The Cord August 30, 2019 by The Cord

THE CORD THE TIE THAT BINDS WILFRID LAURIER UNIVERSITY SINCE 1926

VOLUME 60 ISSUE 3 • AUGUST 30, 2019

YOUR JOURNEY BEGINS. BUILDING O-WEEK

POLARIZING PANTY RAID

GETTING A GREEN THUMB

CONSENT IS COOL

HATCHING MIDAS

Preparing for Orientation Week 2019

30 years since the last campus tradition

Local garden serves students and community

The importance of boundaries and respect

Discovering the beginnings of Laurier’s mascot

News, page 11

Features, page 18

Arts & Life, page 24

Opinion, page 35

Sports, page 38

2 •

FRIDAY, AUGUST 30, 2019

VOCAL CORD What do you like most about being away from home?

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The Cord

@thecord.ca

CordNews EDITOR’S NOTE: MEDIA IS NOT YOUR ENEMY

PHOTO OF THE WEEK

EMILY WAITSON EDITOR-IN-CHIEF

“Freedom.” –Sydney DeHoop, 3rdyear Computer Science

“Growing as a person.” –Laura Caruana, 4thyear Sociology

BRIT KOVACS/PHOTO EDITOR

Welcome to the Laurier campus new Golden Hawks!

“You learn a lot by living by yourself.” –Ibhjot Saggoo, 1st-year MBA

“I get a break. For the last four years I’ve worked, so it’s time to reflect.” –Kwasi Prempeh, 1styear MBA LAURIER ARCHIVES

Compiled by Hayley McGoldrick Photos by Emily Waitson NEXT ISSUE

SEPTEMBER 11TH, 2019

OPINION EDITOR Jade Hosick opinion@thecord.ca

CORD STAFF

SPORTS EDITOR Vacant sports@thecord.ca

EDITOR-IN-CHIEF Emily Waitson editor@thecord.ca

GRAPHICS EDITOR Jamie Mere graphics@thecord.ca

CREATIVE DIRECTOR Katherine Weber creative@thecord.ca

PHOTO EDITOR Brit Kovacs photos@thecord.ca

WEB DIRECTOR Kashyap Patel online@thecord.ca

PHOTO EDITOR Darien Funk photos@thecord.ca

NEWS DIRECTOR Hayley McGoldrick news@thecord.ca

ONLINE EDITOR Kathleen McCullough online@thecord.ca

NEWS EDITOR Sophia Cole news@thecord.ca

VIDEO EDITOR Vacant video@thecord.ca

ARTS & LIFE EDITOR Alyssa Di Sabatino arts@thecord.ca

LEAD REPORTER Vacant news@thecord.ca

Midas the mascot shaking hands with Fred Nichols in 1997.

LEAD SPORTS REPORTER Vacant sports@thecord.ca LEAD PHOTOGRAPHER Sidney MacDonald photos@thecord.ca SENIOR COPY EDITOR Victoria Marshall copyeditor@thecord.ca

CONTRIBUTORS

EDITOR’S CHOICE

Sarah Tyler Emma McVicar Jackson Carse Anne Marie Russel Sarah Caley Diana Edworthy Lauren Rutherford Eliza Moratz Katelyn Tufford Vidish Parikh Josh Hortaleza Katie Wheeler

“Best bars in Waterloo” - Jackson Carse

ADVERTISING INQUIRIES All advertising inquiries can be directed to Kurtis Rideout at kurtisrideout@gmail.com or 519-884-0710 ext. 3560.

COLOPHON The Cord is the official student newspaper of the Wilfrid Laurier University community. Started in 1926 as the College Cord, The Cord is an editorially independent newspaper published by Wilfrid Laurier University Student Publications, Waterloo, a corporation without share capital. WLUSP is governed by its board of directors. Opinions expressed within The Cord are those of the author and do not necessarily refl ect those of the editorial board, The Cord, WLUSP, WLU or CanWeb Printing Inc. All content appearing in The Cord bears the copyright expressly of their creator(s) and may not be used without written consent. The Cord is created using Macintosh computers running OS X 10.10 using Adobe Creative Cloud. Canon cameras are used

for principal photography. The Cord has been a proud member of the Ontario Press Council since 2006. Any unsatisfied complaints can be sent to the council at info@ontpress.com. The Cord’s circulation for a normal Wednesday issue is 4,000 copies and enjoys a readership of over 10,000. Cord subscription rates are $20.00 per term for addresses within Canada. The Cord has been a proud member of the Canadian University Press (CUP) since 2004.

PREAMBLE The Cord will keep faith with its readers by presenting news and expressions of opinions comprehensively, accurately and fairly. The Cord believes in a balanced and impartial presentation of all relevant facts in a news report, and of all substantial opinions in a matter of controversy. The staff of The Cord shall uphold all commonly held ethical conventions of journalism. When an error of omission or of commission has occurred, that error shall be acknowledged promptly. When statements are made that are critical of an individual, or an organization, we shall give those affected the opportunity to

As I write this, my neck is cramping from being hunched over a computer for several hours straight. I’m tired and worn out. A little hungry too, if I’m being honest. But no matter how drained I feel right now, I know that this job is worth every second of stress and discomfort that it may bring. At the end of this process, there will be a product that took countless hours of hard work and dedication to get to the final stage of print — and nothing makes me happier or more proud. The paper you’re holding in your hands right now wouldn’t exist without the tireless effort of The Cord’s passionate team and the support of the students and members of the community who read it each week. The future of student media in Ontario is uncertain, and after working and volunteering for Student Publications for nearly four years now, I can confidently say that we need that support more than ever before — but more importantly, we deserve it. The Cord strives to be the voice of students and has done so since its conception in 1926. We do our best to showcase the wide range of talent that students have to offer and to create a dialogue where people are heard and represented fairly. Newspaper publications are often cast in a harsh, unforgiving light that reduces them to objects of unimportance. If you believe that student media is untrustworthy and biased then it’s time to take a page out of Don Draper’s book — “If you don’t like what’s being said, change the conversation.” The Cord has been operated by countless different people with varying opinions, and we offer a platform for those opinions and ideas to be shared in a respectful, civil manner. With a new school year upon us, it’s time to think about the ways we engage with the media, and maybe, just maybe, consider the value that we hold in the long run.

reply at the earliest time possible. Ethical journalism requires impartiality, and consequently conflicts of interest and the appearance of conflicts of interest will be avoided by all staff. The only limits of any newspaper are those of the world around it, and so The Cord will attempt to cover its world with a special focus on Wilfrid Laurier University, and the community of Kitchener-Waterloo, and with a special ear to the concerns of the students of Wilfrid Laurier University. Ultimately, The Cord will be bound by neither philosophy nor geography in its mandate. The Cord has an obligation to foster freedom of the press and freedom of speech. This obligation is best fulfilled when debate and dissent are encouraged, both in the internal workings of the paper, and through The Cord’s contact with the student body. The Cord will always attempt to do what is right, with fear of neither repercussions, nor retaliation. The purpose of the student press is to act as an agent of social awareness, and so shall conduct the affairs of our newspaper.

Quote of the week: “The jazz is really doin’ something to me.” - Arts and Life Editor, Alyssa Di Sabatino, during a Cord social.

FRIDAY, AUGUST 30, 2019

News

• 3 NEWS DIRECTOR HAYLEY MCGOLDRICK news@thecord.ca

NEWS EDITOR SOPHIA COLE news@thecord.ca

STUDENTS’ UNION

JAMIE MERE/GRAPHICS EDITOR

Navigating the changes made to provincial education costs EMILY WAITSON EDITOR-IN-CHIEF

In Jan. 2019, the Ford government announced changes that would be made to the Ontario Student Assistance Program (OSAP) and unveiled “the Student Choice Initiative” — a policy designed to provide students with the ability to opt out of fees that were once deemed essential — such as student unions and clubs. The adjustments that have been made to post-secondary education costs include a ten per cent cut to university and college tuition, along with added interest to the six-month grace period that exists for students who need the time to pay back their OSAP loans. The degree to which these new policies have been affecting students across Ontario, and impacting the services provincial universities provide, has varied and continues to remain uncertain. At Wilfrid Laurier University, the Students’ Union has been adapting to these changes through implemented strategies designed to be cost-effective and beneficial for the student body. Shawn Cruz, vice president of student affairs, recognizes the significant impact the cuts to OSAP funding will have on a large portion of students who were expecting to receive more money in grants for the upcoming school year. “The changes to the program actually seem to outweigh the financial value of the ten per cent tuition cut. It’s certainly been concerning for students who initially thought they were going to be saving money, but now have difficulty affording their university education,” Cruz said. Students have been airing their frustrations about their OSAP grant and loan estimations on social

media, with some claiming to expect up to $8,000 less than they originally planned to receive. “There’s also been a shift in the grant to loan ratio of OSAP, so students who may have been receiving, for example, 70 per cent grants to 30 per cent loans, may see that shifted [to] where they’re receiving much more loans than grants, which is obviously a concern when coupled with the interest on the grace period. Paying back that loan is very difficult,” Cruz said. Tighter restrictions have also been added to the eligibility of students who use OSAP, as are the requirements that classify an independent student. “To be an independent student, previously [the requirement] had been four years out of high school; so, once you’re four years out of high school, then your parents income would no longer be a factor into your OSAP application. Now that has been changed to six years, so students have to wait even longer to be considered independent from their parents, and there are people now who are three years out of high school, but are independent, and that obviously makes things much more difficult to get an actual OSAP loan,” Cruz said. “Additionally, there’s been a change where students who are from a low-income household, which is defined as a combined household income of 50,000 dollars, will no longer receive free tuition. So, previously, those students were eligible for purely grants instead of grants and loans and that has now changed where everyone will have loans to some degree in their OSAP.” The Students’ Union has been addressing student concerns about OSAP funding by sharing an official statement on their social media channels, as well as a survey that students could fill out to voice

the ways that these changes have impacted their financial circumstances and their plans for the upcoming school year. “The overriding sense that I’ve been seeing is that students are having a much more difficult time affording education, particularly for this upcoming year. I think there’s this perception that some students may have been relying solely on OSAP, and that they don’t have work opportunities or things like that, but from what I’ve been seeing that’s clearly not the case,” Cruz said. “These are students who are working hard to save up for university and are just using OSAP to cover that gap. And now that the shift in the amount that they’re getting has changed and the amount of loans versus grants that they’re getting has changed, people are seriously reconsidering whether or not they can continue their education, which is unfortunate.” Zemar Hakim, president & CEO of the Students’ Union, entered the year with knowledge that the Student Choice Initiative was going to directly affect the organization’s operating strategy — at least to some degree. “The Student Choice Initiative is a directive that requires all universities and colleges to classify their fees as essential and non essential based on the guidelines from the government,” Hakim said. “And the fees that they have deemed essential, which are athletics and recreation, career services, student buildings, health and counselling, academic support, student ID cards, student achievement and records, financial aid offices, campus safety programs.” “And the impact on us, has been to classify our fees that the government would have deemed non essential into three categories, so

we have our social programming fee, concerts and events, we have our student advocacy fee which is for Ontario Undergraduate Student Alliance (OUSA), and our campus clubs fee.” Minister Merrilee Fullerton originally stated that the Student Choice Initiative could save students up to $1,000 — an estimate that drastically varies from school to school. Student groups around the province are protesting the initiative, with two student unions — the Canadian Federation of Students and the York Federation of Students — taking the government to court over the decision. However, despite the setbacks that the Student Choice Initiative presents for many colleges and universities, the Students’ Union is cautiously positive. “We’re optimistic, relatively, about our numbers with the fees. Most of our services, thankfully, have been deemed essential by the government,” Hakim said. The groups that will likely experience the largest impact from the opt out fees, are student advocacy and campus publications. “Advocacy by its nature tends to be more long term and tangible; it’s also been deemed non essential by the government, so that’s definitely taken a hit. And also student publications: they provide a useful voice on campus because they are necessary to tell a campus story and to provide oversight for things like the Students’ Union or the administration, so the fact that this is taking place, is unfortunate for student publications across the province,” Cruz said. With these expectations in mind, the Students’ Union has one specific challenge ahead of them. “On behalf of the organization, definitely promoting and communicating to the undergraduate body what we do, which we’re

working on right now with our hashtag ‘SU does that’ campaign. I definitely think [the key is] going to be the promotion and identification: it’s [about] letting students know that this is a service you’ve been using for such a long time — something like Wilf’s, for example, this is attached [to] and owned by the Students’ Union,” Hakim said. In adapting with the changes that have been made, efforts have been put into place for the organization to be as transparent as possible when keeping students informed. “And the promotion of our services also extends, to some extent, to advocacy, where we’ve tried to be more transparent this year about our [advocacy] efforts through our newsletter and being more active on social media. We want students to be aware that we do hear them and that we do hear their concerns and we’re trying our best to bring those concerns to the government,” Cruz said. And when approaching the year ahead, president Hakim is taking these obstacles in stride. “I’m taking it as a learning opportunity,” Hakim said. “I think it’s cool that the first job I have right out of university is, this is very real world experience, where the SU in general is affected by the government, the fact that I’m exposed to this so early, as are all the student executives, is a good learning opportunity for us.” The Students’ Union encourages Laurier students to use their voices to push for the changes they wish to see, to both university administration, as well as government representatives. “I think if you have any feedback on the changes to OSAP and the Student Choice Initiative in general, definitely come forward to us — but also talk to your local MP,” Hakim said.

Welcome to #neighbourloo

You’ve chosen a great university in an incredible city. We’re working hard to be an equitable community, leading the world in learning, discovery and caring. You play an important role in achieving our vision. We’re happy you’re here — welcome to the neighbourhood.

waterloo.ca/welcome

citywaterloo

NEWS • 5

FRIDAY, AUGUST 30, 2019 PROTEST

BRIT KOVACS/PHOTO EDITOR

Eby Farmstead faces backlash from animal rights group HAYLEY MCGOLDRICK NEWS DIRECTOR

The Eby Farmstead in Waterloo Park has created controversy due to some backlash received from a student club at the University of Waterloo called the University of Waterloo Animal Rights Society. The farm, which has operated for over 50 years, currently houses animals such as pigs, chickens, donkeys, a zebu calf, peacocks, miniature horses, sheep, alpacas, llamas and pygmy goats. In the past, the farm has also been home to bears and a moose. “The infrastructure at Eby Farmstead has been in place for more than 50 years. Currently, the facility houses various domestic ‘petting zoo’ animals, including sheep, llamas, alpacas, goats, silkie chickens, peacocks — and a pig. The animals there endure constant exposure to light, noise, the public, and vulnerability to potential threats

including harassment, illness, and being fed improper foods due to minimal or no supervision,” said UW Animal Rights Society president, Stefanie DeSousa, in an email statement. “Waterloo’s installment of the Ion train now also inflates the concerns associated with noise and light pollution. Animals must limit their exposure to light, sound, and interaction in order to recover their senses. The animals housed at Eby Farmstead are not able to do this, nor are they able to interact with their physical environments in ways that come naturally to them.” The farm has been around since the 1960’s, and therefore needs some upgrades, as the most recent upgrades have come to accommodate for the Light Rail Transit system put in place in Waterloo that passes by the farm every 10 minutes. The city plans to upgrade the farm in the future; however, with

the uptown area of Waterloo undergoing construction currently, as it has for several years now, the farm will take a backseat to upgrading until the employees and budget are available.

The animals there endure constant exposure to light, noise, the public, and vulnerability to potential threats ... -Stefanie DeSousa, UW Animal Rights Society president

“A much more educational approach to learning about animals would be to attend a work visit at a

farm sanctuary, where the animals live on their own terms, and where visitors can come spend a day taking care of the animals and interacting with them closely, not from behind a fence. Caretakers state that the animals have shown no sign of stress or discomfort,” DeSousa continued in her email statement. “However, we have to consider where we are setting the bar for their care, and recognize that these animals are here with us, not for us and our educational benefit.” “It is our responsibility to care for them. If we know that they face threats to their safety, and we know that the infrastructure at Eby Farmstead is dated and worn out, why aren’t we doing something about it? The practice of observing animals in captivity is coming to an end,” she said. The farm operates on a budget of $64,000 a year, while admission to the park is free, so it is not making

Do you like taking photos? Shooting videos? Attending events, sports games and concerts? Contact editor@thecord. ca to become a volunteer today.

any revenue as an attraction, as the funds go towards foods, veterinary care, repairs and equipment. It is seen by the city as a chance for local patrons to enjoy animal life without having to travel somewhere further and more expensive like the African Lion Safari or the Toronto Zoo. “Times are changing for animal rights; facilities like Eby Farmstead have been closed down in the past, and we’d like to see animals in similar situations given the care that they need and deserve,” DeSousa continued. “This is why we’d like to see the animals at Eby Farmstead re-homed to farm sanctuaries, and the space better utilized for something more compassionate and educational,” she concluded in her statement. A representative from the city of Waterloo could not be reached for comment about the Eby Farmstead at Waterloo Park.

