August 31, 2023

THE CORD

KEEP SAFE ON CAMPUS

Tools to remain aware at Laurier

News, page 3

HISTORY OF THE CORD

Looking back with previous Cord EIC’s

Feature, pages 12-13

BARBIE VS. OPPENHEIMER

The battle of the summer blockbusters

Arts & Life, page 14

BACK TO SCHOOL WOES

Students under numerous pressures

Opinion, page 20

HOMECOMING HAVOC

The football event of the year

Sports, page 23

CAMPUS EVENTS

Friday, September 1

9:00 AM-5:00 PM

Move-In Day

Saturday, September 2

9:00 AM-5:00 PM

Move-In Day

Sunday, September 3

9:00 AM-5:00 PM

Move-In Day

Monday, September 4th

12:30 - 2:00 PM

Shine BBQ

8:00 PM - 11:00 PM

Headphone Disco

Tuesday, September 5

8:30 PM - 11:00 PM

Comedian

Wednesday, Septem- ber 6

7:30 PM - 9:30 PM

Magic Comedy Show

Thursday, September 7

8:00 PM - 11:00 PM

Concert

Friday, September 8

8:30 PM - 11:00 PM

Drag Show

Saturday, September 9

12:30 PM - 5:00 PM

Shine Carnival

Keep an eye out for Vocal Cord, Golden Hawks! We'll be on campus asking you burning questions for our next issue.

NEXT ISSUE

OCTOBER 6

CORD STAFF

EDITOR-IN-CHIEF Bronte Behling editor@thecord.ca

MANAGING EDITIOR Amichai Abraham managingeditor@thecord.ca

MULTIMEDIA DIRECTOR

Aysia Steiner multimedia@thecord.ca

CREATIVE DIRECTOR Hayley Richards creative@thecord.ca

NEWS DIRECTOR Madalyn Mostacci news@thecord.ca

NEWS EDITOR Jack O'Kee e news@thecord.ca

THIS DAY IN HISTORY: AUGUST 31

1945 - Irish singer-songwriter Van Morrison from "Them" is born.

1949 - Richard Gere, actor and humanitarian known for 1990's Pretty Woman is born.

1957 - Federation of Malaya Gains Independence. The Federation, now known as Malaysia, gained its independence from the British.

1973 - John Ford, American director known for 1939's Stagecoach passes away.

1991 - Uzbekistan declares its independence from the Soviet Union.

The Central Asian country had become a part of the Russian Empire in the 19th century, and was made part of the Soviet Union as the Uzbek Soviet Socialist Republic in 1924.

1994 - Russian Troops Leave Estonia. 3 years a er Estonia declared independence from the Soviet Union. The USSR had occupied the Baltic country in 1944, during the Second World War.

1997 - Princess of Wales, Diana, Dies in a Car Crash. Diana, the former wife of Charles, the heir apparent to the British Crown, was fatally injured when the driver of her car lost control while speeding away from paparazzi, and crashed in a road tunnel in Paris, France.

1998 - North Korea Announces the Launch of its First Satellite. According to government sources of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea, the satellite called Kwangmyongsong-1 was successfully launched into lower Earth orbit.

2002 - Lionel Hampton, American jazz musician known for his vibraphone performances, passes away.

2005 - Curfew placed on new Orleans following looting and lawlessness a er Hurricane Katrina.

ARTS EDITOR Bailey McIntyre arts@thecord.ca

OPINION EDITOR Abigail Dombrovsky opinion@thecord.ca

SPORTS EDITOR Natasha Giannantonio sports@thecord.ca

VIDEO EDITOR Devesh Talreja video@thecord.ca

LEAD REPORTER Jenna Abdel-Kader news@thecord.ca

LEAD PHOTOGRAPHER Sadiya Teeple photos@thecord.ca

LEAD SPORTS REPORTER Nicole Lovisotto sports@thecord.ca

CONTRIBUTORS Jack Vrolyk

EDITOR’S CHOICE

"Did

Jack Vrolyk

ADVERTISING

e Cord has been a proud member of the Ontario Press Council since 2006. Any unsatised complaints can be sent to the council at info@ontpress.com. e Cord’s circulation for a normal Wednesday issue is 4,500 copies and enjoys a readership of over 10,000. e Cord has been a proud member of the Canadian University Press (CUP) since 2004.

PREAMBLE

con icts of interest and the appearance of con icts of interest will be avoided by all sta .

e only limits of any newspaper are those of the world around it, and so e Cord will attempt to cover its world with a special focus on Wilfrid Laurier University, and the community of Kitchener-Waterloo, and with a special ear to the concerns of the students of Wilfrid Laurier University. Ultimately, e Cord will be bound by neither philosophy nor geography in its mandate.

LAND ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

is created using Macintosh computers running OS X 10.10 using Adobe Creative Cloud. Canon cameras are used for principal photography.

e Cord will keep faith with its readers by presenting news and expressions of opinions comprehensively, accurately and fairly. e Cord believes in a balanced and impartial presentation of all relevant facts in a news report, and of all substantial opinions in a matter of controversy. e sta of e Cord shall uphold all commonly held ethical conventions of journalism. When an error of omission or of commission has occurred, that error shall be acknowledged promptly. When statements are made that are critical of an individual, or an organization, we shall give those a ected the opportunity to reply at the earliest time possible. Ethical journalism requires impartiality, and consequently

e Cord has an obligation to foster freedom of the press and freedom of speech. is obligation is best ful lled when debate and dissent are encouraged, both in the internal workings of the paper, and through e Cord’s contact with the student body.

e Cord will always attempt to do what is right, with fear of neither repercussions, nor retaliation. e purpose of the student press is to act as an agent of social awareness, and so shall conduct the a airs of our newspaper.

We would like to acknowledge that Wilfrid Laurier University Student Publications is located on the Haldimand tract, traditional territory of the Neutral, Anishnaabe and Haudenosaunee peoples. is land is part of the Dish with One Spoon Treaty between the Haudenosaunee and Anishnaabe peoples. We recognize, honour and respect these nations as the traditional stewards of the lands and water on which Student Publications is now present.

PHOTO OF THE MONTH

BRONTE BEHLING/EDITOR-IN-CHIEF

RESOURCES

Laurier wellness centre available For students

MADALYN MOSTACCI NEWS DIRECTOR

Students looking for information or services regarding their health and wellbeing this academic year can turn to Laurier’s Wellness Centre.

e Wellness Centre on the Waterloo campus is located on the second oor of the Student Services Building.

Mondays and Wendesdays, the Centre is open from 9:00 a.m. to 7:30 p.m.

On Tuesday, ursday and Friday, the centre is open from 9:00 a.m to 4:15 p.m.

“We recommend taking a proactive approach to your wellness, and learn about all the wellness

resources available to you, and build your wellness skills, before you need them,” Sarina Wheeler, manager of Wellness Education, said in an email sent to e Cord.

Students can utilize the Wellness Centre for services such as physiotherapy or massages as well as medical appointments, individual counseling and meetings with a dietitian.

To book an appointment, either phone the Wellness Centre at 519.884.0710 x 3146 or visit during operating hours.

Online booking is available for certain services listed on the Wellness Centre’s website.

A valid health or UHIP card is required in order to book an

We recommend taking a proactive approach to your wellness, and learn all about the wellness resources avaliable to you

- Sarina Wheeler, Manager of Wellness Education

appointment. Along with providing services to assist student wellbeing, the Well-

Safety on campus

BRONTË BEHLING EDITOR-IN-CHIEF

While your time at university should be fun and enjoyable, there are a number of considerations that should be taken into account to ensure both your safety and the safety of others around you.

First, make sure you download and utilize the SAFEHawk app. Available for download on all Apple and Android devices, the application “incorporates clickto-call functionality, immediately connecting users with campus support services such as the Special Constable Service and the Wellness Centre” as outlined by students.wlu.ca.

Further, SAFEHawk also has a ashlight and alarm built in, which can help alert individuals nearby your location.

In addition, the app can also send your location to Laurier’s

Special Constable Service.

After downloading the app, make sure to enable noti cations so you are aware of any important, time-sensitive news on Laurier’s Waterloo campus. is is an incredibly important safety feature.

Alongside SAFEHawk, Laurier students can also Foot Patrol, a “volunteer-operated safe-walk program, available daily during evening hours.”

ose utilizing this service will be accompanied by teams of two to their chosen location by foot or by van, depending on distance.

Operated by the Students Union, Foot Patrol can be reached at 519886-3668 (FOOT).

Interested students are also encouraged to register with Foot Patrol as a volunteer in order to help keep this critical service running.

Lastly, students can also make use of the Emergency Response Team.

is team provides “on call advanced rst aid and can be booked for on-site event support.”

Reachable at 519-885-3333, this service is also operated by Laurier’s Students Union.

Alongside these helpful resources, students should always take care to remain vigilant on campus.

All students should always carry their OneCard on them in a safe location, and when out at night attempt to always travel with a buddy in tow.

Laurier does not condone unsanctioned gatherings as they are a safety risk, so as you enjoy this week’s orientation events, make sure to remain respectful of both the Waterloo campus and the surrounding community.

Respect those around you, and stay vigilant.

Remain golden, stay safe and enjoy your fall term as a new Laurier Golden Hawk!

ness Centre also places emphasis on wellness education.

“ e Student Wellness Centre offers a variety of fun and free events and programming to help students take care of their wellness. e Wellness Education team o ers workshops on topics like nutrition, sleep, anxiety, and stress,” outlined Wheeler.

roughout the school year, the Wellness Centre will be hosting events for students that promote mental and physical wellbeing.

“Our team of volunteer Peer Wellness Educators run events where students can learn wellness tips directly from students. Our popular Nature Walk with Dogs, Fresh Fruit Friday, and rive

Week programs are also returning this year,” mentioned Wheeler. is academic year, students can also earn their Wellness Education Certi cate through the Wellness Centre. is is an incredibly useful certi cate to hold.

“Students can earn the Wellness Education Certi cate by attending ve Zoom workshops, it’s a great way to enhance your Laurier Experience Record while building skills,” said Wheeler. “ … check out the Wellness Education webpage or Laurier Wellness on Instagram for all the details,” added Wheeler. Visit the Wellness Centre’s website for more information regarding services and booking appointments.

