The Varsity Student Handbook 2011 by The Varsity

THE VARSITY STUDENT HANDBOOK

CONTENTS For the commuter

HOW TO PLAN YOUR DAY by Ariel Lewis

For the scientist

HOW TO SUCCEED IN SCIENCE by Bianca Lemus Lavarreda and Patrick Love

For the athlete

GETTING INVOLVED IN SPORTS by Murad Hemmadi

For the bike enthusiast

CITY CYCLING GUIDE by Patrick Love

VARSIT HE

VOL. XXXII

Campus map

TU DE

AP NT NEWSP

How to make friends For the bookworm

Contact 21 Sussex Avenue, Suite 306 Toronto, ON, M5S 1J6 Phone: 416-946-7600 Fax: 416-946-7606 thevarsity.ca Editor-in-Chief Tom Cardoso Features Editor Erene Stergiopoulos

editor@thevarsity.ca

design@thevarsity.ca

Photo Editor Bernarda Gospic

photo@thevarsity.ca

Online Editor Sam Bowman

online@thevarsity.ca

News Editor Dylan C. Robertson

14 GET READING by Alex Ross 15 HOW TO EAT by Robin Buller 16 HOW TO GET INVOLVED by Shakir Haq

For the politically-minded

18 WHO'S WHO AT U OF T by Dylan C. Robertson

For those in the know

20 CAMPUS CONTACTS

For the job seeker

21 HOW TO GET A JOB by Ariel Lewis

news@thevarsity.ca

A&E Editor Ariel Lewis

12 BECAUSE YOU NEED THEM

For the artist

features@thevarsity.ca

Design Editor Anamarija Korolj

Comment Editor Alex Ross

For the foodie

10 WHERE TO GO by Katheryne Parzei

For the listomaniac

22 DOS AND DON'TS

For the wordsmith

23 CROSSWORD by Bernarda Gospic

arts@thevarsity.ca

man named Endel Tulving once said that memory is like mental time travel. Every time you remember, you’re re-experiencing something that happened in the past as if it were happening in the present. Tulving was a professor of psychology at the University of Toronto, where he laid the foundations for our understanding of memory today. We all come to university with a lifetime’s worth of memories. And with our memory of the past comes our expectation for the future — whether it’s the expectation of the people you’ll meet, the courses you’ll take, or the person you’ll be by the end of four or more years. But the beauty of starting something entirely new is that your expectations often won’t match the eventual outcome. Understandably, that can be kind of scary. We hope that this Handbook will help ease some of that stress by giving you the tips to surviving university life we all wish we’d known in first year. We’ve put our love, sweat, and stress into this thing — but it was well worth it to welcome you to the next few years of your university life. After all, this is a place where you’ll make memories. I hope you make some good ones.

comment@thevarsity.ca

Science Editor Bianca Lemus Lavarreda Sports Editor Murad Hemmadi

science@thevarsity.ca sports@thevarsity.ca

Contributors Sam Bowman, Robin Buller, Tom Cardoso, Shakir Haq, Murad Hemmadi, Bianca Lemus Lavarreda, Ariel Lewis, Patrick Love, Sean MacKay, Dylan C. Robertson, Alex Ross, Erene Stergiopoulos Copy Editors & Fact Checkers Maayan Adar, Bethany Babinchak, Bianca Lemus Lavarreda, Alex Ross Designers Maayan Adar, Michelle Yuan Special Thanks Maayan Adar, Rémi Carreiro, Ariel Lewis, Sean MacKay, Phantogram Cover Rémi Carreiro Centrefold Katheryne Parzei and Anamarija Korolj

Ad Inquiries 416-946-7604 ads@thevarsity.ca

Erene Stergiopoulos Features Editor, The Varsity, 2011-2012

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Alex, 3rd year, Philosophy and Neuroscience

Prof. Christina Kramer, Slavic Languages and Linguistics

Maliek, 2nd year, English

“Take the quirky, collegespecific courses.”

“Be focused but take intellectual risks.”

“Study. Remember, this isn’t high school.”

ADVICE FOR FROSH IN SIX WORDS

Angela, Grad Student, Biochemistry

Justin, 3rd year, Computer Science

“Share your knowledge with “Read the syllabus more your peers.” than once.” the varsity

Jess, 4th year, Anthropology

“Don’t be afraid of Robarts Library.” 2011 student handbook

FOR THE COMMUTER

A day in the life of How do you spend 24 hours on campus with five bucks in your pocket? Veteran ARIEL LEWIS shows you how.

START You just woke up an hour late. Your journey to St. George campus takes two hours. With no food, water, or coffee, you realize you have little more than $5 to survive a 12-hour day at U of T…

a.m.

10:01 a.m.

You head over to your college, where you’ve nabbed a locker rental for the year, and store the 50-pound textbook you’ve been lugging on the TTC.

5:00

You have 35 minutes until your class with the blue-eyed beau of your dreams. But wait, you didn’t have time to shower this morning and you smell awful. Good thing you can use the Hart House gym’s showers!

They’re equipped with complimentary soap, individual stalls, and towels for a Loonie apiece.

p.m.

