Harness the Computer Within

October 27, 2005 Vol. 41 No. 29 The University of Western Ontario’s newspaper of record http://communications.uwo.ca/westernnews PM 41195534

VIEWPOINT TO THE RESCUE FULL OF PRIDE A few hours and the right When wrestling with the Canada’s only university gay attitude are all it takes really big mysteries in life, and lesbian library is bigger, to show girls Computer who are you going to call? brighter and more colourful Science is fun. The humanities, of course. than ever.

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Halloween Haunting

Karmen Dowling, Western News Emma Masic (left) and Tammy Ross take a break from serving at the Tim Hortons in the Natural Sciences’ Nucleus. The main servery and Tim Hortons have been decorated by supervisor Marta Valovcik. One of the many decorations is a Dracula bobblehead.

Largest fall Harness the computer within graduation B Y D AHLIA R EICH puter Science at Western where have learned to synthesize DNA would be capable of storing bil- she holds a Canada Research and encode genetic information, lions of times more data than a You may not know it but within Chair in biocomputing. which is done routinely. personal computer, says Kari. takes stage each of us lurks a super com- What’s emerging, she says, is In biocomputing, scientists - “If you want to encode the same puter. the exciting potential for biocom- - instead of encoding genetic amount of information that can be Western’s largest fall convoca- Hidden within our tiniest struc- puting to develop “smart drugs” information -- are experimenting put into five grams of DNA in a tion is set for today and tomorrow. tures, it intricately calculates and that would target disease and with encoding DNA with numeri- litre of water, you would need The 285th convocation will see computes massive amounts of change the practise of medicine. cal information. The DNA is something like 150 hectares of almost 1,800 students cross the information at tremendous speed “The main contribution of bio- then manipulated using various the latest hard disk technology. stage in Alumni Hall to be hooded without the push of a single but- computing research is to point enzymes which act to “cut and It’s a completely different ball and receive their degrees. ton. out the fact that computer sci- paste” the strands, explains Kari, game.” Three ceremonies will take This natural nano-computer is ence and biology -- or life and There is no mechanical device. It In June, Kari brought 150 place over the two days and West- DNA, the material from which computation -- are interrelated. all happens in a test tube. experts from around the world ern will confer honorary degrees our genes are made. And at the You can do computation biologi- “One can prove, and we have to Western to share the latest on Shanthi Radcliffe, Richard University of Western Ontario, cally. It’s a phenomenal break- done it here, that you can simulate research on DNA computing. Monette and Ronald Logan. Ear- researchers are attempting to through that may lead to revolu- any operation that is performed “The most important thing is lier this month Hong Kong busi- harness its power and revolution- tionary changes which, frankly, I by an electronic computer using not that we can possibly build a ness leader Simon Leung received ize information technology. cannot even envisage because of a combination of cut and paste smaller, faster or more powerful an honorary degree at the first Biocomputing describes sci- the scope of possibility.” operations,” says Kari, who col- computer. In my mind, the most all-faculty convocation held in entific research that is looking at Put simply, DNA is a chemical laborates with Western research- important thing is that we can do Hong Kong. how biology does computation and found primarily in the nucleus of ers in biology, computer science, DNA computing at all. The main Among those graduating today to what extent DNA can be used cells that forms strands of beads biochemistry and biochemical thing is that it’s biological and are two individuals who have both to devise a new kind of computer. and carries massive amounts of engineering. therefore it can interact with the excelled in academics while also But the burgeoning field promises information necessary for mak- So far, DNA has been used to biological entity that is your body. having to jump a number of hur- to do much more than that, says ing all the structures and materi- solve only rudimentary mathe- That is the key feature and that, dles – one, literally and the other, world-renown researcher Lila als the body needs to function. matical problems, but if a DNA to me, is where the excitement personally. For their stories, Kari, associate professor of Com- Through research, scientists computer can be developed, it lies.” see pages 8 & 9.

CAMPUS DIGEST Ivey incentive helping

FLU SHOT CLINIC: It’s flu season once again and Western’s Workplace Health and the Staff/Faculty Family Practice Clinic are offering immunization clinics for staff and faculty in the UW campaign ‘step it up’ Health Services Resource Centre (Room 32, UCC). Clinics are scheduled for Nov. 4, 10, 18 and 25 from 9 a.m to 4 p.m. each day. Appointments are not required but you must bring your B Y P AUL M AYNE Western to come out and help health card. Additional days will be added as needed. raise much needed funds for the With about $72,000 raised London community. LAST CHANCE: The university plans to publish a paper ver- towards Western’s $400,000 A unique incentive in this sion of the telephone directory in December. To do so, it will United Way campaign goal, and year’s United Way campaign is use the database from which the online directory is derived. an Ivey family financial incentive a Leadership Challenge Grant So, is your information correct? Faculty and staff are encour- for individuals to further boost made possible by London philan- aged to check the online directory to ensure all personal, office contributions, campus fundrais- thropists Richard and Beryl Ivey. and other information is correct and to report any required ing should hit a fever pitch over To increase the number of leader- changes. The deadline for changes is only one week away. the next few weeks. ship gifts -- $1,000 or more -- the There are still two days left Ivey’s enticement will provide ANNIVERSARY: The Western Faculty Association is marking for pledge-signers who want a up to an additional $100,000 in its 50th anniversary with a special symposium on Nov. 4. Speak- shot at Early Bird prizes on cam- matching funds. ers include Training, Colleges and Universities Minister Christ pus. Pledge forms submitted by A new personal gift of $1,000 or Bentley, President Paul Davenport, Ontario Confederation of the end of Friday (Oct. 28) will more will be matched dollar-for- University Faculty Associations President Michael Doucet, be entered into a draw for items dollar, and for existing leaders the Canadian Association of University Teachers President Loretta such as lunch at Michael’s, an grant will match the portion of an Czernis and others. The event is scheduled for 1:30 p.m. to 4 overnight stay at Windermere increase exceeding 10 per cent p.m. in Room 1R40 of Ivey School of Business. Manor and numerous gift cer- over the previous year’s gift. tificates. For more information on West- OPEN HOUSE: The PMA is holding an open house Nov. 3. Just around the corner is one ern’s United Way campaign, visit Members are encouraged to drop by Room 351, UCC, 9:30 a.m. of the largest fundraisers for http://unitedway.uwo.ca. to 3:30 p.m. to visit with members of the executive or com- the United Way, in which many For downloadable pledge forms mittees. Check out the Web site at www.uwo.ca/pma for more Western representatives will be for the general campaign and the details. taking part. The 2005 Incredible Incredible StairClimb, go to www. StairClimb is set for November uwlondon.on.ca. OUA TITLES: For the first time, the men’s baseball team and 3 at One London Place, London’s the women’s golf team squads have won OUA championships. tallest building. The Mustangs swept the OUA baseball championship over President Paul Davenport, Brock Badgers at Labatt Park with catcher and OUA MVP, Ben campaign chair for the London Rich being named the OUA Championship Series MVP. Women & Middlesex campaign, has been golfers won the inaugural 2005 OUA women’s golf champion- ‘stepping it up’ the last few weeks ship by a comfortable 20 strokes over second place Toronto. in preparation for lacing up his Sue Gleeson, who was the Gold Medalist and made the First All running shoes to make the trek Star Team, led the Mustangs charge on the greens to the top of One London Place. He encourages everyone from SHARIA LAW: Former Ontario Attorney General Marion Boyd will present the next lecture in Western Law’s Distinguished Speaker Series. Boyd, author of the report, “Dispute Resolution in Family Law: Protecting Choice, Promoting Inclusion,” will present the topic: “Sharia Law and Private Religious-Based Arbitration in Ontario” on Wednesday, Nov. 2, at 12:30 p.m. in the Moot Court Room.

BOBBLEHEAD: It didn’t take long. An autographed Andy Fantuz bobblehead doll distributed at Saturday’s football game where Fantuz set a CIS record for receptions has made it to eBay. Last we looked it had reached $49 (U.S.). Fantuz, who already held the CIS career mark for receiving yards and touchdown receptions, hauled in ﬁve passes to break the record as Western defeated Queen’s 50-29. Western won a bye and its ﬁrst playoff game is Nov. 5 at TD Waterhouse Stadium.

KOATS FOR KIDS: Western’s Campus Community Police Ser- vice is again teaming up to ensure children in London are warm this winter. The annual Koats for Kids campaign, initiated by the Boys and Girls Club of London, needs all sorts of winter gear – from coats, hats and mittens to scarves and boots – with particular attention to babies and young children. Campus police are collecting items now through November. Drop off Items at the police trailer just outside the main police station.

WALK FOR AWARENESS: Western’s 2005 Walk for Awareness in support of the Canadian Breast Cancer Foundation is scheduled for Sunday at 2 p.m. Participants in the fourth annual walk travel a planned route with three stops serving as stations to learn about breast cancer, meet a breast cancer survivor and share knowledge in a game setting. Registration begins at 2 p.m. in the main lounge of Saugeen-Maitland Hall. There is a $5 registration fee. Contact Lauren McCarthy Nagler at [email protected].

