The Queen's Journal, Volume 144, Issue 2

the journal

Queen’s University

Vol. 144, Issue 2

M o n day , J u n e 2 7 , 2 0 1 6

Two major drug busts this year in University District

since

1873

SUPPLIED BY GHAZAL BARADARI-GHIAMI

Getting to know the brothers behind the band

University Avenue resident arrested, Earl Street resident convicted on drug charges Morgan Dodson Assistant News Editor

page 9

As one University District drug case concludes in court, another one begins.

On June 6, Kingston Police (KP) raided a property on University Avenue near Brock Street, arresting a 23-year-old male, Jayson R. Markey, who was the only one in the house at the time, with multiple drug charges.

Seized by KP at the scene was over 250 grams of powder or crystalized substances, over 200 pills and quantities of marijuana, cocaine, crystal methamphetamine, amphetamine, hydromorphone, Alprazolam, and MDMA (Ecstasy).

Weapons were also found on scene. A knife and a pellet handgun were seized in accompaniment with the drugs.

The accused was transported to KP headquarters, to attend a bail hearing the following day.

He was eventually released on a recognizance, with various conditions that he must abide by in anticipation of his next court date and eventual sentencing.

This most recent case bares similarities to one from November of last year, which was recently resolved in court.

The November raid was only a few streets away, in the area of Earl and Division Streets. It resulted in the apprehension of two apparent

Barbara Lotan prepared for challenges ahead New Sexual Violence Prevention and Response Coordinator brings range of experience to the inaugural position Maureen O’Reilly Assistant News Editor Though her role is expansive, Barbara Lotan — Queen’s’ first Sexual Violence Prevention and Response Coordinator — says she’s already working hard to do it right.

Lotan, as of May 24, has been charged with a heavy weight. She is a first responder for survivors, a coordinator for campus-wide education initiatives, an advocate for the prevention of sexual violence on campus and more.

“I have always had an interest in the impact of crimes on victims [and] survivors, their families, and on entire communities” Lotan wrote in an email to The Journal.

Her first experience in criminology came before her work as a Police Constable for the Perth Police Service, during a placement at the Nepean Police Service in the Victim Assistance Unit.

See We have on page 4

“I realized quickly that there were many opportunities to support victims and that I could have a positive impact,” she wrote.

At the same time, she recognized a gap in on-going support services for victims of crime and learned about the dynamics of gender-based sexual and domestic violence.

“When I began my career as a police officer, I made a commitment to continue to ensure a better response to victims [and] survivors,” she wrote.

A winding career path later lead Lotan to the field of education, as a Child and Youth Worker for the Upper Canada District School Board.

She eventually worked as a coordinator for the Lanark County Sexual Assault & Domestic Violence Program and the Tri-County Sexual Behaviour Program in Lanark, Leeds & Grenville Task Forces.

Since Lotan’s position was created at Queen’s as part of the new Sexual

Violence Policy, which was approved by the University’s Board of Trustees on March 4, concerns have arisen about the number of responsibilities she’s been tasked to deal with on her own.

Several members of the Queen’s community have expressed worry about the ability of one individual to handle such a demanding and expansive portfolio.

However, Lotan insists that despite demanding duties, she is “not without a larger team”.

She says she plans to combat the heavy workload by forming supportive relationships with “partners both on and off campus”. By depending on her team, and by being flexible and responsive to the needs of the community, she says she’ll be able to find a natural balance.

With all her academic and professional experiences, along with her passion for victim and survivor support, Lotan says her See experiences on page 4

INSIDE THIS ISSUE

EDITORIALS

OPINIONS

ARTS

SPORTS

LIFESTYLE

Star article paints unrealistic ideals for students

Standford sexual assault trial a wakeup call for universities

Travelling through time at the Aga Khan Museum

Men’s golf makes history on the west coast

Bare your shoulders under the summer sun

page 6

Online:

queensjournal.ca

@queensjournal

page 7

facebook.com/queensjournal

page 8

instagram.com/queensjournal

page 11

page 14

News

2 •queensjournal.ca

Monday, June 27, 2016

LEGAL DISPUTES

University challenges $11.5 million expropriation claim Queen’s lawyer filed Statement of Defence to Ontario Municipal Board, countering professor’s case V ictoria G ibson News Editor

In the ongoing expropriation

offered there,” it reads.

Furthermore, it states that the properties were “neither unique nor irreplaceable”.

They state that 9 Arch Street wasn’t rented out for residential or commercial usage at the time that the property was taken. The other property, 80 Barrie Street, was not permitted for pharmacy use under the zoning by-law, and only held four residential dwellings at the time.

Later in the claim, Queen’s alleges that Oliver factored illegal

dwelling units into her claims, “vastly overstated”. and rent amounts claimed for “The ‘offer to purchase’ commercial use aren’t reflective of .... dated November 7, 2008 was not market rates. a bona fide offer from an arm’s Queen’s statement points out length purchaser and does not that 80 Barrie St. is designated represent fair market value of the under the Ontario Heritage Act, Subject Properties,” the defence and that any renovations or repairs statement reads. would have required permission “Queen’s and [Oliver] had of council. been in negotiations to acquire The fair market value of the the Subject Properties for a properties, proposed by Oliver considerable period of time prior in her claim based on the offer of to [the expropriation in] November $8,950,000 from 114152 Ontario of 2008.” Furthermore, Queen’s Limited, Queen’s Statement calls alleges that the principal of 114152

case between Queen’s and one of its medical professors, a second document was acquired

by The Journal — in defence of the University.

The undated Statement of Defence was submitted by Queen’s lawyer, Tony Fleming to the Ontario Municipal Board. It defends against claims made

by JSN Properties Inc. and Cosmedx Incorporated — both owned and operated by Dr. Dijana Oliver.

Back in 2015, Oliver lodged a claim with the OMB, alleging that the University owed her upwards of $11.5 million for the expropriation of 80 Barrie St and 9 Arch St. The expropriated properties were used to accommodate parts of Queen’s New Medical Building.

Oliver herself is a medical professor at Queen’s, in the psychiatric field.

When approached for the initial June 6 story in The Journal, Communications Officer Chris Armes said that Queen’s was not in a position to comment until the case came before a hearing.

However, on June 8, Armes indicated that it would be useful to request a copy of a defence document from the OMB, in order to better understand the case from both sides.

While the defense document agrees with parts of Oliver’s initial claim, it also counters large portions of her case. It begins with the two properties, which Oliver’s claim identifies as “unique and irreplaceable”.

While Oliver states that the properties were in an area with “an abundance of commercial/retail, social and recreational amenities,” Queen’s alleges that the area is primarily institutional.

“Commercial and retail amenities are limited on the [Queen’s] campus ... residents must travel to downtown Kingston to take advantage of the vibrant amenities The legal debate over Queen’s New Medical Building formally began in 2015.

Ontario Limited was a tenant of Oliver’s — and continues to be.

“There was no business case or other evidence to suggest that the proposed business venture was viable,” the defense wrote.

The funds lost by Oliver in purchasing other properties following the expropriation, were her own, they claim.

“The fact that the Claimants purchased a vacant shell building that required extensive repairs and renovations is neither a function of nor a reasonable or natural consequence of the expropriation,” the statement reads.

Queen’s requests that the OMB awards Oliver $1,445,000 in compensation for 80 Barrie St., and $300,000 for 9 Arch St. as well, a “modest amount” for disturbance damages.

The fact that the “Claimants purchased

a vacant shell building that required extensive repairs and renovations is neither a function of nor a reasonable or natural consequence of the expropriation.

”

— Queen’s Statement of Defence filed with the OMB

PHOTO BY JULIA BALAKRISHNAN

The collective sum, of around $2 million, is vastly below the compensation of $11.5 million proposed by Oliver in her original 2015 claim.

As of June 8, a hearing between the two parties had yet to be scheduled.

The legal representation of both parties have engaged in a discovery process prior to attempting mediation or settlement — agreed upon by both parties last year — but are now moving towards a hearing.

LEARNING SOFTWARE

New academic integrity tool available by fall Full license for Turnitin purchased, says vice-provost V ictoria G ibson News Editor As of June 9, Queen’s has acquired a new tool to handle concerns around academic honesty, citations and educational integrity — purchasing an institution-wide license for Turnitin.

Turnitin serves as a ‘similarity checker’, which runs submitted work through their databases to prompt feedback on potential instances of plagiarism or improperly cited references.

The tool’s acquisition, according to Jill Scott, vice-provost (teaching and learning), isn’t in response to any “major breach of academic integrity”, nor an increase in reports of plagiarism.

The University had been under

pressure from its own faculty not always easy! Who pays for that, members for a while to adopt the and how do we find the resources?” system. “We’re talking three years she said. here,” Scott said. Pressure had Now, Scott said “the stars have especially arisen from the Joint kind of aligned, and it feels like Committee on the Administration the right moment.” A final push of the Agreement (JCAA). came from the Turnitin system The JCAA — made up of the eliminating partial licenses. faculty collective bargaining unit, “Either we were going to have to Queen’s faculty and administration dump the whole thing, or pick it all — identified the purchase of up,” Scott said.

Turnitin as a top concern among She was adamant when its members. emphasizing the system’s purpose Several other groups joined — not solely to highlight instances the JCAA’s call to acquire Turnitin, of plagiarism, but also as a leading to a number of partial diagnostic tool for students to use licenses being purchased by prior to submitting their work. individual faculties, schools and “This, for me, is not about finding departments at Queen’s. cheaters,” she clarified.

All the while, Scott said the Although Queen’s had a need trouble arose in determining how to protect its academic credentials, the system would be financed. “It’s as a “selective university,” Scott

believes that for those who intend to “work the system,” they would always find a way.

“This is potentially a deterrent, but in a perfect world, we’d use this in pedagogically sound ways.

Turnitin can be used as a tool, to really increase education around citation and good academic practice,” she said.

The Center for Teaching and Learning is in the process of understanding how Turnitin could be used in “formative and developmental” ways.

