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2 [)() ! 2 • A DECADE IN REVIEW The Cord • Wednesday. December 9, 2009 CONTENTS
How will we be remembered? A reflection on The making of an intelligent city How 3 popular culture throughout the 2000s 16 Waterloo has developed year by year
The development of a university How student The decade in Laurier news The stories that 4 life has changed at Laurier in the past 10 years 18 have defined Laurier as a university
The dawn of a new era Shifting technologies Students' union newsmakers 10 moments 5 and changes in entertainment consumption 20 that have impacted WLUSU
Arts on campus A historical look at entertainers 10 years of tomfoolery A collection of 6 who have visited Laurier 21 hilarious illegal goings on of the past decade
The good, the bad and the crazy Highlighting A decade of underreported news Stories that 7 the most memorable celebrity debacles 22 failed to garner international attention
10 years of success Chronicling the success of Best of the decade A panel decides on 2000 8 the women's hockey and lacrosse teams 24 to 2009's best in arts and entertainment
The triumph of the decade Looking back at 9 Laurier's 2005 Vanier Cup victory
In photos The past 10 years of Golden Hawks 10 athletics told through photography
The changing face of Laurier An examination 11 of the university's expansion and growth
What the future brings Investigating the plans 14 for continued expansion at Laurier 15 Finding identity in the 21st century How Facebook and globalization shape identity Cover design by Trina Schmidt
rom the editor
10 years ago society was abuzz with the Y2K scare. Experts everywhere whatto make by combining them ( 2017), contact lenses that will project were predicting that when the calendar turned to the year 2000 comput images into the eye as well as allow you to download software to affect ers would crash and our dependence on technology would be our own dreams (2018), as well as the death of web 2.0 and amateur journalists and self-destruction. bloggers (2020).
Interestingly, as we leave behind the first decade of the 21st century technol Regardless of whether these things actually materialize or not, one can be ogy is still the subject dominating popular discourse. It's amazing to think certain that within the next 10 years changes will take place that will have a that within the last 10 years we have witnessed inventions such as the iPod, significant impact on our lives. smartphones and Facebook. Technology has changed the way we consume entertainment, communicate with others and function as students. Reflect While it is fun to look ahead to the future and predict the direction our soci ing back on all of the changes that have taken place in the past 10 years it's ety may move in, it is equally important for us to look back and commemo hard to even conceive how technology will look 10 years in the future. rate the first decade of the 21st century. Our world and our campus have changed drastically in 10 years, and so The Cord pays tribute to what the An article published in April's U.K. edition of Wired contained predictions 2000s have brought us by chronicling the most important moments of the about future technological inventions. The expert panelists predicted that past decade and the impact they have will have on the future. in the next 10 years we will see the emergence of technologies such as care robots (2014), intelligent advertising posters that personally address con Laura Carlson sumers (2015), packages that talk to each other using RFID chips to suggest Cord Editor-in-Chief
Contributing editors Volunteers Colophon Preamble to the constitution l,AI lA CARLSON Cool-...... Adam t..uzuam 1M Cord Will lrftp W.th wath ~~ ruden by~ Dnn and a , U"Jrl ltheeord ca THE CORD """'...... __ ...... c; ...... w piHIIOnlofop!NoM~iwly,K'C.'W'lltdyandWrly . _..._, • •••••• ••• .JEREMY TRE MBLAY -C.,llo6- • • • • .. . • • • • • .. .. • .. • • .. • Eou17 Slolocn 75 University Ave W jtrem~ayCUheCord ca c.,- ...... KNtoo Rowatt !:n~"t':!~~=~o!::!; ~..._, ...... NICK LACHANCE · · · ··· · •• •• • •• ··• •• • •• Joc WADE THOMPSON CORD GRAPHICS How will we be remembered? 111 ll t u l independence returns, but the cycle donning eyeliner and skinny jeans 20-somethings adorned themselves ANNE DONAHUE quickly begins again. The 2ooos as a challenge to the masculine Blame Mad Men and vinyl, but the with surfbrands and adopted surf STAFF WRITER have seen this three times. norms that dictate society, while 2000s saw a jump in all things nos- lingo, never quite mastering the girls mimicked both the gothic and talgic - perhaps as an attempt to dedication exuded from profession- very decade has their thing. 1. Skaten/Punb punk cultures with dark clothing, cling to decades brave enough to als as the next trend came and the The '6os were rock 'n' roll, the From the end of the '90s to the mid- dark hair and general expressions of forge their own identity. long boards were abandoned. '7os housed disco and funk 2000s, skate and punk culture be- grief. While the technologically ad- and the '8os and '9os were a tapes- came the epitome ofbadass attitude Short-lived and mostly reserved vanced gravitated toward BluRay, try of grunge, pop, conflict, progress as youth used their skateboards and for the young, instead of moving the iPhone and BlackBerrys, record As the decade progressed, art be- and technological boom. punk lyrics to rebel against social into the mainstream, emo culture players, typewriters and vintage came both lazier and darker as real- So what were the 2000s? An norms and mainstream lifestyles. (having already amalgamated as- clothing saw resurgence that not ity 1V replaced legitimate program- amalgamation of decades past? Though skate and punk culture pects of the '7os, '8os and '9os) be- only boasted good taste but street ming, and dramatic films began to Years dominated by a class of hip? have been around for decades, a new gan to adopt the hipster factor. credibility. shock and depress. The loss of creativity in lieu of generation attempting to grasp orig- Is it a longing for the good old For every Survivor there was a Saw, laziness? inality relentlessly took up the sport 3.Hipsten days or are we attempting to mimic for every Big Brother another inde- Grab your UGG boots, green tea while blaring the sounds of The Though believed to be a newer the success of the baby boomers? pendent film left audiences in tears and vinyl as we attempt to pay hom- Clash and NOFX - though failing movement trickling down from the Maybe we've finally realized that and dismay. age to a decade that still seems to be to grasp the actual history of both boroughs of New York, modem hip- our "new and improved" lifestyles Where creativity lacked in tele- a quest for identity. cultures while rushing to West 49 in ster culture has been prevalent in are obsolete before removing the vision, film's dismal-yet-easy-to- droves. various forms since the birth of jaz2 packaging. What remains is that ev- relate-to qualities reflected the con- However, as the movement be- and rock 'n' roll. erything old is new again. cern and anxiety of the later 2000s It's no surprise that youth cul- came increasingly "in," true skate- However, as former emo kids and as 20-somethings faced quarter-life ture directly reflects the feel ofthe boarding connoisseurs and punk punks matured, they flooded the crises represented by movies like times, as those on the fringe uti- aficionados took a step back. ultimate underground scene that With the increasing popularity of Garden State, Lost in Translation and lize the decade's norms to create Though continuing to embrace has successfully dictated the mu- Quiksilver, the Canadianization of The Last Kiss. counter-identities that challenge the their lifestyles, they shifted into a sic, film and fashion movements for Hollister and the popularity ofLa- While the 2ooos did offer some mainstream. more underground forum while the centuries. guna Beach during the early to mid respectable comedies, television Often, these subcultures position posers floated towards the next big As the wandering youth stumbled 2000s, surf culture was brought to dramas and feel-good films, grit- themselves as the antithesis of "in," thing. upon the fashion-conscious, politi- the forefront as seashell necklaces tier storylines and staged blowouts embracing underground culture in cally charged, art-loving subculture were worn, highlights were admin- earned critical acclaim, award nom- an attempt to fight the pod people 2.EmoKids that has adopted all things indepen- istered and UGGs were flaunted. inations and, in the case of Heidi that dictate every decade. In response to the popularity of dent, attention has been brought to While Yellowcard belted out and Lauren from The Hills, countless However, these independent skate culture, a younger generation the hipster demographic, resulting Ocean Avenue, Kate Bosworth did for magazine covers. thinkers with their well-cultivated gravitated toward the dark, misun- in "the mainstream-ing of hipster- surfing what Jennifer Grey did for Irony at its best, reality television wardrobes, music tastes and life- derstood and sexually experimental dom" due to the recent surge of Dirty Dancing in the 2002 teen favou- portrayed the exact opposite, while styles are quickly mimicked by the tendencies that dictated much of fashion/ex-emo kids. rite Blue Crush. the mysticism of film captured the very society they're attempting to youth culture of the early '7os punk How the up-and-comingyouthful Perhaps an attempt at mimick- hopes and fears of a society lost. stand apart from. rock. generation chooses to rebel against ing the careless, fun-loving and So how will the 2000s be re- In response, new under- From 2005 to late 2007, boys the system again remains to be free-wheeling lifestyle of most membered? Think pop without the ground groups are created and began embracing femininity by seen. West-Coast dwellers, teens and culture. 4 • A DECADE IN REVIEW The Cord • Wednesday. December 9. 2009 The development of a university In the past 10 years, Laurier has undergone significant changes. From physical buildings to students using technology in the classroom, the university is vastly different today than it was in 2000 CAITLIN HOWLETT tis hard to believe that I've been roaming the halls of the Laurier campus for close to 10 years. Naturally, this is where I vehemently defend myself and tell you I'm not on my sixth victory lap. In fact, Imy timeline at Laurier is quite unique and has permitted me to be on the receiving end of many great physical transformations. I've been an undergrad, a student-employee, a full-time employee and I'm cur rently a part-time MBA student. I know this campus well. The physical landscape of Laurier as well as the impact of technol ogy, in my opinion, are the true markers of change. When I started at Laurier in 2000, the campus was quite different. Most students today would be hard -pressed to believe many of the buildings they use ev eryday didn't exist 10 years ago. And technology, well let's just say I was about one of only three people in a second -year lecture opening a laptop in 1E1 to take notes. If we made plans to go to the Turret, we didn't update our status on Facebook or send an instant message; we called each other, on a landline. I've been the recipient of change for almost a decade, which means I've seen the construction of Bricker Academic Building, King Street Residence, Waterloo College Hall, the Schlegel Centre, the Career Ser vices building and the acquisition of St. Michael's campus. I endured countless renovations such as the FNCC, including Wilf's and the Tur ret, the dining hall (now the Fresh Food Company), Alumni Field, Uni versity Stadium, the DAWB, 1E1, Alumni Hall and most recently the beautifYing of campus spaces such as the Quad. The list is impressive; possibly the only thing more impressive is that I was able to write it from memory, since every change has impacted me. With these additions and alterations came many memorable firsts. My classmates and I listened to inspiring lectures about Olympic his tory in the spacious rooms of the then new Bricker Academic Building. I watched the women's lacrosse team win championships on the new turf of University Stadium. I waited not-so-patiently at the St. Mi chael's campus crosswalk; actually, I still do. I was also the first editor of The Cord to produce a newspaper out of the basement of MacDon ald House residence when we were "forced out" of the third floor of the FNCC to make way for the Wilfrid Laurier University Students' Union renovations. If we made plans to go to the Turret, we didn't update our status on Face book or send an instant message; we called each other, on a landline. NICK LACHANCE PHOTOGRAPHY MANAGER Even the outskirts of campus have changed to accommodate the growth of enrolment. I barely recognize Ezra and Bricker when I drive Today, Laurier's arts wing entrance is an underused vein to the centre of campus. Once the university's down them now. Long gone are the student houses marred with couch main entrance, the arts wing is now barely a passthrough in a little-noticed corner of WLU. es on front porches and the occasional passed out student. Instead, towering multi-bedroom apartments now line the streets, while stu dents walk into parked cars because they're busy messaging someone on their smartphone. The student population has doubled since I start ed; now there's close to 15,000 students enrolled across all our cam puses, including the Brantford campus and the faculty of social work in Kitchener. There is also Laurier's dramatic new presence at the corner of King and York streets in Toronto. The sprawl of Laurier has increased in credibly in just 10 years, and the next few years look even more prom ising with a proposed campus in Milton. In addition to aesthetic changes, Laurier continues to pad its resume • with remarkable accomplishments. Most recently, it was touted as the first school in Canada to provide its MBA students with BlackBerrys a8 part of an integrated education model that embraces technology and the ability for students and professors to be connected in a whole new way. With this commitment to technology comes a challenge in updating its IT infrastructure. Students today demand instant access across a network that is both reliable and fast. It is therefore critical that Laurier respond to these changes to ensure that its reputation as a leader in ed ucation and experience flourishes. I've witnessed a lot of changes throughout the years, that have shaped the campus not just physically but academically, socially and environmentally. Now the onus is on this administration to make sure that we continue to grow according to size, the environment, technol ogy and perhaps most importantly, the economy. Caitlin Howlett was The Cord Weekly Editor-in-Chief in 2004-05. She holds a BA in Kinesiology 'os and is completing her MBA part-time. She currently works for TOM BOCHSLER LIBRARY ARCHIVES Research In Motion in R&D, volunteers with Sustainable Waterloo and is a di rector for the Wilftid Laurier University Alumni Association. When the Arts Building first opened in 1953, the side opposite University Avenue looked not so dissimilar to today's campus. With the exception of additional buildings and landscaping, the overall structure of the arts wing remains strikingly similar to how it looked 56 years ago. The Cord • Wednesday. December 9. 