Tuesday, November 13, 2018 - Housing

SINCE 1906 TUESDAY NOVEMBER 13, 2018 VOLUME 112 ISSUE 11

Western University’s Student Newspaper Campus Averts Strike PG3

’Stangs Take Yates Cup PG17

ASMR Culture PG19 dishes in the sink since 1906

HOUSING ISSUE

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TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 13, 2018 •

• 2

cory litwin

Volume 112, Issue 11 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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COURTESY OF CORY LITWIN

As Cory Litwin rides up the hills in L.A., we occasionally lose the phone signal to our interview, and I am awkwardly forced to reiterate my question.

promote now, like just trying to get a few people on the guest list. It was a real business — a six-figure business,” says Litwin, who was relentlessly networking during his time at Western, bringing some of the biggest performing acts to town.

But don’t mistake this spotty signal as a parallel to his celeb connections. A quick scroll through the hiphop don’s Instagram feed will show you the laundry list of A-listers Litwin frequents with: hanging with French Montana in Miami, repping a 2000s-styled outfit alongside G-Eazy and partying at the club with Smokepurpp.

After a couple years promoting and managing clubs across London, Litwin felt like he had peaked.

In one photo, he’s caught flashing a smile alongside JW the Mustang and the music producer he manages, Murda Beatz. The moment was captured at Purple Fest, an event Litwin holds close to his heart, having organized a number of Homecoming events during his time as a Western University undergraduate.

“It was a full circle for me. Western’s where I got my start; it’s where I started throwing parties. It was a cool life moment,” he tells me.

Before the chart-topping Murda Beatz made his rise to fame, Litwin was on the offence as his manager, trying to create something from nothing. Now him and Murda are on the defence, with publicity and production requests pouring in.

When asked about his day-to-day routine, Litwin underwhelmingly describes it as a non-stop grind, with no two days the same. Some days, he’ll map out the logistics of a performance for Murda; other days, he’ll help create a Billboard chart-topping song.

“I was like a big fish in a small pond,” says Litwin. He moved back to Toronto, did a couple more high-profile events, a stint at a marketing firm and co-founded a Toronto-based jewelry company that specializes in custom grills, Goldie Rocks Grills.

During a trip to one of his jewellers, Litwin was introduced to Shane Lee Lindstrom, better known as Murda Beatz, who was persistent to touch base with the then grill manufacturer, knowing he had a number of connections with OVOXO, the Toronto-based record label founded by Drake.

Litwin was intrigued by Murda’s hunger, and he helped him network with artists around the city in order to build his brand.

“We started clicking. I had a big hunger to get into the music industry, and I was waiting to find the right person to partner up with, and he really wanted to have his business organized and have someone to help push his brand,” says Litwin.

Eventually, the two moved out to L.A., and the rest is history. Now they reap the rewards, curating charttopping hits for artists including 6ix9ine, Nicki Minaj, Travis Scott and 2 Chainz, to name a few.

But don’t mistake his apathetic tone for a bad attitude.

After all, Litwin’s made it to the forefront by stirring up real-world connections with some of the industry’s biggest names, and his inwardness and monotone responses are a product of his forward-thinking attitude; he’s not too focused on the past but is rather anticipating his next move in the game.

Litwin has even been credited as a producer, helping craft Drake’s five-time platinum single “Nice for What.”

In the last week, he helped release Takeoff’s new album — which was produced by Murda Beatz and he purchased a Mercedes S560 and a mansion in the hills. The music entrepreneur is also mapping out the blueprints for his management company, 2wenty 2wenty Music Group.

“Murda’s like ‘Cory, you’re old as fuck. You must have an idea.’ Me and Drake laughed because we’re both the same age, and I said Lauryn Hill,” says Litwin, who also helped put together Drake’s first performance. With Drake vibing to the track, the three mapped out the hit single in a couple of hours.

Litwin received inspiration for the company from 2wenty 2wenty Marketing, his former management company, where he used to organize the biggest parties across London while juggling a double minor in sociology and psychology at Western.

“I was making a lot of money. It isn’t like people who

According to Litwin, during a 10-hour session last year, Drake had mentioned that he wanted a song reminiscent of New Orleans bounce-style rap. At the time, Murda was trying to find the perfect ‘90s R&B song to mash-up, but nothing was serving up to Drake’s standards.

“We all knew we had something really special right after, like this song’s going to be one of the biggest songs of Drake’s career, and the biggest song of Murda’s and my career,” says Litwin.

■■CARMEN MALLIA

Western by the Numbers

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.

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

324 yards thrown by Yates Cup MVP Chris Merchant

SISSI CHEN GAZETTE

25 bargaining sessions before UWOFA and Western reached a tentative agreement

1998: last year the Mustangs played the Saskatchewan Huskies

3 •

news

• TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 13, 2018

Admin and UWOFA avoid campus strike GAZETTE NEWS @UWOGAZETTE As the strike deadline approached, updates on bargaining were shared online. Read more of the updates at WesternGazette.ca.

Western and UWOFA have a reached a tentative agreement in their ongoing labour negotiations.

In a bulletin shared early Friday morning, the University of Western Ontario Faculty Association indicated that, after 25 bargaining sessions with Western University administration, a collective bargaining agreement was obtained. In a similar notice, Western advised students that a deal was reached and campus services would continue as normal.

Terms of the agreement will not be disclosed publicly until the deal is ratified by faculty.

A date has not been set for ratification.

Information picketing for UWOFA takes place on campus Nov. 8, 5:25 p.m.

Community members handed out flyers in support of UWOFA at multiple locations around campus.

The second picketing session of the day went until 5:30 p.m. at the bus stops at the Alumni Hall roundabout. The first session took place from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. at the bus stop in front of the Natural Sciences Centre.

Members of PSAC local 610, the union of teaching assistants and postdoctoral students at Western University, picketed at the Alumni Hall bus stops alongside several Western professors.

“I’m the representative of a union, so I feel like I should be standing in solidarity with my fellow unionized brothers and sisters, and I really believe in what they’re fighting for,” said Katelyn Mitri, the president of PSAC local 610.

“Job security is so important especially for

someone who is in their PhD and wants to go into academia one day,” she added. “I want my profs to be secure, but I also want a future for myself in this sector of work.”

The professors on site did not provide further comments.

Western addresses students as bargaining clock nears midnight Nov. 8, 6:58 p.m.

Western communications official Helen Connell said in an interview on Thursday that the administration believed they could reconcile with UWOFA before the deadline — seven hours from when the interview took place around 5:30 p.m.

“The two negotiation teams are still meeting and we are remaining cautiously optimistic that we can reach a settlement some time before the deadline,” stated Helen Connell, Western’s associate vice-president of communications and public affairs.

Connell recommended that students check Western’s student experience website, where they could view alternative programming and seek support, as well as ask questions they may have had.

“We are trying, and we believe that the union is also trying, to reach an agreement that will avoid a disruption. We understand how important it is for them to have this settled,” said Connell.

Western emails seek to clarify strike details Nov. 8, 7:37 p.m.

Andrew Hrymak, Western provost, sent an email to the Western community providing information on potential disruptions to campus activities in case of a strike. A similar email was also sent by Chris Alleyne, associate vice-president of housing, to residence staff and sophs.

The emails included a list of activities that would be cancelled if a strike occured, such

LIAM MCINNIS / GAZETTE David Heap, professor of French and linguistics, handed out UWOFA flyers in front of Alumni Hall, Nov. 8, 2018.

as classes, mid-terms and faculty supervision of graduate students. Certain activities would have continued as usual, such as classes at affiliate university colleges and dining services.

Further, the emails explained free additional services would be provided, such as studying, recreational, professional development and social programs. Details on these activities became available at www.studentexperience.uwo.ca.

Increased mental health services would have also been provided for students potentially experiencing academic uncertainty in the presence of a strike.

The university set up a special email address (wse@uwo.ca) and a phone line (519.661.2111 x85029) to answer student questions. If a strike took place, the university would provide a 72 hours’ notice before the resumption of classes.

UWOFA posts photos of pro-union images on

University College, Middlesex College Nov. 9, 12:24 a.m.

Late Friday night, UWOFA tweeted photos of projections spread over the iconic campus buildings bearing their logo and pro-union messaging.

A Campus Police officer who visited the scene later that night said the projections were no longer there.

Western and UWOFA reach tentative agreement Nov. 9, 2:32 a.m.

The negotiating parties reached a tentative agreement in their ongoing labour negotiations.

Both Western and UWOFA shared notices indicating an agreement to their respective websites and Twitter accounts early Friday morning.

Classes and campus services continued Friday as normal.

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news

TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 13, 2018 •

• 4

Western ranked 190 in world; highest since 2012 ALEX SEUNG HEYCK LEE NEWS CONTRIBUTOR @UWOGAZETTE Western placed eighth in Canada and 190th globally on the Times Higher Education’s annual ranking in their best showing since 2012.

Nine Canadian universities ranked among the top 200 in the World University Rankings 2019, published annually by Times Higher Education. Western University ranked eighth in Canada and 190th in the world. Last year, Western ranked between 201st and 250th globally and 10th nationally.

The top three Canadian universities are the University of Toronto, the University of British Columbia and McGill University, respectively.

“It’s not just important for students who see the rankings; it’s important for us to establish relationships with other universities that want to partner up on programs and so on,” said Keith Marnoch, Western’s director of media and community relations.

