The Concordian

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music arts

The Dears drop a new album and get personal about their near split P.14

Fun, fashion and community at last week s African fashion show P.10

WHALE rallies in leadup to Valentine s Day SGM

Tuesday, Feb. 8, 2011

life What you need to know about mice infestations P. 8

sports Second is the best: Stingers teams in action this weekend all end up in second spot P. 19

opinions Bill 101 should never apply to CEGEPs P. 26

Volume 28 Issue 20

Students sang “All you need is love” at a flash mob in the Hall building on Monday as a build-up to the special general meeting next week. Photo by Cindy Lopez

The magic number is 850

850 students needed for motions at next week’s SGM to be binding Evan LePage News editor

A few weeks ago, over 100 students signed a petition calling on the CSU to hold a special general meeting on Feb. 14 to denounce tuition increases and deal with a few specific motions in relation to university governance and quorum issues. On Jan. 31 CSU president Heather Lucas announced the union’s support for the SGM. Ever since, a group of grassroots students, student groups and members of the CSU have been working tirelessly to organize this event, dubbed the Wintry Hot Accessible Love-in for Education. The difficult task at hand for these organizers is to reach the necessary quorum of approximately 850 students to attend for motions passed at the event to be legally binding.

While countless walls, boards and bathrooms around campus have been postered, classroom speeches have been made and even a Beatles flash mob held yesterday afternoon, WHALE communications coordinator Matthew Brett says there’s still a lot of organizing ahead of them in the next week and that the event will only end successfully if the CSU steps up its participation.

“The only way we will meet quorum is with active support from all students and student organizations and immediate support from the CSU in terms of resources and people power,” said Brett.

With only about two weeks to organize the event, Brett said time has definitely been the biggest obstacle in the way of making WHALE a suc-

cess. “I think [the short time frame is] a huge challenge and that’s where we really need the CSU to jump on board,” he said. “Getting all the critical infrastructure together, the wires, you know the nitty gritty, making sure the stage is set up and stuff like that. We really need them to take an active role.”

The current organizing committee for WHALE comprises in the area of 50 students, many of whom are members of Free Education Montreal, the People’s Potato, the Peoples’ Campus Coalition and the Graduate Students’ Association of Concordia. Morgan Pudwell, the CSU’s VP sustainability and promotions, is one of a few CSU executives who has become very involved in the organizing committee. Pudwell said she jumped at the opportunity to participate and help out because it fits with her portfolio as VP promotions and because she’s passionate about “this sort of direct-action and democracy.”

Brett noted there has been some tension between the moderate CSU participants and the more radical grassroots activists, but said this exchange and debate was healthy and had actually created a productive environment. Pudwell agreed. “We’re working towards one common goal, and that’s to involve students in the decision-making processes at Concordia - these tensions are necessary for democracy,” she said. “These tensions are part of a larger discussion around representation, it’s constructive tension that propels the project forward.”

During WHALE students will be voting to call for a “day of action to denounce the Ministry of Education’s proposed tuition fee hikes,” to take place following the voting period Monday

See “Student organizer...” on p.5

Few candidates run in 2011 ASFA elections Evan LePage News editor

While participation has consistently been an issue during ASFA elections, normally it has been at the hands of the voters. This year, only 12 students entered their candidacy for ASFA’s spring election, a decrease of nearly 60 per cent from 2010. As a result, three of seven candidates for the association’s executive will be running unopposed, including presidential candidate Alex Gordon.

ASFA’s chief electoral officer Nick Cuillerier said the low number of applications could be the result of three factors. “The first obviously is that this is the first year we’re running without team slates,” he said. “It’s tough to say whether that’s the particular reason or not, however there’s no doubt that it’s more difficult to formulate a full [executive] when you don’t have teams involved and it’s all individuals. It may have discouraged some individuals from running.”

See “VP finance...” on p.3

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Tuesday, February 8, 2011

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City in brief Jacques Gallant

Frederick Lowy will make contract public

In a Feb. 2 press release, Concordia’s new president and vice-chancellor Frederick Lowy said he will be making his employment contract public as part of an effort to increase transparency and reverse what he called a “demoralizing state of affairs” at the university. Lowy officially took office on the second for a mandate that will last as much as 18 months while a new president is selected. In the press release he also laid out three other steps he plans on taking, including filling vacant senior positions as soon as possible, holding meetings with as many concerned parties as he can and scheduling a joint meeting of the Board of Governor’s Ad-Hoc Committee on Governance and the Senate’s Steering Committee.

Quebec gets $275M for student aid

The federal government announced last Friday that it would be transferring $275 million to Quebec to reimburse it for funds spent on student aid in 2009-2010. It stated that the transfer is a $150 million increase compared to 2008-2009 funding. Since 1964, Quebec has run its own student aid program, independent of Canada Student Loans. Although pleased with the announcement, both the Federation etudiante collegiale du Quebec and the Federation etudiante universitaire du Quebec expressed in a press release their fear that the Ministry of Finance would not use the entirety of the funds for student aid, seeing as the money comes with no obligations.

Wayyy over the speed limit

An over-eager joyrider earned a $2,500 ticket and 42 demerit points last week when he was arrested after speeding at 240 km/h on a stretch of highway where the speed limit is 70 km/h. Police neither confirmed nor denied reports that the man was a hotel valet and that the BMW he was driving was stolen.

He pulled over shortly before entering the Ville Marie Tunnel, and there was no police chase involved. Although his identity has not been revealed, Montreal valets were in an uproar over the incident. One even told the Gazette that the driver “must be a young person, someone totally irresponsible.”

Hungry for Charest

A Joliette man began a hunger strike last Wednesday in an effort to force the resignation of Premier Jean Charest.

Pablo Lugo Herrera, who weighs about 140 pounds, began limiting his diet to only tap water and sent a letter to the embattled premier demanding that he step down. Herrera stated that if Charest does not accept the will of the people, the 41-year old father of four would succumb to his sacrifice.

He is especially angry with Charest over two of the hottest issues in the province at the moment: the Liberal government’s refusal to establish a public inquiry into corruption allegations in the construction industry, and its refusal to impose a moratorium on shale-gas development.

ELECTIONS

CAMPUS

CASA presidential FASA keeps VP finance position in candidate to run constitution uncontested

CASA-JMSB campaigning is underway

Jacqueline Di Bartolomeo Assistant arts editor CASA presidential candidate Marianna Luciano will run unopposed in next week’s elections, but according to chief returning officer Stephanie Laurin, applications for many positions have gone up. “I would say actually say they’re higher than the last couple of years,” she said.

“There are a lot of positions that are running opposed, whereas last year for the CASA executives, if you want to take that as an example, all positions except for one actually ran unopposed.”

Luciano is the outgoing president of the John Molson Marketing Association, one of seven subsidiary associations that fall under the JMSB umbrella that are also set to elect new presidents in next week’s elections. In the likely event that she is elected, Luciano aims to improve awareness about CASA: “[If we] go about it the right way we can really make a difference and make students know that CASA is there for them,” she said, “to help them, whether it’s now or when they graduate, in terms of finding jobs, learning how to find a job, networking, meeting other people, and just making their overall university experience a lot better.”

She also encouraged students “to

get involved, whether it’s to run for a position or just to get involved in the activities and events that we plan and the things that we can do such as the external conference program and the business banquet.”

With the exception of VP External, all other CASA executive positions will be contested. There will be no competition for any of the subsidiary presidential positions, however. In the case that a candidate is unopposed, CASA’s elections policy dictates “the candidate cannot be acclaimed to the position,” and must be voted in by majority by the Board of Directors.

Quorum is set at 2.5 per cent, a threshold Laurin does not foresee any problems reaching. For CASA, that represents a voter turnout of 180 students for an undergraduate body of approximately 7,200. “The campaign itself is extremely well marketed within the university,” she said. “I ran the byelections as well earlier this year and students take such a huge interest now. I don’t know what it’s been like in the past but I feel like there’s a huge interest in deciding who’s going to represent the student body.”

In CASA candidates run independently. To be nominated, they have to collect 50 signatures from the student body they are seeking to represent.

Yesterday marked the beginning of the week-long campaign process.

All CASA-JMSB students will have the opportunity to vote from Feb. 14 to 17 in the lobby of the Molson building.

Council reviews new constitution ahead of AGM Jacques Gallant Assistant news editor

At first they decided to keep it, then get rid of it, but now the Fine Arts Student Alliance has finally come to the decision that the title of VP finance will be preserved in its new constitution, with one small amendment: the position will be elected, not appointed.

FASA councillors unanimously voted on the VP finance motion presented by AJ West, president of the cinema students association, at their regular meeting last night. Originally, FASA’s constitution reform committee had planned on changing the position’s name in the new constitution from “VP Finance” to “director of finance” in order to reflect the fact that the title holder is hired.

However, West proposed that the VP finance position remain and that it become an elected office, occupied by a student who could then hire a bookkeeper to oversee FASA’s accounts.

This path seemed like the right one, according to the CSU’s VP sustainability and promotions Morgan Pudwell, who was in attendance at the council meeting.

“The VP finance is accountable to students, he or she tells them what’s going on with the organization’s finances,” said Pudwell. “But the current draft [which stated the position

would be hired] doesn’t really address those needs, and could be confusing.”

On top of receiving the backing of all councillors, West’s motion also elicited the support of the executive, with FASA co-president Neal Moignard noting that it would make much more sense to divide the roles of VP finance and bookkeeper.

“It’s a move toward greater accountability to Fine Arts students,” later added co-president Paisley Sim. The clarification over the VP finance position came after the former title holder, Laura Glover, was fired by the executive last summer. They maintained that they had the power to do so because Glover’s position was appointed, and not elected. Following the ratification of the constitution, likely to be done at FASA’s Mar. 21 AGM, the termination of the VP finance will require Council’s approval.

Other additions to the constitution include the hiring of an impartial chair and secretary for council meetings (positions currently held by FASA executives), the power for Council to establish ad hoc committees when deemed necessary, the creation of FASA’s own judicial committee and the chance for fine arts programs that don’t have clubs to still be represented by a councillor at FASA. Toward the end of the meeting, copresident Sim echoed West’s sentiment that FASA reviewing its constitution will now put it on equal footing with the other faculty associations.

“It’s a bit of a rebranding, we’re upping our game,” she said. “I think the reaction at the AGM with regards to the constitution will be positive.”

FINANCE

University needs “damage control” to keep donors: marketing professor

Woodsworth departure has donors worried about where their money is going Hiba Zayadin Contributor

Concordia University needs to do damage control in order to assure that donors continue to give to the university in the wake of the dismissal of president Judith Woodsworth, says Shaun Lynch, a fundraising consultant and JMSB marketing professor.

“Donors like to give to stable organizations and when there is controversy and they’re not hearing formal statements, that can lead to concerns,” said Lynch. He stressed the importance of public image to any institution wishing to raise funds and spoke of the immediate need for damage control.

Many donors to the university, including alumni, parents, faculty and staff, have been voicing their reluctance to donate again after the December dismissal.

“After the story at Concordia broke, a friend of mine came up to me and said, ‘you’re a donor to Concordia, are you still going to give money to them?’ and your first instinct is ‘well gee, I better revisit this,’” said Derek Cassoff, an annual donor and graduate of Concordia’s journalism program.

Many donors feel the same way; some have lost their trust in the university, others fear their money is going to fund severance packages, and others still are reluctant to donate because they disagree with the way Concordia is managed.

Cassoff reiterated the demand from donors for openness and honesty from top-level management at Concordia. “I guess the one thing I’m looking for the most would be information. So I’d really like to see some transparency and I’d like to see a little bit more of an explanation in

terms of why certain decisions were made and what was the reasoning behind them.”

When asked what could be done to uphold and maintain public image, Concordia’s head of media relations Chris Mota said she wasn’t in a position to answer.

While interim president Frederick Lowy and his team have scrambled to bring stability to the university since before he officially started the job on Feb. 2, a great number of donors have made their presence known online in the form of comments on related articles on news websites.

“I will not be donating another red cent to the university,” read one comment. “Time to stop donating to this out-of-touch, decadent university until they reform,” read another.

Fundraisers dismissed the claims in a Feb. 1 article in the Link that donations through the university’s call centre had dipped as “inaccuracies and distortions.” The letter to the newspaper said that the month’s “average gift actually increased.”

Donations represent a critical part of the university’s operating budget.

Most go to specific areas such as financial aid and awards.

“People are feeling like their donation dollars are being used for severance packages or whatever. People need to understand, that’s not where their money is going, that if they’re designating their money for charitable uses in the university, it’s going to those charitable uses,” explained Lynch.

“The reality is that if I were to withhold my donations, who am I really penalizing? It’s the students, who wouldn’t get this money otherwise and who need it the most,” said Cassoff, confirming that he will continue to offer donations to Concordia.

Lynch said the university should, as a part of its damage control efforts, speak with donors and explain where their money goes.

“One of the mistakes that people make in fundraising, is that they spend too much time talking and not enough time listening to what the donors have to say.”

Tuesday, February 8, 2011

Follow us on Twitter at twitter.com/theconcordian ELECTIONS

Continued from cover ...

VP finance candidate penalized early into race The other two factors he suggested were the general political climate at Concordia and the CSU’s dominant presence on the student political spectrum.

In addition to the president, VP social and VP externals will go uncontested. No candidate applied for VP communication and only two candidates applied for the three independent councillor positions, so both of these openings will need to be filled in a byelection next fall.

Gordon expressed a similar belief in the first explanation, that the lack of slates likely played a role in how few candidates there are.

“I definitely think the lack of slates plays a role because now there’s not somebody who can form a team and recruit people and, you know, find a good synergy of people to make a team,” he said.

“If there’s no one there to organize you it’s tougher to get your foot in the door.”

Another possible side-effect of having no slates could be a decreased turnout Cuillerier

acknowledged. “Obviously the lower amount of candidates makes it more of a challenge to get voter turnout because it’s more difficult to get the word out about the elections itself,” he said. But the CEO did add that he has been using various ‘creative methods’ to try and improve turnout, including increased advertising, social media and new executive summaries which inform students about each candidates and will be available both on ASFA’s website and at polling tables. “I’m optimistic that we can get voter turnout and I think the executive summary should help in that regard,” he said.

According to Cuillerier, the removal of slates took place last year following a recommendation

by Colby Briggs, ASFA’s CEO at the time. The change was passed with councillors hoping it would help clean up the ‘dirty politics’ that had plagued the organization’s elections.

There has already been one sanction handed out less than a week

into this year’s campaign period.

Last Sunday, VP finance candidate Pier-Luc Therrien Peloquin notified all members of the ASFA council meeting mailing list that he would be unable to attend this week’s meeting because, as an executive candidate, he was required to take a leave of absence. Under Annex A of ASFA’s bylaws this constitutes an illegal use of ‘insider exploitation’ by using the mailing list, a tool not available to all candidates, to spread word of his candidacy. He will be unable to participate in any form of campaigning for three days this week starting today, bar a decision by ASFA’s judicial committee to overturn this sanction.

Peloquin can contest the decision but he said that, despite the fact that the violation was unintentional, he will not be doing so.

“Denying would be lying and it’s not what I stand for,” he wrote in an email. “The CEO is doing his job and I will do mine by abiding the rules set.”

A second contestation was filed

in regards to poster plagiarism and this has been sent directly to the JC to be ruled on prior to Thursday’s ASFA council meeting.

Still, this year’s elections have not come close to the contestations and sanctions that characterized the 2010 ASFA elections, some of which ultimately led to the reversal of electoral victories for two candidates.

This year, most candidates have thus far shown a clear concern for following the rules and Cuillerier said he received 75 emails concerning electoral regulations within the first three hours of the campaign period.

When rules are broken, Cuillerier says he will be firm and quick to hold the guilty parties accountable. “I’m not willing to disregard small violations for the sake of trying to keep it clean and out of the papers,” he said. “It’s up to the candidates to follow the rules and if they step out of line then it’s my job to enforce them.”

ELECTIONS

Meet your new (anticipated) ASFA president

Running unopposed, Alex Gordon is primed to become president of ASFA Evan LePage News editor

Lest he be beaten by abstain votes or the election doesn’t attain quorum, current ASFA and CSU councillor Alex Gordon will be ASFA’s president next year. While he’s confident that he will be in that position once polling closes, Gordon said he would have liked another candidate running against him.

“I almost wanted competition, I was really up for debating someone and having a battle,” he said.

In 2010 three candidates ran for ASFA president. Aaron Green of the Innovation slate ultimately came out on top. Without opposition, or a slate behind him, Gordon said his take on the campaigning process has changed.

“It makes me want to work a little

harder,” Gordon said. “If I had someone to go against there would maybe be a platform or forum where we could discuss what’s important to us openly. But now there’s not so I have to work harder to get every student to know who I am and to see why they should vote for me.”

While his campaign plan is simply to get his name out to students and inform them about ASFA, Gordon has bigger plans if elected. The biggest issue on his list: tuition.

“I’m a Montreal resident so I pay Quebec fees, but still I pay for my own schooling, I pay rent, and it adds up.

I can only imagine for international students and I think it’s atrocious how much it’s going to go up very soon,” he said. To tackle to tuition issue Gordon said he has a multi-faceted plan which aims to raise awareness and educate students about what’s going on. This, he added, serves a broader purpose.

“Canadian voter turnout for 18-25 is the lowest in Canada amongst all age ranges by a big margin. So, in my mind, the government doesn’t really care when we like riot and bitch and

moan because we don’t really affect who’s going to be elected in office.

So I think that one of the baby steps in getting them to listen to us is being socially and politically aware and educated.”

The larger issue of youth voting mirrors the poor voter turnouts which plague student elections at Concordia, another fact Gordon would like to help change in these next few weeks by finding out why a student doesn’t vote and ideally informing them as to what ASFA can offer them.

“If you haven’t heard of ASFA and you’ve never been to a cultural night or a midnight breakfast or frosh or the academic panel... then ASFA does nothing for you really,” Gordon said. “It defends your rights on tuition, bottled water and all these stances, but the direct benefits you don’t see it. I understand why some students are apathetic, but what I really want is involvement.”

