Major cuts to arts funding were avoided in Toronto’s 2012 budget, but the city still ranks last in the category among major Canadian cities, according to a recent study.

The study, published last week by Hill Strategies Research Inc., revealed Toronto’s net cultural investment of $19 per person is the lowest of five major Canadian cities – which included Vancouver, Calgary, Montreal and Ottawa. It is much lower than the average $35 per resident.

“We definitely need to get up to that $25 range,” said Gary Crawford, councillor for Ward 36 (Scarborough Southwest). “It’s been documented that for every dollar of funding that goes into the arts, and arts grants specifically, there is a return of $17.50 of economic value to a city.”

It is important to protect the city’s investment in the arts sector, said Crawford, who is also chair of the mayor’s task force on arts and theatres.

“The bigger part after that, once we’ve protected the investment, is ‘how do we make it grow?’ I think that is probably the direction that weas a city should move,” he said.

Joe Kertes, dean of Humber’s school of creative and performing arts, said that art festivals bring millions of dollars to Toronto.

“It’s stupid, in terms of business, to cut funding to the arts,” he said.

While cultural investment in the city is at a national low, Kertes said funding for arts programs at Humber remains adequate. “Have we had a river of riches? No. But this president and the last one have been very generous to the arts.”

Despite that generosity, Kertes said the creative arts school is strapped for facilities. “The music program, for instance, has pretty run down facilities and old buildings.”

Student ratings also indicate that the programs are strong but the facilities need work, Kertes said.

But progress has been made in recent years, including the purchase and transformation of the Lakeshore Lions Arena into Humber’s Arts & Media Studios in 2010.

“It is a significant improvement,” said John Bourgeois, director of the theatre performance and acting for film and TV programs. “But we continue to face challenges.”

As the Feb. 5 deadline to reach a new collective agreement nears, the City of Toronto and its outdoor workers remain divided over issues surrounding scheduling and job security.

“If there is a labour disruption it will be solely at the hands of the Rob Ford administration,” said Mark Ferguson, president of CUPE Local 416, last Thursday. Members of CUPE 416 are responsible for services like trash collection, road repair and park maintenance.

The union offered a three-year wage freeze in exchange for renewing the current collective agreement, but the city rejected the offer, Ferguson said.

“We’ve come to the table with an open mind and with proposals that are real and tangible and provide exceptional savings for taxpayers,” he said. “The employer is wanting to tear up the existing collective agreement.”

Jackie DeSouza, director of strategic communications for the city, said that the current agreement prevents management from making scheduling changes without the union’s permission. “Toronto needs to provide services when they are needed without being hamstrung by union restrictions,” she said.

“One of the examples is in transportation,” DeSouza said. “We have people working 10 hours a day, four days a week. Because of business needs, we need Monday to Friday, eight hours a day, but we can’t change that schedule because the union doesn’t agree with that.”

The city is also taking issue with the so-called “job for life” clause that allows any employee whose position has been contracted out to take a position from someone with lower seniority, a process called bumping, she said.

Between 2007 and 2010 this method of redeploying workers cost the city about $10 million, she said.

The responsibility of any organization is to its clients, said Lynn McAuliffe, an instructor in Humber’s human resources management program.

If the city can show that the collective bargaining agreement is inhibiting services, it should be changed, she said.

“The union, on the other hand, needs to show that client needs are not being sacrificed,” McAuliffe said.

A labour disruption would have little effect on Humber, said Rani Dhaliwal, vice president of finances and administration.

Services like snow removal and waste management have been contracted out by Humber for years, she said. “We’ll be fully operational.”

The emergency towers found at Humber may be fitted with new cameras to improve campus security. PHOTO BY STACEY THOMPSON

Stacey Thompson
News Reporter

Humber’s department of public safety has launched a three-year campaign to enhance campus security.

The school will create a new entrance for the school that will incorporate new plans for parking and internal security.

“We will have to reconstruct the way we do parking,” said Michael Kopinak, associate director of the department of public safety at Humber. “So there will probably be higher quality cameras than we have now. Hopefully we can see more [with them] and, again, it’s all a part of safety.”

