The SRC’s General Elections are coming up pretty soon. Nominations for the positions of President and the Vice-Presidents (Social, Academic, and Student Affairs) all open today, January 30, beginning at 9am.

Interested in running, but not sure what it entails? Have a look over the SRC’s job descriptions, and pick up your nomination form in the SUB building’s SRC office.

President

Department: Students’ Representative Council
Term of Employment: May2012 – April 2013
Salary: $11,000 annually, paid in bimonthly installments.

Job Summary:The SRC President is the elected chief executive officer of the Students’ Representative Council of Bishop’s University – overseeing the general management of the four major SRC departments (Social, Student Affairs, Academics, and Operations/Finance), all sub-departments. The SRC President represents the student body on the Board of Governors of Bishop’s University. The President oversees all SRC operations, events, and student representation. The President sits as chair of the Executive Cabinet (President, Director of Finance & Operations, VP Social, VP Academic, VP Student Affairs) of the SRC and is responsible (in consultation with other SRC members) for setting meeting dates, and all broad-scale organizational duties. The SRC President will also act as the general liaison between the student body and BU Admin and Faculty.

Requirements:

- Must be a full-time or part-time degree student at Bishop’s University, enrolled for 2012-13
- Must be present at Bishop’s University from May 1, 2012 – April 30, 2013

Nature of Duties and Responsibilities

- Providing both overall and departmental vision throughout the SRC, in consultation with the SRC General Assembly.
- Hiring of Orientation week and Winterfest Coordinators (Committee)
- Oversight and management of all SRC events, including Frosh and Winterfest
- Hiring of SRC Director of Finance & Operations (Committee)
- Chair of weekly Executive Cabinet meetings
- Chair of Frosh, Frost and Winterfest Organization Committees
- Ex-officio chair of Committee on Life at the University (Standing Board Committee)
- Management and oversight of all student representative positions at the university
- Management of four SRC departments and staff – Social, Student Affairs, Academic, and Finance/Ops
- Liaison between Bishop’s University administration and student body
- Ensuring adherence with SRC Constitution in all practices
- Acting as media representative between BUSRC and outside parties

Recommended Skills and Abilities

- Communication – English language verbal and written, French communication skills an asset
- Interpersonal and teamwork skills
- Highly organized and self-motivated
- Strong multi-tasking capabilities
- Experience in event management an asset

Vice President Student Affairs

Department: Students’ Representative Council
Term of Employment: May 2012 – Apri l2013
Salary: $8,000 paid in bimonthly installments beginning in May, plus other benefits.

Job Summary: As an electedmember of the SRC Executive Cabinet, the Vice-President Student Affairs (VPSA) is chiefly responsible for protecting and advocating for therights and interests of the student bodyon a variety of university committees and within the community at large. The VPSA is responsible for addressing all non-academic complaints to the SRC, gathering data about students’ interests, organizing the Exam Care package drive, and organizing the annual Student Forum. The VPSA also manages a team of four student affairs representatives (SARs)manages the Clean Community Team (CCT) and acts as the generalliaison between the SRC and the Directors of Student Services, as well as the office of the Dean of Student Affairs.
Requirements:

- Must be a full-time or part-time degree student at Bishop’s University, enrolled for 2012-13
- Must be present at Bishop’s University from May 1, 2012 – April 30, 2013

