University tightens Frosh Week Alcohol policies For full story, check out the Journal’s Special Project inside
T u e s d ay , J u ly 2 6 , 2 0 11 — I s s u e 3
j the ournal
Q u e e n ’ s U n i v e r s i t y — C a n a da ’ s O l d e s t S t u d e n t N e w s pa p e r — S i n c e 1 8 7 3
Education
Construction
Ready to strike
Tunnel trouble
Queen’s takes next step towards lockout or strike
B y S avoula S tylianou Assistant News Editor
B y K atherine Fernandez -B lance News Editor Queen’s University Faculty Association (QUFA) could soon be in a legal strike or lockout position after the administration applied for a No Board report on July 25. The union’s bargaining unit has been in negotiations with the University for the past six months. A No Board report calls an end to conciliation meetings and can be filed by either party if negotiations are found to be insufficient. QUFA represents approximately 1,100 tenured and adjunct faculty and librarians. “For an undergraduate student, [a strike or lockout] would effectively stop formal classroom work,” QUFA President Paul Young said. “All formal teaching stops and that inevitably closes down the institution.” The Ministry of Labour must now issue the No Board report to the University, a process that normally takes a week. Once the report is issued, a 17-day time period must elapse before a strike or lockout can legally occur. Conciliation meetings between the bargaining unit and the administration took place on July 21 and 22. Young said he was surprised that the administration ended conciliation. “There was some small opening with respect to the pension negotiations,” he said in reference to the administration’s plan to increase faculty contributions to the pension plan contributions. “We See Administration on page 7
Labour relations For updates on the potential faculty strike, see queensjournal.ca.
Photo by Corey Lablans
A 60-foot tunnel will connect the new Goodes Hall underground parking with the parking lot under Tindall Field. A section of Union Street between Frontenac and Alfred Streets will be closed until September.
A deteriorating water pipe found at the Goodes Hall excavation site will delay the $40 million construction project. A new wing on the west side of Goodes Hall is under construction and will include an underground parking lot with room for 89 cars. In order to link the lot with parking underneath Tindall Field, a 60-foot connecting tunnel is being built. Claude Bellerose, director of planning and construction at Physical Plant Services, said the project was supposed to be completed by Sept. 1. Due to the discovery of the pipe, the project’s deadline has been moved to Spring 2012. “The condition of the pipe is not as good as the city led us to believe,” he said. The City of Kingston gave Queen’s permission to close off Union Street between Frontenac and Alfred Streets on May 3. Construction started six days later. Currently, 75 per cent of the excavation is complete, with only See Spring on page 7
Residences
Cameras watch residence activity Four surveillance cameras installed in Victoria Hall monitor false fire alarms B y C atherine O wsik Assistant News Editor Following an assessment of residence buildings in the fall, it’s possible that Queen’s will install more security cameras on campus. VictoriaHall,thelargest residence building at Queen’s, is currently the only residence monitored with surveillance cameras. A Campus Security supervisor will be hired to investigate residences this fall and advise the administration on student safety. There is no timeline yet for when the assessment will be finished. Bruce Griffiths, director of housing and hospitality services,
said the installation of cameras exit and one on the E-Wing exit Signs on the Victoria Hall doors was a response to the number of near Albert St. inform students that surveillance malicious fire alarms reported in After an incident occurs, the cameras are in place. The monitor Victoria Hall last year. tapes from the video feed are showing the camera feed is visible In 2010 there were 70 fire reviewed by residence staff in from the main entrance. alarms falsely pulled on campus— order to identify possible suspects, Assistant Dean of Student Affairs the highest annual number Griffiths said. In addition to Arig Girgrah worked alongside recorded to date. this, staff will ask anyone with Griffiths on the installation project. “It was impacting students, their pertinent information to come She said the cameras are now a studies and so on,” Griffiths said. forward and dons will speak to any permanent fixture of the building “As the alarms continued and got identified individuals. and that there’s a possibility they’ll more severe so did our measures.” He said the cameras don’t pose be used to investigate other serious After the $1,200 installation of a privacy issue as they are currently yet rare offences, such as vandalism four surveillance cameras early last only in public areas. or abuse. semester there was a decrease in “There are schools that have “They provide us with another the number of alarms pulled. chosen to put them in hallways source of information, so if there Two of the cameras inside and so on,” Griffiths said. “It’s was a serious incident then we Victoria Hall focus on the main really about the public spaces at would look at the tape,” she said, entrance, one on the Lazy Scholar this point.” See Surveillance on page 5
News
2 •queensjournal.ca
Tuesday, July 26, 2011
Administration
Outlet closure leads to new fees Queen’s will pay $500 for each mailbag pickup and delivery location on campus B y K atherine Fernandez -B lance News Editor With the June 30 closure of campus’s Royal Postal Outlet (RPO), Queen’s ended an 18-year contract with Canada Post—a decision that will lead to new costs for the University. On average, the service has run a $50,000 annual deficit for the past five years. “We asked them to see if they could improve the contract rate and they said they couldn’t,” said Vice-Principal of Finances and Administration Caroline Davis. “Financially we couldn’t make it work.” In addition to providing Canada Post with the space for the RPO, the University also staffed the service with two casual employees that worked in a part-time or temporary capacity. As a result, the contract included a $15,000 annual rebate. The administration had hoped this could be raised to cover the deficit. “They provide us with a certain percentage of any stamps we sell,”
Davis said, “so that money has to cover all the operating costs of the postal outlet.” The University made a five per cent profit on the sale of stamps at the postal outlet, which equated to $6,000 annually. “You can tell off the bat, that’s not going to cover the cost of employees,” Davis said. Other Canada Post outlets offer services like dry cleaning, which Davis said increases customer traffic.
asked them to see “ifWe they could improve their contract rate and they said they couldn’t.
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—Caroline Davis, vice-principal of finance and administration Davis said it would have been risky if the RPO had been moved to a larger campus location in an effort to increase profits. “More administrative support would have been needed,” she
C o r r e c t i o n Bruce Griffiths was incorrectly attributed in the June 28 issue of The Journal. Urinals will not be installed in Chown Hall during the conversion of the building into a co-ed residence. The Journal regrets the error.
The AMS will decide what goes into the former location of the Royal Postal Outlet in the JDUC.
said. “We just didn’t think this Queen’s internal mail service remains unchanged. was viable.” Canada Post spokesperson After Queen’s informed Canada Post about the closure of the RPO, Anick Losier, said these fees are Canada Post told the university normal charges for corporate they would charge additional fees, clients like Queen’s. “When we do pickups, we do Davis said. “They said they’d begin charging have fees,” she said. Losier said this is done us for mailbag deliveries and collections from specific campus with millions of companies across Canada. locations,” Davis said. “We’re in the service business, so Canada Post will charge Queen’s $500 at each location. Neither if they want to use us, there are fees party would discuss contract associated with it,” she said. Losier said the decision to details or how many locations will close the outlet and end business be changed for mail pickup. The University is in ongoing relations with Canada Post was discussions with Canada Post. within Queen’s rights. She added that Canada Post had Throughout the entire process,
Photo by Asad Chishti
tried to accomodate the university by lowering their fees. “Evenwithsomeaccommodation, they decided to close anyways,” she said. If the university were ever to create a new postal outlet on campus, Losier said Canada Post would be happy to work out a new deal. The space formerly occupied by the postal outlet is currently empty. Under an agreement detailing the operations and management of the Student Life Centre, the AMS will decide what goes into the new space.
Tuesday, July 26, 2011
queensjournal.ca
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Feature Environment
Queen’s expands property north of Kingston Biological station enters lease-to-own agreement for a $600,000 property on Elbow Lake, an hour north of campus B y Terra -A nn A rnone Features Editor Driving on University-owned property an hour north of campus, Stephen Lougheed swerved to avoid a frog sitting on the gravel road. “I didn’t want to hit it,” said the Queen’s professor, checking his rearview mirror. “These things are important, you know.” Lougheed is director of the Queen’s Biological Station, a 3,000-hectare plot of land located about 100 km outside of Kingston, near Opinicon Lake. Queen’s biology professors and students have used it for research and field studies since the University bought the property 65 years ago. Last month, officials at the biological station expanded their property with a new, half-hectare plot located 20 minutes away from the main station. Queen’s is leasing the new property from the Nature Conservancy of Canada with plans to buy it for $600,000 after the lease expires in 2015. Lougheed said there’s currently no funding for the purchase. “If people spend their time worrying about raising money, then they’re not thinking about all the things we can use this land for,” Lougheed said. Officials from the biological station are working with Queen’s Office of Advancement to find donors interested in contributing to the project. “I’m cautiously optimistic,” he said. “We’re going to have to work hard and hopefully get a little lucky.” The main camp on Opinicon Lake is a series of small cabins surrounding a large cafeteria hall. The rest of the 3,000 hectares is deciduous forest and swamp land. With accommodations for up to 80 people, students from all over the world come to study and stay at the station. One PhD student from the University of Texas brought his family to live on the property while conducting field research for his degree. Due to funding limitations, Lougheed provides students with necessary research equipment with money out of his own pocket. He said despite the struggle for funding, the biological station and new Elbow Lake property are a key part of research and field studies for the department of biology. “One of the major functions of these biological stations is long-term research undisturbed by
the prospect of development,” he said. “This is priceless data.” 800 peer-reviewed research papers have come out of the operation since its founding in 1945. This summer, Queen’s has been operating a children’s camp at the new property on Elbow Lake. The camp, dubbed Eco-Adventure, employs Queen’s students as camp counselors. The property used to be an employee retreat for computer company Hewlett Packard. The estate contains 27 log cabins and recreation rooms. Lougheed and his staff converted some of the cabins into make-shift laboratories for the summer camp, but the property has otherwise remained untouched.
“Even at the undergraduate level, we lose sight of the fact that we should be engaging everybody, irrespective of age or socio-economic status,” Lougheed said after arriving at the summer camp area. “I think it’s something that more people at Queen’s and other institutions should be doing.” Lougheed said that if funded, the new Elbow Lake property could put Queen’s at the forefront of international outreach. “I don’t think we’re reaching out to the public enough as university educators,” he said. The current lease agreement for the Elbow Lake property puts some restrictions on the researching methods of faculty and students on site. Because Queen’s
Photo by Terra-Ann Arnone
Twenty-seven log cabins equipped with kitchens and living rooms make up the new Queen’s property on Elbow Lake.
rents the property from the Nature Conservancy of Canada, even minor alterations to the land need approval. “On occasion we might want to snip a few leaves or take a little blood and we need to consult with them about it first,” Lougheed said. The Nature Conservancy’s Ian Barnett said that the group uses specific methods to ensure their
lands aren’t disturbed by renters. Conservancy staff collect samples of plant and animal life to ensure that tenants aren’t impacting the ecosystem. “We secure these lands because of significantly interesting plants or animals,” said Barnett, the conservancy’s vice-president of regional operations. “We’re not afraid to take some strong standards.”
If people spend their “time worrying about raising money, then they’re not thinking about all the things we can use this land for.
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—Stephen Lougheed, interim director of Queen’s Biological Station
The Queen’s Biological Station extends across 3,000 hectares of land.
photo By terra-Ann Arnone
Campers at Eco-Adventure use microscopes to study biological samples on Elbow Lake.
Photo by terra-Ann arnone
Barnett said the conservancy will be patient while Queen’s looks for funding. He said if Queen’s doesn’t have the cash when the four-year lease expires, the conservancy won’t start looking for another buyer right away. “We’re not about to sell it to somebody else,” he said “We would continue to own the land and wait until they were able to raise the money.” Lougheed said he’s hopeful about Elbow Lake expansion. “We’ve been ticking for over six decades, so obviously we’re doing okay.” Driving back from the Lake Opinicon property, Lougheed stopped suddenly in the middle of the road. “Did you hear that?” he said before rummaging around his car for binoculars. “It’s a cerebral warbler,” he said, adding that the biological station houses one of the largest breeding populations of the endangered bird species. Other endangered species on the Queen’s property include the Five Line Skink lizard and Grey Rat Snake. “That’s the advantage of working on a property like this,” he said. “All the resources are at our fingertips.”
