0 N C 0 R D I A , S SDAY ,_____PORT VOL. 20 FEBRUARY 8, I996

Toboggan race set for Saturday Ice Falcon to fly

The toboggan will slide down the BY MI C HAEL OR SI N I hill on skis, but because contest rules ix Engineering students are in stipulate that "whatever touches the SWinnipeg today to compete in snow has to be concrete," the bottom the Great Northern Toboggan Race, of the fiberglass skis had to be coated one of Canada's biggest student with concrete. skill-testing challenges. Team captain David Janssen said The team's entry, the Ice Falcon, that he and his five teammates have was front and centre in the J.W. worked feverishly over the last five McConnell Building's atrium last months to prepare their hefty entry week (see photo, left), where other for the competition. "One of our Concordians could admire it and team members spent two days alone wish the team luck. making the Falcon's wings." It was featured las t week on "I still have a good 24 hours of Newswatch and Pulse News, and work left before I leave for Win­ people have been visiting their new nipeg," Janssen said on Monday. Web site - http://www.civil. The students and their Ice Falcon concordia.ca/toboggan - which the will drive the 2,500 kilometres to team intends to keep up to date. Winnipeg - 48 hours non-stop - The concrete toboggan weighs in through frigid territory. Northern at 272.5 pounds, and comes com­ Ontario and the Prairies, never plete with an eye-catching head and balmy at this time of year, have been beak made from styrofoam, chicken in the grip of record-breaking wire and papier mache. minus-40 temperatures.

Harry Standjofski's Atreus opens tonight at F. Smith Auditorium IN THIS ISSUE C. Ancient Greek drama still speaks to us Business is good SUPPLEMENT: . The kudos just keep coming eight, and a few modern surprises founded, POV Productions. BY PHILIP FINE for Concordia's Commerce and Ombuds Office for an audience that might expect a Standjofski found his cast of 16 Administration students. Four Report irector Harry Standjofski had deferential treatment of the classics. students open-minded toward. this MBA students from the Faculty Dsome advice for his actors: The play was first staged in 1992, 3,000-year-old theatre genre. In won the annual Maritime Tele­ "Come on, you remember that and Standjofski has made some turn, he doesn't require any specific phone and Telegraph Dalhousie East and west time you sacrificed your daughter. changes for this production. style of acting. International Business Case Use that." Standjofski, a 36-year-old Con­ "I just tell them to put themselves Competition, which was held on Chinese journalism teachers A little humour helps when you're cordia alumnus, is one of those rare in that position," he said, referring to January 28 and February 2. visit us and our professors trying to connect emotionally with birds, a homegrown theatre profes­ the characters who endure epic The format of the event is go there to compare the monumental events of Greek sional who is still here and working. events, "and then see what their unique. In the span of five hours, news-gathering. In fact, he's a celebrity, thanks to his voices and bodies do." drama, with its fierce morality and Concordia students James Page2 leading role on the weekly Radio­ Atreus opens tonight at the F C. Smith long monologues. McKenna, Ingrid Pavilanis, Canada television drama A Nous Auditorium (7141 Sherbrooke St. W) Professor/ actor/writer/ director Helen Trifonopoulos, and Nevill Deux, now winding up its third and and runs until February 16., with the Standjofski is directing a group of Smythe received, analyzed and Response to final yea·r, and he has appeared exception ofFebrua ry 12 and 13. Tick­ second- and third-year Theatre stu­ returned a previously unpub­ the Globe onstage at the Centaur, in local sum­ ets are $1O ; $8 far students and seniors. dents in Atreus, his own adaptation lished international business case mer theatre and in a company he co- Call 848-4742. Rector Frederick Lowy's riposte of three Greek plays, in a production via fax from Halifax. They then to a slight in the national press that opens tonight on the Loyola presented their analysis to the is reprinted in full. Campus. judges live from Montreal, using Page4 His version of the classics has the Faculty.s video-conferencing enough snips, tucks and contempo­ equipment. The team's coach rary references to make accessible a Hindu Chair was Management Professor type of theatre that many have to be Jan Meyers. T.S. Rukmani brings a prodded to watch. The theme is fate Eighteen schools from Cana­ wealth of Sanskrit scholarship versus psychology, and the prolific da, the United States, the Unit­ to Concordia. Montreal playwright has dealt with ed Kingdom, Finland and Page 5 the same dramatic issues that faced Argentina took part in the com­ the original authors, Aeschylus, petition. This is the second year Euripides and Sophocles, in many of that Concordia has participated. NEXT ISSUE: his other plays. The Concordia team will FEBRUARY 15 Atreus condenses three two-and- z receive the Minister's Cup, which NO ISSUE THE a-half-hour classics, Iphigenia Aulios, ~ is sponsored by the Department FOLLOWING WEEK Agamemnon and Electra, into one i three-act play of 90 minutes. ~ See Commerce, p. 7 There's a classic Greek chorus of a= Visiting professor Sheng Xigui is fascinated by Canadians at leisure, obstreperous students Concordia through a Chinese lens In one Communication Studies students will, too. before he graduated. tion in crowded Beijing. BY ALISON RAMSEY class, he noted .the number of film Another goal is to introduce the He has spent the past 10 years "People enjoy their lives in differ· Seen through the eyes of a Chi­ projectors. "There are six," he said, topic of ethics, currently unknown in teaching a six-day week, which was ent ways, I think," he said. "This is nese photojournalist and university impressed, "all used at the same Chinese journalism courses. While the norm until a year ago, when one kind of impression of Montreal. time. And students can give their Canadian journalists study ethical China adopted the five-day work During their leisure time, people are lecturer, Concordia classrooms are ideas at any time." dilemmas involving privacy, violence week. The Cultural Revolution, happy and busy." delightfully well-equipped and poor­ He intends to try breaking the tra- and minorities, Sheng foresees his class which was fiercely anti-intellectual, Sheng dreams of doing hard-hit­ ly disciplined. . ditional docility of Chinese students talking about when to name teenagers created a gap in the country's educa­ ting documentary photography . Sheng Xigui, a journalism teacher when he returns in the fall. After his and how to report crime stories. tion system; the two other professors Born and raised in a peasant family, at Renmin University of China, is initial shock, Sheng enjoyed the Despite the country's 55 minori­ in his department are in their 60s, he wants his work to inspire reform auditing courses for two terms before give-and-take between students and ties, "there is no racism like there is and Sheng imagines he will become and financial aid for the impover­ returning to Beijing next August. professors here, and he hopes his here," he said, and reporters don't even busier soon, when they retire. ished rural poor. "It's important not breach privacy with anything near Given his hectic schedule in to just take pictures that are beautiful the zeal of those in Europe and China, Sheng is fascinated with and happy." North America. Canadian leisure. During a roving A second Chinese teacher arrived Sheng has been preparing for this visit to Old Montreal, he pho­ at Concordia on January 15, and will trip for a long time. He thought in tographed activities that struck him also stay a year to audit courses. The 1984 that his trip was imminent, and as strange. visit by Xu Qiin Yuan, from China's studied English intensively. The Back in China, he'll show slides of Beijing Broadcasting Institute, is the rules kept changing, however, and people having their fortune told, a first of what the Journalism Depart­ then there were the unwritten rules, child's face being painted, and a row ment hopes will be a series of such as having to be at least 30, and of men in colonial military costume exchanges with that institution. married. (He is both now, though he firing off muskets. Journalism chair Enn Raudsepp I;; was neither when he first applied.) Another set of shots from Notre­ obtained a $15,000 grant to cover "'a: Ir Sheng, 33, is part of the first gen­ Dame-de-Grace captures ivy-framed Xu's expenses here after contacting ill a: 0 former Gazette editor-in-chief Nor­ z eration to be educated after the Cul­ doors, flower-filled windowboxes <( tural Revolution of the 1970s. He and plants dangling from balconies. man Webster, who heads the @ I a. was asked to become a lecturer even There is no room for such decora- Howard Webster Foundation.

News watchdog Allan C. Brownfeld sees a left-wing agenda, Concordia professors intrigued by changes, sloppy ethics and tabloid values in the media constants in Chinese media Taking AIM at the media Journalism in China one's trash in search of material, but minority bias in the media which BY JONATHON GATEHOUSE through Canadian eyes when the National Enquirer does so, distorts the truth about the political ournalists can't be trusted to the New York Times does not hesitate and social agendas of such groups. said that the media is exerting an BY CYNTHIA SHANNON behave ethically, because the to print it on the front page." He was particularly critical of cover­ influence. As a result of recent cover­ J Brownfeld linked the decline in rewards for bending the truth are age of issues concerning homosexu­ l""J"'wo Concordia Journalism pro- age, for example, the government is greater than the punishments, the public's esteem for journalists to als, and the decision by some media 1 fessors gave their impressions of looking into conditions in the coun­ their unethical behaviour. He cited according to U.S. columnist and lec­ outlets to assign gay journalists to the way their profession is practised try's orphanages. several well-known cases of media turer Allan C. Brownfeld. report on issues like AIDS. in China at a recent brown-bag Perigoe was intrigued by several misconduct, like that of former ''The question of journalistic ethics "Our major news organizations are lunch in the School of Community aspects of the print media. He noted Washington Post reporter Janet is, in a way, an oxymoron. Can you clearly sympathetic to [the gay] agen­ and Public Affairs. that there is no underground or stu­ really have ethics in any field of Cooke, who won a Pulitzer Prize for da, and are therefore presenting it in Lindsay Crysler, who is also direc­ dent press, nor did he find a commu­ endeavour if there are no sanctions an article about an eight-year-old the most positive possible way," tor of the Joint Centre for Asia­ nity newspaper that would correspond against anybody who violates them?" heroin addict - whom she later Brownfeld said. "The agenda is the Pacific Communications Research, to the NDG Monitor or The Suburban. Brownfeld made this argument admitted didn't exist. legitimacy of the homosexual lifestyle has visited China several times dur­ But community papers might appear during a series of lectures to Journal­ While Brownfeld allowed that and bringing homosexuals under the ing the past 12 years. Ross Perigoe ism, Communication Studies and such examples are "exceptions to the as a result of increased advertising, civil rights laws, as are blacks and has just returned from three months Political Science students at the end of rule," he said that journalists often Crysler said. Even Central China's women and other minorities." of teaching at the Beijing Broadcast January. He travels across North present only partial, incomplete television network, with eight chan­ The solution to the media's ethical Institute and visiting various broad­ America giving speeches on the truths designed to steer the reader or nels ranging from entertainment to problems, Brownfeld said, isn't gov­ casters. media's conduct as part of his involve­ viewer towards a particular conclu­ agriculture, is financed mainly by Among their interested listeners ment in the neo-conservative news­ sion. These sins of omission arise ernment regulation but greater pub­ advertising revenue. were two Chinese journalism profes­ watchdog organization Accuracy in from a confusion of fact and opinion. lic scrutiny of their behaviour; the Perigoe also noted that the main­ sors on exchange, Sheng Xigui and Media (AIM). "Instead of searching for objective glare of publicity could force journal­ stream print media in China do not Xu Qin Yuan, who had arrived just "Ethics are guided by those within truths, much of journalism has been ists to live up to their professed stan­ have the same agenda as Canadian four days earlier. (See story, above.) journalism with the lowest possible replaced by subjective truths such as dards of accuracy and fairness. papers when it comes to reporting Crysler's perception is that the ethical standards - the National race, gender and sexual orientation," "It's not the media's job to solve crime and social problems. He cited media in China are opening up. Enquirer, the supermarket tabloids," he said. society's problems," he said, "but it is the example of a rape which occurred also not their job to make things They cover a broader range of issues Brownfeld said. "The New York Brownfeld sees a pervasive left­ on campus during his stay. It was worse." and reflect society better than they Times might not go through some- wing, pro-feminist, pro-gay, pro- widely known, but never reported in did just a few years ago, he said, and this process will continue because of the press. the changing economy. Allo Police-type publications do Perigoe agreed. "You can't exist, Crysler said, although they are exchange goods and services without nowhere near as raucous. China's Nick Serpone (Chemistry and Biochem­ evening of films by their fellow student Tenure committee exchanging knowledge," he said. specialized publications always point istry), and Effie Gavaki (Sociology and Matthew Czerny, who died last year. to a remedy for crime, or point out The following faculty members have Anthropology). The process is a slow one, however how a particular crime was solved. been elected as alternate members to Donations were made to a scholarship - "Virtually every topic is open Perigoe said he would be interest­ the Arts and Science Tenure Commit­ Screening of late fund set up in his name by the Czerny except the role of the party," Crysler said - so the media in China are ed to see .if the Chinese government tee, and will serve as regular members student's films family. For more information, contact in 1996-97: Mary Baldwin (Chemistry providing information, but not creates a barrier to information and Biochemistry), Catherine Vallejo Students in the Cinema Department David Brown, University Advancement debate or dissent. through the Internet, which is (Modern Languages and Linguistics), organized a screening last Friday Office, 848-4859. Visiting professor Xu Qin Yuan becoming more popular.

