did not feel the same. Within only a few days of the exhibit being up, two dresses have been stolen from the trees and another was torn apart. This has been very sad, not just because of the destruction of the work, but the fact that the dresses symbolize missing/murdered women’s bodies. We encourage anyone who knows anything about the disappearance to bring information to the Acadia University Art Gallery. If you are in possession of one of these dresses, we ask that you bring it to the Gallery (no questions asked).
These dresses were collected by the artist Jaime Black to help the public explore the issue of missing and murdered Aboriginal women, and as students of Acadia University we must do our best to make sure this issue/exhibit is respected. I would personally like to thank the anonymous donation of three new red dresses, which hung on the trees outside the BAC. This act of kindness was greatly appreciated, as it lifted both the spirits of those working in the Art Gallery and those involved in this exhibition. If you have not taken a look at the exhibit The REDress Project yet, I encourage you to come and enjoy! The Acadia University Art Gallery is open from Tuesday – Sunday 12-4pm (till 7pm on Thursdays).
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A heart of soul Madison Tully Contributor Imagine you’re as free as you possibly could be - feeling as much rapturous emotion as you could ever feel - while simultaneously making others feel that way too… September 9th marked what would’ve been Otis Redding’s 74th birthday. He was a man who could make people feel those things just by stepping into a room. The entity of soul music is Otis. No one else can quite embody soul the way he did. His presence on a stage is even thrilling to see now, captured and played back on TV or a computer screen. His emotional delivery makes every last one of your bones tremble with delight from his achy ballads, and his voice is an absolute pleasure for ears with a sound one can ever forget. Born in Dawson, Georgia and raised in Macon, Redding also known as “The Big O” - grew up listening to the works of Little Richard and Sam Cooke. He was the son of a minister and thus ended up singing in the choir at his father’s church. At age fifteen, Redding dropped out of school to take care of his family’s financial needs. His father had fallen ill with tuberculosis. He first worked as a well digger and then an attendant at a gas station. Soon, he started working for The Upsetters (Little Richard’s band) which kick-started his realization that music was what he loved. Mr. Redding’s first recorded song was “These Arms of Mine” in 1962. He was one of the first soul artists with a large Caucasian audience, which was pretty groundbreaking at the time. His big hit “Sittin’ On the Dock of the Bay” was the first ever #1 hit single released posthumous-ly in the United States. It was recorded just three days before Redding tragically died on December 10th, 1967 in Madison, WI. He died in a plane crash that killed him and all but one of his band members. Redding had a memorable career. He changed the way people look at music and how deeply it can affect them. Although his music wasn’t overtly about racial discrimination, he firm-ly believed that changes were going to come at a time when changes were desperately needed. But to connect to all audiences, he knew he had to sing about something more relatable; some-thing that individuals could interpret however they wished: love and relationships. Redding sang soul music the way a seed sprouts into a tree - naturally, and that is why he captured the attention of a large
audience. Redding got his big break at Stax Records, a recording studio that was friendly to those who were black and those who were white. It was the one place where everyone was considered a person and was treated like one. There, people could create music together in the otherwise bit-terly divided south. Stax knew that they had hit a gold mine when Redding casually strolled in and politely asked to sing a song. He blew them away. Jim Stewart (founder of Stax Records) immediately wanted Redding to record. No one could get enough of him. Redding was spreading through Memphis like an illness - impossible to contain - and although he was at first just playing in the small clubs and bars of Memphis, to him it was the real deal. Something was different about Redding and his performances. His audience was more than just one ethnic group. He was well loved, and without even really knowing it he was slowly bringing together two worlds that were once so fiercely isolated from each other. He was bringing people together like opposite ends of a magnet. The genre of southern soul came about in the 1960s, and I believe Otis Redding was a mainly responsible for its creation. Of course, Blues, Rock and Roll, and Gospel genres all exist-ed long before Redding, but soul was still a fresh concept when he began his career. Redding changed allowed the genre to flourish by letting his soul escape him and wander amongst the ears of eager listeners waiting to hear his emotions, feel his words, and understand that love can equally mend all wounds and tear you apart. I absolutely love Otis Redding. As soon as I came across his voice I knew I had found someone sincerely beautiful, and it’s not often that something really feels that way anymore. We live in a world where new artists are singing new songs on the radio each day. They are without passion or purpose, just hoping to make a buck. When reading through articles and interviews with those who knew Redding, one can see a trend in how people viewed him; a gentle and hap-py man, who gave it his all every time he stepped out onto a stage. He truly was the King of Soul. You don’t call someone The King of anything if they haven’t practically created that something. Without Otis Redding would there be soul? Maybe. But it would have never been as satis-fying or alluring.
Thane’s Brain Boggler Thane Mullen Contrbutor
ACROSS
DOWN
1) Barney’s neighbour 5) Primate 8) One or eleven 11) Great dogs 13) [45 Down] _____ [54 Across] 14) Siegfried’s Partner 15) Very bad 16) Type of bat 18) Egyptian god 20) Decode 21) “To ___ is human” 23) Tres - Uno 24) Famous Gates 25) Competition 27) Geological formations 29) Schedule 31) Complication 35) Slight amount 37) Toy or rapper’s greeting 38) Common octagon text 40) Egg layer 42) “Steal My Sunshine” band 43) SpongeBob’s Bucket 44) Duck or Trump 46) Pride and Prejudice and ______ 48) Increases 51) Equip 52) Grown kitten 53) Creep 54) [45 Down] [13 Across] _____ 55) Sullivan and Sheeran 56) Branch of the military
1) US regulator 2) Uncooked 3) Insist on 4) Latin for ‘god’ 5) Suggest 6) Farmers Market feature 7) Type of tree 8) Little Mermaid leading lady 9) Reef component 10) Watched 12) Playground feature (past tense) 17) Prim 19) Caesar’s citizenship 21) Age 22) Tattered cloth 24) Barnyard sound 26) Surround 28) Egomaniac Charlie 30) Swim 32) Member of infantry 33) Sodium Hydroxide 34) Long period of time 36) Casper and Slimer 38) Land’s edge 39) Where food goes 41) Pesters 43) Russian leader 44) Not charged 45) _____ [13 Across][54 Across] 47) Rink feature 49) Asian warzone 50) Above the horizon
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the missing Page Chad Durling Creative Editor I sat at the kitchen table while the storm raged outside like wild wolves, biting and tearing at the plains. Through the scalding steam of my tea I could see Christoph staring out the window of the den. He smoothed his white beard and puffed on his pipe in disconnected thought. The aroma of cinnamon tobacco drifted across the flitting flames of the fireplace behind him. Morality. Immorality. Resolution. Indecision. Erratic self-contemptuous reflections crawled their way through the corrugated folds of the pulsing mound of pregnable flesh lodged within his skull. His health was failing beyond measurable means, and as of late he had taken to referring to me simply as “The American.” He had forgotten my name entirely, but there were some things that he could never forget. I knew more of him than he believed he knew of himself; I watched him always, like a hawk to a snake. He was reading that damned book again, “The Premature Burial of Dr. Matteucci” or something along those lines. I had seen the book many times; the cover was tattered and the edges badly worn. Mould crept along the inside crease, a blue vein. Christoph pondered through few pages with his mind wandering from the yellowing paper to the scorching lashes of lightning,