News
4 •queensjournal.ca
Tuesday, July 26, 2011
AMS
Shift in focus for new commission
The new Commission of Environmental Sustainability will have an increased budget come September B y M eaghan Wray Assistant News Editor
environmental projects. DiSimine said this money was not included in the Sustainability Office’s budget last year. DiSimine said creating a commission represents an important shift in mindset towards sustainability projects.
A newly-created AMS commission for environmental sustainability will require more funding to operate than its predecessor, the AMS sustainability office. The AMS executive team— President Morgan Campbell, The shift from an Vice-President of Operations office to a commission, Ashley Eagan and Vice-President it might seem a little of University Affairs Kieran bureaucratic at first... Slobodin—ran under the acronym CES in the January elections. At an AMS Assembly in —Adam DiSimine, April, a motion was passed to environmental change the AMS Sustainability sustainability commissioner Office to a commission. After debate, it was named the “It might seem a little bureaucratic Commission of Environmental at first,” he said, “but I think on the Sustainability (CES.) Adam DiSimine is the first other side that it represents a shift PHOTO BY COREY LABLANS person to hold the newly created in attention.” Adam DiSimine, environmental sustainability commissioner, says new initiatives for the Before a commission’s budget commission this year include a youth mentorship program and a bike shop maintenance site. position of environment and sustainability commissioner. Last is presented at AMS assembly for year, the sustainability office had approval, a proposal is drafted closed on April 30 this year. The under the Sustainability Office: occurred in conjunction with a $35,000 budget. DiSimine by the commissioner throughout centre is currently looking for an environmental advocacy group the Greenovations committee and a group that performed to conserve energy and water in relocation opportunities. said he doesn’t have projected the summer. “Hopefully our organization green retrofits to manufactured student homes. Both will continue There are no current plans on figures for what the commission’s how the funding will be divided is going to be able to become goods, like water conservation this year. budget will be. for showers in As a commissioner, DiSimine between the commission’s main an umbrella for all of these other systems will earn a standardized salary initiatives—a youth mentorship organizations and coordinate student homes. These student initiatives and bike shop efforts a little bit more.” totaling $22,500—which program Disimine said. is $3,500 more than the maintenance site. “With [Kingston Sustainability The Youth Mentoring sustainability coordinator made Youth program is centred on Centre] assistance, it’ll be nice that last year. “The salary of my position has post-secondary student-volunteers we’re not starting from a base level, gone up,” DiSimine, ArtSci ’11 educating elementary school but that we’ve kind of already got “Changing it into a commission is a natural said. “It was a 30-hour position last students on the importance of a jump start on things.” fit. It recognizes that sustainability has The bike shop is a maintenance environmental sustainability. It was year. It’s a 40-hour this year.” become a recognized need for students.” The $20,000 Sustainability previously run by the Kingston site for students who have bikes but lack the equipment to Action Fund which gets funding Sustainability Centre. —Kieran Slobodin, AMS vice-president of university affairs The commission maintained perform repairs. from a $2 opt-outable student Previously there were only fee, will offer students the chance contact with the Kingston to receive funding for their Sustainability Centre, which two committees that existed
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Quoted
Campus Calendar Wednesday, July 27
Friday, Aug. 5
Music In The Gardens Lions Civic Garden 7 p.m. Wednesday and Thursdays Until Aug. 31 Free
Kingston Sheep Dog Trials Grass Creek Park 8 a.m. Continues until Aug. 7
Thursday, July 28
Summer Alfies Alfies Nightclub, JDUC Doors open at 9 p.m. Free cover
Movies in the Square: Rudy Market Square Dusk Free Saturday, July 30
Wednesday, Aug. 12
Thursday, Aug. 25
Sunday, July 31
Limestone City Blues Festival Continues until Sun. Aug. 28 Admission is $10 See kingstonblues.com for details
K-Town Triathalon Confederation Park 7:30 a.m. See ktowntri.com for details
Movies in the Square: An Affair to Remember Market Square Dusk Free
Thursday, Aug. 4
Saturday, Sept. 3
Movies in the Square: Father of the Bride Market Square Dusk Free
Fare on the Square Market Square 10:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. Visit kingstondowntown.ca for details
Princess Street Promenade Downtown Kingston 10 a.m.
Staff
Deadline looms for union Custodians and technicians could be in strike or lockout B y K atherine Fernandez -B lance News Editor Three locals of the Canadian Union of Public Employees (CUPE) could be in a legal strike or lockout position as early as July 29 after Queen’s administration filed a No Board Report on July 6. The report, which marks a 17-day countdown until a strike or lockout can legally occur, was issued by the Ontario Ministry of Labour on July 12.
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It doesn’t mean anything is going to happen at that time.
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—Ellie Sadinsky, director of Queen’s communications
The union represents approximately 421 library, research and classroom technicians as well as custodians. Donna Carlaw is the national representative for all three
locals and said three mediation days are scheduled before the July 29 deadline. “The parties are at quite a distance apart,” she said. While CUPE is trying to focus on issues of job security and wages at the bargaining table, Carlaw said Queen’s administration remains focused on resolving pension plan contributions. “We’re looking for a salary grid increase across the board,” Carlaw said. On July 12, CUPE called a strike mandate meeting. In order for a union to legally strike after a No Board Report has been filed, they require the support of at least 51 per cent of voters. Ninety-eight per cent of voters supported the strike mandate. Seventy per cent of members voted. “I think it’s a wonderful show of support to the bargaining team,” she said. Although each local represents a different sector of employees at Queen’s, several issues have been bargained together—something Carlaw said was a good show of solidarity.
If a strike or lockout occurs, all the work union members perform would come to a halt. “We need to be ready,” Carlaw said, adding that CUPE is organizing its members for the picket line. “We’re not sure what the University [administration] is going to do,” she said.
parties are quite “a The distance apart. ” —Donna Carlaw, CUPE national representative Ellie Sadinsky, Queen’s director of communications, said the University respects the collective bargaining process. “We’re very much focused on negotiating [a] settlement,” she said. Sadinsky said the July 29 deadline is only a deadline because it’s the first date a strike or lockout could legally occur. “It doesn’t mean anything is going to happen at that time,” she said.
News
Tuesday, July 26, 2011
News in brief Parliament approves size reduction Last month, the Board of Trustees and University Council received Parliamentary approval to shrink their membership. Over the next three years, the Board of Trustees will be reduced from 44 to 25 members— something University Secretary Georgina Moore said will increase its effectiveness and efficiency. University Council is currently comprised of 116 elected alumni, 44 Board of Trustees members, and 71 Senate members. These three bodies govern the university. “This is an extremely large body,” Moore said. “Council could, in the future, redesign itself and change its composition.” Though both bodies will experience significant reductions, Moore said members are not being fired. “Everyone will finish out the term they are now in,” she said, adding that the roles of members won’t be affected. Though the phase-out plan for the Board of Trustees is in place, Moore said the reduction of University Council has yet to be determined. “Council is not at the same place,” she said. In May 2010, Queen’s decided to begin the process of changing its charter. Because Queen’s was created under a Royal Charter, the only way it can be amended is through federal approval. This will be the eighth time Queen’s has amended its Charter since the University was founded in 1841. —Katherine Fernandez-Blance
Professors honoured by Canada Two Queen’s professors have received Canada’s highest civilian honour after being inducted into the Order of Canada. Dr. Alvaro Morales and Dr. John Bradford have been appointed members by Governor General David Johnston. They will be awarded insignia in an upcoming ceremony. Morales, a professor emeritus of urology has been recognized world-wide for his research on the treatment of bladder cancer and sexual dysfunction. After joining Queen’s department of urology in 1972, Morales became head of the department, managed important clinical trials and founded the Centre of Applied Urological Research. Bradford is currently a professor in the department of psychiatry and is renowned for his work on mentally ill criminal
offenders. His research focuses on sexual behaviour as it relates to crime as well as most areas of forensic psychiatry. The Order of Canada recognizes a lifetime of outstanding achievement, dedication to the community and service to the nation. Morales and Bradford are among 136 Canadians to receive the honour this year.
queensjournal.ca
•5
Surveillance may grow
—Catherine Owsik
Research funds awarded to Queen’s An Ontario Research Fund program has awarded Queen’s researchers Patrick Martin and Brant Peppley more than $4.8 million for their projects over the next five years. Martin’s team received around $3.3 million to put towards to the development of super computers and sophisticated software systems, which could impact the future of e-banking. Peppley received around $1.5 million for a project called Energy Storage and Recovery Ontario. It focuses on technologies in the field of solar and wind power management. The province-wide Research Excellence program is currently supporting over 1,800 researchers.
—Meaghan Wray
Engineering professor wins award Brian Frank, associate professor in the department of electrical and computer engineering, was recently awarded the Chancellor A. Charles Baillie Teaching Award. This honour is given to professors who promote higher quality education beyond classroom experience. Frank, ArtSci ’97 and MSc ’99, worked as an educational development faculty associate with the Centre for Teaching and Learning. He worked at the centre for three years, focusing on alternative teaching strategies. Frank uses unique teaching methods, such as in-class activities, team projects, educational technology and a multimedia learning module. He also emphasizes the importance of community service for students.
—Meaghan Wray
Hungry for news? Follow @QJnews on Twitter Or email journal_news@ams.queensu.ca to write for us or to supply a news tip
Photo by Asad Chishti
The four surveillance cameras in Victoria Hall monitor the main entrance of the building, the Lazy Scholar exit and the E-Wing exit. Victoria Hall is currently the only residence with surveillance cameras. Continued from page 1
adding that students caught on camera would go through a set discipline process. The activation of a fire alarm without sufficient reason is considered a level three offence and is managed by Girgrah or residence life manager Robert Holliday. It’s the highest offence level, along with six other offences which include weapon possession and trafficking illegal substances. The video tapes are admissible pieces of evidence in meetings with the University Student Appeals Board. Girgrah said they didn’t hear from students after the installation in Victoria Hall but that the Main Campus Residence Council
of privacy, others thought that it was something that the students had brought upon themselves,” Osborne, ArtSci ’12, said. “Most [students], I don’t think, Fire alarms were even noticed.” never pulled in the Although the number of fire lobby. They were alarms did decrease in late second pulled in places where semester, he said he doesn’t there weren’t attribute this to the cameras. “I think it was because it was cameras. nearing the end of the year and people had better things to do,” —Dan Osborne, Osborne said, adding that last year former president of lower shouldn’t be seen as a trend. Victoria Hall “I don’t think the security cameras have any effect on it,” Last year’s Lower Victoria Hall he said. “The fire alarms were president Dan Osborne said that never pulled in the lobby; they MCRC had no official stance on were pulled in places where there weren’t cameras.” the camera installation. “Some thought it was a violation
(MCRC) was actively engaged in the process. No feedback was asked of the building’s residents.
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6 •queensjournal.ca
News
Tuesday, July 26, 2011
News
Tuesday, July 26, 2011
queensjournal.ca
•7
Administration has contingency plans ready Continued from page 1
probably took that as some room for further development.” The administration has stated that increased contributions are necessary to balance the University’s deficit. QUFA had hoped to negotiate faculty salaries which the administration was proposing to alter, he said. Young said the reasons behind the University’s decision
to file the No Board report are open to speculation. QUFA has leased a strike headquarters and are in negotiation meetings amongst membership. “We’ve already started mobilizing for a strike,” he said. “Typically, when negotiations have gotten to this level, one in five [unions] go on strike.” Young said QUFA will not interfere with graduate students’ employment, but if the University locked out faculty from buildings,
graduate students may find it the climate has changed,” he said. things to move forward. difficult to continue working. “That’s a statement about a sense of “We’re certainly planning for A mediation meeting, in a final unease or unhappiness.” a full academic year,” she said. effort to reach an agreement has Ellie Sadinsky, director of “We’ve got more than a month, so been scheduled for Aug. 11. Young Queen’s communications, said the the approach going into mediation said it’s the first and possibly last administration applying for the No is very much one focused on mediation meeting. Board Report doesn’t mean that a negotiated settlements.” Though he’s unsure about strike or lockout will occur. Sadinsky said the University what will happen next, Young “The University remains very is developing strategies for the said this is just one example of much focused on reaching a possibility of a lockout or strike. how the atmosphere at Queen’s negotiated settlement,” she said, “It would be irresponsible not has changed. adding that the administration to have contingencies ready if “Everybody’s unionized and I ending conciliation meetings needed,” she said. think that’s a simple statement that was simply a request for
Spring deadline Continued from page 1
The $40 million Goodes Hall tunnel project is 75 per cent complete.