Gordon summarized his goals as just to get people participating in their university and overcoming the apathy he said is currently afflicting Concordia students.

“It’s hard to reach out to 17,000 students and do what everyone wants, but that’s what I’m going to try,” he said. “University is once in a lifetime and you’ll never get a chance to do this again.”

VP finance the most competitive race While the number of executive candidates has decreased for this year’s ASFA elections, the VP finance position has remained sought after and it is the only position with three candidates competing. Here are some candidate specs: Laura Gomez Qualifications: “I was part of AISEC Concordia which is an organization focused on international exchange as well as leadership development. And with them I was VP information management which means I was the person in charge of documentation and Internet support so I am familiar with using online resources [...] I was also VP Internal of the Latin American Students Organization.”

Platform: “The biggest thing I

would like to work on is transparency because it’s important that people know where the money is going.

There are 8,000 students in ASFA and it’s essential that they have access to certain documentation that concerns their resources. So I want to provide this documentation.

“I feel like not many students know what ASFA is [...] and I feel more student should know about it.

The way to go about it is to work with other clubs and associations to get the word out and also to support them.

That way students will know what ASFA is and they will also feel that we are accountable to them and we support them.”

Pier-Luc Therrien Peloquin Qualifications: “I’m currently the political science student association VP finance on leave as well as sitting on ASFA’s financial committee and I’m an ASFA councillor. So I’ve seen

how things work from the inside, I’ve been there, I’ve had to deny funding to projects people have worked hard on to accommodate other associations who also needed the funding.”

Platform: “In the annexes of the laws of ASFA there is a certain percentage all the associations are entitled to, their costs, their work. I want to change that. I want to raise from 42 per cent to 50 per cent the money allocated to the member associations, reduce ASFA’s operating costs, reduce spending on frosh or at least make it more accessible to students. It’s all part of my platform.

“Also putting the budget online, more open policies. And I will be accessible.”

Ben Prunty Qualifications: “I have managerial experience where I have been trusted with the money of a very wealthy Canadian entrepreneur. I negotiated

Nation in brief Evan LePage

Bibles and beers in Kingston, Ontario

It may be inappropriate, insensitive or blasphemous to some, but it’s definitely a proven method of attracting attention. We’re speaking, of course, about alcohol. The Café Church in Kingston, Ont. held a special service recently hoping to attract some new churchgoers from within their community. This special service was held in a pub. The first “Church in a Pub” event was apparently a success, having reportedly attracted around 100 new members to the congregation for the day. The service featured a christian rock band as well as a few drama and dance performances. The community’s outreach and evangelism director told the QMI Agency “We’re trying to make church cool again.” He also added that they’re considering another event on a Friday or Saturday night, you know, because Sunday mornings are overrated. Final fun fact: the Café Church is actually located in a former bar, so every week is pub week really.

Nuclear shipments to cross Great Lakes

The Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission has approved a controversial plan to ship 16 ‘retired’ nuclear steam generators through the Great Lakes, the Vancouver Sun reported.

Bruce Power, Canada’s only private nuclear operator, will be transporting the decommissioned generators from Tiverton, Ont., through the lakes to Sweden for recycling. Public hearings in September of last year saw about 80 groups voice opposition to the plan, saying if they leaked during transport the radioactive waste could cause serious damage to the environment and Canada’s drinking water. Some of these groups included environmental groups, aboriginal associations and city representatives. But in last week’s ruling, the commission found Bruce Power would meet national and international safety standards for transporting nuclear substances, and that they would make adequate provisions to protect the environment and people’s safety.

Students tell minister to go fax herself

ELECTIONS

Evan LePage News editor

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prices with other businesses, organized and chaired staff meetings, mediated between opposing parties and resolved conflicts, to name just a few of my responsibilities. Also I feel that I have an age advantage over the other candidates and at 23 my diversity of life experiences will be a great help, I am sure.”

Platform: “If elected I will thoroughly evaluate the situation before the following year and I will make adjustments where I see fit, more importantly I will seek the advice of the previous VP finance councillors who had fulfilled their duties well. It is also wise to review the mistakes of past councillors for the obvious reason of not repeating them. Allocation will be based on entitlement and needs. I will work closely with the faculty rep’s with the ultimate goal of stretching our money as far as it can go.”

These interviews have been edited for length.

To protest rising tuition, students at St. Thomas University in New Brunswick sent over 100 faxes to the office of Martine Coulombe, the minister for postsecondary education. The president of the university’s student union told CBC that tuition is too high already and they want the government to freeze current rates and increase grants. The excessive faxes were their way of making sure the minister got the message. Various messages detailing the challenges students face because of tuition costs were faxed to the minister, who was actually scheduled to meet members of the student union last Friday. The union president also noted the significance of faxing the minister, saying that when the outdated technology was popular in the 1990s, tuition only cost around $1,900.

Elections Canada working for the youth vote

A new survey is being commissioned

by Elections Canada in the hopes of finding ways to attract the thousands of young Canadians who don’t vote, the Canadian University Press reported. The proposed survey would involve 2,500 Canadians between 18 and 34 years old and is estimated to cost between $100,000 and $250,000.

In the October 2008 federal election, only 37.4 per cent of voters between the ages of 18-24 went to the polls, significantly lower than the total turnout of 58.8 per cent, Canada’s lowest ever.

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theconcordian

Tuesday, February 8, 2011

World in brief Evan LePage

Royal wedding spawns royal condoms

Many people in Canada and throughout the Commonwealth are excited for the upcoming wedding of Kate Middleton and Prince William - but we didn’t know people were this excited.

Crown Jewels Condoms of Distinction, a British condom manufacturer, has launched a new collector’s edition of rubbers to commemorate the royal wedding. On the company’s website, the condoms are described as follows: “Combining the strength of a Prince with the yielding sensitivity of a Princess-to-be, Crown Jewels condoms promise a royal union of pleasure.

Truly a King amongst Condoms.” The box, which is adorned with a picture of the couple, only contains three condoms and will set you back $6.75.

Celestin absent from Haitian presidential run-off

The presidential run-off candidates in Haiti were announced last week for a second time since the controversial fall election increased political unrest in the already-debilitated nation. A November announcement that government-supported Jude Celestin had made it through to the run-off caused civil unrest and protests from supporters of other candidates. International election monitors supported the notion that fraud had contributed to his apparent electoral success, leading the ruling party to succumb under pressure and remove Celestin’s candidacy.

As a result, the two run-off candidates as of last Thursday are Mirlande Manigat, a former First Lady in Haiti, and singer Michel Martelly, nicknamed “Sweet Micky”. The second round of elections will be held Mar. 20.

U.S. for-profit schools hurt by loan report

A Department of Education report released in the United States last Friday has caused a drop in stocks of for-profit schools, according to the Associated Press. The report indicated that three-year default rates on student loans at for-profit schools were at 25 per cent in 2008, an increase of over 13 per cent on rates tracked for two years. The government is making the move to three-year loan tracking and the report was released as an illustration of how that change would affect the default rates. The resulting change could mean less access for students to financial aid from the U.S. government. A noticeable drop in share value among multiple publicly-traded school chains took place following the announcement. Corinthian Colleges Inc., the school with the highest default rate at around 39 per cent, saw shares drop 5.5 per cent.

Rwandan journalists get lengthy jail time

Two Rwandan journalists have been sentenced to lengthy prison terms after being found guilty of propagating ethnic division, disrupting state freedom and security, genocide revisionism and libel, the BBC reported. Agnes Nkusi, an editor, received a sentence of 17 years for all of those crimes, while reporter Saidath Mukakibibi received a lesser sentence of seven years for only disrupting state security. The two female journalists from the Umurabyo newspaper are the latest victims of the government’s severe media laws, put in place in response to “hate media” which preceded the Rwandan genocide. In his sentencing the judge reportedly cited articles from the newspaper which said Rwandans were unhappy with their government and criticized the courts set up to deal with genocide cases as evidence of their infractions.

The newspaper in question was also suspended for six months last year.

EDUCATION

Extending language law to CEGEPs damaging: students Opposition proposal would see francophones, immigrants required to attend French-language colleges Jacob Serebrin CUP Quebec Bureau Chief (CUP) — Forbidding graduates of Quebec’s French-language schools from attending English-language CEGEPs would only prevent students who already speak French from learning English, says the students’ union at Dawson College.

Last weekend, the Parti Québécois called for Bill 101, the law that regulates language in the province, to be extended to CEGEPs — the twoyear colleges that Quebecer residents who graduate high school in grade 11 must attend before university.

Currently, students and their siblings are allowed to attend primary or secondary school in the English system if they moved from somewhere else in Canada and had been primarily educated in English before moving, or if their parents had

been primarily educated in English in Canada.

But according to Michaël Lessard, treasurer of Dawson’s students’ union and a graduate of the Frenchlanguage school system, preventing students like him from attending English CEGEPs would only prevent students from the French school system from improving their English.

The calls by Quebec’s largest opposition party come after the release of a study in mid-January that explored the reasons why an increasing number of francophone and allophones — those whose first-language is neither French nor English — on Montreal Island are attending English-language CEGEPs. The study, commissioned by the union that represents the majority of teachers in the province, found that most students who attended Englishlanguage CEGEPs after graduating from French high schools believe it will lead to better jobs.

According to the Institute for Research on the French Language in the Americas, the group that conducted the study, francophones and allophones make up 49 per cent of the students at English-language CEGEPs. For many francophone students, attending an English-language CEGEP is an opportunity to improve their language skills.

“I wanted to improve my English,” said Caroline-Ariane Bernier, a law student at McGill University who attended a French-language high school but an English-language CEGEP. “I wanted to work in international law and I knew that speaking English would be very useful.”

According to Bernier, who attended an elite public high school, around half her class attended English CEGEPs “because English is the international language.”

Lessard has a similar story. “The main reason I went to Dawson was to learn English.”

According to him, English is necessary to work in “anything that touches politics or law or business or academics,” especially when those fields involve interacting with people from outside Quebec.

“That’s why I don’t understand the arguments, even from the nationalist point of view, you want Quebec to be able to talk with the rest of Canada or America.”

Lessard said that studying in English also gives bilingual students the ability to choose a university based on its programs rather than language.

But for some students who come from the French system, it’s not about learning a new language, it’s about studying in a language they know better.

“I was just more comfortable

speaking English,” said Nina Li, currently a McGill student. “I spoke English at home and with friends.”

Li, who described being allowed to study in English as “freeing,” said she wasn’t thinking about future employment when she decided to go to an English CEGEP, just about getting into an English university.

According to the IRFA study, 40 per cent of allophone students go to English-language CEGEPs and the majority say they’re more fluent in English According to the PQ, this is part of the reason why Bill 101 should be extended, in order to better help immigrants integrate into francophone society “An important number of the new members of the new communities are going to the CEGEPS in English, and after that they are integrating to the English communities,” party leader Pauline Marois told the CBC. For Li, it’s also about choice.

“At that age, you’re 17 or 18, you’re becoming an adult, you should definitely be able to choose.”

At least for the moment, the extension of Bill 101 isn’t on the table. Christine St-Pierre, the minister responsible for the Charter of the French Language, has described the calls to expand the law to CEGEPs as “radical.”

TECH

Scant turnout at usage-based billing rally Organizers speak out against “UBB: Unbelievable Business Baloney” Katelyn Spidle Music editor About 40 people gathered at Dorchester Square on Saturday to protest the Canadian Radio-television Telecommunications Commission’s ruling that would give Bell Canada the right to force small Internet service providers to impose a usage-based billing scheme on their customers.

The small crowd seemed more inclined to listen to angry speeches delivered by the rally’s three organizers, Andrew Moore, Dennin Lucherini and Alexandre L’Heureux.

Despite being prompted to voice their concerns, the crowd remained

fairly silent.

“I think the turnout is a lot less than what we expected because [Prime Minister Stephen Harper] already said that he’s going to change the decision around so that there won’t be usage-based billing,” said freelance marketer and activist Jaime Klinger. “But I’ll believe it when I see it.”

The new billing scheme was originally set to take effect on March 1, but the CRTC announced on Feb. 3 that it will revisit the decision after Bell requested to postpone its implementation by 60 days.

Under the new rule, companies that are currently offering unlimited Internet access for a flat monthly rate will instead be required to cap monthly usage at 60 gigabytes.

Customers who go over this amount will be issued a surcharge of $2 per kilobyte. “[Usage-based billing] will make telecommunications inaccessible to minimum-wage workers and

students,” said Moore. “Canadians already pay some of the highest charges for telecommunications in the world, so we shouldn’t let Bell put even more money in their pockets while the consumers become poorer.”

Moore also advocated on behalf of Canadian artists, claiming that the 60 GB cap will affect “...the right to self-expression here in Canada.”

Furthermore, he asserted that usagebased billing would decrease the amount of Canadian content that will be available on the Internet and also limit Canadians’ access to information online.

Rallies happened Ottawa and Toronto, and another is scheduled in Edmonton on Feb. 26. As well, an online petition created by OpenMedia.ca has received over 400,000 names.

In a speech delivered to the Standing Committee on Industry, Science and Technology on Feb. 3, CRTC chairman Konrad von Finck-

enstein cited that Bell’s request to impose usage-based billing had been granted for two reasons: “Ordinary Internet users should not be made to pay for the bandwidth consumed by heavy users,” and “Small ISPs offer competitive alternatives to the large distributors, and it is in the best interests of consumers that they continue to do so.”

However, protesters echoed Moore’s concerns that the 60 GB cap is small enough that it will target ordinary users, and that the usagebased billing scheme is a means of price-fixing, which will reduce competition in the Internet sector.

“The CRTC have been purchased

by Bell, literally,” said Moore. “They make decisions in the interests of Bell and not in the interests of the consumer.”

Klinger called for a disbandment of the CRTC, claiming, “They’re all just Rogers’ cronies, they’re all just Bell’s cronies, and they’re doing what they want to take our money.”

WORLD

Israeli doctor hopes documentary shows ‘another side of Israel’ Raz Somech speaks at Concordia after screening of Precious Life

Michael Bramadat-Willcock Contributor Israeli doctor Raz Somech, who has dedicated much of his life to working with Palestinian patients, expressed his hope last week that his work featured in the film Precious Life would

show a side of Israel generally less known to the world.

Somech spoke at Concordia following the screening of the documentary, directed by Israeli journalist Shlomi Eldar. The film focuses on the ordeal of a Palestinian family, whose son Mohammad suffers from a disorder that is untreatable in the Gaza Strip. Eldar follows Somech as he seeks to fund the operation and to find a match for the child’s blood type.

Finally an anonymous donor steps in and covers the child’s medical fees, saying that his son died in the army and that he wants to give something back by saving the boy.

As Mohammad’s operation pro-

gresses, tensions rise and Israel enters Gaza and Somech is called up to join a contingent of Israeli soldiers. He recounted last week that one general justified the attack and the extreme use of force saying, “let’s show them that the landlord is crazy” in reference to Israel.

According to Somech, if the landlord is crazy, then there is no hope. He expressed his opposition to “operation Cast Lead,” saying that “it was strange for me to be with the [Israel Defense Forces] in Gaza, while still being in contact with my patients.”

At the end of the documentary the house of his patients comes under fire and Somech receives a panicked text

message from the family, as bombs fall around them. A Palestinian colleague of Somech sees his daughters die as a result of the Israeli onslaught and calls Shlomi Eldar to beg for help. The doctor cries to Eldar over the phone during a live broadcast on Israeli television.

Somech expressed his deep regret last week for what he called a major over reaction on the part of Israel.

Tears came to his eyes as he recounted his hopes for better understanding between the Palestinians in Gaza and the Israelis. Change and hope are the two elements that Somech sees bringing people together in the end.

Tuesday, February 8, 2011

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5

CAMPUS

Continued from cover ...

Student organizer hopes the CSU will increase its participation in WHALE event morning. Despite having CSU support for the event, Brett believes that this motion is necessary as a means of assuring the union puts all their weight behind this movement.

“At the moment, the CSU is giving its support in word, but we need much more support from them with resources and excitement and participation,” he said. “This should really be a legacy issue for this council.

They need to take it on.”

But Pudwell said that the CSU staff, executive and councillors she has been working with have been putting a lot of time and effort into this event. She added that “all the CSU executive is onboard” and is “dedicated to representing students and working as a community to fight tuition increases.”

Attendees will also vote to decrease quorum for special general meeting’s to 1.5 per cent of the student body from the current 2.5 per cent, which now equates to about 850 students. Brett says is absurd

since no indoor space on campus can easily accommodate this number. “The key message particularly for the students is we need this quorum just this one time and we won’t have to worry about having to go outside to do this thing. It’s really crazy,” Brett said.

By Monday night just over 380 students were listed as attending the event on Facebook, while another 225 were listed as maybe attending.

In the unlikely case that all of these people do attend, that still leaves a difficult deficit of about 250 students who need to be convinced or recruited over the next six days.

Pudwell is still optimistic when it comes to reaching quorum. “It’s a scary big number, but I can’t remember a time where community members at Concordia have ever worked so hard to support each other,” she said. She also noted how receptive all the students she has spoken to have been about this project.

Organizers have already received

a letter of support from the Concordia University Faculty Association which has expressed support for the event and has recommended to their members not penalize students for missing class or assignments on Monday. The part-time faculty association has also made a similar recommendation to their members and a show of support according to Brett. While this is by no means a guarantee, he says they hope that if students explain to their professors what the event is about, they will be met with understanding and be exempt from penalties, something that could really help the turn-out on Monday.

Regardless of whether 850 students actually show up to make these motions legally binding, Brett is firm in his belief that students will be making a symbolic gesture at WHALE, one that could have a long-lasting impact on Concordia students and their influence on the student union and administration.

Students meet for an organizing meeting last week. Photo by Sarah Deshaies “If there’s one thing that’s going to come out of this it’s that students are starting to work together and that all of these groups are coming

together,” he said. “I think there’s something to be said about the grassroots nature of this. It’s studentled.”

