March 21, 2018 Issue by On the Record News (Formerly the Ryersonian)

A legacy on and off the ice

High fashion

page 9

page 8

yersonian R WEDNESDAY, MARCH 21, 2018

ryersonian.ca Volume 72 Number 19

Produced by the Ryerson School of Journalism

Forced to work without heat ILINA GHOSH RYERSONIAN

Students who work in MON 418, the graduate studies office in Ryerson’s Monetary Times building (Civil Engineering Building), have been working without heat all winter long. First noticing the cold in late November, PhD student and teaching assistant Kevin Zhang sent his first complaint about the lack of heating in his office to the building’s technical lead hand

officer 121 days ago. A number of complaints from him and his co-workers have followed, he said. An email sent to Zhang in January from facilities said efforts had been made to fix the heating system, with requests being sent to an HVAC mechanic and supervisor. But their room still remains without heat. “We’re suffering … We’re in here for a quite a few hours. After the first 30 minutes, you start to feel (the cold). It’s distracting, you can’t work. And then there’s the anger at facilities for how long it’s

gone on,” Zhang said. “At this point, I think facilities is like, ‘It’ll be spring and then they’ll stop complaining.’ For us, it’s a matter of principle to get this fixed.” Ryerson international student and teaching assistant Tarek Ghazal recently arrived in Canada and works in the office. Originally from Egypt, Ghazal said he is not used to the Canadian climate and that he did not expect to deal with the cold indoors as well. “I expected that all the offices would be heated and when I

arrived, they said, ‘No, the heating is not working.’ Back home, the temperature in the winter is 16 (degrees). So I asked my co-workers and they said, ‘Unfortunately, everyone has to buy their own heaters.’ While others in the office have bought personal space heaters, Ghazal said he cannot. “I just arrived and I’m an international student and to be honest, I can’t afford to buy a heater. The fact is… I’m freezing.” This week, the students have begun a daily email campaign to

push the school to fix the heating system. “We’re just starting our campaign to send emails to facilities, so that we can’t be ignored or at least we’re annoying, so that they have to do something,” Zhang said. Neither Ryerson’s department of facilities management and development nor the department of public affairs responded in time for publication. @IlsGhosh

Ryerson grad takes on MasterChef COURTESY MASTERCHEF CANADA

What’s online Check out ryersonian.ca to read about why you haven’t been getting security alert emails and how Ryerson students cope with speech and language impairments.

Listen

Reem Ahmed is the first Muslim woman to wear a hijab on the show.

Page 2

Watch Morning Update

weekdays at 10 a.m. on CJRU And subscribe to the podcast

Ryersonian This Week on iTunes and Google Play

Morning Update weekdays at 10 a.m.

Ryersonian This Week Fridays at noon

Available on Facebook Live, ryersonian.ca, and on screens throughout the RCC

an 2

R yersonian

Pricey new residence

News

page 5 Wednesday, March 21, 2018

Grad takes on MasterChef Canada MIRIAM VALDES-CARLETTI RYERSONIAN

The only time Reem Ahmed remembers she’s an engineer is when her iron ring hits the pot when she’s cooking. (Iron rings are given to graduates of Canadian engineering programs in a tradition that dates back to 1922.) Born in Egypt, Ahmed graduated from the biomedical engineering program at Ryerson University in 2015 and is now a top 21 finalist on Season 5 of MasterChef Canada, a competitive cooking reality show. After graduating, Ahmed knew engineering wasn’t her

passion and wanted something that would allow her to interact with people. She learned how to cook when she got married after graduation. And when her son was born in 2016, she suffered from postpartum depression and anxiety; cooking was her way out. “The only time I felt free of that (postpartum depression) is when I started cooking in the kitchen,” Ahmed said. “It gave me the freedom to experiment with ingredients and it was fun.” She soon wanted to find a way to pursue that passion. As a longtime fan of MasterChef Canada, Ahmed was sitting on the couch

