vol. cXXXvi, no. 18
T he UniversiTy
of
ToronTo’s sTUdenT newspaper since 1880
29 febrUary 2016
THE CUTTING EDGE
U of T's women's figure skating takes provincial banner for the first time in 25 years PG 27
UNIVERSITY AFFAIRS
Truth and reconciliation grounds Indigenous Education Week Wab Kinew visits U of T, supports Indigenous course requirement SIGRID ROMAN & IRIS ROBIN VARSITY STAFF
Each year, the First Nations House (FNH) hosts a week-long series of events at the University of Toronto for students, staff, faculty, and the community to highlight the contributions of Indigenous peoples to the academy. The week also serves as an opportunity to learn about the
diversity of Indigenous peoples, their cultural and religious practices, and their languages. Running from February 22 to 26, Indigenous Education Week’s (IEW) provided audiences with the chance to take an honest look at Canada’s history of colonization and to reassess the responsibilities Canadians have to advocate for truth and reconciliation.
WHAT IS TRUTH AND RECONCILIATION? Arthur Manuel, a First Nations political leader and chairman at the Indigenous Network on Economies and Trade, gave a presentation at the The 150 Years of Canadian Colonization and Our Right to Self-Determination event during IEW. In his presentation, he explained that colonization in Canada is on-
going and that it is still a major problem in the US, New Zealand, and Australia. Manuel argued that there needs to be more conversation about what colonization is and its implications for Indigenous peoples, especially regarding the dispossession of land, the creation of a culture of dependence, and the oppression of Indigenous peoples. Continued on PG 3
Lilly Singh takes U of T on A Trip to Unicorn Island The popular Indian-Canadian YouTuber premieres her new documentary at Victoria College's Isabel Bader Theatre
PG 18
INSIDE Alleged voyeurism at UC continues
Students give accounts of unidentified man entering rooms News PG 4
History and humanity
Reflections on Black History Month Features PG 14
The Varsity vs. Kanye West
Hot takes on Yeezy’s latest offering Arts PG 16
The science of spider love
Just as romantic as you might think Science PG 23
2 NEWS
M O N DAY 2 9 F E B R U A R Y 2 016 news@thevarsity.ca
Issue 18 Vol. CXXXVI
21 SUSSEX AVENUE, SUITE 306 TORONTO, ON. M5S 1J6 (416) 946-7600
PHOTO OF THE WEEK
the arsity ca the arsityne s a er he arsity the arsity the arsityne s a er
MASTHEAD Alec Wilson Editor-in-Chief
editor@thevarsity.ca
James Flynn Managing Online Editor
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Sarah Niedoba Managing Editor Margaux Parker Creative Director
managing@thevarsity.ca creative@thevarsity.ca
Sean Smith Senior Copy Editor
copy@thevarsity.ca
Iris Robin News Editor
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Victoria Wicks Comment Editor
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Alex McKeen Features Editor
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Jacob Lorinc Arts and Culture Editor
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Nadezhda Woinowsky-Krieger Science Editor science@thevarsity.ca Emma Kikulis Sports Editor
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Lisa Wong Design Editor
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Mallika Makkar Photo Editor
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Julien Balbontin Illustrations Editor Shaq Hosein Video Editor Damian Klambauer Web Developer
illustration@thevarsity.ca video@thevarsity.ca Quiet time at Howard Ferguson Dining Hall. MALLIKA MAKKAR /THE VARSITY web@thevarsity.ca
Mubashir Baweja Associate Design Editor
Teodora Pasca Associate Comment Editor
Nathan Chan Associate Photo Editor
Jaren Kerr Associate Features Editor
Elham Numan and Diana Pham Associate Illustration Editors
Corey Van Den Hoogenbend and Reut Cohen Associate A&C Editors
Salvatore Basilone Associate Video Editor Sonali Gill and Ariel Gomes Associate Senior Copy Editors Devika Desai, Emily Johnpulle and Tom Yun Associate News Editors
THE EXPLAINER
Shahin Imtiaz and Shaan Bhambra Associate Science Editors
LEA P YE AR
Vacant Associate Sports Editor
2016 is a leap year, which means that it has 366 days. The Varsity has compiled a list of fun facts about February 29
Lead Fact Checkers Ujwal Ganguly, Emilie Jones, Evan Maude, Lauren Park, and Corinne Przybyslawski Copy Editors Catherine Barker, Alexandra Grieve, Arin Klein, Darya Kuznetsova, Hilary Lo, Natalie Marshall, Lisa Power, Kristen Sevick, Suhas Srinivasan, Mariya-Kvitlana Tsap, and Gabriel Wee Designers Julia Al Akalia, Yash Kanabar, Kitty Liu, Jasjeet Matharu, and Chantel Teng
BUSINESS OFFICE Parsa Jebely Business Manager
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Cherlene Tay Business Associate Michelle Monteiro Advertising Executive The Varsity is the University of Toronto's largest student newspaper, publishing since 1880. The Varsity has a circulation of 20,000, and is published by Varsity Publications Inc. It is printed by Master Web Inc. on recycled newsprint stock. Content Š 2015 by The Varsity. All rights reserved. Any editorial inquiries and/or letters should be directed to the sections associated with them; emails listed above. The Varsity reserves the right to edit all submissions. Inquiries regarding ad sales can be made to ads@ thevarsity.ca. ISSN: 0042-2789
1.
he lea year as first ado ted in the Julian calendar and occurred e ery four years entually the Julian calendar ecame out of sync and as re laced y the currently used regorian calendar hich as introduced y o e regory in 1582. 2. lea year occurs on years di isi le y four e ce t hen they are di isi le y ho e er a lea year still occurs hen it is di isi le y 3. he num er of days it takes for the earth to re ol e around the sun is slightly less than days ea years hel align
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T H E VA R S I T Y
NEWS 3
var.st/news
Support for mandatory Indigenous credit gains momentum
CONTINUED FROM COVER
Manuel believes that dispossession of land is the root of other related struggles: “A lot of people don’t understand how the dispossession happens, how the dependency happens or even how the oppression happens. But it all happens here in Canada and it starts with the constitution, the first constitution of Canada.” The British North America Act instituted in 1867 was the piece of legislation in Canada that gave land rights to the British. This left Indigenous peoples with only marginal control over their land and resources. Currently, Indigenous communities comprise 0.2 per cent of territorial Canada, leaving the bulk of the land and resources in the hands of occupiers to decide how it is managed, preserved, and allocated. “I think most Canadians have some really distorted pictures of Indigenous communities. They know we are poor but they do not understand how systemic impoverishment really works,” Manuel said. “[They] try and say that our poverty is really because our chiefs are paying themselves too much money... That may be the case in a small minority of cases, but we are basically underfunded and we have no land base to solve the problems dispossession has caused us.” Manuel believes that the current situation cannot and should not be solved without the support of all Canadians. He explained that establishing and maintaining a collaborative relationship between Indigenous and nonIndigenous peoples in Canada is an important step towards reconciliation. “It is essential that both the colonizer and the colonized need to decolonize together,” he told The Varsity. “It will require the genius of Indigenous and non-Indigenous peoples to create the massive amounts of pressure needed to make the fundamental change from assimilation to recognition of Aboriginal rights.” WAB KINEW AT U OF T The Arts & Science Students’ Union (ASSU) collaborated with the Scarborough Campus Students’ Union (SCSU), the University of Toronto Students’ Union (UTSU), the FNH, the Department Of Aboriginal Studies, and the Department of Anthropology to bring Wabanakwut “Wab” Kinew to speak at the Isabel
A lecture by Kyle T Mays during IEW. RUESHEN AKSOY/THE VARSITY
Bader theatre on February 24. Kinew is a journalist, hip-hop artist, and associate vice president for Indigenous relations at the University of Winnipeg. Kinew gave an overview of the history of the ongoing colonial project in Canada. “Persuade me how it’s consistent with the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms that one group of children in this country gets an unequal shot at life because of where they start,” he challenged the audience. “Convince me that it’s consistent with your ideals of what this country stands for — that one group of kids in this country gets a poor quality education, gets less access to health services, and in cases where there’s family breakdown, gets less access to assistance when they’re at their most vulnerable,” Kinew said. He also spoke about his own family’s experiences with intergenerational trauma resulting from residential schools. These schools were a state-sanctioned system designed to “kill the Indian in the child” and were sites of widespread abuse and human rights violations. “That was not long ago,” Kinew said during his talk. “That’s within living memory.” The provisions in the 1876 Indian Act that created the framework for residential schools were not removed until late 2014. “Consider what happens after a person leaves residential school... the overall dynamic of how [my father] was being socialized, of how he began to understand how an adult should relate to a child. His whole conception of what a parent should be, of how an adult should relate to a kid, was formed in an environment where he was raised by people who didn’t like him and in many cases, hated him. And then a few cases, were very abusive to him,”
Kinew explained. “These model behaviours and these patterns of dysfunction become transmitted down through the generations.” After his talk, Kinew took questions from the audience. Many people asked how they could better support Indigenous communities. Kinew said that listening to and respecting Indigenous experiences are among the best things that those wishing to help can do. ACTIVISM ON CAMPUS The Native Students’ Association (NSA) has been pushing U of T to institute a mandatory Indigenous course credit for all students. They are circulating a petition that has garnered 1,400 online signatures, and roughly 3,000 on paper. Kinew signed the petition, adding his name to a list of prolific figures that also includes Carolyn Bennett, minister for Indigenous and northern affairs. Speaking on the behalf of the NSA, Bear Clan leader Roy Strebel hopes that Kinew’s signature will increase support for their initiative. “When you have a high-profile Indigenous person like Wab endorsing what we are doing, it can be humbling,” he said. “It was great that he was able to speak about the need for greater content of Indigenous studies at the University of Toronto.” According to Strebel, the NSA is still discussing a draft proposal on an Indigenous credit mandate to put forward to the university. “[The] response we have been getting is incredible, and our members are doing a great job at getting signatures,” said Strebel. “I think our members are to be commended for their ongoing commitment to what we have proposed, and the ongoing support is overwhelming.”
WHAT CAN UNIVERSITIES DO? Strebel believes the majority of the population is either “unaware, and/or misinformed about the relationship of First Nations, and the government of Canada.” “Issues such as residential schools is something that all students should be aware of,” he said, adding that educating people on the effect the Indian Act has had on First Nations since its inception in 1876 is also crucial knowledge. “I think that these two issues should be discussed and considered in the university curriculum.” The NSA is currently petitioning to have an Indigenous credit component as a part of every degree. “[The] NSA envisions U of T to an implement Indigenous content mandate to incoming undergraduate students to complete an Indigenous degree requirement before graduating from any of the Arts & Sciences department,” said Dhanela Paran, Loon Clan leader & CFO of the NSA. “This does not mean all students would have to complete one newly designed specific course; rather students would take any existing course from any department, as long as there is Indigenous content in it,” Paran explained, adding that it would be best for the Faculty of Arts & Science to design and select the eligible courses for these requirements. “[This] means putting the right people in place, and providing proper support and resources to implementing a requirement for the long term effectively,” she said. “I think all universities should follow Murray Sinclair’s call to action he put in the Truth and Reconciliation Report,” Manuel said. “I think working with Indigenous students and local Indigenous knowledge keepers and elders would help increase our capacity to build a better Canada. I think the Indigenous Education Week is a really positive step for U of T to take and that more effort needs to be put in these events so they become recognized across Canada,” he said. “I think there’s always room for more conversation,” said Strebel.
IEW includes numerous events designed to centre Indigenous contributions to the academy. RUESHEN AKSOY/THE VARSITY
4 NEWS
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CRIME
Incidents of voyeurism return to University College Peeping, room invasions wrack Sir Daniel Wilson Residence
Campus Police are investigating a second spate of voyeurism incidents at University College. YASSINE ELBARADIE/THE VARSITY
JACK O. DENTON
VARSITY CONTRIBUTOR
For a second time this academic year, residents at University College have been threatened by a spate of voyeurism, this time paired with a number of room invasions. On February 17, Campus Police circulated a community alert to University College residents, which read: “On February 16, 2016 an unknown male was observed in the area of resident rooms within Sir Daniel Wilson Residence. The male left the area upon arrival of a community member. The male is described as: Male, Asian, 6’0”, slim build, short black hair, wearing a black peacoat style jacket with buttons down the front, grey hat, black boots.” During reading week, this individual is believed to have entered a number of residents’ rooms, one of which belonged to Jessica Li. According to Li: “My friend came to wake me up one morning. She left to brush her teeth and left my room open and then I fell
back asleep. When she came back, she saw an unfamiliar Asian guy walk out of my room. She came in and asked me who that was, because she didn’t know that I was asleep and was unaware that someone had entered my room.” Incidents at Sir Daniel Wilson Residence escalated from room invasions to outright voyeurism, where victims were spied upon while in the shower. “I was showering in the Sir Dan’s bathroom when someone looked into my shower,” said Alice*. According to Alice: “I finished showering, left my shower caddy outside my door with my keys in it and went and talked to my friend whose room is right across from mine. When I left her room (maybe 5-10 minutes later) my keys and T-card had been removed from my shower caddy.” On February 23, Oliver Dyment said that he saw someone watching Stacie* while she was showering. “I had just woken up, so I crossed the hall from my room into the bathroom. When I went in I saw a guy, all
Smeagol-like, crouched down by the shower door,” Dyment recalled. Dyment thought that the man was picking something off the floor but realized that he had been looking at Stacie as she showered. When the man noticed Dyment, he allegedly gave “a look of sheer guilt,” then bolted out the door. “I went out into the hallway, where there were some other people, and we called Campus Police. He met the description of the person from the campus alert last week,” said Dyment. Melinda Scott, dean of students at University College, said that Campus Police were able to identify the individual accused. As of yet, no charges have been laid in relation to either the room invasions or the voyeurism. Scott noted that they were not aware of any connection between the incidents and the February 17 community alert. Stacie said that, despite the incidents, she “[considers] the residence to be pretty safe as long as I am careful and aware of my surroundings and remember to close
my door even when I’m leaving for a couple of minutes.” Not everyone involved was able to readjust after the events. Katherine*, the victim of a room invasion, said the incidents took a toll on her, and that she went home for a few days to recuperate. “I needed to feel safe for a little bit, but I still had nightmares for a few nights. Just knowing that someone would break into my room with possibly perverted intentions makes me feel sick,” explained Katherine. This is not the first time University College has had to deal with instances of voyeurism. Early in fall semester, Toronto Police Services became involved at Whitney Hall where females were being filmed with a phone camera while they were in the shower. The perpetrator in that case was never identified or caught, but there is no indication that these incidents are linked. Campus Police declined The Varsity’s request for comment. *Name amended at individual’s request.
