The Silhouette — September 28, 2017

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INSIDE>>

NEWS: RESPONSE TO MCMASTER’S SMOKING BAN // PAGE 3 ARTS & CULTURE: DONUT MONSTER COMING TO LOCKE STREET // PAGE 17 SPORTS: #MacHOCO2017 PREVIEW // PAGE 20-21

The Silhouette Thursday, Sept. 28, 2017

MARAUDERS SWOOP IN

DEFENDING THE TURF

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FOLLOW US

The Silhouette

Volume 88, Issue 7 Thursday, Sept. 28, 2017 McMaster University’s Student Newspaper

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MCMASTER THESIL

LOOKING BACK

EDITORIAL BOARD

HOMECOMING’87

editor-in-chief | thesil@thesil.ca

Shane Madill @shanemadill digital media specialist | dms@msu.mcmaster.ca

Aaron de Jesus

managing editor | managing@thesil.ca

Rachel Katz

production editor | production@thesil.ca

Catherine Tarasyuk

online editor | online@thesil.ca

Haley Greene sections

I

Sasha Dhesi news reporter Cassidy Bereskin news@thesil.ca news editor

Emily O’Rourke

features reporter

features@thesil.ca opinion editor

Thurs., Oct. 1:

Reem Sheet

opinion@thesil.ca

Justin Parker Jessica Carmichael sports@thesil.ca

sports editor sports reporter

& culture editor Daniel Arauz arts & culture reporter Razan Samara aandc@thesil.ca arts

media

Madeline Neumann photo reporter Kyle West production coordinator Grant Holt production coordinator Timothy Law production@thesil.ca photo editor

Yvonne Lu Jaime Cook online content coordinator Susie Ellis online@thesil.ca video editor

social media coordinator

COVER PHOTO Madeline Neumann

CONTACT

LEGAL

MUSC, Room B110 McMaster University 1280 Main Street West, Hamilton, ON L8S 4S4

The Silhouette welcomes letters to the editor in person at MUSC B110, or by email at thesil@thesil.ca. Please include name, address and telephone number for verification only. Letters should be 300 words or less.

We reserve the right to edit, condense or reject letters and opinion articles. Opinions and editorials expressed in the Silhouette are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect those of the editorial board, the publishers, the McMaster Students Union or the University. The Silhouette is an editorially autonomous newspaper published by the McMaster Students Union. The Silhouette Board of Publications acts as an intermediary between the editorial board, the McMaster community and the McMaster Students Union. Grievances regarding the Silhouette may be forwarded in writing to: McMaster Students Union, McMaster University Student Centre, Room 201, L8S 4S4, Attn: The Silhouette Board of Publications.

The Board will consider all submissions and make recommendations accordingly.

Editor-in-Chief (905) 525-9140, ext 22052 Main Office (905) 525-9140, ext 27117 Advertising (905) 920-1605 italim@mcmaster.ca 8,000 circulation published by the

CFMU presents: Direct from B.C. “Go for 3” plus guests “Cockelshell Heroes” KTH Cafeteria. Doors open 8:30 p.m.

• Tickets $3 Mac ID; $5 guests. (L.L.B.O.)

T

CORO BAOAMIC

ROXANNE M EICM IHT

Fri., Oct. 2 MSU Commons Pub Commons Building. Doors open 8:30 p.m.

D.J. musics, tickets at door.

JOHN STOCKWELL • former CIA chief speaks h h Time: 12:30 TStf I2 0 ,r$2 ^ m d & ftt^ fth e door. r

Mentalist, Mike Man TSH 120. 11 p.m. < Tickets $4 Mac ID

Double Blues Band Great 60’s, Motown, & more.

TSH Cafeteria. Doors open 9 p.m.

• Tickets $3 Mac I.D., $5 guests. (L.L.B.O.)

Sat., Oct. 3 Game Day! Pre-Game Warm-Up 12:30 p.m. - 2 p.m. Edwards Quad Music, Facepainting, hot dogs and more.

Superpub: Doug and the Slugs Ivor Wynne rocks 8:30 a.m. - 1 a.m.

Tickets at the Info Office

Late Nite Dancing Non-alcoholic fun at B last Furnace 1:30 a.m. - 3 a.m. W entw orth House

N.B. Homecoming is for students, Alumni and Faculty only. *Advance tickets can be purchased from Info Office, Hamiliton Hall for Doug & the Slugs & Mike Mandel * *All other events will sell tickets at the door.

A LOT

us Homecoming Lots Come of funsupport events and acts from the 80s! weekend, so we can support the

u.

jJ J

• U 33-32 n i t eagainst d W a y #York Yeoman. The game McMaster won the game the featured an exciting final few minutes as York scored a kickoff A ls o jo in u s in o u r F IR S T A N N I V E R S A R Y W E EK S P E C IA L return TD and goal o n O c t ohit ber 7 a b y short w i s h i n g u sfield a HAPP Y R IRshortly T H D A Y a n dafter e a r n i n g to tie the game 32-32.

2050-yard % d i s c o u n t punt . y o u r s e lf a a McMaster kicked to win the game.

We’ll be w a itin g to hear f rom you!

E f f e c t i v e O cto b er 7 to 1 4 t h , 1 9 8 7

527-5111

WE WANT YOU TO CONTRIBUTE

As always, we will continue to accept volunteer submissions, feedback and inquiries. Feel free to visit our office in MUSC B110 or send an email to the section you would like to contribute to.

www.thesil.ca | Thursday, Sept. 28, 2017

The Silhouette

| 3

News McMaster’s smoking ban evokes a mixed response McMaster’s smoking ban elicits concern from different groups on campus

GRANT HOLT / PRODUCTION COORDINATOR

Gabi Herman Contributor

In a highly publicized message last week, McMaster University announced that they would ban all smoking on campus starting in January. This includes cigarettes, cigars, marijuana and e-cigs. Many in the campus community have lauded McMaster’s health-promoting decisions, but others are concerned about feasibility and accessibility.

The new policy is in the spirit of the Okanagan Charter, an agreement McMaster signed that calls on universities to “embed health into all aspects of campus cultures.”

Tobacco use and exposure to second-hand smoke have well-established links with heart disease, stroke, cancer and respiratory distress. McMaster hopes this move will help foster a campus community that makes healthy decisions. The university will provide support to those quitting, with resources and sessions available to help students, staff, and faculty quit smoking.

McMaster is Ontario’s first campus to ban smoking, and the responses of the media and Ontario’s post-secondary commu-

nity have been largely positive.

The, University of Toronto responded to McMaster’s smoking ban by announcing their plan to institute a smoking ban too, according to the Varsity. Across Canada, smoking bans already exist at 14 campuses, mostly on the east coast. Reportedly, the bans there have been mostly successful.

A primary concern with the policy is whether enforcement is feasible. Right now, smoking is banned within nine metres of an entrance and inside all buildings. However, smoking near building entrances is extremely common, and the policy seems to go unenforced. Since the current policy is frequently broken, a stricter policy is very ambitious. Enforcement of the new smoking ban will be phased in over the next year, beginning with gentle reminders of McMaster’s smoking cessation policies.

McMaster’s size and location make it especially difficult to leave campus to smoke; the surrounding areas have few places to sit and rest, and many parts of campus are over ten minutes away from public property. This has the potential to impact employees who make use

of short breaks to smoke.

According to Graham Baker, president of CUPE 3906, workers’ unions on campus were not consulted during the policy’s development, although they were told over the summer.

Employers are not allowed to punish employees for breaking the smoking policy, but are not obligated to give employees extra break time to go off campus and smoke. McMaster has also stated it has worked to address concerns that smokers will crowd the sidewalks in surrounding neighbourhoods, but has not provided specifics.

In the announcement, the university wrote that it paid attention to the needs of Indigenous students, whose use of traditional and sacred medicines may conflict with the policy.

Indigenous students can receive exemptions upon request.

Piers Kreps, co-president of the Cooperative of Indigenous Studies Students and Alumni said that CISSA was not consulted in the planning of the smoking ban, or given warning about the policy. Exemptions upon request could present a

problem.

“It’s not like we plan when we’re going to smudge or burn tobacco,” said Kreps. However, Kreps was cautiously optimistic.

“I think this provides the university with a wonderful opportunity to promote and educate [students and staff about] the Indigenous position here,” he said.

Other accessibility concerns have been raised. Alex Wilson, Student Representative Assembly member (Science), put forward a motion at the SRA meeting on Sunday night.

“Marginalized groups are disproportionately affected by addiction and substance use due to social factors,” read the motion.

The motion passed, so the

MSU’s official position now advises against moving towards a smoke free campus without considering other factors such as safety and accessibility.

Ryan Deshpande, McMaster Students Union vice president (Education), was consulted

by McMaster University, and reached out to the SRA for input. “The policy has not been finalized yet, and review is still ongoing,” said Deshpande.

For further clarity, student and staff groups will have to wait until policy finalization in the new year. @theSilhouette

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NEWS

Thursday, Sept. 28, 2017 | www.thesil.ca

Working while an undergraduate As the Ontario University Student Alliance explore working while attending university, McMaster students share their experiences holding a job while at Mac

OUSA’s Steering Committee is focusing on work-integrated learning this year.

C/O OUSA

Sasha Dhesi News Editor

On Sept. 12, 2017, the Ontario University Student Alliance released their annual “Educated Solutions” report, which acts as a forum for students and policymakers to discuss their thoughts on that year’s main theme. The theme for this year was student employment.

Throughout the report, authors discussed the problems at hand for students seeking work, whether in the shape of parttime work, co-op placements or filling the “skills gap”.

One report honed in on the failures of the Employee Standards Act for students, arguing it does not protect students from precarious working conditions.

“The ESA explicitly excludes ‘individuals performing work under a program approved by a college of applied

arts and technology or university’,” said Jennifer Lewarne, academic affairs commissioner of the Alma Mater Society at Queen’s University, who wrote the piece. “This is particularly problematic as it exposes students to potential mistreatment and exploitation in the workforce.”

Much of the document argued that work-integrated learning programs must cater to students’ needs and listen to what students and faculty are saying in order to develop these work opportunities.

