September 28th, 2020

September 28, 2020

THE VARSITY The University of Toronto’s Student Newspaper Since 1880

Vol. CXLI, No. 4

Photos continue on p. 15

“Not going back”: Toronto activists, students hold sit-in on global day of climate action Business & Labour Hear how U of T’s most promising startups made waves at Demo Day 2020

Comment U of T’s current pandemic measures are putting staff and students at risk

Feature How international students are adapting to university in a different time zone

Arts & Culture Campus theatre: the challenges of uploading an in-person medium

Science The social duties of scientists: effective communication to effect change

Sports From the archives: comparing football across two pandemics, 100 years apart

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Activists block off intersection of Bay, Wellesley, demand just recovery from COVID-19 Carmina Cornacchia and Hannah Carty Varsity Contributor and News Editor

As part of the Global Day of Climate Action on September 25, climate activists and students held a physically distanced sit-in to demand a just recovery from COVID-19, and for action to address the climate crisis.

Last year, the Global Climate Strike and march in Toronto drew over 15,000 participants, a historic number for the city’s second annual climate demonstration after Fridays for Future Toronto was founded in 2018.

This year, activists and participants gathered for a very different event, drawing around 300 participants for a sit-in where participants sat masked and six feet apart throughout the four corners of the intersection. Volunteers also circulated with hand sanitizer, and car access to the intersection was blocked by the event.

The sit-in at Bay and Wellesley was organized

by Fridays for Future Toronto, a chapter of the global Fridays for Future movement started by Swedish teenager and activist Greta Thunberg.

The Toronto sit-in was joined by over 50 cities in Canada that also held climate actions on September 25.

Head of Fridays for Future Toronto and U of T student Aliénor Rougeot explained that one of the themes of the action was “not going back,” explaining that “pre-COVID ‘normal’ was a crisis.” The sit-in was in support of a just recovery from the impacts of COVID-19, which Rougeot described as a just transition to clean energy for workers, combating anti-Blackness and racism in Canada, and supporting Indigenous self-determination.

As a U of T student, Rougeot said that she would like to see the university take more action on climate issues by divesting from fossil fuels and

helping students feel like they can be climate leaders.

Though last year’s climate action saw more participants, Rougeot reflected that, “At the same time, this is more powerful in different ways.” She added that, even with the more difficult circumstances this year, “mobilizing in times that are harsh is going to have more effect because we’re showing how determined we are and how this issue is not only when we have time or the luxury — it’s constantly an issue.”

She hopes to see both climate and justice addressed in post-COVID-19 legislation. “This is not the end,” Rougeot concluded.

Cricket Guest, a Métis-Anishinaabe activist, added on the importance of the climate movement supporting Indigenous activists. “Indigenous people are the ones who hold the ancient knowledge on the land that we reside on. And our voices have been repeatedly stifled for hundreds of years,” Guest said.

Students attend the sit-in Scarborough Students’ Union (SCSU) President Sarah Abdillahi attended the event. She said in an interview with The Varsity that she would like to see recycling being taken more seriously on campus, with the campus doing more to communicate to students about recycling and litter disposal on campus. She added that the SCSU is working on identifying areas for improvement in regard to environmental issues but commented that “it’s sad that the students are left to do the work.”

Rivka Goetz, a student at U of T majoring in equity studies, said that she thought the pandemic had both helped and hindered the conversation around the climate crisis, but “if [she] had to pick one, [she] would say that it has hindered the conversation.” She said, “A lot of world leaders

are refusing to recognize that the climate crisis is very much interconnected with the COVID-19 pandemic.”

Kanita Satnarajan, a student at UTSC, echoed the need for a just recovery and expressed a similar sense of urgency regarding the government’s responses to the climate crisis and a post-pandemic world. “The economy is going to need help recovering from [COVID-19],” she said.

“And while we’re doing that, we can also put together plans for climate action [and] put together plans for climate reform, which is something we so desperately need for future generations.”

Local activists Rommel Bellosillo, a volunteer with Greenpeace Canada, provided his perspective on the purpose of the climate sit-in: “We’re just making sure that action speaks louder than words, and we can make sure that [the government follows] through with what they promise.”

Though the Fridays for Future movement is often associated with youth activists, diverse age groups were represented at the event. Older generations could be seen holding up signs alongside university students, including one sign that read, “Grandparents for Climate Justice.”

Marjorie Murray, a retired history and civics teacher, volunteered at the strike as a marshall, directing the participants. “I’ve been worried about this for decades,” she said. “And, finally, people are starting to pay attention again.”

She expressed that people shouldn’t become discouraged from getting involved in climate activism if they are afraid of not being able to make a difference, explaining that every person needs to take action. “There’s millions of us. And that’s the reason for doing it.”

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“We don’t have the option of eating three meals a day”: Chestnut, New College residents criticize new dining plan’s lack of affordability Dons raise health, environmental concerns about changes

Hannah Carty News Editor

Dons and students have raised concerns about the new dining plans at Chestnut Residence and New College, which have moved from an “all-youcare-to-eat” model to a declining balance model.

Alongside health and environmental concerns surrounding recent changes, dons claim that this new model poses a barrier to the ability to afford three nutritious meals a day.

In response, these dons and students have also released a petition with over 400 signatures so far.

The key demands include more consultation with students, staff, and food experts; a reduction in prices; and a different pricing structure that doesn’t discourage students from choosing healthy options.

Colin Porter, Executive Director Food and Beverage Services & Campus Events wrote to The Varsity that buffet-style food service is prohibited due to COVID-19 and that these restrictions were a primary reason for the new model.

Affordability Previously, the dining halls operated under an “all-you-can-eat” structure where students would swipe their TCard and have unlimited access to food during that visit to the dining hall through their meal plan. Now, with a “declining balance” model, students must pay for each item individually, including drinks, snacks, and some condiments such as jam and peanut butter.

Dons at Chestnut and New College claim that the new model also provides less options for students with dietary restrictions and less ability to customize food options.

Sterlin Vaillancourt, a lead don at New College and a Master of Social Work student, said that a “majority of students are feeling some kind of frustrations about this, even if it’s not outright because, at the end of the day, we still need to eat here,” since the meal plan is required as part of living in residence. For the 2020–2021 school year, the standard dining plan is $5,495 and a lite dining plan costs $4,850.

Based on the dollars allotted for the year, the amount residents can spend each day is $24. However, dons at New College and Chestnut estimate that the average single meal costs around $14, not including drinks or dessert.

In one example shared by the dons, the cost for one sandwich and a small container of fruit came to $19.48. Vaillancourt said that the average entrée can start around $14 and go up to $20 if it is a bigger portion. They also noted that the cost of some items is higher than it would be elsewhere.

For example, a single banana, apple, or orange costs $1.15.

“We don’t even have the option of eating three meals a day,” added Nadine Abdel-Ghafar, a graduate student and don at Chestnut. “We are a

The total for this meal was $19.48.

COURTESY OF MIKE LAWLER

dining hall, and we should be offering at least a minimum [of ] three meals a day.”

Consequently, the dons anticipate that many students may use up their meal plan for the whole year by the start of the second semester. “There’s absolutely zero way that if you have an 18-year-old person eating at this cafeteria, you wouldn’t need additional funds to see you through the end of the year,” said Mike Lawler, another graduate student and don at Chestnut.

Residence dons, who receive meal plans as part of their employment compensation, will have to pay out of pocket if they use up the dollars allotted to them this year. Having to spend money to feed themselves in the residences was not a concern for dons in years prior. The new system may also be difficult for some students, such as student athletes, who require a higher caloric intake.

In addition, the high prices may encourage students to seek out other food options outside of the residence, which brings additional concerns with regard to increasing contacts during COVID-19.

Vaillancourt mentioned that some students may not be comfortable being out in public due to the virus, leaving the dining hall as their only option.

Another factor is that Chestnut Residence has no kitchens or any cooking facilities accessible to students except microwaves. At New College, while the residences previously offered some access to stoves and ovens, these communal amenities are restricted due to COVID-19.

Health concerns The dons believe that these changes could lead to disordered eating, as students may skip meals if they cannot afford to eat three meals a day under the new structure. “I’ve been told by my students… how they plan their schedules around which meals

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Chestnut Residence, one of the residences with a new dining system this year.

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they can afford to skip,” said Abdel-Ghafar. “They have not been eating their three meals a day.” The weighing of food may also have a negative impact on students’ relationships with food.

“The system wasn’t designed to ensure students could eat for that budget,” said Lawler. He claims that “this system was designed to maximize profits.”

According to Porter, the pay-per-weight structure would be removed from “multiple stations” soon in response to the concerns that were raised.

However, Porter disputed the allegation that profit was a factor in the decision.

For food options that are paid for by weight, students are not able to choose how much food to take in one portion due to the elimination of buffet-style options, leaving them unable to choose the quantity or cost of their meals. Another concern in the pay-by-weight model is paying for things that are not edible, such as the weight of bones in meat.

Porter wrote in response that the pay-per-item and pay-per-weight structures were introduced “to provide our students with a level of control over selections and portioning within the declining balance program.”

The pricing may also encourage students to go for the unhealthy options, and many more of them have been introduced to the dining hall starting this year, such as instant noodles and packaged snacks.

The dining halls now also sell candy and gum.

On the problematic pricing structure, Lawler explained that a fruit cup costs $9 while a burger costs $8. “If you’re a student, and you’re making the choice between a fruit cup or a burger and fries — which will fill you — you’re obviously going to make that choice… to have something that fills you as opposed to something that’s healthier.”

Environmental impact The new model introduces many more single-use plastic items into the dining hall as many prepackaged food items have been introduced for the first time. In addition, the compost has been removed from the dining halls.

The Chestnut dons say that their questions about the environmental impact of the change as a whole have not been adequately addressed. They have had two meetings with food services over their concerns, but Lawler and Abdel-Ghafar expressed disappointment that their questions have not been answered adequately.

Lawler noted that the reusable eco-trays are not compatible with all food options, and according to the Chestnut Residence website, if a student loses the card that can be exchanged for the eco-tray, they must pay $5 to get a new one.

Porter noted that some changes to the system will be implemented soon and wrote, “We are also seeking to identify an ongoing mechanism for soliciting student feedback to continually monitor and adjust as the school year continues.”

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U of T law students “deeply concerned” by allegations of judicial interference in hiring process of IHRP director Faculty denies allegations of employment being rescinded, claims role was never offered

program, its partners, and its projects and erode the efficacy of the IHRP as a legal advocacy group,” Kephalas added. “As a law school there is an added obligation on the administration to conduct itself ethically.”

Joshua Eisen, a third-year JD student, wrote to The Varsity in an email that if the allegations of judicial interference are true, “the Faculty of Law has compromised its commitment to academic freedom.” He also noted that the reputation of the IHRP was central to his decision to come to U of T for law school. “I find the willingness of the law school to essentially undermine the IHRP for external political reasons deeply disturbing,” Eisen wrote.

Isabel Armiento Graduate Bureau Chief

After recent allegations that the Faculty of Law allowed external judicial pressure to influence its internal hiring process, many students involved with the Faculty of Law’s International Human Rights Program (IHRP) have expressed concern. The faculty, however, denies the allegations.

As reported in The Globe and Mail and the Toronto Star, the Faculty of Law allegedly offered the position of director of the IHRP to Valentina Azarova, a respected academic who has published criticism of Israel’s policies in occupied Palestinian territories. Azarova told The Globe and Mail that she had accepted an oral offer for the position.

The faculty is alleged to have later rescinded the offer due to pressure from Justice David Spiro, a member of the Tax Court of Canada and U of T alum. Spiro has been involved with the faculty’s past fundraising events, and several of his family members are notable donors to the university.

The allegations were met with widespread condemnation, both at U of T and globally. Law professor Audrey Macklin, the chair of the hiring committee that recommended Azarova, resigned immediately upon hearing the allegation of interference.

All three members of the program’s faculty advisory board resigned on September 16, and Vincent Wong, one of the program’s two research associates, resigned on September 17. According to The Globe and Mail, these resignations were due to concerns about an unfair process, unclear reasons for the faculty’s decision, and a lack of collegiality.

Human rights group Amnesty International threatened to terminate its four-year partnership with the IHRP if the Faculty of Law didn’t offer transparency and accountability in light of the allegations.

Faculty of Law, U of T denies the allegations Dean Edward Iacobucci denied the allegations in an email to the faculty. He wrote, “Assertions that outside influence affected the outcome of that search are untrue and objectionable. University leadership and I would never allow outside pressure to be a factor in a hiring decision.”

The Faculty of Law is facing allegations of interference in a hiring controversy.

MICHAEL PHOON/THEVARSITY

Iacobucci continued to assert that the accusation that he had offered and rescinded the director position to Azarova was also false. Though the faculty had been in communication with Azarova about the position, ultimately “no offer of employment was made because of legal constraints on crossborder hiring that meant that a candidate could not meet the Faculty’s timing needs,” he wrote.

“Other considerations, including political views for and against any candidate, or their scholarship, were and are irrelevant.”

Kelly Hannah-Moffat, Vice-President Human Resources and Equity, wrote in an email that the allegations of interference are not true and noted that some information about the situation has been published out of context.

Law students express concerns On September 17, the U of T Students’ Law Society (SLS) published an open letter in response to the “disturbing” allegations. “We are deeply concerned about the allegations… which allege judicial interference with the Faculty’s hiring process,” wrote the SLS in its open letter. “These allegations suggest that… the Faculty has compromised its commitment to academic freedom.”

Students involved with the IHRP are also troubled by the situation. “To say the least, the allegations are quite disappointing and troubling,” Abdullah Khan, a second-year Juris Doctor ( JD) student, said in an interview with The Varsity. “The IHRP has been an integral part of the law school. It’s one of the reasons why scholars come to the Faculty of Law, because the program is so well regarded and has a major impact.”

Khan worries that the allegations have put the program’s international reputation in jeopardy and potentially compromised the IHRP’s ability to do important human rights work. “It’s been allowed to do its work because of its independence,” he said.

Kristen Kephalas, a fourth-year JD and global affairs student, expressed her disappointment with the Faculty of Law. “Those of us who have been involved with the IHRP as fellows and clinic students… have benefitted from the IHRP in both tangible and intangible ways, from grant funding to professional experience and mentoring,” she wrote to The Varsity in an email. “It feels like a personal affront to hear allegations that the administration would put the integrity of the program at risk to appease its donors.”

“The allegations create reputational risk for the

Other concerns For Eisen, the controversy also exposes more than just unethical hiring practises.

“It points to a disturbing general tendency to clamp down on any criticism of Israel, regardless of its legitimacy,” he wrote. “Dr. Azarova’s scholarship on Israeli human rights abuses in the occupied Palestinan territories is completely within the bounds of legitimate academic research; she is an expert in International law and her work has appeared in various peer-reviewed journals. While it may be politically unpalatable for some, her work is not even particularly controversial.”

“By bowing to external pressure, the university is contributing to a climate in which criticism of Israel is often suppressed, sometimes by couching it as anti-Semitic,” Eisen added. “As a Jew I find this trend offensive.”

Eisen also expressed concern over the program’s future, as the director position remains vacant.

“From what I understand, the program has been languishing without permanent leadership for some time now, and someone like Dr. Azarova would have been a great fit,” he wrote.

Kephalas voiced a similar frustration. “This controversy highlights how human rights as an area of law is undervalued by the Faculty,” she wrote. “The program has already been without a permanent director for a year. If this situation isn’t resolved, students who rely on the IHRP will lose out on human rights education that is not offered anywhere else at the Faculty.”

