by Sandra Guiry

Globalization can represent the greatest opportunity for the improvement of the human race, said United Nations Deputy Secretary General Louise Fréchette, who visited York recently to speak on "The United Nations in the Next Millennium."

Fréchette was the guest speaker at the 10th annual John Holmes Memorial Lecture, held on Oct. 27 at Glendon College. This was Frechette's first Canadian presentation since accepting the position of UN Deputy Secretary General in January of this year. More than 200 people turned out for the lecture, including members of many community and ethnic groups, who attended the lecture to lobby for their cause, posing question after question to Fréchette. Some such groups included people from the anti-poverty, Tamil, and Vietnamese communities. Their questions were handled very well by Fréchette, who succeeded in answering most questions thoroughly.

The John Holmes Memorial Lecture series was established in 1989 to commemorate the life and writings of John Holmes, a Canadian diplomat, writer, and professor at Glendon College. The lecture series was created to discuss key issues facing Canada as a nation, and over the past 10 years, the series has hosted well-known and prestigious speakers such as Geoffrey Pearson, Canadian Ambassador to the Soviet Union. This year's lecture was sponsored by Glendon College and the Canadian Institute of International Affairs (CIIA), which is now based at Glendon College.

Louise Fréchette began by acknowledging that many people feel the United Nations is a dinosaur. However, as she says, "the UN has, and will continue to evolve." One example of this is Fréchette herself. She said that when she began working with the UN, she was one of only a few women delegates, and now is one of several female heads of units in the UN community. Although there are not many women state representatives, very few governments now contest the appointment of women in principle. "Twenty-five years ago, the UN was business only, building schools, roads and bridges; but now there are norms which provide a yardstick by which governments can follow," said Fréchette.

Such policies promote good government, human rights, housing and education.

The UN has been working on better defining acts which constitute a "threat to international peace and security," and, finally, have included acts such as genocide into such a definition. UN peace keepers now have preventative mandates as is shown in current practices in Macedonia. Overall, the UN "has shown and continues to show a remarkable ability to . . . set the global agenda," said Fréchette. And although Fréchette said she feels globalization will benefit the UN in carrying out its agenda, she is quick to remind us that the effects of globalization are not unified. "Globalization appears to be widening the gap between poor and rich countries," said Fréchette. Most of the countries in Africa benefit little from the global economy.

Fréchette also spoke of items which the UN Secretary General, Kofi Annan, has stressed for the future: the welfare of all human beings, a new world financial order with emphasis on legitimacy, and the fight against poverty. There are many challenges for the United Nations in the future. According to Fréchette, HIV/AIDS may be the single most difficult element for the poorest countries of the world. The classic east/west conflict has been replaced with inter- and intra provincial conflicts.

There has been an increase in genocide and mass destruction, she said. Fréchette believes that in order to deal with the challenges of the future, "we need the right tools and the will to act." The right tools represents the discipline to prioritize and to formulate well-functioning intergovernmental structures. The will to act represents courage.

What can Canadians do to help the UN? According to Fréchette, Canada has been one of the leaders in cooperating with UN initiatives, and this needs to continue. As well, it is important that we keep informed of the issues being resolved in the global community as well as in national decision-making bodies. Response from the lecture was very positive. "It was very typical of a representative of the UN. It was nice to be able to see someone, especially a Canadian, especially a woman," said Laura Norris, a master's student of political science at York.

by Paul Delaney

These are the best days for experiencing the annual Leonid meteor showers. Meteor showers are among the finest celestial events that people can witness without additional optical aid. Only a relatively dark observing site and a clear sky are needed. In the early morning hours (between 1 a.m. and dawn!) on Nov. 17 and Nov. 18, the Leonid meteor shower will reach its maximum visibility. This "natural fireworks" display will be impressive for two or three days either side of Nov. 17, so don't be discouraged if the weather is poor on one evening. There will be essentially no moon to disturb this year's view, as the new moon will not appear until Nov. 19.

