Killer Queen Mila Kunis is Queen of the Universe in Wachowski sibling’s bizarre film Jupiter Ascending >> Pg. 5
thegazette
TODAY high -3 low -9
Not following direct orders since 1906
WESTERN UNIVERSITY • CANADA’S ONLY DAILY STUDENT NEWSPAPER • FOUNDED 1906
WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 11, 2015
VOLUME 108, ISSUE 72
Police investigating Rec Centre racist tweet
Luker named AVP student experience
Hamza Tariq NEWS EDITOR
Rita Rahmati GAZETTE STAFF
@HamzaAtGazette
@uwogazette
Western announced on Friday that Jana Luker will be replacing Angie Mandich as the associate vice-president student experience. “I really hope — and I think I can — make a valuable contribution. Student experience, student support is my life’s chosen profession,” said Luker, currently the executive director of services for students at McGill University. Luker has plenty of experience working with universities. She has previously worked at the University of Toronto, University of Guelph and St. Francis Xavier University. “Jana was selected because she displayed, above all else, an exceptional track record when it comes to student affairs at a variety of post-secondary institutions here in Canada,” Matt Helfand, University Students’ Council president, said. Helfand sat on a hiring panel with a variety of representatives from the university, housing, graduate students and an external hiring panel. In addition to her work experience, Luker has an extensive educational background. She has undergraduate degrees in psychology, women’s studies, physical and health education, as well as a Master of Education in counselling psychology and doctoral work in applied psychology. Luker has experience with Western as she went here for part of her undergraduate degree and is originally from Ontario. She looks forward to working at Western as it will bring her closer to her family, who still resides here. The associate vice-president position involves working with numerous centres and groups on campus. She will overlook the portfolios of the Student Success Centre, Indigenous Student Development Centre,
TOMORROW high -10 low -18
Courtesy of Western University
I
FEEL REALLY PROUD TO BE ABLE TO BE PART OF THIS TEAM. WESTERN’S GOT SUCH A GREAT REPUTATION FOR STUDENT EXPERIENCE. I’M JUST SO THRILLED TO BE A PART OF THAT. JANA LUKER
NEWLY APPOINTED ASSOCIATE VICE-PRESIDENT STUDENT EXPERIENCE
Entrepreneurship Centre and Athletics and Recreation. Helfand explained Western is already doing a sufficient job with student experience, however it is not necessarily being done in the most efficient way; Luker will be
able to help improve efficiency. “The first six months probably she will be learning and assessing what’s happening within the university, from orientation week to mental health services on campus. She’s going to be tasked with making sure we’re doing it in the most efficient way possible,” Helfand said. When Luker arrives she will be putting together a vision for Western through talking to students and staff, and trying to fill in any gaps currently missing. “She seems to be a very good fit for what we are looking for which is a student life professional,” Helfand said. Luker will begin her term June 1, 2015. “I feel really proud to be able to be part of this team. Western’s got such a great reputation for student experience. I’m just so thrilled to be a part of that,” Luker said.
On Monday, Western Student Recreation Centre’s weight room Twitter account was compromised and a racist slur was posted from it. The comment was deleted soon after and a tweet explaining the incident was made from the account. “ To n i g h t , the @WesternWeightRm account was compromised and a racist comment was posted. This will not be tolerated and is being investigated,” the tweet stated. Ever since then, no further tweets have been made from the account. The WSRC’s staff manages the account and posts regular updates with the number of people using the weight room and the cardio machines at the gym. The comment caused outrage across campus as both students and faculty members came forward with complaints to the university administration and Campus Police. An investigation by Campus Police has led to the identification of at least one person responsible for posting the tweet. “We have identified at least one person responsible for this and we are currently taking steps to remove him from campus as the investigation continues,” Keith Marnoch, director of media relations at Western, said. According to Marnoch, Campus
Police will be consulting with the crown attorney to see if any further measures need to be taken in this case. Neisha Cushing, professor in the department of sociology at King’s University College received a screenshot of the original tweet from a student. “One of the reasons why I think my own student was the one to bring this tweet to my attention is because we don’t shy away from these topics in my classroom,” she said. “Whoever posted that comment should be held accountable for their actions and it should be well known that anyone who engages in such behaviour is not welcome on our campuses. This reflects poorly on an institution that is locally, nationally, and internationally respected, for both its academic work and its students.” According to Cushing, the tweet is reflective of people who choose to bully and abuse others via social media. It sheds light on cowardly behaviour of those who hide behind the safety of computers and phones, and this behaviour is quite prevalent online. “In my opinion, there is no room for this kind of racism and ignorance at Western University. All of our students have the right to feel safe, welcomed and valued on our campuses. This kind of comment threatens those very things, and as a community, we should be outraged,” she said.
Courtesy of Twitter
2•
thegazette • Wednesday, February 11, 2015
Follow us on Twitter! @uwogazette
Solution to puzzle on page 7
CROSSWORD By Eugene Sheffer
News Briefs
Hacking for a cause
Western will be inviting 300 student hackers from universities across southern Ontario and Quebec in March for Western’s first ever largescale hackathon. This hackathon is not what you think it is, however. Students aren’t breaking into websites, they are bringing together their diverse skills to work on a technical project that solves real-world problems. “The idea of the hackathon really comes from bringing students together to make some kind of prototype, and they work on these from scratch over the course of a weekend,� said Artur Tsurkan, fourth-year business administration student and chair of Hack Western. Projects created at past
V a len tin e’sS pecia l $ 99 • 2 SMALL PIZZAS • 3 TOPPINGS • 2 CANS OF POP • 1 FREE DIPPING SAUCE • CHEESY BREAD • SMALL CAESAR SALAD
16
3-169 Wharncliffe Rd. South For Delivery CALL
5 19•438•9999 Delivery hours from 11am daily 140212
www.pierospizza.ca
DID YOU KNOW... Your Undergraduate Student Health Plan reimburses chiropractic care $40 per visit up to $320 per school year. Grad Students receive 80% coverage up to $500 reimbursement per school year.
