ISSUE 6
XAVERIAN THE WEEKLY xaverian
NEWS
xw.eic@stfx.ca | (902) 870-9431
Oceanpath Fellowship
Thursday Mar 29 2012
Volume 120 Issue 20
EDITORIAL STAFF
Friday Thursday, November March 21,14, 2012 2014 EDITOR-IN-CHIEF Volume Volume 123 Issue Issue156 Sean McEvoy121
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New program for graduating students by Coady and Service Learning
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On Wednesday, November 12th the Coady International Institute and StFX Service Learning launched a new program for graduating undergraduate or Masters Students. Entitled Oceanpath Fellowship, the program allows students with a passion for improving their community to achieve their goal with the assistance and support of Service Learning. The Oceanpath Fellowship aims to improve communities across the globe whilst teaching graduating students important entrepreneurship skills. The Oceanpath Fellowship program is offered at three other Canadian universities alongside StFX: McGill University, Queen’s University, University of Ottawa. The program allows upwards of twelve student participants in total, guaranteeing a spot for at least two people from each of the four universities. The students are selected based upon their ideas for community improvement, their reasoning behind the need for community improvement, and their past initiatives. “Here’s the idea: if you are graduating from one of these four universities and you have a meaningful connection with that com-
munity (Antigonish, your hometown, or anywhere else in the world), [and] you have an idea of how that community could be strengthened or developed, you will be supported with ongoing distance learning and support. The fellowship provides up to $25 000 in support. [This can be] used for living expenses, travel expenses, and project funding,” says Adam Baden-Clay, the Youth Programs Manager at the Coady International Institute. Applicants to the Oceanpath Fellowship program must be graduating from an undergraduate or Masters Program, be under 29 years of age, be a Canadian citizen or resident, and have a connection with their community coupled with an innovative idea to improve that community. The main criteria for receiving the funding and support through the Oceanpath Fellowship is the innovative idea presented, factoring in the impact it will have on improving that community. The program arose from a three year pilot program. Some examples of community improvement by the students who partook in the pilot program are access to mental health resources, immigration support, sustainabil-
ity, access to health care, lowering pregnancy rates, regenerating trust networks and overall building a greater sense of community. The benefits of participating in the Oceanpath Fellowship program are endless. The applicant will receive advanced skills in leadership, entrepreneurship, and project management. Overall, the program acts as a great gateway for any graduating student to enter their careers or gain experience for any path they plan on pursuing. The program involves a step by step plan to bring the idea to life. First, the applicant applies to the Oceanpath Fellowship program. Pending their application’s approval, the applicant then begins to work with the Coady International Institute to learn about community change and how to create the change. This is then followed by a final planning workshop, and following this the individual will spend nine months in the community bringing their plan to life with the ongoing support of the Coady and Service Learning. As long as you are able to come up with an innovative idea on how that community will be
strengthened we will work with you using the Coady approach to development, which is a citizen lead and a community driven based approach. We will cover things like project planning and management, monitoring evaluation learning, budgeting all to bring the idea to life. Then you come back to the Coady Institute where you will re-visit with the ideas you have had, final logistics information and then you’re in the community for nine months with ongoing distance learning and support. The idea is that we’re building and strengthening leadership in the fellows as well as strengthening communities around the world,” notes Adam Baden-Clay on the process of developing change with the Oceanpath Fellowship program. Graduating students with an idea on how to improve a community with an idea for community development can visit oceanpathfellowship.ca to begin the application process. Applications for 2015/2016 are due on February 12th 2015. Students who are not graduating this year are reminded to keep their ideas in mind for the future as the program has been granted enough funding to last the next four years.
World Toilet Day
Three student societies plan to raise funds and awareness on World Toilet Day JULIA O’HANLEY | News Editor
On Wednesday, November 19th three student societies will be bringing World Toilet Day to StFX. Members of the Aquatics Resource Society, Environmental Society, and Development Studies Society have teamed up to raise funds and awareness surrounding lack of access to sanitary water sources in developing countries. World Toilet Day is an initiative mandated in 2001 by the UN General Assembly to call attention to the importance of sanitation on a global scale. Although the event is something Aquatic Resources Society facilitator Lynn Patterson has pitched to students in the past, President of the Aquatic Resources Society Alex Miller says this is the first time the day will be celebrated at StFX. The trio of societies will host a bake sale on the third floor of the SUB on the 19th to raise both funds and awareness. Miller notes a general lack of understanding of the realities surrounding access
to clean water on campus and worldwide. “There are some very simple, striking statistics. like the fact that there’s 2.5 billion people in the world that don’t have access
mental sustainability as well.” Funds raised from the bake sale will be donated to two water related charities: Ryan’s Well and Water Aid Canada. Ryan’s Well is
to clean, proper sanitation. 1.1 billion people in the world still practice open defecation, so they don’t have any kind of toilet or anything like that. [Water sanitation] impacts health and education of all these different regions, environ-
an Ontario-based charity founded in 2001 by Ryan Hreljac focusing on clean water and health-related projects in Africa. Water Aid is a similar foundation on a larger, international scale. The event is the Aquatic Re-
source Society’s first water sanitation event of the year and is expected to be followed by events on World Water Day in March. Miller hopes to continue working toward clean water and sanitation projects in developing countries through the societies through a panel discussion of StFX professors researching this field of study in the coming year. Although StFX is the only university in the region expected to participate in the event, Miller stresses that anyone can participate in the global initiative. “It is something that anyone can do. It’s something a lot of non-profit organizations tag along to because a lot of them are already working in water sanitation, but this is a concerted effort on one day of the year to specifically mark it [water sanitation].” Students interested in getting involved with World Toilet Day or the StFX Aquatic Resources Society are encouraged to visit their Twitter handle @StFXAquaSociety.
The Xaverian-Volume 123 Issue 6
NEWS
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Mulroney Institute: One Year Later Checking in on plans for Nicholson Hall renovations slated to begin in Spring 2015 JULIA O’HANLEY | News Editor
In November 2013 The Xaverian Weekly brought to light plans to expand and renovate Nicholson Hall into the Brian Mulroney Institute for Government. In our initial article, Vice President Advancement Tim Lang told us of plans to begin this project in the Spring of 2015 pending successful fundraising. One year later we caught up with Mr. Lang to see how the project was fairing for the university. A lot can change in a year, and the past twelve months are no exception. With the installation of Dr. Kent MacDonald as StFX’s 18th President in August and the release of a lengthy report of recommendations from a Task Force in October, 2014 has been eventful at StFX. However, amid all of the changes the plan to refurbish the aging Nicholson Hall into an Arts facility modeled loosely on the Kennedy School for Government at Harvard remained. Really all that has changed in the past year is the time frame for the commencement of construction. Last year, Lang hoped the project would start this coming Spring. Although fundraising is said to be going well, Lang told the Xaverian “We’re getting close [to fundraising goal] so I’m hoping that we can get shovels in the ground in 2015. If it is delayed it will for sure happen in 2016.” So just how well has fundraising been going? The initial goal of $40 million still stands, but is closer to completion than one year prior. Although he does not know the exact dollar amount left to raise, Lang is more convinced than twelve months ago, saying “We are confident that this project will happen which is great because a year ago I was barely sure it would hap-
pen.” Lang credits donations from Mulroney himself as well as those from the former Prime Minister’s bulky rolodex to the gradual completion of this goal. Very little if any of the $40 million dollars are expected to come from alumni, which is especially important to note following Dr. MacDonald’s announcement of plans to raise $25 million in the next five years from university alumni to allow more students the opportunity to come to StFX. “Luckily it [President MacDonald’s fundraising plan] is very separate. As President MacDonald said this is a great university, but the costs of tuition have outpaced inflation and it would just be a travesty if someone couldn’t come to StFX because of financial reasons. We want to create a bigger endowment and we’ve already started working on that too which is really exciting. We can have more students and more scholarships for lower income families.” As for the design of the building, there is still no final blueprint, but many of the proposed changes from last November remain. The renovation will likely mimic that of the Schwartz School of Business: “Kind of like how Schwartz was an old building and now part of it is new but most of the Schwartz School of Business is just an old building renovated inside, that is most likely what we will do with Nicholson. It is for cost reasons and also because structurally that building is quite good, just 60s-style. If you put windows, better seating, better technology, the facility side will be first class” encourages Lang. The Institute is still slated to feature
new curriculum, government internships, and program chairs. Although titled an “Institute for Government”, the Academic Priorities and Planning Committee responsible for the project plans to expand beyond Political Science into more of an interdisciplinary establishment with an emphasis on the Arts.”It will really be great for all of the Arts in general which from a StFX standpoint is so good because Business is doing well and Human Kinetics is doing well, but the Arts right across the country is in decline. We think this would be a great way not only to promote this [the Faculty of Arts], but also remind people the great
history that StFX has. Our Arts program was what we were known for. We’ve produced Prime Ministers, Premiers, Cabinet Ministers, and also through that leaders in education and health and union activists.” The institute of course will be named for one of these prestigious StFX alumni. Canada’s 28th Prime Minister The Hon. Brian Mulroney graduated with a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science at StFX in 1959 before continuing on to law school at Universite Laval. This follows the McKenna Centre for Leadership named for alumnus and former New Brunswick Premier Frank McKenna.