First Trinity College Meeting addresses anti-racism, concerns of BIPOC students Students elect first-year leaders, electoral committee for October elections

Rachel E. Chen Varsity Contributor

This week, Trinity College hosted this year’s first meeting for its student society, the Trinity College Meeting (TCM).

During the meeting, student leaders discussed the importance of advancing anti-racism at the college. This follows a summer in which Black students came forward with their experiences of racism and marginalization at Trinity College. This led to the formation of the Trinity Anti-Racism Collective, which wrote an open letter with demands for reform.

At the meeting, students also ran elections to fill key positions on the first-year council and the Electoral Committee, which will be in charge of running the elections for several positions in October.

Anti-racism The meeting began with an opening address from TCM Chair Anjali Ghandi, who noted the meeting’s virtual format and that all in-person events for Trinity students have been moved online. Ghandi further discussed the plan for TCM this year.

“The way that I want to make a more inclusive TCM is really ensuring that we are listening to those minority voices in the group,” Ghandi said to the audience of over 70 attendees. She further emphasized the importance of “listening and being

respectful to those people that might have a different opinion… and really ensuring that [the meeting] isn’t a space where people will feel like they’re going to get heckled or going to feel disrespected.”

“I think too many times, a lot of people at the TCM will think that their experience at Trinity is the same as all the other experiences that other students are having, but that’s just not the case,” Ghandi continued. “So I really urge you to think about opening your mind and considering all perspectives when we come across motions this year.”

Opening statements from heads of student governance included statements of support in solidarity with Black, Indigenous, and people of colour (BIPOC) students.

Following Ghandi’s statement and opening reports from all sitting office-holders, Head of Arts Angie Luo discussed three Board of Trustees meetings which took place over the summer.

At one of these meetings, the TCM put forward an amendment to the mandate held by the college’s anti-racism task force, requesting them to

The Trinity College Meeting held its first meeting of the year.

HAYDEN MAK/THEVARSITY

specifically address action items from the Trinity Anti-Racism Collective’s open letter. The amendment did not pass. The board will meet again on October 1.

“It’s important for us to actively help dismantle discrimination and racism that these students face,” said Non-Resident Affairs Committee (NRAC) Head Cindy Lui, further recognizing the many BIPOC students who are commuters and committing to ensuring a safe and welcoming environment for all.

Elections Elections for first-year representatives of the Equity Commission and the Student Capital Campaigns Committee (SCCC), as well as SCCC members-at-large took place during the meeting.

Elections for various positions within the Alumni Relations Committee and ratification of the chief returning officer, deputy returning officer, and Electoral Commission — who will be in charge of running the October elections — also took place.

As part of the October elections, Trinity College students are looking to fill three vacant positions of male and female head of College and male head of NRAC, for which nominations are due on September 28. These vacancies were the result of resignations that were in part owed to the discussions surrounding anti-Black racism and calls for accountability.

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Construction for U of T’s Landmark Project underway at King’s College Circle

Three-year project aims to make campus more pedestrian friendly, cut carbon emissions Cedric Jiang Varsity Staff

In early May, U of T launched construction on its Landmark Project at King’s College Circle, marking the beginning of the three-year rejuvenation of the historic UTSG campus.

The construction will cover multiple areas around the historic core, including King’s College Circle, Hart House Circle, Sir Daniels Wilson Quad, and back campus. The project plans to move car lanes and parking underground in order to build a more pedestrian-friendly space at the UTSG campus.

The project will also feature a geothermal field, the largest one in any Canadian city. The geothermal field is projected to help U of T achieve its goal of reducing greenhouse gas emission by 37 per cent from 1990 levels by the year 2030.

Construction This project aims to rebuild connection with heritage landscapes within the U of T community. According to U of T Vice-President Operations and Real Estate Partnerships Scott Mabury, the area has long been dominated by cars, both in terms of traffic and parking.

Public consultation started over a year ago before the project officially started. According to Mabury, the

community discussed its expectations during multiple workshops and open houses. Although the project is located at UTSG, its cultural significance to the entire U of T community made it an institutional-wide decision through tricampus consultations. The plan, according to Mabury, received a unanimously positive response.

The project received funding from over 3,000 donors, many more than most construction projects, said Mabury. Two of the biggest gifts were from the University of Toronto Students’ Union (UTSU) and the University of Toronto Alumni Association (UTAA). “[This] gives you a sense that this is really a special project,” he added.

UTSU donated $250,000, and UTAA donated $1,000,000.

Asked about U of T’s plan to control disruption when the campus population returns to normal after the pandemic, Mabury responded that this situation is why the project will take three years.

“We could have done it faster, but it would have been more disruptive,” said Mabury. He said that the construction timeline is a balance between minimizing disruption and completing within a reasonable time.

Environmental impacts The project also includes a geo-exchange system, which, upon completion, will be

the largest in urban Canada. The system can absorb heat when there is an excess and use it in cold weather instead of directly releasing it into the atmosphere.

With the geothermal field implemented, U of T expects to save 15,000 metric tonnes of carbon per year. This is part of the broader goal to be carbonneutral by 2050, as per the Low Carbon Action Plan.

However, the construction process can still negatively affect the environment. Excavation for the geothermal boreholes and underground parking requires a removal of the front campus lawn completely, a disruption to the mini-ecosystem.

Urban engineering and ecology professor Susan Andrews, from the Department of Civil and Mineral Engineering, wrote to The Varsity in an email that protecting the mature trees is critical to make sure the ecological system can bounce back when construction is completed. In an effort to do so, “tree protection zones” have been put around trees across the construction site.

Still, Andrews believes that the project’s ultimate goal to reduce car-related impacts on the environment will eventually enhance the recovery of the front campus area’s natural ecology. “I think that the result will be a much more ecologically robust area,” wrote Andrews. “I would hope that the micro-ecological

system associated with the lawn will be re-established relatively quickly upon project completion.”

Aesthetic values Brian Melcher, the project’s co-designer and an associate from KPMB Architects, a Toronto-based architecture firm, said inclusiveness is behind the envisioning of the car-free zone. In his opinion, giving the entire landscape back to pedestrians and cyclists and providing continuous universal access will transform the campus experience.

The design also intends to introduce a language of connectivity and accessibility by creating coherence between buildings and landscapes. Michael Van Valkenburgh Associates (MVVA), the

landscape designer of this project, implements this principle by interweaving pathways with greenery. According to Melcher, this breaks down the traditional boundary between greenery and synthetic elements, making the use of space in the area more dynamic.

On how the project’s modern style fits in with the heritage buildings, Melcher noted that the design incorporates both contemporary and historic elements, instead of going on a full preservationist path. “One example is MVVA’s design for the granite paving, which drew inspiration from the slate roof of University College with its mix of green and purple tiles,” he wrote.

Construction has started at King’s College Circle.

NATHAN CHING/THEVARSITY

New Indigenous House to be built at UTSC The Breakdown: UTM’s Health & Counselling Centre Construction expected to start summer 2021 services during COVID-19 Alexa DiFrancesco UTSC Bureau Chief

A new Indigenous House, which will provide space for Indigenous students and community members, is in the works at UTSC. Construction is expected to begin next summer, and the house will be built adjacent to Ellesmere Road.

The two-story building will serve as a campus hub, while also celebrating traditions, practices, and ways of knowing of Indigenous peoples. A specific focus will be given to those residing on the land covered by the Williams Treaties, where UTSC is located.

The floor plan includes a variety of services, including a community kitchen, a student lounge, a library, a multipurpose room, and offices for elders, faculty, and staff. The second floor will provide meeting space.

“It’s a home away from home,” Alfred Waugh, the designer of the Indigenous House, said in an interview with Toronto.com. He further explained that universities often have trouble retaining Indigenous students “because of that culture shock” — a problem the Indigenous House hopes to fix.

As founder of Formline Architecture — one of Canada’s few firms led by an Indigenous architect — Waugh has created designs for other buildings including the Indian Residential School History and Dialogue Centre at the University of British Columbia.

Waugh said that his intention for the building was to “[place] nature at the centre of our value systems.” This vision will be incorporated through the inclusion of traditional plants and the use of a heat detector in place of a smoke alarm in order to accommodate smudging, a spiritual burning of sacred plants

Counselling services available virtually, inperson sessions on case-by-case basis Hafsa Ahmed UTM Bureau Chief

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to remove negative energy. The design is also partially inspired by a wigwam, a type of dome structure used by some Indigenous peoples in North America.

To moderate room temperatures in the extreme heat or cold, the building will also include “earth tubes” set 2.7 metres below ground that use the ground’s force to control the temperatures.

Though only six Indigenous staff members work at UTSC, it is not known how many Indigenous students attend the campus. In a statement to The Varsity, the Scarborough Campus Indigenous Student Association (SCISA) stressed the importance of these students having “a safe space to go to.”

“It enables them to practice and learn about their cultures without judgement or restrictive guidelines,” the SCISA wrote. “Having this Indigenous House will promote reconciliation and will be an informative space for non-Indigenous students, staff, and faculty on different aspects of Indigenous history and culture.”

“We look forward to future Indigenous and non-Indigenous peoples benefiting from the advancements made in support of reconciliation,” the SCISA wrote of UTSC’s recent installments.

“Overall, we are excited to hear of [the Indigenous House] and expect it to aide future students and their well-being on campus.”

While not possible during COVID-19, additional Indigenous resources at UTSC included a semi-annual Indigenous Experiential Journey Trip for students and the allowance of smudging ceremonies in common indoor spaces, provided a two-day notice was given. With the Indigenous House built, the required two-day notice, which the SCISA called ‘restrictive,’ will no longer be necessary. They also expressed optimism that having the Indigenous House as a dedicated space for Indigenous groups on campus will help streamline events and provide regularity.

Another example of recent Indigenous initiatives at the campus is a mural at UTSC’s Meeting Place painted by Métis artist Christi Belcourt and artist Isaac Murdoch of Serpent River First Nation. The mural was inspired by environmental activist Nokomis Josephineba Mandamin of Wikwemikong First Nation, who walked 17,000 kilometres around the Great Lakes to raise awareness about water injustice.

As UTM continues to operate under pandemic restrictions, some in-person campus services have closed due to COVID-19 diagnoses on campus.

Similarly, the Health & Counselling Centre (HCC) at UTM will be conducting most services online, with inperson appointments done on a caseby-case basis.

The HCC provides students with access to clinicians who can “offer short-term, solution-focused counselling and therapy services,” as well as referrals for students to access community resources for complex or longterm care.

The HCC plans to maintain its regular operating hours for the academic year, and personal and mental health counselling — a topic that was discussed at the UTM Campus Affairs Committee meeting — is still available.

Drop-in appointments are currently unavailable, and all initial appointments are scheduled virtually, taking place either over the phone or on a video conference. However, the HCC may determine on a case-bycase basis to hold a meeting in person, and in such individual cases, options will be discussed for a safe in-person meeting.

In cases where an in-person meeting is deemed necessary, students will undergo screening for symptoms upon arrival at the HCC’s clinic. Screenings include temperature checks, and

students may have their contacts and travel history screened as well. The HCC will not be providing testing for COVID-19.

Students can access the My Student Support Program, or My SSP, which is an additional support service to existing campus services and allows students to receive immediate free support for any school, health, or life related issue. This service is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

Students can use this service to speak with a counsellor, whether through call or chat, regarding their concerns. My SSP is also available as a tool for all U of T students who are outside of Canada. Students can find out how to access My SSP internationally online.

The HCC at UTM also provides students the ability to book appointments with its physicians or nurses to discuss other health related concerns, including chronic illnesses, birth control, sports injuries, and more.

The HCC is also promoting its Wellness at Home initiative, which seeks to provide “daily wellness workshops, activities, and resources from Mondays through Fridays” to students virtually, as stated on the program’s website. The schedule includes programs to promote mindfulness and meditation, connecting with other students, self-care, and more.

The HCC is only accepting debit and credit at this time and is not accepting cash payment. Students can find a list of other mental health-related virtual programs online.

var.st/news

SEPTEMBER 28, 2020

5

U of T releases data on finances for 2018–2019, student population for 2019–2020 school year

Data reveals gender balances of students, professors, and international student origin Lauren Alexander Deputy News Editor

U of T has released its annual Facts & Figures data for 2019, which is produced by the Office of Planning & Budget.

The data includes information on almost every area of the university, revealing an increase in revenue and expenses from the 2018–2019 academic year, gender imbalances within faculties and campuses for the 2019–2020 academic year, and the majority of international students’ origin.

Finances In total, U of T’s revenue last year was $3.6 billion, an increase of $214 million from the 2018–2019 academic year.

Domestic and international student fees

accounted for 48 per cent of the university’s revenue, contributing $1.7 billion.

The second largest source of revenue came from government grants for general operations, which contributed $726.5 million; the third largest came from government and other grants and contracts granted for restricted purposes, which contributed $469.4 million.

U of T saw an increase in income from all sources of revenue except for donations between the 2017–2018 and 2018–2019 academic years. U of T received $127.6 million in donations in 2017–2018, which saw a decrease to $102 million in 2018–2019.

This month, U of T received the largest donation in Canadian history: a total of $250 million that more than doubled the total income from donations last year.

The largest expense in 2018–2019 was salaries, with U of T paying $1.5 billion in salaries out of a total of $3.1 billion in expenses. U of T also spent $348.9 million on employee benefits in 2018–2019, an increase of $30.3 million from 2017–2018.

Compared to the 2017–2018 academic year, U of T spent more in most major categories of expense, including salaries; employee benefits; scholarships, fellowships and bursaries; and loan payments. However, U of T spent less in 2018–2019 on materials, supplies, and services and utilities than in 2017–2018.

The data revealed how much the university spends on each faculty and college. U of T spent the most on the Faculty of Arts & Science, the Faculty of Medicine, and the Faculty of Applied Science & Engineering, with $326,074,

LAUREN ALEXANDER/THEVARSITY

MIA CARNEVALE/THEVARSITY

$180,041, and $137,442, respectively.

Student enrolment Enrolment statistics by campus showed that, in the 2019–2020 school year, 28,000 full- and part-time undergraduate students were enrolled in the Faculty of Arts & Science, making it the faculty with the most students. The second and third largest groups were the UTM and UTSC campuses with 15,166 and 13,826 total undergraduate students, respectively.

The faculties with the highest percentage of women students were nursing, information, and Woodsworth certificates and diplomas, with 81 per cent, 75 per cent, and 74 per cent of undergraduate students identified as women, respectively.

The faculties with the lowest number of undergraduate women were applied science and engineering at the UTSG campus, the Toronto School of Theology, and medicine, with 38 per cent, 46 per cent, and 50 per cent of the students identified as women, respectively.

International students The report also broke down international student enrolment by country. A majority of 64.6 per cent of undergradu-

ate international students in 2019–2020 came from China, while India, South Korea, and the United States were the second most common countries of origin, representing 5.6 per cent, 3.1 per cent, and 2.7 per cent of all international undergraduate students respectively.

Nearly 40 per cent of international graduate students also came from China. A higher percentage originated in other countries than with undergraduate students, including India, the United States, and Iran, with 12.2 per cent, 10.3 per cent, and five per cent, respectively.

On the other hand, a majority 57.2 per cent of opportunities for learning abroad took place in Europe, while 31.3 per cent of learning abroad activities took place in Asia-Pacific.

Data on international students also revealed that there tends to be a lower percentage of women international students than in the general student population. This trend has occurred every year since 2010–2011.

Last year, 54.6 per cent of total undergraduate students and 57.4 per cent of total graduate students identified as women, while 53.4 per cent of international undergraduate students and 47.9 per cent of international graduate students identified as women.

