December 5, 2016

Vol. CXXXVII, No. 12 December 5, 2016 thevarsity.ca —— The University of Toronto’s Student Newspaper Since 1880

This holiday season try one of these family favourites from the homes of our contributors FEATURE — page 12

U of T Ombudsperson’s report released Report raises “disturbing” mental health accommodation concerns Tom Yun News Editor

The Office of the Ombudsperson’s annual report has been released, with a particular focus on the complaints it received surrounding mental health accommodations.

Of the 316 complaints received by the Ombudsperson in the 2015–2016 academic year, 26 of the complainants were registered with accessibility services for mental health reasons; some complaints related to accommodations.

SMCSU under fire after videos leaked Behaviour of union reps at private party called Islamophobic Helena Najm and Tom Yun Varsity Staff & News Editor

Vice-President Kevin Vando of the St. Michael’s College Student Union (SMCSU) has announced his imminent resignation. The union is facing criticism after two Snapchat videos involving Vando and former SMCSU Councillor Sara Gonsalves that are making the rounds on social media have been called Islamophobic.

In one of the videos, Gonsalves is seen reading from the book Islam for Dummies, and in another, she can be heard singing, “would you be my Muslim boy” to the tune of Estelle’s “American Boy.” The videos were reportedly recorded by Vando at the house of Joseph Crimi, who served as SMCSU’s Vice-President last year and was celebrating his birthday on November 19.

Current and former SMCSU councillors and executives were among the attendees.

The Snapchat filter on the video reads, “SMCSU PRESENTS: JOSEPH CRIMI’S 22ND BIRTHDAY.” Crimi has denied any direct involvement with the behaviour shown in the videos, insisting that his ties to the actions do not go beyond his name being on the Snapchat filter used.

“I am very upset about this video and the things being portrayed,” Crimi told The Varsity. “Although this was my birthday, I definitely do not condone the actions of these guests, and having served as a student leader for four years I am very upset (as are my parents) that I am being portrayed in such a discriminatory and hateful light, which in reality I am not.”

Crimi urged students to be more vigilant with what is posted on social media and apologized for the incident: “Today, people need to be more aware of what they post on Snapchat and Facebook, and should be very concerned and careful in how they act. We life [sic] in a world and go to a university in which discrimination is absolutely intoler-

Ombudsperson, page 3

The Varsity Magazine, The Home Issue, is on stands and online now at magazine.thevarsity.ca

able. I am sorry to all those offended by the content in the videos.”

The videos were originally posted to Twitter on December 2 by an anonymous account with the handle @Utsgstudent. It was subsequently shared on Facebook by Zeinab Aidid, a fourthyear student at U of T. Aidid’s post has over 1,300 reactions and over 800 shares.

When asked of her motivation for sharing the video, Aidid replied that she wanted to create a dialogue and hoped that the video would incite change.

“We want the University of Toronto to actively be trying to be a safe space for Muslim students,” she said. “We the Muslim students on this campus demand that these changes be made.”

The Muslim Students’ Association at UTSG issued a statement on Facebook condemning the video. The group says that it has spoken with the St. Michael’s College administration, the Multi-faith Centre, and the Anti-Racism and Cultural Diversity Office.

SMCSU, page 3

2 • THE VARSITY • NEWS

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BOARD OF DIRECTORS Hussein Fawzy, Saad Hasnain, Mohamed Hammad, German Guberman, Christina Kefalas, Aidan Harold, Jannis Mei, Tom Cardoso, Jade Colbert The Varsity is the University of Toronto’s largest student newspaper, publishing since 1880. It is printed by Master Web Inc. on recycled newsprint stock. Content © 2016 by The Varsity. All rights reserved. Any editorial inquiries and/or letters should be directed to the sections associated with them; emails listed above. The Varsity reserves the right to edit all submissions.

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@assu_uoft | ASSU 12:38 PM, November 28, 2016 #UofT problem: getting full marks on the essay outline and then a 73% on the final “because you didn’t include this one argument I wanted.” @georginamerhom | Georgina 9:13 PM, November 30, 2016 Dyu ever want to deport someone back to their college? No? Just me? @mubawhat | mubashir: 1:22 PM, December 2, 2016 scatter my ashes at robarts @iris_robin | reindeer games 7:43 PM, December 2, 2016 I’m so glad I graduated. U of T is a shitstorm and I can practically see the smoke from here. @iHateCogsci | kæsi: 1:26 AM, December 3, 2016 “Shittiest Students’ Union at UofT” award is going to be pretty tight race @RyanHumerous | ryan hume 10:45 PM, December 4, 2016 Fight me over Twitter so my friend can get bingo pls #utsuagm16

Happy Holidays from us!

As first semester comes to a close, the frenzy of student life is more pronounced than ever. We are all scrambling to study for finals and submit papers, while also gazing longingly towards the brief but muchneeded respite of the December break.

Especially given the flurry of activity brought on at this time of year, I am humbled that hundreds of students across all three campuses take time out of their days to volunteer for The Varsity. Every aspect of this newspaper comes together due to the work and dedication of our contributors.

To everyone who has written, photographed, illustrated, designed, developed, filmed, or edited for us this semester: thank you. We look forward to continuing to be interested, inspired, and challenged by your work next semester.

On behalf of the volume CXXXVII masthead, have a safe and happy holiday season!

— Alex McKeen, Editor-in-Chief

DECEMBER 5, 2016 • 3

var.st/news Ombudsperson, from cover Several of these complaints consumed “the most time for the Office and the many administrative staff involved,” a portion of the report describes.

The report highlights two of these cases. In one case described as “disturbing,” the report found that an academic program had “a history of refusing to make all but the most minimal accommodations, even after many meetings with disability and legal experts within the University, and instead encouraged the students to withdraw from the program.”

It describes one student affected by this, who knew that he could have gone to the Ontario Ombudsman or the Ontario Human Rights Tribunal but ultimately withdrew from the program.

According to the report, this was in violation of the Ontarians with Disabilities Act and the Ontario Human Rights Commission’s Policy and Guidelines on Disability and the Duty to Accommodate, which both prohibit discrimination based on disability.

“We do not know how many other students within this academic unit or across the University withdrew for similar reasons, but had not contacted the Office,” a portion of the report reads.

The academic program implicated is not named in the report and it is unclear if the case has been closed.

In another “equally disturbing” case, the report describes situations in professional programs where there were “excessive accommodations to students whose clinical work or behaviour during the program had already posed risks to her/his peers and after graduation could pose serious risk to vulnerable clients,” while ignoring university policies and regulations. No further details were provided in the report.

The report’s recommendations focus solely on the university’s handling of mental health accommodations and communication. On the communications side, the report recommends that the university provide an annual update to Governing Council on how it is implementing the recommendations.

For mental health, the first recommendation calls on the university to develop a plan “to assist academic units in accommodating student mental health needs.”

The report’s second recommendation calls for a consistent application of the university’s guidelines and regulations where exceptions to such policies should not be the norm, drawing attention to the case where policies on leaves of absence and extensions were not strictly adhered to.

For all new program proposals received by the Governing Council’s Committee on Academic Policies and Programs and reviews of existing pro-

grams, the report recommends that the university require “a section on accessibility and accommodation.” It also calls for programs that refuse the recommended accommodations to be given clear guidelines on how to appeal or make the necessary changes.

The final mental health-related recommendation concerns professional programs that prepare students for clinical work. It calls for guidelines for these programs on how to deal with “students with mental health issues which create the potential for harm to the wider community.” The report says that the guidelines should balance the rights of students and “the need to protect the wider community(ies),” citing a “special ethical obligation to protect the public.”

The university has issued an official administrative response to the Ombudsperson’s report, where it accepts all of the recommendations regarding mental health.

In its response, the university noted that the Vice-President and Provost struck a working group “to identify procedures and best practices for student accommodations in cohort-based and lock-step programs.”

“The university’s working group has been actually working on this prior to the Ombudsperson’s recommendation,” U of T Media Relations Director Althea Blackburn-Evans told The Varsity. “They were work-

SMCSU, from cover

NATHAN CHAN/THE VARSITY

The videos were taken at the birthday party of a former SMCSU executive, which was not a SMCSU-sanctioned event.

“This incident should provoke tangible steps going forward to ensure that student leaders on campus, and particularly at St. Michael’s College, receive the necessary training and become well-equipped to interact with students of various backgrounds,” a part of the statement reads. “All members of the University of Toronto community should reflect on how their actions can directly or indirectly negatively impact, make uncomfortable or alienate their fellow students.”

The Varsity reached out to Gonsalves, who apologized for her involvement in the incident.

“I’m very sorry that one lapse in judgement has caused offence to so many and that my actions have been taken out of context,” she wrote in an email. “Most people do not realize that I come from a family of many colours, cultures and religions. There

was no malice or ill intent because I am in no way, shape or form against Islam or any religion. I do not condone racism of any kind and I unequivocally apologize if this captures me in that light. Moving forward, my heart and my actions will always demonstrate kindness and my genuine belief is that we are all the same.”

Vando had been Vice-President of SMCSU for two weeks, taking office on November 16 following the resignation of Jessica Afonso. He confirmed his involvement in the incident with a public Facebook post, wherein he expressed his apologies and took responsibility for his involvement in these videos.

The statement is no longer publicly available on Facebook.

Vando stated that he grew up in a Muslim household and that the party was not a SMCSU-sanctioned event.“I will be taking a leave of ab-

sence from SMCSU and I am more than willing to work with the parties involved to remedy the situation,” read a portion of Vando’s statement. “This will never happen again, and I hope that we can win back your support once again.”

In a statement dated December 4, the University of Toronto Students’ Union condemned SMCSU for “appointing an executive that engages in islamophobic and racist practices.”

“As a Students’ Union, its representatives should be respectful, tolerant, and inclusive of all its members, including those that are Muslim,” the statement continues. “Representatives of St. Michael’s College Students’ Union should be actively condemning the racist behaviour that is present in those films.”

On the same day, SMCSU issued a statement on the matter, reiter-

STEPHANIE XU/THE VARSITY

The university has struck a working group to implement the Ombudsperson’s recommendations. ing on this stuff already and as you can see in the university’s response, they’ve outlined each recommendation and what their response is to their recommendation and many of those are the one that the working group is already looking at.”

The university also wrote that the University of Toronto Student Mental Health Strategy and Framework, which was adopted in 2014, will be subject to review this year.

With regards to the specific ob-

servations that the Ombudperson described as “disturbing,” Blackburn-Evans would not comment on what academic programs or faculties were implicated in these cases or whether these specific issues have been resolved.

“I can’t speak about individual cases but I can say that the university always tries to find a balance between supporting our students and any health and safety concerns for the community,” she said.

ating that the party was not sponsored by the union and confirming Vando’s resignation.

SMCSU’s statement reads: “The video footage publicized was filmed at a private off-campus function and was in no way sponsored by the St. Michael’s College Student Union. The video features a GeoFilter that reads ‘SMCSU Presents’, a common monicker [sic] used for many of our events. We would like to clarify that SMCSU does not have a Snapchat Geo-Filter and that our official handle was not used on the evening in question. This specific Geo-Filter was not created by a member of our council and our identity was inappropriately used without our knowledge or consent.”

SMCSU also announced the introduction of compulsory equity training for council members: “Over the next few weeks we intend to listen to members of our community in an ongoing process of needed renewal and healing. As always, our doors will be open and we encourage anyone to visit the SMCSU Office to share and discuss their concerns with us. Moving forward, we are going to ensure that the St. Michael’s College Student Union is equipped to adequately respond to concerns like these, and all of our council members will be attending a mandatory comprehensive equity training program.”

SMCSU President Zachary Nixon also offered his personal thoughts on the incident in an email to The Varsity.

“I would like to express my deep personal regret to those effected [sic] by the recently posted Snapchat videos. They do not depict an accurate representation of our community at the University of St. Michael’s Col-

lege. Further, I hope to put in place mechanisms that hold our Council accountable in situations where their conduct does not reflect the mission and values of our organization,” he said. “The healing process will take time, and I will work diligently to lead efforts for SMCSU to regain the respect, and trust of our students.”

University of St. Michael’s College President David Mulroney also weighed in on the controversy.

“We regret the offensive nature of the videos. We have been working hard to address aspects of student culture that run counter to the values of this institution,” he said.

“Our work continues. We deeply regret any pain caused by such insensitive behavior.”

In an email Vando sent to SMCSU Council members that was obtained by The Varsity, he said that his resignation was not yet official and that it needed to be voted on by council. According to the SMCSU constitution, a resignation needs to be approved by the Council with a two-thirds majority.

“If council elects a new VP before my official resignation, you will be going against your own constitution, and that will be another issue and headache that you will have to deal with,” reads Vando’s email to SMCSU Council members. Vando clarified to The Varsity that his resignation “is definitely still happening.”

“By issue and headache I mean that there are council members who want to follow due diligence in regards to our constitution, and I don’t want them to be negatively affected,” he continued.

Nixon told The Varsity that SMCSU council members will convene on Monday to vote on Vando’s resignation.

4 • THE VARSITY • NEWS

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VUSAC Finance Chair resigns amidst council conflicts Student alleges transphobia, ableism Jacob Lorinc and Tom Yun Managing Online Editor and News Editor

The Finance Chair of the Victoria University Students’ Administrative Council (VUSAC) has resigned from their position amidst innercouncil conflicts.

Nicole, who requested that The Varsity refrain from using their last name because they are not out in all circles as non-binary, was admitted to a hospital from November 15–23.

They sent a 42-page document to VUSAC and The Varsity explaining how VUSAC had responded to their hospitalization by considering their termination due to their inability to carry out their fiduciary duties during that time. Their report also accuses the union of transphopia and ableism.

In a statement posted to VUSAC’s Facebook page, the union claimed that the consideration of Nicole’s termination was unrelated to their hospitalization and referred to a

series of previously filed grievances from various VUSAC members regarding Nicole’s conduct as being the cause for them to consider termination.

“VUSAC’s issues with the Finance Chair are not recent,” reads the statement. “Over the last semester, the VUSAC Vice President Internal and the Chair have received a number of complaints that are both personal and professional in nature about the conduct of the Finance Chair.”

The statement lists allegations of “ableist jokes” inside and outside the office, “speaking about self-harm and suicide in ways that are both inappropriate and triggering,” and “neglecting finance duties while in the office.”

VUSAC Chair Saambavi Mano emailed the complaints to Nicole a day prior to their resignation, writing that the complaints “constitute grounds for firing” them, according to the VUSAC’s Constitution.

Nicole told The Varsity: “Basically it was a lot of miscommunica-

tion on both sides but also a lack of support in my role as finance chair where communication was given, as well as rampant microaggressions throughout council.”

Nicole said that they were “not checked on” while in the hospital, particularly regarding their ability to fulfill their duties as Finance Chair during that time. With respect to the grievances filed against them, they referred to the grievance report that they filed, and said, “some [grievances] are fair and I took responsibility for, while others are ungrounded.”

In an email statement to The Varsity, VUSAC Communications Coordinator Shailee Koranne reiterated that Nicole’s hospitalization was unrelated to the grievances that were sent to them.

“All of the issues VUSAC has had with Nicole go back to before their hospitalization,” she said.

Koranne also addressed accusations of transphobia at VUSAC. She highlighted an event that it hosted in collaboration with the

NATHAN CHAN/THE VARSITY

VUSAC alleges that its issues with Nicole stemmed before their hospitalization.

University College Literary and Athletic Society but also said that “we need to do better.”

“We recognize that one endorsed event against transphobia is not the same as openly combating transphobia, but accusations of complete inaction on part of VUSAC are unfair,”

said Koranne. “Again, VUSAC will do better, starting with comprehensive equity training as we said in our statement yesterday.”

Disclosure: Saambavi Mano is a Varsity Columnist and Shailee Koranne is a Varsity Contributor.

Jordan Peterson receives patron boost following political correctness videos Psychology prof earning over $8,000 monthly from previously established Patreon account Jenna Moon Varsity Staff

Since gaining international media attention for his YouTube lecture series on gender and political correctness, Psychology Professor Jordan Peterson has seen a spike in donations to his Patreon account.

