Rob Ford should not step down

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November 18, 2013

WEB-rob ford-Toronto Mayor Rob Ford-flickr copy

In an almost comical amount of controversy, Toronto mayor Rob Ford has become the target of a call to step down resulting from the video which surfaced of him smoking crack. In case you have been living under a rock, no, that’s not a joke. And frankly, it falls perfectly in line with the rest of his behaviour throughout his adult life.

However, given that he is currently clearly dealing with difficult substance abuse issues, and that the video comes to us from career criminals attempting to profit, I do not believe that this situation is enough for him to be forcibly removed from office. Rather, it should entitle him to support from the community and trained professionals to work towards recovery.

I should note first, though, that due to his ridiculous actions, I do not believe that Ford is qualified to be mayor of a Foursquare location, much less of a major city. In the late 90s, at 29, he was charged with driving under the influence in Florida, which he lied about in his 2010 mayoral race. During his time as an elected representative, he’s suggested a ‘public lynching’ in place of a public meeting about a homeless shelter, been accused of inappropriately touching a female political opponent during a photo-op, and been kicked out of a Maple Leafs game, among many other offences. Given how difficult it must, or should, have been, him being elected and keeping his position is bizarrely endearing.

This particular offense of alleged crack use, though, should not be considered grounds for dismissal. Amongst all the excitement of some actually interesting news in Canadian politics, we can’t overlook the circumstances under which this video emerged.

In early May of this year, an alleged gang member showed the video to a Toronto Star reporter in the back seat of a car, hoping to sell it. The man’s plan nearly came to fruition as Gawker tried to raise $200,000 to buy the footage, while radio station Newstalk 1010 was given the chance to purchase it for $20,000.

This is not the kind of behaviour that should dictate major political change in this country. Deals that involve a Kickstarter named “Crackstarter,” as Gawker’s is, should not be admissible in the sphere of rational discussion. Ford was basically being held hostage by known drug dealers in exchange for their profit. If Ford is removed from office over this matter, it sets the precedent that thugs can have a profound influence on Canadian politics.

The media and various internet “journalists” have also glossed over the fact that substance abuse, such as the use of crack or large amounts of alcohol, is still regarded as a disease. Rob Ford has openly admitted that he struggles with alcohol, stating that he used crack in “a drunken haze.” The manner in which alcoholism has been, in this case, labeled mocked and used as a means to judge Ford is completely unacceptable in a nation aware of “invisible” illnesses, as Canada is.

This man is clearly not well, and should be supported by the community to battle his demons rather than be called on to resign. Canada is lucky enough to be reaching a point at which such issues are not demonized, but rather faced with a helping hand. Abandoning this could further stigmatize these issues, and deter other sufferers from coming forward.

Despite Ford showing lack of character becoming of the mayor of a major city, and the fact that he really should seek some rehabilitation for an apparent battery of issues, neither the existence of the now infamous crack video nor his substance abuse should mandate his removal from office. The involvement of career criminals with the mayor’s ongoing personal issues should shift the gears of discussion away from his removal and towards finding him help and a path to wellness.

In the line of fire

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EIC

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November 18, 2013

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When I first published a story last month entitled, “SFSS internal conflict follows alleged physical altercation,” I knew that I was starting a fire. It’s an extremely sensitive topic in a tinderwood climate: conflict in a governing body, an alleged altercation between a man and a woman. Potential violence.

When I was first approached about the Oct. 11 incident, I knew it was something I wanted to shed light on as fairly and evenly as possible, a line that would be difficult to walk. I didn’t expect that in trying to maintain that line, I was putting myself in the line of fire.

As a community paper, part of The Peak’s mandate — and one that falls largely on the news section — is to act as a watchdog for the institutions that students place their trust and livelihood in. Whether that institution is the university administration, the graduate, or the undergraduate student society, or one of the many programs that student money goes towards, The Peak included, we’re responsible for reporting on what’s being done and discussed.

Now, don’t get me wrong, I am not a trained journalist, or even a journalist in training. None of The Peak staff is, as SFU doesn’t have a formal journalism school. I came to SFU to pursue my degree in English. I wanted to write. I came to news because I showed a genuine interest in campus affairs and an ability to write cleanly.

As news editor, it has been my job to follow the affairs of the Simon Fraser Student Society (SFSS), a body that represents all undergraduate SFU students and collects fees from them each semester. Student fees pay the wages and stipends of the volunteers and staff members, including the board of directors. Students are given further power in the SFSS through the election process, where a new board of directors is elected each spring.