Photo by Corey Lablans
the area surrounding the water pipe remaining. Bellerose said excavating underneath the water pipe will be time-consuming. “Now we have to reroute the water pipe, remove what’s left of the rock underneath where the water pipe was, complete the tunnel, and then replace the section of the pipe we took out,” he said. “We will cap both ends so they don’t leak and keep excavating.” Bob Polegata, the expansion project’s manager said his team knew the water pipe existed before excavation started. “So right now, the digging excavation is up to the pipe and we’ve started to excavate the other side,” Polegato said. It will take approximately six weeks to complete the area of
excavation around the water pipe Because the work will take longer than expected, in order for the construction team to meet the spring deadline, Queen’s will need to ask city council to extend work hours. “The current bylaw allows you to work six days a week, excluding Sundays, 7 a.m. to 7 p.m,” he said. “We need more time than that so we’re looking to ask for them to work until dark.” The Goodes Hall expansion project was approved by the Queen’s Board of Trustees in May 2010. Regardless of the extended construction work, Union Street will be open on Sept. 1. When the tunnel is completed it will allow traffic flow between the Goodes Hall and Tindall Field parking lots and will also include a pedestrian walkway.
8 •queensjournal.ca About The Journal
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Clare Clancy Jake Edmiston
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Labiba Haque
News Editor
Katherine Fernandez-Blance
Assistant News Editors
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Editorials Editor
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Editorial Illustrator
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Dialogue Editor Arts Editor
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Assistant Sports Editor
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Postscript Editor
Jessica Fishbein
Photography Editor
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Assistant Photo Editors Copy Editors
Editorials
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Limitations become apparent early enough in life, so it’s not necessary for parents to stomp on their children’s dreams.
Don’t wake the dreamers O
n July 22, a Huffington Post editorial argued against telling children they can achieve anything they want in life. It suggested parents keep their children practical and encourage them to have realistic goals. Bluntly put, the author argued that the pragmatic assessment of children’s abilities will serve them better than catering to their improbable dreams. Instead of managing hopes, parents should support their children’s dreams, no matter how far-fetched their dreams seem. Although most children are unlikely to become astronauts, dreaming of life in space is a worthwhile endeavor. Aspiring for something fantastic helps individuals to develop skills and discover new interests.
Believing in the ability to do that dreams are attainable. Success in itself is an idea that anything gives children the impetus to continue through hardship. They evolves as children grow up. At a young age, it may be the relentless will be stronger for it. If Michael Jordan had pursuit of a goal, but age and decided to quit basketball when experience widen the definition of he was cut from his high school the term. Childhood aspirations team, he wouldn’t have gone often take a back seat to choices on to become one of the game’s which are sure to bring fulfillment greatest players. Similarly, if we in adulthood. We must also consider the effect teach children to dream small, they might never develop the on children when they’re told powerful motivation necessary to that their dreams are unrealistic. overcome obstacles. Toned-down expectations and Encouraging kids to be anything discarded ambition could leave they want is indicative of a loving someone bitter and resentful of and supportive environment. their apparent lot. Chasing dreams doesn’t Personal limitations become apparent early enough in life, so it’s guarantee they’ll be attained, but not necessary for parents to stomp it’s better than teaching children to on their children’s dreams. Plus, be cowards. success stories, when the seemingly impossible is accomplished, prove
Justin Chin Asad Chishti
Kelly Loeper
Assistant Blogs Editors
Janina Enrile Carolyn Flanagan
Business Staff
Business Manager Kevin Imrie
Sales Representatives
Kyle Cogger Katherine Pearce
Staff
Contributors Ally Hall Alison Shouldice Bob Silverman Paul Young
Tuesday, July 26, 2011 • Issue 3 • Volume 139 The Queen’s Journal is an editorially autonomous newspaper published by the Alma Mater Society of Queen’s University, Kingston. Editorial opinions expressed in the Journal are the sole responsibility of the Queen’s Journal Editorial Board, and are not necessarily those of the University, the AMS or their officers. Contents © 2011 by the Queen’s Journal; all rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced without prior permission of the Journal. The Queen’s Journal is printed on a Goss Community press by Performance Group of Companies in Smiths Falls, Ontario. Contributions from all members of the Queen’s and Kingston community are welcome. The Journal reserves the right to edit all submissions. Subscriptions are available for $120.00 per year (plus applicable taxes). Please address complaints and grievances to the Editors in Chief. Please direct editorial, advertising and circulation enquiries to: 190 University Avenue, Kingston, Ontario, K7L 3P4 Telephone : 613-533-2800 (editorial) 613-533-6711 (advertising) Fax: 613-533-6728 Email: journal_editors@ams.queensu.ca The Journal Online: www.queensjournal.ca Circulation 6,000 Issue 4 of Volume 139 will be published on Friday, September 9, 2011.
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Parenting
Jessica Munshaw Terence Wong
Blogs Editor
Tuesday, July 26, 2011
Obesity
Heavy health decisions
A
report in the Journal of the American Medical Association argued that in extreme cases, children who are morbidly obese and face life-threatening health risks should be removed from parental custody. Obesity expert Dr. David Ludwig authored the July report which was met with widespread criticism. Despite the public outcry against his recommendation, Ludwig’s prescription is in the best interest of certain children. This policy is aimed at children in the 99th weight percentile of their age bracket whose obesity is extremely severe. Examples of cases in the report included a 12-year-old who weighed 400 pounds and a three-year-old who weighed almost 100 pounds. Health risks from obesity include apnea, diabetes and cardiovascular disease. Placing affected children in a new environment, often foster
care, is necessary to address the doesn’t heal the root causes of health issues they face. overeating. Giving them treatment While placing children in foster will allow for a chance at a care is far from ideal, it’s preferable healthy life—physically, mentally to keeping them in homes which and socially. enabled their morbid obesity. Also, removing a child from Parents shouldn’t be demonized parental custody due to an extreme for having morbidly obese case of obesity shouldn’t be treated children—after all, societal, cultural as a punitive measure. In instances and individual factors contribute to of mental illness for example, the issue—but providing treatment there’s no place for blame in this can only serve to improve a child’s issue. The primary concern is quality of life. remedying an unhealthy situation. Whatever the reason, if parents When children are so severely enable their child’s unhealthy malnourished and underweight behaviour, the state has a duty to that they’re at risk, they’re taken place the child in a safer situation. in and protected by Children’s Aid. Most important though is the Living in a state of morbid obesity process of working with the family, is a different side of the same so that the child can return to a coin and the most essential concern healthy family environment. should be for the child’s health. Parents and children in this When an obese child is facing specific situation need to be life-threatening illness, they need educated by nutritionists and to be saved. tended to by psychologists. Simply removing a child from home
Caitlin Choi
Motor matters
A
fter witnessing a mother of two text and drive on the interstate into Los Angeles, Oprah threw out a few frustrated tweets about reckless driving. “Where is COMMON SENSE?!” was followed by “How many people have to be killed before we ‘get it’? Texting while driving is crazy.” Of course, Oprah’s words of warning were quickly replaced by other thoughts—as is the nature of Twitter. But in retrospect, I’m sorry I didn’t stop to think about her tweets. I briefly read them, but I didn’t “get” them, scrolling passively through my phone. Warnings are easy to forget, but doing so usually results in the universe slapping you in the face. 20 minutes after my social media break, I was driving and got pulled over for texting at a red light. Less than a minute after that Ashton Kutcher coincidentally tweeted, “ACT YOUR AGE.” Insert slap here. Fair enough Twitterverse, I deserved that. Texting is among the most immature excuses for reckless driving. To try and talk my way out of that ticket would have been a new low. Luckily, the officer was generous enough to let me off with a warning and some educational facts. According to him, I could have been fined $500 for violating Bill 118, Ontario’s ban on handheld devices. While texting, I had increased my chances of having a car crash by 400 per cent. Especially in these summer months, reckless driving isn’t just relevant to driving cars. Cottages become a likely place to find groups of people partying on any given weekend. It makes drinking and driving a boat as much of a risk. This month, a friend of mine died in a drinking and boating accident. He was an older brother and a son, and the words “preventable” and “tragedy” have never rung so true to me. BOATsmart! Canada made a few strict changes to the official boating license requirements last April. The judicial consequences are now similarly aggressive for drinking and driving boats, cars and snowmobiles in Ontario. The literal and figurative warning signs are present, but apparently my smartphone blocked my view. It’s by no means an obscure or elusive topic, but it exhaustingly feels like a perpetual problem. Whether it’s texting or drinking, we can’t count on the universe to tweet us every time we might make a mistake. So hopefully this is a lasting warning: don’t get slapped in the face.
Tuesday, July 26, 2011
queensjournal.ca
DIALOGUE
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Talking Heads ... around campus
Perspectives from the Queen’s community
Photos By Brendan Monahan
Point/Counterpoint
Stand-off on labour talks
How do you beat the summer heat?
As negotiations continue between faculty association and Queen’s administration, our panelists weigh in from either side of the bargaining table
B ob S ilverman P rovost and V ice -P rincipal of academics
Universities are about learning—all aspects of learning. There is the learning in the undergraduate classroom. There is the learning of graduate students, arriving at fresh insights in their fields of study. And there is the learning of seasoned researchers, breaking new ground and expanding the boundaries of knowledge. Universities act as enablers for learning. They are purpose-built institutions—specialized institutions of intellect to be sure, but institutions nonetheless. They’re encumbered with all of the administrative challenges and minutiae familiar to any large enterprise. Earlier this month, negotiations between the University and two of its employee groups—the members of the three Canadian Union of Public Employees (CUPE) locals on campus and the members of the Queen’s University Faculty Association (QUFA)—entered a new phase. Both of these groups held votes to determine their willingness to support a strike.
