March 23, 2016

THE CORD THE TIE THAT BINDS WILFRID LAURIER UNIVERSITY SINCE 1926

VOLUME 56 ISSUE 27 • MARCH 23, 2016

The elephant in the room

Discussing why we are so uncomfortable with the topic of menstruation Features, page 8

A PROACTIVE APPROACH

THE SOYLENT LIFESTYLE

THE NEW CHURCH

THE REAL CASE FOR STATUES

A GOLDEN SIGHT

Anti-racism summit focuses on strategy

Living on a food replacement for one week

A modern approach to Christianity

A call for action on the history of Laurier

Men’s curling aims for gold at nationals

News, page 4

Features, page 9

Arts & Life, page 11

Opinion, page 14

Sports, page 16 WILL HUANG/PHOTO EDITOR

2 •

WEDNESDAY, MARCH 23, 2016

VOCAL CORD What’s a dealbreaker for student housing?

@cordnews

The Cord

@cordwlusp

Bag O’ Crime

PHOTO OF THE WEEK

Location: Frank C. Peters Building Reported: Thursday, March 17, 2016 @ 5:44 p.m.

SCS and members from the Waterloo Fire Rescue attended to the building in response to an activated fire alarm. It was determined that a fire alarm pull station had been purposely activated. Bystanders were able to identity the responsible party who was gone upon the arrival of the attending officers. SCS is conducting a follow-up.

“Not having modern upgrades.”

–Brooke Ondusko, thirdyear political science

“Having to live with someone really dirty.”

ANDREAS PATSIAOUROS/PHOTO EDITOR

Sabrina Barsky has a moment with her mother and a friend after a flashmob in memory of her brother, Gaby.

–Ayat Younes, secondyear business

WE’RE STILL LOOKING FOR ...

VIDEO EDITOR

“How close it is to campus.”

–Vinay Patel, fourth-year business

FOR OUR 2016-17 TEAM “If the people you’re living around are partying a lot.”

–Harman Singh, first-year business and computer science

CordNews

EMAIL BETHANYABOWLES@GMAIL.COM FOR MORE INFO

Location: Off campus Reported: Thursday, March 17, 2016 @ 5:20 p.m.

SCS officers encountered a male complaining of having been assaulted at an off campus location (137 Clayfield St.). He had sustained significant facial injuries. He was identified as a Brock University student. The assailant was identified as another Brock University student. He was assessed by EMS and transported to the hospital for treatment. The investigation was turned over to WRPS. Location: Off Campus Reported: Friday, March 18, 2016 @ 12:05 a.m.

SCS officers and members from the Waterloo Fire Rescue attended to the student residence at 60 Ezra St. Waterloo in response to an activated fire alarm. It was determined that a fire alarm pull station had been purposely activated. There was no fire or smoke. A male suspect, described as Caucasian with a thin build, was seen fleeing the area on foot.

Reported: Friday, March 18, 2016 @ 1:00 a.m.

SCS is investigating the theft of a fire extinguisher from the front lobby of a student residence. It was also discovered that person(s) unknown had pulled the fire hose out of the cabinet and left it sprawled out across the lobby. There are no suspects.

Compiled by Maddy Cutts Photos by Jessica Dik NEXT ISSUE:

NEWS EDITOR Erika Ymana eymana@thecord.ca

PHOTO EDITOR Will Huang whuang@thecord.ca

CORD STAFF

FEATURES EDITOR Bethany Bowles bbowles@thecord.ca

VIDEO EDITOR Brian Phillips bphillips@thecord.ca

EDITOR-IN-CHIEF Shelby Blackley sblackley@thecord.ca

ARTS & LIFE EDITOR Zach Guitor zguitor@thecord.ca

LEAD REPORTER Maddy Cutts mcutts@thecord.ca

CREATIVE DIRECTOR Lena Yang lyang@thecord.ca

OPINION EDITOR Mitchell Consky mconsky@thecord.ca

LEAD PHOTOGRAPHER Jessica Dik jdik@thecord.ca

CREATIVE DIRECTOR Joshua Awolade jawolade@thecord.ca

SPORTS EDITOR Drew Yates dyates@thecord.ca

SENIOR COPY EDITOR Caitlyn Sageman csageman@thecord.ca

MULTIMEDIA DIRECTOR Mynt Marsellus mmarsellus@thecord.ca

GRAPHICS EDITOR Fani Hsieh fhsieh@thecord.ca

NEWS EDITOR Kaitlyn Severin kseverin@thecord.ca

PHOTO EDITOR Andreas Patsiaouros apatsiaouros@thecord.ca

SOCIAL MEDIA COORDINATOR Kira Gelbard kgelbard@thecord.ca

MARCH 30, 2016

CONTRIBUTORS Arman Aryapour Kanwar Brar Hayley Colussi Jonathan Coward Mira Busscher Emilia Curcic Brittany Ditizio Alex Dulanovic Alexandra Juraschka David Lee Christian Paron Aliaa Sidawi Caroline Spicer

EDITOR’S CHOICE: COLOPHON “It’s not a Lumineers concert, it’s church” by Jonathan Coward

EDITOR’S CHOICE ONLINE: Curling recaps by Drew Yates

ADVERTISING INQUIRIES All advertising inquiries can be directed to Care Schummer at care.schummer@wlusp.com or 519-884-0710 ext. 3560.

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 6,000 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 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: “Is that Jesus?”

- Creative Director Joshua Awolade when three editors banged on the production room window

WEDNESDAY, MARCH 23, 2016

News

• 3 NEWS EDITOR KAITLYN SEVERIN kseverin@thecord.ca

NEWS EDITOR ERIKA YMANA eymana@thecord.ca

DIVERSITY

WILL HUANG/PHOTO EDITOR

The anti-racism summit, known as the e(RACE)r summit on race and racism on candian university campuses, was hosted by the Diversity and Equity Office and office of aboriginal initiatives.

Change through disruption at summit ERIKA YMANA NEWS EDITOR

On March 21, the anti-racism summit, which is also the United Nations Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination, was held to discuss and explore ways which university and college campuses can be more efficient in addressing the concerns of racialized students.

The focus of this summit was to develop strategies that will be sector-wide, rather than putting the onus on individual institutions.

Laura Mae Lindo, director of Wilfrid Laurier University’s Diversity and Equity Office, said in order to address racism, this shift in focus is important.

“If we’re addressing racism, and we recognize that racism is systemic, then we have to address it from the sector. We can’t eliminate it as an individual institution within the sector,” she said.

The summit was attended by over 150 individuals who held

senior administrator positions at their respective institutions. It ran throughout the day and was split into three sessions that addressed topics such as racial justice through sector-wide initiatives, telling stories from institutions and students about racism and putting these stories into practice.

Leah Gazan is currently teaching at the University of Winnipeg and is a member of the Wood Mountain Lakota Nation.

Gazan hosted the second session which consisted of a panel with Drew Hayden Taylor, writer-in-residence at Laurier and Samantha Clarke, a social work educator at Laurier.

“We just need a place in the circle,” she said.

Drew Hayden Taylor is from the Curve Lake First Nations and uses his aboriginal perspective in his work. At the summit, Taylor said he tries to bridge those gaps with those familiar and unfamiliar with the native community through

literature and storytelling.

“I’m a firm believer that the universal language is storytelling.

Every culture likes stories, every culture listens to stories and very often those stories define that culture,” he said.

“But it’s something that we have to disrupt the system, if we want to change the system.”

-Laura Mae Lindo, director of the Diversity and Equity Office

Clarke stressed the importance of inclusion and creating spaces in which students of colour and their knowledge can be legitimized and respected.

Towards the end of the summit, Lindo said there were a number of

concrete actions the attendees discussed. The Chief Commissioner of the Human Rights Commission, Renu Mandhane, suggested the collection of race-based data for students. This data would be used to create the support that students are asking for.

Another topic was the support needed with the plan to indigenize campuses. An example would be if there was an increase in the number of indigenous students and how this would impact faculty and staff. A solution that was brought forward was the creation of mentorship opportunities for indigenous students.

“What I found fascinating and what I think is really important to emphasize is that the reason for creating these mentorship opportunities is that these students are leaders and mentors, but it’s that we have not recognized that mentorship within the indigenous students that we even have on campus now,” Lindo said.

Lindo has also been trying to advocate for an anti-racism policy that is sector-wide.

“We can approach racism as an individual thing and there’s a person that’s acting in a way that’s racist and you can stop them. But the reality is that the way that the systems have been structured, they’ve been structured initially without certain people at the table and without their needs being considered,” she said.

Lindo indicated that the second shift, which must take place is the need to name things as they are.

With racism, it is important to specify islamophobia or anti-black racism to address the “root cause.”

“There was some real conversations … Some people said we are talking about diversity here and we’re talking about anti-black racism and it’s super powerful, it’s sometimes felt as disruptive,” Lindo said. “But it’s something that we have to disrupt the system, if we want to change the system.”

STUDENTS’ UNION

On the road to presidency EMILIA CURCIC STAFF WRITER

Tyler Van Herzele’s transition into being the next Wilfrid Laurier University Students’ Union president has been anything but normal.

Considering that Van Herzele, a fourth-year concurrent education student, started his teaching placement just one week after the election ended, this has been an especially unique transition.

“This is definitely not a normal transition, but it has definitely been enjoyable,” he said.

“I have enjoyed what I’ve learned so far and I would have to say that different meetings with different members of the university has been something where I’m learning a lot. I’m happy that I’m able to gain exposure to those groups and to those people.”

While working, Van Herzele has credited current president Olivia Matthews with doing an “amazing

job” when it comes to keeping the lines of communication open and assisting in making his transition as smooth as possible.

When asked whether or not being a student from the Brantford campus has had any hindrance in his transition, Van Herzele said aside from driving an hour, nothing else is out of the ordinary.

