Mike Issue 5

THE MIKE WEDNESDAY december 2, 2015 ISSUE 10

The Measure of Life featuring:smcsu budget series How does SMCSU spend our money

3

Briana Armson STAFF WRITER

In a political race where campaign budgets total upwards of one billion dollars, Bernie Sanders is demonstrating that a modest, grassroots campaign can succeed.

Refusing to be backed by Super PACs, Sanders has accumulated as much funding as his competitors from small donations. He may look the part of a grandpa, yet he campaigns with a fervor that is unmatched by many young politicians today.

Sanders has been making major waves in the American political landscape for decades. Hailing from Brooklyn, New York, following relocation to Vermont immediately after graduating university, he became mayor of the state’s largest city, Burlington, in 1981. He has remained unaffiliated with any political parties throughout his lengthy career, making him the longest-serving independent to date.

Instead, Sanders identifies as a democratic socialist. First elected to US Senate in 2006, Sanders is currently serving his second term after being re-elected in 2012 with 71 percent of the vote. Now, he is running against Hillary Clinton for the position of Democratic candidate in the 2016 presidential election. Clearly, there’s something about Sanders that resonates with Americans.

Sanders’ progressive policies play a major role in his appeal. The Vermont senator’s primary focus is on bridging the gap between the extremely wealthy and middle to lower classes. Speaking openly about his disdain for big corporations with moneyed interests, Sanders seeks to create more jobs with higher wages, provide health care for all US citizens, and decrease financial influence in American politics. He is also an advocate for women’s rights, racial justice, LGBTQ equality, and protection of the environment. FeelTheBern.org argues that Sanders has remained consistent with his views throughout his 30-plus years in office, pointing to his campaign when he ran for governor of Vermont in 1976. Never one to muffle his opinion, Sanders has been a voice for underdogs across several decades.

Evidently, America has been “feeling the Bern” since his arrival into the electoral spotlight. In July, MSNBC reported that Sanders was the only candidate to be more liked than disliked in Iowa and New Hampshire – two presidential swing states.

Recent polls have revealed that most voters agree with his policies. Many celebrities have endorsed the senator as well, including rapper and activist Killer Mike of the rap group Run the Jewels. During a November 23rd rally in Atlanta, the rapper gave a moving speech about his whole-hearted belief in the politician, calling Sanders “the right man to lead this country.” After his address, Sanders and Mike embraced as the crowd cheered enthusiastically.

On the same day as his energetic rally in Atlanta, TIME magazine released an article about Sanders leading the polls for the title of Person of the Year. Although trailing behind Clinton, Sanders has gained 13 points in the polls from October to November.

There is even talk of lifelong Republicans pledging their allegiance to the Democrats in light of his entry into the election race. Sanders has become immensely popular with America’s youth, in part because of his alignment with socialism. Another factor lies in what makes this man unique – his messy white hair, gruff voice, and insistence on being called “Bernie” rather than Mr. Sanders. Throughout his campaign, Sanders passionately presents his platform yet also seems to have fun, posing for selfies with teenagers or dining at a famous soul food restaurant with rapper Killer Mike. Young people are often guilty of discounting the elderly, but Sanders has proved that an intense fire burns within him that is far from dwindling. Just as Sanders seeks to bridge the gap between rich and poor, he is doing so with young and old as new voters support his campaign.

OPINIONS

Anah Mirza OPINIONS EDITOR

Teaching staff at the University of Missouri have made headlines in recent weeks with the reactions that educators have had to violence on and around campus.

Safety concerns that students have expressed have been met with responses that instruct them not to let the bullies win. One particular email response reads: “If you don’t feel safe coming to class, then don’t come to class,” and then with, “I will be there, and there will be an exam administered in our class.” Unfortunately, this is not the attitude of an outlying professor; there have been numerous reports of this sentiment.

Just because racist ideology has been eradicated from an institution’s policy doesn’t mean that it no longer manifests. While top-down equity is important, it isn’t an immediate solution. Our most explicit pieces of legislature may be able to bear the label of being post-racial, but our citizenship as a whole can remain unaffected by them. It is illogical to draw from the fact that someone hasn’t seen or experienced race-based discrimination and conclude that racism isn’t alive and well. Lived experiences differ from community to community, from individual to individual. The safety of my Toronto-based life does not qualify me to invalidate the fear and disadvantages felt by people of colour who reside in Atlanta, Georgia.

When somebody cannot fathom the existence of a concept like privilege in any of its forms, it speaks to how deep ignorance runs. To the friends I haven’t made yet at Mizzou, and elsewhere: stay safe. Black lives do matter. Your education matters, and so does your life.

OPINIONS

4

Anah Mirza OPINIONS EDITOR

During a recent episode of ABC’s political thriller Scandal, I began to admire a character I have disliked for as long as I’ve watched the show. I’m not a fan of spoilers, so I won’t reveal too much: the character in question has filled the role of antagonist for many story arcs, with few exceptions. On the show, she was recently elected as Junior Senator to the state of Virginia and took it upon herself to filibuster a budgetary bill that would classify Planned Parenthood’s funding as “discretionary.”

outlet as a tool to reach wider audiences and for their work to serve more purposes. This content-wise intersection speaks to the power of collaboration between various fields and industries. Primetime television has the capacity to inform and increase an understanding between the individuals and communities that the viewers are. While knowledge is powerful, it also comes with responsibility: it’s up to those receiving content (spoiler: this means of all of us) to inhabit our roles intelligently.

This is not Shonda Rhimes’ first stride away from the fantasy and escape that we expect our primetime television favourites to be: a show doesn’t have to be centred around politics either to engage with real-life controversies. Not two weeks ago, she took on the topic of white privilege on the long-running medical drama, Grey’s Anatomy. Legal thriller How to Get Away with Murder has incorporated issues of all kinds into its primary plot line, including the criminalization of sex work as well as evasion of the law by the popular and powerful, ranging from star football players to judges currently serving on the bench.

Across the entertainment industry, we can see a trend towards social awareness; Hollywood is no longer a bubble separate from the consciousness of the rest of the world. Political agendas find their items manifesting through not only characters but also through the celebrities that play them. Your reality is no longer unaffected as long as you remain a viewer. Causes or viewpoints that previously were not on your radar are now, to some extent.

What we end up with is a public that is, in general, more educated, depending upon the genres of television that occupy their attention. As with any medium, it is important for viewers to be cognizant of the biases that their production of choice features. Being critical in our consumption is integral to using this newfound form of information dissemination for progress. It is my understanding that writers like Rhimes hope to use their creative

Mariam Jammal STAFF WRITER

It is absolutely incredible how easily sidetracked we are as humans. Very rarely are we able to, collectively, give our attention to an issue for longer than a few weeks, but recently we have set a whole new standard for ourselves. On November 12th and 13th, two horrific instances took place mere hours apart. Beirut, Lebanon was victim to multiple suicide bombings, and Paris, France declared a state of emergency after terrorists attacked multiple locations around the city. Unsurprisingly, ISIS promptly claimed responsibility and announced more attacks to come.

Now, there are many problems that arose from this: from border security to refugee migration and the apparent de-containment of ISIS. All of these issues should be at the forefront of our concern, but for some reason they are not. Instead we’ve decided to focus on one of the most inconsequential ramifications: a social media feature. Granted, Facebook’s empathetic feature for France and not Lebanon, Iraq, Afghanistan, or any other of the countries that face horrors every single day hints at the much larger issue of how far our empathy reaches.

Notably, this one instance dominated headlines everywhere.

To see some of the most reputable news sources feeding the public’s misguided attention was disappointing. Where lives were lost, tensions were high, and a sense of insecurity was spreading, the media – instead of keeping the world factually informed – pursued views and shares, sacrificing integrity for an easy story. This relentless cycle of distraction between the public and the media is both destructive and counterproductive. Instead of focusing on the tragedies that occurred (and continue to occur), giving the victims the proper respect, and taking the time to mourn, we’ve invested our time and energy unproductively. In turn, we’ve allowed our imposed inaccessibility to information to drive our fear. In our haze to be a part of the conversation, we have forgotten the conversation completely.

While we’ve sat debating profile icons and hashtags instead of trying to understand how things are unraveling, we become susceptible to misinformation and hype. In the span of 48 hours, we’ve lost sight of what is significant and fallen back into a cycle of misguidance and apathy.

