Cover by Amber Solberg 146-20 • Mar 7 - Mar. 13, 2014 Four pages ontheDSU'sadvocacyebate pG.8-11 Mar. 7 - Mar. 13, 2014 •

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1) Three weeks in a mental health ward—Ian Froese, News

2) Changing faces—Uytae Lee, Opinions

3) Student feels her voice was lost over sound complaint—Jesse Ward, News

4) Chief returning officer resigns before DSU election—Ian Froese, News

5) DSU votes to leave CASA, StudentsNS—Kristie Smith, News news news covers Dalhousie and the greater Halifax community. Contributions are welcome! Email Kristie and Jesse at [email protected] news Kristie Smith News Editor Grading this year’s DSU executives Kristie Smith Our judges: News Editor Elizabeth Croteau: Sexton Campus Director Ramz Aziz As you read this, the halls are lit- Chair of the Board of Operations tered with posters of tomorrow's Chair of the Executive Review VP internal student leaders and the hopefuls Committee who are running against them. While the VP internal has folio well, going above and But before anyone pops a Kit Moran: one of the smallest bud- beyond whenever possible. champagne bottle, let’s give a nod DSU Athletics Commissioner gets, Aziz has been able to He wasn't perfect, but what to the executives past. Our panel (directly under VP student life do a lot with his position he lacked in knowledge he got together to talk about the past Danny Shanahan) and that’s what put him made up for with enthusi- year and give a grade to each of Former VP student life candidate in the A-range. He had asm. He wasn't as policy- this year's executives. many small victories, all of wise as he could have been, Kristie Smith which amount to a substan- so he might need to study a Gazette News editor tial workload; Aziz helped bit more before running for (Mostly moderated) bring the summer UPass, top office. Overall, he was DSU app, redeigned the a positive addition to the website and more. He com- DSU. Sagar Jha pleted the tasks in his port- President

Danny Shanahan B- VP student life

Shanahan started off well. He did a good job with DalFest and Shinerama, arguably two of the biggest things VP student life deals with in their term. Come March, a lot of that sheen was gone. Opponents of Shanahan's argued that he ignored a chunk of his port- folio—varsity athletics. He was expected to keep it alive, maybe even improve the cul- ture, but nothing special happened during his tenure and athletes called foul. Sexton campus came to him during his campaign last spring and asked for study space, which they were promised. Instead of getting their second space, the old Sexton Campus Coor- dinator Office was repurposed to an office for the entertainment programmers. If Sha- nahan wants to succeed in re-election, he’ll need to better serve all of his constituents. The panel thought Jha grew the campaign promise, he has become most out of all the candidates. a better president. One criticism When he came into office, he was was that he’s seemed to retreat bright-eyed with enthusiasm, from the general student body in but only brought so many politi- his final months in office. This On the cover: cal skills to the table. Since Sep- hasn’t done much for his popular- Illustrator Amber Solberg took inspiration tember, he's learned the policy ity, but he did his job well and got from the Mortal Kombat video game fran- that goes with his job; and while a lot more done than he did in the chise for the 2014 DSU election issue. he hasn't come through on every beginning of his term. 4 news Mar. 7 - Mar. 13, 2014 •

Aaron Beale Josh Cooke VP academic and external VP finance and operations Beale took on the ultimately The only executive to be nomi- too-tough job of trying to nated instead of elected, Cooke restructure the executive. He hit all the right points proce- argued his job, VP academic durally but missed the mark on and external, was too much for public relations and pushing the one person and couldn't pos- envelope. The building is still in sibly be done right. He proved one piece and the budget should it: he did the external part of balance, but no judge had the his portfolio well, with several sense that Cooke tried anything campaigns throughout the year new or did that little bit extra. and a good hoorah during the He balenced the budget and did provincial elections this past his job, but not much else. Fis- fall, but completely missed the cally responsible and honest in mark with the academic half. tough political situations, he Despite two years in the posi- could always be trusted to speak tion, he struggled the most with forcefully on behalf of the union policy and budgetary restric- instead of the executive, which we tions. At the most recent coun- think was pretty cool. cil meeting, when the union voted to leave its external advo- cacy groups, Beale was accused of helping produce an opinion paper that lied to the council, as well as misrepresenting the DSU to the groups it reviewed negatively. Love him or hate him, though, he came in with 2013-14 DSU executive portraits. goals and got some results. • • • Illustrations by Amber Solberg • Mar. 7 - Mar. 13, 2014 news 5

(E&A) A decade of Per semester: $1 per full-time Your DSU levy student, 50 cents per part-time student DSU elections: The money would go toward shopping list coordinating diversity and anti- voter turnout by year oppression workshops for DSU What to know before you vote executives, councillors and staff, and working with the DSU pol- Sabina Wex The paper wants to return icy researcher to address equity Staff Contributor to printing at least 25 issues and accessibility issues, among (which has been recently cut to other topics. 23), improve its faulty website When students vote for the Dal- and produce weekly video con- housie Student Union (DSU) tent. The Gazette ran a similar South House Sexual executive this year, they will also question last year but failed. and Gender Resource be asked 10 referendum ques- Centre tions. The Gazette has looked Increase levy by $2.85 per full- into what the questions are and Dalhousie Interna- time student, $2 per part-time why each organization is asking tional Students’ Asso- student them. ciation (DISA) South House’s increases would Increase levy by $10 for interna- take their levy from $3.15 to $6 CKDU-FM tional students for full-time students, and from Increase levy by $1 DISA wants to increase the levy $1 to $3 for part-time students. The levy increase means full- for international students from As students’ needs for resources time students would pay $10 $5 to $15. The funds would go have risen, South House would per annum instead of the cur- toward further accommoda- use the money to increase their It’s been over six years since at the DSU president’s election. In rent $9, and part-time students tions for international students, two part-time staff’s hours. least 20 per cent of students eli- 2008, Courtney Larkin won with would pay $3 instead of $2. such as cheaper airport pickup This will let the society expand gible voted in the Dalhousie Stu- 49 per cent of the vote, beating CKDU hasn’t increased their rates, housing accommodations their volunteer program, pro- dent Union election. her opposition in a third round of levy since 1985, but provides and providing more cultural vide more free resources (con- A low turnout has resulted voting by just 26 votes. equipment for 300 volunteers grants. Non-international stu- doms, pregnancy tests), expand in some incredibly close calls in and wants to keep up with gen- dents would not pay this fee. their library and offer more eral operational costs. CKDU than their current 20 bursaries. unsuccessfully ran a levy ques- tion last year. Dalhousie Urban Garden Society (DUGS) Students Nova Scotia Per semester: 50 cents per full- (SNS) Dalhousie Bike Centre time student $3 per full-time student, $2 per Per semester: 50 cents per full- DUGS wants further funding in part-time student (unchanged) time student order to maintain their commu- The DSU created a Students NS DAL The levy would help expand the nity garden, as well as provide levy years ago because a refer- centre’s bicycle loan program, workshops on community gar- endum passed to use current which currently only has 12 dening. operating revenues for what bikes. The money would also go was then membership in the VOTES toward replacing tools. Alliance of Nova Scotia Stu- Renovations (Student dent Associations, which was Union Building) effectively terminated on Feb. Dalhousie Campus Increase levy by $25 per full- 26. If this referendum passes, 2014 Medical Response Team time member, $20 per part- the money, along with the 2014 $2 per full-time student time member $44,000 left over from federal The medical response team The DSU has entered a contract advocacy group CASA (total- doesn’t exist yet, but if they with Lydon Lynch Architects ling $137,000), will go toward receive the levy, it will pro- for a pre-design phase of the currently undetermined DSU vide them with enough funds Student Union Building (SUB) efforts. If the levy doesn’t pass, to train students in advanced renovations. To renovate and it will be assumed that students first aid. The team would go to expand the SUB, it will cost $13 want to rejoin SNS and the DSU campus events and immediately million; that, however, doesn’t will vote on rejoining the pro- respond to medical situations. include the cost of an atrium. vincial organization. If the DSU Visit the Dal Gazette This levy would cover that votes to rejoin SNS, students additional cost of an estimated will still be charged for the SNS website for continuing Dalhousie Gazette $8 million. This levy increase levy, which will go toward its Per semester: 60 cents per stu- would only be in effect until the membership; if not, the money elections coverage dent final renovation project costs will not be collected. The Gazette levy hasn’t have been reconciled. increased in 10 years. The levy increase would up the current student fee from $5 to $6.20. Equity and Accessibility