“I don’t think it really gives any positive or hindrance other than the fact that I’m travelling. We’re representing 17,000 students across both campuses, that doesn’t change when you win. You still have to do that. It’s been a unique learning experience.

As for the student perspective, when we talk about a Brantford issue, yeah I have more of an insight to that. I’m getting comfortable with conversations from both ends for sure.”

Van Herzele wishes to continue fostering the relationships with campus partners in regards to

student issues that Matthews established throughout the year.

Keeping a strong connection with the student body is also one of the factors Van Herzele emphasized in his platform during elections.

Improving methods of feedback and being available to answer any questions is at the top of his list of implementations.

“The president’s council, which involves our faculty representatives, and asking for feedback.

I’m looking forward to having a question segment. Outreach gives me the ability to talk to students and get those questions live from the membership of the Students’ Union, so that we can better address those situations. I want to hear from the student body.”

By the end of April, Van Herzele’s team will be participating in a week-long transition period, where they will have the ability to discuss the strategic plan for the

WILL HUANG/FILE PHOTO

Students’ Union president-elect Van Herzele will begin his term on May 1.

coming year as well as get adjusted to working with one another.

With his start date scheduled for May 1, Van Herzele will be relocating to Waterloo in order to accommodate for travelling.

“I’m really looking forward to it. Olivia and her team have been

incredible so far [and] I know they will continue to be helping my team get accustomed to some of the practices and how we operate within the Students’ Union. I am looking forward to having that open conversation with everybody at Laurier.”

4 • NEWS

WEDNESDAY, MARCH 23, 2016

FESTIVAL

Celebrating Chinese culture at Laurier Festival featured speakers and musical performances MADDY CUTTS LEAD REPORTER

“We hope you see something you’ve never seen before, hear something you’ve never heard before, and taste something you’ve never tasted before” — these words, repeated by multiple speakers, came to represent the Chinese Culture Festival held at Wilfrid Laurier University on March 21.

The event, sponsored by the Lazaridis School of Business and Economics Students’ Society and Laurier International’s office of global engagement, began with an introduction by Ben Yang. The director of global engagement with Laurier International, stressed the growing importance that universities across the globe are placing on internationalization.

“China is growing up very rapidly, and business people around the world are really interested in doing business or other types of things with Chinese people. So it would be good for people not in China to know something about China, so that motivated us to organize this event,” said Bixia Xu, associate professor at Laurier and co-organizer of the event. “Also it was the desire by the university officials. They really like to offer opportunities for Laurier students, staff and faculty

“In the future I would think students, especially business students, would love to do some adventures in China.”

-Bixia Xu, associated professor and co-organizer

to explore foreign cultures.”

Though it initially lacked in student turnout, this did nothing to deter Gang Pan, chair of the Waterloo Region Chinese Community Association, from delivering his presentation on the nuances of communication with Chinese business partners.

This was followed by Lily Chen, from the Sino-Canada Education & Cultural Communication Association in Toronto, who focused her presentation on certain introductory elements to Chinese culture, including the effects of Chinese philosophy on business professional’s approaches to decision making. The speakers were concluded with Reisei Wang, from the Can-Chin Innovative Education Alliance, whose presentation on the development of professional education opportunities in China

for both domestic and foreign students was not conducted in English and required the assistance of a translator.

“In the future I would think students, especially the business students, would love to do some adventures in China, and it would be very helpful, you know for the university and the faculties to get involved to provide students such opportunities,” said Xu. The presentations were followed by a series of traditional musical performances. The first featured a Chinese zither, an instrument related to the guitar, which is played propped in front of the musician.

This was followed first by a Chinese violin and then a Chinese flute.

“We actually just got back from China [as part of the international business option], so a lot of the stuff they were speaking about was really relevant to what we learned while we were there,” said Dawn Simons, a fourth-year business student. “They actually touched on a lot more pieces about the actual Chinese culture versus doing business in China, which is what we mostly learned there.”

The day’s final component was a buffet of Chinese cuisine which, though it began a full 40 minutes behind schedule, proved to be the most popular of the day’s events.

WILL HUANG/PHOTO EDITOR

The festival focused on Chinese culture as well as education opportunities.

MENTAL HEALTH

The move to improve mental health DAVID LEE CORD NEWS

“We have volunteers who are willing to help out with the program.”

Wilfrid Laurier University’s I Move My Mood program is a partnership between the Wellness Centre and the department of athletics and recreation that encourage students to participate in physical activities on campus.

It is designed for students who would benefit from holistic healthcare.

“We want to hook them up with physical activities, and they come in and we have a range of program such as aquatics, group exercise, intramurals, climbing, fitness and dance,” said Taylor Aitken, program coordinator of I Move My Mood.

-Jennifer O’Neill, coordinator of recreation programs

JESSICA DIK/LEAD PHOTOGRAPHER

“We are trying to help them deal with stress and anxiety through physical activity.”

-Jennifer O’Neill, coordinator of recreation programs

The I Move My Mood program encourages students to participate in physical activities to improve mental health.

The Brantford campus also has the Hummingbird Project, which hopes to bridge the gap between mental and physical health. The program launched on September 15, 2015 and was modelled after a program called Move Your Mind, which began at the University of Waterloo.

“I went to a conference for rec-

reational professionals in Ontario and I saw a presentation about this, and I wanted to bring this to Laurier,” said Jennifer O’Neill, coordinator for Recreation Programs at the Athletic Complex.

One of the motivations behind the I Move My Mood program is to help students who are having difficulties with how to get physically

active.

As physical activity is an important factor in maintaining good mental health, and the program aims to integrate exercise in the daily lives of students, especially during exam and midterm periods.

“We want to help students who are currently attending the Wellness Centre, we are trying to help

them deal with stress and anxiety through physical activity,” said O’Neill.

Volunteers in I Move My Mood will market the program through Residence Life dons, who will then give students more information.

The Athletic Complex has also promoted the program to those who would benefit most. The program strives to target those who, due to mental illness or struggles with their mental health, experience a difficult time being active.

O’Neill credited the many great volunteers that are passionate and experienced in physical activities.

“We have volunteers who are willing to help out with the program.”

NEWS • 5

WEDNESDAY, MARCH 23, 2016 RESEARCH

A measure for safety on campus

Students invited to participate in survey around gendered violence and sexual assault at Laurier KAITLYN SEVERIN NEWS EDITOR

On March 15, students at Wilfrid Laurier University received an email from the department of student affairs to participate in a campus safety survey, which will gather students’ perceptions on gendered and sexual violence.

“The survey is addressing gendered and sexual violence on our campuses so we’re surveying all students at the Waterloo, Kitchener and the Brantford campuses and the survey includes questions that are getting at students perceptions of safety,” said Michael Woodford, associate professor in social work.

Questions from the survey touch on various topics, such as peoples’ participation in sexual prevention training and how they perceive the usefulness of programs like bystander training.

Students are also asked about their experiences with sexual assault and gendered violence, ranging from subtle forms such as sexist jokes and offensive text messages to being forced to participate in a sexual act without consent.

“We’re also interested in how likely people are to intervene in various situations, so we asked about bystander intervention and we also ask about perceptions of how one’s peers might intervene

“So it’s a great measure for right now to be participating in this survey, but our goal would be to be doing something based more on campus locally.”

-Lynn Kane, coordinator of the gendered violence taskforce

so that’s a really important factor for us to understand as well,” said Woodford.

The survey focuses on two areas, with one being attitudes between gendered and sexual violence and the other area targeting those in partner relationships, with questions related to physical assault and “stalking-type behaviours.”

“We’re trying to kind of cover an array of topics through this survey,” Woodford explained.

The Educational Advisory Board, which created the survey, is an organization that supports post-secondary institutions, such as Laurier, across an array of topics including gendered and sexual violence. The gendered violence taskforce also took part in the survey; however, they were limited to the number of questions they could add.

“We don’t have a lot of influence

CAMPAIGN

FANI HSIEH/GRAPHICS EDITOR

over the questions of the survey, we’re only allowed to add three questions and we’re quite limited in terms of what they can be,” said Lynn Kane, coordinator of the gendered violence taskforce.

“So it’s a great measure for right now to be participating in this survey, but our goal would be to be doing something based more on campus needs locally.”

According to Woodford, the

organization will give the university information on how they compare to other post-secondary institutions.

In addition to the summary reports the university will receive from the organization, EAB will also give back data from the surveys. Working groups of the gendered violence taskforce will then take this data and write brief reports, which include action

items. Woodford co-chairs the research and assessment committee-working group.

“A critical part for me is not just the data but it’s really for our institution, it’s not just the data it’s really about what do we do with the data, how do we move forward to really address gendered violence on campus.”

The survey is intended for any student at Laurier, including those who believe they have never experienced sexual or gender-based violence. The survey is also focused towards survivors of sexual assault or gendered violence.

“We need to know what happened, what was the context in which that event occurred because that’s going to be really important for us in terms of our prevention programming [and] the policies we develop,” said Woodford.

So far, over 1,004 respondents out of 14,640 have taken the survey on the Waterloo and Kitchener campuses. Over 248 out of 2,989 have participated in the survey on the Brantford campus. Students can participate in the survey until April 8 and can enter their names for an opportunity to win one of 33 e-gift cards.

“It’s going to give us really a snapshot of what the campus is like with respect to gendered and sexual violence,” said Woodford.

5 Days raises $15,000 MADDY CUTTS LEAD REPORTER

HEATHER DAVIDSON/FILE PHOTO

The 5 Days campaign brings awareness to homeless youth in Canada.

Festivities have wrapped up once more at Wilfrid Laurier University’s annual 5 Days for the Homeless campaign.

The campaign, which ran from March 11–16, aims to raise both money and awareness on Laurier’s Waterloo campus for the plight of Canadian youth experiencing homelessness.