CAMPUS

SADIYA TEEPLE/LEAD PHOTOGRAPHER

End in sight for music building construction

JACK VROLYK SUMMER

REPORTER

It’s been a little over a year since ground was broken for the construction of the new Savvas Chamberlain Music Building, and now we’re in the home stretch.

e plans for the renovations were rst announced in fall 2019 at the launch of the Making Space for Music fundraising campaign, which initially aimed to raise $14 million. Since then, Wilfrid Laurier University has received various donations, including $4 million from the Savvas Chamberlain Family Foundation, prompting the renaming of the building to the Savvas Chamberlain Music Building.

Initial plans for the renovations include two new oors of practice rooms, a spacious lobby and an improved entranceway from University Ave. Students can expect to see these changes as well as an outdoor amphitheatre for events and concerts. Unfortunately, the project has faced some hiccups along the way.

Ulrike Gross, assistant vice president of facilities and asset management, explained some of the delays to provide clarity: “We’ve had everything from supply shortages to escalating costs of materials, during and post pandemic, and so that’s been fairly challenging for us from a cost management perspec-

COMMUNITY

tive”. Gross estimates the total cost of the project at around $26 million but is con dent in the quality of work completed. “We’ve added a little bit to the scope of the project in order to make it better all the way around”, clari ed Gross.

She also explained other upgrades that have been made, including fully revamping the building’s wireless internet and providing an entranceway to campus from University Avenue made in partnership with the City of Waterloo.

Cynthia Johnston Turner, dean of the faculty of music, also shared excitement about the ongoing renovations: “I think I’m most looking forward to the students’ reaction. It’s the students that have been here”, said Turner. Turner’s excitement extends to the upgraded designs and facilities, including “gorgeous” practice rooms, outdoor speakers and art donated by Salah Bachir and his husband Jacob Yerex. Both Gross and Turner estimate the construction’s completion at over 60 per cent. Students can expect practice rooms to open August 15, and according to Gross and Turner, construction to be completed in January 2024 with a small-scale opening. While the university is excited about the ongoing renovations, some students have expressed concerns about the work being done.

When asked about the construction, one fourth year music student shared thoughts on the timing of the project, stating “as a person coming o of COVID and not really being able to do anything in person, all of a sudden they’re starting renovations”. e student also voiced concern about

the building’s accessibility during construction, as well as about incoming students having to adjust to the new system. ey expressed a desire for more detailed descriptions of practice rooms in the booking process and for the university to value function over design.

Ahead of the building’s opening, Steven Page of the Barenaked Ladies will be performing at a bene t concert on October 29 to raise funds for the renovations. He’ll be performing with his son Isaac Page, the Penderecki String Quartet, and clarinetist James Campbell.

Riverfest Elora returns for its thirteenth year

and one of her favourite bands, e Aggrolites.

is article is cross-posted with e Community Edition. Riverfest Elora returned to Bissel Park for the thirteenth year over the Aug. 18-20 weekend. e festival — headlined by indie-rock band, Metric, showcased Canadian music acts, local artisans and food vendors. Other acts like TALK, Feist, JJ Wilde and Guelph band, Animal Boy took to the stage over the weekend. Gabby, a Riverfest rst-timer, heard about the festival when she was in town last year spending the day at the Elora Quarry, but missed it. is year, she came back to see Canadian hip-hop icon, Maestro Fresh Wes,

“Other than the Beastie Boys and Run DMC I didn’t really know any other hip-hop artists, especially Canadian hip-hop artists,” said Gabby, who’s been a Maestro Fresh Wes fan since she was a teen. “And then he brings what he brings to the table, which is amazing.” PEI rapper, Vince the Messenger, was one of the rst performers on day two of the festival.

“ is festival is very cool; it feels very grassroots. Everyone here is very warm and welcoming, and it feels like an organic type of environment” he said in an interview with TCE reporters for Radio Laurier. It was Vince the Messenger’s rst time in Elora, but not in

Ontario. On Aug. 8, he shared the stage at Manifesto’s e Block Party with other artists like Amine and Saukrates, another Canadian hiphop icon. With three stages, and a beautiful location right along the Grand River, Riverfest Elora 2023 drew crowds of all ages and music tastes. “It’s lovely,” said Riverfest volunteer, Joshua Zachariah, of this year’s event. “ e lineup is great... today is a really busy day because people came out for Metric and Feist,” the latter of which he was most looking forward to seeing, while his colleague Alex Scha ter was most excited for Metric.

“I haven’t listened to them in a minute, but I was really into them,” said Scha ter. “I think it’s going to be a really fun walk down memory

This festival is very cool; it feels very grassroots. Everyone here is very warm and welcoming, and it feels like an organic type of environment.

- Vince the Messenger, Rapper.

lane.” Past Riverfest Elora artists include Mother Mother, Carly Rae Jepson, Walk o the Earth, Shad and many more.

To try to keep the festival environmentally conscious, plastic drink bottles were banned from the venue, with free, potable water stations provided instead by Wellington Water Watchers. Attendees were also encouraged to bring their own reusable bottles, and to bike or take the provided shuttle buses to the venue rather than drive.

Riverfest Elora was started in 2009 by Elora artist, Marilyn Koop, as a backyard festival. Koop unfortunately passed away in 2012, but the festival continues on in her memory.

Planning for Riverfest Elora 2024 is already under-way, with the festival set to take place Aug. 16-18.

To learn more or get early-bird tickets visit riverfestelora.com.

CONTRIBUTED PHOTO

SERENA AUSTIN PRESIDENT

CONTRIBUTED PHOTO

Scammers target Ontario homeowners

JACK VROLYK SUMMER REPORTER

Across Ontario, legal experts are calling for the government to work on closing a loophole which allows scammers to target homeowners.

A years old scam continuously takes advantage of a loophole in the Consumer Protection Act.

In this scam, homeowners are tricked into signing up for a mortgage.

e fraud begins with fake HVAC or home improvement companies selling products and assessments door-to-door.

ese companies mask a sales pitch as an in-home assessment, and convince you to sign up for renovations you don’t need.

Once a contract for work is signed, the installation or renovation usually happens within the next few days.

In reality, the contract being signed is not for work on the home, but is actually a Notice of Security Interests (NOSI) or lien.

By placing a lien on your property, you will then have to pay money before you can sell or re nance your home.

ENVIRONMENT

e lien is typically between $12,000 and $15,000.

is is as high as possible, and it still costs less to pay o the lien that it does to ght the company in court.

Often, once the lien has been placed, the scammer returns as another company o ering to help pay o the lien.

ese mortgages usually have a one-year term with 25 per cent interest and monthly payments that the scammer hides as something else.

As a result, the victim sometimes doesn’t know they have the mortgage until it is due.

Rather than keeping the money, victims are instructed to send the money back to the scammer as a charge related to the services they promised.

One victim, 79-year-old Karl Ho man, reported being scammed into a one-year mortgage.

He waa tasked with 25 per cent interest for $130,000.

Ultimately, Ho man only received $350 once the scammers took their pro t.

Victims are calling for amendments to the Consumer Protection

Act to further protect Ontario residents from being scammed.

ose a ected by these scams have been raising awareness on how to spot and avoid a scam as the majority of victims are seniors, new immigrants and disabled Canadians.

ere is also frustration at some Ontario mortgage brokers or lawyers that fail to catch the scam before it’s too late.

Despite the company’s denial of any involvement, two victims have led lawsuits against one Mississauga based law rm.

In their lawsuit, the victims heva claimed that the rm failed to provide proper independent legal advice.

Experts urge Ontario residents to discuss prevalent scams with vulnerable relatives and friends.

Further explaining how to spot and avoid these scams is bene cal also.

If you’re unsure about how these scams look, online resources will outline common scams to be aware of.

If any uncertainty still exists, contact a lawyer for further assistance.

New e-scooters “roll” out on campus

MADALYN MOSTACCI NEWS EDITOR

On Jul. 20, Neuron Mobility e-bikes and e-scooters were staged around the Waterloo campus.

“We are excited to share that this is happening,” said Eric Meliton, manager of Laurier’s Sustainability O ce.

“When we were approached by Neuron almost a year and a half ago, it was because the Region of Waterloo has an alternative transportation strategy that, as a large employer in the Region and obviously a large student population in the Region, we wanted to support,” added Meliton.

Neuron Mobility, a rental e-scooter company started in Singapore, has recently partnered with multiple cities across Ontario to provide community members with rentable transportation devices.

e Region of Waterloo began its collaboration with Neuron Mobility in April of this year, and will continue to run the program until the end of October.

Five new Neuron Mobility rental locations have been added around the periphery of the Waterloo campus: “We really want to encourage students to use them and to choose better options to get around,” claried Meliton.

“Majority of students are typically using the bus or walking or driving, and so we’re trying to encourage students to explore all their options,” said Meliton.

“E-bikes and e-scooters take ad-

vantage of our existing infrastructure. We have a lot of space that is available around the periphery of the campus, so students can use it to get around,” Meliton explained.

Members of the Laurier commu-

nity will see varying bene ts from the Neuron Mobility products.

“ e actual bene t overall for the community is that it gives options during April to October for the next six years, as the program is seasonal every year, to try alternative forms of transportation that is not necessarily just the bus,” elaborated Meliton.

“It is electric, in terms of nature, there isn’t any carbon footprint that is added to it,” mentioned Meliton. To rent an e-bike or e-scooter, users must download the Neuron Mobility app. e products cost $1.15 to rent and an additional 35 cents per minute while riding.

Neuron also provides day, weekend and unlimited passes

for purchase. “[For] students who use their Laurier email address to register for the Neuron app, there are promo codes being o ered …,” said Meliton. Staging Neuron Mobility stations around a university campus leaves room for concern of impaired use, damages or theft.

“We were always concerned with pedestrians being hit by an e-scooter while they are walking or bikes running into each other. ere are a lot of risks related

to this. People on the roads and people not using helmets …We had those concerns and they were mitigated,” Meliton added. Further, Meliton elaborated on how “Users may be drinking while they are using [Neuron Mobility products].

e Neuron app has a preventative security measure to prevent somebody from renting if they are drinking.”

