February 5, 2018

page 5

Turbah vandalized at Bahen Act likely carried out by non-minority sect Muslim, says Muslim Students’ Association

Vol. CXXXVIII, No. 17 Februrary 5, 2018 thevarsity.ca —— University of Toronto’s Student Newspaper Since 1880

University withdraws leave policy upon request from OHRC Upon request from the Ontario Human Rights Commission, the university withdrew the mandatory leave of absence policy from consideration of Governing Council, with the intention to rework it and reintroduce it at a later date.

Story on page 3

Jack O. Denton News Editor

The Muslim Students’ Association (MSA) was alerted via its general contact form on February 2 that the turbah in the Bahen Centre for Information Technology’s multi-faith space has been vandalized, and an anti-Shia Muslim note was left at the scene. Turbah are clay tablets that Shia Muslims use in their regular prayers.

Ammara Wasim, Vice-President Communications of the MSA, said that on the day the incident was reported, MSA President Ammar ElAmir went to the Bahen space at 2:00 pm to investigate. ElAmir found that the turbah and note were missing.

The MSA then received a second email reporting the incident, and MSA Vice-President Internal Bilal Hasan went to Bahen to replace the turbah and tablets. When Hasan went to Bahen, the vandalized turbah and note had been returned to the room.

JANUARY 30, 2018 UTSU co-hosts panel discussion with Students for Barrier-free Access

JANUARY 29, 2018

Hours before the University Affairs Board was scheduled to vote on the policy, the UTSU co-hosted a panel discussion with Students for Barrier-free Access, an advocacy group.

Community continues to organize Spurred by the recommendation of the policy, community groups continued to push for Governing Council board members to vote it down.

Bahen, page 3

UTSU, UTMSU to renegotiate membership agreement Unions have 60 days to reach agreement before process of terminating AMA is triggered

JANUARY 25, 2018 DECEMBER 13, 2017 OHRC speaks with U of T, no changes OHRC Chief Commissioner Renu Mandhane spoke with senior administration, highlighting the commission’s concern that the policy fell short of the “duty to accommodate.”

Updated draft goes before the Academic Board The Academic Board approved the updated draft of the policy, which included few of the changes university community members wanted to be included.

NOVEMBER 23, 2017 Ryerson Students’ Union condemns policy

Jack O. Denton News Editor

The Ryerson Students’ Union passed a motion to condemn the policy, with the VP Equity calling it “shameful.”

The University of Toronto Students’ Union (UTSU) and University of Toronto Mississauga Students’ Union (UTMSU) are renegotiating the agreement that binds the two unions’ governance and fee remittance structure.

The renegotiation was announced Friday in a joint statement. It reveals that the two unions agreed on January 25 to engage in a renegotiation process over the Associate Membership Agreement (AMA) with the assistance of a third-party facilitator.

The AMA was first signed in 2008. Full-time undergraduates at UTM are members of both the UTMSU and the UTSU; full-time undergraduates at UTSG are members of just the UTSU. The agreement intertwines the governance of the two unions — a UTSU executive sits as a voting member on the UTMSU’s Board of Directors and liaison between the two groups, while a UTMSU Designate sits on the UTSU’s executive committee. In addition, a minimum of two and a maximum of eight directors on the UTSU Board of Directors are appointed by the UTMSU Board of Directors.

The agreement also outlines the role that the UTSU should have at UTM. Chiefly, it describes that the relationship between the two unions should be one of cooperation and not competition, and that their respective advocacy efforts and services should not overlap.

Under the agreement, the UTSU also diverts 85 per cent of the membership fees that UTM students pay to the UTSU over to the UTMSU, as well as 75 per cent of the UTSU Orientation Levy, 100 per cent of the UTSU Daycare Levy, and 100 per cent of the World University Service of Canada Levy that UTM students pay.

NOVEMBER 16, 2017 NOVEMBER 14, 2017 Community consultations begin Former UTSU VP External Lucinda Qu, former UTSU UC Director Aidan Swirsky, and current UTSU VP University Affairs Adrian Huntelar organized informal community consultations on the policy to seek student reactions.

University pushes back deadline Governing Council delayed voting on the policy for two months upon request from the UTSU, which wanted more feedback from the community.

OCTOBER 23,2017 JUNE 30, 2015 Policy announced in Ombudsperson’s Report

The Varsity breaks the story The Varsity broke the news of the policy, which received overwhelmingly negative reactions from the student body.

The mandatory leave of absence policy was first announced in the 2014–2015 Ombudsperson’s Report.

According to the memo, the university had been considering the policy for a number of years.

Agreement, page 3

EDITORIAL

It’s time for the administration to listen to students

ARTS

SCIENCE

SPORTS

FEATURE

A flair for the dramatic

Please don’t eat Tide Pods

The Hermit Kingdom competes

Eating Disorders Awareness Week

Nine productions compete in the upcoming Drama Festival

The dangers of viral challenges, explained

Can North Korea’s participation in the Olympics ease tensions?

False perceptions make it easy for disorders to go unnoticed

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2 • THE VARSITY

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Vol. CXXXVIII, No. 17

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A view of Lake Ontario from the Toronto Islands. BRANDON WONG/THE VARSITY

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FEBRUARY 5, 2018 • 3

var.st/news Agreement, from cover UTSU President Mathias Memmel said that “both parties recognize that the UTSU-UTMSU relationship has changed since 2008, when the agreement was signed. For example, the agreement forbids the UTMSU from doing advocacy work on university-wide issues, which doesn’t make sense anymore.” Memmel also said that UTM has grown to a size that no longer made it a subsidiary of UTSG, “And the agreement should reflect that.”

UTMSU President Salma Fakhry said that “this renegotiation process that we have both agreed to take is part of a larger conversation of meeting the needs of a campus membership that is over 14,000 strong.”

“We see the importance of the UTM campus having a voice and stake in a union with an almost 120 year history of student activism,” wrote Fakhry. “We believe in a strong, united and principled student’s union that seeks to fight for the marginalized and ensuring our fight for accessible post-secondary education is always maintained.”

The unions have given themselves 60 days to come to an agreement, and negotiations have already started. If an agreement can’t be reached, then the process for terminating the current agreement will be triggered.

As stipulated by the AMA, the agreement can be terminated by a 75 per cent majority from both unions’ board of directors followed by a 75 per cent majority at a general meeting, or alternatively by a simple majority at the board levels and a simple majority from a referendum of both memberships.

Memmel said that the UTSU is “cautiously optimistic that the current agreement can be amended to the satisfaction of both parties.”

“As a membership that is under 1/4 of the UTSU, our interests are to strengthen the contract,” wrote Fakhry. “We are hopeful to engage our members in this time to discuss what we see in building a cohesive bond with our St. George counterparts over the course of the next 60 days.”

Bahen, from cover

An anti-Shia note was discovered at the scene in the Bahen Centre. CC FLICKR

The note left in the space reads: “To the Shia’s: No such thing as following Imam Ali. And no such thing as using a stone for praying. – Kind Regards.”

Wasim said the MSA believes the act was most likely carried out by “another Muslim who does not belong to one of the Minority Sects.”

Sunni Muslims make up the vast majority of Muslims. Shias make up approximately 10–20 per cent of the world’s Muslim population, and they are the largest minority group.

One of the differences between Sunni and Shia Muslims is who they believe was the rightful successor to Muhammad, the founder of Islam, as the leader of the religion. Sunnis believe that Muhammad’s father-in-law, Abu Bakr, was the rightful successor; Shias believe that Ali ibn Abi Talib, Muhammad’s son-in-law and cousin — and the “Imam Ali” referred to in the note — was the rightful successor.

“We also strongly condemn this act of hatred and recognize the need to provide a safer space on campus for ALL Muslim students,” wrote Wassim. “Anti-Shi’ism is a very real and prominent issue that we will address in collaboration with all other Muslim groups on campus.”

“We want to make sure that the perpetrators and anyone else who holds this prejudice realise that this behaviour is not and never will be acceptable.”

U of T’s Thaqalyn Muslim Association, which aims to “foster a greater acceptance of Shi’a students and the general Muslim student body on campus whilst improving relations amongst Muslims and non-Muslims,” also released a statement on the incident.

“The Thaqalayn Muslim Association strongly condemns the religiously-intolerant act that took place,” reads the statement. “It is not befitting for such a close-minded deed to occur in this country, much less in a university where education is sought. Any sincere seeker of knowledge would not criticize the beliefs and practices of others without first making the effort to learn about them.”

“While the hateful act explicitly targeted Shia Muslims, the pain is felt by the broader Muslim community as well,” continues the statement.

The MSA has contacted U of T’s Anti-Racism and Cultural Diversity Office, but it had not heard back from the office as of press time.

UTM event promotes open conversations on mental health Let’s Talk UTM includes resource fair, multimedia exhibits Silas Le Blanc & Lidia Likhodi Varsity Staff

Coinciding with the annual Bell Let’s Talk Day, UTM’s Health and Counselling Centre hosted Let’s Talk UTM Day on January 31, a campus initiative to open the conversation around mental health. #BellLetsTalk is a national social media campaign run by Bell Canada to encourage discussion of mental health issues. Let’s Talk UTM is the first campus-wide initiative of its kind at U of T; the University of St. Michael’s College also hosted a Bell Let’s Talk event on January 31.

The Let’s Talk UTM event featured a mental health resource fair and multimedia exhibits promoting open dialogue around mental health. The event also offered free coffee, self-care bags, and Bell Let’s Talk toques.

Designed for accessibility, the event was stationed in the CCT atrium from 10:00 am to 4:00 pm and attracted a steady stream of students all day.

Let’s Talk UTM was organized with the help of student wellness ambassadors, who were there to provide information on mental health resources, including the Canadian Mental Health Association, Jack.org, the Centre for International Experience, Career Centre, and Accessibility Services. A mental health nurse, dietician, and counselor from the Health and Counselling Centre were also present to speak to students.

Organizer and UTM health education coordinator Ravi Gab-

ble told The Varsity that these experts were at the event because it was important to adopt a holistic approach to talking about mental health, saying that it “intersects with all these different areas.”

“They recognize that, so they’re out here to provide information to students about the different services and resources available to students on campus,” said Gabble.

At the core of the event was a photo exhibit called The Stories of Resiliency, which served to showcase student, staff, faculty, and alumni participants’ stories of overcoming mental illness.

According to Gabble, “The biggest message we want people to take away is that you’re not alone, that everybody has mental health struggles. It’s supposed to be inspirational and really emphasizes resiliency as a skill.”

“We realize there’s a stigma to mental health,” organizer and wellness ambassador Ogogho Ajari told The Varsity. “Essentially with this campaign we open that ground for conversation, make it easy for someone to talk about what they’re going through.”

While organizers intended to leverage the now nationally recognized day for mental health, they expressed hopes that the conversation will continue long-term.

“We always saw this as a year-long thing,” said Gabble.

“We’re going to continue to populate the Stories of Resiliency photos throughout the year and share them over social media and then probably build up again towards 2019.”

U of T withdraws mandatory leave policy following Ontario Human Rights Commission request Policy to be reworked, reintroduced at later date Ilya Bañares & Josie Kao Associate News Editors

U of T has withdrawn the proposed policy that would allow the university to put students with mental health issues on a mandatory leave of absence. The decision comes after the Chief Commissioner Renu Mandhane of the Ontario Human Rights Commission (OHRC) sent a letter to the university asking it to delay the policy’s approval.

Vice-Provost Students Sandy Welsh revealed the reason for the decision, announced by Vice-President and Provost Cheryl Regehr on January 30, at Governing Council’s University Affairs Board (UAB) meeting this afternoon.

“The university continues to be confident that the proposed policy and its implementation is compliant with the Ontario Human Rights Code,” said Welsh.

The decision to delay the policy came on the day that the UAB was set to recommend the final draft of the policy to the Executive Committee for endorsement and forwarding to Governing Council, and days after the Academic Board did the same.

The OHRC is an arms-length agency of the provincial government whose mandate is to prevent discrimination and promote human rights in the province.

The policy was intended to allow the university to place students on a non-punitive leave of absence in situations where their mental health posed a danger to themselves or others or negatively affected their education. A policy currently exists that allows the university to put students with mental health issues on a mandatory leave of absence, but it is currently done by way of the Code of Student Conduct and is a technically punitive measure.

“Even though the university stands by this policy,” said Welsh during the meeting, “out of respect to the commissioner and to ensure that the best interest of our students continue to be addressed, the university will take additional time to consider her comments and to provide thorough and thoughtful response.”

According to Welsh, the communication from the OHRC came on January 29, a day before it was made public. The crux of the commissioner’s concern was, according to Welsh, “in the context of the duty to accommodate.”

“We were concerned because obviously the harm to a student of a mandatory leave is not just academic,” Mandhane told The Varsity. “It impacts things like their housing, their access to services, and we felt that those kinds of interests were sufficient and important enough that the university had to make clear that it understood that it had human rights obligations to students.”

Mandhane said that the OHRC was first made aware of the policy by the ARCH Disability Law Centre, a legal clinic that specializes in helping people with disabilities. After being alerted to the policy, the OHRC contacted the university about their concerns in December 2017.

Vice-Provost Students Sandy Welsh claimed that the updated draft is wholly compliant with the Ontario Human Rights Code. “We really do want to ensure that it fully incorporates the relevant legal factors in a way that can be easily seen and understood by all, including our students,” said Welsh.

The policy will be reworked and reintroduced to Governing Council at a later, unspecified time. According to Welsh, the university will take Mandhane’s concerns into consideration when undertaking its review of the policy.

Welsh highlighted the university’s other mental health initiatives, including increasing the number of embedded counselors in academic divisions. “The policy is one piece of our approach to mental health,” said Welsh. “But until we have this policy, we will be limited and we will still have to rely on the Code of Student Conduct, which is a disciplinary code.”

Student members of the UAB and Governing Council responded positively to the decision.

“I think it’s great that they stepped in, and that the policy has been withdrawn,” Julian Oliveira, a student member of the UAB, told The Varsity. “But I think it’s just a first step.”

Amanda Harvey-Sánchez, a student Governor, said that “this should be a wake-up call for the university that we need to take seriously the concern of students.”

The general response from stakeholder groups is that they are optimistic about the withdrawal of the policy, but they are concerned that it was due to the OHRC’s intervention. All are waiting to see what the university will do next.

Read the rest at var.st/leavepolicy

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St. Mike’s faculty, administration negotiating collective agreement as strike deadline looms Faculty filed for a no-board in January, triggering a countdown for strike action Aidan Currie Deputy News Editor

After eight months of negotiations, the University of St. Michael’s College (USMC) faculty and administration are heading back to the bargaining table on February 9 in pursuit of a collective agreement before the February 11 no-board deadline. A strike is imminent after 86 per cent of unit members voted in favour of job action at the college.

A no-board triggers a 17-day timer for an agreement, after which either side can legally take job action, either by striking or locking out. USMC faculty filed for a no-board with the Ontario Ministry of Labour after they were dissatisfied with negotiations during a January 19 meeting between the two sides. University of Toronto Faculty Association (UTFA)-USMC Chief Negotiator Michael O’Connor said that the faculty filed for the no-board as a way to increase pressure on the administration, which they felt was “not up to speed.”

If a strike should happen, undergraduate students in Book & Media Studies, Medieval Studies, Christianity and Culture, and Celtic Studies would be affected. Graduate students in the Faculty of Theology, and by extension the Toronto School of Theology, would also be affected, along with some services at the John M. Kelly Library.

“We’re hopeful that if the employer comes to the table prepared to bargain and ready with a serious effort to reach an agreement, then an agreement should be possible,” said O’Connor. “We don’t think a strike is necessary; we think it’s avoidable if the college administration is serious about reaching a deal.”

Negotiations have been ongoing since the last collective agreement expired on June 30, 2017. The two sides did not meet until August 8 and 9, after which the administration filed for conciliation to bring in an individual to mediate negotiations. Since then, they have met in September, October, December, and at the January 19 meeting.

USMC Director of Communications Stefan Slovak wrote that the administration will continue to work to secure an agreement.

“We’ve been negotiating in good faith for many months to reach an agreement with our colleagues who are members of UTFA,” reads a statement to The Varsity from USMC President David Mulroney. “We’ve tabled a comprehensive offer that tracks

Students in Book & Media Studies, Medieval Studies, Christianity and Culture, Celtic Studies, and graduate Theology programs would be affected. STEVEN LEE/THE VARSITY

closely with the agreement that UTFA reached with the University of Toronto some months ago, that respects our autonomy as an institution, and that contributes to the long-term viability of our university and the community it sustains.”

Faculty and administration are at odds on four key issues, according to O’Connor. The first is greater job security. The administration has proposed a new category of limited-term contract faculty at the college. The faculty, however, believes this is “precarious employment,” and it does not motivate participation in college life.

The second is that the administration is asking for a one-year agreement, which O’Connor attributes to changes facing the college with Mulroney’s exit. This means that a new agreement would be backdated to July 1, 2017 and would send the two sides

back to negotiations next summer.

“To drag things on for eight months in a way that’s felt just very frustrating, and then say we want to do this right away again just seems impractical and unreasonable to us,” said O’Connor.

“So we’re looking for a multi-year agreement that would give us much more stability.”

Third, faculty are also asking for “equity and diversity in hiring,” requesting that those on hiring committees receive training and that language in USMC job ads mirror U of T’s.

Fourth, they are requesting compensation that mirrors the one per cent plus the $11.50 lump sum that U of T faculty received last June.

O’Connor said that the administration has rejected all of these proposals.