“It’s really important to have 5 Days for the Homeless on campus because I think often we get caught up in our day-to-day lives and having to do assignments and exams that we don’t really think of how lucky we are,” said Sara Cousineau, director of the 2016 campaign. “[Students] don’t think that homelessness is as big of an issue as it really is on our campus, because [they] don’t see it. We don’t have to interact with people experiencing homelessness on a day-to-day level, so I think it’s important to have our campaign here on campus just so people can hear about it and can see the issue and not kind of ignore it.”

The campaign began with opening ceremonies on March 11, with activities over the next couple of

days ranging from a kick-off in the Turret to a dodge ball tournament, and even a community outreach day in Waterloo.

March 14 was the busiest of all, starting with a carnival day, along with an open mic and silent auction evening at Wilf’s before the five participants chosen to sleep outside for the length of the campaign were joined for the evening

by Students’ Union president, Olivia Matthews, and president-elect, Tyler Van Herzele. The event finished with Zumba and an open forum on March 15 before closing ceremonies on March 16.

While the events act to involve the Laurier community in the campaign, the most unique aspect is its selection of five students to remain on campus for the duration of the campaign, completely dependent on donations from the Laurier community for food and beverages and unable to sleep indoors, a technique which has proven successful in gaining student attention.

“Having a visual presence right in front of the FNCC, the food court area, which is a high traffic area, definitely helps us a lot in getting the word out,” said Rohan Kapoor, a fourth-year business student

“It was definitely a challenging experience but it wasn’t so challenging because of the support we had.”

-Lindsey Feltis, second-year psychology student

and a 5 Days participant. “I think it just helps so much more than just having a booth in the concourse or events on Facebook asking people to donate, because people see that every single day.”

The campaign and its participants received overwhelming support from the Laurier community, raising $15,000 to date.

“It was definitely a challenging experience but it wasn’t so challenging because of the support we had,” said Lindsey Feltis, a second-year psychology student.

“Imagine if every youth experiencing homelessness had the kind of support that we have here at Laurier, there wouldn’t be youth experiencing homelessness, they would be empowered to go on and do different things with their lives.”

6 • GAMES

WEDNESDAY, MARCH 23, 2016

WHICH SIZE DO YOU LIKE BETTER? DO YOU LIKE THE FOLD? WHAT ABOUT DESIGN? TELL US! TWEET US @CORDNEWS EMAIL US EDITOR@THECORD.CA OR COME TO 205 REGINA STREET NORTH

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, 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.

Dear Life, My dad hasn’t called me in a month. Well, several months. I would call him instead. But I’m sick of going through the motions.

I tell myself i don’t care, but every week without him contacting me stings more.

I don’t even know why i care. Once he finds out i’m bisexual, he’ll disown me anyways.

Sincerely, I don’t need this during essay Dear Danielle, Happy birthday! Sorry I almost ruined your surprise party.

Sincerely, Dumbass Dear Landlords, It’s illegal to stand two feet from the door and smoke. MOVE. Sincerely, Second hand smoke is giving me lung cancer

Dear Carpal Tunnel, Fuck you Sincerely, 10000 words due in 7 days Dear men’s curling...

We’re all rooting for you!! #ItsGreatToBeALaurierGoldenHawk Sincerely, Please win Dear Life, Who the fuck gets sick right before Easter weekend? HOW WILL I EAT ALL THE CHOCOLATE NOW???

Sincerely, You suck Easter Bunny Dear Laurier, There are still classes starting May 1st that don’t have a date and time attached to them for registration, please fix Sincerely, An anxious student Dear Life, you would make me get sick just before exams Sincerely, you are a real asshole, life Dear Life, Who farted!?

Sincerely, Not me

Have you discovered

Appreciate Better

Centrally Located on Campus, Off the Quad

GAMES • 7

WEDNESDAY, MARCH 23, 2016

thecord.ca ECU Tax Preparation Service ECU’s NEW tax service!

Taxes prepared by Des Gibb and Company, Professional Chartered Accountants

AVAILABLE FROM MARCH 7 TO APRIL 25, 2016 • • • • •

On site service at each branch Confidential and reliable service Full year CRA support included in fee Electronically filed for faster refunds Refunds can be deposited to your credit union account

Take full advantage of all personal credits and minimize your tax. Rest assured, your return will be handled confidentially and professionally.

@cordnews @cordarts @cordsports

Current Tax Preparation Rates (plus HST).

Ask about a package to get you started.

CAMBRIDGE

27 Water Street N. Cambridge, ON N1R 3B2 519.623.2211

KITCHENER

6–51 Ardelt Ave. Kitchener, ON N2C 2S9 519.742.3500

$75 base rate per return plus $5.00 per slip, for members.

WATERLOO

103–340 Hagey Blvd.

Waterloo, ON N2L 6R6 519.772.3050

8 •

Features

WEDNESDAY, MARCH 23, 2016 FEATURES EDITOR BETHANY BOWLES bbowles@thecord.ca

ABOUT BLOODY TIME Features Editor Bethany Bowles discusses the taboo topic of menstruation

“

Now we call it more of an illness or we talk about [premenstrual syndrome] and we give it a medical diagnosis.

“

-Lorraine Vander Hoef, women and gender studies professor

Lorraine Vander Hoef, women and gender studies professor at Laurier, explained where these attitudes about feminine hygiene products and discomfort around talking about periods originated.

“It’s related to those religious discourses about menstruation as pollution and as being unclean,” Vander Hoef said. “It’s considered immoral to talk about it because women are ritually unclean during that period and that transfers into advertising and pop culture through the mid-twentieth century with technology and development of disposable pads and the fact that you have to advertise them.”

Vander Hoef pointed out how menstruation has also been medicalized as it’s more so viewed as an illness opposed to a natural aspect of femininity.

“Now we call it more of an illness or we talk about [premenstrual syndrome] and we give it a medical diagnosis,” she said. “We wouldn’t necessarily give it that kind of moral discussion in our contemporary culture. I think the whole negative attitude began with that idea that within a patriarchal culture, women are seen as ritually unclean rather than admired for their reproductive power.”

Sometimes periods suck. For people who get terrible cramps, migraines or nausea during their cycle, working can be nearly impossible.

Calling in sick to work because your period is unmanageable has been a difficult task for a lot of people to face, because being “sick” isn’t the right word.

Vander Hoef explained that Bex Baxter, the director of a company in the United Kingdom called Coexist, has implemented a policy in the company where female employees can take time off during their cycles, which will not be regarded as a sick day.

Baxter told The Guardian she did not want menstruation to be labelled as an illness in her place of work and that for some women, it is necessary to take time off during their body’s natural cycle.

The cost of tampons has also been a conversation in England. Several activists have spoken about the cost of tampons in the UK and last fall, a group of women in London took to the streets wearing white pants stained with blood to prove that tampons are not a luxury item, but a necessity.

The price of tampons make them inaccessible to people with low incomes. News stories on this topic have been popping up globally, like a recent story featured on BuzzFeed about how women at a shelter in England have been using socks as underwear liners because the government is not supplying them with feminine hygiene products. This is not only unhygienic, but also puts them at the risk of infection.

“

It’s a luxury item because it’s constructed in that patriarchal society.

Half the population needs it, but it’s the wrong half.

“

Time of the month. Aunt Flo. Your rag. Monthly gift. Shark week. The red scare. Crimson tide.

Are you uncomfortable yet?

Every day, women around the world are menstruating. With the ratio globally being almost equal, nearly half the global population has a uterus, which means that nearly half the population will experience a menstrual cycle at some point in their lives.

If this is the case, why do periods make everyone so uncomfortable?

Recently, periods have been in the spotlight.

Last summer, the Government of Canada removed the tax on tampons, realizing that making money on women’s menstrual cycles was nothing to celebrate.

Last week, I visited the washrooms in the Fred Nichols Campus Centre behind The Hub at Wilfrid Laurier University. While the conversation about the price of tampons and speaking publicly about mensuration seems to be popping up in news outlets globally, I didn’t think about how it could be an issue at our own campus.

I was happy to see someone had placed a wooden basket beside the far sink with a handwritten sign inside. The sign read, “Take a tampon, leave a tampon #periodpositive #aboutbloodytime.”

I visited this bathroom every day last week and slowly, women were adding tampons to the pile.

This made me wonder, where did the tampon machines go that used to be in every bathroom?

Are periods so taboo that tampons can’t even be purchased for a quarter in every washroom on campus?

If someone gets their period on campus and doesn’t have access to a tampon, what are they supposed to do? Walk all the way to the Wellness Centre and ask the receptionist for a free sample?

Buy a package at International News?

The fact that tampons are only accessible outside the washroom stall makes them inaccessible.

-Lorraine Vander Hoef, women and gender studies professor

“[For] women with lower incomes, this is not a luxury thing. You end up using toilet paper or other things to make due because you can’t afford the products and you put yourself at risk, or you wear tampons too long or you can’t even properly teach your daughter [or] give her the products she needs,” Vander Hoef said.

“That shapes that whole daughter’s experience then of beginning menstruation and what it means. It becomes attached to class and poverty.”

Vander Hoef explained that being a woman of low-income in a society that hushes menstruation acts as a “double-shame.”

That woman is not only isolated because she is low-income, but she is also shamed because she does not have access to something that she needs as a female.

“It’s a luxury item because it’s constructed in that patriarchal society. Half the population needs it, but it’s the wrong half,” Vander Hoef said.

This “double-shame” also transcends into the trans community and for non-gendered people.

Talking about menstruation for people who don’t fit into society’s gender binaries doesn’t have a place in patriarchal discourse.

But the silence needs to be broken. We don’t talk about periods or the products needed for menstruation because people are uncomfortable about it, thinking it’s a private instance. Really, there’s nothing private at all about menstruating.