Neuron Mobility products each have a GPS that enables users to

ride only where permitted.

“If somebody does take them [e-bikes or scooters] and ignores the warning systems, Neuron can follow it and be able to retrieve it from wherever it gets taken because you can’t tamper with the GPS tracking,” said Meliton.

For more information on Neuron Mobility at Laurier and for a full list of rental locations around the Waterloo campus, visit the university’s website.

We really want to encourage students to use them and to choose better options to get around.

-

Eric Meliton, Manager at Laurier’s Sustanability O ce.

UAP hearing discusses extraterrestrials

JACK VROLYK SUMMER REPORTER

Recent testimony indicates that the United States government might have more information on extra-terrestrial life than they’re admitting to, but what does this mean? And how much can we trust this testimony?

In August of 2020, the United States Department of Defense (DOD) established the Unidentied Aerial Phenomena Task Force (UAPTF).

e UAPTF would be run by the Navy to investigate reported sightings of UAPs.

UAP is a more o cial replacement for UFO (Unidenti ed Flying Object).

At the time of the task force’s creation, UAP stood for Unidentied Aerial Phenomena. Since then, the acronym has been updated to Unidenti ed Anomalous Phenomena, to include phenomena reported on the ground and in the ocean. e establishment of the task force meant the DOD was acknowledging that for a long time commercial and military pilots have reported seeing UAPs.

By creating a task force devoted to investigating these reports, the stigma surrounding pilots reporting UAPs could be diminished.

at same year, the Pentagon released several videos of UAPs spotted and lmed by the military. In 2022, Pentagon o cials testi ed at the rst hearing on UAPs in over 50 years.

ere, experts explained their

research into UAPs as a potential national security threat.

Whether or not the objects recorded are of extra-terrestrial origin, they exist and display advanced capabilities.

At the 2022 hearing, the director of naval intelligence, Scott Bray, explained how the appearance of UAPs can be a ected by the technology they’re captured on as well as the conditions at the time.

Bray claimed they had not witnessed any wreckage or collisions,

What does bill C-18 actually do?

JACK VROLYK SUMMER REPORTER

Recently you’ve probably read the words “Bill C-18” online followed by a discussion on the availability of news in Canada. But what is Bill C-18? Bill C-18, the Online News Act, was rst introduced by the Liberal government in April of 2022, and received royal assent on June 22, 2023. It outlines exible framework for revenue sharing between social media corporations hosting news content and the news organizations creating the content. Essentially, if companies like Google and Meta want to post links to Canadian news organizations, they must now negotiate a deal with the Canadian news organizations for compensation. If they cannot reach a deal, then the Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission (CRTC) is brought in for mediation until a deal is reached. e bill outlines its purpose as one that centres on regulating “digital news intermediaries with a view of enhancing fairness in the Canadian digital news marketplace and contributing to its sustainability, including the sustainability of news busi-

nesses in Canada in both the non-pro t and for-pro ts sectors, including independent local ones.”

According to the parliamentary budget o cer, the bill will bring in $329 million for the Canadian news industry. However, the media corporations are beginning to push back. Tech companies Google and Meta are two of the biggest parties a ected by the bill and they have made their opposition known.

Google believes the bill is “the wrong approach” and has announced plans to remove links to Canadian news.

In a similar move, Meta will start removing Canadian news links and has also begun an advertising campaign against Bill C-18.

Other criticisms of the bill are that it provides a threat to the free ow of information online and could lead to trade retaliation with the United States.

As a ected corporations are campaigning against the bill, those who work in the industry are praising its success. One of those industry employees is Barry Rooke, executive director of the National Campus and Community Radio Association (NCRA), who played a part in the lobbying that resulted

but had reported 11 near-misses with military planes.

On July 26, 2023, David Grusch, a former intelligence o cer in the Air Force and the National Geospatial Intelligence Agency, appeared before the House Oversight Committee’s national security subcommittee.

Grusch testi ed that he was on two Pentagon task forces investigating UAPs.

He claimed that the Pentagon has a “multi-decade UAP crash

in the bill’s passing. “ e campus and community radio stations are making the news, why shouldn’t they be compensated or at least acknowledged” said Rooke. “We know that community radio stations, campus stations, Indigenous radio stations are often really at the heart of their community.” Rooke sees Bill C-18 as a success for the Canadian news industry, citing the rising amount of disinformation on social media platforms: “We’re in a place where an incredible amount of disinformation is being shared, and organizations like Google and Facebook [Meta] who are pushing back on this are in their own way, adding to that process.”

On Google and Meta’s pulling of Canadian news links, Rooke explains that Canadian news information will still be available, just not sharable. He encourages those whose main source of news is social media to seek out other sources such as “newsletters, podcasts, blogs, etc”.

While those in the Canadian news industry view the bill as a clear success, some in Canada’s legal industry have mixed feelings. Brandon Mattalo, assistant professor of strategic management at the Lazaridis School of Business and Economics shares such feelings.

“I see both sides of it,” said Mattalo. “On the one end, there are issues with revenue generation at news, primarily caused by the advent of the internet.” As advertisements moved from news pub-

nessing UAPs and are ghting for the stigma surrounding reporting UAPs to be diminished.

Fravor was one of the pilots responsible for the 2004 sighting of a UAP in footage released by the Pentagon and dubbed “FLIR”.

He describes seeing a “Tic Tac” like object moving at strange speeds.

So, what does this new testimony mean? Is this nally irrefutable proof that aliens not only exist, but have been studied by the government for years?

For that second question, the answer is no, but the testimony is without a doubt interesting.

As people have pointed out, Grusch did not testify that he witnessed any craft or extra-terrestrial remains himself, just that he spoke to individuals that had.

Pentagon’s All-domain Anomaly Resolution O ce (AARO), which succeeded the UAPTF, has denied these claims by Grusch.

FILE

retrieval and reverse-engineering program”, and went on to accuse the military of misappropriating funds to keep their operations hidden.

e most shocking part of Grusch’s testimony was his claim that he had interviewed several o cials who had knowledge of a “non-human” aircraft from which “biologics” were recovered.

Grusch was joined by former Navy pilots Ryan Graves and David Fravor, who both reported wit-

Furthermore, NASA has spoken on reported UAPs, and has stated they have yet to see substantial evidence that clearly connects the UAPs to extra-terrestrials.

While Grusch’s testimony is being refuted, he and the others make valid points about the national security threat UAPs could pose as well as the stigma surrounding pilots who report UAPs.

As the United States Congress pushes for more transparency from the Pentagon, more hearings and announcements could be coming.

In the meantime, we’ll have to keep looking up at the stars and wondering what’s out there.

lications to the social media sites themselves, revenue generation for news organizations dropped. “ e issue is, how do we properly fund journalism, which is a very important part of our democracy,” explained Mattalo.

Mattalo goes on to explain the reason for his hesitancy is the response from Google and Meta. He outlines the possibility of Canadian news losing importance in the sites’ algorithms, which in turn has an opposite e ect than intended.

Despite Mattalo’s concerns, he sees a possibility that Google and Meta ease their opposition, similar

to when Australia enacted similar legislation. He also believes this is only the beginning, saying “the nature of the world is changing very quickly.”

As the internet continues to develop and remains a source of information and news, more regulation seems inevitable. Bills such as Bill C-18, or Bill C-11, the Online Streaming Act, are paving the way for more legislation outlining how the internet should act as a tool. While Bill C-18 begins to take e ect, broaden your news sources. Rooke emphasizes the importance of news organizations.

An overview of Laurier’s Students’ Union

MADALYN MOSTACCI NEWS DIRECTOR

e Students’ Union is an organization that represents Laurier students across both Waterloo and Brantford campuses. As student fees help fund the Students’ Union, all undergraduate students are automatically members of the Union upon registration.

e programming, services and representation provided by the Students’ Union are implemented for students to be used by students as an opportunity to take the university experience out of the classroom.

“We represent the entire undergraduate student population on both campuses … All of our e orts, whether it’s advocacy or programming are directed at all students. It’s not any sort of niche, it’s literally all students, no matter what program they’re in, as long as they’re an undergraduate student,” explained Megan Spenler, President and CEO of Laurier’s Students’ Union.

e Students’ Union is broken into four departments: Clubs and Associations, Financial and Volunteer Operations, Programming and Services, and Government and Stakeholder Relations. Each department has a vice president that reports to Spenler.

“ e Students’ Union represents all clubs on campus. All of them fall underneath our umbrella,” said Spenler.

“… we run orientation week entirely for all rst year stu-

dents. And then we continue our programming e orts throughout the entire year with weekly and monthly events, we always try to engage with students,” Spenler explained in regard to Programming and Services. “We also have a ton of services, we have our own food bank, we have food patrol, we have an emergency response team, there’s lots of services available to students …”

“We also do advocacy work at the provincial and federal levels, that is our Government Stakeholder Relations team … students are facing a lot of issues outside the classroom, and we are very aware of that at the Students’ Union, so that department has only gotten busier over the last couple of years,” continued Spenler.

“Every student has the opportunity to volunteer with the Students’ Union, starting from the minute they step on campus. ey could volunteer with the food bank, on Shinerama and they could be on A-Team which is the activities team. We have a lot going on from that given point,” said Spenler about the Financial and Volunteer Operations department.

“Our mission at the end of the day is just to improve the student experience outside of the classroom,” added Spenler.

Along with the Students’ Union departments, the organization also follows fundamental goals and policies.

Mohammad Abu-Rshaid, Chair of the Board & Chief Governance

O cer, outlines the Ends policy,

“ e organization exists to represent, advocate for, and support the primary stakeholders, the students of Wilfrid Laurier University, and to provide them with a holistic university experience and an enhanced student life. ese costs of these bene ts will be justi ed by the results. In no speci c order of priority, students will bene t from, and this is our four overarching goals of the organization. An organization that advocates for an a ordable, accessible, and high-quality experience, a safe, sustainable, and empowering environment, diverse and inclusive social interaction, and products and services that cater to the nancial needs of students.”

Students’ Union board meetings are held throughout the year to discuss aspects of the organization.

