F r i d ay , O c t o b e r 1 2 , 2 0 1 2 — I s s u e 1 3
the journal Queen’s University — Since 1873
Undead rising
Residences
New res buildings in works Board to allocate funds for construction plans B y Vincent M atak Assistant News Editor
Cole said she doesn’t think the ranking will affect Queen’s international reputation. “The changes that occurred for Canadian universities are so small
Plans have been put forward to build two new residences on campus by fall 2015. The proposal was put forward by Queen’s Development and Planning Committee and passed on Sept. 28 at Board of Trustees. A portion of $400,000 from Queen’s Residence operating budget will be allocated for construction plans, which include hiring architects to design the new residences. The plans for the buildings will be voted on at Board of Trustees in December. Dates for when construction will begin haven’t been determined. The exact location of the new residence buildings is being kept confidential. Approximately 90 per cent of first-year students live in residence, according to a 2010 report. In September of this year, the JDUC admitted 98 first-year students into its residence which had previously been occupied by graduate students. The two new residences will be located on main campus and will house an additional 550 students. They will be similar in design to Leggett and Watts Hall residences
See Ranking on page 5
See Residence on page 6
pHOTO BY Tiffany Lam
King’s Town players put on Night of the Living Dead for the third year in a row. See page 10 for a review of the show.
World Rankings
Queen’s fails to make the cut University falls out of Times Higher Education top 200 international university ranking B y R achel H erscovici Assistant News Editor Queen’s didn’t make the cut in a recent ranking of the top 200 universities in the world. The Times High Education released their 2012-13 World University Rankings on Oct. 3, with all Canadian schools dropping in ranking with the exception of the University of Ottawa and University de Montreal. The rankings project the top global universities based on a wide variety of criteria. “I think the administration views it with interest just like any of these ranking surveys that go on,” Deputy Provost Susan Cole said. Cole added that she thinks the rise in ranking of Asian and Australian institutions is a contributing factor to the drop. “First of all, it’s just a snapshot,” she said. “So watching trends rather than reacting to a single year is really key.” Queen’s is now positioned in the 201 to 225 section of the rankings. The ranking doesn’t show where niversities ranked above 200 are specifically placed. The University of Toronto remains Canada’s top university in the ranking, but slipped out of the top 20 from 19th to 21st. Cole said a common
concern with the rankings is the lack of transparency with their methodology. “Frankly, I’m thinking if this is an academic exercise it should be transparent,” she said. “We should
take care not to overinterpret anything that’s come out of it.” In 2010, Queen’s opted out of appearing on the list, citing methodology concerns, but agreed to participate again in 2011.
environment
Inside
Climate strategies Climate survey anticipates 300 responses B y J ulia Vriend Assistant News Editor The University is seeking input from students on features to be included in the upcoming Climate Action Plan (CAP). The input is being collected through an online survey, which is tailor-made for students, staff members and faculty. The questions in the survey came from themes and ideas that were proposed during last spring’s CAP community forum, as well as input from the Delphi Group, a consulting firm hired to aid to the plan’s development, and from the CAP Advisory Committee, which includes staff and faculty members and student representatives. Queen’s Sustainability Manager
Aaron Ball said the survey is expected to run at least another week, following which an analysis of the results will be conducted. “We are hoping for at least 300 responses,” he told the Journal via email, adding that 200 people have already responded. The results will contribute to the finalized Climate Action Plan, which is expected to be released this fall, Ball said. The survey asks for participants’ opinions on possible sustainability strategies, including enforcing a standard temperature in campus buildings (20 C maximum in the winter, 26 C minimum in the summer) and a campus ban on one-use items such as styrofoam plates and cups and plastic utensils. See Low on page 6
features
dialogue
Exploring Frontenac County Court House’s history.
Student Senator argues against residence plan. Page 8
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arts
sports
Forecasting the Gaels’ Behind the scenes look at a hockey seasons. musician’s rider list. Page 13 Page 9