Helping or hurting? While voluntourism may have its benefits, a negative experience can possibly be harmful to both the volunteer and those in need In Depth, page 10
THE The tie that binds Wilfrid Laurier University since 1926 Volume 53, Issue 15
thecord.ca
Wednesday, November 21, 2012
Fund looks to prevent violence LINDSAY PURCHASE LOCAL AND NATIONAL EDITOR
“I want it to be one unified community. I want it to be a unity, you know,” said forward-thinking firstyear business student Kang Tran. While hip hop and Laurier are not often thought of in tandem, Tran is dead-set on changing up the dance scene on campus. Though only in his first year, Tran is already spearheading ALIAS, Laurier’s first ever hip hop “crew” to compete in OUCH, the Ontario Universities Competition for hip hop. “Laurier in comparison to all the
universities out there, in terms of hip hop is under the radar,” he said. “I really want to stick it out there and be like ‘hey Western, hey York, hey Queens, Carleton,’ whatever; all the universities out there, Laurier is here to fight, you know what I mean?” After leading ALIAS to a third place finish at OUCH, held last Saturday night at the John Basset Theatre in Toronto, it looks like his vision is coming into fruition. First held ten years ago at the University of Waterloo, OUCH brings together hip hop crews from across the province who pop, lock
and drop-it for the chance to win the top prize of hosting next year’s competition. Durham College swept the competition for the third time in a row, however, Laurier delivered one of the most passionate performances of the night, eliciting raucous cheers and a standing ovation from much of the audience. Unlike many of the other competitors at OUCH, Tran incorporated a variety of styles in his choreography, bring many of his dancers out
A new governmental funding initiative aims to benefit women on university and college campuses across Canada by supporting local organizations that address sexual violence. Nearly $4 million is being distributed to 21 organizations that will work in partnership with various postsecondary institutions to deal with issues of violence against women on campus. One organization that was included is the Sexual Support Centre of Waterloo Region, which is receiving $191,030 and will be working in partnership with the University of Waterloo and Wilfrid Laurier University administration and student groups over the next couple of years. Sara Casselman, the public relations and operations manager for the Sexual Support Centre, said that research will be conducted to “prevent future violence and if it does happen, how we can respond appropriately to that violence.” When asked why it was beneficial for organizations to receive the funding, rather than having it given directly to universities and colleges, Casselman responded by saying, “Assault centres are experts in the area of sexual violence. We have the ability to kind of step back and use our expertise in partnership with
Arts, page 14
National, page 8
Dealing with depression
Losing value
Hawks keep rolling
Broadcast legend in K-W
TSN’s Michael Landsberg stops by WLU to discuss his 15-year struggle with mental illness
Cord Columnist Leah DeJong laments the bachelor’s degree’s status as necessary for most jobs
5-0 win over Waterloo improves women’s hockey team’s record to 11-1-1 on the season
Retired CTV anchor Lloyd Robertson visits Words Worth Books to share his story
News, page 3
Opinion, page 17
Sports, page 19
Local, page 6
NICK LACHANCE PHOTOGRAPHY MANAGER
Growing hip hop at Laurier WLU’s ALIAS takes third at the Ontario Universities Competition for hip hop “Laurier, in comparison to all the universities out there, in terms of hip hop, is under the radar.”
—Kang Tran, member of Laurier hip hop crew ALIAS
AMY GRIEF ARTS EDITOR
Inside