CAMPUS

TAs and RAs have not been paid this year

TRAC head plans to file grievances this week Sarah Deshaies Editor-in-chief

A group of teaching and research assistants say they have not been paid since work began on Jan. 3.

And since the deadline for their first paycheque passed on Jan. 27, their newly-formed union, Teaching and Research Assistants at Concordia, will be filing grievances against the university with the Commission des normes de travail this week.

Union president Thomas Leonard said that 190 TAs and 42 RAs, out of a total of 1200 members, have yet to be paid for five weeks

of work. The employees are students and assistants in the faculties of arts and science and engineering and computer sciences. However, the union grievances will be filed only against the faculty of arts and science since Leonard said he thinks this is a first for the engineering faculty.

TRAC members signed their collective agreement in fall 2010, but it only came into effect on Jan. 3. Leonard said he thinks that the reason for the delay in pay is that contracts in the office have not been processed.

Concordia media relations director Chris Mota said there was more than one reason for the delay.

“There are quite a few steps that have to be done before it even gets to payroll, and that could have moved faster,” she said. “In some cases, I’m not sure what the delays

were.”

The other reason, she said, is that paperwork was not complete for some of the assistants: “According to the collective agreement, every time a student signs a contract to be a TA, they have to provide proof of membership in TRAC, because they are only members of that collective bargaining unit while under contract.” Some of the contracts brought to the dean’s office did not have their proofs of membership. “It really is a questions of a new system, and everyone finding their way.”

Leonard disagreed. The proof of membership, he said, does not have to be provided in order for a contract to be processed and a student paid. According to the tentative CA for teaching assistants posted on TRAC’s website, all new employees become union members when they

are hired by the university and must sign a membership form.

Mota could not say whether amnesty for payment of school fees and tuition had been granted to graduate students who have not yet been paid.

Leonard is familiar with waiting for his salary as a TA, having experienced a delay in the winter 2010 semester. “Ironically, that’s one of the things that got me involved in TRAC,” he said, adding that he knows of at least one other occasion “where 70, 80, 90 TAs weren’t paid.”

Without their salaries, some students who TA or RA worry about paying for basic things like tuition and rent. “I feel generally disrespected. [...] There will be no apology, no compensation, it’s just the way it is at Concordia,” said Yuseph Katiya, a graduate student

and TA in geography, planning and environment. “There is no other group of employees on campus that would accept not getting paid for five weeks. [...] TAs are sort of disrespected.” Katiya said he hasn’t paid his tuition yet because he’s waiting to receive his salary.

Leonard said he hopes that the filing of the grievances will ultimately send the university a message.

“We’re making it an issue. I mean, like I said, it’s complete disregard for the work that TAs are doing [...]

It’s at least my understanding that all the office of the dean had to do is sign some papers and then send them over [to payroll], and they couldn’t even do that.”

He said TRAC has yet to receive a response from the arts and science dean Brian Lewis’ office. The university has 20 days to respond to the union grievances.

ACADEMICS

University is preparing an academic plan, and they want students’ say

CSU, GSA are willing to offer input Sarah Deshaies Editor-in-chief

A new academic plan is in the works, and the chair of the plan’s committee wants students’ input.

Provost David Graham announced the intention to create an academic plan at a fall senate meeting on Oct. 8, butlast week an official call was made for student’s contributions to be added to the debate.

The academic plan is part of a larger scheme called Concordia’s ‘strategic framework.’ Administra-

tors plan on pushing Concordia into the top five of Canadian comprehensive universities by 2018.

Usually, Concordia dwindles at the bottom of the rankings.

“I think it would be extremely useful to us as a university to know the views of students about the kinds of support that students need to increase graduation rates, to enable students to graduate faster from programs,” said Graham. “To give us the kind of feedback that we need to improve our programs, to improve our teaching.”

There are four tiers of focus in the academic plan: the faculty, students, academic programs and good administrative practice. A fifth focus remains open to suggestion.

Students can offer feedback on the academic plan at three Open to

Question sessions coming up this week, on an online forum, or by emailing Graham. Student representatives on senate and faculty councils can also voice their opinion.

When asked what the ideal student response would be, Graham said bluntly: “To have one.” The provost acknowledged that students at a commuter university like Concordia are often preoccupied with studies, work and family, but encouraged students to take a more active role. “The more engaged you are, the better you succeed.”

“That’d be great,” Graham said when asked whether he would want student representative bodies Concordia Student Union and Graduate Student Association to offer feedback. When asked about student comment to date, Graham

said, “I haven’t had any student response.”

CSU president Heather Lucas had not yet heard of the academic plan when contacted Monday.

“That’s not something that I’ve heard about yet, so we’re definitely going to look into it. If anything, we’ll have some time of forum, like a link on the website, for students to just share their opinions on the academics, and see what they think.” GSA representative Roddy Doucet said they would work with the provost, once they receive a formal invitation.

Some of the areas Graham thinks need improving include student support for issues like better library services and improved graduate studies funding, a problem he said is common to Quebec

universities. One concrete idea he’d like to see in the plan is a standardized course evaluation system, which varies from faculty to faculty and depending on the status of the professor. Streamlining the process would hopefully allow for students to see how other students commented.

Two groups will be steering the academic plan draft: a working group composed of faculty and staff and a steering committee chaired

by Graham, VP research Louise Dandurand, six deans and chief librarian Gerald Beasley. Graham plans on having an initial discussion at the senate’s March meeting, and to adopt a plan at the following meeting in April. Finally, the Board of Governors would discuss the plan at their monthly meeting in May.

life

Tuesday, February 8, 2011

6

Write to the editor: life@theconcordian.com

Valentine’s Day

RELATIONSHIPS

Want to be a better boyfriend?

Montrealer launches a new website that helps guys get their girls the perfect gift

like complimenting, sexting and romancing.

Next, guys have the option to invite their girlfriends to the site so that they can fill out their preferred sizes and brands for items such as clothing, jewelry, shoes and lingerie. There is also an area where girls submit a custom present like a spa weekend or romantic getaway. For guys who would rather keep the site a secret from their girls, there is that option too.

By filling in your address, makeyourgirlfriendhappy.com recommends gifts from nearby stores, and match both your girlfriend’s preferences and your price limit. The site also lets you sign up for several package deals. There is the Safety Net which delivers flower bouquets on the three “holy dates,” birthday, anniversary and Valentine’s Day for $250 including shipping. The Get Out of the Doghouse package which sends your girlfriend seven presents over seven days and the Big Ballers Club which offers monthly gift deliveries.

Despite founding a website dedicated to making girlfriends happy, Brun’s Valentine’s Day plans are still up in the air. “[I am] still looking for a date,” he said.

Emily White Life editor With few ideas and even less time to find the perfect gift, Jonathan Brun grabbed some of his girlfriend’s underwear, hopped on a bike and rushed to the nearest lingerie store.

Thinking he could use the few pieces he had “borrowed” as a guide, he attempted to pick out items she would like. After scanning the boutique, Brun realized that he had absolutely no clue which brands she preferred.

“I simply bought the most expensive items and matched the sizes to the ones I brought with me,” Brun said. “Not the most elegant solution to buying a gift, but it worked.”

Brun was lucky, but not every boyfriend can get away with a last minute shopping spree. Now, thanks to makeyourgirlfriendhappy.com, a site Brun founded several months ago, guys no longer have to tend to her needs unguided. And with Valentine’s Day in less than a week, there is no better time to ensure your girlfriend’s happiness.

Make Your Girlfriend Happy has boyfriends submit their email address, their relationship

Graphic by Sean Kershaw

anniversary and their girlfriend’s birthday in order to receive free email reminders both two weeks and three days before these important

dates in order to prevent them from being forgotten. Users can also sign up for a weekly newsletter devoted to tips on a range of topics

In honour of Valentine’s Day, the site is running a V-Day countdown. Head online to makeyourgirlfriendhappy.com/countdown for gift recommendations each day until Thursday.

V-DAY

Cabernet, clubbing and chocolate cake The glorious ways in which a few single students will be spending this year’s Single Awareness Day Brenda Raftlova Contributor It is that special time of the year again when teddy bears get ripped in half and too many bottles of wine are being emptied out: Valentine’s Day or as some like to call it, Single Awareness Day. While this holiday of love can be a day of horror for some, involving tears and an overindulgence in candy bars, an imagination and a sense of humour can turn this Feb. 14 into a fun and unforgettable experience.

Indulging: Girls are not the only ones who are affected when single on V-Day. For Martin Hulala and Bacel Debs, two guys in their early 20s, indulging is their advice on what to do when your status says unattached. “I would say pig out. Order your favourite pizza and finish it up with a strawberry cheesecake,” advised Hulala, a design student at Herzing College. “When you are single on Valentine’s Day, you can’t be

on a diet.” For Debs, his vice is a little different.

“I usually start with a bottle of whiskey and keep going until it’s empty,” he said. “Then the next morning I wake up with a major hang over and can’t remember the previous night. Now is that romantic or what?”

Partying: While staying in works for some, others see it as too calm and lonely of an evening. “Go out with your best friends and get wasted, it always helps forgetting that you are single,” said psychology major Amanda Mangione. Though currently in a relationship, Mangione was not without suggestions. “If you’re a little on the wild side, find a random girl/guy and take him to a motel.”

Concordia student Alyssia Shiwdayal also likes to party on Valentine’s Day but rather than going out clubbing, she celebrates with a small group of friends. “Last year, and I’ve been invited this year again, we had a small party [for our] single friends where everyone brought a bottle of wine and chocolates, and we had this kind of testing session where you had to figure out what chocolates go best with which wine. Friends, booze and chocolate equals good times.”

Hibernating: Alexia Cohen, a 22-year-old student at UQAM, says that there is no better way to celebrate Valentine’s Day than at home with the girls. “A night watching romantic chick flicks and eating chocolate ice cream is priceless.”

Pampering: If you are in a relationship, then hopefully your partner will spoil you with gifts,

Graphic by Sean Kershaw

food and god knows what. But for those not in a relationship, you need to become your own partner. “Get your manicure and pedicure done.

Buy yourself the best cleavage shirt ever,” said Cohen. “Feel good, feel sexy, fall in love with yourself.”

Follow us on Twitter at twitter.com/concordianlife

Tuesday, February 8, 2011

7

GIFTS

Being romantic on the cheap Valentine’s Day gift ideas that won’t break the bank or the heart

than your significant other only receiving bills and junk mail this Valentine’s Day, mail them a personal, handwritten letter instead. This romantic gesture will score big points and cost you less than a toonie.

Another unique way to reach your significant other is to place a classified ad in the paper. It is a simple way to get your names together in the newspaper without having to announce your engagement.

Andre-Joseph Cordeiro Staff writer

Planning ahead: If you are the adventurous sort of couple, how about organizing a treasure hunt around the city? You could have different wingmen and women help you by placing little gifts and clues at various sites. Bonus points if you can link it to memories from your relationship like the site of your first kiss or your first concert together. Adjourn the journey with a nice meal together.

Valentine’s Day is a time of romance, seduction and frustration. An expectation to give your significant other an expensive gift can be hard for students who have a limited number of resources, in both time and money.

So rather than letting pressure from the media or friends make you feel inadequate in your gestures of affection this Valentine’s Day, use your personal creativity to show your special someone that you care.

It should be noted that it is vital to take the time to know your partner and to make the effort to find out what interests them. Part of what makes a gift special stems from the thought and effort that you take into finding that special something.

Using past memories: If you want your creative ideas to be a success, it is important to link your gifts with a past memory from your relationship together, this is called creating the bond. Look for items that speak of a time you spent together. This could be a trip you took to a city, a museum, a restaurant, a certain movie theatre, etc. Use souvenirs like a ticket stub, a hat with the city’s name, a hotel room key or miniature model of a building to create a little box of memories from that trip. You can even put

Graphic by Sean Kershaw

together a scrapbook, commemorating that time shared together.

Creating a menu: If you are in a relatively new relationship, one of the easiest ways to really connect with your significant other is to cook a meal for them, or, better yet, with them. Plan a threecourse menu and then head to the grocery

store together. Throw in a candle or two and you have the perfect romantic atmosphere without breaking the bank. Plus, cooking brings people together.

Spelling it out: Most people just text and email everything these days and it is becoming increasingly rare to receive a handwritten note. So rather

Allowing for clichés: Do not be afraid to turn to the tried and tested clichés. Take pictures together in an instant photo booth, write a song and/or poem (if you are creatively inclined). You can also save these things for next year when they will be even more appreciated.

Another idea is to organize a proper massage for your significant other. Good back rubs can go a long way, especially heading into mid-term season.

Remember: The true meaning of Valentine’s Day isn’t about Hallmark cards, teddy bears or chocolate boxes. It is about the time spent together, appreciating their company and letting your significant other know that you care. So don’t be afraid to try new things and experiment with new ideas, the effort will (hopefully) be appreciated.

ONLINE

Win 1 of 10 Prize Packs

In celebration of Valentine’s Day: Tell @ConcordianLife your #bestmtlkiss location Maybe it was where you had your first kiss, or outside your favourite bar, either way we want to know.

Send us a pic or a few lines telling us where and why and you can be featured online or in next week’s issue.

How to share:

On Twitter: tweet us @ConcordianLife and use the #bestmtlkiss hashtag Via Facebook: search the Concordian and post to the page By email: send us an email to life@theconcordian. com or by scanning this QR code

For a chance to win a movie prize pack e-mail your best pick up lines to advertising@theconcordian.com and put Just Go With It in the subject line. Deadline to enter: Friday, February 11th

IN THEATRES FEBRUARY 11 subject to verification

8

theconcordian

Tuesday, February 8, 2011 ADVICE

A mouse infestation can happen to you What to know, what to do and who to call when mice make your house their home

More information Know your rights - The Concordia Student Union’s Off-Campus Housing and Job Bank offers students legal information, handouts and referrals to students dealing with infestations. They highly suggest going in for a visit as they can make the necessary paperwork available to you so that you can deal with the problem effectively. They are open Monday to Thursday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. and on Fridays from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Email: hojo@csu.qc.ca Phone: ext. 7935. Visit hojo.csu.qc.ca more information

Mel Lefebvre Contributor “We caught a few, but those fuckers are fast,” said Heather Leslie, who first tried dealing with her mouse problem humanely. She would set the slower fellas that she was able to catch free in a field by her Plateau apartment.

“We had so many with no end in sight that I stopped being able to be nice about it and just wanted them out. It was gross,” she said. “We were tired of mouse poop all over our kitchen counter and in our baking soda, so we just got traps and the problem stopped.”

While bedbugs are the worldwide home invaders du jour, mice present a tricky situation that Montreal residents like Leslie are having to deal with.

Recognizing the urgency of an infestation At first, Leslie didn’t want to hurt her freeloading mice, but after a while, it was becoming a health hazard so she had no choice but to turn to traps. Having worked as an urban wildlife helpline specialist with McGill University for several years, Leslie’s story is a familiar one.

People generally understand that animals aren’t maliciously invading their homes to make their lives difficult. However, for Leslie and others, the problem can quickly became urgent.

While humane traps are often preferred, they are not always an option, especially if you don’t own your own home, as is the case with most students. This means you can often be limited in how you can deal with an infestation.

It is easy to feel for the little critters. They have chosen your space as a refuge from the elements and Montreal’s frigid temperamental winters. How cute. They have also decided that the electrical wiring in your home is a delicious snack, and for fun, they have sampled your rice and cereal, and left their poop all over your cupboards in thanks for the free grub.

According to Mary-Lynne Skyrie*, a landlord in Verdun who has had mice problems in her building, having mice in your apartment is as urgent as flooding and must be dealt with very quickly. “The tenants were messy, which didn’t help,” said Skyrie. “Mice cause structural damage, eat electrical wiring, decompose in the walls, eat the drywall, and multiply quickly,” she explained.

Mice are a more common problem than they let on, since they are so good at hiding. If you are tidy and don’t invite them in with food scraps left carelessly around the house, it might help minimize the risk of an infestation. However, even a spotless home can be a welcome space for mice.

Understanding the house mouse Cities are interesting environments for animals because the local ecosystem has pushed the native fauna to the outskirts. Nature has been replaced with high-rises, concrete, and a swarm of decorative, non-indigenous trees. This means that the animals that live around us are skilled and have grown to know the best places to hide out for the winter.

Therefore the pestering habits of gulls, raccoons, skunks, cockroaches, and mice are partly our own fault. They are dealing with the cards urbanization has dealt them, and they should be applauded for adapting to what is essentially an alien world.

The house mouse (Mus musculus) is one rodent who has learnt this lesson well. They grow up to three inches in size and have grayishbrown fur, a naked tail and prefer living in buildings. If you release this breed into a field, you are not doing them any favours since they have evolved to live in the concrete castles we have constructed.

They make nests out of bits of paper, cloth, and whatever else they find lying around. They eat everything and the only evidence you will see of them is their cylindrical droppings and gnawed morsels here and there.

“My daughter actually found bars of soap that had been gnawed on by mice in her apartment,” said Skyrie.

They do not need a lot of water, especially if the food they are eating is moist, and they breed throughout the year. Since they are usually a source of food for carnivores like cats and birds,

Tell your landlord: Skyrie was stern when explaining what should be done if you find a mouse or evidence of one in your apartment. “First, tell your landlord.

If they don’t respond, call the Montreal rental board to find out your options,” she said.

Régie des Rentes - If your landlord is being unreasonable or inactive, you can call the board at 514-873-2245 or toll free at 1-800-683-2245. The board exists to oversee the laws and regulations that govern landlord-tenant relationships. They highly suggest doing all the communication with your landlord in writing, as this can be used by the board to render a decision for you if your landlord is unwilling or unable to act. For more information visit them online at www.rrq.gouv.qc.ca Mice quickly make themselves at home in your house as seen in this nest found within a wall vent.

Droppings found inside a wall’s insulation is an example of the structural damage mice can cause to the home. Photos courtesy of Humane Wildlife Control they have to make a whole lot of babies to make sure at least some survive. They start breeding at about two months and live for about one year.

