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Volume 88, Issue 18 Thursday, Jan. 25, 2018 McMaster University’s Student Newspaper
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editor-in-chief | thesil@thesil.ca
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Thursday, November 4, 1982
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K la n s m e n n o j o k e Dear Editor: I am appalled and angered to discover that there are members of our campus community who find the Ku Klux Klan a source of levity and humour. While I was enjoying the Halloween festivities at The John last Saturday evening two men suddenly showed up in the characteristic costumes of the Klan. These individuals even had the audacity to enter themselves in the costume com petitions. It is disappointing to know that there are students, (or guests of students, else how could they have come to be at The John), who are so insensitive or misguided that they do not realize the pernicious or injurious nature of such at tempted humour. How could these two people neglect
the fact that these “ritual robes” have meant terror, death, and destruction to thousands persecuted by the K.K.K. The K.K.K. is the antithesis of the goals of our education and the goals toward which mankind must strive. They are a bitter source of agony for many races in North America, and their ideals gnaw at the very structure and fabric of our society. I hope that this “ faux pas” is merely ignorance of history and that these two masqueraders will take the time to con sider the implications of their actions. No one could possibly have laughed with you or at you because the source of your humour is enough to make a person cry. With much incredulity... Joel Couse
Voting on the arms race disarm until it is certain that the “other Dear Editor: The world is presently experiencing side” is doing the same. Municipal elections usually have an arms race of unprecedented propor tion which national governments appear very poor voter turnout since local issues unable or unwilling to curb. The 1982 are perceived to be of lesser importance. U.N. special session on disarmament But what can be of greater importance ended in utter failure. The issue of disar than the survival of ourselves and the mament is an issue of personal survival world? It is our dream that all citizens and survival of our world, and yet, what will vote on the referendum issue even recourse does an individual have? though they may otherwise ignore the Government must be made to unders election. A strong “yes” vote will send a tand that its citizens are concerned and powerful message to the Canadian demanding of action to reduce the global government to pursue global disarma ment more actively. We strongly urge all dangers now confronting us. This municipality along with over 80 citizens to vote “YES” on November 8. Committee for Public other Canadian cities and towns will hold Social Responsibility a referendum on balanced disarmament Diocese of Niagara on November 8. “ Balanced” disarma Anglican Church of Canada ment means that one “side" will not McM aster Community. Published weekly during the regular academic year, the opinions expressed herein do not necessarily represent those of the publishers, the M cM aster Students Union, Inc., or M cM aster University. Circulation is 1 1 ,0 0 0 for the weekly issues and postpaid subscriptions are available at $15.00 per year.
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The Silhouette, Volume 53, strives to be an independent newspaper serving the
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v i t a l to M c M a s t e r to e n s u r e t h a t it c o n t in u e s to p r o v id e
& culture editor Daniel Arauz arts & culture reporter Razan Samara aandc@thesil.ca arts
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M c M a s t e r F u n d b y v o tin g y e s in th e M S U r e f e r e n d u m T u e s d a y o r W e d n e s d a y . F i f t e e n d o l l a r s p e r y e a r is a
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there he was subsequently^',^ the USSR. I did not check theif, remarks before they were evidently the interviewer s m ^ 1 Mr. Ozog is wrong, however ! belief that I appeared on Polish ing the period of martia, presumably during my visit to last spring. The only occasion | so was when I was intervientd book: Poland’s Politics, Wealisa Kealism on November8,1981 ly, it was during that "Solidarity” leaders were appear Polish TV as well. I am not going to argue over other points about Polish politics by Mr. Ozog. They are dealt length in my last b o o k ij^ B ^ ' Decade, which is availaMetothelj sity Bookstore.
p r e p a r e d to le t t h e f o u n d a t i o n c a v e - in . U n le s s y o u p u t s o m e e ffo r t a n d n a t u r a lly , m o n e y in to s h o r in g it u p y o u
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Mr 0z°g is correcting, that Jaruzelski did not retnajr Catholic school in Warsaw until fact, he was there only until the^ of World War II in 1939, whenhe, ed to be in eastern Pnlfljfr ^
S t a y in g v it a l T he sam e
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I have read with interes, . Ozog's expatiation in your is* tober 28 . concerning my r’ “Solidarity” in the The Silhouette. Canada is a free coun everyone is entitled to his 9 From the outset, and Q mid-1981 (as my studenfiM been pessim ist^ have • Solidarity’s” prospects.*® so far, I have been prove&m? Mr. Ozog’s m ore o p tim is ttd f^ still come true, but I am afraid hold much hope for it.
Executive Editor—Jeff Andrew Advertising Director—Gary Dell
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Dear Editor:
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Dear Editor: As members of the YES campaign for the McMaster Fund referendum, we feel it is important to address some of the concerns raised to us regarding the McMaster Fund. It is important that all students have a clear understanding of the nature of the McMaster Fund and the reasons for its existence. It is also impor tant that they understand how they will be affected by it and the coming referen dum. The McMaster Fund is an effort by the University to raise $12 million over 5 years in order to offset the staggering blows of underfunding combined with ever increasing inflation. (l)T h e c o n trib u tio n s to the McMaster Fund will help supplement and enhance the excellent academic qualities of our University. They will pro vide money for growth and rejuvenation of services. McMaster Fund contribu tions are investments to maintain the quality of your education, they cannot be paralleled with tuition fees or Provincial grants. » Over 80 per cent of McMaster’s
operating budget, (excluding funds that support research on this campus), originates as Provincial Grants, 15 per cent originates as tuition fees. Due to cut backs and inflation, this budget is only just enough to operate the University without considering its constant need to remain contemporary and dynamic. The re fe re n d u m on T uesday November 9 and Wednesday November 10 asks students to permit the University (note: not the MSU), to collect a $15 donation to the McMaster Fund from each undergraduate for the next 5 years. The S.R.A. has ensured that there will be an office open during the first four weeks of school to which students may go to col lect a partial or full refund for their dona tion. This facility was provided for those who cannot afford to contribute $15, and for those who strongly object to con tributing to the McMaster Fund. However, we, who are also students with strictly limited resources, believe that the cost of $15 per year now is small in consideration of the benefit of a high quality education for oneself and others. Students at other Ontario Univer
sities have already recognized the needs and benefits of fundraising efforts similar to the McMaster Fund. All the schools with similar funds already have student support, and these include Queen’s, Western, Windsor, Waterloo and Toronto. It is not unreasonable to say that the absence of these funds combined with the unwillingness and inability of government to provide increased grant support would severely cripple the abili ty of Ontario’s University system to pro vide a quality of education comparable to that in other provinces.
Some technical points regarding the McMaster Fund should also be clarified. The McMaster Fund donation of students is $15 per year. If the referendum is suc cessful this will last for 5 years and can not be changed unless another referen dum is held by the S.R.A. The S.R.A. felt that it was in the best interest of the students to split this donation, giving 70 per cent of it to Library Acquisitions and 30 per cent to the Instructional Develop ment Centre through the McMaster Fund. Your donation to the fund should not be considered as simply an increase
in tuition fees as you have the r collecting a reimbursement; yotr tion is an expression of supportlj quality education. (2) Many students anc organizations on the McMasterca have already endorsed'jthese eluding: the M.E.S., thel.RC a ( 'ommerce Society. In addition your support lor tion makes it easier for oftttssud •I'M '
■ "i |xirations amySune
provide support, fibarfci We hope you wilflp very carefully and find your to vote yes. Support edUQpfion, in the future. The YES Campaign ( ' JoelCousc f Molliei Dawn McM
Chris Airhi Tony Pal Steve IH Theresa Deni, ( ieorge Koszuck KimGriffi' Nancy Navi" Mike A
Mac Fund no guarantee of standard Dear Editor: The Mac Fund Yes Campaign cer tainly has gotten underway with a bang. Posters everywhere, including the library washrooms. Such zeal! Unfor tunately, most students only seeing Yes posters will believe “Yes” to be in their own best interest. This could not be fur ther from the truth. Why make a big issue about $15, besides it might help the University, right? Wrong, on several accounts. As the fees would be refundable they would not be classified as compulsory. OSAP will not consider this amount then when determining student grants and loans. Most students, especially incoming ones will not realize that they can ask for their money back. Moreover, of those who do know, most will find it too much hassle to ask for their money back. You can be sure that the administration will not relish giving back any money. Students will ignore the fine print, not get their money back and submit to the financial
thumb screws of the University. The greater issue, more abstract and less readily appreciated, is that of who is responsible for education? Who should pay? Whether the people (the general beneficiaries) or the students (the direct beneficiaries) should pay the McMaster Fund works against both. If the students should pay then be honest and make the Fund a compulsory fee. (A side benefit is that students will have this considered in their fee schedule.) If the public decides it should pay then the Mac Fund becomes unnecessary. The Ontario Government does not want its priorities challenged by the peo ple. Their priorities are, however, clear ly against education. The Mac Fund plays into the hands of the Ontario government which wants people to pay. (Ironically, while the proportion of On tario’s income from the personal sector has increased, so have the user fees.) The Mac Fund assumes students must pay while refusing them the advantage of
classifying it as compulsory. The Mac Fund will appear to solve problems thereby allowing the illusion that ‘all is right in Ontario’s universities’ to' con tinue. As long as the people believe all is right, as fostered by the Ontario govern ment, then they will not act. They will not make a public stand for or against universities. Solutions to underfunding will not be forthcoming until people decide to support or reduce the education system. This will not occur until the illu sion that all is well is shattered. Human nature as it is, people will pay the fee if instituted, but they will not benefit from it personally, through loan schedules, or generally, in terms of im proved services. The erosion was cumulative and unnoticed for years. It will take years to repair the damages caused. (Decline or improvement is gradual, especially in social service in stitutions.) There is the very big assump tion that the Ontario government relents
In the art review ‘Faculty Exhibi tion: nice, safe and sound’ (The Silhouette, 21 October) John Ruskin Minor expresses the hope that Lome Toews ‘finally takes the step into the 20th century'. The implication is that Toews work is outdated. If this were so, which 20th century art world would Toews have to step into? The art world of Mondriaan, Kandinsky and Lawren Harris (JRM should easily recognize the connection between the three)? The world of Picasso—blue period or Guernica? Or the art world of Iain Baxter, President of N.E.Thing? Or of Karel Appel or of Harold Town? Of Jack Shadbolt, of William Kurelek, of Ken Danby, of Jack Chambers, of...? Scores of names could be added, but the point should be clear by
now: John Ruskin Minor’s statement is useless. It is also misleading. JRM seems to assume that 20th century painters ought to paint less naturalistic, ‘less conser vative and probably more avant gardist (whatever that means). JR M did not have the benefit of having read an inter view with the composer Srul Irving Glick in the same Sil. For his benefit 1 quote: “Sil: In recent years there has been a trend among other Canadian composers to adopt a more lyrical and consonant style? Glick: Oh, absolutely—there's no question about it. Not only Canadian composers, but there are people like George Rochberg in the United States, who has really turned around, and has said that he feels that he has wasted the years that he wrote in the avant-garde
Fior
and provides survival funds to maintain
Forgotten purposes of Art Dear Editor:
current levels for the next five not, what then? A “voluntary tion? The Mac Fund plays into the the Ontario government!®®1the illusion that all is well soin* do not feel the need to ac^snd decision. The Mac guarantee that the University ■ tain current standards let alone provements. Students suffeff®1 partly through their owniMttc it is true, but largely throughre to go against the crowd andde®* rightful money back. The & hurts, it doesn’t help, no matter appearance. As a final note, if I wantto^ give but don’t take automatically and havethe^1 call it a donation, at leasttJSJl11 can benefit from it. I’m voting referendum, against theMic
style. He is now writing music that is like late Beethoven: very beautiful, very powerful, very moving music.” JR M may also benefit reading Calvin Seerveld’s inaugural address A turnabout in Aesthetics to understanding (1972, Institute for Christian Studies Toronto). Perhaps JR M may come to realize that art mav have (a) different purpose!s) than he thinks it has. He mav even come to real.ze that the somewhat peaceful settings of Toews may brine some rest to a restless world. The 20th century could do with a bit more rest and S t S > ) ! and 3 b"
'eSS WUh P° ° r art
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Dear Editor: An open letter to the Enl1 My friends and 1 alt^ Hallowe’en Pub last Sah#“ What a mistake that turned*1 only were two of the Eng. tremely rude, but we were al*1 a strip show—a strip show > sional stripper (not just I he audience like you said. ^ stupid or naive you should guess like the editor of B* said, you boys put women1*' or should we say runway’ ■ Don’t expect us to shfl* next pub.
