Volume 72, Issue 16 by Daniel St. Jules

Volume 72, Issue Issue 16 16 Jan. 12 12–25, 2–25, 2 2012 012

The best of the best pp. 20–21 INSIDE: Moves like Philly, p. 9 Got grad school on the brain?, pp.14–15

EDITOR-IN-CHIEF Mercedes Mueller | editor@thefulcrum.ca | (613) 562-5261

LETTERS

Call to action Re: “What do you mean I don’t qualify?” (Opinions, Dec. 8)

Great Careers don’t just happen

KATHERINE DECLERQ’S DEC. 8 oped, “What do you mean I don’t qualify?”, hit the nail on the head on the topic of the Liberal government’s tuition fee promise. The election promise of a 30 per cent reduction in tuition fees certainly appealed to a lot of students, and the unfortunate reality is that Premier

McGuinty isn’t keeping his promise. Instead, the provincial government will be implementing a yearly tuition grant for eligible students every year. The catch is that only about one-third of students will be eligible. If you’re part time, if you’re a second-entry student, if you’re out-of-province, if you’re an international student, a graduate student, or if you aren’t a “dependent,” you won’t be eligible. Tuition fees are expected to rise

– they’re

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again this year, forcing many students to take on even more debt, and this in Ontario—the province that already has the highest tuition fees in the country— where the average student graduates from a four-year degree $37,000 in debt. Th is is the reason the Student Federation of the University of Ottawa (SFUO) is organizing a rally for the National Day of Action on Tuition Fees on Feb. 1. Every student deserves an affordable education. Education is a right. On Feb. 1, students will be marching from Morisset Terrace to Parliament Hill to demand the federal government earmark funds to reduce tuition fees. Students from Carleton University will be joining us, and students across Canada will be taking action on the same day. The SFUO recently won the right to academic amnesty for the day of action, which means that your professors are not allowed to schedule midterms or take attendance on the day, so there won’t be any barriers to you attending. Ms. DeClerq is right that it seems as if the government doesn’t think students will notice when promises are broken, when our tuition fees go up every year while our classes get larger. We can prove them wrong by taking to the streets on Feb. 1. Everyone is encouraged to join us at 10:30 a.m. that day on Morisset Terrace, and demand the government ensure affordable, high-quality post-secondary education for everyone in Canada. And if you’re interested in getting involved in the campaign, join us at 6 p.m. every Thursday in Café Alt to help with the planning, to volunteer, or just learn more. I look forward to seeing you on Feb. 1. Liz Kessler Vice President, University Affairs Student Federation of the University of Ottawa

Open letter to Allan Rock DEAR MR. ROCK, Th is letter seeks to reaffi rm the urgent need for a new building for the students of the Faculty of Health Sciences, 40 per cent of whom are students in the nursing program. We are concerned by the University of Ottawa administration’s inaction in view of this space problem with which we have been faced for several years. Our student population is scattered across the campus and this situation has continued for several years. Th is not only affects our student population’s sense of belonging, but it infringes upon the principles of interprofessional train-

ing. It also makes access to University of Ottawa services difficult for undergraduates, services for which all of us pay. Furthermore, we have noticed major disparities with regard to the student experience and the opportunities offered to students in our program. These disparities are, for the most part, caused by a difference in service accessibility and proximity. Th is difference is so obvious that it cannot be passed over in silence. As nursing students, we are losing significant time travelling between the different campuses. It is obvious that this lost time negatively affects our academic performance, our quality of life at the university, and our ability to participate in student life. Several times per week, we must travel to the laboratories on the Lees campus. The physical environment of these new laboratories leaves much to be desired. For example, the tap water in this building is not even potable. There is even a sign above the water fountain discouraging us from drinking this water. How is it that, in 2012, the University of Ottawa has water that is not even potable in one of its buildings? How do you explain such a situation when the student experience is likely one of your main concerns? During this period of intense recruiting, we are dismayed by the messages being conveyed by the University of Ottawa with regard to undergraduate health sciences programs. These messages are inconsistent with our student reality and speak of an environment that is not ours. We must admit that this form of recruiting is unethical and that, given the facts, future students will not have access to adequate workspaces, academic and administrative services in proximity to their classrooms, a rewarding student experience, and full status at the University of Ottawa. In short, these new students, like us, will not have a building on the main campus and will have to grapple with the feeling of being second-class students. In conclusion, we truly hope that future nursing students will not have to feel isolated from other University of Ottawa students or deprived of academic and administrative services in one way or another. We hope that they will enjoy a new state-of-the-art building that will reinforce their sense of belonging with their student population and adhere to the principles of interprofessional training. Luc Cormier President of the Undergraduate Nursing Students’ Association

What’s behind the walls

Looking inside the new social sciences building on campus

Stop the Creeps!

New MTV show looks at how we portray ourselves online

When four years just ain’t enough 14–15 The grad school application process

New in the Garnet and Grey

Men’s and women’s basketball get early recruits

Liver for sale!

Arguing the organ trade Advertising Department Deidre Butters, Advertising Representative email: ads@thefulcrum.ca Check out our rate card online. Go to www. thefulcrum.ca and follow the link for “Advertisers.” Multi-market advertisers: Campus Plus: (800) 265-5372 Campus Plus offers one-stop shopping for over 90 Canadian student newspapers. The Fulcrum is a proud member of Canadian University Press: www.cup.ca

Board of Directors The Fulcrum, the University of Ottawa’s independent, English-language student newspaper, is published by the Fulcrum Publishing Society (FPS) Inc., a not-for-profit corporation whose members consist of all University of Ottawa students. The Board of Directors (BOD) of the FPS governs all administrative and business actions of the Fulcrum. BOD members include Andrew Hawley (President), Devanne O’Brien (Vice President), Des Fisher (Chair), Ben Myers (Vice President Internal Communications), Matthew Conley, Ben Mitchell, Alex Smyth, Sameena Topan, and Naushin Vighio. To contact the BOD, email board@thefulcrum.ca. To contact the FPS ombudsman regarding the Fulcrum’s editorial practices, please email ombudsman@ thefulcrum.ca. The ombudsman is an impartial party not employed by the corporation who has the power to investigate and pursue a resolution on your behalf.

A test? But it’s the first week back! Think you know what went down in 2011? Check out our online quiz and editorial this week at Thefulcrum.ca

NEWS EDITOR Jane Lytvynenko | news@thefulcrum.ca | (613) 562-5260

Social sciences under one roof

LEED at the University of Ottawa THE LEADERSHIP IN Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) is a rating system for judging green construction projects. Buildings are given a total of 100 possible points assessing the sustainability of the chosen site, water efficiency, energy and atmosphere impact, materials and resources used, quality of indoor environment, and 10 bonus points for innovative design and regional priority. The number of achieved points gives the structure a grade: Certified: 40–49 Silver: 50–59 Gold 60–79 Platinum: 79+

BEFORE AND AFTER New building on campus will be picture-perfect by spring photo left by Alessandro Seccareccia; right courtesy Diamond Schmitt Architects

Environmental focus for project addressing capacity issues Christopher Radojewski | Fulcrum Staff

THE NEW $112.5-million social sciences building, towering above the University of Ottawa campus, is nearing completion. Funded by federal and provincial governments and the university, the tower addresses capacity problems at the university while implementing sustainable and environmental initiatives. Capacity for social sciences The renovations to the Vanier building and the construction of the building will add 220,000 square metres to accommodate the rapid growth the U of O has experienced over the past 10 years. The 15-storey structure, which has yet to be named, aims to serve approximately 8,000 undergraduate and graduate students and 250 faculty members. In 2002, the University of Ottawa had a total of 26,000 undergraduate and graduate students attending. There are now 42,000 students, 2,300 faculty members, and 3,000 administration staff that occupy the university. “The tremendous growth that we’ve had in numbers, in research activities, and intensity of activities has meant that the university has gone beyond visions of 20 years ago,” said Claudio Brun del Re, director of the Physical Resources Services, who oversees all infrastructure projects for the university. “We are required to go higher to make more intense development.” The Faculty of Social Sciences has grown to 10,000 students, experiencing the most

growth within the university. “We are now the largest faculty on campus,” said Marcel Mérette, dean of the Faculty of Social Sciences. “We represent almost 25 per cent of the students at the University of Ottawa. We have around 250 professors … in nine units, so it’s a huge faculty. It has grown a lot in the last five to six years.” Physical Resources Services’ ongoing goal has been to group the departments of each faculty together under one roof. “It has been a big moment for the Faculty of Social Sciences,” said Mérette. “The faculty has existed for more that 55 years now and it will be the first time in the history of the faculty that all the units of the faculty would be together in the same building. The opportunity to have everyone under the same roof will be huge. “More and more research is interdisciplinary,” he added. “You need to develop the interactions among different disciplines to be creative. I think having the faculty together will facilitate this kind of experience.” Time and money The project was unveiled in May 2009, when the federal and provincial governments announced they would contribute a total of $80 million, making it one of the largest investments in the U of O’s history. The project was designed to help create jobs lost amidst the global financial crisis in 2008. The funding was made in conjunction with similar investments to infrastructure at Carleton University and Algonquin College, and the projects were originally scheduled for completion in September 2011. The project experienced delays in construction when unexpected soil conditions were found that would have made the building unstable and forced foundation designs to be adjusted. With wet weather delaying the project further, the deadline and budget had to be adjusted. “We are currently still on budget,” said

Brun del Re. “The project was delayed and there is a cost to that—that was absorbed within the contingencies of the project. However, there have been additional delays and we are not sure yet of the impact. I do expect some modest increases but it should be fairly close.” The tower is expected to be finished in the spring, with classes held in the building by September 2012. “We are looking at May or June for substantial completion,” said Brun del Re. “We expect to move in over the summer. It is critical for us to get the classrooms. [The delay] is disappointing, but at the same time things happen, and I think people will be really impressed with the quality.” Environmental and sustainable focus The university approached the new project with an emphasis on making the building sustainable and environmentally conscious—the main goal is energy conservation. The target is for the tower to be a Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) gold-certified building, while the Vanier renovation seeks to be LEED silver-certified. This focus allowed the university to not only bring in innovative initiatives, but also save money in the long term. “The university has [limited] resources that it can in fact use, [like] electricity,” said Jonathan Rausseo, sustainable development manager at the U of O’s Campus Sustainability Office. “Once we surpass that we have to go and buy millions of dollars of equipment to bring in a new feeder-line for electricity.” The main feature of energy reduction in the tower will be using the heat from the data centre—a room holding multiple servers and processors—to heat the building. This is done by piping water through the centre and distributing it around the building. Eighty to 90 per cent of the time, the building will not need additional heat.

Ninety-five per cent of spaces will be lit by natural light to reduce the amount of time electric lights are needed. The building will also have a six-storey living wall in the main atrium to filter the air. “It is basically a wall of plants,” said Rausseo. “The roots of the plants are exposed to a hydroponic system and we shove all the building’s ventilation through those roots and it cleans the air inside the building. This means we don’t even have to do any humidifying. That is going to [show] everyone that this in fact is a ‘green’ building.” Areas like the atrium will also provide students spaces; the vision for the tower is to create an open and inviting area for visitors. “One of the key ways in which we approach a project is to look at specific conditions around this project,” said Sarah Low, associate at Diamond Schmitt Architects, the company that designed the tower and renovations. “We had to fit a significant amount of programs on to this site. We wanted to position the building so it was accessible to the whole campus, and not just limited to the Faculty of Social Sciences ... I think that the public spaces, including the main atrium space, are going to be very interesting.” The new tower will also be outfitted with three green roofs, tunnel systems that will share heat with other buildings, and environmentally friendly furniture. Food Services tendered a food provider for the building within environmental and sustainable guidelines. The parking lot that existed before construction will instead be replaced with a courtyard, park, or piazza. “With this building we are displacing parking,” said Rausseo. “There will be a couple of spaces for people with mobility issues, priority parking for people who are carpooling, and a ton of bike racks.” f

In 2008, the University of Ottawa’s Campus Sustainability Office pledged all new and retrofitted buildings would achieve Silver rating or higher. What makes it green? Green wall (also called a living wall). One huge wall of the atrium will be entirely covered with vegetation and act as a natural air filter. Heat recovery ventilation system Even with the green wall, some ventilation is needed, but exchanging warm indoor air with cold outdoor air (or vice versa) is a waste of energy. By processing the air before it leaves or enters the building, the ventilation system will keep 90 per cent of its heat. Green roofs Three of the roofs will be covered in growth. This follows a strong tradition: The Colonel By building, built 40 years ago, was one of the first green roofs on a Canadian campus. Data furnace The tower is designed to receive 80 per cent of its heat from local campus computers. Natural light Only five per cent of the tower will require lighting. The rest will be naturally lit. —Tyler Shendruk

Students will be able to see the completed building in spring 2012.