Vander Hoef stressed that the only way societal attitudes around periods will change, is by creating discourse around it.

So to the Laurier student who put the basket in the washroom in the FNCC, thank you for sparking a conversation about something that needed to be talked about.

And thank you for saving that person in the bathroom who was so stressed with final essays they forgot to throw a tampon in their backpack.

I’m sure they appreciate it.

PHOTOS BY WILL HUANG/PHOTO EDITOR

WEDNESDAY, MARCH 23, 2016

Features

• 9 FEATURES EDITOR BETHANY BOWLES bbowles@thecord.ca

Seven days of Soylent Video Editor Brian Phillips logged his experience with Soylent, a drink created to replace meals

Nutrition Facts What is it?

Soylent is an all-in-one food replacement drink. Not meal replacement, but a food replacement. Creator Rob Rhineheart promises it contains all the essential nutrients the body needs to keep going. He argued that it doesn’t contain the fruits and vegetables we need, but vitamins and minerals. We don’t need bread — we need carbs. We don’t need to drink milk — our body needs amino acids. Everything that our body needs has been combined into this easy-toconsume drink that will deliver the nutrients that the body needs. Their website boasts three main characteristics: healthy, easy and affordable.

What’s the point?

In an interview with Vice news, Rhinehart said, “eating to me is a leisure activity, like going to the movies, but I don’t want to go to the movies three times a day.”

Many people have taken to the Soylent lifestyle for time saving and seem to love the mindlessness and ease that comes with a Soylent-only diet. They also claim that it greatly improves their lives.

Is it actually good for you?

The argument about whether Soylent is healthy can come down to the argument around genetically modified organisms. If you are of the opinion that natural food is the best food, or that only organic food is really healthy, then no, Soylent would not fall under the category of a “healthy food.” The folks over at Rosa Labs think that GMOs are a good thing. If you agree that genetically modifying something doesn’t necessarily mean that it lowers the quality, then GMOs aren’t necessarily bad.

“If you’re looking at immediate ill effects, I don’t think you’re going to see anything in one day, but long-term over generations,” Caroline Valeriote, a registered dietician at Wilfrid Laurier University said when it comes to GMOs. When it comes to whether or not Soylent would have long-term effects, “you’d have to pretty well have a huge spectrum of measurement tools done before and then tests after to know exactly,” explained Valeriote.

Why would I go a week without food?

When I first placed my order for Soylent, my intention was not to go on a Soylent only diet for seven days. I just thought that this miracle meal powder might be a good thing to have around in the event of a tight schedule or the need for a quick meal. Only when I learned that people actually live on Soylent did the idea of trying the same hit me. Since things are most fun when pushed to the extreme, I decided to commit to a week of nothing but Soylent, water and black coffee.

Day 1 (beginning on Saturday):

— time for Soylent to really shine.

I was feeling very optimistic about the taste, but when I took my first sip, my mouth was less than pleased. It tasted very much like it smells — pancake batter. It was gritty, hard to get down and overall pretty gross. A few more gulps and that’s meal one. I could feel the Soylent sitting in my stomach for 10 –15 minutes before finally settling down.

Monday was a good day. Soylent left me feeling full with lots of energy. It was continuing to get easier to drink, and the only remaining side effect — at least obvious side effect — was my nuclear level gas.

Throughout the day, I continued to reluctantly consume my servings of Soylent. I came to the realization that the only way I’d to be able to get my meals down would be by using the “plug and chug” method. This worked great for lunch, however dinner left me with a pretty strong gag reflex and I actually almost yacked. My first pitcher of Soylent was so big that by 10 p.m. I still had half a litre of Soylent left. I managed to get it down, but barely.

Day 2: Day two’s mix contained a lot less water — my thinking was that I could drink smaller, thicker portions, getting my meals in, but having less liquid to consume.

My roommate made pancakes for breakfast, and never have pancakes been less appealing in my whole life.

For the first time in the first 36 hours, I wasn’t jealous of what my roommate was eating.

Breakfast wasn’t too bad. I was able to get it down with the old plug and chug. I filled my Sunday with a game of squash versus my roommate and the usual routine of schoolwork. The all-Soylent diet seemed to be working as I won my first game in months. Whether it was the Soylent giving me energy or my mind playing tricks on me, something was working.

I had an extra spring in my step and felt healthier overall. My stomach was no longer gurgling like the witch’s brew which definitely contributed to my positive attitude.

Before I went to bed I made my mix for day three — I chose around the same Soylent-to-water ratio as for day two.

On day three, I had school and work. I was no longer in the comfort of my own home where my rancid farts were contained. I had to venture out into the real world, where I would remain until my diet of Soylent-only meals concluded.

Day 3: This is the first day that I had Soylent while on a schedule. Now, I have class, work and other responsibilities

Day 4: Day four was a very similar experience to day three.

Another day filled with class and other day-to-day activities. This included a trip to The Cord office where my colleagues tried out the drink as well. Some of them felt it tasted pretty neutral, even pleasant, while others agreed with me that it wasn’t the greatest flavour.

Day 5: Day five was the hardest. I had a glass and headed to class. After my morning class I was feeling pretty run down and was actually avoiding my next meal. I avoided Soylent all day because I was getting so sick of the texture.

Day 6: Day six was much easier than day five. With a busy schedule, Soylent is more of a convenience rather than just something I’m doing. Thursday was filled with class and work. I didn’t have too much trouble getting anything down. I did actually have to take a pepto-bismol before my finance class, but in fairness, finance gives me a queasy stomach on a good day, so I’m not sure I’d blame that completely on Soylent.

I had fun making my final mixture and really anticipated my final day.

Day 7: On my final day I kept a pretty busy schedule to keep it as painless and fun as possible. Day seven was more similar to day three or four, where Soylent wasn’t so bad at all. After my final glass of Soylent I waited an hour before enjoying an extremely flavourful beer, followed by a bacon grilled cheese at exactly 12:02 a.m.

Reflection All in all, it was an interesting week. Would I ever drink Soylent again? I’ve actually already ordered some more.

However, I will probably never do more than one meal a day and only in a pinch when Soylent would serve as a cheaper, healthier alternative to fast food.

From my experience, Soylent is best served as a simple meal replacement, rather than a complete food replacement.

GRAPHICS BY JOSHUA AWOLADE/CREATIVE DIRECTOR

10 •

Arts & Life

WEDNESDAY, MARCH 23, 2016 ARTS & LIFE EDITOR ZACH GUITOR zguitor@thecord.ca

ENTERTAINMENT

Web series to tackle infertility BRITTANY DITIZIO STAFF WRITER

Over five million babies have been born with the use of in vitro fertilization since its development over 40 years ago.

In vitro fertilization, commonly known as IVF, is an assistive technique to improve the chances of conception.

It involves combining egg and sperm within a laboratory, then transferring the embryo into a woman’s uterus. Used by individuals struggling with infertility, IVF is often a difficult subject to discuss in the public sphere as many lack the fundamental knowledge of the process.

Priscilla Galvez, a communication and film studies alumna from Wilfrid Laurier University, is the producer and director of an upcoming web series called “How to Buy a Baby.”

This witty yet educational series follows the life of a couple struggling with infertility, emphasizing a challenge faced by people around the world. Not only are the issues of infertility faced, but marriage

under the lens of infertility is challenged.

The web series was created and written by Wendy Litner, who has personally went through in vitro fertilization treatments.

“It’s a very specific experience that is shared by people more commonly than it is known to be,” said Galvez. “Hopefully this series will prevent people from feeling shamed or have pity taken on them because of how common this situation is.”

Galvez attended an event in Toronto hosted by the organization, Women on Screen, which held workshops and networking events to develop writers’ ideas and introduce filmmakers to new scripts.

The script that Galvez, along with her producing partner Tanya Hoshi, chose as their project would set the stage for the web series.

“I knew coming from a production standpoint, the script had the potential to be something more than what most web series are today,” said Galvez.

“This has an intention to educate an audience about something that isn’t so widely known in popular

CONTRIBUTED IMAGE

culture.”

Infertility is a rising problem worldwide that happens more often than people may think. With people deciding to start families later in life due to career or financial situations, the probability of becoming pregnant is reduced in comparison to younger individuals.

“I started developing and producing the series, and forgot a close family member of mine had experienced it,” said Galvez.

“I didn’t have the language to talk

about it growing up.”

Infertility has remained behind closed doors for so many people out of fear of judgment, said Galvez. It’s an issue often difficult to talk about and ought to be addressed to a larger spectrum.

Learning about IVF and the circumstances which it entails is important, whether someone plans on having a family or not.

By awareness of the possibility of infertility or simply being able to put aside the surrounding stigma, society can work towards support-

ing people who face this challenge — which is what Galvez is trying with this web series.

The production group is competing for the Independent Production Fund so future funding and completion of the web series can be achieved.

“Young people don’t think about this happening in their future, but it is so common,” said Galvez.

“Hopefully this series will inspire other types of media, and other creators to be able to talk about the issue.”

PROFILE

Promoting through the good and the bad

For over a decade now, Kyle Wappler has played a pivotal role in the K-W music community ZACH GUITOR ARTS & LIFE EDITOR

We all start somewhere.

At just six-years old, Kyle Wappler made his foray into music with classical piano lessons. A likely start for many, Wappler soon found interest in rock music at the age of 10 and in grade eight, attended his first punk show. Yes, he’s a musician, but Wappler’s role as a prominent concert promoter is what makes him a standout in the Kitchener-Waterloo alternative, hardcore and punk music scene.

Organizing local shows featuring acts such as Silverstein, Protest The Hero and Counterparts, Wappler’s actions often go unnoticed by the general public.

Beginning his stint in his early teens as an assistant to Andy Schoch, a K-W concert promoter, Wappler has watched the music scene ebb and flow over the course of a decade.

