The Eyeopener - November 11, 2009

GERM WARFARE PAGE 12

pages 10-11

Volume 43, Issue 10 • theeyeopener.com — Ryerson’s Independent Student Newspaper since 1967 • Wednesday, November 11, 2009

ROUGH WATERS

Student threatens coach with lawsuit page 11

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2 • The Eyeopener

Wednesday, November 11, 2009

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NEWS

Wednesday, November 11, 2009

The Eyeopener • 3

Pan Am Games give Gardens a sporting chance By Carys Mills News Editor

Ryerson has cleared a major hurdle in its pursuit of Maple Leaf Gardens, said the school’s athletic director. Toronto was declared the host of the Pan American Games on Nov. 6. Ryerson will host racquetball games and basketball practices for the Games, which have a $1.4 billion budget. Ivan Joseph, Ryerson’s athletic director, said the Games can give the federal government another incentive to invest in Ryerson. “Having the Pan Am Games, the government was always going to invest in it, and now the government gets to invest in Ryerson and the Pan Am Games in one,” said Joseph. “Now that we have the Pan Am Games, I think our chances have increased tremendously,” said Joseph. The Pan American Village will be five minutes away from Ryerson. The on-campus facilities to be used for the Pan Am Games will most likely be within the new athletic centre, according to Joseph. Ryerson is waiting to hear from the federal government about a request for $20 million in funding to house the new athletic facility within Maple Leaf Gardens. “It makes me more optimistic for Maple Leaf Gardens because what better way to showcase

A ‘no’ from feds might not mean ‘no’ for Gardens By Vanessa Greco News Editor

The Pan Am Games renew hope for Maple Leaf Gardens. Toronto and its sporting culture by renovating a legacy building,” said Joseph. Ryerson President Sheldon Levy said the Pan Am games aren’t related to the Maple Leaf Gardens funding request. But the games could get

Photo: ANDREW WILLIAMSON

the federal government’s attention on the need for another downtown sports venue, according to Bob Rae, MP Toronto Centre. “It might help apply pressure to the federal government,” said Rae. “I can see that being an influence.”

EyeWonder: What’s going on with Maple Leaf Gardens?

I don’t think we should give up on the feds. — Bob Rae, MP Toronto Centre

I want it badly... — Adam Kahan, vice-president university advancement

We have the Pan Am Games, I think our chances have increased. — Ivan Joseph, athletics director

Even if the federal government denies Ryerson funding, Maple Leaf Gardens remains an option as the future site of a new athletics centre, said Adam Kahan, vice-president university advancement. “If it means going back to a rethink on Maple Leaf Gardens if there’s a negative answer from the government then I think we would have to do that,” said Kahan, adding Ryerson is brainstorming ways to fundraise money. Although it’s been over a month of silence since Ryerson applied for $20 million in federal funding, former Toronto mayor John Sewell doesn’t think there is reason to be discouraged. “Who knows when this might fit in with the agenda of Stephen Harper?” Bob Rae, MP for Toronto Centre, spoke to Transport and Infrastructure Minister John Baird last week regarding Ryerson’s request for funding. Rae said Baird seems receptive to the school’s application. “I think the key thing is to keep the focus on the federal government,” said Rae.

The RSU wants you to take a week off next fall By Shirley Lin

On Nov. 7, a student followed a female into her floor 11 room. Photo: Matt LLewellyn

Pitman girl’s bed invaded By Yasmin Jaswal

A Ryerson student was removed from Pitman Hall after allegedly harassing a female resident on the eleventh floor. On Nov. 7 at approximately 3:30 a.m., the male suspect followed the female into her residence room. After ignoring multiple requests to leave, he followed her into bed. According to student housing manager Chad Nuttall, the intruder was arrested. But Detective Mohammed Husain of Toronto Police said there were no arrests made at Pitman that night. “She said, ‘You have to leave, I’m going to bed.’ She pulled the covers over her head, and he got into bed with her,” said Imre Juurlink, Ryerson security supervisor. The female text messaged her friend with the words “help me.”

The friend, who was on the same floor, locked the female in the bathroom and then called security. By then, the male suspect had left the room. The harassed’s neighbour, who declined to give her name, said other residents tried to kick out the suspect. He was escorted to the lounge where he was found by police. According to security, the suspect, a non-residence student, persuaded a few males to sign him in to the building. They didn’t know the student. “It happens all the time, people signing in people they don’t know,” said Allie Hicks, a Pitman Hall resident who says it happens every weekend. Ryerson has started investigating the incident, according to Heather Lane Vetere, vice provost students. Housing issues are usually dealt with internally but depending on the situation they may be brought to the administrative level.

Associate News Editor

The Ryerson Students’ Union (RSU) wants the university to have a fall reading week by 2010. The RSU will move a motion lobbying the Senate to consider a fall reading week should students vote in favour at the upcoming semi-annual general meeting (SAGM) on Nov. 11. “The purpose of this motion is to see if a fall reading week is something that students would support,” said Liana Salvador, RSU vice-president education. “If students on this campus support [it], then it’s up to us as a students’ union to work for that.” Salvador says a reading week is a good break for students to de-stress from school work. The break could give them time off to study, perform better academically, and be with their families. Natalie Scott, a first-year early childhood education student, agrees. “I think they should allow a full week because it is stressful and we need a break.” Although other universities such as York, Trent and Laurentian have a fall reading week, accord-

ing to Ryerson’s registrar, Keith Alnwick the weeklong break is not practical at Ryerson. “It’s not feasible unless the teaching semester is reduced from the current 13 weeks,” he said in an email. “The length of the teaching semester has always been the stumbling block.” Other universities have year-long courses or 12-week semesters so an extra week off classes is more doable, said Heather Lane Vetere, vice provost students. But Ryerson professors can take up to five days after the last exam for marking and students may need lab time for more hands-on, specialized programs, so the extra week is needed, added Vetere. Ryerson President Sheldon Levy said it’s an unlikely outcome. “Ryerson has relatively long semesters and teaching weeks…and I think it’s going to be very difficult for students to make the case that the teaching year should be shortened,” Levy added. Other motions at the SAGM: • RSU lobby the university to ban the sale of bottled water on campus •RSU lobby the university to establish a memorial honouring the death of Christopher Skinner