5

sports

Alex Wichert SPORTS EDITOR

Back in the summer of 2009, my AA baseball team – the Mississauga Majors –accomplished something that, to my knowledge, has never been done before or since. We finished a season that, by all standards, was as good they come. We won six regular season tournaments, won the playoffs of our league, and topped off the year by capturing the Provincial Championship as the best baseball squad in southern Ontario.

Oh yeah, and we went 71-0, too.

It’s incredible, when you really think about it. We played 71 games, consisting of regular season, tournament, playoff, and a few preseason matches, and never lost one of them. There were talks that it was the longest winning streak in amateur sports and, while we never saw our names written in the history books, there’s a very good chance we had some merit to our argument. 71 games is a lot of baseball in just a few months of summer.

It amounts to, roughly, two or three games a week and some tournament play every other weekend or so. That means there were ample opportunities for one choice mistake to cost us in the end or one down-game in which we just didn’t bring it. Fortunately, that one opportunity never seemed to arise.

Through all of our adventures on the field, though, there certainly were some moments in which the streak looked to be in jeopardy. In the semifinals of one game – during a tournament – we found ourselves trailing by two in the top of the seventh. This was the last inning and, as the visiting team, we were also down to our last out at the plate. One of our players, with two runners on-base and a full count, hit a homerun over the fence to secure us the one-run lead. As if that weren’t impressive enough, this was his second homerun of the day. To top it off, he went back out on the mound in the bottom of the seventh and closed the game.

However, don’t think that we were just incredibly lucky or simply relied on the skills of one or two all-star players. The impressive thing is that every one of the thirteen players on the team could have been MVP that year. From top to bottom, there wasn’t a single passenger onboard. Every played contributed throughout the season and, in most cases, added to the team on a regular basis.

I think that’s why our team was so successful. You hear about “depth” in sports – it means the talent and skill of a club on the whole. The more players who can carry the load on any given night, the deeper that team is perceived to be. Since our group was so skilled, it was very challenging for other teams to stifle our offence or crack through our defensive play. In a game that is as psychologically-dependent as baseball, having to play against both the opposition and your individual doubt can be very daunting. We were confident, thanks to both ourselves and the excellent coaching staff we had, that we would always see a chance to tip the score of a closely-contested affair in our favour.

The fact that our team was so balanced also meant that there weren’t any egos. Sure, we all were competitive and wanted to succeed, and we definitely took an interest in our individual statistics, but it wasn’t as if there were internal politics or strife within the dugout.

There were no arguments, quarrels, or petty rivalries that you see on some teams at all levels of the game. We truly did pick each other up from a bonehead error or a strikeout, and we never lost trust in our teammates for a moment. There are different power dynamics on every club but, with no evident or obvious standout among us, there was an acknowledgement of the fact that we needed every player to win.

That year was my fourth with the team. For some of the longest-tenured members, the club was the only one they had ever played with. After that year, the group started to whittle away until it disbanded as we moved into our last years of high school and beyond. Even though we rarely meet as a collective, we certainly have the record to unite us. As our head coach said in an interview with the press shortly after our championship-clinching victory, this is something that can never be taken away from us.

There probably will never be another 71-0 team in Mississauga Majors history or, for that matter, in the future of the league. The number is special, but it only begins to tell the story of that club.

Alex Wichert SPORTS EDITOR

Ah yes, the NHL is officially through the first quarter of the season, with much ado about something, as you see, for there’s always a rustle of conversation about the boys who on the ice hustle Surprises abound, and disappointments of course and stories both valid and without any source So let’s take a look at some jumps and some pains From the Ducks in the West to the East and the ‘Canes

Arizona never gets much credit, you know Some folks still think they’re Phoenix, and so they’d be very surprised, to hear of some play from this team that’s letting them lead the way Captain Doan, youngsters Domi and Duclair are charging an offence that’s causing some stares If goalie Mike Smith can keep up his starts the Coyotes might just go changing some hearts

Speaking of scoring, you must have now heard Of Dallas D Klingberg, soaring like a bird His offence is surging, in his second full taste of the big leagues of hockey, but he’s here to stay People knew he had talent and they said he had skill but he’s putting up numbers by what seems to be will It doesn’t hurt that his ‘mates include Jamie Benn And Spezza and Sharp, and also Seguin

These are just a few of the cases of hockey defiance of homeostasis More will arise as the season shifts into the next quarter; we’ll have to sift through the results and write down our thoughts So see you next semester – we’ve liked the first one a lot

What about Condon, who for his team posted stellar numbers, when it seemed the dream of winning the cup, and winning it all appeared to rest on Price of Montreal and no one else, yet the tender’s moves have silenced doubts, and surely proved That the Habs are more than just one man (but this was surely known by all their fans) We’ll head on now to Tampa Bay where scoring goals has gone away It seems the Bolts, for all their fire are in a slump, they’re rather mired in a streak where their top dogs, like Tyler Johnson, are using logs rather than composite to shoot the puck and even defence seems to be stuck They have the tools one needs in this trade to ensure that such an issue will fade But for a group who led all teams in goals last year, it really seems To be a cause that is rather odd Like last year’s slow start of Giroux of Claude

6

How does SMCSU spend our money Part I Palakh Chhabria EDITOR-IN-CHIEF

Talking about someone else’s fiscal integrity is always tricky. The process of evaluation is inherently uncomfortable because the entity in question is almost instinctively defensive. Why wouldn’t they be? The stakes are too high. Fraud, misallocation and mismanagement of resources, corruption, embezzlement and other financial transgressions (or the word of them) have serious implications. As I write this, UTSU’s Former President, Vice President and Executive Director are being sued for receiving $277,508.62 in severance and overtime payouts. That’s some way of starting your career.

Nevertheless, no matter how inconvenient, transparency and accountability are important. Our own St Michael’s College has generous resources allocated to improving student life and experience and we at ‘The Mike’ think it necessary to review how these resources are used. On Friday, November 27th 2015, I had the good fortune of quizzing SMCSU’s President Stefan Sistilli Sguazzin and Finance Commissioner, Monika Dydynski on how they propose to spend SMCSU’s whopping $179,588.37 budget.This budget (reproduced on the opposite page) is subject to change, but it’s safe to assume based on previous budgets that the final figure will be in that neighbourhood. The 2014-15 Winter budget was $165,609.91.

Budget Primer Where does this money come from?

You, the students of St Michael’s College. If you’ve checked your financial account on ROSI you might wonder where the array of incidental fees go. The line item highlighted in the box alongside indicates the amount we pay in the academic year - $28. All undergraduates registered at the college pay this amount. SMC currently has approximately 5,000 registered undergraduates. These funds go towards both the Fall - Winter and the Summer budget.

2015 Fall Incid. Stud.Soc.:SMC Campaign Fund-FT Incid. Stud.Soc.:The Mike-FT

Incid. Stud.Soc.:St Michael’s Coll. Fee-FT Incid. Stud.Soc.:St Michael’s Stud Union-FT

$ 15.00 $ 2.60 $ 97.50 $ 14.00

About the 15-16 Budget Ideally, a budget should reflect the priorities of an organization. While Double Blue still remains the most sizeable aspect of the final budget and parties are often touted to be SMC’s crown jewel, there are new and important initiatives underway.

SMCSU is working to expand the support for the Troubadours - St Mike’s Theatrical Club - and also introducing events like Coffee and Canvas, involving collaborative painting sessions in Brennen Lounge. There is also hope to revive SMC TV. A particularly interesting initiative in the pipeline, in collaboration with members of the Faculty of Theology, aims to sponsor a Syrian Refugee family for their first year in Canada. If there are issues that you are passionate about and good ideas that you’d like to realize, SMCSU exists to serve as your launchpad.

While club nights, pub nights, and Kelly’s Corner often attract a big crowd, student engagement with educational programming is rather abysmal. SMCSU sponsors three scholarships valued at $500 for its outstanding students and no more than 15 people applied to the scholarships last year. At one of UofT’s biggest colleges, home to over 4000 high caliber students, this is lamentable. To argue that SMCSU offers limited programming outside of Double Blue might be tenable, but to discount their efforts entirely, isn’t a fair minded judgement.

While reviewing the budget there were some specific initiatives and line items that I couldn’t apprehend. After a lengthy discussion with Sguazzin and Dydynski, who amenably answered my many questions, I have a few insights. Given below.

