the watch March 2019
The Watch is slowly becoming my baby. It’s been a year of change for me at The Watch. I started as the staff photographer (which I loved), then was elected as the online editor (because I wanted to be more involved) and now, I’m the incoming editor-in-chief. As a good mother, I will take good care of The Watch, along with the new executive team. As of now, the team is Abby Trevino and I. This magazine has been one of the greatest experiences of my life so far, and I can’t wait for the adventure to continue. I will continue to write to you, for you and with you. The team spirit and help I got from every staff member and contributor is constantly pushing me to grow as a journalist and person. To anyone who might have been scared of joining us this year: don’t be scared. We all have one passion in common: writing. News, opinions, or horoscopes; it’s all about writing. I am honored to be one of your editors-in-chief for the upcoming year, and I can’t wait to continue the adventure with all of you! From your mother, Kheira P.S: Yes, one of the editors-in-chief. The Watch has two co-editors-inchief, and I’m still looking for my editor soulmate! I’m also looking for an online editor bestie. (More on that come fall!)
the watch VOL. 52 NO. 5 - March 2019 watchmagazine.ca editors@watchmagazine.ca online@watchmagazine.ca publisher@watchmagazine.ca TWITTER @kingswatch INSTAGRAM @watchmagz
EDITORS-IN-CHIEF
Nick Frew Krsiten Thompson Kheira Morellon
CONTRIBUTORS
Ilyas Kurbanov Kathleen Jones Kerewin Powers Avery Mullen Ellery Platts Kheira Morellon Nick Frew
DESIGN EDITOR Laura Hardy
STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER Jack Wuotila
PUBLISHER
Jessica MacIsaac Abigail Trevino
TREASURER
Pilar Guynot de Boismenu
PUBLISHING BOARD
Beth Airton Ciara Gordon Frances Grace Fyfe Pauline Dakin Cartsen Knox Marie Dolcetti Koros Pilar Guynot de Boismenu
COPY EDITOR
Kathleen Jones
LAYOUT
Nick Frew Kheira Morellon
We welcome your feedback on each issue. Letters to the editors should be signed. We reserve the right to edit all submissions. The Watch is owned and operated by the students of the University of King’s College.
But if the watchman see the sword come, and blow not the trumpet, and the people not be warned; if the sword come, and take any person from among them, he is taken away in his iniquity; but his blood will I require at watchman’s hand. — Ezekiel 33:6
2 The Watch | March 2019 | @kingswatch
the watch IN THIS ISSUE
year in review
page 4
badminton
page 7
finances
page 8
grad caps
page 10
periods
page 13
horoscopes
page 14
The Watch | March 2019 | @kingswatch 3
Editors’ year in review
Hello King’s, for the final time.
I write this message to you as I’m attempting to pack my entire life into three suitcases – graduating is fun. It’s crazy to think that my time as editor-in-chief is coming to an end. It almost feels like yesterday when I was elected. I guess three years goes by in a flash when you’re super stressed and working three jobs at a time.
We’ve uncovered stories about violence on campus, racial biases in promotional material, scandals in the KSU, and so much more that, I think, is really impressive. I can’t take full responsibility for these things though, and owe a lot to my fellow editor-in-chief, Nick. Nick has been a fantastic partner over the last two years and has made this job so much more fun.
Though the new team doesn’t have a full executive at the moment, I know that Kheira (editor-in-chief) and Abigail (publisher) are going to kill it next year.
We may joke sometimes that I’m the boss, but in all reality, these last few years wouldn’t have been possible without him.
Kheira is such a creative and thoughtful person, I think that she’ll be able to do such a great job as editor-in-chief. Since I began working with her this year, she’s proven to be someone who is driven, passionate and capable. She is through and through the perfect person for the job.
I feel incredibly lucky that he’s not only someone who I work well with, but can also call one of my best friends.
Abby is one of the most unmoving and inspiring people I’ve ever known. She’s always there to stand up for what she believes in, and I think that quality will make her an excellent publisher and leader.
