Tuesday, March 7, 2017

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westerngazette.ca TUESDAY, MARCH 7, 2017 • WESTERN UNIVERSITY’S STUDENT NEWSPAPER • VOLUME 110, ISSUE 34 maja’s new best friend since 1906

THE FIVE CANDIDATES FOR STUDENT PROGRAMS OFFICER PG4

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JORDAN PETERSON DOESN’T NEED A PLATFORM AT WESTERN PG6

WOMEN’S HOCKEY FALLS IN FIRST PLAYOFF ROUND PG8

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2 • TUESDAY, MARCH 7, 2017

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MACKENZIE CLAGGETT

Volume 110, Issue 34 WWW.WESTERNGAZETTE.CA University Community Centre Rm. 263 Western University London, ON, CANADA N6A 3K7 Editorial 519.661.3580 Advertising 519.661.3579

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NEWS SABRINA FRACASSI DRISHTI KATARIA MOSES MONTERROZA RITA RAHMATI GRACE TO CULTURE SAMAH ALI ELLIS KOIFMAN AMY SKODAK ANNIE RUETER CULTURE-AT-LARGE RICHARD JOSEPH SPORTS CHARLIE O’CONNOR CLARKE MIKE DEBOER CLAIRE PALMER MULTIMEDIA JENNY JAY TAYLOR LASOTA NATALIE TREFFRY

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Last March in Somerville House, an earlymorning Canadian politics tutorial was discussing the hot-button issue of race in Canada. As with most contentious issues, someone said something that raised eyebrows.

When discussing the higher rate of incarceration for black Canadians, a student chalked it up to their ‘different culture.’

science doesn’t allow you to do,” he explains.

It turned out to be a good change. Since coming to Western, Mackenzie has been on the Dean’s Honor List in his first two years and won a number of awards for academic achievement including the Andrew Grant Scholarship in Second Year Political Science — awarded to the student with the highest standing seeking an honours specialization in political science.

Despite the success, he doesn’t like to get bogged down in a self-congratulatory attitude, instead he concentrates on the next reading or book for his courses.

Third-year political science major and history minor Mackenzie Claggett was readying his rebuttal.

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He even takes to Twitter to share his thoughts on them, detailing what he’s scanning through or offering up commentary alongside screenshots of text. While a lot of students take to Richmond Row on their Friday night, this past weekend, Mackenzie was engulfed in learning more about society.

“So I kind of lost it,” he recalls. “This is very much evidence that these racist beliefs still hold some legitimacy in students and I was just trying to explain that white culture can be violent too. How many little white boys play Call of Duty by the age of five and they blow shit up? It’s not because black culture is inherently violent.”

“Night reading: Aihwa Ong’s theory of cultural citizenship & its application to indigenous mascots,” he tweeted from his handle @mjclaggett.

For Mackenzie, these type of discussions are what he’s most passionate about.

“School is basically my life,” he says. “I was reading other profiles from the Gazette and I thought, ‘Oh, these people have cool sports or cool interests’ but honestly, I love what I study.”

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The Gazette is owned and published by the University Students’ Council.

This wasn’t always the case though. For most of his life, Mackenzie set his sights on becoming a doctor. The Caledon native even applied to Western for medical science before making a last-minute switch to political science — a week before the final deadline.

But what about when he’s not laser-focused on his studies?

“If I’m not working or volunteering, I’m watching Netflix or sleeping,” Mackenzie says with a laugh. He points out Mad Men, all of Shonda Rhimes’ shows and Game of Thrones as some of his favourites.

“I’m going to sound like Viola Davis,” he jokes when asked what kind of stories he likes. “Average individuals who you wouldn’t expect to do anything that would make history but their strength and their willingness to continue on despite the odds is amazing.”

After his science-heavy first semester of grade 12, he discovered he was passionate about social sciences and enrolled in courses like law and politics for the first time.

After a philosophy teacher introduced him to Michel Foucault’s theories, he realized he had made a good decision.

Mackenzie insists that the human stories in history and political science are what keep him so engaged in his research.

Mackenzie says the openness of the discipline is also what led to the switch.

“No matter if it’s a TV show or academia, I need a good story and then those stories inspire me to write more about them.”

“I felt like there was a level of inquiry that was possible in social science — that was radical in social science — that

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TUESDAY, MARCH 7, 2017 • 3

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USC passes budget for 2017–18 fiscal year BRADLEY METLIN DIGITAL MANAGING EDITOR @BRADLEYMETLIN After a relatively quick one-hour discussion, the USC council has passed the organization’s budget for the 2017-18 fiscal year.

A final vote saw 97 per cent of council approve the budget ahead of the USC’s annual general meeting.

While there was widespread support for the budget that will see the student fee for main campus students drop by one dollar, there were some concerns brought forward.

Keaton Olsen, proxying for social science councillor Laura Rosina, proposed the most exciting motion of the evening, completely defunding the Mustang Express and other late-night busing services. He cited a lack of ridership as the key reason for his motion.

“Ten dollars to ride a bus that none of us have ever seen is a little outrageous,” Olsen said, despite saying he’s taken the bus once.

USC secretary-treasurer, Isaac Jacobi called the motion “irresponsible” and explained that because

TAYLOR LASOTA GAZETTE

these services were passed through student referendum, they could not be changed by council.

The motion was unanimously defeated but some suggested it was a matter that could be revisited in committee for the coming council year.

Ivey councillor David DiBrina drew attention to the honorarium payment that USC coordinators are given every year. He asked if $1,000 was appropriate compensation for these student leaders and wondered if that should be reviewed.

Music council president Jaclyn Siou echoed these concerns, nothing that there are many student leaders across campus who volunteer their time without being paid.

Social science councillor Austin Zheng suggested that this compensation could be tied more to performance of individual coordinators. USC student programs officer Allie Adamo said that it was a matter that could be explored for next year.

Head of the student senators Harry Orbach-Miller also raised the value of the Gazette’s print

publication schedule. Jacobi suggested that even with a drop in the number of copies printed, student fees would be minimally affected — if not at all.

USC communications officer also added that the Gazette print product has value for archival purposes, pointing out that Western history has been chronicled since 1904.

Moving the publication entirely online could jeopardize this, she said.

Orbach-Miller determined this was not a budgetary concern and

drafted a motion that would have The Gazette’s publications committee examined the value of the print product for students. After being added to new business at the end of the meeting the motion was quickly passed.

In the end, most members of the USC council found no problem with the budget. The relative lack of discussion contrasts with last year’s budget discussion, which saw councillors debate late into the night for over eight hours.

King’s begins “Israeli occupation” referendum campaign period SABRINA FRACASSI NEWS EDITOR @SABFRACASSI

TAYLOR LASOTA GAZETTE SCIENCE RULES. Parliamentary secretary for science and London West MP, Kate Young, and Peter Fragiskatos, London North Centre MP, announced Western would receive over $3 million in research funding on March 2, 2016.

Western receives $3 million for research AMY O’KRUK GRAPHICS & FEATURES EDITOR @AMYOKRUK Western University will receive over $3 million in funding for nine research projects ranging from e-health to geology.

Of the $3 million, over $1 million in infrastructure funding will go to five research projects through Canada Foundation for Innovation’s John R. Evans Leaders Fund. Four other projects will receive $2.3 million through natural sciences

As far as science research goes, Western is really making a mark across Canada and around the world.

