The 5 Weirdest Campus Crimes
The
Silhouette
Page A3
McMASTER UNIVERSITY’S STUDENT NEWSPAPER
Thursday, January 16, 2013 VOL. 84 NO. 18
Winter accessibility AN UPHILL BATTLE
EDUCATION
Ontario invests $42M in e-learning Anqi Shen Online Editor
At McMaster, wheelchair users like Sophie face obstacles on an inaccessible, icy campus. Page A6
ELIZA POPE / ASSISTANT PHOTO EDITOR
Everything you need to know to win an MSU presidential election
Familiar with Diversity Week? If not, check out our breakdown
Men’s Volleyball continued their undefeated streak
PAGE A7
PAGE B1
PAGE B7
ANDY kicks off part one of their top 10 movies and albums of 2013
The Ontario government will invest $42 million over three years in ‘Ontario Online,’ an e-learning platform and consortium set to launch in the 2015-16 academic year. Brad Duguid, the province’s Minister of Training, Colleges and Universities, announced the initiative on Jan. 13. The centre would offer centralized online courses for credit, transferable between participating institutions across the province, although universities and colleges are not mandated to sign on. “Right now we have what I would call a hodge-podge of online learning technology,” Duguid said. “Some institutions are global leaders. Others are holding back. I think we want to get to a point where every student in the province has access to this learning technology.” Ontario Online will consist of a course registry, an instruction hub for institutions to share best practices for course development and a support hub to offer assistance to students and instructors. “The MSU definitely supports McMaster joining Ontario Online for a number of reasons,” said Spencer Graham, vice-president (education) of the MSU. “We think it will provide students with a lot of increased options and flexibility in terms of how they want to learn.” The centre is the result of various consultations between the ministry and stakeholders over the past several years. The centre will not be a degree-granting institution, which student and faculty groups opposed in roundtable discussions. “I think this has definitely been refined from the initial proposal,” said Alastair Woods, chairperson of the Canadian Federation of Students (Ontario). However, the CFS-Ontario remains skeptical of the ministry’s mandate to offer students more of a choice between in-class learning and online learning. “What worries me is that there are a lot of changes coming down the sector that the government claims will produce cost savings but are not motivated by cost savings. I don’t think that’s an entirely genuine statement,” he said. According to the Ontario Undergraduate Student Alliance, which supported the ministry’s announcement, postsecondary institutions in Ontario saw nearly 500,000 online course registrations in 2011. Ontario Online was developed in tandem with the province’s ‘differentiation’ policy framework, which was redefined in November 2013. The current framework emphasizes minimizing duplication in course offerings across the province and building a globally competitive system. Duguid said the new online learning centre “isn’t driven by cost savings” though it would result in savings for some institutions and potential revenue for others. “Some students will learn better in an online course, and some students may have other obligations outside of school life that make it necessary to go online,” Duguid said. Details of how courses would be administered through Ontario Online and whether college and university courses would be crosslisted are expected in the coming months. Visit thesil.ca for the full story. @anqi_shen
the S ’ T N E D I S E PR E G A P David Campbell President president@msu.mcmaster.ca
ext. 23885
What makes a good MSU President?
The MSU Presidential election is quickly approaching. The campaign period will run from Sunday, January 19 – Thursday, January 30. Voting will take place online from January 28-30. As such, the Board of Directors thought we would share some of our thoughts and experiences with the role of MSU President, as you ponder the merits of the candidates that will shortly come before you. Platform ideas often tend to dominate Presidential elections. But something to keep in mind is that the platform is a relatively small part of the President’s job. A year is a long time, and the things that daily cross my desk vary widely. The President must have a holistic understanding of the organization and of student concerns, not just a couple of marquee projects or ideas they expect to implement. If a candidate puts forward an idea that you feel you must have - go with it and vote for them! But for the most part, try to step back from those big ideas and see all of what the candidate brings to the table. That said, a platform will likely be the most direct interaction you’ll have with a candidate. It’s incredibly important not just for the ideas it represents, but for the other things it says about a candidate. Are they well-researched and prepared? Do they have a good understanding of what matters to students? What are their values? Do they communicate well? The platform is more than just a set of ideas – it’s an indication of the priorities and approach that will dictate a President’s time in office.
Anna D’Angela
Spencer Graham
Jeff Doucet
VP Administration
VP Education
VP Finance
vpadmin@msu.mcmaster.ca
vped@msu.mcmaster.ca ext. 24017
vpfinance@msu.mcmaster.ca
ext. 23250
I have seen a lot of Presidential candidates (and their platforms) come and go. Some things change, yet some things stay the same. A candidate’s platform is important. It shows you what a candidate’s priorities are. But it’s not the most important thing - it is more important to realize who the person is behind the platform. In my opinion, what makes a good Presidential candidate is their work ethic, their values and their approach to the job. Why? Platform points can be completed. But it’s how the person goes about doing it that will make all the difference.
Like the VP (Education), the MSU President is first and foremost an advocate for students to the University and government. You’ll want to elect a President capable of confidently defending students, often to people who will try to shut their ideas down. Your President needs to have a strong understanding of complex issues (some examples: Access Copyright, financial aid and quality of education) as well as being politically strategic in terms of advancing the right issues at the right time. They must be critical and assertive, yet balance these traits with maintaining positive working relationships. It’s a tough gig.
fb.com/MSUMcMaster @MSU_McMaster
www.msumcmaster.ca
ext. 24109
When looking at the qualities of a President, I suggest looking for someone that has a holistic understanding of the MSU and student life here on campus. While a candidate’s platform may only briefly touch on the roles of the three Vice Presidents, the President will be looked to for leadership and guidance on key issues that will arise during the year. A Presidential platform will give you an understanding of their key projects during the year, but experience within the MSU and student life on campus will prepare that person to handle their day-to-day responsibilities as President and Chief Executive Officer of a multimillion dollar student-led organization.
The President’s Page is sponsored by the McMaster Students Union. It is a space used to communicate with the student body about the projects, goals and agenda of the MSU Board of Directors.
Thursday, Jan. 16, 2014
theSil.ca
A3
Bill Nye talks Dancing with the Stars in part two of our interview video series, this Sunday at 6 p.m. on THESIL.CA
Editors Tyler Welch & Rachel Faber & Tomi Milos Email news@thesil.ca @theSilhouette Phone 905.525.9140 x27117
S
$3.7M to fund Mac research Rachel Faber Assistant News Editor McMaster University has received a total of $3.7 million in research grants, with 19 researchers receiving funds. The Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council gave their largest sum to Altaf Arain, the Associate Director of McMaster’s School of Geography and Earth Sciences. Arain, who is also the Director of the McMaster Centre for Climate Change, is to receive $535,457 for climate change research. Arain, along with his team of graduate and undergraduate students will be studying the typical ecosystems that grow in the Hamilton area. “The forests are important because they provide resources for us,” said Arain. Forests are home and protection to many birds and other wildlife, and have watershed implications as well. Arain explained that our region used to have a very different landscape before it became primarily agricultural. Since industrialization, many forests
ELIZA POPE / ASSISTANT PHOTO EDITOR
that were removed were manually replanted, covering 20 to 30 percent of Southern Ontario. “We want to see the impacts. These [forests] are planted, and therefore are different from natural ecosystems,” said Arain. Arain aims to test these forested ecosystems by installing canopy cameras, monitoring carbon, energy flux, snowfall and air pollution. He will be working alongside Environment Canada. This grant will be looking at ecology measurements using
Ground Penetrating Radar to look below the surface at biomass organisms. Soil variables such as decomposition will be studied, measured at 20 hertz, meaning that the soil will be tested 20 times per second. Measurements will occur 24/7 for the next few years. “We want to see if the carbon stored in the soils will be affected in the future if we have changes in the climate,” said Arain. After these measurements are taken, the data is then used
to simulate the ecosystem in a model. “Modeling and measurement go hand in hand,” said Arain. Using the models, new processes are found and new scenarios can be tested, and then extrapolated to other areas of research on future climate change. Extreme climates and weather conditions could potentially affect a number of environmental factors involved in the tests, including endangered plant and animal species. The economies of the forests are examined in terms of the value and vulnerability of plants and wood that will be harvested. Carbon credits may be a potential benefit of this research, which are part of an effort to cut down nationally on greenhouse gases because natural carbon dioxide is being released into the atmosphere.
Tomi Milos Features Editor A team of McMaster scientists is enjoying a great start to the new year after solving a genetic code related to an historical cholera outbreak. The team was able to determine the cholera bacteria that caused a widespread outbreak of the diarrheal disease in the 19th century. The researchers from McMaster’s Ancient DNA Centre reconstructed the entire Vibrio cholerae genome using a piece of tissue from the intestine of a Philadelphia man, which had been remarkably preserved by Philadelphia’s Mütter Museum. Findings from the study were
published in the New England Journal of Medicine on Jan. 8, helping to pin down the cause of the earliest forms of the infectious disease in India, Europe and North America. Before they could begin the laborious process of reconstructing the complex genome, the research team had to locate a well-preserved specimen with remnants of the disease. This was no easy task as the pathogen only colonizes the intestines: normally the first internal organ to decompose after death. Doubts as to whether finding a specimen was possible were alleviated when Hendrik Poinar, Associate Professor and Canada Research Chair within the
Department of Anthropology and Principal Investigator at the Ancient DNA Centre, learned that the Philidelphia’s Mütter Museum had preserved internal specimens from alleged cholera victims from its curator, Anna Dhody. Graduate student Alison Devault was at the helm for much of the lab work as part of her PhD thesis and said that she was unsure whether an analysis of the specimen would reveal it to be imbued with cholera DNA. “Oftentimes in ancient DNA work you can have a very promising sample, but because of poor conditions for DNA preservation — such as fluctuating temperatures or bacterial or chemical changes that overly degrade the
Tyler Welch News Editor
C/O WIKIMEDIA COMMONS
5 Telessault March 28, 2013: A harassing phone call was received by the SWHAT office. Some people have nothing to do on a Thursday night.
@rachfaber
4 Snap Chat
Scientists unlock cholera secrets
SILHOUETTE FILE PHOTO
Top 5 odd campus crimes
DNA — you are disappointed.” Devault said her peers also entertained doubts that the alleged cholera victims were just that and nothing more. “There was always another possibility, that the alleged cholera victims did not actually have cholera at all, or the historical disease we believed to be cholera was actually due to some completely different pathogen.” The study revealed the cholera that the man suffered from to be of the classical strain, once the prominent form of epidemic cholera. Although a strain called El Tor replaced the classical as the main pathogenic form of the disease in the 20th century, Devault says studies of its predecessor can be crucial to our understanding of a disease which infected 3 to 4 million people in 2012, killing 100,000. “We know from historic accounts and records that 19th century cholera was extremely widespread and devastating on a global scale. Although it is still unclear exactly why that was the case, having full-scale genome information from a 19th century strain is one great starting point for future research,” she said. Devault hopes that additional rare specimens can be found for study. This would allow further insight into how cholera has evolved over time and perhaps lead to better preventative measures to be established. @tomimilos
January 12, 2013: A fight broke out in McKay Hall over a missing iPhone. The fight was resolved when a GPS feature on the phone proved that it was not on campus. That escalated quickly.
3 Cab Abuse January 18, 2013: A male punched and kicked a taxi on campus after the driver refused to overload the car. Alcohol is believed to be a factor. Lesson learned: no sharing.
2 Laser Attack December 12, 2012: Commons Building staff reported being pestered by an individual with a laser pointer. Seriously, it’s true.
1 Chair Heist April 18, 2013: Individuals were seen attempting to carry chairs off campus. As constables approached, the individuals fled and left the ill-gotten furniture behind. Authorities are seeking information on a possible dinner party.
CANADIAN CAMPUS NEWS Tomi Milos Features Editor UNB academic staff go on strike
OCAD touts brand with new campaign
Quebec universities enjoying enrollment increase
SFU announces $4.4 million youth observatory
Kwantlen Polytechnic home to B.C.’s first teaching brewery
After failing to strike up a deal with the University, academic staff at UNB went on strike this Monday.The strike will affect 10,000 students as all classes, with the exception of certain online courses, will be suspended for its duration. The disruption comes as a result of administration not being able to negotiate a solution with staff over salaries and workload that has been brewing since the contract expired on June 30 of last year. President of the Association of University of New Brunswick Teachers, Miriam Jones, cited that the salaries of the academic staff the association represents are “up to 48 percent behind salaries at other schools.”
Toronto’s OCAD launched a campaign across the city and throughout the GTA this month in a bid to increase brand-awareness before the Feb. 1 application deadline for undergraduate programs. Revolving around the theme “put your imagination to work,” the posters feature the university’s iconic Sharp Centre for Design on a minimal, black background. Designed by Toronto agency BT/A Creates, the eye-catching campaign is meant to attract the attention of the next generation of creatives and as a result will feature prominently in high-visibility areas like subway cars and transit shelters.
Despite a prediction from the minister of higher education, Pierre Duchesne, Quebec’s universities are seeing an increase in enrolment.The influx was unexpected after student protests over tuition fees and a decision to cut $250 million from provincial post-secondary funds over two years in Dec. 2012. Enrolment increases of 8.6 percent to 13 percent over the past five years have been seen. President of the Fédération Etudiante Universitaire du Québec said “We hope the numbers will continue to go up.” This bodes well for Quebec universities, which are normally allocated funding according to the size of their student population.
Simon Fraser University has announced its intentions of erecting a $4.4 million observatory on their Burnaby campus committed to drawing youth to science. The project will be funded by the Trottier Foundation. They will offer outreach programs that attract 5,000 visitors to campus per year. The observatory is to be completed by August and has already garnered rave reviews from the Dean of Science Claire Cupples who said, “Our faculty has a long and proud tradition of bringing exciting science to children, families and schools. Now we can do so much more. The sky is, quite literally, the limit.”
KPU recently made hoppy waves with the opening of a teaching brewery at its Langley campus to assist in bringing students British Columbia’s first science of brewing program. Thirty-five students are already slated to start the program this September. Interest in the program comes at no surprise since the province’s micro-brewing industry has grown by more than 20 percent per year since 2006, according to the B.C. Liquor Distribution Branch. “This program demonstrates our ability to work with industry to quickly respond to the need to develop a skilled workforce for a growing sector,” said KPU president and vice-chancellor Dr. Alan Davis.