Nature of Duties and Responsibilities:
- Advocate for students’ rights and interests in committee meetings with administration, faculty, and other student group stakeholders
- Coordinate and manage four student affairs representatives (two on-campus, two off-campus), who assist the VPSA primarily in protecting and advocating for students’ interests on university committees, and assist in the gathering of data about student interests.
Committee list: – Committee for Life at the University (CLU) (bi-monthly)
- Student Services Directors Committee (bi-monthly)
- Buildings Committee (monthly)
- Dining Committee (monthly)
- Parking Committee (monthly)
- Joint Health and Safety Committee (monthly)
- Sustainable Development and Land Use Committee (monthly)
- Residence Assistant (R.A.) Hiring Committee (annually)
- Other various hiring committees (as needed)
- Gather information and data from the student body to help the SRC properly advocate students’ interests in all SRC departments.
- Coordinate and manage the Clean Community Team.
- Inform the SRC General Assembly of developments in committee work as necessary.
- Formulate SRC policiesin collaboration with other members of Executive Cabinet.
- Support all other SRC executive members, as needed, in the planning and management of their departments.
- Attendmeetings with SRC stakeholders (university administrators, city councillors, landlords, and other members of the Bishop’s community) as required to represent students interests.
- Organize initiatives to deal with unmet student needs, example: September Bus trip to the mall to help new students.
- Keeping written notice of policy changes/ developments throughout the year.
Recommended Skills:
- Ability to assume the leadership role when required
- Good interpersonal skills
- English language – oral and written
- French communication skills are an asset
- Ability to work in groups and individually
- Self-motivated and organized

Vice President of Social Affairs

Department: Students’ Representative Council
Term of Employment: May 2012 – April 2013
Salary: $8,000 paid in bimonthly installments beginning in May, plus other benefits.

Job Summary: The Vice-President Social Affairs (VPS) is an elected positionwhoseresponsibilities focus on meeting the socialneeds of the student body. The VPS is responsible for supervising the activities andbudgets of social clubs and their club heads. The VPS reviews social club reports to access the financial needs of the Social department. The VPS organizes and execute various events that appeal to the entire Student body, and is involved in the organization of all social events related to the SRC.
Requirements:

- Must be a full-time or part-time degree student at Bishop’s University, enrolled for 2012-13
- Must be present at Bishop’s University from May 1, 2012 – April 30, 2013

Nature of Duties
- The VPS shall be responsible for overseeing all non-academic SRC events both on campus and off campus, that are not expressly under the jurisdiction of another VP
- The VPS shall be a member and chair the Graduation Committee and the Winterfestcommittee.
- The VPS is responsible for the organization of volunteers in SRC Social Events such as, Orientation Weeks, Winterfest, bus trips, fundraisers, grad formal and other events.
- The VPS is a member of the Committee for Life at the University (CLU)
- The VPS, with assistance from the executive cabinet, is responsible for organizing activitieswhich will improve the reputation of Bishop’s students within the wider Sherbrooke community.
- The VPS shall act as manager of the Student Events Coordinators and shall report to the executive cabinet and general assembly on their progress.
- The VPS shall chair the Student Events advisory committee, which shall consist of the four (4) Student Events Coordinators with the express purpose of ensuring that the SRC organizes and offers a wide range of socially stimulating activities, having both entertainment and cultural value, to the student body
- The VPS is responsible for overseeing all SRC clubs and working with the SRC Director of Finance & Operations to allocate funding to each club during each semester and administer the club bylaws.
- The VPS shall chair the SRC Clubs Committee, consisting of all SRC clubheads, which shall meet at least once a semester, with the express purpose of ensuring communication, coordination, and supporting clubs.
- The VPS shall be responsible for recruiting student volunteers to assist with SRC activities and shall maintain the SRC’s volunteer database and will also administer the SRC volunteer passport program.
- The VPS will organize at least three (3) club days, (one in the fall for first yearstudents, one in the fall for all students and one in the winter for all students), for clubs to showcase their activities and recruit members.
- The VPS shall act as an advisor to the Orientation Board during the planning of Orientation Week and will act as a coordinator at the activities throughout the week.
- The VPS must submit an end-of-year report to the newly-elected VPS at the final executive cabinet meeting of the year.
Useful Experience
- Formal leadership experience
- Event planning
Recommended Skills
- High level of self-efficacy
- Exceptional Interpersonal skills
- Highly developed organizational skills
- English language – oral and written
- Basic math skills
- French communication skills are an asset
- Photoshop skills are a useful but not crucial asset

Vice President Academic Affairs

Department: Students’ Representative Council
Term of Employment: May 2012 – April 2013
Salary: $8,000, paid in bimonthly instalments beginning in May, plus other benefits.

