THE
XAVERIAN VOLUME 122 ISSUE 2 SEPT 19 2013
WHICH WILL YOU CHOOSE? PG 4
SIDE BY SIDE: YOU DECIDE
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Is the events AND ACTIVITIES COMMITTEE POURING OUT ALL OUR FUN? GRAD TRIP FULL STORY P2
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ADMINISTRATION THREATENS ‘extreme’ PUNISHMENTS FOR STUDENTS PLANNING GRAD TRIPS: ARE THEY GOING TOO FAR? \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\
ISSUE 2
THE XAVERIAN XAVERIAN WEEKLY
Thursday Mar 29 2012
Volume 120 Issue 20
EDITORIAL STAFF
Sunday, Thursday, September March 21,19th 20122013 EDITOR-IN-CHIEF Volume 121 Issue Issue215 Sean McEvoy122 xw.eic@stfx.ca | (902) 870-9431
OUR STAFF
PRODUCT ION MANAGER Emma MacPherson EDITORS-IN-CHIEF xw.product@stfx.ca
Sean Ron Jeremy McEvoy
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news GREAT TRIP, HARSH PUNISHMENTS
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Student union outlines university’s consequences for planning grad trips: IS ADMIN REACHING TOO FAR?
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Last Wednesday, the Students’ Union distanced themselves from any graduation class trip plans, and outlined the university administration’s consequences for anyone caught organizing an unsanctioned trip. Inability to attend varsity games, events at The Inn, graduation weekend activities, or the XRing ceremony were some of the possible punishments laid out in the release. Though the Students’ Union made the release, President Ben Gunn-Doerge told the Xav that the release was meant to protect students who were planning such trips from consequences, calling the administration’s punishments, “harsh.” “We wanted to release a letter at the same time as the university, and they refused,” said GunnDoerge, “As the Students’ Union, we support the community code, but we are not the law officers, or the enforcers of the code....we have a duty to protect students from facing serious consequences. I mean, these consequences are very extreme.” Director of Student Life, Corinna Fitzgerald and Director of Ancillary Services, Bob Hale were the administrators involved in discussion with Students’ Union representatives. Fitzgerald told the Xav that the punishments are to illustrate the responsibility students take on when organizing a student trip. “It’s to make the students who are doing the linking [between travel companies and students] aware that they personally could be held responsible.” Fitzgerald sits on the Events and Activities committee, which oversees all events involving StFX students.
Events that pass through the committee range from society events to residence parties, and off-campus events like BurMac. The scope of the committee’s authority may include every eventon or off campus- that involves StFX students. Sanctioned and unsanctioned events can both pass through the committee, and if organizers of an event circumvent the process, they can be punished under the community code- even if the event is never advertised on campus, is held off campus, or involves students who will be graduates before the event takes place. “It’s a case by case thing,” Fitzgerald told the Xav. “We’d have to look at it. It depends how distinct from StFX it is.What does your advertising look like? Is it targeted towards StFX students? It really depends on the situation.... any event, sanctioned or unsanctioned, goes through an event review.” According to Gunn-Doerge, the Students’ Union has been resisting administration’s increasing pressure to reduce affiliation with grad trips for years, but after the death of Acadia University student Sydney Taylor on an unofficial grad trip last year, they were pushed into acting. “The university has been pressuring the Students’ Union, and in years past we’ve been able to push back....in light of what happened at Acadia, tables have turned. The university was even stronger with their words about how they will not support it anymore. The real deciding factor was the insurance provider.” After Taylor’s death, insurance providers have been loathe to provide insurance coverage
to universities for student trips. Over the summer, the Students’ Union’s insurance provider threatened to rescind their coverage for all Students’ Union operations if it were to associate with any graduation class trips. “Ultimately, we’re separate from the university, we can make our own decisions,” said Gunn-Doerge. “Their pressure wasn’t the deciding factor. Our insurance provider, in light of what happened at Acadia, won’t support any kind of grad trip. They were threatening that they wouldn’t provide any sort of insurance. If we don’t have an insurance provider, we can’t operate. That put us in a tough situation.” Fitzgerald told the Xav that unofficial trips, even those organized off campus with no oncampus presence leave StFX in a legally precarious position. “If there’s a travel company coming after students to plan and coordinate a trip, then there could be liability there for us....if 200 students, liaised by StFX students, go to a resort, for one week, the link is much closer to us.” Student safety isn’t the only liability for the university in the event of a trip disaster, says GunnDoerge. “They’re worried about the reputation of the university,” said Gunn-Doerge, “That’s the ultimate thing for them. The Acadia grad trip wasn’t organized by the Students’ Union but it was labelled as an Acadia grad trip, and because of that, Acadia has recieved bad media pressure. They’re afraid the same thing could happen at StFX.” Grad trip discussions have been going on between Students’ Union and StFX administration
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since early May. Senior Class President Sarah Dodsworth, and VP Tessa Burns, who had already started preliminary trip planning, learned of the plan at the beginning of the summer, and to them, the university’s response was a surprise. “I cried in a field surrounded by goats beside a port-o-potty,” said Dodsworth, who was traveling in Ghana when she got word of the trip’s cancellation. Burns was also similarly startled. “It was in our platform, we thought it was part of our role, to plan the grad trip.” For the past several years, Senior Class Presidents have organized the trips. This role, as Gunn-Doerge told the Xaverian, is not an official part of their job, but has come to be an expected service. The Students’ Union, in their release, explicitly prohibited any participation by Senior Class Presidents or VPs in graduating class trips, a decision which Burns and Dodsworth support. “We were both really disappointed,” said Burns. “We were hopeful going in to the conversation... but after discussion with [administration and the Students’ Union] and Sarah we understand and support the Students’ Union position.” Burns and Dodsworth discussed options with their prospective travel providers to increase safety. “They had great ideas to make us safe and comfortable as possible for people to feel okay about going down south especially after what happened,” said Burns. Administration turned down their offers, and have maintained their stance. ...with files from Sean McEvoy
MEGAN DEWEY | Senior Reporter
In the wake of government funding cuts and the AUT Strike, StFX is experiencing economic strain now more than ever. While not the hardest hit by this year’s leaner budget, the StFX library did endure significant strain this year, taking hits of 7% and 12% to their salary budget and acquisitions budget respectively. “Most of these cuts will be felt behind the scenes,” University Librarian Lynne Murphy told the Xaverian. “Our main goal is to ensure the students continue
to get what they need.” The decrease in the staffing budget led to the loss of 5 staff positions within the library, a trend echoed throughout all of the University’s departments. “Some tasks will take longer, and some won’t be completed,” Murphy said when asked about the impact these job losses will have, adding that the majority of these tasks do not concern the dayto-day operation of the library from a student’s perspective. “Students should not see any
changes in university services,” Murphy continued, adding that “we are going to maintain all the services we had last year, at the same level.” These services include both regular and exam operating hours, the manning of the reference desk, and the aid of the reference and research librarians, of which there are 8, each specializing in a separate area. The other major blow to the library budget was in its acquisitions department, yet Murphy maintains that the students
will not be impacted by these rollbacks. “Acquisitions means more than books and serials,” she explained. The acquisitions budget is also used to provide the library staff with computers, office supplies, and other things that – though small – are necessary for the staff to perform their jobs. The bulk of the 12% cut will be shouldered by the library staff, as they have elected to lower their own acquisitions rather than those of the students. CONTINUED ON PAGE 3
NEWS 3
The Xaverian-Volume 122 Issue 2
Changing of the guard Big feet for big shoes a prerequisite for Riley’s successor LAURA ALOISIO | Senior Reporter
I was back in Toronto this June when our editor sent out an email to all the reporting staff that big news was afoot. Dr. Sean Riley, president of StFX had announced that he would be resigning and coverage of the story was a priority. As a student entering my third year, I knew the drill. When you have to deliver an assignment in a short amount of time, you rely on two critical tools; Google to do research, and Word Count to tell you when the assignment was complete. So I went online and started my work. Most of the press was already covering the story and the schools website had a full-page biography of Dr. Riley. Having the information needed in sight, the real challenge would be deciding which of Riley’s many accomplishments to include.