We find ourselves in some of the most difficult and intense contract talks this institution has experienced to date. While these votes certainly mark significant milestones in negotiations, neither should lead anyone to believe that a labour disruption is inevitable. The negotiation of new collective agreements is a normal administrative challenge common to most large enterprises—and certainly to every institution of higher learning in this country. What is new is the intensity of this round of negotiations—new to Queen’s anyway. As provost and a long-time member of the Queen’s faculty, I can say with fair certainty that the financial and administrative backdrop to this round of contract talks is one of the most complex
in memory. We live in an era of steadily decreasing per-student support from government and increasing demand for post-secondary education. We are also challenged by punishing financial markets, increasingly underfunded pension plans and unprecedented numbers of retirees drawing on those plans. Individually, these challenges would be formidable. In combination, they redefine the concept of “administrative challenge.” It is little wonder then that we find ourselves in some of the most difficult and intense contract talks this institution has experienced to date. Intense, yes, but not insurmountable. Differences of opinion are inevitable in these circumstances, but compromise must be found. On this, everyone involved agrees. But where does the compromise lie? That is the challenge of the negotiations process—the challenge and the central purpose. The administration’s goal in this round of collective bargaining was, is and remains: to reach negotiated settlements that balance the need to preserve quality while respecting the limitations dictated by our current financial realities. This is not an unrealistic goal, in any way. After all, we have concluded such agreements with two Queen’s employee groups already this year—one with the members of the Public Service Alliance of Canada and another with members of the Ontario Nurses Association. Other universities have done the same. Most recently, Laurentian concluded an agreement with its faculty and Guelph reached a deal with its CUPE members. Solutions can, and will, be found. It’s a matter of when. The Queen’s administration has been pressing to reach agreements before the beginning of the academic year. There are many benefits to reaching agreements before September. First and most apparently, concluding agreements before the fall term will ensure the least potential disruption. We are not alone in this wish. It is common to everyone involved. The second and less obvious benefit is financial. The Queen’s Pension Plan (QPP) is in bad financial shape and the plan will continue to deteriorate the longer it takes to reach agreements on required changes. The good news is that the See changes on page 10
mean a strike. There has never been such a vote here in the past. Are the faculty becoming militant? Is it a sign of a shift in the administrative wind? Most of the campus employees are now represented by unions P aul Young and QUFA is not the only one in P resident , Q ueen’s U niversity negotiations. The administration is Faculty A ssociation steadily moving towards a more Labour unrest! It’s something that corporate model and coupling it to most faculty and students never cutbacks in budgets at most levels. Clearly, income is limiting. think about. If they do, they usually it is the term it administrative intransigence. Nevertheless, Occasionally however, when the administration that decides how issues become important, the to carve the pie. Faculty salary, as a proportion of the total budget, situation shifts rapidly. Our Provost, Bob Silverman, in has been steadily declining for a one of his recent missives suggests long time. How can this happen? that engagement in the issues is key: Isn’t a university fundamentally “We feel strongly that the more about teaching and research? Isn’t people participate in the process, it about faculty and students? With the more likely it becomes that steadily increasing student numbers, negotiations will reach a meaningful shouldn’t the faculty complement and satisfactory outcome.” I agree. grow? Shouldn’t job security be However, the administration still achievable by all good teachers who consistently perform well? doesn’t engage with us. The reality is that the student With steadily increasing to faculty ratio at Queen’s has been steadily increasing for decades. student numbers, Queen’s, along with other Ontario shouldn’t the faculty universities, now has one of the complement grow? worst ratios in the country. It is occurring at a time when there Shouldn’t job security is increased downloading of nonbe achievable by all teaching duties onto our faculty good teachers who and the quality of the academic consistently workplace is deteriorating. The perform well? administration is proposing unilateral changes to a variety of The Queen’s University Faculty things at the bargaining table and Association (QUFA) held a general generally rejecting the arguments meeting of our membership made by our bargaining team. on July 13. The purpose of the The faculty want a voice through meeting was to seek a strike negotiation and the strike mandate mandate. Instead of relying on the vote is the outcome. Silverman, on the issue of vote from just the general meeting itself, we successfully engaged our pension reform, notes “it’s a entire membership through the big challenge, but solutions are internet. This is probably a first available.” So true. It’s only one for a university faculty union; we of many issues and there are many were not constitutionally obligated solutions, but the administration will only accept one, theirs, which to do this. Dunning Hall auditorium was hasn’t been discussed with QUFA filled for the meeting, and the live or other unions and doesn’t include webcast and E-vote were heavily any input from employees. What does all of this mean for subscribed. The crowd responded enthusiastically to the presentation the students at Queen’s? The faculty of facts and was clearly engaged want a fair, negotiated settlement with the issues, both in the room of the issues. Bargaining has been and through the live webcast going on for months. Presentations question feed. Overall 78 per cent continue but the administration of our membership voted; 72 per must soon demonstrate their cent of the votes cast were in favour commitment to negotiations at the of the strike mandate. Given the bargaining table. If not, a lockout high participation rate, this is an or strike is possible. In either case, if the faculty extraordinary result. Bob, are we engaged? Keep in mind that a aren’t allowed to work or if the strike mandate doesn’t necessarily See aren’t on page 10
“I go to the pier.” Shannon Walsh, Con Ed ’13
“I go to the ARC.” Hammad Khalid, CommSci ’12
“By drinking a lot of beer.” Will Hunter, ArtSci ’14
“I eat a lot of ice cream.” Richard Aleong, MASc ’11
“I jump in the lake.” Charles Trudeau, ArtSci ’12
Have an opinion?
Have your say.
Submit a letter to journal_letters@ams.queensu.ca
Comment at queensjournal.ca
10 •queensjournal.ca Continued from page 9
University and employee groups have a shared goal: to ensure the long-term sustainability of the plan. The need for change has been acknowledged by all employee groups since pension reform discussions began in 2005. But here is the challenge: on August 31, the plan’s actuaries will take a financial snapshot of the plan. This valuation determines the size of additional payments required by law to start closing the gap between what the plan has in it and what regulatory authorities say must be in it. The plan is in much worse shape than it was at the time of the last valuation in 2008. Without reform, the payments we will be required to make as an institution could become crippling—potentially consuming $70-million per year, or about a sixth of the University’s total operating budget. We cannot afford to lose more time. The longer we wait, the more devastating this problem will become.
Individual employees will have to contribute more and the institution will need to pay more too. The goal is to keep those increases manageable and in line with best practices In order to preserve adequate retirement benefits, individual employees will have to contribute more and the institution will need to pay more too. The goal is to keep those increases manageable and in line with best practices. The changes that have been proposed are well within those guidelines.
Tuesday, July 26, 2010 These changes would not apply to retirees. Making good decisions in tight fiscal circumstances is not simple. Negotiating them can be even more difficult. But negotiations provide us with an important opportunity to address issues of mutual concern and to foster mutual understanding. It will not be easy but, ultimately, we will succeed. Until then, I encourage you to stay informed. Encourage your fellow members of the Queen’s community to do the same.
persists in refusing to engage in bargaining, incoming students faculty withdraw their services, this Fall could start their personal the University will shut down. engagement with Queen’s by Obviously this is disruptive. The facing empty classrooms, closed strike mandate vote taken on libraries and closed facilities. It has July 13 empowers the QUFA happened on some other campuses. executive to call a strike if they That said, typically in the negotiated deem it necessary to achieve a fair protocols governing the return of settlement. faculty to work following a job No one on the faculty side action, there are accommodations desires this outcome, as we all care made that allow students to make very much about the university and up time and credits, so progress in the students. If faculty are forced their programs is not delayed. to strike, it will be to protect the According to representatives quality of Queen’s University. At from the Canadian Association of this point, both parties are still at University Teachers, who attended the bargaining table. our meeting on July 13, such However, if the administration protocols have been negotiated in Continued from page 9
all cases in the recent past. Faculty typically spend their entire working career engaged with students at one level or another. Students are not the target of a strike. However, a major part of our job is teaching and in an adversarial bargaining process, it is part of what is withdrawn in a work stoppage. The current situation is potentially harming Queen’s reputation. The pending crisis is driven by an unrealistic budgetary straitjacket imposed by the Board of Trustees and an uncompromising attitude permeating the upper administration. With a little good will, both of these can change and a fair settlement will be reached.
Editor’s note The above Dialogue pieces were written before the University applied for a No Board report on Monday.
Frosh week Special Project
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Tuesday, July 26, 2011
alcoHol
Policy change to keep alcohol out of residence Residence officials who previously enforced Ontario liquor laws, allowing for alcohol consumption at the age of 19, will now ban alcohol entirely during Frosh Week BY JAKE EDMISTON Editor in Chief A new University policy means alcohol won’t be allowed into residences during Frosh Week, even if the residents are of legal age. Before the change, residence officials only enforced Ontario liquor laws, allowing 19-year-old students to drink in their dorm rooms. University officials said around 92 per cent of first-year students in residence are under the legal drinking age. A briefing document presented to members of the Alcohol Working Group on July 12 gave 14 rationales for the new alcohol-free pilot project. One bullet point stated the new policy would “clearly signal Queen’s commitment to reducing alcohol-related harm, particularly at a critical transitional time when the risk of alcohol misuse among 1st year students has been known to be high (with a tragic alcohol-related accidental death of one resident during Orientation week in 2010).”
After investigating the deaths of two first-year students, Coroner Roger Skinner submitted a report to University administrators recommending a review of campus alcohol policies. Cameron Bruce, Sci ’14, died after falling out of a window on the sixth-floor of Victoria Hall residence in September, 2010. Habib Khan, ArtSci ’14, died after falling three stories through a skylight above Duncan McArthur Hall in December 2010. Dean of Student Affairs Arig Girgrah said the new policy wasn’t spurred by the recent recommendation. “The coroner’s report is just another piece of information that supports the work we’re already doing,” Girgrah said, adding that development on the policy started about a year ago. It will start as a pilot program, with alcohol standards scheduled to return to normal after Frosh Week on Sept. 11. Girgrah said residence staff will enforce the alcohol ban using existing discipline
protocols. Dons and other residence facilitators typically impose educational assignments or fines for violating set residence rules, like underage drinking. All alcohol found in residences is confiscated and poured out. “The focus is still going to be how we have conversations with students,” she said. “We’re not interested in punishing individuals. We’re not interested in simply fining people.” Girgrah said the alcohol-ban initiative is one that was put in place at other Ontario universities including the University of Guelph last year. Campus Security added a new position for the upcoming school year that will be designated to residences. Campus Security director David Patterson said the new supervisor will patrol inside and outside of residences and work to educate students on safety matters. The briefing document submitted to the Alcohol Working Group reported that
AMS Vice-President of University Affairs Kieran Slobodin says the new policy to ban alcohol in residence during Frosh Week will reform the drinking culture in residences.
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incoming residents and their parents will be informed of the Frosh Week policy via email and newsletters. The document states that residences for graduate students will not be included in the new policies. Another activity listed as a strategic action is to work with student government officials to develop “strategies for upper year students in support of a multi-pronged campus-wide action plan.”
we’re worried that “instead of drinking in a
more comfortable and safe residence environment, first-years will go out into a city they don’t know and feel pressure from upper-year students.
”
—Kieran Slobodin, AMS vice-president of university affairs AMS Vice-President of University Affairs Kieran Slobodin said the new alcohol ban will help reform residence culture that often surrounds alcohol consumption. “Part of what encompasses this [policy] is culture change,” he said, adding that the success of the pilot should be based on student feedback. “Is drinking more of a choice that they feel ownership over?” Slobodin said denying access to alcohol in residences poses some foreseeable safety issues in the broader Queen’s community. He said the AMS executive has identified the risks associated with first-year students looking for access to alcohol in the Student Ghetto. “We’re worried that instead of drinking in a more comfortable and safe residence environment, first-years will go out into a city they don’t know and feel pressure from upper-year students.”
PoLIce aND FroSh Week Kingston Police plan to pay close attention to the University area during Frosh Week this September. “The Kingston Police will be seen more often as students settle in and begin their new routine because during this exciting time, usual home security and personal safety observance may not be top of mind,” Inspector Brian Cookman said in a statement. During last year’s Frosh Week, 154 alcohol-related tickets were issued to people in the area that Kingston Police refers to as Inner Queensville. It extends loosely from Brock St. to Union St. on a North to South boundary and Clergy St. to Victoria St. from East- to West. In 2009, 156 liquor citations were handed out. Only 39 alcohol-related tickets were given during Frosh Week 2008. No specific figures were recorded in 2007, though Constable Mike Menor told the Journal in September 2007 that the ticket numbers were typical of previous years. In 2005, 112 tickets were issued during frosh week. 77 of them were given only two days in. “The Kingston Police work closely with the University, AMS and Campus Security throughout the year to provide the safest environment possible,” Cookman said. “To that end, Kingston Police take very seriously any criminal or general illegal activity and will take action.” —Terra-Ann Arnone
Tuesday, July 26, 2011
queensjournal.ca
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finance
Budget breakdown With nine independent committees, Frosh Week 2011 will cost an estimated $600,000 B y C lare C lancy Editor in Chief
“The large majority of this expense is for the various precautions [like] Student Constables, Queen’s First Aid [and] Campus Security that are in place to ensure the safety of everyone involved,” EngSoc Vice-President of Operations ClaireWunker told the Journal via email. EngSoc expects about 650 frosh this year who will each pay $130 to participate in the week. Frosh fees are the main source of funding for all orientation committees. Fees vary between $50 to participate in FYNIRS and $210 for Commerce. Frosh Week committees reach out to sponsors to supplement funding from frosh fees.