The report is clear: work experience during one’s undergraduate career helps students build skills and give them the right tools to enter the workforce after they finish their bachelor’s degree.

At McMaster, on-campus work opportunities are commonplace; between the McMaster Students Union’s employees,

the work/study program and research opportunities, students have the option of gaining work experience while attending university. These jobs, however, have pitfalls.

One of the major downsides to working on campus as opposed to elsewhere are the limited hours many popular jobs offer. Ikram Farah, a political sciences and labour studies student, worked three on-campus jobs last year. Farah worked for Mills Library through the work/study program, as a customer representative for the MSU Compass and as a Residence Life community advisor.

“When I worked as a sales representative outside of campus they could give as many hours as I wanted and it was more feasible because I needed it,” Farah said.

With that in mind though, there are benefits to working on campus, such as open and

discreet accommodations.

Barkhaa Talat, a life sciences student, echoed this sentiment.

Talat worked for Guest Resident Services with Residence Life last year.

“If there have been times where I’ve needed time off, she’ll ask me to come in person and sort it out but they’ve been pretty accommodating with that,” she said.

But it can also be difficult simply finding a job on campus at all. For example, becoming a tour guide for the office of the registrar is often challenging since they hire all of their positions for the entire year in April, when most students are either busy with exams or gone for the summer.

Ruchika Gothoskar, a political sciences student, worked as a tour guide but only found the job out of sheer luck when some of her friends stopped by the tour guide office for an

application.

“There are lots and lots of jobs within the Registrar’s office for students, but they’re not advertised well enough. I found out about being a tour guide through my friends,” said Gothoskar.

“There’s little to no advertising for that job other than word-of-mouth which can be a good thing because you have tour guides recommending their very qualified friends and not just [random people] who just want a job but I think there’s a lot of merit in being able to advertise a job well,” she added.

While work experience during one’s undergrad has had well-researched benefits, students still often have barriers accessing these positions.

@SashaDhesi

NEWS

www.thesil.ca | Thursday, Sept. 28, 2017

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The Pulse’s new challenges Students and employees consider the ramifications and logistics of a gym membership for all Cassidy Bereskin News Reporter

In a referendum that took place in March 2017, McMaster students voted to expand the Pulse fitness area and make membership part of the Student Activity Fee, eliminating the supplementary fee that users originally had to pay to receive a full year membership.

As a byproduct of the policy, more students have been taking advantage of the now-compulsory Pulse membership.

Compared to Sept. 2016, the David Braley Athletic Centre, which includes the Pulse, has seen a 13 per cent increase in overall traffic.

According to Laura Rietmuller, the fitness and wellness coordinator at the Pulse, membership has more than doubled since last year, and the Pulse has seen an increase in both student use and damaged equipment.

In the wake of the overcrowding problem at the Pulse, complaints from McMaster students have surfaced.

“You need to stay in line for everything. Every day, I wait at least ten minutes for a locker. A workout that should take you half an hour takes two hours,” said Shahed Salehi, a daily Pulse user and social sciences student.

“You need to stay in line for everything. Every day, I wait at least ten minutes for a locker. A workout that should take you half an hour takes two hours,” Shahed Salehi, Student Social Sciences “I only went to the Pulse once, but it was full to the brim, with much of the equipment occupied. As a result, I have yet to return,” Rishi Bansal, a first-year arts and science student, said.

As a result of the overcrowding, the Pulse has also experienced an increase in humidity. To remedy this, Garret Pratt, a first-year commerce student and Pulse user, suggests

MADELINE NEUMANN / PHOTO EDITOR

that the Pulse consider lifting its ban on tank tops.

“The Pulse tends to be so humid from all the bodies, it’s ridiculous. If you go in at night you can see all the windows coated with steam,” Pratt said.

When asked how the Pulse is accommodating for the spike in users, Rietmuller said that in late Oct. 2017, the gym will be turning the east auxiliary gymnasium into a “Pop-up Pulse.”

The gym, which will include cardio equipment, a women’s only area, free weights and free space for activity, will serve to

divert traffic in the Pulse until the expansion is completed.

Equipment for the east auxiliary gym has already been purchased.

In addition, the Pulse has increased both its hours of operation and the number of outdoor fitness classes it offers.

The McMaster Students Union, Athletics and Recreation and Student Affairs have also been working to provide students with additional opportunities to exercise.

Rietmuller also notes that the gym is not students’ only

avenue for physical activity.

“Go for a swim, try the outdoor fitness circuit and climbing wall, challenge a friend at squash, explore Hamilton’s natural beauty and trails, hit the indoor or outdoor track, check out intramural sport leagues,” Rietmuller said.

The Pulse will be offering students free racquet rentals for the first term and, as a product of the referendum, a 50 per cent discount on intramural tournaments. Pilates and yoga programs will also be 50 per cent off for students.

These initiatives, which appear to be aimed at increasing space in the Pulse, however, are only part of a band aid solution.

The expansion construction project, which will result in a gym that is double the size of the existing one, is not scheduled to be completed until 2020.

As the nice weather subsides and increasingly more students take advantage of their membership, the Pulse will have to continue to do more to reduce its overcrowding problem. @cassidybereskin

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FEATURE NEWS

Thursday, Sept. 28, 2017 | www.thesil.ca

Biphoria comes to Hamilton

As Bisexuality Awareness Month draws to a close, Hamilton’s bi community celebrates with a night of art and performance

MADELINE NEUMANN / PHOTO EDITOR Suzany Manimaran Contributor

On Sept. 22, the eve of Bisexual Day of Visibility, a group of individuals from all over the Greater Toronto Area came together for Hamilton’s first ever Biphoria, an event for bisexual identifying artists and performers to showcase their pieces.

“It was two years ago that I had the first show in Toronto,” said Catherine McCormack, Biphoria creator. “What I saw was that there was this huge gap around queer events which weren’t centred around alcohol and drinking and that way of reacting or dealing with our oppressions.”

Biphoria was a night of art and performance that was created and curated for and by those who identify as bisexual.

Performances focused on stories about isolation and

“We have a world that tells us bisexuals that we don’t exist that comes up with you know ridiculous stereotypes, and uses that unfortunately to pit people in the queer community against each other.”

Catherine McCormack Co-president Biphoria Creator

invisibility, identity crises and the ensuing anxiety in coming out. Many performers noted the immediate bond and sense of community the storytelling built between the

audience and performers.

“We don’t see it at the time,” said performer Perth Sandiford, after the event. “But we are exchanging culture and growing culture, in this case queer culture, through storytelling.”

Through stories that were told, whether it were song, spoken word or stand up comedy, bisexual artists brought to light some of the major issues and stigmas facing the bisexual community today.

“I came out as bisexual in an era where it polarized a room,” said Micheal Thorner, another performer. “So [my] song kind of spoke to the orientation process that the small town Catholic moved through.”

Many artists talked about bi erasure and bi invisibility in gay and lesbian spaces, where bisexuality is heavily stigmatized

at times.

“We have a world that tells us bisexuals that we don’t exist that comes up with you know ridiculous stereotypes, and uses that unfortunately to pit people in the queer community against each other,” said McCormack.

Several artists spoke about the complicated relationship that bisexuals have with labeling themselves, and about the stigma that comes with the label. Many bisexual individuals struggle with having their identity erased while in monogamous relationships and being framed as indecisive.

“The bi community often suffers because of the dominance of the gay community and the lesbian community,” said Valizan, who performed with his troupe, Shades of Araby. “Events like Biphoria help create community,

strengthen community and show people there is a community they can come to if they need.”

But it is increasingly difficult to find queer spaces and community, even within bigger cities. “With the increasing gentrification in Toronto a lot of queers are getting pushed out. Look at The Village,” said Perth Sandiford, referring the LGBT-oriented Church-Wellesley neighbourhood in Toronto.

“How many bars recently were torn down to make room for condos?”

Biphoria was ultimately a night of vulnerability, resilience and hope among a community often ignored. @theSilhouette

NEWS

www.thesil.ca | Thursday, Sept. 28, 2017

| 7

Mac’s other union and you Sessional faculty share their experiences as they negotiate for better wages and more job security with the university CUPE 3906 has been in negotiations with McMaster University since July 2017.

Sasha Dhesi News Editor

C/O CUPE 3906

Watching a professor teach a large lecture hall full of students, one would hardly assume that they struggle to make ends meet. But for many sessional faculty members, the prestige of being a lecturer at McMaster University does not equal a steady income.

In July 2017, the local division of Canadian Union of Public Employees, CUPE 3906, began bargaining with McMaster University to improve working conditions for sessional faculty and hourly-rated sessional music faculty. Their main focus is on better wages and job security.

A sessional faculty member is a professor without tenure, who is expected to reapply for their positions once their short-term contract has ended. It is common for sessional faculty members to be hired on a semester-by-semester basis, meaning they must reapply for their job every few months.

“If you take 40 per cent of whatever the average assistant professor is making and how many classes they’re teaching, usually two to four classes, it ends up being twice what our sessionals are making, and it’s the same work.”

Graham Baker President CUPE 3906 “When you think as well about the idea of equal pay for equal work, which is a standard we hold onto as a local [union], you have to think about what other faculties on this campus are getting paid to do the same work sessionals are paid to do,” said Graham Baker, CUPE 3906

president.

Baker argued that once their income is broken down into segments, it is clear that contracted faculty are paid much more for the same work sessional faculty do.

“When you look at what the workload looks like for a tenured professor, the usual breakdown is that they’re expected to devote 40 per cent of their time to teaching,” he said.

“So if you take 40 per cent of whatever the average assistant professor is making and how many classes they’re teaching, usually two to four classes, it ends up being twice what our sessionals are making, and it’s the same work,” he added.

McMaster’s current rate for sessional faculty members is $7,050 per three-unit course. In comparison, University of Toronto’s starting rate is $7,304.56 per three-unit course and York’s

rate is $8,389.50 per course. It should be noted, however, that the latter schools are considerably larger than McMaster, with their student populations well above 50,000. McMaster’s student population currently sits around 30,000.

Wilfrid Laurier University, which has a student population of about 17,000, has a starting rate of $8,000.

