Abdalla Al-Baalawy, running uncontested as the only presidential candidate, was elected for his position with 684 votes of confidence.

Newcomer Adrian De Leon won the VP Academics position with a total of 405 votes. De Leon gained 36 more votes than runner-up Filippo Raso and 348 votes over candidate Isabelle Yeadon.

Guled Arale, SCSU’s current Chariman of the Board of Directors, remains with the union in his new position as the VP External. He won a total of 437 votes, less than 15 motes more than runner-up Adil Kanji who received 423 votes.

The position of VP Students and Equity was won by Kavita Siewrattan who received a total of 655 votes – more than 500 votes ahead of Massih Bidhendi, the only other candidate for the position.

All winners are part of the slate Forward Together. Slating was ratified at the Annual General meeting on November 16, 2011.

Although the official voter count has not been released, the CRO reports that the voter turnout has grown since last year. With over 1,000 votes cast during this election, approximately ten per cent of UTSC’s population came out to vote.

The new team’s term starts on May 14, 2012. Hiring is still ongoing for the positions of VP Campus Life, VP Human Resources and VP Operations/Chief Financial Officer. Applications are due by Mar. 2.

For full (unofficial) elections results, click here.

President:

Abdalla Al-Baalawy

Yes: 684
No: 117
Abstain: 127

VP Academics:

Adrian De Leon: 405
Filippo Raso: 369
Isabelle Yeadon: 57
Abstain: 86

VP External:

Guled Arale: 437
Adil Kanji: 423
Abstain: 68

VP Students and Equity:

Massih Bidhendi: 153
Kavita Siewrattan: 655
Abstain: 143

When the campaign period for this year’s SCSU executive election began, I was ridiculously bored with the limited options offered to students. It looked like the most boring election in my four years at UTSC. Though it’s no fault of candidates who are running, I think it’s a sad day for student politics when we only have one presidential candidate.

Initially, because of sheer visibility, it looked like the “Forward Together” slate was going to make a clean sweep (By the way, isn’t this the Liberal Party’s slogan?). But as the campaign period progressed, I think other candidates came into their own, making for the kind of competition that a student union election should have.

Which brings me to my next point: the side effects of slating. I’m not saying I disagree with slating, but students should be aware of the advantages that members of a slate get. For example, if a student wants to vote for one member of a slate, they might be more inclined to vote for other members of the slate without even learning about those candidates. This means that candidates who are not part of a slate need to work twice as hard for votes. Slating isn’t necessarily a bad thing, but students should be aware of how it alters the dynamics of campaigning.

This year, the Underground hosted its first ever SCSU elections debate, something news editor, Ranziba Nehrin, and I threw together in a week, expecting less than five students to attend (three of whom would be our own editors). We were shocked when we had a turnout of over 35 students (with one or two days of publicity, this is friggin’ amazing). Everyone always talks about the political apathy of UTSC students, but we had students who were armed with questions and concerns.

By the time this editorial gets published, the student body will have elected a new president and vice presidents for the 2012-2013 academic year. The only bit of preaching I’ll do is emphasize the importance of keeping your SCSU executives accountable, because voting is pointless if nothing gets done after the election.

Remember all those promises made during last year’s election? How many executives lived up to their platform? Of current elected executives, I’d say only the presidential and external portfolios have effectively addressed student needs. The problem is, there aren’t enough students keeping their executives accountable.

You want new food? Tell them and make sure they do something about it. You want a quiet library? Make sure they bring it up at meetings with administrators. You want a more inclusive campus? Ask for it. Don’t let them off the hook when September rolls around.

Sincerely,
Aly Kassam
Editor-in-chief

Beach season is coming fast, so how about you put down your management textbooks and head to the gym for “Raaahn”-onomics 101 (Jersey Shore reference FTW). Let your aesthetics make up for your lack of wheeling abilities.

The gym is really the only place on campus where you can rip a fart and nobody can hear you. Everyone has their headphones on and the smell is unnoticeable thanks to the scent of the guy who just can’t figure out how to turn his treadmill down.