Movember at StFX
StFX Students’ Union plans another eventful mo-filled month ANGELA MACKENZIE | Senior Reporter
Mustaches, mustaches everywhere. It’s that time of year again; the time when men put down their razors and create the most epic mustache possible. Whether it’s a handlebar, walrus, or pencil stache, students throughout the campus are getting creative for another beautiful month of Movember. Although Movember may seem like a fun month to test your mustache growing skills, it is actually much more than that. The growth of manly facial hair is merely a symbol for a greater underlying issue. The mustache is a symbol to bring awareness to men’s health across Canada, especially prostate and testicular cancer, and Movember brings both finances and awareness to these certain types of cancer. According to statistics on ca.movember.com, the average life expectancy for Canadian men is 4 years less than woman and roughly 2 in 5 Canadians will develop cancer in their lifetime. 74% of premature deaths among men had an avoidable mortality accounted for. Movember is one way to bring awareness to the health issues that men face. There is a Movember foundation formed on the Movember website. This foundation “aims to change the way
of thinking by putting a fun twist on this serious situation. Using the mustache as a catalyst, the idea is to bring about change and give meant the opportunity and confidence to learn and take action when need-
charge of the Movember campaign this November. O’Connell and Mrazek have organized a month full of events for the cause including: Movember Dodgeball Tournament, Cash for the Stache, a key-
ed.” The Movember Foundation is the leading global organization committed to changing the face of men’s health. The StFX Student’s Union is doing its own part in bringing awareness and raising funds for this health issue among men. Pat O’Connell and Troy Mrazek are in
note speech with Dr. Greg Wells, Last Stache Bash at the Golden X Inn, and the Movember polar bear dip. Proceeds raised in all events will go toward Movember at StFX. The Students’ Union is also promoting Movember through the mustache mugs
posted both on Facebook and throughout campus. The Golden X Inn is a sponsor of this promotion which sees Students’ Union executives, councilors, house councils, and staff with fake orange mustaches residing on their upper lip. As well, the Inn is responsible for hosting most of the Movember events for the ‘mo bros and ‘mo sistas of the university. The U Clothing Store has once again began selling their historically popular Movember tank tops. Three different styles are available, each with a unique design. The shirts are a way the U is able to promote men’s health both even outside the barriers of November. StFX Movember efforts in the past have even seen celebrity endorsements from CBC personality Rick Mercer, DJ Skratch Bastid, and illusionist Wayne Hoffman. O’Connell and Mrazek hope their efforts extend to another successful year of Movember at StFX. Mrazek says Movember is not just for the ‘stache clad lads, but rather a campus-wide initiative, saying “I want to challenge the entire Xaverian community to participate, fundraise, and spark conversations surrounding men’s health.
4
Friday November 14, 2014-The Xaverian
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OPINIONS 5
The Xaverian-Volume 123 Issue 6
OPINIONS Victim blaming on campus We need to stop promoting rape culture JANE STEVENSON | Contributor
In a world with things like the “yes all women” hashtag, with celebrities like Taylor Swift and Emma Watson coming forward as feminists, and with little girls dropping f-bombs on the Internet for feminism, you would think we live in a world in which ‘rape culture’ and ‘victim blaming’ are phrases not found in our vocabulary. Sadly, this is not the case. As I was walking down the hallways of a residence a few days ago, a poster on a bulletin board caught my eye. The poster read, “16% of students say they have been taken advantage of sexually due to excessive drinking”, with a Smirnoff vodka bottle with “chlamydia” on the label. This poster is upsetting and infuriating for so many reasons This poster tells people that if someone
is violated against his or her will, it’s their fault. This is victim blaming and it runs rampant in society today. Victim blaming is the mentality that if someone is a victim of sexual violence, they were somehow ‘asking for it’ by exhibiting behaviours such as drinking, going out at night, wearing tight clothing, or simply engaging in conversation. All of these behaviours are basic freedoms that humans are entitled to, and do not indicate sexual consent. This poster is telling students that if they were sexually violated while drinking, it’s their fault. This may discourage students from going to police or seeking counseling, and could encourage the perpetrator to commit a similar crime again. Messages like these initiate a vicious cycle that can ruin lives of many students.
The poster also says “sexually transmitted infections are on the rise, wear a condom”. This sentence in small print at the bottom of the page is the cherry on top of the BS cupcake. I’m not entirely sure what message it’s trying to portray, but what I get from it is “if you do decide to take advantage of someone who is too drunk, make sure you use condoms”. It just adds to how ridiculous the message already is. I’m sure the group that put out these posters meant well, however there are many other ways to say “don’t drink too much”, and “wear a condom”. Contrary to what these posters and society may say, it is never the victim’s fault. Whether they were drunk, wearing tight clothing, or the perpetrator is someone they know, any crime committed is the de-
cision of the perpetrator. It could include crimes such as sexual assault, rape, nonconsensual distribution of sexual photos, or even theft. Asking questions like “what were they wearing? Were they drunk? Was the perpetrator drunk?” is like saying “You got robbed? Well you shouldn’t have been carrying money around, you were asking for it”. Ridiculous right? Sexual assault victims need to feel safe, supported and believed. So let’s stop victim blaming and promoting rape culture and make our campus a place where consent culture dominates. StFX’s sexual assault nurse examiner can be reached toll free 24/7 at 1-877-8807263. For further information, please visit: sites.stfx.ca/health_centre/sexual_assault.
Street Beats EMILY MACGREGOR | Opinions Editor
What did you do with your study day?
Sydney Bullen Second Year
“I went to New York and went shopping... and saw the Rockettes.”
Bryson Perrin Fourth Year
“I wrote an essay on where Mount Sinai is .”
Austin Carter Fourth Year
“I did a four-hour stragety meeting for our business strategy case competition coming up.”
Braelin Rowe Fourth Year
“On my study day I went to the gym.”
Lauren Ferris Fourth Year
“I went to Target... and did some Christmas shopping and then did about an hour of studying.”
Danny Devine FirstYear
“I...uhh...I kinda watched movies actually. And yeah. I watched movies. ”
Kohlin Rasenberg Fourth Year
“I went to the library and did some research for one of my papers, one of the many I have.”
Michaela Burns Second Year
“I went and had a spa day with my mom and then went shopping with my parents.”
