NOW news and events - Concordia University

May 24: Water system to be flushed at Concordia University

2013-05-24T00:56:21Z

The City of Montreal announced on May 23, 2013 at 10:15 p.m. that the boil water advisory issued May 22 has been lifted.

When the City issued its boil water advisory Concordia University shut down all of its drinking water fountains. This was done in order to ensure the safety of its community.

The fountains must now be systematically flushed before they will be deemed usable, a process which will take several hours. Please consult the alert box on the Concordia website to determine when the university’s water fountains will be usable.

Your patience and cooperation is appreciated.

Cleaning and greening across faiths

2013-05-23T19:02:08Z

Concordia’s Multi-faith Chaplaincy organized a team of student volunteers to participate in the third Interfaith Eco-Action Day, in collaboration with Apathy is Boring, a community group that encourages active citizenry.

Laura Gallo, interfaith facilitator at Concordia’s Multi-faith Chaplaincy, plants flowers at Marymount Academy in Notre-Dame-de-Grâce during the third Interfaith Eco-Action Day. | Photo courtesy of Multi-faith Chaplaincy

Half a dozen Concordia students joined Laura Gallo, interfaith facilitator, for a day spent “cleaning and greening” the Montreal neighbourhood of Notre-Dame-de-Grâce (NDG).

“This is such a great event, since it's meant to bring together people of different faiths to work on a common project,” says Gallo. “This is what our Faith in Action events are about: bringing people together to work on something for the greater good.”

Gallo and her group of students met up with approximately 100 other volunteers at the Marymount Academy in NDG, where they split into groups tasked with either picking up trash or planting.

By the end of the day, several hundred pounds of garbage and recyclables had been removed from the school grounds, a nearby park, adjoining streets, a Centre jeunesse de Montréal site, and a nearby church belonging to the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. The landscaping was restricted to the school grounds and a neighbouring seniors’ residence.

After the work was completed, the volunteers enjoyed some music, a small picnic and speeches by community leaders, including City Councillor Susan Clarke. Gallo, who was designated a group leader, says that some of her volunteers saw the day as an important occasion to help improve the urban environment. Other saw it as a valuable opportunity to make new friends, and reach out to their community.

For Gallo herself, it was a bit of both.

“I value the Earth. I use its resources all the time, so this is a small way to give back. But it’s also a community-building thing, and a chance to connect Concordia students to the different faith communities in Montreal.”

This third edition of the Interfaith Eco-Action Day was organized by the Christian-Jewish Dialogue of Montreal, with Éco-quartier NDG, TEVA Quebec, and the Canadian Centre for Ecumenism. Opération Montréal.net and Éco-quartier NDG provided supplies for the event, and the local NDG Loblaws provided food.

Related links:
•    Multi-faith Chaplaincy
•    View the event on Facebook
•    “Meshing art with social change” — NOW, April 2, 2013 (Founder of Apathy is Boring is a Concordia alumna)

May 23: Boil water advisory still in effect

2013-05-23T15:52:16Z

Concordia University is reminding students, faculty and staff not to consume tap water on both campuses.
The boil water advisory issued by the City of Montreal on May 22 at 10:30 a.m. is expected to be in effect until at least this evening.

Once the advisory is lifted by the City, please consult the Concordia website (link to concordia.ca) to determine whether the university’s water is deemed acceptable, as there might be a lag between the two.

A reminder:
•    Do not drink from public water fountains or taps
•    Drink only bottled water or water brought to a rolling boil for at least one minute
•    Use bottled water for the following:
   In coffee makers (since the water won’t reach the boiling point)
   Brushing teeth
   Washing raw fruits and vegetables
   Making ice cubes
More detailed information is available on the The Gazette website.

May 23: Boil water advisory still in effect

2013-05-23T15:45:42Z

Concordia University is reminding students, faculty and staff not to consume tap water on both campuses.

The boil water advisory issued by the City of Montreal on May 22 at 10:30 a.m. is expected to be in effect until at least this evening..

Once the advisory is lifted by the city, please consult the Concordia website to determine whether the university’s water is deemed acceptable, as there might be a lag between the two.