With cold weather comes the sea of Timmies cups sprinkled around campus (to top off the layer of cigarette butts), but must we stare at our phones and sway to the background music in unison while in line?

What can be said about the Leafs that a drunken hockey team can’t re-enact after a night of Super Bowl drinking games? Seriously, though, Dion Phaneuf’s slapshot accuracy is lower than the PSYA01 class average.

Ever have that one guy/girl on campus you have never talked to, yet you always wave to each other in the hallway? You can’t explain that. #UTSCmemereference

Linsanity! Linning! Jeremy Lin is the New York Knickerbockers’ and the NBA’s token Asian-American, but have we already forgotten about Brian “The Fiery Wonder” Scalabrine, the league’s most prolific redhead? Legend says for every basket he sinks, he loses a freckle…too bad the bench varnish is sticking to his Boston Celtic shorts.

When it’s time to do the ‘carry the lady-friend/BFF of the opposite sex up to the bedroom,’ make sure your room is clean. Last thing you want is the girl offering to clean your room while you sit on your bed admiring her slightly erotic polka dot undergarments.

All props aside, let’s strip this display of self-voyeurism down a little.

You know what makes filming yourself such a turn on? It’s the idea of being watched. Just knowing that there’s a lens pointed across and around your ass can be enough to get Bob Jr. right up off the floor in seconds. For many (including those who don’t know it yet), being watched while being touched may be the perfect aphrodisiac.

The excitement behind committing a forbidden act is the basis of public sex. Filming yourself making love to your partner may not be public while you’re doing it, but while that film is rolling, your brain is thinking someone might see this. And even if your intention is entirely focused on privacy, the thought is lingering in the back of your mind. The notion of being exposed and watched may feel creepy in any other circumstance, but during sex, it feels like that other pair of eyes is right there in bed with you. It’s why sex in advertising works; we feel like we’re a part of the action.

It’s all about breaking rules. Sex in a park after dark, in the back of your car in the Wal-Mart parking lot, or on the rooftop of your apartment building can be quite the subversive thrill because it’s just so wrong. That ecstasy is enough to enhance your excitement and raise your endorphins.

The rush of blood to the head may be telling you that you’re scared and should run, but it may also be giving you enough of an energetic boost to dispense right then and there. If your partner is ready and willing, why not get it out sexually? By all means, exploit that energy.

Oh, and one little tip: night vision? Yeah, never sexy. And you may want to avoid HD — not everything needs to be in focus, just saying. From public displays of hardcore affection to indecent exposure, the next time you’re eager to go balls out, make sure the coast is (relatively) clear. Then go for it.

Photo Courtesy / Cored Savard

Lillian Goncalves is in her final year at UTSC working toward a double major in English and music, while playing on UTSC’s volleyball, basketball and ultimate Frisbee teams. Through all of that, she has been able to find time to lead various sports teams to championships. She also masterfully plays the French horn in the UTSC school band.

Goncalves’ most recent achievement in a long athletic career is winning the U of T girls’ basketball championship. She competed at the Ontario Federation of School Athletic Association Track and Field Championship each of her four high school years as a member of the Marshal McLuhan Secondary School track and javelin squads.

She hopes to become a music teacher after she graduates and to continue living a healthy, active lifestyle.

The re-match
On February 3, 2008, the New York Giants and New England Patriots faced off in Super Bowl XLII. The game that saw the Giants raise the Lombardi Trophy with a score of 17-14 and Eli Manning was crowned MVP. This was the re-match that would showcase Tom Brady’s talent and give him and the Patriots a chance for payback.

The receivers
Both teams boasted of talented star receivers who have been standing out all season. The Giants had Jake Ballard, Ahmad Bradshaw, Victor Cruz and Mario Manningham. The Patriots had Deion Branch, an injured Rob Gronkowski, Ben Jarvus Green-Ellis, Aaron Hernandez, Wes Welker and Danny Woodhead. These rosters clashing were a feast for the eyes of football fans.