Thursday, Jan. 16, 2014
theSil.ca
A7 Executive Editor Jemma Wolfe Email thesil@thesil.ca @theSilhouette Phone 905.525.9140 x22052
S
FINANCIAL AID
Pan Am/OSAP scheme a sham Ontario goverment manipulating students into unpaid labour
qualifying to go deeper into debt. Oh, and they’ll get an extra six months grace period before they have to start paying back their student loans before interest starts accruing. Which, of course, they’ll need since their loan will be bigger than it would be if they had just worked all summer instead of volunteering with the Games. This announcement is especially strange considering the amount of attention the govement has recently been directing towards unpaid internships. With all of their claims about volunteering for the Games giving students real world experience and gaining “transferable workplace skills,” I wonder how they would try to explain how this type of unpaid labour differs from unpaid internships and all the experience they promise. Other
Jemma Wolfe Executive Editor When I first read the Ontario govement’s recent announcement about a Pan Am Games/OSAP scheme, I thought it was a joke. It couldn’t be real to me that they were actually proposing that students volunteer all summer (read: work for free) at the Games in order to not have to make the required “pre-study financial contribution.” This contribution, usually of $3,000, is due before the new academic year begins after a student has worked all summer. This means that the students who participate will instead qualify for a higher loan because they won’t have worked all summer. It’s not that they’re being given (or are saving) $3,000, it’s that they’re just
than the fact that in this scenario, it’s beneficial for the government to ignore their morals when it’s convenient for them. If the Pan Am Games are short on employees and volunteers, preying on desperate, debt-ridden students is not the respectable way to go about filling the void. And with 20,000 volunteers apparently required to pull the Pan Am Games off, I’m sure the void is a big one. A headline from the Tuesday release excitedly proclaimed, “Ontario making it easier for students to take part in the people’s games.” More like, “Ontario making it easier for students to go into greater debt by working for free.” @jemma_wolfe
Hiring for the rest of the Sil’s staff will begin in March. In the meantime, gain some experience by contributing your writing and photography to our weekly print editions. Connect with one of our editors over email or by attending a section meeting to discuss how you can get involved.
CORRECTION:
In the article “A fruit punch of coffee beans” by Kacper Niburski, published on page A10 on Thursday, Jan. 9, 2014, it was incorrectly claimed that “Starbucks won the MSU’s financial auction for the space previously occupied by Williams.” In fact, the student centre administrators make decisions regarding business vacancies and the MSU has nothing to do with this decision-making process.
Come again? They may have been published in previous weeks, but these online pieces deserve a second look
Most popular
Most underrated
Most worthy of views
NEWS: “McMaster courts future law students with new justice program” by Tomi Milos. First published on Wednesday, Jan. 8.
ANDY: “The new F-word in pop culture” by Bahar Orang. First published on Wednesday, Jan. 8.
VIDEO: “Bill Nye Talks Part 1: The two questions we all ask ourselves.” The series will continue this Sunday at 6 p.m. on thesil.ca!
E–Mail: thesil@thesil.ca Facebook.com/ TheMcMasterSilhouette Twitter.com/theSilhouette Production Office (905) 525-9140, extension 27117 Advertising (905) 525-9140, extension 27557 10,000 circulation Published by the McMaster Students Union
Letters to the Editor should be 100-300 words and be submitted via email by Tuesday at 12:00 p.m. to be included in that week’s publication.
Legal
The Silhouette welcomes letters to the editor in person at MUSC B110, or by email at thesil@thesil.ca. Please include name, address and telephone number for verification only. We reserve the right to edit, condense or reject letters and opinion articles. Opinions and editorials expressed in The Silhouette are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect those of the editorial board, the publishers, the McMaster Students Union or the University. The Silhouette is an editorially autonomous newspaper published by the McMaster Students Union. The Silhouette Board of Publications acts as an intermediary between the editorial board, the McMaster community and the McMaster Students Union. Grievances regarding The Silhouette may be forwarded in writing to: McMaster Students Union, McMaster University Student Centre, Room 201, L8S 4S4, Attn: The Silhouette Board of Publications. The Board will consider all submissions and make recommendations accordingly.
to the banff film festival world tour. to my family. to the west edmonton mall adventure. to butter. to the grand trunk railway line. to winterlicious soon.
to cancellations. another time, europe. to plenary. to “busy season.” to running out of time. to old water. to dented camera cards. to putting down deposits. to my phone bill.
EDITORIAL BOARD
The MSU is now accepting applications for the Sil Executive Editor and other Student Opportunity Positions. These full-time jobs are open to students who are graduating at the end of this term or have graduated within the past 6 months. To apply, visit msu.mcmaster.ca/jobs. Applications close at midnight on February 12.
MUSC, Room B110 McMaster University 1280 Main Street West, Hamilton, ON L8S 4S4
to mushroom soup.
to the continuing job search.
McMaster University’s Student Newspaper
Do you have writing, editing and design experience? Think you have what it takes to manage the Silhouette full-time for a year? Can you fill both my shoes and the massive void in the hearts of the staff that my departure will create? That’s impossible Keep reading!
Write To Us
to nash76, for both inspiring the staff and reminding me how much i need my sleep.
to westjet’s itty-bitty turbulent planes for making me repeatedly grab for l.p.
The Silhouette
Want my job?
About Us
to the concierge at the fairmont mcdonald in edmonton. thanks.
Remember to check out our website throughout the week for fresh content daily! We’re no longer Thursday exclusive – we’re your constant source of everything McMaster, every day.
thesil.ca Section Meeting Times News Thursdays @ 3:30 p.m. Opinions Tuesdays @ 1:30 p.m.
Jemma Wolfe | Executive Editor thesil@thesil.ca Sam Godfrey | Managing Editor managing@thesil.ca Andrew Terefenko | Production Editor production@thesil.ca Anqi Shen | Online Editor news@thesil.ca Tyler Welch | News Editor news@thesil.ca Rachel Faber | Assistant News Editor news@thesil.ca Tomi Milos | Features Editor news@thesil.ca Kacper Niburski | Opinions Editor opinions@thesil.ca Laura Sinclair | Sports Editor sports@thesil.ca Alexandra Reilly | Assistant Sports Editor sports@thesil.ca Amanda Watkins | LifeStyle Editor lifestyle@thesil.ca Miranda Babbitt | Assistant LifeStyle Editor lifestyle@thesil.ca Bahar Orang | ANDY Editor andy@thesil.ca Cooper Long | Assistant ANDY Editor andy@thesil.ca Yoseif Haddad | Photo Editor photo@thesil.ca Eliza Pope | Assistant Photo Editor photo@thesil.ca Ben Barrett-Forrest | Multimedia Editor photo@thesil.ca Karen Wang | Graphics Editor production@thesil.ca Colin Haskin | Video Editor photo@thesil.ca
Sports Thursdays @ 12:30 p.m.
Olivia Dorio | Distribution Coordinator thesil@thesil.ca
LifeStyle Thursdays @ 10:30 a.m.
Sandro Giordano | Ad Manager sgiordan@msu.mcmaster.ca
ANDY Tuesdays @ 5:30 p.m. Video & Multimedia Mondays @ 1:30 p.m. Photo Fridays @ 12 p.m.
Staff Reporters Tobi Abdul Sarah O’Connor Ana Qarri Sophia Topper thesil@thesil.ca
In Brief Tyler Welch News Editor
Brain McHattie gunning for city’s top job Ward 1 (West Hamilton) city councilor Brain McHattie will not be seeking re-election in this fall’s municipal election. Instead, the long-time office holder will be running for Mayor. McHattie, who was once a McMaster lecturer, has been a city councilor since his election in 2003 and subsequent re-elections
in 2006 and 2010. He ran for Mayor unsuccessfully in 1997 and 2000, before he had many City Hall credentials. Hamilton residents Jason Allen, Ira Rosen and Sandy Shaw have each filed to run for the open council seat in October.
Mac opens registration for Mini-Med School If you’ve always wondered what it’s like to be a med student or a doctor, now is your chance. McMaster University has opened up registration for its Mini-Med School. For a cost of $75 for students and seniors or $125 for adults, Mini-Med students will receive teaching from physicians within the University’s faculty of medicine. Professors will be boiling down medical topics in an
easy-to-understand manner to benefit anyone with an interest in medical sciences. Vaccination, cardiology and mood disorders are all included on this year’s list of subjects. Registration is required for a spot in the seven-week program and classes begin on February 4th. The not-for-profit program is supported by the McMaster MD program and the Faculty of Health Sciences, but organized completely by medical students.
Senoir struck by car at Main and Emerson A man in his 70s was hit by a car at the corner of Main Street and Emerson Street on Tuesday morning. The man was injured in the collision, but will make a full re-
covery. The road was closed off at 9 a.m., according to the Hamilton Spectator but police had no immediate details at the time.
A5
CHECK OUT WWW.MSUMcMASTER.CA/TWELVEIGHTY FOR MORE!
NEWS
CHEAPDRINKS, AMAZINGFOOD, PRICELESSMEMORIES.
Thursday, Jan. 16, 2014
THURS BAR NIGHTS! HOTTEST DJ’S! LOWESTDRINKPRICESINHAMILTON! STUDENTPRICES!
theSil.ca
theSil.ca
Thursday, Jan. 16, 2014
FEATURE
A6
Mobility impairments extreme in icy conditions Tobi Abdul Staff Reporter Winter tends to elicit mixed feelings. As temperatures drop and snow falls, some people love to bundle up and walk in the brisk cold. To many others, winter is a miserable few months. Regardless of which part of the spectrum people fall on, there is the general consensus that winter road and sidewalk conditions make it difficult to enjoy this season. While walking to school you slip at least five times, you’re frozen by the time you arrive, and getting to classes seems to take a lot longer than you remembered. Getting around in the winter is usually a pain for everyone. On a scale of one to ten, most fall close to the “love skiing, skating, and sledding but for the love of God, winter, go away” side. But for many, winter has some serious challenges that come from needing a mobility device. When the pathways and roads of
BEN BARRETT-FORREST / MULTIMEDIA EDITOR
McMaster are icy, slippery, or wet, many people with crutches, canes, walkers, and wheelchairs face a whole new campus. Second-year student Sophie Geffros uses a manual wheelchair to get around campus and finds that in wintertime, she’s spending a lot more time commuting between buildings. “The furthest I have to go from is MDCL to ABB. In the summer it takes me around seven or eight minutes but in the winter, I find that it takes me around 15.” In -38 C, where exposed skin can freeze in three to five minutes, 15 minutes in the cold can seem like eternity. Even getting to campus is a struggle if you have a mobility device and take the bus. In extreme cold weather, sometimes the automatic ramp on the buses don’t work, making it inaccessible for that day. “I miss significantly more class in the winter,” said Geffros, “Even after I make it to campus sometimes I realize that it’s not working. I have three classes back to back to back in Health Sciences, TSH and MDCL, and 10 minutes is not enough time. I either have to leave class early or get to class late.” The Student Accessibility Services office at McMaster helps students with any special needs including medical issues, physical impairments, mental health issues and learning difficulties. “I think the main issue is that SAS is primarily designed to deal with students with learning difficulties and they do a good job accommodating academically but when you faced with mobility impairments, and you say that you need this thing, they don’t have much practice with providing people with help in that way,” said Geffros. SAS does help with services such as note-taking and extension leniency but unfortunately, it doesn’t always help when someone is already on campus. Even students without mobility impairments have experienced difficulties walking across some parts of campus that are extremely icy and have not been salted or opening doors that have small banks of snow in front of them. “There’s a huge problem with where they put the snow once they shovelled it off stairs and sidewalks. First it takes them a long time to get it off the sidewalk, then once they’ve gotten it off… they cover the smooth bit of the curve which is where, if you use a mobility device, you need to go down on the curb on and you can’t because it’s covered by a chunk of ice,” said Geffros. “There should be more areas that are treated as constantly as others since small paths are just as important as
large streets,” says Jamie Lai, the Abilities Coordinator for MSU Diversity. These conditions are not only annoying to navigate around, but they can also be dangerous. Third-year student Georgy Dhanjal uses a power wheelchair to get around campus and says that getting to classes increases from three to five minutes to eight to 10 minutes in the wintertime. Although he can navigate on top of snow more easily than he could with a manual chair, the icy conditions on campus still make it a hassle. “Mac does a great job at making sure that ice/snow is removed from ramps such as the one behind BSB or right by MUSC, and that is great for everyone. However I do have an issue with how the school goes about its open/ close policy in terms of hazardous conditions, such as the day in which the ground was extremely icy,” said Dhanjal “The low temperature is something we can bundle up for, and as Canadians it is expected, however when something so simple as getting from point A to B becomes dangerous, that’s where I draw the line,” he continued Getting from point A to B on a reasonably sized campus should be simple, but when the conditions of campus are subpar, it becomes an issue of safety rather than convenience. For Geffros, unclear pathways can cause physical injury while trying to navigate through the ice and snow. “The actual pavement is very poorly maintained, especially in the quad. There are big chunks of cracked pavement. In the summer you can navigate around but in the winter you can’t see it, and it looks icy but clear but then you go flying out of your chair. Quite a few times I have actually gone flying, landed on my face, books everywhere, sometimes my wheelchair has rolled away,” she said. On extremely cold days, most of us are concerned about getting to warmth as quickly as possible, but there is the added pressure of having to navigate around potential hazards. “I have seen some people in their wheelchairs going against traffic because sidewalks and pathways are inaccessible,” says Lai. “There’s a large emphasis on people who require wheelchairs, and there are also people who use walking aids and who are visually impaired who need their paths to be clear so that they don’t
risk injury. Those who use walking aids, even temporarily, can find that even though they never get stuck in the snow, they sometimes have to rely on other people to get around,” Lai continued. “I had crutches in the fall and found that some of the automatic door buttons don’t actually work and I’d have to find a way to manoeuvre. I can’t imagine having to do that outside in freezing temperatures,” said fourth-year student Hans Loewig. At times, it just isn’t possible to get through campus without a little help. Dhanjal encourages students to get in touch with services like SAS that can help them in the winter. “I think that those who begrudgingly attempt to navigate campus during the winter time, and do not know of these services too well, may seem uncomfortable asking for help. The truth is that these services are great sources for assistance, and I definitely recommend seeking their
assistance when necessary,” said Dhanjal. Friendly students are also an option to help if you find yourself stuck in the snow. “Fellow students are the best when it comes to assistance. If my chair tires get stuck in the snow, or if perhaps I need a push to get across some ice, there is always someone I can count on at this school, stranger or not,” says Dhanjal. Since most people are busy trying to get to their destination as fast as they can, it can help if more people are alert to their surroundings. “Last week I was constantly stuck in the snow, I had to flag people down to help me, otherwise I would’ve just stayed there,” said Geffros. Winter is great for a lot of things, like hot chocolate, hockey, and candy canes, but it really is the worst for making your way around. Some people can walk over that crack in the ice, or step over the snow bank, but for others, getting across campus can be a frustrating and time consuming feat. Take the extra time to help someone whose chair is stuck in the snow or guide someone with a visual impairment around the icy parts of the sidewalk.