A reminder:
•    Do not drink from public water fountains or taps
•    Drink only bottled water or water brought to a rolling boil for at least one minute
•    Use bottled water for the following:
   In coffee makers (since the water won’t reach the boiling point)
   Brushing teeth
   Washing raw fruits and vegetables
   Making ice cubes

More detailed information is available on the Gazette website.

Tuition fees due May 31, 2013

2013-05-22T19:41:43Z

Friday, May 31 is the deadline for students to pay tuition fees for the 2013 summer term.

The amount owed is indicated on a student’s account. If another person, such as a parent or spouse, is paying the fees, it is important to let them know about the deadline and payment methods.

Accessing a student account:

Visit the MyConcordia portal student landing page to log in. Then look under the MyConcordia menu and click on Student Account Services. You will find your account under the section, Student’s Account. Please note: Concordia does not mail or issue printed invoices or statements of account for currently registered students.

Instant payment option:
We now offer an instant online payment option on the MyConcordia portal for your convenience. Once on the portal select Student Account Services and click Online Payment to pay instantly. Please follow the link to your portal.

Avoid the late fee:

If payments do not appear on the Student Account by May 31, 2013, a $75 late-payment fee will be charged. Monthly interest fees will also be charged.

Related links:

• Tuition and fees

• Information on payment methods

Short interruption to AD network: May 28

2013-05-22T18:28:43Z

Please be advised that phone, network, and wireless connectivity on floors 2-5 of the AD building will be disconnected on Tuesday May 28, 2013 between 8 and 9 a.m. due to infrastructure maintenance. Connectivity is expected to resume after an approximate downtime of 10 minutes.

If you have any questions or concerns, please do not hesitate to contact the IITS Service Desk at (514) 848-2424 ext. 7613 or help@concordia.ca.

Discover the secrets to aging well

2013-05-22T17:13:19Z

Famed American author Truman Capote once said: “A conversation is a dialogue, not a monologue. That's why there are so few good conversations: due to scarcity, two intelligent talkers seldom meet.”

Concordia researcher Jim Pfaus (at left) and author Naomi Wolf discuss sexual desire and the brain. The February 7 conversation was moderated by Globe and Mail journalist André Picard. | Photos by Concordia University

But that was certainly not the case when Concordia teamed up with the Globe and Mail to offer a series of national conversations on aging well. The four events presented smart and engaging dialogues between the university’s top researchers and well-known thought leaders.

Moderated by the Globe and Mail’s André Picard and Sophie Cousineau, these lively talks brought to the forefront Concordia’s increasing focus on research in health prevention, such as helping healthy people from developing diseases, avoiding injuries, or reducing risk factors in managing an illness or injury.

“The connections between our current research and the broader world are at the heart of our mission,” says Vice-President, Research and Graduate Studies, Graham Carr. “Finding ways to communicate our research and make it accessible to the public is equally part of Concordia’s mandate, and this was the spirit of the conversation series.”

Sexual desire and the brain
The series kicked off on February 7 when Concordia Psychology Professor Jim Pfaus discussed sexual desire and the brain with respected feminist author Naomi Wolf. During this animated discussion, Pfaus and Wolf talked about the science behind desire, drawing upon Pfaus’ extensive research as well as Wolf’s findings from her groundbreaking book, Vagina: A New Biography.

New research is making connections between sexual behaviour and the brain’s neurochemicals. Wolf recalled her visit to Pfaus’ lab in the Centre for Studies in Behavioral Neurobiology where she witnessed his work on the sexual arousal, desire, reward, and inhibition in laboratory rats and what this may mean for our understanding of human sexual behaviour. Listen to the conversation or watch it here.

Listen to the conversation:

Watch the video:

Researcher Jennifer McGrath, moderator André Picard and New York Times food critic Mark Bittman discuss obesity on March 19, 2013.

The obesity epidemic
On March 19, Jennifer McGrath, associate professor of psychology, sat down with New York Times food critic and best-selling author Mark Bittman to examine the obesity crisis sweeping North America.

Having covered New York City’s attempt to curb obesity through public policy, Bittman provided commentary on — and sometimes biting criticism of — government inaction when it comes to enacting policies meant to curtail the consumption of unhealthful foods.

McGrath offered insight into the conversation by talking about the multitude of factors that lead to obesity gleaned from her research on behaviour, body image and sleeping patterns.