Professional Development - $10,000 A fund that sponsors a weekend long retreat twice a year where old and new SMCSU officers air their grievances, conduct transitionary activities and determine organizational strategy. Information about the location of these events wasn’t revealed in line with tradition but are easily accessible to those interested, as SMCSU’s books are public. As with any budget item, funds left over sponsor other initiatives throughout the year or carry forward to the summer budget.

2016 Winter Incid. Stud.Soc.:SMC Campaign Fund-FT Incid. Stud.Soc.:The Mike-FT

Incid. Stud.Soc.:St Michael’s Coll. Fee-FT Incid. Stud.Soc.:St Michael’s Stud Union-FT

$15.00 $2.60 $97.50 $14.00

Who forms the final budget? What is the process behind it?

The SMCSU President, Vice President and Finance Commissioner determine the final budget to be submitted for approval. Commissioners from Arts, Athletics, Double Blue, Community Life, Religious and Community Affairs, Education and Government, and Communications submit their individualized budgets to the trio, who then incorporate these individualized budgets and administrative expenses into the final proposal. The process is long, arduous and takes several weeks to complete.

Are there any budget caps or baselines? How do they know how much to quote?

The quote is shaped by a rough estimate of the funds allocated for the students union and based on the historical trajectory of spending (a general understanding of the expenses due to preceding budgets).

Who approves the budget? Are there any checks and balances?

Yes, SMCSU has an external auditor who scrutinizes their accounts at the end of the year. Once they develop the budget proposal, governing authorities of SMC deliberate about it and suggest amends if necessary. All students have the prerogative to discuss their concerns about the budget with members of SMCSU, particularly the President, VP and Finance Commissioner. As I’m told, the latter are happy to discuss your unfettered feedback.

Do elected members of SMCSU get paid?

No. Some positions - indicated under the Payroll section of the budget - are compensated. These positions are advertised, open to all students and successful candidates are selected through interviews.

Winterfest - $1,500 A U of T wide event that happens in the first week of the Winter term. Colleges across U of T host programs in the evenings to warm students up to the new term.

SMCSU hosts themed events in Brennen that are open to students across U of T. Grammateion - $2,000 SMC’s Journal of the Arts. Students submit their essays, poetry, artwork and are featured in this annual publication. It wasn’t published in the 14-15 year due to logistical issues with the printer.

Support for clubs - $31,107.87 Just as various Commissions determine their individualized budget and submit it for approval, SMCSU recognized clubs do the same. Often, clubs work on a reimbursement system so expensed are recorded. There is a loan system that helps clubs cover unanticipated expenses, which they then pay back after generating revenue.

I’ll admit that we didn’t go into much detail about the programming under Double Blue (the most expensive and contentious part of SMCSU’s budget) since the next article in this series discusses it in detail. However, I do hope you get a sense of the resources allocated to enhance your experience at SMC and the many initiatives designed to facilitate that. Don’t sit on the sidelines, get involved and make good use of these resources - they’re meant for you! If you have a question about an aspect of the budget you’d like the Mike to cover, email editorinchief@ readthemike.com.

7 2015 WINTER BUDGET Administration 1.1 PAYROLL

2.3 DOUBLE BLUE 2.4.12 OTHER FOOD EVENTS

1.1.1 Speaker (7 x $30.00) $210.00 2.3.1 HALLOWEEN 2.4.12.1 Food & Beverage $500.00

1.1.2 Scribe (7 x $20.00) $140.00

2.3.1.1 Security and Incid. $3,000.00

TOTAL OTHER FOOD EVENTS $500.00 1.1.3 Webmaster $250.00 2.3.1.2 Drink Tickets $2,000.00

TOTAL COMMUNITY LIFE COMMISSION $7,461.00 1.1.4 Photorapher $1,200.00 2.3.1.3 DJ $400.00 1.1.5 CRO $1,500.00 TOTAL HALLOWEEN $5,400.00

2.5 RELIGIOUS AND COMMUNITY AFFAIRS 1.1.6 Bookkeeper $500.00

2.5.1 SPC/RCA/St. Basil’s Kindness Week $50.00 TOTAL PAYROLL $3,800.00 2.3.2 GRAFFITI

2.3.2.1 Drink Tickets $2,500.00

2.5.2 MOVEMBER/LEG WAX

1.2 ELECTION EXPENSES 2.3.2.2 DJ $200.00

2.5.2.1 Shaving Equipment/Prizes $200.00 1.2.1.1 Polling Clerks $250.00

2.3.2.3 T-shirts and Markers$600.00 TOTAL MOVEMBER $200.00

1.2.1.2 Other Expenses $250.00 TOTAL GRAFFITI $3,300.00

2.5.3 PRIEST’S CORNER

TOTAL ELECTION EXPENSES $500.00 2.5.3.1 Snacks $50.00 2.3.3 RODEO TOTAL PREIST’S CORNER $50.00

1.3 OPERATING EXPENSES 2.3.3.1 Drink Tickets $3,000.00 1.2.1 Outstanding Fees $0.01 2.3.3.2 DJ $300.00

2.5.4 BACHELOR/BACHELORETTE AUCTION

1.2.2 Phone (7 x $35.32) $247.24 TOTAL RODEO $3,300.00 2.5.4.1 Food $300.00 1.2.3 New iMac $1,400.00 2.5.4.2 Decorations/Prizes $50.00

1.2.4 Office Supplies $2,000.00

2.3.4 THROW BACK THURSDAY #TBT 2.5.4.3 Candidate Budget $1,000.00 1.2.5 Webhost/Domain Reg$215.00 2.3.4.1 Drink Tickets $2,600.00 TOTAL BACHELOR AUCTION $1,350.00

1.2.6 Office Equipment $0.01 2.3.4.2 DJ $300.00 1.2.7 Miscellaneous $0.01 TOTAL THROW BACK THURSDAY $2,900.00

2.5.5 CARDINAL’S DINNER

TOTAL OPERATIONG EXPENSES $3,862.27 2.5.5.1 Plated Dinner $3,000.00

2.3.5 PUB NIGHTS

2.5.5.2 Wait Staff

$330.00 1.4 XEROX 2.3.5.1 Movember $1,000.00 TOTAL CARDINAL’S DINNER $3,330.00

1.4.1 Service and Lease $5,500.00

2.3.5.2 Improv Pub Night $0.01

2.5.6 GAME NIGHT IN BRENNAN

Payments

2.3.5.3 St. Patrick’s Day $0.01 2.5.6.1 Food $0.01 TOTAL XEROX EXPENSES $5,500.00 TOTAL PUB NIGHTHS $1,000.02 2.5.6.2 Prize $20.00 TOTAL GAME NIGHT $20.01

1.5 COUNCIL SERVICES

2.3.6 SMC DOUBLE BLUE FORMAL

1.5.1 Professional Develop $10,000.00 2.3.6.1 Photobooth $1,412.50 2.5.7 GUEST SPEAKER 1.5.2 Frosh Dontation $1,000.00 2.3.6.2 DJ $400.00 2.5.7.1 Speaker Gift $100.00 TOTAL COUNCIL SERVICES $11,000.00 2.3.6.3 Venue $47,564.50 2.5.7.2 Snacks $50.00

2.3.6.4 Parking for Band $0.01 TOTAL GUEST SPEAKER $150.00 1.6 WINTERFEST 2.3.6.5 Decor $500.00

1.6.1 UofT Winterfest Funds $1,500.00

2.3.6.6 Raffle

$0.01

2.5.8 BREAST CANCER AWARENESS TOTAL WINTERFEST $1,500.00 2.3.6.7 Invitation $0.01 2.5.8.1 Decorations/Snacks $80.00 TOTAL FORMAL $49,877.03 2.5.8.2 T-shirts $0.01 Commissions TOTAL BREAST CANCER $80.01

2.1 ARTS

2.4 COMMUNITY LIFE COMMISSION

TOTAL RELIGIOUS AND COMMUNITY AFFAIRS $10,380.02

2.1.1 CANVASES IN BRENNAN

2.4.1 HALLOWEEN IN BRENNAN

2.1.1.1 Canvas and other $400.00 2.4.1.1 Treats $250.00

2.6 FINANCE

paint supplies 2.4.1.2 Decorations $150.00

2.6.1 Cheques

$0.01 TOTAL CANVASES $400.00 TOTAL HALLOWEEN $400.00 TOTAL FINANCE $0.01

2.7 EDUCATION AND GOVERNMENT

2.1.2 SET DESIGN

2.4.2 CHRISTMAS IN BRENNAN

2.7.1 CLUBS APPRECIATION/ SYMPOSIUM 2.1.2.1 Lumber/Set Pieces $2,600.00 2.4.2.1 Treats $250.00

2.7.1.1 Food/Drinks/Waitstaff $2,500.00 2.1.2.2 Consumables $800.00 2.4.2.2 Decorations $200.00 2.7.1.2 Scholarships (3) $1,500.00