“When I was maybe 13-years old in 2003, we would go to a local show at something like the Chrysalids Theatre and it would be all bands from the area and there would be 500 to 600 kids,” said Wappler.

“Something changed around

2007 or 2008 and suddenly numbers started going way, way down … a lot of venues closed down and a lot of people stopped allowing this type of show to happen.”

Upon the exit of Schoch as a promoter in 2008, many bands in the area risked stagnating due to the lack of organized concerts and available venues. To ensure his band at the time didn’t meet its demise, Wappler took matters into his own hands by putting on a couple shows.

“Things kind of snowballed from there,” said Wappler. “All of a sudden I started getting messages from bands and booking agents asking if I’d put on shows for their bands.”

Wappler began operating his promotion company A New Era Productions in 2008, which was renamed HAVE HOPE in 2010.

Although he entered the scene at a volatile time, its popularity has “been on a steady incline again” due to more venues opening and welcoming the music community with open arms.

“Maxwell’s has played a massive part in the growth of the scene,” said Wappler. “There’s a lot of new faces coming out to all ages shows, a lot of old faces at 19+ shows.”

WILL HUANG/PHOTO EDITOR

With the advent of social media, Wappler’s role as a promoter has drastically changed. Before the boom of heavyweight social media platforms, such as Facebook, Wappler turned to guerrilla marketing tactics to ensure a strong turnout for a show.

“Thousands of posters and flyers, run around to every street poll, high school, anywhere we could put up a poster, anywhere we couldn’t put up a poster but we did anyways,” Wappler described of

their early promotional strategies.

“Now for $7, I can have how many thousands of people on Facebook for a fraction of the time and a fraction of the output.”

But soon this may change.

Wappler mentioned that Facebook has begun to restrict invitations to events and screen paid advertisement. Regardless, Wappler indicated social media promotion is “still so much more simple.”

However, Wappler hasn’t managed to scale up his operations to

make this his full-time job. Concert promotion is a tough gig and getting the right lineup of bands and selling a lot of tickets is a challenge in and of itself. To make the job sustainable, one must do this on a consistent basis with a diversity of lineups.

Wappler said a substantial barrier to overcome is his inclination to throw shows for bands he and the punk and hardcore community may enjoy, but lack widespread appeal to the general public.

“I’m very picky when it comes to anything outside of that alternative spectrum of hardcore, punk and metal. But maybe I need to start looking more into it and allowing myself to open up more to other genres,” he said.

“When I have, I’ve found a lot of music that I like.”

Throwing concerts for hugely popular bands like Silverstein is certainly commendable, but Wappler noted that his greatest achievement to date is sticking with the trade.

“I’m just proud that I’m still doing this despite different obstacles … I’m glad that I never lost sight of what I was doing it for,” said Wappler.

“It’s a labour of love.”

ARTS & LIFE • 11

WEDNESDAY, MARCH 23, 2016 RELIGION

It’s not a Lumineers concert, it’s church JONATHAN COWARD STAFF WRITER

Even for non-believers, there’s often an odd magnetism surrounding the idea of church. The concept of a weekly ritual consisting of a series of hymns, prayers and scripture readings devoted to the praise of a mysterious, yet supposedly life-affirming entity can attract some and strongly repel others.

While the structure of services and interpretation of biblical texts have changed over time, leading to the emergence of different denominations within Christianity, the core elements of hymns, prayers and scripture have remained the same.

The element of Christianity that has perhaps experienced the most change over the past millennia is the physical structure of the Church.

The word “church” itself can conjure visions of grand, bellowing structures with intricately painted interiors and steeples stretching into the heavens, aiming to act as antenna to signal God. Alternatively, it can be visualized as a smaller, community-focused venue with minimal frills, only pews and a pulpit. There are many variations in between and though the scope and scale of a church is as varied as the dogma, it’s safe to say that very few people have experienced church in the same way as the group that meets on Monday nights at Maxwell’s Concerts and Events venue.

Currently led by the pastoral team of Brandon and Emma Richardson, the Embassy began its ministry 17 years ago with the mission of bringing God to students.

After graduating from Redeemer University College, the husband and wife duo took over pastoral duties in June 2014 and have managed to grow the congregation from 10 to the approximately 200

that attend service each Monday.

Traditional approaches to service venues for worship have largely been discarded.

In its place, the Richardsons have managed to grow a thoroughly modern church, one tailored to address the realities of common perceptions of the Church and it’s decreasing influence as the centre of society.

“In an age where young adults are leaving the church, what does it look like to show people this isn’t a dead religion?” asked Brandon Richardson. “We’re going to meet at a bar because people are used to going to a bar. It’s an easy place for people to go. We’re going to have church at night because people are hungover in the morning.”

Although cynicism has done an adequate job replacing the role of religion in my life, it’s hard to deny the buzz in the atmosphere before the start of service. Stage lighting cut through the fog in the air, highlighting the presence of a young seven-piece band. Gone were the trappings of a choir dressed in traditional garments, belting their hymns from a book laid open in their palm.

Led by a man wearing a fedora, gold necklace and a cardigan, worship here could have easily been mistaken for a Lumineers concert.

The predominantly female crowd joined in unison, singing along with the refrain promising to “give everything” to a God. After worship ended, Brandon Richardson emerged to deliver the sermon and it immediately became clear how the church has managed to grow exponentially in such a small amount of time.

Delivering his sermon complete with frantic movements, exaggerated body language and lengthy asides about topics ranging from hockey to condoms, Richardson has a charisma and presence more commonly associated with

stand-up comedians than ministers. Unabashedly modern, prayer requests are read from a cellphone, a MacBook Pro rests on the pulpit and to the side of the venue there is a “merch” table complete with a debit machine ready to accept donations.

Traditionally, pastors are supposed to lead the congregation and provide an exemplar to follow, but the Embassy is consciously reversing this.

“We’re trying to reach people where they’re at, and show them that faith is still relevant today …

We need to use tools that everyone is using today,” said Brandon Richardson. “I want to interact with people, and I want people to break down barriers that they may have seen between them and the Church.”

The Embassy is part of Christianity’s continuing evolution and exists as the Church is undergoing a drastic change. Young, hip, charismatic individuals are becoming the focal point of the Church and the line between religious leader and celebrity is becoming increasingly blurred. Ministers like Carl Lentz of Hillsong Church share stories of baptism featuring megastars like Justin Bieber and Tyson Chandler.

In fact, Hillsong is becoming increasingly synonymous with Christian music.

Many religious commenters, including D.H. Williams writing in Christianity Today, don’t see this shift towards modernity as harmless, and question the outcome of adapting the messages of scripture and trying to tailor them to suit a broader audience.

“Our consumerist culture has co-opted many churches, creating a mall-like environment marked by splashiness and simplistic messages,” wrote Williams in 2011. “When the Church becomes essentially a purveyor of religious goods and services, it reinforces the believer’s

FANI HSIEH/GRAPHICS EDITOR

own consumerist habits, allowing him to pick and choose according to taste or functionality.”

Richardson makes no secret of his attempts to appeal to a broader audience in an attempt to draw more people towards God, and he views it as essential for the survival of the Church. He is very aware of the decreased interest in scripture, and breaks biblical concepts down to their most basic elements — even stopping at one point in his sermon to explain the differences between the old and new testament.

“We have a generation of people who don’t go to church, their

parents didn’t go to church,” said Richardson. “We’re consciously aware of the fact that [instead of ] speaking jargon that makes the good news we believe in so inaccessible, [we have to] make the gospel accessible and we’re going to speak in normal, every day language.”

More than anything however, Richardson rejected the premise that the success of the Embassy is not rooted in faith, but centred on his charismatic persona.

“There are no superstars in the kingdom of God … The Church isn’t built on the talents of the few, but the sacrifices of the many.”

FOOD

THE CORD COOK-OFF Which editor makes the best burger?

GRAPHIC BY ZACH GUITOR, PHOTOS BY WILL HUANG

The Teriyaki

This hamburger pays homage to teriyaki beef, composed of ground beef, extra fine rice, cilantro and hoisin sauce. The buns are molded by hand from sushi rice, then topped with sesame seeds and oil to keep it in shape and add an oriental taste. The patty is a mixture of ground beef, honey, ground ginger, garlic and a pinch of paprika, then marinated in a teriyaki/sesame seed sauce. Everything is grilled in a frying pan over medium-low heat and brought to a light crisp. After being topped with garlic-hoisin sauce, cilantro, green onion and pieces of dry seaweed, the Teriyaki burger is ready to be served.

-Will Huang

The Consky

Known as The Consky burger at my summer camp (not even kidding, it’s what the kids call ‘em), this burger is reminiscent to any camping meal — best cooked over an open fire. With a sauce of melted brown sugar, steak spice, garlic powder, olive oil and more brown sugar, the patty takes on a sweet and salty complexion accompanied by caramelized onions and mushrooms between two peanut butter toasted buns. Highly recommended after a long portage in Algonquin Park. For more of a kick, sprinkle a little cinnamon on the beef patties and melt some more brown sugar into the buns.

-Mitchell Consky

The Beef

I’m a man of tradition. The true burger is 100 per cent beef—no tricks and no secret ingredients.

It begins with fresh ground beef, seasoned with salt and pepper on each side and cooked in a cast-iron pan. Once both sides are nicely crisped, add a bit of water and cover the pan — let that baby steam.

With an authentic, honest patty comes fresh and traditional toppings. The beef features shredded lettuce, thinly sliced tomato and colby cheddar stacked generously. Sandwiched between a butter toasted ciabatta and slathered with a pesto aioli, this burger will satisfy any no-nonsense burger craving.