BENEFITS OF RECEIVING CHIROPRACTIC ADJUSTMENTS: • reduces stress and anxiety • improves focus & concentration • improves mobility and overall body function • reduction of aches and pains • enhances your immunity • increases social well being • adds years to your life and life to your years
The Chiropractic Clinic Lower Level, UCC
519.661.4006
Dr. Neil Burden & Dr. Landon Burden Hours: 9-12 & 12:30-6:30
THE CHOICE OF A HEALTHIER GENERATION
hackathons range from websites and mobile apps, custom pieces of hardware, wifi powered toasters and smart watches that track nocturnal seizures in epilepsy patients. Teams will work on their projects over the course of the weekend, participating in workshops, fun activities and games. On Sunday, they will show off their projects in a science fair style setting. Tsurkan hopes to open this fair to the public. Hack Western hope to get as many non-technical people involved as possible, and provide them with opportunities to get engaged by pairing them up with a developer who can help bring their ideas to fruition. Tsurkan will be hosting workshops each Tuesday night in March for people with no technical experience to teach them how to build a website and provide them with their own mini hackathon experience as a lead-up to the actual event. The hackathon will take place from March 27–29. • Julie Hambleton
Peer Support Centre settles into new home
The Peer Support Centre recently moved to the second floor of the UCC from the basement. Accompanying this move, the PSC received a $50,000 donation from an anonymous donor. The PSC is a volunteer-run space that acts as a resource hub to connect students with and give them access to resources and support around campus and in London. “The Peer Support Network caters the Western student body — specifically marginalized populations — looking for support from an individual who is not a professional,â€? said Nicolas Gil, associate vice-president of the PSC. Emily Addison, University Students’ Council vice-president internal, said, “The space downstairs was not suited to our needs, whereas the new space is looking to offer us better use for support and programming for students.â€? She continued by saying that relocating the space provides better accessibility by allowing them to better describe to students where the centre is located. It also allows for the rebranding and reinvigorating of the space in a manner that stirs conversation about peer support on campus. Gil mentioned that the new location is better equipped to help students while also providing privacy for the students coming in and the volunteers on duty. • Drishti Kataria
The Cryptoquip is a substitution cipher in which one letter stands for another. If you think that X equals O, it will equal O throughout the puzzle. Single letters, short words and words using an apostrophe give you clues to locating vowels. Solution is by trial and error. Š 2002 by Kings Features Syndicate, Inc.
3 4 3 3 3 343 3 3 3 3 www.londonprop.com
www.facebook.com/RedbricksLondon @LPCRedbricks
•3
thegazette • Wednesday, February 11, 2015
Schulich dean re-appointed Kristen Reilly GAZETTE STAFF @uwogazette
Dr. Michael Strong, the dean of Western University’s Schulich School of Medicine and Dentistry, has been re-appointed for a second term. “It is a great opportunity to be re-appointed, I’m quite honoured,” he said. Strong began his research in 1990, primarily focusing on understanding the cellular biology of ALS (Lou Gehrig’s disease). Through his research he has explored the mechanisms by which intracellular deposits of protein (composed primarily of neurofilament) are formed, and how these aggregates contribute to the disease process of ALS. The laboratory has worked at defining novel mRNA binding
proteins that contribute to alterations in the stability of neurofilament mRNA in ALS. “This is one of the most difficult and challenging times since 1990, since I’ve been a researcher, in terms of finding and securing funding for all of our researchers, junior and senior,” Strong said. “So our focus has been trying to work closely with Research Western and develop new programs to support investigators in the early stages, rebuilding our research groups.” Strong has been happy with the progress they have made. He believes there have been great strides in enhancing Western’s research profile and investments in both teaching research and basic science research. In terms of personal research, Strong stated that the labs have
been performing very well. “Wonderful team, we’re funded, still asking the critical questions. I lead the province wide O.B.I. [Ontario Brain Institute] program with research into neuro-degeneration. So that for me is tremendously gratifying, I’m happy there,” he said. In his new term, Strong hopes to build on all the changes of the last four and a half years. He believes now is a period to stabilize all the changes, and to allow the school to grow both internally with these changes and on an international front. “Everything we’ve done has been basically the homework to get us where we are now and let’s see how it goes,” Strong added. “[Our] goals are all the same, to have the best student experience at a research intensive university.”