Right now, the focus is on “what they can do to support faculty to adopt the tool in positive ways,” Scott said, but future plans involve discussion with the AMS about the student side.

“I don’t know exactly what will

happen, but we want to work with the AMS ... to alert students to their ability to use this on their own.

We want to make it available so that anyone can use it at any time,” she said.

Queen’s received positive reviews from other universities using Turnitin. According to Scott, the system also works well with onQ — Queen’s new learning management system.

Though the University cannot mandate that faculty members use the tool, Scott hopes that it’s available in time for fall semester, so individual faculties and departments are given the option.

“My assumption is that it will be ready and up and running for September. I can’t see any reason why it won’t,” she said.

Monday, June 27, 2016

News

queensjournal.ca

Queen’s releases severe allergy report Review committee recommends policies and procedures to further student safety morgan dodson

Assistant News Editor The Severe Allergy Review Committee, tasked last year with reviewing Queen’s policies and procedures for accommodating students with severe allergies, has released its report with recommendations relating to education, communication, best practices, and emergency response.

The committee originally convened last fall after the tragic death of first-year student Andrea Mariano, who passed way during the first weeks of class due to an allergic reaction on campus.

“Queen’s takes student health and wellness seriously, and we always want to do what we can to support student health and safety,” Provost Alan Harrison told The Journal via email.

According to Harrison, the committee concluded that appropriate policies for severe allergies were already in place on campus, but more awareness is needed to improve access to the available services.

A major step that was implemented due to the review was the “Ask Us Before You Eat” sign campaign, posted in campus food service outlets.

“These signs aim to encourage students to talk to food services employees and ask questions about their allergy in order to make safe choices,” Harrison wrote.

Queen’s Food Services will be expanding their support for students with restrictive allergies, starting with this year’s Summer Orientation to Academics and Resources (SOAR).

Incoming students will have an opportunity to connect and discuss their allergy with Food Services staff, prior to arriving for the fall semester.

“While these meetings and processes have been in place for several years, we are adding this pre-arrival opportunity to increase access to this service,” Harrison wrote.

When putting together the revised policies and practices, the committee considered the processes and services already in place at Queen’s and compared them to the perceived best practices across the university sector.

Numerous groups and individuals were also consulted, including “students, parents, physicians, university stakeholders, experts in the field, and other interested parties,” according to Harrison.

According to him, “the committee made 17 recommendations that aim to strengthen the policies and services we have in place to support students with severe allergies.”

Additional steps to be taken include the creation of a central webpage with all information and resources for students, faculty and staff.

Plans have been laid for Campus Security and Emergency Services to carry epinephrine injectors, beginning in the fall. Allergy education will also be included in training for both orientation leaders and residence dons.

Although it is unknown how many students at Queen’s are affected by a food allergy, it is estimated that they affect 7.5 percent of the Canadian population.

“The health, wellness and safety of our students is extremely important to the university, and that is why we undertook the review,” Harrison said.

GRAPHIC BY RACHEL LIU

•3

News

4 •queensjournal.ca

Monday, June 27, 2016

News in Brief Sixty-eight federal grants awarded to Queen’s researchers

Their projects range from work for the SNO+ project — which lead to Queen’s professor emeritus Arthur McDonald’s Nobel Prize last On June 23, the Natural Sciences year — to searches for dark matter, and Engineering Research Council studies in galaxy evolution, mining of Canada (NSERC) announced for rare earth metals and differing the recipients of federal research sexual responses between genders. funding for the upcoming year, with 72.1 per cent of Queen’s Queen’s receiving more than $13.5 applicants for Discovery Grants million for 68 projects. were successful, increasing A large percentages of this approximately four per cent since funding went to the projects the last round of funds were of Mark Chen, Anthony Noble, allocated in 2015. and Judith Irwin — all in the Aside from new research department of Physics — Heather projects, some of the grants were Jamieson in Geological Engineering, allocated in order to obtain further and Meredith Chivers in Psychology. research tools or instruments. Four

researchers will also be awarded Discovery Accelerator Supplements, of $120,000 over the next three years, to explore high-risk or potentially field-altering subjects.

New researchers, who have had no previous independent experience and are in the first two years of a NSERC eligible position, are eligible for an Early Career Research Supplement of $5,000 per year.

Five Queen`s researchers received this funding as a part of their grant. All NSERC grants are distributed for a period between one and three years.

— Victoria Gibson

Negotiations begin with academic assistants

With their collective agreement approaching its expiration date on August 31, academic assistants and Queen’s have begun the negotiation process for a new agreement.

Representing the academic assistants is the USW Local 2010-01. The current agreement dates back to 2010 and outlines the rights and responsibilities of both the University and academic assistants.

Bargaining began on June 2 and continued on June 9, 10 and all day on June 13.

Lisa Latour Colby from Queen’s Human Resources could not offer a comment on the specific issues being discussed at the bargaining table, but did say that the process is going well.

Any updates on the bargaining process will be posted on the Queen’s labour news website or on the Queen’s labour news twitter feed @QUlabournews.

— Maureen O’Reilly

‘We have a very good working relationship,’ police said of campus security Continued from front

Queen’s students — Paul W. Barry, 20, and Justin Cha, 18 — as well as $1715 in Canadian currency and large quantities of MDMA/ecstasy and marijuana.

Barry faced counts of trafficking of controlled substances, possession for the purpose of trafficking in controlled substances, and a single count of possession of proceeds of crime.

All charges Cha faced were later dropped.

In the second week of May this year, Barry was convicted on two counts of possessing drugs for the purpose of trafficking and possession of property obtained by crime.

His sentencing was suspended, and he was placed on probation for 18 months.

Barry will have to forfeit Drugs and weaponry seized in June raid.

SUPPLIED BY KINGSTON POLICE

Sexual violence issues go beyond campus, Lotan says Continued from front

experiences, along with her passion for victim and survivor support, Lotan says her move to Queen’s “feels like a natural progression.”

Lotan has a B.A. in psychology and criminology from Carleton University, a certification in police leadership from Dalhousie, and a certification from the Canadian Institute of Conflict Resolution.

She has also been involved on an ongoing basis with the Sexual Assault and Domestic Violence Program at the Perth & Smiths Falls District Hospital.

Now, she says her priority as the

first Sexual Violence Prevention and Response Coordinator at Queen’s is to really understand what sexual violence response services are currently offered on campus and how they are accessed.

She says, this way, she’ll be able to identify the challenges that survivors of sexual violence at Queen’s encounter when navigating the system.

According to Lotan, it is important to consider both the roles of the University and the criminal justice system when responding to reports of sexual violence. The amount to which each institution is involved will ultimately depend on the needs of the survivor.

While Lotan carries out her work, she maintains that the Queen’s community is responsible for ensuring proper sexual violence response and prevention both on and off campus.

“Sexual violence is not just an issue on campus, it is a societal issue,” Lotan wrote. The best way to respond, she believes, is to continue to speak out publicly, to ensure access to education, and to facilitate training with a focus on skill-building and prevention.

“We all have a role to play in responding, as individuals, not just as part of institutions.”

$1,715 in Canadian currency to the Crown.

Media Relations officer for Kingston Police Steve Koopman explained that when a tip is received about suspected drug trafficking, officers search for enough information, patterns, or behaviour to raise significant concerns.

“Sometimes officers may have to insert themselves, undercover, into a buy situation to confirm that drugs are actually being sold.”

During last year’s Earl Street operation, a KP officer went undercover and bought $1,500 of drugs over several meetings.

Once the alleged drug trafficking is confirmed, a warrant is obtained. These often involve multiple units due to the high risk situations that tend to accompany drug busts.

“Quite often where there’s drugs, there’s guns,” Koopman said. Officers needed to ensure

satisfactory protection for both themselves and those in the immediate area of the bust.

Since both the houses of Markey and Barry were in the Queen’s University District, Koopman spoke about KP’s involvement with Queen’s Campus personnel.

“We have a very good working relationship with Queen’s Campus Security and Emergency Services, and will often advise them of our actions and investigations,” he explained.

KP would often have these conversations if the action or investigation “involves Queen’s students, staff, personnel or locations in and around the University District,” Koopman said.

Though Barry’s day in court has come, for Markey, the legal process is just beginning. His court date, for plea and counsel, is set for July 7.

News

Monday, June 27, 2016

queensjournal.ca

•5

Nunavut University seeking partnership to start Last territory without its own university includes Queen’s among potential partners

B lake C anning Assistant News Editor In Qikiqtarjuaq, Nunavut, the first high school graduation ceremony in four years was held this past June. The size of the graduating class? One. Nevertheless, the territory is looking ahead to post-secondary goals.

On June 8, Nunavut’s Education Minister

Paul Quassa announced his plans to establish the territory’s first university by releasing a statement to the Nunavut legislature.

In studies leading up to this announcement, the ministry has explained that if the proposed university was to rely solely on students from the territory, enrolment would not meet the

GRAPHIC BY RACHEL LIU

required 500 student permanent numbers until 2130.

With that in mind, the education ministry has been forced to think outside the box.

Ten Canadian universities, including

Queen’s, have been approached as potential partners for the proposed university. The lengths to which this partnership will reach are still unclear.

On June 8, Education Minister Quassa pointed out one of the largest challenges this partnership will face if it is to move from the drawing board to the chalkboard.

Providing diverse learning programs that are appropriate for native Nunavut residents, while also having qualified academic staff will be difficult, according to a CBC article on June 10.

While no specific programs have as of yet been proposed, concerns from Quassa have been raised about the tuition costs for local students, and whether these costs outweigh the benefits of a fully established and functional university.

The project is still in its infancy stages, but the government of Nunavut has acknowledged that in order to stimulate economic and intellectual growth, the fostering of higher education is critical to the territory’s success.

Nunavut currently maintains one of the lowest adult literacy rates in the country.

Queen’s administration didn’t provide a comment to The Journal indicating their stance on the possible joint venture.

At this point, only time will tell as to whether Nunavut will continue to celebrate the ending of high school careers, or if new post-secondary beginnings are on the horizon.

