February 27, 2012

Governance, the UTSU, and you With the UTSU elections on the horizon, campus pundits explore everything from the quirks of the elections code to why apathy is at an all-time high on campus see page 7

THE Varsity

Vol. CXXXII, No. 19

University of Toronto’s Student Newspaper Since 1880

Let the postering begin…

BERNARDA GOSPIC/THe VArsity

BERNARDA GOSPIC/THe VArsity

From the pages of Comment

27 February, 2012

Executive candidates announced for UTSU elections Simon Bredin ASSOCIATE NEWS EDITOR

Two slates and a third independent candidate are facing off in the upcoming UTSU March elections.

Led respectively by presidential candidates Brent Schmidt and Shaun Shepherd, the final list of candidates reprises a familiar pattern, in which an incumbent UTSU executive and seasoned opposition member go head-to-head.

Rohail Tanoli is also running for presidential office as an independent. Both slates remain unnamed.

Schmidt is a veteran of last year’s Student Political Action Committee (SPAC) and the StudentsFirst slate. He is the communications director for Hart House’s Debating Club.

Shepherd is currently UTSU’s vice-president external and a former executive of the Black Students’ Association. His candidacy upsets the tradition of the longestserving executive stepping up to run for head office. Had the tradition persisted, Corey Scott, a former LGBTOUT executive who has

served two vice-presidential terms, would be in Shepherd’s place. Instead, Scott is seeking to return to his current position of vice-president internal and services.

Tanoli was StudentFirst’s vicepresident external candidate. After 40 out of his 217 signatures were declared invalid, he was disqualified from last year’s elections. Tanoli is currently the vicepresident of U of T’s South Asian Alliance.

Both slates are rounded out by new faces.

Schmidt is joined by Alexander Ripley (external), Dylan Moore (internal and services), Carmen Reilly (university affairs), and Karthy Chin (equity). Shepherd’s team consists of Abigail Cudjoe (external), Corey Scott (internal and services), Munib Sajjad (university affairs), and Noor Baig (equity).

The electoral code disallows campaigning as of The Varsity’s press time. The campaign period officially starts Monday. As a result, no candidates were permitted to comment for this story as of press time.

Tom cardoso/THe VArsity

CUPE 3902 sends agreement for ratification Resigned spokesperson calls deal “inadequate” and “premature” Rida Fatema Ali VARSITY STAFF

CUPE 3902 Unit 1 sent its tentative agreement with the university to ratification Friday at Convocation Hall, but some members remain disappointed with the settlement.

“This tentative agreement that CUPE 3902 members will be voting on in the coming weeks is inadequate and premature,” said former CUPE chief spokesperson

James Nugent.

Nugent, along with recording secretary Ashleigh Ingle, resigned from the union’s bargaining committee to speak out against the settlement.

The committee was divided 4–3 over whether or not to recommend the offer for ratification.

“I could not, in good conscience, stand up in front of my fellow members and recommend a contract that will make their lives worse,” said Ingle, mentioning that the bar-

gaining team’s original proposals amount to 0.2 per cent of U of T’s operating budget.

The proposed settlement will establish a working group to look into the issue of huge tutorial sizes instead of decreasing tutorial sizes to a maximum of 50 students like the union originally requested.

Nugent noted that the working group on tutorials established after the last round of bargaining “failed to achieve anything.”

To compensate for the recently eliminated Doctoral Completion Grant (DCG), the university will allot a $250,000 fund to be divided amongst unfunded fifth- and sixth-year grad students for the next two years.

The former spokesperson explained that if the fund were to be divided between an estimated 800 unfunded grad students in their senior years, each student would receive $312.50 annually for two years.

In comparison, the DCG offered around $6,000–$8,000 per student.

Also, to address the issue that over the past three years, graduate students’ salaries haven’t increased but their workload has, the university will reward them two one-timeonly payments totalling $150,000.

The deal was reached at 2 am Friday, two hours after the strike deadline.

CUPE — CONTINUED ON P3

2

VARSITY NEWS

monday, February 27, 2012

news@thevarsity.ca

Students and faculty fume over U of T’s new copyright agreement New contract might permit surveillance of students’ and faculty’s email accounts, critics say Sunnie Huang VARSITY STAFF

Students and faculty are calling U of T’s recent copyright agreement a step back from academic freedom.

After two months of negotiation, U of T and the University of Western Ontario (UWO) each reached an agreement on January 30 with Access Copyright, a non-profit licensing agency that represents copyright holders. The new deal increased royalties and has critics concerned that hyperlinking has been redefined as copying.

It eliminated the current $0.10 per page cost for course packs while increasing the annual royalty from $3.38 per full-time equivalent (FTE) student to $27.50 to cover the digital use of copyrighted materials.

In a previous agreement, Access Copyright originally proposed a $45 tariff before the Copyright Board, a federal regulator that supervises the agreement between users and licensing agencies.

The new agreement also revised the definition of “copy” to include digital copying of copyrighted work and sending an email containing such copies, among others. Also included within these parameters are displaying digital copies on a computer and projecting digital images using a computer.

On February 16, the UTSU, GSU, and the university’s faculty association issued a joint letter to the Governing Council stating their concerns over the “cost, process, content, scope, and timing” of the agreement.

Representatives of the three organizations said the agreement was signed without proper community-wide consultation and rushed through the governing process. It was presented to the Business Board as “for informational purpose only” the same day

it was signed.

“It is troubling to see that this important academic decision … is deeply couched within the minutes of the Business Board and only addressed as an issue of a mandatory ancillary fee increase,” the representatives wrote.

They pointed out that certain clauses in the agreement might permit surveillance of students’ and faculty’s email accounts to monitor the transmission of digital copies of copyrighted work.

The letter also suggested that U of T and UWO’s decision hinders the collective effort by sister institutions to demand fair dealing and open access.

However, UWO said in a memo that the agreement included a clause allowing them and Access Copyright to “agree to disagree” with what constitutes as copying.

“We were adamant that we could not agree that hyperlinking constituted copying under the Copyright Act,” wrote the university.

They said that because the new payment system is based on a flat fee model instead of a per page model, “the definition of copy has little, if any, practical effect on the operation of the agreement, since there is no need to agree on what constitutes a copy in order to calculate royalties.”

U of T’s vice-provost, students Jill Matus said that the agreement signed by U of T is identical to the one signed by Western.

“Both universities were careful to ensure that the license did not commit them to a view that hyperlinking is copying,” she said.

The deal also contains indemnity provisions that promise to increase the university’s legal protection against copyright infringement. “[U of T] views the new license as providing a fair and efficient balance between the rights of copyright users and the rights of

creators,” Matus wrote in a memo to student governments and societies.

She added that content creators have demanded to be fairly compensated for digital use of their work as it becomes increasingly common on campus.

As of September, about 25 post-secondary institutions have opted out of Access Copyright in a dispute over the sharp $45 tariff hike. U of T was part of the sector-wide challenge until recently.

“The larger problem with the legal challenge was that the interests of the various

institutions were far from aligned,” wrote Matus in the memo. “Putting these groups together in a single legal settlement is far from straightforward.”

Matus also said opting out is not an effective option for U of T, citing the hidden administrative cost of dealing with content creators individually and copyright infringement.

The agreement will renew automatically for one year and will be in place until December 2013 during which time any party can cancel or renegotiate after a six months notice.

oliVE li /THe VArsity

University diversity

Ricky Rodrigues tells his story Dalana Parris

PHOTO COURTESY oF MICHAEL STUCKLESS

ASSOCIATE NEWS EDITOR

LGBTOUT coordinator Rodrigues appeals for a more vigorous diversity campaign.

One of the most significant aspects of my identity has been my sexual [orientation], as it has been questioned by myself and by the people around me,” says Ricky Rodrigues, political and educational coordinator for LGBTOUT. Born and raised in Toronto, Rodrigues says that he continuously battles discrimination at U of T because of his open sexual identity as a queer male.

Although Rodrigues was bullied throughout elementary and his first years of high school, he claims that once he came out it was easier for him to deal with societal pressures and intolerance.

“It was easier for me because I was able to live as the person that I felt I was; I didn’t have to hide anymore,” says Rodrigues proudly. “I could tackle homophobia in a better way by taking pride in my identity.”

In grade 12, Rodrigues was puzzled that though his high school commemorated the holocaust and celebrated black history month, there was strong resistance to promoting homophobia awareness. In response, he initiated The Rainbow Project, which celebrated queer identity and offered workshops educating teens about homophobia and equity.

Now a second-year sociology student, Rodrigues says that his past struggles confronting homophobia inspired him to be involved in student life and activism.

As the political and educational coordinator for LGBTOUT, he reaches out to the community through different events and discussion groups that address issues of homophobia, intersectionality, and identity.

Despite these efforts and U of T’s positive space, Rodrigues

still encounters discrimination at the university.

“The sad thing is that the homophobia still happens at U of T — like the graffiti in the washrooms; or when I’m sitting in class and I hear people whispering and giggling at my appearance right in front of me. I don’t let it get to me, but it’s still there. You’d think that it wouldn’t happen in university,” says Rodrigues.

“But what upsets me more is seeing some of the issues other queer-identified students face. Like women and trans, they have a small group to rely on and more resources are needed for them,” he continued.

Rodrigues believes that not only is U of T still very traditionally heteronormative, but that some programs of study don’t appreciate the intersectionality of experiences in course materials.

To illustrate his point, Rodrigues discusses how some case studies used in classes do not distinguish between the experiences of an upper-class, white, heterosexual male versus those of a homosexual male of a different race or social background.

“Whenever an example is used in class there is still a lot of use of heteronormative examples and I don’t feel like I can relate… I don’t see the experiences that I’m going through being reflected in the material,” he says.

He says that U of T must engage in a wider initiative to increase awareness about diversity.

In spite of his frustrations, Rodrigues commends the efforts of the SGDO and other equity offices that promote inclusion at the university. At the same time, he thinks that a more vigorous campaign addressing discrimination is needed.

“I’m very glad for my overall experience at U of T, but it’s time for a more a intensive positive space campaign, more than just stickers,” urges Rodrigues.

VARSITY NEWS

news@thevarsity.ca

monday, February 27, 2012 CUPE — CONTINUED FROM P1

Governing Council candidates announced Tight race for Faculty of Arts & Science seat Election season is underway as candidates jostle for a handful of seats on Governing Council.

Eight student positions are up for grabs on the university’s highest-ranking body, including two graduates positions, four full-time and two parttime undergraduate positions.

The two undergraduate seats from the Faculty of Arts & Science are this year’s most popularly contested, with 15 candidates in the running.

Three candidates from professional faculties and two graduate students in the humanities and social sciences are facing off as well.

Chief returning officer Anwar Kazimi says that this year has seen a clean race so far, with no reported infractions since campaigning began on February 16.

Other vacancies on the council have begun to fill as well.

Richard Nunn has recently been reappointed as chair, though the position of vice-chair remains open and is pending nominations.

The 50 members of the council are determined through a combination of election and appointment.

The eight student representatives due to be elected will sit for a one-year term. They will sit on the council alongside professors, administrators, librarians, alumni, and community members. The council presides over all academic, business, and student matters for the university.

Voting begins on February 27 at 9 am. Students can vote online through ROSI for candidates running in their constituency.

THE CANDIDATES Constituency I (St. George, UTM & UTSC) Guled Arale Yolen Bollo-Kamara Gregory Calvin Laurel Chester Aidan Fishman Patrick Grubber Charles Ludwig Yakir Pimentel Aisha Raja Jacob Raggiunti Katherine Rebejko Jessica Riehm Parmveer Singh Zi Jian Yang Nana Zhou Constituency II (Professional Faculties) James Bateman Andrew Girgis Dipen Thakrar Graduate Seat Constituency I (Humanities and Social Sciences) Michael Donnelly Greg Hughes

Compiled and written by Jennifer Gosnell

13574 Pathway Ad 4x7.5 2/3/12 3:25 PM Page 1

What happens if the TAs strike?

Akihiko Tse ASSOCIATE NEWS EDITOR

CUPE 3902 has recently agreed to send its agreement with the university to ratification but a union-wide strike is still a possibility.

In the event that a strike does occur, all bargaining unit members — TAs, course instructors, exam invigilators, and lab demonstrators — will stop working under the labour conditions set out by the administration.

Members can still perform their academic duties by their own volition but will be urged by the union to picket.

The university will remain open during a strike and has said it will not impose a lockout on union members, which would allow them to work should they choose to.

It will keep operations running as smoothly as possible in the event of a strike, allowing students to finish their courses within the expected timeframe.

Write for News! news@thevarsity.ca

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3

members.

Polls for the ratification vote will Nugent said that he blames the ad- open on the week of March 5. Origimin’s “late-night” offer for the bar- nally scheduled to take place Tuesgaining team’s “hasty decision.” day and Wednesday this week, the “Why did it take the administra- date was changed due to the sevention eight months, plus the final day notice required for poll times week of negotiations, and a loom- and locations. ing legal strike deadline, before they The deal that prevented CUPE even began to start negotiating our 3902 from going on its fourth strike three big problems?” he questioned. in the 39 years since its inception “The strategic decision of the ad- marks the culmination of more ministration to create this psycho- than nine months of contract nelogical pressure is completely irre- gotiations between the union and sponsible and reprehensible.”

U of T admin. It has stalled a potenMembers of the union seem to be tial strike of 4,200 union members split in their feelings about the ten- including teaching assistants, lab tative agreement. demonstrators, invigilators, and “Congrats to #cupe3902 on a rea- some PhD and post-doc students sonable tentative agreement, and who teach courses. well run meeting. Life’s not perfect, “Now that [the deal is] going to but it could be worse. Time to vote!” ratification, we have the opportunitweeted Matthew Parrott (@par- ty for the entire membership to vote rottmd) hours after the meeting. this contract down so we can get On the other hand, socio-cultural back to bargaining,” Ingle said. “Our anthropology PhD candidate Glen members are mobilized, organized, Chua (@gychuaa) tweeted, “Disap- and prepared for whatever happens, pointed, after a long process” a day and I feel confident that we can after Friday’s meeting. come together and get a contract Nugent said that the university that actually fixes the problems that has the money required to meet the are leading to unpaid work, balloonunion’s original demands. ing tutorial sizes and senior nonHe stated that according to Ontar- funded students being unable to pay io’s Sunshine List — an annual com- their tuition.” pilation of public sector employees According to CUPE’s website, whose salaries exceed $100,000 — there is currently no strike action U of T’s top 50 administrators earn planned pending the outcome of an average of $304,000 and receive the vote. over $5,000 in fringe benefits, while If the agreement is ratified, it the “entire TA budget amounts to won’t be up for renewal until April only 2.5 per cent of the entire U of T 30, 2014. operating budget.”