T H E VA R S I T Y
NEWS 5
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HIGHER EDUCATION
GOVERNING COUNCIL
Students demand their ‘dû’ Governing Council election results announced Insufficient number of courses, degrees o ere in rench EMILY JOHNPULLE
ASSOCIATE NEWS EDITOR
Francophone and Francophile students gathered at Queen’s Park for a Day of Action on February 18, in hopes of pressuring the provincial government into establishing a Frenchlanguage university in Ontario. Last year, Regroupement étudiant franco-ontarien (RÉFO) submitted a deposition demanding that Ontario premier Kathleen Wynne create a Frenchlanguage university. The province has yet to take action in response. The Ontario chapter of the Canadian Federation of Students (CFS-O) expressed support for RÉFO and has prepared a policy outlining their support of increased funding for Francophone and bilingual post-secondary education. The CFS-O policy also stipulates that the creation of the French-language university should be administered by the Francophone and Francophile community in Ontario. “There is definitely a need for additional institutions providing French-language courses, more specifically in the Greater Toronto Area, but it is important that the current underfunding of post-secondary education as a whole be addressed,” said Gabrielle Ross-Marquette, national executive representative of CFS-O. “In a climate where satellite campuses are closing their doors as is happening for Laurentian University students in Barrie, we must continue to pressure the government to increase funding to existing French and bilingual institutions in the province,” added Ross-Marquette. The government of Ontario offers two publicly funded French-language colleges, Collège Boréal and La Cité, in addition to 360 French-language courses listed online under
the eCampus Ontario portal. Students can also pursue studies in French at one of Ontario’s nine French language and bilingual schools offering university programming including Glendon Campus at York University, University of Ottawa, and Laurentian University; however, Ross-Marquette suggested that the current system does not meet the needs of students. “There is a dearth of upper-level French-language courses in bilingual institutions, forcing students to study in their second-language,” said Ross-Marquette. She believes that the lack of advanced French classes poses a particular problem for international students, as bilingual institutions are recruiting Francophone international students who may not speak English. “The Federation sees the increase in availability of French programs as a positive gain for students in the province, if it is accompanied by sustaining and improving current program delivery in French,” said Ross-Marquette, explaining CFS-O’s stance. At this time, Bill 104 — a private member’s bill put forth last May by NDP MPP France Gélinas that calls for the creation of a Frenchlanguage university — has been tabled. In addition to working with the Francophone post-secondary education communities and student groups such as RÉFO, an Advisory Committee on French Language Postsecondary Education has been established by the Ministry of Training, Colleges and Universities; its purpose is to advise the government on the best models of education for Francophones in central and southwestern Ontario. The committee is expected to present a report on their recommendations to the ministry by the end of March.
The Ontario government has the power to create a French-language university, the first in the province. YASSINE ELBARADIE/THE VARSITY
Aidan Fishman will return to Governing Council as a Constituency II representative. PHOTO COURTESY OF MATTHEW GRAY
International students and permanent residents eligible for first time TOM YUN
ASSOCIATE NEWS EDITOR
After nearly four weeks of campaigning, the results of the University of Toronto Governing Council elections are out. Governing Council is the highest decisionmaking body at U of T. Of the 50 seats, eight are allocated to students. A total of 29 candidates ran for the two Constituency I seats, positions reserved for full-time students in the Faculty of Arts & Science, UTM, and UTSC. UTM student Mohammed Amir and New College student Bingchen Tony Shan emerged victorious, receiving 997 votes and 678 votes respectively — well ahead of the other candidates. Amir proposed increasing student representation on Governing Council and pledged to have monthly meetings at UTM. In addition, Amir wants to bring a co-op program to UTM. Currently, the only campus that offers a co-op program is UTSC. Shan’s platform consisted of reducing tuition, increasing scholarship opportunities, bringing in more research and other academic activities, and improving the quality of food on campus. Two Governing Council members represent full-time professional faculty students from Constituency II. Law student Aidan Fishman, who received 142 votes, and Jorge May, who received 93 votes, were elected to fulfill these roles. Fishman, who won by a margin of seven votes, served on Governing Council for Constituency I during the 2012-2013 year and the 2013-2014 year, when he was an international relations student at Trinity College. “I feel very happy about my victory,” Fishman told The Varsity. “It was a close race, and I
know that my competitors and I worked hard to get students from faculties that typically are somewhat removed from student politics.” Fishman wants to reform the constituency system for Governing Council elections, allow students to opt out of Hart House and Athletic Centre ancillary fees, and ensure the recommendations from the Students’ Society Summit be implemented. May said that he was “ecstatic” at his victory. “It’s high time that someone from a smaller faculty such as Music has the opportunity to represent and advocate for the needs of professional faculty students and push for real change on campus,” he told The Varsity. He plans to advocate for building repair and maintenance and reducing bureaucracy. “Many students are unhappy with the fact that our university administration [takes] so long to respond to critical issues [affecting] students — I hope to speed the process up,” May said. He is looking forward to representing his constituency and working to bridge the gaps between different areas of the university community. Trinity College student Susan Froom is returning to Governing Council after she served a term from 2014–2015 as a representative for part-time undergraduates. ECE student Billy Graydon will be joining Froom, while Alex Nyikos from the Munk School of Global Affairs and Christine Moon from the Faculty of Medicine will take over the two seats representing graduate students. This election was the first in which nonCanadian citizens were eligible to run for Governing Council after the University of Toronto Act was amended by the province. The new governors will assume office on July 1, 2016.
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CAMPUS POLITICS
UniTSC sweeps SCSU elections ole sl te re d to t e o
e
MAHRUKH ALI
VARSITY CONTRIBUTOR
Election results for the Scarborough Campus Students’ Union (SCSU) executive were announced last week, ending a month-long campaign. All of the victorious candidates belonged to the unopposed UniTSC slate. Jessica Kirk, who currently serves as vice president, equity for the SCSU, was elected president for the upcoming year. Kirk told The Varsity that she is excited to continue contributing to a long history of student activism, citing the new Ontario budget, which largely eliminates tuition fees for students from low-income families, as an example. “I am excited to work with our members at UTSC and students across the province to continue to make university increasingly accessible,” she said. “[We] are all excited to work together with students on bringing new campaigns, services, and events they would like to see from their student union.” Kirk also explained that she wants to find new ways to engage members. “One of our goals is to build capacity at UTSC,” said Kirk. “The Scarborough Campus is a commuter school, which makes it difficult for students to get involved on campus or feel like they are a part of a campus community.” Sitharsana Srithas was elected vice president, external. Srithas served as the Tamil Students’ Association president for the past two years.
The new
“I am truly excited to work with students on making UTSC a better campus for all,” said Srithas. Srithas said that she wants to see a shuttle bus connecting the UTSC and UTSG to increase accessibility. She also intends to have more options in terms of mental health resources, for those at the Health & Wellness Centre. Thomas Wood is the incoming vice president, academics & university affairs after having served as an associate to his predecessor. “I am most excited to start working towards
a more accessible academic environment at UTSC by opening up spaces where students can come together and constructively talk about our academic experiences, and ways that these experiences can be improved on,” said Wood. Wood explained that he hopes to see more spaces where students can come together and discuss academic experiences, as well as work to produce more frequent academic fora and exit surveys after dropping courses.
e ecutive will ta e o fice on ay ,
. SOFIA HABIB/THE VARSITY
Nafisa Mohamed, who serves as a co-president of the African Students’ Association, will be taking over as vice-president equity. Mohamed told The Varsity, “The current and previous vp equities have worked on some amazing campaigns that I hope to continue to work on. I’m very excited to work with the various student groups on social justice issues as well as work toward advocating that the university make more socially responsible investments.”
ADMINISTRATIVE AFFAIRS
UTM expands international partnerships to New Delhi UTM principal signs agreement with Jamia Millia Islamia University for joint academic and research initiatives
eep aini, T principal, returne rom a trip to n ia where he finali e the eal. PHOTO COURTESY OF COLLEEN MCCOLEMAN
NATASHA MALIK
VARSITY CONTRIBUTOR
In his recent trade missions trip to India, professor Deep Saini, vice president of U of T and principal of UTM, signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with the Jamia Millia Islamia University (JMI). The agreement aims to develop partnerships between the UTM Centre for South
Asian Civilizations and JMI to increase opportunities for exchange of information and resources. Professor Shafique Virani, director of the Centre for South Asian Civilizations, took point and drafted the MoU. “The Indian and South Asian region is playing such a huge role in the international world right now that the study of this area is absolutely essential whether from cultural points of view, from economic points of view, [or]
from religious points of view,” said Virani on the importance of such partnerships. The agreement focuses on several areas of co-operation, the first of which is to provide exchange programs for undergraduate students. Students from India will have the opportunity to come to U of T and study; U of T students will be able to go to JMI for course credits. Although such a program is still in the works, Virani believes that “what the MoU does is it allows us to start a conversation about how this might happen.” The second area of the agreement pertains to professional development research. Collaboration in this area hopes to open the door for professors from JMI and UTM to teach or carry out research at the partner university. Virani argues that this would assist professors in their research and allow them to bring their learning and experiences back into the classroom, in order to teach students the things they have learnt while at JMI. The third area of focus in this agreement focuses on seminars, conferences, and workshops, allowing the two institutions to take advantage of conferences held at the partnering university, which may be attended via livestream. Virani believes that both institutions would benefit: “By pooling resources, we double what we’re able to do.” The last area of focus looks at translation, collaborative coursework, and digital humanity. In translating writings and research of
professors here, as well as those at JMI, the program aims to overcome the language barrier and allow information to be shared. Thus, Virani hopes that by creating more robust information sharing frameworks, U of T will be able to share those resources with JMI. “[A]nd by the same token they know what they have there to share them over here, you know. Maybe even collaborative classroom conversation, where we have... students from there and students from here getting together, having discussions with one another, having co-operative blogs together.” This is UTM’s first international agreement, which opens up the possibility of similar partnerships in the future. “With the premier’s visit to India right now, we — I have put together a list of major institutions across the country where we already have personal connections... and have tried to establish meetings so that conversations can start,” Virani said. The Centre of South Asian Civilizations aims to expand its focus to other parts of South Asia. “India is just one part of South Asia and we would love to establish similar relationships with other countries in the region,” commented Virani.
T H E VA R S I T Y
NEWS 7
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HIGHER EDUCATION
Exit exams at participating universities to begin in the fall of
not mong instit tions
e ted
SIMONE SANTERRE/THE VARSITY
EMILY COLERO VARSITY STAFF
The Higher Education Quality Council of Ontario (HEQCO) is looking for colleges and universities to participate in a pilot project that will test incoming students with a 90-minute online assessment of literacy, numeracy, and problem-solving skills. They plan to administer the same test to the cohort when they graduate. While the test will not be required for admission or graduation from an institution, the Education and Skills Online assessment from
the Organization of Economic Co-operation and Development believes that it will reveal whether students end up building the above skills or not. Althea Blackburn-Evans, director of news & media relations, said that U of T will not be participating in the project. “While U of T is a member of the HEQCO Learning Outcomes Assessment Consortium (along with Queen’s, Guelph, and three colleges), U of T is not currently planning to implement a standardized exit exam. We look forward to reviewing the evidence from the
pilot projects at other universities,” Blackburn-Evans explained. Abdullah Shihipar, president of the Arts & Science Students’ Union, believes that these are skills that students should have upon graduation. “If students do not have these skills after a 4 year degree — that is on the institution for failing to provide a learning environment that can foster those skills and it is good that universities are showing signs of wanting to tackle this problem,” he said. “However, I believe that any move to administering a test should be done care-
fully and be [thoroughly] scrutinized before being implemented.” Emma Stairs, a fourth-year student at U of T, thinks the tests are a good idea. “I think it would be really good to have these tests because if that’s what the marketing is demanding we should be teaching, training and guiding our students in that direction.” Stairs expressed doubts about standardized tests in general, though. “I don’t think this [test] would be able to test people for social skills, emotional control and interaction tendencies, which are also all necessary in the [workplace]. People offer all different sorts of things within the job market and it is everyone’s uniqueness, creativity and selfhood that improve the workplace.” Shihipar shares a similar opinion on the debate over standardized testing: “I agree that the education we receive in university should be better at providing these essential skills — not just for the marketplace, but for good life skills as well. However, a test (even if it has no impact) administered to measure these skills may not be the solution to combating this problem. Standardized tests are not a very holistic way to measure things especially essential life skills. It is conceivable that any test that is made may not accurately capture the skills students have.” Shihipar added, “It should also be noted that plenty of students at university have these skills. But with a large [number] of university grads in the marketplace and a bad economy, employment is hard to find. That needs to be acknowledged, [it’s] not that students are just impotent.”
DEFFERED MAINTENANCE
Reading week spirits ampene after U oo s Burst pipe to blame for wreckage TOM YUN
ASSOCIATE NEWS EDITOR
Students that hoped to make themselves comfortable in the University College Junior Common Room (JCR) over reading week were left shut out when a flood caused the room to close after a water pipe in the building burst; it did not reopen until February 25. The JCR is a popular lounge and study space among students, especially those from University College. The space houses the office of the University College Literary and Athletic Society (UC Lit) and Diabolos, UC Lit’s student-run coffee shop, both of which were forced to close. “We believe that the pipe burst due to the extreme cold,” said Melinda Scott, dean of students for University College. Over Family Day weekend, the City of Toronto issued an extreme cold alert as temperatures plummeted to below –20° Celsius.
In terms of repair, contractors worked to remove the damaged hardwood flooring and clean the concrete underneath. The floor of the JCR will remain exposed concrete until it can be replaced. This is not the first time that ruptured pipes have caused a flood at U of T. Last year, Woodworth College residence flooded due to a burst pipe. In November 2014, Sidney Smith Hall flooded as a result of a water main break. According to U of T’s annual deferred maintenance report that was released last month, the University College building currently has $6.9 million in deferred maintenance costs. The building was given a Facilities Condition Index score of 11.9 per cent; a score above 10 per cent indicates that a building is in poor condition.