House mice also carry diseases, like salmonellosis, a bacteria that can induce vomiting, diarrhea, fever and cramps. There has been the occasional Hantavirus scare, a disease similar to the flu spread by mice found in Montreal homes.

(Although, according to Humane Wildlife Control, it is a disease transmitted by deer mice, who actually prefer fields to your apartment.) House mice can also give you tapeworm, ringworm and mites.

Informing yourself about the different mouseridding methods As a landlady, Skyrie had to get rid of them quickly for the health and safety of her other tenants. “I called an exterminator. I wouldn’t take a chance on not using the most effective route.

It’s not a problem that’s going to go away,” said Skyrie, who would have preferred the humane, no-kill route if it was within her means.

“I had to deal with them quickly and viciously.

It’s the lucky landlord that can afford to do it the no-kill way, but I can’t,” she explained. “I’m not disagreeing with humane, ecological methods; they’re ideal, so I do as much research as possible so I’m not making things worse.”

Some of Skyrie’s research brought her to Humane Wildlife Control, an Ontario-based company that also works out of Montreal. HWC will come and inspect your living space free of charge. They will let you know where your animal problem is coming from, and give you a quote for how much it will cost to fix the problem. Their typical estimate is usually in the thousands, but this figure depends on the home. They give a guarantee that if you have a re-infestation within a certain period after their work is done, they will fix it free of charge.

HWC’s standard method is to install a one-way trap that lets the animals leave on their own and leaves no way for them to get back in. The mice then find themselves a new home, which is the ultimate result in humane animal control. While the cost of this method is more expensive, it ends up saving you money in the long run since it is guaranteed to prevent future pest problems.

Relocating an animal yourself is a waste of sympathetic energy. Placing the mice in an unfamiliar environment where they don’t know where to find food or shelter causes the animals a sense of disorientation. They will especially panic if they have been separated from a litter of babies.

As Skyrie explained, while she would have preferred to use an environmentally-friendly, hu-

mane approach, sometimes one has to put health first. “What is the ‘eco’ way to get rid of them once they have eaten your wiring, are decomposing between your walls and you have droppings all over the floor? Even if you sweep everything up, you have to cover your mouth because there are loose particles in the air from their excrement.

It’s bad and just not worth it,” she said.

Although she could not afford HWC’s services, she learned a lot and chose the best method within her means to deal with the problem.

“Mice can squeeze in a space smaller than the size of a dime!” she said. She ended up employing an extermination company that blocks the points of entry and set out a food-like substance that dries the mice out from the inside. “There is no rot that way, and it is supposed to kill them quickly and not leave any leftover poisons. It was the best I could do,” she lamented.

For information or to receive a free quote call Humane Wildlife Control Inc. at 514-395-4555 or visit www.humanewildlifecontrol.com/ montreal-wildlife-control.htm *Mary-Lynne Skyrie is a real landlord in Verdun. She asked that her name be changed to protect her identity and her building’s reputation.

arts

Tuesday, February 8, 2011

9

Write to the editor: arts@theconcordian.com

INTERVIEW

Montreal screenwriter makes Barney s Version come to life on the big screen Michael Konyves’s adaption earns him a Genie nomination

time, but I really got to learn a lot just by the fact that I was eager and wanted to learn. […]

It’s just a nice environment. I’m English, but Quebec is a real anomaly, almost in the world where it’s a province within a country that has its own completely separate entertainment industry. There’s a really nice vibe with all the film crews in Quebec because they get to work on their own things; they work on stuff that they really like; they’re making for their own market. The movies aren’t that expensive so they can make great dramas or they can make a great comedy or a character piece, that otherwise would be hard to finance. [...] It lends a lot to the vibe and the energy of working in Quebec which I think is really great.

Amanda Dafniotis Staff writer Michael Konyves is a Montreal screenwriter and Concordia grad who is best known for his most recent work as the screenwriter of Barney’s Version, a Canadian film starring Paul Giamatti, Minnie Driver, Rosamund Pike and Dustin Hoffman based on Mordecai Richler’s last novel. Last week, it was announced that Konyves is nominated for a Genie award for best adapted screenplay. He spoke with the Concordian spoke with him over the phone from Los Angeles.

Concordian: How was your experience working with the cast and crew of Barney’s Version?

Michael Konyves: All of the experience was great. When you’re writing - first in the beginning, you just hope you can pay your rent. Then you hope one day you can get a movie made; then you hope one day you can get a movie made that is actually a good movie. So, when you are working on something where you have this kind of cast it’s pretty much as good as it gets. It is as good as it gets when it comes to making movies. I mean it’s the reason you go into it in the first place.

How did you get to be a part of this project?

I knew of the book from years ago when it came out. And then, a few years back, I guess it’s three years now, I picked it up and started reading it again, and I wondered who had the rights to it. And I found out that it was Robert Lantos, and I knew someone that knew him, so I said “Hey, can you do what you can to

Barney’s Version was nominated for 10 other Genies this year. Photo by Sabrina Lantos maybe get me in the room with him?” They managed to, and I got to meet him for like five minutes. And he was like “What the hell do you want to talk about?” As it turns out, which I didn’t know at the time, which was good, was that Robert and Mordecai were very good friends. [...]

Robert was working on trying to adapt this for 12 years, and there had been five writers before me, including Mordecai before he died, and lots of big writers. I certainly was not in the league of writers he was looking at to try to figure out how to adapt the novel, because no one could really figure out how to crack the structure of the book. It is a first person novel told by a guy who is getting Alzheimer’s, and it spans 40 years and it’s just this man’s mind poured out on paper.

After I met with him, I nervously just told

him some thoughts, and he let me read the last draft, and on my own, I went off and I wrote a 30 page treatment of the whole movie on spec. So he wasn’t asking me for this and he wasn’t expecting it. That’s what I sent back to him a month later, and he hired me to write a first draft based on that. After that, we worked on it for a year and half until he was ready to go out and approach actors.

What are the advantages of being from Montreal, in terms of studying and starting your career here?

I think it was advantageous in the beginning. When I started working, just being a P.A. (production assistant) on sets, and everything. At that time, it was easier to move around between departments. I got to try a lot of different things. I wasn’t in a union at the

How do you feel about being nominated for best adapted screenplay at the Genies?

It’s an amazing honour and genuinely humbling to be nominated. We have a really special and exciting film community in Canada, and it’s wonderful to celebrate the work that goes on in this country that has given all of artists so much opportunity and support. For me, it’s just amazing to be associated with the legacy of Mordecai Richler in any way. To have somehow been so fortunate to have been given the chance to work on Barney’s Version was, and has continued to be, a writer’s, and especially a Canadian writer’s, dream.

Any nomination for any film is great because you hope it will help increase your film’s visibility and maybe get more people out to see it. That’s what they are all about in the end for me. You have hundreds of people working equally as hard on a film, and everything is done to serve the film as a whole. I know we are all excited by the nominations because this is a truly Canadian film,

by Canadians, about Canadians, from one of Canada’s greatest authors.

FESTIVAL

Third edition of Massimadi brings culture and community together in Montreal LGBT film festival to screen movies all week long Jacqueline Di Bartolomeo Assistant arts editor Massimadi is a festival that wears several hats at the same time. The Montreal Afro-Caribbean LGBT film festival is at once a representation of the black-gay community on the big screen, an educational opportunity and an umbrella for all the issues that the community has to face.

This raises the dilemma of how to do all these things – how to represent a community as vibrant and as diverse - when you have only 10 movies and a week to do it.

The festival is still a young venture. Its 2010 edition featured one film a week for a month. Needless to say, it has since grown considerably. Now in its third year, it is organized by local non-profit Arc en Ciel D’Afrique. Part of their mission is to combat homophobia in Quebec. Steve François,

one of four festival coordinators, joined the organization last year. He came in with the hopes of improving what the festival had to offer. “[Last year] we didn’t feature a lot of the issues that the black community also has, about AIDS, about coming out when you’re black and in your community,” he explained.

The film selection is varied. The festival features movies from countries as far-flung as Uganda, the United States and the Bahamas.

The topics broached, however, still resonate here. “The struggle is the same because you have to fight in your own community to be able to be accepted as gay,” François said. At their root, the issues are the same, but come in varying degrees. As François highlighted, gay rights are not progressing at the same pace in every part of the world.

The festival is dedicated to the memory of David Kato Kisule, a Ugandan activist murdered at the beginning of January. He’s also featured in The Kuchus of Uganda, which is being screened Thursday.

Ultimately, François hopes Massimadi will be a starting point. “We want to make sure that people know there are gays and lesbians in the black community - that we’re here, we’re in movies, we’re not just some statistic,

we are people.” For him, the festival has to be an exchange – with the people at the movie, with the community, and with Montreal.

STEVE’S PICKS Here are three movies that festival coordinator Steve François says are must-sees.

Children of God Three individuals set off to the island of Eleuthera to escape their problems.

Friday, Feb. 11 at 7:30 p.m. at the ONF, 1564 St-Denis St. Black Aura on an Angel A burgeoning love affair between two women is hurt by mental illness.

Friday, Feb. 11 at 6 p.m. at the ONF. The Kuchus of Uganda A documentary about radical Ugandan LGBT activists risk their lives in order to obtain gay rights.

Wednesday, Feb. 9 at 8 p.m. at the ONF. Massimadi runs until Feb. 12. All screenings are free, but there is a suggested donation of $5. For the complete festival

schedule, visit www.arcencieldafrique.org/ massimadi/le-festival.

Scan this with your smartphone to read our review of The Kuchus of Uganda.

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theconcordian

Tuesday, February 8, 2011

FASHION

African fashion show kicks off Black History Month

African Students Association show what community is all about Valerie Cardinal Arts editor

The African Students Association of Concordia’s Uzuri: the African Fashion Show last Friday served up fierce fashions, but more importantly, it also displayed a lot of community spirit. According to Aurelie Tzeuton, the president of ASAC, about 200 people packed into the D.B. Clarke auditorium for two hours of African clothing, song, dance and poetry.

“That was the biggest surprise,” said Tzeuton.

“The first week, we sold 100 tickets.”

Uzuri, which means beauty in Swahili, was much more than just showing off what African designers can do; a full hour of performances turned it into a variety show.

“We decided we’d have just a fashion show,” explained Tzeuton. “As time went by, we got the chance to meet a lot of artists.” The lineup ranged from feminist beat poet Sunshine to a performance from the Bzerk Squad, Canada’s first dance crew dedicated to the aggressive freestyle krump.

Hosts Émile Kinuma and Jonathan Deslouches set the tone for the evenings mix

of tradition and modernity by teasing each other about their own outfits. “Where are you headed with your nightgown?” asked Deslouches, when Kinuma appeared onstage in traditional African garb. “These new Africans these days, I don’t understand them,” sighed Kinuma, referring to Deslouches’ dapper fedora and suspenders. ASAC also gave its hosts, artists and models the chance to be spontaneous. “The performers, a lot of them got to improvise according to how the crowd responded,” stated Tzeuton.

The fashion show itself featured casual, semi-formal and formal wear by Ghanaian designer Doris Dey and Nairobi’s Jane Nyoike.

As the models walked down the stage in pairs, they interacted with each other, dancing and responding to the crowd’s cheers. The show also featured a final surprise dance.

Having lived in Paris, Tzeuton said that Montreal’s fashion industry is a lot more accepting of African designers. “We also have high fashion,” she stated, explaining that Uzuri showcased more traditional clothing.

Overall, the event was a great success for ASAC’s brand-new executive committee. “It was a great adventure” said Tzeuton. “A lot of lessons learned, a lot of surprises. I didn’t lose my mind!”

Check out theconcordian.com/arts for video of the fashion show.

with

the tax experts

I GOT MY MONEY’S WORTH

H&R Block offers students like me special student pricing.

I take advantage of it every year. Best of all, they’ll get me back an average refund of $1,000.

STUDENT TAX PREP

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And FREE SPC card* hrblock.ca | 800-HRBLOCK © 2011 H&R Block Canada, Inc. *$29.95 valid for regular student tax preparation only. Cash back service included. To qualify for student pricing, student must present either (i) a T2202a documenting 4 or more months of full-time attendance at a college or university during 2010 or (ii) a valid high school identification card. Expires December 31, 2011. Valid only at participating H&R Block locations in Canada. SPC Card offers valid from 08/01/10 to 07/31/11 at participating locations in Canada only. For Cardholder only. Offers may vary, restrictions may apply. Usage may be restricted when used in conjunction with any other offer or retailer loyalty card discounts. Cannot be used towards the purchase of gift cards or certificates.

Photos by David Vilder

L’achat de cigarettes de contrebande coûte plus cher qu’on le pense : il alimente d’autres activités criminelles comme le trafic d’armes et de drogues. Les individus pris en possession de cigarettes de contrebande s’exposent à de graves conséquences, allant de l’amende jusqu’à l’emprisonnement.

consequencesdelacontrebande.gc.ca Buying contraband cigarettes costs more than you think. It fuels other criminal activities, such as the trafficking of drugs and guns. Individuals caught in possession of contraband cigarettes face serious consequences ranging from a fine to jail time.

contrabandconsequences.gc.ca

CRA-3934-BF-60.indd 1

11-02-01 10:07

theconcordian

12 FILM

Trying to Escape Tradition Emotionally heavy German-Turkish film shows problematic family values Samantha Mastromonaco Contributor Feo Aladag’s When We Leave opens with a child quietly murmuring in the background. The sound of stormy weather joins the child’s whispers. A gun is pointed. The murmurs disappear, and are replaced by the sound of breathing. Each breath becomes increasingly harder to catch. The screen fades into darkness.

In the film, Umay (Sibel Kekilli) is a TurkishGerman woman fighting to protect her son Cem (Nizam Schiller) from her abusive husband Kemal (Ufuk Bayraktar). Her plan to start a new life is thwarted by her family’s traditional Muslim values. Emotionally visceral and captivatingly directed, When We Leave leaves nothing unsaid in the familial reaction to a Muslim woman’s refusal to continue passively struggling though her abused life.

The opening scene of When We Leave is telling of the director’s method of relaying the story.

Aladag does not simply focus on captivating the viewer’s attention through visual elements; the ensnarement of the auditory sense is also a large consideration. Aladag’s inspiration for this movie was drawn from hearing about the honour killings of women who had tried to escape situations similar to that of her protagonist in Germany.

Kekilli’s Umay is the embodiment of an emotional struggle. After Kemal hits Cem at the dinner table when he refuses to eat his supper, Umay quietly disappears into the Istanbul night with her son in tow. Hoping to start anew, Umay goes to her parents’ home in Berlin, to their pleasant but soon disapproving surprise.

In her parents’ eyes, Umay has brought shame upon her family, no matter what the reason for fleeing from her husband. After her hotheaded, conservative brother Mehmet (Tamer Yigit) forms a plan to return Cem to his father, Umay escapes

Umay (Sibel Kekilli) is a Turkish-German mother who leaves her abusive husband after he hits her son Cem (Nizam Schiller, above). to a battered women’s shelter.

The need for family approval is at the heart of When We Leave. Though she is able to start her life over, Umay can never really move on without the forgiveness of her parents (Settar Tanriögen and Derya Alabora). Her continual attempt to reconnect with them is the constant reason for her downfall. Unwilling to lose her family, Umay meets different members on separate occasions, only for them to reiterate that Umay has brought shame upon their family that can never be lived

down. In a telling scene, Umay’s boss tells her that if she wants her parents to choose between her and the community, the choice will never be her.

Each actor brings life and invested emotion to their character. Schiller’s Cem personifies childhood innocence while Kekilli’s emotional investment in her depiction of Umay leaves no doubt as to why she won for Best Actress at the 2010 Festival du Nouveau Cinéma. When We Leave keeps the audience gasping for her breath

as they feel the suffocation of Umay’s family values. The stomach-turning lengths the family goes through to purify the actions of their “whore” of a daughter may bring a tear to the eye of even the most composed viewers. For a cinematic experience that will leave cheeks tear-stained, hearts heavy, and minds thinking, When We Leave is the ultimate destination.

When We Leave opens Feb. 7 at Cinema du Parc and Feb. 11 at AMC Forum.

CINEMA POLITICA

There, and back again: Regretters reveals the aftermath of sex reassignment surgery What happens when you’ve made the wrong choice Corey Pool Staff writer In a black room, dimly lit and fit with only two chairs and a projector, Orlando Fagin and Mikael Johansson sit down to discuss their journeys through a gauntlet of gender bending operations.

“Do you have to be either a man or a woman? Can’t you just be you?” asks Fagin.

He and Johansson are the two subjects of the Swedish documentary film Regretters. Both are transsexual, and have either completed, or are in the process of completing a male to female, and back to male transformation. “I don’t know who I am,” says Fagin. “Sounds complicated,” responds Johansson. Fagin replies, “No, it isn’t, believe me.”

Fagin, who underwent one of the first successful sex reassignment surgeries, spent 11 years as a woman, married to a man. Once it was revealed that Fagin was a transsexual, his marriage collapsed. Johansson, who always felt he had more feminine qualities, decided to have the operation late in life. Post operation, Johansson admits he felt immediate regret, and spent the next eight years trying to come to terms with his decision, and planning its reversal.

The whole movie takes place in one room where Fagin and Johansson sit and talk about their lives while going through old slide photos of themselves at different stages of their

Fagin (right) and Johansson narrate their way through the different stages of their procedures. procedures. Johansson, reserved, modest, and caught regretfully between his transition back to becoming a male, contrasts with Fagin, a self-assured exhibitionist, flamboyant and openly proud of his sometimes unidentifiable gender. Their differences make for an insightful discussion, peppered with moments of lament, reflection and the occasional whip of Fagin’s sense of humour. “My new dick is bigger,” he says, smiling. “I guess I got an

added bonus!”