GRADUATE SCHOOL FAIR: Students exploring options for graduate or professional school should attend Western’s Graduate and Professional School Fair Nov. 2 and 3 in the UCC Atrium and Centrespot Lounge. The Student Develop- ment Centre, with USC support, is presenting 96 educational recruiting exhibits (48 each day). Exhibitors represent a wide array of graduate and professional schools and programs (including Western’s) from Canada, the U.S, and abroad. For a list of participants by day and category, visit www.sdc.uwo.ca/career/students/paths.html?GradStudent. WESTERN NEWS OCT O B E R 2 7 3 Western apologizes for privacy breach

B Y K ARMEN D OWLING needed. Western Legal Counsel, ages childbearing for those who versity colleges and Continuing ■ 2000-4999 Stephen Jarrett, will be attending choose ‘dual careers’ appears Studies will prepare lists with Senior-level undergraduate Western deeply regrets an inva- the SOGS meeting (Oct. 27) at 6 to dissuade entry into academic new course numbering to be courses sion of privacy for 1,000 graduate p.m. to address concerns. And careers, as well as a perceived introduced in December 2006. ■ 5000-5999 students and will assist students we may have a separate forum “chilly climate” in some medical “Some subject areas don’t Professional degree courses encountering difficulties on a with him another time, if people specialties. have enough numbers avail- in Dentistry, Education, Law and case-by-case basis, Provost and still feel there is a need after the Weedon acknowledged the con- able to use the range of course Medicine Vice President (Academic) Fred session.” cerns. numbers effectively or to add ■ 6000-6999 Longstaffe told Senate last week. Longstaffe told Senate that “I think the University commu- new courses,” says Jeff Tennant, Courses offered by Continuing The breach happened when Western, with the help of its nity needs to reflect on why this is Chair of the Senate Committee Studies documents containing names, legal counsel, will deal with any and what might be done about it,” on Academic Policy and Awards ■ 7000-8999 social insurance numbers and issues that arise on a case-by-case says Weedon. “A year and a half (SCAPA). “Another gain by doing Not yet designated Ontario Graduate Scholarship basis. ago there was a university-wide this is the new system will come ■ 9000-9999 results were posted on an unse- “We won’t stand aside and let symposium that considered what in line with other universities Graduate Studies courses cured part of the Faculty of Grad- these students deal with this on the barriers were to women wish- where first year courses begin uate Studies website. their own,” stressed Longstaffe. ing to pursue academic careers in with the number one.” Tennant notes a default for The data was removed from Meanwhile, Western is for- science and engineering. A report Tennant says Western’s use of departments that don’t want to the site after being up from Sep- mally requesting that the Ontario on that symposium, along with a 100-level course numbering for completely change numbering tember 23 to October 7 and it Graduate Scholarship program series of recommendations can second year courses is often puz- is to add one extra number (such remained in a cached version stop using social insurance num- be found at www.uwo.ca/wcwi/ zling, so the change will eliminate as 1, 2, 3, or 4) in front of the old through Google until October 15. bers for student identification in conference/index.htm.” confusion. number. A letter had been sent to the the future. Weedon adds that his office con- Departments and programs are By spring 2006, the suggestions students saying the school cannot tinues to look for ways to encour- expected to decide on thorough will be available to be checked identify the 14 different users FEMALES STRUGGLE age and facilitate implementation renumbering of courses based on prior to final approval. The num- who accessed the information. of the recommendations. the specified format: ber changes will likely be fully Service Canada was contacted WITH FAMILY ISSUES implemented, on the system (i.e. but informed the school that they The proportion of female fac- NEW COURSE ■ 0001-0999 PeopleSoft), in the calendar and do not grant new SIN numbers ulty has increased more than 40 NUMBERING Pre-university level on student transcripts for the unless this is fraud. Western’s per cent at Western in the last introductory courses 2008/09 school year. legal counsel says the school has three years, Alan Weedon, Vice- In the next few weeks, Western ■ 1000-1999 done what it can to minimize Provost (Policy, Planning and faculties, schools, affiliated uni- Year 1 courses damage. Faculty), told Senate members. Service Canada recommends However, he says Western is still those students contact the two significantly behind other G-10 major credit reporting agencies, universities. Equifax (1-800-465-7166) and Of concern is that women are TransUnion (1-877-525-3823) to more likely to resign than men Know some great staff? discuss whether a fraud alert – the biggest reason being family should be placed on the credit issues. B Y A LISON F ORD and foster the values of integrity at a recognition event being held file and what other steps are Schulich School of Medicine and respect. Now is your oppor- in February, 2006. required. Other safety measures & Dentistry Dean Carol Herbert Nominations are being accepted tunity to express gratitude and This award was developed and advice can be found at the raised a related concern – that for a new staff award: the West- appreciation for these staff mem- through a consultative process Privacy Commissioner’s Web site large numbers of women leave ern Award of Excellence. ber’s hard work and to nominate initiated by the Staff Recognition at: www.ipc.on.ca. for family reasons between grad- Western has a new award them for Western’s highest form Task Force that started work in Society of Graduate Students uate studies and their first faculty designed to recognize the tremen- of campus-wide recognition. September of 2004. Member- President, Patricia Dalton, says position. dous work staff perform each and To submit a nomination for The ship of the newly formed Western this is a serious matter and they “There is much data nation- every day in support of providing Western Award of Excellence, Award of Excellence Selection have explored every avenue. ally and internationally about the the best student experience. download a form at www.uwo.ca/ Committee can be seen at www. “While it has been a difficult drop-off after PhD and PDF by The Western Award of Excel- pvp/recognition/nomination.htm. uwo.ca/pvp/recognition/selec- situation, there have been no inci- women,” says Herbert. “I know lence recognizes exemplary Please note that staff, faculty, stu- tion_committee.htm dents of fraud that we know of,” in Science/Medicine we are very service by both individuals and dents, alumni and the community For further information please says Dalton. “The university has concerned about this.” teams of staff who demonstrate may make a nomination by the contact Monica Pease, Staff Rec- handled it quite fairly and has She suggests the lack of flexi- creativity and innovation, share deadline of December 2, 2005. ognition office at ext. 82727. given us access to information we bility in early career that discour- their knowledge and expertise The awards will be presented Are you getting a flu shot this year?

Ashley Thompson Ryan Bradshaw Lionel Nkuurunziza Mallory Crozier Claire Watts Third-year, Ivey Third-year, ECS First-year, Political Science Second-year, ACS Second year, Food & Nutrition “I’ve never gotten a flu shot before, even though “I normally do. I have asthma so if I get a cold or “It’s really not a big concern to me. I used to get “I probably won’t get it because I’m too lazy. I (Brescia) my mom always says I should. I just never seem the flu it tends to be a lot worse than normal. I’ll them way back in elementary school, but not really don’t get the flu but I’m sure if I ever do I’ll “I don’t get it. I see the flu shot as something to get around to it. Perhaps this year I’ll finally definitely be getting a flu shot again this year.” lately. I think I’m pretty immune, plus I’m more be yelling at myself for not getting the shot.” for those in the higher risk groups, such as the get it.” concerned about my mid-terms right now.” elderly or children. So, I won’t be getting one this year.” 4 OCT O B E R 2 7 , 2 0 0 5 WESTERN NEWS

THE WAY WE WERE: 1934

Contributed by Alan Noon Photo at left: London Museum of Archeology At right: JJ Talman Collection/Western Archives