6 • NEWS

FRIDAY, AUGUST 30, 2019

ADMINISTRATION

Laurier appoints new dean of students for Waterloo campus SOPHIA COLE NEWS EDITOR

On August 26th, Kate McCrae Bristol was announced as the new dean of students for Wilfrid Laurier University’s Waterloo Campus. McCrae Bristol will effectively assume her role as of Sept. 16, 2019, but will be welcoming the incoming first-year students prior to this date during the opening ceremonies of Orientation Week. McCrae Bristol is the first person to inherit the dean of students position since the tragic passing of Leanne Holland Brown, a loss which was felt across the Laurier community and beyond. “Something that’s really important to me on this journey is being able to carry on Leanne Holland Brown’s legacy,” McCrae Bristol said. “She was such a pivotal pillar in the Laurier community and a friend of mine.” Holland Brown held the dean of students position for nearly a decade, and helped thousands of students during her time at Laurier, advocating for their success and

helping them work towards achieving their goals. McCrae Bristol hopes to honor Leanne Holland Brown’s memory by continuing the work which

Something that’s really important to me on this journey is being able to carry on Leanne Holland Brown’s legacy. -Kate McCrae Bristol, incoming WLU Waterloo dean of students

Holland Brown was so passionate about. “I’m really honored to be able to follow in her footsteps,” McCrae Bristol said. The dean of students is responsible for the overseeing the student experience at Laurier, including the safety, success and support of

all students. The role also includes working with established student oriented services, such as the Student Wellness Centre, Indigenous services and diversity and equity initiatives on campus. “It’s a very unique position — not all schools have this role,” McCrae Bristol said. “The mandate is creating a safe and inclusive environment for all students, taking student wellness and well-being into consideration at all levels of the institution … [and] making the student voice heard.” The dean of students will not only be working on the large scale, but will also be focusing on interacting one-on-one with students to provide personal support and address each individuals unique needs. “I hope students will take advantage of the dean of students office if they’re curious or exploring other growth and development opportunities” she said. McCrae Bristol will be transitioning into the dean of students position at Laurier from her pre-

CONTRIBUTED IMAGE

vious role, the manager of student experience, at a neighbouring school : the University of Waterloo — a role which she believes has helped prepare her for her future at Laurier. “My role at [the University of ] Waterloo has a large emphasis on supporting our incoming students in their transition to university and

supporting a number of student leadership initiatives,” McCrae Bristol said. McCrae Bristol is excited to be joining the Laurier community and is looking forward to making connections between academics and student experience on campus. “My vision in the early days is to carry on a legacy of great student

FUNDRAISING

From shoeshines to car washes: Shinerama celebrates 55 years The anniversary of the O-Week tradition is an important milestone EMILY WAITSON EDITOR-IN-CHIEF

Canada’s largest post-secondary fundraiser, Shinerama, will be celebrating its fifty-fifth anniversary this year — an achievement that’s particularly notable for Wilfrid Laurier University, where it started in 1961. Shinerama officially began supporting Cystic Fibrosis Canada in 1964, and since then, has raised over $100,000 annually.

So in the past 55 years, we’ve seen tremendous change and improvement for those living with CF.

-Christina McLean, Waterloo Shinerama coordinator

LAURIER ARCHIVES

In Canada, cystic fibrosis (CF) is the most common fatal genetic disease — one in every 1600 children is born with CF and there are 4,000 Canadians living with CF today. Christina McLean, the Shinerama coordinator for the Waterloo

campus this year, recognizes the importance that fundraising for a cause like this holds. “Shinerama is important because the official Shinerama started in 1964, the life expectancy of someone living with CF ... they weren’t expected to live past kindergarten. Now, fifty-five years later, the life expectancy is 52 years-old,” said McLean. “So in the past 55 years we’ve seen tremendous change and improvement for those living with CF, so that’s definitely why it’s important.” This year, the goal for Shinerama is to fundraise $100,000 — which they successfully beat last year. As well, the award-winning actor, producer and host of the popular Sick Boy podcast, Jeremie Saunders, will be participating in and speaking at Shine Time on Tuesday, Sept. 3. Saunders himself has cystic fibrosis and his involvement in the event is highly anticipated. For McLean, she has been passionate about the cause since she first got involved during her own Orientation Week. “I got involved because during my Orientation Week, I went to Shine Time and I learned a lot about what cystic fibrosis was. I thought that it was a little bit interesting that although Cystic Fibrosis is the most common fatal

genetic disease, I had never really heard about it or knew how many Canadians were affected and knew just how drastic all of the symptoms were,” McLean said.

I thought that it was a little bit interesting that although cystic fibrosis is the most common fatal genetic disease, I had never really heard about it... -Christina McLean, Waterloo Shinerama Coordinator

“So that motivated me to go out to Shine Day in first-year where I had an amazing time fundraising money with my floor, really bonding with all of my roommates, so that really motivated me to apply to Shinerama the following year, as a general volunteer, because I wanted to continue making a change in the lives of those with cystic fibrosis.” Students will have the chance to participate in Shinerama’s events during O-Week, and will have the opportunity to help reach the fundraising goal set for this year.

NEWS • 7

FRIDAY, AUGUST 30, 2019 WRPS

Region violence on the rise SOPHIA COLE NEWS EDITOR

The Waterloo Regional Police Service has noted an increase in overall crime in the Waterloo region over the past couple of years. Through diligent observation and analysis of crime trends, the WRPS has been able to identify which crimes are on the rise and determine where to focus their actions. “Our frontline officers and investigators continue to work diligently to combat all violent and non-violent criminal activity,” said Constable Ashley Dietrich of the WRPS in an email statement. “This involves the analysis of trends and linkages to ensure we have focused and strategic efforts to identify suspects and ensuring they are held accountable.” Statistics Canada’s Canadian Centre for Justice Statistics most recent reports of crime severity in the area note a 6.3 per cent increase in the Crime Severity Index: a system used to measure the severity of police-reported crime and track changes in crime severity. The CCJS reported an 8.5 per cent increase in the violence crime severity index and a 5.4 per cent increase in the non-violent crime severity increase for the Waterloo region from 2017 to 2018. Homicides, robberies, aggravated and sexual assaults all fall under the umbrella of “violent crime,” while thefts, fraud, motor vehicle thefts, thefts from motor vehicles and break and enters would be considered “non-violent crime.” Statistics Canada’s most recent data comparing violent crime rates for the Waterloo region and Canada as a whole show that the Waterloo region has higher than average rates of sexual assault and breaking and entering, but lower than average rates of homicide, robbery and motor vehicle theft.

While there has been an increase in violent crimes overall, violence offences involving firearms and shooting related offences are actually down in 2019. Despite lower than average rates, WRPS noted an increase in robberies across the region.

A number of these victims tend to be under the age of 18. We are reminding residents to be alert and take precautions. -Ashley Dietrich, Constable of the Waterloo Region Police Services

“Currently we are experiencing an increase in robberies throughout the Region of Waterloo. This includes person-on-person robberies and robberies linked to online buy and sell sites. A number of these victims tend to be under the age of 18. We are reminding residents to be alert and take precautions,” Dietrich said. With the beginning of a new school year, people are encouraged to be diligent with keeping their doors locked, especially for those living in student housing complexes. “Whenever a new school year commences we also tend to see an increase in break and enters and thefts related incidents at student housing complexes. Some criminals tend to view this as a crime of opportunity. They take advantage of students who do not secure their apartments or who leave items behind” Dietrich said. The WRPS noted increase in criminal activity and violence in

Southern Ontario related to drug trafficking, gang activity and the use of illegal firearms as a contributing factor to the escalating crime rates in the Waterloo region. “Because individuals involved in criminal activity do not necessarily respect geographical boundaries, we are seeing an increase in violent and non-violent crime in Waterloo Region,” Dietrich said. “Much of our data show that many criminals involved in illegal drug trafficking and violent crime aren’t from our community. Often, our investigations find the tentacles of crime go back to the Greater Toronto Area.” The WRPS, as well as other police services across Ontario, are working to combat these complex issues. “The Waterloo Regional Police Service continues to work in close coordination with other police services across Ontario to focus and collaborate our strategies related to drug trafficking, weapons, human trafficking and gang/organized crime to help protect our community,” Dietrich said. The opioid crisis is another contributing factor to rising crime rates in the area, impacting both road safety and leading to an increased number of fatal overdoses with 47 this year-to-date. Many students in the Waterloo region may be new to the area and unfamiliar with their surroundings. Services, such as Project Safe Semester, are put in place to promote the safety of the students. “The campaign is done in collaboration with Wilfrid Laurier University and the University of Waterloo campus police, Conestoga College, City of Waterloo By-law and the Waterloo Fire Department to ensure the safety and security of all community members,” Dietrich said. There are several steps students can take to protect themselves,

JAMIE MERE/GRAPHICS EDITOR

including being aware of their surroundings, travelling in groups, staying in well-lit areas, meeting in public spaces with cameras present, keeping valuable devices hidden/locked away, keeping personal information secure, locking their doors and drinking responsibly when out. Students are encouraged to report any suspicious activity or crime they witness, which can be done by contacting the WRPS or reporting anonymously through Crime Stoppers. “When it comes to crime, the community plays a big role. If

students are noticing suspicious activity or individuals on their campus or near their apartment, they are encouraged to call police immediately. The same goes for all residents, visitors and people who work in Waterloo Region,” Deitrich said. “Overall, the Region of Waterloo is a safe community and the Waterloo Regional Police Service is committed to strengthening public safety and quality of life by working in partnership with the community in crime prevention and law enforcement,” the statement concluded.

CAMPUS RESOURCES

Accessible Learning Centre offers support to new students KATELYN TUFFORD NEWS WRITER

Wilfrid Laurier University’s Accessible Learning Centre is one of Laurier’s most helpful resources for all students to explore. Whether you register as a student with a disability, or get involved by volunteering, the ALC is an inclusive and safe space that you can be proud to be a part of. Educational Supports Coordinator and Learning Strategist Erin Riggin describes the ALC as being committed to helping students with disabilities reach their full academic potential. “We support and encourage students’ independence and self-determination”, Riggin said. Located on the second floor of the newly renovated Peters building, the ALC’s support services are available to part-time and full-time students, including graduates,

BRIT KOVACS/PHOTO EDITOR

who have temporary or permanent disabilities. Students registered with the ALC can find supports like learning strategies and study skills, exam accommodations, assistive technology and tutoring. The ALC also offers a note taking service that serves as an excellent volunteer activity for a student’s co-curricular record. “The Accessible Learning Centre provides a note-taking service for registered students who have

been approved for this classroom accommodation,” Riggin said. “All first-year students can sign up to be a note taker. The great thing about it is that you don’t have to do anything more than you already do: go to class and take good notes!”. Riggin and the ALC staff understand that classroom settings can be distracting for differently-abled students, which can make it difficult for some people to take

comprehensive notes. “Having access to your notes means that a student with a disability is not put at a disadvantage,” Riggin said. “It means they can attend and participate to the best of their ability in lectures knowing that they have access to supplementary notes and classroom information that they may have missed.” Previous students who had volunteered their notes to ALC stu-

dents have told Riggin that being a note-taker makes you feel good about helping another student, improves your own notes by being more conscious of what you’re writing down and enables you to receive valuable references for a job well done. The ALC needs note-takers for over 400 classes. To show appreciation for volunteers, Riggin and the Peer Support Team host fun campus pop-up events with treats and giveaways for note-taking students. If you’re looking for more ways to get involved, there are paid tutor opportunities currently open for the Fall/Winter terms available on the ALC website. The ALC also takes part in the work-study program, which allows students to work part-time on campus while studying. The Peer Support Volunteer Team hires in the Spring.

8 • NEWS

FRIDAY, AUGUST 30, 2019

SUSTAINABILITY

New bike hubs introduced to Wilfrid Laurier campus HAYLEY MCGOLDRICK NEWS DIRECTOR

The sustainability office at Wilfrid Laurier University has introduced new bike hubs on campus to make transportation for commuting students and students wanting to get around in the area alike. Laurier is one of six community partners included in a pilot project bike-share program developed by Drop Mobility. As well, there is a similar business model that the Lime Scooter pilot project had in the region. “Obviously with the lightning rail transit being available for the first full school year, the Laurier Drop station is actually in Waterloo Park, that’s the closest one that was set out by the region — but it gives the option for students who use their transit pass that’s included in tuition, whether they take a bus or the LRT. It’s about a 15 minute walk to campus, but Drop gives them a multi-modal transportation option,” said Katarina Milicic, the outreach and programs coordinator at Laurier’s sustainability office. “They can take the ION up to the park, but it’s easier for them

to take a five-minute bike ride in November instead of walking for 20 minutes. Obviously in the winter, a bus route may be more accessible, but for hopefully just under nine months they have an option to have a nearby hub that has the bikes.” There will also be bikes available on campus, with locations such as the athletic complex, Willison Hall, Leupold residence, the science building, mid-campus drive and the Schlegel building, as well as other points throughout the region. The bikes can be rented via the Drop app for either $1 an hour or $15 a month. “Giving an additional option to transportation is nice because it’s not always as simple as taking one bus and getting where you need to be, you’ll have one route that takes you to one location but you have to walk 10 minutes to the stop and 10 minutes after you get off, sometimes that creates a barrier so you’ll take a car,” Milicic said. “There’s no direct correlation that bikes on campus will decrease the amount of car usage, but it gives an additional option for students who may have seen that as a

barrier beforehand, they can sit on the ION and then have a bit more active transportation, especially if they don’t want a spot to park or lugging a bike around campus.” Similar to the Lime Scooters, the Drop Mobility Bikes can be locked and left at certain infrastructures all around the region as well as at the bike hubs that are scattered through Waterloo, Kitchener and Cambridge. “In terms of cost, if you use it three times a week for a school year versus what it actually costs to purchase a bike, it’s a very affordable and sustainable option, it gives that additional flexibility for students, staff and faculty who would’ve even seen walking as a barrier,” Milicic said. “With Lime Scooters, it was a pilot. Having it with the city, there were different rules and by-laws that had to be abided by. But with bikes, you’re already allowed to bike and there are lanes put in place to bike, we should have scooters and bikes on campus because there should be connections to transit, so it’s definitely a step in the right direction for the university.”

FILE PHOTO

NEWS • 9

FRIDAY, AUGUST 30, 2019 COMMUNITY HEALTH

West was a controversial one, and received both positive and negative feedback from the community. “People in the community were not convinced a safe consumption site was necessary,” said Karen Redman, regional chair of the Waterloo Region. While many community members were in favor of the idea, other community members believed a safe consumption site may actually

increase drug use and crime rates in the surrounding area, despite overwhelming research supporting the positive effects of supervised drug consumption sites in Canada. Both the previous and current provincial governments offered funding for communities who wished to open safe consumption sites in their cities, which was a large contributing factor in the decision to pursue opening a safe consumption site in the Kitchener-Waterloo region. The safe consumption site will offer drug users a safe place to consume drugs under the supervision of professionals who will be able to ensure people are using drugs as safely as possible, and will be able to assist in the case of an overdose. “Consumption sites offer a safe place for people who are practicing risky behaviours to do it where there is help if they go into medical distress,” Redman said. The site will also help to facilitate positive relationships between drug users and valuable community resources such as Sanguen Health Centre, House of Friendship and local outreach workers who will help them get back on their feet. “It offers safety for users, safety for the community by removing street drugs use, and facilitates relationships between drug users and people who can offer them rehabilitation services, housing, and others essential addiction treatments,” Redman said. “We need to provide the kind of support that will keep people from becoming addicted to drugs and if indeed they are, help them to get into rehab and lead productive

lives.” In the midst of an opioid crisis, safe consumption sites are more essential to communities than ever before – especially with the rising presence of potentially lethal drugs Fentanyl and Carfentanyl in the Kitchener-Waterloo region. “We are dealing with a health crisis that is seeing record numbers of people dying in our community,” Redman said. Nalaxone kits present at the safe consumption site at 150 Duke will provide life-saving support in cases of opioid overdose which, under other circumstances, may have lead to death. Addiction is complex and challenging issue that the Waterloo region community as a whole is fighting against. Because of the complicated nature of addiction and its countless different causes, it is notoriously difficult to treat. “It can be isolation, it can be family unit breakdown, alcohol as a co-addiction, it can be mental health, job loss,” Redman said, speaking on the intricate factors which can contribute to the formation of an addiction. There is no one way to treat addiction and effective treatments will vary from person to person, but facilitating positive relationships between drug users and community resources is a crucial step towards getting each person the type of support they need. Providing a broad spectrum of support to people who struggle with drug use and addiction is the best way to address the underlying issues and help community members who are grappling with this complex issue.

unique challenges they may face as women in business. “Women entrepreneurs face very different challenges than male entrepreneurs face,” Kelly. said “Those include things like access to capital, access to mentors [and] access to networks.” The programs will provide support systems, resources and mentorship to women in the entrepreneurial world. “One of the things we want to do with this program is to get more women mentors involved in helping with women entrepreneurs,” Kelly said. “I think there are many women who are interested in creating

business but the support networks haven’t been there, the mentors haven’t been there and the support infrastructure hasn’t been there.” The funding will be used to support female entrepreneurs in the non-tech business sector specifically, as female entrepreneurs in the tech sector already have a highly active support system through Communitech’s Fierce Founders program. “Until now there has been nothing around here to support women entrepreneurs in non-tech businesses,” Kelly said. “It is important to extend entrepreneurship and entrepreneurial thinking and entrepreneurial en-

gagement to other populations.” The new programs will be run in affiliation with the Laurier’s Lazaridis School of Business and Economics and the Schlegel Centre for Entrepreneurship and Social Innovation, a facility which helps members of the Laurier and Waterloo community work towards launching start-ups. “I think this is a really interesting initiative and I think it allows us to build on all the experience we’ve had through the Schlegel Centre, the Lazaridus Institute and from the various faculty who have done research in in this area to develop some really interesting programs for female entrepreneurs,” she said.

BRIT KOVACS/PHOTO EDITOR

Safe consumption site set to open in Kitchener soon SOPHIA COLE NEWS EDITOR

On July 26th, Kitchener received a federal exemption from Canadian drug law to open a safe consumption site in the downtown sector. The exemption will last for a duration of 12 months before a renewal is needed. 150 Duke Street West was chosen as the concrete location for the safe consumption

site and rented out by the city. The interim site is set to open in September with plans for a more permanent site in the new year, following some necessary renovations. After deliberation by the city, 150 Duke Street West was selected due to having some of the highest levels of drug use in the city of Kitchener. The decision to open a safe consumption site at 150 Duke Street

FUNDING

FedDev grants Laurier 1.3 million dollars SOPHIA COLE NEWS EDITOR

Wilfrid Laurier University is set to receive 1.3 million dollars of funding through FedDev Ontario, as a part of Canada’s Women Entrepreneurship Strategy. The Women Entrepreneurship Strategy is a 2 billion-dollar investment made by the Government of Canada with the purpose of advancing womens economic empowerment and doubling the number of female entrepreneurs by the year 2025. The funding received by Laurier will be used to create initiatives and programs dedicated to supporting women entrepreneurs, including entrepreneurial boot camps and business building for indigenous women workshops. “There will be a number of boot camps done annually for women entrepreneurs that will help them develop the kind of skills and knowledge and mentorship they need to create and grow their businesses,” said Micheál Kelly, dean of Laurier’s Lazaridis School of Business and Economics. “There will be an indigenous entrepreneurship initiative which

will look at the particular challenges that indigenous women entrepreneurs face as they build their businesses.”