“Identity, and the search for identity, is far more complex than you might think,” explained Marcus Lindeen, playwright, journalist and director of the film. “It is certainly not so black and white.” Regretters is Lindeen’s debut documentary film, an adaptation of his play of the same name. The film is a conversation through which we are told the story of two people and their journey through their

lives, questioning gender, identity, and attempting to come to terms with who they are, and what has brought them to where they are now. “This is a very respectful portrait of two human beings,” said Lindeen.

The director explained that although Regretters is about two transsexual men, he did not want the film to be directed towards the gay, lesbian and transsexual community, but rather to stand as a metaphor of all kinds of changes in a person’s life. “These are universal issues that I think everyone can, in some way, relate to,” said Lindeen.

Regretters had its international premiere at London’s Lesbian & Gay Film Festival this past year, and was featured in a multitude of other gay and lesbian film festivals and other documentary film festivals around the world.

Lindeen admited that in the beginning there was some tension within the transsexual community about the film. “There were people in the audience who said they came to the screening with their guards up, feeling a potential threat that this film was going to be the one to put fuel on the fire and make things harder for them,” said Lindeen. “But from my experience with the people who have seen it, there has been a much better reaction.”

The film is a beautiful portrait of two people sharing their stories with one another and relating on common grounds that may, to most people, not be so common. It aims to take the concept of identity, of gender, who you are and who you are trying to become, and blur the lines.

Regretters screens at Cinema Politica on Tuesday, Feb. 15 at 7 p.m. in H-110. For more information, visit www.cinemapolitica.org.

Follow us on Twitter at twitter.com/concordianarts

Tuesday, February 8, 2011

13

The Rescuers Down Under Daniel Spinali Staff writer I don’t know many 20somethings who can’t pinpoint their favourite movie from when they were growing up. While there are always some who will prefer a movie like Ghostbusters or The Goonies, like many of my friends I will always fall back on a Disney classic. In my case, it’s one that came out just before my third birthday and quickly became the movie that I watched almost all of the time: The Rescuers Down Under.

In the wilds of Australia, a boy named Cody answers the local animals’ call for help to save Marahute, the great golden eagle, from a poacher’s trap at the top of a massive cliff. Cody saves and befriends the eagle, and Marahute brings him back to the forested area near his house. On his way home, Cody falls into a trap laid by the very same poacher who trapped Marahute, Percival C. McLeach.

Seeing that Cody has a golden eagle feather, McLeach kidnaps him in hope that Cody will lead him to the bird.

News of Cody’s kidnapping reach Bernard and Bianca, two mice of the Rescue Aid Society in New York City. Sadly, the news reaches them while they are out for dinner, thwarting Bernard’s attempt at proposing to Bianca. Without a moment to lose, they leave for Australia in order to fulfill their duties and save the boy and the eagle.

Once they arrive in Australia, they are met by a RAS regional operative, Jake the kangaroo mouse, who right off the bat tries to

The Rescuers Down Under is one of Disney’s ‘90s classics. hit on Bianca, which seriously annoys the easily irritated Bernard. Eventually, they put that aside and team up to find Cody and the bird.

This being a Disney movie, the underlying theme is teamwork. If things are looking bleak, you can always count on your friends to help you out and find solutions to big problems - even if you are a mouse.

It may be over 20 years since I first saw this movie, but it has not lost any of its magic.

While it is possible to outgrow a movie, The Rescuers Down Under holds up to the test of time. The combination of classic Disney hand-drawn animations with an all-star cast and complete lack of a musical number (which I found to be the downfall of 1977’s first instalment The Rescuers) make what is, in my mind, the perfect cartoon to sit down and watch for years to come.

Keep a look out for some early computer

animation featured in a few scenes. While they look dated today, when the film came out in 1990, they were top of the line images.

The Rescuers Down Under Directed by: Hendel Butoy and Mike Gabriel, 1990 Starring: Bob Newhart, Eva Gabor, George C. Scott and John Candy

SPOILER ALERT

Testosterone-fueled Mechanic is pretty bad-ass Statham brings manly back to Hollywood Jessica Wei Staff writer Man. Testosterone, right? If I have to sit through another weepy indie flick with Michael Cera stuttering through a cheeky but roundabout proposition to get into the pants of some brunette Daria-wannabe, I may have to strangle the person next to me with their own oversized Skull Candy headphones. Get all Inglourious Basterds all up in here. Where the hell did all the badasses go? The James Bonds of the world - discounting the lame emotionally-bogged down Daniel Craig. I want guns, brawn, action, not some wimpy acoustic guitar playing Moldy Peaches cover band. So for this pre-Valentine’s issue, we’re going to cut the flowery bullshit and bring you an all-man, all-metal, gettin’ laid then gettin’ even murder-thon. That’s right, folks I watched The Mechanic to ease my troubled mind, and you know what? I feel like kickin’ ass. So maybe you should, too.

So Jason Statham plays a “Mechanic”, which is basically code for “swift motherlovin’ assassin.” The key to his success as a mechanic is that he has the emotional depth of a can of spray paint. He doesn’t get attached. But when his mentor Harry, played by the equally bad-ass Donald Sutherland, biffs it in his wheelchair, Jason Statham’s suddenly faced with an idea more terrifying than death itself - he may actually feel something.

That’s right, his inner chakra kitten’s startin’ to purr. These sudden emotions make him do some wild shit, like taking Harry’s son, Steve (the ‘would-be-hot-without-the-beard’ Ben Foster) under his wing and training him to be a Mechanic to hunt down the dude who killed his dad.

Only problem - Jason Statham may or may not have shot pops in the face on a mission. Whoops! Might be a conflict of interest there, I think.

But none of that matters, not while

Graphic by Amanda Durepos

whisky is being guzzled, hookers are being banged in custodial closets, guns are being assembled and shot with surprising accuracy and flamboyant fat televangelist meth-heads are dying on white couches while listening to their own self-help tapes. And that last scene totally owns, because it covers all the bases of stereotypically undesirable Americans who we’d all like to see dead on a white couch – the obese, right-wing, meth-shooting country bumpkins, I mean. And the sweaty dude in a loose tie with his family screaming in the corner? He gets his ass kicked, too, just for funzies.

But let’s talk screenplay, folks, because here’s the thing - “I’m going to put a price

on your head that’s so big, when you look in the mirror, your reflection’s going to want to shoot you in the face.”

Holy shit, dude.

The big assassin puppet master that Statham’s character works for is in an impeccable suit, in this big glass office, on the phone with Statham, saying these words.

Is there anything more badass? And deep?

Because Statham’s character seems like he’d kill anybody for enough money, including his own mentor, right, because his whole shit is that he’s super emotionally detached, and, like, his own reflection wouldn’t recognize himself? Or something? Anyway, the problem’s solved pretty quickly when he murders

suit-guy by crushing him with a truck, which is actually pretty clever.

I mean, seriously, Hollywood, bring back the classic manly men, the ones who can kill someone with a hard, cold stare. The Charles Bronsons, the John Waynes, the Humphrey Bogarts, the Gregory Pecks. I’m sure even Jesse Eisenberg could pull it off if he’d gently remove his tampon and stop making movies where he walks around in sweatpants, spending the bulk of his screen time staring into a computer monitor. After all, let’s not lose sight of the real issue here: America was founded on guns, Jesus and naked hookers, not nerds, netbooks and hoodies from American Apparel. Time to get back to basics.

music

Tuesday, February 8, 2011

14

Write to the editor: music@theconcordian.com

PROFILE

Husband and wife maintain that it’s all about The Dears Montreal band set to release new album after almost calling it quits Matthew Campbell Contributor Montreal progressive grunge band The Dears have been through a lot in their 16 years together. With their fifth full-length album, Degeneration Street, set for release later this month, the band has achieved great success locally and internationally, but has also gone through some pretty dark and difficult times.

After touring to promote the album Gang of Losers in 2006, The Dears began questioning whether or not continuing was an option.

“It was a really tough time after we toured for that album,” keyboardist Natalia Yanchak admitted. “We were working from No Cities Left right through to Gang of Losers. We were touring and writing nonstop.” The Dears released two albums - No Cities Left and Gang of Losers - in the span of three years, opting not to take a break in between. Yanchak believes that this is a major reason for the band’s rocky times.

“I think we created this situation where nobody had the time to think about themselves and their own lives and reflect,” Yanchak revealed. “It created a tension that became undeniable. Being in a band is like creating a new family, or like a very intimate relationship, without the sexual part,” she laughed.

“So when someone leaves it can be very emotional. People need to be happy above all else. You can’t make someone do something they don’t want to do.”

After that dark period, Yanchak said goodbye to every member of The Dears except for lead singer and guitarist Murray Lightburn (her husband and father of their child, Neptune). “There was a point when we were both

Husband and wife Murray Lightburn and Nathalie Yanchak (below) kept The Dears alive after the band almost split up. Photo courtesy of Bonsound like, well what are we going to do, are we going to keep The Dears going or not?” Yanchak said. “We realized it wasn’t about us, what I or Murray wanted. We kind of felt like it was more about The Dears, whatever that was.”

The decision to work through the difficulties of relentless touring and constant studio work wasn’t necessarily an easy one for Lightburn and Yanchak, but they believed they owed it to their fans and supporters to continue.

“It was partly out of respect for our audience and to the people that have had our

music mean so much to them.” Yanchak said.

“It was to keep the spirit of The Dears alive, beyond any of our individual desires.” That spirit seemed to carry the group after Lightburn and Yanchak recruited past members to fill in the vacant spots.

The newly-formed fivesome went on to record their fourth full-length album, Missiles, in 2008, and toured behind the album persistently. Their hard work and passion led to the creation of their new album Degeneration Street, whose release date is Feb. 15.

“I’m pretty excited for the album’s release.”

Yanchak boasted. “It’s definitely its own beast, but it’s also a classic The Dears album, kind of like No Cities Left.” When asked how she thinks the band has evolved, Yanchak explained: “The Dears are just a spirit of song, and it’s sort of our duty at this point in our lives to propel that spirit.”

For a deeper look at The Dears’ latest album, Degeneration Street, check out this weeks quick spins. The Dears will be performing at their album launch party on Feb. 14 at Sala Rosa. Entry is free.

PROFILE

A round of musical telephone with Silly Kissers

Local band reveals a new album and new sound but keep true to the ‘silly’ part of it all Cora Ballou Staff writer

Though they’ve only been playing regularly for two years, it seems like Silly Kissers have graced every stage in town. From not-so-secret lofts to some of the city’s largest venues, this five-piece local electro-pop band have become a fixture of the Mile End scene.

Known for their high-energy shows, it is unsurprising that an interview with the band – who appear not to know about speakerphone – would turn into a dizzying exchange of the receiver.

Vocalist Jane Penny is bubbly and articulate, with an easy laugh. Guitarist David Carriere, on the other hand, has a Cobain-esque nonchalance that edges on impertinence.

Speaking to them on the phone, I found myself somewhere in the confusing middle of their conversation, but managed to get the gist of what’s new in the Silly Kissers’ universe.

The band takes its name “from a movie where a little girl kisses her grandmother,” explained Carriere. At this, Penny mumbled in the background. “Oh yeah, [she] is kissing an old man – and says ‘We’re silly kissers!’

Silly kissers are finishing up their debut album before heading out on tour. Photo courtesy of the band which I thought was kind of gross,”continued Carriere, to which Penny let out peels of laughter.

The band has teamed up with indiehipster label Arbutus Records, who represent other local acts like Braids and Pop Winds.

Currently finishing their first “official” fulllength before heading out onto the road, Silly Kissers’ newest release will feature a departure from their signature sound as they begin to “strip down” their set and debut a live

rhythm section.

“It feels like we haven’t really started as a band. Like we’ve just been fucking around a lot,” said Carriere, to more laughter from Penny. “It’s been fun but – you know.” At this point Penny took the receiver and clarified, “We’re trying to play more as a band and less like an electronic band. It’s still going to be pop-y but we’re not going to have the same electronic pulse.”

Along with this new sound, the band

expects to tour a lot more. “We’ve played a lot of shows in Montreal but outside of here nobody really knows us. So it’s just a matter of getting the record released and going outside of the city,” said Carriere.

So far, they’ve played the United States a few times, mostly in New York, which has been a hit-and-miss experience. “The first time was fun but the second time nobody really liked us at all,” said Carriere. Penny interjected in the background, “No that’s not true!”

And such are the many growing pains of getting into rock ‘n’ roll. Not to say that Silly Kissers aren’t doing well. Slotted to play this year’s Canadian Music Week in Toronto, having played CMJ 2009 in New York, as well as being nominated for CBC’s Bucky Awards in the Best New Band category, the group is clearly on the right track.

Now all there is left to see is how this new sound will do with audiences. “It’ll definitely be interesting to see if we can get people to dance as much now,” said Penny. “Hopefully we’ll still be able to get people to have fun.”

This doesn’t seem to be such a difficult obstacle, for as I hung up, the silence in the room made me sigh a little while fits of laughter and joyous revelry appeared to echo from the other side of town.

Have a listen to Silly Kissers here: soundcloud.com/sillykissers/sets/sk/ Silly Kissers play at La Sala Rossa Feb. 16. Tickets are $12.

Tuesday, February 8, 2011

Write to the editor: music@theconcordian.com

15

REVIEW

Swedish pop group left fans hanging Sarah Deshaies Editor-in-chief The Radio Dept. quietly blew into town Saturday night, heating up Petit Campus while heavy snow was falling outside. The minimalist Swedish dream pop trio played a tight set and hit up a variety of tunes from their discography, with songs from 2010’s Clinging to a Scheme and their earlier work.

The Radio Dept. started off as a high school band in 1995, and launched their first album Lesser Matters in 2003. They first garnered attention when Sofia Coppola pulled “Keen on Boys” from Lesser Matters, and two other of their songs, for her sweet but anachronistic movie soundtrack Marie Antoinette.

Satuday’s lineup included founding member and vocalist/guitarist Johan Duncanson, who was casually decked out in plaid, sweatpants and sneakers, and fellow bandmates Martin Larsson and Daniel Tjäder.

As you can imagine for people who are fans of a low-key band like Radio Dept., the audience was fairly subdued, but rapt. Petit Campus was packed, and when they came to the catchy, danceable “Never Follow Suit” off their last album, the crowd started bopping.

Some of the audience members agreed that the show was solid, but what the band lacked was presence, witty banter and a longer encore. Five minutes of straight applause and hollering disappointingly yielded only one extra song from their earlier work. Or maybe their brand of soft shoe gaze is better matched to home listening on headphones rather than live in a crowded hall. It felt like some of The Radio Dept.’s hushed magic evaporated in person.

Andrew Guilbert Staff writer

But what will Meg do now?

Grammy award winning, platinum-selling duo The White Stripes have officially announced that they’ve disbanded. According to a statement posted on the band’s website, the split arrived, not due to artistic differences or health problems, but rather “to preserve what is beautiful and special about the band and have it stay that way.” The statement goes on to say that “The White Stripes do not belong to Meg and Jack any more. The White Stripes belong to you now and you can do with it whatever you want. The beauty of art and music is that it can last forever if people want it to.” Despite this news, perhaps fans can console themselves in knowing that, although they will no longer be touring or releasing new albums, frontman Jack White’s Third Man Records will still be periodically releasing White Stripes material through its Vault subscription record club. As for The White Stripes, they can’t feel all that bad about the split, considering news of the breakup spiked sales of the band’s merchandise by vertigo-inducing numbers. Sales of their last release alone, Under The Great White Northern Lights, went up by 2,644 per cent on amazon.com the day after the announcement.

Marijuanaman…really?

Photos by writer

MIXTAPE

Black History Month SIDE A:

Chris Hanna Opinions editor It’s hard to believe that just 30 years ago when MTV first launched, music videos by black artists were rarely played. All that changed in 1983 when Michael Jackson’s video for “Billie Jean” became the first by a black artist to be shown in high rotation on MTV, effectively breaking the colour barrier.

February is Black History Month and with that in mind, here are 20 jazzy, soulful, funky, bluesy and smooth record-breaking, historic tracks that should serve as a reminder of what has been accomplished and how far we’ve come as a society.

To listen, go to: 8tracks.com/the_concordian/the-concordian-s-black-historymonth-mixtape

1. “A Change Is Gonna Come” - Sam Cooke - Ain’t That Good News - 1964 2. “Say It Loud - I’m Black and I’m Proud” - James Brown - Say It Loud - I’m Black and I’m Proud (Single) - 1968 3. “Maybellene” - Chuck Berry - Maybellene (Single) 1955 4. “Billie Jean” - Michael Jackson - Thriller - 1982 5. “What’s Going On” - Marvin Gaye - What’s Going On - 1971 6. “At Last” - Etta James - At Last (Single) - 1961 7. “What’d I Say” - Ray Charles - What’d I Say (Single) - 1959 8. “I Will Always Love You” - Whitney Houston - The Bodyguard: Original Soundtrack Album - 1992 9. “Are You Experienced” The Jimi Hendrix Experience Are You Experienced - 1967 10. “Respect” - Aretha Franklin - I Never Loved a Man the Way I Love You - 1967

SIDE B: 11. “(Sittin’ On) The Dock of the Bay” - Otis Redding - The Dock of the Bay - 1968 12. “Rapper’s Delight” - Sugarhill Gang - Sugarhill Gang - 1979 13. “I Want You Back” - Jackson 5 - Diana Ross Presents The Jackson 5 - 1969 14. “Uptight (Everything’s Alright)” - Stevie Wonder -Uptight Everything’s Alright (Single)1966 15. “Crack Music” - Kanye West feat. The Game - Late Registration - 2005 16. “Doo Wop (That Thing)” Lauryn Hill - The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill - 1998 17. “Compared To What” John Legend and The Roots Wake Up! - 2010 18. “Free Your Mind” - En Vogue - Funky Divas - 1992 19. “Summertime” - Billie Holliday - Summertime (Single) - 1936 20. “Papa Was a Rollin’ Stone” - The Temptations - All Directions - 1972

Eldest Bob Marley child and Grammy-winning musician Ziggy Marley will be throwing his hat into the graphic novel ring now that his comic book series, Marijuanaman, has a release date. The series, written by Man of Action Studios and illustrated by Jim Mahfood, involves “a noble extraterrestrial champion, who has arrived on Earth to deliver an important message and at the same time save his own planet.” Marley explains that “Marijuanaman represents the hope of the future... the hope that we will utilize all of the power that the universe has given us to save our planet.”