learning of a young physician of Naples who found misfortune and death. As the story goes, he and his partner were accused of medical malpractice that resulted in the death of a well-to-do fiancé of a prominent lawyer. Matteucci disappeared, but he was found hiding in an abandoned barn. His location was presumably given for the lawyer’s money. Before the trial, a band of besotted peasants tossed Matteucci into a coffin and buried him alive. The second doctor fled, but like a wraith, disappearing amidst the city’s mortar. Christoph believed that he may have encountered the text before, but when he sought to discover the result of the man’s fate he realized that the final page was absent. It was erased like a memory conceived in the darkness of sin. Christoph looked behind the laden bookshelf and under his chair. He crawled along the floor like a benighted infant, but he could not spot the page. It was missing. He approached the front door in a stupor, his hand clutching his jewelled cane. He weakly yelled for The American, but naturally I was there. I must admit, his behaviour was mildly alarming. He had never acted as such even in his most profound delusions. He professed the urgency to apprehend Phillip, his confidant, who was travelling to Linz to deliver a medical analysis for Mr. Flint’s practice. His worry was that Phillip would become stranded in the storm, but I had reason
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to believe that he had reached his destination many hours before his master’s coaxed concern. Nonetheless, I had no choice but to oblige, and without a moment’s hesitation two horses and a cart were prepared. The aging man drove himself down the cobbled path of the estate through the shrieking wind. Upon later questioning, he claimed he hadn’t travelled two miles before he saw Philipp trying to push his cart out of the mud. One of his horses veered off the road out of fright and the cart became stuck just inside a thicket of foliage. Philipp’s hair hung in his eyes and his tunic was stuck to his cold, wet skin. He gave a hesitant wave to the arrival of Christoph as his heart beat quickly with the fear of reprimand. Christoph tipped his hat and beckoned with a large hand for the page to come forward. “Gather the supplies from the cart and come with me. Someone will be along for the horses,” he said. Philipp grabbed some quilts from the cart and draped them over the backs of the hulking beasts. They breathed reams of hot air from their noses and nodded in approval as Philipp retrieved an armload of hay, placing it under the cart so that it wouldn’t get wet but the animals could still reach it. He knew the horses wouldn’t be alone for long and he didn’t want to leave them, but Christoph was waiting impatiently with nothing more than a pipe and its fumes to keep him company in the cold. The man’s impatience was accelerated by his belief in his good hospitality. The duo reached the estate shortly after midnight. I observed
Christoph’s hulking gait from the upstairs bathroom window; I knew where he had been. Phillip was not with him. Phillip had arrived in Linz long ago. Christoph’s delusions of grandeur allowed him a façade of heroism and a fabricated narrative of rescue. The thinning rain revealed a burlap sack carried in two shaking arms made frail with age and regret. The loud cracks of thunder were softening with distance. The night grew still blacker, making the foreign land comforting to me in its universal darkness. I had finished drawing a hot bath upstairs when I heard the door open. It was a slow creak, a hesitant entrance. I slowly descended to the lobby, the overhead chandelier casting a soft glow in the otherwise dim house. In the den I could hear Christoph conversing. “Will you be having drinks?” I inquired in the doorway. “Dark rum will be fine,” Christoph muttered without looking in my eyes. Sitting in the chair opposite he was the corpse of the missing accomplice, albeit not the one that had travelled to Linz. Matteucci stared slack-jawed into the dripping eyes of his companion, his mutilated arms draped neatly on each side of the leather chair. Christoph fingered his muddied shovel nervously, sweat and rain mingling affectionately in the crevices of his forehead. I went to gather drinks. On the kitchen table next to my cold tea there sat a single page with ripped edges, long ago removed from its text by the man who traded friendship for bounty.
Adjustments Not Only to Acadia but to the Hill Kelsey Crosby Contributor The personal adjustment to university and what we should expect from it has been pounded into our grade twelve brains again and again. Many among us have come to experience this new chapter of life in various small towns and big cities, but few of us have ever known anything like Wolfville, or further, Acadia University. Not long after you’ve moved in, the exploration of your new home with your new housemates begins. Main Street has so much to offer despite its short length. Literally everything that you could ever need can be found between the Clayground and the Library Pub. On your way back to campus, it is impossible to ignore the charm of
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the home you’ve chosen for yourself. Your senses are overwhelmed by the beauty of the lush, green grass stretching far ahead toward the carefully crafted stonework of University Hall. The huge, strong trees stand tall with the university. They look as though they’ve been there the entire 177 years; if only they could tell of the things they’ve seen. Taking those first few uphill steps back to residence seem harmless. Light, excited babble bounces around you and your fellow firstyear friends. Suddenly, seemingly out of nowhere, that Annapolis Valley sun feels ten times stronger than it just was. Heat mirages rise up from the pavement. You start sweating, quickly swiping at your beading hairline, hoping your
friends don’t notice – but the secret is, they’re all feeling the struggle too. Your calves start burning in a way you didn’t imagine was possible this far from a treadmill. It doesn’t take long before the babble falls to a hush because now you’re all stealthily struggling to get air into your lungs without doing that embarrassing gasp. Remember how beautiful the campus was from Main Street? Well, every Acadia student can testify that the campus is a first-hand experience of beauty disguised as evil. The top of the hill is so close now, and you can’t ignore the silence between the laboured breath of you and your friends alike. You don’t want to be the first to admit this hill just might be your death.
Inside though, you’re all thinking the same thing, I promise: How the hell am I going to manage to make my way up and down this thing for the next four years?! I hate to be the one to break it to you, but if you think this hill is monstrous now, wait until new elements are added to the equation. Winter is coming Axemen and Axewomen, and with it comes layers of ice. When you and your buddies finally get to the top of the hill it’s all you can do not to double over and pant like a racing greyhound. Just when you’re wondering if you’re going to be the one to admit that you almost lost your life in that uphill battle, one of your friends nonchalantly pipes, “That’s a bit of a trek, eh?”
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First year forecast:
Adjust, Adapt, and Modify Hope Latta Features Editor
The following is a narration based on a study conducted by the University of Windsor. The first set of three Chemistry midterms had just finished. April glanced around with a curious suspicion and a creeping sense that most of her classmates felt as unsettled as she did. There was no denying the fact that this had been the hardest midterm she had ever dealt with. September had brought with it lots of changes, and it had begun to become more apparent that some of these changes would wait for a while before they resolved. There were so many people from high school that April had kept in touch with, but there were also a lot of people that had disappeared.