YOSEIF HADDAD/ SENIOR PHOTO EDITOR
Thursday, Jan. 16, 2014
theSil.ca
A7 Seeking help with mental health A11
Editor Kacper Niburski Email opinions@thesil.ca @theSilhouette Phone 905.525.9140 x27117
S
Editoral Cartoon
POLITICAL DIY
How to win an MSU presidential election
KarenWang/GraphicsEditor
Kacper Niburski Opinions Editor Sing the anthem. Raise the flag. Do, uh, a salute or whatever. Because in a week’s time, McMaster will be host to pageantry a year in the making. With shades of incandescent green and eyesore yellow, MUSC will look less like a dirty zoo and more like a colourful, dirty zoo. Campaign teams will parade into classes in order to win the votes of people who don’t know an election is going on, who couldn’t name the current president of the MSU, and who are wondering if they are in the right class in the first place. Cheers will hiccup across campus, songs will blare, and the world will revolve in the halls of McMaster, if only for a few. But in between the screams and badgering, the prodding to vote for one candidate over another, some of you won’t share the buzz on campus. You’ll instead feel like you are but a piece on an indiscriminate checkers board, a vote who is drowning in competing ideas, and though you are you, you alone is not important enough. Let’s do something about the gnawing apathy. Let’s make you fight against it all by becoming it all: Let’s run for the MSU Presidentials together. I know, I know. Why would you want to do that? You don’t know jack shit about jack shit, talking to people turns you into an unsettling, sweaty mess, and besides, look at you: you’re a meat-wagon wrapped in unwashed sweatpants, a mustard-stained t-shirt, and your hair is a knot even a Scout hasn’t seen. But that’s the point: you often convince yourself you’re a loser already – the blemish of mustard is your proof – and the first way to sweep the Presidentials is knowing that it takes losing in order to win. Luckily, you’re already half way there. Next is your platform, or more truthfully the lack thereof. In a few weeks time, no one will care what you say. There will be no accountability or follow-up. You’ll win, you’ll spend a year waffling around, and just as you’re about to pick a pen because someone shuffled outside your office, you’ll be off doing something else with your resume padded nicely. So promise only the very absurd. Promise big, grand things. Promise gold, qualify that you meant silver, and give nothing but dirt. The next step is simple: smile everywhere. The shower? Smile. A photograph? Smile. Pooping? Smile. You need to convince everyone that with pearly whites that look like heaven’s Pearl Gates, you’re happy, even and perhaps especially, when you shit. I’ll admit that your face will find itself constipated more often than not, and you might not be able to find reasons to grin. You’re unhappy after all; that’s why you’re going to be knee-deep in this election in the first place – you want to change things to make them better for yourself and others, you want people to depend on you, and you want to belong to something greater than yourself. Yet these elections will wear you out. You’ll be exhausted. And with all the people around you trying to vying for your attention, with all the banners and speeches and impossible demands, you’ll feel lonely even though you might not be alone. But this emptiness in a world that seems so full of life is not trivial because the next step in winning these MSU elections is being able to lie. Throughout the snafu, you’ll need to string together mendacities that convince others and yourself most of all. People will say, “You’re campaign colour is blue; isn’t that depressing.” And you’ll reply, “Is it?” They’ll say, “It is.” You’ll say, “Isn’t the world gray, though? Aren’t things never black and white?” And the person will clap and you’ll be victorious in a few weeks and then you’ll think back and remind yourself that you don’t actually know if things are black or white. You were lying. You are lying. You have become a lie. Remember, though, that you’re going to be the next MSU president. It’s a sacrifice in order to help, right? You’re willing to forgo truth if it means that others can have it eventually. You’re a hero. A god damn saint. And in the next year, you’ll be our leader. So here’s my, uh, salute or whatever we do here, President. @ kacpnibs
Read, reason, repeat Relating with character in a book can change your life
Bahar Orang ANDY Editor When I was nine years old, I had a daydreaming problem. I woke up each morning just as the sun was rising, and in a warm bath of golden light, I would drift away to another world. My daydreams were so elaborate, so dense, that I can still recall particular scents and sounds of those childhood fantasies. I remember one especially long story, where I was riding a beautiful brown horse all over the world. Everyday I imagined the next chapter, and I saw myself in empty meadows, fantastical villages, and on the streets of Tehran. My mother would come in to ready me for school almost two hours later. I was always excited for bedtime, because I knew I could imagine things until I fell asleep. In class, this became a bigger problem because I regularly sat somewhere in the back and dozed off to far more exciting places. I was lucky to have an extremely kind and thoughtful teacher that year, because she promptly diagnosed and cured my problem in one simple request. She offered me a copy of Anne of Green Gables and asked that I read it. She told me that it was her favourite book and said that if I read it carefully enough, it would belong to me. She explained that I might find a friend in Anne. My teacher, Mrs. Parker, knew that I was a gluttonous
reader. I was always so insistent on knowing the end of every story that I often read far too quickly. I ate books in one swift gulp, leaving no time to really taste them. So she asked that I read Anne of Green Gables with some patience. And because I was relieved that this was her punishment for catching me looking out the window, I did just as she said. I sat at the front of the school bus on my way home that afternoon and spent the 20 minute drive fondling the book. Even though it was so tattered that the spine was almost falling off, I held it like were a stack of newly printed photographs. I only touched the edges, afraid of leaving my fingerprints on its body. I loved Mrs. Parker dearly, and I was immensely pleased that she thought we might enjoy the same story. Reading assumes a kind of shared intelligence, and it was this realization that made me determined to rise to the occasion. I would be the new custodian of this book, I would unpack its contents like it were a suitcase stuffed with fragile gifts. It felt brand new in my hands, even though it must have been decades old. I read a few chapters every day. I’ll admit, it was difficult to stop myself from reading ahead, but I was able to fight the urge by spending some extra time reflecting on Anne’s most recent adventures. I was a little alarmed at how intensely I could relate to Anne. How could this red-haired
Anne of Green Gables is a relateable daydreamer girl from Prince Edward Island, who lived over a hundred years ago – how could her story somehow reveal the writings of my mental diary? But the words of the novel had a kind of vitality, a kind of clarity that my own messy thoughts could never muster. I can remember Anne’s face as clearly as I can remember Mrs. Parker’s face. I was breathing when I read that book, and Anne was more than my best friend. WHY, A10
FEEDBACK Compiled by Kacper Niburski & Eliza Pope
What do you want in your MSU president?
“Someone who tries to make things easier for students through policy that directly affects us.” Ajay Thakar, Biology II
“Healthier and better food options – maybe 24 hours service.” Daniel Delfavero, Commerce I
“A candidate who makes the MSU more accessible to those who are not engaged in the student body.” Joanne Rego, Kinesiology II
“A person who talks to students a lot while remaining optimistic and positive.” Michelle Tran, Medical Radiation I
“Someone who keeps slugging on. Keep doing what you’re doing.” Michelle Prince, Music Cognition IV
g
Thursday, Jan. 16, 2014
OPINIONS
sh the a m s s ’ p t atr e l , l ia ri
y
Kacper Niburski Opinions Editor Ladies, hold on to your knickers. Things are going to get messy for what follows in a pudding-like consistency is an argument for feminism without women. Listen. I recognize I’m a male – a white one at that – and anything I say will be a shameful parade of my possibly oppressive, certainly privileged status. I will never understand the plights, the struggles, or the difficulties that riddle women daily. Please understand, though, that I’m not speaking for you or your individual experiences that I can never know. I will not make a blanket statement as if I know you. Instead in this entire piece, I’m speaking for me and speaking to what white, privileged males like myself can do in a culture that has run amok with political correctedness and blatant hypocrisies, and that fosters invisible modes of dominance and false conceptions of normality that are fads on the order of a yo-yo. Follow me for a second. Far too often has feminism been isolated to one gender, one lifestyle, one personal form of identification: a woman. It is dressed up as a battle about women for women by women. It concerns women’s rights, women’s issues, and women’s equality. Men are not part of this system; they have caused it. They created this mess of a patriarchy. They are the problem. They are the dicks in every sense of the word. For the most part, this is undeniable. Historical paradigms of oppression can almost always be reduced down to a few rich, white men cat-fighting about anything and everything. Yet I diametrically oppose the thought of separa-
A8
h rc
He y
theSil.ca
BEN BARRETT-FORREST / MULTIMEDIA EDITOR
tion, whether it is in the processes that led to feminism or those that still fuel it. Such thinking has only led to the shambled together society we find ourselves in now. More importantly, however, is that restricting feminism to females inadvertently supports the same injustices it is trying to quell. By denying men as some part of the solution, the construction of feminism is alienating one section of the population. In pursuit of equality, it cannot be unequal. Building a basic assumption of feminism does exactly this, and worse yet, it gives men a reason to decry it as poppycock, an issue that is not important to them because it is not about them. Once steadfast and widespread, men no longer question their gender or its dominance, and the inequality spins on and on and on. But this is wrong. If men
are the problem, they are also needed as some of the first steps in a long-form solution. If men have torn the world asunder, they need to be there for the repair. In fact, they, alongside the flurry of hollering and hooting women from all of gender classifications, sexual orientations and racial identifies, need to try to lead the whole damn thing. This might be sexist for me to say, but to battle sexism, one must first be sexist. It seems silly to suggest, but this is an old truth: to defeat the enemy, one must know them first. Think about feminism’s various strides. Though the irrefutable persistence of women everywhere have propelled and focused the various movements both in mainstream and smaller, local clusters, it is a few men that have helped catalyze the change that millions of women dreamed
of. If men are in charge, it often takes them to cause and want the shift in paradigms. Otherwise, the first gear never moves and the whole machine doesn’t run. While this may not ostensibly be the case any longer – women are found in high corporate positions, they can often choose how they are represented in media, they have sometimes empowered their bodies and sexuality – it does not deny the importance of the claim. We all need to fight. We all need to strive for excellence. And by accepting men as possible forces to advocate and facilitate female issues, rather than isolate them as perpetuators, one does not deny the issues importance or trivialize the concerns. In fact, the opposite occurs. Only by working together through education and dialogue can all become better. When I suggest feminism without woman, I am not talking
about fe-men-ism or anything like that; I am talking about feminism for the rest of us. I’m not speaking about the white, educated perspective; that is hogwash that has since served its time. Instead I’m talking about a Polish immigrant house mom working two jobs to feed her twin boys. I am talking about a 90-year old Nigerian who is trying to buy a gender-neutral toy for her grandchild. I am talking about the four year old who has been told she can’t play with the boys. But I am also talking about the boys and men everywhere who have woman dear to their lives, who are trying to help carve a way for their force, success, and experiences, and who get out of the way when its needed. So know that this is not a white, male talking about feminism as though he understands the various waves of suffering by millions of people. He never can. He never will. But he is here to listen and hopefully offer a statement for us all: we cannot allow complacency to sit in. We do not need just women. That is not enough. We need men, children, elders, people of colour, of any orientation, of all faith systems and anything in between, from saints to sinners, politicians to garbage men, me to you. Because more than any one person, we need each other to fight against the world we’ve created by first tearing it apart. @kacpnibs
Follow me daily as I rant, poke fun at, and admit ignorance to current events online.
theSil.ca
Thursday, Jan. 16, 2014
OPINIONS
A9
Mona Lisa’s selfie Selfies aren’t narcissitic; they’re a way to empower ourselves in our surrondings Kacper Niburski Opinions Editor I have rarely taken a good picture. More often than not, one can find me with a smile that hangs like a broken swing set, a lazy eye that would scare a zombie, or a disarray of hair that even a natural disaster wouldn’t be able to produce. Even when I was ejected into the world at what was supposed to be my climax of cuteness, the photographs show I looked more like a dolphin whose nose was battered in than a human being. My skin is salmon pink. My eyelids are unformed. And I’m sure that all the other babies, now grown and living happily, still wake up screaming when they think about me lying next to them in an incubator. Though I have good reason – and perhaps a duty – not to participate, I have not been immune to the selfie bug. Far too many times I’ve found myself at the helm of the camera with my arm hyperextended away from my body. Whether it is in Paris or in Hamilton, Amsterdam or Peterborough, Toronto or Warsaw, I’ve taken my camera and posed for, well, me. In second year while on a European backpacking trip with a friend, this was no different. In the Red Light district, I flashed myself. In Berlin, I broke down walls with my imposed portraits. In front of the Mona Lisa, I was hiding a smile that would woo Leonardo da Vinci. In each self-directed photoshoot, I was happy. Here I was alongside the world – and I had the pictures to prove it. Yet months later when I was showing these pictures to a colleague, I was told that selfies such as mine were inherently narcissistic. I was not partaking
in the splendor of whatever I was looking at; I was ruining it by being with it and more importantly, getting in its way. Recently, I’ve heard a lot of similar arguments. As a generation, we’ve supposedly become infatuated with our own reflection. We try to magnify ourselves. Our lives take on this importance because it can be captured and spread. Our styles, our ideas, our entire being can be cherished in a moment. And before when no one would notice what we were saying or what we looked like, now they can. Now, everyone can. But selfies are not meant as praise. They are instead a much bigger problem of this generation, a generation which has been force fed what to think, feel, and dream. We have no culture of our own making, and so we grab on to everything. We do not have a Catcher and the Rye or a Slaughter House Five to get us through. We do not have the Beatles. We have world views reduced to 140 characters. We have brilliantly manipulated bands and singers convincing us that they love us. We have television shows that
KAREN WANG / GRAPHICS EDITOR
numb us and tell us to rush home and watch an imitation of life on a flickering screen. We have desperate attempts at connecting to the world in hopes of belonging one day, and instead we have seen all its horrors. Everyday we have observed war after war with no end. We see atrocity and complexity all around us. We see frustration. We see pain. We see a life that is beyond our control, that can’t be controlled, that never will be
controlled. And the moment we try to capture ourselves in the chaos to have one thing solid in a world that is changing faster than we can grasp, that doesn’t seem in our grasp in the first place, we are told we are being egotistical. “That’s where the word came from, you know? Selfie is just shorthand for selfish.” What my friend failed to understand is that selfies, at least so far as I see it, isn’t so much
about me, me, me as it is look, look, look where I’ve been, what I’m doing, and where I might be going. It is a hope to connect with others and where they have been. London? I’ve been there too. Hamilton? Pssh – I live there, see? It is a hope that – as Kurt Vonnegut said – together we can get through this, whatever this may be, but first you need to get to know me. @ kacpnibs
theSil.ca
Thursday, Jan. 16, 2014
OPINIONS
When writing turns sour
A10
Weighed down by the stress of school and the torrent of adult responsibilites, a person can’t help but have a hard time writing for leisure Sarah O’Connor Staff Reporter Recently I’ve found myself in a rut. Maybe it’s just me, getting too relaxed during the Christmas break and now unable to find the thinking cap that university life requires. Maybe it’s because I recently turned 20 and am having a minor crisis of leaving my teenage years, one step closer to graduation, one step closer to pure adulthood. Whatever it is, perhaps even a combination of several, I’ve worried about my writing recently and have had trouble writing in general. I’ve always loved writing. I’ve loved the relief and numbness I get after writing something emotional or personal and the excitement of an idea as it plots its way through my brain. But lately I’ve been letting deadlines creep up and the ideas that swirl around in my brain stay swirling, unable to land on a piece of notebook paper or a word document. Sure, I’ve typed a few meager lines out. But then I stop, read, and let the document lay forgotten in virtual dust. That’s one of the main reasons I love writing for the Silhouette, it gives me a deadline, a due date, a goal for when I have to have something written by. There’s no time to worry and criticize it, I simply type, edit, send and wait for Thursday when it will be published. There is no alternative; I agreed to have an article in and it must be in or else I screw people over. But lately even this has been a struggle for me. I started writing for the Silhouette in my first year in hopes I’d gain experience and improve my writing in different sections and forms. I wanted to grow and expand in my writing, but I’m wondering if maybe, like a flower, I’m already grown. I might al-
SILHOUETTE FILE PHOTO
ready fit the pot perfectly; there is no need for transplant when I’m perfect where I am. Whenever I submit an article I eagerly await for Thursday. As a weekly tradition for myself I always read the Silhouette when it hits newspapers stands where I can read my fellow writers’ pieces and see what the editors’ changes in mine. More often than not I see the beauty they add that I failed to create. And that isn’t a bad thing that’s an editor’s job, what they’re
Why you should read CONTINUED FROM A7 Our identities were completely fluid – I influenced her as much as she influenced me. Just as I coloured the shades of her auburn hair and molded her friendship with Diana, she shaped my shapeless daydreams. I too was an open book, and the intimacy of our friendship was not an escape like my daydreams were, but instead a way to contend with my reality. I lost the book for several months that summer. I eventually found it somewhere in my house, but until then I was thoroughly panicked. My parents even bought me a replacement copy, and it was a shiny new edition with a fancy cover. But I angrily rejected it. I wanted Mrs. Parker’s version – my version. So for some reason, I decided that the logical course of action was to rewrite the story I knew. I opened an empty notebook and tried to write everything I could remember. First I just wrote all the events I could remember, then I rearranged those moments, and then I started adding details and quotes. I wrote only a few sentences at the top of each page, leaving the rest of it blank with the intention of filling in more specifics when they came to me. Of course, my memory reached its threshold and after that I could not remember much more. So instead, I wrote about my own life in the empty spaces on each page. I connected the fictional stories to my lived experiences, and it thus came to be a process of thoughtful, careful introspection. My experiences helped me to make better sense of Anne’s story, and Anne’s story helped me to make better sense of my life. The two were literally inextricably inside that notebook, and they informed one another in deep and powerful ways. I took complete ownership over Anne
of Green Gables. It was different from the story anyone else had ever read. The world of the text does not exist until it is taken up, imagined, configured, and undergone by each individual reader. This experience awakens and organizes certain memories, thoughts, and desires. We nourish ourselves with the stories we hear and read, we metabolize them and incorporate them into our tissues, derive energy from them, and become more of who we are by virtue of their fuel. Reading is a human act; we do what we do as readers not only for our own good but also because our lives depend on it. Anne of Green Gables allowed me to see myself and my reality more authentically and I felt a sense of responsibility to confront my detachment from life. Anne’s story was my story, and likely the story of so many other children. Novels use the particular, like Anne’s struggle through her circumstances, to reveal valuable knowledge about the universal. My intimate relationship with Anne meant that I could absorb that knowledge so deeply that it moved to action. This is the power of reading; we come in such close contact with stories that they seep into our skin to form our identities and structure the way we think and act. @ baharoh
“
“I connected the fictional stories to my lived experiences, and thus it came to a process of thoughtful, careful introspection.”