Listen to the conversation:

Watch the video:

Mental health in the workplace
Bell Canada’s Mary Deacon, chair of the successful Bell Let’s Talk campaign, engaged in a conversation with Steve Harvey, dean of the John Molson School of Business, about mental health in the workplace.

Held on April 18, this talk proved to be an illuminating look at a topic that is not only gaining importance but has numerous socio-economic consequences on Canadian society. Deacon recalled her personal and family struggles with depression and how her career path lead her to chair one of Canada’s first corporate anti-stigma campaigns on mental health.

Harvey talked about his extensive research in the area of workplace mental health and the need for a culture change among executives and management when it comes to addressing and supporting employees in this area.

Listen to the conversation:

Watch the video:

Exercise, lifestyle and aging well
The series ended May 1 with a conversation about exercise, the brain and living a long, healthy life featuring master marathon-runner Ed Whitlock and Louis Bherer, the scientific director of Concordia’s PERFORM Centre.

The 82-year-old Whitlock talked about his journey from being relatively inactive in mid-life to becoming a record-breaking senior marathon runner. Bherer spoke about his research findings on the connection between exercise and the brain in older adults. His findings have demonstrated that among seniors who have lived extremely sedentary lives, moderate amounts of exercise can improve attention and memory, and can help alleviate cognitive deficits associated with age such as dementia.

At the end of the talk, Graham Carr announced the creation the Ed Whitlock Fellowship to be awarded to a graduate student pursuing research in the area of preventive health and lifestyle management. The PERFORM Centre will extend this fellowship for an additional year.

Listen to the conversation:

Watch the video:

Related link:
• Concordia-Globe and Mail national conversation series - includes all multimedia

May 22: City of Montreal issues a boil-water order

2013-05-22T16:15:24Z

On May 22 at 10:30 a.m. the City of Montreal issued a boil-water order after a failed water-safety test at the Atwater filtration plant. This affects most areas of the city south of Highway 40, from LaSalle to Pointe aux Trembles, including both the Loyola and Sir George Williams campuses.

Concordia University is advising staff, faculty and students not to drink from public water fountains during the advisory. It is also suggested to bring bottled water from home and to use bottled or *boiled water for the following purposes:

•   Drinking
•   In coffee makers (since the water won’t reach the boiling point)
•   Brushing teeth
•   Washing raw fruits and vegetables
•   Making ice cubes

*If using tap water for any of these purposes, let the tap run first, then boil it for at least one minute at a rolling boil. Be sure to use kettles on a proper surface and to unplug them after use.

Once the water boiling advisory is lifted by the City of Montreal, please consult the Concordia website to determine whether the university’s water is deemed acceptable, as there might be a lag between the two.

More detailed information is available on the Montreal Gazette website.

Related links:
• CBC
• CJAD

Melanie Drew appointed interim director of Recreation and Athletics

2013-05-22T15:42:16Z

Melanie Drew. | Photo by Concordia University

Vice-President, Services, Roger Côté is pleased to announce the appointment of Melanie Drew to the position of interim director of Recreation and Athletics, effective June 1, 2013, while a search is conducted for a new director to assume this leadership role.

Drew takes over for Katie Sheahan, who is retiring shortly and has served as director of Recreation and Athletics for more than 10 years.

In addition to her role as director of Health Services, along with oversight responsibilities for Residence Life, Drew has extensive experience and knowledge of the entire student services sector and is a seasoned member of the student services senior management team.

Côté thanks Drew for assuming this role and expresses his appreciation to Sheahan for her outstanding service to the department, as well as the university community, and wishes her the very best for her retirement.

Related links:
•    Office of the Vice-President, Services
•    Recreation and Athletics
•    Health Services
•    Residence Life
•    Student services
•    “Katie Sheahan to retire” — NOW, February 21, 2013

May 22: City of Montreal issues boil-water order

2013-05-22T15:40:44Z

•   Drinking
•   In coffee makers (since the water won’t reach the boiling point)
•   Brushing teeth
•   Washing raw fruits and vegetables
•   Making ice cubes

*If using tap water for any of these purposes, let the tap run first, then boil it for at least one minute at a rolling boil. Be sure to use kettles on a proper surface and to unplug them after use.