Having joined the Facebook group “Free Food Free Stuff on U of T St. George Campus,” you’re privy to the complimentary cooking scene. As it happens, there is a Sustainable Energy seminar this evening with free Chinese food for all who drop by.

9:15

10:25

3:30

4:00

p.m.

On second thought, you’ve got a 300-page novel to read for tomorrow’s English class. Head to the glorious oasis located on the third floor of Pratt Library — the Centre for Reformation and Renaissance Studies — for a good view of Old Vic.

Oh great. You’ve got two and a half hours to kill before your evening class and you’ve spent your last cent. There is but one solution: fossils! You head to the ROM for free admission after 3:30 p.m. every Wednesday.

p.m. p.m.

You have an exam tomorrow morning and decide to study at Robarts. You’ll just stay an hour then… Oh no! It’s 2:00 a.m., you fell asleep, and now you’ve missed your bus.

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Perhaps you’ve had your friend at UC book you a guest room at Sir Daniel Wilson residence, only $15 a night. Sweet!

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10:59

11:03 a.m.

a.m.

You need a quick drink before class so you run to Trinity College’s trusty water fountain outside of the porter’s office. The temperature and water pressure are so finely tuned, you feel like you’re drinking from a fresh spring in the Himalayas.

1:15

May as well duck into the washrooms at Massey College on Devonshire Rd. while you’re in the area. These quiet and private stalls offer unparalleled solitude.

p.m.

You’re out of class and it’s time to find lunch. Luckily you have several options:

2:00 p.m.

2:45 p.m.

All that sugar and caffeine rushed to your head and now you’re about to crash. In desperate need of a nap, you have two options:

The quiet solace of a couch in Hart House library.

9:30 a.m.

Perhaps you’ve had no luck scoring a real lunch. There’s always the Commuter Student Centre at UC, which serves tea and cookies, free every day at 2 p.m. You also remember that you stored a bit of food in the commuter kitchenette yesterday. Hurrah!

The comfort of the grandpa chairs in Graham Library situated by a warm (fake) fireplace. At least the heat is real!

Luckily, the second floor of Robarts stays open through to morning. Looks like you’ll be joining the strung-out, allnighter pack tonight. Toothbrushes, mouthwash, ear plugs galore! All found in the well stocked vending machines of Robarts. You duck into the thid-floor washroom (always substantially cleaner than main-floor washroom), freshen up, and begin all over again.

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The Five Buck Lunch at Hart House offers up a three-course meal every other Wednesday in the Great Hall. Ice cream bars for dessert!

Thursday means $4 vegan lunch at the Hot Yam! Head to the International Student Centre for your vegan victuals, served 12–2 p.m.

How about dessert? Head out for free pancake brunch at Vic, every Wednesday from 11 a.m.–1 p.m.

2011 student handbook

FOR THE COMMUTER

a commuter student

Because chances are you’ll need it by Patrick Love

Let’s face it, math is tough. But with the help of a few free online tools, you can brush up on your skills and get help on some of your more difficult problem sets. Khan Academy With the financial support of heavyweights like Bill Gates and Google, Salman Khan has turned his simple math video tutorials into a web institution. You’ll also find lessons in science, economics, and other subjects. Also offered by the site is a DIY math curriculum, offering tests from basic first grade math all the way to precalculus. It rewards

you for good performance and is a worthwhile tool for anyone looking to brush up on high school math or prepare for midterms. Wolfram Alpha Remember your TI-83 graphing calculator? Wolfram Alpha is exactly that, but on steroids. Typing in any mathematical function will produce a graph, provide your zeros, and even compute derivatives. It also works for statistics and probability problems, so if you’ve ever wanted to know your probability of flipping 32 heads in a row, go check it out.

BERNA RDA GO SPIC/T HE VAR SITY

FOR THE SCIENTIST

Getting help with math

How to land a research position

by Bianca Lemus Lavarreda

A guide for the aspiring scientist WHY BE AN RA? Landing a research position in your first year can be daunting at first — even arduous. But fear not! Here are some tips on how to score that research assistant (RA) designation. 1. First, ask yourself what subject(s) interest you. It’s harder to invest yourself in a topic you don’t fancy. 2. If you already know what you like, look up the department website and check out the professors. Find out their interests and classes. Auditing is always an option.

let you know when a new spot opens up! 5. Sign up on the department’s listserv. Lab positions are posted there, so keep an eye out. 6. Join the departmental course union. This is a great way to network and hear about other students’ research experience.

3. Start emailing! Demonstrate that you are interested in their work. There’s no need to go overboard though — keep it concise.

7. Aim to maintain a competitive (but realistic) GPA. Some professors will ask to see your transcript, so keep that in mind when you want to throw your hat into the ring.

4. There’s no harm in asking if they are accepting new lab assistants. They might even

8. Starting early gives you plenty of room to make mistakes and learn. Best of luck!

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FOR THE ATHLETE

Varsity Blues men’s badminton player Adam Chan gives The Varsity the low-down on playing for the Blues. BERNARDA GOSPIC/THE VARSITY

Getting involved in Varsity sports by Murad Hemmadi Whether you were a high school sporting superstar or the last pick on every athletic team, it’s never too late to live out your sports star dreams. Here’s the low-down on what it’s like to be a first year playing for U of T. Go to tryouts Every Varsity Blues team has a number of returning athletes, as well as recruits who have been offered admission partly for their sporting achievements. However, there is usually an open tryout process too during Frosh Week to round out the team. Find out the dates for tryouts as soon as possible, especially if you are going for a particular team. The tryout itself includes standardized fitness and technical testing.