KATE YOUNG PARLIAMENTARY SECRETARY FOR SCIENCE AND LONDON WEST MP.

Strategic Partnership Grants.

One of the projects, led by biology professor Bryan Neff, will focus on the reintroduction of Atlantic salmon into Lake Ontario. This initiative could provide up to $15 million in new revenue over 10 years to local economies through fisheries and is a step towards recovering the lake’s lost biodiversity.

“The government of Canada takes research seriously and has made it a priority,” said Peter Fragiskatos, London North Centre MP. “We are a government focused on using evidence to make decision. Whether it’s economic policy, healthcare, a focus on the environment or infrastructure policy, evidence is at the centre of what we do.”

The announcement comes out of last Tuesday’s news that the Government of Canada is investing $51 million into 223 projects at 39 universities across the country. “[The funding] really puts Western on the map,” said Kate Young, parliamentary secretary for science and London West MP. “As far as science research goes, Western is really making a mark across Canada and around the world.”

A referendum campaign to boycott products complicit with Israeli occupation is now underway at King’s University College.

“Yes” and “no” campaigns for the referendum started on Feb. 27 and will go on till March 12. Eligible students will be able to vote on March 13 and 14.

For almost a year there was debate over the referendum within the King’s University College Students’ Council (KUCSC).

The decision to hold a referendum was made by last year’s council. However, the final version of the referendum question was decided after prolonged controversy.

Students in this year’s referendum will be asked: “Do you as a King’s student support calling upon the KUCSC to lobby King’s administration to boycott and divest from any and all companies and products complicit with Israeli occupation based on principles of human rights, labour, environment, and anti-corruption and change the responsible investment policies to reflect these lobbying efforts?”

Nate Little, KUCSC president, spoke about how the referendum question has changed.

“What I heard people were most concerned with was that the boycott, divestment and sanctions movement has created problems in the past. So really, what we’re doing is having a new type of referendum and I don’t think one like this has happened in Canada,” said Little.

“We’re just trying to do it a little differently so it honours the concerns of students while still allowing a conversation.”

Now that the question has been agreed upon, King’s students can look forward to roughly two weeks of campaigning on campus by both sides of the referendum.

Jordan Shapiro is a second-year main campus science student in support of voting no in this referendum. He is taking part in the campaigning process at King’s.

“From our side ,we are very much interested in making sure that the information provided to King’s is very balanced, neutral, and fair to everyone,” Shapiro said. “Our main concern is making sure everyone on King’s and on main campus and anywhere else at Western is safe and shouldn’t be worried about this referendum in any way.”

Haya Alsakka, a fourth-year french and psychology double major student at King’s, was involved with the referendum from its inception last March. Alsakka was one of the councillors who voted in favour of the referendum and is now the official spokesperson for the yes side.

Alsakka highlighted voter turnout as one of her main goals for this referendum.

“I hope students are passionate enough about this topic to vote, whether or not it’s vote yes or vote no,” Alsakka said. “I hope students

understand why this is so important to us as a campaign team, to us as students that pay tuition to King’s and, I guess to a larger scale, to Western as well.”

Both sides will be holding booths on King’s campus during the campaign period and will have special guest speakers and workshops available for students to attend.

Solution to puzzle on page 15

Selection Committee for University Secretary CALL FOR SUBMISSIONS A selection committee has been struck for the position of University Secretary, in accordance with the Appointment Procedures for Senior Academic and Administrative Officers of the University. The committee is seeking input from the university community as it begins the search.

Reporting to the Chair of the Board of Governors and the President, the University Secretary is responsible for all matters related to the university’s governance. The Secretary works closely with the Board and Senate leadership, as well as the senior administrative leaders of the university, providing strategic advice and support on a range of governance and policy development matters.

The University Secretary and the staff of the Secretariat are also a resource to any in the university community with interest in or questions about the university’s governance and matters coming to the Board or Senate. In addition to supporting the work of the Senate and the Board of Governors, and their various committees, the office has oversight of convocation and academic and non-academic discipline processes with respect to students. Detailed information about the work of the Secretariat can be found at www.uwo.ca/univsec.

Your advice will be helpful in guiding the development of the position profile for the new University Secretary, including the qualifications, experience, skills, and leadership and communication attributes we should be seeking in the successful candidate.

Written submissions should be sent by Friday, March 17, 2017 to MALCOLM RUDDOCK Executive Assistant to the President & Provost Stevenson Hall, Rm. 3107G mruddock@uwo.ca Questions about the selection process should be directed to Mr. Ruddock at extension 84133.

All submissions will remain confidential to the committee.

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4 • TUESDAY, MARCH 7, 2017

news

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Why do you want to run for SPO? I started my experience in the USC by being involved with the Early Outreach Program. As my position grew in the Early Outreach Program, I developed a greater understanding of the USC and I learned a ton about supervising others. Going into fourth year, I applied to be associate programming and I have been blown away this year by the passion that each person has for their specific program. I want to be the student programs officer so that I can help support those passions. To be given the opportunity to help people build amazing programs, and play a support role for people who are truly accomplishing something they love about would be amazing.

What are your plans for Orientation Week next year?

Mac McIntosh FOURTH YEAR POLITICAL SCIENCE

Building off of taking care of volunteers, I would love to see a larger focus on soph care and soph support. I am prepared to ensure that training is focusing on why we are teaching the sophs to do what they do and ensuring that they understand the process. Bringing them in, and being available to answer any question they may have will hopefully help clear up any lack of communication there has been in the past. For programming, I want to see a larger focus on educational programming. One Love is a great evening but we need to put a renewed focus on the messages from One Love and encouraging students to educate themselves.

Why do you want to run for SPO? Programming and events at our university have shaped me into who I am today. I am so thankful for the hardworking leaders who organized it all, and brought so much to our campus. I’m running for student programs officer to be able to continue these traditions while building new ones.

What are your plans for Orientation Week next year?

Ella Wardlaw

Orientation Week is our first impression to first-year students — I vow to make the most of it. I will ensure that we use this opportunity to create an enjoyable introduction to our campus, all while educating students on the importance of safety and the inclusion and acceptance of students of all backgrounds. My utmost priority is to ensure all levels of student involvement are engaged in this process. Our consultation will include students from all faculties and academic years, sophs and members of the USC and O-Staff.

I also want to take advantage of O-Week’s momentum to engage students during Orientation Month. This will allow us to showcase our services and involvement opportunities in more detail, with the ultimate goal of uniting students with their passion and giving back to the London community.

FOURTH YEAR MOS (ACCOUNTING)

Why do you want to run for SPO? I am running for student programs officer because too often we complain about the changes we want to see or the problems we see without taking action. Throughout my four years at Western, I have noticed certain things in the student programs portfolio that I think can be improved upon, and I want to put emphasis on areas of the portfolio that are often overlooked during election season. Areas such as accessibility, where we fail to recognize things such as selling tickets on the Atrium Stage when this is not accessible for our students in wheelchairs. Areas such as the peer programs portfolio, a portfolio so important because it ensures our campus is a welcoming and supportive environment. If students don’t feel safe and welcome on campus, none of the rest matters.

What are your plans for Orientation Week next year?