Western President Sherwood Fox had become interested in the work of two area amateur archeologists, Amos and his son Wilfred Jury who had amassed an impressive collection of native artifacts from the surrounding area. Upon completion of the Lawson Memorial Library in 1934, this collection was donated to the university and given space in the new building. In 1946 the collection was officially named “The Museum of Indian Archeology and Pioneer Life” and Wilf was appointed curator. VIEWPOINT Helping girls become computer scientists Falling female enrol- graduates were female, which active female roles. The authors volunteer from Western or IBM “I never knew mostly all jobs dropped from 24.4 per cent in discuss a study in which high to create a website. This activity use computers. And how easy it ment in Computer Sci- 2002. We have been making a school girls were asked the ques- is designed to achieve several was to make a website! Tracy ence can be turned concerted effort to increase the tion “Why are girls less likely goals: to give girls a chance to was awesome. I had a wonderful number of women in our pro- to pursue computer science meet a woman working in an IT time.” around by mentoring grams through outreach activi- careers?” related job or studying computer At Parkview, before the work- girls before they leave ties and by addressing the needs The top three answers, in science; to have them succeed at shop, girls responded to the of our existing female students. order of significance, were a computer related task; to show question: “Are you considering a elementary school, says However, a major problem ■ Not enough role models them that working with comput- career in technology?” in the fol- Maia Hoeberechts, a is that by the time girls reach ■ Women have other interests ers can be fun; and to illustrate lowing proportions: PhD candidate in Com- high school, they are already ■ Didn’t know about the indus- that working with computers Yes: 19 No: 20 Maybe: 2 I opting out of some math and try involves teamwork. At the end of don’t know: 2 puter Science. science courses. It is not uncom- The problem of sparking girls’ the workshop, each group pres- After the workshop (just three mon for a high school computer interest in computer science is ents their website using a data hours later) here is how they The Computer Science depart- science class of 25 students to challenging and widespread, but projector. answered the question “Will you ment is proud to be involved with have only one or two girls in it. one thing is clear - reaching girls To participate as a volunteer now consider a career in technol- IBM to run a Women in Technol- When choosing a study area at before they make course choices is an amazing experience. The ogy?” ogy Chapter. The purpose of this university, the majority of young in high school is very important girls are enthusiastic and quickly Yes: 40 No: 2 Maybe: 1 program is to visit elementary women are not considering so that they can be encouraged learn how to complete the web Studies have consistently schools and provide a web page computer science as an option. to leave doors open to a career in page. A secondary function of found that mentoring is an design workshop for grade 7 and Canada, in its efforts to become a information technology. this program is that it has given important factor in increasing 8 girls. world leader in technology, could In 1999, IBM established the Western’s female students and young women’s interest and con- Started in 2003-2004, the benefit greatly from adding Women in Technology local chap- staff a chance to meet each fidence in using computers. response to the school visits has many more women to its pool of ters. The purpose is to visit local other and women from IBM and We are hoping that in the com- been overwhelmingly positive. skilled technology workers. The elementary schools and run a to work together. This is also a ing years, when girls we have The motivation stems from dilemma facing universities and half-day web page design work- mentoring opportunity for our met on our trips reach univer- an alarming trend observed in colleges is how to attract more shop with all the grade 7 and 8 students since undergraduates sity, we will have helped open recent years concerning enrol- women to information technol- girls. work alongside graduate stu- the possibility of a career in ment of female students in com- ogy related programs when girls There are over 100 chapters dents and women in industry computer science. In the mean- puter science programs at West- are already opting out in high around the world and, since 1999, careers. time, the volunteers are looking ern and other North American school? IBM and its university partners There are 11 volunteers from forward to meeting more enthu- universities. The roots of the problem lie in have reached over 250,000 young IBM and 29 volunteers from siastic young people who have Despite widespread efforts to the socialization of young girls, women. Western’s chapter is a Western in the program. So far, the potential to be tomorrow’s encourage girls to study math and their experiences in elemen- cooperative effort between IBM we have visited six elementary technology leaders. and science in high school, and tary schools with computers London and the Western com- schools in the London area: This article, which first to encourage young women to and gender roles. Most kids gain puter science department. Parkview (Komoka), Jack Cham- appeared in Interface, a journal choose science, math and tech- their first computer experience Workshops begin with a short bers, Tweedsmuir, Orchard Park, of the Department of Computer nology related disciplines in uni- through playing games. presentation about careers in Riverside and Oxbow (Ilderton). Science, is reprinted with per- versity, the proportion of women A recent study reports that information technology and The girls complete an evalu- mission. For information about graduating from computer sci- in a sample of 100 video arcade discussion of women in the his- ation which helps us gauge the Women in Technology, or to ask ence has been decreasing over games, 92 per cent did not tory of computer science, and impact of the program. The about setting up a school visit, the past 20 years. include any female roles, six per then everyone participates in a response has been extremely please contact Maia Hoebere- At Western, in 2004, 14.7 per cent had “damsel in distress” trivia game. The girls then work positive – for example, one girl chts, Department of Computer cent of the computer science roles, and only two per cent had in groups of four or five with a from a recent visit commented Science, [email protected] WESTERN NEWS OCT O B E R 2 7 , 2 0 0 5 5

COMMENTARY More than a cocktail party

B Y R ICK L IVINGSTON ing the cocktail-party cliché, I’ve grown-up conversation, in which had to consider how to convey the curiosity and respect can lead to In any introductory humanities value of the humanities without self-discovery and mutual illumi- The writer course, there is an elephant-in- resorting to divine intervention. nation. Rick Livingston is associate director of the-room question. I try to wait Luckily my position as associ- At their best, the Big Ideas the Institute for Collaborative Research at least three weeks into the term ate director of a humanities insti- classes get students involved in and Public Humanities and a senior before asking my students to tute on my campus has allowed such conversations. Our course lecturer in comparative studies at Ohio State University at Columbus. This arti- face it squarely: Why study the me to experiment with alterna- on evil, for instance, picked up on cle is published with the permission of humanities? tive ways of engaging students President Bush’s use of a morally Chronicles of Higher Education. The students’ first response, in humanistic inquiry. One of the charged vocabulary (the “axis of course, is because they have institute’s missions is to bring of evil”) to orient U.S. foreign to. Most of my courses fulfill one students and faculty members policy. We brought in four guest cussion of war and peace dur- of the general-education require- together outside traditional class- speakers: a philosopher, a his- ing the run-up to the invasion of ments and I usually have a healthy room settings, as an antidote to torian of religion, a theologian, Iraq, we find ourselves trying mix of precocious freshmen and the sometimes intimidating expe- and a judge. Then students talked hard to make sense of the world procrastinating seniors. rience of attending one of the about personal experiences with together. If I go on to ask why the stu- country’s largest universities. evil, ranging from anger to sexual I’ve thought a lot about what dents think the university has Over the years we’ve learned abuse, and about evil in the world makes the courses work. The top- such requirements, they are that it is in such information set- – including terrorism and the ics belong to no one field: Differ- initially baffled. After trying tings that students often begin to Holocaust. Nothing was resolved, ent disciplines may contribute out a few wiseacre responses tie together the different subjects of course, but the students got a perspectives to the issues we (“Because they want our tuition they’ve been studying. Connect- clearer sense of the necessity - cover, but when faced with the money!”), they almost always say ing the dots allows them to get and the difficulty - of making such problem of evil, for instance, we – wait for it – that the humanities a larger picture of the education distinctions. are all amateurs. We use no set help you make small talk at cock- they’ve been receiving. That’s … they almost always In our course on cities, we body of material, and students’ tail parties. why we’ve come up with a pro- began by talking about the places own experiences and examples With any luck we go on to talk gram we call (only half-jokingly) say – wait for it – that where we had grown up, and how often become common points of seriously about common knowl- Big Ideas. the humanities help they had changed over our life- reference. edge and cultural expectations. Here’s how it works: Each times. We met with an architect to Each course is for one aca- But the cocktail party comment quarter we choose a topic big you make small talk at talk about high rises and skylines. demic credit - enough to make the tends to hang in the air like sec- enough to accommodate a range cocktail parties. Ideas about consumerism and students take the class seriously; ondhand smoke, clouding the of approaches and cover more sustainability became the focus but the grade is pass or fail, so intellectual atmosphere. It sug- than one discipline. Past exam- of a class with an urban planner, students don’t need to demon- gests that our primary subject is ples include evil, passion, war, about ideas. What’s wrong with and a sociologist talked with us strate mastery of a subject. To petty snobbery and chitchat. The and cities. We invite both faculty these kids?” about the effects of globalization keep the atmosphere informal, comment is a cliché, obviously, members and outside guests to But conversation about ideas on the shape of cities. Students we meet in a dining hall rather but one I have to confront every have dinner with students and seldom happens naturally, and learned a vocabulary for talking than a classroom. And mixing up year. give us their thoughts about the nowadays it is rarer than ever. about the changes they can see faculty members with outside Thinking about the cliché sent topics. Brief presentations are As historians of talk like The- happening in their neighborhoods guests shows that ideas can live me back to T.S. Eliot’s 1950 play, followed by open conversation, odore Zeldin and Peter Burke as well as in the world at large. off campus, too. The Cocktail Party. Eliot portrays with students taking the lead in have observed, conversation is Inevitably, there is a certain Maybe the most unexpected social life as a series of hypoc- raising questions and respond- not a spontaneous outpouring of amount of overlap among the ses- lesson of Big Ideas, however is risies, deceptions and embar- ing. well-formed sentences. It is a spe- sions; predictably, discussions that professors appreciate mak- rassments, redeemable only by Although we do bring in some cific form of social behavior, with sometimes meander and leave the ing conversation, too. It can be religious conversion. Theological of the best teachers at the uni- its own settings, tacit rules, and topic altogether. But most of the tough to step out of the comfort insight alone, the play suggests, versity, the goal of Big Ideas is strategies. Like any social skill, it sessions include a moment when zones of our expertise, to let go can help us endure the unending not really to teach the students improves with practice. some of the students catch fire of disciplinary jargon. But the round of mannered niceties that specific facts. It is to give them Students today have few and carry the rest of us forward, opportunity to speak, not as a pro- make up an ordinary life. practice in taking ideas seriously chances to practice serious talk- or when someone gets the idea of fessional to novices, but as a citi- My students tend to shut down and to allow them to experience ing. Our most visible examples dialogical inquiry and asks more, zen with other (albeit younger) when I start talking about their interesting conversations. of conversation come from TV: and better, questions. Sometimes citizens, can be liberating. souls, or they consult the syllabus You’re probably thinking: the political debate that is little students discover that their intu- It’s not just a cocktail party to see whether I’ve included a “Shouldn’t they be doing that on more than a shouting match, and itions don’t match their convic- - and that, I think, is the main conversion experience among the their own? When I was in college, the celebrity interview. What tions. Most interesting, however point. course requirements. In confront- we would stay up late talking students lack is experience with are the times when, as in the dis-