There are approximately 300 sessional faculty members represented by CUPE 3906 currently teaching at McMaster.

Of those 300, the majority teach in the commerce and engineering faculty, particularly in the B.Tech program, where 70 of their sessional faculty lay.

“There’s a misconception that sessional work is like this “gig” that recent PhD graduates do until they can land that permanent position,” said Baker.

“People who’ve been working

McMaster’s current rate for sessional faculty members is $7,050 per three-unit course. In comparison, University of Toronto’s starting rate is $7,304.56 per three-unit course and York’s rate is $8,389.50 per course. here since the 1970s and 1980s have no more job security now

than when they started. The sessional faculty member is the definition of a precarious worker.”

Currently, the union is not poised to strike, and both parties are taking the necessary steps to avoid it. According to CUPE 3906, at the last bargaining meeting with the university, they made progress on smaller issues and did not address the major concerns of better wages and increased job security. Their next meeting is slated for early Oct. As the union continues working with the university, everyone involved hopes that there is no work stoppage, ensuring that undergraduate students are not affected by these negotiations. @SashaDhesi

PRESIDENT’S PAGE

September 28, 2017 | thesil.ca

students, Community Advisors, and residence and faculty representatives has been integral to refining future plans.

Myself, along with the Board of Directors and the entire Student Representative Assembly (SRA), recognize and acknowledge that during Welcome Week reps went above and beyond to ensure students were safe at the Friday concert. If you were one of these reps, thank you very much for being there to support student life. For some reps and students, the Friday concert was disappointing. This letter is to ensure you know that concerns and frustrations have been heard.

CHUKKY IBE President president@msumcmaster.ca 905.525.9140 x23885

Homecoming is around the corner. Before I get into the details of this annual celebration, several points have to be made unequivocally clear. Homecoming is a celebration of the Marauder spirit. At the core of this spirit is a culture of care and consent. All of our events prioritize student safety. To that effect, moving the concert grounds away from Faculty Hollow to JHE field was a step to safely accommodate the number of students on campus, along with a continual demand for our programs and events.

On JHE field, our volunteers and Campus Event staff are ready to host two incredibly exciting artists on September 29 and 30, respectively. Ensuring students have a both a safe and fun experience is central to Campus Events’ planning. As with every Welcome Week debrief, the feedback provided by first-year

The feedback provided has been integral to refining future plans After reviewing our internal processes, staffing capacity, and logistical supports in collaboration with our partners at McMaster University and in the community, combined with the recommendations of residence reps and student leaders across campus, we have made a number of changes to the event layout for Homecoming 2017. Specifically, we have altered the shape of the venue to allow for more space per person and more area from which to view the stage. We will double the efficiency of the line and entry process by opening the gates at 6 PM and filling the line carousel prior to gates opening.

The capacity to check bags has increased as well. We have been

working closely with McMaster Security Services and Hamilton Police Services to double the amount of security staff present at the venue, ensuring that students have a safe environment to enjoy the concerts. Security support will be more visible inside the venue, as well as along the exterior of the perimeter.

As with all of our major events, the MSU’s Emergency First Response Team (EFRT) will be onsite in a clearly marked tent near the washrooms of the concert grounds. Additionally, EFRT will be supported by Hamilton EMS. Volunteers from the MSU’s Women and Gender Equity Network (WGEN) will be on-site inside the venue’s Chill Zone.

WGEN and the Chill Zone will be located next to the main entrance. WGEN volunteers are well versed in McMaster University’s Sexual Violence Response Protocol and are available to assist students, should there be a need to do so. Moreover, volunteers from the Maroons and the staff of Campus Events have all received bystander intervention training. These staff and volunteers will play a student liaison role alongside our TwelvEighty security personnel, whom are also trained in bystander intervention and are fully aware of the University’s protocol. Staff and volunteers take reports of harassment or assault extremely seriously. There is zero tolerance for such behavior, nor for forms of gender based violence, at any event on the grounds of McMaster University. In addition, zero tolerance messaging will be

communicated across the venue through signage both inside and out, as well as through online communication leading up to the weekend.

We have made a number of changes to the event layout for Homecoming These safety and security measures demonstrate the MSU’s ongoing commitment to student safety and the enhancement of student life. Moreover, they are indicative of the MSU’s commitment to exceed basic levels of security, safety or event resources.

However, we understand that for some students, our Welcome Week concert did not meet that standard. Therefore, the MSU and the SRA would like to apologize to those whose night did not align with our shared expectations for a successful environment. Your experiences should not be minimized and the feedback you provided has been invaluable in contributing to the success of future events.

I am extremely thankful to all of the Welcome Week reps, Campus Events staff and members of the student community for their leadership. You embody the true Marauder spirit. This Homecoming, more than ever, we celebrate you. Supporting you is why I serve, and why I will always bleed maroon. Looking forward, I believe we can all await a fantastic Homecoming weekend.

MSU_McMASTER

MSUMcMASTER.ca

@MSU_McMASTER

/MSUMcMaster

TEXT ‘MSU’ TO 71441

The President’s Page is a space sponsored and used by the McMaster Students Union (MSU) Board of Directors (BoD) to communicate with the student body. It functions to highlight the Board’s projects, goals, and agenda for the year, as well as the general happenings of the MSU.

www.thesil.ca | Thursday, Sept. 28, 2017

EDITORIAL

| 9

Editorial The McMaster Students Union’s lack of communication While the focus is on big projects, students need more updates on more things

Shane Madill Editor-in-Chief

The paper focused a bit on this last week in the article entitled “Communicating with the SRA” in the News section, but there are a few points mentioned in that piece that continue to be an issue. The live stream continues to be a problem, and the inability to fulfill the “Communication & Outreach” section of the Student Representative Assembly’s operating policy persisted for the Sept. 24 meeting.

While the live stream was available for the meeting, there is a significant chunk cut out from the archives. The current video has just over an hour segment cut out from a much longer meeting. About 17 minutes of the available content is a break.

Individual SRA faculties did a good job of promoting the live stream when it was available, but few followed up stating the results of the meeting afterwards to little detail. The only mention from the MSU itself on any social media was a retweet from

LETTER TO THE EDITOR

A rebuttal to the “Spotted at Mac: ‘punch a Nazi’” Opinion article from the Sept. 21 issue.

I remember when every single social science and humanities professor choose to dedicate a portion of their lecture time to discussing this infamous question last year. A video showing white nationalist Richard Spencer getting punched by an anti-fascist protestor had gone viral and captured the attention of western liberal media. Everyone had a hot take, everyone picked a side to this debate, and everyone continued to miss the mark. The article published this week did just the same.

Let’s begin with the campus-specific premise on which this article was based. First, the Revolutionary Students’ Movement is not an MSU Club. Any

SRA Social Sciences a day in advance of the meeting.

For the most part, the MSU continued to fail in providing timely, accessible information to the public. Unfortunately, this appears to be one part of a much larger problem.

There seems to be minimal priority in any sort of communication with the public.

While I can certainly respect that a large priority has been placed on projects like the café in 1280 and the Student Activity Building, I cannot respect the lack of effort when it comes to updating the student body on these processes or on anything related to smaller projects or proceedings.

The fortunate part for this paper is that many of our news articles, no matter how big or small, are breaking stories. If it were not for their efforts, I would have only the tiniest idea about what any of the Board of Directors has actually done over the last five months besides set up vague plans for things.

The 2017-2018 Approved Minutes on their website should

be a fine enough way to get information about what the student government is consistently up to. At the time of writing, this has some notes from the month of April and the meeting on June 18.

For this paper specifically, there are no minutes at all available from the entire 2016-2017 year and none from this year available on their website for our Board of Publication.

The President’s Page in our paper could be another good resource, but requires you to pick up the physical copy for that week. The MSU website is in a similar situation to the previous point with nothing from the entire 2016-2017 year and nothing from this year in their President’s Page Archives.

You deserve to know what is going on. Maybe the board of directors simply do not want to boast about their accomplishments. My main worry at this point is that they have few accomplishments to boast about in the first place.

affiliation to McMaster and the larger McMaster community is tangential at best.

Second, this article is rife with logical inconsistencies. The author states that expressing “violence against those who identify as Neo-Nazi is a violent act in itself.” Contained within this statement is the failure to acknowledge the initial violence of being a Nazi. Let me make this very clear — Nazism and white supremacy are ideologies that advocate for genocide and hatred. To view the stances of the RSM without interacting with this historical fact is a failure to acknowledge the violence and oppression that have gone into marginalizing certain groups. Power dynamics are ever-present in our discussions, and the resistance of the oppressed in in no way equal to that of their oppressors.

“Is it okay to punch a Nazi?”

Additionally, this useless question gives rise to an even more irrelevant debate. For starters, this whole punching Nazis business is quite literally a joke. It can be argued that it is in poor taste, but the vast portion of internet memes follow this suit. No person interested in rational debate is actually suggesting that punching individual Nazis is a productive use of time or is conducive to social justice.

To act as though this is the case to be fundamentally intellectually dishonest. The fact that people are attempting to derive some sort of knowledge from this joke is troubling. and use it that the basis on which to draw conclusions as to the validity of the use of violence as a means of resistance is particularly irritating.

This question does nothing but obfuscate the real, pressing conversations we should be

@shanemadill

to Reem’s cookies

to Reem’s sad birbs

to Sabrin

to a $25 entry fee to see extra small dogs

to oiled heads to the 100 per cent approachable rate to muscle hamsters

to arbitrary definitions of what extra small is to the waste of skin

to hamster uber

to arriving 30 minutes late because of HSR

to cover climaxes

to QEW closures

to RuneScape GFs

to tree roots in your toilet pipes

to cute lunch tupperware to imagining yourself being a rabbit when eating salad to Sticks Out for Sasha to defensive crouching to Winnie the Pooh

having here on this campus and beyond.

Why do we as a society hesitate to condemn Nazism and white supremacy in the strongest possible terms? What do we define as violence, and why are certain acts by specific parties excluded from this definition?