Imraan Mukri FOURTH YEAR PHYSIOLOGY AND IMS

My plans for Orientation Week and the program are to help realize the goals of the residence orientation co-ordinator, academic orientation co-ordinator and orientation co-ordinator. I want to ensure that their goals of humanizing OPC and involving sophs in soph-related decisions, promoting an orientation program that extends past O-Week and implementing soph wellness initiatives are first realized. The SPO should be providing broader direction for the program as well as implementing the strategic plan with campus partners. Since sustainability is a goal for many campus partners involved in orientation, the discussion will be on how we can start to make the program more sustainable.

Why do you want to run for SPO? Throughout the past few months, I’ve had the privilege to meet with many students and hear their perspectives. From all these conversations, a common theme emerged: students felt that decisions were being made for them and not with them. This must change. Every student should feel there is a place in the USC for their vision and ideas.

What I am most proud of during my time as chair of the Western student senators is the incredible amount of students who ran for and voted in Senate elections this year. By showing that it was a place where their ideas and voices are welcome, students responded by engaging with Senate on unprecedented levels. I know we can do the same for student programs.

What are your plans for Orientation Week next year?

Harry Orbach-Miller FOURTH YEAR JEWISH STUDIES

For this upcoming Orientation Week, I’m excited to work with orientations governing bodies to bring more of our campus community into the fold. Cultural and academic clubs are an essential part of the student experience and we should be giving first years the opportunity to engage them from week one.

Moreover, there isn’t just one student experience and our orientation must be reflective of that. I’ll work with our orientation leaders to ensure that there are diverse types of high-caliber programming so no student has to feel that they are choosing an alternative.

As well, I want to continue the great work that the charity orientation team is currently doing by focusing on ‘time given’ instead of just money.

Lastly, I want to create a soph team support fund to give teams resources to program throughout the entire year.

Why do you want to run for SPO? I learned about the importance of reaching out to others in a positive manner — even in small ways. With this in mind, I am running for the SPO position to act as a catalyst for growth with respect to inclusivity for all students. Student-based clubs, events and initiatives are an incredibly invaluable component of our community and I wish to serve to ensure the maintenance, sustainability and the flourishing of our student body by managing the SPO portfolio.

What are your plans for Orientation Week next year?

Paul Scala

FOURTH YEAR SCHOOL FOR ADVANCED STUDIES IN ARTS AND HUMANITIES

In the future, I aim to incorporate local talent which has been developed in our outstanding music faculty. Further, we ought to consider showcasing home-grown student artists. We can still host big name artists, but there is room to express the Western spirit in a more authentic and diverse manner.

Western students should vote on which artists will perform for the incoming students. This can become an annual tradition: current students deciding for incoming Western students how their O-Week will take shape. Students who vote will be entered into a draw for a prize. This way, more people will feel involved in the decision-making process and the USC will appear more accessible and transparent.

GRAPHICS BY SISSI CHEN GAZETTE

• www.westerngazette.ca

TUESDAY, MARCH 7, 2017 • 5

news

Controversial U of T prof headed to Western ARI MATCHEN GAZETTE STAFF @NEWSATGAZETTE A controversial University of Toronto professor is coming to Western’s campus later this month.

Professor Jordan Peterson has been widely debated at University of Toronto since last fall when he posted a video on YouTube outlining his refusal to use gender-neutral pronouns when addressing students.

Young Canadians In Action (YCIA), a new group at Western, is responsible for bringing Peterson to speak on March 18. The group was formed to spark conversations specifically related to politics among students on campus.

Peterson has raised issues with Bill C-16, which adds gender identity to the list of prohibited grounds of discrimination under the Canadian Human Rights Act, saying that some of the things he teaches could now be deemed illegal.

The response has been polarizing, with detractors saying that he fosters a dangerous environment for transgender students and supporters saying he is a champion of free speech. The debate has spurred protests in Toronto, which have at times turned violent.

Peterson’s talk will be held in the UCC and will be followed by a question and answer period. YCIA is charging $5 for tickets on Tilt, where seat reservations can be made, and at the door.

Kyle Maresky, a first-year Western engineering student, is the leader of YCIA and shares Peterson’s concerns

No one is going to be throwing anyone in jail for getting someone’s pronouns wrong, I guess he wanted his 15 minutes of fame and couldn’t find a more productive way to attain it.

DR. WENDY G. PEARSON ASSOCIATE PROFESSOR IN WESTERN’S DEPARTMENT OF WOMEN’S STUDIES AND FEMINIST RESEARCH

about the new legislation. He says, “with Bill C-16 in front of the Senate, I think now, especially, is a good time to get Canadians talking about the issues surrounding free speech.”

Dr. Wendy G. Pearson, associate professor in Western’s department of women’s studies and feminist research, thinks Peterson’s concerns with the legislation are exaggerated.

“No one is going to be throwing anyone in jail for getting someone’s pronouns wrong,” she said.

Pearson also believes that his claims are an obstacle towards meaningful discussion regarding the trans and non-binary community, and that the rhetoric he uses is meant to be inflammatory.

“I guess he wanted his 15 minutes of fame and couldn’t find a more productive way to attain it,” she said.

Professor Samantha Brennan of Western’s department of philosophy shares this concern, saying that it is wrong to question the gender identity of students.

Brennan also questions the motives for Peterson’s appearance.

STEVEN LEE VARSITY

“He’s a polemicist,” she said.

“He’s a highly-paid university professor who is attracting a lot of support from the alt-right movement.”

Peterson’s comments have already been a topic of debate at Western, and even the USC presidential slates weighed in on how they would handle him coming to speak.

At a debate in January, Mohammad Hussain of Team Jan/ Mohammad said, “If people are

coming to campus and they’re saying things about [students] that [are] hurtful to their mental health, we need to say that this speaker shouldn’t be welcome on this campus, or if they are we shouldn’t be making profit off it.”

Hussain clarified that he believes all voices should be heard on campus, and voices like Peterson’s should spur healthy debate.

Maresky is hoping to underscore

Peterson’s demand for free speech, even if some students find his ideas to be hurtful or transphobic.

“I think there is a conversation going on about balancing free speech and political correctness, and I think on college campuses and in liberal arts classes especially, it’s a very one-sided conversation,” he said.

Check out the Facebook event for more information.

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6 • TUESDAY, MARCH 7, 2017

opinions

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Civility and manners

STEVEN LEE VARSITY

COURTESY OF WESTERN UNIVERSITY

. . . little, nameless, unremembered acts Of kindness and of love . . .

– WILLIAM WORDSWORTH, “TINTERN ABBEY”

The recent rise in rude, insulting, disrespectful and sometimes hateful language and behaviour in the political and social realms (and, sadly, at some Canadian universities) should make all of us at Western — students, staff and faculty — grateful for the high level of civility that exists on our campus. Nor should the enormous value and importance of that civility be underestimated, for civility — “behavior or speech appropriate to civil interactions; politeness, courtesy, consideration” (OED) — is a reflection and a manifestation of good character and a cornerstone of civilization.

The once-popular saying “Manners maketh man” may now seem hopelessly “old school” and gendered, but it nevertheless touches on an important truth. The manner and style in which we conduct ourselves — our manners — are a big part of our identity and a bigger part of the way in which we are perceived.

Good manners are an attribute and an indicator of a mature personality because they demonstrate adult consideration for our fellow human beings. As Alexander McCall Smith has Isabel Dalhousie observe in The Sunday Philosophy Club, manners depend “on paying moral attention to others,” which involves treating others with “complete moral seriousness” and trying to “understand their feelings and their needs. Some people, the selfish, ha[ve] no inclination to do this, and it always show[s].”

