Wednesday, March 18, 2015

An uninspired remake Disney’s live-action Cinderella visually pleasing but lacks purpose. >> Pg. 4

thegazette Lecturing seniors on free speech since 1906

WEDNESDAY, MARCH 18, 2015

WESTERN UNIVERSITY • CANADA’S ONLY DAILY STUDENT NEWSPAPER • FOUNDED 1906

TODAY high 2 low -6

TOMORROW high 3 low -6 VOLUME 108, ISSUE 88

‘No deliberate effort … to subvert the electoral process’ Elections committee releases final reports on their demerit points decisions Iain Boekhoff EDITOR-IN-CHIEF @IainAtGazette

A

fter announcing that Team Litchfield came within one demerit point of disqualification last week, the USC’s elections committee has released separate reports on the violations incurred by slate candidates Team Litchfield, Team Sophie and disqualified senator Michelle Bonofiglio.

The reports, which are redacted to protect the identity of those involved, show that the committee found the post-campaigning violations by Team Litchfield did not qualify as a flagrant undermining of the elections by-law, which would have been grounds for disqualification.

President-elect Jack Litchfield posted during the two-day voting period in 21 Facebook groups, mainly faculty and residence groups, to get out the vote.

A proxy for Team Litchfield at an elections committee hearing on February 12, the day after voting ended, argued Litchfield’s posts did not constitute post-campaigning

Taylor Lasota • GAZETTE

THE CALM BEFORE THE STORM. Jack Litchfield, Richard Sookraj, Dilani Logan and their campaign team wait expectantly on election night as the results come in. Since winning the election, they have been the centre of an investigation into elections violations, resulting in 30 demerit points, one short of automatic disqualification.

because of the language used by Litchfield in the posts.

Despite this, the committee said that, “The suggestive format and language of Litchfield’s posts in their entirety lead the committee to believe that these were nuance attempts at post-campaigning.”

Litchfield also included a link to his platform at the end of his post.

This was what constituted the posts as post-campaigning, according to the committee.

The proxy for Team Litchfield said that “the platform is designed to show [Team Litchfield]’s intentions; it is not specifically constructed to influence voters and is to shed light on their agenda if elected as USC executive.”

Ministry to review funding model for universities Julie Hambleton GAZETTE STAFF @uwogazette

Starting in April, Ontario’s Ministry of Colleges and Universities will re-examine the current university funding model through conversations with employers and industry groups.

Former deputy minister Sue Herbert will be leading the talks in an open consultation format to reform the current model.

According to Zak Paget, communications advisor at MTCU,

the goals for the new format are to enhance the quality of the student experience, provide support for the existing universities strategic mandates and provide financial sustainability and long-term sustainability of the post-secondary sector by increasing transparency and accountability.

“It is important to note that the amount of funding provided in the funding model varies by program of study as well as by level of study,” Paget said.

The current formula is based on enrolment in universities and was

established in 2002–03. The existing setup makes funding available for eligible full-time students, or two part-time students, enrolled in funded programs, as well as additional institution specific support based items such as students with disabilities and performance funding, for example graduation rates.

Though this formula has increased funding to universities by 86 per cent and supported 408,100 students since its instalment, the projected decrease in enrolment means that it is time for a change.

“We believe an opportunity now

The committee decided this wasn’t the case and the posts “were intended to influence voters in [Team Litchfield’s] favour.”

However, the committee “was satisfied that there was no deliberate effort on the part of [Team Litchfield] to subvert the electoral process.”

Team Litchfield was additionally

awarded eight and three demerits for two separate occasions of distributing physical campaign materials without consent. In two off-campus apartment buildings, Somerset Place and Luxe, they distributed over 170 door tags the day before voting began.

exists to use the funding model to better support differentiation and specialization and improve quality and student outcomes,” Paget said.

According to Alan Weedon, vice-provost of academic planning, policy and faculty at Western, it’s still early to predict what effect a new model will have on the university.

“It is too soon for us to be able assess how the funding formula review will affect Western or its students,” Weedon said. “We’ll likely get a better sense once the government’s consultations commence in April.”

The ministry’s funding allocation model distributed more than $3.5 billion in operating grants to Ontario universities by the end of 2013–14.

“Through our established tuition policy, our government remains committed to Ontario students

having access to a high-quality postsecondary education,” Paget said.

The MTCU will be reviewing the current model and newly available investments with the end goal of modernizing the way they provide funding for universities.

“The new model will support universities as they focus on positive outcomes for students — while helping to ensure the long-term sustainability of the post-secondary sector,” Paget added.