City Council votes to cap property tax increases at 10 per cent for small businesses Move prompted by dissonance among Yonge Street business owners in tax revolt

Kathryn Mannie Varsity Contributor

Toronto City Council voted last week to cap property tax increases at 10 per cent per year for small businesses in the city. The decision comes on the heels of months of dissonance from small businesses on Yonge Street outraged over a sudden increase of over 100 per cent in their property taxes in what has been called the ‘Yonge Street Tax Revolt.’

The bill is only an interim step toward greater tax reform, and Toronto Mayor John Tory said at the City Council meeting that he hopes the province will take steps to fix the Municipal Property Assessment Corporation’s system, which he called “broken.”

The bill includes an amendment, tabled by Councilor Kristyn Wong-Tam, that ensures that the process of exploring other tax policy options for the coming years will include community con-

sultation. Wong-Tam’s amendment also stipulates that the deadline for a report is set at July 17, 2018.

Since last summer, many businesses on Yonge could be seen with posters in their shop windows with messages such as “Stop Mayor Tory’s Sudden 100% Tax Increase!” and “Yonge Street Tax Revolt.”

A number of small businesses spoke at the Executive Committee meeting on January 24, which debated the bill before it went to City Council. While some were in favour of the property tax cap, others stated that it wasn’t enough to save their businesses.

Linda Malone, owner of Iam Yoga, said at the meeting, “As a small business owner and U of T graduate, I have put my savings, blood, sweat, tears, energy, and a lot of calculated and strategic thought into successfully growing a business that contributes to both the municipal economy and the cultural fabric of my community.”

“Increasing property taxes at the rates initially approved this year will put my 10 year-old small business out of business.”

While Malone supported the 10 per cent cap, Mark Citron, owner of Cat’s Cradle, which is closing, said that it’s not enough.

Cat’s Cradle has been in Citron’s family for 98 years, but for the past 10 years they have failed to turn a profit. “Just saying that [if] you’re going to be happy with 10 per cent, [then] my business is going out of business,” he said at the meeting.

In addition to the personal financial impact, some business owners also raised the issue that making rent too expensive for small businesses on Yonge would damage the culture of Toronto’s shopping district.

“This is as much about the health and survival of many of Toronto’s traditionally most beloved and visited neighbourhoods, as

it is about people like myself, and my staff, and our survival,” said Dominic Cramer, owner of the Toronto Hemp Company.

“Huge, uncontrolled property tax increases caused by rampant real estate speculation threatens to, at least temporarily, destroy these areas and cause them to be virtual ghost towns while the condominiums develop all around us,” said Cramer.

George Giaouris, owner of Northbound Leather, labelled today’s conditions as a “perfect storm” of unfair taxation, decreased foot traffic, and minimum wage increases.

Tory said he hopes that “we don’t look at today as a conclusion but rather as a beginning. It’s a beginning that provides shorter term relief and certainty for people.” At the same time, the mayor said that the bill has to be accompanied by a will from City Council to pursue other tax options and a change to provincial policy.

Many businesses along Yonge Street have had posters in their shop windows since last summer. JESS STEWART-LEE/THE VARSITY

FEBRUARY 5, 2018 • 5

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Students with children feel “invisible” at U of T University Family Care Office notes difficulty of finding childcare Josie Kao Associate News Editor

Students who have to juggle school responsibilities with caring for children do not have the typical university experience. While U of T’s Family Care Office (FCO) provides services to students with dependents, there are gaps that still need to be filled.

The Varsity spoke to student parents about the biggest barriers they face when it comes to being students with children.

Liron Cohen, a fourth-year undergraduate student studying Chemistry, said that it is sometimes difficult for professors to understand how her situation differs from those of other students.

“You basically have some kind of responsibility that you cannot postpone,” she said. “If my child is sick… this would be my top priority and not my study.”

Cohen said she finds that she’s more busy and exhausted than other students. “But everyone has something that they’re dealing with” and that “people’s lives are very complicated.”

Chilombo Njolomba is a first-year graduate student completing her degree in social work. She was an undergraduate student at U of T 11 years ago when she had her first child, and she said that it was difficult to deal with the lack of understanding about her situation.

“It was always like, ‘Oh you should have waited to have kids.’

That is not the issue,” she said. “Just because I have children does not limit my desire for higher education.”

“I’m not going to be denied an education because I have children.”

Nevertheless, Njolomba believes that U of T has become better since she first became a parent, and she credits the FCO for helping her get through her undergraduate degree.

The FCO aims to provide “confidential guidance, resources, referrals, educational programming and advocacy for the University of Toronto community and their families,” according to their website.

While this includes running childcare centres on all three cam-

MIA CARNEVALE/THE VARSITY

puses, the number of spaces can’t always meet the demand. In the past, when Njolomba had wanted to use the university’s childcare services, she was never able to find space and had to look for alternatives.

When asked what some of the biggest barriers facing students with children were, the FCO’s Kaye Francis immediately mentioned the difficulty of finding childcare.

“Working in the field for so long, I realize childcare is so expensive and there are not enough spaces perhaps for the number of students who need them,” said Francis. “Universal childcare is something that’s applicable in this case — that would make a difference.”

For students with children, the availability of childcare is often what keeps them from being more involved at school.

“Sometimes there are events I cannot attend because it’s definitely up to me to pay for childcare at that time,” said Cohen.

Njolomba echoed her statement. “If you have a welcome to university event, is there an option for childcare? You’d actually be surprised at how many students won’t come to an event because there’s no way to take their child.”

The barriers preventing student parents from participating in university life contribute to the overall sense of isolation that Njolomba and Cohen expressed.

Francis said that students with children “feel invisible sometimes,” especially because it’s hard to find people in their situation around campus. She noted that a major gap at post-secondary institutions is that people don’t acknowledge that students may have children. She believes that it is important to make “the school, the staff, the faculty all aware that children can be a part of this equation.”

Cohen knows that she’s not the only undergraduate student with a child, but she also finds it hard to find people who have a similar experience. “I’m sure there are others out there,” said Cohen. “But I don’t see them in lectures, I don’t necessarily know about them.”

She suggests that having events that bring together students with children in a way that helps them focus on schoolwork while also taking care of their children would be beneficial.

When Njolomba started at U of T, there was the expectation that students were “coming from high school and [had] no family responsibilities.” This made it difficult for her to explain instances where she had to miss class because of family obligations, such as one of her children being sick.

“Whatever the reason may be, it was really difficult to explain at that time if it didn’t have anything to do with me directly.”

Through the years, Njolomba said she has learned how to better advocate for herself, because the university does not.

“Just as you accommodate other needs, you should be able to accommodate this because it’s important. We’re raising people, humans,” she said. “The onus needs to be removed from the individual to always fight the institution.”

Toronto on Amazon’s shortlist for second headquarters

UTSU receives large dildo in mail

“U of T is a big part of our success story,” says Mayor Tory

The latest in mysterious student union sex toy sending spree

Carey Davis Varsity Staff

The Toronto region has earned a spot on Amazon’s shortlist for a second headquarters, to be launched by the end of this year.

The addition would bring $5 billion in investments and create as many as 50,000 jobs for its host city.

The 20-city shortlist, released January 18, named Toronto as the only non-American city in the running to host the tech giant’s newest project. The project, called Amazon HQ2, received proposals from 238 North American cities when the company called for submissions in September 2017.

Finalists are to be informed of next steps within the coming weeks. Toby Lennox, CEO of Toronto Global — which worked in shaping Toronto’s HQ2 bid — indicated that the Toronto region is anxiously waiting to hear back from Amazon.

Lennox said that Toronto’s proposal to Amazon, made in October 2017, highlighted Toronto as a hub for high quality talent, stemming from its universities. The proposal was “an opportunity for us to hold up a mirror to ourselves,” he told The Varsity.

“We are now a really big, complicated, dynamic, and vibrant city. We’re a global player,” said Lennox. “It’s all the work that all the people have put in to Toronto to make it the region that it is now. And it’s great to see us for what we are.”

While Amazon provided no explicit rationale for selecting the

top 20, Lennox and Toronto Mayor John Tory cited Canadian openness to immigration and the city’s innovative growth as major assets attracting corporate investment.

In a statement to The Varsity, Tory emphasized the significance of educational capital, which he said was incorporated as a key selling point of Toronto in the bid to Amazon.

“Our pitch to Amazon highlights the fact we are building a Future-Proofed Talent Pipeline, including a 25% boost in the number of STEM graduates in Ontario,” reads Tory’s statement.

“U of T is a big part of our success story.”

Tory said that the university-affiliated Vector Institute “is helping build our reputation in technology and around the world.”

Lennox noted Amazon’s interest in working with universities engaged in research and development. The company hires university interns and full-time employees in the United States, and Lennox hopes that HQ2 would carry that pattern north.

There would still be drawbacks to HQ2 in Toronto, said Shauna Brail, Director of the Urban Studies Program at U of T and a Senior Associate at the Munk School’s Innovation Policy Lab. Among those drawbacks would be Amazon shifting the job market away from the service and manufacturing industries with augmented automation. Brail also illuminated the consequences HQ2 could impose on Toronto’s already oversaturated and expensive housing market.

Even if the Toronto region is not Amazon’s ultimate choice, Tory, Lennox, and Brail all agree that this sort of investment interest reflects Toronto’s already flourishing tech sector and economy at large.

If Toronto doesn’t win, “it doesn’t change the city’s fundamental attractiveness to other companies,” said Lennox. “This is our opportunity. It’s like we’ve already won this thing. Let’s keep going at it. And if Amazon comes here, great. We’re still going to keep doing the same things.”

Jack O. Denton News Editor

The University of Toronto Students’ Union (UTSU) has joined the ranks of around a dozen other Canadian student unions that have mysteriously received sex toys in the mail. While Ryerson University’s student union recently received an ornate, pink and rose gold vibrator, the UTSU was sent a large, clear, spiral-shafted dildo of reportedly low quality and price.

The package, addressed to the union’s 12 Hart House Circle office, came on January 29 and was opened by a staff member. It came from Amazon.

UTSU President Mathias Memmel said he was amused by the unexpected delivery. He was, however, disappointed in the low quality of the dildo. “I think it’s a copycat.”

Amazon and the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) are hot on the trail of the sex toy-sending rogue. Student unions from Dalhousie University in the east to Royal Roads University in the west have been receiving dozens of mysterious packages, including sex toys and assorted electronic goods.

The UTSU recieved one such package back in November. The contents included earbuds, a water tester, and iPhone chargers.

The RCMP’s investigation has found that the items are coming from distributors in China, who may be “sending their goods to Canadian university student unions as a marketing tactic,” said RCMP Constable Darryl Waruk.

UTSU President Mathias Memmel said he was disappointed in the low quality of the dildo.

TESS KING/THE VARSITY

STEVEN LEE/THE VARSITY

6 • THE VARSITY • NEWS

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2018 GOVERNING COUNCIL ELECTIONS: Student Candidates’ Statements Voting Period: Monday, February 5, 2018 at 9:00 a.m. to Friday, February 16, 2018 at 5:00 p.m.

Online voting will take place on U-electT at voting.utoronto.ca and through a secured website for post graduate medical trainees.

Full-Time Undergraduate Students, Constituency I (Faculty of Arts and Science, University of Toronto Mississauga, University of Toronto Scarborough) Hussain Ali Given my related volunteer, work experience, and excellent capabilities I believe that I will be able to bring the best perspective that portrays the majority of UOFT students.

Working in a position that will enable me to use my strong educational background and ability to work well with people, students will have a better opportunity in letting the University know what they want. I’m positive that with my hard work and commitment we will be able to do great things in the upcoming year. Make no mistake and put your trust in me, together we can make next year memorable. https://votehussainali.weebly.com Tejbeer Bhullar Hello UofT, I am Tejbeer Singh Bhullar, majoring in Computer Science. Although This is my first year at UofT, my true experience comes from the ideas and dreams you’ve shared with me. I feel that I am a good candidate for this position because I have experience in representing the community I belong to. In high-school, I represented my institution at the Round-Square conference in Dubai. I had also been a part of the model United Nations team in my previous institute which prepared me to speak for the community and make good decisions for their welfare.

Tyler Biswurm Students, vote for REPRESENTATION. My platform is *your* platform! If elected, I promise to: (1) Expand undergraduate career and research opportunities, (2) Upgrade U of T’s sexual violence policies and programs, (3) Broaden access to and integrate mental health services, (4) Advance and concretize the university’s commitments to equity, (5) Support international students’ quality of life, (6) Advocate a green future for our campus, (7) Preserve the important role of non-STEM fields at U of T, (8) Advocate for the practice of responsible investment by U of T, (9) ??? -- Visit my website and have your issue heard! http://tylerbiswurm4gc.ca Julia DaSilva I am an active student double-majoring in Philosophy and Literature & Critical Theory with a minor in Indigenous Studies. Last year, I co-founded Leap UofT, a student climate justice organization working for fossil fuel divestment; we are also working collaboratively with student groups to develop a “UofT Leap Manifesto,” a visionary document calling for a just and sustainable university. As Governor, I will apply the skills I gained building the Leap to push for decisive action on divestment, comprehensive policies to tackle white supremacy on campus, and accessible and equitable mental health policies. Visit juliadasilva.ca for more info.

Arina Dmitrenko Arina Dmitrenko is a second year student at St. Michael’s College studying Political Science and European Studies.

She is currently a serving member of the Academic Board and the committee on Academic Policy and Programs for the Governing Council. She’s interested in student politics and is involved in several UofT based clubs allowing her to engage effectively with the student body, however, Arina is always looking to further participate with the students and academics on campus. Finally, Arina is looking to pursue a career in law or politics after her degree at UofT, St. George.

Georgia Dryden As a third year student with 2 years of experience on UofT’s residence councils, and social committees, and currently involved in my program’s student association and the Undergraduate Sciences Curriculum Committee, I have had plenty of experience in fulfilling a leadership role in the student body. In these experiences, I’ve made decisions that facilitated in making the academic life of students successful and enjoyable. I am interested in learning more about the University’s objectives and developing further skills, in addition to putting my experience forward to contribute positively to the goals of the University of Toronto.

Elizabeth Frangos As a movie junkie, I often use movie quotes to express myself and so, I felt it appropriate to quote one of my favourite Tom Cruise movies, Jerry Maguire: “Help me, help you!”. Now approaching my third year at the University of Toronto, I am running for a student position on the Governing Council in hopes of representing the interests of the undergraduate student body with respect to the university administration. I hope to cultivate a cooperative and transparent relationship among my constituents while utilizing my wealth of movie quote knowledge. In the words of Jerry: Help me, help you!

Edie (Yi Yi) Guo Hi! I’m Edie :) I’m one of the Co-Chairs of the Hart House Farm Committee and a Steward on the Hart House Board of Stewards. I grew up in a small city in British Columbia and studied high school in Shanghai. I am currently a student researcher on microplastic contamination. I will advocate for 1) Get term test & exam repository with answers for ALL classes 2) CR/NCR be available until after we get our final marks 3) Set up mental health emergency room! 4) More paid co-ops, internships, and research opportunities 5) Green technology to save utility bills. https://www.edieforgcouncil.com

Nicholas Heinrich I am full-time undergraduate student planning to major in political science and economics at St. George. I am running for Governing Council to uphold the prestigious reputation of this university. I want to be a governor to vote and advise the administration on the policies they put forward that represent the feelings of my constituents. As a volunteer for Liberal Party events, I know what it means to fight for my beliefs and we need someone who will fight for policies that help every student and I am that student and I hope I can receive your vote. https://www.facebook.com/groups/141122859865852/about/ Adrian Huntelar I’m running for Governing Council because I believe that it should be students, not administrators, who shape the future of this University. As Vice-President University Affairs for the UofT Students’ Union (UTSU), I’ve worked alongside many student leaders to advocate for improvements to mental health services, food security, housing, transit, and affordability issues. There is still much work to be done, and it must involve students and groups who aren’t usually invited to the table, but need and deserve to be. I would be honoured to earn your support. Please feel free to connect with me at https://www.facebook.com/ AdrianHuntelarForGoverningCouncil

Sukarmina Singh Shankar (Sushi) Hello! My name is Sukarmina, and I look forward to becoming YOUR voice on the Governing Council. As President of an Academic Society on the UTM Campus, my goal is to increase student participation and actively listen to more student voices so that the Society can address their needs.

With your support, I am confident that my uniquely diverse experiences will positively contribute in making decisions that improve our outstanding academic institution. Giving back to the community, that has helped me mature and enrich my life, is important to me. I look forward to representing you on the Governing Council! https://www.facebook.com/pg/Sukarmina-SinghShankar-1803459656345067 Yousra Tarrabou I believe you should vote for me to represent you as one of the members of the Governing Council at UofT. I have a strong passion towards politics and public policy and most importantly, I have trust in my abilities to respectfully act on your behalf with the honour of governing the Universities affairs. I will continue to uphold the administration of the UofT with great confidence as I trust that I have the competency for the job and so I ask of you, to have the same trust in me as well by voting on my behalf. Thank you.

Carl Kersey During the past three years, I’ve searched for what it means to have a positive student experience: to me, that means safety, freedom, and opportunity. I’ve worked within the English and Drama community of the Mississauga campus to develop a space that reflects these values – in 2018-2019, it’s time to take things to a larger platform. Having worked in a variety of areas, from marketing to helping lead one of our student societies, I know I have the necessary understanding of executive administration to promote and support these values not only within Governing Council, but the university as a whole.

Tiger Wu Tiger Wu is an outgoing second year life science student currently studying at the Mississauga Campus. With a keen career permit of medicine academically, he has also founded the interest of representing the student body from all three campuses in giving the voice back to the students from a desire for positive change. An active member to clubs within school and a strong devoter to the non profit organization within the community including Rotary International and Long Term Care centres in Peel, backed with a strong academic standing and naturally born leadership skills. He follows a “passionate and dedicated towards all” mentality.