International master’s students more likely to graduate after two years than domestic students, Statistics Canada finds Proportion of international students in master’s programs growing Marta Anielska Associate News Editor

A recent Statistics Canada study found that international master’s students are more likely to graduate from their program after two years, a slight increase over their domestic peers.

Of the international students who started their master’s programs in 2013, 65 per cent graduated after two years as opposed to 58 per cent of domestic master’s students.

The majority of master’s students who started their degrees in 2013 finished after four years, with 87 per cent of international students and 83 per cent of domestic students having completed their master’s in that period of time.

The disparity in graduation rates remains the same for doctoral students.

In 2017, Statistics Canada found that 59 per cent of international students in doctoral programs graduated after six years compared to 48 per cent of domestic students.

Also, looking at enrolment data, the study found that the proportion

of international students in master’s programs increased from one fifth of new students in 2011 to more than one fourth in 2016.

International students are a growing demographic at U of T, as international student tuition accounts for 30 per cent of the university’s revenue.

International enrolment in master’s programs is growing faster than that of Canadian students. Enrolment rose by 51 per cent for international students compared with just 11 per cent for domestic students over a time span of five years.

Approximately 43,000 students entered U of T’s master’s programs in 2016, up from about 41,000 in 2015.

Of those entering in 2016, 12,195 were international students, up from 11,151 in the previous year. In 2016, international students accounted for one quarter of master’s students.

The report offers several reasons for why international students, who often face different circumstances than domestic students, might graduate earlier than domestic students.

One suggestion is that international

graduates may have finished other qualification or qualifying programs outside of Canada before beginning their degrees at Canadian universities.

International students may also face more pressure due to higher tuition fees, costs of living away from home, and the time limits on their student permits. During the 2019–2020 school year, international master’s students paid between $13,520 and $59,230, as opposed to their domestic counterparts, who paid between $2,700 and $46,270.

Another study from Statistics Canada indicated that domestic students are more likely to work on their master’s part time, splitting their time between school and work.

In an email to The Varsity, a Statistics Canada spokesperson wrote that international and domestic students may also be associated with different demographic groups, which may be associated with different graduation rates. However, Statistics Canada added that the overview didn’t include that kind of “detailed, data-driven analysis.”

MARTA ANIELSKA /THEVARSITY

Business & Labour

September 28, 2020 var.st/business biz@thevarsity.ca

U of T’s Entrepreneurship Hatchery hosts virtual Demo Day 2020 Legal AI, 3D-printed soil, smart chewing gum, and crop watching win funding ogy processes the data using an artificial intelligence algorithm to generate a report.

ID Green is currently searching for investors who can help fund their pilot projects. “We have decided to use the money for purchasing some equipment to build our second prototype, such as a suitable drone that is an essential component of our solution,” Ehsan Vaziri, who is responsible for ID Green’s data analytics, wrote.

Hatching in the NEST Both the Entrepreneurship Hatchery and its NEST program were founded in 2012 under the umbrella of the Faculty of Applied Science & Engineering.

Despite the affiliation, NEST is open to applications from U of T students in all programs and has helped launch 94 startups from a variety of industries over the past five years.

The program runs from May to August annually and culminates in each year’s Demo Day. This year’s winners have positive reviews for the experience.

“We have a robust team with a great knowledge of the marketplace, skills necessary to pitch our ideas, and ample funding to conduct our work all thanks to the Hatchery and the Faculty of Engineering,” INDUS’ Sharif wrote.

“We would all like to thank the Hatchery for giving us the opportunity to grow as a team, and as a company,” Lucy Chen, who is responsible for Toothpod’s outreach, operations, and research and development, wrote. “We would like to personally give a special thank you to Joseph [Orozco] for leading the hatchery and believing in Toothpod for the past 2 years!”

Anastasiya Gordiychuk Varsity Contributor

From September 9–18, U of T’s Entrepreneurship Hatchery hosted its 10th annual Demo Day — the culmination of The Hatchery NEST, a four-month mentorship program to help students develop their businesses. The event included over 1,800 registered attendees, with the audience watching pre-recorded pitches virtually for the duration of the event.

“There were a total of 138 students participating in the NEST program, together with 49 Mentors and 16 of our ‘connectors,’ ” Joseph Orozco, co-founder and Executive Director of the Entrepreneurship Hatchery, wrote in an email interview with The Varsity. However, only 16 promising startups made it to Demo Day 2020 and were able to compete for a total prize pool of $42,500.

The winning ideas varied drastically this year. First place — and the $20,000 grand prize — went to Themis for a pitch applying artificial intelligence to make the legal contract drafting process more efficient. Runners-up INDUS and Toothpod each received $10,000 for innovations in hydroponics and dental care, respectively. The $2,500 Orozco prize, also known as the ‘people’s choice award,’ was awarded to ID Green for the use of user-friendly drones in agriculture.

The Varsity interviewed the winning teams to understand how they developed their ventures and what their next steps are.

Legal machine learning Themis’ team pitched the audience a simplified process of contract drafting for lawyers. They created a Microsoft Word add-in that sifts through a library of clauses from lawyers’ own precedents without the need to reference elsewhere. The innovation would save time from a notoriously time-consuming process and allow lawyers to gather more information about precedents.

“We plan to use the prize money largely to fund development costs to increase the number of clauses and definitions Themis can identify, and support infrastructure costs,” the team wrote. “We currently have a functioning prototype that validates our idea.

Our next step is to attain our first beta customers.”

In pursuit of that goal, the team is currently looking to build a network with small Canadian law firms to receive a critique of its prototype.

Grow anything, anywhere INDUS pitched a “smart soil.” The startup implemented procedures to study optimal soil conditions for plants. Based on the results, INDUS is able to design pellets to mimic crop-specific soil properties, which can then be 3D-printed using a production pipeline.

“We plan to use this money to start crucial research and development necessary before releasing our first product within next year,” the INDUS team wrote.

The team wrote that any remaining funds would go toward purchasing 3D printers and materials necessary to start a 3D printing production facility.

A nine-day, virtual ‘day’ Unprecedented times required extraordinary actions, and the Entrepreneurship Hatchery team did a lot to ensure that startups were prepared and trained for the virtual event. “Covid was a great opportunity to test the Hatchery online delivery,” Orozco wrote.

According to Orozco, the process comprised “having weekly synchronous meetings with their advisory, biweekly pitching sessions and permanent support in the process of developing a startup company.”

Demo Day is normally held in person, and this year was the first time the event was administered via PheedLoop — an event platform developed by Hatchery graduates from 2014’s cohort. The winners were announced on September 18 through the same platform.

While all startups expressed that virtual Demo Day was an enriching and pleasant experience, there were some challenges that the teams faced as the event moved online.

“The biggest challenge of online pitching is definitely getting the excitement about the product across to the audience,” Vishar Yaghhoubian, founder and CEO of Toothpod, wrote. A similar sentiment was expressed by the Themis team, who mentioned that it was hard not to see the reactions while they were pitching.

ID Green mentioned that it was challenging dealing with the incidents of technical issues, while INDUS emphasized that it was hard to manage schedules and hold meetings due to time zone differences.

Life goes on at the NEST Despite the event being online, the judging criteria remained the same as previous years. Teams were judged based on the quality of the problem statements, value propositions, feasibility of the startups, overall perception of their pitches and teams, and potential investment decision. The Orozco prize, ultimately won by ID Green, was awarded to the startup with the most audience votes out of the 2,900 collected.

Looking forward, the Hatchery is currently accepting applications for the 2021 cohort of the NEST program. “Moving forward we shall leverage the best of the face to face and on-line experiences,” Orozco wrote, regarding the delivery of the program and how it will be impacted by COVID-19.

He also mentioned that remote delivery opens doors for great opportunities. “We might be able to have a more global presence,” Orozco continued.

“The Hatchery creates tech-startup companies and develops the entrepreneurial human capital, we bring a whole community together to inspire the next generation of entrepreneurs to… transform Canada.”

Brush your teeth on the go Toothpod introduced a chewing gum that helps people with their oral hygiene when brushing their teeth is inconvenient or impossible. According to the team’s pitch, there are three ways in which this gum boosts people’s oral hygiene: abrasive nanoparticles remove bacteria from the tongue and teeth, natural antibacterial agents break down the plaque on and in between teeth, and enzymes break down food in between teeth.

“The next steps will be refining our prototype and conducting various tests to ensure ToothPod works as well as we say it does,” Alton Rego, who is responsible for Toothpod’s business development and research and development, wrote. “Simultaneously we will work with experts to protect our [intellectual property], secure regulation approval and scale up our manufacturing process.”

Keeping an eye on agriculture Beyond the main winners, ID Green’s solution to revenue loss in agriculture ultimately won the audience’s vote. The startup developed a patentable camera technology capable of detecting nutrient deficiency, plant counting, predicting the yield, and discerning crop diseases on farms. The technology collects data from drone-mounted cameras, weather stations, and farm inputs from the mobile app; then the technol-

3D-printed soil was one idea that won big at Demo Day 2020.

COURTESY OF PATRICK DIEP

Comment

September 28, 2020 var.st/comment comment@thevarsity.ca

As COVID-19 cases continue to rise, U of T’s measures are falling short

University-provided masks, UCheck, course delivery must be re-evaluated

ANANYA ANANTH/THEVARSITY

Hyerin Jeong Varsity Contributor

To be frank, 2020 has been a year of uncertainty and fear for the general public. As cases are once again rising in Ontario, particularly among young people, the university must continue to protect its students during the pandemic.

Although the university has taken measures to prevent the spread of COVID-19 on campus, much more needs to be done.

Free masks During the summer, the university announced it would offer U of T students and staff two free face masks each. These can easily be picked up at various locations on campus at during posted times.

However, the quality of these masks has already come into question. According to epidemiologist David Fisman, these masks may not offer adequate protection because they are made from double-ply polyester that cannot filter as effectively as cotton.

Students may not be safe if they just wear the university provided masks and are better off wearing store-bought surgical masks or homemade cotton masks.

The university could have averted this controversy if they had just provided cotton masks to begin with. Instead, students who are concerned about the quality of these masks now need to invest their own money into protective equipment in order to feel safe on campus.

Mental health U of T acknowledged mental health concerns among the student population by partnering with the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health to launch a discussion forum. The forum allows students to communicate with each other on how they are coping with the pandemic and recieve advice from social workers on a case-by-case basis.

Facebook livestream events are also periodi-

cally being offered to provide tools for students on how to cope with negative emotions and deal with stress during this time. The university has listed a number of hotlines on the COVID-19 information page as well.

While the university is clearly making an effort, these services remain largely unknown to the student population.

While the intention behind the forum may be pure, it cannot act as a substitute for the longterm professional help that many actually need.

Regular student protests concerning the mental health crisis that have occurred over the last few years have pointed out the university’s obvious lack of services. Now more than ever, the university must step up and offer accessible mental health services for its students.

UCheck UCheck, a COVID-19 self assessment web portal, has become available for staff and students to independently assess their symptoms. Members of the U of T community can evaluate their COVID-19 risk status on their electronic devices to see if they should come to campus. They can also receive advice on what to do based on their risk status.

It must be emphasized that the UCheck portal is not a diagnostic tool for accurate COVID-19 screening.

Upon using the portal, I found it personally underwhelming. The self-assessment tool merely asked whether you have any of the symptoms presented in the list, if you have recently had contact with sick individuals or those suspected of having COVID-19, and if you have travelled in the past 14 days. Much of this is common sense.

If U of T really wants to commit to keeping students and staff safe, it shouldn’t be focusing its attention on a portal that cements precautions that everyone already knows. Instead of an unnecessary diagnostic tool, U of T should provide testing sites close to campus so that members of the community can be confident that they and the people around them aren’t a threat to public health.

Course delivery While students do have the means and knowledge to protect themselves and others with hand sanitizers, masks, and provincial mandates on social gatherings, that does not necessarily mean that all students will abide by the rules.

In fact, Western University made the news after a sudden spike of cases emerged on campus. U of T recently had a scare of its own when it found out that two people with COVID-19 visited the Student Centre at UTM. Of course, the majority of students will be responsible, but it takes just a few careless people or legitimate accidents for the virus to spread on campus.

If the university wants to remain committed to its mixed course delivery system, at the very least it should be transparent about its contacttracing plans instead of feeding students generic lines about its efficacy. Indeed, there has yet to be a publicized protocol for contact-tracing on campus.

Better yet, the university should not have offered non-essential classes in person to begin with. While it’s understandable that labs and other class formats that require hands-on learning can’t be shifted to online, there are still a number of in-person classes being held that could very easily make the transition to online delivery.

This would have allowed international students to stay home and not put themselves at risk by flying back to Canada. It would further reduce crowding on campus, decreasing the likelihood of an outbreak. And it would allow professors to focus on one form of delivery instead of having to juggle a hybrid experience, both online and in person.

Although the university has taken important steps to protect its students, much more needs to be done. Simply providing free polyester masks and a self-assessment portal is not enough to prevent the spread of COVID-19 on campus. Now that students are struggling financially and emotionally while trying to protect their health, the university must work to fulfill its duty to take care of its faculty and students.

Op-ed: The UTGSU is plagued with dysfunction, but it doesn’t have to be The union must improve transparency, staff and executive power imbalances, accessibility

Justin Patrick Varsity Contributor

The University of Toronto Graduate Students’ Union (UTGSU) has faced considerable conflict in recent years: the second removal of Lynne Alexandrova as internal commissioner, the saga of challenges to the 2020 UTGSU election results, a high turnover rate of executive positions in recent years, and a voter turnout of less than five per cent in the last elections.

These are symptoms of larger systemic issues that pose challenges for graduate student representation and advocacy at U of T. A lack of transparency Basic information about the UTGSU’s decision-making processes is not easily accessible to students, which makes it more difficult for students to get involved.

For instance, the names and contact information of UTGSU directors are unavailable on the UTGSU website. Instead, there is a list of dozens of course unions — not all of which have functioning websites.

If a student’s course union does not have a website or if the website is outdated, they have to contact their department, the UTGSU, or their peers to find out who represents them at UTGSU board meetings. This can take up valuable time in an already intensive graduate study schedule and delay them from receiving the support they need.

By contrast, the University of Toronto Students’ Union (UTSU) has the names and contact information of its elected representatives,

including directors, clearly listed on its website. The Association of Part-time Undergraduate Students, Scarborough Campus Students’ Union, and University of Toronto Mississauga Students’ Union also have directors’ names listed.

To put this into perspective, imagine how much more difficult it would be for people to raise awareness about issues in their community if the names and contact information of city councillors or members of parliament were not clearly listed online or were not publicly available.

To make matters worse, this lack of transparency makes UTGSU directors themselves less informed about who their fellow representatives are. This makes it difficult for them to discuss board business, share perspectives on important issues, develop well-informed motions, and, ultimately, act collectively within the UTGSU political sphere.

While some attempts to bridge this gap have been made with a Slack workspace for elected representatives, it is informal, does not include all directors, and is not officially run by the UTGSU. Although the UTGSU does have a large board, this is no excuse for poor transparency.

It still has to keep and maintain records of who its directors are for attendance and sending meeting agendas. In other words, the UTGSU already has the data but chooses not to publish it online.

Full-time staff, part-time executives UTGSU executives are at a significant disadvantage because they are paid $1,300 per month and are often limited in the hours they can work each week due to the stringent requirements of many U of T graduate programs.

This makes time-sensitive executive responsibilities like those of many of the internal commissioners particularly challenging. To compensate, the executive relies more on unelected, full-time, non-student staff to maintain operations, which can lead to imbalances of power.

Such imbalance is evident in the current UTGSU elections structure, which gives considerable power to an unelected chief returning officer (CRO) and other unelected officials.