2 FEBRUARY 8, 1996 CONCORDIA'S THURSDAY REPORT For eco-feminist Kaarina Kailo, the ancient North provides a powerful world-view as well as a subject of study The mystique of the She-Bear N E

cultures are replete with tales of Kailo is documenting bear-cult BY RACHEL ALKALLAY women marrying, becoming, and stories, and hopes to participate in he windswept tundra and freez­ getting power from bears. making a documentary on the sub­ COMPILE D BY B ARBARA B LACK Ting temperatures of Siberia are Some native groups, the Dene, for ject. Through societies she belongs · the stuff of Professor Kaarina Kailo's example, believe that a woman should to, she is in touch with indigenous Concordia faculty, staff and alumni/12 pop up in the media more dream sabbatical. Finnish in origin, not lie on a bearskin, because it would women in northern Russia, and often than you might think! she considers herself a product of the give her too much power. The Sarni, invites them to take part in Canadi­ circumpolar tradition. or-Lapps, believe that women already an conferences on storytelling and Kailo teaches cross-cultural and have a telepathic link with bears, and other aspects of the North. Rector Frederick Lowy's Installation address was reprinted in this interdisciplinary courses on women, Sarni men seem to have believed that Next Monday evening, she will month's issue of University Affairs. culture and folklore at Concordia's women should not be encouraged to join Kiili Kauppinen, founder of the Simone de Beauvoir Institute, and is have more bear power. Canadian Sauna Society, in a public The Gazette published a feature about Concordia's involvement in a president of the Montreal chapter of project to compile an international corpora of Engli sh usage, led by Part of eco-movement discussion about this Finnish gift to the Canadian Friends of Finland and Nancy Belmore (TESL). It was reprinted in many papers across "We would do well to bare our­ world of healthy living, beginning at 6 secretary of the Finno-Ugric Studies Canada, and was picked up by Globe and Mail columnist Michael selves to the bear," Kailo said with a p.m. in the lounge of the Simone de Valpy and Maclean 's magazine, which ran a photo of Belmore. Now Association of Canada. Beauvoir Institute, 2170 Bishop St. she is fielding queries from broadcasters. The circumpolar region (that part smile. "If we respect the Bear, we Kauppinen's presentation is called of the globe which is north of 60 respect nature, and women." T o her, "Sauna as Women's Self-Care," and Arthur Kroker (Political Science, CTheory) was the subject of a fea­ degrees latitude) encompasses peo­ the concept is more than academic; it is part of an eco-spiritual move­ Kailo's is "Steamy Stories from the ture interview in the current Saturday Night magazine, which called ples as distant from each other as the him "a maddening, fascinating thinker." He and Marilouise Kraker ment which is attracting adherents Finnish Sauna: Healing the Femi­ Finns; the Dene and Inuit of Cana­ were also interviewed for Wired magazine by Jean-Hugues Roy, da, the Votyaks, the Komi, the Sarni, around the world. nine through Soulful Sweats." who said that the Krokers "speak in playful terms that are hard to and the Voguls of northern Russia. decrypt, but underneath the puns is a complex remapping of These northern cultures share many Marx's class system." animistic and shamanistic beliefs, among them an ancient faith in Maria Elektorowicz (Civil Eng ineering) was interviewed by The which the Bear is a central figure. Gazette about a brilliant new idea: Resol, the Reseau d'Expertise sur les Sols Contamines. It's a new, non-profit organization of 100 The She-Bear is an important Quebec scientists and graduate students who can provide guidance symbol of the North which inte­ to the latest environmental information and resources. She is a spe­ grates human and animal compo­ cialist in groundwater contamination. nents into an emblem of balance in nature. In ancient northern cultures, M ary Baldwin (C hemistry and Biochemistry) was interviewed on the bear was revered, though it was CBC's Radio Noon about potential sources and hazards of carbon also killed in elaborate rituals. Its monoxide in homes, and the symptoms of carbon monoxide poisoning. bones were hung on a tree to ensure its rebirth and thus the rebirth of Congratulations to Classics students Daniele Michi and Anke nature. Schwittay. They were featured in The Gazette about the new "If we respond to the lack of bal­ Concordia Undergraduate Field Work Association, which breaks ance in the world, in male/female down department walls and goes to bat for students who want the experience of hands-on learning. relations, between humans and ani­ mals, between the spiritual and the Congratulations to rece nt Management graduate George political, then· all other things will Kolokotronis, named Student of the Year in 1994 by the Ordre des follow," Kailo said in an interview. comptables en management accredites, who was given a full pro­ Her feminist approach is not exclu­ file in the latest issue of the CMA's magazine, Elite. sive, she said. "Ecofeminism seeks to provide a steady balance to the Gazette columnist Barry Lazar recently wrote about the home for aban­ world, and "anyone who seeks this doned girls established in Jaipur, India, by Jitendra Bhatnagar (Educa­ balance is welcome." tion) and his w ife, Sheela. A group of students from St. George's To northern men, the bear is king School has raised money for the project and are visiting there. of the animals. To northern women, it is a symbol of fierce maternal love Palmer Acheson (TESL) was interviewed by CBC radio in Saint which inspires female shamans to John, N. B. A loca l TE SL graduate had accepted a job teaching Eng­ lish in Japan and w as badly let down by his employers, but Ache­ healing and inner visions. Northern son , au thor of a guide for TE SL job-hunters, sa id that th ere are ma ny ways to ve ri fy employers' pro mises, especially by computer.

Di rector of Libraries Roy Bonin was interviewed for an item on CBC TV's Newswatch about how libra ries have gone digital.

CBC Daybreak's roving w ri ter-broadcaster, David Gutnick, went to cil Concordia ' s International MBA Case Competition, and was Request for nominations impressed to find that the cases involved not on ly matters of profit 1. Outstanding Contribution Awards and loss, but human problems in the workp lace. 2. Media Awards Montreal artist, fi lm-maker and photographer Charles Gagnon, w ho 3. Merit Awards has taught in the Faculty of Fi ne Arts, is the 1995 winner of the Prix These awards have been developed to 4. Teaching Excellence Awards Paul-Emile-Borduas. A profi le appea red December 4 in Le Oevoir. recognize exceptional contributions to Jean Drolet (Civil Engineering) was interviewed for a feature in La student life and to recognize excellent Nomination forms are available at: teaching at Concordia University. The Presse about a project which links Concordia and the Universities Outstanding Contribution and Media - Dean of Students, AD-121 (Loyola) - GSA, T-202 (SGW) of Moncton and Jordan in an effort to help farmers there make the Awards are open to students only. Merit - Dean of Students, H-653 (SGW) - CASA, GM-21 8 (SGW) most of their scant rainfall. Awards are opento all members of the - CSU , SC-103 (Loyola) - ECA, H-880 (SGW) university community. Teaching Excel­ - CSU, H-637 (SGW) - Info desk, Henry F. Ha ll Building lobby Jacinthe Baribeau (Psychology) was interviewed for a feature arti­ lence Awards are for faculty mem bers. cle in Ottawa's Le Droit about the seasonal blues. She said that some people are quite affected by winter's lack of light. To avoid Deadline for nominations:Tuesday, March 12, 1996 depression, they should get plenty of natural or artificial light for their skin and eyes, and lots of fresh air for their lungs.

