Volume 96, Issue 56
Thursday, January 9, 2003
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EDITORIAL
Peering at the 2003 calendar
With 2002 gone,
we at The Gazette are looking forward to what lies ahead in 2003.
Here is a list of what we expect will be some of 2003's biggest stories from around our campus, our country and the globe.
CAMPUS
Campus Alcohol Policy: The Campus Alcohol Policy will
make a return to the headlines in 2003, as Western's administration and
the University Students' Council attempt to streamline the policy. Having
spent 2002 being criticized for being inequitable and contradictory, the
policy had a fairly turbulent initiation, but changes can be expected
for 2003.
Tiered athletics model: 2002 also saw the implementation
of Western's new tiered athletics model, which saw athletic teams receive
different levels of funding depending on their tier level. Many teams
in lower tiers complained of a lack of support from the university, and
were forced to increase their fundraising efforts in order to cover costs.
Despite the controversy, in 2003, look for other universities across the
province to begin adopting similar policies.
University Students' Council presidential elections:
Though the USC elections are an annual event on campus, they are often
one that goes by with little to no fanfare. However, as stakeholders in
Western, it is up to student voters to ensure the most suitable candidate
is chosen as the 2003/2004 USC president. Be sure to read the profiles
and commentary provided in The Gazette, and attend the public forums to
challenge candidates on the issues you feel are most important.
CANADA
Provincial election: It is expected that 2003 will see
a provincial election in Ontario. Current premier Ernie Eves will attempt
to reverse the perceived blunders of the recently resigned Mike Harris
(despite being his second-hand man), and look to secure the Progressive
Conservative party another term.
The fate of the Ottawa Senators: One of the leading teams
in the National Hockey League may soon find itself on the move. The Senators,
who were unable to cover the last paycheck for their players, are in serious
financial trouble and need solid outside financial help or they may soon
persist merely as a memory of hockey's past.
INTERNATIONAL
War in Iraq: The United States will most likely launch
their long-anticipated war on Iraq, no matter what United Nations weapons
inspectors discover and despite prevailing international concerns. No
matter what direction the war takes, unforeseeable and potentially disastrous
long-term consequences may stem from only upcoming violence.
LETTERS