6 | news

thefulcrum.ca | Jan. 12–25, 2012

PIDSSA organizes Model Parliament Participation at an all-time high Jane Lytvynenko | Fulcrum Staff

MEET SHANE MACKENZIE, leader of the Ideological Pragmatist Party and a prime minister who likes to dream big. As stated in his party’s platform, “This party looks at big moments in Canadian history and says, ‘Yeah we could do that, but bigger.’” On Jan. 20–22, the Ideological Pragmatist and four other parties will be sitting in the Parliamentary Senate Chamber for the 11th official U of O Model Parliament, organized by the Political, International, and Development Studies Student Association (PIDSSA). Model Parliament seeks to recreate what usually takes place in the House of Commons. Participants will be debating bills and motions, holding question period, and sitting in caucus meetings. “It’s a great event to give students an understanding of what really goes on in Parliament,” said Elliott Lockington, PIDSSA vp academic affairs and organizer of Model Parliament. “They can really learn to appreciate the hard work the members of the House are doing.” This year, all 108 seats in the Senate Chamber were taken within record time—72 hours after registration opened.

next stop Jane Lytvynenko News Editor

What are you trying to resolve anyway? LET’S FACE IT: Not many people follow through on their New Year’s resolutions. Whether it’s to lose weight or get better grades, chances are you’ll forget everything you hope to do by February. Nonetheless, below are a few resolutions I’d like certain

Lockington said the interest in Model Parliament grew significantly. So many students signed up that a waiting list had to be created. “We’re limited by the number of seats in the Senate, so we can only have 108 participants,” he said. “Usually it takes quite a few weeks [to fill the seats up]. In the week following registration we had up to 175 people who signed up for [the waiting list].” Although nine parties were registered originally, organizers had to narrow the number down to five. “When the people put together their political parties, they had to come up with platform ideas, general foundation of what the party was about, and that was all done online,” he explained. The parties’ roles in the House were determined by the amount of members in each party, making the Ideological Pragmatists the governing party and the Atlantic Alliance the Official Opposition. It’s MacKenzie’s second year in Model Parliament. He was initially swayed to join by a friend. “I thought, ‘Hey, of course I want to do this,’ I liked the party and we all got to wear suits and, you know, go into the Senate,” MacKenzie said. “It was a great experience my first year. “Everybody gets so into it—it’s sort of a whole other universe,” he said about Model Parliament. “You immerse yourself into it so deeply.” MacKenzie explained a lot of acting and

Canadians to actually stick to. Support for students Last year, Ontario Premier Dalton McGuinty unveiled new funding for students in the province, which same students were quick to criticize. I hope in 2012 McGuinty will see the need to help part-time and working students and extend his grant to all youth pursuing post-secondary education. Internet freedom Although the Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission (CRTC) said on many occasions that the Internet falls out of its jurisdiction, signs are pointing in the direction of Internet regulation. The CRTC is to hear proposals about implementing online surveillance and digital locks, which, if passed, could seriously limit Internet freedom and anonymity. The

Time to party WHAT ARE THE Model Parliament parties and platforms? The Fulcrum summarized the main points below. The Blue Party The Blue party is left-wing oriented and claims to have the people’s interests in mind. The party will oversee the economy, businesses, and industries while investing in sustainable development, research, and culture. The Blues also believe in a decentralized system of government.

illustration by Alex Martin

characterization is involved in the event— participants live out their characters in real life and through social media. “We make sure to distinctly differentiate who we are, who our party is, and what we actually believe,” he said. “It’s sort of a whole dramatic universe. If anyone’s done acting, it’s the best play that ever went on. “There’s a huge Twitter element to Model Parliament that’s emerged over the past two years,” he added. “Everybody creates a fake Twitter profile and uses it as a

member of Parliament. There’s a gossip channel on Twitter, there are standardized news updates.” Lockington said the support from the political community has been immense. Liberal Senator Jim Munson allowed PIDSSA to use the Senate Chamber on his behalf and past Model Parliament participants helped organize it. “It’s a great initiative to build within the political community,” Lockington said. “Students love it.” f

CRTC should resolve to leave the Internet to its users and regulate traditional forms of communication.

vatives was to “communicate with people,” the NDP and Liberals were told to “get a new leader,” while the Greens were asked to “broaden policy views.” I think that’s solid advice and should be at the top of our party leaders’ resolutions lists.

Lowering carbon emissions In 2011, the Conservative government announced Canada wouldn’t participating in the Kyoto Protocol any longer. Environment Minister Peter Kent said Canada will implement its own environmental measures, though didn’t specify what they would be. If we are looking to reduce our carbon footprint, I hope the government will make this a priority and apply the new rules fairly to all businesses, including the oil industry. Party improvements In a recent Nanos poll asking Canadians what they would like the major political parties to improve, citizens gave fantastic recommendations. Advice for the Conser-

Follow through Once the new year hangover settles, the night’s mess is cleaned up, and the crazy adventures are remembered through embarrassing photos on Facebook, try to remember the promises you made after 12 shots of whatever-it-was. Whether your resolution is something small, like eating less bacon, or something huge, like improving the country, stick to it. If you actually achieve your goals, you can face the end of the world in 2012 with pride. news@thefulcrum.ca (613) 562-5260

Atlantic Alliance (AA) The Atlantic Alliance is campaigning for a 12-step program, which would empower provinces and support cultural development. AA consists of members with experience with other parties and seeks to rehabilitate the country from the previous model governments’ mistakes. Canadian Employment Coalition (CEC) CEC’s primary focus is to create stable jobs for Canadians by improving partnerships between the private and public sector. The party believes this will help strengthen the economy and provide a higher quality of life for Canadians. Additionally, CEC will decrease taxes for small businesses, remove job-killing technology, invest into infrastructure, and work with the provinces to ensure their goals are met. The Ideological Pragmatist Party The Ideological Pragmatist Party focuses on how to improve the lives of Canadians in a big way. The party doesn’t recognize small or partisan ideas—saying “Like Canada, we’re a big party”—claiming to be full of large ideas for the country. For the Ideological Pragmatist Party, size is what matters. Utopian Libertarians of Canada (ULOC) The ULOC seek to make Canada environmentally sustainable by promoting and implementing green initiatives. The party will also encourage citizens to buy locally, thus stabilizing the Canadian economy and markets.

thefulcrum.ca | Jan 12–25, 2012

news briefS Rideau Canal to open this month OTTAWA—THE RIDEAU CANAL is expected to be open for skating by mid-January for its 42nd season, according to National Capital Commission spokesperson Jasmine Leduc. Good skating ice depends on cold weather with no snow, and Leduc is hoping the past week’s mild weather will have little impact on the ice. “We’re hoping that the cold weather will return shortly and that we’ll be able to resume our flooding operations,” said Leduc to the Ottawa Citizen. Because the ice remains thin and the water levels underneath vary, Leduc is asking Ottawans to be patient and stay off the ice for the time being. —Spencer Van Dyk Former Ottawa resident and swordfighter dies OTTAWA—89-YEAR-OLD FORMER OTTAWA resident Bob Anderson died in a British hospital on Jan. 1. Anderson’s resumé included working as a technical director with the Canadian Fencing Association, a fi lm fight director, and a choreographer. He worked on fi lms such as The Princess Bride, The Lord of the Rings, and The Hobbit, which is set to be released later this year. Anderson also acted as Darth Vader’s stunt double in the Star Wars series. “Bob Anderson was the man who actually did Vader’s fighting ... was always supposed to be a secret,” said Mark Hamill, who played Luke Skywalker, in a 1983 interview. “Bob worked so bloody hard that he deserves more recognition.” “He inspired people who weren’t fencers to become fencers and he inspired fencers who were fencers to become better. He was a true gentleman of the sport,” said Tim Stang, program administrator at the Canadian Fencing Federation, to the Ottawa Citizen. —Spencer Van Dyk McGill researchers develop game to help genetic research MONTREAL (CUP)—TWO MCGILL UNIVERSITY academics are tapping into our appreciation for video game fans to further research into illnesses like cancer, Alzheimer’s, and diabetes. Jérôme Waldispuhl and Mathieu Blanchette launched their game, Phylo, in November 2010, and 17,000 registered users have played it since. Collectively, those users have produced information, released December 2011, that researchers can use to improve knowledge about genetic disorders. Phylo is a Tetris-like game where players line up orange, purple, blue, and green blocks on either their computer, mobile, or tablet device. Each block is considered human DNA, and all the genetic information is sourced from the University of California, Santa Cruz Genome Browser. “The goal of Phylo is to produce the data to make the comparisons of DNA easier,” explained Waldispuhl. “We’re still trying to make it more fun. Fun and creative.” —Sarah Deshaies, CUP Quebec Bureau Chief Nova Scotia bails out NSCAD University FREDERICTON (CUP)—THE NOVA SCOTIA government announced last week it would keep Nova Scotia College of Art and Design (NSCAD) University afloat for the next year, covering the university’s $2.4-million deficit in response to a 13-page report authored by consultant Howard Windsor. The province will provide money on the basis of recommendations outlined in the report. The university will submit a fi nancial sustainability plan by March 31, 2012. “NSCAD today is operating at a loss equal to more than 10 per cent of its annual budget,” wrote Windsor, a former deputy minister. Evaluating the university’s three campuses was among Windsor’s recommendations. Windsor also encouraged the university to consider merging with another institution. The province will appoint a facilitator to ensure the review process is undertaken and to provide monthly updates to Judith Ferguson, deputy minister of advanced education. —Colin McPhail, CUP Atlantic Bureau Chief

news | 7

‘Gathering resources for students’ Website hopes to be go-to place for university materials Jane Lytvynenko | Fulcrum Staff

STUDENTS TRYING TO save money on their textbooks now have a new resource, Uottawabooks.com, launched by Carleton University students Shahir Kahriz and Matthew Grodinsky. The website, designed for students, provides a place to buy and sell books, course packs, and notes. “There are sites to buy and sell textbooks and there are bookstores, but we found that not everything is in one place,” said Kahriz, fourth-year software engineering student. “So if we gather all these resources and provide them in one location, it helps students a lot more. They can find what they’re looking for. It would make their university life a lot easier.” As of January 2012, the website, sister site to Carletonbooks.com, is expanding beyond textbooks and course notes to offer student-centric listings like housing, jobs, and transportation, following expert advice. “When we launched the Carleton site, we applied to a contest where we were one of the finalists, and one of the speakers told us to first focus on books and, if we see interest, growing to expand it to other areas,” said Kahriz. A lot of students are interested in the website, which is why they decided to expand the selection. “The traffic has been increasing ever since we launched,” he said. “We get 100 unique visitors every couple of

New website provides textbooks, services to students weeks.” Although there are other websites that offer similar classified services, Khariz said Uottawabooks.com is the only one that is student-oriented. “We’re dedicated to students only,” he explained. “We verify that every person registering is a student, so there’s an added element of trust.” The website doesn’t generate any revenue for the founders, but Grodinsky, a fourth-year business student, sees it as an opportunity to build work experi-

what the Mice in Mountain Dew RONALD BALL OF Madison County, Il. is suing PepsiCo, the maker of Mountain Dew soft drink. Ball claims that in November 2009 he purchased a can of Mountain Dew from a vending machine that tasted foul. Ball poured the rest of the drink into a styrofoam cup and discovered the problem: The contaminant was a dead mouse. Ball sent the mouse’s body to PepsiCo, where it was destroyed. He is seeking $50,000 in damages because of the incident, according to the Madison Record. PepsiCo has motioned to dismiss the case using expert testimony—a veteri-

photo illustration by Mico Mazza

BOOKING IT

nary pathologist examined the mouse and concluded that the rodent could not have been in the can when it left the factory in August 2008. According to the veterinarian, in the period of time between canning the soda and Ball drinking it, the mouse would have dissolved and turned into a “jelly-like substance” due to the acid in Mountain Dew. PepsiCo responded to Ball’s claim last April, saying he has no evidence the mouse was in the Mountain Dew can before it left the bottling plant. The company claims the mouse must have entered the container after it left the plant and

ence and apply theoretical knowledge to the real world. Despite the project being a hobby, the founders both hope to make money from it in the future. Grodinsky and Kahriz agree Uottawabooks.com is a great alternative to bigger companies. “I think the website is really easy to use; it looks really nice; it’s much more simple than sites like Kijiji,” said Grodinsky. “We’re gathering resources for students and providing it all in one area.” f

?! PepsiCo’s control. Ball cited witness testimony regarding the presence of the mouse in his drink and argued for judgment in his favour, saying PepsiCo is liable for the quality of its products. The case has been ongoing since 2009, with multiple attempts on the part of PepsiCo to have the case dismissed. Ball continues to file amended complaints and seek damages. In December 2011, judge Dennis Ruth gave PepsiCo until Jan. 11, 2012 to answer or plead to Ball’s second amended complaint. The next hearing will take place in July 2012. —Abria Mattina

ARTS & CULTURE Sofia Hashi | arts@thefulcrum.ca | (613) 562 5931

ARTS&CULTURE

Feel-good hip hop with Philly Moves

photo courtesy Philly Moves

OF RAP AND HIP HOP Philly Moves speaks about their new album and their sound

Gangster never felt so good Èva Morin | Fulcrum Contributor

FOUNDED ON A 16-year-long friendship between Tynan “Tragic” Phelan and Jonny “Rockwell” Desilva, Ottawabased hip-hop group Philly Moves is gearing up for the release of their latest album, How To Drink Yourself Famous. “This album is a new direction for us,” says Phelan. “This is definitely our

most eclectic music yet.” Inf luenced by old-school hip-hop bands such as Gangstar, De La Soul, and Wu Tang Clan, and by the lyrical stylings of Johnny Cash and Buddy Holly, Philly Moves’ distinct sound is easily recognizable in a genre often limited by electronically produced beats and uninspired lyrics. “I think our diverse music taste gives us a unique sound,” explains Phelan. “A lot of times artists try to be unique and it comes off as too different and doesn’t appeal to anybody. I think we’ve managed to have a distinct sound but still appeal to a lot of people.” Their use of classical instruments, such as the piano and acoustic guitar, replaced sampling used in their early recordings, a technique recognized as

illegal without the proper copyright licensing. “Our manager suggested that we start using more live instruments, which is something we hadn’t really thought of,” says Phelan. Despite the drastic change in musicality, Philly Moves proved able to release songs true to their genuine sound. “The live instruments opened up a lot more doors on live performances as well,” adds Phelan. While there’s no doubt the group’s sound sets them apart from most hiphop groups, their positive and generally tame lyrics also add a distinctive element to their overall appeal. “We’ve always thought of ourselves as being positive, without being corny,” explains Phelan. “We’re generally

happy people, and I think that comes through in our music. We want to make people smile, dance, and have a good time.” The likability of Philly Moves comes mostly from their projected image of down-to-earth and simple-living musicians. “The message that comes up in our songs is not a conscious effort—it’s just who we are as artists and who we are as people. I think the fact that we’re being ourselves is really appealing to listeners,” says Phelan. “We’re making songs that we enjoy listening to and, thankfully, it just so happens that other people like them too.” While charmingly modest, the members of Philly Moves are no strangers to recognition and accolades as Ottawa’s

Metro News and Faces Magazine recently crowned them “Ottawa’s Favorite Live Act.” But, for Philly Moves it’s their fan base that gives them the most satisfaction. “The best part is the interaction with fans,” explains Phelan. “Seeing results after all the hard work put into it is really rewarding.” With the upcoming release of How To Drink Yourself Famous on Jan. 21, there is no doubt 2012 could very well be the year of Philly Moves. f

2. Foo Fighters, Wasting Light

Top five Canadian movies of 2011

a boy with Down syndrome and a Montreal DJ dealing with leaving his wife and kids for another woman, the movie uses music to express how it feels to fall in love and be abandoned.