Times Higher Education is a data provider that evaluates research-intensive universities across the world, using slightly different criteria every year.

“All ranking systems are not created equal and evaluate universities with different indicators,” said Marnoch. “Future students have to understand their own priorities first

before they look into the rankings in detail and see what insights can be gained.”

This year, Times Higher Education ranked 1,258 universities from 86 countries based on five categories: teaching, research, citations, international outlook and industry income.

As a university with aspirations to grow its international reputation, this ranking serves to grow Western’s foothold in global education.

Western’s best scores were teaching, citations and international outlook, with its lowest score in the research category.

The university’s business and economics subjects were ranked 84th globally. The second highest ranked subject was clinical, pre-clinical and health, which placed between 101st and 125th globally.

“Most of the factors that are measured in all these major international surveys are long-term strategies or initiatives,” said Marnoch.

“We are improving. We are doing better. We are growing, but so are the other universities. And the rankings turn out to be who is progressing the fastest.”

Times Higher Education describes Western as “one of Canada’s leading research-intensive universities” with “a history of excellence in fundamental and applied discovery.”

JORDAN MCGAVIN GAZETTE

New offer guarantees secondyear residence, free Reznet JUDY BASMAJI NEWS EDITOR @JUDYBASMAJI Western University’s housing services announced an exclusive offer on Oct. 30 for first-year students with a high school admission average of 90 per cent or higher.

First-years currently living in residence are guaranteed their top building choice on a first-come, first-served basis in their second year if they register by Nov. 18.

The offer also includes free Reznet service, usually valued at $395, as well as $200 in food credit on students’ meal plans. The food credit will be provided even if students opt out of the residence meal plan.

Chris Alleyne, vice-president

of housing services, explained the offer is one of several recruitment strategies to attract high-achieving students to Western.

“We thought, ‘What would make [Western] attractive for students coming from high school ... if they are trying to make a decision between going to Western and going to another school?’ ” said Alleyne.

“We thought this would maybe give Western an advantage and a little edge.”

Incoming students were previously guaranteed a space in residence during first-year. By extending this guarantee to secondyear, Alleyne hopes to provide an opportunity for more upper-year students to stay in residence.

“We always heard from

upper-years that they understood the academic advantage that residence would provide … the leadership opportunities, the programs, the safety and support,” said Alleyne.

The offer does not take into consideration students’ academic standing during first-year, as students start looking for second-year residence very early in the academic year.

“We’ve really had to change our recruitment cycle to begin in the fall, with when students start looking [for residence],” explained Alleyne.

“Unfortunately, we don’t have firstterm or any sort of academic information for them, so … we have to rely on the entering grades.”

Registration for second-year residence is now open.

Firm announces $20,000 history internship ASHLEY GOVEAS NEWS CONTRIBUTOR @UWOGAZETTE Know History Inc., a historical services firm, announced their annual Know History Scholarship, which includes a $20,000 internship.

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Announced in late October, the scholarship is available for students in Western’s master’s in public history program.

Recipients will work for six months as an associate in an Ottawa office alongside other Know History associates. The internship largely entails working on company projects, while a small portion of the job gives interns the freedom to work on special interest projects of their own.

The internship is funded by Know History in order to give public history graduate students practical learning experience which can potentially lead to full-time employment in addition to forming an essential theoretical basis in the classroom.

“We hope that [students] will tell others about Western as being a great destination to take a program that’s both theoretical but also very practical, so they can continue their passion in history and have … a well-paying and fulfilling job,” said Mike Dove, director and internship coordinator for Western’s public history graduate program. “This is fantastic because we can provide our students with a paid internship through the summer, and hopefully, this leads to a job as well with that organization.”

According to Dove, the Know

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History internship has the potential to impact undergraduate students by showing them they can have paid internships as a graduate student in public history. The hope is that this will nudge them to consider carrying their interest over by applying for the master’s program because they see a future in the industry.

Western’s public history program, established in 1986, is the oldest public history program in Canada and accepts 10 to 15 students per year. It is a one-year program involving eight months of coursework and a summer internship. Students have the opportunity to work with historical research operations all over Canada, with many placements in Ottawa, Calgary and Vancouver.

“For instance, a few years ago, we did one with the Canadian Museum of Immigration of Pier 21 in Halifax and that was on the topic of American immigration to Canada,” said Dove. He added the program hopes Western will continue to devote resources to ensure the Faculty of Social Science continues to thrive.

Dove stated the program’s goal is to hone different skill sets through annual internships such as Know History and major group projects conducted with community partners.

5 •

opinions

• TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 13, 2018

A lesson in empathy Gift of Gab

GABRIELLE DROLET OPINIONS EDITOR @GABRIELLEDROLET I am weary of men. Not all of them, and not in every situation. But when I walk home from Weldon late at night or start a new job with a male boss, I err on the side of caution.

My visceral response to men is well-founded. I have interacted with men who were too touchy. I have had male superiors accuse me of being too loud, too stubborn, too opinionated and too present. I have heard men lean out of their car windows to shout sexist and homophobic slurs, and I have dodged the aggressive advances of drunk and stammering men at Ceeps.

Beyond my own experiences, I have listened to other women tell me about theirs. I have sat on living room couches late at night as friends told me about the men who went too far, about the men who didn’t listen. I’ve read the op-eds and the news stories tucked away behind front pages, and I’ve imagined what those women must have gone through.

If you feel that I’m being unfair, then you need to take a step back. Before you condemn me for reverse-sexism, imagine what it might be like to be in shoes other than your own (my size five Blundstones, specifically).

What I’m describing is empathy.

Not sympathy, which seems to be synonymous with pity; I’m not asking you to cock your head to the side and to feel sorry for me. I’m asking you to be empathetic: to imagine what it’s like to feel at least a degree of fear or caution almost daily as you interact with men you’re unfamiliar with.

Empathy — the ability and willingness to understand the feelings of others — seems to be lacking these days. People in positions of power or privilege often act out of self-interest rather than considering the needs of those around them. A lack of empathy or understanding can spiral into rampant self-servitude as people refuse to think about the experiences of others.

This is an issue that runs deeper than the way men perceive or understand the feelings of women.

Empathy affects how people view any individual with struggles or experiences different than their own. Its absence has the power to shape political landscapes and movements, forcing marginalized groups to fight for their basic rights and respect.

The absence of empathy is taking power in the United States, where the rights and identities of trans individuals are constantly challenged by President Trump’s government. Most recently, Trump has pushed toward a narrowed definition of gender in order to legally exclude trans individuals.

In turn, members of the LGBTQ2+ community in London are trying to protect themselves from the apathy unfolding at the hands of one of the world’s most powerful governments.

The community is advocating for respect and safety, having to march for their own identities.

Similar issues of self-servitude are prominent in Quebec, where a right-wing party with a campaign centred on banning hijabs and reducing the intake of immigrants was recently elected. Legault’s supporters voted thinking of themselves and their own comfort rather than considering that of minorities and immigrants. A refusal to empathize grew into xenophobia and intolerance, ultimately impacting Quebec’s political landscape.

The list of political issues born from a lack of empathy is endless: we see it everywhere, from the American Supreme Court to Brazil, from Toronto to Pittsburgh. But these are extreme examples of what happens on smaller scales every day when people think about themselves before others.

If you’re able to read the beginning of this column and empathize with me, then you can empathize with just about anyone. You can imagine — or, at least, try to imagine — the experiences of those who are impacted by your actions. Whether you’re voting in an election that could produce tangible change or simply coexisting with the people around you, listen to what others are saying. Because while being empathetic isn’t always easy, it’s crucial in creating a culture of respect and tolerance.

Have an opinion? Send them to us! opinions@westerngazette.ca

COURTESY OF MINISTER OF NATIONAL DEFENSE HARJIT SAJJAN | TWITTER The MS St. Louis.

Canada’s apology to Jewish community is important

BY GAZETTE EDITORIAL BOARD Most Canadians were raised to apologize for their mistakes, not just as citizens but as people. And our government, despite how powerful and distant it can sometimes seem, is made up of people through and through. When it recognizes its mistakes, it should apologize, too.

Canada cannot heal the wounds it caused the 907 German Jews who fled the Nazi menace in 1939 and crossed the Atlantic, only to be met by cold selfishness at our border. We turned them away. In doing so, we insulted not only them but the entire Jewish community, as the MS St. Louis’ desperate passengers sailed back into one of the deepest pains humanity has ever felt.

On Wednesday, Prime Minister Trudeau delivered yet another high-profile apology for his own government’s conduct: it was Mackenzie King, a Liberal, who refused the refugees 79 years ago.

The anti-Semitic rot lives on today. Last month, 11 Jewish people were killed in their place of worship at Pittsburgh’s Tree of Life synagogue; this past February, someone scrawled a swastika in an Essex Hall elevator.

What can an apology do to help? When we as individuals apologize to those we’ve hurt, we know we can’t undo the harms we brought. Our hope is that Canadian Jews, and those around the world, are in some way consoled or heartened by the Prime Minister’s gesture. This is a positive start. And we ask students to think about their government’s treatment of the downtrodden and to remember it.

Because apologies are a path to awareness. Too

few people seemed aware of the St. Louis before this apology, and were likewise ignorant of the Komagata Maru or of the extent of our residential school system and the trail of tears. Years of silence about these issues have caused their failures to recur in a terrible cycle. As Canada’s borders continue to meet refugees, in a migrant crisis larger than what the Holocaust precipitated, we accept some but so much less than many smaller, more populous nations.

