Student expelled after revealing security breach
A student at Montreal’s Dawson College came under fire from the school after he revealed a weakness in their website which could allow hackers to gain personal information on all students.
After discovering the vulnerability in October, the 20-year-old Ahmed (Hamed) Al-Kahbaz privately reported it to Dawson. When he followed-up about proceedings two days later, the College informed him that he was to be expelled.
Dawson initially refrained from commenting, citing their policy of not discussing students’ personal information. On Tuesday, they released a statement on their website regarding the incident titled “Setting the Record Straight.”
In it, they claimed that Al-Kahbaz was not expelled because of his discovery, but rather because he continued trying to access the system after being told not to.
“These actions and behaviours breach the code of professional conduct for Computer Science students, a serious breach that requires the College to act,” the statement read.
Since his expulsion, Al-Kahbaz has received more than a dozen related job offers.
— Holly Tousignant
University of Toronto “sex party” attracts hundreds
A much-publicized event hosted at a downtown Toronto sex club drew hundreds of student attendees Monday night.
The gathering was organized by the University of Toronto’s Sexual Education Centre (SEC) as part of their Sexual Awareness Week. The group, which receives 25 cents each term in student fees from each undergraduate, aimed to safely introduce students to the city’s sex club scene.
The event gained attention online after a post on Reddit stated “U of T is holding an orgy, and you’re invited! You just need your student ID.”
An organizer told the Toronto Star that the “executive director made it very clear that this is not an orgy, we’re not funding an orgy.”
Organizers also stressed that sex was not a mandatory part of the event, which included a heated outdoor pool.
Sex was allowed in the club in limited areas, and clothing was optional throughout after 7 p.m.
The Oasis Aqua Lounge, the club at which the party was held, reached full capacity at 189 people and at one point 100 others lined up outside.
— Holly Tousignant
Carleton “freedom of speech” wall torn down
A “freedom of speech” wall at Carleton University was dismantled hours after its installation by a student who claimed it reinforced “the hierarchies that are created in our society.”
The wall was created by Carleton Students for Liberty (CSFL), who encouraged students to write messages on it.
Arun Smith, a seventh-year student Carleton student, took down the two-by-four metre paper, which contained phrases such as “abortion is murder” and “traditional marriage is awesome” as well as statements like “QUEERS ARE AWESOME” and “Gay is OK.”
Smith called the board one of “a series of acts of violence” against gay rights, while other students claimed his actions were an attack on free speech.
CSFL’s campus coordinator, Ian CoKehyeng, said he would be seeking compensation for the $150 display, and will be reinstalling one on Tuesday.
Smith previously made the news when his photograph became the centre of a meme which involved homophobic statements and comments involving sexual assault.
— Holly Tousignant
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