CONCORDIA'S THURSDA Y REPORT FEBRUARY 8 , 1996 3 Positive portrait in Mac/ean's

oncordia received generally some academic units and the Uni­ Campus, and the demise of the Loy­ Cupbeat treatment in Maclean's versity's Public Relations Depart­ ola student pub, The Hive. - BB magazine's first Guide to Universities. ment, emphasizes our accessibility Concordia's Thursday Report is interested in your letters, opinions and The special publication, which and diversity. It mentions a number comments. Letters to the Editor must be signed, include a phone number, and sells for $9.95 plus tax at newsstands, of outstanding programs, and says be delivered to the CTR office (BC-11 711463 Bishop St.) in person, by fax was developed to give Canadian that morale was given a boost by the (514-848-2814), by e-mail ([email protected]) or mail by 9 a.m. on post-secondary institutions a more arrival of Rector Frederick Lowy. the Friday prior to publication. Ifat all possible, please submit the text on detailed, less competitive treatment In its "What's hot" column are computer diskette. Limit your letter to 500 words. The Editor reserves the than the annual ranking, which is "free, easy Internet access," the right to edit far space considerations, although the utmost care will be taken to published every fall in a special issue Stingers' women's hockey team, the preserve the core of the writer's argument. Letters disparaging the behaviour or of the magazine. archives, the Student Safety Patrol, "open student government," and decisions taken by an individual which are not of a public nature, letters The Guide provides a two-page colour spread on each of the 50 public "free shuttle bus between the two quoting exchanges between two or more parties in private conversation or universities and colleges in Canada. It campuses." personal correspondence, and letters venting an opinion about the integrity is aimed at prospective university stu­ In the 'What's not" category are of colleagues will not be published dents across the country. broken escalators, the 15-minute The Concordia profile, which drive between campuses, "terrible Mac!ean's staff prepared with data sports facilities," the reduction in An open letter to the Concordia ies, engineering and computer sci­ supplied by student representatives, residence spaces on the Loyola community: ence, etc .. - would certainly take offence at so simplistic a concept. On January 23, the Globe and More than most other Canadian Ma il 's Quebec columnist, Andre universities, Concordia values wide Picard, suggested somewhat offhandedly that the Quebec gov­ accessibility to higher education and .Suen named to Royal Society ernment might want to consider offers a curriculum that reflects its closing Concordia University as a motto: "Real Education for the Real ongratulations to Professor Royal Society said: "Ching Y. Suen tern recognition and machine intel­ way of reducing the cost of higher World." Concordia alumni continue CChing Suen (CENPARMI), has built one of the world's strongest ligence. He is a prolific writer who education. to be sought after even in today's These are his words: "Obviously, who has been named to the Royal research centres in the field -of pat- has authored and edited 11 books competitive job market. Montreal does not require four uni­ Society of Canada's Academy of Sci­ Perhaps more importantly, the and more than 250 papers on sub­ versities - if any one of them is ence. To our knowledge, he is the rich ethnic diversity of our stu­ jects ranging from computer vision eliminated, it will be the poor first Concordia faculty member to be cousin, Concordia - and with Que­ dents, faculty and staff mirrors the and expert systems to computations so honoured. The Royal Society's bec's falling birth rate, it will be diffi­ diverse population of today's Cana­ linguistics. cult to keep enrolments up. " mandate is to promote and develop da and prepares students to func­ "His research results have created What follows is the full text of tion comfortably and creatively in learning and research in the arts and Re ctor Frederick Lowy's letter to many new frontiers for both academ­ an increasingly interdependent sciences through its three constituent the editor of the newspaper, which ic and industrial scientists. His new was published in an abridged ver­ world. When future prime minis­ academies, l'Academie des lettres et concept of pooling the decision sion on January 30. ters lead future "Teams Canada" des sciences humaines, the Academy on international trade missions, of Humanities and Social Sciences, power of multiple experts to recog­ they will be even more successful and the Academy of Science/ nize totally unconstrained handwrit­ Close co-operation because they will be composed of Academie des sciences. ten characters has revolutionized the graduates of Concordia and other In announcing the honour, the field of optical character recognition." needed, not slash­ universities who are accustomed and-burn measures to work in a multiethnic, multicul­ tural milieu. Andre Picard's recent article (23 While all Montreal universities are THURSDAY REPORT January 1996, p. 2) about Quebec working to find creative solutions to universities deserves comment, Concordia's Thursday Report is the necessary budget cutting, it is community newspaper of the including the headline "Ivory towers important for the public and govern­ Un iversity, serving faculty, staff. scratched by harsh realities." ments to recognize that we would e Concordia community was saddened co learn of the death of graduate students. and administration on the It is obvious that Montreal's four Loyola Campus and the Sir George restrict the development of Cana­ Jeffrey Raymond Dagenbach of an aneurism of the heart. He was 32. universities must significantly Williams Campus. It is published Mr. Dagenbach graduated from Concordia in 1993 with honours in reduce the cost of their operations, da's future if we made it impossible 26 times during the academic year on but your writer errs in suggesting for our universities to prepare a Religious Studies and was in his third year of studies on a scholarship a weekly basis by the Public Relations that a key solution to Quebec's bud­ broad range of Canadians, not mere­ at Harvard University Divinity School. Department of Concordia University, 1455 de Maisonneuve Blvd. W., getary problems is to close an ly a select elite, to meet the intellec­ Montreal, Quebec H3G 1MS entire university - be it Concordia tual challenges of tomorrow. (514) 848-4882 or any other. A final point. Your use of the tire­ e-mail: [email protected] Significant financial savings will Fax: (5 14) 848-2814 some term " ivory tower" suggests come about by each university eliminating overlap and duplica­ that those of us working in the Material published in the newspaper tion. That we have already begun trenches of university reform are may not be reproduced without permission. The Back Page listings to do, attempting in the process either out of touch or irrelevant, are published f ree of charge. to protect what is best at each and do not understand the magni­ Classified ads are $5 for the first university and dispense with what tude of the changes and cutbacks 1 0 words and 10 cents for each is not. The wholesale "elimina­ additional word. Events, Notices, and that lie ahead. Quite the contrary is tion" of one school, as Mr. Picard Classified Ads must reach the Public true. I and my colleagues at McGill suggests, would not only destroy Relations Department (Bishop Court, unique and oftentimes cost-effec­ University, the Universite de Mon­ 1463 Bi shop St., Room 115) in w riting treal and the Universite du Quebec no later than Thursday 5 p.m. prior to tive programs, but would pla ce an Thursday publication. Supplements unacceptable burden on those un i­ a Montreal know what today's reali­ cost $200 per page. Display ad rates versities that remain to pick up ties require of us, and, as men­ are available upon request. Display ads the slack. tioned above, are actively must be booked by Monday 5 p.m. Each university in Montreal ha s 10 days prior to pt1blication. considering collaboration in both clearly recognized strengths. Equa l­ ISSN 1185-3689 academic and administrative areas. ly, each has programs or activities Editor that could be eliminated or relocat­ The long-term solution to the cost Barba ra Black ed. The implication that all of of higher education lies in close co­ • Concordia is expendable while opera tion and detailed planning, not Copy Editor somehow all, or most, of what is in intemperate slash an d burn pro­ Michael Orsini offered elsewhere should be pre­ posa ls that will simply add to the • served, is insulting and falla­ social and financial woes facing this Design and Production cious. The proud graduates of Christopher Alleyne great city. Con co rdia - its co llege system, Marketing Communications and its nationally recognized programs in the fine arts, communi­ Frederick H. Lowy ~ Concordia ~ UN I VERSITY cations, psychology, business stud- Rector & Vice-Chancellor

4 FEBRUARY 8, 1996 CONCORDIA'S THURSDAY REPORT Garry Milton moves to Rector's Office Chinese delegation visits AMBA Managers feel effects of do\Nnsizing

following the early retirement of BY K EN WHITTI NGHAM Brian Counihan. he effects of downsizing are Changes are in the works, too, for Tbeing strongly felt in several the director and staff of Institutional administrative units. Planning and Research. The departure of Cyril Macdonald The position of director has been as Supply and Services Director has eliminated. Garry Milton, who held resulted in extra responsibilities for the post, is moving permanently to Printing Services Manager Bob the Rector's Office as Frederick Maciver and Purchasing Services Lowy's Executive Assistant. (Milton Manager Joe Capano. has held that position in an acting Macdonald was among the capacity since the beginning of 79 administrative staff who have so Charles Bertrand's interim rectorship far accepted Concordia's early­ in June 1994.) retirement-incentive package - Milton's duties as executive assis­ approximately 6 per cent of the Uni­ tant will be expanded, however, "to versity's non-academic workforce. facilitate Concordia's planning process and to ensure that the plan­ A.delegation from the Civil Aviation Administration of China (CAAC) recently visited Concordia's Aviation Master's In addition to his duties in print­ ning infrastructure is in place." of Business Administration. At the University's new teleconferencing centre in Le Faubourg, they had lunch, ing, Maciver was made responsible Milton said in an interview this watched a video presentation on the program, and were welcomed electronically by the president of the last July for Conference Services week that his former department will International Air Transpc,rt Association (11TA). Above, standing, are Ren C~aoying, Li Sh Bao, Yu Ying (i~ fr«;>ntl, ; (following the retirement of its be divided to "more appropriately Li Zhen Zhi, Edwina Shust~r (Canadian 1,ir!ines International), Professor,[).tle Doreen (di f the Aviati6nMBA, ' manager, Phil O'Doherty). With place its services and make better use progr~ml, and Lu Zhouxiang. In front are Dean Mohsen Arivari, Wang Cu~h~o and Kevin Dobby UATA). Macdonald gone, he now has of its resources." Institutional Plan­ responsibility for Marriott Food ning, _led by Linda Janz, will report Services. The number of full- and to the Rector's Office, while Institu­ part-time employees reporting to tional Research, led by Lise Trem­ Maciver has increased from 40 to blay, will report directly to the Valentines to survival 104 in just six months. Vice-Rector, Academic. In addition to his purchasing The Training and Development duties, Capano is now supervising Notes unit, headed by Elaine Arsenault, Concordia University writer-in-residence Merrily Weisbord will give atalk at 4 p.m. in Room Mail Services. Once responsible for which recently moved from Human 12 people, he now manages 21. 431 of the Henry F. Hall Building, 1455 de Maisonneuve Blvd. W. Resources to Institutional Planning Financial Aid and Awards Direc­ and Research, will now report to the tor Roger Cote is also doing the Rector's Office. As part of the change, Aprize-winning writer and fi lm-maker, she is the author of Our FutureSelves, Lo ve, Life, work formerly done by two adminis­ this unit will increase its services to trators. Besides his regular duties, he Sex and Aging, and The Strangest Dream: Canadian Communists, the Spy Trials and the faculty, continue its work with staff, has been given temporary responsi­ Cold War. She is curren tly working on Kamala and Merrily: From Malabar to Montreal. and begin developing a new training bility for the Dean of Students office plan for the entire University. Senior Planning Co-ordinator Grendon Haines, who also reported After a final semester in South Africa, T.S. Rukmani returns to the Chair of Hindu Studies to Institutional Planning and Research, plans to take the early­ Sanskrit scholar brings rich Hindu culture retirement package.

homeland, because India had cut all considered herself a socially engaged that "Hinduism cannot really be BY PHIL MO SCOVITCH RI ties with South Africa over academic - being involved with approached in all of its dimensions n the midst of a distinguished apartheid. Indian and international women's without a proper background in Icareer at the University of Delhi, At the time she was offered the organizations, and writing about Sanskrit." Action taken on safety Professor T.S. Rukmani pulled up job, Rukmani was principal of topics like women and environmen­ Professor Rukmani was scheduled to An action plan is being drawn up to her stakes, left India, and embarked Miranda House, a college at the tal ethics in Sanskrit sources. speak on "Gandhi and Women" yester­ address the recommendations con­ on a mission to bring what she calls "a University of Delhi. "I would have At Concordia, she sees herself day in the D.B. Clarke Theatre, 1455 tained in a personal safety audit con ­ been very happy to stay home and partly as a link between the academy de Maisonneuve W, in a lecture spon­ proper perspective" on Hinduism to ducted at the University last year. keep doing my research. But what is and the Indian community. During Westerners and members of the Indi­ sored by the Libera/Arts College. The audit was done under the lead­ the point of keeping to yourself what her first semester at the University, an community living in the West. ership of safety advisor Kathy McDon­ Rukmani is Concordia's Chair of you know? So I came out of India, she said she was surprised that only a aId, who is now drafting a list of Hindu Studies. She taught at Delhi and by coming out my eyes were handful of students of Indian origin practical measures which can be taken for 30 years before taking up her first opened," she said. took her classes. as soon as possible to make both cam­ - academic job outside India in 1993, After a couple of years at Durban, 'When you come from a tradition, puses safer for all. The list will be given when she joined the faculty of the she accepted an offer from you think that there is nothing else to Physical Resources and those University of Durban-Westville, in Concordia. Rukmani spent the win­ you have to know. You have your responsible for safety in specific areas South Africa. ter semester of 1995 here, then temple, and at home you learn a few of the University, so that they can adapt With apartheid in its last days, it returned to South Africa for a term things from your parents, and so you the list to their needs and carry out the was an exciting time to be in that to fulfil her contract there. Now she think there is nothing more to learn work on a priority basis. country. "It was a wonderful experi­ is back at Concordia for good. about your culture. I am confident All. ence, to be there at that historic Rukmani holds a doctorate in reli­ that this misconception will slowly Faculty exhibit at Gallery moment. I was reliving the indepen­ gion and an honorary doctorate in go," she said. Works by a number of faculty mem­ literature from Delhi University. The While one of her goals is dence of India. It was a wonderful bers in Fine Arts will be on view from experience, and I wouldn't have latter degree is an enormous honour increased participation in the study February 6 to March 2 in the Leonard given it up for anything in the - it has been granted only five times of Hinduism by Indians, another is and Bina Ellen Art Gallery. This year, the world," she said. in the university's 75-year history. to institute the teaching of Sanskrit exhibitors are from Art Therapy, Design Along with an exciting political Although her reputation has been at Concordia's Department of Reli­ Art, and Photography, Interdisciplinary situation, Rukmani found a large made largely on her work of translat­ gion. Characterizing translations Studies and women in the Faculty. number of ethnic Indians who had ing and writing on Sanskrit philo­ from that language as "turning gold The Gallery is in the J.W. McConnell T. S. Rukmani .. lost touch with the culture of their sophical texts, Rukmani has always into lead," she said she believes Building, 1400 de Maisonneuve Blvd. W.

