Volume 49 | Issue 16 | February 3, 2014
Divestment Week rally crashes Trent Board of Governors meeting
INside:
Photo by Jenny Fisher
TCSA AGM Feature Spread
All Grown Up: Gzowski Turns 10
Remembering Rail Jam
Classics Dept Put on Classic Greek Play
Contents This Page: All About Arthur
Pages 10&11: Arts&Culture
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This Issue in History: Volume 12 (1977), Issue 15 Since we’re unlikely to ever see another “Issue 15 ž� again, we’re breaking the rules this week to talk a little bit about one of Volume 12’s most notorious special issues. The issue itself is only four pages and focuses on a student occupation of the Comptroller’s office (now known as the Director of Financial Services). Six students and one alumni, none of whom are named in the issue aside from the moniker “The Trent Seven,� began the occupation on Thursday, March 2, 1978, by pulling a fire alarm, entering the evacuated office, and barricading the door with tables. They did so in reaction to several changes to post-secondary education funding announced by Premier Bill Davis’ Progressive Conservative government. The changes would see a new student aid program (OSAP, in fact) that would leave 15,000 students across the province without assistance, and a reduction in the amount of money given to universities for operating costs. The occupiers presented a list of seven demands to the media and the University Senate. First and foremost, they called for a five year freeze on tuition and ancillary fees. Next, they called for a one year delay on the opening of the Administration and Policies program (i.e. Trent’s Business Department). Third was a demand that the university officially close on March 16, 1978 (the day the Ontario Federation of Students had planned a march on Queen’s Park against provincial cuts to education). Fourth, they demanded Rubidge Hall be turned into a building owned by Trent but used exclusively by the student body. Fifth was the withdrawal of the February 26 deadline for payment of tuition fees. Sixth was the abolition of rustification and debarrment
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Page 15: Listings t 5IJT XFFL JO MJWF NVTJD (i.e. expelling and disallowing students from attending Trent). Finally, the seventh demand was that the university freeze all payments to the Federal Government for Otonabee College. While some of the demands (namely six and seven) were regarded as outrageous by the student body at large and the administration, the Senate (who met that day) agreed to the third demand. It was reported that the fourth demand (regarding the uses of Rubidge Hall) was also to be given serious consideration by the Senate at a later meeting. At the meeting, Interim University President Marion Fry indicated that she could not fault the motives of the occupiers, even if she disagreed with the occupation itself. She also indicated she would not be calling the police (again), unless the occupation continued for “an extended period of time.� That wouldn’t be the case. Communications were cut off at 11:30pm, Sunday night, by Trent Security. This happened because the Trent Seven were working on an important policy statement to be published in that special issue of Arthur. President Fry refused to let such a thing get out. Instead, the issue featured stories of mobilization elsewhere on campus and across the province. A story about an emergency meeting held by the Trent Student Union, which saw 150 Trent students attend, was on page two. After some speeches and discussion, the meeting was moved to the fourth floor of the library (where the occupation was taking place). Attendance increased to about 200 by the time it reached the occupied office. Page three featured a story explaining the context behind the planned march on Queen’s Park to oppose the cutbacks. Page four was an advertisement for condoms. The occupation ended the day after the issue went to print, as was reported in Issue 16. However, it triggered similar occupations at McMaster and Carleton University.
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92.7 FM
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CampusNews Enweying/FPHL/Gzowski College celebrates 10th anniversary By Adriana Sierra
Enweying building, home of The First Peoples House of Leaning and Peter Gzowski College, will celebrate its 10th anniversary on the weekend of February 7. The celebration will honour Peter Gzowski and celebrate the multidisciplinary nature of the college’s architecture and academic departments. As Trent University’s newest building, Enweying represents a multifaceted approach to living and learning. Built in 2003, the building seeks to combine residence space with department offices and the First Peoples House of Learning. This spatial diversity sheds light on the meaning of Enweying: “The way we speak together,” as the building combines a multiplicity of spaces, perspectives, and functions into a single area. Found within the black, red, white, and ochre 33 coloured walls of Enweying, which represent the medicine wheel, is Peter Gzowski College. The college was named after Trent’s eighth Chancellor, who was honoured with an honorary doctor of law degree at Trent and served as a recognized broadcaster and journalist for CBC radio. Peter Gzowski will be honoured throughout the celebratory weekend through a panel discussion consisting of former Gzowski Alumni and CBC personas, a mini golf tournament, and the 10th Anniversary Gala. Enweying was built during a time when the college system at Trent was put under question. In consequence, the building has a considerable lack of common space in comparison to other college buildings at Trent. Dr. Melanie Buddle, former college head and current academic advisor, argues
that although the lack of common areas has proven challenging in creating a community and fulfilling Trent’s vision of the colleges’ role to create intellectually and socially meaningful experiences, “it still has a college feel.” Dr. Buddle argues that departments, student groups, and individuals have addressed this challenge by creating common areas in the gathering space, the atrium, the dining hall, and a common kitchen within the residence. As a new college, Gzowski’s identity was also a matter of contestation. Older colleges at Trent have a series of traditions and well-established identities, however Gzowski lacks this entrenched distinctive-
ness. Dr. Buddle argues that “organically, the relationship between the First Peoples House of Learning, the living learning community, environmental sustainability, and indigenous studies, has morphed to be the identity of the college.” She also mentioned that the lack of a large amount of college traditions is a positive trait, as Gzowski has the potential of being flexible and innovative. A unique and distinct space in its architecture and multifaceted interactions, Enweying prides itself for those characteristics that distinguish it from other university buildings, but is also representative of what it means to be at Trent. When asked how the building contributed and fit into Trent University life, Dr. Buddle stated, “Trent overall is very interdisciplinary and questioning, our students and faculty question, as they should. I think the fact that we have a combination of programs and that we find ways to do that is part of how we connect to the university. “In other words, Enweying embodies the coexistence and integration of diverse cultures, fields of study, and belief systems that exist at Trent.” In addition, the building’s environmentally conscious characteristics also make it distinctly ‘Trent’. Enweying’s architects sought to decrease its environmental footprint and did so by building it upwards rather than sprawling. They described it as “resting gently on the land.” In addition, Gzowski College’s Living and Learning Community is environmentally oriented and its informal motto is “Think globally, act locally.” Melanie Buddle added that in the future, the strengthening of partnerships between
the departments and programs that are found within the building will likely be a driving force behind Gzowski’s consolidating traditions and identity. In addition, she hopes that within the following years a stronger presence and link with Gzowski alumni will form. Enweying’s 10th anniversary celebration not only celebrates the creation of a building, but celebrates the relationship between numerous academic disciplines, cultures, and people. It celebrates the way we speak together. As Dr. Buddle stated, “We are not just a college, we are Enweying.”
10th Anniversary Weekend Schedule: Saturday, February 7
1:00-3:00pm GC 114 Panel Discussion: “Enweying, The Way We Speak Together: A Dialogue About Canada.” 3:00-5:00pm GC Atrium Alumni Reunion & Open Reception 6:00-9:00pm GC Peter Robinson Dining Hall Gzowski 10th Anniversary Celebration Dinner
Sunday February 8 12:00-4:00 pm Winter Mini-Golf Tournament for Literacy
Volume 49 | Issue 16 | FebrUARY 3, 2015
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Campus By Zachary Cox
Trent Riverside Rail Jam’s rails jammed
The Trent Rail Jam event that began in 2009 and ran each year until 2013 will not be taking place this year, largely because it is not currently financially viable. A committee that has been meeting throughout last semester and into January to discuss the possibility of re-establishing the event after its cancellation last year. Last year, the event consisting of a ski and snowboard terrain park with judged competitions and a beer tent was scheduled to be held on February 8. On February 1, the Trent Riverside Rail Jam Facebook account posted on the event page that the event was cancelled due to unforeseen complications. In the comments, both the event coordinator and a representative of the Gzowski College Cabinet posted to explain that the decision had to do with Gzowski College concerns about unpaid expenses they would have to absorb. This year, discussions revolved around how to bring the event back. “I was on the Rail Jam committee, which met quite extensively last semester and into January, trying to see if it was viable,” said TCSA President Braden Freer. “Committee members included someone from the Trent Ski and Board Club, a few Gzowski
Cabinet members, myself as TCSA, a past Gzowski Cabinet member, members from the Gzowski college office, and an alumni who was involved in the event there.” “This year was sort of a revival attempt,” said Gzowski Cabinet President, Carmen Meyette, who also sat on the committee. “It really was a group of people coming together and saying ‘can we revise it?’ ‘How do we recollect that knowledge now that there’s a year’s gap?’ We found a lot of obstacles.” Freer agrees that there were lots of obstacles in the way. “Unfortunately it proved very difficult. A lot of community partners were indicating they did not want to work with Trent and Rail Jam this year because of the debacle of very, very last minute cancelling and mismanagement.” Freer also indicates that there were
communication problems, “so concerns around financial viability weren’t relayed until about a month before the event. At that time, everyone in the room sort of said there was no way to pull it together because there were promises made to community partners that couldn’t be kept. There were sponsorship agreements that no one really knew about, and there were staffing issues with it.” It wasn’t only a fear of a repeat from last year that lead to the decision though. Freer said that Rail Jam has always been an event that struggled with finances. “There’s always been the issue of financial viability for Rail Jam. It does rely on alcohol sales in order to break even, and the trend has been declining alcohol sales.” “Rail Jam takes about $10,000 to put on. To find anywhere near $10,000 student
dollars or to subsidize any significant amount with sponsorship is an incredible task for anyone to take on,” said Meyette, adding that planning an event of this magnitude as a volunteer, simultaneously balancing school and potentially work, is by no means easy. Meyette recognizes the appeal of the event and how closely it is tied to the school. “It did start off as a business student project primarily,” she said adding that the event is “very much rooted in the student community, it’s really meant to add to student culture.” She said she has mixed feelings about bringing the event back though, because of the tremendous amount of work that needs to be done now that it has not been in operation for a couple of years. “It’s nearing the point of being built from the ground up all over again,” she said. She does encourage those who want the event to work towards bringing it back, though. “If there’s someone out there who reads this and just feels like they just have to make it happen, they can get in touch and I will pass on all of the tools and knowledge I have so that they can at least be as prepared as possible,” she said. Meyette can be reached at carmenmeyette@trentu.ca.