Naturally, apologies do not bind Trudeau to positive action; an apology for residential schools can, in the Liberal’s politics, be followed by the endorsement of invasive pipelines which harm Canada’s Indigenous peoples. The ultimate goal must be a Canadian government that does not comprise the values they tell the House of Commons are uncompromisable.

However, this ideal begins with what an apology can be: atonement, humility and transparency.

The Liberal playbook has included a pattern of apologies whose international novelty has drawn both criticism and renown. The command of government may be an odd mix with the sincerity of saying sorry, and it is certainly easier for Trudeau to apologize for something that occurred before his birth — a luxury others don’t have.

And so the place of apologies in international relations may remain unclear. Do we look weak? Do too many apologies seem insincere to their recipients? In this uncertain territory, we should act with integrity: if you have done wrong, apologize. As helpless as it may be to reconciling our past failures, humanity relies on the ritual of remorse, and for good reason.

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.”

we get letters

Bread, roses and Western’s strike This letter was received on Nov. 8, the day before bargaining negotiations reached their deadline.

The strike went from something we registered our support for on a survey to a reality that may be a day away. If I put in twenty shifts on the line, I can make $2,500. To live on that means not paying my full credit

card debt, no expensive food and certainly no pedicure. It’s an eerie inventory, pulling life’s possibilities through a thin straw, marking out what is essential and what is not.

Western University has become as corporate as Google, and through the amorphous body called “CENTRAL,” it regularly speaks of education as industry, of students

as consumers and rewards us for developing revenue-generating opportunities. Synergy. Creativity.

Alignment. We see these terms repeatedly in our budgets, our strategic plans: the university has no money, we must all do our part... do more with less.

I don’t recall signing up for fundraising or a job that reduces

students to “bums in seats” and proudly boasts the best student experience while raising tuition by astounding rates every year. What are they paying for? How can the university claim pauper status when it has almost 700 million dollars in its coffers? To whom is that money allocated if not those of us who work at and attend the university?

Telling us that we must make do with less while accumulating money is insulting and dishonest.

What is best about this experience?

Fair wages and dignified working conditions: bread and roses. That is what we deserve, all of us.

TREENA ORCHARD ASSOCIATE PROFESSOR, FACULTY OF HEALTH SCIENCES

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• 6

7 •

• TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 13, 2018

housing

WELCOME TO THE HOUSING ISSUE

KYRA KARAKATSANIS GAZETTE

housing

TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 13, 2018 •

• 8

MICHAEL CONLEY GAZETTE

CHARLIE MARSHALL SPORTS EDITOR @CWMARSHALL98 Renting your first property at school can be a scary time. However, it’s important to understand all of the aspects that are involved in maintaining a rental property. One thing that some students may forget is tenant insurance.

In fact, the statistics indicate that

many renters in Ontario — students or otherwise — don’t know about tenant insurance. According to the Insurance Bureau of Canada, only about 50 per cent of Ontarians who rent have tenant insurance. One of the reasons, according to the IBC, is many think their landlord’s insurance also covers tenants. But the IBC says that’s a misconception, because a landlord’s insurance covers the

structure of the apartment, not the contents within it.

In a September interview with the CBC, the IBC’s director of consumer and industry relations for Ontario, Pete Karageorgos, explained that renters often think about insurance in terms of their belongings being lost to fire, flood or theft. Many renters think their material possessions aren’t worth much, so they pass on the insurance

entirely. However, it is beneficial for renters to look into tenant insurance to prepare for the unfortunate cases when they may need to protect themselves.

Tenant insurance protects the house, the tenants’ personal items and any damage incurred during the renters’ time with the home.

While it’s a common feature of rental properties across the world,

many students don’t know about this insurance or simply don’t feel it’s necessary.

Of course, as with all forms of insurance, the price that each student will have to pay depends on many different factors, such as the size of the home or the number of roommates.

Square One, an insurance agency offering tenant insurance in Ontario, advertises their services for as low as $15 per month.

While the base number doesn’t seem like much, there are many underlying complexities. For example, a key area that is hidden in Square One’s insurance exclusions is a clause for vacancy of the home.

After 30 days, if the insurer is not notified of vacancy, they would not be liable to provide relief. As well, in vacancies of over 30 days, even if there is extended notice, they are not liable for any water damage.

Even worse, the vacancy window is shortened to just seven days if a pipe freezes or bursts while the home is vacant — making both the winter and summer breaks dangerous.

The issue of water damage is key for students, as it can be an expensive and damaging cost to incur. As well, while some landlords may pay for water damage to the home, the Exclusive Rental lease — a rental service common to Western students — specifies that any water damage done to the house is not the landlord’s responsibility.

Therefore, the choice between using and not using tenant insurance is doubly difficult in this scenario — if a pipe bursts during winter break, for example, neither the insurance company nor the landlord would be liable.

Additionally, as with all insurance, there is the danger that the insurance provider may deny your claim for any number of reasons.

Square One boasts that their payout on insurance claims sits at 90 per cent, showing that nothing is guaranteed.

Finally, students may be roped into promises of lower monthly fees with the inclusion of high deductibles. Essentially, a deductible is how much the tenant covers in the event of an accident.

Square One lists six different forms of deductibles that a policy owner may expect: crime, wind and hail, earthquake, standard, inland flood and water backup.

Translated, this means that while the company may offer enticing $15 per month options, this may not be the most beneficial coverage to students.

Ultimately, tenant insurance is filled with legalese that can be confusing for anyone without a law degree. While it can be beneficial for student renters to protect themselves, they should be aware of the risks and responsibilities of their agreement beforehand.

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• TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 13, 2018

Things to keep in mind when looking for a rental unit NOUSHERWAN SIDDIQUE CULTURE CONTRIBUTOR, SARAH RHYDDERCH CULTURE CONTRIBUTOR @UWOGAZETTE First year is an exciting time: students stay on campus, have all their meals cooked and are a stone’s throw away from any residence party. All good things must come to an end, though, and unless you’re sophing or staying on campus in second year, you’ll need to find a place to live. These tips will help you search for the perfect place to call your own.

THE ONLY DEPOSIT A LANDLORD CAN LEGALLY REQUEST FROM YOU IS A RENT DEPOSIT A lot of shady landlords will try and get as much money from you as possible, but the truth is, you should be paying one thing and one thing only: your rent. A common scam is to ask for a damage deposit to cover any sort of damages. According to Part VII, Section 105 of the Residential

Tenancies Act of 2006, “The only security deposit that a landlord may collect is a rent deposit.” This means that the only thing you should be paying is your rent.

MAKE SURE YOU HAVE ACCESS TO UTILITIES Occasionally, a landlord might put all of the technical appliances in one room and lock it — and you don’t want to be stuck without heat during London’s notoriously cold winter season. Your landlord must grant access to hot and cold water, electricity, fuel and heat. That doesn’t mean they have to pay for it, though; if you’re going to move into a new place, be sure to ask the landlord about utilities.

MAKE SURE YOUR ROOM IS SAFE In case of a fire or other accident, make sure you have a quick and easy way out. Although an egress window is not a legal requirement in Ontario, having an alternate exit and entry point in your room is the safest way to go. Plus, if you’re in a

basement room, you’ll definitely appreciate having some extra light shine in through a window.

SCOPE OUT YOUR LOCATION How close are you to the nearest grocery store? How close are you to campus? How long will your daily commute be? What are the closest bus routes? These are some important questions to consider when you’re looking for a place to stay.

Plus, you’ll want to take the winter into consideration; that’s when the going gets really tough. Your halfhour commute will be a lot less fun when it’s snowing outside.

TALK TO THE CURRENT RESIDENTS LIVING IN THE RENTAL UNIT Talking to the current residents is a great way to get an unbiased viewpoint on the pros and cons of living in a specific house. It’s common for a landlord to gloss over the less-than-desirable aspects — such as chronically leaky faucets or seasonal pest infestations — of living in

their rental unit when showcasing a house to you. The current residents will know all about these things, and more often than not, they’ll be willing to share the important information with you. It’s also a good time to find out if there are some problems that you never considered, like a broken laundry machine or an reliable bus route.

PRIVACY AND YOUR LANDLORD Everybody deserves privacy, and tenants are is no exception. Your landlord must give you the privacy you deserve by only entering the property for a few specific reasons.

Some special occasions when your landlord can enter your rental unit are when there is an emergency, if they’re showing the house to potential tenants or if they must repair the house. Your landlord cannot show up at the house unannounced. They must give you 24 hours’ notice before entering and can only enter between the hours of 8 a.m. and 8 p.m. Keep this in mind

the next time your landlord shows up uninvited.

If you still face difficulties of any sort, it’s best to bring it to the attention of the landlord. If you have problems with your landlord, try to bring them up and discuss what exactly the issue is; often, it’s a simple case of ignorance rather than malice. If problems persist, however, or if your landlord refuses to accommodate your requests for whatever reason, there is a last resort: call the Rental Housing Enforcement Unit. The RHEU is a separate entity from Ontario’s Landlord and Tenant Board, and their job is to try and solve any issue amicably.

Finding a place to live in second year can be difficult and even scary, but it doesn’t have to be. Knowing your rights and what to look out for can go a long way when it comes to renting a place; after all, you don’t want to be scammed or live in a place that’s less than desirable.

Happy hunting!

