Civil Engineers to Face the 'Crusher'

Vol. 16 No. 18 February 20, 1992 Building better bridges Civil Engineers to face the 'crusher' design we u sed last year. This year, determined by the pressure withstood, we're using an IBM-compatible PC to d ivided by the weight of the bridge /vain Comeau build the bridge to scale, and to calcu squared. Contestants must aim for a late the shape of the arch." lightweight yet sturdy structure. All this work and ingenuity is to see "The challenge is in forcing them to how their meticulously planned and use so few materials," said Rocco Lom constructed scale model bridges will bardo, a technician in the Department Two weeks to go, and the six teams survive being squeezed by a hydraulic of Civil Engineering, who serves as a from Concordia have already put long press known as "the crusher." resource person for students working hours into preparing for the eighth an Points are given for strength and aes on a number of department projects. nual Civil Engineering Bridge Building thetics; the models should look as much "They have to ask themselves, What Competition. as possible like real bridges. Strength is "We've been working on our design See BRIDGES page CTR-2 for about eight hours a week since January," said Building Engineering student Brian Monk. He and his five teammates have been analyzing data on the materials used last year. World-class guitarist Contestants are restricted to three materials: popsicle sticks, Elmer's Glue and dental floss. The idea is to test their Peter Leitch joins Jeri Brown ability to create sturdy structures. Forty-two teams, from as far away as on stage and in the studio Newfoundland, will take part in this year's contest, to be held at Concordia on March 6. That's more than twice as many participants as last year. Three days work "We've worked the equivalent of about three solid days," Angelo Tasillo said of his three-member team, "mostly just on planning and building a prelimi nary model." Building Engineering student Joey Bonofiglio and his teammate have been working on their design for two hours a day since January. "We're refining the PHOTO: Diane Moon World-class Canadian jazz guitarist Peter Leitch came to Concordia for a Valentine's Day concert at the Concert Hall last week. He was joined by Music Professor Jeri Brown on voice. This weekend, the two will team up with musicians Kirk Lightsey, Rufus Reid and Wali Muhammed in New York for the recording of Brown's second disc on the Justin Time label. CTR-2 - February 20, 1992 • BRIDGES continued from page CTR-1 can I do with what I've got?' rather than learned there," Monk said. scathed from this year's competition. the crusher with a new cylinder to bring 'What do I need to make this?' Anybody "It was started in 1984 by the Concor "Last year, the capacity of the crusher it up to 1,500 pounds. We can guarantee can order 2,000 tons of steel, but a con dia chapter of the Canadian Society of was 800 pounds, and one of the bridges that no bridge will be left standing." test like this really taxes their creative Civil Engineers (CSCE), as entertain withstood 750 pounds. We were wor The Competition will be held throughout imagination. That's what creates a ment for Concordia students," said or ried that with the improvements in the the day, Friday, March 6 in the lobby, mez skilled engineer. ganizer and CSCE president Sandro designs, there might be a bridge this zanine and Alumni Auditorium (H-110) of "They're not using popsicle sticks as Dominicano. "It expanded to other year that is too strong. So we're fitting the Henry F. Hall Building. sticks per se, but converting them into Montreal universities, and now it's a building materials. They try to find the national competition. Eventually, we most effective state for the sticks, might have to limit the competition to crisscrossing, laminating, combining one team per university." them." Teams bring their bridges unas sembled in no more than three Glad Concordia tradition kitchen bags. Then they have two hours to put together the sturdiest popsicle The annual competition has become a stick structure they can. Concordia tradition, and an increasing "Craftsmanship - the quality of the ly competitive event between students construction - is as important as in engineering, who see it as a test of design in making a strong bridge," said what they've learned. Lombardo. "People take the competition very Civil Engineering student Gary Con seriously because of the pride they take nor, who is a competition organizer, in their school and what they've warned that no bridge will emerge un- PHOTO; Morrtz Gaede Last year's nail-biting preparation paid off for the team from Memorial University in New foundland. They won the competition, edging slightly ahead of the Concordia team. Hearings puts harassment back in media spotlight Off the Cuff is a