S The Silhouette Thursday, Jan. 11, 2018
SOMETHING TOTACO‘BOUT NEW MENUS AT THE HAMILTON FARMERS’ MARKET PAGES 14-15
INSIDE>> News: McMaster Students Union wage review // PAGE 3 Arts & Culture: Trust the crust: The Fizz sparkles // PAGE 13 Sports: Another international victory for Mac // PAGES 18-19
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Volume 88, Issue 16 Thursday, Jan. 11, 2018 McMaster University’s Student Newspaper
EDITORIAL BOARD editor-in-chief | thesil@thesil.ca
Shane Madill @shanemadill digital media specialist | dms@msu.mcmaster.ca
Aaron de Jesus
managing editor | managing@thesil.ca
Rachel Katz
production editor | production@thesil.ca
Catherine Tarasyuk
online editor | online@thesil.ca
Haley Greene sections
Sasha Dhesi news reporter Cassidy Bereskin news@thesil.ca news editor
Emily O’Rourke
features reporter
features@thesil.ca opinion editor
Reem Sheet
opinion@thesil.ca
Justin Parker sports reporter Jessica Carmichael sports@thesil.ca sports editor
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& culture editor Daniel Arauz arts & culture reporter Razan Samara aandc@thesil.ca
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MCMASTER THESIL
LOOKING BACK 'HE SILHOUETTE THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 28, 1995
iid fo r computer newbies has arrived at last
Unwrapping the food conspirac
MT A . « « _ t ' __ Doll Maybe Taco Bell wasnneratine operating I hate Taco Bell. To me. the McNaughton Centre, JHE B132 like a black hole, sucking the food smells cheap, tastes gross, (basem ent of the engineering Commons intot financial ruin. and probably isn't all too good for building). m Or could it have been that Taco the old in testin es. Personal We encourage you to utilize Bell was one of the only food opinions aside. I’m having trouble the e-m ail, since it involves a Sttk DoNNfur places providing s w a llo w in g quicker turn-around time, and is affordable food onTaco B ell’s better for the environment. An Axe to campus? E -m ail is a very efficient removal from M aybe I'm a in an ettort to help McMaster Grind means of communicating. If you the Com mons p e s s im is t— I can t lents, faculty, and staff with haven’t already activated your e building. help but snarl at oniputer problems, questions and mail account, go to any one of the A note from campus food prices in ds, the IEEE student branch is CIS computer labs on campus management on g e n e ra l. P°P during a weekly column to (KTH B110, B i ll , B 121, B122; the complaints machines sell cans of st with your queries. BSB 240-245; JHE 234, 233A; bulletin states pop for a buefc. the Kenneth Taylor Com puters are im proving ABB 166). that Taco Bell was rem oved Cafeteria sells flavoured water for idily, and keeping up with the The student consultants will because it w asn’t “financially ipment and software programs two bucks, coffees sell for a buck help you get registered, as well as feasible”. be a challenging, often and a quarter— and that doesn t introduce you to PIN E, the Exsqueeze me? trating task. even touch dinner! It’s no wonder program used to send and receive Do they mean that Taco Bell Computers shouldn’t frustrate a place like Taco Bell, selling messages on the internet. was drawing a deficit? Was Taco i! There’s a quick and easy tacos for a buck, and dinners for Type "help" whenever you’re Bell dragging the Commons down ition to the majority of those two or three stuck at the “muss%'' prompt. This to a negative profit m argin? lO p ru m iiidigiii; - dollars, would stand sing links. will get you more familiar with If you have a computer related our undergraduate server. stion, issue, etc., send it by e Once you have obtained your il to askieee@ieeesb.eng.mce-mail account, it is important to ster.ca. Alternatively, drop off remember to check your mail as ..... .....cinic»or lr letter to the IEEE behind other everyday words? By often as you would with your On Sunday I was wandering now you have probably guessed mailbox at home. around the W al-M art store in Fill us in on what computerthat I have nothing else to do with Eastgate Shopping Centre, when related issues and decisions you’d my Sunday afternoons. I heard a strange statement issue like to see in this column. We’ll You're right. L et’s get back to from the overhead speakers: “At try our best to serve you, the story. Wal-Mart, we use the philosophy answering as many messages as Fortunately, I o f ASK— A cquired Selfpossible. bum ped into the Knowledge.” Windows ’95, upgrading your new sc h o o l It suddenly occurred to me that computer or buying a new one are p re s id e n t from I would have to ask a question to a few possibilities for upcoming whom I borrowed iscover The Ultimate Golf acquire self-knowledge. article topics. Pass along your a confidential list. I started laughing and pointing Practise Facility suggestions! This important towards the ceiling. People stared Until next tim e, keep it Minutes From McMaster document is used at me as if I was laughing and exploring... by all influential staff at McMaster pointing towards the ceiling. I University. For fear of my life, I returned to my brainless shopping will have left the country by the without further incident. time this article reaches print (and I began to think: if a simple egular Bucket, with this coupon d o n ’t try to co n ta ct me at my word likeas/: could be turned into Hawaiian condo). an acronym , w hat pecu liar ! for 1 Monday and Tuesday * INTERNET ADDRESSES m eanings could couia we discover discov er i ne aievoiem T hen rsi firstmm a le v o le n, t,evn, ev il, (Driving Range Only)
outn„i like a financial sore! lik-p a financial sore! .
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But is it infeasible for fast-food
re s ta u ra n ts lik e T aco Bell to exist
on-campus? That depends on your perception. If you believe (and I do n 't) that on-cam pus services sh o u ld o p e ra te as a lu c ra tiv e business, d esig n ed to suck as much m oney from stu dents as possible, you could safely say, “ Ya, another pricey food jo in t would be in the best interest o f the Com m ons.1' You w ouldn't even have to wonder whether students prefer C hinese over Taco Bell, since your only concern is to make money. On the other hand, you may want services that are sensitive to w a rd s s tu d e n ts fin a n c ia l realities. This being the case, you may want prices that merely have
profit profit margins marginsof2fWv» of 2(Vto M ' ' r » f f a a ( v r I'ke (coffee and pop-*? * consider places lik e r N fin an c ially reacn ® sensible. You may e l? ' g iv in g students a deai P' KCS. rather than dn chains like Tim HoitoJ[ wnss ■ in nui sayinB n. food places should { J profit. I m just S r sort o f p r o f i t 't i g r!nr I "feasible”. If on-campus f0 becoming so moneET they get rid of student restaurants, maybe if . Mart bringing a luhch o i l off-campus. Maybe b, 1 ^nipus facilities is way to bring student re * into focus. I
Decoding those sinister message,
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,-inH inst.olain sneaky seems lighter a f ulighter ^ H - ,after I re a ^ seems sinister, and just plain sneaky acronym is PROFESSOR: aPpear m ystery has been tu R elatively O rganized For B O O K S T O R E ; ButOffr E v ery o n e's S ak e— Show O ff 1.-'cab le Staff 7 . Real Earnings. Rhetoric. A nother word \ n d finally (stop tfo, which might send ■ '■ the real truth ber I shivers down your b u reau cratic nightnarl spine (o r you endure each year: REGIS m ight c o n sid er R e j e c t E v e r y Good InCo Dante c lo sin g the S t u d e n t T o Revitalize w indow ) is Respect. Defalco FACULTY: For There you have it of truth. 'W l A nother C ute Useless Lesson, Try Yodelling. How should we react J major issues? Remember that your teachers are ac tu a lly using these What actions do we i guidelines. Sleeping habits in right these educational*, classes have fin ally been Should we fan and legitimized! more often in public place noticed your w allet Don't^ASK n Ifjuyou u uuin-cu n u n me. UB.
