Issue Two - Volume 53 - September 29th, 2014
Kelly Lui
The Food Services Scandal: Who is really at fault? Ashley Moniz Arts & Entertainment Editor There is an old English proverb that says: “Don’t bite the hand that feeds you.” Unfortunately, a few new alterations to the standard food services procedures at Glendon have many students sharpening their teeth in disgust. Many students moved back into residence at the beginning of the month to find that they would not be able to purchase food the same way that they did in years past. Before, students could go and buy any type of food or beverage anywhere on campus and, if they had a meal plan, they would be not be charged for taxes. However, the Excise Tax Act, last amended on June 20, 2014 (Excise Tax Act, Justice Laws Website, Government of Canada), states that certain foods and beverages sold on campus are still taxable. While food that fulfills basic needs is not taxable, according to this act, snacks and beverages can be taxed.
York University now doesn’t allow food items that can be taxed to be purchased through the meal plan. Because of this, anything that is considered a meal and/or is prepared by a staff member in the cafeteria is charged through the meal plan, but foods and beverages that are classified as snacks1 are done so through flex dollars and taxed. The only exception to this rule is found when a snack is purchased with a meal, in which case the student does not pay tax and it is charged to their meal plan. Also new is the breakdown of the money spent on a meal plan. No matter what size of a meal plan is purchased, $1800 goes towards the Basic Meal Dollars (the standard meal plan), $250 goes towards Flex, and the rest is saved in the Plus Meal Dollars (where you go when you run out of Basic Dollars)2. In past years, Plus Dollars could be carried over on a non-taxable basis and added onto the next year’s Plus Dollars, but now, Plus Dollars that have been carried over are taxable and can still only be spent on
meals. Many students have not adjusted well to this change. For many people, it was only upon moving into residence that they were informed via an information card. In other words, students went ahead and bought their meal plans without knowing about these changes. It wasn’t until after purchasing their meal plans and moving in that students were told that any money that they spent on a larger meal plan, thinking that they would have to accommodate for these snacks, would need to be spent on meals; otherwise, it would be reserved and become taxable as of next year, meaning money that shouldn’t have been spent on HST will be. Ultimately, the law is the law. It is understandable that people are upset about the sudden change, but if certain items are taxable under federal law, there’s not much we can do. (Continued on page 3...)
Pro Tem Letter from the Editor Editor in Chief | Rédactrice en chef Natasha Faroogh editor@protemglendon.com Assistant English Editor | Rédactrice adjointe (anglais) Stephanie Settle assistanteng@protemglendon.com Assistant French Editor | Rédactrice adjointe (français) Gervanne Bourquin assistantfr@protemglendon.com Section Editors | Les rédactrices de sections Campus Life | Vie de Campus Erika Desjardins campuslife@protemglendon.com Issues and Ideas | Enjeux et idées Lindsey Drury issuesideas@protemglendon.com Health and Wellness | Bien-être et santé Samantha Kacaba healthwellness@protemglendon.com Metropolis | Métropole Neya Abdi metropolis@protemglendon.com Arts and Entertainment | Arts et divertissement Ashley Moniz artsentertainment@protemglendon.com Expressions Sienna Warecki expressions@protemglendon.com Communications Officer | Agente de communications Victoria Ramsay communications@protemglendon.com Design and Layout | Maquettiste Megan Armstrong
Pro Tem est le journal étudiant du collège Glendon. Publié pour la première fois en 1962, c'est la plus ancienne publication de l'Université York. We strive to act as an agent of social change, and will not print copy deemed racist, sexist, homophobic or otherwise oppressive.
Glendonites,
Glendonites,
Recently I was at Keele campus, talking to my friends there, trying to explain what Glendon is like. As a D-Frosh, as a senior student, as an editor of our paper, as a person who loves Glendon—how do I explain what Glendon is like? How should I describe it? “It’s a community,” I told them. My friends looked at me, slightly bewildered. “What do you mean?” they asked me, “York, (or Keele campus), is a community too.” “Not like Glendon though!” I argued. Not that Keele isn’t wonderful, especially with its array of food options, large airy classrooms, and multitude of clubs. Its colleges boast their own unique cultures. Yet, there’s something about Glendon that feels personal that encourages us to use the catch-all phrase, “Glendon is a Community”, with a capital C. Is it the fact that all the leaders of Clubs and Levy Organizations know each other and work together to make Glendon campus home? Or that the administration will open their office doors to any inquiries students have? Is it the fact that you cannot walk through the halls without bumping into someone you know? Is it the fact that you’re likely to start up a conversation with a stranger in the Tim Hortons line if you’re alone? I’m not really sure what it is, but like Narnia, Glendon feels like a secret world in which we find a supportive group of people that you can call your own.
J’étais récemment sur le campus de Keele et je parlais à des amis en essayant de leur expliquer en quoi Glendon est spécial. En tant que D-Frosh, qu’étudiante senior, que rédactrice de notre journal, en tant que personne qui aime notre petit campus vert, comment puis-je expliquer Glendon? Le décrire? Je leur ai dit, “c’est une communauté.” Ils m’ont regardée, l’air perplexe: “Qu’est-ce que tu veux dire? York (ou le campus de Keele) est une communauté aussi.” “Mais pas comme Glendon!” ai-je répondu. Pas que Keele ne soit pas formidable, surtout avec son large choix de restaurants, ses salles de classe spacieuses et sa multitude de clubs. Chacun des collèges peut se vanter d’avoir sa propre culture. Cependant, il y a quelque chose de particulier à Glendon qui nous pousse à utiliser l’expression fourre-tout “Glendon est une Communauté” avec un C majuscule. Est-ce parce que tous les leaders de clubs et groupes étudiants financés se connaissent et travaillent ensemble pour que chacun se sente chez lui à Glendon? Ou parce que l’administration ouvre ses portes à toutes les questions des étudiants? Ou qu’il est impossible de traverser un couloir sans rencontrer quelqu’un que tu connais? Ou que tu peux discuter avec un inconnu dans la queue de Tim Hortons si tu attends seul? Je ne sais pas vraiment, mais, comme Narnia, Glendon est un monde secret où chacun trouve un groupe auquel il peut appartenir et s’intégrer.
Always, Natasha Faroogh Editor in Chief editor@protemglendon.com
Traduction par: Gervanne Bourquin Rédactrice adjointe (français) assistantfr@protemglendon.com
Please respond to what you read in the pages of Pro Tem/ n'hésitez pas à réagir à ce que vouz avez lu dans Pro Tem. Contact us/ Contactez-nous: protem@glendon.yorku.ca The Pro Tem Office D114 Hilliard Residence, Glendon College 2275 Bayview Avenue North York, ON M4N 3M6 The office is open by appointment only. Le bureau est ouvert sur rendez-vous seulement. Les lettres adressées au journal peuvent être éditées au niveau de la clarté ou de contenu. All copy appearing in Pro Tem is at the discretion of the editorial team. Opinions published in Pro Tem are the thoughts of individual writers, and not the publication as a whole.