Over $500 of shaving cream is just one of the interesting line items found on a Frosh Week budget. “In the past we’ve bought out some stores,” Head Gael David Coulson said, adding that it’s used during Frosh Olympics which includes events like human curling. As the largest faculty, Arts and Science Frosh Week is projected to cost over $250,000 this year, serving approximately 2,000 incoming students. “We usually have are really good participation rate,” Coulson said. With a total projected budget nearing $600,000, Frosh Week 2011 encompasses seven faculty In the past we’ve orientations as well as those bought out some stores for New, Exchange, Woohoo, [of shaving cream]. Transfer Students (NEWTS) and First Years Not In Residence Students (FYNIRS). —David Coulson, head Gael for Arts and Along with Arts and Science, Science faculty orientation Commerce and Engineering Frosh Weeks run tabs of $140,000 and Sponsorship has allowed the $100,000 respectively. A major cost unique to Computing Student Association Engineering is the Grease Pole, (COMPSA) to revive its Frosh Week an event that doesn’t come cheap which was previously on probation, until 2010. Reasoning for the at $37,000. Incoming first-year engineers decision included organizational work as a group to seize a tam on problems and poor leadership, top of the famous pole in a showing said head organizer Greg Allan. In of teamwork and endurance. recent years, COMPSA has been
“
”
graphic by Janghan hong
the only orientation committee to run a significant deficit. The organized week, for an average of 70 students, made a comeback complete with corporate sponsorship. “COMPSA had a bit of a rough streak,” Allan said. “We’ve managed to secure sponsorship from Microsoft two years in a row now: $2,000 last year and $1,000 this year.” COMPSA has a projected budget of $7,400 with frosh fees for the week set at $90. All orientation week committees manage their own budgets
independently with the common goal to break even. “The goal with orientation week is to spend all the money that you collect because people are spending … money for this week,” said Orientation Round Table Coordinator Rachel Shindman. Accountability comes from the overarching faculty society. “The committees for the week don’t get the money until the participants register,” Shindman said, adding that any money collected for orientation ideally goes back to the frosh. “That’s one of the reasons the Orientation
Round Table (ORT) is here.” ORT pays for major costs that apply to each faculty including t-shirts. “[Recoverable expenses] includes things the AMS fronts the money for on behalf of the committee and gets reimbursed for.” Other common expenses organized by ORT include the annual frosh concert, which is open to all Frosh Week groups. ORT organizes sponsorship as well, independently from faculty societies.
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History
The evolution of Frosh Week 1928 Standards for acceptable hazing are written into the AMS constitution. Males are required to identify themselves as first-year students by constantly carrying umbrellas and are expected to have match boxes on hand at all times to light cigarettes for their frosh leaders. Frosh weren’t allowed to date until after Christmas exams.
1971
1955 Queen’s students rush the field at the University of Toronto following a football game between the Golden Gaels and the Varsity Blues. The students steal goal posts to be used in the Queen’s Engineering Society’s Grease Pole tradition.
1976
Students vote to keep Frosh Week hazing traditions in a campus-wide referendum.
QUeen’s Archives
Women participate in the Grease Pole event for the first time.
1984 Organizers of the Grease Pole event purchase tomatoes a week in advance to allow them to rot before being thrown at frosh. Vomit, urine, cow heads and organs are dumped into the water surrounding the pole. Twenty-five students are taken to hospital with minor injuries.
QUeen’s Archives
1989
1989
Journal File Photo
Journal File Photo
Phrases on frosh coveralls like “Fuck me, suck me, chew me raw” and “Lick it, slam it, suck it” spark a year-long debate on whether the slogans endorsed sexual assault.
1997 Families driving first-year students to Queen’s are met with signs on highway 401 near Kingston that read “Queen’s fathers, say goodbye to your daughters’ virginity!”
In response to a campus-wide date rape awareness campaign, a group of male students living on the third floor of Gordon House residence hang signs in windows facing Leonard Field that read “No means tie me up”, “No means more beer” and “No means harder.”
1991 The Jackson Report calls for the end of AMS-sanctioned alcoholic events and the removal of vulgar slogans on coveralls.
2006 2007 Alcohol references are omitted from Frosh Week cheers.
2011 Frosh Week concert returns to campus.
House parties are banned from Frosh Week events.
2008 Two students attending the Frosh Week concert fall over seven metres into a dry moat. Both students recovered in hospital. —Jake Edmiston and Meaghan Wray
Tuesday, July 26, 2011
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tradition
Conventions and customs of Queen’s An inside look at each faculty’s Frosh Week traditions B y J anina E nrile Assistant Blogs Editor
Applied Science
Frosh wash cars to raise money for the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation of Canada.
Journal file photo
Charity
Frosh Week gives back
• The Grease Pole: Frosh must work together to scale a greased pole to reach the Concurrent Education tam on top. • Mystery Retro Road Trip: Frosh, dressed • Sizzle like bacon: Frosh are instructed by in eighties attire, take off to an undisclosed their frosh leaders to lie on the ground and location for the day. shake their bodies. • Sock Wrestling: Con-eddies pair up and A lison S houldice race to pull off each other’s socks. Contributor
Last year ASUS Frosh Week’s Shinerama raised $62,370
Nursing
Computer Science
• Nursing frosh week begins with students parading around campus holding hands clad in latex gloves. • Thundermugz: Nursing students are propped up on home-made chariots crafted by first-year engineering students before being pelted with a mixture of glue and oatmeal dubbed thundersludge.
• CompSci Olympics: Frosh are tested with technology trivia. • LAN Party: Computer labs are opened with unlimited online game play for first-years. Commerce
• Syndicates: First-years are separated into these teams and work together to impress the Physical Education and head Commerce frosh leader, the Chief Boss. Kinesiology • Attire: Frosh wear ‘I like commerce’ • Camp Oconto: Frosh head an hour north t-shirts and knee-high socks. of Kingston to decorate their coveralls and compete in tournaments. • At the end of the week, frosh are given Arts and Science a whistle to signify their official welcome into the faculty. • Traditional cheer: “Frosh! How do you feel?” F i r s t Y e a r N o t i n R e s i d e n c e • Frosh olympics: Students are covered in dirt, peat moss and shaving cream • Boat cruise: Frosh Week begins with before participating in a day-long series of a three-hour night-time cruise around the outdoor tournaments. Thousand Islands, which includes a dance N e w, E x c h a n g e , ( w o o h o o ) and live auction. a n d Tr a n s f e r S t u d e n t s • Bigger and better: Starting with an issue of the Journal, first-years must trade it for bigger • Roadtrip: NEWTS are taken to a nearby and better items downtown Kingston. city that changes year-to-year; Ottawa, Montreal and Toronto have been favourites in the past. • Afterward, students decorate their neon orange coveralls and finish Frosh Week with a semi-formal dinner.
Every year, the largest faculty at Queen’s increases the amount of money raised during Frosh Week for the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation (CFF) of Canada. For almost 50 years, the faculty of Arts and Science has raised money for the nation-wide Shinerama campaign. Jeff Quanz, president of the Kingston chapter of the CFF said Frosh Week is the chapter’s top fundraiser. “It’s just entirely amazing what can be done in one day,” he said. Arts and Science has raised over $835,000 for Shinerama, with funds going exclusively towards national research programs. The Arts and Science Undergraduate Society (ASUS) is expanding its fundraising efforts to include local charities this year, said Stephanie Garraway who organizes ASUS charity initiatives during Frosh Week. “This year we actually got approached by other charities asking us if we wouldn’t mind donating some of the money we raise during the week to their charity,” Garraway, ArtSci ’12 said. Last year ASUS Frosh Week raised $62,370
in the Shinerama campaign, which gets Frosh Week participants to wash cars, shine shoes and collect beer bottles for donations. On top of contributions to the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation, up to $3,000 in funds raised will be given to another local charity this year. The local charity hasn’t been decided on yet, but Garraway said possible fundraising events could include raffles or pie-in-the-face games. Each faculty chooses their own unique recipient charity, often based on aspects that relate to the faculty. Nursing makes cards for patients at Kingston General Hospital while faculties like Commerce fundraise throughout the year instead of focusing on Frosh Week. However, the Commerce Society does run events like food drives and chocolate bar sales for local charities. First-year Engineering students sell nuts during Frosh Week with profits donated to the Rotary Club. Concurrent Education frosh participate in a literacy fundraising campaign through the faculty of Concurrent Education and an awareness campaign for special Olympic athletes run through the Physical Education and Kinesiology faculty.
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student life
Alternative frosh weeks offer other options Activist groups aim to bring students a different perspective on Queen’s orientation B y C arolyn F lanagan Assistant Blogs Editor Kingston’s Ontario Public Interest Research Group (OPIRG) hosts an alternative Frosh Week for students who don’t necessarily identify with Queen’s culture, says coordinator Kavita Bissoondial. “The faculty frosh weeks can pull you into celebrating this history and culture that you don’t necessarily identify with. It can be very overwhelming,” she said. Bissoondial, ArtSci ’10, said faculty orientation week is not the only way to learn about Queen’s, adding that RadFrosh week engages students’ interests in social justice, anti-racism, anti-capitalism and activism. The alternative week was created in 2001. Two years ago, OPIRG started running RadFrosh after Frosh Week to give students time to attend as many events as possible. This year OPIRG has lined up a range of events that will highlight art and politics with a series of workshops, screenings and panels. The events will run throughout September
and October after classes start. Last year’s RadFrosh hosted a panel of alumni speaking about their experiences of racism at Queen’s. “We’re here to support each other and no one should feel alone,” Bissoondial said. “It was a powerful night that we hope to replicate.” This year OPIRG will host American comedian Hari Kondabolu as a special guest whose humour supports RadFrosh’s themes like poverty and racism. All events are funded by OPIRG and free for students. Attendance varies by event, ranging from five to 75 participants. Queerientation is another option for those looking to participate in an alternative frosh week. Organized by the Education on Queer Issues Project (EQuIP), Queerientation runs from September 12 to 25 after Orientation Week. This year’s EQuIP Chair, Jessie Sinclair, said Queerientation’s late start gives people a chance to adjust to Queen’s before they start seeking out new communities.
“During Frosh Week everyone is constantly trying to impress each other. But a couple of weeks in people are more comfortable being themselves,” Sinclair said. Queerientation 2011 will include art workshops, a barbecue at the Grad Club, outdoor movie night, karaoke night at Tir Nan Og and a dance hosted by Queen’s Pride Project. “Queerientation is meant to be encouraging for everyone, even those who don’t identify as queer,” Sinclair, ArtSci ‘13, said. David Coulson, Head Gael for the Arts
and Science Frosh Week, said alternative frosh weeks complement those run by faculty societies. “Orientation week alone hosts over 2,000 students,” Coulson, ArtSci ’12, said. “The alternative frosh weeks can hit specific goals identifiable to new students and that’s an important thing too,” Coulson said, adding that students need not choose one or the other. “At the end of the day, we all have the same goal of welcoming students,” Coulson said.
The Jack Project This September, the pilot project of a new mental health program will launch at Queen’s. The Jack Project, spearheaded by Eric Windeler, promotes mental health education through the use of an informative website. The website will offer an interactive online support system for individuals struggling with mental health issues. Windeler’s son, Jack, ArtSci ’13, committed suicide at Queen’s in March 2010. “We miss Jack every single day and hope our work can make a real difference for others,” Windeler told the Journal via email. The project, which works in conjunction with Kids Help Phone and the Mental Health Commission of Canada, aims to strengthen the mental health of young adults nationwide as they make the transition from high school into university, college or independent living. “Central to this initiative is to invest in online chat and mobile applications at Kids Help Phone,” said Windeler. The Jack Project also includes awareness campaigns and a focus on practices that reduce the negative stigma surrounding mental health. Queen’s is one of 12 colleges and universities that signed up for the pilot program, along with 22 high schools. “We have limited the pilot to Ontario for practical travel and cost reasons,” Windeler said. Windeler is optimistic about the state of mental health education at Queen’s. “Queen’s is taking a leadership role in speaking out about mental health challenges on our campuses and this is vitally important,” he said. “We are hopeful other schools will follow Queen’s lead and train residence dons and other staff who are in regular contact with students.” The Jack Project is just one initiative funded by the Jack Windeler Memorial Fund at Kids Help Phone. The national rollout of the project, targeting 300 high schools and 30 post-secondary institutions, will start next year. “There will be immediate benefit in the lives of students today,” Windeler said. “The current generation of young people can make a huge difference … by not passing along the massive stigma associated with mental illness to their kids in the future.”
—Katherine Fernandez-Blance
RadFrosh coordinator Kavita Bissoondial said traditional Frosh Week events, like the one pictured above, can be overwhelming for some students.
Journal File photo
Special project
8 •queensjournal.ca
Tuesday, July 26, 2011
Frosh week history
Taming cheers through the years A look at the evolution of some of Frosh Week’s most explicit cheers
Graphic by Janghan Hong
The “McDonald’s” cheer, banned in 2011, was used against Arts and Science students, meant as a pejorative prediction of their future job prospects. Arts and Science students used to reply to the engineers’ taunt by putting their arms in a V shape and shouting back “virgins!” This action was banned in 2008 for its negative connotations.