Program gives at-risk students a chance at Western @uwogazette
At-risk high school students now have a unique opportunity to complete their high school diploma and earn university credits — easing the transition to post-secondary education. The School Within a University program, created by Western and the Thames Valley District School Board, helps students make this transition. “The program is designed specifically for high school students within the TVDSB who are for different reasons at risk of not completing high school education,” Kim Miller, acting director of the Student Success Centre, said. “So, it allows those students the opportunity to experience both the university environment and earn credits at the high school and university level.” Miller added that the program
provides two key benefits for the students: a chance to enjoy university facilities and learn in a safe and supportive environment. “They get access to the services of the university – at Western we have a fairly high level of support in terms of our library, health care and programs offered at the student success centre and student development centre. It also gives them an opportunity to complete their high school credit in a setting designed to meet their very unique needs,” she said. Rob Bell, a teacher at the SWAU program, said the program gives hope to students who for various reasons are unable to go on to university studies. “I was working at the TVDSB education centre in the area supporting at-risk students and helping students with transitioning into and out of high school. When this program was announced, I applied right away. It’s a mix of high achieving, high-risk students and that is engaging for me and a population
of students that I really enjoy working with,” he said. The program has succeeded in achieving its preliminary goals and the future looks bright for the SWAU initiative. “The program recently received a $5 million donation from the Joyce Foundation. This will allow them to double the size of the class which means that more students in the TVDSB have the opportunity to participate in this program,” Miller said. The donation will also provide financial support to students and will increase the number of non-academic programming offered to these students. Bell is content with the progress made and wants to see other institutions adopt similar initiatives. “Our hope would be that other universities across Ontario and Canada would develop programs similar to SWAU and open doors to university education to those students who thought their dreams for themselves have been wiped out.”
Courtesy of Western University
“ The most certain way to succeed is always to try just one more time.”
Caught on Camera
› Thomas Edison: Relentless Inventiveness Failure is no biggie. Just ask Edison. If he stopped at failure, he would never have moved on to invent a little thing called the light bulb. So if you’ve failed a class somewhere else, or have a scheduling conflict, come on over. You can catch up with our world-recognized online courses, then move on to bigger successes. Talk about a light bulb moment.
Klara Franklyn • GAZETTE
WHAT’S LURKING UNDER THE BRIDGE? Looking to go somewhere on campus that doesn’t feel like campus? Take the path less travelled and check out some student paint along the way. This peaceful spot by the Thames River will offer you a new perspective on what Western has to offer.
open. online. everywhere. Learn more @ athabascau.ca/edison/ontario
By Levin C. Handy (per http://hdl.loc.gov/loc.pnp/cwpbh.04326) [Public domain], via Wikimedia Commons
Mohammad Abrar Abdul Hanan GAZETTE STAFF
4 •
thegazette • Wednesday, February 11, 2015
arts&life
songmeanings The Decemberists’ three part title track from The Crane Wife was inspired by a Japanese myth about a poor man who saves the life of a crane. The song inspired author Patrick Ness to write a novel of the same name.
Fashion’s afoot, Watson! CHRW to salute
local albums
Richard Joseph GAZETTE STAFF @uwogazette
Meerna Homayed CONTRIBUTOR
Many menswear aficionados advise that you start with your shoes and build the rest of your outfit on top of that. Now, while this may be a little extreme — how do you put on pants while wearing shoes? — it illustrates the importance of footwear in men’s fashion. It’s the one area you should always splurge on for quality and looks, because they have to able to take a pounding and still keep you looking fresh. The world of men’s shoes has certainly evolved in the past few decades. No longer do we live in the era of manly minimalism, where you only ever had to alternate between a grim black loafer and a sturdy work boot. Now, men are confronted with a bewildering array of styles, colours, formality spectrums, patterns and materials — is it possible, in the face of such daunting adversity, to remain fashionable? Robin Procunier of Andrew Douglas Clothier, a Richmond Row based menswear store, has some expert insight into the world of footwear. “Ten years ago, I wouldn’t have worn a brown shoe with a navy blue suit,” he says. “Today, it’s almost exclusively what I wear.” The brown leather shoe, says Procunier, is now extraordinarily versatile — it can be worn with anything except black.
“If it’s after six at night, at a very dressy function, then black shoe is still the dressiest. But with daytime wear, brown is number one.” He notes that a more daring shade of dark burgundy, or oxblood, is starting to become more prevalent. “We’re starting to do these things in menswear again … to try and distinguish yourself from everyone else in the room,” Procunier explains. “You do it with your shoes, your socks or your pocket puff.” Admittedly not all of us are in the position to experiment with pocket puffs, but the classic leather shoe goes with almost any outfit (barring, perhaps, the infamous sweats-onsweats exam outfit). Patterns on shoes offer yet another range of
options: captoes, brogues and wingtips (decorative patterns of perforation along the side and front of the shoe, for the uninitiated), says Procunier, are a dressier option. Nothing ruins a sleek, sharp outfit like a clunky pair of winter boots, but at the end of the day you still have to face the harsh reality of Canadian winter. Invest in a nice pair of weatherproofed leather boots, and be sure to wipe them down for salt stains (vinegar works well, but you do run the risk of walking around smelling like a salad). “We’ve done very well this season with Moneysworth and Best shoe rubbers,” says Procunier. “The bestselling one was a bright electric orange — they’re only $39, and they keep out slush and salt.”
In celebration of local musical talent, CHRW 94.FM’s Local Album of the Year Awards Show will take place this Friday at Rum Runners. The award show will gift five awards in addition to including performances by five local artists – Carly Thomas, The Allen Family Reunion, Alyeus, Kehmak and Casper the Ghost. The awards hold no criteria for genre, however only local bands that have submitted a physical copy of their CD to CHRW’s Library are eligible to win. Each award includes a cash prize, with the Local Album of the Year award boasting the highest of $500 and arguably the most coveted title. Other awards include Forest City Fan Favourite Award, CHRW Fan Favourite Award, Local Album of the Year Jury’s Pick and EP of the Year. All awards are composed of diverse judges, including CHRW listeners and DJs, a LAOTY Jury Committee and public voting, making for an array of different musical opinions. Allison Brown, the program director at CHRW, is eager for the big reveal. “I’m looking forward to the surprise of who’s going to win these awards,” she says.