This year is particularly exciting as we may (yes, I said may) witness a spectacular display, best described as a meteor storm. Historically, in 1799, 1833 and 1966, the Leonid shower reached amazing shooting-star rates that measured into the thousands of events per hour for brief periods of time during the shower. Indeed, the shower of 1833 peaked at an estimated 150,000 shooting stars per hour and dazzled (terrified) the world.

Arguably, meteor science can trace its origins to this bewildering display in 1833. Whether or not we are about to have a repeat performance of that display is unclear and a matter of some considerable debate. There are numerous parameters that we simply do not know. However, what everyone does agree upon is that the Leonids of 1998, 1999 and 2000, hold the distinct possibility of a truly memorable display ­ one that may be well worth the time and effort to observe. The best location on the planet for the predicted peak of the shower (2:43 p.m. local time, Nov. 17) is not in North America where daylight will diminish visability. A trip to southeast Asia is needed to put yourself in the optimum location. However, as I said, no one knows for certain.

A meteor is a small fragment of rock, typically a few centimetres in diameter, that is captured by the Earth's gravitational field and then heated to incandescence by friction with our atmosphere. The resulting release in energy is seen as a shooting star. The bigger meteors can be seen as fireballs or bolides. A typical earth-entry velocity for a Leonid meteor is 71 kilometres per second, making them some of the fastest (and brightest) meteors around.

The meteor stream that the Earth plunges through to produce the Leonids, arises from the debris of Comet 55p/Tempel-Tuttle. This comet orbits the Sun within a period of 33.25 years, and is inclined at some 17 degrees to the Earth's orbital plane. The densest portion of the debris stream is near the nucleus of the comet, and that is where the Earth will be this November -- hence the expectation of a brighter meteor shower than usual in 1998.

To enjoy the show, a clear view of the eastern horizon extending upwards to the zenith will be needed. The constellation of Leo, the location of the radiant or the apparent point from where the meteors emanate, will be nicely above the horizon at around 1 a.m. For the inexperienced constellation hunter, Leo may be a little tough to find. It is a large constellation led by the bright star Regulus at the base of a seemingly backwards "question mark" (or sickle shape) of stars. If you are not sure whether or not you have located Leo correctly, do not worry. The meteor shower you are about to witness will be visible over a large region of the eastern sky and not confined to any particular constellation. Now, sit back for half an hour or so, get comfortable and, in the absence of any artificial light to disturb your dark adaptation, enjoy the spectacle. Bring a friend (or two...) and revel in the beauty of the night sky.

One last thought. There has been considerable speculation concerning the likelihood of meteors from this shower destroying or at least disabling the satellite communications network that encircles this planet. Although there is the possibility of a fragment hitting a satellite, the chance is very small. Indeed, satellites continually face this danger, but only a couple of satellites have ever been confirmed as having been hit by natural space debris, despite the large number of satellites that have been in operation over the last several decades. Some satellites will be reoriented to better protect sensitive areas as a precautionary measure, but the general expectation is that a very low probability of damage will be incurred. Space is quite vast, even the near-earth environment, and satellites are very small by comparison. Hitting a fly in the SkyDome with a shotgun likely has a better chance of success.

For those really enthused about actually counting the number of meteors they have seen and sending the information to the International Meteor Organization (IMO), I refer you to the November 1995 issue of Sky and Telescope magazine, from which detailed information on how best to observe the meteor shower can be obtained. Reports can be submitted to University of Western Ontario, home of the North American coordinator for the IMO.

A reminder too that public viewing of the night skies continues at the York University Astronomical Observatory every Wednesday evening until the end of March. Viewing commences at 6:30 p.m. and concludes around 8:30 p.m. The observatory is open regardless of the weather conditions, but viewing with the telescopes is dependent upon clear skies. Slide and video presentations and various computer software presentations accompany the evening. For more information, phone the observatory information line at (416) 736-2100, ext. 77773.

Ian Greene is a profesor of political science, Faculty of Arts, at York University.