Grab yourself a copy of How To Drink Yourself Famous on iTunes or at live shows, and be sure to catch Philly Moves at Winterfest on Jan. 20 at Ritual (137 Besserer St.) and Jan. 21 at Carleton University.

Looking back Taking a glance at the biggest achievements in music and film of 2011 WE’VE RUNG IN the new year and welcomed 2012 with open arms, but let’s not forget the past year. With rioting, Occupy-the-world protests, and provincial and federal elections, 2011 was one politically charged year. But in the world of arts, there were just as many front-page-worthy events. So, in an ode to 2011, here’s Fulcrum’s list of the top five best albums and movies. Top five albums of 2011

5. Lady Gaga, Born This Way Favourite tracks: “Born Th is Way”, “You & I”, and “Edge of Glory”.

Born This Way has become an anthem of acceptance of both self and others in 2011. Tracks like “You & I” offer a classic rock version of the pop icon.

4. Fleet Foxes, Helplessness Blues Favourite tracks: “Battery Kinzie”, “Helplessness Blues”, and “The Shrine/ An Argument”. Stripped-down vocals and acoustics propel this indie darling onto the list. Fleet Foxes offer psychedelic music in a new format, with “The Shrine/An Argument” invoking memories of The Who’s greatest hits.

Jay-Z and Kanye West, Watch The

Throne

Favourite tracks: “Niggas In Paris”, “Lift Off ”, and “Otis”. “Doctors say I’m the illest / cause I suffer from realness,” proclaims hip-hop royal Kanye West. How much smoother can a rapper get? Jay-Z and West combine to create an album that has so much swagger they simply want you to watch as they show why they are the very best at what they do.

Favourite tracks: “Rope”, “Walk”, and “I Should Have Known”. Dave Grohl continues to prove he is one of our generation’s greatest frontmen. Wasting Light, which was produced on tape in Grohl’s garage, is a force of nature and showcases the band’s ability to play infi nite styles. With the sadness of “I Should Have Known” and the screaming guitars of “White Limo”, the Foo Fighters transition to each style seamlessly and incredibly. Th is album is a must-buy.

1. Adele, 21 Favourite tracks: “Rolling in the Deep”, “Someone Like You”, and “Set Fire to the Rain”. How is it that a woman who is just now entering her prime has already released two critically acclaimed albums? Adele channels her problems into her music, and what comes out is an amazing collection of songs on love and loss. Her smooth vocals and heartfelt lyrics have made her a household name and catapulted her to international recognition. —Andrew Ikeman

5. Afghan Luke Premiering at the Toronto Institute Film Festival just a few short months ago, this movie follows a war correspondent (the eponymous Luke, played by Nick Stahl) as he tries to fi nd out whether a Canadian sniper is taking trophies from his kills. From the creators of Trailer Park Boys, it’s both hilarious and thoughtful.

4. Take this Waltz Michelle Williams and Seth Rogen star in this movie about a wife who fi nds herself falling for her rickshaw-pulling neighbour, while her hapless husband doesn’t realize what’s going on. The fi lm was beautifully shot by Canadian director Sarah Polley, with fantastic attention to detail and emotion.

3. Café de Flore Jean-Marc Vallée proved with C.R.A.Z.Y. that he is a master of fitting music onto cinema, and he does so again by linking two stories across time and space with a single song. Chronicling the love life of

2. Starbuck David Wozniak (Patrick Huard) needed some cash a few years back, so he made a few donations to the local sperm bank. Thanks to a mishap at the clinic, he fi nds out years later that he has fathered over 500 children, and that 142 of them want to know his identity. Chronically a screw up, David has to hide this fact from his family and girlfriend, while debating whether he’s ready to be a dad.

1. A Dangerous Method Sigmund Freud (Viggo Mortensen)’s student, Karl Jung (Michael Fassbender), has an affair with his patient, Sabina Spielrien (Keira Knightley), whose case history helped develop the psychiatric theory that would make the two men famous. —Eleni Armenakis

10 | arts&culture

thefulcrum.ca | Jan. 12–25, 2012

arts briefS CBC’s new show to focus on Aboriginals TORONTO—CBC IS OPENING a new chapter in Canadian history by spotlighting the relationship between First NationS and the rest of Canada. Th is January, a new series entitled 8th Fire is airing across the country in hopes of disbanding stereotypes and misconceptions surrounding Aboriginals in Canada. The TV series will focus on a new generation of indigenous Canadians who are confident and ready to reclaim their culture. The show will be released in four parts, accompanied by a website on CBC. 8th Fire, which is hosted by Winnipeg-based CBC journalist Wab Kinew, is hoping to show Canadians how indigenous people live. The series’ namesake comes from the Anishinaabe nation’s Seven Fires prophecy from pre-Columbus America. The idea of the series is that the eighth prophecy will bring indigenous peoples and settlers together to form a new fire—that of justice and harmony. —Leia Atkinson Canadian artist uses Facebook as her muse TORONTO—FIFTY-SEVEN-YEAR-old self-proclaimed “re-emerging artist” Carole Freeman has mashed up the long-standing tradition of an artistic muse with the digital age. The Winnipeg-born artist will be featured at Toronto’s Edward Day Gallery in her first-ever solo show, Friend Me: Portraits of Facebook. The exhibition is a compilation of portraits and images taken directly from Freeman’s 1,400 Facebook friends. Jordan Banks, the Canadian managing director for Facebook, attended the display’s opening and was moved by Freeman’s imagination and commented on her show in the Globe and Mail. “[Facebook] minimizes isolation, fosters socialization ... gives people a voice and it’s amazing to see such a unique expression of that in Carole’s exhibit,” said Banks. Although she drew inspiration from Facebook, Freeman said she never had much use for the popular social media site until recently. “It was about opening up the art world to me,” said Freeman in the Globe and Mail. “It floored me that someone like Tracey Emin or Damien Hirst were [on Facebook] and I could actually message them.” After a hard time getting her career started, Freeman is excited to fi nally have an exhibition and hopes to have more in the future. “I started getting fairly emotional because this has been what I have always wanted,” said Freeman. “Th is is fi nally my time.” —Sofia Hashi Is pregnancy a disability? DAYTON, OHIO—JEANETTE COX, A law professor at the University of Dayton in Ohio believes the United States federal government should include pregnant women in their Americans With Disabilities Act. “The goal there is of course to get pregnant women accommodations so they can continue working as [long as] they can, hopefully up to the moment of birth,” said Cox in a statement. Professor Cox maintains employers regularly discriminate against pregnant women. According to her studies, Cox found that U.S. courts allow employers refuse to accommodate pregnant women who are dealing with issues associated with pregnancy, such as standing up for a long period of time. “Th is reluctance to associate pregnancy with disability, however, has resulted in a legal regime in which many pregnant workers currently have less legal standing to workplace accommodations than other persons with comparable physical limitations,” added Cox. Cox has found this lack of consideration sometimes leads to termination of pregnant women. The U.S. law professor has uncovered ONE situation in which a pregnant police officer was fired because she was not allowed to perform less strenuous work and other similar circumstances. —Sofia Hashi

Got brief? arts@thefulcrum.ca

Blogging in the future Ottawa’s best blogs to look out for Sofia Hashi | Fulcrum Staff

WITH ANOTHER YEAR past, many often reflect on the year gone by, but part of the new year is being excited for what’s to come. Considering that practically everyone and their grandmother has a blog, we’d thought it’d be appropriate to look into Ottawa blogs to check out in 2012. Whether it’s a blog chronicling someone’s life or an environmentally focused blog, there’s one to suit your taste. So, what should you be reading in 2012? The O-Dot The-o-dot.blogspot.com Ottawa’s very own version of The Onion, this faux news blog will leave you laughing out loud. One story the O-Dot covered was about a Westboro mama who helped create a gender-neutral and racially friendly snowperson with her kids. Another discussed a 9000-year-old stroller discovered by a fictitious University of Ottawa professor on Wellington Street. If you’re all for a hilarious—and highly addictive—Ottawa-based blog, check out the O-Dot.

Green Living Ottawa Greenlivingottawa.com Th is blog is defi nitely for environmentloving Ottawans. Covering everything green in Ottawa since 2007, this blog sometimes relies on guest bloggers for posts because the founder doesn’t reside in Ottawa anymore. However, this doesn’t stop the blog from being updated regularly. Green Living Ottawa gives tips on how to live greener in the city. Sincerely, Sabrina Sincerelysabrina.blogspot.com Any budding fashionista should check out SincerelySabrina.blogspot.com. Th is Ottawa blogger writes about all things fashion. Although in her bio the communications student denies being an authority on fashion, you wouldn’t be able to tell by her in-depth posts. Recent tips included ideas for a cute New Year’s Eve outfit and dressing appropriately for the post holiday season. Like most fashion bloggers, Sabrina posts her own outfits of the day. Le Mien Lemien.ca Eighteen months ago, Kym Shumsky decided to photograph 100 strangers and then upload their pictures onto her website, Lemien.ca. Shumsky, who completed

photo illustration by Mico Mazza

her goal this past December as a part of the 100 Strangers Project, did more than just photograph her subjects—she got to know them. Le Mien is fi lled with portraits of people from Ottawa, along with a quick blurb about who they are. Check it out, you might recognize a face. Apartment 613 Apt613.ca Th is Ottawa blog made the top of our list for a very good reason—it’s a must-visit. Covering an array subjects including visual arts, theatre, dance, and music, Apartment 613 also answers the age-old problem every Ottawan faces: What is there to do in Ottawa? Click on this blog to get the lowdown on what’s going on in your city. f

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thefulcrum.ca | Jan.12–25, 2012

arts&culture | 11

album reviews Alex Silas Alex Silas E.P. | Independent

UNIVERSITY OF OTTAWA student and independent hip-hop artist Alex Silas delivers honest and personal tracks with varying quality throughout his first solo effort. At times the E.P. feels simplistic, while at others both the diversity of Silas’ musical tastes and his emotions are evident, bringing his music to life. Tracks are given dimension by Silas’ inclusion of samples from other sounds and artists, such as the late blues singer Amy Winehouse on the song “No Good”. Many of the tracks are distinctly Canadian, written in the context of problems and situations facing Canadian adults. Silas also describes another reality that listeners rarely get to hear. Instead of singing of money and the glamourous side of the hip-hop world, Silas’ work portrays the life of a struggling artist. This notion is embodied in the track “Headphones”, where Silas explains the influence music has had on his life and the importance it plays on moving him forward. —Colin Sutherland

Demetra Penner Lone Migration | Head In The Sand Records

The Weeknd Echoes of Silence XO

bel Tesfaye, more commonly known by his stage name The Weeknd, has returned with another much anticipated mix tape. Echoes of Silence follows the popularity of House of Balloons and Thursday—all of which were released in the past year—and is the last instalment in this Canadian artists’ trilogy of mix tapes. Impressively, Tesfaye delivers for the third time in a row, a fact highlighted by his Internet popularity with some songs at almost half a million hits on YouTube. While the Toronto-based singer’s talent has been recognized by the likes of fellow Torontonian rapper Drake, Tesfaye still remains relatively underground to the mainstream music industry. Opening with an emotionally charged cover of Michael Jackson’s “Dirty Diana”, titled “D.D.” on The Weeknd’s version, the R&B singer does a surprisingly good job on his spin of the suspicious, almost-metal sex jam. Standout tracks include “Montreal” and “The Fall”, where Tesfaye is vengeful in his lyrics, but his voice remains smooth and hypnotic. This is exactly what sets Tesfaye apart from his hip-hop contemporaries. He may not be the best singer, but his emotion is raw and almost too real. The tear-stained and slow synths mixed with Tesfaye’s quiet and menacing voice takes its listeners on a ride where a crash is all too possible. Exploring topics like letting go and hurt, which were introduced in the first two mix tapes Echoes of Silence offers a different hip-hop experience and a refreshing sound. —Sofia Hashi