supposed to do. Still every time I see the edits I see my failure. I see where I lack as a writer. In these blah moments, I reflect on my goals as a writer for after I graduate. I’ve already succeeded and gone ahead by becoming a staff reporter for the Silhouette. But I can’t help wondering if there’s a point going after my other goals anymore. Perhaps I’ve found my calling, my purpose. Perhaps my voice is meant for the students of Mc-
Master and that’s it. Don’t get me wrong, I love writing for the Silhouette and I’ve learned a lot from it, but I want more. Despite my blah mood I’m not going to stop writing for the Silhouette. Maybe some of you are happy by this, maybe some of you aren’t. Whatever your wishes, I’m here to stay and will continue pushing my roots, continue trying to grow or at least see if there’s anything worth growing. I’ll keep with my weekly tradition and
maybe I’ll jot down those ever swirling thoughts in my brain. Maybe. @ notsarahconnor
theSil.ca
Thursday, Jan. 16, 2014
OPINIONS
A11
You don’t have to feel alone Coping with depression is made easier through the support of friends
SILHOUETTE FILE PHOTO
Shamudi Gunasekera The Silhouette As I flipped through a copy of the Silhouette on Nov. 28, an editorial written by Scott Hastie, the former managing editor of the paper, caught my eye. It outlined why he was taking a break from McMaster and the last line read “People will support you, you just have to let them.” I couldn’t stop thinking about this line. We are caught up in the idea that we should be going through everything by ourselves. We tackle our own problems. Is there something to be said for this idea? After all, the rewards of accomplishing a task, of overcoming an obstacle, are quite satisfying.
Carrying the burden by yourself may seem attractive in that you get to be the one who rises above it. You get to be your own hero, your knight in shining armor, so to speak. You may not want others to see the side of you that’s not so strong, that isn’t so sure of yourself. But is it really worth it to struggle on your own? Hearing another person’s opinion on the situation could really help. Simply talking to someone about what you are going through can lighten the burden that you may be carrying. I made more than my fair share of mistakes during my first year and I wanted to correct them this year. This will be my year, I
thought to myself as I sat down in my first lecture last semester. Things did not work out the way I hoped they would. For the most part, I was doing well in school. I signed up for activities that caught my interest. And yet, I felt depressed and lonely. I tried to keep the negative thoughts at bay by keeping myself busy. I spent my time studying and doing things that, in the past, had made me happy, such as reading and sketching. But I quickly lost interest. The negativity crept into every corner of my mind. I could only stay positive for a few minutes before becoming depressed over the very thing that made me happy. Seeing a counselor at the
Student Wellness Centre greatly helped. She helped me figure out what I should do and how I should reach out to my friends. Little by little, I began opening up to them about what was going on and they were quite supportive. Things got better. I may not be happy right now, but I am okay. I talk to my friends when I’m feeling down which helps eradicate the negative thoughts. The thoughts don’t invade as often as they used to. I have yet to feel pleasure doing things that I used to love, but I believe that in time, I’ll get there. Knowing that I don’t have to go through this alone is reassuring. You have to let people help you and though it may not seem like much, appreciate the
fact that they are doing what they can. I’ve realized that there are certain things that I can do on my own and certain things that I cannot. And more often than not, I’ve tried to dig myself out on my own, only to find that I’ve dug myself deeper into the hole. The people I care about are here for me. They believed in me when I was starting to lose hope for myself. And, to borrow from the poet Robert Frost, that has made all the difference.
CALL FOR NOMINATIONS McMaster University invites nominations for the President's Award of Excellence (Student Leadership) This annual award recognizes deserving undergraduate students who have made a significant contribution in improving and developing the intellectual, social, cultural and/or athletic fabric of the McMaster community. Nominations are open to undergraduate students who are in their graduating year. Nominations may be made by faculty, staff and students. For more information on the award, or to obtain a Nomination Form, visit:
sa-apps.mcmaster.ca/presidents_award/presidents_award.php The deadline for return of Nomination Forms is Friday, March 28, 2014
NOTSPEC.COM
GOLDEN GLOATS “Bullshit Politics” wins six awards including “Most accurate por trayal of film judging” C2
THURSDAY JANUARY 16, 2013
HAMILTON SPECULATOR THE
GE T TING SNUBBED SINCE 1934
LOCAL
We review the best 3 places in Ancaster for minorities to not fit in A4
WORLD
“Isn’t Obama done already? It’s felt like decades” A7
JUSTICE
Hamilton musician gets 10 years for violin crime B5
MILLS THRILLS
Library laptop theft thwarted in heroine’s imagination McMaster students are encouraged to be vigilant when observing crimes in progress. Apathy begins and ends with imagination.
McMaster poli-sci student has vivid daydream about calling out a tech thief during quiet library study TIBERIUS SLICK Altruistic Speculator
They say that evil always triumphs over good, but one Mac student certainly hypotethically proved that saying wrong yesterday afternoon. As a distracted student kept his nose to the grindstone, an unscrupulous opportunist quickly swiped his laptop and walked away with it as if it were his own. Jamie Leymenn, a thirdyear political sciences student at Mac, could not watch the injustice unfold without at least thinking about interfering with the felonious affair. And think she did. “I sat there, dumbfounded by what was going on before my eyes, without nobody else noticing that this guy was shamelessly taking something that wasn’t his,” said Leymenn. Leymenn then proceeded to
imagine a series of increasingly escalating scenarios in which she foiled the thief through any number of improbable, flashy methods. “I imagined calling him out in front of the whole library, challenging his reasons for doing something so horrible to one of his peers, and he just broke down in tears. It felt amazing,” said Leymenn. The thief, who managed to leave the library with the stolen laptop in tow, is being searched for by campus security services, since nobody actually did or said anything to prevent the theft. “I mean, I thought really hard about saying something while it was happening, but there were just so many scenarios running through my head it was hard to do just one,” said Leymenn. Leymenn proceeded to recall an additional fictional instance in which she physically threw herself
WEATHER HIGH: LIGHTS LOW: MAGAZINE SUBSCRIPTIONS I’m not saying Chickadee was better but you don’t see them collecting dust in my attic.
You know all those jellybean flavours you absolutely HATE? Now you can get nothing but those! And feed them to your friends!
Shit Shit Shit Shit Hastings reunites with two
SPECU
of his long-lost triplets only to learn he really, really hates himself ONLINE
I couldn’t just stand idly by and not think of how cool it would be to stop him.” Jamie Leymenn
at the MacBook bandit, crushing his spleen and causing long-term damage to his internal organs, hopefully inspiring him to think twice in the future if deciding to commit a crime on her watch, “I don’t consider myself a hero persay, but I think I was the only one in the room that was even remotely considering doing anything,” said Leymenn. Jamie has in turn started a neighbourhood-watch-esque organization which will patrol the minds of library patrons to enforce a positive mental attitude of anti-crime. “I won’t rest until everyone takes an imaginary stand against crime, and gives at least a solid three to four minutes of their day towards intricate revenge/hero fantasies. If we can do that, I think the world will be a theoretically better place,” said Leymenn.
DR PEPPER LOSES MEDICAL
MOUSE TRAP: 10 RECIPES YOU
LICENSE; MR PEPPER SALES
CAN MAKE WITH CRUMBS THAT
SLOW TO A HALT A4
FALL INTO YOUR KEYBOARD B7
HANDICAPABLE HOMELESS
JACK RUSSEL TERRIERS ARE
ARE HASSLING HICKS A6
COOLER BECAUSE THEY HAVE
MAYOR MAY OR MAY NOT B1
TWO FIRST NAMES D4
Introducing:
LITTLE BLOBS OF AGONY-INDUCING
PIECES OF SHIT!
Disclaimer: The Hamilton Speculator is a work of satire and fiction and should not under any circumstances be taken seriously. Unless you’re into that sort of thing. Then do what you want. I’m not your dad.
Feminism for tots Equality programs reach hearts and minds of children as national program kicks off ARNAUD LÉCLAIR L’ Évaluateur Montréal
Feminism will cease to be the sole domain of liberal twentysomethings as a new child equality program launches across the nation. The program, tentatively named Booger-eating Boys & Girls (BBG) aims to educate Canadian youth to the dangers of being pidgeon-holed into certain behaviours or lifestyle choices. “We want young girls to know it’s okay to eat those golden nose nuggets if they so please. Likewise, boys shouldn’t be afraid of watching Sailor Moon reruns on Saturday mornings without the ridicule of their prepubescent peers,” said Kat Carney, chief co-ordinator of BBG. The program will be initially tested at several randomlyselected schools in the central Ontario area, with full support being offered by the Peel, Hamilton-Wentworth, and Toronto district school boards. “If this pilot project is successful then we can start rolling out the initiative to more gender-normalized areas of the nation, such as Timmins, where the girls are girls and the boys have a fifty-yard restraining order against the colour pink,” said Carney.
Little girls and boys all over the nation will soon be able to enjoy the things we all take for granted, like being able to pick our noses in public.
PER ISSUE: My two cents
INCL. HST, PST where applicable.
DISCLAIMER: For your eating pleasure we have included triple the usual amount of ass-flavoured jelly beans, because that is what you deserve, you blind consumer whore. It’s people like you that keep “gourmet” jellybean businesses IN business, and without your misguided patronage we might actually get something resembling human compassion but noooo, you just had to let them think we want toothpaste as a flavour. Sleep with one eye open.
Thursday, Jan. 16, 2014
theSil.ca
B1 Editors Amanda Watkins & Miranda Babbitt
B2
Email lifestyle@thesil.ca silhappens.tumblr.com Phone 905.525.9140 x27117
S
Shedding light
A growing spectrum of students are continuing to enrich the mosaic that is McMaster, and are high-lighting our need for Diversity Services.
on diversity
ELIZA POPE / ASSISTANT PHOTO EDITOR
ABILITIES DAY JANUARY 13
Services for all of us
A
bilities day focuses on showing the kinds of services that are available on campus from student and community groups alike. Anonymous feedback boxes help the services improve their offerings as well as a scavenger hunt that offers prizes at the end for the most diligent attendees.
TAKE BACK THE NIGHT JANUARY 14
WORLD FAITH’S DAY JANUARY 16
Reclaiming what is ours
Individuality in spirituality
think a lot of students somehow overlook the fact that there are still ways to go regarding gender equity. You see posts on Spotted at Mac and realize that feminism is still needed. People are still victim blaming and making women feel like they don’t have the right to walk at night without feeling like they need to be accountable for their own actions. Take Back the Night tries to remove some of that victim blame stigma and let people know that the only thing that causes violence is the perpetrators. It is never your fault and no one should ever feel like they can’t feel safe on their own campus. Tobi Abdul Silhouette Staff
everal religious groups on campus set up information tables to enlighten students on the kinds of tenets and ideas that their religions are founded on. Later in a day a panel of religious leaders and staff on campus square off in an interfaith dialogue to breed better relations between groups.
I
S
Diversity week reimagines inclusivity Amanda Watkins Lifestyle Editor Being a student at McMaster allows for an education in diversity. A wide range of faculties and specializations, a campus with century-old architecture, and a central location in a popular city lend McMaster the potential to provide their students with a diverse knowledge of people, places and careers. But what resources are available to ensure that our students are well informed on modern diversity issues? What type of diversity is protected and promoted in our community? “Diversity Week [is an] opportunity for dialogue, engagement, entertainment, equity, and ensuring that students feel like their different needs are being met,” explains Israa Ali, Director of Diversity Services. Diversity Week is a series of events hosted by the MSU Diversity Services during the week of Jan. 13 - 17. The weeklong event has been on hiatus since 2007 when they were struck with the obstacle of downsizing. But with the organization’s 10 anniversary coming up this March, it seemed fitting to resurrect the tradition. The student-run organization Diversity Services describes themselves as an “advocate for an inclusive environment in which all students feel welcome and free to embrace their identity,” according to their online mantra. Abilities, Gender Equity, Indigenous Affairs, Interfaith, and Multiculturalism are the five pillars that unite Diversity into one unique term, according to the campus organization. “The five pillars cover the different identities of students. By sharing those and shedding light on them, we’re allowing them to embrace their identity through that approach,” adds Ali. Diversity Week has assigned each day of the week one of the five pillars, starting with Abilities on Monday, and ending with Multiculturalism on Friday. Diversity seems to be an issue rooted in McMaster’s student body and current location, but encompassing ideas of equity and inclusivity may not always be at the forefront. “This year we are trying to define what our partnership is with hospitality services over [Bridges] café,” says Ali. Their first step in re-establishing a visible connection with the restaurant includes changing the current selection of posters. “Although nice… they don’t really foster the inclusiveness and diversity, that the space is meant to promote,” she explains. The vegetarian-friendly restaurant-café is a collaboration between Hospitality Services and Diversity Services. But aside from the Diversity office in the basement, there is no visible connection between the two. The organization is also looking to promote the diverse cuisine, including the selection of kosher foods, making it one of the only kosher-serving restaurants in Hamilton. After Diversity Services’s full-time staff was eliminated a few years ago, their new part-time team has been working hard to ensure that the organization is well represented and making the most of their position. Although a wide range of faculties and access to a popular city may emphasize a certain type of diversity, Diversity Services would like to see McMaster take a more serious step towards truly embracing the variety of identities and students on campus. “We need to understand that diversity services, and anything related to equity and inclusiveness, really needs to have a bigger space on campus,” says Ali. Diversity Week is the first step the organization is taking to create a larger space for equity issues. With a variety of events happening this week, hopefully our student community will take advantage of its diverse identities and work to embrace a new definition of diversity.