When it comes to politicians' conduct on public matters, most Canadians believe their representatives fail to measure up; but when it comes to their private lives, the media should butt out. This is one of the findings by York University Professor Ian Greene, co-author of A Question of Ethics: Canadians Speak Out, released last month.

Published by Oxford University Press, the book studies the responses of 1,400 Canadians who were surveyed about issues surrounding ethics in politics, such as conflicts of interest, honesty, and undue influence. Greene is a member of the book's research team, led by Professor Maureen Mancuso of the University of Guelph. Greene's collaborators are political science professors Michael M. Atkinson of the University of Saskatchewan, Neil Nevitte of the University of Toronto, and André Blais of the Université de Montréal.

"The research shows that Canadians would like their politicians to live up to high ethical standards," said Greene. "However, the perception of most Canadians is that politicians rarely live up to those standards."

Greene and his colleagues show that people are much more trusting of their appointed judges than their elected politicians. Seventy per cent of Canadians had some degree of confidence in the courts, compared to 46 per cent who had the same confidence in Parliament. The authors conclude that politicians need to listen to the concerns of Canadians about ethical issues if they want to regain their confidence.

The book also shows that although Canadians believe their parliamentarians should be held to higher ethical standards in office, what they do in their private lives is no-one's business.

"Canadians think it is important to respect the private lives of politicians," said Greene. "They are not happy with members of the media who intrude on the personal lives of elected officials and their families," he said.

York University President Emeritus H. Ian Macdonald accepted an honorary degree in Newcastle, England.

H. Ian Macdonald, president emeritus of York University, has become the first Canadian to be awarded a Doctor of the University (D.UNIV.) degree from the Open University in the United Kingdom. The ceremony was part of a convocation held in Newcastle on June 13, 1998.

Founded in 1969, the Open University is Britain's largest university in terms of student numbers, with some 160,000 people currently registered in its programs of study. Students learn at home with the assistance of specially written textbooks and workbooks, audio and video cassettes, computer software, and radio and television programs. Some courses include residential schools, usually lasting one-week or held on weekends.

"The Open University has transformed the meaning of accessibility to university, and made it a living reality. And so, the beneficiaries are not only the legion of graduates, but also the community of nations wherever those graduates reside," Macdonald stated during his brief remarks at the degree presentation.

In a related event, on Sept. 2, 1998, the board of governors of the Commonwealth of Learning unanimously elected Macdonald to a special third term as its chairman, on the recommendation of Chief Emeka Anyaoku, secretary general of the Commonwealth. The office normally is confined to two three-year terms.

The Commonwealth of Learning is the official institution for the promotion of distance education and open learning throughout the 54 countries of the Commonwealth. Established in Vancouver in 1988, it is the only official Commonwealth institution located outside London. Its programs cover all areas of education -- primary, secondary, tertiary, non-formal and technical -- and involve all media of communications -- conventional print, radio, television and video, and electronic.

"Dedicated to distance education and open learning, in the face of the limitless need and demand across the Commonwealth, the Commonwealth of Learning draws on the inspiration of the Open University at the very time that huge increases in tuition fees are diminishing the hopes for access to university of many potential students in my own country," Macdonald informed the Open University convocation.

Macdonald, who served as York's president and vice-chancellor for more than 10 years (1974-1985) is also director of the Master of Public Administration Program and a professor of economics and public policy in the Schulich School of Business. He was educated at the University of Toronto and Oxford University and, some years later, gained an LLD from the University of Toronto.

This acrylic-on-canvas painting, "Cyborg" (1988) by artist Carol Wainio, is part of the new exhibit that opens tomorrow (Nov. 19) at the AGYU. (Image courtesy of the Wynick/Tuck Gallery. Photo by Thomas Moore).

During the 1990s, Montreal-based painter Carol Wainio gave birth to two children, an experience that has affected her art in a number of ways. On the one hand, the artist has exhibited her work infrequently over the past eight years. On the other hand, she has absorbed intense personal experiences into her work that have led her to new themes.