2009 A DECADE IN REVIEW • 5 The dawn of a new era Technology in the 2000s Along with the mp3, both stream emphasis on home theatre rather MIKE LAKUSIAK ing audio on the Internet and sat than the old-fashioned movie the STAFF WRITER ellite radio have come into promi atre for viewing films. Memorable moments nence in the past decade. There have been incredible ad e past decade will perhaps Subscription-based satellite ra vances in special effects, CGI and est be remembered for tre dio services have started to compete animation techniques that have al in technology mendous changes and ad with traditional free broadcast radio, lowed films like the Transformers vancements in technology and its providing more variety with less ad franchise, the realistic motion-cap presence in people's lives. vertising and better sound quality. ture animated film Beowulf and the In 10 years, there has been an in As far as audio quality is con Academy Award-winning Wall-E to credible shift in the ways people cerned, this decade has not fared be produced. obtain, and more importantly, view, well in terms of emphasis on how With the development of the In media, especially in music and film. music sounds. ternet, including a shift from dial First true real-time eel-shad- Xbox 360 gaming console The necessary element in the With mp3s and highly com up to broadband-speed service and change that has occurred in the past pressed digital audio, music has be the rise of peer-to-peer sharing, ing animation introduced. released. decade is the rise to prominence of come increasingly about portability there has been just as much of an the Internet. and versatility rather than clarity. impact through Internet movie pi The incredible popularity and There seems to be hope for those racy on the film industry as there adoption of this presence into peo who cherish sound quality with the has with mp3 piracy on the music ple's daily lives is astonishing in resurrection of the vinyl record al industry. contrast to the change that has hap bum in the past few years. In spring 2009, the film X-Men pened in past decades. According to Neilson Soundscan, Origins: Wolverine was leaked to the Apple launches the iPod. In the Video sharing website YouTube People across the globe are con although overall digital and physi Internet a month before its theatri nected more than ever before to cal album sales decreased almost 18 cal release. same year, the BitTorrent tech- is launched and innovative new day and can more easily interact per cent between 2007 and 2008, vi Twentieth Century Fox, the studio with others and share information nyl LP sales went up a record 89 per that produced the film, estimated nology was created and re- console, the Wii, from Ninten- worldwide. cent. that the leaked version of the film Only the development of radio at Live music has also changed with had been downloaded roughly 4·5 leased. do is released. the turn of the twentieth century can the new millennium, as the Internet million times before the film's actual be compared to the Internet in terms has been affecting both the promo release date. of sheer change in the ways people tion of artists and events, as well as live their lives. the tickets consumers buy to attend Television It was only in the last 10 years that these events. Television in a traditional broad technology has grown to effect real Through easier access to infor cast form declined in the 2000s, but change in human interaction, espe mation about artists than the print viewership of television through on The Blu-ray disc technology is Apple's first venture into the cially in terms of digital media. media and information on record demand video and the Internet has and CD sleeves that preceded the brought television viewership to an officially unveiled and Ama- mobile market, the iPhone, is Music Internet- as well as social network all-time high according to Neilson In music, the 2000s presented ing services like MySpace Music Media Research. zon's Kindle is released. released to the public. changes to an entire industry and and increasingly Facebook and even Through time-shifting and digi the sound recordings that had been Twitter - artists are able to attract tal video-recorders, 1V viewers can an important part of people's lives ' fans to shows and promote them now watch what they want when since the first recorded music ap selves more than ever before. they want to; something that was peared in the early 1900s. Ticket sales have become an on not at all possible in the previous While vinyl records, magnetic line domain as well, with greater decade. cassette tapes and digital compact access to tickets on the Internet as Social-networking and music IBM releases the world's fastest discs were the means of playing well as online scalping replacing the In review back recorded sound for the 20th traditional box office line and the At the close of the 2000s, it is evi sharing site MySpace founded. computer, named Roadrunner. century, with the 2000s came the sidewalk. dent that technology has advanced acceptance of the mp3. to such a degree in the past 10 years The first digital media players ca Movies that many people could not imagine pable of playing mp3 format audio Film technology in the 2ooos saw living without iPods, high-speed in were launched around 1998. substantial changes in the ways ternet or on-demand television. These initial devices, though por people experience movies. There have been profound chang table and significant, were not pop Since the year 2000 when VHS es in technology as a whole that Social-networking site Face- The Infinite Book is unveiled, ular until the launch of Apple's iPod tapes still made up a substantial have impacted the presence these in April2001. portion of the video rental market, forces have in people's lives. book is founded and begins to a technology which combines The iTunes store, which opened there have been format changes to They have created a society more in 2003, provided an alternative to home video from the rise of the DVD centered around technology than invade the privacy of millions the analog and digital aspects downloading pirated mp3s or con to new high definition technologies ever before. verting music from CDs. like Blu-ray and the now-defunct As even "archaic" media forms of unsuspecting people. of newspapers. HD-DVD. like books become part of this trend High definition video has through e -books and e-book read emerged as a new standard in film ers like Amazon's Kindle, it becomes making, television and even vid evident that nothing seems to es eo games, and has created a new cape the forces of technology. TRINA SCHMIDT GRAPHICS EDITOR 6 • A DECADE IN REVIEW The Cord • Wednesday. December 9. 2009 Arts on cam us: Memorabl moments FILE PHOTO JORDAN JOCIUS FILE PHOTO K-OS: Mar. 27, 2002 Finger Eleven: Sept. 7, 2005 ,,,===~== Laurier wanted another hour. He represented, no ''Sometimes======you find yourself playing in front of doubt, but perhaps not to the fullest:' drunk people who are just there for a show:' -Laurier student in the crowd, commenting on Canadian -Finger Eleven's drummer Rich Beddoe in an interview with rapper K- OS's performance at Wilf's The Cord before their performance at the Turret SYDNEY HELLAND FILE PHOTO SYDNEY HELLAND FILE PHOTO ,,,Jian======Ghomeshi: Oct. 8, 2006 Bedouin Soundclash: Sept. 12, 2007 The old adage 'don't let school get in the way of ''Reggae-=-=-======music is a part of who we are as your education' is something that I really believe:' individuals:' -CBC Radio host ofQ talking to a Laurier audience during alternative 0-Week - Bassist Eon Sinclair ofBedouin Soundclash speaking to the audience at the Turret YUSUF KIDWAI FILE PHOTO RYAN STEWART FILE PHOTO Sue Johanson: Feb. 6, 2008 illScarlett: Jan. 28, 2009 ''If I was;==== a cute= young==== thing or just glamorous with ''For every:======person that goes out of their way to bodacious tatas, it would be seen as titilating, tell you 'you suck; there's 10 people who go out whereas I'm mature and wear flat shoes:' of their way to tell you they love you:' -Sex expert Sue Johanson in an interview with The Cord before -illScarlett lead singer Alex Norman told The Cord in an her educational talk at the Theatre Auditorium interview before their performance at the Turret The Cord • Wednesday. December 9. 2009 A DECADE IN REVIEW • 7 The good, the bad Celebrity deaths and the crazy of the decade Remembering the most profound and ridiculous moments of 2000 through 2009 in the arts and entertainment industry Danny Glover and Jessica Lange The 74th Academy Awards also SARAH MURPHY were also adamantly opposed to the marked the first time the television STAFF WRITER Bush administration. broadcast had been produced by a woman. The 2ooos saw everything from 2.Live8 politically-charged celebrities rally In July 2005, Bob Geldof tried to re Bizarre moments Alec Guinness (b. 1914) Johnny Carson (b.1925) ing against their president to one of claim the glory of Live Aid by orga Actor known best as Obi-Wan Comedian known best as host the most awkward interviews ever nizing a number of benefit concerts 1. MJ dangles baby Kenobi in the original Star Wars films of The Tonight Show for 30 years shownon1V. across various G8 nations. Whether he was simply sharing a Here's a look at some of the most Setting a goal to "make poverty glimpse of his beloved child with 2001 memorable moments of the past history;' the concert series came un the fans outside or perhaps just go decade. der fire for its limited and mediocre ing insane, Michael Jackson dangled success and lack of follow-up ac his infant son over the balcony of Important moments tion, making it seem like a publicity his German hotel room in Novem stunt for musicians worldwide - not ber2002. 1. Hollywood versus Bush the people dying below the poverty While it was not one of the King The Dixie Chicks stirred up a shit line. of Pop's finest moment, strangely storm of controversy when sing enough, it was probably not the er Natalie Maines announced to 3· Oscar firsts at the 74th Academy worst of his eventful career. a London audience that she was Awards However, the baby dangling in ... "ashamed that the president of Hollywood's finest watched as cident remains MJ's biggest public George Harrison (b. 1943) Steve Irwin (b. 1962) the United States is from Texas" in Halle Berry accepted her award for faux-pas of the 2000s. Lead guitarist and vocalist of world 1V wildlife expert and conserva March2003. Best Actress in March 2002, mak famous rock band The Beatles tionist "The Crocodile Hunter" Death threats and destruction ing her the first African 2. "Joaquin, I'm sorry you couldn't of CDs by bulldozers ensued. American woman be here tonight" 2002 2007 Weeks later at the Os- to receive this In one of television's most awkward cars, documentary drama acclaim. and memorable moments ever, Joa queen Michael Moore That same year, quin Phoenix appeared on the David deemed Bush a "fic Denzel Washing Letterman Show sporting dark glasses titious president" ton took home and a massive beard, only tore and cried, "Shame the trophy for main in an unresponsive, zoned-out on you!" as the Best Actor. state throughout the entire inter get-off-the-stage At the same view. music played in the time, Sidney Poi tier Unaware of the film he was pro background. was given a Life moting or the general presence of Others celebs time Achievement Letterman himself. Phoenix only Joe Strummer (b. 1952) AnnaNicoleSrnith (b.1967) like Woody Har Award, earning the said anything when he was an Musician known best as rhythm An actress, model, Playboy bunny relson, Chrissie ceremony the short nouncing his retirement from acting guitarist and frontman ofThe Clash and international sex symbol Hynde, Rich lived and somewhat to pursue a new profession in hip ard Gere, Robin offensive nickname "The hop music. Williams, Blackademy Awards". A resounding "what the fuck?" echoed from 1V watchers everywhere. 3· Britney finds true love ••• multiple times On Sept. 18 2004, Britney and Kev in Federline joined together in the greatest trailer-park union since Ricky, Julian and Bubbles. It ended after two years, two kids and so much drama that Britney's Johnny Cash (b.1932) Heath Ledger (b. 1979) 55-hour marriage to Jason Alexan Influential American country, folk, Actor who died from ingesting a der earlier in 2004 seemed like the blues and rock singer-songwriter toxic combination of drugs at age 28 TRINA SCHMIDT GRAPHICS EDITOR more successful of the two. A decade of gaming Staff Writer Morgan Alan lists the top games of 2000 to 2009 1. Metal Gear Solid 2: 4. Katamari Damacy wowed with its gorgeous visuals and Sons of Liberty PlayStation 2 (2004) intuitive levels. Ray Charles (b.1930) Michael Jackson (b. 1958) PlayStation 2 (2001) A triumph in original, simple {and Though objectively not terribly Legendary jazz and rock-and- roll The most influential pop dancer and Perhaps the most hotly-anticipated bizarre) gameplay. dissimilar from past Mario titles, songwriter of the 2oth century entertainer of the 2oth century game of this decade, MGS2's myriad Though not an indie game by any Galaxy is among the better games of of plot twists, famously complex means, Katamari let studios know this current generation. storylines and intuitive stealth game that even the most off-the-wall con Hi.. ing Athletic: Cente play cinched it as the top spot this cept (rolling up Japan into a giant 8. The Leg~nd of Zelda: decade. ball to rebuild the solar system) can Majora's Mask Liaison What gamer will forget the be a roaring success. Nintendo 64 (2000) controversy of the "Raiden Though Ocarina ofTime will for- bait-and-switch"? 5. Grand Theft Auto: ever be remembered as the N64's San Andreas crowning title, it was the moody and Responsibilities Include: 2. Beyond Good & Evil 1 Multiplatform (2004) surrealistic world of Majora that *Organizing radio coverage of events. Multiplatform (2003) CD\ secures a spot in the top five for breathed new life into the some *Systematically organizing playlists. A truly immersive gaming expe its consistently high-quality releas times stale Zelda franchise. rience, BG&E is a true champion es and lasting influence on the video *Updating AC ipod weekly. in gaming story-telling and plot game medium. 9.Rez *Approximately 10-15 hours a week including direction. Though other Gil\ titles were l>l'eamcast (2001) The cut scenes, character devel contenders for inclusion in this list, One of the short-lived Dreamcast's meetings and blogging. opment and visuals can only be de the size and open-endedness of San finest releases, this trippy electro scribed as cinematic. Andreas is impressive even today. rhythmic shooter would set the standard for music games to come. Application Deadline: 3. Eternal Darkness: 6. Silent Hill 2 Rez's synesthesia-inducing December 19th b.~.. ~~· Sanity's Requiem PlayStation 2 (2001) gameplay is a true sensory gaming Gamecube (2002) The beautifully terrifYing atmo experience. Perhaps it's cheating to put two hor sphere of Silent Hil/2 , rife with sym ror games on this list, but the psy bolism and a remarkably coherent 10. Half-Life 2 chological unease created by this plot, is a true gaming experience. PC{2oo4) Canadian-made title is simply be The PC garners would have my yond comparison. 7. Super Mario Galaxy head if this game didn't make the The game's patented "sanity me Wii (2007) list. Honestly, there is nothing else ter" led to some unforgettable scary Whereas Sunshine was trite and felt left to say about Valve's astounding moments. like a tired Mario 64 rehash, Galaxy masterpiece. 