EDITORIAL

4 • The Eyeopener

Masthead EDITOR-IN-CHIEF Amit “MAD MAN” Shilton

NEWS Vanessa “TRIANGLE” Greco Carys “SHOPPING SPREE” Mills ASSOCIATE NEWS Shirley “TOUGH LOVE” Lin FEATURES Rodney “POINT MAN” Barnes BIZ & TECH Lauren “FUCK PANTS” Strapagiel ARTS & LIFE Aleysha “SPICY 2” Haniff Amanda “MILE HIGH CLUB” Cupido SPORTS Anthony “LIL COUSIN” Lopopolo PHOTO Matt “LOOP-Y” Llewellyn Chris “SNIPED” Dale FUN Leif “MONEY PLANE” Parker ONLINE GURUS Kerry “STRAIGHT SHOOTER” Wall John “SEXY BITCH” Shmuel GENERAL MANAGER Liane “NEW YORKER” McLarty ADVERTISING MANAGER Chris “GOLD BUG” Roberts DESIGN DIRECTOR Ryan “FALAFEL SPECIAL” Price INTERN ARMY Michael “WHERE RU” Stuckless Ryan “SORTER” Hanson Brian “ARES” Capitao Johnny “MCDONALDS” Vouyioukas Avie “STATS” Engler David “RACINETTE” Goncalves Imman “STARBUCKS” Musa VOLUNTEERS Barbora “PURELL” Simek Michael “GET BETTER” Duncan Evan Wynn “MY DEAR” Kosiner Christine “HOUSE ELF” Dobby Jennifer “DISGRUNTLED” Tse Kaleigh “LEAFS WIN” Ambrose Summer “HELD” Darbyson Monika “MONIKA” Mielnik Andrew “ANDREW” Chilton Michael “MICHAEL” Winkler Suraj “SURAJ” Singh Kevin “KEVIN” Zaworski Agata “LEGALLY BLONDE” Zieba Yasmin “BUBBLE TEA” Jaswal Cory “ELEVATOR” Wright Mike “GIAMBRONE” Deruyter Stephanie “PUB BEAT” Gellatly Theresa “WHITE NOISE” Do Jen “JAVA” Chae Shannon “RETURNS” Higgins Dominique “ROLL CREDITS” Lamberton Alexandra Maccauley “GLOBAL” Abdelwahab Playing the role of the Annoying Talking Coffee Mug this week... Printers. Fuck Printers. The Eyeopener is Ryerson’s largest and independent student newspaper. It is owned and operated by Rye Eye Publishing Inc., a non-profit corporation owned by the students of Ryerson. Our offices are on the second floor of the Student Campus Centre and you can reach us at 416-979-5262 or www.theeyeopener.com.

amit shilton editor-in-chief

The first time I met Dominic Kahn was three years ago. I was the newly minted sports editor at the Eyeopener and as part of the initiation that comes with the position, I was trying out for Kahn’s Ryerson rowing team. On the water with Kahn and his crew, I saw a coach who was driven to win but was also extremely popular with his team. It was really hard not to fall in love with Dom and his coaching philosophy. Over the next few years I became better friends with Dom. I even wrote a story two years ago praising his vision as the one sports and rec needs to adopt to turn their department around. When we were approached by an an-

EYEOPENER RUDE AWAKENINGS EVERY WEDNESDAY MORNING AT 6 A.M. ON CKLN 88.1 FM

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Making the tough call isn’t easy gry rower this week (page 11), we had to do an ethical gut check when dealing with the issue. As an editor with a personal relationship with Dom, it made the story that much tougher to bring together. Maintaining impartiality is not always easy. It’s a part of this job not a lot of people think about, but comes into play on a weekly basis, whether it’s trying to cover a Pitman student being harassed (page 3) or the issue of sex workers near campus (pages 8-9). Our masthead meets many times over the course of the week to discuss the coverage and impartiality of a story. Our ethical practises are printed out in our constitution and it’s part of the mandate of the Eyeopener to teach the practice of ethical journalism to any student who volunteers with us. We take this seriously, but sometimes we fuck up. We also have processes for our readers to call us on that and for us to correct it. Let us know how we did.

Wednesday, November 11, 2009

Photo of the week

The men’s basketball team win their home opener. Photo Chris DaLE

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If you join our team, we’ll hug your legs too. Positions up for grabs: News (2) Associate News (1) Arts and Life (1) Sports (1) Associate Photo (1) Election speeches take place on Nov. 26 at 7 p.m. You need four contributions in order to vote but anyone can run!

NEWS

Wednesday, November 11, 2009

The Eyeopener • 5

Students come up short in proposed fare hike By Michael Deruyter

Proposed TTC fare hikes might have students paying more for their monthly Metropasses. As of Jan. 3, 2010, the price of a monthly Metropass sold on campus could rise to $111 from $96. Cash fares are set to rise to $3 from $2.75. “We have to increase fares because of higher operational costs due to the purchase of new vehicles and the expansion of our services,” said Danny Nicholson, supervisor of corporate communications for the TTC. The 15 per cent increase will help the TTC raise $62 million in an effort to combat the $100 million shortfall budgeted for next year. The TTC is set to lose about $22 mil-

lion this year, despite the popularity of “Students already have trouble makthe service which carries 471 million ing ends meet so we know it would have people a year. a big impact.” Nicholson admits that one of the reasons for the shortfall is because of the popularity of Metropasses. current price: $96 He said the TTC has lost money on the passes since they were made transproposed price: $111 ferable in 2006. Metropasses account increase: $15 for about 40 per cent of the TTC’s $836 million fare revenue. The Ryerson Students’ Union (RSU) sells between 4,000 and 9,000 discount metropasses to students every month, according to Toby Whitfield, RSU vicepresident of finance and services. In November, 8,600 discount metropasses were sold on campus. “We are very concerned about the fare increase,” said Whitfield.

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He added the RSU is working with On Nov. 17, Whitfield is scheduled to the University of Toronto and York on speak to the TTC about the burden the a petition against the increase. increase would put on students.

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Course unions can’t cash Ram’s booze anymore By Stephanie Gellatly

Course unions no longer make money on alcoholic beverages sold at their events. Some leaders said they weren’t notified prior to their events at the Ram in the Rye, leading to heated debate at a meeting on Nov. 3. “We felt taken advantage of,” said Matthew Armstrong, Student Law Society (SLS) vice-president financial affairs. “We don’t care about the final amount, or the percentage, it’s the principle of changing things without notifying student groups in time.” But Eric Newstadt, general manager of the Ryerson Student Centre, said all changes were communicated. Starting this fall, course unions were able to charge cover at events or earn around 10 per cent of overall sales, in-

cluding alcohol. In October, Ryerson Student Centre management learned that giving a portion of liquor sales to course unions contradicted their liquor license. The policy was changed again so course unions could charge cover, or make a higher percentage of non-alcoholic beverage and food sales, up to 50 per cent for more than $1,000 in sales. The SLS held an event at the Ram in the Rye on Oct. 16 and chose the percentage system because they thought it included alcohol. They earned $205 from a packed bar. A few days later they were told the policy had been changed before the event, said Armstrong. He added that if they had been informed of the exclusion of alcohol sales, especially with an evening event, they might have charged a cover instead.