Good manners do not come naturally: they are taught and learned and practiced until they come to seem — and are — natural. In Il Libro del Courtegiano (The Book of the Courtier), the Italian humanist Baldassare Castiglione identifies good manners as a crucial part of what he calls sprezzatura — the casual grace and charm of the courtier.

As such, good manners are a reflection of the self-confident poise that puts others at ease and encourages their own sense of self-worth. They are the opposite of affectation or pretension, which are always inauthentic and often aimed at establishing superiority over others by making them feel inferior.

One of the strongest claims for the importance of good manners has recently been made by the French

philosopher André Comte-Sponville, who argues in his Petit traité des grandes vertus that politeness is the starting point and foundation of moral development: “To act well at first means to do as is done (politeness); then it means to do what ought to be done (morality); and finally, it means to do what one wants to . . . provided one loves (ethics).”

As such, good manners are a reflection of the self-confident poise that puts others at ease and encourages their own sense of self-worth. They are the opposite of affectation or pretension, which are always inauthentic and often aimed at establishing superiority over others by making them feel inferior.

Properly understood as deeply moral and humanizing, good manners are certainly crucial to all respectful relationships between and among people, not least relationships between men and women. In Sir Gawain and the Green Knight, the Green Knight’s seductive wife observes of Sir Gawain that he is “stout enough to constrain with strength” anyone, female or male, who would be “so ungracious as to begrudge [him] aught,” and he replies that “threats never throve among those of [his] land, / Nor any gift not freely given....” Like his rejection of “threats” and “gift[s] not freely given,” the tact and good manners that Sir Gawain displays towards the lady as he politely refuses her inappropriate advances are part of the chivalric code by which he lives.

They are also barriers to verbal and physical violence for the obvious reason that they help people to control their tendencies in that direction and they encourage others to do the same.

Oscar Wilde once remarked that “good manners are a weapon to keep fools at bay.” But as has already been seen, they are much more than that: they are part and parcel of what makes us adult, moral, graceful, gentle — gentlemen and gentlewomen. To allow a door to slam shut in someone’s face, to flame an acquaintance in an email, to play loud music in public, to yell obscenities at a

Jordan Peterson doesn’t need a platform at Western

BY GAZETTE EDITORIAL BOARD

One of the key characteristics of a university campus is the open discussion of ideas. Another is mutual respect for those offering their views. While University of Toronto professor Jordan Peterson certainly offers opinions, he does so while failing to respect everyone.

With the news that Peterson will be speaking on campus later this month, a debate about free speech is inevitable. Gaining his notoriety by refusing to address his students by their preferred pronouns, Peterson has since become a free speech advocate, railing against what he sees as government regulation of thought.

As journalists, we certainly value free speech. It is one of the most paramount rights in Canadian society. Everyone is entitled to speak their mind and have an opinion and this includes Peterson.

However, just because someone has the right to an opinion, does not mean they have the right to a platform for their opinion.

Discrimination of any kind has no place at Western.

By mis-gendering students and failing to acknowledge the legitimacy of trans and non-binary students, Peterson is being discriminatory.

Seven years ago, Ann Coulter came to Western to speak. During a question and answer session, she

party, to use a steak knife to cut the delicate flesh of a fish is to align yourself with violence. The hidden council of good manners is that, while gentleness is preferable to violence, force may sometimes be necessary to curb violence, but should be used as sparingly and as briefly as possible.

Few people have understood the political importance of good manners better than the Canadian poet and constitutional expert F.R. Scott.

“The first to go are the niceties, / The little minor conformities,” he wrote in the wake of World War II; then Soon kindling animosities Surmount the old civilities And start the first brutalities.

Then come the bold extremities, The justified enormities, The unrestrained ferocities.

Far from inhibiting forceful resistance to the things that Scott

told a Muslim student to take a camel as a mode of transportation. She was being dismissive and discriminatory — her remarks gained notoriety.

What if the same thing happens during Peterson’s talk?

Western should be a place where everyone is respected for who they are but giving a platform to someone who is openly discriminatory flies in the face of that.

The spirit of Peterson’s freedom of speech arguments does make sense. The government should not dictate what people must say but rather ensure that hate speech is stopped. Targeting trans and non-binary students is not a requisite for this opinion.

Heck, we even have a little bit of admiration for his ability to be steadfast with his views. So often, people engage in self-thought policing, unafraid to be controversial or against the norm. If only Peterson’s free speech arguments didn’t come as a result of his discriminatory attitudes.

It’s important that as many voices are heard when discussing contentious issues. It’s crucial that on a university campus we have tough conversation about topics that are taboo. It’s also essential that this happens without making people feel as though their true self is unacceptable.

lists, good manners demand it because in politics as well as individuals they are an embodiment and enactment of “the old civilities.”

Sometime before he was sixteen, George Washington compiled for himself a list of “Rules of Civility & Decent Behaviour in Company and Conversation.” The first of these is “Every action done in company, ought to be with Some Sign of Respect to those that are Present.”

Others are “Sit not when others stand,” “Affect not to speak louder than ordinary,” “If any one come to Speak to you while you are Sitting, Stand up.”

Several years later, as commander-in-chief of the Continental Army during the American War of Independence, Washington stood up in another way and, as he modestly told Congress, did the “the work assigned to [him].” He then

resigned as commander-in-chief, demonstrating in doing so his wise conviction that a country’s armed forces should ultimately be controlled, not by military leaders, but by a duly elected civilian. Perhaps the greatest tribute to the importance of his resignation came from none other than his political adversary George III, who wrote that it made Washington “the most distinguished character of the age.”

Washington and George III stood on either side of a political divide as wide as the Atlantic Ocean, but they both understood the importance of “paying moral attention to others,” and acted accordingly.

So, long may the “niceties,” the “little conformities,” and the “old civilities” continue to thrive at Western.

■■DAVID BENTLEY ENGLISH PROFESSOR

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.”

• www.westerngazette.ca

TUESDAY, MARCH 7, 2017 • 7

sports

Ryerson Rams end men’s volleyball season MIKE DEBOER SPORTS EDITOR @MIKEATGAZETTE Western Mustangs men’s volleyball head coach Jim Sage called it the most difficult match of his 19-year career.

Fifth-year middle Mike Choja admitted tears were shed in the locker room after the loss that ended their season and sent them packing.

It was a brutal loss in a winnable game, a 3-2 defeat at the hands of the Ryerson Rams that saw Western go up 2-0 before letting the final three sets slip away.

Heading into the game, the 11-6 Mustangs were confident facing off with a 12-6 Ryerson squad that they had beaten 3-1 on Oct. 30.

And that confidence was evident coming out of the gate, as the Mustangs took a heavily contested first set 25-17 thanks to a 9-2 run after a timeout.

That momentum carried into the second set, as the Mustangs went up 16-11 before a Ryerson comeback chipped away at the Western lead.

The Mustangs were able to take the second set 25-22, putting Ryerson in a metaphorical choke hold.

“We executed really well the first two sets,” said Choja. “It took a little bit to get Ryerson moving, we kept up a good fight and were very much in a position to win the match but a couple bounces and we find ourselves on the wrong end of it.”

