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193.3 | NOVEMBER 2022

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WOMAN. LIFE. FREEDOM.

P.12 &13

FEATURE STORY Standing up for human rights in Iran

TABLE OF CONTENTS NEWS 3.

Viral tweets highlight the need for better accessibility

4.

Suspect taken in by police following Arboretum stabbing

5.

Embracing your inner rainbow on National Coming Out Day

6.

'I challenge you to do something': GWWIC holds candlelit vigil for missing and murdered Indigenous people

7.

Student experience aims to make your time at U of G as enjoyable as possible

8.

'Beautiful views': Mood Routes nature walks to boost mental health, well being

9.

‘One-stop-shop’ Black-owned market hosted at the University Centre

ARTS & CULTURE 10.

The future of fashion is circular

11.

DIY face masks for a variety of skin types

14.

From The Making Box to the Guelph Comedy

Music. Smiles. Hot Dogs.

For 23 years, Bob has made it his mission to serve up good food and good times to U of G students. Whether you're in need of a quick meal or a just friendly face, come say hi to Bob at his hot dog stand just east of Branion Plaza.

WE H AV VEGA E OPTIO N NS!

BOB’S DOGS Come see for yourself why Bob's Dogs is a U of G Tradition

Festival 15.

Painting the cannon: free speech is challenged by a campus tradition

16.

Affirmation cards

FEATURE STORY 12 & 13. Death of Mahsa Amini sparks global outrage and protests

SPORTS & HEALTH 17.

Relaxation techniques offer students a way to cope with stress and anxiety

18.

The dangers of misinformation on self care on

Fair November Craft Show and Sale University of Guelph

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November 17 - 20

social media 19.

Working out to improve mental health

OPINION 20.

The anxiety surrounding the respondus browser

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FUN STUFF 21..

Pets of the month

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November to-do list

23.

Puzzles page

Join 80+ artisans in-person and SHOP: Food, jewellery, clothing, pottery, soaps, and much more!

NEWS

THEONTARION.COM

04 | ARBORETUM STABBING

05 | NATIONAL COMING OUT DAY

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08 | MOOD ROUTES

Viral tweets highlight the need for better accessibility Due to structural ableism and the nature of accessibility policy, disabled individuals have struggled to have their needs met at U of G A tweet with over 600 retweets has helped start the conversation about improving accessibility at the University of Guelph.

CREDIT: TAYLOR PIPE

ELENI KOPSAFTIS

U

nder the ‘Accessibility (AODA) Resources’ tab on the University of Guelph website, you will find the U of G’s own statement of commitment to accessibility. There, our prestigious school commits to “fostering an educational, working, and living environment, where all University community members experience an authentic sense of inclusion and belonging.”

However, if you’re a student or member of faculty with disabilities, or you’ve at least kept up to date with recent U of G-related news, you might’ve noticed that such statements have been criticized in light of students’ actual experiences.

In early September of this year, U of G psychology and sociology student Brittany Hannah posted a thread of tweets about her experiences as a disabled student that quickly went viral.

Hannah has been bound to a wheelchair since an ATV accident injured her spine, three parts of her ribs, and her ankle a year ago. In July, a scheduled surgery left her completely unable to bear weight on her ankle. As a result, she cannot attend class on campus. Her program also has a limited amount of Distance Education (DE) courses available, according to Hannah.

In her thread of tweets, Han-

nah reveals a series of experiences in which the University of Guelph and some of its faculty failed to accommodate her.

When she first reached out to the university for accommodations in light of the limited DE courses, she was suggested to either drop the semester or attend another school. When Hannah pointed out her concerns over these options, a linked screenshot of one of her emails read, “I realize that some of the options are not the most efficient but there will be some limitations if there are certain (reasonable) restrictions you are working with for the first part of the semester.”

The same email also pointed out that professors are not required to “make exceptions” in light of accommodations, and Hannah’s professors had not offered any kind of accommodations or alternatives.

“I should not have to beg a school that is ‘committed to providing goods and services in a way that respects the dignity and independence of persons with disabilities’ for respect as someone with a disability. I have the right to the education I’m paying for. I am devastated,” wrote Hannah.

The thread has since gotten over 600 retweets and 2,200 likes.

U of G Assistant Professor Adam Davies told GuelphToday that although the University of Guelph does have a policy that should ensure that accommodations, such as audio or visual recording and virtual lectures, are provided, many such accommodations are “supplementary,” meaning it is left to the discretion of each course instructor.

As such, instructors, whom Davies says are often overworked and underpaid, may not want to put the extra effort into needed accommodations. There are also other factors, such as lack of training resources, to consider, though Davies says the problem mostly stems from structural ableism.

“When people whose minds and bodies operate outside of the

taken-for-granted norm of higher education, people often don’t know how to respond to that, are not willing to put the energy into making their classroom more inclusive,” said Davies in the article on GuelphToday.com.

They further explained that the solution for Hannah’s case could’ve been a simple one, and that professors would only have needed to “have a Zoom camera going during class and record the lectures, then post them afterwards. It’s definitely manageable because we’ve been doing that over the last few years with the COVID-19 pandemic.”

Following the media attention of her tweets, Hannah has since received accommodations from her instructors, but unfortunately it still seems like there is work to be done to better support students and faculty with disabilities.

On their Twitter profile, Davies elaborated a bit on their own struggles and that of their students.

“The emotional labour of being a queer nonbinary disabled faculty in the academy is enough of a reason as to why there are so few of us. I’m tired of feeling like I work at a place that would rather I not be there,” they wrote.

On Oct. 17, they also wrote that one of their students had contacted the university about acquiring accessible desks before the start of the school year. Six weeks into the semester, Davies’ lecture hall finally received the desks, only for them to be nowhere to be found the very next week.

“No explanation was offered,” said Davies in a series of replies.

“Disabled students, faculty, and staff are treated like second class citizens in higher education and there is a systemic issue at this institution. As a disablaed faculty, I have been asking for copyediting for a month and still have nothing.”

The Ontarion reached out to the University of Guelph for a statement on Hannah’s situation and the issue of accessibility.

They responded, “the University cares deeply about our students. We do all we can to help them to succeed. We are committed to creating and maintaining an equitable learning environment for all. We recognize that each student has their own specific needs to do their best academically.”

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They go on to explain that the team at Student Accessibility Services works with students individually to meet their needs and aims to remove structural barriers to ensure the equitable participation of all who attend post-secondary education at U of G. “We work closely and collaboratively with students, staff, and faculty to determine what is needed. The process begins with the student reaching out to Student Accessibility Services.”

As the COVID-19 pandemic has changed the university learning environment, the University of Guelph will “[work] to continually evolve [their] practices and processes.”

On Oct. 25, Hannah tweeted that she would be pursuing education elsewhere.

“I’ve tried very hard to advocate for disabled students, but I’m tired of this administration and their lack of care or urgency with the systemic discrimination that they’re aware of,” she wrote.

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NOVEMBER ISSUE | NEWS

THE ONTARION

Suspect taken in by police following Arboretum stabbing A U of G student was attacked in early October while on a walking trail. A Mississauga man has turned himself in and is being charged for the incident ELENI KOPSAFTIS

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n Oct. 3, a student at the University of Guelph was reportedly stabbed in The Arboretum. A suspect has since been taken in by police and charged.

The Arboretum is a 400 acre campus-adjacent park with several walking trails open to the public from dawn until dusk. The victim sustained a “minor stab wound to his arm” at around 5 p.m. on one of the trails in an unprovoked attack. He was treated in hospital and later released.

The police initially believed the suspect and victim were not known to each other. Additionally, the suspect “appeared drunk,” possibly suffered a facial inju-

ry during the incident, and fled from the attack on foot, according to Global News.

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An image was later released of a man between 18 and 20 years of age wearing a dark hoodie, jeans, and a backpack walking away from the scene of the stabbing. Investigators believed the

individual may have had information on the attack and reached out to the public in an effort to reach him, though it is unknown whether or not this yielded any results.

Over a week after the incident, a 19-year-old Mississauga man turned himself in to police on Oct. 12, and police no longer claim that the suspect and victim were unknown to each other.

The man was charged with aggravated assault, assault with a weapon, possessing a weapon for a dangerous purpose, and uttering threats. According to a new Global News article, he is scheduled to appear in a Guelph court on Nov. 22.

The suspect has been charged with aggravated assault, assault with a weapon, possessing a weapon for a dangerous purpose and uttering threats.

