On Rez Washroom Policy

c o X) /'•6 ^.. ••^^ji^ # Number studer^ts weren't SKAffing at the Kiltlifterilln Wednesday in the student centrre. To kic|^ jt up with Kiltlifters, go see them at the Reverb on Friday, Oct. 22. Religious beliefs lift lid on rez washroom policy by Brian Sylvester used to sharing the washroom with men. could possibly realign our questionnaire bet- Hussain lived on R6 last year and her floor ter," he added. The four all-female floors in the R- adopted a no-males policy. Maharaj said another reason for not put- building of residence are flushing gen- "Last year I felt comfortable fixing my ting all the international students in one der equality down the drain. scarf (religious head dress) in the washroom, building is because "we like to diversify our Floors R8 and R4 have adopted policies to now I don't feel 1 should do that," said the community and spread them out so they get a ban men from using their washrooms and mild-mannered Hussain, adding she did not real flavour of what Canada is all about. Our showers (both are in the same room), while want to cause trouble. domestic students get a flavour of what their 00 R9 and R5 have a restricted access policy She also said she has avoided the wash- culture is all about and everyone learns from regarding men. room when she knew men were using it. it." In fact, the women on R5 originally "1 do feel uncomfortable when I'm taking Colin Gallagher, the RA on R8-the only adopted a "no-males' policy but have since a shower and there's a guy using it," she ail-male floor in the R-building-said his floor softened their stance. However, not everyone stressed. allows full access to women but it could is happy about the change. Derek Maharaj, Residence Manager, said change if he hears any complaints. Saadia Hussain, who is a Muslim, said she this is the first time he has heard of a wash- "I don't think the guys really mind. 1 JO o is getting used to having men in her R5 room problem during his time at Humber. haven't heard any complaints." Gallagher o washroom but said it's against her religious "We are always growing and learning said. beliefs to have men and women naked in the from years in the past. We do have a large Bryan Wall, a Package and Graphic same area before they are married. international contingency of people and it's Design student, lives on R8 and said he does- "In Islam, guys and girls are not supposed growing every year," he said. n't have any problems with women banning to be undressed in front of each other," said Maharaj said the problem should be guys from using their washrooms but issued Hussain. solved through the floor RA, but admitted a warning to women using the washroom on The Residence Assistant (RA) on each all- the S-building could be a possible solution to his floor. male or all-female floor holds a vote to the problem. "Women like to have their own place to determine if people of the opposite gender The S-building, Humber's other residence, do their own thing," Wall said. "If they want- will be admitted to the floor washroom. has three washrooms on each floor, one for ed to use our washroom I wouldn't have a During the first vote on R5, two people voted women, one for men, and one for both gen- problem with it. (But) if 1 walked out of the to ban men from the washroom. But after ders. Humber demands students applying to shower naked that's their problem." some complaints there was a subsequent vote residence to fill out a questionnaire. The Meanwhile, the all-male ban on R4 came and everyone agreed to allow men access to questionnaire asks if applicants prefer all- after a complaint about a couple having sex a designated bathroom and shower stall. Now male, all-female or co-ed accommodations. in the shower. there are stalls with signs telling men which But does not ask if students are comfortable "It's one floor I don't think it's a big one they can use. sharing a washroom with a member of the deal," said Addie Kulmala, the RA on R4. "Anyone on my floor has the choice to opposite gender. "Some people don't feel comfortable with change it to an all-female floor," said Jen "We are very generic with our question- males in the washroom. You have to respect Boyd, the RA on R5. "If one person has a naire that we send out to students," Maharaj other people's feelings on that issue." problem with (the policy) then I have to said. "We can't get too many specific ques- Others don't agree. change it." tions like that because if (applicants) don't "I think it's stupid," said Carol Humeny, a Hussain, told Boyd she is "okay" with get into residence we could get into a case of resident on R4. "1 really don't think it should having men in her washroom but told the Et discrimination against us." be a problem. It's not like (guys) are going to Cetera she feels she should not have to get "I'm open to suggestions on how anyone see you naked." Humber enrolment the highest of all of Toronto Colleges by Darren hum September's preliminary enrolment figures indicated no change from last year, but final figures indi- cate Humber is easily the new enrolment leader among Metro colleges. number's enrolment has in- creased by 578 students to bring the total number of fiill-time students to 11,896. Meanwhile, Centennial College — number's closest rival in temis of growth grew by only 156. The statistics were compiled by the Ontario College Application Service. "We can't get much bigger. (But) Humber is not just getting bigger, it is improving. -Number College President PHOTO OF THE WEEK Robert Gordon Although Humber is the leader in Second-year Creative Photography student Len Lee new enrolment, it is only the second biggest college in Ontario behind harvested this picture of these bountiful bushels. Seneca. "We can't get much bigger. (But) Humber is not just getting bigger, it is improving," said President Robert Humber losing two big wigs Gordon. Ontario's unemployment rate is at and is expecting grandchildren. on his new life. "The college is in excellent its lowest level (7.5 per cent) in nine by Stephanie Hess "I've been at it for 30 years and "I think the time is right with the shape both physically and finan- years and that usually means lower Humber College will be without at some point enough is enough." number of years experience I've cially. The outlook for the future is enrolment at colleges. However, two of its top men next year. Rork said he hopes to enjoy his had in education, it's time to move - good." Associate Registrar Joyce Woodend Rod Rork, vice president of cottage life and sailing. Other on.". Although both Rork and Harper said more jobs requiring specific administration, and Michael retirement plans include some trav- Harper has moved from the city are excited about leaving. College training have brought students back Harper, dean of planning and inter- eling in Latin America and Europe. to the country where he is building President Robert Gordon is sad to to school this year national, have reached retirement Getting involved in a charity of a new home. see them go. The Health Sciences department and will be leaving sometime dur- choice and donating his time are Harper also said he hopes to "They're very very good, saw the greatest increase of slightly ing this academic year items on his list. spend more time with his family there's no question. There'll be a more than 1 1 per cent. Rork has been with Humber for "I've been a little disappointed and find time for canoeing and loss to the college system too." "(Humber) continues to be an nine years. in that 1 haven't been able to donate camping. "They both know so much about institution of choice for Health pro- "I feel pretty good about it actu- the time. I'm hoping to do that on Lately, he said, he's been slowly colleges and what they do," grams," said Anne Bender, Dean of ally," Rork said. a regular basis." handing off his responsibilities to said. that kind of Health Sciences. .^ Gordon "When Rork talks positively about his Rork expects to continue being others in the college. knowledge walks out the door it's a Before this year government lay- retirement and about the good around the college scene assisting "I'm looking now for a way of loss because there's a hole created offs routinely put enrolment in a state financial state of the college. on projects. phasing down from my full-time all of a sudden." of flux. "The Health program was up "I feel pretty good about the "I don't intend to quit working, job." Gordon hopes to see both men and down in the 90s," said Bender. staff as well. We've got a very just do something a little different." Harper plans to continue his remain active in college issues and The department has remained good team here. We tend to work Harper has been with Humber involvement in international work said he may even call them back to unchanged from last year, except for on a co-operative basis." for 1 6 years and has been in educa- through the college which deals help out occasionally at Humber.

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