Wainio's Baby Books series, for example, deals with events surrounding the artist's attempts to conceive a child. Prior to the birth of her two sons, Wainio suffered a miscarriage and four life-threatening ectopic pregnancies. Baby Books treats the cognitive, emotive and medical sides of these traumatic events.

Wainio's recent work is a departure for this artist, whose interests largely have focused on history, narrative technology and the social implications of how technology has changed the way we experience the world. Her new body of work, beginning with Baby Books, introduces the discourses of the body, the feminine and childhood to her art. Throughout, knowledge is linked to relations of power, as well as to Wainio's attentiveness to her own experience and her commitment to the value of painting as a means of furthering a dialectic of seeing.

The Art Gallery of York University is presenting Carol Wainio: Persistent Images, Nov. 19-Dec. 20, 1998 and Jan. 4-24, 1999. This exhibition focuses on the artist's recent work produced over the last three years. The exhibition is guest-curated by Calgary-based critic and independent curator Nancy Tousley, and is accompanied by a catalogue that features an essay by Tousley.

by John Hodgins

Students in Toronto sent a strong message about the crisis facing post-secondary education at the Canadian Federation of Students (CFS)-organized "Day of Action." That day, Friday, Oct. 16, saw well over 1,000 students from Metro universities, colleges and high schools take to the streets to send their message.

People in the crowd said they were pleased with the event and with the turnout. Many students pointed to the crushing financial burden of education as their reason for attending the day of action.

The events began at York with a rally in Vari Hall at 11:30 a.m. Members of various campus and student organizations addressed the crowd of students, including: Kate Laxer and Jason Thompson from the Graduate Students' Association (GSA); Michael Erickson from the York Federation of Students (YFS); Mary-Jo Nadeau from CUPE 3903 (the campus union that represents contract faculty and teaching assistants); and Howard Hampton, the leader of the provincial New Democratic Party. They all spoke on the issues facing students, including rising tuition and student debt, the decreased funding of post-secondary education, and the increasing corporate presence on campus.

The assembled students then marched through classrooms around campus, gathering more students, before boarding buses to the downtown events. The theme of the downtown march was to "Follow the Trail of Influence." Students from York University, the University of Toronto, and Ryerson Polytechnic University were met by Toronto-area college and high school students at Union Station on Front Street. The group then marched through the downtown banking district at King and Bay Streets, and then up University Avenue to the Legislative Building at Queen's Park. According to Joel Harden, chair of the Canadian Federation of Students ­ Ontario, and a graduate student at York, the point of the march was to make the link between corporate interests and government education policy.

"People are interested and becoming active because of the situation, because of student debt, and so on. People are getting involved," said Kim Walker, a third-year student at York majoring in women's studies and anthropology. "The threat to accessibility has been a big problem for students for a long time in Ontario and Canada. But it's no longer a threat ­ it's a reality."

Faculty members and other campus workers also participated in the day's events. David McNally, a professor of political science at York, said that he felt it was important to attend the march as a faculty member.

Several stops were made along the march route, including stops at Canada's largest banks and corporations. The march concluded at Queen's Park, with speakers from various organizations, including Joan Grant Cummings from the National Action Committee on the Status of Women, and speakers from the Metro Network for Social Justice, the Ontario Secondary School Teachers' Federation, the Ontario Coalition Against Poverty, and the Toronto Disaster Relief Committee. The musical group Women Ah Run Tings also performed.

The next Day of Action is planned for February.

Quebec playwright, actor and director Pol Pelletier was at York recently to demonstrate her ideas about performing arts. Pelletier's visit was part of the Theatrical Trans/Formations series being organized this year by the Robarts Centre for Canadian Studies. (Photo by Y. Provencher. Copyright Sari Consultation.)

by Sandra Guiry

Finding and working within your 'supernormal' state of consciousness is what distinguishes a good actor, according to Pol Pelletier, revered Canadian playwright, actor and director. Pelletier hosted a talk/demonstration titled "An Encounter with Pol Pelletier" on Nov. 2 in the Burton Auditorium at York University.