Knowing the exact things to do had always been easy and now things were changing in unexpected ways. Studying had become a lot harder. April realized her lack of depth and the difficulty that she would have continuing with this course. Residence life was isolating but exciting nonetheless. It’s different being around people that you’ve just met and not people that you’ve known for a long time. Communication with people from home had been great, but it was starting to become tiresome. The month had presented many difficulties with becoming familiar with facilities on campus. October was the month that her roommate had started arguing with her. April had visited home for the first time since starting at Acadia and was excited to continue her adventures. Acadia was become more familiar and things were becoming
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a lot easier. November brought with it a brilliant amount of uncomplicated troubles and straightforward assignments. School was becoming less stressful and everything was becoming more peaceful. There were no more nights of assignments being completed at the last minute. December’s exams had caused a lot of late nights and spending too much time at meal hall. There was too much going on and too many people leaving at different times. As much as April was excited to see her family, there was also a lot of stressing over changing her major. January brought with it the realization that her exams and fall semester had not gone as well as they could have. There were too many problems to count, and she could tell that many of her fellow classmates also felt disappointed. Sadness and disappointment were
paramount among fellow first year students. February brought exhilaration and excitement. There was a lot of anticipation for the upcoming year. April felt delighted to know that the school year was getting easier. Classes that had once felt complicated had now become less challenging and the academic year was now taking a major turn. March was filled with anticipation of summer and possible living arrangements for the following year. There was also much excitement over possible summer job opportunities. April was bittersweet in that it presented many boring nights of studying, but also a delightful excitement for the summer to come. Although the academic year had presented many difficulties, many of these problems had ceased to exist over the course of the year and April was excited for everything to start again.
to yik, or to yak Anonymous Contributor Yik Yak is an anonymous app that lets you post random comments in your area. People are able to post anything from complaints, hopes, and questions with the knowledge that only local viewers will be able to comment. While Yik Yak is able to connect people in new and exciting ways, it also has major drawbacks. The anonymous nature of Yik Yak can lead to people being ruder than they normally would be. Negative reactions to statements such as, “So tired of this,” or, “Does anyone else think that res is too loud?” can lead to people thinking that responders represent a majority opinion instead of a minority one. There are many ways that the weight of comments expressed can be disoriented. There are a lot of cases that suggest that this belief is core to explaining why social media insults can have an immense impact on people. Majority opinions are valued more heavily than minority opinions, in most cases, and this can cause a change in the way that people see certain belief sets. The anonymous and impersonal nature of such Apps can change the way that the person sees their position in relation to their critical responders. While responses and
comments made by one person can seem daunting, responses that come from a single anonymous person can have a bigger impact. Not knowing who has stated what can lead people to misunderstand other important factors that should be taken into account when receiving hurtful information. Another key element of Yik Yak criticism comes from the fact that you are unable to choose who you are talking to. If you knew that someone had a stance on something that fought against your own, you would decide ahead of time not to ask this person what they thought. Knowing ahead of time how something you ask will impact a viewer is crucial to ensuring that you get information that is helpful and not hurtful. Despite the fact that people from other areas are able to view Yaks, our Herd members can be reassured that only locals are able to respond to questions. This limitation also prevents foreign people from filled Yik Yak feeds with spam and otherwise useless information. Yik Yak has taken steps to ensure that only teens are viewing feeds, and has dedicated research into ensuring that Yik Yak won’t be usable near Elementary and Middle Schools. Although it may cause some negative consequences to occur, it can also help to connect students of the Acadia community in very
Photo Credit: Andrew Haskett different, and sometimes personal, ways. This App is able to foster a sense of Acadia spirit and relatable posts help to unite us as a student body. While there may be some
drawbacks that result from any form of social media, Yik Yak, overall, is able to unite us all in a personal and immediate medium with which we can express our thoughts.
October 1st, 2015
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Federal Election 2015 – Frequently Asked Questions Fallis Thompson VP Academic When you have a question regarding the federal election, please first resort to “My Voter’s Guide” as it has a lot of very useful information. Digital copies of this guide can be found on the Elections Canada website if you do not have a hard copy.
Voter Registration 1. Do I have to be registered in order to vote? Yes. Students must be registered to vote before they can cast a ballot. The easiest way for them to register will be doing it online at elections.ca/register. However, they can register at the polls as long as they have all of the proper identification with them.
2. What address do I use when I register to vote? Students must use the address of the riding they wish to vote in when they register. If you would like to vote in the Kings-Hants riding (Wolfville), you have to provide an address in that riding. If you would like to vote in your riding of your permanent residence (parent’s house), you must provide that address.
3. What address do I use as my mailing address? You should use the address where you collect your mail most commonly. However, if you do not have an address in the area, you can use an alternative one (like your home address). The address you use when you register to vote (to prove what riding you are voting in) and the mailing address you provide do not need to be in the same riding. Your voter information card will be sent to this address so it is important to prove one that is up to date.
4. How long must I have lived in a riding before I can register to vote there? In General Federal Elections (like the one on Oct. 19th) there is no minimum amount of time you
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October 1st, 2015
have to live in a riding before you can vote for that area. This means every Canadian citizen that attends Acadia could potentially vote in the Kings-Hants riding (as long as they can prove they live here). 5. What type of ID do I use to register online? When you register, you should have your driver’s licence or provincial/territorial ID handy. You will use the combination of letters and numbers at the top of the license to prove who you are.
Voting 1. When and where can I vote? In the Kings-Hants area, the Student Union Building will be a polling station on October 19th from 8 am to 8 pm. Advanced polling will take place at the Wolfville Lions Community Hall from Oct. 9th to Oct. 12th from noon to 8 pm. If you do not plan on voting in this riding, the polling station information will be provided on your voter information card.
2. How do I choose what riding to vote in? Vote in the riding you feel most comfortable voting in or is most convenient for you. Advanced polling will take place on Thanksgiving weekend, which is a great opportunity to vote at home (if you are home for the weekend). You are also able to vote by mail, making it possible to vote in a riding outside of Wolfville even if you can’t physically be there.
3. How do I vote by mail? You must apply to receive a voting kit. Do this as soon as possible as this method takes longer than other methods of voting. You can receive a voting kit by mail (first apply online at elections.ca) or at any Elections Canada office. The closest Elections Canada office to Acadia is in Kentville (495 Main St.). You must register to vote by Special Ballot and it must reach Elections Canada by Tuesday, October 13th. All of the additional information required to vote by Special Ballot will be sent to you with the ballot.
Identification to Vote 1. What ID do I need to bring to the polls to vote? You can bring one piece of government-issued ID with your photo, name, and LOCAL address (this proves that you live in the riding you’d like to vote in). If this is not an option for you, you can show two pieces of ID. Both must have your name and one must have your LOCAL address.
2. What pieces of governmentissued ID can I use that have my photo, name and address? Your driver’s license, your provincial/territorial ID card, or your health card (provided it has your photo on it). Your passport will not work as this piece of ID. Because you write your own address in on the passport, Elections Canada does not accept it as a piece of ID that has your name, photo, and local address.