Bert den Roggende
N *t# f
This cartoon from 1982 features Pierre Trudeau in a frog suit opening Tylenol Extra Strength after trick or treating.
WE WANT YOU TO CONTRIBUTE As always, we will continue to accept volunteer submissions, feedback and inquiries. Feel free to send an email to the section you would like to contribute to.
www.thesil.ca | Thursday, Jan. 25, 2018
The Silhouette
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News A look behind Women’s March Forward 2018 A year after the first women’s march, community organizers congregated in Hamilton city hall to explore new ways to advocate for equality Ileena Ke Contributor
On Jan. 20, thousands of people took to the streets to protest in favour of women’s rights, and Hamilton was no exception, with a Women’s March Forward Summit held at city hall to talk about what can be done to further civil rights, at home. The agenda listed three main workshops following the 30-minute keynote speech, all of them embodying intersectionality, or the framework that brings to light the interconnectedness of various social oppressions and how that informs one’s identity. The summit saw delegations from a vast array of speakers about various topics such as community organizing with Pam Frache, Cindy Gangaram and women, labour and social justice; Padmaja Sreeram, Sahra Soudi and Gachi Issa covering anti-racism and anti-oppression
in movement building. “The organizing committee is just really conscious of the criticism that was received by the global women’s march movement, about not including other genders, and there not being people of color,” Daniela Giulietti, YWCA’s advocacy and engagement coordinator said, in a phone interview. “We have really tried to push [intersectional feminism] to the forefront.” Criticisms of last year’s march were aimed at the continuous presentation of white, cis-gendered, straight middle-class women. The keynote speaker, Brittany Andrew-Amofah, Policy and Research Manager at Broadbent Institute, spoke of the significance of including diversity in race with a statistic. “53 per cent of white women voted for Trump,” she said, then added that the point was not to antagonize white women, but to show the result of excluding various voices. “Oftentimes,
GRANT HOLT / PRODUCTION COORDINATOR
race is chosen over gender.” While the movement within the last year brought intersectionality into the rallies and events, Andrew-Amofah questioned whether it was “truly intersectional”. She referenced an image taken during a march, noting the pink hats with stubby antennae. These “pussy
“I really want women and other non-men genders to have the tools to be effective change makers and to create the future that they want to see in their community.” Daniela Giulietti YWCA’s advocacy and engagement coordinator
hats” were a form of exclusion. A symbol for a uterus, the hats centered cisgender women and left trans women out of the conversation. Embodying intersectionality into advocacy was not the only objective for the organizers. Inspired while at the women’s convention in Detroit, and by a book on the women’s shelter movement in Canada, Giulietti wanted to revisit the energy of last year’s march. “I really want women and other non-men genders to have the tools to be effective change makers and to create the future that they want to see in their community.” Giulietti said. “The objective [of the summit] definitely is to shift the conversation from word to action. And I think the first way to do this is through education.” Andrew-Amofah liked to approach it as “organize to be politicized.” “Feminism is great. It’s a
place of solidarity,” she said in her speech. “If we don’t change it into… policy change, we’re going to be organizing forever.” “What I’d like to see come out of this, is concrete change, whether they’re small or large. A greater push to work together to do something concrete. Whether it’s a motion at the municipal level, or whether it’s another campaign, like a postcard campaign to send to the federal government, I’d like to see something concrete come out of this,” Giulietti said. “We make sure the floor under all women is strong, and work together to break glass ceilings. … We work together to achieve the equity of men.” @theSilhouette
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NEWS
Thursday, Jan. 25, 2018 | www.thesil.ca
Getting hired by the MSU What to expect if you want a job with the McMasters Students Union
MADELINE NEUMANN / PHOTO REPORTER Tanoy Biswas Contributor
As the new carries on, so does a new round of hiring both inside and outside of the university. The McMaster Students Union in particular hires its employees and volunteers throughout the year because of the demand for the various services and resources offered by the school. With departments such as the Silhouette, TwelvEighty, the Union Market, Campus Events, Compass Information Centre, the Underground Media + Design Centre and over 30 services to hire for, the MSU is responsible for employing individuals for over 300 part-time positions, hundreds of volunteer positions and multiple full-time positions. The vast majority of employees in the MSU are either
students working part-time or recent graduates working full-time, with a few exceptions for some of their permanent full-time staff. The MSU’s hiring cycles differ from one another based on the time of the year and are usually contingent on the hiring board’s availability. “The November 2017 hiring took two to three weeks with the jobs posted, reviewing applications, conducting interviews, selecting successful applicants etc. In November, we filled positions for SWHAT coordinator, Horizons coordinator, Creating Leadership Among Youth coordinator, Welcome Week Faculties coordinator, Mac Bread Bin director, Shinerama coordinator and Farmstand director” said Preethi Anbalagan, MSU vice president (Administration).
The interviewing process is standard for all positions to ensure the MSU maintains equitable hiring practices. “We typically allocate 30 minutes for the interviews and provide the set of interview questions ahead of time, albeit we ask two to three additional situational and job-specific questions that are not provided in advance,” said Anbalagan. “Providing questions ahead of time provides accommodations to those that may have extreme nervousness or general anxiety in interviews.” The MSU website also contains information on how to prepare for job interviews. The various hiring boards of the MSU’s hiring process include the outgoing part-time manager to assist and guide the selection process. Additionally, the MSU invites campus and
university partners as guests to sit on hiring boards to provide insight and guidance for decision making for the niche positions at McMaster. For example, the MSU may ask McMaster’s sexual violence response coordinator to sit in on the hiring of the Women and Gender Equity Network coordinator’s hiring board as a content expert. This is consistent with hiring practices within the institution. For example, McMaster University also attempts to use more inclusive pronouns during interviews. The hiring cycle for summer jobs is currently underway and all sorts of work opportunities at McMaster University can found through the McMaster Students Union website, OscarPlus and MOSAIC. @theSilhouette
The vast majority of employees in the MSU are either students working parttime or recent graduates working fulltime, with a few exceptions for some of their permanent fulltime staff.
NEWS
www.thesil.ca | Thursday, Jan. 25, 2018
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Addressing textbook affordability at Mac #TextbookBroke campaign sparks discussion about Open Educational Resources MADELINE NEUMANN / PHOTO REPORTER
Cassidy Bereskin News Reporter
From Jan. 7 to 20, hundreds of McMaster students participated in #TextbookBroke, a campaign spearheaded by the Ontario Undergraduate Student Alliance aimed at addressing and opening dialogue about textbook affordability. The McMaster Students Union ran the campaign alongside the McMaster University Campus Store, and asked students to tweet pictures of their textbook receipts using the hashtag, “#TextbookBroke”. To address the rising costs of textbooks, OUSA proposes that faculty instructors adopt open educational resources, which are free, openly licensed or public domain online textbooks and course resources that they can develop, share and modify. The #TextbookBroke campaign comes in the wake of a policy paper published by OUSA on Nov. 21, which was constructed following the provincial government’s increased
funding for eCampusOntario, a non-profit organization which has pushed universities to adopt OERs. The policy paper examines OERs and how the government should continue to work with eCampusOntario. It also proposes a number of recommendations for the Ontario government, such as the suggestion that university faculty members have the financial and infrastructural capacity to develop, use and review OERs. At McMaster, Ryan Deshpande, MSU vice president (Education), aims to spark discussion about OERs amongst students and professors at the university. “This is why we are holding events that explain OERs to students, and also provide them an opportunity to advocate to professors through letter-writing,” said Deshpande. With MSU Advocacy, Deshpande organized an event called “Letters to Professors: OERs,” which was aimed at educating McMaster faculty members about OERs.
“I invited every instructor at McMaster to an event where the CEO of eCampusOntario, David Porter, delivered a presentation to educate instructors about the benefits of OERs,” said Deshpande, who is also interested in working with the McMaster University Faculty Association and the University Administration to incorporate OERs into McMaster’s Tenure Promotion Policy.