After the piece on the alleged incident was published, the hammer came down. The online article got the most traffic, and the most comments, that The Peak website has ever had. Comments ranged from civil to . . . not so much. Comments and backlash were directed at everyone involved in the article. It turns out they were also directed at me.

I was called “patriarchal,” “victim-shaming,” and “the SFU counterpart” to UBC rape culture.

I knew that writing a piece exposing conflict in the SFSS might strain my relationship with that society; however, I did not expect personal attacks from strangers. I was called “patriarchal,” “victim-shaming,” and “the SFU counterpart” to UBC rape culture by a reader who believed that I had portrayed Monique Ataei unfairly.

With any important issue, it’s important that you, as a reader, are critical of how the story has been presented. Has it considered both sides? Does it use leading language? Completely unbiased writing is almost impossible to achieve, but it’s something I aim for.

I would be lying if I said that the process of publishing the story hasn’t made me wary of looking into something like this. And as I will be leaving the news editor position after this semester, it will no longer be my job to do so. I think what I would like to leave readers with is a fairly simple message about how you consume and react to your news, based on my personal experience.

So please, don’t shoot the messenger.

Board Shorts

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EIC

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November 18, 2013

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Build SFU Undergraduate Student Bursary

As part of the proposal to create a new student union building and stadium at SFU Burnaby, the SFSS will be implementing a bursary program to help undergraduate students who have demonstrated financial need.

Starting January 1, 2014, the SFSS will be charging a $10 new membership levy to all students, to increase by $10 every subsequent year until 2022. The levy will cover the costs of funding construction, maintenance, and utility fees. The board is putting three per cent of collected fees into the bursary, which is meant to reimburse students in financial need. Any surplus will be rolled over into the next semester.

Board members brought up concerns as to the small value of the bursary, which is set to match the levy (which currently stands at $10). Because students in need of financial assistance will most likely be applying for other bursaries, the decision was made to offer the Build SFU Bursary directly through Financial Aid and Awards.

Mediation Following Oct. 11 Incident

President Humza Khan gave an update on the progress of the mediation of the Oct. 11 incident between directors Monique Ataei and Moe Kopahi, reporting that Ataei met with mediator Paula Boddie for the first time over the weekend.

Khan also said that the terms of reference between the society and Boddie were still being drafted, as a point that was omitted has not yet been added. The particulars of the point were discussed in-camera.

External relations officer, Chardaye Bueckert, expressed concern about the pace of the investigation, pointing out that the incident occurred over a month ago. Khan agreed, and welcomed any help from other directors who may be able to offer it.

Independent Electoral Commission

The Board has opened nominations for the Chief Electoral Officer (CEO) of the Independent Electoral Commission (IEC), which “is the body responsible for ensuring that SFSS elections are free, fair, democratic, and honest, and that all candidates play by the same rules.”

As little interest has been shown thus far in the position of CEO, the board is planning to increase their advertising of the position through social media, the website, and an ad in The Peak.

The CEO’s term is set to begin on Dec. 1, 2013, after which the elected party will be responsible for recommending applicants for IEC commissioners, whom the Board of Directors appoints. According to the SFSS Policy Manual, advertisements for candidates for appointment to any position on the IEC, including the CEO, must be posted at least two weeks prior to the date of the board meeting on which appointments will be made.

SFU football earn first home win of 2013

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EIC

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November 18, 2013

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The Clan football team is finally back in the win column following their domination of Humboldt State University in their second last game of the season.

SFU earned their third win of 2013, and their first home victory of the season beating the Lumberjacks 38–17 on Terry Fox Field. In a cold evening match-up, the Clan held a 24-0 lead at the half after a dominant performance from their defensive line, shutting the 2012 GNAC champions out handily.

Senior Casey Chin led the defense with 15 tackles and three sacks on the night, earning him the GNAC Red Lion Defensive Player of the Week award. Mitchell Barnett added 10 tackles of his own to the Clan’s efforts, as the defense allowed 15 points less than their season average.

The Clan offence returned to form in the game, with star running-back Chris Tolbert opening the scoring with an eight yard touch-down run. He would score one other touchdown in the game, running for 153 yards on the evening. It was senior wide-receiver Tore Corrado with the highlight of the night however, returning a Humboldt State kickoff 99-yards for his second touchdown of the season. Quarterback Ryan Stanford also had a good night with two touchdowns and 220 yards through the air. One of those marked the first touchdown for wide receiver Lemar Durant since the season opener, after an injury kept him on the sideline for six games.