watching it when she told her husband, “I wish I was one of the contestants on the show.” The show was taking applications at the time and Ahmed submitted a video of herself cooking. She got it in just hours before the deadline. The next day, she got a call that she had been chosen for the show. While getting on the show is an accomplishment on its own, Ahmed is also the first Muslim woman to wear a hijab on MasterChef Canada. “It feels amazing but at the same time, there’s a lot of pressure,” Ahmed said. “You’re representing Muslims, women who

wear hijabs and that’s a huge responsibility.” Through her time on the show, she hopes to represent the women who may look up to her, such as other mothers and women who wear hijabs. “I hope that I inspire all the young Muslim girls and new moms in our community to follow their passion,” she said. “To have the courage to get involved in our community even if we’re from the visible minority.” While Ahmed can cook different types of food, she hopes to highlight Middle Eastern cuisine through her dishes during the season. Her audition dish was

eggplant stuffed with basmati rice, baba ghanoush and charcoal beef. Although she trained as an engineer, the show has inspired her to shift her focus. Ahmed now plans to open an Egyptian restaurant in downtown Toronto. “There’s a lot of Middle-Eastern food, but it’s mostly shawarma and falafel, it’s the basic stuff. I need to show people there’s more to Egyptian cuisine.” The first episode of MasterChef Canada Season 5 airs on April 3. @mvaldescarletti

KA 819 #824202

Now leasing for September! LIMITED 8 MONTH LEASES AVAILABLE &

@ ParksideStudentResidence

APPLY @ LIVE-PARKSIDE.COM ·

Walk or bike to class at Ryerson University

Private bedrooms & bathrooms

Fully furnished suites

24-hour, state-of-the-art fitness centre

Group & private study lounges

Recreation centre with billiards & arcade games

Garage parking available

Internet included in every suite

Individual liability leases & roommate matching available

Amenities & utilities included are subject to change. Limited time only. See office for details.

R yersonian

News 3 4

onian

Wednesday, March 21, 2018

TTC board approves U-Pass, student referendum still needed MATTHEW CHIN AND TERESA DONATO RYERSONIAN

The Toronto Transit Commission board has approved a new discounted Metropass for fulltime post-secondary students. The board voted unanimously in favour of implementing the U-Pass. The Universal Pass (U-Pass) will provide students unlimited access to the TTC during the academic year for a lesser cost than the current Post-Secondary Metropass, which sits at $116.75 a month. “This is so, so incredible,” said Daniel Lis, Ryerson Students’ Union (RSU) vice-president of education. “We’ve been working on this for over a year. It’s just incredible to see that with hard work comes results.” It is now up to the student unions of Ryerson University, the University of Toronto St. George, OCAD University and George Brown College to hold referendums to make the pass a reality for students. Lis said that that he thought the board would vote “yes” to the pass. He said that he believes it’s likely for the referendum to pass

at Ryerson. If approved, students will have to pay an additional $280 every semester, working out to $70 a month, toward their tuition to pay for the pass. The TTC board is able to offer the more affordable Metropass by making it mandatory for all full-time students to pay the monthly fee. There will be an option for students to opt out on a case-by-case basis. Those cases will be handled by the university. Lis said that the pass is long overdue for students. He had helped conduct an online survey in co-operation with the TTC and the four post-secondary institutions about student ridership. The TTC reported that 95 per cent of the 16,000 students who were surveyed use the public transit system. “Every city in Canada that has a university has a U-Pass, except for the ones in Toronto. Especially with how big our commuter base is and how small our residency is, it’s surprising that it’s taken us this long. But it’s better late than never,” said Lis. The University of Toronto’s St. George campus has already initiated its referendum and is on track to becoming the first of the four schools to implement

the U-Pass. If Ryerson decides to move forward with the pass, it will be entering into a four-year contract with the TTC. The U-Pass is designed to be “cost-neutral,” with $65 going to pay for transit and the remaining $5 allocated for TTC improvements. TTC spokesperson Stuart Green said the pass will lead to an increase in ridership and revenue for the TTC. Arthur Borkwood, head of customer development for the TTC, said that there is a possibility that the same photo ID students use with their monthly student Metropasses will be allowed for use with the U-Pass. The pass will either be available at a designated station, or on campuses. Some Ryerson students see the pass as a much needed financial relief. Claudia Alonzo, a second-year engineering student, has been commuting for years. She said the new cost is, “a little extra, but it’s not (so) expensive that it’s not fair (for students who don’t commute).” Sameet Zainab, a second-year nutrition student who commutes from Brampton, Ont., said her commute costs around $400 per month.