The JCR and the services housed inside were non-operational over reading week. SANDY MA/THE VARSITY
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UNIVERSITY POLICY
“Open, accessible, democratic” University proposes new student society policy, seeks input
The new policy is based on issues discussed during the 2013–2014 Student Societies Summit. YASSINE ELBARADIE/THE VARSITY
DEVIKA DESAI
ASSOCIATE NEWS EDITOR
The University of Toronto administration is inviting students to provide feedback and comments on the first draft of the new Policy on Open, Accessible and Democratic Autonomous Student Organizations. The policy aims to implement recommendations made by the provost in response to concerns raised during the 2013–2014 Student Societies Summit — a series of meetings between different campus organizations centred around their operations and mandates as “open, accessible, democratic” student groups. “The issues discussed in the Summit — including complaints from members regarding the operation of societies, and disputes between societies — are evident beyond just those societies involved in the Summit,” reads the web page of the consultation. Student society elections, the structural operations of student organizations, and various inter- and intra-organizational communication breakdowns were among the most contentious issues discussed at the summit. Sandy Welsh, vice provost, students, received complaints related to these topics on a frequent basis. A month after the summit’s conclusion, the provost released a report that included recommendations on how to best respond to the is-
sues discussed. The report speculated on three broad topics: the enhancement the democratic operations of societies, the implementation of on a policy for the recognition and restructuring of student societies, and the future scope of the presentation of student societies. Welsh explained that the draft policy addresses all three areas by providing clarity on what it means for a group to be open, accessible, and democratic. The policy suggests a method of resolving disputes between and within student organizations by proposing the appointment of University Student Societies’ Complaint and Resolution Council (SSCRC). According to Welsh, the SSCRC is intended to provide a mechanism to deal with complaints within and between student societies when their own internal mechanisms have been exhausted. Welsh emphasized that the clause that requires student societies to attempt to resolve complaints internally before bringing them forward to the council. As stated in the drafted policy, the council would consist of six members, four of whom would be students selected through an election process, with the remaining two being appointed by the vice president and provost as chair and secretariat support. Out of the four student members, two would be nominated by divisional student societies, while the other
two would be nominated by representative student committees. Welsh told The Varsity that some of the feedback the administration has received so far has included questions and comments about the student representation within the committee, including details of the election process. “In terms of electing student members to the council, it’s really up to the student societies themselves,” Welsh said. Maina Rambali, president of the Association of Part-time Undergraduate Students (APUS) is primarily concerned with how the policy would affect student organizations. “In 2014, APUS expressed our concerns to the Governing Council about its lack of jurisdiction over student unions. Our priorities are protecting the rights of our members and our autonomy as an organization.” Abdullah Shihipar, president of the Arts and Science Students’ Union (ASSU) appears to share Rambali’s sentiments, especially regarding the possible implementation of a new council and grievance process. “Student societies and student politics will always have disagreements — this is part of democracy, it is important that whatever system comes into place, respects this and only functions when there are clear egregious violations occurring,” Shihipar said.
Welsh has received a “range of comments” on the issue. She stated that the council will not supersede the student societies. She stressed that since the policy is still in its early stages of development, the need for feedback is paramount to any further development. “While the idea has come out of the student summit, it is really important that we take feedback from student society members as it reflects what students think of the council.” Rambali said that she sees the need to clarify the terms “open, accessible, and democratic” for the general public. “I have questions on the Complaint and Resolution process and how it... may threaten the autonomy of student societies, and... create a path for disruption by trouble makers,” said Rambali. Shihipar believes that, given the “myriad of bureaucratic channels that students have to navigate” it is necessary to flesh out the details of the policy prior to implementation; if this does not happen, “we may be left with an inefficient system that takes up time and resources but does not work.” When asked about a deadline for the possible implementation of the policy, Welsh responded that future plans for the policy depend on the feedback received before March 15.
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STUDENT LIFE
Music undergraduates to establish independent endowment fund FMUA hopes to use ethical divestment returns for student projects ELIZAVETA MIRONOVA VARSITY CONTRIBUTOR
The Faculty of Music Undergraduate Association (FMUA) is seeking to establish an endowment fund independent of U of T. The fund is set to launch in September 2016. The initiative features two main shortterm objectives behind the initiative. According to the official proposal for the fund, it was contrived “to improve the co-curricular experience of the Faculty of Music undergraduate students.” The proposal states that “the principle of the fund can be spent on capital projects such as the construction of student space in the future.” The plan is for $120,000 to be invested into the fund each year at a rate of $200 per student. The interest rate of six per cent could then help reduce other fees incurred by the FMUA. According to Mathias Memmel, FMUA co-president, the decision to establish an endowment fund separate from the university is consistent with the society’s mission. “The problem with doing it through the university is that you don’t actually retain the funds, they are no longer the assets of the corporation — really it’s a donation to the university that you have some say over.” Memmel believes that giving a third-party the final say on where students’ money is invested is inappropriate, noting that “for [the
FMUA], we see it as an infringement on our autonomy as a student society and we want to be sure that we are keeping those funds in trust on the behalf of the students.” The FMUA is striving for complete autonomy with respect to the endowment fund, in order to best serve the interests of students. “We have to be absolutely accountable to our membership and how we spend the money,” said Memmel. The FMUA is a supporter of ethical divestment and is looking to create a stock portfolio that reflects this. Memmel goes on to explain that “U of T has an incredible return on its endowment find — upwards of six per cent sometimes — but you have to balance that with your morals.” “If this money is being used to subsidize our mental health and wellness counselor, our study spaces, or the café — it can’t be on the backs of cultural genocide across the world,” Memmel added. FUTURE PROJECTS The FMUA hopes to use the returns to power its initiatives aimed at improving student life. This year, a writing centre solely for music students was created and a tutoring program staffed by graduate students was organized to provide extra help with lecture material. Future plans include recruitment of a Mental Health and Wellness Counselor to help cater to the special needs of music
The FMUA plan to use their investments to fund projects such as refurbishing its lobby. TOSIN MAIYEGUN/THE VARSITY
students, as well as a student-run café in the lobby of the main building. “The building is on its last legs,” said Memmel; “it was designed for 400 people and there are about 1,000 people working out of this space right now and so part of it that there is a shortage of some very key things.” Practice rooms, student lounge space, and meeting spaces for smaller clubs are a high priority, with the prospect of a need for a new building in sight.
Currently, these initiatives are funded using the student levy fund which collected nearly $525,000 last year and holds $700,000 with the dean from previous years. Induced by the FMUA, the heavy student levy fees were collected to offset improvement costs, but were never put to use. The endowment fund “is a way of long-term reducing the burden [of the levy fees],” Memmel said.
CAMPUS POLITICS
Ryerson University students left without access to International Student Identity Cards Ryerson Students’ Union unable to provide cards due to miscommunication with the CFS AIDAN CURRIE
VARSITY CONTRIBUTOR
There has been an enquiry as to whether Ryerson University students have been purchasing International Student Identity Cards (ISIC) from the University of Toronto Students’ Union (UTSU). The Ryerson Student Union (RSU) has allegedly been unable to supply them. When asked about the inability to provide ISICs to their students, RSU president Andrea Bartlett explained that they have encountered problems with the Canadian Federation of Students (CFS). Bartlett claims that their membership services coordinator at the membership services office (MSO) has been waiting for the CFS to format and fix the system. “She was in contact with someone last semester, who eventually seemed to lose contact with… but emailed them again before the holiday break, and again in the new year. She never received a reply from any CFS representative who is responsible for maintaining the system,” Bartlett said. Bartlet added that “shortly before reading week, someone emailed our MSO coordinator from CFS asking what was wrong, and she explained the above story. They said they
The Ryerson Students’ Union says that the CFS is to blame for their ISIC troubles . MAISHA ISLAM/THE VARSITY
would come by this past Friday at 4 to check out our laptop/system. They never came.” UTSU president Ben Coleman said that the UTSU “does not have the ability to provide ISICs to Ryerson students.”
According to the ISIC website, members of the CFS may receive their ISIC for free at select issuing offices across the country, including through the UTSU and RSU respectively. For this reason, Bartlett says that she
is “unsure why UTSU would charge Ryerson students for ISICs to begin with.” The membership services coordinator at the RSU contacted several nearby institutions and travel agencies asking for assistance in providing Ryerson students with ISICs in urgent circumstances. The RSU had been instructing students to go to Travel Cuts, a Toronto-based travel agency, or to contact OCAD or George Brown’s student unions for assistance. Bartlett stated that she had not heard of any Ryerson students turning to the UTSU for their ISIC. “Neither myself or our MSO Coordinator have heard of students going to U of T to get an ISIC card currently, but if that’s the case we strongly advise them to first reach out to our MSO office,” she said. “As far as we [the RSU] are concerned, we have done everything in our power given that the CFS has sole capacity to fix this situation, with no cooperation or willingness to resolve the issue from the CFS. It is very disappointing that an organization that our members pay into, are not able to receive the services that they pay for,” Bartlett said.
COMMENT var.st/comment
29 February 2016
comment@thevarsity.ca
Growth for greener pastures Sustainable environmental policy and economic development are not mutually exclusive ARTICLE BY JONATHAN WILKINSON ILLUSTRATION BY KIMIA GHANNAD
T
here is a persistent notion in Canadian discourse that pits the environment against the economy. According to this train of thought, resource-based economic development must necessarily diminish in order to prevent further environmental degradation. On campus, this argument has been propagated by groups such as Toronto350, which calls on the university to divest its holdings in fossil fuel-producing companies. This argument, however, is misguided. The economy and environment do not have to be caught in a zero-sum game. With the implementation of the proper policy mechanisms, economic development can actually progress in tandem with environmental preservation. On the other hand, a dogmatic focus on superficially 'green' initiatives can actually promote economically and — consequently — ecologically damaging results. It is important to first recognize that environmental degradation is a product of market failure. Carbon emissions produced from fossil fuels are costly to the general public; yet, producers of carbon emissions don’t need to shoulder that cost. In economics, carbon emissions are labelled a 'negative externality' — costs incurred by the community that has no choice but to incur them and produced by those who are not compelled to reimburse the cost. Since producers need not shoulder the cost of externalities, the price of production is artificially low. In turn, the resultant goods are too cheap, and people will over-consume them. This eventually leads to environmental harm, such as the drastic increase of greenhouse gases in our atmosphere. The aim, therefore, should be to implement policy mechanisms whereby producers of fossil fuels are incentivized to reduce their emissions. In other words, a producer is entitled to produce fossil fuel emissions, but they would be better off if they didn’t. This can only occur if the producer 'internalizes' the externality — that is, producers are forced to shoulder the cost of the externality. As it happens, there are policy mechanisms that do just that, and Canada is arguably the world leader when it comes to implementing them. Most notably, British Columbia became a global leader in environmental policy when it announced its revenue-neutral carbon tax in 2008, earning praise from the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development, the World Bank, and The Economist. Quebec and Ontario followed suit when they announced their cap-and-trade policies in 2013 and 2015, respectively. Most recently, Alberta announced a BC-inspired carbon tax last November.
While BC’s carbon tax has been in effect for almost eight years, a significant body of evidence has culminated in an unsurprising conclusion: it works. It is revenue-neutral, and any revenue accrued from the carbon tax is channeled into corporate and income tax cuts, which fosters economic growth in other sectors. Since 2008, the BC economy has out-performed the rest of Canada every year. Simultaneously, from 2008 to 2014, fuel use declined by 16 per cent in the province, compared to a three per cent rise in the rest of the country.
What may work in Tokyo, may work in Timmins. The fact is that oil and natural gas as sources of energy are incredibly good at what they do. They are energy dense, easy to store and transport, and efficient to use. Today, 99 per cent of personal transport journeys in the United States use some sort of fossil fuel. What’s more, the reality is that fossil fuels are market-based commodities that will continue to be produced and used around the world. The United States currently imports over nine million barrels of oil per day, roughly a third of which comes from Canada. Imports from Canada have been growing since the early 1980s, and regardless of pipeline decisions, this figure will likely continue to rise so long as oil remains an economical energy resource. To fail to recognize this point is to disregard the principles of market economics. This is not to mention that 'green' initiatives pursued without economic considerations often have detrimental ecological consequences. Germany, which invested vast sums into wind and solar energy, has seen its carbon footprint climb because wind and solar cannot produce reliable levels of electricity. Since THE ECONOMY AND ENVIRONMENT DO NOT it closed many of its nuclear HAVE TO BE CAUGHT IN A ZERO-SUM GAME. power plants, the country has had to fill the gaps with electricity produced from cheap lignite coal, one of the dirtiest fossil fuels. Another example would be that of lithium, the critical element in the batteries powering electric vehicles. Though it may seem appealing to envision a world of electric cars, lithium is starting to face questions over the carbonintensive production process required to extract and turn it into the chemical compound used in batteries. Getting the entire Canadian population, let alone that of the world, to make a drastic change in their behaviour on appeals to 'green' norms alone is unfortunately unrealistic. It remains, however, our responsibility — particuMany organizations, such as Toronto350 larly as the generation who will bear the costs and The Leap Manifesto, argue that car- of climate change — to examine corporate bon pricing does not go far enough to- and government actions that combat climate wards staving off the effects of climate change and consider the macroeconomic efchange. The Leap Manifesto is an on- fects of those actions. line campaign that advocates for making There are policy mechanisms that can provide economic decisions with the inclusion of a win-win solution. Properly designed, carbonIndigenous communities. They call for pricing solutions like that of BC can create an a drastic scaling back of the Canadian incentive for firms to reduce their fossil fuel economy, increased investment in goods emissions while still enabling economic growth. and services provided by the public sector, like high-speed rail, and a complete end Jonathan Wilkinson is a fourth-year student at of fossil fuel use within our generation. University College studying international relations.
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Conscious learning Wab Kinew's lecture event highlights the importance of Indigenous education RUSABA ALAM
Explaining Tinder to your grandmother Shedding the stigma of online dating and unveiling its ne e ted benefits
VARSITY CONTRIBUTOR
NISH CHANKAR
VARSITY CONTRIBUTOR
DIANA PHAM/THE VARSITY
This year’s Indigenous Education Week rightly emphasized the need for U of T to play its part in the reconciliation process in Canada. Notably, writer and broadcast journalist Wab Kinew spoke last Wednesday about improving the dynamics of Indigenous-settler relations, especially in light of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC) report released last December. It is unsurprising that, at a university, Kinew focused on the importance of education for social change. Specifically, he advocated for curricula and pedagogies that are more inclusive of Indigenous worldviews and history. For instance, healthcare professionals should be taught about the specific social determinants of health that affect Indigenous people, such as intergenerational trauma from residential schools. These changes would not only be of practical use — in this case, improving a doctor’s chances of accurate and effective diagnoses and interventions — but would also reaffirm the principles of equality and reconciliation. Though some may argue Indigenous studies are not relevant to their field, Kinew suggested that Indigenous knowledge and presence is integral for understanding Canadian history. On a larger scale, it is relevant to any person who chooses to live in Canada. The word ‘Toronto,’ for instance, is derived from an Iroquois term meaning ‘where there are trees in water.’ Kinew noted that these educational changes can and should occur through mandating Indigenous studies courses at U of T; the University of Winnipeg and Lakehead University have already adopted this measure. U of T’s Native Students’ Association (NSA) has been circulating a petition calling for a mandatory Indigenous studies credit. In a meaningful gesture, Kinew added his own name to the NSA petition onstage at the end of his talk. As members of the U of T community, if we can agree that a university education should train students to be well informed and actively engaged members of society, then it’s time for more students to support the NSA’s efforts. Education for reconciliation is as much about understanding this country’s present and fu-
ture realities, as it is about acknowledging Canada’s past, as Kinew made clear when he cited examples of structural inequality affecting Indigenous communities today. Kinwe also pointed out the underfunding of schools and child welfare services on reserves, the latter of which the Canadian Human Rights Tribunal recently found discriminatory. Certainly, it would be reductive — and dismissive of the powerful work of Indigenous activists in Canada — to suggest that taking a single Indigenous studies course would enable all U of T students to understand the complex problems resulting from centuries of colonial governance, which continue to define Indigenous-settler relationships today. Still, it can provide an important foundation for raising awareness of our colonial history and consequent responsibilities. As such, education can open up the possibility for both Indigenous and non-Indigenous students to combat the enduring realities of systemic inequality in Canada. In turns graceful, devastating, and funny, Kinew’s talk painted an appropriately multifaceted picture of what reconciliation might look like moving forward at U of T. The talk remembered the injustice of Canada’s treatment of Indigenous people, past and present and honoured the resilience of the communities that have endured and survived. Above all, it stressed the importance of working together now to build a more positive and more equitable future. As we await the results of the U of T-wide steering committee on the TRC, let us remember to reflect on what it means for each of us to be a Canadian citizen in an era of reconciliation. As Wab Kinew pondered: if years from now you are asked what you personally did while injustice took place around you, what will you say?
