THE VOICE OF THE UNIVERSITY OF TORONTO MISSISSAUGA
Students learn to unlearn UTMSU DisOrientation Week discusses all-gender washrooms, mental health UMAIMA GHORI UTMSU’s Ministry of Equity hosted DisOrientation Week last week with a series of workshops and events to raise awareness about social issues. Themed “Unlearn”, this year’s DisOrientation Week aimed to reconstruct paradigms and assumptions. The week kicked off on Monday with the “Pee in Peace” campaign launch. In an information session, UTMSU’s LGBTQ coordinator Miranda Jurilj talked about the need for the establishment of all-gender washrooms at UTM. She spoke of the physical and verbal harassment transgender people have to face while using gender-segregated washrooms. “This is going to allow everybody to have a place where they can go and feel safe and dignified in using the washrooms. It’s also useful for parents who have differently gendered children or non-binary people with disabilities. Folks who avoid using a washroom and end up holding it are at a higher risk of getting infections and illnesses,” said Jurilj in an interview.
November 10, 2014 Volume 41, Issue 9 themedium.ca
Campus Councils see review MENNA ELNAKA ASSOCIATE NEWS EDITOR
tic violence at UTM. The march was part of UTMSU’s “No Means No” campaign, which advocates for consent before sexual contact and works against social issues like victim-blaming, street harassment, rape, and dating violence.
Last week’s meeting with the Committee to Review the UTM and UTSC Campus Councils (CRCC) addressed feedback on the performance of the Academic Affairs Committee, the Campus Affairs Committee, and areas of membership. It also discussed recommendations on ways to improve communications. The report-back session was held last Wednesday at the Council Chamber in Davis and was part of a broader consultation process that began in September to review the efficacy of the UTM and UTSC Campus Council operations for the previous year and make recommendations. During the review process, student representatives such as those from UTMSU also gave their feedback.
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The DisOrientation Week’s events included a protest against rape culture. When asked about the possibility of resistance from “binary” people who felt uncomfortable using allgender washrooms, Jurilj said that the campaign was meant to establish allgender washrooms alongside gendersegregated washrooms. She further added that renovations like taller cells, reduced gaps, and stronger locks will be required to ensure the privacy and
security of all-gender washrooms. The discussion was followed by a scavenger hunt in which the participants put up posters with slogans promoting the installation of all-gender washrooms in seven different restrooms around campus. On Tuesday, students marched around the campus in solidarity with victims of sexual assault and domes-
Councillor aims to engage with UTM New Ward 8 Councillor Matt Mahoney promises a focus on transit, communication ATIKA AZHAR The October 27 election made Matt Mahoney the councillor for Ward 8, succeeding his mother Katie Mahoney, who held the seat for 23 years. Matt Mahoney will be representing the UTM community along with the rest of Ward 8 when his term begins on December 1. As city councillor, Mahoney said his biggest priorities are “communication, communication, and communication”. “I think it’s really important for an elected official to listen,” he told The Medium, adding that knocking on residents’ doors and hearing about their concerns during his campaign has helped him understand the issues being faced by the community. “I’ve been born and raised in Ward 8 and obviously come from a family with a tradition for representation in this area,” said Mahoney. “I will be fol-
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Matt Mahoney said he would reach out to UTM as part of his plans for Ward 8. lowing up with the good work both my parents did over the years.” Mahoney said that one of his focuses will be transit, specifically on connecting schedules better. “Bus schedules should be in line so that people
can connect to buses without having to wait half an hour or 45 minutes,” he said. He also said that an LRT on Hurontario requires more efficient routes so that people working along that road
can connect with buses easier and without having to walk six to eight blocks.
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