The MSU has also been working to take control of “McMaster Used Textbook Sales [All Years,]” a public Facebook group created by Rachelle Ireson, Yet advocating for the adoption of OERs is not the only effort the MSU is making to address textbook affordability. According to Chukky Ibe, MSU president, the MSU
is also working through the Undergraduate Council to make amendments to the Undergraduate Course Management Policy, which determines the structure course outlines and how instructors manage their classes. As a result of these amendments, students will be able to see course outlines at least two weeks before classes begin. “This will allow students to better select their courses, and understand what course materials we need before selecting our courses,” said Ibe. “Students will be able to see their course materials, and make better financial and academic choices based on the timely release of the course outlines.” The MSU has also been working to take control of “McMaster Used Textbook Sales [All Years]” a public Facebook group created by Rachelle Ireson, a McMaster alumna and Career Development Relationship Manager at the McMaster Faculty of Engineering. Ireson created the group, which allows students to buy and sell used textbooks,
when she was in her second year at McMaster. “The thing that was most frustrating for me was buying all these textbooks and then taking them back to the bookstore not being able to get anything for them really,” said Ireson. “I thought there must be a better way to recycle books between students.” During Ireson’s undergraduate career, the Facebook group exploded in popularity. Over the last few months, Ireson and Ibe have been working to transition the page to MSU Macademics, where monitoring the Facebook group will be built into the role of the Macademics Coordinator. Overall, the MSU continues to work with community partners and administration to keep additional costs low for students. @cassidybereskin
6 |
NEWS
Thursday, Jan. 25, 2018 | www.thesil.ca
Mac’s new associate vice president In her role, Arig al Shaibah will work with student groups and campus partners to promote McMaster’s equity and inclusion goals Donna Nadeem Contributor
McMaster University recently hired their first associate vice president (Equity and Inclusion). Arig al Shaibah, a vice-provost from Dalhousie University, will be starting her term on April 1. Al Shaibah plans on engaging with the campus, local and historically underrepresented or underserved communities to insure that she is hearing all voices to understand and learn of the challenges and opportunities. She wants to ensure that she is aware of the various perspectives of the diverse communities in order to build strong ideas and strategies to advance the equity and inclusion goals at McMaster. “McMaster is clear in its commitments, has invested in programs to support equity and inclusion and has been active in making sure the systems, structures and symbols are in place that are necessary for institutional change,” said al Shaibah.
“I have always been personally passionate about advancing equity and inclusion, perhaps in large part given my own lived experiences.” Arig al Shaibah Incoming associate vice president (Equity and Inclusion) “My first task is to meet members of the campus and local communities — to listen and to develop our relationships as a foundation for working together moving forward. Trust and transparency are critical to doing this work ethically and effectively,” she added. Currently, al Shaibah is the vice-provost and acting executive director at Dalhousie, and has also spent many years at Queen’s University, where she achieved a PhD in Cultural and
Arig al Shaibah will begin her term as McMaster’s associate vice president (Equity and Inclusion) on April 1. C/O DALHOUSIE UNIVERSITY
Policy Studies. Her dissertation was about educational equity in higher education. At Queen’s, al Shaibah worked as the assistant dean of student affairs (student life and learning), where she focused on residence life, student transition and academic success. At Dalhousie, al Shaibah worked as the vice-provost (Student Affairs) and acting executive directors (Human Rights & Equity Services). Al Shaibah also taught courses in feminist pedagogy and critical race studies during her time as a professor. She also spent around a
decade working for non-profit community organizations which support and advocate for diverse populations and for the past 15 years has worked in the university setting, helping advance equity and inclusion goals. “I have always been personally passionate about advancing equity and inclusion, perhaps in large part given my own lived experiences. As I became more knowledgeable about inequities locally and globally, I began to feel a great sense of responsibility to use my agency personally and professionally to make a difference,” said al Shaibah.
Shaibah’s passion and experience about equity and inclusion through her own lived experiences made her become even more committed to supporting those who face inequities both locally and globally. “Although the work can be emotional and challenging, I find it extremely empowering and rewarding to see efforts resulting in change,” she explained. McMaster has put in efforts to support equity and inclusion programs, through their Equity and Inclusion Office that ensures that students, staff and faculty are all treated respect-
fully in all areas of campus life. Arig al Shaibah hopes to improve and clarify issues with inequities and inclusion. “McMaster has expressed a commitment to equity, diversity and inclusion and there are obvious signs of this commitment across the institution. It will be important to consider where McMaster has been, where we want to go and how to get there together.” @theSilhouette
NEWS
www.thesil.ca | Thursday, Jan. 25, 2018
| 7
Who’s new on the SRA The Student Representative Assembly has three new members in the engineering, kinesiology and science caucuses
The Student Representative Assembly holds meetings twice a month where they discuss policy and student life. MADELINE NEUMANN / PHOTO EDITOR Vanessa Polojac Contributor
On Jan. 18 and 19, the SRA by-election took place. This is when Student Representative Assembly, the governing body of the MSU that is composed of undergraduate students elect new members inside specific academic faculties. During these elections, Josh Arbess was elected as a representative for SRA (Engineering) and Kenzie Shin as a representative for SRA (Kinesiology). Sergio Raez Villanueva claimed the SRA (Science) seat, with no others running for the position. The McMaster Students Union serves students in two main areas: political representation and the enhancement of student life. They provide political representation and advocate for decisions that are in students’ best interests at the university, municipal, provincial and federal levels.
Josh Arbess is a Level I Engineering student. During his time on the SRA, Arbess plans to introduce and advocate for many initiatives that will benefit Engineering students, and the entire undergraduate body on campus. He advocates for better representation of diversity by raising attention to groups supporting minorities in engineering, and ensuring that everyone’s voice is heard through a more coherent system for religious and spiritual accommodations in regards to academics. “Through the SRA, I can advocate for the needs and requests of the faculty ensuring that engineering students voices are heard,” said Arbess. Transit is another issue that Arbess is willing to address while on the SRA. He hopes to increase bus service on key university routes and promises to improve religious, Indigenous and spiritual observances with
more diversity in university clubs and initiatives. Additionally, Arbess plans to educate the faculty body on what the SRA does, and how they can get more involved in MSU operations. “Speaking with a number of my peers, very few of them knew what the SRA did, or even what it was, before this election,” said Arbess. Arbess believes that accountability measures, such as increasing the use of social media to publicize initiatives and meeting information, will get more students involved in the governance that affects their university experience. Arbess also believes accessibility and communication are crucial to being a student leader. To become an active advocate, Arbess will also hold and participate in office hours, attending all times mandated in addition to chatting with peers about issues affecting them outside of
“Speaking with a number of my peers, very few of them knew what the SRA did, or even what it was, before this election.” Josh Arbess SRA (Engineering) regular office hours. Third time’s the charm for Kenzie Shin who has already run twice prior to her third and final election run. Shin is a Level IV Kinesiology student. Shin’s platform focuses on transit and cost reduction in regards to university hospitality services. Shin promises to uphold her position and represent all kinesiology students. Shin hopes to advocate for the installation of WiFi to inac-
cessible spaces on campus such as bus stops. Her platform also focuses on lowering food costs and reducing taxes. Both Arbess and Shin will work to provide the best possible MSU services and departments, represent and address the concerns of undergraduate students, and lobby the university to improve McMaster’s academic quality. The representatives are vocal about getting the McMaster community involved with the MSU. To find out if there is a position open in your faculty, or for further information on running for a position within the SRA, contact the MSU chief returning officer at elections@ msu.mcmaster.ca.
@theSilhouette
PRESIDENT’S PAGE
January 25, 2018 | thesil.ca
RYAN DESHPANDE Vice President (Education) vped@msu.mcmaster.ca 905.525.9140 x24017
Every year, all three levels of government along with major institutions go through their budget-setting processes. To ensure the process is democratic, they often listen to stakeholders and take their needs into consideration. Part of effective lobbying is ensuring your priorities are incorporated into the respective budget. Stakeholder organizations often release a “budget submission,” which outlines their priorities and the costs associated with them, with the hope that the budget managers will actualize those priorities. The MSU has released several budget submissions as we have grown our advocacy capacity. Each year, we submit a budget to the provincial government through the Ontario Undergraduate Student Alliance (OUSA), and we have seen remarkable success through this. The most
notable success was the 2015 budget submission, which asked the government of Ontario to reallocate the Education Tax Credit to upfront grants in the form of the Ontario Student Assistance Program (OSAP). As a direct result of OUSA’s lobbying as acknowledged by the government, this exact ask was realized, and the new OSAP we’re all familiar with was created. OUSA has released a submission to the province for 2018, where we ask for investment into open educational resources, experiential education, and restoration of public funding. The MSU also releases an annual University Budget Submission, where we ask the University for investments and reallocation of funds into particular areas.
Budgetary lobbying is about smart solutions that need the necessary investments to make them a reality For the first time, we have created a submission for the City - a municipal budget submission. Asking the City of Hamilton for budget investments is important, as students represent a large demographic in the city. Our priorities for this budget include: transit, housing, student employment, waste management, and by-law programs. For transit, we are asking the City to invest in the 10-year transit strategy, as outlined by staff in 2015. Year three of this strategy was not honored last year, and we want to ensure that development of robust and rapid transit
continues in the city. MSU members pay over $4 million into the HSR, and we represent 12% of the HSR’s revenue. As a major transit stakeholder, we also want to see prioritization of the routes we use the most, including the 51 University bus line. Landlord licensing has been a priority for the MSU for numerous years. We have offered our support for the proposed pilot project that would cost $60,000. Licensing landlords
would ensure compliance with legal standards and reduce the amount of student tenants that are manipulated or mistreated by delinquent landlords. This program could be run cost-neutral to the City with a $100 landlord licensing fee, per lease. Budgetary lobbying is about smart solutions that need the necessary investments to make them a reality. To read the municipal budget submission, go to msumcmaster.ca/reports.