Trent students rally to support fossil fuel divestment By Renzo Costa and Jack Smye
Divestment Week, organized by OPRIG and Sustainable Trent, culminated with a rally during the Board of Governors meeting on Friday. The fossil fuel divestment campaign has been active in pursing its objectives since 2013. In a global context characterized by the growing demand for a new societal vision, the first step is to move away from outdated practices. The divestment campaign is a manifestation of such growing demand. There are many indicators that show both student and faculty involvement with the campaign. Calvin Beauchesne, a member of Sustainable Trent, stated that in the TCSA 2013 Spring Elections, 76% of students voted in favour of a referendum supporting fossil fuel divestment. He furthermore contends that since 2013, 1000 people have signed their petition calling on Trent to divest from fossil fuels. Also, various groups have endorsed the proposal including the TCSA, TPSA, CUPE Local 3908, TUNA, and OPIRG, as well as over 34 faculty members who have signed for divestment in an open letter. Beauchesne comments that, in January 2014, Sustainable Trent presented their proposal for fossil fuel divestment to the Board. A report titled “Trent University’s Investments in the Fossil Fuel Industry: An Analysis of the Legal and Policy Implications of Investment and Divestment” was also published and submitted to the Board as part of a TCCBE project.
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Divestment week featured a series of events, including a student debate, a film screening, and a keynote speaker. The main objective was to increase awareness about the issue of fossil fuel investments and also to engage the student body with the fossil fuel divestment campaign. The main demand of the rally was to encourage the Board to vote on whether or not to divest from fossil fuels. Beauchesne argues that since the original presentation about a year ago, “there has been a lot of talk but no action. Our proposal is for full divestiture within five years, so to have a vote now is a completely reasonable demand for the Board. It’s about time we got a yes or no answer.” The final rally made its way across campus with roughly 30 people marching. Starting at Lady Eaton, marchers made their way to Gzowski, went through OC, and then back to Bata Library. The final rally culminated with actually entering the Board meeting occurring on the first floor of Bata. In this meeting, pressure was put on the Board to have the vote. About 15 marchers entered the room and they were addressed by Board Member Robin Dines. “We have seen that the whole investment requirement around responsible investing has progressed dramatically over the past couple of years. It bodes well for us to be doing something, but we have not made the decision yet over what that something is.” Dines continued, “From the board, we’d like to sustain that we think it’s great that you’re bringing this issue up and we are
doing something about it. It’s good to see and hear that we are getting different views from the students.” Following Dines’ address, Beauchesne told the Board that there still needs to be a vote and that students would continue to mobilize until a yes or no answer is given. Another member suggested that it would
continue until there was a yes. The rally made its way back out to Bata Podium chanting “We are the student voice! Divest, it’s our choice!” Plans were made to carry on with the momentum and how the movement will proceed in the near future. According to Beauchesne, “We’re just getting started.”
Campus Life
Speed reading t-bones slow reading: Golf balls, metaphors pile up By Tom Hurley
“I guess I missed that,” said Tracy, an upper-year Trent student who had mentioned one of her English course novels, Faulkner’s The Sound and the Fury. I had read the novel a long time ago and asked her what she thought of the bizarre first chapter where Benjy and Luster hunt for golf balls and a lost quarter. Tracy (not her real name) may in fact have missed the whole chapter, which is too bad since it’s an extended stroke of genius—72 pages of multiple voices, time and space dislocations, interior monologue, and synaesthesia—representing a high point in American fiction, a calculated speed bump that draws the reader, disoriented and softened up, deep into Faulkner Country. Tracy was probably reading too fast, forgivable for any student faced with a mountain of books, upcoming tests, part-time jobs, and the competition of her instructors and WiFi for her precious time. Urged to read for both depth and breadth in fields of breathtaking scope no longer protected by high school spoon-feeding, she may well erupt by asking, “What are these books, anyway, and how fast should I be reading them?” These are the irksome questions for which we pay full tuition. The pressure to read faster increased dramatically through the mid-20th century when Evelyn Wood, a high school teacher and guidance counsellor, pioneered her Reading Dynamics to turn efficient page-turning to profit. First promoting her skills to students, but then selling mainly to business, with its growing mountain of paper, Wood’s origin-myth, hand-pacing technique, joined with other standard tactics, have defined speed reading ever since. These tactics include expanding eye-span, reading for thoughts rather than individual words, eliminating subvocalization (at its worst, lip-moving), and back-skipping, plus pushing for speed in a sweeping pattern down the page. All of these are routinely supplemented by memory and study tactics of depressing familiarity to students everywhere. A flexible reading rate seems to be the key, whether bearing down on a text, or refreshing short-term memory of material already mastered. More importantly, for those of us who struggled in early grades to transition from slow phonics reading to the facile consumption of whole language, speed-reading techniques, including their current on-line variations, can bring liberation. But this freedom came, and comes, with a cost; namely, comprehension and retention. In a landmark, still-cited 1975 study, Ronald P. Carver concluded that speed reading is never more than skimming, with a drastic falling-off of reliable intake as the hand moves faster. Speed reading promoters like to rebut this with the scores of their prize-winning adepts, who rocket through the thin air of a stratosphere about which most of us can only dream. More recent researchers, however, are adding their own critiques and skepticism, pointing out the physiological limits to eye-span and the inevitability of some background subvocalization. A deeper limitation of the speed-reading imperative shows up as it takes on the flavour of an ideology: utilitarian, reductionist, conquering, market-oriented, and of universal application. At this level, hubris quickly sets in, especially when speed reading tries to claim literature. Here is Tina Konstant, in her Work Smarter with Speed Reading (Teach Yourself books, 2010): “As you read a novel, look only for the pieces of text that carry the story. Skim over the description. Most novels carry the story in conversation between the characters. As you read you will become familiar with the layout and be able to identify where the descriptive text starts and ends. If you begin to really enjoy the novel and want to read everything, you can change your technique and slow down a bit to enjoy the scenery.” Really? The surpassing vacuity of this advice, highlighted in a box on the page, makes it hard to know where to begin except to pack her off to Club Med with a bag of Thomas Hardy’s 19th century sunless beach novels, where, hanging out at the pool’s swim-up bar, she will be forced to learn that scenery is character. But neither Evelyn Wood nor the mid-century critics who feared that TV would supplant reading, had reason to worry. Today, both on-screen and off, we all read fast all the time. The real problem is the starvation of the overfed, a topic that has drawn some brilliant commentators: Sven Birkerts, who articulated alarm in his still-fresh The Gutenberg Elegies: The Fate of Reading in an Electronic Age (1994, updated 2006); Nicholas Carr (The Shallows: What the Internet is Doing to Our Brains, 2010); and, more re-
cently, the Great Books professor David Mikics, with his 2013 Slow Reading in a Hurried Age. Slowing down is, in fact, the only way to chain-saw our way out of the metal cone of the speed-reading wind tunnel. Slow Food, Slow Travel, Slow Friendship—all of these reclamation projects respond to the same deeply intuited dilemma, one that has gone critical with the digital revolution. Referring to Carr’s book (which she recommends to her students), Professor Lorrie Clark of Trent’s English Department reflected recently (over a slow lunch in her office), “I love the fact that it’s so literary, without being pretentious. He quotes so effortlessly from people like Emerson and Hawthorne and Wallace Stevens. It’s also not a diatribe against the Internet. He has a very balanced tone.” Balance is not easy, given the brain-rewiring, undifferentiated everythingness of Internet culture, with its power to trance us into what Mikics calls a state of Continuous Partial Attention. Clark also agrees with Carr when he talks about the loss of our powers of higher conceptual reasoning, the ability to synthesize information, not just collect it. What is disappearing, worries Clark, is the ability to make interpretive arguments. “There’s no Eureka moment, when all the pieces fall into place, and you’re full
of wonder at the intricacy of the design.” The hypermedia world of Google has been described as an ecology of interruption technologies. It has become harder than ever to see what Clark calls the intricacy of the design—the forest—when we search the Web. “We don’t even see the trees,” says Carr. “We see twigs and leaves.” Those Aha! moments when we begin to see the design can come out of answering the simplest questions—a skill infrequently learned or trusted because we’re programmed by essays and exams to project the apparent knowingness of authoritative assertions, like the one you’ve just read. “What on earth is going on here?” “Who is talking?” “Is he kidding?” “Is there a main verb somewhere in this poem?” In Northrop Frye in Conversation, David Cayley gives some examples of the seemingly simple questions that Canada’s most celebrated literary critic used to pose to his students: “Are we looking up or down at the characters in a story?” “Is their power of action greater or less than our own?” Where, then, is the Eureka moment, the intricacy of the design, in Chapter One of The Sound and the Fury? More to the point, what argument can be made to talk Tracy, or anyone else, into crawling through this long tunnel? Apart from the many literary-interpretive rewards, there’s a more direct payoff. Following Benjy’s associative mind, picking up pieces of the Compson family story along the way, can set off a cascade of readerly epiphanies, as we