Job Summary: As an elected member of the SRC Executive Cabinet, the VP Academic is a voting member of the General Assembly and the Executive Cabinet of the SRC. The VP Academic oversees the operations of the Academic Affairs team, which is comprised of six Student Senators representing the five departments and schools in the university, as well as part-time students. The Academic Affairs team, including the VP Academic are all voting member on the Bishop’s University Senate, and the various senate committees. The VP Academic shall also sit on the Admissions Policy and Academic Standing Committee, as well as the Senate Planning Committee. The VP Academic shall chair the William and Nancy Turner Teaching Award committee.
Requirements:

- Must be a full-time or part-time degree student at Bishop’s University, enrolled for 2012-13
- Must be present at Bishop’s University from May 1, 2012 – April 30, 2013

Nature of Duties and Responsibilities:
- Management of six senators and the day-to-day functions of the Academic Affairs office.
- Organize and chair a meeting with the six student senators to discuss agenda items and develop the position of the team prior to the SRC General Assembly meeting.
- Organize and chair a meeting with the six student senators to discuss agenda items and discuss how to best represent students prior to senate meetings.
- Report to the SRC any actions, decisions and discussions of senate.
- Consult with the members of the SRC Executive Cabinet on the direction and policies of the SRC
- Raise awareness of academic initiative occurring on campus.
- Organize and facilitate academic events occurring on campus, including academic debates.
- Manage the budget for all SRC academic clubs, and communicate with the respective club heads.
- Manage the SRC academic grant budget.
- Support all other SRC members in planning, management, and execution of their operations.
- Collaborate with the Orientation Week coordinators and academic administration to plan and execute academic events during Orientation Week, including Academic Orientation.
- Support the Orientation Week Coordinators with the planning, preparation, and execution of social events.
- Meet regularly with key members of administration and maintain a general understanding of university policies and current initiatives.
Recommended Skills:
- Ability to assume the leadership role when required.
- Good interpersonal skills
- English Language – oral and written
- French communication skills are an asset.
- Ability to work in groups and individually

Director of Finance & Operations

Department: Students’ Representative Council
Term of Employment: May 2012 – April 2013
Salary: $11,000 annually, paid in bimonthly installments.

Job Summary: As a hired member of the SRC Executive Cabinet, the Director of Finance & Operations (DFO) is chiefly responsible for the organization of all the SRC’s financials, and the top level supervision of all SRC operations, which include the Doolittle’s General Store, The Gait (campus bar), The Quad (yearbook) ,both Orientation weeks, BU Winterfest, and any other financial investment made by the SRC. The DFO also acts a student representative on various university committees, as delegated by the SRC President,to promot eand protect student interests.
Requirements:

- Must be a full-time or part-time degree student at Bishop’s University, enrolled for 2012-13
- Must be present at Bishop’s University from May 1, 2012 – April 30, 2013