The UTGSU Elections Committee, which creates the Elections and Referenda Code for each election, is composed of three unelected staff members and two elected directors. While the staff generally cannot vote, the directors can, and the CRO — who chairs the committee — has the deciding vote any time the two directors disagree. This code cannot be amended by the UTGSU Board of Directors.

Moreover, the CRO can decide whether nomination papers are valid and enforce penalties.

Even if a candidate successfully appeals this decision, the process would likely cost them valuable time in an already tight campaign schedule.

If executives were supported more by their departments and allowed to dedicate more time to the UTGSU, they would be better able to improve its operations and ensure power consistently remains in the hands of students.

Furthermore, the Elections Committee should be composed of a majority of elected directors, and the CRO should not have a vote.

Instead of expanding CRO powers and relying on their potentially biased interpretations, the Elections and Referenda Code should be amended to integrate standardized election penalties into the existing bylaws and policies.

Secrecy of board meetings Dissemination of UTGSU political developments are further hindered by limited student press access. Just allowing the press to attend board meetings was a hard-fought battle during the 2018–2019 school year, and there are still restrictions on how student journalists can report on proceedings.

Meanwhile, other student unions have livestreamed meetings. Without accurate, timely, and easily digestible reporting on UTGSU politics, it is more difficult for students to stay informed and engaged. Minutes alone are insufficient and can be biased.

Until the necessary measures are taken to reform the UTGSU’s structure, we can expect to see its history of controversy and dysfunction continue to repeat itself in this coming year.

Justin Patrick is a PhD student at the Ontario Institute for Studies in Education and is the president of the International Association for Political Science Students. He served as the internal commissioner of the UTGSU from January to April 2019. He was a governance and policy analyst for the UTSU from June to September 2019.

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COMMENT

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Erin O’Toole has more to prove if he wants to be a prime minister for youth Reading between the lines of tax breaks, red tape, debt reduction Martin Concagh Varsity Contributor

While newly elected Conservative Party of Canada leader Erin O’Toole may be hoping to be a prime minister for youth for his party, that is both a tall order and an important goal.

Polling suggests that the Conservative Party came a distant third behind the Liberals and the New Democratic Party with the youngest cohort of voters. To try and rectify this, many of O’Toole’s policies have been geared toward appealing to young voters and students.

For cash-strapped students struggling to find and keep work, and for those worried about the state of the economy in the years to come, O’Toole’s promises to resolve Canada’s economic problems and help small businesses stay afloat and expand are appealing.

However, given O’Toole’s platform, the Conservatives still have a long way to go before they can expect to snag the youth vote — especially a financially burdened student population.

Tax breaks for whom?

Whenever politicians of any party make grand announcements and big promises, it is important to read between the lines. There are always potential negative and unintended consequences that politicians do not want to talk about in regard to their policies, and O’Toole’s platform is no exception.

Take, for example, the offer of $100,000 worth of tax breaks for new graduates. Given the number of students and recent graduates under 30 years old

who are earning below or not significantly above the current tax thresholds, it is likely that only the wealthiest and highest-earning graduates will be able to fully take advantage of such tax breaks.

The fact that this tax break would only be available for those under 30 years old is discouraging for mature students. At closer examination, this proposal might not be as helpful as advertised.

Wrapped up in red tape O’Toole’s other advertised policies of cutting red tape and aggressively handling government debt also require reading between the lines and looking at how such appealing rhetoric has manifested itself elsewhere in Canada.

What is described as “red tape” for small businesses often takes the form of important regulations about what can and cannot be demanded of employees. While work, especially for students, is increasingly precarious, there are still many protections in Canada’s Federal Labour Code that students employed in federally-regulated industries can rely on, such as mandatory notices of termination and the right to file complaints against abusive employers.

A bill passed by Ontario’s provincial government in 2018 — branded as “cutting red tape” — froze the minimum wage at $14 and cut statutory sick days.

It is important that young people get clarification on what exactly O’Toole means by cutting red tape, because, like in Ontario, vital employment protections might be rolled into

the tape that needs to be cut.

Dealing with deficit at the cost of services Similarly, past experience in Ontario has shown that rising government debt and deficits are often used as reasons to make severe cuts to government services. Ontario’s universities and students have suffered greatly from spending cuts to education and youth-related services — cuts justified by mounting debts in the province.

Given that O’Toole has repeatedly stated that he thinks taxes are too high — and has made promises to reduce and repeal several taxes — the debt reduc-

tion he promises will likely have to come out of cuts to spending.

And given the scale of Canada’s current budget deficit, those cuts will have to be severe.

The Conservatives’ headline policies may be greatly appealing for some, but they show the importance of reading between the lines of political promises. While O’Toole’s ambitions may be bold, he has a lot more to prove before he deserves the moniker of prime minister for youth.

Martin Concagh is a fourth-year political science student at New College.

Erin O’Toole and the Conservative Party need to do more to attract young voters.

COURTESY OF ANDRE FORGET

Timing of Landmark Project expenditure is questionable in the midst of a pandemic Space, financial transparency raise concerns

Guilherme Patury Varsity Contributor

As most students have been absent from the UTSG campus since March due to the ongoing pandemic, many might have missed the fence that was raised around front campus this summer.

This fence, accompanied by the heavy machinery digging holes in the ground, is only the beginning of a massive project that the university has been calling the Landmark Project. The initiative promises to transform not only front campus, but also back campus, the Sir Daniel Wilson Quad, Hart House Circle, and King’s College Circle.

New additions Top-billed among the Landmark Project changes is the construction of what will be Canada’s largest urban geothermal field below front campus, which is expected to generate renewable energy and thus prevent the emission of 15,000 tonnes of greenhouse gases every year.

According to U of T News, the amount of greenhouse gases saved will be equivalent to removing 3,000 cars off the roads — an important endeavour in making the university a greener in-

stitution in the midst of the ongoing climate crisis.

This initiative is also set to make the UTSG campus more accessible, as the university promises to replace a number of stairs and ramps with gradual slopes.

While this all definitely sounds impressive — and to a large extent, truly is — some of the aspects of the project demand to be questioned.

Less space to operate One question to ask would be whether it is truly necessary, and frankly appropriate, to begin this construction amidst the COVID-19 pandemic.

The university has claimed that in this initial phase of the project, it will be easy for physical distancing to be observed, as only a small number of people are on the site at a time. However, in the midst of COVID-19 cases once again rapidly increasing in Toronto, U of T should not be putting construction workers at risk on a non-essential project such as this.

In the same vein, every bit of outside space should be conserved to aid in physical distancing efforts. With the front campus field cut off, people are forced to stay on the narrow walkways, and in some situations, be too close for comfort — even

The Landmark Project is set to bring three years of construction to the UTSG campus.

SAMANTHA YAO/THEVARSITY

with the current reduced number of students on campus.

Question of financial transparency The cost of the Landmark Project also needs to be addressed. U of T News reported that this project will take three years to complete, and while an official price tag has not been made public, it is known that U of T received a $100,000 grant from the Toronto Parks and Trees Foundation, a $250,000 gift from the University of Toronto Students’ Union, and $1 million from the University of Toronto Alumni Association.

The university set out its funding sources for the Landmark Project during an in-camera session of the Planning & Budget Committee — meaning that the press and general public were not informed about the results of the meeting. While the university is funding the renovation in part through the Future Major Capital Project Reserves, the dollar amount that U of T is putting toward this project remains unknown.

During a pandemic that has financially impacted a large number of U of T students and staff, this lack of transparency related to expenditures calls U of T’s commitment to the betterment of the com-

munity into question.

As The Varsity reported in July, the university has temporarily laid off nearly 200 employees during the pandemic. In addition, even as almost all classes have moved to an online setting, the price of tuition has been kept the same for domestic students and increased for international students.

For students, this is especially pressing considering that many have faced financial hardship due to the pandemic and will also not be able to enjoy the benefits of campus such as libraries, gyms, and study spaces.

While the Landmark Project is undoubtedly a very impressive initiative by the University of Toronto, it is by no means problem-free.

Yes, it will make the downtown campus more accessible and greener — both figuratively and literally. Nonetheless, the timing for the start of the construction amidst the COVID-19 pandemic is poor and raises many questions about the safety of having active construction right in the heart of UTSG and the appropriate use of university funds.

Guilherme Patury is a third-year international relations student at University College.

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SEPTEMBER 28, 2020

9

U of T’s awareness of anti-Black racism isn’t enough — it must defund Campus Police

Analyzing the university’s response to Black Lives Matter Divya Gupta Varsity Contributor

None of us are strangers to the Black Lives Matter protests happening all over the world since May. The murder of George Floyd ignited a fire that has long been simmering underneath a veil of oppression and racial injustice. Black people are finally being joined by allies in order to bring about justice — long overdue justice.

The United States government and police departments are under the watchful eye of the protestors as they demand action. However, this does not leave out the Canadian government, officials, or schools — such as U of T. Initiatives to combat anti-Black racism U of T has taken a number of initiatives over the years to ensure diversity and inclusion for all, but as students, we must ask ourselves: is it enough?

The university has recently released an article that “expresses solidarity with the Black community.” In it, U of T lists a series of anti-Black racism initiatives and Kelly Hannah-Moffat, U of T Vice-President Human Resources & Equity said that the university is committed to “providing an inclusive environment for everyone at the University of Toronto.”

For instance, U of T’s Anti-Racism and Cultural Diversity Office holds a number of workshops in order to educate faculty and students about their roles as allies and spread awareness about the need for social justice. Similarly, the university has launched a Black Students Application Program to promote Black enrollees in the fields of law and medicine.

All these initiatives reflect an awareness on

the part of the university about its role and influence in promoting anti-racism practices and advocating for change.

Calls to defund campus police On the other hand, there has been no adequate response to two open letters from community members calling on the university to defund Campus Police. The two letters — one written in November 2019 and the other written in August 2020 — both demand racial justice, anti-racism practices, and an end to police brutality at U of T. The impetus for these letters was the arrest and handcuffing of a racialized student at UTM who was seeking mental health services.

In response, university administrators claimed that they would review services and protocols.

There was no direct comment from U of T President Meric Gertler, to whom the letters were addressed.

These vague statements provide no clarity about U of T’s plan to put improved protocols in place to end police brutality.

This behaviour by the university calls into question whether it truly believes in and is working toward an inclusive environment to end all racist practices, or is it simply putting out superficial statements while blatantly ignoring the hidden, ugly truth.

As stated by Beverly Bain, a historical studies lecturer at UTM, “In this particular time, it’s not enough for all universities to just put out a statement on ‘anti-Black racism’ and ‘Black lives matter.’”

Be it developing new programs or diversifying faculty and staff, there will be no justice for the Black community until we receive a concrete plan from the administration ensuring the de-

MAARYA ZAFAR/THEVARSITY

funding of Campus Police and installation of proper procedures for student safety.

Newest measure, the Anti-Black Racism Task Force The university has recently announced the formation of the Anti-Black Racism Task Force, which will consist of four faculty co-chairs along with other faculty, students, and staff. The task force aims to examine existing procedures addressing anti-Black racism and further promote inclusion at U of T. This is not the first time U of T has created a task force in the face of student and staff pressure. In response to vast protests in 2019 regarding the mental health crisis, Gertler launched the Presidential & Provostial Task Force on Student Mental Health aimed at reviewing existing procedures and initiating inclusive policies tackling the issue on campus.

Though it had some positive impacts, the initiative was met with criticism from many students on the grounds of underrepresentation and the fact that the task force did not tackle all the relevant issues surrounding mental health at U of T. This mixed reaction from the student body calls into question how effective the Anti-Black Racism Task Force will be. Though it sounds

like a step down the right path, there has been no explicit mention of plans to defund Campus Police. Also, the issue of uncertainty in policymaking still stands, much like with the previous task force.

As students and faculty members, we must recognize the grave issues surrounding us and constantly call for action and question our leaders until we receive proper answers and support.

We need to incorporate anti-racist work into our daily lives and actively seek to achieve racial equality.

The non-racialized members of this community also need to realize that they come from a place of privilege and should use this position of power for the good of their racialized peers.

This can be achieved by questioning Eurocentric class syllabi, advocating for racialized authors and groups to be read and studied in courses, and reaching out to racialized classmates to ensure they feel heard and welcomed in their classes.

The Black community has suffered enough, and it is our duty as allies and members of the U of T community to ensure that the racism ends here.

Divya Gupta is a first-year cognitive science and computer science student at University College.

U of T, reopen with equity in mind Extend interest-free grace period, make housing and financial resources more accessible the minimum payment.

In general, U of T should lower tuition across the board to reflect the fact that students are facing unprecedented financial burdens at this time.

Lowering tuition is important because it allows for students to still have an equal chance at an education this year despite the financial hardships they may be facing.

REBECA MOYA/THEVARSITY

Sonia Uppal Varsity Contributor

As the fall semester comes into full swing, many students are coming to terms with the harsh aftermath of what this pandemic has left, and is continuing to leave behind.

Financial hardships ran rampant this summer, but the help of the Canada Emergency Response Benefit and Canada Emergency Student Benefit softened the blow of the lack of jobs on the market, getting laid off, and everything else that contributed to a summer characterized by unemployment.

With the end of these government aids, students are left with few options in terms of how to keep themselves afloat this upcoming year. There is only so much that the Ontario Student Assistance Program and other financial aid can cover for students as they pay for tuition and books. Not to

mention, Toronto is a very expensive city to live in.

In the face of these hardships, U of T has been presented with the opportunity to recover from the pandemic equitably — it is, in fact, their responsibility to do so.

Cost of tuition U of T has a few things already set up to help out students in need. One of these things is the option to defer tuition fees to a later date if you meet certain conditions. While this is helpful, the drawback is that if a student has not paid the fee by October, a 1.5 per cent interest rate will begin to accumulate per month.

If the school were to waive this interest until a much later date, it would save a lot of stress for already exhausted students. It would provide much needed security for students knowing that they have more time than a mere month to pay back

Housing and financial advice Another way that U of T can provide an equitable recovery from the effects of this pandemic is by ensuring accessibility to the many housing and financial aid services that are already in place.

Offices that provide financial, budgeting, bursary, and housing advice can be extremely hard to navigate and access. In particular, information on websites can be buried within a plethora of links and other information that takes a fair amount of time to sift through.

This poses a problem for students who may not have readily available internet access in their home — often, the only way to get this information is through the internet. U of T can address this by sending out flyers to home addresses with all of the relevant information for housing and financial advice.

For students with wi-fi, the university should hold virtual sessions where information regarding these services can be discussed, which would save time and clarify any confusion that can result from reading the information online.

Mental health services With school, housing, financial requirements, and much more weighing on a student’s mind, mental health can become a last priority. The stress of staying afloat at a time like this is taxing, and U of T can help by investing more in counselling services and making them more accessible to all students.

Wait times, stigma, and online accessibility create strong barriers of access to counselling services during this time. U of T must invest in more mental health professionals and streamline the process of reaching out for help. The university should also make Health and Wellness available for all students, even if they were forced to take a year or semester off due to the cost of tuition.

U of T is considered home for many returning students this year. This institution has a responsibility to look after the students who put so much of their time, energy, and money into this community.

No student should be left behind during an international crisis like this pandemic, and there are many ways in which U of T can improve its policies and add new initiatives to the repertoire to fulfill the needs of students.

Sonia Uppal is fourth-year student in equity studies, anthropology, and buddhism, psychology & mental health at St. Michael’s College.

10

THE VARSITY

FEATURES

Taking classes in a different time zone: tips from around the world Three international students on finding support, adjusting to learning, maintaining friendships

w

tively about online education.