Women entrepreneurs face very different challenges than male entrepreneurs face ... access to capital, access to mentors [and] access to networks. -Micheál Kelly, dean of the Lazaridis School of Business

There will be different boot camps available, catering to both women in the early start-up stage of a business and women looking to grow their businesses. The programs will range from one to twoweek-long intensive workshops, to less intensive programs taking place over a six month or year-long time-period. The programs will be tailored to suit the needs of female entrepreneurs and address the

FILE PHOTO

10 • NEWS

FRIDAY, AUGUST 30, 2019

ENVIRONMENT

Canadian water bodies affected by climate change New research indicates long-term temperature changes HAYLEY MCGOLDRICK NEWS DIRECTOR

Researchers at Laurier’s Institute for Water Science are encouraging the public to educate themselves on the troubling water levels that are occuring not just in oceans, but our own backyards as climate change causes warmer temperatures across bodies of water. Contrary to the belief that climate change will cause houses and land to flood with rising temperatures, smaller bodies of water will actually see a rise in evaporation rates due to the warmer climate. “With increasing temperatures, you’re going to have a lot more severe storm events, we’re already seeing that with all the heavy storms we have, but weather does not equal climate change; it’s long term trends, but what we are seeing is 50 or 100 year floods in various places,” said Michael Wilkie, co-director of the Laurier Institute for Water Science. “Toronto had flooding against this year due to a storm, those are immediate effects we will see, in the Great Lakes the water levels are very high and whether or not that is due to climate change we really don’t know yet, but it’s certainly part of the models where you’ve got a lot more precipitation up north, a lot of snow melt in the spring and lake Superior and Huron at record levels.” With rising water levels happening on urban shores, cities must be prepared to face the effects it will have on certain infrastructures, which is why even in a part of the country surrounded by land and far from a coastline, these changes can still be detrimental. “People are studying the effects of temperature, water chemistry a lot more than they used to; before when we looked at it we would just be looking at how animals cope with normal seasonal changes

in temperature, but now there’s a lot more work on how animals are responding to larger streams,” Wilkie said.

With increasing temperatures, you’re going to have a lot more severe storm events, we’re already seeing that with all the heavy storms we have ... -Michael Wilkie, co-director of the Laurier Institute for Water Science

“On the other hand, in the wintertime, people are starting to see winter temperatures are actually getting higher, that can have a lot of an impact on animals and plants, but when you’re getting these types of shifts in thermal environments it can affect growth rates.” Wildlife in water bodies are essential to the ecosystems in each area they belong to, not only being part of a food chain but also regulating reproduction as when the temperatures rise, oxygen levels deplete in water, and aquatic life has a higher resting metabolic rate with higher temperatures meaning they need more oxygen than usual. Researchers have found that this reaction to rising temperatures has caused Atlantic salmon to be endangered in some areas. “In many bodies, and could happen in the Grand River, if water temperatures increase it become smore stressful more animals to migrate to their spawning grounds, a lot of energy gets devoted to other tasks like surviving the spawn, or they die before they even get the spawn, so some fish populations could be negatively affected that

way, some of the smaller fish in this area,” Wilkie said. As researchers strive to slow down and potentially reverse the effects of climate change, at Laurier, which has been named a STARS Gold campus in sustainability, as well as being named Ontario’s most sustainable campus in 2017. Many new buildings have implemented change to continue to be sustainable, including the newly constructed Lazaridis Hall, as it’s high-efficiency toilets that produce energy and recycle water have caused the building to receive a LEED Gold certification. “Staying informed is the best way to make a change, listening to reputable sources ... don’t fall for the propaganda, for lack of a better term, from climate change deniers, because it’s happening,” Wilkie said.

... but weather does not equal climate change; it’s long term trends, but what we are seeing is 50 or 100 year floods in various places -Michael Wilkie, co-director of the Laurier Institute for Water Science

“I’m a physiologist, I measure things, people who are tracking climate change measure things, you can go way back to figure out what the climate was like way before now, there’s no doubt we are in the most rapidly warming time going back thousands of years, same with CO2 in the atmosphere. I tell my students, stay informed and keep the politicians and leaders informed as well.”

BRIT KOVACS/PHOTO EDITOR

NEWS • 11

FRIDAY, AUGUST 30, 2019 EVENTS

THE MAKING OF O-WEEK 2019

FILE PHOTOS

HAYLEY MCGOLDRICK NEWS DIRECTOR

Each year, Laurier welcomes all new first-year students with Orientation Week. The week includes various events to engage all new students and teach them about university life, safety when away from home and, specific to Laurier, all opportunities available to them. “I am very excited about O-Week and I can’t wait to see all the new Golden Hawks! This year, the focus has been on maintaining wellness through transition and healthy habits to help students thrive throughout their time here at the University,” said Students’ Union president and CEO Zemar Hakim in an e-mail statement. Events this year will include opening ceremonies, a welcome concert by Jazz Cartier, a clubs fair and Campus Fest, Shine Time with Jeremie Saunders, closing ceremonies and a football game, with extra events being available to those who have purchased a “Golden Ticket,” including the headphone disco, O-Carnival and a movie under the stars, among others. “Our main focus is our first-years of course, but then our volunteers, making sure that we get people to volunteer with the Students’ Union, especially with the Student Choice Initiative happening,” said Sammi Marino, O-Week coordinator for 2019. “With the Student Choice Initiative, we had to change our ticketing process, last year we had this new fee on our tuition which was called

[the] “Laurier 101 and Transition” fee. We share this fee with the transition and learning office, they use some of it for Headstart and webinars, and we use it for essential programming like the consent talk, academic sessions and opening ceremonies, a lot of what happens in the daytime.”

This year, the focus has been on maintaining wellness through transition and healthy habits to help students thrive throughout their time here ... -Zemar Hakim, president & CEO of the Students’ Union

Many of the events are not only put in place to introduce new students to Laurier, but also so they can look out for their own safety, inquire about opportunities at the school and learn about the resources available, not just through the school, but in their own dorms as well. “We had to split up our nighttime programming, which is non-essential, so that is our Golden Ticket: they have to purchase that on their own,” Marino said. “We still have our ‘Positive Pulse’ where we collaborate with the athletics department — we still have our consent talk called ‘Can I Kiss You’ given by Mike, he comes

back every year.” “This year, we have changed our Get Involved fair: we have two now — one on Thursday, which is our Clubs Fair and one on Friday, which is Campus Fest, that has replaced our Waterloo Fest. We tried to centralize everything on Laurier’s campus because our students are more prone to staying on campus throughout the first week,” she said. As always, the teams are divided into four colour groups: the Gold Infinity, Red Rival, Green Cyclone and Blue Riptide, which will compete against each other in multiple events, with one eventually being crowned the winner of O-Week. “I hope that Orientation Week can be the starting point of these students realizing what the Students’ Union can do for them, knowing that these opportunities exist for them to get involved, to attend events, have an enjoyable experience, meet new people and access our services,” said Twan Dieker, vice president of programming and services for the Students’ Union on the Waterloo campus. I want them to know Orientation Week is the foundation of what is available to them. A lot of time, you can go through your years without realizing it all comes back to the Students’ Union.” “This year we’ve made it intentional that ownership is that it’s by the Students’ Union: this is what we are working towards and this is what we can do for you — so I hope to see that come out this year in O-Week,” Dieker said. O-Week will also conclude with Shine Day before their opening

ceremonies, where students will be split up into groups to scatter across Waterloo to raise money for Shinerama, as they wash cars or collect change from passers-by for cystic fibrosis research. “I’m excited for Shine Time this year: in the past we’ve had different partners in the community come in to tell their personal stories, but this year we invited Jeremie Saunders, who is the co-host of Sick Boy podcast. Also I am excited for carnival, as well as cheer off,” Marino said. “I’m super excited about Jeremie too — he lives with cystic fibrosis — the first time I heard him speak, he said the average life expectancy for people living with his condition was 30 years old and he was turning 30 in two months from then, so he talked about what it was like to live life with an expiration date,” Dieker said. “The purpose of his podcast is that he invites others with chronic illnesses on to speak on what they live with every day. It’s a humorous podcast to take away the powers of illness: it’s very motivating to have him speak to you whether you live with chronic illness or not.” O-Week is put together entirely by volunteers from across the upper- year Laurier community, with dozens of students volunteering to be icebreakers — someone that students can connect with all year-long if they ever need advice or assistance. “I am excited for our team — we have a phenomenal O-week team: our head icebreakers, our executives, our co-ordinators, our team leads, they’ve all had their

own vision for the year and how this week is going to go. I’m excited to see that come to fruition and see them shine in their element,” Dieker said. “Sammi and I have been focusing on empowering them to exceed more than what we’ve just focused on, so I’m excited to see how they perform during and beyond the week.” Orientation Week is just one week that opens up the doors to hundreds of events and opportunities offered at Laurier throughout a student’s undergraduate, and potentially even graduate, studies, and it’s goal is to keep the spirits up and retain involvement at the school. “Past Orientation Week, I think it’s incredibly important for students to be transparent with their don and their icebreakers — that’s what they are there for,” Marino said. “We are really emphasizing that to our volunteers, they could really help these first years blossom, I think first years shouldn’t be hesitant on using the resources available to them.” “I think we intentionally place resources in your building or in a LOCUS community so people can access those resources and not be afraid to ask for help when the first door closes, because that happens to a lot of people, saying to your don or icebreaker that you are looking for other opportunities out there,” Dieker said. “There are so many — we want to make sure people are using those resources, because I think that’s really important.”

12 • GAMES

Dear Life Dear Life is your opportunity to write a letter to your life, allowing you to vent your anger with life’s little frustrations in a completely public forum. All submissions to Dear Life are anonymous and should be no longer than 100 words and must be addressed to your life. Submissions can be sent to dearlife@thecord. ca no later than Monday at noon each week.

FRIDAY, AUGUST 30, 2019 SUDOKU Dear Life, What monster actually enjoys eating black liquorice? Truly? Sincerely, Bleh. Dear Life, Taylor Swift’s new album really slaps. Sincerely, The Man.

Dear Life, How much cash would a Kash cache if a Kash could cache cash? Sincerely, Kashy. Dear Life, Fall is great because everyone comes back, but it is also awful because EVERYONE comes back.

Dear Life, Fuck me up with Halloween, pumpkin spice, crunchy leaves, crisp mornings, crackling fires, pumpkin picking, apple everything. haunted houses, horror movie marathons, orange clothes, boots, rainstorms, thick socks, pies, Thanksgiving, and feelin’ cozy. Sincerely, A basic bitch.

Sincerely, Everything has a downside.

Dear Life,

I aspire to have confidence like Lizzo.

What’s it like not to be anxious all of the time? Is it nice?

Sincerely, Envious.

Sincerely, Stressed.

Dear Life,

Dear Life, I’m looking forward to school starting, but also not. Ya feel me? Sincerely, Gonna be tired real soon. Dear new Cordies, I love all of you already and can’t wait to work with you all this year. Sincerely, Already sentimental.

Does anyone else ever feel like they’re not going anywhere, moving fast enough, falling behind? Sometimes I can’t help having endless regret about the things I should have done when I was younger so that I could be farther now. It’s hard not to feel like a failure when I think about everything I could have accomplished by now if I hadn’t made so many mistakes in the past. Sincerely, Sad sometimes. Dear team,

Dear Life, What starts with ‘Hay’ and ends with “ley”? A fuckin’ queen, that’s who. Sincerely, A loyal fan.

If we can get through this issue, we can get through anything. That’s what I keep being told, anyway. Sincerely, Optimistic. Dear AW,

Dear dogs, I want to pet you all.

Thanks for being a shoulder to cry on, a person to lean on and a best friend to count on. You rock.

Sincerely, All dogs are good dogs. Dear mum and dad, Sometimes I forget how priveleged I am to have you as my parents. Thank you for always being there for me and making my life easier. I love you both.

Sincerely, E

Dear Life,

24 here I come. God, I’m old. So, so old.

Why do cats scream and act like they’re dying to get into a room and then immediately want back out? What’s that about? Who hurt you buddy? For creatures with no concept of time, they sure like to pick fun periods in the early morning and late at night to do that.

Sincerely, A grandma.

Sincerely, Need more sleep.

Sincerely, Grateful. Dear life,

GAMES â&#x20AC;¢ 13

FRIDAY, AUGUST 30, 2019 COLOURING

MAZE

CHAINSAW LOVERS OF THE WEEK JEN, SHERRY & LESLY

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14 â&#x20AC;¢ FRIDAY, AUGUST 30, 2019

LOOKING BACK AT O-WEEK: A HISTORY

CONTRIBUTED PHOTOS COURTESY OF THE LAURIER ARCHIVES

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FRIDAY, AUGUST 30, 2019 • 1 5 AARON HAGEY PRESIDENT & PUBLISHER

From “Frosh Week” to “O-Week”, the tradition of orientation and transition for incoming first-year students into their post-secondary life at Wilfrid Laurier University has changed drastically in the time since its original conception. It has also had quite a sordid history, with a number of events and conventions that have aged poorly, to say the least. Frosh Week at Laurier first began when an incoming first-year student, Daniel Frosh, had decided that the first week of school was far too boring, and could really use some more spice. That likely didn’t happen, but the true beginnings of Frosh Week are hazy and difficult to pinpoint. During that time, when the school was still called the Evangelical Lutheran Theological Seminary of Eastern Canada, and after 1924, Waterloo College, orientation activities included student registration, a theatre party, weiner roast, psychological testing, a tea session, a mandatory chapel session, beginning of lectures and an inaugural assembly. The “Waterloo College Freshman Orientation booklet,” as it was called until 1953, included the school’s song, “Our College Song”, added in 1953; a brief history of the college, listing of groups, clubs and associations on campus; and a series of student-organized activities that incoming students could participate in. In 1954, one of the first mentions of “Frosh Week” was in the “Frosh Orientation Programme.” Added onto this program was a series of spirited chants, or “College Yells,” which were included to help build an atmosphere of school spirit and bonding. The 1956 version of the orientation guide included “initiation proceedings,” which were to be

submitted to the Dean of Men for approval, and were intended to be carried out “in a spirit of good fun and fellowship — [with] no danger to mind or body.” The idea behind initiation rites were to promote “a bond of unity among the Frosh,” as they would all be subject to the same treatment. Some of these rites included dressing up as a baby — baby carriage and pacifier included — dressing in costumes, pretending to be various animals, kneeling in front of senior students and kissing their hands, a number of pranks, such as water being dumped on the heads of new students, and “Frosh Court” — “where freshmen [were] tried and sentenced for their transgressions.” Furthermore, an Alumni Homecoming event gave new students the opportunity to see and talk to some former graduates and students, who were to be invited to a day of socializing, with a football game and dinner — and occasionally, a parade float — included. Laurier began a long legacy of student bonding and orientation during this time, but they could never have imagined what it would turn into — the good, and the bad. By 1967, the routine of “Initiation Week” was precise and structured, and included a series of “rules” for all Frosh members. These rules included mandatory attendance, the wearing of beanies and buttons, respect shown to upper-year students who donned “HERO” buttons, by addressing them as “Sir” or “Madame” and a requirement to carry matches for upper-year students who asked for their cigarette to be lit — all while presenting “a 25 word account on ‘why HEROES should not smoke.’ They also had to be prepared to “burst forth” at any given moment and sing the school’s song, “We Are Waterlooans,” were made to carry the books of “HEROES” to and from any given class, and had to

wear a series of restrictive garments for the duration of the week. For men, a beanie, name tag, tee shirt, shorts, one long and one short sock and running shoes were the “Frosh uniform.” For women, three pigtails — three, specifically — a beanie, name tag, one white blouse — that could not be washed for the week — a skirt, no nylons, one long and one short knee sock and a pair of runners became their uniform. Additionally, during the “torchlight parade”, all freshmen were required to wear pajamas — which sounds quite dangerous and flammable. And, of course, it wouldn’t be O-Week without Shinerama and Shine Day, which originated at the university in 1961. In 1968, the list of orientation activities grew to include a scavenger hunt, a Winter Carnival dance and “Wreckreation Nite” — including a trip to Bingeman Park, with swimming, dancing, skating, entertainment, food and a sing-along. Some of the more difficult and peculiar items and objectives of a 1966 scavenger hunt included: “11 ½ inches of flowered toilet paper,” six live grasshoppers, “one used yellow sock,” selling a single slice of bread to someone in a specific place for 10 cents — while convincing them to take it back to the “Sophomore Station” without any context as to why you were doing so — a one lb. lump of coal, a three-year old newspaper sheet and a ½ oz. of nail clippings. Among the less-discussed traditions of this time, however, included the delivering of paper badges to female students during Orientation Week with the words “VIRGIN” on the front, and “EASY” on the back. The “VIRGIN” badge included a description that said “For chastity above and beyond the pressures of our times.” The “EASY” badge included a

description that said “Try me and see.” Until 1989, the university even had sanctioned “panty raids,” where male students, in groups, would sneak into the female residences and steal “trophies”, which, the following night, would be taken back. In 1989, the event made national headlines, as newspapers throughout the country commented on the nature of the outdated activity, and caused the university to respond with official action to ban them. However, this event did allow for the creation of the Women’s Centre, now called the Centre for Women and Trans People, which has served the role of examining gender issues and gender-based inequalities, and offers a sense of community and safe space for resources and education for students. In 1984, there was a Star Trek theme to Orientation Week, likely in celebration of the release of Star Trek III: The Search for Spock (1984), with registration being called “boarding the WLU Starship Enterprise,” an event called “Dancing at Warp Speed” and one called “The Captain Salutes his Crew.” Boasting “A Whole New Look”, the official 1985 Orientation week included a re-worked and updated guide to the week’s activities. Among the more noteworthy included a casino night for students, a “super” scavenger hunt, golf tournament, Oktoberfest Bash, party in The Turret, barbecue at Bingeman Park with the Students’ Union, film festival and a Homecoming parade and dance. Unfortunately, the 1985 Orientation Week also saw the death of a student. “Students at Wilfrid Laurier University wore white carnations Friday and joined faculty and staff members at the funeral mass Monday for 19-year-old Brigitte Bouckaert who was killed during a

student orientation event Thursday night,” a 1985 WLU press release said. “She was pushed under the wheels of a bus at Bingeman Park as students rushed to board the vehicle following a barbecue and social evening at the park. Four other students were injured in the same incident and two of them were admitted to hospital with broken legs.” In memory of this incident, the naming of Bouckaert Hall, the residence dorm opened in 1986, was likely dedicated to this student. One of the first mentions of “Icebreakers” noted by the university was in 1986, who are noted as being “drawn from senior students,’’ with the idea of getting as many students “involved in the host of activities during the week.” The university officially dropped the “Frosh” moniker in the mid 1980s, and began calling it “Orientation Week” in 1997. The 1997 O-Week, called “Planet Laurier”, also has one of the earliest mentions of the famous O-Week concert, which was intended to bring in an influential band or entertainment group for the students to enjoy. “We’ve lined up the best entertainment to hit the WLU campus-bands, comedians, and many other entertainers. Who are they? you ask. Well ... we want to surprise you, but just to give you an idea ... in the past we’ve brought in Ashley MacIsaac, The Odds, Our Lady Peace, I Mother Earth, Tea Party, Spirit of the West and Big Sugar ... WOW!”, said Andrew McCartney, orientation week 1997 coordinator, in an official Planet Laurier Orientation ‘97 guide. Since that time, O-Week has grown significantly, boasting a robust list of activities and events for both the Waterloo and Brantford campuses, a dedicated orientation team, and will be introducing over 4500 first-year students to the cam-