2.1.2.3 Theater Shop Space $500.00 2.4.2.3 Food Drive $0.01

2.7.1.3 Professor of the Year $0.01 2.1.2.4 Uhaul Truck $700.00 TOTAL CHRISTMAS $450.01 2.7.1.4 Speaker Gift $100.00

TOTAL SET DESIGN $4,600.00 TOTAL SYMPOSIUM $4,100.01

2.4.3 RAPTORS GAME IN BRENNAN 2.1.3 COSTUMES 2.4.3.1 Food $400.00 2.7.2 EXAM DESTRESSORS 2.1.3.1 Costume material $2,500.00 2.4.3.2 Alcohol Services $1,000.00 2.7.2.1 Decemer Exam Jam $250.00 2.1.3.2 Props $250.00 2.4.3.3 Security $200.00 2.7.2.2 April Exam Jam $250.00 TOTAL COSTUMES $2,750.00 TOTAL RAPTORS $1,600.00 TOTAL EXAM DESTRESSORS $500.00

2.1.4 RENTALS

2.4.4 ST.PATRICK’S DAY IN BRENNAN 2.7.3 CLUB’S FAIR 2.0 $0.01

2.1.4.1 Hart House rental $9,000.00 2.4.4.1 Food $500.00

2.7.4 SMCSU RECGONIZED CLUBS

2.1.4.2 Sound Equipment $400.00 2.4.4.2 Decorations $50.00 2.7.4.1 CSUS $1,925.00 2.1.4.3 Stage Mics $600.00

2.4.4.3 Acohol Services $1,350.00 2.7.4.2 MSUS $2,375.00

2.1.4.4 Extra Tech Time $2,000.00 2.4.4.4 Security $200.00

2.7.4.3 Students for Change $900.00 TOTAL RENTALS $12,000.00 TOTAL ST.PATRICK’S DAY $2,100.00 2.7.4.4 UTICA $3,544.88 2.1.5 PROMOTIONS

2.4.5 VALENTINE’S DAY IN BRENNAN 2.7.4.5 Trek for Teens $1,300.00 2.7.4.6 Improv $1,050.00 2.1.5.1 Production Gifts $150.00

2.4.5.1 Food & Beverage $500.00 2.7.4.7 SMC Troubadours $4,800.00 2.1.5.2 Cast T-shirts $150.00 2.4.5.2 Prize $0.01 2.7.4.8 Pair-a-Dice $550.00 TOTAL PROMOTIONS $300.00 TOTAL VALENTINE’S DAY $500.01 2.7.4.9 CSA $3,250.00

2.7.4.10 SMC Fitness & Wellness $140.00

2.1.6 KELLY’S KORNER

2.4.6 GAMES NIGHT IN BRENNAN 2.7.4.11 UTSB $1,136.50 2.1.6.1 Decorations $300.00

2.4.6.1 Food & Beverage $200.00 2.7.4.12 IUSCA $2,090.00 2.1.6.2 Food $0.01 2.4.6.2 Prizes $150.00 2.7.4.13 UTSFL $1,700.00 2.1..6.3 Miscellaneous $100.00 TOTAL GAMES NIGHT $350.00 2.7.4.14 UTCCC $566.49 TOTAL KK BUDGET $400.01 2.7.4.15 Rabanus Project $2,780.00 TOTAL ARTS $20,450.01

2.4.7 MOVIE NIGHTS IN BRENNAN 2.7.4.15 Loan System $3,000.00

2.4.7.1 Food & Beverage $150.00 TOTAL CLUBS $31,107

2.2 ATHLETICS

TOTAL MOVIE NIGHTS $150.00

2.8 COMMUNICATIONS

2.2.1 Fall Winter Cost Recovery $500.00

2.4.8 COMMUTER APPRECIATION WEEK 2.8.1 GRAMMATEION $2,000.00

2.2.2 Fall Winter Intramural Bonds $1,000.00 2.4.8 Food $800.00 2.8.2 SMC APPAREL $2,500.00

2.2.3 Athletics Banquet

$5,000.00

TOTAL COMMUTER APPRECIATION $800.00 2.8.3 MEDIA PROMOTIONS $100.01 2.2.4 Sports Tournament $1,000.00 2.8.4 CONTACT/NEWS LETTER $0.02 2.2.5 Gittoni Table $0.01 2.4.9 END OF YEAR BBQ $600.00 2.8.5 SMC GOES BLUE $0.01 2.2.6 Jerseys $1,500.00 2.8.6 SELF-DEFENSE CLASSES $0.01 2.2.7 Laundry $50.00

2.4.10 BRENNAN IMPROVEMENT $0.01 TOTAL COMMUNICATIONS $4,600.05

2.2.8 Sports Equipment $0.01

2.2.9 Boozer Brown $0.01 2.4.11 HEALTH & WELLNESS TOTAL ATHLETICS $9,050.03

2.4.11.1 Mental Health Training $10.00

2.4.11.2 Meditation $1.00

TOTAL HEALTH & WELLNESS $11.00

TOTAL COMMISSIONS: $153,426.10 TOTAL EXPENDITURES: $179,588.37

Elizabeth McDermott

FAITH EDITOR

A great mystery is found in one line of Luke’s nativity story: “As for Mary, she treasured all these things and pondered them in her heart”. (Luke 2:19) Why did he say this? Is it not to be expected that Our Lady would treasure and ponder the extraordinary events of that night?

When Luke said this of Mary, he spoke of much more than a reflection upon what was before her.

The word ponder itself comes from the Latin ‘ponderare’ – to weigh. Mary was weighing what she lived with the only measure given her, her heart. This, I think, is the significance of that line: to weigh what is before us with our hearts, with the desire that moves us to search for meaning. This is the only measure we have been given. We know it when something in us demands more in the face of a world that asks us to concern ourselves with things that do not presuppose, or sometimes even allow for the existence of a real desire.

There was only one prerequisite for Mary in this process of constant comparison: that she say ‘yes’ to the possibility that reality could correspond to her desire. The thing is, then, to accept what is being offered. Mary lived with this yes, and she was asked to say yes in a concrete and vital way.

Her story emerged because of her choice to assent to it and her ability to take the reality before her seriously. Life begins when choose to live it because we have a desire in our hearts.

Yet this yes is not the end of the story. Look at where Mary’s example of ‘yes’ is in her story – at the very beginning. Because of her yes in life, Mary was able to be open to what was asked of her, and then it all began. This is really the beginning of the ability to ask questions of our life – for now there is the possibility of an answer.

The gospels are proof of that in Mary’s life: her pondering continued in facing a stable one night, when Kings came to that place where men of their rank had no business being, in a shepherd’s mention of an angel – and then: when her baby boy carried the wood He would be nailed to, but, not long after, her same boy, present when it was impossible that He be. These occurred because she said yes!

This yes to reality is an assertion that something great is happening here, and that I want to play some role in this – and in so doing, gain a fellowship in the greatest adventure there is. And this was not reserved for Mary. Great things, unimaginable before saying yes, proliferate after doing so. Mary’s yes was followed by the yes that was in the apostles leaving their fishing nets and tax collecting, in Mary Magdalene’s following a man who saw her when others could only see what she had done, and in Saul’s leaving off of persecuting the people he would come to love at a different time, when he has a different name. Their lives, the parts they felt they must put down on paper, began with this choice to say yes to life and begin to find the answer to their hearts in living it.

A great example of another who took this choice seriously, proper to the urgency of life’s proposal, is given to us in the first chapter of Acts. There it says that a certain fisherman, who had been studying the scriptures, shared with his friends his conclusion; they must add another man to their number. Is this not astounding? Here is someone who was going to make very sure he knew his role, so that reality could correspond to a desire that one man had shown him was within his heart.

Having been told he was the rock for His Church, Peter began to live with this question of what that meant in his life.