The new cameras will surround the parking lots and possibly be attached to the emergency buttons to call security.

The emergency buttons were installed 15 years ago and more have been installed since.

“The parking ones are newer than the internal ones,” said Garry Shaw, Humber’s parking and traffic coordinator.

“With all the newer buildings, they have been mandatory. All the older buildings that have been here since ’78 were retrofitted.”

Technology has been updated over time to improve student safety, particularly with new construction, said Ernie Colosimo, Humber’s security systems manager.

“We take things such as phones and use what is called crime prevention through environmental design. We have a lot more glass [that] people can see through. It’s a lot more handy than
having things built up with walls.”

The emergency buttons are checked nightly and can be found in parking lots, on the main floor of campus and in elevators.

While there have been emergency cases in the past – Kopinak said a young woman was recently robbed in the parking lot – requests for help with vehicles and general inquiries are more
common.

Wanda Buote, associate dean for Humber's school of business, encourages students to apply for the program. PHOTO BY KAT WARD

Kat Ward
News Reporter

Prospective students who are passionate about humanitarian work are now able to pursue a degree in international development at Humber this fall.

The new four-year program at the school of business will run alongside its post-graduate counterpart.

“The new program will set Humber apart in the industry as students will benefit from our experts in the field, great contacts and excellent faculty,” said Wanda Buote, the associate dean at Humber’s school of business.

“Ultimately this program will be a stepping stone to get students involved with the agencies and NGOs they dream of working with,” she said.

Kent Schroeder, the international project director, was instrumental in developing the program’s curriculum.

“We wanted to give students coming out of high school the opportunity to have an excellent theoretical foundation as well as the practical project component,” said Schroeder.

Throughout the four years of the study, students will be exposed to a wide range of course material.

The first half of the program focuses on ethics, economics, politics, and geography.

The latter portion prepares students for hands-on work, as it deals primarily with computer, cultural and non-governmental organization management skills.

The degree culminates with a placement and a capstone project intended to act as a bridge to future employment.

“Students from Humber are highly regarded in the international development field,” said Susan MacGregor, program coordinator for the one-year post-graduate certificate. “Last year, graduates found work at 50 different agencies around the world in over 40 countries.”

MacGregor expects similar outcomes for the new degree. “The new program will have the brand recognition, and students will be equally equipped.”

Debra Kerby, executive director of Canadian Feed The Children, agrees the Humber program commands respect.

“What I love about the Humber program grads is that they walk in the door with a strong grounding in the basics of international development project management,” she said.

“While they may not have much on-the-ground experience, they can learn and contribute fast.”

MADD Canada estimates that, in 2009, there were between 1,250 and 1,500 deaths connected to impaired driving. PHOTO BY STACEY THOMPSON.

Stacey Thompson
News Reporter

Carlos Gomes, then 15, was in a car collecting donations for Mothers Against Drunk Driving when the vehicle he was in was T-boned by a drunk driver.

“The vehicle went up on two wheels. It was the longest three seconds of my life,” said Gomes, a first-year electrical apprenticeship student.

When Gomes realized there was no impaired driving awareness organization at Humber, he decided to form one.

“I started school in August and I hadn’t seen any organizations in relation to drinking and driving,” he said. “I thought, why not make students aware?”

The club will operate independently of MADD Toronto, but has the city chapter’s support.

“You can’t do enough with educating,” said Carolyn Swinson, spokesperson for MADD Canada. “It’s an ongoing thing. Students who are new to Ontario may not know the drinking laws and it would be good to educate them.”

“It’ll be a student-run organization,” said Paul Tewrote, a board member of MADD and the liaison who will help guide the Humber club during start-up.

“[It will be] started by students for students, and will allow for greater leadership skills. I will gather the information and get the club running.”

The idea is to have students teaching and educating their peers about the dangers of drunk driving in creative ways.

To get HSF support, the club will need to enrol at least 10 full time students and demonstrate that activities it hosts will be informative to those students.