What this debate displays is our poor collective analysis. We continue to distill matter of systemic oppression and violence down to the actions of isolated individuals. We continue to refuse to examine our dependency on oppressive and state-sanctioned regimes of power. In this case, it is white supremacy.

The tension between what exists materially and what is conceived within the confines of purely academic and theoretical thought — divorced from the social reality marginalized groups face and what our society perpetuates — is the root of the

to night class tummy aches to declawing cats to that Friday’s mood to codependency to being sweaty in September

frustrating practice. It results in disjointed attempts — such as that article — to appeal to “both sides” when one side is morally incorrect. It legitimizes actively harmful beliefs, and displays the extent to which we have these conversations in vacuums.

Bigotry will be challenged. Hate will be challenged. No amount of intellectual posturing changes these premises.

Lilian Obeng The Silhouette welcomes letters to the editor in person at MUSC B110, or by email at thesil@thesil.ca.We reserve the right to edit, condense or reject letters.

10 |

HUMANS

Thursday, Sept. 28, 2017 | www.thesil.ca

Kyle West Photo Reporter

How do you identify?

I’m trans so he pronouns. Borderline personality disorder and dealt with addiction.

What kind of representation is available in the media for your identities?

Well, borderline is known to be the “psycho” person. I had a conversation with someone and she was talking about how personality disorders are hopeless, she’s a nurse, and a lot of people are completely psychotic and never get better and belong in institutions. She didn’t know I have a personality disorder.

So I was just laughing because that’s regular representation of personality disorder. I built a tough skin because you hear it all the time. I know what it is actually like so.

In situations like that you pick your battles?

Yeah, honestly, normally when it is against myself, I don’t care.

When it is against other people, I will put them in their place.

If someone is making fun of a junkie usually they get it wrong and I can get angry at them because of misconceptions people have. I also do try and be educational.

Why do you think that hits you the hardest?

Well, I know 15 people who have overdosed accidentally from drugs. So that was an interesting 10 years.

I mean I was in and out of the

Zee Malvern Humanities I

hospital for nine years. Three years consecutive. One year for eating disorders than two years in two separate institutions. I know a lot of people that have done a lot of bad things.

I have this thing going right now on my Twitter called “Growing Up Mental” and it basically talks about how instead of having parents I had doctors since I did this from when I was about 12 to 21. It talks about how I made my own values because doctors never tell you how to live your own life they are very clinical. I learned from the people around me which was usually drug addicts, schizophrenic people, people with cancer, people with dementia. A lot of borderlines they

make up 20 per cent of the hospitals so I was making my own life that way. People are constantly coming in and out of all walks of life. It was a blessing in disguise. I have had hard times but I’ve been an advocate for a long time, I’ve been on Canadian Broadcasting Corporation and things like that so it was interesting. I never went to high school so I did schooling through a hospital. I did end up graduating on time and with honours — also a few awards.

people who don’t are not.

Do you think these values and experiences push you to be who you are?

It has a lot to do with a lot of people that I lost. I always say when you’ve seen death you are changed. It puts

tunities. Because of what I lost as a teenager and child and the people I lost has made me who I am and put things into perspective because not everyone gets these opportunities.

This was done in collaboration with Student Accessibility Services. Equal Representation + Liberation for 2017-18.

How do you think these different identities help you come out stronger?

I am proud of them, if someone asks what I have I tell them. Some people would rather not say their disorder but I see mental health the same as physical health. If I had cancer and I got out of the hospital after nine years people would be saying that I did so well and was strong to get through it.

But I don’t get that because I have a mental illness they call you crazy and psychotic. I look at it like that, I’m proud of my diagnosis and what I’ve been through. People who understand are worth my time and

things into perspective.

For example I don’t like it when people complain about school because I am blessed that I can get an education and I am grateful to have these oppor-

facebook.com/HumansOfMcMaster

www.thesil.ca | Thursday, Sept. 28, 2017

The Silhouette

| 11

Opinion Study rooms should not be public The resources are there, so should Hamilton organizations be able to benefit from them too?

MADELINE NEUMANN / PHOTO EDITOR

Reem Sheet Opinion Editor

McMaster has several places on campus for students and McMaster organizations to meet and collaborate. The resources for discussion and study are available for students to use.

There are a number of buildings with study rooms available for booking, including the Michael G. DeGroote Centre for Learning and Discovery, the McMaster University Students Centre, the Health Sciences library, Thode Library, Innis Library and Mills Library.

With a Mac ID, McMaster students have access to these rooms. Should these resources be open to groups outside of McMaster as well?

On Sept. 13, a misunderstanding occurred that leads me to advocate against public access to study rooms. When McMaster University’s police removed a group of the Socialist Fightback Hamilton group organizers from

Mills Library room, study room booking policies became clearer.

The organizers of this group booked a room in Mills Library for a talk on an Introduction to Marxism, but campus police did not allow them to access the room due to a post that they saw on Reddit.

The post they saw on Reddit was written by someone who claimed to be a part of Proud Boys, a far-right leaning men’s organization that claim to be western chauvinists who actively display patriotism.

The post claimed that the Proud Boys were planning on coming to the library at the same time as the Socialist Fightback Group. After that, someone dropped a tip phone call to the university, and campus police took action.

Maximiliano Guerrero, one of the two members of The Socialist Fightback group, was asked for ID to make sure the organizer was a McMaster student. According to the

Hamilton Spectator, when asked if he was being carded, McMaster police told Guerrero that he was allowed to decline to show ID. When Guerrero denied his request, “...one of the officer’s responded that [he] had to leave or be arrested.”

The Socialist Fightback Hamilton group is not an officially recognized club at McMaster, though they claim to have organized themselves around the university about 18 months ago with both student and non-student members who take part.

That being said, according to McMaster Study Room Booking policies, since there were student members with a valid Mac ID to book the room, the activists should have had access to the study rooms without interference.

However, the confusion that the post and the phone tip brought seemed to be a justified reason for McMaster police to ask the members to leave.

When McMaster University’s police removed a group of The Socialist Fightback Hamilton group organizers from Mills Library room, study room booking policies became clearer.

Even though the post could have just been an attempt to sabotage the Socialist Fightback meeting, campus police did the right thing in attempting to maintain security from the possibility of the interference of Proud Boys.

In addition, refusing to show ID did not work in favour

of the organizer in this case, though he had the right to do so.

This is an example of the concerns that could arise with allowing public groups to access McMaster resources such as study rooms.

Though the rooms are available not only as a space for study, but also club meetings, group discussion and interview areas, McMaster is still in a position where students should have access to the campus resources without the chance of being faced by social groups that could raise concerns of student access, security and potential wellbeing.

@ReemSheet

12 |

OPINION

Thursday, Sept. 28, 2017 | www.thesil.ca

No to Mac’s smoking ban McMaster is taking away my choice to debrief from the stress of school. Smoking is no longer my choice, and that’s not okay Anonymous Contributor

No one wants to be unhealthy.

No one wants their health to be negatively affected by other people’s actions.

I think we can all agree on these assertions. But is a fullstop, McMaster-wide smoking ban going to make us healthier? Is it really going to make Marauders “breathe easy”? This ban will not work.

I am a McMaster student and I smoke. I smoke on campus. I stay away from doors, windows, air intakes and fellow students when I smoke.

I don’t exhale if someone passes by.

I put my cigarette butts in the proper boxes, which are becoming harder to find on campus.

You won’t find me next to the student centre doors blowing smoke in your face.

Nor will you find me

fogging up the bus stop and choking everyone else out. I don’t want my unhealthy choice to affect you.

I don’t want to be unhealthy either. I don’t think smoking is cool, and I’m well aware of the negative effects cigarette smoking has and will have on my health.

I certainly don’t need the school or its student groups to explain to me, an adult, that smoking is bad.

I certainly don’t need your support groups. If I were interested, I’d join myself. But I am not.

McMaster, for all of its supposed efforts to address mental health issues, seems all too eager to ignore a major reason that people, including myself, take up smoking: my mental illness.

Smoking at school has helped me cope with overwhelming anxiety/panic attacks and OCD, allowing me to

attend classes and make it to my third year without relying on a constant supply of Xanax for support.

Those who don’t suffer from mental illness may not understand, but the relief of knowing that in between classes you can recoup, prepare yourself and have something on hand that isn’t mind altering, is truly great.

It is much more difficult and embarrassing to roll out a yoga mat, play with a stress ball, practice meditative breathing, or whatever other suggestion you may have.

Now, if I need a cigarette, I’ll leave campus property.

That’s fine supposing there is a garbage bin nearby so I don’t have to litter and supposing that there aren’t too many people on the same sidewalk or residential street as me.

This also makes it difficult for me to be able to smoke in between classes with the added

stress of worrying if I will be able to make it back to campus on time.

I’m sure to most, the expected response to this ban is “too bad, so sad”.

But I just want to live

Smoking at school has helped me cope with overwhelming anxiety/panic attacks and OCD, allowing me to attend classes and make it to my third year without relying on a constant supply of Xanax for support.

my life and attend my classes without further dirty looks and scoffs for my choice to smoke and my choice of stress relief.

Instead of guilting those who smoke and isolating them, why not enforce the rules that we already have in place?

You’ll find that most, like me, do our best to follow the rules in place.

For those who don’t it’s not a smoking issue, it’s a character issue. Have designated smoking areas.

Actually, enforce ban areas.

Don’t demonize and make people feel unwelcome on their campus just because they smoke for reasons you choose not to understand. @theSilhouette

MADELINE NEUMANN / PHOTO EDITOR

YOU NEED TO LIVE SOMEWHERE! WE CAN FIND YOU A GREAT HOME! — MORE THAN 70 — RENTAL PROPERTIES AVAILABLE 1–10 BEDROOM HOMES

Visit us for: WIDE FORMAT printing, PROJECT binding, BUSINESS cards, ROLL UP banners, BLACK + WHITE and COLOUR printing, + SO MUCH MORE!

OPINION

www.thesil.ca | Thursday, Sept. 28, 2017

| 15

McMaster food prices on the rise McMaster students now need to budget their food expenses, and I don’t mean a meal plan Jim Xie Contributor

One of the biggest struggles most university students face is staying well-nourished amidst a busy schedule of study, work and extracurricular commitments.