Audrey Lee Hi! My name is Audrey and as an individual that has lived in multiple regions of the world – I have learned that effective action derives from the voices of the community. I wish to represent your voice within the decision-making process and here are a few things I would push for: 1. More colour in places like Robarts 2. More venues for nutritious meals 3.

Sustainable infrastructure 4. An online feedback system in which students can express suggestions and concerns within areas of potential improvement on campus.

Leon Zeliang Zhang Leon Zhang is in his third year in Rotman Commerce completing a specialist in Finance& Economics. Campaign propositions: I. Vote Against Tuition fee rise except it is based on CPI or other appropriate reasons or standards. II. More investment and attention on undergraduate education. III. Concentrate more resources on popular sports and fitness such as providing free fitness lessons instead of focus on competitive sports and school team. IV. Some meal plans come with residence are unreasonable and many students complain about wasting their money. V. Late withdrawal should not be shown on the academic record. https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100010109888609

Blair P. Madeley Blair Patrick Madeley has dedicated himself to education for the past decade. He has a passion for solving problems and is detail oriented. By taking the perspectives of others into account and finding common ground, he has successfully built bridges between groups and avoided potential pitfalls through altruistic motives. Before arriving at UofT from Humber College, Blair held the position of Logistics Lead on the Events Board which oversaw the highly praised Annual Art Gala. He is eager to share his skills and work directly for the students of UofT. Thank you all for your consideration.

Price Amobi Maka As a fourth year UTM Political Science and Criminology double major student & a former events coordinator in several societies at our university, I want to be a leader & advocate for student activism on Governing Council! Top priorities include: (1) Lobbying for lower Tuition Fees for Affordable Education, (2) Cooperation with clubs & Academic societies, (3) Push for more funding toward academic societies & independent initiatives. I’m going to apply my past leadership experience to create a safe and inclusive environment for more student events and programs that would provide a more in-depth school experience. Remember, you matter! priceamobimaka.ca Georgina Merhom “UofT isn’t for everyone”, someone said to me in my first year when I told them I was struggling with anxiety, all-nighters, and homesickness. In my three years of student leadership at SMC and my year as a director on UTSU, I have come to close contact with issues that make students feel the way I did in my first year. As your representative, I will advocate for academic policies that prioritize mental health. I will fight for greater accountability on federated colleges and student unions. UofT CAN be a place for everyone - now let’s make that happen.

Aida Mohammad Aida is a B.Sc candidate who has worked closely with hundreds of UTSG students through various projects. Her experiences include co-chairing the marketing team of the 2017 Stem Cell Conference at UofT (featuring the renowned Dr. James Till), serving as a TEDxUofT executive, and the UTSG/Rotman Team Lead for the Great Canadian Sales Competition. In the latter, she achieved record-breaking recruitment of UTSG students to participate in the largest student competition in Canada. Aida is passionate about fostering a fundamentally rich and diverse experience for all students, and will hold that as a high priority in the Governing Council. https://www.linkedin.com/in/aidamaz/ Maha Rahman Fellow Arts and Sciences members, I want to give you all a voice and use it constructively towards the advancement of the University’s goals. I believe that being a third-year political science student and having taken part in several leadership roles with SickKids Foundation, Heart and Stroke foundation, and other organizations including human rights groups, will help me implement what I have learned. I want to bring positive changes whether it is for tuition, mental health care or sexual harassment policies. I want to represent you all and humbly ask for your support because together we can achieve great things! https://www.facebook.com/events/1437429073045865/

Yufei Zhang I am second-year international student specialising in economics, statistics and actuarial science. However, I still have enough time to join activities. In my first year, I held three study groups to study with peers. Last summer, I joined the E-mentorship in New College to help new coming students, and did two internships in an insurance company and securities company. Currently, I am a member of the Sciences Curriculum Committee in Art & Science Faculty so that I can give the school more advice from my own experience. At last, some important problems in school’s calendar are needed to be fixed.

Alan Zheng I’m ALAN ZHENG, a second-year student majoring in International Relations and East Asian Studies in UTSG. As a former U.S. Army ROTC Cadet Lieutenant, I have outstanding leadership skill and self-discipline. Right now, we are still facing problems like high tuition fee and suicide rate in our university. I’m trying to change these to make University of Toronto a real home for every student, but I can’t without your help. I need you - a student that also cares about our university just like I do to support me. Vote ALAN, vote for a better U of T.

Full-Time Undergraduate Students, Constituency II (Professional Faculties) Ramz Aziz My fellow students, I humbly ask you for your support to represent the interests of our diverse community on Governing Council for 2018-2019. As a 3rd year JD/MBA student, I am involved in the university community through student societies internal and external to the Faculty of Law. There are three reasons why I would be a suitable candidate to be your advocate: 1) I have experience with Governing Council, 2) I am accessible and conscious of the diverse needs of the numerous faculties in our constituency, and 3) I know how to work with difficult stakeholders to get things done.

Chetanya Choudhary Ever thought “I can’t”? I’m here to change that to “I CAN!” and empower student potential. As EngSociety mechanical engineering representative, former athletics president and YNCN career ambassador, I possess four years of experience advocating a rewarding student experience through community and professional development initiatives.

I’m eager to continue advocating the unique undergraduate perspective, university-wide, through consultation and oversight of administrative policy. My platform advocates greater (1) local, international internships and competitions; (2) cross-disciplinary education; (3) student financial literacy; (4) support for cultural, commuter, student groups. Through your vote, WE will build communities where everyone says “YES, I CAN!” Visit bit.ly/votechetanyaforchange

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FEBRUARY 5, 2018 • 7

2018 GOVERNING COUNCIL ELECTIONS: Student Candidates’ Statements Full-Time Undergraduate Students, Constituency II (Professional Faculties cont’d) Joshua Humphrey I am a third year Architecture student at the Daniels Faculty and already deeply involved in student affairs both within my faculty and across the university at large. This year, I have been a representative on the Architecture and Visual Studies Student Union, where I have spearheaded sustainability initiatives. I am also an active member of the UTSU Sustainability Commission, and with the University of Toronto History Society. If elected to the Governing Council, I look forward to representing my fellow students’ perspectives, all while supporting an inclusive dialogue that prioritizes ethical conduct and respect.

Litos Li Vote Litos for Governing Council! As a 3rd year Engineering Science student, I find myself and my peers buried in schoolwork: we know little about our school. With my previous experience in multiple student organizations and unions, I want to help everyone be connected to the school and truly understand where the increased tuition goes, what UTSU does, to whom we can pour out our depression and mostly, how to make a change. If elected, I will advocate for affordable education and increased care for mental health. I hope to hear your voice, and together we will make UofT better!

Zhenglin Liu Hello ProFac students! I’m a third year Mechanical Engineering student, and my relevant governance experiences include working as the UTSU Sustainability Commissioner and serving on Governing Council’s University Affairs Board.

In the latter role, I was a leader in coordinating the student response to the University-Mandated Leave Policy, reducing its disproportionate impact on groups such as international students. If elected to represent you, I will commit to ensuring that the university’s decisions address our need for better student services like mental wellness support, and work with other student governors to continue popular initiatives like the creation of campus nap spaces. https://www.facebook.com/zhenglinliuGC/ Hanna Singer I’m excited to be running to represent you on the Governing Council. Born in Calgary, I studied political science at McGill and worked for an MP in Ottawa. I’m now in first year law at UofT. As your rep, my focus will be to improve student welfare. There’s a strong foundation in place, but I believe we need more mental health services, more affordable student housing, and more career and internship opportunities. I also believe more should be done to eliminate harassment on campus. Most importantly, I believe your voice should be heard so please don’t hesitate to reach out. https://www.facebook.com/ElectHannaSinger/ Tom Sutherland My name is Tom Sutherland, a law student here at U of T. Before coming to U of T I had extensive experience in the realm of university governance. Serving as a governor on Western’s Board of Governors, I have learned that good governance is only possible when there is open communication between a representative and their constituency. I will foster these vital relationships throughout and make sure that your voice is heard. So, if you want a strong leader with a wealth of experience, then vote Tom Sutherland.

Twesh Upadhyaya I am honoured to be your current Governing Council representative, THANK YOU for the opportunity. I have fought to better the university experience: nap spaces are likely to be implemented by year-end; I have had strong discussions with university administration regarding lower tuition caps; and policy changes were suggested for improving TA quality.

I serve on the UofT Engineering Society’s Board of Directors, and Finance, Election and Policy and Structures committees; receiving the Best Representative award in 2016. Vote Twesh for strong representation, thoughtful policy decisions, and experienced leadership. Re-elect Twesh for Governing Council! Thank you for your continued support. https://www.facebook.com/events/175469803203483/

Hanya Waleed Abdelgabbar Wahdan Hello reader, I hope you are having a blessed day! My name is Hanya Wahdan, and I am a first-year Engineering Science student. Contrary to the popular belief that all Engineering Science students do is study, eat, sleep, and repeat, I actually want to participate in a position that will not only be able to inflict change on the community I am directly linked to but also the university as a whole. Thinking that working hard in the Governing Council can lead to a better tomorrow for you gives me great pride and hope. Let’s conquer 2018 together!

Graduate Students, Constituency I (Humanities and Social Sciences) Emily Clare Emily Clare – I am a PhD candidate in the Linguistics Department. I served as Co-President of my GSU Course Union for two years, and then as Secretary Treasurer for CUPE 3902 for two years, so I have extensive experience working to improve the lives and working conditions of graduate students. I have had contact with graduate students in almost every department and have learned about and helped with a wide variety of challenges that graduate students at UofT face. I have demonstrated my commitment to this community and would be enthusiastic to serve them in this capacity.

Harry Orbach-Miller Harry Orbach-Miller is a Master of Public Policy student and experienced advocate, having represented student interests to every level of Canadian government. Currently, he serves on the Ministry of Advanced Education and Skill Development’s Minister’s Advisory Council, is the Co-Chair of eCampus Ontario’s Student Advisory Committee and a member of Hart House’s Good Ideas Fund. Previously, Harry was the Chair of Western University’s Student Senators where he represented 30,000 undergraduates and successfully lobbied for a Fall Reading Break (a decadelong student priority). He is passionate about empowering student voices throughout UofT, enhancing mental health support, and improving transparency in decision-making. http://bit.ly/Harry4Governor Igor Samardzic As a Professional Graduate Student in Urban Planning, if elected my foremost goal is to prioritize the perspective of graduate students. My previous experience with U of T’s Governing Council and Student Unions has provided me with key insights into the inner workings of governance at U of T. I think my unique experience as a disabled grad student will add a different perspective to governance issues before council. Some of my personal beliefs are advocating for the removal of financial barriers to education, supporting improved TA working conditions, and promoting an inclusive & accessible campus. http://facebook.com/vote4Igor/ Yasseen Tasabehji As an OISE student studying education & developmental psychology, I recognize education as the foundation for a good life. Having served on OISE’s Academic Programs and Research Committees, I believe I have what it takes to represent the interests of my fellow graduate students both inside and outside of OISE. Let us recognize teachers as the change makers they are and continue UofT’s commitment to a high quality education that is available for all. Let us unite as students to find our voices and inspire others to find theirs. Never stop learning. February 5-16, vote Yasseen Tasabehji. www.facebook.com/Yasseen4GC

Wales Wong I am a PhD student at the Ontario Institute for Studies in Education (OISE). My involvement with campus life and student governance for the past 3 years have prepared me for this role in the Governing Council. I am the VP Internal for OISE’s Graduate Students Association (GSA) and I have also served as the OISE CTLSA’s Communications Coordinator, GSA Executive Elections Appeals Committee Member, CTL Graduate Student Seminar Series Organizer, and CUPE3907 Trustee. I will work closely with our graduate students to represent our perspectives on issues by voicing the values and interests of our diverse student community. https://waleswong.wixsite.com/gce2018

Graduate Students, Constituency II (Physical and Life Sciences) Nathan Chan Nathan Chan can be Your Advocate on Governing Council.

We’re disadvantaged on Governing Council – whereas Council has a long-term mandate, we hold our terms for just one year. We sometimes lack the context of Council’s discussions.

Though I’ve never sat on Council, I have the experience to advocate for your interests. I’ve worked with countless students over the last half-decade at U of T. I was appointed to the University Affairs Board last year, where I oversaw non-academic policies and campus life. I learned how the University worked, and I refused to back down on contentious issues. http://youradvocateoncouncil.com/ Sandhya Mylabathula Sandhya Mylabathula – Currently a PhD student (Exercise Sciences), I am dedicated to improving the graduate student experience. I developed leadership and communication skills through serving in graduate student governance for 5+ years, as an executive member of 5 student groups, and as Chief Steward of CUPE 3902. I am committed to increasing representation of graduate student concerns, and support improved graduate student programming and professional development services, mental health initiatives, and graduate funding and working conditions. I hope to bring my experience and enthusiasm to Governing Council, and would be honoured to have your vote as your Division III/IV representative.

Sabrina Sen The immense possibilities of governance first became apparent in high school where, as the president of the student’s council I was able to initiate new programs/societies despite walking the tightrope between the administrative regulations and the student requirements. I believe, that being president of the microbiological society during my undergraduate degree in India and part of the Biochemistry Graduate Students Union and further a chair of many mentorship committees at the University of Toronto has put me in the happy position of interacting, understanding and empowering a diverse group of people/cultures. I can thus be a valuable asset in governance.

Students registered at UTM and UTSC are also encouraged to vote in the elections for the Campus Councils and their Standing Committees.

Voting Period: Monday, February 5, 2018 at 9:00 a.m. to Friday, February 16, 2018 at 5:00 p.m. Online voting will take place on U-electT at voting.utoronto.ca and through a secured website for post graduate medical trainees.

Questions about the Governing Council elections process may be directed to the Chief Returning Officer, Mr. Anwar Kazimi (416-978-8427; anwar.kazimi@utoronto.ca), or the Deputy Returning Officer, Mr. Patrick McNeill (416-978-8428; patrick.mcneill@utoronto.ca).

8 • THE VARSITY • NEWS

$600 missing from Undergraduate Earth Sciences Association locker

news@thevarsity.ca

Nobel Laureate Muhammad Yunus speaks at U of T ‘Banker to the poor’ discusses economic system, micro-credit

Campus Police investigating disappearance Josie Kao Associate News Editor

Around $600 in cash was reported missing from the Undergraduate Earth Sciences Association (UESA) on January 17. The disappearance was reported to Campus Police, who are currently investigating the incident.

According to a source with knowledge of the matter, only the 10 UESA executives have access to the locker where the money was held. The funds were last seen by UESA President Aldo Fusciardi on January 15, and they were discovered to be missing by VicePresident Shantel Turna on January 17. Fusciardi resigned from his post on February 3.

The incident has reportedly not been mentioned in UESA meetings since the disappearance. According to the source, it is very hard for students to accuse anyone of theft due to the closeknit nature of the Earth Sciences Department.

The money taken was likely the whole of the profits the association had made since its last deposit, according to the source, and would have likely gone toward hosting events for the department’s undergraduate students.

The disappearance of the funds occurred days after the resignation of UESA Treasurer Michael Neinhuis, who reportedly left a note in the locker announcing his departure. The source believes that Nienhuis could have retained access to the locker until January 18, when the lock was changed.

U of T spokesperson Althea Blackburn-Evans said that Campus Police aren’t able to share any further details about the ongoing investigation.

As of press time, there were no updates as to the disappearance of the funds. Fusciardi and Neinhuis did not respond to The Varsity’s requests for comment.

The funds were reported missing on January 17.

SHANNA HUNTER/THE VARSITY

Yunus, a Nobel Peace Prize winner, spoke at Innis Town Hall on February 3. STEVEN LEE/THE VARSITY

Ilya Bañares Associate News Editor

Muhammad Yunus, a Nobel Peace Prize winner and founder of microcredit, spoke at Innis Town Hall on February 3 about how economic systems affect social issues, including inequality, unemployment, and environmental degradation.

He also spoke about his recent book, A World of Three Zeros: The New Economics of Zero Poverty, Zero Unemployment, and Zero Net Carbon Emissions.

The event was hosted by U of T’s School of Public Policy and Governance (SPPG) and featured a lecture by Yunus followed by a discussion with SPPG Director Peter Loewen and a Q&A period with the audience.

Yunus is known for founding Grameen Bank in his native Bangladesh and pioneering the concept of microcredit in an attempt to alleviate poverty. Microcredit is a financial service aimed at people on the lowest rungs of the economic ladder who are normally unable to secure a bank loan through regular channels, as they often require collateral or a credit history. Microcredit involves giving out smaller loans to help people improve their local communities and build small businesses.

Yunus began the talk by trying to answer what he considered a common question from people: why are people poor, and why do they remain that way?

“Poverty is not caused by or created by poor people,” said Yunus. “Poverty is created by the system that we have created.” He compared the current system to a bonsai tree, explaining that the

seed of the plant, taken from a giant tree, will stop growing after a while. Yunus argued that, like a bonsai tree, society doesn’t give people space or an environment to grow like everything else.

Yunus contended that the financial system is so intricate that it leaves the bottom half of the world’s population out of the structure, cutting them off from the “economic oxygen” they need for basic survival and leading to a cycle of poverty. In his opinion, the problem lies with the current world order, not on the people themselves.

A major problem in the financial system, Yunus concluded, is the existence of loan sharks. “As long as there are pay lenders in your country, you know your financial system is not working,” he said. Seeing their presence in small villages is what led him to create microcredit, unlike traditional banks, which he claimed were only trying to maximize profit instead of helping people.

“Once I learn what they do, I do the opposite,” said Yunus, referring to conventional financial institutions. Instead of concentrating in large urban areas, Grameen Bank would focus on small, rural villages. After 35 years, the bank has more than 2,600 branches and more than nine million borrowers. In the last year alone, Grameen lent out $2.5 billion USD. Yunus later turned to economic theory, having been an economics professor himself. He argued that the notion of humans being driven solely by self-interest was false, and that selflessness is and should be a factor in economics. He ended his talk by telling the audience that the entire economic system must be redesigned so that wealth can be shared by everyone.