These numbers raised important questions for The Varsity to consider, such as whether or not other international students taking online classes remotely still feel the same sentiments. The Varsity interviewed three international students, all of whom remained largely optimistic about their studies and shared tips for adjusting to new schedules in different time zones.

These students hail from Indonesia, Vietnam, and India, and they admitted that the large discrepancy between their time zones and the schedule on which U of T is running has impacted their lives. However, they all emphasized that while online learning is a challenge, it is still manageable provided you have the right resources.

Writer: Candice Zhang Illustrator: Charmain Wong

When COVID-19 hit, U of T students had to figure out how to get home, and fast. Domestic students were ushered back to their hometowns quickly by parents, and international students faced the challenge of booking a flight back to their homes. However, as the beginning of the new school year approached, U of T students faced a new question: would they be staying home?

For international students, the answer largely depended on COVID-19-related policies. Multiple countries closed international borders, forcing airlines to respond by cancelling flights.

On top of this, international students faced challenges related to the risk of contracting COVID-19 on long flights and in airports.

As a result, some decided to stay home, and now had to concern themselves with the logistics of class schedules and the effectiveness of long-distance learning while living in another time zone.

Over the summer of 2020, in a survey conducted by Easy Group, an education company founded by a U of T alum, 90 per cent of the surveyed Chinese international students enrolled at U of T despite the pandemic. 57 per cent of them said that they will not move back to U of T in the fall, and nearly 70 per cent of them felt nega-

Communicating with family members Living in a country with a different time zone can affect a student’s behaviour and their family’s schedule. Students may run into the problem of having classes late at night and sleeping in the morning, which may disrupt the schedule of the rest of their household.

Akshit Goyal, a third-year student studying computer science who is currently living in India, 9.5 hours ahead of Toronto, knows this concern all too well. He lives in a household of 10 people, and while the number of members may not be ideal, the continuous support from his parents creates a better and less chaotic atmosphere. He wrote to The Varsity about his experience with online learning, commenting that communicating with family members helped them work together and foster a flexible and effective learning environment.

“My family was very supportive,” Goyal wrote. “They understood the issues and made their best effort to help.”

Regina Angkawidjaja, a second-year student double majoring in criminology & sociolegal studies and industrial relations & human resources, and minoring in sociology, understands this problem well. Living in Indonesia, she was also concerned about the discrepancy in time zones, since she is 11 hours ahead of Toronto.

Anticipating synchronous courses before the semester began, Angkawidjaja wrote to The Varsity that she had tried to mentally prepare herself for an altered schedule “I even came up with a plan with my parents to ensure that

they wouldn’t disturb me when I am napping or sleeping during the day,” Angkawidjaja wrote.

However, she noted that posted lecture recordings helped her maintain a normal schedule.

For Goyal, his parents quickly realized the difficulty of attending school during a pandemic and continued to encourage him to prioritize physical and mental wellness.

“It definitely becomes difficult to concentrate on school, but they made sure to keep noise less during exams, [and] check upon me often if I needed anything,” wrote Goyal. “My mom used to make meals for me and made sure I didn’t have any other task apart from focusing on studies.”

After communicating with family members about their class schedule, international students have realized that parent-child relationships are vital for completing postsecondary education.

Support and accommodation are the results of teamwork, collaboration, and mutual understanding.

However, it is important to acknowledge that the ability to communicate with family members varies depending on the student’s situation. Living with an emotionally supportive family is a privilege that many lack, and some students may have to stay home due to COVID-19-related circumstances.

In these cases, it is essential for students to prioritize their emotional well-being and access mental health supports when necessary. Support may come in the form of confiding in friends, speaking to a Health & Wellness counsellor, or locating local resources for support.

Preparing to adjust to class schedules Going to class at 2:00 am may seem like a nightmare at the beginning of the semester. However, Angkawidjaja wrote that she prepared for this moment before the school year even commenced.

“When I was choosing my courses in July, I was mentally preparing myself to go nocturnal since my courses are all between 9pm to 8am in my time zone,” Angkawidjaja wrote.

When registration began, however, and students could see how their courses would be officially delivered, some of them enrolled in classes with asynchronous options. This means that lectures are either recorded or available at a different time than stated on the class schedule.

Danny Ly, a fourth-year student who is double majoring in psychology and economics and currently living in Vietnam, prefers the option of online classes and recorded lectures.

“Even in Canada, I’d prefer to take classes with WebOption [sic] courses,” Ly wrote.

Since the lectures can be watched at any time, he can adjust his

features@thevarsity.ca

class schedule to his time zone, which allows him to plan a more convenient schedule. He wrote to The Varsity that if he needs help on a question, he can also stay up to briefly attend the live lecture session and chat with professors through Blackboard Collaborate. The flexibility of the class delivery methods have allowed Ly to plan his schedule efficiently.

Angkawidjaja had a similar experience to Ly in terms of online classes. She wrote that the asynchronous class experience was more convenient for her.

“I have the opportunity to create my own structured timetable according to my sleep schedule,” wrote Angkawidjaja.

While some international students were able to schedule mostly asynchronous classes, not all were so lucky.

For Goyal, his experiences were very different. According to him, the adjustment period was complicated due to the large difference in time zones.

“It was one of the most difficult part [sic],” Goyal wrote. He would wake up at 6:00 pm and go to sleep at 9:00 am in order to attend his classes.

“I was basically living by Canadian time in India,” Goyal wrote.

Goyal initially found it hard to adjust. Being on such a different schedule from his family and friends at home, he noted that he lost “most of the daylight.” On top of this, he “had a little time to interact with family and friends in India.”

His schedule was completely nocturnal. He would wake up in the evening around 6:00 pm, attend his morning lectures and office hours, and then study for the rest of the day. Outside of school, he used to go for a run or go cycling at 6:00 am before going to bed.

Having to live on this new schedule and figure out how to adapt to the time zone difference was a big shift for Goyal. He relied most on his family to accommodate his new schedule and keep the house quiet when he needed to study. In his downtime, for some moments of normalcy, he would spend time with his family when their schedules overlapped by playing board games with them at night.

Adjusting to the new social scene at home The pandemic social restrictions imposed on international students living at home vary depending on the country. For Ly, he wrote to The Varsity that he doesn’t feel worried living in Vietnam but can see why international students in Canada would feel anxious.

“In Vietnam, the cases of COVID-19 are rising at a much lower speed compared to others, so I’m not as stressed,” wrote Ly. As of time of publication, Vietnam has over 1,000 cases.

On the other hand, the COVID-19 case numbers in Angkawidjaja’s home country are worse than those in Canada. The restrictions are tighter, but Angkawidjaja remains optimistic about adapting to the situation.

“If I were in Toronto, I think I’d be able to see my friends, eat out, go to libraries, and explore the city more as opposed to staying home most of the time. However, most of my friends aren’t even in Toronto right now, so I don’t really mind staying home,” Angkawidjaja wrote. “I've definitely had to adapt to my circumstance and change my mindset to positively appraise each situation.”

While social media remains an option for students looking to interact with friends and peers, Ly and Angkawidjaja have sought internships or additional extracurricular activities. In Ly’s case, he picked up an internship as a daytime activity.

“I don’t have a fixed schedule,” wrote Ly. “I’m doing an internship during the day, so I have free time to catch up during the nighttime.”

For Angkawidjaja, participating in U of T extracurriculars has given her regular access to her network of friends. However, she mentioned that being on track with her sleep schedule is difficult due to the time zone differences.

She is part of a club called Power to Change, which is a Christian fellowship on campus. Meetings are held every Thursday from 5:00–7:00 pm on Zoom. For Angkawidjaja, this is a 4:00–6:00 am meeting.

“In one way I’m at a disadvantage for being on the other side of the world,” Angkawidjaja wrote.

In order to participate in the meetings, Angkawidjaja has to wake up at 3:30 am and sleep after the meeting is over. However, despite the disadvantage, the club meetings do not have a major impact on her schedule, as she adjusts accordingly.

“It’s definitely a struggle, but I guess that’s just what I have to adapt to!” she wrote. “The benefits of being able to see my friends… by far [outweigh] the struggle to adjust my sleeping schedule.”

Goyal also used to socialize with his network of friends over conferencing programs or by gaming together before exams “to release stress and pressure.”

The overall takeaways Staying home for university this year can be daunting for many international students. Not only is a pandemic raging, but the clashing class schedules across different time zones can cause a hassle for students.

Given how many major changes U of T students are facing this year, community members were initially hesitant about U of T’s reopening plans. For those who are taking courses online from around the world, their experiences with online learning may have had some adjustment bumps, but students have adapted.

“It was a big shift, something that no one expected,” wrote Goyal. “Initially, I was scared about my academic successes, but the faculty and university was [sic] so supportive and accommodating that everything went so smoothly.”

Angkawidjaja also believes that the pandemic has not altered the quality of education at U of T. “From the syllabi, lectures, and announcements, as a student I can really tell that professors are doing their best to accommodate every student and their unique experiences,” wrote Angkawidjaja. “Extra planning and consideration is being made to maximize students’ learning.”

With certain crucial resources, such as a supportive and communicative family environment, the option of asynchronous classes, support from fellow peers, and outside extracurricular activities or hobbies to occupy time, a virtual university experience can be more fun and flexible than imagined.

“Learning was different,” wrote Goyal.

“Surely, the in-person element cannot be matched in an online format, but it was something new.”

Arts & Culture

September 28, 2020 var.st/arts arts@thevarsity.ca

Can’t meet ‘the one’ in bars anymore? A queer’s guide to online dating Navigating dating apps as a member of the LGBTQ+ community

Charlotte Hood Varsity Contributor

If you’ve never tried online dating before, 2020 is your time to shine. Meeting people in the wild isn’t really an option when you have to keep a two-metre distance, so more and more people are hitting the apps.

Navigating online dating can be intimidating for anyone, but as a bisexual woman, I know firsthand how confusing it can be when you’re LGBTQ+. We turn to online dating at a higher rate than our straight counterparts, which should come as no surprise given that dating apps take inspiration from the LGBTQ+ culture of cruising and personal ads.

Despite their popularity, most dating apps are designed for heterosexual monoamory and have limited information and options for users who are LGBTQ+.

If the pandemic has inspired you to tackle this challenge and give online dating a shot, have no fear. Three years of be-

ing single and queer in Toronto have left me with plenty of stories and some solid advice to share.

I’m here to get you started on the new normal of dating with a couple of key tips geared toward LGBTQ+ folks. Here’s my three-step guide to hitting the apps during COVID-19.

1. Pick the right app There’s a lot out there when it comes to online dating, and every app attracts a different crowd. Whether you’re looking for something casual or more long-term, picking the right app is the most important step.

To help you out in the process, I’ve rounded up some of the most popular apps out there and looked into how they compare. If none of these meet your needs, there are dozens of other apps out there, but here’s a breakdown of my top five.

App

Sexual orientation

Gender

Tinder

Separate space for sexual orientation on profile; ability to change “show me” settings without making public

Can choose gender in app; can make public or private, but not clear to whom you are shown

No spot to make sexual orientation public, only in personal “seeking” settings

Can choose gender and specify to whom you are shown — “people seeking men/women” — in app; can make public or private

Hinge

Bumble

Feeld

Grindr

No spot to make sexual orientation public, only in personal preferences in settings

Lots of options for setting sexual orientation in app; always public and on your profile No official category for sexual orientation; you’re always shown all of the profiles around you

Can choose gender in app; can make public or private, but not clear to whom you are shown

Lots of options for gender in app; always public and on your profile Lots of male, female, and nonbinary options as well as a custom field; extra spot to specify pronouns; always displayed on profile, not private

App

Caters to

Casual or longterm

Profile format

Swipe or like

Tinder

Heterosexual monoamory

Swipe

Heterosexual and homosexual monoamory

Long-term

Focused on photos; short bio, first name, age

Hinge

Like or comment on photos or prompt answer; reply or like back to people in the “Likes You” section

Bumble

Heterosexual and homosexual monoamory

Long-term

Photos; question prompts and lots of stats including smoking and drug use habits, height, political leaning, and whether you want kids

Feeld

Polyamory, group sex, either for singles or partners seeking a third person

Casual

Focused on photos; “imaginary name,” bio, sexual orientation, interests, desires

Like or skip profiles, and select from who likes you

Grindr

Homosexual monoamory

Casual

Casual

2. Know your settings Getting started on a dating app can be intimidating for anyone, but when you add sexuality and gender identity into the mix, putting together a profile can be a huge source of stress.

The biggest piece of advice I can give is simply to explore the settings in whichever app you choose.

Different apps have different options for listing sexual orientation and gender, and each of us have our own preferences as well.

Whether you would rather lead with your pronouns and sexuality or leave the discussion for when you meet up, it’s important to know the options you have in each app. Here’s a breakdown of the settings for the five apps.

Photos, bio, ques- Swipe tion prompts, and lots of stats like Hinge

Photos, first name, short bio, and “tags” that describe you; can also add your position, HIV status, and date of last STI test in the app

Displays a threecolumn tiled page of photos to scroll through the profiles nearby; “tap” someone to like or send them a message

3. Stay safe!

Last but not least, remember to stay safe!

Whether you’re looking for a long-term relationship or casual sex, many LGBTQ+ folk are at a higher risk of sexual violence than the general public.

If you’re meeting up with someone from an app, make sure that a friend or family member knows where you’re going and who you’re with.

If you’re looking to keep things anonymous with your dating app partner, use an app like Red Panic Button or share your phone’s location with a trusted friend.

Additionally, make sure you’re being safe and following COVID-19 protocols wherever you may be. Many platforms have an in-app video call function, which is a great way to assess if your match is worth an in-person date or not.

However, we’re still in a pandemic. Don’t put yourself and your loved ones at risk for a booty call — there are plenty of ways to have fun and be safe.

That’s it for my tips, but if you do try these out, don’t be afraid! Online dating isn’t for everyone, but it can be a great way to explore your sexuality and gain confidence in the dating world.

Despite their reputation for being shallow and sex-focused, dating apps have been a huge part of my personal and sexual journey. Hitting the apps helped me come to terms with my sexuality and gain the confidence and social skills that I needed to be who I am today.

Dating as a member of the LGBTQ+ community during COVID-19 doesn’t have to be a bad thing. Take this as a new opportunity to figure yourself out and have some fun along the way.

var.st/arts

SEPTEMBER 28, 2020

13

All the web’s a stage: U of T campus theatre in the times of COVID-19 How troupes are adjusting to a largely online reality Drew-Anne Glennie Varsity Contributor

For participants and audiences alike, campus theatre is a staple of student life at the University of Toronto. As COVID-19 prevents large gatherings, troupes and thespians have been working to adapt their seasons to bring shows straight to our homes.

The show must go on Due to COVID-19 restrictions, almost all campus theatre activities for the fall semester are online-only. Auditions are being conducted through the submission of self-tapes, video calls with the production team, or a combination of both. While rehearsals are largely being held over Zoom, the Trinity College Drama Society (TCDS) is holding some rehearsals in person.

“This means outdoor rehearsals at an offcampus location on private property, with all actors and crew socially distanced at all times, and everyone wearing masks,” Beatrice Freedman and Theo Iordache, co-presidents of the TCDS, wrote in an email to The Varsity. “Props and set pieces are being sanitized between each use, and a minimum number of people are called to any given rehearsal.”

All performances will be presented over Zoom or prerecorded to be streamed on opening night. Some troupes are considering using platforms like Eventbrite and Patreon to sell tickets, but many shows will be free to watch or allow the viewer to pay what they can. To accommodate, troupes are reducing production costs through measures such as presenting student-written shows and using props and costumes already in their storage closets.