A resume including things like “Rhodes Scholar,” and both a Masters and Doctorate in Philosophy from Oxford University, would in itself be enough. However, that is not where it ends. Throw in leading positions in the public sector with the Department of External Affairs, the Privy Council Office, and the Department of Finance, followed by executive positions in the private sector in banking, finance and industry, you find that the character of Dr. Riley is unparalleled. This topped off with his unwavering commitment to egalitarianism and another dozen or so awards and accolades. But then I read something that made me stop and reflect. Dr. Riley, a native of Antigonish, started his academic career in 1970 as a freshman right here at St. FX. Here was
a person with all these accomplishments, and a spectacular career spanning 39 years and he started at the same place as most of our readers. I started to ponder. What were his impressions of our school during his first few weeks on campus? Did he have a clear vision of what his future would look like? Who was his motivation and what were some of his fondest memories of campus life? I remember his speech during Frosh Week in which he instilled the importance of hard work and dedication to academic pursuits. A very modest and humble man, Dr. Riley took the time out of his schedule every year to personally greet the new Xaverian students. Dr. Riley made himself an accessible resource to everyone on cam-
pus and could often be found sharing a beverage with students, lending advice or simply stopping to find out how one’s life was going. Dr. Riley long and esteemed career at StFX can be attributed to the Xaverian identity that he shares with every student here. Now I had a problem. If I handed in my current story, I would be covering his decision to step down as a historical account of an event instead of what it really was; an opportunity to learn from someone that once stood where we all stand today. Over a series of two articles, I hope to convey some of the experiences that Dr. Riley has gained both as a student and as a leader in the Xaverian community and the legacy that he will leave behind.
from the collection, such as the stack of old government documents formerly located by the first floor computer lab. “I’d like to add more seating to that area,” Murphy mentioned, “for people during exam time who are desperate for a place to sit.” When asked what else was on her wish list, Murphy mentioned the ability to offer longer hours, more seating space, better furniture, and more control over the environment of the building, especially the temperature, as these are frequently commented on by students. Murphy noted
that the best way students can support the library and help make up for the losses is to use the library services. Talk to the librarians about assignments, use the online databases to conduct research, and, most importantly of all, offer feedback to the library staff. “Tell us what’s not working, tell us how we can improve... tell us what you need,” Murphy urges. After all, the library is a focal point at any and every learning institution, and the library’s patrons are the ones who know what is best for the library’s future.
had [the name] X-Men in use for over a hundred years, much longer than the comics or the movies.” With these goals in mind, and with the help of a private donor, Captain X was created. Captain X, with his broad shoulders and strong jaw, manages to convey the Adonis-like image sought after by the Athletics Department. He wears a uniform similar to Superman, sporting an X on his chest and a cape reminiscent of a National Championship banner. The image is completed with an X-Ring, the source of Captain X’s power. The whole package adds up to a mascot who, said MacPherson is “Small and mighty... StFX punches above its weight class.” Despite representing power in sport better than his predecessor, Captain X does have his shortcomings, the most obvious being his exclusively manly physique. MacPherson recognizes this and said “we are so proud of our female teams ... we will look to create the funding for an X-Women mascot.” Despite lacking direct representation, the women of X Athletics were definitely considered in both the name and costume of Captain X. Both the X-Men and X-Women are represented on Captain X’s cape, and MacPherson says the name of ‘Captain X’ was chosen over more macho options such as ‘Xuperman’ in order to
be “as gender neutral as possible.” Though it is too early to tell what kind of impression Captain X has made on both the students of StFX and the greater community of Antigonish, MacPherson reports that feedback so far has been positive. “The success of a mascot relies on its portrayer,” MacPherson remarked. In order to ensure Captain X’s continued success, those chosen to don the suit will undergo mascot training so as to maintain consistency not only in Captain X’s portrayal, but also in the strength and spirit MacPherson hopes will be ignited not only in sports fans, but in fans of the university in general. “It will be interesting to see what kind of personality Captain X develops.” There are plans to widen Captain X’s exposure, not only in the athletic realm but at other StFX and community events. Orientation Week, events put on by The U, a children’s coloring contest and inclusion in local parades are all avenues mentioned by MacPherson. “I think we are all X-Men and X-Women, we are all Xaverians,” MacPherson said of the student body, adding that he hopes Captain X will be seen as a symbol for the university as a whole, not just the Athletics and Recreation Department.
‘THE LIBRARY IS FINE’ CONTINUED FROM PAGE 2 Despite having to grapple with austerity measures, Murphy stressed that “overall the library is fine.” Books are continuing to be ordered and catalogued, serials are up to date, and electronic resources are ready to go. Murphy posits that the StFX library is on par with schools of a similar size, such as Acadia and UPEI, and is able to keep up with much larger schools. StFX belongs to the Canadian Research Knowledge Network, a group with 75 affiliate universities in Canada, which allows its members to buy materials to-
gether, reducing the individual costs to each institution and allowing the smaller schools to access material that would have been out of their range as recently as ten years ago. Though the goal is to ensure that students feel as little weight as possible from the tightened budget, the library staff is reviewing the materials they already have in order to run as efficiently as possible and prepare itself for any potential future cuts should they happen. They are also weeding out obsolete and incorrect materials
An adonis is born Revamped image of strength and vigor for x athletics MEGAN DEWEY | Senior Reporter
For the past few years, StFX’s mascot was Go-Go, a cuddly creature that captured the spirit of StFX but lacked metal. “Go-Go was created to appeal to kids twelve and under,” said Director of Athletics and Recreation Leo MacPherson, “He didn’t represent the values of strength, vigor and fitness that we wanted to promote in the Department of Athletics and Recreation.” With these values in mind, Go-Go was given a kid-friendly send off from X with an opportunity to pursue a Mas-
ters in Mascot Studies and the search for a new mascot began. MacPherson and the others responsible for the new mascot had a few specific needs when choosing a new character to represent the university’s athletic pursuits. They wanted a human-based mascot that could easily convey the strength, vigor, and fitness StFX Athletics strives to embody. They wanted to connect with the superhero connotation of the name X-Men, though, as MacPherson notes “We’ve
4 NEWS
Thursday, 19 September, 2013-The Xaverian
the abc’s of the new residences An inside look at all the bells and whistles in the two new additions to campus KATHERINE BEKKERS | Contributor
The StFX skyline has changed. With the addition of two new residences, O’Regan Hall and what is known for now as New Res B, traditionalstyle residence living has taken a step in a more refined direction. For students wanting to continue with the on-campus experience, these buildings offer accommodation for about 320 students of all years at the same cost as living in Governors Hall plus a meal plan. In a recent article published by The Casket, Cindy MacKenzie – StFX Manager of Communications and Marketing – referred to these new buildings as “Ivy League-Style” residences. They have all the basics of a traditional residence in addition to all the comforts of home, plus a little extra. The fun starts just as you walk in the double doors. The main lobby of both residences come equipped with a hotelesque front desk, couch seating and TVs displaying current events and the house’s logo. Double glass doors exhibit an exercise room, complete with the essentials: ellipticals, treadmills, weights, and mats.