SOME FOLK MUSIC is just joke music. After picking up the latest album from Canadian country-folk singer, Demetra Penner, I was worried the recording would sound too similar to what’s already on the market and use a banjo way too much. Penner’s Lone Migration was anything but the usual folk sounds that adorn such records. Penner’s vocal aesthetic reminds the listener of another famous folk singer, Fiest, infused with Lana Del Rey and Zooey Deschanel, but Penner uses arrangements that are more haunting and desolate. Her lyrics speak of a yearning and quiet sadness, which is all too appropriate considering the album’s title. Along with the usual folk genre instruments, Penner incorporated the autoharp, ukulele, and organ into her songs. With track titles such as “Hunter & Gatherer”, “Lone Migration”, and “Arctic & Sea”, themes of wandering and being lost are sprinkled in with songs about love and letting go. Standout songs include the opening track “Emergency Exit”, a short, two-minute prelude that adequately portrays what’s to come, and “Hey Stranger”, a more uplifting ode about meeting and loving a stranger. All in all, Lone Migration is the type of album you can only hope to discover. The promise of hearing Penner’s bone-chilling and sweet voice should be enough for you to pick up a copy. —Sofia Hashi

Moka Only and Evil Ebenezer ZZBRA: The Original Motion Picture Soundtrack | Camobear Records

PREVIOUS SWOLLEN MEMBERS vocalist and rap mainstay Moka Only decided to collaborate with fellow West Coast artist Evil Ebenezer on ZZBRA: The Original Motion Picture Soundtrack. The title, while interesting, is misleading; it insinuates its accompaniment to a movie. The myth behind the album is that a major film’s production halted because of budget issues and all that remained was its soundtrack. The unusual premise for the album is the only intriguing aspect of this rap collaboration. The beats and sounds used in the album are either too generic or just plain weird. Not to mention the jungle theme featured on the album will give you a headache by the third song. While many hip-hop partnerships create new sounds and a much loved album, don’t expect the same ZZBRA. The lyrics aren’t spectacular. The only tracks worth mentioning are the piano-heavy “Number One” and “Running Back”, the only song that is sung instead of rapped. “Number One” shows artistic talent with its use of an upbeat melody contrasted with darker lyrics. The only thing Moka Only and Evil Ebenezer should get credit for is the effort they put into the songs. They tried to be original and step out of the rap clichés that surround similar artists, but it didn’t work. The music should always come first—not the concept. —Sofia Hashi

Please excuse our absence next week.

grades

meh

epic fail fail

legit win

We be learnin’ at NASH 74 in Victoria, B.C.!

answers from p. 17

And the award for most dedicated Fulcrumite goes to...

Take your university education further. Speak with Algonquin College recruiters at the University of Ottawa. January 12, 2012. 9 AM to 4 PM. Jock Turcot University Centre.

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First staff meeting of 2012! The first staff meeting of the New Year will be held on Thursday Jan. 19 @ 1 p.m., at 631 King Edward Ave. Come say hi!... and maybe pick up an article or two on your way out?

The Fulcrum Board of Directors For making all our NASH dreams come true! Thanks for all your hard work and dedication behind the scenes.

thefulcrum.ca | Jan 12–25, 2012

arts&culture | 13

MTV Canada launches new reality show Callin’ all creepers Keeton Wilcock | Fulcrum Staff

MTV CANADA’S NEWEST show, Creeps, premiered on Jan. 5 at 11 p.m.. During the half-hour episode, three individuals had their Facebook profiles and Twitter accounts critiqued by a panel of judges. The people behind the online accounts appear on the show to answer the judges’ questions about their unusual profiles. At the end of the half hour, the judges decide to add one person to join them on the panel next week, ignore one person, and recommend that one person’s friends remove them. While a show titled Creeps might raise questions about privacy and social media use, Lauren O’Neil, one of the show’s judges, largely rejected those concerns in

an email to the Fulcrum. “Few things on the Internet are ever really ‘private’, which is why it’s crucial to always think before posting,” says O’Neil. “That said, there’s nothing from a profile shown on Creeps that an average person with a computer couldn’t go and look at themselves. These are all real people with real—and sometimes shockingly public— online lives.” Michael Strangelove, a professor of communications at the University of Ottawa, also noted that showing people’s social media profiles on TV isn’t a privacy issue, as online profiles are, by nature, far from private. “If you feel creeped out by the fact that other people are looking at you, it’s probably because you’re too young to realize that you’re already in public,” he says. Of more concern to Strangelove is how MTV’s Creeps selects and portrays individuals and their profiles. “We keep reducing things down to these issues of privacy or this or that and

the other when we’re looking at these shows, but it’s a much more fundamental question of the way the commercial media twists and warps our perspective of each other.” Strangelove believes many of the people we see on reality shows such as Creeps are not fair reflections of viewing audiences. A good example of this is Mike Zancai, one of the individuals who had his profile critiqued in the series premiere, whose Facebook profile contains nude pictures of himself and often offensive status updates. “We’re looking at a highly constructed reality when we turn on the television, a shiny, glossy, hyper-real version of ourselves,” explains Strangelove. “These men and women, do they represent me or you? They might represent a tiny minority of us.” Although it may be said that Creeps contributes to a rise in self-promotion and online voyeurism, O’Neil explained for many young adults, this experience is just a normal part of everyday life.

“Wee grew up in an age of reality television and YouTube stars, where ‘normal people’’ become very, very famous all the time for or doing little more than living their n public,” says O’Neil. lives in O’Neil Neil believes Creeps gets a positive message ge across to viewers. hind every Facebook “Behind profile is a real human with real problems roblems and feelings and hopes opes just like you or [me],” states O’Neil. “If anything, I hope the show encourages people to keep ep an open mind and bee kind in their ge. Things are creepage. not always ways as they seem.” f MTV’s Creeps airs Thursdays at 11 p.m. on n MTV Canada. a.

illustration by Brennan Bova

This week online: ‘You’ve got mail! And possibly chlamydia...’

Flexible.

A new website is being used in Ottawa to alert sexual partners anonymously that they’ve been exposed to an STI—but is this service as effective as it could be? Ottawa Arts Review hits the web

U of O publication Ottawa Arts Review sees changes as it archives its issues online.

Like you. With more than 800 transferable courses delivered online and at a distance, Athabasca University can help you build the schedule you want with the courses you need. Learn more at explore.athabascau.ca

The summer job search

Now is the time to start looking for a summer job. One writer explores studentcentred resources to help you find a well-paying job.

thefulcrum.ca

spotlight on Natalie Tremblay and Sofia Hashi | Fulcrum Staff

FOR THE BIRDS

CRYSTAL BESHARA

FOR THE BIRDS is revitalizing the independent music scene in their hometown Barrie, Ont. After taking a listen to their latest album, All Kinds of Classy, it’s easy to hear their music is more than for the birds. In an effort to set them apart from other rock bands in the music scene, members of For the Birds gave themselves quirky yet hardcore names such as Katie Kaboom and Maverick Slim. Their names may seem cheesy, but their music isn’t. A self-proclaimed chaos-pop-rock band, their upbeat and raw sounds come across on tracks like “Hysterical Pregnancies” and “You Get It From Your Mother”. On most songs, Kaboom’s throaty and raw vocals come across strong and make the lyrics almost incomprehensible, but the overall sound is definitely headbanging music. Standout tracks on the album include “Ghosts” and “Dedicated But Not Read”, in which the gang’s vocals present in each chorus making the songs richer and more pop oriented. Those two tracks beg for a repeat. The band also knows how finish a song, as the volume and texture at the end of the tracks finalize things with a heavyhitting, musical punch.

OTTAWA-BASED PAINTER Crystal Beshara will be in the spotlight this January at the Orange Art Gallery. Her exhibition, Winter’s Promise, will be appropriately on display all month in her first solo show of the year. Using a wide array of materials such as watercolours, pastels, and pens, Beshara meticulously creates scenic landscapes of the rural and desolate kind. Including images of a lone barn and a crop of corn in the dead of winter, Beshara’s creativity rests in rural images. Drawing influence from her childhood memories, this former farm girl relies on dramatizing landscapes for her paintings. Having received critical acclaim and an Ontario Arts Council award back in 2007, it’s no wonder this contemporary realist painter receives so much buzz. Whatever medium Beshara uses, each image is strikingly clear and incredibly realistic. It’s evident that Beshara will be a mainstay in the arts scene for a long time coming.

Sounds like: A high-school battle of the bands. Check them out: You can hear these songbirds at Facebook.com/#!/forthebirdstheband or Radio3.cbc.ca/#/artists/For-the-Birds

Looks like: Nature and country dramatized Check her out: At Orange Art Gallery (233 Armstrong St.) from Jan. 4 to 25.

14 | features

thefulcrum.ca | Jan. 12–25, 2012

Grad school considerations Everything you need to know Kristyn Filip | Fulcrum Staff

THE LIGHT AT the end of the tunnel appears for many undergraduate students in their fourth year of study. As the month of April approaches, graduating students dream of donning gowns and tossing caps in the air before heading off into the proverbial “real world.” For others, receiving an undergraduate degree is just the tip of the iceberg. The Fulcrum sat down with professors and students—those working toward obtaining a graduate degree and those in the midst of the application process—to get the inside scoop on making the jump to grad school. Make up your mind While there is no universally accepted “right” time to start thinking about pursuing a graduate degree, many professors suggest students begin considering their options in their third year of study. Professors Victoria Burke of the University of Ottawa English department and Magdi Mohareb of the Faculty of Engineering both mentioned the ability to apply for scholarships in a timely manner as a reason why students should think about graduate studies before their fourth year. “I think it’s ideal to have made a decision by the end of your third year because there are external grants you can apply to in the fall,” said Burke. “The Ontario Graduate Studies Fellowships and the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council of Canada fellowship… Those applications are due in early to mid-October.” “It is best for a student to consider

graduate studies one year before graduation, particularly if he or she is seeking fi nancial support,” said Mohareb. “You can start the process later on, but your chances of getting fi nancial assistance will reduce.” U of O history student Laura Gurnham thought about grad school since she began university, but found her thirdand fourth-year courses gave her the final push necessary to make up her mind about pursuing a master’s degree. “By exploring school through more challenging courses in third and fourth year, my determination [to go to grad school] has become a bit more solid,” she said. “I feel I can handle the work and I have started to narrow down specifically what type of program I want to apply to.” Students in their fourth year of university who are just beginning to consider grad school need not panic. Krissy Coulas, who is working toward a master’s of library science degree at University

WEIGHING YOUR OPTIONS Start thinking about graduate school in your third year, say professors

College Dublin, didn’t know what she wanted to do until her fourth year of study at the U of O. “It wasn’t until the summer before fourth year that I decided [a master’s] was something I wanted to do,” she said in an email to the Fulcrum. “Even then, I had to decide if I wanted to pursue a master’s in English, which was my undergrad major, or a master’s of library science. I ended up choosing a master’s of library science after getting some work experience in the Morisset Library.” The golden ticket: The reference letter Perhaps the thing students worry about most when applying to graduate school is getting glowing recommendation letters from professors. U of O English professor Thomas Allen reminded students that professors are accustomed to requests for reference letters. “I don’t think there’s any reason to be

shy about [approaching a professor for a letter of recommendation] because it’s part of our jobs,” he said. “We all write plenty of letters every year, so you’re not the only person who has asked us to do so.” Nathan Young, a U of O sociology professor, encouraged students to research their professors before approaching them. “Profs who are full time are the ones who expect to write letters,” he said. “Profs who are part time don’t have a full university appointment, meaning they don’t have the same weight behind them. Part-time profs often will hesitate [to write letters] because they know they don’t carry as much weight. You should also choose a prof who is recognized by other universities.” Burke recommended potential applicants ask for reference letters from professors whose classes they excelled in. “The fi rst thing is to approach profes-

sors who gave you the best marks,” she said. “Even if you’re not entirely sure the professor remembers you, as long as you have the written material you produced for that professor, he or she will be able to look at your work and speak in really concrete terms about what your skills are.” Gurnham expressed concern that large class sizes may have hindered her ability to get to know professors on a more personal level, which is often an important factor in an instructor’s decision to write a recommendation. “I know professors are really open and friendly, but I have a hard time getting over that student-professor relationship enough to make a connection to a professor in a large classroom,” she said. “I obviously have talked to some, but I am worried they don’t know me well enough to provide a letter of recommendation.” Fortunately for nervous students everywhere, Madeleine Sourisseau, a U of

illustration by Julia Pankova

features | 15

O student working toward her master’s in public and international affairs, said getting reference letters was not as scary or tough as she anticipated it would be. “It wasn’t difficult to get the letters because the professors I approached were more than glad to write them for me,” said Sourisseau. She found the most trying part was simply “working up the nerve to ask them!” In order to give the professors a broad view of her as a student, Sourisseau was sure to provide them with her statement of interest, an unofficial transcript of her grades, and an academic resumé. One of Sourisseau’s professors even let her help with the letter-writing process. “He gave me a reference letter template,” she said. “I could tell him what I thought were my strengths so that he could write me an even better reference letter.” Applying and the aftermath After obtaining reference letters, the grad school applicant must move on to the next step of the process: Preparing all necessary documents and actually applying to his or her program of choice. Admission processes differ according to school and faculty, but both Sourisseau and Coulas emphasized the importance of asking for help when necessary. “The process of applying was a bit daunting, but it just comes down to reading the requirements for the schools you’re interested in, following directions, and calling or emailing their application representative if you need help,” said Coulas. Sourisseau turned to her professors for guidance. “The application process was straightforward and pretty easy once I’d made the decision to do it,” she said. “I asked the professors who had agreed to be my references for tips on how to write a statement of intent.” At the U of O, the general requirements for master’s of science students are a B average in an honours Bachelor degree and good letters of reference. “If the student meets [the faculty’s] requirements, his or her fi le is circulated in the department,” said Mohareb, who is the graduate program coordinator of the Ottawa-Carleton Institute for Civil Engineering. “Files for master’s students, if admissible, are circulated among professors the candidate identified as possible supervisors for his or her thesis. If the professors are prepared to accept the candidate as a student, he or she is admitted in the program.” Although the faculties of arts and sciences are very different, their admission processes are similar. “[In the English department] the members of the graduate committee— who are usually four or five professors