8 • A DECADE IN REVIEW The Cord • Wednesday. December 9. 2009 10 years of success Since 2000, none of Laurier's athletic programs have been as successful as women's lacrosse and women's hockey Women's Hockey 2009: 26-1-0 2004: 12-7-3 OUA champs, CIS silver I OUA champs *Tied women's lacrosse team for Laurier *Current head coach Rick Osborne's first record ofconsecutive championships (six) season with Laurier 2008: 23-2-2 2003: 16-2-3 OUA champs, CIS silver OUA silver 2007:19-2-0 2002: 19-0-1 OUA champs QUA champs, CIS silver *First undefoated season in Laurier 2006: 20-3-0 hockey history OUA champs, CIS silver 2001: 20-3-0 2005:17-2-1 OUA silver LAURIER ATH LETICS OUA & CIS champs The women's hockey team celebrates their 2006 QUA championship. The team has won six additional *Only national title in Laurier hockey 2000:12-6-2 provi ncial titles as well as a national championship over the past 10 years. history OUA bronze Women's Lacrosse 2009:7-5 2004:9-1 QUA silver OUA champs 2008:12-0 2003:10-0 QUA champs OUA champs *Laurier record for consecutive champi onships with six 2002:7-2 4th in OUA 2007: 6-0 OUA champs 2001: 8-5 4th in OUA 2006: 9-1 OUA champs 2000: 9-2 OUA champs 2005:9-0 *First women's lacrosse OUA champs championship in Laurier history LAURIER ATHLETICS The women's lacrosse team after one of their seven QUA championships over the decade. The Cord • Wednesday. December 9. 2009 A DECADE IN REVIEW • 9 The triumph of the decade The playoffs JUSTIN FAUTEUX Continuing their winning streak SPORTS EOIT.o:O.:..:.R___ _ _ through the Ontario University Ath letcs (OUA) playoffs, the Hawks The 2005 football season will be won their second-straight Yates Cup forever remembered as one of the as provincial champions. most successful, not only in Wilfrid All that stood between the Hawks Laurier football history but also in and their first appearance in the Va the annals of Canadian Interuniver nier Cup since winning it in 1991 sity Sport {CIS). That year saw the was the Acadia Axemen, who they Golden Hawks do something that would take on in Halifax. has only been accomplished 11 oth The purple and gold would enter er times in the history of Canadian their national semi-finals against university football: complete a 12-0 the Axemen with a chip on their season, winning the Vanier Cup. shoulders after losing 30-11 the pre "That was a season that will never vious year, in a game in which Py be forgotten;' said manager of foot ear threw an uncharacteristic three ball operations and head coach Gary interceptions. Jeffries. "It meant so much to so "We definitely had something many people, life-long bonds were to prove in that game;' said Pyear. created, it was just such a special "We had done a good job in improv year. Every time I see someone who ing upon our previous seasons up to was involved in that year, the sense that point and that was another shot of joy that exists is just incredible:' at doing the same:' The Hawks went on to dominate The season the 2005 national semi-final, win Coming into the autumn of 2005, ning 31-10 with Pyear throwing for the Hawks were fresh off a season 329 yards and four touchdowns on where they went undefeated until his way to being named the game's the national semi-final where they MVP. fell to the Laval Rouge et Or. "It was a surreal feeling, walking Armed with the experience and off that field knowing we were go talent of fifth-year veterans such ing to the big show." said Jeffries. as quarterback Ryan Pyear, run "I can remembergoingoutto cel ning back Nick Cameron, receiver ebrate with the players, the parents Andrew Agro and defensive back and everyone from the university Ian Logan, just to name a few, the who had made the trip, we were all Hawks were poised to make a run at just on cloud nine. But at the same STEPHEN PELL FILE PHOTO the CIS's ultimate prize. time, everyone knew we had one Head coach Gary Jeffries shares an emotional hug and a tear of joy after the 2005 Vanier Cup win. "There was certainly a special more to win, the mission wasn't feeling before that season," said Py accomplished:' those guys," said Jeffries. "And af ear. "I distinctly remember [fourth ter we played the first quarter, any year receiver] Joel Wright saying in Underdogs doubt anyone else could've had was pre-season that we were going to Both Jeffries and Pyear describe the gone:' win the Vanier Cup and there was no week leading up to the Vanier Cup "Once we got into the dressing way we weren't going to win it... But as a blur. There was an incredible room [at halftime] and we were up we really didn't get too excited, we energy around the university, but 8-7; we felt we had proved that it all took it one week at a time. Deep all the team had their minds on was wasn't going to be a blowout like ev down though, we knew we were a their opponent, the Saskatchewan eryone had predicted;' added Pyear. special group and we had the oppor Huskies. tunity to do something special." Despite the fact that the teams Second half battle Befitting the incredible talent they entered the game with identical In the third quarter, the Hawks ex possessed, the Hawks opened their 11-0 records, the Hawks entered tended their lead to 15-7; however, 2005 season with a 45-0 blow-out the game as the underdogs. Not that was where the Huskies seemed over the Queen's Gaels. only were most experts picking the to wakeup. This was a sign of things to Huskies to win, some were predict Eventually the purple and gold come as the purple and gold rolled ing a Saskatchewan blow-out with found themselves trailing 23-21late through the rest of the regular sea scores like 46-7. But this didn't faze in the fourth quarter. With just over son, going 8-o for the second year in the Hawks. From the moment they a minute to play, the Hawks were a row. walked onto the field at Hamilton's faced with a third down and 16 to go "We really had the belief that we Ivor Wynne stadium, there wasn't for the first down. In the most cru were going to sweep the OUA right a shred of doubt in their minds that cia) play of his season -possibly his LAURIER ATHLETICS from the beginning;• said Pyear. they would come out as national career- Pyear completed a pass to These fifth-years couldn't have asked for a better finish to their "That was the kind of confidence champions. Dante Luciani, getting the first down time as Golden Hawks, as they ended their careers as champions. that we had. We knew it doesn't "We had won some big games and keeping the Hawks' champion happen that often, to have the against some good football teams ship dreams alive. measured it." said Pyear. gold came flooding onto the field to amount of talent at every position to get there, so we didn't think for "I don't know how, but I knew "So I was already looking to the celebrate with the national cham across the board that we had:' a second that we couldn't play with it was a first down before they sidelines for the next play and when pion Golden Hawks. they signalled [the first down] and "I just remember hoards and the crowd just went nuts, I remem hoards of people flying onto the field ber it was so loud that it kind of and everyone was crying and hug broke my attention and I just took a ging," said Jeffries. look around and thought 'wow I'm "It was a victory for the entire in the Vanier Cup, this is it:" Laurier community." A few plays later, the Hawks The win was the second national would get the ball down to the 25 championship in Laurier history, yard line and kicker Brian Devlin and for Pyear and the other fifth lined up for the biggest kick in Lau year players, it was the perfect way rier football history. to cap off their careers. "Our whole sideline was holding "I remember thinking that if I hands, and I started to think 'is this never touched a football again after really going to end the way I imag that night, I would be just as happy ined?'" said Pyear. as if I did.~ said Pyear. MOnee he booted it, we knew it "The feeling of satisfaction was was going through and it was just just incredible. All the hard work pandemonium after that. and battling we had done over our careers was worth it at that point." V1ctory It was the perfect end to the per Devlin's 32-yard field goal sailed fect season, Agro told The Cord through the uprights to make the shortly after becoming a CIS cham score 24-23 with 19 seconds left, pion, "We're the greatest team in STEPHEN PELL FILE PHOTO and once those final seconds ticked Canada and no one can take that Laurier's Andy Baechler makes a diving catch in front of a Saskatchewan defender. off the clock, a wave of purple and away from us:' Golden Hawk championships since 2000 2000 2003 2005 2007 Men's Soccer (QUAl Women's Lacrosse (QUA) Men's Curling (QUAl Men's Football (QUA & CIS) Women's Hockey (QUA) Women's Soccer (QUA) Men's Soccer (QUA & CIS) Women's Lacrosse (QUA) Women's Hockey (QUA & CIS) Women's Lacrosse (QUA) Women's Lacrosse (QUA) 2009 2001 2004 2008 Women's Curling (CIS) Men's Soccer (CIS) Men's Football (QUA) 2006 Men's Curling (QUA & CIS) Women's Hockey (QUA) Women's Hockey (QUA) Men's Curling (QUA) Women's Curling (QUA & CIS) 2002 Women's Lacrosse (QUA) Women's Hockey (OUAJ Women's Hockey (OUAJ Women's Hockey (QUA) Women's Lacrosse (QUA) Women's Lacrosse (QUAl ~ ~--~---- 10 • A DECADE IN REVIEW The Cord • Wednesday. December 9. 2009 ••• in sports photos RYAN STEWART FILE PHOTO 2009 Receiver Alex Anthony (12) makes a spectacular catch in the RYAN STEWART FILE PHOTO Hawks' homecoming game against Ottawa. 2008 The women's soccer team after being eliminated from the CIS championship in Langley, B.C. MIKE WHITEHOUSE LAURIER ATHLETICS 2007 The men's hockey team celebrates their OUA semi-final win over the Waterloo Warriors. SYDNEY HELLAND FILE PHOTO 2006 The men's rugby team battles rival Western. LAURIER ATHLETICS 2004 One of seven OUA titles for the women's hockey team. LAURIER ATHl,ETICS BRANDON STRILISKY FILE PHOTO 2005 The men's football team after winning the Yates Cup. 2003 Women's lacrosse has been one of WLU's most impressive teams over the past decade, winning seven OUA championships. DAVID WILE FILE PHOTO JYOTI SOLAK! FILE PHOTO FILE PHO~O 2000 The men's soccer team during the first of their back to back 2001 Men's basketball action 2002 The incredibly successful women's hockey team during a national championship-winning seasons. from early in the decade. season in which they went undefeated. The Cord • Wednesday. December 9. 2009 A DECADE IN REVI EW • 11 Examining the past present and future of Laurier and how physical changes have impacted students Along with the physical landscape ALANNA WALLACE of the campus, the student body has Kitchener IN DEP~I ED'TOR changed dramatically. -Opened 1n 2006. Sean Geobey, who first came to Probably the biggest -The campus IS dedicated to the Wilfrid Laurier University's popula Laurier as a student in 1999, recalls university's Lyle S. Hallman Facul tion has doubled over the last de the obvious differences in the stu change is that the ty of Social Work. cade from 7.377 to 14,777 students. dent body compared to 10 years ago. -It is based in the former St. Je This meant drastic changes to "Probably the biggest change is population has just rome's high school building. the landscape of the campus in Wa that the population has exploded;' which dates back to 1907. 1n terloo, as well as the Kitchener and said Geobey. exploded:' downtown Kitchener. Brantford campuses, which opened Docherty also echoes that the stu -The completely renovated build in 2006 and 1999 respectively. dent population has become more Ing is home to 20 faculty mem Looking back, former president diverse and there has been a trend of bers. 15 staff and more than 280 Bob Rosehart described the univer young professors being hired by the - Sean Geobey, Laurier graduate graduate students sity as "tired" when he was hired in university. 1997· Along with the growth in popula RILEY TAYLOR -ILE PHOTO "The challenge was to grow and tion have come numerous advance to take the money from the growth ments in technology, ranging from to reinvest in the facilities;• said cell phones to laptops. Rosehart. "The need for study space with "I think if we had not done this, if electrical outlets has kind of bal Brantford we'd not grown, I'm not sure Laurier looned and I don't think anyone -Opened in 1999. would be an independent university planned for that to be an issue at all," -Professor Terry Copp of the his- now:' said Geobey. sometimes that can be disruptive in tory department first suggest With an increase in popularity This is an issue echoed by Do the middle of the lecture:' ed to former president Rosehart and the growth in Laurier's popula cherty, who says that although tech The changes in population demo that Laurier should create a sat tion, changes had to be made. nology has enhanced the learning graphics and technology have been ellite campus to meet Brantford's Throughout the past decade, environment at the institution, it the main contributors to the physi needs those changes have been drastic. has also had a negative impact on cal alterations of the university. -Dawson claims the Brantford "[Growth] forced us to rethink learning in the classroom. Taking a look back over the last community has shown unprece how we gave information to stu "10 years ago there were very few, decade, it's easy to see the correla dented support for the university. dents and I think we managed to if any,Iaptops in classrooms," re tion between the physical changes -Student populat1on w as over do it largely in a positive way," ex called Docherty. on campus and the way they have 1.200 in 2008. plained senior advisor of multi "Now all students are wired impacted student life. campus initiatives David Docherty. all the time and the downside is GREG MCKENZIE FILE PHOTO The new millennium saw land well as special classrooms and the mark changes to the Laurier Ath climbing wall. letic Complex, which dean of stu The renovations allowed for equal 2000 dents David McMurray refers to as space for men's and women's varsity a "tremendous destination spot" for team locker rooms, which meant a students. space reduction for the men's space "There wasn't a fitness centre to make it the mirror image of the until a few years ago;' explained women's room. McMurray, going into great detail about the sorry state of the Athletic Also th1s year Complex. The Terrace was given a face lift as According to an October issue of Harvey's was acquired, along with The Cord, until the changes in 2000, the Golden Wok, a Mongolian-style the complex had not been renovated grill, which has since been replaced. in almost three decades. It was also the first year that stu "[It] was in really rough shape," dents had to line up outside the continued McMurray, who went on bookstore to gain access inside, a to explain how the fitness centre ap measure implemented to secure the peared as though it was in "some safety of the store. one's garage" and there "wasn't a The Wilfrid Laurier University woman in sight." Students' Union also proposed a The $2.5 million project included complete redesign and re-equipping power washing and repairing the of the existing 24-hour Lounge and exterior of the building, improving tried to change the area's name to LAURIER PUBLIC AFFAIRS the coaches' offices and construct "WLUSU Millennium Multimedia The Athletic Complex was largely renovated in 2000 and the fitness ing the foyer which included the Lounge;• without luck. centre was expanded later in 2004. lounge above the Hawk's Desk, as Summer 2001 saw Laurier's acquisi to the standard that we need at a tion of St. Michael's school. university." According to the July issue of The 2001 was just the beginning of a 2001 Cord, the university was in need of long string of concerns regarding classrooms and St. Michael's of Laurier's growing population and fered an immediate 820 seats. the lack of space on campus. In this year, Laurier had garnered more popularity among an unprec ._, "It edented number of applicants. The Angie's Kitchen was asked to fill the university experienced a 59 per cent spot in the Terrace that Harvey's was acceptance rate for their admissions supposed to be occupying, as the offers instead of the regular 55 per university was still in negotiations cent, which caused a scramble for with the food company. classroom and residence spaces. In November, the students' union The Cord reported in November requested a freeze on enrolment of this year that Laurier had experi levels. As a result of student con enced a surplus of 962 students. cerns voiced throughout the year, McMurray explains that cur WLUSU released a statement out rently there is still a need for teach lining a number of problems caused NICK LACHANCE PHOTOGRAPHY MANAGER ing space, and that "St. Michael's by the increase in the undergraduate The former elementary school was purchased by the university in elementary school is just not up population. 