The club’s first meeting will be held Feb. 27 at 5 p.m. in the Humber community room.

Humber students can choose among several countries to visit in spring. PHOTO BY CLAIRE MCCORMACK

Claire McCormack
News Reporter

This May, Humber students will have the chance to explore Europe, Central America or Asia with one of the college’s study abroad programs.

Rudi Fischbacher, culinary program co-ordinator, said many trips are open to all students and some of the trips are worth general elective credits.

“It’s learn and earn in a way. It’s a huge cultural experience,” Fischbacher said.

The only trip not open to all students is Study at Sea, which is limited to fitness and tourism students.

Mary Lendway, co-ordinator of the tourism program, said the Study at Sea experience is about developing responsible tourism.

“On every voyage we chose two or three of the ports where we look at the local issues and what it is that we can do to make a difference,” she said.

Aubrey Horn studied at sea last summer, visiting schools and helping out in places like Guatemala and Honduras.

“This was so different because you actually got to meet these kids, you got to play with them and see their faces light up when you gave them a doll,” Horn said. “It’s definitely just one of those wow moments.”

The trips range from 10 days to one month and cost about $3,000 to $4,500. Many trips include airfare, accommodation, some meals and excursions.

Students often do fundraising to come up with money for their trip and there is also a scholarship available for students on month-long excursions.

“We’re going to do art and architecture in Rome, Florence and Venice in May. Can you imagine? It’s going to be so beautiful. I’m so excited,” said Wendy O’Brien, co-ordinator of the Italy outing.

Students must register in early February for most of the trips and can find more information at the school of hospitality, recreation and tourism and the school of liberal arts and sciences.

Cold cuts are a popular choice for lunch on campus, but a recent study finds it to be a bad decision. PHOTO BY HELEN SURGENOR

Helen Surgenor
News Reporter

Health-conscious students and staff should look for meal options on campus that don’t include cold cuts, said a Humber instructor regarding a new study that linked processed meat to cancer.

“We should be avoiding processed meat for the fact that it’s extremely high in sodium,” said Tracey Sindrey, a registered dietician, who also teaches at the Humber school of hospitality, recreation, and tourism.

According to Sindrey, another reason to avoid processed meats is the findings of a recent study.

The study, published in the British Journal of Cancer, suggests that people who consume more than 50g of processed meat on a daily basis – which is roughly two strips of raw bacon – increase their risk of pancreatic cancer by 19 per cent.

The study, which focused on both red and processed meat consumption, reviewed the eating habits of more than 6,500 people afflicted with pancreatic cancer, which has one of the highest rates of fatality.

Sindrey said people buying lunch on campus turn to low-fat meat options like ham, turkey or pre-packaged, frozen chicken breasts without realizing that these are not as healthy as they
seem.

“I’ve been trying for a while to eat healthier, but I’ve actually found it kind of hard living on campus,” said Jenna Rowsell, a first-year student in design foundation. The 18-year-old lives in residence and eats most of her meals in the cafeteria.

Geetha Ramasamy, general manager for food services at Humber, said Chartwells has a director of nutrition who oversees the health of meals offered at Humber.

“We take guidance from our nutritionist and the dietician,” she said.

Sindrey said people eating on campus could choose healthier meals that use beans or eggs as a source of protein. In addition to that, she said customers could purchase student-prepared meals
made with non-processed meats from North campus’ Gourmet Express.

“Those are whole foods they’re using; they’re balanced meals. If I were a student in res, those would be a great option.”

A Humber music student ensemble rehearsing. PHOTO BY DANIEL BUZZELLI

Daniel Buzzelli
News Reporter

The Canadian Forces Music Branch is holding open auditions for more than 20 full-time positions, and some music students at Humber say the offer is enticing.

“I’ve considered auditioning for the Canadian Forces,” said David Tan, 19, a second-year student in Humber’s bachelor of applied music program. “It’s all about how much I feel like I need to make money.”