Thursday, Jan. 16, 2014
theSil.ca
LJ Pineda
1st-year Life Sciences
LIFESTYLE
Wearing: Denim shirt - Gift from mum Pants - H&M Boots - Zara Watch - Gift from dad Glasses - Raybans
Some questions: What do you think of the new Starbucks? To be honest, I haven’t been. But I’ll get a drink for a friend soon. Who’s your style inspiration? I have a lot actually. Ryan Gosling, Leonardo DiCaprio and Zac Efron.
YOSEIF HADDAD / PHOTO EDITOR
Finding a new value for academics Confessions o f a tightrope walke
Rick Kanary The Silhouette The holidays have slowly receded into memory, and another term of school is upon us. It was a welcome break, but perhaps not quite the same refuge from the hectic schedule at McMaster as it is for many other students. I had a great deal of free time, and wonderful festivities with my family, although there was a void that required resolve to overlook. My mother passed away in February of last year, and this was the first Christmas that any of us experienced without her. That made it difficult, while at the same time, empowering, because overcoming that challenge with grace, fortitude, and the diligence to make Christmas memorable for everyone else was daunting. An enjoyable holiday, but I am glad to be back to the academic life. I missed it. With that being said, as I prepared to get back to writing for the Silhouette, I glanced over the website in search of ideas and to absorb the opinions shared through the social media platforms that are injected there.
r
While browsing through, parattitude that you are “too cool for ticularly the student feedback, I school,” that you aren’t learning couldn’t help but notice an overanything, that the faculty of the whelming response from many Institution aren’t providing you students with a recurring theme with the tools and knowledge that disturbed me. Namely, that to create a better world, that is a “university is overrated.” reflection of your own inability In this issue, I intend to to progress and grow, the onus vehemently attack that distorted of which belongs on nobody’s ideology. It reeks of self-entitleconscience but your own. ment, the salience of Western Sure, the curriculum can egocentrism, and a destructive be outdated, distorted, repetinaiveté that seems rampant in tive, and confusing. The profesthis age, a naiveté that is not sors may be offensive, obtuse, only unbecoming of high calibre unapproachable, or maladapted. students such as us, but one that The faculty itself could well be needs to be quashed where it self-righteous, hierarchical, and stands. disturbing. This depends entirely Listen here; we are among on how you choose to experience the top 4-10 percent of the world it. Nothing is perfect, nor will it in socioeconomic standing. We ever be. are privileged to lead the lives However, it can be betthat we lead. We are those given ter. This is our duty, a duty we the opporundertake tunity to armed with make positive the knowlchange in edge, theories, “Don’t be so short-sighted the world, to and practical as to believe that the raw help the less tools we are fortunate, to provided by, material provided here is create a betnot just the less than the ultimate tool ter, brighter immediate with which to shape our future for the academics generations divulging own destiny” to follow. to the very Holding an best of their
“
ability, but to the brilliant minds that precede them, the minds that divulged unto them, and the minds before that. We owe it to each other, and ourselves, to not paint this experience in a negative light, to not be intellectual hipsters partying in the caboose of the “too cool for school” train, to not be so short-sighted as to believe that the raw material provided here is less than the ultimate tool with which to shape our own destiny, and create the change we want to see in the world. Open your eyes, take a deep breath, and experience some gratitude for the decades of hard work, accomplishment, sacrifice, blood, sweat and tears that went into each piece of brick and mortar sheltering your body from the freezing cold whilst sheltering your mind from ignorance, dejection, and horror. Taking this experience for granted is what is really overrated. It doesn’t make you look cool, it doesn’t make you any better than anyone else, and it most certainly doesn’t make you any friends. At least, not the right ones.
B2
theSil.ca
Thursday, Jan. 16, 2014
Dear desire to dance, Emma Suschkov The Silhouette Why must you taunt me so? Every time I hear a catchy song, you make me want to move to the rhythm despite never actually imparting on me any talent. Unfortunately for me, it is not exactly acceptable to break out into enthusiastic – if far from skilled – dancing in many social scenarios. Say for example my favourite dance tune comes on while I’m in the dentist’s office waiting for the receptionist to call my name. The other people in the waiting room might be tempted to run away if I suddenly busted some (awkward) moves. But that’s exactly what you make me want to do. In addition to the social constraints that keep me from dancing whenever you make me want to, money prevents me from attending dance classes. Whatev-
er, I don’t want to follow steps in front of a giant mirror anyway. I want to groove somewhere where I don’t have to watch myself and realize the visual horror I am creating. Which brings me to the problem I face today. I don’t have a dance outlet. Apparently, that’s what clubs are for. Except not. When I say “dance,” I mean I want to do my thang and my thang does not involve grinding. Grinding, while I see its utility as both a mating ritual and a way to dance/feel all sexy-like without having to learn how to dance, is not what I’m looking for. It’s not what you make me want to do. I’ll go to a club with the intention of dancing my face off to keep you in check for a while and instead of finding myself shaking a tail feather, I find other people trying to rub up on my tail feather.
LIFESTYLE
B3
WEEKLY RANT
This is not, in fact, what everyone in a club wants (some do obviously, and they have every right). But what, then, am I supposed to do? Do I turn around and shout over the ridiculously loud music at them that our desires are not mutual? Do I give up trying to stress my vocal cords to insane decibels and just sort of run away so they are left grinding, confused, all alone? Seriously, desire to dance, you must see how you injure me. If there existed some way for me to manage you without all these problems and awkward encounters, we might live in harmony. Until that day, please save it for when I’m alone in my room. Please and thank you, The coordination-challenged
GETTING SIL-LY
Favourite dance move for the clubs?
Karen Wang Graphics Editor
Laura Sinclair Sports Editor
“The Miley Cyrus”
“Stirring the pot”
Tyler Welch News Editor
Tobi Abdul Staff Reporter
“I rock the dryer...I invented it”
“The running man, hands down”
theSil.ca
Thursday, Jan. 16, 2014
LIFESTYLE
B4
DON’T BE CROSS Across
Down
1- Bothered 6- Wash 11- ___ roll 14- Pave over 15- Singer Chris 16- Hold up 17- Unimaginable 19- Blood letters 20- Mao ___-tung 21- Sinn ___ 22- Thwarted 24- Large village 25- Bubbling 26- Loving 30- Jazzy Chick 31- Not emp. 32- Record 36- Altar in the sky 37- Very long 41- Antiquity, in antiquity 42- 1996 Tony-winning musical 44- Afternoon social 45- Come to terms 47- 200th anniversary 51- Situated 54- Peeling potatoes, perhaps 55- Turkey’s highest peak 56- Soft cheese 57- Juilliard deg. 60- Banned insecticide 61- Deception 64- Levi’s rival 65- Teheran native 66- Anatomical cavity 67- Flub 68- Gave a hoot 69- Cruising vessel
1- Stuck in ___ 2- Sawbucks 3- Novel ending 4- Exclamation of relief 5- Having three foci 6- Two-piece bathing suit 7- Slippery ___ eel 8- Bar bill 9- Powder room 10- Barely make 11- Toothbrush brand 12- Prestigious prize 13- Residence 18- Salamander 23- Skeptic’s scoff 24- Driving aid 25- Work without ___ 26- Rent-___ 27- Golfer’s “watch out!” 28- Humorist Lebowitz 29- Church instrument 33- Ethereal: Prefix 34- Entreaty 35- Pulitzer-winning biographer Leon 38- And so forth 39- Requirement 40- Cause to abandon the Mets 43- Skier’s transport 46- Econ. indicator 48- Sloping letter 49- Oppressively hot 50- Oklahoma city 51- Soup server 52- Command 53- Provide food 56- Nota ___ 57- Not fem. 58- Aquatic vertebrate 59- Med school subj. 62- Needlefish 63- Extinct bird
C/O CUPWIRE/ Crossword puzzles provided by BestCrosswords.com (http://www.bestcrosswords.com). Used with permission.
WORDS OF WISDOM:
“There seem to be two main types of people in the world, crosswords and sudokus.” -Rebecca McKinsey, Sydney West
SUDOKU & YOU
C/O Sudoku puzzles provided for free online at WebSudoku.com (http://www.websudoku.com/).
DID YOU KNOW? There are 81 squares in sudoku. If you knew that, you’re smart!
Thursday, Jan. 16, 2014
theSil.ca
Underwear underdogs
SEXandthe STEELCITY
How shopping for new underpinnings can alter your self-esteem Miranda Babbitt Assistant LifeStyle Editor There are a handful of people I know who could just barely fit all of their underwear into two, maybe three drawers. To me, this appeared clinically insane. How on earth did any one person have so many bras and underwear that they could hypothetically go for two months without ever doing their laundry? What’s more, how could someone choose six pairs of undies over a charming little dress, or a cardigan so soft it feels like a kitten perpetually hugging you? And last but not least, why would I choose a rib-constricting garment that artificially endows me with a chest that appears freakishly larger than it did a minute before? But I know the secret these people were harbouring now: wearing beautiful underwear can be the stealthiest confidence boost you can ever experience. Maybe that sentence carries more weight than intended. There are plenty of ways to inject some pep into that step. For some, it’s dabbing on red lipstick, or slipping into a dress reserved for happy occasions, or even stowing away your favourite chocolate bar in your purse for later. Regardless, the business of beautiful undergarments will never again be underestimated. There’s an intrinsic sense of liberty that comes with wearing something for you alone. For example, it may look like you’re wearing a grey sweat suit with a
spaghetti stain or two, but secretly, you’re wearing a dainty pair of polka dot undies. Who knew? Just you. And that’s sometimes all that matters. Our outward perception of who we are affects how we feel. If you’re crumpled up in a ball, you’ll feel helpless. If you’re standing tall with your hands on your hips, you’ll feel powerful. If you’re wearing sexy underwear, you can feel sexy. It took me a while to recognize that the word “sexy” isn’t limited to the runways of Victoria’s Secret. When I feel sexy, I’m in a place of self-confidence. So no wonder we associate sexiness with the angels walking down the runways. The way they prance down that glittered stretch of a platform above a star struck audience is almost in-your-face with confidence. But imagine if they were tiptoeing down the runway and looking down at their feet with unease. Chances are even the adoring fans in the audience wouldn’t consider them sexy, no matter how impossibly sculpted their bodies are. If confidence comes from a pair of undies detailed in lavender lace or red lipstick or even just a slip of paper stowed in your purse with a few reminders of how great you are, then know that about yourself. You will feel so much more than just sexy with confidence. @mirandababbitt
You want it? We can do it! Check us out year round for: Colour copies Black & White copies Business cards Office supplies Large format printing Faxing Binding Laminating Cutting T-Shirt Transfers Advertising (Almanac, Wall Caldendar, Silhouette)
& more!
Underground Media + Design McMaster University MUSC Room B117 Student Centre Basement 905.525.9140 x27557
LIFESTYLE
B5
Joan Rivers saved my love life One woman’s dating tip has the potential to change a nation Amanda Watkins LifeStyle Editor You spend hours preparing. Styling your hair, choosing your outfit, practicing your laugh in front of the mirror. You finally walk into your date and, naturally, it’s a bust. Your dinner companion seems boring, immature, and contorts their face into bizarre shapes with each mouthful of their vodka tonic. You look upon your date with a blank stare reflecting your chronic case of resting bitch face. Neither of you are having a good time, and you’re both well aware of it. But fear not, dear reader. There is always hope. Joan Rivers, style guru and plastic surgery muse, provides the world with a life altering dating tip. If you’re ever on a date and romance seems to be
drifting into the vast unknown, imagine you’re kissing your date. Simple as that- just pretend that whenever you aren’t talking, or eating, or hating your life, the two of you are kissing. Don’t actually lean in though, that could seem desperate, or like sexual harassment. But the act of imagining will lighten your mood, create a sense of romance, and make you feel immensely more hopeful about your companion for the evening. If you follow this tip, feel your body language dramatically change. You’ll lean in more, slow down your conversation, and avert your vision more to your date’s mouth. Feel in awe as your chronic bitch face turns into bedroom eyes, and suddenly what was once a hopeless and uncharismatic interaction between two people turns into a seductive and romantic evening that no one wants to end. Reimagining your date will help create a lighter and more hopeful mood. The means may not guarantee a specific end, but it will definitely lift your spirits, and potentially help you notice more positive traits about your date. And bonus, when you do finally lean in for your first kiss, the build up will create a spark so shocking, even Joan Rivers will feel it. @whatthekins
Thursday, Jan. 16, 2014
theSil.ca
LIFESTYLE
B6
HOT BUTTERED RUM Hold the drool, please. You won’t be able to read the recipe.
INGREDIENTS:
After a week of frostbite threats, sidewalks that test one’s skating ability, and abnormally frequent applications of moisturizer to dried out cheeks, who needs a drink? As someone whose bartending skills haven’t progressed beyond one part vodka to six parts orange juice, the prospect of whipping up a piping hot beverage to not only warm my friends’ hands but actually taste good at the same time is, to say the least, comical. Aware of this, I scoured the interwebs and found a drink that can’t not act as therapy for our chilled souls. Why? Its two main ingredients are universally enjoyed: brown sugar and butter.
2 teaspoon cinnamon 1/2 teaspoon nutmeg 1/4 teaspoon kosher salt 1 stick of universally enjoyed unsalted butter, soft 2 cups of universally enjoyed dark brown sugar
@mirandababbitt
DIRECTIONS:
Miranda Babbitt Assistant LifeStyle Editor
If you can, use a food processer to quickly cream together the butter, sugar, and spices. Using a wooden spoon will do the trick too. Now roll up your glorious mixture into a log-shaped turd. Realistically, this is what it looks like. LifeStyle is all about honesty. Cover it and refrigerate/freeze. If you do so in the fridge, it’ll last for two weeks, and in the freezer, it’ll last for two months.
LifeStyle snap! Yes, we added a tad more sugar than necessary. Livin’ the sweet life. MIRANDA BABBITT / ASSI
STANT LIFESTYLE EDIT OR
When you’re ready to enjoy your beverage and impress your friends all at the same time, add a tablespoon of the mixture to your mug of choice. Pour a couple ounces of rum and ½ cup of hot water, but you can experiment with this ratio (perhaps several more ounces of rum during exam period). Sit back, turn on some of the latest picks by ANDY, and drink it up!