LOVE
WHAT’S HOT
WEALTH
MEDIA
@uwogazette
Jenny Jay • GAZETTE
Brown spoke to the variety of music the award show showcases, as any and all genres have the opportunity to be nominated. “I love shows that have multigenre line ups,” she says. “It’s exposing the audience to new genres.” Paul Hickling, an MIT student at Western, is a member of The Allen Family Reunion and among those performing at the event. Together with his cousin Bev Allen, also a student at Western, his mother, and two of his uncles, they make up a five-piece bluegrass/folk band. “We’ve been in the London area for six generations on the same family farm and playing music with our grandpa,” Hickling describes. “It’s a good thing we like to do as a family.” The Allen Family Reunion, are nominated for the EP of the Year Award. “It’s a great opportunity and it’s great to be part of the scene and be offered to play at the event,” he says. “Thanks to CHRW for playing our album and giving it a chance.” In addition, two CHRW DJ’s — Madison Foster from Woldwizard Radio and Chrris Martin from Ready Set Radio — will host the show. CHRW’s Local Album of the Year Award Show will take place at 8 p.m. at Rum Runners. Admission is by donation.
WELLNESS
Fifty Shades of Grey
#ReplaceAMovieTitleWithGoat
Becoming Vegetarian
The Grammys
Yoga
This weekend, the world will be beat over the head with Valentine’s Day and spanked by the film adaptation of the god awful, erotica novel Fifty Shades of Grey. It depicts a BDSM relationship in which one partner submits to being tied up, bent over, whipped, beaten, controlled and ceaselessly tormented. But seriously, endless torture is really what it is like to be in a relationship anyway. Couples everywhere will hopefully go see this movie and come to realize how unbearable their relationships actually are. While the film will probably be horrible, some good may come of it. • Brent Holmes
Trending on Twitter on Tuesday morning, #ReplaceAMovieTitleWithGoat has been ramming out several hilarious new movies including. Of course, with the Goat Oscars just around the corner, eyes everywhere turn to such amazing goat films as Goat Sniper, The Theory of Goats, The Imitation Goat, The Goat Budapest Hotel, Goathood, Goatlash and Birdman (Or the Unexpected Virtue of Goats). This hashtag has garnered criticism from the sheep community, who are upset that films such as Ewe Only Live Twice, The Good, The Baaaad and the Ugly and Who’s Afraid of Virigina Wool? are being once again put out to pasture. • Brent Holmes
The easiest way to save money is to cut meat right out of your diet. Meat’s expensive. A pack of bacon can cost over five dollars, a fresh filet of salmon can cost up to $20 and don’t even ask how much a good steak can cost. What better way to transfer your vigour, energy and will to live from your body to your wallet? Fruits and vegetables are generally cheaper and will only leave you aching with pain in your stomach as you long for sweet, sweet protein. While vegetarianism may make you hate your life, your wallet will thank you. • Brent Holmes
In a huge upset on Sunday, Beck won Album of the Year at the Grammys — beating out Beyoncé’s hit album. Much like when Arcade Fire won in 2010, plebeians beat their chests in mourning for Beyoncé and took to Twitter with the question, “Who is Beck?” Elsewhere, while Sam Smith may not have the subject of the song Stay With Me to accompany him, he now has a complement of four Grammy’s. Unfortunately, the night was boring overall — AC/ DC opened with the most energy the show would see all night. The remaining performances were mellow and less engaging. • Brent Holmes
Yoga has many benefits, one of which includes flexibility – something unrivalled in the bedroom. Think about all the ways you can impress your partner simply by contorting your body. Whether you do yoga for personal fitness or to get in touch with your spiritual side, yoga does wonders for your body and health. This ancient activity lowers blood pressure and cholesterol – strengthening your immune system. And there are a variety of yoga styles to cater to everybody’s level of fitness, comfort, and need. Even one session can have transformative effects, but the key is to practice continuously. • Tina Hajy-Soltani
•5
thegazette • Wednesday, February 11, 2015
>> IN THEATRES > JUPITER ASCENDING
THE GAZETTE SEX ISSUE COMES OUT FRIDAY! There’s still time to complete our survey at surveymonkey.com/r/2015sexsurvey
Courtesy of Warner Bros. Pictures
Idiosyncrasies ascending Thomas Boyer CONTRIBUTOR @uwogazette
GGHFF Jupiter Ascending Directors: Lana Wachowski and Andy Wachowski Starring: Mila Kunis, Channing Tatum, Sean Bean, Eddie Redmayne If nothing else, the Wachowski siblings have compelling egos. Jupiter Ascending starts in flashback. Jupiter Jones (Mila Kunis), the daughter of Russian intellectuals, immigrates to America shortly after her birth and the untimely death of her father. Several years later, she lives and works as a maid, spending the day scrubbing toilets and dreaming of a better life. As it turns out, she is actually the heiress to the fortunes of an intergalactic royal family as the result of being a genetic copy of the deceased Queen Abrasax, the former owner of all of Earth. Fighting for Earth’s fortunes are the queen’s children, including the thoroughly crazy Balem (Eddie Redmayne) and pretty-boy Titus (Douglas Booth); protecting Jupiter