Once the water boiling advisory is lifted by the City of Montreal, please consult the Concordia websiteto determine whether the university’s water is deemed acceptable, as there might be a lag between the two.

More detailed information is available on the Montreal Gazette website.

Related links:
• CBC
• CJAD

One-way ticket to Mars

2013-05-22T14:36:51Z

How many people would volunteer for a one-way ticket to Mars? The answer may surprise you. More than 78, 000 people worldwide have volunteered to participate in the Mars One Project that aims to put a human settlement on the Red Planet by 2023.

Raye Kass, professor in the Department of Applied Human Sciences. | Photo courtesy of Kass

In the centre of the media frenzy surrounding this lofty project is Raye Kass, professor in the Department of Applied Human Sciences. Kass is on the Mars One advisory team charged with the responsibility to establish the selection critiera for the potential crew members, and consequently has been interviewed by numerous journalists and has appeared on various television and radio programs. On Saturday, May 18, The Montreal Gazette published an opinion piece (opposite the editorial page, an op-ed) written by Kass, which also appears below. On May 22, Kass participated in a live-chat hosted by the Gazette. The archive of the chat can be viewed here.

Opinion piece written by Raye Kass
As someone who has been involved in numerous space-research projects with the Canadian Space Agency, NASA and Russian Academy of Sciences’ Institute of Biomedical Problems, I have come to learn a lot about human involvement in space flight. I thought I had seen it all.

But I was wrong.

When I heard of the Mars One proposal to build a human outpost on Mars, my first thought was this: “No way, no how.” For one thing, who would go? Who in their right mind would volunteer for this idea of Dutch entrepreneur Bas Lansdorp for a one-way voyage to the Red Planet to establish a permanent human colony there. And yet, ever since a news release was issued in May of last year announcing plans for an emigration to Mars in 2023, more than 78,000 people around the world have submitted applications for crew positions — including 35 Canadians.

My own incredulity grew even as I was brought on by Mars One to become part of an advisory team to establish criteria for crew selection. Not an easy task, to be sure. Having already worked in space-environment simulation, I had witnessed disastrous group dynamics even in these fictionalized space environments. The planning, training and considerations required in sending trained astronauts to space are considerable: replace the journeyers with ordinary civilians, as Mars One is proposing to do, and the challenge becomes even more mind-boggling.

But then I began to think: What would it take? If we assume that technology will in fact evolve far enough to logistically support a Mars One venture, what psychosocial factors would need to be considered? Building a sense of community is imperative to success. In fact, the men and women who will make this journey will need more than technological advances to see them through: while technology will get them there, teamwork will be what ensures they survive the journey. And so the team chosen for Mars One would have to understand this.

In keeping with this, the individuals chosen for the Mars One mission will, in my view, need to exhibit the following psychosocial attributes: resiliency, adaptability, curiosity, ability to trust, creativity/resourcefulness. I have recommended these attributes as psychosocial selection criteria because I believe people who have these qualities have the foundational attitude required to go to Mars. It all starts with attitude. Think of it. When a person finds herself, or himself, on Mars, with no way of being able to come home, and potentially questioning the decision they have made, what is going to ground them in the choice they have made?

Their attitude.

In this respect, I don’t think I can stress strongly enough the importance of an individual’s capacity for self-reflection. Although I have listed five key selection criteria that have been embraced by Mars One planners, I cannot underscore the critical importance of an ability and openness to self-reflection and a willingness to build and maintain healthy relationships.

Although originally skeptical about Mars One, I now believe that the journey to Mars is not only possible, but will in fact become a reality. As for the one-way aspect of Mars One, it is not so different, really, from the departing mindset of those famous early explorers here on Earth — take, for example, Ferdinand Magellan, who led the first expedition (1519) to circumnavigate the globe, or Ernest Shackleton’s famous expedition (1914) to the South Pole and his epic struggle to lead his crew of 28 men to safety after his ship got crushed in packed ice.

When these two explorers started out, the crews of both expeditions were told they would probably never return home. Human nature is to push forward through a crisis. Mars One, to me, is not some far-fetched idea, but something that I take very seriously.