Professional snap C/O NOTWITHOUTSALT.COM
WINTER ACTIVITIES, YAY! Rebecca McDougall Discover Your City Now that second semester has begun and the snow is really falling, what better way to spend your spare time than exploring what Hamilton has to offer in the winter months. Before midterms begin, essays are due, and the inevitable stress of being a student mounts, check out these Hamilton winter attractions Head over to the Hamilton Waterfront Outdoor Rink located at Pier 8 (47 Discovery Drive). The rink is open on Sunday to Friday 10 a.m. - 11 p.m. and Saturdays 11 a.m. - 11 p.m. Don’t have skates? Not a problem! They offer rentals for $5 with government identification. This is the perfect opportunity to get outside,
get active and discover Hamilton. After skating, warm up at the Williams beside the skating rink and take in the beautiful view. If skating later in the evening, you’ll find the Waterfront Festival of Lights until Feb. 17. Kicking off the month of February, a variety of “Winterfest” activities have been planned throughout Hamilton. Feb. 1-9, the event welcomes Hamilton residents to celebrate the city of Hamilton and the beauty of the winter season. Events include the Winterfest Kickoff at Pier 8 on Saturday, Feb. 1. The Kickoff will include a variety of art installations, interactive activities, live music and skating. Closing off Winterfest is Kim Adams at the Art Gallery of Hamilton. Adams is a Canadian multimedia
sculptor who created the Bruegel-Bosch Bus. The event is free of charge. Hockey fan? Support the Hamilton Bulldogs by attending a home game. On Jan. 24, the Bulldogs take on Toronto and on Feb. 15 they are back in Hamilton vs. Texas. Head to Compass in MUSC to purchase a voucher to attend a game for only $12 which can be redeemed at the Copps Coliseum Box Office for an individual game ticket in the Blue Section. Redeem your voucher anytime that the box office is open during business hours or three hours before any event. Make the most of your semester and venture off campus to discover all of the events and activities that Hamilton has to offer!
Thursday, Jan. 16, 2014
theSil.ca
Women are on the road - making one last push for a spot in nationals
B11
B7 Track is back + CAN AM results
B12
Editors Laura Sinclair & Alexandra Reilly Email sports@thesil.ca @SilSports Phone 905.525.9140 x27117
S
PUSHING FORWARD
Upping the tempo on the court
Marauders secure new top recruit as they continue with their undefeated 12-0 record, but Coach Preston isn’t breaking out the champagne just yet Page B8
The tight 70-68 win over Windsor is their second against a ranked OUA team. YOSEIF HADDAD / PHOTO EDITOR
The men are giving us every reason to be optimistic, but there is still room for improvement
what isn’t, and we are less concerned with who takes it.” McMaster’s offensive design incorporates labels for players. Some examples for perimeter players are shooter, slasher, (keep oxford comma here because I want to be clear that slasher and point are separate) or point. A handful of players are a combination of two labels, and only a Scott Hastie couple have all three. Connolly The Silhouette says that this system help players understand what they are supIn the midst of a seven-game posed to do in certain situations. win streak, the McMaster men’s In order to have this balbasketball team is firing on all anced offense, Connolly has to get cylinders. They ripped off an the players to buy in. A certain important win in the Burridge sacrifice is required for Mac to Gym against the No. 10 ranked succeed – players have to put inWindsor Lancers – their second dividual statistics aside and focus win over a ranked team in OUA on what is best for the team. Any play, their third if you include the given night, McMaster has players preseason victory over Acadia – capable of getting buckets. and Mac has ascended to the No. “It is nice to have different 6 spot in the CIS top-ten poll. The weapons that can put the ball in sixth place ranking is the highest the net. Against Windsor I was placing in the past four seasons struggling and it’s a comforting and the best in head coach Amos feeling to know that other guys Connolly’s tenure. will step. It’s While nice to have the ranking that backing is a positive, from your what is most teammates,” encouraging “With more weapons, explained for the Mayou’ll have less shots. Rocca, who is rauders is how That’s not a bad thing, second on the the whole team is contributing. you’ve just got to adapt.” team in points per game. Through twelve For most games, Mac Joe Rocca, Guard - Marauders’ players, the has been led Men’s basketball team numbers they in scoring by are putting five different up are drasplayers. The tically different from their high squad has also had a 20-plusschool days. Mac has brought in point scorer in only four of their high-level recruits over the past 12 matches. Their leading scorers few seasons, but Rocca says that are Taylor Black, Joe Rocca and no one is upset with the change in Aaron Redpath, who have put statistics. up 15.9, 11.9 and 10.5 points per “It is definitely a change, game, respectively. but if we are winning basketball Mac has tweaked its starting games, you cannot be bothered line-up a handful of times this by it. With more weapons, you’ll year, but regardless of who is have less shots. That’s not a bad coming off the bench, the players thing, you’ve just got to adapt. It’s are producing. Connolly has the working and the guys are buying personnel to avoid burning out in for sure,” said Rocca. his players. Black is the leader in There is room to grow for the minutes played a game with 27.2 Marauder offence, especially in minutes per game, 39th in the the fourth quarter – something OUA. the coaching staff has duly noted Of course, this is not by misin conversation. But there is no take. Connolly has built a roster reason to think that Connolly’s to play an up-tempo style littered crew is incapable of progression, with offensive weapons. given how the team has evolved “This is 100 per cent by over the past seasons on both design. For our situation, we are ends of the court. If the Maroon best to play off of a guy like Taylor and Grey keep the course and Black, and if he can score, so be stick to the process, McMaster it. But if not, he is a good decision fans could see their team conmaker and we have guys who can tending for championships. capitalize on that,” said Connolly. “We spend a lot of time talking @scott1hastie about what is a good shot and
“
A relentless offense and inscrutable defense are the keys to the Marauders’ momentum this season. YOSEIF HADDAD / PHOTO EDITOR
Jan. 10 @ Burridge vs Western
WIN
3-2
Jan. 12 @ Burridge vs Windsor
WIN
3-0
theSil.ca
SPORTS
Thursday, Jan. 16, 2014
B8
Men’s volleyball holds top spot
YOSEIF HADDAD / PHOTO EDITOR
Laura Sinclair Sports Editor The Marauder men’s volleyball team is coming off of a very successful weekend, not just making progress now, but also paving progress for the future. The Maroon and Grey have managed to sign top-recruit Andrew Richards, a left-side player out of London, Ont. on Jan. 10. Richards, an OFSAA AAA gold and silver medalist, is also the recipient of the “Mr. Volleyball” award, which is given out to the top player in the Thames Valley region. Although his talent is clear, his overall character is what Preston believes makes him the perfect fit as a Marauder. “I’m recruiting character, I’m not recruiting talent. And to assess character, you’ve got to spend some time doing that, you can’t do that in a tournament,” said Coach Dave Preston. Preston took the time to assess Richards’ character over three years - paying attention to his performance and style since he was in tenth grade. This three-year period was a good amount of time for Preston to assess not only the talent that Richards brings to the table, but
also his drive and passion that make him a good fit for the Marauders program. “There’s a lot of kids out there that could play this game; I want the ones that play for the right reasons,” said Preston. And the Marauders are a team filled with these kinds of players that manage to have an incredible resume both on and off of the court. Preston believes that McMaster University as a school attracts these kind of athletes, due to McMaster’s well-enjoyed student experience and the reputation of the school itself. As for the recruit’s attraction to the team, their current 12-0 record and their overall success so far this season speaks volumes to the motivation and overall focus of the team. “I think specifically to our team it’s the culture that we currently have, that is really, really attractive to elite athletes,” said Preston. “There is a workmen-like ethic of self-dedicated, self-disciplined, self-motivated kids… and other kids get attracted to that, and It’s an easy thing to say, it’s a relatively easy thing to understand, but it’s a difficult thing to live.” There is no doubt that the life of the student-athlete is one that is marked by many responsibilities and challenges, and Preston believes that the recruits are fully prepared based on their character and drive to succeed. “I think they understand that there is a set of clear expectations for them, and I think we do a pretty good job as a staff and as a program of defining exactly what we’re expecting out of them,” said Preston. The recruits that have contributed to the Marauders line-up this year have made an impact early, despite the adjustments that first year brings. Included in this line-up are Pawel Jedrzejewski, Brandon Koppers and Andrew Kocur, who have all made an impact alongside the senior players. Jedrzejewski has been extremely impressive so far in his first year, jumping into a starting role as libero and doing a stellar job at controlling the defense, while Koppers and Kocur have both provided tremendous sup-
port for the offense. These recruits have adapted to the student experience, and have helped to establish the Marauders men’s volleyball team as a powerhouse team for years to come. For the past six years, the team has been able to attract a herd of top recruits, and tremendous athletes and people that have risen to the top of their game and have been named some of the top athletes in the country. This has continued to be a trend for the Marauders so far, and raises the question of whether or not this trend will persist, making McMaster the top team in the country and CIS gold contenders for many seasons to come. When it comes to thinking about the future, however, Preston is not looking too far ahead. “I’m in the forest, I can’t see through the trees. I really don’t know if that’s our reality or not. And I’ll let other people figure that out - what I want to do is make sure that I still attend to the things that are important to our success in terms of my plan, so I need to continue to identify the best student-athletes that fit at McMaster University.” Preston has done a tremendous job at doing that, and the success of the Marauders so far is only one small chapter of the Marauders incredible story. @Lsinkky
theSil.ca
SPORTS
Thursday, Jan. 16, 2014
B9
Women’s volleyball starts strong in 2014 Tobi Abdul Staff Reporter The Marauder women’s volleyball team slid into second place in the OUA West by sweeping the first two games of the 2014 conference season. McMaster took on the Western Mustangs at Burridge Gym on Jan. 10 and despite a slow start to the match, the Marauders were able to come out on top in all three sets, beating Western 3-0. Taylor Brisebois was a key factor in the win over the Mustangs, completing 10 kills and a kill percentage of 44 percent, along with new national women’s beach volleyball team member Sophie Bukovec who had 11 kills and a kill percentage of 28 percent. Although the game against Western was the Marauder’s first 2014 conference game, the Marauders had just returned from the annual Innisbrook Invitational which took place in Florida. McMaster went into the finals undefeated where they suffered a heartbreaking loss to the Ottawa Gee-Gees, the number one team in the OUA East and sixth overall in Canada. “We had some really great performances and that got the confidence level up. In terms of jump starting the second half, we tactically worked out a few things,” said Head Coach Tim Louks. The game started off slow as the Marauders had a weak offensive start to the match, ending the first set with a kill percentage of 13.9. The Mustangs initially led in the opening set, but the Marauders started to work together and pass accurately, helping setter Kayla Ng hit her stride and place the ball extremely well, leading the Marauders to win the set 2518. “I don’t think there was a
point where I was ever too concerned. Even though it was a little bit slower, I never felt that there was never a need for me to call a time out,” said Coach Louks. The Marauders were able to pull ahead in the first set, however, the second set saw a similarly slow start for the Marauders who fell behind early, but better offense would give Mac a 16-13 lead at the technical timeout. The Marauders then continued to outscore the Mustangs who were only able to score six points before McMaster would take the set 25-19. The third set saw another sluggish start for the Marauders but soon the offense picked up speed, leaving the Mustangs unable to defend despite an attempt at a comeback, letting the Marauders take the set 25-20 and the match 3-0. “You have to make sure you get the ball in bounds and you have to make sure you serve the ball well and I think we cleaned up that as we went along and I don’t think that Western had an answer to that,” said Louks. The Marauders didn’t have much time to rest as they took on the Lancers on Jan. 12 in a game they knew they had to win to keep their second place spot in the OUA West conference. The sluggish play that Marauders saw in Friday’s game continued in the start of the set, allowing the Lancers to take the early lead as they immediately jumped to 10-5. Knowing that this game was crucial, McMaster pushed to outscore Windsor but still trailed by four at the technical timeout. Following the time out, McMaster started to serve inbound and attack with great accuracy, allowing them to outplay Windsor and take the first set 25-23. “We wanted to come out and run a faster paced momentum
YOSEIF HADDAD / PHOTO EDITOR
attack. In order to do that we had to receive the ball at good consistency at a really high level and I think we did that well. I don’t think [Windsor] knew where we were at and I think that we wore them down. They had to defend so much, so often and we played good defence,” said Louks. McMaster entered the second set with a momentum that continued on in the set. Excellent serving from Maicee Sorenson, who soon after left the game due to injury, allowed McMaster to take the lead at the technical timeout. The loss of a key player seemed to distract the Marauders however, and Windsor used this distraction to their advantage, eventually pulling ahead and taking the set 25-22, making the match tied at 1-1. The third set was a complete opposite of the second as Windsor had the lead at the technical
timeout, but after the return of Sorenson to the floor, the team found the cohesion that was missing in the second set and was able to outscore Windsor 25-22. Knowing that this game was a must win if the Marauders were to keep their second place win, McMaster played with a fervency that showcased their technical timeouts as both setters were utilized and the Marauders were placing the ball strategically, great service from Sorenson and Brisebois helped the Marauders to pull ahead ending the set 25-16 and taking the match 3-1. The Marauders took Windsor’s spot in the conference but they can’t relax yet. “Crystal ball, we push and shove the rest of the year but Windsor is a team we may see in the playoffs,” said Coach Louks. The Marauders must utilize their weekend off to get ready for
their remaining matches. The last six matches are crucial as every team in the OUA West conference is in close standings. The Marauders will travel to Waterloo on Jan. 24 to take on the Warriors and then will play the number one team in the West, the Guelph Gryphons at Burridge Gym on Jan. 26. @toe_bee
YOSEIF HADDAD / PHOTO EDITOR
Referendum 2014: Your Voice
plan usually through an employer, a parent or individual coverage), a student may OPT-OUT of the MSU plans and receive a refund.
During this year's Presidential election (January 28th-30th), there will be two additional questions on the ballot, each with multiple options. Please take time to review the choices now, in order to make an informed selection, as this year's referenda have important financial and student service implications.
This year, there will be several new coverage options available under the MSU Plans. Regardless of selection, the MSU plans will continue to operate on the OPT-OUT basis, meaning only students without medical and/or dental coverage
The MSU Presidential election and concurrent referendum will be facilitated though online voting. You will receive an email via your McMaster account with a link to the ballot. More information about the election and the voting process will become available in January. One referendum question will ask voters to select their preference as to the MSU's agreement with the Hamilton Street Railway (HSR) bus service. The second will ask voters to select their preferences for Health and Dental Insurance coverage. Please note: the finalized wording of each referenda question will be determined by the Elections Committee - at this time, the following is a close approximation of the values and choices you can expect to see on the ballot in late January.
Hamilton Street Railway (HSR) Referendum
Every three years, the MSU sends the HSR agreement to referendum. This year, the HSR referendum will feature additional options to those seen in the past. Specifically, it will feature the options of adding new features to the student package regarding summer service, rush hour service, and late-night service. Currently, students pay $126 for an 8 month bus pass. The price of $126 is equivalent to 16% of the $695 (plus tax) it would cost to purchase 8 month-long bus passes. Again, this referendum will appear as a single question, and voters will use a preferential system to rank their choice in order of MOST PREFERRED (#1) to LEAST PREFERRED (#5). On the ballot, the HSR referendum question will give students five options, to be ranked in order of preference.