Now students living here won’t have a valid excuse not to go to the gym! Located just down the hallway is another feature that no other residence can lay claim to: a private movie room. Fourteen theatre-like chairs face a mammoth of a TV screen, just itching to be used for sports games or late-night chick flicks. Four floors of uniquely curved hallways are home to the differently shaped double and single rooms. Each room is comprised of a double bed, a mini fridge, a microwave, and a 32” TV. Talk about “suite” living. This is not to mention the private en-suite bathroom conveniently located inside each room, eliminating the need for flip flops and a shower caddie. Fridge and microwave not enough for your three course, dorm-room dinner? No problem. Each floor comes fitted with a fully-functional kitchen. A full size fridge, stove-top oven, microwave, double-sink and even a dishwasher! Even the smallest details of each room exude luxury. Dark wood furnishings compliment the brightly painted yellow
walls. Carpeted rooms eliminate the shock factor of morning feet on cold tiles, which contrasts with the earthycoloured tiles in the hallways. Large windows let in enough light so that the pot lights don’t always have to be in use. What can be considered the pièce-de-résistance of these residences is the fourth floor lounge. Vaulted ceilings and a wall of windows allow for a flood of natural light into the over-sized lounging space adorned with couches and matching dark wood tables and chairs. It has the perfect atmosphere for just hanging out, studying, catching some rays, or all of the above. When all is said and done, the plush living these dorms provide make living in residence quite an experience. It’s still not home, but it’s a spectacular substitute. These new alternatives to on-campus living put even some hotels to shame. However, there is one thing that sets a hotel room apart from these residences: there aren’t any little mints on the pillows.
ONE RING: TWO CHOICES
TAKE YOUR PICK. WILL YOU GO FOR COMMUNITY SUPPORT? ETHICAL CHOICES? CHEAPNESS? TRADITION?
OPINIONS 5
The Xaverian-Volume 122 Issue 2
OPINIONS Drinking to forget
ALl EYES ON MILEY
a perspective on drinking culture at st.fx
Are we expecting too much from the former disney star?
COLTAN THOMPSON | Contributor
MICHEL BOUCHER | Contributor
I don’t go out much. There are so many messy possibilities and potential pitfalls for too little gain. But that’s just me. It’s not a repulsion of university drinking culture that spurs what I’m about to say – my own disliking is a matter of personal taste. What is the function of drink and
ing by drinking the evenings away? Not to say that drinking is bad. Simply drinking is not what I seek to highlight in saying “drinking culture.” I mean over-the-top levels of drunkenness, usually done in large groups, at the end of which one or more persons or household items is broken. You get the idea: when
what can we surmise about the culture that rises around it and utilizes it? There are many functions. One, for example, is stress release, as I’m sure everyone has observed at some time in their life. Is this sufficient to explain the complete overindulgence seen in drinking culture? It is worth considering that other more subtle psychological motivations may be at work. Drinking as a stress reliever makes sense; the reason it exists so prevalently in universities is in order to offset the extreme academic and social pressures. Unbearable workloads, the lingering fear of incapability and failure, the stress of being the only one in your family to attempt a higher education... the list goes on. Pressures can come from anywhere, but since it is academics that consume (or should consume) our effort, we can say it foremost creates a relaxation deficit. It is also important to realize that the more labour performed, the greater the desire to let loose and relax; the more one carefully conceptualizes, the more one seeks incoherence as a result. But I think there is still more. Consider: educators put a great burden on young, untested minds with constant reminders of the need to succeed, to keep marks up, to chase elusive number values all through the year. Is it any wonder that so many rebel against all the critical thinking they’re supposed to be do-
drunkenness is the penultimate goal of the evening. At any rate, my point is that drinking culture also arises as a response to high academic expectation—inflicted from within or without. A third consideration: once you’ve gotten yourself totally smashed, maybe slept with a no-name, spent a night with your head in a toilet, peed in the street, or just slipped into a drunken stupor, you don’t have to live with the stress of trying to keep everything “so-so” anymore. You have just, in a controlled way, obliterated your life’s stability. An “anti-standard” is created, a buffer against things going too well for fear of the rosiness of a stable and healthy routine being derailing. Thus, individuals prevent the derailing of such a life by effectively derailing it themselves via controlled spurts of all-out party selfdestruction. Sounds bizarre? It may not be as outlandish as it first seems. It is the uncontrollable instability of life that really scares us, and the best we can do to prepare ourselves is to go through trials of self-inflicted hardship. Such self-destruction within prescribed parameters is fulfilled by drinking culture, which also serves as a buffer against the degrading forces of academic stress. Or maybe it’s all just fun...
A huge fuss has been made of Miley Cyrus’ shocking performance at the recent VMAs. I hear people complaining that she “has lost her way” or asking, “What happened to the Miley Cyrus I used to know?” These complaints leave me confused because I have seen performers like Lady Gaga, Britney Spears and The Pussy Cat Dolls do many of the same things (sometimes worse) during their careers. I wonder why so many people are upset with Miley when we’ve seen so many other women do similar things on stage. My conclusion to this thought has to do with how our culture views youth and stardom. I feel that many of the complaints that have stemmed from Miley’s twerking fiasco are due to her previous persona as Hannah Montana. Hannah Montana was a kid-friendly singer adored by many young girls. The fact that people viewed her this way for almost 5 years can easily explain why there were so many violent reactions towards her performance, which was completely the opposite of “family friendly.” A similar reaction occurred when Dakota Fanning started taking on more adult roles like in the 2009 film Push. Instead of playing innocent young girls (like she had in Charlotte’s Web or I Am Sam), Fanning portrayed mature, independent and domineering woman. During this time people spouted off complaints that this was not the person they had grown up with, or that Dakota Fanning had lost her innocence. It seems that society just cannot let our child celebrities grow up; they must remain the cute and innocent children people have always believed them to be. One of the reasons this occurs is because we do not view stars as individuals, but as who they are when the camera is rolling. Jaleel White is just Steve Urkel to most people, Daniel Radcliffe is only Harry Potter, and Mark Hamill is just Luke Skywalker. However, these people have done so much more than that. Jaleel White has appeared in many other sitcoms, Daniel Radcliffe has acted on Broadway, and Mark Hamill has voiced the Joker. These actors could never escape their most famous roles because that was how their audience saw them, and if they dared toy with the public’s
perception thousands of people began proclaiming, “You’re not what you used to be.” I believe this is exactly what has happened with Miley Cyrus. The audience’s perception of Cyrus as the “perfect teenager” no longer matched up with what they saw at the VMAs, and this was considered bad. It might also be because we have trouble allowing things to change or grow when we like it the way it is. Either way, I think that the outcry over Miley Cyrus’ performance may be a bit of an exaggeration. This is not to say that what she has done is right – I just find it a bit ridiculous that people complain about her when there are countless other female musicians doing the same thing. The fact that we see so many female stars acting this way is the real problem. I don’t think it is Miley Cyrus that has to change her ways. It is the music industry’s reliance on female sexuality in order to generate a profit that has to change.