DAVID LAO | RYERSONIAN

If implemented, students would pay an extra $280 every semester, as part of their tuition, for the U-Pass.

Like many students, Zainab has a low-paying part-time job. “Since I have a full-time course load I can’t work that much, so my paycheque is basically going towards my commute all the

FREE FACIAL (with product) Acne, Acne Scars Dry & Oily Skin Free 15 min Electrolysis/ Laser

victoryskincare.com

time,” she said. Should Ryerson students approve the U-Pass proposal, the university could offer it as early as fall 2019.

Yonge & Beautiful Cosmetic Clinic 384 Yonge Street, Unit 8 At Aura Shopping Yonge/Gerrard 416-921-2512

bestbeautydeal@hotmail.com

Are you a creative in film, theatre, fashion or music? Cast Meet Crew is a user-friendly app for creatives looking to work and collaborate with other creatives. For a limited time, students who sign up with a Ryerson email account get the premium version for free. Post casting calls, network with artists from around the world, send unlimited invites, and list up to six talents with 18 media files for each.

We’ll be at the SCC Open House on March 22. Come say hello!

Available from the App Store or Google Play For more info, visit castmeetcrew.com

44 Advertisement

Wednesday, March 21, 2018

yersonian

R yersonian

Wednesday, March 21, 2018

News 5 4

onian

New residence has hefty price tag SERENA LALANI RYERSONIAN

Ryerson University is set to open a new — and pricey — student residence this fall. The new building, HOEM, will be the university’s largest residence and will be open to both lower and upperyear students, a first for Ryerson. The last time Ryerson opened a new residence was 25 years ago. The 30-floor building, located at 186 Jarvis St., has been in the works for several years and is the result of a partnership between the Canadian Student Communities Inc. (CSCI) and Ryerson University. Matthew Stein, project manager at CSCI, explains that this building was designed with students in mind. “Any student who attends Ryerson can live at HOEM. There’s no restrictions based on how far you live or anything like that,” said Stein. “We’ve split the building to make sure we’ve

allocated a certain number of rooms to provide opportunity for upper-year students, while still having plenty of room for firstyear students.” While a student in any year of study can live at HOEM (a play on “home”), there are barriers as to who can afford to live in this new luxury building. Earlier this year, the 14th annual edition of the Demographia International Housing Affordability Survey was released. The report states that even after considering the least expensive housing in Toronto — apartment condominiums — the city is now ranked 21st out of 293 cities around the world when it comes to unaffordability. And according to Arun Arulparan, a fourth-year engineering student at Ryerson, buildings like HOEM play a big role in that rank. Arulparan considers the new housing to be a ripoff. “This isn’t fair to students. Not many people can afford to pay $1,400 a month without some

sort of loan. Even then, there are cheaper alternatives around the area that are around $1,000.” Stein said that the cost was decided based on value and neighbouring market prices. “It’s an alternative offering to what Ryerson currently has. If cost is the primary concern, students won’t apply to HOEM, but to the many students that are applying, we feel that the value is there.” Third-year social work student Farah Kulvart said that having a residence available to upper-year students was long overdue. “It would help take away the stress of dealing with a landlord and searching for a decent apartment near Ryerson.” Though Kulvart believes this will be a better and more convenient option for students, not all agree after taking a look at the additional costs. Applying for this residence means accepting a 50-week term as opposed to other residences which are 32-week terms. That

means that if you aren’t planning to stick around for the summer, you will have to sublet your unit. Additionally, utilities are not included and have been estimated by the Ryerson Housing Office as $35 per person per month. The four-bedroom apartment is the cheapest option for HOEM units. Two-bedroom and three-bedroom “pads” are available at a higher cost of $360 to $385 per week. Units in the new residence come fully furnished. Additionally, Stein said that the facilities available, along with the location are what make the building unique and worthwhile. HOEM includes student facilities like a fully equipped gym and study spaces. “The building and the amenities look really great, but as Ryerson students we already pay for the campus gym in our tuition. Having a gym inside the residence isn’t exactly necessary,” Arulparan said.

