Reading Time: 2 minutesThe problem HEY, SCIENCE! WHY haven’t you built me an iPod the size of a single cell yet? I’m waiting. Currently electronics are built out of bulk materials and have inherent size limitations: A wire can only be carved so small if it’s made from an everyday chunk of copper. But imagine if electronic components …
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Reading Time: 2 minutesU of O close to fair-trade designation AT THE BEGINNING of 2011, the University of Ottawa chapter of Engineers Without Borders (EWB) launched a fair-trade campus initiative at the U of O to certify the campus as fair trade. Since then, the action has gained the support of the Student Federation of the University of …
Reading Time: < 1 minuteA FEMALE EMPLOYEE at the General Services Administration (GSA) building in Washington, D.C. sustained serious injuries from sitting on an exploding toilet on Sept. 26. According to a memo circulated throughout the building, a mechanical failure led to high water pressure in the domestic water system. This subsequently led to explosions in the restrooms. Workers …
Reading Time: 2 minutesMonthly free store at the U of O ON SEPT. 28, students walking by the Unicentre may have been surprised to see seats in the couch lounge replaced by tables full of free stuff. Organized by the Campus Sustainability Office, the free store aimed to reduce waste on campus and in the community. “It is …
Reading Time: 2 minutesMONTREAL (CUP)—HUNDREDS OF PEOPLE gathered in front of Premier Jean Charest’s office in downtown Montreal on Sept. 24 to protest loudly, but peacefully, against allegations of corruption in the construction industry. Similar protests occurred in Quebec City and Sherbrooke. Over the last 18 months, a pall was hung over Charest’s government as allegations of corruption …
Reading Time: < 1 minuteOTTAWA—OC TRANSPO HAS plans to resume service to the bus route that circles the Ottawa General Hospital Campus. The 106 bus, which made stops at the U of O campus before route cuts, will be brought back starting Dec. 28—the next time bus drivers book a work schedule. In the meantime, OC Transpo will be …
Reading Time: 3 minutesMap of Canada to be redrawn ELLESMERE ISLAND, THE most northern point of Canada, is undergoing a big change. In the past six years, ice shelves that were a part of the island’s territory have been damaged because of climate change. Luke Copland, associate professor in the Department of Geography at the University of Ottawa, …
Reading Time: 4 minutesWho students should vote for, according to other students WHO COULD BE better suited for the task of telling students who to vote for than students themselves? The Fulcrum spoke to campus chapters of political parties and asked them why they think youth should vote for their party. The Green Party of Ontario Blue Pepsi or red Coke? Ontarians have been stuck choosing between this dichotomy …
Reading Time: 5 minutesAn exploration of youth engagement in politics IN THE WEEKS leading up to an election, youth are bombarded by campaigns encouraging them to vote. We are accused of being the most apathetic segment of the population when it comes to casting a ballot—and the finger pointers have it right. In the 2008 federal election, 37.4 …
Reading Time: 11 minutesOttawa–Vanier candidates explain their ambitions The Questions: 1. Explain your party’s platform. 2. The cost of post-secondary education is a big election issue for students. What is your party’s stance on the affordability of university and college tuition fees in Ontario? 3. Accessibility to post-secondary institutions is another barrier faced by high school graduates. How …
Reading Time: 2 minutesWHILE DOING RESEARCH for this column, I came across a horrifying statistic: Every night in Ottawa between 16 and 45 people sleep on the street. This is not including those who find a bed in shelters or couch surfers. These are people we walk by on the street, only occasionally giving them some spare change …
Reading Time: 2 minutesOrganization presented with ‘generous donation’ ON SEPT. 22, Operation Come Home celebrated its 40th anniversary. The Ottawa-based organization, which aids homeless and in-need youth, received a $600,000 donation from Rogers to help improve their achievement centre, now called the Rogers Achievement Centre. “With this new funding we’ll be able to provide more opportunities [and] get the things we need,” …