CREDIT: PIXABAY

ISSUE 193.3 | NEWS

THEONTARION.COM

The event, run by the Sexual and Gender Diversity Office, gave students a safe space, and let them know they aren’t alone when choosing to come out. CREDIT: PEXELS

Embracing your inner rainbow on National Coming Out Day Attending a National Coming Out Day tie-dye social with the Sexual Gender Diversity office at the U of G AADYA KAPOOR & CHLOE WOOD

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ational Coming Out Day was first celebrated in 1988, in the United States by Robert Eichberg and Jean O'Leary. It's a recognized day to support the LGBTQ community, spread awareness about coming out, and decreasing the stigma surrounding it.

The Sexual and Gender Diversity office at the University of Guelph hosted an amazing tie dye social event to celebrate the National Coming Out Day at the university which allowed the students on campus to have a safe space to enjoy the day together.

The event was held in Peter Clark Hall at the University Centre. All the equipment for tie-dyeing was already set up along with snacks for the students. The event was a huge success, and the turnout for the event was amazing.

Students went home with beautiful tie-dyed socks, shirts, and a full heart, knowing that they are not alone when coming out.

“National Coming Out Day is a day which celebrates all identities and all stages of coming out,” said Caleb Hardwood, the Sexual and Gender Diversity advisor at the university.

Hardwood supports and advocates for students who are part of the LGBTQ+ community by helping them, navigate their identity while in the cisheteronormative society. He played a huge part in setting up the very successful tie-

dye social and creating a calming and comfortable environment for all the students.

He believes that National Coming Out Day plays a crucial role for the LGBTQ+ community because, it celebrates all identities, which is not dependent upon who someone is out to, how they are out to someone, or even if they are out to anyone. He tells us that, “We just want to celebrate everybody within their own queer identity, and that’s what the [Sexual and Gender Diversity] team really wants to achieve."

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Here are a few ways you can celebrate the queer identity of your loved ones and show support through allyship: • Creating a safe and healthy environment for the person where we can talk about queer and trans identities freely.

• Tell the person that they are loved no matter what, and when you say that, mean it.

• Validate and respect your

•

• •

•

loved one’s identity.

Learn what their identity means and understand it through the various resources available on the internet and on -campus.

Don’t make judgements towards the person who has come out to you.

Sharing your pronouns to create a safe space for other people to share and use theirs and feel more comfortable around you.

If you make a mistake, take a step back, apologize, learn from it, and move on.

Overall, make sure to always respect the identities and experiences of LGBTQ+ folks. If someone decides that they want to come out to you, they will feel a lot safer doing so knowing you won’t judge them for it. Also, remember that it is ultimately the other person’s decision if they want to come out or not, so don’t take it personally if they do only after knowing you for a long time.

Revealing these parts of your identity can be incredibly difficult, and some may be perfectly content not coming out at all, and that’s okay.

If you make sure that you can be a safe space, you’ll likely find that your relationships to your loved ones will feel even more fulfilling.

National Coming Out Day was first celebrated in 1988 in the United States by Robert Eichberg and Jean O'Leary. CREDIT: PEXELS

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NOVEMBER ISSUE | NEWS

THE ONTARION

‘I challenge you to do something’: GWWIC holds candlelight vigil for missing and murdered Indigenous people Indigenous women, girls, and two-spirit folks and much more likely to experience violence than other populations in Canada. The time for action is now ELENI KOPSAFTIS

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n Canada, Indigenous women and girls are five times more likely to experience violence than any other population. To acknowledge those impacted by this violence and honour the missing and murdered Indigenous women, girls, and two-spirit individuals, Guelph-Wellington Women in Crisis (GWWIC) hosted the Sisters in Spirit candlelight vigil event on Oct. 4 in Royal City Park.

Indigenous women in Canada experience disproportionately high rates of violence. According to the GWWIC website, Indigenous women represent only about five per cent of Canadian women. Despite this, 24 per cent of female homicide victims between 2015 and 2020 were Indigenous.

Further, a study by the Canadian Centre for Justice and Community Safety Statistics showed that 56 per cent of Indigenous women have experienced physical assault and 46 per cent experienced sexual assault. These rates are even higher for Two-Spirit individuals.

“This event will offer space for reflection on the impacts of this violence, as well as for remembrance and healing,” read the GWWIC website.

At 6 p.m. on the day of the event, community members gathered at the Sacred Fire for the vigil as.

The Sacred Fire was created in Royal City Park by First Nations, Métis, Mixed Ancestry, and Inuit. It is used for various spiritual gatherings, and the Fire Keepers stay with the flame at all times while maintaining it according to their traditions, says the Guelph City website.

The space for Sacred Fire is located right off of Speed River, chosen for its proximity to the merging rivers which was a meeting point for Original Peoples.

The sacred flame was encircled with red, yellow, white, and black fabric for the event, and the trees near the space were hung with red dresses.

The red dress became a symbol for missing and murdered Indigenous women and girls in 2010, says journalist Christian Allaire in an article, when Winnipeg-based Métis and Finnish artist Jaime Black start-

ed the art series after seeing a group of 40 local women who had experienced having family members go missing without any recourse. The women wore red dresses, the colour of the life-giving blood.

During the vigil event, participants were invited to smudge, enter the circle around the Sacred Fire, and hold onto some dried tobacco leaves throughout the event as to infuse them with our prayers and remembrance and later place them in the fire. Every participant was also given a candle to hold for the duration of the vigil.

“It is time that we Canadians rise up and embrace our own forms of expression and our own calls for action among this evergrowing genocide,” said Kellie.

Kellie Grace, a traditional healing liason for the Southwest Ontario Aboriginal Health Access Centre (SOAHAC), spoke out throughout the vigil, highlighting the aforementioned rates of violence against Indigenous women, girls, and Two-Spirit people as well as the need for action.

“We continue to see women walk out the door, never to return. Families have lived the agony of regular phone calls that suddenly stopped, only to be replaced by silence. These women don’t just stop calling their families. They aren’t out partying or choosing to end their lives. They don't just disappear without a trace,” said Grace.

“The crimes against Indigenous women that continue to take lives and destroy many others from the loss, trauma, and grief need to be brought forward. The ripple effect on these families, children, and communities is not going to go away …

How can we continue to turn a blind eye as mothers, daughters, sisters, and aunties missing without a trace or dying at the hands of killers? The justice system, provincial and federal government, is failing them. It’s failing us.”

By 7 p.m., participants were again offered leaves–this time from pine trees–to

Red dresses became a symbol for missing and murdered indigenous women in 2010, according to journalist Christian Allaire. CREDIT: ELENI KOPSAFTIS

imbue with their prayers and cast into the Sacred Fire following a minute of silence.

Grace not only thanked everyone at the event, she also urged everyone in attendance that the time for talking and waiting has come and gone, that the time for action is now.

“It is time that we Canadians rise up and embrace our own forms of expression and our own calls for action among this evergrowing genocide,” said Kellie.

“Write your provincial and federal governments. Demand action. Attend vig-

ils. Listen to the stories of families. Attend workshops. March for the missing and murdered. Stay educated and up-to-date. Learn Canada’s true history from an Indigenous perspective … I challenge you to speak out against racism, sexism, ignorance, and stereotypes for my people. Don’t forget that this is happening.”

Although the Sisters in Spirit event and other such vigils could not bring back those who have already been lost or murdered, action may hopefully prevent anyone else from suffering the same untimely fate.

ISSUE 193.3 | NEWS

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You can visit @uofgstudentexp on Instagram or visit the Student Experience desk on the third floor of the University Centre to learn more. CREDIT: ELLIE PETRAK

Student experience aims to make your time at U of G as enjoyable as possible Student Experience strives to create equal opportunities and build communities that support students throughout their time at the U of G ELLIE PETRAK

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he University of Guelph’s Student Experience resources are an invaluable addition to university life. Its goal is to make students’ time at the University of Guelph as easy and enjoyable as possible.

Through hosting events, advising students and offering resources when students have specific needs, Student Experience strives to create equal opportunity for everyone to succeed and build communities that support them in their learning and experiences at Guelph.

If you’re looking for ways to get involved, Student Experience has many resources to help point you in the right direction. The Student Engagement and Leadership Unit support students in engaging with Guelph communities and finding leadership opportunities. If you’re interested in becoming a peer helper, starting a new club or organizing an event but are unsure where to start, talking to Student Experience advisors can help point you in the right direction. They can help you find ways to become a better leader in your field or area of interest.