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the know ledge o f a Picture it, 8 a.m., grand individual. Who M o n d y is this divine creation morning...the start of you ask? your a brand new school professor! w eek. The Do you hijve an M cM aster campus Romk Katun and the surrounding in sp irin g p ro f who Heaths Curtm makes going to class area are in a blissful appealing? If so, the MSU has a slumber. It's so quiet one can hear the rustling of leaves in Cootes. com m ittee which provides an But on this morning, a handful of outlet allowing students to voice eager students gather to bask in their opinions on the quality of
teaching at McMaster. The T eaching Aw ards C om m ittee is d ed ica ted to re co g n izin g o u tstan d in g individuals who have shown a co m m itm en t to teach in g excellence and innovation at the university. Each sem ester the com m ittee holds a nomination period during which students are encouraged to nominate one of their professors. Following this
period, the committee eu* the nom inated professor] giv in g out questionnaire] students in the classes. Any questions or cflhce-1 he directed to the Com!;: Chairperson, Ronik Kana Hamilton H a lti'jn ^ K h x23868. If you art;fa|jeresi{] becoming a committee l... feel free to drop by the of | give us a call.
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It was just a summer job. Now it’s the rest of your life.
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Remember when your biggest career concern was running out of pap when it was easy to handle any summer job because it was just a sum ^W ^1' Now you're graduating. You want a career th a t will c h a l l e n g e you e v e r ® n offer a variety of responsibilities. You want to work w h e r e the le a rn in g ® 6 doesn’t flatten o u t after a couple of years. w At Andersen Consulting, our challenges change daily, like the world in which we work. Our job is to help clients do what they do. Only better.
The top story on this page from 1995 questions the removal of Taco Come talk to us about a career with Andersen Bell from the Commons building. Cited Consulting. as not being “financially feasible”, it sold tacos for a dollar and dinners for two or three. Andersen Consulting is an equal opportunity employer
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Vou ore to attend the ■ As always, we will continue toinvited accept volunteer Tuesrin? r T f l Consult'n9 Information Session on <$ submissions, feedback and 3rd inquiries. Feel free Tuesday, October f t The Faculty Club - G re a t* * Code 2337 or Call \M Talking Yellow Pages at (519) 310-8477 from 5:30 pm 7:30 to send an email to the section you would like to contribute to. -
www.thesil.ca | Thursday, Jan. 11, 2018
The Silhouette
| 3
News What the increased minimum wage means for MSU employees Under the new pay scale, MSU employees will continue to earn about the minimum wage
As of Jan. 1, 2018, the minimum wage in Ontario is $14.00 per hour. The going minimum wage for MSU employees is now $14.15 per hour. GRANT HOLT / PRODUCTION COORDINATOR
Sasha Dhesi News Editor
Working for the McMaster Students Union just became more lucrative with a new pay scale introduced as of the start of the new year. On Jan. 1, 2018, the minimum wage in Ontario was increased from $11.40 per hour to $14.00 per hour and it is set to raise once again in January 2019 to $15.00 per hour. This push is a part of the initiative for living wages by the Liberal government. A living wage entails a wage that a person would be able to support themselves and their family while working a typical work schedule. It includes basic necessities such food, shelter and transportation, but also notes that wages should be set
to allow for expenses such as gifts and outings to promote social participation in a community. Living wages vary from community to community, but groups such as Social Planning and Research Council (Hamilton) have studied the living wage in Hamilton and have released reports based on their findings. In one December 2011 report, the SPRC found that the average living wage in Hamilton was $14.95 per hour. Their research considered different home situations and factored in the basic cost of living in addition to expenses associated with social outings and skill-building. The studies do not, however, consider common expenses such as the cost of debt, pets and smoking and drinking habits. The study
also assumes people will work full-time. Currently, Hamilton’s estimated living wage sits at $15.85 per hour, according to Living Wage Hamilton. In response to this wage increase, the MSU completed a wage review in order to maintain the general ratio part-time employees received in comparison to the minimum wage while remaining within their budget lines. Within the MSU, all customer service representatives such as those who work at the MSU Underground, Compass and Union Market are paid slightly above minimum wage. Under the previous wage grid, these workers were paid $11.77, which was $0.17 above minimum wage at the time. Under the new wage grid, they will
Currently, Hamilton’s estimated living wage sits at $15.85 per hour, according to Living Wage Hamilton. receive $14.15 per hour, $0.15 above the new minimum wage. The same may be said for all of MSU’s salaried employees, such as part-time managers and associate vice presidents. Their wages have also increased at a consistent rate above the Ontario minimum wage. For example, employees who fall under the “C4” category were previously paid $155.16 per week. These same workers
will now receive $181.80 per week for the same amount of work. It should noted, however, that the majority of work within the MSU is part-time but only available to MSU members, who must be full-time McMaster undergraduate students. These jobs do not typically offer overtime, but do offer some perks such as discounts and retroactive pay under the right circumstances. The MSU has not released any documents pertaining to the next wage increase, which is set to occur on Jan. 1, 2019 . For now, students working for the student union can expect to see a bump in their biweekly paychecks.
@SashaDhesi
4 |
NEWS
Thursday, Jan. 11, 2018 | www.thesil.ca
Student Representative Assembly sends OPIRG fee to referendum From Jan. 23 to 25, students will vote on the fate of OPIRG McMaster’s funding Cassidy Bereskin News Reporter
At the Student Representative Assembly meeting on Nov. 26, the SRA and Board of Directors voted to send the Ontario Public Interest Research Group fee to referendum in January 2018. The McMaster OPIRG fee referendum will come in the wake of the vote at the University of Toronto, which occurred in November 2017 but failed to meet quorum. It will also follow the referenda held the University of Waterloo in 2016 and at Queen’s University in 2012, where students voted to eliminate their OPIRG fee. OPIRG is a province-wide organization that advocates for environmental and social justice. The group consists of chapters at 11 universities in Ontario. By facilitating free training workshops for students and funding working groups, such as the McMaster Indigenous Student Community Alliance, OPIRG supports grassroots activism. Currently, McMaster
students pay a $8.07 OPIRG fee, which has been included in the ancillary fees since 1995. While students can opt out of paying the fee, they may only do so by visiting the OPIRG office.
While the McMaster Students Union has not reevaluated the OPIRG fee in the past, the Assembly has scrutinized how it has been allocated. In November 2017, the SRA finance committee called for the impending referendum in light of OPIRG McMaster’s failure to sufficiently advertise the opt-out option. While the McMaster Students Union has not re-evaluated the OPIRG fee in the past, the Assembly has scrutinized
how it has been allocated. In particular, in December 2016, former MSU vice president (Finance) Ryan MacDonald reported to OPIRG that the Assembly was concerned about the fact that $145,000 of the $180,000 OPIRG funding was supporting administrative costs rather than working groups. MacDonald also noted the Assembly’s interest in making the opt-out option available online. At the Nov. 26 SRA meeting, Brett Cox, a representative from OPIRG, noted that in September 2018, the OPIRG opt-out will be moved online and that OPIRG will increase its working group funding by $50. The SRA ultimately voted in favour of sending the fee to referendum. The ballot will contain three options: preserve the $8.07 fee, reduce it to $5.50 or eliminate the fee entirely. MSU vice president (Finance) Daniel “Tuba” D’Souza, who proposed the $5.50 option, explains that this number is not arbitrary. “This fee reduction would allow OPIRG to continue func-
tioning in a similar capacity, providing funds for one to two permanent part-time staff members in addition to a significant portion of their current funding for programming and working groups,” said D’Souza during the Nov. 26 SRA meeting. Nevertheless, Jonathan Patterson, another OPIRG representative, highlights that this option would be problematic, resulting in the reduction of one OPIRG staff member. Sahra Soudi, OPIRG volunteer and former board member, also believes the organization should not be sent to referendum, particularly in light of the rise of conservatism at the university. “The skills I gained as an OPIRG board member have actually helped me and how I organize on campus as an activist as the co-president of the McMaster Womanists,” said Soudi. “OPIRG supports these groups and social justice initiatives. Without OPIRG, I’m afraid our campus will not be the same.” The SRA voted in favour of endorsing the $5.50 fee option. “Overall it seems the SRA
thought the $5.50 option would be a way to maintain OPIRG and their services while reducing the amount that students contribute,” said Helen Zeng, SRA Speaker. The campaign period for the referendum will start on Jan. 14, and polling will be open online from Jan. 23 to 25.