Sometimes, the whole story doesn’t fit in print.

qjlongform.com

6 • queensjournal.ca

Monday, June 27, 2016

EDITORIALS “Perfect millennial” ideal sets not-so-great expectations The Journal’s Perspective

F

or students who are bending over backwards underneath mountains of debt and relentlessly toiling in minimum wage jobs, being painted with the “lazy millennial” brush is disheartening.

The Toronto Star recently published an article profiling a full-time undergraduate student who also manages to work a full-time job.

The article’s tone seems to exemplify an 80-hour work week and $50,000-a-year salary as the standard to which all young people can aspire if only they work hard enough.

However, articles like this perpetuate a harmful expectation that a majority of millennials just can’t meet.

It fails to mention that for most of us, there aren’t enough hours in a day, money in our pockets or privilege to use as a springboard. It should have.

Some students are able to find a balance between work and school while also securing their financial independence, and that should be applauded on the rare occasion it happens. But it’s unfair to set the same standard for all students.

Joseph Cattana

Olympics not worth the asking price THE QUEEN’S JOURNAL Volume 144 Issue 2 www.queensjournal.ca @queensjournal Publishing since 1873

Editorial Board Editors in Chief

Jacob Rosen

Striking that delicate balance is a result of hundreds of hours of hard work, but also the right circumstances.

Most youth are stuck in minimum wage jobs, paying expensive rent for student housing or are faced with differences in opportunity.

With students’ mental health already

“

[The article] fails to mention that for most of us, there aren’t enough hours in a day, money in our pockets or privilege to use as a springboard.

It should have.

”

ILLUSTRATION BY ASHLEY RHAMEY

The Olympic Games create historical memories, writing the world’s best athletes into sports folklore.

But after the final ceremony, when the athletes have left and people flock to their outbound flights, what’s left for the host?

Oftentimes the economic demands of the Olympics are too high for less developed countries.

As Rio de Janeiro prepares for the 2016 summer Olympics, there are multiple obstacles facing the nation that may take decades to repair.

Currently, Brazilian president Dilma Rousseff is in the midst of an impeachment challenge, the country faces its worst recession in over a century and to top it off, the Zika virus has become widespread.

All the while, the reckless spending on the Olympics has Mikayla Wronko

Editorials Editor

Ramna Safeer

Opinions Editor

Arththy Valluvan Erika Streisfield

Arts Editor Assistant Arts Editor Sports Editor Assistant Sports Editor Lifestyle Editor Assistant Lifestyle Editor

only contributed negatively to these issues.

To host the world’s largest athletic event, countries have to invest large pools of money into infrastructure like roads, stadiums and airports. Not only is this spending supposed to show the emergence of a nation as an economic power, but also to increase a country’s prosperity.

But that expenditure is rarely put to good use after the Olympics.

In countries around the world, unused Olympic stadiums look like ruins from the past.

Each host builds beautiful buildings, yet when the two weeks Irene Liu

Contributing Staff

Joseph Cattana

Caela Fenton

Sarah O’Flaherty

Adam Laskaris

Jenna Zucker

Stephanie Nijhuis

Ashley Rhamey

Sydney Urbanek Contributors

Kate Cole

Auston Chhor

Alixandra Glance

Ghazal Baradari-Ghiami

Ronan Goldfarb

Video Editor

News Editor

Victoria Gibson

Digital Manager

Valentino Muiruri

Fenton Isaacs

Blake Canning

Graphics Editor

Rachel Liu

Bilal Shaikh

Features Editor

Shivani Gonzalez

Editorial Illustrator Copy Editors

Vincent Lin Zachary Chisamore Brigid Goulem

Head Sales Representative

Renee Robertson Sales Representative

Business Staff Business Manager

Sebastian Jaramillo Cierra Madore

Sebastian Bron

Kayla Thomson

Morgan Dodson

”

are done, countries have no idea how to fill them. Now, they serve as a source of constant anger.

For example, of the over two dozen arenas built for Athens, many are completely unused. The massive stadiums are now covered with graffiti. When Greece plunged into a deep economic recession, many blamed the government’s poor foresight in prioritizing Olympic spending over other public programs.

When the infrastructure is only worth its cost for a few weeks and the national pride wears off, the country’s citizens have a tough time justifying the economic loss.

Staff Writers and Photographers

Alex Palermo

Julia Balakrishnan

Photo Editors

“

As Rio de Janeiro prepares for the 2016 summer Olympics, there are multiple obstacles facing the nation that may take decades to repair.

Production Manager

Maureen O’Reilly

one student’s work week is news worthy is because it’s the exception and not the rule.

Instead, newspapers should be investigating the barriers in place for most of the rest of us that make high savings impossible.

This kind of millennial-aimed journalism also makes assumptions about what we should define as stability.

While for this one student, stability looks like a well-paying job, a postsecondary degree and a retirement savings plan, it’s unfair to assume that everyone else is looking for the same thing.

It’s hard enough to meet our tuition payments — don’t make us meet unrealistic standards as well.

— Journal Editorial Board

Jane Willsie

Assistant News Editors

suffering, unhealthy levels of stress are only multiplied when these kinds of articles continuously set the bar higher and higher.

By normalizing one individual’s out-of-the-ordinary achievements, articles like this end up implying the rest of us should be able to do it too, no matter what the cost. They paint the rest of us as falling short, being “lazy millennials,” whether they intend to or not.

The only reason the

Max McLernon

Office Administrator

Anisa Jain

Want to contribute?

For information visit: www.queensjournal.ca/contribute or email the Editors in Chief at journal_editors@ams.queensu.ca Contributions from all members of the Queen’s and Kingston community are welcome. The Journal reserves the right to edit all submissions.

The Queen’s Journal is an editorially autonomous newspaper published by the Alma Mater Society of Queen’s University, Kingston.

From the looks of it, Brazil is already on the way to regretting their bid to be the Olympic host.

While Brazil could very well end up being a successful Olympics, history shows that they’re on the way to joining the trend of developing countries focusing their spending on unneeded stadiums and short-term fame rather than long term benefits for their people, leaving more problems than answers.

For countries that are unable to bear the brunt of the Olympic aftermath, it’s worth asking if the price tag is worth the publicity, leaving more problems than answers.

Joseph is The Journal’s Sports Editor.

He’s a fourth-year History major.

Editorial opinions expressed in The Journal are the sole responsibility of The Queen’s Journal Editorial Board, and are not necessarily those of the University, the AMS or their officers.

190 University Ave., Kingston, ON, K7L 3P4 Editorial Office: 613-533-2800 Business Office: 613-533-6711 Fax: 613-533-6728 Email: journal_editors@ams.queensu.ca Please address complaints and grievances to the Editors in Chief.

The Queen’s Journal is printed on a Goss Community press by Performance Group of Companies in Smiths Falls, Ontario.

Contents © 2016 by The Queen’s Journal; all rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced without prior permission of The Journal.

Monday, June 27, 2016

queensjournal.ca

OPINIONS

•7

Your Perspective

Universities must educate to protect Brock Turner case reiterates that sexual assault prevention begins with mandated education

Gripping her keys in fear while walking through campus late at night wasn’t an experience Kate Cole was expecting.

Kate Cole, ArtSci ’19

I

’d always known that coming to Queen’s warranted more responsibility.

Things like waking up in the morning without the help of my mother or making healthy eating choices, I expected. But coming from a country and a neighborhood where sexual assaults are a rare occurrence, I didn’t realize that walking with my keys gripped tightly in my fist late at night “just in case” would be one of them.

Personal responsibility has been placed at the forefront of conversations concerning sexual assault, often disregarding the important external factors that add to rape culture on university campuses.

In spite of it being the perpetrators’ actions that cause pain and suffering, victims are too often blamed for not being better prepared and able to evade attack, while broader environmental influences are forgotten in the process.

This is particularly evident in the case of Brock Turner, a star swimmer at Stanford University charged with rape, whose trial has recently become a public spectacle.

After being found guilty of rape, Turner was only sentenced to a mere six months of jail time and three years of probation, with the likelihood of being released after three months.

The leniency of Turner’s sentencing feels unjust and frankly

PHOTO BY JULIA BALAKRISHNAN

the consequences are, and what appropriate behavior is without exception.

It’s an awful realization to make that something so obviously wrong like rape or any other type of sexual assault still needs to be explained — and yet, here we are.

The consistency with which we see these cases and how time and again we see so much ignorance concerning victim support shows that it isn’t so simple.

The absence of a mandated, coherent education on sexual assault and a resourceful support system, paired with the

normalization of rape on college and university campuses, makes them ideal environments for sexual assaults to occur.

Punishment should never be evaded and ignorance of the law is no excuse.

Education remains the best tool at the disposal of universities in truly ridding campuses of this unacceptable culture around sexual assault. Ensuring that students are being taught the moral and legal implications of sexual assault crimes is the responsibility of the universities that host this culture.

To minimize the risks as much as possible, we need to eliminate simple ignorance and increase mandated education, on both the culture of consent and the consequences of assault, ensuring that no one can claim to not have known the repercussions of their actions.

Students should be educated about the importance of consent and eliminating campus rape culture, as opposed to the false notion that if girls just wear appropriate clothes they’ll be able to avoid any unwanted attention.

Thinking back on those nights I held my keys in my fist, I’m terrified I’ll be the next case that gets swept under the rug.

The hope is that the necessary support and resources will

be readily available to me. On the surface it appears Queen’s offers just that, especially since it established a universitywide policy on sexual violence last March.

However, reading articles about campus rape survivors, many of whom received blasé reactions from their friends and counselors and were told not to jump to conclusions, tells me a simple policy isn’t enough to mold the minds of both students and the administration who have yet to grasp the vitality of consent and reject notions of victim blaming.

Recalling my first day of Frosh Week, I realize that the events raising awareness on sexual assault and the culture of consent were largely peer-based and lacking in the presence of the administration.

As powerful as the survivor speaker panel and the improv plays were, I want to see the Queen’s administration take a clear stance on what is and what isn’t appropriate behavior. That stance needs to be instilled in students by their institution in a context that can’t be brushed aside as just another event in Frosh Week.