• Mar. 7 - Mar. 13, 2014 news 7

Evans thinks Dalhousie may not be able to afford scientific jour- Libraries look for financial feedback nals. Dal turns to stakeholders to decide on acquisition budget spending “Scientific publishers want to make money,” said Evans. “Until we address that, the system is Kellogg Health Science Library going to be corrupt, and it’s going head Patrick Ellis explained that to continue to decline.” medicine would receive more Bourne-Tyson said the libraries money because their books are have discussed the possibility of more expensive. They also have 85 dropping scientific journals, but per cent of the adjunct professors. no action has been taken. Schol- Julia Wright, associate dean of arly journals, the costs of which research for FASS, calculated that have risen over the years, receive his faculty was allotted $600,000 half of the library’s budget alloca- for library acquisitions in 2008- tion. 09. With one of the new mod- “It’s your library system,” said els, it would only receive about Bourne-Tyson, “and if you all $210,000. decide that you don’t want schol- “That is a huge hit to FASS,” arly journals anymore, we can said Wright. start cancelling them.” Department heads are debating libary priorities. • • • Photo by Chris Parent Leonard Diepeveen, an English The crowd, which consisted Sabina Wex The first model is based on cine only bought 6.75 per cent of professor, said the library is all his largely of FASS representatives, Staff Contributor spent-year-to-date, the second books in 2010-11, they would be department has. let out a groan. is based on library journal serial allotted the largest portion of the “In the science faculty,” said “Either we need to be a research costs, and the third is a combina- budget, between 14 and 18 per Diepeveen, “you have labs and and graduate student university,” Dalhousie’s libraries held a public tion of the first two models. cent, in all three models. other things that contribute to said classics department chair consultation on Feb. 25, present- Dalhousie university librarian Throughout the three mod- research. And I don’t see that Wayne Hankey, “or we need to ing three possible models allocat- Donna Bourne-Tyson explained els, the Faculty of Arts and Social addressed here.” shut up about that, and say, ‘Look, ing 50 per cent of their budget that money is divvied up by Sciences (FASS) would receive Bourne-Tyson said the librar- we’re just out there to find as to acquisitions. The libraries will library and by faculty. Once that’s between seven and 7.2 per cent of ies are seeking a statistician who many illiterate undergraduates as begin implementing one of these been done, the library and faculty the acquisition budget. In 2010- would be able to properly weight possible, the way the rest of every- models by this upcoming fiscal hold the responsibility of splitting 11, the library reports that FASS the statistical outlier of medicine body is, and to graduate them as year, phasing it in over the next up the money. bought 50.6 per cent of both print in comparison to the other fac- literate as they are.’” four years. Although the faculty of medi- and ebooks. ulties. English professor David special feature this issue's special feature covers the DSU's advocacy debate Email Ian at [email protected] special feature Ian Froese Editor-in-Chief DSU’s advocacy debate Students Nova Scotia Provincial advocacy group

• Founded in 2003 • Originally called Alli- ance of Nova Scotia Student Associations (ANSSA) • Created by four univer- sities, one of which was Dal • Cost the DSU $92,377 in 2013-14 • Dal students account for 41% of their overall membership • The DSU voted to can- cel membership by a vote of 16 to 15, with five abstentions.