Peterson has been soliciting donations from Patreon, a website that allows supporters of its members to contribute a recurring monthly amount, since March 18, 2016. The page was initially established to facilitate donations to support his creation of YouTube lectures on psychology.

Since the first video on political correctness was released on September 27, his earnings per month through Patreon have increased over 500 per cent, from $1,177.17 to $8,134.23. The number of patrons has also increased significantly, from 180 to 784 as of press time.

Peterson stated in a comment to The Varsity that with the money, he is “trying to determine how to best use YouTube for educational purposes, and to improve the videos” that he has been uploading.

At press time, Peterson had not uploaded a video on psychology since the release of his political correctness videos.

Users of the site can increase monthly goals that will allow them to create new content. When Peterson opened his account, his goal was to raise $1,000 a month which he would use to transcribe his lectures.

Peterson’s monthly Patreon earnings

$ earnings per month

# of patrons

10,000

1000 Patrons Earnings

8,000 6,000

800 600

First “Professor against political correctness” video uploaded

4,000

400

2,000 0

200

Sep 5

Sep 15

Sep 25

Oct 5

Oct 15

Oct 25

Nov 4

Nov 14

Nov 24

Dec 4

DATA FROM GRAPHTREON.COM

After that goal was reached, he sought $2,000 a month to create a home video studio and “concentrate on producing more YouTube videos.” Currently, Peterson is seeking $10,000 a month, so that he can hire “two cameramen, with the proper equipment” to record his classes next year.

A portion of Peterson’s Patreon page states, “The additional financial support helps me remain confident that I can remain independent in my thinking and less vulnerable to institutional pressure, should that be brought to bear.”

When asked to elaborate on this, Peterson replied that he had “no idea how stable” his position at U of T is. He referenced the letters he received from Vice-Provost, Faculty and Academic Life Sioban Nelson, Arts and Science Dean Da-

vid Cameron, and Department of Psychology Chair Susanne Ferber.

“That speaks for itself. I’m not counting on any stability in my job whatsoever given recent events,” he said.

Peterson is a tenured professor; the university describes it in its policy on professional appointments as: “the holding by a member of the professorial staff of the University of a continuing full-time appointment which the University has relinquished the freedom to terminate before the normal age of retirement except for cause,” or other extenuating circumstances which the policy describes as grounds for termination.

An hour after the initial statement was sent to The Varsity, Peterson expressed frustration at this newspaper’s pursuit of this article.

“Here’s an idea, why don’t you do a story on the fact that my YouTube channel, prior to this political firestorm, had already attracted a million viewers? That means I brought advanced psychology knowledge to a million people – free,” he said in the email.

He continued: “But you can’t do that, because you are so blinded by your damnable ideology that you muckrake instead. Why do good, when you can advance your ideological presumptions, and find someone to hate?”

The site also allows Patrons to collect different rewards, based on the amount of their monthly contribution. One of the rewards that Peterson offers is a set of login credentials to the SelfAuthoring Suite, a psychology website created by Peterson that aims to help users

perform an “in-depth analysis of [their] own personality.” Patrons that contribute $10.00 a month are also rewarded with a copy of his book.

Those who contribute amounts of $50.00 or more per month are additionally rewarded with a conversation with Peterson via video chat. Currently, 27 people contribute an amount of $50 or more to Peterson’s page monthly.

In addition to the Patreon page, Peterson has been selling “Pokemon PC” sticker sets in sheets of 50 for $12.94 plus $4.95 shipping or sheets of 100 for $19.95 plus $4.95 shipping on eBay. According to Peterson, the stickers are being sold “for their printing price plus the cost of the administrative work and postage required on top of that.” Peterson did not clarify what is included in the cost of administrative work, when asked.

The stickers are intended to accompany an upcoming app that mimics the popular Pokémon Go app. Those that purchase the stickers are invited to “look for posters that advertise the PC Game” and then paste a sticker onto the poster.

Then, players can upload photos of their handiwork to the app. Peterson confirmed that the app would be free.

Peterson declined further requests for comment on the Pokemon PC game, telling The Varsity, “You’re clearly searching for a reason to discredit what I’m doing and who I am. Why would I participate in that?”

DECEMBER 5, 2016 • 5

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Lawsuit involving UTGSU and former executive member ongoing Both parties allege disparaging remarks made Tom Yun News Editor

Two years have passed since the beginning of a legal dispute between the University of Toronto Graduate Students’ Union (GSU) and a former executive of the union.

On December 1, 2014, Walter Callaghan, who had served five months as the UTGSU’s Academics and Funding Commissioner for Divisions 1 & 2, filed a lawsuit against the UTGSU and all the members of the union’s executive committee at the time.

Callaghan is seeking a total of $100,000 in damages, plus $25,000 towards a charitable donation for an organization that supports soldiers and veterans with post-traumatic stress disorder.

In addition to the union, the defendants are former Academics and Funding Commissioner for Divisions 3 & 4 Hussain Masoom, former Finance and University Governance Commissioner Soaleha Shams, former Civics and Environment Commissioner Susanne Waldorf, former Internal Commissioner Nickie van Lier, and former Member-at-large Kavita Siewrattan. Siewrattan is currently the Scarborough Campus Students’ Union’s Executive Director.

In his Statement of Claim, Callaghan alleges that the defendants had a “hostility” towards his mental health concerns. Callaghan is a Canadian Armed Forces veteran who suffers from post-traumatic stress disorder and receives a Permanent Impairment Allowance from Veterans Affairs.

Callaghan alleges that when he requested that mental health issues be a “top priority” for the Executive Committee’s “Planning & Visioning Day,” Masoom, van Lier, and Shams insisted that mental health issues be downgraded to a “secondary priority.”

The Statement of Claim also states that Callaghan frequently sparred with the defendants over disagreements relating to the Canadian Federation of Students (CFS).

Callaghan spoke against a policy at the CFS General Meeting in June 2014, arguing that it “could have the effect of supporting involuntary institutionalization and criminalization of persons with mental health issues.” Masoom and van Lier allegedly told Callaghan that he was overreacting and blamed his “personal issues.”

Callaghan also chaired the UTGSU litigation committee.

During that time the union was in the midst of a lawsuit against the CFS. Callaghan’s Statement of Claim says that the majority of the defendants had a desire to end the lawsuit and allegedly saw Callaghan as an “obstacle to ending the litigation.”

Husband of U of T-appointed physician charged with her murder Both the victim and the accused were Assistant Professors at the Faculty of Medicine Jaren Kerr Managing Editor

RUESHEN AKSOY/THE VARSITY

The UTGSU has budgeted $150,000 for its legal expenses for this lawsuit.

It also alleges that Shams accused Callaghan of “being too unstable to perform his duties and suggested he should increase his medication.” Shams is also accused of calling Callaghan’s mental health issues “unprofessional.”

Finally, the Statement of Claim alleges that the defendants pursued “a secret complaint process” against Callaghan.

“The defendants, or some combination of them, privately encouraged a group of UTGSU staff to file a grievance against Mr. Callaghan,” reads a portion of the statement.

“They pursued this strategy in secret, and with the intention of removing Mr. Callaghan as a political obstacle. The defendants conducted the grievance process without any regard for procedural or substantive fairness.”

Citing mental distress and a relapse, Callaghan resigned from his position on October 28, 2014.

The defendants filed a 21-page Statement of Defence in January 2015, denying the allegations made

by Callaghan in his Statement of Claim. They also say that Siewrattan took office on October 1, 2014, and was not in office at the time of nearly all of Callaghan’s allegations.

The defendants say that Callaghan was never discriminated against and was given ample accommodation. They also say that Masoom and van Lier never objected to making mental health issues a “top priority.”

With regards to the policy at the CFS meeting, the Statement of Defence says that van Lier “encouraged Callaghan to publicly share his views on the CFS amendment and the group,” and the executive “supported him fully.”

The defendants also say that Callaghan never complained to the UTGSU General Council and allege that Callaghan has harassed and bullied some of the defendants.

They allege that Callaghan was “intolerant and aggressive towards his colleague Shams who had openly disclosed her mental health issues to him,” and Callaghan’s “militarized references and aggressive language or gestures” gave her anxiety.

Callaghan also allegedly publicly referred to Shams as “Kool-Aid Kid,” “imbecile,” “dumb as shit,” and “puppet.” The Statement of Defence alleges that his hostility towards Shams at one point caused Shams to suffer a panic attack.

Callaghan is also accused of discriminating and harassing Masoom, allegedly calling him a “suicide bomber” due to his Muslim faith. He is also alleged to have made other Islamophobic statements.

The Statement of Defense also calls Callaghan’s allegations of a secret grievance from UTGSU staff “both shocking and absurd” and says that there were complaints filed by staff members, calling his attitude towards staff “demeaning and aggressive.”

The defendants deny any political motivation behind grievances filed by CUPE Local 1281, the union representing UTGSU employees.

They allege that they attempted to set up an interview with Callaghan, but he did not respond to emails and “ultimately refused to participate in the investigation process.”

They also note that Callaghan resigned on his own accord.

The Statement of Defence also includes a counterclaim filed by Shams and Masoom against Cal-

laghan. Shams and Masoom are seeking $50,000 in damages for mental distress.

Callaghan filed a Reply and Defence to the Counterclaim 11 days after the counterclaim was filed.

According to Callaghan’s defense, the allegations that Callaghan made “aggressive” comments are “mischaracterized, grossly exaggerated, and taken out of context,” and he denied making any physical threats.

Callaghan also claims that Shams did not disclose the fact that she was suffering from mental health issues and that the names that he is alleged to have called Shams were never used publicly, with the exception of “puppet.” The reply also says that Callaghan did not intend to cause Masoom any distress and the comments were made in private.

Callaghan maintains that the defendants disparaged his mental health condition and pursued the grievance against him without regards to his health. His reply says that the Counterclaim is “false, vindictive, politically-motivated, and deserves the Court’s censure.”

The UTGSU budgeted $150,000 for the New Litigation Fund, to be used for legal expenses for this lawsuit. According to the union’s audited financial statements for the 2015–2016 year, it has spent $64,004 as of August 31, 2016.

Suzanne Narain, who is the UTGSU’s current Civics and Environmental Commissioner and a member of the Defense Committee, declined to comment “out of respect for all parties and the proceedings.”

None of the other parties in the case could be reached for comment.

The UTGSU’s annual general meeting is on December 6 at 6:00 pm.

Toronto police have charged a U of T prof with first-degree murder after a passerby discovered an adult woman’s body in a suitcase near a ravine in Kleinberg on December 1.

Mohammed Shamji, an Assistant Professor of Surgery at U of T’s Faculty of Medicine, was arrested on December 2 and charged for first-degree murder in the death of his wife, Dr. Elena Fric-Shamji, who also held the status of Assistant Professor at the Faculty of Medicine.

The police found Shamji at a coffee shop in Mississauga on December 2, when they took him into custody.

Strangulation and blunt force trauma were the causes of death.

Investigators believe that FricShamji was murdered at her home in North York at some time between the night of November 30 and the morning of December 1.

She was reported missing by her mother on December 1.

“She was last heard from Wednesday evening, that was the last time anyone heard from her,” said Detective Sgt. Steve Ryan, during a press conference on December 2. Ryan did not state a motive but claimed that “there were problems in their marriage.” Shamji’s wife had recently filed for a divorce.

Shamji appeared in court on December 3. He has been remanded until December 20.

Shamji, a neurosurgeon, worked at the Toronto Western Hospital while Fric-Shamji, a family physician, worked at The Scarborough Hospital.

The couple was married for approximately 12 years. They had three children together, who are currently with their maternal grandmother.

“It’s a sad case, you’ve got three children who are now without their mom and their dad,” said Ryan.

Dr. Virginia Walley, President of the Ontario Medical Association, issued a statement regarding the physician’s death, calling her “a talented family physician who was active in many efforts to improve the health-care system.”

“We are all stunned by the tragic news of [her] untimely death,” Walley’s statement continues. “At this time, our thoughts and prayers are with her family, her friends, and her colleagues.”

6 • THE VARSITY • NEWS

news@thevarsity.ca

City of Toronto Executive Committee approves low income TTC fare discounts First phase of implementation to begin in 2018, pending City Council approval Helena Najm and Katrina Wozniuk Varsity Contributor

The City of Toronto Executive Committee has approved a proposal to offer discounted Toronto Transit Commission (TTC) fares to low-income Torontonians.

The proposal, called the Fair Pass Program, is a policy that stems from a report that the City Manager released on November 16, which details the next steps for the Toronto Poverty Reduction Strategy. Part of this plan involves the implementation of a discount of 33 per cent for adult fare on the TTC and 21 per cent for Metropasses.

The program would be implemented in phases, with Phase 1 beginning in 2018 and applying to Ontario Disability Support Program and Ontario Works recipients not in receipt of transportation supports. Phase 2 will begin in March 2019 after an evaluation of Phase 1 and will see the extension of the program to residents receiving housing or child care subsidies whose household income is no greater than 15 per cent over the Low Income Measure.

A report on Phase 2 will precede the implementation of Phase 3 in 2020, which will extend eligibility to all Toronto residents living with incomes no greater than 15 per cent over the Low Income Measure.

This comes as a bittersweet success for TTCriders, an advocacy group founded in 2010 that works with TTC users’ interests, including advocating for more affordable fares.

The Varsity spoke with Arjun Sawhney, a U of T student involved in the TTCrider eq-

uitable fare campaign, who explained what he sees as drawbacks of how the Fair Pass program will be implemented.

“Implementing a Fair Pass Program sooner rather than later would of course be ideal. However, like most government affairs, things take time and cannot happen overnight. What is troubling, though, is that the proposal includes a drawn out three-phase process which would take up until 2020 to be fully implemented,” he said. “I understand that [Mayor John] Tory is working within budgetary constraints, but for people to wait until 2020 is unreasonable.”

These sentiments were also echoed by Herman Rosenfeld, Chair for the North West Outreach Committee for TTCriders, who told The Varsity that the 2018 implementation date is too far away.

“It is a first step that many people have been fighting for over a decade or so,” said Rosenfeld. “Up until now, the TTC and the city had been adamant that they cannot adjust the amount they charge transit users, according to their incomes or needs.”

Rosenfeld also believes that a 33 per cent discount is not enough: “Our demands are that fares be waived for people on social assistance and [Metropasses] be $50 for others on low incomes. We will continue to fight for these demands.”

Geography Professor Steven Farber at UTSC, whose research focuses are equity and transportation in land use planning, is a member of the city’s Advisory Council for Fare Equity. He praised this approach to

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The TTC will offer discounts of 33 per cent for adult fares and 21 per cent for Metropasses. reaching low-income riders and also spoke at the last Executive Council meeting.

“Research shows that more low-income riders rely on single fares because they don’t ride 40+ times per month, they don’t have $141 at any given moment to shell out all at once on a monthly pass, and their funds and transit usage doesn’t align with the strict calendar month definition which passes apply to,” Farber said. “Thus, the city is being very bold and foresightful to be offering a steep reduction on the single-fare, but this also means that the monthly discount isn’t as high as one might like it to be.”

Other Canadian cities that have low income fare discounts include Calgary, where

a discounted monthly transit pass currently costs $44.00. Mississauga is also offering 50 per cent discounted fares for its MiWay transit system until February 28, 2017, as part of a pilot project for 2,500 low income residents.

Funding for the proposed subsidy will come from the City of Toronto’s operating budget and will therefore have no impact on non-subsidized riders’ fares or the TTC’s operating budget. Sources of funding that the City could seek out include the proposed tolls on the Gardiner Expressway and Don Valley Parkway and property tax increases.

The plan is pending approval from Toronto City Council, which will meet on December 13.

New CIUT radio show talks activism, social justice on campus WeAreUofT airs Tuesdays 11:00 am to 12:00 pm Kaitlyn Simpson Associate News Editor

A new weekly radio show is looking into activism, awareness, and political organization on and off campus.

The hour-long show, #WeAreUofT, airs on CIUT, which is the UTSG radio station. The show first aired on October 25 and has since aired six episodes.