What we need now as a campus community is a commitment to challenge what many fear is an inevitable social condition and to ensure there will be no more room for ignorant excuses.

“Disgusting.”

“Atrocious.”

“Unsurprising.”

dissatisfying, pretty much as though the cries of the victim went virtually unnoticed.

Turner’s seemingly hollow apology — that essentially earned him such a light sentencing — attempts to redirect his guilt onto the “party culture” of Stanford and makes me wonder how anyone can be expected to take sufficient responsibility for their actions.

Reading Turner’s statement on how the party culture and excessive drinking at Stanford “shattered” him, initially made me angry.

How could he claim to be the one who was shattered when he is the one who caused such trauma for the victim?

I was angry and uncomfortable with how he appeared to be turning the tables, but after some thought I came to the painful realization that his lack of understanding and inability to empathize is a symptom of something else.

The fact of the matter is, the “party culture” at universities is just as guilty for turning a blind eye to sexual assault as Turner is for his crimes. University students and administration alike are responsible for the type of environment they create — and it’s their responsibility to change it.

For that to happen, all students

must recognize that sexual assault is a real and legitimate offense and they must, first and foremost, be educated to fully understand that these are severe criminal actions.

And it’s the responsibility of university administration to take allegations seriously and have appropriate reactions when faced with issues of this nature.

In other words, for the punishment to fit the crime, we all need to have a strict awareness of what defines the crime, what

“Unsettling.”

The leniency of Turner’s “ sentencing feels unjust and frankly dissatisfying, pretty much as though the cries of the victim went unnoticed.

”

Kate Cole is a second-year English major.

Talking heads ... around campus PHOTOS BY AUSTON CHHOR

Can you sum up your thoughts on the Stanford sexual assault trial in one word?

Sidney Lichtenstein, ArtSci ’18

Abdul Elah Rizan, Sci ’19

Jessica Wiseman, ArtSci ’13

Anuhea Sridhuran ArtSci ’18

8 • queensjournal.ca

Monday, June 27, 2016

ARTS

PHOTO BY SYDNEY URBANEK

ART IN TRAVEL

A journey through the ages: visiting the Aga Khan Museum Sydney Urbanek Staff Writer

W

ith the exception of a brief

middle school field trip to a Toronto mosque, my overall exposure to Islamic art had been very limited until I visited the Aga Khan Museum.

The Aga Khan is devoted to showcasing Islamic and Persian art and Muslim culture from different corners of the world.

The name of the museum refers to the spiritual leader of the Shia Ismaili Muslims ― a community belonging to the Shia branch of Islam. Prince Shah Karim Al Hussaini assumed the role of Aga Khan in 1957, and in addition to his business endeavors ― he breeds race horses and manages a billion dollar business network ― he’s known to be a passionate advocate of Islamic art and architecture.

The museum was officially opened in the fall of 2014. It’s the latest installment of an ongoing effort by the Aga Khan Development Network to establish spaces for social and cultural gatherings in the world’s major cities.

When I first arrived at the site of the museum, I was astonished by its design. Constructed of white granite and glass, the outside is so bright and pristine that it feels as though you’ve stepped into a computer-generated rendering of the space ― it’s otherworldly.

Inside the museum, visitors are taken on a journey from the 8th

century to the present through chronologically-arranged works.

Among the permanent collections are ceramics, metalwork, paintings and manuscripts of the Quran.

Many of the artifacts are breathtaking for their age alone, like an incense burner resembling a rooster that dates back to the 11th century. Other pieces stand out for their intricate detailing or their rich colours and textures.

In addition to the permanent collections, there were two featured

exhibitions at the time of my visit.

The first, entitled Marvellous Creatures, showcased the animals that have held cultural significance in Islamic art throughout the ages.

The exhibition separated these artifacts into four elements: earth, air, water and fire.

In the area focusing on the earthly realm, elephants, lions and horses were featured prominently among the works of art. The presence of each of these animals symbolizes royalty and majesty.

(From left) An Islamic jar and vase decorated with cultural symbols.

The aquatic realm was full of scenes depicting leaping fish — symbolizing happiness and prosperity — as well as more ominous creatures like giant snakes and monsters that lurk in the deep sea.

The second exhibition, however, was what blew me away. It was called A City Transformed: Images of Istanbul Then and Now. During the early days of photography in the late 19th century, the new medium

PHOTOS BY SYDNEY URBANEK

became increasingly popular in the Ottoman Empire. Images from as early as the 1850s offer glimpses of a flourishing Istanbul.

Some of these are photographs of grand architecture, while others depict everyday people in casual settings — in coffeehouses, courtyards and at home.

My favourite part of the exhibition was a pair of panorama photos of the Istanbul skyline, taken from both the Galata and Beyazit Towers to get a wide range shot. The original was taken in 1895 with a modern replica taken in 2015 laying next to it.

In an era where we can easily take panorama photos on our iPhones, I was amused to see that the 19th century panorama was actually multiple photographs that had been taken from different angles and then strung together.

It was fascinating to see how even after more than a century had passed, the second photo of Istanbul didn’t differ by much.

When it finally came time to leave, I parted with the museum knowing that it had granted me incredible insight into the history of Islamic art and culture.

Unlike that one time I saw a pair of Justin Bieber’s sneakers at the Bata Shoe Museum, my experience was genuinely meaningful and one that exposed me to new perspectives.

Want to contribute to Arts?

Email Erika at journal_ae@ams.queensu.ca

Arts

Monday, June 27, 2016

queensjournal.ca

•9

BANDS

Getting to know the brothers behind the band The Abrams discuss the release of their new EP Stephanie nijhuis Staff Writer

a hometown show and being on tour?

In their mid-twenties, the Abrams brothers have seen the inside of bars and music venues across North America, been the youngest Canadian musicians to play the Grand Ole Opry in Nashville, and been signed to Warner Music.

This, all while completing degrees at Queen’s.

Their new EP, entitled The Abrams, marries their childhood of bluegrass and gospel with their desire to reach out into the pop country audience. With a new EP released in May and their homecoming performance on June 24 at The Grand Theatre, The Journal sat down with the brothers and talked about their musical growth, their tour and what tools they would use to keep themselves safe in a zombie apocalypse.

John: There’s something so special about looking out at a crowd and being able to see family and friends everywhere and that sense of support from them. As well as the new fans we’ve managed to make through the record. That’s a really wonderful thing. There’s a different kind of energy that’s created in the room because of that.

We felt it was important to do a homecoming, especially with the new record and the music getting farther and farther out. Again, it goes back to that balance of keeping your roots and expanding. Just as we expand, we want to keep a hold of our roots. We love playing Kingston for that reason.

Q: With coming home to play the Kingston Grand, what is the biggest difference between

Q: Were there any specific people that you met or stories from the tour that impacted you guys as a band?

John: I remember one story

EXHIBIT

The making of a gallery Caela Fenton Staff Writer Take a moment and try to calculate the number of hours you’ve spent in Stauffer during your time at Queen’s. Likely you’re in the triple digits.

With all those hours tabulated, consider the fact that they were all spent a mere 30 seconds away from a vibrant public art gallery with free admission. Sort of makes you wonder why you spent your 15-minute study breaks trolling Instagram, right?

The Union Gallery, located near the west entrance of Stauffer, first opened in 1994 and since then has been dedicated to the exhibition of pre-professional student artists as well as professional artists. The two exhibitions currently housed

in the Union Gallery, Erratic Turns

by Robert Hengeveld and The Order of Things by Judy Ruzylo, offer a compelling incentive to visit Stauffer outside of the academic year.

Erratic Turns consists of a life-size felled tree, balancing atop of a large boulder. The tree, with mechanical birds resting — and chirping — on top of it, rotates a full 360 degrees around the gallery space.

Due to the nature of the project, Erratic Turns had to be constructed on site. Hengeveld and a team of volunteers “worked into the wee hours” said Gallery Director Jocelyn Purdie to complete the exhibit in time for the grand opening on June 3.

where James and I were in a town.

It was a bit of a difficult night because James and I didn’t have a whole lot of the equipment we needed on stage. But after the show, one lady came up to the table and she was so positive about the performance. This lady came up to the table, and afterwards we called her the whistler, she started showing how well she could whistle. So we joined her. It was this really beautiful, almost emotional moment that one person went up to the table and was so connected with the music that she wanted to make music with us.

James: One of my favourite stories was that there was a brother act we used to listen to when we were younger, called The Louvin Brothers, they were brothers who did harmonies, like us. One of the brothers had passed away, and this other brother, Charlie, who was still around was at one of our shows.

John: We actually grew up listening to their tapes in my grandfather’s station wagon — and that story isn’t embellished at all. That’s what we would do to learn our harmonies. So we sang the show, singing harmonies, and after the show Charlie comes up to us at the CD table — we didn’t really know that he was there — he had tears in his eyes and said “Boys, watching you on stage reminded me of my brother and

I when we were young” and that was the moment that we went “Wow, clearly we’re still connected to those roots and we’re still doing something right.” That was a great motivation for us to keep going.

Q: So, moving on to your own music, did you ever get inspired to try out other genres like punkrock or metal, or has it always been bluegrass and country?

John: As funny as that sounds, we certainly are influenced by a lot of stuff. Especially throughout high school and onward into Queen’s, we listened to a lot of different styles of music. We definitely have an eclectic inspiration. And this new record with Gavin Brown, who produced bands like Billy Talent and Three Days Grace, really pulls together our family history of four generations on the road touring and playing music, then bringing it into the context of the new pop country world.

Q: With a variety of musical influences, if you were stranded on a desert island and you could only bring one band or songwriter’s discography, what would it be?

John: For me it would be Gordon Lightfoot. His music just makes you relax. I’m thinking that would be a good way to go out.

See A behind on page 10 Hengeveld’s sketch of his Erratic Turns installation.

James: Maybe I would do some Bryan Adams. Some fast-paced, hopefully get you going kind of music.

Q: So James would be the one trying to get off the island, and John would be the one just accepting his fate?