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IN PROFILE: ION INCULET Positive force in the Faculty of Engineering

B Y K ARMEN D OWLING Name: Ion Inculet Ion Inculet has been having Age: 84 positive and, for that matter, neg- Born: Romania ative effects in the Faculty of Education: BESc’44 (Polytechnic Uni- Engineering at Western for more versity in Bucharest), MESc’62 (Laval than 40 years. University), Honorary Doctorate in The 84 year-old Director of the Technical Sciences 1993 (Polytechnic University) and Honorary Doctorate of Applied Electrostatics Research Science 1996 (Western). Centre is the resident electro- Position: Director, Applied Electrostat- statics guru with 27 patents to ics Research Centre and Professor of his name. He is in his second Electrical and Computer Engineering year of a four-year appointment Teaching area: Undergraduate courses and hands-down master of using until retirement, then graduate course positive and negative electrical in Electrostatics, now supervises grad- charges to improve industrial and uate students personal environments. Experience: Began in industry at Canadian General Electric Company Inculet retired from teach- as Manager of Engineering; became ing at 75 but refused Professor interested in academic life and came Emeritus status, which allows to Western in 1964 professors to apply for special Interests: likes to swim, golf, play grants. He says through his post- the violin (although a little rusty) and retirement research, he contin- enjoys classical music and spending ues to be supported by the Nat- time at his cottage. ural Sciences and Engineering Research Council (NSERC) which has helped to fund his work since ary, including individuals from arriving at Western in 1964. chemical, electrical, mechanical and materials science and geo- “When I joined the Faculty of Karmen Dowling, Western News Engineering at the time, there technical engineering. were about 11 professors and Ion Inculet is at home in the Applied Electrostatics Research Centre Lab in the Faculty of Engineering. While Inculet has performed hardly any research,” says Incu- research work for and worked let. “A professor in Chemical with more than 26 companies Engineering submitted a project graduate students. He put an ad ticles were charged they would jan Technologies in London. The around the world, was a NASA to the Department of Health to in the paper and got an answer adhere to the automobile. The effi- process involves sterilization of consultant on lunar and Martian study the Electrostatic Proper- from Peter Castle, an engineer ciency increased to about 90 per water using ozone gases, rather explorations and has published ties of particle matter and he got at Northern Electric in Ottawa. cent, delivering tremendous sav- than chlorine. There is concern more than 100 articles in journals, a very substantial grant. He was Inculet says Castle made excep- ings. It could cost more to paint chlorine may react with a tar he finds time for family – although looking for some help and I didn’t tional contributions to this field. the car than build its engine. used to connect waterlines, gen- many of them have strong West- know much about it other than He retired last year but continues The same technology can ‘paint’ erating a potential carcinogenic. ern credentials. the basics; I was interested and to work with Inculet. trees. By charging particles, cov- In Europe the preferred system is He is married with three chil- started to work with him.” Inculet’s research, develop- erage efficiency is improved for ozone, an oxidant that kills bacte- dren and six grandchildren. His Soon after, the lead researcher ment and consulting work has spraying in orchards, wheat fields ria as effectively as chlorine. daughter Diana is an assistant left Western and the Inculet took reached into agriculture, mining, and forests. Currently, ozone is created in professor in Civil Engineering over the project. A key conference environment (air, water and soil) A London company, Plasep, was an ozone generator then trans- and her husband is a professor at in France at the time produced a and space applications. born from the research of Incu- ported to a water tower that has the Ivey School of Business. Son book that changed Inculet’s per- More than 15 years ago, Incu- let and his team. Electrostatics to be sterilized. Ozone bubbles Richard is Chair of the Division of spective and became the basis of let’s work made it to the auto- allows workers to separate differ- at the bottom of the tower and Thoracic Surgery. Richard’s son a lot of the work in electrostat- mobile industry. Before electro- ent plastics for recycling. Inculet those gas bubbles go up through Clayton is in second year in Civil ics. “The Physics of Electrostatic statics, automobiles were painted says 99 per cent separation can tower and come in contact with Engineering. Forces” laid the foundation of with a mechanical sprayer, with be achieved. Plasep is managed bacteria and kills it. Inculet has Inculet credits his zest for sci- possibilities for electrostatics, a transfer efficiency of about 30 by former faculty member and developed a new process so ozone ence to “my genes” and the folks says Inculet, who refers to it as per cent -- meaning 70 per cent of researcher James Brown. does not need to bubble through in Engineering can expect to see the research bible. the paint didn’t get on the car. A major project is Ozone gen- the water. him reporting to his lab for a long At the time, Inculet did not have Inculet found if the paint par- eration, and working with Tro- The centre is multi-disciplin- time yet.

�� Call 672-5999 �� WESTERN NEWS OCT O B E R 2 7 , 2 0 0 5 7 “ Science in wings as acclaimed play opens

People were talking about the end of physics. Relativity and quantum looked as if they were going to clean out the whole problem between them. A theory of everything. But they only explained the very big and the very small. The universe, the elementary particles. The ordinary-sized stuff which is our lives, the things people write poetry about—clouds—daffodils—waterfalls—and what happens in a cup of coffee when the cream goes in— these things are full of mystery, as mysterious to us as the heavens were to the Greeks.

- dialogue, Tom Stoppard’s play Arcadia

old math genius, the second law of directorial effort will throw light cal and scientific concepts that talk focusing on such topics as Come early for a thermodynamics, at least one love on some complex themes that demonstrate parallels within the Fermat’s Last theorem, chaos triangle, a battle between classi- blend the past with the present various characters’ lives. theory and fractals or the sec- unique helping cism and romanticism, landscape and examines issues in science Devereux admits that Arcadia ond law of thermodynamics. The gardening and late 20th century and art among other things. does offer challenges to an audi- play can be appreciated without hand with the sleuthing? The play takes place in one ence. For example, few people this background knowledge, but “ You get Tom Stoppard’s play room but alternates between the would be familiar with both the the mathematical and scientific science behind Arcadia. beginning of the nineteenth cen- work and life of Byron as well as concepts enrich the appreciation From October 28 to November tury with one set of characters chaos theory. of the characters’ actions and 5 this play, which is often con- and the end of the twentieth cen- In order to help bridge that gap, dialogue, even the set is integral Arcadia sidered Stoppard’s best, will be tury with another set of char- Devereux is enlisting the help of to the whole. performed in the Talbot College acters who are trying to piece various faculty to help explain Even so, Stoppard’s take on B Y M ITCHELL Z IMMER Theatre at 8 p.m. Tickets are together what happened nearly some of the mathematical and how these concepts, along with available at the door. two centuries ago. scientific concepts that are men- the changing philosophies and What do you get when you com- Jo Devereux of Western’s Eng- In addition to the complex inter- tioned in the play. mores as time goes by is done bine two centuries of science with lish Department is taking care personal relationships within the Starting a half hour before each with wit and humor and should be Lord Byron, a precocious 13-year- that the production of her second play there are certain mathemati- performance there will be a short well worth watching.

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CONVOCATION 2005 } Honorary Degrees }

SHANTHI RADCLIFFE RICHARD MONETTE RONALD J. LOGAN Thursday, October 27, 3:30 p.m. Friday, October 28, 10 a.m. Friday, October 28, 3:30 p.m. Doctor of Laws, honoris causa (LL.D.) Doctor of Laws, honoris causa (LL.D.) Doctor of Laws, honoris causa (LL.D.) Shanthi Radcliffe founded the London InterCommu- Since 1994, Richard Monette has been Artistic Director Ronald J. Logan is respected in London and area as nity Health Centre in London in 1988. Until 2002 she was of the Stratford Festival, making him its longest serving a business leader, advisor and mentor. For more than Executive Director of the organization, which provides artistic director. His long association with the Festival 35 years he has been a consummate volunteer who has varied social and medical programs to approximately began in 1965. Since then, he has directed and played raised millions of dollars for a broad spectrum of non- 3,000 people a year. more than 40 roles at the Festival and profit organizations. Born in Sri Lanka, Radcliffe has performed throughout Canada, Born and educated in Toronto, he attended the University of Ceylon Britain and the United States. started his business career with the and went on to receive an honours Monette has also directed for Frigidaire Division of General Motors degree in Economics from the Uni- Young People’s Theatre, Tarragon of Canada. In 1958 he began a busi- versity of Cambridge in 1958 and a Theatre, Theatre Plus, the Grand ness partnership in London with Gor- Masters degree in 1961. She worked Theatre, the Citadel Theatre, the don Patton, opening Patton’s Place, as a teacher in Northern Nigeria and Canadian Opera Company and CBC’s which became Southwestern Ontar- Malaysia and as a Research Associ- Glenn Gould Studio. io’s largest independent retailer of ate at the Faculty of Economics, Uni- A 1967 graduate of Concordia Uni- fine furniture and appliances. Logan versity of Wisconsin in Madison. She versity (formerly Loyola College), and Patton retired in 1997. Radcliffe entered Canada in 1969 and worked Monette Monette has received an honorary Logan Throughout Logan’s career and at the Office of International Educa- doctorate from his alma mater, as into retirement he has devoted much tion at Western. well as the University of Windsor. time to the welfare and well-being of Radcliffe has served on numerous boards and task He received a Dora Mavor Moore Award for outstanding many organizations in health, the arts and science. forces, locally, provincially and nationally. She is past direction, a Eugene O’Neill medallion, Queen’s Golden In recognition of his success, he has been awarded recipient of the Queen’s Jubilee Medal from the Govern- Jubilee Medal, Queen’s Silver Jubilee Medal, a senior London Retailer of the Year, has been inducted into the ment of Canada, the Woman of Distinction Award by artist’s grant from The Canada Council and in January London Business Hall of Fame, and was recipient of the the London YMCA/YWCA and the Mayor’s New Year’s 1998, Monette was named a Member of the Order of Ivey Award of Excellence. Honours List, 2005. Canada. Calm perseverance overcomes incredible obstacles