from the department—read all the fi les and make comments about them,” said Allen. “Some applicants are obvious yeses, while some are ambiguous, and there are obvious nos, unfortunately. For the ones who are ambiguous, there will be a meeting to discuss whether or not to admit them.” The application process is not easy, but for some students, it’s a small difficulty that pales in comparison to the payoff of having a master’s degree. “The application process is more intensive than for an undergrad degree, but if you’re committed to the program you’re applying for, it isn’t difficult,” said Sourisseau. Concerns, worries, and self-doubt After making the difficult decision to actually apply to grad school, some students report feelings of self-doubt begin to surface. They become uncertain they “have what it takes” to succeed in a master’s program, despite having achieved high grades throughout their undergrad. Gurnham, who will be applying to graduate school in the near future, admitted to feeling nervous about starting a master’s degree. “I am concerned that I am not smart enough,” she said. “I get good grades, but I’m still worried that the level of original thought required from grad students is a bit beyond me still.” Coulas had similar concerns. “I was terrified that grad school was only for smart people, and though I’ve always gotten good grades, I’ve never considered myself smart enough for that sort of thing,” she said. Studying at a master’s level is certainly more demanding than the undergraduate level, but Coulas mentioned that students shouldn’t feel graduate school is only for the elite. “What you have to remember is that while grad school is challenging, it’s not reserved for the kids that get 90 per cent and upwards,” she said. “It’s just another level of education, like university was after high school.” Professors tell all How can a student guarantee his or her application will dazzle the graduate school committee? While there is no magic formula for success, professors are more than willing to offer general advice to any student applying to grad school. Mohareb believes the biggest mistake applicants make is “not talking to potential supervisors before submitting their application.” “Sometimes professors cannot accept students because students have specified they need funding while the university is unable to provide it,” he said. “In other cases, the department may already have

illustration by Julia Pankova

NOT ONLY FOR THE ELITE “[Grad school] is not reserved for the kids that get 90 per cent and upwards”

a large number of students to supervise or may fi nd your interests do not match their present research activities.” In regards to statements of interest or research plans, which many programs require applicants to submit, both Burke and Young urged students to avoid including generic declarations of passion for their chosen field. “When students are too general—for example, expressing a general love of literature—it’s just not specific enough,” said Burke. “If there’s a little too much non-specific enthusiasm, that’s harder to evaluate. Maybe there’s a fantastic student in there, but we want to have their skills demonstrated to us.” “Sometimes the research plan is written like a life story and that’s a thing to avoid,” said Young. “It ought to be about what you intend to do as opposed to how you got here. A research plan should not be about why you’re interested in sociology—we assume you’re here because you want to be here. It should be about what you plan to do in the two years.” Not only should statements of interest and research plans be specific, but they should also demonstrate the applicants’ ability to write coherently. “[Some submissions] are not very well written and that tends to disqualify peo-

ple,” said Allen. “People can really knock themselves out by being a bit sloppy with their statements of purpose.” Is it worth it? Given the somewhat dismal state of the current job market, many students decide to apply for graduate school simply to avoid facing the real world. Others consider this to be a mistake, believing a master’s degree to be unnecessary and little more than another massive debt to pay off in the future. Allen noted students with high grade point averages could have their master’s degrees funded. “[The English department’s] course work program here is only one year long and if you have an 8.0 grade point average, you’ll be funded. Given what the job market is like, why not get an MA?” he said. Although Allen believes a master’s in English will “pay off down the road,” he cautions students against “getting a [master’s degree] just because they think, ‘Oh, I need to beef up my resumé.’” “Nobody’s going to hire you for a specific job just because you have an MA in English,” he said. “But on the other hand, if you’re going into teaching or if you’re applying to law school later, it looks good. The intellectual challenge is good.”

Burke mentioned the transferability of skills acquired at the master’s level as a valid reason why a student might want to pursue grad work. “I often hear [graduate] students say ‘Th is year has blown my mind. Th is is difficult and exciting and I understand how to work at a high level now,’” she said. “We think of that as concretely useful for future work. We really think that the in-depth training you get from doing grad-level courses gives you additional skills that are transferable to a countless number of different jobs.” Young believes a master’s of social science degree to be a “practical thing.” “The majority of our graduates go into the workforce using their degrees,” he said. “A master’s degree can also clearly be a stepping stone for getting a PhD or for personal fulfi lment, but it does carry a lot of weight in the job market. We track our grads pretty carefully.” Perhaps Sourisseau summarizes the validity of grad school most succinctly. “Yes, it’s a lot of work. Yes, it’s challenging. But it’s also rewarding, interesting, and filled with great professors and new friends,” she said. “If you like what you’re doing—if you feel as though you’re benefiting from it personally, academically, professionally—then it’s worth it.” f

FEATURES Kristyn Filip | features@thefulcrum.ca | (613) 562-5258

DISTRACTIONS

Dear Di...

Dear Di, I want nothing more than for my girlfriend to give me a blumpkin. You know, suck my dick while I take a shit. How can I ask my girlfriend to give me one? —Blump King Dear BK, You want a bathroom blow job and I want someone to locate my G-spot without needing a map, a compass, and a flashlight. We can’t always get what we want; however, if you’re willing to give a little, you may just luck out. I suggest you start by exchanging sexual fantasies with your girl. Regardless of how strange hers may be, do your best to react without judgment. If your lady’s erotic dreams intrigue you, consider executing them. The more accepting you are of her, the more receptive she’ll be to your blumpkin desires. Before sharing your washroom wishes, you could perhaps preface the conversation by admitting that your fantasy is rather unconventional. Mention you’re willing to talk about it with your woman because you love and trust her. Don’t be surprised if she shoots the idea down entirely; however, if she seems at all interested, hash it out with her. Be willing to work with your partner to come up with a concept she’s comfortable with. Maybe she’ll want scented candles present or will ask that you courtesy flush as soon as the shit hits the water. Do what you can to accommodate her requests.

I must admit, getting your gal to fellate your log while you relieve yourself of the other kind of timber will be no easy task. The only time I feel the urge to kneel in front of the porcelain throne is to rid my stomach of too many cocktails, not when I want to suck cock. Even though the blumpkin fantasy is something I may never do, any fantasy can be achieved if you approach the issue properly. Love, Di Dear Di, I am in a long-distance relationship and have recently found myself longing for sex more and more. I would never cheat on my partner, so I want to buy a sex toy but I’m completely lost. My friends aren’t the type to ask about this sort of thing, and it’s all foreign to me. Is ordering online more discreet? How do I know what I’ll like? Please help! —Dazed and Confused Dear DC, Ah, the joys of long-distance relationships. I commend you for staying faithful to your partner—that’s no easy feat when you’re hornier than a pubescent boy in parochial school. Truthfully, I’m rather impressed you’ve made it this far without owning a drawer full of sex toys. Using your fi ngers gets old fast, doesn’t it? Th is may come as a surprise to you, but I suggest you bypass online shopping if you’re worried about discretion. Online shopping means you’ll leave an electronic trail and the package will have to be shipped to your home, which I’m guessing you share with people

Sexy Sidenote:

you’d like to keep in the dark about your purchase. Actually going to a sex shop will afford you the opportunity to learn from the expertise of the staff at the store and will hopefully make you realize buying a sex toy really isn’t that big of a deal. Operating under the assumption that you are at least 18 years old, you are legally entitled entry into an erotic novelty store. Even more importantly, if you’re a human being, you have every right to enjoy sex in almost any way you please. Get over your hang-ups and get thee to a sex shop, pronto. Unfortunately, your next question is a little more difficult to answer. For hygienic purposes, you won’t be able to actually test drive the toys, so you’re going to have to be willing to take a bit of a chance. I suggest doing a little sexual soul searching before going to the store. If you miss the feeling of your man’s meat inside you, look into dildos. If you’d rather stick to tickling your clit, do some research on vibrators. Want both? That exists too! If you need more help, make a list of the qualities your perfect sex toy would have and show it to the employee at the shop. He or she will likely be more than willing to help you locate the perfect gadget to suit your needs. Happy shopping! Love, Di

Questions for Di? Email deardi@thefulcrum.ca or find her on Twitter (@Dear_di) or Facebook (Di Daniels)

Hmm. Looks like we forgot to tell poor Gerry that we couldn’t take him to NASH...

Half an hour of vigorous sex burns 150 calories. Sounds like my kind of exercise!

answers on p. 11 (CUP) — Puzzles provided by BestCrosswords.com. Used with permission. Across 1- A dish with many ingredients; 5- Attack a fly; 9- Disconcert; 14- Ripped; 15- Mata _ ; 16- Rate; 17- Support beam; 18- Extend; 20- Flirt; 22- Brit. lexicon; 23- Bottom of the barrel; 24- Mex. miss; 26- Heroic adventure tale; 28- Temerity; 32- Pertaining to the mind; 36- Be in debt; 37- Praying figure; 39- Bring out; 40- Makes lace; 42- Clogs, e.g.; 44- Complacent; 45- Betelgeuse’s constellation; 47- Angry; 49- 401(k) alternative; 50- Pay as due; 52- Having three feet; 54- Islamic call to prayer; 56- Split; 57- “The Clan of the Cave Bear” author; 60- Chatter; 62- Resounds; 66Seaplane; 69- As to; 70- Curt; 71- Kiln for drying hops; 72- Approached; 73- Handle; 74- Gusto; 75- Break, card game;

“Sleet” | XKCD

Down 1- Auricular; 2- Timber wolf; 3- Oil-rich nation; 4- Attack; 5- Breaks; 6- Move from side to side; 7- Golden Fleece ship; 8- Wearies; 9- Prince Valiant’s son; 10- Barren area; 11- End in _ (draw); 12Dimensions; 13- Makes a row?; 19- According to the Bible, he was the first man; 21- Cube creator Rubik; 25- Japanese beer brand; 27- “Fancy that!”; 28- Chopper topper; 29- Alert; 30- Take hold; 31- Nasal grunt; 33- Bombastic; 34- Legend maker; 35- Juridical; 38- Eye drops; 41- Member of a lay society; 43- Short dagger; 46- Pince- _ ; 48- Heroic; 51- Sturdy wool fiber; 53- Morals; 55- Influential person; 57- P.M. times; 58- Peter Fonda title role; 59- Bronte heroine; 61- Male swine; 63- Son of Judah; 64- Humorist Bombeck; 65- Leak slowly; 67- “The Matrix” hero; 68- Faulkner’s “ _ Lay Dying”;

It happened this week in history

THE FULCRUM 1996

OTTAWA 1982

CANADA 1967

THE WORLD 1969

We report a group of U of O students are attempting to create a support centre on campus for gay and lesbian students.

Ann Cools becomes the first black woman to serve in the upper chamber of the Senate.

Yellowknife is named the capital of the Northwest Territories.

Czechoslovakian student Jan Palach lights himself on fire in protest of the Soviet Union’s invasion of Czecholslovakia.

SPORTS Katherine DeClerq | sports@thefulcrum.ca | (613) 562-5258

Garnet and Grey win a heated game over Blues Gee-Gees beat University of Toronto in men’s hockey Keeton Wilcock | Fulcrum Staff

ON JAN. 8, the Gee-Gees (12-7-1) took on division rivals the University of Toronto Varsity Blues (9-6-3) at the Minto Sports Complex in the Gees’ first home game since Dec. 3. Despite the game being the Gees’ third in five days, the University of Ottawa team managed to come out on top, 2-1, before heading into a well-deserved, five-day break in their schedule.

photo by Mico Mazza

DEFENDING THEIR WIN The men’s hockey team struggles to maintain their lead The Gee-Gees began the game on a strong note, winning the opening faceoff while letting the Varsity Blues make mistakes that resulted in penalties for the visitors. Ottawa capitalized on a power play to open the scoring with 8:47 left in the first period, when thirdyear defender Patrick Burns buried the puck in the net with assists by fifthyear forward Maxime Chamberland and second-year defender Dominic Jalbert. “It was kind of a broken play, fiveon-three,” said Burns. “Dominic made

a nice pass and I just had the whole net. It was a pretty easy one.” Just one minute later, the Gee-Gees broadened the gap, when second-year forward Kyle Ireland beat the Blues’ goalie with a top shelf backhand shot. The second period saw the two teams’ aggressiveness come to a head, when multiple scrums resulted in penalties for both the Gees and the Blues. In the middle of a four-on-four, with 6:39 left in the period, a shot from Toronto found the back of the Gees’ net. “We took some bad penalties; we

made some bad decisions with the puck and without the puck,” said Ottawa’s head coach, Réal Paiement. “Is that because we were tired? I don’t know, but it was a good thing we got those two goals early.” Although the third period remained heated, no goals were scored. as The home team stood up to the pressure from the Blues even when they pulled their goalie during the dying minutes. The final buzzer sounded with the Gees on top, 2-1. Of note was the large number of pen-

alties in the game, with 30 infractions being called and a total of 99 penalty minutes. “It sure takes away from the momentum,” said Paiement. “I think both teams did very well on the penalty kill, and got chances on the power plays, but just couldn’t connect the way that I think both teams would have preferred.” With eight games remaining in the regular season, Paiement said the team is optimistic about their challenging final stretch.

“We’re comfortable with where we’re at,” stated Paiement. “We know that other teams in our division have socalled weaker schedules, but I think it’s the best preparation for us for the playoffs, because in the playoffs we’re going to be meeting good teams night f after night.”

The Gee-Gees’ next game will be Jan. 13, when they will be hosted by the Université du Québec à Trois-Rivières Patriotes (14-5-1).