John: I’d be talking with Wilson back in the cave. James would be out making the raft.

Q: What if the two of you were stuck in a zombie apocalypse together, would you work together then?

John: Teamwork for sure. We would be on stage, James would have a fiddle, bashing heads in with it. Or the banjo — it’s heavier.

James: It would probably depend on the situation.

John: It would depend on the situation if you pummelled me to death?

James: Well if things weren’t looking too good for you, I don’t know.

John: If our mother ever heard this, she would be horrified at the thought. Brothers and teamwork — just like on stage. That’s our official answer.

Responses were edited for clarity.

SUPPLIED BY UNION GALLERY

Arts

10 •queensjournal.ca

Monday, June 27, 2016

BOOK REVIEW

Creative writing illuminated from the other side How Carol Shields contributed to the canonization of women’s literature in Canada Alex Palermo Assistant Arts Editor “Language, which is useful in the province of the intellect is a relatively clumsy vehicle in the expression of emotion and of narrative movement,” Carol Shields wrote in her work Narrative Hunger and the Possibilities of Fiction.

I had never heard of Carol Shields before I held her latest work. But upon learning she died thirteen years before it was published, I knew I had to read it.

Startle and Illuminate is a collection of the late author’s words of wisdom, compiled by her daughter and grandson, from decades of correspondence, lecture, workshop and conversation with and for other writers — particularly aspiring young women writers.

Shields’ discussion of what it means to be a writer, a mother and a mouthpiece for Canadian women delves into definitions in a way that made me reconsider everything I thought I knew about fiction writing.

Startle and Illuminate is a half memoir, half writer’s survival guide and delicious in its entirety. The major attraction of the work is that Shields wasn’t only a woman, but a mother and a writer during a time when Canadian literature was taking its first steps.

The book grapples with the connection between reality and literature, what it means to write both and their collective dependence on language. “Can we set aside an attachment to honesty?” Shields asks, as a means of abandoning the notion that, even in fiction, we can only write the truth.

The cover of Shields’ Startle and Illuminate.

“Can we accept the fact that fiction is not strictly mimetic?” I found myself agreeing with Shields’ suggestion that fiction doesn’t have to be parallel with reality — why shouldn’t we push the boundaries

of reality with our writing?

In light of the title, it isn’t surprising that Shields’ work would aim to startle us and illuminate the truths behind the writing process.

It was genuinely difficult to

the continuum of gender and the spaces that are created once we step outside the confines of gender binaries.

During the presentation, transgender individuals of various ages, origins and circumstances relate their personal experience of living in a rigidly gendered society.

The sum of the presentation is encapsulated in the question asked by one of Ruzylo’s subjects: “Do we need to communicate gender in social interactions? Does that matter?”

A motion detection system triggers the presentation when a viewer enters the room and the wall of the gallery transforms into a screen. Standing in the project room, facing the projection, is like having a virtual conversation with Ruzylo’s subjects, one that is unabashedly honest and forthright.

Overcoming the stigma of what society often views as taboo, Ruzylo’s subjects elaborate on their coming out to family: “My family mourned when I transitioned. My daughters mourned the loss of their

father, but they gained someone closer than an aunt, but farther than a mother,” said one interviewee.

They discuss everyday judgement: “One of the main reasons I came out was because I had tenure and couldn’t be fired [for my sexuality].”

Ultimately, they appeal for a discarding of labels: “You are who you are whether you’re in pants or a skirt.”

Both exhibits will remain at the Union Gallery until August 11.

A behind the scenes look at Union Gallery

Continued from page 9

“There’s a certain element of spectacle in the work — a massive tree teetering upon a rock,” Hengeveld said over an email exchange with The Journal. The exhibit urges visitors to willingly suspend their belief regarding what is (or is not) “natural”.

“Whether the project will lead the viewer to consider our understanding of nature and our contemporary relationship to it is rather uncertain. It’s not necessary that it does. It may in fact lead them to consider something much more interesting,” Hengeveld said.

While Hengeveld’s work has taken up residence in the Union Gallery’s main space, Ruzylo’s multi-media documentary exhibit has made it’s home in the gallery’s project room.

The Order of Things explores the process of constructing a social identity — what about your impression of a person changes once they turn and face you?

Ruzylo’s work focuses on

SUPPLIED

avoid tearing through the collection of works in one sitting. As a woman, a writer and an avid student of all things, I appreciated Shields’s sage advice and kind words.

The latter half of the novel

is sprinkled with letters sent

by Shields to fellow writers in response to their demands for advice. Her advice proved straightforward, her critiques rang true and her praise was not only plentiful, but genuine too. I felt as though I was learning about the nuances of how to write with proper pacing, flashbacks, references and syntax through her own written words.

The main takeaway from Shields’ writing for me was understanding the historical struggle of Canadian women writers to be heard. The acknowledgement that women can make art, share their unique insights and have important opinions is a victory that Shields is partially responsible for.

Curious to know everything there was about her, I offhandedly mentioned what I was reading to my aunt, who is also a Canadian writer. She told me that Shields came to talk at one of her university writers classes, and that she had been markedly kind and incredibly insightful.

Shields led a conventional life for a woman growing up in the time that she did. She married an engineer, raised a family, and gave the impression of being rather outside of the writing community.

During that time, Canadian literature was dominated by men who had highly regarded writing careers that spanned decades. She shared this with my aunt, who had a similar experience when stepping into her career as a Canadian writer.

I was altogether unsurprised to hear firsthand of Shields’s kindness. More importantly, it had me wondering where Canadian literature would stand today without Carol Shields as a pillar.

(From top) Hengeveld’s team of volunteers constructing the installation and its final product.

SUPPLIED BY UNION GALLERY

Monday, June 27, 2016

queensjournal.ca

• 11

SPORTS GOLF

Swinging for the team Men’s golf team places third in national championship

SUPPLIED BY CHRIS MURRAY

Chris Murray (above) led the Gaels to a bronze medal at the national championship with a +9 score, their best finish in the school`s history .

S ebastian B ron Staff Writer Queen’s golfer Jordan Gregoris held a comfortable spot in third place after two days at the Canadian University/College Golf Championships.

But the tables turned quickly on Gregoris, as he struggled to make his shots and dropped in the table.

Disappointed, he sheepishly walked over to the scoring tent expecting to find that his team had dipped in the standings. But to his delight, they didn’t.

Instead, Queen’s maintained their position in second place and made the cut to compete in the fourth and final round — a feat last accomplished by a Queen’s team in 2011.

The fourth day of the event ultimately saw the program take home a bronze medal, with Queen’s placing two golfers in the top 20.

Considering this is their

best finish in the tournament in the school’s history, one thing is for certain — Queen’s golf is on the rise.

The silver lining in Gregoris’ +11 final performance was that, even in a sport as individualized as golf, having a collective group of people invested in the same goal is contagious and eventually spurs successful results.

Leading the pack for Queen’s was first-year golfer Chris Murray.

He shot a +9 and tied for 14th at the event, and barring a few shots that didn’t go his way, he was pleased with his performance.

“I’ve learned to always go into a tournament expecting to play your best,” Murray said. “You can’t hope that you’re going to do well — you just have to do well. I play better on a bigger stage because of this mentality, and I wasn’t surprised of the result.”

Of the four male golfers on the team who competed at the

FOOTBALL

event, all finished within the top 32 players (of the 52 that make the cut for the final round). And, to Murray, this is just a small testament to the growing talent of the program.

“All the players know what they’re capable of and we enjoy playing together,” Murray said. “If someone played poor, the other teammates had their back.”

On its surface, golf is largely centered around independent achievements. Oftentimes, a player’s strong play is exclusively attributed to themselves — but at its core, Queen’s team extends beyond that. The successes experienced on the course are as contingent on those who surround them as the players themselves.

For instance, Murray pointed to the role the women’s team plays in making the program as a whole feel more like a team.

Gregoris agreed, saying that with the men’s and women’s

teams competing alongside one another, they’re building the golf program, as opposed to just fielding their rosters.

The women finished the tournament in sixth place — their highest in history — with Melissa Ramnauth (15th, +41) and Robyn Campbell (19th, +49) leading the charge.

For Gregoris, who was the only Gael player to compete in the tournament prior to this year, the biggest difference from years past was this team’s commitment to each other.

According to him, the program has been reinvigorated by simple “team-first” ideals, namely, prioritizing team goals ahead of individual performances.

“When you’re travelling and competing alongside one another, things like commitment to focus and playing well tend to rub off on those around you,” he said.

There is a clear sense of unity within the program. Now, the belief is that they should always be competing at a high level. “[The team] used to talk about ‘making the cut’ as a successful year — this year we didn’t talk about that,” Gregoris said. “Our goal was to win.”

Looking to next year, the teams have partnered with Cataraqui Golf & Country Club and apart from having a consistent course to practice on, the facility presents something the team has lacked in its past — the dedication to team building and player development.

The program is more confident, united and prepared than it has ever been, and they’re looking to keep it rolling.

“There is no reason why we can’t bring home a banner and hang it in the ARC,” Murray said.

Hobbs touches down in Montreal Quarterback invited to Alouettes camp J oseph C attana Sports Editor Queen’s quarterback Nate Hobbs was just having a regular weekend when he received a cryptic text message from head coach Pat Sheahan, telling him he’d be heading to Quebec for the Montreal Alouettes Rookie Training camp.

“I said ‘okay can you give me the details’ and he never really got back to me,” Hobbs said.

Not knowing exactly when he’d be leaving, Hobbs attended his regular Tuesday morning meeting with the Gaels coaching staff. There, he found out that any plans he had for the rest of the week would have to be scrapped, as in less than an hour he would be on a train to Montreal.

“I had to pack my bags in 20 minutes,” Hobbs said. “It was pretty crazy to be honest.”