B Y K ARMEN D OWLING died. And Khan’s wife, Saima, committee on University plan- was told she had a deadly disease. ning and executive member in Muhammad Kamran Khan Khan took his wife and son Abra- different committees at the Fac- has confronted personal and aca- ham, now 6, back to Pakistan to ulty of Engineering. demic challenges that might have properly grieve, missing his April “If I didn’t involve myself in driven many others to quit. But 2003 exams. He opted to write the academic and extracurricu- not Khan, who has persevered, them when he returned in June. lar activities, I would have been and today will receive his Mas- After six months of uncer- bogged down by my family situ- ters degree in Geotechnical Engi- tainty, Saima received a clean bill ation,” says Khan. “Right now, neering Science. of health. She and Khan decided the academic involvement is on a The 38-year-old, currently in to have another baby. flexible schedule, so I can devote his second semester of the PhD Fatima was born in June 2004. time to my family and to the aca- program, came from Pakistan as After bringing their baby home, demics.” Saima complained of pain in her These days, Khan is working on arm and leg. Both she and Fatima the investigation of three-dimen- were found to have pneumonia. In sional behaviour of deep excava- “At that time I was addition, Saima learned she had a tions in Sarnia Clay. He is await- hole in her heart and would need ing approval on his application thinking, I have bad surgery. for an Industrial Postgraduate luck. But then I thought “Initially when we got news of Scholarship (IPS). The sponsor- heart surgery, I was a little bit ing partner in the project is Soil- I had to persevere. emotionally disturbed,” concedes Vision in Saskatchewan. Khan Muhammad Khan Khan. “But later on I thought if expects to complete his PhD pro- I did not compose myself what gram by 2009. would happen to my wife? So I “I have taken a one-credit told her we should compose our- course this semester along with a professional. He completed an selves and let’s face it.” the mandatory teaching assistant- undergraduate degree in Pakistan Just two weeks ago, Saima had ship,” explains Khan. “Recently, in 1990, working in the govern- open heart surgery. Although still I was nominated for a position on ment sector for almost 11 years. on the mend, Saima is proud of Karmen Dowling, Western News the Board of Governors at West- During that time he completed her husband’s accomplishments Former Society of Graduate Students President Muhammad Khan graduates ern but I stepped down because of his Masters degree in Computer and even plans to attend the cere- today with a master’s in Geotechnical Engineering. the illness of my wife. However, Science. mony, not wanting to miss seeing when my wife recovers, then I Still, Khan wanted to come to him receive his degree. I have bad luck,” admits Khan. out contributing to one. will be active again in community Canada to pursue his academic His academic accomplishments “But then I thought I had to perse- “Whatever comes my way I feel participation.” dreams at Western. have not come about without set- vere. The one thing that is inbuilt I should do it to perfection and I Meanwhile, Khan doesn’t com- Upon arriving in 2001, Khan backs. in me is that I’m a religious per- should excel in that,” he says. plain about the challenges he’s learned that his mother was dying While doing an experiment, son, I believe in God and I believe In addition to academics, Khan faced over the last five years. back home so he chose to defer two 30,000-pound beams came in fate as well. That gives me a was heavily involved in extra- He’s happy with the decision to admission and worked for a year together, crushing his left hand. lot of confidence. I’m a practicing curricular activities, most nota- come to Canada, a country he in Canada while dealing with fam- He received 14 stitches and Muslim and so I pray regularly.” bly as President of the Society says has given them a lot. ily obligations including the death returned to his experiment the Khan’s work in his Masters for Graduate Students (SOGS) Few who know him are aware of his mother. In September 2002, next day, not wanting to miss his program was highly praised. for 2004-05. of the extent of his personal obsta- Khan began his studies at West- schedule. He sprained an ankle His research was innovative and He participated as a member cles, yet Khan says if what he and ern. while trying to do the experiments original contributions to the field of the Hellmuth Prize commit- his family have gone through can Shortly after starting the pro- one-handed, and got an infection of geotechnical engineering. His tee, Fergusson Award commit- encourage others to endure, then gram, Khan’s father-in-law fell in his arm requiring repeated work led to three journal papers, tee, editor and reviewer with the it will have been worth telling his seriously ill and passed away. treatments before healing. an accomplishment when many Western Journal of Graduate story. Just over a month later his father “At that time I was thinking, Masters students graduate with- Research, member of the Senate WESTERN NEWS OCT O B E R 2 7 , 2 0 0 5 9

CONVOCATION 2005 Top scholar-athlete mastered life balance

B Y C HRISTINE R OULSTON for a variety of volunteer work including counseling students Amarpreet (Preet) Atwal’s outside of school and volunteer- strategy in sport is reflective of ing to officiate at local track and his strategy in life. field meets. Atwal competes in the pentath- He admits that it wasn’t easy lon, a sport that involves complet- to balance all aspects of his uni- ing five different events, such as versity life. shot put and hurdles. The compet- “At first I wasn’t aware of all itor needs to balance each, trying the work I needed to put into engi- to complete each event perfectly neering,” he says “But I man- while not spending too much time aged to get into a routine that doing it. worked.” “It’s about focusing on your In his last two years, during strengths and improving on your his Master’s, he said his thesis weaknesses,” Atwal says. “And supervisor R. K. Rao, understood you learn to prioritize.” his demanding schedule. The 25-year-old St. Thomas He thinks it is important for native has spent the past six students to get involved at univer- years at Western trying to do just sity. “It’s nice to be an all-around that. He has managed to balance person and that’s what they’re varsity athletics training with a looking for in the workforce,” rigorous academic program and he says. extensive volunteer work. Atwal, who specialized in wire- His efforts have paid off. At less communications at Western, convocation today, Atwal will already has his mind on life after receive his Master’s Degree in university. He has started apply- Electrical Engineering and has ing for jobs and ideally would like a full university career to look to work designing communica- back on. tions systems for a telecommuni- As an athlete, he competed five cations company. years provincially and nation- Karmen Dowling, Western News He says once he settles into ally for Western’s track and field Stellar athlete Amarpeet Atwal plans to give back to the St. Thomas Legion Track and Field club where he got his a career he would like to start team, placing 6th in the pentath- start at age 12. coaching track and field and give lon at the 2005 Canadian Inter- back to the St. Thomas Legion university Sport Track and Field Track and Field team - where he Championships in Winnipeg. He was a four-time “Top 5” finisher Academically, he earned his Canadian (athlete with average started track at 12 years old. also received a second all time at the Ontario University Athletic place on the Dean’s Honour List above 80 per cent) most years. pentathlon score for Western and Track and Field Championship. and ranked as an Academic All He worked as a TA and made time ��

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�� 10 OCT O B E R 2 7 , 2 0 0 5 WESTERN NEWS Revitalized Pride Library moves to D. B. Weldon

B Y K ARMEN D OWLING phile Association of London Ontario) will allow the library to The Pride Library at D.B. Wel- honour HALO’s work in several don opens on November 1. ways. Initially the library will be open The past will be honoured with only for a couple of hours each the Vern Hearn cornerstone. day during the week as a read- Hearn, a former staff member ing and reference room, until the at D.B. Weldon Library, left a stacks are ready for circulation. bequest in his will to HALO which Housing approximately 5,500 allowed them to purchase the Col- items, Canada’s only univer- borne Street building they occu- sity gay and lesbian library has pied. This cornerstone is now in moved from cramped quarters the Pride Library. As well, formal in University College to a newly HALO documents are archived renovated room on the main floor through the Pride Library. of D.B. Weldon. The new space The present will be honoured will allow for a doubling of the with a large stained-glass win- collection. dow in the new library, signifying James Miller, Modern Lan- HALO’s contributions. guages and Literatures profes- The future is represented sor, founded the Pride Library through an annual bursary to a eight years ago. He says the new student enrolled in the Gender, home offering greater promi- Sexuality and Culture program nence to the collection is thanks at Western. to a forward-thinking administra- “We’re now embedded in the tion, which included Joyce Gar- university both literally and figu- nett, Roma Harris, Angela Ester- ratively,” says Miller. “Our new hammer and Kathleen Okruh- location is really going to let not lik whose efforts secured space, only Western but all of London a construction grant and some know that the Pride Library is donated items from the D.B. Wel- and will continue to be an integral don. For the first time, the Pride part of society.” library will have a small budget. An official grand opening is In addition, a donation of expected in January. For hours Karmen Dowling, Western News approximately $20,000 from the beginning November 1, visit: James Miller, Modern Languages and Literatures Professor, is readying space in the D.B. Weldon Library for the recently dissolved HALO (Homo- www.uwo.ca/pridelib expanded Pride Library set to open Nov. 1. Miller is founder of Canada’s only university gay and lesbian library.