3. What are pieces of ID that can be used with your name? Your health card, passport, birth certificate, certificate of Canadian citizenship, SIN card, Indian status card, label on a prescription container, credit card, debit card, student ID card… the list continues. 4. What are pieces of ID that have your name and local address? Utility bill (internet, power bill, water bill, cable bill, etc.), bank statement, credit card statement, government cheque or cheque stub, residence lease, proof of address letter, income tax assessment… the list goes on. It is important to note that this ID must also contain your address and that said address proves you live in the riding you would like to vote in.
5. How do I prove my address if I live in residence? Residence Life will be providing “Proof of Address” letters for all Canadian citizens who are 18 and live on campus. These will be distributed to students and must be signed by the student before it can be used as a proof of address. It must be then brought to the polls when you go to vote, along with a piece of ID that has your name. A combination could be your student ID card and this letter or your health card and the letter. If you have any other questions that have not been answered in this document, please do not hesitate to contact Fallis Thompson (VP Academic for the ASU and Campus Team Leader for the GOTV campaign) at fallis.thompson@acadiau. ca.
athopinions
Welcome Kody Crowell Opinions Editor “Tide goes in, tide goes out.” Thus spoke the brilliant Bill O’Reilly on an interview segment of his show in January, 2011 on Fox TV. Although the original context was surrounding the existence of God, the quote aptly describes one of the many allures of tidal energy – the constancy, the certainty. We can predict the motion of the tides tomorrow, and we can predict them for the next 100 years (assuming humanity doesn’t blow up the moon before then). Why, then, has it not been accomplished yet? The answer to this question rests on several factors. The effects on fish and other marine life in the Bay of Fundy are of particular interest, as are the economic and social outcomes. There is also the question of efficiency and reliability, not to mention any unforeseen consequences we may encounter. The problems surrounding tidal energy are numerous, and it is the purpose of this tidal series to illuminate some of those problems. Faculty members across campus have pledged to share their opinions on Nova Scotia’s role in harnessing the tides. These opinions will be featured each issue, and will be backed by their knowledge and/or any research they have accomplished with the goal of answering the basic question: should Nova Scotia pursue tidal energy? Again, this is not a trivial question. It is the hope of this editor that by the end of the year, the students of Acadia University will be able to come to a rounded decision, by means of their own assessment, using the evidence provided within these pages. I urge you to read on and educate yourself on this topic, balancing the benefits and drawbacks with a fair, critical, and honest mind.
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An interview with Paul stephenson Kody Crowell Opinions Editor Dr. Paul Stephenson is a professor in the department of Mathematics and Statistics at Acadia University and the president of the Striped Bass Association. He is in his second year as president, having served on the executive for around five years. As an angler, he has fished striped bass recreationally all over the province, from the Bay of Fundy to Cape Breton. Recently, the Striped Bass Association has released a document to the press highlighting their concerns and opinions on the development of tidal energy in the Bay of Fundy, published in response to the planned installation of the two 2-MW turbines in the Minas Passage by Cape Sharp Tidal. The document can be found at the organization’s website: http://stripedbassassociation.ca/home.html. Kody Crowell: So starting off, you would say that tidal energy and angling are issues you care very much about? Paul Stephenson: Yes, very much so, and I think that it’s an issue that crosses international boundaries. Right now, there are about seven thousand striped bass anglers in Nova Scotia, and it’s about a nine million dollar industry in terms of gear, bait and so on. This number pales to the North-Eastern United States where there’s about four million fishermen, all contributing to a multi-billion dollar industry. Trust me, right now this isn’t an issue with our American neighbours, but it will be if it ever went commercial and put hundreds of turbines out there. KC: Why do you think others, including students in Nova Scotia should care about this as well? PS: Well, there are a lot of students I have seen out there, and I have even given some of them bait when they ran out of their own [laughs]. I think there is a whole generation of students who come out here and fish for striped bass, and I think that it’s certainly of interest to local students from Nova Scotia and New Brunswick. I was actually talking to a student the other day who has come here to specifically study striped bass because he does striped bass fishing in his
Drawing and Logo Credit: Kody Crowell home in New Brunswick. So as the fishing has caught on, it’s become a lot more popular, and that’s why this issue is so important. And not just for striped bass enthusiasts. I mean, from a conservation standpoint, it would be a shame to lose any of these fish. To trade that resource for another resource would be a real shame. KC: So the press release. It’s quite detailed. How many people worked on it? PS: Eleven. It was the Striped Bass Executive that actually put it together, and we went through many iterations trying to figure out what exactly we wanted to stress and things like that. The individuals range from academics like myself, and Dr. Trevor Avery [an ichthyologist of Acadia’s Bio Dept], of course. A number of masters students at Acadia who do striped bass research, and some commercial and recreational fisherman are on our executive as well, some of which are self-employed. We wanted to cover a lot of bases. There have been a lot of press releases and statements on tidal energy, and we wanted to highlight the shortcomings of those reports, in particular, the threats posed to striped bass. KC: Do you think the press release captures the message you were trying to get across? PS: I think so, yes. The message here being that more research has
to be done on striped bass before we could possibly think of commercial development of tidal energy. It would have to be proven to be safe. We would have to be comfortable with the monitoring at the site and know that these results were reliable, and that we could be confident that striped bass wouldn’t be at risk from this development. KC: Speaking of monitoring, your report mentions that you believe that F.A.S.T., the Fundy Advanced Sensory Technology, to be inadequate. PS: Yeah, it’s completely untested. If you recall the previous time one of these devices was installed it lasted for a very short period of time. The monitoring equipment failed almost immediately. So what we would have preferred was that this equipment was tested much earlier - years even - before the turbines were deployed, so that we could be confident that the monitoring devices could stand up to the punishment they get out there. In particular in the winter, where it’s just been proven by research from Dr. Anna Redden and her group from Acadia that striped bass are out there all year round.
The rest of this interview, featuring Dr. Stephenson and our Opinions Editor, Kody Crowell, can be found at theath.ca. Tune in.
October 1st, 2015
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athopinions
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(ignoring first year engineers) are
why would you devote your time
required to take five courses a se-
to it? Take courses you are seri-
mester, then by simple mathemat-
ous about, courses that pique your
ics the average student is paying
curiosity and expose you to new
over $600 for a single course over
things. The more interest you have
one semester (not to mention the
in a topic, the more effort you will
additional cost of textbooks, online
put into understanding it. That be-
homework class keys, etc.). Now the
ing said, sometimes you enjoy a
crucial question is: do you consider
course so much you want to spend
the courses you are taking to be
all your time studying it. Then tak-
worth this much? Money is scarce
ing an easier load grants you the
among university students, and for
most precious gift a university stu-
good reason - they are spending
dent can have: time. It allows you
most of it on getting an education.
to prioritize, and work harder on
But for many, this step is nothing
the things that are important to
more than a practical necessity for
you. Instead of spending your life
future endeavours. If it means a
behind a book, you can spend it
higher GPA, then why bother with
with friends, volunteering, or at the
educational idealism?
gym. It gives you the pportunity for breathing space – keeping yourself
2. Intellectual Challenge: This is
healthy and sane so that you don’t
another important factor. Everyone
burn out early.