The show is hosted by U of T PhD student and founder of the U of T chapter of Silence is Violence, Ellie Ade Kur. Victoria College student and former UTSU Vice-President External Lucinda Qu was a co-host for the first few episodes but is no longer involved with the show.

Guests, experts, and leaders are invited to come on the show and discuss the topic of the week.

“Our goal is to provide a platform that highlights marginalized voices in social movements,” Ade Kur told The Varsity.

At the beginning of the second episode Qu spoke about the purpose of the show: “What’s clear to us is that there’s more than one U of T: there’s U of T the institution, there’s U of T the place, but there’s also U of T the community. And that is the U of T we’re reporting on.”

Qu said that the show will focus on organizers, activists, and members of the U of T community seeking to enact change.

When asked why the show was initially created, Ade Kur said, “When people think about the University of Toronto they don’t typically think about it as a space of resistance. #WeAreUofT is about highlighting social movements and activism at the University and in the city more broadly.”

Ade Kur also stated that choosing episodetopics consists of “reaching out to communities in the city that aren’t typically highlighted by mainstream media sources.”

CIUT initially approached the hosts to “fill a gap” in their content and focus on pressing stories that are currently “missing from media both on campus and in the city.”

The first three episodes of the show comprised a series about transphobia and the trans community on campus, anti-Blackness, free speech politics, and the comments made

by Psychology Professor Jordan Peterson.

At the beginning of the episode, Ade Kur said the show disagrees with an “equal sides” framework on this issue. “This is a discussion about the struggle of groups of oppressed people to gain full rights and equality on this campus — and those who would attempt to preserve historical privileges and the status

WeAreUofT recording in the CIUT studio. NATHAN CHAN/THE VARSITY quo,” she said.

The series highlighted a variety of guests from the trans community, Women and Gender Studies Professor Beverly Bain, members from newly-formed student group Students in Support of Free Speech (SSFS), the Black Liberation Collective (BLC), and more.

In their fifth episode, #WeAreUofT returned to discuss trans rights, free speech, and the recent debate held between Peterson, Law Professor Brenda Cossman, and UBC Education Professor Mary Bryson. UTSU Vice-President University Affairs, Cassandra Williams, was interviewed in this episode alongside Jassie Justice, the cultural coordinator at Toronto-based porn collective SPIT. The show also touched on the recent US presidential election and the derogatory

comments made by President-elect Donald Trump about women. Ade Kur interviewed members of Rhythms of Resistance Toronto, a “samba-inspired” social and environmental justice band. They discussed the recent antiTrump protest, Pussy Grabs Back Toronto, which was held outside the Trump Hotel on October 24 as well as sexual violence against women in general. #WeAreUofT’s latest episode was about the Boycott, Divestment, and Sanctions movement, and Ade Kur interviewed members of the U of T Graduate Student Union (GSU) ad-hoc Boycott, Divestment, and Sanctions committee.

The show airs on Tuesday mornings from 11:00 am to 12:00 pm on 89.5. Past episodes can be heard on SoundCloud.

DECEMBER 5, 2016 • 7

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U of T rolls out new cybersecurity initiatives How U of T is responding to security breach incidents Sophia Savva Varsity Staff

Recent IT security breaches at Canadian universities has prompted U of T to take a closer look at its current cybersecurity infrastructure and introduce new security measures.

Last June, the University of Calgary paid hackers $20,000 after a ransomware attack targeted their computer systems. The hackers encrypted the university’s staff and faculty email servers, which prevented any access and provided decryption keys once the ransom was paid.

“This attack is part of a disturbing global trend of highly sophisticated and malicious malware attacks against organizations including NASA, law enforcement agencies and large health-care institutions,” a press release from the University of Calgary stated. “Ransomware attacks and the payment of ransoms are becoming increasingly common around the world.”

More recently, Carleton University announced on Tuesday that an outside group or individual attempted to hack into its IT network.

According to Carleton, any Microsoft Windows-based system accessible from the main university network may have been compromised and the university warned users that ransomware messages demanding bitcoin payments may appear on their devices.

U of T suffered two security breaches in 2014. A hacker gained unauthorized access to the Department of Computer Science’s computer security. In another incident, scammers accessed the personal information of medical students — including their credit card numbers — by releasing a virus onto a U of T server.

Mike Wiseman, the IT Security Team Manager at U of T, told The Varsity that the university is “constantly monitoring for cybersecurity issues and making adjustments as needed.”

After the University of Calgary hack, Wiseman says U of T re-examined its own processes and services and ensured it was protected from “unauthorized attacks.”

“As you can imagine, the technology changes drastically, and we always need to be aware of new issues and new techniques,” said Wiseman. “And so the University has undertaken several initiatives recently to address the overall cybersecurity environment.”

Among them is the university’s high-level Policy on Information Security and the Protection of Digital Assets, which was finalized in February 2016. According to U of T’s Information Technology Services’ website, the policy was created in response to the increasing risks of cyberattacks and physical manipulation of U of T’s information security.

The policy aims to “protect the privacy, confidentiality, integrity, and availability” of U of T’s data and systems and guide the actions of U of T community members with access to these

BRIAN KLUG/CC FLICKR

In separate incidents, the University of Calgary and Carleton University were both the target of ransomware attacks. systems and this information.

U of T also launched an information security awareness program that helps staff, faculty, and students detect online risks to their personal information.

The university is in the process of hiring a Vice-Provost & Associate Vice-President of Digital Strategies.

Wiseman says U of T is “rolling out” Information Risk Management Program Services, to help departments and faculties plan new projects and services with a focus on cybersecurity. For example, a department looking to

create a new website would consult the risk assessment service, which would help them increase security on the website.

According to Wiseman, making these security considerations early is key to protection against malware and other cyber threats.

“You can’t get a perfect result when you’re trying to protect in the security realm,” says Wiseman. “But you can get to the point where you have done everything and put effort into all these recommended areas, and that goes a long way to protecting your organization and your people.”

University Affairs Board rejects Council on Student Services Chair nominee

CUPE 3261 and U of T renegotiate benefit entitlements for food service workers

Student leaders express concerns over decision

Change follows allegations that agreement denied paid sick leave

Tom Yun News Editor

Jack O. Denton Associate News Editor

Last Monday, the University of Toronto Governing Council’s University Affairs Board (UAB) rejected the Council on Student Services’ (CoSS) nominee for Chair of CoSS, Sandra Hudson.

CoSS, which is a body under Student Life at U of T, governs the compulsory fees that students are charged for Student Life, the Faculty of Kinesiology and Physical Education — which go towards Athletic Centre membership — and Hart House.

The power to nominate candidates for Chair of CoSS is shared among the University of Toronto Graduate Students’ Union (UTGSU), the Association of Part-time Undergraduate Students (APUS), and the University of Toronto Students’ Union (UTSU) on a rotating basis. This year, it was the UTGSU’s turn to nominate, and the union chose to nominate Sandra Hudson.

Although the UTGSU has the ability to nominate up to three candidates, its only nominee was Hudson, a former UTSU executive director and a former Governing Council member who is currently in the midst of a lawsuit with the UTSU in which the union alleged that she received improperly-issued severance payments. Hudson has also filed a counterclaim against the union alleging that it violated non-disparagement and confidentiality clauses in her termination agreement.

Hudson’s nomination was approved at CoSS’ October 31 meeting. All four of the UTSU representatives on CoSS were absent

for that meeting.

Brieanne Berry-Crossfield, the UTGSU’s Finance Commissioner and CoSS representative, expressed her disappointment at UAB’s decision at the November 30 CoSS meeting.

“That holds a weird amount of pressure on us to try and make a decision,” she said, during the meeting. “As far as I know, the relationship between CoSS and UAB is advisory, but I didn’t believe that advisory also meant they had a direct hand at how this body will actually run itself,” BerryCrossfield said.

UTSU Vice-President Internal Mathias Memmel, who also sits on CoSS, expressed similar sentiments: “I find UAB’s failing of the recommended COSS chair person concerning to say the least. This is a further erasure to an already-weak system of student-influenced governance at U of T.” U of T Media Relations Director Althea Blackburn-Evans told The Varsity that because UAB’s discussion of the CoSS Chair appointment occurred in camera, no details regarding the reasoning behind UAB’s decision can be shared.

The UTGSU has the ability to nominate two more candidates and in the event that the union is unable to make further nominations, the ability to nominate a chair will roll over to APUS, which is next in line for the rotation.

“At this week’s UAB meeting, the GSU rep there indicated that they’d take it back to the GSU executive to consider that and they’d follow up by the week’s end,” BlackburnEvans told The Varsity.

Neither Berry-Crossfield nor Hudson responded to The Varsity’s requests for comment.

U of T and CUPE 3261, the union representing service workers at the university, have agreed to a waiver for former Aramark employees that will allow them to receive benefit entitlements without having been employed by the university for a minimum of 60 days.

This exception to the collective agreement — which still requires employees to have been employed a minimum of 60 days by the university in order to receive benefit entitlements — comes in light of allegations that the university was denying sick leave benefits to workers suffering from terminal illnesses or serious long-term conditions who had been working for Aramark before the university assumed control of food services.

William* has been working in food services at the university since before Aramark’s contract was taken over by the university. He contacted The Varsity early last week alleging that he and at least one other worker were being denied paid sick leave for serious conditions as a result of the 60-day employment requirement.

William said that he reached out to human resources and Allan James, the president of CUPE 3261, about his case.

U of T Media Relations Director Althea Blackburn-Evans told The Varsity the waiver of the 60-day requirement would apply to former Aramark employees’ and this waiver came in response to the claims that former Aramark employees were not going to receive benefits under the current agreement.

“It’s a negotiated exception to the requirement in the collective agreement; the requirement will

NATHAN CHAN/THE VARSITY

A scene from a rally held on campus over the summer in support of U of T food services workers. continue to apply to all other employees, unless the University and the CUPE negotiate something different,” she said, and that “CUPE is signing off on this exception [on December 2].”

In August, U of T took over its in-house food services after choosing not to renew its contract with Aramark earlier that year. The changeover prompted a number of rallies hosted by UNITE HERE Local 75, which represents food service workers in Toronto, primarily raising concerns about whether the workers would have to be re-interviewd, whether they would keep their seniority, and if they would have to be subject to a 90-day probationary period of employment.

James did not respond to The Varsity’s requests for comment. *Name changed at individual’s request — With files from Tom Yun.

Comment

December 5, 2016 var.st/comment comment@thevarsity.ca

Take a chance on the city Exploring the many benefits of growing up in an urban environment

ELHAM NUMAN/THE VARSITY

Jenisse Minott Varsity Columnist

We are constantly confronted with messages that tout the plentiful benefits of living in a suburbian paradise. Whether it be the pastel-coloured landscapes of Hollywood smalltown classics or the safe and sleepy havens portrayed on the nightly news — often in conjunction to dirty and crime-ridden urban settings — the suburbs certainly appear to be the logical place to settle down.

Yet, a child who grows up in an urban environment is surrounded by opportunities, and this is evident when looking at our own city. Toronto’s inspiring qualities lie in much more than the street meat or the city lights that keep it aglow at night. There is a peculiar freedom attached to maneuvering through a place so large and so full that one never runs out of new people to meet or new places to see.

Suburban upbringing, in contrast, is perhaps best described as a colour-by-numbers attempt at artistry. There is a persistent myth that the suburbs are the only adequate place to settle down or have children — and that any possible denial of this statement comes from those out of touch with the grime and grit of the city’s realities. Although the merits of a full backyard and a white picket fence appeal to many, finances and job opportunities often deter people from moving out to these more spacious and family-friendly areas.

Yet, growing up in the city is not the consolation prize that it may appear to be. In fact, children who move from subway car to streetcar may just be better-adjusted than their suburban counterparts who move from lane to lane in their cars.

For the New York City blog 6sqft, writer Michelle Cohen interviewed several parents from varying circumstances and asked why they had intentionally opted for urban living over the suburban experience. Many parents felt it was more convenient to both live and work in the city. Parents who work in the city while living in the suburbs tend to spend a good chunk of time commuting; without this, more hours in the day could be spent with their children.

For some parents, the nature of their job is so specialized that it is difficult to find work in their field outside of the city. Others simply do not wish to work outside of the city.

Though in many cases parents are willing to put their careers on the backburner while they focus on child-rearing, there is no need for that when one lives in the city.

Jessica Grose, an advocate for the suburban lifestyle, has cited a lack of diversity as a definite consequence of life beyond the city.

According to statistics on the City of Toronto website as per censuses conducted in Etobicoke neighbourhoods, while there are visible minorities in these suburbs, the majority of the population tends to be made up of people of European origin. In comparison, Trinity Bellwoods of downtown Toronto also has a highly concentrated European population but has ranked Chinese as the second most populous ethnic origin amongst the community.

Most universities and workforces are multicultural, at least in some capacity, and children who have never interacted with people of different races are more likely to experience culture shock in the real world. Being able to traverse the city, moving from Chinatown to Little Jamaica and all the other in-betweens is a perk of growing up in the heart of an energetic hub of activity that belongs to more than just one relatively homogenous group of people.

Lastly, growing up in the city affects the identities of the children who live there. The carbon-copy housing designs of the suburbs and the small communities created through public school and extracurricular activities create an environment where children can grow, be outspoken, and become fearless.

When combined with the lack of exposure to alternate and opposing worldviews, however, it is possible that these traits — much admired in children — can grow into the small-minded entitlement of teenagers and students on university campuses.

According to researchers like Dr. Suniya S. Luthar, well-off suburban students break just as many rules as inner-city youth. However, suburban deviance tends to be more focused on acts like cheating and stealing from friends and family, as opposed to crimes to do with personal safety and self-defence, such as carrying a weapon, which are more common in inner-city neighbourhoods.

We also hear of suburban kids conducting notorious escapades and feeling as though they can get away with them. The ‘Bling Ring,’ a group of teenagers based in and around Calabasas, California, stole millions of dollars in

cash and luxury goods from a slew of celebrity homes. Motivations behind such offences are often centred on a need for excitement and escape from the dullness of suburban living.

In many cases, people do grow out of and evolve from these characteristics — and city kids can certainly be spoiled as well.

Yet when one is centralized in the city, they are bred with a more realistic idea of their place in the world by being exposed to more perspectives.

One of the mothers Cohen interviewed discussed the importance of teaching city kids ‘street smarts’ in addition to basic safety such as wearing helmets and not talking to strangers; she revealed that doing so strengthened the character of her children.

These are things that city parents worry about more than suburban parents, and the effect is to develop the skills children will need for adulthood.

The ways in which city children interact with the world around them differs greatly compared to that of their suburban counterparts. There is more nuance, more application, and more fluidity in their views of the world, simply because they have been exposed to more of it. Though some people dream of owning a picture-perfect home in the suburbs, others cannot imagine parting with the skyscrapers and loud city noises, and that is perfectly acceptable as well.

Jenisse Minott is a second-year student at UTM studying Communications, Culture, Information, and Technology. Her column appears every three weeks.

DECEMBER 5, 2016 • 9

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Off campus and off the record

Evaluating the misguided overreactions to the Queen’s University costume party Simon Capobianco Varsity Contributor

As the political correctness wave sweeps across university campuses, oozes into the cracks of society, and percolates up through the holes in our legal system, one of its more garish manifestations has been the emergence of ‘Halloween police’ — although a more appropriate term might be ‘Halloween vigilantes.’

The Internet is replete with lists of unacceptable costumes, along with tortured explanations of why seemingly innocuous getups like the Pocahontas costume — likely often worn in tribute as Pocahontas is one of the more well-known heroines of history — are in fact deeply racist and offensive, even ‘harmful.’

Whenever I read about a university scandal over ‘racist’ costume parties, the first thing that springs to mind isn’t whether there is anything wrong with specific costumes, or what kind of costumes are or aren’t racist stereotypes. Although I do feel that there are many non-racist, tasteful, and even honorific ways to pull off culture-themed Halloween costumes — and that the social justice warrior movement’s inability or unwillingness to acknowledge this distinction is a major problem — I find that, in this context, a more

appropriate question is: why is it anyone’s business what someone somewhere wears to a costume party?