-Zach Guitor

12 •

Editorial

WEDNESDAY, MARCH 23, 2016 OPINION EDITOR MITCHELL CONSKY mconsky@thecord.ca

Discussions of racial intolerance are crucial for safety Wilfrid Laurier University’s Diversity and Equity Office and the office of aboriginal initiatives hosted the inaugural e(RACE)r summit on Race and Racism on Canadian University Campuses.

The summit took place on March 21, during the United Nations Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination. The summit initiated the needed dialogue regarding acts of racial discrimination and intolerance on campuses throughout Canada.

With recent anti-Semitic vandalism and other hate crimes aimed towards minorities, Laurier is no stranger to intolerance. Our hope is that the summit encouraged the university to take proactive and preventative steps towards hate crimes.

University administrators across Ontario joined together to hear and explore strategies to deal with student concerns with racial discrimination.

More than one hundred participants, representing up to six Ontario institutions, decided to join the summit.

Laurier has taken significant measures towards dealing with gendered violence and sexual assault on campus, however the underlying issue of general intolerance on campus has to be better addressed. By hosting this summit, the DEO is being proactive. Laurier partners are not merely reacting towards every problematic instance with a press conference or theoretical “plans for the future.”

Plans must be implemented.

The summit was an opportunity to discuss grounded, plausible solutions to make students feel safe at their own schools. Racial intolerance should be as unacceptable as sexual assault, gendered violence or any acts of cruel violence on campus.

No form of hatred should be overlooked or disregarded, and every crime should be dealt with accordingly.

Obviously every instance is cir-

cumstantial, but specific attention should be directed towards every case that has the potential to damage the dignity or general well-being of a victimized student.

Hosting this summit is a great move forward by the Diversity and Equity Office and the Office of Aboriginal Initiatives because it was the first step towards lifting the rug and revealing what’s been dusting away underneath.

Dialogue will always disarm denial.

These are necessary discussions, and the summit was an excellent opportunity.

Waterloo, an inherently diverse and multicultural city — with two universities and a college — has seen a spike in racial intolerance over the last few years.

It’s important to understand that a hate crime of any magnitude can deeply affect students emotionally, physically and, like an illness or injury, can falter their performance academically. This can range from broken ribs to hate graffiti on their door, or even a degrading comment at a party.

No act of hatred should be disregarded and no student should feel alone while faced with any sort of discrimination.

Multiculturalism should be celebrated. With the university’s focus on diversity throughout campus, Laurier is taking needed steps towards cultural cohesion. With events like Turban Up! in the Concourse, as well as large inaugural discussions and speeches regarding racial intolerance, Laurier is moving towards trying to be that accepting campus it preaches to be.

But we still have a long way to go.

We understand there will be no magic policy that will summon overnight success with diversity acceptance throughout the university, but understanding that certain steps need to be taken is the only way to eventually reach this far-off destination.

These unsigned editorials are based off informal discussions and then agreed upon by the majority of The Cord’s editorial board, including the Editor-in-Chief and Opinion Editor. The arguments made may reference any facts that have been made available through interviews, documents or other sources. The views presented do not necessarily reflect those of The Cord’s volunteers, staff or WLUSP.

THE CORD IS PUBLISHED BY WILFRID LAURIER UNIVERSITY STUDENT PUBLICATIONS 205 REGINA ST. N., WATERLOO

WLUSP ADMINISTRATION BOARD OF DIRECTORS CHAIR Bryan Stephens VICE-CHAIR Abdiasis Issa DIRECTOR Rafey Sattar DIRECTOR John Pehar

DIRECTOR Tom Lillo DIRECTOR Angela Foster DIRECTOR Fred Kuntz DIRECTOR Gary Doyle

PRESIDENT Bryan Stephens president@wlusp.com FINANCE MANAGER Randy Moore randy@rcmbrooks. com ADVERTISING MANAGER Caroline Schummer care.schummer@ wlusp.com

EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR Lakyn Barton lakyn.barton@wlusp. com HR MANAGER/CORPORATE SECRETARY Emily Crump hr@wlusp.com

JOSHUA AWOLADE/CREATIVE DIRECTOR

Cheating or ‘ratting’?

FANI HSIEH GRAPHICS EDITOR

During an exam for one of the three hardest courses in my program, a student sitting behind me dropped her iPhone. All three of the proctors didn’t even flinch.

Moreover, neither I nor the classmates around me reported it.

The student code of conduct and discipline outlines the types of academic misconduct as copying from classmates during exams, plagiarism and self-plagiarism and even falsifying reasons to get deferral on an assignment or exam. The consequences of committing any offence that gives you an unfair academic advantage range from repeating the course or assignment, an automatic failure, suspension, expulsion and on certain occasions, nothing at all.

Another commonplace type of cheating is having your friends use your iClickers to earn participation marks. Not only is this academic misconduct, but you and your buddy are committing academic fraud. In spite of the severity of the offence, no one gives it a second thought, let alone go as far as reporting their fellow students for abusing participation marks.

By letting the “iPhone-in-exam” incident slide, I am allowing that individual to pass the course, complete their degree without holding the full qualifications and compete for the same jobs.

The internal conflict about not reporting the aforementioned incident arises because I don’t know where to draw the line within the different types of academic misconduct. I selfishly held my tongue to protect myself since I, like many fellow students, have participated in behaviours that constitutes as academic misconduct. If I spoke out, I would be dictating that my preferred method of cheating is more moral than the student’s.

Throughout my years at Laurier, I collaborated with fellow students on difficult online assignments, helped friends and had friends help me earn undeserved iClicker marks. I even witnessed friends obtaining a doctor’s note for nonexistent conditions to escape writing a midterm. I was responsible for reporting any suspicion of cheating during the exam and I failed because I was afraid I would become the “rat” or “snitch.” Furthermore, who am I to justify my cheating and report others’? There is also an obvious element of bias where I’m more inclined to protect myself and my friends but call out strangers.

With the advent of technology and the plethora of information, finding test banks, notes from for-

mer students, textbook solutions and online assistance has been easier than ever. I like to consider these actions as fair game because everything available online and is accessible by anyone.

Learning to find answers online reflects the “real world” where we are required to constantly look up updated information.

Wilfrid Laurier University defines academic misconduct as “an attempt to unfairly gain an academic advantage.” Since everyone can find past exams, assignments and textbook solutions or notes online, there is no unfair advantage in play.

Just a few years ago in 2013, Laurier shut down two websites that hosted test banks and textbook material on business, arts and science courses. There was also an infringement on copyright laws in addition to the breach of academic integrity. I argue that because this information was so easily accessible, it does not represent an unfair academic advantage.

Cheating during an exam would be going too far because the same access to data is denied.

Using your buddy’s iClickers seems too insignificant in the grand scheme of things and not enough people understand or care about the gravity of the act.

And using the Internet to guarantee your grades on assignments is so prevalent I am publishing my confession in a student newspaper.

WEDNESDAY, MARCH 23, 2016

• 13

Opinion

OPINION EDITOR MITCHELL CONSKY mconsky@thecord.ca

Pay to learn, pay to test Why does online content add to our list of expenses?

MADDY CUTTS LEAD REPORTER WILL HUANG/PHOTO EDITOR

ALEX DULANOVIC OPINION COLUMNIST

There’s a lot to observe in the gym.

You’ve got machines, ropes, mats, blocks, skipping ropes, treadmills, bikes, t-shirts, TVs, headbands and water bottles. Not to mention all the sweaty human beings performing high intensity activities.

Despite the visual feast, I stood in front of the Wilfrid Laurier University gym mirror, two weights in my hand, staring at the same face I’d seen a million times.

While I received a modicum of entertainment in the way my nose would scrunch up every time I struggled on my last rep, I ultimately wanted to look around. Not at anyone or anything in particular, I just wanted to take in the scene.

That’s just the type of dude I am.

Yet, as if I was sitting in a barber’s chair, looking around seemed like it would be a costly mistake and an annoyance to those around me. I felt that way specifically about the women working out on the mats right in front of me.

I became self-conscious about my perceived appearance. If they made eye contact at the wrong time, I would be labelled as a creep trying to sneak a peak of ass. On the other end, I genuinely didn’t want them to feel uncomfortable.

So despite my curious nature, I made it obvious that my own face and body were the only thing my eyes were looking at.

When looking at the gym as a location for self-improvement, desired privacy makes sense.

The point is to repetitively exhaust oneself in order to come back stronger. We voluntarily place ourselves in vulnerable positions, placing our trust in the knowledge that our suffering will have longterm benefits.

The short-term images are uninspiring and we’d rather leave that for our own eyes.

Yet, uncomfortable feelings while working out are not entirely rooted in the issue of self-improvement.

The gym is also a revealing microcosm for the current state of gender relations.

For the majority of history, physical exercise was discouraged for women. Athleticism and physical well-being were solely for the men.

As a woman, wearing athletic wear

and breaking a sweat in public was a taboo.

Ideas that have been fostered over generations are not easily dispensed. It’s completely understandable that for many women, the male gaze remains more uncomfortable then any weight they’re trying to pick up.

“Women-only hours” at the Laurier gym seem to cater to the issue.

It gives women a space that solely belongs to them, a space restricted from men.

One could make the argument that after generations of being treated as inferior, making a sacrifice — albeit a small one — of gym space, is the least we can do for women.

Yet, is this the route to gender equality? Or is there something backwards about using separation to encourage inclusion?

The notion of vulnerability as a necessary step to long-term improvement in fitness can be applied to the current state of gender relations.

Staring at myself in the Laurier gym mirror wasn’t so much about consideration; it was about fear.

The fear of being uncomfortable.

My first reaction was to revert back to a comfortable space. The first move was focusing on my own face, one that I had seen a million times and one that I’m comfortable with.

Mentally, my brain retreated back to an old stereotype constructed by all the TV, books and conversations that molded me.