Alcohol references were edited out of this Arts and Science cheer in 2009.
As the Engineering Society sought to remake their image, they banned this cheer in 2011 for its rudeness and vulgarity.
Graphic by Janghan Hong
Graphic by Janghan Hong
—Compiled by Andrew Stokes
Arts
14 •queensjournal.ca
Tuesday, July 26, 2011
Movie Theatre
Film facelift New owner of the Screening Room hopes to attract mainstream viewers while maintaining loyal indie lovers
Arts
B y A lyssa A shton Arts Editor The new owner of a local movie theatre is looking to attract students. Wendy Huot, a Queen’s University librarian, bought the Screening Room at 120 Princess St. this June. She said she’s hoping to add late-night screenings of horror and cult films to “encourage a different crowd and be a little bit rowdier. “It’s long been my dream to run a movie theatre,” said Huot, who takes over the theatre on Friday. “I’m a big movie buff. I like watching movies and I like making opportunities for others to watch
Wendy Huot is often behind a desk at Stauffer Library, but on July 29 she’ll move into her second office, as the new Screening Room owner.
movies. So when I saw that [the Screening Room] was for sale I thought this was my chance.” Plans are in the works to add a modern digital projection system to one of the Screening Room’s theatres in addition to the existing 35mm reel projectors. “I would be able to play more films in a given month and be more responsive to community film suggestions,” Huot said. “It’s all about being able to play a wide range of film ... satisfy the cinema buffs and the niche audiences
in town.” Under the previous owners, the Screening Room was known for showing independent films—a character trait that won’t change despite Huot’s plans to expand the theatre’s audience base. “One of the things that’s really good about the Screening Room is that it has a strong backbone of movie goers who are willing to take chances on movies they haven’t heard of,” Huot said. “Even though I will bring in films that there will be a lot of
hype and awareness of, I will also play movies people haven’t heard of. I will encourage movie goers to take risks. We will continue to play movies that don’t play in other places in town.” Huot also wants to maintain the theatre’s home-like atmosphere, continuing to serve drinks out of ceramic mugs. “I plan to renovate the space and change the ambiance a bit,” she said. “I still want to keep the casual, non-commercial feel of the space. I don’t plan to change the
photo by corey lablans
space and make it all Ikea or a sleek coffee bar; just give it some new life.” The first thing to renovate is the theatre’s menu, she said. “I’ll start to bring in some interesting hard to find candies and snacks. Some British candies, Italian juices and pops, stuff you can’t find anywhere else in the city.” Huot applied for a kiosk at the Frosh Week sidewalk sale this month, with plans to lure students with free popcorn and two for one deals.
Festival Preview
Each year, thousands of music afficanados flock to Marysville for the Wolfe Island Music Festival. The Journal brings you interviews with this year’s line-up ahead of their arrival Wolfe Island
From pesto to pop playlists Canadian indie darlings, Stars, have managed to maintain their unique brand of pop despite marriage, kids and cooking schedules B y K atherine Fernandez -B lance News Editor supplied by vanessa heins
in past years, Saulnier took a break from the main stage last August but did make an appearance at the festival afterparty. He manned the turntables as DJ Haircut with his partner in crime John O’Regan, better-known as Diamond Rings. Saulnier hinted that attendees can expect to see him scratching at the General Wolfe Hotel afterparty again this year after the
Delicately brooding and lovesick, Stars has become the moniker of Canadian indie music. The quintet knows how to avoid stagnation while maintaining a distinctively “Stars” sound, blending dramatic themes with sweet melodies. The Montreal-based band is known locally for their intimate church shows, but next month they’ll be outdoors to headline the Wolfe Island Music Festival. Though they aren’t newcomers, playing outside will present challenges that the band doesn’t usually deal with. “We’ve been trying to play a good festival show for years,” Drummer Pat McGee said. “Festivals are tough because you sort of have to dive on stage. You’ve got to be ready and bring the energy really fast.” Though he’s “super psyched” to hear other acts at the festival and see the windmills, McGee said he’s
See Facelove on page 17
See Delicately on page 16
PS I Love You’s debut album Meet Me at the Muster Station is a tribute to Wolfe Island, a place Saulnier travelled to frequently as a child.
Wolfe Island
Subtely majestic After a break from Wolfe Island’s main stage, PS I Love You returns to their home turf on the heels of a European tour B y A lly H all Journal Staff Local duo PS I Love You’s upcoming appearance at the Wolfe Island Music Festival will be a decidedly nostalgic homecoming. Their 2010 debut Meet Me At The Muster Station drips in nods to the island, from the record’s title to the sounds of the ferry audible in the tracks.
“I feel extra excited to play again this year … there’s a lot that’s special about it,” lead singer and guitarist Paul Saulnier told me over the phone from a mini-tour of the northeastern U.S. coast. “It’s on the island and you’ve got to take the ferry and camping; going into a little town and drinking beers in a field … those are special things for me.” Though they’ve played the fest
Online Built Castles One of this year’s Wolfe Island Music Festival performers, Jennifer Castle, discusses her psychedelic-folk sound.
Soulful Swimmers Great Lake Swimmers’ music is featured in a Honda commercial, but lead singer Tony Dekker says his music is dedicated to lyrical insight not meant for mainstream play.
Spirit Guides Evening Hymns may have a rotating line-up, but core member Jonas Bonnetta promises an almost full cast will appear at Wolfe Island Music Festival.
Arts
Tuesday, July 26, 2011
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Wolfe Island
Hand down your pants hip hop Whether going by the name of Uncle Climax, Jesus Murphy or Buck 65, Richard Terfry is known for his weird version of hip hop with its emphasis on the instrumental 1. Who are you? I am Buck 65, the Warren Oates of rap. 2. You are currently on a summer tour, so what are your tour essentials and why? I travel light. Baby wipes are a must. I don’t need much else. Dental floss. I can get by on just about nothing. 3. How are you feeling about playing this year’s Wolfe Island Music Festival? It’s my first time playing Wolfe Island, so I don’t know what to expect. But I like the sound of the name. And I’m always excited to have a chance to play with Jenn Grant. When we get together, fires burn. 4. You grew up in a small town, Mount Uniacke, N.S., where you have said none of your friends were into the hip hop scene. How did you fall in love with music? I became interested in hip hop when it was just getting started, back around 1980. I would have been eight years old. It was a matter of being in the right place at the right time. Like a lot of eight year olds, my mind was wide open, ready to be occupied by something that I could obsess over—something I could use to begin to define myself. And that happened to be a brand new
music genre. Completely new genres don’t come along very often, so it’s very exciting when they do. And this one was very much geared toward young people and came with a message of “this is for everyone; anyone can do it; you can do it too!” So, I went crazy. Zero to 60 in half a second. From oblivion to complete obsession in a snap of the fingers. 5. You are not only a talented musician but you create all the different aspects of your music yourself. Is it important to you to have that creative control over all aspects of your work? Actually, I don’t think I’m talented at all. I just have a lot of ideas. And for that reason, it’s not only important, but completely necessary for me to have control over every aspect of the music. But it can also be fun to experiment with surrendering control once in a while. 6. You began your career back in the 1990s and have been playing ever since, which inevitably means you have played in some interesting places. What is the best and strangest place you have ever had a show? I played for one guy in Kingston a few days after September 11th. I played in a museum in Australia for the opening of an Andy Warhol exhibit. I played in a basement with Vincent Gallo in Buffalo. I’ve had
all kinds of amazing adventures. Most of the strangest and best nights of my life have been nights I was playing music in some corner of the world. I’ve really lived. I’m rich. 7. How would you describe your music? I would describe my music as sub-realist. I’d describe it as a hand down the front of your pants. I’d describe it as Mt. Uniacke music. I’d describe it as a moustache drawn on the Mona Lisa. I don’t know. I think I would have a much easier time describing individual songs. It’s hard to throw a net over the whole thing. 8. You’ve become known for your stage names, which have ranged from Uncle Climax, Jesus Murphy to Stinkin’ Rich. What inspires these pseudonyms? I guess they were just attempts at justifying or making excuses for various creative dalliances. Uncle Climax was the name given to my inner pervert, I guess. He still rears his head once in a while, but doesn’t want to draw too much attention to himself these days. 9. Your newest record, 20 Odd Years, brought you back to Halifax where you created the record from the ground up with some old friends. What was that experience like?
supplied
Growing up in Mount Uniake, N.S., Buck 65 had limited exposure to It had been a while since I did music and had to climb a tree in his yard to hear the local radio station’s hip See Warren on page 17 hop program.
each year, ranging from painters to environmentally friendly artists. “There’s everything from belly dancing to the Shout Sister Choir,” said festival veteran Penny Gorman. Gorman was first introduced to the festival seven years ago after hearing about it from friends. Several other artists have been turned onto the festival by older family members. As a result, the show often exhibits multiple generations.
in this day “andI think age you can set
Local artist Penny Gorman makes her architectural-folk art from recyclable materials including broken shutters and pieces of old hardware.
Supplied
Charity Art Exhibit
Art from the heart Women’s Art Festival aims to empower female artists B y C aitlin C hoi Assistant Arts Editor The 30th Women’s Art Festival will host around 200 female artists next month at Kingston’s City
Park. Art installations will be on display throughout the park and a percentage of the proceeds will be donated to local women’s charities. This year will see over 60 newcomers to the festival along
with returning artists. The non-juried art show has more than quadrupled in size since a group of women started it in the late 1970s. It’s since introduced a variety of new artists and entertainers
those goals [of being an artist and practicing art] when you’re young and able to explore your craft and your art.
”
—Penny Gorman, Women’s Art Festival volunteer “It keeps me in touch with all the new artists coming through,” said Gorman, whose artwork is made of salvaged materials from antique buildings. The show has kept its original concepts of fundraising for local women’s charities, celebrating women’s creativity and embracing sisterhood. Since the festival’s start,
over $75,000 for charities like Dawn House, the Elizabeth Fry Society and Breast Cancer Action Kingston has been raised. Many of the charities supported by the Women’s Art Festival rely on non-government donations, like Breast Cancer Action Kingston, an organization that heads several charitable events in the area, notably the annual Walk for Awareness. Dawn House Women’s Shelter provides 24-hour services for homeless women and their children and the Elizabeth Fry Society helps at-risk women transition back into the community. Each year, artists donate 20 per cent of the money they make selling their work. This year, the committee created five $1,000 scholarships for female students who are either enrolled in or joining into an art-based program. “I think in this day and age you can set those goals [of being an artist and practicing art] when you’re young and be able to explore your craft and your art,” Gorman said, adding that she believes the festival continues to be a valuable experience for artists. “30 years from now we still want to be there.” The Women’s Art Festival in City Park takes place on Aug. 21 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Arts
16 •queensjournal.ca
Delicately brooding
Tuesday, July 26, 2011
Wolfe Island by the numbers 1792
the year the island was named in honour of General James Wolfe, who led British troops at the historic Battle of the Plains of Abraham
1,500 the festival’s average attendance 1,400 Wolfe Island’s population 100 per cent of the festival’s lineup is Canadian 20 minutes on the ferry from Kingston to Wolfe Island 18 bands at this year’s festival 13 years of the Wolfe Island Music Festival 12 years old and under get into the festival for free Stars’ 2010 release The Five Ghosts was released internationally by Vagrant Records, but in Canada it was released by the band’s own record label, Soft Revolution. Continued from page 14
more interested in island life. “I like that feeling of going to a place that is sort of surrounded by a moat of some kind,” he said of the Lake Ontario waterfront. “I find that reassuring.” My conversation with McGee occurred just as he was finishing a batch of homemade pesto with basil from his Montreal garden. “I’m the Monday chef,” McGee joked about cooking for his bandmates. It’s no secret why the indie group hasn’t been pulled apart over the years, even as some members have married and had children.
“We’re just friends … and I think that’s the reason we’re still together,” McGee said after recently returning from a weeklong trip to vocalist Torquill Campbell’s cottage with the rest of the ensemble. It’s been a year since Stars returned to their electro-pop roots with their paranormal-inspired fifth album The Five Ghosts. McGee said Stars is trying to keep their sound simple and avoid the neuroticism of their early years. “You can work on something forever in the pursuit of perfection, but imperfection is quite beautiful as well,” he said of the band’s evolving sound.