Like to write? Get in touch with the Pro Tem Team at editor@protemglendon.com
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Glendon Comes Home
Vie de Campus Principal Donald Ipperciel Photo by Anthony Brum
Homecoming and Alumni Event, Glendon in the World Victoria Ramsay Communications Officer On Friday, September 19th, Glendon kicked off its homecoming festivities with the first event. Various alumni, currents students and faculty members gathered in the ballroom of the manor to hear a number of speakers and meet Glendon’s new principal, Donald Ipperciel. The theme of the event was “Glendon in the World”, and each speaker spoke to the theme as they addressed the crowd. David Trick, a graduate from ’77 as well as an author, was the event’s host for the evening and introduced each of the distinguished speakers. He was also awarded the Alumni of the Year award during the event. The first speaker called to address the audience was Chancellor Greg Sorbara, an alumni from ’78. Mr. Sorbara spoke to the crowd with an energetic tone as he discussed the special quality that a Glendon degree has. Sorbara went on to say, “I’m a baseball fan; everything I do needs to have a baseball metaphor. Baseball is a simple game; you leave home and you must make a circle and the objective is to come home again and that’s how you win. Coming home to this great institution this weekend is part of your winning.” He urged alumni to return periodically to Glendon, their home, to keep that relationship alive. Guests were also fortunate to hear from Solange Belluz, an MBA graduate in ’88 and an MA graduate in ’93. She summed up the theme of the evening by saying, “The theme is Glendon in the world, and I think that in a nutshell Glendon in the world is actually all of you present in the room as alumni.” A recent graduate, Bronwyn Walker, BA ’10 and MIAP ’12, immediately captivated everyone in the ballroom as she began her speech by stating, “The value of a university education in Canada is eroding”—a very blunt but realistic fact. She connected with students and alumni simultaneously by drawing attention to the fact that the value of a degree isn’t the same as it once was, and that the rules of education leading to employment are changing. She spoke about her success and experiences and how Glendon helped her to achieve those goals. In addition to the theme of Glendon in the World, this event also had a special emphasis on meeting and greeting our new principal, Donald Ipperciel. He has joined us this year coming from Campus Saint-Jean at the University of Alberta. He delivered his speech with charisma as he spoke about what the term liberal arts really means and how the skills taught in a liberal arts college help to mold well-rounded graduates. His perspective exemplified his deep knowledge of the subject. After the speeches were complete, there was time to enjoy some food as well as chat with alumni, students and the speakers. Due to the intimate nature of the event, it was easy to have conversations with many attendees. Principal Ipperciel took the time to speak to many guests including current students. He listened to their questions, acknowledged their unique perspectives, and didn’t rush through the conversation. As I spoke with him personally, he shared his vision for Glendon with me. His thoughts included four main areas of improvement. His first passion includes the use of technology in the classroom. He believes that students’ education could be further enhanced with the addition of new, technology-based, styles of learning. We also discussed his thoughts on expanding Glendon’s research in every department, creating a space where francophone students can identify with Glendon as their own, and ways to better market Glendon as an elite institution. In regards to marketing he commented, “We
shouldn’t be a best-kept secret, people should know!” From a student’s perspective, I think that his vision aligns with much of what could be improved at our school. Glendon students and alumni can be optimistic about the future and the great things to come. By the end of the event, one thing was certain: Glendon is indeed a community bound together by students and alumni alike that have all received an intimate and irreplaceable education. It was a priceless experience to see a wide range of people all interacting in one room with at least one thing in common: our home, Glendon. (Food Scandal - Continued from cover)... The real problem comes from the lack of communication, both within and outside of food services. On the outside, frustration could have been calmed by having an email sent to residents and other meal plan purchasers as soon as the rules were set in place, and possibly allowing students the option of switching to a smaller meal plan in order to accommodate the unexpected change. On the inside, a better job of establishing what does and doesn’t constitute a meal and educating the mostly new staff on these guidelines would also have been helpful. In perspective, the accommodation of a federal law is really not that bad when you consider some of the other going-ons at Glendon Food Services. How about the way that students are often uninformed when the cafeteria does not run on its usual hours of operation, such as last year during Co-curricular Week? Students, especially those living on campus who depend on the cafeteria as their main source of food, deserve to be informed about alternate opening/closing times so they don’t arrive early/late one day to find that the cafeteria is closed unannounced. Also upsetting is that in a school where any
social or student-run event or organization has rules about bilingualism, virtually all of the signage in the cafeteria is only in English. If this were truly a bilingual campus, all food options, disclaimers and promotions should be on display in both English and French. Furthermore, students have also approached me to discuss how even though kosher and halal diets are accommodated in the cafeteria, some members of the staff do not take the efforts to avoid cross-contamination. This is not to say that everything in the cafeteria right now is bad. There have been a few, more positive changes in the cafeteria. For starters, instead of just the grill and the pizza station, all operating stations are now open until the cafeteria closes, so that students can have a wider selection later into the evening. Kettle chips and crispy chicken are now available at Tim Horton’s, and the variety at the salad bar has increased as well. There is even a plan to launch new menu items throughout the year. And if the wok station has not reopened by the time this paper has been published, I have been assured by the Food Services Director, Michael Flood, that it will be shortly. So even though not everything about our food services is perfect, there have been efforts to improve those that we have available. The cafeteria should be allowed to make the changes necessary in order to stay running and providing a service while complying with university and legal standards—but as paying customers who depend on them, we have the right to be promptly informed of any drastic changes that are made. 1 A full list can be found in the FAQ section at foodservices.info.yorku.ca/meal-plan 2 Same address as above, but on the Glendon Campus Meal Plan page 3
Campus Life
Megan Armstrong
Tulip Tales!
Canals and Tulips and Bikes, Oh My!! Jennifer Coté Contributor This summer I took off to Europe to spend a year in the Netherlands, studying the tulips, eating yogurt and cheese, and riding a bike. For those of you who don’t know me, I am a third year student at Glendon in the International Studies program. The school I’m at for exchange is University College Roosevelt in a town called Middelburg. With its 600 students, it’s a very small school—even smaller than Glendon. The student body is about two-thirds Dutch. The rest of the student body is made up of a collection of nationalities: German, French, Belgian, Spanish, Greek, American, Russian, etc. I’m proud to say that I am the only one here who adds a dash of Maple to the mix. My decision to go on exchange was prompted by opportunity. Glendon has exchange programs, and it was possible to make it happen, so I did. I wanted to study abroad to live in a place with so much history and so many cultures. But it was a lot more than that. Yes, it’s a great addition to my program, and it’s a unique environment to study in, however, I also saw this as an opportunity to learn about myself and to grow as a twenty-something-year-old who is coming up to her final year of school. This is my first time in Europe and it really is a grand adventure. The people here are incredible and I cannot think of a better place to be spending this next year. The town itself is absolutely lovely. Every street is made of cobblestone, a canal runs right outside of my build4 ing, and the school is located in the old town hall, built in the 1500s.
I am working as an E-Ambassador for Glendon while across the pond, in the land of tulips. I have a blog and twitter account to share my experiences with past, present, and future Lionhearts. My blog posts thus far have been about a few towns I’ve visited and life here in the Netherlands. It’s really nice to sit down every week or so to feel a little connection to my home country and our petite école back in Toronto. Our lovely school newspaper—the one and only Pro Tem—has invited me to share a little blurb every other week for those of you interested in reading about Holland life. Full blog posts can be found on my E-Ambassador blog at jennifercgl.wordpress.com, along with all my previous posts. I’m very honoured to have this opportunity and I hope you enjoy reading a little bit about what goes on in the land of stroopwafels.