SCSU presidential candidate Deena Hassan disqualified again in campaign’s final week Misrepresentation of facts, pre-campaigning, “lack of fair play” cited by CRO Ilya Bañares Associate News Editor

Scarborough Campus Students’ Union (SCSU) presidential candidate Deena Hassan has been disqualified from the running for a second time.

Chief Returning Officer (CRO) Sahab Jesuthasan — the replacement for Mahir Zuber, who recently resigned — issued a ruling late on February 2 adding 15 demerit points to Hassan’s current 25. This amounts to 40 demerit points in total, five more than allowed under the Election Procedure Code. Among the campaign violations cited are misrepresentation of facts concerning the SCSU electoral process, pre-campaigning, and a “lack of fair play.”

On February 1, Jesuthasan issued an official warning to Hassan due to “outstanding issues pertaining to the All Candidates Meeting on Jan 22nd/2018.” In the warning, Jesuthasan noted

that the Elections and Referenda Committee (ERC) asked Hassan to remove all videos of the meeting, arguing that “Hassan’s actions and words in the video undermine the electoral process at the SCSU.” Jesuthasan also requested in the February 1 warning that the online #FREEZESCSUELECTIONS petition be taken down, noting that although Hassan said that she did not post it herself, she was ultimately responsible. “Candidates were notified that they would be responsible for the actions of Non-Arm’s-Length Parties. This may include situations whereby a Non arm’s length party producing the campaign material does so without the consent of the candidate,” stated the warning.

As of press time, the petition was still online but not accepting more signatures than the 637 logged.

Hassan was originally disqualified for amassing more demerit points than allowed under the Election Procedure Code. This was due to Hassan collecting signatures for her campaign while wear-

ing a sweater indicating her position at the SCSU. Hassan’s first disqualification was later reversed by the ERC. Sparse attendance at February 1 all-candidates forum The executive candidates forum for elections saw low candidate and audience attendance. The event took place February 1 at Rex’s Den, the campus pub in the basement of UTSC’s Student Centre.

There were only around a dozen people in the audience, six of whom were candidates. The forum was livestreamed on the official SCSU Facebook page, but it was taken down after 24 hours.

Only one of two slates competing, UTSC Voice, showed up to the event. The other, Rise Up UTSC, headed by Hassan, “elected not to attend the forum,” according to an email from Jesuthasan.

Independent presidential candidate Ray Alibux was also present at the forum.

The Varsity has reached out to Hassan for comment.

Comment

February 5, 2018 var.st/comment comment@thevarsity.ca

One year later: reflections on the Québec mosque shooting Islamophobia in Canada remains alive and well — we must come together to address it A vigil was held on front campus shortly following the attack. A year after the shooting, Muslims continue to be the target of violence and hatred. NATHAN CHAN/THE VARSITY

Haseeb Hassaan Varsity Contributor

On January 29, 2017, white nationalist Alexandre Bissonnette attacked worshippers at the Islamic Cultural Centre in Québec City, killing six people and injuring 19 others. As for the motivations behind targeting the worshippers, Bissonette had been known to avidly read far-right media sources, hold anti-refugee views, and support politicians like Donald Trump and farright former French presidential candidate Marine Le Pen. In the ensuing days, there was an outpouring of support for the Muslim community in Canada, with vigils being held across the country. Political leaders of all stripes decried the attack, offering their condolences and standing in solidarity with Muslim Canadians.

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, speaking to Muslims at a vigil in Québec City, said, “We stand with you. We love you and we support you. And we will always defend and protect your right to gather together and pray, today and every day.”

Many Muslims leave their countries to immigrate to Canada because they believe they can practice their faith here peacefully.

I came to Canada from Sri Lanka when I was four years old.

Racialized immigrants in general

always face adversity, but for the most part, Canada seemed like an accepting country.

January 29 was a tragic day for the Muslim community, especially since this attack was the first of its kind: never prior to this event had there been a mass shooting in Canada at a place of worship.

Although the Muslim community is no stranger to racism and Islamophobia, few thought that this kind of violence was possible, including me. On that tragic day, my view of Canada changed.

Islamophobia overall has been on the rise in Canada over the past years. According to Statistics Canada, hate crimes against Muslims rose 253 per cent between 2012 and 2015. Meanwhile, the rise of far-right groups like the Soldiers of Odin and the Proud Boys in Canada has led to the dramatic increase of Islamophobic attitudes in Canadians, making everyday life for Muslims that much harder.

After the attacks in Québec, things only seemed to get worse.

Politicians who were once with us have now changed their tune. Québec Premier Philippe Couillard, who attended the funeral of the victims, argued that Islam was inherently linked to global terrorism a few months later. This is nothing new to Canadian Muslims — we are often used for political purposes, either

being demonized for who we are or being used as political props in order to garner more votes.

Far-right groups and media outlets espouse views of Muslims as backward, uncivilized, and unable to assimilate into Canadian culture. These critiques of Islam are without nuance, and they instead regurgitate orientalist tropes. Right-wing media outlets like The Rebel Media have floated the conspiracy that a Muslim attacked the mosque that day after early reports that the suspects in the attack had yelled “Allahu Akbar.” Even though this report was quickly reversed and deemed false, The Rebel ran with the story and actively promoted the conspiracy.

The idea that the Muslim community itself had perpetrated the shooting feeds into the larger conspiracy of “creeping sharia”: the faux plot that Muslims are in Canada to ‘take over’ the country and institute their religious law.

In a recent Ipsos poll on Canadian perceptions of Muslims, Canadians on average thought that Muslim people constituted 17 per cent of Canada’s population; in reality, it’s around three. Additionally, Canadians on average think that the Muslim population in 2020 will be at 27 per cent — roughly one in four Canadians — whereas experts consider the prospect of the population growing so rapidly

to be slim at best. Jasmin Zine, a Professor of Sociology, noted that “whenever there’s a new influx of communities in our history there’s been moral panic around how they may change the fabric of society.”

As a Muslim, I can tell you I am not here to take over — there’s no proof that anything of the sort is true about my community. If anything, hateful attitudes like these have always been present in Canadian politics, and the latest intensification of Islamophobia is part of a broader pattern of exclusion and hostility toward immigrants and racialized people.

Our country has a long history of racism, from the treatment of Indigenous peoples in residential schools to anti-Semitism leading to the rejection of Jewish immigrants during World War II. Right-wing groups are simply building on the racist attitudes that have always been present throughout Canadian history, and the Québec mosque shooting is one terrible example of what can happen if this racism is left to fester.

The Québec mosque shooting was a terrible tragedy, and its impact should remain in our thoughts going forward. Although Canada has a shaky past with racism and will continue to grapple with this issue, it is also a country that intrinsically values multiculturalism. We cannot forget who we are as Canadians,

and what we should stand for, as we try to reconcile with the darker moments of our past and present.

We should also remember that our university campus is no stranger to instances of Islamophobia. In the past few years at U of T, we have seen Snapchats mocking Muslim students and a Muslim student spat on outside of Robarts. We’ve observed racism perpetuated by members of groups like Students in Support of Free Speech (SSFS), which have masked Islamophobia under the guise of free expression — members of SSFS have threatened to bring “a Quran to rip apart” at events.

Finally, in the spirit of moving forward, we can never forget the people who lost their lives on that tragic day. Families lost their husbands, brothers, and fathers, and the community lost as a whole.

To Azzeddine Soufiane, Khaled Belkacemi, Aboubaker Thabti, Mamadou Tanou, Ibrahima Barry, and Abdelkrim Hassane: we will never forget you, you will always be in our hearts, and may your souls rest in peace. In Islam, when someone passes away, we recite, “Inna lillahi wa inallah-e-raji’oon” — “We belong to Allah and to Him we shall return,” Quran 2:156.

Haseeb Hassaan is a fourth-year student at St. Michael’s College studying Political Science.

10 • THE VARSITY • COMMENT

comment@thevarsity.ca

Facebook is fuelled by dollar signs, not democracy The company’s profit-motivated responses to fake news and echo chambers should push us to take matters into our own hands

The Facebook corporation's recent attempts to address problems on its site should leave users skeptical. STEVEN LEE/THE VARSITY

Zach Rosen Current Affairs Columnist

In November of last year, I wrote a piece called “Fact-checking Facebook.” In that piece, I identified two distinct ways that social media threatens our democracy and our discourse: the way it can facilitate the proliferation of false information and the way it can minimize dissenting views or make them inaccessible. I was skeptical that Facebook’s ultimate motivations as a business would lead them to make the substantive changes needed to confront these issues.

Last week, the social media behemoth provided us with an opportunity to reevaluate that prediction. In a somewhat confounding series of posts called Hard Questions, Facebook reflected that social media had originally “seemed like a positive” when it came to democracy. They conceded that the 2016 American election changed that impression. You don’t say.

Alongside this acknowledgement of the problem came two attempts at a solution.

Though these represent a step in the right direction, we ought to be skeptical of the extent to which Facebook will be willing to enforce them. As a corporation, Facebook is transparently driven namely by profit and not by goodwill — meaning it is unlikely to pursue solutions that will ultimately hurt its bottom line, even if doing so would be in the best interests of its users.

First, there is the issue of the proliferation of fake news. Facebook’s solution is to double-down on incorporating a factchecking mechanism into the way posts and stories are shared and viewed on the site.

The new feature, which is a partnership with Politifact, flags content when enough users have tagged it as potentially unverified. While a commitment to fact-checking represents an important step in the right direction, it does seem antithetical to Facebook’s current model as a place where views can be shared and discussed, even if those views are based on falsehoods. If Facebook becomes inhospitable for those of certain political orientations, it seems almost inevitable that they will lose users.

For this reason, stringent fact-checking may be bad for the bottom line. The events of the last few years have demonstrated that people will enthusiastically contest the credibility of long-established and imminently respected sources in the service of confirming previously held beliefs. If Facebook positions itself as the arbiter of truth, this might provoke a backlash from those who find the truth incompatible with their point of view. While this might not be a bad thing for democracy, it will push people off the site, and it’s not clear whether that’s a result Facebook will tolerate.

Another pressing issue is the way in which Facebook facilitates and sustains online echo chambers, which seriously hinder constructive dialogue. Echo chambers are the result of social media’s proclivity to confirm existing views instead of presenting challenging new evidence or dissenting opinions. Instead, sites like Facebook siphon conversation into self-affirming silos, which thwarts discourse.

Facebook’s proposed solution in this regard — offering a more varied selection of sources in the Related Articles tab associated with a link — is totally impotent. If Facebook

were serious about fixing this problem, it wouldn’t focus on a rarely visited and isolated feature on the site — instead, it would take the radical step of diversifying the content served up on the News Feed.

But Facebook has so far neglected to do so because the need for civil and constructive discourse is substantially less compelling than the financial incentive to keep users’ eyes on advertisements.

This incongruity is made plain given that, in June 2016, Facebook announced changes to the News Feed, reaffirming that it would continue to tailor its content to suit the preferences of each user. Facebook’s Vice-President of Product Management confirmed that the organization’s objective “is to deliver the types of stories... an individual person most wants to see” because doing so “is good for [Facebook’s] business.” Put simply, providing users with content that confirms their existing views and shuts out dissent is part of Facebook’s business model. According to that same vice-president, “When people see content they are interested in, they are more likely to spend time on News Feed and enjoy their experience.”

I’m not optimistic that this basic premise will change any time soon. And unless it does, Facebook won’t be changing either. Solving the problem of the destructive effect of social media on democracy won’t be achieved by waiting around for Facebook, a profit-driven entity, to make itself less divisive. Rather, if we wish to dig ourselves out of our respective confirmation feedback loops, we need to take steps to fundamentally change our relationship to social media.

First, it is important that we consciously

reduce our reliance on social media for information. Pew research from last August showed that two-thirds of respondents get at least some of their news from social media. Using social media as a news source fundamentally affects the type of information received. While copy editors and fact-checkers used to be in a position to prevent untrue information from being widely disseminated, social media does not provide that kind of filter. Also, while it is established practice to hold traditional news sources accountable for making unverifiable claims, the same rules do not apply online.

Changing our sources of information will go a long way toward repairing our discourse.

Second, and perhaps more importantly, echo chambers are only effective so long as they remain covert — or at least passively unacknowledged. They work because it’s one thing to understand that Facebook feeds you exactly what you want to see, and it’s another thing to internalize that fact and allow it to tarnish your experience with the site. The most important measure we can take to de-silo our discourse is to recognize the isolation and to understand that what we see is not all that there is to see. If we can learn to take what Facebook shows us with an ocean’s worth of grains of salt, then Facebook may actually be prompted to make the substantive changes that would be most effective. If last week is any indication, waiting for them to take initiative won’t do much good.

Zach Rosen is a second-year student at Trinity College studying History and Philosophy. He is The Varsity's Current Affairs Columnist.

Editorial

February 5, 2018 var.st/comment editorial@thevarsity.ca

Student concerns about mental health policy demand the administration’s full attention Recent events surrounding the mandatory leave policy should spur the university to better prioritize the student voice The Varsity Editorial Board

The most recent draft of the controversial University-Mandated Leave of Absence Policy was withdrawn last week in what many have classified as a resounding victory for the dignity and respect of students struggling with mental health issues at U of T. Having been in the works for the past few years, the policy allows for students struggling with mental health issues to be placed on a nonpunitive leave of absence from their studies, under circumstances in which their mental health is ruled to negatively impact their studies or to present a physical threat to themselves or others. The originally proposed draft of the policy was met with widespread concern from students and campus organizations, prompting Governing Council to delay the final vote on the policy’s recommendation pending further feedback and revisions.

The status of the policy currently remains uncertain. In light of the concerns raised, the university may choose to reintroduce a revised draft in the future — and it is fortunate that being sent back to the drawing board provides optimal opportunity for reflection. When it comes to mental health on campus, the past months have demonstrated that students will not back down if they feel their needs are not being met.

University-mandated leaves of absence are currently governed using the Code of Student Conduct. It should be acknolwedged that, in contrast to the existing measures in the code, the University-Mandated Leave of Absence Policy is intended to be non-punitive; unlike measures adopted under the existing framework, it does not result in a punitive mark being added to a student’s record.

Nevertheless, much of the criticism of the policy has centred on its potentially discriminatory treatment of students with mental health issues.

The Chief Commissioner of the Ontario Human Rights Commission (OHRC) weighed in to this effect in December 2017, expressing the opinion that it does not meet the legally mandated duty to accommodate the OHRC’s Policy on ableism and discrimination based on disability and the Policy on preventing discrimination based on mental health disabilities and addiction. The university, according to the OHRC, is required to take all steps to accommodate those with disabilities “to the point of undue hardship.”

Despite these concerns, the Academic Board approved the most updated draft of the policy at the end of January, prompting the OHRC to request another delay on the policy’s progression.

It is disconcerting that the OHRC’s interven-

tion appears to be the tipping point in the university’s final decision. The OHRC’s insistence that the policy could possibly be in contravention of Ontario human rights law — and therefore a legal liability — finally incentivized the administration to reconsider. In comparison, the numerous, repeated, and profound concerns raised by students and campus organizations over the better part of this academic year apparently did not provide sufficient impetus to substantially revise the policy in a way that could meaningfully accommodate their concerns.

A profoundly inspiring grassroots movement has formed in opposition to the policy, bringing together students from across the three campuses. The St. George Round Table, representing the student heads of colleges and undergraduate faculties, sought out concerns from students to streamline the feedback process. Petitions opposing the policy were circulated by Students for Barrier-free Access and the Ontario Institute for Studies in Education. The U of T Graduate Students’ Union Executive Committee came out against the policy, and students from iStudents for Mental Health united to present a panel discussion reviewing the tenets of the policy. Online, students gathered in a Mandatory Leave Policy Response Group to present a line-by-line breakdown of the policy and compile student criticism.

The ultimate outcome of the draft being withdrawn would not have been possible absent the hard work of these organizations and of all the individuals involved. But despite the overwhelming amount of feedback the administration has received in this regard, the amendments to the policy remained nominal. Of the 14 concerns raised by the University of Toronto Students’ Union (UTSU) with respect to the policy, only three were ultimately addressed by the time the most recent draft was completed.

Firstly, the word ‘essential’ was added to Section 1.c.21 of the policy to narrow the scope of the “activities” with which the student’s mental health condition could be ruled to interfere. Secondly, in response to a concern that the policy’s invocation would disproportionately impact international students given their enrolmentdependent immigration status, an amendment was made to provide students with access to a Student Immigration Advisor “where appropriate.” Finally, a provision was added to ensure the university’s compliance with the Personal Health Information Protection Act, which outlines the guidelines for the collection, use, and disclosure of personal health information in Ontario.

Much of the rest of the policy remains exactly the same, and numerous issues have been left

The decision to withdraw the most recent draft came following a request by the Ontario Human Rights Commission. STEVEN LEE/THE VARSITY

unaddressed. The policy contains no explicit requirement for the involvement of medical professionals in the process and places the power to make these determinations in the hands of the Vice-Provost Students. While health professionals have the training to properly and accurately assess mental health issues and determine the extent to which students’ lives may be affected by them, the same cannot necessarily be said for members of the administration who do not receive this training.

Concern has also been raised that the vague language of the policy poses limits to student autonomy by granting overbroad powers to the administration. Students’ ability to stay in school, as well as to return to their studies if they are placed on leave, falls entirely under the discretion of the Vice-Provost Students. Any appeals must be made within 15 business days of the decision to the Discipline Appeals Board of the University Tribunal. The Senior Chair will hear and make a final decision on the appeal.