6 OPINIONS
Thursday, 19 September, 2013-The Xaverian
THE BLAME GAME UNIVERISITES FOSTER PRO-RAPE CULTURE NATIONWIDE, NOT JUST AT SMU VERONICA FARLEY | Contributor
We’ve all said things that we don’t mean. I once claimed I’d commit homicide for a bacon cheese burger, but put me in meal hall with someone between me and my food of choice and I’ll probably just go get some salmon instead. Chances are you’ve made that kind of joking declaration before. So really, what’s the big deal with student leaders at SMU (and their
this time he will understand that people who choose to be leaders have a duty to act as such. Though they were just words, everyone agrees this chant was reprehensible. Those involved in the song now report feeling bullied by peers and profs who feel there should be consequences for these actions. So, why not just call it a
young impressionable frosh) chanting, “Y is for your sister … U is for underage, N is for no consent… St. Mary’s boys – we like them young?” They acknowledged the cheer was in bad taste and apologies have been issued. Certain student leaders were even sorry enough to resign, although Jared Perry, former SMU Student Association President, will be running again next election. Maybe
day and move on to the next scandal? The people involved have been reprimanded. Task forces are being organized. Sensitivity training has been planned. Why must the media make such a big deal out of a single incident? Don’t they know that SMU wants to be left in peace to earn back trust in their campus’ safety (or, as the school president put it – their “brand”)? It was disgusting behav-
iour and the performance certainly indicates that a closer look should be taken at the kind of environment that fosters people who think something like that is okay, but I certainly don’t believe the students meant to incite some sort of rapist spree. Frosh week can’t be entirely to blame for the students’ attitudes, but it likely had influence. After all, they were just participating in an annual welcome party that, in this case, got a little out of hand. Its actual objective is to make feel new students welcome, though these students are subject to hazing and will do crazy stunts to fit it. Peer pressure also cannot be dismissed as a factor. So again, shouldn’t we be worried about blowing simple youthful exuberance out of proportion? Except this is in no way a single incident. This chant had been used, and complained about, at the school’s previous frosh week events, and UBC’s Sauder School of Business sang the same chant just days after the scandal broke over SMU’s blatant display of sexism. After the media’s focus on SMU’s frosh week faux-pas, we may never see this particular chant again. But it is difficult to doubt that the current attitudes towards nonconsensual sex (see: rape) will be short-lived because we only really encourage dis-
course about it to prevent embarrassments like the SMU scandal, not to de-root the problem. Why do you think only 6% of sexual assaults get reported? Language like this is harmful and is part of a wider cultural response. A girl shouldn’t have to hope that the person following her is a mugger rather than a rapist because at least then no one will ask her how her wallet was dressed. No one should have to expect to be taunted about being raped. The SMU students may not be immoral youth, but they are a symptom of an immoral society that glorifies of sex and violence. Rape is on the decline nationwide, even though most government funding earmarked for these crimes are aimed at after-effects rather than preventative measures. Yet unlike the nation, Canadian universities have not seen such a trend in their sexual assault statistics. Twenty to twenty-five percent of young women on college campuses have experienced a sexual assault. Perhaps even more alarming is that this kind of disrespect for the rights of others occurs on academic ground meant for cultivating learning and tolerance. I know it’s hard to be impressed by a bunch of scary numbers after being deluged by good causes all your life, but I ask you to pause and
think beyond the statistics for a minute. In 80% of rapes on university campuses the attacker knew their victim as a person rather than a sexual object. Maybe he only knew her as that quiet girl who never talked in class; maybe they only spoke once and she told him all about her dog named Pippin; or maybe they were even dating (bonus statistic: 4 out of 5 victims experienced this kind of violence within a relationship) and he’d met her parents. However, at some point he decided that her feelings on the matter were of no value. Despite knowing she was a human being capable of strength and resilience, fear and pain, anger and revenge, kindness and art, and healing– she was attacked anyway. We don’t have to start the kind of witch hunts everyone seems to think is going to happen if we examine this too closely. We don’t have to punish SMU, but we must recognize this chant and what it represents as something that needs to be dealt with. Respect for our power over our own bodies is something worth fighting for and worth getting angry about. Being part of the solution isn’t hard. It can even be as simple as refusing to taking part in sexist language and jokes. It can be as simple as having a voice and using it for good, not for singing, “N is for no consent...”
want to keep up with your campus news online? visit xaverian.ca & follow us on twitter @xaverianweekly NEXT CONTRIBUTOR MEETING MONDAY, SEPT 23RD-6PM 1ST FLOOR OF THE SUB NEXT TO CAMPUS BOOKSTORE COME FOR THE PIZZA: STAY FOR THE STORIES *All welcome*
OPINIONS 7
The Xaverian-Volume 122 Issue 2
the five guys you meet at x how do you solve a problem like maria? MARIA RIZZET TO | Columnist
The Academic Prodigy. Although people in this category are stereotypically entitled “nerds,” I feel a revision is in order. StFX has a minimal “nerd” population. Although we are known as a party school, I, coming from another university, have realized that the academics here are undoubtedly elite. Therefore, the gentlemen excelling at this institution are, or should be, exceedingly more notable. Alongside this, a lot of these smarty-pants guys aren’t shy, modest, or “nerdy” looking. These guys got to where they are and will continue to get to where they want to be by putting academics first. This is not necessarily a bad thing, of course, but it definitely sucks the big one when organic chemistry wins in a battle against quality time with you. Banish the statement “he’s too smart for me” from your vocabulary. Don’t be intimidated; you’re here too, aren’t you? In the same class? You may not be getting straight A’s like the Einstein of your affection, but you’re still in the running. This is the one category where you can guarantee having similar interests as your lover will prevail
The Jock. The most visually appealing category of males at StFX is the jock. It’s simple to distinguish these guys from avid gym rats or health-crazed kinetics students – their statures are molded by years of hard work and training. In other words, no chicken legs. These guys can usually be found travelling together, whether it is on campus or in one of Antigonish’s few drinking establishments. Ladies, if you’re going to go there, there’s really only one rule: do not, under any circumstances rendezvous with two guys on the same team. For some, this is an irreversible reality... sorry I didn’t get to you sooner. All jokes aside, athletes are among the most dedicated, focused, and disciplined people you will find in university. Therefore, don’t hesitate to invite that shy soccer player into your presentation group! The Questionable Metrosexual. A category that slips through the cracks in most articles surrounding this topic is one I used to struggle with. I like to think of it as an original category that surfaced as a result of my non-existent “gay-dar.” You can’t help but no-
tice that day after day a guy in your class is sporting impeccable outfits. Does he pick those out? Mom? Girlfriend? Not to say that most guys don’t have some sense of style, but this guy is on another level. The easiest way out of this one without embarrassing yourself is to compliment him! It is a win-win situation. If your sharp-dressed man is straight, he will probably murmur something like, “Sweet, thanks.” The metrosexual man knows he looks good and that is usually satisfying enough. On the other hand, you could get something down the alley of, “Why thank you, it’s Burberry!” Bingo, new best friend and personal “gay-dar.” The “God’s Gift”. God’s gift to women? Oh no, this guy is god’s gift to the world. Finished a new book? Already read it. Took up a new hobby? Did it. Got an A on History paper? Got an A+. Saw a breath-taking painting at café in Europe? Seen it. These guys can easily be mistaken as innocent, friendly guys. It’s only when you come to realize that the questions you’re being asked are being asked for the sole purpose
STREET BEATS:
of hearing his own answer after you slip in a single sentence. To be honest, there are really no tips for this. This is the guy you will see at homecoming in thirty years talking about how “successful” and “happy” he is despite being alone. The Friend. There is always a friend. Usually one of you is secretly hoping you haven’t been “friendzoned.” Maybe there are complications like a drunk almost-kiss, but those figure themselves out. On the other hand, you may think he’s “just a friend” and then you’re bombarded by a feeling you can’t place the first time he asks you what you think of Bombshell Betty. It’s called jealousy. This category can be cross-listed with The Nice Guy. Everyone knows the unfortunate certainty of nice guys finishing last. Ladies, I know it’s hard when you’re missing your boyfriend from home, or you may just need a little confidence boost, but don’t try and get that here. It’s not worth the friendship or the headache. Honorable mention: The Stoner. Fun times. Enough said.