suddenly see this painstakingly transcribed mental density against the everyday, effortless flow of our own inner verbal soundtrack. This comes as an unforgettable shock to anyone who has never eavesdropped on the voices populating their own subjective reality. It can prime a reader to burrow into other stream-of-consciousness authors, including James Joyce and Virginia Woolf. But Internet study aids don’t go there. The path of least resistance ends too soon, and can never compete with the pleasures of voluntary discomfort. Vladimir Nabokov (Pale Fire) is often quoted as saying, “You cannot read a book. You can only reread it.” If this is true of novels and other prose forms, it is exponentially truer of the best poetry, which one critic defines as “the most semantically-saturated form of rhetoric we know.” Reread it, but, for the real payoff, check into a motel. These days, this kind of reading (Nietzsche coined the term “slow reading” in 1887) is a hard sell. Losing oneself in the active reverie of a complete primary text is increasingly a defiant act of will. The traditional venue for its promotion, the liberal arts program, is shrinking, while the discussion itself, including the historical perspective provided by the canon of great works, is being displaced onto the circuits of the Third Industrial Revolution, with its relentless accent on the now. Teachers of literature struggle to find ways to instil this lost intimate relationship to the classics. Some adopt the tactics of judo, turning the strength of the opponent back against them. A brilliant lecturer can use multimedia to promote the counter-technology of the book. But given the pressures of course-work, there is a prior anxiety—the worry that we will graduate with a deep and abiding aversion to reading anything interesting. Enthusiastic teachers and literary critics such as David Mikics are not the only professionals dedicated to the magic of words on a page. Other specialists over the past 50 years have converged in an unprecedented way to deepen our understanding of the miracle of those very recent inventions—writing, reading, and printed books. Cultural historians (Alberto Manguel), ESL academics, a new wave of literacy pioneers (see ChildrenoftheCode.org), neuroscientists (Maryanne Wolf and Steven Pinker), and reader-response theorists all continue to peel back the subjective and objective layers of decoding and interpreting text. But wait! There’s more!, as they say in the TV ads for phone-order, battery-operated ear-cleaners. For someone looking out over the Otonabee from Bata, and in the right kind of nerdy stupor, the act of reading emerges as a process metaphor for life itself, not just for the simple pleasures of verisimilitude offered by the realistic novel. Reading is much richer than that. Grammar—subject, verb, object—pulls us forward. At the same time, seizing the meaning of any one eye-fixation requires constant cognitive backward glancing and future guessing as we disambiguate, make mistakes, and build conceptual schema. Like baby savants, we make sense of the “booming, buzzing confusion” of the text. That’s on the horizontal axis. On the vertical axis, as readers we constantly undulate, plumbing unconscious resources with automaticity, then rising through sentence-level comprehension, upward to higher-order reflection where the true hunger is fed. An image? This is an undulating sine wave, rolling forward with an elastic sense of time, while it stands still in the eternal present of the optical fixation. The experience of life is like that, at least our minute-to-minute subjective experience of it. The parallels here with the vast eventfulness of life are strong: the constant interpreting of data, the need to guess human intentions, our dyslexic confusion, and the way we construct and maintain a sense of self through endless loops of inner story-telling. But this emergent metaphor of Life as Reading, of course, will never fly. It’s too bloodless, too complicated, too, well, wordy. It can never compete with the Top Ten. Life is a Game, a Trip, a Play, a Dance, Fast Food, or—more mondaymorningish—a broken ATM or an unserviced bus stop. And who’s willing to give up the succinct semantic mashup of “Life Sucks!”? Life sucks for the illiterate and disabled Benjy. In the last scene of Faulkner’s novel, he howls as Luster drives the horse and carriage around a Civil War monument too fast, and—an act of meanness—in the wrong direction for a creature of habit. The tenacious reader for whom this final image resonates in obscure and unexpected ways may decide to flip back to the golf balls and, to misquote T. S. Eliot, arrive where she failed to start, and know the place for the first time. Tom can be reached at thurley@sympatico.ca
Volume 49 | Issue 16 | FebrUARY 3, 2015
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LocalPages Dr. Wayne Roberts discusses food opportunity at World Issues Cafe By Sara Desmarais
Were you amidst the crowd that filled downtown Peterborough from January 2325 for the ReFrame Peterborough International Film Festival? If you weren’t, then boy oh boy, you missed out on some great films and discussion. The highlight of my weekend was attending KWIC’s World Issues Café: “Rummaging Through the Myth: The True Cost of Food Waste” on January 24. The Café’s special guest, Dr. Wayne Roberts, spoke about an issue that he says has arose from 0-60: food waste. The former manager of the Toronto Food Policy Council from 2000-2010, a citizen body of 30 food activists and experts that is widely recognized for its innovative approach to food security, Dr. Roberts knows his stuff when it comes to food. As a food policy analyst and author, he is known for his book titles such as The No-Nonsense Guide to World Food (2008) and Real Food for a Change (1999). He has won a variety of awards regarding food policy and sustainable living, such as the Canadian Environment Award (2002), the Canadian Eco-Hero Award (2008), and University of Toronto’s Arbor Award in 2011—just to name a few. Needless to say, I was excited to hear what Dr. Roberts had to say on an issue that is very real and very dire in North America. The World Issues Café took place at Showplace Peterborough, in partnership with the Saturday night ReFrame feature film: Just Eat It: A Food Waste Story (2014). A Canadian documentary, Just Eat It, follows Vancouver filmmakers, Jen Rustemeyer and Grant Baldwin, on their six month challenge to live off only discarded food, revealing the disturbing truth of unnecessary food waste. The film managed to remain light-hearted and entertaining, all while being eye-opening. As you can just imagine, this film set the stage perfectly for Dr. Robert’s talk. One permeating message from the evening was that 40% of food that is produced is wasted. Referring to the language we use, Dr. Roberts suggested that we stay away from terms such as food “waste” and food “problems”: we don’t have a food problem; we have a human problem. He explained that waste is a verb, not a noun, and that waste is not found in nature. Therefore, food waste is something that we humans need to address, as we are the ones wasting. With the annual cost of food waste in Canada reaching $31B, and
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$407B globally, Roberts explained that it is not the waste problem that we need to talk about, but the waste opportunity. A scientific journal published last month says that there is an estimated 5 trillion pieces of plastic waste in our oceans (weighing in at 250 000 tons), in which 1/3 is from food. So, food waste permeates the entire span of the food system, and Roberts noted, “To put all emphasis on the consumer and not the whole system or government policy is a dis-service”. It’s interesting to note that with food and food waste, you can go from doing actions that are no good, to doing actions that are good—you can move across the whole spectrum of food waste; essentially, this isn’t a lost cause, and we can improve the food waste situation. When looking at the opportunities in food waste, Dr. Roberts explained that there are three main reasons why food is so fascinating: firstly, there is the individual engagement element. Dr. Roberts calls on us to return to soups, stews and shepherd’s pie. These recipes hold the potential to save food scraps and foods that are on the way out. Have limp celery? Stick it in a soup. Cooking wisely can eliminate waste. Shopping at the farmer’s market is another thing we can do at the individual
level, as well as shopping AFTER dinner and meals, not before. How many times have you gone into a grocery store for milk and walked out of the store with six bags of food? I’ve done it—it’s something I’ve got to work on. Secondly, there is the group/community element. Roberts emphasized that composting is done best at the community level, which ties into the third aspect: the government and policy element. Quite often, municipalities are stuck with the food waste bill. “If we are paying someone to put it in a landfill, why aren’t we paying someone to compost it at the community level?” mused Roberts. There is a lot of potential for municipal and community composting projects, and it just isn’t happening. There was an opportunity during the Café for Dr. Roberts to answer questions from the public. One particular question that stood out was from a gentleman asking, “How effective is the green bin program in Toronto, and how does Peterborough get one?” It was a question that I had always wondered myself—while I currently have a composter in my backyard, I didn’t when I was living in an apartment, and I found myself longing for one of those green bins that dot the curbs of the
GTA. I had never really questioned their effectiveness. Roberts explained the Green Bin program is ineffective; the waste that goes into the bins is not separated. So you’ve got vegetable scraps, coffee grinds, meat bits, diapers and cat litter all being put in the same bin. I’d never stick all that stuff in my backyard composter, so why would I assume that the Green Bins are properly composting this waste? You can look on the City of Toronto’s website to see what can and cannot go in the Green Bins. Dr. Robert’s point is that the Green Bin program is not cradle to cradle. Unless all of these organic products are separated, then nothing is breaking down properly and returning to the soil. So, long story short, Peterborough shouldn’t bother with that program, but should instead look into community composting, where food waste actually breaks down and can return its nutrients to the soil. With this new knowledge about food opportunity, what do we do now? Dr. Roberts shared the key to communication: as seen in “Just Eat It,” to get people engaged, you don’t tell them something; you show them. Show them the waste, and let them draw their own conclusions. And you should do so in the form of a story. By sharing your own story of what you have learned, rather than standing on a pedestal saying thou shall do this, people are more likely to make connections. If we are going to fix our broken food system that wastes so much, we need to share our stories, be conscious of our purchases, and go to the farmer’s market and buy that wonky-shaped potato that nobody wants. Roberts discusses the concept of a ‘circular system’ in terms of food, and noted that in 2014, satellite images suggest that the majority of agricultural production is now within 20 km of cities. In this world that is wonderfully moving to urban agriculture, we have a lot of potential to change our food system for the better. There are wonderful models in European Union of sustainable living, but no one has the full solution—yet. We just need to act individually, collectively, and make our voices heard to policy makers.