Email is a great way to get in touch with these resources, you can reach out to leader@uoguelph.ca to learn more about the Leadership Intensive program that aids students in professional development, and email students@uoguelph.ca for more information regarding the LAUNCH program for Student Groups and Leaders.

Student Experience also runs its own programming and events. Did you participate in Orientation week activities? That was just a glimpse into how Student Experience works to build a community and create positive spaces that welcome all students to university life.

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If you are a first- or second-year student, you might have seen START emails appear in your inbox. START is run by Student Experience to help students adjust to academic life and provide resources to help them connect with other students and campus activities. It also offers orientation programs for First Nations, Inuit and Metis students, international students, exchange students, and students registering with Student Accessibility Services. Regularly check your START emails or visit STARTonline. ca to learn about these programs and get updates and information on seasonal events, services, reminders, and resources.

“It’s been a great experience working in such a welcoming environment and being able to learn about resources that I didn’t know about before,” said Amatulraoof Al-Abassi, a second-year bio-med student in a work-study position with Student Experience. “I’ve been able to work with staff members on projects for all different students.”

Amatulraoof wishes students knew more about Student Experience’s programs, like Cultural Diversity Advising and the Indigenous Student Centre.

“They are open to everyone and welcoming to BIPOC students here at Guelph as well as the LGBTQ+ Gender and Sexual Diversity Advising,” Amatulraoof said.

Other advisory resources are offered as well. If you or a student you know has been having trouble finding housing due to the overload on residence spacing, Off-Campus Living Advising offers support in navigating these potentially new and stressful experiences. For off-campus students, Student Experience offers Rental Living Resources and Commuter Student Programs and Resources. These options help students to become good neighbours in the Guelph community, provide lease reviews, and offer information on bylaws, transportation, and safety.

To further connect with Student Experience, be sure to visit @uofgstudentexp on

Instagram for an introduction to different aspects of life at Guelph. The page highlights the life of a Gryphon and is regularly updated on upcoming events for students, program information, and

more. You can also visit the new Student Experience front desk located in the University Centre 3rd Floor South, for general questions and inquiries or visit uoguelph.ca/studentexperience.

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NOVEMBER ISSUE | NEWS

‘Beautiful views’: Mood Routes nature walks to boost mental health, well being Need something to get you in a better “mood”?

TAYLOR MARTIN-ROBBINS

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s school stressing you out? Do you feel like you want to make more friends on campus? Or do you simply love nature and want to explore the beautiful trails the Guelph campus has to offer?

Student Wellness has an event that might be for you.

Mood Routes is a stress-free, zero commitment event, where you can meet great people and get a well-deserved break from your studies.

“We just talk about our days, and what’s going on and get some good exercise,” said event coordinator, Angelica Digiacinto.

THE ONTARION

Each week, participants will be taken into the Arboretum for an hour-long, low-key, relaxing nature walk along with the wonderful volunteers, she explained.

“You can choose to chat with your peers, or simply tag along and enjoy the beautiful views,” she said.

The organizers believe having this hour in nature can be very beneficial to mental health and physical wellbeing.

“Taking this walk is really helpful to clear your head, and stretch your legs,” Digiacinto said.

And the best part is, you don’t have to be particularly outdoorsy or athletic to participate. Everyone goes at their own pace, whether they are a fast walker, or like to take things slower.

“I’m an indoor person, and I love staying inside, and I love this, because it’s just a nice way to get to know people,” said volunteer Hanika Saini.

Mood Routes happens every Friday from Oct. 25 to Nov. 25 from noon to 1 p.m.

Participants can meet outside the J.T. Powell building, rain or shine.

You can register for the event on Gryphlife, and for more information, go to gryphlife. uoguelph.ca.

Students wishing to join Mood Routes during their November walks can register online at gryphlife.ca. CREDIT: TAYLOR MARTIN-ROBBINS

ISSUE 193.3 | NEWS

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On Oct. 12, students were able to support Black-owned businesses by attended the Black-owned market in the UC. CREDIT: THE KWEEN COMPANY

‘One-stop-shop’ Black-owned vendors market hosted at the University Centre From cookies to sauces, art and fashion, the market had something for everyone ELENI KOPSAFTIS

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hroughout last month, various booths lined the edges of the University Centre Courtyard as they often do, but students who happened to pass through the UC on Oct. 12 would’ve gotten the opportunity to meet several Black business owners during the BlackOwned Vendor Marketplace.

The Black-Owned Vendor Marketplace is a very recent project–its first event took place on March 16 of this year. It took place between noon and 6 p.m., and the market was hosted by the Cultural Diversity Office and Guelph Black Students Association in collaboration with Guelph Market and The Kween Company.

According to Kween, founder of The Kween Company and host of the Black-Owned Vendors Marketplace, the Black-owned market is “a platform for one-stop shopping” as well as “an accessible shopping mall for our Blackowned businesses.”

She told The Ontarion that the event allows for communities on and off campus to access a large variety of goods.

“Many businesses have had

to find ways to evolve during a pandemic, and even more so as an underseen and heavily undervalued community. This allows for expansion of audience and reach while creating community together,” said Kween.

There was lots to offer thanks to the wide variety of vendors, such as The Kween Company, Kynk Naturals, Sassy Pinz, Bonjor Sunwear, Painting Pastry Chef, Nostalgic Glow, Emmmbellished, Made By Chu, The Art Collective, GN Fashion and Accessories, Afro Crush, Iris Backayard Sauces, The Black Lotus Body Care, Guelph Black Heritage Society, HudHud Sweets, and Reefd Creative.

Honorary vendors also included Natural Be You Tea, EM Wigs, Ms. Meri Mak, Shyne Body Butter, Zion Topical Food Store, Safa Middle Eastern Market, and Nattilly Attire Body Polish and Oils, and Hairnergy Braids.

By the end of the day, the Black-Owned Vendors Marketplace ended up being a huge success, and many students had the opportunity to shop at the many wonderful booths.

“The overall options were incredible, the food was so tasty, the music was bumping, and we all had a little time to get to know one another,” said Kween.

Also at the marketplace was Baked Cookie Co, a Guelph-based made-to-order craft cookie company. Founder Jordanah Dawn is

a single mom, and she uses the profits from her cookie sales to fund her 15-year-old’s prep school basketball as well as his “ever increasing appetite,” she wrote on her Facebook page.

“I spent a long time trying to find the best cookie and finally experimented with recipes and found what I think is the perfect chewy, chocolate chip cookie. I have created gourmet chocolate chip cookies by adding all my favourite add-ins for an ever-changing menu,” she further writes.

“My hope is to eventually make this a full time thing with a storefront and bakery.”

From cookies to sauces, art, and fashion, the market had plenty to offer, and thanks to free vendor fees, the participating businesses were successfully able to profit from the event from the getgo rather than needing to make up the money for simply setting up a booth.

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“Often small businesses, particularly African, Caribbean, Black, and Indigenious businesses, get overlooked, have less access to resources, and often do not have a storefront you can visit,”

said Kween. “Having the space to provide almost like a pop-up shop is really significant for accessibility and availability.”

Kween thanks event organiser Alexis Charles and her team of

students, her partner, and all of the vendors for making the BlackOwned Vendors Marketplace such a success. “Without them, this would be just an average day in the UC. But it wasn't. It was POPPIN'!”

If you missed out on the Black-Owned Vendors Marketplace, you can still support BIPOC businesses through some of the vendors’ websites!

• • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • •

The Kween Company: thekweencompany.com Kynk Naturals: kynk.ca Sassy Pinz: thesassypinz.com Bonjor Sunwear: instagram.com/bonjor.ca/ Painting Pastry Chef: thedessertartist.ca Nostalgic Glow: nostalgicglow.square.site Emmmbellished: etsy.com/shop/emmmbellished Made By Chu The Art Collective: artcollective.ca GN Fashion and Accessories Afro Crush: afrocrush.ca Iris Backyard Sauces: irisbackayard.com The Black Lotus Body Care: theblacklotusbc.com Baked Cookie Co: facebook.com/CookiezMakeEverythingBetter/ Guelph Black Heritage Society: guelphblackheritage. ca HudHud Sweets Reefd Creative Natural Be You Tea: naturalbeyoutea.square.site EM Wigs: emwigs.com Ms Meri Mak: fashionboutiquemsmerimak.ca Shyne Body Butter: shynebodybutter.com Zion Topical Food Store Safa Middle Eastern Market: safafoods.ca Nattilly Attire Body Polish and Oils Hairnergy Braids: hairnergybraids.com

Editor’s Note: The Ontarion was unable to confirm some websites of these businesses but encourages others to check them out and support local BIPOC businesses.