The university does not intend to Previously located at Hart House’s comment further while the settleGreat Hall, the meeting was moved ment, which has been recommended to Con Hall due to the overwhelm- for ratification by the union, is under ing13565 attendance more than 800- Campus consideration by its membership.

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monday, February 27, 2012

VARSITY NEWS

The Varsity

News in brief Should indigenous studies be a mandatory credit?

First Nations student Julianne Beaudin-Herney created a stir after petitioning for a mandatory credit in indigenous studies for programs taught at the University of Regina.

“Once you’re at university, your knowledge is reinforced, and you can take this information you’re learning and apply it to your home life, school, and the workplace,” Beaudin-Herney said in an interview with the Regina Leader-Post.

The petition has gained 1,000 signatures, but not everyone is a supporter. In particular, engineering students are taking issue with the course because it interferes with their single humanities elective.

Nevertheless, Beaudin–Herney has expanded the petition to other universities across the country.

—Georgia Williams With files from the Regina Leader-Post

UWO election hacker facing criminal charges

The hacker who disrupted the University of Western Ontario’s (UWO) student union elections will be criminally charged, the university’s campus police have confirmed to The Gazette.

Alumnus Keith Horwood admitted to hacking the student union elections website and adding references to Justin Bieber’s haircut and Selena Gomez in a video he posted on YouTube earlier this week.

In the video, Horwood offered his “sincerest apologies” to the student candidates participating in the elections and confessed that he felt tempted to hack the website after discovering an obvious “security flaw” in it.

Due to the hacking, the 10,000 votes cast have been tossed out. The election was suspended.

The student union has scheduled a new election from February 29 to March 1 at a cost of $1,000.

—Mohammad Arshad With files from The Gazette

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U of T crime stats

U of T one of Canada’s top diversity employers

For the fifth consecutive year, U of T was named one of Canada’s top diversity employers according to a Mediacorp survey.

The annual survey ranks companies and institutions based on their hiring and support of employees who are women, visible minorities, disabled, Aboriginal, or LGBTQ. Vice-president of human resources and equity Angela Hildyard said the award is a “tribute to the commitment shown by staff and faculty in every division to ensuring our workplace is a diverse and equitable one.”

U of T consistently hires underrepresented groups and supports current employees through organizing groups such as the Queer U of T Employee Resource Group and providing seminars on mental health accommodations in the workplace.

—Aberdeen Berry With files from U of T News and The Globe and Mail

U of T professor may help solve Ontario’s impaired driving problem

An online tool developed by a U of T professor, once standardized, may help Ontario alleviate the problem of impaired driving by those over the age of 80.

A 2010 Ministry of Transportation report found that 15.5 per cent of impaired driving cases were attributable to cognitive dementia. Brainscreen, a tool developed by psychology professor Konstantine Zakzanis, recognizes early signs of the condition.

The current test used on elderly drivers “doesn’t test psychomotor speed, information processing, [or] the ability to handle a crisis,” said Mark Rapoport, a geriatric psychiatrist at Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre.

The website for Brainscreen claims that it “de-medicalizes the screening process, placing knowledge in the hands of loved ones and other concerned parties.”

—Jared Shapiro With files from The Star

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February 21–23

1

car bumper was reported as damaged

1

person requested medical attention and was transported to a hospital

2

items were stolen on campus: a downspout and a bike

3

emergency telephone calls were made

6

fire alarms went off

8

security alarms reported

13

cases of trespassing were reported, including Robarts Library, the Faculty of Pharmacy, Sandford Fleming, and the Warren Stevens Athletic Centre

VARSITY NEWS

news@thevarsity.ca

monday, February 27, 2012

5

U of T suspends use of non-human primates for research Death of Faculty of Dentistry’s crab-eating macaques reason for suspension Bianca Lemus-Lavarreda VARSITY STAFF

In response to a complaint by five primatology graduate students, U of T has suspended the use of non-human primates for use in all scientific research.

The issue gained traction following the death of two crab-eating macaques after seven years of experimentation while in captivity at the Faculty of Dentistry. The primates had been used for research investigating movement and pain in the human mouth.

Used to study the brain’s mechanisms for sensory and motor functions in the face and mouth, the macaques had electrodes implanted

in their brains to stimulate and record activity. The lead researcher of the study insisted that the monkeys were never in pain.

The graduate students requested that the macaques be released at a sanctuary upon completion of the experiment. The request was refused because the brains of the macaques had to be dissected in order to verify that the correct areas of the brain had been stimulated.

“It was always the intention for this study that, in the end, the animals needed to be sacrificed,” said Peter Lewis, U of T’s associate vicepresident, research in an interview with The Globe and Mail.

However, the students maintained that the crab-eating macaques pos-

sess a high level of intelligence and emotion, and their living conditions and treatment during the experiment were unconscionable. The students pointed to evidence suggesting that the primates are capable of using tools, like axe-shaped stones to crack open food such as oysters, bivalves, and crabs.

The use of non-human primates in scientific research has raised concerns about ethical boundaries in the past.

According to the Globe, larger Canadian universities haven’t housed research primates for decades with the exception of the University of British Columbia, which is currently carrying out experiements on a few small monkeys.

Popular photocopying centre owner sent to prison

8 launch ways to

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T&T Copy Centre found in violation of copyright infringement

Financial Planning

Thomas Wallenius

Global Business Management

VARSITY CONTRIBUTOR

Copyright enforcement is no game, as the owner of T&T Copy Centre, a popular U of T photocopying centre, has learned the hard way.

Duc Ting Nguyen has been sentenced to six months in jail after police found illegal course packages being produced at his business.

He was found in contempt of court on January 13 after years of surveillance and prior legal actions taken against him. He pleaded guilty to the judgement.

Nguyen’s T&T Copy Centre is located at the corner of Bloor and St. George Streets. Its proximity to the university and the availability of “bootleg course booklets” have

made it a go-to place for U of T students’ photocopying needs.

Initially charged in 2008 and ordered to stop making course packages, Nguyen continued up until January 2012 when he was caught again.

Savitha Thampi, associate legal counsel for plaintiff Access Copyright, stated that Nguyen was ordered to pay $132,000 in statutory damages in 2008.

“After a series of court orders, settlements, seizures, and inspections, Access Copyright brought a motion to the Federal Court for an order to find Mr. Nguyen in contempt of the 2008 Federal Court judgement,” Thampi said.

Access Copyright conducted its own investigations in the commu-

nity, and found that T&T Copy Centre had violated the prior Federal Court judgement.

Dave Spiros, the owner of neighbouring Willow Books, was not surprised by Nguyen’s problems.

Spiros did not want to get into details about the actual seizure of material, but he said that he saw it coming.

“This happens on a regular basis, and his store has been closed for periods of time before,” he said.

Despite the copying centre’s closure, students continue to go to the shop on a regular basis. Employees from Willow Books have had to redirect them to other copy stores located on Bloor Street.

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6

VARSITY NEWS

monday, February 27, 2012

news@thevarsity.ca

Will lecture halls be obsolete?

Leaked report calls for major transition to online education Georgia Williams VARSITY CONTRIBUTOR

A document obtained by the Canadian Press news agency outlines some drastic recommendations that would radically alter teaching practices at post-secondary insti-

tutes across the province.

The report calls for a transition to online courses, moving a third of classes out of the lecture hall and onto the web. Under the plan, students would take three of five courses electronically.

The plan also encourages year-

round teaching and an increase in summer programs, as well as the introduction of three-year degree programs.

The proposal, dubbed “3×3” aims to reduce university spending by 3 per cent yearly for three years.

FROM HERE, GO ANYWHERE. BACHELOR’S DEGREES

Quality Council of Ontario raised concerns about student anonymity in online teaching, especially among first-year students.

“A student’s sense of belonging and ability to connect with teaching staff and other students played an important part in fostering student engagement and better learning outcomes,” read the HEQC report.

It is unclear whether the provincial government intends to act on the report’s recommendations.

With files from CTV

Dear reader, The Varsity is producing its third and final magazine issue of the year, and we’d be delighted to hear some of your story ideas!

We’re hosting a pitch meeting in our office at 21 Sussex Ave. this Thursday March 1 at 7 pm — you should be there.

GRADUATE CERTIFICATES PATHWAYS TO FURTHER EDUCATION

Check out the Facebook event at var.st/ citiesmeet and see you at our space, ideas in hand!

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Student lobbyists have objected to the recommendations of the report.

“How far behind are Ontario students going to be with the rest of the country, with the rest of the world, if most of the learning that we’re doing isn’t even in front of a lecturer that we can then approach for assistance?” said Canadian Federation of Students–Ontario chair Sandy Hudson in an interview with Canadian Press.

Another study released late last year by the Higher Education

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Comment

27 FEBRUARY 2012 comment@thevarsity.ca

The road to irrelevance

ONLINE EXCLUSIVE

What does the future have in store for Iran?

Read it here: var.st/comment19a

How does the UTSU continue to leave its constituents apathetic and disillusioned?

Benjamin Pan

Quirky election rules

VARSITY CONTRIBUTOR

As UTSU election season once more approaches, the question of the union’s impact on our student life creeps into mind with the same inevitability as the arrival of March 6 itself. Is the UTSU doing a good job?

What are they actually doing? Does anyone even care?

That last point is the easiest to answer.

The Facebook group “UofT Memes,” has about five times the followers of the UTSU’s Facebook group.

Still not convinced? The participation rate of UTSU elections paints an even more dismal picture, with The Varsity reporting a turnout rate of approximately eight per cent for the previous election. With all the political pundits bemoaning the death of democracy based on the federal election’s turnout (many times higher than eight per cent), clearly the UTSU has an even bigger problem with apathy amongst its constituents.

It shouldn’t be this way at all. So, in a bid to explain this phenomenon, let’s go to the second question: what activities is the UTSU engaged in? Thanks to the union’s intense campaigning, the Drop Fees issues springs immediately to mind. Beyond this, the UTSU is also engaged in a smorgasbord of other activities, ranging from providing TTC student passes to dental insurance to pursuing a student commons building. All are surely well-intentioned projects.

The Drop Fees campaign is where the majority of the UTSU’s energy appears to be focused of late. Tackling rising tuition fees is a noble goal as it is something that affects all of us.

I doubt it is possible to find anyone who will disagree with the notion that much needs to be fixed; “tuition is too low and needs to be more inequitable” just wouldn’t resonate with most people. Yet it must be said that the UTSU’s approach to this prob-

by Alex Ross The UTSU Elections Procedures Code has previously been criticized both for being far too restrictive, for prospective candidates and inflicting draconian punishments for minor offenses.

Here are a few oddities from the Elections Procedures Code: Article VI “Article VI.1 (l) iii. No campaigning where alcohol is served.”

CATHARINE MANSOURI/THe VArsity

lem, in collaboration with the Canadian Federation of Students, makes almost as little sense as the above opinion. This isn’t to say that every point being advocated by the UTSU/CFS is not worth considering.

On the contrary, one can find several adjustments recommended in the CFS’s report “Dropping Fees for All,” that quite arguably need to be implemented. These range from OSAP reforms to additional funding for student grants.

Critically, however, the main approach as embodied in the name of the campaign, ”Dropping Fees for All,” is misguided. On the contrary, rising tuition might not be such a bad thing at all. No that was not a misprint, but there is far more to it than that.

With this in mind, the CFS’s call for the prohibition of “differential tuition fees” will do more harm than good. Instead, it’s worth exploring the idea of setting a far higher base tuition rate and using the extra revenue — perhaps augmented with government funding — for extensive financial aid based on a need. In the end, such an idea, while imperfect, makes far more sense than the widely trumpeted but impossible to implement idea of just “dropping fees.”

And there can be no question that the UTSU is devoting much effort towards this misguided cause. The union has circulated so many petitions around so many lectures UTSU — CONTINUED ON P9

The dysfunctions of student politics

Student governance needs to improve for campus politics to move forward Abdullah Shihipar VARSITY CONTRIBUTOR

“Dishonest,” “marxists, “radicals,” and “fascists” are some of the terms that can be found in the lexicon of today’s politicians.

Resorting to negative campaign tactics, personal attacks, and smear campaigns are unfortunately common in the political arena.

However, this negative discourse is not limited to the House of Commons and TV studios: It can be found in the upper echelons of U of T student government and those who seek its power. Student politics nowadays has adopted a left wing vs. right wing discourse. However, all the criticism has been mutually exclusive to UTSU, its left wing advocacy, and its relations to the CFS. From these valid concerns has grown an ugly monster fed by the actions and rhetoric of both UTSU and those who oppose them.

UTSU has a storied history that includes winning access to Robarts Library for un-

To move forward, the objective of all parties should be to make U of T a more united campus. This will require significant compromise and cooperation. dergraduates to negotiating successfully for a TTC Post-Secondary Metropass. In recent years, however, the UTSU has been marred with controversy. Beginning in 2002, after UTSU joined the Canadian Federation of Students, some students have complained that UTSU no longer represents them. They point to recent elections where incumbent

slates were elected almost unopposed and UTSU’s left-wing campaigns such its support of Israeli Apartheid Week or invitation of controversial speakers to campus. Such campaigns should be run by independent student groups, not student governments, critics say.

The UTSU has also had a rocky relationship with the constituent colleges and professional faculties. The constituent student governments often complain that UTSU is too bureaucratic to work with, that they are not listened to, and that they are not properly informed of decisions that UTSU makes. The relationship has become increasingly tense over the last few years, with Trinity College and Engineering Society discussing defederation, and also the decision of many colleges to forgo the UTSU frosh kits this year.