First years won’t just warm the bench Don’t worry about being a stand-in or substitute just because you’re in first year. Getting selected to represent the Varsity Blues depends on previous experience and your athletic potential. The most outstanding newcomers are in the running for Rookie of the Year, an award open exclusively to first years. A major time commitment Managing your time while playing for a Varsity Blues team or program is far from a walk in the ball park. Aside from practices and competitions, you’ll find your datebook filling up with fundraisers, team events, and meetings. Be warned — playing for the Blues is a major time commitment, but building a close-knit team makes the effort worthwhile.

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2011 student handbook

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ANAMARIJA KOROLJ/THE VARSITY

the varsity

FOR THE BIKE ENTHUSIAST

City cycling guide by Patrick Love

Consider becoming a bicycle commuter — it’s cheap, helps you stay in shape, and is easy in a city like Toronto, especially around campus. So long as you keep some crucial information in mind, the biker’s way of life can really pay off.

THE GEAR TIMELESS STUDENT RIDE: THE BEATER

Your most economical commuting option will be to pick up a cheap bike (a beater). Checking out Craigslist or Kijiji will give you many options starting around $100. Bike Pirates is a non-profit organization that sells cheaper bikes and is definitely worth checking out.

NEW BIKES

For the higher-end cyclist, The Mountain Equipment Co-op has very high-value equipment. Many bike shops around U of T will also be happy to send you off with a beautiful new bike. Just make doubly sure you hear your lock click if that’s the route you take.

RENT YOUR RIDE

BIXI rentals are a real hot topic in Toronto. Their many locations across downtown make biking on a whim easy, and there’s no maintenance on your part. A mere $5 gets you as many 30 minute trips as you can handle over a 24 hour period, perfect for a whip down to the Eaton Centre or Harbourfront and back. Keep in mind, a $250 deposit on your credit card is required. 72 hour periods and annual memberships are also available.

SECURITY MATURITY

Make sure you’re doing your best to protect your bike. U-locks are preferable to cable locks; they generally cannot be broken using bolt cutters. Kryptonite offers $2,000 in insurance should someone manage to get through their products, but the thief will have to be gracious enough to leave behind part of the broken lock. Remember that bike thieves can steal individual parts of the bike and not just the whole thing. Locking a wheel as well as your frame when securing your bike can help prevent this type of theft. Some cyclists also opt for two locks, the second for locking the back wheel or seat.

THE RIDE TUNE IT UP!

Treating your bike to an annual tune-up will help to ensure a comfortable and safe ride. Hire a mechanic or do it yourself! Bike Chain is a U of T service offering all of the tools and expertise you need to help you tune up your own bike on the cheap. Using the service is free; you’ll only have to pay for any new parts you use.

ACCESSORIZE

Adding a basket can help you to use your bike for picking up groceries; fenders are a must to avoid kicking water all over your back if you plan on riding over puddles. For any fashionistas out there, cycle chic is always in season, and picking up a beautiful helmet helps to keep you safe while still looking good on the road.

LOGISTICS MAP YOUR ROUTE

Google Maps biking directions is a must for anyone trying to sort out the best bike route from A to B. By giving preference to trails, parks, and bike lanes, you’ll be riding along some of the best routes around the city. A smartphone with GPS can also come in mighty handy if you ever get lost on some of those longer treks.

KNOW YOUR RIGHTS!

Remember that you can legally ride in the main lane alongside other cars, which can be especially important in poor weather conditions (snow banks tend to invade bike lanes). I f you need to take a left turn on a busy intersection, get right in there while performing the proper hand-turn signal. It’s easy to feel vulnerable, but just remember, cars must legally treat you as a vehicle.

BE CONSIDERATE

A cop seeing you go through a red light could throw the book at you for $325. $110 could be on the line for cycling in the wrong direction on a one-way street. Riding on the sidewalk is also an offence. While cyclists don’t get fines all that often, you’ll still frustrate a bunch of drivers and pedestrians if you’re riding selfishly.

BE SAFE ON THE ROAD

Always be aware of your surroundings. You’ll want to use your eyes and ears to gather as much information as you can, since cars can sometimes forget about your existence, requiring you to act fast. It’s also important to make your presence known by using reflectors, lights, and your bell. Wear a helmet when possible.

USING YOUR BIKE WITH THE TTC

Consider getting a little help with your commute. The TTC plans to equip every bus with bike racks by the end of 2012. Many routes already have them, and bringing your bike on to any TTC vehicle is allowed outside of peak hours (peak hours are weekdays, from 6:30 a.m. to 10 a.m. and 3:30 p.m. to 7 p.m.).