@cassidybereskin
CALL FOR NOMINATIONS STUDENT REPRESENTATIVES TO McMASTER’S GOVERNING BODIES
Elections will be held in March 2018 to fill vacant undergraduate and graduate student representative seats on McMaster’s governing bodies. Board of Governors: One graduate student representative Senate: One undergraduate student representative from each of the following Faculties: Business, Engineering, Science One graduate student representative from each of the following Faculties: Business, Engineering, Health Sciences University Planning Commitee: One undergraduate and one graduate student representative Completed nomination forms must be received in the University Secretariat office by 12:00 noon on Wednesday, February 7, 2018. Nomination forms and information about eligibility, terms, and election procedures are available on the University Secretariat website: www.mcmaster.ca/univsec/elections/index.cfm. All approved candidates are required to attend a mandatory campaign information session on Thursday, February 8, 2018 at 3:00 p.m in MUSC 230
OPRIG’s office is located on the second floor of MUSC, room 229. GRANT HOLT / PRODUCTION COORDINATOR
Questions may be directed to the University Secretariat, telephone, 905.525.9140 x24337, or email unielec@mcmaster.ca
NEWS
www.thesil.ca | Thursday, Jan. 11, 2018
| 5
What went down at the first 2018 SRA meeting The SRA kicked off the new year talking about the future of Homecoming Cassidy Bereskin News Reporter
On Jan. 7, the Student Representative Assembly and Board of Directors convened in Gilmour Hall for the first SRA meeting of 2018. A large portion of the meeting was allotted to opening and closing seats on a number of committees, including opening and closing nominations for SRA and McMaster Students Union members to join awards committees, such as the MSU Merit Scholarship and the MSU Spirit award. Another topic of discussion concerned the future of Homecoming. “There are a significant amount of students who do not attend homecoming for a myriad of reasons. From midterms to commuter reasons, faith restric-
tions and just lack of interest,” wrote MSU president Chukky Ibe in a memo to the SRA on Dec. 21, 2017. “We also have concerns about the responsibility of students and student leaders, concerns of the community,” he added. In the memo, Ibe also highlighted the issue of gender-based violence and behaviour from both performers and community members. He also highlighted issues of alumni not returning for Homecoming, explaining that while axing Homecoming is not up for discussion, the future of Homecoming remains uncertain. At the meeting, members of the SRA proposed a number of ways that the MSU could make Homecoming more worthwhile for alumni and students, particularly commuter students, in the future.
In particular, Sunny Yun, caucus leader (Arts & Science), suggested that Homecoming include alumni-specific programming. Ibe proposed cohort-specific programming, such as a reunion for SRA alumni. Sabra Salim, caucus leader (Science), argued that alumni may be more incentivized by specific types of programming, such as performances from big name artists. Salim noted that it may be more fruitful for the MSU to target multiple audiences, featuring unique types of performances, as achieved with Lil Yachty and The Strumbellas. Another recommendation entailed increasing the amount of activity on campus, particularly by expanding Homecoming Expo to make it more akin to Light Up The Night. When asked how Home-
coming can be made friendlier to commuter students, SRA members echoed the sentiment that there should be more activity on campus during Homecoming. “We should have programming for people who maybe the partying frequency [is not something] they go towards,” said Sabra Salim. The board of directors will be taking the Assembly’s suggestions into consideration. Currently, the MSU is part of a working group, which includes student unions from Queen’s University, the University of Waterloo, Western University and Wilfrid Laurier University, where it will continue to discuss these issues. The next SRA meeting will be held in room 111 of Gilmour Hall at 6 p.m. on Jan. 21, 2018.
“There are a significant amount of students who do not attend homecoming for a myriad of reasons. From midterms to commuter reasons, faith restrictions and just lack of interest.” Chukky Ibe MSU President
@cassidybereskin
McMaster Students Union’s
EVENTS CALENDAR Headphone Disco Thursday, January 11, 2018 Time: 10:00pm Where: TwelvEighty
Life After Mac Presents Hasan Minhaj Friday, January 12, 2018
MSU Campus Events is back with the ultimate silent party! Join us at TwelvEighty Bar & Grill on Thursday, January 11th for Nightlife’s Headphone Disco. Dance the night away with TWO amazing DJ’s as you are in control of your headset. Tickets are limited and will go fast - See you Thursday! STUDENT CARD REQUIRED: Your student card OR government ID (for guests only) must be given as collateral in order to receive headphones. Student card will be returned upon the return of your headphones.
Time: 4:00pm to 5:00pm Where: Sporthall — DBAC Hosted by MSU Campus Events, proudly supported by the Alumni Association, Life After Mac week culminates with HASAN MINHAJ! This event is open to McMaster University students only. All attendees must present their ticket, plus a current McMaster student ID card at the entry.
McMaster Indigenous Health Conferance Saturday January 13, 2018 Time: 9:00am to 4:00pm Where: DBAC
Stay Connected:
/MSUMcMaster
2018 McMaster Indigenous Health Conference will focus on sharing the personal stories and knowledge of women, girls and members of the LGBTQ2S community. MacIHC2018 aims to raise awareness of the disproportionate burden of ill health carried by Indigenous women and to contribute towards the development of sustainable solutions for more positive health outcomes. The McMaster Indigenous Health Movement team invites you to listen and understand the narratives of Indigenous women, girls, LGBTQ2S community members, and allies in a culturally safe(r) space to foster empathy, accountability and commitment to action.
Check out the full Events Calendar at: msumcmaster.ca/events
@MSU_McMaster
msumcmaster.ca
6 |
FEATURE FEATURE
Thursday, Jan. 11, 2018 | www.thesil.ca
Steel City sustainability Local businesses are making it easier to be green Emily O’Rourke Features Reporter
Over the last decade alone, the world has produced more plastic than during the whole of the last century. Nearly half of that plastic is only produced for a single use.
Pale Blue Dot The Pale Blue Dot is one of the newest additions to James Street North, supplying safe, high-quality, ethically sourced and earth-friendly alternatives to plastic or single-use products in addition to vintage and antique furniture. Founder and co-owner Mary Luciani launched the Pale Blue Dot with the belief that it can be easy for people to live more sustainably when
It can be overwhelming to think of all the ways we can change our habits to be a little bit greener and it can be difficult to believe that just one person can make a difference. As easy as it may be to get discouraged when reading about the effects of climate
change, Hamilton businesses are making it easier to make the first step into a more sustainable lifestyle. You can find just about everything at some Hamilton businesses looking to make an eco-friendly impact, from vintage and antique furniture,
Canadian-made clothing and even plastic-free alternatives to everyday hygiene products. Not only do these stores specialize in sustainable practices, but they also make an ongoing effort to become educational sources for those within the community.
given the opportunity to find products that help protect the environment from unnecessary waste. The team at the shop conducts extensive research into the products they sell, from the process in which they’re made, the people who make them and where they come from. “We work with companies that share our core values,” said Luciani. “Our customers can feel confident that when they purchase an item from PBD, they’re supporting great businesses and lowering their environmental impact while doing so. We don’t bring in any products with plastic parts or plastic packaging, and we do our absolute best to work with our suppliers to reduce unnecessary
packaging during shipping.” The Pale Blue Dot is focused on bringing people everything they need to live a more sustainable lifestyle from everyday necessities like bamboo toothbrushes and compostable silk floss to pre-loved vintage and antique furniture to furnish your home. Their selection of earth-friendly products is high quality, mindfully designed, locally and ethically sourced and fair trade. After being open for a full month, the Pale Blue Dot is now looking to become a community hub where customers can learn different ways they can contribute to a sustainable lifestyle. Starting this month, the store plans to offer different kinds of workshops to the community with topics ranging from learning different ways of using essential oils, making natural cleaning supplies and nutrition.