6 OPINIONS
Friday November 14, 2014-The Xaverian
Ignorance in state education Failure to educate in basic psychology hurts human potential COLTAN THOMPSON | Psychology Columnist
There is no shortage of ways in which primary and secondary school fail today’s youth. Ragging on the public school system is one of those bandwagon issues that everyone can get behind. From institutionalized bullying, illiteracy, embarrassingly poor math skills, and frequent failure to prepare students for University, to more fundamental criticisms—that the state concerns itself with producing workers, not good minds—my complaint would not be unique if I did not go deeper still. Naturally, as a psychology major, I am biased towards psychological knowledge. Still, I would argue that basic understanding of psychological and sociological processes and phenomenon have relevancy to everyone. Forgo for the moment the formal teaching of psychology as an academic venture, as a program of study: psychology examines the mind, the context of our subjective human experience, and therefore most resembles a pure study of humanity. If being human is to experience consciousness, psychology studies the content that colours and crosses the state of consciousness. What are we doing with our specie self-knowledge, our expanding catalogue of psychological and sociological knowledge,? We relegate it to higher level studies, for the pleasure and entertainment of researchers and university students, and for the utility of clinicians. Meanwhile, the common continue to be educated in mathematics, written language, the
physical sciences, history, yet are deprived of knowledge that can assist in becoming better people by being more aware of others’ motives and thinking. The common are deprived of a knowledge base that lends itself perfectly to constructive introspection. Structured, grade twelve psychology courses offered in the style of University introductory psychology? No, let it be more fundamental...a nuanced integration of psychology into the primary and secondary levels of education. Once upon a time, religious education universally taught a theological psychology (and morality). Riddled with supernatural explanations and ideas that now go unsupported by research, religious education had the virtue of integrating various subjects of study, binding them under a theological umbrella heavy with human psychology—how the mind was prey and privy to supernatural forces and the like. Today, the basic, secular findings of psychology and sociology can be that binding element that gives meaning and context to the more utility-oriented disciplines. Amidst a plethora of practical knowledge aimed at preparing citizens for the work force, where is the soul of early education? From whence will our youth perceive context for practical studies? Meaning and morality, says the state, is not our concern. Do that in your off time. Go find a church. With the West’s division of church
and state, the state supposes that it either need not be concerned with meaning or that there is no secular equivalent to the meaning that closedsystem dogma provides. This is a narrow view. There is ample room in the secular worldview for meaning, at least for the inspired existentialist. Withhold the notion that secular knowledge can provide meaningful life guidance if it is too unbelievable; still, self-knowledge and understanding of others is retarded when people are ignorant of psychology. To be sure, many people are more perceptive than others and can intuit truths about the psyche without being taught them—the placebo effect was certainly conceived of before it was empirically demonstrated. The deprivation lies in the fact that the many, who are not so perceptive, are not given the basic tools to selfdiscovery and understanding. We must realize that people are not well equipped to realize their self-serving biases without being shown them. And those who do selfeducate are usually people who are already naturally insightful. We have always assumed that families and individuals are suited, at some basic level, to sort out their own personal and interpersonal issues. We assume that people can “figure it out” with regard to conflicts with others. As our knowledge of the mind grows, however, the gap between convenient assumption and reality resonates. We enable conflict
within the self and between the self and others by failing to disseminate knowledge of the mind. Rather than blather on in the absence of examples, what knowledge do I consider so important? I offer the placebo effect, which reminds us to caution ourselves against being too conclusive in situations of expectation; confirmation bias, which reminds us that we tend to support those beliefs that we want to believe; psychological reactance, which teaches us that prohibition never works effectively and is an outmoded form of curbing unwanted behaviour and a tactic better left in the past; the fundamental attribution error, which reminds us that we make excuses for ourselves but not for others; numerous persuasive techniques, the knowledge of which can buffer citizens against the media— particularly useful to any democracy worth its salt; deindividuation, which teaches how the self can dissolve into the many; cognitive dissonance, which tells us that we are often hypocritical, believing one thing and doing another, or holding conflicting beliefs for the sake of ulterior motives; belief intensification— how we often go into denial and believe something even more when faced with conflicting evidence; social norms and prejudice, understanding the superficiality of which can help children stand their ground against bullying and forces that would break them; how to deal with anxiety, depres-
sion, etc. and teaching the young to recognize and process negative emotions before they become issues in later life. At the moment, our treatment of mental health is largely responsive rather than preventative. Given that the greatest risk period in life for mental illness is in one’s teens and young adulthood, developing children need to be educated, arguably even assessed for risk. Taken together, I also find a rich knowledge of psychology to be effective in dismantling religious beliefs, something I do not find coincidental. But I will not elaborate on that here. You may have also noticed that the concepts I have mentioned are mostly taken from social psychology. This is because social psychology contains concepts relevant to the self and social relationships, and is a point of close convergence between psychology and sociology. Of course, there are far more concepts than these in personality, abnormal, and self psychology to name a few, plus large portions of sociology. Should anyone feel it is naive to think that incorporating psychology into early education can have any real effects, I would agree. It is unlikely that even early learning of psychology can fight widespread human preference for ignorance. Still, this does not mean that attempts to enlighten are pointless—I maintain that knowledge of psychology is integral to enlightenment, in the broadest sense of that word.
To do or not to do? That is the question (of getting involved)
CASSIA TREMBLAY | Staff Writer
It would be hard to spend a day on campus here at StFX and not notice the wealth of posters advertising events, societies, fundraisers, campaigns and much much more. So why is it then that the majority of events go under-attended? My experience on campus has led me to believe that there are two distinct groups of students: the ‘do-ers’ and the ‘don’t doers’. The do-ers are a proportionately small but heavily involved group of students who take on an awful lot. These students are on an
athletic team, sit on the Student’s Union, run a society, are involved in research with a professor, get great marks and somehow seem to also get some sleep. These are the students your parents want you to be and the students that you hate and admire all at the same time. Now for the rest of us: the don’t do-ers. You’ll know if you’re in this group without waiting to read a description. Maybe you signed up for a few societies and you really did mean to get involved, but something always stops you short of actually making it
out to that __________ (fill in with any relevant activity). If you’re a do-er, good on you! Keep on keeping on, making everyone else look bad while making campus and StFX look good. Now, if you are a don’t do-er you’re not alone in your inactivity. You may, in fact, actually be in the majority. Only a few examples are needed to illustrate the fact that we students to not take advantage of opportunities to be involved. For one, the 2014-2015 Student’s Union general election produced a voter turnout of only one
quarter of the student population (really guys, all you have to do is press a couple buttons). More recently, on October 29th of this year Stuart Knight, one of Canada’s most sought after motivational speakers, was only able to fill the middle section of the Schwartz auditorium. Have no fear don’t do’ers, it’s not too late to change your ways. We are incredibly lucky at StFX to have so many opportunities to make a positive change on our campus and to meet others with whom we have similar interests. If you see some-
thing that peaks your interest even a little bit, follow Nike’s advice and ‘Just do it’. Here are a few things to get you started: What: Visit the Ten Thousand Villages Festival Sale When: Nov 18, 19, 20 Where: MacKay Room, SUB What: Coffee House for Mental Health When: Nov 25, 6:00PM Where: MacKay Room, SUB What: theu.ca, select the ‘How you can get InvolvedVolunteer opportunities’ tab
OPINIONS 7
The Xaverian-Volume 123 Issue 6
Five stages of November
There is a ‘no’ in the name for a reason ERIKA KINACH | Contributor
This has recently happened to all of us: the dawn of the penultimate month of the year. It creeped up like a big black cougar waiting to prey on its next meal. I functioned for about a week, but ironically as soon as I gave myself a reality check and attempted to get it together, I crashed and burned. Over the last few years I’ve come to notice that my emotions ride the same roller coaster during this month, and I’m sure others can relate: 1. Denial November came in like a wrecking ball. All of a sudden, everything is due. I find myself staying up late memorizing structural components of various animals and plants that I didn’t even know existed 12 hours before the second midterm, and I must frantically complete paper after paper conveniently all due within a 72 hour period. This isn’t real! In my mind, it’s still Frosh Week, and I’m still living every Wing Night like it’s my first.