To say ‘yes’ to our lives Peter’s yes took great courage, for he had not been given a comprehensive guide to leading the Church. All that had been asked of Peter was that he follow the life of this one man, and in so doing Peter began to find in Him the answer to the questions that arise in life. There really is no measure for life other than the desire of the heart. To have some set of rules or precepts to follow may seem safer and more comforting than to remain with the questions that acknowledging our desire provokes in the face of reality. This is certainly one way to face the questions that come when innocent people are dying at the hands of those whose emptiness has made them mad. If we can seek out whom to blame for the evils in the world, or perhaps attribute it to fate or providence, there it is; we have our answer. As for the crying out of those souls who have suffered in this: they are attended to in this way. But this method of living does something poisonous to one’s soul, for it is in the questioning and pondering that we learn how to live and who we are. One would lose his life in being satisfied with a prescribed response to it.

Yet if we reject the inadequacy of a prepared response, shall we be left with no response at all, in a perpetual questioning without a hint of an answer?

This desire is meant to be answered. We cannot content ourselves with all that we are told is for us here. We cannot ignore the part of ourselves that cries out for more, which cries out when we hear the cries from across the world, and demands a concrete response. Our best professors have asked us to question, to be critical of what we learn. Yet with no criterion, no measure, we have nothing with which to judge. For the Apostles, all it took was a man to look at them for Him to show them the desire of their hearts. There is no explanation for this change that came over them with just a look, except if what they saw in His gaze gave them hope that the desire of their hearts was not without a true answer.

This is the greatest hope: that our reality can correspond to what we desire!

When we seek this in reality, we can be more awake to what we are living. This decision to choose to live, to affirm that we seek something almost indescribable in our lives, is the beginning of the greatest adventure. For then we can seek it at all times, in all places.

And it is only through our freedom that we can assent to this, to what we are offered in our lives; but this then is what freedom is. For to say yes is to open our lives to the possibility that they can be more than what they have been ‘predestined’ to be by our circumstances. We can begin to use our freedom, instead of holding it close to us – so close that using it begins to seem an ordeal for fear of losing it. We cannot be paralyzed by this fear, but moved to say yes. And, perhaps best of all, when we begin to measure life with our hearts, we recognize that ‘we have something that is in everybody’. Then we can truly live with others, and see in them what we find in ourselves.

This is what we should pursue! This is how to judge the stuff of life: is saying yes to this part of the adventure, one that corresponds to the desire of our heart? And it begins now, during the time to celebrate the yes that began it all: Merry Christmas!

Paintings Left: Annunciation, Federico Barocci Center: Rest on the Return from Egypt, Federico Barocci Right: Nativity, Federico Barocci

10

Faith & Thought How can we keep faith?

Why is life worth living?

Francesca Silano CONTRIBUTOR

Alexandra Martin CONTRIBUTOR

On the morning of Friday, November 13th, it was reported that the U.S. military was “reasonably certain” that they had killed Mohammed Emwazi, better known as “Jihadi John,” the infamous masked ISIS executioner, in a drone attack on Syria. The military spokesman, Col. John Warren, said, “This guy was a human animal, and killing him is probably making the world a little bit better place.” At the same time, the parents of Jim Foley, an American journalist who was killed by Emwazi, stated that the news of the purported killing was “a very small solace” in the wake of their son’s death.

When I first found out about the Paris attacks, I was on the streetcar coming home from work, and my friend called me asking if I had heard. She told me what had happened.

I was shocked and speechless. We began messaging our friends that we knew in Paris.

While we were doing this, she said, “I don’t want to continue only considering my own life – how can I when this just happened?” After she said this, I found myself asking this same question. How can I can just keep studying, finishing my assignments, and going to work when this just happened?

I was deeply disturbed when I heard this news. Emwazi was twenty-seven years old, a Kuwaiti-born British citizen who seems to have found a great sense of purpose in the violent ideology proclaimed by ISIS. His acts were horrific, but I also could not but be horrified by Warren’s comments. How, I wondered, can this be “normal?” How can it be “normal” to celebrate killing? Isn’t that part of what is so disturbing about ISIS? And what kind of emptiness must Emwazi have experienced to find purpose in such violence? That same night, Paris was rocked by the terrorist attacks that left 130 people dead and 368 injured. Of the eight identified attackers, seven were under the age of thirty and six were European citizens.

In a conversation a week before, someone had asked: “What does studying have to do with our lives?” At the time, the question almost felt distant and unimportant. But now I ask myself, what does studying have to do with the attacks in Paris? How can I study when this just happened? Why should I? What will studying do? Is it just a distraction from what is happening over there, from what could happen here? I was filled with so many questions!

In the days since then, we have heard a number of opinions about how to defeat ISIS, about the level to which Canada should be involved in the war in Syria, and about how Canada will deal with the flood of refugees who will arrive soon. There are many political and legal issues that must and will be dealt with. But, my question about Emwazi, and about the other young people in the West who are drawn to ISIS, remains: what kind of emptiness are they experiencing in Europe, and also in Canada, that makes such a life attractive?

This is a question that concerns all of us, not just policy makers and legal experts. This sense of a void in life is not just the experience of those who choose to engage in extreme violence; it is also noted in the confusion which so many of us, especially young people, experience in daily life. But in the face of meaninglessness and violence, none of us can escape the question which Father Julian Carron, head of the Catholic Lay Movement Communion and Liberation posed after the attacks: “why is life worth living?” Soon, many refugees will come to Canada, will grow up here, and will be educated here. What proposal do we have to offer them and others? Do we have an experience that can overcome this sense of nothingness, which seems to be growing ever-stronger?

In our universities, which are meant to be places of discovery and dialogue, people are not only increasingly isolated, but also tend to only seek out those who hold the same opinions as them. But can the university become a place in which the freedom that we cherish so dearly can be used to enter into dialogue with others, offering hypotheses of meaning in daily life? As the same Father Carron wrote in a letter to the Italian newspaper Corriere della Sera after the attacks in Paris last January: “Space for freedom means space for saying in front of everyone, individually or together, who we are. Each makes available for everyone their vision and their way of living. This sharing will enable us to encounter each other on the basis of the real experience of each person, and not on ideological stereotypes that make dialogue impossible.” The university is the first place where this freedom and dialogue should be nurtured; are we interested in doing so?

But how is it possible that all aspects of life come together so that nothing is separated?

What makes it possible to take everything seriously? In these questions arose another one, a question of what to do, how to not just be centered on myself, and what I have to do.

This question of “how to help and do something,” where does this fit in? How does our doing not become a frantic following of our own ideas, what we think we can do? On the other hand, how does it not become passive in thinking someone else, or Christ, will do something.

These are my thousand questions! But what gives me an adequate place to start? There are not any “obvious” answers to them. Now in this time, when everyday it seems another country has gone into lock down or declared war on another, the world seems to be in chaos! My biggest question is how do we stay in front of all these things that are happening in the world right now? How do we keep faith?

I don’t think that it what allows us to live, and do, and study is a “what”; it is a “who.”

Conversion, for me, wasn’t a one time thing – we have to convert every day, every minute, especially in light of the Paris attacks. And I cannot do this alone. I need Someone else to enter my life, so that my world isn’t constrained merely by what I can do. When I know I am loved, I cannot help but take what is before me seriously. And for this to be a lived experience, to be able to engage with my questions, I can only be in a relationship with Someone who gives meaning to my life. Then I can engage with my questions through living my life, in the circumstances I’ve been given. Then life becomes exciting – even when it is scary. Everything then becomes “for me” for my relationship with Another.

The events in Paris have made us more aware of the fact that we cannot go on without a hypothesis of meaning. Christians must therefore ask themselves if the faith they have embraced is sufficient to stand up to all of the challenges of life. It seems that an appeal to ethics is not strong enough to respond to the emptiness we see around – and within – us.

During his recent visit to Cuba, Pope Francis described the revolution of Christianity in a homily on the feast of St. Matthew, saying, “Matthew himself, in his Gospel, tell us what it was like, this encounter which changed his life. He shows us an “exchange of glances” capable of changing history. On a day like any other, as Matthew, the tax collector, was seated at his table, Jesus passed by, saw him, came up to him and said: “Follow me.”

Matthew got up and followed Him. Jesus looked at him. How strong was the love in that look of Jesus, which moved Matthew to do what he did! What power must have been in His eyes to make Matthew get up from his table...He looked at Matthew calmly, peacefully.

He looked at him with eyes of mercy; He looked at him as no one had ever looked at him before. And that look unlocked Matthew’s heart; it set him free, it healed him, it gave him hope, a new life[.]”

