THEY’RE
U of T in top 20 in new rankings
Debating dejabbing?
JEROME JOHNSON
STEFANIE MAROTTA NEWS EDITOR The University of Toronto placed 19th in the 2011–2012 Times Higher Education World University Rankings, down two spots from last year. In its mission to develop the most comprehensive, wellrounded standard in comparing university performance, THE modified the criteria over the past two years to avoid disadvantaging smaller universities. The new model of analysis considers five categories: teaching and learning environment, volume and quality of research, citations and research influence, industry income, and international outlook. U of T achieved an overall score of 81.6%. In individual categories, the university received its highest scores in research (87.4%) and citation (86.5%), followed by teaching (76.9%), international outlook (69%), and industry income (44.9%). Times continued on page 2
New Board elected in UTMSU
a hijab more than 20 years ago at age 13, against her parents’ wishes. For a few of those 20 years Kibria attended UTM, where she kicked off her activist and advocate career by establishing the UTM Food Bank, writing for The Medium, and joining the Students’ Union. She didn’t end up graduating, but she did marry her first husband in 1992 at 17 and had her first of three children at 19.
The UTM Students’ Union held elections for its Board of Directors on October 3 and the results are in. Fall Board of Director elections are for first-year student representatives, as well as to fill any vacancies that have opened up over the summer. The winners are Division 1 first-year representatives Emile Sabga and Chia Assad, Division 3 UTMSU and UTSU Board representatives Abdi Ahmed Hassan and Andrew Ursel, both filling vacancies, and Division 4 Part-time Board member Naureen Amirali, also filling a vacancy. “First and foremost, let me say that the level of excitement from the candidates was great,” said Delphino Gilbert Cassar, the president of UTMSU. Several different portfolios were debated during the formal board meeting. One of these was the Part-Time Student Constituency portfolio to represent parttime students’ perspectives on the Board of Directors.
Dejab continued on page 3
Board continued on page 3
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After years of wearing a hijab, Shaila Kibria chose to abandon the religious garment. LORI-LEE EMSHEY ASSOCIATE NEWS EDITOR Shaila Kibria has accomplished many things since leaving UTM: running for the New Democratic Party, publishing a children’s book, and writing for CBC Radio—but she most recently made headlines over her choice to stop wearing her hijab. Over the past year the “dejabbing” movement has gained notoriety in the media. “Dejabbing” is when a woman chooses to remove
her hijab (a headscarf). Muslim women wear the hijab when in public as a form of modesty. A hijab can cover a woman’s hair or it can be a niqab, which covers a woman’s entire head and face, leaving a rectangular opening for her eyes. Every woman who chooses to “dejab” does so for unique and complex personal reasons. For Kibria, her controversial choice to stop wearing her hijab landed her in newspaper headlines. Kibria started secretly wearing
UTMSU hosts Environment Week SANA HAQ
Last week UTMSU’s Ministry of Environment held Environment Week, an event aimed to educate UTM students about environmental issues. The events ranged from Farmer’s Market on Tuesday, pumpkin carving and Green Arts on Wednesday, and a showing of the documentary Vanishing of the Bees on Thursday. The event was held in the Student Centre, where tables were set up with fun and engaging activities. The pumpkin carving event provided a festive opportunity to learn about the importance of organic food, as well as other healthy food options that do not harm the environment. Students could paint a “fruitful” portrait in hopes of getting in touch with their environmental side. Dan Dicenzo, a third-year biophysics student and UTMSU VP University Affairs & Academics,
Beer and sex research UTM professor wins parody Nobel Prize Medium News, Page 2
Under occupation What the Occupy movement fails to recognize Medium Opinion, Page 4
Open Mic Night
EDWARD CAI/THE MEDIUM
VP University Affairs Dan Dicenzo and his only friend love the environment. worse is education and awareness described the event as a “stepping waste at UTM. “It’s the best way to provide the among youth. stone”. Environment Week pro“It is important to make sure moted environmental issues to youth with a proper understanding allow youth to engage in learning of the environment,” said Dicenzo. people are engaged within the isRegarding broader environmen- sues so they can work together in about what the Ministry of Environment has to offer. Campus tal issues like the climate-changing the future,” Dicenzo said. Roots and Urban Agriculture also greenhouse gas emissions, Dicenparticipated in the event, promot- zo feels the first step in preventing ing ways to reduce the amount of the climate crisis from becoming Enviro continued on page 3
The Medium interviews the president of the Music Club Medium A&E, Page 5
Will we survive? A scientist says the end is near for the human species Medium Features, Page 8
UTMAC visits Buffalo UTM students enjoy a trip to see the Buffalo Bills game Medium Sports, Page 11