McMaster University prides itself in putting students first, providing myriad programs and resources that promote physical and mental health.

However, the rising prices of campus food contradict the themes of student wellness around which the McMaster community is built.

Students are finding it increasingly difficult to find a financially sustainable source of nourishment.

East Meets West Bistro has never been considered the cheapest place for on-campus dining, but a freshly introduced $1.00 price increase to every item on its revamped menu has greatly reduced the restaurant’s cost-efficiency.

Even the lunch special, which eponymously offers an

affordable alternative to other menu choices, has gone up to $10.50 before taxes in comparison to $9.50 last year.

These prices staggeringly contrast student meals off-campus, the average of which hovers around $8.00 to $9.00 post-tax.

Such increases in food price are leading meal plans down a path of obsolescence in terms of food security.

Another important example is Willy Dog, which has sported an increase in price from $3.50 to $5.00 at the start of the new school year. Although this food option is not covered by meal plans, the price change was sorely noted on the “Spotted at Mac” Facebook page, where an anonymous student described the price increase as dramatic, insensible,and utterly ridiculous.

Students have to deal with the fact that now, even buying a hot dog warrants the need for heavy financial consideration.

Fortunately, most of the establishments within McMaster University Student Center’s La Piazza have yet to follow this price trend. It is not unreason-

able, however, to expect similar price adjustments in the near future.

Accompanying these elevations in food price is an unhealthy increase in stress.

On top of juggling academic and extracurricular involvements as well as struggling with tuition and residence fees, students increasingly worry about not having enough food to eat.

This is especially true for students who are newly transitioning into University.

Living away from home and being slugged into a foreign environment is a daunting challenge for most students, and having to constantly think about putting food on the table only exacerbates this mental instability.

The food situation even affects students living off-campus, a population that depends on the occasional on-campus snack or meal to accommodate rigid, tightly-packed schedules.

Off-campus students may end up buying less of the pricey on-campus food to conserve money, be forced to work

more hours to compensate for increased food costs, or dedicate more time and money to grocery shopping and cooking personal meal.

On top of juggling academic and extracurricular involvements as well as struggling with tuition and residence fees, students increasingly worry about not having enough food to eat.

Hardworking students should not have to choose between these options, each of which exerts unique burdens on physical and mental well-being.

Initiatives such as “Nolunchmoney” are offering McMaster students economical alternatives to campus food and aim to counteract food unaffordability.

However, the amount of services such organizations provide is limited and not enough to offset the rate of rising food prices.

Unless more initiatives are implemented and McMaster Hospitality Services get involved, this issue will continue to grow and remain unresolved.

The costly nature of campus food was already of concern in the past, but the price increases introduced this year are simply irrational and unfair to the tuition-paying student body.

The state of hospitality services at McMaster University should be closely monitored to ensure that accessing food is not as major source of stress as covering tuition and residence fees. @theSilhouette

MADELINE NEUMANN/ PHOTO EDITOR

EVENTS CALENDAR Health & Dental Opt-Out

First Year Council Polling

McMaster Homecoming Game

When: September 11-30, 2017

When: September 27, 2017 at 08:00AM until September 28, 2017 at 05:00PM

When: Saturday September 30, 2017

Where: Online Positions include: Chair, Vice-Chair Internal, Vice-Chair External, Vice-Chair Events, Residence Chairs (12) Visit msumcmaster.ca/ elections for more information

Come cheer on your McMaster Marauders Football team as they face York Universityâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Lions in this years Homecoming 2017 game.

Tickets can be purchased online at: marauders.ca/tickets

McMaster Homecoming Concert

Homecoming After Party

When: September 29 & 30, 2017

When: September 30, 2017 at 09:30PM until October 01, 2017 at 02:00AM

Where: msumcmaster.ca/optout All full-time undergraduate students taking 18 units or more are automatically enrolled in the MSU Health and Dental plans.

If you are covered by another health or dental plan, but you are not covered 100%, you may utilize your MSU Health and Dental plan coverage and combine it with your current plan. You can find the information at www. msumcmaster.ca/insurance. Look into your benefits and compare the two plans before you opt out, as the MSU plans may provide some coverage options that are not currently available to you.

The opt-out period for the 2017/18 academic year has started and will go until September 30. Please visit www.msumcmaster.ca/optout to fill out the form.

Where: JHE Field Lil Yachty (September 29) and The Strumbellas (September 30) will be headlining this yearâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Homecoming celebrations. Tickets are available for McMaster students, alumni graduate students and guests signed-in by a McMaster student (limit 1 guest per student).

Tickets can be purchased at: mcmaster.tickit.ca

Where: Ron Joyce Stadium Hamilton

Where: TwelvEighty Bar & Grill The second NIGHTLIFE event is here!

Join us for the #MacHOCO2017 After Party featuring DJ Frequency X spinning the the best songs in Hip Hop, Trap, EDM, Top 40, Dancehall & Soca. Doors 9:30PM. $10 cover all night.

The Silhouette | 17

www.thesil.ca | Thursday, Sept. 28, 2017

Arts & Culture 150 years of resilience: An untold history Exhibit sheds light on strong and resilient Indigenous voice

GRANT HOLT / PRODUCTION COORDINATOR

Razan Samara A&C Reporter

Studio Arts student Dina Hamed was in her third-year practical issues course when she was tasked with creating a proposal for an art installation around the theme of Canada’s 150th anniversary.

Hamed, who is Canadian-born with Egyptian roots, saw similarities between the situation in Palestine and the conflict and trauma Indigenous people have faced, and continue to face in Canada.

“What does it mean to celebrate being Canadian?” said Hamed. “[I don’t think it’s] about whether it is okay or not okay to celebrate it. We don’t even know what we are celebrating, we don’t know our history, in my opinion, the question we should be asking is what happened in Canada?”

Hamed reached out to the McMaster Indigenous Student Community Alliance to collaborate on a project as an ally of the Indigenous community. For the next year, Hamed worked with MISCA organizer, Gail Jamieson, and Honours Indigenous Studies student, Evan Jamieson-Eckle, to curate the 150 Years of Resilience: An Untold History exhibit.

Despite the critical take, the proposal for the exhibit was

met with support from the McMaster Mills Library and they commissioned the artists in Nov. 2016. Unfortunately, there was still some backlash.

“When we won the proposal, someone came up to me and said ‘oh working with Indigenous people, that was genius’…

I got really upset… I told myself, this isn’t about making a spectacle of Indigenous people because it’s Canada’s 150th anniversary, this is about doing something substantial to bring awareness to something that disturbs me,” said Hamed.

Jamieson connected the two artists to Elders in the Six Nations of the Grand River reserve, where they got feedback on Jamieson-Eckle’s idea of weaving a contemporary Wampum belt. Jamieson designed the belt based on her research on the history of colonization from 1967 to present day, while Hamed weaved it.

The contemporary design references traditional Haudenosaunee Wampum belts, which were used as recorders of agreements, whereas the 150 Years of Resilience Wampum belt depicts Indigenous history, struggle and land loss.

Hamed learned the Indigenous skill of Wampum weaving and dedicated over 200 hours to weave Jamieson’s design. The belt is not perfect, and the beads don’t always line up straight, but

it’s symbolic of her improving skills.

“They took pride in everything they did, even in creating these [Wampum belts] for their treaties, think about how much they cared about what was actually being recorded… it made me care about what we were doing so much more,” explained Hamed.

The Wampum belt is accompanied by an online component curated by Jamieson-Eckle, called @Wampum150 on Facebook. Jamieson-Eckle had been posting historical photographs and accompanying stories since January leading up to the exhibit this week. The stories are used to

accompany the symbolism of the belt.

This project posed many challenges to Jamieson-Eckle and Hamed, who at times were overwhelmed by the emotional toll the project placed on them, but rather than quitting, they grew closer and supported one another throughout the process.

“One picture [in the exhibit] was of children dressed up in European style [outside of a residential school]… and they were holding big wooden letters spelling ‘goodbye’… They took their identities away… it was heart

wrenching to see,” explained Jamieson-Eckle.

“It’s hard for me to see why [people] are not angry about these issues and why they don’t want to make a difference, and you’ll have people who will come up to you and deny genocide, and deny that you have any right to speak up [about this], it hurts.”

For Hamed and Jameison-Eckle, they want their McMaster community to know that the issues Indigenous people have faced in the recent past, are still very much going on today. The exhibit only scratches the surface, and history is still very much untold. Only when the past is confronted, can true reconciliation be achieved.

150 Years of Resilience: An Untold History is part of Making Connections week and will be on display until Oct. 6 at the Dr. Robert and Andrée Rhéaume Fitzhenry Studios and Atrium in McMaster University. @theSilhouette

18 |

A&C

Thursday, Sept. 28, 2017 | www.thesil.ca

Making music safe and sound Hamilton activist group is paving the way for a safer music and arts scene

C/O Safer Gigs

Razan Samara A&C Reporter

Loud music and low lighting are synonymous with the typical night out, but when it comes to educational brochures and resources on crisis intervention, they’re not often the first thing to expect at local venues.

Safer Gigs Hamilton is changing that.

Booths covered in pamphlets on topics ranging from bystander intervention techniques to zines about consent and resources on mental health have been popping up all over bars and artist run spaces in

C/O Safer Gigs

Hamilton.

The booths, which can easily be identified by their bright pink logo, are set up by Safer Gigs founders Jessie Goyette, a Leadership in Community Engagement student at McMaster University and Vince Soliveri, a local Hamilton musician and audio engineer.

“We started safer gigs after Vince Soliveri went on tour with his band Downstream at the time,” explained Goyette.

“He met the folks running a gig in Charlottetown, PEI, where they had some pamphlets on safer sex and whatnot. He admired the sense of community and inclusion, something we

felt like our own city lacked.”

Since the summer, the Safer Gigs booth has been making rounds at Club Absinthe, Doors Pub, Supercrawl and Hammer City Records. Goyette and Soliveri have a lot of ground to cover, but they’re driven by the importance of increasing accessibility to resources to music lovers and festival goers. “[W]e want people to have fun and be safe! We want people to know they are supported. We aren’t in these spaces to preach or pretend we are professionals.