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Armstrong was unaware of pub policy changes. Photo: Chris Dale

Executive shake-up at RUtv By Theresa Do

The flagship show of Ryerson’s student-run television station has an uncertain future after two of its key staff members allegedly quit. RUtv News producers Rob Heydari and Lidia Bit-Yunan are said to have left their positions last week. “Rob and Lidia dropped out of RUtv and they are integral to how the station is run,” said Graham Slaughter, a RUtv news junior reporter. “Without them, we’re not able to function.”

Both Heydari and Bit-Yunan refused to comment. In the meantime, RUtv News remains on hiatus and Slaughter said he is looking at internships outside of Ryerson. According to Brad Whitehouse, RUtv News junior reporter, the news team executives are currently looking to add people to the production and management staff, even though they already have a “great team together this year.” Last year, RUtv received $17,000 in funding from the Ryerson Students’ Union for the station’s launch.

6 • The Eyeopener

NEWS

Wednesday, November 11, 2009

High-tech corruption joins old-school cheating by shannon higgins

The newest trend in academic dishonesty lets panic-stricken students pay for extensions. At Corrupted-Files.com, students with $5 can buy more time to finish a paper by purchasing a corrupted file to hand in. The site explains: “It will take your professor several hours if not days to notice your file is ‘unfortunately’ corrupted. Use the time this website just bought you wisely and finish that paper!” While no Ryerson University students have been caught handing in corrupted files, faculty and administration are well aware of the new fad, according to Ryerson’s academic integrity officer Donna Bell. “It would be considered academic misconduct because you are tampering with the scholarly environment trying to gain an advantage to get more time. And you are gaining an advantage over other students.” An “intent to deceive” merits a minimum penalty of zero on the assignment and is often upgraded to a failing grade in the course. A lot of instructors go straight to the ‘F’ because [the student’s actions] show no respect for the learn-

ing environment, said Bell. Though most students caught cheating at Ryerson get busted for plagiarism, others are more creative. Some people design innocuous looking labels for water bottles and calculators. In classes where CPS clickers are used, some students take turns studying and have one person answer test questions for multiple people. Less savvy cheaters resort to pulling fire alarms during tests. And although false alarms have been on the decline at Ryerson in recent years, security supervisor Imre Juurlink, said it’s always an issue. “Kerr Hall is just horrendous for it... it’s just bad on all levels.” In the past, Ryerson has hired hallway supervisors and has worked with fire marshals to turn off alarms during exams. Ryerson isn’t the only university dealing with false alarms. York University recently formed a Exam/Mid-Term Disruption Task Force after a series of classroom disruptions during midterms last year. The taskforce, chaired by York Uni- Even with tools to corrupt assignment files, old fashioned cheating exists. photo: SUMMER DARBYSON versity Registrar Joanne Duklas, aims to develop response strategies and will “It’s totally inappropriate and it will money should be going. It’s incredibly at Ryerson without good reason face eventually make procedure recommen- be dealt with as a criminal matter. It’s stressful for students,” Duklas said. suspension or expulsion. “If they are dations. not inexpensive and it’s not where Students caught pulling a fire alarm caught, it will not be pretty,” Bell said.

Universities under pressure to recognize more college credits by dominique lamberton

Ryerson is looking at ways to facilitate a smoother transition for incoming college transfer students — a response to the government’s push for a regulated transfer credit system in Ontario by 2012. According to a Council of Ontario Universities report, the province’s universities are not well integrated with its colleges. Although university courses are fairly standardized across the country, college courses vary and often do not receive university credit. At Ryerson’s senate meeting on Nov. 3, a priorities committee presented their findings on the issue. They discussed if Ryerson was doing enough to recognize transfer credits and how it should respond to the move for regulation. Currently, college transfers make up 15 per cent of undergraduate students at Ryerson. “I think there’s many students that come from the college system and are unsure how their credits are going to count and what they could count for what degree program,” said Ryerson President Sheldon Levy. “I think there are lots of issues under which

universities should be working with the colleges much closer.” The Ontario Ministry of Training, Colleges and Universities has pressed its post-secondary institution to establish an integrated system like British Columbia and Alberta, stated the report released in July. Neil Thomlinson, a member of the priorities committee, said that often, college courses are not relatable to university courses and makes it harder to grant those credits. “Ryerson program coordinators all try to get students the most credit they can, but at Ryerson it’s complicated by the curriculum structure,” Thomlinson said. He added that Ryerson differs from most schools because of its many specific, professional programs so the odds of taking a relatable course at college are slim. Also, prior courses taken by college transfer students will often count for a professionally-related or liberal credit but won’t be equivalent of a class in a specific program, he said. A possible solution could include stating on the letter of offer the number of credits a college transfer will get upon their acceptance, rather than waiting till the school year begins, he added.

CKLN votes in new board of directors

Spotted: Prince Charles Prince Charles was near Ryerson on Nov. 4 as part of his trip to Canada. He attended a meeting at 250 Yonge St. near the Eaton Centre. A motorcade was outside the Ted Rogers School of Management awaiting his departure. PHOTO: CHRIS DALE

A new, full-term board of directors was finally in order. There are still two vacant spots for elected for Ryerson’s radio station at a meeting student representatives which will be filled on Nov. 9. later in the year. The campus-community station CKLN welcomed two student representatives on the Elected board members: board. • Chair — Ron Nelson Sarah Raeburn, a nursing student, and Kai• Vice Chair — Barry Johnson tlyn Lubniewski, an arts and contemporary • Treasurer — Michael Harnett studies student, were voted on to the board. • Secretary — Andrew Lehrer Michael Harnett, treasurer and a previous • Student represenatives — Sarah Rae- board member, promised “to make a personal burn and Kaitlyn Lubniewski ­ effort” to help bring the station’s finances back ­— Shirley Lin

Wednesday, November 11, 2009

NEWS

Levy scouts spot for coffee shop

The Eyeopener • 7

Briefs

& Groaners

By Jen Chae

The southeast corner of Yonge and Gould could be home to a bustling student-run coffee shop with a full cappuccino bar and open-mic nights — if Ryerson had the money. At a meeting with the Eyeopener, President Sheldon Levy said he envisions a coffee shop run by students at Yonge and Gould streets across from the former Sam the Record Man site. “I love to just sit with a coffee and a newspaper. There’s no place to go around here,” said Levy. “What I would love to do is have, I’d call it the students’ coffee shop… like a Ryerson cappuccino bar where you could have music and sit.” He added that the shop could be run by business or hospitality and tourism management students. As well, Ryerson’s musically-inclined students could participate in open-mic nights. The site, previously home to a shoe store, is available for lease at $28,000 a month — a figure that Levy calls unreasonable. The broker for the rent space, Emile Amar of T.O. and GTA Realty Inc. refers to the spot as a high exposure corner. “We were considering having a Starbucks at that location, but they ended up in the AMC building,”

Dude, where’s my urinal? On Nov. 5, someone switched the signs on two bathrooms in the 99 Gerrard St. building. The traded male and female signs were attached to their new locations with Krazy Glue.