Take, for example, the recent fracas over a costume party — some Queen’s University students at an off campus party dressed as groups of Buddhist monks, Viet Cong soldiers, and Saudi Sheiks. There was a public outcry after photos were released online, and Queen’s Principal Daniel Woolf announced gravely that the university will be “taking the matter very seriously.” The Alma Mater Society has also clamoured for action, citing the usual concerns about students feeling “uncomfortable” and “unwelcome.”

Disturbingly, the university indicated in an official statement that it may take action regardless of the fact that the costumes were worn to a private, non-university party — a crucial detail which has been, unsurprisingly, ignored by commentators who decry the actions of the party-goers and the mainstream media. Queen’s will “take appropriate measures to address [the] concerns... if this event falls within the scope of Queen’s Student Code of Conduct,” the university declared, emphasizing that “the Code of Conduct is applicable to students’ off-campus conduct in certain circumstances.”

“These events undermine Queen’s ability to provide a welcoming and respectful

campus environment... We need to have an open and productive dialogue about race and racism on campus,” said Alma Mater Society Vice-President Carolyn Thompson.

Yet, given that the party was held off campus, its relevance to on campus racism is unclear.

Privacy and personal autonomy aside, was the party ‘shockingly’ racist? Some aspects of the costumes were certainly dubious; the rice hats worn by the group dressed as Viet Cong, for example, had a decidedly racist feel to them, but fell well short of ‘shocking’ to my mind at least. The Buddhist monk costumes were hardly stereotypes — religious groups, indeed any groups that display uniformity in outward appearance, are hardly the victims of generalization when associated with their characteristic garb.

As for the Saudi Sheik costumes, the argument that these costumes victimized an already oppressed minority does not fit; in fact, they are some of the most powerful and oppressive people in the world. There is absurdity in fretting over a ‘marginalized group’ that spent $87 billion of oil money on its military.

Among the endless outcries over ‘racist’ costumes, the overall ratio between serious concerns and indiscriminate nonsense, it seems to me, is heavily skewed toward the

nonsense. The official ‘no-nos’ include sexy outfits, prison jumpsuits, Trump masks, and, of course, the traditional accoutrements of any culture or religion whatsoever.

This practice has quite serious consequences. Decrying any and all reproductions of minority culture as racist not only neglects the crucial need for rational, objective evaluation of individual cases, it also cheapens legitimate concerns about actual racism, which become lost amid the maelstrom of exaggerated outrage over costumes.

As people become more accustomed to virtually everything being objected to for some reason or another, they start to tune out the constant cries of ‘wolf.’ When truly racist incidents occur, the resultant outrage, — having become the rule rather than the exception — may well lose some or all of its power to rouse public indignation.

What clothes are worn by some people in a house in Kingston is no business of mine, yours, the university’s, the Alma Mater Society’s, or anyone else’s. That this point has to be made at all, let alone defended, bodes ill indeed for the future of privacy in the era of political correctness.

Simon Capobianco is a fourth-year student at Woodsworth College studying Bioethics and Mathematics.

Why you shouldn’t see Fantastic Beasts Ignoring the abuse allegations against Johnny Depp is part of a recurring problem in Hollywood Adina Heisler Varsity Staff

It was recently revealed that actor Johnny Depp is featured among the cast of Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them. Many Harry Potter fans, myself included, were quite upset about this casting decision, given the allegations of abuse surrounding Depp.

In May of this year, Depp’s now ex-wife Amber Heard filed for divorce and later sought a restraining order against him due to alleged physical and verbal abuse throughout their 15-month marriage. As evidence, Heard submitted photos of herself to the court with a large bruise on her face, after he allegedly threw a cell phone at her, struck her face, pulled her hair, and hit her several times.

After Heard received her divorce settlement from Depp, she donated the entire settlement to charity.

Since the story broke, Depp’s career has not suffered all that much. Depp is the star of two popular and profitable Disney franchises, Pirates of the Caribbean and Alice in Wonderland. Disney CEO Bob Iger said in an interview with The Hollywood Reporter that he is “not worried” about Depp’s “personal problems” — as phrased by the interviewer — and, when asked if he thought the scandal would pass, he responded, “I don’t know whether it passes or not. We have Jack Sparrow.” Iger appears to be impying that since the character Depp plays in the franchise is so profitable and popular, the allegations are unlikely to impact Disney.

Depp being cast in a Harry Potter spinoff is especially disappointing considering

what the series is about. One of the main plot points in the series is that Harry is forced to spend his childhood with his abusive aunt and uncle, the Dursleys; the series examines the emotional damage done to him.

Additionally, Harry Potter is thematically centred on fighting those who use their power to inflict cruelty. The main villain, Voldemort, uses his power to discriminate, hunt, and kill those who he sees as not being ‘pure-blooded’ or anyone who opposes him.

Another villain, Dolores Umbridge, uses her positions of power to torture students and force them to obey her rules.

The fact that Depp, who seems to have used his power as a popular, high-profile celebrity to abuse his wife and keep his career intact, is now part of the Harry Potter world is both heartbreaking and a slap in the face — it goes directly against what the series stands for.

To make matters worse, J. K. Rowling, the author of the original series, stated that she was “delighted” with Depp’s casting. It is extremely frustrating and hypocritical that Rowling would seemingly turn her back on the values she put into the books in order to cast a high-profile actor like Depp.

The fact is that powerful men in Hollywood constantly seem to get a pass for their abusive behaviour. Woody Allen, for example, allegedly sexually abused his daughter Dylan Farrow when she was only seven years old. These allegations have been public knowledge since 1993, and Farrow herself wrote a powerful and gut-wrenching essay on the topic in 2014. Nevertheless, his career as a director has not suffered, and he

ELHAM NUMAN/THE VARSITY

has continued to make popular movies.

Some might argue that these men should be allowed to keep their careers because the allegations haven’t been proven in a court of law. Yet even when sexual assault and domestic abuse victims feel safe coming forward and there is sufficient evidence to prove guilt beyond a reasonable doubt in criminal proceedings, the careers of the abusers still might not be affected. For instance, director Roman Polanski actually pled guilty to statutory rape of a 13-year-old girl in 1977; since then, he has made countless films and even won an Oscar in 2003 for directing The Pianist.

Ultimately, the film industry is faced with a choice: stop working with those who have committed acts of abuse, assault, and violence or continue to let famous men know that they can get away with anything.

While the industry grapples with this decision, filmgoers and fans have a third option: boycott. I will not see any of the Fantastic Beasts films and strongly urge fellow fans to do the same.

Adina Heisler is a second-year student at University College studying Women and Gender Studies and English.

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Ten smarmy cents The new TTC fare hike will exacerbate the burden of transit costs for students

Many of us will soon be paying more for transit. VASSILIA JULIA AL AKAILA/THE VARSITY

Shailee Koranne Varsity Contributor

The Toronto Transit Commission (TTC) voted in favour of a 10 cent fare increase early last week, making it the sixth time in as many years that the TTC has increased costs for riders. The 10 cent fare hike means that PRESTO fare and tokens are now $3.00; postsecondary metropasses are now $116.75 per month; and adult metropasses are now $146.25 per month. Cash fare will stay at $3.25.

Despite the seemingly minute nature of the increase, I cannot help but be exasperated. Forget that the TTC is usually unreliable; forget the bothersome weekend closures, slow service, frequent stoppages, unbearable rush-hour congestion, and extensive inaccessibility. Even if the TTC were the best transit commission in the world, it would still be too expensive.

On the average day, I spend about three hours in transit, so my commute is time-consuming, tiring, and very expensive. I spend upwards of $400 a month on transit, and the added monthly cost on top of my already-expensive tuition is something we have to budget for in my household. This occurs even though I have two working parents and my family has a comfortable annual income, so I cannot imagine what a blow this fare increase must be to students who are not as privileged as I am.

Commuter students suffer because of high transit costs. When planning my schedule and picking my courses, I cannot prioritize interesting classes, and instead limit myself to classes on three days of the week. I

cannot take classes that are too early or too late, because it would disrupt the rest of my family’s routine. Often, I have stayed home and skipped a lecture because it didn’t feel worth it to spend nearly $20.00 and commute for three hours total for a class that was only 50 minutes long. I am hardly ever home in time to have dinner with my family and spend a considerable amount of money every month on food for that reason.

Now, tolls are being considered on the Gardiner and Don Valley Parkway, which might increase transit usage in the long-term. For now, however, there seem to be no plans laid out to ease the burden of transit costs for students and other commuters.

U of T should be doing more to accommodate commuters, who make up the majority of students at the university — especially considering that many other universities in Ontario cover local travel costs for their students. At the moment, we are offered a poorly-advertised 10 per cent discount on GO transit, which has to be renewed every year through an annoying process of getting a special discount card from Robarts.

Imagine the money students could save, for instance, if there was a Union Station-to-campus shuttle bus like the UTM-UTSG shuttle.

The TTC should also make a few small but significant changes. For instance, the commission could update their transfer rules by following Oakville Transit’s PRESTO system, which does not charge people for tapping their PRESTO cards on the bus if they have tapped on within the last two hours. If the TTC didn’t charge people for tapping their PRESTO

cards to get onto the subway until an hour after their most recent ride, it would make a substantial difference. Small changes like this would make the TTC a lot more popular and would create major savings for students and other transit users.

Going into 2017, the TTC is facing funding problems, with a deficit of $88 million. The most recent fare increase is supposed to bring in just $27 million more for the commission, which will still leave them with a $61 million gap in funds.

Clearly, a fare hike is not the sole solution to the TTC’s funding problem, and considering its detrimental impact, riders should not be squeezed for more and more money. After last year’s hike, the Toronto Star reported a sharp drop in ridership — 13 million people stopped using the TTC altogether. If money is to be raised, it ought to come from somewhere else.

Seemingly blind to the public outcry against the hike, the TTC is now selling merchandise — everything from onesies to posters to mugs. This is unlikely to be well-received.

Disdain for the TTC remains a uniting factor among Torontonians, and I’m tired of spending $6.00 a day to hear announcements of delays, closures, and slowmoving trains. Here’s to hoping the next conversation I have on the subway isn’t sparked by mutual eye-rolls and groans.

Shailee Koranne is a third-year student at Victoria College studying Equity Studies. She is the Opinions Editor for The Strand.

Editorial

December 5, 2016 var.st/comment comment@thevarsity.ca

What has the CFS done for you lately?

When it comes to defederation, it’s time you decided what’s best

Letters to the Editor Re: The media and the message “An excellent manifesto for journalism! We are living in uncertain times, and young Canadians had better not get complacent just because, by an accident of fate and contrary to world-wide trends, Canada has a liberal democratic government. People must be prepared to pay for maintaining an edifice within which journalism can survive and function.”

— Stefan Mochnacki (from web)

IRIS DENG/THE VARSITY

The Varsity Editorial Board The Canadian Federation of Students (CFS) was formed in 1981 to pool the collective resources of students’ unions across Canada and provide a platform to “effectively influence the post-secondary policies of the provincial and federal governments.”

Currently, the CFS represents about 500,000 students from over 80 students’ unions. The CFS-Ontario sector represents over 300,000 students from 37 students’ unions, including the University of Toronto Students’ Union (UTSU), the Scarborough Campus Students’ Union (SCSU), the University of Toronto Mississauga Students’ Union (UTMSU), the University of Toronto Graduate Students’ Union (UTGSU), and the Association of Part-time Undergraduate Students (APUS).

Meanwhile, the student-launched You Decide UofT is campaigning to spark a referendum on the UTSU’s membership within the CFS. Requiring signatures from 15 per cent of the UTSU’s members, this campaign provides a platform for students to evaluate if they want their students’ union to continue to be a part of the federation.

In order to take advantage of opportunities that influence its operations, it is essential for students to remain informed about the CFS’ current efforts, which is why The Varsity has compiled the following information to outline the stakes of the matter.

A significant amount of money pours into the CFS each year. For the 2016 fiscal year, the CFS-Ontario collected $1,565,809 in membership fees, with their total revenue amounting to $1,974,258.

With student members paying between $7.68 to $16.06 per year depending on their local, the UTSU, the SCSU, the UTGSU, and the APUS cumulatively contributed $598,678 in membership fees — roughly 38 per cent of the CFS-Ontario’s total budget.

The UTMSU was one of 17 locals that did not pay membership fees last year.

Since their money directly funds the CFS, students should be able to hold the federation accountable, and with the rising costs of tuition and living expenses, many students are understandably reluctant to hand over more money — this was made evident from the UTSU’s and the ASSU’s failed fee increase referenda earlier this year.

Services provided by the CFS are intended “to offset the high cost of education,” yet its solutions do not always responsibly manage the students’ money. For example, the UTSU utilized the CFS’ recommended health and dental care insurer, Green Shield Canada, for six years until the end of the 2015–2016 school year — before discovering that the contract had resulted in a $1.6 million loss.

Throughout the year, the CFS-Ontario’s top two areas of expense were Campaigns & Government Relations and Membership Development. Campaigns & Government Relations included $221,432 spent on vague classifications, such as “Strategy” and “Fieldworking.” Membership Development included $127,459 towards the cost of accommodations, meeting rooms, travel, meals, materials, translation, speakers, and per diems incurred by the federation’s annual Skills Development Symposium. However, it is difficult to evaluate the direct benefits of this event on the overall success of the CFS. A sum of $895,616 — approximately 45 per cent of the total revenue — went towards covering the CFS-Ontario’s employees’ wages, benefits, Employment Insurance, and Canadian Pension Plans.

The CFS also aims to represent students through campaigning for: tuition fees; equity for part-time, international, Indigenous, and LGBTQ+ students; violence on campus; food security; and public transit. Past victories that the CFS credits itself with include the implementation of postsecondary discounted Toronto Transit Commission metropasses, the creation of a $500 grant for part-time students, and the development of the Ontario Council on Articulation and Transfer to oversee province-wide credit transfer.

Because the CFS is such a large organization that purports to speak for all the members under its bureaucratic wing — and because the issues it lobbies for are politically-charged — students must have a say in the causes that it fights for, and they must feel it properly represents their voice.

The CFS relies heavily on “pressure” to achieve its broad, overarching goals, such as “the progressive reduction and elimination of tuition fees for all.” Proclaiming that “no individual students’ union, no matter how big or active, has the resources or

the political clout on their own,” the CFS strongly believes in the force of numbers.

The federation’s current campaign, Fight the Fees, exemplifies some of its go-to strategies: rallies, marches, and protests.

The effectiveness of such methods continues to be up for debate, which is why other coalitions, such as the Canadian Alliance of Student Associations, the Ontario Undergraduate Student Alliance, and ADVOCAN, have opted for a more direct approach to government lobbying and communication.

This is not to say that the CFS’ tactics are not working, but that there are other ways to apply action and invoke change.

Historically, the CFS and the UTSU have had a complicated relationship, which has included mixed opinions from past UTSU executives on CFS membership. As of now, the current UTSU executive has not explicitly provided a stance on defederation, but it has repeatedly demonstrated the ways in which it does not approve of the CFS’ operations.

For example, UTSU was one of 10 signatories on an open letter criticizing the federation’s structure and calling for reform.

Additionally, it submitted another letter criticizing the CFS’ National ‘Day’ of Action — part of the Fight the Fees campaign — and retaliated by prioritizing its own ‘Week’ of Action. The UTSU is also one of the seven participating unions in ADVOCAN. The UTSU’s actions speak loudly, but it is purposely not overriding student discourse on the issue of defederation. According to UTSU President Jasmine Wong Denike, “The bylaws of the CFS state that any petition must be initiated by students, not by the students’ union.” Essentially, the primary contributors to defederation debates need to be students themselves.

With this in mind, the You Decide campaign provides students with the ideal opportunity to express their opinions on the possibility of a defederation referendum. Whether for or against leaving the CFS, it is imperative that students take advantage of the power of choice. Sign the petition, stay informed, and get ready to engage in the conversation.