Local
A booklover’s guide to Peterborough bookstores By Brian Hough
Mark Jokinen’s Bookstore (George St. between King and Sherbrooke): Gao Xingjian’s Soul Mountain, a semi-autobiographical novel about a man who gets a reprieve from his cancer diagnosis and then travels 15,000 kilometres into the rural Sichuan, is so filled with vignettes, folklore, history, and personal reminiscence that it is hard to put this book down. Its selling for $11. Also in stock is One Man’s Bible by the same author in hardcover ($20). In the Nordic Lit. section is John Ajvide Lindquist’s touching and haunting vampire novel Let Me In ($9.50). The book has been adapted into several different successful films. And while I couldn’t select any particular piece, the ‘Antiquarian’ section of old and antique books across from the register makes for a really fun browse. Knotaknew Bookstore (George St. at Sherbrooke): In the fiction section look for Life Of Pi author (and Trent alumnus) Yann Martel’s fascinating story. Or Beatrice And Virgil ($8.50), about a stuffed donkey and a stuffed monkey and their mysterious taxidermist keeper. You will also find Chuck Klosterman’s Sex, Drugs And Cocoa Puffs ($8.50) which is a collection of the author’s essays on contemporary American culture. Yasmina Khadra, (penname of Algerian author Mohammed Moulessehoul) sets his novel the Swallows Of Kabul in Afghanistan under the reign of the Taliban to explore the causes and consequences of religious fanaticism ($6.95). Scholar’s Bookstore: (Water St. between Simcoe and Hunter): Michael Cunningham’s The Hours ($8.95) is fantastic re-telling of the suicide of Virgina Woolf through the stories of two later readers: a contemporary poet dying of AIDS in New York, and a post Second World War era mother who can no longer withstand the confines of a ‘good home’. Douglas Coupland’s Hey Nostradamus ($8.95) sits almost right below The Hours, and just one shelf over is local author Kate Story’s Newfoundland-set Blasted ($8.95) giving readers a lot choose from in this single ficton section.
Books and Things: (Water St. between Simcoe and Hunter): The original Phantom Of the Opera as told by Gaston Leroux is in paperback form for ($4). Search through the literature section under ‘S’ and find Scenes From Another Day: New South African Writing, a collection of bold and contemporary poetry from that country for only ($2). Soviet Short Stories is a really interesting looking collection of short fiction from the Soviet Union featuring works by Zamyatin (We), Boris Pasternak (Dr. Zhivago), and Odessan author Isaac Babel ($5). Thea’s Books and Violins: (Water St. between Simcoe and Hunter): Ignazio’s Bread and Wine, written while the author was in exile from Mussolini’s Italy, is available for ($5) in multiple editions. There’s a really great-looking old hardcover book entitled World Prose sitting in the ‘foreign languages in translation’ selection that really covers a lot of extensive ground. Although it only goes up to the early 20th century in terms of recency it’s the kind of book that just longs to be put on a shelf ($15). You’ll also find The Pocketbook of Ogden Nash for ($8), making a nice introduction to the famed American poet and humourist. Dixon’s Book Store: (Water St. between Simcoe and Hunter): In Dixon’s horror section is a book called Urban Horror and while priced ($3.25) and looking like an otherwise non-descript pulpy theme collection of horror fiction, the collection actually contains a wide variety of genre fiction luminaries including Shirley Jackson, Ray Bradbury, Richard Matheson, Fritz Leiber, John Cheever and more. In the Classics section you’ll find Sir Frederick K. Treves’ The Elephant Man, about both John Merrick and his own morbid recollections as a medical practitioner of his day ($2.95). Finally, in the Can Lit. section look for Frederick Phillip Groves’ The Settlers On The Marsh ($4.50). This novel’s main focus is a Swedish man who emigrates to Manitoba determined to build a life for himself. It is a stirring and tragic exploration of settler consciousness.
Volume 49 | Issue 16 | FebrUARY 3, 2015
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artspages Trent’s Classics Drama Group presents… By Caleigh Boyle
Trent’s Classics Drama Group proudly presents, An Oresteia: Agamemnon and Libation Bearers. An Oresteia is a trilogy of Greek tragedies produced in 458 B.C. The Classics Drama Group (CDG) will be performing the first two parts, Agamemnon and Libation Bearers of this trilogy as a two-act show. The show will run from Wednesday, February 4, to Saturday, February 7. The Wednesday, Thursday, and Saturday performances will be held at the Nozhem First Peoples Performance Space. Friday’s performances will be held at Market Hall. The weekday shows begin at 8:00pm with a matinée on Saturday at 3:00pm. The Classics Drama Group was created in 1993 and every year since has performed either an ancient tragedy or comedy, almost always Greek. “This particular set of plays are some of the most influential Greek tragedies. They have been on my mental short list for a while,” comments director/producer George Kovacs—Assistant Professor of Ancient History and Classics—on how this year’s performance piece was chosen. “In some ways this is the biggest production we have ever done.” The story of the Oresteia tells of Agamemnon’s victorious return home from the Trojan War, only to discover that his wife, Clytemnestra, has been unfaithful. Now I don’t want to give away too much but I will disclose that things get bloody, in a way most unexpected. “That is the action of the first play, the return of Agamemnon,” says Kovacs. Libation tells the story of Orestes, the
son of Clytemnestra and Agamemnon who has grown up in exile. After being gone for many years, Orestes returns as a young man to Argos and is faced with a nearly impossible dilemma! But the only way to find out what happens to Clytemnestra and poor Orestes is to go to the show. Kayla Reinhard, who will be playing Clytemnestra, explains her process in becoming this powerful female character: “She has a lot of lines, she does a lot of speaking because that’s how she pulls the wool over everybody’s eyes, that’s how she tricks everyone; through false words.” Reinhard has been participating in the Classics Drama Group performances for the past four years since she started at Trent. This will be the largest role she’s played. “It’s a lot of fun to get into the mindset of the lines and be sarcastic with it and be snooty. That’s a lot of fun and it’s easy to play snooty.” Doing a major in Con-Ed and studying English, this is Reinhard’s way to stay connected to the Classics. This will be the sixth production that Kovacs has done with the CDG, “We have a pretty established formula,” explains Kovacs. Casting happens in the fall, then from the first reading week until the end of the semester the group does a lot of table work. “It gives me a good sense of what our characters are going to flush out as. Every character is one thing on page, but when you combine it with a particular actor you are going to get something different.” Over Christmas Kovacs has his cast memorize their lines, so that come the New Year they can put the production on its feet. This is when rehearsals start. “We only have a month to build the show from
the ground up, so we get together as often as we can and get on stage,” says Reinhard. The cast for this production is made up entirely of Trent students. The CDG is a way for people with little or no theatre experience to expose themselves to the world of acting and be a part of a great production. “I’m often training people right from the ground,” says Kovacs. Without a doubt this performance will be full of lies, drama, and death. “Murder. Family. Repeat. That is the formula for any Greek tragedy,” jokes Kovacs. “It’s a real mixed bag. It’s good to see. It’s always interesting to see how theatre works through fresh eyes.” Along with the performance, every year CDG has a speaker come to Trent for a guest talk. This year the guest speaker is Dr. Hallie Marshall, coming from the De-
partment of Theatre & Film at the University of British Columbia. The talk is called “Excuse me, can you tell me where I can get a copy of the Oresteia?: Buying and reading books in fifth-century Athens.” This talk will be held on Friday February 6 at 1:00pm. “She will be giving a talk on the book trade in ancient Athens,” elaborates Kovacs. So next week pick a day, any day, from Wednesday through Saturday and come see the Classics Drama Group perform An Oresteia. Tickets for the Wednesday, Thursday, and Saturday show are $10 or $7 for students. Tickets for the show at Market Hall on Friday are $15 or $12 for students. There will be deceit. There will be blood. There will be murder. And I know you don’t want to miss it!