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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. 25, 2018
EDITORIAL
| 9
Editorial “The president doesn’t do anything anyway” Previous resentment for student politics and a look at the upcoming year
The editorial on Jan. 21, 2016 highlighted some of the strongest ideas that the McMaster Students Union has had from winners and losers of previous presidentials. This also noted that this was still the case even if they sometimes take years to come about. Mac Farmstand, the fall break, the Peer Support Line, the MSU emergency bursary and the full-year bus pass are all mentioned as examples. Light Up the Night, the referendum for vice-presidents at-large that eventually failed by 20 votes, the freedom credit that still shows up as an idea and the need for an interfaith space, which will not be fulfilled until the new Student Activity Building is completed, are all also mentioned. The editorial on Jan. 19, 2017 stated to be critical of candidates with broad platforms and ambitious goals because of the unfeasibly of some points and how long they would realistically take to implement. Feb. 2, 2017 in particular is interesting for highlighting the sentiment that, “The president doesn’t do anything anyway”. It goes into detail about the roadblocks the current MSU president, Chukky Ibe, would likely face because of his
platform, and states pessimism that his presidency would only add to this narrative that some students have. It has, unfortunately, though that also is not entirely his fault. A significant portion of his platform has already been implemented or is currently in the works. The Speculator on Jan. 11 points out the lack of follow-through on 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 and the event loan system for clubs and faculty societies. Admittedly, that selection represents most of the goals that have not had at least some progress, which is impressive considering his “Platform Tracklist” during his campaign had around 25 points total and the burden of helping the Student Activity Building continues. My main criticism for this year’s presidentials has consistently been that platforms have been far too conservative. This was hinted at in last week’s editorial and the note that platforms lack having one big point. I am not sure if that is a lack of ambition, a realistic outlook on what the president can
achieve in one year or a fear of feeding into the public narrative of how slow progress can be, but it is unfortunate and understandable. That 2016 editorial mentioned before states, “Although many might seem infeasible, impractical and sometimes stale, they speak to the needs of the McMaster community.” Not every idea has to succeed or end up being feasible, but I would rather have too many ideas and too much to work with than too few and too little. This may be the first time that the winning candidate, whoever that may end up being, will simply run out of ideas to work on mid-way through the year with the platforms they currently have. The consolation is that the quantity of candidates and the priority on smaller goals features an incredible amount of viable ideas from literally every candidate. There are a lot of easy ideas that could be started immediately if any sort of effort is given to them, and a lot of little things that could be worked on throughout the campus.
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@shanemadill
to surround sound Slack notifications
to having my soul on sale
to little kiddos in marshmallow man snowsuits
to the free lube in 2015-2016 that burned everyone
to taking a real vacation for once
to statistical hell
to a sunny day filled with warmth from my friends to the group of moms that brought supplies to homeless folks in downtown Hamilton
to writing tests that enforce gender binary to playing Sims 4 for 10 hours straight to instant pot cucumber sandwiches
to Rachel’s punk band, Rogue Scoby
to professors putting students on the spot, then mocking them
to the Dentsu Club Caterpillars
to being violently thrusted into matrices
to soft, nervous tissues
to stress hives
to frog daddy
to hickeys before interviews
to matching with your varsity crush to friends letting friends know about their bladders to Sasha not dying
to bed territories to Sting and Shaggy to exclusive HamOnt blogger culture to hair splitting
10 |
HUMANS
Thursday, Jan. 25, 2018 | www.thesil.ca
Shaarujaa Nadarajah HUMANS Life Sciences IV Kyle West Photo Reporter
Could you please quickly introduce yourself? My name is Shaarujaa and I am in my final year of life sciences. How does it feel to be nominated for the Young Woman of Distinction award? I am really grateful to have been nominated for this award. Just to be considered alongside so many wonderful women that have done so many great things for the community is really humbling. It’s an honour to stand alongside them. What are some of your accomplsihments that lead to you being nominated? A lot of my work has been in electoral governance and trying to get more women involved in elections or leadership positions. I have been on the Student Representative Assembly, I was the vice president (Administration) last year as well as a presidential candidate last year. I think a lot of what I was focused on, as you saw, was trying to get women from different experiences and backgrounds
to be able to run for elected governance and to be able to see themselves in that position. I think that once you look at a leader and you can recognize yourself in them you have the ability to go for that position. It would be nice to see a more diverse leadership across McMaster. What changes have you noticed in your four years here at McMaster? I think the most prominent change, and this is just because it is elections right now and it is on my mind, is that when I was in first year and it was my orientation week. It was when all the board of directors come on stage and I noticed that my president was a white cis-gender male and there was only one woman on the board at the time and they also identified as white cis-gender. Then in my second year there was not a single woman who ran and it was an all male candidate pool. Then being in my graduating year at McMaster and have many women of a wide variety of backgrounds and experiences run for the position. I think it speaks a little to how much
McMaster has made progress to the point where these women feel comfortable to run and the majority of candidates are women. Who would you say has inspired you to make change? I would say that the earliest was my grandmother. She taught me a lot about resilience, dedication and commitment. I think early on that my life experiences were going to be very different and that was because I am a woman of colour. There is a unique set of challenges that I have to face. She gave me the tools to help if I was ever faced with adversity or a challenge it would be a part of building resilience and over coming that. I really appreciated that because it came in handy going throughout life and dealing with that. Coming here to McMaster I had so many
female mentors that were able to help me along the way. Another person, who is graduated now, her name was Jess. I would say that my big belief is that there is plenty of room for all women to be at the top. There are women that will come along the way and help raise you up when there are opportunities and that will work together to move all women forward and I think that is incredible. I owe a lot of my success to the women here at McMaster. What advice would you have to younger women who are looking to follow in your footsteps? I would say just bet on yourself, I would say it is really hard thing to do. To have the courage to put yourself out there and believe in yourself. But we believe in so many things, we believe in so many issues that we are super passionate about and we have our own set of values. The hardest thing we can do though is believe in yourself
as a person and I think that if you can get to that point where you believe in yourself then that is amazing but also to know that if you loose faith then there will always be someone around the corner that will believe for you. What do you hope to see at McMaster in the future? I think the idea of community is super important, it is actually one of the reasons I chose to come to McMaster, and that ties a little bit into the community here for women lifting each other up. We have the Women and Gender Equity Network which has made big strides in term of sexual violence prevention on campus. A lot of it comes down and when we bring it back to the basic route of it is that we are a community here at McMaster. We support one another, advance each other and help eachother throughout the four, five or even six years that we are here. So, one of the things that I would want to see continue is the efforts in sexual violence prevention and the womens communities here. To get to the point where we don’t see each other as individuals but as a community. facebook.com/HumansOfMcMaster
www.thesil.ca | Thursday, Jan. 25, 2018
The Silhouette
| 11
Opinion Limited library space
McMaster needs better solutions for the lack of space availability in libraries on campus
REEM SHEET / OPINION EDITOR Alex Bak Contributor
McMaster University has been steadily increasing its ranking in the world for the last decade with the Shanghai Ranking. Placing 66th in the world last year behind only two other Canadian universities, McMaster is now a top institution for higher education. However, the access that McMaster students have to study areas on campus is limited, specifically during high-traffic periods such as during midterms or exam season. The libraries that are often found vacant become packed with space so scarce that some are forced to study in between bookshelves or trudge back home reluctantly or fight for chairs in Thode. Compared to the University of British Columbia, ranked 31st in the Shanghai Ranking,
McMaster’s four libraries pale in comparison to UBC’s 11. At McMaster, though there are areas that one can study at in each building, it is important to consider that even in these location, it can still be a challenge to find study space. Have you ever tried to study in the third floor of the student centre at common lunch hour? With an hour break in between classes for both lunch and study time, students shouldn’t have to worry about wasting time looking for a space to study as well. The upcoming Student Activity Building could be the opportunity McMaster needs to join the other institutions of similar calibre in providing its students with the means to productively study on campus. Having garnered 857 votes (0.04 per cent of the total student body) in the in-person survey for study space designs,
although it was the most requested (26 per cent), it is hard to discern whether study space is something that a majority of students want.
Compared to the University of British Columbia, ranked 31st in the Shanghai Ranking, McMaster’s four libraries pale in comparison to UBC’s 11. However, the 40,000 square feet of possibility could aid in alleviating the sparsity of space. One other way that McMaster could respond the study space problem is through lengthening its hours of operations. A joint initiative be-
tween multiple student groups launched a pilot program for extended hours at the H.G. Thode Library this past year. The 3 a.m. extended hours were pivotal, especially for the time-crunch periods before midterms as well as completing the assignments that were due at midnight. If these extended hours became a part of the university policy instead of a brief student-led program, it could be stable and a solidified function for future students to enjoy and utilise. Conjoining both extended hours and a large part of the Student Activity Building being allocated for study space could potentially bring about seemingly inconspicuous but monumental changes for the academic life of the McMaster student body. With McMaster Students Union presidential elections wrapping up, this may be an
opportune moment for this issue to be addressed and create dialogue. A few of the MSU presidential candidates have already addressed this issue on their platforms and are creating conversation about this issue among students. However, some of the suggestions on the candidates’ platforms don’t seem financially or time-feasible and should be readdressed accordingly. It’s time now that we start implementing our options and solving the issue of limited study space on campus.
@theSilhouette
MORE
THAN YOU’D EXPECT FROM A
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EVENTS CALENDAR Flashback:
Retro Bollywood and Bhangra Club Night Thursday, January 25, 2018 Time: 10:00pm to 1:00am Where: TwelvEighty “Fancy a variety of music? Do you enjoy top 40 but also reminisce about the true classics?! What if you could have both? In collaboration with MSU Campus Events, the McMaster Indian Association, Bangladeshi Students Association, McMaster Punjabi Association and McMaster Tamil Students Association present to you the TwelvEighty Nightlife event, FLASHBACK! A valid McMaster Student card required for entry. (1) guest per student allowed. Guests must have a ticket and a valid government ID for sign in at the door.
Stay Connected:
Among the Stars
2018 Charity Ball Friday, January 26, 2018 Where: Hamilton Convention Centre Charity Ball is excited to be supporting the Eva Rothwell Resource Centre as their charity recipient. The Eva Rothwell Centre partners with families living in poverty, empowering them by providing support in order to fulfill their desired potential. They provide a number of services, including sports programming, a breakfast club, and an emergency food pantry for community members.