The comic book will hit store shelves on the contextually significant date of April 20.

Vai’s latest record is of the Guiness variety Virtuoso guitarist and G3 alumni Steve Vai is hoping to set a new world record for the largest online guitar lesson on March 3. In collaboration with the Berklee College of Music’s website and livestream, the Grammy-winning musician will be hosting the 30-minute lesson live form a New York City studio. The session will focus on how guitarists can discover their unique talents when it comes to the their instruments. Vai will also be answering questions submitted to him online by fans at the end of the lesson. For more information or to submit a question, visit berkleemusic.com/ vai-live.

And now, a shameless plug On March 16, mtvU’s Woodie awards show will take place in Austin, Texas. In case you’ve never heard of it, the show sells itself as “the definitive award show for college students, and the music they care about.” So why should you care? Well this year, Concordia’s very own CJLO has the potential to snag the College Radio Woodie Award. CJLO, recently voted 2010’s “Station of the Year” at the CMJ College Radio Awards, is the only Canadian station eligible for this honour. So, if you want to see your university radio station get some much deserved recognition, vote for it at radiowoodie.ratemyprofessors.com.

16

theconcordian

Tuesday, February 8, 2011

OPEN TO QUESTION Concordia’s academic future Come share your ideas about Concordia’s academic future with Provost David Graham at three Open to Question sessions that he is hosting.

SIR GEORGE WILLIAMS CAMPUS February 10 from noon to 1 p.m. in room H-509 (Henry F. Hall Building, 1455 De Maisonneuve Blvd. W.)

LOYOLA CAMPUS February 17 from noon to 1 p.m. in room AD-307 (Administration Building, Loyola Campus, 7141 Sherbrooke St. W.)

March 4 from 3 to 4 p.m. in room H-435 (Henry F. Hall Building, 1455 De Maisonneuve Blvd. W.)

All are welcome – bring a lunch.

Draft academic plan available on the academic planning web site: http://provost.concordia.ca/academic-planning-budgets-and-facilities/academic-planning/

Quick Spins

Retro review

Cloud Nothings- Cloud Nothings (Carpark; 2011)

Spokes- Everyone I Ever Met Conter Records; 2011

The Dears- Degeneration Street (Dangerbird; 2011)

Elvis Costello- My Aim Is True (Stiff Records; 1977)

It’s always a gamble for a lo-fi band to opt for higher production values. Stepping out of the veil of fuzz can reveal a band’s weaknesses as much as it can accentuate complexities otherwise buried. Luckily, 19-year-old Dylan Baldi’s hooks are strong enough to hold up when his vocals are put up front and centre.

Baldi differs from many of his lo-fi contemporaries in that he’s not pulling from ‘60s garage pop. His melodies are more akin to the ‘90s pop punk anthems by Lifetime or The Promise Ring. The clearer production allows him to take comfort in finding his own voice, adding a more personal dimension that this type of songwriting demands. The hooks can come and go in seconds, but even the ones that end too soon are quickly forgiven as another equally satisfying melody approach.

Cloud Nothings results in the most dynamic and fully-realized songs Baldi has written.

A veritable cacophony of joyous sounds greets the ears when listening to Spokes. Communally sung songs and a blending of instruments give warmth and heart to what could have been standard indie. The album is introduced by dreamy, pastoral tones that sweep through with violin and piano.

But the band isn’t afraid to make a little noise either as seen in tracks like “Peace Racket.”

Reminiscent of our own Arcade Fire, on Everyone I Ever Met there seems to be a search for depth rather than beat. This search sometimes verges on the cliche, and a tendency to take itself too seriously, but overall it doesn’t affect the power of the tracks. The up-and-coming band from Manchester has something to it, what’s more, from a quick look at their live photos and videos, they seem like a great band to see live.

The Canadian scene has been blessed with yet another orchestral pop-rock indie record.

Degeneration Street’s textured alternative rock mixes sounds of echo-y keyboards, folksy guitars, energetic beats and tops the whole concoction with distorted guitars riffs.

The Dears’ fifth studio album contains a complex combination of vocals on the chaotic distortion-driven songs “Thrones” and “Stick w/ Me Kid.” Despite some tracks that border on pure noise, Degeneration Street carries some upbeat pop-y tunes like “Yesteryear” and “5chords,” as well as bluesy melodies like in “Omega Dog.” Lightburn’s deep yet soothing singing voice adds another dimension to the ‘traditional’ indie sound, which often brings to mind an adolescent fighting for breath while trying to master his own vocal range. If Lightburn makes The Dears sound more mature, so do the arrangements. As much as they are chaotic, The Dears remain structured and therefore comparable to bands like Genesis or Radiohead.

Before Elvis Costello released his debut album, My Aim Is True, in 1977, he had spent the better part of the 1970s working as a data entry clerk by day and performing in dive bars by night. After being hired as a songwriter by Stiff Records, Costello was brought in to record some song demos which proved so good that the label decided to release them under his name. Three weeks after his debut, he was already appearing on the cover of music magazines, something he later described as “an overnight success after seven years.”

Reminiscent of early rock n’ roll with a touch of 70’s punk attitude, the tracks are short, upbeat and catchy. Costello’s voice echoes through the gritty quality of the recordings, his singing raspy over the stripped down instrumentals. Including such classic Costello tracks as “Alison” and “Less Than Zero,” My Aim Is True is one of those albums that can express geeky feelings yet still totally rock.

Trial Track: “Been Through”

Trial Track: “We Can Make It Out”

Trial track: “Omega Dog”

Trial Track: “How Soon Is Now?”

7.5/10

7.0/10

8.0/10

-Trevor Smith

- Olivia Dumas

- Lea Choukroun

-Cora Ballou

Quebec, Montreal, Concordia University Ontario, Ottawa, Carleton University épreuve à D.A.

« Donner des ordres, ça ne suffit pas à donner confiance à un groupe d’hommes et de femmes qui doit se frayer un chemin à travers un terrain miné. Prendre les bonnes décisions, gérer les situations de stress et combattre aux côtés de mon équipe, c’est ça, le véritable leadership. » Capitaine MICHAEL GODARD

relecture

“It takes more than orders to command a group of men and women to bridge a gap.

Making the right calls, working in stressful situations and fighting alongside my team, that’s real leadership.”

Captain MICHAEL GODARD

client : Forces canadiennes date/modif. rédaction

OFFICIERS DU GÉNIE

dossier : CAF-10102

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sports

Tuesday, February 8, 2011

19

Write to the editor: sports@theconcordian.com HOCKEY

Deja vu victory for women s hockey Six games have ended in shootouts for the Stingers this season Kamila Hinkson Sports editor The women’s hockey team can’t seem to beat the Carleton Ravens in regulation.

All three of their games this season have been decided in a shootout. After losing to Carleton in their first meeting the Stingers have beaten them twice, by the same score and in the same emotionally trying fashion.

Both times, Concordia led 2-0 in the third period. Both times, the Ravens tied the game up in the final period. And both times, goaltender Audrey Doyon-Lessard shut the door on Carleton in the shootouts to help the Stingers to a 3-2 win.

Assistant coach Harry Yeramian has an idea as to why this pattern keeps occurring: “Carleton is a hardworking team. They don’t stop until the last whistle. […] They’re a team that just doesn’t give up.”

Both teams had decent scoring chances in the first period, but neither could capitalize. Carleton had the first legitimate chance when Claudia Bergeron, the second highest scorer on the team, sent a shot just over the Concordia goal.

“

Carleton goalie Victoria Powers sits in front of the net as the Stingers try to put the puck behind her. Photos by Tiffany Blaise

The two wins, today and yesterday, they were a whole team effort. No one player stepped up, it was the whole team Harry Yeramian, Stingers Assistant coach

Stingers forward Maggie MacNeil registered Concordia’s first shot on goal when she got the puck up on Carleton goalie Victoria Powers.

Midway through the period, Stinger Natalie May found herself in the Carleton crease with the puck, but couldn’t get a shot away.

The Ravens fired 12 shots at Doyon-Lessard in the first, compared to six shots on goal by the Stingers.

Just over a minute into the second period, Carleton took their first of three penalties and embarked on their first of three successful penalty killing missions.

During the second Stingers powerplay, defenceman Veronica Lang took a shot from the point and Alyssa Sherrard’s attempt to redirect the puck went just wide.

Sherrard would have another great scoring chance during the period, but it was Catherine Desjardins who broke the Raven’s shutout bid.

With two minutes to go in the period, she beat Powers glove side to give Concordia the lead going into the third.

The Stingers wasted no time in widening their lead; two and a half minutes into the third, Sherrard put one by Powers for her fifth goal of the season.

But four minutes later, a shot by Raven Veronic Auger found its way through DoyonLessard’s pads to cut into the Stingers’ lead.

Defencemen Alynn Doiron and Veronica Lang pass the puck at the blue line as a Raven looks on.

Concordia’s top scorer Erin Lally, fresh off winning a gold medal with Team Canada at the World University Games in Turkey, arrived just in time to watch Carleton’s captain Sara Seiler score on her team to tie the game with six minutes to go.

But neither team was able to score a third goal and the game went into overtime.

After making an initial save to her right, Doyon-Lessard was almost caught out of position by Kaila Lassaline, who tried to tuck the puck in on a wraparound. But the Concordia goalie lunged to her left and managed to extend her leg just enough to shut the door on the Carleton player.

Doyon-Lessard turned away all four shots

she faced during overtime, but Powers was also perfect on the other end of the ice, which set the stage for the shootout.

Emilie Bocchia went up first for the Stingers. Powers got a piece of her shot with her blocker and sent it into the glass behind her.

Melanie McKnight, the only Raven to have scored on Doyon-Lessard in a shootout all season, was Carleton’s first shooter. DoyonLessard came out to challenge her and McKnight sent the puck right over the net.

Stinger Catherine Rancourt scored the only goal of the contest when her shot hit the crossbar on its way into the net. After making the last save of the game on Kristen Marson, Doyon-Lessard tapped her stick and skated

out to join her teammates in celebration.

With their win against the Ottawa Gee-Gees on Saturday, the Stingers collected four huge points this weekend despite not having Lally in the lineup.

“The two wins, today and yesterday, they were a whole team effort. No one player stepped up, it was the whole team,” Yeramian explained.

The Stingers are now tied with Montréal for second place, but they have a game in hand. Their next game is Friday, Feb 11. against the McGill Martlets. The puck will drop at Ed Meagher Arena at 7:30 p.m.

20

theconcordian

Tuesday, February 8, 2011

BASKETBALL

Concordia men rally to secure home victory over UQAM turnovers. The Citadins turned the ball over a total of 19 times in the game.

UQAM’s mistakes kickstarted Concordia’s offence. The Stingers were able to get out in transition early and often in the fourth quarter and as a result, experienced a great deal of success, often running the length of the floor for quick and easy baskets.

The Stingers’ increased tempo could not only be attributed to the turnovers they created. According to Desmarais, the team had recently made it a priority to run more on offence.

“We’ve been on working on [fast-break offence] for the past two weeks,” he said. “As soon as the ball goes in the basket, or even if they miss, we get the ball and we go. We try and push the ball. We don’t want to let them set up their defence.”

Fourth-year guard Krah cited the team’s emphasis on getting out into the open court as the main reason behind the Stingers fourthquarter surge.

“I thought we executed our fast-break offence really well,” said Krah.

As he has been all season long, Desmarais was an integral part of his team’s success on Friday night, registering 26 points, five rebounds, six assists as well as five steals.

“I like to be versatile,” said Desmarais. “I like to impact the game in so many different ways. I don’t just want to score. I want to distribute the ball, be a good defender, get steals and rebound the ball. That way, no one can say that I can’t be effective if I’m not scoring.”

With the win, the Stingers improve to 8-4 (5-1 at home) and are now only one game behind the Laval Rouge-et-Or for first place in the RSEQ standings.

Stingers outscore the Citadins 30-19 in the fourth quarter on route to second consecutive win Michael Downs Staff writer

Led by the strong play of guards Kyle Desmarais and Decee Krah, the Concordia Stingers overcame a poor start on route to a 94-87 come-from-behind victory.

“I give our guys a lot of credit,” said Stingers head coach John Dore. “We played a little bit harder than them, played good defence, made shots difficult for them and got some good shots for ourselves down the stretch. We played smart at the end of the game.”

While this was indeed an accurate description of the Stingers play in the fourth quarter, it was definitely not the case in the first three, as the Stingers were out-rebounded and often out-hustled by the Citadins.

However, despite these shortcomings, the home team was able to keep things close throughout the game thanks to their consistent play on defence and the particularly strong play of Stingers forward James Clark.

Clark scored 14 points, grabbed a team-high of seven rebounds and was the major reason why the Stingers stayed afloat early on despite being outplayed.

Thanks to him, the Stingers only trailed 45-43 at halftime and were only behind 68-64 heading into the fourth quarter, when they finally took control of the game.

In the game’s final, and ultimately most

Stingers forward James Clark goes for a layup. Photo by Anthony Tony pivotal quarter, the Stingers took full advantage of the small size of their gym by employ-

ing a full-court press that suffocated UQAM ball handlers and forced seven Citadins

Coincidentally, the Stingers will face off against Laval at home this Friday, Feb. 11 at 6 p.m.

KARATE

Shotokan Karate offers a workout for mind and body

Student association has been around for years, but now has official club status Kelly Greig Staff writer Dance studio A at Le Gym doesn’t look like your stereotypical dojo. There are no calligraphy prints on the walls, no nunchucks or throwing stars and no paper screen doors for villains to jump through. There isn’t even a row of Mr. Miyagi’s cars to ‘wax on, wax off’.

Under the mentorship of sensei Melarie Taylor, this unassuming space is transformed into a dojo three times a week. Nearly 50 students study here in the newly formed Concordia JKA Shotokan Karate Students Association.

Although karate has been practiced at Concordia since 1973, this is the first year the club has had official Concordia Student Union club status.

Shotokan Karate is marked by its carefully choreographed technique. “It’s pretty much done the same routine you’d imagine a dance routine would go, but obviously it’s not the same goal,” said club member Jean-Philippe Thériault.

“Shotokan karate is different because other styles are more about instincts and reflexes whereas Shotokan is more technically aimed,” he said.

A typical practice starts with a series of stretches and exercises to fine-tune every move. Semi-free sparring is next, which means that the attack is announced and that the fighters never actually make contact with their moves.

“It’s always controlled, we never actually hurt anyone. We stop the fist, the kick or the

Shotokan karate is knowing how to defend yourself, but only doing it if necessary. Photo courtesy of Jean-Philippe Thériault attack just before contact. No one has slipped yet to my knowledge. It’s a pretty safe environment,” said Thériault.

After the high-impact workout, the students have the chance to cool down and meditate in an effort to balance mind and body.

“You try to empty your mind, focus on breathing. So it’s really a blend between meditation and a big workout. I think it’s the best of both worlds,” said Thériault.

The level of interest in the club has exceeded his expectations. “It’s very nice to see,” he said.

“It’s all about curiosity because everybody has a preconceived notion about martial arts.

People see karate and think it can be useful in

a real context.”

Thériault admitted that at an advanced level, this fighting style would be useful in warding off attacks, but one of the tenets of shotokan is to not seek out violent situations. In essence, it is knowing how to defend yourself, but only doing it if necessary.

“There is a very important part in the motto which is ‘refrain from violent behaviour,’ so you realize that you don’t need to fight. You know that if you have to fight you will be able to but you don’t want to seek dangerous circumstances,” he said.

Despite the misconceptions about the sport, the interest has been strong in the Concordia

community, warranting three classes per week.

Thériault says the club is open to anyone interested in karate, with no previous experience necessary. “We always welcome newcomers.

It’s a very complete sport and the more people know about it the better,” he said. “We’re not all Bruce Lees.”

The Concordia JKA Shotokan Karate Student Association meets on Tuesday from 6:30 p.m. to 8 p.m. (beginners), Thursday from 6 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. (intermediate) and Monday from 6 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. (advanced). Call Le Gym at 514-848-2424 ext 3860 for more information.

Follow us on Twitter: twitter.com/concordiansport

Tuesday, February 8, 2011

21

BASKETBALL

Stingers guard Yasmin Jean-Philippe drives to basket while being closely guarded by UQAM’s Jessica Bibeau-Côté. Photos by Anthony Tony

Stingers survive second half scare and defeat the Citadins Nearly blow thirdquarter lead but escape with a five-point victory Michael Downs Staff writer Despite nearly squandering an 18-point third quarter lead, the Concordia Stingers were able to hold off the UQAM Citadins and secure 73-68 victory.

“UQAM played very hard for the whole game” said Stingers head coach Keith Pruden.

“We backed off defensively. We started giving them easy scoring opportunities and we seemed surprised when they took advantage of them. We weren’t very alert in the third quarter mentally.”

After an impressive display of effective ball movement, stingy defense and an overall sense of urgency the Stingers were able to build a sizeable 47-29 lead three minutes into the third quarter.

Then it all fell apart.

Everything that could possibly go wrong went wrong. The Stingers appeared relaxed and somewhat overconfident, not caring to do the simple things that helped them build their lead in the first place.

Gone was the defensive intensity and offensive aggressiveness that characterized their first half play. They were replaced with ineptitude and overall complacency, which led to severe lack of execution on both ends of the floor. Concordia simply lost their edge and their opponents where very quick to capitalize on this.

The Citadins team that emerged in the second half of the third quarter onwards was

a completely different one than was seen in the first half of the game.

Thanks to a series of careless Stingers turnovers, they were able to get out into transition for easy baskets. When they weren’t getting out into the open court, they were winning the battles in the paint, thanks to the inspired play of UQAM forward Emie Simard, who had 20 points and four rebounds in the game. This allowed the Citadins to cut an 18-point deficit down to a mere seven points within a matter of three minutes.

