Reflector • April 4, 2019
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FREE April 4, 2019 rtheeflector www.TheReflector.ca MRU is How did Take a Missed every phasing authorities look into game? Here’s out the ignore sexual Pixar’s new what the tradition of violence for SparkShorts Cougars did valedictorians years? program this year (Pg. 4) (Pg. 5) (Pg. 8) (Pg. 15) News Editor Nathan Woolridge news [email protected] SAMRU election debate causes confrontation online Alberta Party candidate Greg Clark called out UCP’s Doug Schweitzer for not attending the debate at MRU Nathan Woolridge News Editor On March 28, SAMRU was The response to Clark’s away. It’s too bad you weren’t attendance were Greg same block as Schweitzer’s, set to host a Calgary-Elbow tweet is where things started told until now,” replied Clark (Alberta Party), Janet invited marchers to his office debate between the ridings’ to get interesting. Schweitzer. He then invited Eremenko (NDP) and Joshua for the “unofficial GSA rally candidates. But, the event “Forums are a great Clark and Eremenko to the Codd (Alberta Liberal Party). after party.” sparked a bit of discussion way to hear directly from Elbow Park School forum He told his Twitter online when Alberta Party voters. Normally, they once again. “Full platforms March to the followers to look for the signs, candidate, Greg Clark, are negotiated between should be out by then.” campaign office which he posted a picture of put a call to action for his campaigns,” says UCP In one last attempt to outside his campaign office. Later on that same day opponents to show up to the candidate, Schweitzer. call out Schweitzer, Clark The signs had messages of as the SAMRU debate, a debate. He then added that the tweeted, “Why won’t you “We support GSAs” and “Join march was organized in “Debates are a great way Elbow Park School forum on be there? What could be our party.” Marda Loop. The march to hear directly from the April 11 and that he hoped more important than talking Early on in the election, it was for support of Gay- candidates asking for your both Clark and Eremenko with [SAMRU] students appears that there is some Straight Alliances. It began vote,” says Clark. “Looking would be able to make it. and sharing how you would tension in the riding of with hundreds of supporters forward to debating [Janet “So you’re cancelling? I’ll represent my neighbours in Calgary-Elbow. Only time meeting in a Safeway Eremenko] and [Doug debate any time, any place. Elbow?” will tell which candidates parking lot and making Schweitzer] tomorrow at And I don’t need permission To which, Clark received will appear at the debate on their way down the street to MRU, hosted by [SAMRU] from my leader,” shot back no reply from the UCP April 11 as we get closer to Schweitzer’s office. at 1 p.m. Hope to see you Clark. candidate. the April 16 election date. Clark, whose office is in the there.” “We let them know right The candidates in Greg Clark (Alberta Party), Janet Eremenko (NDP) and Joshua Codd (Alberta Liberal Party) were the only candidates in attendance while UCP candidate, Doug Schweitzer was unable to attend. Photo courtesy of SAMRU April 4, 2019 • the reflector 3 Ex-Muslim-turned-atheist, Armin Navabi’s MRU event canceled in light of New Zealand terrorist attack Ex-Muslim-turned-atheist, Armin Navabi had his talk on campus cancelled in light of the New Zealand terrorist attack. The university eventually expressed that they made a mistake to cancel the event. Photo courtesy of Armin Navabi Nathan Woolridge News Editor Ex-Muslim-turned- Reaction to attack. There’s a difference where values of freedom of this week as a result of such atheist, Armin Navabi, was between criticizing religion expression and academic a decision.” recently confused when the event’s and going after religious freedom are paramount,” Lesley Brown, Provost his event at MRU was cancellation people.” says a statement from MRU. and Vice-President, cancelled. Navabi’s talk is centered In the statement, Academic also weighed Navabi was not impressed In a statement, MRU cites around his struggle with President David Docherty in on the importance of with the university’s that the event was cancelled growing up with his Islamic mentions that he soon the conversation in the decision to cancel his talk. because “Last week, a faith. He has openly talked won’t be the university’s statement. “What do they want? terrible act of terrorism about attempting suicide at president. He reflects “When a speaker is Do you want to have less occurred in Christchurch, the age of 12. by saying, “Sometimes invited to campus, we conversation? Isn’t less New Zealand. Many As a result, he eventually decisions made within a must always consider conversation exactly what students and employees left his Islamic faith behind particular unit seem right that we are providing an leads to people having especially