There has been some speculation that tuition may be discussed during these talks, as the three per cent tuition increase cap expires in the spring of 2017.

While Paget agreed that the topic may come up, he maintained that the purpose of these meetings is to improve the structure and distribution of the MTCU operating grants.

>> see REPORTS pg.3

2•

thegazette • Wednesday, March 18, 2015

Caught on Camera

CROSSWORD By Eugene Sheffer

Kelly Samuel • GAZETTE

IRISH INVASION. The UCC atrium came alive yesterday as Western celebrated St. Patrick’s Day. Seen here are three young Irish dancers who entertained passers-by on their way to class.

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. © 2002 by Kings Features Syndicate, Inc.

•3

thegazette • Wednesday, March 18, 2015

Study suggests children in singleparent homes aren’t worse off Julie Hambleton GAZETTE STAFF @uwogazette

A study done in London on single mothers is challenging the belief that children from two-parent families are more successful later in life.

The 14-year study titled, Family Structure and Children’s SocioEconomic Attainment: A Canadian Sample, followed single mothers and their children from 1993 to 2008.

“It’s really the first of its kind in all of Canada to follow-up [on kids] this many years ahead of time and to see the influence that the type of family has when a kid grows up and their type of success,” said Jamie Seabrook, PhD and co-author of the study.

The study suggests that the type of family children grow up in doesn’t determine how successful they are later on in life, rather other factors such as the educational status of the mother have a greater impact on a child’s educational attainment.

William Avison, principal investigator and director of the study, said the study’s focus on childhood influences and later success developed over time.

“Well initially when we first

started this study many years ago, we were interested in the psychological well-being of the single mothers and their children, and then we decided to follow these children and mothers up longer term,” Avison said.

Avison elaborated that the study suggests growing up in a single parent family, at least in London, Ontario, doesn’t put kids at any additional risk in terms of their educational achievements or their initial success in the labour market.

“This puts to rest the previous general opinion that single parent families are at a disadvantage due to familial structure than two-parent families are,” Avison said.

He added the study has the ability to help families on a societal level.

Researchers found that the amount of educational disparity in Canada is considerably less than that in the United States, where most single-parent studies have been done.

Avison stated the study highlights the importance of having an educational system that is accessible to people of all backgrounds.

“We think that part of the difference between what we find in our study and what others have found in the US is that educational attainment is very much influenced

by poverty and by the lack of opportunity to be a part of a strong educational system,” Avison said.

The study was conducted in three waves. The first two waves consisted of two-hour structured interviews given to the mothers in their homes done in 1993 and 1994.

The researchers then followed up with the families for the third wave between 2005 and 2008, when they interviewed the mothers and their children independently. Each participant also completed a “life history calendar” in which they recorded all of their important life experiences throughout the time period of the study.

“From a policy point of view, it suggests that in Canada we might be doing the right thing in keeping schools relatively open to all children, making educational opportunities relatively equitable,” Avison said.

William Avison, director of the study

Courtesy of Western University

WE’RE HIRING! LAST DAY TO APPLY TO BE AN EDITOR AT THE GAZETTE

Committee decided against disqualification westerngazette.ca/editor-application The elections committee decided to classify the second allegation as minor “based on the scope and severity in comparison” to the first violation.

This is in contrast to their decision regarding Bonofiglio, where they handed out six demerits for the first distribution without consent violation and eight for the second violation of the same nature.

Bonofiglio posted campaign materials at Huron and in the SaugeenMaitland residence.

The committee noted in their decision that this was “multiple violations of the same nature” as a reason for giving so many demerit points.

Team Sophie’s two violations were both by non-arms-length parties. The first was seven demerits for a libelous tweet and posts on Reddit.

The committee noted that Team Sophie performed a great deal of restorative action for these posts, including deleting the Reddit AMA entirely after the posts appeared.

The committee said the posts had “a large impact on the public’s perception … and as a result may have had an impact on the elections results and [Team Litchfield’s] campaigning.”

The second of Team Sophie’s violations was three points for post-campaigning, again by a nonarms-length party. A volunteer for Team Sophie posted a supportive message on Facebook during the voting period. However, she removed it immediately after being informed it was post-campaigning, but Team Sophie was still awarded three demerits.

All candidates have the opportunity to appeal the decisions. Team

Litchfield already contested and lost an appeal of two demerits for campaigning in the USC offices.

Appeal dates and times can be found at westernusc.ca/government/ appeals-board.

The demerit point reports can be found online at westerngazette. ca/elections-committee-releases-reports.