IN MEMORIAM ‘Grand’ breakfast with Outlander author

Donald Harris, Professor A resident of St. Thomas for B Y K ARMEN D OWLING London’s literary festival, bring- York Times bestselling saga has Emeritus from the Faculty of the last 20 years, Harris retired ing well-known authors to the sold more than 12 million books. Education, died at the St. Thomas- from Western in 1983, after 19 Londoners will be transported community during the fall, a peak Tickets are $10 and available Elgin General Hospital on Octo- years of service, which included into Diana Gabaldon’s histori- time for book-tours. at The Book Store at Western, ber 16 at the age of 84. a period as Associate Dean. cal fiction Outlander saga, as “We never get tired of learning Books Plus and The Grand The- Harris was father of James, A private family service was she takes to the Grand Theatre from authors about their books atre. Breakfast is included. William, Martha and Laura, and held at Williams Funeral Home, stage on October 29 at 10 a.m., for and their perspectives on life. Beginning in 1997, Autumn grandfather of Tony, Robert, St. Thomas. Donations may be Western’s ninth annual Autumn Londoners will hear stimulating Writes was developed as a way Joanna, Joshua, Luke, Mark, Eliz- made to the Heart and Stroke Writes series. observations,” says Young. to demonstrate that the Book abeth, Hannah and Ryann. Foundation. A Breath of Snow and Ashes Store is about more than text- is the sixth novel in Gabaldon’s books. Young says having events bestselling Outlander series and in different locations on and off continues the story of 18th-cen- “Londoners will campus has been a great way for tury Scotsman Jamie Fraser and hear stimulating Western to reach out to the com- Subscribe to Western News! Call 661-2045 his 20th-century wife, Claire. The munity. year is 1772 and on the eve of the observations.” Last month, Joan Barfoot and American Revolution. Carolyn Young, Lori Lansens were at the Wolf “Doors will open at 9 a.m. at Communications Manager Performance Hall. Mary Gordon The Grand, so that fans can enjoy Western Book Store will be at Althouse Auditorium some breakfast first,” explains in the Faculty of Education on Lynn Wilbur, Books Manager November 17. Gordon is known at The Book Store at Western. for her involvement in the move- “Shortly before 10, Ms. Gabaldon Gabaldon tends to bring out ment about teaching children will join us and then, everyone readers in droves, so organizers about empathy. John Raltson will go into the theatre where Ms. chose to present the event at the Saul is also expected on campus Gabaldon will read from her new Grand Theatre. They are antici- although the date and time have �� book and share her experiences pating a lot of interest, since hun- not been conﬁrmed. about writing.” dreds of fans turned out the last For more information about �� Carolyn Young, Communica- time Gabaldon was in London. author events, visit www.book tions Manager at the Book Store, Since the initial publication of store.uwo.ca or call 661-3520 ext. �� says Autumn Writes has become Outlander 15 years ago, the New 88251. �� Come, enjoy a special dinner with us at �� Jade Garden. �� Choose from our exquisite selection of Cantonese � �� and Szechuan dishes, �� or try our Luncheon Buffet. �� For reservations, call �� 438-8383 �� 910 Waterloo St. One Block East of St. Joseph's Hospital �� Dine-In - Take Out - Delivery LLBO. �� WESTERN NEWS OCT O B E R 2 7 , 2 0 0 5 11

Go Slow

Paul Mayne, Western News Western’s Campus Com- munity Police Service took their safe driving message to the streets Wednesday to remind motorists to reduce their speed and to watch for pedestrians. Special Con- stable Steve VanderMeer handed out information pam- phlets along Perth Drive, one of the busiest crossing areas for students on campus. The campus speed limit is 40 km/h unless otherwise posted.

$13.6M boost trims maintenance backlog

B Y P AUL M AYNE “These less glamourous projects London’s post-secondary insti- money that can go back into the Davenport. are often forgotten so it’s quite tutions was $20.8 million, with classroom.” “Upon graduation, our students Improvements to plumbing, reassuring that the province rec- Fanshawe College receiving $7.2 The money, received in the make an enormous contribution to heating and wiring may not sound ognizes this and provides funding million. London West MPP and spring, will permit completion of a our knowledge economy, so this glamourous, but for Flemming for that purpose,” says Galberg, Minister of Training, Colleges and number of deferred maintenance is not just about what is good for Galberg, Director of Facilities adding the funds will be used for Universities Chris Bentley, says projects, including replacement Western and our students, it is Engineering at Western, it’s wel- more than 100 projects such as the infrastructure investment will of 50-year-old air compressors and what is good for the province and come news. steam safety valves, energy efﬁ- ensure Western remains competi- cooling equipment in the power our country.” And with a pledge of $13.6 cient lighting, ﬁre alarm upgrades, tive. plant, which services the entire Under the Facilities Renewal million from the province, these compressors and chillers. “This is not the sexy stuff, this campus. Program, the provincial govern- and other projects can be under- “All of these are very criti- is about the plumbing, the heat- “Our mission is the best stu- ment invests $40 million annually taken to nibble away at a long cal to the learning, teaching and ing, the wiring, the chillers -- the dent experience in Canada and in maintenance at post-secondary list of deferred maintenance and research experience at the univer- stuff you never cut ribbons on,” one of those components is having institutions across the province. improvements in the university’s sity,” he says. says Bentley. “The fact of the mat- facilities on campus that are up-to- This one-time investment to mod- buildings and facilities. The total funding package for ter is when that works you save date,” says Western President Paul ernize buildings tops $250 million.

�� 12 OCT O B E R 2 7 , 2 0 0 5 WESTERN NEWS

Top Teachers

Karmen Dowling, Western News Western 3M Teaching Fellows joined President Paul Davenport at his home for the 20th anniversary of the 3M Teaching Fellow- ship program, Canada’s top university teaching award. Eleven of the 19 Western recipients attended. Western is second in Canada in number of 3M Fellows. Front row L-R: Harry Murray (Psychology), Madeline Lennon (Visual Arts) and Anton Allahar (Sociology). Second row L-R: Tom Hafﬁe (Biology), Allan Gedalof (Film Studies) and Mike Atkin- son (Psychology). Third row L-R: Wayne Weston (Medicine), Colin Baird (Chemistry), David Bent- ley (English), Donald Cartwright (Geography). Paul Mercer (Physi- ology) attended but is not in the photograph. Fellows not in atten- dance include Marilyn Robinson (deceased), Paul Sills (deceased), Bertha Garcia, Francis Chan, T.D. Gaily, Peter Rosati, James Ers- kine and Eileen Gillese. Brock Fenton received his award while at another institution.