Nature of Duties and Responsibilities:
- Creation ofthe SRC annual budget, in collaboration with the SRC Executive Cabinet(President, VP Academic, VP Social, VP Student Affairs), and the SRC General Manager
- Create, respect,and implement all financial policies with the collaboration of the SRC Executive Cabinet and General Manager.
- Hire all managers for SRC operations, and oversee the hiring process of their staff.
- Revise contracts for all management positions of the SRC’s operations.
- In collaboration with the SRC Executive Cabinet,the General Manager and the managers of each SRC operation respectively, lead the development of short and long term strategies for each operation.
- Support all other SRC executive members, as needed, in the planning and management of their respective departments.
- Provide overall direction, feedback, and support to the managers of each individual SRC operation.
- Supervise the activities of the managers of each individual SRC operation to ensure decisions are being made that are congruent with the SRC’s overall mission and values.
- Assist the SRC General Manager with the day-to-day accounting duties.
- Provide financial advice and feedback to the SRC Executive Cabinet and General Assembly.
- Provide financial updates and operation reports at the SRC General Assembly meetings.
- Attendmeetings with SRC stakeholders (university administrators, city councillors, landlords, and other members of the Bishop’s community) as required to represent students interests.
Minimum Educational Requirements:
- 2nd year business student (Concentrations in accounting, finance, human resources and/or general business management are an asset)
Experience Required:
- Background in bartending, retail sales, and/or the service industry is an asset.
- Experience working with financial statements is an asset
- Management experience is a highly valued asset.
- Experience in event management and/or coordination is an asset.
- Involvement in various extra-curricular activities at Bishop’s is an asset
Knowledge required:
- Financial literacy in budgeting, basic accounting, and forecasting.
- Knowledge of Word and Excel.
- Knowledge of POS systems is an asset.
Skills Required:
- Strong interpersonal skills
- English Language – verbal and written
- Excellent math skills
- French communication skills are an asset
NOTE: This position is not an elected position that will be hired during SRC Elections. Applications will be accepted the week of February 27 – March 2. Required Cover Letter, CV and one reference letter from a Bishop’s staff or faculty member and two other references who will be contacted upon selection for an interview.
Knowledge required:
- Financial literacy in budgeting, basic accounting, and forecasting.
- Knowledge of Word and Excel.
- Knowledge of POS systems is an asset.
Skills Required:
- Strong interpersonal skills
- English Language – verbal and written
- Excellent math skills
- French communication skills are an asset

Medical marijuana has been used on hospital patients in order to improve chronic symptoms, stimulate appetite and offer an improved state of mind, but what long term effects does pot have on your average stoner?

A research conducted by the American Medical Association, studying more than 5, 000 pot users over the course of 20 years, reveals that marijuana may not be as damaging to the average individual as it is represented to be.

The sample of individuals studied that participated in marijuana consumption about 2-3 times per month showed no significant decrease in lung function, in fact it appears to have had the opposite effect. As pot smokers usually hold the inhaled smoke in their lungs to increase the “high”, the study also demonstrated an increase in lung capacity and a strengthening in lung tissue if practiced over a long period of time.

Tetrahydrocannabinol, more commonly known as THC, the active substance in marijuana, may also be to blame for this seemingly positive outcome. THC has anti-inflammatory characteristics and is known to combat lung irritants. Past studies have failed to confirm a link between marijuana use and the development of fatal diseases.

These findings did although reveal that while occasional pot smokers do not show any signs of pulmonary damage, frequent marijuana users of up to 20 times or more per month did show a decrease in lung function. Although these results were nothing in comparison to the adverse lung damage and fatal cardiac and pulmonary diseases caused by smoking tobacco products.

Stefan Kertesz, a professor at the University of Alabama, states that while the risks of smoking the occasional joint may seem low, users should take into account the possibility of addiction and remain aware of the dangers of driving under the influence.

Bishop’s University, with a student body of approximately 2000 students, places a heavy emphasis on the importance of its athletics program. With such a small enrolment, Bishop’s also prides itself on the close relationships between students and faculty.

This pride continues within the athletics program, where student athletes have a good knowledge of the athletic staff. It is for this reason that many Bishop’s students feel personally affected by the news of long-time Bishop’s University Director of Athletics, Tony Addona’s, resignation.

On January 4^th, 2012 Bishop’s University released a statement that, beginning on January 31^st 2012, Tony Addona would not be returning to his position of Director of Athletics, a title that he has held since February 2002. The University stated that Addona’s abrupt departure was due to “family and professional reasons”.

In addition to holding the position of Director of Athletics, Tony Addona held the position of Interim Head Football coach several times over his career at Bishop’s University. Addona served this dual-role in both 2011 and 2004.

Principal Michael Goldbloom has addressed Addona’s decision: “[the University is] disappointed to lose such a highly-regarded member of our close-knit community but we understand and respect the reasons that have led to this decision. We wish him the best as he leaves to take on a new challenge.”