Trent Writer’s Society calling for submissions to anthology By Brian Hough
The Trent Writer’s Society, which holds weekly meetings on campus on Thursday evenings, have put out a call for submissions asking people to submit for their first anthology. According to co-founder Bianca Nucaro, “The anthology will be a collection of works written by those in the Trent Writer’s Society. We decided that creating a book with works from the (Trent Writer’s) Society and the student body would give authors an
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opportunity to say they were published and give them a little exposure to the editing process.” The only guidelines are that works must be 2500 words or less and fit the theme of ‘Journey/Adventure’. Says Nucaro, “We decided on giving it a them for the sake of cohesiveness, so it was not just a random assortment of works, but something that could be read cover to cover without losing interest.” She continues, “Sarah (MacDonald, one of the other co-founders of TWS) and I were in a coffee shop downtown
in the early stages of the planning and we then started discussing how far we’ve come as a group. In that moment realized how interesting the theme of ‘journey’s could be. There are so many different kinds of journeys in fiction and non-fiction, and a lot of room to give the writer space to interpret the theme for themselves.” The deadline for submissions is February 15 and the anthology will be released in March at an Anthology Launch party. Tickets for the event will go on sale
in February and every admission will include a copy of the book. The group is also planning several other fun events including a pub crawl at the end of February which will be open to members and non-members alike. Anyone interested in submitting to the anthology should e-mail trentwriterssociety@gmail.com by February 15. To stay abreast of all of the going-ons of the Trent Writer’s Society, search out their group on Facebook or follow them at: @trentwriters.
Arts
Student bands gearing up for TUMS Annual Battle of the Bands By Brian Hough
The annual Battle Of The Bands, hosted by The Trent University Music Society will be taking place on March 21 in the Sadleir House Dining Hall, and they’re looking for musicians to audition to take part in the event. The contest comes complete with some great prizes with the first place finishers winning $500 and eight hours of recording time, the second place band winning $300 and the third place band winning $200. Last year’s event was won by I, the Mountain and the year before was won by Watershed Hour. Last year was also their first year having moved the event from Wenjack Theatre on the Trent campus down to Sadleir House at Peter Robinson. TUMS President Natalie Visser cites booking and scheduling difficulties at Wenjack for the switch, but says TUMS couldn’t be happier with the decision. According to Visser, “Last year was the pilot year for doing the event at a completely new venue. It was so much better than we could have asked for, so we’re really excited to be going back to Sadleir again now that we’ve had a chance to work out the kinks—I think its going to be even better this year.” They’ve already had five bands enter
and are expecting anywhere between four and seven more apply before the deadline closes on February 6. From the auditions, bands are selected by TUMS, says Visser, “We’re not judging the audtitions by personal taste or professionalism of the recordings but by musicianship.” She adds, “We really just want to make sure that if you’re applying you’re really serious about competing and not just there to get on stage and joke around.” Last year saw around 70 people, (or well over 100 people when you count all the bands) pack into Sadleir House’s Dining
Hall to rock out all day at the event. Psych-Surf band The White Crowleys participated last year, and while they didn’t place, had so much fun that they’re applying again. This time with a stronger refurbished sound and the benefits of experience. “It was a pretty full house and such a cool spot to play in at Sadleir. The crowd was having a great time and they were up close to the stage which is always nice,” they said. They add that their favourite part was “getting close with a bunch of bands like Television Rd., Tiananmen Square Dance,
and Brock Mattson and the Pool Sharks. The option of being in the band room backstage allowed for comfortable talks with bands that aren’t usually available at loud live shows, and we still got to check out the other bands when we wanted.” Sadleir House’s already nascent sense of community and its location right-off of downtown is something that Visser and TUMS is hoping will help build bridges for the event as they hope to expand its reach and talent pool. “We’ve started connecting more to the Peterborough music community outside of Trent and it’d be great to get more Peterborough musicians and fans involved as both performers and attendees. We really hope we can get a wide range of people out this year,” Visser says. Visser adds “We always try and reach out to the community at large, because it’s really something that everyone can enjoy.” Auditions should be sent to trentumusic@gmail.com in the form of mp3 files or web links, or submitted via hard copy at either the TUMS dropbox at Sadleir or at the TCSA office on Main Campus. The deadline is Friday February 6. The event will be held on March 21 and will be free admission. Find TUMS at facebook.com/trentumusic.ca, their website trentumusic.com or follow them on twitter @trentumusic
Drawing the Line: A night of awareness By Caleigh Boyle
Draw The Line is a province wide campaign committed to ending sexual violence against women. It’s an unfortunate reality that women on a daily basis are sexually violated and this kind of behaviour has to end. Now. Peterborough local Kristal Jones is organizing an evening called, Drawing the Line: A Night of Comedy, Satire and Music. On Friday February 6 at 6:30, join Jones and a wonderfully talented group of people at The Venue to talk about violence against women. “Draw the Line came to my attention when I visited the Kawartha Sexual Assault Centre in regards to a previous situation, and I really liked the idea of it and the message to end sexual violence against women and in general,” says Jones. “The way they go about that is by challenging every consumers’ role in rape culture.” Draw the Line is about encouraging people to speak up, whether that be when you hear a friend make an inappropriate joke, or being aware of where you are spending your money and what that company may represent.” The event is being held in support of the Kawartha Sexual Assault Centre (KSAC) featuring Peterborough comedians, musicians, and poets. The event will be promoting the Draw the Line campaign with proceeds going to KSAC. The idea for the event came from a series of unfortunate events. “I was in a situation where I was sexually harassed online, and I decided that was where I was going to be drawing my line. I decided that I wasn’t going to let it end in a negative way… I was going to take all the fuss and dirt and use it to make a change and offer some sort of solution,” says Jones. The performers of the evening include Ms. Kristal Jones herself, comedians Sean Quinlan, Zara Syed, Anne Shebib, Hannah Hogan, and Jeff Curtis, with a feature set by members of a local improv group,
The Citiots, Ray Henderson, Luke Foster, and Daniel Smith. Musical talent by Will Alexander, Kathleen Kendrick, James Higgins, and the duo of Alex Pendergast and Jacques Graveline. And to round the evening off as a trilogy of creativity, there will be spoken word poets Jayson Down and Wes Ryan performing some of their original poetry. “This event where we are mixing awareness with comedy and music, we are designing a night out, could be a great date night, great girls night, and we are throwing in talks about rape culture. It’s a heavy, heavy subject matter but there is a difference between having a light, safe, welcoming environment to talk about it, and making fun of it,” explains Jones. Performances will be shaped with the cause of the event in mind, so there will be coarse language and mature subject matter. Because this is a welcoming and safe environment for anyone and everyone, there will be a social worker present at the event for anyone who may need support throughout the evening, in case anyone feels triggered. Triggering subject matter may be dealt with, so this event is 16+ and those under the age of 18 are encouraged to come with a support system. “This is a place where people who care to learn about Draw the Line can get together and have information readily avail-
able,” says Jones. There will be information and reference tools that will be available and handed out throughout the evening. There will be a photo booth at the event, that will run by donation, where people will be able to go and write their own Draw the Line statement or choose a statement that they might want to integrate into their own lives. Then their photo will be uploaded at a later date. Along with the
photo booth there will be a silent auction and giveaways. For people who order a ticket to support the cause but are unable to attend the event, there will be a special online give away. “If we can get organized and come together, we will realize that we don’t have to be afraid. That a bunch of little whispers make a really loud roar if you can get together at events like this and make a statement. Put your dollar towards something that supports bettering the community and is giving back to you. If you are going to come out to our event, we are going to make you laugh, we are going to challenge you, and we are going to give you resources and tools. We are not going to tell you what to do or how to think, but we are going to challenge the way you have been thinking and acting,” says Jones. Tickets for the event Friday February 6 are available at The Venue, The Kawartha Sexual Assault Centre, and through Kristal Jones who can be contacted by email at kdmjones87@gmail.com. Tickets are $10 in advance and $15 at the door.