Each unit includes internet and kitchen appliances such as a stove, dishwasher, bedroom locks and in-suite cleaning. “We want to give people the opportunity to have a selection,” Stein said. “We asked ourselves, ‘Are we delivering the value for which we’re charging?’ and we believe we are.” Jacqueline Anderson, a second-year business management student, said that applying to HOEM isn’t something she can consider after digging further into the cost. “As student-friendly as they’re trying to make this seem, there are too many cons that come along with it,” Anderson said. “Knowing that I would have to put down over $3,700 before moving in is unrealistic. That’s not even including food costs or tuition. I just don’t see how this is a good option for average students.” @serena_lalani

Students, Provide your opinion about Ryerson professors and courses! Complete the online

Faculty Course Survey

between March 23 and April 2 and you could win one of two Apple Watches! - Log into my.ryerson.ca

- Click “Complete the Survey”

- Go to “Participate” module

- Answer the survey questions

- Click “Faculty Course Survey”

- Provide comments to your professors Scan to complete surveys on your mobile device

Wednesday, March 21, 2018

Features yersonian

R yers

Being a f

Ryerson fashion grad Sabin also wanted the freedom t

HARLEEN SIDHU RYERSONIAN

HARLEEN SIDHU | RYERSONIAN

Above: Ryerson fashion communication graduate Sabina Fenn works on her tablet in her home studio. Below: Sabina Fenn’s illustration of two women chatting and drinking cocktails in Cuba.

COURTESY SABINA FENN

Sabina Fenn’s downtown Toronto apartment is decorated with fashion illustrations. In one of these drawings, nine women wear fruit, like produce is the new Prada. In another, a bob-haired beauty frolics in a banana skirt. The former is an original work by the 23-yearold freelance fashion and lifestyle illustrator, and the latter is a print she picked up in Paris — by Paul Colin, one of France’s reigning supreme poster artists from 1920s. Fenn and France go way back — at least in terms of Fenn’s heritage. Her mother is French, so Fenn grew up speaking the language. The inspiration for her work is a complementing mix of the jazzy feel of Paris in the ‘20s, vintage Vogue covers, and posters from a time when illustrations, rather than photographs, circulated through the City of Lights. To be transported to Fenn’s ultra-chic Parisian reality, where glamorous women sport red pouts, frequent cool cafes and roam picturesque places, a scroll through her Instagram will do the trick. *** It was during her third-year in Ryerson’s fashion communication program that she discovered her passion for fashion illustration. Not long after this revelation, she started freelancing, joining the ranks of what Statistics Canada reports as 1.9 million self-employed Canadians. Like any other university student, Fenn went to class and completed assignments. But she also worked freelance gigs on the side. After graduating in 2017, she took a couple odd jobs before deciding it was time to be her own girlboss and pursue her passion full time — freelance style. In a short time, Fenn has amassed an impressive roster of clients, including Cartier, Saks Fifth Avenue and Canada Fashion Group. Her career has flourished — she’s embellished cards, sketched guests at events and, most recently, illustrated designer creations live as they came down the runway at Toronto Men’s Fashion Week and Toronto Women’s Fashion week. A freelance career can be enticing in that sense; the lifestyle affords diverse and unexpected opportunities. But as Ryerson journalism professor Adrian Ma said, the romanticized idea where a freelancer’s time is spent “drinking Americanos at Starbucks, working whenever inspiration strikes and having the rest of the time to yourself,” isn’t usually the reality. “Every freelancer I know doesn’t have a spare moment,” Ma said.