WHERE ARE YOU GETTING YOUR X-RING?
“Rideau. I was originally planning on stainless steel, but Rideau’s lower-priced gold ring and ethical standards sealed the deal for me.” -Liam Prost
“Cameron’s. I’d like to support the local store and it’s also where my sister bought her x-ring.” -Devon Lockhart
“Cameron’s. I trust the Cameron’s brand more than Rideau’s.” -Alex Warshick
“Cameron’s. Beacuse of tradition! Others retailers only put the original business at risk.” -Katie Smith
“Rideau. It’s important to me that they use fair trade gold and are trying to reduce their carbon footprint. The cheaper price is an added bonus.” -Devon Greene
“Undecided. I’m still waiting to see the options and the benefits of each. For me, it’s not all about the price.” -AJ Doyle
8 FEATURE
Thursday, 19 September, 2013-The Xaverian
The Xaverian-Volume 122 Issue 2
FEATURE
9
10 CULTURE
Thursday, 19 September, 2013-The Xaverian
Culture Fall fun in the sun Things to do before the weather gets bad ANGELA MACKENZIE | Staff Writer
Antigonish winters are cold, wet, and often very depressing when there is nothing to do but watch the snow fall. This bitter winter season tends to sneak up on students and before they can blink an eye the beauty of Fall is over. Fall is the perfect time of year to take advantage of the outdoor activities that
Antigonish
has
to
offer.
THE LANDING If you take a walk through the town of Antigonish there is a beautiful trail not far from StFX Campus. Just past the Tim Horton’s on Main Street there is an opening for a beautiful walk
known as The Landing. It is a four kilometre (return) hike along the Antigonish Harbour that allows you to clear your head while observing ducks, beavers and possibly other forms of wildlife. It is best to take advantage of this trail during the fall when the trees are in full co-
lour and the birds have yet to migrate south for the winter.
friends. It is a fantastic place to let loose and forget about the stresses of university.
ing against the Nova Scotian shore. Bring your friends and a sweater and walk along the sand to enjoy a peaceful break from campus life.
MAHONEY BEACH If you are feeling particular adventurous there is Mahoney’s beach located about 7km North of Antigonish. There is a long stretch of sand that cuts in between two bodies of water. On your right you would find a small pond and on the left you would see the endless Atlantic Ocean. This place is great to go to if you’re interested in wind blowing through your hair and the soothing waves crash-
COLUMBUS FIELD Also along Main Street is Columbus Field. This outdoor recreational facility includes a playground,
ON CAMPUS The StFX campus is also a great place to take advantage of the warm weather. There are so many fields where students can throw a Frisbee around, kick a soccer ball, or just lay out with a blanket and a text book to soak in some sun while you study. The Turf and the Rugby field located behind Bishop’s Hall are available to
a large field with a track, and a tennis court. During the summer the Highland Games are hosted here, but during the fall it is a great place to chill on the swing set, pick up a racket, or sit up on the bleachers facing the field and just chill with
all students if they are not being used for StFX sporting activities. Take an hour break between classes grab some friends and play a competitive or friendly sport of your choice. The fields are here for you to use so take advantage before the warm weather leaves and you are stuck inside avoiding the winter cold. Antigonish becomes a beautiful town when Fall comes around. The campus is covered in red, gold, and purple leaves. It is the perfect time of year to get some fresh air, explore the town, and hang out with your friends outdoors.
CULTURE
The Xaverian-Volume 122 Issue 2
11
ANTIGONIGHT BRINGS THE NOCTURNAL ‘NISH TO LIFE Shedding light on nova scotia talent PAULINE CAMERON | Contributor
Have you had your aesthetic fill yet this year, StFX? Maybe some of you have gone to the Bauer or the Capitol, but Antigonight is on a whole other level of entertainment. The fourth annual Antigonight is the self-proclaimed only participatory arts festival in Nova Scotia. It will be something you won’t want to miss. Whether you’re a first year still trying to find your new favourite activities and locations, or a fourth year who’s been to all or none of the festivals, there will be something there to pique your interest and all of the events are free. If you’ve heard of events like Nuit Blanche in Toronto or Nocturne in Halifax, imagine them scaled down to a ‘nish level. That’s the idea of Antigonight. This event goes for two nights for your experiential convenience. Friday night involves the closure of Main Street, where you will find musicians, displays, vendors and other demonstrations spanning downtown Antigonish. Saturday will centre around Chisholm Park between The Wheel and The Pub, including displays in
the library, interactive art projects, and live music in the bandstand. Some highlights of this year’s festival are Elinor Whidden, a car-parts re-constructor, and Tweetris, a live-action game of Tetris. The Modern Grass Quartet will be playing in Chisholm Park on Saturday evening, and if you haven’t heard of them before, picture
dent Chris Greencorn. TJ Ediger will also have a piece with Adele McFarlane. More X involvement includes some guest performances at Wing Night before the event, so keep an eye out! Antigonight invites all Xaverians to come out on one or both of the nights, enjoy the live art, and discover the best and the brightest that the An-
see it for yourself. Keep your calendar free and your eyes open, and you will not be disappointed. Antigonight is organized in part by the arts association Antigonish Culture Alive, supports local artists in the community. Antigonight itself is being directed by local business owner Sarah
a loud contemporary bluegrass group. They really live up to their reputation, and worth every minute of viewing! There will be some X-grads performing this year as well, just as they have in previous years. Past student Gregor Martin is planning on presenting some experimental music with current stu-
tigonish cultural scene has to offer. If you want to get involved in the event, volunteers are still welcome to join. Email Rachel Power, the volunteer coordinator, at rachelpower74@ yahoo.ca for further information. To get an idea of what it’s really like, you have to really need to
O’Toole and local artist Fenn Martin.
for raw, often religious, and sometimes uncomfortably intolerant onepunch lyrics, Paz’s lasting impression is matched by the gritty flow of west coast Canadian rapper Snak The Ripper on the final track, “Fear.” Although this album includes both younger and older collaborators like Snak and Paz, respectively, the tone of the album is decidedly old-school, maybe even nostalgic. Producer Rob the Viking is behind very discernable and dominating old-school beats, but this only mirrors in the lyrical and technical content of each track from the Swollen Members themselves. Throughout the album these two bring the heat, but sometimes the flames could be put out with a water pistol. Don’t be deceived by this; both MCs are very technically proficient. Prevail’s flow is as fast as ever and Madchild still packs a punch. Nevertheless, the lyrical content of this album leaves much to be desired. Madchild is the largest disappointment not because his lines are bad, but because he has much more to offer. Last year’s solo release from the Canadian legend, Dope Sick, documented Madchild’s battle with, and recovery from, a severe opiate addiction.
