VOLUME XVII, NUMBER 1 THE BLUE PAGE Wishing all weeks were as short as this one ‘WELCOME BACK... AND SPOILT/SPOILED WHO REALLY CARES? ‘The Blue Page would like to welcome to the Upper School all new students and sends its kindest regards to all others who retum rejuvenatedto endure another year at this fantastic institution. Those who are in year one - ow warmest welcome, enjoy the first month of grace period/ doing very little, those who are in year two —be thankful its a great year and you're often forgotten, to the FYs— things are just getting tough, keep up, to the Feerful IB1’s I hope you caught up on your sleep this summer, and for my peers in IB2 — the bullets ‘re inthe top drawer. To ow new students, and those who are just ignorent, the Blue Page is « bi-weekly (sometimes more frequently if submissions cascade in) publication whose mission is to broadcast issues which plague ow school Despite Upper Canada College being a top-notch school, as even Bruce Chi will tell you, it is not without faults. I am certain there is something thet irks each and every one of you about this place; something that can be changed to make our school experience more enjoyable, The Blue Page relies on article submissions by the student body to function Ideas here in the Blue Page office soon run dry, and without e steady flow of submissions the publicetion degrades. Ifthe excessively long lunch queues bother you write about it, ifthe fact that your (eather poot) attempts at growing beards are stifled by Mr. William’s iron fst, then write about it The next time you're look- ing for a quiet place to work end the library is amostepit, or you are dissatisfied with the Stewards election process, take your vexation to paper and send it to the Blue Page. Although we are sometimes deemed ‘UCC’s controversial publication’, we don’t intend to stir up the pot (though admittedly itis sometimes fur) but rather to be the student body’s voice ‘The Blue Page tends to be dominated by IB end IB2 submissions, but I would like to take this opportunity to extend aninvitation to the little Ewoks of year 1 and2 to encourage them to write articles for the Blue Page. As the iDiv evermore segregates you younglings FROMTHE LEMMINGS (RE: ANDTHENTHERE WERE NONE) The following is a responce to Mr. Webb’ enticle “And then there were none, ” which was published on May 17th, 2012, It expressed concern for the mary UCC students who choose to go to business school, notably Ivey and Queen's Commerce, who forgo all prospect ef continuing eckication in liberal arts. Traditional role models to shudents are being abandoned, replaced by billionaire entrepreneta's and financiers, thus directing students to pursue what they think is the most lucrative path: business school. The article asserted that these students lack “the ability to adjust and adapt to new situations [and] projects’, loosely comparing these students to lemmings. The (premise was that if so many students go to the same programs, study the same things, at the same schools, it will be tougher to succeed. After spending some time in business school, UCC gradustes quickly realize thet studying finance or economicsis a world apast from earning the quick billion before they turn 30. However, for high school students who have taken no business courses and have never spent a summer working on Bey Street, the mesning of words like economics, finance, and entrepreneusship are convoluted into representations of success and lucrativeness. In a school where students are bred with the motto “palmam qui meruit feret” and are constently told thet they are expected! to become futuce leaders of the world, it becomes easy to understand how billionaire entreprenews with celebrity status can quickly become the role models of success, ‘Me. Webb is sight. Universities are recognizing this shift in demand towards business schools, as seen by Queen’s Commerce expanding the size of the Class of 2016 by 50%, and Richard Ivey adding two sections to their enrolment cap. Thisis contrasted by the job market, where large banks such as UBS, HSBC, and Bank of Montreal downsize. Within Canada, there truly is « swplus of business students that employers simply cannot accommodate ‘Mr. Webb is also correct in pointing out thet the study of pure disciplines makes for crippled graduates. The comment from the Deen of Huron College, “the competencies needed for real-life, on-the job situations. critical thinking problem solving, research skills, empathy, intercultural understanding, a sense of audience, en understanding of policy and decision-making, collaboration and excellent communication skills..”, couldnot be more true in this increasingly competitive job market. Yet from personel experience there is no evidence to suggest thet the places where the “UCC