Buy a double-double, get a hug Security received complaints on Nov. 6 , about an intoxicated man outside of the Victoria Street Tim Hortons. He was urinating and offering hugs to passersby.

This spot may be too expensive for a student-run coffee shop. PHOTO: CHRIS DALE said Amar, who believes a student-run coffee shop is an excellent idea. Just up the block, the corner of Yonge and Gerrard streets is a spot Levy has identified as a more affordable option for a student-run coffee shop. The site is currently a jewellery store.

Regardless of where it could be, first-year business management student, Geremy Schlesinger, would love to see the coffee shop happen. “A student-run shop would provide a chance for business students to apply what they learn in class to the outside world,” he said.

International enrolment up 30 per cent at Rye Ryerson registered almost 300 international At Ryerson, international students paid at least students this year, a 30 per cent increase from last $15,390 this year. McMaster University internaRyerson attracted more international students year, according to Charmaine Hack, director of tional students paid about $13,600, while Univerthis year, but some worry that high tuition fees undergraduate admissions and recruitment. sity of Toronto students paid about $19,400. might make it more difficult to keep them. “Tuition fees are too damn high,” said Dario Fun Fact: The Canadian economy made $6.5 billion from international McPhee, a fourth-year architecture student from students in 2008. the Bahamas. “Canada’s dollar is getting really — Foreign Affairs and International Trade Canada report strong so what we pay keeps going up.” According to a report released by Foreign Af“We don’t make any money on international Diana Ning, co-ordinator of international stufairs and International Trade Canada, the Canadi- students,” said President Sheldon Levy. “The tu- dent services, said financial problems are a main an economy made $6.5 billion from international ition we charge is exactly the same as if they were issue that international students have to face.

By Alexandra MacAulay Abdelwahab

students in 2008. Almost 34,000 international stu- a domestic student except they’re paying the gov- “With the exchange rate, it could be an overdents are enrolled in Ontario universities. ernment grant.” whelming financial pressure on their families.”

Facilities renewal funding , again It’s that time of year again! Annual provincial funding time for facilities renewal, that is. Each university gets assessed on its size to determine how much money is given, so basically Ryerson gets a drop in the bucket.

Stood up by Dalton Dalton McGuinty, the Premier of Ontario, was supposed to be on campus on Nov. 10 to attend Ryerson’s Revitalizing Manufacturing Conference. Sadly, McGuinty cancelled a few days before the event.

Burn baby burn! Paper inferno! Security was dispatched to a smokefilled men’s washroom last week. Turns out someone had decided to burn paper. Our guess: Somewhere on campus there’s a disgruntled student who’s burned evidence of a crappy midterm mark. Or a pyromaniac. Which one would you rather sit beside in lecture?

Features

8 • The Eyeopener

Wednesday, November 11, 2009

Turning on the red light For the first time in a generation, the courts have been challenged to legalize many of the laws surrounding prostitution. Christine Dobby looks into how this will make both sex workers and Ryerson safer.

Features

Wednesday, November 11, 2009

The Eyeopener • 9

The danger that follows the sex work- would call me by my boy name,” Patty of the sex trade, independent women Lebovitch says these claims are “a bit ers running the Jarvis strip also affects says and recounts an incident three with their own place to live. Lebovitch hysteric.” She sayss that these problems Ryerson students, especially those years ago when she was raped and concedes that the law banning it is not already exist here and that warning that walking the neighborhood at night. stabbed an inch and a half from her kid- the only reason everyone’s not already they will drastically increase is simply “It’s not the sex workers that pose the ney. She says the police initially doubted working indoors. Poverty is a major fac- playing on fear and, more particularly, problem,” says Imre Juurlink, Ryerson’s her story. Her attacker was sentenced to tor, one that won’t change overnight, she fear of sex. “Otherwise, all they have is security supervisor. “It’s the people who just two years in jail. says. Some can’t afford an apartment or morality,” she says. pay street-level sex workers.” can’t risk being kicked out. Children at REAL Women has also said that the While security routinely deals with hough prostitution itself — the home are another deterrent. decriminalization of sex work could students engaging in sexual activity act of exchanging money for sex This is why some people continue make Toronto a sex tourism destinawith local sex workers on campus, says — is legal in Canada most of the working the strip near Ryerson, run- tion. But City Councillor Kyle Rae (ward Juurlink, the relationship between Ry- activities that tend to go along with it ning the risk of criminal charges. Lebo- 27, Toronto-Centre Rosedale) says, halferson and prostitution is delicate. are not. The legal challenge, launched vitch estimates that 90 per cent of the joking, it’s “too cold most of the year” Female students are often harassed by three sex workers, targets three of people who work outdoors are charged. here. He supports the challenge, noting by men looking to employ the services the criminal provisions surround- Indeed, Monica has been charged in that most people are working out of their of sex workers and while it can be just ing prostitution: keeping a common the past and is facing charges again homes and are afraid of being charged annoying, says Juurlink, it can also be bawdy-house, which prevents people right now. She thinks she’ll likely get a under the bawdy-house provision. frightening. Councillor Rae “When I was says that if the younger I reThree and a half years ago Patty was raped and stabbed an inch and a challenge sucally hated walkhalf from her kidney. She says the police intially doubted her story. ceeds, it would ing through the Her attacker was sentenced to just two years in jail. allow the city and area,” she recalls. province to regu“Those men treat late the sex indusall women very poorly. The things they from working out of their homes legally, few days in jail. try. This would benefit those who have yell are really hateful.” soliciting prostitution and living off the But Lebovitch says if the second law no choice but to work on the street, inBut a recent court challenge seek- avails of prostitution. was struck down, the law prohibiting cluding those near Ryerson, he says, being to make sex work safer for those in Kendra Stanyon, a graduate of Ryer- soliciting in a public place, it would help cause regulations around public health, the industry by legalizing indoor work son’s communications and culture pro- protect the most marginalized people zoning and access to public health famight also help make the area safer for gram and a current Osgoode Hall law working in the sex industry, those work- cilities could be set up. Ryerson students. The violence that is student, assisted Alan Young, the lead ing on the street. Without fear of arrest Don’t expect any of this to happen so much a part of their lives is one that lawyer, with the case. She says a charge for soliciting, the sex workers doing the soon though. Arguments in the case bleeds into the rest of the community. under the current bawdy-house law is rounds around Ryerson could work in concluded on Oct. 26 and a decision Allowing sex workers to legally operate serious and can lead to people losing groups and gather in safe, well-lit areas. from Justice Susan Himel of the Suinside would not only make their jobs, their homes. If the law was changed, Julia Vanderheul, who does outreach perior Court of Justice in Toronto isn’t but also Ryerson students safer. sex workers could move indoors with- work with Street Outreach Services and expected until next spring. Even if the Working indoors is safer and cleaner out fear and even hire security guards the Bad Date Coalition, agrees and adds challenge is successful, Kendra Stanyon says Monica, 41, the daughter of a drug- for protection without worrying about that sex workers on the street could then says they fully expect the crown to apaddicted sex worker who followed in legal repercussions. report violence and sexual assault with- peal to the Court of Appeal and even her mother’s path and has been work“There are women who choose [pros- out fear of being charged themselves. the Supreme Court of Canada. The case ing in the sex industry for 20 years. titution] and they should be allowed to But the religious and conservative will likely be working its way through Although she’s worked indoors in the work in the industry safely,” Stanyon groups who intervened in the case are the courts for several years to come. past, she’s struggling with her addic- says. not convinced by arguments about In the meantime, students and sex tions and is working on the streets two Amy Lebovitch, one of the applicants safety. Joanne McGarry, spokesperson workers alike will continue to endure to three times a week. It’s increasingly in the case who now lives in Vancou- for the Catholic Civil Rights League, the dangers associated with the vocadangerous work, Monica says; she was ver, agrees. She is an activist with the says prostitution is intrinsically dan- tion. Though the Internet has allowed assaulted two weeks ago. Sex Professionals of Canada who has gerous work. And Diane Watts, a re- many people to work indoors, their Patty, 42, agrees that working on the worked in the sex industry for years, en- searcher for REAL Women of Canada, jobs remain largely illegal. And with street is risky. She’s spent the previous gaging in everything from phone sex, to an advocacy group that champions the the law forcing many of them out onto few days dealing with the fallout from indoor work, to working on the street. role of the family in society, argues that the street to find work, both their lives a bad date who ejaculated all over her. She saw a lot of violence on the street “Prostitution in and of itself is harmful and the safety of Ryerson students are She had to take her clothes to the police and says she feels safe working out of to women.” She also argues that liberal- in jeopardy. and go through the process of making her home. She also says most people ized prostitution laws have been shown “You talk to any young woman and a report. are working indoors these days. in other countries to lead to an increase they’ll tell you they get hassled all the As a transgendered female, she says Some critics have said that the in organized crime, child prostitution, time,” says Juurlink. “Legalization only she’s been harassed by the police as change in this law would only benefit drug involvement and human traffick- addresses some of the issues. But it will well when working on the street. “They those working in the “upper echelons” ing. make them safer.”