Make a list and check it twice EMILY TAYLER CULTURE EDITOR @EMTAYLER16

LIAM MCINNIS GAZETTE

UNIVERSITY APARTMENTS

Utilities & Cable Included

1- & 2-Bedroom Units apartments.uwo.ca | 519.661.3250

s r nt ea e -Y ud er St pp te r U ua Fo rad G d

1. ARE UTILITIES INCLUDED? Utilities change the price of rent drastically. If utilities are not included in the rent, this also means becoming more conscious of the way your house uses energy. Utilities are half price from 7 p.m. to 7 a.m. and on weekends, so refrain from starting the dishwasher, doing laundry and taking long, hot showers until the evening. If utilities are separate from rent, ask the landlord how they are usually handled. Does the landlord deal with them but in a separate, monthly payment? Or are you in charge and left to fend for yourself as you learn the new world of hydro and gas?

2. IS WI-FI INCLUDED? Along the same line of thought, ask the landlord if Wi-Fi is included in the price of rent. Wi-Fi is of huge importance to students: it must be fast and reliable for handing in assignments and Netflix binging the new season of Riverdale. If Wi-Fi is separate from the price of rent, and you can hold off on purchasing, most internet companies offer student deals toward the end of August.

The more housemates in one place also means more ways to split the cost of unlimited Wi-Fi.

7. COORDINATE BRINGING ITEMS WITH YOUR ROOMMATES You don’t need two coffee makers!

Nor do all five housemates need to bring a spatula. As a house, coordinate to ensure you’re only getting one of each item. Break it down into sections: two roommates cover the kitchen, two get the living room and one gets the front entrance. Based on what the house needs and what roommates already own, make another list about who’s bringing what.

BONUS POINT: IS THE HOUSE HAUNTED? London has some pretty old houses...

an

From Richmond Row to Broughdale, London is filled to the brim with student housing. There are so many factors to consider when looking for a place to live that it may seem overwhelming to even know where to begin. Even if you binge HGTV and are a self-proclaimed seasoned house hunter, leasing a place for the first time (or 100th time) can be intimidating and requires a lot of planning and care.

The first step is to keep a list and take notes when visiting houses, even if organizational skills aren’t your strong suit. You’re likely (or should be) seeing many places, and it’s easy to lose track of which had the campfire-worthy backyard and which had the “bedroom” with no windows. Here’s a list of pointers and things to watch out for when house hunting.

3. AMENITIES Which amenities the house needs depends on personal preference.

If some houses didn’t have a dishwasher, the kitchen would never be clean. On-site laundry is a luxury that some non-student apartments don’t have in big cities, so take advantage of it while you can.

Just because you’ve moved away from home doesn’t mean that your sheets don’t need to be washed every couple of weeks. On the other hand, amenities usually contribute to the utility bill, so don’t go overboard with the washing machine.

4. LOCATION Location is one of the biggest factors when looking at houses. Are you an early riser? Then the commute from downtown may not stop you from getting to your 8:30 a.m. classes.

Always running a little bit behind?

Try closer to campus: if you sleep through the first fifteen minutes, there’s still time to brush your teeth and go. Proximity to class is important, but so is looking at what kind of stores and bus routes are around.

Find the closest grocery store and ensure it’s on a bus route or within walking distance.

5. CLEANLINESS Although general messiness from previous tenants can be cleaned, there are certain stains that just don’t come out. If you don’t want your house to be haunted by parties past, make sure to double check that nothing is broken and the carpet is free of jungle juice. This also includes looking around at the state of windows and doors; if they’re broken, inform the landlord. If you don’t inform them right away and get them fixed, the landlord may charge you for the damage.

6. FURNITURE Some apartments have furniture either included in the rent or that is available separately to rent. If getting furniture to London would be a problem, like if you’re an international student or if you would need to purchase an entire house’s worth, then this may be your best option. If you’ve already fought your siblings for Grandma’s spare couch, then make sure you’re able to picture it in the space available.

You don’t want to end up stuck on moving day when the sofa doesn’t fit in the living room.

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KRISTIN LEE GAZETTE

The crucial service KRISTIN LEE CULTURE EDITOR @KRIIISLEE

KRISTIN LEE GAZETTE Data and screen capture from Lexis Nexis Community Crime Map for the number of residential burglaries in October 2018.

The house was silent. The three students living in the rented space had gone home for summer break, and the only thing heard was the ear-piercing shatter of glass shards falling to the kitchen floor.

The window at the back of the small, red-bricked house was shattered.

Broken glass littered the ground, some fragments coated in blood. The burglar was in.

“My house has been robbed twice so far,” said Ajeash Ketheeswaran, a fourth-year management and organizational studies student at Western University. “Once in the summer, I think in May, and the second during winter break when I came back.”

According to the Lexis Nexis Community Crime Map, with data provided by the London Police Service, there were 309 residential robberies reported in 2017 — an increase from the 218 burglaries in 2016 in that same area in a two-mile radius of Western.

This year, there have been just under 500 robberies so far. The map also shows there were 96 records of home robberies within two miles of Western in the month of October alone.

“I’m prett y sure t he robber smashed the window with a rock,” said Ketheeswaran. “They easily got into our house.”

Ket heeswa ra n’s home’s property management company, London Property Corp., took reactive measures both times to ensure the window was fixed quickly. Although the company provided a piece of plywood for the window, which would help insulate the house before repairs were completed

in the next couple of days, they did not implement anything long-term, such as installing automatic lights or security cameras.

Exclusive Rentals, another property management company that caters to students, has acknowledged this ongoing problem of break-ins in housing around Western, as they have been targeted in the past few years. They say detailed emails are sent out before every reading week or holiday, advising tenants of safety precautions, like locking doors and windows, taking valuable items home and closing all blinds.

They even provide security checks of all managed properties to ensure instructions were followed and the property is secured.

However, it’s clear break-ins are still happening.

Ketheeswaran said he and his roommates think both break-ins could have easily been prevented if they had automatic lights in the house or had security system stickers to threaten outsiders. He says these things could prevent breakins and provide a little bit of relief when students go home for the holidays or breaks.

James Heo, a third-year student in management and organizational studies, and his three roommates had a similar experience with the lack of preventative measures in his house, located downtown on St. George Street, when it was broken into last winter break.

“We don’t have locks on our doors so the robber just pretty much went into everyone’s room and tried to look for everything,” said Heo. “I was a bit surprised, shocked, a little bit scared. They took mostly electronics, and a couple beers in our fridge, and the PS4 with a

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e of break-in safety couple of games.”

Heo said his landlord, who is with Exclusive Rentals, advised them to get an alarm system and to insure the house for reimbursement of stolen items in case it happens again. Heo thinks having locks on individual bedroom doors would be helpful, too.

However, off-campus housing can be easily targeted by criminals who know that students generally own valuables such as laptops, gaming systems and mobile devices. It’s also predictable when most houses are vacant for long periods such as during Fall Reading Week, December holidays, Spring Reading Week and the summer.

To offer some protection, off-campus housing administration recommends students change their locks when they first move in, as many past tenants have copies of keys after they move out. It’s important that students get this written into their leases as landlords are not required to change locks when tenants change. They also remind students not to leave their valuables in view of any windows.

For students like Ketheeswaran and Heo, it’s constantly in the back of their minds to lock their doors and secure their homes before they leave the house, even if it’s just for five minutes. They feel that security measures are a crucial part to take into consideration because break-ins can happen to anyone at any time. Ketheeswaran advises turning on at least one light when no one is in the house, but Heo says he would like to see more permanent action, such as a requirement for preventative measures in housing contracts.

“A lot of the neighbours around us have been getting broken into, and we

hear about it all the time during the year, not just during the breaks,” said Heo. “That’s the scary part; they know when we’re gone.”

With all three incidents, the London Police were unable to identify or arrest the robbers, even after thorough investigations. So students clearly recognize and agree that the solution should start at education on prevention.

“Not a lot of people take action to take care of the housing situation,” said Heo. “[We need] more support and advice on how to get houses more secure.”

“You’re living in this house for eight months out of 12, and it’s for four years, so you want to live somewhere safe,” said Ketheeswaran.

But t he approaching w inter break presents more concern for Ketheeswaran, Heo and their roommates since none of them are going to be in London. Ketheeswaran suggests asking your landlord to clear snow to give the appearance that someone is home.

The police advise Londoners to keep doors and windows locked, even while inside residences, and to contact police if anyone or anything suspicious is seen.

If break-and-enters are not reported to the police, they are unable to investigate them.

The police also say they have crime prevention officers who can provide safety planning. They have a page on their website with general tips to protect homes from break-and-enters.

If anyone feels concerned or has questions, they can always contact the police for advice at their non-emergency number 519-661-5670 or the Crisis Intervention / Victim Support Unit at 519–661–5636.

KRISTIN LEE GAZETTE A graph outlining the number of residential robberies within a 2-mile radius of Western University in October 2018

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Top student housing problems ANGELA GILL CULTURE CONTRIBUTOR @UWOGAZETTE Living away from home can be a fantasy for many: no curfews, no parents micromanaging life and no invasion of privacy. What most students don’t consider when fantasizing about these experiences are some of the compromises associated with substandard rentals; piping, plumbing and insulation can create potential problems that reveal themselves after the move-in date.

Housing issues are not only limited to external factors, but also everyday problems; whether it be roommate drama or broken AC, everyone’s got their own horror stories.