Ryerson clawed back in the third set as the teams traded points until a 5-0 run to end the set gave the Rams the 25-20 win.

The fourth set saw more of the same as the teams shared blows before Ryerson stole a 25-22 win to

Might be the toughest match in my career in terms of trying to get over it, just because I felt we won it and just because of a couple referee calls or execution, it wasn’t meant to be.

JIM SAGE MEN’S VOLLEYBALL HEAD COACH

tie the match up at two sets apiece.

“I think we could have served a little strong in the third set,” said Choja on what let the Rams get back into the match. “From a passing perspective they went on a couple runs that provided a little bit of a cushion for them to exploit their lead. In the third set we were up, they go on a big run and at that point in a set it becomes difficult to recover your losses.”

“We tried to focus on hitting the reset button, win or lose, and I think we were a little bit shaken in the fourth set because it was so close and so attainable,” he added.

The Mustangs fought to regain momentum, holding a 14-11 lead late in the set. However, the Rams were too much to handle on their home court, as an 18-16 victory ended Western’s season and returned Ryerson to the OUA Final Four.

“Might be the toughest match in my career in terms of trying to get over it,” said Sage on the emotion in the room after the loss. “Just because I felt we won it and just because of a couple referee calls or execution, it wasn’t meant to be.”

The loss marked the end of the university careers of Choja, Bryn Ramsay and Chris Newcombe.

KYLE PORTER GAZETTE

While it’s a heartbreaking way to end a career, Choja believes the younger members of the program can learn from the loss and come back stronger next season.

“To be honest I didn’t think I was going to become an alumni that fast,” said Choja. “I had bigger dreams and bigger aspirations for this year and unfortunately they didn’t come true. But at the same time, for the younger guys,

it’s an opportunity to learn how to play and succeed in those kinds of environments and to use it as a learning opportunity to further grow the program and continue to establish ourselves as a powerhouse in the league.”

For those players who will return next season, like third-year setter Matt Hooker, next season can’t come soon enough.

The program will return a strong

Is The Bachelor the new basketball?

Magic Mike

MIKE DEBOER SPORTS EDITOR @MIKEATGAZETTE There are some things that change in a man’s life when he meets a girl.

General hygiene improves. His diet moves away from depressing amounts of macaroni and cheese and undercooked chicken fingers to sustenance of a greener and more nutritious variety.

And, for some men, The Bachelor becomes a thing that we watch.

Now for the first 20 and a half years of my life, my knowledge of The Bachelor essentially began and ended with Jordan Rodgers, former Vanderbilt University quarterback and brother of the much more successful Aaron Rodgers who was a contestant on Season 12 of The Bachelorette.

So how did I end up in a place where I legitimately had strong opinions on the Taylor vs. Corinne debate? How did I end up in a place where I felt unbelievably awkward when Nick clapped (and grinned like a kid does when they meet someone named “Dick”) when Raven’s dad announced he was cancer free?

How did I end up in a place where, one night a week, I turn off the NBA game of the night and turn

on a show about 20-odd 20-somethings desperately fighting for the attention of a guy who can barely carry a dinnertime conversation?

In the words of Dunder Mifflin Paper Company’s Andy Bernard, “I guess this is my life now.”

My initial impression of the show was that it was some sort of Hobbesian hellhole, full of emotional breakdowns, crying fits and psychotic breakdowns.

But as a sports fan and writer, I began looking at the show as something of a March Madnessesque event, featuring a handful of frontrunners and with an underdog Cinderella story sprinkled in.

If Raven or Vanessa are your classic, blueblood college basketball programs (think Duke and Kansas), then Corinne is your 2006 George Mason Patriots squad.

Both George Mason and Corinne reached the Final Fours of their respective sports/ridiculous television events, and both shocked the world in the process.

Corinne, a blonde egomaniacally-inclined human being with a penchant for items coated in precious metals and gloating about her inherited wealth, defied the odds by reaching the summit. In spite of her immense unpopularity, she just kept on winning.

“I enjoy it in the way it’s like all this crazy stuff is happening,” says Olamide Olaniyan, a sports editor at the University of British Columbia’s Ubyssey, on why so

many people watch the show.

“It’s almost like sports where anything can happen and last-minute comebacks are possible.”

The Bachelor has entered a sphere of existence that arguably nobody would have expected when the show began in 2002. ESPN has a Bachelor Fantasy League, where fans draft contestants and receive points for said contestants’ performances and the show has become a talking point on a number of sports podcasts.

Rachel Woodward, an entertainment editor at The Gauntlet, the University of Calgary’s student newspaper, agrees that the show’s larger-than-life premise offers us a glimpse into a world largely dissimilar to reality.

“I think people like to watch people who are a little bit crazy,” says Woodward. “There’s always the token contestant who is kind of a wildcard who sticks around for far too long. And I think people like watching train wrecks sometimes to make them feel better about themselves. But I think there’s something interesting in watching relationships develop, especially relationships that are so far from the norm.”

“Your date probably isn’t going to pick you up in a helicopter and you won’t have a moonlit dinner that nobody eats,” she adds. “It’s an escape reality where you can pry into these peoples lives and story lines and then pick who is gonna win.”

Maybe the show’s old school approach to romance offers us a glimpse into the past in an age when finding a date is as simple as swiping right on your iPhone.

The wooing of women with roses, fancy limo rides and thoughtful, pre-planned dates is retro by today’s standards. But the show certainly offers itself up to scrutiny.

“There are definitely things that are problematic,” says Woodward. “I think the sanctity of marriage is kind of questioned because you know this person for six weeks and you end up marrying them. So I think there’s an issue with how relationships and marriage are presented. And they never deal with any real issues and real problems.”

To be honest, I never thought I would be writing an article on The Bachelor. And I bet 15-yearold me, full of machismo and obsessed primarily with Will Ferrell movies and sports, would not be impressed.

But who cares if The Bachelor is some combination of Hoosiers, Killer Klowns from Outer Space and Jersey Shore morphed into one spectacular television masterpiece? People love The Bachelor. Or maybe they just love to hate it. Either way, the show continues to be the gift that keeps on giving.

nucleus that can use the devastating loss to Ryerson as motivation for the 2017-18 campaign.

“It’ll definitely be a learning experience for us to close out games, which we had a couple opportunities to do,” said Hooker.

“But I think we’re confident with the returning group of guys we have, it’s a strong and tight-knit group so definitely looking forward to next season already.”

www.westerngazette.ca

8 • TUESDAY, MARCH 7, 2017

sports

•

Men’s hockey goalie signs tryout deal with ECHL CHARLIE O’CONNOR CLARKE SPORTS EDITOR @CHARLIEJCLARKE With the Mustangs men’s hockey team out of the playoffs, goaltender Greg Dodds has moved on quickly in his hockey career. Earlier this week, he signed an amateur tryout contract with the Elmira Jackals of the East Coast Hockey League, North American pro hockey’s third tier.

Dodds has been Western’s starting goalie for the last three years, backstopping his team last year to an appearance at the University Cup in Halifax. In 68 career appearances for the Mustangs, he posted a .915 save percentage and a 2.78 goals-against average.

This season was a tough one for the Mustangs, missing the playoffs for the first time in 18 years. Still, Dodds managed to maintain a .905 save percentage through 20 games.

“It was a disappointing senior season, no doubt about that,” said Dodds. “But I felt confident in my abilities all year, that never wavered. I felt like every night I was giving us a chance to win.”