Having worked in the Department of Applied Human Sciences at Concordia University for more than 40 years, I have seen many students pass through my office doors. The advice I give them when they struggle is the same I will give to those dreaming of a journey to Mars: keep searching, keep exploring. When the human spirit stops exploring, something has been lost.

The question is not whether we will make it to Mars, but whether we will be successful once we get there.

Related links:
•    Concordia’s Department of Applied Human Sciences
•    “The Right Stuff” – NOW, January 29, 2013
•    “Lessons from Space” – NOW, October 10, 2010

New advances in cognitive behavioural therapy

2013-05-22T14:05:47Z

Français

Dozens of leading psychology researchers are about to descend upon Concordia University for the annual Canadian Association of Cognitive and Behavioural Therapies conference (CACBT 2013). Among the conference presentations will be a new research project that looks at using cognitive behavioural therapy for treating obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD).

Cognitive behavioural therapy, or CBT, is widely known and respected as a highly effective form of “talk therapy” which emerges from laboratory-based research. Thanks in part to new research from Concordia University, it is quickly becoming an invaluable tool for treating serious mental health issues such as OCD, which affects 2 to 3 per cent of the Canadian population.

Adam Radomsky is a professor in the Department of Psychology and director of the Centre for Clinical Research in Health at Concordia.

Adam Radomsky, Concordia psychology professor and a former CACBT president, is working with Gillian Alcolado, a PhD candidate in clinical psychology, on an important study of how CBT can be used to help to tap into false beliefs about one’s memory, and thereby reverse an often debilitating symptom of OCD: compulsive checking.

Research has shown that low confidence in one’s memory can be a factor that causes checking. In order to reduce compulsive checking, Alcolado and Radomsky came up with an intervention that targets low confidence in memory, or, more broadly, beliefs about that memory.

Explains Alcolado, “checking is a big problem for many people with OCD. They’re often unable to leave the house or lead normal lives because they can’t trust that they’ve properly completed a simple task like turning off the stove. They just don’t trust their memory that they performed the simple task and so are incapacitated by the false belief that their action or inaction will burn the house down – or worse.”

PhD candidate in clinical psychology Gillian Alcolado is helping treat obsessive-compulsive disorder. | Photo by Cléa Desjardins

The researchers have now embarked upon an ongoing pilot study that puts this new aspect of treatment into practice. They’re already seeing encouraging results. “Through behavioural experiments aimed at determining whether or not our patients’ memory abilities were better than they thought, we gathered preliminary evidence that this intervention could be incorporated into existing treatment packages for compulsive checking, regardless of whether the client has previously complained of trouble with their memory,” says Alcolado.

Alcolado hopes to recruit new participants for this study so that she can continue her research and devise a new standard of treatment for those who suffer from OCD. “By broadening our participant pool, we can assess whether this is a treatment option that will work for any number of people suffering from OCD,” says Alcolado, who will continue the study as she completes her doctorate under Radomsky’s supervision at Concordia University.

Many more important new projects involving CBT will be discussed at the upcoming CACBT conference, which will take place from May 23 to 25, 2013, on Concordia’s downtown Sir George Williams Campus. Keynote addresses on subjects ranging from youth anxiety to psychosis will be presented, as will panel discussions devoted to getting the word out about the effectiveness of CBT for a wide range of mental health problems; participants will have the chance to interact with leading psychology researchers from around the world.

Related links:
•    Canadian Association of Cognitive and Behavioural Therapies conference
•    Concordia University’s Department of Psychology
•    Adam Radomsky on Research @ Concordia

Accolades for the week of May 21

2013-05-21T19:53:21Z

The Pierre Elliott Trudeau Foundation has announced that Anna-Louise Crago (BA interdisciplinary studies, 2003 and MA Arts 2010) is among this year's 14 Trudeau doctoral scholarship awardees.

Each year, the foundation offers support to brilliant doctoral students from Canada and abroad who are researching innovative ideas that will help solve issues of importance to Canadians. The newest Trudeau scholars will receive a $60,000 grant per year for three years and will join a rich interdisciplinary and intergenerational network.

Assistant Professor Ian Reilly, Department of Communication Studies, has won the Carl Bode Award for Outstanding Article published in the Journal of American Culture in 2012. The award, which was granted for his article, “Satirical Fake News and/as American Political Discourse,” was presented in late March at the Popular Culture Association’s national conference in Washington, D.C.