Supplied by norman wong
“To me [the latest release] felt like a transition record; something we had to do,” McGee said. Tracks off the album like “I died so I could haunt you,” were first roused by Stars keyboardist Chris Seligam’s experiences with paranormal activity in Vancouver. “It’s a bridge to something we’re doing now,” McGee said, hinting that fans will see some new material in fall 2012. Festival-goers on Wolfe Island can expect Stars to “bring the hits,” McGee hinted. He said songs like the 2005 smash hit “Your ex-lover is dead,” are guaranteed to make the set list. “That’s the torch, that’s the
4 the number of artists in this year’s line-up that were nominated for the Polaris Prize Long List
2 a.m. the time the ferry stops running 0 dollars needed to take the ferry to Wolfe Island —Alyssa Ashton anthem,” McGee said. “That’s what made people like Stars.” For McGee, Kingston still reminds him of Bloom, a local funk band from the 1990s that eventually disbanded. He always hears the old Kingston band’s songs in his head when he makes the trip up with Stars to play a show. “It all comes back to a time when Kingston had a really amazing
music scene,” he said. “From what I hear it has dwindled quite a bit.” Kingston does have the pleasure of importing acts like Stars, who have played in Kingston regularly over the past several years. Stars play the main stage of Wolfe Island Music Festival on Aug. 6 at 10 p.m.
Arts
Tuesday, July 26, 2011
‘Warren Oates of rap’
Continued from page 14
I was on the jury for the Polaris a year ago, so I know how it works. Having had that experience, I can tell you that it doesn’t really mean anything. The work I’m most proud of was never recognized in any way. It’s up to me to decide what is a failure and what isn’t, not someone else. It was never up to me to hire a publicist,which is to say that I’m not motivated by going out and looking for approval. 11. For all those who are coming to your show, is it true that hugs and kisses are free?
Buck 65 plays the main stage at Wolfe Island Music Festival at 9 p.m. on Aug. 6.
that. I took my hands off the wheel for a few years. I needed to go back. I allowed myself to be very uncomfortable for a few years. It hurt (in a good way). So it was good to be able to relax a little. 10. You made this year’s long list of nominees for the 2011 Polaris Music Prize, how does that feel?
• 17
Facelove for fans festival closes. It’s been almost a year since the release of the critically-acclaimed Meet Me At The Muster Station, but Saulnier said he and drummer Benjamin Nelson are keeping busy with short trips and using downtime to finish recording their new album at home in Kingston. “[We’ve been] writing and recording and just sort of getting together,” he said. “Benjamin and I will create the songs just by jamming, so the writing and recording process happens … pretty close to the same time.” With music-lovers’ summer itineraries packed with stylish and sought-after festivals like Coachella, South by Southwest and Bonnaroo, the laid-back Wolfe Island supplied environment is a welcomed change of pace. This year Buck 65 was a Genie Award “I find a lot of people like it because it’s nominee for Achievement in Music for an kind of relaxed,” Saulnier said. “Most big Original Song, due to his contributions to the outdoor festivals have so much security and Year of the Carnivore soundtrack. this one’s just pretty chill. Everyone seems to I see it, I give people everything I have on get along.” stage. I make myself very vulnerable. It’s very personal. And I think it’s very generous when any performer does that. So, the least that can happen after the show is some kind of meaningful exchange of human contact or affection so that it’s not an entirely one-sided affair. I always hope to get back a little of what I put out there.
Continued from page 15
queensjournal.ca
Hugs and kisses are always free. The way
There will be undoubtedly different vibe at Montreal’s Osheaga festival, where PS I Love You will appear alongside acts like Elvis Costello, The Flaming Lips and Eminem—one set Saulnier said he’ll be skipping. “I don’t even like Eminem in a joking way,” he said with a chuckle. “I’m excited about seeing The Tragically Hip, actually. That’ll be enough.” A few weeks after the festivities on Wolfe Island, the band is set to release Figure It Out on Paperbag Records. It’s a collection of older singles and covers lucky listeners may have heard at Saulnier and Nelson’s live shows and on other label compilations. Still Saulnier said eager ears seeking new material need look no further than the band’s Wolfe Island set. “We’ll play a few new songs that aren’t released yet, so people have an idea what to expect from us next year … and the usual songs that I hope people will like.” PS I Love You play the Wolfe Island Music Festival main stage at 7 p.m. on Aug. 6.
—Alyssa Ashton
You say Kingston Ahead of their arrival in Kingston, the Journal asked artists their first thoughts when someone says “Kingston.”
Supplied by vanessa heins
“The sort of the mouth of the St. Lawrence, the edge of the lake.” “The penitentiary. I’m not too familiar with Kingston actually, that’s why I’m looking forward to spending time there.”
—Tony Dekker, lead vocalist for Great Lake Swimmers
—Jennifer Castle
“I’ve always thought of Kingston as a real music town. Lots of big Canadian names came from or passed through that town.” —Buck 65
Photo by asad chishti
PS I Love You is a nickname from Saulnier’s childhood. It’s a reference to his initials and his sentimental side, having grown up with his friends yelling, “Hey PS I love you.”
Tuesday, July 26, 2011
queensjournal.ca
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12 • queensjournal.ca
Tuesday, July 26, 2010
Queen’s School of Business at Goodes Hall is undergoing a major expansion with the addition of about 75,000 square feet to the property.
Campus under constrution Journal photographer Corey Lablans went behind the scenes of various construction sites across campus to capture the future of Queen’s University
New space at Goodes Hall will be used for classrooms, offices and student lounges. A full-service Starbucks will be located near the front entrance.
A construction worker replaces a limestone block on the outside of Grant Hall’s clock tower. Over 300 limestone blocks are being replaced.
Exposed reinforcements hang from the ceiling connect the Goodes Hall parking lot with anot
Construction workers spread gr
Tuesday, July 26, 2011
In focus
queensjournal.ca
• 13
Restoration work at Grant Hall to replace its limestone blocks is expected to be completed by Labour Day.
g of the new parking garage under Goodes Hall as work continues on a new tunnel to ther lot under Tindall Field.
The roof of the parking garage beneath Kingston Field is exposed for workers to complete safety upgrades. The new turf is expected to be completed in September 2012.
ravel across the floor of a new parking garage underneath Goodes Hall.
Construction worker Tim Best uses hydro-demolition to remove concrete beneath Kingston Field.
18 •queensjournal.ca
Tuesday, July 26, 2011
sports
SUPPLIED
With a fifth place finish in an Illinois competition, the Queen’s baja racing team saw their best result since 2008.
off-road
Queen’s Baja team in top five Off-road racing team posts best finish since 2008 at U.S. competition B y B enjamin D eans Assistant Sports Editor
for senior staff, which made it easier for the team to run smoothly throughout the year.” Last year, the team came 26th overall in Carolina and 27th overall in Rochester. This summer, the team competed in all three competitions and earned two top-10 finishes.
The Queen’s Baja racing team ended their 2011 season with a fifth place finish at a weekend in Peoria, Ill. last month. It’s the best result the Queen’s team has seen since a gold medal in 2008. The Baja team designs and builds an off-road vehicle during the school year to compete in three basketball summer competitions across the United States. The team’s car must be amphibious and able to withstand several tests without breaking. Competition events include hill climbs, sprints and endurance races. This year’s team of 11 students started tweaking the previous B y B enjamin D eans year’s car last September. Team Assistant Sports Editor member Geoffrey Lee said the focus this year was on improving With his first major move as the the car’s brakes, pedals and new head coach of men’s basketball, driver ergonomics. Stephan Barrie will bring four new recruits to training camp in August. Illinois was by far Among the recruits is Mackenzie Simpson, one of the top scorers on the best competition the St. Lawrence Vikings ... We brought back a last season. TheCollege 6’6 forward very good result. averaged 14.8 points and about five rebounds per game with the —Geoffrey Lee, Vikings last year. team member Barrie, who was hired in April, said former Gaels head coach “Overall, the car was much Duncan Cowan was responsible for lighter,” Lee, Sci ’12, said. “We most of the scouting and recruiting dropped 40 pounds out of the car legwork that led to Simpson’s which is about 10 per cent of the coming to Queen’s. vehicle weight. That was a big goal “We’re fortunate that these … for us.” players proceeded to come to But the team’s changes weren’t Queen’s with the coaching changes exclusive to the car. Lee said that happened,” Barrie said. members were more dedicated Simpson had been in touch than previous years. The team put with Cowan for three years and 50 hours of work into the car only found out about the coaching every week. The previous year’s change a week after he committed team only had one project manager to playing the Gaels. while Lee’s team had four. “At first, I was really mad about “Last year was a transition year,” it as I was attached to playing for Lee said. “This year, we had three Duncan,” he said. “But after getting fourth-years plus a Master’s student to know [Barrie] for these past
The team traveled to acceleration event, the team came Birmingham, Ala. in April where 11th overall at the competition. they earned a first place finish in In Illinois, the team came up the suspension category and placed with their best overall finish in seventh overall. three years with fifth place. In May, the team was in Kansas. “Illinois was by far the best Despite a problem with the width competition,” Lee said. “We of the transmission belt that caused brought back a very good result.” the team to place 47th in the The Baja team has already
started preparations for next summer’s competitions, Lee said. “Because we finished top ten in the competition, we have to change at least 30 per cent of our car,” he said. “We’re going to do a fair amount of re-design on the car before we start building again.”
Once a Viking, now a Gael St. Lawrence College’s Mackenzie Simpson will join the Gaels this season
“
”
couple months, I’m really looking forward to playing for him.” Simpson said he’d been planning to move across town to Queen’s since he started at the local college two years ago. “It’s something I’ve wanted to do for a while now,” he said. “My plan was to do two years and get my diploma, which I got, and then go to university after that for the next three years.”
At first, I was really “mad about it ... But
after getting to know [Barrie] for these past couple months, I’m really looking forward to playing for him.
”
—Mackenzie Simpson, basketball recruit After playing two seasons at St. Lawrence, Simpson loses Canadian Interuniversity Sport (CIS) eligibility, so he can only play with the Gaels for a maximum of three years. Mackenzie Simpson averaged 14.8 points per game See Five on page 22 at St. Lawrence College last season.
PHOTO BY COREY LABLANS
Tuesday, July 26, 2011
Sports
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Sports
Tuesday, July 26, 2011
Tuesday, July 26, 2011
Sports
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world
Volleyball voyages Queen’s volleyball player Joren Zeeman and coach Joely Christian-Macfarlane represent Canada at highest level of university competition B y G ilbert C oyle Sports Editor Two members of the Queen’s volleyball program will represent Canada at an international competition in Shenzen, China next month. Men’s outside hitter Joren Zeeman will play for Team Canada and women’s head coach Joely Christian-Macfarlane will be on staff as an assistant coach for the Canadian women’s team. The tournament is the highest level of Interuniversity competition, held by the International University Sport Federation (FISU). This summer’s competition, called a Universiade, will host competitions in over 20 sports. It’s the biggest competition for summer sports aside from the Summer Olympics. Zeeman, a fourth-year Queen’s student, has been training with the Canadian team since May. He’s played for different junior national team throughout his career, but Zeeman said the FISU tournament is a big step. “I played two years of junior national team, I’ve been to the junior worlds, and last year I was with the FISU training team,” Zeeman said. “FISU will be an even greater honour, because the level is that much higher.” The FISU team is made up of the best available Canadian athletes from Canadian and American universities and colleges. The 14-man squad was selected from a group of 60 players in May. “Everyone’s only priority is this team,” Zeeman said, adding that the team’s been
training twice a day in Gatineau, Que. “This is our full-time job right now.” In exchange for the heavy time commitment, Sport Canada provides FISU athletes with funding. The allowance for playing on the Canadian volleyball team is about $900 per month. Zeeman said this tournament will provide the exposure he’ll need to start a professional career after he graduates from Queen’s. Having the FISU appearance on his resume will increase Zeeman’s chances of making a senior men’s team that represents Canada at major tournaments including the Olympics, he said.