Bishop’s University has, to this date, not found a replacement for the position of Director of Athletics. The University states that “a nationwide search for a permanent Director of Athletics [will be conducted] beginning early in 2012.” Currently, “Joey Sabo, Assistant Athletic Director, has accepted the interim role of Director of Athletics.”

Bishop’s University places emphasis on the recognition of successes within its student and alumni communities. Events such as Top 10 After 10 showcase these achievements, and remind students of the abilities they’ve acquired throughout their undergraduate education.

In early December, Bishop’s University business student Samantha Juraschka once again demonstrated Bishop’s students ability to excel. Juraschka was selected to participate in The Next 36. The program is described as “a prestigious entrepreneurial leadership program launched in 2010 through the University of Toronto.” For both Juraschka and for the university, this is a huge opportunity for a determined student.

Throughout her academic career, Juraschka has demonstrated her leadership in a variety of ways. In addition to being a three-time Academic All-Canadian varsity soccer player, she is the founder of the Gaiters Walk for ALS, which has taken place Homecoming Weekend each year since 2009.

Now Juraschka gets to add her accomplishment of joining Canada’s The Next 36 to her list of endeavors. As Juraschka explains of the opportunity: “I’ll be working with three students from other universities. It’s going to be daunting to meet the redefined program expectations but I think it will motivate me to rise to the challenge. I’m honoured to have the opportunity to participate and I’m truly proud to be representing Bishop’s University.”

The program provides skills and training for future entrepenuers in a number of ways. The program highlights its assistance for its selected undergraduates in areas such as networking with other students and business professionals, as well as providing recipients with the financial means to attend the four-month course, held at the University of Toronto.
Members of the Bishop’s community have demonstrated incredible pride and enthusiasm in Juraschka’s achievement. Dr. Steve Harvey, Dean of Bishop’s University’s Williams School of Business states, “the competition for this program is very real and intense, so we are very proud of Samantha’s performance.  That two of our students have won a spot in the program in its first two years speaks to the quality of the education offered at the Williams School of Business.”

Ever since same-sex couples were legally allowed to marry under Canadian law, the nation has gained a special status among gays and lesbians. However, recently, many couples married under the same-sex marriage laws in Canada found themselves in a state of confusion.

The issue arose in the fact that non-resident couples married under the Canadian same-sex marriage laws, whose country of residence did not recognize same-sex marriage, were unable to obtain a divorce.

Furthermore, confusion continued as the Canadian Government claimed that same-sex marriages of non-residents are legal only if they are also valid in the couple’s home country. The Department of Justice also contends that couples who came to Canada to be married must live here for at least a year before they can obtain a divorce.

Last Thursday, Justice Minister Rob Nicholson said that Ottawa will consider changing the law to ensure non-residents married in Canada can obtain divorces. He also said the government “has no intention of reopening the debate on the definition of marriage.”

“We will change the Civil Marriage Act so that any marriages performed in Canada that aren’t recognized in the couple’s home jurisdiction will be recognized in Canada,” a senior government official told Postmedia News last Friday.

The legislative change will apply to all marriages performed in Canada, regardless of the laws of the jurisdiction in which the couple live, the official said.

“The confusion and the pain that is resulting from this gap is completely unfair to those who are affected, and I think we saw that yesterday in the coverage of these poor people who woke up to this news,” the official said.

Stephen Harper has closed the issue of same-sex marriage. The Prime Minister is unlikely to revisit or reverse it.

Tim Powers of The Globe and Mail wrote, “From a policy perspective, stepping back after a right is gained and entrenched would be extremely difficult.”

There is some confusion between what the government is saying and what may actually happen.

VANCOUVER (CUP) — Part-time students will now be treated like their full-time counterparts when it comes to student loans.

In December, the federal government announced that people with part-time student loans will no longer accrue interest on their loans until after their studies have been completed, bringing the program in line with the full-time loan program.

“Economic recovery continues to be our top priority,” said Diane Finley, Minister of Human Resources and Skills Development, in a press release. “We’re helping Canadians gain the skills and education required to participate in today’s workforce and contribute to Canada’s overall economic prosperity.”