He suggests approachi a normal nine-to-five job self-employed. “They spe not on a project, coming up spective clients, seeking w Having had a taste o months, Fenn knows wo

I really had

fortable situa

do things pro

working nights. “Sometimes I’m sketch “It’s just the way of the job Being your own boss is tially brought along its ow “What if I fail?” she rem Despite her numerous provide support and adv was essentially trial and e “I really had to put my that I could learn how to Being self-employed, a business; there are invoic But it’s the freedom an to prioritize and pursue w what makes the hustle w along Lakeshore, visit co with her friends — at the time. According to Statistics from home in 2016. To

sonian

Features

Wednesday, March 21, 2018

freelance #GirlBoss

na Fenn strove for a career in fashion illustration, but she to freelance. (Spoiler alert: she got what she asked for.)

ing freelancing with discipline, as one would b. But this often isn’t the case among the end almost every waking hour, when they’re up with pitches, arranging meetings with prowork opportunities and networking.” of the freelance lifestyle for the past few orking days can just as easily transition into

entrepreneurs, a growing number of co-working spaces with annual or monthly rates (such as Make Lemonade and Project Spaces) have set up shop in major cities like Toronto. Fenn on the other hand, doubles her apartment as a studio. She sometimes works sitting and other times standing at her height-adjustable desk, as Nala, her cage-free adopted rabbit, hangs around the space. There are perks to working from home: you COURTESY SABINA FENN don’t have to wear makeup, you can wear comfy yoga pants and take breaks when you please to snack or run errands. Despite this, watching the “suits” rush in and out of work like clockwork Above: One of Sabina Fenn’s illustrations. every morning and evening outside her conve- Below: Sabina Fenn with her beloved bunny, Nala. niently placed financial district apartment made Fenn feel guilty early on. “When I was going out for a run at 9 a.m. and then I’d come back and see all these people going to work I’d be like, ‘oh my god I have to get to work too!’” Noticing she had more time in her day than the average person, she thought, “maybe (I’m) doing something wrong.” To gut fatigue and spawn motivation, Fenn uses podcasts and YouTube. From Lewis Howes’s podcast School of Greatness, which shares inspiring stories, to day-in-the-life vlogs, Fenn absorbs tips on how to live her best life. Cooking, reading, meditating, and working out are some hobbies that aim to do just that. When she’s not pursuing her hobbies, Fenn’s most likely working on passion projects that twin her full-time forte. “It’s funny because when your full-time job is something that you love so much, your time off you’re still doing that but not really working,” she says. “It’s like a different kind of feeling because there’s no pressure around what I’m drawing.” As of late, there’s been an added silver lining to this pastime: Fenn is publishing her first book. Slated for release this December, her coffee table book is a love letter to Coco Chanel’s iconic little black dress. Within it, her signature black-and-white-with-a-pop-of-red illustrations will decode how women have worn the iconic garment over the years. She says the book will be similar to a time capsule. “It’s something that you can look back on 20 years later and be like, ‘this is what my life was like at the time; this is what I was loving.”’ Fenn admits a book was never in the plan, but with freelance careers, the best things never are. HARLEEN SIDHU | RYERSONIAN

d to put myself in a lot of uncom-

ations so that I could learn how to

operly.

— Sabina Fenn

hing in bed at 9 p.m. or something,” says Fenn. b.” s no easy feat, and in Fenn’s case, the title iniwn set of stresses. members thinking. s mentors (including her parents) who could vice, Fenn says adjusting to this line of work error. yself in a lot of uncomfortable situations so do things properly,” she said. as she quickly discovered, is like running a ces, taxes, phone calls and emails to oversee. nd flexibility of freelancing that allows Fenn what she wants, when she wants to, and that’s worthwhile. She can still take her daily walks offee shops around the city and spend time e end of the day, she’s working on her own

s Canada, six per cent of Canadians worked accommodate the rise of freelancers and

@harleennsidhu

an 8

R yersonian

See runway video online

Arts & Life Pot’s fashionable foot forward ryersonian.ca

Wednesday, March 21, 2018

HARLEEN SIDHU RYERSONIAN

COURTESY TOM*

somebody that you know lives in their mother’s basement, doesn’t have a job,” said Toronto-based menswear blogger Daniel Ocean. In 2015, nearly five million Canadians used pot, according to Statistics Canada. That’s almost 15 per cent of the nation’s population. Contrary to stereotypes,

@harleennsidhu

For more on this story, visit

ryersonian.ca

Now Offering 8 Month Leases!