For the next week, Hobbs joined the Alouettes under the CFL’s quarterback internship program, which has the top quarterbacks in the CIS go to practices and video sessions with teams in the CFL. During the Rookie camp, Hobbs was able to learn from players he grew up watching in the CFL. Hobbs spent as much time as he could picking the brain of former Alouettes quarterback Anthony Calvillo. Calvillo retired in 2014 as professional football’s all-time passing yards leader with 79,816 yards, transitioning now into his role as the team’s quarterback coach.

For Hobbs, this time with Calvillo gave him insight into what it means to be a professional quarterback — focusing the small details.

“I was just trying to absorb as much as I can,” Hobbs said. “Even if it is how they walk around, how they encourage their teammates to how they throw the ball.”

Hobbs (centre), took part in the Alouettes camp as part of the CFL-CIS internship program.

Last year in his first season with the Gaels, Hobbs threw for 2,226 yards — fifth best in the OUA — and 14 touchdowns. Guiding the team’s young offence, Hobbs led Queen’s to a 5-3 record, bouncing back from their disappointing 2014-15 season where they would go below .500 for the first time since 2010.

Hobbs isn’t the first Queen’s quarterback to practice with CFL teams. In 2013 Billy McPhee — Queen’s starting quarterback

before Hobbs’ — joined the Hamilton Tiger Cats as apart of the same internship.

Prior to the program’s inception, two of Queen’s greatest quarterbacks, Tom Denison and Danny Brannagan, both signed as free agents for the Winnipeg Blue Bombers and Toronto Argonauts respectively.

While they were seen as two players with the greatest chances to play at the next level, neither were given the time to develop.

JOURNAL FILE PHOTO

Since 1991, only six Canadian quarterbacks have thrown a regular season pass in the CFL, and when Alouettes’ back-up QB Brandon Bridge played in their season finale last year, he was Canada’s first starter in over 19 years.

The major reason why it has been difficult for Canadian quarterbacks to have any significant impact is due to the league’s ratio policy.

See A fulfilling on page 12

Sports

12 •queensjournal.ca

Monday, June 27, 2016

JOURNAL FILE PHOTO

Morgan McHaffie was one of the greatest women’s hockey players in Queen’s history, with two OUA championships and 153 career points.

WOMEN’S HOCKEY

McHaffie bucking the trend Former all-star joins mentorship program for female coaches B ilal S haikh Contributor Just a year after trading in her skates for a whistle and a white board, Morgan McHaffie is gaining support as she progresses in the coaching community.

The former all-star for the Gaels’ hockey team will be working under the Coaching Association of Canada’s Women in Coaching mentorship program. McHaffie will be part of the CIS pilot project that currently involves only Ottawa, Ryerson, and Queen’s.

Under this, McHaffie will receive financial support from the program, along with guidance from two Gaels coaches, head coach Beth Barz of women’s rugby and Matt Holmberg of women’s hockey. For McHaffie, these coaches

15%

of head coaches in the OUA are female

make her want to give back.

“My life would be a lot different if I didn’t have sports, or have the coaches that I did,” McHaffie said. “I’ve always wanted to be able to give that back and help others”.

Last year, Queen’s varsity programs only

had two female head coaches — Barz and Brenda Willis of men’s volleyball. The aim of the mentorship program is to enable more females across Canada to pursue coaching positions.

After spending last year as an assistant coach for the women’s hockey team, McHaffie was approached by Holmberg about the internship.

“Growing up, I always knew I wanted to coach,” she said. “It was really nice of him, and I took on the role and we went from there.”

During McHaffie’s five-year playing career with the Gaels, she was dominant.

She finished with 153 career points, just two points shy of the all-time OUA record, leading the Gaels to provincial championships in 2011 and 2013.

McHaffie wants to use the lessons she learned in the locker room as a player to connect with athletes on another level.

“I’ve been there and been in their shoes, and I know what it’s like to balance school, your personal life and hockey,” McHaffie said.

“It’s nice that I can bring that to the team, and work one-on-one with some players when they might be struggling with other things”.

While finding opportunities as a female coach can be difficult, McHaffie believes that the growing number of female coaches at the professional level has paved the way for women in sports to garner more respect.

In the eyes of her coaches, McHaffie displayed many qualities, both on and off the ice, that showed that coaching would be a seamless transition.

“You meet her, and you feel a sense of connection right away,” Barz said. “She develops her rapport really easily and finds some common ground to speak

Learning from the pros is a once in a lifetime experience for Hobbs.

JOURNAL FILE PHOTO

After a five-year playing career, McHaffie (centre) joined the women’s hockey staff last year as an assistant.

SUPPLIED BY IAN MACALPINE

with people on and put you at ease quite quickly.”

During her time playing as a Gael, head coach Matt Holmberg considered McHaffie as a coach on the ice.

“She was always well prepared, had a great work ethic and got along with everyone,” he said. “It was like she was another assistant coach out there, with the way she handled herself and how she was a leader.”

Being such a vital part of the program for five years as a player, she was already someone Holmberg wanted to work with.

“We had already planned to have Morgan as part of the staff,” Holmberg said. “It

just turned out that Morgan’s association with us was exactly what [the Coaching Association] was looking for, so this just enhanced the experience.”

With one season of experience behind the bench for McHaffie, players and coaches alike have felt her presence and think greatly of it. They hope to have her around for years to come.

“She’s someone who’s been around the Queen’s women’s hockey program for seven years now,” Holmberg said. “She and I have a great relationship, and I know the players enjoy having her around, so I think as long as she is involved, Queen’s women’s hockey is very fortunate.”

Continued from page 11

for Canadian quarterbacks to fail.

“The rules give no incentive to play a Canadian at quarterback compared to any other position,” he said in a previous interview with The Journal.

“They get told they might get a look at CFL camp, throw a few passes but then they would either have to switch positions which is very difficult, or they have to give up football.”

With the chances being slim-to-none for a Canadian quarterback to make it in the CFL, Hobbs knows that being able to go to rookie camp was a once in a lifetime experience.

“It is a fulfilling experience to be at that level,” Hobbs said. “Even if it is only for a week, being able to do that means a lot.”

‘A fulfilling experience’

Under the current collective bargaining agreement, the CFL requires that teams fill a specific quota for Canadian players — 21 Canadians, 20 imports and three quarterbacks must be on the 44-man roster.

Since quarterbacks’ nationalities aren’t counted under this rule, teams have no incentive to invest in the development of Canadian quarterbacks.

To further development while not taking up the small amount of quarterback roster spots, the CFL introduced the internship to develop Canadian talent.

Even with this, CFL Yahoo Sports writer Andrew Bucholtz believes that the league is set up

Sports

Monday, June 27, 2016

queensjournal.ca

• 13

SUPPLIED BY DEREK STEVENS

Lucas Rumball (centre), has spent this summer with Rubgy Canada’s senior team playing against Japan, Russia and Italy.

MEN’S RUGBY

WOMEN’S RUGBY

Men’s rugby captain Lucas Rumball selected to play for Canadian men’s national team

Molly Labenski trades in Acadia’s red and blue for Queen’s tricolour

Playing on home soil Leaving the coast S arah O’F laherty Assistant Sports Editor Earlier this month when Rugby Canada released their 35-man roster for their June international home series against Japan, Russia and Italy, Queen’s men’s rugby captain Lucas Rumball was shocked. The 20-year old flanker was selected in head coach Mark Anscombe’s squad that features both youth and experience.

While the fourth-year Queen’s student is already a decorated player — winning the 2014 Young Player of the Year for his time on the U-20 squad — he found his selection as an unexpected honour.

“I was surprised when I did get the call for this because I am so young and didn’t think this would be my year, but it has been so far and I’m excited,” he said.

In Team Canada’s first game against Japan on June 11, the team lost 26-22, struggling with missed conversion opportunities throughout the game. However, Rumball — one of the team’s newcomers — shone brightly in his role as flanker.

On June 18, Canada beat Russia 46-21, with Rumball getting the start in the flanker role. The final game against Italy is June 26 in Toronto.

At 6’4” and 209 pounds, Rumball is known for making big hits and big plays.

The former captain of Canada’s U-20 team secured 45 points for the Gaels during the 2015-16 season and was named both the OUA Most Valuable Player and an OUA All-Star.

Rumball credits his successes with Rugby Canada to working with the Gaels coaching team, including Gaels analyst Peter Huigenbos and head coach Gary Gilks.

“You come into that environment and you know what’s expected of you there, so that translates over to the national team in a sense,” Rumball said. “They’re pretty diligent on making sure your skills are on point and you’re working hard and you’re training hard.”

Teammates, both past and present, have also had an impact on Rumball’s experience.

In 2013, during Lucas’ first year at Queen’s, his older brother Jacob was the captain of the Gaels alongside Liam Underwood — who is also a part of Rugby Canada.

Rumball says that the OUA games he experienced while at Queen’s helped him in the test matches, “in terms of knowing where to be and what to do”, but the rest was a learning curve.

“Everything is accelerated,” Rumball said about playing in the international matches.

“The pace is quicker and the physicality is increased, and it’s something that going forward I think I need to work on so I can be more effective throughout the game instead of just earlier on.”

Rumball tries not to let the fanfare, excitement and media presence of the international test matches impact his game.

“When it comes down to it, it’s just fifteen guys on fifteen guys.”

Rather, he uses the logo over his chest to push him even farther. “Playing for the national team, there’s that added pride and a little extra bit of intensity and motivation.”

Even though the summer series is a high point in his rugby career thus far, Rumball looks forward to returning to Queen’s to chase a fifth straight OUA championship.

“Having me, and guys like me, come up to national teams and get the experiences with different high level coaches and get a different view of the game and then bring it back to the team really helps us prepare and play a solid game.”

Playing on the national team has brought an unexpected increase in attention from young rugby fans. Rumball is surprised and flattered by this, and hopes to serve as motivation for younger players.

“If I could tell them one thing, it would be that hard work and grit and sticking to it can be better sometimes than skill or experience,” he said.

“If you work at it don’t stop, just keep working hard and keep plugging away and eventually it will come.”

Molly Labenski (centre) was a three-time academic All-Canadian during her career at Acadia.