T

HE COMMITTEE FEELS THIS VIOLATION HAD A LARGE IMPACT ON THE PUBLIC’S PERCEPTION … AND AS A RESULT MAY HAVE HAD AN IMPACT ON THE ELECTIONS RESULTS AND [TEAM LITCHFIELD’S] CAMPAIGNING. ELECTIONS COMMITTEE DECISION REGARDING THE TEAM SOPHIE AMA

Solution to puzzle on page 8

We would like to remind you that you must meet with a counsellor at Services for Students with Disabilities (SSD), in the Student Development Centre, to arrange academic accommodation for your 2014/15 winter courses.

If you have not yet requested accommodation for your courses, and you wish to use accommodation for April 2015 exams, you must meet with a counsellor by Friday, March 26th. If requested after this date, accommodation for April 2015 exams cannot be arranged by Exam Services.

To book your appointment please call

519-661-2147

150313

>> REPORTS continued from pg.1

4 •

thegazette • Wednesday, March 18, 2015

arts&life

wednesdayword Sibylline (adj): Displaying the qualities of a sibyl, a female clairvoyant who possesses powers of prophecy or divination.

>> IN THEATRES > CINDERELLA

Remake recycles Disney magic Allayna Eizenga CONTRIBUTOR @uwogazette

GGGFF Cinderella Director: Kenneth Branagh Starring: Lily James, Robb Stark, Cate Blanchett, Derek Jacobi, Stellan Skarsgard and Helena Bonham Carter

Still from The Secret Trial 5

ARRESTED DEVELOPMENT. The Secret Trial 5 explores Canada’s use of security certificates to deny legal process to those suspected of being a threat to national security. The film is being screened tonight at 7 p.m. in a one-timeonly show at the Hyland Cinema.

Security certificates on trial Hyland screens film about illegal detentions Conrad Floryan ARTS AND LIFE @ConradAtGazette

Stories about questionable detentions in the name of national security have earned a lot of attention in the United States, but a film screening at the Hyland this week will be looking at the Canadian angle.

The Secret Trial 5, a feature-length documentary that examines the Canadian government’s use of security certificates, will be playing in a special one-time screening at 7 p.m. tonight at the Hyland Cinema.

Director and producer Amar Wala became aware of the controversy surrounding security certificates as a film student at York University.

Security certificates allow for indefinite detention without charges, based on evidence undisclosed to the accused or their lawyers.

The Secret Trial 5 tells the story of five Muslim men who have been detained for nearly 30 years combined over the last decade without being charged with a crime.

“I had heard this crazy story about a young Canadian-Egyptian guy that was travelling around Ontario talking about his father, who he said had been detained by the Canadian government for seven years without being convicted of a crime, which if I can be frank, I thought it was bullshit and I didn’t think it was true at all,” says Wala.

Wala is deeply troubled by the existence of security certificates, a remnant of the Cold War now employed as a national security tool in the wake of 9/11. While he cannot claim that the subjects of his film are innocent, he believes they have been denied their basic human right to fair legal process.

For his thesis project, Wala created a short film, The Good Son, about the family’s ordeal he had learned about. CSIS (Canadian Security Intelligence Agency) had

We as Canadians hold multiculturalism as a core value and if we think that pluralism is an important component of Canadian identity, we need to look hard at these issues and hold the people who are making these decisions accountable and make the necessary changes.

Noah Bingham

Producer of The Secret Trial 5

used Mahmoud Jaballah’s 11-yearold son to translate as officers in their home attempted to recruit his father as a spy under threat of deportation.

The Good Son was met with acclaim and launched Wala’s filmmaking career. When he was looking to make his first feature film, he tackled the subject again as security certificates were deemed unconstitutional in 2007 and the issue was gaining public traction.

Producer Noah Bingham went to York with Wala and he became interested in the project.

“At that time it felt like the security certificates were going to fall by the wayside but with an amendment in 2008 and further [amendments] in 2009 where we saw house arrest conditions restricted in Canadian history being applied to the men and their families, that was when Amar came to me and we felt that this was a story that not that many Canadians knew about,” explains Bingham.

Making this film was a challenge.

In addition to being first-time filmmakers, the duo had finished school

at the beginning of the recession that resulted in a number of shifts in the Canadian media landscape.

They pitched the film traditionally but in order to secure the required funding they sought crowd funding, a novel concept at the time.

“We were extremely fortunate to receive large council grants, have two successful crowd funding campaigns during production and receive a Telefilm micro budget program so we had a hybrid assortment of funding sources that allowed us to have creative control over the project,” says Bingham.

After a successful festival run that saw the project capture the 2014 Magnus Isacsson Award as well as a jury nod in the Emerging Filmmaker category at Hot Docs, the film is on a cross-country screening tour.