At Christmas dinner with my extended family, the classic, uncomfortable interrogation came from the elders: how are the boys? Cue a snarky jab from my younger brother about everyone’s favourite swiping app, and I ended up in the unfortunate position of having to explain the concept of Tinder to my grandmother. How would you explain — and defend — Tinder to someone who was born the same year the British left India? On the surface, the app apparently marks the decline of romance, given its infamous reputation for facilitating one-night stands. This, in turn, leads to a stigmatization of its ability to actually foster long-lasting relationships. In order to sidestep this stigma, many of my peers seem inclined to create fake ‘how we met’ stories after finding a partner on Tinder. For example, a good friend of mine has been dating her boyfriend for around three months; while we referred to him as ‘Tinder boy’ when they were unofficially hanging out, she slowly transitioned to referring to him as ‘Starbucks boy’ when she realized he was sticking around. The Starbucks ‘how we met’ story was initially created solely for meetingthe-family purposes. Yet, she began to rely on it more and more when everyone seemed to delegitimize the origins of the romance. It is strange that we ridicule Tinder as a means of romantic interaction, especially given the fact that it is so popular among our generation. While no one can pinpoint the exact moment we went from flower petals and ‘he loves me, he loves me not’ to ‘swipe right, swipe left,’ it’s clear that online courtships have taken the world by storm. A 2011 Leger Marketing study showed that 36 per cent of Canadians between the
ages of 18 and 34 used dating apps. Over 50 per cent of Tinder’s user base is between the ages of 18 and 24, which coincides with the peak ages for university attendance. Certainly, there are those who have not succeeded in — or simply avoided — the Tinder-verse. This is presumably because many of us haven’t yet unpacked the social stigma of meeting a significant other on an app that was initially marketed as a hook-up tool, even though Millenials are comfortable with using Tinder as a pastime. Perhaps Tinder isn’t as romantic as bumping into someone in the hall of Sidney Smith, stooping to pick up the books you dropped, and gazing into each other's eyes for the first time. Yet, as much as we may long for those moments, real life is not a romantic comedy. Whether you’re introduced by friends or you randomly meet in an elevator, there’s an inordinate amount of luck involved in meeting someone suited for you. Millenials are busy, and we don’t always have time to wait around for cupid. It’s a good thing that we make our own luck, and Tinder — amongst other dating apps — is incredibly helpful in facilitating that. Such technology merely represents a different form, rather than a deterioration, of communication. At least for the next little while, Tinder is here to stay, and its customer base grows every day. So, even though my own parents met at a high school party in Whitby, ‘how we met’ stories are becoming markedly different over time. Perhaps that's not such a bad thing. Nish Chankar is a second-year student at Trinity College studying economics and international relations. She is also the associate vice-president, equity of the University of Toronto Students’ Union (UTSU); the views expressed here are her own.
Rusaba Alam is a third-year student at Victoria College studying English.
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s you go through college, take comfort in the fact that there is nothing new under the sun. While there is never going to be anyone with identical genes who will experience life exactly as you do, your feelings, good and bad, emotions, good and bad, are universal. Life as you know, comes in phases, getting a college education is one phase. This is around the time in which your prefrontal cortex is fully developed and when you become more aware, emotionally, that your behaviour affects others. It is a time of greater self-awareness, particularly awareness of a moral conscience. Up to this point your behaviour has been mostly shaped by fear of punishment, or what you can get away with. With a moral appreciation of consequences, your behaviour should be shaped by a desire to pursue goodness, for goodness’ sake. This is a narrow road, but it brings peace of mind, success and happiness. It is also the surest road to wisdom. So try not to despair when the day seems dreary or the task seems impossible. Bad times never last, and you will adjust like you’ve always done. Don’t be hard on yourself, after all, you did not make yourself and you are not responsible for the factors that shaped you up to this point. Never forget that we live in our minds and so just as negative thoughts bring you down, positive thoughts will lift you up. And so it is important to control your thoughts. This, by the way is one of the triumphs in life – the control of what we allow our mind to dwell on. No one knows where thoughts come from, but thank God that we can shut out the bad ones and nurture the good ones. Work hard, and try to remain honest, so you can keep growing in your ability. You are capable of much more than you realize. Learn self-discipline and organisation so that work doesn’t spill into play, and your play is not spoiled by guilt from work left undone. Try never to panic. Better to seek help and buy yourself precious time to recover from trouble. Offer good advice and don’t hesitate to seek counsel. We are all in this together. Don’t be embarrassed to embrace faith but do not become self-righteous or a hypocrite. Your friends may not tell you so, but they will respect and admire you as a spiritual person. After all, true spirituality is about learning to love others. You will find that the more you pray, the better you know yourself and the less mistakes you make. Pray for those you don’t like and forgive others so that it is easier to forgive yourself. Overcome your shyness, not by heavy drinking or by using drugs, but by reminding yourself that we are all shy more or less. In fact, shyness tends to be a function of self-awareness. You are about to come into your own so learn to pick up after yourself and hang in there. You have yet to taste the best that life has to offer.
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Notice of Referendum Preamble:
The main goals of LGBTOUT are to foster safe and accessible spaces on campus for LGBTQ+ identified students, as well as to advocate and spread awareness around LGBTQ+ issues to the general community. In acquiring a levy, LGBTOUT would be able to carry out much-needed advocacy work that has fallen by the wayside in past years. Events that facilitate spaces for critical discussion and the spreading of awareness are greatly hindered by the need to produce revenue. As well, no matter how much consultation and collaboration is done for each event, there are still many barriers to accommodating the diverse array of accessibility needs in our community. For example, trans people of colour experience higher rates of poverty than the general community. These people need safe social spaces and, although events are available, they may be inaccessible based on commute and ticket costs, so a levy would make it possible for us to provide necessary subsidies and accommodations for those in need. In addition, a levy would enable us to carry out orientation and beginning-ofthe-year events with less concern. Current funding structures do not adequately support groups that take on long-term projects or provide large-scale projects and events during those critical first weeks of school. LGBTOUT has requested that the University of Toronto Students’ Union (UTSU) establish a refundable designated portion of the UTSU fee. Pending the support of the UTSU’s general membership at the St. George campus, the designated fee would be refundable to members, and subject to a formal Memorandum of Agreement concerning the payment of fees, member refunds, accountability for student fee revenue, and the terms and conditions related to the fee. The UTSU is seeking consent from its members at the St. George campus to establish a new designated portion of the UTSU fee for the fall and winter sessions. The proposed increase is $0.25 per session, paid by UTSU members at the St. George campus, beginning in the fall 2016 session. For more information, visit your Students’ Union website at utsu.ca/referendum or contact the Chief Returning Officer at cro@utsu.ca.
Question: 1. Are you in favour of establishing a new refundable designated portion of the UTSU fee for LGBTOUT (Lesbians, Gays, Bisexuals and Trans People of the University of Toronto), as described in the preamble and subject to the terms and conditions above? Ballot Options: Yes, No, Abstain
Preamble If question one is approved, the UTSU is also seeking consent from its members to allow annual cost-of-living increases, based on the Statistics Canada December over December Ontario Consumer Price Index (CPI) to the new refundable designated portion of the UTSU fee for LGBTOUT. 2. Do you authorize the Board of Directors of the UTSU to request annual cost-of-living increases, based onDecember over December Ontario CPI to the designated LGBTOUT portion of the fee? Ballot Options: Yes, No, Abstain
Other information: The voting locations are as follows: Kelly Library, Goldring Athletic Centre, Athletic Centre, Bahen Centre. Polling stations will be open 9am - 6:30pm on voting days. Or, vote online from anywhere by visiting utsu.simplyvoting.com Voting Days: March 22, 09:00 - March 24, 18:30 Campaign Period: March 14, 09:00 - March 21, 24:00 (for in person campaigning) or March 24 18:30
(for online campaigning)
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The root of all evil? ashing in on the allege threat of campaign financing EMMETT CHOI
VARSITY CONTRIBUTOR
For quite some time Donald Trump has been the frontrunner for the Republican nomination to the US presidency. After hitting a brief setback in Iowa, Trump won in New Hampshire, South Carolina, and then Nevada. Heading into 'Super Tuesday,' he is nationally favoured by 12.9 per cent compared to Ted Cruz and by 16.5 per cent compared to Marco Rubio. Conventional wisdom would have it that Trump, the billionaire real estate magnate, would surely outspend the Republican field, to the detriment of democratic politicians. After all, we’re told that money buys politics, especially in the US. The reality is that in eight months of campaigning, Trump and his allied political action committees (known as PACs) have raised $27.3 million. This is tied with the relatively unknown John Kasich for the least amount of financial contributions received by candidates in either party. To put this in perspective, consider that Cruz, Rubio, and their respective PACs have raised a combined $188.8 million, yet are in all likelihood just a few weeks away from losing the nomination to the controversial political amateur, Trump. Furthermore, the Trump campaign and proTrump PACs have only spent $25.5 million, which is the second least amount among the remaining candidates. In Canada, we have been told that money taints elections; however, election results have not shown this to be the case. In the 2015 federal election, the Conservatives had a fundraising advantage, and yet the Liberals won a majority.
If campaign financing is not the corruptor of all things democratic, how, then, should we understand its role in politics? Campaign financing is a neutral and legitimate form of political expression, just like any other. When it comes to advertising, there is merely a difference in degree — not type — when it comes to comparing a 30 second television commercial and, say, speaking into a microphone at an event. The only thing money decides is how many people hear the speaker. Additionally, there is more than enough cash to go around so that no single candidate, party, or political ideology has an insurmountable advantage. For every Koch brother, there’s a George Soros. Small but enthusiastic donors can still prove formidable, as Bernie Sanders’ unlikely success has shown. His campaign has raised $96.3 million thus far, without the aid of a PAC. Campaign spending is not a determinant to voter turnout either; in 2012, Mitt Romney outspent President Obama and won the white vote by 20 per cent, but Obama scored decisive victories among the black, Hispanic, and Asian votes, who together made up almost 28 per cent of the electorate, their largest share ever. Finally, thanks to traditional grassroots activism and social media, those with limited funds can achieve national recognition without ever having to buy a billboard or television spot. Donald Trump has more followers and fans on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram than any of his competitors, and other than Bernie Sanders, he is the only candidate whose rallies can fill professional sports arenas.
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The power of social media and on-the-ground organizing has also been demonstrated by the activist movement Black Lives Matter. Through sustained social media campaigns as well as protests, Black Lives Matter has managed to drive the conversation around criminal justice reform for over two years, with no signs of slowing down. This is not to naïvely say that politics is free of corruption, or that money has no influence on our leaders. But if we want to clean up politics, perhaps we should look deeper into what happens after elections. This includes staying vigilant and redirecting our attention to when foreign interests make donations to a cabinet
secretary’s private charity; when a justice minister’s husband works as a lobbyist; or when the banking industry and its federal regulator share a revolving door. That is the kind of money in politics of which we should be vigilant: the money that trades hands during governance, not during campaign season. A campaign, no matter how loud, ugly, or chaotic it gets, is still the heart of democracy. An election, after all, is a competition of ideas, and consequently we should ensure that more of them are shared. Emmett Choi is a fifth-year student at Victoria College studying philosophy and American studies.
What it means to be average? The twisted standards for quantifying an individual’s value LUKE JEAGAL
VARSITY CONTRIBUTOR
As students at U of T, an institution notorious for both academic excellence and competitive atmosphere, we often fret about our CGPA. This number helps us quantify where we are in relation to the ‘average,’ which we take for granted as the appropriate measurement of our abilities. Our obsession with standardization has seeped into all aspects of culture. Generally, this has been seen as an improvement in society or a way of making things more efficient. Take, for instance, clothing sizes. By simplifying dimensions to three average options — large, medium, and small — we have rid ourselves of the nuisance of having our measurements done every so often by a tailor and waiting for custom-made clothing. The problem, however, arises when we attempt to graft this standardization onto qualities that are inherently subjective and multi-faceted. Think of what the words talent, intelligence, and character mean; how would you even begin to quantify these traits? Yet, to the detriment of students' education, this is exactly what our school systems do. In his new book The End of Average, Harvard professor L. Todd Rose states that our obsession with averages — and comparing ourselves to that number — is damaging to wholesome and effective learning. This is because there is a conceptual error at the basis of 'average-ism.' We wrongly assume
MIRKA LOISELLE/THE VARSITY
that the sampling of many people at once will give us as valid results as measuring the same person numerous times. Consider average spending habits: the accurate way of measuring this would be to record what I spend for an extended period of time then average it out. This, however, is time consuming, so we simply opt for sampling a variety of people’s spending habits at one point of time then averaging those out. First, the problem with the latter method is that it produces a number that rarely captures anyone. In a study of 4,000 United States Air Force pilots, none of them actually fit the average criteria of height, weight, arm length, leg length, etc. that was established to help construct the most usable cockpit seat.
Second, and perhaps more importantly, the human characteristics we want to foster in school — like communication skills, curiosity, and the capacity for critical thinking — cannot be accurately defined with numbers. In fact, they are highly contextualized. “The very first large-scale study of character, still one of the largest ever, was done in the early 1900s by Hugh Hartshorne, an ordained minister and a scientist,” explains Rose. “He thought he was going to find character was a thing, a trait — if you were honest in one aspect of life, you’d be honest in all — and instead he found that’s not so.” Certainly, there are mechanisms in our education system — not to mention job application process — that strive to include quali-
tative evaluation that will pick up on these shifting traits. Personal statements, cover letters, and interviews are abound. Yet, a prevailing convention is to use numerical standards like the CGPA to sift through students or applicants in the first round of evaluation, already disregarding groups of people whose capability may not be accurately captured by those numbers. This 'average-ism' mentality is contrary to the purpose of education. It prioritizes the ranking and sorting of students, instead of the development of their capacity to reach their full potential. In order to move forward, we need to push back against standardization. Rose uses the Air Force analogy: when they realized standardized seats didn’t work, they created adjustable ones. Similarly in education, we should promote such flexibility in our standardized testing: remove time-based evaluation, especially given that evidence shows speed and ability are uncorrelated; lower barriers to accessing individualized help through tutoring; and above all, we should be open to imagining new ways that the education system can be more sensitive to individual needs. Luke Jeagal is a second-year student at University College studying physiology and political science.
