November 9, 2007
Vol. 135, Issue 20

Lest we forget

Veteran John Ross Matheson fought in World War Two after graduating from Queen’s in 1940. (Harrison Smith)

Serving his country at home and abroad

On the shores of Italy’s Moro River in 1943, battles raged between Canadian forces and German troops, fighting for control of the Ortona stronghold. John Ross Matheson, ArtSci ’40, was there on temporary assignment when a shell went off directly over his head, sending slivers of steel deep into his brain, six of which remain there today. Despite what most people would consider a major setback, Matheson didn’t let a literal hole in his head slow him down. After the war and a long recovery, Matheson got married, became a father of six, went to law school, got involved in politics and served as a judge in Ontario’s court system.

Martial law silences families

For Ali Shaikh, the events in Pakistan this week are close to home. Shaikh, Sci ’10, lived in Pakistan until three years ago, when his family moved to Canada for better employment and education opportunities. Last Saturday, General Pervez Musharraf imposed martial rule on the country, where much of Shaikh’s family still resides.

University considers ethics of outfitting

The University still isn’t sure it wants to sign onto a program ensuring its suppliers follow ethical labour practices. But students advocating for ethical purchasing policies hope a recent conference and continued dialogue will convince the administration more needs to be done. The University held a conference evaluating the implementation of the Designated Suppliers Program (DSP) at Canadian universities Nov. 2.

CFRC fee increase fails, budgets $25K loss

This year’s fall referendum was marked by one of the highest voter turnouts for a referendum without an accompanying executive or rector election in AMS history. Over both voting days, 4,351 students—32.3 per cent of the undergraduate student population—cast their ballots on questions of fee raises and renewals and four plebiscite questions. Chief Returning Officer Joanna Adams said she attributes the dramatic rise in voter turnout to a stronger promotional campaign than the Commission of Internal Affairs (CIA) ran in previous years.

Special fees dent student wallets

As the cost for attending university constantly increases, tuition fees aren’t the only factor responsible for the rise. The growing trend among Canadian universities is the annual increase of Student Activity Fees (SAF), which are called Special Fees at Queen’s. The student activity fee is the money paid by students for campus clubs and serivces. Queen’s has seen a 61 per cent increase in activity fees in the past 10 years and currently charges $676.68 a year. While many of these fees are subject to opt-out, $419.28 of the fee qualifies as mandatory.

News In Brief

Former Queen’s Technology Manager David Ditchfield was found guilty on Wednesday, Nov. 7 of luring a teenage girl online and trying to escape custody, the Kingston Whig-Standard reported yesterday.

Rock out for a good cause

Come to the Journal‘s Art for AIDS benefit, featuring spoken-word poetry and the musical stylings of Magic Jordan, the Backyard Sex Band and Nich Worby.

Friday, Nov. 16 at 9 p.m. @ The Grad Club.

All proceeds go towards HIV/AIDS Regional Services Kingston.

Admission by donation, $5 minimum at the door.

Scoring top athletes not main goal

Students come to Queen’s because they’re offered a high-quality education and the opportunity to pursue their interests and talents. Discrimination based on those interests and skills will have a polarizing effect and bring the University’s priorities into question.

Ditch the bubble and take action

A few weekends ago I had the privilege of attending Queen’s Health and Human Rights Conference, presented by the schools of Medicine, Nursing, and Rehabilitation Therapy.

Young rivalry’s sound alive and kicking

Free album giveaways are usually a sign of the desperate and obscure—not an up-and-coming Canadian rock quartet.

Gaels grind Mustangs’ gears

The men’s rugby team is headed to the OUA finals tomorrow after a thrilling 18-13 win over the rival Western Mustangs on Saturday.

A toast to cocktails

Ordering his signature martini, James Bond requested his drink to be “shaken, not stirred.”

Issue in photos

View all images from vol. 135, issue 20.