Re: U of T ombudsperson reports “disturbing” mental health accommodations concerns “The entire U of T administration is doing a terrible job at helping students suffering from mental illness. Perhaps this is part of the reason why everyone in here pretends that anxiety and depression are a ‘normal’ part of the university experience: because access to treatment probably couldn’t be any worse and the University just sweeps the whole issue under the rug.”

— Paul Boychuk (from web) Re: U of T ombudsperson reports “disturbing” mental health accommodations concerns “Whatever this program is — I guarantee it’s not the only one. Please keep this story going — this is a critical issue for students.”

— Kelly Aiello (from web) Re: U of T ombudsperson reports “disturbing” mental health accommodations concerns “A while a ago [sic] I would have had trouble believing this, but now that I’ve actually had it happen to a friend, I am appalled at the manner the university has handled the situations of those with mental illness.

This should be [sic] safe place for students to be able to be themselves and talk/solve their problems, but it is not. Instead, they are turned away and mistreated, thereby harming their mental health even further.”

— Gabby Velasquez (from web) Re: Respecting the pronoun means respecting the person “You cannot force me to ‘respect’ you or your ideas (or maybe you can now). I would argue: once ‘respect’ is mandated, it ceases to be respect and becomes fear.

If a person is forced [sic] ‘respect your pronouns’ they will only do so out of a fear of reprisal; people just say onething [sic] and think another (luckily they havent [sic] made thinking illegal, yet).

Perhaps that is why there are ‘antibias education programs’ where people can be re-educated what to think.”

— Brian K Martin (from web) Re: UBC prof Mary Bryson receives “violent threats” after debate on gender-neutral pronouns “Wow what happened to all the commenters on the previous article who were saying trans people don’t deserve dignity or respect?... You’d think they’d be over here defending harassment” — Cassandra Williams (from web)

Visit youdecide.ca to learn more about the campaign and how to sign the petition.

The Varsity's Editorial Board is elected by the masthead at the beginning of each semester. For more information about the editorial policy, email comment@thevarsity.ca.

Letters to the editor should be directed to comment@thevarsity.ca. Please keep submissions to 250 words; letters may be edited for length and clarity.

Whipping up holiday spirit

Recipes that remind us

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Cuban Celebration Food

By Laura Seijas Figueredo

These three recipes comprise one of the most traditional meals in Cuban culture. While these dishes are most commonly eaten at New Year’s, we pretty much use any excuse we can find to enjoy good food. The strangest thing about eating this meal in Canada is that it still feels and tastes the same. It’s almost magical in a way — I’ve moved countries, mastered a new language, and graduated high school, yet the taste remains the same. Even far away from my family and birthplace, I can experience home through food.

Serves four people.

Congrí

Congrí is a mixture of black beans and rice.

Ingredients: • 1 laurel leaf • 1 cup of black beans • 2 cups of rice • 2 cups of bean broth • ½ teaspoon of salt • ½ head of garlic • 1 onion, sliced • 1 tablespoon of oil Instructions: 1. Put the beans and laurel leaf into a pressure cooker filled with water for 35 minutes.

2. When the beans appear to be soft, mix them with the rice.

3. Cook rice and beans mixture in the rice cooker with remaining ingredients.

Yuca

Similar to potatoes, it is a starch that can be boiled, fried, or baked. Most commonly, Cubans boil it and add a vinegar garlic sauce called a ‘mojo’ on top as a finishing touch for flavour.

Ingredients: • 500g yuca • ½ teaspoon of salt • 1 teaspoon of oil • 1 bitter orange or 1 tablespoon of vinegar Instructions: 1. Drizzle salt on the yuca.

2. Fill a large pot with water and place the yuca inside. Bring it to a boil and let it simmer until yuca is soft.

3. Meanwhile, heat the oil in a separate pan.

4. Cook the bitter orange and the crushed garlic in the pan, mixing it with the oil.

5. When the yuca is ready, lay it on a plate and pour the garlic and bitter orange concoction on top. The yuca will absorb the sauce and become seasoned.

Puerco asado

This Cuban-style roasted pork dish als Ingredients: • 1 pork leg • 1 bitter orange • Crushed garlic to taste • Cumin to taste • Salt to taste

Instructions: 1. Season the pork leg in garlic, bitte cooking and let it marinate.

2. When you’re ready to cook the po 200° F for five to six hours.

3. Every 30 minutes, take out the po garlic, and cumin, while poking th the seasoning enter.

4. Once no red liquid appears when until the outside layer becomes c

t

s of home

so pairs well with mojo.

er orange, and salt a day prior to

ork, place the pork in the oven at

ork and drizzle some bitter orange, he pork through the centre to help

n you pinch the roast, broil the pork crunchy and toasted.

Ginger-Molasses Cookies

By Lila Asher

The best part of making these cookies always came after we made the dough — after I fought with my younger brother over who got to crack the eggs and who got to sift the flour.

The dough exuded accomplishment and challenge, and the mood in the kitchen shifted: now it was a race.

Eggs and sifter forgotten, my brother and I were a team, our small hands eagerly rolling the cookies into existence, trying to stack a wall high up the side of the bowl before our dad could pilfer our building materials and sugar-coat them for the oven. The later batches were even better, because then our fun was infused with the warm spiciness of baking, tempting our mom to forgo her post-work nap and join our family tableau. Once we were finished we’d take a few of the cookies to each of our neighbours.

Last year in my dorm kitchen, after cracking the eggs myself and bemoaning my lack of sifter, I snapped a picture of my set-up to my brother: dough in one bowl, sugar in the other, single baking tray ready to hold batch after batch. “We have to make them again when you come home!” he sent back quickly. Even across 1,000 kilometres, these cookies connect us, bringing teamwork, love, warmth, and generosity. Make some yourself and help spread a little of the hope that is sorely needed this holiday season.

Scalloped Potatoes

By Nathan Chan

My maternal grandfather died when I was 10 — I didn’t know him very well. But from the bits and pieces I’ve been told, he was a passionate gourmand and chef. Mum tells me that as children, she and her siblings would constantly clamour for my grandfather’s scalloped potatoes; I’m not entirely certain they have actually stopped as adults. Point is, the dish has been a staple at nearly every Christmas dinner for the last 50 years.

I like to believe that when my grandfather emigrated from Hong Kong and established the family fish shop in Vancouver’s Chinatown, he came not only for prosperity but also for the cornucopia of novel foods in Canada.

I hope that this recipe also reminds you to adventure and try new foods.

Ingredients: • 1 pack of bacon • 1 clove of garlic, grated • 1 onion, sliced • 2 or 3 russet potatoes, peeled and sliced evenly • 1 can of Campbell’s mushroom soup • ¼ cup of milk • ½ cup of grated mozzarella

Ghriba

By Amani Haskouri

Ghriba are a traditional Moroccan shortbread cookie typically made with almonds and orange blossom water.

I know the holidays are approaching when I can smell toasted almond and cinnamon wafting through the corners of my house. My fondest memories of the holidays are those of my mother teaching me how to make these delicious holiday treats while watching holiday movies on TV and wishing for a snow day. Paired with mint tea, these cookies remind me of the warmth and love that makes the holidays at my house special.

Ingredients: • 4 cups of flour • 1 cup of unsalted butter at room temperature • 1 cup of sugar • ½ cup of ground toasted almonds • ½ cup of cinnamon • 2 tablespoons of orange blossom water

Ingredients: • 1 ½ cups of vegetable shortening • 2 cups of sugar • ½ cup of molasses • 2 eggs • 4 cups of flour • ½ teaspoon of salt • 2 teaspoons of cinnamon • 2 teaspoons of cloves • 2 teaspoons of ginger • 4 teaspoons of baking soda Instructions: 1. Preheat oven to 325° F. 2. In a larger bowl, combine vegetable shortening, sugar, and molasses. Add eggs one at a time.

3. Sift flour, salt, baking soda, and spices together. Add to wet ingredients slowly.

4. Roll dough into balls that are about the size of a quarter — or even a little bigger.

5. Roll the balls in sugar and place on the baking tray well-spaced apart — they will expand!

6. Bake for seven to 10 minutes. Let cool before removing from tray.

Makes about six dozen small to medium cookies.

Instructions: 1. Julienne the bacon.

2. Fry bacon in pan over medium-high heat until it begins to brown.

3. Add onions and garlic to the pan. Stir well to prevent overcooking the onions.

4. Separately, mix milk and soup until the mixture is well blended. Add the milk-soup sauce to the pan.

5. While the sauce cooks, grease bottom and sides of medium oven-proof casserole dish.

6. Place a single layer of sliced potatoes on the bottom of the greased dish.

7. Add about ¼ of the sauce to the casserole dish.

Spread evenly.

8. Spread ¼ cup of grated mozzarella evenly across the dish.

9. Mix remaining potato slices into the pan. Coat each slice well.

10. Pour potato-bacon mixture into casserole dish.

11. Spread remaining ¼ cup of grated mozzarella evenly across the top of the casserole dish.

12. Bake at 350° F for 25 minutes, then 425° F until brown.

Pairs well with Chin Chin Grass Jelly Drink.

Serves eight people.

Instructions: 1. Preheat oven to 375° F. 2. Mix flour, butter, almonds, cinnamon, orange blossom water, and sugar in a bowl.

3. Work these ingredients thoroughly with your hands until you get a smooth dough.

4. Form little balls with the dough, closing your hands tightly to hold it together.

5. Flatten the balls slightly.

6. Place the ghriba on a baking sheet lined with aluminum foil, one inch apart.

7. Bake the ghriba for 15 minutes or until just pale golden. The ghriba will have tiny cracks all over them, which is normal.

8. Let the ghriba cool completely before storing in an air-tight tin at room temperature.

Makes about two and a half dozen ghriba.

Arts&Culture

December 5, 2016 var.st/arts arts@thevarsity.ca

Gilmore or less?

The Varsity writers reflect on the new Gilmore Girls: A Year in the Life

R

ory and Lorelai have returned for the Netflix Gilmore Girls revival, and so far the jury is divided. We asked our writers to comment on the new season, and their responses ranged from nostalgic to disappointed. Here’s what they had to say: WARNING: SPOILERS The most impressive aspect of Gilmore Girls is its ability to effortlessly extend beyond the confines of the television screen, something I realized when I burst into tears during my morning commute down College Street thinking about Richard Gilmore and, by extension, the late Edward Herrmann.

I originally started watching Gilmore Girls when my sister discovered that I’d been avoiding my high school cafeteria during lunch. At the time, I didn’t have any friends and was scared of eating alone.

“Rory Gilmore ate lunch alone,” my sister said. “In the show, she sat by herself with a book, a Walkman, and earphones.”

So I did too, and I ended up wanting to learn more about the elusive Rory Gilmore.

The original Gilmore Girls provided characters with nuanced depth, complexity, and humour unparalleled by anything I have experienced on television. My nostalgia for the series extends to the whimsy and romanticism of small town life, emotionally-engaging plot lines, and well-grounded characters that have been my personal source of inspiration. Experiencing Rory’s contagious ambition and determination is the reason I attend the University of Toronto today.

Gilmore Girls: A Year in the Life, like myself, is older and more mature than the original series. It feels like a much-needed response to the original series’ optimism and charm. Where Rory’s transition from adolescence to adulthood informed most of my investment in the original series, watching the three title characters deal with hardship and adjustment in the midst of adulthood is especially emotionally-resonant with me today. As a student currently going through a postsecondary school slump, it was especially important to watch Rory go through a similar experience in being unable to find passion and success in her career. The development of Emily and Lorelai seeking emotional catharsis in the wake of Richard’s death, as well as Rory’s personal struggle, are pillars of the revival and reminiscent of what made the original series compelling.

One of the biggest criticisms of the revival is its lack of conclusion, especially involving Rory, who is revealed to be pregnant in the final scene. I choose to view this as more a feature than a bug. Gilmore Girls is not a densely plotted narrative with a defined introduction and conclusion. Throughout its run, it flowed like real life, defied most narrative conventions, and stayed effortlessly relatable and resonant with its audience. Though we won’t necessarily see them unfold, we are still left to believe that these characters’ stories continue. And that’s okay.

— Avneet Sharma Any Gilmore Girls fans hoping for closure from the Netflix revival got everything but. The infamous last four words creator Amy Sherman-Palladino had always planned for the series, in which Rory tells her mother that she is pregnant, left me in awe. That final scene leaves ends untied and the future of many characters up in the air. Although, in a funny way, with those words the seven season mother-daughter tale came full circle back to where their story began.

From old friends to exes, Rory’s past comes back in a big way to play a significant role in her future plans. The series begins with eagerly anticipating a new man in her life. I was disappointed with Paul, the boyfriend no one remembers, who is ultimately as irrelevant as the excessive musical number. However, her unexpected return to Logan definitely adds desired plot twists and intrigue, including the perfectly executed Life and Death Brigade return scene soundtracked to the Beatles’ classic.

Also, as someone who’s always rooted for her relationship with Jess, his return came at the perfect time with the exact advice Rory needed to hear.

As for the other Gilmore ladies, it seemed to me that their stories take the back seat of the revival; however, they are appropriately closed. Emily, after creating a dramatic kerfuffle only she could, settles in her new life path, with Lorelai also finding her place finally being married to Luke and expanding her business to something that would’ve made her father proud. The Netflix special most importantly kept true to the show’s charm and humour, adding modern gags like Luke’s false Wi-Fi passwords and the ‘thirty-something group.’ Following the loose ending, my future hopes for the series absolutely include a possible movie or at least the release of Rory’s must-read book.

— Sasha Rakkar I can accept most of the dumb stuff that happens in Gilmore Girls simply because it is Gilmore Girls, and there was plenty of dumb stuff to accept in A Year in the Life. Gilmore Girls is the television equivalent of comfort food; I hear Carole King’s voice and my brain turns to mush and honestly, I’m okay with that.

I have a lot of strong opinions about the revival’s handling of various characters, subplots, and handling of situations, most of which are negative, but at the end of the day, I still really liked the revival. Why? Because it took me back to the place of comfort and simplicity, which is all that I ask for when it comes to the show.

I think the reason so many people love Gilmore Girls is its nostalgia-factor.

I, for one, have so many memories attached to watching the series — and I was a late adopter too — that I can only imagine how meaningful this revival would be to someone who grew up with this show.

I thought the anticipation surrounding the revival was only going to serve to let people down when they tuned in and saw that Rory wasn’t with their favourite guy or their favourite character didn’t have a good enough plot, but ultimately, that proved to not matter.

Rory is still a brat, Lorelai is still impossibly annoying, Paris and Emily are still the best characters ever written, and the suitors are all still mad dreamy.

I didn’t really care what I was watching, I just cared that I was watching it; it made me feel the same way as before, and I was back in Stars Hollow.

— Elspeth Arbow Those who know me are likely familiar with my under-the-breath comments, my sarcasm, and the lightning speed at which I seem to do everything. A significant portion of that can be attributed to the influences that shaped how I grew up. I spent a large amount of time during my middle school years watching Gilmore Girls, and to this day I continue to believe it had a strong transformative impact on me. Lorelei and Rory speak their own secret language, a rapid-fire banter peppered with pop culture references and twisted little inside jokes — their method pervaded my own teenage perceptions of the world and the manner in which I expressed myself to others.

Watching the Gilmore Girls revival was an uncanny experience, an eerie mix of nostalgia and self-reflection. I found my mind wandering back to my middle school days, longing to connect with Lorelai and Rory in the same ways as I had when I was younger. At the same time, as I saw how the characters had grown since I had come to know them, I could see a little bit of myself reflected within them. Lorelai’s reluctance to settle down reflects my own skepticism about love and relationships, while Rory’s seeming lack of direction toward her once-solid career aspirations reflects my deepest fears. I did not grow up in small-town America, I did not attend private school, and I am not at an Ivy League college. Nevertheless, the Gilmore universe connects to me on a personal level and somehow makes me feel as if I am a part of it.

— Teodora Pasca

DECEMBER 5, 2016 • 15

var.st/arts

A holiday wine for any occasion

Study tunes These songs are guaranteed to promote productivity

We could all use a drink right now

GLORIA ZHANG/THE VARSITY

Alex McKeen Editor-in-Chief

sure-fire hits, but they’re noted for their drinkability and festive flair.