Even as each troupe’s season begins, their plans for the winter semester remain characterized by contingency plans. “We’re coming

up with plan A, B, and C,” St. Michael’s College (SMC) Troubadours Co-Executive Producer Nour Ramzi wrote in an email to The Varsity. “Plan A is to have these shows performed live, with a full audience. Plan B is to have the shows performed live with a partial audience, and a streaming link available to those who couldn’t or didn’t want to get tickets for the live option. Plan C would be to do it fully online.”

Similarly, the University College (UC) Follies has planned its winter shows so that they can be presented in multiple ways. The Victoria College Drama Society (VCDS) is aiming to perform its winter shows with the actors together in person with the hope of presenting it live to a limited audience.

All decisions are being made with everyone’s comfort and safety in mind. “We’ll be taking our cue from the university’s health guidelines, alongside of course rulings from the provincial and federal levels,” Freedman and Iordache wrote.

A look at centre stage While troupes grapple with adapting their seasons to COVID-19, participants are also facing new challenges. “I find that a lot of the aspects of acting that come to me more naturally in standard rehearsal processes are more unfamiliar,” Lauren Kroell, a third-year student currently acting in the TCDS’ production of Julius Caesar, wrote in an email to The Varsity. “In general, I also find it a lot harder to get immersed in my character and rehearsal environment, meaning that I feel like my performances are less genuine than I’m used to them being.”

Physical distancing equally brings complications for those working behind the scenes who need to reinvent what it means to be backstage. “I do not even know how stage managing is going to work online,” Angelli

Opting out of being seen: dealing with anxiety while moving my life online Sana Zuberi Varsity Contributor

“Breathe in; breathe out,” a calm voice inside my head repeats as I gasp for air on the train platform at Union Station. With every breath of air, my chest begins to tighten, and as I exhale, I see a white puff escape my mouth, only to drift away with the cold winter winds. The voice instructing me to breathe starts to become muffled as other thoughts begin to invade my head.

One of them says, “You’re going to be late for class.”

Then another begins to speak: “The next train is coming in an hour; now, your entire schedule is behind,” and another pipes up, “Everyone is watching you.”

The first semester of my second year at university consisted of breakdowns before exams, frequent panic attacks, and general stress from life’s daily shenanigans. But, by the time my second semester had rolled around, I was able to manage my anxiety with the help of doctors

and therapists.

However, as March quickly approached, the world braced itself for the effects of a deadly infectious disease, bringing itself to a sudden halt as institutions scrambled to adjust their operations to a new reality.

In the midst of all this mayhem, I remained calm. Moving daily tasks onto an online platform, I traded awkward glances, self-conscious thoughts, and butterflies in my stomach for a small cube-of-an-apartment with my name on it. The pandemic gave me the chance to hide

KRISTAL MENGUC/THEVARSITY

McGuigan, a third-year student stage managing One Slow Summer for the SMC Troubadours this fall, said in an interview with The Varsity. “My duties are very up in the air.”

Moreover, COVID-19 restrictions massively impact one of the reasons many choose to participate in campus theatre: to make friends.

“In the past, spending your time going to inperson rehearsals was of course primarily centered around the show itself, but was also a manner in which I made some of my closest friends at university,” Kroell wrote.

She admitted to being more hesitant than usual to participate in campus theatre this year. “While I have no doubt that the producers, directors, and creative teams behind these shows are going above and beyond to do what they can given the current circumstances, the uncertainty of what everything is going to look like going forward… is admittedly giving me pause,” Kroell wrote.

No longer waiting in the wings Ever resourceful, the U of T theatre community has taken the setbacks of COVID-19 as an incentive to innovate. “We want this year to be all about pushing boundaries and questioning forms, so we are experimenting with many different performance styles,” UC Follies Executive Producers Sabrina Weinstein

and Matilda Horton wrote in an email to The Varsity. For instance, the TCDS, the VCDS, and the UC Follies are presenting radio plays, and other shows will be edited together in film format.

Makayla Panico is a third-year student involved in the SMC Troubadours’ LUV, which was postponed in the spring and is now being adapted for virtual presentation. Panico emphasized in an email to The Varsity that “doing online theatre forces you to develop new skills and new ideas that cater to the virtual space.”

Moreover, digital theatre has revolutionized accessibility for those who would struggle to participate otherwise, such as commuters, low-income students, and those who are disabled.

“COVID-19 has forced many theater practitioners, fans, actors, etc. to take a hard look at all the barriers that the theater world has created,” Ramzi wrote. “COVID-19 impacted our season by making it a fraction more accessible, with the attempt of examining and removing those barriers.”

COVID-19 has challenged troupes, actors, and production teams to innovate their seasons to accommodate physical distancing protocols. However, this also means that U of T campus theatre, now more avant-garde than ever, is but a click away.

A student reflects on how COVID-19 pushed them back to their safe zone

do best: avoid situations that are necessary for my personal development. Not showing up to classes or doctor’s appointments — ones that I had booked online because I was too nervous to show up — undid the work I had done with my therapist.

So here is what I learned about my anxiety and the pandemic. Throughout this SEOYEON LEE/THEVARSITY entire time, I viewed the pandemic as an escape, a way to steer clear of circumstances that I did and avoid every situation that would usually not want to be in. This was extremely easy cause me stress.

Although attending doctor’s appointments because everything was moved to an online and classes online was still anxiety-inducing, platform.

I have to continuously tell myself that life is being hidden behind a computer screen gave me the option to just not show up. Attending not something where everything can be calcuactivities online made it easier for me to opt lated and planned for — my dream scenario.

Rather, it is a series of different events, someout of being seen.

Despite feeling as though I had my anxi- times daunting and sometimes nerve-racking. ety under control during lockdown, I achieved But at the end of the day, those events will the opposite. I was able to confine myself to teach me things I would have never learned if my safe zone — my room — and do what I I continuously took the easy way out.

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THE VARSITY

ARTS & CULTURE

arts@thevarsity.ca

Taking a pause for Octavio Paz: “The poem is a model of what human society might be”

On the importance of listening to the voice of the arts Khadija Alam Varsity Contributor

At the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, the minister of Canadian Heritage announced the Emergency Support Fund for Cultural, Heritage and Sport Organizations. What ensued was backlash questioning the importance of the arts.

This was just one symptom of a larger, deeply pervasive issue in our society — the trivialization of the arts, and, in particular, education centred around the arts.

I spent my entire high school career trying to convince students, teachers, and parents that the arts are important. I recall conducting countless hours of research about how the study of music can help students do better in other — ‘more academic’ — fields in order to prove the importance of my school’s music program.

Little did I know that I’d find myself defending the value of an arts education in university as well.

Despite snide comments from my peers and relatives, I enrolled at U of T to study literature. I was met with questions about what good an arts degree would be for my future, and I honestly didn’t know how to answer them.

By a stroke of luck — also known as Professor Al Moritz — I stumbled across an answer during my first year. It was in his course that I encountered the writing of the great poet and essayist Octavio Paz. The first of his works that we read was an essay entitled “The Other Voice,” in which Paz argues that the voice of poetry is the “other” voice: “Its voice is other because it is the voice of passions and visions.

“It is otherworldly and this-worldly, of days long gone and of this very day, an antiquity beyond dates,” Paz writes.

I found myself coming back to the essay this summer after having seen that surge in the belittlement of the arts. Paz outlines the various ways in which the arts are useful to us as human beings, and he does so without completely reducing the arts to mere tools.

He seems to separate poetry — the writing — from “Poetry” — the larger ideas that poetry stands for.

I believe that his sentiments apply to all artistic disciplines.

In this essay, Paz puts forth the argument that poetry is more than just words on a page, that those words — spoken by the “other” voice, “the voice from beyond… the one of the beginning” — offer a new perspective from which to look at our surroundings and even ourselves.

I don’t think that a person necessarily needs to read actual poetry to think ‘poetically.’ Rather, poetry is one tool that can make this way of thinking easier Kathy Xu Varsity Contributor

When I first stumbled upon the movie After, based on author Anna Todd’s book series of the same name, I really did not think much of it.

Perhaps it was because I was bored during my summer office job, or perhaps it was my shameful captivation with the main characters’ visuals, but I decided to give the movie a try on a lazy weekend.

Boy oh boy, was it a wild ride. Not only was the plotline insanely predictable, but it was laced with toxic examples of what a relationship should never be. Complete with lies, deceit, and manipulation, with just a hint of gaslighting, nothing about the movie was enlightening in terms of life lessons and romance. But you know what? It got me hooked.

Embarrassing, I know.

At first, I felt almost ashamed to have been so enthralled with the film, but shortly afterward, I discovered that it was actually some sort of global phenomenon. Moreover, it was a global phenomenon based on a fanfiction series from flaming Wattpad.

Growing up addicted to reading novels of all kinds, I had my fair share of literary exposure to cheesy young adult (YA) romance. Boy meets girl.

— that is, thinking about acting for the communal good rather than selfishly, and thinking not just about what new technologies we can create to make our lives easier, but also about how they will impact our surrounding environments.

In the introduction to his essay collection, also entitled The Other Voice, Paz writes, “[There are] two extremes of poetic and human experience: solitude, communion.”

Near the beginning of the pandemic, in March, I’m sure that many people saw the touching videos of community members in Italy singing with each other from their respective balconies. It was a true testament to how ‘social isolation’ was not truly antisocial. We were not at the extreme of solitude, in part, due to art.

This is not the only example of people turning to the arts while stuck inside their homes. Just think about the sheer number of people who played Animal Crossing: New Horizons this summer. It is clear that when the world is in isolation, we find communion in the arts.

So why is it that studying and creating art is still so devalued in our society? Why is it that people like the product but do not respect the process? These are difficult questions that I’ve grappled with for quite some time, and while I can’t provide answers to them, I think it is still important to think about them.

Threats to the arts aren’t a new phenomenon either. Paz wrote about the struggles of artists he witnessed during his youth — their battles against state-sanctioned art and the restrictions imposed upon art that wasn’t. He posited that contemporary challenges to the arts are posed by capitalism: “Today literature and the arts are exposed to a different danger: they are threatened not by a doctrine or a political party but by a faceless, soilless, and directionless economic process.

The market is circular, impersonal, impartial, inflexible… But the market, blind and deaf, is not fond of literature or of risk, and it does not know how to choose. Its censorship is not ideological: it has no ideas. It knows all about prices but nothing about values.”

While I agree that capitalism poses a significant danger to the arts, I do believe that it is as much of an ideology as it is an economic process. As Karl Marx posited, capitalism creates an environment in which workers are alienated from their work. Even though artwork is being commodified, the artist must still be connected to their work in order to create art, making artists inherently problematic for the system.

However, workers still need something to connect to if they are alienated from their work, and this con-

Paz’s poetry helps us reflect on the value that arts can bring.

COURTESY OF JOHN LEFFMANN

nection is usually to art — whether it be watching television after a long day of work to distract oneself from reality or listening to music on one’s commute to work. This could be why people like the product but do not respect the process.

I came across a tweet shortly after I re-read “The Other Voice,” and I still find myself thinking about it: “I didn’t get why we were required [to study] humanities in undergrad. I was a science student! But now, when the world’s attention is on a virus—a topic I’ve spent my whole adult life studying—what I think about most are social structures, inequality, and sacrifice. I think about people.”

I think that this is what Paz is getting at when he writes about poetry and Poetry. The voice of the modern era is too limited in scope; the “other” voice speaks from beyond our immediate contexts and asks us to look beyond them as well.

One of the reasons why U of T’s Faculty of Arts & Science appealed to me was because of its supposed

interdisciplinarity. Though, aside from begrudgingly completing breadth requirements, I’m not sure that many students actually get to combine the arts and the sciences in their education.

I think that part of it may just be that the two disciplines have been kept separate for so long that many of us don’t know what integrating arts within the sciences would look like. I’m not sure either, but the first step is recognizing, as Paz suggests, that it would be in our collective interests to do so: “The operative mode of poetic thought is imagining, and imagination consists, essentially, of the ability to place contrary or divergent realities in relationship. All poetic forms and all linguistic figures have one thing in common: they seek, and often find, hidden resemblances. In the most extreme cases, they unite opposites.”

Returning to the question I sought to answer: why are the arts important? Well, Paz puts it simply: “The poem is a model of what human society might be.”

Guilty Pleasures: After

Is it a trashy and somewhat toxic romance story? Yes. Did I enjoy it? Also yes Boy breaks girl’s heart. Boy and girl get back together and subsequently learn some supposed grandiose lesson at the ripe age of 16.

After is really no different. In fact, I’d say that the After series is arguably worse. Whereas most YA clichés revolve around unrealistic narratives at times, the After series documents a rather emotionally twisted story.

If you were to scour the internet for reviews on the books and the film itself, some people have chalked the story up to be a downright example of emotional abuse, anti-feminist propaganda, and a teenage 50 Shades of Grey.

I won’t deny these ruthless allegations against the franchise. The main characters have extremely questionable definitions of love. The entire series follows an exhaustingly repetitive narration of the couple’s toxic relationship.

Time after time, Tessa, the main character, goes after Hardin despite the emotional trauma that he

unintentionally — supposedly — inflicts upon her.

I mean, to the average impressionable teenager, I would definitely hesitate in recommending this book.

Nonetheless, I tore through the movie twice and read every single book via free PDFs on the internet.

Even more embarrassingly, they didn’t send off alarm bells for me personally. I truly found myself enjoying the ride.

At the end of the day, I understand where people are coming from with their critiques. I don’t think that the books are particularly well written whatsoever, nor was the acting in the movie spectacular. It was really nothing but a guilty pleasure on a summer day.

I’m not trying to learn some huge life lesson, nor am I expecting the series to shape my perception of love. If I were to really try to defend the series in some hail-Mary manner, I’d say that, honestly, the books do say something about being in love when you’re young and when it’s your first time being in love.

Of course, the relationships were toxic, and, of

FIONA TUNG/THEVARSITY

course, they weren’t good examples of a healthy relationship, but how many of us can say that our first romances were perfect? So, my advice to anyone who decides to indulge: don’t take it seriously; just enjoy it at face value.

There’s absolutely no need to dissect the literary nuances and sociopolitical messages on feminism within After. Just let it be a chance for you to remember a past love you had. Let it be a chance to remember a time when you were naïve, when you were newly in love, and when you felt foolishly invincible.

Photo

September 28, 2020 var.st/photo photo@thevarsity.ca

Climate Strike

Protests during a pandemic definitely have a different feel. The Climate Strike on Friday was no different. Protestors wore masks and tried their best to maintain a safe physical distance between each other. Despite the restrictions placed on them, the protesters were able to get their message across. There were three microphones set up at different spots around the intersection, where many different speakers of all different ages and backgrounds stood to get their message across. They not only spoke to the protestors about ways to contribute to the movement fighting the climate crisis, but also promoted other important movements happening in the GTA that are looking for more support. Some protestors chose to sit, holding their signs above their heads, while others stood in groups, holding up larger signs and waving flags. Many stood together on the corners of the sidewalks, discussing what we as individuals can do to combat the climate crisis as well as what needs to be done by politicians and big companies. It was very inspiring to see how, despite everything going on in the world, people are still finding ways to stand up for what they believe is important.

Writer and Photographer: Caroline Bellamy

Science

September 28, 2020 var.st/science science@thevarsity.ca

Opinion: Fellow ecologists, we must align our research, personal goals with social progress

We are scientists second, human beings first — let’s communicate accordingly Natasha Djuric Varsity Contributor

Crimson flames lick the walls voraciously, consuming furniture and paintings with alarming haste. I’m checking the temperature of the fire — 1,100 degrees Celsius. Thick, black plumes of smoke rise rapidly, and I carefully measure the particulate matter content in the air. As I watch the homeowners stubbornly argue over who forgot to blow the candle out, I estimate that the foundation of the house will collapse in minutes.