is Caine Wise (Channing Tatum), a military-trained half-human/halfwolf with a knack for flying around exploding cityscapes with futuristic jet-boots. Along the way, the movie hits all the expected plot points — Jupiter experiences what it’s like to live like royalty, becomes a stronger woman, falls in love with Caine and learns that even a tough life scrubbing toilets is worth living. The movie sounds simple enough on paper, but interspersed throughout the plot are bizarre and overcomplicated moments that almost double as tone poems in their incomprehensibility. The movie really comes alive when it relishes in its own insanity to a degree that may turn off all but the most zealously humoured individuals. Easily the most entertaining moments occur when Eddie Redmayne is onscreen. Like a silver screen starlet alternating between dream-like delicacy and nightmarish psychoses, he effeminately arches his limbs and arbitrarily screams his way through one of the most giddily ridiculous villain roles of recent years. For every element of inspired oddness, though, the Wachowskis
double down on frighteningly dull exposition, creating a toxic experience where the viewer wants to skip through endless scenes of informational dialogue to get back to the moments of breathless goofiness. Credit should go to the costume and make-up teams, who create uniquely interesting background characters replete with fishbowl helmets, jet-black hair, animalesque body parts and the like. Their sheer strangeness provides the dramatic centre in a movie that otherwise mainly consists of Tatum explaining the dull intricacies of their world — whether it be space bureaucracies, space wedding ceremonies or even space bees — to a bored Kunis. Jupiter Ascending is a seeming culmination of the style the idiosyncratic siblings have developed since 1999’s The Matrix. Unfortunately the Wachowskis have created a work that is every bit as irresistible as it is repulsive, a film whose disappointing problems call for the siblings to scale back for the first time in over a decade. Jupiter Ascending is playing at the Rainbow Cinemas. Showtimes are available at www.rainbowcinemas.com
On Disc > What a Terrible World, What a Beautiful World
GGGGF What a Terrible World, What a Beautiful World Artist: The Decemberists Label: Capitol Change — some fear it, some race towards it. The Decemberists embrace it in their new album, What a Terrible World, What a Beautiful World. “We had to change some / You know, to belong to you,” Colin Meloy’s voice rings out over the opening song, The Singer Addresses His Audience. The Decemberists went on hiatus after their tour for 2011’s album, The King is Dead. While their return is welcomed, the band admits they are not the band they were when they started. Many of the members are over 40 with their own families and changed priorities. The new album acknowledges these changes. “I’m not going on just to sing another sing-a-long suicide song,” Meloy croons on
Anti-Summersong. But in spite of all the changes, some things are the same. Meloy remains one of the most intellectual, eloquent lyricists working today. Laying down words like “sibylline,” “tawdry” or “prevaricate” in his songs, the uneducated plebeian will need a dictionary on hand to pick up on the Decemberists’ high-minded literary poetry. Unfortunately, the new album doesn’t contain anything as inspired as The Crane Wife 1, 2, and 3, The Mariner’s Revenge Song or the entire Hazards of Love album. After their hiatus, it feels like the band is waiting for another muse-inspired masterpiece — their next album will probably be unbelievable. What has changed is that The Decemberists have shed their cynical, youthful tone for something more hopeful and wise. Even at their new album’s darkest point, 12/17/12 — an amazing and heartfelt song about the Newtown, Connecticut school shooting — The Decemberists retain a hopeful perspective, ending with the cry, “Oh my god / What a world you have made here / What a terrible world, what a beautiful world.” What a Terrible World, What a Beautiful World may not be the Decemberists’ best or most memorable work, but it’s definitely worth a listen. It’s another dynamic work from one of the most poetic bands writing music today. • Brent Holmes
#S2B2015
Student 2 Business Grow Your Network & Launch Your Career in London
MARCH 11, 2015 • 3:00PM London Convention Centre • 300 York Street
Register Now: www.S2B.ca @S2BNETWORKING
FACEBOOK.COM/S2BNETWORKING
6 •
thegazette • Wednesday, February 11, 2015
opinions HAVE YOUR SAY
The Gazette asked students if they had already voted in USC elections and if not, if they planned to vote.
Bradley Metlin SPORTS EDITOR @BradAtGazette
Social Science IV “No. I [used] to be more up to date with what’s going on on-campus and super involved ... I’m just here for my academics now.”
Tomiwa Ademidun
Engineering I “Yes, I’m planning on voting. I definitely like to be involved in the process of the place I’m going to school at. At the same time though I don’t know the full relevance of the school political system, so if I knew more about it I’d definitely be more involved.”
Marc Watson
BMOS I “Yes. I had some friends that were running. In high school I was part of our student government and I know the importance of it. Also the two referendums happening, I knew they needed 20 per cent voters to pass.”
• George Papendreou
Mental health deserves a vote too Breaking Brad
Fatimah Abbass
If we had a consensus, we wouldn’t have to go to a referendum.