We just offer resources from all of the really smart organizations in the community that can help,” said Goyette.

Community programs and organizations, such as the Sexual Assault Centre (Hamilton Area), the Aids Network, Mental Health Rights Coalition and the Hamilton Public Library, have been very supportive of Safer Gigs’ mission. Their work has been met with positive responses and much needed dialogue. “[I] enjoy folks coming up to us and being like ‘I saw online that you had pamphlets about [insert thing]. Can I have some to share with a friend?’” said Goyette.

“We want people to know they are supported. We aren’t in these spaces to preach or pretend we are professionals.”

Jessie Goyette Student Leadership in Community Engagement The Safer Gigs team are quickly expanding and working behind the scenes to increase their programming.

They’ve recently launched a collection of non-profit crewnecks, that sold out in one night. Goyette embroiders them herself to keep production costs low and allow supporters to pay what they can.

“The costs of the sweaters are coming completely out of Vince and my pockets. This initially is a fundraiser for drug testing kits and fennel test strips. We were hoping to raise $100 for that,” explained Goyette.

“Once we meet that goal, any remaining money that

comes in will actually go to SACHA, which has provided us infinite resources and inspiration,” explained Goyette.

Most of Safer Gigs’ resources are applicable to all genders, but they are also looking to create more diversity in their content and events they attend.

Safer Gigs also hopes to expand their services in the future by running workshops on how to create safe spaces and also creating kits filled with community resources that others can use to set up their own booths.

Hamilton is known for its art and music scene and Hamiltonians have the right to enjoy what they city has to offer, but things do happen.

Safer Gigs is an effort to reduce harm and trauma, and most importantly, educate others to prevent it.

There are many opportunities to get involved with Safer Gigs, including volunteering at booths or visiting them. Safer Gigs will be making an appearance at this Saturday’s Howling Moons event at the Hamilton Conservatory for the Arts. @theSilhouette

A&C

www.thesil.ca | Thursday, Sept. 28, 2017

| 19

Becoming the real-life Be Sharps Adam Carter’s redirects his music career while paying tribute to the music of The Simpsons

From left to right: Adam Carter, Arturo Fuenmayor, Andrew Rous and Andrew Bartle C/O The Be Sharps Ryan Tse Contributor

What do you do when you’ve been watching The Simpsons since childhood, have two Simpsons tattoos, know Simpsons music inside and out and have some newfound free time? You start a band covering Simpsons music.

At least, that’s what Adam Carter did by creating the Be Sharps, a rock tribute to the music of the beloved cartoon series.

The four-piece rock outfit is made up of: Carter on guitar and vocals, Andrew Bartle on drums, Andrew Rous on bass and Arturo Fuenmayor on guitars. The band was formed

by Carter after his former act disbanded.

“The band formed as a project that I’ve had in mind for a couple years that I wanted to get off the ground,” said Carter.

“The drummer from that (previous) band and some other friends all got in a room and said, ‘hey, let’s try jamming through this stuff and seeing if it would work.’”

The music the Be Sharps

play is unique in that they not only compose music inspired by The Simpsons; they play music from the show.

“It’s difficult to kind of explain to people, because when I say, ‘I play in a band that only plays Simpsons songs, those people tend to go, ‘What?’”

Carter hasn’t found another band that plays actual songs from the show, which he claims is rich in musical complexity.

“Some of the stuff that [original series composer] Alf Klausen wrote was out-of-thisworld good,” said Carter.

“It’s structured really well.

It’s one of the few shows ever that has an orchestra and actual score for the music, and the time and effort that went into it was insane.… There are so many songs we haven’t touched on yet.”

The Be Sharps named themselves after the barbershop quartet that Homer Simpson formed alongside Barney, principle Skinner and Apu. The popular season five episode followed the career of the band that mirrored the story of the Beatles, Yoko Ono and rooftop

“It’s one of the few shows ever that has an orchestra and actual score for the music, and the time and effort that went into it was insane Adam Carter Guitarist/Singer The Be Sharps concert included.

Carter’s love for The Simpsons started at a young age.

“Strangely enough, as a kid, I wasn’t allowed to watch the show… which I guess made me want to see it more,” explained Carter.

“Even as a young kid, I really connected with it… I mean, I just love the characters, I love the humour, I love the depth that went into writing the jokes, so many different things.… It’s really cheesy, but I guess it’s something that helped shape me

as a person.”

Cover and tribute bands like the Be Sharps are often a vital part of fandom culture.

Carter himself doesn’t have too many concrete plans for the Be Sharps but is instead focusing on enjoying the experience on stage in front of fellow die-hard fans. They come with Simpsons t-shirts and tattoos, shouting quotes at the band as they

perform.

“I remember looking around at one point and thinking, ‘This is excessive. This is a lot.”

Yet Carter is satisfied with going all-in and embracing this passion, tapping into a show that has been embedded in his generations’ culture and consciousness. @theSilhouette

20 |

A&C

Thursday, Sept. 28, 2017 | www.thesil.ca

Creating am Vanessa Polojac Contributor

Since July 2015, Donut Monster has become one of Hamilton’s most popular retail food items while maintaining an exclusivity with regards to their brand and products. Even on campus at Union Market, you would be lucky to get scraps of the local delicacy any time past noon.

To finally answer the feverish demand, in late October to early November, Donut Monster will be opening abrick and mortar store on Locke Street.

Reuban Vanderkwaak initially started Donut Monster as a hobby willing to pay for itself. Vanderkwaak worked as a graphic designer in the marketing/advertising industry until he left his career to become a stay-at-home father.

During this time he developed a baking hobby. Vanderkwaak used Donut Monster as a form of creative expression and became a local phenomenon with his homemade baked goods.

“I originally thought it

would just be a hobby business,” he explained. “I never anticipated hiring staff or having my own location. I just wanted to make and distribute donuts when it was convenient for me.”

Vanderkwaak had an idea of what he envisioned Donut Monster to look like, but did not have the means or location to run his business.

He launched Donut Monster out of the Kitchen Collective, a non-profit, affordable commercial kitchen and culinary incubator that gives aspiring entrepreneurs a start in the industry. He shared this

“

Since their launch, Donut Monster’s limited availability has been a part of their brand.

nster

space along with four other culinary startups. This made the Kitchen Collective a collaborative space where the businesses could learn from each other.

“With a limited production schedule, it was a difficult process to find a space that the business would not have to be responsible for seven days a week. This is where the Kitchen Collective became very helpful. It is a great space for people monetizing a hobby that can resemble a business,” said Vanderkwaak.

In the early stages, the Kitchen Collective was the main factor managing the micro-business. But as staff started expanding and the demands for the donuts became higher, the food incubator became difficult to share the space with.

“Donut Monster is no longer a startup business that’s unproven so we eventually ran out of room at the Kitchen Collective. But I am very grateful for the Kitchen Collective.

Without the space I would have never pursued Donut Monster and I would recommend it to any entrepreneurs entering the culinary world in Hamilton,”

said Vanderkwaak.

For the past two years, Donut Monster has been supplying and selling their donuts through supermarkets like Denninger’s and small coffee shops like Relay Coffee. Since their launch, Donut Monster’s limited availability has been a part of their brand.

“

The high demand for the product gave Vanderkwaak an indication to begin conceptualizing ideas to open up his own shop. From the beginning Vanderkwaak knew he wanted to be located in downtown Hamilton.

“I was able to compress the sales and demand into the busiest days of the week in the world of the retailers that I worked with,” explained Vanderkwaak. “Once the product was recognizable and popular for the customers it became the hunt for the donuts.

At first it was fun, but it eventually became frustrating for the customers that were not being able to receive the product.”

For smaller cafés, Donut

Monster’s limited stock and high demand can potentially bring in more customers, who will ideally purchase additional beverages and food items to give their café revenue.

But following the announcement of the Locke Street store, Durand Coffee, located at Caroline Street South and Charlton Avenue West has decided to stop carrying the donuts.

Café manager Chris Redmond noted that for their location, the donuts themselves did not generate enough return.

“It really just comes down to economics,” Redmond said.

“We charged around $3 for a donut and we usually only took about 85 cents to a dollar.

In terms of revenue it did not make sense to keep on supplying Donut Monster donuts. It has not affected our traffic yet because most of the customers who bought their product only came in on the certain days we supplied the donuts and often just left with them.”

While the Donut Monster model did not work for Durand, the general popularity of the desserts in the city has not diminished.

The high demand for the product gave Vanderkwaak an indication to begin conceptualizing ideas to open up his own shop. From the beginning Vanderkwaak knew he wanted to be located in downtown Hamilton.

“Every neighbourhood in Downtown Hamilton has it’s own appeal. I used to live on Locke Street 10 years ago when it was much more antique-oriented and less food-oriented…

I’m really excited to be a part of the shift on the street and to

A&C

www.thesil.ca | Thursday, Sept. 28, 2017

| 21

>> The Locke street location is set to open by the end of October

represent what Locke Street can be,” said Vanderkwaak.

Vanderkwaak will be experimenting and offering a much larger array of flavours and types of donuts. Instead of offering six different donut flavours per season, the store will be offering 12 to 15 different flavours at a time - although the exclusivity of the donuts will remain the same.

“We’re going to be supplying donuts to most of the same retailers as we did prior to the Donut Monster shop. The business is also going to keep an exclusivity factor with the donuts we will be supplying. The types of donuts offered at our retailers will not be offered at the shop,” explained Vanderkwaak.

Other differences customers and fans of Donut Monster can look out for is milkshakes and coffee that will be going on sale at the shop. Donut Monsters’s donuts are uniquely flavoured often feature combinations that mix sweet and savoury notes.

The milkshakes that Vanderkwaak will be providing will follow suit.

“The milkshakes will be really delicious but have unique flavours like the donuts. And for the coffee I am a coffee lover I [want] to make the best cup of coffee in the city,” said Vanderkwaak.

While the business has gained much local popularity the past couple of years, maintaining its success has its difficulties.