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You’re not the only �� one concerned about �� your retirement plans �� Brian R. McGorman �� Investment Advisor �� Vice-President �� (519) 640-7745 or 1 800 265-5982 �� WESTERN NEWS OCT O B E R 2 7 , 2 0 0 5 13 Engineers building new image CLASSIFIEDS MISCELLANEOUS cleaning lady, bike path, # 6 Richmond bus, B Y P AUL M AYNE than 14,000 members and almost near Wortley Village. Ideal for graduate stu- 150 volunteers on projects in 25 Essays edited - Enhanced-English revision for dents, staff, faculty. All inclusive, non-smoking, Changing the public perception countries “making an impact and noncredit academic, professional or business references - 439-6000 of engineers from being number- a name for engineers.” text, including general components of technical crunchers to being social crusad- Western’s EWB chapter was papers, articles and proposals, creative work, Lovely, spacious, 1 bedroom – 2nd floor in and ESL, promotional or sensitive material. Say quiet house on treed lot downtown on Hyman ers is what Engineers Without created in the summer of 2004 It with Words - 451-7561 Borders (EWB) is all about. and more than 30 students are Street. $750.00 incl. Strictly non-smoking, no pets. Please call – 660-0828 Co-founder and President actively involved through aware- Computer Hardware Services – at Hyde Park George Roter emphasized this ness programs, high school out- Computers we do upgrades, repairs, new com- LOST AND FOUND and more while visiting Western reach and fundraisers. puter sales and laptop sales at reasonable cost Tuesday, where he spoke to first- Roter, recently named one and with short waiting times. Call us at 519- Black cat found in Springett parking lot on year engineering students about of Canada’s Top 40 Under 40, 641-0248 or email service@hydeparkcomputers. October 13. If you have information please call 641-5956 being conscious of the social believes good engineering can com implications their work can have improve the quality of life and he FURNITURE FOR SALE For Classifieds, call 661-2045 or send email on others. likes what he sees here at West- to [email protected]. Rates: faculty, staff and “We’re kind of a behind-the- ern -- in particular the first-year 2 cane decorator arm chairs, 2 tub chairs, sofa students - $15; others and services/commercial scenes bunch,” says the 29-year- students major design project. & matching chair, chair & ottoman, end table, ads - $20. If more than 35 words, please add 50 drum table, step stool. All in very good condi- cents per word. Payment must accompany ads. old Roter, who co-founded EWB Having students think beyond tion. Please contact Bob Brewster @ 451-9663. in 2000 while an undergradu- the technical to include the social Submit by noon, Thursdays to Western News, Room 335, Stevenson-Lawson Bldg. No refunds. ate student at the University of aspects of their work can only be FOR RENT Waterloo. “We’re trying to estab- a good thing. Bright, quiet, immaculate, 1 bedroom – fully lish ourselves much more broadly Paul Mayne, Western News “The students have a unique furnished and equipped. New carpet, laundry, than the narrow and short term Engineers Without Borders Presi- opportunity to do something here focus some of our peers may have dent and co-founder George Roter at Western,” says Roter. “Engi- had years ago.” speaks to first-year engineering neering has always been so tech- Roter says forming EWB may students this week about becoming nically formal but that is starting have initially been “a mix of doc- more socially involved. to change and Western is leading tor envy about saving the world the way in Canada. The students and using my skills for the better- here are thinking in a broader and Subscribe to ment of mankind” but has evolved ments in the lives of the poorest more long-term way.” Western News! to demonstrate how technology people in the world. For more information, visit can drive extraordinary improve- Five years later, EWB has more www.ewb.ca Call 661-2045 Campus police want to remain police

B Y P AUL M AYNE universities to stop referring to vice and says the relationship themselves as ‘police’ is to avoid with city police couldn’t be bet- An attempt by the Ministry of confusion in the general public -- ter. Community Safety and Correc- that they are not police officers. “We have the same duties as tional Services to have Western’s “The confusion is to citizens or police when it comes to making Campus Community Police Ser- even the campuses themselves,” arrests or pursuing investiga- vice (CCPS) drop the word ‘police’ says Brown. “They refer to them- tions, but we also have the same from their name to avoid confu- selves as campus police but their level of resources because we are sion has done just the opposite, roles and responsibilities are dif- able to tap into those of the city says CCPS Director Elgin Aus- ferent.” police,” says Austen. “This would ten. Brown says the ministry has be going from a win-win situation “There is no confusion,” says heard all the arguments from uni- to a lose-lose situation.” Austen. “The only confusion is versities and hopes to resolve the He adds dropping the ‘police’ why this was brought up in the matter soon, while respecting the name would also lessen the per- first place.” name has been used for so long. ceived authority of officers on In what has been an ongoing Austen says with cruisers campus, potentially lowering the issue, Austen says the move by adorned with Western purple safety level students, staff and the ministry also affects cam- markings and officers wearing faculty receive at Western. pus police at the University of patches that clearly say ‘Univer- “We have some degree of opti- Toronto, University of Waterloo, sity Police’, he is unsure why after mism that the university and the University of Guelph and Univer- 25 years of serving the campus ministry can work towards some sity of Windsor. that confusion would now set in. sort of resolution,” says Austen. Ministry spokesperson Tony Austen has support of the City “But like the old adage says ‘if it Brown says the decision to have of London and London Police Ser- ain’t broke, don’t fix it’.”

" Best Sushi in town…" London Free Press �� Mt. Fuji Sushi, Seafood & Steak House �� SINCE 1998 Fresh �� Sushi Combos �� & Party Trays �� We feature Regular Tables & �� Private Ta-ta-mi Rooms �� Lunch specials from $7.95 �� incl. entree, salad or soup, �� rice & green tea �� 900 Oxford St. E. �� (between Adelaide & Highbury) �� reservations or delivery, �� call 659-1599 �� Dine-In • Take-Out • Delivery 14 OCT O B E R 2 7 , 2 0 0 5 WESTERN NEWS University of Regina president former Western prof

B Y K ARMEN D OWLING U of R cam- he received the Award for Excel- mediation. His scholarly activi- President and Vice-Chancellor paign goal lence in Undergraduate Teaching ties include published articles, since July 1998, and completed Former Western Law profes- an additional as well as the Faculty of Law’s chapters in books, conference his seventh year in a 10-year man- sor and current adjunct profes- $25 million. Professor of the Year award. In presentations, case comment date. sor, Robert Hawkins, has hit the The Build- 2000, Hawkins went to St. Francis and book reviews, as well as nine ground running in his new job as ing Dreams Xavier University, where he was unpublished legal casebooks. President and Vice-Chancellor of and Futures dean of arts, and taught at Queen’s Recently, he spoke to newly the University of Regina. fundraising University Faculty of Law. appointed judges of the Ontario Ofﬁcially installed this month campaign is Originally from Manitoba, Court of Justice about criminal Geophysicist as the University of Regina’s ﬁfth now set at Hawkins is an active researcher, pre-trial conference proceedings. President, Hawkins came from Hawkins $100 million. and has been recognized for his Married to Marie-France Menc, Nipissing University in North In addition to his time at Nipiss- teaching and scholarship. His they have three sons, Nicolas Mereu wins Bay, where he was vice-president ing University which began in expertise is in the areas of consti- (15), Pierre (14) and François (10). (academic and research). Wasting 2003, Hawkins was on faculty at tutional, administrative, and con- Hawkins took over from Dr. no time, he has already raised the Western from 1992 to 2000, where tract law, and in negotiation and David T. Barnard, who had been JSA award

Bob Mereu, professor emeritus in Geophysics, has received the 7th Jesuit Seismological Associa- tion award. The prize, awarded earlier this month by the eastern section of the Seismological Association of America, recognizes contributions to observational seismology. Mereu has been cited for contributions to research in crustal and upper mantle seismology, shallow and applied seismology, seismicity, instrumentation, time- series analysis and theoretical studies involving the scattering of seismic waves through later- ally heterogeneous structures.

No matter what your Peu importe la nature de vos CAREERS university education, études universitaires, vous you can enjoy a career pouvez bénéficier d’une The University has a central Web site displaying complete advertisements for all vacant academ- with a difference in the carrière différente dans ic positions. The following academic positions are among those being advertised currently Canadian Forces. les Forces canadiennes. on the Website at www.uwo.ca/pvp/acad. Please review the Web site for complete details, including application requirements, or contact the faculty, school or department directly. • Engineers • Ingénieurs FULL-TIME ACADEMIC • Physiotherapists • Physiothérapeutes APPOINTMENTS FACULTY OF INFORMATION AND MEDIA STUD- • Social Workers • Travailleurs sociaux/ IES – applications are invited for a Limited-Term appointment at the rank of Lecturer or Assistant • Pilots travailleuses sociales Professor in radio journalism, effective July 1, 2006. Closing date: January 15, 2006 or until • Doctors • Pilotes position is filled. • Nurses • Médecins FACULTY OF INFORMATION AND MEDIA STUD- IES – applications are invited for up to two • Pharmacists • Infirmiers/infirmières Limited-Term appointments at the rank of Lec- turer or Assistant Professor in information and • Naval Officers • Pharmaciens/ media studies, effective September 1, 2006. Closing date: January 15, 2006 or until position pharmaciennes is filled. All positions are subject to budgetary To learn more, contact • Officiers de marine approval. Applicants should have fluent writ- ten and oral communication skills in English. us today. All qualified candidates are encouraged to apply; however, Canadian citizens and per- Pour obtenir de plus amples manent residents will be given priority. The University of Western Ontario is commit- renseignements, veuillez ted to employment equity and welcomes applications from all qualified women and communiquer avec nous men, including visible minorities, Aboriginal people and persons with disabilities. dès aujourd’hui.

Yoga...