The Jackals, an affiliate of the NHL’s Buffalo Sabres, were looking to add a goalie last weekend when there was a chance that starter Jason Kasdorf would be called up to the Rochester Americans of the American Hockey League.

An amateur tryout means Dodds will be with Elmira for 10 days, hoping to make an impression on the western New York club.

“Your whole life you put a lot of time and effort into the game of hockey,” said Dodds. “I think just to

AARON MALLETT GAZETTE

be able to say you’re a pro is a huge accomplishment.”

Dodds was brought in by Jackals coach Mike Duco, whose brother Johnny — coach of the OUA’s Ryerson Rams — had seen him play several times.

Committed to giving Dodds a fair shot at the pro level, Duco gave him the start in Friday night’s game against the Norfolk Admirals.

Dodds made 23 saves in the Jackals’

5–2 loss.

“I had good reports on Greg [Dodds],” said Duco. “I figured we would give him an opportunity to see what he’s got.”

Dodds has shifted his focus toward the future now that his career with Western has come to a close. If he performs well in Elmira, he could potentially find a permanent role somewhere, either in the ECHL or in Europe.

The Elmira Jackals have had a tough season, slated to miss the playoffs with an 11–37–7–1 record. They sit last in the ECHL’s North Division. So the pressure is off for competing this season and they’re free to give young players like Dodds a chance.

“I’d love to stick around here or maybe even move up eventually,” said Dodds. “Once you get in here, doors can open for you. You never

know.”

Dodds is technically playing for an NHL affiliate. From a certain point of view, there are only six goalies ahead of him in the Buffalo Sabres’ system.

Regardless of where he goes from here, getting a foot in the door with a professional team will significantly advance Dodds’ post-Western career.

Women’s hockey season comes to abrupt end CLAIRE PALMER SPORTS EDITOR @CLAIREATGAZETTE

JENNY JAY GAZETTE

The Western women’s hockey team’s playoff hopes were dashed last Sunday as the Waterloo Warriors eliminated the Mustangs 3–2 on the road to claim game three.

The series was a rematch of last year’s first round, which saw the Mustangs sweep the Warriors two games to none. The Warriors will now advance to the McCaw Cup semifinals for the first time in their program’s history.

“I think that we battled as hard as we could and it could have gone either way, and it just didn’t work out as we had planned,” said fourthyear forward and team captain Emma Pearson. “I’m proud of the effort our team gave and I think we could have deserved better results.”

Game three saw the Warriors come out strong, leading the Mustangs 2–0 after the first 20 minutes of action. Ryan got her second straight start in net and her second straight start in an elimination game. The Mustangs had momentum heading into the second period, but a disallowed power play goal at the start of the frame wrecked havoc with the Mustangs’ focus.

“That was a pretty big momentum swing for us emotionally and it made it hard to fight back after that,” said Mustangs head coach Kelly Paton. “I think [Waterloo] did what they needed to do in the third to protect their lead and it allowed them to win the game and the series.”

The first game was a 2–1 overtime victory for the Warriors, as Marissa Redmond scored 13 minutes into the overtime time frame to give her team the win. Fifth-year netminder Katie Jacobs got the start in net for the Mustangs.

The Mustangs offence proved to be hot as they outshot the Warriors 41–29. Second-year forward April Clark opened the scoring for the Mustangs, tying the game at one at the end of the first. Pearson scored the Mustangs’ second goal of the game with under seven minutes left to tie the game at two and send it to overtime.

“We really gave them a good run and I think the series really could have gone either way,” said Pearson.

“I think just from that series we just have a bunch of building blocks for next year to have more success than we did this year.”

Game two was another tightly contested affair, heading to overtime for the second game in a row.

The Mustangs came out on top this time, by a score of 2–1. First-year goalie Shelby Ryan got the start in net, stopping 32 of the 33 shots she faced. Clark then lit up the scoreboard, scoring both Mustangs goals.

Her first goal came with 37 seconds left in regulation and the overtime winner 11 minutes into the extra frame to stave off elimination.

“Both teams had a chance to win every game, and I think you can attest it to the two overtime games to start the series,” said Paton.

“Both teams played really well so we certainly want to congratulate Waterloo on their efforts and wish

them luck moving forward.”

Despite the disappointing end to their season, the Mustangs are hopeful. The past two years have been tough with coaching changes, high player turnaround and most of the Mustangs’ star players graduating. However, the team seems to have found its identity and are already looking forward to next season.

“Especially in our younger girls, they’d never experienced playoffs before and so I think they really kind of started to embrace it and grew in their roles,” said Pearson.

“We’re able to have more success once they got over nerves, there’s a lot of positives to look on it.”

Clark stood out with three goals in two games, leading the Mustangs’ offence. Ryan proved herself in net, and hopes to end the Mustangs’ goaltending woes. With a strong group of young players set to come in September, Paton is looking forward to next season already.

“There’s a lot of excitement around September already, and we want to continue to get better if we want to be competing for a national championship,” said Paton. “We’ll go down to Kingston and check out how they run nationals, and hopefully next year we can be just as successful.”

As an added incentive to work hard towards next season, Western is set to host the 2018 U Sports women’s hockey championship.

The team has their work cut out for them this summer, but come September, expect bigger things from this young Mustangs squad.

• www.westerngazette.ca

TUESDAY, MARCH 7, 2017 • 9

culture

Counting calories on campus JEN TOMBS GAZETTE STAFF @GAZETTECULTURE As of Jan. 1 calorie information is now required for chain restaurant menus in Ontario, including many campus eateries. As focusing on nutrition and calories in food becomes more common, students’ eating habits and approach to food could be changing.

“Obesity is still a big concern in society,” says Danielle Battram, associate professor of food and nutritional science at Brescia.

Battram sees the growing availability of calorie information as a positive step for people’s health.

“Anything we can do to try to curb obesity is something that’s important,” she says.

She argues that if calorie information can raise people’s awareness of what they’re really eating, it can help them make better, more informed choices.

First-year engineering student, Joseph Giammarco, thinks this does in fact make a difference in how

students eat. He says that if there are different options available with side-by-side nutrition info, you’re likely to choose the one with the least calories.

Carole Palattao, a first-year music student, doesn’t use calorie charts to decide what to eat because they don’t give a full picture of nutritional health.

“Calories doesn’t take in everything,” she says, citing the difference between “a hundred calories of potato chips or a hundred calories of broccoli.”

Battram expands on what this means in nutritional terms. She stresses that while “a calorie is a calorie,” there are nutritional factors beyond calorie content to take into account when choosing what to eat.

“Clearly we would want you to try and get calories from things that also have a lot of nutrients,” Battram says. “When you think of things like french fries, they have little to offer you except calories.”

Ahleigha Colwell, a first-year music student, thinks that nutrition

and calorie information won’t always change eating people’s habits. “I’d still eat it anyway and just feel bad about it!” she laughs.

But you don’t need to feel bad if you take a break from counting calories every once in awhile, says Battram.

“For someone who doesn’t go to a McDonald’s very often, when you do go you want to get a Big Mac, you want to get a milkshake,” she explains.

“As educators and professionals, we want to make people aware but we don’t want people to go to the extreme and feel negative about eating,” Battram adds.