T

Dying on the job

I

t’s after midnight on a windy fall night and only two women are working the Jarvis strip. A bottle-blonde in a tight black dress doesn’t get much protection from a shiny white jacket trimmed with faux fur. It’s open anyways. Further down the block, an older brunette, hair pulled back into a tight ponytail, is likely warmer in jeans. Both are wearing impossibly high, chunky heels and the younger woman takes tiny steps in her shiny, thigh-high boots. The women make loops around the block up to Carlton, over to Church, down to Gerrard and back out to Jarvis. On Church they pick their way past the construction that has torn the street up. They both chat on their cell phones, smoke cigarettes absentmindedly and never directly cross paths.

It’s quiet tonight. Across the street from the Harvey’s at Jarvis and Gerrard — known among Ryerson students as “Hooker Harvey’s” — a red neon sign in the window of the Jarvis Market flashes the word “INTERNET” silently on the women’s path as they pass by. That sign helps explain why the solitary walk up and down Jarvis Street seems even lonelier these days. The Internet makes it easy for sex workers to work indoors and the vast majority prefer to do just that — estimates vary from 80 to 90 per cent depending on who you speak to. That’s because sex work, especially on the street, is dangerous. According to Statistics Canada, sex workers face a heightened risk of violence and sometimes homicide. Photo: Chris Dale

By Christine Dobby, Avie Englert and David Goncalves

•

Between 1991 and 2001, a total of 50 homicides in Canada occurred in the context of prostitution

•

Two-thirds of the victims were female

•

•

•

•

•

An accused was identified in only 33 of the cases Street prostitution in Canada consists of 10-33 per cent of the entire Canadian sex trade Sex workers in Canada are generally between 22-25 years old, and begin their careers when they are between 16-20 years old

•

30-70 per cent of Canadian sex workers have children and practice prostitution to support them In Toronto, 50 per cent of sex workers work for themselves, as opposed to working for pimps Young women are charged over 80 percent of the time for prostitution

Sources: Statistics Canada, “Sexual Offences in Canada,” July 2003. Frances M. Sharer, The Canadian Encyclopedia, “Prostitution,” 2009.

Contact If you know or are a sex worker and need help: Sex Professionals of Canada: (p) 416-364-5603 (e) [email protected] www.spoc.ca Street Outreach Services (p) 416-926-0744 Maggie’s Toronto (p) 416-964-0150 Toronto Police Sex Crimes Unit, Special Victims (24-hour hotline) 416-456-7259 [email protected]

sports

10• The Eyeopener

Wednesday, November 11, 2009

Ryerson mishandles frisbee Jennifer Tse reports on the lacklustre state of ultimate frisbee on campus

photo: Chris dale

Rams win opener Nick Asquini, an intramural and sport club specialist at Ryerson, is concerned about the status of ultimate frisbee on campus. photo: Jennifer Tse It’s a chilly morning on the field. Ryerson student Thomson McKnight grips the Frisbee, winds up and delivers a perfect long throw to a waiting teammate. His teammate leaps gracefully and snatches the disc from the air above his opponent’s head, landing in the endzone for a point. The resulting cheers speak of a bond only an established university sports team could have. But McKnight isn’t cheering with his university. Nor is he even on a Ryerson field. He’s playing for Torontula, the University of Toronto ultimate frisbee team and three-time Canadian university champions. Second-year radio and television arts student McKnight also plays for GOAT ­— the best elite competitive men’s team in the country — and is a strong contender for making the 2012 Team

Canada squad. The reason Ryerson’s greatest upand-coming ultimate talent belongs to U of T? Ryerson doesn’t have a team. “Would I join it if we had one? Definitely,” says Anthony Gras, three-year Ryerson intramural ultimate participant. “There is talent. A lot of people like it. But I’ve only ever been able to play intramurals.” Even intramural ultimate is struggling. “We made a switch from Moss Park to the Quad to improve turnout but things haven’t gotten much better,” said Nick Asquini, Ryerson intramural and sports club specialist. Many consider ultimate the epitome of college sports. McKnight, for one, isn’t entirely sure why Ryerson hasn’t nurtured ultimate frisbee as a varsity sport or as an intramural program. “I know that even intramural ultimate

at U of T is huge,” said McKnight. “But I didn’t even know Ryerson had intramurals. I think there’s definitely talent and interest in the sport here, but it would help if it were easier to access.” Crunched out of weeknight field time by every other intramural sport, ultimate unequivocally gets the short end of the stick with its Sunday slot. With Ryerson’s large commuter student population, dedicated weekend participation is virtually nonexistent. “Intramural ultimate at its most successful was very residence-based,” said Asquini. “Residence participation is still very good. Where we would struggle in forming a club or a team would be having a dedicated field to play on, and accessibility. “Ultimate at Ryerson is not dead, but it’s struggling. It could be so much more.”