La communauté de WUSC Shivani Babuta Contributor Encore une fois bienvenue à Glendon tout le monde! C’est presque déjà le deuxième mois. Our committee, World University Service of Canada Glendon, otherwise known as WUSC GL, would like to tell you a bit about what the word ‘community’ means to us! Par exemple, des communautés populaires comme les groupes religieux ou les groupes féministes, mais ici à notre collège il y a un groupe que WUSC pense être plus dynamique et également important, la communauté des étudiants! Of course, there are also our awesome profs and faculty members, but we are referring to the diverse assembly of students, whose friendliness you must have experienced in just the one month since we have returned. It’s truly amazing being
able to walk through these halls and hear or take part in a conversation where English is spoken at one moment and French, the next, or sometimes even another language. There is no denying that the student community of Glendon is something which draws us back with smiles on our faces each year. Comme les autres communautés, nous faisons face à des problèmes aussi (Pas toujours des problèmes sérieux bien qu’ils existent aussi!). Bien sûr, c’est difficile d’être un étudiant et quelquefois nous nous demandons si tout ceci en vaut le coup. The student community is one which struggles and perseveres to get a good education each day. We push ourselves to keep our grades up while managing everything else life throws right at us at the same time. Mais, comme vous le savez, nous croyons au WUSC que l’éducation peut changer le monde. Donc, nous sommes tellement chanceux d’avoir l’occasion de régler nos problèmes en équipe. Here is where we take a moment to thank you all for being awesome students and educating yourself towards achieving what you desire. Yay us! Nous vous adorons! Puis, dans une perspective plus large, avec une communauté de personnes passionnées et travailleuses, c’est possible d’aider les personnes défavorisées à obtenir une éducation, mais aussi de leur donner l’opportunité de créer faire quelque chose avec leur potentiel. Like every other levy-based organization here at Glendon, the school community is what allows our group to grow and prosper. Literally, from a group of just two members the year before last, with only our current co-presidents, we grew into a committee of 10+. With the awareness and funds we were able to raise last year we reached out to more students and staff than ever before, which in the end enabled us to sponsor our first refugee student in more than 4 years as well as passing the student referendum to increase our student levy.
Don’t Hate the Game, Hate the Player Victoria Ramsay Communications Officer Fall has returned, and with the changing leaves and the sudden addition of all things pumpkin comes one of my favourite things: the start of a brand new season of the NFL. Our fantasy teams have been carefully chosen and many a Sunday afternoon are spent sitting on the couch in a jersey cheering on our favourite team. There’s nothing like watching an underdog team come back to take the win, or to watch an unreal 40+ yard pass for a touchdown. There is no doubt that the players in the NFL are a unique breed of talented athletes, but lately my idea of football, the NFL, and the players has been tainted. Off of the field, the personal lives of players have been caught on tape, become news headlines and the subject of an uproar on social media. There are a number of unfortunate instances that have surfaced over the past few weeks involving Ray Rice, a running back for the Baltimore Ravens who “was originally handed a two-game suspension in July under the NFL’s personal conduct policy after he was charged with assault following a Feb. 15 altercation with his then-fiancée in a casino elevator” (City News). The NFL has become scrutinized for how they handled this situation, especially after a disturbing video of the altercation was recently released. This caused more questions to be raised as the Ravens dropped Rice as a player, and the NFL desperately defended that they hadn’t seen the video when the original two-game suspension was enforced. Rice isn’t the only player making headlines; other players in the spotlight include Adrian Peterson of the Minnesota Vikings, who has been accused of child abuse, as well as Ray McDonald and Greg Hardy who are also accused of domestic violence. The accusations against Hardy are riddled with violent acts such as that he “choked his then-girlfriend, threw her around, dragged her by her hair and threatened to kill her” (CNN). These accusations, videos, and descriptions are both graphic and tragic. The timing of these criminal offences coincides with the NFL’s effort to attract more female fans to the game. Have these incidences rendered the league’s efforts insignificant? As media outlets and sports commentators react, various women have also joined the conversation. CNN reports that Sen. Amy Klobuchar joined 15 other female senators in asking NFL commissioner Roger Goodell to institute a zero-tolerance policy for domestic violence (CNN). This is just one example of the bold involvement of women in this issue, and the amount of impact that women can have on the league. As an avid female fan of the NFL myself, I feel as though I’m caught in the middle—between a game that I’ve grown to love, and my personal duty as a female in today’s society. I feel as though I need to defend my love for the game merely because I am a woman. I shouldn’t have to defend my stance any more than a male football fanatic. Domestic abuse is tragic, intolerable, and affects so many people, but we sometimes forget that this isn’t just a woman’s issue—it is an issue that affects people regardless of their gender. I hope that male football fans are just as outraged as female fans when they hear about domestic violence being committed by players in the NFL. As a proud female fan, I will continue to tune into the NFL every Sunday and cheer on my team, but I will do so while wondering: is it possible for me to respect the sport, the tenacity and athleticism that NFL players exhibit, while leaving their personal lives out of the picture? Where do we draw the line between respecting the sport and respecting the man?
Enjeux et idées
Will you be buying the new iPhone 6?