Gees basketball program recruits top athletes Matt Nelson and Catherine Traer join Garnet and Grey Keeton Wilcock | Fulcrum Staff

WHILE MANY ATHLETES were studying for exams, their coaches spent the winter months searching for new team members for the following year—and the basketball program was successful. Both the men’s and women’s basketball teams have gathered their first recruits of 2012. Signing on at centre Peterborough native Matt Nelson is so far the highlight of the University of Ottawa men’s basketball program’s 2012–13 recruiting efforts, as it was announced that the six-foot-nine centre committed to the team in early December. “I’m really excited about coming to the University of Ottawa,” said Nelson to

Sports Services in late December. “I believe it’s the best fit for me both academically and for basketball. The guys on the team really made me feel welcome, and I’m really looking forward to playing with them. It’s like a family.” Nelson’s decision is a huge complement to the Gee-Gees program, as the player from Adam Scott Collegiate and Vocational Institute has been recruited by virtually every university in Ontario as well as schools in the United States. Nelson said that in addition to the welcoming atmosphere of the team, his decision was largely influenced by the immediate connection he felt to the Gees’ head coach, James Derouin. In an email to the Fulcrum, Derouin explained the feelings were mutual. “I think that the connection between coach and recruit plays a major role in the recruiting process,” he said. “A player and coach are going to be together for five years and spend a lot of time together. Matt and I felt comfortable right from the start, and that grew during the recruiting

process.” Derouin noted that although the future business student will be a great asset to the program in terms of his athleticism, height, and energy in the centre position, he’ll need to continue working hard to be successful at the Canadian Interuniversity Sports (CIS) level. “For him to be ready to play, he needs to get stronger and [get] used to the speed of the CIS game,” said Derouin. Ottawa baller joins Gees On the women’s side of things, the team was successful in recruiting six-foot-one small forward Catherine Traer for the 2012–13 season. “I considered the States for all of the summer pretty much, and I was getting interest from Vermont and Idaho State. I visited Acadia also, [and] then I just decided that the States wasn’t for me,” said Traer in an interview with the Fulcrum. “I thought the CIS level was good enough, so that’s why I decided to stay here.” Like Nelson, Traer said that one of the

main reasons for her commitment to the University of Ottawa was a connection to the head coach, Andy Sparks. “[The U of O] has been in my life forever since my dad played there,” said Traer. “I went to basketball camp there and I knew the coach before [committing to the Gees] because I played for him in Grade 10 on his Under-19 Ottawa Shock team, and he was really, really good and I loved playing for him.” Team chemistry shouldn’t be a problem for Traer, as she recently capped off her career as a high-school athlete for the Louis Riel Rebelles in Ottawa, where she played alongside current U of O athletes Kellie Ring and Émilie Vachon. The three played on teams in the Louis Riel provincial championships in 2009 and 2010. Sparks commented on Traer’s decision to join the U of O in a recent statement to Sports Services. “Catherine is a shooter with excellent size, ball-handling ability, and court vision,” said Sparks. “I look forward to seeing her develop over the coming years as

photo illustration by Mico Mazza

a Gee-Gee.” Traer listed strength and speed as areas for improvement before suiting up with the Gees next year, and noted she’s interested in studying law and looking forward to playing at a bilingual school. f

20 | sports

thefulcrum.ca | Jan. 12–25, 2012

The Cavalry Awards Top events and athletes of 2011 WITH THE NEW Year comes an age-long tradition at the Fulcrum where we acknowledge the top athletes and athletic events of the fall season. There were plenty of people and games eligible TOP ATHLETES OF 2011

for our Cavalry Awards this year, and it was a challenge to decide

Gillian Baggott (above) Simon Le Marquand (right)

who made the cut. Curious? Read on to discover just who the Fulphoto left courtesy Richard Whittaker; right by Mico Mazza

crum chose in our semi-annual review of the Garnet and Grey.

top male athlete: simon le marquand, football Featured in Le Droit and the Ottawa Citizen, this third-year receiver helped the Gees through their regular season with his speed, strength, and good sense of self. While his season was cut short in the first game of the playoffs, Simon Le Marquand had an incredible run over the last semester. Second only to receiver Michael Dicroce from the McMaster University Marauders in Canadian Interuniversity Sport list of top receivers, Le Marquand ran 867 yards in 2011. He was also named to the Second Ontario University Athletics All-Stars team. Unable to play last year due to an injury, Le Marquand returned to the field this yearhoping to prove he was ready to be part of the starting lineup. And he did just that, finishing the season with a total

of six touchdowns and an average of 108.4 yards per game on a total 57 receptions. Le Marquand isn’t one to absorbed by individual stats, and can often be heard boasting about his teammates. This nonchalant attitude toward his own talent proves this receiver is in it simply to play the game— to do the best he can and help the Garnet and Grey win as many games as possible. There is no doubt that he will return next year stronger and faster than ever, and will probably be on the short list for top male athlete for the following year. Finalists: Warren Ward (men’s basketball); Dominic Jalbert (men’s hockey); Brendan Gillanders (men’s football). —Katherine DeClerq

top female athlete: gillian baggott, women’s soccer photos by Mico Mazza

SOCCER SUCCESS Women’s soccer team strikes back against Queen’s University

most memorable moment: women’s soccer cis semifinals While the Canadian Interuniversity Sport (CIS) women’s soccer semifi nals in Montreal resulted in a heartbreaking 1-0 loss to Queen’s University, the matchup was not a disappointment. In what could be considered the most frustrating and nail-biting game of the year, the Garnet and Grey held their own against an opponent they hadn’t yet beat, giving up only one goal in a penalty shootout after double overtime. Considering that the Golden Gaels have been CIS champions for two years running, our Gee-Gees performed most admirably. They returned in full strength the next

day for the bronze medal game, determined to get on that podium—and they succeeded with a 2-1 win over the McGill Martlets. So why did the semifi nal match win most memorable moment while the bronze medal winning game didn’t? Simply because the game never seemed to end. Both teams were evenly matched in terms of skill, endurance, and confidence. No one was going to surrender the opportunity to go for gold. Shootouts are basically determined by luck, whether or not the goaltender jumps to the right or to the left. That is

why the women’s soccer CIS semifi nals is tied for the Cavalry Award of most disappointing moment—the game itself is deserving of most memorable mention, but in the Fulcrum’s eyes, the team ought to have won silver or gold. Oh well, maybe next year. Finalists: Fourth years Jenna Pelham and Liliane Pagé’s gold-medal win in lightweight women’s double in the OUA rowing championships; men’s football team season-opener win against the University of Guelph. —Katherine DeClerq

After spending the summer in China playing for Team Canada in the International University Sports Federation tournament, fourth-year defender and team captain of the women’s soccer team Gillian Baggott is most deserving of the Cavalry Award of top female athlete. Besides being a three-time Ontario University Athletic All-Star, she was most recently named to the 2011 Canadian Interuniversity Sports (CIS) along with U of O rookie Pilar Khoury. She was also named a Second Team CIS All-Canadian after the first day of the women’s soccer CIS championship. If all her awards weren’t impressive enough, all you would have to do is take a look at Baggott’s performance over the last few months to know that she warrants receiving this award. Baggott has led the Gees’ defensive core into an in-

credibly successful season. While the team itself possessed many hard-hitting strikers, it was the defence that held the scores to their high numbers, not letting the ball anywhere near their net. The defence allowed the Garnet and Grey to gather the lowest goals against average in the province, with only seven goals scored against them in 16 games. In the CIS semifi nal game, Baggott was named Most Valuable Player for her defensive efforts. There isn’t much more the Fulcrum can say about this athlete, other than we were privileged to have her in Garnet and Grey. Finalists: Elisabeth Wong (women’s soccer); Hannah Sunley-Paisley (women’s basketball); Myriam English (women’s volleyball). —Katherine DeClerq

sports | 21

top competitive club: rowing team The University of Ottawa rowing team proved they belong among the varsity heavyweights this semester. The completely self-sufficient and student-run program earned a record number of medals at this year’s Ontario University Athletics (OUA) championships in St. Catharines, winning a total of six individual medals, the highest medal count in the U of O’s rowing history. An exceptional performance saw the women’s team place fourth overall, achieving the team’s goal to place in the top four in this year’s OUA championships, while the men’s team placed seventh overall. Nov. 5 and 6 saw the team travel to London, Ont. to compete at the 2011

Canadian University Rowing Championships (CURC), where they went head to head with 16 universities. They placed sixth overall in the women’s division and seventh in the men’s, despite only three male athletes competing. Fourth-year psychology student Kate Goodfellow, who won gold at last year’s Canadian University Rowing Championships in Victoria, B.C., and held a world champion title in the Under 23 category, was nominated for female athlete of the year, along with lightweight men’s double rower and fi ft h-year U of O student Andrew Todd, who was nominated for best male athlete of the year. Both athletes competed in the 2011

RBC National Rowing Championships, which showcases Canada’s top rowing athletes, including the Canadian rowing team. The U of O rowing team has done a lot over the past semester, continuously working to train their athletes for future competitions. Their individual athletes have shown dedication and tenacity for success. They hope to gain varsity status in the new year in order to increase funding and concentrate more effort on their performances. Finalists: Men’s soccer team; ringette team; ultimate Frisbee. —Michelle Ferguson

best head coach: steve johnson, women’s soccer Steve Johnson, the founder and head coach of the University of Ottawa’s women’s soccer program, has led his team to an incredible 11 Canadian Interuniversity Sports (CIS) tournaments since 1994, with the most recent coming this year. After their previous season saw the Gees capture an Ontario University Athletics (OUA) bronze medal but fail to advance to the CIS tournament, Johnson and the team were eager to improve their results this year. Under Johnson’s guidance, the women’s soccer team cruised to a 12-3-1 reg-

ular season record this year, nabbing another OUA bronze medal with a 4-0 victory over the McMaster Marauders on Nov. 6. The Gees then advanced to the CIS tournament in Montreal, where the team’s quarter-final win and semifinal loss secured them a spot in the bronze medal match. On Nov. 13, the U of O squad faced off against the host team, the McGill Martlets, and with exceptional play by the team’s strikers and a shut out from goaltender Cynthia Leblanc, the Gee-Gees managed to secure a bronzemedal win with a 2-0 victory.

Johnson’s Gees were a golden squad for University of Ottawa athletic fans this year, as the team was the only one at the U of O to earn either an OUA or a CIS medal. The women’s soccer team hopes to add another CIS medal to their impressive collection next year, and with a strong group of veterans and Johnson as coach, the Fulcrum has high hopes that they do just that. Finalists: Réal Paiement (men’s hockey); Lionel Woods (women’s volleyball). —Keeton Wilcock

Gees’ make valiant effort in football playoff season

most disappointing moment: football playoff season With the women’s soccer Canadian Interuniversity Sport semifinals as the winner of most memorable moment, the men’s football team’s playoff season will be featured as the co-winner of most disappointing moment. After finishing a solid regular season with a record of 5-3, GeeGees’ fans were convinced their team would carry themselves to the final rounds of the playoffs, but that assumption was proven wrong by an unlucky loss in their opening game. On Oct. 29, the University of Ottawa men’s football team lost to the University of Windsor 50-33 in the Ontario University Athletic quarter-finals. The loss wasn’t for lack of effort. The Gees fought valiantly against the Lancers, but allowed too many opportunities for the other team to score, leading to a 34-10 lead by halftime. Fourth-year quarterback Aaron Colbon paired up with secondyear receiver Justene Edwards to gain five

top male rookie: michael l’africain, men’s basketball when L’Africain steps on to it—the team transforms around him. The Gees become more controlled, determined, and organized. And his modesty knows no bounds—everything he does he attributes to his team and coach. For someone who is still learning the ropes of varsity basketball, the Fulcrum would say he is well on his way to being a top player. With the Capital Hoops Classic coming up, let’s hope L’Africain can step up to the plate and pull another win together. Finalists: Russell Abbot (men’s hockey); Sekou Kaba (track, men’s hurdles). —Katherine DeClerq

top female rookie: cynthia leblanc, women’s soccer

TOP ROOKIES OF 2011 Michael L’Africain (above) Cynthia Leblanc (right)

photo left by Mico Mazza; right by Alex Smyth

It is no surprise that national first-year goaltender Cynthia Leblanc would be the winner of the top female rookie Cavalry award of the 2011 fall season. Leblanc has represented Canada on 20 separate occasions as starting goaltender. She has won a bronze medal at the 2008 Women’s Under-17 Championship in Trinidad and Tobago, helped Canada to the quarter-finals at the 2008 FIFA Under-17 Women’s World Cup in New Zealand, contributed to a 2-3 Canadian record at the 2010 Women’s Under-20 Championship in Guatemala, and represented Canada in the 2011 International University Sports Federation tournament in China—and this was all before she put on the Garnet and Grey uniform. Leblanc easily bonded with the Gees in September, never taking attention

away from her teammates, regardless of her national standing. After a game she could be heard giving credit to the team, explaining the squad usually doesn’t let the ball near her to begin with. That is why she loves playing against teams like Queen’s University, who are wellmatched with the Gees—that way she gets to see some action. Thanks to Leblanc, the Gees hold a new personal record of lowest goals scored against. With her in goal, the Gees were unstoppable, and made it all the way to the Canadian Interuniversity championships. Let’s hope she can beat that record in the following season! Finalists: Kellie Ring (women’s basketball); Sherry Patel (swimming). —Katherine DeClerq

touchdowns, but it wasn’t enough—the game ended, and with it the playoff season for the Garnet and Grey. The young team, consisting of a new quarterback, a series of rookies, and a new defensive coordinator, was unable to create the chemistry and consistency needed to compete against the teams who had for the playoff season. This year was about learning to adjust to new defensive strategies and working together as a team. While these Gees will always remain number one in our hearts, the biggest sports disappointment was seeing them lose the opportunity to try their hand at the Vanier Cup. Finalists: Women’s soccer loss in the CIS semifinals (tied with football playoff season); attendance turnout to Gee-Gees games. —Katherine DeClerq