The filmmakers seek to raise public awareness about security certificates as public debate mounts over the balance between human rights and national security and the proposed Bill C-51, which seeks to extend the scope of anti-terrorism legislation.

“We as Canadians hold multiculturalism as a core value and if we think that pluralism is an important component of Canadian identity, we need to look hard at these issues and hold the people who are making these decision accountable and make the necessary changes,” says Bingham.

The filmmakers will engage in Q&A discussions after the screenings.

“I look forward to the screening in London and I really hope people turn out and we have an awesome Q&A afterwards so I’m looking forward to seeing everyone there,” says Wala.

The Secret Trial 5 screens at the Hyland Cinema tonight at 7 p.m.

Tickets are available at the box office.

For more information go to secrettrial5.com.

Cinderella achieves what it sets out to do – that is, make a live-action version of the 65-year-old original – but sadly it does little more than that. While the film is beautiful, with fantastic costuming and tactful use of CGI, it’s all style and no substance.

Lily James and Richard Madden are blandly charming as the romantic leads. Sophie McShera and Holliday Grainger are hilarious as the step-sisters. Helena Bonham Carter makes an appearance as the eccentric fairy godmother. In a movie that keeps adding backstories to create coherency but fails to add any interesting characterization, Carter’s performance feels ironically discordant with the rest of the film.

The star of the production is Cate Blanchett as Lady Tremaine, who is stunningly cool and elegantly layered, despite the writers’ inability to decide if they want the audience to hate or sympathize with her.

Cinderella will inevitably please hordes of fans of the princess genre — those who have already decided to like the movie before the title rolls. But for everyone else, the whole movie will seem trite, boring

and dated, especially in the wake of the large-scale success of Frozen — a film that managed to attract so many fans outside of the usual target demographic of princess films. The viewer is going to spend a lot of time wondering why Disney decided against putting Cinderella’s budget to better use, like creating a new story set in a fantasy-land, where all those beautiful costumes and settings could have accentuated a deeper plot and more memorable characters.

The repeated motto of “have courage and be kind” seems like an afterthought when the most proactive thing Cinderella does throughout the movie is run away from people. The film’s experience is especially disappointing when the opening scene mentions Cinderella’s ability to see the magic in things and features her as a baby plucking cotton from a cloud — a theme that is only expanded upon once during the whole film.

Ultimately, Cinderella ends up being a collage of too many different things. Its inability to commit or take any sort of risks, much like its title character, will leave viewers lukewarm. If Kenneth Branagh had focused more on substance and less on mimicking the 1950 original — right down to the colour palette — he could have breathed life into one of Disney’s most passive princesses.

This remake is a fantastic way to bring this classic story to a new generation, without sacrificing any of the elements of the original, but the real question is: does anyone still care about hearing this story for the millionth time?

Courtesy of Disney

•5

thegazette • Wednesday, March 18, 2015

>> ON DISC > SMOKE AND MIRRORS

GGGFF Smoke and Mirrors Artist: Imagine Dragons Label: Interscope, KIDinaKORNER Powerful, organized chaos — that’s what Imagine Dragons fans can expect from their latest album Smoke and Mirrors.

In 2012, Night Visions provided alternative rock anthems, such as Radioactive and Demons, but their new album lacks the same impact.

As Imagine Dragons’ breakthrough album, Night Visions left fans excited and wanting more. Smoke and Mirrors was preceded by significant hype, which it unfortunately cannot match. Rather than delivering a more nuanced alternative rock record, the band has devolved into generic pop rock.

The song Polaroid is much simpler in composition than what fans are used to from Imagine Dragons› musical dynamics, descending into a pop sound designed to appeal to more listeners. The band has veneered the record with overdone reverberation effects and eccentric world music sounds. While the band is known for their diverse choices in instruments, it has never distracted from the impact of their lyrics, until now.

Tracks like Trouble have harsh drumming throughout the song, making it difficult at times to hear the great lyrics.

Despite the issue with the overblown instrumentation, the lyrics are still beautiful and they somewhat redeem the album. The songs tune into listeners’ emotional struggles in life and love, and the single I Bet My Life is a perfect example of how music can inspire.

After three years of waiting for another record, Imagine Dragons fans will enjoy a taste of their new music, even though they man be disappointed when comparing it to their first album. While the record may be different than what fans are used to, it’s not too much of a stretch to alienate their core fans.

• Christina Marie Fragiskatos

Mind the thigh gap Samah Ali GAZETTE STAFF @uwogazette

If you’ve spent any time on the social media website Tumblr, you’ll pick up two things: escalating conversations consisting of confessions and life hacks, and the obsessive fad for the unattainable thigh gap.