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2011 student handbook

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2011 student handbook

The

CAMPUS BUILDINGS

11. CAFÉ REZNIKOFF 12. DADDYO’S 13. DIABOLOS’ 14. INNIS CAFÉ 15. SAMMY’S STUDENT EXCHANGE 16. THE BUTTERY 17. WYMILWOOD

STUDENT SPACES 18. ATHLETIC CENTRE 19. E. J. PRATT LIBRARY 20. EARTH SCIENCES CENTRE 21. INTERNATIONAL STUDENT CENTRE 22. MULTI‒FAITH CENTRE

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FOR THE BOOKWORKM

Cool reads at Robarts

by Alex Ross photo by Rémi Carreiro

You love books. You love their smell, their texture, their ability to draw you into another world. Good thing you’ve come to U of T, where bibliographic bastion Robarts Library awaits with literally millions of books ripe for the reading. That philosophy paper can be finished tomorrow…

FOR THE COMIC BOOK FAN FOURTH WORLD SAGA, BY JACK KIRBY

This is the Ulysses of the graphic medium. It’s an odd distillation of Sixties counter-culture, cosmic revelation, and eye-popping art starring Superman, his pal Jimmy Olsen, Mister Miracle, and the odd metallic supervillain, Darkseid.

FROM HELL, BY ALAN MOORE

For those who enjoy their metaphysical and philosophical speculations tinged with murder, Robarts houses Alan Moore’s masterpiece about the Jack the Ripper murders. It leaves you questioning authority, society, and the structure of the universe.

FOR THE HORROR FAN THE KING IN YELLOW, BY ROBERT W. CHAMBERS

Published in 1895, this odd little collection of stories focuses on a play called The King in Yellow, which drives the people who read it insane. This book will give you nightmares about strange stars and even stranger cities.

FOR THE CRAZY THEORY FAN THE WITCH CULT IN WESTERN EUROPE, BY MARGARET MURRAY

This tome by anthropologist Margaret Murray purports to uncover a secret witch cult that existed before civilization. Largely discredited now, Murray’s book had the unintentional effect of exerting a significant influence on the contemporary Wiccan and Neo-Pagan movements.

FROM RITUAL TO ROMANCE, BY JESSIE L. WESTON

This fun little book claims to tell the true history of the Holy Grail — namely, that it was originally a pagan ritual that became Christian myth. T.S. Eliot cited this book as inspiration for his poem “The Waste Land,” though he would later claim it was bogus scholarship.

THE CULT OF ALIEN GODS, BY JASON COLAVITO

For the logical purist, this book demonstrates that all modern UFO theories, and the “ancient astronaut theory” in particular, have their roots in the horror fiction of H.P. Lovecraft. Along the way, Colavito debunks theories from leading UFO luminaries by exposing their logical fallacies, contradictions, and fabrications.

FOR THE SCIENCE FICTION FAN ADVENTURES IN TIME AND SPACE, BY RAYMOND HEALY AND J. FRANCIS MCCOMAS

Whether you’re a hardcore fan or couldn’t care less about science fiction, you need to read this collection. This science fiction anthology published in 1946 was meant to demonstrate the literary quality of modern science fiction.

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FOR THE HUNGRY

Become a U of T gourmand

by Robin Buller photos by Bernarda Gospic

Your guide to getting great eats near campus

“Best Brunch”

AUNTIES AND UNCLES 74 Lippincott St.

Free tables are hard to come by at this hipster diner, but the wait is well worth it. The home fries are perfectly seasoned, the challah is delectable, and their OJ is a gift from the gods after a night out. Just be sure to line up early to grab a good seat!

“Best Snack”

“Best take-out”

511 Bloor St. West

467 Bloor St. West

MENCHIE’S

THAI BASIL

This Californian chain is the ultimate fro-yo franchise. You get unlimited samples of fatfree yogurt, with flavours ranging from the super-sweet “cake batter” to the classic “original tart.” Throw on as many toppings as you can muster — but beware, you pay for your final masterpiece by weight.

One bite of the green curry and you’ll find yourself craving some whenever you try to study. Great for take-out or eat-in, this joint also has a $10 lunch deal that includes both soup and spring rolls. “Going Gourmet”

“Late for Class?”

“Late Night Munchies”

245 Augusta Ave.

483 Bloor St. West

JUMBO EMPANADAS

FUTURE BAKERY AND CAFÉ

Don’t let the sketchiness of this Kensington nook fool you. Its Chilean grub is flavourful, filling, and cheap. Grab a large beef empi for just $4 on the way to class, and if the store isn’t en route, freeze them in bulk ahead of time and reheat for a meal on the go.

A long-time favourite of U of T students, Future’s is open into the wee hours every night of the week. Their cheesecake is famous across the city (don’t miss the dulce de leche!) and huge helpings of all-day breakfast are just $5 from Mondays to Fridays if you’ve got a T-Card.

“Best Bar Food”

“Best Date Spot”

581 Markham St.

24 Baldwin St.

VICTORY CAFÉ The Vic is a popular place for drinks, and its food is also great. When it’s warm out, the patio is a relaxing spot for a club sandwich and a pint. Their veggie burger is also one of the best in town.

CAFÉ LA GAFFE This Baldwin Village treasure is the perfect place for a first date. Its friendly staff and eclectic décor make it cozy, comfortable, and fun. The food is wonderful — if you’re feeling extra couple-y, try splitting a pizza.