Anyone who sat in a grade 10 history class will remember learning about the 1995 Quebec referendum. It was a monumental moment that could have truly affected our country’s national fabric. It was one of the relatively rare occasions in which matters were left in the hands of voters to directly decide. California, on the other hand, is much more likely to bring issues to the electorate — the state had over 100 referendums over a 10-year period from 2000–09. Here at Western, we average about one referendum every year. Last year, it was the narrowly defeated proposal to include vision care to our health plan. Every year, we have seen University Students’ Council presidential candidates run for office and pad their platforms with initiatives that will attempt to make our campus a haven for those in mental health crises. Whether it’s advocating for the “3 in 24” exam policy to be scrapped or proposing to bring third parties to campus, these plans always escape the harsh financial reality — there’s just not enough money to bolster mental health on campus. Waitlists have students waiting for weeks to see a counsellor, avenues for getting help with accommodation are barely navigable and our infrastructure is confusing. More funding will not solve all these problems but it would certainly make an impact. Adding $30 to the student fee was on the table last year so students could have an easier time getting glasses — but
personally, I’ve heard more students complain about stress rather than the inability to see. This year, the Western Marching Band organized a grassroots effort to initiate a referendum. They gathered thousands of signatures in order to compel the USC’s support in allowing students to vote on the issue. Throughout this election campaign, everyone I’ve spoken to has enthusiastically said they will be voting yes. Clearly, students have mobilized on an issue and provided clear support. Imagine how many students would get on board with additional mental health coverage on the line. Petitioning for an increase in $20 would add more than half a million dollars to funding additional services. This would be enough to hire additional counsellors, bring a third party assistance resource to campus and bolster pre-existing infrastructure. Some will lambast that “throwing money at something” is a Band-Aid approach but additional funding would be one of the few things that would actually affect change in the coverage. If students collectively keep asking for better ways on campus for their mental health to be remedied, it’s time to put their money where their mouth is. Quebec took a major issue of provincial importance to the voters in 1995 and asked them to sort it out. They answered and the issue has slowly waned in importance throughout the years. There is a pressing desire and dialogue on Western’s campus to change mental health coverage in a positive way. It’s a necessity that there is movement on this issue. Students would have two options — keep the current services as they stand or fund a more empowered mental health infrastructure at Western. The USC should explore this referendum — it would finally determine the importance of the mental health on campus.
Dear Life Your anonymous letters to life
Dear Life, Brent Holmes, you are wrong. The Imitation Game is a fantastic and wonderful movie. Dear Life, It would be nice if voting in the USC election mattered. It doesn’t though. The USC members and executive serve themselves, not students. Dear Life, Questioning the validity of the copied and pasted inbox message from Team Sophie hours before the end of campaigning. Dear Life, I’m good. Dear Life, Why does it seem that the point of Black History Month has changed from celebrating Black culture to making White people feel bad for being White? Dear Life, Bus just drove past a bunch of annoying Ontario Hall students who would have just been taking it to Alumni Hall. My life feels better now. Dear Life, Sam Smith deserves all the Grammys. Everything. Dear Life, Just be the best version of yourself possible, nobody is worth you trying to be anything else. Dear Life, Charles Manson — you surprised, bro?
Ben Abnett
Kinesiology I “I voted cause of the referendums, definitely they were a big thing ... and I had a few people from my high school running.”
wgaz.ca/dear-life Hailey Sugar • GAZETTE
thegazette
Volume 108, Issue 72 www.westerngazette.ca
Iain Boekhoff Editor-In-Chief Brent Holmes Deputy Editor Richard Raycraft Managing Editor
Contact: www.westerngazette.ca University Community Centre Rm. 263 The University of Western Ontario London, ON, CANADA N6A 3K7 Editorial Offices: (519) 661-3580 Advertising Dept.: (519) 661-3579
The Gazette is owned and published by the University Students’ Council.
Editorials are decided by a majority of the editorial board and are written by a member of the editorial board but are not necessarily the expressed opinion of each editorial board member. All other opinions are strictly those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of the USC, The Gazette, its editors or staff. To submit a letter, go to westerngazette.ca and click on “Contact.” All articles, letters, photographs, graphics, illustrations and cartoons published in The Gazette, both in the newspaper and online versions, are the property of The Gazette. By submitting any such material to The Gazette for publication, you grant to The Gazette a non-exclusive, world-wide, royalty-free, irrevocable license to publish such material in perpetuity in any media, including but not limited to, The Gazette‘s hard copy and online archives.
Gazette Composing & Gazette Advertising Ian Greaves, Manager Маја Анјоли-Билић
Robert Armstrong Diana Watson
Gazette Staff 2014-2015 Mohammad Abrar Abdul Hanan, Suhaib Al-Azem, Eric Bajzert, Sarah Botelho, Damon Burtt, Tabitha Chan, Jonathan Dunn, Spencer Fairweather, Sam Frankel, Devin Golets, Kevin Heslop, Richard Joseph, Drishti Kataria, Sara Mai Chitty, Soheil Milani, Mackenzie Morrison, Amy O’Shea, Vidhant Pal, Kyle Porter, Lily Robinson, Alex Seger, Tiffany Shepherd, Tristan Wu
News Amy O’Kruk Hamza Tariq Katie Lear Olivia Zollino News-at-large Kevin Hurren Opinions Nusaiba Al-Azem Arts & Life Conrad Floryan Jennafer Freeman Jenny Jay Sports Bradley Metlin Nathan Kanter Robert Nanni Jr.
Associate Megan Devlin Photography Kelly Samuel Taylor Lasota Winnie Lu Graphics Jennifer Feldman Illustrations Christopher Miszczak Kirstyn Culbert-Kviring Graphics/Video Mike Laine Marketing and Recruitment Coordinator Vivian Liu
• Please recycle this newspaper •
•7
thegazette • Wednesday, February 11, 2015
Mustangs prepare to take to the mat
Ray Takahashi • MUSTANG ATHLETICS
Nusaiba Al-Azem OPINIONS EDITOR @NusAtGazette
The upcoming weekend is an important one for everyone — but while most students save the date in pursuit of last minute Valentine’s Day reservations, the Western Mustangs wrestling team has another special occasion in mind. The men’s and women’s teams will be travelling to Sudbury to compete in the Ontario University Athletics championship at Laurentian University on February 14. Western’s women’s team in particular will be looking to defend its title, having taken home the banner last year at the Tait McKenzie Centre in Toronto.