The Clan men will close their 2013 campaign at home facing the 2013 GNAC Champions from Asuza Pacific University. The 3–6 Clan will look to boost their season record to a respectable 4-6, as they host their annual Seniors Game, honouring athletes who will finish their eligibility as of that game. To earn the win, the Clan will need to pull together as a team and fire on all cylinders to pull off an upset victory and close out a disappointing 2013 with a bang.

Woohoo, Boohoo

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EIC

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November 18, 2013

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Woohoo: activism

Activists from a Vancouver-based group, Rising Tide, recently protested Premier Christy Clark’s collaborative decision with Alberta Premier, Alison Redford, to install the infamous pipeline that would link oil sands in Northern Alberta with the oil-needy on the West Coast.

The group set up fake pipes and a fake oil rig on Clark’s lawn while she was home to protest the pipeline, drawing particular attention to the fact that fracking — the process this pipeline would involve — has made some household water in northeastern BC not only undrinkable, but also dangerous for children’s skin.

It’s pretty flippin’ awesome that people are taking the pipeline and its possible consequences so seriously, and such a public demonstration is definitely drawing huge amounts of attention to the issue.

Boohoo: trespassing

Illegal activity such as this, though, puts more focus on the protesters than the protest. I made a similar argument earlier in the year about self-proclaimed anarchists burning down housing developments in the downtown Eastside to protest gentrification. Acts like this, that break the law, put attention on the protesters, and separate the issues further from the general public.

The general public, whose opinion these protesters should be attempting to sway, are less inclined to take a group seriously when they don’t follow the rules. Sure, they’re raising awareness to the issue, and sure, they’re probably pissing of Clark, but this puts more attention on the group than the issue. I doubt Clark will see any reason to change her opinion on the topic in light of activists annoying her in this extreme, and I doubt the general public will be swayed on the issue when the extremity of the protest takes precedent over the issues behind it.

While the group’s intentions are good, these activities create a divide between the voting, generally law-abiding public, and themselves. What reason would the average citizen have to join such a group, if they could potentially be viewed as anti-societal in doing so?

Man forced to rant angrily about late bus too tired to verbally abuse family

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EIC

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November 18, 2013

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SURREY — A 25-minute delay of the 319 bus at Scott Road Station last night has left a local man completely eviscerated after he had no choice but to spend the entirety of his wait loudly complaining to everyone he met.

Although John Frippman, 37, would end up making it home in “fucking twice as long as it should fucking take if only TransLink weren’t so fucked up,” according to family members he was completely depleted of his usual violent rage.

“He just wanted to sit quietly and watch TV” his wife Joan told The Peak in a shaky voice. “He didn’t even have the energy to take any anger out on me or the kids!”

She went on to explain that John used to always get home early and lambaste them with all his problems but recently the persistently late bus has caused him to be lifeless, and almost pleasant to be around at home.

“Last night he was so angry about the late bus that he didn’t even have the energy to yell at our son for being five minutes late on his curfew,” Joan continued, almost breaking down in to tears “TransLink is tearing apart our perfectly disfunctional family!”

While Joan has said that she’s been doing her best to make up for her husband’s lack of anger by flying off the handle over day-to-day minutia, she said she just isn’t able to replace the feeling of unsafety that used to exist in their house.”

“Sure, I’ve been fully capable of making our house unpleasant but it’s just not the same” Joan explained. “We used to be honestly terrified for our lives, but I haven’t had those feelings in weeks!”

According to those who have seen Frippman at the station, however, he is at the top of his insane anger game.

“Yeah, I’ve seen him out there, he really gives it his all,” said a fellow transit user who’s been privy to his late night bus riding rants. “He gets right up in everybody’s faces and goes off on everything from TransLink, bus drivers, the government, Obamacare . . . it must be exhausting.”

While Frippman has expressed interest in returning some of his irrational anger to his homelife, he says he feels conflicted over his responsibilities to all the people at Scott Road Station Bay 7.

“Without me, everyone would just stand in silence waiting for a late bus and be completely unaware of how much they were getting ripped-off,” Frippman said of his duties as a 20-minute-a-night transit revolutionary.

“Someone has to band these people together into a pointless feeling of anger, and I seem to be the only one willing to step up to the plate.”

Frippman went on to say that as long the bus keeps being late, he will rant about it but has vowed to work extra-hard to save some negative energy for his wife and kids. However he also stated it may be impossible if he ever has a late bus and an incompetent Wendy’s employee in the same day.

Canvas takes over

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EIC

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November 18, 2013

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At the end of December, WebCT will officially be retired from use at SFU. Canvas, an open source learning management system (LMS) by provider Instructure, was chosen as its replacement.

Implementation started at the beginning of the spring 2013 semester and was tested by eight SFU courses as part of a pilot project. The implementation expanded in the summer semester to the point where approximately 5,000 students were using Canvas.