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Volume 49 | Issue 16 | FebrUARY 3, 2015
Opinionpage Editorial: Trent’s Board of Governors has been supportive of the fossil fuel divestment campaign By Pat Reddick
I don’t like speculating in my editorials, but this week I just can’t resist the urge. I wholeheartedly believe that Trent’s Board of Governors intends to divest from fossil fuels if it can find a way to do so. It may not be number one on the priority list, and it may not happen at the rate student leaders would like to see it happen at, but I don’t doubt for a second that it’s something the Board is seriously considering and would like to find a way to do. Last week’s divestment rally saw protestors enter the Board meeting, welcomed with open arms by the Board. Literally. They were waved in by chair Bryan Davies. The Board doesn’t shy away from discussion, even when it’s a lost cause. Last year then-Vice President Campaigns and Equity Braden Freer approached the Board about a tuition freeze. They welcomed him to the meeting, listened to his presentation, and told him “sorry, can’t do it, here’s why.” After the Board welcomed Sustainable Trent members Julian Tennent-Riddell and Calvin Beauchesne just over a year ago to argue that Trent should divest from fossil fuels, they never told them no. In fact, both Robin Dines and thenChair Anne Wright both told them “I’ll give it serious consideration.” The Board is the highest governing body at Trent. They don’t shy away from saying a flat-out, very clear “no” when that’s the answer they have to give. They
Letters to the Editors Examining the shortcomings of capitalism We will begin with the premise that everyone has the inherent right to own property in a capitalist society. Ownership of land, resources, technology, and intellectual property is a very detrimental component of capitalism for several reasons. Why allow companies to buy patents in order to suppress technology as exemplified by the electric car? Why research a cure if profits from treatments outweigh the profits from that cure? Why does everyone on a suburban block need their own lawn mower if one is only used for twenty minutes a week? Ownership in this day and age stimulates the unnecessary extraction and production of natural resources while the required amount of utility is less than what is actually produced. Furthermore, this need for “one of everything” is exaggerated in commercial advertisements, indoctrinating a society full of greedy, self-serving individuals; it inherently contrasts with the principles of sustainability. As technology progressed through the 21st century, complex economic models and algorithms were derived in order to outcompete other businesses. These models were also designed to keep the
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have no reason to do so. It’s been a year since Sustainable Trent’s presentation and they still haven’t said it. It’s a fact that the Board has been openly sympathetic to the campaign. A press release following their June 2014 meeting confirmed that the Board had “begun a serious examination of the issue.” The same release stated that members of the board “have participated in the Responsible Investing Association Conference (Toronto, May 26-28, 2014) and the Ontario Universities Pension Symposium (Waterloo, May 6, 2014) to gain insights on the issues and engage with specialists in the field.” At the January 31, 2014 presentation, Governor Andrew Stewart inquired about whether or not there were other institutions the board could model their divestment approach off of.
That’s not the type of question a Board member would ask if the general view was unsupportive. At the rally last Friday, the Board echoed their previous sentiment that it was something they are seriously considering. Their lack of a definitive response is largely due to the complexity of the university’s financial portfolio. Managing something like that is no easy task. I may discuss it in simple terms, but divestment isn’t as easy as merely flipping a switch. After all, that’s why there’s a whole Board looking after these sorts of duties. I would say the most compelling arguments before the Board are the fourth and fifth of Sustainable Trent’s five-point presentation: that divestment is aligned with Trent’s core values and that it would further the school’s reputation as an envi-
consumption of the economy always running, also known as cyclical consumption. Intrinsic and planned obsolescence are two of the processes in which this consumption never comes to a standstill. Intrinsic obsolescence occurs when a company cannot use the best materials available in building their product in order to remain cost efficient. From this restraint of cost efficiency, the product is not at its best possible condition in regards to its longevity. Planned obsolescence on the other hand, is the deliberate attempt to reduce the life expectancy of a product through use of malware, glitches, substandard software, and such so that consumers will continue the cyclical consumption. How does this the affect the environment? We have thousands upon thousands of waste electronic depots filled with products whose longevity could have easily been doubled if they were designed properly. Cyclical consumption threatens the world in two major ways. First, we constantly have to keep extracting resources at a very fast rate, and secondly, the companies who produce these products are not responsible for the proper disposal of them after they are no longer useable. This creates vast landfill sites all around the world in which “poorer” areas are disproportionately affected more.
Send us a letter: editors@trentarthur.ca
- Scott Dowle
ronmentally progressive place. At that 2014 Board meeting, Julian Tennent-Riddell quoted the very mission statement the Board approved in 2010: Trent’s mission is to “foster sustainability, in its environmental, social and economic dimensions, on our campuses and in all aspects of our work.” “It would be a bold move to take, but it would add to that image that we’re known for,” said Beauchesne regarding Trent’s reputation. As important as the other three are from an ethical standpoint, it’s really these last two that hit home from the perspective of a governing board. According to the Board’s bylaws, specifically section 6 – Standard of Care, each Governor is required to “act honestly and in good faith with a view to the best interests of the University.” This is standard practice on any Board of any corporation. It doesn’t matter what your personal views are; you’re here to do what’s best for Trent. Following our mission statement and making decisions that further an established, acknowledged, and accepted reputation are well within that purview. It’s still the case that if Trent divests from fossil fuels we would be the first university in the country to do so. It’s very much the case that Sustainable Trent wants that. I want that, and, according to a 2013 referendum, the majority of Trent students want that. Don’t let a lengthy decision-making process fool you: there is no doubt in my mind that Trent’s highest governing body stands with us in wanting it too.
Clubs&Groups
By Nathan Prendergast
Hello Trent movie goers and film enthusiasts! Next week, Wednesday February 11, Trent Film Society will be screening Ira Sachs’ 2014 film Love is Strange, the final part of our romance theme. This loving and endearing drama is sure to warm your heart as we approach Valentine’s Day. Love is Strange follows an old gay cou-
ple, Ben (John Lithgow) and George (Alfred Molina), recently married after nearly 40 years of being together. Tension arises when George loses his job and they are forced to give up their cherished apartment. Fortunately, they find support from friends who offer them each a place to stay while they try to put their lives back in order. This kindness only relieves some of their burden as they have to stay at sepa-
TMUN attends McMUN 2015
rate places during that time, putting stress on their relationship. Though it is still a part of the film, the focus is seldom on the adversity Ben and George encounter as a gay couple. They live in a loving and accepting community. Though the discrimination they face is still explored in the film, the main focus of the film is on the problems that arise in Ben and George’s relationship from being forced by circumstance to live apart from each other. There are no melodramatic moments or over-the-top expressions of affection. Instead, the film relies on the great chemistry between Lithgow and Molina when they are together on screen, as well as the amounting gloom when they are separated, to convey the movie’s deeper message of the commitment to love. Love is Strange avoids cliché and cheesy romantic ploys to make way for a beautiful, heartfelt, and at times, heart-wrenching love story that redefines the Hollywood concept of soulmate. It is playful, charming, and sincere in its approach of depict-
Trent Radio: Embarrass Wednesdays By James Kerr
(Left to Right): Julie Eldridge, Maia Phillips, Alex McKee, Hailey Krolyk By Julie Eldridge
McMUN 2015 (McGill Model United Nations) was an amazing experience that Trent Model United Nations (TMUN) is very proud to have taken part in. Coming together with so many dedicated students from across North America was truly inspiring, and the competition mixed with camaraderie made for a unique opportunity to meet new people. During the conference, the delegates from Trent University had the opportunity to work with students from Harvard, Princeton, and from across Canada, coming from as far away as the University of Calgary. This conference emphasized skills in public speaking, problem-solving and teamwork, and for a first-time MUN participant such as myself, it was a thrilling
foray into international relations. Our delegation was very proud to represent Trent University on such a visible stage, and we were able to meet some wonderful people including Christian Kastrop (the Director of the Policy Studies branch at the Economics Department for The Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development), who had just ‘stopped by’ to McMUN on his way home from a G20 Summit! The networking opportunities were endless, the first-hand knowledge of the inner workings of the UN was priceless, and the fun and friends were infinite! In fact, the only part of McMUN 2015 that came to an end was the conference itself—this memory will last forever, along with a deep commitment from all of the delegates to being a part of the global community.
ing life-long partners, giving a tangible shining example for all couples to look up to, old and new. The film faced some controversy in the United States with the MPAA rating the film R, despite there being no sexual or violent content. Their justification for the rating was a few instances of coarse language. Some critics suspect the rating was given by merit of its gay content. In Canada, the film is rated PG. We here at TFS stand by Canada’s rating and see no reason why the content of this lovely film can’t be enjoyed by viewers of all ages. Is there such a thing as true love? Can love withstand adversity? Do Ben and George stay together after nearly four decades of being by one another’s side? To find out the fate of this amiable marriage, join us at 8pm @ Artspace, your local artist-run center, located at 378 Aylmer Street North, by the corner of Simcoe and Aylmer, near the Greyhound Terminal. Our screenings are completely free. They are also open to anyone, not just Trent students, so bring that special someone!