Finally, in a sad twist of irony, a policy intended to relieve mental health stressors may actually cause even greater distress by potentially forcing students in already precarious situations to take time off school. At a competitive institution like U of T, assignments can pile up after just a day of neglect, so prospects like falling behind by a semester or more, or being unable to complete one’s degree, can be harrowing. It is hardly an uncommon occurrence for mental healthrelated stressors to interfere with students’ studies at U of T — the highly pressurized atmosphere is often considered to be a disturbingly ordinary part of the student experience.

To its credit, the administration has maintained that the policy is non-punitive and meant to be exercised in students’ best interests. Nevertheless, a number of the policy’s provisions have sparked monumental and understandable resistance from the student body, centred on fears that it will work to unduly marginalize some of the most vulnerable people on campus.

If the university truly wants the policy to work for students, it is vital that it be receptive to their concerns moving forward — only then can it begin to develop a meaningful solution to addressing mental health issues on campus.

Now that the policy is once again at the drawing board, the university has the chance to issue a more meaningful response.

U of T can be a deeply isolating place, and a comprehensive approach to addressing mental health on campus is sorely needed here — such a policy has the potential to be a progressive addition if implemented in a way that is designed to serve those to whom it applies.

Fortunately, the past months have demonstrated the passion students at this institution have for supporting one another through mental health struggles. And while we hope that any future drafts of this policy will address its current flaws in a way that is more sensitive to students’ concerns, we know students will continue to push for change if these efforts fall short.

The Varsity’s editorial board is elected by the masthead at the beginning of each semester.

For more information about the editorial policy, email editorial@thevarsity.ca.

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

Re: When will U of T lower fees for international undergrads?

“Makes zero sense. Undergrads don’t provide value for universities aside from their tuition (generally). PhDs on the other hand routinely get a full ride at all or most research intensive universities. PhDs create research and knowledge.

Undergrads learn knowledge. It’s a fundamentally different model. You don’t address this at all in this article. Instead you just simply state undergrads shouldn’t have to pay international tuition. Guess what: international students don’t

pay taxes. UofT is a public institution and as such receives some of its funding from Ontario and Canadian taxpayers.”

— David Harary (from web) Re: Killing for conservation “Zach, if only all tourists to Serengeti walked away with your anlysis [sic] of the situation. Your article captures some valid points and. As Francesco points out below, there is always the hidden truths of how land is utilised and who captures the value. The article in the ecologist is also weak in that it

limits it thinking to the modern context and could easily be applied to many of the national parks and game reserves throughout Africa where at some point in time, people were ‘moved’ to make way for wildlife tourism, the benefits of which are often captured by the few. A mirror on human societies globally? Our core National parks will remain in the future as long as they generate revenue, outside of that there is only conservation with people, in which they benefit directly, or there is no conservation.”

— Marc Baker (from web)

Our bodies, our stories In light of Eating Disorder Awareness Week, a student calls for expanded narratives when discussing weight

By Katie MacIntosh Illustration by Mia Carnevale

In May 2014, my mom made a doctor’s appointment for me. I was 18 and theoretically capable of making it myself, but on this particular occasion, the decision to see a medical professional had been hers not mine.

We were seated side by side in the waiting room at my childhood general practitioner’s office, flipping through a People magazine. When the doctor called my name, my mother stood up and offered him a furtive explanation for our visit. I rolled my eyes as the hushed tone of her voice drifted back to me over the hum of the air conditioner.

“I’m just worried that she’s not eating enough,” she said.

Sitting on the examination table a few minutes later, my doctor looked me up and down.

“You must have really cut those carbs in order to drop that much so fast,” he probed, studying my records.

“I’m having more of them recently,” I offered.

“Still eating meat?”

“Every day at dinner.”

He considered me for another moment before closing my folder and standing back up. “Well, sounds like you’re eating well. And I gotta say, I think you’re looking good.” He left the room to inform my mother that I was in perfect health.

As we made our way back to the car, my mother was partially confused, partially crestfallen. It surprised me that I felt the same. I had resisted the appointment because I had expected more than two minutes of examination; I had expected to be put in the hot seat about my diet and exercise. Being the horrible liar that I am, I had expected it to surface, at some point, that my daily caloric intake had shrunk to well below 1,000 — and that was before factoring in workouts.

I had expected to be told I needed to stop. Instead, I got a green light to keep starving myself.

Diagnosing disordered eating By the time I was in my last year of high school, I was pretty sure I knew what eating disorders looked like: skeletal.

Emaciated. Girls whose elbows are the widest part of their arms. It’s an image that has been popularized by many media outlets that have covered disordered eating — see, for example, Netflix’s recent controversial series To The Bone.

You’ve likely heard plenty about anorexia nervosa (AN) and bulimia nervosa (BN). You may believe these illnesses to be relatively rare, and statistically, you wouldn’t be wrong: prevalence rates vary from source to source, but esti-

mates tend to fall somewhere around 0.5 per cent of the population for AN and around one to three per cent for BN, according to Dr. Stephanie Cassin, Associate Professor and the Director of Clinical Treatment at Ryerson University.

“If you look just at those prevalence rates … people might think, ‘Oh, that’s not really a big issue,’” said Cassin. But these figures do not reflect the true extent of the problem. “There’s actually few types of disordered eating that actually have a diagnostic label. So those that are diagnosed we can actually track, because they have specific diagnostic criteria for them.”

“The reality is that probably the far majority of forms of disordered eating fall outside of those diagnostic criteria,” added Cassin.

The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM) actually includes a label for such cases: Other Specified Feeding or Eating Disorder (OSFED). This type of diagnosis is known as a “residual category,” which is essentially a catch-all for those who don’t meet criteria for “fully-blown” disorders such as AN or BN, which are known as threshold eating disorders (TED).

The classification of mental disorders is complicated, and no section of the DSM is without criticism. But, this method of classifying eating-related pathology paints a false picture of the ‘average’ eating disorder. As much as OSFED’s name suggests it to be anomalous, multiple studies of DSM-5 eating disorders have found it to be a very

“

“You’re so pretty now!” one friend told me, “I mean, it’s not like you weren’t pretty before. But, you know.”

common diagnosis. Researchers have also found that OSFEDs are equal to TEDs when it comes to psychological impairment.

“Many people do not experience weight loss while struggling with an eating disorder,” said Kelsey Johnston, the Outreach and Education Coordinator at Toronto’s National Eating Disorder Information Centre (NEDIC). Somebody who is purging or heavily restricting their diet may nonetheless be of aver-

age weight or overweight; binge-eating disorder — which has only fairly recently been given an official diagnostic label — is generally given little attention outside of academic circles. The NEDIC website stresses that “if the way you eat and think about food interferes with your life and keeps you from enjoying life and moving forward, then that is disordered eating.”

In spite of all this, there is a common perception that your eating disorder can’t be ‘serious’ unless you’re thin. It also bears mentioning that EDs are also widely believed to only affect young white women, which is most definitely not true. Disordered eating affects all races, ethnic groups, and genders, with transgender individuals reporting slightly higher rates. False perceptions make it all too easy for dangerous behaviours to go unnoticed, even by doctors.

Beyond physicality When my own doctor failed to catch my disordered eating, I was in deep enough that alarm bells should have been sounding. Between March and September of that year, I lost nearly 25 pounds. But I still didn’t ‘look like’ I had an eating disorder. And were it not for my mother and my best friend, nobody around me would have expressed any concern. Quite the opposite, actually.

“You’re so pretty now!” one friend told me, “I mean, it’s not like you weren’t pretty before. But you know.”

Not looking ‘sick enough’ can often be a barrier for people trying to access help for disordered eating. In actuality, the things that make living with an eating disorder utterly miserable — an unrelenting fear of weight gain, constant shame and self-disgust, intense preoccupation with food, and the like — exist independent from the physical reality of one’s body. When we talk about eating disorders, we often forget that they are chiefly psychological disorders, only zeroing in on what is outwardly visible.

Maddie, a fourth-year student who wished to be identified only by her first name, has experienced first hand how the line between wellness and pathology can blur. She said she had a complicated relationship with food growing up and that starting in high school, she fell into numerous ED behaviours in an effort to lose weight. At the same time, she was suffering from severe depression and anxiety. Through getting help for her depression and anxiety, she began to start eating again, and her weight stabilized.

“I felt like I was okay, because I was eating whatever I wanted,” she told me.

But the dysfunctional behaviours had not disappeared, they just evolved into something universally lauded as healthy: exercise. Between walking several miles home from work and forcing herself through gruelling workouts almost every day, she was still desperate to stay thin: “It wasn’t because I really wanted to do it; I felt like I had to do it.

And if I missed [exercising] it was like, ‘Oh, I’ve ruined my day.’ So every day I felt like a failure.”

“I thought that I was kind of okay, because… I wasn’t throwing up. I wasn’t not eating... But I hated myself,” she added.

Society’s food obsession In a society that tends to conflate thinness with not only health but success and morality, feelings like Maddie’s are becoming increasingly normalized. According to a population-based study of approximately 5,000 teens conducted by project EAT, more than half of teen girls and a third of teen boys engage in unhealthy weight control behaviours.

Now, with movements like #fitspo creeping into our social media feeds, it is harder than ever to not obsess over food and exercise.

This fixation creeps into every aspect of life, including our relationships.

For Maddie, having to constantly field comments about her weight was a huge source of frustration and anxiety.

“I honestly, genuinely do not like my body to be the object of conversation,” she told me. Although the people closest to her knew not to bring up weight, acquaintances often latched onto it by saying things like, “You look amazing!

How did you do it?”

Unsurprisingly, our obsession with thinness plays a key role in the development of eating disorders. Eric Stice, a Senior Research Scientist at Oregon Research Institute, has published multiple papers on EDs. He says that although there are numerous factors that may contribute to the development of EDs — biological, psychological, and sociological — internalization of a thin ideal is a critical lynchpin.

“Everything we know about risk factors for eating disorders really points in the direction of pursuit of the thin ideal… basically driving the predictive effects of other risk factors,” he said. In other words, a variety of factors contribute to EDs, but it all exists alongside the belief that being thin is always better.

According to Cassin, “Regardless of whether we’re talking about anorexia, bulimia, binge eating disorder, [the theory is] that at the core of it, at some point, there is this overvaluation of weight and shape, and it’s that that leads to disordered eating behaviours.”

It’s hard not to put such significance onto weight when we talk about it constantly. There is no higher compliment, evidently, than taking notice of someone’s weight loss.

Meanwhile, despite a growing movement for body positivity, fat-shaming remains a beloved national pastime. It’s also totally commonplace, especially for women, to engage in lengthy sessions of mutual disparagement about their own bodies. A 2011 paper aptly titled “’If You’re Fat, Then I’m Humongous!’” found that exchanges like these both reflect and contribute to body dissatisfaction.

Shifting the story Increasingly, there are signs that changes may be on the way: for instance, France has required models to be certified as healthy by a medical professional, and lingerie brand Aerie

has chosen to go retouch-free with its ad campaigns.

But the path to widespread body positivity is uphill — perfect body ideals are too deeply ingrained to be dislodged

by PR-friendly marketing strategies.

It’s time for all of us to start challenging them in our day-to-day lives.

This is what The Body Project, a collaborative eating disorder intervention program co-founded by Eric Stice, intends to do. The program has been delivered to millions of girls and young women in 25 countries, and it has been immensely successful.

The intervention is so powerful that its effects can be seen in neuroimaging scans: after going through the program, the brain’s reward regions light up less in response to supermodels and more in response to people of average weights.

The intervention is a deceptively simple procedure. Stice describes it as allowing young women “to talk themselves out of pursuing the thin ideal,” as opposed to having a professional attempt to do so.

“What we do in the Body Project is, we give young women… an opportunity to collectively define the appearance ideal that is personified in our mass media, and then discuss the costs of pursuing that ideal. And that’s all we do.

That’s the only thing we do,” said Stice.

The theory behind the program is rooted in a core psychological principle known as cognitive dissonance — the idea that humans have a powerful need for consistency between their thoughts and their actions. Critiquing the thin ideal makes its pursuit seem a lot less desirable.

The Body Project is a cohesive program developed by psychologists, but Stice says recent trials suggest it’s an intervention that can be delivered by anybody. Versions of the program led by fellow college students, rather than an older facilitator, were just as effective.

The implications are exciting: that regular people can make a difference in disordered eating just by having critical conversations. “You don’t need to be a PhD in clinical psychology,” he said. “So long as you ask a couple of questions to get the ball rolling, it rolls all by itself.”

While I was talking to Cassin, she noted that many people who have gone through an ED are surprised at what happens when they start to open up about it to others. “Usually the response is, ‘Oh my gosh, I had no idea’ and, ‘I’ve been going through the exact same thing,’” she said.

Disordered eating is more common than you think — if you haven’t gone through it yourself, there is almost certainly someone close to you who has.

This means it’s on us to do something about it. The first step? Let’s change the way we talk about weight.

If you or someone you care about has been struggling with an eating disorder, information and resources can be found on http://www.nedic.ca or https://sheenasplace.org/.

Arts&Culture

February 5, 2018 var.st/arts arts@thevarsity.ca

What to see at this year's U of T Drama Festival Three nights, nine productions — who will take home the prize?

Reut Cohen Arts & Culture U of T’s annual drama festival kicks off at Hart House TheatreEditor this Thursday night, featuring nine productions.

The nine shows that comprise this year’s festival includes submissions from clubs, college drama societies, independent submissions, as well as an improv showcase. This is the 16th year that the festival has accepted only original work by current students.

The festival will be adjudicated by Jill Carter, an assistant professor who teaches at U of T’s Centre for Drama, Theatre, and Performance Studies. Following the conclusion of the festival on Saturday night, Carter will conduct the awards ceremony, which will include awards for best production, best direction, and best playwriting.

Thursday

Friday

Chronically, presented by the UTM Drama Club Lauren Lacey’s play, directed by KhaRa Martin, examines how chronic illness affects one’s experience of time. Some of the questions explored by the production include how to cope with the monotony of illness and how younger people deal with the knowledge that they will be sick for the rest of their lives.

Cloud 8, presented by the Trinity College Drama Society Written by Vivian Xie and directed by Q-Nahm Park, Cloud 8 is the story of a Chinese mother and her Chinese-Canadian daughter attempting to navigate their relationship across disparate timelines.

2018 McGill Drama Festival, presented by U of T Improv This year, the McGill Drama Festival coincides with U of T’s. On Thursday night, the audience will randomly select three of the six titles of plays being performed at McGill, to be improvised by the performers. “We figured it would be unfair to make someone pick between one or the other,” said James Hyett, who conceived of the format and will be hosting the show. The idea was inspired by a similar event put on by an Edmonton improv troupe around the time of the Fringe Festival.

Saturday

I Can’t Trust Anyone, Everyone Hurts Me: A Comedy presented by the UC Follies Though it was written by Celeste Yim and Aba Amuquandoh before the #MeToo moment, I Can’t Trust Anyone’s subject matter proved prescient. Directed by Abigail Whitney, Khadijah Salawu, and Ahlam Hassan, the show is about three friends who discover that one of their favourite celebrities has allegedly acted in a violent manner toward women, and it shows how they deal with this news.

Yim said that parts of the script were rewritten after it was accepted to the festival. In the aftermath of the Harvey Weinstein scandal, she and Amuquandoh felt that the script could focus less on explanation and more on “[building] a feeling of recognition.”

The play combines difficult subject matter with levity and humour. “We wanted to represent that every situation is complex, that there is no cardinal rule for forgiving everyone or not forgiving anyone... Also we wanted to make a lot of dick jokes,” said Yim. The show’s actors are also exclusively people of colour. “We’re a small village of people of colour trying to represent how terrible and hilarious and extraordinary it is to be alive right now,” said Yim. The Green, The Gold, The Grey, presented by the SMC Troubadours Written by Liam McConnell and directed by Shay Santaiti, this show is about two men on opposite sides of a conflict. They must confront each other's ideals and their own.

Pills and Mangoes, presented by the UC Follies The show centres on Ben and Lucy, a couple who are dealing with the effects of mental illness. Lucy works to be supportive of Ben, who suffers from social anxiety and depression. Writer and director Hannah-Rae Sabyan said that the show is inspired by her own relationship with her boyfriend. “Writing this was my outlet,” said Sabyan.

Sabyan said that writing Pills and Mangoes was the hardest thing she’d ever done and that seeing her own experiences depicted on stage was not always easy. She added that the message she’d like for audiences to take away from the show is that “it’s okay to struggle, and that it’s okay to ask for help.”

Raining Petals, presented by the SMC Troubadours Written by Q-Nahm Park and directed by Park and Serina Keh, Raining Petals follows the story of Soo-Ho, a first-generation immigrant to Canada. Soo-Ho faces difficulties in balancing his traditional Korean background with his acclimation to Canadian society, and he experiences a “pivotal moment” that will alter the family dynamic forever.

The Rhythm Method, an independent production presented by Friends from High School The Rhythm Method was written by Micaela Robertson and will be directed by William Dao, who recently directed the UC Follies’ production of Spring Awakening.

The 2018 U of T Drama Festival runs at Hart House Theatre from February 8–10.

Tinsel Town Bartleby, presented by the Victoria College Drama Society Tinsel Town Bartleby takes place in the mailroom of a Hollywood agency’s office, where an intern is going through celebrity fan mail that will never reach the addressees. Writer and director Emily Powers said that the play was inspired by her own experiences working at a production company and sorting through fan mail.

“I was surprised how intimate many of the letters to celebrities were,” said Powers. “There was something powerful in the fact that outside of what I read, their stories would continue to go unheard.”