2. Anger My pulse begins to race and jitters come over me like they haven’t since I watched Leonardo Dicaprio’s latest movie. My entire body gets uncomfortably sweaty and my knees get a little bit weak like I am Eminem in 2002. Am I being attacked? Told I have Ebola? Killed, or worse, expelled? While hard to possibly imagine, it is a more deadly combination than any of those options put together. I want to scream at every single person on this campus. In my mind, THEY are the reason it’s November 8 and I haven’t started writing my thesis. It was fine until they started doing their work to make me look behind, am I right? Why me? Why do lab exams happen to good people? Emergence from this stage of utter acrimony comes from realizing the sad reality that all of your mistakes have now become your consequences. 3. Bargaining This is where I start to come to terms
with the fact that I have created my own death trap, but I can turn to some sort of higher power and sacrifice a penance for a miniscule amount of relief. I promise I will write out all my notes right after I have attended the lecture. I swear I will actually do the readings ahead of time (or at all). Heck, as a final hail Mary I will spend more time in the library than my own home until 2015 if I can attend one more Wing Night. 4. Depression This is when everything reminds you of your loss of sanity, time, and a general grip on your life. You want to get up, go to the library, the PSC, or even your prof’s office hours to beg for forgiveness, but it’s just so hard. You are never going to the liquor store again, because that symbolizes hope, something that you have absolutely none of right now. Showering, cooking food, getting up for class, and putting on real pants are the most uphill of battles at this point. You start to see the now-thick Movember
mustaches on campus as a metaphor for the dark cloud of impending doom that hangs over your upper lip of life. 5. Acceptance You realize that it’s November 30 and there’s only 3 days until December 3rd, a glorious day no matter if you’ll be getting your X-Ring within the next week or the next 3 years. Maybe I shouldn’t have worn an all-grey sweat suit to the library 4 days in a row, but desperate times call for desperate measures. Get back to work and keep the memories of this month in your mind for next year. Like the upper lips of those not participating in Movember, you too will have your slate wiped clean come the first of December. This is the final stage of your personal TV movie where you ascend from your cocoon of crappy coffee and eye bags to a beautiful winter wonderland. “X Gonna Give it to Ya” starts playing, signaling triumph. Congrats! You’ve made it through this awful month – Frost Week is a stone’s throw away.
#100DaysofHappy There is a time for #happy and a time for #sad ASHLEY DUGUAY | Contributor
Most of us girls on campus, perhaps maybe even a few gents, have hashtagged something #100DaysofHappy. You know what I mean. If you haven’t, at least one of your friends on Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram have. My whole point is that unless you were off with Gandalf on a grand adventure then you know the hashtag I’m talking about. It started off with great intentions: to help make people more aware of the little things in their lives that made them happy for 100 days, to change it from an Instagram challenge into a daily habit. “Finally got my pumpkin spice latte! #starbucks #pumpkinspice #100DaysofHappy.” Well you see, that’s great and all, I really appreciate the sentiment, but the thing is, we don’t have to be happy for 100 days, because life happens. This new social media driven phenomenon has created a cultural mindset of continual happiness. When you’re feeling sad, think of something else that makes you happy and it will make you feel better. When you’re upset with someone, think of something nice you did with them instead, make yourself happy again. It ‘s almost like this kind of cultural bootcamp that came along and just brainwashed us into thinking that we need to be happy all the time, when in fact more of us than ever are dealing with mental health issues such as anxiety , depression, bipolar disorder, ADD, ADHD, or visual or auditory impairments. This idea that we should be always be happy is slowly making us more and more depressed. We’re human beings. Human beings can imagine, possess theory of mind, we can sympathize and empathize with others, even with animals, and we have such a vast array of emotions that we
are able to experience, but we’re being told to only feel the happiness. Fuck that shit. If you’ wake up and you realize that you slept through a class you had a quiz that was worth 25% of your grade, you’re allowed to be aggravated and in a bad mood. If you and your petit-ami end things on a Friday and you don’t get anything accomplished over the weekend because you’re all you want to do is mope around and be sad, then do that. Allow yourself to feel the emotions that you are meant to feel as a human being. But again, everything in moderation. Allow yourself the time for your mind and your body to feel whatever emotion it needs to process. Don’t ever try to deal with an emotion by trying to suppress it all together. It never works, and it never happens without causing collateral damage. You have to accept the emotion you are feeling and make a decision: how am I going to react? I’ve allowed my body and mind their time, now what is my next move? Do I hold on to the emotion and let it fester, or do I let it go? Once you make that decision, your entire chest will feel as though pounds have been lifted off. Learning to separate your “being” mind (our current circumstances that are causing the emotions) and your “doing” mind (the mind that is constantly on reminding you of things and planning reactions) allows you the time to be human, without having to hashtag about it. Instead of #100DaysofHappy, try #100DaysofEmotions. Go for it. Post that selfie from the library and hashtag it #sofrustrated #willthiseverend? Take a picture of the pile of dishes that has accumulated in your sink over exam time and tag it #fuckthisshit #hatedoingdishes. Or a picture of you
and your best friend from high school who you haven’t seen in a long time #feelingmelancholic #missyou #best-
friends. So go ahead, have your grumpy days, and Instagram them shamelessly.
