“I’m really looking forward to next year and I know it will be a great one” said Danish of his successful election, and Alyssa expressed similar feelings. Both candidates come from strong backgrounds of leadership, in high school and during their first year at Western. In addition, both have executive experience in the AEOSA; Danish is currently a member of the Finance Committee, while Alyssa comes from the Communications Committee, which she feels has given her “a strong understanding of how the club functions internally.” Looking forward, Danish expressed a key priority from his platform, stating that, “In a club that caters to so many different people and interests, it is important that we can offer something to everyone.” Additionally, the co-presidents feel confident that they will be a good team; Alyssa said, “I think Danish and I work extremely well together. We both bring a great deal of innovative ideas to the table and our leadership styles are well-matched – so I look forward to a good year.”

Kevin and Nadeem, although unsuccessful in the election, both expressed gratitude for the campaign experience.  Nadeem said, “I was disappointed that I was not elected AEOSA president ,” but continued on to say, “The campaigning experience taught me that one can’t make excuses. Instead, as cliché as it sounds, overcome whatever is stopping you from being the best you can be.” Kevin was also thinking of the future, saying, “Although my campaign was not successful, I am confident in the new co-presidents’ leadership abilities. As long as they keep the importance of communication in their minds, next year should be a blast.”

It’s clear that communication is a key priority for the co-presidents, and the entire AEOSA executive. Some of their key goals are, from Danish’s perspective, “to establish a stronger connection between all the AEOs”, and “to focus on uniting members and creating a network that will help individuals grow- whether it be through meeting new people, developing new interests or simply bringing AEOs closer to reaching their goal of getting into Ivey.” according to Alyssa. Unity was a key theme in both platforms, and will become a major focus for the AEOSA’s future with our two new co-presidents.

Now, here’s a rundown of who your co-presidents are, and what you can expect from your AEOSA in the upcoming year.

Name: Danish Ajmeri
Hometown: Mississauga
Current faculty: Social Science
First Year Residence: Elgin Hall
Dream Job: “Lottery winner!”

Greatest Strengths: “I consider myself to be an open-minded and approachable person…I know I am not an expert in all areas, so I will more than gladly take all the help of my executive team and the rest of the AEOs as frequently as possible. After all, our purpose is to serve them and my goal is to make sure I can do everything in my power to do so.”

Top AEOSA Priority: “If I could do only one thing, I would want to establish the sense of community among the AEOs. Coming from so many different backgrounds and faculties, we often forget that we share a common goal and, through the AEOSA, I hope to establish a sense of unity. The organization must act as this central figure and I really hope our initiatives next year can create more networking opportunities for AEOs in an attempt to foster this community.”

Name: Alyssa Moledina
Hometown: Markham, ON
Current Faculty: Science
First Year Residence: Elgin Hall
Dream Job: “I’ll get back to you.”

Greatest Strengths: “My experience [in the AEOSA Communications Committee] has allowed me to identify the strengths and weaknesses of the club and will definitely help me in my attempts to make improvements.”

Top AEOSA Priority: “There are a lot of things I’d like to accomplish, so it’s hard to wrap them up under one umbrella. But I think a general concept I’d like to work towards would be changing the image of the AEOSA. Currently, the club is viewed as being very serious and “for keeners”. I think it is important that members realize what this organization has to offer. Besides attending events, there are many ways to get involved and plenty of opportunities to gain valuable leadership experience. I’d really like to stress that the AEOSA is not all business – we have fun too!”

“…the individual makes the degree, and the degree doesn’t make the individual.”

Recruitment and job prospects are serious concerns. And sure, it would be great to land that investment banking job that starts at $98,000 and flies you out to California. But at the end of the day, an HBA degree/iBBA degree/BBA degree will only get you so far. It will get you a good start. (Assuming you kill interviews and impress co-op supervisors.) But what happens after that?

It’s going to take more than just a degree to move up the ladder. It takes qualities that you value, like determination and perseverance and consistency, and it takes hunger, passion, fire. It takes enthusiasm. It takes excellence. It takes technical and general knowledge. It takes an almost Rocky-like attitude to constantly stepping into the ring, and finishing the job.