only priority is “thisEveryone’s team ... This is our fulltime job right now. ” —Joren Zeeman, men’s volleyball player “My goal is to take a contract in Europe and continue my career over there,” Zeeman said. “Hopefully that would also lead to chances with the senior national team.” Zeeman said, above all, he is excited to experience a major international sporting celebration. The Universiade will be a first for Christian-Macfarlane as a coach on the international stage, although she represented Canada as a player at high-level events like the Pan-American Games in the 1980s. “Regardless of what the competition is, it’s an awesome experience,” she said. “I
Men’s volleyball outside hitter, Joren Zeeman, unleashes a powerful serve.
journal file photo
remember the opening ceremonies, standing haven’t played with in the past.” With many women’s players having among so many people that you’ve never professional aspirations, Christianeven met.” “You really learn to appreciate your Macfarlane said the FISU experience will give the athletes an idea of what the professional country and where you came from.” In contrast to the men’s FISU squad, lifestyle is like. Christain-Macfarlane said the makeup of the “You’re going from training 10 hours a women’s team is more diverse. Some players week at university to training full-time,” she have played at the pro level while others said. “It’s a great opportunity just to see the international game and decide whether have only played at the university level.” “The level of play is different.” Christian- or not that is something that you which Macfarlane said. “But a big challenge is just to pursue.” learning to communicate with players you
richardson stadium
Stadium still standing Built in 1971, Richardson Stadium needs upgrades, says football coach Pat Sheahan B y L abiba H aque Production Manager Richardson Stadium turns 40 this year but facility improvements are still on hold due to financial limitations. The west campus venue houses over 10,000 seats and is home to the football team, as well as both men’s and women’s soccer. It was first built as a temporary arena in 1971 but became the University’s main stadium permanently when space ran out. Richardson could soon see another tenant in prospect Kingston FC—a start-up soccer franchise with the Canadian Soccer League. Richardson is one of several Queen’s facilities that could be the franchise’s home. “It’s near the end of its time and it needs a fair amount of repair,” said Queen’s Athletics Associate Director Herb Steacy. Steacy said Athletics wants to balance gender change rooms, improve stadium lighting and seating, build more visitor change rooms, add showers, create a larger study area for athletes, update the athlete therapy area and resurface the field with artificial turf. In 2005, University officials told the Journal that plans for a Richardson renovation were in the works. Steacy said the project is still being discussed and Athletics is looking to find ways to bring in funding over the next three to five years. Construction on a new turf field on west campus is expected to be complete
this fall and main campus’ Kingston Field will be switched to artificial turf by 2012. Steacy said eventually converting Richardson’s grass to artificial turf would reduce the stadium’s maintenance requirements. “Not only did the synthetic field give more to our own teams but it gives us more usage for members of the Kingston community,” Steacy said.
the end of its time “andIt’sitnear needs a fair amount of repair. ” —Herb Steacy, associate director for Queen’s Athletics Last season, two men’s soccer games were moved to Tindall Field because inclement weather had rendered the field at Richardson unusable. Kelly Smith, Athletics home event coordinator, said although Richardson Stadium is about a 20-minute walk from main campus, football games have seen good turnouts. She said most challenges come from the facility itself. “The alumni side and the student side aren’t attached and since we are not allowed to cross the track, it can be a bit challenging at times to move around,” she said. See Friday on page 22
Sports
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Tuesday, July 26, 2011
Friday night games Continued from page 21
Varsity football coach Pat Sheahan said the stadium needs better lighting and stronger sound systems in order to make Queen’s games attractive for broadcast media. “We want to have something that matches the quality of the sport and something that Queen’s can be proud of.” Sheahan said outdated facilities
at Richardson are a turnoff for prospective recruits. “A good facility is fundamental to the excellence of the sport,” he said. The veteran coach also said improving lighting conditions would bring benefits for home games. “We could have Friday night football games,” he said. “Wouldn’t that be something?”
Sports writers wanted Looking to write for the Journal? Take a shot at writing for our Sports section. Send us an email at journal_sports@ams.queensu.ca.
New recruit to men’s basketball, Mackenzie Simpson reaches for a dunk.
photo by corey lablans
Five veterans leave team Continued from page 18
Simpson will transition from the Ontario College Athletics Association level of basketball to interuniversity play this season. He said the switch will pose challenges. “I’ve always felt like the CIS is a step up from college in terms of basketball in general and the level of competition.” The Queen’s team is currently running practices on campus.
Official training camp starts at the end of August. With the loss of five veteran players including Dan Bannister and Tim Boyle who graduated last year, Simpson will be an asset for the Gaels, Queen’s point guard Ryan Golden said. “He’s going to be huge this season,” Golden said, adding that he’s already developed a relationship with the incoming forward.
“He’s a great team guy ... You call him up and ask ‘You want to go shoot?’ or ‘You want to lift weights?’ and he’s always down.” Two of the other recruits this year are products of the same high school program in Etobicoke, guards Scott Morrison and Seth Evershed. Centre John Lenz will comes to Queen’s from an Ottawa high school.
ACROSS 1 Equine repast 4 Swear 8 Kitten’s comment 12 Way back when 13 Chills and fever 14 Sandwich cookie 15 Aye canceler 16 Disneyland, e.g. 18 React to a pun 20 Mischie-vous tyke 21 “I taut I — puddy-tat!” 24 56-Across style 28 Roughly estimated 32 Mexican entree 33 “Eureka!” 34 Aid for a sore arm 36 Ultra-modernist 37 Soak up some rays 39 Texas city 41 Loathe 43 Bat a gnat 44 Existed 46 West Point newbie 50 Cartman’s home 55 NAFTA signatory 56 Car 57 Satan’s specialty 58 Suitable 59 Team of workers 60 Relinquish 61 Caustic solution DOWN 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 17 19
Suspend Culture medium Toy on a string Quick snoozes “That tastes awful!” Seek damages Big rig Tyke Geological period “—the fields we go ...” Stir-fry pan Type measures Pac. counterpart
22 23 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 35 38 40 42 45 47 48 49 50 51 52 53 54
Forest (Ger.) The Ram Comical Carvey Computer brand Cubbyhole Rum cake Moby-Dick’s pursuer Whip Recognized Large blackbird Bow obsequiously Bake sale org., maybe Cheerleader’s cry Detail, for short Two-way Catch sight of London gallery Pouch “—Town” Multipurpose truck Rd. Disencumber
Last Issue’s Answers
Tuesday, July 26, 2011
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• 23
postscript
photo by asad chishti
A drummer sets the stroke speed during the 13th annual Kingston Dragon Boat Festival on Saturday.
recreaTION
Perks and perils of dragon boating Investigating why this ancient sport is grabbing the public’s attention all over Canada B y J essica F ishbein Postscript Editor With a limited knowledge of the sports world, I was blissfully unaware of the existence of dragon boat racing until an acquaintance told me about it. Naturally, any sport that features the word “dragon” in its name is intriguing and warrants a proper investigation. With a rich cultural history, dragon boating originated in China about 2,000 years ago and
features the use of long, wooden boats powered by a team of human paddlers. Dragon boat clubs exist across Canada and with international recognition as a competitive sport, dragon boating is rapidly growing in popularity. I decided to try out dragon boating for myself under the assumption that it would be a strictly casual pursuit. I came to the rude realization that my attitude would need to change. Dragon boating is no joke. I was optimistic when I arrived
in Toronto to join a crew from the world-renowned National Dragon Boat Club. Putting my reservations aside, I took my assigned seat in the back row next to a subdued woman. Hoping to relieve my anxiety, I asked her if she enjoys her recreational dragon boat practices. She answered affirmatively but then lowered her voice and said, “It’s very hard.” I had no time to process the warning from my friendly neighbour. We were instructed
to begin paddling. With this, I was thrown into my first dragon boating experience. My vision of paddling was a leisurely movement expected on a lazy canoe ride in Muskoka. This naive definition doesn’t apply to dragon boat racing—or even a simple training session. To operate at maximum efficiency, a dragon boat generally requires a crew of twenty-two. Adorned with Chinese dragon imagery, the boat is powered by the strength of twenty paddlers
KINGSTON
Local options Dragon boat practices and races available in Kingston B y J essica F ishbein Postscript Editor Kingston hasn’t escaped from the growing national fascination with dragon boating. Local dragon boat competition culminates downtown in the annual Kingston Dragon Boat Festival at Douglas Fluhrer Park. Now in its 13th year, the event on Saturday was at capacity with 27 teams. “It went through some difficult years but has shown some growth,” organizer Ross Cameron said. “[The festival] has survived.” There’s not a steep learning curve among rookie boaters, he said. “It’s not something where you need a whole bunch of rules.” For Cameron, Kingston is one of the best places to paddle on the dragon boat circuit. During the festival, boats dock at the south end of Fluhrer Park and the Kingston Marina Docks. An added bonus of the burgeoning sport is that it’s a fun way to stay in shape. “These people get a really good workout, and [festival] races are all 500 metres,” Cameron said. According to Cameron, competitiveness varies among dragon boating participants.
“We have a police team with people that take it very seriously and train year round,” he said. “But there are some people who come who just train once a year just to enjoy it.” Small prizes are awarded to winning dragon boat teams in the local festival, with the top three teams receiving medals. “The prizes are secondary,” Cameron said. The tournament isn’t usually boring for spectators Last year one dragon boat team overtook another to win by centimetres.
All my friends are “addicted. ”
—Kelly Walter, ArtSci ’11
Kelly Walter, ArtSci ’11, is the captain of a dragon boat team in her hometown of Milton, Ont. Walter began her career in dragon boating accidentally. “It was just something my neighbour had started and needed people for,” she said. Since her random introduction to the sport, she’s now been recreationally and competitively participating for six years. “My mom was a captain, then I
The Limestone City Dragon Boat Club in Kingston holds practices on Monday to Thursday nights in the summer.
took over the team,” she said. Walter appreciates dragon boat racing because it offers adventure that can’t be found in other sports. “Races are only a minute but come the end of it, your arms feel like they’re going to fall into the water and you have this adrenaline rush,” she said. “You don’t normally get a chance to do something like that.” This adrenaline rush might seem to appeal more to a younger demographic but Walter said this wasn’t always the case. “When I [started], it was actually more common among the elderly but now there’s more young people doing it,” she said. “All my friends are addicted.” Dragon boating doesn’t necessarily have to be very difficult. “I find it challenging because I
photo by asad chishti
make it challenging, but it doesn’t have to be,” she said. “You can paddle leisurely ... it really depends on what you want to get out of it.” Of course, a leisurely paddle is completely inappropriate for a short race, Walter said. “If you want to do the best in a race you do a fast-paced technique but you can also do lengthier and slower strokes. You can’t keep up a sprint in a 2,000 metre race,” she said. Dragon boat racing’s rising popularity can ultimately be attributed to its uniqueness. “In our culture now people get creative with their fitness, and people like a different form of exercise,” Walter said.
who sit in pairs facing the front of the boat. Paddlers use single blade paddles to swiftly propel the watercraft forward, while a cox or helm steers the boat from the back. A drummer, keeping steady rhythm, sits in the front. The cox, in this case a seemingly reserved man named Stan, coaches the dragon boat crew while simultaneously steering. As we paddled, Stan’s yelling implied that something much greater than propelling the boat was at stake. He wanted to see whirlpools and he wanted to see them now. How much pent-up aggression would create a sufficiently large enough whirlpool to please this man? My teammates complained loudly at the lack of whirlpools and the once subdued woman beside me, obviously exasperated, demanded that everyone focus. This atmosphere of fear worked. My teammates motivated me to paddle as if my life depended on it. It was only five minutes into our practice when I realized what a grueling exercise dragon boating is. Contrary to what some might think, I’m no weakling and I don’t fear exercise. That said, propelling the boat 60 strokes per minute down Lake Ontario created a fiery pain in my arms that I’ve never before felt. Despite the exhaustion, I persevered. I knew the team needed my strength and I couldn’t, under any circumstances, let them down. Near the much-anticipated end of practice, I was fortunate enough to be relocated to the front of the watercraft so that I could experience the sport from the perspective of the drummer. It’s a critical and daunting role because drumming sets the speed of the paddlers’ strokes. On an elevated plank at the front of the boat, I balanced over a small drum. Avoiding a fall off of this tiny drum fixture while the boat glides forward is a challenge. I can only imagine trying to balance at a racing speed. Needless to say, I have a newfound respect for the sport. Dragon boating is intense.
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