Active students with part-time loans will still have to pay any interest accumulated before Jan. 1, 2012, but won’t accrue any further interest until they’ve either completed their studies or stopped attending a post-secondary institution.

“The Government of Canada recognizes the vital role that post-secondary graduates play on the road to this country’s economic recovery. That’s why the Government of Canada continues to focus on helping more students reach their education goals.”

The spokesperson went on to write that this change is in line with previous changes to student loans made by the government earlier this year, including increasing earnings exemptions for people with full-time student loans, allowing part-time students with higher family incomes to qualify for loans and forgiving portions of loans for new physicians and nurses who choose to work in rural or remote communities.

The NDP’s critic for post-secondary education, Rathika Sitsabaiesan, isn’t impressed by the announcement.

“There aren’t a lot of actual part-time students, so it’s not actually affecting a lot of students,” said the Scarborough—Rouge River MP.

She went on to say that instead of broadening access to student loans, the government needs to shift towards easing the debt burden on students.

Sitsabaiesan pointed to the fact that total Canadian student debt is close to surpassing the $15-billion ceiling set by the Canadian Student Financial Assistance Act.

According to a government commissioned actuarial report on the Canada Student Loans Program released in July 2010, the $15 billion ceiling will likely be breached in early 2013.

If that occurs, the government would either have to find ways to reduce student debt or else amend the legislation in order to increase the ceiling. Back in 2000, the Liberal government pushed up the ceiling from $5 billion to $10 billion.

Sitsabaiesan said that the best way for the federal government to ease the debt burden on students would be to create a dedicated post-secondary transfer fund similar to the Canada Health Transfer. Presently, funding for post-secondary education is included in the broader Canada Social Transfer.

Because provincial governments have discretion over how the money from the Canada Social Transfer is spent, the amount that goes to post-secondary education can vary from year to year.

“There’s no stability. So [post-secondary institutions] are turning to create their own sense of stability by continuing to increase tuition fees by the max amount each year.”

Without structural changes at the federal level for how post-secondary education is financed, Sitsabaiesan believes student debt will continue to grow unabated.

“Having more loans available is not really going to make education more accessible,” she said.

The bioethical, religious and moral issue of euthanasia is one in which Canadians have been debating for years. Recently, the Royal Society of Canada, which is comprised of 6 Canadian and international experts — all in fields of health law/policy, clinical medicine, doctors, bioethics and philosophy — released a report suggesting that doctor-assisted death and euthanasia are issues that should be revisited. They suggest that assisted suicide and euthanasia should be made legal in Canada, and that Canadians should better prepare themselves for death by discussing these kinds of plans with their families.

The report is said to have considered Canadian values, legal and moral arguments, as well as international evidence. It is a report based on a debate driven by facts and reason, rather than ideologies and emotion. These experts say that patients who are liable for this decision are competent adults that are expected to have their wishes respected by doctors, much like patients have the right to refuse or accept treatment.

The decriminalization of assisted suicide and euthanasia is claimed to be a logical next step in respect to this doctor patient relationship. The patients requesting this treatment will be fit to make this decision on their own, and this decision will be a well sought out repeated one, not simply a spontaneous choice of action.

Many argue that with this decriminalization disabled persons or patients with degrading conditions might be subject to abuse or non-voluntary euthanasia. However, evidence from several other cases does not support these claims. Four European countries, along with three American states have already decriminalized assisted-suicide and voluntary euthanasia.

Palliative care, which is an area of healthcare responsible for relieving and preventing the suffering of patients with both chronic and treatable conditions, is not as accessible to Canadians as it should be. Canadians are not talking about how they wish to live at the end of their lives, and are not making the appropriate preparations and plans that will better prepare themselves as well as their families for death.