I probably will, but I’m hesitant… Natasha Faroogh Editor in Chief The iPhone 6 has come out and like many other people, I am eager to get my hands on one. I’ve been using an oldschool phone that now drops every phone call I make— and multiple times. Bye, bye, Ericsson Mini, it’s time for an upgrade. However, while looking on Apple.com I found one part of the website that particularly intrigued me: “Supplier Responsibility”. Check it out for yourself at apple.com/ca/supplier-responsibility/. Initially, Apple convinced me that they are doing a great job with education on workers’ rights, enforcement of ethical business practises, implementation of a standard-hour workweek, and a commitment to environmentalism. Numbers such as 1.5 million workers trained on their rights in 2013 alone made me really appreciate the effort that Apple puts into supplier responsibility. However, upon further examining the website, certain things didn’t quite sit well with me. Although 95% of suppliers heeded the 60-hour workweek maximum, 5% did not. Consider that if employees get one day off, a 60hour workweek stands for 10 hours a day. Compare that to the Canadian standard 40-hour workweek with 8 hour days and 2 days of rest, and the picture becomes quite disturbing. Further consider that many employees live in housing units on site—imagine the crowding! Found on the very bottom of the same website, Apple’s 2014 “Progress Report” outlines the results of the 2013 audit and the corrective measures they implemented. It outlines that in the past year, there were cases of bonded labour (read: slavery) found in 14 facilities, and underage labour (read: exploitation) found in 8 facilities. And these are only those instances that were discovered. Personally, I feel saddened considering that I could be holding a product that has a part in it that may have been created by a bonded labourer. What further bothers me about these reports is the ambiguity. No locations are identified, making it difficult for activists to identify problem regions and make a difference. That said, activists are trying—and being silenced. A short documentary found on YouTube called “Who Pays the Price: The Human Cost of Electronics” by the organization Who Pays the Price (website: whopaysfilm.org) outlines the use of Benzene, a poisonous product that was used in Apple facilities. Banned in most Western countries, Benzene poisoning can cause leukemia. In this film, cancer patients, who are also former workers at Apple’s supplier chains, discuss how they are silenced when trying to report their leukemia as a workplace-related incident to receive compensation. After watching this documentary, I was determined to find out how Apple might (or might not have) reported on this issue. Excerpts from the 2014 Progress Report that discuss problems in Health & Safety help to explain why their reporting technique is a façade intended to hide, rather than solve problems. (Note the text bolded by me.) Ergonomics: Suppliers shall identify, evaluate and control worker exposure to physically demanding tasks [. . .] 112 facilities lacked ergonomics control management processes and procedures to identify risk and implement proper ergonomic controls. Facilities were required to establish a program to control the risks of workers’ exposure to ergonomic hazards and regularly review and solve workers’ ergonomic issues [. . .] Hazardous substance management and restrictions: Apple’s Code requires suppliers to comply with...any
applicable laws and regulations prohibiting or restricting the use or handling of specific substances. To ensure safe handling, movement, storage, recycling, reuse and disposal, suppliers shall identify and manage substances that pose a hazard [ . . .] 1 facility was found using a chemical that is banned by Apple. We required the facility to stop using the chemical and immediately find a replacement, as well as check for and replace any other substances that are banned by Apple. In addition, the facility established a proper new chemical review process. (Supplier Responsibility: 2014 Progress Report. Apple.com/ca/supplier-responsibility. Apple Inc. Jan. 2014. Web. 22 Sept. 2014. Pgs. 36-37) Now, let’s discuss what is concerning about these excerpts. In “Ergonomics”, the report describes that not only do we not know whether these suppliers are having extreme worker exposure to unhealthy environments, we also learn that there were no processes to even identify the ergonomic risks in 112 facilities—even though Apple has been completing audits since 2007. Onward, the end of the paragraph says that the facilities were required to regularly “review and solve workers’ ergonomic issues”, yet the report doesn’t identify what “regularly” means, nor does it identify what “solving” the issue means or how Apple would hold these suppliers accountable if they failed to do so. In “Hazardous substance management and restrictions” we learn that “1 facility was found using a chemical that is banned by Apple”. We are not informed of which banned chemical the facility was using or which facility location was using it. Furthermore, we don’t learn why the chemical was banned, what effects it could have on workers’ health and safety, or how potentially affected workers are being compensated. However, Apple appears to be making conscious efforts to resolve these problems as well as publish their findings on their website. Upon checking Samsung and Sony’s websites, as leading competitors, no discussion of their commitment (read: lack thereof) to ethically sound business practices could be found. So, I choose Apple over its competitors. However, without public access to the details of these cases, how are exploited workers in third-party supplier factories supposed to unite and fight for their rights? Where do we find more information? Upon searching Apple’s entire website to find a number to call for further information on supplier responsibilities, I found none. It is sad, but true, that our entire privileged existence in Canada depends on the tireless labour of others throughout the world. You may be thinking, “what can I do as a simple reader and consumer?”. Perhaps we should remember that with our privilege, we have power—our means to spend money. Perhaps all there is left to consider is the human cost of each product we buy. It is time to reconsider our spending practices—and how they put strain on our fellow human beings.
Kelly Lui
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Issues and Ideas Métropole Life Without Labels:
An Op-Ed Concerning Sexual Identification and Its Relationship to Community Lindsey Drury Issues & Ideas Editor At a young age, children in North America are socialized to view certain, specific family situations as the accepted norm. Thinking back, it may have been one of the first concepts you ever learned. In classrooms, in books, in media, families are seen depicted as wholesome units made up of a wife (who is a female), a husband (who is a male), and a child (whose pronouns also match their anatomy). With age and continued exposure to the 'real' world, we all slowly become aware that—surprise, surprise—not everybody is heterosexual and/or cis-gendered. Whether it was from watching Ellen DeGeneres on TV, being an overly inquisitive child, or from having badass parents who actually told you the truth—the reality of gender and sexual orientation and its complexities have now entered your life. That said, most of us have unfortunately not been properly educated on the topics of sexuality, orientation, and gender—to the chagrin of the LGBTQA+ community. If you identify as a heterosexual person, it may be difficult or confusing to imagine sexual identification playing a role in one's relationship to their community. For many though, the impact may be huge. Growing up in today's Canada, children are typically assumed to be heterosexual until proven otherwise. The pressure to "come out" and identify oneself is enormous, and the LGTBQA+ community, as young teens, may feel forced to find a label and find it quick. Although it may seem easy to 'know' what you are attracted to, it is not always this simple, and it shouldn't be assumed to be either. If you display yourself in a "non-heterosexual" way, the first question you are likely to receive is: "What are you?", or "How do you identify?". There is no way around this question—everyone will want to know. For me, I have given so many different answers in my life I cannot even keep track. Until age 16 I was 'straight', from 16-17 I was 'bisexual', then I was 'gay' but never a 'lesbian', and finally I settled on 'queer'—which was not long before I wrote "The Existence of Queerism: An Issue of Definitions" almost exactly one year ago in Pro Tem. I've tossed the idea of pansexuality around as well, but upon reflection, I don't consider myself to be any of these at all, and I may never be. At 19 years old, I have yet to identify with any sexuality. None at all. My sexual orientation is something like a high-five, or a sigh, or a shrug. After years of searching, and feeling abnormal, I have decided that for me, there is no need to find 'my' word, and there is no better time to start living and accepting myself than right now. If you've been feeling disconnected, like you don't fit into any community at all, know that there are others who feel the same. It's important to look beyond terms and definitions, and take some of the pressure off. It is OK to live without labels—as long as you are content doing it. It took me years to accept that I do not have to be anything. To accept that it is okay to just live—that it is OK to just be.
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Open Streets TO: A Step Forward Michelle Kearns Contributor This August, I had the chance to volunteer at an event called Open Streets Toronto, part of a program that “open[s] streets to people and close them to cars encouraging participation in physical activity and healthy recreation” (openstreetsto.org). Bloor Street was closed to cars between Parliament and Spadina, and Yonge Street was closed from Bloor to Queen. The idea originated in Colombia and has seen great success in New York City and Ottawa. What’s interesting is the streets are not closed down for a marathon, a parade, or a cultural event of any kind. Instead, they’re closed to allow citizens to interact with our community and explore our city. It encourages active participation in our surroundings, whether it’s on roller blades, a bike, or your own two feet. You can explore how the design of the city and car-dependence can affect us and how we feel about everyday interactions. It may seem a little over-the-top and anti-car, but personally, I’m very curious about why North America is hesitant to explore life without being encased behind a car or bus window. If you’ve been lucky enough to travel, think about your favourite parts of the cities you’ve seen. Was it the stroll down the pedestrian-only cobblestone main shopping street in Galway that captured your heart? Was it watching the beautiful clock tower strike 3pm in Munich? The feel and emotion of an area can change so drastically simply by the way it was designed and the traffic that runs through it. The anxiousness you feel when walking down Lawrence to Yonge Street on that tiny sidewalk while cars speed past you just inches away is a familiar example. Feeling uncomfortable simply exploring your neighbourhood on foot is what results from this kind of car-centric planning that has taken over our cities for half a century. Volunteering at Open Streets TO was an amazing opportunity to connect with the community. I had the chance to speak with people from the neighbourhood and people who’d come downtown especially for this event. Unfortunately, the city had put a damper on the original
plan of closing Bloor from High Park to Main Street. They also bumped the time up from 8am-2pm to 8am-12pm, meaning most people were just rolling out of bed Sunday morning by the time we were packing up. However, with the support the project gained this year, hopefully next year will be bigger and better. Keep an eye out for 2015’s Open Streets TO and check it out. You’ll be glad you did.