“The implementation has actually been going really well, and we’re quite a bit ahead of schedule, actually,” said Mark Bachmann, communications officer at the Teaching and Learning Centre.

This semester, it was originally forecasted that half of of LMS courses would be delivered in Canvas. In reality, over three quarters of classes used the new platform, something that Bachmann is excited about.

Bachmann points to the fact that more instructors using Canvas than expected as proof that faculty are responding well to the pilot, something that has been echoed in student feedback.

“In terms of Canvas support, the help desks are reporting that there’s less activity than there has been in the past, even though they’re dealing with a new learning management system,” said Bachmann. “Either that means that Canvas is very easy to use, or it means that students are quick to learn. Probably both.”

According to Bachmann, in surveys of the pilot project done at the end of the summer semester, 64 per cent of students were either satisfied or very satisfied with Canvas, and 58 per cent rated it as easy to use.

While the progress of Canvas overtaking WebCT has been quicker than expected, Bachmann said there is still room for improvement.

That means that Canvas is very easy to use, or . . . that students are quick to learn. Probably both.”

– Mark Bachmann, Teaching and Learning Centre communications officer

One huge, and previously unexpected, improvement to the system, is the agreement with Instructure to create a mobile app, something that was not thought possible considering BC’s strict privacy legislation that doesn’t allow institutions like SFU to host information on the Cloud.

However, SFU and Instructure have negotiated an agreement to create a mobile app that doesn’t use Kaltura, a platform for hosting and delivering content that is built right into cloud versions of systems. Instructure and SFU will be building the Canvas app separated from Kaltura, so that it complies with BC legislation.

According to Bachmann, the Canvas mobile app should be available sometime in the spring 2014 semester.

One of the main strengths of Canvas over WebCT is the fact that it is an open source platform, which allows it to be constantly adding new features to the system. With the open source aspect, instructors are able to build their own modules, such as grammar tools or plagiarism checks, that can then be used by other faculty members.

Further adding to its flexibility, Canvas also uses Learning Tools Interoperability (LTI), which allows the system to integrate third-party plugins and modules. Bachmann believes as faculty become more accustomed to the system, use of LTI and modules will deepen the capabilities of the system.

Poet’s Corner: Coffee house

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EIC

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November 18, 2013

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Pound down the pavement

Rain is falling, on me, on my hair, on my face, on my back, all of me

I’m soaked

It’s miserable out

It’s beautiful out

Open the glass door to coffee house

Door to another world

Hit by a wave of damp, warm air bearing a strong aroma

Coffee; with a hint of mildew and a dash of despair

It’s beautiful in here too

Coffee made by a misty-eyed university drop out in a heavy metal tee shirt

I order a cappuccino and he makes me a latte

Perfection

Sit by the window, let the light seep in, watch the rain fall down

Somewhere someone else is miserable out there

Makes me feel warm and protected sitting inside with my coffee

They say you watch the world go by but it comes too, it comes and it goes

It does not forget

The Coffee house

Architects propose uses for SUB space

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EIC

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November 18, 2013

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On Friday, Nov. 8, SUB architects held a public presentation to update the SFU community on their current vision for the project. The architects have narrowed down the sites to Main Street and Crossroads, as the Treehouse site was not preferred by students.

The presentation centered around their preliminary plans for the Student Union Building (SUB) space as well as their space programming interpretations of the information collected from students.

After reviewing the feedback from students collected during Build SFU’s Focus Group sessions, the architects have come up with four areas of focus as outlined in the benchmark statement: student focus, sense of community, outstanding design, and nature.

The team outlined a desire to create the SUB as the “heart of the student experience.”

For student focus, the team outlined a desire to create the SUB as the “heart of the student experience” that instills unity among students, pride in their school, and includes a clear “wow factor.” They also hope to create a sense of community in a comfortable, fun, welcoming space which provides a “home-away-from-home” for students.

With regards to design and nature, the team plans for the SUB to be a focal point or “postcard image” of the campus living room that allows students to connect with the natural mountain environment of the Burnaby Campus.

Marc Fontaine, Build SFU general manager, shared with The Peak the proposed space program for the building, which outlines the net square footage (NSF) allotments for different uses of the space in both Main Street and Crossroads. There is approximately 105,000 NSF total available on each site, and that space is split up similarly in both options.

For administration, which encompasses the SFSS board offices and general office, both sites have allotted 3,553 NSF.

Both sites have also designated 16,750 NSF for student activities, organizations, services, and clubs. This space includes eight proposed ‘organization suites’ which are meant for departments of SFSS or other student organizations that are “student centred,” like the FNSA or the Women’s Centre.

