THE CORD
THE TIE THAT BINDS WILFRID LAURIER UNIVERSITY SINCE 1926
VOLUME 56 ISSUE 15 DECEMBER 2, 2015
Paper Kites gets intimate at Starlight page 10
“It leads to better work, it leads to better understanding different perspectives ...” Diversity at Laurier analyzed page 8
ANDREAS PATSIAOUROS/PHOTO EDITOR
SEX
“Whereas, our society is very sexual, but women aren’t supposed to be. [Women] are very sexualized, but not supposed to be sexual. That translates into female masturbation.”
Male masturbation seems to be a common practice. But why is female masturbation still commonly misrepresented?
Lazaridis donates to hospital page 5
Arts & Life, page 9
ACADEMICS
Behaviour in question for TAs TA training, professionalism in the spotlight after inappropriate altercation KAITLYN SEVERIN CAMPUS NEWS EDITOR
Everyday, hundreds of students at Wilfrid Laurier University communicate with their teaching assistants before, during and after classes. Teaching assistants, also known as TAs, are trained to have a professional relationship with their students, whether the TA considers themselves to be an undergraduate or graduate student. Unfortunately, Andrew Harris, a fourth-year biology student, received an inappropriate response from his TA when Harris asked for their office location. “I emailed him back asking for clarification on what office, specifi-
“Through email you should remain professional, especially if you’re representing a certain position.”
-Andrew Harris, fourth-year biology student
cally where it is and he emailed me back saying, ‘Really? Lol you’re in 4th year. It’s on the third floor. Look for signs,’” Harris explained. “Through email you should remain professional, especially if you’re representing a certain posi-
tion.” Tristan Long, associate professor and a graduate coordinator for the department of biology, said all Laurier TAs receive training through the Graduate Student Association, as well as through different depart-
ments. “TAs are students, just like undergraduate students. They’re governed by Laurier’s policies on student governance and student conduct, and we strive our best to make sure in our training sessions that they know that professionalism is key,” said Long. According to Long, the university’s procedure seems to work between students and TA’s. “Obviously this is a case which seems to fly in the face of that.” In an email with Jane Rutherford, undergraduate academic advisor in the department of biology, Rutherford said biology TAs are graduate students and are subject to all
Campus, page 4
“When selfies are posted on social media, they are presented as a desire for affirmation rather than an expression of pride. The stigma of selfies page 12
A losing end to 2015 page 15