The defense
The Giants and Pats also had great defensive capabilities with players who made headlines throughout the season, which proves how solid both teams were heading into Superbowl XLVI. Giants: Jason Pierre-Paul, Justin Tuck and kicker Lawrence Tynes. Patriots: Pat Chung, Sterling Moore and their kicker Stephen Gostkowski.

The coaching match-up
Bill Belichick is one of the greatest NFL coaches of all time, and to see him match-up against the legendary Tom Coughlin, who has two Super Bowl wins, is a coaching competition you don’t see often. Belichick is a three-time NFL Coach of the Year recipient and proudly wears three Super Bowl rings.

MVP QB’s
Eli Manning is now a two-time Super Bowl MVP, which solidifies his spot in the Football Hall of Fame. Brady has two Super Bowl MVP honours and set a record with 16/16 completed passes for a 96-yard touchdown rush during this year’s game. Both quarterbacks have extensive experience; Eli with two rings and Brady with three. Two class act quarterbacks!

Photo Courtesy / Billy Courtice

UTSC alumnus Greg Danko is something of a UTSC legend. He has coached both the men’s and women’s B hockey teams, been a tri-campus hockey team member for five years and was formerly the president of the Scarborough Campus Hockey Players Association (SCHPA). So it’s no surprise he was inducted into the UTSC Hockey Hall of Fame in 2011. The Underground took this chance to sit down and talk about what’s going on with him post-UTSC and Scarborough athletics.

The Underground: How did you get involved in UTSC athletics?
Greg Danko: During my Frosh week, we were mingling with a bunch of clubs when someone asked if I played any sports. I told them I played hockey. They told me I should check out the H-Wing patio where a hockey guy had set up a table. The first week of class I was at the tryouts. I got started in UTSC athletics before my first week of classes was over. Coming out of high school, I regretted not getting involved in school hockey sooner. I knew coming to UTSC that hockey was offered and I planned to try out. I had no idea it would have led to the experience it did, though.

UG: I know you’re an intern at Toronto FC. Did you always want a career in sports?
GD: No, actually I had never thought about it until my last year at UTSC. I’ve always enjoyed organizing teams, games, tournaments, players, events and helping out in different ways but I had never really thought about it as a potential career path until last year. It just seemed to make sense. Everything I have done in terms of work and volunteering has been sports-related. I’ve been a Learn To Skate Instructor with the City of Toronto for seven years now. I completed my high school community service hours as a T-ball assistant coach. I’ve been involved with athletics, hockey in particular, in various ways throughout my five years at UTSC. I pretty much dominate hockey pools. It just seemed to fit.

This year I went to Durham College for their Sport Business Management post-graduate program. I was lucky enough to land an internship position with Maple Leaf Sports & Entertainment with Toronto FC in the corporate partnership department. It’s going pretty well so far.

UG: What made last year’s UTSC Day with the Marlies such a success?
GD: Firstly, my SCHPA executives and team reps did an incredible job. They were phenomenal. Making everything run smoothly was thanks to the collective efforts of our group.

Secondly, the support from the UTSC community was great. I believe we sold out a week before the event took place. People were excited for this last year and from the sounds of things, people are getting even more excited this year because of how successful it was.

UG: How would you describe the UTSC athletics department?
GD: I think our athletics department is very healthy. Our programs are great. The staff is excellent. Our teams are always competitive and are well looked after. I’m happy with our athletics department. I’d like to see more students get involved with athletics – you won’t regret it.

Alcatraz: “Remember, this is Alcatraz. Things can always get worse.”
Based on an infamous island prison that closed its doors in 1963, the show twists the real life historical tale of Alcatraz into a mind-boggling sci-fi drama starring Sam Neill (Jurassic Park) as mysterious federal agent Emerson Hauser. He, along with Rebecca Madsen (Sarah Jones), investigates the appearance of missing inmates from Alcatraz from past to present day San Francisco. Mondays @ 9 p.m.