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CHABICHOU

196 Borden St. (at Harbord St.) Step inside, and you’ll feel like you’ve arrived in France. Chabi specializes in artisanal cheeses, but also sells hard-to-find imported Euro goods, and is a great café for a casual lunch. The daily soups are especially tasty, and perfect when paired with the generously portioned cheese plate. “Keeping it local”

DADDYO’S PASTA & SALADS 673 Spadina Ave. (at Sussex Ave.)

A stone’s throw from Robart’s, this place is perfect for a post-cramming dinner — especially considering they’re open until 10 p.m. on weekdays. Bring your own wine (for a $5.99 corking fee) to drown your pre-med melancholy.

2011 student handbook

FOR THE ARTS STUDENT

SOUTH ASIAN ALLIANCE (SAA)

VARSITY BLUES DANCE TEAM & VARSITY BLUES POM TEAM

Indian classical (Kathak, Bharatnatyam), folk (Bhangra, Dandiya), fusion of Bollywood, jazz and hip hop. southasianalliance.ca

Perform like a dancer and train like an athlete. Postings at the Athletic Centre. danceteam@utoronto.ca pomteam@utoronto.ca

ONLY HUMAN DANCE COLLECTIVE (OHDC)

VIC DANCE TEAM & VIC DANCE CLUB

Beginner-Advanced. Ballet, modern, jazz, tap, hip hop, ballroom, African and Bollywood. Auditions in late September/early October.

onlyhumandance@utoronto.ca

Beginner-Intermediate. Ballet, modern, jazz, hip hop. vic_dance@hotmail.com

TECH/BACKSTAGE/CREW

Contact any performance company to get involved as a lighting technician, sound editor, set builder, costume designer, make-up artist, prop master, stage manager, director, choreographer, or marketing director.

DANCE

PERFORMANCE FO’REAL HIP HOP DANCE CREW

Urban dance focus. Auditions in September. Workshops throughout the year. SILHOUETTES DANCE COMPANY

foreal.hiphop@gmail.com

Intermediate-advanced. Ballet, modern, jazz, musical theatre, tap, ballroom and hip hop. Auditions in September. silhouettesdancecom-

pany.com

DANCE CLASSES

RECREATIONAL

Hart House, the Athletic Centre and the University of Toronto Dance Club (UTDC – dance. club@utoronto.ca) offer semester-long classes in ballet, modern, jazz, hip hop, ballroom, and Bollywood to name a few.

DANCE CLUBS LGBT DANCE

LGBT and LGBT-friendly dance club for Latin dance in a gender neutral environment. lgbtdance.club@utoronto.ca

INTERNATIONAL FOLK DANCE CLUB (IFDC)

Folk dances ranging from Europe to the Middle East. judy.silver@utoronto.ca UOFT MODERN JIVE DANCE CLUB

PIT BAND To join the pit orchestra for a musical, contact the theatre companies. From there you can be directed to the musical director and receive more information about auditions. Check the notice boards inside the Edward Johnson Building, Faculty of Music (80 Queen’s Park).

Combines Swing, Lindy Hop, Salsa, Tango and other ballroom styles. modernjive@

utoronto.ca

Getting involved in the performing arts by Shakir Haq flowchart by Anamarija Korolj

SKULE™ MUSIC This engineering group includes an orchestra, two stage bands, a jazz combo, a brass quintet, a string quartet, and a choir. Open to students outside the engineering faculty. skulemusic.ca

INSTRUMENTAL HART HOUSE ORCHESTRA Over 80 musicians including students, faculty, staff, and alumni. zoe.dille@utoronto.ca

UT SWING DANCE CLUB

Meets Wednesdays with a beginner-friendly swing dance warm-up followed by an open dance floor. swing.club@utoronto.ca

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HART HOUSE SYMPHONIC BAND

Wind ensemble. Extensive concert band repertoire. hhsb.utoronto@gmail.com

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HART HOUSE JAZZ ENSEMBLE Big band, classic and contemporary jazz. hhjazzensemble@gmail.com

TRINITY COLLEGE DRAMATIC SOCIETY (TCDS) trinity.dramatic.society@gmail.com

INNIS DRAMA SOCIETY innis.drama@gmail.com

NEW FACES (NEW COLLEGE) newcollegedrama@gmail.com

HART HOUSE THEATRE Cast and crew is a mix of professionals and non-professionals. Open auditions and postings at harthousetheatre.ca.

THEATRE UOFTTIX BOX OFFICE The central box office of the university. Tickets for theatre, dance, concerts, festivals, workshops, lectures, and conferences, both on and off campus. Also a great resource for auditions and crew postings (ask for the “auditions binder” or check the bulletin board outside the office).

