The tie that binds Wilfrid Laurier University since 1926 Volume 50, Issue 24 Wednesday. February 24, 2010 thecord.ca Director resigns from WLUSU board LAURA CARLSON EDITOR-IN-CHIEF I've really disagreed At an emergency in-camera Wilfrid ''with a lot of things and Laurier University Students' Union board of directors meeting that took I've tried to voice my place just prior to Reading Week, director Peter Hanna resigned from opinion, but you're only his role following the decision of the board to allow chair Saad Aslam to one member:' remain in his current position. "I was hired as vice-president university affairs [and] the board -Peter Hanna, resigned WLUSU director had to decide if they wanted to keep me around in my capacity as a di­ rector and they did choose to do so;• saidAslam. "I will fulfill my responsibilities as a director and chair of the board and also work on transitioning to vice­ president of university affairs next year:· "I've really disagreed with a lot Although details of the Feb. 10 of things and I've tried to voice my in -camera meeting cannot be dis­ opinion, but you're only one mem­ cussed, Hanna said that he resigned ber. A couple of directors have now because of the outcome. quit and a lot of it was just tl1e un­ "A lot of board members did not willingness of the board to see eye­ agree with [the outcome] .... It was to-eye and negotiate with each oth­ really close and with that outcome I er;' said Hanna. think we're putting the corporation "I think that's the major flaw of at risk;' said Hanna. the board and the reason why we're Hanna noted that because he is not as productive as we should be. currently on co-op, he hasn't been Instead of trying to work together YUSUF KIDWAI PHOTOGRAPHY MANAGER able to attend any meetings this se­ we just argue and [individuals] try Left: A visibly upset Jean-Michel Rizk after the Hawks were eliminated by the Guelph Gryphons. mester and is not comfortable re­ to ... pass their own agenda:' Right: Kate Psota shows her frustration during the Hawks shocking OT loss to Windsor. maining on the board for the rest of With both Hanna and Justin his term. Glover having resigned this se­ Tough week for Laurier hockey "With me not being there and this mester, the board now only has 13 in place, if anything happens I don't directors. The men's team was eliminated in the first round of the want to really have myself backing Though it is reduced from its playoffs, while the women saw their run at a perfect season it;' he said. standard 15 members, Aslam Though he had no intentions of doesn't feel that this will have a sig­ end in the final game of the year. Sports, pages 22-23 resigning from his director posi­ nificant impact on how the board tion prior to the in-camera meeting, operates. Hanna did note that he had thought "Justin [Glover] was missing a about it previously, as he has had lot of meetings and Peter [Hanna], many frustrations with both the since January, hasn't been here so I chair and the board has a whole over Class sizes up by 13.5 per cent the past year. News, page 6 Student-faculty ratio not representative of actual increase Student-faculty ratio from 21.4 to 21.8 students to each MIKE LAKUSIAK Just prior to Reading Week, the faculty member over last year. STAFF WRITER school released the student-to-fac­ The ratio for every faculty exclud­ ulty ratio for the 2009-10 academic ing the graduate social work pro­ Since the fall, there has been discus­ year, a value that seemed to indi­ gram and the Brantford campus in­ sion among students, faculty and cate that contrary to perceptions on creased; Brantford's ratio dropped administration on the effects of no- · campus, the situation was improv­ significantly due to new hiring. ticeably fuller lecture halls, fewer ing as the ratio had dropped from course offerings and a general per­ last year. Average class sizes ception on campus that class sizes Looking more closely at the Another change that occurred with have increased. methods used to calculate the ratios the new collective agreement was Larger classes are perceived as from year to year, the current ratio a reduction in the required cour:;e detrimental to classroom experi­ was calculated using an equation load faculty members must teach. ence. As a result, many questions that factors the full-time equivalen­ "Previously a faculty member was have been raised on what factors cy of part-time contract academic required to teach five courses over have contributed to the situation, staff differently. This was due to the course of the full year, but they what the school's perspective on it changes in a new collective agree­ get relief from teaching duties de­ is and