Vol 38 issue 7

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October 24, 2011 Volume 38, Issue 7 www.mediumutm.ca

Homestead tensions escalate CHRISTINE LAW Students in residence at 3061 Sir John’s Homestead are being threatened by the Sir John’s Homestead Ratepayer Association (SJHRA) regarding constant complaints and concerns from neighbouring residences. At the beginning of the month, a booklet containing a PowerPoint presentation put together by a local resident was distributed to students’ mailboxes. “This is ridiculous,” said student Summeet Gill, flipping through the booklet. It contains various written records of noise complaints, drug trafficking, theft, and public drunkenness. “This behaviour is not acceptable in a middle-class community,” said Katie Mahoney, the Ward 8 Councillor of Mississauga. Neighbours placed concerns about the appearance of townhouses, claiming that the poorly kept properties depreciate the value of the neighbourhoods. “They say they want legal action, but police are always here and still not one charge has been laid. That

relationship with Ward 8 councillor Katie Mahoney, and she brings us into any discussions about issues that have a bearing on U of T Mississauga,” said Jane Stirling, the director of communications and marketing at UTM. Home continued on page 3

Dodger continued on page 2

EDWARD CAI/THE MEDIUM

own homes targeted. On October 3, a meeting was held at the Mississauga Civic Centre, requesting the presence of Sir John’s Homestead residents, City of Mississauga staff, Ward 8 councillor Katie Mahoney, Peel Regional Police, and representatives of UTM. “We have an extremely positive

SANA HAQ Alexandra Dodger, a U of T alumna and activist, passed away in Ottawa on October 15 after being involved in a car accident. Dodger was struck by an allegedly drunk driver who was driving on the wrong side of the road. Her achievements were celebrated at a memorial on Wednesday, October 19 at Hart House, which brought together the many friends and colleagues Alex had treasured. The memorial honoured Dodger’s many contributions to society in a way appreciated by U of T students, faculty, and community members. The funeral followed the next day. A week before her death, Dodger was visiting her family in Etobicoke for Thanksgiving, where she was sharing the news and her excitement about her new job at Amnesty International. “I was really, really happy, and yet the happiness is finished,” said Dodger’s grandmother, Cecile Wojciechowski, in an interview with The Ottawa Citizen.

Mississauga residents living near Homestead speak out against student behaviour. should say something,” said Gill. Accusations dating back to 2009 are organized in charts and bullet points. Neighbours who have seen university students walking around late at night emphasize concern for the safety of their children. Homeowners have avoided confrontation with students to avoid having their

In memory of Alexandra Dodger

A week of eXpression on campus JEROME JOHNSON The UTM Students’ Union held this semester’s eXpression Against Oppression Week last Monday. “I’m really happy that we got people to think outside of the box,” said Ruba El-Kadri, UTMSU’s VP Equity. The event is organized jointly by the UTMSU’s Ministry of Social Justice and their Ministry of Equity, and its coordinators hope that it spreads a message of acceptance. “The focus this year of XAO is really on current events, and what we thought [in] our ministry was that the biggest current event this year pertains to what happened in the Middle East with the Arab revolutions,” said ElKadri. “Also Islamophobia, because we found that a lot of news is based around Islam and how people perceive Muslims.” Highlighting a recent controversial quote made by Prime Minister Stephen Harper, El-Kadri emphasized

why the Ministry of Equity felt that it was important to shed light on Islamophobia during the week-long event. Other focusses included accessibility, racism, and homophobia. Beginning on Monday with a community café held in the Presentation Room of the Student Centre, “positive group sessions” facilitated discussions on four different topics: the legalization or decriminalization of sex work, abortion, religious tolerance in publicly funded schools, and media censorship. “A lot of us, because of the way we were raised or grew up or the environment we’re in, we tend to think certain things about certain people and certain issues, and sometimes it’s hard for us to hear other opinions because these are touchy topics,” El-Kadri said. “So I think it’s important that we created a positive space, [a] positive environment, to bring these issues up, so that students have the chance to hear other students share their knowledge and it gives them the opportunity to take a

United Way CN Tower Climb UTM students climb the steps of the CN Tower for charity. Medium News, Page 2

Hate speech in Canada How far does our freedom of expression go? Medium Opinion, Page 4

First Erindale production Theatre Erindale begins season with Nicholas Nickleby. Medium A&E, Page 5 JUNAID IMRAN/THE MEDIUM

Students performed at the Stand Up, Speak Out concert. political stance.” After that, XAO’s theme shifted specifically to the issue of homophobia. Students watched a screening of the film Shelter, which is about the life of a man who realizes he is gay and the changes that follow in his life. The first

day of events ended on a sombre yet empowering note with a candlelight vigil, hosted in collaboration with Out@UTM, opposing homophobic bullying. XAO continued on page 3

Romance in science Do women in math and science avoid relationships? Medium Features, Page 9

Eagles basketball UTM Blues play their home opener. Medium Sports, Page 12


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