Briefings

Vic students raise fundsVic's fundraising blitz for tsunami relief efforts yielded a huge outpouring of generosity on the part of students. The total amount raised by Vic was $1,461.72. This amount was then donated to the Canadian Red Cross and is the sum total of several separate fundraising efforts by various groups at Vic.

Residents of the main floor of Annesley Hall organized a door-to-door change drive and in less than an hour, raised $518.11. The federal government offered to match all Canadian charitable donations made before January 11 and because most of the money raised at Annesley was donated to the Red Cross before January 11th, the total was brought to $1,059.61 and the rest was donated at a later date.

Several member of VUSAC, along with other volunteers, held a bake sale on January 19 which raised an additional $316.38. Donations were being taken at the Special Projects Wine and Cheese and by the VCAA, together raising a total of $85.73. Vic dons organized an "Air Guitar Contest" to help in the fundraising drive and all of the money from the cover charge at Vic's Winterfest at joe was donated to the fundraising campaign as well.

- Mark Ostler


Waffle iron mishap a misconception

The rumor around Vic campus last week was that a waffle iron set ablaze in Burwash Dining Hall. There were several waffle makers set up for students to use during Saturday morning brunch and coincidently the fire alarm went off.

However, Larry Page, director of food services, is certain that there was no fire with the irons or in the kitchen. He says "when an alarm goes off people assume it's the kitchen."

The manager of maintenance, David Prediger, explains that there was a faulty smoke detector in the duct system of the dining hall. Sometimes elements such as mist, steam or dust set off a detector. Prediger mentions that the detectors in the dining hall are being redone; two new air handlers are being installed this summer. Moreover, he said "systems are checked annually." Even though there was no fire, the alarm rang four times that morning and the fire department arrived on scene.

Page and Prediger both agree that the waffle iron scenario is just chatter amongst students. Assuredly, Page adds "the waffle irons are meant for public use" and he ensures that they are safe. Waffles had nothing to do with the incident and the irons have been put to use since. Students of Vic may continue their waffling.

- Nicole Hilton


Governing Council elections looming

Nominations for the Governing Council and Academic Board elections have opened. On the Governing Council, 8 student seats are open for a one-year term starting July 1, 2005, four of which are reserved for full-time undergraduate students. Two seats must be occupied by students from the Faculty of Arts and Science, and must be from different campuses and two seats are for students in the Faculties of Applied Science and Engineering, Dentistry, Law, Medicine, Nursing, OISE/UT, Pharmacy and Physical Education and Health. Both students cannot be registered in the same faculty. Two seats are open for part-time undergraduate students and two for graduate students.

Four teaching staff seats are also open for nomination, for three-year terms starting July 1, 2005. There are no vacancies for administrative staff this year.Nominations are also open for 15 positions for teaching staff on the Academic Board, plus one seat in a by-election for a one-year term in the Faculty of Arts and Science.

Nomination forms for both the Governing Council and Academic Board are available from the Office of the Governing Council, Room 106 Simcoe Hall, 27 King's College Circle. The deadline to submit a nomination is noon on January 28, 2005.

- Stephen Smart