2001 and is currently home to many tutorials and lectures. 12 • A DECADE IN REVIEW The Cord • Wednesday. December 9. 2009 The Cord reported that the Schlegel an expansion would be made to the Centre for Entrepreneurial Studies Science Building to further research 2002 opened on Sept. g, 2002. at Laurier. Due to the pervasiveness of the Plans were made for the Grad construction students expressed House on Bricker Avenue to be frustration, especially those having demolished. to continue their classes in the af It was later relocated to make fected Peters Building during this way for the future Bricker Academic year. Building with construction sched McMurray explained that the uled for July. atrium of the Schlegel Centre is now Laurier Brantford's Grand River considered the "home" of econom Hall added 27 beds, two 125-seat ics and business students. lecture halls, two 30 to 40-seat "That's a teaching and research classrooms, one 30 to 40-seat facility that is second to none:• Mc computer Jab as well as student Murray said. lounge space, faculty office and a "The classroom setting is bookstore. top-notch." Waterloo College Hall was With plugs in the classrooms and opened at the Waterloo campus in the floor of the atrium, the Schlegel September of this year. Centre marked a turning point for The library underwent minor technological capabilities and ac changes and a storage area in Con cessibility for students. rad Hall was converted into more dormitory rooms. LAURIER PUBLIC AFFAIRS Also t' s yea The Quad was also given minor As part of the Schlegel Centre construction, rooms were also The Cord reported in February 2002 renovations throughout 2002. added to the Arts Building, picturJd here from the library's roof. that the university announced that The year of the double cohort saw suites are more private:· continued a reoccurring trend from Laurier's Dawson. 2003 past, and one that would continue But the building of the new resi well into the future. dence was not without its snags. The Cord reported that accep Residence Life dons were not tances were up 14 per cent. This cleared to occupy the building until resulted in the university exceed two days before the new residents ing their enrollment by more than were to move in. 500 students, an occurance marked First-year students also com by the construction of King Street plained about several construction residence. related inssues such as shoddy insu Dan Dawson, director of student lation, poor paint jobs, missing mir services, explained that King Street rors,Jow water pressure, no toilet residence "not only increased ca paper holders,Jack of Internet ac pacity but [introduced) a totally new cess and issues with the elevator. style of residence that we hadn't had before." 0 't11- 1r "The modified dormitory style is Laurier Brantiord's enrolment dou much better for building commu bled for the fourth consecutive year; LAURI£:.R PUBLIC AFFAIRS nity and having a real family, team they boasted 675 students in this King Street residence, which opened in 2003 to accomodate the environment on a floor whereas the year, up from 320. double cohort, later suffered fire damage in 2007. Despite construction being finished Bricker Academic marked a turning on what was originally dubbed the point towards accommodating the 2004 "New Academic Building; com amount of students coming to the plaints were lodged throughout the university. latter part of the previous year about Bricker's lack of completion. 1 s .. In the previous September, there Current presiaent ofWLUSU Laura were leaks and parts of the ceiling Sheridan remembers the days when remained without tiles. Wilf's used to have a pool table and By 2004, Bricker Academic class arcade games, but with renovations rooms with an unprecedented stu costing $500,000, the on-campus dent capacity were being used. pub underwent a much-needed up "Bricker Academic Building and date in 2004. the room with 454 students ... it Yet another renovation to the marked a significant move for Lau Athletic Complex began this year. rier in terms oflarger classes." ex "All of the transformation over the plained Docherty, who has taught in past 10 years within athletics and this classroom. recreation [is) something that we're LAURIER PUBLIC AFFAIRS In light of Laurier's increasing really proud of.' said Dawson. The Bricker Academic Building boasts Laurier's biggest lecture hall, acceptance rates and the construc allowing for hundreds of students to enroll in numerous classes. tion of newer, larger residences, "There have been major changes to Sheridan also explained that prior the third floor here in the Fred Nich to the renovations, the WLUSU of 2005 ols Campus Centre:• said Sheridan fices on the third floor of the FNCC about the changes that have been were called "the zoo" partly because made to the union space. they were confusing. During the 2005 renovation, This new space allowed for a which began in May and finished in more comfortable, practical area for September, increased study space Laurier's growing population, as The was created along with extensions Cord reported in 2004 that the 24- to WLUSU offices. hour Lounge was minimally used. "I remember my first year [2004), there was a fireplace in AI o tt11 )'~.lt the 24-Lounge, a Travel Cuts, Su More renovations to the Athletic per Dave's hairstyling:• recalled Complex tripled the fitness centre's Sheridan. size. The renovations, which began All of these outside businesses, in October 2004, had a budget of along with the student publications' nearly $5 million. offices, were removed to make way Renovations to the Dr. Alvin for the renovations. Woods Building (DAWB) were an The Cord reported in May 2005 nounced in this year, and The Cord FILE PHI p that the renovations were expected reported that the process would take A sketch published by The Cord in 2004 of the proposed 24-hour to cost approximately $6oo,ooo. 18 months to complete. lounge on the third floor of the Fred Nichols Campus Centre. The Cord • Wednesday. December 9. 2009 A DECADE IN REVIEW • 13 According to the May 2006 issue of enough for rugby or lacrosse. The Cord, the drainage system at The creation of an open space - Willison Field, which used to house during a decade where the majority 2 tennis courts, was badly outdated, of improvements to structures were and renovations to the space cost to compensate for a rise in Lauri just over $2 million. er's population - was an important Renamed Alumni Field, Dawson event. sees the students as the main ben eficiaries of this renovation, as they A.so ti'"' s ~ear have been given an accessible pub Brantford opened a Student Life lic space. Centre, which contained three floors "The opportunities to support ca of offices, student study space and sual recreation has been a huge fo ·a health centre and counseling ser cus of what athletics and recreation vices. In Waterloo, the Hall of Fame has done with Alumni Field;' Daw and the C-Spot received $300,000 son explained. worth of renovations. "Other than the varsity soccer During Hall of Fame renovations, programs competing there, that the Hawk was removed from the space is kept open and available for floor, followed by protests by stu student recreation virtually every dents, which led to its re-instate hour;' he continued. ment in 2008. Alumni Field opened in Septem The Laurier Kitchener campus her 2006 to mixed reviews. opened in the former St. Jerome's The men's and women's soc- high school on Duke Street in 2006, cer teams would be the only varsity and became the new home of the LAURIER PUBLIC AFFAIRS sports who could take advantage university's LyleS. Hallman Faculty Alumni Field provides a public space for student recreation. of the new space as it was not big of Social Work. This year saw the opening of the ,.. ..so:, s . e.~ newly renovated Dr. Alvin Woods Renovations occurred at University Building, which was projected to Stadium to the tune of $5 million. 2 cost around $12 million. The field, which made its debut dur 7 While a strike mildly impacted ing the football team's home-opener the renovations, the new DAWB against McMaster, was updated to included smaller study spaces for current standards, as there were students, bookable meeting rooms, change rooms built for the women's large conference rooms,large and teams. small-scale classrooms and there The Cord reported that in 2007, moval of the one-way escalator. 6o new wireless hotspots were set As a former arts student, Sheri up to give students campus-wide dan explains that the renovations to access to the internet. Problems the building made a great difference arose come September when anoth in terms of accessibility. er server had to be added to ease the "I know before when I had a strain of high demand. classroom in the DAWB I thought In 2007 Laurier opened a teach 'uh-oh'; it was always a dreary place er's college. They admitted 71 stu to study but now it's a fantastic en dents even though 2,700 applica FILE PHOTO vironment;' explained Sheridan. tions were received. DAWB renovations saw the removal of the infamous escalator. After the previous year's countless And despite his acknowledge renovations, this year saw only a ment that laptops and cell phones few minor renovations and physical often interrupt learning, Docherty 2 changes around Laurier. does point out the benefits of tech Having not seen renovations for nological advancements. at least a decade, Arts 1E1 and the "The upside is that students are surrounding area began renovations connected to information today in in May of this year. a way that years ago we could only New flooring, seating, lighting dream of,' he said. and decor were given to 1E1 at the cost of a quarter of a million dollars .,,so i..:1 'S , -.;..; in government grants. The Cord reported in April2oo8 One major change to 1E1 was the that Laurier and the city of Milton, installation of numerous plugs in Ontario had signed a letter of intent the lecture hall. to pursue the possibility of opening Docherty speaks to this change a satellite campus in the town. and the furthering of technology on Residential Services also had to campus. convert some single-room dormi FILE PHOTO He claims laptop usage in the tory style rooms into doubles, in The lEllecture hall in the Arts Building was given a facelift in 2008, classroom is one of the biggest residences like Bricker, for first-year including the installment of plugs and new seating. changes he's seen at Laurier. residence students. Turmoil over the past year for Lauri pool remains open for another 15- er's pool meant it was shut down in 2oyears. the summer of 2009 for renovations. Students voted in a referendum so Vlts vea to institute a $to-per-semester fee, Construction to the university cen a heavy contribution that ensured a tre at the Brantford campus was put future for the university's pool. on hold in January due to a $4 mil In June, the federal and provincial lion shortfall. governments announced that they In March, The Cord reported would also contribute $1 million that the university projected to ac to the renovations of the Laurier cept 3,060 first-year undergradu swimming pool. ate students at Waterloo and 730 to The pool officially closed on June Brantford. 1St. Students arrived on campus in During the reconstruction the September of this year to find the Laurier swim team practiced at campus more accessible with reno the Harry Class Pool in Kitchener vations of areas such as the Quad. until the pool was re-opened in Numerous staircases were also November. converted into ramps. The total cost of the project was "The accessibility of it all ... stu approximately $4.2 million and will dents can move around more freely;• NICH LACHANCE PHOTOGRAPHY MANAGER ensure Laurier's Olympic-sized explained McMurray. For a number of months in 2009, the pool's future seemed bleak. 14 • A DECADE IN REVIEW The Cord • Wednesday. December 9. 