The thigh gap is the space between one’s thighs that prevents them from touching. A thigh gap is a product of one’s hip-to-thigh ratio and can generally be associated as a feature for slender body types.

“I think of it as a weird thing to aspire to,” said women’s studies professor Tracy Issacs. “As someone who advocates for more feminist approaches to fitness, I really have a strong aversion to any aspiration that is totally appearance focus, especially something like the thigh gap.”

Isaacs, co-creater of the blog Fit Is a Feminist Issue, has written several entries about the superficial appeal of thigh gap. She believes fitness is an outlet for improving overall health and shouldn’t be tied to superficial achievements in corporate media’s beauty ideals.

“Some people have it and some people don’t, but we set it up as a cultural ideal of femininity,” added Issacs.

Some young women have different opinions on thigh gaps, however.

“It’s one thing you always look it,” answered third-year student Derika Nauta when asked about the appeal of the thigh gap. “I don’t even know why you just wish there’s a space between there just cause everything looks nicer.”

The trend has been idealized amongst some young women on Tumblr. Thigh gaps prevent chafing and irritation during the hot summer months or when participating in sports.

Kelly Samuel • GAZETTE

“I know sometimes it is unattainable … I figure skate so I am not physically able to have one because I’m too muscular,” Nauta added.

Isaacs also recognized this issue.

For most people, thigh gaps are only attainable after extreme starvation, making it a dangerous start to eating disorder mentality. “[Pro-bulimic and pro-anorexic] movements try to establish anorexia and bulimia as lifestyle choices and not as illness or eating disorders.

The idea as promoting anorexia as a lifestyle is disturbing to me,” Isaacs stated.

She wanted to remind people that bodies lose weight in different areas and hoping your body will lose weight between your thighs is wishful thinking.

Second-year Ahmed Ismail believes the obsession over thigh gaps relates to people striving for their ideal appearance instead

eating disorders. He compared thigh gaps to a body part people obsess over, similar to muscle groups people obsess over while exercising.

“People have their insecurities, people have their problems, how they feel and they want to reach that perfect level … I feel people get way too caught up in having something as meaningless as a thigh gap,” Ismail explained.

The disturbing obsession behind thigh gaps can definitely glamorize eating disorders for young women and Isaacs’ aims to promote body positivity with her blog and mentality.

“I wish people would be more accepting of their bodies. I think there are more constructive things women should be spending their energy on and when we obsess about these unattainable goals we are wasting energy,” Isaacs said.

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6 •

thegazette • Wednesday, March 18, 2015

TELEVISION

LOVE

GAMES AND ENTERTAINMENT

WEALTH

WHAT’S HOT

Empire

Heroic Monkey

Google Family Feud

$obriety

Russell Westbrook

An empire may collapse tonight.

Lee Daniel’s smash hit family drama Empire will be ending with a twohour season finale.

It will be an exciting two hours: Cookie Lyon will tell everyone off with her wicked words and unimaginable comparisons; Onika will cry over Lucious’ attention and unfaithfulness; Andre will have mood swings while his wife throws bipolar medication in his face; Hakeem will keep whining about nonsense and mommy issues; and Lucious will have a few tremors and deny his love for Cookie … again. Empire’s season finale will be a night full of tears, laughs and unexpected drama so unless you’re interested in spoilers or don’t watch Empire, Twitter will probably be a mess tonight.

Since human-love is a daunting task, individuals are left looking to our primate friends to understand what love really is. The YouTube video of “monkey saves other monkey in India” shows love when it comes to friendship; after a monkey was electrocuted, his companion does everything he can to save his friend’s life and succeeds.

While it takes more than 20 minutes and a lot of perseverance, this monkey displays both affection and determination. Humans may have forgotten what it means to really love, but this video is necessary in ensuring that we always strive to be a life-saving monkey. Either that, or we can always stand on the sidelines, take a video and hope it goes viral.

Everyone has been excitedly talking about the Google version of Family Feud, which is available to play online for free. Google Feud features four categories, including culture, people, names and questions. Similar to Family Feud, the goal of the game is to guess the most common query searches in Google. You are only allowed three incorrect guesses until you have to start again with another category.

Although this game seems like it would be really fun to play, it’s actually very frustrating and far too vague. Though this game is entertaining for a few minutes, it doesn’t compare to Family Feud.

Getting fudged up is expensive.

Not only is alcohol pricey, you also have to buy a shawarma and a McDonald’s breakfast the next day, which sets you back another $5.82 with tax.

If you get too drunk and get pregnant, moneysense.ca estimates that raising a child to age 18 in Canada costs $243,660.