The play is comprised of eight monologues, performed by characters who do not actually interact on stage. However, Powers said, “the monologues together seem to form an entirely new collective story.” The show will also use multimedia elements by projecting actual celebrity interviews to help round out the Hollywood setting.

PHOTO COURTESY OF JAMES HYETT

The cast of I Can't Trust Anyone, Everyone Hurts Me: A Comedy.

PHOTO COURTESY OF CELESTE YIM

PHOTO COURTESY OF HANNAH-RAE SABYAN

FEBRUARY 5, 2018 • 15

var.st/arts

UTSC welcomes Aisha Sasha John as new writer-in-residence The poet and U of T alumna is teaching us how to live Sabrina Ramroop Varsity Columnist

Aisha Sasha John has been appointed UTSC’s new writer-in-residence.

John is a Canadian poet and singing dancer. She attended the University of Toronto for her Bachelor of Arts in African Studies and Semiotics before moving on to complete a master’s in Creative Writing at the University of Guelph. John returns to U of T having published three poetry books: The Shining Material, THOU, and last year’s I have to live.

John brings to campus her energy and mesmerizing poetry. The Shining Material is John’s first published poetry collection. The collection calls to mind self-portraiture. In an interview with Kim Minkus for The Capilano Review, John remarked that she uses self-portraiture to get over “discomfort with using my own experience in my work.”

At the same time, John’s poems transcend self-portraiture by employing a call-andresponse format, which allows the reader to connect with her work. “My intention was more that we all act as a unit, a unit of parts: call/inhale; response/exhale,” she told Minkus.

Her second collection, THOU, approaches a different style of poetry, but it still remains true to her experiences. In this collection, John exchanged the call-and-response for a longer format. The book is split into two po-

ems: “Physical” and “The Book of You.” This collection explores the space between oneself and others, continuing to rely on John’s personal experiences while investigating the idea that a multiplicity of ‘yous’ exist.

THOU has been highly praised and was a finalist for the Trillium Book Award for Poetry, as well as for the ReLit Poetry Award.

John’s most recent collection is I have to live. The title is repeated as a mantra throughout the collection. Its poems are short and simple in style, exploring themes of existence and survival.

The book is divided into seven sections and exhibits cohesiveness throughout. Some poems might explore the ecstasy of dance, while others describe mundane, everyday jobs.

This juxtaposition creates a wide-ranging account of what it means to live.

In an interview with Aliya Pabani for CANADALAND, John said, “I am interested in experiential knowledge, things that I experience myself. That, for me, is the juice.”

John spoke to the experience of joy “that has sustained [her ancestors] and allows [her] to be here.”

John, who is Black, describes her writing as a way of honouring her ancestors. “When I think about enslavement and rape and physical abuse and the kinds of conditions that my ancestors recently have endured, and I think about the fact that I’m a singing dancer… I think that I have to honour them,” she told Pabani.

Aisha Sasha John at a reading at UTSC on January 24. JENNA HUM/THE VARSITY

John’s collections transform the experience of living into poetry, emphasizing the beauty of being alive. To bring these experiences and lessons back to U of T, she will be hosting readings and workshops in addition

to holding regular office hours to help students with their own craft.

What's behind the rise of Brockhampton?

'The Internet's first boy band' is set to perform in Toronto on February 8 Matias Gutierrez Varsity Contributor

“Me llamo Roberto — y me gusta bailar.”

With these seven words — meaning “My name is Robert, and I like to dance” — that open their music video for “Boogie,” Brockhampton, a self-described boy band, herald the coming of their latest album, Saturation III. With this latest edition to their discography, Brockhampton maintains their fresh brand of youthful and bold hip hop while moving forward in terms of intricacy and musicality. But the quality of their music is only part of their allure.

Rappers and other artists release hit songs and records all the time. What makes Brockhampton special is that the group is redefining what it means to build an artistic brand. Now, following the release of Saturation III, they have become a unique, independent, and creative powerhouse.

Formed in San Marcos, Texas in 2015, the founding members of Brockhampton first met online on a Kanye West fan forum, where they began sharing tracks and collaborating with one another. In 2016, they decided to move out to Los Angeles together.

All 14 main members of Brockhampton live together in one house in south central Los Angeles. They include the regular performers you see in Brockhampton music videos, as well as producers, a photographer, a graphic designer, and a webmaster.

In this small house, Brockhampton has become a self-sufficient machine, churning out three albums in one year, filming enrapturing music videos, and crafting their absurdist aesthetic. They’ve self-funded most of their creative output and founded their own label, Question

Everything.

Living together like a boy band has allowed the group to dive headfirst into their artistic pursuits and create a cohesive product, one that has surpassed similar projects like the hip hop collective Odd Future.

The devil is in the details. Brockhampton's video thumbnails use an all-caps font in bold, bright colours, against a black and white background photo. Every music video begins with Robert Ontinient, the group’s web developer, delivering the latest edition of the ‘me llamo Roberto’ statements, an odd Hispanic prologue to the subsequent events of the video.

What usually ensues is a whirlwind of incredible storytelling, lyricism, and infectious beats,

as well as surrealist sequences and the band’s typical absurdist comedy.

Brockhampton lyrics have a wide scope, addressing issues of homophobia, racism, and domestic abuse, coupled with recurring themes of inadequacy, anarchist nihilism, and brotherhood.

On Saturation II’s “JUNKY,” Kevin Abstract, the band’s leader and arguably most recognizable member, raps about coming out to his mom and the dangers he faces living as an openly gay Black man.

In the “JUNKY” video, sitting in the backseat of a car with his face painted gold, Abstract is flanked by knife-wielding, baby mask-wearing men in a film sequence that evokes the stylistic

influences of Salvador Dali and Quentin Tarantino. In the same video, Merlyn Wood takes a bath in Froot Loops.

On “RENTAL,” Dom McLennon raps about his fear of “being everybody else.” On “GUMMY,” the group samples Veronica Petrucci’s “Star Against the Night,” a soft orchestral interlude, and then they abrasively interrupt it with an image of Ameer Vann with a llama on a leash.

It’s these sorts of idiosyncrasies that have endeared Brockhampton to their fans and given them such massive success thus far. Even as an independent collective, they’re on the bill for the Governors Ball, a massive festival in New York.

They’re slated to play at Coachella, and they’re selling out shows across North America.

Brockhampton has managed to churn out content that is tuned to mainstream issues, albeit in an increasingly countercultural way. They operate as their own creative and stylistic directors. They don’t use ghost writers. They don’t have the backing of massive publicity firms and labels, and they have virtually none of the usual sex appeal of a manufactured boy band.

Despite all of this, they have over a million monthly listeners on Spotify. They are masters of style, and they use the personalities, stories, and beats that surround them to tap into collective consciousness with ease.

Perhaps their relatability is why the band is enjoying increasing celebrity. Brockhampton are frank and real to the core.

Brockhampton will perform at Rebel on February 8.

MIA CARNEVALE/THE VARSITY

16 • THE VARSITY • ARTS & CULTURE

arts@thevarsity.ca

Tafelmusik Orchestra’s series brings together DJs and baroque The Haus Musik series returned February 1, featuring sets from Noble Oak Isabel Armiento Varsity Staff

Tafelmusik, the critically acclaimed Canadian baroque orchestra best known for its thrilling yearly sing-along of Handel’s Messiah, is widely appreciated for its classical style, flawless choir ensemble, and enchanting period instrumentation.

On February 1, however, Tafelmusik’s Haus Musik series returned, targeting a different demographic by removing its formal attire and rows of seats in favour of DJs and a bar. The immersive concert, boasting music that defies genre, will feature a rare combination of baroque style and DJ sets from Noble Oak, a fitting name given the event’s advertised theme of “bringing the great outdoors inside.”

The Varsity corresponded with Anna Theodosakis, U of T alumna and a guest director for Haus Musik, ahead of the event.

The Varsity: Haus Musik events are described as “atmospheric” and “immersive.” Can you elaborate on what this means and what people should expect from this event? How does this differ from other Tafelmusik events?

Anna Theodosakis: Haus Musik strives to provide audiences with an immersive experience that enhances the music presented. All the added visuals like sets, lighting, and movement are directly inspired by the music thus creating a cohesive journey for the audience.

Unlike other more traditional Tafelmusik concerts, the audience is encouraged to wander through the space, relax at the bar, and interact with the actors and set installations. There is no

separation between the performers and audience like a stage, the entire space is part of the show and so are you.

TV: In addition to excellent music, this event promises aesthetic appeal, including “imagery and dance” and an exploration of the theme of “bringing the great outdoors inside.” How is this visual aspect woven into the rest of the event, and what does it add to the overall effectiveness of the evening? Is there a set, or is the atmosphere more evocative of a bar?

AT: We are creating a mystical forest within the Longboat Hall complete with an interactive, majestic tree. There will be a series of video projections and we’ve paired the musical numbers with nature soundscapes. Our dancer is a deer/ human hybrid who will interpret both baroque pieces and electronic music, bridging the two musical worlds.

There is still a bar, of course, and the audience is encouraged to compare the contrasts and similarities between indoors/outdoors, music/ nature, and baroque/contemporary.

TV: The music at this Haus Musik event features both baroque and DJ music; how will these different forms of music complement one another? Is the music still played on traditional period instruments, or does it take a more modern form?

AT: Noble Oak, our DJ and electronic music composer, has a background in classical piano and understands what to pair with the baroque sound. In both the baroque and electronic set there’s an emphasis on long lines soaring over atmospheric ensembles. It’s amazing that when compared with contemporary music the baroque pieces can somehow seem just as radical

Overlooked: Youth The Chinese drama is an introspective look at the lives of youth during the Cultural Revolution Hai Lin Wang Varsity Contributor

It was the ’70s: teenagers embraced bell bottoms, sunglasses, and love songs — all behind closed doors. In the newly established People’s Republic of China, the decade was not a period marked by hippie movements and music festivals but by tumultuous social reform and impending war.

The Chinese film Youth, directed by Feng Xiaogang, who is dubbed the ‘Steven Spielberg of China,’ premiered at the Toronto International Film Festival last fall. It debuted at North American theatres in mid-December, and while it found tremendous success with domestic Chinese audiences, it may have been perceived as too foreign for other viewers.

Youth follows the lives of two young dancers in the People’s Liberation Army dance troupe. Liu Feng, whose name mimics the Communist party martyr Lei Feng, performs acts of unhindered and naïve kindness in the hopes of fulfilling the prophecy of his name. He Xiaoping is an outcast who wishes to abandon her background and start anew by contributing to the army.

Despite their occasional and hidden experimentation with counterrevolutionary fashion and music, the dance team remains optimistic about the revolution and expresses their patriotism through dance. Their morale is short-lived, however, after the protagonists are sent to the frontlines of the Sino-Vietnamese War. Without overemphasizing politically sensitive topics, Feng is able to portray the ups and downs of young adulthood in a devastating period for

CORALS ZHENG/THE VARSITY

China. Accompanied by washes of sepia, each dance scene evokes feelings of nostalgia and romanticism. The protagonists have dedicated the peak of their life to their profession, and only through the fantasy of performance can they live out the hopeful dreams of their youth.

There is a change of tone toward the end of the film. Liu Feng, now a jobless veteran, finds himself standing in front of a red Coca-Cola billboard in the wake of China expanding its economy. The protagonists’ former teammates are now successful business owners abroad while they, the most dedicated of them all, struggle to make a living. Cold reality sets into the scene while Liu Feng and He Xiaoping reminisce — they have finally achieved martyrdom by sacrificing their idealism and youth to the revolution.

Youth is a melancholy story about the fragility of youth and the failures of a revolution meant to eliminate the elite. Though its execution does sometimes fall short with respect to its overly sentimental acting, it offers a different perspective on the coming-of-age genre. It’s certainly a breath of fresh air in Chinese cinema.

While the movie is strictly in Mandarin with English subtitles, the experience of youth is universal, and Youth should be seen by everyone.

Overlooked is a recurring feature in the Arts & Culture section where writers make the case for pieces of culture that don’t get the attention they deserve. To contribute, email arts@thevarsity. ca.

Haus Musik draws in younger audiences, apparently. PHOTO COURTESY OF JOSHUA CHONG

and progressive. The baroque set will be performed on traditional instruments including the rare Viola d’amore.

TV: The target demographic of this event is clearly younger than that of other Tafelmusik events. What makes Haus Musik appealing to a young adult crowd? Is the ultimate goal to draw younger people to more traditional Tafelmusik concerts, or it is simply to expose younger audiences to classical music and different concert experiences?

AT: Haus Musik draws in younger audience members who maybe aren’t as familiar with baroque music as they are with the contemporary offering. The hope is after being exposed to the baroque genre they may choose to attend a more traditional concert or continue to attend the

Haus Musik series. Regular Tafelmusik goers are also being exposed to something new with the addition of the electronic artist and visual impact. Whether someone attending is new to baroque music or an expert, the real goal is to provide a new and exciting concert going experience that will enrich their listening experience.

Tim Crouch, Senior Manager of Marketing & Audience Engagement, told The Varsity that Thursday’s event would be the sixth Haus Musik event. Each instalment in the series will showcase unique DJs and artistic directors and thus offer a different experience from the last.

The next Haus Musik event will take place on April 26.

Science

February 5, 2018 var.st/science science@thevarsity.ca

Don’t try this at home — or anywhere Dr. Kapil Gupta tells us not to eat Tide Pods, ingest cinnamon without water, and more Anya Rakhecha Varsity Contributor

Gone are the days when ‘seven minutes in heaven’ was the most outrageous game a teenager could play. Today, teens are instead opting to dare their friends with video challenges on social media.

Challenges have escalated from eating a spoonful of cinnamon without water — don’t do it — to setting oneself on fire — please don’t do it — throwing boiling water at strangers — don’t do it to them — and even jumping off buildings — absolutely do not do this.

New on the roster is something called the Tide Pod challenge, which involves filming the ingestion of concentrated laundry detergent packets. Challengers are biting into the brightly packaged pods — sometimes even cooking them beforehand — and chewing them up before spitting the soap out.

Needless to say, several of these challenges are dangerous, but the harms of other challenges are not always as immediately obvious. To set the record straight, we asked Dr. Kapil Gupta, a fellow at U of T’s Department of Anesthesia and Toronto Western Hospital, to rank how harmful some of these challenges really are.

Cinnamon challenge A classic in the world of online video challenges, this game requires the participant to put an entire spoonful of cinnamon in their mouth and ingest it within 60 seconds — without drinking anything. Trying to ingest the spice can cause throat irritation and choking. According to Gupta, excess consumption of this spice can be toxic to the human body.

Ghost pepper challenge This food challenge involves eating and swallowing an entire ghost pepper. Ghost peppers contain high concentrations of capsaicin, which is the compound responsible for giving spicy food its kick. While spicy food in moderation is enjoyable, capsaicin is an irritant for mammals, including humans. Gupta said that it is a gastrointestinal stimulant, and taken in excess, it can cause stomach ulcers, abdominal pain, and diarrhea.

Kylie Jenner lip challenge This challenge is a favorite of beauty accounts on YouTube. Inspired by reality TV star and beauty entrepreneur Kylie Jenner, the challenge involves placing a shot glass on your lips for a few minutes to create a suction cup. The negative pressure caused by the suction causes the blood vessels in your lips to enlarge and sends inflammatory chemicals like histamines to your lips — the result is plump, Kylielike lips. Gupta warned that this can cause trauma to the mouth, lips, and gums and lead to infection.

Gallon challenge A relatively simple challenge, this involves gulping down a whole gallon of milk within one minute. If you are lucky, the worst that can happen is vomiting and nausea. If you are not, this challenge can also cause lung aspiration — a similar experience to drowning — which may lead to death.

Salt and ice challenge This painful challenge involves pouring salt on your body and then placing ice on top of the salt to see how long you can stand the pain.

Mixing ice and salt together creates something called a eutectic mixture, which can get as cold as -18 °C — much colder than ice alone. This can cause permanent damage to skin and nerves, said Gupta.

It can lead to burns similar to frostbite or weakness and abnormal sensations in the hand for life.

Tide Pod challenge And finally, the trending Tide Pod challenge. Small packets concentrated with laundry detergent, these pods are colourful and have been mistaken for candy by small children. This challenge is a serious health hazard. Gupta said that ingesting these pods can cause injury to the esophagus, stomach, and intestine. It may cause vomiting and diarrhea, mouth ulcers, and, if ingested in large quantities, it can cause internal bleeding, ultimately leading to death.

So, why are people intentionally ingesting something so harmful?

One potential reason for this phenomenon is the influence of famous YouTubers. By taking up these challenges, social media stars indirectly encourage curious viewers to try these things out for themselves. While some videos might include a ‘do not try this at home’ warning, a 2016 study found that warning disclaimers tend to have little to no effect on the actions of those exposed to them.

Over time, this trend has taken the shape of a fad. Like wearing graphic tees in 2007 and drinking everything-matcha in 2016, participating in these challenges appears to stem from the desire to be a part of the ‘in’ group. But when safety and health are at stake, is it okay to thoughtlessly follow a herd headed for a cliff?

PEARL CAO/THE VARSITY

18 • THE VARSITY • SCIENCE

science@thevarsity.ca

Sharing your lab notes SGC’s Extreme Open Science Unit aims to foster communication among researchers Vaibhav Bhandari & Mark F. Mabanglo Varsity Staff

The Structural Genomics Consortium (SGC) launched the Extreme Open Science Unit (EOSU) in January to encourage scientific collaboration. The initiative aims to make research transparent by fostering communication through sharing research data and notes online. Since its inception, the database has featured scientists from across the globe.

Dr. Matthieu Schapira, head of the Research Informatics group at the SGC, founder of EOSU and U of T associate professor in the Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, was inspired by Dr. Rachel Harding’s blog, LabScribbles. Harding, a postdoctoral fellow at the SGC, has been uploading notes to LabScribbles for the past two years, continuously updating fellow scientists on her work in determining the structure of huntingtin, a protein linked to Huntington’s disease.