Rams overrun OUA awards ceremony by kaleigh ambrose

Ryerson athletics swept the Ontario University Athletics (OUA) awards ceremony last week, as many of the school’s athletes were awarded some of the highest honours possible. Ryerson athletes from the men’s and women’s soccer teams, as well as the rowing team, were recognized by the OUA with individual awards and accolades. The men’s soccer team took home three of the top four awards as well as all-star honours, while two players of the women’s soccer team were named all-stars. Two rowing team members were named all-stars as the OUA recognized rowers for the first time. “The OUA awards help market our program to prospective high schools. It sets the message that [the sports programs] are something that’s important to us,” said Ivan Joseph, director of athletics. “When you’re winning the major

awards, it says you’re not just there to have a team, you’re there to compete on a bigger scale and win.” Alex Braletic, a midfielder who played in his first year with the Rams, won OUA East Most Valuable Player honours. This was the first time the award has gone to a Ryerson player. Winning the top three out of four awards is an exciting thing for this young team captain, who netted a team-high three goals this season. “That’s an honour in itself. There’s been a lot of bad press about Ryerson athletics, not just soccer,” said Braletic. “So the fact that we were able to win those individual awards was just a bonus on top of finishing the season so well.” For shadow striker Andrea Raso, allstar on the women’s soccer team, the first team all-star award was her third nomination and win over three consecutive years. But she still feels the need to push herself to earn the award. “If I end up thinking that I’ll just get it, I’m not contributing to the team as

much as I should be and that’s not a good way of playing your season. I always try to do more and fight for that position and not expect that I’ll just get the award,” said Raso. Calaigh Copland, in her rookie year with the Rams, was named a second team all-star. Following Ryerson’s first-ever gold medal in rowing, the OUA named Ryerson rowers Matt Buie and Philippe Roy all-stars. These awards have led to a strong sense of pride and bright hopes for the future of Ryerson athletics. “We won three of the major awards in men’s soccer and we were one of the middle row teams,” said Joseph. “For the women’s soccer team, it’s a great accomplishment to not make the playoffs and still have two people win awards. “Having rookies win awards bodes well for our future. The OUA awards set a great start to the season and really help to give a kick start to our winter sports.”

The men’s basketball team beat the Waterloo Warriors 76-74 in Kerr Hall Upper Gym on Friday.

SPORTS

Wednesday, November 11, 2009

The Eyeopener • 11

Rowing coach strays adrift Sports editor Anthony Lopopolo sifts through a pending lawsuit and varying accounts of Ryerson rowing coach Dominic Kahn

Wednesday, November 18, 2009

Coach Dominic Kahn watches his team of rowers on practice. photo: sports and rec Alleging that he couldn’t even see his own pay cheque, a former Ryerson athlete plans to take his coach to court. Alec Bain, a third-year journalism student, is lining up a small claims lawsuit against rowing coach Dominic Kahn for loss of employment, wrongful dismissal and breach of contract. Bain took a job at Bayside rowing club under Kahn this past summer where he believes he was overworked and uncompensated for his time. He was subsequently let go by Kahn after six weeks on the job. “I was fired for asking for my pay cheque,” Bain told the Eyeopener. Bain claims Kahn owes him $2,850 of lost money. Bain said he was presented with a T4 slip that subtracted $1,000 from his total earnings. The slip did not have his signature on it. Bain alleges he wrote a contract for his summer employment that Kahn refused to sign. A tax lawyer has been contacted to carry out an investigation of losses from Bain’s finances. Kahn declined to comment on his employment of rowers at Bayside, citing confidentiality reasons. There have been other former rowers at Ryerson who share a similar concern about Kahn’s approach to the sport and handling of athletes. “He makes a really good first impression. But the more you get to know him, the more you see that it’s an act,” said William Oxeley, who now rows at Hanlan rowing club. His choice to join another rowing club stemmed from

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the way in which Kahn had conducted himself in front of athletes. “I couldn’t take this person anymore,” Oxeley said. “At that point, it seemed like, if we were going to row for Ryerson, we had to row (at Bayside).” Kahn said rowers have the freedom to choose which club to practice at. He has difficulty understanding why any of his rowers would be upset with him. Kahn looks to the rowing team’s first OUA gold medal this season to prove that he nurtures all of his athletes equally and fairly. “Favouritism doesn’t exist on our team. We have standards to be met. From there, we only have an x number of spots up for grabs. It’s really tough. It’s a tough job for the coach. We’re always pushing and I have to be the bad guy. “As a professional coach and someone who cares, sometimes I have to push you. You may not like it. You try everything, and that ranges from pat-

It got to the point where I went to practice hoping I wouldn’t be coached —Tim Goff, ex-rower ting athletes on the back to pushing harder than they think. You have to balance that, and most of the time it works. That’s what I do.” Other former rowers interpreted Kahn’s coaching as “overly aggressive” and established a counterproductive environment for newcomers. After joining the squad in the fall of

last year, student Tim Goff slowly removed himself from training under Kahn and began to work independently. “It got to the point where I went to practice hoping I wouldn’t be coached,” said Goff, who no longer rows. Wes Spencer, who has rowed since grade 9, attests to the displeasure expressed by former rowers. He wasn’t employed by Kahn last summer, but from previous experience working with the rowing coach, he felt he should spread the word about Kahn’s behaviour. “It was like a recurring theme on the rowing team, me telling people about what’s going to happen with Dominic and his policies and that they should just avoid him in the first place,” said Spencer. Spencer said he asked athletic director Ivan Joseph and athletics manager Beth Ali in the summer to have Kahn fired. Joseph said Kahn’s commitment to Bayside and Ryerson is muddied and couldn’t address Spencer’s appeal straightly. Bayside is not affiliated with Ryerson, which complicates Joseph’s authority over what Kahn does. Policies have been instituted, but Joseph declined to reveal what changed. Champion Matt Buie dispelled a lot of the negative criticism about Kahn. “He’s the best coach that I ever had in any sport. The fact that he’s managed to take rowers that have never touched a boat before in their life to OUA champions in two years is absolutely amazing,” said Buie.

Athletes of the Week • The women’s volleyball team lost to the York Lions 3-2 on Sunday. It was the Rams first game after serving a two-game suspension for drinking. • The men’s hockey team won 4-3 against the Ottawa Gee-Gees at George Bell Arena on Saturday. The win puts the Rams in sixth place in the OUA East.