CONCORDIA'S THURSDAY REPORT FEBRUARY 8, 1996 5 Commercial movie~ and TV shows are being shot, directed and produced by Cinema alumni Film Production grads go Hollywood lion - was dominated by graduates and its producers are also Concordia Little Criminals, a gritty drama offbeat Canadian comedy sho~, Kids BY SYLVAIN COMEAU of Concoi;dia's busy Film Production alumni. Tom Berry and Franco Bat­ shown last month on CBC televi­ in the Hall. AND BARBARA BLACK program. tista graduated in the 1970s, and in sion. The director of photography on He has since directed a pilot for a creamers has just opened in Mon­ The director, Christian Duguay, is 1984, they started their own produc­ that project was a former Concordia new cop show, an episode of The X Streal, along with virtually every a graduate of the 1980s, and the cin­ tion house, Allegro Films, here in classmate, Stephen Reizes. Files, and a made-for-TV movie Montreal. They built its success on In interviews leading up to the other city on the continent, and the ematographer, Rodney Gibbons, called Requiem far a Criminal. Still, videos, and are moving on to big­ broadcast, Surjik had lavish praise making of the science-fiction/horror teaches in the program when he's he would like to go back to film budget features such as Screamers and for the Cinema Department, and he movie - hailed as a bargain in Hol­ not too busy shooting movies. school some day for another dose of their current project, jackals, with told The Gazette's Bill Brownstein lywood because it cost only $15 mil- Screamers was shot in Montreal, the inspiration he found there. Oscar-winner Ben Kingsley. recently that he's particularly indebt­ Jeff Abugov is another alumnus Duguay has carved out a successful ed to Professor Andre Herman. who has found work in Hollywood, career in commercial entertainment. "The school gives you the basic but in television sit-corns. He He directed the movies Scanners 2 film vernacular or film grammar, and worked as a story editor/script­ and Scanners 3, both Allegro produc- with those tools you can go out and writer on Cheers, a supervising pro­ . tions, and a number of high-profile say anything you please. You can ducer/script-writer on Roseanne, and TV movies, including a survival articulate any story you wish - any drama, Snowbound, for CBS, and story you can get financed." is now a co-executive-producer on Million Dollar Babies, the saga of the Film Production is one of the Grace Under Fire. He also sings the Dionne quintuplets, which featured three streams of the Cinema Depart­ department's praise. Beau Bridges and Roy Dupuis, and ment, along with Animation and "They gave me a lot of freedom to was shown last fall on both CBC Film Studies. start finding my comic voice, and to and CBS. Surjik was handed the plum job of have confidence in that," Abugov Steve Surjik is another highly suc­ directing the blockbuster comedy said recently. "I learned to express cessful young director from Wayne 's World 2 on the strength of myself, which is not something that Concordia. He was the director of his work directing segments of the can really be taught."

Concordia hosts conference for health and safety vvorkers

BY SHIRA KATZ with Bissada and Wayne D . Wood, Faculty of Arts and Science safety manager of McGill's Environmental semmar. /\ pproximately 90 health and Safety Office, and with help from There were presentations on safety ~afety workers from all over Concordia Environmental Health management, elevated exposures to eastern Canada and the north-east­ and Safety's administrative assistant, power-frequency electric and mag­ ern U.S. exchanged useful informa­ Donna Fasciano. netic fields, and chemical and pesti­ tion at the 1996 Northeast Winter Rector Frederick Lowy gave a cide toxicology. Safety Conference, which was held welcoming speech, praising the co­ Concordia's Industrial Hygien­ at Concordia late last month. operation between the universities ist, Karen Ward, spoke about the "In Qyebec, we at Concordia are and expressing his personal interest. air quality problems that have one of the top universities in the There were six two-hour presenta­ plagued Concordia's Visual Arts safety field," said chemist Nabil Bis­ tions over two days, given by some Building since the early 1980s, and sada, who is the University's Haz­ 20 presenters. Concordia had mem- · showed slides of the exhaust sys­ Black history ardous Materials Co-ordinator and bers from Health and Safety com­ tem and ventilation design prob­ Radiation Safety Officer. mittees and sub-committees in lem areas. Many universities do not have attendance, as well as technicians. A request to explain those prob­ taught here safety policies as highly developed "I found out how other people's lems to students and staff who work as Concordia's, Bissada said. Dele­ concerns overlap with my own," said in the building was made from the 19th Century, Africa in the 20th gates were particularly interested in delegate Margaret Van Naerssen, audience by Kit Griffin, a Ceramics BY ZOLTAN SZOMORU Century and an advanced seminar on the University's new lab-spill from the University of Pennsylvania: technician. As a result, Ward is oncordia's Department of His­ Africa, started studying African his­ response policy for hazardous mate­ Concordia Chemistry Professor planning to hold an open forum for Ctory has no fewer than nine tory because he was interested in rial, which was adopted a few Mary Baldwin spoke about efforts to students, staff and faculty in the VA courses rel a ting to Africa and human rights and opposed to colo­ months ago. improve the training of teaching Building later this month. Bissada gave a four-hour When problems were raised the Caribbean. They range from nialism. When he was a student at the University of Wisconsin, he led a workshop on Lab-Spill by government inspectors in \ Introduction to the Non-Western movement to end racial discrimina­ Response Training, and May 1994, temporary solutions W odd to Advanced Studies in the tion in university housing. there were other training were found. Consultant Martin Third World: Imperialism and workshops on art hazards, orks Auger, from McGill, spoke Chalk came to Sir George Revolution. Williams University in 1964 because it safety information on the about how he worked with History courses, particularly at the offered him the opportunity to teach Internet, and movement Ward in collaboration with first- and second-year level, used to African history. He taught African safety (preventing injury while assistants who work in labs, and the McGill's Occupational Health Lab be heavily centred on Europe, said and U.S. history at the University of working). development of the undergraduate to come up with recommendations Professor Michael Mason, a special­ Ibadan in Nigeria in 1975-76. The conference was the brainchild laboratory safety program. An orien­ for Concordia. ist in African history. He created the Now the University offers a full of chemical safety co-ordinator tation program has been developed Permanent modifications to the course Introduction to the Non­ program of African history, and has Ralph Stuart, from the University of to address diversity and equity issues. building will be made in four phases Western World to fill that need. an extensive library collection of Vermont, who set up an Internet site A safety section was developed in the by September 1998, at a cost of $1.3 Mason has been a student of the research material from East Africa, called SAFETY in 1989 to talk to lab manuals, and a TA handbook million. Phase I has just been com­ Third World since 1957. He started Liberia and Southern Africa to other professionals. Now in its was developed. pleted, and Phase II begins in May, his studies at the University of support it. fourth year, the regional conference "I demonstrated the attempt to for completion by next September. British Columbia and even taught A Master's program in the field was organized jointly by Concordia incorporate safety issues into the cli­ "I don't think the problem we had the subject in Africa, at Ahmadu has been available since 1970. In and McGill Universities. mate and the culture of the depart­ at Visual Arts is unique," Ward said. Bello University in Nigeria. fact, Chalk said, the first Master's Concordia's Director of Environ­ ment," Baldwin said. She is a "It's important to share the history. Frank Chalk, who teaches the sur­ thesis to emerge from the History mental Health and Safety, Susan member of the hazardous materials Hopefully, others will learn what we vey of African history, Africa in the Department was on Africa. Magor, co-organized the conference committee and co-ordinator of the have learned from this."

6 FEBRUARY 8, 199€ CONCORDIA'S THURSDAY REPORT Project to rebuild Vietnamese youth centre is off to a good start Students Dare to help others

BY KATHY GIANGASPERO

tudent Anne Nguyen and her Sfriends are trying to rebuild a youth centre on the other side of the world with a project they call Dare. Nguyen, who has relatives in Viet­ nam, put the project together after she visited An Khanh and found its community centre closed because of budget cuts. A village (in Vietnamese lli a: terms) of 12,000 people, it is seven 1t -w kilometres from the capital, Ho Chi ~ Minh City (formerly Saigon). '." ·• So far, Nguyen and her colleagues 5a= in Dare have raised $800. These funds will be used to repair the weather-worn building, which Nguyen hopes to reopen by 1997. The group also plans to add a playgound, a theatre, a library of said. "Lots of Vietnamese [in Viet­ The students submitted their Vietnamese and Canadian books, a nam] are becoming like me. They plans and a request for $800 to then know more about Madonna than Dean of Students Brian Counihan. computer, a staff office, and an libraries' online public access catalogue, CLUES, whose users are [former president] Ho Chi Minh." They got $400 from the University, information centre for students routinely polled. interested in studying abroad. Westernization has increased in and individual faculty members The committee's recommendations will be drawn up by May 31. Libraries Nguyen said that An Khanh's young Vietnam since economic reforms in have given about $400 more. will issue a formal response by August 31, and the final report, including people are deprived of many things. 1990 aimed at encouraging foreign Nguyen also got considerable the reports of external appraisers, will be submitted to the Office of the "Young people in Ho Chi Minh investment, she said, but in the response to an ad for support which Vice-Rector, Services, by mid-October 1996. have access to computers and books," scramble for investment, cultural she put in The Link student news­ she said. 'We hope to put the bal­ programs have suffered. pa per, particularly from Viet­ -- ance back between the city and sur­ Dare is working with local author­ namese-Canadian students. rounding localities." ities in An Khanh, and have the sup­ She estimates that the whole project Nguyen hopes the project will lead po rt of Concordia's Centre for will cost $80,000, so she11 continue to Library Review to student exchanges. Naturally, she International Academic Co-opera­ raise money. (In fact, she suggested said, "Concordia is unknown in tion (CIAC). This may be the first jokingly that Dare could stand Steering Committee Vietnam." time that an international project for "donations always required enor­ "I pretty much lost my culture started by students has had a such mously.") She wants to thank those The Library Review Steering Committee, an external because I came here very young," she partnership with the University. who have lent their support so far. committee reporting to the Vice-Rector, Services examining changes to library services, welcomes your comments.

The Review Committee will evaluate the full range of services, activities and programs for which the library is responsible within the framework of its mandate, and the mission of the University.

Send written suggestions by Tuesday, February 27 to any of:

Calvin S. Kalman, Professor, Physics, Committee chair H-841-11, Phone: 3284 Fax: 2828 e-mail: [email protected] Dario Arella, undergraduate student representative Concordia Student Union, H 637 Hilary Schwartz, graduate student representative Graduate Students Association, T 306 e-mail: [email protected] Concordia UNIVERSITY

REAL EDUCATION FOR THE REAL WORLD

from Oliebec, Ontario and Manito- ba took part in the annual event. .._ It's the first time a university has won both the Commerce Games of Foreign Affairs and International and the undergraduates games, Paul Trade, at a special presentation by Mirshak said proudly. He was one f Minister Lloyd Axworthy. the games' chief organizers. Concordians also took top hon­ The event is open to non-Com­ ours at last weekend's Undergraduate merce students. T earns competed in Business Games, which were held at games such as football, softball, and Wilfrid Laurier University, in volleyball, as well as debating, Jeop- • Waterloo, Ont. Nine universities ardy, business trivia, and Monopoly.