Vanderkwaak recently started a Kickstarter page and aiming to raise $25,000 to help fund the shop and reward

customers, with rewards such as VIP cards that give donors a donut a day for a certain amount of time.

While the future of the shop does not hinge on the result of the Kickstarter campaign, the new location will change Hamilton’s unique relationship with Vanderkwaak’s goods.

For now, the Thursday to Saturday morning donut hunt will persist, but soon Donut Monster will literally cement itself among Hamilton’s greatest dessert destinations.

@theSilhouette

TIMOTHY LAW / PRODUCTION COORDINATOR

22 |

GAMES

Thursday, Sept. 28, 2017 | www.thesil.ca Puzzle 1 (Medium, difficulty rating 0.51)

4 4

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Generated by http://www.opensky.ca/sudoku on Tue Sep 26 19:48:34 2017 GMT. Enjoy!

Puzzle 2 (Easy, difficulty rating 0.42)

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Across 1. Killer whale 5. Knock off 9. “Cheers” waitress 14. Actor Julia 15. Hollow cylinder 16. Acquired relation 17. Derived from experience 19. Take to the ice 20. Give some slack 21. Shrew 23. Seedless raisin 25. Guy’s partner 26. Conquistador’s quest 29. That, in Tijuana 30. Having existed 100 years 33. ____ Beautiful Doll 34. Island in SW Japan

35. Waterfall 38. New Deal org.

40. One of the Trumans 41. Cottonwoods 44. Beastly 47. Bureaucrat 49. Hot time in Paris 52. Monetary unit of Burma 53. 007 creator Fleming 54. Rich white cheese 56. Go after 58. Try to shred 59. Burning of another’s property 62. Floodgate 64. March honoree, briefly 65. Fencing blade

66. River in central Europe 67. Piles 68. Pops 69. Goes out with

2

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Generated by http://www.opensky.ca/sudoku on Tue Sep 26 19:48:34 2017 GMT. Enjoy!

Puzzle 3 (Easy, difficulty rating 0.42)

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1 3

24. Prolific author, briefly 26. Seine feeder 27. Stadium cheers 28. Weight 31. Rotates 32. Red gem 33. Treater’s words 35. Reindeer herder 36. Now ____ me down...

37. Soft lambskin leather 39. Sounds of relief 42. Sets straight 43. Petty quarrel 45. Lounges 46. Judge or juror 48. Not impressed 49. Online brokerage

2

6

Down 1. Ultimatum words 2. Resembling branches 3. Dome 4. Elite group 5. Thicket 6. Involuntary muscular contraction 7. Colourful fish 8. Animal fur 9. Show 10. Pitch-black 11. Pitch-black 11. According to 12. ____ King Cole 13. Meadow mother 18. Stick ‘em up!

22. Social standing

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50. Precisely 51. Goes in 55. Nigerian seaport 56. Work up lather 57. Spanish appetizer 59. Shade of blond 60. Hwy. 61. Mineral spring 63. A Turner

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6 Generated by http://www.opensky.ca/sudoku on Tue Sep 26 19:48:34 2017 GMT. Enjoy!

7

The Silhouette

www.thesil.ca | Thursday, Sept. 28, 2017

| 23

Sports The road to the Olympics Recently awarded a $10,000 grant, McMaster student Elizabeth Longley is one step closer to representing Canada on an international stage Justin Parker Sports Editor

While Marauders fans and media usually focus their attention on sports like football and basketball, the athletic community at McMaster extends far beyond these team sports or even Ontario University Athletics.

This year, a McMaster student was awarded a $10,000 grant to help her pursue Olympic trapshooting.

Elizabeth Longley, a thirdyear earth and environmental science student, was named as one of 55 young Canadian athletes selected by Petro-Canada for the Fuelling Athletes and Coaching Excellence Program.

Originally from Waterdown, Longley is an Olympic trapshooter, using a shotgun to shoot clay targets that are launched from a bunker. The targets are 110 mm wide and are launched at speeds of up to 100 km/h in a 90-degree arc in front of the shooter.

Being such a small sport, trapshooting does not always garner the attention that bigger sports like hockey, sprinting or soccer get in the Olympics.

Many kids are never exposed to trapshooting and do not have a chance to even try the sport.

“I was in scouts when I was little,” said Longley. “Our leaders were duck hunters. They took us out to shoot trap

and it was my first time holding a gun. I was pretty good at it. I got contacted by the head coach of the club there and he invited me to try out for his personal club team. I did and he offered me a spot. I didn’t take it at first, I thought I would wait and think about it.”

Longley did not take long to think about it and has not regretted her involvement with the sport. Not only has she progressed greatly among trap shooters, but has done so on such a level to earn her this prestigious grant opportunity.

Since 1988, there have been over 2,700 athletes supported by FACE grants, including Olympic medalists Patrick Chan, Hayley Wickenheiser and Rosie MacLennan.

In addition to the funding, there is an annual summit held for the recipients to learn from Olympic and Paralympic athletes, receive advice on media training, public speaking and personal-brand development.

“It’s really important for me as an athlete because the grant is for athletes who don’t yet meet the requirements to be funded

C/O CANADIAN OLYMPIC COMMITTEE

by the Athlete Assistance Program,” said Longley. “I’m close, but not quite there. Especially within my sport, there’s not a lot of funding opportunities because it is such a small sport.

To be able to get this is really beneficial for me as an athlete in training and competition.”

Developed in a joint effort

by Petro-Canada, the Canadian Olympic Committee and the Canadian Paralympic Committee, and facilitated by National Sport, the FACE Program supports up-and-coming athletes as they strive to represent Canada at the Olympic or Paralympic Games but do not qualify for government funding. The program also works to help athletes and coaches beyond simple things like more expensive equipment or training opportunities.

“This weekend I’m going to get my coaching certification in Calgary, so that’s what I’m putting some of the money towards,” Longley added. “After that, I’ll be the youngest certified coach in Canada for the International Shooting Sport Federation Level D. I was also able to buy new sporting equipment that I really needed.”

In addition to dedicating the training time to an Olympic-level sport, Longley also has to spend sufficient time studying as a full-time student. Luckily, she has found professors who have been understanding and accommodating in her pursuit of her Olympic dream.

With a supportive community around her, it makes things a lot easier for Longley to make the sacrifices necessary to excel in trapshooting.

“Sports helped me find who I am as a person. The skill set you learn within sport, you can apply to your everyday lifew: you’re disciplined, you’re dedicated, you’re passionate about something.

It helps you just be better all around.”

Elizabeth Longley Trapshooter FACE Program In March 2017, the International Olympic Committee launched a major review to increase gender equality in their sports. Being a woman in a male-dominated sport is not easy, as Longley can attest to.

“The IOC has all of their gender equality goals for the 2020 Games,” said Longley.

“Balancing the number of male and female competitors, reducing the number of sports who only have men who compete in them and also introducing mixed events where

men and women compete together for the same country. We dropped one of the men-only events and we now have a new mixed team event. So we are definitely making progress but there is still a lot to do. [Women are] definitely underrepresented in the sport, but it’s looking up.”

The goal to bring gender equality to sports means much more than having women and men share the international stage during the Olympics.

Sports is a unifying phenomenon that brings people from different backgrounds together, and on an individual level, it makes a difference to athletes that goes beyond points scored.

“Sports [when I was] growing up was always important to me,” Longley said. “I swam competitively, I did karate and then I finally found what I think is the sport I was meant to do — the other sports didn’t really compare in my level of enjoyment.”

“Also through sports, it helped me find who I am as a person,” Longley added. “The skill set you learn within sport you can apply to your everyday life: you’re disciplined, you’re dedicated, you’re passionate about something, and an overall confidence. It helps you just be better all around.”

Splitting time between practicing and studying, Longley will be one of several Canadian athletes to watch as we approach the 2020 Summer Olympics in Tokyo. Among the heart-warming stories of hometown athletes reaching the podium, there could very well be one with a special connection to the McMaster community.

@justinparker81

24 |

Thursday, Sept. 28, 2017 | www.thesil.ca

The Silhouette

Homecoming 2017:

Marauders vs. Lions

In a season of quarterback questions and defensive strong-arming, the Marauders return home ready to dominate in front of a Homecoming crowd

THE

DEFENCE

One thing Marauders fans can depend on this homecoming is that the defence will not disappoint. With their season off to a 3-1 start, the defence has done a phenomenal job not only stopping plays, but creating them.

Currently fifth place in Ontario University Athletics, the defence has done a good job denying opposing teams from crossing the goal line in all three of their wins. It will be no problem continuing this trend against the eighth-place York Lions.

Mac also leads the OUA with eight interceptions, spearheaded by cornerback Nolan Putt, who leads the group with a total of three interceptions.

Putt returned one of those picks for 84 yards to the six-yard line during Guelph’s homecoming game on Sept. 23.

The interception put running back Jordan Lyons in a great position to score a rushing touchdown that was followed by a strong kick from Adam Preocanin that solidified the Marauders’ 29-9 victory.

On York’s side of the field, third-year quarterback Brett Hunchak has thrown seven interceptions so far this season

with an average completion percentage of 58.2. With such a dominant defence it will be extremely difficult for the Lions’ weaker offence, who boasts the lowest points for in the OUA, to make a dent on the scoreboard.

Though both York and Mac are among the few teams tied at second in the OUA with one defensive touchdown, defensive players like Putt and 2016 OUA AllStar Robbie Yochim have consistently exhibited such high levels of athleticism, there is a high chance of doubling their defensive touchdown total.

Mac’s defence should be able to easily defend their home turf while stacking up one or two interceptions and cause mayhem along the way.

8

Leading the OUA with

interceptions

MADELINE NEUMANN / PHOTO EDITOR GRANT HOLT / PRODUCTION COORDINATOR

SPORTS | 25

www.thesil.ca | Thursday, Sept. 28, 2017

WHITE’S

Jessica Carmichael Sports Reporter

It is officially that time of the year again. Campus will soon be flooded with fans young and old, coming from far and wide, all to support the McMaster Marauders at Homecoming.

The “biggest party of the year” will start on Sept.

28 with preseason basketball, followed by a women’s rugby match against their rival Guelph Gryphons.