All-inclusive living in downtown Toronto’s premier student residence.

JARVIS STREET

Fall 2018

YORKVILLE

BLOOR STREET THE ROM

YONGE STREET

informational exhibit to pick up cannabis-infused goodies like oils and medical cannabis journals— or to simply learn more about cannabis.

QUEEN’S PARK

LITTLE ITALY

KENSINGTON MARKET

CAMPUSONE

CHINA TOWN AGO

N O W QUEEN WEST FASHION DISTRICT

ENING UMMER

UNIVERSITY AVENUE

Secure Your Space.

Ocean says today’s pot users include successful individuals who aren’t afraid to make their recreational consumption known. He notes a friend, a business-type, who visits dispensaries in a suit. Over the course of TOM* and its sister event, Toronto Women’s Fashion Week, this season’s showgoers could stop by Tweed’s

SPADINA AVENUE

With the legalization of recreational marijuana coming this summer, this year will be a big one for pot. Even the fashion world is feeling the effects—or at least it did at Toronto’s first cannabis-inspired fashion show, Tweed: Fabric of Creativity. To the tune of Cardi B’s Bartier Cardi, 18 Canadian designers sent a total of 36 designs down the runway at Toronto Men’s Fashion Week (TOM*). Ensembles by Ryerson fashion grads Tristan Licud, Joseph Tassoni, Shelli Oh, Kristian Nielson and Farley Chatto, a contract lecturer with Ryerson’s fashion program, were among those featured in the collaborative show. The garments presented, however, were nothing like the bulk of cannabis-inspired apparel on the market today that tend to be fashioned with images of cannabis leaves, smoke and pro-pot messaging. Rather, these clothes had just one thing in common: the tweed-hemp fabric they were made from. Designers were asked to incorporate tweed, a woolen fabric with a rich history in menswear, into their designs for Tweed, the Canadian cannabis producer behind the collaborative show. The resulting looks ranged as much in inspiration as they did in design: Chatto put a war-era military biker spin on the classic three-piece suit, while Oh refashioned Sherlock Holmes-inspired overcoats with glen plaid. Amy Wasserman, Tweed’s marketing director, said that the similarities between the cannabis and fashion industries made the collaboration a no-brainer.

“Cannabis is more than just a plant and it has the ability to move things forward. I think that in many ways fashion is the same way.” Both industries harness the power to bring people together and build community. From hosting annual summer festivals on the front lawn of their facility to implementing an artist residence program, Tweed: Fabric of Creativity is the company’s latest creative initiative aiming to increase engagement, education and change the dialogue around cannabis. “I don’t know if necessarily showing that (cannabis is) a stylish thing is going to change anything,” said Oh. “I’m hoping that it at least opens up a conversation.” According to Wasserman, whose role at Tweed is to speak with members across different communities, the general attitude towards cannabis in Canada is “relatively positive.” But there’s still a strong stigma. “The stigma of pot is always

METRO HOSPITAL

MATTAMY ATHLETIC CENTRE MAPLE LEAF GARDENS

COLLEGE STREET

DUNDAS STREET

L E A S I N EATON G CENTRE CITY HALL

QUEEN STREET

FIVE STAR AMENITIES

Movie Theatres Ping-Pong Lounge

KING WESTInnovation Lounge Fitness Centre ENTERTAINMENT DISTRICT Arcade Lounge

Fully-furnished suites Professional, on-site management Bike storage with on-site repair station

Individual liability leases KING STREET

HOCKEY HALL OF FAME

Roommate matching Fireplace Lounge 9,000 sf 3-meal Food Program Communal & Quiet Study Rooms Best in class WiFi included ROY THOMSON HALL Video Game Lounge 24/7 on-site security Penthouse Level SkyLounge Directly across the street from UNION STATION And more... UofT’s St. George Campus RIPLEY’S AQUARIUM CN TOWER AIR CANADA CENTRE ROGERS CENTRE

GARDINER EXPRESSWAY BILLY BISHOP AIRPORT

This is CampusOne. Close to Ryerson, OCADU and directly across the street from UofT. Apply Now at Live-CampusOne.ca or visit us at 253 College Street for a tour TODAY! *CampusOne is an independently owned and operated residence affiliated with the University and the University assumes no responsibility in regard to any agreements entered into by students/residents with the Owner and the Operator. The University makes no representations or warranties and assumes no responsibility for the conditions of services provided at the Academic Residence.