Currently, 12 scientists have contributed to EOSU, and soon an additional eight will be joining.

“I think it fosters collaborations; you avoid redundancy of experiments that somebody else has probably already tried and I

think it just kind of brings the science community together, which is great,” said Mandeep Mann, a master’s student in the Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology.

One of the consequences of research is the amount of time it takes for a study to be accepted, peer-reviewed, and published.

Professor Aled Edwards, Director of the SGC, wrote that “the average time between experiment and publication... is one to two years.

That’s 67 per cent of the average lifespan of an ALS patient.”

The quick turnaround owed to open access could lead to an increase in research output and accessibility. bioRxiv, a resource available to scientists for feedback prior to journal submission, has seen an increase in the number of manuscripts uploaded to its database.

Recently, bioRxiv published a study by Stanford University researchers, which found that the genome editing tool CRISPRCas9 could be ineffective in humans. While the research has yet to be peer-reviewed, it allows fellow scientists from around the world to also investigate the caveats of gene editing technology in light of these results.

Unlike literature published in

journals, the quick processing and lack of the traditional peerreview process prior to publication may raise certain concerns over the quality of research and findings that are made available.

Harding, however, clarified that “this isn’t validated peer review data, this is an open notebook… [and it] should be read with a different hat on.”

In 2016, Dr. Dan Longo and Dr. Jeffrey Drazen raised concerns around ‘research parasites’ in an editorial in The New England Journal of Medicine.

“Obviously there’s reservations of ‘will someone see this and use this in their experiments and publish something and not credit me with that,’” said Mann. “I think that’s a risk, definitely, but it’s kind of… an experiment on its own.”

Schapira hopes that the risks associated with an ‘open notebook’ paradigm will be small because published data is still in early experimental stages. Both he and Harding see the open publishing concept as an opportunity to connect with experts in the field. Obtaining direct insight and varied opinions from a larger group of people will progress research and potential medical treatments.

“You can create these... minia-

FIONA TUNG/THE VARSITY

ture ecosystems — where you’re working with other people in the field and you can share data or resources at earlier stages, then you can move the science forward way more quickly,” said Harding.

Despite the benefits of open science and collaboration, some scientists remain wary about the movement. Schapira believes the feeling is warranted, given that it is not the normal modus operandi

in the biomedical field.

“If we keep an open mind and a little bit of critical thinking, it can actually help us realize that, really, [open science] comes with real opportunities in terms of extending our network, connecting with peers, generating new collaborations, and progressing faster,” said Schapira.

Contrary to these results, a more recent study by the University of Wisconsin concluded that laptop use had no statistically significant effect on a student’s performance in a course.

Although the negative effects of laptop use in the classroom cannot be dismissed, it must be acknowledged that technology is ubiquitous and laptop use increasingly so. In light of this, some professors have implemented zoning in their lectures: those with laptops are asked to sit on one side of the lecture hall in order to avoid distracting other students.

Some professors support the idea of a connected and engaged learning environment using laptops. “[Laptops are] not the issue… the issue is meaningful learning… built in novelty, active participation, working in groups, [and] discussing,” said Barrie Bennett, a retired professor from the Ontario Institute for Studies in Education.

Bennett pointed out that many careers require collaboration, critical thinking, and interpersonal skills that can be combined with computer skills. If incorporated well, laptops can enhance learning. In fact, students from the University of Ontario Institute of Technology reported the benefits of in-class laptop use, including

note-taking, outweighed the consequences, like social media use, by 30 per cent.

While current research often focuses on the distractions of having laptops in class, there is limited information about the confounding factors involved in these studies and how laptops can be used to enhance pedagogy.

The flipped classroom model is a prime example of this. It allows students to learn the material online before class and then use class time for problem solving. While this is different to bringing laptops into a class, it demonstrates how technology can aid learning.

Clicker questions and similar student response systems encourage active learning and synthesis in the classroom. A 2007 study by the University of Colorado found that students perceived clicker questions positively — they felt an intrinsic need to be motivated and engaged, and the questions helped them gauge their performance and standing in the course.

Laptops can be a nuisance to students and result in poor test performance, but factors like teaching methods in these classrooms should also be studied.

Are laptop bans actually effective?

This classroom rule may overlook the complex nature of learning Srivindhya Kolluru Associate Science Editor

Some professors tout the benefits of restricting laptop use during lectures. Two years ago, when The Varsity sought out students’ thoughts surrounding the ban, several concerns were raised — the same concerns prevail today.

The Faculty of Arts & Science’s Academic Handbook does not explicitly encourage or discourage such restrictions. Instead, it provides reasons to support a conducive learning environment for students who do and do not use laptops in lectures.

The handbook makes mention of ‘studies’ that found that students, aside from those with accessibility needs, retain information better if they take notes by hand. It does not actually name the studies that support this claim, so The Varsity took a look at some of the findings in this field.

A study in 2003 by Cornell University found that students who use their laptops without restrictions during lecture performed worse on tests immediately after learning new information than those who did not use laptops. The main reason for memory decrement was concluded to be a result of multitasking and not necessarily

Students may be discouraged by professors from using their laptops in class.

STEVEN LEE/THE VARSITY

the devices themselves.

In a 2001 study by the same institution, browsing on laptops for long periods during lectures was linked to an overall lower performance in the course.

Furthermore, a collaborative American paper published in 2014 found that students who take notes longhand have better recall because they are able to better process information. It attributed the relatively poor test performance of laptop users to the shallow processing brought

about by typing notes. While laptops allowed more accurate note taking, students were less able to synthesize the information presented to them.

These studies did not consider confounding factors like teaching style and quality. Some of the studies took place in laboratory settings. The 2014 paper, for example, tested recall by asking students to watch TED Talks and take follow-up quizzes, which undermines recall skills required in a university setting.

FEBRUARY 5, 2018 • 19

var.st/science

Piggy-backing into orbit U of T startup Kepler Communications is building a network of nanosatellites Spencer Y. Ki Varsity Staff

Sputnik 1, the first artificial satellite, was pretty small — a sphere 58 centimetres in diameter. Now, in the twenty-first century, we have even smaller ones.

On January 19, U of T startup Kepler Communications launched its first nanosatellite into orbit.

Although not at the nano-scale that biologists and physicists are familiar with, Kepler’s satellites are indeed an order of magnitude smaller than the iconic ones of the preceding century.

Based on the standard ‘CubeSat’ concept developed by California Polytechnic State University and Stanford University professors in 1999, the size of Kepler’s first satellite is comparable to a loaf of bread.

While its size may be small, the technology it houses is not. Inside the satellite is Kepler’s high-capacity software-defined radio (SDR) and antenna. SDRs have the advantage of not being restricted to a fixed bandwidth like traditional satellites. Since bandwidth determines data rates, SDRs can offer services that require different bandwidths — this eliminates the need to launch multiple satellites for multiple services.

GHEYANA PURBODININGRAT/THE VARSITY

Kepler’s SDR in particular operates in the ‘Ku’ range, which includes high frequencies between 10–14 GHz. Higher frequencies require smaller physical components, which not only allow for more bandwidth but also reduce the cost of the satellite.

Their launch this January was on a Long March rocket that took off in northwestern China. “A nice thing about CubeSats is that we are [launching] vehicle agnostic, [meaning] we can be launched aboard a lot of different vehicles, and can [switch] from launch vehicle to launch vehicle based on availability,” wrote Jeff Osborne, Kepler co-founder and VicePresident of Business Development, in an email to The Varsity.

Called ‘piggy-backing,’ satellites the size of Kepler’s are typically secondary payloads on other organizations’ rockets. “Piggy-backing means you are hitching a ride with a bigger satellite,” said Osborne. “When a big satellite is launched, there is excess mass that launch vehicles sell for a fraction of the price, and we buy those tickets.”

Upon reaching orbit, the satellite’s deployment is simple: it is literally ejected from the larger spacecraft.

With its first project a success, the future is looking bright for Kepler Communications. “From [here], we want to scale to 20 to 40 spacecraft within the 2018–2019 timeframe, eventually building our way to about 140 [in our] satellite constellation,”

said Mina Mitry, Kepler co-founder and CEO, in an interview with U of T News. “We’re putting up new satellites every three years so that we can put up better technology that will improve our network.”

Now in the big leagues, Kepler’s team has not forgotten its roots at U of T. “We have some ongoing collaborative research with UofT researchers on next-gen antenna technology development,” wrote Osborne.

They have also credited their early success partially to the U of T Institute for Aerospace Studies Entrepreneurship Program and the U of T Hatchery, an entrepreneurial and startup program.

School is not just about the classroom. Several members on the Kepler team were originally part of the U of T Aerospace Team (UTAT) inaugural group in 2004. UTAT is now seeking to launch its own satellite into orbit.

What does the UTAT of today think of their starbound forerunners? “Usually I see founders [of] successful companies as ‘those people’, like they were just destined to follow this path.” said Mitchell Au, Electrical Power Systems Lead of UTAT’s Space Systems Division. “But it is quite inspirational to know that this person started as ‘one of us.’”

The possibilities of microorganisms Plant root microbiome research has important implications for human health Nina Anggala Varsity Contributor

When we hear the word ‘ecosystem,’ we often associate it with something we can see with our own eyes — something akin to forests teeming with flora or an array of aquatic life.

Connor Fitzpatrick, a PhD candidate at UTM, studies an ecosystem that is both familiar and vastly different than what we see: the microbiome, which is all of the genetic material associated with a collection of microorganisms in a specific area.

In a recent study led by Fitzpatrick, plant-microbiome interactions both inside and around the root — respectively dubbed the endosphere and rhizosphere — were found to contain significant differences. As root bacteria maintain plant health similar to the way bacteria do in the human gut, this finding could have implications for human disease.

Evolving microbiome research According to Fitzpatrick, early research on host-microbiome interactions focused on microbiota living inside the human body, such as the gut, skin, mouth, or lungs. More recently, however, biologists have begun to characterize microbiomes in different environments such as “whale blow holes, deep-sea boneeating snails, and the guts (actually more often poop) of diverse groups of animals.”

“A really intriguing picture has begun to emerge, one suggesting that

much of the evolution on our planet and the ecological dynamics can be attributed to interactions with microorganisms,” wrote Fitzpatrick in an email to The Varsity.

Unfortunately, analyzing that picture raises both technical and conceptual obstacles.

“Imagine going to Robarts, shredding every single book (>4,000,000), mixing all the tiny fragments of paper in one jumbled mess, and then recreating every single book,” wrote Fitzpatrick.

Aside from computational obstacles, collecting and maintaining the integrity of sample microbial DNA prior to extracting and identifying bacteria in plant roots poses a unique challenge.

Research results After a year of optimizing the experimental design and learning a myriad of molecular and computational skills required to obtain and analyze data, Fitzpatrick and his team were able to successfully carry out and publish their research.

They found large differences in endosphere and rhizosphere bacterial composition. Microbes found inside the root are more sensitive to their host, so differences between plant species had a greater effect on endosphere microbes.

“In a very grand sense: the root is a major interface between a plant and its external environment,” wrote Fitzpatrick. “Root microbial communities are likely playing a

Root microbial communities influence host-environment interactions.

PHOTO COURTESY OF CONNOR FITZPATRICK

large role in how plants perceive their external environment and the exchange of nutrients, pathogens, and material across this interface.”

Fitzpatrick found an increase in the number of Actinobacteria in response to drought, among other changes in root microbiome composition, which varied across plant species. As a result, they concluded that root microbial communities strongly influence interactions between plant species and their tolerance to drought.

In fact, Streptomyces, the largest genus of Actinobacteria, was associated with host drought tolerance, and its relative abundance inside the root was indicative of hostspecific compositional changes.

Potential applications Research into the drought tolerance and root microbiota as a whole is especially relevant to challenges across the world. For example, integrating beneficial root microbiomes in agri-

cultural practices could help relieve the food supply crisis.

“Plants face mounting stressors including drought, salinity, nutrient, and pathogen stress,” wrote Fitzpatrick. “[In the future] maybe we can move away from the short-lived and costly, both monetary and environmental, interventions currently in use (e.g. pesticides and fertilizer).”

Aside from ecological impacts of host-microbiome research, human microbiome research has potential applications in the curing of some diseases. For example, fecal transplants are commonly used to treat Clostridium difficile infections.

Other collaborators on the project are studying the lung microbiome in cystic fibrosis patients. Fitzpatrick has teamed up with another lab and is currently studying the causal microorganisms behind the ecological patterns his team uncovered in this study.

Science Around Town Charmaine Nyakonda Varsity Staff HealthEdge Challenge 2018 Pitch Competition The Health Innovation Hub is hosting a pitch competition for entrepreneurs who have developed early stage solutions that address health care challenges. Come and see who will walk away with a $7,000 fellowship to bring their prototype to the market.

Date: Monday, February 5 Time: 4:00–7:00 pm Location: Autodesk Technology Center, 661 University Avenue, Suite 100 Admission: Free with registration Effective Communication of Engineering and Science Effective communication of research in the sciences can help citizens make more informed decisions at personal and societal levels.

This panel discussion will focus on how researchers can present technical information to a nonexpert audience, the benefits of disseminating such knowledge, and the consequences of getting it wrong.

Date: Tuesday, February 6 Time: 7:00–8:30 pm Location: Toronto Rehabilitation Institute, University Health Network, 550 University Avenue, Basement Lecture Hall Admission: Free with registration Sunnybrook Medventions Innovation Day 2018 The first morning session of this event will cover the current state of affairs in global medical technology and will address product markets and how entrepreneurs can improve their business strategies. The second morning session will discuss the success of Canadian medical technologies. The afternoon session will focus on the resources that can help Canadian entrepreneurs enter the global market.

Date: Thursday, February 8 Time: 8:00 am to 3:30 pm Location: Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre, 2075 Bayview Avenue, McLaughlin Lecture Theatre Admission: Free with registration New Perspectives in Mild Traumatic Brain Injury Are you interested in learning more about concussions, ADHD symptoms, and traumatic brain injuries?

Attend this mini symposia series, which will feature experts in their respective specializations, and learn about basic and clinical work related to neuroscience and mental health.

Date: Friday, February 9 Time: 8:45 am to 12:45 pm Location: Peter Gilgan Centre for Research and Learning, 686 Bay Street, Robert Salter Auditorium Admission: Free with registration

Sports

February 5, 2018 var.st/sports sports@thevarsity.ca

Vicky Sunohara’s Olympic journey Blues head coach talks coaching and Olympics Vicky Sunohara leads her team from the bench. PHOTO BY MARTIN BAZYL, COURTESY OF THE VARSITY BLUES

Rachel Quade & Daniel Samuel Varsity Staff

As the 2018 Winter Olympics draw near, University of Toronto Varsity Blues women’s hockey head coach Vicky Sunohara reflects on the highs and lows of competing in the Olympics.

Twenty years ago, as a member of the Canadian women’s hockey team, Vicky Sunohara lost to the United States in the inaugural women’s hockey tournament during the 1998 Winter Olympics in Nagano.

Sunohara says she was devastated after losing that hockey game, a combination of not only the magnitude of the event but the personal importance playing in Japan meant to her.

Sunohara’s first Olympic experience brought her closer to home in a familial sense. The extended family of her late father — who passed away when she was only seven — lived just 80 kilometres away from where the games were being held.

“I encountered many family members and relatives [who] I didn’t even know existed. It was just pretty special to be there and it’s just funny how things happen,” says Sunohara.

Sunohara rebounded four years later, as Canada beat the United States in the gold medal game in Salt Lake City. The lead up to the 2002 Winter Olympics was a challenging one for Canada — who lost eight straight exhibition games to the Americans, not to mention that the games were held five months after 9/11, adding to the already heightened importance of the event. The taxing journey, howev-

er, made the end result all the more special for Sunohara.

“There were so many things that were a part of our journey that were difficult to manage,” recalls Sunohara. She describes the experience of beating the defending champions at home, as “a great experience, and very special.”

Sunohara returned with Canada for the 2006 Winter Olympics in Turin, an Olympics she knew, deep down, would be her last. That year, she played on a line affectionately nicknamed the ‘Old Dogs’ alongside Cassie Campbell and Danielle Goyette, two other veteran players and Canadian legends in their own right. The fact that it was her last Olympics made everything feel all the more special.

The tournament marked a big year for the growth of women’s hockey; Canada defeated Sweden for gold, breaking up the prospect of a third consecutive Canada-US gold medal final, as the United States instead earned bronze.

In Italy, Sunohara was surrounded by her teammates and family.

While her last Olympics would be memorable no matter what, Canada winning their second consecutive gold medal was the perfect ending to her Olympic career.

“I wanted the moment to kind of stand still,” she explains.

Sunohara brings the lessons learned from her Olympic experiences with her everywhere she goes, from her hockey camp in Whitby, Ontario to her current role as head coach of the Varsity Blues women’s hockey team. “Those Olympic values are what we hold here at the University of Toronto,” she says.

Sunohara believes in teaching what she defines as “Olympic values,” naming integrity, accountability, and commitment as a few key traits. “It’s more than just teaching a wrist shot or slap shot; it’s teaching the team, it’s teaching anybody that I have the opportunity to be in contact with those Olympic values.”

It’s a big responsibility to pass these values on, but it’s one that she’s happy to have. Being able to share her experiences with young players is one of the reasons that she became a coach. As she got older and felt less able to compete at the highest level, she turned to coaching and found that she loved it. “It was a whole different side of how I looked at the game and what I’ve done and what I can do.”

Sunohara has coached and mentored players at a variety of ages and skill levels, from national-level camps down to kids who just want to make their local rep team, and she finds it all gratifying.