My point is that a degree usually does embody some of these values. The HBA degree/iBBA degree/BBA degree will trigger some of these qualities in an employers’ mind. (You decide which ones.) This is why the degree is useful; not because of the three letters, but because they signify something much greater. So at the end of the day, it’s alright if you don’t make it into Ivey or HBA. It’s OK to enjoy studying Arts (in fact, more power to you). You just have to figure out the qualities that your employer will value, and demonstrate them using some other method.

So don’t do things “for the sake of putting it on your resume” — do it because you want to improve yourself, do it because you want to learn more and excel.

Q: Are you trying to say that the type of degree won’t matter? Not at all; the start you get can drastically alter your future. For example, reputable marketing company Firm X recruits often from Ivey — if you do want to go into marketing, then Firm X  can be a great place to start your career and gain some field experience. However, I am trying to say that it wouldn’t be impossible to do well in your field without Ivey: for example, you can get into Firm X using alternate methods (starting somewhere else, and constantly checking for employment opportunities) or even skip Firm X and head over to a competing firm. Although this alternate method takes more work and time, it’s still quite plausible.

Q: Do we need another one of these annoying posts? I feel that people often lose track of why they need to do well at university, and bring on unneeded stress. Lord knows it’s happened to me.

Best of luck with the present, and the future,

Herbert H. Lui

For some, it was hard to imagine how anything could top the Ivey brick building proudly overlooking the centre of campus. Doubts were gone once the new building plans were unveiled. Set to have over 230 000 square feet of space spread over 3 levels, the new world-class building to be located in front of Brescia Hill is nothing short of impressive. The modern glass and cut-stone design will also feature a quadrangle complete with a reflecting pool, a library, a dining room, a fireplace, and cascading staircases. In addition, the building will have solar panels on the roof and other environmental-friendly features that will ensure that it meets Gold Level Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design certification and reduces its carbon footprint.

The new building will total $100 million, with $50 million funded by the government, $22.5 million funded by the university, and the rest of the $27.5 million contributed by alumni and through donations.

Construction began this past September, with the first phase set to be completed by March 2011. Dean Carol Stephenson says that the building will “celebrate [Ivey’s] history and point to [its] future, yet project the timeless quality of [its] core values. It will symbolize the excellence that lies within and become Ivey’s signature on the world stage.”

A new era is approaching for Ivey, and we hope that this building is just the beginning of greater things to come.

Enita Yuan

Sources:
1. Ivey “Intouch” publication
2.http://communications.uwo.ca/com/western_news/stories/green_light_for_new_ivey_building_20090529444374/
3. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T5xU9wEVSYU

4. http://www.ivey.uwo.ca/newbuilding/

In the first year of university (and beyond), many students feel a certain level of detachment from extra-curricular activities and an inability to get involved with activities and organizations on campus. For aspiring HBA candidates (that is to say, AEO1s and AEO2s), meeting the entrance requirement of the maintenance of a high level of extra-curricular involvement demanded by the Richard Ivey School of Business (Ivey) can seem a particularly cumbersome challenge. While this sentiment is echoed by several students, there exists a wide variety of activities and organizations that can provide extra-curricular involvement, alongside the benefit of opening students to new initiatives and new friendships that transcend the academic boundary, some of which are described herein.

Perhaps the most visible organization associated with Ivey for AEO students is the Advanced Entry Opportunity Student Association (AEOSA). The AEOSA is a USC-facilitated undergraduate club whose aim is focused on ensuring the adequate nutrition of AEO students in their academic, social and extra-curricular opportunity pursuits. With a membership base exceeding 1,000 students, the complementary club to AEO students provides ample opportunities for AEOs to engage with their peers in a variety of contexts, as well as the opportunity to serve on the executive committee and portfolio committees of the association. From a personal standpoint, I can attest to the value of the friendships, knowledge and opportunities the AEOSA has provided and has created many lasting memories that have shaped my undergraduate academic career to date. Aside from the AEOSA, there are many undergraduate on-campus clubs that cater to just about every student demographic and interest. For a nominal fee (usually $5-10), students can enjoy the many benefits that these clubs offer for the entirety of the academic year, as well as providing the opportunity to gain leadership experience through serving on their executive.