“All of our board meetings are open until we have a closed session. Feel free to come in and sit in, and during question periods, ask questions. … I would highly encourage, especially the students who are very interested in student issues. Come in. We’re very friendly,” added Abu-Rshaid.

“We are looking for two vacant director spots. ... I would absolutley love to work with a student who decides to nominate themselves, go through the nomination process and then compete for the position and then maybe get elected. Any rst-year students, apply if you are interested,” continued Abu-Rshaid.

For this upcoming academic year, the Students’ Union is placing an emphasis on student engage-

ment.

“…we really want to engage with students more and meet them where they’re at,” said Spenler. “We’ve been doing a lot of work over the summer to improve and make things easier for students. Making our services easier to engage with and making it easier to be in a club …”

“ ere is a core group of students that engage with us, whether they come out to events or they use our services. But there is a huge group of students that are not engaging with us ... we want to engage those students more and we need to meet them where they are at,” added Spenler.

“Our biggest goal is to be creative and innovative. Branching out a little bit more than we did last year. ... I want to be more student facing. Whether that is just hanging out in the concourse and having an ‘ask me anything’ booth, whatever that looks like, but I think we need to engage with students more directly,” continued Spenler.

Students looking to contact Laurier’s Students’ Union can do so in many di erent ways.

“Our door is always open and mobile pockets,” mentioned Spenler.

“ ere’s a lot of di erent channels that we communicate to students. … We are very active on our Instagram DMs. We have our main account, @YourStudentsUnion. We also then have two pages, @ Campus Life Waterloo and @ CampusLifeBrantford, for more campus-speci c activities,” added

Spenler.

“If you google Laurier Students’ Union feedback form, it will be the rst thing that comes up. When you use that feedback form, you can select which department you want to send it to,” said Spenler.

Also on the Students’ Union website, there is a sta directory listing emails and phone numbers of each member.

“We are always welcoming people to come in on either campus, you will be greeted by someone at our o ce door, and they can direct you to the appropriate sta members. On the Waterloo campus, we are located on the second oor of the Fred Nichols Campus Center, right above Wilf’s. And on the Brantford campus, we are located on the second oor of the Student Center,” outlined Spenler.

Look out for Students’ Union run events this academic year.

“Please engage with our di erent services as well. We always want to help students as much as we can, but we can’t do that if they don’t engage. So I would de nitely just push that, to engage with us and to always reach out if there’s questions. Our door is always open,” said Spenler. “ e heart of our organization is our students. ey are the owners of the organization. If you want this organization to be the best version it can be, it can only be done through engagement. So engage in any of the di erent ways that we discussed. Engage with our organization. I promise you, we’ll have a good time,” added Abu-Rshaid.

SADIYA TEEPLE/LEAD PHOTOGRAPHER

2023 Waterloo orientation week lineup

BRONTE BEHLING EDITOR-IN-CHIEF

As rst-year students navigate settling into life on campus for the rst time, deciding what orientation week events to attend may seem like a daunting task. However, with a vast number of events taking place from Sept. 4 to Sept. 9, there is an event for everyone. In addition to special events taking place each day throughout the week, new students can take advantage of the Shine BBQ, happening every day from 12:30 p.m. to 2 p.m.

Further, Athletics Programming takes place each day from 9:00 a.m. to 9:30 a.m.

On Monday from 11:30 p.m. to 2:30 p.m., students can attend Rage Room.

Finally, students can choose between two Welcome events (3:30 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. or 4:30 p.m. to 5:00 p.m.).

Monday concludes with Headphone Disco/We Got Game, taking place from 8:00 p.m. to 11:00 p.m.

Tuesday opens with Student Success and Faculty Receptions from 10:00 a.m. to 2:05 p.m., followed by Shine Time at 2:30 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. and Pleasure Principles with Farrah Khan from 4:30 p.m. to 5:30 p.m.

e day concludes with A Night with Comedian Hannah Berner from 8:30 p.m. to 11:00 p.m.

Hump day begins once more with Student Success and Faculty

Receptions from 10:30 a.m. to 1:20 p.m.

e Academic Resource Fair takes place from 1:30 p.m. to 3:30 p.m., followed by a workout with Fitness Marshall from 3:00 p.m. 4:30 p.m.

e evening wraps up with Room Burn from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. and Magic & Comedy with Alex Boyer and Wes Barker from 7:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m.

ursday will likely be the most exciting day of the week for many, with Steve Aoki performing from 6:30 p.m. to 11:00 p.m.

Friday features the Get Involved Fair from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. and a Drag Show with Tynomi Banks from 8:30 p.m. to 10:00 p.m.

Saturday sees the return of Shinerama events with the Walk to End Cystic Fibrosis from 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. and the Shine Carnival from 12:30 p.m. to 5:00 p.m.

For more information on how to get involved during Orientation Week, please visit www.laurierorientationweek.com/waterloo.

Need directions to a speci c event? Look for helpful guides around campus. In addition, consider asking a fellow upper year student - before you know it, you’ll know your way around campus. It’s good to be a Laurier Golden Hawk, and we’re all here to help eachother..

To the new Hawks, welcome! Make sure to make the most of your Orientation Week, and enjoy your rst month of classes!

DATES

• Sept. 1: Last day for Year 2 students to apply to co-op options in Arts, Science and the Lazaridis School of Business & Economics.

• Sept. 4: Labour Day.

• Sept. 5: Co-op work term begins.

• Sept. 7: Fall term and full-year classes begin. Tuition fees due for Fall courses.

• Sept. 7-13: If you drop/withdraw from 12-week course(s) during this time period, no tuition charge.

• Sept. 14-20: If you drop/withdraw during this time period, you are responsible for 10% tuition (assessed at course rate).

• Sept. 20: Last day to add 12week and full-year courses (including online learning).

• Sept. 21-Nov. 8: If you drop/ withdraw during this time period, you are responsible for 55% tuition (assessed at course rate). All incidental fees are also non refundable during this penalty period.

Prestigious SHAD program closes at Laurier

MADALYN MOSTACCI NEWS DIRECTOR

On Jul. 28, the prestigious Shad Canada program wrapped up after being hosted on both Laurier’s Waterloo and Brantford campuses. For grade 10 and 11 students across Canada, Shad provides university level science, technology, engineering, arts and mathematics mentors and entrepreneurship content. “We always say Shad is where the magic happens. We provide an opportunity for [students] to build a community full of young people … and also we provide an opportunity for them to step out of their comfort zone,” said Sunny Wang, Associate Professor at Laurier and Shad Program Director. e program began on Jul. 3, where more than 60 Shad students arrived on Laurier’s campuses for a month of lectures, workshops and engaging exercises.

“... e program is very intensive, it includes many things. It includes a lot of hands-on workshops and many university-level lectures, and also many eld trips as well, because the [students] have the opportunity to explore the local area,” Wang explained. Shad Canada is hosted on 22 university campuses across the country. ShadAnywhere allows students to participate in the program virtually rather than staying on a host campus.

“Overall, we have had four Shad programs,” said Wang in regard to Laurier’s time hosting Shad. e

We always say Shad is where the magic happens.

- Sunny Wang, Associate Professor and Program Director of SHad

2023 program is the university’s second time holding an in-person Shad. According to Shad Canada, when applying for the program students are “assessed on several factors highlighting their unique talents and contributions.

Factors such as academic excellence, extracurricular involvement, creativity, innovation and commitment to making the world a better place.”

“Each application is evaluated by, on average, three or four evaluators. Everyone has di erent opinions about each application. And then Shad Canada has a system to scale the marks and how to combine the marks,” Wang described. Wang continued, “I do know that Shad Canada tries to promote diversity and equity. [Shad] tries to have more participants from very diverse backgrounds, for example, from the rural areas that may

have never heard of [Shad] before, and including more indigenous people.”

“ e process is very competitive. We still have, as I heard this year, 800 people on the waiting list. ey couldn’t get into the program,” Wang added. As for Laurier, the university sees many bene ts from being a Shad host campus.

“One thing that came from being a partner of Shad Canada, is a recognition of Laurier’s excellence in academics, community building, business, and leadership,” said Wang. “It also helps us recruit high school students. is is an international program, so it bene ts the recruitment,” Wang added. Laurier students can also bene t from the Shad program.

“I hope more young people will get involved, especially for Laurier students. We do hire … We have four Laurier students hired as a program manager and program assistants to help the program for July,” said Wang.

Wang continued, “I hope more Laurier students will get involved in this program. You don’t have to be a Shad alumni. You can just have a passion to work with young people, and hope to have an impact on their lives, and you are welcome to work with us. So for next year, the job posting will be out probably in January on the navigator.”

For more information on Shad Canada at Laurier, visit the university’s website.

The top three places to eat on the Wilfrid Laurier University campus

The History of

News Director Madalyn Mostacci dives into the 1958 1926 1933 1944

On Sept. 26, 1926, the College Cord published its first issue as a campus newspaper for the students at Waterloo College.

Over many years, Waterloo College eventually transformed into the academic institution we know today, Wilfrid Laurier University.

Through these developmental years, as Laurier saw changes in its name, educational a liation and culture, the campus newspaper remained consistent.

“The College Cord shall be ‘a tie that binds,’” was printed in the paper’s first issue as an explanation of the publication’s name.

The then editorial sta of three explained that The College Cord would bind the students at Waterloo College together through common feelings of love, sorrow, joy, hope and sympathy.

Today, a er dropping ‘College’ from our name, The Cord operates with an editorial and managerial sta of nine.

Despite our ever-changing society, past and pres- ent members of The Cord have continued to bind Laurier students together using the publication’s voice.

Through this exploration of The Cord’s history and conversations with past Editor-in-Chiefs, new and returning Golden Hawks will discover what students have done for The Cord and what The Cord has done for students.

The students working on The College Cord in 1926 made a statement in the first issue about the efforts that led to the birth of the newspaper and their goal for the future of the publication:

“... this paper which we present today is laid upon the foundations of former attempts, which it is itself only a step toward a much larger and better publication which we hope Waterloo College will soon be able to present.”

As the student population grew and The College Cord’s production improved, the goal outlined by the original editorial sta was made a reality through student e orts.