ST. MICHAEL’S COLLEGE THEATRE (SMC THEATRE) theatre@smcsu.com

VIC CHORUS Non-auditioned, mixed voice choir. Wide variety of music including Gilbert and Sullivan. vicchorus@yahoo.com

HART HOUSE JAZZ CHOIR (O-SCAT) A cappella choir with a focus on jazz, pop and R&B. onoscatopoeia@ utoronto.ca

VARSITY JEWS A CAPELLA A capella choir with a Judaic flavour. Traditional Hebrew folk music to classic rock. varsityjews@hilleltoronto.org

UC FOLLIES Musical theatre. info@ucfollies.com

UOFT DRAMA COALITION

Unites all campus theatre groups with their main event, the UofT Drama Festival (late February). Also organizes workshops (performance, writing, and technical). drama.coalition@utoronto.ca

Mon–Fri, 11 a.m. – 5 p.m. for sales in person or by phone (416-978-8849). Online box office: uofttix.ca

MUSIC

FOR THE ARTS STUDENT

VICTORIA COLLEGE DRAMA SOCIETY (VCDS) vcds@gmail.com

OPEN MIC NIGHTS Kelly’s Korner at St. Mike’s on the last Wednesday of every month in Brennan Lounge. (theatre@smscu.com). Other open mic nights often hosted by Hart House in the Arbor Room and University College (lca@uclit.ca).

TRINITY COLLEGE CHAPEL CHOIR Repertoire ranges from the Renaissance to present day. j.tuttle@utoronto.ca

HART HOUSE CHORUS A 50-member mixed voice choir combining students, faculty and alumni. A diverse repertoire from Bach to Bernstein. hhchorus@gmail.com

VOCAL

HART HOUSE SINGERS Non-auditioned, this is a great first choir for those with minimal experience. harthouse.singers@utoronto.ca

UOFT GOSPEL CHOIR (UTGC) check www.utgc.org or email info@utgc.org

UOFT SHOW CHOIR All musical genres. Auditions in September. uoft.showchoir@gmail.com

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TUNES. BEATS. AWESOME. (TBA) Pop/R&B repertoire, strong emphasis on beatboxing. tba.acappella@gmail.com

2011 student handbook

A look at U of T’s political figures and issues

by Dylan C. Robertson

Many issues on campus surround money. The university is running numerous deficits and lost a third of its endowment during the 2008 recession. Since then, university administration has tried to balance its books in a number of ways. U of T receives limited government funds, and provincemandated limits on tuition fees leave it with few financial options.

DANIELLE SANDHU, President of the University of Toronto Students’ Union

The UTSU is one of the largest student unions in Canada and receives roughly $16 from students’ fees each semester. Union services include discounted transit and movie passes, agendas, and funding for smaller student groups. Its work off campus includes lobbying the provincial and federal governments on a range of student issues. The UTSU also puts on the Frosh Week concert, and offers exam-time care packages at several different libraries on campus.

OTHER STUDENT UNIONS

The Arts & Science Student Union is an umbrella group representing all Faculty of Arts and Science course unions. ASSU focuses on academics and core student services, providing copies of past exams, holding social and career events, and helping students with their studies, as well as dealing with academic penalties. At UTM and UTSC, the VP academic does work similar to ASSU. The University of Toronto Mississauga Students’ Union works with the UTSU to serve full-time students at UTM. The Scarborough Campus Students’ Union is not affiliated with the UTSU and serves full-time UTSC students. The Association of Part-Time Undergraduate Students serves all three campuses.

18 student handbook 2011

DAVID PIKE/THE VARSITY

HEAD HONCHOS BERNARDA GOSPIC/THE VARSITY

FOR THE POLITICALLY MINDED

Who runs this joint?

CHERYL MISAK, Provost

Whereas the president is the university’s chief administrator and manager, the provost looks after academics. Misak is in charge of all principals and deans, ensuring the integrity of U of T’s teaching and research. The provost and her six vice-provosts are commonly professors appointed for less than five years and usually return to academic work at the conclusion of their term.

ISSUES ALLEGATIONS OF DONOR INFLUENCE

Some professors have raised concerns that donor funding will reshape academic priorities. For instance, the Munk School of Global Affairs has been criticized for its relationship with Peter Munk, head of mining corporation Barrick Gold; his charity donated $35 million in April 2010 to establish the School. In the past, Barrick Gold’s mining practices have led to accusations of human rights violations. The university has responded to concerns over donor influence by stating that donation procedures are always followed to the letter.

the varsity

DAVID NAYLOR, President of U of T

The president is the university’s de facto CEO, ensuring that finances are in check, goals are met, and academic codes are respected. He answers to the provincial and federal governments, as well as to the university’s Governing Council, a group of 50 appointed and elected community members who give final approval to university decisions, sort of like a senate.

FLAT FEES

In 2009, the Governing Council approved the flat fees initiative. Students in the Faculty of Arts and Science now pay a flat rate for a full-time load, regardless of the number of credits they take. This summer, the initiative was extended to include students taking three or more credits, who now pay the equivalent of five.

TOWARDS 2030

In 2008, U of T administration launched a plan called Towards 2030, which aims to reform the university’s structure in the next 20 years. While some of the changes are curricular and administrative, the most controversial parts of the plan call for ending government regulation of tuition fees and more scholarships to offset the resulting higher fees.