2009 hat e future brings The master plan creates a framework and a vision for change and growth ALANNA WALLACE IN DEP- H EDITOR [Laurier] is a Despite the renovations and im provements around campus, there is '' community, it's some worry that as Laurier markets itself for more students, the univer supportive, it's sity will lose sight of its cherished community atmosphere. convenient, it's friendly, And the changes are far from over. Dean of students David McMurray you can't help but bump said "there are still some places that need work:' into people:' This is where the school's master plan comes in, which has bred ex - Dean ofstudents David McMurray citement among the executives on campus. The master plan is being prepared by IBI Group. It is a strategic devel opment planning exercise that maps the changes to be made to the cam "[It] will be the new home of pus over the next 25 years. SSE. And then the Peters and The master plan holds many pro Schlegel would probably be con posed changes for Laurier, and has sumed by faculty of arts;· McMurray garnered plenty of reactions from explained. students, faculty and staff. Along with some structural "Our needs are changing," said changes to the buildings come an Director of student services Dan enhanced need for staff and faculty Dawson. "The student demograph parking. ics have changed and their expec "The most valuable land on cam tations have changed and are con pus is covered in asphalt and people tinuously changing as far as what park on it," explained McMurray. we need to do and what we need to This means that in time parking focus on." will hopefully be expanded to the MYLES WILSON S AFF PHOTOGRAPHER Dawson feels that in the past outskirts of the campus and the in The university plans to make campus more accessible and student-friendly in the years to come. Laurier has been "opportunistic" in terior of the campus will continue the developments on campus, sim to become easily accessible to stu ply building what needs to be built dents, with the exception of Mid Peter Eglin, argue that there is a lack as money becomes available. campus Drive, which will hopefully '"i=== of emphasis on academia and on 'i=== The hope is that the master plan become a through street. I think the future's spaces that enhance the student ex It's because of this will give Laurier a clearer direction Other changes highlighted by Mc perience for open dialogue and criti in the future. Murray include the incorporation bright. I think [Laurier] cal thinking. insane rush to expand... The university now has a plan of residences and learning spaces "It's because of this insane rush to for the infrastructure of the school; like lecture halls, and the creation is a strong institution:' expand, develop the campus at Mil what we lose is what this in the years to come, alumni and of more study spaces and common ton, to make ourselves attractive to students are going to see drastic areas. God knows who, and what we lose place is supposed to be transformations. Although many of these changes - Bob Rosehart,forrner Laurier president is what this place is supposed to be Perhaps the most notable plan are years in the making, current about," said Eglin. about:' is the changes to what McMurray president of the Wilfrid Laurier Uni "In the drive to market and com calls "the jewel of our campus," and versity Students' Union Laura Sheri pete and brand ourselves as a place a destination that embodies the cul dan believes that "within five years that is identified by a focus on lead - Peter Eglin, Laurier professor ture of Laurier: the Concourse. there's going to be a lot of changes; ership and purpose, [these are] The new "Campus Learning with 10 there's going to be even meaningless words. That's where we Commons" will be expanded out more. The campus definitely has to senior advisor of multi-campus ini are, I think woe to the meaning of onto the deck and a second floor will evolve as the students evolve and tiatives David Docherty. the university on this campus." eventually be built where an over our population grows:• "If Milton were to go forward 10 Despite some skepticism and pass will allow students to travel This growth is not necessarily years from now it might look like questioning, former Laurier presi across University Avenue. confined to the Waterloo campus. Brantford does right now:· dent Bob Rosehart sees the future "It's positioned quite uniquely in For now, the next project McMur "Brantford 10 years from now But not everyone is as pleased of Laurier and its infrastructure as the Ontario system I think. There's ray foresees is the Global Innovation may well look a lot like the Waterloo with the rapid expansion of Laurier bright. still a lot more potential for research and Exchange Building, which will campus did 10 years ago in terms over the past 10 years and the pro "I think the future's bright. I think growth ... but I think no matter be built where St. Michael's Campus of perhaps the number of students jections for its future. [Laurier] is a strong institution," what happens universities always is now. [and] ... the growth of services;· said Some, such as sociology professor said Rosehart. need something." Housing Only $399 - Four bedroom hous1ng. 34 Bridgeport Road. You're Invited to East. Starting May 01/10. excel lent location. on bus route. close to everything, downtown at WLU. near UW. new. 1m maculate. open RADIO LAURIER's concept kitchen. all applianc es. dishwasher. dining room and living room open onto a pnvate balcony. central air conditioning. Re- irthday PartY huge rooftop garden patio. com . plete laundry facilities. dryers free . free park1ng. gas heat. gas wa ter heater. cheap utilities. on bus route. perfect for students. rents fast. a must-see Only $399 per room. per month. Call 741-7724 www.acdev ca for more info and pictures. Email info@acdev ca Only $389 - Five bedroom house. must see. goes fast. excellent lo cation. 121 B Noecker Street. start1ng May 01110. close to ev erything. very clean. free washer/ dryer. gas heated, cheap uthties. two full bathrooms. two fu ll-sized fndges. hardwood floors and ce • ramic ti le throughout. large pri ~ vate yard and large deck. free park1ng for five cars. on bus route. $389 per room. per moth Call Us ten er.com 741-7724. 416-575-2104 Email info@acdev ca. The Cord • Wednesday. December 9. 2009 A DECADE IN REVIEW • 15 Finding an identity in the 21st century Cord columnists Devon Butler and Ben Sandiford discuss how student identity is changing with Facebook and globalization ~-=- -:~~1::~~--~l~,~ :l : ' "~~·~~~-.:;.-':~'>~>:~:' .::~]~:;' J-ill!lllt s-. u,.J 70o/o Jane Smith ofFacebook users are Wall Info + outside of the U.S. .? 3 •5 miflion 8alic l:! for~t ion the average number of Face r• m • ~ book events created each :•:1 J..lfY 1, L~·i? month v.~:• rfoo, -0'\ 2 e 5 billion P.erl ooaJ flltorm• tion photos are uploaded to Face Write $Oil:l!~~..:.':'fj tnlll "'~ book each month people to kilo.. .&bout lnformatlon 65- Uno..,.:, 1~~ current users access Facebook fflenlll through a mobile device Ol·i ~l 130 "'<'rl.:e ~'~ uw r.~ ~ ma v..ot.~.ull e-:u. 21.c~ the average number of friends ~-;_~ ~ 1.,~WI . tiW IDC:I' Facebook was initially developed in 2004 as a student networking site. It has come under scrutiny as it also serves as a platform for presenting an unrealistic online identity, one that is filtered and edited. .J I, like many others, have This search for a group Identity over been faced with the identity within a broader the decade daunting box and the world has other, more These art1cles have appeared DEVON BUTLER BEN SANDIFORD in The Cord in the past decade letters@ thecord.ca ever menacing "about letters@thecord ca far-reaching effects, and have been chosen for the1r relevance tO understanding me" section. namely the rise of ident1ty Like many other members of my With recent trends in globalization generation, I am suffering from an and communication technology, the nationalism and ethnic 2000 identity crisis. far corners of the planet are moving Ignorance is bliss This "crisis" can be attributed to closer and closer together. identification. -Asad Kiyani. Editor-in-Chief the various external outlets that tell Lands that once only existed in me who I am or who I should be. myth can now be experienced via 2001 Surely this type of personal un documentary films and the Internet. I am black certainty is not a new development asking the question "What are my As the world continues to congre -W1lbur Mclean. Sports Ed1tor in human nature. interests?" Rather, I asked myself, gate closer together, its sheer size ., am Black My name is not For centuries, people, particu "What do I want others to think my and complexity is becoming more Malcolm. Deshawn or Jer larly females, were given the narrow interests are?" and more apparent. Growing up in Canada, I remem mame It IS Wilbur McLean. • identification of daughter, mother This is precisely why there are Languages, cultures and peoples ber there being a great de-emphasis or wife. In an equally limiting sense, 350 million users. Facebook offers that have existed for centuries are on ethnic identity and a focus on us 2002 males were labelled based primarily an outlet to control what people can in danger of becoming obscure due all being citizens of the world; eth lntegnty 1mpa,red upon their lineage. know about you. to the sheer weight of major players nicity was somewhat irrelevant. -Ca1thn Howlett Sports E.drtor Though humanity has struggled But, at what point do we allow like China and America. In university, I notice dozens of to find their place and personal it to dictate our sense of personal If most languages and cultures are ethnic-based student organizations 2003 "identity" (which I put in quotations identity? slowly being consigned to the dust and a near constant-flow of eth Btgger than my pants to showcase its ambiguity) there is We have been conditioned into bin ofhistory, as an individual, what nic or other identity-based weeks, -Wilbur Mclean. Edttor-tn-chief something about today's pop culture thinking we are only as popular as chance does one have to survive in months and days. that has amplified the seriousness our number of friends or that we are the emerging global society? This illustrates that we, as in 2004 oflacking a sound identity. only as beautiful as the number of We are afraid of being lost in this dividuals, have tried to open our Sexually pigeon-holed Growing up in the 1990s I was photo comments we receive. new globalized world; as a result selves up to the vastness of the - Marcos Moldes on the very brink of the technol These limiting categorizations there is a widespread move towards world and what we saw scared us; ogy wave. I learned early on through are what have been instilled in us adopting a group identity in an at that fear is leading us to seek a de 2005 sources such as MSN Messenger since infancy; the vital importance tempt to maintain one's individual fined group identity based on ethnic Laurier says ·no· to diversity and the craze of chat rooms that it's of broadcasting ourselves to the ism and relevance. identification. - Len Ball/ Adam Brehler easy to misinterpret others; similar world in hopes of finding definition This can be seen both at the na This emphasis on ethnic iden ly, it's important to be aware of how through others. tiona! and international levels. tity extends far beyond Canada and 2006 others may interpret you. We only find comfort in an iden Within Canada, people are in is manifesting itself in nationalist It's not easy coming out While still a child I realized I tity that has been pre-approved by creasingly attempting to define movements around the world. -Tony Ferguson. News Ed1tor could be whoever I wanted to be. society. themselves through sub-cultures. For instance, the BNP, a British ·No one likes to be depressed It was all too easy to put on a new A professor of Oxford University Dozens of new sub-cultures have anti-immigration political party, or constantly feel worthless be mask every day. It is a normal and and neuroscientist, Susan Green become prominent in recent years, gained seats for the fi rst time, in cause their sexuality has been accepted practice for both pre-teens field, has recently conducted a sur with labels such as "hipster" or part due to promises of protecting reduced to a simple derogatory and teenagers to try on various per vey on the future of this generation. "emo-kid." the British culture. remark 'That's so gay ·• sonalities and identities. She concluded that the human In addition, many larger sub Across the wider world, lead- This form of"soul searching" is brain is easy to manipulate and is cultures like "rock" have undergone ers like Hugo Chavez in Venezu- 2007 not just accepted but encouraged. especially susceptible to 21st cen dozens of divisions into smaller ela and Mahmoud Ahmadinejad Genes not alone 1n determintng Fa<;ades are becoming the norm; tury technologies. sub-cultures within sub-cultures. in Iran have managed to form large who we are with the assistance of modern tech But it's not really the technologies This is an attempt for the individ support bases using similar nation - Don Morgenson nology, hiding behind a false sense she's worried about, rather the so ual to try and maintain some sort of alist rhetoric speaking to their peo of self has never been easier. cial changes they are causing. identity within a rapidly expanding ple's group identity. 2008 With over 350 million users Her ultimate fear is that they may world, even if it means conforming As the world continues to become Tolerance badly needed worldwide, Facebook has become alter our sense of identity to the to the standards of a group. Many of more and more integrated, para - Waleed Hafeez. tnternat1onal our primary form of communica point that we may no longer have these sub-cultures, such as "goths", doxically larger yet closer together, Editor tion. Likewise, it's become the way the capacity to be fully developed emphasize being an individual even the individual will continue to feel which we communicate ourselves to persons. though they are all about conformi pressured and persecuted by a world the world. Every previous generation has ty. Despite this seeming contradic that just doesn't seem to have room I, like many others, have been had to manoeuvre their way through tion, in a global context many find for them. faced with the daunting box and life within different spheres, all that a group identity does give them Until we as humans can accept thecord.ca/ the ever menacing "about me" sec which require different masks. a sense of individuality. this reality and create a new way of tion. In some ways, these mysteri And we face the same issues, only This search for a group identity looking at ourselves, then it appears special ous forms of communication are a magnified. As such, it's our task to within a broader world has other, at least for now that people will chance to re-invent ourselves. strip ourselves from our online per more far-reaching effects, namely continue to seek out and connect to Read the full Interestingly enough, in filling out sonas as they act as a mask which the rise of nationalism and ethnic group identities as a way to find a articles online. social networking profiles, l wasn't limits us. identification. place in a globalized world. 16 • A DECADE IN REVIEW The Cord • Wednesday. December 9. 