Top magical sport turned global: Quidditch THE POPULARITY OF this Harry Potter-inspired sport has truly soared at the U of O. Over the past year the competitive team has been steadily gaining the interest of the student population. What started off as a team of seven in early September has grown to a hefty quidditch community of 50 participants. In October, the team participated in the first ever Canadian Quidditch Cup and placed third, giving them a ranking of 28th in the world and qualifying for a spot in the Quidditch World Cup. The team trained hard before travelling to Randall’s Island, New York City, in November, practicing up to 15 hours a week. The tournament gathered over 100 teams from all over the world, including Finland, New Zealand, and Argentina. The University of Ottawa lost their pool to the University of Florida, but put forth a valiant effort, most games ending in tight battles. As the days get colder, the team continues to maintain a high level of hard work and dedication, preparing itself for a season of snow quidditch starting with the Ives Pond Invitational Tournament on Jan. 26. The sport of quidditch has evolved extensively over the past year, becoming a well-known and competitive game across the country and the

world. —Michelle Ferguson

illustration by Brennan Bova

After watching the men’s basketball home opener on Nov. 18, it was clear rookie point guard Michael L’Africain was going to be a significant factor in the Gees’ success this season. He ran onto the court with a calm, concentrated face, and proceeded to score the points needed for the fi rst win at home. It was head coach James Derouin that said if L’Africain took more than 10 shots in a game, the Garnet and Grey would be undefeated. In one of his recent games against the University of Guelph on Nov. 26, L’Africain garnered 16 points for the Gees, as well as six rebounds. The atmosphere on the court changes

photo by courtesy Richard Whittaker

RUNNING TO THE FINISH

thefulcrum.ca | Jan. 12–25, 2012

sports | 23

Knockout Tae cardio workout packs a punch Ali Schwabe | Fulcrum Staff

“PUNCH, KICK, AND block your way to a great workout,” promises the GeeGees website. “Using martial arts and boxing techniques, your instructor will guide you through an intense cardiovascular training session.” The intensity left me gasping for breath, and will become a regular part of my workout routine rotation. First impressions I brought along a couple of my roommates to try out this group aerobics class, offered free to U of O students and staff. We were chatting as we waited in the Minto Sports Complex fitness studio until we were shocked into silence when the instructor walked into the room. See, the classes I’ve taken so far have been led by very petite, svelte, fit women. When a six-foot-four, muscular hulk of a man walked into the room to teach the class, it was a tiny bit terrifying. We felt that we were in for an ass-kicking.

Don’t sweat it, just sweat Despite his intimidating stature, our instructor led a simple, effective workout rkout set to techno tunes. The moves, although based on martial arts and boxing, aren’t complicated and require minimal coordination. You don’t need to be Billy Blanks to feel the burn. You’ll be sweating after just a few of minutes of fake jump roping, side de kicking, and upper cuts. You’ve got the powerr The tae cardio workout kout is only as good ch can be an advanas you make it, which tage or a disadvantage. tage. It’s up to you how much tension you bring to the punches and kicks, so you control how hard your heart gets ts beating. On the one hand, this is great because beginners can keep up and more advanced gym-goers can ensure they get a tough enough workout. The downside is when you’re feeling tired it’s easy to slack off, which can make the workout less efficient. The instructor does a decent job of reminding you to breathe and to push yourself, and his countdowns help you continue through fast intervals since you know the end is in sight.

Foolproof fitness Resolutions versus trends Ab-solutely killer ending My favourite—and the most challenging— part of the workout was the last 10 minutes, which were dedicated solely to the abdominal muscles. After jumping around for an hour, it’s almost relaxing to grab a mat, get down on the floor, and hold a plank position for a minute or two. The instructor leads you through a series of challenging ab moves that you’ll defi nitely feel the next day, in the best possible way. Th is class is a great way to mix up your cardio. After the crazy holiday season and perhaps getting back some less-than-stellar fi nal marks, this fast-paced fighting style would be especially beneficial for those looking to ref lieve tension and frustration. Tae Cardio classes are offered in the Minto Sports Complex on Mondays 4–5 p.m. and Thursdays 12–1 p.m., as well as Wednesdays 5:30–6:30 p.m. at Montpetit Dance Studio.

Sports in the Fulcrum isn’t enough?

Sarah Horlick | Fulcrum Contributor

chines. After a few frustrating trips to the gym in January, I generally end up working out on my own, either by following workout videos in my apartment or skating on the canal. Th is lasts until mid-February, when a good number of the resolutionists hang up their running shoes until bikini season rolls around. At this point, the crowds in the gym have usually calmed down considerably and I’m able to resume my normal workout. Don’t get me wrong—I’m a huge proponent of exercise as part of a healthy lifestyle, and I love to see people around me introduce exercise into their lives. However, it pains me to see the resolutionists slowly disappear from the gym and give up so early in the year. If you’ve set a resolution to get fit, make it a lifestyle change, not a new trend for a new year. Do whatever it takes to get to the gym as often as you can, whether that means lugging gym clothes around with you to your lectures so you can fit in a workout after class or waking up at the crack of dawn for Zumba class. If I still see you come October, you deserve a major pat on the back. f

THE MONTH OF January is somewhat bittersweet for me. By the time the first week rolls around, my stocking has been reduced to nothing more than a sad sock of empty wrappers. Like every other student, I am scratching my head in wonder at the fact that, yes, midterms are coming up in a matter of weeks. The optimists around me rebut my complaints with gleeful shouts of “The new year is all about a new YOU!” and “Set some resolutions for the year ahead!” It is as if there is a January bandwagon full of “resolutionists,” many of whom have pledged to lose weight and get ripped. Th is bandwagon tears through the city when many are still nursing their New Year’s Day hangovers and head directly for the gym. If you’re a regular at the gym, you’ll notice some new faces in January. Many of them, in fact. There is an influx of people of all ages and sizes, some decked out in brand new Lululemon and Under Armour gear. The gym is packed from morning till night with new gym-goers eager to try every group fitness class they can and test out all the cardio ma-

scoreboard 6-4

Basketball (M) Gees Gees

91 92

vs.

80 71

Voyagers Lions

@ University of Toronto (Jan. 13, 8 p.m.)

8-2

Basketball (W) +

Gees Gees Next:

67 66

vs.

32 40

@ University of Toronto (Jan. 13, 6 p.m.)

12-7-1

Hockey (M) Gees Gees Next: Listen to the GeeGees Hour Mondays at noon on CHUO 89.1 fm.

1 2

Voyagers Lions

vs.

3 1

Redmen Varsity Blues

@ UQTR (Jan. 13, 7 p.m.)

3-9

Hockey (W) Gees

vs.

Carabins

@ Minto Sports Complex (Jan. 14, 2 p.m.)

7-3

Volleyball (W) Gees Next:

3 vs.

Vert et Or

@ York (Jan. 13, 6 p.m.)

*exhibition game*

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thefulcrum.ca

thefulcrum.ca | Jan. 12–25, 2012

features | 25

thethryllabus Music

Visual art

Jan. 14: The Thundermonks play Zaphod Beeblebrox (27 York St.), 8 p.m.

Now–Jan. 29: Works by Gert Jochems displayed at La Petite Mort Gallery (306 Cumberland St.)

Jan. 19: Real Estate, The Babies, and Kalle Mattson play Mavericks (221 Rideau St.), 8 p.m. Jan. 20: Yellow Jacket Avenger and Geoffrey Pye play Black Sheep Inn (420 Riverside Dr.), 8:30 p.m. Jan. 20: The Riot Police play Zaphod Beeblebrox (27 York St.), 8 p.m. Jan. 21: Kingdom Shore, The James Annett Trio, CPI, and DJ Jairus Khan play Raw Sugar Café (692 Somerset St. W.), 8 p.m. Jan. 23: Geek Trivia plays Arrow and Loon Pub (99 5th Ave.), 6 p.m. Jan. 23: Deal With Hell Tour: Dr. Acula, In Alcatraz 1962, Legion, Wolves In Stride, Obduracy, and Town Apart By Wolves play Café Dekcuf (221 Rideau St.), 6 p.m. Jan. 24: Nightbox and more play Café Dekcuf (221 Rideau St.), 7 p.m. Jan. 24: JJ Grey, Mofro, and Monkey Junk play Mavericks (221 Rideau St.), 7:40 p.m.

Now–Jan. 31: New works by the gallery’s artists displayed at the Koyman Galleries (1771 St. Laurent Blvd.) Now–March 25: Works by Janet Cardiff displayed at the National Gallery of Canada (380 Sussex Dr.) Now–April 1: Made in America: 1900–1950 is displayed at the National Gallery of Canada (380 Sussex Dr.) Now–April 27: Leiber and Sullivan is displayed at the National Gallery of Canada (380 Sussex Dr.) Film Jan. 12: The Artist plays at the ByTowne Cinema (325 Rideau St.), 9:10 p.m. Jan. 12: Martha Marcy Mae Marlene plays at the Mayfair Theatre (1074 Bank St.), 9:30 p.m. Jan. 13: A Dangerous Method plays at the ByTowne Cinema (325 Rideau St.), 7:05 p.m.

Want your event listed on the thryllabus? Email events@thefulcrum.ca

Jan. 13: Friday the 13th plays at the Mayfair Theatre (1074 Bank St.), 11:30 p.m. Jan. 13: Beauty and the Beast 3D, Contraband, and Joyful Noise released to theatres Jan. 14: Starbuck plays at the ByTowne Cinema (325 Rideau St.), 4:40 p.m. Jan. 14: Beetlejuice plays at the Mayfair Theatre (1074 Bank St.), 3 p.m. Jan. 15: The Breakfast Club plays at the Mayfair Theatre (1074 Bank St.), 6:15 p.m. Jan. 17: Diamonds are Forever plays at the Mayfair Theatre (1074 Bank St.), 9:20 p.m. Jan. 17: Tommy plays at the ByTowne Cinema (325 Rideau St.), 7:10 p.m. Jan. 20: My Week With Marilyn plays at the ByTowne Cinema (325 Rideau St.), 7 p.m.

Theatre Jan. 10–28: Lost in Yonkers plays at the Ottawa Little Theatre (400 King Edward Ave.) Jan. 17–Feb. 5: Blood on the Moon plays at the Great Canadian Theatre Company (1233 Wellington St. W.) Sports events Jan. 14: Women’s hockey: Gee-Gees play the Carleton University Ravens at the Minto Sports Complex (801 King Edward Ave.), 2 p.m. Jan. 16: Ottawa Senators play the Winnipeg Jets at Scotiabank Place (1000 Palladium Dr.), 7:30 p.m. Jan. 18: Women and men’s basketball: Capital Hoops: Gee-Gees play the Carleton University Ravens at Scotiabank Place (1000 Palladium Dr.), 6 p.m. and 8 p.m.

Jan. 20: Haywire, Red Tails, and Underworld: Awakening released to theatres

Jan. 20: Women’s basketball: GeeGees play the Royal Military College Paladin Knights at Montpetit Hall (125 University Pvt.), 6 p.m.

Jan. 22: The Skin I Live In plays at the ByTowne Cinema (325 Rideau St.), 7:45 p.m.

Jan. 20: Men’s basketball: Gee-Gees play the Royal Military College Paladin Knights at Montpetit Hall

(125 University Pvt.), 8 p.m. Jan. 21: Women’s hockey: Gee-Gees play the Concordia University Stingers at the Minto Sports Complex (801 King Edward Ave.), 2 p.m. Jan. 21: Women’s volleyball: Gee-Gees play the University of Toronto Varsity Blues at Montpetit Hall (125 University Pvt.), 2 p.m. Jan. 22: Men’s hockey: Gee-Gees play l’Université du Québec à Trois-Rivières Patriotes at the Minto Sports Complex (801 King Edward Ave.), 2 p.m. Jan. 22: Women’s volleyball: Gee-Gees play the Brock University Badgers at Montpetit Hall (125 University Pvt.), 2 p.m. Miscellaneous happenings Jan. 20: The Students’ Association of the Faculty of Arts hosts Electric Church Party at St. Brigid’s Church (310 St. Patrick St.), 10 p.m. Jan. 20–21: The Gatineau Beerfest held at various locations in Alymer, Gatineau Jan. 21: A poetry reading called “Poetry for the End of the World” held at the Arts Court Theatre (2 Daly Ave.)

jan. 12–25

The Fulcrum needs a webmaster! Interested in web design? Know what a CMS is? Don’t think you need a round of antibiotics to cure a computer virus? WE NEED YOU! Applicants can email a cover letter and resumé to editor@thefulcrum.ca by Jan. 26 at 5 p.m.

OPINIONS Jaclyn Lytle | executive@thefulcrum.ca | (613) 562-5258

OPINIONS

Setting a price on human life Debating the legalization of organ trade in Canada IRAN IS CURRENTLY the only nation that permits

Jaclyn Lytle | Fulcrum Staff

the sale of human organs.

Breaking news: Monogamy and marriage go hand-in-hand Aerosmith frontman Steven Tyler is about to embark on his third marriage. The 63-year-old rock star proposed to his longtime lover Erin Brady over the holidays and, despite his family’s public protest to the union, he feels he’s found the secret to successful marriage: Monogamy. According to reports, all it took was a lighthearted threat from his bride-to-be to enlighten Tyler on the importance of staying faithful. “I just said… If you play, I’m gonna play,” said Brady. Has Tyler really been unaware of the importance of fidelity all these years, or is the controversial couple just trying to set their impending vows apart from the singer’s two previous marriages?