Recently, a group called Stop the Salaries STUDENT POLITICS — CONTINUED ON P9

This is unnecessarily restrictive especially in campaigns that largely involve young students. Some students might want to talk about the finer points of a candidates’ campaign over a pint or two of beer.

“Article VI.1 (s): i. Campaigning is not allowed within six (6) metres of a Student Residence. ii. Campaigning and campaign materials are not allowed within six (6) metres of a Library. iii. Campaigning and campaign materials are not allowed within six (6) metres of a Computer Lab.”

The above rules are arbitrary and ineffective. If the idea is to prevent the election being too much of a nuisance for busy post-secondary students then it is largely a failure as I have constantly been campaigned to outside all three areas in years past. These restrictions are unnecessary.

On demerit points Demerit points, which are given out for campaign violations are laid out in Article VI.3 (j). They have been controversial in the past. One troubling aspect is that despite a guide on how many demerits to give, “values may be increased or decreased at the discretion of the CRO, [Elections and Referenda Committee] and the [Elections and Referenda Appeals Committee],” meaning harsher penalties could be given for small offenses and vice versa.

One offense that can earn a candidate at least three demerit points is “unintentional misrepresentation of facts.” So if a candidate makes a completely honest mistake when discussing the campaign of an opponent, they can be punished.

There are already penalties for intentional misrepresentation of facts, so this particular offense seems redundant.

A candidate can also be fined for demerit points after passing 10 demerit points.

For presidential and vice-presidential candidates, the fine is $15.00, for at-large director candidates it’s $8.00, and for regular director candidates it is $5. These are harsh financial penalties to enact on cash-strapped students.

8

monday, February 27, 2012

THE Varsity VARSIT HE

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VOL. CXXXII No. 19

VARSITY COMMENT

comment@thevarsity.ca

The value of a bachelor’s degree Your undergraduate education is still worth it Jennifer Gosnell

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So you think that your Arts & Science undergraduate degree means less than it did 10, 20, or 40 years ago? In some ways, it does. Increasing numbers of students are enrolling in graduate programs to give them that extra edge in the job market. But this doesn’t mean that your undergraduate degree isn’t going to get you where you want to go or be the incredible experience that some argue it no longer is.

Yes, the job market is harder, and people with graduate degrees do have a better go at it. This has always been true and holds true now.

However, as an undergraduate, the piece of paper that you receive upon graduation is a $1.4 million distinction from high school graduates.

Over a lifetime, university graduates stand to make this much more than those with only high school diplomas on average, and over a million more than college graduates.

There is an unprecedented number of undergraduates enrolling in universities across Ontario this fall.

As such, Ontario universities are under the gun and they have to substantiate their degrees’ and students’ worth to parents, the government, and most importantly, students.

To do this, some universities have developed trial curricula that include “real world” skills like writing a killer resume or advanced critical analysis.

Transferable skills that employers value are in high demand. Given that the vast majority of students surveyed by the 39-member Canadian University Survey Consortium cited a job being their number one reason for attending university, job skills should be,

Bernarda Gospic/THe VArsity

VARSITY STAFF

and are becoming, a greater aspect of the curriculum.

McMaster President Patrick Deane commented to The Globe and Mail, “You don’t want to equip students to be bankers; you want to equip them to do whatever they might be inclined to do.” Education reform is an ongoing discussion within the academic sphere, one that has received a lot of attention from students, parents, and the administration alike.

An undergraduate degree’s value

isn’t necessarily limited to the prestige it holds in society; rather, its value is in the experience that undergrads are taking away from it. In introducing new programs that limit the number of students in the classroom, students are walking away with a more comprehensive and rewarding degree.

From personal experience, the best classes I’ve ever been in have been seminar-style where the students can actually engage with the discussion, one another, and

the professor. They are also more challenging because they really require you to be able to think on your feet and have something to offer the discussion.

It’s true that an undergraduate degree doesn’t mean what it used to and isn’t perceived as such; there are so many more students graduating with them, and there’s been a 70 per cent increase in students enrolling in graduate studies between 1999 and 2009. However, Paul Davidson, president of the Association of Universities and Colleges of Canada, stated in The Globe and Mail that a fact that is often overlooked “is the creation of more than 300,000 new jobs for university graduates in the recent recession compared to the loss of 430,000 jobs for those without post-secondary education.”

Statistics Canada in 2009 revealed that people with Canadian university degrees had an 82 per cent employment rate for the age range of 25–64 in contrast to the 55 per cent of those who hadn’t acquired their high school diploma.

In light of the growing concern over the value of an undergraduate degree, MyEducationHasValue.ca has been launched. The website aims to enlighten students on not only the long-term financial and career benefits of a university education but also the more philosophical rewards of a bachelors degree — its ability to expand and inspire adolescent minds.

The bachelor degree is more than just a launch pad to a better degree.

It’s the means to cultivating higher academic thought and critical thinking.

If it isn’t enough that it’s not the be-all and end-all of academic achievement, at least revel in the fact that it provides a privileged and enjoyable experience.

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Lament for a political education U of T needs to offer more variety and quality in courses on Canadian politics Patrick Baud and Victoria Facer VARSITY CONTRIBUTORS

The University of Toronto prides itself on its illustrious alumni who have distinguished themselves in Canadian public life. Among them are four prime ministers, including William Lyon Mackenzie King, Lester B. Pearson, and briefly, Stephen Harper; several Supreme Court justices; and two governors general. There are undoubtedly future Canadian leaders among the current U of T students and recent alumni. Some of them may be drawn to political science because of their interest in public life. However, judging from the offerings of the political science department, they will be more likely to study the inner workings of the United Nations than the pressing issues of Canadian politics.

There are fewer courses offered in Canadian politics than in any other subfield in the political science department. This year, 24 courses are offered in comparative politics, 20 in international relations, 15 in development studies, 14 in political theory, and just 10 in Canadian government and politics. This indicates that the department and its faculty place less importance on this subject than on other sub-fields of politics. This is particularly true of fourth-year courses, of which the department offers only two on Canadian politics, compared to two or three times as many in other subfields. This leaves students interested in Canadian politics at a disadvantage compared to their peers.

This is especially true if we compare the department’s offerings to those of sister departments at other top Canadian universities. There are only three departments that offer fewer fourth-year Ca-

nadian politics courses than Toronto’s: Dalhousie University, McMaster University and the University of Western Ontario. Several universities, including the universities of Alberta, British Columbia, and Calgary, offer two to three times as many fourthyear Canadian politics courses. These courses address a much broader variety of issues than those covered by Canadian politics courses in the U of T department, including local and provincial politics, and specific issues of public policy.

Studying Canadian politics is certainly not the only way to enter public life. Indeed, it may not be the ideal way. However, an understanding of Canadian politics is important for the wide variety of careers that political science students embark on. Lawyers need to understand the legislative process and the public policy issues involved in legal disputes. Similarly, public servants need to be able to understand the impact and implications of government policies. Certainly, an understanding of Canadian politics is as important as any other subfield of political science, including political theory.

First, the department should increase the number of Canadian politics courses that it requires students in their programs take. Currently, majors and specialists are required to take one course in Canadian politics. Minors are not required to take any of these courses. This makes it possible for students to graduate from a political science program without more than a cursory understanding of Canadian politics. The department currently requires specialists to take two courses in political theory.

They should adopt a similar system for Canadian politics by requiring specialists to take two Canadian courses. They also should consider requiring

that minors take one.

Second, the department should find ways to provide more seminars in Canadian politics, which is normally taught in large lecture courses. This prevents students from developing the kind of deep academic interest in Canadian politics that they can in other subfields, such as international relations. The department should consider offering at least one first year seminar focused on a topic in Canadian politics. They might also offer at least one second-year research opportunity course.

Where the need for improvement is crucial, however, is fourth-year seminars.

Third, the department should also strive to provide more consistent offerings in Canadian politics courses. While there will undoubtedly be some variation in third-year courses because of instructor availability, the lack of a core of courses in Canadian politics can be frustrating. While students can count on regular third-year offerings in other subfields of politics, this is not the case in Canadian politics. Moreover, certain courses, such as Ontario politics and urban politics, have only been offered during the summer in recent years, preventing many students from taking them.

Ultimately, if the University of Toronto wants to establish itself as the educator of Canadian leaders, it needs to commit to offering a first class Canadian political education. Furthermore, it does not reflect well on the university if its political science graduates ­— even those who do not aspire to a political career — know little about Canadian politics. The political science department must dedicate itself to providing a comprehensive spectrum of quality courses on Canadian government in order to properly educate its students.

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VARSITY COMMENT

monday, February 27, 2012

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Not letting school get in the way of our education Why students should support global access to meds Sahar Golshan In first year, I naively thought that upon graduating I’d possess the requisite knowledge to “change the world.” I imagined that I’d be leaving this giant conveyer belt of higher education with what my academic institution calls the “answers to the world’s questions.” Today I know that this is not the case. When I leave this ivory tower on that fast approaching spring afternoon, I’ll possess no such worldly insight. Instead, I’ll remember a cold December’s afternoon in 2010 when I lay down with a couple dozen students and community members in the middle of a bustling Toronto intersection to fight for something I believed in.

We were demanding Parliament to fix the Canada’s Access to Medicines Regime by passing Bill C-393.

CAMR is an unmistakably broken legislative promise made in 2004 that was intended to increase access to lower-cost generic medicines to treat public health problems such as HIV/AIDS, malaria, and tuberculosis in the global south. Today, the only achievement that it has to its name is implementing one licence for the export of one type of drug to one country.

Needless to say, Canadian civil society groups have had good reason to demand CAMR reform during the past eight years.

After learning about CAMR at a campus event, my friends and I decided we wanted to act. Together we gathered a group of concerned students and community members to dress in red and lie down at the intersection of Yonge and Dundas. A “die-in” is an effective strategy enacted by activists to highlight the urgency of something like the HIV/AIDS epidemic and symbolize the thousands of lives lost.

Our “die-in” garnered both media and MP attention, sending a critical message to Ottawa about the injustice of Canada’s broken promise to mitigate thousands of preventable deaths. It demanded political action from MPs to follow through on the nation’s global pledge.

Not letting school get in the way of my education, I skipped two final exams to organise and orchestrate the Bill C-393 “die-in” with my friends. In doing so, I learned much.

But unlike statistics to be remembered for an exam, I won’t forget the following numbers anytime soon.

UTSU — CONTINUED FROM P7 that at this point, I cannot fathom how there aren’t a huge number of duplicate signatures.

Yet not a single petition was handed around advocating for a far simpler and arguably easier to tackle issue, one with just as many real-world implications as student fees. Perhaps this doesn’t mesh with whatever social agenda the UTSU has in mind, but it cannot be denied that the amount of money students need to shell out for a monthly TTC pass is simply exorbitant.

While the 17 per cent discount we are currently getting is better than no discount at all, it pales in comparison to what is possible. As an example, Translink’s U-Pass gives all post-secondary students in British Columbia an astounding 80 per cent discount off the price of the equivalent standard adult monthly pass.

Perhaps the source of all the apathy and mistrust directed at the union is a result

WENDY GU/THe VArsity

VARSITY CONTRIBUTOR

Approximately six million people living with HIV in the global south currently have access to treatment. This is made possible by the global production and distribution of lower-cost generic medicines and the consequent competition between pharmaceutical companies which decreases drug prices.

However, this number only represents 40 per cent of the 15 million people living with HIV in low- and middle-income countries who need anti-retroviral drugs now. This means that over nine million people living with HIV in developing countries are facing death without treatment.

So, when Bill C-393 was finally passed with a large majority in the House of Commons in March 2011, my friends and I felt that our activism had achieved something tangible and important. Sadly, it was only two weeks later that we received the news that Bill C- 393 was stalled and eventually killed in the Senate.

On February 16, NDP MP Hélène Laverdière introduced Bill C-398 in the House of Commons. Bill C-398 is a similar

but improved version of the defeated Bill C-393. The bill would create a “one licence solution” that renders the process of exporting generic medicines to developing countries much easier for both Canadian pharmaceuticals and receiving countries.

In the coming months, citizens and civil society organizations nationwide will work tirelessly to ensure that CAMR is ultimately changed in order to save thousands of lives.

Obviously, passing Bill C-398 and finally fixing CAMR will not be enough to get treatment to all 15 million people living with HIV in the global south. Regardless, reforming CAMR represents a crucial step for Canada.

Fixing CAMR will make an important contribution. Nonetheless, similar legislative action on the part of other governments, as well as mobilising more money for the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria must be included in the challenging journey towards greater access to essential medicines worldwide.

I encourage the thousands of students na-

tionwide to engage in lobbying efforts to demand that Bill C-398 be passed in the House of Commons to fix CAMR. We will soon be parliamentarians, humanitarians, health care professionals and business leaders. But it would be dangerous for us to espouse the same attitudes and behaviour of our predecessors. Instead, by learning outside the boundaries of our assigned readings, we can take our education into our own hands and learn about the diverse realities of our national and global communities.

Please, let us learn to question the shameful death of Bill C-393 in the Senate, just days after it had been passed in the democratic House of Commons in spring 2011. Let students be a strong voice amid the 80 per cent of Canadians and 100 plus civil society organizations that support reforming CAMR.

of a lack of any perceived progress or representation on issues that students identify with. UTSU embroils itself in the hopeless “Drop Fees” campaign instead of focusing on other student priorities that could be more realizable.

UTSU is doing such a poor job that it has managed to completely expend any goodwill it may have had in the past. If it were to advocate for a “U-Pass” fare system, despite a UBC-commissioned report showing it produced a 53 per cent increase in transit ridership, it would surely be the target of massive backlash on the grounds that it is forcing those who don’t take transit to subsidize those who do. This is not unlike the criticism directed at the U of T student commons building project already backed by the union.

In the end then, with next to zero political capital in the bank, it seems that the case is hopeless. Despite having the best of intentions, the UTSU has managed to pave its own road off into the abyss.

STUDENT POLITICS — CONTINUED FROM P7

and make them more accessible, how to boost spirit on campus, how to run more events: these are the questions that student politics should revolve around. By focusing on the politics of UTSU — while this is an important question — the campus inevitably becomes polarized on ideological lines. UTSU, for its part, should not create such divisions by advocating for leftist causes. While we all want lower tuition, not all students agree on some of the issues that the UTSU has been advocating for, and UTSU should respect these differences.