2009 The making of an intelligent city Staff Writer Heather Gies examines how the face of Waterloo has changed in the last 10 years Perimeter Institute RIM Park CIGI The Perimeter Institute (PI) was RIM Park, titled to recognize the Established in 2002, The Centre for founded in 2000 by Mike Lazaridis, vast contributions of its primary International Governance Innova co-CEO of Research In Motion, who donor, Research In Motion, was of tion (CIGI) is a global think tank contributed $100 million to the es ficially opened in Nov. 2001. Situat committed to applying sophisti tablishment of this research centre ed at the north-east edge of the city, cated research to tackle governance for theoretical physics. PI's original RIM Park is a 500-acre recreational issues worldwide. It was founded location was the historic clock tower facility offering both outdoor and by Jim Basillie, Research In Motion post office on King Street, though it indoor amenities. It includes trails, co-CEO, through a combination of has since been relocated to its cur sports fields, heritage park areas, private investors and national and rent architecturally acclaimed facili access to the Grand River for water provincial government support. ty just south of Waterloo Park. Since activities and a recreational com Expert practitioners and scholars its inception, PI has achieved inter plex that provides for a variety of contribute to CIGI's objectives by national recognition for its scientific sports needs. addressing ways to effect change leadership with extensive study of in public policy and improve mul quantum theory and spacetime re tilateral governance. CIGI gener search. Renowned scientists from ates dialogue surrounding current around the world visit Waterloo to challenges through publications, conduct research at the institute. conferences, workshops and other events. MYLES WILSON STAFr P OT0Gr.APHER Perimeter Institute for Theoretical Physics. founded in 2000. Waterloo Region Uptown revival Veterans' Green Children's Museum In 2004, city council approved the In 2005, the Veterans' Green par The Waterloo Region Children's Project 2007 report, which detailed kette, located across from Wilfrid Museum officially opened in Sep the revised vision for Uptown Wa Laurier University on University tember 2003 after years of planning. terloo. Responsible for the promo Avenue, was redeveloped to show In 1995, a combination of support tion and implementation of the respect for the numerous veterans from private donors and the City of plan, the Uptown Vision Commit who settled in the area following Kitchener sponsored local artists to tee regularly met to discuss the ad the Second World War. Previously attend a conference on the develop vancement of projects pertaining referred to as Scholar's Green, the ment of a children's museum. Over to Uptown development. The com revival incorporated commemora the next several years, the location mittee aimed to enhance the Up tive plaques into the parkette to rec of the former Goudies department town core through economic, social ognize the veterans' historical sig store on King Street was secured and environmental improvement nificance and to communicate the and renovated, and funding was ac efforts, pursue beautification and heritage of the region. The timing quired from government, corporate image initiatives and tackle issues of the project was fitting, given that and private sources. The museum regarding transportation and tele 2005 had been dubbed "the year of offers some exhibits created specifi communications services. Many the veteran." The bronze sculpture cally for children and toddlers, but of the objectives of the vision have currently in place at Veterans' Green others are suitable for a more ma been accomplished through collab was added in 2006 just prior to Re ture audience such as the 2009 Andy oration with volunteers and com membrance Day. Warhol Factory or next year's plasti munity partnerships. The plan has cized human body exhibit. been appropriately re-titled Project 2007 and Beyond to reflect the fact that many additional initiatives are planned for the future to continue the development ofWaterloo's Up towncore. SANDRA HOWARD FILE PHOTO Veterans' Green. which was redeveloped in 2005. Entrepreneur Hall of Fame Intelligent Waterloo Victoria Park The Waterloo Region Entrepreneur The Intelligent Communities Forum Winning this award is such a prestigious Victoria Park in downtown Kitchen Hall of Fame was launched to recog (ICF) dubbed Waterloo the world's er was revamped in the summer of nize, display and celebrate the entre Top Intelligent Community in 2007, acknowledgement of what we're doing right and 2008. In addition to gardens, picnic preneurial spirit of regional leaders recognizing the city's innovation areas and sports fields, the 59-acre in business. Focusing on commem and exemplary performance in tech shows that the world wants to get on board with us:' park now has a band shell and pavil orating success and fostering new nological advancement to benefit ion, lakeside restaurant and banquet endeavours through inspiration, the the community. Waterloo acknowl - Waterloo mayor Brenda Halloran, in an interview with The Cord following hall. The historical clock tower that Hall of Fame supports start-up or edged a number of institutions and the announcement ofWaterloo as the world's most intelligent city initially was located at Kitchener ganizations in Waterloo Region and organizations in the region who City Hall also resides in the park. showcases exemplary performance contributed to this prestigious title, The 2008 improvements added a in entrepreneurship as a model for including the universities, the Pe new entrance feature off of Gaukel potential entrepreneurs. The Hall rimeter Institute, the Institute for Street, adorning the walkway with of Fame chronicles entrepreneurial Quantum Computing and compa ornate gates, fresh lighting, flower legacy through its induction of up to nies such as Sybase, Research In ing plants and a pond complete with ten figures each year who have dem Motion and Open Text. The Intelli limestone sculptures, waterfalls and onstrated outstanding motivation, gent Community honour reflects the natural rock landscaping. perseverance and innovation. Waterloo forward-thinking nature. This historical clock, once located at Kitchener City Hall, now overlooks the new Victoria Park. MYLES WILSON STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER The Cord • Wednesday. December 9. 2009 A DECADE IN REVIEW • 17 Public Square After extensive deliberation, the Waterloo Public Square was con structed, and its opening ceremony was held in May 2009. The space is intended as a community gathering place and event venue in the core of Uptown Waterloo. The city hired a program co-ordinator to liaise with community members and facilitate planning of concerts, performanc es, fundraisers and other events in the Public Square. Within the past few months, the square has hosted a variety of activities from morn ing tai chi to Oktoberfest festivities and the Waterloo Farmers' Market. Plans for an outdoor ice rink in the square are also underway, scheduled to be available for public use this NICK LACHANCE PHOTOGRAPHY MANAGER December. Uptown Waterloo's new public square. unveiled mid-summer in 2009. It is now host to various community activities. Balsillie Centre of Domain Hotel providing Excellence upscale accommodations CIGI announced in May 2009 that Construction of the Domain Ho- ,._ it has received grants to fund the A tremendous benefit tel on Erb Street will begin in 2010, building and infrastructure for the with completion planned for the proposed Basillie Centre for Excel to the community is spring of 2011. Its architecture and lence. Matching Jim Basillie's con design are described as modern and tribution of $50 million, the gov the students that have high-tech, with 8 floors and 160 ernments of Ontario and Canada suites. Positioned in the hub of Up pledged $25 million each to the proj been coming ... over town Waterloo, close to a multitude ect. The centre will run educational ofhighly frequented corporations programs in conjunction with the the years and what they and institutions. Domain Hotel will University of Waterloo, Wilfrid Lau be considered an ideal business and rier University and other education represent to [Waterloo's] pleasure travel destination. The ho al institutions throughout Canada tel is anticipated to facilitate an eco and the world. The programs offered economic well being:' nomic boost, not only by attracting will add to the already established visitors but also by offering a variety Basillie School of International Af oflocal employment opportunities. fairs. Construction was set to begin -Andrew Telegdi, Waterloo's member in June 2009 but has been delayed ofparliament from 1993 to2oo8 due to funding complications. Ad jacent to the Seagram Museum, the only visible progress on the project has been the removal of the historic barrel pyramid. - NICK LACHANCE FILE PHOTO NICK LACHANCE PHOTOGRAPHY MANAGER An icon of Waterloo's past, the Seagram barrels tower was removed Shortly after the removal of the barrels construction began on the this summer to make way for the Balsillie Centre of Excellence. Balsillie Centre and this wall was erected for the construction. Ira Needles Boulevard retail LiP!t rail transit connecting Growth development the Region The City of Waterloo projects This past summer, City Council ap Studies to investigate the develop proved the future development of a ment of a rapid transit system in that there will be a population commercial centre along Ira Nee Waterloo Region have been in prog increase of 3 5, 3 00 peo dles Boulevard at University Av ress since 2004, funded by the Gov ple between 2006 and 2029. enue West. The 1.1 million square ernment of Canada, the government foot strip mall is planned to accom of Ontario. The Region of Waterloo. modate retail, industrial and office The Light Rail Transit, approved in It's also projected that there needs. With minimal commercial June 2009, will have a route running will be 2 3,930 new jobs development in this southwest area, from Conestoga Mall to Fairview in the area. the centre will provide a wider array Mall, through Uptown Waterloo of options and greater convenience and downtown Kitchener and will for local residents. Although con eventually connect to Cambridge. The University of Waterloo's cerns have been raised regarding the The project's sustainability supports Research and Technology park close proximity of Waterloo's land positive environmental change in fill site and the potential effect that Waterloo Region, through publica is expected to host 9, 7 50 the development will have on traffic tions, conferences, workshops and to 13,750jobsby2029. and transit, the city council is work other events. The light rail project ing toward solutions that will mini may be ready as early as 2014, with mize public health risks and maxi rapid busses operational in 2011. mize pedestrian safety. MYLES WILSON FI LE PHOTO 18 • A DECADE IN REVIEW The Cord • Wednesday. December 9. 2009 The decade in Laurier news By Editor-in-Chief Laura Carlson While growth in Waterloo and multi-campus expansion have certainly been the most talked-about issues at the university over the past 10 years, the decade has also seen many important news stories that have defined Laurier as an institution. These are the top 10 stories reported by The Cord in the 2000s June 2009 budget cuts by department 1. $8.9 million in VP· Academic $5.248.000 (59%) budget cuts lnst1tut•onal $1.793.000 (20%) In June 2009, it was announced that the university would be cutting $8.9 VP Finance $733.000 (8%) million from its operating budget. Various departments across the universi ty were asked to make significant cuts, such as athletics, where eight varsity VP: Brantford teams lost funding. The vice-president of academics department was hit $367,000 (4%) the hardest, having to cut five per cent of its overall budget. As a result, class sizes at the university increased significantly and the 23:1 student to faculty Dean of Students ratio is no longer in effect. $335.000 (4%) Reported June 24. 2009 VP Development $189.000 (2%) President's department 5187.000 (2%1 2. 50-day staff strike In September 2002, the Wilfrid Laurier University Staff Association (WLU SA) went on strike for a total of 50 days. After nearly two months of strug gle, an agreement was finally met after both parties agreed to have one del egate from each team negotiate over the phone. Though the agreement was ratified by WLUSA, many members expressed that they were dissatisfied. The main issue for contention between the university and WLUSA was the contracting out of positions, because the staff association felt that this in fringed on job security. During the strike, administrative assistants were not working, labs and tutorials were cancelled and the bookstore was slow in printing and receiving course packages, upsetting many professors. Many other services experienced delays, such as the library, health services and ITS. Fall convocation was also cancelled in this year because of the labour dispute. LAURA ROCHACWICH FILE PHOTO Reported November and December 2002 3. Student dies in residence fire First-year student David LaFor I est died as a result of burn injuries he received in a fire that broke out in his residence room on April14, 2009. The following September, I police confirmed that the student likely started the fire. The total damages to the residence - which evacuated 320 students living in Waterloo College Hall in the midst of exams -cost $1.3 million. Repairs took place over the sum mer and were completed just in time for students to move back into the building in September. No official results have been made public about the cause of the fire, though Waterloo Regional Po lice Services confirmed that some type of accelerant was used. LaFor est was a player on Laurier's men's rugby team and for the 2009 season the team held a moment of silence before each game in honour of him. YUSUF KIDWAI FILE PHOTO Reported May 20. 2009 BRYAN HARKIES FILE PHOTO 4. Riots at frat party The annual Pikecoming event, hosted by the Pi Kappa Alpha fraternity, was reduced to chaos after a large group of attendees caused damage and as saulted volunteers. Approximately 1,650 people attended the off-campus 5. LSPI RG forms as campus group event held at Woolwich field at the Rod and Gun Club. When the kegs ran In the 2006 Wilfrid Laurier University Students' Union AGM, 50.9 per cent of students voted to incorporate the Lau dry the party got out of control; damages exceeded $1000, which included rier Students Public Interest Research Group (LSPIRG), an on-campus group working to promote social change in the deposits for buses. Hired Foot Patrol, BACCHUS and ERT volunteers the community. The group had been operating as a campus club under WLUSU since 2001, but with the 2006 vote were spit on and harassed while they were trying to control the crowd. they became an official independent group on campus. In 2008, LSPIRG started hosting a Complementary 0-Week Though the event was planned for the following year, the Greek Council to give students an orientation alternative to the events run by WLUSU. The formation of LSPIRG created several threatened to suspend the Pikes if they held the off-campus party. Though opportunities for Laurier students to get involved and volunteer on campus outside of the students' union. the group hosted a homecoming party again in 2007, the 2003 event plagued Reported Feb. 8, 2006 the relationships between the university and Greek Life for years to come. Reported Oct. 1, 2003 The Cord • Wednesday, December 9. 2009 A DECADE IN REVIEW • 19 6. Football players arrested for criminal activies; suspended All-star player charged for attemped murder and tests positive for cocaine use ..... LAURIER ATHLETICS LAURIER ATHLETICS LAURIER ATHLETICS In 2003, two members of the Laurier football team - Jeff Melis and Stephen Ryan Just weeks after Metis and McGuffin were charged with assault, all-star football player Derek McGuffin -were arrested and charged in conjunction with the beating of a Universi Medler was charged with forcible confinement and accessory to an attempted murder. This ty of Waterloo student, which left the 19-year old in the hospital with life-threaten same week he failed a random drug test, testing positive for cocaine use. Medler was suspended ing injuries. After being released from jail, the students were suspended from Lauri for four years by Canadian Interuniversity Sport (CIS) and banned indefinitely from campus. er for a year. In 2005 they were sentenced to two years of house arrest after pleading After a court appearance, Medler faced several other weapons-related charges involving the guilty to the charges. firearm used to shoot the victim. Reported Nov. 26, 2003 Reported Dec. 10, 2003 ...... 