GRAPHIC â&#x20AC;¢ 17

FRIDAY, AUGUST 30, 2019

Walk at

To Find

your own

pace

place

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18 • FRIDAY, AUGUST 30, 2019

A “BRIEF” LOOK INTO LAURIER’S 1989 PANTY RAID SCANDAL

For a long time, panty raids at Laurier were socially accepted, and universitysanctioned aspects of orientation and transition for incoming students. But in 1989, national headlines were made, forcing the university to take action and ban these events. 30 years later, we look back on what happened at the school. EMILY WAITSON/EDITOR-IN-CHIEF

Take action! Here’s how you can make Laurier more sustainable: BE INFORMED

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Submit a project to the Sustainable Hawk Fund

Become a WWF Living Planet Leader

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wlu.ca/sustainability

URES

FRIDAY, AUGUST 30, 2019 • 19 EMILY WAITSON EDITOR-IN-CHIEF

Imagine entering Laurier as a young woman in the 1980s. You’re participating in O-Week activities, making new friends and becoming familar with university culture. Then, one night while you’re sleeping in your dorm, you hear movement. Your door opens, and in the darkness you can vaguely see masked men rifling through your belongings. You don’t know who these people are and you had no idea this was going to happen that night. Then again, you were never supposed to know. It is the annual panty raid, after all. The history of Orientation, or “Frosh” Week, as it was called, has always had a complicated place in the back pages of university and college history books. On one hand, its ultimate goal has always been socialization, integration and a smooth transition into post-secondary life. On the other hand, as media has demonstrated repeatedly in the past, it has also been a breeding ground for behaviour that is morally ambiguous at the best, and more likely than not dangerous and deviant. “Panty raids” are one example of a social activity that has gone from a treasured pastime and accepted norm of university and college life, to a flagrantly sexist, dehumanizing, embarassing and shameful yearly event. During these raids, male students would “raid” the residences and floors of their counterparts, taking all forms of underwear, and display them the following day in public areas, which would usually the Dining Hall. Then, on the following night, a reversal would take place, and the men’s residences would be “raided.” These panty raids became so popular that they began to be included in official university materials, like student yearbooks. In one yearbook, there was even a poem dedicated to the raids — “Owed to a Panty-Raid”, which included such lines as “first to the fridge / to steal a cold brew”, “the groups will creep / determined to disturb / the ‘prey’ that still sleep” and “for repentance they’ll ask / ‘cause they did a bad deed.” Students also began to make customized t-shirts for the events, with instructions on how to create them found inside many official materials. Furthermore, it became a part of training for residence dons to prepare for the panty raid. In one such training guide, “Section One” was marked as the “Panty Raid” section, and included some “helpful hints” to prepare them for the activities to come. At the time, it seemed as though everyone was participating amicably and accepted panty raids as a fun experience. However, the reality of that was quite the opposite. One of the main issues that has been pointed out with the idea of panty raids, and the fundamental power imbalance it creates, is the suspense and anxiety created by the perpetrators. While the men who had their residences raided knew when it would happen, as it was ritually the night following the first raid,

women did not have the same opportunity. Instead, whether you were a willing participant or not, first-year students would be subjected to a panty raid on any night, at any time, and were not able to excuse themselves from the activities. It was known and accepted at the time that, beyond other students having a significant amount of involvement in the activities, so too did university officials.

These panty raids became so popular that they began to be included in official university materials, like student yearbooks.

In fact, residence dons participated, and members of Laurier security were responsible for allowing access to buildings, such as the dining hall, after hours, where students would be able to string up their trophies and posters. On Sept. 27 and 28, 1969, on the Wilfrid Laurier University campus, a series of posters for the panty raids, along with the underwear, which were hung in public areas, were torn down by those who found them to be offensive, specifically by members and graduates of the faculty of social work. This act catalyzed protests and heated retaliation on both sides, which led into an escalated series of confrontations between students and faculty members.

One of the main issues that has been pointed out with the idea of panty raids, and the fundamental power imbalance it creates, is the suspense and anxiety created by the perpetrators.

One of the main arguments against the individuals who tore down the panty raid posters, was that they didn’t go through the “proper channels” before doing so. The belief was that, because the posters were designed and promoted in part by women, that all materials were screened thoroughly to “avoid potential offense” and that it was an “accepted” part of the university culture, that it wasn’t as big of an issue as it was perceived to be. The protests and conflict created by this two-day event caused the WLU faculty, staff and students to collect together the following week to discuss gender relations and have their voices heard. Following the meetings, it was agreed that the Wilfrid Laurier University president at the time, Dr. John Weir, should issue a public statement regarding the events that

occurred, with the promise that they be shut down indefinitely. Within the official 1969 release, Weir noted that “It is our hope that we can continue our policy of allowing a large degree of autonomy and self-governance in residence life.” “The university regrets that these events gave cause for offence,” the statement continued. While the president admitted that he was aware of the re-occurring nature of the panty raids, he concluded that, “however, I was not aware that they were accompanied by vulgar displays, that a trouble-shooting guide for dons included advice on how to control panty raids, or that security had any part in allowing access to the dining hall after hours.” There was definite polarization regarding this incident: it was seen as spoiling “some innocent fun” by some, and for others, was merely a confirmation of their own beliefs and opinions. And while panty raids had been more frequent during the 1970s and into the early 1980s, they had significantly dropped off in popularity, and were usually restricted to Orientation Week. National papers, like the Globe & Mail, covered the event, with headlines like “Panty raids not a problem, universities say,” sparking a widespread discussion of whether or not the idea of panty raids were an outdated concept — which, by this time, definitely were. Laurier fell behind in the times when other universities had long since eliminated the panty raiding tradition from their campuses. It stands as a stark reminder that 30 years isn’t really that long ago to mark the end of a tradition that was so problematic.

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Arts & Life

ARTS & LIFE EDITOR ALYSSA DI SABATINO arts@thecord.ca

DRINKS

The best bars in Waterloo JACKSON CARSE ARTS AND LIFE CONTRIBUTER

Where does your night start? Or more importantly, where does it end? Well, thankfully in Waterloo, you’ve got plenty of answers to both questions. With a wide variety of bars and clubs in the region, you’re bound to find a place to your liking. Whether you feel like spraining your ankle at Phil’s or prefer a country night, leaving Dallas with bleeding ears, there’s a place for all students looking for a night out.

Chainsaw Often mistaken as a country bar, Chainsaw is the place for those who love to sing. Make sure to arrive early for karaoke sign up. Any later than eleven and your chances of hearing rhythmically impaired frat boys sing Smash Mouth increases exponentially while you sit dormant, awaiting your moment. If your throat isn’t sore from the streptococcus virus you’ve caught while getting too

friendly with the microphone, it most definitely will be after your third performance of ‘Tongue Tied,’ completely mutilating your vocal cords. Chainsaw is one of the most inclusive and friendly bars in town, and likely the only place you’ll get away with wearing a cowboy hat. With relatively inexpensive drinks and a fairly lively crowd, Chainer is your sure shot at a good night.

Starlight If the goal of your night is to dance with someone’s dad, Starlight is the bar for you. Located just across the street from Chainsaw, this second-floor joint serves as a spacious hangout to hit later in the night. If you feel like clumsily climbing a flight of stairs and paying five dollars to dance with nine other guys and an uncle, I couldn’t think of a better place to go. To the visually impaired, it might seem as if they’d accidentally walked into a cluster of lit fireworks; deafening music and a comical amount of strobe lights make for an almost hallucinogenic experience.

Starlight might not be for those looking to relax with a well-dressed cocktail but if you feel like going home with a ring in your ear and a newly developed facial twitch, this is the can’t miss bar to finish your night with.

Dallas Since I’m more often than not driving my mother’s 2015 Nissan Rogue and not an all-terrain Mustang pickup, Dallas is usually left off my short list. But for those who enjoy an entire night of constant country jams, there’s no place more fitting. A two story jungle, Dallas is by far the most captivating bar in all of K W. Although the trek may be slightly further from Laurier, if the country scene is your thing, it is most definitely worth utilizing Waterloo’s impeccable public transit system to get there.

Phil’s Cheap drinks, sweat stains and sticky floors; it would be unjust to discuss local bars without men-

AARON HAGEY/PRESIDENT AND PUBLISHER

It’s easy to forget about the less “ravin’’ bars in Waterloo. Abe Erb is a fantastic craft brewery with tasty beers and a hearty menu. With weekly trivia and karaoke nights, this bar is terrific for dinners, pre-gaming or even a date. Only a few doors down sits White Rabbit, a high- priced whisky bar that

is worth splurging on every once in a while. Just across the street and down a few stairs is Stark and Perri. Less rambunctious than your typical club yet more upbeat than a Kelsey’s, Stark is a comfortable mix of excitement and casual. And for those who enjoy a cold beer under the sun, Ethel’s hands down has the best patio in all of Waterloo. Come prepared with Imodium and antacids because Ethel’s Taco Tuesday is not only delicious, it costs less than five dollars a meal. Waterloo is a vast hub of entertainment with plenty of options for every different kind of personality. Some bars may initially be daunting. I remember the terror I felt going out on my inaugural night of public intoxication. I wholeheartedly believed I’d be waking up on Sunday with a police record having contracted syphilis somewhere along the way. But with the right crowd on the right night, Waterloo is one of the most engaging and exciting cities for those looking for a night out.

always mesh perfectly in with the rest of the cast and only further improve the outlandish storylines. One of the most interesting aspects of the Stranger Things universe and perhaps one of the biggest draws to the show is that it takes place during the mid-1980s. Everything from the clothes, music, hair, and even the food and drink packaging is a spot-on depiction of the ‘80s. This is a selling point both for people who grew up in and lived

through the ‘80s as well as those who are experiencing aspects of it for the first time through the show. I think most viewers would agree that Stranger Things just wouldn’t be the same if they were using iPhones instead of walkie-talkies. The combination of strong characters, limited adult content, and crazy scenarios all happening in a familiar timeline are some of the defining characteristics of Stranger Things that make it so enjoyable to so many different people.

tioning Phil’s. If you’re looking to dance, Phil’s is the spot. Although the possibility of developing a hernia on the cramped dance floor is high, it’s a fantastic place to socialize and meet new people. Drinks on average tend to range between two to five dollars, although cover at the door is rather pricey at seven dollars. Sunday is your best bet if you’re looking for quality throwback tunes but make sure to arrive early to avoid an often hopeless line. Don’t bother concerning yourself with extensive calorie consumption as you’re likely to burn it right off dancing to Haddaway with your new, similarly nostalgic, group of friends.

Other fan favourites

TELEVISION

Stranger Things slays audiences DIANA EDWORTHY STAFF WRITER

Since its debut in the summer of 2016, Stranger Things has become a phenomenon enjoyed by people young and old, and with a variety of different interests. Stranger Things is not simply another sci-fi show or cookie-cutter Netflix original, but instead introduces completely unique storylines of another dimension being accessed through a small town in Indiana. The writers of Stranger Things have done an incredible job of

making their show accessible and enjoyable for a highly diverse audience. The star factor of Stranger Things is, without a doubt, all of the loveable and highly- developed characters that exist in the fictional town of Hawkins, Indiana. With the youngest primary characters being elementary/middle school students and the oldest being their parents, it is fair to say that all age groups and their respective perspectives on the goings-on in Hawkins are accounted for and represented. Over the course of three seasons, viewers have enjoyed watching the main group of boys, – Will, Mike, Lucas, and Dustin, go from being 12- year- olds playing board games in Mike’s basement, to navigating

their first relationships. All while these boys are trying to handle the ins and outs of growing up, they’ve been fighting off some pretty insane and powerful multi-dimensional monsters. Although their fight to save Hawkins (and the rest of the world) is as far-fetched as could be, there is no doubt that viewers can relate to the struggles of navigating being a 14-year-old. Not only does Stranger Things do an excellent job of developing the storylines and relationships of the original core cast members, but every season they have introduced new characters that only add to the dynamics that viewers already know and love. The new additions never feel forced or unnecessary, but instead

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ARTS & LIFE • 23

FRIDAY, AUGUST 30, 2019

The best campus resources to start your year off right SafeHawk Safety App Laurier has its own mobile safety app, available for free on the app store under SafeHawk. With just one click, those who download it can immediately connect with campus support services such as the Special Constable Service and the Wellness Centre. The app can be used by anyone on any campus, making it universally helpful, and includes a number of features. The app also sends its users important campus safety updates and alerts. Remember the big snowstorms of Winter 2018/19? The SafeHawk app provided real time updates on the state of the campus, and about whether campus closures were occuring. For all the new students, the app also has a campus map, making it easier to navigate the school on your first day of classes.

Arts and Life Editor Alyssa Di Sabatino breaks down the resources that every Golden Hawk should know about.

Care Report Sometimes asking for help can be hard. Fortunately, Laurier has instituted The Care Report, an online form that Laurier students can submit if they are concerned over another students’ well being. The form ensures that students are getting the right support, if needed. It gets sent to the Dean of Students office, who will subsequently reach out to the student after deliberation over the right support services. Those who submit the form are also encouraged to discuss it with the person of concern so that they can better receive the support. It is ultimately up to the student to decide whether they would like to participate, but the support option being presented is always a good first step.

Food Bank

Sustainable Hawk Fund

Laurier’s Food Bank provides free parcels for all undergraduate students across both campuses year-round. Students simply need to fill out a Food Bank request form to pick up their parcel, which can be customizable according to dietary restrictions. While no financial need will be turned down, students at the Waterloo campus are limited to three parcels per term, and five parcels per term at the Brantford campus (with special circumstances exempted.) If needed, students can also request non-food items, such as feminine hygiene products, and toiletries such as toothpaste, floss and shampoo, among other things. The Food Bank also hosts the annual Boar’s Head dinner, where students can enjoy a holiday dinner for $5 in the concourse, as well as the Halloween for Hunger food drive, with volunteers collecting non-perishables from nearby neighbourhoods for the Food Bank.

The Sustainable Hawk Fund gives students grants of up to $5,000 to help fund sustainability efforts across campus for the benefit of the Laurier community. Launched in 2015, the Sustainable Hawk Fund dedicates about $30,000 annually to fund Laurier-focused sustainability projects. In 2018 alone, they funded nine individual projects, ranging from sustainable clothing efforts to zero-waste projects and more. Any Laurier community member can apply to fund their project with a focus on environmental, social, or economic sustainability. To fund a project for the 2019/2020 year, you must fill out an application and form a budget template by Nov. 4, 2019. Successful applicants have a year to complete their project.

KATE WEBER/CREATIVE DIRECTOR

SCHOOL

How to prepare for a positive and productive semester LAUREN RUTHERFORD ARTS & LIFE CONTRIBUTOR

When entering this fall semester, take the personal ambition to set a successful trajectory for the full school year ahead. The early weeks of September are the perfect time to combat the resentment and stress from summer ending by planning for a positive semester ahead! Besides a kickass packing list, one of the greatest necessities in order to achieve success in your classes is simply reading your course syllabus. Your course syllabus is a refined course description written by the professor to serve as a map to success in the course. Professors and Teacher Assistants (TA)s are eager to help students succeed in their courses. ollowing their rules will give you the best advantage for triumph in the class. Considering that it was professors who planned out the course, disregarding particular

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guidelines will take you down a path towards no direction. Any course syllabus will include a couple of key components that should be noted while reading. In each syllabus there is most likely a section displaying the course’s expectations, a section telling you what the professor is requiring from students. Skimming the expectations is a good way to determine if partici-

pation is a necessity for the course, in addition to understanding their style of grading when it comes to heavily weighted final papers. If you read between the lines, you can also uncover the nature of the instructor’s style. If the syllabus is strictly organized then it is wise to assume lecture procedure will be conducted the same. The syllabus’ grade breakdown is also essential when planning

out your semester ahead, and helps in deciding which projects take precedence over others. This section displays a professor’s late policy, which should be noted can be different for every course. If the syllabus claims some leniency, that should be calculated when determining the merit of time spent on each course assignment. In the spirit of setting yourself on a successful path this fall, another important note is making it a priority to visit professors’ office hours. Swallowing your pride and speaking to your professor about the course’s material will prove to them you respect their job and are interested in the course’s content. Some advice would be to copy down all of your professors’ contact information (email, office location, hours), and formulate a couple of questions based off the syllabus. Your professor will see that you have already thought about the course’s learning goals, and you may even get some respect

from them that can pay off during finals. On every syllabus there will be a section listing due dates for major assignments. Copying down due dates for all your classes at the beginning of the semester will help you in the upcoming months. By noting overwhelming conflicts among your classes, this prior knowledge will keep your stress levels down in December’s busy weeks. The final takeaway from a syllabus is understanding that it is the professor’s direct impression for the course. The design of the syllabus sets the course’s tone. Policies and instructions written with a friendly tone means your professor encourages student communication over the content. Remember that professors put in substantial thought and effort into organizing a course. Reading the syllabus will serve as a major benefit in finding success for your journey in any course.