For the next four years, it’s your home away from home. Its concrete walls, lack of windows and scores of books might seem daunting at first, but rest assured — all roads lead to Robarts. Might as well enjoy it. Photo by Rémi Carreiro.

the varsity

2011 student handbook

FOR THOSE IN THE KNOW

CAMPUS CONTACTS CAMPUS MEDIA

Got a scoop? Wanna publish an article, poem, or 10-page adventure comic? These folks want to hear from you. THE VARSITY thevarsity.ca 416 946 7600 THE NEWSPAPER www.thenewspaper.ca THE STRAND thestrand.ca THE GARGOYLE www.ucgargoyle.ca HART HOUSE REVIEW www.harthousereview.com CIUT FM (campus radio) ciut.fm 416 978 0909

GET MOVING Because sometimes you need to be off campus. TTC ttc.ca 416 393 INFO GO TRANSIT gotransit.com 1 888 GET ON GO VIA RAIL viarail.com 1 888 VIA RAIL BECK TAXI 416 751 5555 CO‒OP CABS 416 504 2667

REGISTRARS

Your academic mecca for the next four years. Contact your college or faculty registrar for information on late course enrolment, picking up OSAP funds, and dropping courses. Essentially, whatever you want, they will do. FACULTY OF ARTS & SCIENCE ask@artsci.utoronto.ca 416 978 3384 FACULTY OF APPLIED SCIENCE AND ENGINEERING firstyear@ecf.utoronto.ca 416 978 5896 FACULTY OF MUSIC nalayini.maheswaran@utoronto.ca 416 978 3740 FACULTY OF PHARMACY registrar.pharmacy@utoronto.ca 416 978 2889 INNIS COLLEGE registrar.innis@utoronto.ca 416 978 2513 NEW COLLEGE newcollege.registrar@utoronto.ca 416 978 2460 ST. MICHAEL’S COLLEGE ask.smc@utoronto.ca 416 926 7117 TRINITY COLLEGE registrar@trinity.utoronto.ca 416 978 2687 UNIVERSITY COLLEGE uc.registrar@utoronto.ca 416 978 3170

HEALTH AND SUPPORT U OF T HEALTH SERVICES 416 978 8030 utoronto.ca/health U OF T PSYCHIATRIC SERVICE 416 978 8070 psychiatricservice.utoronto.ca U OF T FIRST NATIONS HOUSE 416 978 8227 fnh.utoronto.ca MULTIFAITH CENTRE 416 946 3120 studentlife.utoronto.ca/multifaith.htm SEXUAL EDUCATION AND PEER COUNSELLING CENTRE 416 97 UTSEC sec.sa.utoronto.ca

DIAMOND TAXICAB 416 366 6868

VICTORIA COLLEGE vic.registrar@utoronto.ca 416 585 4508

CENTRE FOR WOMEN AND TRANS PEOPLE 416 978 8201 womenscentre.sa.utoronto.ca

TRAVEL CUTS 1 866 246 9762 travelcuts.com

WOODSWORTH COLLEGE wdwregistrar@utoronto.ca 416 978 4444

LGBTQ RESOURCES AND PROGRAMS 416 946 5624 lgbtq.utoronto.ca

student handbook 2011

the varsity

FOR THE JOB SEEKER

WORK ON CAMPUS

by Ariel Lewis

There’s nothing worse than working at McDonald’s. Luckily U of T has jobs around campus that will keep your bank balance high and your skills with the deep fryer low.

CAMPUS CAFES

From Wymilwood at Vic to Diabolos’ in the JCR, coffee is always in demand on campus, and so are coffee servers.

pasta scoop. Look into the job opportunities offered by your college food services!

CORPORATE CAFES

PORTERING

Rather sell out to the Man? Second Cup and Starbucks are found all over U of T. To work right on campus, check out the ones at Robarts, Sid Smith, and along College.

TOUR GUIDE

Take off the backpack and put on the vest. Inquire at the Nona Macdonald Visitors Centre about becoming a campus tour guide.

UTSU

The student union offers a number of service jobs, such as metro pass sales, book exchange, and front desk sales. Visit utsu.ca for updates on job offerings.

HAVE AN ENDLESS SUMMER

Work as a lifeguard at the Hart House or the AC pool. Not a lifeguard but still like the gym? Consider working as an equipment supervisor.

THE LIBRARY

U of T has over 60 libraries, and they’re always looking for students to cart around, sort, and shelve volumes.

FOOD SERVICES

Are you pro at washing and drying dishes? Or perhaps you’re a speed demon with a

If you live in a college residence, portering (or working the front desk) is a great way to make some money. Avoid the weekend graveyard shifts at all costs, or you’ll be stuck mopping up puke all night.

SELL BOOKS

Why loan when you can sell? Work at one of the many bookstores in and around the U of T area. Whether at the U of T Bookstore, the Bob Miller Bookroom, or the Victoria College Bookstore, you’ll be stocking books and stacking paper.

WORK STUDY

Assist with research at CAMH, set up audiovisual equipment at Innis College — the work-study program offers a variety of odd jobs and is available to all full time students who have applied and qualify for OSAP. To find more information on U of T jobs, visit: careers.utoronto.ca library.utoronto.ca And check your college’s website for up-to-date job listings.

the varsity

2011 student handbook

FOR THE WORDSMITH

DOs DON’Ts DON’Ts ACADEMICS

DO get past tests from ASSU (www. assu.ca) and the past exam repository on Portal (exams.library.utoronto.ca).

DO register at UT Hub to get recordings for the lectures you missed — uthub.com.

DO take 1.0 FCEs as credit/no credit (and late withdrawal).

ACADEMICS

DO talk to your profs about doing an independent study or research opportunity program.