CLEANLINESS Imagine coming home from a long day of classes to find a pile of dishes that reaches the sink nozzle and counters covered in crumbs.

Stressed and agitated, you go to the washroom for a quick shower to find a clogged drain. Over it, you make your way to your room as dust clings to your bare feet and suddenly you realize this one bad day has been recurring for weeks.

Everyone has their own lifestyle preferences; some find cleanliness a priority while others wait until the weekend to take care of their chores.

Your willingness to cooperate over these issues is what can make or break a housing experience.

HOUSEMATE SCHEDULES Having housemates in different programs can enrich your university experience through exposure to different academic backgrounds, but it also means you might not be on the

same schedule as your roommate.

While you may be cramming for that last midterm, your housemates might be pre-ing for an upcoming party, disturbing your personal schedule.

As a nice and understanding person, you don’t want to ruin the vibe, and instead go to the UCC for an allnight study session. But while you can’t do that every time, it is important for housemates to set guidelines for a cooperative environment.

HOUSE MAINTENANCE When considering a house, you probably won’t think about what you’d do if your rental unit gets flooded, but sometimes, this is the sad reality for students. It’s is your responsibility to ensure your landlord agrees to take immediate responsibility for the situation; these little tips may possibly stop your room from turning into an indoor pool.

When considering a rental, it is always essential to not only read the lease but also consider alternative options such as rental insurance to prepare you for the worst.

RENTAL COMPANIES Realtors and company representatives may seem sweet at first, but once the pen hits the paper and students sign a lease, their landlords’ true colours are exposed. Consider finding someone with experience at the rental company you’re interested in and see if they have any stories to tell.

SNEAKY LEASES A lot of students treat a lease like a Terms and Conditions pledge, and they unfortunately get stuck in some bad scenarios.

Throwing a banger without trashing your house KRISTIN LEE CULTURE EDITOR @KRIIISLEE So you want to throw a legendary party but don’t want to deal with the aftermath of red Solo cups on the ground, spilled booze stains on the couch and friends passed out from a not-so-memorable night of drinking?

Project X may have set the standard for absolute mayhem, but if you’re going to throw a wild banger, you’re also going to want to prevent that extra headache from your morning hangover when you have to clean.

Here’s how to have a blast without the trash: PREPARE FOR THE WORST There’s no doubt that your house is going to end up like a bomb of detonated compost. It’s probably going to smell like it, too. But preparation is like studying for an exam: take time to focus on what needs to be done and brave through the hours of the night because at least you’ll be prepared for when the unexpected arises.

That means vomit-proofing your washroom with plastic sheets, stocking up on air fresheners, removing anything valuable or glass, and locking your bedroom doors for the sake of your clean, dry, bed sheets, which hopefully won’t end up stained with questionable substances.

SERVE PRACTICAL FOOD The last thing you’ll want is to find a half-eaten slice of pizza wedged into the middle of the couch. Serving things like hot dogs and cake aren’t ideal because you have to remember that drunk people are like babies: they wear their food instead of eating it.

Perhaps try delicious, one-bite finger foods that people can easily pop into their mouths with no mess, like mini cinnamon rolls, jalapeno bites or deep fried meatballs. Food is what the party people want, and these items might satisfy drunk people’s monstrous appetites and relieve headaches for you.

KEEP THE DRINKS SIMPLE One thing a good party has is a variety of drinks. But the more options you provide, the more chances you’ll find a shattered bottle on the ground.

Avoid this scenario and instead, concoct jungle juice in a large juice dispenser by mixing ice, a juice of your choice and any type of alcohol. To serve this, provide plastic cups so that you won’t have tons of glass bottles everywhere, which could break at any moment. And you and your old friends — and some new ones you just met in the washroom — get to enjoy a delicious icy cocktail.

USE PLASTIC, NOT GLASS Mind you, plastic harms the environment, but only if it isn’t

recycled properly. Surely using plastic plates, shot glasses and cups is better, especially when they can be recycled and can’t be shattered — unlike glass, which can harm your hands and feet if you’re not careful during the clean-up.

HAVE MULTIPLE GARBAGE BAGS OR BINS READY If you have multiple garbage bags or bins around the house, it won’t be hard for a belligerently drunk fellow to stumble into one. And it won’t be hard for people to have access to a garbage bin when they need one. There’s nothing worse than feeling your insides churn with alcohol and having to navigate your way through a crowd of drunk people to find out that the one washroom in the house is occupied. Although, it could be argued that having to clean it up is worse. So have several garbage bags ready around the house. You’ll basically have the guests do the cleaning for you.

If you’re serious about undertaking the responsibility of throwing the most awesomest, greatest and bestest party of the year, be prepared to make red Solo cups and two-bite brownies your best friends, and make this experience one hell of a night.

The many perks of living at home JUDY BASMAJI NEWS EDITOR @JUDYBASMAJI For most students, the undergraduate years are a period of transition into adulthood that are hallmarked by the long-awaited move-out from the family home.

After years of parental supervision, the freedom of independent living can hold great appeal for the young and eager, often overshadowing the price of this independence. The burdens of paying bills, doing the laundry and buying groceries pale when compared to endless nights of drinking, a lack of curfew and the freedom to make all the wrong choices.

I had the unique opportunity of spending two years in university residence, one in an off-campus rental apartment and the last two in my family home, all while attending university.

A few things became clear over the years. When I moved back in with my family, I couldn’t quite remember why my younger self was always so eager to move out.

The convenience and relief of living at home beats solo living any day.

Here’s a quick rundown of some of the reasons why: NO MORE DEALING WITH PEOPLE Many students are familiar with the common inconveniences and the less common horror stories

of having roommates, suitemates or floormates. During my time in residence, I often came home at the end of a long day to a shower strewn with hair (from various body parts, I might add), a foul-smelling kitchen crowded with used cookware or a room full of loud strangers.

There was always that internal struggle of deciding when to say enough is enough. Is having that uncomfortable conversation with a roommate worth the tension that will ensue between us, perhaps for weeks to come? And what do you do when you have that conversation and nothing changes?

I can’t blame people for wanting to act out their true selves, whether that self is messy, unclean, loud or otherwise. I’m sure I’ve often imposed on others with my annoying habits. Fortunately, living at home spares me many of these daily inconveniences.

FEWER RESPONSIBILITIES Living at home also cuts your weekly to-do list by about half. There is no need for those last-minute runs to the grocery store because the fridge is almost always stocked with the basic. You will have a rich variety of homemade meals throughout the week, and you won’t have to live off mac and cheese or noodle soup for days in a row.

The only bills I have to worry about paying are my credit card and

mobile bills. Not only does this free up some mental space, but it also decreases the financial load on my bank account. With fewer financial responsibilities, I have more money to spend how I please.

STABILITY AND CONSISTENCY One of my worst memories of living in residence was being forced to pack up my whole life into a couple of suitcases every eight months.

Members of my family have the unfortunate habit of never throwing things away, no matter how useless.

For this reason, my life tends to be very cluttered, and parting with this clutter can be surprisingly painful.

During every one of my moveouts, most of my things had to go in the garbage because there were more than I could single-handedly pack and move. What to keep and what to throw away: choices, choices, choices. The stress of these move-outs for me can only compare to the stress of cramming for finals after weeks of procrastination.

The stability of living at home with all of one’s clutter in a single place is a luxury often taken for granted.

THE PERFECT BALANCE OF PRIVACY AND COMPANY I vaguely remember that wave of panic as I scurried from the shared bathrooms on my residence floor to my dorm room wearing little

more than a towel, looking left and right down the hall. Living in dorms involves very little privacy, with floormates and your roommate’s friends barging into your room at any time of day.

On the other hand, students living off-campus often complain of loneliness and isolation, with limited opportunities to meet people and socialize. These are also true of my experiences living in residence and in a rented apartment.

I find that living at home provides the perfect balance. Most days, I walk straight from my front door into my bedroom. My family, being the bunch of introverts they are, rarely bother me. But when I need

company, they are easy to seek out for a late-night chat.

Yes, I might ever so often hear phrases such as, “When are you going to be home?” or, “Can you please clean your room?” I might have to pitch in with the housework and let them know before bringing friends over, but I find this to be a small price to pay for the comforts of living at home.

There is no escaping adulthood.

In a year or so, I will probably move out again, this time for good. I have the rest of my life to experience the world on my own. In the meantime, I will make the best of my numbered days sharing a roof with my family.

There is no need to rush the process.

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A Word From Western Student Leaders Residence Soph “I think a lot of people have the misconception that a Soph has to be in hype-mode 24/7, and that’s definitely not the case. It isn’t about being the loudest on the hill. It’s about creating and developing those connections with the students throughout the year.

When you believe in them and support them through the highs and lows, they believe in themselves.

They get past those initial feelings of fear or nervousness and take chances on themselves, stepping out of their comfort zone. You can see this gradual shift when they try out for varsity teams, run for USC positions, or apply for Soph positions. You feel that joy when they tell you they made the team or got the position. It’s such an indescribable feeling, and that’s when you realize why you do what you do.

You are capable of making such a lasting impact that you aren’t even aware of yet.”

– Lava Lamp, Saugeen-Maitland Hall Soph

rezlife.uwo.ca/rezsoph

Rez Soph Rally: Nov. 20 at 10:00 p.m. in SSC Rm. 2050 Applications Open: Nov. 19–Dec. 3, 2018 at 9:00 a.m.