Reading Time: 3 minutesAuthorities raid kennel near Shawville OTTAWA—A RAID CARRIED out by authorities, in conjunction with Humane Society International Canada, has turned up an ever-growing number of dogs. The seizure at the Paws ‘R’ Us kennel, located northwest of Ottawa, initially involved about 500 animals, but more than 90 puppies have since been born at the emergency …
Reading Time: 2 minutesUniversity’s institutions to contribute to multilingualism research THE UNIVERSITY OF Ottawa has been selected as one of 12 international institutions to participate in a three-year Languages in Urban Communities: Integration and Diversity for Europe (LUCIDE) project. Funded by a €500,000 (CDN$690,000) grant from the Lifelong Learning Program of the European Union (EU), the project aims to better understand multilingualism in …
Reading Time: 2 minutesOpening sparks controversy within the university ON SEPT. 21, St. Paul University’s student association launched its own pride centre. The first of its kind at the university, the new centre held a celebratory event on campus, but the grand opening was not without resistance from the Catholic university administration. “We are saddened they won’t come forward and endorse us, …
Reading Time: 2 minutesThe problem THE LONG, COLOURFUL tails on peacocks; the loud, distinctive cry of birds; the useless eye-stalks of some flies: All these traits are found in nature, even though all of them make the bearer an easier target for its enemies. But still, these traits are passed on through generations, making researchers wonder about their purpose. …
Reading Time: 3 minutesMatt Anthony Field is now environmentally friendly IT SEEMS THE grass is now greener at the University of Ottawa. After years of wear and tear, the lawn of Matt Anthony Field has been replaced. Rather than a cheap fix, the university invested in a sustainable option for the field, mostly made up of recycled materials. “The field had reached the …
Reading Time: < 1 minuteANDY WARHOL USED to trade paintings for desserts at Serendipity 3, a popular New York City ice cream parlour that has been visited by the likes of Marilyn Monroe and Clark Gable throughout its 57 years in business. Serendipity 3 owners and a select group of guests are planning to reconnect with the ice cream …
Reading Time: 2 minutesCampaign highlights job issues for students HAVE YOU EVER wondered about job security for university graduates? Launched by the Ontario Public Service Employees Union (OPSEU), the How Screwed Are You campaign is expected to pull the issue of employment to the forefront of the upcoming Ontario provincial election, catering to the needs of university students and recent graduates. The …
Reading Time: 3 minutesNepean student charged after hazing incident OTTAWA—A NEPEAN HIGH-school student has been charged under the Highway Traffic Act for failing to report a collision after he drove into the back of a fellow student’s bicycle. The accused, along with two other students, was participating in hazing events by throwing eggs from his car at other …
Reading Time: 3 minutesTHE BOARD OF Administration (BOA) sat on Sept. 18 for their first official meeting of the semester. It was also the first meeting headed by Dave Molenhuis, the new BOA chair. The Fulcrum took a look at the two motions that made amendments to the Student Federation of the University of Ottawa’s (SFUO) constitution. Tiebreak vote removed …
Reading Time: 2 minutesRace supports Canadian Forces and their families THE ANNUAL ARMY Run was held in Ottawa this weekend, attracting over 16,000 runners and rollers who participated in the half marathon and 5K races. First held in 2008, the event has a rich history of bringing together Army and non-army participants to support the Canadian Forces. “The …
Reading Time: < 1 minuteA 51-YEAR-OLD MAN known only as Jean-Louis B. of France has been fined an equivalent of $13,965 under article 215 of France’s civil code for failing to have enough sex with his ex-wife over the course of their 21-year marriage. The couple filed for divorce two years ago on the grounds of Jean-Louis B.’s lack …
Reading Time: 3 minutesU of O party turns dirty OTTAWA—STANLEY PARK WAS left in bad shape on Sunday night as City of Ottawa maintenance cleared away 17 bags of garbage. According to a local resident, bottles, cans, food, and bags were left at the park after a 101 Week party. U of O wristbands and torn frosh guide …
Reading Time: 2 minutesChemistry as art The problem UNLIKE MEDIEVAL ALCHEMISTS, who only dreamt of turning lead to gold, modern chemists are experts at reshaping matter. They can produce many molecules, but the process is often wasteful and time consuming. On the other hand, Mother Nature is much more efficient at the task, proving that chemists still have …