Then there’s the lost income from skipping work to relieve the hangover. That’s just the beginning.

If only Manchu Wok was free, things would be much simpler. Just stay sober and reinvest the dollars you would have spent destroying your vital organs into real estate.

Money is the real drug, and real estate is like a cocaine castle.

Caution: be careful when you’re reading this piece because Russell Westbrook is so hot right now that even writing his name on this page risks igniting the entire paper.

This February the Oklahoma City superstar put up 31.2 points, 9.1 rebounds and 10.3 assists per game, and he’s continuing that pace into April.

He just had one of the greatest months of any pro athlete ever, since way back in the caveman days when one of the homo sapiens set the record for capturing the most saber-toothed tigers.

This man is singlehandedlyhoisting basketball from a sport to a religion. I don’t know why I’m even writing this when I could be using this time to watch his highlights.

• Samah Ali

• Jenna Freeman

• Conrad Floryan

• Jenny Jay

• Conrad Floryan

>> GAZETTE RECIPES

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3) Stir in oats, flour, baking soda and salt. Next stir in the chocolate chips.

4) Drop dough by rounded tablespoonfuls on to an ungreased cookie sheet. Keep cookies about 2 inches apart from each other.

5) Bake 10–12 minutes or until golden brown. Let cookies cool before removing from cookie sheet. *Make sure to always use correct amount of chocolate chips. If too few chips are used the cookies will turn out too thick and dense.

• Jennafer Freeman

7 •

thegazette • Wednesday, March 18, 2015

opinions HAVE YOUR SAY

We asked students on campus what they were doing for St. Patrick’s Day. Did you go to any parties today? What are you planning on doing tonight?

Miszczak Your Privilege

@uwogazette

Victoria Henry

Melanie Evans

Teacher’s College I I went rock climbing. I’m in teacher’s college so I did some lessons planning. [Tonight] I’m just going to the Spoke and going out with some friends.

Kate Conway

BMOS I Tonight, not too many big plans — I live in Saugeen so we’re going to try and get a crew together and just hang around in there. We were kind of bopping around [earlier today]. We were on Epworth and we were on Broughdale, roaming around from party to party, looking for some fun — and it was fun.

Craig Darling

Music III I’m in night classes until about 11 p.m. but then a couple of the chefs from my work are going out and we are going to have a couple drinks. I’ve been here since 8:30 a.m. this morning in classes.

About his St. Paddy’s Day attire: Carlsberg came by our work yesterday with a whole bunch of stuff for St. Paddy’s Day and I figured I didn’t have anything green so I brought stuff from work with me and made an outfit out of it.

thegazette

Volume 108, Issue 88 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.

• Jacqueline Woodson

The untold story of anime

Christopher Miszczak ILLUSTRATIONS EDITOR

Medical Science III Over the course of the day [I didn’t really party].

I had two quizzes today. But I saw a lot of going hard, so I was with them in spirit. [Right now,] I think I’m going to try the green beer at the Spoke.

Diversity is about all of us, and about us having to figure out how to walk through this world together.

Any great story, regardless of medium, should leave you different from before you absorbed it. A story should provoke new ideas and challenge prejudices and preconceptions. It should bring insight, inspiration and creativity into your life.

This is what anime, or Japanese animation, was for me for a very long time.

This fascination with Japanese animation helped me develop as an adult, shaped my career and informed my outlook on life. That is why it bothers me to see a lot of sub-par anime gaining popularity as of late – what was once a subculture with unique ideas and themes is becoming more and more unoriginal. The stories are tired, clichéd and provide nothing more than cookie cutter characters, worlds and themes.

My suspicion is that has a lot to do with creators trying to market to a popular demographic. This may push some buttons, but I am not a very big fan of titles like Death Note, Highschool of the Dead and Attack on Titan. Titles like BeyBlades, SD Gundam Force and YuGiOh, in comparison, are even worse.

On the same token, however, The Wind Rises, Haibane Renmei, FLCL, Paprika, Full Metal Alchemist Brotherhood, Air and EsacaFlowne, will always be amazing, breathtaking and very close to my heart.

Reflecting on my differing feelings made me think about what exactly

I used to love so much about anime and whether or not that thing has persevered despite the changing genre.

What stood out upon reflection were relationships that would form because of that common interest.

It is because of these common interests that we tend to build strong kinships with one another — we seek out others who share our interests. For many, like Rachel Gunn, president of the Western anime club, the Western Anime Video Explosion, it was that common interest that would build friendships that would last a lifetime.

“I feel that there is anime out there for just about anyone who wants to see it. I have made friends based off of my interest in anime,” she said.