Touch: “Every touch is connected.”
He’s back! Kiefer Sutherland returns from his post-24 break with a new suspenseful thriller playing Martin Bohm, a widowed man with a socially challenged son, Jake Bohm (David Mazouz). Martin discovers his son has a gift: he can see the interconnectedness of the world and predict the future. He doesn’t talk and communicates through numbers. Off to a slow start, the premiere quickly picked up speed and fascinated audiences everywhere with the idea of one person’s touch affecting another. You’ll no longer look at numbers the same. Continues March 19.

Photo Courtesy / Bell Media

Smash: “There’s a broken heart for every light on Broadway.”
A show within a show, Smash follows a group of artists and producers, including American Idol’s Katherine McPhee as struggling singer Karen Cartwright, Megan Hilty as Ivy Lynn, and Debra Messing as Julia Houston. All team up to create a Broadway show to commemorate the life of the late Marilyn Monroe. The show revolves around the production of the play and the personal lives of everybody involved with steamy behind the scenes drama and foot-tapping musical numbers to boot. Mondays @ 10 p.m.

The River: “There’s magic out there.”
Sometimes, you don’t realize what the intentions of other people are until they aren’t there anymore, which is the exact vibe behind this paranormal, found footage style show, involving the sudden disappearance of one Dr. Emmet Cole (Bruce Greenwood) in the uncharted Amazon. A group of people, including his unfaithful wife and resentful son, go to find him, but things quickly go from confusing to terrifying once they reach Cole’s boat, discovering revelations about the personal lives of each character. Thursdays @ 9 p.m.

Apartment 23: “Everyone, this is Chloe: she’s the bitch in apartment 23.”
Looking for some sarcastic comedy? This show will satisfy your craving with the hilarious and dynamic pairing of Krysten Ritter as Chloe and Dreama Walker as June. Premieres April 11 @ 9:30 p.m.

Photo Courtesy / Anna-Maria Kalesoski

From tiger moms to eagle dads, how does pressure from parents impact students?

In a survey of approximately 100 UTSC students, results were both startling and scattered. On a scale of one to 10, 30 per cent of respondents rated the pressure from their parents at 10; 64 per cent said the personal decisions they make are heavily dependent on their parents’ opinions.

This pressure on some students is overwhelming and potentially dangerous, and can be a threat to their mental health.

In her analysis of parental pressure, Dr. Nancy Snyderman found that 70 per cent of children pressured in sports by their parents give up sports by the age of 13. When these kids were asked why they dropped out or quit, many replied, “It’s not fun anymore.”

As it is, university students are already under significant pressure to maintain a good GPA, have a social life, work, participate in extracurricular activities and sometimes take care of their family.

So where is the pressure rooted? Parents heavily influence or strictly control three dominant spheres of a student’s life: career choice, finance and love. Sixty per cent of students said their parents hover like helicopters over their love lives.

However, some students indicated they also receive incredible support from their parents. Tara Mazurk, a second-year arts management student, happily exclaimed, “My mother is my support system, my mentor, my inspiration. She taught me to be independent but I will always look to her for guidance.”

Along with Mazurk, 30 per cent of students indicated they receive great emotional support from their parents at their current age.

A parent’s influence over their child’s life is undeniable. Especially as young children, we alter our behaviour according to our parent’s expectations, which often continues even as children become young adults.

University of California Berkeley sociology Professor Arlie Hochschild found children’s schedules and parental anxieties mirror what is happening in their parents’ careers. Particularly when parents are financially supporting their child’s education, they believe they can demand more. This cultural pressure to be better can manifest itself as a shallow urge for status, to the point where grades or a medical degree become more important than knowledge. Students become overscheduled, attempting to achieve not only their own, but their parents’ expectations.

“Whether I’ve followed their wishes and beliefs or chosen to go in the opposite direction, all my choices have been impacted by [my parents’] demands and their pressure. I want to keep them pleased, but at the same time be satisfied with my own personal choices. It’s hard,” revealed an anonymous survey respondent.

Ultimately, while they may be able to pressure you into making certain decisions, your final choices are up to you. Best tip: do what feels right.