W
E CAN’T WORRY ABOUT OUR COMPETITORS — WE JUST HAVE TO WORRY ABOUT WHAT WE NEED TO DO. RAY TAKAHASHI
MUSTANGS WRESTLING COACH
The teams’ performances this year have varied, with Western earning multiple individual and collective medals in numerous tournaments all season. While Western has some individual team members, such as senior members Riley Otto and Steven Takahashi — who rank high according to Canadian Interuniversity Sport — the men’s team is currently in 10th place in the standings, with the women’s team not ranking at all. The women’s team has lost some talented athletes from last season, notably Mustang Brianne Barry, who was named OUA’s most outstanding female wrestler twice in her university career. That said, Mustangs head coach Ray Takahashi pointed out some individual talent in Madi Parks, who regularly competes in the 53 kg weight class. Parks, along with a few other national team members, recently entered the Dave Schultz Memorial International tournament in Colorado Springs. Going
3–2 in five matches, Parks had a solid tournament overall. On the men’s team, Otto continues to be a force to be reckoned with. The third-year powerhouse transferred to Western last year and has since been an integral part of the team, competing internationally at the Henri Deglane International in Nice, France. Another Mustang to look out for is Steven Takahashi, competing in the 57 kg weight class. Coming off an injury that kept him off the mat and out of the championships last season and in his last year of eligibility, the London native went undefeated at Western’s Harry Geris Memorial Dual Meet this fall. Coach Takahashi stressed that though Western’s team is very strong, the competition — mainly in Brock, McMaster and Guelph — will be high. “We’ve had some good individual results throughout the year,� he said. “It’s going to be really competitive this year.� He went on to insist that dwelling on the competition is not productive for the team. “We can’t worry about our competitors — we just have to worry about what we need to do,� he elaborated. “It’s really hard for the students because there’s a lot of midterms and things like that so it’s right before study week and then right after we have our CIS. So it’s a really challenging time for students.� The strategy thus far for the team has been to maintain healthy eating habits, control weight and keep up with the daily practices. Takahashi emphasized that although it appears that the team’s season is beginning to wind down, it is only the beginning for some wrestlers. “This is where we step up,� Takahashi said. “This is where it’s really hard because even though we’re approaching the end of the season, it’s the beginning of the open season, which is really where the best varsity wrestlers keep continuing.� The team will be leaving tomorrow to compete on Saturday — be sure to follow along as Western Wrestling attempts to bring home two banners and make its way to the CIS championships in two weeks time.
To place your classifed ad, please contact us at 519-661-3579 or adoffice@uwo.ca
HOUSING
classifieds
#1 STUDENT HOUSING in London. 2-7 bdrms. Popular Redbrick apartments and townhouses, plus houses in various student locations. Come with 5 appliances, huge rooms and closets and free parking. Call now! These rent on a first come first serve basis. Sam 519-495-7661, smaclin@londonprop.com
2 BEDROOM APARTMENTS, the closest 2 bedrooms to campus. Hardwood floors, loads of space. Great student area, right on university bus route. Great price, and some utilities included. Loads of free parking. These places truly are a steal!! Call Stephen at 226-236-4409 or email ste phenn@londonprop.com 3 BEDROOM MODERN townhouses close to Masonville area. Close walk to campus and steps to major bus route. Spacious bedrooms, with huge closets and close to all amenities. Contact Stephen to book a viewing; units will rent very quickly. stephenn@londonprop.com 226-236-4409 4 BDRM NEW Red Brick townhouses, apartments and single homes for rent. Features 5 appliances, huge rooms and closets, open concept kitchen/living room, and free parking! Located in great student areas. Act fast - these won’t last. For more info call Stephen: 226-236-4409
UPCOMING EVENTS
SERVICES
2015 INTENT TO Register Open House scheduled for Thursday, February 26, 2015, Physics & Astronomy Atrium (1st floor), 3:30 - 5:00 p.m. Find out how your academic choice will lead you to a career path. Hosted by Applied Mathematics, Computer Sciences, Mathematics, and Statistical and Actuarial Sciences. CANADIAN LATIN AMERICAN Association’s 5th Annual CALA Fun Bowling 2015 Tournament is Sun. Feb. 15 at Bowlerama Royale (2086 Dundas St. E) from 2-5 pm. Tickets $12 per person if purchased on or before Feb. 11, $15 at the door. Ticket includes a game, two pieces of Domino’s pizza, soda, a chance to win prices from our sponsors and much more! For information or to volunteer call 226-700-1405 or email events@calalondon.org. PANCAKE SUPPER TUESDAY, Feb. 17, 5:00-7:00 pm. Sausages, pancakes, dessert & beverage. St. Luke’s (Broughdale) Richmond & Bernard. Entrance by a free will offering. All funds raised will support our Community Breakfasts.
NEED HELP APPEALING a grade on an assignment or exam? We are here to help you through the appeal process. Email studentappeals@westernusc.ca for more information.
ANNOUNCEMENTS HAPKIDO: TRADITIONAL KOREAN Martial Arts, The Huron Hapkido Society meets Tuesdays and Thursdays, 8:00PM-9:30PM, Huron University College Dining Hall (Huron Room) Visit us at “UWO Hapkido� on Facebook for more info.
EMPLOYMENT WORK AT SUMMER camp in the USA this summer. Outgoing staff needed! Counselors, Land Sports, Lifeguards, Arts positions. Apply online at canadiancampstaff.com.
TIPS ON HOW TO AVOID BEING PHISHED 2. Visit banks' websites by typing the URL into the address bar. Phishers use links within emails to direct victims to a fake site. If you suspect an email is bogus, do not follow any embedded links within it.