Residence Staff “I wanted to be a staff member so that I could help first-years have the same great experience that I had, especially if they were struggling or quieter first-year students. I treat this as a role where I can make a very personal impact on someone rather than viewing it strictly as a job. I have seen my fair share of difficult situations, but besides that, I found that the job really helped me develop crucial skills, specifically communication and leadership skills.

Because I had such a good experience as an RA in Saugeen, I wanted to come back as a Don, and I was happy because I got placed at Med-Syd. I really enjoy the feeling of helping people through challenges and seeing my students succeed. It is one of the best parts. This isn’t a job about applying rules—it’s a job that has helped me make connections and experience significant personal growth.”

– Pranav T., Medway-Sydenham Hall Don, courtesy of @HumansofMedSyd

Applications Open: Nov. 5, 2018–Jan. 13, 2019

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TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 13, 2018 •

How to be a good roommate MEGAN WHITEHOUSE CULTURE CONTRIBUTOR Having a roommate means sharing a washroom and kitchen and cooking meals together. Most of the time, it can be both fun and rewarding. However, sharing your living space with another is not without its difficulties. If you don’t want to be the person who always leaves their dishes in the sink and parties obnoxiously until the small hours, here are some helpful tips: BE FRIENDLY It takes seconds to say a quick, “Hello, how are you?” to your roommate. It’s understandable that not everyone is up for a full conversation after they’ve just rolled out of bed or if they’re coming in from a busy day of work, but a smile and a friendly greeting will go a long way in keeping up good relations with your roommate. There is nothing worse than living with someone who always acts miserable and seems like they have no time to even acknowledge who they live with.

KYRA KARAKATSANIS GAZETTE

BE CLEAN No one is expecting a student house to be spotless. We’re all in the same boat, drowning in work and trying to balance extracurriculars and work experience with some semblance of a social life.

Free time is not something any student has in abundance. But living with other people does come with the responsibility of being clean. So, if your dishes have been left for more than a couple of days, maybe take 10 minutes to wash them up; if your hair is clogging the drain in the bathroom, maybe take some time to unclog it for the benefit of your roommates. No one wants to go into a shower to find the drain blocked by a hairball the size of a fist. There’s no pressure to keep your house pristine, but just make sure your living environment is comfortable and reasonably tidy.

BE REASONABLE If you’re planning on hosting a party or pre at your house, it’s always a good idea to check in with your roommates beforehand. Most of the time people are very accommodating and will let you party to your heart’s content. But there are

occasions, like someone has an exam or an assignment due, when a party is not the best idea. If someone is kept awake until 3 a.m. by Kendrick Lamar on full volume when they have an exam the next day, you can expect to have a very angry roommate on your hands. Just be sure to ask in advance and be respectful of who you are sharing a house with.

IF YOU HAVE ISSUES, TALK ABOUT THEM SOONER RATHER THAN LATER If you have an issue with your roommate, it is much better to bring it up in a calm and reasonable way early on, rather than let it build up and explode further down the line. If it’s a small issue that you feel like you’ll probably just forget about, then by all means sweep it under the rug.

But bigger issues will find a way to come to the surface. Most of the time, people are understanding and will change their behaviour if they realize something is bothering you, so bring it up sooner rather than later. There is nothing worse than internalizing all your issues with a roommate. You will just end up resenting them. Nip problems in the bud.

RESPECT YOUR ROOMMATES’ SPACE If your roommate is out and you need to borrow something from their room, it’s always a good idea to drop them a quick message before you go rifling through their stuff. Always ask for permission before using your roommate’s belongings or eating your roommate’s food. There’s nothing worse than coming home after a long day’s work to find that someone has eaten all your leftovers and used up all your milk. It’s soul destroying. Just try not to borrow things excessively, unless agreed upon. Stealing some shampoo if you suddenly run out is fine, but don’t take advantage of the people around you. Also, knocking before you enter your roommate’s bedroom can save you from a lot of awkward situations.

Living with a roommate is a new experience for a lot of people and although there may be bumps along the road, for many it is rewarding and enjoyable. After all, your roommate could be a best friend in the making!

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• TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 13, 2018

live in style.

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sports

TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 13, 2018 •

• 16

ANNIE CHINNECK AND ZOÉ HLADY

Western’s water polo trailblazers CHARLIE MARSHALL SPORTS EDITOR @CWMARSHALL98 Annie Chinneck and Zoé Hlady have made waves in the pool this year as women on the Western Mustangs men’s water polo team.

Hlady is playing in her first year for the Mustangs after spending her high school career competing for the Etobicoke Mavericks Water Polo Club.

Chinneck, on the other hand, is a bit of a water polo globetrotter.

Going from the women’s team at McMaster University to a mixed team at Dalhousie University, she’s now on the men’s team at Western; the fifth-year graduate student has seen everything that the game has to offer.

Since Western doesn’t have a women’s team, both women tried out individually and made the men’s squad. Currently, Western is the only school in Ontario University

Athletics that exclusively offers a men’s team. However, this major detail hasn’t stopped Chinneck or Hlady from playing the sport they love.

Water polo can be a brutal sport that at times plays like hockey in the water. Competitors on both sides will do anything to put the ball in the net. In fact, Hlady and Chinneck explained that, at times, punches and vicious tackles can be staples of the game — even though that kind of roughness constitute a foul. The difference between the men’s and women’s game has been stark, according to Chinneck.

“The style of play in women’s water polo and in men’s water polo is very different,” she explained. “So I think that’s the most unfortunate part, because we’re at a disadvantage. Not because we’re not skilled, but because this is actually a different game.”

However, realizing the difference

in game style, the Mustangs coaching staff have looked to alter their game plan in order to take advantage of the skills that Hlady and Chinneck bring to the table. This new strategy consists of speed and finesse rather than brute force.

As trailblazers in a completely different sport, the two Mustangs said that, while the men’s game can be difficult to play physically, the mental aspect is the greatest challenge.

“There are times where I doubt myself where I would not normally when I’m on a girl’s team,” said Chinneck. “I feel much more hesitant to make riskier plays or to shoot because I’m worried that I’ll be pulled because of that.”

Hlady and Chinneck agreed that, even in practice, their physical limitations can affect them mentally.

Recently, a workout required the team to swim the width of the pool, climb out, touch the wall and dive back in.

After dealing with constant cuts and bruises on her knees, Chinneck told her coach that she could no longer do that exercise. Working up the confidence to raise the issue to the attention of her coach, Bill Terzis, was the hardest part.

“I went to Bill, and I asked him, which was very difficult for me to do, to be like, ‘I cannot do these any longer,’ ” said Chinneck. “But then I just had this whole period of being

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like, ‘Can I not do it? Or should I be able to do it? Is it because I’m a girl? Is it because I’m slow? Am I not good enough to be on this team?’

These are not questions that I would have struggled with on the women’s team.”

Hlady was similarly hesitant to change her workout. In fact, after Chinneck shifted to a supplementary regimen, one that was an equally difficult challenge, Hlady initially didn’t make the switch immediately.

“For a short while, I didn’t want to do the modified way,” said Hlady.

“Simply because I didn’t, I didn’t want to give them any more reason to think less of me, right? Which again, it shouldn’t be happening. I shouldn’t have to be doing everything in my power just to make them think that I’m equal to the guys.”

While it has certainly been a difficult challenge for Hlady and Chinneck, they’ve still received incredible support from their teammates.

“We’ve seen a lot of change with them in the two months we’ve been here,” said Hlady. “I think it’s beneficial to them, too. To have a couple girls, to have that other side of spending time with girls who are in this world so that they can kind of better understand and be better that way.”

Without each other, though, the duo admit they likely wouldn’t be where they are today. And while they proudly continue playing on the men’s team, they have been pushing to add a women’s team to Western’s long list of athletic programs.

However, the process is an arduous and bureaucratic one, and Chinneck fears that it will keep talented water polo players away.

“I think it will be a long process,” she said. “Which is unfortunate, because I feel like there are girls here that would play but are deterred by being on a men’s team.”

The women argue that adding a women’s team won’t be a massive economic hit to Western’s athletics department. And according to Dave Tennant, another coach on the men’s team, who is helping Chinneck and Hlady file their papers to obtain varsity status, having two programs would be beneficial for the student-athletes’ experience at Western.

“It’s a natural fit,” explained Tennant. “We would mirror the same games as the men’s. It makes it that much more fun for both the men and the women to travel and visit places like Queen’s and Ottawa.

I think it will really add something to the water polo program at Western.”

Chinneck and Hlady urge women on campus with water polo experience to join them in their first steps toward making a new team. The final decision on the team’s status will be made on March 31, 2019.

But until then, Chinneck and Hlady will continue on the men’s team, trailblazing in more ways than one.

17 •

sports

• TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 13, 2018

Mustangs win 32nd Yates Cup in school history

LUCY VILLENEUVE GAZETTE

CHARLIE MARSHALL SPORTS EDITOR @CWMARSHALL98 The Western Mustangs put the rest of the league on notice this weekend; they’re back and ready for another Vanier Cup title.

The Mustangs demolished the Guelph Gryphons in the Yates Cup by a score of 63–14 on Saturday afternoon at TD Stadium.

The Mustangs came out of the gates on fire in all aspects of the game. The first offensive drive was rolling well, but because of an unfortunate fumble by Alex Taylor within the five-yard line, Western was forced to bring out their formidable defence.