“I felt it rewarding, being able to give back and to help these younger players possibly experience the dreams that I lived.” She tries to instil in her players more than just skills, and through Olympic values also endeavours to “teach them to be better people.”

The Blues have had an up and down season. Despite this, Sunohara feels that by pacing themselves, they’ll have a shot at the playoffs.

“We’re talking about having a playoff mentality right now,” she adds. “Every game is important.”

With the NHL opting not to send its players to the 2018 Winter Olympics, there is potential for more focus to be centred on

the women’s hockey tournament.

Media coverage can be hugely influential in sports — Sunohara remembers what it was like following the inclusion of women’s hockey in the Olympics in 1998 and the boom of female registration that this inclusion in the media created. “I want to say 200 per cent or something, registration grew.”

As women’s hockey continues to grow, the focus turns to keeping girls involved in the game as they get older. For Sunohara, the key to continued involvement lies in creating opportunities for female coaches and mentors in the game.

Since Sunohara has started coaching in Ontario University Athletics, she believes that more female coaches have become involved, a step in the right direction.

For her, it all comes back to the league creating the opportunities.

“The opportunity to teach, an opportunity to coach, to teach skills. I think that that definitely will keep females involved in the game.”

Recent Varsity Blues captain and U of T graduate Alessandra Bianchi highlights the success of the Blues women’s hockey program. Bianchi was selected by the Toronto Furies in the 11th round of the 2017 Canadian Women’s Hockey League (CWHL) Draft.

Sunohara takes pride in Bianchi’s growth but understands that playing hockey at the next level won’t be the case for all of her players.

“It’s really cool,” comments Sunohara. “I feel very fortunate to be a part of it... it’s not just playing hockey at the next level, it’s seeing what they do and how they’ve gone on and started their careers.”

Ahead of Pyeongchang, Sunohara is excited by the prospect of the tournament. She highlights Canada’s decision to play in a midgettriple A boys’ league in Alberta as a key part of the team’s preparation, especially for the United States. In order for the team to win their fifth straight gold medal, Canada must first deal with the speed and skill of America’s high-powered offense, led by Hilary Knight and Amanda Kessel. Sunohara notes that goaltending has been one of the team’s biggest strengths, a key factor that may prove the difference for Canada.

“From goaltending up, they’ve got speed, talent, depth. I think they really think that in the exhibition games they had to figure out the speed and the skill of the Americans... and their offense.”

Women’s hockey has grown exponentially since 1998, and Sunohara, who sits on the board of directors for the CWHL, is looking toward the future. This year, the CWHL is paying its players a salary, something that Sunohara says the league is trying to implement in the right way. In terms of the future, she is optimistic that there are enough players and talent to create one professional league where currently there are many, with the CWHL and the US-based National Women’s Hockey League among them.

“We’ve got to find a way to have all the best players playing, and I think that we could have a very successful professional league, and perhaps be part of the NHL.” “I think that those things are coming… I believe that it’s a matter of time.”

FEBRUARY 5, 2018 • 21

var.st/sports

A personal reflection on the 2010 Vancouver Winter Olympics How hosting the Olympic Games changed a city

Josie Kao Associate News Editor

I was 11 years old when the Olympics came to town. In a way, the games taught me how to celebrate being Canadian. For two weeks, I danced through the streets with people from all over the world, celebrating wins and mourning losses. Together we laughed, sang, and ate Japadogs.

This ‘town’ I speak of is not Toronto. The mystical place I speak of lies beyond the boundaries of the GTA, across the plains, and over the mountains. If you travel west and keep going, you’ll find that nestled between the Rockies and the Pacific Ocean lies Vancouver, the land of great sushi, overpriced housing, and the home of the 2010 Winter Olympics.

What were the 2010 Winter Olympics? In numbers, it can be boiled down to the third time that Canada hosted the games and the first time Canada won gold at home. In fact, Canadians won a record-setting 14 gold medals, the most ever for any country at a single Winter Games. But numbers are easy to list; what’s harder to describe is how the games changed the culture of Vancouver and, more specifically, how they changed me.

At the risk of sounding too sappy or overly patriotic — a typical Canadian fear — I must confess that I had never felt such an overwhelming love for this country as I did during those 17 days when the world arrived at my doorstep. As soon as the Olympic cauldron was lit, it was as if the city woke up. It was about time for us Vancouver residents to show some metropolitan pride, and show it we did. Vancouverites turned out in a way that I had never seen before and have not seen since. How can I describe

what it felt like to see all the streets fill up with red and white, to hear spontaneous bursts of the national anthem, to watch strangers literally embrace each other whenever our athletes won a medal?

But it wasn’t just our country that we were celebrating — people from all over the world came to our little corner of Canada. That was what made the games something truly memorable. Walking down the streets of Whistler, I watched as different flags and languages intermingled.. The differences between us made the similarities all the more extraordinary. People gave me high-fives on the street as they sang their national anthem, and I’m sure that I had never smiled at so many strangers in my life.

I wasn’t the only one affected by the games. The Olympics excited every person in the city — including my elementary school teachers, who decided math class was less important than the women’s hockey game or the figure skating final.

Needless to say, I missed a lot of class during those two weeks, but I wasn’t complaining. The Olympics electrified the city, all the way from Robson Square to my tiny elementary school classroom.

Of course, downtown was really where the party never stopped.

People were ziplining through the air, the side of one of the buildings had been turned into a giant Canadian flag, and every few metres there seemed to be a group of children playing street hockey. You don’t see a sight so Canadian every day.

There are still remnants of the games scattered around. I’ve skated on the rink where our speed skaters won multiple medals, and I’ve posed in front of the Olympic Rings in Whistler. The city hasn’t

forgotten the games, and it’s hard to imagine that it ever will. Two weeks of wearing red and white, dancing in the streets, and crying with strangers will do that to a city. Even the International Olympic Committee President at the time, Jacques Rogge, was quoted as saying that he had never seen anything like it before. “The way Vancouver embraced these Games was extraordinary… This is really something unique.” Maybe he says

that about all the games, but I personally believe that the Vancouver Games were truly something special.

That’s Josie Kao. MIA CARNEVALE/THE VARSITY

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Avoiding white elephants at the Olympics How to make sure venues don’t fall into disrepair after the games

The ski jumping venue at Pyeongchang. ALPESIA/CC FLICKR

Tom Yun Managing Online Editor

Later this week, 35,000 people will gather at the Pyeongchang Olympic Stadium in South Korea to mark the opening ceremonies of the 2018 Winter Olympics. The $132 million facility will host the opening and closing ceremonies for both the Olympic and Paralympic Games before being torn down.

The International Olympic Committee (IOC) still has concerns regarding the future of some of the other venues in Pyeongchang. It warned in a report that, without a plan for how these venues will be used after the games, these events could end up as white elephants.

The 2004 Summer Olympics in Athens, Greece were a prime example of what the IOC is worried about. In the years following the

games, Greece suffered a massive financial crisis after its sovereign debt levels rose to unsustainable levels.

Today, many of the venues built for the Olympics are abandoned and overrun with weeds, although one of the decaying venues served as a refugee camp in the wake of the refugee crisis.

‘White elephants’ was the term used by Brazilian federal prosecutor Leandro Mitidieri to describe many of the venues used during the 2016 Summer Olympics held in Rio de Janeiro. Mitidieri, who is investigating corruption at the games, slammed the organizers for having “no planning when they put out the bid to host the Games.” Among the troubled venues are the athletes’ village, which was repurposed into luxury condominiums that are over 90 per cent unsold, and the decrepit Maracanã stadium, which now has

brown grass, no electricity, and has been looted and vandalized.

Closer to home, Montréal’s Olympic Stadium, which is known as the ‘Big Owe’ due to the cost overruns involved in its construction, is only seldom used for sporting events and concerts after the Montréal Expos relocated to Washington, DC in 2004.

Québec taxpayers are footing $17 million per year to fund the Régie des installations Olympiques, which is the body responsible for maintaining the stadium, as well as $250 million for a new roof. The current roof is not strong enough to handle more than three centimetres of snow, meaning the stadium, like in Athens, was most recently used to house asylum seekers last November.

The Bird’s Nest Stadium in Beijing and the Fischt Olympic Stadium in Sochi were built for the two the most expensive Olympics — the

2008 Summer and 2014 Winter Olympics, respectively — and have also seen sparse post-Olympic use.

Although these venues will be reused in the 2022 Winter Olympics in Beijing and the 2018 FIFA World Cup in Russia, as with the Montréal Olympic Stadium, neither of the stadiums has professional sports teams permanently playing home games.

In Pyeongchang, venues with uncertain futures include the 10,000seat Gangneung Hockey Centre, which was going to be the home ice for a professional hockey team before the team pulled out of the agreement, the Gangneung Oval, which will host speed skating events, and the skiing venues.

To avoid white elephants, cities should either have robust legacy plans prepared for any new permanent venues or rely on existing or temporary venues.

Los Angeles is on the right track with its plans for the 2028 Summer Olympics, which will almost entirely rely on existing facilities and will require no new permanent venues.

Among the city’s proposed venues are the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum — which was previously used for the Olympics in 1932 and 1984 — to host track and field events and the student residences at University of California Los Angeles and University of Southern California to house athletes and the media.

Calgary, which hosted the 1988 Winter Olympics, is also considering a bid for the 2026 Winter Olympics, and the IOC has indicated that the city could easily reuse many of the 1988 venues.

Only time will tell if the new venues in Pyeongchang will find new life after the games or fall into disuse.

Blues defeat Voyageurs for fourth straight win Chao, Straatman, and Roache all score to beat Laurentian Daniela Ruscica Varsity Staff

The Toronto Varsity Blues women’s hockey team skated out with a win on Friday night at Varsity Arena after defeating the Laurentian Voyageurs.

Many Toronto players displayed strength and skill in the 3–0 victory, with goaltender Madeline Albert gaining a shutout. But their teamwork was also key: the Blues’ ability to rely on each other made all the difference.

Toronto took the early lead, finding the back of the net seven minutes into the game. Defenseman Cristine Chao scored the power play goal, and Gabrielle De Serres earned the assist.

After Toronto took the one-goal lead, both teams had some great scoring chances, but no further goals were scored by the end of the first frame. Toronto’s defense kept the puck under control and after the first period allowed only four shots on net. Laurentian came out strong

in the second period and changed the pace in search for the victory.

The Blues quickly matched their level with outstanding plays and saves.

Toward the end of the second period and with 21 seconds left, Toronto’s leading scorer, Kassie Roache, committed a penalty putting the Voyageurs on power play that would carry into the third period. Toronto’s work ethic as a team prevailed even while one player down. Although under pressure, they were able to keep the 1–0 lead as they ended the second period, with thanks going especially to rookie goalie Albert, who made key saves.

Despite being a player down at the start of the third period, the Blues fought hard to keep their lead, and once the fifth player was out of the penalty box and back on the ice, most of the game action was spent in Voyageur territory. The nerves behind having only a one-goal lead showed in the energy of the crowd and in the Blues’ work ethic and

strategies. It was evident that they wanted the win as they fought down to every last second.

The Voyageurs subbed out goaltender Dolighan for Karen Collins, while captain Ellery Veerman continued her team’s strong defensive play to prevent the Blues from scoring in the opening minutes of the third period. However, the Blues eventually found their way around the Voyageurs’ defense as Lauren Straatman added a second goal eight minutes into the third.

Following the second goal, the Blues found their confidence and dominated possession of the puck.

Collins carried Laurentian’s defense, making some key stops in the period, but Toronto’s forwards continued to string together scoring opportunities and quickly found the back of the net, less than two minutes after Straatman’s goal. This time it was Roache who scored, finding Collins’ weak spot to increase Toronto’s lead to 3–0.

Cristine Chao celebrates the first goal of the game.

PHOTO BY HENRY ZHAO, COURTESY OF THE VARSITY BLUES

Toward the end of period, possession evened out and the two teams were neck and neck with their shots on goal. With two minutes left in the game, Laurentian continued their attack, although they were still unable to score on Albert. They fought hard, but it was evident that they had run out of time, despite the valiant comeback effort they attempted. Now, almost in the last minute of play, Voyageurs forward Annie Sheridan committed a crucial slashing penal-

ty, providing the Blues with a power play and effectively ending any hope the Voyageurs had of making an improbable comeback.

With seconds left, Toronto was able to maintain complete possession of the puck, and when the final buzzer went off, the team had succeeded. After launching 20 shots on goal, the Blues won with a final score of 3–0, sending the Voyageurs packing with nothing.

FEBRUARY 5, 2018 • 23

var.st/sports

The geopolitical baggage of the 2018 Olympics

WEEKLY BOX SCORES

Can South and North Korea’s blink of peace lead to long-lasting change?

Kate Reeve Associate Sports Editor

South Korea is no newcomer to the Olympics. In 1988, its capital city, Seoul, hosted the Summer Olympics. While the Cold War was thawing, the relationship between the northern and southern halves of the Korean peninsula was especially fraught. South Korea was eager to establish itself and move on from the legacy of the Korean War, but North Korea had its own ambitions.

South Korea made minimal efforts to incorporate the north, who originally wanted to co-host the games. South Korea refused, and the country instead offered to let North Korea host five minor sporting events. North Korea, angered and offended, declined. Tensions rose, and the international community began to wonder if North Korea might attempt to disrupt the games. Those fears were confirmed.

On November 29, 1987, Korean Air Flight 858 crashed on its way to Seoul from Baghdad. None of the 115 individuals on board survived.

It was soon revealed that two North Korean spies had planted a bomb in an overhead compartment in the aircraft before disembarking safely.

Thirty years later, North Korea is still shrouded in an iron curtain.

Its government and people remain darkly mysterious to most of the world. However, the situation today seems even more perilous than it did in 1988.

While North Korean leadership appears willing to engage with major powers, US President Donald Trump wavers wildly in policy, and self-appointed Kim Jong Un whisperer Dennis Rodman is only getting older. And let’s not forget that North Korea now has nuclear capabilities, as well as the apparent will to use them.

In November 2017, North Korea tested a new missile that could reportedly reach the continental United States. In an interview with CNN, US Secretary of Defense James Mattis indicated that the missile launch showed North Korea now has the capacity “to hit everywhere in the world.”

But in the case of the 2018 Olympics, this staggering development seems minimal. Why? North Korean missiles would only have to fly around 80 kilometres to reach Pyeongchang. As thousands of athletes and international representatives flood into South Korea, the world will come to North Korea.

In recent months, South Korea has been incredibly active in urging North Korea to participate in the 2018 Winter Olympics in Pyeongchang. As the nuclear standoff intensified throughout 2017, fears of North Korean terrorism or intervention rose once more. The political situation in the United States did not help to assuage these concerns — nor did the rhetoric spewing from one

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As the unimaginable crept closer, South Korea grew increasingly conciliatory toward its Northern neighbours. The reasoning behind this is quite straightforward. If North Korea were to be involved in the Olympics in some capacity, it would theoretically be much less likely to attack the games.

In a strange twist, including a hostile nuclear power in an event focused on international cooperation appears to be key in securing that very event. The South Korean efforts came to fruition on January 9, after extended talks between North and South Korean delegations in the border village of Panmunjom. South Korea was represented by Cho Myoung-gyon, the minister focused on relations with the north, while North Korea was represented by Ri Son-kwon in a similar role.

Following their closed circuit television negotiations, North Korea agreed to send a large contingent of athletes to the games, as well as a cheering squad and a performance art group. It was also reported that the two Koreas would join forces to field a women’s hockey team together, which carries heavy symbolic connotations.

This is reminiscent of the United States’ ‘ping-pong diplomacy’ efforts in 1971, which helped normalize relations between China and the US through a series of ping-pong matches.

In an interview with The Atlantic, Kim Kyung Sung, head of the South and North Korean Sports Exchange Association, explained that the “significance of the two nations that share a bloodline playing together on a single team cannot be overstated.” But at what cost? It is

currently unclear what North Korea hopes to gain from these concessions — some fear that North Korea could use its participation as leverage to push for a lessening of sanctions.

Pundits and politicians alike hope that this blink of peace could lay the foundation for long-term change.

South Korean Defense Minister Song Young-moo believes the 2018 Olympics are a “turning point” for the two Koreas, as the Straits Times reported. The South Korean President, Moon Jae-in, appears deeply committed to facilitating dialogue.

Others, such as Kim Sung Han, a former senior South Korean diplomat, are more pessimistic. The Atlantic reported his comments that, despite the symbolic power of the Olympic merger, “the best-case scenario would be this leading to highlevel summit talks... multilateral dialogue for the denuclearization of North Korea.” In other words, the relationship between North and South Korea, as well as that between North Korea and the rest of the world, is much too complex to be solved through sport.

Nevertheless, the potency of North Korea’s participation in the 2018 Olympics cannot be overstated. This brief calm could create space for further discussion outside the Olympic sphere, or it could perhaps build constructive conversation between the US and North Korea.

Speculation aside, one of the few predictable things about North Korea is its unpredictability. It would make little sense to launch an attack while its own athletes are present, but no one can be certain of its true intentions. With the Olympics drawing ever closer, this story is one to watch.

Laurier Hawks

2–0

February 3 Varsity Blues

Waterloo Warriors

WOMEN’S February 2 Varsity Blues

February 3 Varsity Blues

3–0

3–2

Laurentian Voyageurs

Nipissing Lakers

VOLLEYBALL MEN’S February 2

0–3

Varsity Blues

(22-25, 25-20, 2523, 19-25)

Varsity Blues

(17-25, 25-15, 1625, 19-25)

Western Mustangs

WOMEN’S February 2

3–1

Western Mustangs

Workshop T HE VA R SI TY Series Design Workshop Series

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FEBRUARY 5, 2018 • 24

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