Today, as in the time of Jesus, people are seeking these “eyes of mercy.” Only if we Christians remain defined by our own encounter with this gaze of mercy will we have anything useful to contribute to a dialogue with others, a dialogue which cherishes freedom above all. This does not mean seeking to impose ideas on others, but embracing others, grounded in this mercy which we ourselves have encountered in Christ and the Church.

Afloat Keenan Gibson PHOTO EDITOR Whether you’re floating gracefully through the semester, or tumbling, exams are quickly approaching and it’s time to prepare for a smooth landing into christmas break.

11

ArTS

Briana Armson STAFF WRITER

Aside from the striking figural statues littered throughout campus, there are also many examples of abstract sculpture that U of T students encounter every day. In the 1960s, the university commissioned a number of public artworks to be made, and accepting those that were donated, to enhance the St. George campus.

These works were the result of the Modernist sculpture movement taking off, leading to experimentation with surrealism, figural abstraction, and the use of new materials. Outdoor works were being commissioned more regularly, thus cityscapes worldwide began to be beautified with unique monuments whose meanings weren’t readily available. Instead, these works encourage the viewer to form interpretations of their own.

One such work is Sorel Etrog’s “Complexes of a Young Lady,” made in 1962. This abstract piece, located in the Hart House Quad, is framed by an archway when viewed frontally. The artist’s talents are multi-faceted, working as a sculptor, writer, and philosopher. Originally from Romania, Etrog relocated to Toronto in 1963 and quickly became a big name in the art scene. Just three years after his arrival, he was chosen to represent Canada at the Venice Biennale, a universally renowned art exhibition. Etrog’s work can be viewed throughout Toronto, as well as having several pieces on campus. “Complexes of a Young Lady” is made of bronze and reflects the artist’s interest in portraying elements of the human body. A singular pillar, the work commands attention and invites the viewer to interpret what lies before them. The sculpture seems to emphasize certain parts of the female body, in particular the female reproductive system. This fragmented depiction mimics the way humans tend to view ourselves, focusing on certain features more than others. The end result is a beautifully fluid piece, full of the curves associated with a woman’s body.

Another abstract work on campus is “Solar Net” by Torontonian artist Gerald Gladstone. Located at the Larkin Building at Devonshire Place, this 1963 piece illustrates the artist’s love of space and astronomy. Gladstone’s work is influenced by the Constructivist movement, as well as his relationship with famous British sculptor Henry Moore, which led him to dabble in figural representations. His work can be seen in many prominent outdoor venues, including Ontario government buildings. “Solar Net” is comprised of complex shapes and forms. The industrial bronze from which it is made contrasts with the limestone building it rests on, reflecting the contrasting circular and linear elements in the work. The main round piece is reminiscent of an ancient shield and the lines that overlap it cause the viewer’s eyes to travel across the length of the sculpture. The artist is taken with the notion of black holes and the physics of time and space, evident in the work’s multiple dimensions. As you walk by Larkin Building, the work causes your eye to travel upward instead of forward.

In front of the Anthropology Building, you will find an abstract sculpture by Walter Yarwood. Titled “Cedars,” this work was made in 1962 by a founding member of the Painters Eleven group. The Painters Eleven collective was comprised of 11 Ontario abstract painters and was active throughout the 1950s. Following the group’s disbandment in 1960, Yarwood shifted from painting to sculpture. “Cedars” is a bronze work with clean, simple lines. Initially, the artist planned for the piece to be much larger as he sought the feeling of looking through trees, but a smaller size was commissioned instead. Yarwood has revealed that the work is inspired by the cedar trees he once played with during childhood. Its location in front of the Anthropology Building is interesting, especially given the piece’s inspiration, as it refers to humankind’s obsession with past experiences and their enduring prominence in our lives. The work is thus a snapshot in time and a statement about the human condition. Weathered by time and the elements, the striations and streaks on the work are similar to the lines found in trees, directly referencing the work’s subject matter.

The beauty of abstracted art lies in its ability to be interpreted in many ways. I invite you to take a moment the next time you encounter works like these, and create your own meaning from them as this process lets your mind go elsewhere and away from busy daily life.

Complexes of a Young Lady

Sorel Etrog, Complexxes of a Young Woman, 1962

Solar Net Walter Yarwood, Cedars, 1962

Gerald Gladstone, Solar Net, 1963

Arts

12

Houtan Ghaffarisaravi CONTRIBUTOR

Home is where the art is. This became a mantra after a recent visit to the University of Toronto Art Centre (UTAC), snugly hidden amidst the gothic University College courtyard. Art is important to the intellect and a home should have lots of it. Whether you are a commuter or live on campus, spending a lot of time on campus makes U of T our home. Perhaps visiting your local gallery can remind you of our campus’ warmth and love for art.

UTAC is a lovely example of one of these art galleries you can visit. Not only is the experience priceless but admission is as well! The gallery is divided into three exhibits: Rocks: The Scientific and Speculative, auction pieces, and the permanent fifth to tenth century collection of Christian Art. Though the gallery is not a gigantic space, it took a good portion of the afternoon to examine the entirety of the exhibits due to the breadth of each piece. Fortunately, visitors are warmly asked to check coats and bags, so no need to carry heavy winter gear during your exploration.

The Christian art exhibit would satisfy anyone who enjoys marveling at actual artifacts from the fifth to tenth century. Expect a warm room filled with gold and silver plated paintings of all sizes and shapes, original pieces of architecture, and various iconographic pieces. Original iconographic pieces are arranged spaciously, adding significance to each object. This is opposed to a big room full of artifacts, an overwhelming sight for some.

Original paintings of Christian iconography still hold their vibrant color and detail. Art history students would agree that reading about art and seeing the real thing are two separate experiences.

Though the oldest pieces are in the Christian exhibit, a look at history starts in the front gallery space, where pieces from Canada’s past are hung and displayed. Depictions of old Canada are thoughtfully composed, textured, and classic. Given that Canada’s history involved colonialism, many pieces offer a view of Aboriginal life and Canadian landscapes.

This would be a good reminder that art and history are one entity.

The room next to the front gallery contains the modern pieces that are up for auction. The art in this room provides less of a history lesson and more of a fascination for contemporary creativity. Walking into the modern art room, there is a burst of color in the main piece. I won’t spoil the reveal, but let me say that the piece is nearly impossible to miss. Amidst the vibrant art, a comfortable couch is positioned on top of a classic Persian rug for comfort and perhaps a break to reflect on the art.

The room to the left of the front gallery is entirely different to the exhibits mentioned, lending itself to a profound presentation on “Rocks, Stones, and Dust.” This exhibit, which was organized by Pierre-Yves F. Robin and FASTWÜRMS, provides a deeper look into the earth’s materials through various means of representation. One area personifies rocks, while another displays them as pieces of art. Each area presented the earth’s materials as being connected to humans in one shape or form.

There is much to be discovered about life around us when art is accessible to the people.

It would seem that a stroll through UTAC would provide one with artful expressions of medieval and Canadian history, contemporary creativity, and profundities found in rocks and stones. It is hoped that this kind of breadth would make anyone feel at home, at least while in a gallery. UTAC provides such a diverse set of art without being too overwhelming. This aspect probably lends itself to the carefully curated material. Modest in size but rich in content – like home.

13

Arts

Stephanie Martins ARTS EDITOR

As a child from an immigrant family, I struggled significantly with reading and writing in school. I had no interest in reading and found any text that I picked up to be extremely boring. That was until I was introduced to the Captain Underpants series. I immediately fell in love with the text’s wit, informal style, and, more importantly, honesty. Author Dav Pilkey never treats his audience as children with a limited intellect, but pushes them academically without them knowing it. The books are filled with puns, metaphors, symbolism, self-reflexivity, and satire (Captain Underpants himself is clearly a satire on the typically portrayed super hero).

It has been 18 years since the first book in the series was published and Pilkey remains as popular as ever (I have all of the collector’s editions).This past summer, Pilkey added an addition to the series entitled Captain Underpants and the Sensational Saga of Sir StinksA-Lot, in which the main characters, Harold Hutchins and George Beard, travel to the future to save the day. During this trip to the future, the book reveals that Harold ends up marrying a man and having two children, while George marries a woman and also has two children. The most shocking part of the reveal is how nonchalantly the news is delivered. Pilkey does not make any social or political commentary; he simply illustrates the boys with their families and describes them as if they were like any other family, which they are.