8 FEATURE
Friday November 14, 2014-The Xaverian
“It’s essential live theatre.” That is how long-time Artistic Director of Theatre Antigonish Ed Thomason describes his latest production of Mary Shelley’s classic gothic horror story, Frankenstein. The ‘timeless’ story as Thomason describes it, written in 1818 about young ambitious scientist Dr. Frankenstein and his monstrous creation, still applies to modern audiences almost two centuries later. “The idea of Frankenstein is still very much in the culture, it’s not going to go away. This is a book that was written in 1818, it’s hundreds of years old written by an 18 year old woman, and she has just come up with an idea that is going to live on and live on and live on”, says Thomason. The company of approximately fifteen actors, mostly StFX students, will be putting on an adaptation of Shelley’s work by Dorothy Louise, a version which intrigued Thomason greatly. “First of all it’s very faithful to the Marry Shelley book”, he said. “But the really interesting thing about it is that it gives the Creature a voice and it’s a fascinating rela-
tionship between him and this young scientist Frankenstein, the way their relationship is explored. It’s a very moving adaptation, very clever. I think those that know the book will find it intriguing and those that don’t know the book will get a wonderful dramatic introduction.” Dr. Frankenstein himself will be played by first year Human Kinetics student, and Miramichi, New Brunswick native Tyler Kingston. Kingston’s love for acting began in his grade eleven high school drama club and was pushed to audition for Theatre Antigonish by friends. Upon being cast in the lead role, Kingston felt shocked. “I was like, ‘Why me? I’m only a first year’. I thought everyone else in the auditions was doing way better than me so I was like, ‘Ok I’m not going to question it, I’m just going to go with it.’ I was intimidated but then I thought an opportunity like this may never come again so I just jumped on with it”, says Kingston of landing the role. “When I met him, I asked him what he liked to do, and he just happened to say I’m reading [Lord George]Byron”, says Thomason of first meeting Kingston. “Now he’s a kinesiology major, he’s not an English major, and he’s reading Byron who was with [Mary] Shelley in Geneva when she started to write Frankenstein, so that was interesting. He was also reading Wordsworth, so he’s an interesting young man.” The most challenging aspect of taking on the role for Kingston has been the ‘archaic’ language and terms of the script. “It’s kind of like
doing Shakespeare”, he says. Of his character, Kingston adds, “The big thing we’re trying to play on in this adaptation, is that Frankenstein, the doctor, is not a mad scientist, he’s a kid who’s our age basically who is just trying to do the best that he can. He does have this terrible ambition and it leads to massive mistakes but that’s all it is. He’s a pretty human character, not a complete freak.” “The play happens in flashbacks. When he starts telling the story, he’s seventeen, he’s got a great friend named Henry, he’s got the girl of his dreams, he sets off to university to do great things, he’s
motivated by tragedy around him. He hates death, he can’t stand it”, he continues. “What drives him to create life, is this fear of death, fear of disease. Then of course when he actually succeeds at it, it spirals completely out of control.” Playing Frankenstein’s monster is Martin Helle, Ottawa native and philosophy major at StFX, who most recently appeared in the Theatre Antigonish production of Macbeth, as Banquo. “It’s a very articulate, very eloquent monster which is surprising, definitely not what people expect. He’s kind of this misunderstood murderer really”, says Helle of his character. “There’s a lot of emotion behind it which is neat because, it’s nice to
The Xaverian-Volume 123 Issue 6
FEATURE
escape where you can be someone else for a change. He just lays it all out nice and raw and it’s fun to do that.” Despite being a gothic horror story, Helle emphasizes that there is more to the story than just frights. “It’s a matter of human nature. He’s utterly alone and he’s just trying to develop his own personality, his meaning”, says Helle. “It’s a good story, everyone can relate to it, and it’s a theme that is relevant to today. There’s a sense of morality behind it and about how you should treat people.” Thomason believes that the show will be able to deliver an exhilarating experience to audiences, with a simplistic fluid set, while taking advantage of the intimate Bauer Theatre. “You can create tension and creepiness in this theatre quite well even though it’s got no bells and whistles”, he says. Thomason adds that all StFX students, whether they consider themselves theatre lovers or not, should take advantage of the chance to see a classic tale such as Frankenstein come to life on the stage. “My belief is, there are 4000 students on this campus. I think a lot of them don’t know that they are potential theatre goers. Just come and see a show where you sit in the same room as a bunch of live actors who tell you this fantastic story, and it’s an experience like no other. I’m saying to students, come and try it out. It’s just exciting to be in the same room while this big story that we’re all vaguely familiar with gets told in this particular way. It’s just great entertainment.” Theatre Antigonish presents: Frankenstein, November 20-23 at the Bauer Theatre on the StFX campus. Curtain at 8pm. For tickets call 902-867-333 or visit tickets.festivalantigonish.com.
ARTCLE BY - Sean McEvoy- Editor-in-Chief LAYOUT BY - Lewis Forward-Features Editor
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10 ARTS & CULTURE
Friday November 14, 2014-The Xaverian
ARTS & CULTURE The Waffle Bus: Settling Down A permanent lcoation for the popular spot for sweet and savory waffle treats CASSIA TREMBLAY | Staff Writer
Things I love: waffles, summertime, affordable prices, unusual and tasty combinations and more waffles. Things I don’t love: cold wind, knee-deep slush, and the “Waffle Bus” closing over winter. Thankfully Nicole Broussard and Alexandre Calestagne are two steps ahead of me. The infamous yellow Waffle Bus will be taking permanent root on the corner of St. Ninian and College Street as an extension of the current business platform. With a name yet-to-be-announced you can look for the take-out style mini restaurant opening sometime this December. Starting with their humble beginnings four years ago as Authentic Belgian Waffles at the Antigonish Farmers’ Market, this waffle duo has received an amazing response from town residents and StFX students alike. They are committing to the project full-time and are excited about the new direction the business will take. In the past, poor weather has halt-
ed waffle production and consumption during the winter. Alex and Nicole hope that the new venue will allow them to form a deeper con-
of daily hours, menu, and happiness (my own, primarily). While increasing accessibility was a priority for Nicole and Alex, it wasn’t
ety of organic and fair-trade coffee they serve. The focus of the new shop will be on offering convenient, healthy, and tasty light snacks and
nection with students by remaining open throughout the fall-winter school semester, dishing out tasty treats like the seasonal fruit party waffle all year long. The new shop not only means an extension of waffle-serving season, but also
the only temptation to plant roots. The permanent location will allow the creative couple to offer a wider variety of smoothies, sweet and savory waffles, and hot drinks. Alex is particularity excited that the shop will allow them to expand the vari-
salads (and waffles) that double as comfort food. What will happen to the Waffle Wagon, you ask? Have no fear; you will still be able to catch the waffles-onwheels at the Saturday Antigonish Farmers market. Beyond that, the truck will
Lest we forget The significance of the poppy
ANGELA MACKENZIE| Senior Reporter
“In Flanders’ fields the poppies grow between the crosses row on row, That mark our place; and in the sky the larks, still bravely singing, fly. Scarce heard amid the guns below.” A quote from John McCrae’s poem In Flanders Fields. This poem is nationally known and is heard every Remembrance Day as a sign of respect to the veterans and of those fallen. Another sign of respect is to wear the famous poppy, begging the question: why a poppy? What is the significance of a single red flower worn on the coats of civilians and veterans every year during the month of November? The Poppy has stood as a symbol of remembrance since the year 1921 and its origin can be traced on an international level. In Flanders, France there is a grave site for hundreds of soldiers who passed away during battle. This grave site became home to an area
covered in poppies. It was a field of red surrounding the white grave stones. According to the legion, just before World War I, very few poppies were seen growing in Flanders. However, when the battle occurred in this location the bombing uplifted the soil. The explosions of the war allowed the terrain to be reestablished. The rich soil hiding beneath the surface emerged. This allowed the terrain to become rich enough to grow a sea of poppies. A certain amount of soldiers were buried there and the poppies continue to grow in an abundance around the graves. The Famous poet John McCrae was able to capture this vision in his poem: the poppies and the soldiers lying peacefully, the white and red creating a scene of beauty. The poppy is traditionally worn from the last Friday of October until the end of the day on Nov 11. Everyone, both
civilian and veteran, should wear the poppy during this time. It is a way to honour the thousands of Canadians who fought in the wars. Many passed away fighting and the poppy is worn to remember their spirit. The poppy is worn for the veterans, so they can see how many people support their fallen comrades. During any Remembrance Day ceremony the poppy should be worn the entire time. However, during the ceremony it is also shown as a sign of respect to remove the poppy from your person and place it on a wreath to show direct respect to the fallen soldiers. “To you from falling hands we throw the torch; be yours to hold it high. If ye break faith with us who die we shall not sleep, though poppies grow in Flanders fields.” - John McCrae.
continue to be used to create community connections by serving up tasty treats at events like Antigonight: Art After Dark and festivals throughout the summer months. If you’re not already convinced that you need to check out the Waffle Bus or the soon-to-be-restaurant, just read these descriptions of Alex and Nicole’s favorite treats: Nicole loves the Nuke, a creation inspired by a waffle-committed StFX student. The Nuke boasts a healthy heaping of veggies, an egg, and aioli. On the other hand, Alex likes to make his own creations. His most recent favorite was a waffle sandwich including ham, cheese, banana peppers, spinach, an egg, and aioli. If you’re waffles about waffles, you’ll want to watch for announcements about the opening of the new restaurant on the Authentic Belgian Waffles page on Facebook. Until then, track down the yellow wagon before the snow falls!