Dining Near Campus
A Review of Riz Pan Asian and Hollywood Gelato Stephanie Settle English Assistant Editor For Glendon students, finding somewhere to eat a meal other than the cafeteria is always a challenge, and it becomes at least twice as difficult for those of us with allergies and other dietary restrictions. So when I had a friend visit me in residence recently, I worried that we’d have to travel a fair distance to find a restaurant that could accommodate my gluten sensitivity. Fortunately, I was mistaken. A post at blogTO directed me to Riz Pan Asian, only a short walk or bus ride away at 1677 Bayview. Unlike other restaurants that offer only a few gluten-free options, Riz Pan has an entire separate menu of gluten-free food to choose from. The serving plates for those items even have “gluten-free” printed on them, to avoid confusion and quell any fears of cross-contamination for those with celiac disease. While some of the meals are far too pricy for the average student’s budget, others are much more likely to be within it, such as the delicious chicken and shrimp pad thai for eleven dollars. I also thoroughly enjoyed the chicken spring rolls and a cup of coffee, as did my friend. For dessert, we decided to cross the street to 1640 Bayview, Hollywood Gelato—a choice I highly recommend. Overwhelmed by the variety of flavours on display, I elected to try a bit of three: coconut cream, brownie mud pie, and rocky rocher. All of them were delicious, and I definitely plan on returning to sample more. My evening at Riz Pan and Hollywood Gelato was even better than I expected, and I hope that other Glendon students try out these wonderful places for eats and treats.
Kelly Lui
Health and Wellness Kelly Lui
Hey Glendonites, I’m Amrita Singh, and this my new Pro Tem column, Strictly Sex! Here is how it works: YOU write into me with your questions about SEX and I do the research and write back to you. It’s that simple! Questions about straight & LGBTQ*+ sex are welcome. Of course there are some rules, firstly try and keep your questions as anonymous as possible. That means don’t write your name or the name of anyone you are referring to in your question. And its sex only! No questions about relationships or breakups; it’s Strictly Sex! Your question should be as specific as possible and you should stick to one question at a time with a word limit of under 120 characters. Here’s an example, Dear Amrita, My boyfriend A. and I want to know: How do you use female condoms? Sincerely, B. You can email your questions directly to strictlysex.gl@gmail.com or discretely drop them off in our Drop Box located outside of ITS or at Pro Tem’s office (D-114, Hilliard Residence).Thanks Glendon! Hope to hear from you soon. Disclaimer: By writing into Strictly Sex, you give Pro Tem permission to publish your question in print and various other publication forms. Questions are chosen by Amrita hence there is no guarantee all questions will be answered. Advice suggested in this column should not replace any professional medical or legal advice. Responses are the expressed opinions of Amrita and are not intended to diagnose or to be used as treatment. By writing in, you agree to use this advice at your own discretion and you agree to completely responsibility for whatever consequences ensue. You agree not to hold Amrita Singh, the editors at Pro Tem, Glendon College or York University liable for any negative consequences.
Happy 50th to the Glendon Athletic Club! Samantha Kacaba Health & Wellness Editor On September 15, our very own Glendon Athletic Club celebrated its 50th anniversary. Both students and faculty alike gathered in the main gymnasium of Proctor Fieldhouse for a reception held by the GAC to commemorate this momentous occasion. The celebration featured various speakers and performances, as well as refreshments and a raffle. The festivities were kicked off by a speech by Rosanna Furgiuele, the Associate Principal of Student Services. She took the time to acknowledge the tireless work of the Proctor Fieldhouse staff and all they do for the Glendon community and the community at large. Fun fact: Adam Sandler has been seen working out at the GAC. The GAC is important as the center for athletic excellence at Glendon, as well as the largest employer of students on campus. Professor Emeritus of History, Michiel Horn spoke about fond memories of both the Proctor Fieldhouse and the man who gave the facility its name, John Proctor; whom we learned was an avid tennis player in his youth. Our new principal, Donald Ipperciel, also spoke at the event, stressing the importance of athletics within the context of a full and balanced university experience. Along with these wonderful speakers, the celebration also featured demonstrations of a few of the various complimentary and paid programs available to members of the GAC. Zumba instructors Edgar and Corina lead
a demonstration of a typical routine, in which attendees were encouraged to get up on their feet and feel the rhythm of the upbeat music typical of the dance fitness program. Once attendees were energized by the impromptu dance session, our resident boxing instructors Nick and Aaron gave us a taste of what was in store for those registered in their upcoming boxing course, for which registration is still open. In typical Glendon fashion, student talent was also proudly showcased. Glendon’s Dance Club, Frenched, performed several pieces, which showcased just a few of the variety of dance styles mastered by the talented ensemble. The celebration was closed by a demonstration of a program new this year to the GAC. LeHIIT, as explained by the instructor Calabrina, is a full body workout that incorporates both cardio and strength training. This training regiment uses a piece of equipment known as “The Equalizer”, a multipurpose exercise bar, to harness the participants own body weight for resistance as the participant switches between cardio exercises and strength exercises targeting various muscle groups. The amount of history that can be found within the walls of the Proctor Fieldhouse is almost incomprehensible. Since 1964, it has been a central part of campus life for both students and faculty alike, and will undoubtedly continue to play an important role.. Another additional event was held to celebrate this milestone on Saturday September 20th, as a part of Glendon’s annual Homecoming Celebration. These celebrations showcased some of the wonderful programs that the GAC has to offer for a yearly membership of only $15, as well as beautifully commemorating the GAC’s 50th anniversary!