Health Insurance Referendum
Unlike the HSR question, the Health and Dental Plan referendum will appear as a series of YES or NO questions. Simply select your choice in each question offering a specific type of expanded coverage, with the associated cost per year increase to fees. Currently, each full-time undergraduate student pays $57.50 (tax included) into a health insurance program and $115 (tax included) to a dental insurance program facilitated by the MSU. If a student can show proof of comparable coverage (meaning coverage under a separate
will be required to keep the plans. This referendum will appear as a series of YES or NO questions. The reason for this is to allow voters the ability to select some or all (or none) of the new options, without limiting the ability of selecting other options. Each YES/NO question is independent of the others, so please select your choice in each question.
Podcasts
Mac Student Leadership Conference January 18, from 09:00AM until 05:00PM See OscarPlus The McMaster Student Leadership Conference inspires students to let their passions guide how they demonstrate leadership and equips students with the skills and ideas to start making change. Held annually in January, the conference offers opportunities to network with over 300 current and aspiring student leaders from across campus, engage with professional and student presenters, and kick-start the new semester by illuminating fresh ideas and re-igniting passions. Workshops build knowledge, enhance skills, and highlight issues on campus or in our society to ignite change. The theme of this year's conference is ACT: Care, Catalyze, Community
93.3 CFMU produces podcasts of all their programming including shows hosted by the MSU. Check CFMU's website programming guide for details or download archived MSU shows from iTunesU here. The MSU & You - Every Monday at 12:00 pm to 1:00 pm Your guide to news, views and issues being dealt with by the McMaster Students Union. Every Monday at 12:00 pm to 1:00 pm. Hosted by your MSU Board of Directors. E-mail: president@msu.mcmaster.ca The SHEC Show - Every Wednesday at 6:00 pm to 6:30 pm A show brought to you by your MSU Student Health Education Centre (SHEC) located on the second floor of the Student Centre MUSC 202. The show and centre focus on general health issues with a special emphasis on sex. Tune in for the latest sex news, SHEC news, tips, life quotes and discussion of sex related topics. E-mail: shec@msu.mcmaster.ca Queer Radio Hamilton - Every Monday at 7:00 pm to 8:00 pm Discussion and celebration of topics in the queer community. For the gay, lesbian, bisexual, trans-gendered, two-spirited, questioning and straight-but-not narrow. E-mail: queerradiohamilton@gmail.com Off the Pages (The Silhouette) Every Thursday at 1:00 pm to 2:00 pm McMaster Silhouette editors and staff delve deeper into the issues from the Sil’s pages - sports, current events (on and off campus), music and more. E-mail: thesil@thesil.ca
Sparking New & Emerging Leaders – Learn how showing leadership is simply the act of effecting positive change. Identify areas of passion and start making change: personally, at school, at work, and in your community! Illuminating Fresh Ideas for All Leaders – Attend skill- and theory-based workshops that enhance the skills of leaders from all levels. Topics include facilitation, public speaking, dispute resolution, social activism, time management, and event planning!
Registration to the McMaster Student Leadership Conference includes entry to all conference presentations and activities, lunch, and ongoing information about similar leadership development opportunities across campus.
Volunteer Opportunities in Hamilton January 20, from 03:56PM until 03:56PM Hamilton, ON The New Year calls for new resolutions!Why not decide to give back to those in need in 2014? Consider volunteering with a weekly Community Volunteer Action (CVA) group, serving alongside other McMaster students at programs for recent immigrant youth, adults with disabilities, at-risk youth and children, and more. We especially need volunteers to help out in the following groups: - LAF Afterschool Program@ Welcome Inn Community Centreon Mondays, Tuesdays, Wednesdays, or Thursdays from 3:00pm-5:30pm: Interact in small groups and one-on-one with at-risk kids from Grades 1-8 using fun and creative tools to teach academics and assist LAF coordinator with activities - Gr. 1-8 - Dr. Davey Breakfast Program @ Beasley Community Centre on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Fridays, from 7:45-9:40am:Engage children in positive conversation during breakfast, teaching respect, playing games, helping with cooking and clean up.
Fueling New Initiatives – Opportunities to share ideas and connect with current and aspiring student leaders from across campus will provide a launch pad to continue the momentum and energy generated at the conference!
- Eva Rothwell Afterschool Program@ Eva Rothwell Community Centre on Fridays from 3:30-6:30pm: Work with kids ages 6 to 14! Help with activities varying from arts and crafts to physical exercise
Re-Igniting Passions – Reflect on previous experiences to refocus and re-energize for the upcoming semester.
You can browse these and other available weekly volunteer groups at www.OpenCircle.mcmaster.ca/volunt eer. To sign up, please contact the group facilitator (information is listed on the website). We look forward to you becoming part of the CVA family!!
Take time throughout the conference to reflect on what you want to change from the previous semester. Offered by the Student Success Centre in partnership with the Residence Life Office, McMaster Athletics & Recreation, and the McMaster Students’ Union, the McMaster Student Leadership Conference will be held on Saturday, January 18, 2014. Registration Conference registration is free, but participants must submit $20.00 for a participation bond at the time of registration. This amount will be refunded after the conference to all participants who attend.
Community Volunteer Action(CVA) is sponsored by MSU Open Circle and is a working group of OPIRG, McMaster. A chance to volunteer weekly with other McMaster students at placements across Hamilton, and to reflect for 15 min. after each volunteer session on your experiences and how these relate to larger societal issues. For more info: www.OpenCircle.mcmaster.ca/volunt eeror www.OPIRG.ca.
theSil.ca
SPORTS
Thursday, Jan. 16, 2014
B11
Final stretch for nationals Scott Hastie The Silhouette
YOSEIF HADDAD / PHOTO EDITOR
With a 9-4 record, one would expect that McMaster’s women’s basketball team would be in a good spot – standings wise. Currently, Mac sits fourth in the OUA West. Ahead of them is Windsor at 12-1, Laurier with a record of 11-2, and Western with a 10-2 record. On the Marauders’ heels is Brock, with a 7-6 record and Lakehead at 6-6. The OUA West is as competitive as ever, and McMaster is headed into its most important stretch of the season. On Jan. 18, Mac travels to Waterloo, Ont. to take on the Laurier Golden Hawks, a team who ascended to No. 9 in the CIS topten. There’s a relatively easy game against the Guelph Gryphons, who are in rebuilding mode with a new coach and young roster. But Mac will have to host the Western Mustangs after that, who walloped the Marauders in the last game of 2013. In order to get a first-round playoff bye – a huge advantage in an ultra-competitive division – McMaster will have to sweep those three games to give themselves a shot. More importantly, Mac will want to be able to avoid Windsor for as long as they can. The Marauders have not matched up well with the Lancers, something that was reconfirmed on Jan. 11 when Windsor beat Mac 83-44. The 39-point thrashing was the worst loss since Jan. 8, 2011, when Western beat an injured Maroon bunch, 89-39. The road only does not become easier after those games because they have to travel to Lakehead University in Thunder Bay, Ont. The Thunderwolves have a major home court advantage, given teams have to fly there, play back-to-back games, and perform in front of a raucous crowd at the aptly-named Thunderdome. McMaster’s five-game stretch
is one of the most important in recent memory. The Marauders have inched towards becoming a top-ten team and certainly have been in the conversation for being on the bubble for the CIS national tournament. But they have not played consistently against the best teams. They lost in the final seconds to a strong Ottawa Gee-Gee team, hung tough with the Saint Mary’s Huskies in exhibition play, and dominated Brock – a team that started the year ranked No. 7. The blowout losses to Western and Windsor will stick around come tournament time if Mac wants to make a wild card bid. The run back to nationals starts this weekend. If McMaster defeats Laurier and Western, they will put themselves back in the conversation. Lose one, or worse, two, Mac will be facing an uphill battle and have to nearly win-out the season to end the four season national tournament drought. @scott1hastie
NEW
A whole new way to earn Introducing the PC Plus rewards program. TM
It lets you earn points toward dollars off your grocery bill. Joining is quick, easy and free.
There are so many ways to earn points • Personalized online offers • In-store offers • Flyer offers • Bonus offers
Just pick up a free card in-store
1579 Main St. West (at Rifle Range Rd.) We’re open 8am-10pm 7 days a week!
Visit pcplus.ca
®/TM The trademarks and logos displayed are trademarks of Loblaws Inc. All rights reserved. ©2013 Loblaws Inc.
theSil.ca
SPORTS
Thursday, Jan. 16, 2014
B12
Marauders leave home turf The McMaster track team prepares for the upcoming Don Wright challenge in London, Ont.
Captain Blair Morgan is coming off of a stellar cross country season, being a n OUA and CIS all-star. He ran a 4:05 1500 m at the CAN AM meet on Jan. 10-11 C/O PETE SELF
Madeleine McDonald is off to a great start so far this season, running to a time of 4:42 in the 1500 m. She is a Junior Pan Am Game silver medalist in her specialty event- the 3000 m. C/O PETE SELF
RECAP WOMEN’S VOLLEYBALL OUA EAST W | L | PTS
Brandon Huzevka has natural ability in the 600 m event, and makes his impressive time of 1:25 look easy. He finished second overall in the CAN AM meet. C/O PETE SELF
Paul Rochus ran hi first track race as a rookie, and did not fail to impress. He finished second overall in the CAN AM meet, running to a tiume of 8:57 in the 3000 m
Laura Sinclair Sports Editor After a successful season on the cross country course, the Marauders running team is back in action on the track. The team laced up their spikes on Jan. 10-11 at the CAN AM meet in Windsor, Ont. and were able to run to some impressive times, especially this early on in the season.
OUA WEST
The women’s team was led by Madeleine McDonald, a former member of the Canadian junior cross country team, who ran to a time of 4:42 in the 1500 m, which brought her to a 9th place finish overall in the quick race. McDonald is expected to be a huge threat in track this season, given her extremely successful outdoor season last summer that saw her run to a huge personal best time in the 3000 m, (9:36),
which ended up qualifying her for the Junior Pan Am Games, where she finished in second place overall. Crossing the line after McDonald in the 1500 m race was Raquel Burgess, who finished the race in a time of 4:55. Another impressive performance on the women’s side includes Kaitlyn Pansegrau’s fifth place finish in the 1000 m, which saw her run to a personal best time of 3:05. On the men’s side, Brandon Huzevka had an impressive race, finishing second overall in the 600 m with a time of 1:25. In the 1500 m race, rookie Patrick Deane ran to a great time of 4:02, while Captain Blair Morgan ran to a time of 4:05. For Captain Morgan, after an incredible cross country season, his performance on the track will only improve as the season goes on, and he could be a top ten OUA contender in the 3000 m or 1500 m race. In the grueling 3000 m race, rookie Paul Rochus broke the 9-minute barrier and ran to a time of 8:57, which was good enough for second place overall. The team will be joined by more athletes on the roster this coming weekend in London, Ont. at the Don Wright Challenge, where they will attempt to reach the podium and run to more personal best times in the early stage of the season. @Lsinkky
OTTAWA YORK TORONTO RYERSON QUEEN’S RMC NIPISSING
12 10 9 8 6 3 0
1 2 3 4 5 8 13
24 20 18 16 12 6 0
W | L | PTS GUELPH MCMASTER WINDSOR BROCK LAKEHEAD WATERLOO WESTERN
9 8 6 4 3 3 2
4 5 5 8 7 9 9
18 16 12 8 6 6 4
MEN’S BASKETBALL OUA EAST
OUA WEST W | L | PTS
CARLETON RYERSON OTTAWA LAURENTIAN QUEEN’S YORK ALGOMA TORONTO
11 11 10 7 7 7 3 2
0 1 1 4 5 5 8 10
22 22 20 14 14 14 6 4
W | L | PTS MCMASTER WINDSOR LAURIER LAKEHEAD WESTERN GUELPH WATERLOO BROCK
9 7 5 4 4 3 2 2
3 5 7 8 8 9 10 10
18 14 10 8 8 6 4 4
WOMEN’S BASKETBALL OUA EAST
OUA WEST W | L | PTS
W | L | PTS CARLETON OTTAWA QUEEN’S TORONTO RYERSON YORK LAURENTIAN ALGOMA
8 8 7 5 4 3 2 0
3 3 5 7 8 9 9 11
16 16 14 10 8 6 4 0
WINDSOR LAURIER WESTERN MCMASTER BROCK LAKEHEAD GUELPH WATERLOO
12 11 10 9 7 6 3 2
1 2 2 4 5 6 9 10
24 22 20 18 14 12 6 4
the best of 2013:
part one
C2
theSil.ca
Thursday, Jan. 16, 2014
ANDY E-mail: andy@thesil.ca Meeting Time: Wednesdays @ 11:30 a.m. Phone: (905)•525•9140 ext 27117
Senior Editor: Bahar Orang Assistant Editor: Cooper Long Contributors: Josh Spring, Shane Madill, Lene Trunjer Petersen, Tomi Milos, Michael Gallagher, Kacper Niburski
Cover: Bahar Orang
coming up in the hammer the casbah •Jan 16 •Jan 17 •Jan 20 •Jan 22 •Jan 24
3rd Annual McMaster Oxjam Fundraiser Jamsquid Weekend Hello Beautiful Dred the Band
homegrown hamilton •Jan 16 •Jan 17 •Jan 18 •Jan 25
Open Mic with Dave Gould Toadhouse Benami The Colour
this ain't Hollywood •Jan 17 •Jan 18 •Jan 19 •Jan 21 •Jan 23 •Jan 19
The Reunion Tour Ark Analog Hammer City Roller Girls Meet and Greet Night Hello Cat Piano Dawn & Marra Hammer City Roller Girls Meet and Greet Night
art gallery of hamilton •Jan.16 Opening Reception •Jan.17 Francois Dellagret: Artist's Talk
hamilton artists inc. •until Feb 22 Tour China •Jan 30 FEAST: dinner & art
Sometimes it's a form of love just to talk to somebody that you have nothing in common with and still be fascinated by their presence. - David Byrne
theSil.ca
ANDY
Thursday, Jan. 16, 2014
C3
EDITORIAL
Making the list Cooper Long Assistant ANDY Editor One of the great mysteries of ANDY is our best-of-the-year list selection process. No more. In the interest of transparency, the formula is revealed here for the first time. In order to keep up with the best of world cinema, our foreign correspondents attend many farflung film festivals. We also take notes on countless films in the Silhouette screening room. While most theatres offer oversized cardboard soft drink cups, our private auditorium is equipped with graduated cylinders so we can catch our reviewers’ tears and quantify their emotional response. ANDY is equally obsessive about tracking the year’s biggest and best albums. We don’t just sift through the endless stream of promotional copies that pour into the Silhouette office. When Kanye premiered the video for “New Slaves” by projecting it against a wall in Williamsburg, our review-
ers were on an adjacent rooftop with a pair of binoculars. When Beyoncé abruptly dropped her latest album at midnight on Dec. 13, a lot of people stayed up late to listen. Our writers haven’t slept since her last record came out. Once each writer’s best-ofthe-year ballot is complete, they are sent in individual, sealed envelopes to the Silhouette’s auditor. The ballots, not the writers. Just kidding. Obviously that
story has more loopholes than the plot of Gravity. In reality, these rankings were decided over dinner at the Phoenix, using a napkinbased tabulation system. Like all best-of lists, our picks are hardly authoritative. These are some of the films and albums that affected our writers most in 2013. Feel free to agree, disagree or scribble your own napkin. @coop_long
the
big
tickle What A&E are you looking forward to in 2014? YOSEIF HADDAD /PHOTO EDITOR ELIZA POPE /ASSISTANT PHOTO EDITOR
Umair R.