Pilkey and Captain Underpants are no strangers to controversy; the books have often been criticized for their violence and, at times, offensive language. However, perhaps it is this straight forward honesty that children are most attracted to. They want to be treated as mature people that can handle complicated concepts. By not over-emphasizing or discussing the reveal, Pilkey suggests that being gay is not a big deal; children can understand that and will eventually have to accept diversity as part of life.

Of course, with any controversial issue there are parents who disagree and react negatively.

I say negatively because, whatever the art, I believe acts of censorship and banishment are negative. Parents should have the right to disallow their children from experiencing a work of art. However, they should not have the right to restrain all other audiences from having access to that art.

When asked how he felt about his books being banned from schools and book fairs,

Vocal, chamber music, dance, jazz, piano virtuoso, and world music are the six different genres of music you can encounter on a Tuesday or Thursday (and occasionally on a Wednesday) afternoon at the Four Seasons Centre for the Performing Arts. The Canadian Opera Company (COC) organized a program called the Free Concert Series, which allows avid admirers of music to experience a variety of stories and emotions through music.

Also, it gives up-and-coming and professional artists an opportunity to demonstrate their talents. The program runs from September through May, and the schedule of the concerts can be found on the COC website – but after you’re hooked on it, it’s fun to arrive at the venue and let the day surprise you.

The most astounding thing about these concerts is the contrasting atmosphere. Sitting at the Bradshaw Amphitheatre, you get to observe the chaos of University Avenue. Street cars pass by, crowds of people cross the road, yet you find yourself inside, listening to euphonious classical music that takes you to a state of tranquility. The minimalistic design of the space – a wooden staircase on which to sit on and floor-to-ceiling windows – helps center the audience’s attention to the polarity of the outside world and the music, which creates a relaxing mood.

The two very first concerts I saw were entitled “New York Stories” and “Between Carthage and Rome.” The former was part of the “jazz series” performed by the Micah Barnes Trio.

Their act consisted of original, smooth jazz and was accompanied by Barnes’s soothing singing. The audience was taken on a walk through New York City – through Broadway, Central Park, and finally stopped at a whiskey bar. Between tracks, Barnes would take a pause and narrate a little story from his personal NYC experience, which made the concert all the more emotional. It made you want to learn the lyrics to all the songs and sing along, or get up, grab a partner, and sway to the music. The latter event, on the other hand, was a rather disappointing. John Kameel Farah was presented as a musician of the “piano virtuoso series.” He spent his time showcasing his originality – performing tunes that were a mix of classical and contemporary, with hints of electronic dance music and Arabic folk music. I can understand that the young composer was trying to be innovative, but his pieces had way too much going on, and a lot of the themes were discordant. Perhaps I may be biased because I prefer classical Hayden and Tchaikovsky over experimental music, but I feel that it is fair to say that Farah’s act catered to an audience with a very special kind of taste.

All in all, there are worlds to explore by attending this marvelous program. Each concert runs for exactly an hour, 12:00pm-1:00pm, and is a great break from a chaotic day. Bear in mind, since the concerts are free, the theatre fills up very quickly, and you should arrive at least 30 minutes beforehand if you want to get a seat.

Pilkey said:“I understand that people are entitled to their own opinions about books, but it should be just that: a difference in opinion. All that’s required is a simple change. Instead of saying “I don’t think children should read this book,” just add a single word: “I don’t think my children should read this book.”…When it comes to books, we may not all agree on what makes for a good read- but I hope we can agree that letting children choose their own books is crucial to helping them learn to love reading.” (The Guardian) Pilkey’s latest Captain Underpants adventure has sold over 70 million copies in just four months; perhaps proving that this silly and fun series is the perfect vessel to introduce mature concepts to children. If you are interested in purchasing a Captain Underpants book or learning more about Dav Pilkey please visit: www.pilkey.com

14

Arts

Stephanie Martins ARTS EDITOR

Over the last few years, Justin Bieber has been in more headlines for his personal life than for his music career. In fact, his last album Believe dropped way back in 2012.

However, on November 13th, 2015 Bieber ended his fans’ despair with a seventeen song deluxe album entitled Purpose. If you use any kind of social media, I am sure you are aware of the buzz and hype surrounding this new album and its singles. Dozens of celebrities, including Ben Stiller, Kate Hudson, Britney Spears, Larry King, and Martha Stuart, helped support Bieber’s countdown to the single “What Do You Mean?” This kind of social media promotion has worked in that the album has already sold well over half a million copies in its first week, even though it was up against One Direction’s Made in the A.M, which was released on the same date.

Despite the fact that some may believe that Bieber is not a genuine and sophisticated musician, his album has received critical acclaim from Billboard magazine, Entertainment Weekly, and even the New York Times. Bieber shows that he has matured in terms of his singing talent and as an overall musician. His album features a variety of genres and instruments that you would not expect from the pop icon.

For example, Purpose features EDM (electronic dance music) made with synthesizers, R&B slow jams, simple acoustics, and piano ballads. It also has a variety of contributors and collaborations with artists like Nas, Big Sean, Travis Scott, Halsey, Diplo, Blood, and Skrillex. In fact, Skrillex produced five of the album’s tracks. However, Justin made sure that he was one of the writers for each song on his album; an act that is rarely done in the music business.

The album’s best acoustic song, and my personal favorite, is entitled “Love Yourself.”

Everyone loves a good screw you break up song, and this one surely does not disappoint.

Bieber obviously addresses an ex who used him for his fame and was apparently more narcissistic than Justin himself. The track features one of the most powerful lyrics on the album when Bieber sings, “my mama don’t like you, and she likes everyone.”

The song’s harsh words are offset by its easy-going acoustics, Bieber’s falsetto, and a saxophone solo (that’s right, there is a saxophone solo!). It is quite apparent after a few listens that the song’s title is a play on words, and the passive tempo is done purposely to create an ironic musical twist.

Overall, the track with the best lyrics is definitely “I’ll Show You,”one of the album’s newly released singles. Bieber reveals his vulnerable side in the track, and expresses his difficulty in living life in the spotlight. Usually, I do not sympathize with celebrities; however, after listening to the entire album and specifically this song, I must admit that I do empathize with Bieber’s life. This must be because Bieber does an excellent job in invoking his feelings and struggles. The first line of the song reads, “my life is a movie and everyone is watching,” while the chorus bellows out, “this life is not easy, I’m not made out of steel. Don’t forget that I’m human; don’t forget that I’m real.” Clearly this track is both a plea to the public and a glimpse into Bieber’s personal life, which consequently humanizes him.

A clip from the song with the Best Lyrics, “Love Yourself ” courtesy Vevo

Out of the four collaborations on the album, Bieber and Halsey’s “The Feeling” is the best by far. The track features overlapping synthesizers, a strong drum beat, and castanets in the background. Justin sings the whole song in a falsetto pitch, and when he and Halsey both sing the chorus, their voices are in complete sync, invoking a powerful feeling within the listener. In the past, Bieber has confidently sung about feeling mature emotions (perhaps too mature for his age), but in this track he questions whether he is in love or in love with the feeling of being in love; a question that is quite profound and mature. Evidently, Bieber has grown up quite bit in the past three years.

From a consumer’s perspective, the album is priced very fairly and worth the money.

The deluxe album has four more songs than the original and is listed for $12.99 on iTunes, while the original is only $9.99.

For fans who can still not afford the album, Bieber released a version on Youtube in which you can listen to a shortened version of every song. He also posted a short film to go a long with the album entitled Purpose: The Movement. The film features Bieber discussing his journey over the last few years and a dance video for each track. Bieber only appears in two of the videos, the first and the last, making the videos more about the art than himself. The dance videos cover a range of dance styles including lyrical, contemporary, locking, break dance, and acrobatic dance. However, these videos also have individual story lines that are extremely captivating and interesting. This visual element unifies the album and truly rewards fans who invest in Bieber as an artist.