So all future employers out there, take note: our team is a group of badass journalists. We do the stories that are hard, we make those who feel that they have been silenced heard, and we love what we do.
For those who are joining the team next year, know you are in good and capable hands.
The teams that we’ve been able to work with, and lead, have taught me so much about how to be a better leader, how to be a better journalist and how to be a better person.
It’s funny, I’ve seen quite a few former editor-in-chiefs, publishers and online editors write these final words over the last couple of years, but I never realized how hard it would be to write until right now. I feel like this magazine and I have gone through a lot together. Some really great, amazing times, and some not-so-great times. Saying goodbye to this publication is almost like saying goodbye to a friend. It doesn’t feel great. Over the last three years I’ve put a lot of my energy into helping make this magazine the best it could be, and even though sometimes we missed the mark, I’m really proud of so much of the work that has been done by our writers and our team. 4 The Watch | March 2019 | @kingswatch
Wherever he ends up going, and whatever he ends up doing, I know he’s gonna kill it.
I feel so lucky to have been a part of this publication’s legacy. Love always, Kristen
When I was creating this file in my Google Drive, I noticed my three folders that contain Watch articles from each of the past three years. It’s surreal to think this is the last time I will be writing to you, our readers, and for the magazine in general. Before I go further, the night before I wrote this, King’s held its 19th annual athletic awards banquet, where all the varsity athletes gather for dinner, awards and a pint (or five). So I want to give a quick shoutout to all of the athletes. Congratulations on your respective seasons, especially the badminton team (for reasons that are explained later in this issue, so keep reading). To those of you not graduating, make sure the Blue Devil family continues to be full of love and support. #BleedBlue Speaking of teams, The Watch does not have a full executive at the moment. But I want to congratulate Kheira and Abigail for being elected as the new editor-inchief and publisher respectively. Kheira is only finishing her second year at King’s, but she’s filled many roles as a Watch contributor, staff photographer and most recently as our online editor. With her knowledge of the magazine and her personality, I have no doubt Kheira will be successful in her new role. She reps The Watch hard, so the challenge will be finding contributors — and future editors — that match her enthusiasm. Kristen knows Abigail better than I do. But from what I’ve come to know of her, Abby is intelligent, reliable (I can’t remember a recent issue in which she did not have a byline), hard working, professional and she stands up for what she believes in. She is the right person for the publisher job and I wish her nothing but the best.
I, on the other hand, had nothing against her, because we hadn’t really interacted until third year. But I digress. Many people know Kristen as the woman who runs The Watch, and deservedly so. She was a huge factor in the magazine’s rebuilding since 2016, and whether times were rough or smooth, Kristen was always the one steering the ship. I hadn’t really thought about it until right now, but I’m really going to miss working with her, because it was never work. We were just two great friends doing what we love, uncovering stories about violence on campus, racial biases in promotional material, the KSU, and, of course, all of the campus doggos. Even though we both dreaded it, the thing I’ll miss most is ordering food and jamming out to some tunes while we lay out the magazine. I don’t know where Kristen will wind up after her internship. Knowing her, neither does she. But whatever she does, she’ll kill it. To those who will continue to contribute, or fans of our work, know that The Watch is in good hands. The team is young, but they love what they do and will continue bringing you stories the King’s community wants and needs to read. If you have considered contributing, or you know someone coming to King’s next year, I suggest joining. You don’t have to be a journalism student — that’s why we have editors — and who knows? It might just change your life. Sincerely, Nick
Three years ago, two Watch editors got up in front of Fred Vallance-Jones’ third-year journalism class, literally begging for writers. I wasn’t doing much writing at the time and they said they paid, so I thought, “Sure, what the hell.” Little did I know, that bored decision was one of those (positive) life-changing moments. Not only was I adding to my resume and portfolio, but I was making friends along the way — which I sorely lacked in Halifax at the time. Without The Watch, I know for a fact that my co-editor, Kristen, would not be one of my best friends. We would have been amicable, sure. But she has admitted that she thought I was a d*ck before getting to know me. The Watch | March 2019 | @kingswatch 5
6 The Watch | April 2014 | @kingswatch
Bad(minton) Boys Ilyas Kurbanov
The King’s Blue Devils lost to the Northern Albert Institute of Techology Ooks in the Canadian Collegiate Athletic Association national men’s doubles badminton finals on Mar. 9. Despite the tough loss, the duo of Benn Van Ryn and Bryce Mason made history — their silver medals were the first-ever national medal in the Blue Devils’ 52 years. “It was crazy, just because it’s my last year, even in my first two years, we haven’t made the nationals and then going from that to a weaker performance last year, to a guaranteed medal, it was amazing,” said Van Ryn.