Battram sees the growing availability of calorie information as a good step overall, as it can educate people and make them think more about the content of what they’re about to order.

Calories may not be the be-all and end-all of health, but ultimately calorie menus can help students make good choices and stay aware of what they consume.

SONJA NAHER GAZETTE

Rethinking the value of career fairs for students AMEENA ABID GAZETTE STAFF @GAZETTECULTURE After spending hours printing resumes, collecting pens and shaking hands at the 2017 HireWesternU Job Fair earlier this year, Yashar Ghari, a recent graduate student in structural engineering, feels no closer to a job than before he attended. The fair is the third one he has attended since he left Western a year ago.

Ghari’s experience is not uncommon. Tyler Salari, a fourth-year chemical engineering student, is a veteran of career fairs. By now, he expects little more than simply gathering some information about potential jobs.

He finds that the job fairs hosted at Western tend to be too broad to be useful.

“They have a list of the relevant companies for each field of study but I will go to half of them and they will say ‘we don’t really hire engineers.’ It’s a bit misleading. The online listing is too large,” Salari says.

Salari does not fault the employers, but rather the structure of the job fair. When you have companies trying to fill positions that range from summer camp counsellors to full-time software engineers under

one roof, it’s easy to see why these events may be difficult to navigate.

This problem extends beyond students searching for full-time employment. Grace Gong is an international student in her first year of actuarial science. She attended the job fair to familiarize herself with the Canadian job market and look for any possible summer positions.

She found, however, her field of interest had few positions available — internships and summer positions are hard to come by. Like Salari, she believes that dividing the fair into smaller, more targeted events, would be helpful to many students.

Ghari explains that the most common response he gets from employers is to apply online, where his resume will be pooled together with the rest of the online applicants. This model makes it difficult to see why attending the job fair and meeting in person actually gives the candidate an edge.

With the widespread use of sites like LinkedIn and Indeed.com, the role of job fairs as a primarily job searching platform has diminished. Still, Kate Baker, the employer relationship developer at Western, argues that job fairs provide employers and students the opportunity to make professional connections in a

fill a gap

variety of industries — opportunities that they may have otherwise missed online.

To avoid disappointment, Salari encourages students to approach these events as a sort of job search platform.

“I think for anyone who’s struggling, a job fair is a chance to learn some names, learn about the company — it’s more of a starting point really,” Salari says.

Job fairs attract a variety of students from different fields of study looking for different types of employment. The idea of meeting several employers in the span of a couple of hours can look appealing to a bright-eyed young job seeker.

What most of these students discover, it’s easier said than done.

While attending these events, in combination with the resources at the Student Success Centre, may be beneficial to young job searchers, there is still room for improvement. The students that are using these resources suggest that hosting niche job fairs would make it easier for both potential candidates and employers to connect with one another.

As the nature of job searching changes, students are finding that we may need to rethink the way we plan and attend these events.

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www.westerngazette.ca

10 • TUESDAY, MARCH 7, 2017

culture

•

The watchman and his timeless pieces

ANNIE RUETER GAZETTE BLAST FROM THE PAST. Derek Dier and his dog, Lance, are at home in WatchesToBuy’s comfortable living room setting.

ANNIE RUTER CULTURE EDITOR @ANNIERUETER1 THE WATCHMAN Derek Dier was 16 when he found his first Rolex in the bottom of a shoebox at the Western Fair flea market. Thirty-five years later, he would supply vintage watches for the hit TV show Mad Men. A year after his first find, he started visiting a friend who owned a pawn shop in Toronto.

The friend was one of the first prominent vintage watch dealers in Canada and he exposed Dier to lots of different watches he wouldn’t have otherwise seen in London.

Dier began a career in London real estate while watch collecting remained a hobby until he decided he wanted to sell something he really loved — vintage watches.

In 1998, Dier took the plunge into the world of watches and started WatchesToBuy, making him one of the world’s first online watch dealers.

You’ll think you’ve seen everything in a particular watch brand, and then all of a sudden you’ll find a new one from the ’50s or ’60s that you never thought existed.

DEREK DIER OWNER OF WATCHESTOBUY

WHERE THE MAGIC HAPPENS Dier’s collection goes beyond watches; his store on Piccadilly Street is a haven for vintage buffs in general. Dier’s knack for picking up rare items is inspired by his mother’s love for collecting and their many afternoons spent scouring garage sales together.

By looking at the simple brick exterior of WatchesToBuy and the single neon sign that reads, “Vintage Watches Buy Sell Repair,” you wouldn’t anticipate that entering the store is like walking into a whole new era.

Flanking the inside entrance are a red Ducati motorcycle and a vintage Peugeot bike. Neon watch

repair signs emanate a magenta glow on the room, and glass cases are filled with neatly displayed watches, mainly from the 1950s and 60s. Vintage memorabilia, like a working 1956 television, line the walls and every available surface.

Dier’s giant schnauzer, Lance, is a frequent staple of the shop, curling up on a red leather couch. A work table to repair watch casings is in the back of the room.

Even among the dozens of vintage items, the Mad Men memorabilia — including mugs and an autographed image of Jon Hamm, who plays the lead Don Draper — stand out.

MAD MEN AND HOLLYWOOD In August 2011, Dier was preoccupied with responding to emails from interested buyers and photographing watches to post on his website. But his routine was shaken up when he received a call from executives of his favourite TV show: Mad Men. “They contacted me in a summer afternoon and they needed the watches within 24 hours for the main characters, and I was able to pull it together,” Dier says.

“It was pretty exciting, and then I got to go down to LA and meet everyone on the show… I think we did 30–40 watches over the whole period.”

Dier supplied watches from the fifth to the seventh and final season, which wrapped in April 2015.

In March 2013, Jon Hamm graced the cover of Rolling Stone while sporting one of Dier’s watches — a 1966 Omega Seamaster DeVille.

Dier had the chance to meet the show’s creator, Matthew Weiner, alongside the full cast. “And to see the set — the set is incredibly impressive,” Dier says of his trip to LA. “Something you would never imagine. It’s all laid out over 10,000 square feet.”

Although Mad Men is over, Dier remains a key vintage watch supplier for Hollywood. Sometimes Dier will send watches off to producers for an unnamed project and later see a watch of his on the silver screen. In La La Land for example, Dier thought he may have seen one of his watches on Ryan Gosling.

“In La La Land, [Gosling] looked like he was wearing — let me go on my Instagram,” Dier says while scrolling through images of watches, “I recognize the watches. It looked like a 1952 Omega Bumper. So he was wearing a vintage Omega, but I don’t think it was mine.”

Dier is currently supplying watches for a yet unnamed Amazon series set in the 1930s.

But what Dier finds more exciting than seeing his watches on the silver screen are the unexpected discoveries he makes along the way.

“Like any collector, it’s about discovering a new variation,” Dier says. “You’ll think you’ve seen everything in a particular watch brand, then all of a sudden you’ll find a new one from the ’50s or ’60s that you never thought existed.”

WATCH COLLECTING REVIVED Hollywood and individual collectors are a big source of demand for Dier, whose business mainly comes from American and European buyers. Only about five per cent of Dier’s business is conducted in London, and the Canadian vintage watch dealing community is very small.

“Canadians are not as apt to

pay big money for rare items in that respect,” Dier notes. “But it’s starting to become more prevalent where I am seeing people buy from Canada.”