“To think back to what we were doing at that point in time, it’s actually quite impressive. You are students just starting out in your post-secondary career, but you’re also managing the whole execution of a newspaper every single week while going to school,” said Caitlin Smith, nee Howlett, former Editor-in-Chief of The Cord in 2005.

“Just thinking back to all the things we did and the fact that we were able to produce a really impressive publication every week, it’s quite incredible.”

Every academic year saw its own set of monu-

mental moments.

Behind each shi in society, there were student writers who reported back to inform students on campus.

In 1945, following the end of World War II, the editorial sta of The College Cord reported to its student body about the changes that would be coming to the institution as a new influx of war veterans enrolled.

Concerns about expansion within the institution were outlined by those writers and an assertion was made to continue to bind students despite the sudden changes.

The editorial sta in 1945 wrote, “And so with a word of welcome on our lips to the Freshman class, and a nod of pleasant recognition to ad- vanced students, we hope our colleagues, along with the faculty, will make this year best.”Waterloo’s

Waterloo College took on the name we know today in 1973, and The College Cord became The Cord in 2009 a er two name changes. Regardless, the passion from student jour- nalists carried on.

As Justin Smirlies, former Editor-in-Chief in 2014, outlined, contributing his takeaways from writing with The Cord:

“Find a passion. Take passion in what you do. Be enthusiastic. … you’ll start seeing the benefits if you have that passion.”

“I think [The Cord] really did help me define what I wanted to do,” Mark Wigmore, former Edi- tor-in-Chief in 1981, said.

Following the publication’s name change, the way in which The Cord operated changed along with it.

Instead of publishing solely in print, content was delivered to students online, through evolving social media and photo galleries.

Editor-in-Chief, Laura Carlson, wrote in the first issue a er the name change, “We recognize that we

Despite our ever-changing past and present Cord have continued students together tion’s

of The Cord

the history of The Cord on the Waterloo Campus.

need to continuously adapt to serve our readers, and though the medium we exist in may continue shi ing, The Cord’s mandate of serving our readers in the Laurier community will never falter.”

Shelby Blackley, former Editor-in-Chief of The Cord in 2016, explains, regarding her experience at The Cord, “I always joke that I didn’t go to school for my degree, I went to the school for The Cord. Every single day at The Cord I was writing so many articles in a very quick amount of time, I was interviewing so many di erent people on many di erent levels, learning di erent communication styles, learning how to learn what information I needed from these stories. I was creating such meaningful networking connections too.”

The Cord in the newsstands today reflects the e orts of the writers who came before while continuing to evolve in our society, and remains a tie that binds.

ever-changing society, present members of The continued to bind Laurier together using the publication’s voice.

For this upcoming academic year, The Cord encourages interested new or returning Laurier students to join The Cord across our many sec- tions.

“It set the foundation. I don’t think I would be doing what I do now without having had that experience at The Cord,” said Linda Givetash, former Editor-in-Chief in 2012.

“…if you’re interested in joining The Cord, just try it… It’s not as scary as you think it is,” Smirlies ‘14, outlined.

“It’s such an important part of my Laurier experi- ence because I learned so much as a student volunteer and made some incredible friends who are still some of my friends today,” Smith ‘05 explained.

The Cord has five sections: News, Sports, Opinion and Arts and Life.

All sections are accepting contributing writers. Issues are uploaded biweekly online at thecord.ca and printed once a month.

“…enjoy the experience. Use it to hone your skills,

CONTRIBUTED PHOTO

both in journalism and writing and your understanding of events, whether that’s local, sports, entertainment, politics,” said Wigmore ‘81.

Interested students can also join The Cord’s photography, social media or website design teams.

“... it was such a diverse experience in terms of what I was able to do [at The Cord] … there’s the actual job of being an editor, of being a reporter, and then there’s the broader experience of the friends you make, the things you learn. Whether it’s laying out the newspaper or actually going out and reporting, researching various stories, whatever it might be,” explained Givetash ,‘12.

“The Cord gave me a ton of skills that still translate every single day. But beyond that, I was also able to really build out my relationships, my friendships… I am now in journalism, but I kind of ended up in the position that I am because of circumstances that happened because of The Cord,” said Blackley, ‘16.

“To me [The Cord] was my degree. To me it was my school,” explained Smirlies ‘14.

In the publication’s first issue, the editorial sta featured a message to all students in the first editorial excerpt. “We are viewing today the birth of a College year as well as the birth of a College paper. They lie before us with all their unbounded possibilities hidden in the glamor of the unknown.”

To discover the unbounded possibilities that lie unknown this 2023/2024 academic year, contact Editor-in-Chief Bronte Behling at editor@thecord.ca

Arts & Life

Gerwig’s Barbie vs. Nolan’s Oppenhiemer: rise of the pink explosion

AMICHAI ABRAHAM MANAGING EDITOR

As a society, we are often enthralled when opposites are forced to co-exist.

e relentlessly hardworking Kobe Bryant learning to share the oor with the e ortlessly dominant Shaq, the stern Wolverine forced to ght alongside the jocular Deadpool and Dr. Jekyll coping with Mr. Hyde.

Seeing how these forces interact is endlessly interesting.

erefore, it should be no surprise that the so-called ‘Barbenhimer’ craze became so widely discussed.

You would be hard-pressed to nd two more tonally, artistically and thematically di erent lms. is makes it fun to compare the two features visually, making the subject ripe for internet virality and meme-making.

With all of this being said, which lm is truly superior?

Well, going o the nancial gures, Barbie is the clear front-runner.

Both lms opened on July 21; as of August 13, Barbie grossed $1.18 billion worldwide while Oppenheimer trails only amassing a measly $649 million. Dollar amounts don’t always indicate quality, so further investigation must happen.

Despite their di erences, both lms have very similar strengths.

Both lms have ensemble casts who deliver fantastic performances.

For Barbie, Margot Robbie, Michael Cera and Will Ferrell play their roles well.

Ryan Gosling shines the brightest, in my opinion.

He knocked this one out of the park for someone not mainly known for comedic roles.

Oppenheimer sports memorable performances in its own right from Cillian Murphy, Florence Pugh and Robert Downey Jr.

Not enough people are talking about how good Emily Blunt was as Kitty Oppenheimer.

I bought into the role and felt her acting seriously elevated her character.

One striking aspect of both lms is the colour.

It’s what makes both lms so distinct from one another, and it is something both lms use to create meaning.

In Barbie, the grotesque amount of pink and other bright colours in the Barbie world perfectly matches the inhabitants.

It also serves as a perfect visual contrast to the real world, which Barbie and Ken eventually visit.

For Oppenheimer, the muted tones are apt for the period and the often depressing subject matter.

Of course, more vibrant colors are also apparent throughout the lm, but they become more impactful due to the muted surroundings. While both lms thoroughly entertained me, they both had their own respective aws.

e way the political messaging is presented in Barbie isn’t subtle.

It hits you over the head with ideology, which doesn’t lead to e ective communication with the audience.

e lm also takes this message very seriously, which clashes with

the otherwise laid-back tone of Barbie.

Oppenheimer’s greatest issue is the pacing, speci cally during the lm’s rst half. Characters talk too quickly, their dynamics become confused, and it feels like no scene lasts longer than a minute.

Scenes need time to breathe to enjoy and understand them fully.

e lm’s better second half largely mitigates this issue, but the

pacing is an issue that signi cantly drags down the beginning of Oppenheimer.

So, which lm is better?

Oppenheimer beats out Barbie by a slim margin if you ask me, but that may be due to my preference for the subject matter. All I know for sure is that box o ce numbers and aws be damned, this summer had two blockbusters that genuinely delivered.

Taylor Swi includes Canada in eras tour

JACK VROLYK SUMMER REPORTER

Taylor Swift fans can nally rejoice and shake o their anger as the singer-songwriter nally announces six Toronto shows as a part of her Eras tour.

Swifties can catch her at the Rogers Centre on Nov. 14, 15, 16, 21, 22 and 23 in 2024.

Initially, fans were upset that Canada had been left out entirely of her initial tour date announcement.

Even Prime Minister Justin Trudeau raced over to Twitter to beg Swift to add some Canadian shows.

But why did we get left out in the rst place?

Experts have estimated a variety of reasons for Swift to leave Canada o the initial show run.

Some point to the poor Canadian exchange rate, while others are commenting on the size and availability of Canadian venues, versus that of American venues.

e Rogers Centre in Toronto, where Swift will appear in Nov. 2024, has around 55,000 seats while the SoFi Stadium in Los Angeles holds over 70,000.

On top of this, American venues are much closer together, which allows Swift to do several consecutive shows in several di erent cities.

In Canada, large venues are quite far apart which helps explain both why we were left out initially

and why Toronto is the only Canadian city booking shows.

Ultimately, Taylor Swift doesn’t need Canadian shows for a successful and pro table tour.

While that might be hard to hear for Canadian fans, it’s true.

She can do many more shows with higher capacities if she stays in the U.S.A.

Fortunately for us, Swift decided to include Canada in the tour, and

tickets are nally on sale. But that’s not the end of the story.

Now that fans have convinced her to come to Canada, they must face the next obstacle, getting tickets.

Ticketmaster learned from previous site crashes caused by Taylor Swift ticket sales and is taking a new approach.

When the Canada dates were

announced, fans could register as a “Veri ed Fan” and had the potential to gain access to buy tickets when sales opened on August 9.

Many fans are enlisting the help of family members to register and increase their chances of getting tickets faster.

I even got involved and registered for my partner, but unfortunately, we were both waitlisted.

“ e Ticketmaster system is

always consistently awed, and out of the 20+ people I know personally each of them got waitlisted”, said a frustrated Laurier alumni Amina Chaudhry when asked about getting tickets.

“I know more Americans who got presale codes than Canadians”, said Chaudhry.

As fans air their frustration at the di culty of getting tickets, all they can do is wait and hope.

September events you wont want to miss

BAILEY MCINTYRE ARTS AND LIFE EDITOR

ere’s no better way to be welcomed back to Waterloo than to get involved in the community.

Doors Open Waterloo Region allows the general public to tour historic buildings, landmarks and sites within the Waterloo Region that are not regularly open to the public eye.