“One of our main goals is to become a space where people can come and learn, from us and each other,” said Luciani. “We recognize that we are all at different stages of the path to living a sustainable lifestyle, so it’s important to us that we create a welcoming, non-judgemental space.”
White Elephant White Elephant is an independent and female-run clothing and lifestyle store co-owned by Hollie Pocsai and Jane LaBatte. Opening their brick and mortar boutique on James Street North nearly 10 years ago and since expanding to a second location in Westdale, the duo are passionate about supporting the community while providing sustainable quality goods. With products that are independently made by artists, designers and crafters, White Elephant focuses on classic pieces that will not go out of style as seasons change.
As long as a single or team of independent craftspeople makes the product, all but two of White Elephant’s clothing lines are made in Canada, reducing pollution from shipping and supporting local artists. “Shopping local is so important. You’re supporting people in your community, and in turn, they can continue to support the local economy,” said Pocsai. Not only are the products sold at White Elephant supporting the local economy, but each purchase makes an impact on a global scale as well. As Poscai notes, there are several things to consider when making purchasing decisions, especially in fashion. “Thinking critically about what kind of practices are behind your purchases is a good way to start thinking on a global scale too — questioning whether people have adequate working conditions, are getting paid fair wages, or trying to contribute less to global landfills are all good things to keep in mind.”
FEATURE
www.thesil.ca | Thursday, Jan. 11, 2018
Starting small: Four ways to start living more sustainably
1. Commit to using reusable bags 2. Use a reusable water bottle 3. Shop second hand as often as possible 4. Say no to plastic straws Small change, big impact By making small changes within our daily routines, we can make a huge difference in our world. “Just remember that nobody is perfect, and you don’t have to be either,” said Luciani. “Sometimes you’ll forget to ask the waiter for no straw, sometimes you’ll forget your water bottle on the kitchen counter. It’s okay, just keep trying.” While it may take time to turn it into a consistent habit, it’s important to start small and to do what you can, where you can. Being conscious about where you are buying and who your supporting can be a great first step in living more sustainably.
YOU NEED TO LIVE SOMEWHERE! WE CAN FIND YOU A GREAT HOME!
@emily_oro
— MORE THAN 70 — RENTAL PROPERTIES AVAILABLE 1–10 BEDROOM HOMES
TIMOTHY LAW / PRODUCTION COORDINATOR MADELINE NEUMANN / PHOTO EDITOR
| 7
PRESIDENT’S PAGE
January 11, 2018 | thesil.ca
CHUKKY IBE President president@msu.mcmaster.ca 905.525.9140 x23885
Last semester, a student asked to meet with me. We sat in my office as she enthusiastically described an idea about which she was very excited. She began the conversation with a phrase I hear so often in my role: “I’m not political, and I don’t like to run in elections, but I have some ideas I would like to share with you that I think will benefit students.” She envisioned a platform that improves existing technology by making it easier for students to access services and resources on campus. After we debated and discussed her ideas, I encouraged her to submit them to the Student Life Enhancement Fund (SLEF). There is no idea too big or too small to submit to SLEF. By providing seed capital and financial support for student-run and University-based service providers, SLEF allows for the expansion of programming, infra-
structure and/or operations. The fund is intended for initiatives that demonstrate a commitment to improving and enhancing student life. SLEF is administered by the Student Services Advisory Committee (SSAC). The SSAC consists of elected student representatives, the Dean of Students and members of the Student Affairs team. This committee is ultimately accountable to full-time undergraduate students for the governance of the Compulsory Ancillary Fee Protocol and the use of student fees levied by the University. As a result of the ideas and subsequent voting by McMaster students last year, there is new seating, lounge space, microwaves, and electrical outlets installed in the Student Centre. Composting initiatives, charging station installations, and enhanced resources to student services were also funded. In addition, the Outdoor Activity Space installed at the north end of the Mona Campbell Track was funded by SLEF in the 2015 cycle. SLEF is funded through a portion of the student ancillary fee, paid to the Office of Student Affairs. The fund is in excess of $100,000 annually. The grant money is available for ideas of all sizes to be transformed into reality. SLEF is now taking submissions for ideas to help enhance student life and student services on campus. The SLEF portal will open on the 10th of January and will close on the 10th of February. All you need is a short paragraph describing an idea, which
is to be submitted via enhance. mcmaster.ca. Submissions will be synthesized, grouped into themes, and costs will be established by the SSAC. In March, students will be presented with
a list of ideas and given the opportunity to vote for their preferences. All ideas are welcome. I’m looking forward to the great student-led ideas SLEF will materialize at McMaster this year.
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/MSUMcMaster
TEXT ‘MSU’ TO 71441
The President’s Page is a space sponsored and used by the McMaster Students Union (MSU) Board of Directors (BoD) to communicate with the student body. It functions to highlight the Board’s projects, goals, and agenda for the year, as well as the general happenings of the MSU.
www.thesil.ca | Thursday, Jan. 11, 2018
EDITORIAL
| 9
Editorial What was left behind at Frost Week The most recent rebrand leaves more to be desired
Frost Weeks in the past have traditionally been about events welcoming students back to the university after a long break, complete with concerts, parties and other social events. Of Gentleman and Cowards, residence parties with unlimited pizzas, outdoor skating, Arkells, Frost Fest and Alessia Cara were just a few examples of what was featured over the years. 2017’s Frost Week had a notable change in priority. Shaarujaa Nadarajah, vice-president (Administration) at the time, noted, “We will fill the week with a variety of events so there is something for every type of student to enjoy”. Frost Fest and outdoor skating continued. Events like Faculty Nights, RepFest, the Student Wellness Centre and the McMaster Student Leadership Conference were given increased priority. This year’s complete rebrand to Life After Mac is self-explanatory as it focuses on students thinking about life after McMaster. A toast to your final semester at McMaster, a showcase of the Student Success Centre and information about grad school, the Mac Alumni services and career opportunities are all part of the events and programs.
While the focus on an underrepresented section of students is appreciated, especially given Welcome Week’s focus on new students and the introduction of Light Up the Night in 2015 as a social event later in the year, a few things should be tuned up for next time. This pivot to graduating students has left a large number of clubs and services in an odd position with the lack of ClubsFest II that typically takes place during the week. An opportunity to engage the student body, show off what people are doing around campus and get interest for new volunteers during the second semester is gone. While its removal makes sense with the focus of the week, ClubsFest II does not necessarily need to be during Frost Week. The scheduling in 2013 put Frost Week from Jan. 9 to Jan. 13 and ClubsFest II on Jan. 28, though this had some interference with the McMaster Students Union presidential election that ended on Jan. 31. At the time of writing, it is currently not scheduled to take place at all this year. The absence of events for a significant portion of the student population leaves a similar issue that some of the previous years had. Life After Mac itself caters to a very narrow audience. There is little provided for students who are not yet
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thinking about their lives after McMaster, students who simply are not interested in social events or comedy by Hasan Minhaj and students who have already considered their lives after McMaster. Being so relatively late in the year also means that a good portion of students who are graduating simply will not find the resources useful as they have likely thought extensively about their lives after McMaster already. That being said, other events running independently of this such as Diversity Week and the Ontario Undergraduate Student Alliance’s #TextbookBroke campaign do not appear to be splitting the focus of the McMaster Students Union enough to detract from each. Both are good causes, and both would likely be less effective if done during presidentials. The Life After Mac rebrand is a good idea given how few events are given nearly as much emphasis for graduating students. It is questionable to do this late in the year and as a niche replacement to the old Frost Week that catered to more of the student body. It is a good first step that needs a bit of adjusting to actually be effective.