ARTS & CULTURE

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12 | DIY FACE MASKS

13 | PAINTING THE CANNON

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16 | CUT-OUT AFFIRMATION CARDS

The upcycled fashion show featured four designers' takes on reusable fashion. CREDIT: JAIDYN MCCRAE

The future of fashion is circular How the Guelph Tool Library stylishly celebrates the circular economy, sustainability and slow fashion JAIDYN MCCRAE

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ctober is Circular Economy Month, and the Guelph Tool Library set out to prove just how stylish, cool, and fun reducing waste consumption can be.

There’s no denying the value in re-sourcing clothing. Personally, I have always loved scouring local thrift stores in hopes of coming across a lost gem that I couldn’t find anywhere else. It’s an incredibly rewarding feeling, and one that has roots in an important aspect of environmental conservation; clothing.

Fast fashion’s trend focused model has permanently altered our environmental landscape. According to the Waste Reduction Week in Canada movement, North Americans send over 10 million tonnes to the landfill each year, according to Waste Reduction Week Canada.

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Not only does it wreak havoc on our Earth, but it also poorly impacts individual fashion. Rather than encourage creativity and personal style, fast fashion retailers relentlessly pump out cheap, uninspired, and monotonous clothes to try and keep up with an insatiable trend cycle. You’ll be on trend, but you’ll also look just like everyone else.

I’ll be the first to admit that I’ve fallen for the lure of cheap clothing. Web-based retailers, like SheIn, Zaful, and Romwe, seem to offer it’s consumers the perfect deal. For a fraction of the price, you have access to an endless variety of trendy clothing.

But the more you shop, the more you waste. Our Earth can no longer afford to pay the price of an industry that takes and never gives. This linear economic model, where resources are extracted, used, and thrown away, is the unstable basis of our current society. But if this isn’t working anymore, then what do we do?

The Circular economy works to solve this problem. By its design, already existing resources

are valued and repurposed. It promotes skill-sharing, slow fashion, and a shift to appreciating what we already have.

Over the years, the demand for second-hand clothes has skyrocketed. Value Village is the new Forever 21. With clothing reseller apps like Depop, Thredup, and Poshmark, it seems consumers are enthusiastically searching for more sustainable alternatives to traditional retail stores.

We want to do better, but maybe don’t know how. In response to this, the Guelph Tool Library created their very own Circular Fashion Festival which coincided with Canada’s Waste Reduction Week.

Running from October 17th to October 23rd, the Guelph Tool Library curated a collection of eight separate events which advocated for the necessity of slow fashion and the circular economy.

Held at 10C Shared Space on Carden Street, their up-cycled fashion show showcased four designers each with their own take on reusable fashion.

Shop the Swap, Gather and

Make, The Muse and I and Bobby Raffin’s Three Pieces each offered their intricate collections of upcycled and revitalized clothing to an eager audience. The buzz in the room was palpable as the crowd cheered for the designers and the innovative outfits they saw before them.

The whole experience was inspiring. It encouraged me to create and explore fashion in a way I hadn’t thought of before.

The upcycled fashion show proved that second hand clothing is cool, chic, and necessary for protecting our planet. It helps that you can look amazing while doing something that makes a difference, too.

Rather than buying something new, repurpose what you already own. Go shopping in your own closet, learn a new skill, and most importantly, seek inspiration in everything.

Upcycling your clothing is a great way to add sustainable practices to everyday life.

CREDIT: JAIDYN MCCRAE

ISSUE 193.3 | ARTS & CULTURE

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11

DIY face masks for a variety of skin types From dry skin to oily skin, these masks are an affordable alternative to expensive skin care products SOPHIE SCHAFER

W

hy are skin care products so expensive? Popular places to shop for skin care products, like Sephora, have $100 price tags for tiny shiny bottles. Even the more affordable shops, like Shoppers Drug Mart, charge anywhere from $15 to $80 for a single product. I don’t know about you, but as a student there is no way I can afford to be spending this kind of money, at least not if I plan on eating.

But here comes the problem: with midterm season upon us, and all the other social and environmental stressors, my skin is as irritable as ever. Swearing off skin care practices right now is simply unthinkable.

So, I did some research looking for cheap skin care, and I stumbled upon DIY face masks on a few different websites and compiled the best ones. This was a trip down memory lane; I haven’t made a face mask since 2016. I decided to give them another shot, and had so much fun. I swear my skin felt more hydrated!

If exam stress is causing breakouts, or if “dirty south” has taken too much of a toll, go try one of these DIY face masks!

FOR DRY SKIN: Creamy Avocado Face Mask Ingredients: • Half of a mashed avocado • 1 tsp olive oil • 1 tbsp honey Application: • Mix all ingredients and apply to face, avoiding eyes and mouth.

• Leave on for 15 to 20 minutes • Rinse off face mask with warm water.

Application: • Mix all ingredients and apply to face, avoiding eyes and mouth.

• Massage scrub onto skin in circular motions for 2 to 3 minutes.

• Rinse off with warm water.

Half of a mashed avocado, a tablespoon of honey and a teaspoon of olive oil is an affordable alternative for those buying clay masks for their dry skin. CREDIT: PEXELS

FOR ACNE-PRONE SKIN: Banana Lemon Face Mask Ingredients: • 1 mashed banana • 2 tbsp lemon juice • 1 tsp olive oil Application: • Mix all ingredients and apply to face, avoiding eyes and mouth.

• Leave on for 15 minutes .

• Rinse off with warm water.

• Apply your choice of moisturizer according to its instructions.

FOR OILY SKIN: Honey & Coffee Face Scrub Ingredients: • 1 tbsp cooled coffee • 1 tbsp honey

OPTOMETRISTS Judith A. Brisson, O.D. P. Lynne Leis, O.D. Reita Thomas-Parel, O.D. Violet Zawada, O.D. Jianchang (Iris) Shen, Optometrist

Serving the U of G community for 40 years, we provide personalized eye care including comprehensive examinations, contact lenses and eyewear.

FOR GLOWING SKIN: Green Tea Face Mask

ICONS BY FLATICON

Brisson, Leis & Associates

Ingredients: • 1 tbsp matcha powder • 1 tbsp honey • 1 tbsp baking soda Application: • Mix all ingredients together.

• Slowly add water until the mixture becomes a paste • Apply to face, avoiding eyes and mouth.

• Leave on for 15 minutes.

• Rinse off with warm water.

Exams available in English, French, Polish, Mandarin and Cantonese.

21 College Avenue West, Guelph (across from OVC) TEL (519) 822-2710 · FAX (519) 822-7877 www.eyesoncollege.ca · brisson.leis@rogers.com

12

FEATURE STORY

THE ONTARION

The protest was planned by the Guelph Iranian Student Association and included speeches from Moazzen, as well as guided chanting against the Islamic regime. CREDIT: PIXABAY

Death of Mahsa Amini sparks global outrage and protests It is estimated that 215 people, including 27 children have died due to the protests in support of women’s human rights TAYLOR PIPE

D

ays after being arrested by Iranian authorities in Tehran, 22-year-old Mahsa Amini died in custody on Sept. 16. The alleged crime? Wearing her headscarf too loosely.

Although the Iranian authorities say she suffered from a heart attack while in custody, many in Iran and across the world believe this is not the case.

According to the Associated Press, Amini was seen being beaten by police in a patrol car and was reported to have had a fractured skull during her autopsy.

The death of Amini has sparked international outrage as well as local and international protests in support of the Iranian people.

In Tehran, a protest was held at Sharif University of Technology, which is often referred to as “Iran’s MIT.” The protest ended with rounds of tear gas being used to disperse crowds and plainclothes officers detaining 300 students, according to Global News.

Accounts from the protest tell the story of students being corralled into an underground

parking lot where they were met with excessive force from Iranian authorities and shot by paintball guns.

“I had a panic attack that night. I imagined that it was me there and they were confining me and beating me and arresting me,” said Alya, whose name has been changed for her safety.

Alya is an international student at the University of Guelph who was born and raised in Iran and attended Sharif University before coming to Canada to pursue higher education. She spoke

The death of Mahsa Amini on Sept. 16 sparked outrage in Iran and across the globe which lead to widespread protests internationally. CREDIT: TAYLOR PIPE

"They are risking their lives with a very strong slogan, ‘Woman. Life. Freedom.’ And I think it's very inspiring for many people all around the world. These three words." with The Ontarion about the brutality that is occuring in her home country and at her alma mater.