what students can expect in ment between faculty and admin­ pending on their research and in­ the future, especially since many istration that came into effect last volvement with committees;' said students cite small classes and indi­ February. Kevin Crowley, director of news and vidual attention as part of Laurier's The Cord acquired an adjusted editorial services at Laurier. YUSUF KIDWAI PHOTOGRAPHY MANAGER reputation and a factor in their ini­ ratio this week that shows a slight ' Peter Hanna following the Feb. 10 in-camera board meeting where tial decision to come here. increase in the student-faculty ratio, News, page 4 he resigned from his position as a director. Inside Fashion as expression Creating dialogue Obama hears China roar Staff Writer Anne T. Donahue Addressing the importance of Sino-American relations heat up discusses trends and the role they creating dialogue on a sensitive as China tries to capitalize on the play in identifying who we are subject to aid those who suffer U.S:s waning global influence Arts, page 15 In Depth, page 12 International, page 9 2 • EDITOR'S PAGE The Cord • Wednesday. February 24, 2010 Editor's Choice News ...... ......... ...... 3 In Depth ....................12 Editor's Choice Local ..... ............... 7 Arts ........................14 Realities ofa global National ............. ...... 8 Opinion .................. 18 In Pictures: K-OS plays water crisis International ..... .......... 9 Sports ...................... 21 Starlight Feature, page 11 Feature ..................... 11 thecord.ca What has been Canada's greatest achievement at the 2010 gam es so far? "Jon Montgomery winning the gold medal in men's skeleton." -Travis Herron Third-year English NICK LACHANCE PHOTOGRAPHY MANAGER Waterloo was hit with a mini blizzard Monday after a warm Sunday; a frigid welcome home for students returning from spring break. This Week in quotes Bag 0' Crime Fire Special Constable Services received Location: Outside Peters Building a report of a stolen fire extinguisher Reported: Feb. 20@ 9:26a.m. from the first floor hallway of a resi­ Hey, I can only afford to A special constable responded to dence. The building was checked "Alex Bilodeau winning '' the area outside the main entrance but the extinguisher was not found. go to Cuba once a year:' to the Peters Building after receiving No suspects. Canada's first gold medal a report of the smell of smoke. The on home soil." cause of the smoke was found to be Break and Enter -Shabeen Ha nifa a small fire in a waste bin near the Location: Residence Fourth-year sociology main entrance. The fire was extin­ Reported: Feb. 21@ 3:32 p.m. - Dean ofstudents David McMurray guished with a fire extinguisher and Special Constable Services received paraphrasing a student senator's the cause was believed to be a ciga­ a report that an exterior door lead­ rationale behind not wanting afall rette butt carelessly discarded in the ingto the 24-hour lounge had been reading week instituted in2ooo container. tampered with. Investigation re­ vealed that someone had attempted Liquor Offence to pry the door, causing the damage. Location: Residence It appears that entry was not gained. Reported: Feb. 20@ 11:38 p.m. There were no identifiable marks While conducting a premise check to warrant calling the Regional Po­ Do we have to vote on of a residence, a special constable lice Forensic Identification Unit in. came across a group of residents There are no suspects at this time. "Maelle Ricker winning the ''that? I have no idea playing "beer pong" in the first floor hallway. The matter is being re­ Ifyou have any information regard­ snowboard cross." what's going on:' ferred to residence staff. ing these or any other incidents please -Alyson Coons call519-885-3333 or Crime Stoppers at First-year environmental Theft Under Ssooo 1-800-222-TIPS. The Bag 0' Crime is studies Location: Residence submitted by WLU Special Constable Reported: Feb. 21 @ u:o8 p.m. Service. - WLUSU chair-elect Kyle Hocking soon after being elected for the 2010-11 term From the archives "It's a compilation of anger, disappointment and embarrassment:' 5years -Men's volleyball head coach Shayne White on the the way his team finished the season. Students protest Rae's tuition rise Approximately 50 to 6o students gathered outside the Aird Underpass to "Brantford has been a big passion of mine. I know, irony:' rally against Bob Rae's recommendation to lift the current tuition freeze. The -WLUSU director Greg Evans making reference to an Open Forum question in which he protest was organized by the Graduate Students Association, who made the was accused ofmakingfon ofthe Brantford campus in the boardroom.