To move forward, the objective of all parties should be to make U of T a more united campus. This will require significant compromise and cooperation. UTSU should make amends with the colleges by updating some its procedures to make it more transparent and democratic while the colleges should work with the UTSU to find common ground rather than resorting to distancing themselves and calling for defederation. There will be rough patches ahead, but if all parties show patience and a willingness to work together then we will have a much better campus.

Write for Comment — comment@thevarsity.ca

emerged to challenge UTSU on its finances.

It claims that UTSU executive is cutting parts of the budget allocated for services while increasing their own salaries by a combined $100,000. Utilizing politicalstyle attack ads and simple infographics, their narrative is blunt and clear. However, this claim is somewhat misconstrued. In a previous edition of The Varsity, UTSU president Danielle Sandhu explained that the figures were from last year’s budget and that salaries were raised for all UTSU workers. She also added that what appeared to be cuts were just the result of the programs costing less.

Enough is enough. It is time for the political rhetoric on this campus to cool down. While admittedly there are issues regarding UTSU, its finances, and its relations to the CFS, Stop the Salaries does not help its case by unleashing attack ads based on stretched figures. If an STSbacked slate wants to win this year’s election, they must make U of T the centre of their platform and not the politics of the UTSU. How to improve student services

Sahar Golshan is a member of Canadians for CAMR, a student civil society group that is part of the coalition to fix Canada’s Access to Medicines Regime.

10 monday, February 27, 2012

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2012 GOVERNING COUNCIL ELECTIONS: Student Candidates Statements Please visit http://www.governingcouncil.utoronto.ca/elections.htm Voting Period: Monday, February 27, 2012 at 9:00 a.m. to Friday, March 9, 2012 at 5:00 p.m.

Online voting will take place on ROSI (www.rosi.utoronto.ca), and paper ballots will be mailed to post-graduate medical trainees.

Full-Time Undergraduate Students, Constituency I (Faculty of Arts and Science, University of Toronto Mississauga, University of Toronto at Scarborough) Guled Arale As a student leader at the University of Toronto at Scarborough, I have always worked tirelessly in trying to improve the lives of my fellow peers. Currently, I am the Chairman of the Board of Directors at the Scarborough Campus Students’ Union and with that I have ample amount of experience in navigating bureaucracy to achieve results that have made a positive impact on the lives of students. If elected I will strive and advocate to move UofT towards becoming an academically accessible, affordable, and vibrant campus.

Yolen Bollo-Kamara In my three years at UofT (Ethics Society & Law/Political Science), I’ve been involved in the clubs community, currently serving as an executive with Amnesty International, an active member of the Black Students’ Association and African Students’ Association, and working at UTSU. I’ve met many of you at events that I’ve organized and while working on campaigns that reflect issues that you care about: tuition fees, student life and equity. Students hold only 8 of 50 seats at Governing Council, the highest decision-making body at UofT. Vote for me as your representative and I will ensure your voices are heard.

Gregory Calvin I’ve come to learn many things about UofT. Things which make me proud (a world-class education and faculty, hundreds of student life enriching services, unmatched diversity), things which upset me (rising education costs; disconnects between faculty and students), and things which I’ve come to love (the strength and warmth of our community – students, faculty and administration alike – who are all willing to help whenever possible). I want to know what you love, what makes you proud, and what you would change about our University, and to help make that heard as your Full-Time Undergraduate Governing Council Representative. votegregcalvin.com Laurel Chester I will be a strong advocate of student issues on a council that, at present, is stacked against us.

With an emphasis on increased communication with student groups on campus, I hope to represent a broad base of student views. As students, we deserve a much greater say and influence within our own university on important issues such as tuition hikes, grading, scholarships and grants. Guided by passion and integrity I will strive to be a strong student voice.

Aidan Fishman Between work, fun and maintaining your GPA, do you ever feel like a fish out of water? If so, Aidan Fishman is your candidate! I’m running for Governing Council because I believe that undergraduates need a strong, experienced representative who will look out for our interests.

I support additional merit-based scholarships, the speedy elimination of breadth requirements, and a greater role for student feedback in determining course offerings and content. Together, we can make U of T a fairer, more rewarding place to learn. Every school (of fish) needs its leader – vote the Fish for Governing Council!

Patrick Grubber My name is Patrick Grubber and I wish to represent full time Undergraduate Arts and Science students of U of T on the 2012-2013 Governing Council. If elected I would like to give a higher profile to topics discussed on the Council. To do this I would like to engender more interest and participation in matters dealt with by the Council and I would like to open larger channels of dialogue between the GC and the full time Arts and Science undergraduates. I hope to do this by being your chosen representative to the GC so please vote for me.

URL: http://www.facebook.com/ groups/302611596452139/ Charles Walker Ludwig I am a second-year undergraduate student enrolled in University College, and currently serving as a 2011-2012 Upper-Year Representative on the UCLit. I’m campaigning because I believe that transparency and honesty are the best policies. Unfortunately, many of Governing Council’s important decisions are not being made aware to students for their consideration!

If elected I will make sure that you become informed of such decisions and that your suggestions and feedback are heard. Why not make the most of your college experience; a vote for me is a vote to an enlightened 2012-2013 year!

Learn more at charleswalkerludwig.webs.com Yakir Pimentel As Vice-President of an on-campus group, I am thoroughly familiar with the responsibilities and expectations of a leadership role. The experiences within, and outside, the university setting allow me to think abstractly in problem-solving scenarios to find solutions to best benefit the community. As a Scarboroughnative, I feel my opinions reflect the campus community’s concerns while emphasizing my passion for UTSC’s ascension in recognition and academic standards. I am already heavily invested towards the growth and prosperity of the University of Toronto, and I look forward to being a proponent of such change now and in the years to come.

Jacob Raggiunti My name is Jacob Raggiunti and I am a FullTime Undergraduate Student enrolled in the Faculty of Arts and Science at Trinity College.

I support the forward movement of the University at large as well as students’ interests. I have always had a passion for the art of writing and creative thinking, and I feel that these skills will allow me to best represent the University community as a member of the Governing Council. My hours of dedication to volunteer work, extracurricular involvement, and academic success are proof that I am best suited for a position on the Governing Council.

Aisha Raja I am a 3rd year Ethics, Society and Law student running for Undergraduate Student representative. Over the past three years I have been at the forefront of various initiatives for the betterment of student life on campus. I have helped organize efforts to increase collaboration between various faith and culture groups during my time at the Multi-Faith Centre and AntiRacism and Cultural Diversity Office. Having held executive positions in multiple student groups, I have attained the experience and skill set vital to this position. I believe I can bring a very holistic and unique perspective to the table and position. http://www.voteraja.com

Questions about the Governing Council elections process may be directed to the Chief Returning Officer, Mr. Anwar Kazimi (416-978-8427; anwar.kazimi@utoronto.ca), or the Deputy Returning Officer, Ms Mae-Yu Tan (416-978-8794; maeyu.tan@utoronto.ca).

Katherine Rebejko As a full-time undergraduate Arts and Science student at the St. George Campus, I, Katherine Rebejko, am excited to be given the opportunity to serve as a student governor. Being heavily involved in student organizations and executive committees makes me an ideal candidate.

I promise to exercise the appropriate judgment that will serve to the greater good of my constituency and University. I will set forward principles of trust, integrity and honesty in serving as a liaison with the governing council. If you want a passionate, experienced, and transparent representative vote Katherine. Together we will be the agent of change.

Jessica Riehm There are many unspoken issues and undelivered changes, but only one relentless voice of experience. As your representative I will oversee academic policies that enhance your academic experience and personal success. I will work tirelessly to ensure that governing council puts student needs first. As a policy visionary I will encourage policy that allows students to create roadmaps towards graduate studies and a career. As your voice, my sole purpose is to represent you, the students, and I guarantee to be heard over policies that will help get you into graduate school. Vote Jessica Riehm, the candidate for your success. http://jessicariehmforuoftgoverningcouncil.webs.com/ Parmveer Singh My name is Parmveer Singh, and I am a second year student majoring in Human Biology and Biological Anthropology. I believe I can represent undergraduate students on the University of Toronto Governing Council very well. Over my first two years of university, I have been extremely involved in extracurricular activities around campus. This includes serving on the Innis College Student Society, committees of the Faculty of Arts & Science, and several other councils/committees. With the experience I have gained, I know I can do a great job getting the voice of undergraduate students, from all disciplines, heard. http://facebook.com/events/242499909171142/ ZiJian Yang Dear fellow students, To most of us, the UofT governing council is an invisible organization that seems very out of touch. However, it is a significant function that affects our experience here at the university on almost every level: from the academics to how our money is spent. If elected, I will be able to better facilitate all the dealings behind the scene, so that you can spend your time on things that matter to you. Sincerely, ZiJian Yang Nana Zhou Engage in making a difference at our university! Vote Nana for Governing Council. As a fellow student, I hope to represent our voice to improve academics and student life at UofT. I will strive to lower student costs and enhance student services. Let me work for you to promote the brand of our education, highlight our challenges and increase opportunities for career development and grad school options. Together, we can improve our experience at UofT. Please feel free to contact me at nana.zhou@utoronto. ca and join me on Facebook at “Vote Nana Zhou for Governing Council”. Thank you! http://facebook.com/groups/331428270210899/

Full-Time Undergraduate Students, Constituency II (Professional Faculties) James Bateman James Bateman is a 3rd year Engineering Science student within the Faculty of Applied Science and Engineering. As a mature student and entrepreneur, with nearly a decade of industry experience, James is well prepared to represent full-time undergraduates at the University of Toronto on the Governing Council. Vote for James Bateman and trust his experience to represent you on the highest governing board at UofT. More information can be found online at http://individual.utoronto.ca/jamesbateman/

Andrew Girgis Put YOUR concerns back on the table! Have your interests voiced to the people that make decisions on your behalf on matters relating to tuition, academic standards and policies. I want each of you, the biggest stakeholders at UofT, to have your interests valued and to take control of your education. I want to represent YOU, the students of professional faculties, and the future of your respective professions! I know what it means to face an increasingly competitive workforce. Having a cutting-edge, superior education is crucial in advancing your professions. A vote for me is a vote for your future.

Dipen Thakrar I ask to be your chosen representative to the University of Toronto Governing Council. Now a post-graduate medical resident in Anesthesia, I bring with me years of experience as a student, teacher, administrator and researcher. This is supported by a track record of effective leadership, advocacy and collaboration and my dedication to bettering the student experience. Having previously worked on many student-centered groups at other universities – including as a University Senator and class Vice-President – I offer both expertise and perspective in promoting the success and development of our university. Please contact me with questions or comments at any time: dipen.thakrar@utoronto.ca

Graduate Students, Constituency I (Humanities and Social Sciences) Michael Donnelly Michael Donnelly is a PhD student in English Literature, and works on the shared language of human rights in literature and law since 1945.

He has been involved in student governance and with Amnesty’s writing program; he currently sits on the Graduate Education Council (GEC), and is one of three student members on the Graduate Academic Appeals Board (GAAB). He would welcome the opportunity of sitting on Governing Council to further expand his influence beyond the School of Graduate Studies, and in doing so, be an insistent advocate for polices that enrich the university community at large.

Greg Hughes As a prospective member of the University of Toronto’s Governing Council, I will work hard to represent the interests of students and provide a measured perspective. My experiences as a graduate student in the Faculty of Information and in the professional world will present students with a fresh voice to represent them at Council. I hope I can count on your support during the election period.

Two seats reserved for Part-Time Undergraduate Students and one seat for a Graduate Student for Constituency II (Physical and Life Science, Divisions III and IV) have been filled by acclamation.

Arts & Culture

var.st/ARTS

27 FEBRUARY 2012 arts@thevarsity.ca

ONLINE EXCLUSIVE

GOON GETS FINGERED: DOES THE POSTER DESERVE A LICKING?

JADE COLBERT/THe VArsity

Check it out: http://var.st/arts19a

Madeline Thien writes on one of the 20th century’s unknown genocides in her novel Dogs at the Perimeter p14

Reviews

Purple Naked Ladies

by The Internet The Internet’s Purple Naked Ladies boasts an impressive pedigree. Syd the Kid and Matt Martians (both hailing from the indie hip hop consortium Odd Future) venture into more soulful territory with their debut. At the group’s best, like on “She DGAF” (as in “don’t give a fuck,” FYI), the rhythms and synths blend with Syd’s R&B vocal stylings. However, those moments are few and far between.

On “They Say/Shangrila” and “Cunt,” the taut rhythms and solid vocal performances are weighed down by unnecessary electro flourishes. It’s as if The Internet is throwing shit at an already ample wall of sound and seeing what sticks. The end result sounds like a shallow attempt at progressing Erykah Badu’s sound.

—JP Kaczur

Born to Die by Lana Del Rey The voice of Lana Del Rey can be summed up in one charged word: sultry.

Her sophomore album, Born To Die, is so intimately engaging that after just one listen to provocative tracks like “Lolita,” you will inevitably be seduced.

However, due to the recent criticism of the artist’s infamous Saturday Night Live performance and the subsequent dissection of the “Lana Del Rey” persona, you may be hesitant to download her tracks. With just one look at the artist it is easy to see that her image may not be as authentic as one would hope. Try abandoning those high expectations of genuine “indie” music and just enjoy Lana Del Rey’s album for what it is: heavily-produced yet extremely enjoyable happy-to-be-sad ballads. Personal favourite off the record: bonus track “Without You.” —Monica Carinci

Wanderlust

Dir. David Wain Producer Judd Apatow has finally hit the jackpot. The premise behind Wanderlust, the latest product doled out by the frat pack’s (pipe) dream factory, is a convenient vehicle for everything Apatowian: recreational drug use, free love, a bold display of human sexual organs, and people acting plain stupid.

After job-related setbacks, a yuppie New York couple (Paul Rudd and Jennifer Aniston) settle into the chilled and cheap lifestyle offered by the Elysium hippie commune. The residents there prefer the term “intentional community” because, you know, hippies are so politically correct.