“I was thinking about the students that had just come to campus,” she said. “I remember myself when I started college. We were so young and we didn't have any experience. Everything was new and I imagined how these people can be so inhumane, you know, to beat students on the first or second day of school.”

Alya said that when the attacks happened, her family in Iran lost access to the internet and she was unable to speak to them

for a month. She’s since been able to contact her loved ones through their landline, or on skype.

“I have a subscription on Skype, and I just called or used my subscription to talk with my mom on the phone, but I couldn't see them on video,” she said.

Alya also said that as an international student, she feels very frustrated.

“Honestly, it's so difficult,” she said. “I'm just trying to survive. But every day I’m here I check the news and it’s all very, very sad news.”

Many international and Ca-

ISSUE 193.3 | FEATURE STORY

THEONTARION.COM

nadian students shared Alya’’s feelings when they learned of the happenings in Iran and held their own protest in Branion Plaza on Oct. 6.

Mahsaan Moazzen helped plan the protest on campus that allowed campus community members to come together and show support for the Iranian people.

Moazzen stressed that the protest was not against the Islamic religion, but against a regime led by the Iranian government that’s rooted in extremism.

“What we’re asking for is freedom of choice,” Moazzen said.

“This is not Iran versus a religion. It’s Iran versus the Islamic public regime. Iranian women it doesn’t matter if they want to wear a hijab or not, all they want is the freedom of choice and freedom of speech.”

She said she hoped the protest was a chance for the community to come together and grieve but also stand against the Islamic public regime.

The campus protest was organized by the Guelph Islamic Student Association, (GISA).

In a statement, GISA said, “Academia is an environment that should be free from any sort of violence and oppression. Freedom of expression and thought should be the fundamental pillars of any institute of higher education. The lack of which defeats the entire purpose of higher learning and academia. The unwavering courage of Iranian students, teachers, and scholars in resisting state repression is commendable.”

During the protest, Moazzen brought up the brutal death of a high school student, Nika Shakarami. Shakarami was 16 and went missing on Sept. 20.

According to the BBC, Shakarami’s family was forced to lie on

camera about the circumstances surrounding her death.

The Norway-based Non-governmental Organization for Iran has estimated that as of Oct. 17 at least 215 people, including 27 children have been killed by security forces during the protests in Iran.

“The students are being arrested and beaten and, you know, we don't know what happened to many of them,” Alya said. “So, I don't know how the university or the world can protect these defenseless students… But it's very scary that we are living in a world where students are beaten to death.”

Alya mentioned other deaths, including a fire in a prison that was holding social justice advocates. Four people are estimated to have died in the first at Evin prison in Tehran on Oct. 16. According to Bloomberg, the fire erupted in a sewing warehouse and was sparked when a conflict arose between inmates and guards about the protests in support of Mahsa Amini.

Alya said that she’s glad the protests are getting international attention as she feels it's an important issue that needs to be brought to light, not just for her country, but for other countries too.

"wI think [Iranians] are suffering a lot and they are trying a lot,” she said. “They are risking their lives with a very strong slogan, ‘Woman. Life. Freedom.’

And I think it's very inspiring for many people all around the world.

These three words… Not just for women in my country. We even have some inequalities maybe here in Canada about women.”

However, Alya did say there is quite the contrast between human rights in Iran and North America.

“In Iran, honestly, there is very systematic brutality against women,” Alya said. “Every day, they don't have equal rights to men, and they have to fight for very, very basic rights. Even if we have very, very highly educated girls in Iran. They are working, they are independent, but they don't have very basic human rights.”

She stressed, like Moazzen, that the protests aren’t against Islam, they are protests fighting for the right to choose.

“They want to have freedom of choice and they want to choose their own lifestyle and their own interests because many people don't believe in [wearing a] hijab or many other things, but they have to follow it,” she said. “So, it's not the lifestyle of many people living there. It's not anti-Islam. They say that. But we say that everyone can choose their own beliefs and their own lifestyle.”

Alya said she’s honoured to give the people suffering in Iran a voice. She added that the best way to be involved and show support is to spread awareness of the injustice occurring.

“It's very important, because when the government and police see that the world is watching, they might reconsider their bru-

13

Mahsaan Moazzen stressed that the global protests aren’t against the Islamic religion, they are against the Islamic Regime. CREDIT: TAYLOR PIPE

tal behavior, they might be a little bit more respectful with human rights, and prevent or avoid brutal behavior against people protesting in Iran,” she said. “And I think it's very influential that the world knows.”

To learn more about the injustice occurring in Iran, and to find out ways to help, visit iranhumanrights.org.

On campus at the University of Guelph, a banner with the slogan ‘Woman. Life. Freedom.’ emblazoned on it adorns the cannon in Branion Plaza. CREDIT: TAYLOR PIPE

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com

14

NOVEMBER ISSUE | ARTS & CULTURE

THE ONTARION

From The Making Box to the Guelph Comedy Festival Braeden Etienne spoke with The Ontarion about his experience with The Making Box, performing at Hillside and totally not being a “funky socks guy” TAYLOR PIPE

B

Braeden Ettiene has performed at Guelph Hillside Festival, Guelph FRINGE and now the Guelph Comedy Festival. CREDIT: JASPER TEY

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raeden Etienne’s first time doing comedy was during a job interview for The Making Box, Guelph’s former improv theatre and home for live comedy.

“They had us do improv together with the people we were competing against for the job as well as all the owners of the company so my first time doing improv was at a job interview,” Etienne said.

After that interview, Etienne was hired and took a level one improv course, as per the job requirements.

“I'm always a big proponent of creativity and the spontaneous creativity that came with improv was really attractive to me,” he said. “So, then I took level two, level three, level four, voluntarily.”

Etienne was in charge of booking acts for the shows that took place at The Making Box. He said that’s when he started experimenting with stand-up comedy.

“It was pretty easy to just slot my name in,” he joked.

Slotting his name into shows at The Making Box has led Etienne to perform comedy at places like The Canadian Festival for Spoken Word, Guelph’s Hillside Festival, the Guelph Fringe Festival and the Guelph Comedy Festival, but Etienne still thinks of himself as a writer first.

“That seems to kind of be the broadest stroke,” he said. “In that writing umbrella is comedy so I'm stand up as well as an improviser.”

But like many comedians, the pandemic restricted their creativity and ability to perform in front of a live audience.

In 2020, The Making Box closed because of COVID-19 and was forced to pivot to a different delivery method. Etienne said this made them question how they could keep delivering improv and keep pushing themselves as comedians.

“How can we kind of accept this terrible opera that is COVID and move forward with it?” Etienne asked.

“So we did a lot of self reflection as an organization and found probably the best path forward was to bring this idea of applied improvisation to organizations and the community at large.”

The Making Box currently creates team building activities based on improvisation and being yourself. Since switching to an online format, they’ve been able to lead workshops for organizations such as the University of Guelph, Google, Shopify and the University of Calgary.

During the pandemic, Etienne explored his writing further in a series of short stories posted on his blog, braedenetienne.com.

“I was so used to being a performer,” he said. “Like, I was on an improv team with The Making Box and we were doing monthly weekly shows kind of thing… My form of creativity was like collaborative performance. And then the pandemic came and there was nobody except for myself.”

He found himself on long walks, making up stories about things like an improv trio trying to get into heaven, or a man who definitely isn’t Etienne talking to his therapist about accidentally becoming “the funky socks guy.”

He also shared candid honesty about learning to “brand yourself” in public relations school on his blog.

“I think what I like to go by is like, what is something that feels really true or honest and I like, follow that thread more than what I want people to think of it,” he said.

But Etienne is ultimately happy that restrictions are over and comedians can get back to doing what they love - making people laugh.

Since pandemic restrictions ended, Etienne said the Guelph Comedy Festival is the one helping bring live comedy back to Guelph in conjunction with The Making Box. Etienne performed in the Guelph Comedy Festival’s Stand Up Showcase on Oct. 21 alongside local comedians and Amazing Race contestant Cedric Newman.

“You get that mix of like a really established Canadian comedian mixed in with some of these like local up and comers,” he said. “I think it makes for a really nice balance of like, just local talent and those you know, bigger names that people want to see as well. So you kind of get a little bit of everything.”