Horizions Planning Team Application Deadline
Sunday, January 28, 2018 Time: 11:59pm Where: msumcmaster.ca/jobs Both services are aimed at hosting leadership-based conferences for high school students or graduates that are run by McMaster student leaders
Clay Planning Team Application Deadline
Sunday, January 28, 2018 Time: 11:59pm Where: msumcmaster.ca/jobs
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Check out the full Events Calendar at: msumcmaster.ca/events
@MSU_McMaster
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OPINION
www.thesil.ca | Thursday, Jan. 25, 2018
| 13
Campus employment can be beneficial for students McMaster Students Union employment can be a job that will help you when you leave McMaster Reem Sheet Opinion Editor
Being employed with the McMaster Students Union can not only make you a little bit of pocket money to pay for your expensive food spending on campus, but it can also benefit you in your future. Aside from it being another work experience you can put on your resume, MSU employment allows you to discover a new part of campus in greater depth, whether it be the ins and outs of Union Market or how student-run organizations like Women Gender and Equity Network are able to operate for students. The opportunity encourages you to get involved in the student related parts of campus that you may not have been able to discover before, and opens doors to other jobs on campus after you have already been employed on campus. For students who are interested in campus politics or who are already involved in student politics at McMaster, the experiences you take from this opportunity are ones that can help you outside of Mac as well. You can connect with people through your MSU position who you may not have had the confidence to connect with before. Take Chukky Ibe and his sweet selfie with Justin Trudeau for example. Being the MSU president has likely played a role in his life and allowed for him to experience things that he may not have been able to before. We all know the importance of making connections and networking in the working world. A campus job can hep you do that by meeting other people on campus who may have a foot in a workplace that you may be considering for your future career. Who knows, while you’re working at TwelvEighty one night you may get into a conversation with one of the professors you were considering as a reference for grad school. Personally, my position has allowed me to meet with McMaster students from different backgrounds who I may
REEM SHEET / OPINION EDITOR
not have been able to connect with otherwise and understand their different perspectives on McMaster related issues. It also became a motivation for me to become more involved with student politics, especially now with MSU presidential elections. Before my involvement with the Silhouette, I wouldn’t have been as interested in becoming as involved as I am now. Especially for first years who may feel that university life is one that seems all too independent and may feel a little lonely, finding a job on campus can help with meeting other students that most likely feel the same, while making some mon-
The opportunity encourages you to get involved in the student related parts of campus that you may not have been able to discover before, and opens doors to other jobs on campus after you have been employed on campus.
ey to pay for those late-night study snacks in exam season. Don’t get me wrong, it is not all exciting and fun. I’m just looking at how McMaster can benefit you. Like most part-time student jobs, yes, there is added stress, and the never-ending feeling that there is never enough time to do everything. But at least you can go through all that with the word “McMaster” in your MSU job that you can flaunt to people. And who knows, those peoples might just be the strangers that end up funding your future post-grad future career one day. Finding part-time employment that works around your student schedule can be difficult,
so it’s worth it to make yourself aware of all the options you have for employment. Many may not know that there are options for those of you who are not TAs but are still looking for work on campus, but there is. And it doesn’t look bad on your resume either.
@ReemSheet
THROUGH THICK & THIN A PEER SUPPORT EVENT
TUESDAY, JANUARY 30 11AM — 1PM & 2PM — 4PM | MUSC 203
OPINION
www.thesil.ca | Thursday, Jan. 25, 2018
| 15
Why winter break is essential The break should be longer for students to maximize their offtime maximize their off time Jordan Graber Contributor
Winter break, along with the two additional reading weeks we have at Mac, are a big deal. It is a good idea to catch up on schoolwork during the winter break, but it is also a good idea to take a step back and slow down. We tend to underestimate the pressures and obligations of being a student. The limited breaks we have in the semester are well deserved, so we should try to maximize them. As we’re getting back into the swing of things this term, I realize how little time many of the students here at Mac received over the winter holidays to really take a break. Compared to many universities in Ontario, McMaster’s scheduled “break” was rather short for some, considering exams lasted until Dec. 21, and classes began for this semester on Jan. 4. While this is somewhat due to the extra reading week that has been introduced in the fall semester, it still doesn’t seem right that while there are some who get to go home in early to mid-December, there are others who must stay until the very end. I have friends who wrote examinations at 7 p.m. on Dec. 21. Considering packing and travel time, this can cut the winter break rather short. Of course, it is different for everyone based on program, year, courses and many other factors. However, I think that everyone should at least be rewarded a full two weeks of holidays to relax, recuperate and prepare for the rest of the academic year. I’m sure everyone can agree that exam season is an extremely stressful time and for many people, including myself, going home is the light at the end of the tunnel. We are in an age of stress and an epidemic of anxiety and depression. Post-secondary institutions around the globe are calling for services to combat mental health rises in college and university students. Students are overwhelmed by the homework and burdens that often come alongside a full course load. A survey taken in early 2017, involving 15 universities
from across Ontario, revealed that mental health budgets had increased 35 per cent, levels of anxiety, stress and depression in university students has increased over 45 per cent and calls to the Mental Health Helpline have increased by 344 per cent; all in the last five years. There are issues involving students and mental health in modern day society, and no one knows exactly what is going on. We do know that something must be done, because young people deserve to receive the best care and education in their perspective years at university. Reading weeks and the winter breaks give students the time and space to revamp mindsets and restore healthy mentalities that will carry them to the end of the year. Students are not learning machines, nor should they act as such. A new, high-pressure environment like university is something that shouldn’t be taken lightly, because it can have detrimental effects on those who feel as though they cannot take the time to loosen up and remember that they are not expected to be super-students. It’s understandable that academic years are tight, but when it comes to the well-being of its students. McMaster should try to ensure that each student gets the holiday that they deserve. As for you students, make sure you take the time you need to keep yourself on track and in a good place this year. When there is constant work, it is much too easy to fall into a dark place. That is why these breaks are important; they give us all time to breathe.
@theSilhouette
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THURSDAY, JANUARY 25 ADVANCE TICKETS: TIER 1 $5 TIER 2 $10 | DOORS @ 10:00PM | DOOR TICKETS: $15 STUDENTS CAN SIGN IN ONE GUEST | MUST HAVE VALID MCMASTER ID
Presented in collaboration with: McMaster Indian Association, Bangladeshi Students Association, McMaster Punjabi Association and McMaster Tamil Students Association
TWELVEIGHTY
The Silhouette | 17
www.thesil.ca | Thursday, Jan. 25, 2018
Arts & Culture A place to keep in mind Making Hamilton home with the help of James Street North’s famous bar
The Brain offers one of the most relaxed drinking environments in the downtown core. MADELINE NEUMANN / PHOTO EDITOR
RachelKatz Katz Rachel ManagingEditor Editor Managing
The summer after my first year at McMaster, I didn’t get to spend much time in Hamilton. I caught glimpses here and there — a walk downtown one evening or a dinner in Dundas — but I was still pretty new to the city, and I was grateful to have made some upper-year friends who could pass on their favourite spots to me. While their recommendations and dinner invites ultimately shaped much of the last four years for me, their collective influence is best encapsulated by a small, dark bar on James Street North: the Brain. I first ended up outside the Brain during the May Art Crawl that first summer. My older friends were in the process of a prolonged Hamilton farewell tour, about to embark on a variety of new programs and jobs in the com-
ing months and wanted to stop by the bar for some drinks and conversation. But, since it was both Art Crawl and one of the first lovely, warm spring nights, the place was packed and we couldn’t get in. (We ended up at Vasco de Gama, where the regulars sang “Happy Birthday” to my friend in Portuguese and we all got free brandies.) My curiosity was piqued, however, and over the course of the summer I made a point of stopping by the Brain when it was less busy. Fast forward to now, my last semester of undergrad, and the mysterious, dimly-lit bar is like a second home to me. While I’m sure my parents aren’t necessarily thrilled that I’ve got a regular bar at age 21, there are so many reasons to love the Brain beyond its constantly-rotating tap list, creative cocktails and pie slice offerings. When you first walk
through the door, you are greeted by a shelf of mini savoury pies and a selection of two or three dessert slices. To your left is a chalkboard that spans the entire wall; it’s covered by the tap and standard cocktail list, decorated by an artist I like to imagine was a regular themselves at one point — it’s entirely likely they still are. They also serve a range of teas and drip coffee if you prefer non-alcoholic beverages. Before you find a seat, take a peek at what the bartender has selected as the soundtrack for the evening. Sometimes it’s mystical-sounding ambient music, sometimes it’s oddly cheery soundtracks to mid-century Italian erotica. It’s almost never the same, and it’s almost never anything you’ve heard before. You can then squeeze through the narrowest part of the bar to find the majority of
the seating, which is just beyond an unusual-looking wide, rounded doorway. The mélange of chairs and tables combine differing styles, heights and aesthetics. There are church pews, tables made from reclaimed doors and antique dining room set chairs. Salt lamp-style candles appear on most tables once darkness falls. There’s a threadbare tapestry on one wall next to a more recently added Nosferatu painting. If you want to twiddle your fingers, there are board games and chess sets at the back of the seating area. In the summer, there are an additional three tables on the tiniest back patio I’ve ever seen. The patio is strung with twinkle lights, and on a warm evening, the breeze floats through the air in a way that makes you feel as though there is absolutely nowhere else you ought to be.
It’s that feeling, that belongingness, that keeps me coming back to the Brain, week after week, year after year. It’s a place that inspires deep thought and rousing conversation. I have solidified friendships sitting at the table in the very back corner, hunched over the same half pint for hours or joked with friends about a previous evening’s outing. I’ve shed the odd tear, laughed until my sides hurt and nearly fallen asleep in the comfort of the Brain’s cozy interior. None of the friends who introduced me to the Brain are at McMaster any longer. None of them even live in Hamilton anymore. But they showed me a perfect hideaway from the world on James Street North, one that still feels like a home nearly four years later. @RachAlbertaKatz
18 |
A&C
Thursday, Jan. 25, 2018 | www.thesil.ca
An un-frog-ettable exhibit
American bullfrog Lithobates catesbeianus
Royal Botanical Gardens hosts a chorus of colourful critters We should have known that such colourful company would be fashionably late. The It was looking like we were frogs arrived in lavish Tupperabout to lose out on another ware, with their exhibit displays ribbiting story opportunity. Our ready and warmed so that they staff ’s resident wildlife photogcould get cozy and comfortable rapher was heartbroken, and we for their three-month stay in couldn’t find any of the chocoHamilton. late-covered crickets that were While this isn’t their first promised at the time at the door. Royal Botanical The Royal Gardens, the Botanical exhibit hopes Garden memto introduce They don’t bers and press the public to opening evesome spectacuhave personal- lar amphibians, ning for their ities quite like but also raise Frogs! winter exhibition was people, or like awareness bustling with about globwe like to give al and local antsy children and photograenvironmental or pets like phers. There issues that are dogs and cats, threatening the were no frogs yet. They were homes of these but they defiset to arrive animals. that evening all nitely have atHere are the way from some of the titude. Whether biggest amtheir home at Clyde Peeling’s that’s good or phibious celebs Reptiland zoo to grace to the bad depends in Allenwood, exhibit, introon the frog.” Pennsylvania. duced to us by Despite the Tiffany Faull, a Royal Botanical recent biology Garden’s efforts Tiffany Faull graduate who to contact them Exhibit Caregiver travels with ahead of time, Clyde Peeling’s border security exhibitions to held up the frogs for several care for their animals. hours. We were told that they “They don’t have personalwouldn’t be ready to open the ities quite like people, or like we exhibit until the next morning. like to give or pets like dogs and Just as we we’re about to cats, but they definitely have leave, they began ushering the attitude. Whether that’s good or guests away form the empty bad depends on the frog.” exhibits. The frogs were ready to make their entrance. @danielarauzz Daniel Arauz A&C Editor
“
C/O ROYAL BOTANICAL GARDENS TIMOTHY LAW / PRODUCTION COORDINATOR
The American bullfrog may be one of the more familiar species to a North American audience, and perhaps her comfort in this environment is what produces her free spirit. While we were lucky enough to see her up close and personal before she entered her exhibit, it may not
be long before she ventures off to try and explore the RBG. “She’s an escape artist… She likes to sit and wait and bide her time, and then while you leave enough room to jump out of her exhibit and run down hallways. There are many stories from security guards of watching keepers chase after her.”