William Peyton Hubbard was a baker by trade, raised near Bloor and Bathurst long before the area was a planning site for condos. In 1894, he became the first black man to be elected to Toronto’s City Council. Despite this momentous appointment — a significant step towards social equality among the races — the City of Toronto would not institutionalize the commemoration of Black History Month until 85 years later, in 1979, roughly 44 years after Hubbard’s death. There is some variation in the way Black History Month’s aims are articulated across locations and groups. In Toronto, for instance, Black History Month presents an opportunity for reflection and recognition of “the past and present contributions” that African Canadians make to the vibrant life of the city. U of T’s Anti-Racism and Cultural Diversity Office stated in their newsletter that the month of February is an “important month for anti-racism and cultural diversity in Canada,” recognizing the wealth of historical reflection that stems from not only Black History Month, but also from Indigenous Education Week. Throughout the past few weeks, student groups across the university’s three campuses have incorporated Black History Month into a broader conversation about black experiences. For example, the events hosted at UTM focused on building community, promoting black businesses in Toronto, and extolling resistance. Also, Resilience & Resistance, a Black History Month conference including input from groups based on all three campuses, purposefully brought the theme of black history into a conversation about pressing issues affecting black communities today. Inherent to the reflections that inform Black History Month is the discord that exists between taking an opportunity to celebrate black communities’ diverse and abundant heritage and facing the sobering reminder that anti-black racism and social disparity persevere in Toronto and around the world. If a common thread is to be found in what Black History Month means to different people, it could be that it provokes reflection, on things like: accomplishments, struggles, prejudices, victories, and what is yet to come. What follows is a sampling of reflections from black students, professors, and members of the community. “I feel like the approach from the Ontario curriculum is to treat the month like a holiday as opposed to the reason WHY it’s being taught. I’m curious about the way children, OUR future generation, are taught to understand Black History month. As someone with an 11 year old brother, they learn about accomplishments and but I wonder if the curriculum is sanitized to shield them from the pain and trauma that comprise the second half of each story. The unpleasantries [sic] are diluted so they can believe we’ve entered a postracial society. How does that affect their understanding of anti-black racism? How will they react to true injustice when it inevitably reaches them?” — Melissa Vincent Student “I don’t know as many black people making history in Canada as I would like to. But I do hear and see stories of young artists, educators, etc. doing what they can to promote blackness… so I would like to shout out and tell them to keep going because you never know who you might inspire with your work. At an event recently, I got introduced to whole bunch of black women such as [D’bi] Young, who is a poet; Jully Black, a singer and actress; and Traci Anderson, a play writer [sic]. They were all so amazing in their energy and in their work and I think that’s really a revolution in how we communicate and see each other. I also know a couple of students who also happen to be my friends who are starting businesses, clubs, conversation and encouraging people younger than us in a way that we never got encouraged because we never saw representations of ourselves. We are in a time where we should all be celebrating ourselves and making history so I really hope we do. There’s always a lot of talk around whether Black History Month should be a thing or not. I think it’s good because it’s a time where we can really be celebrated from who we are and what we do [sic]. We have the whole year where we are constantly criticized, attacked and shown in negative light. Black History Month does not need to be out about that [sic]. That being said, I am also glad that a lot of black people are now celebrating black people every time they can and not just this token that was given to us. I think it’s about taking this small token and growing it and making it so big they can’t ignore us.” — Shully Sappire Student
“For me, a moment in Canadian Black History that stands out as historically significant is the founding of the Black Action Defence Committee in Toronto in 1988. After multiple egregious incidents of police brutality and anti-black racism in Toronto — including the police murder of Buddy Evans in 1978 and Albert Johnson in 1979 — the Black Action Defence Committee (BADC) was formed by Caribbean Canadians Lennox Farrell, Sherona Hall, Dudley Laws and Charles Roach. This moment is important, not only to Black people in Canada but all Canadians, for so many reasons. BADC was responsible for increased police accountability through civilian oversight. It was the organizing and protesting of BADC that led to the creation of the Special Investigations Unit. BADC can also be credited with being behind the promotion of Black police officers to senior positions. Many of the major players involved in the creation of BADC were also instrumental in shaping Toronto and the world in so many other ways. Charles Roach became a human rights lawyer and, along with Lennox Farrell and Sherona Hall, founded Caribana. Hall was also involved in freedom struggles throughout Africa until her death in 2007 at 59. Lennox Farrell, the lone surviving member of BADC, was a teacher and also advocated for Black youth. He founded the North York Black Education Committee that kept the heat on the North York School Board on issues involving Black youth. The formation of BADC is also significant to me because it reminds me of a time when the revolutionary spirit was alive and kicking in Toronto and also helps place me, as a first-generation Canadian born of Caribbean parents, in Canadian history.” — Septembre Anderson Toronto journalist “[Black History Month is] an opportunity to look inward and reflect on the past in the hopes of not having it repeated. However, it is also a reminder to celebrate those people that have worked to make change and impacted the world in big and small ways… [A]t this point so many people are making history. There’s a new wave of awareness and activism — not only black leaders, but everyday people have gained greater awareness of themselves and there is so much rallying and unity being promoted. All these people are making history because they are working to bring about change in different ways.” — Fanta Diaby Student “Currently, Canadians are able to purchase a stamp featuring The No. 2 Construction Battalion, the “Black” Battalion mustered in Pictou, NS, in 1916, to allow African-Canadians an opportunity to serve in The Great War--or WWI. These servicemen, segregated and separated from the regular Canadian Army, were sent to the French-Swiss border to fell trees, cut logs and lumber, and construct railway ties to assist the Allies in their globe-girdling struggle with Germany, the Austro-Hungarian Empire, and the Ottoman Empire. The unit was led--in part--by Rev. Capt. William Andrew White (the first black officer in the British Army), whose job was to counsel the alienated, pray for the sick, mourn the dead, and cheer up the disgruntled. Certainly, his men — his Coloured soldiers — fell ill from infection due to mosquitoes and chills and succumbed to disaffection due to racism and elitism. So, White was called upon to show red-blooded courage when, fed up with taunts from nearby white soldiers, black soldiers assembled to wage pitched battle with their sworn comrades. Fistfights erupted, brawls broke out, and soon a threat of all-out race riot materialized. Into the middle of the sorry melee, White surged his dark horse, forcing the two sides to separate, as he rode up and down the divided lines, exhorting, preaching, calling on the soldiers to keep the King’s peace. He succeeded, and a bloody ruction was prevented. In a career of milestones, this moment was perhaps his finest, and he returned from France, in 1918, the de facto leader of all African Canadians....” — George Elliott Clarke Professor of English, St. George Campus, Canadian Parliamentary Poet Laureate
Harriet Tubman & Harriet Beecher Stowe: A Debate By George Elliott Clarke Stowe:
The tears of slaves hail so sorely on Heave Poets straggle from sonnets to Struggle.
Tubman:
Poets clad shit in blossoms.
Stowe:
Harriet, this Harriet— who’s no Judas Iscariot— feels it’s strategic to ink visions.
Tubman:
Didn’t Moses fell soft bodies with sharp b dilapidate a palace with disgusting murd
and have Cairo bombarded with stone an clog roads with horses, chariots, Hebrew
while the pursuing Gypsies, in heavy gallop, floundered in nostril-clogging water, so dead horses piled up in sky-high mud. Thus was the oldest Grief— Slavery— indecorously extirpated. Stowe:
Miss Tubman, or “General Moses,” I caution: One who brandishes a sword may soon prove herself its sheath.
Tubman:
Miss Stowe, or “Grandma Moses,” I bade thee remember God’s Moses: The Divine Ten Orders— that rustic calligraphy— scribed scrupulously into stone— brooked no profligate diction, no forgiving asterisks. The words were harsh: Obey, repent, or perish.
Stowe:
Better it is to chequer ink cross foam-whit than it is to give inklings of swords.
Tubman:
I lead ex-slaves through angry rain, and traverse from hungry bower to hungry glade, where winds lour and frost numbs tongues with chill. Exhaustion lames us, but we limp and skulk, shadow-low, hiding were pines hang down green boug sheltering behind magnolia, while a lamp gives light, not heat, or a small fire crumbles snow into water. A biting feeling—and frigid—is our crouching, cringing, like hunted beasts…. Yet, thus we suffer until we slip into Queen Victoria’s America, abandoning households of whippings an and Rape….
Stowe:
Hew to the Christian example of Uncle To
Tubman:
I hew to the Christian example of Uncle S
[Cambridge (Massachusetts) 26 février mmxiv] —George Elliott Clarke Dark-Skinned By Fanta Diaby
my mother tells me I was born with dark gu and black palms. as if to say that even as I entered t I could not bear to be anything but the colour that covered
en,
blades, ders—
nd fire, Refugees;
.
te paper,
ghs,
The Barber’s Chair By Jaren Kerr
Emmett Till ‘15 By Jaren Kerr
stories by an immigrant student II By Shully Sappire
I’m not one of the regulars so when I walk in, they’re all a bit mystified But they carry on, like they do in all shops Sharing stories about back home told in Patois and Drunk. I’ve perfected my nervous laugh They’ve perfected a home away from home Sometimes I get my hair cut there
On my walk home I see a delicate rose in the distance With soft, blonde curls, looking like sapphire. She reminds me of my love, with her own curls, Her own gems, and pink cheeks. What a fine day. Innocently (since I must make it clear), I want to share my joy and give her a smile Until I remember My tight black curls My bronze exterior My brothers on the news. I may worry her purse, which would hug her tightly as I approach. I may excite horrors; a product of violent fairy tales. To be safe, I decide to cross the street, avoid eye contact And walk home, To my woman And her soft, blonde curls.
my new coworker, who is a funny, round, little older man thinks i know nothing of classics. he walks me around the store, pointing to things that should be childhood memories, staring at me when i say i have never watched star wars, confused when i don’t know of the little hidden joys Canadian children here. he goes home thinking, she’s caught up in technology. she doesn’t remember the old, fun days.
I wait to be picked by one of the roster: Shaky Hands Heavy Breather Always Laughing and I hope for the best Shaky leaves patches Heavy is too tedious Laughing Always goes into my hairline for $18, why complain? Educated in a way I envy they envy and love my “U of T” I could be a community leader, on the cover of Share I tell them I study Medicine (I’m tired of explaining Bioethics to everyone I know) I do not mention poetry or philosophy That would be insulting They are small c Big minds in their own right, philosophical and critical concerned about the new world that passes them by while they bathe in nostalgia.
Harlem Pamphlet (1943) by Langston Hughes By George Elliott Clarke That skull-faced cops feel the privilege To Murder, as mourners allege— To shoot down black boys, not white toughs, But kids (wrists too skinny for handcuffs), Warns us that pale police perceive Emancipation as a sieve,
Dark-Skinned
but it’s not that. i remember the games, playing ludo till we were forced to bed. playing azigo under the moonlight. laughter always erupting because somebody was always cheating. i am not a lost cause, as my new coworker who is a funny, round, little older man thinks. we just have different ideas of the classics.
HISTORY AND HUMANITY
Setting too many Negroes free From Dixie plantations. Cops see Our Suppression as their Mission: Police repeal Abolition. Every shot dead Negro attests To Anti-Liberty’s Success. Every cop who kills a “nigger,” Rapes Justice with gun-snout vigour. [Ottawa (Ontario) 12 avril / Nisan mmxv]
nd cold ash
om.
Sam.
ums
this world
d her.