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Island Sol by Keith Mulins review “In the rhythm of the waves you can find your island soul.” LINDSAY JOHNSTONE | Staff Writer
If you like listening to Caribbean style music, with a twist of Cape Breton Maritime music, with a hint of blues, then the album Island Sol is for your listening tastes! Keith Mullins has recorded yet another studio album. It’s not your typical studio album. Island Sol was recorded in Nova Scotia and also in Havana, Cuba. The titles of the songs like “First World Problems”, “Change the World”, and “Salvadora” attract people from a wide variety of backgrounds. With the songs written by Keith Mullins or co-written along with various other local artists from the Maritimes such as Gordie Sampson and Lennie Gallant, the album will no doubt attract a variety of listeners. The song “Hola” has a reggae influence, so reggae lovers, this tune is for you! There is a very strong connection between Cape Breton Island and the Caribbean Island of Cuba in this album as Mullins has connected the two genres of music seamlessly. There are many hints of different types of genres in this album, so you really can’t dislike any of these songs
because there are such a variety of genres with the mix of Cape Breton and Cuban music as the main theme of each tune. The instruments have a wide variety of sounds, ranging from congas to the dobro, cello, fiddle, and many more! There are even Spanish lyrics along with English lyrics. Island Sol is great album to listen to if you are feeling like taking a road trip. The songs on the album are energetic; yet they have a relaxing feel to their tempos as well. There is the passionate sound of the Spanish style guitar playing; it’s almost something you would hear in a Tango. The album is also a good listen for people who want to broaden their listening horizons. I can tell you there is no other album quite like it. You really must listen to this album to grasp the unique intricate sounds of the Cuban and Cape Breton music blend. You might be even inspired to start to dance… the song “In Due Time” is certainly a toe tapper – if not a full on, get out of your seat and dance piece. There are plenty of opportunities in this song to hear each instrument individually as there are many solo breaks which feature the instru-
ments. If you are not familiar with Maritime performers, Keith Mullins is a
well-known artist in the region who you should definitely have a listen to.
Fine dining on a student budget Earasing the stigma of Gabrieau’s as “the expensive place in town” GRAHAM HAYNES |Managing Editor
Widely awarded and critically acclaimed, it is an honour to have a restaurant the caliber of Gabrieau’s in our small town. Trained at the Culinary Institute of America, throughout Europe and around the Mediterranean food culture, there are few people that can claim the pedigree of chef Mark Gabrieau. The restaurant has taken Eastern culinary awards by storm, winning restaurant of the year in the Taste of Nova Scotia Chef Inspired Fine Dining category (2013), the Restaurant Association of Nova Scotia’s Best Wines List (2013), Green Restaurant Award (2013), the Triple A 3 Diamond Award (2012), the Ethics in Business Award by the Maritime Better Business Bureau (2012). All of these awards just begin to touch on the recent awards garnered by the restaurant, chef, and team, which opened their doors in 1998. Chef Mark, who began cooking at age 12 at an Italian restaurant in
Windsor, Ontario, combined with the managerial and people skills of his wife Karen, have created an incredible dining experience that is second only to the impeccable record for environmental care and community giving they can, but don’t, boast - at a price, surprisingly, a student can afford. In all seriousness, I think everyone knows Gabrieau’s as “the expensive place”. Sure, they sell lamb, duck and lobster entrees in the $30 range and incredibly luxurious magnums of wine. However, these are items you won’t see at other restaurants you would be comparing them to, such as Boston Pizza or the Brownstone Cafe. In fact, from an objective perspective, their sushi platter, at $21, is enough for two people (date material, anyone?) which makes them a great alternative to the aged carpet and thirty minute wait at Sense of Japan. Furthermore, their roasted chicken penne, at $17, is en-
tirely comparable with the likes of the Brownstone. Add a few specialty cocktails and martinis at their inhouse, award-winning bar, and I must say there is incredible potential for a good night. What I was most impressed by, though, is their environmental record. Gabrieau’s prides itself on being environmentally friendly. Where does your produce come from? The owners, Karen & Mark, manage a half-acre farm nearby their house where they grow field and greenhouse vegetables year round which is then immediately used in the restaurant. What do they use to fertilize this farm? All waste at Gabrieau’s is meticulously sorted, with all food waste being repurposed to fertilize their farm. All cleaning supplies are made of biodegradable materials except for those required by law, and energy saving strategies are employed with pain staking precision, which led the Nova Scotia Depart-
www.xaverian.ca next print issue: December 4th-2014
ment of the Environment to award Gabrieau’s with their highest honour, the Mobius award, for environmental stewardship. Along with gold sponsorship of Festival Antigonish, longtime support of the SPCA, St. Martha’s Hospital Foundation, and others, I was wholly impressed by the environment, food, stewardship, and community activity being done by Gabrieau’s restaurant. Never been there? That’s fine. On Nov 20 at 6 PM, for $40 you can come out for a wine tasting and three course meal at Gabrieau’s Bistro where Chef Mark will teach you dining etiquette for when you graduate and need to tell that future employer about the reason you selected a chardonnay – “because it was 15% alcohol” is a viable answer too. November 20th 6:00pm Gabrieau’s Bistro (19+) Tickets: $40 - includes wine tasting and three course meal
12 ARTS & CULTURE
Friday November 14, 2014-The Xaverian
Featured artist: Ashley Pettipas Bringing StFX artists into the foreground
DEVON GREENE | Culture Editor
This week’s featured artist is fourth year business student, Ashley Pettipas. Like many people who grew up in Antigonish, Pettipas participated in the 4H program from an early age. At 13 years old she started learning about photography through the organization, which was the beginning of a passion that has grown and evolved to become a significant part of her life today. Things seemed to fall into place for this marketing major when she landed a job in the advancement department of the university in only her first year of study. “It involves graphic design, photography, all the fun stuff of communications and marketing,” Pettipas says about her job. Seeking more training in the skills required for her position, Pettipas enrolled in the Intro to Design class offered by the St FX Art Department, thus taking her first step into the world of visual art at St FX. After taking the design class, Pettipas decided to expand her artistic horizons with other classes such as weaving and stain glass. She says that as someone who has trouble drawing by hand the hands on skills suit her better than the painting and drawing classes that are offered. Being a bit more familiar with the design aspect of art, Pettipas was able use a computer program that she was familiar with in order to create the images that are required before using the actual stained glass. Pettipas emphasizes the concern the
professors in the art department have for all of their students and are always more than willing to lend a helping hand, something Pettipas was greatful for after breaking her own. Two weeks into the semester, Pettipas was faced with a broken wrist, making it difficult to use her camera and participate in her studio classes. But not even a broken wrist was able to stop this artist, although it did make things much more difficult. “It’s such a hands on thing. You literally have to use to hands to cut [the glass] so I couldn’t cut. After you cut you have to soften the edges to you don’t cut your fingers, using grinding, which I had to do with one hand. It’s a really hands on course and you learn by doing a lot. Despite having to take time off to allow her injury to heal, Pettipas was able to complete her project early and is very happy with the finished product. Although she has not been able to take any hands on photography courses at St FX, Pettipas is excited that next semester’s selected topics course will be a class in the history of photography. Despite starting at an early age, it has only been in the past year that things have re-