For those inclined to use the sports field or ice rink as a catalyst for demonstrating their leadership and excellence abilities or for meeting others and keeping healthy, there are many different ways to become involved within the Western athletic community. If you are particularly skilled in a specific sport, perhaps trying out for a varsity or club team would be a good option; most try outs take place in the summer before the school year commences, and it is generally advisable to make contact with the coach of your team of interest to get details. For those seeking a more casual athletic experience, the vast intramural program offered by Western is a great avenue to becoming involved within the Western community and making new acquaintances. To show your loyalty to the AEOSA, you can sign up for one of the AEOSA-affiliated teams to network specifically with AEOs in a relaxed, uncompetitive environment. If you are more inclined to meet students in a social setting, there are many ways to go about doing this.

Western is recognized for its parallels to the United States collegiate system, particularly with its abundance of social and academic-based Greek-letter fraternities and sororities. Though not directly sponsored by Western or the USC, these organizations provide an opportunity to become closely engaged with a group of like-minded individuals in pursuit of a variety of values and goals. Similarly, there are a few USC-ratified clubs that serve to provide opportunities for students to engage in a social setting, the most notable being the Purple Spur Society.

Clearly, there are several ways for AEOs to become involved with extra-curricular activities on campus, and rarely an opportunity to be bored if you look in the right places. Hopefully this article has shed light on some potential opportunities on campus, and I hope you find an activity or organization that you feel passionately about.

Thanks to AEOSA VP Student Affairs Christopher Rastrick for providing the article.

Tiger Woods is quite possibly the most famous athlete in existence. He may be the best golfer ever, and before the incident, was on pace to become the first sports billionaire in history. But none of this matters anymore.

One of our society’s biggest icons has been shattered, and will never resonate with us the same way again. And we, as AEOs, will have to deal with these kinds of issues as we rise through the ranks of life. We will have people looking up to us, people relying on our words, thoughts, and ideas for guidance, and people who may want to take advantage of our success. Granted, our problems may not be as serious as Mr. Woods’, but the general point is the same: a few key mistakes could cost us everything. We are not immune to the effects of fame, and though we will never be on the same scale as Tiger Woods in terms of money, influence, and power, a young, successful businessman or woman is still an enviable position for much of the world, and one that should not be frittered away with poor decisions.

It’s often been said that the higher one rises, the harder one will fall, and Tiger Woods is the prime example of this. We, as AEOs, have great potential to rise so high as well. Let’s make sure we never fall.

-Nik Satish

For the less yoga-savvy among us, hot yoga involves a spacious yoga studio, a variety of questionably possible contortions of the body, a heating system that pumps the temperature up to a balmy 40 degrees Celsius, and a lot of sweat. So it is invariably a good time for all.

Feedback from the event was overwhelmingly positive. “I had never tried hot yoga before, let alone yoga, until I went to the AEOSA Pink Yogathon. The experience was unreal and relaxing, i came out feeling like a whole new person. It’s definitely something I would do again!” said AEO1 Gina Chen.

All proceeds went to the Canadian Breast Cancer Foundation, a non-profit organization devoted to breast cancer research and support. The annual Run For A Cure is their largest fundraising event, which happens in communities across Canada every October, but every little bit helps. For more information on the Canadian Breast Cancer Foundation, please visit www.cbcf.org.

Valentine’s Day is deeply rooted in love; for centuries people have associated the month of February with courtship.   The premise of the day has remained constant, yet there is a noticeable difference in the methods of communicating such feelings of devotion.  Poems have been exchanged for e-cards, a dance between lovers traded for dinner and a movie, and a small token of affection replaced by jewelry, flowers and confectionery.    I agree that as time and technology advance, society does also.  But at what point does this shift allow for classic romance to be discarded and commerciality to advance?

I remember a previous Valentine’s Day with my high school boyfriend.  We collectively decided that it was unnecessary to buy each other something; we were more concerned with spending the evening in each other’s company.  When he arrived at my door with flowers and a small gift in hand, I was thrilled.  Now, when I said I didn’t want anything I meant it; a present seemed frivolous in my mind.  Yet the gift he presented, a sentiment of his affection, was received with great happiness.    I am certain that many couples are familiar with this experience.    Stores are satiated with cards and gift ideas that express sentiments of love difficult to resist.  If you have a loved one, why avoid these preordained tokens?   In truth, many people cannot.   Over a billion Valentine’s Day cards are sent each year, according to the U.S. Greeting Card Association, making it the second highest card-giving holiday behind Christmas.

It is argued that the people are taken advantage of during February.  The industry has made it near impossible to escape the hype of the coming romantic holiday.   But the undeniable interest indicates consumer demand; the industry would not thrive if none existed.   Yes, this romantic holiday is becoming overly commercial, evolving from its once timeless origin, but perhaps it is only offering what it is asked of by consumers.