After being forced out by government troops and police on Saturday, protestors have returned to the Tahrir Square. Reports state that 9 people have died in violent clashes this weekend, with unrest spreading from Cairo to Suez and Alexandria. This comes only a week before the first general election since President Hosni Mubarak was overthrown in February.  The demonstrators fear that the military aims to consolidate and retain power despite the upcoming vote. Saturday, they had marched from the square towards the interior ministry when officers fired tear gas into the crowds and barricaded their path. Armored personnel carriers were brought in to better control the scene as they stormed the thoroughfare and dismantled the protest camp. This was done to no avail, seeing as the demonstrators had returned within one hour armed with gas masks. Health officials state that 900 people have been injured, along with 40 security personnel.
Pakistan bans obscene texts

As of late, the Pakistani Telecommunications Authority has imposed a ban on over 1000 words that, from now on, will be censored when texted. The population’s response has alternated from outrage to bemusement. An unofficial list of banned words has been leaked to the internet; these range from the banal, like kiss ass, to oddities like monkey crotch, athlete’s foot and Jesus Christ. The oddest consequence stemming from the ban list seems to be that many Pakistanis had no idea that many of these expressions existed, which in fact has spread their use.  Twitter has been alight with people repeating these mimetically along with the hash-tag #PTABannedList. One particular tweet from the Islamic country claims that “As expected, the [list] has made its way all over Pakistan, & kids are swearing more elaborately & frequently than ever. Well done.” Furthermore, it seems like the ban is still very patchy, with reports of people sending these expletives successfully via text.

Saif al-Islam Gaddafi Captured

Roughly a month after the death of his father, Muammar Gaddafi, Saif al-Islam has been captured in 50 km from the desert town of Ubari. Reports state that he was trying to flee to neighboring Niger as he was intercepted by soldiers. He is the last of the dictator’s immediate family to be captured or killed. Militia commander Wisam Dughaly affirms that Saif and his aides were captured without a single shot being fired. Libyan officials assure that he will be given a fair trial, though he is wanted, by the International Criminal Court (ICC), for crimes against humanity. ICC spokesman Fadi el-Abdallah says that Libya has a legal obligation to hand Saif al-Islam over to the international authorities.  Gaddafi’s second oldest son was seen as the heir apparent before and during the Libyan Civili War, with his powerful rhetoric and courtly relations with the West.

Bishop’s University, a small liberal arts university located in Sherbrooke, Que, did not participate in the strike. Adam Peabody, SRC Vice-President of Student Affairs, addressed the fact that Bishop’s did not participate in the province-wide strike in stating, “the SRC has not (to date) heard much from our student body about this issue, and therefore there was not really a decision to be made about participating or not. If, and when we do receive feedback from the student body, then a discussion would take place at council and a decision would be made that would stake out our position and any actions to follow that position.”

The Canadian government has stated that Quebec tuition is scheduled to be raised $325/year for the next five years, which would result in an average tuition fee of $3,793.

Since the Montreal protests, many Bishop’s students have gained awareness of the situation and have begun to ask questions about their scheduled rise in fees. Second-year Biology/Drama major, Dakota, reminds his fellow students “education is a right, but with this tuition hike, it’s starting to seem more and more like a luxury.”

However, second-year Education student Jen raises an excellent point in stating that while the tuition hikes “may be hard for students who pay for their own schooling, we are very fortunate to be living in a province with such low tuition fees.”

Currently, the province of Quebec maintains the lowest tuition rates in the country. The standard Quebec student pays an average of $2,415 in tuition fees annually. Furthermore, it is estimated that even with the schedule raise in fees, the province will maintain a lower tuition price than all the other Canadian provinces.

While many individuals remain displeased with the raise in tuition fees, Olivier Marcil, vice-principal of external relations at McGill, reminded individuals of the benefits of the tuition hike, in stating: “We believe these increases are reasonable, overdue and necessary for ensuring the quality of higher education in Quebec.”

MONTREAL (CUP) — Red paint stained the flagpole and the ground. Vapour from a discharged fire extinguisher made the rainy darkness even gloomier.

