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The Silhouette
MCMASTER UNIVERSITY’S STUDENT NEWSPAPER
www.thesil.ca
Thursday, September 6, 2012
EST. 1930
Fighting for our right to party like it’s 1986 since 1930.
Vol. 83, No. 5
The MacPass mandate Universal levy increases student registration for Welcome Week events Julia Redmond Assistant News Editor
It’s that time of year again. With a new group of first-year students and a fresh team of reps, Welcome Week is once again in full swing. The difference this time is that every first-year student has bought a MacPass. Halfway through the week, MSU President Siobhan Stewart was already happy about the results. “I would say it’s better,” said Stewart of this year’s Welcome Week. “I think it’s too early to say one hundred percent, but my perception at least is that it’s better.” This positive response comes in the wake of last year’s MacPass policy change. Following a campaign run by former MSU president Matthew Dillion-Leitch, quorum was reached at the MSU’s general assembly, where students voted in favour of a motion to impose a universal Welcome Week levy on first years. Rather than paying separately for the ticket to Welcome Week events, all incoming students are now charged the $110 though their student accounts with no chance to opt out. The intentions behind this change were both “financial and philosophical,” explained MSU VicePresident of Administration David Campbell. SEE POSITIVE, 2 First-year students gather in Ron Joyce Stadium despite the rain for Faculty Fusion on Tuesday.
JESSIE LU ASSISTANT PHOTO EDITOR
Student wins national award
INSIDE THE SIL One of only eight thousand to receive royal honour THIS WEEK Aissa Boodhoo-Leegsma Senior News Editor
Kyle Edward-Salter, a third year combined honours political science and labour studies student, has been awarded the Duke of Edinburgh Award - one of Canada’s most prestigious youth leadership awards. He is one of only 8,012 recipients of this specific Gold level award in the program’s 56-year history. Edward-Salter will be travelling to Ottawa on September 12 to officially receive the award from His Royal Highness Prince Edward, Earl of Wessex, KG, GCVO, SOM, ADC. The award was founded in 1956 by HRH The Duke of Edinburgh. The Duke of Edinburgh Charity aims to empower youth ages 14-24 to become involved in the community, develop practical and social skills
and be physically active. The award itself requires substantial commitment and perseverance to meet the necessary volunteer and fitness requirements. The program has three progressive levels that youth can work towards, which result in Bronze, Silver or Gold Awards. Kyle began the program at age 14, initially focusing on attaining the Bronze level. Eventually he set his sights on the Gold Level award, which he completed at age 20. The Gold Level requires participants to commit to leading an expedition and developing a residential project, which will enrich the community in the long-term. These two components are on top of the already rigorous fitness and community service requirements. SEE AWARD, 2
Opinions Editor Kacper Niburski reminisces and looks forward, now in the golden age of his university life. See page 5. Olympic Games silver medalist Jerry Brown reflects on his university career as a Marauder. See page 8. No good stories to tell about your summer? Why not bend the truth? See page 10 for a little advice. ANDY chats with Mac prof Alex Sévigny about social media and the future of the arts. See page 11. YOSEIF HADDAD SENIOR PHOTO EDITOR
Gold Level award winner Kyle Edward-Salter
Read more at www.thesil.ca.