I realized that the same was true for me. The stories which are fascinating to me today, when I think of this genre, are the untold ones about anime — the behind-the-scenes stories about friendship. It’s inspiring to see people creating new relationships with co-workers, friends and even potential partners for life.

Michael Raine, a professor of Film Studies here at Western, teaches a class on Japanese animation and touched on this untold story of anime as well.

“There is an anime sociality; the social relations created by anime are a huge part of anime being such an important medium,” he said. “That is true in Japan and it is important outside of Japan too.”

At the end of the day, it’s fascinating to contemplate just how much a culture can be formed through an animated medium. More importantly, maybe it’s not just the medium that can leave you different from before, but the people that you share it with too that can challenge and change your outlook on life.

Dear Life Your anonymous letters to life

Dear Life, At least the Marching Band managed not to break any post-campaigning rules… #marchingband4prez?

Dear Life, March: where the sidewalks are icy deathtraps but you don’t care because it’s no longer -20°C out.

Dear Life, Two elections, two gong shows, zero DQs. Does not compute.

Dear Life, I wish the USC elections had as much coverage as the elections committee has right now…

Dear Life, Litchfield better be ready for a full year of Dear Life hatred. Helfand looks like a choir boy in comparison.

Dear Life, I don’t want Beer Fest. I want affordable tuition! wgaz.ca/dear-life

We get letters!

Student representation needs diversity To the editor: My least favourite part of my day is walking into the University Students’ Council office. In the office, the portraits of each USC president since the turn of the century hang along the hallway. Of the 13 portraits on the wall, 12 of them are male and all of them are white. Our current president and president-elect also continue this trend.

I would never argue that any of these individuals weren’t deserving of their position. However, I find it disturbing that our most visible student leaders have been nearly exclusively tall white males. Even more worrisome, the majority of students who work in the USC offices are white men. This singular demographic is hardly representative

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.

of our Western community.

I’m proud of our mixed culture we have at Western. Our community is diverse, and I truly believe that each of us benefits from this university’s cultural diversity every day. However, our student government does not reflect our varied backgrounds, and I’ve always worried about our student representation reverting to a boys club.

I don’t have any tangible solutions to offer. Diversity in student government is a complicated issue, and I have faith that our student representatives were elected and hired due to their merit.

Western also has many non-USC student leaders from various backgrounds, and while the USC offices walls may be monochromatic, they aren’t indicative

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of all leadership positions on campus.

All I can suggest is that students, regardless of their gender, race, orientation, background or affiliation, put themselves forward for leadership positions on campus. Here I would like to refer to the USC’s applications for associate vice-president, coordinator and intern positions, which are open until Wednesday at 4 p.m. It may seem trivial, but I’m sure there are many capable, qualified students who feel discouraged from applying because they may feel unwelcome – I know I did during my first years at Western. I encourage anyone who’s interested to throw their reservations out the window and apply.

• Kevin Chao USC associate vice-president

Send us letters before it’s too late! opinions@westerngazette.ca

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thegazette • Wednesday, March 18, 2015

sports Ken Read

With five World Cup wins and membership in the famed ‘Crazy Canucks’ fraternity, Ken Read remains one of Canada’s most beloved winter athletes.

Read first joined the Canadian Alpine team in 1973 and in 1975 in Val d’Isere, France — at 20-yearsold — and became the first North American to win a World Cup downhill race, with a winning time of 2:4.97. The victory was only the beginning of Read’s successful career on the international downhill circuit, garnering four more World Cup victories and finishing second overall in the 1980 World Cup standings.

Read was part of a group of Canadian skiers that captured the world’s attention in the late 1970s and ’80s, called the ‘Crazy Canucks’ for their seemingly reckless style

compared to the more conventional European method of downhill skiing.

In 1978, Read received the Lou Marsh Award as Canada’s Top Athlete and in 1980 was named Canada’s male amateur athlete of the year. In 1983, Read retired from competition and began his career as a broadcaster, columnist and businessman. After retiring, Read attended the University of Western Ontario to continue studies he began during his skiing career and graduated in 1984 with a bachelor’s degree in economics.

Recognizing Read’s illustrious career, the government of Canada honoured Read by naming him to the Order of Canada in 1991. Read was also previously inducted into the Canadian Ski Hall of Fame in 1987 and Canada’s Sports Hall of Fame in 1986.

saywhat?

I felt like I kind of tried to just squeeze by him there but then again things happen quick. I obviously didn’t mean to hurt him. I don’t consider myself a dirty player. I felt like my hands were down.