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Arts et divertissements Les Cowboys fringants débarquent! Éric Desrochers Contributeur Le 20 septembre dernier, Les Cowboys fringants se sont produits sur la scène du Randolph Theatre, à une courte marche de la station de métro Bathurst. Leur premier concert à Toronto depuis leur formation en 1995 a rempli la salle de l’ancien théâtre. C’est dans le contexte du Festival Francophonie en Fête de Toronto qu’a eu lieu ce concert. Il accueillit une multitude d’artistes trop nombreux pour tous les nommés. Les artistes principaux étaient le groupe néo-ontarien En Bref, qui s’est produit au nouveau théâtre de l’Alliance française le 18 septembre, tandis que les rappeurs acadiens Radio Radio ont eux aussi fait vibrer le Randolph Theatre le 19 septembre. C’est Amélie et les singes bleus, groupe de jazz, qui a ouvert pour les Cowboys. Les membres du groupe n’étaient pas les seuls à avoir voyagé de loin pour se rendre à Toronto. Certains
Pro Tem
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avaient voyagé du Québec (Montréal, Laurentides et sans doute d’autres endroits) pour les voir. On comptait même dans la salle un vrai fan fini, un dénommé Dean qui les voyait pour la 141e fois! Même si ça peut sembler assez extrême, on a bien vite compris pourquoi. Le groupe semblait joyeusement surpris de voir l’accueil chaleureux qu’ils ont reçu de Hogtown. Heureusement, la foule dansait déjà après les premières notes de « Droit devant ». Ce fut d’ailleurs le cas pour le reste du concert. La foule entière chantait et dansait, n’arrêtant que pour assister aux singeries des membres du groupe, qui s’amusaient à jouer à la corde à danser avec leurs câbles, à organiser des concours de limbo, à s’intégrer à la foule ou même à donner leurs instruments à des spectateurs. Le guitariste a d’ailleurs commencé le concert coiffé d’une fausse tête de poisson. Ne se limitant pas qu’à leurs singeries, le groupe a joué son folk-rock alternatif aux paroles chargées d’écologisme, de progressisme et d’anti-surconsommation, tout en allégeant ou évitant le souverainisme. Parlant d’inégalités sociales (« La Reine », « Shooter »), de l’environnement (« 8 secondes », « Plus rien ») ou d’autres problèmes de société (« Ti-cul », « Si la vie vous intéresse », « Télé »), le groupe demeurait entraînant, demandant même à la foule
Éric Desrochers
Isabelle Mathieu
de chanter des refrains (« Toune d’automne », « Le Shack à Hector »). On n’a pas vu passer le temps et on se retrouvait déjà à la fin du spectacle. Décidant de tenter notre chance, quelques amis et moi avons décidé de nous promener dans les loges afin de trouver le groupe. Nous avons réussi et reçu un accueil sympathique des artistes qui ont accepté de nous donner leurs autographes et de prendre des photos avec nous. Quand on pense que c’est un groupe qui a plusieurs fois gagné le titre de Groupe de l’année à l’ADISQ et qui a plusieurs fois rempli le Centre Bell de Montréal, c’était spécial de les voir se produire sur une si petite scène et dans une ambiance si intime. Ce fut réellement tout un concert!
“Community” Drama:
How We Almost Lost the Beloved Comedy, and Then Got it Back Ashley Moniz Arts & Entertainment Editor The well-loved sitcom has seen both good days and bad in its five year run, and after being let go by NBC, it was resurrected over the summer by the executives at Yahoo for one more season. Created by Dan Harmon, Community first debuted on NBC on September 17, 2009. Since it debuted, it gained a small, but strong cult following. The sitcom had a simple, almost cliché premise: a group of very different people at different points in their lives come together and become friends. Eventually they grow dependant on each other and some of them experiment in romantic and sexual relationships with others in and out of the group. In this particular show, the characters are all in the same community college Spanish class and form a study group that has more adventures than actual studying. The show’s meta-humour, pop culture references and parodies, and distinctive quirky but clever humour made it a hit among its fans. A running gag in the show, the phrase “six seasons and a movie”, became a goal for the producers and a dream for the show’s fan base. During its third season, the show hit some turbulence when it went on a mid-season hiatus after NBC chose to air episodes of 30 Rock in its place. More trouble hit the show during season four, when many of the members of the creative team, including Dan Harmon, took a step back from the role of showrunner and many writers were promoted to co-executive producers. The show’s quality took a dive as storylines became inconsistent, characters made rash and uncharacteristic decisions and some running gags were misused, overused or just cut altogether. A lot of the show’s following lost interest in the show, especially when the season was delayed and shortened to 13 episodes when past seasons had more than 20. Dan Harmon returned to take the reins for season five, essentially opening a new chapter for the show. Unfortunately, the damage had already been done, and after the departure of former series regulars Chevy Chase and Donald Glover, both of whom had garnered quite a fan base for the show, NBC cancelled the series just short of its goal of six seasons and a movie. The show’s passionate fan base was not impressed and many fought for its renewal. It would have taken a miracle to save the show; a miracle known as Yahoo Screen. Yahoo Screen began as Yahoo Video, a user sharing website much like YouTube. In 2011, they began to screen original content, including the popular Emmy nominated series Burning Love. It is likely that in their June decision to pick up Community and stream a 13-episode sixth season, they hope to rival streaming heavyweights like Hulu and Netflix. It was on Netflix that I began watch-
Arts and Entertainment ing Community this past summer, a venture that began soon before NBC pulled the plug. Continuing on, I could see why the series had gained such a following: despite the often inconsistent canon, the unique humour, great acting, and fun adventures that the students at Greendale Community College encounter all make for very entertaining television. Community will return for a sixth season on Yahoo Screen with Dan Harmon and many of the show’s original writers and directors backing it up. It is hard to say what is in store for the future of Community. Some believe in the goal of six seasons and a movie, while others predict that Yahoo may order more seasons of the popular series. But at the very least, fans can expect more adventures from the gang at Greendale early next year.
The Last Five Years
From Stage to Screen Done Right Chrissy Bowman Contributor As the Toronto International Film Festival comes around every year, I find myself—like many others—staring at the long list of events, special showings, and panels, wondering where to start. Luckily for me, there was one film this year that jumped off the list: The Last Five Years. Based on the off-Broadway hit musical of the same name, The Last Five Years tells the story of a failing relationship with a twist – the wife starts at the end and tells her story moving backwards while the husband starts at the beginning and tells his story moving forwards. Directed by Richard LaGravenese, the film stars the multi-talented duo of Anna Kendrick (Pitch Perfect) and Jeremy Jordan (NBC’s Smash) as Cathy and Jamie, the couple that carries the story on their backs. I was excited and hopeful that the movie would live up to the staged version – spoiler alert: it did. The screening itself started late. As this was my first venture into TIFF, I don’t know if this is the norm. While listening to people around me in the line, however, I got the feeling that it isn’t too strange a thing. I couldn’t help but think that this wouldn’t be happening if I was watching this on stage, but I tried to not let that thought stick as we finally shuffled forward into the building. I really wanted to give this film a fighting chance against the original musical. The original story came through as we start with Cathy at the end and Jamie at the beginning,
each telling their side of the relationship as it either moves forward into heartbreak or backwards to what was an exciting, new thing between them. As the two stories move and overlap, audiences fill in the blanks and slot together the stories to get the full understanding. It is this unique way of telling an age-old story that makes this particular rendition exciting to watch on both stage and screen. Naturally, there were differences between the stage and screen versions: movie magic tricks you can’t achieve in theatre, some additional dialogue, a few line changes—mostly getting rid of some of the F-bombs throughout to keep the PG-13 rating—but nothing that didn’t work well. The biggest change was that the characters were now interacting throughout the plot. On stage, the majority of the story is told by one character singing to the audience alone. In the film, the other characters are present. I, personally, was happy for this change because while the former works on stage, it would not have translated well to the silver screen. Fans of the stage production, such as myself, were also treated to a few cameos: Jason Robert Brown, who penned the original musical was the ‘pianist that hates Cathy’, and two former Cathys—Sherie Rene Scott (originated the role in 2001) and Betsy Wolfe (2013 Revival) snuck in for their moment. Besides the aforementioned changes, the movie kept largely to the original script, which can be credited to the fact that it was largely an independent project that didn’t have major Hollywood producers breathing down their necks. However, this also meant that they were shopping for distributors when they came to TIFF. Luckily enough, they found one and have an official release date for Valentine’s Day 2015. I look forward to all of the couples who mistake this for a romcom for their special day and end up watching Cathy and Jamie’s relationship deteriorate instead—but I’m a sucker for dark humor. As for me, I’m just upset I have to wait that long to see it again. I could be in love with a movie like this.