One that thought of men as slaves to our primal desires to constantly sexualize women. Thinking that women are constantly in a state of feeling threatened and victimized around men.

Yet, when adversity hits, we have a troubling tendency to revert back to the flawed notions of gender, simply because that was just the status quo of previous generations.

We receive comfort in constructing categorizations for complex concepts.

How do we get over that tendency? Repetition.

You didn’t know the proper way to squat the first time you tried.

Someone had to teach you those things.

We’re fortunate to grow alongside many different genders.

We’ve had the benefit of understanding.

Let’s not constantly separate ourselves because it’s comfortable.

Keep an eye on the long-term and have faith that we’ll be able to work it out.

How much does a class cost? We’re all familiar with the number that appears on our invoice every semester, but is that it? The majority of university classes will at the very least require students to purchase a textbook or course readings, but that’s not always the end of it. Tactile textbooks have long circulated around university campuses on a

Nonetheless, if I’m paying hundreds of dollars for you to teach me, I shouldn’t have to pay more for you to test me.

quasi-black market, offering students a way to bypass the soaring prices common at the bookstore.

The introduction of online textbooks was supposed to be a saving grace for students, with online content available more readily and for much less. But is it really?

The majority of the classes I’ve had with online versions of textbooks have cost nearly as much as a paper copy and the reasoning is often attributed to it including access to online interactive content.

Every semester of my undergraduate career thus far has featured classes incorporating online homework or quizzes as a part of my grade. While much of this online content can be opted out of, this information is often withheld from students. Arguably worse, I’ve had a professor explain that online content was not mandatory, while not-so-subtlely hinting that succeeding in the class was dependent upon investing in the quizzes.

I think the problem here lies not with incorporating online content into the learning environment, but the immense reliance I’ve noticed on using third-party resources.

It’s true some programs use spe-

cialized software that is only manufactured by a certain company, and requiring students to access it is simply ensuring that they’ll be prepared for their future careers.

You cannot, however, justify to me the need to purchase costly access codes simply to complete a collection of multiple choice quizzes.

Laurier currently hosts a website known as MyLearningSpace, which all students and faculty have access to, free of charge. What a growing number of professors seem to be unaware of is that this website has a built in quiz tool. Any professor can easily compose their own questions using course content and require students to complete these as a component of their grade. No extra charge involved, no need to download special software and no need to purchase a brand new copy of the required readings.

I understand a professor’s time is precious and that creating these types of quizzes takes a little more effort on their part than making us pay for access to the publisher’s content. Nonetheless, if I’m paying hundreds of dollars for you to teach me, I shouldn’t have to pay more for you to test me.

Stand out from the crowd Specialized Graduate Certificates in: • • • • • • • • • • •

Career Development Practitioner (available part-time) Community and Social Service Management (available part-time) Event Management Financial Planning Services Global Business Management (available part-time) Global Hospitality Management Green Management Human Resources Management (available part-time) Project Management (available part-time) Small Business Ventures Social Media Marketing (available part-time)

APPLY NOW FOR SEPTEMBER!

Become career-ready in a less than a year.

14 • OPINION

WEDNESDAY, MARCH 23, 2016

A eulogy for the Laurier statue project MYNT MARSELLUS MULTIMEDIA DIRECTOR

When Max Blouw first announced the prime minister statue project at Wilfrid Laurier University, I was unequivocally and unapologetically supportive of the idea. As a hardcore political science nerd and someone who thinks this campus needs a little more prestige, this idea was perfect.

But as we all know, this was not the opinion of many students.

Soon after the announcement, students and teachers started protesting the statues on social media and in Senate.

Much of the criticism was focused on Sir John A. Macdonald, whose statue was located in the Quad for the last eight months.

From legitimate criticisms of Macdonald’s policies towards indigenous Canadians to comparing our first prime minister to Adolf Hitler, I developed complicated feelings towards the protestors’ historical arguments.

As an obsessive web surfer, I learned years ago that John A. Macdonald’s government extended the vote to indigenous people in his last term, only for it to be taken away by none other than our namesake Wilfrid Laurier.

Any look at the historical record would put Macdonald far above Laurier on the list of prime ministers ranked by their treatment of indigenous people.

While I didn’t find their historical arguments persuasive, there was one argument that I did find persuasive: the human argument.

While I find it dubious to claim that putting up statues of prime ministers at Wilfrid Laurier University is racist when we are

named after one of our country’s most racist prime minsters, the idea that indigenous students may find those statues discomforting or triggering resonated with me and I stopped actively supporting the project.

As we all know, the statues were defeated and I honestly thought I had heard the last about prime ministerial controversies at Laurier.

But then I took a gander through The Cord archives for the word and found something interesting.

On January 11, 1973, one of the four headlines of that week’s Cord Weekly read, “’Wilfrid Laurier … trite and facile’ Students Protest Name Change.”

What many Laurier students often forget is that we were not always named after the seventh prime minister of Canada.

In 1911, this school was founded as the Evangelical Lutheran Seminary of Canada.

In 1925, it was renamed to be the Waterloo College of the Arts and then in 1960 it took on our current acronym, WLU for Waterloo Lutheran University.

In the late 60s, the university started petitioning the government to be recognized and funded as a public institution, and in 1972 the deal was done except for one thing — the name.

The provincial government would not accredit an institution with a nominal affiliation to a church.

So on September 28, 1972, a list of 94 proposed names was published in The Cord for a straw poll and a week later on October 5 the results were in.

The top choice was Wilfrid Laurier University, second was University of Ontario at Waterloo and third was a write-in candidate — Louis Riel University.

In the January 11 article, the protest against naming the school after ol’ Wilf was described thusly.

FANI HSIEH/GRAPHICS EDITOR

“Firstly, there is the problem of naming the University [sic] after a politician [...] In this regard, we might argue that while Macdonald had obvious national stature and that while [William Lyon] Mackenzie King has some peripheral attachment locally, Wilfrid Laurier has at best a questionable reputation, both nationally and locally.

He has absolutely no connection whatsoever with this institution.

Furthermore, his record in the field of education has been of the most controversial variety.”

It seems things keep repeating here at our fair school. Not only was there a prime ministerial controversy in 1973, but enough students were invested in indigenous issues that one of the top three student-supported options for the new name was Louis Riel.

I believe the statues could have allowed for historical discourse to increase at this university, and while they will never serve that function, I still want us to be able to talk about history at this school.

So I challenge the students and staff who questioned the historical and ethical issues of the Laurier statue project to keep going.

If you honestly believed what you were saying, then make that next petition to change the name of the school and I will gladly sign it — I kind of like the ring of Louis Riel University.

Wilfrid Laurier revoked the franchise from indigenous peoples after they had already voted in their first Canadian election. Wilfrid Laurier was prime minister for three major revisions to the Indian Act, including one that allowed the

government to forcibly remove indigenous people from their land if it was deemed to be in the national interest. Wilfrid Laurier failed other linguistic and cultural minorities during his tenure including raising the Chinese head tax and allowing majority English speakers to dominate the Manitoba education system. To Laurier, Canada would “forever have remained barren and unproductive,” with indigenous governance, “but under civilised rule would afford homes and happiness to teeming millions.”

Let’s have a conversation about history, because even without the new statues, I haven’t been able to walk past Wilf in the quad or our lovely campus pub without thinking of the moral hypocrisy of repudiating John A. while leaving Wilf unscathed.

Putting a price on carbon emissions KANWAR BRAR OPINION COLUMNIST

We are in an age where climate change, global warming and other environmental concerns are very contentious and polarizing issues.

Without delving too much into the scientific realm, first and foremost, it is imperative to understand that climate change is real and the process is undeniably being intensified by human activities. This is not a made up topic as some have been led to believe.

The range of human activities varies from sector to sector. In the case of Canada, we have a rich resource-based economy and are fortunate to have natural resources

We must put a price on carbon, both for producers and the consumers

which we can utilize. In the process of doing that, it is crucial to strike a fair balance between the exploitation of these resources for economic gains while maintaining our integrity to the environment and the core principles of sustainability. This is a topic with a multitude of factors, involving unique stakeholders, having a variety of risks and proposed solutions and much more. But let’s be a little more

specific and look at the recent first minister’s conference.

Our newly elected Liberal government ran on an election campaign to mitigate environmental risks while protecting our economy.

Based on that, the proposal for a national carbon tax is up in discussion. The talks in Vancouver yielded very little as the premiers were unable to reach a consensus on how to proceed with the issue, each keeping in mind the needs of their provinces. But this is something we need to take quick action with.

We must put a price on carbon, both for the producers and the consumers. It has to be a two-way street in which we cannot put the sole blame on corporations exploiting carbon for monetary gains because us, as consumers of energy, are equally to blame for this.

Though we may change our be-

haviours and lifestyle, like driving a fuel-efficient car, recycling more, biking to work and school, it’s not enough. As a nation in the globalized world, we have to take drastic action towards this issue.

By imposing a carbon tax and putting a price amount on every tonne of greenhouse gases emitted, we are able to reduce to overall greenhouse gas emissions as the market starts to adjust its behaviour in the burning of fossil fuels. The revenue-neutral method implemented by British Columbia is worth looking into.

Through charging everyone who consumes carbon and putting a price on it, British Columbia is able to reduce the overall emissions of GHGs. The money is allocated back to the public, by decreasing taxes in other realms and so far, this approach has worked.

By imposing a national strate-

gy with similar characteristics to the BC model, we may be able to curtail the emissions of GHGs in the long run.

Brad Wall, the premier of Saskatchewan, has come out and stated he will oppose a carbon tax at all costs.

Part of that may have to do with the fact that he is going to the polls in less than a month, also to talk about how imposing a new tax on voters is politically jeopardizing.

However, we have to start looking beyond political gains and whether a party will survive the next election or not.