Reflections on Black History Month CURATED BY JAREN KERR AND ILLUSTRATIONS BY LAURA WANG AND ELHAM NUMAN
var.st/arts
ARTS&CULTURE 29 February 2016
arts@thevarsity.ca
MY BEAUTIFUL DARK TWISTED OPINION ON
"For me to say I wasn't a genius, I would just be lying to you and to myself"
Kanye West (on Jimmy Kimmel LIVE, 2013)
KANYE WEST KANYE WEST KANYE WEST
FOUR WRITERS SHARE THEIR THOUGHTS ON THE ARTIST OF OUR GENERATION AND HIS LATEST ALBUM Much to my mother’s chagrin, I have always had a soft spot for Kanye West. It might come from that nasty sense of glee we get watching Kanye do something outrageous, like taking the microphone at an awards show, or announcing a 2020 presidential bid. Maybe it’s the unadulterated narcissism he espouses that appeals to the part of me I usually try to suppress by limiting the number of selfies I take. Nevertheless, his recent reign in the press has disturbed me. He’s confessed that he’s $53 million dollars in personal debt, and reached out (via Twitter, of course) to Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg to ask for a billion dollars to fund his future artistic endeavours. If you’re skeptical, Kanye does acknowledge that he’s “personally rich” and can buy houses and furs for his family. He’s also proclaimed the innocence of Bill Cosby, who has been accused by over 50 women of various crimes, many of whom have alleged that Cosby drugged and sexually assaulted them. It’s one thing if West is going out of his way to be controversial; it’s another to ask strangers for billions of dollars and express support for alleged rapists. The casual misogyny that West has revealed through the escalation of his longstanding feud with Taylor Swift is also troubling. In a rant backstage at Saturday Night Live that was caught on tape, Kanye called Swift a “fake ass.” In yet another video he says, “she not cool no more. She had two seconds to be cool, and she fucked it up.” These developments mirror the misogynistic lyrics of “Famous,” a track off Kanye’s new album, The Life of Pablo, on which West raps “I feel like me and Taylor might still have sex. Why? I made that bitch famous.” Swift was already famous before Kanye stormed on stage to declare that she didn’t deserve the MTV Video Music Award for Best Female Video. Even if West truly feels that his antics have contributed to Swift’s fame, the idea that she owes him anything is completely absurd. Scrolling through West’s Twitter feed, you'll find that he spends a lot of time passing comment on who should and who should not feel comfortable criticizing his work. Recently, Kanye tweeted, “To Pitchfork, Rolling Stone, New York Times, and any other white publication. Please do not comment on black music anymore.” How Kanye arrived at the conclusion that the named publications are, in fact, “white,” is unclear. Perhaps West is referring to the ethnicity of certain writers who review his music. If so, it’s news to me that reviewers are only allowed to comment on music made by people of their own race. I guess I’ll have to rethink that sociolinguistic analysis of “Hotline Bling” I was planning on writing. Let’s not forget that music reviews in general are supposed to provide publicity to artists, something that actually helps them sell records. In fact, Kanye would do well to remember this if he is in as dire financial straits as he claims. His request is nothing more than an immature response to criticism, which is surprising from a man with enough
and egotism. Is it our cultural obsession of witnessing a breakdown from a distance? This could very well be the case. Perhaps it goes deeper: Kanye reflects our own inner and unspoken desire for fame and vanity, meaning that our innate nature is selfcentred and self-seeking, revolving around material satisfactions. Nonetheless, our culture’s fixation on celebrity reveals something intriguing; it’s as if we’re comfortable with Kanye’s presence because it reflects our own imperfections. — Andrew Friesen
JULIEN BALBONTIN/THE VARSITY
self-confidence to declare himself: “the most important living artist” and “50 percent more influential than any other human being.” In the end, however, I will reluctantly concede that there’s no one more able to sum up my feelings towards Kanye better than Kanye himself: “I hate the new Kanye, the bad mood Kanye, the always rude Kanye, spaz in the news Kanye… I used to love Kanye, I used to love Kanye.” — Reut Cohen
is where the real man behind the mask can be found. The difference between Kanye and the average artist is that Kanye does everything on his own terms. No one dictates his artistic output. He will not be censored. He doesn’t care about your expectations. Like any great work of art, his music tells a story and leaves itself open to interpretation. His ultimate message? Be yourself, kids, because at the end of the day that’s all you’ve got. — Lisa Power
We all know Kanye West for his music, but that is not what makes him a genius. One may think he falls into the category of technological advancement, but it’s his universal appeal that cements his influence. He achieves equilibrium between the concept and the medium; we appreciate his music to the same extent that we appreciate the aura that accompanies it. Kanye conveys his feelings of self-worth, success, and loneliness through his music. He expresses in words what we sometimes can’t. He paints pictures with his honest and concise lyrics, and inserts humour in graphic detail. Publically, he markets himself with bravado, but TLOP (and virtually all his other albums)
Kanye West is a talented artist and producer. He has been hailed as a contemporary genius when it comes to song writing, and albums like The College Dropout and Late Registration only confirm this. Yet, recent social media slip-ups have some people second-guessing West’s integrity and questioning whether or not the platform, voice, and authority granted him are justified. Why is West given so much attention in the news and over social media? Surely he is an established musician and business mogul at the height of his celebrity and fame; however, our society tends to reject the values he embraces: misogyny, superficiality, arrogance,
The Life of Pablo is an extravagant mess, and I’m still trying to understand if that’s intentional or not. By now you’ve likely heard of Kanye West’s seventh studio album, and not necessarily for the right reasons. Several title revisions later, a live event premiering some iteration of the album at Madison Square Garden; frequent stream-of-consciousness rants on Twitter; different versions of songs floating around online message boards like secret codes being passed between secret agents; and a botched album release on Tidal, begs the question: who is Kanye West, and what is The Life of Pablo? Is it a gospel record celebrating fatherhood and family? A cookout album filled with featured cameos and head-spinning sample flips? An admission of mental health issues? A glaring example of tone-deaf misogyny? All of these may be true, but the lack of focus contributes to the perception that not even Kanye knows what's really going on. One moment, he’s the orchestrator being anointed by pastor Kirk Franklin, heralded into being by gospel singer Kelly Price and R&B crooner The-Dream as a gleeful Chance The Rapper delivers the ceremony. The next, he’s talking about copulating with bleached models and turning a Vogue photoshoot into an Eyes Wide Shut orgy under the eerie stringand-synth lines from Goldfrapp’s “Human” (2000). It’s this kind of dissonance that makes The Life of Pablo sonically beautiful and lyrically ugly, easy to love and easy to hate, and by extension, a definition that can easily be applied to West himself. Here is an artist living loudly: full of spectacle, full of contradictions and vision; on the album, and its 58-minute runtime, he is more amplified than ever before, but lacks the clarity that made his earlier records so appealing. You could go so far as to say that perhaps this is the encapsulating ‘Internet-age album’: vibrantly distracted, ephemeral, and in a constant state of indecisive mutation, here today and gone tomorrow. By now, you’re probably wondering if Kanye is a genius or just crazy. But, as he challenges listeners on “Feedback,” “name one genius that ain’t.” — Daniel Goodman
T H E VA R S I T Y
ARTS & CULTURE 17
var.st/arts
THEATRE REVIEW:
Boeing Boeing rt
o se
e tre s fin l rod tion of t e se son is b
ets of f n
COREY VAN DEN HOOGENBAND ASSOCIATE ARTS AND CULTURE EDITOR
The latest show to grace the Hart House Theatre stage is Marc Camoletti's hilarious Boeing Boeing, a French play directed by Cory Doran and translated by Beverley Cross and Francis Evans. The single-set farce takes place midtwentieth century in the Paris apartment of womanizer Bernard (Brandon Gillespie), an American-born businessman who believes he's discovered the secret to happiness: juggling multiple relationships at once. When an old classmate named Robert (Andrei Preda) comes to visit, things quickly go awry as a series of flight cancellations and early landings find all three of Bernard's secret fiancés, all flight stewardesses from different airlines, landing in Paris to spend the weekend with their 'one and only' on the very same day. Robert, Bernard, and his sour-faced maid, Berthe (Jill McMillan), spend the majority of the play trying to weave all three girls in and out of the apartment without them noticing each other, in a desperate attempt to keep Bernard's absurd scheme afloat. The play's incredibly comedic writing is matched only by the cast's stellar performances. The show is packed to the brim with buffoonery, filled with clever and often crude
i e re sons se el mig t
Brandon Gillespie as Bernard, Eliza Martin as Gloria, Andrei Preda as Robert. SCOTT GORMAN/THE VARSITY
humour yielding sidesplitting responses from the audience. Truthfully, it's hard to point out a cast member that steals the show, as each member of the six-person cast makes their own case for why they deserve special recognition. Brandon Gillespie's Bernard is prone to freak-outs, despite his initially calm and collected demeanor. Jill McMillan's Berthe is the play's closest thing to a rational thinker, delivering a myriad of one-liners and fair share of mild
panic attacks. Eliza Martin and Katie Corbridge are Gloria and Gabriella, Bernard's thickly accented brides-to-be from New York and Italy, respectively. Shalyn McFaul takes command of a lot of the show's physical comedy as brutish German flight attendant and third fiancée, Gretchen. Robert devolves quickly from the wholesome, straight-edge audience stand-in to perhaps the craziest of the lot by the end of the play. The crowd slowly begins to accept throughout the play, much like Robert, the
absurdity of the situation; the audience find themselves encapsulated, feeling almost like an accomplice to the drama. The play makes a compelling case for the power of having a live audience. In the program, director Cory Doran writes that the insanity of Boeing Boeing can't be fully understood and appreciated without a sane audience sitting in total awe of these characters' ridiculous decisions. In an age of digital streaming and private viewing, it's unique and refreshing to find one's own chuckles drowned out by the laughs of the surrounding crowd; Boeing Boeing delivers that rarity. The opportunity to see a play that focuses on such an isolated yet extraordinary premise should not be missed — especially one where two thirds of the roles are played by women, who are rarely featured in lead comedic roles. Boeing Boeing is a show that feels right at home at Hart House Theatre; its light hearted nature and comedy is sure to resonate with theatregoers young and old. Boeing Boeing runs at Hart House Theatre until March 5.
t e Blade Runner t ll be good
A little optimism never hurt anyone DANIEL FISHBAYN VARSITY CONTRIBUTOR
In an announcement that struck a mix of fear and excitement into the hearts of sci-fi nerds everywhere, Warner Bros. announced last week that the long-anticipated sequel to Ridley Scott’s 1982 cyberpunk masterpiece Blade Runner has a release date. It’s set to be released in January 2018, with acclaimed Québécois director Denis Villeneuve at the helm and Harrison Ford returning as Rick Deckard. It’s tempting to assume that any follow-up to Blade Runner would be primarily a cash grab, and the casting of Ford seems to support this theory, but closer inspection reveals that the sequel might actually match the brilliance of its predecessor, at least in ambition if not in execution. Whatever the filmmakers’ choices, we’ll have to wait almost two years to know whether the result will match its predecessor’s brilliance. If the answer turns out to be a resounding ‘no,’ we can only hope Blade Runner 2 will go the way of all bad sequels: you know, “lost in time, like tears...in...rain.” 1. DENIS VILLENEUVE IS DIRECTING At 48 years old, the Montreal-based director is certainly no spring chicken, but he remains committed to stirring the pot creatively as a
director. In his work to date, he has wrestled with some of the western world’s deepest neuroses, ranging from our desperate need for individuality (Enemy) to our fear of becoming the very warmongers we have sought to root out in conflict-ridden countries (Sicario; Incendies). The secret to Villeneuve’s style is patience, seeing as his films tend to boil slowly toward a shattering twist near the end, which is precisely the approach that made the original Blade Runner work so well. No director seems better poised to enter the smoggy dystopia of Blade Runner than Villeneuve. 2. MORE IMPORTANTLY, RIDLEY SCOTT ISN’T DIRECTING Make no mistake: Scott is a formidable creative mind with a knack for creating memorable cinematic moments, and the original Blade Runner is pretty much one long chain of them. But the 78-year-old Brit was right to opt out of directing the sequel, and for proof of this we should look no further than Prometheus, his 2012 attempt at reviving the flailing Alien franchise. Scott had good intentions in making the prequel to his sci-fi/horror classic from thirty years earlier, but unfortunately, while the result began an expansion of the Alien universe that will continue with at least two sequels. It also bordered on being one long, tedious
bone-throw to fans of the original film. Sure, Scott may still be capable of providing audience thrills in his old age, but he’s lost the edge he once had. 3. IMAGINING THE FUTURE IS A PERFECT CHANCE TO PUT MARGINALIZED INDIVIDUALS ONSCREEN IN THE PRESENT Villeneuve is no doubt well aware of the #OscarsSoWhite controversy — his Sicario is nominated for three of the little golden guys this year. This might make the progressiveminded director more likely to take these lessons to heart. The original Blade Runner told the story of androids whose struggle to escape enslavement was overlooked by a monolithic capitalist order, but it did so with an exceedingly white, heteronormative cast. What better way to update that struggle to a present-day context than to fill the cast with minority actors? 4. THE PRODUCERS KNOW THEY CAN’T JUST REHASH THE ORIGINAL BLADE RUNNER PLOT Scott has said previously said that the sequel will take place thirty years after the original and that Deckard will only appear in the third act of the film. Apparently, the first two acts will follow the main character, played by Ryan Gosling, in his efforts to find the elder detective.
CORALS ZHENG/THE VARSITY
This turn away from the original film looks to be a wise move. Yes, most Star Wars fans may have forgiven J.J. Abrams for lifting the plot of The Force Awakens almost beat-for-beat from the original Star Wars film, but that only worked because the fanbase had been repeatedly disappointed by Lucas’ prequel films. As a result, the audience welcomed Abrams’ recycling job as a return to form, while Blade Runner’s small but devoted fanbase wouldn’t let the filmmakers off the hook that easily. 5. RYAN GOSLING IS STARRING It’s unclear what role the London-born actor will play, but he’s confirmed as the film’s lead character and he seems up to the challenge. It’s almost as if the 35-year-old has spent the past few years building a resume to star in the Blade Runner sequel. In 2013, he earned his neo-noir chops as a brooding LA cop in Gangster Squad while also demonstrating how well fluorescent lighting suits him in Nicolas Winding Refn’s neon-drenched thriller Only God Forgives. Throw in the vulnerability of Noah in The Notebook, and we’ve got ourselves a formidable Deckard 2.0.
18 ARTS & CULTURE
M O N DAY 2 9 F E B R U A R Y 2 016 arts@thevarsity.ca
The adventures of '||Superwoman||' Toronto-born YouTuber Lilly Singh premieres A Trip To Unicorn slan at U of T
Lily Singh grew up in Scarborough and attended York University. AMY DOARY/THE VARSITY
MAYA WONG
VARSITY CONTRIBUTOR
Hugs, sunshine, and flashy dance numbers persist throughout most of A Trip To Unicorn Island, the documentary created by, and starring popular YouTuber Lilly Singh, otherwise known as '||Superwoman||.' The documentary recently premiered at the Isabel Bader Theatre to a sold-out crowd. The positivity emitted in her documentary stems from Singh’s personal outlook on happiness, which has been subjected to multiple challenges throughout her life. “Happiness means that you understand that you’re going to have bad days and you’re going to have good days — life is not perfect — but you’re deciding that you’re worth working on and you’re worth loving yourself and you’re worth being happy,” Singh tells me, while walking down the red carpet before the screening of the film. These heartfelt words come from a place of personal experience; in her fourth-year studying psychology at York University, the Scarborough native became depressed. She spent several difficult months battling her dark mood until one morning she woke up and had an epiphany. Singh realized that she understood that she held the power to choose her own outlook on life, marking a turning point in her career. She took up vlogging on YouTube — the choice influence by her childhood passion to act. Singh admitted that at first “it was horrifying. My first video had 70 views. It was
tough because I didn’t have a rhythm… a direction. And that’s scary to put yourself out into the entire world… It wasn’t until a handful of videos later that I found my voice.” In the end, her 7.9 million subscribers proved that her catalogue of hilarious, relatable, and inspirational content was well worth the risky investment. Like the majority of success stories, Singh's rise to fame was not an easy process. After graduation, both of her parents urged her to pursue a masters degree. But after seeing his daughter’s determination, Singh’s father relented. “We made a deal with Lilly,” Malwinder Singh, Lilly’s father, told me before the premiere. “She said, ‘dad give me six months; I don’t want to do a master[s].’ I said, ‘how ‘bout if I give you a year?’ And I thought, is it just a fluke? Is she going to get fed up in a few years? But no, she made it. Hard work pays off.” In the early days, Singh assigned herself a regular schedule of posting new content twice a week, from listicle-style videos like, to rants about societal issues, to impersonating her parents’ reactions to Nicki Minaj’s "Anaconda" music video. Singh chose to find humour in everyday occurrences. “I’m always observing what’s happening in a relationship, or how people are behaving and taking notes,” she explains. So, what does a tropical island named after a mythical creature have anything to do with all this? The name 'Unicorn Island' became a place Singh frequently referred to in her videos. Simply put: it’s her happy place. “[Going to] Unicorn Island is when you realize that no matter what the circumstances are, you’re going to be okay,” she says. She also acknowledges the whimsical silliness of the name. “It’s such a weird thing,” she observes with a self-deprecating laugh. Nonetheless, Singh decided it was something she wanted to bring to life for her fans by way of an ambitious world tour in 2015. She and eight dancers performed a show under the same name — which included song, dance, rap, skits, comedy, and more — that resulted in the creation of the documentary. The documentary portrays the show’s formation from start to finish, leaving the audience feeling inspired and with a better sense of what hard work and perseverance truly entail. A few scenes depict Singh alone, huddled over her laptop late at night, editing scripts or shots long after the rest of her team has gone home. “I am so alone in my experiences,” she remarks at one point. In another moment, she is on the verge of tears, saying, “I don’t know why I’m doing this… I want to impact people but I want it to not be so lonely.” Nonetheless, Singh, whose YouTube username has inspired her fans to call themselves “Team Super,” acknowledges the universality of loneliness and, perhaps to remedy this, she reminds herself of a quote throughout the film: “The only thing people remember is how you make them feel.”