It showed us a much more mature and introspective version of the MC, demonstrated by lyrical realism, honesty and emotionality. Even if he reiterated his thesis over and over in that album as in this one, at least then he was his own enemy, whereas this time around he is permanently on the offence against the world. Just like the lyrical content tends to disappoint, so does the inconsistency of the production and construction of each track and the album as a whole. The numerous interludes inserted in between tracks to make them flow together sometimes overshadow the tracks that they are sandwiched in between. This defines the whole album as, in some ways, it seems to miss the point. These ageing MCs seem to be straddling a generation gap in hip hop, but in trying to compensate for lost years, they lose themselves in their message of how awesome they still are. On the final track Madchild repeats that the Swollen Members are “the last of our breed/ we are bastards indeed” multiple times. On the first single from the album, “Almost Famous”, Madchild makes it clear that the trio will stick together because they’ve got each others’ backs no matter what happens. In some ways this defines the career of Swollen Members. They have managed to survive for an impressive amount of time while remaining culturally relevant. All in all it goes to show how far a bit of stubbornness, raw talent and chutzpa can get you.
Antigonight: Art After Dark Sept 27th and 28th Main St. and Chisholm Park, Antigonish 7:00pm – 11:00pm FREE!
Rusty old beater car Swollen Members are sounding a little flacid RORY MACLEOD | Culture Editor
Swollen Members have arguably been carrying the torch for Canadian hip hop since the late 90’s and MCs Prevail and Madchild are still holding it down. Or are they? Beautiful Death Machine is their latest and eighth studio album, and the pair are showing signs of aging. However, as the saying goes, some wine gets better with age. The first impressions of the record come from the rather cheesy and low-budget-looking cover art of an airbrushed muscle car with a side mounted Gatling gun. Clearly these guys aren’t looking for subtlety. This
is reflected in their first few tracks. In classic Swollen Members fashion, the production is hard hitting, repetitive, simplistic, sample-heavy, and inclined towards boom-back beats rather than trendy trap hi-hats. In latter tracks, however, production becomes a little more contemporary and experimental by Swollen Members’ standards while still remaining outside of trendy clichés. Swollen Members collaborators are equally as hard hitting, namely Vinnie Paz who makes his intimidating presence known on the second track, “Death To You.” Notorious
12 CULTURE
Thursday, 19 September, 2013-The Xaverian
what’s the word on x-burger? The ‘nish has a brand new burger joint. we ate there. LAURA ALOISIO | Senior Reporter
On the corner of Main and Hawthorne Street there is a new sign capturing the eyes of passersby. X Burger is the “new kid” on the block, and the reviews have been mixed. On September 10th, I set out to find the truth about our new burger joint. With only three tables and four chairs at the counter, it is not equipped for our lunchtime rushes or late night group dinners, so claim a seat as soon as you arrive. Question about the menu? Allergy concern? Let the staff know! They are friendly and happy to help. Want to add a burger to your burger? An extra patty is $1.25. If you are feeling more adventurous the Alumni Burger is a heartier option. For $6.00 you will receive two patties with cheese, Canadian back bacon, tomato, and X sauce. The locally sourced meat for the patties is delivered every few days and the staff forms each one by hand. There are gluten free buns and vegetarian options and no additional charge for any of the basic toppings as every burger comes with lettuce, tomato, onion, pickle, ketchup, mustard and relish. Canadian back bacon is an extra dollar and cheese is $0.50. For those who do not enjoy
burgers there are other options. Fish and chips are sold by the piece while “always fresh cut wings” are served by the pound. The candy store shelf lined with Tootsie Rolls, chocolate bars, and all varieties of candy add unexpected charm to a new burger place. The Nathan’s brand hot dogs are available in two sizes: the seven inch X Dog at $3.50 and the twelve inch X-tra Long Dog at $5.00. Although this immediately brought back visions of Coney Island’s Cyclone and boardwalk, I had to resist the temptation and focus on my mission to try the burger. I decided on a Signature X Cheese Burger with X Sauce and $12.95 later, milkshake in hand, I was looking forward to my meal. As I sat waiting for my burger I was disappointed to learn that they were out of a lot of toppings including pickles and the cheese curds for poutine. When my food finally arrived, I found an insignificant burger hiding underneath a mound of fries. I had heard rumours the burger was small but I was still surprised. The patty was hot and clearly formed by hand and the cheddar cheese was melted nicely on top of a fresh bun. The burger itself, however, was greasy with an
sex with an x Raves, rants and sexscapades BET T Y SKROOTER | Sexy Lady
When it comes to sex, many women are liars. They lie to themselves and to their lovers. This fuels a giant misconception that has been going around for decades – maybe even centuries – that all women orgasm during sex, and that this has to happen or sex isn't worth it. Plenty of women fake their orgasms to make their partners feel better but in the end you’re just making sex worse for everyone. Not only is your partner going to walk around feeling like a savvy lover when they actually left you high and dry, but they’re going to continue being that way for all of their future lovers. Secondly, faking an orgasm is being untruthful to yourself and your vagina. You can’t pull the, “Oh, I think I had one!” crap either; all ladies around the world can testify that if you had had an orgasm, you would know. There’s no mistaking pleasure like that. But that’s part of the issue: pleasure. Guys often have a hard time understanding that an orgasm is not the only thing that makes sex great for a girl. Truthfully, the entire experience is pretty pleasurable and an orgasm is the extra-
scoop, cherry-on-top finale. But not having one doesn’t mean that dessert wasn’t delicious. Unlike guys, girls aren’t necessarily waiting for the end, but rather enjoying the whole ride. The craziest part is that many ladies feel shame for not achieving orgasm, like it was their fault or something. The reality is that it is no one’s fault, and that every woman and her vagina respond in their own way, whether it be to fast or slow, strong or soft. Women everywhere are making up lies to cushion the egos of their partners and are embarrassed that they don’t match up to the delusional, pornobsessed sexual culture we live in. I say that we, as ladies, must stop this. The only way we can all become better lovers is if we communicate with one another. And fellas, stop asking your girl “if she came.” Maybe next time, you’ll know without a doubt that she did. And lastly, the sex tip of the week goes out to the boys, à la American Pie 2: “You gotta preheat the oven before you stick in the turkey.” A simple thing to remember, but so often disregarded! Stay thirsty my friends.
unfavourable taste. The X sauce added something but I found the taste too overpowering. After only a few bites, which in this case is all you really need, I was ready to move on to my fries. They were definitely not skimpy! The basket was filled to the top and I was excited to dig in. They were “fresh cut”, as advertised, and seasoned perfectly with just enough salt. Dipped in a little bit of ketchup I was almost able to ignore the fact that they were burnt and only lukewarm. In the end, I decided consuming them wasn’t worth using a cheat day on, and pushed the basket aside. The milkshake was smaller than I would have expected for $4.00 but a cold chocolate shake hits the spot on a hot day. It wasn’t too thick and had just enough chocolate flavouring. Unfortunately, as the customer squished beside me found out, strawberry or vanilla shakes were not available that day. The company is catering to the student population by starting late night hours, a take-out window, and a complete breakfast menu including freshly squeezed orange juice and on-campus delivery. By only employing St. Francis Xavier University students they ensure that they are
giving back to the community. An employee at X Burger has special opportunities as they provide scholarships for their top two employees. I went to X Burger wanting to love it but left underwhelmed with little desire to return. The X Burger doesn’t have me hooked on taste but I am not ready to write it off just yet. I am interested to
try their breakfast and I will be checking out the Nathan’s Hot Dog eating contest coming this December. Like any newcomer to Antigonish, X Burger deserves a chance to settle in before anyone can reach a definitive verdict. Be sure to check our next issue as the Xaverian Weekly examines the hot spots for grub in Antigonish!
