Former Clark Hall employees acted inappropriately
Dear Editors,
Engineering Frosh Week at Queen’s is defined by tradition— traditions that build a notion of camaraderie, teamwork skills and a sense of belonging. It is through the activities they participate in, the songs they learn and the people they meet that unify them into “a year.”
Mixed in with Frosh Week events, each new student is introduced to the Engineering Society and its executive. These individuals have donated their time and efforts to ensure the society is there for its students. The positions are elected by the undergraduate Engineering students. These individuals are full-time students who take pride in being engineers; they do what is needed of them, regardless of personal sacrifices.
The issues between Clark Hall Pub and the Engineering Society have been clearly broadcast throughout the University. The former employees of Clark are unquestionably disgruntled with the decision for the pub to be closed; however, voicing these opinions during Frosh Week was immature and irrelevant.
At the Grease Pole, which was supervised primarily by Stu Cons (a job traditionally done by Clark employees), some former Clark employees were wearing shirts that said “The Stu is for Stupid” and “F–k Chuck,” referring to Charlie Scott, the president of the Engineering Society.
One Facebook group for a pre-pit party hosted by former Clark employees had a post on its wall by a 2006-07 manager that said, in its entirety, “Won’t be there, sorry. Kill some Charlie/Frosh for me.” The complications between Clark and the Engineering Society are just that—complications between Clark and the Engineering Society. The negative and threatening opinions of the ex-Clark staff toward the Engineering Society demonstrated during Frosh Week were embarrassing and juvenile.
As an alumnus of the program and an M.Sc. Eng student, being witness to the actions of the former Clark employees was unacceptable.
However, more disappointing was the audience they chose. The new students are impressionable. I hope that the next time the former employees of Clark Hall Pub decide to voice their opinions they will stop to think about who is listening.
Matt Lato
Sci ’06, M.Sc. ’08
Competitive cheerleading not responsible for flyers
Dear Editors,
Re: “Cheerleading posters ‘not respectful of women’ ” (Journal, Sept. 11, 2007)
I am the coach of the Competitive Cheerleading team, frequently called the “varsity cheerleaders” within our school community. Anyone who attends football games will see that there are two cheerleading teams here at Queen’s: mine, which wears the tricolour uniforms and performs mostly on the alumni side, and the Queen’s Bands cheerleaders who wear the white uniforms with the Bands’ tartan accent. My team represents Queen’s in competition at the national championships and has been ranked second in Canada for three years running. They operate under the direction of Athletics and Recreation. The Bands’ cheerleaders are a spirit group and it is this group that is responsible for creating the offensive flyers as mentioned in the Journal’s article this past Tuesday.
My purpose in writing is to clear the good name of the Competitve Cheerleading program. My athletes pride themselves for their dedication to excellence, which includes being ambassadors for Queen’s University. We have, and will always, represent the Golden Gaels with utmost respect and dignity. We also treasure the continuation of our good relationship with the Queen’s Bands. The poor decisions made by a couple of individuals on the Bands cheerleading team should not be made to soil the hard work done by the Bands Executive nor the Queen’s Bands as a whole. We will have an opportunity in the very near future to meet with the Bands and on our part we will ensure that our mutual respect continues.
Sandy Han
Education ’93
15th year as coach of Queen’s Competitive Cheerleaders
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