CONCORDIA'S THURSDAY REPORT FEBRUARY 8, 1996 7 Saturday, February 10 from Room 31 in the Cult Centre." 2:30 The School of Community and Toni at 7 p.m.; Le crime de M. Lange p.m. in CC -320, Loyola Campu s. All are Public Affairs at 9 p.m. welcome. The SCPA is organizi ng a trip to Et hiopia, Eritrea, an d Uganda . The Monday, February 12 Department of Theological Studies co st of the trip is about $2,000 per Cousin, cousine at 8:30 p.m. Monday, February 12 per son . Interested students must Mary Schaefer, Atlantic School of leave a $1 OD deposit by February 26. Tuesday, February 13 Theology, Halifax, on "Mosaics. For more information, ca ll 848-2575. Family Plot at 8:30 p.m. Martyrs. Ministries : The Carol in gian Church of St. Prassede, Rome ." 7 p.m. Wednesday, Fehruary 14 in DL-200, Loyola Campus . 848-2475. The Miracle Germany, Year Zero at Thesis Defense 8:30 p.m. Academic Women's Caucus & Status of Women Office Friday, February 16 Thursday, February 15 Wednesday, February 14 Esther Spector, Psychology, on "Th e Mona Lisa at 7 p.m. Linda Duxbu ry, Carleton University, Relati ve Importance of Relationships wil l discuss her research on women with Parents and Peers for Self-Concept Friday, February 16 Events, notices and classified ads must reach the and men's job satisfaction teaching in Middle Childhood." 10 a.m . in H-760, La bete humaine at 7 p.m.; La grande and doing research in Canadian uni­ 1455 de Maisonneuve Blvd. W. Public Relations 'Department (BC-115) in writing no later illusion at 9 p.m. versities. Noon in the Hall Build ing than Thursday, 5 p.m. the week prior to the Thursday publication. Faculty Club (7th floor) Lunch buffet is Monday,February19 $10. 848-4866. Jian Wang , Mechanical Engineering, For more information, please contact Kevin Leduc at 848-4881, on "On the Wave Activ ity Withi n by fax: 848-2814 or by e-mail: [email protected]. The Loyola Film Centre fo r Community & Vortex Cores ." 2 p.m . in H-762, 1455 Ethnic Studies de Maisonneuve Blvd . W. Series Wednesday, February 14 Esmeralda M.A. Thornhill on Literature & Films of War and Peace, "Removing Bl indfolds, Bari ng Facts: spon sore d by th e Loyola Peace Blacks in the Americas." 12 - 1: 30 p.m . FEBRUARY 8 • FEBRUARY 15 Institute. F. C. Smith Auditorium , 7141 in H-535-1, 1455 de Maisonneuve Unclassified Sherbrooke St. W. Tel. 848-3878. Free Blvd . W. 848-8728. admission. USA Work Permits We can help Canadia n citize ns asks what you have to offer? Are you Thursdays at Lonergan Monday, February 26 increase their chances of receiving USA Alumni News Counselling & prepared to look for a job? What do February 15 In Which We Serve at 7 p.m. work permits. Also, U.S. immigration you care about in a work setting? $5 Moira Carley, Lonergan Co ll ege and Development and related bu siness matters. B. Toben The Sculpture of Mark Prent fee . Feb . 14 , from 2 to 4 p.m. Lonergan Fellow , on "Teaching Monday, February 121996 Lonergan' s Thought to Undergraduates." Associates (U .S . lawyers) 288-3896. Register now for study skills Information and registration at CAPS, Mark Prent pre se nts a slide lecture on 3:30-5 p.m. . 7302 Sherbrooke St. W. workshops 2070 Mackay St. Condo for Rent or Sale his sculpture s, together with the docu­ Health Services Information: 848-2280. Make th is term more successful by 4 1/2. Near Georges Van ier Metro . mentary film about his wo rk, "Mark 1 Outright improving your approach to term Immunization Clinic 933-9947 Prent: Overmood", by fellow Concordia Counselling for students dealing with Humanities Doctoral Program paper s and exams . Sessions are Health Services will be holdi ng an alumnus Bria n McNeil. Time : 7 - 9:30 gay, lesbia n, and bisexua l li festy le February 15 offered on SGW and Loyola Campuses immuniza t ion clinic for meas les, Margaret Cohen, Profes so r of Com­ Triplex p.m. Location: Hall Building, 1455 de issues on either an individual or group in February. mumps and rubella from now until parative Literature at New York Pleasa nt, quiet co-owners wanted for Maisonneuve Blvd . West, room 760 , basis. If you would like to talk with Feb. 16. Call 848-3565 for information Univers ity, lectures on "The Image Mile End triple x. 2 flats available . 7th Floor. Price: $14 per person. RSVP: Making oral presentations (two someone in a supportive environment, or an appointment. Standard and the Pari sian Everyday. " Great neighborhood. 1D minutes from (514) 848-3817. sessions) call Counselling and Development, 8: 15 p.m. in Room 820 of the Henry F. Univers ity. Leave message 279-6648. Improve your confidence and ability to 848-3545 (H-440) Hall Building. How to Buy Your First Home speak in pub li c. Parti ci pants are Monday, February 261996 expected to attend both sessions . Lacolle Centre Liberals Arts College This three-part sem inar covers all the Fridays , Feb. 9, from 1D a. m. to 1 p.m., Thursday, February 15 University basics of buying a home for the fi rst at SGW. CPR courses for Educational Professo r Ch ri stop her Ricks, Boston Ombuds Office time . Time: 7 - 9:30 p.m. Location: Hall Innovation Univers ity, on "Keats an d Allusion." Bui lding, 1455 de Maisonneuve Bl vd . Get focused (three sessions) The fo ll owing courses will be offered 8:30 p.m. in H-1 10, 1455 de Contact us for information, advice and West, room 760, 7th Floor. Price: $14 Choosi ng a prog ram of study and hav­ by th e EH &S Office in the next few Und erstan ding How the Conve r­ Maisonneuve Blvd . W. help with university-re lated problems per person. RSVP: (514) 848-3817. ing a caree r goal are cruc ial. weeks. Members of Concordia and the sati onal Styles of Men and Wome n and complaints . 848-4964 (P R-1 DD) Thursdays, Feb . 29, March 7 and 14 outside commu nity ca n take these Sculpture, Ceramics & Fibres Can Bind or Break Relationship s . 21 ODMackay St. from 9:30 to 11 :30 a.m. at SGW. Call courses . Contact Do nn a Fasciano , Thursday, February 15 848-3545. Tuesday, February 13 from 6:30 - 9:30 Trai ning Co-ordinator, at 848-4355. p.m. Leader: Rona Davis. Fee: $39.88 Anne Ramsden on "Informed by a fem­ Art Gallery inist pespective ." 5 p.m. in VA-1 02, Strategies for achievement February 9 - Heartsaver Course 1395 Rene Levesque Bl vd . W. (six sessions) Mid-Life Chall enges. Saturday, Feb. Women Th e Leonard and Bina Ell en Art Ga ll ery 17; 9:30 a.m.- 4 p.m. Leader: Shirley Look at your own learning and re lating February 1D - Baby Heartsaver is loc ated at 1400 de Maisonneuve Caplan. Fee: $56.98. Concordia Irish Lecture Series styles. Exam ine dive rsity in communi­ Pr ofess or Ke vin Whe lan , Bost on February 5 - 9 Bl vd . W. Information : 848-475 0. cation and problem-so lvi ng. Exp lore February 11 - Heartsaver Plus College, on "The Long-term Impact of Eati ng Disorders Awareness Week. (Metro Guy-Concordia) relationship pitfal ls, giving and receiv­ the Great Irish Famine." 8:30 p.m. in · Women, get rid of clothes that don't ing criticism, meeting peopl e (teachers Feb ru ary 17, 18- CSS T Fi rst Ai d - fit you ! The Peer Hea lth Educa tors Until March 2 H-1070, 1455 de Maison neuve Blvd . and peers ). shyness and lon eli ness. Engl ish Course Lectures & W. 848-2435. have placed a box in the Hall Bui lding Facu lty of Fin e Arts Exhib ition . Thu rs days, now til l Ma rch 14, from Lobby to receive clothing donations, Monday - Friday from 11 a.m.- 7 p.m. Seminars 1:3 0 to 4 p.m. at Loyola . Ca ll 848-3555. February 29, March 1 - CSST First Aid Library Workshops for a women's shelter. and Saturday from 1-5 p.m. - French Course ' Concordia-Glaxo Wellcome CD-ROMs, databases and Indexes; Present yourself with impact Thursday, February 8 How to find periodica l articles (75 min) Friday, February 9 (six sessions) John Greyson and Jean Carlomusto on Webster Library (Room LB-2 12) Feb . Eating Disorders Awareness Week Asse rtiveness trai ning for students "Video/AIDS : Sex/Activism." 6 p.m. in 14 at 5 p.m.; Va nier Library (Room VL- Body Image Discussion & Workshop. Concordia who wish to communica te more effec­ Faculty Workshops LB-125, J.A. DeSeve Ci nema, 1400 de 122) Feb. 16 at noon. Women of all sizes are we lcome to tively. Learn how to give and receive Concert Hall Maisonneuve Blvd . W. di scuss body image & se lf-esteem in a constructive feedback , paraphrase, Respond ing to Student Paper s New and Improved CLUES: supportive, confidential environment. handle put-downs and clarify ambigu­ Discover its added features Women' s Centre, 2020 Mackay, Thursday, February 8 Tuesday, February 13 from 10:30 a.m.- Thursdays at Lonergan ous messa ge s. Mondays at SGW, until (60min) downstai rs. 848-7431 . The Concordia Big Band, Dave Turner 12 p.m. in H-440, 1455 de FebruaryB March 11 , from 1: 30 to 3:30 p.m. . Ca ll Webster Li brary (Room LB-2 12) Feb 12 at 12:30 p.m. Admission is free . Maisonneuve Blvd. W. Leader: Mary Sister Prudence Allen, RSM, Department 848-3545 . Mar & Mary O'Ma ll ey, Counsel ling & of Phi losophy and Lonergan Fellow, on & 15 at 5 p.m.; Vanier Library (Room Development. "Can Femini sm be a Humani sm? " VL-122) Feb. 12 at noon. Friday, February 9 Resume-writing 3:30-5 p.m., 7302 Sherbrooke St. W. Workshops Andrew Homzy selected sextet. 8 p.m. Get more job interviews by le arn ing Ca se Study #2 Bria n Davi s' Discussion Information: 848-2280. The Internet - an Introduction Tickets $5. 848-7928. to create a re sume that offers Gone Awry. Monday, February 12 from (60min) International Students Office employers a clear, concise picture of 10 a.m. - 12 p.m. in AD-131, 7141 Association of Bahiii Studies Webster Library (Room LB-235) Feb 14 Job Rea din ess Workshop , Tuesday, Wednesday, February 14 you and your accomplis hments. Feb . Sherbrooke St . W. Leader : Olivia at Concordia at 10:30 a.m. February 20 from 9:30 a.m .-12 noon in Music Busi ness Seminar. 1 p.m. 13 from 1:3 0 to 3 p.m. Rovinescu , Lacolle Centre . Thursday, February 8 H-653 . Al so, Preparing for a Job Thursday, February 15 A talk takes place on "Social Justice Interview, Wednesday, February 21 Interview skills and Global Prosperity." 2 p.m. in H- from 9:30 a.m.-12 noon in H-653. Classical Repertoire students. 8 p.m. Every job interviewer wants to know Admission is fre e. 539-1 , 1455 de Maisonneuve Blvd. W. Special Events what kind of person you are, and how Macintosh Computer Workshops you can help their organization achieve Film Department of Classics Economic Students' Association Comp uting Se rvices is· ottering Mac Thursday, February 15 its goals. Feb. 28 from 2 to 4:30 p.m. Friday, February 9 Wine and cheese, Monday, February Workshops free of charge to all facul­ Music and Techno logy at 12:30 p.m. Conservatoire d' Art Josee Sabourin on "Funerary Imagery 12 from 4 - 6 p.m. in GM-301 . Come ty and staff. Please contact Carmelita Admission is free. Cinematographique de Montreal How to find a job at Mycenae? A Study of the Fre sco out and meet your Profs . 848-7485. Swann, 848-3668. Thi s workshop will introduce you to Cinema J.A. DeSeve, 1400 de Friday, February 16 researching the employer, cold-ca lling, Mai sonneuve Blvd . W., Concordia Muzikunstwerk: Voices in the Wind. · information interviewing , and net­ Un iversity (Metro Guy-Conco rdia) 8 p.m. Admi ss ion is free . working . Feb. 8 from 2 to 4:30 p.m .. Admi ssion: $3.50.

Saturday, February 17 Job readi ness workshop Friday, February 9 Micheal Berard Quartet CD launch. 8 (two sessions) Boudu sauve des eaux at 7 p.m.; p.m. Tickets $5. 848-7928. How do you answer an employer who Madame Bovary at 9 p.m . FFI ANNUAL REPORT This is an abridged version of the Ombuds Office Annual Report for 1994-95. The full 1994 - 1995 report is available from our office. The report consists of a review of selected cases and issues. A section of recommendations appears at the end .

In 1994-95, 742 individuals and groups came to the Ombuds Office with their questions, concerns and complaints, 28 fewer than the previous year.

We welcome any comments that members of the University may have on our report.