national stage. They first have to play qualifiers that would send them to nationals. Each player has a chance to participate in one event. The duo of Mason and Van Ryn won Men’s Doubles in the qualifiers. They both said their focus is their main strength. “When we focus, we play fantastic. If we weren’t focused it hurts us,” Mason said. “But when we were focused, we know we can beat any team.”
The championship took place at Dalhousie University’s agricultural campus, in Truro.
Following their semi-finals match, King’s President Bill Lahey and the rest of the badminton team drove up to Truro to support Mason and Van Ryn.
Van Ryn and Mason won their match against Humber College in the semi finals in three sets. After losing their first set 17-21, they were able to pull off the next two with a score of 21-16 and 22-20.
“When they really said, it was history changing for our school, that’s when I really felt it,” said Mason. “The president comes out and support sports all the time.”
While Humber College was the top team in the tournament, the Blue Devils duo pulled off a win that changed King’s history.
Mason added that players who didn’t participate at nationals were in the crowd supporting them.
“Once they made it to the finals, it was clear that they were coming out of the tournament with a medal, we just didn’t know what color it was going to be,” said Neil Hooper, King’s’ athletic director.
Winning the silver at nationals is Van Ryn’s biggest accomplishment as a Blue Devil. Hooper had affirming words to say about him.
Following the Humber game, Mason and Van Ryn fell to the Ooks in the finals, losing in three sets. They lost the first set 21-19, but were able to get back in the match after winning the second set 17-21. They lost the third in a battle, 21-19. Mason is in his second year with the Blue Devils and Van Ryn is in his fourth year. They both played at the national stage last year. “Last year, we fell short in a three-way tie, so to come back this year, put it all on the line and win means a lot,” said Mason.
“One of Benn’s best attributes is that he never gets rattled,” said Hooper. “He never gets outside of himself, he has the confidence, has the ability to play and he is a great teammate, and when you are a great teammate, especially in the doubles, it only helps you win.” While Van Ryn’s Blue Devils career has come to an end, Mason will try to compete in the men’s singles category in the 2019-20 season. |w
“For me, it meant a lot because I would always get close, but never get to a medal spot so when I knew I won a medal I let it all out, literally, I fell to the floor.” The entire badminton team had a long journey. They won their second conference championship in a row on Feb. 16 at Mount Allison University. The conference title, however, does not qualify players to go to the The Watch | March 2019 | @kingswatch 7
Dolla dolla bills y’all Avery Mullen
King’s has faced deficits for the last four years, but the school’s balance sheet could soon look a lot healthier, after the announcement of $2.2 million in annual funding from the provincial government. The school is also seeing steady enrolment and increased residence occupancy. The new provincial funding was announced in December and is equal in size to King’s’ previously projected annual shortfall in a moderate budget scenario. “The government funding is (equal to) the immediate term calculation of what our structural deficit would be in the absence of the funding,” said president and vice-chancellor William Lahey.
Dalhousie, are now living at King’s. Next year’s preliminary budget also anticipates the same occupancy levels, according to bursar Bonnie Sands. This series of fortunate events marks a shift from several years of falling revenues and worries about rising operating costs. Between 2010 and 2014, the provincial government cut King’s’ operating grant by 10 per cent (more than $600,000) and prior to the 2018-19 academic year, had restored only part of that amount. Meanwhile, staffing costs have been on the rise, and the fees paid by King’s to Dalhousie to cover the costs of instructing students at both universities have increased. Overall enrolment also fell from a high of nearly 1,200 in the fall of 2013, to fewer than 850 by the winter of 2016.