The Mustangs defence was downright impenetrable in the first quarter. On the Gryphons’ first two drives of the game, Western forced two two-and-outs.

The Mustangs benefited from the excellent play of their defence, scoring the first points of the game on a Cedric Joseph power rush. With just under nine minutes to play in the quarter, Western owned a 7–0 lead.

The Mustangs defence added some points of their own a few minutes later. Guelph quarterback Theo Landers, facing heavy pressure, forced a pass into double coverage down the field. Mackenzie Ferguson took advantage of the overthrown pass, intercepting the ball and returning it 45 yards to the house.

The Western offence continued its roll entering the second quarter.

Not normally known for his legs, quarterback Chris Merchant ran the ball 24 yards to the end zone on a broken play, extending the Western lead to 21–0.

Cedric Joseph added his second touchdown of the game with under seven minutes to play in the first half. A few minutes later, Merchant found Griffin Campbell sitting wide open in the Gryphons endzone for the first receiving touchdown of his U Sports career. After the two scores, the Mustangs led 39-0.

Despite dominating the Gryphons for most of the half, the Mustangs allowed Guelph to score their first touchdown of the game on the final play of the first half. Through 30 minutes of play, Western held a commanding 39–7

lead.

While the Western defence dominated the Gryphons through nearly 27 minutes of play, Guelph scored on back-to-back drives between the last drive of the first half and first drive of the second half. In the second half scoring play, first year running back JeanPaul Cimankinda broke off a huge 57-yard rush, closing the Gryphons deficit to 39–14.

The Mustangs offence responded quickly, though, as Merchant added his second rushing score of the game on a scramble.

The Western defence stopped the bleeding on Guelph’s next drive, forcing another two-and-out.

However, the Western offence was unable to add another touchdown as Merchant forced a pass into the end zone. The ill-advised throw was picked off by a Gryphons defender.

Merchant made up for his mistake with a one-yard quarterback sneak on the next drive, adding his third rushing touchdown of the game. With three ground scores on the day, the Western quarterback tied his total for rushing scores through eight regular season games.

Merchant wasn’t done with his third rushing major of the game, though. After Cedric Joseph rushed the ball 33 yards, the running back was stripped on the goal line.

Fortunately for the Mustangs, their quarterback was able to fall on the ball for another score.

After the early fourth quarter score, Merchant, Taylor and some other starters traded their helmets for ball caps, allowing backup quarterback Kevin John and the bench to close out the game.

This was all part of the plan for Western, though, as their sights weren’t simply set on a Yates Cup; they want to be back-to-back Vanier Cup champions, as well. These lofty goals took some of the emotion out of Saturday’s victory.

“Honestly, it’s less exciting than some because we have bigger goals,” said fourth-year linebacker Fraser Sopik. “It was nice to cross it off. We’re kind of already focused on the next game.”

The 2018 OUA Outstanding Stand-Up Defensive Player of the Year earned the right to be confident. Sopik led a Mustangs defence

that allowed just 89 points in the regular season — ranking them first in the OUA by a margin of 74 points — and 27 in the playoffs.

However, the linebacker felt that while the defence played well, there is still a lot to improve ahead of the Mitchell Bowl next weekend.

“Honestly, we’re ready to walk into film tomorrow and not be as happy as we should be,” said Sopik.

“They got some points on the board that were some bad errors, and I can tell you Coach [Paul] Gleason is going to be pretty mad.”

The Mustangs defence held the Gryphons to just 15 first downs and 259 total yards. In fact, Guelph almost had as many punting yards (226) as total offensive yards, while the Mustangs offence put up 637 total yards and seven touchdowns.

The leader of the offence, Merchant, was rewarded for his efforts with the Yates Cup Most Valuable Player award — an honour that, he feels, was a testament to his teammates.

“I’m probably the worst athlete on the field out there,” joked Merchant. “Credit to those guys — made some great catches, made some great runs. The offensive line was putting their nose downhill and knocking some guys off the ball. I can’t take any of the credit for the guys that are around me.”

Merchant rushed for 67 yards with three touchdowns. His three rushing majors tied his total through eight regular season games.

The change in pace on offence was all by design, head coach Greg Marshall explained. “[The game featured] a lot more Chris Merchant runs than you’ve seen because that gives us an

extra blocker out there,” explained Marshall. “Essentially when we block everyone up and then Chris is the guy who pulls the ball down and runs, [it] gives us an extra blocker at the point of attack.”

With 286 total rushing yards in the game, a lot of credit should be placed on the shoulders of Western’s offensive line. After struggling against the Carleton Ravens in the semis, the Mustangs offensive line pushed the Gryphons defence around all game to create holes and

protect the pocket.

“Yeah, they came in with kind of a chip on their shoulder,” said Merchant on the play of his offensive line. “We knew that we could come in and kind of knock these guys off the ball, and that’s exactly what they did.”

The Mustangs move on to play the Saskatchewan Huskies next Saturday in the Mitchell Bowl at TD Stadium at 4 p.m. The winner of that game will travel to Quebec City to compete in the Vanier Cup.

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culture

TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 13, 2018 •

• 18

EXPLAINED

Cannabis from antiquity to legality COURTNEY MANN CULTURE EDITOR As Canada recently claimed its title as the world’s largest country to legalize cannabis, people of all ages have been pondering the magical origins of the good green.

THROUGH HISTORY Marijuana, pot, weed, grass and dope are all common names for the fast-growing, flowering cannabis plant, which is native to Central Asia.

The most specific recorded origins of the flower’s medicinal use dates back to Chinese emperor Shen Nung in 2737 BC, though unspecified medicinal use has been documented based on carbon-14 dating techniques closer to 4000 BC. More popularly, the widespread use of hemp in the production of clothing and rope traces back thousands of years.

Over 2,000 years later, the dried bud was finally enjoyed by the public — though not in the same recreational way one might be familiar with. In China, it was common to extract the seeds from the plant — which have more than 400 chemicals in them, along with essential fatty acids Omega 3 and 6 — for food and fibre. As the myriad uses for the plant were discovered, cannabis farming was widespread and thought to be the most valuable crop of the time.

Things changed in 19th century North America when cannabis criminalization staked a claim in society. The positive perceptions of

the abundant plant disappeared as newspapers shamed pot smokers, further stigmatized in the ‘70s with the emergence of the war on drugs.

So what caused cannabis to go from an essential fibre used in the production of durable industrial materials to a dangerous illegal substance?

CANNABIS SCIENCE The plant consists of hundreds of chemical substances and is the only known source of the psychoactive cannabinoids tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) and cannabidiol (CBD). Both of these compounds have the same molecular structure: 21 carbon atoms, 30 hydrogen atoms, 2 oxygen atoms. But the unique arrangement of the atoms determines the body’s reaction to the two cannabinoids.

CBD is a non-psychoactive cannabinoid, meaning that it doesn’t produce the “high” commonly associated with consumption of the funky green plant. This healing and relaxing compound is extracted from the industrial hemp plant of cannabis and is popular for its antioxidant and neuroprotective properties. That’s why CBD balms and oils are commonly used to soothe medical pains such as inflammation, tissue or joint repair and arthritis.

The miracle healer’s evil step-sister is THC, which is the hallucinogen found in the resinous flowers of female cannabis plants. When consumed, THC activates cannabinoid

receptors in the brain which latch onto memory, pleasure movements, thinking, concentration, coordination, and sensory and time perception, according to to the National Institute on Drug Abuse. The short term effects of THC vary — both in the individual body’s chemistry and in the strain and concentration of THC. The two main strains of cannabis are indica and sativa. The aromatic molecules between the two strains are individualized, producing different sensations when consumed.

The sativa strains originated in the steppes of Mongolia, where ancient Chinese scriptures document its use. Indica strains originated in Hindu Kush mountain range — hence the popular Purple Kush.

GETTING STONED Thanks to the geographic origins of both strains, pot smokers are free to explore their options to find a blend that suits their desires.

Though hybrids of the two strains are common today, sativa specific strains are known for being the energetic, happy daytime weed. The chemical balances in sativa produce serotonin in the brain which helps regulate one’s learning, mood and sleep habits. Try Maui Wowie and Green Crack for the ultimate creative euphoria.

For calming effects and mental or muscle relief, go for L.A Confidential or Blue Cheese. These indicas are mellow. They produce mental and muscle relaxation while also

increasing dopamine levels which work to control the brain’s reward and pleasure centres. This makes for the perfect pre-bed, Netflix bingewatch, post-work chill bowl.

Whether you’re a first-timer or a certified stoner, it’s worth looking into the history and science behind the plant causing controversy throughout the country. Cannabis has come a long way in consumption

throughout North America and as legalization becomes more normalized, the plant will likely continue to be used for it’s medicinal perks along with its conscious-altering properties.

To partake in the festivities and see what the ancient farmers in Asia were raving about, head to Ontario Cannabis Store and order a special delivery right to your door.

De-stressing your day BREAK UP WITH YOUR PHONE… FOR A BIT Turn off your phone, turn off your laptop, turn off your tablet and just relax.

Bill Vezina, a fourth-year French and criminology student, says a good way to de-stress is “going electronics free for a little bit.”

“Do some deep breathing, almost like downtime,” Vezina suggests.

We are constantly bombarded by videos of extra cheesy deep-dish pizzas or posts on the latest Kardashian gossip, and honestly, it can get a little overwhelming. When you turn off your screens, you can give your brain a break from all these distractions.