Ashley MacDonald

Michael Paolo

Women’s basketball

men’s hockey

ARTS & LIFE

12 • The Eyeopener

Wednesday, November 11, 2009

The widespread trend of hand sanitizer BY BARBORA Simek

Forget Juicy or Armani. Brand names like Purell have become the hottest thing on the market. Since reports of H1N1 hit the media, hand sanitizer seems to be in every purse or backpack. But is it smart pandemic planning or just paranoia? “There’s a divide between people who use it normally and people who are obsessed,” said Erica Boccia, first-year radio and television arts student. Boccia said she witnessed someone stealing an entire station’s supply of hand sanitizer from campus. “I think it’s honestly a little overrated,” she said. “Having them is a good reminder to take precautions but it’s not something that’s huge on my mind.” Boccia only uses it when she feels she may have been in contact with a lot of germs, like after coming out of the subway or the mall. Dr. Su-Ting Teo, director of student health and wellness, thinks using hand sanitizer is important. “As a part of pandemic planning, hand sanitizers provide an easy method of killing influenza on your hands so that you do not pick it up or pass it along,” she said in an e-mail. With manufacturers claiming a quick rub of sanitizer kills up to 99.9 per cent of bacteria on your hands, the gel may trump hand washing in efficiency and convenience. But sanitizer is not without its downfalls. Due to its high alcohol content (60 to 95 per cent), sanitizer can cause alcohol poisoning when ingested. While this is a major concern for small children, the homeless population around Ryerson seems to have gotten the memo about this new readily available fix.

Photo Composite: MATT LlEWELLYN

Over the past year Imre Juurlink, security supervisor at Ryerson, remembers three documented cases of sanitizer consumption on campus. It’s not common, but it does happen. According to Dr. Teo, the biggest health risk of this behaviour is alcohol poisoning, which can be easily achieved when the alcohol by volume can be triple that of vodka. While most Ryerson students may not be lining up at the nearest Purel pump for a sip, the average user may face other risks as well. Chad Warford, a PhD candidate at Simon Fraser University in chemistry and materials science, explained that because of the quick evolution of bacteria, sanitizers are strengthening the resis-

tance of bacteria to antibiotics. “What we’re doing is killing the weak [bacteria] and selecting the strong ones. Then, we have to use more powerful antibiotics to kill those; then, new strains evolve to survive those antibiotics,” he said. “Before long, all our known antibiotics will be useless.” Joseph Chen, a third-year business management student, is on the fence about the issue. “I still think washing hands is still the number one way to keep clean and hygienic but it’s pretty handy when there’s no washroom around and you want to eat or clean your hands.”

—With files from Amanda Cupido

Sanitizers at Rye BY MANLEY HUYNh

Although students may notice walking past one or two hand sanitizer stations, there is a surprisngly high number of them around Ryerson. “In total we have 900 units spread out through the campus,” said Ian Hamilton, director of campus planning and facilities. Ryerson is trying to prevent the spread of disease by providing hand sanitizer units all over campus. “We started installing the hand sanitizers since the SARS incident,” said Hamilton. “We started with the washrooms initially and then started putting them in hallways and areas of high volume.” With all the renovations the university is going through, some may be wondering how much Ryerson is shelled out for the health of its students. “All of the units in total have cost Ryerson about $40,000 to $45,000,” said Hamilton. The next time you are heading off to class, count how many of them you pass by. You may be surprised with the answer. Looking for Drink of the Week? Check out pg 4 Can’t get enough of aArts and Life? Check Brian Capitao’s story on holiday windows in Toronto at: www.theeyeopener.com

It’s like raaa-ee-ainnn on your wedding day Matt Demers thought avoiding contact to prevent disease was ridiculous. Then he got H1N1. Isn’t it ironic? So way back in September, I wrote an article about why certain H1N1 prevention practices (like avoiding physical contact) were unneeded and perhaps a little too over-the-top. While I was writing the article I took the time to evaluate my own chances of getting the flu and brushed it off, thinking I had a hardy immune system and that would be enough to protect me. How wrong I was. In perhaps an amazing example of

irony, H1N1 hit me like a bulldozer over the course of two hours on a Tuesday night. The next week and a half that I spent sick and recovering was possibly one of the worst experiences of sickness I’ve ever had. However, it wasn’t all bad. I came away with a couple tidbits of knowledge I think any one of you reading this who comes down with the flu might find useful.

1. Exactly one half of the people you know will react as if you have contracted the bubonic plague and will be dying in short order. This, fortunately, includes professors and TAs. The other half will laugh at your misfortune but will still stay away from you in fear of catching the aforementioned plague. 2. Drink liquids like it’s $2 shot night. You might shrug off this warning from the doctor but it really helps when your

throat alternates between feeling like a desert or a tunnel of acid. 3. You’re sick, you recover, you get better. Catching H1N1 is not nearly as scary as people are making it out to be; take your time to recover. If anything, when your kids are in bed sulking about the watered-down colds of the future, you can brag about how you were part of a pandemic and lived to tell the tale.

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Wednesday, November 11, 2009

Arts & life

The Eyeopener •1 3

Head Wrappers fashion a new look for cancer The World Head Wrappers know that without care for colour, shape or geography, cancer knows no bounds. Now they’re sharing their message in the World Head Wraps Fashion Show and Concert Fundraiser on Nov. 19. The runway show, produced by third-year Ryerson fashion communication students, features colourful head coverings from different cultures. Check out this sneak peek for the event, which will take place Nov. 19 at the

Liberty Grand Artifacts Room (25 British Columbia Rd.). Proceeds from the event go to the Princess Margaret Hospital Wig Salon’s Patient Assistance Fund. Tickets, which are 50 per cent off for students, can be purchased at Big It Up stores or from their website. photos: chris dale • text: Michael duncan

Corissa Bagan, a third-year fashion and communications student, reacts with surprise and joy to her brightly coloured head wrap. “It was so comfortable and wasn’t too heavy. You could wear it in the summer and winter,” said Bagan, who will model in the show. Along with professionals and students, cancer patients will also be modeling the head wraps which are designed specifically for people facing the disease.

Naza Hasebenebi, 34, prepares a head wrap for a model at the show’s fitting. “I’ve been head wrapping all my life. I’ve used my traditional fashion and cultural sense,” said Hasebenebi, who is the co-founder of For the People Clothing and Head Wraps and a member of The World Head Wrappers. Hasebenebi prepares an intricate head wrap during the fashion show’s fitting. “It’s important that everyone knows cancer knows no difference; it catches you and catches me,” Hasebenebi said, who had someone close to her die of cancer while she was planning the event. The charity event is trying promote support groups that exist for cancer patients.

Practising a pose for charity, a model participating in the show and fundraiser shows off her vibrant head wrap. Monthly head wrapping seminars are put on by the World Head Wrappers for cancer patients to demonstrate alternatives to wigs and hats.