to Time Wizard
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to slungry: feeling slutty and hungry to cold-shaming
to glitter butt
to awkward high school reunions
to Tim’s mom at Wrestle Kingdom 12
to chaotic impure elevator rides
to Dr. Henry J. Jacek
to McMaster’s sidewalk salting fetish
to the dickscourse to shoving your fingers down your friends’ throats to poppa Shane
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www.thesil.ca | Thursday, Jan. 11, 2018
The Silhouette
| 11
Opinion Season activities and student health Mental health can be linked to outdoor engagement
RAZAN SAMARA / ARTS & CULTURE REPORTER Aliza Prodaniuk Contributor
Many students dislike winter on campus. The season throws rain, slush, and snow, in varying degrees, onto the student masses, making hiking to class messy and miserable. Other areas of contention are having to wait for the bus in sub-zero temperatures and McMaster’s sidewalk-salting fetish. Although I personally and admittedly identify with this struggle, I think it is important for optimal student mental health to get outside and enjoy winter-based activities. I have always been a firm believer that staying mentally and physically active is important in order to maintain a balanced and healthy lifestyle. While education provides us with opportunities to exercise our mental fitness, it can also be the source of stress due to
pressing expectations. I know that for myself, being a successful McMaster student has been contingent on the endless fun of impromptu snowball fights, building snowmen and many a winter hike to see the spectacular frozen waterfalls in the area, all of which offer blissful liberation throughout the winter months. According to an article published in Frontiers in Psychology, “proximity to green-space has been associated with lower levels of stress and reduced symptomology for depression and anxiety […] [known as the] being away [philosophy].” As this philosophy suggests, being away incites personal feelings of “escape from the stressful demands of daily life, an extent, in which a perception of vastness and connectedness in an environment helps promote related experiences of
being away.” Luckily for us, McMaster’s natural backyard offers a plethora of opportunities to get out, get involved and escape into nature. Besides, we have snow this year, snow that will no longer require us to toboggan on half dirt, half slush. It is this year that we have snow, so let’s
I have always been a firm believer that staying mentally and physically active is important in order to maintain a balanced and healthy lifestyle.
get out and play. Two of my absolute favourite, budget-conscious activities that students can participate in include the Sunday Hike Series, facilitated by Nature at McMaster, and skating at Pier 8. The Sunday Hike Series includes hiking to waterfalls and diverse ecosystems found near McMaster, bestowing that feeling of “being away” noted in the article above. If you are interested in participating, the hikes take place every Sunday and are free to anyone who wants to get involved, unless otherwise noted. Show up outside McMaster niversity Student Centre at 10 a.m. with bus pass in hand. The very best winter activity though is skating at Pier 8. For those who don’t know, Pier 8 is located along the Bayfront and boasts a great view of Lake Ontario. In winter, the lake is especially breathtaking, offering
up a frosty backdrop to the fun of ripping around the ice rink either as a novice or full out figure skater. It is a place for romantics, friends and family to enjoy a great sport and an abundance of fresh air. The evening is a magical experience as music plays under twinkling lights. This activity is free to anyone with their own gear and rentals are also available for a reasonable price. If you didn’t think it could get better than that, Pier 8 is also home to Williams Cafe, an excellent space to warm up, eat and enjoy a hot beverage such as my personal favorite, a cup of hot cocoa topped with a mass of fresh whipped cream. Remember, staying mentally and physically active is an essential part of maintaining a healthy and well-balanced lifestyle. @theSilhouette
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Thursday, Jan. 11, 2018 | www.thesil.ca
The Silhouette
McMaster residences are wasteful The residence culture of disposability has littered Mac’s potential for sustainable practices Adrianna Mitchell Contributor
While living on residence for the first time, I had come to think of on-campus housing as a rite of passage for university students. I thought of communal bathrooms, the inevitable roommate conflicts and the disappointing dining hall foods. I anticipated these to be an unavoidable part of residence living. However, despite my generally low expectations of the conditions of campus living, I was shocked by the lack of foresight in McMaster’s residences and the daily functions that come with housing thousands of students. Given the number of students living in residence, McMaster cannot afford to ignore the reckless and unsustainable waste practices on campus. The potential impact of creating a sustainable waste reduction process is great, as McMaster is known to house almost 3,600 students in 12 buildings. In lacking a responsible and effective waste reduction policy, the university has failed students. McMaster has left gaps in residence students’ education. Adequate waste removal and sorting services are not available to students; Mac’s environmental education policies point the finger at students. The culture of disposability that pervades on-campus housing is apparent in both the personal choices of residents and the administration’s lack of policy. Dining halls are littered with students eating in disposable containers. Reusable cutlery is hard to come by, and
correct waste receptacles are difficult to distinguish. There is little incentive for students to implement waste reduction practices, as hospitality services does not seem to be prepared for such regulations. According to the most recent Waste Reduction Work Plan created in 2015, the university hoped to expand compost and increase sustainable packaging. The waste audit leaves something to be desired as most recyclable products have no waste reduction plan in place, the only goal being to “continue to recycle.” One goal was to include recycling bins in washrooms, which, as any student can attest to, has not happened in residences. In the 2016 Sustainability Annual Report, one objective is to increase the amount of waste diverted from landfills. However, reducing this number is only a quick fix for a larger, systemic problem. A near 20 per cent increase in waste diversion sounds good, but it fails to account for the amount of waste produced that could have been avoided in the first place. McMaster’s sustainability policies broadly ignore the root causes of issues and put the onus on students and individuals, rather than taking accountability for institutional actions. “Awareness raising” policies have been implemented across campus, from educational materials to ever-changing signage on waste receptacles; using passive tactics that do not have any measurable goals makes the university look better without doing much. No matter how many people look at a poster
RAZAN SAMARA / ARTS & CULTURE REPORTER
or recycle their plastic, the real problem is being ignored. In residence, the problem of waste production is daunting. There are no compost bins in residence. While student groups have had success in getting green bins in the student centre, no such initiatives have taken place in residence, nor should there be. It should be the responsibility of the University to
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Given the number of students living in residence, McMaster cannot afford to ignore the reckless and unsustainable waste practices on campus. establish composting facilities in residences, not individual students. Dining halls do participate in a program where reusable Eco-Takeout containers are provided. Students pay a onetime fee of $5 to get into the program, and then can use the green containers for their food. This program does not seem to be widely used, as a quick walk through Centro will show that most students do not participate in the program, evidenced by their lack of green plastic containers.
The Eco-Takeout box also repeats the mistakes of other initiatives, placing all of the responsibility on the student with little incentive or reward. The containers are small and tend to be stained from time spent sitting in student’s rooms. Residences have the potential to be a laboratory for innovative sustainability practices at McMaster, but are instead areas of immense waste production. Looking toward solutions, McGill University seems to succeed where Mac has not, as they have successfully implemented composting in its residences, and has tried to “build a culture of composting” at the university. Raising awareness about composting will not make sustainable, impactful change. The university needs to create policies that take responsibility for waste, and residences are the perfect place to start. @theSilhouette
The Silhouette | 13
www.thesil.ca | Thursday, Jan. 11, 2018
Arts & Culture Culinary Class Act
The Fizz Sodas + Sandwiches
King Street East serves satisfying menu of smoked meat sandwiches and hand-mixed sodas
C/O FACEBOOK @THEFIZZSANDWICH
Daniel Arauz A&C Editor
What is it? Despite my well-documented love for trying new foods, I have been eating the same lunch for my entire life as a student: a plain, but effective coldcut number with Havarti cheese and lettuce. Perhaps my rigid relationship with the sandwich has interfered with my curiosity for downtown Hamilton’s dedicated sandwich and soda shop: The Fizz. I instantly regretted that after my first bite of their pulled pork shoulder, apple cider vinaigrette, smoked cheddar, honey and roasted jalapeno sandwich. The Fizz is a sandwich and soda shop that serves and delivers some of the best lunch and dinner options for students looking for a convenient delivery option, or for an opportunity to explore King Street East.