DON’T try to study at Pratt Library. It will never happen. Too much DON’T even try and use your cellphone or wifi at Sid Smith. That

MONEY MATTERS

place is a Faraday cage.

DO borrow films from Kelly library and the Media Commons in Ro-

barts. You can even book a room at Robarts to watch movies on the big screen!

DO go to the Swap Shop for some free furniture. (Seriously, it’s all

free).

DO scout out the microwaves in student spaces across campus, including departmental lounges, Robarts, and Innis Café. DO opt out of the UTSU dental plan if you don’t need it — it’ll save

you some serious monies.

people watching.

DON’T just keep your textbooks boxed up at home — buy and sell them on tusbe.com.

DON’T send out emails to your entire class asking for notes because you “had the flu.” It’s annoying, and nobody believes you.

MONEY MATTERS DON’T ever buy condoms, just get ‘em free from SEC (21 Sussex Ave., 6th floor).

DON’T use a payphone when you can make calls on the complimentary phones in UC’s Junior Common Room.

HAVING FUN

DON’T pay $4 for a drink at Second Cup in Sid Smith. Instead, buy

DO go to Suds, the engineering bar in the Sandford Fleming pit that

cheap soda from the ASSU office next door! They’re like 75 cents or something.

DO check out the Leslie Dan Pharmacy building and the Terrence

the UTSU.

happens every Friday after 5 p.m.

Donnelly Centre for Cellular and Biomolecular Research. They’re beautiful.

DO go to the Varsity Deli at Huron and Glen Morris, it’s insanely cheap. It’s also not a deli, but a Korean food joint. DO visit the observatory at the top of McLennan. It's also a great

date spot).

DON’T pay full price for movie tickets. Get discounted ones from

HAVING FUN DON’T hang around Queen’s Park late at night. (It’s full of creepy people.)

DON’T wear a bikini to the Hart House pool (unless you want to be ogled).

DON’T just go straight home after class. Start your own group — the post-ironic jazz-wave club awaits!

DON’T poop at home. Go to the washroom on the 13th floor of Robarts. You’ll feel like a king on your high throne.

student handbook 2011

the varsity

FOR THE WORDSMITH

Crossword

by B. Gospic

Cut the Gordian knot! 1

29 31

40 42

41 44 48

1. U of T’s school of hardhats 6. Gradually lessens 10. Imbibes in small mouthfuls 14. Subpar grade 15. Freudian 16. Japanese wheat pasta 17. Academic institution 19. Anger or alkaline fluid 20. _____-mex 21. “You _____ what you sow” 22. Sweet-talk 24. Burg, formally 25. Hoopoe Lark genus 26. Joey, of *NSYNC fame 29. A parabola (2 wds.) 30. High-quality black tea 31. _____ Thessaloniki F.C.

ACROSS

60. You shift these 61. A social news website 62. Responding promptly to the helm 63. Electronic expression of annoyance

DOWN

32. Math of angles (abbr.) 36. Above something 37. Outshine, or a type of card 38. Half of Polanski 39. Bludgeon, or Colby’s surname 40. Shoe museum name, rearranged 41. Simmers down 42. OR Tambo International Airport 44. Balkan country 45. Famous U of T thinker of mediums 48. To apportion, without the o 49. Pourquoi weep? (2 wrds.) 50. Gizmo 51. Font rendering tech from Apple (abbr.) 54. Alpha Omicron Pi 55. “You want _____?” (4 wrds.) 58. Redhead HP protagonist, dragged out 59. Lost blood

the varsity

1. Magazines your dad wouldn't show you 2. Cows collectively 3. Widely used multiuser OS 4. Fondness, unconventionally 5. Calabar bean chem. name 6. English student’s woe 7. A _____ on the radar 8. Two-_____ 9. Covert clutch 10. SPE, MAJ or MIN at U of T 11. Colloquial metaphor 12. A Spanish chicken 13. Seen + sneer 18. Complex network of blood vessels 23. Singers of “Swing, Swing” (abbr.) 24. Affordable living on campus (2 wds.) 25. Jung’s fem. counterpart for the man 26. Voice of CAN’s paper and pulp producers 27. Late Triassic _____saur 28. Mike Tyson’s finishers 29. Island in the Caribbean sea 31. _____ the Park (2 wds.) 33. Wayne _____ey 34. Nois and cit prefix 35. Traditional hat worn in Japan 37. Goodbye infant, in other words 41. Innis or St. Michael’s 43. Seventeenth Hellenic letter 44. ____ Quebecois 45. Monsters of Folk, Bright Eyes musician 46. Half of a kid’s locomotive and half Rasta vocab 47. Fabricating 48. A moon, AKA Jupiter XLI 50. Rung on the ladder 51. At or to a distance 52. Certain ancient Irish elegies 53. Undergrad studies for one 56. People’s Liberation Army, for short 57. The original lexicon, abbr.

2011 student handbook

VARSIT E H

Like what you see here?

THE VARSITY NEEDS YOU.

Think you could do better? TH

TU DE

AP P S W E NT N

The Varsity is always seeking fresh talent. Writers, photographers, illustrators, bloggers, copy editors, and people who don’t know how they want to get involved—yet.

No experience necessary— only enthusiasm.

recruitment@thevarsity.ca

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