As the holidays draw near, celebrations are in order. While I’m no wine connoisseur, in another life I would drop everything and become a sommelier in the South of France.

Wine can be intimidating, but there’s a bottle for any occasion. If you’re unsure where to start, here are some recommendations that are all available at the LCBO.

E. & J. Gallo Winery Apothic Red, California: $16.95 This enchanting Apothic red blend lives up to its name: the remarkable smoothness and reasonable price make it a popular pick amongst wine drinkers of all experience levels. That said, avoid paying full price for this choice if you can — it frequently goes on sale.

For writing final papers: I live by the advice that is often — though not reliably — attributed to Ernest Hemingway: “write drunk, edit sober.” Though there are obvious limitations to this, I’ve found over time that creating a fulsome essay plan then indulging in a few glasses of wine can do wonders to loosen the shackles of writer’s block. Just remember to edit the next day with coffee.

Cantina Sociale Valdobbiadene Val d’Oca Prosecco Docg, Italy: $17.45 When an occasion calls for sparkling wine, it’s hard to select a good bottle that fits a student budget.

Avoid picking up a sparkling rose at random — sparkling wine loses its celebratory sheen when you need to cut it with ginger ale. There are a number of reasonably-priced Proseccos that are worth the indulgence — this is one of them.

Misterio Cabernet Sauvignon, Argentina: $9.25 Some of my favourite inexpensive wines come from Argentina, and the one I buy most often is the Cab

by Misterio. It doesn’t have a very complex profile, but I find it reasonably full-bodied and smooth.

Trapiche makes a comparable Cabernet Sauvignon ($10.45) that has fruitier undertones.

Folonari Pinot Grigio, Italy: $14.45 I don’t usually drink white wine, but I like this crisp Pinot from Folonari. It has a fresh taste that’s not overly sweet and is perfect for sipping away while you crank out your paper.

For playing host to friends: When it comes to holiday parties, you should be able to count on your guests to bring some bottles to share. Still, it’s always a good idea to have some crowd-pleasers on hand. These selections are not only

As a gift: Bringing wine to a gathering is often dictated by etiquette, but it can be bewildering given the range of options. Here are four selections that I find are consistently wellreceived, in ascending order of price: Wolf Blass Yellow Label Chardonnay, Australia: $15.95 I used to recommend this wine to guests who ordered meaty seafood dishes like lobster or salmon and it always went over well. If you’re looking to spring for something a little more refined, Wolf Blass also boasts a ‘gold label’ Chardonnay selection for about $10.00 dollars more.

For a date: Wine is meant for sharing. These wines are perfect for snuggling up with that special someone, who just might happen to be your cat:

Sterling Vintner’s Pinot Noir, California: $16.00 Sterling wines are a staple in many household wine collections, even small ones. All of this winery’s vintages are reliable and well-made.

Pinot Noir makes a good host gift because of its versatility; it can be served with most mains since it has a lighter texture than other reds.

Fielding Estate Winery Fireside Red, Ontario: $14.95 Fireside is a VQA selection, meaning that it meets the quality standards of Ontario’s local wine authority. It’s dry, round, and pleasantly warm. Because it’s not too sweet, it can complement meaty pairings without overwhelming the taste of your meal.

J. Lohr Seven Oaks Cabernet Sauvignon, California: $22.95 This has been the most popular bottle in the LCBO’s vintage section for as long as I can recall. While it’s not the boldest choice, it shares many of the virtues of the more expensive Cannonball selection on this list, especially in its mastery of cherry undertones.

Concha Toro S.A. Casillero del Diablo Reserva Cabernet Sauvignon, Chile: $13.95 ‘Casillero del Diablo’ translates to ‘Devil Locker,’ which may be an apt name for this spicy blend. This full-bodied, intense choice is quite versatile; it could be an excellent pairing for a flavourful meal or a satisfying night cap to share.

Cannonball Cabernet Sauvignon 2013, California: $24.95 This wine accomplishes the seemingly impossible task of evoking fruity aromas while remaining smooth and oaky. It’s one of my favourite, but it can be difficult to find. However, the more ubiquitous Merlot by Cannonball is not as impressive.

MIA CARNEVALE/THE VARSITY

Charlène Hanania Varsity Contributor

Music can help with relaxation, aid a hard working brain, and focus the mind. Between essays, exams, assignments, and tests haunting students every day, it’s easy to enjoy a nice playlist while taking a study break in any one of U of T’s many libraries. Here is a compilation curated with one simple message: don’t worry, you got this.

1.

“Get You” — Daniel Caesar feat. Kali Uchis The beloved Toronto music scene has yet again produced a great artist: Daniel Caesar. This romantic duo will soothe you into a productive focus.

2.

“I Need a Forest Fire” — James Blake feat. Bon Iver This magical mix offers Bon Iver’s high pitched voice and James Blake’s slow production and vocals that will snap anyone back into study mode.

3.

“White Ferrari” — Frank Ocean Frank Ocean’s Blonde has been my favourite album this semester. “White Ferrari” is the best track because of its slow rhythm and smooth vocals.

4.

“Cranes in the Sky” — Solange Knowles The talented Solange Knowles released an autobiographical album called A Seat at the Table that looks at America through the lens of a Black woman. Her voice is as powerful as it is soothing and harmonious.

5.

“In a Sentimental Mood” — John Coltrane & Duke Ellington Jazz classics are always quintessential listening. John Coltrane’s saxophone intertwined with Duke Ellington’s piano is the perfect mix to sustain deep focus.

6.

“Higher” — Kwamie Liv The vocals and the electronic beat mix perfectly into this warming song. Its slow rhythm makes it great for focusing and keeping you awake.

7.

“Familiar” — Agnes Obel This Danish singer created the ultimate studying song through a slow, pulsing beat. Agnes Obel is a musician who usually offers deeper notes rather than a faster pace.

8.

“Jungle” — Petit Biscuit Petit Biscuit put together easy going French electronica that will help you delve deep into your readings.

9.

“Saint Pablo” — Kanye West feat. Sample After “Ultralight Beam,” this song is probably my favorite from The Life of Pablo. Both are great for productivity.

16 • THE VARSITY • ARTS & CULTURE

arts@thevarsity.ca

The Side Piece

The stylish student U of T Style shows off the trendiest looks on campus Gabrielle Warren Associate Arts & Culture Editor

When people talk about U of T it’s usually about its high ranking in academics and research. For some reason, the creativity on campus garners much less attention.

From Facebook to Instagram, social media brings people together, and @uoftstyle is one of the latest Instagram accounts to do so for the U of T community by using #uoftstyle. It’s premise is simple: showcase the style of all students.

U of T Style has spawned a community for U of T students to discover and celebrate the style of their peers. We caught up with the creator of the account, Ysabelle Gatchalian, to speak about style, community, and identity.

A Life Sciences and Human Biology student, Gatchalian entered into the world of fashion through Tumblr while still in high school.

She claims that it was the creative aspect of the site and its fashion community that drew her in. “My mom really didn’t buy me a lot of clothes,” she told The Varsity. “So I guess through blogging or reposting things… I was able to live vicariously through other people’s experiences and increase my own love in a sense for fashion, even though I didn’t have the means of… doing it myself.”

She considers Levi’s one of her favourite fashion staples; her go-to

style always incorporates comfort. “[At] school you want to stay comfy, but you want to look stylish too… I tried the whole just sticking to stylish clothes first year but commuting and staying in the library for five hours? Not comfy in skinny jeans!”

Gatchalian explains that she wanted to showcase the diversity and beauty for everyone and demonstrate that U of T Style is not unilateral. “When I first got to university there was this whole stigma how like university students just love to study, stay in the libraries, they don’t really have much of a social life, which is a horrible thing to say and to hear,” she explained. “But after frosh week and just exploring the campus, you see so many different types of people and cultures and styles and not just the typical thing you see on Tumblr per se or YouTube.”

Gatchalian works hard to ensure that her selection process is nondiscriminatory. “I try to post everyone because everyone has a unique style and I don’t want to pick and choose and say I like this, so I’m going to put it on.”

As someone who takes note of the style of students on campus, I wondered which trends Gatchalian was seeing most. “Right now everyone likes wearing knit sweaters and leather jackets... and the black booties, especially since last year.”

Gatchalian said she now sees style as an open-minded concept:

Above: @sarahmian Left: @s_d.does PHOTOS VIA UOFTSTYLE/INSTAGRAM

“You know when you go shopping and you go through the racks and you say ‘I definitely wouldn’t wear that because it wouldn’t look good on me,’ but then when you see it on someone else and you think, ‘Wow they rock it so well. I feel like I could do that too.’ I feel like not closing your mind to trends or outfits or pieces of clothing or accessories [is important].”

Moving forword, Gatchalian hopes to meet new people, build long-term friendships, and expand the U of T Style community in the process. “When I first started U of T Style, it was mostly a project of taking pictures of U of T students on campus in person,

but over time it started getting a little too much... I thought, ‘Hey, if I start making the hashtag and following U of T students, I can actually start getting more content onto the page itself.’”

Although the hashtag is currently centred on the UTSG campus, she wants it to expand across all three campuses to truly reflect the U of T student identity. “I hope I can get someone from the campuses who could actually get some shots from there… I don’t want U of T Style only to represent students on the St. George campus because U of T is a big community and I want everyone to be fully represented.”

The ROM presents: Friday Night Live On Friday nights, good food, great music, and glow sticks transformed the museum

PHOTO COURTESY OF ELECTRICITY EVENTS

Hip-hop pioneer DJ Kool Herc performs at Friday Night Live.

Nicolle Iovanov Varsity Contributor

Thousands of patrons attended the Royal Ontario Museum (ROM) on November 25 as they closed this season of Friday Night Live, a regular event that transforms the impressive museum into a venue for dancing, drinking, and nightlife. It boasts live music, local food vendors, drinks, interactive gallery exhibits, and several dance floors.

Launched four years ago, the event engages millennials and urbanites alike, putting a fresh spin on the idea of a night out at the museum. It’s definitely a fun way to spend a Friday night in Toronto.

Students also enjoy a discounted rate.

The ROM wrapped up its 2016 season with a bang. The theme was Afterglow, and advance tickets sold out days before the event occurred. Many patrons seemed eager to purchase last minute tick-

ets as the line wrapped all the way around the building. The museum was filled with glowsticks and coloured lights which hugely altered the atmosphere.

With most exhibits open, it was an entirely new experience walking through the ROM with a drink in hand, listening to a slew of live musicians and DJs perform.

Musical highlights included DJ Kool Herc, who is credited as one of the founders of hip-hop. Toronto’s very own DJ Ron Nelson and stars from the University of Toronto Jazz Program were also there. Music was played throughout the museum, elevating the atmosphere.

Food and drink tickets were available on the main level, and local food vendors could be found at various locations around the museum for hungry guests. Full service bars were located on multiple floors; almost everyone seemed to be taking advantage.

Most exhibits were open, including the famed Chihuly exhibit. Dale Chihuly’s first exhibit

includes glass sculptures that explore colour, light, and form, and is on display until January 8. Afterglow also featured “Destination – Mars,” which is an interactive display from CBC’s The Nature of Things. Patrons were encouraged to touch space-inspired props, like a replica of Mars, take selfies with a cut-out of David Suzuki, and receive a free print of the photo. This exhibit was one of the most popular and remained busy throughout the night.

Among the various dance floors and lounge areas, the Lenovo Glow Zone offered neon makeup for patrons. A live social media board was also visible on the main level of the ROM, successfully integrating social media and technology into the event by posting pictures of patrons from Instagram and Twitter who used the hashtag #fnlROM. This may have been the last Friday Night Live of 2016 but it won’t be the last for the ROM. Watch out for the next event, scheduled for February 2, 2017.

Did you know?

Located in UTSC’s Instructional Centre lies the largest piece of artwork on campus. “Interregnum: Corner Displacement for John Andrews” (2011) by Daniel Young and Christian Giroux is 12 metres tall and made of powered-coated aluminum. As the sunlight moves across the room on any given day, the shadows alternate as a testament to growth and change. John Andrews was the chair of U of T’s School of Architecture from 1962 to 1967 and one of the designers behind the CN Tower.

MAISHA ISLAM/THE VARSITY

Protip: Ever seen that weird network ‘eduroam’ everywhere? It’s actually a world-wide network of campus based Wi-Fi. You can login with your UTORid and password, but head’s up, the connectivity can be hit and miss!

Events: Toronto Christmas Market November 18 to December 22 55 Mill Street ICSS presents: Therapy Dogs December 6 2 Sussex Avenue, room 107 The Varsity’s Fall Magazine Launch Party: The Home Issue December 7 307 Augusta Avenue Howl At The Owl — Free Comedy That Doesn’t Suck December 7 647 College Street University Arts Women’s Club Christmas Party December 8 93 Highland Avenue The Varsity Talks: A Conversation with Daniel Dale December 16 21 Sussex Avenue, second floor

Science

December 5, 2016 var.st/science science@thevarsity.ca

SERIES

Women in science Part I: We examine the challenges that women face in STEM fields

NATHAN CHAN/THE VARSITY

Women professors and graduate students in the sciences often reach their child-bearing years at competitive times in their careers.

Hannah Fung Associate Science Editor

Over the past few decades, women have made incredible strides in the sciences. As a society, we have taken previously male-dominated fields and transformed them into ones in which women hold some of the most prestigious positions and research prizes.

Young women in science now benefit from the mentorship of many well-established women role models who are leaders in their respective fields.

This isn’t to say that the challenges facing women in science are relics of the past. For the most part, women are no longer blatantly oppressed and relegated to secondary roles, but their collective disadvantage is rooted in various internal and external pressures.

The pregnancy and miscarriage penalty In academia, most women reach their childbearing years as they are wrapping up their post-doctoral studies or setting up their own labs as young professors. These can also be the most competitive years of their professional lives.

As a result, women feel a lot of pressure to maintain their productivity after a miscarriage or after giving birth.

Among those who take time off, many are hesitant to mention parental leave on their CVs, even though it would explain why they weren’t as productive in a given year.

Women might also avoid telling employers that they have young children, fearing that the employer would question their split priorities between science and motherhood. “[There’s a] subtle understanding that you’re taking a risk by being out of the lab for several months to [give birth],” said Cat Schrankel, a graduate student in Immunology at the University of Toronto. “There’s potentially still that stigma that by choosing to have a family you’re actively choosing against your career.”

“Just work harder” At U of T, some women are discouraged from taking any sort of time away from work, because of the industry ethos that equates the amount of time a person spends working with their value to the field.

“[This] isn’t just a problem around reproductive timing issues or the burden of childbirth for women, it’s an issue at any juncture where someone just needs a break,” said Brechann McGoey, a U of T graduate student in Ecology and Evolutionary Biology (EEB). “There’s so many times when we just get the message that if you just put enough work into something you can solve the problem. Just work harder. Things aren’t working, just work harder.”

McGoey explained, “After my first pregnancy loss, I was in the field two days later… I tried to just work harder, but there are some cases where you just have to call it and you just have to say, ‘This isn’t worth it and yeah, maybe I’m going to be six months or a year behind, but better that than to lose myself or get sick or whatever it is.’”

The ‘publish or perish’ mentality is pervasive, and knowing when to step back takes a lot of courage and strength.

Young female professors face an additional source of pressure: “One pressure is just that [Principal Investigators] have students — they have people relying on them — so they might feel pressure not to let other people down or feel like, ‘Even though I’m on mat leave I better still be checking my email, I better still be available to these students, because [this affects] their careers,’” said McGoey.

Parental leave In Sweden, parental leave is shared. Parents receive 480 days of leave per child, two months of which are allocated to the man and the remaining divided between the parents in whichever way they prefer. In 2012, men took on average 24 per cent of the leave or a little over three months.

Under this scheme, women who are visibly pregnant or who have young children are less likely to be at a disadvantage during the hiring process.

It is important to recognize, however, that parental leave can perpetuate the very biases that it purportedly eliminates. Both women and men professors taking parental leave benefit from teaching relief, but no one is going to tell them not to write or to publish.