7. CAS strike 365 Laurier contract academic staff (CAS) walked off the job on March 19, 2008, resulting in many class- es being cancelled for nearly three weeks. A conciliator was not able to help talks between the univer sity and CAS members as there was strong disagreement on major is sues, which included salary and se niority. Throughout the strike, there was a lot of support for part-time professors. A petition was signed by 2,750 students, there was a walk in to university administration of fices and several rallies organized by MIRANDA MACDONALD r,LE PHOTO WLUFA were attended by many stu dents; yet the students' union failed to take a stance on the issue. The 8. Fine arts cut semester was extended by two days, Laurier announced that they were slowly phasing out the fine arts program, but students were not given a refund which outraged several students and professors. The courses required to for missed teaching time. graduate with a degree in fine arts were offered until April2007. SYDNEY HELLAND F LE PHOTO ReportedMarchandApri/2008 Reported Oct. 27,2004 9. Team 10. Audit at OneCard 'racist' at office undisclosed Winter A lengthy forensic audit that took place at the OneCard office between November 2007 and February 2008 Carnival raised much suspicion around the financial activities of the OneCard During WLUSU's annual Winter office, though results from the audit Carnival event, several members were never released. of the Loyal Order ofWaterbuffa Sometime during the time of the loes were seen around campus in audit, the manger of the office, Nick blackface with novelty-sized joints Tomljenovic, was no longer em and fried chicken buckets on their ployed by the university, but there head. Though only one formal was no explanation as to why. complaint was lodged to WLUSU A Freedom of Information (FOI) president Allan Cayenne, national request filed by The Cord in May newspapers, including the Globe 2008 for the results of the audit and Mail, picked up the story. failed due to "employee-related Reported Jan. 24, 2007 matters:' Reported Sept. 1, 2008 SYDNEY HELLAND FILE PHOTO CONTRIBUTED PHOTO I Read all these stories in full at thecord.ca 20 • A DECADE IN REVIEW The Cord • Wednesday. December 9. 2009 Students' union newsmakers Throughout the 2000s WLUSU has experienced change and controversy. Editor-in-Chief Laura Carlson highlights the decade's most important stories 4. Board acclaimed In 2007 the WLUSU board of directors was The decade's acclaimed after there were not enough nomi nations to fill the 15 spots; this was the only oddball news time that the board has been acclaimed in the decade. Five additional directors were elected 1. "Sn1per attacks students" out of 12 candidates at a special by-election in Two suspects were arrested on March. Currently WLUSU has a policy stating 23 charges related to several pel that if there are not enough candidates to fill let gun attacks. In a drive-by pel the board they will re-open nominations. let gun shoot1ng. seven Individu Reported January and March 2007 als were InJured One student was shot in the face and the chest Reported Nov. 27, 2002 2 "Volunteer fired after show ing students weed 1n Foot Van· Brantford's Foot Patrol co-ordina 1. WLUSU switches to policy tor was fired after showing weed governance 8. Director Matt Park to students getting a ride home Of any decision made by the board of direc Matt Park became the first person of the de by the foot van. He had also told tors in the past decade, moving to the struc cade to serve as the chair of the board for two volunteers they could drink in the ture of policy governance has had the biggest consecutive terms, in 2006-07 and 2007-08. Foot office on or before their shift impact on the union. Under policy governance However, partway through his second term Reported Dec 1. 2004 the board became responsible for setting the Park stepped down from his position, cit- ends of the Wilfrid Laurier University Stu ing personal reasons. Less than a month after 3. "Faqm refuses to res1gn' dents' Union and are no longer involved with stepping down, he was hired as a part-time The WLUSU board of directors re operational decisions. Under this governance staff member by WLUSU; and thus had tore quested the res1gnation of director structure, the board is tasked with setting sign from his position as a director. At the Yusuf Faqm. but they were unable the visionary goals of the union and engag ALEX HAYTER FILE PHOTO board meeting following the hiring of Park, to forcefully remove h1m. A cen ing in higher discourse. A critique of the sys two students raised concerns regarding this sure motion was brought forward tem since it has been implemented is that the 5. Hawk logo removed; appointment because the position Park filled aga1nst Faq1ri because of his poor board is rarely able to do anything tangible. replaced after student outcry was created and appointed by WLUSU presi attendance at board and other Reported Feb. 14, 2007 Between 2006 and 2008 the tiled Hawk on dent Dan Allison. The board provided no an scheduled meetings. At this time. the floor of the Fred Nichols Campus Centre swers regarding if unethical hiring practices Faqiri had already been elected to was at the centre of great controversy. When took place. the 1ncoming board students returned to school in fall2oo6, the Reported throughout 2006, '07 and 'o8 Reported March 8. 2006 Hawk was no longer there. Many students were upset that the tradition of"not walking 4 "A bomb threat is com1ng ..." on the Hawk" would be lost. President Allan A bomb threat. scrtbbled on a Cayenne said that it cost too much money to WLUSU JOb appltcat1on. was dis replace it. The following year, president Dan covered to be a hoax. The mes Allison purchased a new Italian marble logo sage sa1d ·a bomb 1s com1ng for $11,000. Though many students protested March 17th Days are counting the high cost of the Hawk, many also em dowlnl Launer· The space for braced the tradition of walking around it. name of the applicant was filled Reported September 2006 through February 2008 with profanity Reported March 19, 2002 5. "Wedding proposal In Turret" SYDNEY HELLAND FILE PHOTO A second-year student became engaged to her boyfriend of sev 2. Candidate disqualified; en months after he proposed to election left in disarray her over the PA system at the Tur The 2008 WLUSU election period was the ret on a Saturday night most contentious and publicized, lasting just 9. Radio Laurier DJ banned Reported Jan 21. 2004 over three weeks. After presidential candi over radio controversy date Brian Punambolam was disqualified on Three Radio Laurier DJs were suspended for 6. ·smoke 'em while you got em· election day for accumulating too many cam on-air conduct towards guests they had on As of July 1. 2002. the Centre paign-related fines, the elections process was their show. The guests had started a petition Spot would stop selling cigarettes left in shambles. Once the decision was made against The Cord in response to an article the WLUSU reported $18.000 1n an by the Appellate Committee to overturn his newspaper published called "A Gentleman's nual revenues from tobacco sales appeal, the ballots were counted, though no Guide to Getting Laid at Laurier." Following Reported Feb. 13. 2002 votes for Punambolam were counted. As there RYAN STEWART FILE PHOTO the article, The Cord came under great scruti was no policy in place regarding what to do in ny, and over 400 students signed a petition de 7. ·cord EIC ousted" a disqualification, the board of directors held 6. Radio Laurier cut manding an apology. Following the "Gentle Maneesh Sehdv was terminat an emergency meeting and decided to hold a In December 2008, WLUSU president Colin man's Guide" controversy, WLUSU pulled all ed as editor-In-chief of The Cord run-off election between the two remaining Le Fevre announced that the union would be ads from The Cord. due to performance 1ssues F1ve candidates. Colin LeFevre emerged victorious restructuring and as a result, Radio Laurier Reported Oct. s. 2005 members of The Cord's editorial with only 11.01 per cent of students voting in would no longer be supported by WLUSU. board resigned 1n protest Sehdv the second election, this was the lowest turn Volunteers were upset as they felt there was successfully sued student publica out in over a decade. a lack of planning and notice from the union. tions for wrongful dism1ssal. Reported February and March 2008 Later in the semester, it was announced that Reported Sept. 20. 2002 Radio Laurier would be losing its booth in the Concourse. On May 1, 2009, student publica 8. "Don't let the bed bugs b1te" tions officially took over Radio Laurier and the Students liv1ng in Bncker res1dence booth now resides in the WLUSP office in the were concerned because of a bug basement of Mac House Residence. Infestation Students reported hav Reported December 2008 through May 2009 ing red welts on the1r bod1es and finding bugs in their clothes and shoes. Reported Jan. 25. 2006 9. 'Two WLUSU directors res1gn· Risht Kumar and Mike Borelli. who FILE PI-I~"'~TO both cons1dered themselves to be student activ1sts. res1gned as d1 10. Faculty fee referendum rectors. Kumar was angry that a passes; "yes.'' campaign comes motion was put forward to cen under scrutmy sure h1m after he was accused of In 2008, voters approved a referendum ques making fun of a group of WLUSU 3. President comes under fire tion, which created a new $15-per-semester volunteers on Laurier Day. for drinking on Dean's Trip student faculty fee, as opposed to the previous Reported Dec 10, 2003 WLUSU president Steven Welker came under rates, which varied by faculty. This question fire after he was allegedly drinking from a Tex came out of an investigation by the students' 10. ·career Serv1ces 'covered 1n as mickey in a gondola on the annual Dean's FILE PHOTO union following a class action lawsuit put shit'" Trip. This followed after Welker had imple forth to the provincial government to prohibit The basement of the career ser mented new rules for off-campus socials, 6. President wins by one vote ancillary fees. However, the referendum cam vices building. located at 232 King which stated that drinking could only occur at In the 2000 WLUSU election, one vote made paign itself came under scrutiny as there was Street. was flooded w1th sewage socials organized by WLUSU if it was at ali the difference in the four-person race. Jeffrey no official"no" campaign and WLUSU presi water and feces. A section of the censed establishment. After an investigation Kroeker received 545 votes, making it WLU dent Dan Allison was a strong advocate for building was closed for a day. was conducted, Welker was found to be within SU's closest presidential race. The year prior students voting yes, even sending an e-mail to Reported Sept. 14 2005 policy guidelines. to this, the WLUSU president was acclaimed. the entire student body suggesting they do so. Reported Sept. 29. 2004 Reported Feb.16, 2000 Reported Feb. 13,2008 The Cord • Wednesday. December 9. 2009 A DECADE IN REVIEW • 21 10 years of tomfoolery Satchel of Sin, Lunch Box of Larceny, Ziploc Bag of Badness, Tote of Trespasses; what you know as Bag o· Crime today has had many variations over the past decade and a hilarious amount of worthy content SHANNON BUSTA Mischief Nakedness FEATURES EDITOR Jan. 29, 2005 A report was received that person ( s) unknown had smeared Indecent act Regardless of what ridiculous name accompanied this fecal matter onto the toilet seat in the women's washroom in Oct.2,2005 Cord favourite in past years. 1ts purpose has always re the Student Services building. No suspects. At approximately 1:00 a.m. officers responded to the Nichols mained the same to keep the students. staff and pro Centre receiving area after receiving a report of a group of fessors of Laurier informed about the cnm1nal going-ens Mischief students walking around with no pants on. that take place on campus each week. Of course. these Mar.4,2005 On arrival they found four males in their undershorts and a troublesome going-ens vary in both severity and hilarity, A report was received that person(s) unknown smeared fecal female attempting to pull down her mini-skirt to cover her ex The Cord has collected some of the most memorable matter on the walls and floor in the women's washroom in the posed buttocks. They had been at a "pantless" party. Bag o· Crime's of the last 10 years for your entertainment Student Services building. No suspects. Indecent act Pertaining to poop Mischief Sept. 28, 2003 Sept. 28, 2004 While an officer was on Mid -Campus Drive monitoring buses Library staff reported that person ( s) unknown had smeared returning from Pikecoming, he observed a female student with Mischief fecal matter around in one of the library washrooms. No Sept. 22, 2004 her pants down urinating on the road. suspects. A report was received that an unknown person defecated in the hallway leading to the rear of the Library. No suspects. Indecent act Mischief Feb. 19, 2002 Mischief Oct. 25, 2006 Library staff reported that they observed a scruffY-looking Sept. 6, 2005 Special Constables responded to a residence after receiving a male masturbating at a computer on the sth floor of the Person(s) unknown wrote graffiti on the board in a classroom report that a male had urinated on a resident student. The res library. in the Peters Building and spread human excrement on the ident was sleeping in his bed when a non-student entered his By the time the incident was reported and the officers had floor. There are no suspects. room and urinated on him. arrived, the suspect had left the premises. ·tt:.·"· ... ! . ,' Tiff ANONYMOif~ f(CAL ~JAN~IT -,.. ~TI\IKf~ AfAINJ! : TRINA SCHMIDT GRAPI-1-CS EDITOR Most ridiculous crimes Theft under $5000 Assistance called Oct.4,2003 Oct. 20, 2001 Suspicious person A WLU student reported his wallet stolen when it was left un Officers responded to a report of a fight at the Grad Pub. On Aug. 21, 2002 attended for a period of time. arrival, no combatants were found but as the officers were A staff member reported a male individual entered her office leaving, a number of Waterloo Taxis arrived. and told her that he was Jesus Christ in another life. The inci Disturbance Apparently a male passenger had assaulted a taxi driver and dent was not reported until after lunch. The individual could Dec. 14, 200:J the driver struck the male suspect in the mouth with a flash not be located. A University ofWaterloo student assaulted a WLU student on light. The suspect and friend exited the cab and fled. the dance floor of the Turret. The accused was jealous because Mischief the victim was dancing with his ex-girlfriend. Assault Sept. 20, 2002 Sept. 22, 2002 A non-WLU student was evicted from campus after throwing Mischief A male WLU student was arrested by Waterloo regional po numerous sauce packets around in the Terrace. Mar. 28,2007 lice as he exited a bus returning from an offcampus Pike event. Laurier students Megan, Jennifer and Elenna harassed Special It is alleged that the student sexually assaulted the bus driver Possession of stolen property Constables for nearly one hour in order to try and persuade while on the bus. Sept. 29, 2002 them to get into the Bag 0' Crime. Two male WLU students were observed walking down Lodge Street with a large potted plant. The plant was later identified Mischief An ode to the guy who repaired as belonging to the Science Building. Oct.:J0,2001 Acting on information received, security recovered a golf cart the gate arms at lot 20 Mischief that had been stolen from University Stadium in September Nov.2,2002 some distance behind a factory on Phillip Street. While on patrol, officers found the gate arm to lot 20 broken A male WLU student was evicted from the Turret for urinating on the following dates in 2002 and 2003. on the stage. He later returned and gained access to the stage. Theft under $5000 Apnl20. 2002 Jan. 21, 2004 April 28. 2002 Property damage A WLU student was found in possession of a bag of ice-melt Sept 20. 2002 Feb. 28, 2009 believed to have been taken from WLU property. Oct 10.2002 1\vo students were seen playing swords with two florescent Oct 25.2002 light tubes. The lights had been taken from the ceiling in the Nov 30. 