breeding ground” sendsits giadustes, such as Queen’s Commerce, cannot provide these exact same qualities FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 7, 2012THE BLUE PAGE VOLUME XVII, NUMBER 1 WELCOME CONTINUED... from the school, new publications (aamely the “Div Times’) have arisen. Don't squander your telent on these largely unread papers, rather, send us an aiticle or two and let the rest of UCC know whet goes on in thet dari second fioor hallway. I promise the critics won't be too bad. ‘Naturally, controversial articles spark debate. When I see people talking about asticles published in the Blue Page, it usually means it struck a chord with the readers, and most likely had a clear, relevant argument However, not everyone ‘will agree with the writer's opinion, asis the nature of the beast. I don't mind « bit of powwow over a controversial article, in fact] encourage it, but what gets me is when disenchanted read- ers suddenly transform into a mob of literay critics. I don’t cleim to be a syntax genius nor do I possess Dr. Churclovard’s vocabulary ~ but then agsin neither do you So next time you disagree with an article, don't bash the writer's language ability, it’s alow move and you're simply proving thet you leck a valid counterargument. Your negative criticism will furthermore tum way authors, and they will likely discontinue their valuable submissions. And if you are such a good writer, which is en- tirely possible, why not submit an incredibly well crafted piece of English thet quashes the inferior author and casually assests you: literary dominance? Apologies for being so drab on the frst Friday of the year, butl feltit was necessary to defend those who submit, and toxeassuce any future authors thet your head will most likely not bbe bitten off when your articles are published (unless of course you insult Denstedt, I hear he’s « crowd favowite). Welcome ‘back everyone, I look forward to a great year of reform and hope for interesting articles thet make my brain itch. Submit! Justin Elias Editor Quotation Corner ‘Do not illiniate others’ Bruce Chi BUISNESS SCHOOL CONTINUED... I choose to study finance ‘because it's lucrative, That does not meen I am wnilingual, will ‘be trapped in Canada forever, or lose my thirst for learning, I speak three languages, am taking a second iberal ats degree, doing consulting for energy firms and leasning ell about al and ‘gesin the process. I am going on exchange to both Singepare snl England in a yeer, aking philosophy courses, end am running, sn incorporsted investment club. I am of the strong opinion thet places like Queen’s and Ivey represent the perfect milieu where ‘you cen pursue whatever you want without forgoing the oppost- nities available from business school. While I can only speak for smyself, recognizing thet I personally do not represent the majority of business school students, [want to remind the graduating class thet the choice to limit yourself in the unilingual “Lewsence-Park- Subwey-Bay-Street” bubble is yours. ‘This yeas, the only thing thet FYs’ [cwrent IB1 ] course selection shows is thet UCC students ere pursuing what they be- lieve to be the most lucrative path However, like Webb, I would ‘also caution all of you eager Economics students to not forgo your liberal arts training by putting all your focus on this one course. Aswonderful as Lj, Griem and Borden are, business schools do ‘not cere about which courses you take in high school. Soft skills gained through involvement such as managing conference, dedi- ‘cating your time to one club for 3 straight years to make a lasting impact, and intemnetional exposure hold much more weight. Bom of the same meritocratic culture at UCC is anatural com- petitiveness which] am sure has not changed since I graduated in 2010. Our graduates thrive under pressure, welcome competition ‘and challenge, and come into university with more maturity, sense of responsibility, and ceive than most others If all else fails and the merket heads in a direction that accommodates only those do- smestic students who sit at the top of their class, there is e simple solution for UCC graduates. Be st the top of your class, If any of you are apprehensive about choosing business school or are looking for advice on university selection, feel free to contact sme at elexender banh@gmeil.com. I promise I’m not on Queen's University payroll. Alexander Banh Class af 2010 Scadding’s e THE BLUE PAGE is, Justin Elise, Editor Colin Fweel, Editor THE BLUE PAGE accepts all articles in good feith How- vez, the editors will make the effort 10 ensue factual accuracy Ar- ticles may alo be edited fr length THE BLUE PAGE is your voice in the UCC communiyy Email your articles to justin eliax@ure on ca FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 7, 2012