24 • ARTS & LIFE

FRIDAY, AUGUST 30, 2019

SUSTAINABILITY

Northdale Community Garden brings fresh produce to campus Wilfrid Laurier’s sustainability office runs the space for and by students ALYSSA DI SABATINO ARTS & LIFE EDITOR

66 Hickory St. is home to the Northdale Community Garden, just a five minute walk from campus. Run by Laurier’s Sustainability Office, this innovative garden space serves as a place to connect students and the community to gardening, supporting wild pollinators and eating locally-grown produce.

We have a stand set up, so [students] will have access to fresh produce that was just grown about 600 metres from campus. -Stephsnie MacPhee, manager of the Sustainability office

The garden itself, which is comprised of 14,000 feet of wild area, features projects and initiatives that are open for exploration upon visitation. Such features include a bee spiral, pollinator garden, vegetable plot, edible forest, asparagus patch and community garden plots, as well as an area for resting. The garden also serves as an educational opportunity for local visitors. “People often don’t know a lot about how their food is grown, so it kind of gives people access to see how food is grown and how much work and energy goes into that,” said Stephanie MacPhee, manager of Laurier’s Sustainability Office. From now until the end of September, the plants and vegetables

that have been cultivated and grown at the garden will be sold outside of Veritas cafe on campus. “We have a stand set up, so [students] will have access to fresh produce that was just grown about 600 metres from campus,” MacPhee said. All produce sold is considered hyperlocal — being that it is only a few minutes from campus — and is entirely organic grown. “We’re growing kale, swiss chard, tomatoes, cucumbers, watermelon, zucchini, types of squash, lettuce, basil. You name it, we’re probably growing it up on the site, and it’s been quite successful so far,” MacPhee said. Members of the community are also able to purchase an urban garden plot. It’s run by two of the garden’s community partners; Patchwork Community Gardens and KW Urban Harvesters. “It’s really cool to see community members make use of the space. There’s also Laurier staff who have bought plots up there, Laurier students are also welcome to also rent a plot,” MacPhee said. The rentable garden plots provide local residents access to garden space. The plots serve as a place where community members can come together to learn and share gardening skills. Other community partnerships include the Young City Growers, a group that creates urban agricultural opportunities for underrepresented youth. Laurier’s LSPIRG and Indigenous Student Centre also work closely with the garden. MacPhee explained that although Laurier is a campus that doesn’t have a lot of wild, natural space, the garden serves as a solution to this. “In terms of health and wellness,

I think it’s so important for people to access green space and spend time in quiet, green space,” she said. The garden, which was established in 2013, has recently added new features to adapt to the needs of the community. PhD candidate Jennifer Marshmann has also collaborated with the Sustainability Office to create a pollinator sanctuary at the garden funded by the Region of Waterloo Community Environmental Fund. The newly implemented bee spiral and pollinator garden were installed to provide a place for native pollinators to nest without disruption. While summer may be winding down, growing season runs through October.

To have access to fresh, organic produce that’s well-priced and grown by Laurier students at Laurier is kind of a cool thing. -Stephsnie MacPhee, manager of the Sustainability office

Pick-your-own produce days and other events to be held at the garden in the coming weeks. The garden space has also been cultivated, maintained and harvested by two Laurier students all summer. “To have access to fresh, organic, produce, that’s well priced, and grown by Laurier students at Laurier is kind of a cool thing,” MacPhee said.

PHOTOS BY BRIT KOVACS/PHOTO EDITOR

ARTS & LIFE • 25

FRIDAY, AUGUST 30, 2019 FINANCE

Tips for budgeting as a student ELIZA MORATZ STAFF WRITER

Many students come into university with little knowledge about how to handle their finances. While that’s totally normal, keeping track of your money can do wonders for helping you feel more organized and less stressed. After all, finances are the biggest stressor for students after academics. So, whether you’re in first year or fourth year, it’s not too late (or too early) to learn some basic financial skills, such as budgeting. If you need some help creating a budget (or with anything relating to your finances) head over to the Athletic Complex where you’ll find RBC OnCampus. This partnership between Laurier and RBC is a new service being offered to students. As well as being a fully functional branch on campus, three full-time staff are available to provide banking support and advice, regardless of who you bank with. Jared Estrada, RBC OnCampus leader at Laurier, explained that along with being a fully-functional branch, RBC OnCampus “is designed to support students during what can be a challenging and stressful time and that RBC specialists are trained to deliver advice

around every aspect of student life, from balancing budgets to being future-ready.” If you don’t have the time to visit them in person, they are also available by text, email, social media and phone. While creating a budget seems daunting, it’s actually fairly easy. First, you need to track how much money you have coming in, whether from a job, savings or student loans.

RBC specialists are trained to deliver advice around every aspect of student life, from balancing budgets to being future-ready. -Jared Estrada, RBC OnCampus leader at Laurier

Next, categorize your spending into two categories: fixed expenses (such as rent, utilities and minimum payments on your credit card) and variable expenses (those you have more control over, such

as groceries and your Netflix subscriptions). Finally, subtract your expenses from your income. If you have a surplus, congratulations! If you’re coming up short, then it’s time to see where you can cut back. If possible, you should allocate a certain amount of money to save every month and add it as a fixed expense in your budget. Saving is easier if you have a goal, Estrada explains. Whether it’s a trip you want to go on, a car you want to buy or a debt you want to pay off, having a goal makes putting away money feel more relevant and can encourage you to save. While saving doesn’t seem like the most exciting thing, especially if you’d rather spend that money on UberEats, it will feel amazing in the long run. “Keep at it, saving doesn’t happen overnight,” Estrada said. Along with the RBC OnCampus branch, there are many other opportunities for students to learn how to save and manage their money. RBC’s mobile app offers its clients with a service called NOMI, a program that uses machine learning to learn the inflows and outflows of your spending and helps you identify savings oppor-

KASHYAP PATEL/WEB DIRECTOR

tunities. There’s also Well Spent, a mobile app that allows you to rank how your recent purchases made you feel and help you make changes. Long after you’ve graduated and are (hopefully) no longer living off coffee and pasta, you will still need to know how to manage your

money. These skills will never stop being relevant, and learning them early sets you up for success in the future. In the meantime, budgeting can take a weight off your shoulders and maybe help you afford that extra drink at the bar next weekend.

26 • ARTS & LIFE

FRIDAY, AUGUST 30, 2019

The best albums of summer 2019 Arts and Life Editor Alyssa Di Sabatino and Creative Director Kate Weber break down their favourite albums

Escape from New York - Beast Coast

The East coast’s finest Flatbush Zombies, Joey Bada$$, Kirk Knight, CJ Fly, and ISSA Gold released their debut album on May 24. Escape from New York was the group’s long- awaited debut album. Naturally, my biased opinion strongly believes that Flatbush Zombies are probably the most underrated rap group of our generation, and this album continues to be an underrated drop of the summer. A component of the album that really stood out to me was the group’s ability to distinguish their sound as a large collective. I would imagine that this would be a difficult task to accomplish; in bringing two groups (Flatbush Zombies and The Underachievers) who work together frequently it would be easy to replicate the sound you are comfortable with.

Gaining his career from the Odd Future turned The Internet clan, Steve Lacey’s album Apollo XXI was a project worth the wait. Lacey has easily proved his strong talent in the music industry, both lyrically and through production. He is a credited producer on Vampire Weekend’s latest release, Father of the Bride, Kendrick Lamar’s 2017 DAMN, as well as Blood Orange’s 2018 Negro Swan. Personally, I believe Lacey was able to reach an all-time high of his career from Apollo XXI. He mixes playful beats with soulful sounds that demonstrate that there is no sound he can’t accomplish. Notable tracks from the album include N Side, Like Me and Outro Freestyle/4ever. Outro Freestyle/4ever samples Exit Scott (interlude) from Solange’s newest project When I Get Home.

Apollo XXI - Steve Lacey

Father of the Bride - Vampire Weekend They came back, and they came back stronger than ever! After a six-year break from the industry, the loveable yet fun Vampire Weekend retired from hiatus with their album Father of the Bride. The front man, Ezra Koenig utilized his personal connections to get a copious amount of features and producers which made Father of the Bride their most unique album to date. A popular female voice that the album is blessed by is Danielle Haim from the alt-pop sister band Haim. Notable tracks from the album include Spring Snow and Father of the Bride. The band did an amazing job at keeping with their original yet familiar sound which has made me a fan of theirs since high school.

I’ve seen some less-than- positive reviews on this album: one calling it blurry and unbalanced, and the other saying it had “unreasonably high aspirations,” but I don’t exactly agree with either of these statements. Jaden Smith employs his alter ego Erys in this album, and while this definitely isn’t an original innovation — i.e. Yeezus, Slim Shady, Larry Fisherman — I think the reason it works for Jaden is because his actual persona is already perplexing enough by itself without adding a whole new personality for his fans to try and understand. This album is experimental in the way that it also utilizes punk rock elements in songs like “Riot” and “Fire Dept,” yet Jaden is also able to slow it down with dreamier ballads like “Summertime in Paris” and “Somebody Else.” His blending of genres is reflective of the direction a lot of rap music is heading in lately, and I commend him for it. I also think it’s pretty cool how he wrote ERYS as a sort of sequel to his debut album, SYRE. It’s safe to say that this is my absolute favourite album of the summer.

ERYS - Jaden

Rogue - Yuna As someone who isn’t typically a huge listener of pop music, I was surprised to find myself enjoying Rouge as much as I did. In a way, I think Yuna succeeded in her music mission by creating an album that appeals to a broad audience, even those who usually wouldn’t tune in. The album is heavily -synth- inspired and could be described as upbeat RnB verging on pop. My only critique on this album is about G-Eazy’s verse on “Blank Marquee,” which I find to be too rowdy and inconsistent for the song. Otherwise, the album is quite sonically fluid. Yuna also interpolates her native language, Malay, on “Tiada Akhir,” a luxurious piano ballad and the closing song on the album, which I think is a smart way of introducing her Western listeners to her heritage and developing her sound as one that is globally popular.

ARTS & LIFE • 27

FRIDAY, AUGUST 30, 2019 MISCELLANEOUS

THE POWER OF POSTURE

Stretches to do in your dorm whenever your body needs a break. Can help with posture, flexibility and general wellness.

CONTRIBUTED IMAGES

CLASSES

Integrating into Laurier

EMMA MCVICAR STAFF WRITER

So, you’ve come to Laurier. You’re new, you don’t know that many people, or the town and after O-week’s crazy shenanigans, you know university won’t be what you expect it to be. What’s the best way to integrate while meeting new people, finding your way around all the local spots and getting the most out of your degree? Take electives. When I say electives, of course I mean class-wise, but I’m also talking activities that you choose to do for fun (but I’ll get to that). I’ll give you the typical “join a club” spiel first. It’s cliché, I know, but oh so important. University classes can be engaging, but it’s difficult to really mesh with clasmates outside of quick discussions or passing remarks about the recent test. At Laurier, we have so many clubs that will help integrate you into the student community and allow you to meet everyone out there. Whether this is your first time doing the activity, you’re looking to continue a high school passion, or you honestly just want some place to make friends, clubs here are the place to be.

Besides getting you out of your room at least once a week, clubs foster amazing support groups of diverse thinking individuals who will all consider you part of their team. Many people don’t realize this, but university doesn’t have to be hard. It can be really easy if you take charge of building a good atmosphere for yourself here, and having a group that makes you smile is the first step. Now, moving onto classes. Beside joining a club, electives are another great way to meet the greatest people.

BRIT KOVACS/PHOTO EDITOR

Great ideas start at the intersection of disciplines, so don’t be scared to branch out this year.

Elective classes are a great way to lighten your stress load. You’ve already got several required courses for your degree, and you need electives anyways, so why not try something crazy? Now is the time to learn that thing you’ve always been curious about, or try something you’ve never considered before.

They’re also a great way to meet new people. By your later years, if you’ve only been taking courses of your major, you may find you see the same folks day in and day out for four years, so shake it up a bit! Take an elective to meet others who think differently, or so you can be the one in your major courses who brings a new perspective to the table. Great ideas start at the intersection of disciplines, so don’t be scared to branch out this year. Electives are also a good way of telling if your major is really right for you. If there are some courses you thought you were taking just for fun and it turns out you put more effort into studying for those midterms and contemplating those

ideas, you might consider rethinking your strategy for university. The best thing to remember at the end of the day is that you’re paying a lot of money for this privilege; you might as well get what you can out of the experience. You’re not here for the degree, you’re here for the four years of learning that you’ll emerge with and bring into the world. Electives don’t only keep you well rounded through your studies. They also ensure that you’re education is fleshed out by a variety of conflicting information, and that you’re the one who decided what the best ideas are. Maybe you’re more of a literary learner, or a science thinker, or maybe you have a musical mind. Regardless of your discipline and

thinking patterns, electives have the power to show you how others have thought over the years, and continue to think today, which is your greatest tool for continued learning through life. It’s so exciting to be here with all the freedom and responsibility that comes with post-secondary, but taking responsibility over your learning is truly the benefit Laurier will give you. Everything you learn right now is shaping the perspective you’re entering the adult world with, so you’d better make sure that perspective solid, wide, and unafraid of being changed. Note: If you’re inspired to take an elective, I’d recommend ENTR200, PO236 or pretty much any Psych class (I liked 271).

28 • ARTS & LIFE

FRIDAY, AUGUST 30, 2019

SOCIAL

Extrovert and Introvert hangout spaces Finding your go-to spot where you feel comfortable on campus can be essential to having a productive and enjoyable school year. Whether you’re an introvert looking for a quiet place to study, or if you’re an extrovert trying to find a way to meet new people, here’s a list of the top places to hang out on and around campus compiled by staff writers Anne Marie Russel and Sarah Caley!

If you’re an extrovert, you’re We’ve all heard that moving to probably looking for ways to a new city can be hard, espeget involved and meet new cially when stepping outside of people, or find different hang- your comfort zone is not your forte; some may thrive in it, out places for you and your while others tend to steer clear group of friends. and head for more familiar Here are just a few of the options that the Laurier cam- waters. pus and surrounding area have Knowing your way around to offer. the area can be a huge help when trying to feel at home; Student-run clubs but what do you do if you and associations prefer quieter and less social places? Being an introvert in a new Laurier has many program-specific associations and city can be challenging, and thus to make the transition student-run clubs that host various events throughout the a little easier, here are some places around the Wateryear. These events can be a great loo-Kitchener area that might way to meet others with similar be the perfect fit! interests, or even make friends who are in your program or major. You can discover clubs and associations and look for If you’re in the mood to see upcoming events on The Perch,a film but don’t want to go to a the WLU Students Union web- large theatre full of people, try The Princess Cinemas. site for all on-campus clubs (https://theperch.yourstuThey play a wide variety of films in their relatively small dentsunion.ca/). theatres, so you can see a movie by yourself on the big screen! An added bonus is that you’re supporting a local business, which makes the popcorn The Laurier Athletic Com- twice as good. plex runs tons of fun recreational programs throughout the year, such as dance classes and intramural soccer teams. If you and some friends of If you’re an extrovert who yours are over the age of 19, likes to live an active lifestyle, check out the Arcade Pin-Up these programs present a great Bar. opportunity for meeting others A cozy little bar filled with through sport. lots of atmosphere, pinball You can find more informa- machines and videogames that tion and sign up on the Laurier you can enjoy all while drinkAthletics website. ing responsibly.

Princess Cinemas

Intramural sports teams and classes

Pin-Up Bar

The concourse

St Jacobs Farmer’s Market

The Laurier Concourse is a great multi-purpose space to If you’re looking for a place help you get involved this year. to get fresh fruits and vegeWhether you just want to grab tables, check out St. Jacobs some coffee and find a place to Farmer’s Market. sit with your group of friends, Just a bus ride away, St. or you want to look around the Jacobs Farmer’s Market is filled clubs fairs and participate in with goodies, such as baked events, the concourse is a great goods, local produce, handway to stay in the know on made gifts and so much more. campus. It’s a wonderful place to hang out and enjoy the day.

Wilf’s Restaurant and Bar

Local Cafés

Looking for a place to enjoy Another great on-campus a cup of coffee and a sweet place to hang out is Laurier’s treat? Cafe 1842, located in the Huether Hotel in Uptown Warestaurant, Wilf’s. With an extensive, terloo is a cute little place that crowd-pleasing menu and offers a wide variety of drinks, exciting events like Open Mic treats, and ice cream. Monday, Bingo Tuesday, and Or head further down to the Trivia Wednesday, you can Atrium on Erb Street and go never go wrong with going into to Aroma Cafe who also offer Wilf’s. many drinks and treats, then Don’t forget to try the spin follow it with a little window shopping. pie dreams covered! dip!

KASHYAP PATEL/WEB DIRECTOR

ARTS & LIFE • 29

FRIDAY, AUGUST 30, 2019 ASTROLOGY

Back to school Cordoscopes JAMIE MERE/GRAPHICS EDITOR

favourite picture or a bright piece of desk décor, create a study environment that will help keep you stress-free. SARAH TYLER CORD ALUM

Cord Alum, Sarah Tyler, is psyched to tell you what’s in your cards for the new semester. Take her readings lightly — she’s better at video editing than telling your future.