But the real kickoff will be on Sept. 30 at 1:00 p.m. when the Marauders football team will uphold tradition and devastate the York Lions once again. @jaaycarmichael

GOT THIS COVERED Rookie quarterback Jackson White looked more than comfortable in his last two games as a starter. Though it took a little while for him to get into the swing of things, White’s growth as a university-level quarterback has been quite a sight to witness.

There was a total of 12,419 people in attendance at Guelph’s homecoming, so for White to be able to play as well as he did in such a hostile environment, he should be more than prepared for the atmosphere and pressure that will be present at Mac’s homecoming.

White is also supported by an offence that knows how to get the job done. Players like Lyons, who is currently fourth in rushing in the OUA, and McMaster record holder for career receptions Dan Petermann have

3

been substantial in the Marauders’ receiving and rushing game.

Currently with the third highest pass completion percentage in the OUA, White has proven he can keep up with the passing game of McMaster quarterbacks before him. As long as the defence continues to bring the heat, White will have many opportunities to prove to the large home crowd exactly why they can depend on him.

For all the Marauder fans expecting a big show this homecoming, there is no need to worry because the Marauders will be more than ready to perform.

rd highest

passing completion percentage in the OUA

HISTORY: MAC VS. YORK

Year after year, the Marauders have beaten the York Lions football team by substantial margins: 64-2 in the 2016 season, 67-10 in 2015 and 49-2 in 2014.

When you add up Mac’s extensive winning streak against York with the fact that they are fresh off their pivotal win against the Gryphons and combine it with the atmosphere of their homecoming game, it is pretty obvious what is about to go down.

This year, Mac may be a younger and more inexperienced team, but there are several key players from their last homecoming game against York who still play on the current roster. Game-changers, including Jordan Lyons, linebacker Jake Heathcote and many more will be certain to uphold the standard that is expected of them.

Although the Marauders will be facing the Lions right after York’s first win of thea season, which came against their rival University of Toronto’s Varsity Blues, they do not pose a threat to Mac. The Marauders will be doing everything in their power to maintain their winning streak against York.

26 |

SPORTS

Thursday, Sept. 28, 2017 | www.thesil.ca

Young, ambitious and focused With half a season still ahead of them, a young men’s soccer team finds itself in the midst of a strong 2017 campaign

Dusan Kovacevic (above) has six goals trhough nine games this season C/O FRASER CALDWELL Griffin Marsh Contributor

Heading into the second half of the season, the McMaster men’s soccer team looks to continue to find the back of the net at an impressive rate while shutting down teams at the other end.

The Marauders have already played nine games of their 16-game season with lots of positive moments to reflect on. McMaster is scoring at a rate of three goals per game, fourth highest in all of U Sports.

This is a different place than Mac has found itself in previous years. Perhaps it’s the different personnel or a younger team, but overall, head coach Dino Perri is very positive about what he sees.

“Scoring is tough, but stopping teams is a little easier at times, so I am happy about where we are at,” said Perri. “We are still relatively young, so the inconsistency of a young team is there. Be more consistent and stronger on the defensive end and I think we will be in good shape going forward.”

The Marauders faced an interesting double-header Sept.

23 and 24. Playing Windsor and Western, both games presented challenges. The travel time to Windsor will always play a role in Mac’s performance, and Western is a team that always

presents a good test. Despite the challenges, Mac was able to win both games and added six more goals to their season total. “[Windsor’s] record may not be indicative of where they have been in the past… but playing on their field, which can be a little bit difficult, always presents a challenge,” said Perri of McMaster’s first opponent.

“We are used to the two games in a weekend type of thing and we take one game at a time and constantly preach to the guys to not underestimate your opponent.”

Looking beyond this weekend, the remainder of the season and the future of the team looks bright for McMaster. The team has a young and ambitious cohort but they are also focused and driven on their immediate future. For Perri, the goals for this season have been and will always remain the same: to compete and challenge for a championship in Nov., and this still remains in reach.

A new piece on the team and a player already playing key roles is freshman offensive mid-fielder, Anand Sergeant.

Sergeant has impressed through the first half of the season, scoring two goals and adding two assists while starting in all seven games. For coach Perri, what stands out about Sergeant is his soccer IQ.

“He is very intelligent, extremely intelligent,” said Perri.

“A smart player, who works to no end. Transition into university is just the understanding of the game. It is a big jump and he has done it seamlessly.”

Sergeant has the talent to add to this team, but for himself, the keys to success are a humble attitude and a balanced life.

“We always have the belief and the mentality that we will win, no matter who we are facing.”

Anand Sergeant Men’s Soccer Team “I’m very grateful the coaches have given me a chance to play and show that I can play at this level,” said Sergeant.

“Having an immediate impact on my team was a goal I had coming into university, so I’m very happy to be playing. It’s a proud feeling wearing the McMaster logo and representing my school on the field.”

The adjustment into university and varsity life can be a real challenge for some, but Sergeant credited a thoughtful organization and proactive atti-

tude for his initial comfort.

“It has definitely been an adjustment in terms of balancing both school and soccer,” said Sergeant. “It’s a commitment that requires me to make sacrifices in my social life, and the time I have to ‘relax’ in a day — but these are things I expected in advance.”

Moving forward, Sergeant is as equally optimistic to coach Perri about this team’s future in the short- and long-term.

“I believe we have a team that’s capable of doing big things,” Sergeant said.

“We have a great balance of veterans with our first and second-year players, and we have such good depth in every position. One thing I like about us is that we always have the belief and the mentality that we will win, no matter who we are facing.”

McMaster is in a tight race to top the Ontario University Athletics West standings and with more positive results

against top teams, their chances will continue to look brighter.

One thing is for certain though: this team is set up to challenge in the OUA and U Sports competition for years to come.

Up next for the team is a Friday night fight against the Laurier Golden Hawks. @theSilhouette

Pick up HSR bus pass Full-time students get Hamilton transit passes!

1. Pick up your pass at the Campus Store 2. Create a new account at prestocard.ca 3. Tap on the HSR starting September 1st

msumcmaster.ca/HSR

Heads Up Phones Down Distracted walking can be risky. Running into others, tripping and falling over a curb or being hit by a vehicle are all dangers associated with distracted walking. For your safety, always pay attention and do not use your cell phone or engage in other distracting activities while walking.

The Health, Safety and Risk Management Team Follow us on Twitter: @McMasterSafety

FIRST TERM NIGHTLIFE SEPTEMBER 7

1st Club Night w/ 4korners

SEPTEMBER 30

HOCO After Party

OCTOBER 5

Latin Night

OCTOBER 24

Dirty Bingo w/ Spenny

OCTOBER 26

Angels and Devils

NOVEMBER 9

Jersey Night!

NOVEMBER 16

All Ages

NOVEMBER 23

Country Night

DECEMBER 6

Afro-Caribbean Night

GERALD HEY Star t with a h*ck in’ great introduc tion with these emo inspired conversation openers C12

THURSDAY

THE

HAMILTON SPECULATOR My favourite team has been winning since 1934

September 28, 2017

NOTSPEC.COM

Grumpy student will celebrate Homecoming by going home Aspires to become Sleepy and take lots of naps

Bonus points if you can name everyone in this photo. Seriously. @ us on Twitter and I’ll buy you a coffee if you’re the first one.

SAINT PETER VEGAS Stealthy dwarf was my favourite

Seven Costanza is excited to leave the hustle and bustle of pretending to know how well the football team is doing to return to Toronto.

“Yeah, I get that they’re playing Dork. I might hear about it while I’m at home too, don’t get me wrong, but no one really cares there because the Dorks have been so bad for so long. Toronto only cares about teams when they start winning.

Shout out to the 2013-2014 Raptors.”

Costanza also noted that this was in stark contrast to Ho-

meilton only caring when there is a major controversy happening or when they are fewer than three games out of a playoff spot. This is most of the time.

While home, they plan to heigh-ho through most of their various suppressed states of being. The mental break helps Doc in particular, as he needs a break from schoolwork. Dopey will take his place as the leader even though he usually only appears Wednesdays at Mootown and after pulling all-nighters.

“He’s cool. He’s not that useful a lot of the time, but he can be fun to relax with. He’s definitely my go to drinking buddy.”

POLL: ? !!!

Yeah, same

How could this happen to me?

This is me during and after every exam

This makes me angry! Here’s a strongly worded Opinion article

That’s how I feel in the office

What the h*ck? This doesn’t make sense

All of the above

Grumpy and Bashful will also take leaves of absences in favour of Happy and Sleepy.

“I just want to eat some good home cooking for once and sleep for more than four hours. It will be a fun time not having 16 other housemates to worry about.

Sneezy will only appear once the weekend is over and only to interfere with any actual schoolwork they forgot to do.

Looking forward, Costanza plans to regret not going to the Homecoming concerts before realizing that the introspective musings of Lil’ Boaty aren’t really their thing anyway.

BEST HOMECOMING MEMORIES 1) That time I had two midterms on Saturday morning 2) When I slept in and didn’t go to anything 3) Actually going to the game 4) Pancakes ft. Shaggy

Tweets to the Editor [That one negative comment to fixate on despite plenty of praise elsewhere] - Jason, 34, unaware

Was this a BuzzFeed thing or a ClickHole thing?

- Y’all really love hot dog quizzes

Disclaimer: The Hamilton Speculator is a work of satire and fiction and should not under any circumstances be taken seriously. Most of the office is Sleepy, but that’s alright.

INSIDE I LOST MY FANTASY FOOTBALL WEEK BY 3 POINTS AGAIN, SO I’M REALLY UPSET A4 HOW TO GET BANNED FROM ARTSCI FACEBOOK GROUPS B4 SLEEVES ARE THE SPAWN OF THE DEVIL ACCORDING TO A LOCAL GYM RAT C1 HOW MANY MORE DOGS CAN WE ADOPT BEFORE THE STUDENT UNION NOTICES? C3 HOW DO YOU DO, FELLOW SOCIAL ACTIVISTS? D2 DO ACTORS AND ACTRESSES GET IMPOSTER SYNDROME? D4 PER ISSUE: A feature on having big dinner while watching eat sports.