CLASSIFIED ADS $8.35 PER ISSUE FOR 30 WORDS 519-661-3579 OR adoffice@uwo.ca
PUT YOUR SUDOKU SAVVY TO THE TEST! To solve a sudoku, the numbers 1 through 9 must fill each row, column and box. Each number can appear only once in each row, column and box. You can figure out the order in which the numbers will appear by using the numeric clues already provided in the boxes.
For solution, turn to page 2 4 BED. TOWNHOUSES located on Oxford right by campus. Live in style with 3 floors, 2 washrooms, and very spacious rooms with large closets. 5 appliances, free parking, and 24 hour property management. Contact Sam today 519-4957661, smaclin@londonprop.com 4 BEDROOM TOWNHOME for Rent! Walk to school & downtown, huge kitchen, dishwasher, large bedrooms, 2.5 baths, back deck, garage. Call/text 226919-6826. Available May 1. 4/5 BED RED Bricks Available: BRAND NEW building. Huge rooms, modern open concept layout, 5 main appliances including washer/dryer in suite. Free parking, 24 hour property maintenance, right on major bus route, 5 minutes from campus. These will go FAST, call Sam 519-495-7661 5 BDRMS. LIVE steps from campus in a 5 bedroom apartment or townhouse. Live in style in a modern building. Huge kitchens come with tons of cupboards and counter space, and centre island eating areas. Spacious bedrooms and huge closets. Call Sam anytime at 519-495-7661 and view one of these units before they are gone!
6 BDRM. * *#1 student rentals* * Newly built red bricks in all the best student. 5 appliances included. Huge, spacious rooms with massive closets. 24 hour emergency maintenance and parking included. These ones always go fast so call soon. Call Stephen anytime at 226-236-4409 FRIGGINLANDLORD.COM $499 INCLUSIVE or $389 + lets deal. 5, 6 bed @ 94 Essex St. pics, video, frigginlandlord.com txt 519-200-4122 OXFORD RICHMOND 4 Bedroom Townhouse. 4 BR, 2 bath, renovated with new kitchen, fridge, stove, dishwasher, washer/dryer, central a.c., parking, 10ft. high ceilings, deck $565/bedroom + utilities. Call Kevin 416-831-1245. 10 month lease.
3 4 3 3 3 343 3 3 3 3 www.londonprop.com
www.facebook.com/RedbricksLondon @LPCRedbricks
8 •
thegazette • Wednesday, February 11, 2015
sports
saywhat? “I’ve said it before: If they want me, I want to be here.”
• Toronto Maple Leafs forward Nazem Kadri, who has managed only 29 points in 52 games, on his future with the team
Rundown >> The Mustangs football team has announced their schedule for next year > Homecoming will take place on September 16 when the ‘Stangs take on the Carleton Ravens.
Multiple records set at weekend meet Robert Nanni SPORTS EDITOR @robertnanni
The Western Mustangs track and field team headed to Michigan this past weekend to take part in the Hillsdale Wide Track Classic. The team walked away with five topthree finishes, setting a multitude of records as well. Caroline Ehrhardt soared into first place with a season’s best distance in the long jump event. Her distance of 5.91m was a meet record jump for the Classic. Top three Mustangs included Shaylynn Kowalchuk, with a season-best of 8.73s to place second in the 60m hurdles, and Bridget Pyke, who finished second in the 3,000m with a season’s best time of 8.89s. The women’s 4 x 400m team, consisting of Jen Barbon, Sarah Clancy, Rachael Muma and Katie Bell, took the first place win for their event with a time of 3:51.79. The Canadian Interuniversity Sport has deemed this the second best time they have seen at a meet. The pentathlon saw Mustang Sara Villani finish in fourth place,
improving her score by over 200 points and ending with a grand total of 3,297 points. This achievement landed her seventh place in the CIS standings. On top of this, Villani scored a personal best performance in the shot put event with 12.88m, placing her eleventh in the CIS. Lauren Clancy had the fastest finish for Western in the 60m race, bolting into fifth place with a time of 7.84s. Just a few spots behind her was Ehrhardt with a time of 7.91s in eighth place. Clancy continued in the 200m dash to tie with her teammate Jen Barbon, ending in seventh and eighth with times of 25.69s and 25.70s respectively. Western had a high jump duo finish in the top five as well, as Emilia Grala finished in fourth with a height of 1.69m and Ali Baker ended one spot behind with a 1.54m leap. One more spot behind landed Tara White, also at 1.54m. Jessica White took over the milelong run, ending in fourth place with a time of 5:13.89. Another Mustang who dominated the field was Lauren Thomas, grabbing the sixth place finish with a long jump
distance of 5.40m. On the men’s side was another season’s best in the 4 x 400m relay race, seeing Chris Cauley, Evan Porter, Robbie Deeks and Triphon Moodie with a fifth-place finish of 3:23.21. Mustang Daniel Gayle also finished in fourth place for the long jump with a distance of 6.96m, continuing in the triple jump with an eighth place finish of 14.04m. Another high-finishing male Mustang was Izzy Ogieva, placing third in the high jump with a height of 2.01m, then continuing to fourth in the 60m race with a time of 7.07s. This weekend also saw two Mustangs head to the Meyo Invitation at Notre Dame, as Katie Bell and Moodie ran season’s best times in the 600m dash with 1:32.73 and 1:19.58 respectively. This weekend has thrust these two athletes into the eighth and seventh place positions for the CIS standings. The team splits this weekend as some athletes travel to the Windsor Team Challenge and others head over to the Spire Division one Invitational in Geneva, Ohio.
Do you like sports? Can you write good enough?
WE WANT YOU! sports@westerngazette.ca
Jonathan Dunn • GAZETTE