ally taken off for Pettipas on the photography scene. Her current job and future aspirations to work in the marketing field require a lot of photography work from a professional stand point, however, Pettipas also loves the artistic side of photography. “All the things that I take pictures of are things that I love. So I take pictures of family, of a little girl I know who’s like a little sister to me; When I went to Montreal I took a bunch of pictures from there… something that you’re really passionate about.” It was in Montreal that Pettipas took advantage of
the busy streets to experiment with creating light trails through long exposure photography after being encouraged to get to know the city better as part the French Immersion program Explore. “[I took the photos] just for fun really… I just was like, ‘Hey, I want to go take some pictures of light trails’ because in Montreal, every street is so photogenic, and I literally just thought, what a good keep sake. I’m not there often and I love the city, it’s like my second home because I’m from Antigonish and so it’s just such a contrast between the small town and the big city.” Pettipas knew exactly what she wanted when she set out to capture her light trails, as is usually for her photography endeavors. “I specifically knew I was going to New Port to shoot light trails. I’m pretty specific when I have things going.” Aside from the occasional spur of the moment photograph of the perfect moment, Pettipas is the type to have the idea in mind before taking out her camera, almost as though she can see the image in her head before setting out to create it in real life. Pettipas’ ability to imagine where a great photograph might be hiding before she sees it herself may come from her overall dreamy personality. “I daydream all the time because it gives you a chance to experience things you may not have otherwise had the privilege to!” Pettipas describes a shooting star as being representative of her love of dreaming and imagining and claims it is the reason why she loves look-
ing at the stars. Pettipas even did an image of a shooting star for her project in the stained glass course. A love for dreaminess and light is reflected in Pettipas’ photography from technique to the choice of subject. Of all the different aspects that can be used to create a dynamic photograph, Pettipas seems to be drawn to creating drama in her photos through her choices in lighting. Although her creativity in angles and composition are also present in her photos, Pettipas is able to create a captivating and striking image out of an otherwise mundane object through unique lighting. Silhouettes, sunsets and light trails are some of Pettipas’ best pieces. Her airy, dreamy personality certainly comes across in the softness of her photos. The occasional photo features a hard subject with sharp angles, however these are often black and white photos, returning a little bit of softness to the image, something Pettipas seems to do without even realizing she is doing it. By turning an interest into a job and a job into an artistic passion, Pettipas’ immersion in photography continues to evolve. It is clear that her photographs come from her heart, as each one is a reflection of her gentle and creative personality. This unique characteristic in her photos ads a personal touch to each one. To see more photographs by Ashley Pettipas, visit her website, AP photography at http://apshamrockarts.wix. com/apphotography
DISTRACTIONS 13
The Xaverian-Volume 123 Issue 6
DISTRACTIONS KURT BROTHERS | Harry Potter Fanatic
Spotted’s Say: Mo Bros Have Arrived Whether girls like the scruff y look or not, they have to accept it through the month of November, as the goal is to change the face of
Best Tinder Pickup Lines
men’s health. Movember is a campaign that is really taken
Taken from all corners of the earth (aka the
seriously at X, as almost all
internet) these lines are guaranteed to raise
of the guys; whether they
eyebrows, and get you promptly blocked from
can or can’t grow a stache,
everyone’s favorite dating app
participate. Even the girls participate as much as they can by raising money for this movement. As soon as November 1st hits each year, the page receives numerous Movember related posts, such as, “Shout out to all the awesome mustaches on campus, way to rep Movember! Throw a compliment towards these guys when you see them,” as well as, “Feel free to come up and ask to touch our beautiful face-flow, they don’t bite and neither do we.” This November in particular, there has been a focus on the “man-bun,” where some girls wish that November became no shave as well as no haircut November. There’s something about the man-bun in which it can instantly make a guy look artsy and classy. It’s a controversial trend, but from what I can see from the spotted posts, the girls at X love the shaggy look. There were many similar posts to this one, “Shoutout to all the guys rockin’ the man bun, you make my panties drop.” So, whether you dig the look or not, November is an important month, and the guys and girls at this school are doing an impeccable job raising awareness on men’s health. Sincerely,
Spotted
Movember: Expectations vs. Reality
1) “I want to paint you green and spank you like a disobedient avocado.” 2) “Brian, Dana, Evan, and Joey are all going to the movies. Brian must sit next to Dana but Dana cannot sit next to Evan. Joey would like to sit next to Brian and Evan needs to sit in an aisle seat. If Dana sits next to Joey, will you sit on my face?” 3) “Are you my appendix? Because I don’t understand how you work, but this feeling in my stomach makes me want to take you out.” 4) “Fuck one, marry one, kill one: Me, Hitler, me again. Go!” 5) “I heard you’re looking for a stud, I’ve got the STD, all I need is U.” 6) “I’m not sure what’s smaller: the chance that you aren’t going to go out with me, or my penis.” 7) ”Roses are red, violets are fine, I’ll be the 6 if you be the 9.”
SPORTS & HEALTH
SPORTS & HEALTH X-Women rugby team claims CIS title StFX team wins fourth national championship in its history, second in three years AARON THORNELL | Sports & Health Editor
Everyone at StFX will say it was never in doubt, although this CIS victory was not as effortless as it has been in previous years for the StFX women’s rugby team. The finals were being played at the University of Guelph, and the X-Women defeated the McMaster Marauders by a score of 43-34 to capture their fourth CIS championship. This win closed out a perfect CIS tournament, as the X-Women defeated Alberta 41-7 and Western 27-24 on their way to the final. Yet, a StFX presence in the CIS finals was given its biggest test in the second of two roundrobin match-ups. The X-Women would require a try in the final minutes of play as they trailed the Western Mustangs by a score of 24-20 entering the final minutes of regulation. Emma Taylor would answer the call, scoring her third try of the game, giving the X-Women a 27-24 lead after Sabrina McDaid added the conversion. The final game would be
equally exciting, as it saw the most combined points scored in a CIS final, as the previous record of 44 in 2003 and 2008 was shattered by this year’s 77. The offensive match saw fantastic play by both teams, and the score had reached 24-19 in favour of StFX by the time halftime was reached. In the early stages of the game, however, McMaster’s Saffara Whiteley-Hoffelner was dominant, scoring and setting up a try, to give the Marauders a 19-10 advantage with only 15 minutes remaining in the first half. The X-Women, relying on their powerful forward line, would score two tried before the half was out, one by first year Joanna Alphonso and the other by veteran Taylor, to regain the lead. Alphonso and Taylor would continue their strong play in the final half of women’s CIS rugby, as Alphonso would set up two tries, and Taylor would add an insurance try in the 75th minute to seal a StFX. The X-Women did a fantastic
job stymying the speed of McMaster’s wingers, focusing on keeping the pressure on their ball-distributers, and as a result, not allowing the ball to make it out to the flanks. Meanwhile, the StFX forward line was able to overpower the McMaster side. Sabrina McDaid was named the StFX player of the game, while Saffara Whiteley-Hoffelner received the honours for the Marauders. X-Woman Emma Taylor earned the player of the
tournament MVP, as she scored seven tries over the course of the three-game tournament. Taylor, alongside teammates Catherine MacKeigan and Brooke Newsome were named to the tournament all-star team. This was the seventh final appearance and fourth CIS championship for the X-Women in the program’s 17-year history. Only the University of Alberta has more titles, as they claimed five consecutive wins from 1999 to
2004. It is expected that the XWomen will regain their number one CIS ranking before entering next year’s action. The X-Women will be losing at least three players to eligibility following this season, as Emma Taylor, Jenna Downey, Caitlain Blanchard have reached their fifth year of varsity athletics. There are another six athletes who are in their fourth year of both schooling and eligibility.