is here to learn (I hope). Whether that learning enables you to con-
With these three ideas in
mind, I think it is safe to say that Photo Credit: Robin Lawson tinue doing research, or to proceed
Bird Courses: Don’t Fly Your Way Through University Kody Crowell Opinions Editor
There is a concerning senti-
ment held by many of Acadia’s students about the difficulty of courses they should take. Belief that you should take at least one so-called “bird course” per semester is common. A bird course is a class that is notoriously easy, often demonstrated by the high percentage of students that pass with an A or greater. These classes may or may not have a final exam or project, and generally have little-to-none in terms of assignments. The term is of Canadian origin, and it suggests that students who take these bird courses are capable of flying right through them (the actual origin of the word is unknown, from what I
10 October 1st, 2015
to graduate school, or go into the
there is a balance that needs to be
workforce – it doesn’t matter. The
struck in order to survive university
skills you acquire will not come
in one piece while still coming out
can tell. Some resources state that
from the courses that do not chal-
of it with a real education. I be-
the term comes from the idiom
lenge you. They will come from
lieve in the importance of pushing
“for the birds,” meaning trivial or
the courses that push you to new
yourself to your limit. To do such
worthless, yet others state that it
limits. Only then will you discov-
and survive is a proud achievement
comes from the antiquated opin-
er new things about yourself. You
for anyone. Yet this limit differs
ion that women (sometimes called
will be forced to manage stress and
between students. With respect
birds) were capable of taking the
maintain balance in the face of dif-
to marks: try and remember that
course because it was easy).
ficulty. However, how much is too
a number on a page does not de-
much? When will you know if your
fine you as an individual. Yes, it is
Regardless of the perhaps
academic saturation point has been
(sometimes) important to employ-
sexist origin of the term, the idea
reached – beyond which you begin
ers, and yes, it is a large factor in se-
seems to have stuck. In this article
to struggle and lose footing in a
lecting medical, law and graduate
I hope to illuminate some of the
certain topic? These are hard ques-
school applicants (sadly), but don’t
reasons why you should take bird
tions to answer. Needless to say,
let a drop in your GPA motivate you
courses, and why you shouldn’t.
I have yet to come up with an an-
to stop pursuing the topic you love
swer, and I’m over halfway finished
in hopes of restoring your mark
my degree.
to the number you had before. In-
1. Money: Acadia tuition for Nova
stead, focus on enjoying your short
Scotian student in the 2015-2016 academic year is $6430.00 CAD. For
3. Interest: Most people I talk to
time here at university, learning
international students, this figure
about the easy courses they take
what you care about, and spending
is more than doubled. If you con-
describe them as incredibly dull. If
time with the people you love the
sider the fact that most students
you don’t have interest in a topic,
most.
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Why I Hate Meal Hall Juliana Way Contributor
have not been back for breakfast since.
Dinner was much of the When walking into meal hall a year ago for my first campus same, with dry old carrot sticks, tour, I was amazed by the large, dying celery and creamy fat and
open space, the abundance of food, sugar-rich salad dressings. Pizza, and the concept of “My Pantry.” fries, burgers, perogies, ice cream, The description of fresh, full salad cookies and brownies were plentibars, healthy sandwich stations ful. Settling for lettuce, cucumbers, and the idea that I could cook my and chickpeas, I ate my disappointown food was one of the main at- ing dinner with looks of disdain tractions of Acadia.
and confusion from other students,
After spending my first who were relishing the opportunity night on campus, I was looking to stuff their bodies with fat and forward to waking up to a fresh, sugar.
Meal hall isn’t a completely healthy, simple breakfast of plain yogurt and muesli, maybe some rotten institution - it employs the fruit and a glass of pure orange lovely idea of sourcing local foods juice. To my horror I was faced and supporting local farms, and
Photo Credit: Kamryn Minors This waste of money means I am
fat spreads in the morning. Simply
unable to buy myself the healthy,
providing real meats daily, not the
fresh food I want unless I move off
heavily processed meats found in
campus in my first term.
the sandwich bar and simpler, plain simple
foods year-round would improve
things that could significantly im-
meal hall significantly. Then, stu-
prove meal hall. A station of just
dents could at least have the choice
“plain food” with the same set-up
of making their own meals without
as a salad bar is one option. Pro-
consuming the additional fat and
viding plain oven roasted chicken
sugar.
breast with no flavourings, plain
brown rice, plain roasted vegeta-
The risk of never becoming a meal
bles at night, and plain yogurt. In-
hall crush is one I’m willing to take
clude some real juices, muesli and
if it means I can avoid the next mac
seeded breads such as rye, with low
and cheese day.
good seafood. Boxing Rock just
little offensive alcohol taste and a
tad expensive, sitting at about five
started selling its product in liquor
lot of roasty-toasty malts giving the
bucks a bottle, but it’s worth it to
Jon Smith Beer Aficionado
stores a couple years ago and it’s
beer a smokey feeling. The body
pair with a meal or to start off a
already killing the local beer game.
on the beer is medium-heavy, but
night of getting crunk. Warning to
Last issue, I ended up writ-
Their pale ale is one of my favorite
it goes down smooth like a stout.
those trying to get crunk: Crafty
ing a review for a beer from BC.
beers of all time, but I figured I’d
Crafty Jack doesn’t have the bitter-
Jack is only 4.2% alcohol so it’s
I figured I had to throw all you
give one of their more unique ales
ness that might be found in other
a bit of a lighter fare, but I’d still
Vancouverinos
a shot.
English ales, making it a much
gladly drink three or four of them.
with Mystery Meat, French toasted provides ample vegetarian options. waffles, potatoes, sausages, rub- It does its best to please a very ber eggs, yogurt with more sugar large population of students, which than Ben and Jerry’s, and orange is hard considering the diversity this juice that came out as a bright, or- beautiful campus provides. Reducange substance immersed in water. ing myself to the lowest meal plan And as I searched for muesli, I in- available, (only 5 days a week), I am stead discovered Lucky Charms and still playing $4000 just to eat chickCheerio’s; not a healthy oat in sight. peas and lettuce since students Horrified, I went into town to buy cannot cancel their meal hall subbreakfast supplies for my room and scription while living on campus.
Brew Review:
Boxing Rock Crafty Jack English Ale
(Vancouverites?
There
are
many
So
good-bye,
Wheelock.
Vancouverians? Whatever.) a bone
The beer pours with a one
easier drink. The aftertaste is deli-
I’d also recommend checking out
or two. However, today I’m bring-
and a half finger light brown head
ciously complex, a phrase I some-
the rest of Boxing Rock’s repertoire
ing it back home and reviewing a
and has a dark brown/amber colour
times wish people would use to de-
if you can - at the risk of sounding
beer from our beautiful have-not
to it. The scent has a strong malt
scribe me. It combines sweetness
like a granola, local stuff is pretty
province, Nova Scotia. The beer
component, with a hint of coffee
with chocolate/coffee flavours and
alright. Stay fresh, folks.
for today is Boxing Rock’s Crafty
and chocolate. Anything that smells
a small hint of roasted nuts. It’s like
Jack English Ale, which is brewed
like chocolate gets an A-grade in
a beer trail mix.