Lorde Returns to Toronto (With Commercialization in Tow) Lindsey Drury Issues & Ideas Editor
Pure Heroine, for the second time this year. Just six months earlier, this New Zealand teenager had headlined in Toronto for the first time in her career within the intimate setting of the Sound Academy, alongside indie-band opener Lo Fang. Same city, same artist, same album—but a drastically different show. From watching interviews, and listening to her lyrics, it is obvious that Ella maintains a maturity and sense of self far beyond her years. For many Lorde fans, this has been a breath of fresh air, especially when seeing her perform her album Pure Heroine for the first time in Toronto on March 15th. The room was packed and the performance was raw at the Sound Academy. There was no need for videos, props or extra production. The show was comprised of a single outfit change, good lighting, and a confetti-filled finale. At this show, Ella's voice and authentic dance moves were the highlight of the performance—the crowd was mesmerized. Much to the dismay of her fans, as time passed, Ella's fan-base and budget (and perhaps ego?) were bound to increase—and so they did. For her second visit to Toronto, Ella promised a whole new experience, and that's what we got. This time around, the stage was filled with props—three huge video screens, a massive chandelier, two faux street lamps, a cinema sign stating ‘THE TRAGIC AND WONDERFUL TRIUMPHAL PROCESSION OF LORDE’, and finally, as she worded it, "smoky bubbles"— massive bubbles that floated into the crowd which turned into smoke if you touched them. This show was full of distractions, and ended up far less personal than the Sound Academy experience. Her speeches felt contrived instead of honest, her dancing had lost some of its character, and her merchandise was ready to be sold. The only thing that remained consistent between the two shows was her voice, which was just as soulful and breathtaking as it has ever been. Despite the new additions, The Tragic and Wonderful Triumphal Procession of Lorde is a show worth seeing, filled with raw talent and beautiful music. The days of simple performances are over for Ella, which is enough to bring a tear to a Lorde fan's eye, but this artist is still young and growing. Her third appearance in our city is very unlikely to be anything the same as her last. Toronto will just have to lay in wait for the procession to return, and to see what Ella will have in store for us in the years to come.
On September 12th, 17-year old Ella Marija Lani Yelich-O'Connor, also known as Lorde, hit the Echo Beach stage in Toronto to perform tracks from her debut album,
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Expressions Free From Estivation Lindsey Drury Issues and Ideas Editor It was the summer I was free from estivation. The air tasted of cinnamon, and my words didn't bite as much as they nibbled. I was surprisingly confident with the size of my thighs, at least on the outside. The dirt beneath every step I never hesitated to take always resembled a bed— exhuming with comfort and sweet nothings, whispering “The day is over”. This was all that I asked. I shared a valley basin with a near stranger that made me feel like home— the night seemed never-ending, and shadows were the enemy. We set each other free, or at least that’s how I remember it, and I sing glory to my memory— the most honest thing I am equipped with. I remember the day rosebuds grew out of my ears, and tears were made of honeydew. My tongue was sharp like icebergs and we sunk to the bottom of the ocean from the weight of our embrace. I am still sinking some days. I hope she is too. We tasted the moon together, kissing on the balcony. Knowing that the night was the only thing that would envelop us without judgement. The world was sleeping— not conscious enough to make us feel useless, unconscious enough to let us feel beautiful. The world woke up slowly, but time passed. We unlocked our lips from the constellations and took a step back. I have never felt that free when the sun is out. I do not want to know life without her. If the day was 12 hours, then we would dance in the streets knowing
we are not the strangest creatures out there. How unfair my surroundings have been, as I know they have been for you, too. I am sorry life is cruel. I am sorry life is harder because I’m a girl, too. I am sorry that some people don’t love your skin colour the way that I do. If I could disembowel the masses— to prove to them that uncomfortable topics are also important, I would bloody my hands, and save you an organ or two, does this sound romantic? I love your anti-extremist attitude. And the fact that you don’t like poetry or yoga or anything that keeps me sane. Maybe you want to be my only safe place, like no one I have ever met. We have had our setbacks, but I have never not wanted the world to accept us. I often forget we are unconventional— that two girls with opposing skin colours does not a love story make. This life is pretty damn difficult, isn’t it, love? These people are pretty damn heartbreaking, aren’t they, love? We are pretty fucking close to dying, love, and I don’t want to spend another second wondering if it’s okay to hold your hand. Thank God we never wanted a picket fence, because it doesn't look like it's going to happen. I know that I've been estivating, but I'm tired of waiting to be acceptable. Kiss me in the sunlight. Fuck me in the churchyard. Hold my God damned hand when it's cold out. There is no doubt that our skin can get uncomfortable, but so does the theatre seat, and our mothers' company— things that we are grateful for. I am slowing down our story, so I can enjoy it. I am preserving us in spoken word and piano keys. It'll all be worth it one day, this hurt. You'll see.
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Move aside Lions, the Cougar is on Campus! Thoughts from a Mature Student Samantha Clayton Contributor It has been some time since I was last presented with a pimple. I’m no longer climbing the ladder to adulthood with all its quirks and idiosyncrasies; I’m holding steady at ground limbo, nudging middle-age just before I embark on the mighty and inevitable descent to age 40 . . . and beyond. I am the youngest of five children. I was the youngest of my friends all throughout school having started at five years of age instead of six. As I ripened into adulthood, I chose older friends and older men for partners, and once an older woman. I was used to being the ‘youngin’ and feeling smart for my age, frequently heralded as ‘mature’. Today, I truly claim and live up to that label – mature indeed like a fine beaujolais, but this time I’m on the flip side! So, you may ask, what exactly does ‘ground limbo’ look like? Come closer and you will see . . . my scalp. I’m hosting a generous bed of gray hairs which I keep under wraps (thank you, Henna) and which I have duly earned. I have lived well so far. I have been blessed with excellent health, generous friends and a supportive mother. I have lived freely and abundantly. My independence is my most prized possession, along with my physique, which I believe is my only true possession; I don’t own a house, a car, or a pet. I’m already well-established in the world with a home business (Pilates) and a music career; I’ve played in various musical ensembles and recorded several albums and I’m in the midst of completing another. I’ve travelled spontaneously and by the seat of my pants. I’ve lived in the US – and on an organic farm, to boot. I’ve been married . . . and divorced. I’ve experienced the death of my eldest sister. I had a paper route at age 32, lived in a haunted house, and eaten a spider. I’ve lived through an obsessive compulsive disorder (before it was common to say so) alongside anxiety and anorexia. I’ve experimented with a host of drugs – mainly psychedelics. And fitting to follow, I went on tour with the Grateful Dead. This life has been full and unrelenting, and continues to both inspire and surprise me. And today it is my dream to complete a university education in a second language, that being French, and what better place than the cozy bilingual campus-in-the-province, Glendon College. Look out kids, I’m a-comin’! Glendon impresses me. Small but mighty, Glendon’s student population nears three thousand. There is an overall cheery and tranquille vibe which renders itself tangible among the staff and students who work in its various departments, clubs, and classrooms. Assistance is easily acquired: I feel I could turn to anybody and receive an intelligent response to my first-year-student queries. These folks are organized, too! They are excellent communicators and one would certainly hope so from a college which boasts an International BA (iBA) program in bilingual and trilingual studies as well as a Masters program in Translation. The fact that many of the ‘on campus’ employment positions are filled by graduates says something about Glendon’s environment – it’s a wonderful place to be! It’s gorgeous. A rose garden – how quaint! – just a stone’s throw away from Frost Library and Wood Residence. I feel I’ve stepped into a fairy tale, my dreams of academia nestled sweetly in the woods amongst hares, skunks and chickadees. I sigh; I know I’ve come to the right place, confident, mature . . . and ready to thrive.