Design and Computation Arts part-time lecturer Andrew Forster has launched menlopark, an online journal on the collision of art, design, architecture and landscape. Read about the first issue.

Janet Werner (Studio Arts) is participating in an exhibition called Perfect Imperfections at the University of Manitoba’s School of Art Gallery until June 14.

On June 4, Sima Aprahamian, research associate at the Simone de Beauvoir Institute, will present her research on Armenian genocide at a panel titled, Commemoration of and Resistance to Historic Atrocity. The event will be held at Langara College in B.C.

The following day, as part of the Existential and Phenomenological Theory and Culture conference, she’ll take part in a book panel on Dorota Glowacka’s Disappearing Traces: Holocaust Testimonials, Ethics, and Aesthetics.

On June 6, Aprahamian and Sociology and Anthropology Professor Karin Doerr, whose work focuses on the Germany’s Holocaust memorial culture, will participate in the panel, Counter or Parallel Narratives to Twenty-First-Century Commemoration of Genocide and Atrocity. On June 7, the two have organized panels titled, Margarethe von Trotta’s Movies: A Discussion of Hannah Arendt, and Screening of Rosa Luxemburg for the Society for Socialist Studies.

On May 25 in Toronto, a new Miss Universe Canada will be crowned and it could be Concordia student Lara Mackenzie. Competitors have to compete with each other in four categories: swimsuit, evening gown, personal interview and fundraising.

Be sure to watch on May 25 and vote for her.

Concordia alumna Caroline Boileau, who is a part-time faculty member and the communications officer at the Leonard and Bina Ellen Art Gallery, is an artist in residence at the contemporary art centre SAGAMIE Centre. The centre receives support from the Conseil des arts et des lettres du Québec, the Canada Council for the Arts and the City of Alma. Boileau is also featured in a recent publication produced by the SAGAMIE Centre.

She is currently pursuing a reflection on the body and health. Driven by a fine attention to human context, her reflection is strongly inspired and imbued by the medical and pharmaceutical worlds in which, in parallel to her work as an artist, she has evolved for many years. Since 1995, she has participated in residencies in Canada and in Europe. Her work has been presented in exhibitions in Canada, the United States, Belgium, Spain, Austria, Finland and Brazil. She holds an MFA from Concordia University. Her work in drawing is represented by Espace Robert Poulin in Montréal and she is a member of the Regroupement des arts interdisciplinaires du Québec (RAIQ).

The band Metric, featuring lead singer Emily Haines, BFA (Music) 97, won big at the Juno Awards ceremony. Their album Synthetica won Alternative Album of the Year, Best Recording Package for album art and Producer of the Year (band member James Shaw).

Andy Keen, BFA (Art History) 93, and collaborators Bernie Breen, Patrick Sambrook and Shawn Marino, won the Music DVD of the Year award for their work on The Tragically Hip's Bobcaygeon.

Annabelle Chvostek, BFA (Interdisciplinary Studies) 03, and Amy Millan, BFA (Theatre) 97, were also nominated (with the band Stars).

The Juno Awards are presented annually to Canadian musical artists and bands to acknowledge their artistic and technical achievements.

The Art Gallery of Nova Scotia and the Sobey Art Foundation have announced the long list for the 2013 Sobey Art Award, the pre-eminent award for contemporary Canadian Art. Of the 25 artists vying for the prize, six are linked to Concordia. They are:
•    Diane Borsato, MFA 03
•    Anthony Burnham, BFA 97
•    Jacynthe Carrier, MFA 12
•    Mark Clintberg, MA 08 and current PhD candidate (Art History)
•    Peter Flemming, part-time lecturer in Studio Arts (Intermedia/Cyberarts)
•    Nadia Myre, MFA 02

The shortlist will be unveiled in June, and the winner announced in October.

Three design and computation arts students were recently honoured at the department’s annual exhibition in late April. Patrizia Bayer was awarded the ADIQ André Jarry prize, awarded annually by the Association des designers industriels du Québec to graduating students in the province whose work demonstrates achievement in industrial design.