Time ies at the ower lant allery Les Temps Inachevés explores concepts of time MARIYA POSTELNYAK VARSITY CONTRIBUTOR
Visual art has the ability to capture moments in time. In "Les Temps Inachevés" (French for ‘unfinished times’), which is on display at The Power Plant Gallery, artist Patrick Bernatchez tackles the notion of time with ironically surreal artwork. The contemporary exhibit unites two separate projects, "Chrysalides" and "Lost in Time," and explores the parameters and power of time through a fusion of photography, light, and sound installations, along with live sculptures and short films. Stepping into the exhibit hall, where natural sunlight mixes with sharp fluorescence to intensify the monochrome décor, "Lost in Time" is the first work I encounter. A photographic light installation introduces two masked characters suspended in a snowy scene. The piece presents the idea of being trapped in time. Everything about the exhibit’s space gives you the sense that you’re participating in a distinctly ‘contemporary’ experience. The pieces are cryptic and minimalist, spaced widely apart, and evoke a sense of emptiness. The theme is communicated to us only through the sound of a ticking clock bouncing off every corner of the room. A rookie in the modern art scene would likely feel intimidated by the abstract nature of, for instance, spools of thread revolving around a speaker. I quickly find myself struggling to derive meaning, and in doing so, finding that the ticking overhead of a clock becomes increasingly pronounced and increasingly aggravating. Having given up on finding meaning, I lose myself in the rhythmic palpitation of the spools of thread coming from the speaker it is wrapped around. I realized much later that I stopped noticing the buzzing clock. Despite the emphasis on time, the artwork created a hypnotic effect. The lack of publicity around the event seems to have deterred the crowds, adding a sense of exclusivity and intimacy to the exhibit. It feels as though the artwork is speaking to you and you alone — giving you its undivided attention.
The array of black and white photos scattered throughout the exhibit without an evident pattern feel like they were left for you to stumble upon. They belong to "Fashion Plaza Nights," a subproject in "Chrysalides" inspired by the declining textile factories within the plaza. The Montreal-based artist recorded the changing rhythm of these factories, most notably the “activité nocturne” (or, nocturnal activity). A bench and a set of headphones allow you to take a break from the visuals and listen to a catalogue of soothing music. Classical pieces by Bach and Debussy are reworked with a blend of original music to create a fusion of alternating sounds and meters reflecting Bernatchez’s impressions of the plaza’s transformation. The subtle shifts in the music’s pulse reflect the building’s gradual changes while quickening rhythms seem to echo more severe transformations. The Power Plant gallery compliments "Chrysalides" themes of age, disintegration, and transformation. From the outside, the gallery’s structure is industrial — a brick bulk with a jutting tower. Until 1980, the building served as a completely functional power plant before being converted into a space to display art, evocative of the story behind "Fashion Plaza Nights." Although each artifact leaves you mystified and impressed, one piece will render you awe-struck. Fourteen years in the making, "BW" is a simple black wristwatch. Yet, under a single spotlight, it emits an exceedingly ominous presence. The wristwatch sits alone in a room, reminiscent of an altar. As you approach it, you notice that any standard markings of minutes or hours are absent, and the single, lingering hand is programmed to take an entire millennium to complete. The piece forces you to think of time’s infinite existence, and your undeniable disappearance by the time the hand has fully revolved. If art should immerse you in a timeless moment, Bernatchez’s project does more. It stretches time, to the point where the outside world feels like a whole other universe after stepping out of the gallery. I find myself on the frost-ridden Harbourfront, a haze of ice and snow making the lake an infinite white. Suddenly, I’m pulled back into "Lost in Time,"the real-life scene before me resounding its vivid colours and lingering message.
Les Temps Inacheves runs until May 15. MARIA POSTELNYAK/THE VARSITY
T H E VA R S I T Y
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SCIENCE
var.st/science
29 February 2016
science@thevarsity.ca
Biannual conference brings cognitive science students together for intellectual discussion CASA hosted Work in Progress: The Cognitive Science of Development
The UTism conference was fully arranged and hosted by the U of T undergraduate group CASA. SILA NAZ ELGIN/THE VARSITY
HARLEY MAWHINNEY VARSITY CONTRIBUTOR
After months of planning, the Cognitive Science and Artificial Intelligence Students’ Association (CASA) hosted their biannual event: the University of Toronto Interdisciplinary Symposium on the Mind (UTism). The conference was titled Work in Progress: The Cognitive Science of Development. Held on February 6 and 7, each day of the conference brought together four distinguished speakers. Since 2004, UTism has been imagined, arranged, and hosted by students within CASA, which is also the acting course union for the cognitive science program at University of Toronto. During the presentations and in the conversations that took place in the hallways in the time between speakers, attendees from different areas of expertise discussed the focal
question of the weekend: “how does a system changing its organization over time grant itself new capacities for action?” In his opening address, University College principal Donald Ainslie highlighted the intellectual commitment of CASA students. He pointed out how enduring projects such as UTism strengthen the argument for continuing the cognitive science program, when it was particularly at risk of termination several years ago. Ainslie described how this student group stands out for their vision and energy: “the CASA students show U of T students at their best… really wanting to have an intellectual experience — not simply a social one.” CASA’s commitment to intellectual and social initiative is evident in the vertical, cross-hierarchical community and interdisciplinary collaboration facilitated by UTism.
The event featured Jill de Villiers, professor of psychology and philosophy at Smith College, as symposium keynote speaker. When de Villiers was asked about the value of such a conference, she noted the interdisciplinary design and notably sophisticated undergraduate questions as reasons to attend. “This was refreshing,” said de Villiers, “because... the students were clearly trying to get to first principles.” Second-year student and first time UTism attendee, Amogh Sahu echoed this sentiment. “It’s sort of part of the appeal of conferences like this… This is possibly slightly [a] romantic [way of putting it], but [the conference organizers] provide some kind of level plane where the ideas are privileged,” he said. “The hierarchies of authority are broken to some extent.” The experience afforded to undergraduates through initiatives such as UTism is clear, as
is the role of the host organization: “I think that everything I’m talking about in terms of integration [and] approaching things from different perspectives... was really crystallized [for me] as kind of a method of practice in the culture of CASA,” said Amogh. The inclusion of different perspectives was a key goal achieved by the equal efforts of the speakers. The energy at the conference peaked after the final panel question, when speakers addressed a question of presuppositions on the nature of change in discussions of development and emergence. One thing can be said for certain: on the topic of cognitive science, more minds working on solving a problem is better than one.
T H E VA R S I T Y
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PHOTONICS TECHNOLOGY SEMINAR Professor Willie Ng will be presenting on recent developments in the application of photonics technology relating to microwave antenna systems ultra-wide band signal processing. Monday, February 29 3:10–4:00 pm Galbraith Building 35 St. George Street Rm120 Admission: Free
BIOETHICS SEMINAR — EBOLA TREATMENT AND PREVENTION The joint centre for bioethics seminar series presents Carl Coleman, professor at the Seton Hall Law School, who will discuss ethical debates revolving around the Ebola clinical trials and its future implications. Wednesday, March 2 4:00–5:30 pm Health Sciences Building 155 College Street Rm106 Admission: Free
ASTRONOMY GOLDEN AGE: PLANETARIUM SHOWS IN AID OF SYRIAN REFUGEES Take a journey back in time to the big bang and explore astronomical ideas of the Islamic golden age and discoveries. All proceeds from the event will be donated to Red Cross Canada for the Syrian refugee crisis. Thursday, March 4 7:00 pm, 8:00 pm, and 9:00 pm Planetarium 50 St. George Street Admission: $10
CANADIAN UNIVERSITY LIFE SCIENCES CHALLENGE (CULSC) The Neuroscience Association of Undergraduate Students is hosting the sixth annual Canadian University Life Science Challenge. Students from all over Ontario and Quebec will participate in the trivia challenge with question categories from each of the life sciences. Friday, March 4 – Sunday, March 6 5:00 pm Wetmore Hall 21 Classic Avenue Participation: $10 per individual, $40 per team
Booth & Bottle was specially designed to facilitate access to Toronto’s nightlife. ZAHRA ZAHRAVI/THE VARSITY
Third-year engineering student Matthew Marji developed an app to make Toronto’s nightlife easier to navigate MOBOLAJI TUNDE-OLADEPO VARSITY CONTRIBUTOR
Booth & Bottle is an app conceptualized and developed by third-year U of T engineering student Matthew Marji. It was designed to facilitate access to the city’s nightlife which, according to Maraji, “has always been a major component of our daily Toronto experience.” The app includes a number of venues throughout the Greater Toronto Area. Maraji and his team “wanted individuals to engage in an industry that is supported by a plethora of local businesses — both small and large — all of which contributes to Toronto’s cultural makeup.” With the app, tables or VIP booths can be booked in advance. In addition to partnering with local venues, Booth & Bottle also has a relationship with the IBM Innovation Centre in Toronto — one of many centres throughout North America that provides small businesses with technological services designed to reach new markets. Maraji gratefully noted that because of the relationship with IBM, Booth & Bottle has been able “to engage in a wide-range of strategic partnerships,” which he hopes will
help with expanding the app in the near future. The team’s plan for expansion is being actively pursued. They intend to grow Booth & Bottle technologically and expand its scope nationally. In addition to easing the planning process, the app offers perks to its users. The app features a points system, where points can be earned by referring friends to the app and by making reserva-
tions and sharing them on social media. The points can then be used toward drinks, style upgrades, and entry into clubs. Maraji’s background in engineering has helped him a great deal in developing the app. Through his schooling, he gained “the technical skills needed to develop a mobile application from scratch,” as well as “the soft skills needed to… approach and assess problems strategically [and]… to
engage in an entrepreneurial environment with confidence.” School can be stressful, and going out with friends can be a great way to relax. Booth & Bottle helps to simplify the planning of a night out. Maraji summed it up best when he said that, “the memories forged throughout our four years at the university will relate the experiences shared with friends, with late-night Toronto as our backdrop.”
Points can be used towards drinks, style upgrades, and entry into clubs. ZAHRA ZAHRAVI/THE VARSITY
22 SCIENCE
M O N DAY 2 9 F E B R U A R Y 2 016 science@thevarsity.ca
The study had contributions from Rotman Commerce at the University of Toronto. TOSIN MAIYEGUN/THE VARSITY
irt es o ld t e be t e e to oliti l in en e New study shows virtuous politicians more successful leaders than those prone to vice SOPHIA SAVVA VARSITY STAFF
It has been debated for centuries whether political leaders who exhibit cold and calculating traits are more likely to succeed than those who are empathetic. A recent study, co-authored by Christopher Liu from the Rotman School, might shed light on this dispute. The study shows that politicians who tend to be more virtuous make more effective leaders. The researchers focused on two competing models of influencing people. The model is based on the idea that virtuous qualities make a leader more influential than a more Machiavellian model, in which ‘vices’ play the dominant role. The goal of the study was to see how these two social strategies affected political leaders’ abilities to influence their peers after taking on a leadership role. The researchers examined videos of 151 US senators from different political parties and congresses who were active between January 1989 and December 1998. They watched the first minute of each randomly selected video to detect exhibitions of virtues or vices in the senators. Coding guidelines, based on standard behavioural traits, were used to assess the verbal and non-verbal behaviour of the senators for vice and virtue. The data collected was compared with the number of colleagues the senators recruited as collaborative co-sponsors on bills that they created. The correlation data enabled the researchers to make inferences based on behaviour. The research found that senators with virtuous behaviour, when promoted to a committee chair role, were more likely to get other congress members to co-sponsor proposed legislation. On the other hand, senators exhibiting vices were no more influential, and in some cases less influential, than they were before getting the leadership role. Leaders who valued others garnered more support from colleagues, while those who were manipulative, self-centred, or competitive did not. This begs the question: could a politician prone to vice simply fake being virtuous to gain support? Liu says that while attempts to fake virtuous behaviour might happen, it is extremely difficult to mimic all of the associated behaviours effectively. In the case of the senators included in the study, Liu says it would be very difficult for them to maintain a false behavioural profile across such a long time period. “There are so many behaviours to control — verbal content, vocal cues, nonverbal behaviour, and emotional expression,” said Liu. “One’s true personality is likely to be revealed, even if a person tries to conceal it.” The researchers also found that there were not many correlations between education and age with the possession of vice or virtue. They also found no correlation based on party affiliation, suggesting that vice or virtue are personality traits independent of political ideology. While decoding behaviour may sound like a complicated task meant for seasoned researchers, everyday voters are capable of picking up on important cues too.
“For example, courageous individuals are more likely to speak loudly and emphatically, express their emotions freely, and do not engage in speech hesitations (um, ah, er),” explained Liu. Considering a politician’s virtue may be rewarding for voters, as virtuous elected officials might care for their supporters and make more progress in government.
“I do believe that [the research] may apply to present-day politics, but I would be cautious in extending it to Canadian politics,” said Liu, explaining that Canada’s parliamentary system is very different from the US legislature. Liu’s next project will be investigating influence dynamics within the US Senate through language use.
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T H E VA R S I T Y
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Relationship tips... from spiders! UofT PhD student reaches Twitter fame with spider sex tips 3. LADIES LOVE A MAN WHO CAN DANCE A properly choreographed courtship dance goes a long way. A good dance lasts for several hours, and includes good abdomen vibrations that are indicative of the dancer’s impressive size; it should never mimic the feeble vibes of lowly prey like locusts and flies.
FARAH BADR
VARSITY CONTRIBUTOR
The animal kingdom has no appreciation for male chivalry or coy sensibility. Catherine Scott, an ecology PhD student at U of T, recently became a Twitter sensation after tweeting about the mating rituals of her research subjects. Her vivid descriptions of the 11 escapades of male black widow spiders wooing potential mates entangled the Twitterverse on Valentine’s Day as a part of a recent series of seminars held by the Royal Canadian Institute of Science (RCIS). Sexually available spiders are subjected to what humans would call coercion, date drugging, possible bondage, and occasional sexual cannibalism. “In some spider species, not only does that male spider have to impress the female and compete with other male spiders, he also has to avoid being seen as a meal and not a mate by the female,” summarized Scott. These perverse and occasionally terrifying goals dictate the sexual behaviour of male black widow spiders. We compiled a sex guide that every maturing young male spider should abide by to score all the ladies (and not get eaten).
MIRKA LOISELLE/THE VARSITY
1. SNIFF AND YOU SHALL RECEIVE Not only can you tell the girl’s age from her choice of perfume — Victoria’s Secret is likely underage — but perfume sniffing is also an opportunity to spot the real well-fed females. You do not want to find your head between her pincers on your first date should she get peckish.
2. KEEP IT CLASSY Best to find a nice, demure one and avoid the f loozies (something that pheromones can also communicate). After all, why let yourself be forced (tricked?) into raising what could possibly be another spiderman’s spiderlings?
4. KEEP YOUR LADY SAFE FROM PRYING PINCERS Web reduction is good practice; this involves bundling approximately half of the silk on her web into a knot, then wrapping it with your own sturdy, manly silk. You do not want her pheromone drenched web to attract all the other boys in the neighbourhood, so your silk helps muffle her scent. If she truly loves you, she will love you insecurities and all. 5. NEVER LET HER GO Wrapping your silk around the head, stomach, and legs of your mate is advisable. The pheromones on your silk will turn her frenzy into a much needed state of calm, and restraining her legs will also thwart her from running away from your advances.