weekly column of opinion and insight into major issues in the Registration underway news. If you are a Concordia faculty member and have something to say "off the cuff," call CTR at 848-4882. for Observation Nursery Sexual harassment and sexual assault cases have become popular grist for the media Registration is now open for the Fall session of the Observation Nursery programme mill of late. The Anita Hi/I/Clarence Thomas case was the first sexual harassment in the Education Department. hearing widely covered by the media, and was closely followed by the two widely This innovative preschool programme for 3- and 4-year-olds operates Tuesdays, publicized celebrity date rape trials of William Kennedy Smith and boxer Mike Tyson. Wednesday and Thursdays from 9:15 to 11 :15 a.m. Debate over publicizing victims ' names, preventive education, and what constitutes The child must have turned 3 by Nov. 30, 1992. Parents may observe their children as harassment, has been rekindled. Concordia Sexual Harassment Officer Sally Spil they participate in stimulating activities with two qualified teachers. On Thursday haus comments on these issues. mornings, parents attend guided discussions on child rearing . The nursery is affiliated "One act or offensive gesture doesn't constitute sexual harassment, but repeated acts with the Spoecialization in Early Childhood Education, Major in Child Studies and the or gestures do. If a man makes a remark about a woman's clothing on one occasion, MAs in Child Studies and Child Study programmes. it is not sexual harassment, but if he repeatedly makes offensive remarks about her Contact Carol Ryan, E.C.E. Secretary, at 848-2031. appearance and a pattern is established, that could be considered sexual harass ment. "There are two main kinds of sexual harassment, one involving a person of authority who is able to coerce a response to his or her demands. The second is environmental harassment where someone's behaviour over a period of time leads to a hostile working environment. Concordia is hearing a labour arbitration case on environmental harassment now. "There is some confusion among men about what constitutes sexual harassment. But rarely does someone innocently cause offense to others. The publicity surrounding recent cases may be helping people talk openly about harassment with each other. Concordia's Thursday Report is the community newspaper of the University, serving faculty, Remaining silent and hiding the problem is not going to help. staff, students and administration on the Loyola Campus and the Sir George Williams Campus. It is published 28 times during the academic year on a weekly basis by the Public Relations Department of Concordia University, 1455 de Maisonneuve Blvd. West, Montreal, Quebec H3G "I think it's dangerous to draw conclusions from celebrity date rape cases that we have 1M8 (514) 848-4882. Material published in the newspaper may not be reproduced without seen in the media because they get blown out of proportion and sensationalized. They permission. The Back Page listings are published free of charge. Classified ads are $5 for the are only useful for highlighting controversial issues like bringing a victim's past into first 10 words and 10 cents for each additional word. Display ad rates are available upon request. question. Events, notices and ads must reach the Public Relations Department (Bishop Court, 1463 Bishop St. , Room 115) in writing no later than Monday noon prior to Thursday publication. "The only thing a woman has to gain by filing a complaint against a harasser, and ISSN 1185-3689 potentially having her name made public, is getting the offensive behaviour stopped. There is a good chance a woman won't be believed and an equal chance of being Editor Donna Varrica labelled a trouble maker. Faculty Reporters Barbara Black Silvia Cademartori "People in positions of authority must be alerted to the existence of harassment so This Issue: they can nip any problems in the bud. They are just as responsible for creating a harassment free environment as a complainant is. Don't wait until problems are Contributors Sylvain Comeau, Johanne De Cubellis and Marc Elias critical. It's extremely difficult to mend the work environment. Photographers Moritz Gaede and Diane Moon Typesetting Richard Nantel, Productions PICA 761-6221 "If someone is not sure just what can be construed as sexual harassment, they can Printing Inter-Hauf Developments Inc. contact the Office anonymously and find out. If the community sees that a complaint has been dealt with effectively, it may deter future offensive behaviour and encourage people to come forward." THE SHAPE OF THINGS TO COME New town library interior is startling, dramatic and fu · l PHOTOS: Jock Markow & Company/Char1es Belarger Concordia then and now: On Jan.

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