From 10 a.m. - 4 p.m. Sept. 16 feel free to explore Waterloo in a way you never have before.

See places such as Waterloo Pioneer Memorial Tower, Globe Studios and Rogers T.V. Channel 20 Studio.

For more information on this event, go to the City of Waterloo website or the Region of Waterloo website and search the Doors Open Waterloo Region page for the full list of 20 vendors.

Interested in learning about the history behind St. Jacobs?

e Historic St. Jacobs Walking Tour guides you through the scenic village of St. Jacobs in 75-90 minutes.

See old landmarks, restaurants, mills and so much more.

is 1.1-kilometre guided walk happens every ursday and Sunday from May to November between the hours of 11 a.m. and 2:30 p.m. depending on which day

you choose. is event is $25 a person and can be booked online on the Stroll Walking Tours website.

For more detailed information on the St. Jacobs Walking Tour, check out Stroll or the Explore Waterloo website. Looking for something to do Saturday, Sept. 23?

e Lumen light festival is the place to be!

Lumen is a free annual festival hosted by Waterloo’s Art and Culture team in Uptown Waterloo. is all-ages event explores light and art in a whole new way.

With over thirty di erent indoor and outdoor light and art creations, the community is encour-

aged to explore the di erent local art displays from 6 p.m. - 11 p.m.

Established in 2018, Lumen festival has collaborated with many di erent artists and companies locally.

e displays range from large art installations to interactive light and visual displays for people of all ages to enjoy.

For more information on the Lumen festival, check out the City of Waterloo website. ere is truly no better start to university or way to get back into the swing of things like getting out in the area you live in.

So grab your family, friends or new roommates and explore Waterloo.

Is Heartstopper Netflix’s best queer show to date?

BRONTE BEHLING

MANAGING EDITOR

After “binging” Heartstopper

Season 1 in under three days, I had been waiting with bated breath for season 2 to drop on Net ix.

So, on Aug. 3, I was ready to break my record by watching the show in two days instead of three. I was successful.

As anyone who watched the rst season will know, Heartstopper is a feel-good series through and through.

Familiar with watching (and reading) queer series that enjoy ripping your heart out, I had expected before watching the rst season that Heartstopper would do the same.

I could not have been more wrong. is trend continues with the show’s second season, each episode masterfully conducted and just the right level of heartwarming.

In the Heartstopper universe, every drama or issue is resolved in a way that feels safe – you never nd yourself wondering if something won’t get worked out in the end.

As a queer person living in a world that doesn’t normally have

that energy, I need that kind of energy when watching a program. roughout the eight-episode season, Nick and Charlie’s relationship progresses realistically – each character facing trials (such as Nick coming out to his father).

Nick and Charlie represent a same-sex relationship that is healthy at its core rather than turbulent, as is common in many other shows and lms.

ey know, through any struggle that they face, that they are stronger together.

Charlie and Nick, despite their age, manage their relationship in a way that is realistic, yet still highlights the shortcomings that come with teenage relationships.

Using Paris as a backdrop to the majority of the season’s episodes lends the show an even more romantic air – it is the city of love, after all.

Another key highlight of this season comes in the portrayal of the friendship/now relationship between Elle and Tao.

Fans will be happy to see these two nally “work it out” as they admit their feelings towards one another and step into a new phase of their relationship.

Further, Tara and Darcy also see more development - Darcy

navigating her relationship with her mother while trying to discover her own identity.

e darker moments in the season, while di cult and emotional for the characters, are handled in a respectful manner. While relationships are focused on throughout the show, friendships are demonstrated to be just as important.

Lastly, I was thrilled to see the progression of Isaac’s character – particularly the way he discovered his asexual identity. It is very rare to see asexual representation in modern media, so seeing it in Heartstopper only adds more credit to the show’s overwhelming impact. If you haven’t watched either season of Heartstopper yet, I highly encourage you to,

even if you do not identify as a part of the LGBTQIA+ community. Watching the show will give you a new perspective on those you know who do identify as part of the community, and the struggles they likely face due to their identity. Net ix has a winner on their hands, and I cannot wait for the third season.

It can’t come soon enough!

I truly love my weird frankenstein degree

JACK VROLYK SUMMER REPORTER

One of my favourite conversations to have with someone I just met is the “What program are you in?” conversation.

e easy answer for me is lm studies, but the real answer gets great reactions.

So, during my rst two years at Laurier, I was actually in the Bachelor of Business Administration (BBA) program at the Lazaridis School of Business and Economics.

en, in between my second and third year, I made a switch into the Bachelor of Arts program with a major in lm studies.

I know, right? You can imagine the kind of replies I get - but they usually sound something like: “Huh, that’s a pretty big change”.

ey’re right, it is!

Now when people hear I spent my rst two years in business school, they usually assume I was pressured into it.

However, that’s not the truth at all. Growing up, I was always good with math, and I also actually ran a small grass cutting business from the ages of 11 to 19.

When I was a kid, I would take around a lawn mower and other equipment and cut lawns in my neighbourhood.

When I was a bit older, I could t everything in my car and pretty soon was working full time in the summer cutting lawns.

On top of math and my business, my dad worked in business, so I was always getting micro business lessons watching commercials or hearing him talk about his job.

is all meant that when it was time to start thinking about university, I naturally gravitated towards business school.

Ultimately, I applied for three business schools in Ontario: Lazaridis at Laurier, Ivey at Western and Schulich at York.

I’m really sorry to admit it, but initially Western was my rst choice.

However, after touring Laurier I fell in love with the school, and it ended up being my rst choice on my applications.

I really liked the campus and the structure of the program felt much better to me.

Luckily, I got into all three of my choices!

It was a pretty easy decision and I committed to Lazaridis.

However, there was a bit of a hiccup in my rst year.

I graduated high school in the class of 2020, which meant my March break ended up lasting all the way to my rst day of university

thanks to the COVID-19 pandemic.

is meant my rst year was fully online and I spent it at home.

I de nitely enjoyed my rst year, but I wasn’t enjoying business as much as I thought I would.

It was fun, but it just simply wasn’t for me.

e classes weren’t what I was expecting, and the math was quickly getting too hard for me.

Did you know at a certain point they add Greek letters into math?

Ridiculous.

at year I also took a lm studies course and quickly realized my dream was to work in lm.

At the end of my rst year, I declared a minor in lm studies and in my second year I started to take more lm courses.

Despite declaring my minor, I was having a hard time taking enough courses because of how the BBA program is structured.

As the year went on, my business grades were slowly dropping while my lm studies grades were consistently high.

One day my friend who was a lm studies major asked me why I didn’t just switch into lm studies, and I couldn’t come up with a good answer.

At the end of my second year, I made the switch and my third year I was a full-time lm studies major.

I took all lm studies courses

that year, and as of writing this, I am on track to graduate after the 2024 winter semester.

While my time at Laurier will leave me with two half degrees, I’m really happy with how it all worked out.

e rst two years of the BBA program cover the basics of business, while the last two years of the lm studies program cover analysis and theory.

What this all means is that I have a really interesting mixture of knowledge that I rmly believe will suit me well.

A lot of lm is business.

You must budget and hire and market and so many other things,

which I learned to do in my time at Lazaridis.

If you take anything away from this, let it be that it’s perfectly ne to change your mind about your future.

Passions change all the time, and in my case following my passions led me to some great opportunities.

Even now I can feel my passions continue to change.

I have no idea what I’ll want to do in ten years, and I think that is incredibly exciting.

So, if you also have a “frankenstein degree”, take comfort - you are far from alone, and university is for exploration of interests.

If you hate reading, this is for you

BAILEY MCINTYRE ARTS AND LIFE EDITOR

Reading isn’t for everyone.

However, even those who don’t enjoy reading must concede that some of the best movies only became acclaimed due to the original novels.

Here are some of the best movie adaptations that will feel the same as reading the novels.

If you want some classic literature, Little Women is an excellent choice.

Originally written by Louisa May Alcott, this novel follows four sisters and their bond as they navigate growing up and coming into their own.

If you enjoy coming-of-age stories, but the book on your shelf is too dusty to pick up, grab your T.V. remote instead.

First written in 1868, this novel has remained relevant in contemporary society due to the way in which love within the story is portrayed in a romantic and sisterly way.

is novel also challenges the idea of women in the workforce, and the idea of putting yourself rst over romantic love.

With the most recent adaptation of this movie being in 2019, directed by Greta Gerwig, there’s

no doubt its in uence will be everlasting.

Starring actors and actresses such as Florence Pugh, Saoirse Ronan, Emma Watson and Timothee Chalamet, this movie will make you feel as if you have read its source material.

If sci- is more your speed, Dune by Frank Herbert is a great

pick. His novel was rst published in 1965 and caught many readers’ attention immediately with a complex fantasy world for readers to build upon in their minds.

So much attention was drawn to this book that they tried to make a movie adaptation of it in the 1980s, but it didn’t manage to do as well as the book.

However, in 2021, Dune had a resurgence with the rst movie starring Zendaya and Timothee Chalamet. e movie manages to avoid some of the drawn-out politics that are presented in the beginning of the novel, which make the movie more appealing.

In addition, the visual world building of the movie is almost

exactly as explained in the novel. e story of Paul Atreides and Chani is what this series is all about, and there is no better time to get into this series.

It’s time to sit down and start a movie marathon; what do you look for?

e Harry Potter movies are just the right choice.

When J.K. Rowling wrote the rst novel in 1997, she created a world not just for readers, but one that was perfect for the big screen.

e novel series has seven books total following Harry from the muggle world to the wizarding world with all kinds of challenges along the way alongside help from his two friends, Hermione and Ron.

If seven novels seem too daunting for you, the movies are the place to go. e sets are stunning, and the soundtrack is amazing. ere are so many people that watch these movies every year and never read the books; there’s nothing wrong with joining them!

Now that we’ve determined reading isn’t for everyone, just relax, ick on these movies, and tell your friends about the novels as if you read them.

If they haven’t read them either, they’ll never know the di erence! Happy watching (or reading).