Wanderlust is great fun and provides some guaranteed chuck-

les thanks to an array of colourful, likeable characters in bizarre situations, even if they are predictable. But the humour wears off quicker than a hippie on hash.

Every joke is a constant reminder of its source, the fish-out-of-water couple and the zany flower children, rendering most of the gags repetitive. The movie tries so hard to be funny that even awkward becomes awkward. I’m talking to you, Paul Rudd, and your “voices.”

Despite the personal philosophy of Alan Alda’s communefounder Carvin, who remarks, “Money buys you literally nothing,” the price of your movie ticket will earn you a solid date night but also a solid reason to reevaluate comedy’s direction.

—Daniel Horowitz

A brush up on Bresson

U of T professors spoke at the TIFF Bell Lightbox for The Poetry of Precision: The Films of Robert Bresson The TIFF Bell Lightbox’s latest retrospective Poetry of Precision: The Films of Robert Bresson goes to show that the roots of true auteurism in cinema are firmly set in France, with the irreplaceable talents of Robert Bresson. Notoriously guarded about his personal life (historians are not sure of Bresson’s actual date of birth), Bresson quietly passed away in 1999 at the suspected age of 99.

Nearly 33 years after his last film, we celebrate this artist-cum-director for his profound ability to represent his spiritual doctrine in a way that translates remarkably well to film.

Bart Testa on A Man Escaped or: The Wind Bloweth Where it Listeth In a special introductory screening to Bresson’s 1956 transcendent prisoner-of-war piece A Man Escaped or: The Wind Bloweth Where it Listeth, University of Toronto professor Bart Testa addressed a packed theatre to explain why we should honour both the film and Bresson’s pioneering sensibilities. Although Bresson’s Escaped is based on the memoirs of French resistance soldier Andre Devigny, Bresson himself also spent time in a German POW camp during WWII, which may be why Testa describes Escaped as the definitive example of Bresson’s films. He likens the meticulous pace, of a “precise

style that devotes itself to repetition and narration,” to the filmmaker’s affinity to translate complex feelings and sensibilities on screen.

“Freedom, flexivity, rigour all exist in literature,” Testa explains, “and Bresson brought these [feelings] to the screen.” Escaped is undeniably bleak and lacks an emotional charge one might associate with the life of a prisoner. Instead, we adopt the dauntless, straightfaced desire for freedom that drives Fontaine, the film’s protagonist. We come to be as brave as Fontaine but soon find ourselves sharing also in Fontaine’s sober panic which Bresson achieved in his advanced use of sound. Whenever Fontaine hears the jingle of keys, fast-paced footsteps, or other ominous noises, Bresson enacts a Pavlovian-like response of alarm from both the protagonist and viewers alike. Fontaine stands out as the only prisoner actively trying to pursue freedom, while others such as a Protestant priest (Rolan Monod) passively wish for God’s divine grace to deliver them from captivity. Testa describes this as the greatest struggle in Escaped: the active title, Escaped, and Fontaine’s perseverance juxtaposed CONTINUED ON P15

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MONday, february 27, 2012

Get started

VARSITY ARTS & CULTURE

arts@thevarsity.ca

The Montreal duo Tonstartssbandht hit Toronto this March Simon Frank VARSITY STAFF

A Volkswagen coupe is parked outside a Burger King. Inside the coupe, an alien slides a CD into the car’s stereo. The sound system begins to play a cappella harmonies, soon joined by fuzz-saturated guitar. Images of two blond young men playing guitar and drums flash by on screens in imaginary pod houses until they are replaced by two rainbow-hued bears holding their instruments. Welcome to the world of Tonstartssbandht, as envisioned by artist Jason Harvey in his video for “Big Day Today.” The band will be bringing this strange and wonderful mindset to Toronto on Saturday March 3.

Tonstartssbandht is composed of two Orlando Florida brothers, Andy and Edwin White, and it started in 2007 when the brothers were separated between Montreal and New York for university. Their sound, a combination of heavy psychedelic rock, buoyant sampler-andvocals pop, and minimalist boogie, slides on a spectrum from release to release. Like many underground bands at the moment, the White brothers released a slew of low run (uniformly excellent) tapes and CD-Rs before making their official debut last year with Now I Am Become on Montreal’s Arbutus Records. These

elements may seem to be the ingredients for obscure, reference-based music, but that’s not the case: Tonstartssbandht bubbles with euphoric energy, the brothers’ sheer enthusiasm for playing music and living life hardly contained when they step on stage.

Accordingly, Tonstartssbandht have toured incessantly, frequently crossing North America, and in an unexpected turn last year, Russia, Ukraine, and Georgia. “The only reason it happened was because of very hard work on the part of our Russian friends and a trust and openness that was very inspiring,” explains Andy before jumping into stories about being cajoled by Russian fans into playing Spacemen 3 covers and performing to Georgian schoolchildren.

Currently, the band is on a slightly more nor-

mal tour, running through the United States and Canada with Jason Harvey coming along and providing visuals. “[His art is] funny and also beautiful and maintains a healthy level of sadness” Andy says, describing Harvey’s digital animations and processed video.

In anticipation of playing at east end venue Polyhaus on March 3, Andy reflects that their friends from Montreal are increasingly moving to Toronto. It’s an interesting observation from a member of a band intrinsically linked to Montreal, or at least to the more open-minded members of the McGill/ Concordia community. Through connections to numerous informal venues, McGill radio station CKUT, and countless other artists, Tonstartssbandht offer an example of creative cross-pollination found in the best

music from Montreal. While it’s not too difficult to find stylistic kin to the band in Toronto, intermeshed in similar communities, somehow Andy and Edwin stand apart.

It may just be a question of their dedication and personalities. A fascination with Hindustani classical music or Swedish psychedelia doesn’t manifest itself in the use of facile samples like it might for some of Tonstartssbandht’s peers, but rather a concentrated effort to understand and then reexpress what they find most inspiring about the music. The result is something wild, joyous, and vital.

Tonstartssbandht play Polyhaus (388 Carlaw), Saturday March 3 with Tropics and Wyrd Visions. Visuals by Jason Harvey.

$10 RESTAURATEUR with Laura Kathleen Maize Come and Get It 170 Spadina Ave

I

have a long list of restaurants to review for you (my life is so hard!), but I couldn’t wait for the chance to weigh in on Come and Get It — if I had waited too long I might have missed my chance.

I usually find that gimmicky restaurants offer a cheeky ambience but lack interesting food. Come and Get It is an exception — gimmicky without the bland food. With old-school lunchboxes, video games, and picnic tables, their pop-up décor brings the clientele back to a simpler time (namely, the ‘80s).

Their menu is like a chart of deliciousness — you choose from a sandwich ($8), salad ($9), or poutine ($7), and you choose your “flavour.” Each incarnation of the flavours, which include chipotle beef shortrib, Hawaiian pork belly, Granny Smith chicken caesar, or herbed crunchy green beans, varies in ingredients, but the main taste sensation stays the same.

There’s something exciting in every dish, but es-

pecially the porkbelly sandwich: the delicate sweetand-sour slaw and the pineapple and hoisin-sauce salsa, the milk bun (who doesn’t love a milk bun!) and the porkbelly itself, now ubiquitous at even fast-food joints and which is crispy and fatty and smoked to perfection. I may have licked my empty poutine dish, and I left dying to come back for the Granny Smith salad, sprinkled with nice sharp grated cheese and fried chickpeas.

Also deserving of mention is the wonderfully friendly owner. I feel a bit like a gushing fan, but Jon, you made my night. It’s so nice to eat the food of someone who so clearly stands behind what they do.

The condos are slowly moving in (surprise, surprise) so there is no guarantee on how long Come and Get It will be with us, but I’m really hoping to spend some late summer nights splitting a chipotle shortrib poutine with friends. I urge you, readers, to go nom there now before it’s too late.

arts@thevarsity.ca

VARSITY ARTS & CULTURE

Potted Potter puts down the essentials

Lily Tarba

VARSITY STAFF

A bookshelf, a desk, a toy train, a wardrobe, two toy warthogs, a painting of a tropical “Forbidden Forest,” and a dash of comedic flair are apparently all you need to recreate seven Harry Potter books in 70 minutes. At least they suffice for Daniel Clarkson and Jefferson Turner who, at breakneck speed, and with many laughs along the way, take on the gargantuan task of retelling J.K. Rowling’s stories sans CGI. On stage, the British duo are a classic comedy double act. Jeff is the serious, focused Harry Potter expert, and the foil to Dan, who is silly, comic, and anything but a Harry Potter expert. Given the speed with which the comedians move through the books, their humour relies less on typical British wordsmithing and more on physical and situational comedy. The best moments of the show are by far those where the duo gets to interact with the audience and play off of their reactions.

The absolute chaos and madness of the show make for a great

MONday, februarY 27 2012

With seven books in 70 minutes, the Harry Potter parody keeps things swift and funny

laugh. Highlights include Hagrid with a Scottish accent à la Mike Myers from Shrek, the vacuum cleaner Nimbus 2000, Voldemort doing card tricks, and an audience Quidditch match set to the dramatic music of “O Fortuna.”

Dan and Jeff also ask some serious and pressing questions about the Harry Potter universe. If Dumbledore was one of the greatest wizards that ever lived, then why on earth did he become a teacher?

Touché. That’s a question that will leave you pondering. The finale of the show is not to be missed, which involves Voldemort crooning his feelings and then going into a disco number.

In parts, Potted Potter doesn’t flow quite smoothly and sometimes the jokes don’t always land, but overall, it is a great family show and a must for Harry Potter fans longing to fill the void left in their hearts by the juggernaut franchise.

Playing at the Panasonic Theatre until March 25, Dan and Jeff put on a show that makes them laugh almost as much as it does the audience. If you are going to milk a behemoth cash cow, you might as well have a laugh doing it.

This year, Ernst & Young has 27 reasons to celebrate.

Thank you University of Toronto.

© 2012 Ernst & Young LLP. All Rights Reserved.

We can’t wait to welcome our brightest new colleagues. From the moment you walk through the doors, you’ll hit the ground running. Look forward to a career that challenges you, offers diverse global opportunities and on-the-job training that will help you realize your true potential. Congratulations on moving forward with the organization named to FORTUNE’s “100 Best Places to Work For” list for the 14th year in a row.

Ahmed Abdulaziz

Adarsh Iyer, intern

Jennifer Strank, intern

Neghan Alim, intern

David Johnston

Rita Su

Ammar Ashraf

Daisy Kwan, intern

Lisa Trant

Sergei Babinets

Michelle Lau, intern

Linda Veltmann

Sudeshna Banerjee

Jung Lee, intern

Ada Wong

Katherine Michelle Bicanic

Brad Maker

Andrew Zhang

Alanna Charles

Camille Marcial

Jennifer Zhang

Matthew Fantauzzi

Wendy Mi, intern

Vivian Shiyang Zhang

David Gao

Victor Skrylev

Jeff Zygouras

To launch your career, check out ey.com/ca/possibilities.

13

14

MONday, february 27, 2012

VARSITY ARTS & CULTURE

Speak, memory Madeleine Thien didn’t know she wanted to write about the Khmer Rouge until she found a character to lead her through Cambodia’s killing fields Jade Colbert VARSITY STAFF

When Madeleine Thien began working on what would become her latest novel, she felt drawn to Cambodia but was unsure where the story lay and whether she could take on the country’s painful history. Writing became about finding a character who could lead her through the novel.

As Dogs at the Perimeter opens, we meet Janie, a neurology researcher in Montreal who has left her husband and son to live in the empty home of her friend and mentor, Hiroji Matsui. At first, Janie’s desertion is enigmatic: she is having a breakdown though its cause is a mystery. As the novel progresses, it becomes clear that Janie is confronting the trauma she incurred 30 years earlier as a child in Cambodia during the brutal Khmer Rouge regime. Her memories from that time have come flooding back as she sorts through the files left by Hiroji, who has left Canada for Cambodia in search of his brother James, a Red Cross doctor who went missing during the Khmer regime.

A primer: The Khmer Rouge held control over Cambodia from 1975 to 1979, during which time it instituted a social engineering policy that sought to destroy all aspects of the former culture so that a new, revolutionary culture could take its place. The cultural relics that were outlawed included religion, money, and the concept of the family. Professionals, the merchant class, artists, and intellectuals were executed. This initial purge was the beginning of what would become the widespread use of torture to root out “enemies”: anyone thought to harbour counter-revolutionary sentiments. At the same time, the Khmer Rouge pushed for Cambodia to become a purely agrarian society. In a single day Phnom Penh was abandoned. Citizens were forced into rural work camps as part of the regime’s impossible effort to become a completely self-sustaining society.

The Khmer Rouge’s reign of terror amounted to genocide. Death tolls vary, but most estimates range between 1.4 and 2.2 million dead. The causes of death range from torture and execution to exhaustion and starvation to succumbing to the most curable of diseases. That the numbers of dead do so vary speaks to how much of that history remains unresolved. Janie’s story, though fictional, is emblematic.

Madeleine Thien’s previous works of fiction include Certainty, a novel, and the story collection Simple Recipes, both of which were published to critical acclaim.

She spoke to The Varsity in October.

The Varsity: When did this book come about? Was there a gestation period or was there a clear moment of inspiration?

Madeleine Thien: It was a long period of gestation. I’ve been curious about Cambodia for a long time and drawn to it as a place and as a kind of unresolved history. In 2007, I had a chance to go there for about six weeks and I just travelled. It’s not a big country and you can travel from one end to the other in maybe eight hours. I didn’t write. I just soaked it up. Then the next year I came back for five months, and that’s when I started writing. But even then, I wasn’t sure what I was writing. I was just writing to put some pieces together.

When I started writing about Cambodia, I really just wanted to know what people did with these other lives that they had lived, if they had survived the Khmer Rouge, and how much had to be forgotten. What happened to people who were there from ‘75 to ‘79 is so beyond what a person could imagine. They lost things that we could never really comprehend. So I wanted to know how people reinvented themselves after that, or how they managed to live with those things side by side, or not.

TV: The period of that massacre is so recent that I would imagine that to write about Cambodia is to write about what happened then, even if you wanted to write about the present. Did you know immediately that this was the period you wanted to tackle?