Light bulbs filled with more paint, smuggled into the crowd in emptied-out Pringles cans, sailed over the heads of those closest to the HSBC building on McGill College Ave., shattering against the ground.

A firework, shot from somewhere in the massive crowd, exploded inches away from an upper-level window.

The few cops who dared stand and face the onslaught retreated to the safety of the building, home to the office of Quebec Premier Jean Charest. All that protected the building from the crowd were a few student organizers, arms linked, yelling at the minority of people hurling objects.

A peaceful protest against the increase of tuition fees teetered on the brink of violence.

Earlier that day, despite the rain, Concordia Student Union executives had gathered students from all corners of the campus. The Hall Building at Concordia was filled with students in face paint sporting the small but recognizable red felt squares that meant one thing: no tuition fee increases. Protesters in the halls warned students in no uncertain terms that if they continued on their way to class they’d be crossing a picket line.

The mezzanine and Java U grew packed with students seeking shelter from the rain and waiting for the procession to start because they simply could not fit outside.

As volunteers from the People’s Potato distributed falafel sandwiches, the numbers swelled into the hundreds.

Concordia Student Union president Lex Gill and vice-president external Chad Walcott spoke to the crowd, preparing them for a day of francophone slogans.

“People from Rimouski and Chicoutimi are coming,” said Gill. “It’s gonna be epic. We’re all gonna practice our French today!”

“Qu’est-ce qu’on veut?” shouted Walcott to the Anglophone crowd. “Le gel!” they shouted back.

As students swarmed down Mackay St. and then eastward, the crowd grew bigger and stronger — and their French grew clearer.

By the time the Concordia contingent merged with their McGill counterparts at the corner of McGill College Ave. and Ste. Catherine St. W., the number of protesters had grown to somewhere between 6,000 and 7,000.

At around 3:00 p.m. the mass of students took over Berri Square. With more free sandwiches and music, they joined the full demonstration of roughly 20,000 protesters.

Although speculation on the real number varies, protesters from across the province were in attendance, spilling out of the park on all sides and flooding the streets. University and CEGEP students alike touted the party line: no tuition increases, not in this province.

“We’re here to support the students, we’re here in solidarity with them and we’re here to fight for accessible education,” said Amira Katz, deputy chairperson of the Dawson Student Union.

After rousing speeches and music blasted from speakers to encourage the army of protesters, the assembled mass departed from Berri Square and continued north towards St. Louis Square.

When the crowd crossed the Berri St. overpass, it was possible to see the full scope of the protest as it stretched all the way back to Berri Square. Roughly one kilometre of people packed the streets, chanting and parading elaborate signs, including a vampire-esque caricature of Charest.

Turning around at St. Louis Square and proceeding along de Maisonneuve Blvd. E., the front of the procession eventually made it to Charest’s office at around 5:00 p.m. As the crowd appeared at the corner of McGill College Ave., the six police in riot gear present drew their batons at once.

One demonstrator climbed the facade of the building up to the front balcony, but came back down as the crowd was busy trying to figure out what the next step was. As people grew impatient and cold, the momentum started to die off, but the crowd’s frustration remained evident.

That’s when the paint began to fly, signaling the beginning of the end. In the brief period between the cops’ retreat and the arrival of the riot squad, nothing stood between the few Black Bloc protesters and the building but a few student organizers, determined to maintain the non-violent ethos of the day.

“When you are organizing something of that scale, nothing ever goes according to plan. I am incredibly proud of the organizing team and the security team. These people worked with what they had,” said Gill, who had been among those attempting to defend the HSBC building.

A few speeches remained, but the momentum was gone — lost somewhere along the way due to exhaustion and the collective knowledge that they had done something big, maybe even started the process of accomplishing a goal.

Some in the crowd began wandering to the nearby McGill campus. “Occupons McGill!” yelled people in the crowd.

A general sense of confusion took over. People weren’t sure if this was an official next step or just a rogue group’s decision. The events that followed at McGill, though only experienced by a minority of the protesters, still ended up colouring Nov. 10 for most.