The Gazette | The Gazette is the daily student newspaper at the University of Western Ontario in London.

News

Post-sec minister visits Western
John Milloy, minister of Training, Colleges and Universities, visited Western on Monday as part of a tour across Ontario. While at Western, he sat down with campus media and talked about what was next for post secondary education. “We’re very much more a knowledge economy, one that is focused on knowledge based jobs,” Milloy explained, [...]
O-Week sponsorship irks Western groups
During Orientation Week, the University Students’ Council is the boss. By renting out Western’s campus, they have control over the week’s events. This gives them the ability to decide who gets to promote to frosh and who does not. In recent years, only those who pay sponsorship dues have been allowed to promote themselves during the [...]
Students foot university’s bills
Students are paying more than ever for their education and the province is to blame, an Ontario student group is now claiming. Meaghan Coker, president of the Ontario Undergraduate Student Alliance, explained students are now paying close to what governments pay to each university’s operating budget. “This signals Ontario moving away from what has branded our [...]

Arts & Life

Law school hustle
When Mike Lickver is holed up in the law library cramming for his next exam, he’s perusing the work of some of the world’s greatest legal minds and thinkers. John Locke. Immanuel Kant. Plato. But when it comes time to describe life in law school, he turns to a more modern philosopher. “My goal was [...]
Book Review – The 19th Wife
David Ebershoff’s The 19th Wife intertwines historical fiction with a modern mystery, resulting in the compelling story of two individuals struggling to escape their past. Set in the 1800s, Ann Eliza Young grows up during the development of the church of the Latter-day Saints and becomes the 19th wife of the prophet and leader of [...]
Alex P. Keaton reopens doors
After a year and a half, the Alex P. Keaton is back from the dead. The beloved Talbot Street bar and music venue has relocated to Wellington after closing in March 2009. “We had challenges at the old location with respect to the model that we wanted to present to our faithful crowds,” says Marc [...]

Sports

The OUA Optimism Rankings
Until those foolish Las Vegas odds makers finally come to their senses and start determining odds for Canadian Interuniversity Sport, we’ll really have no way of handicapping upcoming seasons. But coming into the 2010 OUA football season, one thing is clear — this year’s competition is truly a crapshoot. Five of the ten…. errr nine [...]
Team Takahashi Unite to Dominate CIS
Watch out Western, now there’s two Takahashis in town. Steven Takahashi, top recruit and son of Mustangs head coach Ray Takahashi, will be joining Western’s wrestling squad for the upcoming season. Seen as one of the top young wrestlers in Canada, Steven is expected to make an immediate impact on the team. “Steven is one [...]
Arrogant Athletes Require Reality Check
On July 8, 2010, the Earth stood still for an hour. The powers–that–be decided sports fans should be watching ESPN’s special program, “The Decision” – the moment when LeBron James’ would choose which basketball team he would grace with his presence for the upcoming season. At least, I think that’s what LeBron’s massive ego was [...]

Opinion

3D – An extra dimension of stupidity
In real life—one of my favourite places to spend time—I have the option of closing one eye or donning a stylish pirate eye-patch if I’d like to eliminate a dimension from my experiences. Lately in the cinematic world, however, it seems difficult to escape the phenomenon of 3D. As much as I appreciate my ability [...]
Arrogant Athletes Require Reality Check
On July 8, 2010, the Earth stood still for an hour. The powers–that–be decided sports fans should be watching ESPN’s special program, “The Decision” – the moment when LeBron James’ would choose which basketball team he would grace with his presence for the upcoming season. At least, I think that’s what LeBron’s massive ego was [...]
Cashier complains about cranky customers
Cashiers have feelings too! Look, I get it. After an exhausting and stressful day at work, waiting in a long line at the grocery store is the last place you want to be. Believe me, if I had my way I would be on a beach somewhere in Southern California—instead, I am the cashier who [...]
Congestion is curable
“This is ridiculous. Why are they there?” Chances are if you’ve ever walked through the University Community Centre atrium in the evening, you’ve seen a University Students’ Council sanctioned club using the space to practice their dance moves or juggling skills. And unless you are a member of one of those clubs, you have probably [...]

Editorials

O-Week Advertising A-OK
During Orientation Week, the University Students’ Council rents the entire campus from Western. This lets them decide who comes and goes. On the VIP list are frosh, sophs, students, staff, and one other party: advertisers. Anyone who can’t foot the sponsorship bill is denied access to promote themselves, including clubs and sports teams. Like any sponsorship, [...]
Can’t buy back losses from Used Book Store
Earlier this month the University Students’ Council announced the Used Book Store will cease operations and the bookstore at Western will assume responsibility for all used book sales. As of June, Western will take over the UBS space and operations. What effect, if any, will the disappearance of this USC-run operation have on students? While [...]
Sumo stifling a PC fail
The Alma Mater Society at Queen’s University planned a fundraising event where students would dress in sumo suits and compete. The event was intended to raise donations for a food bank, but was cancelled after several student complaints. Political correctness is a tool to control inappropriate messages from offending certain groups. It’s often used to [...]
Thanks … PSYCH!
Sometimes it’s easier to criticize than compliment. After a year of editorials discussing the follies and fallacies of many on campus, the Gazette is ending its year on a positive. Thank you to all the following, and to the many more who will remain unmentioned. It’s been a great year folks! Readers: Thanks for picking [...]
Pranking like a Pro
With April Fool’s Day nearly upon us, everyone on campus should be on their guard. Whether it be through whoopee cushions, prank calls or fake student newspapers, no one is safe on April 1. April Fool’s is a time where any student jester can bust out their comedic chops and do their best to dupe [...]