Pelletier focused on what she has termed the Six Laws of Theatre. The six laws of theatre allow you to enter into an altered state of consciousness which attracts the audience and brings magic to a performance, according to Pelletier.

Pol Pelletier is a distinguished member of the Canadian arts community and is known internationally for her innovative art and vision. Pelletier's credits include: artistic director of the Pol Pelletier theatre company (Montreal), co-founder of Le théâtre expérimental des femmes, creator of Lumière Blanc (translated as white light) a theatre show known for "putting women on stage as they not normally are," said Robert Wallace, organizer of the event. "She is considered a pioneering force in Quebecois theatre, and a person for whom the differences between theatre and life are minimal. For her, theatre is life, and life is theatre," said Wallace.

Her appearance at York was in conjunction with Theatrical Trans/Formations, a series of free, public events organized by Robert Wallace, Robarts Chair for Canadian Studies. The series provides unique opportunities for members of the York community and the public at large to interact with people currently at work in Canadian theatre and dance. This event was the fourth installment of this series. Intended for mainly theatre and dance students, Pelletier's demonstration allowed the students to see firsthand the types of training actors and performers at Pelletier's "dojo" (studio) go through.

The demonstration was interactive with the audience of more than 150 people, some of whom participated from on stage. The audience formed a circle around Pelletier, in order to simulate what an training exercise would be like at Pelletier's dojo. Pelletier began by walking normally around the circle, while the observers called out specific characteristics of her body movement as she walked. For example, they would note that "her chin is elevated" and "her heels hit the ground hard." Then Pelletier began to exaggerate each of these characteristics, (the audience began to laugh), continuing to add emphasis until the cumulative effect of all the exaggerations is reached. This moment was the crescendo of the walk, a point at which she frees her mind of the conscious effort to think about each of the characteristics and releases herself to go with the movement.

Finally, Pelletier reversed the process and began slowing down, minimizing the exaggeration until she was back to a "normal"walk. Pelletier asked, What did you feel when the exaggerations began? Why did you laugh? Something happened to your attention, Pelletier said, the exaggeration allowed you to "see" the real me. There was a recognition of the characteristics of the way a person walks normally, which happened because the characteristics were exaggerated. The reaction of laughing and increased attention was a result of seeing the real person.

The exercise demonstrated the laws of the theatre, which Pelletier says are designed to grab the attention of the audience. The first law of theatre is the law of exaggeration: to be visible to an audience, you have to exaggerate. The law of exaggeration must be subtle, precise and unequal. The second law of theatre is the law of imbalance, she said. Your body needs to move in opposition. The third law of theatre is the law of the spine, which says the spine needs to be in action at all times. The fourth law is the law of expense of energy: giving everything to the character. The fifth law is the law of no mind: freeing your mind from thinking about what you should be doing and focusing on the action. Finally, the sixth law is the law of the link: to bring all the aspects together in a flow of motion.

The demonstration and discussion afterward drew a lot of interest from the audience. "I thought it was fascinating ­ helpful for both theatre and dance students," said Linda Ronchi, a theatre student at Glendon College. "She had some really good points," said Halle Stephens, a theatre student at York. "I'd like to see something like this [organized] again at York."

The Science, Technology and Society Program at Bethune College and the Faculty of Environmental Studies have combined to present a series of seven seminars, whose common theme is Culture, Technology and Nature. Admission is free.

As part of the series, Gilberto Aboites and Francisco Martinez, from Antonio Narro Autonomous University, Mexico, will present An Approach to the Discourse of Seeds, Science, and Technology: The Case of Mexico, on Friday, Nov. 27, 12:30-2:30 p.m. in 306 Lumbers.

Next up will be a discussion, Is the History of the Body a History of its Representation?, by Lisa Cartwright, University of Rochester, Tuesday, Jan. 26, 5-7 p.m., in the Senate Chamber.