DISTRACTIONS 13
The Xaverian-Volume 122 Issue 2
Distractions KALEIGH BENT | Distractions Editor
Quoteable Quotes “Bueller...anyone?...Bueller...Bueller...Bueller - Ferris’s Economic Teacher
“One can never have enough socks,” said Dumbledore. “Another Christmas has come and gone and I didn’t get a single pair. People will insist on giving me books.” — Albus Dumbledore
FUN FACTS 1. The creators of “Johnny Bravo”, “The Power Puff Girls” and
Cartoon by: Emma Dysart
“Dexters Laboratory” were all roommates in collage.
GUES
2. In case of an emergency a Crayola Crayon can be used as a candle and will burn for about 15 minutes.
3. The longest recorded hangover lasted 4 weeks. A Glasgow man downed 60 pints of beer, leaving him with the massive hangover.
4. In the 1800’s, popcorn was consumed as a breakfast cereal by
1. THIS YOUNG lad will get the chance to audition for “saving private ryan” but not get the part because he doesnt look american enough to which his reply will be “thank you” 2. Who has two thumbs and once snuck back stage at a kiss concert-THIS GUY! 3. This young chap will never understand THE Appeal of country music, but is now Strangely addicted to “wagon wheel”
“Bro, last night I went paddle boarding….well sort of. I stood on my long board and
swiffered my way to lane hall lounge..”
O?
*INTRODUCING: GUESS THIS STFX FACULTY MEMBER! With the straightforward clues and flattering picture provided try your best to guess who these random tots are! Winner will receive whatever I can find in my room.....
Americans.
OVERHEARD AT X...
S WH
SPORTS AND HEALTH
SPORTS & HEALTH Save Money & Get Healthy... At School? Advice and Tips on what you can do to keep your wallet fat & waistline thin MAT T MACDONALD | Sports & Health Columnist
Who doesn’t like to eat? Eating is one of the most enjoyable phenomena life has to offer. Eating the correct foods nourishes your body and gives you energy to get through each day. Healthy eating combined with physical activity helps to prevent disease and maintain a healthy body weight. We all know that healthy eating is important. However, many people are under the assumption that eating healthy is financially unattainable. I could not disagree more! While one can argue that milk costs more than pop, who says either product is necessary for a healthy diet? I often tell my clients to think about their body as a high performance car, like a Ferrari. Chances are if you owned a Ferrari you would take perfect care of it. You would fuel it with the best gas and clean it everyday. Many students do the exact op-
posite when it comes to caring for their body. They treat their body like a beat-up Honda Civic, rarely ever taking it for a drive and fuelling it with poison on the weekends. Students then wonder why they feel sluggish and don’t have energy for exercise and their academics. Looking for a quick fix solution, students often resort to coffee. Little do they realize this just worsens the issue, as it is rooted in diet, exercise, and sleeping patterns. This school year, take charge of your health. As Hippocrates once said, “let food be thy medicine and medicine be thy food.” Follow these tips and eat healthy at an affordable price. Remember, health is wealth, and taking care of your physiological needs should come first this school year. If you’re tired, sluggish, moody, depressed, or stressed, try paying careful attention to your diet and it may eliminate
all of these symptoms. Matt’s top 10 grocery store tips for students looking to save money and stay healthy this school year. #1 – Buy your groceries on Tuesday. Students receive a 10% discount. Spend $100 and save $10 bucks! #2 – Avoid buying chicken, fish, dairy, and cooking oils. Not only are these products more expensive, but high in cholesterol and fats. Cholesterol is only found in animal products, and your liver produces more than enough for optimal health. #3 – Stick to a predominantly plant-based diet. Buy lots of fruit, vegetables, whole grains, beans, and lentils. Eating a plantbased diet will not only save you money but also preserves your health and the health of the en-
vironment. In general, fruits and vegetables cost far less per pound than chicken, fish, and beef. #4 – Buy fresh or frozen fruits and vegetables on sale. Make sure to check the discount rack at Superstore for reduced prices. #5 – Shop the perimeter of the grocery store. Avoid buying products in the middle isles. Think back to our evolutionary past – where in nature did any of these products exist? If it comes in a box or can, it is likely full of salt, sugar, and fat. #6 – Read the ingredient list. Choose food items with five ingredients or less. If you cannot pronounce the ingredients, chances are you shouldn’t be eating them! #7 – Read nutrition labels.
Choose foods low in salt (less than 5%), sugar, fat, and cholesterol. #8 – Buy in bulk. Rather than buying a pint of strawberries or a head of lettuce that may end up spoiling, buy frozen fruit and vegetables. Frozen fruit and vegetables are flash frozen onsite, and this locks in the nutritional value. #9 – Avoid buying pop, gum, coffee, and alcohol. Not only are these things terrible for you, but they also contain zero nutritional value. #10 – Buy enough food to last you one week. Odds are if you don’t buy enough, you’ll end up eating out. Prepare food the night before and pack a lunch for the next day. There’s a reason mom used to pack you a lunch – not only is it cheaper, but it's healthier too!
team played to an impressive 5-3 finish, but lost in the finals of the playoffs to Dalhousie. The StFX cheerleading squad won the 2013 Cheer Expo held in Halifax while the rowing team, after moving into their new training grounds at Lochaber at the beginning of the season, dominated the 2012 Atlantic University Rowing Championships, winning six events. Fortunately, if you are interested in supporting some of these teams, it is easy to do so. The lacrosse team plays its home games in the Oland Stadium on Saturdays, while the rugby teams play games on the grass field behind Bishops Hall on the weekends. You can catch the lacrosse team on Sept 21, and the StFX men’s rugby teams will be in action the weekend of Sept 28. You can also see the StFX dance and cheerleading teams at events around campus. The baseball team’s home field is located at the high school in
Antigonish, and they play most of their games on the weekend as well. Their next home game pits them against the St. Mary’s Huskies on Sept 28. Finally, as mentioned, the rowing team partnered with the Lochaber community at the end of the 2011 season. The lake is a twenty minute drive south of Antigonish, and the club will play host to the 2013 Atlantic Rowing Championships on Oct 5-6. Many of the club sports teams at StFX are relative newcomers to athletic history at the school. However, those involved are dedicated, welcoming people, and want nothing more than to have fun, represent the university, and entertain all those of who come out to support them. Look for your opportunity to do so, and you will surely not be disappointed.
MORE THAN JUST A CLUB CLUB sports at x growing & Bringing in the hardware AARON THORNELL | Sports & Health Editor
In the first issue of the Xaverian Weekly, we spoke at length about the varsity sports teams here at StFX. However, there are a plethora of other options for the sports enthusiast at StFX - that is, in addition to going to the Pub to watch your team over a couple pints, the enthusiast can join in on the fun world of club sports. StFX opens the door to multiple sports, many of which you may have never gotten the opportunity to try before.
The primary difference between varsity and club sports lies in the fact that the university does not provide funding for club sports, which include baseball, cheerleading, dance, field hockey, lacrosse, men’s rugby, and rowing. Baseball, cheerleading, dance, and rowing are open to both men and women and everyone is welcome to join. They are often led by students, but some sports have professors filling coaching or administrative positions.