Now that the Guelph Comedy Festival has come to a close, Etienne is focusing on his next venture, whatever that may be.

“It's probably going to be something with poetry or comedy, but I've been finding this year generally that things are just popping up as I'm ready for them,” he said.

Wherever that may take him, one thing is for sure… He’ll probably show up wearing funky socks because he’s apparently “one of those funky socks guys.” Just don’t call him that.

ISSUE 193.3 | ARTS & CULTURE

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15

Painting the cannon is a classic U of G tradition and a great way to let out creativity while portraying important messages that affect the student body. CREDIT: TAYLOR PIPE

Painting the cannon: free speech and a campus tradition Politics, student customs, and the debate sparked by their overlap ANNA MCIVOR

P

ainting the British naval cannon, seen in Branion Plaza, is a longstanding tradition within the Guelph student community. It is fondly known as Old Jeremiah, and most nights it is given a fresh coat of paint by students, clubs, or even faculty.

Recently, the cannon has become the centre of a contentious debate on campus. This was started when the Ukrainian Ssociety painted the cannon in support of freeing Ukraine after Russia invaded the country earlier this year. This show of support was painted over before dawn in what was suspected to be a targeted attack.

Following this event, the Iranian society painted the cannon to express support for the protests that have been taking place around the world following the death of Mahsa Amini. Mahsa Amini died at the hands of the po-

lice for allegedly breaching Iran’s strict rules that require women to cover their hair. This resulted in protests around the world pushing for improved women’s rights in Iran. Participation in this movement extended to Guelph where the cannon was painted, and yet again it was painted over before dawn.

This has sparked outrage and a heated debate about the purpose of campus traditions, free speech on campus, and where these two topics overlap.

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Campus traditions such as painting the cannon have always been a political outlet for students.

This has been seen through many designs which depicted climate protests, religious holidays and celebrations, and political events.

This is not the first time that the cannon has been at the centre of conversation. In 2019, the cannon was painted with the message ‘Stand with Hong Kong’ which also sparked a debate on campus surrounding free speech and the use of traditions to express political opinions. The political message supporting Hong Kong and democracy was also painted over several times.

These events are taking place in countries that are thousands of miles away from Guelph, yet these events impact the University of Guelph’s student body and manifested themselves on the campus. The University of

Guelph is part of a larger society, therefore it would be ignorant to ignore events happening around the world.

Freedom of speech within the campus environment is a contentious issue. However, being able to express your opinions without fear is a key part of the university.

Students should be able to have an outlet for their opinions and to express their feelings towards events taking place in their lives.

However, their outlet should not infringe on others and their safety on campus.

Painting the cannon: What are the rules?

Not many campus traditions have rules to follow, but due to the popularity of this tradition, some rules and guidelines are in place.

This tradition is popular amongst students, so generally students guard the cannon to ensure they can be the ones to paint it after dark. Those painting it have to be done by the time students begin to arrive on campus in the morning.

Those that paint the cannon can be as creative as they like with their choice of artwork, but no profanity is allowed. Generally, to protect their hard work students guard the cannon till dawn so that their work is not painted over.

In order for the cannon painting to continue, it is vital that students respect the rules as without them it would no longer be a safe space to express yourself.

Painting the cannon allows students to see the layers of history on Old Jeremiah.

CREDIT: TAYLOR PIPE

16

193 .3 | NOVEMBER 202 2

Affirmation Cards

THE ONTARION

I am thankful for my opportunities and blessed with my health.

Today I will do my best to bring positivity into the world.

I will not let the opinion of others bring me down.

I will rise above and overcome my adversities.

I am a badass and successful person.

I am intelligent, powerful and resilient.

I will love myself as I am.

My actions have meaning and will inspire others.

I will become the person I am meant to be.

SPORTS & HEALTH

17

19 | WORKING OUT

18 | SELF CARE MISINFORMATION

Relaxation techniques offer students a way to cope with stress and anxiety Learn how to manage your stress headaches, get better sleep and control your stress with Kathy Somers TAYLOR PIPE

E

xam season is upon us and that means stress season is also in full swing. Between the late-night cram sessions, the mountain of assignments and actually writing your exam, everything can seem like a mountain that seems to get a little taller every time you take a step.

Luckily there are ways to manage your stress and learn how to deal with the anxiety that comes along with it.

Kathy Somers is a University of Guelph alumni and a Kinesiologist. During her time in university, Somers suffered from stress-related headaches frequently. She was introduced to a program that was started in the 70s and continues to operate today.

“I was very lucky to be taking a particular class where we had to do projects and one of the projects, I joined the relaxation skills class and learned relaxation skills, and was very surprised to find that they're having an impact on my headaches,” Somers said. “I tried all kinds of other treatments and nothing worked for those headaches. So I couldn't believe that something was having an impact.”

Somers went on to study biofeedback and self regulation strategies in her fourth year. She then went on to learn stress management education and became board certified in biofeedback.

Currently, Somers provides the same relaxation skills class that helped her to the next generation of students.

“I'm really just trying to share with people what some of the possibilities are here if they haven't heard of it, and if they haven't explored this avenue,” she said.

The original programs were typically made of ten sessions or classes. In the 90s, Somers started hosting smaller workshops with less of a time commitment.

“If you're personally experiencing headaches and you just go to a four session program, but you're motivated, you're intelligent enough to figure out what

the information is all about and you're actually integrating it,” she said. “That could be enough for many people.”

During November, Somers is offering a few different workshops on topics ranging from better sleep, reducing stress headaches, as well as managing stress and anxiety.

When it comes to managing stress headaches, Somers said she wants to share drug-free alternatives to dealing with the throbbing pain. “[I teach] things that you won't necessarily hear if you go to other healthcare professionals in our region, because they know very much about medication,” she said. “Perhaps they know very much about chiropractic or physiotherapy, but what about the things I can do for myself in my everyday life.”

Her anxiety-related programs help address the physical symptoms of panic and anxiety.

“These things are very physically uncomfortable,” Somers said. “They definitely get our attention and the factors that work on decreasing them may be working with our body because certain things are happening with our muscles and with our breathing that may turn on or perpetuate these symptoms…There may be very physical reasons and lifestyle reasons, short on sleep, et cetera.

We'll talk a bit about that.”

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Somers said she draws her inspiration for her classes from what is happening in the world

around her. During the pandemic, she hosted programs on Zoom fatigue and getting better sleep during the pandemic.

This year, she’s focusing on re-entry anxiety in a post-COVID climate for her free session on International Stress Awareness day, Nov. 2.

“It started a little bit last year and it came more to the forefront this year in Canada as restrictions began decreasing as more people were becoming vaccinated,” Somers said. “A lot of people were excited. Some people were afraid. So, people we're both excited and afraid, stressed, anxious, and it is possible to hold all of those emotions at the same time.”

Somers also said a big part of anxiety and stress is uncertainty. This is something she focuses on when she teaches about test and exam anxiety. She suggests doing one healthy thing daily that is uncertain such as sitting in a different place on the bus, or raising your hand to ask a question.

“It could be a healthy, yet uncertain kind of situation that would be good exposure. Rather than avoid, avoid, avoid, avoid,” she said. “Really trying to get people to build up that muscle of being more brave and facing it. It's a little bit easier if every day I am doing something small, medium or larger that has some uncertainty associated with it.”

She compared the techniques she uses to calm to the mentality of an olympian. The olympians train constantly, and sometimes the big difference for them is their mental game and their ability to calm down before and after a big game, or take on one event after the other.

“I think that's what life is like, especially in life for a student,” she said.

Students interested in learning more about the classes Somers offers can visit stressregulationskills.ca or email ksomers@uoguelph.ca.

With exams coming up, students can access workshops and classes to help them cope with stress, anxiety and the symptoms associated with it. CREDIT: PEXELS

18

NOVEMBER ISSUE | SPORTS & HEALTH

THE ONTARION

Wellness influencers often use myths to gain likes and followers but they can have a detrimental effect on viewers’ mental health and wellbeing. CREDIT: PIXABAY

The dangers of misinformation on self care on social media Taking a look at the many myths surrounding self care and social media SOPHIE SCHAFER

W

e are living in a new age of social media and connectedness online.

With the increase of popularity, we have seen all sorts of different trends gain notoriety in online spaces.