This is one of the best places to get a delicious sandwich downtown, with a menu featuring flavours and ingredient combinations that are sure to satisfy.
How to get there: Take the 1 or 5 bus from campus to Main and Walnut. Once you arrive, walk along Walnut Street South towards the nearby King Street East intersection. The Fizz’s bright blue exterior will be just shy of the intersection across from King Karaoke.
Price range: Sandwiches range from $8.00 to $10.00, while most generously portioned “small” sides are $3.00. Their delicious hand mixed sodas are $2.00 for a small and $2.50 for a large. It is worth checking their website and Instagram feed for daily specials.
Many of these deals are perfect for group orders that include two sandwiches, including a 50 per cent off your second sandwich deal on Saturdays, and $2.00 sides and large drinks on Tuesdays. The Fizz is also one of the few restaurants on Skip The Dishes that provides free delivery on any orders over $20.00, making it ideal to order for small groups.
Must-order item: The aforementioned love-atfirst-bite pork shoulder sandwich, “The Pigskin”, is a personal favourite. You really can’t go wrong with anyone of their smoked and BBQ style meat sandwiches, with daily specials that have featured smoked brisket, lamb, and even venison. When I’m craving something a bit lighter, I go for the Fustercluck: smoked chicken with avocado-lime mayo, charred corn, black beans and jack cheese.
This is one of the best places to get a delicious sandwich downtown, with a menu featuring flavours and ingredient combinations that are sure to satisfy. The beauty of this item is in the avocado-lime mayo, which can also be requested as a fantastic dipping option to go alongside my favourite side of their kettle chips. Additionally, The Fizz offers a vegetarian smoked pepper-based sandwich with zucchini, mushrooms, red pepper mayo, goat cheese and arugula
on ciabatta. While I normally hold off on purchasing soft drinks, you shouldn’t pass up the strawberry basil, blueberry mint or sour cherry soda. These drink pairs perfectly with any one of their sandwich options.
Why it’s great The Fizz prides itself on their simple, but expertly crafted sandwiches, and has even inspired some revisions to my usual go to lunch item. Most of all, in spite of their time and attention they put into crafting some fantastic quality and interesting combinations of ingredients, they still provide a ton of food for an extremely reasonable price. While new, trendy dine-in experiences naturally spur the most attention, its these convenient, reliable and neighborhood-conscious spots like The Fizz that I love, and will always keep coming back to. @danielarauzz
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A&C
Thursday, Jan. 11, 2018 | www.thesil.ca
What’s new at the market? The Flyin G’nosh and Best on Bread bring new flavours and flair to the Hamilton Farmers’ Market Razan Samara A&C Reporter
At The Flyin G’nosh, Chef Mandip serves up Indian-inspired and street-styled eats that will overcome you with acute nostalgia for summer days at festivals despite the winter weather. Market visitors can enjoy Supercrawl favourites such as paneer and tandoori chicken tacos to more wholesome and traditional meals like chana masala served with rice and salad. For two years before becoming a vendor at the market, The Flyin G’nosh food truck has impressed hungry festival-goers all over Ontario, and Hamilton was no exception. For Chef Mandip, who is a Milton resident, Hamilton’s enthusiasm for his creations drove him and his food truck to the market.
“In Hamilton, people are instantly drawn to you, they remember you. People have come up to me at different events or the next year and say ‘do you remember me?’ and I’ll say ‘I remember you because you did that the last time we were here’, and they’re like ‘that’s right, I love your food!’” explained Chef Mandip. Chef Mandip’s decision to create a permanent location for The Flyin G’nosh at the Hamilton Farmers’ Market had been
GRANT HOLT / PRODUCTION COORDINATOR RAZAN SAMARA / A&C REPORTER
in the works for a year, but he was waiting for just the right moment. The market is supportive of small-businesses and now that it’s busier, T he Flyin G’nosh has joined the comradery of vendors. Nestled between Pokeh and the Eat Industries’ ramen bar, The Flyin G’nosh brings together the unique flavours of Indian and global foods to an already impressive array of diverse foods at the market. Chef Mandip’s dishes are inspired by his experiences as a Canadian-born child of Indian parents. He grew up eating Indian food at home, and every chance he had to eat at restaurants was an opportunity to explore the diversity of foods around him. As a young teenager who was eager for spending money, he started working at restaurants, but after going to college for engineering, he realized his heart was still with the food industry. He then decided to pursue culinary school at George Brown College. Since then, Chef Mandip has used all the things he learned as a chef and has ap-
plied them to the flavours that he grew up with to create The Flyin G’nosh. “I wanted to make sure that it was still trendy with an urban-feel. I didn’t want it to feel like you were at your grandmother’s house or at an Indian restaurant down the street, I wanted it to be fun and fresh. It’s a different take on the things that you’re already used to eating,” said Chef Mandip. Chef Mandip is also big on flavour. He always tried to maintain the quality of his ingredients and believes that Indian food doesn’t have to be overly spicy, but it definitely has to have lots of flavour and texture as a “wow” factor. He also focuses on deploying concepts from different cultural cuisines to make handheld and easy to eat street-style foods, such as tacos and kebabs, while still reiterating the flavours associated with Indian food. “I’ve been trying to make food accessible in a way that will make people enjoy it without having to sit down like a traditional meal,” explained Chef Mandip.
However, considering the market environment and the ease of limitations that previously restricted the food truck, The Flyin G’nosh menu also includes meals such as mixed vegetables or chicken tikka masala with rice and salad to satisfy market-goers on dinner breaks. Despite adding more traditionally-styled dishes, Chef Mandip’s goal is still to serve unique food in a fast, casual and convenient way. This means avoiding twenty-minute waits typically experienced at traditional restaurants, but still having the option to sit down in a warm and inviting atmosphere.
A&C
www.thesil.ca | Thursday, Jan. 11, 2018
Best on Bread Slow roasted porchetta, thinsliced beef, classic salsa verde and crispy onions are just some of the ingredients hailed the best on artisan buns by Best on Bread founder and chef, Grant Whittaker. The handcrafted and gourmet sandwiches made an appearance while Whittaker was working on the MeatVentures food truck this past summer. Driven by passion, dedication and a reality check from his wife, Tina Whittaker, the artisan sandwich shop found a home in the market. Whittaker has twenty years of experience in the restaurant industry underneath his chef ’s hat. He was barely out of elementary school when he started learning recipes from Vito, a chef at an Italian restaurant he worked at in his youth. Whittaker found himself in the fine dining scene as a head chef at wineries in Grimsby and Niagara before leaving the industry to take on construction jobs to support his growing family. “Best on Bread is kind of like my wife’s brainchild.…
She saw how miserable I was. She could tell that’s not where my heart was. She said ‘you have to go out on your own’,” said Whittaker. “I just got back into the Hamilton food scene and realized how much it was growing, and how much there was a niche for people like me and that was it. It was my time.” As the name implies, Whittaker carefully selects the best and highest quality ingredients when creating his menu for the market vendor and his catering business. He finds inspiration from the Food Network, an occasional episode of Julia Child and the LCBO’s Food & Drink magazine for his recipes. More importantly, he stays up to date with the next big thing from the sources of his ingredients: the farmers and butchers. “They know what’s coming up, what’s going to be fresh and what’s the best thing I can put on my menu. So I kind of let them guide me.… You listen to the people that know the ingredients and you go from there,” explained Whittaker. Best on Bread is by no means limited by sandwiches. Whittaker also creates crostini, an Italian appetizer made up of sliced and toasted bread, which he tops with lobster rolls, smoked duck prosciutto and sometimes foie gras for a luxuri-
ous twist for his catering clients. As for the vendor, customers can choose from four signature sandwiches or choose their own ingredients as well as seasonal sides, such as polenta and risotto. Sometimes, Whittaker will make his sandwiches a little special for the people who come by. “I’m kind of like a bartender too, you can talk to me about how your day’s been… sometimes I’ll customize a sandwich for a customer… I want to get to
know the customers that come to me,” said Whittaker. The Hamilton Farmer’s Market creates a unique and welcoming atmosphere for Best on Bread. Whittaker is not only interacting with market visitors, but other vendors who make up a supportive community. Whittaker started Dinner at the Market, where he picks up local produce from vendors at the market and lets the ingredients inspire a new dish. He then invites everyone over for a bite.