This is how it can feel to be an ecologist. We earnestly document new species, knowing many will be lost forever within our lifetime. We report

devastating predictions of the climate crisis, while others bicker over who should take the blame.

And as our warnings fall on unresponsive ears, we watch as our Earth burns.

It is a heavy burden to carry — one laden with frustration, guilt, and sadness. Like my colleagues, I have wrestled with eco-anxiety over the years. My research has left me with haunting memories: the first time I held filthy, black crude oil taken from an oil spill in the Amazon rainforest, or when I found microplastics in the lake I had drunk from my whole life.

But through the support of brilliant, progressive scientists in my field, I have learned to use that pain to guide my future actions, and to un-

CAROLINE BIEL/THEVARSITY

derstand how my role as a scientist goes way beyond publishing a paper.

We scientists must align personal goals with social progress So, to my fellow ecologists: studying an ecosystem is not enough to save it. Documenting an oil spill is not enough if that data isn’t used to demand a clean up or prevent future spills. Finding tiny pieces of rubber or bright pink polyester fibres in my lake water doesn’t matter if the data is never seen by wastewater managers or my local government.

The impact of our research is only as great as how it is used and whom it reaches. If we don’t explain why our research matters and demand that others care about our ecosystems, they will not.

To all my fellow scientists: our research has meaning and implications apart from our grades, our professional goals, and our obligation to rapidly publish academic papers. This is true for biochemists studying obscure proteins as well as physicists grappling with fundamental particles.

Science has shaped modern medicine, technology, and agriculture — significantly improving the quality of life across the world. It has also given us the tools to wage increasingly deadly wars and wreak havoc on our climate and ecosystems.

To be a scientist is to contribute to the availability of knowledge in the world — for better or for worse.

As students or faculty in a competitive environment, we may feel pressured to engage in scientific research primarily as a means to gain individual success or university prestige. But we must

learn to align our personal ambition as scientists with ‘doing good’ — that is, working toward a more just, evidence-based society.

This means a willingness to communicate our work outside of our field and to collaborate with non-scientists to develop interdisciplinary solutions that advance science and human welfare.

How to make a start? Venture outside your field This is not to say that science exists only to benefit people, or to discredit knowledge for the sake of knowledge. Instead, it is a reminder that science does not operate in isolation, and that our research is closely linked to social challenges. We can remain objective, advance our careers, and contribute solutions to human problems, but to do so we must communicate.

Consider action on the climate crisis. While it is largely informed by scientists, it is not driven by us. It is driven by the thousands of protestors and voters who have shown interest and concern, and the politicians who have been pressured to act by public outcry.

As scientists, it is not our job to make policies or force a solution onto the public. It is our job to present evidence and provide possible solutions in an accessible way, to give those with a better understanding of social and economic challenges the tools to act appropriately.

The better we are able to communicate our research and encourage non-scientists to empathize with its implications, the better our chances of making positive change.

So how can we communicate better? Make an effort to debate with those outside your discipline.

Learn to give a jargon-free elevator pitch about your research. Attend non-academic conferences to learn about the priorities of non-scientists and provide a new perspective. Reach out to policy makers in your community to dispel misinformation and offer solutions.

And never forget — we are scientists second and human beings first.

Radiation and risk: how safety concerns about hospital equipment inspired innovation U of T-Harvard collaboration reveals the value risk perception plays in the market

Yixuan Li Varsity Contributor

At first glance, it may seem like risk and innovation are two concepts with no connection. Risk perception is the subjective judgement a person makes about the risk involved with the dangers an activity or object poses, while innovation refers to the upgrading of market goods and services.

However, according to a new research collaboration between the Rotman School of Management and Harvard Business School, risk perception is an important factor in driving market innovation. Risk perception can influence a product’s demand and further stimulate the innovation of that product.

The mechanism for innovation The effect of risk perception on a product’s innovation is powerful. An increase in percived risk may affect public demand for a product, which in turn influences how and when technological developments are made.

The researchers discovered this correlation during an empirical analysis on the series of changes in the computerized tomography (CT) scanner market after a scandal in 2009, in which a high-level radiation leak affected consumers’ perceived risk of the hospital equipment.

According to the study, after media coverage revealed the scandal, CT manufacturers saw an increase in patents for risk-mitigating technologies (RMT) of radiation diagnostic devices — compared to non-RMT types of radiation diagnostic devices. Also, the number of diagnoses by CT scanners reduced, while hospitals’ propensity to upgrade CT systems increased significantly.

The joint presence of a decline in usage and an increase in equipment upgrades, along with the innovation responses by CT manufacturers, shows that

risk perception increased consumers’ willingness to pay for safer CT scanners and suppressed the demand for existing ones. This, in turn, increased the investment in innovation by pushing firms to develop RMT that would satisfy customers’ demands.

The researchers explain that whether risk is an important driver or not depends on the nature of the hazard, the demand involved, and the technological possibilities. For example, the Japanese government stopped supporting nuclear technologies after the Fukushima accidents, restricting the development of RMTs on the nuclear station in Japan.

The risk perception effect beyond innovation Rotman Professor Dr. Alberto Galasso, the co-author of the study, wrote in an email to The Varsity that risk perception can affect innovation in many industries.

“Take for example the automobile industry where many important technologies, such as seatbelts and airbags, are, in fact, risk-mitigating technologies that reduce the probability of negative events or the severity of their consequences,” Galasso wrote.

“My collaborator and I think that risk perception is an important driver of innovation, which has been understudied in previous management research.”

Galasso acknowledged that risk perception has an ambiguous effect on innovation. However, he stressed that the value of the study is not the degree of the effect that risk perception has on innovation, but rather that it helps recognize the impact of this mechanism beyond the innovation being studied.

According to Galsso, RMTs are widespread and important for firms, employees, and customers. He wrote that RMTs create value for businesses because they not only make products much safer and healthier for users — which is considered a “firstorder importance” for firms — but they also reduce

the risk of product liability litigation.

He further emphasized that the liability damages the government sets to protect customers from defective or dangerous products shape technological innovation. “It is important for policy makers to understand that these policies have effects on innovation incentives that go beyond their impact on health and safety.”

the Creative Destruction Lab, CDL Recovery, which focused on start-up solutions to accelerate the world’s recovery from the COVID-19 crisis.

One of these start-ups is the British firm Crowdless which developed a mobile app to avoid queues and crowds in supermarkets.”

In light of this research, as the pandemic continues, we may continue to see more companies alter their products and services in response to risk and safety concerns.

Risk and the pandemic The current COVID-19 pandemic also gives us a lot of examples of how risk perception affects daily life.

“The current pandemic has pushed firms to experiment with a variety of risk-mitigating technologies,” wrote Galasso. He noted that a recent example of RMT developed by firms is the widespread use of Amazon’s Just Walk Out technology in many retail stores.

This technology allows the company to bill customers directly without checking them out by combining computer vision and artificial intelligence, which helps customers maintain a safe physical distance.

“Innovation was not only implemented by existing firms. Many new innovaA case study of CT scanners used in hospitals revealed tive entrepreneurial ventures how innovation is prompted by safety concerns. have emerged as well,” added COURTESY OF JOHANNES PLENIO Galasso.

“At UofT we had a new stream of

Sports

September 28, 2020 var.st/sports sports@thevarsity.ca

Which UTSG gym is for you?

A comprehensive guide to three athletic facilities under COVID-19

The St. George campus gyms each offer very different amenities.

SHANNAH HUNTER, TOM KUHN AND STEVEN LEE/THEVARSITY

Sarah Williams Varsity Contributor

Have you decided to end your COVID-19-induced break from exercise and return to the gym? For many gym-goers, the reopening of fitness centres is an opportunity to regain a sense of normalcy and return to old routines. Here’s a run-down of what St. George students can expect from the reopened gyms on campus.

Note: for all of the listed gyms, there is no ac-

cess to change rooms and lockers. Happy gymgoing!

Goldring Centre for High Performance Sport Goldring is currently only open for student-athlete training, which means that many definitely won’t be allowed in it for now. Athletes and their coaches must enter through the southeast doors. Once inside, they will enjoy a strength and conditioning centre, sport medicine clinic, and field house for

Testing UTrain: Cardio dance party How good are U of T’s online workouts, really?

Alexandra Waddell Varsity Contributor

As the fall semester begins, I am slowly adjusting to the new normal of online school and limited social interactions. Naturally, this summer I lived a much more active lifestyle, but as I’m getting busier and spending more time in front of my computer, I find myself craving a structured escape.

To switch things up, I have decided to work my way through the new UTrain online Zoom workouts provided by the Faculty of Kinesiology & Physical Education (KPE).

What is UTrain?

UTrain is a program offered by KPE that offers free workouts for any U of T student who pays the KPE fee. You can find on-demand videos, or sign up to join Zoom classes, which is what I did for the cardio dance party. Anyone can register and programs are offered seven days a week.

Open to the U of T community, UTrain has

daily live workouts and on-demand videos available on its website. Workouts cover a wide range of structures and intensities and are accessible to athletes of all levels. You register right on its website by pressing the big red button, and then selecting the class of your choice.

On the Sunday after they register, students are emailed the weekly schedule along with the Zoom link and password for all of that week’s classes. The process was fluid and simple. Some might be relieved to know that you don’t need to turn your camera on throughout the class, but you can communicate with the teacher through the microphone or chat if you would like.

This week, for my inaugural workout, my roommate, Laura — who happens to be the sports editor for The Varsity — and I chose to join the “Cardio Dance Party” class on Monday evening. The description prepared us to “rev up [our] energy levels and let the music take control.” We put on our Jane Fonda ’80s aerobic dance wear and set up our online gym.

Athlete profile: Evan Shadkami The Kyle Lowry of U of T

Shadkami hopes that the winter semester will allow for games to resume.

COURTESY OF HENRY ZHAO

Avishai Sol Varsity Contributor

If you were to walk into the gym at a U of T Blues basketball game, one player would stand out at first glance. His name is Daniel Johansson, a forward

basketball, volleyball, and other sports.

I am a big fan of Goldring. I will most likely be the first non-athlete student to return to the open and bright space when it welcomes everyone.

Being surrounded by Varsity athletes motivates me to work harder, if only to prove that I belong at the gym. I won’t be getting off my treadmill after only five minutes of running if I know the football team is behind me!

Location: 100 Devonshire Place Current hours: Mondays to Fridays from 11:00 am to 7:00 pm.

Athletic Centre Access to the Athletic Centre (AC) for sports and recreation participants is through the Classic Avenue entrance only, in accordance with the City of Toronto’s public health guidelines. Masks are required upon entrance and exit, but not while working out.

Gym equipment is spaced four metres apart — giving you two metres of space more than required — and weights and conditioning machines are now in the Field House, which will accommodate a maximum of 50 students.

The AC was the first gym at U of T I went to because of its spacious dance studio. It offers the largest range of amenities and has organized training stations that students can book for up to 45 minutes.

It is also the only facility that offers swimming lanes — from Mondays to Fridays between 7:30 am and 2:30 pm.

Location: 55 Harbord Street Current hours: Mondays to Fridays from 7:00 am to 4:00 pm.

Hart House Hart House’s fitness centre is open for students, staff, and faculty members as long as they register beforehand. For physical distancing purposes, it has opened a new entry through the north laneway.

Furniture is configured to ensure at least two metres of space between gym-goers. Many of their usual amenities are closed, including the pool, squash courts, cycle-fit, cardio, weight, activities, and exercise rooms, and track.

“What is left?” you may ask. The answer is a small selection of Nautilus weight machines, free weights, and cardio machines. I often get lost when visiting the Hart House gym, so the new layout may actually work in my favour.

It seems like a great choice if you’re in the need for some safe socialization as well. Hart House is also offering in-person group fitness classes in the Hart House quad.

Location: 7 Hart House Circle Current Hours: Mondays to Fridays from 8:00 am to 10:00 pm and Saturdays and Sundays 8:00 am to 6:00 pm, and holidays from 10:00 am to 4:00 pm.

Getting started Bailey, our instructor, is a full-time medical student at U of T and was very welcoming and engaging. She introduced herself as we waited for more students to join and recognized some returning Zoom usernames.

The workout took 50 minutes, including a warmup and cool-down period — all choreographed to a blend of electronic dance music remixes and Latin dance-pop. A highlight of the class was a choreographed squat sequence to “Low” by Flo Rida.

Zooming through it Throughout the class, I couldn’t help but laugh at myself as I struggled to keep up with Bailey, but that is the advantage of Zoom workouts! No one could see my roommate and I as we accidentally hit each other while attempting to groove.

Some of the songs were choreographed to include more strength-based moves, and I definitely felt more comfortable with these as they included classic moves like lunges and squats. Overall, I left the class feeling energized rather than tired and was grateful to have spent the hour moving my body.

I’m excited for upcoming weeks to see what the rest of the UTrain online programming has to offer and am grateful that Sport & Recreation was able to adapt these classes for home to keep the com-

munity alive. Stay tuned for more reviews!

Testing UTrain is the sports section’s newest column, spearheaded by athletics aficionado Alexandra Waddell! A fourth-year student with a passion for all things sweat-inducing, Alex will give you the real scoop on which Zoom workouts to jump in on and which ones to ditch.

from Sweden who is six foot eight inches tall — an intimidating presence on the floor.

However, if you were to stick around for the game, you’d notice another player take centre stage.

You may not have even noticed him at first: he’s a normal enough looking guy. He is six foot one inches tall, has no tattoos or sleeves, and is not that imposing or flashy. But as the game goes on, you notice that he’s the guy calling the plays, he’s the loudest one out there, he’s the one hounding the opposing guards, and he’s the one who controls the pace of the game.

His name is Evan Shadkami, and he’s a starting guard. Last year, he led the team in scoring, steals, free throw attempts, free throw percentage, and games played; he was second in assists.

While Shadkami is a graduate of Central Technical School right here in Toronto, he credits his time away from the city for turning him on to the game he loves.

“Around grade six, I moved to [Lansing, Michigan]… and then there was a net there, and I was just playing everyday,” Shadkami said in an interview with The Varsity. “In the [US], it’s way different.”

Shadkami describes that at his school in the US, gyms and courts were always open and available at lunchtime. “So I was playing a lot during that period, in that one year, and then after that… I got

serious about basketball.”

Shooting around in empty gyms and street courts was how many legends of the game made their starts, but in 2020, you have to take new health measures into account. Not everyone can use a gym, but Shadkami has found a way to keep sharp even under these exceptional circumstances.

“When [lockdown] first started, it was tough…

No gyms were open,” Shadkami said. “I would just go workout… at my friend’s house, and we’d go play outside here and there.” Once his friend got a job at a gym and lockdown opened up, Shadkami would come visit and help facilitate the basketball camp.

Shadkami is committed to keeping in form for his fourth year with the team, but he’s worried about the fate of the season under COVID-19 as games for the fall season have been cancelled. Shadkami still holds out hope for games in the winter semester; a cancellation decision has not yet been made

by Ontario University Athletics for next semester.

“I think we have a good team this year with a lot of guys [who] can… score themselves,” Shadkami said. “I think everything is just going to flow a little better; I think we’re going to win more games.”

“Will we see you in a Raptors uniform one day?”

I asked him.

He laughed. “Yes,” he answered.

I wouldn’t be surprised.

Do UTrain home workouts really work?

MAHIKA JAIN/THEVARSITY

var.st/science

SEPTEMBER 28, 2020

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Dr. Alán Aspuru-Guzik on how to become an undergraduate researcher In conversation with the prominent chemist-computer scientist Mohammad Haddadnia Varsity Contributor

Many students try to find research during their undergraduate years, whether for graduate school admissions or the thrill of discovery. But there are relatively few resources available to advise students on how they can become a successful researcher.