For men, parental leave might represent a year entirely devoted to research. Women professors on the other

hand, will — at least for the first three to six months after childbirth — be recovering physically and emotionally and, as a result, suffer from reduced productivity.

In other words, family-friendly policies such as parental leave may result in career advancement for men, while women may not enjoy those benefits.

Family-friendly policies at U of T Some departments at U of T are making a concerted effort to incorporate family-friendly policies into the academic environment. Eight years ago, the EEB began implementing practices, such as moving events to more family-friendly times — for example, departmental seminars end at 4:00 pm — and compensating faculty, students, and post-doctoral researchers for childcare when conflicts arise.

The department established the EEB community fund to provide assistance to those who need time off. In a statement to The Varsity, Donald Jackson, Professor and Chair of the EEB department, and Helen Rodd, Professor and Associate Chair, said, “At times issues in our personal lives can require us to take unplanned leaves from our work and this fund can help address some associated issues.”

They recommend some additional ways in which institutions can support graduate student parents, including organizing panel discussions devoted to family-work balance and more affordable childcare for graduate students university-wide.

Clearer expectations regarding parental leave and shared parental leave and greater sensitivity to the needs of women professors and graduate students can combat some of the internal and external stresses that young women in science face.

Funding agencies and universities need to appreciate that women are entering their childbearing years at a time when their careers are most insecure. Instead of measuring an individual’s output in terms of the number of publications or journal impacts, we should focus on nurturing research that is meaningful and reproducible.

One way we can do that is to implement policies which promote healthy family-work balance for women.

18 • THE VARSITY • SCIENCE

science@thevarsity.ca

New developments in the genetics of schizophrenia

2017 in tech A student’s prediction of the tech issues that will dominate 2017 headlines

U of T researchers discover schizophrenia risk genes

PHOTO COURTESY OF THE HOSPITAL FOR SICK CHILDREN

Dr. Christian Marshall is a leader in the fields of genetics and molecular biology.

Ramana Trivedi Varsity Contributor

In a remarkable feat of collaboration and scale, U of T researchers have helped identify novel risk factors associated with the development of schizophrenia. Their work incorporates data from over 40,000 individuals analyzed by scientists around the globe. This multinational team of researchers makes up the working group of the Psychiatric Genomics Consortium, which seeks to examine the correlation between copy number variation (CNV) and schizophrenia.

Certain sections of the human genome are repeated more than once, and the number of times these sections are repeated varies across individuals. This variation is known as CNV. In this study, scientists looked at the association between the copy number of certain genetic factors and the presence of schizophrenia.

Dr. Christian Marshall, co-author of the study and Assistant Professor in Laboratory Medicine and Pathobiology at U of T, said, “The biggest challenge is probably the fact that there are many groups involved.” Dr. Marshall also serves as Associate Director of genome diagnostics at The Centre for Applied Genomics at SickKids Hospital.

The “analysis was being co-led by our group and one in San Diego, with the [actual] analysis being run [in the] Netherlands.

So you can imagine there needed to be lots of coordination and communication to pull everything off... and we have had biweekly [conference] calls for the last 5 years in order to make this happen,” explained Marshall.

This study is the largest of its kind and was published in Nature Genetics on November 21. Marshall described it as “a meta-analysis of many smaller studies.” By incorporating

such a large number of data points, the researchers were able to identify statistically significant correlations that are otherwise hard to observe.

The study analyzed genomic data from patients and sought correlations between the frequency of certain genetic factors and the incidence of schizophrenia.

In order to effectively study CNV, scientists use a technique called DNA microarray to analyze human genome sequences. As Marshall noted, however, “there [are] many different [techniques] used for detection of copy number variants and this can lead to technical bias and potentially false associations. A major strength of the study is that we were able to… analyze [the data] in a central place… using rigorous quality control steps. Because of this standardization and the large numbers of cases and controls, we were able to… find new associations of genetic loci with schizophrenia.”

The CNV and schizophrenia working groups used these techniques to show that schizophrenia is often associated with a higher copy number for certain genes than that found in healthy individuals. This confirmed previous studies and also brought new genetic risk factors to light. The group also discovered that schizophrenia patients are more likely to have deletions in gene sets that are important for connections between neurons.

The findings in this study have important consequences for the clinical diagnosis of schizophrenia. Marshall pointed out that only approximately “5% of the schizophrenia cases that are run on clinical microarrays will have a clinically significant finding. This is obviously important for families since it establishes a reason for the disorder. I think studies like the one we did will just add to the evidence and help increase that diagnostic rate.”

The technique used in this experiment is powerful and is being used to address other disorders as well, including attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, autism spectrum disorder, and others. In fact, the methodology used in this experiment was specifically designed to be used on multiple disorders and could have important consequences for the future of psychiatric diagnoses.

Despite the success of this study, Marshall believes that there is still room to improve.

“Although this was a very large study, we need to do more and in my opinion this includes analysis of even more samples so we can replicate what was found. Additionally, we need to start looking at the genome using higher resolution techniques, like whole genome sequencing, as this will help increase… understanding of the genetic underpinnings of schizophrenia.”

This study is especially important given the complexity of mental illnesses. While schizophrenia impacts around 1 per cent of Canadians, it is impossible to diagnose using simple scans for isolated biomarkers. This finding gives clinicians and researchers vital information to make accurate diagnoses.

VIVIAN TONG/THE VARSITY

Govind Mohan Varsity Contributor

This has been no ordinary year. We began to realize this within 10 days into 2016, with David Bowie’s death serving as an ominous precursor of things to come. We had an unusually large number of beloved and well-respected celebrities follow him; people huddled together and occasionally running in sync playing Pokémon Go; and the words ‘emails’ and ‘bigly’ used excessively.

What truly made this year unusual were the major votes that shocked not only the people of the countries involved but also the markets, the pollsters, and anyone who was watching the news around the world.

But there is one major agent who, for the most part, has lurked surreptitiously while being a chief contributor to the disarray that left us dazed: technology.

Social media in particular has had a major impact during the course of this unprecedented year, due to its provision of a platform for users of similar interests and opinions to congregate. This tool undoubtedly played a role in the formation of movements, as well as contributing to the stunning Brexit vote and successful election of President-elect Donald Trump.

Considering technology’s prominence this past year, The Varsity decided to curate what we think will be the most important tech-related issues for the year 2017.

Cybersecurity This year, we have seen the issue of cybersecurity rise to a new level, with allegations of Russian hackers influencing the US elections and the October botnet attack on the Internet infrastructure company Dyn, which caused Internet blackouts in large parts of North America for several hours.

In fact, Trump included this issue in his platform by stating that he would improve the US Cyber Command and conduct offensive retaliation to cyber-attacks.

We also witnessed legal disputes centred around technology in the form of the dispute between Apple and the FBI, which resulted in the FBI hiring hackers to devise information from an Apple device related to an investigation.

In 2017, we will probably see this issue gain steam. Given the several vulnerabilities recently discovered due to the aforementioned attack, several cybersecurity experts predict similar attacks in the near future. The developers of the botnet ‘Mirai’ used in the attack have released its code

since, meaning that any hacker could get their hands on it and make variations to create ‘mutated’ versions of the attack.

AI AI has been on the minds of many this year. Billionaire tech genius Elon Musk began a venture in 2015 called OpenAI to build AI in a way that will not be detrimental to humanity. Musk’s venture was prompted by discussions between himself, the renowned theoretical physicist Dr. Stephen Hawking, and many other prominent figures regarding the possible negative outcomes associated with AI. In 2017, we could see jobs lost to automation as a result of the growing number of AI ventures providing more everyday-life solutions.

Gene editing Gene editing has been a hotbed of controversy since it was conceptualized. Now that CRISPR/Cas9 genome editing technology is available, the controversy has only grown. China reported that they had begun to use CRISPR/Cas9 to experiment on humans in 2016.

A number of startups, such as Editas Medicine, have been created with the aim of applying this technology to treat and cure diseases. It has been announced that they plan to use this on humans as soon as next year. Now that ‘bio-hacking’ — biotech tweaking to improve health and ability — is gaining wider acceptance, scientific applications and ethical considerations regarding gene editing will figure prominently in scientific communities around the world.

Space travel After many unsuccessful attempts, Musk’s SpaceX managed to land its Falcon 9 rocket onto a drone ship stationed at sea in April 2016. Although Jeff Bezos’ Blue Origin was the first company to ever land a rocket, they were only able to do so on land. SpaceX’s achievement is an especially exciting feat of design and physics due to potential implications to the field of space exploration.

Furthermore, the Em Drive thruster — a rocket thruster that appears to defy Newton’s Third Law of Motion — has survived further scrutiny after it passed NASA’s barrage of tests. Space technology has steadily been improving and will continue to become more efficient and inexpensive in the near future.

DECEMBER 5, 2016 • 19

var.st/science

Linguistic armament Deciphering the science of Arrival

MIRKA LOISELLE/THE VARSITY

Geith Maal-Bared Varsity Contributor

High-profile science fiction films have a tendency to evoke impassioned debates among the scientific community. Put simply, these films bring about greater public awareness of science, while dubiously blurring the lines between science and fantasy.

In Denis Villeneuve’s Arrival, the appearance of 12 mysterious extra-terrestrial aircrafts prompts a swift international effort to discern their motives. Linguistics Professor Louise Banks (Amy Adams) is hired by the US army to decipher the alien language and, ultimately, shed light on the purpose of their visit.

The film touches on the resultant societal frenzy and diplomatic challenges, while maintaining unabashed dedication to the protagonist, her work, and the perception of language.

In doing so, the film spends a sizable portion of its runtime showing the arduous nature of linguistic fieldwork.

It propels a narrative that is indebted to the idea that language can dramatically alter our thoughts and cognition — a notion linguists call the Sapir-Whorf hypothesis or Whorfianism.

Like many works in the sci-fi genre, Arrival arguably beckons scientific scrutiny. Dr. Nicholas Welch, Assistant Professor in U of T’s Department of Linguistics, weighed in on the validity of the theoretical framework underlying the plot.

“It is certainly true that the vocabularies of languages — and even of specialized dialects and terminologies within languages... are shaped by the kinds of things that are culturally significant,” said Welch. “But the idea that the culture of dimensions of language shape the way we think and the way we’re able to think, that’s much more problematical. And I think the biggest piece of evidence against that is simply that, if that were true, we wouldn’t ever be able to translate from one language to another.”

To what degree, then, does language affect thought? Welch seemed to suggest that there is a semblance of truth to a diluted version of the hypothesis — the idea that language can merely influence one’s thinking.

When asked about real-world evidence supporting the Sapir-Whorf hypothesis, Welch cited the University of California, San Diego Professor Lera Boroditsky’s work in which French and German speakers were asked to draw a sun with facial features. French speakers were more likely to draw a male face, while German speakers were more likely to draw a female face, presumably due to the masculine and feminine words for ‘sun’ in those languages, respectively.

In reference to those results, Welch states that “there do seem to be some effects but they’re fairly subtle and weak.

Some of the things that Whorf himself said in the 1930s, like [the idea that] people who speak tenseless languages have a radically different notion of time, [are] complete nonsense. That is like saying speakers of English who speak a language without gender must have a radically different concept of sex.”

Mind-altering properties aside, the alien language introduced in this film also faced technical hurdles, namely the lack of a sequential pattern. Welch emphasized that “structure is universal to human language. All human languages have structures and [they] are always recursive and hierarchical... [With some languages] you can change the order of the words to express emphasis or stylistic variance and what have you, and the meaning is still preserved. [These are] languages with free-word order. However, there’s no language that I know of that has total free-word order... All human languages have some role for word order to play.”

Consistently, the random permutation of logograms in the film presents an unfamiliar obstacle to the story’s protagonist. The question that begets itself is whether a non-fictional linguist would tackle the problem in the same manner.

Welch argued that the first step to deciphering the language would be to find a conceptual commonality shared by the two species. “With human languages, this is not usually an enormous challenge because at a basic level a lot of the concepts are the same from language to language. All languages have a word for stone or stick... If we’re dealing with a hypothetical alien species, all bets are off. We don’t even know if they would necessarily conceptualize common objects in the same way.”

Perhaps unsurprisingly, Arrival embellishes the science of linguistics by overstating language’s influence on cognition.

After all, a departure from reality is at the core of science fiction.

One may argue that the proliferation of scientific inaccuracies in mainstream media requires us to fuss over small details, but such a mindset likely overestimates the role that science literacy plays in the public perception of controversial scientific and technological issues. Furthermore, the film’s attentiveness to the nuances of linguistic inquiry is commendable and echoed in Welch’s thoughts. “[The film] does a much better job of dealing with linguistics than any previous science fiction dramatic work...

They put a lot more effort into creating believable linguistic detail,” said Welch. “That is a great step forward and it’s helping make the public more aware and knowledgeable about what linguistics really is.”

“The most important [aspect of the film] is that they’re portraying linguistics as a real discipline and that there are people who can confront a previously unknown language and decipher its structure,” added Welch, highlighting the significance of scientific accuracy in the media. “I think there are viewers out there to whom this is going to be a completely novel concept.”

Increased prevalence of science in films can raise awareness of it by sparking curiosity among its viewers.

The hope, according to Welch, is that over time this will increase a non-linguist’s appreciation for the similarities as well as the differences between languages.

“Lack of awareness of the differences... leads to hasty translations that can sometimes cause international incidents and even war. Lack of awareness of the similarities can lead to radical Whorfianism — thinking that because another group of people speaks a very different language that they must have a totally alien psychology which, of course, is not true at all,” said Welch.

Congruous with Banks’ response to the frenzy upon the aliens’ utterance of the word weapon, Welch argues for cautious interpretation — a worthwhile take-home message.

20 • THE VARSITY • SCIENCE

science@thevarsity.ca

The truth about Santa Claus Caution: This article is not recommended for children.

Proceed at your own risk.

CORALS ZHENG/THE VARSITY

Connie Liu Associate Science Editor

A jolly old man with nine flying reindeer will bring presents for all the nice children of the world on Christmas Eve. This ruddynosed, snow-bearded figure embodies the magic in which many kids are brought up to believe.

But this globally perpetuated tale may be causing more harm than good. Psychologist Christopher Boyle and mental health researcher Kathy McKay argue that this age-old lie could affect a child’s relationship with their parents.

Published in The Lancet Psychiatry, Boyle and McKay’s paper denounced the myth for subjecting children to “abject

GRADUATE STUDIES AT UWINDSOR

disappointment when they [eventually find] out that this Christmas magic [is] in fact human based.”

Waiting in line for what feels like an eternity to take a photo with Santa at the mall; pouring your heart out on a sheet of paper to send to a dear old man; and carefully choosing the cookies with the most chocolate chips because you know Santa has a sweet tooth — all while accompanied by an affirming parent — typify childrens’ experiences of Santa Claus.

This facade is bound to build up mountains of anticipation. The researchers point out the repercussions of participating in such an “involved lie.” They question: “if adults have been lying about Santa, even though it has usually been well intentioned, what else is a lie? If Santa isn’t real, are fairies real? Is magic? Is God?” The issue boils down to how this white lie affects “the trust that exists between child and parent.” The researchers explain, “Children may find out from a third party, or through their parents getting bored of the make-believe and making a mistake.” They continue, “If [adults] are capable of lying about something so special and magical, can they be relied upon to continue as the guardians of wisdom and truth?”

Why is this myth so widely and conventionally passed from generation to generation?

Boyle and McKay attribute this to ‘herd behaviour,’ a tendency to conform to the larger group regardless of the rationality behind collective actions.

They also suggest that this lie may be a form of escapism for adults, allowing them to vicariously re-enter the magical experience of childhood.

To see how this myth had been received by members of U of T, The Varsity asked students to share their experiences when they learned the truth about Ol’ Saint Nick.

Some were unfazed by the revelation: “I was a little upset but got over it easily. It’s not like my world turned upside down.”