ST LAWRENCE MARKET

R yersonian

Women win first national title

Sports

ryersonian.ca Wednesday, March 21, 2018

More than just hockey JULIA RANNEY

SPECIAL TO THE RYERSONIAN

In his three short years with the Rams men’s hockey team, Aaron Armstrong has left the program in a better place than he found it. He’s a tireless worker on and off the ice, having trained his way to become an elite force on the team while volunteering his time to charity. Head coach Johnny Duco says Armstrong was a significant factor why the team’s academics and community involvement is where it’s currently at. When Armstrong joined the men’s hockey team in 2015, he never imagined he would become one of the most decorated Ryerson athletes both on and off the ice. Having recently finished his final season at Ryerson, Armstrong says he doesn’t think about his awards or team records when reflecting on his time here. Instead, he remembers his teammates, with whom he spent countless hours on the ice, in the classroom and in the community. But his teammates say their relationship with Armstrong was their a very memorable part of their time here. “One thing I will take from Aaron is that he is very humble,” says Lucas Froese, a fellow Ram. “At times in my hockey career I wanted to get goals and glory, but no more, thanks to him. I think I have a best friend for life.” On the ice, Armstrong is outstanding. Last year he led the OUA with 46 points in 28 games, setting a school record for most points in a season. He was named an OUA first-team allstar and a USports second-team

all-Canadian. But these successes didn’t come without hard work and determination. At only five-foot-nine, he’s smaller than m o s t competitors, and he weighs 20 kilos less than

s ome players he goes up against. There’s nothing physically imposing about Armstrong, but his game adapts around his smaller

size. He’s a playmaker, whose speed and aggression make him a dominant force on the ice. “The most difficult thing was confidence, that I could actually compete with these guys and contribute,” said Armstrong when asked about his switch to Ryerson. “When you come from Junior C and they come from the OHL with five years on you, I had to believe in myself before I could be effective.” To get where he is now, Armstrong has kept himself busy both in the gym and on the ice. The coaching staff told Armstrong he needed to bulk up and improve his shot. “It all comes down to his understanding of what needs to be worked on,” says Duco. “And he came back a top-end player.” His hard work paid off, but Armstrong’s true strength lies in his positivity, selflessness and

community-building. Armstrong is active in the community. He volunteers with Light Patrol, a charity for homeless youth. He also mentors struggling Ryerson athletes academically. Along with his teammates he taught a class from Nelson Mandela public school in Regent Park how to skate. His resumé is full of things that show he is caring and passionate. He was the first player in Ryerson history to win the prestigious Randy Gregg Award last year for combining athletics, academics and community service. “I was shocked (by the award) and felt privileged,” said Armstrong. “I played with with some really good players and they had a large part to do with it the entire team and season was huge.” Armstrong’s passion for making a difference was evident last May when he and five other Ryerson athletes ventured on a two-week humanitarian trip

to Cambodia. After hearing the stories and challenges of the 27 orphans he met on the trip, he was inspired to create the Armstrong Hockey School, a hockey camp that raised funds for the orphans. The camp ran last August and raised $5,000, enough to send all the orphans to school for the year. Rookie Cavin Leth is one of those players who’s been inspired by Armstrong. “The culture he wants to bring in is someone who takes pride on and off the ice,” says Leth. “He’s so positive and (he) pushed everyone to be the best versions of themselves and help people, which I’ll take with me.” Duco says Armstrong’s impact on the team will continue to be felt, even after he’s gone. “I’d say the biggest legacy he’s leaving behind is the culture piece and how important it is to be good students and be good members of the community.”