Canadian Alliance of Student Associations Federal advocacy group

• Founded in 1994 • Dal was one of the founding members of this group as well, as an alternative to the Cana- DSU councillor Elizabeth Croteau asking a question as Students Nova Scotia pled their case last Wednesday. • • • Photo by Kristie Smith dian Federation of Stu- dents (CFS) • Had 24 student asso- ciations representing DSU chooses to advocate alone over 300,000 students across Canada—until An estimated $140k freed up to consider internal advocacy Dal left Kristie Smith internal advocacy—although ing on and was allowed to change Several student board members • Cost the DSU $20,662 News Editor nothing is set in stone. his vote from against to in favour with SNS spoke before council in 2013-14 as an asso- Federal voice CASA, which cost of the motion. Shanahan, who prior to the vote. They explained ciate member, with The Dalhousie Student Union the union $20,662 at its associ- also says he did not understand the potential for Dal within SNS essentially half the (DSU) has voted to end its mem- ate member rate, lost by a vote of the motion, rescinded his request and how, in their opinion, their rights of full member- berships with federal and provin- 17 councillors in favour of leav- to change his vote from voting work was misrepresented in the ship cial lobbying groups, the Cana- ing to 15 against. There were four against to abstaining. DSU-sponsored advocacy review • In 2012-13, the full dian Association of Student abstentions. Provincial lobbying organi- report presented at council late membership cost was Alliances (CASA) and Students Once the votes were recorded, zation Students NS, which cost last year. Despite SNS' 45-minute $44,441 Nova Scotia (SNS), following this VP internal Ramz Aziz and VP the union $92,377, lost its larg- presentation, the union bowed • The DSU voted to can- semester. student life Danny Shanahan est member when 16 councillors out. The controversial move will requested to change their votes. voted to exit the organization. cel membership by a free up approximately $140,000, Aziz claims he was confused Fifteen were against, and five vote of 17 to 15, with which could be repurposed for about which question he was vot- abstained from voting. four abstentions • Mar. 7 - Mar. 13, 2014 special feature 9 DSU’s decision to leave StudentsNS letters ill-informed Disregards 2012 referendum vote Positive changes Amy Donovan written, carelessly researched and Opinions Contributor clearly biased. Patrick Visintini, Decision to leave CASA and SNS creates a member of the review commit- In my first year at Dalhousie, I tee, explained to council how the opportunities was Dalhousie Student Union report failed to represent student (DSU) secretary. I was impressed, views from consultations, and had then, to learn about the Alliance only three authors, two of whom Dear Editor, campaigning on the ground In Quebec, they said stopping of Nova Scotia Students’ Associ- initially proposed the review. to inform and engage as many the 75 per cent tuition hike was ations (ANSSA) and its work to Worse still, many of the report’s The results of Wednesday’s students as possible—as well impossible, and yet they did it. advance student concerns. In the claims are false or misleading, as council vote have allowed the as faculty, staff and the greater Affordable education isn’t previous year, 2008, it had suc- SNS’ response details. DSU to finally break free from public—students will always just a reasonable thing for stu- cessfully lobbied for the creation Some errors and sloppy writ- the roughly $136,000 shackles be stuck making small amend- dent unions to support—any- of Nova Scotia Student Grants, as ing might be excusable. But I of two external advocacy orga- ments to a government agenda. thing less is unacceptable. I well as a tuition freeze. Five years, can’t forgive the report’s refusal to nizations: the Canadian Alli- supported exiting these orga- a brief stint in England and a acknowledge another side to the ance of Student Associations nizations so that Dal students’ move to a master’s program later, argument, or its disregard for any (CASA) and Students Nova money can be more effectively I continue to applaud the work of solidarity with other Nova Scotia Scotia (SNS). “I look used to advocate for causes that the organization, now Students students: it argues that Dal’s stu- As a senate representative on Nova Scotians support, and Nova Scotia (SNS). dent union is big, powerful and council, I continue to be in full forward to from which Dal students ben- I’m tremendously disap- wealthy enough to advocate for its support of this decision based efit. This move strengthens the pointed by the DSU’s decision students on its own. on feedback from my constitu- exploring Dal student voice and I’m glad to leave SNS. Rash and poorly While numbers, unity, profes- ents, as well as my own experi- it finally happened. researched as it was, this decision sionalism, continuity and neutral- ence with advocacy at Dalhou- the huge Over the past year, I’ve had doesn’t represent my views. Had ity to student politics give SNS a sie. Our membership with these the pleasure of consulting with the appointed review commit- strength far exceeding that of even organizations has prevented us potential students regarding the issues tee properly consulted with other a better-funded DSU, this posi- from making real gains with brought forth at our meetings. Dal students, I suspect they would tion is callous. SNS exists because the government, has prevented that From this councillor’s seat, the have found it wouldn’t represent students share concerns, and it mass student outreach and has ongoing debates on campus, at theirs either. will be severely weakened without stopped us from taking stances independent societies and at council have SNS, an alliance of post-second- Dalhousie. Even if we could effec- that represent Dalhousie stu- provided us with the informa- ary student associations, advo- tively advocate alone, does sheer dents. Students will now be advocacy tion we needed to make an cates empowering students and might permit us to eschew our able to create an independent informed decision based on the making post-secondary education responsibility—as human beings advocacy department within best interests of Dalhousie stu- in Nova Scotia accessible, afford- with common concerns—to the the DSU, where the unique brings” dents—and this is exactly what able and high quality through pol- larger student community? interests of our university and we’ve done. We’re finally ready icy-oriented research, lobbying Nowhere does the 69-page its population can be accurately As an example, SNS would to move forward in reviewing and public campaigns. Current report mention that Dal students expressed. This is a great oppor- direct much of their lobbying advocacy more thoroughly, but projects include researching stu- voted less than two years ago to tunity to join together and form efforts at expanding the stu- this time with a fully funded dent health, housing and employ- drastically increase our support to a common vision for the future dent loan allowance and needs- advocacy department. ment; promoting safer alcohol SNS. Last week, the DSU coun- of our advocacy. based grants. These have merit, I look forward to exploring consumption; and campaigning cil—supposedly our represen- Tuition fees and student but as long as funding decreases the huge potential that inde- for “enthusiastic consent” (see tatives—voted, on the basis of a debt in our province have been and tuition fees rise, students pendent advocacy brings with morethanyes.ca). In 2011, SNS flawed and biased report cobbled steadily on the rise. If students will always be playing catch-up. it, while engaging students in successfully advocated to make together to reinforce its authors’ want to ensure that we have And that’s exactly what we’re the process. Boundless oppor- the full provincial portion of stu- pre-existing opinions, to com- affordable education, as is the doing. Student debt is rising tunities have come knocking dent loans forgivable over the pletely leave the organization. The case in several other provinces, and bankrupting a generation. at our door, and I am eager to first four years of an undergradu- motion passed by a margin of one. we need strong advocacy that Some might say that asking invite them in and celebrate ate degree—one of many achieve- Is this democracy? will fully engage all levels of for reduced tuition fees won’t their long-anticipated arrival. ments outlined at studentsns.ca. power. CASA and SNS aren’t be listened to, and so demands Are these concerns relevant? SNS’ response to the DSU’s report involved in grassroots orga- should be moderate—but case Sincerely, Dalhousie students thought so in can be found on Scribd.com nizing with students, instead studies in Newfoundland, Que- Rebecca Eldridge 2012, when we voted in a referen- under “Students NS’ Response to focusing exclusively on lobby- bec and Manitoba show that dum to double our financial con- Strengthening Advocacy.” ing government and bureau- campaigning and working with Rebecca is a Senate Representa- tributions to SNS. crats. There’s no doubt that it’s communities changes pub- tive on DSU council. Despite this, last week the DSU Amy Donovan served as DSU sec- important for students to go to lic opinion, as well as what’s council voted 16-15 to leave SNS retary in 2009/10. She is currently the table, but without actively within the realm of possibility. entirely, based on a report it had a social anthropology MA candi- commissioned called “Strengthen- date at Dalhousie. ing Advocacy.” The report is badly 10 special feature Mar. 7 - Mar. 13, 2014 •

utes which have been accepted entire student body? Why do the quately. It’s only polite. When thus far this semester (from the Youtube streams of the meetings the DSU acts in such a manner, Transparency lacking meetings of Jan. 15, the special have naught but "No description it simply serves to hurt the legit- SNS/CASA meeting of Jan. 23 available" to describe them? All imacy of the organization to the Dear Editor, online, and preserving them as (rescheduled from Jan. 22), Jan. of these things should be simple many groups it tries to address, records (a new innovation). At 29, and lastly the minutes from and standard practices of the and to its own constituents. As I imagine you might be pub- the same time it feels like very AGM of Feb. 12), all of which DSU. It’s the 21st century, not I love the DSU. It is full of lishing in the same issue as this little else has been done to make have been approved at this point. the middle of the 20th, and I good people, who do hundreds of letter, the recent debates regard- the actions of the DSU council, Check it for yourself at http:// shouldn't be forced to talk to the things each day to try to improve ing appropriate student advo- and the decisions which they dsu.ca/about-us/governance/ members of the council to know the student experience—bring- cacy for the Dalhousie Student make on behalf of all students, documents/council-minutes. what’s happening on my student ing in puppies to cheer us up, Union (DSU)—and the DSU's transparent. Take any number Beyond this is the fact that union council. arguing for the simple funding of now former association with the of examples of this, from the fact fundamentally speaking, other This issue does not simply our university libraries, provid- Canadian Alliance of Student that the minute-taking process is procedures and practices are not affect the people here on the Dal- ing an orientation week experi- Associations (CASA) and Stu- itself not standardized (compare made public. Why are the min- housie campuses. As was evident ence which introduces students dents Nova Scotia (SNS) have the meeting minutes of Dec. 4, utes to each meeting not posted from both CASA’s and especially to the beautiful city of Halifax come to a head. But I believe that 2013 to Nov. 20, and to Oct. 23— anywhere ahead of time? The SNS’s presentation last council and the community of Dalhou- some of the most telling things they are not only inconsistent DSU council meetings are public meeting, neither of them were sie. But I am frustrated with this this process has brought to light in how they present informa- events, so this makes no sense. very well informed as to what had persistent lack of transparency, are the certain troubling aspects tion, they are not even all in the Why is there no simple, easy to been going on in regards to the and all it does to harm the DSU. of the processes of the DSU, and same electronic format!) to the consult list of the motions which discussion or the review process ones which especially need to fact that a large number of the the DSU has made throughout on the issues of student advo- Valete, become more transparent in the prior semester's minutes were the year, where I can see where cacy here at Dalhousie. Regard- William C. Coney near future. not even posted until before the they are standing on issues less of whether or not we should 3rd-year classics and history stu- Throughout this year, the Feb. 12 annual general meet- which have been seen as impor- have them as the advocacy bod- dent DSU has been quite laudably ing, to even the simple fact that tant enough to bring before the ies, they should be informed ade- streaming council meetings they have yet to post the min-