Summary: roasty-toasty with the
in Shelburne, a place that I assume
my books, and that includes peo-
mosty.
has plenty of nice old people and
ple. The mouthfeel is pleasant, with
English Ale is a solid drink. It’s a
Boxing Rock’s Crafty Jack
October 1st, 2015
11
athscience
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BLOODY SCIENCE Raymond Wieser Contributor It is not very often that someone is asked about their blood type. Many people don’t even know what their blood type is. Although it is not vital information for dayto-day life, a person’s blood type is very important in determining what donated blood they can receive. Many advertisements for blood collection by the Canadian Blood Services has contained a message directed at people of a specific blood type, O-, the universal donor. Through a simple test done by doctors and Canadian Blood Services personnel, your blood type can be determined. But what does your blood type mean? Why is it important? You may think that blood is blood, right? While all blood is composed of the same four basic constituents: plasma, red blood cells, white blood cells, and platelets, not all blood is alike. There are, in fact, eight different blood types. They’re differentiated by the presence or absence of antigens, substances that “trigger an immune response if they are foreign to the body” (American Red Cross, 2015). The four type categories, based on the presence or absence of these antigens on the surface of the red blood cell are: Group A – has the A antigen on the red blood cells with the B antibody in the plasma. Group B – has the B antigen on the red blood cells with the A antibody in the plasma. Group AB – has both A and B antigens on red blood cells, with neither A nor B antibodies in the plasma. Group O – has neither A nor B antigens on red cells with both A and B antibodies in the plasma. There is a third antigen, called the Rh factor, which also plays a role in determining your blood type. If the Rh antigen exists in your blood, your blood type is positive (i.e. B+), whereas if the Rh antigen was absent, you would be type negative (i.e. AB-). Some blood
12 October 1st, 2015
Photo Credit: Becca Davison types are more common than others. Type O+ is the most common, accounting for around 38% of the American population, while type AB- accounts for only 1% of the American population (livescience. com, 2012). Blood type O is the universal donor blood type, meaning that type O blood can be administered to anyone, regardless of blood type. Someone with an AB blood type is a universal plasma donor, because the plasma does not contain either A or B antibodies. Blood type is hereditary, just like eye colour, and is therefore determined by the blood types of your parents. If you are unsure of your parents’ blood types, or of your own, a simple test can be conducted by your family doctor or by the Canadian Blood Services to identify your specific blood type, and evaluate the current need for your type. If you are unsure of whether you are eligible to donate blood, Canadian Blood Services conducts a simple questionnaire either online or in person. Saving you the trouble of going to the clinic and finding out you are not eligible, the eligibility requirements will be outlined here. For further information, consult the Canadian Blood Services website, or go to the on campus clinic October 7th or 8th for a consultation. In general, if you are in good health, feeling well and able to per-
form your normal activities, you are older than 23, or are between 17 and 23 and meet the height and weight requirements, you can become a blood donor. A calculator can be found on the Canadian Blood Services website to determine whether or not you meet the height and weight requirements. However, you may still be ineligible for donation if ‘your own health or the safety of the blood supply would be at risk by having you do so,’ (Canadian Blood Services, 2015). Some common reasons why people are deemed ineligible for donation include recent body piercings, Chronic Fatigue Syndrome, possible exposure to HIV/AIDS, tattoos, and vaccinations. If you have gotten a body piercing or a tattoo done within the last 6 months, you are ineligible to donate blood because of the increased risk of Hepatitis C. Acupuncture and electrolysis fall under the piercing category. Donors with a medical history of Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (CFS) are ineligible – even if their condition is not active. If you have recently been vaccinated, depending on which vaccination you received, you may be temporarily deferred from giving blood. There is a full list of deferral periods for various vaccinations on the Canadian Blood Services website. If you have ever had a posi-
tive HIV test, or if you have done something that puts you at risk for becoming infected with HIV, you may be ineligible as well (Canadian Blood Services, 2015). For example, anyone who has taken money or drugs for sex since 1977 cannot give blood; nor can anyone who has ever used intravenous street drugs. In the past, gay men were restricted from donating blood, but for the first time in thirty years changes to the regulations have made it easier for gay men to donate blood. “Men who have had sex with another man more than 5 years ago, and who meet other screening criteria, now may be eligible to give blood,” (Canadian Blood Services, 2015). Numerous groups are rallying for the removal of this ban, deemed archaic and homophobic, but the Canadian Blood Services organization is still reeling from the aftershocks of a tainted blood scandal. As many as 800 people died, 20 000 are now living with Hepatitis C, 400 with HIV. Despite more accurate tests, a false negative to an HIV screening would still have devastating consequences, and so a group ban on sexually active gay men still stands. If you are interested in donating blood, or want more information, visit the Canadian Blood Services website. Alternatively, go to the blood donor clinic on the Acadia campus between October 7th and 8th, 2015.
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The newest addition to our family tree Katie McCulloch Science Editor Beginning with adventurous spelunkers and culminating with the discovery of a distant ancestor, the Homo naledi story is one of luck, skill, and perseverance. When Steven Tucker and Rick Hunter entered the Rising Star cave in South Africa two years ago, they were looking to explore new paths and maybe go where none had gone before. Instead, they found a path that likely hadn’t been trodden by human feet in hundreds of thousands of years. While moving out of shot for a photo to be taken, Steven happened across a fissure that extended downwards into the yet unknown. Following this thin chute, a times narrower than eight inches, the two discovered a chamber with an astonishing surprise. Fossils, numbering in the thousands, littered the floor. The two were aware of a scientist in Johannesburg wanting people to keep an eye open for fossils in this “Cradle of Humankind.” The rush was on to secure the site before it could be disturbed. The next step was an excavation. But a site this difficult to access required a peculiar set
Caution: Low Flying Blue Jays Sam Gillis Sports Editor There seems to have been a natural evolution among the noisy backyard bird, commonly known as the Blue Jay. Its diet typically consists of fruits, nuts, grains, and occasionally insects. But there has been recent sightings of forty, Toronto based, Blue Jays who have been eating the majority of teams in Major League Baseball. The Toronto Blue Jays were established and welcomed into the American League in 1976. In their first season they recorded a dreadful record of 54 wins and 107 losses. This shot the birds down to a stellar last place position and
of attributes: slim individuals with scientific credentials, caving experience, who had no fear of tight quarters. Six young women were recruited, becoming palaeontologist Lee Berger’s “underground astronauts.” Working in teams of three pulling two-hour shifts, they collected 400 bones off the surface before beginning the careful excavation of the cave floor. Fifteen individuals have been excavated so far. With 1 200 bones removed from the chamber and many more remaining to be uncovered, the discovery has been made and the interpretation can begin. Familiar yet alien, these fossils are a peculiar combination of modern and archaic characters. Tooth traits and skull qualities varied from modern to very primitive, but the rest of the body was more divided. From the pelvis up, primitive characteristics win out. Present were apish shoulders geared for trees, flared hipbones harking back to before Australopithecus, and curved fingers for a life among trees. From the modern pelvic base down to feet nearly identical to our own, Homo naledi seems to have evolved beyond its time. The remains were described as “weird as hell,” by paleoanthropologist Fred Grine of the State University of New York at Stony Brook. Two things in particular
stand out about Homo naledi the complete lack of other animal bones and plant debris within the chamber where it was found, and the possibility of dozens of individuals within layers upon layers of cave sediment. The huge number of bones in the cave were likely not from a single placement event. Purposeful, repeated placement suggests intentional burial – suggesting Homo naledi were an intelligent, capable, habitual species, despite their braincases roughly half the size of ours. For more information on the Homo naledi discovery, check the National Geographic website,
numerous scientific websites, or talk to your history professor. Another interesting skeletal story right on the tail of the Homo naledi discovery comes from beneath the roots of a 215-year-old tree that recently fell victim to a violent storm near the town of Collooney, in the northwestern part of Ireland. The 17-20 year old man found within the root system of the tumbled tree is believed to have suffered a violent fate. Though given a proper Christian burial, his 1000 year old body had suffered knife wounds on his hands and ribs during the early medieval period (1030-1200CE).