“It’s so tight-knit, it’s really family-like.… It’s such a community down there and I wish I could show people who don’t come down that experience, every day, because it will make them come back all the time,” explained Whittaker. In due time, Best on Bread hopes to expand and maybe add some duck to the menu. For now, visitors can enjoy some Figgy Blue beef and Rosa porchetta. @theSilhouette
Bridges Café
Refectory Building
Come check out this hidden gem on campus! McMaster’s Plant based dining experience is a fantastic combination of different ethnic dishes and old classics. Feature Roti Fresh ingredients compliment the unique environment. Mixed vegetable curry,
organic rice, chana or roasted spiced root vegetables,wrapped in a warm Roti skin.
@hospitality.mac
@maceats_foodie
| 15
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GAMES
Thursday, Jan. 11, 2018 | www.thesil.ca
Puzzle 1 (Hard, difficulty rating 0.68)
9
3
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Generated by http://www.opensky.ca/sudoku on Wed Jan 10 21:53:36 2018 GMT. Enjoy!
Puzzle 2 (Easy, difficulty rating 0.45)
6
2
9
7 6 7
Across 1. Animal 6. Weaponry 10. Cracked 14. Aquatic mammal 15. Follow 16. Denier’s words 17. In spite of 20. First name in advice 21. Lusitania sinker 22. Cream-filled cookies 23. Mosque leader 24. Intense anger 25. Intelligible 32. Law of Moses 33. Symbol of slavery
2 34. Snakelike fish 35. One way to stand by 36. Examines closely 38. Domesticated 39. “The Matrix” hero 40. At the drop of ____ 41. Capital city of Yemen 42. Raising of a number to a power 46. Links org. 47. Matches a bet 48. Photographer Adams 51. Baseball Hall of Famer Cap 53. “Fancy that!” 56. Iranian range
59. ____ boy! 60. Bern’s river 61. Leers at 62. Loch ____ monster 63. Roe source 64. Back in
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Generated by http://www.opensky.ca/sudoku on Wed Jan 10 21:53:36 2018 GMT. Enjoy!
Puzzle 3 (Medium, difficulty rating 0.57)
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Down
8 23. Noncommittal words 24. Signs 25. Manuscript volume 26. Lowermost deck 27. Hilton competitor 28. Long, long time 29. Game of chance 30. Geneva’s lake 31. Zeno of ____ 32. Fork part 36. Queens stadium 37. Tin 38. Mai ____ 40. ____-Saxon 41. Loud-voiced person
2
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1
1. ____ fide 2. School founded in 1440 3. Envelope abbr. 4. Attach by stitches 5. Victory 6. In 7. Tabula ____ 8. Catcher’s glove 9. Hearst kidnap grp. 10. Peace Nobelist Sakharov 11. ____ de vivre 12. ____ time (never) 13. Fixes illegally 18. Ski lift 19. Like Eric the Red
2 8
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43. Musical dramas 44. Flowed out 45. Long time 48. Islamic call to prayer 49. ____ Dogg 50. Cpls.’ superiors 51. Eastern nanny 52. Nick Charles’s wife 53. Golden 54. Cabinet dept. 55. Exxon, once 57. Airline to Oslo 58. Word that can succeed old, ice and bronze
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Generated by http://www.opensky.ca/sudoku on Wed Jan 10 21:53:36 2018 GMT. Enjoy!
6 3
MSU CAMPUS EVENTS PRESENTS TWELVEIGHTY NIGHTLIFE
dIsCO E L P O E P Y T R A P THE SILENT
STUDENTS (ALL AGES) — $15 | GUESTS (18+) — $20
THURS, JAN 11, 2018 DOORS: 10:00PM | PRICES INCLUDE HST
TWELVEIGHTY
18 |
Thursday, Jan. 11, 2018 | www.thesil.ca
The Silhouette
Sports Creating championship culture The men’s volleyball team adds another impressive victory to their international record in a back-to-back series against Long Beach State
Mac’s Peter Khodkevych contests for the ball against Long Beach’s Bjarne Huus. C/O FRASER CALDWELL
Jessica Carmichael Sports Reporter
Honesty, integrity, respect and excellence. These are the four pillars that drive the McMaster men’s volleyball team every season. For head coach David Preston, these values have nothing to do with volleyball or sports themselves, but everything to do with developing student-athletes a whole. So far, this has definitely been working in his favour. The team headed into the 2017 winter break with a 6-1 record, including a five-game winning streak, leaving them in first place in the Ontario University Athletics West Division and ranked ninth in U Sports. Although this is quite an impressive feat, it is the 7-0 record against international competition in the last two years, which includes a 4-0
record this season against two of the top National Collegiate Athletic Association’s teams, that has people talking. The Marauders remained undefeated against the reigning NCAA Division I champions, the Ohio State Buckeyes, back
“It is not about our record or ranking because that is just not something we talk about. We just prepare for our next opponent and take care of our side of the net.” David Preston Head coach Men’s volleyball
in October when they faced them for the second time during the Nike Team North American Challenge. Against the visiting Buckeyes, the Marauders were ultimately able to pull ahead and leave Burridge Gym as international champions after a close game the first day and a second day that saw the Marauders go undefeated. Then over the winter break, McMaster played host once again to American opponents, the Long Beach State University 49ers. The Mac men proved to not be the nicest of hosts, handily defeating their Californian foes in back-to-back games. The set scores against the 49ers were 25-23, 19-25, 25-23, 21-25 and 15-13, leaving the team, fans, friends and family with an awesome head start to their New Year’s Eve celebrations. But for Preston, the unde-
feated international record is the last thing on his mind. For him, being able to play teams at a high level and not have that competitive consequence of seeing them in the playoffs is one of the major benefits. “You want to play at the highest level you can but you don’t want to show everything you got so early in the season and have it come back and haunt you in the playoff stretch,” said Preston. “Playing a new group of guys from Long Beach is a good task for us,” added Andrew Richards, Mac’s leading scorer of the final night. “Especially when it comes to creating a game plan against a team we have never played before.” Although the level of exposure of playing such high-profile programs is a bonus for McMaster Athletics, the Marauders mainly use these matches to see what gets exposed and what
works well or not. Then they make the appropriate changes to play even better against the top Canadian teams. “This way you get to play great competitive matches with zero competitive cost,” Preston added. The combination of the high profile matches and the regular season winning record has brought out a large number of consistent supporters to McMaster’s Burridge Gymnasium, a luxury not many Canadian universities have. “Our goal is to try and create that championship culture,” said Preston. “So that when we get into those matches that we really want to be in at the end of the year, it is not that much different then what we have dealt with all year.” The addition of the new Litzen Family scoreboard generously donated by T. Litzen’s Sports, the entertainment
www.thesil.ca | Thursday, Jan. 11, 2018
provided by DJ Jukebox and McMaster Athletics, plus the impressive level of athleticism by the Marauders themselves has all honed not only championship culture, but has also increased Marauder fan culture. “It is good for us to get used to using that energy from the fans in a good way rather than getting nervous from it,” said Richards. With the 2018 U Sports Men’s Volleyball Championship being held at McMaster in
“To actually play in a national championship and represent your school is a feeling like no other. To be able to do it at your school, for your school is unbelievable.” David Preston Head coach Men’s volleyball
March, the ultimate goal for the men’s team is not just to be able to play in it, but to come away with the win. “To actually play in a national championship and represent your school is a feeling like no other,” said Preston. “To be able to do it at your school, for your school is unbelievable.” Hamilton last hosted the national championships two years ago, but the Marauders fell short to the Trinity Western University Spartans. The Marauders will now have an opportunity to relive that experience in front of a roaring home crowd. But coming away with a win is still McMaster’s main objective. The Marauders go into each season with three goals: securing as much home court advantage as they can for the playoffs, qualifying to compete for an OUA championship and winning the chance to compete at the national championships against teams from across Canada. “Everything we do is around those three goals,” said Preston. “It is not about our record or ranking because that is just not something we talk
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about. We just prepare for our next opponent and take care of our side of the net.” As for what is next for the 2018 half of the 2017-2018 season, Preston and the Marauders do not plan on making any major adjustments. The team enjoyed a bye week right after the break and has been preparing to face their next opponents the Brock Badgers and Windsor Lancers on Jan. 12 and 13. The Marauders find themselves currently ranked tenth in the Jan. 9 U Sports national poll as the only Ontario team to crack the list. Solid wins against the Badgers and the Lancers stand in their way of moving up in the rankings. The match against the Lancers will be one to watch as the Windsor team sits tied for second in the OUA West, two points behind McMaster and looking to move ahead in the playoff hunt.