Since arriving at U of T from Harvard University in 2018, Dr. Alán Aspuru-Guzik has become one of the Department of Chemistry’s most notable researchers. His research applies artificial intelligence and quantum computing techniques to chemistry, including for drug discovery. This novel approach has earned Aspuru-Guzik the position of Canada 150 Research Chair in Theoretical and Quantum Chemistry.

Aspuru-Guzik spoke to The Varsity about research opportunities and how students can get involved during their undergraduate studies.

Where to get started When asked about what kinds of research environments promote the best outcomes, AspuruGuzik said that an “unstructured environment” is ideal. This kind of setting is outside the classroom, where there is no structure to support students — they can sink or swim on their own merit.

“Paradoxically, I don’t think it’s the classes where you learn the most,” said Aspuru-Guzik. “I would

say the biggest key to the secret across all universities is the research laboratories, where every student can enter a new universe.”

Aspuru-Guzik’s own research began when he started working on quantum physics problems in a lab as an undergraduate student, solving Schrödinger’s equations using computational methods.

While many students are eager to be a part of the research process while attending university, it can be a daunting environment to enter. Aspuru-Guzik advises students interested in research to approach a professor and ask about doing research.

He also recommended exploring research abroad opportunities hosted by U of T, such as the Research Excursion Program.

The value of being multidisciplinary An important aspect of becoming a researcher in the modern day is the ability to work across different disciplines. A study published in Nature found that peer-reviewed studies are increasingly citing papers from other disciplines.

At U of T, undergraduates have the option to study in either a specialist program, two major programs, or a major and two minor programs. Aspuru-Guzik believes that there is no practical difference between choosing a major or specialist program. What is more important is doing well in your courses and taking a balanced course load.

“Some people like to specialize in one thing very

well and stay there forever; some people like to specialize in one thing and [then] jump to another one, and some people want to be multidisciplinary from the beginning. All of them are okay,” AspuruGuzik said.

However, being multidisciplinary in your studies is substantial because it can provide multiple perspectives to a given problem, especially considering that most problems have multiple aspects to them.

“A perfect example is the current coronavirus,” said Aspuru-Guzik. “[It] can be seen from the social aspects, from the chronic aspects, political aspects, [and] all the way down to the molecular aspects.”

Research as international collaboration Today, we can easily connect to people from all over the world. An everyday example is how students from different parts of the globe are attending online classes and conferences.

It should be no surprise that researchers do the same and work with their colleagues from other countries. An article published by Nature Index reported that international collaborations have tripled in the past 15 years.

Aspuru-Guzik advises U of T undergraduates to take advantage of the summer abroad opportunity offered by the Faculty of Arts & Science. He himself took a study abroad position at New York University when he was an undergraduate in Mexico. “It was really fantastic because I got to spend four months

Dr. Alán Aspuru-Guzik is cross-appointed to both the Departments of Chemistry and Computer Science.

JOHNNY GUATTO/UNIVERSITY OF TORONTO

in another city and that allowed me to think about studying in the United States.”

Aspuru-Guzik encourages the University of Toronto to offer more of these opportunities so that more students can study in another country. By doing so, students can learn more about a different language and culture and also use the opportunity to make international connections. These kinds of connections can potentially shape one’s scientific career, as they did for Aspuru-Guzik.

The research world is constantly changing, and everyday new breakthroughs and discoveries change the path of the scientific community.While there is no single topic or subject that would guarantee a bright scientific career, there are skills and connections that students can learn in their undergraduate years to get ready for what happens in the future.

Science Spotlight: 2019–2020 women executives of The University of Toronto Aerospace Team Five members discuss challenges of representation Javiera Gutierrez Duran Varsity Contributor

We are often told that women students in STEM face challenges due to their gender, but what do those barriers look like at U of T? The Varsity interviewed five women members of the 2019–2020 University of Toronto Aerospace Team (UTAT) executive team to discuss the challenges of gender bias in engineering and the real value of representation for marginalized groups in STEM. The UTAT is a design team for student aerospace projects, including drones, rockets, and satellites. In recent years, it has become one of the most notable STEM-related student groups at UTSG after a 2017 referendum established a levy from students to launch the team’s first student-built microsatellite.

Originally scheduled to launch in late 2020, the COVID-19 pandemic has pushed back the launch of the HERON Mk II microbiology satellite to 2021. It will be launched in partnership with the Indian Space Research Organization.

Meet the team Brytni Richards is an undergraduate student on her professional experience year in engineering science, specializing in robotics. She is the firmware systems lead for the UTAT’s second satellite, codenamed FINCH. Cassandra Chanen is an undergraduate student in engineering science majoring in engineering physics.

She is the 2020–2021 director for the Space Systems division and was previously the 2019–2020 missions operations lead for the same division. “ ‘Mission Operations’ is broadly anything related to where the satellite is and how we communicate with it,” Chanen wrote.

Madeline Zhang is a recent graduate of engineering science who majored in aerospace and pursued a certificate in engineering leadership. She was the 2019–2020 multi-rotor chief engineer of the Unmanned Aerial Systems team. “As the chief engineer, I oversee all four technical subsystems, making sure the project is on track and the design [meets] competition requirements,” Zhang wrote.

Nikoo Givehchian, an undergraduate student in engineering science, is the director of Aerospace Pol-

icy. The Aerospace Policy division recently launched The UTAT Space Review, a website for space news.

Givehchian is also involved in the software development for the HERON Mk II. Kimberly Ren recently graduated with a bachelor’s degree in engineering science. She is a technical member and the microfluidics lead of the Space Systems division. In this role, she “[designs] and [manufactures] the microfluidics system in the payload of the [HERON Mk II] satellite.” Ren wrote that this system “houses the microbiology experiment and interfaces with the payload instrumentation.”

Ren is also the director of leadership development.

Through this, she “[heads] initiatives to develop leadership skills in all [UTAT] members.”

Facing imposter syndrome Chanen describes the challenge of feeling unqualified among accomplished peers. For example, she didn’t join a club in her first year because she thought she didn’t have the necessary skills.

Now, she says ‘yes’ to the opportunities that come her way after realizing that most people don’t start off with all the skills they need to be successful on a design team.

“I know that even if I don’t know how to do it yet, there are people that can help me figure it out, and I’ll learn a lot more from trying something new instead of passing it on to someone who already has that skill.”

Ren views her gender as a challenge, noting that the way it impacts her and other women’s interactions with people is not necessarily straightforward.

“For example, does Male A interrupt me when I talk because I’m a woman or because he interrupts everyone?” Ren wrote. “There have been a lot of times where I wonder if my gender makes people treat me worse like that.”

Ren mentioned that during her university career, there have been many instances she can think of where she would have received different treatment had she been a man.

Ren wrote, “When you are told… that your voice isn’t as important as the man next to you, or that you aren’t as smart as the man next to you, or that you are a target for sexual harassment, you start to believe it.

Unfortunately, I did start to believe that, and I think a lot of other women in engineering believe it too.”

Givehchian wrote that she has not faced chal-

Clockwise, beginning at top left: Kimberly (Kim) Ren, Cassandra (Cassie) Chanen, Brytni Richards, Madeleine (Maddy) Zhang, Nikoo Givehchian.

COURTESY OF DYLAN VOGEL AND UTAT

lenges based on her gender, but she recognizes her privilege. “I never had the mentality that I was limited in what I could do as a result of my gender, simply because I was exposed to many examples of both men and women who are smart and successful, as I’d hoped to become myself,” Givehchian wrote.

“I hope that the privilege I had in growing up without experiencing discrimination becomes less of a privilege in the future, and more of a standard globally.”

The meaning of representation takes on many different forms “To me, being represented means your perspective, experiences, and ideas are considered and valued,” Givehchian wrote, noting that representation can look different depending on the team.

For Richards, representation lies at the heart of an organization or team. That spirit finds its way into the attitudes of an organization’s leaders. “A leader is someone who represents not only their organization, but the people they lead,” Richards wrote. “They represent their ideals, which they may then try to pass onto others.”

Something that was striking to Chanen was the low number of women professors she had in her first and second year. “To me representation – for women specifically – means seeing women represented at every level in STEM fields,” she wrote.

This was echoed by Zhang, who wrote, “It is very important to have someone close to you with

[a] similar background to look up to… Throughout undergrad, seeing my fellow female engineers and scientists pursuing their passion despite the various forms of challenges they face is certainly inspiring.”

Ren wrote that academia still has more work to do to achieve adequate representation. “We have started to move the needle on the representation of women in the student population at U of T, but at more senior levels in industry and in academia, representation is still poor which directly affects the experiences of these new woman students,” Ren wrote.

Advice for women pursuing STEM “Get as involved as you can! U of T is a great environment to be in as a [woman] in engineering,” Chanen wrote. In 2018, 39.8 per cent of the incoming engineering class at U of T were women — the highest percentage of any Canadian engineering school.

Givehchian wrote, “I firmly believe that anyone, regardless of whatever category they fall into, can do anything they are truly interested in.”

“I would encourage all women to speak up about the discrimination they are subjected to,” Ren wrote.

“I think it is important to keep this discussion at the forefront until significant improvements are made,” Ren continued. “I know that all women in STEM have stories that have similarities with mine, but we aren’t loud enough in talking about them so it seems like the problem isn’t as bad as it is. Let’s show people, especially our male allies, how bad it is so we can all work together to improve the situation.”

var.st/sports

SEPTEMBER 28, 2020

A comparison of football’s response to the 1918 and 2020 pandemics

With accurate information about the flu being censored to keep war morale high in the final stage of fighting and the sport providing an apt avenue for patriotism, a lot of college football teams were set up to fail. It is unclear how many players died on military bases and college campuses, but many did, and as students were shuttled off campus because of the disease, it became increasingly difficult to maintain a season.

The season ended officially because of “time constraints placed on Army training corps players,” but by that point, the US’ life expectancy had plunged 12 years from the year before, and an unspeakable number of casualties from the pandemic could be attributed to organized sports.

The pandemic responses for return-to-play in football have changed since 1918.

SAMANTHA YAO/THEVARSITY

Laura Ashwood Sports Editor

Sports and current affairs have a storied and intertwined history, serving as podiums for a projection of the moment in which we live.

Nothing serves as a better example of that than how professional and university-level athletics have responded to the COVID-19 pandemic: the NHL and NBA have had to modify their seasons by introducing the “bubble league,” and the NFL has also introduced certain modifications for play.

Canadian universities have had to rethink their strategy for practices as well, and game and season cancellations have been ubiquitous across the nation. That means our very own Varsity Blues are dealing with the hiccups and new red tape of COVID-19 protocols.

Although these times are indeed unprecedented, they are not unique: the 1918 influenza pandemic saw an equally widespread threat of destruction and a similar magnitude of effects on the practices, routines, and seasons of athletes.

1918 football in the US The Wall Street Journal published an article about how football teams in the US responded to the 1918 pandemic and what the consequences of those responses were.

The 1918 influenza pandemic was more lethal than today’s coronavirus has been, posing an especially fatal risk to 20–40 year olds — college football-aged men. At first, the US War Department thought football would pose a distraction to army training, but ultimately, the irresistible metaphor of football as combat was too good to pass up in wartime America.

After much strife and uncertainty in the months leading up to the college football season, it was decided that it would continue, unimpeded by the pandemic. Military teams sprang up in boot camps and army bases, and college campuses filled their depleted rosters with first-years.

A couple laughable measures were put in place by the War Department to prevent spread: practice time was reduced and travel for games could only happen on Saturday afternoons. Those universities that had enough players who survived the war and the pandemic thus far returned to play, with some schools, like Michigan State University, forcing their athletes to play with gauze over their mouths as well.

2020 for the Varsity Blues Intrigued at the unique opportunity to compare and contrast the two responses to pandemics, The Varsity sat down to speak with Varsity Blues football players to discuss how their routines have been disrupted. Has Canada learned anything from responses to the previous pandemic? How do we prevent similar destruction?

Maxwell Gyimah, a third-year running back for the Blues, and Josh Nikolic, a third-year wide receiver, explained the measures in place for their team, which are decidedly more involved than wearing gauze on their faces: “We don’t really have any football-specific training,” Gyimah said.

“We don’t really get to practice because of the nature of the sport.”

However, Gyimah did emphasize their three physically-distanced strength and conditioning sessions a week and the possibility of speed and conditioning training in October. Overall, though, the precautions for return-to-play protocols are respectable: after all, there is no world war or widespread journalistic censorship this time around to pose obstacles to health guidelines.

“Personally, the first week back, just getting in the weight room with the guys — the team morale was high,” Nikolic said. “We just went five, six months only seeing each other on Zoom… To be as a team and to work out is good enough, for now. We understand that it’s a global pandemic.”

Just like the 1918 influenza pandemic, this one will end and football will resume — and hopefully with fewer casualties. “We’ll get to practicing. This is just the first step in getting the boys back together,” Nikolic said.

The return of intramurals at U of T: in conversation with Michael Davidson

Team sports limited to dodgeball, focus on single and double sports Fahed Sakr Varsity Contributor

Intramural sports are more than what’s on the field. They are the stress relievers of upcoming exams, and they serve as a means to distract you from the student loans you’ve taken on — and there aren’t many feelings that surpass yelling, “Goal!” at the top of your lungs. Obviously, COVID-19 has stunted our plans for a breakout season of our favourite sports, but there is light at the end of the tunnel.

I sat down with Michael Davidson, the vice-president responsible for intramurals at Victoria College and an intramural sports council representative, and a fourth-year student studying ethics, society & law, to see what he had planned in hopes of getting some

to what sports will be available.

Although you won’t be able to play popular team sports like soccer or basketball, Davidson explained that a number of single and partner sports will be readily available, such as badminton, spikeball, washer toss, and bocce ball. “It’s different than usual, not quite the same athletic pursuit involved, but it’s a good way to get active,” he said.

So, how soon can we expect intramurals to return?

Some sports have just returned and the rest will be returning over the next couple of weeks. There are multiple captains meeting this week to further discuss the nature of how each sport will proceed and to make sure all the sports are being played as safe as possible to ensure zero new cases of COVID-19.

As one could imagine, intramurals offer an interesting dilemma: it is difficult to find a balance of

CZ AR NO TA /TH EVA RSIT Y

Two pandemics and a football field

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good news about intramurals.

Davidson explained that COVID-19 had a devastating impact on the students involved in intramurals for the winter semester of last year.

“It left a lot of disappointed players who were in the midst of their playoffs, who were reaching for that championship and they couldn’t quite get there,” Davidson said.

Intramurals were also cancelled for summer as well, leaving no chance for a continuation of that season.

But luckily, Davidson had some good news: “We are very excited that there is going to be a cautious return to play this fall.”

He stressed that things will look much different than they typically do. Usually there are a multitude of team sports, but the only team sport available will be dodgeball with four people on each side. So although intramurals will be making a triumphant return, there will be some caveats keeping the student body happy and engaged with extracurriculars like intramurals, as well as ensuring the safety of everyone on campus.

When asked on how to maintain this balance, Davidson said, “It’s important to remember that there’s more to health than a very narrow interpretation of it, so involvement in physical activity and involvement in intramural sports is a really important way that many students stay healthy, be it mentally or physically.”

Although registration for intramurals has ended, Davidson recommends that students continuously make sure their interests for intramurals are known, either through word of mouth or through social media. “The key is really to emphasize how important it is to some students’ health,” he said.

I look forward to seeing our students out there enjoying the sports and seeing the highlights firsthand. What sport are you most looking forward to?

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