Left: The championship photo Above: Tournament MVP Emma Taylor
The unwritten rules at the gym These bits of ettiquette might just help you earn respect and a new workout partner LAURA ALOISIO | Columnist
Going to the gym requires hard work and dedication. So for all of you committed to your routine the Xaverian applauds you for hitting the gym instead of hitting the snooze. We also understand that when you get to the gym you expect others to follow a set of unspoken rules concerning proper etiquette. The problem with unspoken rules? They are easily broken. So we have decided to put them out in the open so everyone can get a long in our shared spaces on and off campus. We reached out to your local GoodLife fitness manager, Alex Capson, for some help. Alex explained that banging weights is not the sign of an aggressive workout. Controlling your weight is not just about showing respect for the equipment, but also for your own safety. “If you can’t control the weight then it’s too heavy and you need to use a lower weight and work your way up. This will also help save your back in the future!” Also, after using free-weights, don’t just put them down anywhere. By the end of the day the gym floor is a land mine. The
staff and other gym members don’t need an extra workout cleaning up after you and it creates a hazardous environment. As for bringing your cell phone, we understand that we all need musical inspiration to make it through that middle set. However, using the camera to take the obligatory selfie is going too far. Although every one of your followers would love a shot of you with full makeup in mid bicep curl with that “I look awesome” face, cameras are an inva-
Please, please, don’t be this person. Please. Via Flickr Creative Commons
sion of everyone’s privacy and should never be used. Besides, no one wants to find themselves as the new “before” poster child for any health ad. Phone gym etiquette extends beyond camera use to texting and talking. Texting is fine as long as it’s done when you are not sitting perched on the machine holding people up who have been waiting patiently. Talking is also acceptable as long as you remember that speaking loud to compensate the spinning treadmill is annoying to those around you. Beside, no one really wants to hear about your escapades from Friday night. Remember to always wipe down the equipment when you are finished working out. Coughing into your arm instead of your hands can help stop the transfer of germs from your hands to the weights. Nobody likes to catch a cold especially by trying to be healthy going to the gym. It’s not just the weights or handles of the treadmills and elliptical. Be sure to give the keys you touched and bench you sweat on a quick wipe down. Oh, and just to be clear, wearing deodorant isn’t just for
after the workout. And speaking of last Friday night, we all loved you in those skintight clothes, but please save it for the pub. Gym clothes should fit well, not too loose or tight, and support your assets while keeping them private. You may be trying to develop the body of the Incredible Hulk but he had a reason for wearing ripped clothes and tight cutoffs. Another workout faux pa is signing up for group classes and then not showing up. This leaves others, that wanted to attend the class, left leaving early and a class, expected to be full, with empty spots. We all know that there are limited spaces for the fitness classes so please, if you sign up, show up or at least, come by and remove your name from the list. When you have finished your workout, don’t end your gym visit on a bad note. We know that you are entitled to a nice shower and a clean change of clothes but consider those around you. Spreading out your wardrobe, personal hygiene products and the 8 pages of your term paper that you need to edit on the
bench may make your life easier, but disrespects those around you. Keep the space around you neat and organized and only use space you require. If someone else shows up, make an effort to consolidate further. And for everyone’s sake, cover up. Your art professor may have lectured on the beauty of the human form but even they would have to admit that a locker-room was never the setting used by the great masters. And for everyones sake, dry off before returning to the benches. Leaving a trail of water may help forensics track your location but is just plain gross to others. The gym is a public place that is shared by everyone. Although we are there for a limited time, the setting, close quarters and locker-room interaction makes us all limited term roommates. These guidelines will help keep you safe and healthy during your workout and avoid ruining the experience for everyone else. Make sure the next time you ask someone why you haven’t seen them at the gym, their response isn’t “You”.
SPORTS & HEALTH
The Xaverian-Volume 123 Issue 6
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X-Men fall short at Loney Bowl A look at what fall sports are coming to a close, and which are just heating up AARON THORNELL | Sports & Health Editor
Ever so close. The final game of the season for StFX’s football team, played this past Remembrance Day weekend, would prove to be a sobering loss. It would have been a far shot, as they had come in as significant underdogs, but who amongst us didn’t have that wild hope in our minds, thinking that some sort of championship was on the horizon. Alas. Sorry, that got really emotional. To be honest though, there was a big part of me really hoping, beyond school support, that the X-Men would get the win this year, with all that I’ve heard and read concerning the football program this year. In the end, however, a 29-7 loss to the Mt. Allison Mounties, a team who didn’t lose a game this whole season in the AUS regular season, and a StFX team that will have to wait till next year to make another run. The Loney Bowl, as it is known, was played in little Sackville, NB, on the renowned MacAulay field, the field that supposedly provides the largest home-field advantage in the AUS division, due to the fact that it is grass, while the other three teams play on turf. Figure it out Mt. Allison, grass in the Maritimes just isn’t a good idea...unless you have a football team that can play on it I guess. I’m just bitter. StFX’s Jeremy Ford, had the opportunity to put the X-Men up by a field goal on their opening, but missed his kick. After that, the Mounties would take over. They would notch a touchdown on the ensuing drive, and a few minutes later, pin StFX’s offence in their own end zone for a safety. Following that defensive stand, their offence put up another touchdown. All of sudden, a 16-0 lead for the home team. They would add a rouge (just the worst rule in Canadian football) before the quarter was out, to make it 17-0. The wind played a large role in this
game, which is just shocking, because usually the Maritimes in the fall are so calm. Sarcasm aside, I can only imagine the frustration of the StFX players, as the elements stopped them from being able to execute plays. In the second quarter, with the wind in its favour, the X-Men marched down the field, capping a 76-yard drive with a oneyard touchdown pass to Jordan Catterall, making the score 17-7, and all those who had made the trip down on the StFX fan bus began to feel it, and started to make a bit of noise. They would continue to do so into the halftime break, where the teams maintained this score. The third quarter, with the infamous wind now back in Mt. Allison favour, saw the Mounties put up a field goal and another safety, good for a five point gain. StFX faced a tall task, then, entering the final quarter of the AUS season down by two touchdowns and then some. Unfortunately, they would not match up, as a StFX’s quarterback Tivon Cook was sacked in the opening two minutes, resulting in a fumble on the X five yard line. The Mounties would add a touchdown on this drive, and the final score of 29-7 would be reached. This was Mt. Allison’s sixth Loney Bowl title in their school’s history. Fifth-year Mountie wide-receiver Josh Blanchard was awarded the player of the game honours, receiving (pardon the pun) the Don Loney Memorial Trophy. He both caught and threw for a touchdown in the first quarter of the game, and had a total of 77 yards on the day between passing and receiving. StFX’s passing game was on point, as they accrued 231 yards in the air, just short of Mt. Allison’s 235. StFX quarterback Tivon Cook went 28-49, good for one touchdown and three interceptions. On the ground, however, they could not keep up.
Notice the grass. Congratulations to both StFX & Mt. Allison Via Paul Lynch St. FX put up 60 yards as a team, despite Ashton Dickson running for 72 himself. Meanwhile, the Mounties, led by first-year sensation Chris Reid, ran for 161 rushing yards. On his own, Reid put up 90 over 26 carries. Stupid real grass. The Mounties will face the winner of the Ontario University Athletics final, this year between Guelph and McMaster, in the Mitchell Bowl. This game will be held at one of these Ontario schools on November 22nd. The winner of this game will advance to the Vanier Cup, to be held the final weekend of November in Montreal. For StFX, I would think that this was a season of successes, rather than defeats.
They claimed second place during the regular season, and advanced to the final of the division playoffs. They did all this in the wake of the announcement by the Presidential Task Force that their program was unsustainable. I don’t believe that better motivation could have been provided by Coach Waterman, as there is nothing most athletes like more than proving a bunch of people in a boardroom wrong. With that said, congratulations are in order, I believe, for both the X-Men and the Mounties. The conclusion of the playoffs for StFX, so begins the off-season, and the opportunity to make the Loney Bowl final again is in their hands.
Great Mo’s in Sports Bobby Nystrom New York Islanders
Jim Rice Boston Red Sox
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Nov 14th men’s hockey Vs upei - 7 pM nov 15th women’s basketball vs acadia - 6 pm nov 15th men’s hockey Vs STU - 7 Pm Nov 15th men’s basketball vs Acadia - 8 pM Nov 15th women’s Hockey @ DAL - 2.30 pm Nov 16th Women’s Hockey vs moncton - 2 pm
THis Week At STFX This weekend will feature the home openers for both the St. FX women’s and men’s basketball teams. Both teams lost their season openers against two strong St. Mary’s sides. Each team would love the support of all students, who can watch the game in the main gymnasium in the oland centre.
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The Xaverian is hiring!
Friday November 14, 2014-The Xaverian
THE XAV IS LOOKING FOR A 1ST YEAR SENIOR REPORTER TO JOIN THE NEWS TEAM Interested? Visit xaverian.ca or email xw.eic@stfx.ca for more details!