One of the largest deterrents from playing club sports at StFX is, as mentioned, the lack of school funding. This reality means that students are responsible for shouldering the financial burden of the team, which can often find itself in triple digits. That being said, in certain sports, there are sponsor opportunities such as those through the Adopt-An-Athlete program. These are options that involve sponsorship, by either donor or business, which will aid in covering costs. Additionally, some clubs, such as the rowing team, received help from the provincial government to install new training and racing facilities. While club sports may not receive as much of the limelight as the varsity teams, they have known their respective highs and lows. While the baseball, field hockey, and both men’s rugby teams (there are two divisions) experienced losing seasons last year, the lacrosse
VISIT goxgo.ca for more information about the club sports at St. FX
SPORTS & HEALTH 15
The Xaverian-Volume 122 Issue 2
Athletes of the Week: Football Pride Some of the Standouts following the X-men’s 2-0 Start this year COURTESY OF STFX ATHLETICS
X-Men wide receiver Jordan Catterall was named the StFX Football Offensive Player of the Week for the week ending Sept. 15, 2013. Jordan, a fourth year Business student from Oakville, Ont., scored two touchdowns and led the team in receiving in their recent 35-18 win over Concordia. His two majors (50 yards and 85 yards) came in the fourth quarter on big passing plays that helped increase the X-Men lead. Jordan had six total receptions in the game for 157 yards, leading all receivers. He also had seven punt returns for 65 yards on special teams. X-Men football defensive back Demetrius Ferguson was named the StFX Defensive Player of the Week for the week ending Sept. 15, 2013. Demetrius, a second year Business student (5th year eligibility) from Nas-
sau, Bahamas had two interceptions in the X-Men's 35-18 win over Concordia, including a 103 yard interception touchdown return in the 1st quarter to give StFX their first lead (7-0) in the game. He also had a forced fumble and 4.5 tackles (4 solo and 1 assisted), as well as a five yard kickoff return on special teams. X-Men kicker Hayden Peters was named the StFX Football Special Teams Player of the Week for the week ending Sept. 15, 2013. Hayden, a second year Human Kinetics student from Inverary, Ont., booted 12 punts for 479 total yards in the X-Men's recent 35-18 win over Concordia. He also had five kickoffs for 301 yards and while on defense in the X-Men secondary contributed 7.5 tackles in the game (7 solo and 1 assisted). The team’s next game is September 20th vs. Acadia.
X-Men & Women Soccer Seasons Underway Series of ups and downs following opening weekends of play AARON THORNELL | Sports & Health Editor
Following the first two weekends of AUS varsity soccer, both StFX sides are poised to improve on last year’s finishes. I had the opportunity to ask the head coach of both teams, Graham Kennedy, a few questions concerning his hopes for the upcoming season. He is optimistic about both teams despite the fact that they find themselves in different stages of development. On the men’s side, Kennedy believes the squad can place in the top four of the AUS division, which is made up of ten schools. Despite only getting one point out of their first two matches, Kennedy has faith that if the team avoids injury and is able to play up to its potential they should be able to finish towards the top of the table. The X-Men travelled to Moncton to play the Bleus Aigles on Sept 7th, which, despite StFX domination of the match, ended in a 1-1 draw. They fell 3-0 to the UNB Reds in their following game. However, the side showed what they are made of in front of the home town crowd, as they played their first two home games against the Acadia Axemen and UPEI Panthers. They could not have hoped for better results, as they took the first game 1-0. Fourthyear Mark Harpur scored the lone goal midway through the second half, and Steven Rodenhizer backstopped the team for the shutout, stopping all six shots he faced. Looking to continue their momentum, the St. FX team picked up where they left off, putting down the Panthers by a score of 3-0. Ryan Ashlee, Michael Tait, and Pieter Heerschop scored for the X-Men. Once again, Rodenhizer posted a six-save shutout. The X-Men boast a number of new Photos by Clayton Blagdon
THIS WEEK’S ACTION... recruits from across the country, all of whom are hoping to make their impact. The rookies are midfielders Natneal Tecle (Calgary) and Dylan Lawrence (Ottawa), forward Kallen Heenan (Halifax), defenders Everett Cockell (Ottawa) and Lucas Hill (Halifax), and goalkeeper Matt Lannan (Annapolis Valley). Kennedy hopes his team can limit turnovers, and capitalize on their opponent’s errors. He also looks to improve on set piece defending, as the XMen conceded three of their five goals against off of dead-ball plays. The team is currently sitting in 4th in the AUS division. The women’s side is in a slightly different position as they find themselves in a rebuilding year after losing eight senior players to graduation. This did not phase them during their opening weekend, however, as they started their season with a win and a draw against Moncton and UNB respectively. Mary MacDonald and Brittany Parks scored in the season opening win at Moncton. Unfortunately, the team suffered several serious injuries to key players, including Maura Woodman, Gabrielle Bergh (both ACL tear), Olivia Wilkie (fractured fibula), and Mary MacDonald (concussion). These injuries seemed to affect the team, as they lost to 2-0 to Acadia on the 15th, but they earned the point the next day, playing to a scoreless draw against UPEI. Yet, Coach Kennedy took many positives out of the squad’s first two games, as he was happy with how the team, which is comprised of several first-years in starting positions, is adjusting to a new system of play. Among their rookies are Logan Lee-Knight (Calgary), Kevyn Timmons (Calgary), Brittany Parks (Gore), Claire
SEPT. 17th: Women’s Soccer @ Dalhousie - 5:00 PM SEPT. 17th: Men’s Soccer @ Dalhousie - 7:15 PM SEPT. 20th: Football vs. Acadia 7:00 PM SEPT. 21st: St. FX Cross-Country Invitational Women’s Start: 12:00 PM Men’s Start: 12:45 PM SEPT. 21st: St. FX Baseball @ UNB -1:00 PM Graham Kennedy X-Men and X-Women Soccer Coach Gibbons (Ottawa), Katie Walsh (New Glasgow), Claire Casey (Charlottetown), Courtney Aure-Weatherell (Ottawa) and Nicole MacDonald (Ottawa). The women are 7th in the AUS division. In his first year as coach for both varsity teams, Kennedy has found himself spending a lot more time on the pitch. He is a coach who is known to show just as much passion and drive to win as each one of his players. However, with four games a weekend as well as a number of practices and class sessions, he has relied on the help of his former player Mira Novak, who now fills the position of assistant coach. Additionally, he spoke highly of his volunteer assistants Aaron Hayne, Rob Canning, Scott MacKinnon, Mark Brennan, Quinton Partridge, and student manager Drew MacQuarrie. We all hope his success in balancing the two clubs can continue as the season rolls along.
SEPT. 21st: Women’s Soccer vs. Mount Allison - 1:00 PM SEPT. 21st: Men’s Ice Hockey @ Acadia - 1:00 PM (Pre-season) SEPT. 21st: Women’s Rugby @ UPEI - 3:00 PM SEPT. 21st: Men’s Soccer vs. Mount Allison - 3:15 PM SEPT. 21st: Men’s Rugby @ St. Mary’s - 4:00 PM SEPT. 21st: Men’s Lacrosse vs. SMU - 6:00 PM SEPT. 22nd: Men’s Ice Hockey @ Acadia - 1:00 PM SEPT. 22nd: Women’s Soccer vs. Saint Mary’s - 1:00 PM SEPT. 22nd: Men’s Soccer vs. Saint Mary’s - 3:15 PM
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Thursday, 19 September, 2013-The Xaverian
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