Whether you are a Liberal, Conservative, Democrat, Republican, Libertarian or anyone else, as humans abiding by the social contract, we have to take strict action now to sustain ourselves in the future.

Putting a price on carbon is one way of going about it.

WEDNESDAY, MARCH 23, 2016

Sports

• 15 SPORTS EDITOR DREW YATES dyates@thecord.ca

CHEERLEADING

For the love of the cheer DREW YATES SPORTS EDITOR

WILL HUANG/PHOTO EDITOR

The 2016 International Cheer Union World Cheerleading Championships are coming up quickly, and for Wilfrid Laurier cheerleaders Marley Gray and Jordyn Witmeyer, it’ll be all about making new friendships.

The two Hawks, along with Laurier alum Bailey Sprout and Courtney Whelan, were selected to represent Team Canada at the event held at Disneyland from April 21–22. This is the first time that both women have made the national team.

“I’m very excited about it,” Witmeyer said. “It’s something a lot of cheerleaders aspire to do for the rest of their life.”

Witmeyer and Gray were two of over 150 applications for the team submitted via YouTube video. The applications were in early January for judging, with the decision made near the end of the month. Both tried out for the all-girls premier team consisting of 29 cheerleaders.

Gray and Witmeyer were two of 29 cheerleaders chosen along with Whelan and Sprout. Gray said

athletes can try out for both teams, but choosing the all-girl premier team was a better fit for her.

“You can try out for whichever team you want and since I’m on Laurier cheer, which is all girls, it fit better for me to try out for the all-girl premier team just because I haven’t really had any experience with co-ed stunting,” she said. “So the all-girl was the clear choice.”

The two both started cheerleading at a young age. Witmeyer fell in love with it after her neighbour invited her to go with her to try out.

They both made it and were put on a team together — and that was all it took.

Gray made the switch to cheerleading when she was 11-years old, when a professional team showed up to her gymnasium to use the facilities. She did cheerleading for two years, and then picked it back up when she came to Laurier.

But preparation is tough. Witmeyer said that cheerleading is much different than a sports game that usually takes an hour. Cheerleading only gets two and a half minutes to perform their routine.

“The routine is a lot,” she said.

“It’s very intense for 2.5 minutes

[and] you have to have the endurance to get through it.”

Witmeyer said she also has to continue training because out of the 29 women selected, five of them are alternates. The cheerleaders still have to earn their spot on the team as soon as they get there.

Currently, Witmeyer, Gray, Sprout and their other teammate in their stunt group train two times a week to practice their elite stunts as well as coupling.

“Cheerleading comprises of a couple components — stunts, pyramids, coupling, jumps and dance.

Stunts are a big part of it,” she said.

“We’ve been practicing our elite stunts and we’ve been going to work on coupling as well which are the kinds of things we do.”

But their goal is the same — to make life-long friends.

“I am going in hoping for a great experience which I know it’s going to be. I just can’t wait to meet everyone on the team and make so many new friendships and relationships with people who are going to be hopefully life-long friends,” Gray said. “I think that is one of my expectations — to come out with a new family.”

WILL HUANG/PHOTO EDITOR

Department of Political Science

Master of Arts (MA) with Internship If you are considering a career in government or the public service and are looking for a competitive edge, our MA with Internship is for you.

Political Science Students in this graduate program: • Participate in a paid practical employment experience • Receive a paid teaching assistantship • Enhanced employment prospects • May be eligible for entrance scholarships The Political Science Department at the University of Windsor is committed to providing funding packages that match or beat those of other MA programs.

We encourage you to join our program.

For more information, please contact us: Department of Political Science University of Windsor Windsor, Ontario, N9B 3P4 Phone: 519-253-3000, Ext 2348 Email: polscigrad@uwindsor.ca

www.uwindsor.ca/polscigrad

16 • SPORTS FOOTBALL

WEDNESDAY, MARCH 23, 2016 CURLING

Pitstop to the Vanier Hawks mark date with Montreal for August 20 ARMAN ARYAPOUR STAFF WRITER

Sunday, August 14 marks the debut of training camp for the Wilfrid Laurier Golden Hawks men’s football team.

And on their calendars is a highly anticipated matchup with the Montreal Carabins on August 20 for a preseason matchup.

Last year, the Hawks played the University of Saskatchewan Huskies as part of their preseason schedule, limited a 50-player roster and jet lag. While the two teams have yet to face one another in the 14 years that the Carabins have had a football program, the Hawks show plenty of promise. The 2015 Vanier Cup finalists will be challenged on their home turf, but they hold a 3648-212 home record since the 2004-05 season.

Head coach Michael Faulds quickly capitalized on the opportunity to play a team with two Vanier cup visits under their belts.

“We wanted our guys to see what it was going to take, and the type of quality we’re going to have to face when we do get to the national semi-final, or a Vanier Cup,” said Faulds.

In the 2015-16 season, the Hawks finished sixth in the Ontario University Athletics conference.

The highly-touted Carabins finished second in the Réseau du Sport Étudiant du Québec and were nationally ranked No. 2.

Some say that the RSEQ may be an easier conference to compete in for a chance to win the Vanier Cup, but Faulds disagrees.

“The RESQ is one of the toughest conferences. The RESQ has University of Montreal, and Laval, which are both top programs, and they’re battling it out every year.”

The focus this year is more on trying to fill each position with the proper pieces.

The Hawks will be missing a couple key senior players such as Dillon Campbell, Tanner Philp and Asante Mizan this year due to eligibility, which may worry the average coach.

But the bench boss Faulds continues to have confidence in his “hungry” team.

“Our depth and our competition level at every position, is as good as it’s been, in the time I’ve been here,” he said.

Although the 2016-17 roster has yet to be released, coach Faulds has continued to have his eye on the 52nd Vanier Cup. “We want to be jockeying for a position with the top teams in the conference,” he said.

Laurier’s preseason date against Montreal kicks off at 1:00 p.m. on Saturday, August 20 in Montreal at CEPSUM Stadium.

ANDREAS PATSIAOUROS/PHOTO EDITOR

The men’s and women’s curling teams competed in the national curling championship in Kelowna, B.C. this week. The men are headed to the semifinals.

Hawks en route to playoffs Men’s curling qualifies for semifinals at CIS championship in Kelowna, B.C. DREW YATES SPORTS EDITOR

KELOWNA, B.C. — All year long, the Wilfrid Laurier Golden Hawks men’s curling team had their sights set on a national Canadian Interuniversity Sport gold medal. After collecting silver and bronze the last two years and returning with the same squad, the Hawks have built themselves up to achieving this goal.

And currently with an overall record of 5-1, they have an opportunity to reach that goal and a berth to the 2017 Federation Internationale du Sport Universitaire Winter Universiade, held in Almaty, Kazakhstan.

But the Alberta Golden Bears stand in the way. The defending CIS champions, who only suffered a minor lineup change when Karsten Sturmay started throwing

“It was a tough week for all of us, we didn’t have our rocks in the perfect spot.”

-Chelsea Brandwood, women’s curling skip

third stones, have dominated the university circuit.

“They are shooting the lights out in Kelowna,” head coach Glenn Paulley said Monday evening after day two of draws. “We will have to be at our best in order to get through them.”

The Bears delivered the Hawks’ only loss in the tournament so far with a 6-4 decision. When the Bears shoot, they rarely miss. But when they miss, the Hawks must capitalize on it. Paulley said the Hawks have to be completely sharp if they are to get through Alberta, the one obstacle that stood in their way of claiming CIS gold last year.

But if they look to be successful come Wednesday’s semifinal draw, the team must shake off slow starts.

Currently, the Hawks are unbeaten when they lead in the draw and do not relinquish that lead.

But in the game against Alberta, the Hawks trailed early, allowing the Bears to set the tempo and only gave up singles throughout the rest of the draw.

But that also means figuring out the ice quicker, as the sheets are non-symmetric and change quickly.

“What works on one side of the sheet does not work on the other side of the sheet and that’s both in terms of curl and in terms of speed, so that’s been a challenge for the

guys to figure out all week,” Paulley said.

The women’s rink was officially eliminated from playoff contention after a 9-4 loss to the Alberta Pandas on Tuesday afternoon. The team dropped to an overall record of 2-4 with one draw left Tuesday night. The rink struggled a lot adapting to the ice conditions and were on the wrong side of the inch.

“It was a tough week for all of us, we didn’t have our rocks in the perfect spot, the ice has been tricky for us to understand,” third-year skip Chelsea Brandwood said. “We had some close games and didn’t come out on the right side of some of them.”

Brandwood said all the sheets are different in the Kelowna Curling Club, it’s up and down and it’s really difficult learning the ice. The Hawks tried to get a handle on it, but it’s just taken a couple ends longer than the other teams, in which they punish the Hawks for it.

Head coach Jason Rice said the Hawks didn’t quite have the consistency, and aren’t on the right side of the inch either.

“Even in terms of a little bit of luck, it’s not quite going our way right now,” he said. “We have a shot for two and it picks.”

Brandwood said this year, the team wanted to get at least bronze or medal again, but having a new

“We will have to be at our best in order to get through them.”

-Glenn Paulley, head coach

team is really difficult going into an event like nationals. Brandwood and Evie Fortier were the only players to return to the team this year, with Brenda Holloway and Megan Arnold joining the Hawks.

“All the teams are so hard and some of these teams have played together for a couple years,” she said. “Hopefully next year, with only losing one player, the team will come back even stronger and hopefully we can make it back to nationals.”

Even though the women’s rink was eliminated from the playoffs, the men’s team will play for a chance of a medal on Wednesday, March 23. The semifinal draw begins at 12 p.m. eastern, with the medal draw scheduled for 5:30 p.m. eastern.

You can follow along on Twitter via @cordsports or check out our live blog on thecord.ca.