July 29, 2008
Vol. 136, Issue 3

Meet Your Executive

To read the AMS executive’s advice on how you can get involved at Queen’s, please see this issue's Supplement. (Matthew Rushworth)

Frosh concert finds new home

Queen’s annual Frosh Week concert has found a new home at Fort Henry National Historic Site since Kingston city council attempted to silence the event. The concert, held annually in the parking lot of Miller Hall, has regularly been a source of debate between Kingston residents and Frosh Week coordinators.

The perks of being a principal

From million-dollar leave payouts to memberships in local recreation clubs, many of the perks of being a university principal in Ontario are being publicly released for the first time. The Hamilton Spectator filed a series of requests under the Freedom of Information Act to obtain the contracts of 17 university presidents and principals, making public the salaries, benefits and compensation packages they receive. They published the contracts in June.

When sports and politics collide

The world’s eyes will be on Beijing this month as it hosts the 2008 Summer Olympic Games with the mantra, “One World, One Dream.” But for Kathy Xu, Sci ’99, this year’s Olympics will only serve to uphold the practices of a regime whose human rights record has inspired talk of boycotts—the loudest since the 1980 Olympics in Moscow when 62 countries, including Canada, skipped the Games.

Bill C-61 goes beyond downloading

A proposed change to copyright law could change the way Canadians share media. It could also have a negative impact on the education system, said English professor Laura Murray. Bill C-61, first read to the House of Commons by Federal Industry Minister Jim Prentice on June 12, outlines the provisions for copying media and fills in the grey areas not covered by existing copyright laws. Under current copyrighting laws, Canadians aren’t allowed to copy newspapers, books, periodicals, photographs, videocassettes and music.

The Ghetto: unplugged

Students returning to Kingston next month will be able to surf the Internet for free with the creation of a new free wireless network. Ockham Communications, a Kingston-based Internet service provider, composed of a few Queen’s graduates, started installing six devices needed to create a wireless network around the Ghetto. The network, called Mi Wifi, will cover the area bordered by University Avenue and Earl, Princess and Division Streets.

Satisfying students’ diverse stomachs

In the depths of February, when the sun takes cover and midterm papers block what light remains, most students long for some good home cooking at the end of a long day. But whether your home is in Kingston or on the other side of the world, leaving campus for a meal isn’t always an option. That’s where the cafeteria comes in. Food Services Resident District Manager Phil Sparks said the University’s dining halls have a diverse menu, offering up to 35 options. He said generally, they can make anything someone can cook at home—all students need to do is ask.

News in Brief

When sports and politics collide

The world’s eyes will be on Beijing this month as it hosts the 2008 Summer Olympic Games with the mantra, “One World, One Dream.” But for Kathy Xu, Sci ’99, this year’s Olympics will only serve to uphold the practices of a regime whose human rights record has inspired talk of boycotts—the loudest since the 1980 Olympics in Moscow when 62 countries, including Canada, skipped the Games.

Fake reporters a cop-out

An OPP officer posed as a journalist during last year’s Aboriginal Day of Action protests to get to the front lines, courts heard last week.

The politics of pollution

Stéphane Dion’s recently released carbon tax proposal has brought the climate change debate roaring back to Parliament Hill and has even triggered widespread public discussion.

Welcome to Queen’s

The Journal reports on solving dietary dilemmas in residence, the evolution of the Queen's Centre, and how to stay safe and sound.

Island fest is a little home grown

From friends gathering for an afternoon on the docks to a full slate of national indie acts rocking out for two nights and an afternoon, the Wolfe Island Music Festival has grown in the 10 years since its inception—all the while remaining probably the least pretentious music festival in Canada.

Shooting for gold

When watching the Olympics this month, Queen’s students might see a familiar face or two in the crowd of athletes sporting the Canadian red and white.

Micro-wave goodbye to bland caf food

When I entered my first year of university, I found every facet of residence life equally exciting. My own little room! My own huge lectures! My own meal plan at my own cafeteria!

Issue in photos

View all images from vol. 136 issue 3.