African bullfrog Pyxicephalus adspersus Jaba here has a bad boy reputation. African bullfrogs are famous for their size and appetite.… They can hold large creatures into their big mouths with two front odontoid processes (that are not actually teeth contrary popular belief). They are known to eat large bugs, small lizards, birds and even other African bullfrogs, so he travels alone.
But this doesn’t mean that he doesn’t have a soft side. “He is actually an amazing dad. If he were to have tadpoles he’s the one takes care of them” explained Faull. “They breed after rainy season in these pools. He will actually dig out channels from pool to pool to save the tadpoles if it starts to get dry.”
Poison dart frog Dendrobates species
There are five different species of poison dart frogs, and the RBG is lucky enough to feature four of them, only excluding the famed golden poison frog, which is currently relaxing back in Reptiland. While these seem like a dangerous creature to handle, the colourful stars of the exhibition aren’t actually poisonous when bred in captivity. “We don’t actually entirely understand how it works. Or what they are actually eating. They eat a certain bug that eats a certain plant. The plant will
create a toxin that will prevent itself from getting eaten. The bug will eat that plant and the frog will eat that bug, and then it will take that toxin and secrete from its skin,” said Faull. Their exhibit includes several bromeliad flowers, which in the wild, will fill with just enough water after rainfall for the poison dart frog to lay their eggs inside. After four to eight tadpoles hatch in these small pools of water, the frogs will return to these flowers and carry their tadpoles to a larger pool of water.
Ornate horn frog Pyxicephalus adspersus Like the African bullfrog, the ornate horn frogs have big mouths and even bigger appetites. They will try to eat anything that moves in front of them, including things that are too big for their bodies, causing
them to suffocate. They may not be too smart, but at least they got the looks to make up for it. Their colourful patterns are used to camouflage when they burrow underground and wait for their food to wander over.
A&C
www.thesil.ca | Thursday, Jan. 25, 2018
? p a e l t r
lm l ’ o Wh
a e h
a
ur o y ke
Sta rt
What I really, really want?
Tell me what yo u want?
want Yeah! You frog to to take a t? prom righ
No?
F ine. W ha t music would you rather listen to?
I dunno. I got this Joy Division shirt
Really? It’s 2018
Only if his name is Jake
Right. I’m hosting an antiprom part y an yway. Wanna c ome?
Have you ever heard of Tame Impala
Is “Jab
a” oka
Nice. Are y ou feeling lon ely?
| 19
. ud e d h o Yea ing t o g his You lla t e h c Coa r? yea
I guess
y?
I miss Jake
No. I’m looking for another casual
frog fling though
I’m actually
vlogging my Lol. You paying Well I’m getting
road trip
u e yo v a et. H of Swe ght u o th s? ever g k id n i v ha
there
for tickets?
I’m ready to die for my tadpole children
dating advice from a frog quiz
I thought you were a sentient mouth
I’m a fro
g?
Yes. I love Star Wars
Are they cute? Yeah! I’ll steal my parents’ wine
Oh. Right
g Ornate hornfro
• Sad boi • Member of “Depression Meals: Gone Wild” on Facebook • Good taste in memes
g American bullfro
• Free spirit • Saving up to move to L.A. • Actually very insecure
Poison dart frog
• Got suspended last week • Instagram baddie • Seems intimidating but is actually really chill
African bullfrog
• T h i c c • Frog daddy • Wishes he had pursued theatre instead of accounting
20 |
A&C
Thursday, Jan. 25, 2018 | www.thesil.ca
Working out for the better Ritual Island makes wellness and movement more accessible to Hamilton
Razan Samara A&C Reporter
When Robin Lamarr was 19 years old, she purchased a 30-day pass to a Toronto yoga studio and instantly fell in love. She later became a certified yoga and Pilates instructor, delving deeper into the mindful movement practice and learning new ways to help others feel good in their bodies. She became fascinated with integrating functional range conditioning, strength and mobilizing exercises, as well as dance, into the yoga atmosphere. Lamarr teaches movement in a way that allows attendees to tap into how they’re feeling in the moment, rather than focusing on what they look like. Dr. Emily Bennett grew up appreciating movement and dance, but her heart was set on attending medical school. After a traumatic experience with an illness, she was introduced to a naturopath who helped her develop a better understanding of her body and the root causes of her illness. Bennett found reassurance
C/O DAHLIA TURNER
and comfort in the unique whole-system approach naturopathic medicine takes to address illness and wellness. The experience inspired her to change careers and pursue naturopathy. Bennett wanted to take a more holistic, welcoming and community-based approach to make complementary medicine more accessible. She started her own private sliding scale practice where fees are adjusted based on the patient’s ability to pay. Her private practice prospered and Bennett was able to open the Inland Island Community Wellness Centre on the corner of King Street West and Locke Street. Since 2015, Inland Island has been offering community acupuncture, naturopathic medicine, therapies and workshops all on a sliding scale. After learning about Bennett’s commitment to decreasing financial and social barriers to wellness, Lamarr was inspired to approach her with an opportunity to collaborate. They connected and thrived off of one another’s energy. “If you’ve ever gone to
Inland Island, it’s so welcoming, it doesn’t matter what you look like, what age you are, how much money you have, you feel welcomed in her space. Those are the sorts of values that we want to put forth,” explained Lamarr. Soon enough, the idea of a few workshops grew into the Ritual Island collective, where Bennett focused on delivering workshops and community programming relating to naturopathy and nutrition, while Lamarr focused on movement offerings. “Wellness [practices] continue to be inaccessible to most people for a variety of reasons, not just financial. [Some people feel] like they’re not welcomed in these spaces or classes. Ritual Island is a collective that aims to explore barriers to access and it’s important to do this so everybody can benefit,” explained Bennett. Bennett has been running a variety of workshops around the city, from smoothie making workshops that deploy properties from traditional Chi-
nese medicine to eating right for the season and prenatal classes. Lamarr started off teaching classes at Little Big Bowl, a downtown restaurant, once a week last summer. Even though she was new to Hamilton, the response from the community was overwhelmingly positive. Attendance continued to grow at her workshops and other businesses started joining the movement. “There were times when I didn’t know if what I was doing was good enough to warrant a following outside of a studio, but every time I host a class and people show up, it reaffirms that I’m doing what I’m meant to be doing and that what I’m sharing does have value,” explained Lamarr. Now Lamarr can be found teaching R&B Pilates at Sous Bas, core dynamics at De La Sol Yoga, pay-what-you-can Pilates at OM on Locke, and Ritual Flow at the Art Gallery of Hamilton on a weekly basis.
“Everyone deserves to feel amazing in their bodies. Our body is the only vessel in which we get to experience this life. We [should] all learn and get tools to feel amazing in our experience,” said Lamarr. As the Ritual Island community continues to thrive, Bennett and Lamarr have big plans to evolve Inland Island, including Bennett’s private practice and the other practitioners at the Community Wellness Centre, under one roof with Ritual Island in the future. “We are definitely working towards having a truly collaborative space where Emily and I can both [practice in]. … We are working towards having a space big enough to house the dreams and community that we’ve been building,” explained Lamarr. While they are looking for a more permanent home for Ritual Island, Bennett and Lamarr hope to continue collaborating with business and host satellite popups around the city. The duo will continue to bring people together to work towards better access to wellness to the city of Hamilton.
A&C
www.thesil.ca | Thursday, Jan. 25, 2018
| 21
Culinary Class Act
Boon Burger Café Plant-based restaurant sprouts on Ottawa Street
Razan Samara A&C Reporter
What is it? The two most common misconceptions that people have when it comes to eating plant-based meals are that they’re boring and not filling enough. For a while, I was adamant that choosing juicy beef over a veggie patty was a no-brainer until I realized that it wasn’t the concept of eating plantbased that was hindering my food experience, but rather my choices of what and where to eat reinforced my misconceptions. A garden salad is indeed boring and not fulfilling, but The Boon Burger Café’s extensive menu of 100 per cent plantbased burgers and poutines puts the thought of deeming them boring to shame. The Boon Burger Café is a vegan restaurant that has seen remarkable success since opening its doors on Ottawa Street this past December. It joins a small but distinguishable group of restaurants offering vegan eats in Hamilton.
How to get there from campus: Take the 10 Eastgate Square bus from Emerson at Main for a 20-minute bus ride to Main at Ottawa. Walk along Ottawa Street North towards Barton Street East until you reach 295 Ottawa Street North.
C/O INSTAGRAM @ BOONBURGERHAMILTON C/O GOOGLE MAPS
What to get:
Price range: The Boon Burger Café had a three-tier system to their burger menu. As you venture into more ingredients or unique combinations, the prices increase. The Standards are $9.25, Dressed Up are $12 and Over the Top is $13.75. Their poutine selection and chili cheeze fries ranges from $8-$10 for a regular, while most large choices are $12. You can add a side soup, salad or sesame-potato fries for $5, or a generous serving of poutine or chili fries for $6 and $6.50, respectively. If you plan on adding a side, go for the +$5.95 meal deal that lets you add a side and drink (handmade lemonade or iced-tea) to any burger choice. For no extra charge you can have your burger in a whole wheat tortilla wrap or bed of romaine lettuce instead of a bun.