BIZ & TECH

14 •The Eyeopener

Wednesday, November 11, 2009

No risk, no reward (miles) Arts and life editor Amanda Cupido finds out how a Ryerson alumnus made it big with Air Miles Robert Gierkink was never afraid to take risks. Using a hotel room as an office in Toronto, Gierkink was joined by Sam Duboc and Craig Underwood to start something Canada had never seen before. They used a Daisy Printer, similar to a typewriter, to print letters to potential business partners. The noise was so loud they were forced to pause every time the phone rang. After eight weeks in the hotel room, they knew they were on to something big. This program is now known as Air Miles, the loyalty program in Canada where consumers earned points for spending money at certain stores. “From the very beginning I was intrigued by the idea,” said Gierkink, who graduated from Ryerson business in 1986 and then Harvard in 1991. From there, he was made aware of a business opportunity for Air Miles in Canada. “We worked very hard to get it off the ground,” he said. “Everyone’s been really happy since then.” As of 2009, 70 per cent of households in Canada

Go the distance with your shopping

are using Air Miles, said Gierkink. “It certainly turned out to be successful,” said Gierkink. “Beyond our dreams.” Growing up on a farm in Souffville Ont., Gierkink knew what he wanted to pursue. “I always had an interest on how business worked,” he said. He chose Ryerson to pursue an undergraduate degree fulltime. “I was challenged by the program,” he said. “But it was tremendously developmental for me.” Right after graduating he worked as a sales manager for the Yellow Pages Group but started to consider applying for his MBA. Getting accepted into Harvard was a pay-off for Gierkink.

“I worked very hard, long hours and I was re- very special.” After continuing to build Nectar, in 2007 the company sold to Aeroplan, Canada’s premier loyalty marketing company, for $717.5 million. Gierkink refers to this as the most rewarding moment of his career. Gierkink went on to being the entrepreneur in residence for General Catalyst Partners and is now the CEO and chairman of Data Logix, located in Boston, Massachusetts. Most recently, on Oct. 29, Gierkink closed a deal with NextAction — the leader in multi-channel marketing, data and analytics — for the company to be rebranded as DataLogix. “It’s very rewarding,” he said. His advice to students is to find something you love to do and pursue it. “All the successful people I know work really, really hard,” Gierkink said. “But it’s difficult to work really hard at something you don’t love doing.” Going all in is also a key element. “There are some career-fulfilling accomplishments that come with taking risks.”

warded for that.” After bringing Air Miles to Canada, he went on to do the same in places like the Netherlands and the United Kingdom. He had learned that getting a major grocery chain on board was ideal, which was one bit of knowledge that allowed him to bring the idea to other areas. “We knew what we were getting into,” he said. By 1999, Gierkink was the CEO of Loyalty Management Group, based in the UK. He started the Nectar program from scratch and turned it into the biggest loyalty program in the UK. “It’s nice spending a lot of time and effort building a business,” he said. In 2000, while still working in the UK, Gierkink received the alumni achievement award from Ryerson. “I wasn’t expecting it at all,” he said. “It was

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biz & tech

Wednesday, November 11, 2009

The Eyeopener •1 5

@jacquelinetse

@caresnia

sitting in ryerson library. having the pleasure of listening to awkward flirting

Girl in the hallway at ryerson: i think black people are way luckier [than white people] because their babies are way cuter.

@Robbie_J @Leanne_McAdams I need somebody to give me $40 so I can graduate. Word is Ryerson holds the ones who don’t pay hostage in a windowless room on grad day.

Came out of office to see Royal flag on TownCar and lots of OPP. Chuck and Cam must be @ryerson.

@br00k3c

a ryerson rams branded sports bra for $40, just what I wa looking for...

@skaughtm the ryerson paper printed one of my tweets. should i tweet one of their printed stories? #eyeforatweet

Wanna tweet about it? Take a cue from skaughtm and start using the #eyeforatweet hashtag.

Go free or go home Startup 101 by evan wynn Kosiner

There is a tendency to think business is strictly about money. And it is. But some people cross the line from just being committed to eating, sleeping and drinking money. There is a line and I want you to watch for it. Let’s put some ideas about money to rest. First of all, there is a ton of money in the world. Second, people spend it on ridiculous things. Money for me is the currency of what’s possible. I used to hate Rosedale and Yorkville due to how it walks, talks and even smells of green paper, until my friend Jeff got me clear on this. Growing up in Forest Hill, it was a bit of a different game. Yes, Forest Hill is one of the wealthiest areas of Toronto. But if you take a stroll through Forest Hill Village one can see quickly, it’s not about flaunting money. It’s about wearing Roots sweatpants and having fun. I really get that money is the universal currency of whatever you think of being possible, being possible. With that said, you don’t need money to make things happen. There are always people willing to do it for free. And now you’re possibly thinking, “Hey Evan, really? Anything? Because I...” Don’t want to hear it. I say anything, and I mean anything. If you feel uncomfortable getting stuff for free, get off of it. I really wanted to put together a band and get a venue for an event over the summer. What I found was I just needed

to ask and not be attached to particular people being part of the band. What opened up for me was a space where musicians who had never met each other were getting something out of it. Even the people who walked all the audio-visual equipment (which was also free) down a flight of stairs. Everyone had something at stake and was getting value from being there. Something that would have cost me thousands if I were to have hired everyone, was free. People think I have money. There are times as an entrepreneur I’m rolling in it. And there are times I’m spending $80,000 a month with a lot coming in, but it isn’t keeping up with what I’m putting out.

If you feel uncomfortable getting stuff for free, get off of it. I have the most fun working without money, pulling favours and making the impossible possible. Never let money get in the way of what you want in life. If you do, you deserve it and don’t bother emailing me because I won’t respond. Go create. Go have fun. Live without money being a barrier in your life. Your homework for this week: find one thing in your life and without stealing, lying or cheating, have a conversation about getting it done for free.

If you have any questions about running your own business or have feedback for Evan, send an email to [email protected]

Partners in Powerful Communities

THE POWER OF ONE THE HYDRO ONE WILLIAM PEYTON HUBBARD MEMORIAL AWARD is a testament to the power of one individual to

affect positive change in our society. The son of a freed slave from Virginia, Mr. Hubbard served as Toronto’s first black Alderman, Controller and Acting Mayor in the early part of the 20th century, where he was instrumental in the development and public control of hydroelectric power in Ontario. We invite applications from black undergrad students in Ontario who have completed at least one year in one of the following areas: Electrical, Mechanical, Civil or Environmental Engineering/Technology, Computer Science, Forestry, Business or Information Technology. For an application form, visit your campus Financial Aid/Students Awards Office or our website (click on Careers, then Student Awards). The deadline is December 31, 2009.

www.HydroOne.com

16 • The Eyeopener

FUN

Wednesday, November 11, 2009

Dead, dyed, flayed cow of the week

Graffiti

by

Michael Winkler