MT: I thought I would be writing about the aftermath of that period. I didn’t think I would be able to write about

‘75 to ‘79 exactly, the Khmer Rouge. I didn’t think I could, for all sorts of reasons. But I realized as I was writing that it’s almost impossible to write about the aftermath if the reader isn’t aware of what happened in those four years and the lead-up to it. There is no common foundation of knowledge to draw on because it’s one of those genocides that seems to be known at the basic level — when you say “Khmer Rouge,” people know — but after that, there’s not a lot of knowledge.

The thing I had to wrestle with was how to convey what happened. How do you find words for something like that? And how to tell it in a story that the reader won’t put down the book? You make a lot of decisions along the way of how to give this experience to the reader but you want the reader to keep going with you no matter how difficult it is. Every writer would come to that balance in a different way.

In a novel it’s hard to put all that history into the page because in the novel you just want people to experience this person’s life, this character. And so I made a conscious decision at some point that the history is there, and everything in the book, as far as I’ve known, is historically accurate, but there are things that I hope the reader would then look up, because we live in an age when it’s so easy to Wikipedia. If there’s some piece that you don’t know, I really hope that you would want to know.

TV: How did you find that balance?

MT: She [Janie] kind of led. I knew that we were coming at a certain breaking point, but I didn’t know how that would lead her back, and if it could. Even now, that Cambodia section that she remembers, I don’t know if it’s her retelling the story, or if it’s simply a set of memories that exist in her mind that she doesn’t replay but that are there and underlie so many of the things in her present life.

The way that she tries to make sense of what she lived through is to take her experience and be able to tell someone else’s story. That she can understand what happened to James and what Hiroji feels in a way that no one else can, that’s what she tries to make from her experience. I think she lets go of the idea that she can salvage something of her own past, though I think she does, but really it’s about this act of friendship, it’s about her being able to say “I actually deeply understand what it would be like to give up your name and your identity and become a new person because there’s no way back.” That’s the heart of the book.

When I was writing this book I thought a lot about whether it be better to write a longer essay or something about what’s happening in Cambodia now with the tribunal. Wouldn’t it be better to focus on the challenges, really brutal challenges, that are facing the country? The thing is, I’m not a non-fiction writer. I’m a fiction writer, and so I had to think a lot about what it was that fiction could do that a non-fiction piece couldn’t do, and what’s mostly come out of the Cambodian experience have been witness accounts. There are extraordinary books about people who have survived. What I was looking for was what couldn’t be said. There are things that you can survive, and you can tell your story, but there are also things underneath that story that are so heavy it’s hard to find the words. That’s what I was looking for.

arts@thevarsity.ca

I realized as I was writing that it’s almost impossible to write about the aftermath if the reader isn’t aware of what happened in those four years and the lead-up to it. There is no common foundation of knowledge to draw on because it’s one of those genocides that seems to be known at the basic level — when you say “Khmer Rouge,” people know — but after that, there’s not a lot of knowledge.

arts@thevarsity.ca

VARSITY ARTS & CULTURE

MONday, februarY 27 2012

Write for Arts — arts@thevarsity.ca

A Man Escaped

Lancelot du Lac CONTINUED FROM P11 with the passivity in the haunting message that “God’s grace cannot be summoned by prayer or action, it cometh and goes — it bloweth where it wills.”

Possibly the most compelling aspect of Bresson’s auteurship is the director’s desire to remain in the shadows. Testa explains that “[Bresson] didn’t engage with people, he had no interest in developing a school of acolytes” and furthermore, that “he was powerfully protective of his private life … we don’t know anything about his personal, religious, or political inclinations — none of that. He was completely terra incognita.”

—Brandon Bastaldo Brian Price on Lancelot du Lac Robert Bresson’s sympathy for youth culture is striking in Lancelot du Lac, a film that re-imagines the story of the Arthurian legend. The film picks up where the legend left off, with King Arthur’s knights returning home after a failed mission to find the Holy Grail.

Brian Price, associate professor at the Department of Visual Studies at U of T, provided an insightful introduction before the film’s screening at the Lightbox to new and well-acquainted fans alike. Price describes the film in terms of semiotics: “The problem of recognitions in Lancelot appears in many ways,” meaning that in order for Lancelot to “see signs, [he has] to be oriented to see them.”

Bresson greatly undermines Lancelot’s “honourable” intentions, and those of his compatriots, by emphasizing the immoral turn an originally noble quest has taken. Fuelled by a desire to display bravado (moreso than any sense of obligation to the lord they claim to serve), the Knights of the Round Table abandon their teachings to further their own interests. Bresson’s Catholicism, a French strain known as Jansenism, is as rel-

evant here as it is in any of his features. It manifests itself in the way Lancelot seems to give himself over to his fate. Urged by fellow comrades to retaliate against naysayers, the glorified knight instead turns away, staving off battle until it is too late.

Price points out that the audience is similarly deprived of recognition ­— faces are kept anonymous by bulky headgear and key battle scenes are decipherable only by off-screen sound. It’s actually quite easy to miss the final battle scene if your mind is wandering.

The piecemeal battle sequence translates into arbitrary shots of injured knights, repeated scenes of a roaming horse, images of arrows piercing trees, and misplaced sounds of clashing swords. Deprivation of such basic knowledge and visible human expression are Bressonian hallmarks. The use of colour and colour patterns is another distinct feature of Lancelot. Bresson’s primary palette of hues is a device in itself, distinguishing the knights from one another and setting the tone of each scene. With the knights’ outdoor tents tinted with a red filter and the unsettling sounds of whinnying horses, the audience can’t help but dread the tragedy that is undoubtedly lurking.

Bresson tried to make Lancelot du Lac in the 1950s, but he was unable to complete the project until 1974, a fact that highlights Price’s assertion that Lancelot is a film about revolt — a skeptical view of revolt that can be aligned with Bresson’s feelings about the May ‘68 riots.

Many regarded the student revolts throughout France to be a failure, and Lancelot du Lac acts as the medium through which Bresson can reflect on and think through these important historical questions.

—Damanjit Lamba Poetry of Precision: The Films of Robert Bresson runs at TIFF Bell Lightbox until March 30. See more coverage on the retrospective at thevarsity.ca

15

Science

var.st/SCIENCE

27 FEBRUARY 2012

ONLINE EXCLUSIVE

Sally the Salmon in this week’s Science Illustrated

science@thevarsity.ca

An app a day keeps the doctor… nearby

See it here: var.st/sallyswims

Reducing health practitioners’ visits with the aid of phone apps Albert Razvan Gheorghita VARSITY CONTRIBUTOR

How frustrating is it when you go to the doctor’s office with a problem and have another related question that you needed to ask?

You have to call the office again, make another appointment, or simply wait many hours for walkin clinics or emergency departments. This process can be very tedious and inconvenient, especially for the young generation that grew up with readily available information as well as older patients who have difficulties travelling.

Technology seems to have finally broken the ice and is bringing healthcare to patients right in the comfort of their homes. Take Sandra, a cancer patient, who had a surgery in Toronto. Four weeks after her operation, Sandra noticed bruising near the surgery site and was understandably worried. She needed professional information and contacted her surgeon without hesitation. However, her sur-

geon was in Nepal on a research trip. How did Sandra get in touch with her physician from her distant corner of the world? It turns out that there’s an app for that.

Sandra used her smartphone to send pictures of the bruising and notes of her symptoms, while her physician decided that there was no need to worry upon viewing the photos on his wireless tablet.

The smartphone application that Dr. John Semple, surgeon-inchief at a University of Torontoaffiliated hospital, has developed and used with surgery patients like Sandra is one of many smartphone applications that are available. SpeakWithDoc Inc. developed and released a free service with a shared perspective application. Physicians can download the app to create their professional profile and patient database. Patients can connect to their general practitioner if both have the app or they can simply look up physicians available in their community. Integrated with maps and loca-

tion features, the app allows users to find a healthcare hub, office, or pharmacy, with the relative ease of finding your nearest coffee shop. SpeakWithDoc is available on both iPhone and Android platforms, so there’s no excuse now to not know the closest health office near you!

The Drummond Report flags that one per cent of Ontario’s population is responsible for 34 per cent of the province’s healthcare spending, while 34 per cent of Ontarians account for 79 per cent of the healthcare spending, referring to the “frequent fliers” of the emergency departments. Decreasing this unnecessary spending and making the healthcare system more accessible and easy to use at the same time means that each one of us must engage in making better use of modern technological advances in healthcare. Perhaps one day not too far into the future, doctors may be able to print pharmaceuticals at home or a local community printer.

Bernarda Gospic/THe VArsity

SC ENCe n br ef Goats and their gruff ways If you’ve ever sat down and had a chat with a herd of goats, you’d notice that social intricacies are certainly lacking.

However, researchers at Queen Mary’s School of Biological and Chemical Sciences have discovered that social factors do have a role in determining the sound patterns of goats’ bleats.

Dr. Elodie Briefer and Dr. Alan McElligott studied goat kids who were full or half-siblings, and watched for who they associated with at five weeks, the time at which goats form peer social groups called “crèches.”

Goats who associated with their half-siblings ended up sounding more like each other when they were raised in the same social group, suggesting that there is a level of plasticity in their vocal repertoire; their sounds aren’t determined by genes alone.

—Emily Dunbar Source: Science Daily

Dinosaur skeletons not whipping their hair back and forth Dinosaur skeletons are commonly found in a singular body position, known as the opisthotonic posture, in which the head and neck are twisted back. This posture was thought to result from death spasms, that is, impairment of the cerebellum, resulting in a loss of control of the muscles holding up the head and neck. However, researchers Achim Reisdorf and Michael Wuttke have proposed that the twisted posture is not caused until after death. They proposed that if the decaying dinosaur bodies were swept into the water, they would quickly twist into the arched position. By examining the movement of and dissecting modern-day chicken necks, the scientists were able to show a twisting reaction when immersed in water and were also able to pinpoint the muscle, the Ligamentum elasticum, that caused this movement.

—Kimberly Shek Source: Science Daily

First words may have origins in Africa A year ago, Dr. Quentin Atkinson, a cultural anthropologist from Auckland University, New Zealand, published a paper in Science proposing that language originated in Southwest Africa.

He observed that the diversity of vowels, consonants, and tones is highest in southwestern Africa and used the founder effect to design a model that describes how language originated in Africa, but then lost diversity as groups of people migrated further from the origin. The founder effect describes how genetic diversity is lost when groups break off from a larger population. Attempts to repeat Atkinson’s analysis using his original method have since dispelled Atkinson’s “Out-of-Africa” hypothesis. Replicative studies have also yielded eastern Africa and the Caucasus as two possible origins, reflecting how complicated modelling linguistic evolution can be.

—Anastassia Pogoutse Source: Science Daily

Broken telephone Are cell phones making people more selfish? A recent study published by marketing professors Anastasiya Pocheptsova and Rosellina Ferraro at the University of Maryland’s Robert H. Smith School of Business suggests that cellphone use may lead to selfish behaviour. The researchers found that after a short period of cellphone use, subjects were less likely to engage in “prosocial behaviour” involving any action intended to benefit another person or society as a whole. Cellphone users, for instance, were less inclined to volunteer for the community when asked and were less persistent in solving word problems when told that correct answers would lead to charity donations. The authors believe that the results may have broad implications and suggest that cell phone use may evoke “feelings of connectivity” that reduce our desire to contribute to the community.

—Matthew Chow Source: Science Daily

Managing pain with Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind drug?

In a study published in Molecular Pain, researchers at McGill University and SUNY Downstate Medical Center have found a new potential use for the chemical Zeta Inhibitory Peptide (ZIP), which was discovered 10 years ago to have the ability to erase memories in rats. The scientists showed that ZIP can be used to exclusively erase the memories which are left behind by persistent pain, and thus, ZIP may be the beginning of a new treatment strategy for chronic pain.

By injecting ZIP into the spinal cord, the researchers demonstrated that the pain sensitization, which had been induced in rat hind paws by the chili-pepper irritant capsaicin, was reversed.

—Kimberly Shek Sources: Scientific American and Molecular Pain

science@thevarsity.ca

VARSITY SCIENCE

Hominins to humans EMILY DUNBAR tracks the history of the human species, from Australopith to Homo

You may have heard of Lucy, a remarkably complete skeleton found in Hadar, Ethiopia in 1974 and named for the Beatles song that was playing at the time of her discovery. She is the best example of Australopithecus afarensis yet discovered.

Her species is the most primitive of the Australopiths, with large, pointed canine teeth, a bony crest on the back of the skull, and great sexual dimorphism, meaning that there was a significant difference in male and female physical attributes. Males and females likely had a social structure similar to that of chimpanzees, with strict hierarchies and female mobility across social groups.

Homo habilis, 2.2 to 1.6 mya This species name literally means “handy man,” as Homo habilis was the first species on earth to make tools. To the untrained eye, they could be mistaken for naturally-occurring sharp rocks, but anthropologists have found that the deliberately crafted handaxes were likely used for scavenging meat and scraping it from bones, as well as cutting open the bones themselves to extract the nutritious marrow when aridity would have depleted fruit supply. Homo habilis was contemporary with P. boisei, but their radically different diets meant that they weren’t in competition.

Homo sapiens, 150 kya to present

Us. We craft complex tools, we communicate abstract ideas, we create art and music, we help not only members of our family or species but others as well, and we’ll eat damn near anything we can digest. The adaptability we inherited from our Homo ancestors has equipped us with the tools to survive just about anything, and our language and creativity has endowed us with remarkable capabilities — to plan for the future, to ruminate on the past, and to tell our stories to others.

Determined.

The Genera Australopiths, 4.2 to 1.2 mya

The term Australopiths is used to refer to two contemporary and related, but separate genera of human ancesors: Australopithecus and Paranthropus.

Their diversity and wide geographical distribution — across the entire African continent — allowed them to exist for 3 million years, about a million years longer than our genus, Homo, has existed.

Homo, 2.2 mya to present Australopithecus afarensis, 3.9 to 3.0 mya

17

What it was that gave Homo their bigger brains to set them apart from Australopiths isn’t certain, but one theory posits that it was due to a rapid 1000-year cycling of wet and arid conditions, forcing our ancestors to adapt quickly or die.