I’m going to embarrass a friend. Actually, I’m going to embarrass three. Here are three shows on Trent Radio 92.7 FM right now that I think deserve a bit of attention. This week we’re doing “Wednesdays”. “Speculating Canada”: Wednesdays 16:00-17:00h. Where are our aliens? Our monsters? Our magic? “Speculating Canada” looks at the rich diversity of Canadian speculative fiction, giving voice to Canadian SF authors, examining themes in Canadian SF, and generally exploring a uniquely Canadian brand of geekdom. Through author interviews, discussions of Canadian monsters, superheroes, magic, cyborgs, myth, and imaginative futures, “Speculating Canada” engages with the wider space of the Canadian imaginarium. Community member Derek NewmanStille explores all topics of Canada + Geek. Derek often has extensive interviews with the authors themselves. If you want to know what people are writing about in your country, then this is your show. Derek also has a blog about this at speculatingcanada.ca. “Growing Pains”: Wednesdays 18:30-
19:00h. To every kid who stayed up past their bedtime reading about secret passageways, puberty, and aliens by flashlight; this show is for you! Grad student Caileigh Morrison gives wonderful readings of young adult novels really “tween” novels, right on the cusp between kid lit and teen lit. This programme has been going on for several years, and is beginning its final novel now, so if you tune in soon you can get in the whole thing. If you missed Trent Radio’s “Radio Reads” event day, and wish very sincerely to be read to, “Growing Pains” is an excellent choice. “Northern Stars”: Wednesdays 18:3019:00. 41 Canadian albums, ranging from mainstream to obscure, compete for the elusive Polaris Prize. Listen in to learn more about them and what the fuss is all about. Jess Grover, operator at Trent Radio but also an active community member and Sadleir House darling, rocks your world as she expands the borders of your mind while keeping you within the borders of Canada. I’ll be back next time with another day of the week. Keep listening to Trent Radio 92.7 FM!
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Volume 49 | Issue 16 | FebrUARY 3, 2015
SportspAge Photos: West Bank downs East Bank 6-3 in intercollege hockey
Varsity Standings
as of January 31
Women’s Volleyball - OCAA East Wins
Losses
Draws
Points
Georgian
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2
0
26
Seneca
11
4
0
22
Canadore
10
4
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Durham
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5
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Trent Algonquin Loyalist George Brown La Cite
10 6 5 4
0 0 0 0 0
20 12 10 8
2
5 8 9 9 12
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Draws
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Durham
15
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30
Fleming
9
4
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18
Trent
9
6
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18
Canadore Seneca
8
6 7 8 9
16 16
Algonquin Georgian
8 6 6
0 0 0 0
12 12
George Brown
4
9
0
8
La Cite
4
10
0
8
Loyalist
2
12
0
2
Team
Fleming
4
Men’s Volleyball - OCAA East Team
Upcoming Matches
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Sport
Home
Away
Date/Time
Women’s Volleyball
Trent
La Cite
Feb 8 @ 1pm
Men’s Volleyball
Trent
La Cite
Feb 8 @ 3pm
Women’s Volleyball
Seneca
Trent
Feb 11 @ 6pm
Men’s Volleyball
Seneca
Trent
Feb 11 @ 8pm
listings Clubs & Groups Learn to Fence! Practices are Thursday 6:30-8:15pm and Sunday 7-9pm in the Main Gym. No experience required. You need to arrive in workout gear with athletic shoes, all other equipment is provided. It is $20 for the semester. For more information go to trentu.ca/fencing or email courtneypeeters@outlook.com The 2015 Performance by the Classics Drama Group at Trent University - A Greek tragedy:Aeschylus’ Agamemnon & Libation Bearers. Directed by George Kovacs. Performances: Wed., February 4; Thu, February 5 at 8pm; Sat, February 7 at 3pm. Nozhem: FPHL, Gzowski College.Tickets: $10 / $7 for students. Fri, February 6 at 8pm. The Market Hall (George and Charlotte Streets). Tickets: $15 / $12 for students. Email: cdg@trentu.ca or 705-748-1011, x7848 for ticket reservations Chocolate Love Party! Tues February 10, 5 -7pm @The Spoon $5 - 10 sliding scale. We haven’t forgotten about one of your absolute favourites at the Spoon - chocolate love with local chocolate alchemist, Dan Legaut! If you are interested in learning more about how to make chocolate, the culture of Cacao, reciprocity and the integrity behind this amazing superfood as a medicine and sensual pleaser then come out to our chocolate love party! As part of Self Love week, we may even be adding some extra aphrodisiac ingredients into this chocolate! Bring yourself or a date and let’s get silly on Cacao! Email spoonvolunteers@gmail.com for more info Winter Craft Fair at the Seasoned Spoon, Wednesday Feb 11, 11am–3pm. The Seasoned Spoon is pleased to announce the Return of our winter Craft Fair, just in time for Self Love Week! Come on by and check out the amazing creations our local artisans have in store for you. Treat yourself or get something for that special person in your life! So far there will be offerings of beeswax candles, chocolate, upcylcled clothing, jewellery, cards, natural body products, journals and more! Email spoonvolunteers@gmail.com for more info Cookie Exchange & Self Love Talk Wed Feb 11, 4:30pm, FREE. Bake cookies for others and get to try their cookies in return. Leave with an abundant variety of cookies to share or give away to friends for Self Love week! Here’s how it works. First you sign up! The event is capped at 10 people so be sure to register early! Next you make a half dozen cookies for each person in the exchange. Everyone gets together, swaps cookies and leaves with tonnes of different varieties of cookie. Immediately after we will be having a self- love talk and discussion! Learn about all the best ways to love yourself just as you are and honour yourself emotionally, mentally and physically! This talk is FREE and anyone can participate, whether you are doing the cookie exchange or not. Email sarahgervais@trentu.ca to sign up for the cookie exchange. Email spoonvolunteers@gmail.com for more info about the talk
SUDOKU small edition
Now accepting auditions for Trent U Music Society’s Battle of the Bands, send all submissions to trentumusic@gmail.com. Rules and guidelines can be found at www. trentumusic.ca, over $1000 in prizes to be
won. Audition deadline is Friday, February 6th, and the competition is Saturday, March 21st. Get those submissions in! Weekly Open Mics EVERY Thursday evening at 8pm at the Trend pub in Traill college! Hosted by the Trent University Music Society. Bring your instruments or just come to listen for a night of good music and good company. Free admission, all welcome! More info: trentumusic@gmail.com. Come learn basic to advanced Arabic! Our classes cover reading, writing and speaking. Weekly Arabic classes every Tuesday from 5-6pm at GCS 108. Absolutely free!
Trent Trent’s New 3 Minute Paper Competition. Attention 3rd and 4th year students writing a thesis: Do you want a chance to talk about your research, win cash prizes and have your work published? Submit your application to represent your college in the 3MP competition coming up in March. Deadline is approaching February 6. For information check out www.trentu.ca/3mp or contact 3mp@trentu.ca Puckstruck: Canada’s Hockey Obsession. Author Stephen Smith speaking Tues Feb 10, 7pm Peterborough Public Library Auditorium 345 Aylmer St. N. presented by the Peterborough Public Library and the Dept of Canadian Studies, Trent U. Free event, everyone welcome: https://www.eventbrite. ca/d/canada--peterborough/puckstruck/. Books available for purchase onsite. CBC Radio Peter Gzowski Internship Program Do you see yourself in a career in media? Are you in your final year at Trent University? Apply for the prestigious CBC Radio Peter Gzowski Internship Program! Application deadline is Friday February 6th at 4pm in the Career Centre, Champlain College, Room 204. Internship runs May to August 2015. Details on how to apply at: www. trentu.ca/gzowskiinternships. Centre for Human Rights, Equity, and Accessibility (CHREA): MV-1 Services. The MV-1 Vehicle provides shuttle services for Trent students, staff, and faculty with a wide range of disabilities. Passengers are individuals experiencing challenges in negotiating distances, topography and pitch that are inherent in the physical landscape of Trent’s campus. The MV-1 service is free-of-charge and can take you anywhere you need to go on any Trent campus (Symons, Traill, or Water St. Residence); rides can be booked online through http:// www.trentu.ca/ohrea/mv1.php. If you have any further questions do not hesitate to contact Trent’s Andrea Walsh (Accessibility Advisor) at 705-748-1011 Ext. 6002. Walkhome—Trent’s safe walk service. Late class? Working in the lab? Call us for a walk; 25 minutes from Symons or Traill (downtown) Hours of operation: Monday to Friday: 7pm to 1am, Saturday & Sunday: 9pm to 1am 705-748-1748 Walkhome—Pre-book your safe walk. Do you regularly have practice Monday night, work in the Library Tuesday night or go downtown Friday night? Our team of volunteers walkers can meet you, on campus or downtown. Monday to Friday: 7pm to 1am, Saturday & Sunday: 9pm to 1am. Call us 705- 748-1748 or email walkhome@tretnu.ca to Prebook a walk.
send yours to listings@trentarthur.ca
Worried about a course this semester? We want to help! Register for the Academic Mentoring Program to request an upper-year student mentor. Mentors meet regularly with students to discuss course concepts and build an understanding of course material. To request a mentor, or to volunteer, visit trentu.ca/academicskills/ peermentoring.php.
