Kitchener’s up-and-coming nightlife Arts & Life, page 11
THE CORD
THE TIE THAT BINDS WILFRID LAURIER UNIVERSITY SINCE 1926
ACADEMICS
Posters defaced Vandalism leads to discussion on the Rainbow Centre’s mission
KATE TURNER EDITOR-IN-CHIEF
Campus, page 5
NOVEMBER 19, 2014
OUTREACH
TAs, prof discuss training It’s no question that teaching assistants play a pivotal role in university students’ lives. For many, they are the instructor they interact with the most, who predominantly marks their work and the person they go to if they’re struggling with school or personal issues. In late October, an e-mail went out to the employees of Wilfrid Laurier University, including TAs, stating that each employee would need to complete training on the Integrated Accessibility Standards Regulation and on the Ontario Human Rights Code, in accordance with the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act, by Dec. 1. For many TAs, this is the only training in terms of sensitivity they have received and for some, this is the only training they have received at all. Fourth-year health science student Maddison Bibby is a lab TA for CH110. Before the school year began, she was required to complete some training. “We had about a two-hour training session … about all the safety requirements you have to remember for all of the labs. They give you a notebook that lists all the different safety requirements for each specific lab you’re going to be doing with the classes,” she said. Bibby also had to redo the Workplace Hazardous Materials Information System training. However, aside from the required AODA training, there was no sensitivity or diversity training. Ginny Pecjak is a graduate student in the cultural analysis and social theory program and a TA for a women and gender studies class. Aside from an orientation at the beginning of the year, she said there hasn’t been much in terms of training. “They do host workshops throughout the year as well for TAs, which is nice, but first-time TAing as a masters student, I was really unsure of what I was expected [to do],” she said. Bibby’s hiring process was much different than Pecjak’s. She was required to submit an application to the lab coordinator, whereas Pecjak was offered the position when she was accepted into her masters program. However, some TAs reported that their only requirement was a minimum GPA, with no formal interview or training. Sofy Carayannopoulos hires and
VOLUME 55 ISSUE 14
SHELBY BLACKLEY CAMPUS NEWS EDITOR
WATERLOO’S
BEST BURGERS
An incident that invovled someone defacing posters the Rainbow Centre put up around Wilfrid Laurier University’s Waterloo campus was recently brought to the attention of Special Constable Services. The posters, which were promoting the Rainbow Centre’s events for Trans Awareness Week, were vandalized with an equal sign with a slash through it. The Rainbow Centre was unable to comment further due to this being an ongoing investigation. As a result of the incident, however, the Rainbow Centre is talking about the type of culture that would allow this to occur. “When we make outreach campaigns in the community and stuff,
News, page 3
OPINION
Is it really worth it to hit snooze on going to class? Page 17
LOCAL
Waterloo’s first-ever LGBTQ bar to open soon Page 7
SPORTS
Football’s Dillon Campbell named MVP by the OUA Page 20
CAMPUS
Arts & Life, page 12
How is indigenous culture being taught in schools? Page 4 LENA YANG/CREATIVE DIRECTOR