— Roya Shams Others were clever enough to figure out the mystery on their own: “I believed in Santa Claus until I was quite old — around the fifth grade. By that point, I was somewhat aware of the possibility that he might not be real [but] I’d never been told so outright, so continued to believe. When my mom decided to break it to me in the summer, I wasn’t very upset and distinctly remember replying, ‘I know.’ (I think my mom was a little surprised by that). This experience definitely did not have any significant impact on my relationship with my parents. As an older child, I understood that my parents had ‘tricked’ me so that I could have fun.”

— Joyce Ho “One gift I remember from my parents was a Gameboy game I wanted. I remember coming downstairs on Christmas morning and… jokingly checking the stocking and there it was. But I remember then thinking that our fireplace was electric, our tree was plastic, and we didn’t leave the requisite snacks out. And I didn’t confide that I wanted that game with anyone but my parents.”

— Frederick Zhang And lastly, there are those of us who still hold onto a little magic: “Despite having my dad break the news to me when I was 9, I still low-key think Rudolph and his pals are the reason I wake up to tiny footprints in the snow outside in my backyard on Christmas morning (even if my mom tells me it’s only the neighborhood raccoons).”

— Evani Patel

We offer: • more than 60 professional and research-based masters and PhD programs • Outstanding faculty and facilities • Competitive funding • A unique location with opportunities for international educational partnerships, and major cultural and sporting events Our supportive community of researchers and scholars allows students to make important contributions through their research and professional development.

Come join us at the University of Windsor.

We look forward to meeting you!

Find out more at: gradst@uwindsor.ca 519-253-3000, ext. 2109 Apply online: www.uwindsor.ca/gradapp gradadmit@uwindsor.ca www.uwindsor.ca/graduate

Sports

December 5, 2016 var.st/sports sports@thevarsity.ca

Fuerza, Chapecoense Brazilian soccer club fallen by plane crash gets a helping hand Jaren Kerr Managing Editor

With a powerful strike into the bottom left corner, Uruguayan striker Edinson Cavani scored his one hundredth goal on Wednesday for Paris Saint-Germain, the ultra-rich soccer club playing in Ligue 1, France’s top division.

After scoring, he removed his jersey to reveal a white t-shirt with the letters ‘ACF’ written across his chest; beneath it ‘fuerza’ was written, which means strength in Spanish.

He received a yellow card for his gesture, as all Ligue 1 players do for displaying messages under their jerseys, but he felt that his act was worth it. His undershirt was a tribute to Associação Chapecoense de Futebol, a Brazilian football club that lost the majority of its players and staff in a plane crash on Monday.

The Chapecoense squad was on its way to the city of Medellin in Colombia to face Atlético Nacional in the first leg of the Copa Sudamericana finals, a continental tournament bested only by the Copa Libertadores in terms of prestige. The team’s plane was low

on fuel and eventually crashed, ending the lives of 71 of the 77 people on board. Three players survived; 19 players and the coaching staff died. Three Chapecoense players did not board the plane, including Matheus Saroli, the son of the late Caio Junior, Chapecoense’s head coach.

The game would have been the biggest match in the club’s history and the most important one in most of the players’ careers.

Chapecoense is a relatively young club, founded in 1973 and based in Chapeco, a small city in southern Brazil. Since 2009, the club was on an upward trajectory, rising rapidly from the fourth division to Campeonato Brasileiro Série A, Brazil’s top league.

The tragedy evoked a resounding response from the international soccer community, with Cavani’s celebration being only a single instance in what has been a showing of remarkable solidarity. Condolences flowed in by the thousands on social media channels, clubs across the world wore black armbands in commemoration, and some even bore the Chapecoense badge.

Umbro, the company that produces Chapecoense’s jerseys, cannot keep up with demand for the team’s shirts, citing scarcity of the required fabric.

Additionally, several Brazilian and Argentinian clubs offered Chapecoense access to their players on loan, free of charge. Brazilian player Ze Roberto offered to play for Chapecoense without a salary next year, and there are rumours that retired superstars Ronaldinho and Juan Roman Riquelme may return to the pitch to don the Chapecoense jersey. Clubs all around the world held a minute of silence for the team.

As for the Copa Sudamericana final, Fox Sports in Brazil aired a black screen asking for 90 minutes of silence in lieu of the cancelled match. Chapecoense was crowned the victor of the Copa Sudamerica following Atlético Nacional’s request that the team receive the trophy.

Chapecoense’s incident recalls similar tragedies from previous years where other soccer teams saw players and staff die from plane crashes. The entire Zambian national

ASSOCIACAO CHAPECOENSE DE FUTEBOL/CC WIKIMEDIA

The Chapecoense badge that clubs wore in honour of the late players and coaches. team died in a plane accident in 1993. The Munich air disaster in 1958 befell English club Manchester United: eight players and three staff members passed. In 1949, Italian club Torino F.C. was wiped out in a plane crash. The catastrophe also decimated the Italian national team at the time, which included many Torino players.

It will be difficult for Chapecoense to rebuild, but the soccer world seems determined to help them. The process will likely be difficult, but they can shine again with determination, resilience, and fuerza.

The ghost of doping’s past The IOC continues to strip athletes of their Olympic medals Daniel Samuel Varsity Columnist

Only a few months after an Olympics marred

by Brazil’s political instability and Ryan Lochte’s drunken quest to make an entire nation look bad, the International Olympic Committee (IOC) has another controversy on its hands. The committee has recently determined that a total of 98 athletes have tested positive in the reanalysis process from the 2008 and 2012 Olympics.

The governing body may have another full-fledged doping crisis. The IOC stripped 10 athletes of their medals from the 2008 Beijing Olympics following the retesting of samples from the games. Nine of the offenders originate from Russia or former Soviet Union countries, a troubling fact that increases suspicion about the prevalence of Russia’s state-sponsored doping program.

While none of the disgraced athletes were 2008 gold medalists, Russian high jumper Elena Slesarenko stands out from the rest.

The 34-year-old won gold in Athens in 2004, but won’t have that medal stripped from her because the statue of limitations stipulates that rule violation proceedings must take place within 10 years of all doping allegations.

Slesarenko tested positive for turinabol, the same oral steroid that was found in the system of Toronto Blue Jays player Chris

Colabello, which highlights that doping is a widespread problem not limited to Olympic athletes.

A week after the IOC received the 2008 retests and the processed results, the organization proceeded to disqualify 12 athletes from the 2012 London Olympics, including Russian gold medalist Yuliya Zaripova. The 3,000m steeplechase winner also tested positive for turinabol, which appears to be the anabolic steroid of choice among cheating athletes.

The timing of the recent positive tests is the result of the methodology used by the World Anti-Doping Agency to ensure that the process is as accurate as possible. While the original tests did not result in the immediate forfeiture of cheating athletes during the games, new techniques used in the retests managed to detect small amounts of performance-enhancing substances that went unnoticed before.

Doping threatens the entire fabric of sport and has the potential to marr fair competition. It’s important to understand that if the Olympics aren’t clean in the near future, then there won’t be much reason to continue the games except to perpetuate a charade of falsities. Athletes like Slesarenko and Zaripova may as well keep the medals they’ve earned in their respective races to the moral bottom.

CORALS ZHENG/THE VARSITY

22 • THE VARSITY • SPORTS

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Ottawa wins first Grey Cup in 40 years Toronto hosts CFL championship Joseph Rossi Varsity Contributor

Redemption was likely on the minds of the Ottawa Redblacks players as they took to Toronto’s BMO Field looking to avenge their loss in last year’s Grey Cup. It was in a dramatic fashion that the Redblacks defeated the heavily favoured Calgary Stampeders in the one hundred and fourth Grey Cup. It didn’t look promising for the Redblacks who endured a scare before the game: Henry Burris, the team’s quarterback, suffered a knee injury. But luckily, after receiving medical treatment, he was able to return to the field before the game began.

The Redblacks gained control of the game early — leading 10–7 after the first quarter and increasing that lead to 20–7 by the end of the first half. In the third quarter the Stampeders started to come back, cutting the deficit to 10 going into the fourth quarter.

The fourth quarter was one of the most exciting in Grey Cup history.

The Stampeders fought their way to within three points of the Redblacks with only 1:38 left to play. Then the Stampeders decided to run an onside kick; with no room for error Rob Maver placed an excellent kick, allowing the Stampeders to re-

Locker room celebrations following the 1965 Grey Cup. CITY OF TORONTO ARCHIVES/CC WIKIMEDIA cover the ball and take possession.

Stampeders quarterback Bo Levi Mitchell took over, delivering quick passes to move Calgary up the field and inside the Redblacks’ 20-yard line. On third down with 10 seconds

left in the game, Calgary kicked a 10 yard field goal to tie the game at 33 and force overtime.

Ottawa got first possession in overtime, starting off by running the ball. Burris then connected

with Ernest Jackson to advance to Calgary’s 20-yard line. Ottawa went back to their running game one more time before Burris threw to Jackson, who bobbled the ball before securing the reception and

running into the end zone.

Calgary had one last chance to keep their championship hopes alive. Mitchell threw deep into the end zone on the first play without success. The next play resulted in another incompletion and was followed by another unsuccessful pass not reaching receiver Bakari Grant. Calgary’s failure to complete their passes secured the Grey Cup for the Redblacks.

The Redblacks’ victory marked the end of a 40-year-old championship drought for the city of Ottawa dating back to when the team were still called the Ottawa Rough Riders. Burris was named the Grey Cup MVP — the second time he has won this accolade in his career.

Questions loom about the future of the 41-year-old quarterback; when asked if he would play next year, Burris commented, “I mean, sometimes athletes can get greedy because the 2017 Grey Cup is in Ottawa. Of course I’ve got to get back and look at that checklist, but the chance to win back to back is a pretty sweet thing but I haven’t even thought about that yet.”

There are questions surrounding the Redblacks heading into next season but for now, they are basking in the glory of delivering a coveted football championship to Ottawa.

Gaels top Blues 3–1 Women’s team falls short after giving up two early goals Brock Edwards Varsity Contributor

A slow start doomed the Varsity Blues women’s hockey team on November 27 at Varsity Arena. Coming off two consecutive wins, the Blues (6–5–0) hoped to end their fall semester on a high note as they hosted the Queen’s University Gaels.

The home team found themselves down 2–0 less than six minutes in. The Gaels (6–5–0) scored their first shot of the game during a 2-on-1 rush, when Queen’s forward Megan Farrell fired the puck under the glove hand of Toronto goaltender Hailey Farrelly.

A few minutes later, Kaylie Dennis made the score 2–0 when she beat Farrelly from the top of the crease on a rebound at 5:27. The Blues hadn’t yet registered a shot on net.

Two consecutive penalties in the first frame limited the Blues’ ability to respond. Toronto netminder Farrelly stood tall on the ensuing powerplays and made an excellent glove save in the

last minute of the period to limit the Gaels’ lead to two.

While the Blues put in a stronger effort in the second period, the home team really came alive in the third. After a sequence of chances, the Blues finally got on the board in the final minutes when Julia Szulewska scored to make it 2–1.

Blues head coach Vicky Sunohara called a timeout at 18:23 in anticipation of a last-ditch effort to tie the game.

The Blues pulled their goalie; with an extra attacker on the ice, they threw everything they had at Gaels netminder Stephanie Pascal but couldn’t beat her.

The Gaels sealed their 3–1 victory with an empty-net goal in the final minute.

The winter portion of the Blues’ 2016–2017 schedule begins with three road games in southern Ontario. The women’s hockey team will then return to Varsity Arena on January 14 to take on the York University Lions.

The Blues travel to Windsor next to face off against the University of Windsor Lancers on January 4, 2017.

Blues chase the puck into the Gaels’ end. BROCK EDWARDS/THE VARSITY

DECEMBER 5, 2016 • 23

var.st/sports

When it rains it pours: Toronto FC advance to the finals Toronto beat Montreal with a 7–5 aggregate win

Scoreboard Toronto

Montreal

Match 1

2

3

Match 2

5

2

Aggregate

7

5

BMO Field to host the MLS finals on December 10.

PAUL BICA/CC FLICKR

Kieran McMurchy Varsity Contributor

The wind blew and the rain poured relentlessly at BMO Field on a cold November night, as if to say to the Montreal Impact: you are not welcome here. Against this ominous backdrop Toronto FC beat the Montreal Impact in a 5–2 game that was far more nervewracking than the score-line might suggest.

November 22 — first leg: Toronto FC (TFC) travelled east to play the Impact in what was sure to be the most heated and contentious iteration of the ‘401 Derby’ to date. The fans and teams were ready — but the pitch was not. The grounds crew, tasked with making sure the field was ready for the biggest match in either team’s history, mistakenly painted the penalty areas 16 yards across instead of the required 18. The grounds crew rushed to repaint the lines while fans and players waited, literally watching paint dry.

The game finally kicked off about a half hour later, and both sides came out playing hard. But in a span of two minutes it seemed like TFC had blown their chances of playing for the title already. In the tenth minute, former TFC player Dominic Oduro slid one un-

derneath TFC keeper Clint Irwin on a break.

Minutes later following weak marking by TFC, Matteo Mancosu blast a shot into the back of the net after receiving a brilliant pass across from Ignacio Piatti.

It seemed bleak going into half-time for TFC. Eight minutes into the second half the Impact scored again; this time it was Ambroise Oyongo with a shot from outside the box that Irwin should have had but that nonetheless snuck into the bottom corner.

The third goal seemed to be a deathblow, the Montreal crowd was deafening and TFC were shaking.

But in the sixty-eighth minute, TFC striker Jozy Altidore headed home an effort from inside the box, and Toronto had come alive.

In the seventy-third minute, TFC captain Michael Bradley received the ball and made no mistake putting the ball in the back of the net, bringing his team to within one. Despite TFC throwing everything they had at Montreal in the final minutes of the game, the score ended 3–2 for Montreal.

November 30 — second leg: TFC entered the second game of the Eastern Conference final knowing all they needed was a 1–0 win to advance to the MLS cup final. The atmosphere at BMO Field was in-

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credible: the noise, the fans lighting flares, and the never ending rain made for one of the better sporting events this city has seen in some time. Thirteen minutes in, Jozy Altidore and the Impact’s Hernán Bernardello collided hard in midair while challenging for a ball. Tempers threatened to boil over, with players from both sides pushing each other while their teammates writhed on the ground. The second leg of the 401 Derby was off to a heated start.

In the twenty-fourth minute, despite TFC dictating the pace of the game, Dominic Oduro found space and slotted in his second goal in as many games. TFC would have to play from behind again, now needing two goals to advance. In the thirty-seventh minute Armando Cooper scored his first ever MLS goal, tying the score. TFC scored again in the forty-fifth minute off a superb cornerkick when Giovinco placed the ball perfectly on Altidore’s head, and he couldn’t help but find the back of the net, bringing the score to 2–1 TFC at the half.

The rain continued to fall and TFC fans continued to sing, screaming praise for their beloved Reds.

In the fifty-third minute, Ignacio Piatti scored for the Impact, forcing TFC to score once more to force extra-time — and score

they did. Nick Hagglund powered a cross header into the net after a well devised set play. In the closing minutes of regular-time, hoping to put his team ahead, Altidore bulldozed his way through the Impact’s back line, only to be thwarted by Impact keeper Evan Bush.

In extra-time everyone at BMO Field and all of the fans watching at home held their collective breath as Sebi Giovinco went down and was forced to sub off. On came 35-yearold Benoit Cheyrou, the unlikely hero; less than two minutes after he stepped on the pitch, he connected with a header and gave TFC the lead in extra-time. Moments later Altidore would assist Canadian international Tosaint Ricketts, who found the back of the net, giving TFC a 5–2 lead in the game and a 7–5 series lead on aggregate. They never looked back.

December 10 — the finals In a winner takes all, single match TFC will host the Seattle Sounders FC at BMO Field to determine who will be crowned the champion. Expect BMO Field to be even more exuberant than usual and for TFC to come out hell bent on winning the trophy for their long suffering and eternally loyal fans — expect the best of North American soccer.

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DIVERSIONS

DECEMBER 5, 2016 • 24

SUDOKU “You have a 9x9 grid and then you have to make each row and each column and each 3x3 square have each of the digits from 1–9 appear once.”

Difficulty: did we use this one yet?

Difficulty: what about this one?