As is typical of university operating grants, the amount will also continue to rise any time the provincial government increases overall funding for universities.
With the improved recruitment levels and sizeable increase in government funding, however, Lahey is optimistic about the university’s future.
Now, with the new funding, Lahey says that continued enrolment growth could eventually lead King’s to post-budget surpluses.
“We’re either going to be in a balanced budget position for a significant period of time, or we might be in a small structural deficit, but not as serious a deficit as we otherwise would have been,” he said. |w
Enrolment for the current term of the Foundation Year Program – the best predictor of the overall student body for future years – is 190 students (seven more than the bursar’s office projected last October). The higher enrolment is due in part to improved student retention. Five FYP students left between the first day of class and Oct. 15, which is common, but no other students dropped out during the rest of the fall term. The overall student body is also larger than was budgeted for. There are currently 876 enrolled students – 88 more than expected. According to the 2018-19 budget, it was estimated that 221 residence beds would be occupied this year. In fact, 240 residence are occupied, and that number has never wavered since move-in day in the fall. Lahey says part of the reason for the higher occupancy rate is that several students, who could not be accommodated at 8 The Watch | March 2019 | @kingswatch
The Watch | April 2014 | @kingswatch 9
Capping it off Kathleen Jones
If anything is emblematic of graduation, it’s mortarboards: the square black caps graduates throw up in the air when the ceremony is finished. Dark, heavy and promising a bright future — it’s hard to picture graduating without one. Or so Bethanee Diamond thought, until she attended the 2018 King’s graduation ceremony. Diamond, who was graduating with her one-year bachelor of journalism, was simply tapped with the cap as per tradition. But the master’s students, she realized later, were supposed to be wearing mortarboards that they could throw into the air. They were not. “All of a sudden it clicked for me: I was like, ‘Wait a second, there were no hats at King’s last year for the Master’s students’,” Diamond said. She has seen master’s students at other universities wear caps at their graduation ceremonies, including her boyfriend when he graduated from Saint Mary’s University. During King’s’ 2018 encaenia, Diamond also realized that students graduating with a bachelor degree got to wear fur on their robes, whereas master’s students only got to wear a mere blue ribbon. “I want to look important again. I want these hats so I can look important,” she said with a laugh. From then on, Diamond was on a mission. Five days after the graduation ceremony, she was starting the master of journalism, and she was determined to get the caps for her and her fellow master’s students. The clock was ticking. She polled her fellow students, and they were also surprised that they wouldn’t get to wear the caps —even though they thought she was going down a rabbit hole. Unsure whether her mission would be successful, Diamond began the hunt in October, first approaching journalism school administrator Kelly Porter. The interrogation started with a lot of e-mailing. When Diamond first started, she even said that it was a silly thing to request, but that it was “the little details that would make graduation special for us.” 10 The Watch | March 2019 | @kingswatch
Meanwhile, as Diamond was referred from person to person, someone within the administration was looking into her cause. As it turns out, the King’s administration doesn’t just have to go through Dalhousie to change their graduation customs; they also need approval from the University of Oxford, in England. (King’s’ traditions are founded on the Oxford model.) But on Remembrance Day 2018, with plenty of time to spare, Diamond received confirmation from assistant registrar Julia Town (not to be mixed up with registrar Julie Green, who was instrumental in the change ) that King’s master’s students would be getting the caps at the 2019 encaenia. The administration agreed that having the caps would make graduation special. “I’ll probably never get another master’s degree, so this is my only chance to wear these hats,” she said. “So it was important that I at least tried to get these hats.” Mission accomplished. |w
The Watch | April 2014 | @kingswatch 11
Dude... It’s natural Kheira Morellon
Periods are taboo. Blood is coming out of someone’s body. They are disgusting. They can be abundant. They can be small. They can last for a week. They can last for 3 days. It’s basically a deep cleaning of the uterus.