During my first visit, I tried the “Backyard BBQ” burger, which is part of “the Standards” tier of the Café’s menu. Despite being a simpler option compared to others menu choices, the burger arrived overflowing with fresh vegetables, pickles, relishes and other condiments reminiscent of summer days over the grill. What’s really exciting about the burger is that the grilled boon patty is packed with mushrooms, brown rice, onion, garlic and lentils. The chili cheeze fries are also a must-order item. Signature chili and guacamole are doused over delicious sesame-potato fries and vegan cheese, along with a sprinkle of green onions and tomatoes. The bacun cheeze burger off the Dressed Up tier is also a favourite, while Bollywood fire, which comes with a grilled Buddha patty basted in Frank’s hot sauce, yams and curry mayo, may be a more adventurous option off the Over the Top tier.
@theSilhouette
Why it’s great: The restaurant space is aesthetically pleasing, with a living plant wall, portraits of animals and toy elephants and zebras as table cards. It can seat around 30 people comfortably, and individuals have the option to dine in or take out. It’s also welcoming. Before your order at the register, a server will come to your table and thoroughly explain the menu. They’ll often come back and chat with you about your experience, encouraging you to ask any questions. The Boon Burger Café joins the growing number of vegan eateries in Hamilton, while still being conscious of its non-vegan competitors. The prices are competitive with most standard burger joints around the city, but the value is even more justified in the size of portions, quality and diversity of the ingredients and of course, the flavours.
22 |
GAMES
Thursday, Jan. 25, 2018 | www.thesil.ca Puzzle 1 (Hard, difficulty rating 0.64)
9
1
8
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5
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9
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9 2
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9
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3
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Generated by http://www.opensky.ca/sudoku on Wed Jan 24 18:19:07 2018 GMT. Enjoy!
Puzzle 2 (Medium, difficulty rating 0.51)
7
3
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7
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1. Hole goal 4. Sri ____ 9. Literary device 14. Supplement, with “out” 15. Specific geographical places 16. Put one again 17. Extirpate 19. Listing 20. Wanderer 21. Mother of pearl 23. Dagger of yore 24. Muscle contraction 27. Till stack 30. Emily Dickinson, e.g.
32. X 33. Pectinate 37. Australian marsupial 39. Generally 40. Sparkle 42. Turkish money 43. Predate 44. Always, to poets 45. Groups of seven 48. Bric-a-____ 50. Annie of “Designing Women” 51. Type of market 55. Gold standard 57. Bombay-born conductor
6
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Generated by http://www.opensky.ca/sudoku on Wed Jan 24 18:19:07 2018 GMT. Enjoy!
Puzzle 3 (Medium, difficulty rating 0.50)
3
7
7 6
Down
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9 24. Stain 25. Short dog, for short 26. Had a bite 28. Caught congers 29. It’s a trap 30. Luxurious 31. Berlin’s “Blue ____” 33. Biblical spy 34. Basketry twig 35. City in W Morocco 36. Victoria’s Secret item 38. Non-Rx 40. Little pest 41. Old Fords 43. Court fig.
5
6
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1. Jury members 2. Ohio tire city 3. Steal, ransack 4. Lion’s den 5. Rainbow shape 6. Teachers’ grp. 7. Krazy ____ 8. In ____ (sort of ) 9. ____ II (razor brand) 10. Back in 11. Turn toward the east 12. Chum 13. Tolkien tree creature 18. Actress Sandra 22. Mornings, for short
9
4
68. ____ Park, CO 69. Tasteless items, junk
8
1
3
Across
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46. Ecol. watchdog 47. Thick soup 49. A trainee in a profession 51. Finder’s ____ 52. Sic on 53. Minneapolis suburb 54. Broad scarf 56. Tabula ____ 57. Reasons 58. ‘60s hot spot 59. Language ending 61. Dance step used in ballet 62. Qty. 63. ____-Bo
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Generated by http://www.opensky.ca/sudoku on Wed Jan 24 18:19:07 2018 GMT. Enjoy!
5
The Silhouette
www.thesil.ca | Thursday, Jan. 25, 2018
| 23
Sports Something special As the undefeated men’s volleyball team continue to steam roll the competition, we catch up with leader and fifth-year starter Brandon Koppers
Fellow outside hitter Andrew Richards helps Koppers and the Marauders defeat the visiting 49ers. C/O RICK ZAZULAK Griffin Marsh Contributor
Much has been written in this newspaper about McMaster’s volleyball programs over the previous weeks. The men’s and women’s teams have had their fair share of success in the shape of sweeping victories, both at home and away from Burridge Gym. This week there is a chance to catch our breath from this exhausting and full season and focus on a player who is both a leader for the men’s volleyball team and a star destined for a big future. Brandon Koppers is now in his fifth year of eligibility at McMaster and is playing some of his best volleyball yet. But that simplified understanding would miss the hard work, adversity and frustration that Koppers has faced to get to this point. I chose to feature Koppers in this article because the story of his time at McMaster is just that, an interesting story. His journey began by immediately connecting to a program and culture he described as “something special.” Since then, it has been a
tale of ups and downs that leave Koppers in an exciting position, with a budding professional career on the horizon playing volleyball overseas. I asked Koppers to reflect on his time at McMaster as it comes to a close, and he was nothing but grateful and positive. “Overall my experience at McMaster has been top notch,” said Koppers. “The bonds I have created with my teammates are what I hold most dear and what have impacted me the most. These bonds have shaped me into the person I am today.” Clearly for Koppers, good teammates have always been the key to a great and successful program, and this has defined his approach to being a leader in his later years with the team. “The leaders before me have really set the standard high and I believe that I will do a great job,” Koppers said. “The belief my teammates have in me has allowed me to be a leader on this team. I am most proud of the fact that my teammates believe in me.” Koppers’ time at McMaster has been defined as one of leadership and excellence, but in
speaking to Koppers, the impact of his third-year injury woes clearly has had a lasting impact. “My third year has easily been the most difficult year of my university career and my life so far,” said Koppers. “Before my third year, I had no barriers in my development and a lot of things came easy. After being diagnosed with arthritis and having to sit out for almost an entire season, I learned that before that time I was never really thankful for the opportunity to play the sport I love.” The ability to reflect on one’s position in the sports world and fight through adversity like this separates the good athletes from the elite athletes. Koppers puts forward a fine balance of humility, pride and confidence, a balance that has created an excellent athlete, both on and off the court. “This experience drives me today to become the person and athlete that I want to be,” Koppers added. “It is easy to become complacent when everything is going well and sometimes it takes an experience like what I went through to guide yourself to be the person you want to be.”
On top of excellent leadership and heightened resiliency, Koppers has put together an extremely successful volleyball career. This season he sits third in the Ontario University Athletics rankings for kills per set, and finds himself seventh in the U Sports rankings for the same statistic. He found himself in a similar position last season as well. He has also been on teams that have won OUA Championships for the previous four years and appeared in the U Sports Championships every year, though not quite winning the whole thing just yet. In previous conversations with head coach Dave Preston, he had nothing but praise to put forward regarding Koppers. When I asked coach Preston for an idea for this article he immediately suggested Koppers’ story, highlighting his persistence and strength, battling back from injury and featuring on the National B team this past summer. As this season wraps up, exciting things still lay in wait for Koppers. Most notably a professional opportunity playing volleyball overseas next season.
“It has been a dream since I was a kid, and to have the opportunity to fulfil my dream makes me excited,” said Koppers. But before that can become a reality, there is still volleyball to be played and a U Sports Championship to be fought for in our own Burridge Gym. One thing is clear in reaching out to Koppers this week, the focus and commitment is very much rooted in this team at McMaster. There is an exciting energy building as this season picks up pace. The men’s volleyball team will be away from Hamilton for the next few games, but they will return to the Burridge Gym on Feb. 17. Stay tuned, the Marauders still have a lot of important match-ups ahead.
@theSilhouette
24 |
Thursday, Jan. 25, 2018 | www.thesil.ca
SPORTS
MAROON UNDER WATER The McMaster swimming team prepare for the 2018 OUA Championships with three meets in six days
Jessica Carmichael Sports Reporter
Following a successful training camp in Florida over the winter break, the McMaster University swimming team is back in action. After having the opportunity to bask in some much needed sun during outdoor training, the Marauders returned north of the border to prepare for the upcoming Ontario University Athletic swimming championship on Feb. 8. For head coach and McMaster Hall of Fame swimmer Grey Fairley, Marauder pride runs deep through his veins. Known for often saying, “My name is Grey and I bleed maroon,” to his swim team, he knows exactly what it means to be a McMaster student-athlete. To those around him, Fairley is
not just a coach. He is a mentor. Fairley and the Marauders hosted both the Guelph Gryphons on Jan. 16 and the Ottawa Gee-Gees on Jan. 19 in dual meets before finishing off their busy week at the University of Toronto’s Invitational. Entering into the team’s second half of the season, Fairley used the meets as a way to prepare the Marauders for championship season. “I thought their effort was exceptional,” said Fairley. “It really gave me the information that I’m going to need moving forward on who to select for the team and what races they should be doing at the OUA Championships. “On the men’s side I thought Mitch Muizelaar was fantastic in the 400m freestyle,” Fairley added, speaking on Muizelaar’s performance against
the Gee-Gees. “He started off the race and was a little out of sorts, but he was able to get it back and win the event because of it.” Success is not a brand new experience for the third-year swimmer. Muizelaar has been to the OUA Championships twice before and has already qualified for this season’s U Sports swimming championships being held Feb. 22-24 at the University of Toronto. “I was pretty excited for this meet because it had my type of races,” said Muizelaar about the dual against the GeeGees. “It’s a good way to benchmark myself and see where I’m at before the OUA Championships. It was also a very successful race for me because even though it was not my best time, I managed to out-touch my competition in the race.”