Suzanne Belson Beatrice Pearson

PART I. On another level, the Ombuds Office tries to put a human face on bureaucracy, providing a place for people to talk about a problem in confidence, explore options, and seek THE ROLE OF THE OMBUDS OFFICE advice. Often we can help facilitate a quick solution to a problem by putting it in the right hands, asking the right questions or cutting red tape. The Ombuds Office acts as a source of information and advice on rules, regulations, policies and procedures; INVESTIGATING CASES helps resolve problems informally and quickly; enquires into complaints in an independent and objective way when other Much of our work invo lves informa lly helping with the resolution of problems. But the re recourses have been exha usted; are severa l cases every year - 29 in 1994-95 - which we investigate more formally. explains decisions when complaints are not substantiated; These usually involve situations where the complainant has exhausted all the other recommends solutions when complaints are valid; and avenues available and still feels aggrieved. acts as an "agent for change" to improve University practices and procedures. We do not automatically advocate for complainants or for any party. Our job is to listen to

We hear complaints and respond to enquiries from all members of the University community. all sides of a story. Only after we have a pretty complete picture of a situation do we Students, the largest group on campus, are the most frequent users of the Ombuds conclude whether a complaint is justified. Then we may recommend a solution that Office. About half the yearly caseload consists of requests for information or enquiries favours one party or the other or we may work out a helpful compromise. Ombudspersons about the way to solve particular problems. The other half is complaints about errors do not have the authority to change decisions but rely on reasoned recommendations and unfair treatment, poor course management, difficult working conditions, to the person who has the power to decide. procedures that have gone wrong or taken too long, and so on . Not everyone always perceives us as neutral. Complainants sometimes think that by upholding

On one level, th e Ombuds Office is an expression of the Univers ity's willingness to a policy or a decision, we are "just another branch of the administration." Sometimes, acknowledge that mistakes will be made, that not every decision will be timely or staff and faculty feel that by presenting a student's point of view, an ombudsperson is fair, that not everyone will always cond uct him or herself impeccably, and that "acting as a student advocate." Occasional ly, people seem to believe that the Ombuds policies and procedures can sometimes be improved. Office's neutr-0lity means never taking a pos ition one way or another.

Concordia FEBRUARY 8, 1996 1 UNIVERSITY Some of these comments reflect misperceptions of what the Ombuds Office is actually Changing evaluation schemes supposed to do. Others come up because no matter how fair we try to be, and no Another rule requires instructors to give students the evaluation scheme for a course in matter how open other people try to be, we're all human, and it's always hard to deal writing, with the stipulation that the scheme cannot be changed without "appropriate with questions about one's actions and decisions. prior notice." But who defines what notice is appropriate? Is three days' notice

PART II. appropriate to change a take-home to an in-class exam? Is two weeks after a mid-term exam enough notice that the mid-term, originally worth 50%, will now be worth only CASES AND COMMENTS 40%? And who defines "notice"? If a test date is changed, is an instructor obliged to inform students who were not in class when the new date was announced? If the

WHO USED THE OMBUDS OFFICE IN 1994-95? original evaluation scheme must be given in writing, should changes also be written?

456 Undergraduate students Most instructors change course requirements for sound pedagogical reasons, and most 88 Graduate students students accept those reasons because they understand the change makes sense. 21 Independent/Visiting students But sometimes evaluation schemes seem to be changed to suit the convenience of an 2 Continuing Education students instructor at the inconvenience of the students. 64 Faculty Class participation 61 Administrative & support staff

50 Other* Another perennial problem area is participation marks.

742 TOTAL (Individuals and groups) Because it's impossible to recreate past classroom discussions, students find it hard to exercise their right to re-evaluation of participation marks. This makes it important that instructors * Former students and employees, applicants for employment and admission, alumni, and others who are not technically members of the University at the time of enquiry. are clear about how they will assess participation, that attendance records are kept, that evaluations are supported by notes or a log and that students get frequent feed­ UNDERGRADUATE STUDENTS back. They need to know (a) where they stand, and (b) how they can improve, if necessary. If no records are available, it's hard to fault students for thinking that participation The initials used in cases are not the real initials of the persons involved. marks are sometimes awarded arbitrarily. GRADES AND COURSE MANAGEMENT BIZARRO By DAN PIRAR0 Not unexpectedly, the two categories of problems most often brought to our attention concern L.AST 'TlM~ WE M~ WE. ~ t:>ISCUS«.ING grades and re-evaluation, and course management. Together, these account for more ,~e: µr~1c cooe: 1i-J HoMERS JUACJ. .. .. than 25% of our total caseload . In many of these cases there are no regulations to guide the resolution of the problems.

But students are justifiably upset when instructors are not available for consultation outside class time, when they get essays back with poor marks and no comments, when classes are cancelled without explanation or notice, when instructors are chronically late or unprepared or seemingly unwilling to answer questions.

Late grades

Even when regulations do exist, they sometimes seem pretty toothless. For example, Th e "Bizarro" ·cartoons are reprinted by permission some professors habitually submit grades long past the seven-day deadline. Late of Chronicle Features, San Francisco, California grades can inconvenience students, sometimes in serious ways. If someone's registration is on hold because the grade for a pre-requisite course isn't in, or a Small things? transcript can't be sent out for a student applying for a scholarship or a graduate "No one returns with good will to the place that has done him a mischief" (Phraedus). program, a late grade can be a real problem. If a student's academic standing could improve from failed to conditional or - worse! - fall from conditional to Many cases that students bring to our attention are situations in which they have felt put failed, a late grade can seem like a catastrophe. Grades for replacement and down, treated with thoughtless disregard rather than respect, courtesy and concern. supplemental exams written in the summer are sometimes a particular problem Some may seem like small things, but they have angered the person on the receiving because (a) instructors are often away when these exams are written, and end or created an impression that the University doesn't care. (b) students' academic standing assessments and registration are more likely These are some examples: to need quick decisions.

• A student took time off work, losing pay, and travelling more than an hour each way, to keep a pre-registration advising appointment. After she waited half an hour, the secretary told her that the advisor had called to say he couldn't come in - "He had to move some boxes."

2 • A single mother missed a mid-term exam because she had no one to look after her sick CARL - the Concordia Automated Response Line child. Her instructor was unwilling to let her take a make-up exam because he accepted . Having heard from some of our counterparts at other universities about the considerable medical excuses only for students' own illnesses. Ultimately, the instructor relented problems they dealt with when telephone registration systems were introduced, we about the exam - but he insisted on a 5% penalty. anticipated a flurry of complaints last year about CARL, the new Concordia Automated • An instructor changed the date of a mid-term exam to a time that clashed with a student's Response Line. We are happy to congratulate the Registrar's Office and to report that job. When the student said he couldn't be at the exam, the instructor told him that he the flurry didn't arrive. In fact, the number of complaints about registration was lower had to "get his priorities straight." than some past years.

• An instructor announced that he woµld not accept late papers. A student was sick the Forgive and forget - and please take the F off my transcript day a paper was due, so she called to find out what to do. The instructor's answering Every year several students ask how to go about getting failing grades removed from their machine had only an outgoing message saying that he was away for a week. transcripts. Sometimes they feel it is unfair that one failure in an otherwise impeccable • A student meant to drop course A but, by mistake, dropped course B. When he discovered record will hamper their chances for a graduate program; sometimes they say that they his error and tried to get the situation corrected, he was told that it was too bad, but thought they'd dropped the course and only discovered later that the transaction hadn't "we all have to live with our mistakes." been recorded. One student, confident that he would some day win a Nobel Prize, worried that his reputation would be sullied forever. Some students say that they'd been • An instructor required every student to show proof that they'd purchased the course text­ ill during the course in question or that some other difficult situation made it impossible book, which he had co-authored. One student said that he didn't need to buy it - his to do as well as they usually did. So why do those Fs have to stay there? brother had taken the course the year before and had the book at home. The instructor insisted that every student must _buy a copy. Generally in these cases, the ombudspersons explain that a university transcript is a little piece of history. It records what happened - the good and the bad. And that means that Fs • A student in failed standing went to see an administrator to explain the reasons. The are as permanent as As and Bs. Usually, there is nothing to be done, particularly if the administrator met him in the department reception area and asked him to discuss the offending grade dates from more than a term back. Sometimes, if the circumstances problem . The student asked if they could go into a private office. The administrator said are extraordinary, we suggest a request for a MED notation or a late withdrawal from they could talk where they were - the staff in the reception area get to see all the the course. And very rarely, when there is evidence of an illness, such as severe depression, files anyway. that would likely have resulted in the student's failing to attend and also failing to

• An instructor put the same book on the required reading list for four different courses. withdraw, we have recommended that the grades in question should not be calculated The book was a very specialized text which many students didn't think was pertinent in the student's GPA. But even in these cases, the grades are not removed from to any of the courses. In one course, students had to read only 38 pages of the book, the transcript. 18 of them endnotes and bibliography. The book cost more than $40. A novel idea

• Several students have reported that instructors have announced that anyone who asks A student protested that examinations are not a valid way to measure learning. He wanted for a re-evaluation can expect to have their grades lowered. help getting exams banned in the University. The ombudsperson told him that some

· Life's little ups and downs educators might agree with his conclusion, but this was too big a case for us to handle.

For the first time a department offered a special summer course with limited registration. PEANUTS By CHARLES M. SCHULZ

Ms. B attended an information meeting and indicated that she wanted to take the All! SAID WAS , WMEN I CAME IN T~IS MOR~IN6, I course. A few days later the department secretary called to say she was accepted. The DIDN'T REALIZE WE WERE TAKIN6 T~E B~R EXAM .. next day a letter arrived telling Ms. B that she should pay for the course to keep her place. Ms. B brought her money in three days later but she was too late; the course was filled by people who had paid more quickly. ,,_ 8 Reprinted by permission of UFS, Inc. Ms. B was disappointed, but a couple of days later her mother passed on a message from

the course co-ordinator - another student had cancelled and there was one place The tone of correspondence open . Ms. B phoned the coordinator only to learn that the place had gone again - the coordinator had called other students after leaving the message for Ms. B and one of The ombudspersons routinely review documents that provide background and help explain a them had already confirmed . case. Often these are letters sent to students by University administrators. Sometimes we are struck by the officious and dismissive tone of some of this correspondence. In fact, it's Ms. B came to the Ombuds Office saying that she felt like she had been on a roller the tone rather than the contents of communications that sometimes brings students to coaste r. The Ombudsperson called the coordinator. We recommended clearer the Ombuds Office, surprised and offended that anyone could write to them in such a high­ information , and other improvements to the regi stration process. Although it handed fashion. Thoughtless letter-writing undermines the courteous image that the University was impossible to put Ms. B in the course, the coordinator wrote her a letter strives to maintain in its dealing with students. It would help create goodwill if people who of apology, guaranteeing her a place in ne xt year 's course and waiving a have to write letters to students, particularly letters refusing requests or giving bad news, processing fee . reviewed their correspondence from the point of view of the person on the receiving end.

3 CALVIN & HOBBES By BILL WATTERSON GRADUATE STUDENTS l S"' <>-:L!l Gn 51:1-\ f. IIC~ \GG: ;;;~\CJ NIil Stt If l ON Gci '------./ 0JT ~ W.f\,I. ( LA;:> I Higher finance

Two money-related policies governing graduate students have been the subject of repeated compl ai nts. Th e first is the rul e co ncerni ng "term fees " which req uires stu dents to pay $55 .43 eve ry term they're not billed fo r credi ts. Ma ny stud ents have argued that thi s rule is unfair. Most oft en, they contend that it doesn 't seem right that they're charged CALVIN AND HOBBES copyright 1992 Watterson. Dist. by Universal Press Syndicate. Reprin ted with permission. All rights reserved. for th e su mmer term when there are few or no co urses offered in ma ny departments.