Our society not only refuses to talk about menstruations, but makes fun of people who have “accidents.” We should support them. No one loves seeing their clothes stained with menstrual blood. Especially when you have to clean them, it’s a real pain to get it off.
Sometimes it hurts. It’s irritating. It makes you feel more emotional.
I had my period.
In 1932, Mary Chadwick wrote the first full-length psychological study of menstruation. In her study she says that the taboo around periods comes from a “discomfort of guilt arising from intelectual wishes.” This unease towards menstruation arise because of its similarity to animal heat. The guilt comes from a more sexual aspect. This blood means they can have a child. There body is ready to be sexualy active. Certain cultural beliefs, try to push people more towards intellectual activities. Sex is not one of them.
Nothing mean here, but for me, it was embarrassing. Embarrassing because I wanted to be like them. I did not want to feel my stomach twist.
During the Roman Empire, women were respected for their purity. Yet, that was challenged once a month. Their blood made them dirty. Striped them of their purity. Made them dangerous.
I wanted to go back. Before I ever had them.
Menstruation is not a subject that only those affected should have knowledge of.
In high school, most of my close friends were boys. We would tease each other by elbowing one another in the stomach. Once a month I would run away to avoid it. Of course, they would make fun of me. They knew.
Once, one of them asked me for a piece of gum. I was doing my homework. I was scared of losing my focus by searching my bag, so told him to check the front pocket. “But I don’t want to find any tampons or pads,” he said. To which I answered, “Do you really think I would just have tampons randomly in my bag? Also don’t worry, none of them is bloody.” As funny as I thought this was, he refused to look for the gum.
Everyone, regardless of gender, should learn about it too. Being educated on different subjects is the best way to fight taboos. It is not because the Roman said so one thousand years ago, that they were right. |w
Why are people still uncomfortable about periods? We all learn about it in school. No one should be ashamed. It is natural. Even Freud said that menstrual blood is “dangerous, infected, powerful.” During her period, someone will loses between 6 to 16 teaspoons of blood. A teaspoon is close to 5 ml. The human body has 4.5 to 5.5 liters of blood. Up to 80 ml of blood is dangerous. Right? In France, on February 1, a young woman from Spain decided to go around Paris without wearing menstrual protection. Her goal was to protest the price of pads and tampons. Many people need them, yet some cannot afford them. We all know someone who had an “accident” and ended up with a blood stain on their pants. If it never happened to you, you are lucky. Trust me. The Watch | March 2019| @kingswatch 13
Horoscopes Kerewin Powers
Cancer June 21-July 22 Each step you take this month will mark another moment of your life. Make them count, and make them happen. (That means no staying in bed all day so as to avoid making any steps). They will lead you astray sometimes, but know that you are in control and can right your path when you choose to do so. Reach out to others if you feel unable to master this and they will help you take the right steps. Aries Mar. 21-April 19 Look to the nearest window and see the beauty of the world. If you’re not near a window, you’re doing this wrong. Who reads horoscopes without at least being able to see the sky from which wisdom comes from? This month, Virgo, try to harness some of your own natural beauty and let it shine for others to see. Your lucky colour this month is fingernail-white. Taurus April 20-May 20
Your lucky colour this month is green-bean-green. Leo July 23-Aug. 22 You’re a star. Yes, there’s one in a trillion that look just like you to the average person, but a star nonetheless! And those select few that can read the sky – they see you looking down on them (but not condescendingly) and recognize all of your unique abilities, perspective and ideas and cherish you for exactly who you are. So keep it up, because you’re doing so well! Your lucky colour this month is whatever you want it to be!