important meeting. council. At the very next council We can only assume they knew meeting, with little advance warn- You’re too apathetic to read this you wouldn’t care. If you weren’t ing to councillors, Beale champi- so apathetic, the executives would oned a motion to withdraw from DSU doesn’t care about democracy have known you, and you would CASA and SNS, despite never have been one of the roughly 100 mentioning this plan once at the John Hillman votes are mired in the tragic igno- Associations (CASA) and Stu- people who received Facebook AGM. Opinions Contributor rance of the common class. dents Nova Scotia (StudentsNS) invites to attend. Upset? If you weren’t so apa- To quote one councillor argu- on Feb. 26. The current insiders thetic, you would have memorized Sorry to be the one to have to tell ing in favour of removing the con- don’t like our traditional form CASA’s and SNS’s withdrawal pol- you this, but I have it on good stitutional requirement to hold a of student advocacy. In the past, “the problem icies before coming to the meet- authority that you are too igno- student referendum before leav- individuals like VP academic ing. rant and apathetic to trust with ing our external advocacy groups, Aaron Beale and Board of Gover- with Outraged now that you’ve had anything. “most students don’t care about nors representative John Hutton a chance to read about all of this? Don’t get me wrong: this isn’t this issue or don’t know about wrote in the Gazette that student Feel compelled to stand up for coming from me. It’s just the mes- it...the truth remains that the advocacy should shift to a more democracy democracy by running in the DSU sage I’ve heard from a very power- ARC (Advocacy Review Commit- radical approach focused on “pup- elections? ful bloc within Dalhousie Student tee) was set up so that we could pets, placards, chants and high is that it’s Sorry. Too late. Union (DSU) executive and coun- become knowledgeable...if there spirits” and “scar[ing] politicians The nomination period opened cil lately. is an AGM, I’m sure that most of into respecting our rights.” Dur- messy” on Thursday, Jan. 27 (the day They’re not criticizing you. Per- it will be made up by ARC mem- ing their time in power, they and after the meeting) and closed on ish the thought. They don’t mind bers and council members.” their allies have pursued this end At the meeting, our helpful stu- Monday, March 3, at midnight. your supposed apathy at all—in If you don’t care and you’re enthusiastically. dent leaders explained that the I mean, sure, the union did vio- fact, they see it as a wonderful blissfully ignorant, then it would Unfortunately, before leaving proposed changes were strictly to late their own elections policy by opportunity to reshape things for be downright boorish to bother our advocacy organizations, the tidy things up for legal reasons. announcing the relevant dates The Greater Good™. you with petty little constitution- DSU constitution used to man- The constitution was “redundant.” several days later than the abso- You see, the problem with ally mandated things like voting date that we hold a student-wide We would have to play the game lute minimum required. But hey, democracy is that it’s messy. on whether to leave our student referendum on the issue. by CASA’s and SNS’s (implicitly you had two and a half whole Democracy doesn’t care how advocacy groups. The decision To change the constitution, more stringent) rules if we ever school days to find out, plan a deeply you believe in a cause. may involve hundreds of thou- you need to win a simple major- wanted to leave, anyway. Accord- campaign, collect 25 signatures You can spend all year planning sands of dollars, reverse 20 years ity vote at the union’s annual ing to Beale, “it is pretty proce- and submit your papers. a bold new vision for the union, of DSU history, and fundamen- general meeting. We had one dural, it is only to avoid being We can safely assume that if but if you put that vision to a stu- tally reshape the direction of one on Feb. 12. It takes 75 people to sued.” you weren’t so apathetic, you dent referendum, there’s always a of the union’s core mandates—but reach quorum, though ideally you The debate was called to ques- would have known. chance the people won’t vote for it’s probably safer to assume that want to encourage as many peo- tion by Beale after only eight min- Not that you care, but voting for it. you just don’t care rather than risk ple as possible to come out given utes and five speakers, so there the DSU elections will take place That’s why this new breed of throwing your poor, simple little the momentous significance of wasn’t much time to question or between Wednesday, Mar. 12 and politician has so enthusiastically minds into a spin by putting the changing our very constitution. independently fact check. The Friday, Mar. 14. embraced the idea of student apa- issue to a referendum. Reading this, you may be won- motion passed. thy. Worse still, even when aver- Just look at the process that dering why you didn’t get so much As it turned, the only require- Josh Hillman, law student and age students do care enough to led up to council voting to leave as a save-the-date email from ment to leave both SNS and CASA Punditry blogger, previously ran vote during the elections, their the Canadian Alliance of Student the DSU about this immensely was a simple majority vote at in two DSU elections. • Mar. 7 - Mar. 13, 2014 special feature 11 Active on campus Law school rep disillusioned Student government should focus with DSU after advocacy vote on Dal issues

Campaings focusing on in-house issues succeeded. • • • Photo by Yinou Zhou

Samantha Elmsley Dal students would have a clue Opinions Editor what you’re talking about when asked to describe their stance on If you’ve been through the Stu- CASA or SNS. But they sure as dent Union Building, you’ve hell signed those DSU petitions heard the news: on Feb. 26, the when the library came under fire. Dalhousie Student Union (DSU) And when asked, eight opinions voted to pull their membership writers came up with eight very from the Canadian Alliance of different issues for our president Student Associations (CASA) and to address during his tenancy. Students Nova Scotia (SNS). This Dal students are engaged, and decision will have huge ramifi- they do care—just not about what The process of the DSU's pullout from CASA and SNS made for a mockery of student representation. cations for DSU activism in the CASA or SNS are up to. Work- • • • Photo by Melina Garner coming years: by leaving CASA ing on in-house issues— like the and SNS, we freed up around fact that our library budget has Dear Editor, and the executive members of actual needs of students, the $140,000 to do our own lobby been diminishing for years, or the DSU who opposed mem- very process by which this deci- work. Conversely, CASA and that the food on campus sucks I am the law student rep on bership, council was made to sion was made has been anti- (especially) SNS are likely looking for those with restricted diets— DSU council, as well as the VP- feel as if they were children of thetical to that objective. I can at some serious restructuring, as will get results because students external of the Law Student's a divorce—both parents were think of no other issue less rel- Dalhousie’s membership packed a are already engaged in these Society (LSS). slinging accusations back and evant to the health and wellbe- huge financial punch. areas. Rather than fighting a los- I’d like to start off by say- forth about who was misrepre- ing of students on campus. The But I don’t care about them so ing battle to educate students on ing that, while I voted against senting the truth. The effect of partisanship expressed through much—let’s focus on the DSU. lobbying groups no one knows the motion to leave both CASA this was that council was forced these discussions have done This pullout was a brilliant about, the DSU should let exist- and SNS, neither myself nor to make its decision on the nothing but make a mockery of decision because a) Dal was pay- ing student interests guide their law students at large are par- basis of emotion rather than student representation. ing thousands for CASA and approach to activism. Pulling out ticularly opinionated about reason and fact. We were sim- The LSS put forward a SNS to fight problems we don’t of CASA and SNS was an impor- the merits of leaving or stay- ply not equipped with the tools motion last Wednesday (Feb. care about and b) most impor- tant first step. ing with these organizations. I to make the decision based on 26) to take control of our elec- tantly, Dal students have dem- In the upcoming DSU elec- understand that firm positions merits, and for that reason I tions after the DSU sought to onstrated that our energy is bet- tions campaign, I want to see have been carved out among consider the outcome of the include us into the process last ter spent on in-house issues. As candidates engage with on-cam- the DSU community regarding meeting on Feb. 26 on this year by taking control of faculty Uytae Lee pointed out in a Gazette pus issues. I want to know what membership in these organiza- issue to be illegitimate. elections. We put forward this article published before the vote, they’re going to do about the tions, and this sort of rigid posi- The way in which the DSU motion not only for the practi- Dal’s concerns haven’t been rep- library budget. I want to know tion-taking has not had nearly has allowed this issue to bal- cal reasoning of gaining more resented by either of these bod- they’ve spoken to professors who the same effect in the law loon into an all-consuming vor- oversight, but as a statement ies lately. An (enormous) report know what’s up with the Enrol- school. I mention this because I tex of thought, idea and expres- that law students at Dal feel on Dal’s relationship with CASA ment Related Budget Adjustment think it is important to preface sion has depleted the functional discouraged by the culture and and SNS revealed that overall, policy. I want them to promise to my letter by stating at the out- resources of council to do its priorities of the DSU. Dal just isn’t seeing eye-to-eye on move forward with the proposed set that I am not writing this job. Law students have already In short, if the meeting of either the issues they should be committee for transgender issues. to uphold any pre-determined felt discouraged by the crass Feb. 26 was any indication as addressing, or how they should be More than ever, I want to be sure position on the issue. inefficiency of council, and the to what independent advocacy addressing them. It seems like we that candidates are ready to work My thoughts are as follows: juvenile approach to resolv- looks like for the DSU, law stu- (the students) were paying thou- on in-house problems that stu- Irrespective of the merits of ing issues that are of legitimate dents will happily take a rain- sands of dollars for organizations dents on this campus actually give membership in either organi- student concern; this has not check. to fight campaigns we don’t iden- a shit about. zation, the decision made last helped. tify with. By dropping CASA and SNS, Wednesday was made poorly. If the core concern of the Sincerely, We are much more effec- the DSU has an opportunity to During the presentations DSU in leaving SNS and CASA Anthony Rosborough tive when moving on issues Dal take on a central role in campus by both Students Nova Scotia has been to focus more on the students actually care about. lobbying and activism. I want to Selected at random, I doubt most see them rise to the challenge.