By legalizing organ trade, the country has found a way to reduce the number of sick citizens dying as a result of lack of donors. It has also set an ethical precedent for the free sale of organs. A professor at the Telfer School of Management and a third-year U of O economics and public policy student weigh in on the possibility of bringing the organ trade to Canada.

illustration by Devin Beauregard

Human organs should remain priceless

Free the market, save lives

point

counterpoint

There is an endemic shortage of human organs for transplantation in Canada, as elsewhere. Should this shortage be alleviated, or even eliminated, by allowing the sale of organs and removing the current laws that prohibit such selling? The public considers the commodification of organs to be intrinsically offensive. Even staunchly and famously freemarket adherents like Margaret Thatcher likened the idea to “slavery in bits and pieces.” Another argument against the selling of organs is the concern over the quality and safety of the thus acquired organs, though this problem can be mitigated by the use of testing and screening technologies and procedures. The most potent argument against the commodification of organs is one of distributive justice. The poor will become the overwhelming source of organs. The globalization of the market for organs will be unavoidable, resulting in a virtual one-way flow of organs from poor to rich countries—much of it illegitimate. There is a growing literature on the socalled “red-market” amply documenting the exploitation and horrific abuse of the destitute and children in many developing countries. A huge black market exists and the enforcement of laws prohibiting

the sale of organs has proven ineffective and futile, a situation that will only get worse with commodification. So how else can the shortages be addressed? Countries need to try using incentives to coax more donation of organs. Singapore and Israel, for example, are implementing a system that gives priority to transplantable organs to those who previously donated organs themselves. In the U.K., a bioethics committee proposed the government pay the funeral expenses of organ donors. Other ideas included payment for cadaver organs to a charity of the donor’s choice. An increased supply of organs in Canada is eminently possible with reasonable changes in medical and hospital practices, specifically in the procurement and retrieval of organs. Canadians should be careful what we wish for. Aiming for “no shortage” of organs is both unrealistic and, more importantly, unwise. Eventually it would result in grave shortages and unmet need will most surely occur in other areas of medicine. It is a question of priorities and it is far from obvious that organs for transplantation must consistently be the highest priority in medicine. —Pran Manga

In Canada, the sale and purchase of kidneys—or any organ—for transplantation is illegal. This prohibition directly leads to quantifiable, uncompensated, third-party harm inflicted on innocent people by political decision-making. According to the Canadian Institute for Health Information, there are currently about 3,000 Canadians on the waiting list for a kidney transplant, with close to 300 dying while waiting each year. In waiting for an available kidney for transplantation, most undergo some form of dialysis, a stop-gap measure that does not cure kidney disease or make kidneys well again and does not fully replace kidney function. Typically patients are treated using hemodialysis at a cost of approximately $60,000 per patient, per year of treatment. This costs our overburdened, single-payer health-care system $2.2 billion annually, and these numbers will only increase over time with the aging of Canada’s population. The simple reason for this costly, deadly predicament: The illegal status of organ trade in Canada. The illegality of the trade creates a price ceiling for kidneys at zero dollars, affecting supply and demand. The elimination of this price ceiling through a free market for organ trade would elimi-

nate the shortage, as the price of a kidney would settle at a level that would eliminate excess demand. Those with the money to purchase organs could do so, and thus only those unable to pay for premium organs would be forced to rely on the healthcare system to provide them. Aside from an apparent general objection to the commodification of the body, the prohibition is vaguely defended on grounds that a market for kidneys would take advantage of, and negatively impact, those of lower income, who could benefit from selling their kidneys. Otherwise worded, a policy that has led directly to thousands of deaths, untold hardships and heartache, and billions of dollars in unnecessary costs is primarily defended on the grounds that the state does not trust poor people to make decisions that would work in their own interest. This is insufficient as grounds for prohibition. All organs should be allowed to trade freely between willing, consenting, informed adults, just like any other commodity. Freeing the market for organs would be a victory for personal choice over government prohibition and have the added benefit of saving money and lives. —Chris Spoke

Alberta not ecstatic about ecstasy deaths Alberta Health Services issued a public warning about the dangers of ecstasy following several deaths linked to the street drug in recent weeks on Dec. 30. Th ree young Calgary men are dead after overdosing on the drug, as well as one young woman from Abbotsford, B.C. Alarmed by the deaths and the recent spike in the availability of ecstasy, Calgary police chief Rick Hanson is urging parents in the area to inform their children about the perils of street drugs. “Th is is a time for parents to sit down and really talk to their kids about ecstasy,” Hanson said. Is it too late to save Alberta youth from diving into ecstacy, or will Hanson’s plea to parents discourage drug use in the Prairie province? Stem cells stop aging A recent study at the University of Pittsburgh found stem cells can slow down aging in mice. The discovery was made when researchers at the university infected mice with progeria syndrome, which causes rapid aging, then injected them with stem cells from healthy mice. The mice given the stem cells not only largely recovered from their progeria symptoms, but thrived and lived far longer than those who were not given stem cells. “We could basically triple their size and their lifespan,” said Laura Niedernhofer, one of the professors that conducted the study. Are the results of this study just one more reason to open up stem cell research, or an appalling example of animal abuse in the name of scientific study?

Care to comment? Tell us what your opinion is at Thefulcrum.ca/category/opinions/.

thefulcrum.ca | Jan. 12–25, 2012

opinions | 27

Anthropogenic, shmanthropogenic Getting recognition since 1942.

A defence of Canada’s Kyoto drop

Phone: (613) 562-5261 | Fax: (613) 562-5259 631 King Edward Ave. Ottawa, ON K1N 6N5

Keeton Wilcock | Fulcrum Staff

Volume 72, Issue 16, Jan. 12–26, 2012

Recycle this, or you won’t be nominated!

staff Mercedes ‘major contender’ Mueller Editor-in-Chief editor@thefulcrum.ca Michelle ‘first runner-up’ Ferguson Production Manager production@thefulcrum.ca Jaclyn ‘loved by the fans’ Lytle Executive Editor executive@thefulcrum.ca Mico ‘most improved’ Mazza Art Director design@thefulcrum.ca Jane ‘ just so honoured’ Lytvynenko News Editor news@thefulcrum.ca Sofia ‘happy to be nominated’ Hashi Arts & Culture Editor arts@thefulcrum.ca Kristyn ‘ favourite to win’ Filip Features Editor features@thefulcrum.ca Katherine ‘the dark horse’ DeClerq Sports Editor sports@thefulcrum.ca Charlotte ‘best performance’ Bailey Online Editor online@thefulcrum.ca Christopher ‘red carpet’ Radojewski Associate News Editor associate.news@thefulcrum.ca Ali ‘shortlisted’ Schwabe Copy Editor Keeton ‘what’s my prize’ Wilcock Staff Writer Sam ‘say cheese’ Cowan Staff Proofreader Julia ‘and the winner is...’ Pankova Staff Illustrator Joshua ‘practically a celebrity’ Pride Volunteer & Visibility Coordinator volunteer@thefulcrum.ca Danielle ‘very grateful’ Vicha General Manager business.manager@thefulcrum.ca Deidre ‘best dressed’ Butters Advertising Representative ads@thefulcrum.ca

contributors Eleni ‘all dressed up’ Armenakis Leia ‘award ceremony’ Atkinson Devin ‘buzzworthy’ Beauregard Brennan ‘best speech’ Bova Sean ‘sore loser’ Campbell Victoria ‘very surprised to win’ Dudys Kyle ‘honoured to be here’ Hansford Andrew ‘i won’ Ikeman Pran ‘most determined’ Manga Alex ‘i deserve to win’ Martin Abria ‘name in lights’ Mattina Eva ‘almost famous’ Morin Alessandro ‘give me my trophy’ Seccareccia Tyler ‘thanks to the fans’ Shendruk Chris ‘nominations’ Spoke Colin ‘smile for the cameras’ Sutherland Spencer ‘such an honour’ Van Dyk

DEAR MR. HARPER, It’s true I’ve always been a big fan of your policies, and I can’t tell you how excited I was on May 2 when I watched the fi nal numbers roll in and you gained a majority government. But it was on Dec. 11 that you won a very special place in my heart. It was on this day that your Minister of the Environment, Peter Kent, officially announced Canada would be the fi rst country in the world to withdraw from the Kyoto Protocol—a decision like that is just pure Stephen Harper gold. “The Kyoto Protocol has been holding back Canada’s economic growth for far too long,” I thought. “It’s about time the Conservative government dropped that ancient piece of emissions legislation like an arts student with a chemistry elective.” Now, to educated folks like you and me, dropping the restrictive Kyoto Protocol is only logical. You can imagine my surprise, then, when a few of my friends didn’t view Kent’s announcement favourably. Fortunately I took a civics class in Grade 10, so I have a thorough understanding of international environmental legislation, and was able to explain your decision to my misunderstanding friends. First, I explained that the federal gov-

ernment has saved $14 billion by dropping out of the Kyoto Protocol, and in these times of economic austerity, breaking our country’s promise to the rest of the world is totally legit. If our federal government paid this ridiculous fi ne, that would mean an increase of almost 0.03 per cent to our country’s $50-billion deficit! “I know that I’m certainly not willing to give up 0.03 per cent of my hardearned cash to make good on a 14-yearold promise with global repercussions, and neither should Harper and our federal government,” I said. Next, I argued that this whole Kyoto business always smelled a little too much of communism for my taste, and if there’s one thing Canadians aren’t it’s treehugging commies. Wealthy first-world countries cutting their emissions while poor third-world countries are allowed to increase theirs? Sounds like some classwarfare Marxist junk to me, and I’m certainly not having any of it. Capitalism for the win, am I right? I’m right. I also noted the world’s largest emitters—China and the United States—never ratified the Kyoto Protocol. Everyone knows that until those countries ratify a climate-change agreement, taking action in any way to limit Canada’s annual 500 million tonnes of carbon dioxide emissions is basically useless. Lastly, I was able to recall that the federal government’s Kyoto decision came just two days after the close of an international summit on climate change in Durban, South Africa, a summit Kent attended. Th is obviously allowed Kent to gain all the relevant facts about climate change necessary to make his educated decision to ignore it. After I fi nished my tirade, one of my

illustration by Devin Beauregard

friends told me that Canada has been mocked internationally for the decision to drop Kyoto, and that Ban Ki Moon, Secretary General of the United Nations, stated on Dec. 14 that we are at a turning point in history due to worldwide political protests and climate change. I mostly didn’t know how to reply to that, so I just yelled, “Yeah, tar sands!” and said the discussion was henceforth prorogued for three months or so while

I focused on more important things. That worked pretty well, I think. Anyway, I want to personally thank you for the federal government’s decision to drop the Kyoto Protocol, and I encourage you to never let facts get in the way of your opinion—and never let a promise get in the way of your wallet. Yours, A proud Canadian

Drink better coffee Why doesn’t anyone go for the good stuff anymore? Jane Lytvynenko | Fulcrum Staff

I’M NOT A morning person. The only way I won’t sleep through my alarm is if I smell a pot of freshly brewed coffee just begging to be consumed—and I’m not alone. According to the Coffee Association of Canada (CAC), 63 per cent of Canadian adults drink coffee on a regular basis and that number jumps to 81 per cent when you include those who enjoy

the occassional cup. But just because you can’t get out of bed without a cup of java doesn’t mean you drink the good stuff. The CAC reports only six per cent of all coffee drinkers enjoy a specialty coffee on a daily basis. Specialty coffee is high quality, usually hand-picked, and grown in specific geographic locations, giving it a unique taste—you know, the premium stuff you get at specialty coffee shops. Starbucks is one of the largest specialty coffee shops in the world, serving madeto-order espresso drinks like a real coffee shop should. Recently, however, fast food joints in North America have been trying to break into the specialty coffee market by offering seemingly speciality espresso-based drinks. While these cheap alternatives may seem as good as anything Starbucks or Second Cup offers,

they are just cheap replicas. Places like Tim Hortons and McDonald’s now carry espresso-based drinks, advertising some as “premium-roast coffees” and using other overly flattering terms to describe machine-made coffee brewed from beans of unknown origins. It’s these new products that have me losing faith in the specialty coffee culture. I know coffee is often used solely to load up on energy, but that doesn’t mean we have to endure the horrors of a watered-down double-double or day-old McDonald’s coffee. Bad coffee is everywhere; it has even made its way into consumers’ homes. So-called coffee-pod machines that pack concentrated and ground-up coffee into plastic airtight containers have grown in popularity over the past few years. Some

of these machines are better than others, depending on the brand, but I remain extremely skeptical of the pods—what’s actually in those things? The problem is we tend to sacrifice quality in the face of convenience. Most premium coffee is only slightly more expensive than mass-produced cheap imitations, but it’s not as widely available. Even I have consumed old Mac’s coffee because I didn’t want to walk in the cold to a Second Cup. But as soon as I take a sip, I remember why I like the good stuff. It has a full body, a distinct flavour, and no funny aftertaste. All in all, a good cup of coffee is worth the effort. Besides, if it’s energy you want, it probably has more caffeine than a watered-down fast-food f coffee too.

Stick with us, kid!

cover art by Julia Pankova

On Jan. 18, the Fulcrum will be live tweeting and reporting from Scotiabank Place during the annual Capital Hoops Classic, where the University of Ottawa will compete against cross-town rivals, the Carleton Ravens. This basketball tournament is something you won’t want to miss, so be sure to check out our coverage that night on Thefulcrum.ca!