Despite the small Canadian market, there’s a revived interest in vintage watch collecting, especially from young professionals in Los Angeles and New York. Part of that rejuvenation has to do with watch blogs that amass thousands of followers. But with prices of vintage watches escalating within the past three or four years, it’s become increasingly difficult to buy timepieces at a reasonable price.

A Rolex Mariner, for example cost around $3,500 a few years ago, but now can easily go for upward of $15,000. At WatchesToBuy, Dier sells watches that go up to $130,000. He also has affordable items for students like watches starting at $99 and Nato nylon watch bands for $20.

But for Dier, a watch’s price isn’t necessarily the most important thing.

“Sometimes it’s not about value,” Dier explains. “It’s more about interest… it could be the colour of the watch that gets you,

or the shape of it or the way a dial has aged. A lot of it has to do with patina — so when a dial ages on a watch, the face of a watch can change colour.”

Patina refers to a coloured film that appears over a watch dial as it ages. A black dial for example can age to brown, which can be “more interesting than when it was originally produced,” Dier says.

When deciding which watches to buy from collectors for resale, Dier chooses based on what he personally likes and tends to wear.

He’s partial to Longine chronograph watches — tool watches that are designed to measure time with great accuracy — but values design most.

“I think I wear a different watch every day,” Dier says glancing at his wrist. “I like really clean lines.

It has to look balanced on the wrist. Simplicity or, in the other direction, it could be really complicated. But not in between.”

Moving past the Timex watches Dier used to buy as a kid, he’s come a long way as a watch buff. Next time you see a period piece on TV, you might just be looking at a Derek Dier timepiece dangling off a star’s wrist.

ANNIE RUETER GAZETTE FROM LEFT TO RIGHT: Rolex Oyster Quartz, 1984; Bennus Sky Chief, 1945; Edox Dive Watch, 1970; Omega Seamaster Chronograoph, 1974; Tissot Navigator, 1956; Top: Omega Memomatic, 1972.

• www.westerngazette.ca

TUESDAY, MARCH 7, 2017 • 11

culture

Are more people exploring polyamory?

AMY SKODAK CULTURE EDITOR @AMYSKODAK Hookup culture is as definitive to university life as Orientation Week or Spoke bagels. While the conventional view of numerous sexual partners is generally negative, the trend is evolving into something more meaningful: polyamory.

According to psychology professor Rhonda Balzarini, polyamory is defined as consensual non-monogamy (CNM) and involves a romantic relationship with a more intimate ”primary partner” in addition to one or more “secondary partners.”

“Polyamorists actively sustain their engagements with multiple partners through an ideology that emphasizes open and honest communication,” Balzarini says. Open communication is key and is what sets CNM relationships apart from flat out cheating or casual hookups.

Practicing polyamory involves an adherence to rules and agreements made amongst partners to deal with multiple intimate behaviours.

While ditching the idea of finding “the one” may seem uncomfortable in North America, Balzarini points out that 82 per cent of cultures already practice some form of polygyny. Research has even found that about one in five people have previously been a part of a CNM relationship at some point in their lives.

“All of this evidence is suggesting that humans are not a monogamous species,” notes Balzarini. She adds that high rates of infidelity also support evidence against single,

LIAM MCINNES GAZETTE

monogamous relationships.

But are students practicing polyamory? Throwing around the words “open relationship” is a deal-breaker among some while others see it as an opportunity to meet new people.

Western student, Meghan*, is currently in a relationship with one primary partner that she lives with as well as a number of secondary partners. “My primary and I are both aware of each other’s partners, and even share experiences with our other partners at times,” she says.

Meghan and her partners go on double dates together, engage in sexual experiences with other couples and singles, and attend sex clubs.

Both Meghan and Balzarini say that polyamorous relationships put

less pressure on one partner to fulfill all sexual or romantic needs.

“You have multiple people to love and support you, to go out and do things with,” Meghan says. “It’s less likely that you will feel alone.”

While having more than one partner isn’t currently the norm, hookup culture and university atmosphere is evolving the dating scene.

“I think the university atmosphere can be good for poly relationships,” says Meghan. “There is already a hookup culture present, so why not add in the extra bits of love, support and open honest communication?”

According to Balzarini, “Between 25 and 75 per cent of sexual acts committed by adolescents and college students happen in the context

ALBUM REVIEW

Sampha is an artist worthy of attention

ARTIST: Sampha ALBUM: Process LABEL: Young Turks RATING: GGGGF HIGHLIGHTED TRACKS: “Timmy’s Prayer,” “Blood On Me,” “Reverse Faults,” “Plastic 100°C” Subtle and beautiful, modest yet powerful, Process is an impressive commercial debut that solidifies Sampha as an artist.

Although Process is Sampha’s first album, the man is not new to making music. The U.K.-born musician is known for features on Drake’s “Too Much” and Kanye’s “Saint Pablo,” proving he is an experienced contributor who has been around the block. With Process, Sampha uses his accumulated musical expertise to make one hell of a breakthrough into mainstream solo work.

Anyone who caught any of the singles on Process likely expected great things. The album delivers, expanding upon the sonic aesthetic Sampha has been gradually developing. The concise 10-track project dips its toes into different influences

and genres while simultaneously retaining great coherency — electric soul at its finest.

One moment you’ll be hearing Gaelic rhythms reminiscent of peaceful U.K. countryside and the next you’ll be listening to trap inspired hi-hats that sound straight out of North Atlanta. The various sounds of the album flow smoothly into one another with elegant production, all complemented by Sampha’s gorgeous voice. The death of Sampha’s parents is explored in the album’s lyrics, and the weightiness of the subject matter often grounds the album in a soulful territory that frequently feels artificial when attempted by Sampha’s contemporaries.

Process is not without its faults.

The two 2016 singles “Timmy’s Prayer” and “Blood On Me” are arguably the best songs on the album. “Take Me Inside” and “What Shouldn’t I be?” are throwaway tracks, the latter of which is particularly disappointing given it’s the final song on the album.

However, it’s tough to linger too long on these shortcomings when Process has so much to offer.

Sampha created a truly unique ride through the life of a tormented musician, with production seamlessly dancing between different genres and vocals navigating the waters of suffering and rebuilding.

Process is moody modern soul dripping with atmosphere and substance, a perfect album for cruising through the city at night with close friends.

■■ELLIOT MACRAE

of sexual relationships that lack any commitment.”

Meghan is confused that people seem to be “okay” and “used to” hookup culture and “dating around while single,” yet the idea of multiple consensual relationships raises an eyebrow.

Perhaps polyamory requires heightened awareness. As Balzarini points out, increased exposure tends to lead to further acceptance and awareness. “Knowing polyamory exists and is a viable relationship orientation, opens the door for people who are interested and capable of maintaining multiple relationships,” she says.

Balzarini asks people to consider The Bachelor: “Anyone who is a Bachelor fan knows it is possible

for someone who identifies as monogamous to fall in love with more than one person,” she says.

As a university student being constantly introduced to new people on campus or navigating Tinder matches, millennials may find themselves in a similar predicament to Ben Higgins in season 20 of the Bachelor — infatuated with multiple people but having to choose one.

Meghan can’t ignore the challenges of being “poly” — such as jealousy — but says the benefits far outweigh the difficulties. Polyamory presents a more honest and communicative alternative to hookup culture that appears so often in university. *Name has been changed.

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