It also helped that they were shooting the lights out. Citadins guards Michelle AugerBellemare and Jessica Bibeau-Côté combined for three three-pointers in the quarter.

“

just as hard to keep it.

UQAM continued to outplay Concordia, especially on the offensive end, but unlike the third quarter the home team showed some resilience and demonstrated the sense of urgency that had put it in such a favourable position earlier.

The game’s pivotal moment came with a little under a minute left, and the Stingers were only up 70-68.

That is when Barrett, who had recently returned from her injury, made a huge pass deflection at half-court, allowing the Stingers to regain possession and thus forcing UQAM to foul, effectively putting the game on ice.

The Stingers would eventually win by a score of 73-68.

“I’m pleased with the fact we regained our composure,” said Pruden. “I just wish it hadn’t taken so long.”

With the victory the Stingers improve to 7-5 and remain in second place in the RSEQ standings.

Next up for Concordia is a date with the Laval Rouge-et-Or at home, this Friday at 8 p.m.

I’m pleased with the fact we regained out composure, I just wish it hadn’t taken so long.

Keith Pruden, Stingers head coach

And to make matters worse, Stingers star guard Kaylah Barrett was elbowed above the eye and had to leave the game.

As the buzzer signaling the end of the third quarter sounded, the Stingers held a very slim 54-50 advantage.

It was only in the game’s closing moments that Concordia demonstrated why they were the second best team in Quebec. Up until that point, the quarter had been a seesaw battle that saw the Citadins desperately trying to take the lead while the Stingers were fighting

The Stingers’ aggressivity gave way to complacency in by the third quarter.

22

theconcordian

Tuesday, February 8, 2011

FOOTBALL

Packers outlast mistake-prone Steelers to win 4th Super Bowl

Aaron Rodgers wins MVP as Green Bay beats Pittsburgh 31-25 James Floreani Contributor

It was a priceless moment.

With the Packers up by six, Aaron Rodgers looked on as his defensive unit took the field in a much too similar situation as the last time these two teams met. The previous year, the Steelers had driven down the field in the final two minutes and won the game 37-36 on the last play of the game.

There would be none of that on Super Sunday as the Packers’ defence stopped Ben Roethlisberger and the Steelers on fourth and five with just over a minute to go. Big Ben tried to get it to Mike Wallace but the ball fell incomplete. Right then, the camera turned to Rodgers. He jumped up and ran around aimlessly on the sideline out of excitement.

He knew what that incomplete pass signified.

It meant the Green Bay Packers were going to bring the Lombardi Trophy home for the first time since 1997.

After Christina Aguilera finished mangling the lyrics to “The Star-Spangled Banner,” the Packers and Steelers delivered quite a show.

Rodgers, the game’s MVP, turned in a remarkable performance in Super Bowl XLV going 24-39 for 304 yards, three touchdowns and most importantly, no turnovers. Rodgers was unbelievable this whole postseason.

Jordy Nelson, the team’s fourth-string wide receiver, was Rodgers’ favourite target, catching nine passes for 140 yards and a touchdown, which made up for his three big drops. He also found Greg Jennings, usually his favourite target, for 21-yard and eightyard scores. Despite the fact that his receivers dropped several balls, Rodgers thrived in this

game.

Unfortunately for Roethlisberger, he was not able to take care of the ball, and more often than not in the NFL, the team with the most turnovers loses the game. The Steelers, not the young Packers, looked like the inexperienced team in this one.

Perhaps the most important play in the game came early on. From his own sevenyard line, Roethlisberger took the snap, pumped fake once and threw deep left for Wallace. His arm was hit as he threw and the errant throw was picked off by ball-hawk Nick Collins and returned 37 yards to the house to give the Packers an early 14-0 lead.

The Packers built a 21-3 lead in the second quarter. Things started to unravel a bit after that for the Pack. First, reliable veteran receiver Donald Driver injured his ankle. Then, Charles Woodson, the NFL’s Defensive Player of the Year in 2009, broke his collarbone diving for a ball. With Woodson out, the Steeler offence finally showed some signs of life, marching down the field easily and cutting the lead to 21-10 right before halftime.

After the Black Eyed Peas stunk up the stage with their less-than-super half-time performance, the second half finally got underway. After a quick defensive stop, the Steelers struck again as Rashard Mendenhall took it in from eight yards out. And just like that, the Packers lead was cut to 21-17.

Everything was going in the Steelers’ favour

3

number of touchdowns MVP Aaron Rogers threw in Superbowl XLV

as James Jones dropped a perfectly thrown ball on the next possession which would have been a touchdown for the Packers. Instead, Green Bay punted once again and the Steelers started their drive. On the last play of the third quarter, Roethlisberger found Hines Ward in the middle of the field for a nice gain to the Packers’ 33-yard line and it looked as though it was just a matter of time before they took their first lead of the game.

Then, it happened – a game-changing play

by Clay Matthews. He penetrated the line of scrimmage like a hungry lion and stripped Mendenhall of the ball. The Packers recovered the fumble and shortly after, and Rodgers found Jennings in the endzone for the second time for the clinching score.

“You play to be world champions,” Matthews said after the game, “and that’s what we are today.”

Matthews, who should have won the Defensive Player of the Year award, proved his case on the biggest stage of all. Troy Polamalu, who did win the the award, was a complete nonfactor in the game and was beat a few times for big plays. Maybe the hair got in the way.

“I think the reason Green Bay won is because Rodgers is so good,” said Eric Noivo, defensive end for the Concordia Stingers’ football team. “He made plays at key times and Pittsburgh committed too many turnovers.

The Steelers had all the momentum before the

2

number of turnovers for Ben Roethlisberger in Superbowl XLV

Mendenhall fumble.”

In my online commentary for the Concordian, I predicted a 31-26 Packers’ victory and Aaron Rodgers winning MVP. I also said at some point in the game, Clay Matthews would make a game-changing play. He did just that.

Overall, Roethlisberger was good, but Rodgers was great. In a quarterback-driven league, the quarterbacks’ play was the difference in this one. Dallas was most definitely Mr. Rodgers’ neighbourhood on Sunday night.

1997

last time Packers won the Lombardi trophy

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opinions 24

Tuesday, February 8, 2011

Write to the editor: opinions@theconcordian.com

EDITORIAL

ASFA s electoral changes: a step in the wrong direction?

Removal of slate system has likely contributed to drop in number of candidates Let us start off by saying this: we know student elections will never be perfect.

There are clear limitations of personnel, finances and simply real world experience.

When you have one individual student essentially put in control of organizing, monitoring and, as we’ve seen this year, altering elections processes, you can’t expect things to run perfectly.

That being said, the upcoming ASFA elections have presented a number of reasons to question how this electoral process came to be and whether the recent changes to the electoral system have actually hurt the association.

Since this fiscal year began, ASFA has been touting its own decision to remove slates in order to eradicate piggybacking and clean up the elections, which in the recent past have tumbled into petty cat fights and illegal tactics. While we won’t know whether those goals have been achieved until after the elections, the end of the nomination period has presented another clear negative consequence of the electoral change: even lower participation.

Only 12 candidates will be participating in ASFA’s 2011 election campaign, down from 28 the year before. Three of seven executive positions are going uncontested. This includes the position of president which will go to current councillor Alex Gordon lest he be beaten by ‘abstain.’ A fourth position, that of VP communications, received no applications at all and will require a byelection next fall.

The organization’s efforts to clean up elections are commendable, but those in charge did not take into account how removing

slates would affect the interest of potential candidates. Slates provide a solid base for candidate recruitment. Interested individuals will search for similarly interested friends and peers to join their slates and run. While this isn’t always a positive, an executive built of friends can present clear problems of checks on authority, the decision to elect the executives used to fall on the students. This year, students will ultimately have no choice about three of their executives, a reality which may raise questions about the executive’s legitimacy next year. Technically, students could vote to abstain, but a victory in that regard is likely to only hurt an organization already handicapped by the lack of a communications officer.

The decision to remove slates is only one questionable aspect in a largely disorganized and flawed electoral system. Questions posed at the all-candidates meeting last week made it clear how illogical some of the rules are, no matter why they were put in place.

For one, electoral rules state that candidates can’t be within a certain distance of polls on election day, but candidates can go elsewhere on campus encouraging people to vote. The problem lies in the fact that candidates can introduce themselves, but are not allowed to say that they are running, even if they are asked. Even more confusing, candidates are not allowed to wear nametags despite the fact that they can introduce themselves. They also cannot say they are running though hypothetically they could speak to people standing in front of their own campaign posters.

Also problematic for an organization plagued by low voter turnout, candidates are not allowed to tell students where the polling tables are, even if asked. ASFA struggles to make electoral quorum and yet this rule is strictly enforced?

To be fair there have been a few positive changes made to the electoral process this year. For one, executive summaries and a blurb for each candidate will be available at

each election table so voters who would like to be informed can do so on short notice at the voting station itself. While we doubt the uninterested majority who don’t vote do so because they don’t know the candidates, this is still a move in the right direction: information as incentive. Adding these summaries to the ASFA website is another change that could potentially help inform voters by making information easily accessible.

But ultimately, it’s as if ASFA was trying too hard to make the system better, while ignoring the practicalities of student elections. The organization would have done a lot

we do here at the Student Union; we represent our students, fight for low tuition fees, accessible education, stand against exclusivity contracts and do not tolerate violence on and around campus.

In the following week, on Valentine’s Day, the CSU will hold a special general meeting where the main theme to this meeting is to keep education accessible in Quebec for all students. We invite everyone who wishes to express their thoughts to be present and share their opinion with other students. We make ourselves available through email as well.

Share your concerns directly to your executives, especially your president: president@ csu.qc.ca February is also Black History Month at Concordia, prepared in collaboration with many student groups on campus. These series of events reflect the openness and progressive stance of the entire Concordia community and the CSU. We encourage you take part in numerous social events and invite you to stop by the CSU Speaker Series that will be bringing you Martin Luther King III this month.

For all we get to achieve together and more,

Re: Student apathy

better by keeping things simple and focusing on keeping elections fair for all candidates, regardless of the system in place.

Instead of preventing candidates from telling people they are running, why not give all candidates the opportunity to do so and reward the dedicated ones who spend their days working for votes? This would not be unfair, because all candidates would be on equal ground.

Trying to run a fair election is one thing; trying to run a pretty election is an entirely different thing, one that doesn’t seem to have paid off in ASFA’s case this year.

Graphic by Katie Brioux

LETTERS

Re: Informational General Meeting Dear Concordia students, First and foremost, the Concordia Student Union would like to take this opportunity to thank you for your countless efforts and involvement in matters affecting students, the Concordia community, faculty and staff.

On Thursday Jan. 27, we held our very first Informational General Meeting where over 100 students were present to speak their minds about matters affecting our University.

We came together. We challenged ourselves… and we listened.

The result? We brought to life a discussion that has a lot of students talking. We started talking about how important accessible education is, how our University has an alarming lack of student space, and how we can make a difference when we stick together.

Just last week, student representatives and faculty members who comprise our university’s senate, in solidarity, called upon our governance for something they believed in. The week before, CSU council passed a motion asking the external members of the Board of Governors who had overstayed their mandate to respectfully resign. This is what

Thank you, Your CSU Executives

The Concordian often goes with the line that students are apathetic. I rarely see an issue in which a headline doesn’t point out some disappointing lack of enthusiasm for fundraising walks, Skratch Bastid, student elections or something. Similarly, I’ve been told by university representatives that a lot of student space exists at Concordia – government standards exist mandating a certain amount in new university buildings. So they stick in a few extra conference rooms and designate them for students. Students don’t use them, so maybe they don’t care about student space? I come from a (much-regretted) background in international development, and this all sounds familiar: “We organized this great thing for the people, why isn’t it working?”

Well, were any of these people ASKED what they want? Do they have any personal investment in this project, can they feel that their participation will accomplish anything? Maybe they can see from a mile away that the university’s project (such as begging for chump change from the community for scholarships while government funding and corporate taxes get slashed and slashed again) is poorly thought-out.

That’s why the WHALE, on Monday Feb. 14 at 11:30 a.m. (11 a.m. for grad students) at the

Hall Building Terrace, is going to be so epic. This is a real grassroots initiative that is going to allow any student who comes to directly affect the policy of their student union, and directly make their voice heard. Undergraduates and graduates will hold legally binding general assemblies on the same day to vote on holding a day of action on the massive tuition increases coming up in 2012 among other motions – and then we will have an awesome winter fair. This wasn’t a CSU initiative – a regular student collected the 100 signatures needed to call a special general meeting in about half an hour. There has already been a huge amount of interest, so maybe before we get into this self-perpetuating narrative that such and such group of people is apathetic, we should look a little deeper.

Holly Nazar MA Media Studies Director for Arts & Science, GSA Free Education Montreal

Correction In the Feb. 1 issue, in the article titled “What should Concordia’s policy towards kirpans be?,” it was stated that kirpans are worn by Sikh men.

In fact, they are worn by women as well. The Concordian regrets the error.

Follow us on Twitter at twitter.com/concordianops

Tuesday, February 8, 2011

25

ACTIVISM

Racy new PETA campaign is same old, same old

Organization is no stranger to controversial, eyebrow-raising ads Chris Hanna Opinions editor “Why don’t you pick a vegetable, and show us how much you love it.”

So asks the man behind the camera in PETA’s latest television ad. The campaign is a compilation of outtakes from a casting session. It features 10 women, all in itty-bitty bikinis kissing, licking and fondling (among other things) a variety of vegetables. There is also one man, but he is only in it for seconds and is just holding an eggplant.

The ad ends with a claim that “studies show vegetarians have better sex” and has the female models proclaim “Go veggies!”

The People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals should, by now, be used to getting their ads banned. This one, whose premise is absolutely ridiculous, is suffering the same fate. When they tried to sell an ad to NBC for last year’s Superbowl that also featured women with vegetables, the peacock network turned them away, even at the whopping price tag of $3 million for a 30-second spot.

This commercial is another step in the wrong direction for PETA. The organization misses the mark in promoting its message against the cruelty and mistreatment of animals. On its website, PETA admits to using controversial tactics because they “have learned from experience that the media, sadly, do not consider the terrible facts about animal

Graphic by Katie Brioux

suffering alone interesting enough to cover. It is sometimes necessary to shake people up in

CAMPUS

AWARDS

ASFA candidates look like beauty pageant contestants This year’s campaign posters scream style over substance Kelsey Pudloski Contributor The year was 1960 and nearly 70 million Americans tuned in to watch the first-ever televised presidential debate between the vivacious John F. Kennedy and a wearied Richard Nixon. Gone were the days when intellect alone could win you a stint in the White House. On air, looks mattered; and some historians believe it ultimately cost Richard Nixon the election.

Countless psychological studies have been devoted to this phenomenon, yet the question remains: can attractiveness decide elections?

From the look of their campaign posters, candidates running for the Arts and Science Federation of Associations executive positions sure hope so.

If you pass by a bulletin board in any Concordia academic building, you will likely find it congested with the over-sized, smiling faces of the ASFA candidates. I’m wondering — are these individuals running for student government positions or the chance to don a sparkly crown and sash?

Every candidate’s picture is several times

order to initiate discussion, debate, questioning of the status quo, and, of course, action.”

Admitting it does not make it okay.

Last summer, a Pamela Anderson PETA billboard could not be put up in Montreal because it was deemed sexist by city officials.

Anderson was bikini-clad, and had markings on her body outlining her rump, leg, shoulder and breast, like a diagram at a butcher shop.

There are also a number of PETA ads featuring celebrities posing nude and asking “Fur? I’d rather go naked.”

Those ads at least conveyed a message that is appropriate and logical. This latest TV ad is a cheap, obvious and crass attempt at controversy.

The main problem, and one that PETA does not seem to realize, is that the strength of the message and the message itself get lost in all the controversy. While millions have now seen the “Veggie Love” ad online, and the people at PETA can boast that 2 million people worldwide have joined their cause in the last 20 years (is that supposed to be impressive?), how many people does PETA think will convert to vegetarianism after seeing this ad? PETA’s target demographic with Super Bowl was obviously the event’s menof-all-ages audience. But even these men will be quick to dismiss the ad as anything but silly, odd and only somewhat arousing. Ask the same men if they can remember what the ad is for, and they’re likely to ignore you and grab another chicken wing.

But, excuse them, they are too distracted by the blonde trying to shove as many radishes as possible in her mouth. Or the brunette rubbing and squishing tomatoes all over herself. Or the other blonde spanking herself with a celery stick.

larger than the text stating his or her campaign platform — none of which appear to be particularly innovative or realistic. A shuttle bus from Vendome to Loyola? I’m pretty sure one already exists — it’s called the 105. Is VP academic and Loyola candidate Christina Gentile unaware that a ticket purchased on the bus is also valid for the metro?

Maybe the candidates figured if they tilt their head back a little or wear a V-neck T-shirt their ideas wouldn’t have to amount to much.

Interestingly, these posters have all been printed in varying shades of blue. Coincidence?

Not so much. According to colour psychology, blue stimulates calm and is associated with traits such as dependability, wisdom and loyalty.

Hence, why many politicians choose to wear blue suits.

Evidently, good taste in fashion is a prerequisite for holding office at Concordia. All of these candidates are attractive people, but they are relying too heavily on glamour shots to win them the election.

ASFA states candidates may spend a maximum of $50 on their campaign. Although this isn’t a lot of money, it seems like they are clearly blowing their budgets at the copy centre.

What ever happened to grassroots campaigns? I want to see homemade signs and a candidate who will stand in the lobby of the Hall building to personally ask for my vote on Feb. 15, 16 and 17. Until that time comes, I’ll abstain from voting, much like the majority of my fellow Concordia students. This isn’t a beauty pageant, it’s an election.

Junos should honour best and unknown in Canadian music Justin Bieber and Drake do not need even more exposure Chris Hanna Opinions editor The Juno awards, sometimes referred to as the Canadian Grammys, are supposed to celebrate excellence in Canadian music. Looking at this year’s list of underwhelming nominees, one has to wonder if awards that celebrate mediocrity should be given out in the first place.