140 Ann St. 642-2378 meditation special events workshops

www.lotuscentre.ca WESTERN NEWS OCT O B E R 2 7 , 2 0 0 5 15

ACADEME

PhD Lectures Room 142, Stevenson-Lawson Building. Supervi- Research Personnel Development Program. Her sor: Dr. Alan Webster. program of research “Fostering Interaction and Derek J. Wilson: A Biochemistry PhD public Understanding Networks for Knowledge Transla- lecture will be held Oct. 28 at 1:30 p.m. in Faculty & Staff tion” was supported because of its importance Room 143, Medical Science Building. Title of to healthcare. thesis: “Biochemical Kinetics Studied on the Robert Hegele has been appointed Jacob J. Wolfe Distinguished Medical Research Chair in Millisecond Time-Scale By Electrospray Mass , BACS Program, Faculty of Human Gene Function, for the period April 1, Brent McKenzie Spectrometry”. A thesis examination will follow Social Science, recently presented several 2005 to March 31, 2010. at 2:30 a.m. in Room 142, Stevenson-Lawson papers. “Retail Service Quality Measures and Building. Supervisor: Dr. Lars Konermann. Culture: An Estonian Case Study” was presented Tom Carmichael has been appointed Associate at the Academy of International Business Annual Dean (Research), Faculty of Arts and Humanities, Cosmin Oancea: A Computer Science PhD public Conference, in Quebec City, and “The “Ontario: for the period July 1, 2005 to June 30, 2008. lecture will be held Nov. 1 at 9:30 a.m. in Room A Leader in Learning” Report: Higher Education 320, Middlesex College. Title of thesis: “Para- in Ontario: A Meta Review” at the International Linda Miller has been appointed Associate metric Polymorphism for Software Component Conference on Educational Economics at Tartu Dean (Scholarship), Faculty of Health Sciences, Architectures and Related Optimizations”. A University, Estonia. He presented “Customer for the period of July 1, 2005 to June 30, 2010. thesis examination will follow at 10:30 a.m. in Relationship Management and Customer Recov- Room 142, Stevenson-Lawson Building. Supervi- ery and Retention: The Case of the 407 Express Kevin Walmsley has been appointed Associate sor: Dr. Stephen Watt. Toll Route” at the Symposium on Supply Chain Dean (Academic Programs), Faculty of Health Management, jointly sponsored by McMaster Sciences, for the period of July 1, 2005 to June Gholamreza Akbarpour: An Electrical and eBusiness Research Centre and the Purchasing 30, 2008. Computer Engineering PhD public lecture will Management Association of Canada, and the be held Nov. 1 at 1:30 p.m. in Room 234, Thomp- Ontario Research Network for Electronic Com- Anita Kothari, BHSc Program, Faculty of Health son Engineering Building. Title of Thesis: “Tro- merce, in Toronto. posheric Microware Propagation Modeling”. A Sciences, has been awarded a 2005 Open Pro- thesis examination will follow at 2:30 p.m. in vincial Career Scientist Award under the Health Look for us Post-Degree Diploma Information Day REGISTRAR’S BULLETIN Wednesday November 9th 11 am - 4 pm University Community Centre Need-Based Awards Deadline A student who, for religious reasons, is unable many of their questions answered. Sessions to write exams on a Sabbath or Holy Day, must last about one hour. Students will be able to The application deadline for Need-Based Awards give notice of this fact in writing to his/her meet Western students who were on exchange is October 31. Please visit www.registrar.uwo.ca Dean as early as possible, but not later than last year and have some of their questions for information and the online application. November 15. answered. Students must attend an information session before they can apply for one of A minimum 70 per cent average for last year, Add/Drop Deadlines the programs. and a full course load for last year and the November 30: Last day to drop a full course current academic year, are required. One appli- Sessions will be held throughout October and and full-year half course (on campus day and cation provides consideration for all awards. November at various campus locations. Stu- evening and Distance Studies) without academic Continuing Studies at Western See the Need Based Awards table located at: dents should visit the exchange website at www. penalty. Post-Degree Diploma Programs www4.registrar.uwo.ca/FinancialServices/Need- registrar.uwo.ca/exchange in order to view the BasedAwards.cfm for a complete list of awards dates, times and locations of the sessions. and additional documentation that may be Please note: deadlines that fall on a holiday 519 661 3658 uwo.ca/cstudies Galleria London required for specifi c awards. or weekend will be extended to the next business day. Hours of Operation The online application and all supporting docu- Information Services Room 190 - Regular Hours mentation, if required, must be received by Stu- Western Students Urged to Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays, Fridays – 9 a.m. dent Financial Services in Stevenson-Lawson, “Go Global” to 4 p.m Wednesdays – 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Room 180, by October 31. Each year, more than 100 Western students Telephone Helpline: (519) 661-2100 have the opportunity to study abroad through Regular hours – 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Mid-Year Examination Timetable, exchange programs. Now is the time to start December 2005 preparing to spend next year abroad! The fi rst For more information about these and other step to participate in an exchange is to attend The preliminary mid-year examination schedule items, please visit the Registrar’s Web site at an information session about the programs. is posted on the Registrar’s Web site. The fi nal www.registrar.uwo.ca. schedule will be posted Nov. 17 on the site. Students booking fl ights for the holidays are Students must attend one of eight information advised to book a fl ight date of December 22 sessions to obtain more information about or later. Western’s exchange programs in order to have

�� 16 OCT O B E R 2 7 , 2 0 0 5 WESTERN NEWS

COMING EVENTS

October 27 Room, UCC, 9:30 – 11 am ArtLab – Normal Destiny, presented by Second Department of Modern Languages and Lit- year MFA students: Michael Davidge, Kathryn eratures - “LA TERTULIA” (Spanish Conversa- Immonen, Arnold Koroshegyi, Ayako Kurokawa, tion): opportunity to enhance Spanish skills by Conan Masterson, Daniel Wong. Runs to Oct. meeting people from different Spanish-speak- 28th. John Labatt Visual Arts Centre. ing countries. UC 117, 12 - 1 pm Western Retirement Plan presents “Invest- November 2 ing Your Pension” Thames Hall, Rm. 3101. 12:30 – 1:30 pm Speaking Skills Practiced Weekly – Campus Communicators/Toastmasters meets every Wed., 12 noon, Rm 330, SLB. Visitors welcome. 2005 Joanne Goodman Lectures – Janice For more information, Chandev Abhayaratne, MacKinnon, University of Saskatchewan, “A [email protected] or 661-2111, ext 85968 Powerful Engine and No Brakes? Gridlock in the Canadian Health Care System and the Supreme Take Our Kids To Work Day - Bring your Grade Court Decision”, McKellar Room, UCC. Public 9 student to Western. Register for interesting lectures are open to all. 4:30 pm tours of several faculties. For more on tour times contact: Scott May at [email protected] or Men’s Hockey – versus Waterloo @ Western call ext. 85466 (John Labatt Centre) 7 pm Western’s Graduate & Professional School October 28 Fair - Educational Recruiters at 96 exhib- Linguistic Talks @ Western – The French Dept. its (48 each day) represent a wide array of presents “Statistics for Linguists: a workshop graduate and professional schools and pro- of applied statistics with Patrick Brown, Psy- grams (including Western’s) from Canada and chology Dept. The session will be in English, abroad. Available to discuss post-graduate everyone welcome. UC 138a. 1:30 – 3 pm options and opportunities. To view participants by day and category, visit: www.sdc.uwo. Teaching Support Centre Workshop - Tom ca/career/students/paths.html?GradStudent UCC Atrium and Centrespot Lounge - 11 am Haffie on “Using Clicker Technology in the Joseph Ho Classroom”, Room 122, Weldon Library. 12:30 - 3 pm - 1:30 pm Western’s Joseph Ho is a musician who admires the work in musical instruments. The fourth-year ACS student took this photograph at the Don Wright Faculty of Music for an Engineering in Society photographic competition at Queen’s Dept. of Philosophy – Ethics and New Tech- University. This was one of three photos submitted, all winning honourable mentions. “I have a lot of respect and nologies, Chris MacDonald, St. Mary’s University, Astronomy Seminar, Ian Short, St. Mary’s Halifax. “Novel Technologies and Shifting Social University. “Stellar atmospheric models and the appreciation for the engineering that goes behind musical instruments and the fine tuning and sensitivity of them. Art Values” Central Library, 7 – 9 pm problem of chemical composition”. Physics and is something that is not made with stone and steel.” Ho has donated use of the photo to the Faculty of Music. Astronomy Bldg. Rm. 123, 1:30 pm November 3 Geography Speaker Series, Tobi Gardner: “The Philosophy Colloquium Series – Kirstin MSB, Rm. 148. 1:30 – 2:30 pm Men’s Water Polo – versus Toronto @ Western, PMA Open House - Drop in to Room 351 UCC significance of Confluences to Braided River Andrews, York University. “The Nature of Folk 12 pm; versus York @ Western, 6:30 pm between 9:30 and 3:30 to meet with the execu- Sedimentology”. SSC, Rm. 2322, 2 pm Psychological Prediction” Talbot College, Rm. October 29 tive and committee convenors. Visit www.uwo. 340, 4:30 pm November 1 ca/pma/ for details. Psychology Colloquium Series – Keith Payne, Autumn Writes – Breakfast with Diana Gab- University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. Epidemiology & Biostatistics Seminar – Vlad- aldon, Grand Theatre, Tickets $10, available at Senior Alumni, How to Prevent a Stroke – Find Please submit items for Coming Events to “Attitudes and the unintended: Revealing subtle imir Hachinksi, Schulich School of Medicine The Book Store, Books Plus and Grand Theatre, out what you and your doctor can do to reduce [email protected] race biases through action slips” – SSC, Rm. and Dentistry, Western “Stroke and Alzheimer’s includes breakfast. For more info visit www. your risk for stroke. David Spence, Neurology 2028, 3 pm Disease: Fellow travelers or partners in crime?” bookstore.uwo.ca and Clinical Pharmacology, Western. McKellar