A dam L askaris Staff Writer For those who experienced it live, the night of November 5, 2015 at Nixon Field was easily one of the most unforgettable and dramatic nights in Queen’s athletic history.

After falling behind 17-0 in the 2015 CIS women’s rugby quarterfinal — which Queen’s hosted — 24 unanswered points for Queen’s over the Acadia Axewomen paved the way towards the program’s highest ever finish with a national silver medal.

Acadia’s tournament went in the opposite direction, as they would lose 55-12 in the consolation playoff to Victoria University.

For former Acadia player Molly Labenski and the Axewomen, it was unforgettable for all the opposite reasons.

“It still haunts me,” she said of the loss.

While Labenski will have another chance, potentially two, at achieving provincial and CIS glory, she’ll be doing so as a Queen’s Gael.

Her decision to join the Gaels was announced officially by the program on May 30 and she’ll be enrolling in a Master’s program.

Due to a hand injury during her third year that forced her out for the entire season, the Oakville native still holds two of her five years of CIS eligibility.

A double major in Honours English and biology, Labenski was a three-time academic All-Canadian at Acadia.

Only reaching the CIS championship tournament once in her career, Labenski knows the road to a national title isn’t an easy one.

Though she’ll still remain close with her old teammates, Labenski said she’ll do whatever she can to erase the haunting memories of last year’s loss — even if it’s at the expense of her old team, Acadia.

“It would be nice to be on the winning side this time,” she said.

Labenski says her dream matchup for the 2016 national championship would be Queen’s–Acadia.

“That possibility is what I’m really looking forward to,” she said.

The Gaels also announced on the same day the commitments of their undergraduate recruits Olivia Apps, Camille Irvine, Sofie Kennedy and Anna Killacky.

Though she’s coming in with more CIS experience than most of her new teammates, Labenski said she’s ready to come into the program like a rookie and not assume she’ll be handed playing time solely due to her resume.

Assistant coach Sean Dunleavy echoed Labenski’s sentiment, stating that team selection for games was always based on performance over any other factor.

While she has yet to formally meet or train with the rest of the team, Labenski has had one main point of contact — Molly Labenski on the — standout 24-17 Gaels upset of Acadia centre Sadie Stephenson, a rookie on last year’s team.

Both went to Oakville Trafalgar High School — a known rugby power — and despite being three years apart, the pair naturally became closer once Labenski committed to Queen’s. Labenski says the continual communication has helped her immensely with the early steps of her transition.

The Gaels are currently searching for a new co-captain to be announced before their season opener on September 10 against Trent, with a possibility they’ll be picking from a young leader like Stephenson.

Labenski won’t return to Kingston full-time until training camp starts in August, but said she’s been training hard to earn a roster spot when the time comes.

“It still haunts me”

SUPPLIED BY MOLLY LABENSKI

14 •queensjournal.ca

Monday, June 27, 2016

LIFESTYLE SUMMER FASHION

Show off your shoulders with a new trend

Five ways to wear an off-the-shoulder style

A lixandra G lance Contributor The off-the-shoulder top is making a comeback. This trend comes from a revival of 1960s and 1970s inspired looks that can be seen on the runway and through “festival fashion” at events like Coachella.

A key piece in creating this unique and whimsical style, is an off-the-shoulder peasant top. This is one item that many fashion lovers will own, so here are some examples of how to create an outfit that is both unique and true to the trendy bohemian style. #1: The Classic

Pair a white, off-the-shoulder top with a light wash pair of jeans.

Whether the jeans are slim fit or “boyfriend” style, it makes for an effortless outfit that is both appropriate for summer weather and fashionable. #2: Dress it up

The off the shoulder trend doesn’t have to be limited to a top. Take this style one step further by wearing a dress that bares your shoulders.

Pair this dress with high-heeled wedge sandals to complete the bohemian look. #3: Office appropriate or after work drinks

This look can be casual, but it can also be dressed up for work. If you have a summer job and want to stay stylish and professional, pair the top with high-waisted, wide-leg pants. For a more relaxed look, pair your offthe -shoulder top with bell-bottom jeans. If you are working in an up-scale office, try pleated palazzo pants.

#4: Add some colour While most would opt for an off the-shoulder top in white or black, to make your outfit unique I would suggest purchasing a bold colour or patterned print.

A colour that will surely be in demand this season is mustard yellow, thank to Beyoncé’s now famous “Lemonade” dress. If you

choose a printed top, I would suggest stripes or a floral design. #5: The Night Owl

A light off-the-shoulder top can easily cool you down during sunshine daytime lunch dates, but it can also turn the heat up for any nighttime activity, including bar hopping or clubbing.

Pair the top with a short, denim skirt that buttons up at the front and a pair of pointed-toe heels for a true ’70s look.

What they’re wearing:

Top: Nicole Costa shows how an off-the-shoulder top works for going out on the town in look #5: The Night Owl.

PHOTOS BY JULIA BALAKRISHNAN

Bottom left: Costa’s outfit pops with colour in look #4: Add some colour.

Bottom right: Ellie Aylward shows off her shoulders modelling look #2: Dress it up.

LIFESTYLE

Monday, June 27, 2016

queensjournal.ca

• 15

CULTURE

When trends ignore the deeper meaning

Does adapting certain parts of someone else’s culture distort the original symbolism?

R onen G oldfarb Contributor

A decorative Buddha sculpture.

PHOTO BY JULIA BALAKRISHNAN

WOMEN’S HEALTH

Many symbols from Eastern artwork have become as commonplace in the home of university students as textbooks and Kraft Dinner.

In almost every HomeSense you can find decorative Buddha heads, Indigo and Chapters sell mandala colouring books, and it has become difficult to tell if the tapestry hanging behind your friend’s bed came from Etsy, Urban Outfitters, or Kathmandu.

There is nothing wrong with purchasing and displaying these items, but the issue arises when we fail to ask what greater meaning these symbols and objects possess.

For instance, few people go out with the intent to buy and display a crucifix on their wall solely for its aesthetic value.

The cross carries with it an inherent religious symbolism, thus it remains an exclusively religious symbol. Not only devout Christians get tattoos of the Virgin Mary or crosses on their bodies, however, anyone who does is aware of its implied significance.

There’s a line between appropriation and appreciation, the difference between recognizing an attached symbolic meaning or appropriating something only for its aesthetic qualities.

This is what causes Christian art to be classified as religious art, while Hindu and Buddhist pieces often are simply

categorized as artwork, mass produced and marketed to the general public.

The authenticity has been lost when Buddhist statues are as common place in fishbowls as they are in Tibetan temples.

Yoga is another practice that has deviated from its traditional, religious roots. The number of people in Canada who practice yoga has risen drastically over the past few decades. Yoga studios have sprung up in towns and cities across the country and yoga inspired clothing lines such as Lululemon have become massively popular.

As the popularity of yoga rose in western countries, the Hindu American Foundation began an initiative called Take Back Yoga.

The movement is concerned with the idea that with the massive popularization of yoga, the meanings and philosophies behind it are becoming lost.

But who does the onus fall upon to educate the public on the greater meaning behind one of the nation’s new favourite past times? Is it up to the casual practitioner, the studio owner, or the executives of companies like Lululemon, who profit so greatly from yoga’s immense popularity?

Until someone steps forward and claims responsibility for ensuring that the meaning behind these symbols and objects are as easily found as these objects themselves, that responsibility falls upon us. We know it’s important to research what chemicals and ingredients go into the food you consume, but it’s just as important to investigate the meaning behind the art you display.

Persevering through vaginismus How I didn’t give up on a healthy sex life B y S omeone

like you

This past spring, I was diagnosed with a condition I wasn’t aware existed: vaginismus.

The six months that followed my diagnosis were filled with confusion, distress, tears and pain. I had been trying to have sex with my partner for several months, but e very time we tried it was like he hit an impenetrable wall. It felt like someone constantly pushing on a bruise. Eventually, I had to stop trying because it was so painful and even more embarrassing.

I’m sure you’re asking yourself what’s going on, what does that word mean, just as I did in my endless Google perusals after the appointment with my doctor.

According to vaginismus.com, it’s “vaginal tightness causing discomfort, burning, pain, penetration problems, or complete inability to have intercourse.”

That technical definition sounds intimidating to a newcomer, so I’ll explain. It really comes down to the muscles in your pelvis. When someone with vaginismus tries to have sex, these muscles tighten involuntarily causing many of the previously listed and very painful symptoms.

Vaginismus makes sex, let alone enjoyable sex, nearly impossible — and it’s not an uncommon condition. It can affect women of all ages at different points in time, but while statistics don’t provide a complete picture due to common misdiagnoses and embarrassment surrounding reporting it, about two in every 1000 women will have it.

So what does this mean for someone who has it?

My first few weeks were extremely difficult. I was wracked with questions like, “How am I supposed to cure something that is involuntary? How long will this take to fix?

Who is it okay to tell? Why am I the only one with this problem?”

The condition nearly destroyed any desire I had to continue trying to have sex. I felt defective. Even though it was out of my control, I was very hard on myself every time I failed to have sex. No matter how hard I tried, or how much I wanted it to work, my body wouldn’t let me enjoy the physical PHOTO BY JULIA BALAKRISHNAN aspects of a relationship.

Vaginismus isn’t an incurable condition, but it takes work.

Needless to say, my relationship suffered immensely under this pressure and I put me on a rigorous exercise, yoga and sexual situations that just don’t seem to be unwisely gave up trying while waiting for stretching regime. The daily stretches I do working properly, please don’t give up or my diagnosis. I now know that apathy was help my mind and body distinguish between panic like I did.

Read some of the literature on vaginismus muscles in my pelvic floor, my thighs, and definitely not the answer. and talk to your doctor about it. The Luckily for me, I’ve been working my bum.

This hasn’t been an easy process. While vaginismus.com treatment plan has excellent slowly towards curing my vaginismus with support, laughter, and a steady treatment vaginismus has high rates of success when instructions and resources for people plan. My pelvic physiotherapist has been a it comes to treatment, it’s accompanied by hoping to learn more about this condition, quiet angel during my treatment, answering frustration and impatience. I’m no longer including tips for seeing if this condition is all of my questions and guiding me through with my partner, which means I won’t be 100 affecting you.