Oops The second money-related issue concerns th e system for charging fees for "thesis and thesis­ equivalent activities." These fees, based on the credit value of the work involved, can be A student bought a textboo k from an off-campus bookstore. When his Vi sa bill arrived, he substantial. To avoid loading students down with a very large bill at the end of their saw that he had been charged $703 instead of the $73 that the book actually cost. programs, the University decided several years ago to make payments easier by spreading The student tried to get a refund, but because he'd lost his receipt, the store wouldn't the cost of a thesis over several years, begining with a student's first year. do anything . The Ombudsperson was able to persuade the store manager to check her

records. Eventually, she agreed that a mistake had been made, and the student got his The change helped solve one problem, but created another. Under the current policy, fees money back. paid in previous years are not refundable if a student withdraws. The thinking is that graduate students use facilities and a supervisor's time from the beginning of their How could you do that? programs, and whether or not they complete a thesis, these resources have value. Professor E asked each student to come to talk to him at the front of the classroom about an But some students who have withdrawn argued that this didn't apply to them. In the early upcoming assignment. When Ms. G's turn came, Professor Ewas very critical of a previous stages of their programs they had only taken courses, and they hadn't used any thesis­ assignment she'd done. Ms. G was mortified when other students overheard the related services. Some had not reached the stage of linking up with a supervisor or conversation and laughed. She thought that Professor E should not have discussed her defining a thesis topic. So, they asked, how could it be fair that the University wouldn't work when others could hear. And because she felt so humiliated, she withdrew from refund them for services they had never needed? the course. Then she came to the Ombuds Office asking how she could have a refund

although it was late in the term . When we contacted Professor E, he was as shocked Concordia's fees for graduate programs are not out of line with other Quebec universities. as Ms. G. He had no idea that she had been upset, and said that in many years of But some universities treat the cost of graduate programs as a package, while using the same teaching methods, no student had ever suggested that it made them Concordia divides the fees into separate credit-based components. This seems to invite uncomfortable. We arranged a meeting for Professor E and Ms. G to talk over their differ­ complaints. We have recommended that the University consider a different system. ences. They decided that Ms. G would complete the course. The Ombudsperson recom­ mended that Ms. G be reregistered. The Dean's Office agreed . Intellectual property

How many credits is enough? Ms. Q had finished her Master's program, her thesis had been accepted and she was looking forward to graduating when her supervisor, Professor R, gave her a copy of a Shortly after Spring Convocation in 1994, the Ombuds Office was contacted by a new paper, submitted for presentation at a conference. Ms. Q was surprised and upset to graduate. Ms. T, who had originally come to Concordia from a university in another see that, apart from some omissions and minor editing, the paper was the text of her country, had finished her program with a GPA of 4.02 . Several faculty members told thesis - except that the title was different and Professor R was listed as primary her she was in a good position to win the prize for the highest academic achievement author, with Ms. Q as second author. This new paper made no reference to the fact in her department, and she expected she would graduate "with great distinction ." that it was originally a thesis. When neither of these honours came to pass, Ms. T was upset to learn that because she had been given many transfer credits from her previous university, she hadn't taken Unable to resolve her questions with her supervisor, Ms. Q contacted the Ombuds Office. The enough courses at Concordia to be eligible for any awards. Ombudsperson discussed the situation with Professor R. She explained that she had made significant and substantial contributions to the research project that became Ms. Distressed that her outstanding performance would go unrecognized, Ms. T asked, "If a Q's thesis and therefore felt considerable ownership of the work. She argued that the transfer student can graduate with a Concordia degree having completed a minimum idea for the project was hers, and that even before Ms. Q began, she had done a litera­ of 45 credits, why can high academic achievement not be assessed on the same number ture review and collected some preliminary data. Moreover, she had been very involved of credits?" in the research, making suggestions and advising Ms. Q. In the end, she had edited the work. Given the extent of her contribution, Professor R believed that she was within In looking for an answer, the Ombudsperson noted that the regulations in question date back her rights to put her name to the paper that was originally Ms. Q's thesis. to the 1970s and have not been reviewed since. We asked for a review to decide whether

the University is satisfied that the regulations stand the test of time, or whether they In the end, Ms. Q and Professor R came to an agreement about how the conference paper should be changed in some way. would be presented. But the case puts into concrete terms many of the questions about intellectual property which are currently being debated at Concordia and in Although the Academic Programs Committee was slated to consider the matter last year, it many other universities. has not yet done so.

4 Did Professor R put more into this project than one might expect of a supervisor? Or were BIZARRO By DAN PIRAR0

her contributions from idea to editing and everything in between, no more or less than _ '/OUIZ 'l',t,.5$~£',l/ta.'1 lllTO ,t,.N 11,/\11S lQLE O,M£NS10N tS ~ INTU?ESTING, n-l•Oi;t-{ usual? What kinds of contribution convey authorship rights for students and faculty IZOPI-IE'I !,UT ITS N~ WI-IAT' WEVE &EN Su.Jt,,,'l~G IN CLASS AND ITS NOf PA£T' members? What determines the order of authors' names? And who "owns " a thesis? ~ 'Tl-I£ ta.~IGNME~.

The answers to these questions are not cut and dried, but so me things are clear. First, the University needs practica l gu idelines to help faculty and students decide questions about intellectual property. We hope that as Concordia's new Code of Ethics is developed, such guidelines will be included. Second, different disciplines do research in different ways. Thi s means that rules or guidelines may have to be, at least to some extent, discipline-specific. Third, supervisors and students need to discuss th ese issues from the start, and not wait till a problem develops. Graduate departments should arrange opportunities to talk about intellectual property in forums at which both faculty and students participate. And fourth, The "Bizarro" cartoons are reprinted by permission although we saw eight students who were concerned about intellectual property matters of Chronicle Features, San Francisco, California in 1994-95, most decided against pursuing their questions and complaints because they perceived that they had more to lose than to gain. The University should consider how FACULTY AND ADMINISTRATIVE AND SUPPORT STAFF students can be encouraged to come forward to discuss these problems without feeling that their degrees are on the line. This year we answered questions and dealt with complaints about job transfers, sick leave, pension entitlements, medical insurance, hiring and dismissal, working hours, job Student/supervisor relationships evaluations, course evaluations, grading and course management. Often, employees

Some of the most difficult cases we dealt with concerned problems that arose in graduate consult the Ombuds Office for advice about the best way to deal with a situation, or to student/supervisor relationships. Two students complained that they were expected to run explore the relative merits of various options. We can usually provide information personal errands for their supervisors and perform other services unrelated to their quickly or refer people to the right place to get the help they need. In many cases, we work. Another described a supervisor who screamed and threatened when his can focus on constructive ways to deal with a small problem so that it doesn't grow expectations weren't met. Several students worried when they had waited months for into a bigger one. Pulling together problems whose loose ends are all over the place, feedback on their research work or draft theses. Others said supervisors were unavailable clearing up miscommunication, and sometimes using a little shuttle diplomacy can help or hard to reach because they were on leave or seemed to be too busy. A common prevent conflicts from becoming entrenched or escalating to more formal stages. thread in many of these cases is that students often feel powerless to do or say anything A matter of faith - even privately to their supervisors - for fear of rocking the boat and suffering some consequence. In previous reports, we have mentioned problems that arise because of a lack of clarity in some of the personnel policies in the B policy manual. This is one brought to our But there were other cases where the student had little choice but to seek help. These were attention this year. cases where a faculty member had withdrawn from supervision, leaving a student unable to go on with his or her research and, sometimes, without financial support. In A Jewish employee objected when he was told that the three days he took for Rosh some of these cases we found little or no documentation to show that the student's Hashanah and Yorn Kippur would count as part of his vacation . His supervisor work or behaviour warranted such serious action, nor had there been any real attempt explained that she was following the directives in the "Welcome to Concordia" hand­ to resolve the problems in a less drastic way. book, published by Human Resources. The employee argued that other Jewish employees had taken the holy days off with pay, as he himself had done in previous years. He pointed . Part of the difficulty is that there is no provision for effective management of student/supervisor out that Policy B-25 states that "the University recognizes and respects the religious conflicts; it's no one's job to investigate the circumstances or explore alternatives. beliefs, observances and obligations of all faiths", and asked Human Resources to clarify

So students are sometimes left to knock on doors seeking another supervisor, more often what this meant. than not having to change their line of research if they find one. Some have been given The employee was informed that, in fact, the policy was under review, and that a clear one the impression by potential new supervisors that it would be seen as disloyal or would be in place by the 1995 holy days. But this didn't solve his problem . He still had uncol\egia\ to agree to supervise a student whom a colleague has dropped. And so no answer to his question about the days he'd already taken, and he thought it wasn't these cases have sometimes drifted for months without anyone taking account of the fair that some employees could take the holy days off with pay while others could not. serious impact the withdrawal of supervision can have on a student's mental, financial and academic well-being. When the employee contacted us, we took the matter up again with Human Resources. We were told that if the policy review wasn 't completed by June 1, 1995, the A committee appointed by the School of Graduate Studies has been working to develop employee would be paid for the 1994 holy days. In fact, he was, as part of a settlement guidelines and procedures for student/supervisor relationships. We met with this when he left the University in early June. But the Jewish holy days have come and committee several times to discuss problems and make recommendations, and look gone again without any clarification of the policy. forward to the results of this work.

5 But that's how we did it last time In many of the latter cases, employees worry about losing their jobs or their reputations. They complain that petty issues have been blown out of proportion or that serious A part-time faculty member wanted to submit an invoice from his company for the amount issues have been neglected. They describe a workplace where others are treated more of his teaching contract, rather than receiving a pay cheque every two weeks in the favourably, where they are made uncomfortable or miserable by harassing behaviour, usual way. The administrator responsible refused the invoice and the faculty member where poor or uncivil communication is endemic and where they feel neglected and complained, saying that he had been paid this way the previous year and it hadn't undervalued. Sometimes the problems involve a long history of discord, mistrust and been a problem. The administrator responded that last year's approval of the invoice anger which can affect people's health, and inevitably affects productivity and morale. was an error and that invoicing for salary was contrary to University policy. Because he had made a mistake one year didn't mean he should repeat it. The Ombudsperson There is never just one side to these cases, and rarely a situation where one party is found no reason to disagree. completely right and the other completely wrong. In earlier reports, we have remarked that the ombudspersons' stock question - Is it fair? - doesn't usually have a lot of Employment equity practical application in these cases. 'Is it fair' doesn't get a useful answer when a

From time to time, the Ombuds Office hears from people with complaints related to employment relationship has been reduced to a thick file of memoranda and people won't - equity. Three concerns predominate. The first is that at Concordia and elsewhere, relatively or can't - talk to each other. 'Is it fair' isn't helpful when issues are buried beneath a little attention has been paid to three of the four target groups identified by the Federal mountain of frustration and perceived injustices that have festered too long. And 'Is it Contractors' Program; most efforts to make hiring more equitable have been focused on fair' won't improve a situation when the best approach isn't deciding 'Who's to women, particularly women faculty, and much less emphasis has been put on hiring native blame?' but how to help the people concerned get their jobs done in an atmosphere people, members of visible minorities and people with disabilities. that is tolerable, if not friendly.