Musicians with the CFMB get a starting salary of $53,712 as well as the benefits and pension – determined by years served – that come with a military career. The program requires a minimum three-year contract. And according to Denny Christianson, director of Humber’s music program, there has been a long relationship between the Canadian Forces and the school.

“We’ve always had that connection,” said Christianson. “We’ve found through the years that several members of the [CFMB] used to come through Humber College and I think still are.”

Maj. Gerald Heslip, the Canadian Forces Music Branch co-ordinator, is a proud Humber graduate. “I’m very happy to have made this decision to join the Forces, and I would highly recommend it to other musicians.”

“Presently, in our regular force bands there are 245 members and there are at least eight that are graduates or almost graduates of Humber College,” Heslip said. “Humber, in my opinion, turns out excellent musicians who are well-rounded, well-trained and capable of playing in many genres.”

A Canadian think tank predicts the loss of more than 60,000 jobs in 2012, potentially having a significant impact on Humber graduates hoping to find work in the affected fields.

“No matter how the cuts take shape, the job losses will be significant,” suggested David Macdonald, a senior economist for the Canadian Centre for Policy Alternatives, in his newly released report entitled ‘The Cuts Behind the Curtain’.

“Unfortunately, as the cuts become larger, they also become less transparent. The degree of openness about what is being cut, and why, has gone from bad to worse.”

The report outlined three possible scenarios for the next two waves of federal funding cuts, predicting significant unemployment spikes in fields such as primary health care, workplace and food safety, and environmental programs.

“By the way it sounds, civil engineering grads are going to have a tough time,” said Roddie Ko, a second-year Humber engineering student.

“My friends who have graduated are deciding whether to work at Sporting Life or The Beer Store – and that’s with a degree,” added the 21-year-old.

Though the specifics of the funding cuts are undetermined, the food and safety industry has reason to be concerned, said Susan Sommerville, Humber’s food and nutrition program co-ordinator.

“In order for food safety legislation to be effective there needs to be frequent, consistent, and detailed enforcement,” said Sommerville. “I don’t feel that we currently have that level of support in the industry, so if we cut it, it’s going to be even less effective, which is a huge concern.”

The findings of the report are especially disappointing for international students, said Khyayi Shah, a Humber health and fitness student, who hopes to work as a physical therapist after graduation.

“We are already spending so much more money than Canadian students,” she said. “After investing so much, if we can’t find work it would be very discouraging.”

Wattpad is available for users to browse on their computers and laptops as well as on handheld devices. PHOTO BY KRISTIN ANDREWS

By Kristin Andrews
Lakeshore Reporter

Touted as the YouTube for creative writers, Wattpad represents an opportunity for writers to reach readers, but also presents some challenges, says Humber’s dean of creative and performing arts.

“There’s a lot of talk about writers putting their work out for free to draw an audience, like comedians do on YouTube,” said dean Joe Kertes. “The trouble with democratizing writing is that there is no editor to screen the stories… you have to sort through some garbage to find a jewel.”

Wattpad is an online forum for aspiring writers to display their work, allowing readers to view and download it for free. The site won TechVibes’ Best Overall Canadian Startup award in 2011.

Wattpad creators Allen Lau and Ivan Yeun developed a prototype in 2001 – before the time of e-books and phone apps – but the technology wasn’t yet compatible with their idea.

“In 2006, when the technology was improved along with the YouTube phenomenon and when more user generated content appeared, we decided to revisit our idea and have a full go at it,” said Lau.

The service is free for users because Wattpad is financed through advertising.

“If writers and readers think that they have to pay a certain amount of money for content and you take that away, then it removes barriers,” said Lau.

Lau said the site has a report system in place for people to file potential copyright infringements.

“The number of notices we receive are very small. We may get five to 10 notices a month, which is low considering we are seeing about 300,000 uploads per month,” said Lau.

Ian Thomas, a professor of computer engineering at Humber, said Wattpad is generally user friendly, but requires more reader effort than it should.

“There is a lot of scrolling on the page which tends to turn users off a little bit,” said Thomas. “If they have to scroll they’re more inclined to leave the page quickly.”