Some of these trends have lasted only a short while; who remembers the ice bucket challenge? Or what about last week's TikTok dance challenge song? There are other themes, however, that seem a great deal

ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING RESCHEDULED Wednesday Nov. 16, 2022 If you are unsure if you are a member entitled to attend this meeting, or are a member but have not yet received an invitation, please email ontarion@uoguelph.ca

more pervasive and have spent a lot of time in the social spotlight. One of the biggest being wellness influencers–young and fit individuals sharing content with anything from fitness to food. They quickly amass large cult-like followings, devoted fans that practice all of their preachings.

Social media has created this unusual opportunity for anyone and everyone to access a platform. This can be great; social media can provide an opportunity for voices to be heard, perhaps ones that would have never else had the chance. In other ways, this poses a concern because there is no filtration system to prove that truthful content is being produced. Misinformation can be spread like wildfire, and for people desperate to meet impossible beauty and fitness standards, it is tempting to blindly accept information from wellness “authorities.”

Popular YouTube dietitian Abbey Sharpe dissects wellness influencers’ diet tips and trends, sharing insights and critically examining truths and misinformation. Sharpe’s video “Dietitian Fact Checks TikTok Diets” sheds light on some harmful diet tips.

In her video, there is a clip of a man promoting chlorophyll water as a weight loss, skin-clearing, and cancer-curing product. Sharpe explains that there is no actual research to prove that drinking chlorophyll water has any health benefits. In fact, Sharpe says that it could be potentially

harmful. This is incredibly alarming, considering that several different wellness influencers promote and encourage viewers to add Chlorophyll water to their diets.

The video goes on to debunk many more myths, and Sharpe has several videos concerning this matter. This is evidence that there is a lot of misinformation that gets spread and promoted.

All this to say, you do not need to completely remove wellness influencers from your feed. Just remember to critically examine the content you are consuming. It is so easy to get sucked into a world of extreme dieting and fitness, so make sure you are doing it safely! Remember that self care does not just look like a 3 hour morning routine. There are less intense and more realistic habits that might be the better choice, both physically and mentally.

To see for yourself, you can visit Sharpe’s YouTube channel and watch her videos, or visit abbeyskitchen.com.

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ISSUE 193.3 | SPORTS & HEALTH

THEONTARION.COM

19

Working out to improve mental health Studies show that regularly working out stimulates the brain and helps relieve stressors such as anxiety, depression, and more Working out helps relieve tension in your body, which can be beneficial for not only your physical wellbeing, but also your mental wellbeing. CREDIT: PEXELS

LOREL DANIELOV

I

n addition to the physical benefits of working out that can help with health, confidence, and wellness, the stimulation of energy releases endorphins that can be linked to stressors affecting your everyday life. Because the body and mind are connected, stress can occasionally manifest into physical pain.

When the pressure starts taking control of your life, you may likely notice some discomfort because your muscles are strained. But working out is a great medicine to relieve pain because it relieves the tension and strains in your body. So when your body feels better, your mind will too.

Sure, when you aren't doing too great, getting yourself up and to the gym can seem like a hassle, but once you make that initial jump, the gym feels less scary, and finding the motivation will feel much simpler.

The cool part of working out is that there are so many different ways to do it! If you prefer more strength-related workouts, there are many ways to test and push yourself to get stronger, such as lifting weights which can help boost your confidence. Or maybe you are into endurance, so, for example, running may be a good option for you. The runner's high that people always talk about is usually associated with more endurance-type workouts because the feeling of euphoria that overtakes you can help take your mind off whatever is affecting your mental health.

Another option, more suitable for somebody interested in improving breathing and coordination, could focus on more balance and flexibility-related exercises, such as yoga and pilates, which are known to prevent stress. Yoga is especially good be-

cause it allows you to slow down your body and breathing, which can help calm the mind.

Suppose you favour any of these working styles. In that case, you are in luck because there is a wonderful facility on campus that offers many exercise classes.

That said, many exercises can be done from the comfort of your home, so for those days when you can't bring yourself to leave the house, you can still work out with some motivation. And, on the days you can get out of the house, something as easy as a smile or a warm greeting can change your mood and make your day.

Another positive effect of working out for your mental health is that it is a way to cope with your stress healthily. Whenever things start to feel like too much, working out will help you relieve that stress by getting

your energy out in a way that is effective but still productive and good for your health.

So, if you are searching for a way to relieve tension and relax your body and mind, working out may be right up your alley!

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Believe your goals.

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OPINION

20

THE ONTARION

The anxiety surrounding the respondus browser An honest opinion on the use of the respondus browser during exams from someone with Student Accessibility Service accommodations For a student with Student Accessibility Services accommodations, the respondus browser can be even harder to navigate. CREDIT: UNSPLASH

JOHN GOODWIN

D

uring the pandemic, certain professors at our university began to utilize the Respondus Lockdown Browser in lieu of in-person exams and tests. Some students – including myself – were, and still aren’t happy.

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For those unaware, the Respondus Browser is a program which locks one’s computer out of all applications or websites other than the test they are currently taking. In 2020, a petition on Change.org started by students at UofG called for the discontinuation of the program, which as of October 2022, has garnered over 5,000 signatures.

Yet the real issue lies in the program’s ability to access/require a computer webcam to monitor the test-taker. Not only can a webcam be used to record the user to ensure academic integrity, but it utilizes artificial intelligence to track audio, facial, and body feedback to detect suspicious activity. Actions like looking away from the computer, getting up and walking around,

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No experience needed!

and obscuring one’s face in any way are “flagged”, and the professor is notified that suspicious activity has occurred.

For someone with Student Accessibility Services (SAS) accommodations, all behaviours mentioned above are things I use to cope with having to sit still in an examination room for hours.

Frankly, it just feels weird to be filmed in my bedroom. It feels weird to be flagged for leaning back and stretching out my legs. Most of all, who can stare directly at a computer screen for that long?

Is it not a student wellness practice to look away from a screen every few minutes to avoid eyestrain?

Of course, my critique of the program does not contain any semblance of

nuance. If a professor sees a student looking away once and a while, they won’t immediately assume that they are cheating, I hope. Yet it doesn’t change the fact that it just makes me, and many of my peers, uncomfortable.

There are some who think that without a proctored exam format, all online exams are essentially write-offs. I would say this – just as students had to adapt to online learning, professors should adapt to providing alternative examination formats.

Final essays and take-home exams are both great ways to challenge students while not requiring them to use invasive proctoring software with well-documented security concerns. Just a thought.

For more information visit theontarion.com/volunteer

FUN PAGES PETS OF THE MONTH

ISSUE 192 .3 | FUN STUFF

THEONTARION.COM

Meet Calamity!

Meet Max!

Breed: Black ShortHaired cat Photo by: Hannah Dingle Age: 2.5 Fun Fact: She is trained to give highfives in exchange for toys

Breed: Cockapoo (Cocker Spaniel & Poodle mix) Photo by: Hayley Smith Age: 12 Fun Fact: Loves going for car rides (especially the car wash!)

21

WANT TO SUBMIT YOUR PET TO BE FEATURED?

Meet Henry!

Email tpipe@theontarion.com with a photo and the information above!

Breed: Orange Tabby Photo by: Elizabeth Phillips Age: 20 Fun Fact: All the neighbourhood dogs are afraid to walk by his house

GHS Nail Trim Clinics are happening this fall – every 2nd Saturday.

2022 Clinic dates: October 15, October 29, November 12, November 26, December 10 Cats, bunnies, guinea pigs are welcome.

Appointments available between 10:00 am – 1:00 pm

Meet Pepper!

Breed: Mutt (Unknown) Photo by: Hayley Smith Age: 15 Fun Fact: Won't eat breakfast unless she gets a piece of cheese first

Nail trim:

$25

Nail trim + soft paws (front paws):

$30

Nail trim + soft paws (all four paws):

$35

By appointment only.

Book your pet’s appointment online:

Guelph Humane Society 190 Hanlon Creek Blvd.

Guelph, ON N1C 0A1  guelphhumane.ca @guelphhumane

22

NOVEMBER ISSUE | FUN PAGES

THE ONTARION

NOVEMBER TO-DO LIST NOV. 1 Restorative Yoga w/ Selam Debs • 5:00 p.m. - 6:30 p.m.

• W.F. Mitchell Athletic Centre Studio Room 300 (AC300) Better Sleep Program • 7:00 p.m.

• Online

NOV. 2 Soup and Bannock • 12:00 p.m. - 1:00 p.m.

• Indigenous Student Centre

NOV. 4 Labyrinth Meditation • 11:00 a.m - 1:00 p.m.

• Guelph Gryphon Athletic Centre - Studio 3213 Mood Routes • 12:00 p.m. - 1:00 p.m.