While the content of our radio stations has to be at least 35 per cent Canadian, as required by the Canadian Radio-Television and Telecommunications Commission, most stations probably reach that quota by playing two tracks by Celine Dion, Shania Twain, Michael Bublé, Drake or Justin Bieber every hour. Those artists are great to brag to your American friends about, and FM stations will generally aim to please the masses, but the CRTC’s regulation misses the mark with what is supposed to accomplish, i.e. to promote Canadian art to Canadians. Everyone knows Dion and Twain, yet “Because You Loved Me” and “That Don’t Impress Me Much” still count towards a station’s Canadian content requirement.

This is where the Juno awards should step in and pick up the slack. This year’s nominees are no strangers to the airwaves. Obviously, if popular songs by Canadian artists are also the best Canadian songs of the year, the issue is moot, but nominating kd lang’s Vancouver Olympics’ rendition of Leonard Cohen’s 27year-old song “Hallelujah” seems uninspired and suggests voters were scrambling to fill the required five spots on the ballot.

This year’s Juno awards, celebrating its 40th anniversary, are supposed to celebrate the diversity in Canadian music and the Canadian people. The Canadian Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences, the people behind these awards, even give one out for aboriginal Album of the Year and honours the best in Canadian blues and folk music. These are artists that many Canadians have never heard of and that need all the exposure they can get.

Unfortunately, because of the amount of award categories, the ones “people don’t really want to see,” like the aforementioned, will probably be given out in an untelevised event just before the live Junos telecast.

Promoting all Canadian artists wholeheartedly should be a priority at the Junos, not just the ones who sell a lot of records or who top the iTunes charts.

theconcordian

Concordia’s weekly, independent student newspaper.

Tuesday, Feb. 8, 2011 Volume 28 Issue 20.

Sarah Deshaies Editor-in-chief editor@theconcordian.com Brennan Neill Managing editor managing@theconcordian.com Evan LePage News editor news@theconcordian.com Jacques Gallant Assistant news editor Emily White Life editor life@theconcordian.com Savannah Sher Assistant life editor Valerie Cardinal Arts editor arts@theconcordian.com Jacqueline Di Bartolomeo Assistant arts editor Katelyn Spidle Music editor music@theconcordian.com Kamila Hinkson Sports editor sports@theconcordian.com

EDUCATION

theconcordian

Extending Bill 101 to CEGEPs would be idiotic PQ leader Pauline Marois is out of touch with Quebecois Chris Hanna Opinions editor In another misguided attempt to protect the French language from extinction in Quebec, Parti Quebecois leader Pauline Marois has announced that she will push for Bill 101 to be extended to CEGEPs, making it impossible for allophones and francophones who have attended French schools their entire lives (some because of Bill 101 itself) to attend an English-language CEGEP. By the time most Quebec high schoolers graduate, they are on the verge of adulthood. It’s amazing that they want to pursue post-secondary education in the first place. The dropout rate in this province is already much higher than the national average. Extending Bill 101 to CEGEPs would only further alienate students who will undoubtedly grow resentful of a system that does

not let them choose the language in which they can study.

Why would any politician lobby for a policy that limits the next generation’s opportunities in any way? Regardless of what Marois is trying to prove, she sure is not being a team player. To prohibit Canadians from attending English-language CEGEPs is unpatriotic, but Marois has made it clear that she does not care about the country of which her province is apart. And she can deny it all she wants, but Quebec is still part of Canada.

She may hate it, and she has a right to, but she cannot ignore that English is one of two official languages in Canada.

A recent Leger marketing poll showed that an overwhelming majority of Quebecers agreed with the statement “Montreal is a bilingual city,” and over 70 per cent of those polled within the Montreal area agreed that Montreal should be a bilingual city.

The fact that Marois keeps pushing her French-over-anything agenda only cements her complete disregard for what the Quebecois people want, feel and need.

The truth is that most jobs in the province nowadays, regardless of where you are working,

prefer candidates who are fully bilingual. And while we can pretend that the province’s English as a second language courses are adequate, the reality is that after 10 years enrolled in them, a lot of students are still unable to carry a conversation in English. So forget interviewing for a job in English.

Students who study exclusively in French will be at a great disadvantage upon graduation and entering the job market.

Marois also ignores students who may opt for one CEGEP over another because of proximity, convenience or program of choice. Vanier, John Abbott, Dawson and Marianopolis CEGEPs are in completely different parts of the city and would therefore cater to students who live in different areas. But there is also the fact that some CEGEPs specialize in some programs, and some programs are simply not offered at others.

Marois may believe she is doing the French language a favour, but she is not thinking ahead.

People need to be bilingual (at least) if they are going to make it in the world. Marois also needs to realize that the world does not revolve around Quebec. India, China and the United States are not teaching “joual” to their kids in school.

Chris Hanna Opinions editor opinions@theconcordian.com Owen Nagels Assistant opinions editor Christtopher Kahn Online editor online@theconcordian.com Tiffany Blaise Photo editor photo@theconcordian.com Katie Brioux Graphics editor graphics@theconcordian.com Trevor Smith Chief copy editor copy@theconcordian.com Morgan Lowrie Sofia Gay Copy editors Jill Fowler Production manager production@theconcordian. com Jennifer Barkun Francois Descoteaux Lindsay Sykes Production Assistants Board of Directors Tobi Elliott Richard Tardif Ben Ngai directors@theconcordian.com Editorial 7141 Sherbrooke St. W. CC.431 Montreal, QC H4B 1R6 514.848.2424 x7458 (Newsroom) 514.848.2424 x7499 (Editors) 514.848.2424 x7404 (Production) Francesco Sacco Business Manager business@theconcordian.com Marshall Johnston Advertising advertising@theconcordian. com Business and Advertising: 1455 de Maisonneuve W. H.733-4 Montreal, QC H3G 1M8 514.848.2424 x7420 (Office) 514.848.7427 (Fax) STAFF WRITERS AND CONTRIBUTORS: Michael Bramadat-Willcock, Hiba Zayadin, Mel Lefebvre, Andre-Joseph Cordeiro, Brenda Raftlova, Amanda Dafniotis, Samantha Mastromonaco, Daniel Spinali, Jessica Wei, Corey Pool, Matthew Campbell, Cora Ballou, Andrew Guilbert, Trevor Smith, Olivia Dumas, Lea Choukroun, Michael Downs, Kelly Greig, James Floreani, Eva Kratochvil, Alex Woznica, Kelsey Pudlowski, David Vilder, Tristan Glen, Cindy Lopez. Anthony Tony, Sean Kershaw, Amanda Durepos, Arnaud Pages

Graphic by Arnaud Pages

EGYPT

Canada should not meddle in Egypt’s domestic affairs Harper and co. support democracy abroad, unless it doesn’t work for them Alex Woznica Staff writer The recent explosions of anti-government protest in Egypt seem likely to result in changes of a magnitude not seen in that country for decades. Egypt’s President Hosni Mubarak has been in power for the last 30 years, but has promised to step down following elections in September. While the pro-democracy movement in Egypt has received widespread support from governments around the world, one government that does not seem to be giving its full support to freedom and democracy in Egypt is Canada’s. Since the Egyptian protests began, the Canadian government has both continually made statements in favour of prolonging Mubarak’s rule, and has placed restrictions and qualifications on their support for democracy in Egypt.

The Canadian government’s reaction to the explosion of democratic feeling in Egypt

has left much to be desired, and simply does not conform with Canada’s stated goal of promoting democracy abroad.

Our federal government has expressed its support for democracy time and time again, leading one to wonder why it has made statements that appear to support the prolonging of dictatorial rule in Egypt. The governments of the United States and other Western democracies, as well as most pro-democracy activists in Egypt, have called for the immediate resignation of President Mubarak. For some reason however, the government of Canada has chosen to ignore the stance of the majority of democrats both internationally and in Egypt itself, and endorse Mubarak’s plan to step down following elections scheduled for September.

Despite more recent, extremely vague statements by Prime Minister Harper that could be interpreted as endorsing the immediate resignation of President Mubarak, neither the prime minister nor anyone in his government has come out and clearly called for Mubarak’s ouster. Mubarak has enjoyed over 30 years of power, and the remainder of his time in office will surely be used to abuse his powers for his own gain. It is a shame that the government of Canada has decided to help legitimize the perpetuation of Egypt’s dictatorship through its misguided and irresponsible statements.

The Canadian government is slacking in its support of democracy in other ways as well. Predominantly, at least in terms of the Egyptian context, it appears to be qualifying and restricting its support for democracy. Both Harper and Foreign Affairs Minister Lawrence Cannon have stated that they would like to see a future Egyptian government that is free of extremist influence, and perhaps more importantly, which accepts the existence of Israel, as it does now.

While it would probably be beneficial for both Egypt and peace in the Middle East if post-Mubarak Egypt was not dominated by extremists and accepted the state of Israel, it is important to understand that within a democratic context, the matter must entirely be in the hands of the Egyptian people, and should not be influenced by the wishes of foreign powers such as Canada. The Canadian government needs to understand that if given democracy, the Egyptian people are likely to make choices that are very different than those which conform with Canadian interests, and that it is their democratic right to do so.

Democracy in Egypt will quite possibly result in situations which present difficulty for Western powers such as Canada, but that does not mean that the Canadian government should limit or qualify their support for Egyptian democracy.

Tuesday, February 8, 2011

Write to the editor: opinions@theconcordian.com

27

The Etcetera Page

At the ripe old age of 20, the multi-talented Bo Burnham has already accomplished more than most comedians twice his age. The singer-songwriter-comedian-musician-actor, rose to fame on YouTube where his videos have received over 70 million views. Last year Burnham became the youngest comic ever to host his own special on Comedy Central. You can follow him on Twitter @boburnham, and follow us @ TheConcordian.

Concordia students talk about the St. Jacques exit closure, and whether public transit is a more viable mode of transportation than the university’s shuttle bus.

Julian Verboomen - third-year human environment “They should definitely have told us a while ago, they just said ‘OK, next week it’s closed,’ so there isn’t much time to figure out an alternative route, and no one wants to wait forever to take the shuttle, so of course taking the city bus would be faster. The only problem with taking the 105 is now people have to pay to use public transit.”

- I wanna grow a full beard and then shave just a small patch above my upper lip: the Anti-Hitler.

- If you’re saying no to drugs, like literally yelling “NO!” at a bag of weed, you’re probably really really high.

- Steve Jobs - “you’re not going on that stage until you’re half an inch thick!” (the iPad cries and throws up in the toilet).

Jessica Stewart - fourth-year psychology “It doesn’t really affect me that much. I personally don’t really mind. I’ve been taking the shuttle everyday and it hasn’t really taken that much longer, so I wouldn’t take the 105 because it’s just extra money.”

Olivier Mailloux - first-year civil engineering

Photo by David Vilder

Snow falls on another Montreal night, blanketing the city in a fresh coat.

Horoscopes Love is in the air, but what’s in the stars for you?

Aries - March 21 to April 20 Love is blind. You may think your partner is your soulmate, but people around you think you’re going crazy. Listen to them.

Taurus - April 21 to May 21 You’re not used to spending Valentine’s Day alone, but think of it as “just another Monday night.” Things will get better in time.

Gemini - May 22 to June 21 Love did a real number on you. Luckily, you are with someone who is as devoted to you as they are to you. Hold them tight.

Cancer - June 22 to July 23 Lean on your partner this week. You’re

going through some things, and you can’t keep them bottled up inside.

They’ll lend an ear.

Leo - July 24 to August 23 In hindsight, you should have known that your relationship was going to leave you hurt and broken. End it while you still have some of your sanity.

Virgo - August 24 to September 23 Dinner and a movie? Again? Shake it up, do something different, and remember that no matter what you do, you will be in good company.

Libra - September 24 to October 23 Monday nights just don’t work for you.

Between House and Two and a Half Men on television, you are too booked to make plans. Just let them down easy.

Scorpio - October 24 to November 23

Compiled by Eva Kratochvil

You enjoy your own company, so a night at home alone on Valentine’s Day doesn’t seem like such a bad idea to you. What’s everyone complaining about?

Sagittarius - November 24 to December 21 Do not juggle more than one set of plans. You’ll be forced to leave some place important early, or get to your next venue late. Don’t be rude.

Capricorn - December 22 to January 20 Still can’t understand how you’re the only single one among your friends?

Look at their partners. You’re not missing much.

Aquarius - January 21 to February 19 Don’t just be with someone because you don’t want to be alone. Just hug your

“It’s definitely not convenient that the shuttle doesn’t take the highway any more. You would think it takes longer just because of that, but when it comes down to it you have to take two metros to get to Vendome and then you have to take the bus, so to me it all comes down to pretty much the same thing.”

pillow at night and sleep with the TV on.

Pisces - February 20 to March 20 Your best valentines are the friends who make you happiest. Don’t worry about labels or if any of it makes sense. Just do what feels right.

You share a birthday with...

Feb. 8: Gary Coleman, Ted Koppel, John Williams Feb. 9: Mia Farrow, Joe Pesci, Alice Walker Feb. 10: Emma Roberts, Glenn Beck, Roberta Flack Feb. 11: Jennifer Aniston, Sarah Palin, Burt Reynolds Feb. 12: Christina Ricci, Arsenio Hall, Abraham Lincolm Feb. 13: Jerry Springer, Mena Suvari, Robbie Williams Feb. 14: Carl Bernstein, Gregory Hines, Michael Bloomberg

* TUES 08

EVENTS AT A GLANCE HELP PROMOTE CONCORDIA EVENTS! ALL EVENT LISTINGS ARE ADVERTISED FOR FREE SEND YOUR IDEAS TO EVENTS@THECONCORDIAN.COM PLEASE LIST NAME OF EVENT, LOCATION, AND TIME VAV Gallery (1395 René Lévesque Blvd. W.) Centaur Theatre Bain St-Michel Tableau D'Hôte Theatre Centaur Theatre Atelier Légend'Art

18h00 ongoing until Feb. 27 ongoing until Feb. 20 ongoing until Feb. 13 ongoing until Feb. 13 ongoing until March 1 ongoing until Feb. 12

Colisée de Trois-Rivières H.767 H.760 Centre de design de l'UQAM Galerie Luz Gallery Gora ONF

19h30 17h00 18h30 ongoing until Apr. 17 ongoing until Feb. 26 17h00 to 19h00 20h00

La Sala Rossa Casa Del Popolo Cabaret Du Mile End McGill University, Leacock room 132 H-110 VE.317

20h00 20h00 20h00 ongoing until Feb. 12 17h30 18h00

+VERNISSAGE +THEATRE +THEATRE +THEATRE +THEATRE +VISUAL ART +FILM FESTIVAL

"UBIQUIT_US" presented by Communication Studies Stones in his Pockets Joe Louis: An American Romance Humans MöcShplat "Dead God;" works by Daniel Erban MASSIMADI

+STINGERS +TALK +CONCORDIA +VISUAL ART +VISUAL ARTS +VERNISSAGE +FILM SCREENING

Men's hockey @ UQTR The Greek economic situation w/ the Honorable Thanos Kafopoulos CSU Council Meeting High Performance Marie-Suzanne Gay

THURS 10

+MUSIC +MUSIC +MUSIC +THEATRE +SPEAKER SERIES +WINE & CHEESE!

Colin Stetson + Tim Hecker Ryan and the Holy Rollers + Lazarus Moan Jim Bryson & The Weakerthans Band + Daniel Romano + Daniel Ledwell The Vagina Monologues Martin Luther King III Hosted by Therapeutic Recreation

FRI 11

+MUSIC +MUSIC +STINGERS +STINGERS +STINGERS +SEMINAR +HOLIDAY +PARTY! +PARTY! +MOVIES +VISUAL ARTS +FILM SCREENING +FILM SCREENING +FILM SCREENINGS

20h00 Casa Del Popolo Devil Eyes + Brabazons + Bad Uncle 20h00 O Patro Vys Orcas Men's basketball vs. Laval 18h00 Concordia Gym Women's basketball vs. Laval 20h00 Concordia Gym Women's hockey vs. McGill Ed Meagher Arena 19h30 Economics & Development hosted by McGill's institute for Liberal Studies Lev Bukhman Room (3480 McTavish St) 10h00 Anti-Valentine's Day at the Co-Op Bookstore 2150 Bishop Street 19h30 22h00 PJ O'Hara's (2070 Mackay) Ultimate Chocolate Wrestling Valentine's Party 801 Maisonneuve W. Lovestruck at Caramel 22h00 Premieres: Gnomeo and Juliet, Just Go With It, Justin Bieber: Never Say Never, The Eagle, When We Leave 20h00 to 22h00 MFA Open Studios Vernissage ONF 19h30 Children of God 18h00 ONF Black Aura on an Angel 2011 Oscar shorts Cinema du Parc ongoing until Feb. 17

+STINGERS +STINGERS +STINGERS +STINGERS +MUSICAL

Women's hockey @ Carleton Men's hockey vs. Carleton Women's basketball @ UQAM Men's basketball @ UQAM Hedwig and the Angry Inch

+MUSIC +STINGERS

Escape The Fate + Alesana + Motionless In White + Get Scared Corey Cup - Men's hockey vs. McGill

+MUSIC +MUSIC +MUSIC +SPECIAL!

The Dears' album launch Waupoos + Slugbait + Wendess + Decayed Honey Underoath + Thursday + A Skylit Drive + Animals As Leaders Valentine’s Day/Single Awareness Day

WED 09

SAT 12 SUN 13 MON 14

Paintings by Chantal Moret and others The Kuchus of Uganda

Carleton University Ice House Ed Meagher Arena Centre sportif UQAM Centre sportif UQAM Le National

14h00 14h00 17h00 19h00 20h00

Club Soda Théâtre Ste-Catherine

20h00 15h00

La Sala Rossa

20h00 20h00 20h00

Casa Del Popolo Metropolis