Kris & Will: Arenalodge. Opening reception February 6, 7-11pm. Exhibition runs February 6-March 28 at Artspace, 378 Aylmer Street North.
Do your class readings overwhelming? Could you use a little help organizing your study time? The Academic Skills Centre is the best place to come to get your daily academic life under control! Book an appointment online through your Student Experience Portal at trentu.ca/sep. Click on “Book Appointments” and select “Academic Skills”. We’re located at Suite 206 in Champlain College and our services are always free!
The Work of Media Art in the Age of Hashtag Politics. February 7, 2015. Kris & Will, The Desearch Repartment, and Mikiki; moderated by Ger Zielinski. Bagnani Hall, Traill College, Trent University, 310 London Street 7-9pm. FREE.
Local An eclectic group of editors and writers, we meet the last Monday of every month from 7 to 8:30 p.m. in the Community Room at Princess Gardens in Peterborough, Ontario. We network and share training and educational opportunities. We also bring in speakers and learn from one another. Trent students who are interested in learning more about editing or business writing are welcome. No dues or fees. We’re an open, not-for-profit organization. Contact: Jane Davidson 705-772-7692. bestwritecom@gmail. com. http://www.bestwritecommunications. net Travel AND work over the summer - get certified during Reading Week! Travel/ Teach English -TEFL Certification with The TESL Trainer at One World ESL School. www.tesltrainer.ca Contact: tesltrainer@sympatico. ca ESLHelp & Editing. Contact: worldeslschool@sympatico.ca
one-
St. John’s Ambulance Standard First Aid Our Standard Certificate is valid for 3 years! Includes CPR and AED training! This course provides a certificate in Standard First Aid & a CPR/AED certificate. 13 to 14.5 hours of instructional time (2 days); includes 435-page First Aid/CPR/AED book. **This course is required by the WSIB if your place of work employs more than 5 employees per shift.** Upcoming sessions: Weekdays(8:30-4) Feb. 4-5, 10-11, 26-27, or Combo Course SFA/Level-C CPR (8:305:00) Jan. 29-30, or Combo Course SFA/ Level-C CPR (8:30-5:00) Feb. 4-5, 7-8, 10-11, 14-15, 21-22, Contact: sjapeterborough@bellnet.ca, 705-745-0331, sja.ca St. John’s Ambulance CPR Recertification (Weekdays at 6:30 pm, or Saturdays at 1:00) Feb 7, 17, 21, Mar 7, 10. Call for additional dates, or organize your own group at a convenient time at any location--discounts for groups! sjapeterborough@bellnet.ca, 705-745-0331, sja.ca
Arts Galerie Q, Solo Exhibit - Claude Picher, R.C.A. January 12 - February 28. Galerie opens 10-6, Thursday through Sunday. Galerie Q 705-944-8888 1521 County Rd. 10, Cavan, ON, L0A 1C0
Thursday
Friday
The Desearch Repartment, Captivate: Art Fairs for Life. February 7, 2015 at Artspace, 378 Aylmer Street North from 12 to 5pm. $10/PWYC/No one turned away
The Peterborough Storytellers usually meet on the third Wednesday of the month, from 7 to 9 at the Peterborough Public Library. Our next meetings will be on Feb 18 (Personal Storytelling) & March 18 (World storytelling day. Theme “Wishes”). Kawartha Youth Orchestra presents: Music Magic. Come join the Kawartha Youth Orchestra for their first concert of 2015, “Music Magic” on Sunday, March 1 at Market Hall. Ticket buyers will hear our region’s talented youth “make magic” performing some of the world’s greatest music, including Schubert’s famous “Unfinished” symphony and Bizet’s Carmen Suite as well as oboe and violin concertos by graduating members of the KYO! Tickets for this 3pm concert are $15 for adults ($5 for youth and $20 at the door) and available by visiting the box office or purchasing online at markethall.org. The next Word*UP! happens Wednesday, February 11, 7 pm at the Spill on George Street. Word*UP! is an evening of spoken word, poetry and assorted literary hijinks. This month’s theme is “Love And Other Catastrophes.” Open mic, no cover, cash bar, and a growing community forming around poetry. We’re welcoming, affirming, peace and joy loving. Come share! The Theatre on King is happy to host Mysterious Entity’s Script Club, Thursday February 5, 7pm. $5 or pwyc. Mysterious Entity welcomes local theatre artists and theatre lovers to this monthly reading series. Readers gather at 7, readings will start at 7:30. Some Mysterious Entity performers will always be on hand, but local actors are also welcome to come and sign up to do a cold read. Theatre lovers - come and be a part of the process! First rule of Script Club ... be there. Second rule of Script Club ... ALWAYS talk about Script Club. TTOK is happy to welcome Beau Dixon and his one man show, Beneath Springhill, for two presentations on Saturday, February 7 at 7:30pm and 9pm. $15. Advance tickets available at Black Honey. Beneath Springhill is the incredible story of Maurice Ruddick - ‘the singing miner’. The African Canadian saved the lives of six miners trapped one mile underground by keeping their spirits up through song and prayer for nine days. This one man show written and performed by Beau Dixon recalls the events during the historic Springhill mine disaster of 1958, the effect it had on the rural Canadian community, and the racial tension that grew from it. TTOK, 159 King St. (around back)
Send your listings FREE to listings@trentarthur.ca.
Saturday
t TUMS Open Mic @ The t The Bandicoots, No t Donna Collison & Biff Pussyfooting and Dylan Hannon Jazz Duo @ Curry Trend (8pm) Ireland @ The Spill Village (6-9pm) (9pm) t Diamond Dave and the Smoke Eaters @ Pigs Ear (9pm) t Union City @ The Red Dog (10pm)
This Weekend in Live Music: presented by ElectricCityLive.ca
Upcoming Special Issues: A Call for Submissions Self Love Week
Black History Month
We’re planning a special “Self Love� themed issue for Issue 17, and we need your help to make it a success.
We’re reaching out to students and student groups ahead of February to let them know about our plans for Black History Month.
Self Love Week is an alternative to Valentines Day. It’s a week of “reclamation of love for self and a challenge to dominant ideas of romance,� as the Centre for Gender and Social Justice has put it. It’s a much more inclusive event (there’s room for single people, queer folks, and polyamory), there’s no inherent capitalist element urging you to buy cards and consume chocolates (pick it up half-price on February 15 instead), and it’s a week long rather than just one short day. And hey, if you want to celebrate Valentine’s Day too that’s totally fine. We just want you to love yourself!
It’s our goal to have at least one full page of Black History Month content in each of our February issues (16, 17, and 18). This means we need at least two full articles per issue. To do that we need your help.
What we need from you are articles and other writing or contributions that fall under a very broad “Self Love� theme. Examples include, but are not limited to: t 4PNF BEWJDF PO IPX ZPV EP TFMG DBSF t " QFSTPOBM FTTBZ BCPVU ZPVS JOUFSQSFUBUJPO PG i4FMG -PWFw t " OFXT BSUJDMF UIBU ĕUT UIF UIFNF t "O PQJOJPO QJFDF BCPVU JU t 1IPUPHSBQIZ UIBU FYQSFTTFT ZPVS PS TPNFPOF FMTF T TFMG MPWF t " ESBXJOH UIBU FYQSFTTFT JU t 4PNF BEWJDF PO IPX ZPV EP TFMG DBSF t 4PNUIJOH DSFBUJWF UIBU * DBO U FWFO JNBHJOF The deadline for submissions is Wednesday February 4 at Midnight. If you’re reading this ad after Wednesday, like, who really cares about deadlines? Love yourself and send that article you’ve always wanted to write anyway. We’ll publish it. Given when this issue comes out, it doesn’t leave you much time if we strictly enforce that kind of thing. If you want to contribute but you’re stumped for ideas, get in touch: editors@trentarthur.ca.
For each issue we’re looking for anything from personal essays, to historical pieces, to opinion pieces, to news articles, or anything else that falls under a very broad interpretation of Black History Month. We don’t want to exclude non-writers so we’re open to submissions of any graphical content as well (especially “traditional� newspaper content like cartoons and photography). There will be two more issues to submit to. The deadlines are as follows: t *TTVF 'FCSVBSZ t *TTVF 'FCSVBSZ Individuals interested in submitting are more than welcome to contact us if they want any more information or to discuss ideas by email (editors@trentarthur.ca), in person at our office Monday and 8FEOFTEBZ 'SJEBZ QN PS BU POF PG PVS TUPSZ NFFUJOHT 8FEOFTEBZT BU QN BU UIF 5SFOE 1VC JO 5SBJMM $PMMFHF
We’re also planning an issue in March showcasing works of art created by Trent students. This can be photography, painting, drawings, sculptures, or anything you consider to be art. There will be a small section for creative writing as well.