STUDENT SPECIAL Receive 20% off with code:

TCA2018

MATT HAMILTON TEAM SHUSTER

EUNJUNG KIM TEAM KIM

KAITLYN LAWES TEAM JONES

THE BEST CURLERS IN THE WORLD ARE COMING TO RYERSON’S MATTAMY ATHLETIC CENTRE

APR 10–15, 2018 FOR TICKETS VISIT THEGRANDSLAMOFCURLING.COM THEGRANDSLAMOFCURLING.COM

@GRANDSLAMCURL

#GSOC

an 10

R yersonian

Editorial

Read more Opinions online ryersonian.ca Wednesday, March 21, 2018

EDITORIAL

DriveHer to safety As students we’ve all taken an Uber to get to one place or another. Whether we are running late to class, going to work, or partying downtown, it’s become the go-to mode of transportation when we can’t rely on the TTC. Which is often. However, many of us, especially us women, have felt uncomfortable in an Uber. Ubering as a woman means experiencing awkward smalltalk, intrusive questions, and occasional glares from the rearview mirror. Fortunately, ride-sharing has now taken a step in the feminist direction. With the launch of DriveHer, this ride-sharing app aims to make women feel safer as they travel within the city. With a slogan that reads, “For Women, By Women,” DriveHer only allows female passengers and employs only women as drivers. The app will also provide more jobs for women, as taxi services have been dominated and regulated by males for as long as they’ve been around. DriveHer also connects with shelters to provide free transportation to women who are fleeing domestic violence. The company also indicates on its website that it will be sharing some of its profits with women-centred charities and services. DriveHer is breaking the stereotypes surrounding women by putting them behind the wheel. It also gives female passengers a real sense of safety and security when they sit in the back seat. DriveHer is pushing us to be more critical of services that are

marketed to serve everybody but actually marginalize women. Most of all, DriveHer has reframed safety as an absolute right, rather than a situational right. Depending on who you are, you may think that DriveHer is unnecessary and that Uber is just as safe. But the truth is that Uber isn’t safe for everyone. Being alone in a car with a man you don’t know can make women feel unsafe. For many reasons, DriveHer is an important advancement that should be shared and acknowledged widely. Ryerson faculty and students should be spreading awareness regarding this app, as it can be used as a safer alternative for women. Female students should be aware that they are receiving support. Even simply suggesting to female friends and students to download this app can go a long way. Using this app to support each other will make society a much safer place for women. To all the women who have chosen to be dropped off a few blocks from their home on a late night, been uncomfortable taking an Uber alone or have rung the doorbell even though they have the keys in their hand, DriveHer is here to change that. It’s safe, inclusive, empowering, and affordable. It’s like the sisterhood we never knew we needed.

MELISSA ORO | RYERSONIAN

OPINION

Practising Islam on Ryerson campus SYED RAZVI RYERSONIAN

As a journalism student and a Muslim, I am constantly on the run. While filming documentaries and spending nights in editing suites, I also have the responsibility of dedicating some of my time for God.

For a Muslim, it is part of the five pillars of Islam to pray five times a day. No, I didn’t make the excuse of saying I had to use the washroom for 20 straight minutes; we don’t have diarrhea five times a day. I openly told my peers and professors that I had to go pray. In fact, sometimes my deadlines were extended on that very premise. Many of my professors have asked me to describe my pilgrimages to the Middle East in the form of articles and videos. In my experience, non-Muslims do understand and respect my beliefs. As a Muslim on campus, Ryerson has treated me well. I am content with the four years I got to study here. Having said that, for new Muslim students starting in the fall, it would be helpful if Ryerson were to implement more prayer spaces in each building. There is a space for prayer

in the Student Campus Centre. However, due to time constraints, it’s not always possible to get there from class. It would also be nice to avoid the embarrassment of being caught in yoga-like positions in staircases, library corners or empty classrooms. As Muslims, it is required to make wudu, an Islamic procedure of washing parts of the body for purification before we pray. So maybe having an ablution area in more washrooms outside of the SCC would also be helpful, so people don’t catch us barefoot trying to take a mini bath before we head to prayer. You wouldn’t even know how many thousands of Muslims attend Ryerson. So why not have more places on campus to pray? Ryerson should try to make our experience on campus as accommodating and inclusive as possible, and not just for Muslims, but for everyone.

R yersonian