Working with Fairley has helped Muizelaar become one of the best in the pool, helping him succeed in his career as a student-athlete. “Having people there who have done it before and have
“
The McMaster women’s team dominated at the Fairweather Division Championships in Guelph, taking home 10 out of McMaster’s 12 medals.
gone through the process and know what it’s like to be a student-athlete is just really awesome,” said Muizelaar. “Being able to relate to our head coach like that has been a really good experience for me.” Although the men are not ranked within the top 10 by U Sports nationally, the women have been able to remain in eighth place, eight points ahead of the Dalhousie Tigers and the Western Mustangs who are tied for ninth place. Earlier this season, the McMaster women’s team dominated at the Fairweather Division Championships in Guelph, taking home 10 out of McMaster’s 12 medals. Firstyears Veronica Nichol, Isabelle Lei Sarah Little veteran Olivia Chow were among those who stood out. Fast-forward to the dual
SPORTS | 25
www.thesil.ca | Thursday, Jan. 25, 2018
against Ottawa and Chow has only gotten better. “Olivia swam a ton of events and was able to dominate the 200m breast stroke and that was great to see,” said Fairley. “She struggled in the fall with her conditioning, but has really shown improvement since December.” After all three meets, like most athletes, Chow still sees room for improvement within
herself. But she, along with the entire team, plans on using the next few weeks to get much needed rest and recuperation before the provincial championships. “I’m really excited because it’s my last year of university and my last time racing within the OUA,” said Chow. “So although it is a very sad time for me, I am still extremely excited to race one last time and hopefully win
multiple events for our team.” For Chow, this should not be hard to do. During last year’s OUA championship, she brought home the team’s lone gold medal on the third day, sporting a time of 32.11 seconds in the 50m breast stroke. Chow added a silver medal for 100m along with four other medals to add to her trophy case. Chow’s time as Marauder may be coming to a close but the
women’s team is in good hands with a number of high-performing swimmers who have competed extremely well this year, like the rookie trio. And with Muizelaar, Mohamad Jrab and Alex Tropynine who all finished within the top three for the 400m at the U of T Invitational, the men’s team has a promising future ahead as well. The last few days have been a bit of a whirlwind for the
McMaster swimming team, but they are looking forward to the next two weeks as they bring down the level of intensity to prepare for the OUA championships. And for Coach Fairley, that requires three simple things: Getting a lot of rest, saying your prayers and being a “hulkamanic”. @JaayCarmichael
C/O MONISH AHLUWALIA
TORONTO
INVITATIONAL RESULTS ISABELLE LEI
GOLD
100M FREESTYLE
55.63 SEC (NATIONAL TOP 10 TIME)
VERONICA NICHOL
SILVER
100M BACKSTROKE 1:03.36 MIN
MITCH MUIZELAAR
GOLD
400M FREESTYLE
4:03.69 MIN
MOHAMED JRAB
SILVER
400M FREESTYLE
4:09.46 MIN
ALEX TROPYNINE
BRONZE
400M FREESTYLE
4:09.81 MIN
26 |
Thursday, Jan. 25, 2018 | www.thesil.ca
SPORTS
Back in action After gaining back their fifth-year starter Aleks Arsovic, the women’s volleyball team looks better than ever as they head into the second half of the season Justin Parker Sports Editor
Crossing the mid-point of the 2017-2018 season, the McMaster women’s volleyball team find themselves sitting alone atop the Ontario University Athletics West division. With six other teams in the West vying for the number one spot, the Marauders continue to execute their game plan in each contest, dominating their opponents. After a close loss to start the season, the Mac women have rattled off 10 consecutive wins, leaving the Ryerson Rams as the only team with a better record in the entire province. The Rams are also in the unique position of being the only team in the province to hand the Marauders a loss this campaign. While a revisit to this nail-biter matchup may want to be discussed as playoff season approaches, a deep dive into the 3-2 Marauder loss back in late October will remain in the film room. The Marauders still have eight games remaining in their impressive season, and like any experienced team, are taking it one game at a time. “It’s going really great,” said fifth-year Aleks Arsovic on the season. “We had a really strong preseason and a nice trip to Poland where we got to play some pro teams. [We] started the season off with a loss which was interesting. The team is working really hard day in and day out, and we are hoping to repeat as OUA champions again this year. I think we have the right group to do it. Some really exciting
things happening.” The Mac women have resumed their strong season with an extra spark: the return of their starting outside hitter Aleks Arsovic. Following a long rehabilitation process of an ankle sprain suffered during the team’s preseason trip to Poland, Arsovic jumped back into her starting role with authority. In her first weekend back in the starting rotation, Arsovic racked up 20 kills and a combined 27 points. By far the most impressive offensive weapon on either side of the court, Arsovic earned herself Pita Pit Athlete of the Week honours. While this was her first weekend back starting, Arsovic got some playing time during the season’s first half, but nothing significant. Luckily, she was able to lean on her past experience with the team to immediately make an impact once she was back to 100 per cent. “In the position I play as outside hitter we get a lot of out of system balls,” said Arsovic. “I have worked really hard over the years in expanding my shot selection and we have a really great setter and great passer, so it is really easy to put the ball away when the rest of your team is doing their job.” Given her tenure with the team, it is no surprise the outside hitter was able to step into such an offensively dominant role so quickly. Arsovic also sees a bigger role for herself on the team beyond just being a point machine. “We have really great captains on our team that lead
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the way for the most part,” said Arsovic. “I just like to be out there, be loud and supportive of my teammates when I can. Personally I like to be that rock on the team that can put the ball away whenever or in any scramble situation. I just try to do my part and support others when they are doing theirs.” While Arsovic was able to support her teammates from the sidelines, her presence on the court was certainly missed. Yet while many teams tend to struggle when they lose an offensive asset like Arsovic, the Marauders’ depth was able to save them from any sort of slump. “It was nice to get some of our younger players on the
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court and get some experience for other left sides,” Arsovic said. “I think we have such a deep roster that anybody can go in at anytime and we normally come out with a pretty good result. While it was frustrating being on the sidelines going into my last year, it was nice to just see the team come together and still pull out some big wins.” Arsovic’s starting weekend happened to coincide with the annual #OneTeamForMentalHealth McMaster varsity event in support of the Bell Let’s Talk mental health initiative. With fans sharing their thoughts on mental health and sporting temporary tattoos and thunder sticks to bring the noise in support of this event, the importance of mental health awareness was not lost on the athletes. “Personally, as a varsity athlete, I think everybody has their tough times,” said Arsovic. “Bell Let’s Talk is such a great initiative to get the conversation started and let people know they are not alone. Being a student is hard enough but being a student-athlete is just a whole other level and it’s always great to have your teammates, your staff, your support system there when you’re struggling. I think Bell Let’s Talk is such a great cause and really brings aware-
ness to the matter.” As the Mac women turn towards the rest of the season, the Marauders will play host to the U Sports volleyball championships this March. However, only one team will be able to represent Ontario at the national championships this year. Now there is an extra pressure for OUA teams to not only make the championship game but bring home the provincial trophy as well. It is safe to say the Marauders have their sights set on repeating as champions again this year, but they know there are other teams in their way. “We do play Western at home in a month or so and that is normally a big game for us,” said Arsovic. “But like I said, every game is just one by one and focusing on each week. I think our team is doing a really great job of staying on task and holding ourselves accountable. Hopefully that leads to a good result.” With a deep rotation of talented players like Arsovic, the Marauders have a clear set path to success. A pathway that could very well lead to a repeat provincial title and a fruitful national campaign. @justinparker81
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STOP BEING MEAN RIGHT NOW Local newspaper negatively impac ts voting by being critical C12
THURSDAY
THE
HAMILTON SPECULATOR Tak ing the HSR to Charity Ball since 1934
Januar y 25, 2018
NOTSPEC.COM
Craig and The Horse win the presidency A tyrannosaurus wreck turns into students union victory
This is the ideal president. You may not like it, but this is what peak performance looks like.
SAINT PETER VEGAS Am I speciesist?
Long-time members of the Silhouette, Craig and The Horse have shocked the university by winning hearts and minds to take the top position. Though it was a close vote, Craig and The Horse managed to win on a platform advocating for species equity, supporting our sports programs with training from the Toronto Raptors and re-evaluating the expenses used for Light Up the Night. The bright lights reminded Craig of the meteors that caused the extinction of his race. While a poor campaign last
year left the two in disarray, the team leaned on one another for support as their shared difficulties with quadrupedalism on campus remained an underdeveloped part of the union’s official policies. The efforts conducted last year were best noted by the inability to enunciate their thoughts during debates and during the campaigning season, and a lack of planning put towards how they would engage in dinosaur-horse-human diplomacy with the municipal government. Craig, unfortunately, is a carnivore, so allegations of him planning to terrorize the campus with his
POLL: Who was your favourite president? Obama
Me
The band of directors
The one who drank from the tap at the campus bar
Anyone who advocated for lower tuition
Michael from the office
I always vote for the joke candidate, so please do not ask me
All of the above
position of power grew as the campaign progressed. The two will advocate for Hannibal Maus as vice-president (Education) for his policies such as, “Replace every automatic elevator and lift on campus with pulley elevators operated by able-bodied students,” and, “Every religious holiday off for all students”. Esther Chatul, a candidate two years ago who advocated for gender-neutral litter boxes, will likely be vice-president (Admin). It is currently unknown who will be vice-president (Finance) as neither Craig nor The Horse can recommend
From top to bottom: Craig and The Horse participate in the Silhouette’s Instagram critique, the 2018 Sil debate and the 2017 Sil debate.
anyone for the job. The inability to comprehend how budgeting works will likely be a massive flaw for their upcoming year. Unfortunately, they were unavailable for comment as we do not currently have any translators available.
“[unintelligible dinosaur noises]” Craig Co-president elect Students union
INSIDE WE ARE WILLING TO SELL OUT OUR BACK COVER AND INTEGRITY FOR SLIGHTLY MORE MONEY A4 THIS PRESIDENTIAL SEASON HAD A LOT OF DOGS, BUT WE COULDN’T PET ANY BECAUSE OF THE CONFLICT OF INTEREST POLICIES IN PLACE B4 LOCAL CAFÉ WAITS UNTIL THE FINAL WEEK BEFORE RELEASE TO ASK FOR ADVICE FROM OUR ARTS & CULTURE EDITOR C1 LOCAL CANDIDATE DIES AFTER 15 CONSECUTIVE DEBATES D2
Tweets to the Editor A Pop-Tart is a sandwich.
I really don’t trust the students union to advocate for frogs’ rights.
- Sean, 24, radical sandwich anarchist with correct opinions
- Timmy, 10, featured on the front cover
Disclaimer: The Hamilton Speculator is a work of satire and fiction and should not under any circumstances be taken seriously. I do really hope someone from the Silhouette runs in the future though. It would be fun.
PER ISSUE: A guide on how to pull your punches in your writing, but still manage to strike fear into the hearts of many.