their results didn’t change anytime soon. Toronto’s first relatively good season came in 1982 as they finished with a nearly, positive, 7884 record. Things were only going up-hill as they set their sights on an American League title. The year was 1985 when the lonely Canadian team won their first championship of any sort. Unfortunately their luck didn’t continue through the World Series as they watched The Kansas City Royals lift the Commissioner’s Trophy, what a shame. The Jays’ were not able to duplicate their success in the following year, but the northern-most team was now a tough competitor in the league. The road trips across the border to the Rogers Centre were becoming more and more difficult for the competition as the Blue Jays took their momentum and flew with it. With consistent positive records, it was inevitable that the boys in blue
were picking up some more championship titles. Our team came to their most successful five-year period of the clubs history; the ‘89 American League East title, the ‘91 American League East title, the ‘92 World Series champions, and the ‘93 World Series champions. The only thing Toronto was missing was a back-to-back rap song from their cities golden boy, Drake, who was twenty-two years late. This is where we cut the history lesson short due to the fact that our country’s team hasn’t had the slightest bit of joy since that 1993 season. To save your brain from doing the math, it is 22 years. They are the current, not-so-proud holders of the longest current postseason drought. In more humiliating terms, they have sucked for the longest amount of time in comparison to every other professional
baseball team. I wouldn’t dare say this about a Canadian team unless there was good news to follow. Finally things are looking up for Toronto. So as I sit my couch with a beer in my hand, watching The Jays take down Tampa Bay, I feel a rush of pride. Our only Canadian representative of baseball has the chance to secure their playoff spot right now. I take another sip, look out my window to see a Blue Jays flag flying from another quiet, television focused house. So if you haven’t gotten the chance to tune in yet, it’s time. With games running all through October, it shouldn’t be hard to make up for lost time and hop on the bandwagon. Plus, it’s cooler to say you watched their first World Series win in 22 years, opposed to their second World Series win in two years. Let’s go Blue Jays!
Photo Credit: Mamoud Istanbouli
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athsports Contraception Anya K’Nees Sex Columnist Contraception, colloquially known as birth control, has a long and strange history. Women in ancient Egypt would vaginally insert into themselves a mixture of honey and crocodile dung to prevent pregnancy, concubines in ancient China would drink lead and mercury, women in Persia were advised to jump backwards seven to nine times post coitus, and Greek gynecologists recommended that women hold their breath during sex and sneeze immediately afterwards to expel sperm. These methods fell out of favour as scientific progress advanced, and today a wide variety of more effective methods are employed. Yet, with so many options to choose from, it can be difficult to pick the best one for you. Today, over 85% of Canadians report using contraception at some point in their lives, and condoms are one of the oldest methods still employed. Illustrations of condoms date back as far as 15,000 years ago and legends from 3000 BCE describe goat bladder use. We have come a long way from goat bladders to today’s latex and polyurethane. Today’s condoms, when used consistently and correctly, are 98% effective (percentages represent the number out of every 100 women who do not get pregnant after one year of correct use). Condoms are cheap, easy to obtain, can be made into dental dams, and
are one of the few readily available contraceptive methods to provide a nearly impermeable barrier to STIs. The condom’s major flaws are primarily user based. Issues include removing the condom too soon, putting the condom on too late, opening the condom package with a sharp object, using an oil-based lubricant, or using an expired or improperly stored condom (such as one stored in a wallet). Other easily accessible contraceptives available to men include spermicides, which can have an 80% success rate when used alone; and the “pull-out” method. This method can be up to 96% effective, but has an increased risk of pregnancy through contact with preejaculatory fluid, and does not protect against STIs. Men who rely on the pull-out method must be able to detect an approaching orgasm and withdraw prior to ejaculation. If this is used as the primary form of birth control, and the man fails to pull out prior to ejaculation, there is a 20-85% chance of the woman getting pregnant during her cycle. For women, the most wellknown and commonly used method is the birth control pill. This contraceptive is an estrogen and progesterone based pill, and if taken daily at the same time can be 99% effective against pregnancy. The primary reason for failure results from the pill not being taken daily at the same time. The pill also regulates and treats heavy menstrual cycles, PMS, endometriosis, Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome (PCOS), acne, anemia, and may decrease the risk of endometrial and ovarian cancer.
Axemen alumni coming home Stephanie Clervi Contributor The Acadia Sports Hall of Fame is pleased to induct former athletes who left their mark on the Acadia University athletics program. Induction ceremonies will take place Saturday, October 17th, honouring those from various teams. I had the opportunity to interview the 1994 All-Canadian football star, Larry Jusdanis. After breaking numerous records at Acadia, Jusdanis played professionally in the Canadian Football League (CFL). He was drafted by the B.C. Lions and then traded to the Hamilton Tiger Cats, which brought him back to his home town. He was the first Canadian quarterback to start a CFL game in 25 years. Beyond football, Jusdanis applied his love of athletics to business as the founder and owner of the successful strength and conditioning training business, Sports Specific Training (S.S.T.). How does it make you feel to be inducted into Acadia’s Sports Hall of Fame?