Aries (March 21 – Apr. 19) Although usually bold, you may be nervous to start a new school year. Build back up your academic confidence by visiting a professor’s office hours and asking questions about your term assignments. You’ll be ready to both succeed in your class and let your ambitions soar! You can also try out a new look to revamp your energy.

Taurus (Apr. 20 – May 20) Start your year off right by making your space peaceful and unique to you. You will feel most comfortable by surrounding yourself with items that bring you joy. Whether it’s a growing succulent, a

Gemini (May 21 – June 20) The beginning of the year is a fantastic time to join clubs, associations and pursue other extra-curricular opportunities. Pick something you are passionate about – but don’t forget to leave time for self-care and your studies. You have a tendency to over-commit, so be realistic with your schedule. It won’t be fun if you are falling behind!

Cancer (June 21 – Jul. 22) With your new class schedule in full effect, it can feel overwhelming to tackle your classes and other involvements alone. Connect with a classmate to move through course material together and create accountability for your assignments. Find a cozy study spot, so you can focus on your report instead of a headache.

Leo (Jul. 23 – Aug. 22) In high school you might have been the ruler of the jungle, but it’s time for a reality check. No matter if you’re starting your first year or your final year, make an effort to get to know the people you are involved with on a genuine level. A king is nothing without the support of others. A great friend will be there whether you’re rocking it in the spotlight or having a blue day.

Virgo (Aug. 23 – Sept. 22) Your calendar is marked with assignments and your notebooks are in tip-top shape. You’re starting the semester on a high note and feeling prepped; however, don’t be afraid to seek assistance. Seek out extra learning opportunities to enhance your knowledge and skills set, which will help you excel.

Libra (Sept. 23 – Oct. 22) This year it is time to focus on you! In the past, your scales have tipped to either too much work and not enough play or vice-versa. Find a routine to keep your life balanced and enjoyable. Strive to maintain a healthy lifestyle to keep

you energized and also able to uphold your generous tendencies.

Scorpio (Oct. 23 – Nov. 21) You are geared up to be a campus trendsetter this fall! By carefully picking out outfits for various occasions, you will be dressed for success in all that you do. You’ll be looking sharp, but be aware: there is a difference between being cocky andversus being confident.

Sagittarius (Nov. 22 – Dec. 21) While you might already be planning your reading week plans, remember why you are in university. Look into academic opportunities that combine learning with your passion for adventure. You cannot learn everything about the world without getting out there yourself. You may also connect with a new friend from a different place and make lasting memories!

Capricorn (Dec. 22 – Jan. 19) After a long hot summer, you are ready to hit the books in style. Revamp your fall wardrobe with

some thrifty finds. These may be conversation-starter pieces that help you develop new friendships in your classes. Having a friend who will hype you up can go a long way when you head into midterm season.

Aquarius (Jan. 20 – Feb. 18) You’re looking at the volunteer opportunities this year and there are too many choices to choose from! Write down what is most important to you and remember to check the availability in your schedule. Prevent yourself from wearing too thin by choosing a best fit and you’ll have a blast!

Pisces (Feb. 19 – March 20) This year it’s your time to grow! Turn your daydreams into reality by finding opportunities that can lead you down the stream of success. Work on your resume by pursuing skill-building activities. Connecting with alumni in your field will bring you clarification and knowledge to achieve what might currently seem near-impossible.

30 •

Editorial

FRIDAY, AUGUST 30, 2019 OPINION EDITOR JADE HOSICK opinion@thecord.ca

President’s Note: life is not a race AARON HAGEY PRESIDENT AND PUBLISHER

Four years ago, when I began my undergrad, I never expected to end up working for Student Publications and enjoying my involvement with the organization as much as I have. I could have never imagined the tremendous impact that it would have on my university career, my social life and the opportunities that I have been fortunate enough to experience because of it. When I first left high school, I was directionless, extremely depressed and filled with anxiety over where my life would end up going and who I would end up being. My conclusion, back in 2014, was pretty bleak and hopeless. After taking a gap year, and working with no clear goal in mind, I managed to slowly begin a transition into university life after submitting an application to Laurier on a whim. Starting out part-time in a program that just wasn’t for me, and changing my major several times in an effort to find out what I actually enjoyed pursuing, has been a process that only worked itself out over halfway into my undergrad. Breaking away from my formerly poor school habits and attempting to be a decent student was a tall task in and of itself — and getting involved was the last thing on my mind. After being relentlessly encouraged to write for The Cord in my third year, I gave it a shot. To my complete shock, I wasn’t absolutely terrible at it, and I began to enjoy it. I wasn’t always confident that my ideas were “good enough,” but it gave me an opportunity to share my experiences in a way that was cathartic and fulfilling. Last year, I took a huge leap of faith (by my standards) and applied for things that I never expected to work out the way they did, and became more involved than I had ever been before. I had responsibility and expectations stacked on top of me — two things I once avoided and hated — and even though I was stressed and constantly being pushed outside of my comfort zone, it was one of the best years of my life so far. I had a greater purpose than just getting out of bed, going to work and class and then coming home to do it all over again. People I respected counted on me. I was able to contribute to publications that I’m proud to have my name attached to. And most importantly, I met people who I consider to be my best friends and biggest supporters. As a naturally anxious person, I

have always isolated myself from social situations and activities. And even though going into positions where I was constantly required to be around new people in various different situations was terrifying for me, it was one of the smartest decisions I could have made for myself both personally and professionally. For the first time, I gained the confidence to go to therapy that ended up helping me. I felt validated and accepted in an environment where people were happy to see me and I was happy to see them. I enjoyed coming in to do these jobs, and I only wanted to continue working for an organization that had done so much to help me in more ways than I can list. I certainly haven’t been perfect in the roles I’ve taken on, and as president, I’m constantly worried that I’m not doing the position or WLUSP justice. I’m still not sure if I’m ready for it, but I don’t think anyone really is. What I do know is that I’m incredibly privileged to work where I do and I’ve been given a chance that most people in university could really benefit from — something that never would have happened if I hadn’t gotten involved. At the end of the day, I think the most important lesson I’ve learned has been that, yes, there are going to be countless things that scare you, and you may constantly worry that you won’t be enough — but a rejection is always better than having regret over not doing it in the first place. My path in life has been far from typical, and I’ve made choices and gone in directions that don’t necessarily follow what people expected of me, but I don’t regret any of it. Some people need time, whether that’s months or years, to figure things out and find out where they want to be and what they want to do. I just happened to discover what I love doing by happenstance and through a lot of trial and error. This isn’t just a shameless plug to get you interested in volunteering with us. You have value and traits that are unique to you and worth sharing with the people you open yourself up to — so take it from someone who did everything he could to avoid making those steps to get there until (truly) last year — you (and the people you meet) will be better for it. Whatever your “thing” is, whatever interest or niche that sparks your passion, creativity or fire — try it out. There are hundreds of things to get involved with at Laurier, and you’ll never know what opportunity could come your way until you go for it. In the wise words of Jim Carrey, “... you can fail at what you don’t want, so you might as well take a chance on doing what you love.”

EDITORIAL CARTOON

JAMIE MERE /GRAPHICS EDITOR

Editorial: a healthy work balance ALYSSA DI SABATINO ARTS AND LIFE EDITOR

As a student, the one thing I hear constantly is “if you think university is hard, wait until you get to the real world.” But as much as I hate to hear it, I kind of understand it. What I really love about university is how customizable your schedule can be. If you’re not a morning person, there’s nothing saying that you have you take 8:30 am lectures. If you have a lot of outside commitments and find it hard to balance your schoolwork, you can take a reduced course load. Your schedule and pace are largely up to your own discretion. I also recognize that this is a benefit that is barely afforded to people once they graduate and begin working full-time. After university, you can expect to work from 9-5 every day, averaging about 35 hours a week for most positions. If you’re in a new role, you can expect an average of 2 weeks of vacation annually. None of this is bad, I just feel as though creating a healthy work-life

balance is rarely talked about in the adult world. There’s probably a reason that adults always lament about the “real world struggles,” and maybe this is the student in me speaking, but spending every evening preparing for the next work day and only getting to indulge in your hobbies on the weekends sounds pretty miserable. We may all have the same 24 hours, but that doesn’t mean you should have to work yourself dry everyday. Maybe this will make me sound like a whiny 20-something, but I truly believe that Western culture promotes an unhealthy work-life balance. If you’re working fulltime, that means you have vacation days. You just have to make sure that you use them. Workplace burnout helps no-one, but it’s almost bound to happen when you’re working nonstop with little relief. Research has consistently shown that taking vacation time improves productivity and lowers stress leading to better mental health overall. Many European countries, including Denmark, Belgium and France have policies in place that allow workers to devote more time for leisure as opposed to work,; and this system is working greatly

for them. Some of the most productive countries (whose labour productivity was measured by GDP per hours worked) were European. Canada’s productivity is ranked pretty closely with said European countries, but I think I got my point across:; work-life balance isn’t promoted as much as it should be. If anyone’s reading this and cursing me mentally for being a lazy, entitled Gen-Z’er, I think it’s worth asking yourself why you think having more free time is a bad thing. Why wouldn’t you want the ability to spend more time with your family and friends, or devote more time to learning a new skill or hobby? My argument isn’t unfounded. Research has also shown that employees who work for companies that encourage taking vacation are much happier with their positions than with companies where vacation is discouraged or whose managers have mixed feelings about taking time off. I guess what I’m trying to say is, work will always be there when you get back. But missing opportunities and experiences will only make you feel guilty about not using your vacation time better.

OPINION • 31

FRIDAY, AUGUST 30, 2019

Opinion

OPINION EDITOR JADE HOSICK opinion@thecord.ca

LAURIER ARCHIVES

Wilfrid Laurier University’s (formerly Waterloo College) first fraternity in 1923-24, “Fraternity of Waterloo College.”

greek life at laurier KATIE WHEELER OPINION COLUMNIST

Wilfrid Laurier University is proud to be known as a campus community that inspires lives of leadership and purpose. With hundreds of opportunities to join clubs, associations and teams, it is safe to say that Laurier has something for everyone. One of those opportunities is Greek Life at Laurier. As the title preludes, I’m about to give you the low-down on all things Greek Life. Seeing the words “Greek Life” in the school paper might make some minds jump to the Americanized and over-dramatic movies and beloved television shows that we watched growing up. I’m here to tell you that although the movies have given Greek Life a bad rep, the Greek organizations on Laurier’s campus are fun and all-encompassing. Greek Life on campus consists of three sororities and four fraternities. Every organization holds something unique and if you’re interested in joining Greek Life, I strongly encourage you to join an organization with values that match your own. There are three sororities on campus: Alpha Phi, Alpha Omega and Golden Iris. People often speculate that there may be rivalry between them, but this couldn’t be further from the truth. All three sisterhoods support each other by at-

tending their countless events and participating as teams through the various Greek Council activities. These groups are dedicated to the bettering of their members while celebrating the strong women in each organization. The Alpha Phi women’s fraternity is an international women’s fraternity founded in Syracuse, New York in 1872. Alpha Phi is dedicated to promoting sisterhood, cultivating leadership, encouraging intellectual curiosity and advocating for service in and around the local community. Throughout the year the women of the Iota Theta chapter strive to raise funds for the Alpha Phi Foundation and work towards their ultimate goal of raising funds for women’s heart health. The Alpha Omega Sorority was founded at WLU on October 27, 1993 and remains unique to the Waterloo campus. Their motto is “harmony through individuality”, meaning they value each other’s differences and strive to be their best selves. Alpha Omega serves as an opportunity for personal development through leadership while providing academic, social and professional support. Alpha Omega hosts philanthropic events each year to support Women’s Crisis Services of Waterloo Region. The Golden Iris fraternity is the newest female organization to join Laurier’s Greek Council, and are a wonderful addition to the community. Established at Laurier in April 2017, Golden Iris is targeted to be

a sisterhood of innovative leaders interested in personal growth and promoting a culturally diverse group of women. The women of Golden Iris support the KW community and host philanthropic fundraisers for breast cancer-related organizations such as AVON and the Canadian Breast Cancer Foundation. Golden Iris embraces Asian cultures and raises Asian awareness as academically driven females, striving for excellence.

Every Greek organization on campus is unique and proud to be a part of the WLU community.

Through the Waterloo region, there are four fraternities that call WLU their home: Sigma Chi, Pi Kappa Alpha, Zeta Psi and Alpha Epsilon Pi. The men in some of these organizations span from Laurier, Waterloo and Conestoga, but are proud to be rooted in the Greek Community on our campus. Sigma Chi is a brotherhood of men from different backgrounds, talents and convictions who strive for a lifelong commitment, in order to achieve true friendship,

equal justice and the fulfillment of learning. They hold many philanthropy events to raise money for the Huntsman Cancer Foundation and other charitable organizations in the region. Every year they host their annual Walk to Conquer Cancer, which is held during the fall semester, and host a week of philanthropic events and fundraising activities, which they call “Derby Days”. Pi Kappa Alpha values and principles are based off of four pillars that they actively seek in all of their members: scholars, leaders, athletes and gentlemen. They hope to instill in their members the opportunity to build connections throughout university not only locally but internationally as well, all while building friendships that can last a lifetime. Just like Sig, “PIKE” also has a philanthropic event that is open to the community. Their fundraiser, DiaBEATthis, is an annual event that the brothers host in order to raise funds for Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundations. Thirdly, we have Zeta Psi Fraternity. They were also the first organization to colonize chapters in Canada, the UK and France. Zeta men are dedicated to excellence in academics, their professional and personal lives, as well as developing themselves to be better individuals capable of strengthening their relationships both inside and outside of the fraternity. Throughout the year they hold events to conquer hunger —

their most popular being Hawaiian for Hunger, where event attendees bring non-perishable food items for those in need. Last, but certainly not least, is the largest international fraternity in the world, holding chapters in Canada and many places internationally: Alpha Epsilon Pi. Although this fraternity is predominantly a Jewish organization, it is a non-discriminatory brotherhood. AEPI’s mission is to develop leadership in the Jewish community which the brothers exemplify through their acts of brotherhood, charity, social awareness and support for the Jewish community. The brothers of AEPi are also dedicated to bettering the Waterloo community holding a large fundraiser on campus in support of B’nai Brith Canada. It goes without saying that the Greek Life community might not be everyone’s cup of tea, but I hope that now you’ll see that Greek Life on the WLU campus can be a fantastic way to get involved and find a home away from home. Every Greek organization on campus is unique and is proud to be a part of the WLU community. All of the members of Greek Life at Laurier are excited to meet all of the incoming students this year. Whether or not Greek Life is right for you, Laurier has hundreds of amazing opportunities for you to get involved in. If this article resonated with you, be sure to check out Greek Life too.

32 • OPINION

FRIDAY, AUGUST 30, 2019

Student Media relies on opt-in fees HAYLEY MCGOLDRICK NEWS DIRECTOR

FILE PHOTO

Photo of a Student Publications member from an issue of “The Cord Weekly,” 1977.

WELCOME

As someone who works in student media, funding is important for what we do in our day-to-day operations. Without funding, a lot of essential tasks like even printing our paper, which may seem miniscule to the average student, become almost impossible. The Student Choice Initiative rolled out by the government of Ontario affects how students choose to pay “non-essential” fees to their university. Services like emergency response teams, food banks and foot patrol walking services are classified as essential and are not affected, but other programming will take a hit. At Laurier, the highest opt-out rate for Students’ Union services was 21 per cent, meaning that 79 per cent of students still chose to pay the fees for those services even when they didn’t have to. Laurier has even been looking at programming fees for years, with an opt-out for LSPRIG happening a few years ago. The problem with opting out is obvious. People are losing funding. Those who opt-out have valid points, that if they aren’t using services, they shouldn’t have to spend their money. Completely understandable, university is expensive and quite literally every dollar counts. Once you get out of first year and no longer have to pay for a terrible food plan or thousands for a gross residence room, it’s your first real glimpse at freedom. My argument? You should be using these services. Laurier is the number one school in student sat-

isfaction for a reason. Not paying a student levy because you don’t see yourself ever being involved in clubs is the worst mindset to have at a school like this. Take it from someone who spent their first two years alone in isolation, joining clubs was the best thing I ever did. It isn’t just about joining clubs, or funding student media so someone like me has the opportunity to write this article and get my first crack at the journalism world. Laurier has opportunities for every single program, there is something for everyone under FOSSA, AUS, FOMSA or LazSoc. Regardless of the major you’re enrolled in Laurier wants to give people the opportunity to partake in their passions outside the classroom. Beyond academics, Laurier’s students’ union also provides additional clubs for interests, hobbies or cultures, so students can cement themselves deeper into what Laurier is and ensure that there is a place for everyone to thrive. The argument isn’t that you should be paying to fund someone else’s future, but your own. While you’re in your final four years before the real world starts to hit, you should be taking all the opportunities available to enhance your resume and get your foot in the door for whatever your next adventure is, whether it be graduate school or getting a job straight out of university. With changes to OSAP funding, it seems like the student choice initiative was an answer to getting some of your money back that the Ontario government took away. However, that $30 you save by opting out of a student media fee not only is diminishing the objective journalism on your campus or a club about healthy living, it’s diminishing your chance to make your four years at Laurier feel more like home.