opinions gazette opinions welcomes any opinion backed up with facts, but we don’t publish rants. Email Sam at [email protected] to contribute opinions Sam Elmsley Opinions Editor Should students work unpaid internships? NO WAY ‘gatekeepers’ in companies who Josh Fraser ‘discover’ the ideas. Staff Contributor Of course, I am picking away at all the worst parts of intern- I’m a journalist, by some small ship, spawning monsters where definition. To broaden this defini- indeed there may be none. Intern- tion, I’m taking classes at King’s, ship is an attempt at closing the with the goal of obtaining an gap between basic theoretical honours degree in journalism. skills and practical experience, Along this path, I will eventually and it is difficult to come up with be seeking internship with news alternatives. Given bleak job mar- media companies. My preliminary kets, I’m a little confused as to inquiries into the matter yielded what internship might hope to two vats of internships: paid and achieve as a general idea, though unpaid. But as much value as I am I’m sure some fields are in high willing to give immersion-learn- demand—as TV ads tell me. Still, ing through internship, it would it is entirely possible to have a have to be a juicy opportunity to positive unpaid internship expe- make me work without pay—aca- rience, and if it truly feels worth- demic credits or not. while, then it must be. ‘Unpaid’ specifically indicates What I want to fight is the money, of course, and experience notion that unpaid internship is is a different kind of currency that an acceptable practice in every we can often gather for our use. case, especially when citing ‘bad But this value that interns gain economic conditions.’ In my opin- through experience is kind of like ion, you pay people for the work Would you work an unpaid internship? • • • Photo by Mel Hattie points at the grocery store: each they do for you. Part-pay, hous- unit is ultimately worth fractions ing paid, training period, all are and I already have a few jobs lined ing to get into. Your employer will of a cent, you can’t use them at decent compromises if deliber- up in Halifax. But as my educa- know you worked extremely hard other stores, and you have a vague ated openly and mutually. In the Absolutely! tion progresses, I’ll need to build for your job, and that you’re in suspicion that your benefactor is end, the donation of one’s labour Shelby Rutledge up my experience through intern- it for good. I once completed an screwing with you. Kind of bleak, must have the potential for a Staff Contributor ships—paid or unpaid. unpaid internship, and at the end but given that ‘intern’ can carry an positive, tangible result. In cases Without an internship, I won’t received the job I was hoping for. unfortunate connotation of igno- where skilled, unpaid labour is have the experience necessary My employer realized that I had rance and lackey status, they can required as part of an already- Hello March, hello summer to work for any media company. been working extremely hard, and be milked for hard work by dan- expensive degree programme, job hunts! It’s that time of year No newspaper is going to hire a I wasn’t going to give up any time gling the promise of social accep- unpaid internship may fit some again—students are starting to freshly graduated student with soon. tance at the end. definition of exploitation. At its look for something to do this sum- no experience, even if I do gradu- Internships will also put you Being the only type of person in worst, unpaid internship is the mer, whether in Halifax or some- ate with a bachelor or a master’s a few steps closer to getting your the workplace who is not paid in exploitation of hopeful aspira- where else. degree in journalism. dream job. Employers are looking real currency for their hard work tions and willing attitudes for Summer employment can be With an unpaid internship, I’ll for young adults who already have is not easy. Since the intern is seen cheap labour and ideas. At its difficult to come across, especially be able to learn how the newspa- the right skills for the profession. as gaining ‘valuable experience’ as best, unpaid internship is a calcu- when almost everyone is looking per and magazine industry works. They really don’t want to be wast- a form of payment for their ser- lated risk, a mutual investment of for a job. I’ll learn what it’s like and what it ing their time and money teach- vices, it automatically presumes a resources to gain valuable experi- What happens if you can’t find means to be a journalist on a daily ing you how to do your job, so if hierarchy that puts a lower value ence. one? Will you try for an unpaid basis. you already know what to do, it’s a on any contributions the intern In a market already flooded job, like an internship? These I know I won’t be getting paid, bonus. makes. Good ideas come from by unemployed, educated people days, unpaid internships are but take a look at some of the ben- At the end of the day, employ- everywhere, and since there are my age, my time is either worth becoming a harsh reality for many efits: I’ll receive lots of experience, ers are looking for experience. If plenty of ‘inexperienced’ people something or it isn’t. Potential students. However, they can actu- learn what I’m getting into, figure that means completing an unpaid who are on the cutting edge of careers abound, but a fulfilling ally put you ahead of the game. out if I’m going in the right direc- internship, so be it. After all, their own fields of interest, intern one is in the development of craft For me, internships will be tion, and it’ll look great on my experience is experience. Don’t input could be useful. Here again, that begins with cultivating the a fact of life in my pursuit of a resume. be scared of getting your hands intern culture rears its ugly head; value of your skill—and you’re career in journalism. Unpaid internships also make dirty—today’s employers aren’t a pool of new ideas for free, hier- worth every cent. I won’t be doing an internship you look passionate, loyal and looking for a clean slate. archically designed to benefit this summer—I’m not there yet, interested in the field you’re look- You’ve seen us on Pizza Corner at 1 a.m.… Check us out on Sunday at 9 or 11

St. David’s Church a welcoming community that makes a difference

Follow @St_Davids_Hfx | Visit saintdavids.ca • Mar. 7 - Mar. 13, 2014 opinions 15 Inspiring women Why Women’s Day should be remembered