The second kind of grievance is from women who have worked in areas which have not tra­ CATHY By CATHY GUISEWITE m• ~INC[ llt[ -~·Hill ditionally hired women . These complainants have not had an easy time. They found it lAP. !11'1.0'/££ lllllt.4l£ HA~ l!!N I~ Tit£ llll!T, CATll't. was hard to integrate and gain acceptance from colleagues; in innumerable ways departmental culture mitigated against treating them as equals. Whether they had PhDs, trades licences or technical skills, they found their work environment hostile and intolerable. Their performance suffered, their personal lives were affected and ultimately, some of them developed stress-related medical problems. The University's efforts to CATHY copyright 1991 Cathy Guisewite. Reprinted with permission of Universal Press Syndicate. integrate women into non-traditional fields are well-motivated . But the women who All rights reserved. blaze trails in new areas need support in a climate that can sometimes be chilly. Equally or more important, their colleagues need help in adapting to a different kind of workplace. Some months ago, the Task Force to Review Policies Pertaining to Rights, Responsibilities and Behaviour, recommended: (a) better management training and support for administrators, The third employment equity issue was raised by black people who were interested in faculty or (b) the introduction of an in-house mediation program, and (c) a broader role for the staff positions. These complainants argued that if an employment equity program is to be Advisor on Rights and Responsibilities (replacing the present Code Administrator and truly equitable, all non-white groups cannot be treated as equal; some visible minorities, Sexual Harassment Officer), in informal dispute conciliation. We hope that as these particularly black Canadians, have historically been more socially and economically recommendations are implemented, the University will have more effective resources to disadvantaged - and less of a presence in universities - than others. assist employees with the interpersonal problems that are inevitable in any organization as large and as complex as Concordia. From the point of view of compliance with the Federal Contractors' Program, Concordia's numbers of

minority faculty are acceptable and even higher than many other institutions of comparable Think before you speak size. That befits a university whose mission celebrates diversity and whose membership reflects a marvellous range of skin colours, cultures and ethnic origins. At the same time, the An instructor complained when a graduate student stated on a re-evaluation request that complainants make a valid point; there are relatively few black men and women on the faculty he wa s incompetent, racist and "should not be allowed to teach any more." or, for that matter, among the administrative staff. Understandably upset and angry, the instructor explained that the student had disrupted his course, and had a history of conflict with students (whom he had also called racist) Concordia has often led other Canadian universities in matters of social justice. In coming years, and other instructors. new jobs will be scarce. However, the concerns of these complainants, as well as recom­ mendations made by the Task Force on Lesbian and Gay Life to include sexual orientation Our enquiry, and a re-evaluation of the student's work by two independent experts, showed "as a category on hiring announcements," suggest another opportunity for this university no evidence that any of the student's charges were valid. The chair of the department to take a leading role. Compliance with the Federal Contractors' Program is a good place conveyed the re-evaluation results to the student with a written admonishment about to start but not necessarily the place to end. his irresponsible and potentially damaging statements. However, because the student had already graduated and left the University, no other action was taken . Work relationships Just sign this Problems in relationships with students often bring faculty and staff to the Ombuds Office. Conflicts with colleagues, department heads, supervisors, subordinates, and administrators A faculty member asked for help in resolving a conflict with a colleague over a research also prompt enqui ries, complaints and requests for help or advice. grant they shared . Professor K felt Professor D, who had signing authority for the grant, was being unfair and unreasonable in refusing to authorize the reimbursement of her

6 expenses or approve time sheets for student assistants. Our enquiry showed that much Ill. Decision procedures of the dispute arose because of misunderstanding on both sides. With everyone's 10. Are people affected by a decision given timely notice and an adequate opportunity to co-operation, we drew up an agreement that set out clear procedures and addressed present information in support of their positions? the concerns of both professors.

11. Are decisions made and actions taken with a reasonable time? PART Ill. 12. If a decision is going to take longer than the regulations state, is the delay explained to ADMINISTRATIVE FAIRNESS those affected?

The primary role of an Ombuds Office, whether in government, corporations, hospitals or 13 . Are people given adequate reasons for decisions and actions? universities, is to help individuals with problems and complaints. As well, we have the IV. Appeal, review and complaint procedures responsibility to identify systemic problems that result in unfairness and to recommend improvements to regulations, practices and procedures when they are unclear or unfair or 14. When people are informed about decisions, are they told of available avenues of appeal when they just don't work as well as they should. or review? Is this information given in a non-confrontational, respectful way?

Dulcie Mccallum, the Ombudsman for the Province of British Columbia, has developed an 15. Are there clear complaint procedures in departments? Are there procedures for actively 'Administrative Fairness Checklist' to help define the kind of issues people should think seeking input for improvements in service? about when they ask "what's fair?" (Ombudsman of British Columbia Annual Report, We have prepared a one-page handout of the checklist and would be happy to pass it on . 1990 and 1993). The checklist can be used when departments review their procedures Please call our office for a copy. with an eye to preventing complaints and giving quality service. It can also be helpful when the Ombuds Office looks at administrative practices that give rise to complaints. PART IV. RECOMMENDATIONS ... The checklist covers many things that go wrong in universities, as well as in government Review and revision of undergraduate academic regulations (Section 16, offices. With permission, we have adapted it to the Concordia context, but the essence Undergraduate Calendar) of the checklist remains Ms. McCallum's.

In March 1993 we issued a special report which described problems and issues concerning the I. Information and Communication: undergraduate academic re-evaluation system. The report recommended a complete 1. Is information available in plain language and an accessible format? Can it be made review of the re-evaluation regulations and procedures, which have not been examined available in alternate formats, such as Braille? for at least 15 years. No action has been taken on this recommendation.

2. In an initial contact, are people given an adequate explanation of the role of the Another long-standing concern is the Code of Conduct (Academic) . Four years ago we department, the employee they're dealing with, policies and procedures? Do staff pointed out a serious problem in the Code that resulted in very inequitable treatment identify themselves clearly? accorded to incidents of plagiarism vs. incidents of cheating . We reco mmended that these regulations be reviewed to address the inconsistency. The recommendation made 3. When-forms are used, is their purpose clear? Are the questions asked on forms appropriate? its way from the Vice-Rector, Academic to the Secretary General, to Legal Counsel, to Are people given immediate copies of any forms they've signed? the Secretary of Senate and the Senate Steering Committee and finally back to the Office of the Vice-Rector, Academic for the consideration of the Academic Programs 4. Is correspondence clear and courteous? Is everyone treated with respect and courtesy? Committee. This has obviously been a convoluted process and, although no one seems 5. Are employees informed about people's right of access to information? Are the definitions of to disagree with the recommendation, to date no action has been taken . confidential information clear? Are individuals' rights to confidentiality of personal One thing that most of the academic regulations which appear in Section 16 of the information respected? Undergraduate Calendar have in common is that no person or committee has overall responsibility for their operation and no procedure exists to review them. When the Ombuds Office or anyone else (such as an appeal committee), points out a problem or II. Facilities and services makes a suggestion to improve practice or procedure, no one quite knows how to deal

6. Are ringing phones answered promptly? Can people leave messages on an answering with it and, eventually, the matter tends to disappear into a black hole. Moreover, no machine? Are messages returned promptly? Can arrangements be made for TDDffiY procedural standards are developed, and no history of decisions is available to people access? Is there a publicized fax number and e-mail address? involved in dealing with analogous cases.

7. Is correspondence answered promptly? Is an acknowledgement sent if a complete We strongly recommend that the University (a) name an individual senior administrator to be response cannot be made within a week or so? responsible, and (b) develop regular review mechanisms for all undergraduate academic regulations. To start, we recommend a comprehensive review of these regulations to 8. If premises are not accessible to disabled people, are there arrangements to offer determine whether they are serving· the University well. services elsewhere?

9. Is the physical plant safe and healthy? Is it designed to respect people's right to privacy?

7 Guidelines for in-class examinations and assignment deferrals Professional suitability

In previous reports, we observed that there was a good system to meet students' needs to A number of graduate and undergraduate programs require students to participate in defer final exams for medical, compassionate or religious reasons, but no comparable internships in schools, libraries, clinical settings and other placement sites outside the system to deal with the same situations when they conflicted with mid-terms and other University. From time to time the Ombuds Office is contacted by the chairs, directors in-course work. We are glad to report that guidelines to address this problem were and internship coordinators of these programs to discuss their reluctance to place approved by Senate last year. However, because guidelines, unlike regulations, are not particular students in internships because of a history of disruptive, unprofessional or published in the University's calendars, there is no simple way to get the information to inappropriate behaviour. The caller is usually worried about balancing the University's students or instructors. We recommend that mechanisms to distribute the guidelines obligation to the student with concern about the well-being of the public or the clients regularly be developed. and employees at the placement site. And, because good placement sites are some­ times hard to come by, people hesitate to jeopardize relationships by placing a student A faculty manual whose behaviour is a problem.

In our 1990-91 report we recommended the development of a faculty manual. The former Usually, these programs lack norms and standards to assess professional suitability. Instead, Vice-Rector Academic, Rose Sheinin, worked on this recommendation but, when she students' performance and progress are usually judged solely on academic criteria, left the University, the file was left incomplete. The need for a faculty manual still exists. which may have little or no relationship to behaviour. Defining professional standards Many academic staff members are not as familiar with University rules, regulations, and creating ways to fairly evaluate whether students meet them is not easy. It is, policies and procedures as they need to be. Moreover, it is often hard to know who to nevertheless, a task that should be undertaken. contact and where specific information can be found. We recommend again that a comprehensive faculty manual be developed, containing information essential to all Course outlines academic staff, in their roles as employees, teachers and researchers. According to academic regulation 16.3.1, instructors are required to provide undergraduate The B Policy Manual students with course "evaluation schemes" in writing . People have different ideas about what this means. Many instructors prepare comprehensive course outlines that include The Ombuds Office has been concerned about the personnel policies in the B Policy Manual reading lists, assignment deadlines, exam dates, late completion and supplemental for many years. A review of these policies will reveal that not only are some legally policies, statements about plagiarism, grading criteria, and other useful information. stale, several are so old as to be irrelevant, and others are unworkable, unclear or open A minority hand out a sheet saying only, for example, that there will be two exams, each to more than one interpretation. A few of the policies still contain language that is not worth 50% . Most instructors would probably agree that written course outlines reduce gender-neutral. the number of misunderstandings, misinterpretations and "missed the class when you

As increasing numbers of University employees are covered by collective agreements, it may said it" problems that otherwise inevitably arise. seem that the manual's importance is waning. At the same time, there will always be a We recommend that the regulation requiring the distribution of course evaluation schemes need for policies governing matters not covered by collective agreements, and there be amended and that course outlines, with some standard kinds of information, be will probably always be some people not covered by union contracts. This means that provided for all courses. the B policy manual still needs attention.

PART V. CONCLUSION Off-campus trips

The Ombuds Office doesn't usually deal with people whose experience with Concordia has been A couple of years ago, the University annulled a policy titled Regulations for University consistently positive. No one comes to the Ombuds Office to say they got an A, unless Sponsorship of Travel Programs. This policy, although outdated, was the only one what they really want is an A+; rarely does anyone visit to say they have the best boss, governing off-campus trips, whether for academic or non-academic purposes. A lot of work in the greatest department, have just taken the most exciting course. But what off-campus trips are organized each year - journeys abroad in connection with courses, makes a sometimes difficult job rewarding is that in dealing with all the problems, we get summer field research, out-of-town varsity games, museum visits to New York, retreats to meet and work with some wonderful people, students, staff and faculty, who want to - to Lacolle, apple-picking excursions for international students, and so on. Cases brought and do - succeed in helping to make the University a fairer place. to the Ombuds Office have led us to question what standards of care should be in

place when students and employees venture off-campus to participate in a University­ Before closing this report, we want to express our thanks to the hundreds of Concordia sponsored trip? What responsibility do the organizers of those trips have to the participants members we dealt with in 1994-95, not only those who brought us their concerns and and the University? What responsibility do participants have to the University and the complaints, but also those who responded to them . We're grateful for your co-operation, organizers for their own safety, security and health? thoughtful analysis of problems, challenging arguments and willingness to listen and to act.

In the absence of any policy, people planning a trip off-campus have no way to easily answer We also want to thank Pat Berger, the Ombuds Office secretary, whose commitment and these questions, nor has the University any way to ensure that proper financial management hard work are so important. Pat is usually the first contact people have with the and safety concerns have been addressed. Clear standards and guidelines and a checklist of Ombuds Office, and her empathy and helpfulness are much appreciated . things for organizers to think about would be helpful. Not everything would apply to every case - an afternoon sugaring-off is very different from a month-long course in South America. But financial accountability, emergency contacts, medical insurance and information about risks and social norms at the destination are some things that should be included.

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