OPINION • 33

FRIDAY, AUGUST 30, 2019

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Discussing celebrity relationships JADE HOSICK OPINION EDITOR

Celebrity relationships are something that everyone talks about regardless of what age bracket you fall in. Everyone always seems to know

what’s going on with Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie and their on-again off-again relationship, my dad even started a conversation with me about Miley Cyrus and her relationship with Liam Hemsworth. With their faces plastered everywhere we see, it’s easy to forget that celebrities are real people who feel emotions that are identical to ours. It is especially easy to forget when these celebrities play love

interests in TV shows or movies that we put time into watching. People love the relationships that form out of celebrities working together because their characters might have great chemistry, the show was written well or even because the two celebrities are just both attractive so it makes sense why they would end up together eventually. About a month ago I was scrolling through twitter and saw an

article that kind of stuck out to me titled “Tom Holland secretly dating someone and it’s not Zendaya” (And yes my heart did break just a little bit, because my dream of marrying Tom Holland just disappeared before my very eyes). Then it got me thinking, why is it that when actors have characters that date, people want the actors to date in real life? And then I realized it’s not just actors -- its every celebrity. Musicians are constantly getting shipped with other musicians, just look at Shawn Mendes and Camila Cabello after they released the song senorita. When it was reported that Scott Moir was not going to be dating his long-time skating partner Tessa Virtue, people were devastatedSure, sometimes celebrities have such amazing on-screen chemistry that all you want for them is to be together in real life. You want to be able to manifest a fantasy into a reality. Kind of like Lili Reinhart and Cole Sprouse and their onscreen chemistry as Jughead and Betty turning into real life romance. Life is not always like that yet people still love to get involved in the personal lives of celebrities, almost to the point of forgetting that they are human beings. Actors live in a world where it is there job to be believable in whatever role it is that they are portraying. So, if Peter Parker needs to look like he is in love with MJ, you can bet that Tom Holland and Zendaya are going to try to make that as convincing as they possibly can. The cost of this for them though, is that people will eventually start

“shipping” them in real life, and have their relationship broguht up constantly in interviews. And I am no expert on what being in the public eye and what being “shipped” does to a friendship, but I can’t help but think back to my days as a hardcore One Direction fan and remember how being shipped affected Harry Styles and Louis Tomlinson’s relationship. They were best friends who used to always joke around with each other in interviews or just during everyday life. But as the rumours of them dating grew bigger and bigger, the less friendly they seemed to be with one another. They started having to be separated in interviews and it looked like that they bond they once shared stopped being there, as most of their focus was on making it seem like they had no chemistry. I guess the point that I am trying to say is that celebrities are people too, and they have their own feelings. They are going to date whoever they want, and they should not be forced into relationships with people that they work with. Just think about how if you had people in your life trying to force a relationship with one of your good friends onto you. The way that you would act around that person might change, or you get upset with the person who is pushing the relationship onto you. Celebrities should be able to live their lives like we do every day, and not have to worry about how a friendship might be portrayed by the media and the fans who claim to love them.

Managing difficult roommates and living situations VICTORIA MARSHALL SENIOR COPY EDITOR

For most first years, moving away from home means moving into a new place with new people. Depending on the type of residence you’re placed in, you might have a no roommates. You might have four. Regardless of how many strangers you’ll be sharing your space with, how you get along with people can be the biggest driving force behind your year. It definitely was for me, anyway. In the July leading up to move-in day, I was absolutely ecstatic to find out where I would be living – but more importantly, who with. When I got in touch with my soon-to-be roommates, we started a group chat instantly. Within days we had made a Google doc to decide who was bringing what, constantly talking about how excited we were to meet each other. Before I knew it, move-in day had arrived, and as soon as I got into my apartment, it was hugs all around. I was under the impression that my roommates and I were going to be great friends. Regrettably, O-week was a rude awakening to residence life for me. Despite me trying my hardest to be friendly, neat, polite and fun, I was getting cropped out of group photos before they got posted, and given dirty looks when I left my bedroom to join their socials with floormates. As a people-pleas-

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er, the situation had my inner monologue running non-stop. Why don’t they like me? Did I say something offensive? Am I messy? Am I loud? Nobody is a perfect roommate, and as an 18-year-old, I was far from that; but it took me a good few months to realize that I was not the source of every problem. Even if you’re the most easy-going person in the world, living with other people is going to be hard at some point. But by the time winter exams had rolled around, I had already felt like I wasn’t welcome to spend my time in the common areas of our apartment. Being barricaded in my room overnight with the living room for my roommates’ humour furniture was infuriating.

Getting laughed at when asking them to take their Tuesday night karaoke somewhere other than outside my bedroom door at 3 a.m. wasn’t fun either. For months, I had tried to voice my concerns to my roommates directly, and in person. It didn’t work. So I listened to exactly what the residence department instilled in all of us during O-week: talk to your don. When I was told all that could be done was a sitdown meeting and the writing of a roommate agreement, I knew I was S.O.L. Sitting in a circle and promising to take the garbage out more frequently could never clear the pettiness from the air. Thankfully, when it got bad, I had the sense to stay out of the apartment as much as possible.

Laurier has a lot of great spaces that are great to utilize in these kinds of situations, which I took full advantage of. I was still able to see my friends, get my course work done, and live my life as best as I could. I have a lot of people to thank for helping me overcome the stresses of my living situation: my loyal friends, for sure, and definitely my mom. Having people to call and stay overnight with when things got unbearable really got me through. Looking back on it now, the best part about living in residence was learning how to deal with these kinds of cliquey conflicts. After all, University is supposed to teach you these things; so albeit hard, I’m glad I learned them early rather than late.

That being said, here are some words of advice to you, as new Golden Hawks, as you navigate your way through residence: 1. There is a difference between being civil and being friends. If you don’t want to be friends, the least you can do is be civil. 2. If you don’t want to share, don’t. Keeping your own dishes and cleaning supplies in a separate cupboard is an easy way to minimize conflict. 3. Be courteous about noise and mess. Courteous doesn’t mean perfect, but basic manners are standard. No exceptions. 4. Keep busy. Joining clubs and associations is a great way to meet new people in case your roommates don’t end up being your best friends. Friends in different residences are also great (and fun) escape routes from conflict. 5. Learn to take the high road – and do it on your own. Standing up for yourself and going with your gut is a lot easier in the long run than reporting it to a don. Now, I know that not everyone’s experiences were like this. Chances are yours won’t be either. If it is, you’ll definitely overcome it. I did, and I grew from it! First year flies by so fast, and if it doesn’t go as planned, you have three more years to make it up. There are opportunities to make friends at every corner, and there are plenty more of those outside residence walls.

34 • OPINION

FRIDAY, AUGUST 30, 2019

Making friends isn’t always easy VIDISH PARIKH STAFF WRITER

The first few weeks of university can feel daunting. Between the unpacking and somewhat awkward exchanges you may share with complete strangers, you have to drag yourself to class and manage your own lifestyle. This is what it’s all about;this is the big leagues. The best years of your life, they say. The allure of university life may wear off when reality strikes. But this isn’t to scare you: Of course, once you get settled, you realize how fortunate we all are to have this opportunity to connect with the many people around us. -- and you realize that time is on your side. Oh, the experiences you will share. One aspect of that changing lifestyle may be learning to live away from home and to make new friends. The most obvious starting place could be your roommates. Get to know them – their quirks, and their tendencies -- and learn to embrace them. Understand that to build a meaningful friendship takes time and effort. You are who you repeatedly hang out with. So, who do you want to be? Who do you want to get to know? Orientation Week will give you a chance to bond with people who may share similar interests. But there will also be those who are different than you. Take the time to get to know

people, and you will realize we each have our stories. A word of caution: not everyone you meet will want to be your friend. And that’s okay. But, to understand friendship one needs to understand what they are looking for in a friend.

It’s not how many people you know, but rather the quality of the relationships you build that’s most valuable.

For me, a friend is someone I can genuinely trust. I suggest you make a mental list of criteria you would look for in an ideal friend. Reflection may help when anxiety takes over. Be selective in who you choose to call your friend. Learn also how to distinguish between a friend and acquaintance. It’s not how many people you know, but rather the quality of the relationships you build that’s most valuable. And it’s this environment that will present the opportunity to build these relationships – through unique clubs, study groups, and other social hangouts. Laurier is a special community. We are tight-knight and class sizes are small. However, it may take some time for you to feel comfortable with the lifestyle change. In the age of social media, friendship can be hazy. I remem-

JAMIE MERE/GRAPHICS EDITOR

ber feeling conflicted between remaining in touch with my old friends and building new friendships. It took me a while to find that delicate balance that worked for me; as I look back to my high school friend group, I note that I am now only in touch with a select handful of people. It takes commitment to stay in touch, and commitment is a two-way street. So, if you don’t see someone putting the time and effort to sustain a friendship, then their message should be clear… “I’m busy” is an overused excuse –

JAMIE MERE/GRAPHICS EDITOR

Your value is more than your GPA JOSH HORTALEZA STAFF WRITER

My name is Josh, and my GPA is 6 on a 12 GPA scale. Based solely off that information, you know that my name is Josh, but you may also think that I am a slacker or aloof. You may also think that I do not care about my

education. You may think nothing of it at all, or you may think that there is an underlying reason that my GPA isn’t higher than it is now. Regardless of what you think, my GPA tells you “something” about me. Officially, the number is a representation of academic performance over any given timeframe,

but in actuality, the path to that number is more about the journey than the destination. The information that GPA gives you about a person is faulty, It tells you nothing about the trials and tribulations of the person’s life earning the degree, nor does it tell you about any underlying factors such as a physical or mental illness.

we’re all busy. I also remember being anxious to make friends in my first year thinking that it would be my only opportunity. You may be thinking – as I was, back then -- hold on, how can I truly get to know someone in a few weeks. Surely it takes more time than that. Well yes, yes it does. But, again, you have four years, so trust the process. You don’t have to be extremely outgoing, and you don’t have to do something you aren’t comfortable with – if you feel like you don’t fit in with a certain group of people,

trust your gut. But if you truly listen to others, you can come to understand them. Stay away from anyone who consistently talks badly about others because no one likes a negative vibe. Later in my years at Laurier, I have come to understand how truly powerful genuine conversation is. Join those clubs, and have those quality conversations. You will be fine. In the words of William Shakespeare: “Love all, trust a few and do wrong to none.” The right people will naturally follow.

It doesn’t tell you about the extracurricular activities or internships that person did either. It doesn’t tell you about the lessons you learned from failed relationships, platonic or romantic, and it doesn’t tell you about whether or not they truly learned anything in the course anyway, or whether or not they could recite the info in the course back to you if you asked them about it. You cannot even compare GPA’s across majors. As we can see, a flawed metric for information gathering. But GPA is important right? Yes, it is, but its not the entire story of your university career. University at its very core is meant for you to pursue the personal discovery of universal truths, as well as introduce you to a breadth of perspectives that are not your own in order to make you a more well-rounded person. The medium in which that happens does not always take place in the classroom. University is a place that attracts people from all walks of life and are of the same age range roughly. I have learned a vast wealth of knowledge from my peers, and I hope that they have learned from me in kind. Whether its interactions with fellow students, profes-

sors, academic researchers or the people who inhabit your city, the learning will always continue. This type of learning makes university life incredibly variable and inconsistent, which directly contradicts the whole idea of a GPA, which seeks uniformness. So why do people, especially employers care about it? Because it is a herculean effort to check the intangibles of all applicants to make truly objective hiring choices. It is rarely the case that a university skillset lines up exactly with what employers want, but yet they demand increasingly higher requirements. It is easy to generalize people, and no company has the time or money to delve into the personal lives of applicants. All of this is not to say that this type is a learning is a justification for having bad grades. You come to a degree to learn about the subject you are majoring in, and in theory, university should be your full-time job. I can personally say that my bad grades are a by product of not putting my studies first. What I am saying is that its only a part of the whole picture, and just like university, try to keep a nuanced view on why you are here and you should have a good time.

OPINION • 35

FRIDAY, AUGUST 30, 2019

LET’S TALK ABOUT CONSENT, BABY

JAMIE MERE/GRAPHICS EDITOR

First-year university experiences should include education and understanding about consent

JADE HOSICK OPINION EDITOR

The school year is starting up, and thus, the amount of people experiencing university night culture is going to be increasing once again. People are living away from home for the first time, and are going to be discovering a life of independence that they are not used to. Maybe people have their own room, or one they have to share with another person or an apartment that is shared between four completely new people. Maybe, as roommates, codes have already been established stating how the room is being used at a certain time (if you catch my drift). Since the school year is beginning, we are going to have a conversation about what consent is and why it is important for everyone to understand exactly what it means -- specifically when it comes to drinking, partying and sexual activity. The basic definition from dictonary.com for consent is permission for something to happen or agreement to do something. Putting it simply, if someone is asking to borrow a pencil, then the person who is lending that person the pencil must agree before the pencil can be taken. Consent is something that has been discussed a lot as the #metoo

movement is becoming more and more powerful, so it is crucial for us as people to understand exactly what consent is and why it is so important. At Laurier, Consent is discussed during o-week and actually has a whole presentation around it as one of the many o-week activities available for first years.

But as stated by the law, consent cannot be given by a person who is intoxicated.

The issue is, that consent can be discussed as much as humanly possible, but when drinking and partying get involved, the lines blur. People may believe that because cosent is discussed so much that people already understandwhat consent fully entails, but unfortunately that is not the case Lets start of with the definition of what consent is when it pertains to sex. Consent for any sexual activity must be given freely and cannot be given by someone who is intoxicated, unconscious, when a person uses intimidation methods or is otherwise considered incapable of giving their consent. Consent is given by saying yes to

the acts. A simple nod or silence is not giving consent. And please do not think that just because a person did not explicitly say no means they consented! A person who is intoxicated out of their mind, might not have the ability to say no, they might not even know what they are currently experiencing. In Canada, consent means voluntary agreement for both parties to engage in sexual activity, and this must be given without abuse, exploitation, coercion or threats. Before any acts begin, it should be clear to both partners that they are willing, comfortable and agree to continue. . If consent is not present, then the activity becomes a form of sexual assault or rape. Trying to convince a person to have sex with you to the point where they say yes does not equal consent. In the digital age we currently live in, let’s not forget that you cannot send pictures of a sexual nature to someone without their consent: this is considered sexual harassment. So think and ask before you send a picture. If someone decides to share a picture of themselves with you, don’t show that picture to anyone else. There are so many other legal ways to see an explicit photo, your friend does not need to see your girlfriend or boyfriends nude. Also, as a side note for the younger readers out there, it is illegal to send explicit videos or photos of someone who is under 18, this includes if YOU are taking a picture of yourself and are under the age of 18.

Thus, it is illegal to be in possession of an explicit photo of someone who is under 18. Just be aware of that. Over fifty colleges in the US are under investigation for how they handled sexual assault cases after allegations made by students, and according to a report by the White House, one in five women are sexually assaulted in college. So, this is really the age where people need to understand what consent is. Since the partying culture in university is a big thing, and often hookups occur while under the influence, the lines for consent get blurry for many people. I’m sure many of us have had experiences while under the influence which we might have regretted in the morning. But as stated by the law consent cannot be given by a person who is intoxicated. It is also important to note that consent is also important when dealing with drinking and drugs. Someone must voluntarily agree to drink, not be pressured into drinking. Someone must agree to having the spiked punch, not be given it without knowing. Someone must agree to eating pot brownies before consuming it. Now, I understand that many people are going to sit there are say that asking for consent for every activity that takes place is not realistic. They probably want a way to consent to everything at the same time. My opinion still is that consent needs to be given for every act. People have things that may trigger them, or they may be com-

fortable doing one thing, but the other thing is off the table for them. You do not know what a person is comfortable doing, and it is not your place to assume someone is comfortable doing something when they are in such a vulnerable position, even if you are in a relationship with this individual.

Before any acts begin. it should be clear to both partners that they are willing, comfortable and agree to continue.

Consent then does not equal consent now! Being in a relationship does not equal consent! Having hooked up before does not equal consent now! Being at a party does not equal consent! Dressing a certain way does not equal consent! Having ate edibles before does not equal consent! Consent to do one act, does not equal consent to another! Pressuring someone into saying yes does not equal consent! Everyone should focus on making sure their partners and friends are comfortable, so drinking, partying and having sex are enjoyable for everyone involved!

36 •

Sports

FRIDAY, AUGUST 30, 2019 SPORTS EDITOR VACANT sports@thecord.ca

RUGBY

Laurier athletes go All-Star HAYLEY MCGOLDRICK NEWS DIRECTOR

FILE PHOTO/TANZEEL SAYANI

Two Laurier rugby players were given the chance to perform on a national stage as they represented Rugby Canada on the Canadian All-Stars team in Glendale, Colorado. “I think it’s outstanding, I think it’s great for the program. Full credit goes to those individuals: sure we help them with strength and condition but I’m very proud of them,” said men’s rugby head coach Ian McLeod 8-man Matt Fish, last year’s Luke Fusco Academic Athletic Achievement Award winner as well as an OUA first-team all-star was named to the team as a reserve, hoping to get a chance to be selected to the team again next year as this year’s roster is bursting with talent. “Matt Fish was already appointed our captain for next year, but something like this gives him even more confidence and that much more faith in his abilities. He’s a guy who can do whatever he wants, he’s a tremendous athlete and when he puts his mind to

something, he can accomplish it,” McLeod said. “If Matt wants to carry on in the footsteps of Andrew and continue to a professional career, or on an international stage, I don’t see anyone stopping that.” The other player representing Laurier is now-alumnus Andrew Quattrin. Named both captain and MVP in his final season at Laurier, Quattrin received his first international cap in the match and will continue his rugby career with the Toronto Arrows. Quattrin finishes a stellar career at Laurier with this achievement, also receiving the Fred Nichols Community Service Leadership Award as well as the Golden Hawk Award of Excellence in his final year. He also was named OUA MVP in 2017. “Andrew was a huge asset to our team, not just on the field but he showed tremendous leadership and got everyone primed in the right spot we needed them to be. We’re hoping to see Matt step up in a similar role — he’s a different type of leader than Andrew but

he’s certainly capable of that. It will be more leadership by committee this year than it has in the past,” McLeod said. “These guys have been around Andrew and learned from him to lead in their own way and they’ve gained a lot from him, it won’t be the same as just one guy taking the bull by the horns but rather two or three guys in that leadership role. It’ll be interesting because this will be my first year coaching without Andrew there.” The Canadian All-Stars were defeated by the Collegiate All-Americans by one point due to a last-minute try, falling 23-22 in the match. Both players were more than happy to represent their school and country and, despite the loss, will take the experience home to improve not just for next year with Rugby Canada but also where their careers lead in the next year. The men’s rugby team had their highest finish in program history with an OUA bronze medal last year, and will continue to push for an even higher finish next year under McLeod and Fish’s leadership.