Jason J.
Hilary K.
David B.
Aditya G.
A bigger platform for hidden talents.
Game of Thrones
Archer Season 5, American Horror Story
RoboCop and tons of Bollywood movies
Movies and sports, like the Euro Cup
andy tips its hand theSil.ca
Holy Fire Foals Foal’s third LP opens with “Prelude,” a four-minute track thrumming with energy and pent-up rage. Most are familiar with the demons that haunt lead singer Yannis Philippakis and it’s clear that the anxiety that coloured Antidotes and Total Life Forever are even more prominent in the songwriting and instrumentation of this album. Holy Fire is therefore not a record for relaxing, but rather for screaming and breaking shit to (e.g. “Inhaler”). Anthemic jams like “My Number” are as fun to belt out alone in your room as they are at one of their raucous shows. The rest of the album also sounds fantastic live, which I was happy to discover at the Kool Haus last May. It was a pleasant surprise to find that fans were not shy of moshing or crowd surfing and I had a terrific time throwing my weight around to tracks like “Milk and Black Spiders” and “Providence.” That is, until a girl’s flailing arm knocked my glasses off. For a few seconds, I anxiously tried to locate them myself before the entire pit stopped moshing and someone shone their SLR camera’s flash to help me find them. My frames had to be realigned and now sport a few unsightly scratches, but I wouldn’t trade the experience of hearing this fantastic record in person for anything (including unscathed frames). • Tomi Milos
Thursday, Jan. 16, 2014
Reflektor Arcade Fire When I look back on the growth of the Montreal-based band from Funeral released back in 2004, all the way to The Suburbs, which won a Grammy for Best Alternative Music Album, I do so with a smile on my face because they consistently retain a distinctly Canadian sound for the whole world to hear. And when they announced Reflektor, their success meant that the stakes were higher than ever before. Reflektor had to deliver. Thankfully, Arcade Fire has done it again. The songs are edgy, experimental, but still preserve the strong musicality that has made the band so critically and commercially acclaimed. The title track in particular represents an ambitious and unique rhythmic experience and features Haitian percussionists. Tracks continue to stay strong, moving and attractive with “We Exist,” “Here Comes the Night Time,” and “Afterlife.” There’s something special about Reflektor – something beyond the intelligent chord changes and punchy choruses. There’s an intangible element, an intricate, but thoughtful and accessible musical quality that underscores Arcade Fire as not only one of the best Canadian bands, but as the artists behind one of the best albums of the year. • Michael Gallagher
ANDY
Overgrown James Blake With increased confidence in his production and vocal abilities compared to his previous works, James Blake is able to place more emphasis on his expressive croon and engage listeners into a unique, one-of-akind experience. Overgrown’s continuously shifted textures and nuances support broad and repeated emotional phrases that pull at as many heartstrings as possible. Whether you connect more with the admission of being flawed from “Voyeur,” the subtle sexiness of “Retrograde,” or any other emotion conveyed on the album, the only sure thing about the experience is that you will feel something as a result of Blake’s lyrics and instrumentals. You may not be able to put it into words, due to Blake’s production offering multiple interpretations in each short track, but you will realize that these different emotional possibilities result in what seems to be a completely new listening experience with each play-through. Overgrown can somehow be reflective, sad, sexy, positive and energetic all at the same time, and will continue to grow in stature and promise for repeated listens. • Shane Madill
C4 & C5
Beyonce Beyonce
Shaking the Habitual The Knife This is 96 minutes of being uncomfortable. Even if discussion — or rather blunt and direct statements — about conventionally controversial topics, such as feminist and queer theory, environmentalism and structuralism, or injustice and corruption, do not affect you, then there is still the continuous drone and screech of bastardized samples underneath ear-piercingly high vocals to provoke a reaction. Shaking the Habitual draws the listener in like a good horror movie and refuses to let go. The softer midpoints of the album provide momentary release and hope for comfort before it is snatched away, often with progressive buildup rather than with sudden stimulus. Shaking the Habitual is fearless in this endeavour, and is not recommended for casual listening in the slightest. This is brutal and awkward art that continues to push the boundaries of what is thought possible in conventional electronic music. It is something that you may not even want to finish, but are compelled to for a seemingly inexplicable reason. Deep and impactful art tends to be uncomfortable to admire, and this is no exception. •
Shane Madill
“I’m a grown woman,” Beyoncé asserts on the album’s funky West African-inspired bonus track, “I Can Do Whatever I Want.” Beyoncé’s fifth album adheres to her proclamation of self-empowerment. Beyoncé is a musical, visual, and commercial tour de force. The album was released without any prior announcement or promotion. Each song is accompanied by a stunningly aesthetic video. Sonically, Beyoncé defies conventional pop formulas and encompasses a wide range of sounds. The album is more experimental in sound than Beyoncé’s previous solo efforts. Seemingly dissonant soundscapes are seamlessly woven together. Her vocal style shifts radically from one song to the next, but it never feels forced. Many of the album’s sounds are not new; Beyoncé has borrowed musical elements from her contemporaries. The falsetto, breathy vocals on “No Angel” are reminiscent of Ciara’s sensual ballad, “Promise.” The sultry, soulful slow jam, “Rocket” is an obvious nod to the funkified sex songs of D’Angelo. But these elements are imbued with a poise and virtuosity that is distinctively Bey. Or rather, distinctively Yoncé. Yoncé is an alter-ego that we haven’t met before; she is lusty, sexual, and confident. On “Jealous,” Beyoncé exposes her fragility. She is home alone, drunk and naked, waiting for her man to come home, when suddenly Yoncé appears. Yoncé doesn’t sulk. She throws her freakum dress on and hypes herself up: “I look damn good, I ain’t lost it,” she declares. On the surface, this line references her impeccable postpartum physique, however it is representative of much more. Beyoncé refuses to conform to societal expectations of maternity. While she acknowledges the beauty of motherhood on “Blue,” she informs us throughout the album that this one identity does not preclude her others. Beyoncé is a full-fledged woman: fierce, brave, sexual, vulnerable, anxious. When Beyoncé dropped on Dec. 13, the Internet exploded. Twitter and Facebook feeds wouldn’t look the same for weeks. When Queen Bey speaks, people listen. Especially when her message is as bold, creative, and effortless as it is on Beyoncé. Bow down, bitches. The album is ***Flawless. • Josh Spring
C6
theSil.ca
ANDY
Thursday, Jan. 16, 2014
andy’s best films of 2013 This is Tom Hanks giving another brilliant performance in an Academy Award-worthy movie that relies on the perfectly paced escalation of tension in an accessible, but incredibly satisfying, movie. Director Paul Greengrass reworks techniques from the Bourne trilogy and Green Zone to create a thriller that feels familiar, while cutting out the negative nuances of his previous work. The film industry currently seems obsessed with the feeling of tension. The Hurt Locker and Gravity are two notable examples. Captain Phillips is able to balance tension with a good degree of character development, which adds emphasis to the consequences of the characters’ actions. Captain Philips also plays on common themes and ideas, such as the exploration of what common men can do in extraordinary situations. It involves traits that are both reflective of Greengrass’s prior works and the modern movie industry as a whole. It is incredibly engaging and explains everything in detail. What could very easily have been a typical popcorn flick is instead elevated to a feat of modern filmmaking.
9
Despicable Me 2 by Tomi Milos
10
Captain Phillips by Shane Madill People entering creative professions must hold on to that wondrous childhood idea that they can do anything. Although artists are generally cynical, melancholy pricks, a delusional sense of optimism is a prerequisite for success; if you don’t think you can write a passable novel, neither will the jaded publisher who’ll toss your precious manuscript into the trash. On that note, Despicable Me 2 is a movie that can restore the zest for life you’d thought you’d left behind when you entered high school. Simply put, the animated sequel to 2010’s wildly popular Despicable Me (duh) is a work that defies a label like “children’s movie.” Although entertaining for the younger generation, it can also be seen as a wake-up call for many of us to get our angsty heads out of our asses and stop moping about. Do you think the guys who made up Gru and his delightful entourage of minions were as self-serious as Hemingway? Answer: No. Cinco Paul, one half of the writing team behind the film, takes hot baths to loosen his creative muscles in his office. Find a way to watch it if you haven’t already. You’ll be skipping to school for days.
The documentary Dirty Wars, narrated by the war reporter Jeremy Scahill, deserves to be on this list because of the film’s scary, and real, scenarios. While Scahill is stationed in Afghanistan, he hears about a night raid that happened in a NATO “denied area.” Still, he decides to investigate and learns that one Afghan policeman and three women have been killed by what the family describes as “American Taliban.” Back in the US, Scahill presents the family’s case to Congress with a bleak result. Neither the US Government, nor NATO wishes to investigate the case further; instead they are trying to cover it up. Regardless of this subterfuge, the family’s story leaks and NATO is forced to make a semi-public apology. But Scahill cannot let go of the story, and finds out that the night raids have multiplied. He counts 1,700 within a short period of time, both in declared and undeclared war zones. An elite force, JSOC, which has the full support of the White House, executes the night raids. Dirty Wars confirms the unspoken reality that the War on Terror is a self-fulfilling prophecy and it echoes fictional films and series, such as 24 and the Bourne trilogy, with a frightening result.
8
Dirty Wars by Lene Trunjer
7
Mud by Cooper Long
ANDY
Thursday, Jan. 16, 2014
part one
C7
(of two)
theSil.ca
Mud is a film you experience with your nose as much as with your eyes and ears. Director Jeff Nichols renders the Arkansas Delta so vividly that you can smell the fish in paper bags, the snake-ridden pools of swamp water, and the sweat that glues a fugitive’s shirt to his tattooed back. The shirt belongs to Mud (Matthew McConaughey), who is hiding out on a small island in the Mississippi River when a pair of young boys discovers him. Back to the shirt. It has a wolf ’s eye sewn on the sleeve, which Mud believes offers him supernatural protection, just like the crosses in his boot heels. Mud talks constantly about such otherworldly signs and symbols using rich, shamanistic language that fits exquisitely with McConaughey’s hypnotic drawl. “There are fierce powers in the world,” he cautions the boys, “Good, evil, poor luck, best luck.” The mysterious outlaw immediately entrances 14-year old Ellis (Tye Sheridan), but the boy’s companion, Neckbone (Jacob Lofland), remains skeptical. Initially, it seems that Neckbone will merely be a crude sidekick, but he is slowly revealed to be, in some ways, the wisest and most resourceful character of all. He confounds any stereotype about slow-fitted country folk. In Mud, Nichols creates one of the most atmospheric places that appeared onscreen in 2013, and he populates this landscape with people who are just as finely textured.
6
The Act of Killing by Kacper Niburski
When the first atomic bomb was tested, Robert J. Oppenheimer stated that, “[a] few people laughed. Few people cried. Most people were silent. I remembered the line of the Hindu scripture, the Bhagavad Gita; Vishnu is trying to persuade the Prince that he should do his duty and, to impress him, takes on his multiarmed form and says, ‘Now I am become Death, the destroyer of worlds.’ I suppose we all thought that, one way or another.” And Joshua Oppenheimer’s The Act of Killing, which recounts the US-funded and Indonesiansupported 1965 killings of those labeled as communists and ethnic Chinese, mirrors this shuttering fear of human potential as a machine of death. By placing those who committed the murders in charge of their own creative display and development, death becomes more than just a life ending. In between the sprawling beauty of Indonesia, there is pageantry
of smiling madness, a display of armed killers who think nothing of strangling children or largescale massacres. They laugh. They smile. And they killed doing both. Yet by experiencing their murders again, not as murderers but as spectators, the movie becomes less of a shock and more of a social experiment in personal guilt. As the characters put on the show, there is no longer an act. There is only the act – the reality that they have killed, maimed, and that they have taken more than just a life. They have taken an entire existence with its idiosyncrasies, worries, and personal responsibilities. There, underneath the tension of a wire, was a father, a son, a lover and a friend. And this affects them. In staging death, the seemingly atrocious thugs experience death again by becoming it, by giving it a name, a face, an entire creative development.
C8
theSil.ca
ANDY
Thursday, Jan. 16, 2014
Aukland
Hollerado
Tokyo Police Club
YOSEIF HADDAD/PHOTO EDITOR
Put your hands up for Tokyo Police Club Tokyo Police Club, Hollerado, and Aukland play TwelvEighty Michael Gallagher Staff Reporter With the recent release of their three-part single “Argentina” and an upcoming album, Forcefield, set to come out in spring 2014, the announcement of a Tokyo Police Club concert on McMaster’s very own campus was a bit overwhelming. This feeling only grew when I learned that Ottawa’s Hollerado would be there with them, along with Aukland, a band featuring a McMaster student. I’ve been a big fan of Tokyo Police Club, the four-piece indie-rock band from Newmarket, for quite some time, and
it seems each of their albums brings something new and fun to the table. Everything from the seemingly random lyrics to the ridiculously catchy hooks has left me coming back for more every time. Still, one of the things that truly defines a band is how well they play live, and their show last Saturday only reaffirmed everything I love about them. Before getting ahead of myself, it goes without saying that the opening acts were definitely also quite a treat. Hollerado has grown in the last few years in terms of both stage performance, and song writing technique.When I last saw them,
they were playing a small stage at Edgefest, and were clearly still tightening their sound. Vocals were strained at times, and the collective energy of the band sometimes lost control – and not in a good way. This time around, hits like “So it Goes” and “Pick Me Up” from their latest album White Paint really brought out the energy in the crowd. More importantly, the erratic energy of singer Menno Versteeg was concentrated directly on making the show as fun as possible, and his vocals showed serious improvement. Between conversations about Dave Monks hating dogs and their suggestions to the
audience that we try “every drug ever,” Hollerado’s stage banter certainly succeeded. The same could be said of the lesser-known opening band Aukland, who successfully wowed the crowd despite a relatively short set. I can’t deny the existence of a very positive bias towards any band out of Mississauga (having spent too many bored suburban nights there growing up), but no one can deny the musical tightness Aukland showed on stage. While they still have much to learn from the bands that followed them, Aukland seems well on their way to being able to see the same success on their own, and
they really pumped up the audience for the main event. With that in mind, Tokyo Police Club continued to deliver what the audience was looking for. The simple, solid riffs and quirky keyboard sounds that the band is known for were as engaging and as exciting as ever. Even better, the band played much from their upcoming album and it appears to be another step in the right direction. Whether it was the occasional Strokes cover, or the closing acoustic version of “Tessellate,” everything about the show seemed to go exactly as planned.