Back to Campus Word Scramble

• Arts

• Concourse

• Laurier

• Orientation

• Waterloo

• Business

• Cord

• Midas

• Peters

• Wilfrid

• Campus

• Golden

• Music

• Science

• Wilfs

Sudoku

If you’re reading these words, my rst print edition as Editor in Chief of e Cord has come out (and I’m likely doing a happy dance somewhere).

As any former Editor in Chief will likely tell you, the September issue of e Cord is the most stressful one of the entire year.

With a new sta and volunteer base, ensuring that everyone gets their work in on time can be a challenge.

After nishing it and looking at a beautiful and (hopefully) organized folder of PDF’d and edited pages, you really do feel as if you have climbed a mountain.

Taking on this role, I wanted to leave my mark on e Cord - do something new, add a new angle.

From the very rst time I picked up e Cord on campus as a scared and overworked rst-year student, I knew this paper contributed something special to the Laurier community.

Whether you’re completely lost on campus, struggling connecting with your peers or already (somehow) perfectly acclimating to life at Laurier, reading e Cord can assist in making you feel more connected to your campus community.

One of the most unique aspects about Laurier (in my opinion) is that it is a small campus - no matter what program you are in, we are all tied to one another in some way. is can be useful, and terrifying (especially if you happen to date and then subsequently split up with another Golden Hawk).

Overall, I think it’s a beautiful thing, and the multitude of friends I have made in di erent programs over my time at Laurier I still cher-

ish to this day.

So, as you step onto campus and get acquainted with all of the goings on at Laurier, I can only give you one piece of advice - cherish every moment you have here.

As a recent graduate, I can assure you that the time you spend slaving towards getting your degree goes WAY too quickly - before you know it, you could be like me, staying back for an extra year to stay close to a community I have come to love dearly.

Waterloo isn’t such a bad city to be in (most of the time) - as you nd your way around campus and “lay claim” to your favourite spots (mine personally was a speci c desk on the fth oor of the library), make sure to make a mental note of every moment you spend on campus.

With that, make sure you (unlike me) branch out a bit more and try new study spaces when you can all around campus.

In my opinion, I was far too quick to go and study in my room instead of staying on campus when I didn’t have to be - this is, honestly, one of my regrets as a new graduate. Don’t make my same mistakes! Good luck, new and returning Golden Hawks - let’s start the year o with a bang!

Learning and growing as a seasoned queer individual

stay for an hour maximum, I was surprised and happy to nd that I nearly immediately felt accepted and included in the group.

BRONTE BEHLING EDITOR-IN-CHIEF

As a not-so-recently-anointed queer person (I came out at 15 years old), it has only been this year that I have really “explored” what it means to be a queer individual navigating life.

is is especially complicated, given I have grown up in a society that still is (for the most part) heteronormative.

As much as I love and adore my friends, I realized that none of them really “get” my experience trying to date and navigate the world as someone who does not t under the “straight” label.

While I know they love and accept me, there are still some things about me that I know they will never truly grasp due to their own lived experiences.

So, ready to “get out there” and nd some other queer folks in the region, I joined the “KW Gays & eys” group on Instagram.

Co-led by someone I have worked with at e Cord in past years, I didn’t feel as tentative as I expected to feel when I pulled up to their rst event – a potluck.

Originally having planned to

For once in my life, I didn’t feel like I had to appear “smaller” in some way or worry about letting something slip about my identity.

ere was an immediate feeling of inclusivity for everyone there.

Emboldened by this experience, I started journalling more about my experiences as a queer individual, and how to grapple with the loneliness I feel sometimes.

I do believe that this is not an isolated experience – being fearful that someone could learn about your identity and not accept you for who you are is a true reality for many.

Luckily, there are numerous online communities for LGBTQIA+ individuals - anonymous safe spaces where members of the community can share their stories. is is especially important for those who feel as if they cannot come out in a safe manner.

Having these anonymous communities can be life-saving.

I am fortunate in the sense that I am both white, cisgender and “straight passing” - many are still shocked to learn that I identify as a queer person.

Due to my privileges, I recognize that I hold a very unique experi-

ence of “queerness.”

Many are not as lucky as I am.

As the fall kicks o (and I continue to attend more queer events), I nally feel as if I have unlocked a part of my queer experience that had been cut o from me before.

It is a beautiful feeling to have, and I encourage anyone else who is in the community to try attending a local LGBTQIA+ event in your area.

You never know.

Like me, you may unlock a part of yourself that you didn’t realize was hidden before.

We all deserve an opportunity to be truly seen for who we are.

If you’re scared to come out, I understand you.

Being seen can be scary.

In addition, if you would not be safe coming out due to your living situation or other factors, being in the closet is safer.

In these cases, I understand that the constant push in modern day to come out can be overwhelming.

Coming out with your own LGBTQIA+ experiences is your own journey to navigate.

I have been fortunate enough to be supported, and many are not so fortunate.

Do you, come out when you want to, and don’t let anyone tell you how to live your own queer experience.

Back to school woes pressuring students

ABIGAIL DOMBROVSKY OPINION EDITOR

Back-to-school is all the buzz, but is it more of a concept upheld by capitalist culture as opposed to honest feelings towards an upcoming endeavour?

Companies can’t seem to let the remaining warm summer months zzle out organically before unveiling their obstructive eye-sore adverts exclaiming that you need the next best thing to help you prepare for the new school year to get ahead of your peers.

In recent times, the “back-toschool” season has taken on a new dimension, often characterized by the persistent sense of FOMO and anxiety.

e traditional excitement of fresh notebooks and renewed friendships now seems overshadowed by overly enthusiastic messages feeding into material wants & trendy needs.

While it’s seemingly important to be on top of it all and well-informed, the increasingly persistent and frankly, overhyped culture surrounding the return to school warrants a critical examination.

Although starting a new school year, and perhaps a new school entirely, can evoke feelings of excitement and stress, there is no need to apply more pressure on students who are more impressionable when feeling anxious.

Students should feel prepared – not like they are facing unrealistic expectations regarding their performance and worth.

Fear is a powerful emotion, and a powerful tool.

Fear can prompt individuals into making hasty decisions, often

dictating their next moves and planting cryptic seeds into their subconscious.

Media headlines and sensationalized adverts can inadvertently play on these fears, often creating the very insecurity companies wish to capitalize on.

As a result, students (and parents!), nd themselves navigating an already stressful season with heightened anxiety and pressure.

Not only regarding their identity, but also their ability to perform on their A-game.

Social pressures and the FOMO are conjured up, with the solution being manifested and marketed into a physical form, packaged as “that thing you really need to get ahead of your classmates” or “the back to school look you need to feel your best”.

e fear-based narrative surrounding the return to school can also have broader societal implications.

It can foster divisiveness, with di ering opinions on how to handle the situation causing friction between parents, educators, and policymakers.

is undermines the collaborative spirit necessary for creating a fun, functional and e ective learning environment.

While it’s undeniable that the back-to-school mantra can be received positively, as everyone experiences life through their own perspective, there is also another side of the story that hopes to paint the narrative of September through a lens of peace by adopting a more balanced approach to the season that will lead students into the new year.

is time, with a healthier mind-

set mitigating a sense of dread. e back-to-school culture need not be dominated by fearmongering, or identity crisis, rather by critically evaluating information, fostering open communication, and emphasizing the positive aspects of being whole as an individual and having enough.

Highlighting abundance in life helps account for items we already have, so that we don’t purchase things or feed into products we easily don’t need.

We can create a more constructive and informed approach to this annual transition.

Let’s replace undue FOMO with a collective determination to ensure safe, enriching, and enjoyable learning experiences for all.

Returning to school is often viewed as a stressor regardless of academic intelligence.

Our technology has advanced

over these past few years. It has enhanced the learning experience but has also created many new challenges that new students are bound to face.

e reliance and need for technology and digital platforms have increased.

is has lead to overwhelmed yet under-helped students.

While some may excel with online work, the pressure to stay updated with the latest technology, newest stationery, gadgets can make many people, particularly those from struggling households.

Getting back into the swing of structured socializing, being connected, managing online and in person schedules all while trying to navigate through numerous new applications can cause anxiety with students.

Back-to-school advertisements aggressively aunting the new best

thing, out t, rebrand for the school year may not sit well with students who are struggling nancially, let alone be able to start a new chapter while creating new connections online.

e continuous cycle of students leaving a semester behind only to start a new one can create a sense of perpetual motion.

is leaves students with no time to catch their breath before taking on the next academic challenge. is feeling is further intensi ed by persistent advertising, bombarding students with messages about the latest technology, backto-school sales and the need to stay in the loop.

e in ux of advertisements, spanning across di erent platforms, from TV to social media only reinforces the idea that the academic stress never truly leaves. It doesn’t have to be that way.

Hustle culture: take a breath, you’re ok

BRONTE BEHLING

EDITOR-IN-CHIEF

In the past, I admit that I have been a victim of “hustle culture.”

is impacted me primarily in my rst year of university at Laurier.

Upon stepping onto campus as an o cial Golden Hawk for the rst time, I was immediately dedicated to taking part in everything the school had to o er.

is began, of course, with the clubs fair.

I put my name on EVERY list.

Clearly, there was no way that I would run out of time in a day.

OF COURSE I was fully dedicated to attending every club meeting for the 7+ clubs I signed up for. is, as you can imagine, didn’t go to plan.

No matter how much I “hustled”, there simply were not enough hours in a day to do everything I wanted.

At rst, I felt guilty – this must mean my study schedule isn’t intense enough.

Even though I was taking a full

course load, I didn’t understand that my brain needed downtime.

Not just from school, but also from everything else.

While participating in a bunch of clubs can be fun, it can also leave you incredibly burnt out.

As an introvert, needless to say I burnt out pretty quickly.

Don’t get me wrong – I love being social.

I love seeing my friends, going out and doing other activities.

However, doing that every day is too much.

In addition, I’ll be the rst to admit that I’m a bit of a Grandma –I enjoy my 10 p.m. bedtime, okay? Without it, I can’t fully function.

Taking these factors into mind, I began to forgive myself more often when it came to upholding “hustle culture” - who was I trying to impress, anyway?

Now, I like to think that I have a healthy work/life balance (...most of the time).