@jaaycarmichael
Welcome Week Survey Every year, we ask students to provide feedback on their Welcome Week experience. These are the results from #MacWW2017.
= Artsci
1,486 Marauders responded.
14%
= Engineering
17%
= Health Sciences
94% of respondents were first years who participated in Welcome Week.
88%
2%
= Business
6%
= Humanities
10%
= Kinesiology
3%
= Nursing
2%
= Science
31%
= Social Sciences 15%
“Best week of my life!” Anonymous student feedback.
of respondents said Welcome Week met or exceeded their expectations.
After participating in Welcome Week...
79% 88% 93% felt Welcome Week helped develop their identity as a Mac student.
felt emotionally safe at McMaster.
99%
MORE
THAN YOU’D EXPECT FROM A
PUB!
felt physically safe at McMaster.
72% 72% felt prepared for classes.
felt student leaders were positive role models.
felt ready for their transition from high school to university.
Find us in Gilmour Hall, Room 110. studentsuccess.mcmaster.ca @MacSSC
BIOLOGY BOOZE CART FALLS Dreams of getting even more drunk wasted by inability to stand C12
THURSDAY
THE
HAMILTON SPECULATOR Devilman Cr ybaby since 1934
Januar y 11, 2018
NOTSPEC.COM
Student newspaper mutiny
New regime promises what was promised before, but with a free coffee on Wednesdays
SAINT PETER VEGAS Piracy isn’t cool, kids
A hostile takeover of your favourite fake news resource promises more of the same, but actually done well. “Look, we know our last chief promised better wi-fi and affordable textbooks, and we’re gonna steal those ideas and better execute them,” said Sean McGill. “Has wi-fi improved? Are textbooks more affordable? I can’t actually tell.” McGill also promises to work to make the media creator database with Underground, the MSYou voting system, the comprehensive athletics policy, working with the HSR
to build new bus shelters on campus, service-club clusters, the MacServe Year of Learning program, the event loan system for clubs and faculty societies and most of the other things mentioned by the winner of the last presidentials. It is unknown whether or not McGill understands that he is not the students union president. Moving forward, the paper will also attempt to cut costs by taking over Mills’ second floor on a permanent basis.
INSIDE ONLY NICK SABAN COULD GET AWAY WITH PLAYING HIS BACKUP QUARTERBACK FOR 97 PER CENT OF THE SEASON A2 IT’S ACTUALLY FASTER TO WALK TO DUNDAS THAN IT IS TO TAKE THE BUS BECAUSE OF THE DELAYS A4 GERARD WAY HAS A NEW SONG ON SPOTIFY, SO WE CAN’T MAKE PUNS ABOUT HIS NAME THIS WEEK B2
An artist’s rendition of a typical night at the office. This could also be a rendition of how The Silhouette interacts with the students union.
Minimum wage increase offsets hours cut previously Cutting benefits that barely exist are next SAINT PETER VEGAS Blessed are you who are poor
The good news is that we will get paid almost exactly what we used to a year ago. The bad news is that this will probably only be in affect for the next term. The minimum wage increase will be used to justify reducing costs in other areas despite hours previously being cut and the belief that efficiency wages are just a myth. “Yeah, I don’t really believe in that. If you want to increase productivity, then just cut the hours and have them fend for the scraps,” said vice-president (Finance) Damien Trombone O’Malley. This was particularly
Mandatory pets
Daily worship and sacrifices to our Prime Minister
Making sure courtesy cards are on time The one mandating that I remain stuck in the office
The purge Painting every road purple to add more colour in our lives
ARTICLE IN STUDENT NEWSPAPER CHANGES SOMEONE’S MIND D1 I HAVEN’T WON ANYTHING, BUT I HAD A GOOD TWEET THE OTHER DAY SO THAT’S COOL D2 MY DREAM OF A JAGUARS/ TITANS AFC TITLE GAME CONTINUES D4 I WISH THE STUDENTS UNION WOULD GET UP TO MORE SHENANIGANS SO I HAD MORE TO REPORT ON E1 WE ALMOST GOT IN A FIGHT WITH THE WESTERN GAZETTE. WE WOULD HAVE WON E4 We used my entire salary for 2017 to stage this photo.
The minimum wage increase
All of the above
ANGRY RESPONSES TO THE ARTICLE ON B5 C3 IS IT POSSIBLE TO GET BROTH POISONING FROM EATING TOO MUCH PHO? A LOCAL STUDENT INVESTIGATES C4
effective for our Online Editor who received larger cuts than other editors on the same pay grade after being told that online should be the focus for the future. Sources say that taking multiple jobs to support yourself on top of strenuous academic work and a lack of sleep is a phenomenal way to stay productive and maintain your mental health. However, all of these sources are also our employers. Moving forward, we will be employing a minimum of 50 employees for a maximum of 30 minutes a week per person in order to avoid any labour law requirements for benefits.
POLL: What’s your favourite new legislation?
JOURNALISTS AROUND THE COUNTRY WERE MYSTIFIED ABOUT HOW OUR OFFICE WASN’T 80 PER CENT STRAIGHT, WHITE, CIS MEN, BUT CONTINUE TO HOLD ELECTIONS TO HIRE THEIR STAFF AND NEVER REACH OUT TO ANYONE ELSE ON THEIR CAMPUSES B5
Tweets to the Editor Why do we have a minimum wage?
“Closing Time” is an underappreciated banger
- Jason, 34, owns a multinational corporation
- Andy, 23, nostalgic to the point of losing musical taste
PER ISSUE: There’s probably a typo somewhere, but that’s okay because we all make mistakes and all we can do is try and do a little bit better each week
Disclaimer: The Hamilton Speculator is a work of satire and fiction and should not under any circumstances be taken seriously. This term may have the saltiest Speculators yet, so we’re going to have a lot of fun over the next few months.