• Outside the J.T. Powell Building Guelph Film Festival • Nov. 4-12 in-person • Nov. 13-26 online

NOV. 6 Book Bash by Vocamus Writers Community • 2:00 p.m. - 5:00 p.m.

• The Gryphon Lounge

NOV. 8 Trans & Gender Diverse Student’s Discussion • 6:00 p.m.

• The Gryphon Lounge

NOV. 9

NOV. 15

Wednesday Noon Walk • 12:15 p.m. - 1:15 p.m.

• Arboretum Kiosk

Anti Oppression and the Gospel • 7:00 p.m. - 8:30 p.m.

• Raithby House

Managing Low Appetite • 2:30 p.m. - 3:20 p.m.

• Online

NOV. 16

Anxiety Skills & Strategies • 7:00 p.m.

• Online

NOV. 10 Board Games with Mature & Transfer Students • 1:00 p.m. - 2:30 p.m.

• University Centre (UC) 390 Learn to Fold with the Origami Club • 5:00 p.m.

• UC 225 (Tentative) Hawkin's Diner at PJ's • 11:30 am • PJ's Restaurant in the Atrium

NOV. 11 Remembrance Day Service • 10:30 a.m. - 11:05 a.m.

• Branion Plaza to War Memorial Hall

NOV. 13 Serena Ryder Concert • 7:00 p.m.

• River Run Centre Guelph Storm Hockey Game • Various times (visit tickets. guelphstorm.com for more information) • Sleeman Centre • Also on Nov. 18, 19 & 25

Soup and Bannock • 12:00 p.m. - 1:00 p.m.

• Indigenous Student Centre Managing Poly Cystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS) • 2:30 p.m. - 3:20 p.m.

• Online Genetic Counselling Information Night • 5:30 p.m.

• Online

NOV. 22 Stress Less for Tests • 5:30 p.m. - 6:30 p.m.

• Online CampOUT • 5:30 pm • Email campout@uoguelph.ca to receive location Guelph Engineering Garage Sale • 10:00 a.m.

• THRN - Wellness Lounge

23 NOV. 30 Matilda The Musical • November 30-26, 7:30 p.m.

• November 26 & 27, 1:30 p.m.

• Royal City Music Productions

NOV. 17 Wholistic Wellness with Elders Dan and Mary Lou Smoke • 1:00 p.m. - 2:30 p.m.

• Indigenous Student Centre Fair November Craft Show and Sale • 10:00 a.m. - 9:00 p.m.

• University Centre • Also on Nov. 19 & 20

NOV. 19 The Body Project - Two Day Workshop • 1:00 p.m. - 3:00 p.m.

• Online

NOV. 20 Guelph Santa Parade Run • 12:55 p.m.

• Downtown Guelph Guelph Community Santa Parade • 1:30 p.m.

• Downtown Guelph Drag Warz!

• 6:30 p.m. - 9:00 p.m.

• Round Table Board Game Café

NOV. 25 Feeling S.A.D.? Dealing with Winter Blues • 12:30 p.m. - 1:30 p.m.

• University Centre

NOV. 28 Mature & Transfer Student Tile Painting • 2:30 p.m. - 4:30 p.m.

• University Centre (UC) 390

NOV. 29 LGBTQ2IA+ International Students’ Mix & Mingle • 5:00 p.m.

• University Centre (UC) 442

NOV. 30 Pizza Study Night • 5:00 p.m.

• Reynolds Room 0002

HAPPY DIWALI, GUELPH! CREDIT: TAYLOR PIPE

ISSUE 193.3 | FUN PAGES

THEONTARION.COM

CROSSWORD

Across 1. Phoned 5. Half of a 45 10. Grating sound 14. Thought 15. Customary 16. So that's it 17. Litigant 18. Japanese porcelain 19. Distort 20. "Show Boat" composer 21. Sugar candy with gel interior 23. Flightless fowl 25. ___ Paulo, Brazil 26. State in SE Australia 31. Capital of Vietnam 35. Go astray 36. Capital of Belarus 38. Critical evaluations 40. Q.E.D. part

42. Glossy fabric 44. Facilitate 45. Adjust to zero 47. Forest makeup 49. "Today" rival, briefly 50. Kofi Annan's home 52. Supervisor 54. Last: Abbr.

56. Dwarf with glasses 57. Sentimental 62. Blind as ___ 66. Belgian river 67. Garden figure 68. Numerous 69. ...baked in ___ 70. Frasier's brother 71. Type of school or cook 72. Beginner 73. Surgery souvenirs 74. Word of division

Down 1. Hazard 2. Together, musically 3. Not e'en once 4. January birthstone 5. Capable of managing one's affairs 6. Woe ___ 7. Twin 8. Viscounts' superiors 9. Immigration of Jews to Israel 10. Greet the judge 11. ___ silly question...

12. Viewed 13. Church bench 22. Fishing vessel, perhaps 24. Popular tattoo 26. Go off course 27. Like some vbs.

28. Collide 29. ___ the finish 30. The Jetsons' dog 32. Bridal bio word 33. Inedible orange 34. "Who's there?" response 37. Former spelling of Ukraine's capital 39. Cauterize 41. It's in the bag 43. Unnecessary 46. Hardware fastener 48. Theater sign 51. Straightens 53. Shrimp dish 55. Quinine water 57. See 58. Rabin's predecessor

59. Creme-filled snack 60. Vincent Lopez's theme song 61. From the U.S. 63. Building for storing hay 64. Work without ___ 65. Word processing error 66. China's Sun ___-sen

23

The Ontarion Inc. University Centre Room 264 University of Guelph N1G 2W1 ontarion@uoguelph.ca 519-824-4120 Editorial: x 58250 Advertising: x 58267

BOB'S DOGS CROSSWORD CONTEST

Accounts: x 53534 E DITORIAL STAFF Editor-in-Chief

For your chance to win two Bobs dog’s and two pops, just complete the crossword, snap a picture, and send it to puzzles@theontarion.com

by November 17th at 3 p.m.

Winners and anyone else who fills in the crossword correctly are announced in each issue. Winners can arrange a physically distanced pickup of their voucher by emailing the same address.

Taylor Pipe Staff Reporter Eleni Kopsaftis PRODUC TION STAFF Photo & Graphics Editor OPEN POSITION Graphic Designer Paige Stampatori

Last issue’s winning puzzle was submitted by Nicole Garnier!

OFFICE STAFF

We also received correct submissions from Thomas Smith and Amelia Norman. Better luck next time!

Accountant

SUDOKU

Interim Executive Director Patrick Sutherland Laurie Arnold Circulation Director Salvador Moran Administrative Assistant Jaidyn McCrae Marketing Assistant Jamie Tjeng BOARD OF DIREC TORS President Alex Lefebvre Chair of the Board Tasha Falconer Vice President Finance *OPEN POSITION Vice President Communications *OPEN POSITION

Fill in the empty squares so that each of the digits 1 through 9 appear once in each row, column, and 3-by-3 block.

Staff Representative Paige Stampatori DIREC TORS Annie O'Keefe Josh Szweras Katelynn Huong Miguel Mabalay

It has come to our attention that there were mistakes in last month’s crossword puzzle. We apologize for any inconvenience and will ensure crossword accuracy in our upcoming issues.

Rachel Tudor Taelor Reid Jordana Glowinsky Thea Basic CONTRIBUTORS LOREL DANIELOV ANNA MCIVOR JAIDYN MCCRAE SOPHIE SCHAFER TAYLOR MARTIN-ROBBINS AADYA KAPOOR CHLOE WOOD ELLIE PETRAK JOHN GOODWIN

ANSWERS FROM ISSUE 193.2

The Ontarion is a non-profit organization governed by a Board of Directors. Since The Ontarion undertakes the publishing of student work, the opinions expressed in this publication do not necessarily reflect those of The Ontarion staff and Board of Directors. The Ontarion reserves the right to edit or refuse all material deemed sexist, racist, homophobic, or otherwise unfit for publication as determined by the Editor-in-Chief. Material of any form appearing in this newspaper is copyrighted 2022 and cannot be reprinted without the approval of the Editor-inChief. The Ontarion retains the right of first publication on all material. In the event that an advertiser is not satisfied with an advertisement in the newspaper, they must notify The Ontarion within four working days of publication.

The Ontarion will not be held responsible for advertising mistakes beyond the cost of advertisement. The Ontarion is printed by Metroland.

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