I have my working hours, log o (usually) right at 5 p.m., and go on with my evening.

Of course, this isn’t always

realistic.

ere are weeks where I nd myself laying in bed at 1 a.m., worrying about work or other life factors. While I know logically that there’s no way for me to x these issues at that time, my brain loves to worry.

It thrives when worrying.

While taking an SSRI has helped with some of these worrying and ultra productive “hustle culture” tendencies, I’m far from being able to categorize myself as “laid-back’.

To manage things, I’ve tried to start journaling. Surprisingly, this has worked.

You may (like I did), believe that journalling is an unproductive task - what’s the point of writing things out, anyway?

Writing them down, as I’ve learned, helps stop them from constantly repeating in your mind.

So, if you’re like me, don’t worry. e most we can do is pace ourselves – some days, we may get nothing done. And that’s okay. So, don’t let “hustle culture” burn you out – take a breath, shut o your laptop, and walk away.

The return of the book: why I love to read

JACK VROLYK SUMMER REPORTER

When I was a kid, I absolutely loved reading. I would get in trouble for reading in class when I was supposed to be paying attention.

Growing up with a mom who worked at an independent bookstore meant I was able to get the new releases as soon as they came out, and it was easy for me to get any book I wanted to read.

Of course, like any reader, I always had a big pile of “to-be-read’ books.

However, I always loved the ones I would read and I was always looking for my next book.

When it came to my favourite books as a kid, there was one name that stood above everyone else. at author’s name, for me and many other kids, was Rick Riordan.

I adored Percy Jackson and the Olympians growing up, and was super proud to have a signed copy of e Red Pyramid.

I read all the extra books, waited eagerly for the Heroes of Olympus series and, like everyone else, hated the movies.

Once again, a book to lm adaptation fails us all.

While my favourite genre was always fantasy, I inherited my mom’s love for the Little House on the Prairie series. is lead to me re-reading them about three times.

When I got to high school, my

love for reading went with me.

I was a pretty anxious teenager, so I always had a book on me to take my mind o of things.

Despite my long-held love for books, the truth is that as I got older, I simply read less.

By the end of high school, I was so focused on my grades that reading felt like work to me.

In university, you have to read so much for class that reading was even further out of my mind.

By the time I nished my work, the last thing I wanted to do was read.

Camping was the only time I would revert back to my old ways of reading.

Every summer I would take a few books while camping for a few days, and would return with at least one of them completely nished.

Fortunately, I wasn’t tired of reading forever.

My partner, Amina, is an insane reader.

I feel like every time I see her reading, she’s reading something di erent, and it blows my mind.

I mentioned to her during the last winter semester that I wanted to get more into reading, and she quickly gave me her copy of e Picture of Dorian Gray by Oscar Wilde with instructions to read it over reading week.

Once I got started, I immediately got sucked in. e book is a complex read, but not a di cult read.

Further, every time you reread it, you can nd new details. is, as many will agree I’m sure, proves that classic literature is worth getting through.

While I’m a slow reader, I steadily made my way through it and thoroughly enjoyed it.

Finally, I’m back into reading. All it took was one incredible book. Further, having a very support-

ive partner pursuing a master’s degree in literature helps a lot. As of writing this, I’m making my way through Strangers on a Train by Patricia Highsmith.

It’s a really interesting thriller and even has an Alfred Hitchcock adaptation. While many people have endless to-read lists, I have a fairly consistent list to pick from (for now). On my to-read list I have

Phantom of the Opera and some classic science ction. Further, I’m nally going to catch up on all the Rick Riordan books.

Don’t get me wrong, I still have a ways to go.

I like reading again, but getting started can be a bit tricky for me. Once I take my ADHD medication and put down my Switch, I start reading like crazy.

FILE PHOTO

Golden hawks prepare for epic homecoming

As Sept. 23 approaches, Laurier is buzzing with excitement for the Homecoming football game. e matchup between the Laurier Golden Hawks and the McMaster Marauders begins at 1:00 p.m. at University Stadium.

e event promises a great day of erce rivalry and intense competition. In the 2022 season,the Hawks displayed strengths and areas for improvement. Laurier accomplished an impressive 4th place nish in the OUA with 235 points, showcasing their determination and skill as they advanced to the playo s.

However, McMaster ended 8th in the OUA with 150 points, indicating their capacity for unpredictability. Nevertheless, the homecoming spirit is not solely based on athletic rivalry - it’s also a chance to interact with new and old peers, form new friendships and immerse yourself in the lively

community that distinguishes Laurier. It’s more than a football game, as the event brings together Grads, present students and newcomers. Homecoming and its accompanying festivities display remarkable school spirit, as supporters unite to create a vibrant sea of the university’s purple and gold colours in the stands. For rst year students, Homecoming isn’t merely a football game, it’s their introduction to Laurier tradition.

e event serves as a segue for new students seeking to immerse themselves in campus life. Kicking o the Fall 2023 school year, this is a starting point for newcomers to become familiar with Golden Hawk university culture and integrate into the social and sports community. e electric atmosphere at the stadium fosters a sense of community, creating space for new students to join forces in showcasing their pride.

Tickets for the lively matchup are available for purchase online.

Soccer icons take pitch one last time

NATASHA GIANNANTONIO SPORTS EDITOR

For women’s soccer, making it to the World Cup is a dream come true. e dream could not be possible without trailblazing women ghting for their place on the world stage, equal opportunities, and fair pay.

e 2023 World Cup in Australia and New Zealand could be the last time viewers and competitors see generational athletes like Marta and Christine Sinclair brand their nation on their chests.

Marta, Brazil’s all-time leading scorer, clawed her way to the top of the soccer spotlight. One simply cannot miss her on the eld as her energy, prowess, and deep red lipstick shine. Some speculated wearing number 10, made iconic from Pele, would intimidate her, however, she quickly proved her ability to thrive under pressure.

Making her rst World Cup debut in 2003, her long and successful career has not come without setbacks and di culties. Like many women’s teams, the Brazilian team was underfunded and neglected, their federation opting to pour their resources into the men’s program where greats like Neymar and Pele were taking centre stage.

In a country where women previously were banned from playing soccer, to the 2016 Rio Olympics where the men’s side disappointed while the women’s team dominated, “Marta Mania” emerged as fans

ATHLETICS

scratched Neymar’s name from the back of their jerseys and wrote Marta’s instead.

Brazil’s Group Stage exit marks their earliest since 1995, and Marta’s last dance on the international stage.

Perhaps the greatest soccer player of all time, she made an impactful last speech touching the hearts of many viewers, regardless of gender and age.

“When I started playing, I

didn’t have an idol, a female idol. You guys didn’t show any female games,” Marta said. “How was I supposed to understand that I could arrive at a national team and become a reference?”

For Canadians, Sinclair is a household name. She made her international debut at just 16 years old, and now at 40, rumours speculate this could be her last World Cup. Sinclair rose to stardom through

her unbelievable talent and strength, her 185 international goals to prove it. As Canada bowed out in the Group Stage after a 4-0 loss to co-hosts Australia, her legacy certainly will carry on.

As the women’s national team ghts in an ongoing battle with Canada Soccer, the captain found herself using her voice to advocate for women’s soccer.

e team states they have had to cut training camp days, and even resort to cutting the number of players and sta at events.

Sinclair added the irritation brewing from players to the federation: “ e amount of attention that our men’s national team gets relative to what the women have gotten given our level of success, it’s frustrating.” Outside of the legal issues, Sinclair’s humility, leadership, and technical ability with the ball inspires youth in Canada.

While mentioning her successes in her speeches after winning awards, she makes sure to always mention the new generation of Canadian soccer players.

“I hope it inspires young girls around the world to chase their dreams and lets them know that anything is possible.” For the next generation who might never get the chance to see Marta or Sinclair play, their names and legacies will live on to show youth the importance of being passionate about the game they love and that impossible is just a word.

2023 fall semester o erings from the Wilfrid Laurier athletics department

ABRAHAM

MANAGING EDITOR

As another semester dawns over the mystical land of Laurier, students are encouraged to get active and take advantage of the o erings provided by Laurier Athletics. With so many o erings, deciding which direction to go can be challenging.

Here’s a breakdown to simplify some of what’s being o ered this year at Laurier’s Waterloo campus. It may be a pleasant surprise for rst-year students to learn that several facilities are complimentary.

Laurier students with a OneCard

can work out in the tness centre, participate in open gym drop-ins, partake in lane swims, reserve a studio or MPR space and reserve squash courts without charge (however, the squash courts charge a rental fee of $2.75 for rackets and a purchasing fee of $7 for balls if one requires them).

e Athletic Complex o ers several other services that require additional fees, including a climbing wall. Single-day drop-in passes are available at laurierathletics. com/shop and the Hawk Desk for $5. e wall begins operations on

Sept. 19.

Customizable adult swimming lessons to t the needs of participants are also available. All lessons are an hour long, with a private lesson costing $37, while ve are $180. Interested parties should contact amandakelly@wlu. ca to schedule a class and arrange payment. Standard rst aid and CPR courses are also o ered at the Athletic Complex. It is a course intended for those who require an in-depth understanding of rst aid and is recognized by the WSIB.

is class satis es requirements for the Ontario Public Pools regulation. e course fee is $110, and the required manual is $20. All courses run from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.

Another interesting o er to check out is from the Athletic Centres’ dance program. e sta plans to teach group classes a new portion of a dance every week for each term. is culminates with the term showcase, where the dance will be publicly performed. e rst week of dance class is free, so there’s no harm in giving it a

whirl.

Regardless of your experience, all students can try out for sports teams including hockey, basketball, golf and lacrosse. While none are excluded from the open tryouts, registration is required with a fee of $25. Some registrations may already be closed, but keep an eye out; new sports will be having tryouts as the semester progresses. For more information about the athletic centre, check out their website (https://laurierathletics. com/) and Instagram (@wluathletics) for updates.

SADIYA TEEPLE - LEAD PHOTOGRAPHER

AMICHAI

BRONTE BEHLING/EDITOR-IN-CHIEF

When I started playing, I didn’t have an idol, a femal idol.

- Marta Sinclair, Brazillian Soccer Player.