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Well, I was obviously very honoured and it was the same week I was invited to be inducted into my high school. Again, I was extremely honoured to be chosen by a great school, along with a great bunch of athletes. Were you recruited by other universities to play football and if so, what made you choose Acadia? I went to Central Florida first, and then I lost my scholarship due to an injury. Nick Richards, Dan Laramaee, and Eric Cederberg were the guys I met on my recruiting trip to Acadia when I came back from Florida. Plenty of other schools recruited me, but I fell in love with Acadia! When you were a student playing football at Acadia, what was a typical day like for you? I went to class just like you would normally. Most of my classes were early in the morning. After I’d go to my room to work, workout, go to football practice, and then go to my room again at around eight o’clock to finish homework. I’m sure it was a challenge balancing varsity football, academics, and a social life. How did you manage? My good coach, Sonny
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However, the pill may have side effects like nausea, breast tenderness, headaches, weight gain, mood changes, missed periods, decreased libido, joint pain, decreased bone density, an increased risk of cardiovascular side effects such as heart attacks, strokes, and blood clots, and may increase the risk of breast, cervical, and liver cancer. Other hormonal methods available to women include hormonal intrauterine devices (IUDs) like Mirena and Skyla, which offer 99% effectiveness and can be in place from three to five years, the NuvaRing, which can be up to 99% effective, and the birth control implant. The birth control implant is a small matchstick sized hormonal capsule inserted into the woman’s arm. Over a three-year period it releases progestin, and has a 99.95% success rate. All hormonal methods include similar deleterious side effects to the birth control pill. If you feel uncomfortable using a primarily hormone based contraceptive, the copper IUD may be for you. Much like a hormonal IUD, this small copper T is inserted into the uterus. Once in place it can be 99% effective for anywhere from five to ten years. Side effects may include heavier and more painful periods. Female condoms are another non-hormonal method that can result in a 95% success rate when used correctly, and provide basic STI protection. Much like the male condom their failure rate stems mainly from improper use. However, female condoms can be expensive at $4 a condom, difficult to find, and uncomfortable for Wolfe, told me that “there were three things you could do in university: you could party, go to school, and play football. You can only do two out of the three well.” I believed you could do all average. Have fun – because university is meant to be a fun experience – you can balance it all with sufficient time management. University is not that hard if you attend class and apply effort you will succeed, you will be fine. How did playing football at Acadia inspire you and shape the rest of your life; and what life lessons did you learn while playing Acadia football? I don’t think I would specifically say “Acadia football,” just football in general. In my opinion, football is the best team sport in which anyone could ever get involved. In football, you’re on the field working with twelve guys in a unit and you can’t let that unit of yours down. It’s the same when you are working with business people in the community. It’s also similar to individuals in the military: if you’re carrying your unit and you let someone down, someone dies. Football instills in you a lot of different and great characteristics; such as, discipline, time management, working together, and coping. Maybe you don’t agree with
the woman. Diaphragms may also be employed. These thin silicon domes are placed over the cervix to prevent sperm entry. When used with spermicides, diaphragms have a 94% success rate and can help stop the spread of some STIs. The rhythm method, or fertility awareness method, is a contraceptive method employed by the woman, who tracks her menstrual cycle to determine ovulation and her peak fertility. She then abstains from sex during these days. When used correctly the rhythm method can be up to 87% effective. If for any reason your birth control fails you, Plan B is a non-prescription emergency contraceptive available at most pharmacies and health clinics. If you are looking to start a new contraceptive method, change over from an existing method, get STI testing, need pregnancy guidance, or have questions about access to abortion information, there are a variety of clinics around the valley and Halifax area to choose from. In Wolfville, both Acadia Student Health Services and Mud Creek Medical Co-op offer Pap tests, STI testing, and a variety of contraceptive options. In Kentville, the Red Door also offers these services and in Halifax, the Halifax Sexual Health Center (formerly Planned Parenthood) provides similar services. Acadia also offers free condoms in all residences, the Peer Support Lounge, and through Student Health Services. Hopefully this article helps make your only post-sex concern how soon you can do it again. someone, but you have to work through it as a team to make the situation better. Football is probably the best sport there is for teaching life skills. To be honest, if you asked numerous people in the work force who played at least high school, if not college football, they would agree with me. Is there anything else special about your time at Acadia that you would like to share? Acadia is a great place. It’s a great university, because not only are the professors great, but the small teacher to student is small and the classroom environment is amazing. When you go to university you go to get an education, but you also need to have an exceptional experience and Acadia does offer that. I remember the beautiful summers in Wolfville, and the perfect small town effect that makes it such a great place to live. Every student should enjoy their time at Acadia. I cherish that I made life-long friends during my time there. To this day, I’m close friends with fellow football teammates Grant Davy, Lee Barette, Dave Stefnitz, and Mike Balint. All of us being inducted into the Hall of Fame have been friends for a long time, and it’s like a family reunion. You create a special bond when you play not only football, but any kind of sport.
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keep it classy: creating a sexy space Robin Lawson Production Manager With their poor lighting, thin walls, and often weird smells, dorm rooms are not always the sexiest spaces. Luckily there are lots of things you can do to make your living space sexier. The best approach is to think about how your living space is going to impact the senses, primarily sight, sound, smell and touch. So, I present to you dear reader, a quick and dirty guide to making your space feel sexy.
Sight
It is a well known fact that
dorm rooms have terrible lighting! Use your own lamps or lights to create an atmospheric vibe that hospital-style fluorescents don’t often give off. Aim for soft lighting such as a small lamp pointed towards a wall or some tasteful out of season christmas lights.
No one wants to see your
dirty underwear or the remnants of last night’s drunken midnight pizza. At the very least shove everything into your closet or under the bed (maybe not the pizza crusts). Cleaning up will not only make your room less distracting and unattractive, but can give you so much more room for (sexual) activities!
Sound
Music plays a few key roles
here. First off, music can be helpful in setting the tone. The music you play should reflect the vibe you are trying to achieve. Second,
Photo Credit: Andrew Haskett music is great for drowning out not
Touch
mate isn’t around when you plan on
only potentially distracting noises
Bed sheets, keep ‘em clean, make
bumpin’ uglies is only half the bat-
from the world outside, but also
‘em soft. When you go out you
tle, it’s important to communicate
whatever sounds you and your
dress to impress, have the same
when it is safe for them to come
partner(s) happen to be making in
principle for where you will be end-
back. Come up with a system that
your throngs of passion.
ing your night. If you want to get a
works for you both, be it a text or a
Smell
special someone into your sheets it
tack on the door.
helps if they seem inviting!
smells typically turn people off.
Make your bed. Does this
etc. that you may need somewhere
Obviously burning scented candles
one really need an explanation?
you can get to easily. Taking to
in residence is a big no no. But
Making your bed makes it more
long to fumble through the back of
there are a lot of other options eas-
inviting and can help keep out any
your sock drawer can seriously kill
ily available from wall plugins to
creepy crawlies or crumbs from
the mood.
oil diffusers. Different scents can
your mid-day snacking.
Really when it all comes down to
Plain
and
simple,
bad
also help to boost sex drive, these
Keep any condoms, toys,
it the most important aspects of
include ylang-ylang, vanilla, laven-
Other Factors
creating a sexy environment are
der, rose, pumpkin pie, cucumber,
When it comes to room-
consent from all parties involved
and licorice are a few common libi-
mates, communication is key. Do
and to have fun. Get groovy, and
do boosting smells. Whether your
not be that person who leaves their
set the tone for a safe, sexy, and
lucky friend is a greyhound, or has
roommate stranded in the lounge
consensual romp in the sheets.
a great sense of smell, odour is key.
all night. Making sure your room-
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