Alex Ross working in the political sphere. biology, both in the lecture hall Opinions Contributor Even Beyoncé is an incredible and in the lab, has inspired me to advocate for gender equality—she be more enthusiastic in my own This March 8, the theme of Inter- shows women around the world studies. While writing this piece, national Women’s Day is “Inspir- that you can be independent, suc- I asked Mindy to tell me about Inter- ing Change,” and women are cessful and a feminist while still any women in her life who had national inspiring change around the enjoying more “traditional” roles, inspired her along the way. I was Women’s Day is world. Teenage activist Malala such as being a loving wife and happy to find that Mindy could incredibly important Yousafzai, an advocate for wom- mother. easily list many strong women because it offers an opportu- yet a reality. There are still en’s rights to education in Pak- There are countless inspir- who have greatly influenced her. nity for us to take time out of our women all over the world istan, was targeted and shot ing women here at Dalhousie, as In her email, McCarville spoke of busy schedules and appreciate the suffering at the hands of (although not fatally) by the Tali- well. They are your professors, her mother, Lynda, and her sis- women who inspire us every day. domestic violence, women ban in October 2012. She sought your teaching assistants. They are ters Kerry and Brittany, whose On March 8, think of the women who are still being sexu- necessary change in views on on your rugby team and in your compassion, kindness, humour in your family— your grand- ally objectified by the media women’s rights and education, fashion society. They are your lab and positivity greatly influence mother, mother, sisters and close (and each other). Wage gaps still inspiring a nation in the process. partners and your friends. With everything she does. Mindy also friends—and how they’ve influ- exist between men and women Wendy Davis, a Texas state sena- so many women who have influ- included some of her female fac- enced you over the years. Think working the same jobs. tor, stood for 13 hours to filibus- enced me in my two years at Dal- ulty members such as Mount Alli- about the generations of women This March 8, take time to ter a bill which, if passed, would housie, it’s hard to choose just one son’s Dr. Vett Lloyd, who influ- before us who fought for our place appreciate the women around have shut down more than three to highlight. enced Mindy’s lecturing style as in the work force, as well as for you. Reflect upon the sacrifices quarters of women’s health clinics However, one woman who well as fellow Dal professor Beth the right to vote. Where would we that have been made before us, in Texas. stands out amongst my pro- Retallack, the inspiration behind be without them? and recognize that there is still Davis inspired women in Texas fessors is Mindy McCarville. A the introduction of many new Think about this, and think much to be done to achieve true and throughout North America senior instructor and cell biology ideas into teaching labs. Behind about how much work we still gender equality. Be inspired to to fight back against leaders who lab instructor, McCarville exhibits every inspiring woman, there are have left to do. While great strides change the way you look at each wish to revoke women’s rights. passion for her job on a daily basis. many others who have inspired have been made towards gen- other, and the way you look at But inspiring women aren’t only McCarville’s enthusiasm for cell her. der equality, true equality is not yourselves.

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summer.openacadia.ca 1.800.565.6568 arts&culture arts covers cultural happenings in Halifax. Email Mat and Zoe at [email protected] to contribute. arts&culture Mat Wilush Arts Editor

FDal’sinal Got Talent ain’t co your uelementarynt schooldown talent show Six formidable musical opponents will face off during the final performance of the annual Dal’s Got Talent competition Friday, Mar. 14 at the Grawood. We got to know five of these noble bards as they prepare for battle to win $1,000. Emma Skagen, Mat Wilush and Rosalie Fralick • • • Photos by Kit Moran Editor's note: Emily Ambrose, the sixth competing artist, did not reply to our interview request. The Third Wheel (Sarah, Brody and Tim) When three is the perfect number

The aptly-named folksy group Brody is studying nursing, The Third Wheel is made up of which is how he met Tim. Both fiancés Sarah MacKelvie (ukulele/ have only been playing their cho- guitar/vocals) and Brody McGee sen instruments for a few years, (guitar/vocals), along with their with Tim having started playing third wheel, Tim Disher (banjo/ the fiddle a few months ago. fiddle/vocals). The band is the Their varying musical influ- only group act performing in this ences explain the group’s unique year’s competition. mix of sounds: Brody is a huge I sat down with Sarah and fan of singer-songwriter Matt Brody—who seem heartwarm- Pond, while Tim prefers ‘50s folk ingly crazy about each other—for and old gospel tunes to modern an interview. music. Sarah, who is currently study- The group is happy to have had Ellie Goldney ing planning at Dal, has been the opportunity to practice, play playing guitar for about nine shows and increase their reper- An IDS & SoSA student taking years and recently took up the toire for Dal’s Got Talent. They ukulele. She most admires Said hope to play at this year’s Paddle- on the music world the Whale and Stars, fest—a music festival in Brody’s but leaves the music hometown of St. Andrews, New writing to the boys. Brunswick—and perhaps some Ellie Goldney is a talented time nominee in the same cat- other summer music festivals.—ES singer-songwriter and a egory. fourth-year international “For the sake of space,” she development and social adds, “any folk band to come anthropology student at Dal. out of England in the recent She began taking guitar les- past. These were what I was Amber Oosthuyzen sons in the eighth grade, and listening to when I started brought singing and song- writing my own stuff.” Not a crease in the musical writing into the equation soon If she wins Dal’s Got Talent, after that. she says, “in an ideal world,” genes Goldney has a powerful, where the competition would emotion-filled voice, which help her to improve her musi- I would quickly compare to cal career, she would use the Amber Oosthuyzen comes her very first chord on the gui- Florence Welch of Florence money to take piano lessons from a musical family. Her tar. and the Machine—that being or record some tracks. biggest musical inspira- That guitar was a family no small compliment. Gold- Her “lamer, more realistic tion is her mum, who con- friend’s old Fender San Miguel ney plans on travelling after answer,” however, is that the stantly surrounded her and it provided her first oppor- finishing her degree this year. money will go toward her stu- and her siblings with music tunity to put the words that she When asked via email dent loans. throughout their childhood. had always written to beautiful about her favorite artists, she Check out Ellie Goldney’s Amber developed a pas- music. was quick to mention Laura Dal’s Got Talent performance sion for music when she was In her spare time, Amber is Marling, winner in the Best on Youtube. I guarantee she’ll 10, while her parents were an avid Tetris player.—RF British Female category at the pull on your heartstrings.—ES away on a road trip and her 2011 Brit awards, and three uncle taught her how to play • Mar. 7 - Mar. 13, 2014 arts&culture 17

Meghan Naugle Riding on a lifetime of performing

Meghan Naugle is in her second year of studying music at Dal. She completed her first year pursuing a jazz degree at Saint Francis Xavier University before transferring to Dalhousie, where she now studies voice. She gutsily decided to participate in Dal’s Got Tal- ent on the day of, when she saw a sign on campus during her church group meeting. Naugle grew up in Dartmouth and has been play- ing the fiddle and performing since she was small— she even won the Youngest Fiddle prize at the Mari- time Fiddle festival. She’s been singing for as long as she can remember, but became serious about it in high school. She dreams of teaching music and French, and of someday having a family. If she wins the competition, Naugle plans to put the money toward travel expenses to the Missouri Mid-South Conference of the United Church of Christ, where she can grow spiritually with fellow campus church groups from all over North America. Naugle said she would see the monetary aid as “God answering a prayer.” She also mentioned that Ryan Hartigan she has only been on a plane once in her life, making the trip extra exciting.—ES Taking a scientific approach to rap

Ryan Hartigan doesn’t do dirty gutter I become, the more intelligent my synesthesia—the involuntary blend- rap; his verses are calculated and flow music will become.” ing of sensory expressions. His life’s to the pattern of his life. Hartigan has been rapping since the passion is to teach, and he brings this Through his second song at the age of 14, having first found an interest approach to his musical styling. Dal’s Got Talent semifinal, he takes in the work of Tupac. “I consider myself first and fore- a seat and works his way through a “Rap,” he says, “allows for you to most a scientist. I want to teach people Rubix cube, rattling along a series of say more in a short period of time. It’s and I use music as a conduit. I’m never endless syllables. He wants to learn to more about the lyrical content of the going to give up on music. There’s no do this all while blindfolded. songs, rather than the music.” plan A or B; some people say that music “I’ve always considered progression After graduating this year, Harti- was always their backup plan, but I see of any kind to be more like a life’s pro- gan is planning to pursue his mas- them as very intertwined.”—MW gression,” the fifth-year neuroscience ter’s in Scotland, and will be study- student says. “The more intelligent ing the neurological phenomenon of sports sports covers athletic events and topics relevant to Dalhousie. Email Benjamin and Daniel at [email protected] to contribute sports Benjamin Blum Sports Editor