Nina Bouchard won the newly established Dpt. Award, funded by Dpt. creative studio leads and alumni, and celebrates overall excellence in computation arts, with a specific focus on a user-centric experience and elegant execution.

The Surface3 Design Award, provided for the second year by Surface3 design principals and Concordia alumni, is given to a graduating student in the design program whose work showcases overall excellence, with a specific focus on concerns of sustainability. This year’s award went to Corrine Trépannier. Congratulations!

Two graduating animation filmmakers have just been invited to screen at the prestigious Toronto International Film Festival Student Showcase in September. Sharron Mirsky and Eileen Peng will screen, respectively, Blackout and Godfather Death.

Former Stinger Cory Greenwood has signed with the NFL’s Detroit Lions. Greenwood played football for the Stingers from 2006 to 2009.

University football to be televised

2013-05-21T18:36:54Z

Photo by Concordia University

The Réseau du sport étudiant du Québec (RSEQ) is extending its two-year contract with Societé Radio-Canada (SRC), the national French-language service of the CBC, for the exclusive rights to televise RSEQ university football for two more seasons, ending in 2014.

Concordia Stingers are playing the Université de Montréal Carabins for the first broadcast on August 31, 2013, at 1 p.m. Nine of the 26 regular season games will be televised, as will a conference semifinal and the Dunsmore Cup championship.

Aside from providing news stories, analyses and live interviews, each game will also include produced segments that showcase the RSEQ's multiple sports disciplines in the high school, Cegep and university sectors.

Related links:
• Full schedule of broadcasts
• Stingers.ca

Theatre grad's talents sown at Concordia

2013-05-21T14:37:24Z

Vanessa Matsui plays Irene in CITY TV’s Seed, a comedy that follows a bachelor bartender who discovers that his sperm donations have resulted in several children. | All images by Kourosh Keshiri Photography

According to her mother, Vanessa Matsui was just a toddler when she first showed a flair for drama, performing puppet shows in front of family members and friends.

Matsui, BFA (theatre) 04, cultivated that flair into what has become a steady acting career on stage, television and in film. Last year she landed a co-starring role in the new CITY TV comedy series Seed. “It was the most exciting moment in my life,” she says.

Her final high school year in Toronto was a major turning point for Matsui. On the advice of her guidance counsellor, she spent the year writing and performing plays across town. She also taught conflict resolution two days a week at an inner city school.

“It was incredible, it was amazing,” Matsui recalls. “I think it was the first time I saw the power of drama, of the art, and how it really can transform lives. I fell in love with theatre, and then applied to Concordia.”

Matsui made the transition from Toronto to Montreal fairly quickly, excited to explore the university’s theatre program and discover a new, vibrant city.

She says she especially benefited from the Department of Theatre’s Student-Initiated Production Assignment (SIPA), which allows students to produce their own shows and develop their entrepreneurial skills.

“Being an entrepreneurial artist is essential to be an actress in Canada,” Matsui says. “You need to create your own work at some point and SIPA really helped me do that.”

Since graduation, she’s been back in Toronto and has kept busy as a working actor. She’s appeared in improv theatre and a number of plays, commercials, TV shows and movies, including The Factory (2012), starring John Cusack.

As an actor, Matsui constantly seeks what she calls dramatic perfection. “There’s this really wonderful moment of connection that you have with your fellow actors or with the audience,” she says. “It’s a priceless moment, really hard to explain, but I kind of live for that.”

In addition to her acting career, Matsui and fellow Concordia alumna and actor Liane Balaban, BA 03, created the website Crankytown. The interactive site aims to teach adolescent girls about menstruation in a fun and informative way, such as through poems and video contests. Matsui explains that Crankytown’s goal is to raise awareness for a stigmatized topic.

The site was developed in association with the National Film Board of Canada and STUDIO XX’s First Person Digital program with support from Canada’s Cultural Development Fund.

Although she hopes to continue acting as long as possible, Matsui also sees herself moving into writing and producing. “I think it’s important for women to create,” she says.

Matsui would like to see more women in media, film and writing. “What better way to do that than by example? That’s really important to me.”

Related links:
•    Concordia's Department of Theatre
•    Vanessa Matsui on IMDB
•    Crankytown
•    Seed