Muslim students and became an atheist. He from one perspective and opportunity to engage in extreme radical positions?” and employees — are shares his story through while they may be right scholarly dialogue and says Navabi. suffering as a result. these talks and in his for some members of when we provide a speaker The website, Friendly “To start the healing, a podcast and book. our community, they are a platform, we must be Atheist, wrote a column vigil was held last Thursday not right for others. This mindful that we have a stating that the decision on campus, with more than Did the dichotomy can exist within responsibility to give that to cancel the event was 150 in attendance.” individuals as well; as person an opportunity to “bizarre.” university make The university says that humans, we are complex speak.” The authour of the the presentation was to a mistake? and multi-faceted and a “When we cancel or piece, Hemant Mehta take place on Thursday, Once Navabi’s event part of us may feel one postpone an invited writes, “Navabi may be which fell on the same day was cancelled on campus, way about an issue, while speaker, we remove the controversial, but there’s as the scheduled vigil. the university was made another part of us feels ability to engage in that no reason to think his “As an atheist, Navabi aware that they had made a differently. This is what it dialogue. For faculty, this is talk would have been speaks of tolerance for mistake. means to be human. a compromise to academic disrespectful or insensitive those who share a lack of “It was the wrong “We experienced this freedom,” says Brown. toward the victims of the belief in gods,” says MRU. decision for a university, dichotomy on our campus 4 the reflector • April 4, 2019 THE REFLECTOR Issue 13, Volume 57 EDITORIAL STAFF: Publishing Editor: Colin MRU phasing out the Macgillivray Managing Editor: Ivar Bergs News Editor: Nathan Woolridge Features Editor: Rosemary J. De Souza tradition of valedictorians at Arts Editor: Karina Zapata Sports Editor: Dan Khavkin Photo Editor: Sam Nar Layout Editor: Andi Endruhn Web Editor: Nathan Kunz convocation STAFF WRITERS: Sarah Green, Ryleigh Kampman, Riggs Zyrille Vergara, Alec Warkentin CONTRIBUTORS: Mackenzie Gellner COVer: Illustration by Andi Endruhn The Reflector, with an on- and off- campus circulation of 5,000, is the independent voice of the students of Mount Royal University. It is published fortnightly during the academic year (Sept. to April). The Reflector is editorially autonomous and financially independent from all other governing bodies at Mount Royal University. The Reflector welcomes newsworthy submissions from all students and community members. While the right of editorial comment is reserved for editors of The Reflector, opinion pieces may be submitted as letters to the editor, and may be published on the editorial page as such. The Reflector reserves the right not to publish submissions deemed by the Publishing Editor to be offensive. Complaints arising from the content of the paper should be directed to the Ombudsboard. This board has been established as a mediator Fall 2018 valedictorian Alexandra Daignault is the last Mount Royal Valedictorian to speak at convocation. She hopes between the Reflector Publications future Centennial Gold Award recipients may still get a chance to address their cohorts. Photo courtesy of MRU Society staff and its readership. All decisions of the Ombudsboard Ryleigh Kampman are final and binding on both parties. Letters to the Ombudsboard Staff Writer must be sent in confidence, care of the Reflector Publications Society, For years, many MRU criteria from MRU also stated greater importance in selecting will feature one Centennial to the Reflector Publications Society alumni have a distinct that “candidates should have the most accomplished Gold Medal recipient for each office. memory of their graduating strong public speaking skills.” nominee.” credit faculty. Submissions and letters to the editor should be a maximum of class’ valedictorian sending A statement from Associate These changes took place As for the process, it will 500 words, typed, double-spaced, them off at convocation. Vice-President, Enrolment on Nov. 22, 2018, a decision remain largely the same. and contain the writer’s name Usually, an inspiring address Management & Registrar, made by the GFC Student “The recipients will attend and phone number. No unsigned letters will be published. Only in to commemorate all the blood, has indicated a change to Awards Committee. Plans for either the Spring or Fall exceptional cases, at the discretion sweat and tears students have student acknowledgment at this transition were seeded in convocation ceremonies. The of the Publishing Editor, will put into their expensive piece convocation — the criteria are previous discussions during award will be presented to writers’ names be withheld.