OPINION: DSU execs The TickeR: VolleyBall dropped the ball Some Lack of promotion results in consolation at absence of ‘Tiger pride’ nationals for Rebecca Haworth semester, Shanahan hired an ath- Sports Contributor letics commissionaire. This was a Dal step in the right direction, but was Benjamin Blum It’s that time of year again: can- done without any real interest in Sports Editor didates running in this year’s athletics, and it seemed to be at Dalhousie Student Union (DSU) the his priority list. elections will flock to classrooms To polish off the semester, the It was a trying weekend for and social media in an attempt to the AUS champs as the fourth- convince students they have what seeded Tigers encountered it takes to be the next executive “the VPSL a familiar foe in the quar- member of the DSU. ter-final: interlock rival and I want to talk about one of the got the date defending national champion four elected executive members Laval. The No. 5 Rouge et Or who have a tremendous impact proved superior in the match, on the student body, the vice wrong and dispatching Dal in straight president of student life (VPSL), Alex Dempsey (4) lunges for the dig in CIS championship play. sets. The Tigers' time at the Danny Shanahan. missed the • • • Photo by David Moll via Calgary (CIS) tournament did not end there, According to the DSU elections as they were still in conten- website, the student who holds game” tion in the consolation bracket. this position has four responsi- With a chance at some redemp- bilities: organize student spirit DSU was going to go all out and tion on the line, the Tigers activities, promote varsity athlet- promote the last men’s basketball squared off against Montreal, ics, chair event committees and game of the season. This 'plan' trading sets to force a fifth and oversee Shinerama. went up in smoke as the VPSL got final game to 15. Buoyed by 48 If you spend your days on the the date wrong and missed the assists from second CIS all-star same campus I do, there’s no game. team setter Jonathan Macdon- doubt you’ve noticed the lack of Although this year’s VPSL did ald, Dal defeated Les Cara- 'Tiger pride' here at Dal. I would an abysmal job of promoting var- bins and earned a spot in the argue that this is a direct result of sity athletics—one quarter of the consolation final to determine the current and former VPSL con- job he’s paid over $30,000 to do— fifth-place in the tournament. sistently neglecting their respon- he’s not the only one to blame. However, the team fell to Trin- sibility to promote varsity athlet- The DSU seems to view athlet- ity Western 3-1, ending their ics. ics as a cost incurred by students, 2013-14 campaign on a bitter- Take a quick look at the current rather than something with the sweet note. VPSL’s 2013 campaign website power to unite students by build- and you will notice that athletics is ing the sense of community and one of his main platform items— 'Tigers pride' we currently lack. Maggie Li (5) delivers the ball into Trinity Western territory at the CIS so it seems he’s off to a good start. I’m excited to see how the national championships. . • • • Photo by Rob Weitzel via SportsShooter.ca He even wanted to focus on creat- new VPSL and DSU members ing an engaging athletics culture approach athletics in the upcom- by improving communication. ing election, and hope that pro- Cinderella run strikes midnight for Tigers If that doesn’t make you want to moting athletics won’t sit at the vote for him, the last line of his bottom of their priority list once Regina played host to the Desiree Nouwen (15), Mag- versity of Manitoba shot down platform about promoting the the elections are over. Dal's ath- women's volleyball nation- gie Li (10) and Katherine Ryan these aspirations in straight cheap beer to entice student to letes are deserving of wider rec- als, and the weekend began (10). This win marked the first sets. With a chance to secure a attend games sure will. ognition among the student body, with a first-round upset. The time an AUS team has reached bronze medal, the Tigers took Most of you can see where and it is incumbent on the DSU to sixth-seeded Tigers squared the CIS semifinal since 1984 the first set off Laval, but lost this is going, and can probably help facilitate this. off against third-ranked Trin- and gave Dal a chance to bring the next three in a row. The guess what the VPSL did to pro- ity Western and defeated the home their first national cham- Tigers return home finishing mote varsity athletics after being Rebecca Haworth is co-president of reigning bronze medallists 3-1 pionship since 1982. However, fourth in the tournament. elected—nothing. the Dalhousie Varsity Council. behind double-digit kills from the eventual champion Uni- A few months into the fall • Mar. 7 - Mar. 13, 2014 sports 19

The Water Cooler With Sochi 2014 in the returns Why are both Dalhousie What can the next DSU rearview mirror, what hockey teams vice-president student kind of funding should Though the Atlantic University Sport struggling, and what life do to help the the federal government (AUS) varsity season has nearly come to a close, we here at the Gazette can be done about it? Tigers? provide Canada’s believe it’s never too early to start thinking about next year. With that athletes? in mind, we’ve rounded up a panel of experts—along with one angry Scots- man—to discuss some of the most pressing issues in amateur athletics.

If Canada wants to continue seeing perfor- The problem with Dal’s sports teams mances at a world-class level like we saw doesn’t lie with the players—the problem in Sochi, then they will have to continue is at the top. Many teams are struggling, The next VPSL can help the Tigers through funding amateur athletics. While Canada and Dal Athletics needs strong leadership advertisement, promotion and a concerted often excels at the Winter Olympics, many Kit Moran to turn things around. With the hiring of effort to build relationships between Dal of our top-performing winter athletes Varsity alumnus a new athletics director now imminent, it Athletics and Residence Council, along come from summer sports (a prime exam- is time for Dal to straighten its priorities with Dal Student Life. ple can be found in the crossover of track and right the sinking ship of the depart- and field athletes to bobsled). Therefore, ment. an investment in both summer and winter sports is required.

I'll be completely honest, I think the view- ership of Dal's sporting events was pretty These Olympics, specifically, should act as It's hard to answer this question, as I darn good this year, given the circum- a benchmark for the importance of hockey, think I've only attended one period of stances. Obviously there won't be many but more specifically women's hockey Dal hockey “action” all year. Why is that, people at the hockey games since they're within Canada. There were several dis- you ask? Because the games aren't excit- a whole 15-minute walk from campus Graeme Benjamin cussions brought forth on whether or not ing to watch. I'd rather pay $10 and watch (tragic, I know), but even though men's women's hockey would receive funding at Staff Contributor Drouin break the ankles of a rookie defen- basketball had a season to forget, fans the federal level in future Olympics, but seman then watch a Dal team get creamed were still showing up. I think it's all about after watching the excitement it created by St. FX again. It's the hockey fan in me, getting students at Dal excited about the across the nation, I believe it would be a what can I say? players, coaches and stories within the great loss for the country if they didn’t. AUS, making them actually want to go to the games.

The DSU’s new executive team needs to Dalhousie’s hockey programs need bet- increase its promotion of Dalhousie var- ter scouting, as well as more scholarships sity sports next year, and do so in more Olympic medals don’t come cheap. If we awarded to up-and-coming hockey stars efficient ways—educate students on their expect our athletes to bring home gold, teams can be built around. We also need Hamzeh Hadad sports teams and show they represent the we need to fund them. We have become more fans to come to hockey games. From students. Student attendance was high a dominant force in the Winter Olympics Staff Contributor what I’ve seen, the teams respond well to in publicized games, such as the football and a rising one in the Summer Games—a crowds—even with only a handful of peo- team’s homecoming or the men’s volley- trend that needs to continue. ple making noise. Imagine if the whole ball AUS championships. We need more rink was full! of that.