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SPORTS
var.st/sports
29 February 2016
sports@thevarsity.ca
The technical side of doping
JULIEN BALBONTIN/THE VARSITY
How technology helps athletes gain an unfair advantage ISAAC CONSENSTEIN VARSITY CONTRIBUTOR
It’s no secret that sports are an incredible source of national pride; one has only to think back to the Vancouver Winter Olympics or the Jays’ long awaited return to the playoffs last season to illustrate this point. National teams and athletes who make it to the top want nothing more than to represent their country on the world stage. Unfortunately many athletes can get carried away and falter under the pressure of representing an entire nation; some are willing to cheat in order to bring home a gold medal. Traditionally, this meant using illegal performance enhancing drugs (PEDs), but as technology and sporting equipment have become more sophisticated, ‘technical doping’ has become the latest issue plaguing sport. ‘Technical’ doping can be defined as performance-enhancing technologies that are in opposition to or threaten the integrity of sport. For an athlete to be accused of technical doping, they would have to compete with sports equipment — like bikes, balls, or clothing — that have been altered so as to provide an athlete with an unfair advantage over their opponents. Although not as severe as the use of PEDs, accusations of technical doping often tarnish an athlete’s reputation, as well as their sport. One of the most high-profile technical doping scandals was ‘Deflategate.’ The equipment
manager for The New England Patriots’ was accused of deflating quarterback Tom Brady’s footballs, and making them easier to throw during a rainy game. The news broke when the Patriots were in the midst of a great season and already on their way to Super Bowl XLIX. The story made national headlines for weeks, and people began to question the legitimacy of Tom Brady’s legacy. After an investigation by the NFL, the league determined that the footballs were deliberatly modified and that Brady was aware of the process. Although Brady has repeatedly demonstrated his ability on the field, the scandal still drew significant ire. One of the most high-profile incidents of technical doping in recent memory, Deflatigate is only one example of technological rule bending in sport. Attention to sport has grown world-wide, and as a result more innovative sports technology has been created. At the 2008 Beijing Olympics, 23 out of 25 record breakers, including Michael Phelps, wore the Speedo LZR swimsuit. The suit allowed better oxygen flow to muscles, and it trapped air to add buoyancy. When swimmers realized they could get a major advantage without using drugs, many of them hopped on board. In the first five days of the International Swimming Federation’s (FINA) swimming championship in Rome, 29 world records
were set, directly after the introduction of the Speedo LZR. FINA realized the suit was altering the sport and decided to ban them in 2010, but the Speedo LZR would permanently change the swimming record books. FINA asserted that the swimsuit should not determine one’s ability to excel in the swimming pool. From this point forward, it will be very difficult for swimmers to break records that were achieved by athletes wearing the Speedo LZR. Similar to technical doping, ‘mechanical doping’ is a term used to refer to cycling athletes who have mechanically altered their bikes to gain an unfair advantage over their competators. The most recent case of mechanical doping occurred this year at the world cyclo-cross championship in Belgium. A competation for off-road bike racers, the cyclo-cross race encountered its first experience with mechanical doping after a bike inspector located a motor in the bike of Belgian competator Femke Van den Driessche. The world governing body for sports cycling, Union Cycliste Interntionale (UCI) is currently investigating the incident, while Van den Driessche claims the bike belonged to a friend. “It’s a very new thing in the sport,” remarked Matt Norman, member of the Varsity Blues mountain biking team, about instances
of mechanical doping in cycling. “This first incident that happened at that cyclo-cross race was the first time its ever been recorded.” Norman, who is also a mechanical engineering student, said that although the sport is riddled with chemical doping, members of the cycling community were surprised that an athlete would go so far as to implant a motor in their bike. “With… chemical doping it’s sort of accepted… everyone does it so everyone is on the same playing field,” he explained. “[With mechanical doping] you’re using power that isn’t yours… it was a huge shock to the community because no one throught it was something that would go on.” After many unfortunate situations regarding PEDs, athletes have begun looking for new ways to gain an advantage. Technical and mechanical doping are new forms of cheating that all sport-governing bodies need to acknowledge. The use of performance-enhanced equipment has already left an imprint on swimming, called into question the integrity of cyclists, and damaged the legacy of one of the NFL’s greatest players of our generation.
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Five ways students can clean up their diet The clean eating trend doesn’t have to be restrictive or expensive JENNIFER FAKAS
VARSITY CONTRIBUTOR
As it happens, the old adage, “you are what you eat” usually holds true. What we consume and how we consume it affects how the trillions of cells in our bodies function. For students especially, eating has the ability to influence our mood, sleeping patterns, energy levels, and immune systems, all of which can be affected by the lack of sleep, exam stress, and lack of self-care students tend to experience. In order to optimize the functioning of our brain and body, we have to start with what we’re feeding our cells. This means cleaning up the way we eat. The concept of clean eating emerged out of programs like the South Beach Diet and gluten-free trend which advocate for eating more or less of a certain type of nutrient — like carbs or protein. The basis of clean eating is to consume food in the most natural and unrefined state possible. Although the concept has received a bad reputation for being too restrictive and expensive, basic principles of clean eating, like choosing foods that are nutritious and unprocessed, are changes we can all benefit from. To get everyone started on their journey to optimum health, here are five ways you can clean up your diet.
1. AVOID PACKAGED FOODS Although not all packaged foods are bad most foods that come in a package are heavily processed. Many processed foods contain additives, preservatives, excess sugar, and sodium. These can have negative effects on our health — not to mention our waistlines. One way to distinguish between ‘good’ packaged foods and ‘bad’ packaged foods is to look at the list of ingredients. If the list is full of ingredients you can’t pronounce or is longer than 10 ingredients, it’s best to leave it on the shelf. Tip: Prepare your meals at the start of every week so you don’t feel the need to buy something fast or pre-packaged when you’re running between classes. 2. HYDRATE WITH WATER Juice and soda may momentarily quench your thirst, but these beverages cannot replace the superpowers of water. It’s easy for students to get caught up in busy routines, forgetting to stay hydrated; but, drinking water throughout the day is important for optimizing your health. The amount of water you should drink in a day depends on your activity level and the standard is generally eight to ten glasses. Staying hydrated with water is crucial for eliminating toxins from your body, keeping your energy high, and your mind sharp.
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Tip: Carry around a large, measured water bottle so you can keep track of how much water you’re drinking throughout the day, making you more conscious of staying hydrated. 3. FILL UP ON VEGGIES Vegetables contain essential vitamins and nutrients that are necessary to keep us looking and feeling our best. They also contain fiber, which is not only vital for maintaining a healthy digestive system but also helps you feel full longer. Besides the nutritional value, one of the advantages of loading up on veggies is that they’re low in calories, so you can eat large portions without worrying about the scale. Adding a serving of vegetables to each meal will do wonders for your body and immune system. Tip: Vegetables can be cooked a number of different ways and can be mixed with a variety of other foods, so get creative and experiment with different recipes! 4. SATISFY YOUR SWEET TOOTH WITH FRUIT A crucial part of clean eating is reducing your sugar intake. Anyone with a sweet tooth knows how difficult avoiding donuts or cookies can be when you get a wicked craving, but swapping unhealthy sweets for nature’s candy is a smart way to curb that craving. Fruit is rich in fiber and essential nutrients. It also contains natural sugars, which makes it a sweet and healthy snack.
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Tip: If you find eating plain fruit boring, try mixing it with Greek yogurt and granola, and turn it into a nutritious parfait. 5. FOCUS ON THE COMPOSITION OF CALORIES, NOT JUST THE NUMBER OF CALORIES Unfortunately, it’s become mainstream to obsessively count every calorie consumed in a day. 100 calories of candy is very different from 100 calories of vegetables, and your body knows the difference. Rather than focusing solely on how many calories you’re consuming each day, focus on the nutrients you’re consuming. Incorporate a balance of healthy fats, lean protein, and complex carbohydrates within your daily caloric intake and your body will thank you for it. Tip: Shop the nutrient-rich perimeter of the grocery store, and avoid roaming the isles stocked with packaged and processed foods.
26 SPORTS
M O N DAY 2 9 F E B R U A R Y 2 016 sports@thevarsity.ca
Banned substances e e e ts of fo r l sses of dr gs from t e CATHERINE VIRELLI
Drug class: Beta blockers Example: Propranolol What they do: Beta blockers are commonly used to treat ailments such as hypertension. They are also used to treat generalized anxiety disorder. The term ‘beta’ refers to a class of brain cell receptors (adrenoreceptors) responsible for producing cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP). These promote brain cell activation by inhibiting the beta receptor. Beta blockers also inhibit cAMP production, which leads to inhibiting a given brain cell from firing. This can have a variety of effects, depending on the cell being inhibited. Used as heart medication, beta blockers slow one’s heart rate and lower blood pressure, making them especially dangerous for athletes to consume.
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The National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) forbids its athletes from consuming several psychoactive substances. These substances have a variety of physical and psychological effects on athletes; most of which, over the long-term, can lead to serious health complications. Here’s a quick list of some of these banned substances. Drug class: Stimulants Examples: Caffeine, amphetamines, and cocaine What they do: Stimulants increase activity in the central nervous system, which is composed of the brain and the spinal cord. They cause feelings similar to an adrenaline rush, which will make the user more energetic; this has obvious implications for athletes. Of course, there are significant differences in the potency of each stimulant: a cup of coffee provides a more moderate pick-me-up than a line of cocaine. Nevertheless, crashes, or a sudden drain in energy, follow the high one experiences from all stimulants. Drug class: Anabolic agents Example: Steroids What they do: Steroids, among the most well-known anabolic agents, promote muscle growth and weight gain. According to the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health (CAMH), steroids are generally used to encourage speedy growth of farm animals; however, they may also be prescribed for various medical reasons, including to counteract body deterioration
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symptoms of individuals suffering from AIDS or other diseases. Obviously, the muscle growth effects can be and, in many cases, are abused by athletes to improve their performance. Yet, consistent use of steroids is discouraged for reasons other than being unsportsmanlike. Increased feelings of aggression, depression, and nausea, as well as reduced fertility in both men and women are but a few of many symptoms that accompany long-term use of anabolic agents.
Drug class: Diuretics Example: Water pills What they do: Diuretics encourage the excretion of water and sodium from the body. They cause an increased intake of sodium to the kidneys, which, along with water, exits the body in urine. Like beta blockers, diuretics are commonly used to lower blood pressure. Athletes may also use them to hide bodily evidence of previous substance use — these drugs are often refered to as masking agents — that would normally be obtained via urine testing. Athletes may also benefit from the increased urination caused by the increase ingestion if diuretics to lose ‘water weight’ for competitions.
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T H E VA R S I T Y
SPORTS 27
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Another banner for the blues Figure skating team wins 2016 OUA championship
The O
EMMA KIKULIS SPORTS EDITOR
In a win that was 25 years in the making, the Varsity Blues figure skating team claimed the 2015– 2016 OUA banner last week at Varsity Arena. The competition saw the Blues defeat four-time defending champions Western by a margin of 27 points. It was an unexpected victory for the Blues, considering that this is head coach Ashley Hui’s inaugural season. After completing her bachelors of science at the University of British Columbia, Hui came to U of T to pursue a master’s degree in biomedical communications. It is this decision Hui credits as the first of many that started her journey towards coaching the team. “Schooling paved the way to me having... this opportunity,” said Hui, adding, “I never expected like a year ago, two years ago that I’d be coaching... it was just the way everything fell in[to] place.” After trying out for the Blues figure skating team on whim in 2013, Hui joined the team and took home two OUA medals in her career (one of which was a silver medal at last year’s competition with teammate Kaitlyn Liu in the intermediate similar pairs competition). “If it wasn’t for biomedical communications, I wouldn’t have tried out for varsity,” said Hui who
laughingly added, “and three years later I guess I’m coaching now.” Like many athletes who come to the end of their career and decide to try their hand at coaching, the transition was a big change for Hui who, as a head coach, is now responsible for navigating team dynamics while managing a surprising amount of administrative work. “The moment you start coaching you realize that you really have to be a people person and have to check in with every person on your team,” said Hui. She summed up the transition from competitor to coach by remarking on the difference in preparing for a competition. She recalls something as simple as not bringing her skates to competition as an event that really made the contrast hit home: “I headed into my first competition as a coach and I kept on packing my bags but I kept on thinking they felt really naked and I was like what am I missing,” Hui remarked. “You always tell your athletes, ‘remember to bring your skates to the competition,’ so when you don’t have them when you’re so used to that, it’s a really big change.” Despite the bittersweet transition, Hui took to coaching immediately, remarking that coming into the season she had a plan for some specific changes to the program she wanted to make, as well as the type
victory mar s the first time the lues figure s ating team have won a anner since the
of team she wanted to create. “I knew going into it... there were things I needed to change,” she said. “Overall I think that I needed to refocus the team and help them really just focus on their training and so that they can train effectively.” As a former varsity athlete, Hui came into the position with an understanding of the structural changes that needed to be made — starting with the team’s atmosphere. “Every single person I can confidently say enjoyed training and being a part of the team... and being a former athlete I think those were the things that we really, really wanted to emphasize,” said Hui. Improving last seasons OUA performance by 50 points, the Blues’ win on Tuesday confirms that Hui is doing something right. “I think going into OUA’s I had a better grasp of where the team stood amongst the other schools and yeah, I think the team was really, really relaxed” said Hui, adding that her motto for the year — training smart, not hard — paid off in the end. “We definitely pulled through and kept our heads down and that’s all that we needed to do.” By the end of the two-day competition, the Blues had amassed nine medals — five of which were gold — and tallied 92 points. When asked about who some of the key performers during the competition were, Hui
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season . SNEHA DASGUPTA/THE VARSITY
laughs and, after naming almost half of her roster, saying that every athlete played an important role in the banner win, even athletes who didn’t enjoy podium finishes. “Everyone had their own place even if in standings they weren’t the top they were one of the top and so it’s all about consistency,” she said. When asked about her goals for next season and if she sees herself with the Blues long term, Hui explained she is excited to tackle the challenges that another season may bring. “The Varsity Blues program has been extremely accommodating and supportive this year with the changes that have happened in varsity figure skating,” she said. “It would be ideal to provide my athletes with a post-season to avoid injury and wind down in a manner equivalent to the way the season has progressed; unfortunately, we have yet to secure any ice time since the OUA Championship.” Despite the red-tape, Hui said that coaching a squad like the Blues figure skating team is all about balance, and recognised that there may come a time when the team outgrows her. For now, she is enjoying the success of her team and looking forward to next season. “It’s going to be a fine balance finding out when that time will come, but... for now I’d say like we’re [doing] well for a new team with new growth.”
M O N DAY 2 9 F E B R U A R Y 2 016
T H E VA R S I T Y
DIVERSIONS 28
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ACROSS
DOWN
1. Heart-warming 5. Weaving frame 7. Very 8. Given excess salary 9. Dominions 12. Tribal leader 15. Sloped letters . Tree- warfing art 21. Absconders 22. Cajole 23. Cul-de-sac, ... end 24. Impaired hearing of
1. Oven clocks 2. Bow & scrape 3. Holy pictures 4. Lubricant 5. Pruned 6. Crazy guys 10. Tenor’s solo 11. Long skirt 12. Must, ... to 13. The A of AD 14. Green growth on stone 15. Inborn 16. Gecko 17. Faint-hearted person 18. Made unlucky 19. Brazilian dance, ... nova 20. Nook
The Varsity will post the answers to this puzzle in the next week’s issue.
Answers from Issue 17