2002 FNCC. The students ran off when approached. No identities Violence and i-lnnoyance Dec. 3. 2002 known. Jan. 13. 2003 General harassment Jan. 23. 2003 Assistance called Oct. 17, 2001 Jan. 31. 2003 Feb. 13,2002 A non-WLU male was warned after he was observed stopping Feb 6. 2003 Custodial staff reported finding a suspicious package in the his vehicle and bothering students on King St. The individual Feb 12. 2003 Peters Building. was dressed in a long black wig, skirt and a woman's blouse. The Cord feels bad for the poor person whose job it was to fix The package was wrapped in newspaper and bound by the gate arm oflot 20. Apparently, the university hates that a rubber band. Bomb squad was called in and x-rayed the General harassment dam gate arm, which is why it no longer exists. package. Nov. 11, 2002 Upon opening, it was discovered that a cake was inside. An student threw a knapsack at a multimedia staff person The Bag 0 ' Crime is submitted by WLU Special Constable Service. when he requested him to vacate the room at closing time. 22 • A DECADE IN REVIEW The Cord • Wednesday. December 9, 2009 Exposing underrep rted new International news is a hectic business. Seven continents and 195 countries create an ambitious amount of ground to cover every news day. Many argue that the onslaught of the 24-hour network news cycle has led to the distortion and exaggeration of many stories. However, an even more problematic issue remains. As celebrity news and pop culture dominate contemporary news broadcasts, many worthy international stories never make the final cut. To give these stories the coverage they deserve, Cord International chose to highlight the most underreported international news stories of the past decade. The good things American President George W. Bush did During his eight years in office, community health centres in under African aid, coupled with increases -- George W. Bush managed to earn serviced regions across America. in trade activities between the U.S. himself a great deal of criticism and Bush's environmental policies and African nations. ~aiti's turmoil often outright ridicule. For many have come under frequent fire, but The most defining event of Bush's reasons, this level of dissent was ar he managed to conserve 19s.ooo presidential career was undoubt The New York Times places Haiti guably justified. However, while the square miles of Pacific Ocean, pro edly 9/11. Bush's foreign policy deci among the world's poorest and least failures of the 43rd president have tecting vast regions from commer sions following the terrorist attacks developed countries. The nation, dominated the news over the last cial fishing and seafloor mining. were controversial at best. However, riddled by political turmoil and dev decade, he has also had some quiet This makes Bush the individual who he did manage to provide a strong astated by tropical storms, shares successes that deserve recognition. has preserved the most ocean terri sense of leadership immediately fol the Caribbean island of Hispaniola One positive Bush reform was tory in history. lowing the crisis. with the Dominican Republic. an expansion of Medicare ben A global HIVI AIDS prevention Reflecting on his presidency, Bush Since 2004, the UN has spent ap efits, which allowed for access to initiative was also enacted during has said, "I always did what I be proximately Ss billion on peace prescription drugs for 40 million Bush's tenure. The president's hu lieved was in the best interest of our keeping operations in the troubled citizens, including seniors in great manitarian policies led to a signifi country:' country. Today, with funds from the need. Bush also pushed to open cant increase in spending toward -Jennifer Rae Canadian International Develop mentAgency (CIDA), Haiti remains the second highest recipient of Ca nadian financial assistance in the world only after Afghanistan. - Paula Millar Brazilian boom The BBC hails Brazil as South America's most powerful country, an economic powerhouse and one of the largest democracies on earth today. In 2007, oil was found off the coast of Brazil. The discovery only further legitimized Brazil as a de serving member of BRlC. A find of this magnitude harbours the potential to turn Brazil into a major exporter of oil. In the coming years, many believe we may see Bra zil rise to rival such traditional oil producing nations as Saudi Arabia and Venezuela. -Paula Millar El Salvador's water privatization Water, one of the most relied upon • natural resources in the world, has caused national struggles as it is in creasingly privatized in Latin Amer ican countries, particularly El Salva dor. Uganda's troubled north: Water privatization in El Salvador is the result of a 12-year civil war Joseph Kony's LRA and child soldiers that left so per cent of the popula tion in poverty and a national debt For over two decades, Joseph Kony While Kony has denied the remains elusive, finding refuge of$2.8 billion. As a result, El Salva and his Lord's Resistance Army charge of forced enslavement of in the neighbouring countries dor was vulnerable to the privatiza (LRA} have terrorized the children children, the impacts of LRA raids of Sudan and the Congo. Similarly, tion of public sector infrastructure, of northern Uganda. To date, de on northern Acholi communities attempts at a ceasefire have proven including the country's water. spite being indicted by the Inter are self evident. Every night, thou equally frustrating. A peace agree The vast majority of Salvadorans national Criminal Court (ICC} in sands of children travel distances up ment was negotiated in December who live in poverty-stricken condi zoos, Kony's crimes against hu to eight kilometres on foot to well of 2008 between the LRA and the tions now have to pay for the basic manity continue unimpeded and lit urban centres where they seek Ugandan government; however, need of water. According to World underreported. refuge from the constant threat of Kony failed to attend the treaty Press.org, even when one pays their Included in the 33 charges laid kidnapping. signing. $7-per-month water bill, tap water against Kony are accusations of According to UNICEF, since the Weeks later, the LRA carried out is not always available and is often murder, rape and the forced enlist LRA's inception in 1986, over 20,000 attacks on several villages and civil brown in colour due to high levels of ment of child soldiers. UN estimates children have been kidnapped with ian targets in the Congo. EU observ contamination. place the number of underage com 12,000 of those occurring after June ers placed the death toll at over 400. The strong opposition by Salva batants in the LRA at around 1,soo. of 2002. Irin News reports that cap As of 2009, Kony remains at large doran citizens to the privatization of Nearly all of these children have tured children who attempt toes and continues to maintain control water in El Salvador has resulted in been kidnapped and taken from cape are mutilated or killed, often by over an army of child combatants mass protests. their families in systematic raids on other children as a rite of initiation. that gains new recruits by the day. - Mara Silvestri rural villages. Despite an ICC indictment, Kony -Praveen Alwis The Cord • Wednesday. December 9. 2009 A DECADE IN REVIEW • 23 - Britain's children Communist leadership breeds civil unrest in Moldova Over the past decade, the rise in Edward Lucas, author of The New Nazi-Soviet Pact of 1939. Hilter and protesting the re-election of the Great Britain's poverty has slipped Cold War, describes Moldova as Stalin drew arbitrary lines across Communist regime went haywire. under the radar of major news head "the poorest, weakest and probably Eastern Europe, effectively parti As demonstrators overwhelmed lines. Unlike the United States, most obscure country in Europe." tioning the northeast of Greater the police presence and effective- Great Britain has experienced a Such a portrayal could not be more Romania to make Moldova. At this ly stormed Moldovan parliament, sharp rise in poverty. In fact, pov accurate. time, Moldova fell under the control mainstream news coverage evad- erty in the country has more than Most North Americans do not oftheUSSR. ed the country. Even as protestors doubled since the 1970s. This is know of the country's existence, let To date, the country remains the trashed the federal government's the result of policy changes which alone its political turmoil. Wedged poorest in Europe. As well, in 2001, administrative buildings and walked led to reduced work in the United between Romania to the west and Moldova became the first former on the board tables of the legisla Kingdom. Ukraine to the east, Moldova is easy Soviet member state to elect a com ture, Moldova failed to make the According to UNICEF, since 2000 to forget about. munist president. headlines. more than one fifth of Britain's chil The country was born out of the In April2009, a student-led rally -Paula Millar dren have been living below the poverty line. At the beginning of the decade, The Campaign to End Child Poverty made a goal to halve child poverty by 2010 and end it by 2020 through policy changes aimed at increasing work and pay. However, child pov erty has increased by 200,000 in the last two years. -DeannaSim Transdnistria remains loyal to the USSR Formally speaking, Transdnistria is the home of Soviet loyalists. The does not exist. country's economics are solely To date, no country, Russia in based on the production and sale of cluded, has formally recognized arms to other countries. the self-proclaimed independence While this may seem unbeliev of this rebel-controlled breakaway able, it is even more puzzling to state on the European continent. imagine the absence of media cov Transdnistria is a thin strip of erage of such a seemingly fictional ~...... ,_. ~--=- territory between Moldova and scenario in mainland Europe. Ukraine. However, this was notal Today, Transdnistria's capital city ways the case. As the dis ofTiraspol remains adorned with lr~ ._. integration of the So Soviet-era propaganda and is per viet Empire began, a ceived as a hotbed for crime. Kid Russophone-heavy nappings, random prison sentences, area separated from human trafficking and disappear Moldova. ances are a way oflife. Today, the region -Paula Millar t'\ ~. , / ~::t,'1" ... ~' Belarus: Home of Europe's last dictator ' Alexander Lukashenko is the presi dent of Belarus. Ifyou have not heard of him, you are surely not ! alone. While Belarus is officially a de , mocracy, in reality, Lukashenko /.1" remains Europe's last dictator. To date, the Belarusian leader has openly praised the work of Adolf Hitler and numerous heavy-hand ed Soviet leaders. Today, many call what Lukashenko is up to in Belarus a "neo-Soviet project." Despite the Belarusian regime's Terrorism plagues Russia's tumultous Northern Caucasus status as a totalitarian dictator ship, the country has been off the The North Caucasus is an area in the repression, discrimination and mass were responsible for capturing more international community's radar for southern tip of Russia between the murder. Many argue such instances than 1,000 hostages at a school in some time. In 2005, U.S. Secretary Black and Caspian Seas. It is home satisfY the definition of genocide. the town of Beslan. Russian security of State Condoleezza Rice classified to a multitude of ethnicities,lan Ingushetia, Chechnya's neighbour forces conducted a disastrous siege Belarus, along with five other na guages and a vibrant culture. to the west, is also experiencing an of the school which left 330 people tions, as "outposts of tyranny." Despite its vitality, the North escalation of violence. The Ingush dead, half of whom were children. However, even this assertion did Caucasus has often been troubled President Yunus-Bek Yevkurov was This past year, in light of a per not guarantee media coverage of the with incessant fighting. severely wounded following an at ceived diminished threat to national worsening situation within the na While the problems started with tack by suicide bombers earlier this security, the 10-year Russian-led tion's borders. the crumbling Soviet Union, des year. counterinsurgency effort was ended. Belarus, which has been indepen perate attempts by Russia to retain This comes after a peak in vio However, Russian president Dmitry dent of the Soviet Union since 1991, the satellite states have snowballed lence in 2004 in which members of Medvedev recently stated that the was a functioning democracy for into a power struggle a decade in the the Ingush cabinet and a dozen oth North Caucasus still remains com three years before Lukashenko was making. ers were victims of an onslaught in plicated. With over 300 crimes com elected. While opposition parties Among them, Chechnya has ex volving hundreds of gunmen. mitted by terrorist organizations are allowed in Belarusian elections perienced an asphyxiating stran In North Ossetia, allegations sur thus far in 2009, the decade of vio today, it is well known that they have glehold of Russian authority. The faced that Ingush fighters, in col lence has no foreseeable end. no real chance of gaining power. Chechen people have endured laboration with Chechen militants, -Alexandros Mitsiopoulos -Paula Millar 24 • A DECADE IN REVIEW The Cord • Wednesday. December 9. 2009 Best of the decade The Cord Arts staff chooses the successes and failures of the film, television and music industries from 2000 to 2009 Best in film Worst in film Best in =r=v Best albums ALL PHOTOS CONTRIBUT£0 No Country for Old Men Glitter Arrested Development Is This It? 1. Coen Brothers (2007) 1. Vondie Curtis-Hall (2001) 1 • Mitchell Hurwitz (2003-06) 1. The Strokes (2001) 2. Amelie 2. Gigli 2. The Wire 2. Funeral Jean-Pierre Jeunet (2001) Martin Brest (2003) David Simon (2002-08) Arcade Fire (2004) 3. Memento 3. Swept Away 3. The Sopranos 3. Up the Bracket Christopher Nolan (2000) Guy Ritchie (2002) David Chase (1999-2007) The Libertines (2002) 4. City of God 4. The Island 4. Six Feet Under 4. Figure 8 Fernando Meirelles and Katia Lund Michael Bay (2005) Alan Ball (2001-5) Elliot Smith (2000) (2002) 5. The Adventures of Pluto Nash 5. Freaks and Geeks 5. Sound of Silver 5. Eternal Sunshine of the Ron Underwood (2002) Paul Feig (1999-2000) LCD Soundsystem (2007) Spotless Mind Michel Gondry (2004) 6. Spider-Man 3 . 6. The West Wing 6. The Black Album/ College Sam Raimi (2007) Aaron Sorkin (1999-2006) Dropout* 6. Wall-E Jay-Z (2003)/ Kanye West (2004) Andrew Stanton (2008) 7. Transformers I and II 7. Mad Men *The two have been jotned together as both artists Michael Bay (2007 and 2009) Matthew Weiner (2007-current) collaborated heavtly on each other's projects 7. Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King 8. X-Men 3 8. 30 Rock 7. In Rainbows Peter Jackson (2003) Brett Ratner (2006) Tina Fey (2006-current) Radiohead (2007) 8. Kill Bill 9. Indiana Jones and the King 9. The Office (U.K.)/Extras 8. Guero Quentin Tarantino (2003) dom of the Crystal Skull Ricky Gervais and Stephen Merchant Beck (2005) Steven Spielberg (2008) (2001-03/2005-07) 9. The Royal Tenenbaums 9. Stankonia Wes Anderson (2001) 10. Star Wars: Episode II- Attack 10. The Daily Show Outkast (2000) of the Clones Madeleine Smithberg (1996-current) 10. Dark Knight George Lucas (2002) 10. The Reminder Christopher Nolan (2008) Feist (2007)