SPORTS • 37

FRIDAY, AUGUST 30, 2019 SWIMMING

Tyson MacDonald, Laurier athlete, wins gold, bronze Fourth-year para-athlete competes in international athletic competition in Lima, Peru, places twice AARON HAGEY PRESIDENT & PUBLISHER

23-year old Tyson MacDonald, a fourth-year Laurier student, has been representing the Golden Hawks swim team in Lima, Peru, for the Parapan American Games: an international competition held every four years, featuring over 1,850 athletes in 17 sports, and bringing together Paralympic athletes from all regions of the Americas. From Aug. 25 to Aug. 31, MacDonald competed in a series of swimming events, and earned both a gold medal in the Men’s 100m Backstroke and bronze medal in the Men’s 200m Freestyle events.* “The Pan Am Games are the major games that associate North, Central, South America and the Caribbeans. The ‘Para’ version is the games for people with, what would be previously or even currently labeled, ‘disabilities’,” said Matthew Pedersen, an associate coach for the Laurier swim team. “In swimming we break it down into 14 classes, and then each class has a different level of challenge that the athletes have to work with and manage in order to compete and get through everyday life.” MacDonald is considered an S14 classification of para-athlete: from 1-14, para-athletes are classes in categories based on the level of their physical, visual and hearing, or cognitive and intellectual impairments. The International Paralympic Committee (IPC) has determined that S1-10 athletes indicate different intensities of physical impairment. “[For athletes who are] 1-10, those are athletes that are struggling with limb challenges; if you’re a 1, you have very limited mobility or you’re missing most [of your limbs] — these are the quadriplegic types,” Pedersen said. “As you get up to 10, you have more mobility, more functionality, less visually-obvious disabilities.” For athletes who classify as S1113, the three visual impairment classes range from very little or no visual ability, to compromised or less visual acuity, which can include loss of peripheral vision. “The S14s — this is a relatively new category — these are the [athletes] that have the cognitive-intellectual [and] learning disabilities,” Pedersen said. “The [most] obvious ones [in this category] are those people that are managing Down syndrome or [are on the] autism spectrum, but also reaches out to those who struggle with learning disabilities … These are the ones that have difficulty with pattern recognition, sequencing, and have slower reaction times due to [their cognitive impairment].” For para-athletes, the difference between S1-13 and S14 classifications contrast significantly regarding the challenges faced on a competitive level, representing two opposite sets of difficulties. “The 1-13s, these athletes are going to be struggling with just pure, physical approaches to things,”

it’s fun, to give these groups of people the venue and the forum to show off.” Para-athletes across the province, especially in swimming, are quite rare in the OUA. Because of this, they often swim in the general category, as opposed to the para-category. “I don’t think that’s an exclusionary tactic, there’s just not enough to have separate scored events — yet — because there’s still some stigmas about getting kids at a younger age into athletics with different difficulties or challenges that they have to manage,” Pedersen said.

The ‘Para’ version is the games for people with, what would be previously or even currently labeled, ‘disabilities.’ -Matthew Pedersen, associate swim coach, Laurier Athletics

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Pedersen said. “I’ve worked with someone that was S9-S10, and these are people that have some limited mobility through the shoulders; one kid had an underdeveloped arm … he can’t use his right arm as well as a regularly-capable person would be able to use.” “As you get into the 7s, 6s and 5s, you have [athletes] missing an arm, missing a foot. Those are very physically-specific classes, and they have to manage [their] performance that way,” he said. For S14 athletes, the primary challenge is not in the realm of the physical so much as the mental. “These are the [athletes] that, for all intents and purposes, you might call them ‘physically complete’ — they have the full musculature, they have the full skeleton, they have all the physical attributes you would expect in a regularly-capable person, [but] they are struggling with the cognitive side

of things,” Pedersen said.

The Pan Am Games are the major games that associate North, Central, South America and the Caribbeans.

-Matthew Pedersen, associate swim coach, Laurier Athletics

S14 athletes, for example, may not be as responsive to stimuli, such as the starting sound of the events. In these cases, one of the main challenges to overcome through the training process would be giving the athlete the tools they need to better respond to these situations.

“Some of the other ones … their struggles are more with exertion: that sequencing idea of, at this point I’m supposed to do this type of activity, or I’m supposed to put this much effort into it,” Pedersen said.” Down syndrome was added as an S14 classification in the Parapan Am Games following a decision made by the IPC after the 2000 Summer Paralympics in an attempt to bring a more inclusive light to mainstream, competitive events. “[It was] to give them more exposure, to show that they don’t struggle as much as we believe them to — they are perfectly capable of doing a lot of the things that you or I, or anyone else that is ‘normally capable’ is able to do: they just have to manage different struggles, different obstacles, than we do,” Pedersen said. “But, with that, they are managing it and succeeding while managing those struggles. It’s cool,

MacDonald as an athlete, competing at an international level, is quite significant, statistically speaking. “At Laurier, our swim team [is] roughly 20 members, [and] we have had as many as two para-classified athletes — but usually, it’s one at a time.” And, as a para-athlete, MacDonald has faced his own set of unique challenges and obstacles, related to his classification, that he has overcome to compete on a national level. However, Laurier Athletics, and Laurier as an institution, has helped to bridge that gap, providing the opportunities and tools needed to thrive and challenge those obstacles. “When it comes to performance, for the S14s, it’s more about understanding pacing and where they are in the pool and just some of the spatial awareness things, and having an understanding of when and how to properly exert to get optimal performance,” Pedersen said. “I’ve had a chance to know [MacDonald] since he came to Laurier and as he’s grown through those first two years, just as a member of the general swimming population, and now since gearing him towards some of this para success. It’s been fun, it’s been good, I’m glad he’s having success. There’s been a lot of learning.” MacDonald has been training for the Parapan Am Games for quite some time. Following the conclusion of the Parapan Am Games, the swim team coaches and MacDonald will be working towards his trials in April for the Paralympic games in Tokyo, next summer. *This article reflects MacDonald’s competitive progress as of the date of this article’s publishing

38 • SPORTS

Aaron Hagey, President & Publisher, cracks the shell on Midas

ule to migh ley m ty s a ma me sc om

For a figure as mythical as Wilfrid Laurier University’s mascot, Midas, our beloved Golden Hawk, it may come as a surprise that our feathered friend has not always been the purple and gold pal we know him to be today — and that in fact, at one point, our dear Midas was not even a hawk. The Cord itself has even played a pivotal part in the creation of the university’s mascot as we now know it. Midas the mascot has undergone many alterations over the course of his life, not the least of which was that, prior to being a hawk, our official school mascot was a mule. Andre Furlong, an archives assistant for the Laurier Archives, shared some insight into how exactly this radical election of Laurier’s student-body representation came about. Before the university renamed itself “Wilfrid Laurier University” in 1973, and even before then, when it was renamed “Waterloo Lutheran University” in 1960 — but after 1924, when it had been named “the Evangelical Lutheran Seminary of Canada” — Laurier established itself as “Waterloo College”, an affiliate of the University of Western Ontario. You heard that right — Laurier, when it was “Waterloo College,” was affiliated with Western University — and it’s also why their original mascot was a donkey. “They went with a mule because Waterloo College, up until 1960 … students enrolled in non-seminary courses here from 1924 until 1960; ultimately their degrees were being granted by Western [University], so there was an affiliation there,” Furlong said. “There were no degree-granting rights locally for the institution. So although it was Waterloo College, and it would say ‘Waterloo College’ on your degree, it was ultimately granted by the University of Western [Ontario] — they used to even have [Laurier’s] convocations in London.” “And so, since Western is [known as] the Mustangs, along the way, it was decided that, in a sort-of self-deprecating way, that this school — the ‘lesser-horse’ — would be termed the ‘mules’,” he said. Laurier even owes its trademark purple and gold colour scheme to Western, whose purple and white school colours inspired a shift from Laurier’s original maroon and gold colour palette. Despite the partnership that was lost along the way, Laurier’s distinct purple colour is one of the few remnants of the fundamental link between the two universities. When Laurier rebranded itself “Waterloo College” in 1960, effectively ending its affiliation with Western, the student body decided they needed to break from the mule as well. It was at this time, in the Oct. 28, 1960 issue of The Cord Weekly, that a Cord staff writer and first-year student, Eve Klein, set in motion an idea to change the mascot which represented Laurier. “When an animal is chosen as a symbol for a team, it is obviously supposed to signify something. To my way of thinking such an animal should stand for something that the whole team admires and would like to be; its characteristics should include such things as sportsmanship, strength, integrity, and persistence,” the 1960 article read. “It is quite obvious that I do not like the word MULE as a symbol which is supposed to signify the desirable qualities inherent in a person. If one throws a certain practice or custom away, one is obligated to suggest suggest something that will take its place. I suggest a new symbol, one that signify the goals that the team should strive for.” But while it was likely Klein who proposed the idea, it was the students as a whole who decided upon their university mascot’s future.

FRIDAY, AUGUST 30, 2019

“[The change was] done somewhat informally at first, in 1961 … by virtue of a student pep rally … it was 1960, technically, but it [was] publicized in the very first part of 1961,” Furlong said. And it was on Jan. 16, 1961, when The Cord immortalized the university’s newest mascot, and the transition from “mule” to “hawk” became set in stone: “From ‘Jackass’ to ‘Bird of Prey’,” The Cord Weekly’s headline read. “Although this was a novel idea, the title did not exactly inspire our teams or the student body. To many people, the term connotates stupidity, stubbornness and obstinance,” the 1961 Cord Weekly article read. “The name ‘Hawks’ was selected by the Athletic Directorate from suggestions submitted by the student body.” But before there was a symbolic mascot, the anthropomorphized golden hawk that we lovingly know as Midas, there was a literal stuffed hawk that became the frontrunner of Laurier’s athletic identity — and for quite some time. That stuffed hawk now sits in the bowels of Laurier’s archives and special collections department. “During the renovation, it was probably taken down … this particular item has fallen into disrepair … [so] it’s kept here in the archival storage room … you can see in the wings where it was spray painted gold,” Furlong said. “People over the years have expressed interest in restoring it to its former glory, but nothing has come up.” One of the earliest conceptions of the Golden Hawk as an actual costumed mascot was in 1985, when it resembled more of an orange chicken than a proud, golden, bird of prey. It was even known in such a lovingly-depreciating way that, in 1997, Laurier president Bob Rosehart and dean of students at the time and vice president of student affairs, David McMurray, raised money for a new mascot costume to “Kill the Chicken.” These members of Laurier’s administration temporarily gave up their positions to students, who bought the winning tickets, in a fundraiser that raised over $500, and gave one student the chance to be “President-fora-Day.” The former mascot costume was retired after the summer of 1997, following a final Homecoming send-off with Fred Nichols himself. Since his original design, according to Furlong, Midas has undergone nearly a half-dozen costume changes, the most recent being six. He was only recently given his official name, chosen by, you guessed it, the student body again. “The name Midas was actually born a few years ago following a contest we ran on social media. Prior to Midas, our mascot was simply referred to as The Hawk but we decided we needed something more recognizable, which is why we put it out to our fans and followers to help decide,” said Jamie Howieson, communications coordinator for Laurier Athletics. With how many different Midas’ there have been throughout the decades, from the mule to the hawk, the words of The Cord Weekly’s 1961 article ring true, now more than ever: “In time, it will obtain a tradition of its own, a tradition of which we will all be proud,” the 1961 Cord Weekly article read.

Photos courtesy of the Laurier Archives

SPORTS • 39

FRIDAY, AUGUST 30, 2019 FOOTBALL

LACROSSE

SPORTS IN BRIEF WLAX names Shortt head coach Hayley McGoldrick

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Viral video highlights Laurier’s newest community teammate Alex Morrison’s training video with the Laurier men’s football team made national headlines, built confidence HAYLEY MCGOLDRICK NEWS DIRECTOR

Laurier’s varsity football team earned their share of respect when a video from their training camp went viral seeing light on many social media outlets including sports powerhouses House of Highlights and ESPN. For the past five years, the Light House Adult Day Program that supports individuals in Waterloo Region with developmental disabilities has been invited to the Laurier Golden Hawks’ football training camp, with a special moment being caught on camera this year. “Every single year member of the Light House program come out, they watch a bit of the practice and then we end with a drill. This year, it just so happened to be that a camera was rolling and it went viral, but it’s a relationship we’ve had for several years, not only do they come to camp but they come to serval home games and our football dinner, and myself as well as some of our players have gone

over there for lunch,” said Laurier football head coach Michael Faulds.

We did it because we appreciate everyone in the Light House organization, and it was awesome to see young Alex get the attention he deserves. -Michael Faulds, head football coach for Laurier Athletics

In the viral video, Alex, a member of the Light House program, runs towards linebacker Tommy Bringi and dekes him out, causing Bringi to fall over. Alex is met afterwards by the entire Golden Hawks team cheering him on as he cheers in the middle of their huddle. “No one knew that it was going to be viral and you could see that

it was a very candid reaction when Alex from Light House made the move on top of Bringi, nothing was planned or scripted, it was very organic. I said to them in life, you always just need to do kind acts and deeds, good community service and whether you get a pat on the back or not, chalk up kind acts,” Faulds said. “It just so happened the cameras was rolling, and we got some really broad attention over a 12-hour period it went very viral, but at the end of the day that’s not why we did it. We did it because we appreciate everyone in the Light House organization, and it was awesome to see young Alex get the attention he deserves.” Laurier’s student athletes are highly involved with giving back to the community beyond programs like Light House, as activities such as the Lettermen program gives athletes a chance to give back by going to outreach programs at schools, visiting hospitals, raising money for multiple charities and even hosting a Lettermen Kids Day.

The Wilfrid Laurier Golden Hawks women’s lacrosse program has named the team’s new head coach, former player for the Golden Hawks Erica Shortt, as being just the third head coach in the program’s history. Shortt takes over for Lynn Orth, who has been coaching the team for 20 years, and coached including coaching Shortt through her four years at Laurier. Winning eight OUA championships with the team, as well as receiving the 2010 OUA Women’s Lacrosse Coach of the Year award, Orth will continue to stay with the team in the team advisor position. “To come back and coach for a program that has provided me with so many positive experiences both as an athlete and a student is exciting. The Laurier lacrosse program means so much to me. I can’t wait to share the energy and excitement I’m feeling, with this year’s team,” said head coach Erica Shortt in an email statement. Assisting Shortt is her former teammate Jenna McCoubrey, who played alongside Shortt in 2003 through to 2006, earning four OUA titles, as well as receiving OUA

second-team honours in 2004 and 2005. The pair will be working alongside Orth to hopefully receive an even better outcome than the previous season. “My goal is to be the best I can be as a coach and mentor to the team. Working with a group of girls who have put in the work to achieve such success last season, leaves me feeling inspired for the season ahead. I will continue to foster an attitude of hard work, dedication, fitness and fun to this group of amazing young athletes, and hope that success will follow,” Shortt continued in her email statement. Last year, the team received their best finish in eight seasons with a silver medal in the OUA championship, which led to 2017-2018 team MVP Rose Williams receiving OUA first-team honours, while teammates Lauren Hunter and Taylor Miller received OUA second-team honours, with Miller earning the recognition for the third time in her career. The team will be facing University of Toronto, Western University, McMaster University, Queen’s University and the University and University of Guelph all on Aug. 31 in an early bird tournament at the University of Toronto to prepare for the season as Shortt faces her first challenge as the team’s head coach.

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40 • SPORTS

FRIDAY, AUGUST 30, 2019

WESTERN UNIVERSITY

Opening game versus Western ends in defeat, 32-13 The men’s football team fought hard in their first game, but were stopped by a powerful defence HAYLEY MCGOLDRICK NEWS DIRECTOR

Despite much optimism before one of the hardest games the Wilfrid Laurier Golden Hawks men’s football team would face this season as they played their home opener on Sunday, Aug. 25 against their long-time rival, the Western Mustangs. The purple and gold did not get the outcome they had hoped for. Laurier opened up the scoring with a field goal, but the Mustangs would cut the lead to two with a rouge point with 12 seconds left in the first quarter. Western would then score two unanswered touchdowns in the second quarter to take a 15-3 lead. Nathan Mesher would score his second field goal of the first half to cut the Mustangs’ lead to nine by halftime. Western would continue their scoring ways to open up the third quarter, extending their lead to 22-6, but Laurier would answer just before the end of the quarter with Connor Carusello sending a 71-yard pass to Brentyn Hall to cut the Mustangs’ lead to 22-13. The Mustangs would return

FILE PHOTO/TANZEEL SAYANI

The Golden Hawks saw a loss to the 2018 Yates Cup champions during the last game of the previous season, 46-13.

in the fourth quarter to score 10 straight points, starting with a field goal and then scoring a touchdown right afterwards to give themselves a 19-point lead over the Golden Hawks. The purple and gold refused to go down without a fight though, and at the end of the fourth quarter Carusello would throw one last

touchdown pass to Brendan McCracken, but a failed two-point conversion attempt would leave the final score at 32-13 in favour of the Mustangs. Despite Carusello completing 36 of 48 pass attempts, the second most in school history, and throwing for 360 of the offensive 442 yards, the offense fell short against

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a powerful Mustang defense. On the defensive end, Tommy Bringi had a game-high nine tackles, but the Golden Hawks just couldn’t keep up with the 2018 Yates Cup champions. The Golden Hawks will look to get back to winning ways against the York Lions at 1pm on Sunday, Sept. 2, after a previous season

that did not end the way the team would’ve hoped, missing the playoffs for the first time in five seasons. “Western is going to be the team you have to beat to win the Yates Cup, so every team in Ontario knows that, typically we play them in the middle of the season, it’s not a team you have to motivate your guys to play,” said football head coach Michael Faulds. “We didn’t have the season we hoped for last year — obviously there were some roadblocks like injuries popping up and having a bit tougher of a schedule, losing three games by a total of six points was all part of it, but we owned the record that we had.” Despite the loss, arguably the hardest game of the Golden Hawks’ season is now over, with their next mentally tough game being the Battle of Waterloo game against UW on Oct. 10. “The winter workouts, the spring practices, the summer camp, our players have responded really well. They’ve been motivated by that; we have a little bit of a chip and our team kind of likes the underdog role. I like the challenge,” Faulds said.