-Lauren Pigozzo

The board has formed a panel that will determine whether or not this ban on dictionaries will be made permanent. “It’s hard to sit and read the dictionary, but we’ll be looking to find other things of a graphic nature,” district spokeswoman Betti Cadmus told the local paper, The Press-Enterprise.

As of a few days ago, the panel came to the conclusion that the dictionaries will indeed remain within the classroom, but children will only have access to it if the parents sign permission slips.

This mindless censorship is ridiculous and needs to be curbed immediately. My bet is that they ban the encyclopedia for anatomical references next.

- Sarah Wilkinson

Sources:

http://www.latimes.com/news/local/la-me-dictionary27-2010jan27,0,5566022.story

http://www.guardian.co.uk/books/2010/jan/25/oral-sex-dictionary-ban-us-schools

http://www.pe.com/localnews/menifee/stories/PE_News_Local_W_sdictionary22.414bdf0.html

There are always opportunities to help; if you are still looking for ways to donate or otherwise become involved in the relief effort, some options include:

-Red Cross: Text REDCROSS to 30333 to instantly donate $5 to Haiti Relief or visit them online to donate

http://www.redcross.ca/helpnow/

-Hope for Haiti: a non-profit charity devoted to long-term support in Haiti. They have been actively involved in Haitian charity work for over twenty years.

http://www.hopeforhaiti.com/

-Music For Relief: Artists such as Dave Matthews Band and Linkin Park have put together an album in support of the Haiti relief effort. All proceeds go towards UN Foundation’s Central Emergency Response Fund, Habitat for Humanity, and Dave Matthews BAMA Works Haitian relief efforts

http://www.musicforrelief.org/

Haiti doesn’t exist anymore, as we know it. The major ports are unusable, the airport is down, most of the capitol is destroyed, the government is not in charge, hospitals and schools have collapsed, the penitentiary has broken down and most of the prisoners have escaped, and as many as 2% of the population have died, with a total of 3million (out of the population of 9 million) having been affected. This is a reconstruction effort that is going to be led by foreign powers, and will take years and years to complete. As Tyler Cowen says, it’ll be an effort far more demanding than providing food and water for a couple of years.
The current effort to get going has been extremely slow, and thousands of Haitians have died because no real medical help is available. The country, already one of the poorest in the world, and the poorest in the Western hemisphere, faces a disaster that may become far too familiar in the future. It is likely that in the decades to come, many island nations will be forced to evacuate, and countries from around the world will have to develop the policies and infrastructure to accept climate refugees.
The infrastructure is vital, given that the current problem has been aggravated by the lack of usable roads and transport, and the utter confusion and disorganization into which international aid groups are arriving. Local powers have also taken heavy losses, with the UN missing 300 workers, peacekeepers, and staff after its headquarters, a hotel in Port-au-Prince, caved in, killing the mission chief, his Brazilian deputy, and a Canadian police chief. The UN has called for 2000 peacekeepers and 1500 police officers from neighboring regions.
The government is essentially powerless, with the cabinet meeting in a police station by the airport. While international powers (including Canada, who sent 2000 troops) are slowly stepping up, they also have taken heavy losses. Oxfam, a British group, has lost much of its supplies and equipment, and two employees.
Relief has been slowly trickling into the nation, with groups such as Médecins Sans Frontières bringing in a reported 85 tonnes of medical supplies. 15000 American troops are currently working in the country, as Obama has slowly increased American efforts in the country.
There is growing tension in the region over American involvement, as Brazilian authorities, who normally control forces in Haiti, resent the American help, saying that their own troops and UN peacekeepers are quite sufficient. The US, according to the Inter-American Dialogue, a think tank, is trying to provide logistics help while avoiding the impression that they are taking over the country.
In all, it is hoped that the tensions and squabbles don’t aggravate the aid mission any further, as the potential for violent looting and riots will slowly become more prevalent as the shock wears off in Haiti’s main cities. For now, all Haitians can do is wait, as what used to be an independent country now essentially lies in a pile of dust, watched over and tended to by foreign powers.
1. http://www.economist.com/blogs/freeexchange/2010/01/end_haiti_0?source=most_recommended

- Amir Eftekharpour