SISSI CHEN GAZETTE

HAYLEY TUBRETT CULTURE CONTRIBUTOR You’re approaching your fifth hour at Weldon; your bum’s numb and your neck is stiff. It’s that time of the semester when all your assignments hit you at once. Stress (unfortunately) is no stranger to students, and it has the potential to impact your mental well-being. We all go through stressful times, but we may not understand the importance of managing that stress.

Marissa Lalli, a fourth-year Catholic studies for teachers and French student, speaks about why she believes it’s important to de-stress.

“In the grand scheme of things, whatever you’re stressing about isn’t going to impact your life as much as you think it’s going to impact your life,” she says.

They say a little bit of stress isn’t bad, but it can impact your mental health when you let it take control.

Even though nothing can completely take the stress off your back, here are some stress-relievers that might lighten the load.

TURN TO HEALTHY COMFORT FOOD Our comfort food doesn’t always have to be bad for us. Try choosing a snack that’s both healthy and

tasty, like apples with peanut butter. It’s quick and easy to assemble, and it’s definitely healthier than potato chips! This crunchy study snack will fill your stomach and curb your cravings for savoury food. Krista Rozdolsky, a third-year management and organizational studies student, loves this sweet and salty snack.

“Apples and peanut butter are my go-to,” says Rozdolsky. “That way I can snack but also not feel horrible after.”

They say an apple a day keeps the doctor away, so why not add peanut butter?

DRINK A HOT CUP OF TEA There are so many different kinds of tea to try: black tea can give you a caffeine boost and is also great for stress relief; green tea is known to improve brain function, which makes it perfect for exam season; and herbal tea is the drink for you if you want to relax after a crazy day. Just imagine yourself holding the cup in your hand, breathing in the tea and feeling the warmth of the steam on your face. It may be the trick you need to calm your busy mind. Bon appe-tea!

PRACTICE YOGA YOUR WAY Why not put on some comfy clothes and hit a yoga class at the Western Student Recreation Centre for a little break from your busy life? No time for yoga class? No problem. Just make some space in your room and pull up a yoga video on YouTube.

Alisha Wegman, a yoga teacher with Western Sport and Recreation Services speaks about the value of practicing yoga.

“Yoga really focuses on mindfulness and self-awareness, and those are really important to help reduce stress,” says Wegman.

Wegman says that even taking five minutes in the morning and “just practicing some deep breathing and getting yourself ready for the day” is very beneficial.

Give yoga a try and find your zen.

STAY ON TOP OF THINGS WITH A CALENDAR Keep a calendar and mark down a to-do list every day. Calendars can help your mind to focus on one thing at a time instead of multitasking, which may actually decrease productivity. It’s like how we cut our food into smaller portions because we simply can’t swallow huge pieces.

Similarly, if we cut our to-do lists into smaller portions that we can handle, we will be more productive.

GO OUT OR KICK IT BACK WITH FRIENDS Sometimes when you’re stressed out, the best cure is to escape the confines of the library and go out with your best buds. Whether you’re going out for drinks or cooling off with frozen yogurt, getting away from your books and spending time with friends can help ease any tension you might have built up from the stresses of being a student. Plus, your friends will also find this beneficial.

Before you let your mind run astray, remind yourself to practice these methods of de-stressing, because even though your backpack may be heavy with books, these tips will lift a load off your shoulders.

19 •

culture

• TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 13, 2018

ASMR: A ‘Tingling’ Phenomenon CARMEN MALLIA CULTURE EDITOR, MUDIA IYAYI CULTURE CONTRIBUTOR @CARMMALLIA, @UWOGAZETTE Elisabeth Edwards had her first run-in with ASMR during a Grade 2 school activity when a student was spelling out the alphabet on her back. As her friend’s fingers ran up her back, she felt a trancelike sensation from her head to her spine. It was a feeling like no other, leaving her confused with an unknown sense of relaxation.

ASMR, or autonomous sensory meridian response, has been described as a form of therapy and a sleep aid for those who experience it by watching ASMR YouTube videos or by taking part in very personal interactions, usually ones that involve personal attention.

There is nothing characteristically outstanding about these videos; they typically include one person who speaks directly to the viewer, often using a soothing whisper promote relaxation. These videos can centre on a plot line, like a bedside nun taking care of patients. They even can include celebrity cameos by the likes of Cardi B and Rihanna.

The phenomenon is no longer on the fringes of society; what was once an obscure genre of YouTube videos has amassed a following of millions. Since 2012, the term ASMR has been on a steady rise as a Google search, with a noticeable spike in 2017 that hasn’t slowed down since.

For Edwards, a third-year media, information and technoculture and English language and literature student, ASMR is more than just a compilation of whisper videos or tapping and scratching paper; it’s a community.

According to Edwards, the genuine and caring community is what sets ASMR YouTubers apart

from other content creators online — the likes of Jake Paul and SMOSH — who come across as fake, hyperactive and distant to her.

According to Edwards, ASMR YouTubers create an intimate experience for viewers by looking at them directly in their eyes, referring to them personally and, as Edwards puts it, “whispering to you.”

Despite its immense popularity, not much research has been done on ASMR. Giulia Poerio, research associate at the University of Sheffield helped create and publish one of the first in-depth studies on ASMR. As someone who’s experienced the effects of ASMR, she wanted to build a more scientific understanding of the phenomena.

One of the main motivations behind Poerio’s research was to find an underlying link between ASMR and any physical and mental benefits.

For Edwards, the benefits of ASMR are immense. In Grade 11, she started to experience anxiety and depression. ASMR was a guilty pleasure for her, and even though it was one of the only ways she could loosen up after a stressful day, she still kept her love for the quiet, intimate videos to herself. She was concerned that her friends would find her weird or make fun of her.

“For the people who don’t experience ASMR, it’s something that is quite hard to believe, so people don’t really get it; they think it’s weird, or they misunderstand it,” says Poerio. “We really wanted to provide a test on whether or not ASMR is this genuine experience in people.”

For her research, Poerio brought together 50 participants who experienced the phenomena into her lab and asked them to watch

a variety of music-induced ASMR videos. She found that watching these videos can lead to a decreased heart rate and an increased sweat production.

This increase in sweat production could provide a plausible explanation for the characteristic tingles that Edwards and millions of other ASMR viewers feel, which could possibly open doors into more ASMR research.

In recent years, there has been a false assumption that ASMR is intrinsically linked to sexuality, but for the majority of people, there is no sexual connection.

Poerio’s research found no correlation between ASMR and sexual arousal; the fact that it reduced heart rate further indicates that the two are unrelated.

These misconceptions lead to stigmas that even ASMR isn’t immune to. Edwards explains that ASMR is something that even her closest friends find odd.

But for Edwards, ASMR is no different than any other type of meditation or yoga; it’s simply a means of relaxation and wellness.

“It’s so misunderstood. People think there’s going to be some girl in a bra pretending to lick your ear, when in reality, it’s just so different,” says Edwards. “It’s funny that this form of wellness is never talked about. It’s considered taboo, but it really is just like meditation.”

ASMR truly is a medium for a community of viewers interested in relaxation and calmness, not some strange YouTube genre that appropriates sexuality for views.

“We have this awesome community of people who are creating content from a compassionate place. If you’re not super into floating on a lotus flower, it’s a really good way to get into a relaxing mindset,” says Edwards.

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1. Absence of difficulty 5. Preserve a dead body 11. Gratitude 14. Grads may attend one 15. Less difficult 18. Visionaries 19. Fish-eating bird 21. Indicates near 23. ‘69 World Series hero 24. Scandinavian mythology source 28. Pop 29. Rapper __ Hammer 30. Senses of self-esteem 32. Hormone that stimulates the thyroid 33. __ Farrow, actress 35. Electronic data processing 36. Baby talk (abbr.)

39. Slender, snake-like fish 41. Air Force 42. Computers 44. Ecological stage 46. Wings 47. In the course of 49. Laid back 52. Jewelled headdress 56. In slow tempo 58. __ Falls 60. Corrections 62. Periods in one’s life 63. Hyphen

1. Body part 2. Large primates 3. Retch (archaic) 4. Sea eagle 5. Genetically distinct geographic variety 6. Category of spoken Chinese 7. Barium 8. Consumed 9. Chinese dynasty 10. NFL great Randy 12. Ireland 13. Palm trees 16. Fungal disease 17. Tall plants with slender leaves 20. Affirmative! (slang) 22. Potato state 25. Delaware 26. A way to develop 27. Associations 29. Woman (French) 31. Sunscreen rating 34. Brew 36. One who leads prayers 37. Indigo bush 38. Burn with a hot liquid 40. Citizen (senior) 43. Scads 45. Morning 48. Straight line passing from side to side (abbr.)

50. S-shaped line 51. Small, thin bunch 53. Worn by exposure to the weather 54. Mars crater 55. Humanities 57. Of the ears 58. “The __ Degree” 59. Type of residue 61. Keeps you cool

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Visit us in UCC main level (atrium)

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TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 13, 2018 •

Why Luxe?

Only 500m from Western Gates Seasonal shuttle service to Western and

For May & September 2019.

Experience Luxe.

Book your tour today.

Available units are limited.

weekly grocery trips State of the art fitness facility with 24hr access Secured building entry, with 24hr surveillance Stainless steel appliances, furnished units

Study lounge, cinema, sauna, and much more!

1235 Richmond Street London Ontario N6A 0C1

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