It’s also important to know that some the range of resources that magically percent cured until I’m with someone else.

That thought is the scariest of them aspects of vaginismus can be triggered by appeared once I heard of the condition.

My family and friends have overwhelmed all since I can’t plan the next time I’ll feel traumatic or difficult events, memories, or me with sympathy and support and they comfortable enough with someone to be experiences. There are several resources, help me laugh my way through some of the open about my struggles (but I think Chris both on the website and on campus, that are available to students who need help working more uncomfortable steps — like when my Evans would be very understanding!)

However, I’m noticing changes every day through this. dilator (yes, it is exactly what you imagine) Vaginismus is a curable condition, and appeared on my doorstep. proving to me my treatment is working. In People’s treatment may vary depending addition to my new rippling six-pack (more many people are out there to support you like on the severity of their vaginismus and the like one-pack), my hip and thigh muscles they did for me. Just be sure to stick to your type of lifestyle they lead. As a young woman have been relaxing more and more. My pelvis treatment and have a good laugh when your dilator comes in the mail! whose primary reason for going to the ARC doesn’t feel like an aching bruise anymore!

If you, like me, have found yourself in was for bulk candy, my physiotherapist

LIFESTYLE

16 •queensjournal.ca

ENTERTAINMENT

When watching TV becomes criminal Who knew that binge-watching Game of Thrones could become a crime?

PHOTO BY JULIA BALAKRISHNAN

A shley R hamey Assistant Lifestyle Editor Piracy: illegal, or the cheapest way to watch movies and television shows?

Being jobless university students, most people I know don’t bother with paying for the luxury of cable. But how can they keep up with the latest episodes of the common favourite, Game of Thrones.

For many of those who can’t afford an expensive HBO subscription, they may have to settle for the low-quality, slow to load videos from questionable websites.

But, as it turns out, students aren’t the only ones who pirate most of the TV they watch.

According to torrentfreak.com, the number of Canadians who pirate

in-demand shows like Game of Thrones has historically been more than twice than in the United States. The reason Canada has such high piracy rates has to do with the limited amount of channels available in comparison to the US. The recent phenomenon of ‘cordcutting,’ — getting rid of your cable connection and opting for exclusive use of a laptop and a HDMI cord — has cut down on monthly bills for people around the world who have reliable internet connections and opt to watch TV and movies via their laptops, tablets and smart phones.

But cutting down on the bills brought on the arrival of even scarier letters for thousands of Canadians.

HBO Canada, which is only accessible

to Canadians with an expensive cable connection, sent out emails to Canadians suspected of pirating Game of Thrones following the debut of the sixth season premiere.

Several people I know received the warning via email from their Internet providers, stating that HBO has “information leading us to believe that this IP address was used to download or share Game of Thrones without authorization”.

If you remember those old commercials that would try to scare you out of pirating music or movies, the ones that had some intense music and used the tagline “You wouldn’t steal a car...”, getting a letter from someone who is tracking your Internet history is the stuff of nightmares.

But the letters mostly wag a finger at the reader, explaining that downloading unauthorized content is illegal, and that “HBO requests that you immediately take the proper steps to prevent further downloading or sharing of HBO content”.

They don’t threaten any legal action or demand payment, but alert those who receive it that their online activity is being tracked.

HBO is just one of two major entertainment goliaths who are unhappy with Canadians using illegal means to watch their content.

This January, Netflix released a statement that they would be shutting down programs that were allowing people to bypass their website’s border control.

It wasn’t a hollow promise. Many Canadians who had previously been able to access American Netflix were greeted upon logging in with a message that prompted them to disable their geo-blockers in order to use the site.

Canadians who illegally access American Netflix do so by signing up for and using Netflix while they use a VPN, or geo-blocker. These programs block the signal that gives the geographic location of the Internet user, which allows

Monday, June 27, 2016 Canadians who would have previously been forced to use Canadian Netflix access to the American selection.

Why go through so much trouble?

American Netflix has an estimated 5,598 selections in comparison to Canada’s 3,349 selections. The discrepancy between the two is a source of frustration for Netflix users who feel they are being discriminated against geographically.

Unfortunately, America is where Netflix owns the majority of it’s streaming rights over major film studios like Warner Bros., Universal Pictures, Sony Pictures Entertainment, 20th Century Fox, and Walt Disney Studios, as well as in-demand TV shows like Parks and Recreation, CSI, New Girl, American Horror Story, and 30 Rock.

With two major studios declaring cyber war on Canadian torrenters, piracy seems like it would hold less appeal these days. The opposite is true for many Canadians, students included, who regularly download. and claim to be undeterred by warnings.

When the media we consume is the same, but Canadians feel the expense for it instead of Americans, piracy can feel less criminal and more justified. Most people probably wouldn’t steal a car, but an over-priced hour of a TV show?

Apparently so.

Want to contribute?

Email Jenna at journal_lifestyle@ams.queensu.ca

GRAPHIC BY RACHEL LIU

LIFESTYLE

Monday, June 27, 2016

1/28/2016

TRAVEL

Adventurous accommodations

queensjournal.ca

• 17

www.brainbashers.com/printsudoku.asp?q=ooooooooooo7o3oo2o6oooo2o4o8oo6o9o3ooo3o1o5oo4o8o2oooooooooooo6o8o2oo7o4o1ooo4o

BrainBashers Sudoku ­ January 28 ­ Super Hard

Switching up your living style abroad can create a whole new travel experience.

Sudoku © Kevin Stone Sudoku Ref: 71200

J enna Z ucker Lifestyle Editor When you go abroad, you’re likely looking to branch out and see the world through a new lens. While staying in a hotel is definitely the most glamorous option, it’s also caging. Take your first steps into discovering adventure with the help of unconventional lodgings.

Here are some more obscure accommodation options to help save money and kick-start an adventure: Hostels: $$$

They’re as grimy and pervasive as they are lively and fun. Between planned activities and group living, hostels may as well be summer camp for young adults. With pub-crawls, free walking tours and the occasional ‘beer bike,’ you could fill both your days and nights hanging out with your new roommates.

Pros: This is a surefire way to make friends abroad leaving you with endless places to visit people after you inevitably part ways.

Cons: There is zero privacy and likely zero cleanliness. This may not be the best place to stay if you’re looking to call it an early night — but why waste travel time asleep?

Couch Surfing: $

Pretty much what it sounds like: going from one stranger’s home to the next and sleeping on their couch. While couch surfing is a time-honoured practice among seasoned travellers, this hospitality exchange platform opens up more connections to free or at least cheap places to stay. Your actual sleeping area could range anywhere from a hardwood floor to a spare guest room.

Pros: It’s almost like coming into a new city and being greeted by an old friend.

Welcomed into someone’s home, you have the opportunity to live like a local and be a part of the community.

Cons: You’re staying in a random person’s home.

Things definitely have the potential to get weird.

PHOTO BY JENNA ZUCKER

© Kevin Stone [www.brainbashers.com]

Crossword

Printed from BrainBashers [www.brainbashers.com]

Farmstays: $0

Learn the lay of the land by working the farm and getting free lodging in return.http://www.brainbashers.com/printsudoku.asp?q=ooooooooooo7o3oo2o6oooo2o4o8oo6o9o3ooo3o1o5oo4o8o2oooooooooooo6o8o2oo7o4o1ooo4o5o6oo3 Staying on a farm, you’ll get tons of fresh air, clean eats and lively work. You can stay for as long or short as you please in a variety of countries.

Pros: This experience offers a hands on agricultural learning experience. If you love animals, nature and the freshest of food what could be better?

Cons: You may be in a remote area and have minimal access to transportation off of the farm. This option may not be ideal if you’re looking for a tourist experience.

Bed and Breakfasts: $$$

B&B’s are quaint and charming, offering a homey and less commercial alternative to hotels. Your room will either resemble something out of a cottage magazine or that of your great grandmother’s home — old, creaky furniture and suffused with dust. From experience, it’s a real hit or miss.

Pros: They offer free breakfast and often supply special amenities you didn’t even remember you missed having.

Cons: It can be awkward being served by people who remind you a bit too much of your grandparents. You may feel like you’re intruding on a family’s home.

Camping: $

You can find campsites virtually anywhere, but Hipcamp sets you up with landowners across the United States to help you find the patch of grass that best suits your needs. This particular website hopes to instill a genuine care and connection for the land by providing easy access to campsites.

Pros: Camping is an adventure in itself. Plus, there’s nothing quite like falling asleep to the sounds of nature.

Cons: Bugs. Everywhere.

ACROSS

DOWN

1 Muppet master Henson 4 Wile E. Coyote’s

supplier 8 Low- ____ diet 12 Mimic 13 Make dinner 14 Medley 15 Preside over 17 Walden, for one 18 Mountain goat 19 Feudal lord 20 Choir members 22 You 24 Slender 25 Mao Zedong’s title 29 Encountered 30 Band section 31 Praise in verse 32 Like kebab 34 Greek letters 35 Walk in the woods 36 Expositions 37 Less 40 Sicko, for short 41 Rue the run 42 Steep 46 Bistro name starter 47 Shakespeare’s river 48 Plaything 49 Broadway prize 50 Wilson

predecessor 51 Ram’s ma’am

1 Predicament 2 Wall St. debut 3 Indulge in

reflection 4 Farm statistic 5 Wheedle 6 Witticism 7 ___ out a living 8 Office machine 9 ____ vera 10 Circle 11 Olympic skier Miller 16 Black, in verse 19 Island neckwear 20 Charitable donations 21 Onion relative 22 Crowd?

23 Full house, e.g.

25 Stopper 26 Spur on 27 Hebrew month 28 Loch ___ Monster 30 Estate recipient 33 Asthmatic, maybe 34 Deserve 36 Pretense 37 Datum 38 Reverberate 39 Timely query 40 Campus VIP 42 Wrestling surface 43 Actress Gardner 44 AAA job 45 Storm center