Expressions Home Away From Home
Care
The Water’s Way
Melissa Pospiech Contributor
Paula Lan Contributor
Tina Vlahos Contributor
What makes Glendon feel like the right choice, like the school I was meant to be studying at? Obviously my love for French, but it's much more than that. What makes Glendon home is the energy and overall pumped up ambiance of upper years on campus. Frosh leaders feel like cool, older siblings that you need and that never fail to help you and make you happy. What makes it home is all the lovely and kind people you meet. The ones you talk to on day one and on day two you click so well that you know you're going to be best friends. Finding that is such a relief. I didn't make too many new friends in high school. Same old, same old. Cliques you didn't talk to, the small circle of friends you genuinely liked spending time with and the others that were just there for polite small talk. At Glendon however, there are so many opportunities to make connections. It's so easy to talk to people and you can start up a conversation anytime, anywhere. I made a friend in a bathroom entrance and we talked there until people started to wonder why in the world we were chatting there of all places. Everyone is so friendly and helpful on campus. Be it outside, in the offices, or even in class. Everyone is so open, unlike Toronto in general where you don't talk to strangers and casually ignore everyone in the subway. Not to mention, the positivity of people in residence. I don't even live in res but I'm in love with C House Hilliard because I stayed with a friend there for frosh and now I love everyone on that floor. I have made great memories with some of them downtown and by simply talking to them outside of their doors. I like learning where they're from, what they like, what they do. It's endlessly fascinating. We've got movie gurus, makeup artists, top notch painters, interior designers, dancers, wicked athletes and so much more. I can't get enough of these people. Many places on campus also make Glendon home. One of my favourites, the Lunik café is exactly what I've been searching for. A cool, underground coffee place and it has the perfect downtime vibe and is a perfect meeting place to grab a latté with the buds. My other favourite place is the Breezeway as it always contains familiar faces, computers and that lifesaving phone charging station, on which you can leave your phone without worrying about it being stolen. There's already a trust factor instilled at Glendon. The Breezeway overlooks all the green space which is also an excellent spot for lounging around and having lunch in the sun. What makes Glendon home? Is it its tight knit community and its small, easily navigable, breathtakingly beautiful campus? It's so small that I already know my way around, albeit I was at frosh and Jumpstart, but let's just credit my amazing sense of direction. In fact, people have asked me where to go and I nonchalantly pointed them the right way without batting an eye, acting as if I've been here for years. In reality, I’m just starting university but it already feels like home to me, as it does for many of my friends here.
To her, the one that truly Cared I write for her these free lines from the bottom of my heart when no one else believed She stood up and believed when no one else spoke, she spoke with encouraging words. She is the one that truly Cared. She knew how to raise up. She was strong and wise. She is the only one that Cared, to make a positive impact in my life. The only thing is that she may not believe, in what I say now. She may not trust anymore, because inside her there is something that broke. I wish I could go back and undo the past; fix the mistakes that made her drift apart. But words here have no effect anymore. I know time will heal, but still I would like her to know, that I won't forget how much for me she Cared. I hope one day, our paths cross together, Perhaps, start from fresh again. Because I know that there is no many people on earth, That are able to truly Care like her.
The ocean is vast and ever changing. Moving, flowing, cascading. It does not heed the sun as it rises nor slow for the solemn moon. It does not halt for passersby nor scurry from jagged bluffs. It does not rest, for the water’s flow is a constant, waving beauty. It is free, it is grand, it is one. But who would dare to part the sea? Divide what should be infinite? There is strength when there are numbers. Strength in love, in trust, in community. How can anything look at the tranquil rise and fall of the blue and crystal waves and sever the ties so strongly held by the water’s cool, distant edge? Who would dare to raise objection to peace and strength and love? There are forces out in the darkest of nights that seek to destroy all good. They skulk and sneak and creep and slash at the bonds wound around so tight. Ties shatter, fringe and recoil, too much force at once. The pressure, the lies, the hate that festers, plagues the edges of those broken bonds. Soon after the sea will part, a dry bed of cracked shells and sharp rocks to tread upon. No truth, no love, no trust or strength to cushion the life that grows there. They’ll twist and turn and stunt their growth into grotesque and vile creatures. Ones that steal and hoard and think only of themselves, for that is all they’ve ever known and all they’ll ever be. No charity, no grace, no good will, no helping hands to hold. No morals, no ethics, no kind hearts, no crying shoulder to listen. The twist and turns of hate and rage leave nothing but fear and sadness. The water must flow freely; touch every bluff and rock face. There must be ties, bonds that web, like spiders, to connect all things. There must be strength to hold us up, there must be peace to comfort, there must be love to take us in and trust when lies surround us. We live in this water’s bed. We drink from its crystal virtues. We are the life that lives beneath and will suffer when it’s ended. Together we knit the oceans, we make the rivers flow. Apart we divide the water’s reach and kill our human souls. If we pride ourselves on this ocean’s path, in truth as we all should, then we, in turn, must protect what is ours, lest others strike its worth.
Un oiseau apparaît à 6h du matin Sienna Warecki Rédactrice du section Expressions P’tit chanteur, donne-moi ce matin une note qui tombe, tombe, tombe— un son qui coule comme le St. Lawrence, en coupant la terre collante, fatiguée. P’tite fée enrobée de plumes rouges t’es perchée pieds nus, jolie funambule, une éclaboussure de couleur brûlante brillant sur la longue toile blanche du vent. Es-tu là pour m’améliorer? Pour faire de moi-même une p’tite fée? Donne-moi l’oreille pour discerner le carillonnement clair de feu d’étoiles, le bruissement d’jupes en soie dans les bois des érables et chênes; la grâce dont j’ai besoin pour m’éteindre entendre, comprendr’avec l’aide des soucis le langage secret des oiseaux— fai-moi une bise bonne chance et vole.
Kelly Lui
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Pro Tem Cérémonie d'Ouverture photos by Kelly Lui
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