These suites come in two sizes: 1,320 NSF, which is roughly the current size of the Women’s Centre, and 820 NSF, which roughly equates to Out on Campus’ current size. However, Build SFU is planning to create more suites than there are current groups.

“If a group was created in two years and it’s a really active group and the Student Society at that time wanted to provide a space to assist with its function and growth, that group wouldn’t be disadvantaged by not having existed today,” explained Fontaine.

Both sites also feature 12,730 NSF of designated meeting and multi-purpose space. The plans include four meeting rooms which would hold 20 to 25 people, 15 meeting rooms for four to six people, one formal meeting room, one dance rehearsal space, two music rehearsal spaces, and a ‘cabaret’ space which would act as an informal stage or performance space.

There would also be a 4,000 NSF mutli-purpose room, which could be used for lectures or other public events.

The sites differed in their division of space concerning Food Services and Lounge areas. In the proposed Main Street building, architects allotted 10,650 NSF for food and beverage services; in comparison, Crossroads only has 2,950 NSF, which is planned for a coffee shop and dining seats. Fontaine explained this decision, saying, “The Crossroads site can tie directly into the food court in [MBC].”

What this means for Crossroads is that with the extra space, architects were able to designate 17,060 NSF for lounge area. Compare this with 9,500 NSF in the proposed Main Street building. Lounge space includes features like common areas, quiet study space, games areas (one in Main Street and two in Crossroads), group lounge space (for between 90 and 200 people), and a multi-purpose foyer.

When asked whether this difference could be a key determinant in which building is chosen, Fontaine replied, ““It could be one of the factors. It’s definitely a big piece.”

PED use should result in lifetime ban

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EIC

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November 18, 2013

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Performance-enhancing drugs (PED) use is one of the utmost concerns in the professional sporting world, as the deterioration of once-revered New York Yankee Alexander Rodriguez’s legacy has proven. With most competent athletes being able to avoid detection for years, some argue that performance enhancers should be allowed in order for them to be administered in a safe manner and to, somehow, ‘level the playing field’ amongst athletes.

I, however, would argue that this completely disregards what it means to be a sportsman and puts the athletes in harm’s way. The only way to truly mitigate the use of PED in sports is to effectively ban those found guilty of using them.

Perhaps the most convincing argument against loosening the restrictions on PED and in favour of stricter legislation comes from the world of contact sports. No careers are shortened by how fast Lance Armstrong can pedal a bike or how fast a sprinter can run; however, serious injuries can occur when an NFL player can deliver harder hits or when a boxer can orchestrate a more concussive attack. Drugs that allow athletes participating in such sports to encourage an above-normal amount of muscle growth only further opens sportsmen to dangerous injuries.

In addition to the danger that stronger and faster athletes present in high-contact sports, PED also devalue what it means to be a professional athlete. Adding an unnatural substance into the training regimen goes against the pursuit of pushing the human body to its natural limits.

While they do not negate the necessity of skill, PED allow the possibility of otherwise unworthy athletes being able to force their way into the professional ranks on the basis of ill-gotten gains rather than pure, unadulterated hard work. Professional sport should be a celebration of the skill of a select few who are able to hone their craft better than anyone else rather than a bizarre science experiment.

It may, at first, seem that the system of temporary suspensions currently being used almost across the board is sufficient to deter users and punish those who have used them in the past. After all, don’t those who have been punished for past use of PED deserve a second chance? Not at all, says a recent study reported on by the BBC.

Research done at the University of Oslo suggests that those who use steroids, even for a short period of time, can reap the physical benefits on a long-term basis, perhaps even a decade after stopping use. If correct, the implication would be that once an athlete has been found to be using PED once, not only would their past achievements be called into question, but all their future outings would also be tainted.

As one of the authors of the study, professor Kristian Gundersen, tells the BBC, “In science if you cheat you are out for life, and my personal view is that it should be similar for athletes . . . it is a harsh treatment but if you really are cheating, I think that’s reasonable.”

For centuries, sports, both professional and amateur, have given us all a reason to come together and cheer. However, with the growing commodification of the industry, it is only natural to assume that there will be those who want to gain an unfair advantage.

Given all we now know about brain injuries in professional athletics, it is nothing short of irresponsible to let anything increase that risk. Furthermore, PED dilute the standard to which professional athletes should be held, by introducing an unnatural variable into the equation. As a result, those who have been found guilty of using such substances should face a permanent ban from their chosen sport, rather than a temporary suspension or other likewise insufficient punishment.