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Paranthropus boisei, 2.3 to 1.2 mya

With a wide, flat face and a huge, powerful jaw, it’s easy to see that Paranthropus was drastically different from its Australopithecine contemporaries.

While Australopithecus likely ate soft fruits, nuts, and seeds, the massive and powerful jaws and teeth of Paranthropus were likely needed to grind up tough vegetables (although nearly all primates love fruit as well). Paranthropus were also sexually dimorphic and boisei may have had harems.

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Not yet possessing art or language as we know it — those abilities would emerge with us — Homo erectus still likely had a form of communication more complex than that of chimpanzees, based on their large brains possessing Broca’s area, an important speech centre. Homo erectus was also the first species to care for the sick or wounded, an important step toward altruism.

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monday, FEBRUARY 27, 2012

VARSITY SCIENCE

science@thevarsity.ca

A tall tale

JORDAN RIVERA takes you on a tour through infamous fictional romances illustrations by ANAMARIJA KOROLJ

W

hat makes a great fictional romance? From Shakespeare to Pixar, fictional romances have shaped our conceptions of love and relationships, defining what they are and how they should look.

But how realistic are these conceptions? Here’s a walkthrough of some infamous fictional couples.

Homer and Marge Simpson Homer and Marge Simpson are television’s longest-running marriage. Infused into them are many middle American ideals regarding the importance of the family unit, marriage, parenting roles, and gender roles within marriage. Indeed, despite two decades of crazy

antics and some serious instances of debilitating marital neglect, Homer and Marge Simpson are still going strong. But how truthful is this depiction? In the case of the Simpson marriage, it seems to be quite accurate. There has long been the idea that marriage follows a U-shaped curve: it starts off great,

dips for a while, but eventually picks up. Since Homer and Marge fell in love in 1974, their marriage has followed this curve, as their ups and downs since that fateful day in high school have led them to present-day marital satisfaction.

Despite various studies that refute the U-shaped curve, Homer and Marge appear to be one case study that contradicts the notion that love can’t last forever (or until next season).

WALL-E and EVE The little-robot-that-could and the Apple-like machine that stole his heart are the most innovative representations of a non-human relationship. Spanning intergalactic space, the story is about a robot named WALL-E designed for the cleanup of Earth after decades of mass consumerism. He meets a robot named EVE who was sent to Earth to determine if it is hospitable enough to house life. He is immediately infatuated with this exotic new entity and begins a persevering journey of courtship. It’s love at first sight.

What the audience is meant to understand is that what WALL-E feels for EVE is comparable to the kind of feeling that would drive any person to go to the end of the galaxy for the person they love. The expression of emotion is often thought to be what separates humans from machines.

Technology is quickly bridging this separation with a new field called affective computing that has already made some progress in building primitive emotional machines.

Giving machines emotions could be very useful for a whole variety of reasons. For starters, it could be easier and more enjoyable to interact with an emotional machine that can function according to your mood and disposition. Computers are already capable of recognizing some emotions. American scientists have designed a program that enables a computer to recognize facial expressions of six basic emotions. When volunteers pretended to feel one of these emotions, the computer recognized the emotion correctly ninety-eight per cent of the time. This is even better than the accuracy rate achieved by most humans on the same task. If computers are already better than us at recognizing some emotions, it is surely not long before they will acquire similarly advanced capacities for expressing emotions and even for feeling them. Perhaps in the future, it may be humans who are seen by computers as emotionally illiterate, not vice versa.

Superman and Lois Lane The superhero mythology is permeated with romance — a lone hero risking life and limb against a maniacal villain to save the woman he loves. It’s easy to see why Lois Lane falls for Superman, and in Superman Returns, Lois and Superman even have a kid together, named Jason White. Although more appropriately classified as interplanetary mating, this can be equated to interspecies mating. If a viable offspring is produced, such as Jason, the process is called hybridization. This evolutionary process, while known to be common in plants, has long been considered extremely rare among animals.

Hybridization can increase genetic variability within a population, perhaps offering adaptations particularly suited to new or altered environments. A study reported in 2005 indicated that a hybrid fruit fly from the northeastern United States had made a distinct niche for itself by basing its lifecycle around a non-native plant, the honeysuckle. Likewise, a hybrid sculpin fish discovered in Germany appears to have put evolutionary distance between itself and its forebearers by inhabiting muddy canal waters that don’t suit its parent species. In the movie, six-yearold Jason was able to throw a piano at the bad guy. If strength determines biological fitness, he could just be the next evolutionary step.

VARSITY SCIENCE

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monday, FEBRUARY 27, 2012

19

The H5N1 controversy ALAINNA JULIETTE JAMAL explores the bridge between risk and scientific discovery

I

t has been suggested that a lethal avian influenza virus H5N1 pandemic is no longer a hypothetical situation but a real threat as a result of mutation. Ron Fouchier and colleagues at Erasmus Medical Center in Rotterdam, the Netherlands, as well as Yoshihiro Kawaoka and colleagues at the University of Wisconsin, Madison, have created a strain of H5N1 capable of spreading between humans as quickly as the seasonal flu.

Fouchier described the process of the research a few months ago at the European Scientific Working group on Influenza (ESWI) meeting in Malta. Just a few mutations made the virus capable of sticking to nasal and trachea cells. This mutant, however, was still unable to pass by air between the lab’s ferrets, a suitable animal model for the study of human flu transmission. To test the possibility further, the scientists then dripped the mutant virus into the nose of one ferret and used some of its nasal fluid to infect another ferret. Before long, the mutant H5N1 was jumping between ferrets as quickly as the seasonal flu.

Some very bad news Fouchier also delivered was that the virus gained five genetic substitutions as it spread between the ferrets, meaning that the virus would be more easily transmissible. The modified

H5N1 also would not need to combine with a mammalian virus before becoming easily transmissible to humans. Additionally, the mutations required to make the virus airborne already existed separately in nature but have not yet been found in a single virus particle.

Not surprisingly, there has been a lot of controversy surrounding this research. Some believe that it should have never been conducted in the first place while others believe it is crucial. Dr. Jeff Kwong, assistant professor at U of T’s Dalla Lana School of Public Health, explains that the “benefits [of this research] are that we will hopefully better understand the H5N1 influenza virus — what aspects of it cause virulence, how a vaccine against it might be developed …

The risks are that if it got into the wrong hands, a deadly biological weapon could result.” There have indeed been concerns that terrorists may get a hold of the study’s method and use it for bioterrorism.

For now, the moratorium recently placed on this research and its publication has been extended. The World Health Organization believes that this would allow researchers and officials to emphasize the importance of this research and how it was undertaken to better understand the potential for H5N1 to mutate into a variant transmissible

TARANEH ZARIN/THe VArsity

among humans through the air.

Extending the moratorium would also permit a more thorough investigation of the biosafety and biosecurity issues brought forth by this mutant.

But how long will this morato-

of ToroFederation of Stude Univers•ity Canadian Local 98

but from what I’ve read, the various parties seem to be miles apart in their stances.” It sounds as though we have some waiting to do before we get a glimpse of the results from Fouchier’s group in Science and Kawaoka’s group in Nature.

n o i t c e l E G N I R P S 2 201

s e t a D Voting n

ts’ Unio nto Studen nts

rium last? “Hard to know,” says Kwong. “There are huge pressures in either direction… It’s going to be very difficult to predict what’s going to happen… I think the moratorium will end if they are able to come to some sort of agreement,

ates at St. undergradu t services such e im -t ll fu l al represents .T.S.U. provides importanscounted TTC d di s. U udents’ Union The U of T St Mississauga campuse aries, clubs funding an ts to the central U of George and Dental Plans, book burs also represents studen’ rights, and connects as Health & . Your Students’ Union advocates for studentscampaigns and social vernment, k on common goals, Metropasses or ation and go T administr ross all campuses to w students ac g. programmin

h t 8 h c r a M & h t 7 March 6th, March

St. George Campus Polling Stations: Sidney Smith Hall (2) Bahen Centre for Information Technology (2) Athletics Centre (1) Leslie L. Dan Pharmacy Building (1) Gerstein Science Information Centre (1) Factor-Inwentash Faculty of Social Work (1) Isabel Bader Theatre (1) Edward Johnson Building (1) Gerald Larkin Building (1) Alumni Hall (1)

09:00 - 18:00 09:00 - 18:00 09:00 - 18:00 09:00 - 18:00 09:00 - 18:00 09:00 - 18:00 09:00 - 16:00 09:00 - 18:00 09:00 - 18:00 09:00 - 18:00

Mississauga Campus Polling Stations: UTM North (1) UTM CCIT (1) UTM Davis (1) Instructional Centre (1)

09:00 - 18:00 09:00 - 18:00 09:00 - 18:00 09:00 - 18:00

All locations are open from 09:00 to 18:00*

*Isabel Bader Theatre open from 09:00 to 16:00

For more information visit www.utsu.ca or email cro@utsu.ca

Please note that, at the time of this publication, “University of Toronto Students’ Union” and/or “U.T.S.U.” refers to the Students’ Administrative Council of the University of Toronto, Inc. (SAC)

Sports Playoff roundup var.st/SPORTS

27 FEBRUARY 2012

ONLINE EXCLUSIVE

Silvio Sansano analyzes Ubaldo Jimenez’s big step backward last season

sports@thevarsity.ca

var.st/sports19

Zoë Bedard looks at the post-season performance of the Varsity Blues hockey and basketball teams Men’s basketball

Women’s basketball

A 80–74 defeat at the hands of the Laurentian Voyageurs in the OUA East quarterfinals ended the Varsity Blues men’s basketball team’s 2011–2012 season on Wednesday. The Blues fought hard in the second half, led by Alex Hill, who posted 23 points and went 6-for-7 from the line. Down by 19 points in the final quarter, Toronto went on a 24–10 run that drew the game to within four points with just over a minute remaining but was unable to make up the difference.

The Blues met Laurentian twice during the regular season. The teams split the series, with the Voyageurs defeating Toronto 83–77 in January before the Blues rebounded with a 104–88 victory in February.

Toronto finished the year with a record of 10–12. The men’s team concluded the regular season on a high note with a 92–85 victory over the Ottawa Gee-Gees. The victory cemented the Blues as the fifth seed in the OUA and ensured they’d face the Voyageurs in the quarterfinals in Sudbury.

The Blues were guided by Alex Hill, who led the team in scoring and was ranked tenth in the OUA with an average of 15.95 points over 22 regular season games. Arun Kumar tallied the most assists for Toronto, with 66 in 22 games in the regular season. Team captain Drazen Glisic made a vital contribution at the other end of the court, leading the OUA with 39 blocks in the regular season.

The Varsity Blues women’s basketball team fell 64–84 to the Carleton Ravens in the OUA East semifinal in Ottawa on Saturday.

Toronto defeated local rivals York 64–37 on Wednesday to set up the tie in Ottawa but fell short, despite taking a 9–4 lead in the first quarter. Captain Megan Stoncius led the team with 17 points against the Ravens, following her 13-point performance in the quarterfinal against York.

Carleton has proven to be something of a bogey team for the Blues this season; the Blues lost both their games to the Ravens in regular season play, 67–71 at home in January and 45–66 in Ottawa a month later. The loss also tied the team’s head-to-head playoff record, which now stands at 3–3.

Toronto ended the regular season with a 14–8 record, which saw the team seeded third in the OUA East. The Blues were in good form coming out of the Christmas break and posted an impressive 7–2 record in January, before hitting a 2–3 slump in their final five games of the year.

The team ended the regular season with a 58–74 loss to the Ottawa Gee-Gees, a game in which point guard Sherri Pierce came away with a career-high 27 points. Jill Stratton was the Blues regular season top-scorer, with 321 points at 14.59 points a game. Joanna Medri led the team in steals, with 69 in her 21 games.

The Blues basketball team beat the University of Windsor Lancers in November. Bernarda Gospic/THe VArsity

Men’s hockey

The Varsity Blues men’s hockey team in action against the University of Ottawa earlier this season. wyatt clough/THe VArsity

The Varsity Blues men’s hockey team was eliminated from the OUA playoffs with a double overtime 4–3 defeat against the Carleton Ravens in the series-deciding game three at the Varsity Arena. The Blues’ Byron Elliot opened the scoring on the first power play, just 30 seconds into the game, with a wrist shot to the back of the net. Toronto doubled its lead just a few minutes later with a Kyle Ventura goal, but Carleton soon rebounded to claim the game.

The best-of-three series was tied 1–1 heading into the series decider. Carleton was dominant in the first game, winning 6–2 in Ottawa. Toronto recovered from that initial loss with a stout 3–0 shutout victory at home to force a third game in the series, with rookie forward Tyler Liukkonen scoring two goals 34 seconds apart in game two.

Toronto and Carleton met twice in the regular season, and split the series. The Ravens shut out the Blues 3–0 in November, before the Blues rebounded with a 4–3 overtime victory later that same month.

The Blues ended the year in fourth place in the OUA East with a 16–9–3 record. The team won seven of their final nine games, ending the regular season on a high with a 3–1 victory over the RMS Paladins.

Elliot’s 19 goals from 28 games made him the Blues’ regular season top-scorer, with Ventura contributing a further 15 goals of his own. Goaltenders Garrett Sheehan and rookie Brett Willows also played key roles in the Blues campaign, making 402 and 398 saves respectively during the regular season.

VARSITY SPORTS

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Women’s hockey The Blues women’s hockey team saw its season draw to a close with a 3–2 overtime loss to the Western Mustangs in the OUA quarterfinals. Forward Brenley Jorgensen scored both of Toronto’s goals on power plays. The Blues briefly held the lead in the third when Jorgensen sent a rebound into the back of the net, but Western responded a few minutes later, carrying the game into overtime.

The loss came in the second game of the best-of-three quarterfinal series. The Blues fell to four power play goals from Western at home in game one, which finished 4–1.

The loss made game two in London a mustwin, and the Blues came agonizingly close to tying up the series. Though Toronto managed to score two power play goals in game two, in contrast to the team’s 0-for-8 special teams performance in the first game, the Blues ended their season in the first round of the playoffs.