A clip from the song with the Best Collaboration,”“The Feeling” courtesy Vevo

To check out more information on Bieber’s short film, album, and tour, please visit: justinbiebermusic.com

A clip from the Best Acoustic song “Love Yourself ” courtesy Vevo

15

Living Peter Paul CONTRIBUTOR

It’s November, a somber and wet time to reflect on many things including those who gave so much to protect our freedom and civil liberties. The two months since the semester started feel long, longer, longest; optimism and anticipation have faded like summer warmth. Fallen leaves are yellow-brown-grey-pulpish – traces of their former gold and crimson majesty. Trees are bereft of their foliage, perhaps embarrassed or shocked to be unceremoniously stripped of their leafed dignity. There’s a symmetry between nature and student life: waves of assignments and midterms like windy gusts and cold rains catching us in glorious, youthful abandon only to reduce us to mulch. A returned assignment or exam exposes us like the trees; we stand indignant or stripped by the comments and the grade. I’ve survived so far, in fact mildly shocked by my marks - solid B’s and A’s on essays and midterms and the one C+ that left me feeling like above-mentioned trees. Perhaps the TAs and professors are taking pity on the “old guy.” But if they are not, what has changed in thirty years?

I am convinced it’s because I take to school a different set of attitudes than the ones I left with. Take it from the old guy; don’t wait until you finish school to learn them.

1.Show up for what’s important. The lecture is going to be your single most reliable source of what is near and dear to the professor. This will include exam material,

essay assignments, and, even dare I say it, what will make them happy when they read and mark your stuff.

2.Listen to the wisdom. I really, really enjoy going to the lectures, and appreciate the time and effort that goes into making a lecture “good.” A professor’s passion and

enthusiasm is contagious; who’d have thought I’d really enjoy Greek & Roman Art and Architecture or Political Theory as much as I do?

3.Manage expectations. Do you equate attending lectures or tutorials in university to cutting classes in high school? Being late or missing an important meeting is frowned upon – it’s a CLM (Career Limiting Move). Start to make and keep commitments, and if you can’t, let someone know. Politeness goes a long way in the world.

4.Multi-tasking is over-rated; instead do a little each day. So you can listen to the lecture, shop online, Facebook, and work on another assignment? It’s a $1,000 fine for

texting and driving; no one can multi-task well. Choose what you need to focus on and do it in blocks of dedicated time. That way it doesn’t suddenly become the day the

test or assignment is due.

5.Robotic skills are disposable; synthesis is required. Googling at lightning speed or reciting facts are useful skills but not the purpose of a university education. It’s about

connecting dots, gleaning insights, and developing critical thinking skills that define, discern, and decide your future; skills that will serve you long after fads, facts, and

looks have faded into obsolescence or irrelevance.

I decided to visit the Big Apple in the middle of finals and I don’t regret it

Tips and tricks for those bitten by the travel bug

Christina Bezerra LIVING EDITOR

Christina Bezerra LIVING EDITOR

This past weekend I had the amazing opportunity to work in the big apple. That’s right I left during the busiest time of the school year to take a chunk out of New York City. When presented with the opportunity to go to New York City during essay season, I highly suggest packing up your notebooks and taking the next flight out. That is exactly what I did.

I took an early morning flight into New York and worked until mid-afternoon. I had exactly two hours until sundown and the night to explore this new place. Of course my first stop was a pizza place right outside my hotel in midtown Manhattan. After popping some Lactaid, I was good to indulge in all the cheesy goodness that was coming my way.

Then I booked it to Time Square where I was met with confusion and mass amounts of people. The good thing about Manhattan is that it is one huge grid and once you get that hang of it, there is no getting lost. Unfortunately, it took me many losses, and swallowing my pride and opening up my map, to figure out which direction I should go in. New York City is definitely not for the anxious or quiet. I pride myself on being independent especially in big cities, but NYC had me discouraged for a good hour.

The sun set quickly and soon I was under the dark sky in the middle of Times Square, surrounded by selfie sticks and loud noises. Although it was overwhelming I never felt unsafe. Times Square is packed with NYPD who are very helpful and even offered to take a few pictures for me (out of pity). From Times Square I met up with my boss at Rockefeller Centre to enjoy the lights and of course go skating. The skate rentals are ridiculously priced but when will I ever get to skate there again (probably never). I was even lucky enough to witness a proposal at centre ice, so predictable, yet so romantic. After Rockefeller it was off to bed with the lullabies of NYC sirens, to get ready for another day of work and of course exploring.

Day two, I had the morning to myself and I planned a full day of shopping and sight seeing at Central Park. I decided to walk the whole 40 blocks switching between Madison Avenue and Fifth Avenue (two of the most popular streets). It was a great idea at the time but my body hated me the next day. As you get closer to Central Park the streets become less busy, which is a nice change. My adventures took me to every designer store you can think of. I indulged in a small French restaurant off of Madison Avenue for lunch and made my way to Central Park when it started to pour on my umbrellaless self. I’m not talking a light drizzle, but an almost torrential downpour. Okay maybe it wasn’t that bad, but I didn’t have an umbrella and so I hopped in a cab and asked him to take me back to my hotel and take the scenic Central Park Route.

So maybe I did not conquer NYC in forty eight hours, but I’m pretty proud of all the sights I saw sans the rain. I would definitely plan on coming back to the big apple, although maybe not during Thanksgiving weekend. But for now it’s time to trade in the anxiety inducing crowds for anxiety inducing essays and exams. Happy finals to all!

I have a great desire to be where I’m not. I guess you could say that I have a case of wanderlust, much like many millennials these days. The feeling of being somewhere other than your home is like no other. For some, this feeling is terrifying and unfamiliar, but for me it’s refreshing.

As a child, my parents always made sure I was well travelled. Whether it was a trip to Disney World or a trip to Portugal, we were always on the move. The want for travel quickly turned into a need, as one trip a year turned into three or four, and, as my twenties crept upon me, I couldn’t wait to purchase my next plane ticket.

This past year I have visited multiple places and have fallen in love with a piece of each.

Being in a new place somehow feels like home. The excitement of being some place unfamiliar where there is so much to learn is so different; it becomes comforting. As odd as this concept seems, you’ll never know the feeling until you experience it for yourself.

My travels have quickly turned from a hobby into a lifestyle, and I’m always feeling the need to hop on a plane, even if it’s only for a few days.

Travelling is something that has become so impossible to describe with words or pictures, it can only be experienced. There is no better time than now to book your next adventure.

My best travel advice would be that if you want to do it, don’t wait for someone else.

Here are a few of my travel essentials: 1) A good set of luggage Whether you’re just bringing a carry-on or your whole closet, it is important to have a luggage that can be easily identified and has the ability to safely keep all your prized possessions.

2) My Frozen neck pillow Any neck pillow will do, but I do not board a plane unless Olaf and the gang are there to help me catch some sleep. It’s definitely useful to have something to rest your head on during long flights.

3) Always, always, always pack an emergency outfit in your carry-on Unfortunately, I have had the awful experience of losing my luggage, and, thanks to my emergency outfit, I had a fresh pair of clothes to wear upon arrival. This also becomes useful when you’re going somewhere with a different climate. Pack some weatherappropriate clothes so you won’t have to worry about wearing a parka and long pants on your next visit to Mexico.

4) A notebook and some good music For some reason, I tend to bring my notebook with me whenever I hop on a plane. It comes in handy when I want to journal about my adventures, and the pen comes in handy when filling out customs forms. A good playlist can help you pass the time and often it helps me feel comfortable in an unfamiliar place.

Have an idea for an article? Contact living@readthemike.com for more information

16 Sports in Brief: NHL: New York Ranger goalie Henrik Lundqvist’s excellent start has him in the early discussions of the Vezina and Hart Trophy MLB: Rumours suggest that David Price may be interested in signing with the Jays, after all NBA: LeBron James has recently passed Reggie Miller to move into 18th place on the NBA’s All-Time Scoring List NFL: The Browns, after benching Johnny Manziel, have said that this is not the end for their former first-round pick in Cleveland What we learned this week: •Phil Kessel and Sidney Crosby might be better off on different lines •Robinson Cano should be viewed by Seattle Mariners fans as a source of hope, not a contract problem •After their record-setting start, the Golden State Warriors might just take a run at the Chicago Bulls’ 72-win season What did you learn this week in the world of sports? Email sports@readthemike.com. The top three submissions will be featured in our next issue!

What did you learn this week in the world of sports? Email sports@readthemike.com. The top three submissions will be featured in our next issue!

Caption Contest: Email your funniest caption for the photo below to sports@readthemike.com. The top three submissions will be featured in our next issue!

Ilocos Norte Debbie Zalamea CONTRIBUTOR The weather might be cooling down, but that doesn’t mean your swimsuits need to be stored away. Check out one of the UofT swimming pools and destress from studying with a quick swim.