Try to make every day a day where you’re actually living, not just being alive. These past weeks may have been difficult and these coming ones may be similar, but as long as each day you can point to a moment where you were truly living and not just going through the motions, appreciative of what you have around you, then you can make it through. It won’t be easy, and don’t be hard on yourself if it doesn’t work out too well. Just keep trying. It’s all you can ever do, really. Your lucky colour this month is light black. (Not grey.) Gemini May 21-June 20 It’s never too late to reach out. Five months, five years, 50 years. I recently heard of a man who was given a Christmas present by his exgirlfriend when they were teens because she had already purchased the present before they broke up. For 47 years he put it under his tree during Christmas and never once opened it. His wife and kids didn’t know the story until years later and encouraged him to find her again and open the present together. Thankfully it is easier than ever to find people through the internet and they were able to reunite. All to say that this month, Geminis, you should consider righting any wrongs, no matter how long ago they occurred, or reach out to someone you wish you hadn’t lost in the first place. Your lucky colour this month is whatever colour you think wheat is. Yellow? Brown? 14 The Watch | March 2019 | @kingswatch
Virgo Aug. 23-Sept. 22 Keep on living your best life, just as you’ve been doing thus far. There’s no need to change perfection and there’s no need to look for other versions of perfection. You’ve got it already, and seeking change just for the sake of it will only lead to disappointment. So go ahead and change something if you must, but just don’t do it because you feel bored or uninteresting, because you’re not. You already carry what you need, and you already embody perfection so don’t go changing now. Your lucky colour this month is P.E.I.-sand-red.
Libra Sept. 23-Oct. 22
Capricorn Dec. 22-Jan. 19
Many people don’t fully appreciate the hours in the day. Work, study, family, friends, church, sports – they all take up so much time that we feel like we have none left over. But left over for what? If you ever manage to be in a situation where none of the above matter and you are left isolated and with the ability to make your day as you choose – you may discover the many hours it holds, and the many that the night holds as well. I won’t come out and say there is time for everything that you want to make time for, but there is probably more than you think, or perhaps you’re using it in the way you want to and haven’t yet realized you’re already filling the many hours in the day with things you love, and you don’t really need any more.
This month you should be focusing on your love life. Try something new — whether it’s getting the courage to go on a first date, telling your friend you want something more or livening things up with a current partner. Wherever you are on the relationship spectrum, there’s something that you could focus on that you’ve been neglecting. You may not have realized you’ve neglected it, preferring some other reality where it doesn’t matter. But the truth is, your love life needs focus and attention this month.
Your lucky colour this month is the colour of your favourite coat.
Your lucky colour this month is rubber-duck-yellow. Aquarius Jan. 20-Feb. 18 As the season changes, so will your mood. The stars overhead are ever changing of course but particular changes happen with the seasons. It will be beneficial for you to notice and remember the changes that occur so that you can determine how the season affects you - because it is different with every person. Knowing how this affects you can help you in the next season adapt and find ways to better your life, based on your observances. Your lucky colour this month is recycling-bin-blue. Pisces Feb. 19-Mar. 20
Scorpio Oct. 23-Nov. 21
Take a leap of faith this month and see where it lands you. Spring is on its way, and when it arrives in full force you’re going to need to make some changes. So try something out right now that doesn’t necessarily have a guaranteed positive outcome and allow it to land where it may so that you can move into spring making the right decisions to land where you want to come summertime. Your lucky colour this month is cactus-green. |w
Your emotional state will soon be realigned to what it was before. Do not fret, for all things will align the way they should soon enough. But not too soon. Each emotional state you encounter has value and lessons to be learned and you should never hasten out of them for fear of what you’ve become, or what you’re becoming. The stars will always show a path for you, should you choose to take it. Your lucky colour this month is Barbie-pink. Sagittarius Nov. 22-Dec. 21 Sagittarius: this month you’ll be marching to the beat of your own drum like never before. Don’t worry if others don’t recognize your beat as singularly amazing; you don’t need any accompaniment, because you will be able to hear and feel the perfect beat to bring you through this month with triumph, confidence and positivity. Your lucky colour this month is fluorescent light…fluorescent?
The Watch | March 2019 | @kingswatch 15
16 The Watch | April 2014 | @kingswatch