• Toronto Maple Leafs centre Nazem Kadri, concerning the hearing following his hit to the head against Edmonton’s Matt Fraser Monday night. He may be suspended for up to five games for this offence.

Courtesy of the Canadian Sports Hall of Fame

To place your classifed ad, please contact us at 519-661-3579 or adoffice@uwo.ca

HOUSING

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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 LUXURY home. Western Rd. 5-minute walk to campus. Modern open-concept, large bedrooms, pool table, bar, 50” TV, over-size black marble bathroom, basketball net, massive yard/patio. $375/rm 416-835-5293. enmars@hotmail.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

Courtesy of the Canadian Sports Hall of Fame

Silken Laumann

Silken Laumann’s harrowing story of determination has made her one of Canada’s most celebrated female athletes. Born in Mississauga, Ontario, Laumann is a three-time Olympic medalist, two-time Pan American Games gold medalist, 1991 world champion, Lou Marsh Award winner, Canada’s Sports Hall of Fame member, and a four-time Ontario Athlete of the Year. She graduated from Western in 1988 with a bachelor of arts.

Laumann is perhaps best known for overcoming a particularly gruesome leg injury during her training for the 1992 Summer Olympic Games in Barcelona, Spain. After winning the single-scull World Championship in 1991, Laumann was one of Canada’s best bets for a gold medal in 1992. However, during a training session in Essen, Germany on May 15, 1992, Laumann’s boat was hit by a German rowing pair leaving Laumann’s leg horrifically gashed and filled with approximately 200 pieces of wood.

During an interview, Laumann recalled the accident: “The bang,

which sounded very much like two cars crashing, was my boat splintering. I didn’t really feel anything, and then I looked down at my leg and it was just a mess. The injury looked so bad I actually wondered whether I was going to lose my leg, because I could see the bone.”

Laumann would do a lot more than simply keep her leg. At the single sculls event at the 1992 Summer Olympic Games – a mere 78 days after her accident – Laumann won a bronze medal. For her extraordinary efforts, Laumann was named flag bearer for the closing ceremonies of the 1992 Barcelona Olympics.

Laumann would make a full recovery from her accident and later win a silver medal at the 1996 Summer Olympic Games in Atlanta in the single sculls in what would be her final competitive race.

Western University is one of five Canadian universities to give Laumann an honorary doctorate degree, with Western awarding Laumann hers in 2013.

• Profiles contributed by Canadian Sports Hall of Fame

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!

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HOUSING

UPCOMING EVENTS

5 BEDROOM BROUGHDALE behind Med/Syd front gates. Modern, open-concept, 2 full bathrooms, jacuzzi, balcony/deck. Large rooms (no basement room), 50” flat-screen, gas fireplace, dishwasher, lots of parking. $395/room. 416-8355293, enmars@hotmail.com.

RELAY FOR LIFE! 7pm-7am on March 21, 2015.

Proceeds from fundraising go towards the Canadian Cancer Society. Night filled with food, activities, performers. Register in teams or individually at http://www.relayforlife.ca/uwo

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 695 TALBOT NEWLY Renovated 1 & 2 Bedrooms Available. Steps to Richmond Row. Utilities & Parking Included. Call about our FREE MONTH today!

519-630-5646 LARGE 2 BEDROOM $875 plus personal hydro. \~ 720 Talbot St. Steps to Western, Richmond Row, direct bus to Western, Fanshawe, downtown. Secure well managed sixplex. Coin laundry, free parking.

Vern 519-872-9407 or vproperty@rogers.com.

ANNOUNCEMENTS SOARING CLUB BEING ratified at Western, will be the only student run soaring club in North America, learn to fly and work towards your license, for more info email westernsoaring@gmail.com

TEAMS OF FOUR needed to participate in Boys and Girls Club of London’s Capital One Race for Kids event on 6 June 2015. For more information or to get involved, visit our website at: www.raceforkids.ca

EMPLOYMENT WORK AT SUMMER camp in the USA this summer.

Outgoing staff needed! Counselors, Land Sports, Lifeguards, Arts positions. Apply online at canadiancampstaff.com.

WANTED LONDON SENIOR SEEKING a volunteer helper to assist with completion of woodworking projects. On Wonderland 10 bus route. Also looking to rent space for woodworking projects in Westmount Shopping Centre area one evening a week. A garage or workshop space would be ideal. Contact Alan 519-660-1442.

VOLUNTEERS WANTED VOLUNTEERS NEEDED FOR Boys and Girls Club of London’s Capital One Race for Kids event on 6 June 2015. If you are interested in volunteering at this event, please complete the volunteer form at: www.raceforkids.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 3