Two things. One, appearing before the court to explain Scruffy’s public inde- I think that the next person who offers cency was jus’ a wee misunderstanding. They’re probably shocked and appalled me a bucket of cola is goin’ tae get a right Two, reduce drink sizes down a wee dram at the soft drink sizes nowadays! Do you dressing down. Honestly, I’ll never under- to something more reasonable except, of Scruffy MacMinster know how big those bloody things are? I stand the way the world is going. Yer course, fer Scotch. I want to make people could wear one as a hat. I sometimes use allowed to serve enough sugary fluid to fill Aggressive Cola Enthusiast healthier, not subject them to torture! I the large cups as buckets to carry Scotch a loch and drown a wee little whale. But think that Rob Ford feller had it right: “Let from the well up into my house. if you misunderstand the term “strip mall” them eat cake.” Oh wait, that wasn’t him. one time, ye spend the night in jail. Still, he's a good lad, great hugger and a sensual lover. By Zoe Doucette and Chris Parent How should the DSU spend an extra $140k?

“A school spirit building” “A waterslide” Nick Perron Tyson Boyd 3rd-year acting 1st-year theatre

for more listings, Events @ DAL visit dalgazette.com

Friday, Mar. 7 Tuesday, Mar. 11 Last day of DSU voting. DSU Connecting Cultures—Digital ESL Workshop: Oral elections results party, 6:30 p.m. Cultures—A Roundtable, Communication for the in Grawood 4-6 p.m. in McCain Building, Workplace, 4-6 p.m. in Mona Ondaatje Auditorium Campbell Building Dal's Got Talent - Final Performance, 8 p.m. in “Books” “More entertainment, foosball, paintball” Architecture Lecture by Robert Wednesday, Mar. 12 Grawood Jessica Morrison Mohsen Asidi McCarter, 7-8:30 p.m. at Student Consultation: Budget, 1st-year undecided 1st-year engineering Medjuck Architecture Building, tuition and fees (with webcast), AAUEC Conference Speaker: 5410 Spring Garden Road. 6:30-7:30 p.m. in SUB Room Lynn Coady, 8 p.m. in 303 McCain Building, Scotiabank Saturday, Mar. 8 Auditorium Film Screening and Director DSU voting opens Q&A: The Ghosts in Our Machine with Liz Marshall, Thursday, Mar. 13 7-10 p.m. in McCain Building, DSU voting continues Scotiabank Auditorium Friday, Mar. 14 Monday, Mar. 10 The Austin and Hempel Senate Meeting, 4-6 p.m. in lectures: “Revising Logic”, 3:30 Macdonald Building, University p.m. in McCain Room 1130 Hall

“More study spaces” “Invest and put profits into programs • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • submit listings to [email protected] Ali Seglins for students in need” 2nd- year arts Cigdem Ketene Commerce alumni comics comics covers the funny ha-ha and the funny peculiar. Email Emily at [email protected] comics Emily Davidson Art Director

Old Heart by Amber Solberg Adventures in Servitude by Caitlin McGuire

Jocular Impulse by Aniruddha Waje

Wish You Were Here by Emily Davidson

March 7, 2014

Elizabeth Croteau To be or not to be? (A member, that is!) Industrial M.Eng Candidate The Dalhousie Student Union advocacy debate

There has been discussion of way at a Council meeting. emailed to DSU councillors Committee – one with firm over the last year at the DSU Somehow, that has evolved (or students at large, for that deadlines, clear deliverables, on whether or not the union into a full-fledged push to leave matter) documenting in an and direct accountability. should remain a member of a both CASA and SNS, freeing unbiased fashion what would Luckily this committee national advocacy organization up over $137,000 ($44,000 happen if we left CASA, SNS, passed; unfortunately, the – namely, the Canadian Alliance from CASA membership dues, or both. There has been $137,000 has still been freed of Student Associations and $93,000 from SNS) for the no firm proposal for what up with zero direction and no (CASA). Last spring, the DSU DSU to spend on independent exactly we would do with all accountability. Write. Get Paid. Council voted to become an advocacy. that money we would save. As students, you have the associate member rather than What happened to the Are we just going to spend opportunity to say whether 100-200 words = $15 a full member of CASA. The $22,000 we saved last year, $60,000 on a coordinator you want the $93,000 idea was that, by becoming you ask? Nearly half ($10,000) to do exactly the same thing currently earmarked to SNS to 200-400 words = $25 an associate member, we has been used to pay a CASA and SNS are currently go to the DSU instead. There would free up some funds coordinator and honorariums doing (with a lot more is a referendum question 400-600 words = $30 – approximately $22,000 – to students working at the experience and resources running in the election asking for “independent” advocacy DSU. Another $8,000 went to than the DSU)? Are we going you to approve using the 600+ = $35 efforts by the DSU, as well as a combination of advertising, to spend another third of SNS levy of $3 per student take a year to evaluate our printing and materials – odd, our “independent advocacy” for “independent advocacy”. Picture of the Week, options. in a digital age, when often the budget on advertising, printing, If you want to send a clear In addition, an Advocacy best way to garner student and materials? I personally feel message that you do not Comic, Abstract = $20 Review Committee was attention is online. Of the last we can find much better ways want to leave SNS, or even created. This committee was $4000, $1500 went to events to spend $137,000 – if indeed, that you just don’t want the SUBMIT: meant to discuss the options and the last $2500 went to it is logical to drop out of DSU spending your money for the DSU, as well as evaluate advocacy review – mostly in CASA or SNS at all. without a plan, consider [email protected] our risks and rewards to the form of food for Town Hall On Wednesday February 26, voting “No” on this question. leaving CASA and striking out meetings with students. None 2014, SNS presented their side Personally, I believe we need with our own independent of these Town Halls were on of why the DSU should not to first determine what our advocacy on a national level. Sexton Campus. leave their organization. At the Dalhousie students want to The Sextant is published by the This Review Committee did Now, I’m all for getting the same meeting, DSU Council see from their student union Dalhousie Sextant Publishing not end up meeting as created; most out of your/my/our voted whether to leave CASA with regards to advocacy, Society and aims to represent the committee consisted of DSU money. However, the by 17 to 15, and to leave before we start dropping out all of the students studying and only 4 people in the end, 3 of DSU’s process in this regard SNS by 16 to 15. Numerous of organizations and spending living on Sexton Campus. If you which are paid by the DSU. has failed its students. There councillors abstained, as they tens of thousands of dollars have any concerns about the At some point during the fall, has been exactly one formal were not able to consult without much direction. paper, please email sextant@ dal.ca and we'll arrange to meet someone floated the idea of report from the Advocacy with their constituents due Stay tuned for an update and discuss them. leaving Students Nova Scotia Review Committee – and it to the rushed vote. I, as next week on the DSU’s plans (SNS). This had not previously discussed CASA, its history, Sexton Campus Director, put moving forward! If you have Editor-In-Chief: Brett Ziegler been mentioned, and it was and the services it offers. There forward a motion to create any questions, please email Assistant Editor: Richard Wile brought up in an off-hand sort has been no formal report a formal Advocacy Planning [email protected]. Treasurer: Nikheel Premsagar

Questions, Comments, Contribute Sexton Campus's Online Resource [email protected] www.daleng.ca L@DalSextant F facebook.com/DalSextant Come put your feet up by the fire with some friends at the most relaxing spot in downtown Halifax!

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