Western and Toronto met three times during the regular season, with Toronto taking the series lead with 4–3 and 3–1 victories in November and February respectively, after Western won the first matchup 2–1 in October.

The Blues ended the season with 15–10–1 record and were seeded third in the OUA despite losing their final game of the regular season 3–0 to the Queen’s Gaels.

Though the team was eliminated at the first playoff hurdle, Jorgensen had a stellar year, recording her 100th point for Toronto.

The forward became one of only a handful of Blues to reach the 100-point milestone, joining the likes of Olympian Lori Dupuis.

Write for Sports sports@thevarsity.ca

monday, FEBRUARY 27, 2012

21

Blues shine at OUA track and field championships U of T athletes took to the podium 12 times as both men’s and women’s teams finished in top half of standings Lia Kim VARSITY STAFF

There were fast times, close finishes, and a broken record as the Varsity Blues excelled at the OUA Track and Field Championships at York University this weekend.

Third-year Varsity Blues runner Michael Trnkus executed his race strategy perfectly, taking the 600 m gold in 1:19.56.

“I told myself to stay physically relaxed but mentally alert so I [could] react to whatever [happened] in the race,” said Trnkus. He dealt with his pre-competition nerves by “[converting them] into enthusiasm and excitement.”

The men’s middle-distance crew showed great determination in competing despite the fact that many of the team members were under the weather. In the 1000 m, Andrew Cruickshank took second place in his heat in a time of 2:28.92.

“My chest was kind of constricted and I was having a lot of trouble breathing during the race,” explained Cruickshank, who finished 11th in the actual event. “Under the circumstances, the main thing that I’ve learned from this experience is to take better care of myself and make sure I don’t get sick in the first place.”

Teammates Ethan Davenport and Alex De-

nault sported nasal strips on the second day of competition, choosing to keep running despite being sick.

Off the track, pole-vaulter Townsend Benard demonstrated extraordinary depth perception, clearing a height of 4.81 m to finish second place.

Those performances went a long way towards helping the Blues finish sixth in the men’s standings.

The Blues women put in some stellar performance to finish fourth in the women’s standings. Fourth-year runner Tamara Jewett made an exceptional comeback in the 1500 m to finish second in 4:29.50. Members of the Queen’s Gaels and Waterloo Warriors were eager to catch a glimpse of Jewett’s speed from the sidelines.

Jewett’s performance was particularly impressive as it came after she finished sixth in the 1000 m. “Often I’m in races where I’m out at the front or it’s easier to get to the front, so it was really good practice for me to be in a race with a lot of girls around the same speed,” says Jewett. “It wasn’t really a race that was my focus; it’s a little bit short for me and more for speed practice.”

In relay action, the women’s 4×400 m team shattered the OUA indoor record, winning with a time of 3:44.11, 5.18 seconds faster than the

mark set by the Windsor Lancers last year. The women’s 4×800 m relay team also impressed, clocking in at 9:01.01 to take second place.

Sophomore Rachel Jewett took gold in the pentathlon with a total of 3636 points, with teammates Flo Peters and Juliana Bergin rounding out the podium in second and third place respectively.

“I’m just starting to get in my stride and have successes this year. I don’t really have a lot of experience to put pressure on myself because I’m kind of in new territory,” said Jewett. “All I’m trying to do is have fun and do better than I have before. I felt a little bit of pressure to win because I ranked first [when I started], but I just used that as energy.”

Senior Shaneista Haye won the high jump, clearing 1.71 m, while Rachel Jewett tied for third place with a jump of 1.69 m.

Alicia Brown was another of the Blues’ top performers, taking third place in the 300 m with a time of 39.71; fellow sprinter Fiona Callender finished fourth with 40.50.

Elsewhere on the track, Sarah Wells came in second in the 600 m in a sprint finish of 1:32.16.

With twelve podium finishes, the Blues finished the OUA track and field championships, and showed their quality in preparation for the CIS championships next month.

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VARSITY SPORTS

monday, FEBRUARY 27, 2012

23

From walk-on to all-star Susan Gordon profiles women’s basketball captain Sherri Pierce in the latest in our End Game series

S

herri Pierce, Varsity Blues women’s basketball captain, starting point guard, and former OUA all-star, is the first to admit that her story is an unlikely one.

“Who would have thought?” she says of her career with the Blues, which comes to an end this season. “I was a walk-on, I just tried out; I was number 15 on the roster, so I had to work my way up.”

Pierce, a fifth-year student who graduates this year with a degree in ethics, society, and law, wasn’t planning to try out for the team when she decided to attend the University of Toronto.

“Coming to U of T was an academic decision… One of my friends that played club basketball with me was a recruit here, so she was like, ‘just come try out with me,’ so I did.

I decided maybe a week before school started to try out.”

Varsity Blues women’s basketball head coach Michèle Bélanger saw enough to add her to the squad. “Sherri had great speed, great energy, and was extremely coachable. She really wanted to be a member of the team.”

As the only rookie who hadn’t been recruited out of high school by the Blues, Pierce didn’t see many minutes. Although she wasn’t a big contributor, the Blues’ trip to the CIS championships that year had a big impact.

“It was something that I’ve just wanted again ever since — being able to play on that big stage in front of all of those people.”

The following season didn’t start well for Pierce. “I had an accident right before my second year started, so I had to sit out most of preseason,” she explains. “That’s when the players can show Michèle what they can do, so she can see where they can fit in. I missed that.”

But the Blues reached the CIS championships again, and with an average of just over 12 minutes per game, Pierce felt as though she had made more of a contribution.

In her third season as a Blue, Pierce started to get some major playing time. “There was a little battle at the beginning of the year for that starter position, through pre-season. [Bélanger] made a decision that I would start and that was quite an honour.

“It was also a really good confidence builder.

I think that was when I started to change as a player, to understand the game a little better.”

That season, Pierce also became the youngest of the team’s three captains. The team failed to match Pierce’s individual success, though, with the Blues finishing sixth in the OUA East.

“It was pretty disappointing, not making it back to nationals. I thought we had a really strong team that year and it was my first year as a captain.”

“I’m trying to leave a mark so that [the younger players] know that this is going to be them one day, to play every game like it’s your last, to show the young girls how important it is to truly be dedicated.”

Basketball captain Sherri Pierce scored 12.05 points per game in the regular season. Bernarda Gospic/THe VArsity

After some hard work in the off-season, Pierce’s productivity increased in her fourth year, and she helped the team get back to the CIS championships, where they finished sixth.

This season, Pierce’s last, has been her most successful, with 11 points and 3.9 rebounds per game in the regular season. Pierce also captained the team for a third year, sharing

the title with fellow fifth-years Joanna Medri and Megan Stoncius.

“I’m trying to leave a mark so that [the younger players] know that this is going to be them one day, to play every game like it’s your last, to show the young girls how important it is to truly be dedicated. It’s been a crazy year, a lot of ups and downs, but overall I’m pretty

happy with where we are now.

“I think we’re peaking at the right time; I’m super-excited for next week and the week after when playoffs start. I guess we’ll see what happens.”

Although Pierce’s time on the team is coming to an end, she isn’t ready to say goodbye to the Blues just yet. “I hope to be around next year, helping [Bélanger] do some of the coaching, helping her with practices, and learning what I can from her. Hopefully I can be a coach in the future.”

Pierce hopes to work with troubled youth as a social worker, and her passion for both children and basketball is evident as she recalls her experience as an OUA all-star.

“We had to run a clinic for some younger kids. We taught them shooting, dribbling, passing, layups. That was probably the most fun part of the day, better than the [all-star] game.”

Pierce knows what she’ll miss most about being on the team. “The camaraderie. I’ll miss [the other players’] individual personalities.

I’ll miss the travelling, the road trips, the jokes — not AM practices though, definitely not AM practices.”

Coach Bélanger is proud of her player’s success.

“As a coach, you always wish greatness from all your players and Sherri embraced all of it; she is a product of her determination and hard work, as well as her belief in herself.

Sherri is the one that sets the tone for others to follow, she sets the pace of the defensive and offensive game. She will be missed by all on the courts.”

Pierce admits that her journey from walk-on to captain was unlikely. “I think it all started with Michèle taking a leap of faith. She took 15 girls that year, didn’t know anything about me … and helped me become the player I am today. I guess I just have to thank her for that.

“I wouldn’t be here if she hadn’t seen some sort of potential in me, and I’m glad that I was able to live up to her expectations and help lead her team, hopefully to a national championship this year.”

The Blues season ultimately came to an end Saturday, as the team fell 62–84 to the Carleton Ravens in the OUA East semi-finals, just a week after a career-high 27 point performance from Pierce against the Ottawa GeeGees in the quarter-final round.

Despite that disappointing conclusion, Pierce, ever a strong voice of leadership and encouragement, will surely have reminded the team that their season — just like Pierce’s career as a member of the Varsity Blues — is something to be proud of.

Blues by the numbers 7

2:13.93

3636

23.33s

The number of kills recorded by women’s volleyball players Rebecca Crosier, Denise Wooding, and Shannon Rossall in the Varsity Blues’ 3–0 win over the RMC Paladins in the OUA bronze medal game.

The time by which swimmer Vanessa Treasure won the women’s 200 m individual medley at the CIS swim championships in Montreal.

Treasure also won the 400 m individual medley and took bronze in the 200 m butterfly.

The number of points accumulated by Rachel Jewett en route to winning the women’s pentathlon at the OUA track and field championships. Jewett was joined on the podium by fellow Blues Flo Peters and Juliana Bergin.

The record-breaking time recorded by Mike Smerek as he won the 50 m butterfly at the CIS swim championships.

Fellow U of T swimmer Brian Lee finished third in the same race with a time of 24.22 seconds.

DIVERSIONS

24 monday, february 27, 2012

Sex, hip hop, and everything nice

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Free pizza MISSING you seen this and beer! Have newspaper box? (for your thoughts)

Read The Varsity? We want to hear from you.

We’re holding a 1½-hour focus group with about 10 students.

We want to know what you think of our paper this year and how we can improve.

Your thoughts will help guide our masthead, and we’ll give you some pizza and booze. http://var.st/focusgroup

Parks and Where’s our sports editor from?

French wiener Anti-calendar group It ate your baby What, what? In the butt You do it with your butt It is done to a butt

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Last seen at 1 Bedford Road, outside of St. George Station.

We’re offering a free large pizza to anyone who returns the box or provides us with information leading to its eventual recovery. No box left behind!

Email editor@thevarsity.ca with your leads.

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‘80s cola -Ed Nature’s bandits AIM, MSN, ICQ Last summer’s lockout Where N.E.R.D. like you dancing Whale food “Reckless ” After 65 (abbr.)

“Let it ” Fridays Soccer video game Voiced by Hank Azaria Eagles suffer from this Our future overlords 1996 Muppet film (abbr.)

Toronto’s fair Wrote The Raven Samantha from SatC’s job Reveal “ mode” Our continent, abbr.

Squeal sound Ice-T’s former title Caused some “Troubles” Wu-Tang’s “Genius” Yang (opp.)

Wu-Tang’s “Scientist” Should have been cancelled Object of wardrobe malfunctions Your sheets are covered in it Video game manufacturer Just fine Texas U

I Vant Advice with Ivana Listen

The Varsity

Weekly Horoscopes

by Destiny Starr If your birthday is this week…

Saddle up that birthday horse, you’re in for a gallop this week. Pay special attention to your cats: Mercury is in your celestial sphere for the next few days and you’re loving it.

Aries

March 21 – April 19

You may have slacked off over reading week but it’s time to get anal with your schoolwork. Head to Robarts and listen to “Milkshake” by Kelis. You’ll make new friends.

Taurus

April 20 – May 20

You’ve been faced with new romantic opportunities, and now is the time to seize them. Your ruling planet Venus is telling you to finally ask out that Tumblr crush you’ve been reblogging this month.

Gemini

May 21 – June 20

Mars, the god of war, has inspired your fiery spirit this week. But be careful: if you’ve been picking on Scorpios, lay off a bit and bake them cookies or something.

Cancer

June 21 – July 22

You may feel a little saucy this week, so don’t be afraid to watch Alf reruns for an entire day. Also, join a chess club or wear a sweater vest to explore your deeply buried feelings.

Leo

July 23 – August 22

Uranus is paying you a visit this week, so hold onto that Blackberry: you may be getting a RIM job sometime soon.

Virgo

August 23 – September 22

With Venus all up in your love sphere, you’ve been falling pretty hard for that cutie in one of your classes. Write an ode to the cookie monster to prepare for your first serenade.

Libra

September 23 – October 22

Take the opportunity to expand your music collection this week. Pay a visit to your favourite record store and fantasize about its employees at least four times by Friday.

Scorpio

Dear Ivana, I’ve tried having healthy stable relationships, but guess what? They don’t work. Maybe it’s me, maybe it’s them.

I would much rather go about having a one-night stand. Cut the BS and tell me how it’s done.

Kisses, Depraved Soul

October 23 – November 21

Dear Depraved Soul, Oh hai! So are you done? Or do I still need to cue the world’s saddest violin for your tragic love story? Get over yourself.

You might not want to hear this, but one night stands are not the answer to your problem. I don’t doubt that you’ve had a shitty love experience and I don’t think you deserved to get as hurt as you did, but when you have a one night stand due to your jaded state of mind, things just won’t turn out the way you think.

That said, if you’re not feeling like a flower child, stay out of the garden.

Heart, Ivana

Capricorn

Got questions? Need some relationship advice? Email Ivana at ivanalisten@thevarsity.ca

Catch up on your Ryan Gosling viewing as Neptune casts its liquid shadow on your life this week. Also, consider what growing a moustache could do for your sex life.

Sagittarius

November 22 – December 21

Dip into Pluto’s dark pool this week and embrace your melancholy nature. Wear yellow, exclusively.

December 22 – January 19

There’s been a lot of talk around the water cooler, and people are wondering.

Are you a unicorn? Because we really want to know.

Aquarius

January 20 – February 18

You’ve been talking the talk, but can you rock the wok? Try out some new recipes, and show off your skills with some cumin and cilantro.

Pisces

February 19 – March 20

Everyone wants to be like you this week, Pisces. And by everyone, we mean you.

That’s great! Your self-confidence is at an all-time high.