Wednesday, Feb. 24, 7:30-9:30 p.m., Andrew Ross, New York University, will present Living with the Mouse: A Report from Celebration, Florida, in Curtis Lecture Hall-L. Then on Thursday, March 11, 7-9 p.m. in the Senate Chamber, Katherine Hayles, University of California, Los Angeles, will discuss Narrative in Science: Why Embodiment Matters.

On Monday, April 7, 5:30-7:30 p.m. in the Senate Chamber, Les Levidow, Open University, will talk about Biotechnology: Industrializing Agriculture, Simulating Mother Nature, Naturalizing Neo-liberalism.

Canadian Woman Studies celebrates 20th anniversary

Canadian Woman Studies, the unique and provocative feminist journal produced out of York University, is celebrating its 20th anniversary. The summer/fall 1998 edition is a special double issue that includes articles from scholars inside and outside of York. The quarterly magazine aims to make available current writing and research on a wide variety of feminist topics, to the largest possible community of women. Due to funding cutbacks, the journal has begun many new fundraising initiatives. The new issue kicks off the annual holiday subscription drive. Why not visit the journal's new and improved Web site to do some early holiday shopping? A one-year subscription to the journal makes and inspiring and informative gift that continues through the year. For more information, visit the Web site at: www.yorku. ca/orga/cwscf/ home.html or call (416) 736-5356.

***

Bookstore and FES host book launch

Four books written or edited by York University professors will be officially launched at a reception at the York University Bookstore and the Faculty of Environmental Studies on Tuesday, Nov. 24. The event will be held from 4:30 to 6 p.m. in the bookstore in York Lanes mall. The titles include: Political Ecology: Global and Local, Roger Keil, David Bell, Peter Penz and Leesa Fawcett (eds.) Routledge, 1998; Solving History: The Challenge of Environmental Activism by Ray Rogers (Black Rose Books, 1998); Sustainability: The Challenge, Anders Sandberg and Sverker Sorlin (eds.) and Los Angeles: Globalization, Urbanization and Social Struggles, by Roger Keil (John Wiley & Sons, 1998). For more information or to attend, call (416) 736-2100, ext. 40747.

***

Pledge money to United Way for Stan's haircut, dressup

Stan Taman of the Department of Human Resources dresses casually and sports a 13-inch ponytail of hair, but not for long! On Friday, Nov. 27, Taman has agreed to dress up in a sports jacket and tie ­ and get a major haircut ­ in order to raise funds for the United Way. The event will take place starting at 12 noon in the Common Room at Calumet College. "Someone approached me with the idea of wearing a suit into work as a fundraising idea. I said, I'll do you one better ­ I'll get my hair cut down so it's only two inches long. We thought it would be a good way to raise money for the United Way." Taman, Senior Employee Relations Advisor in the human resources department, has not had a haircut in three years. His golden locks will be shorn by Vince Nero, a barber from Klik's hair salon. Anyone interested in pledging to the United Way can bring their contributions to the Department of Human Resources reception area, or to the office of Wanda Monks, Room C-3, East Office Building. For more information, call DHR at (416) 736-5005.

***

Parking restrictions due to snow routes

The Parking Services office at York wishes to remind members of the York community that snow route parking restrictions began this week, Nov. 15, and they will remain in effect until March 30, 1999. Parking in areas that are designated as a "snow route" is prohibited between 10 p.m. and 7 a.m. Vehicles parked in these areas will be issued a parking violation and towed at the owner's expense. For more information, contact Parking Services at (416) 736-5335.

***

Ideas needed for International Development Week

International Development Week takes place from Feb. 1 to 5, 1999. York International is initiating an IDW Working Group, and wants your help and ideas to make the week a success. International Development Week is co-sponsored by CIDA and a number of partner organizations, and aims to raise awareness of worldwide development issues among students and faculty. Departments and Organized Research Units (ORUs) at York can participate by organizing activities to showcase York's commitment to international development issues. As well, you are invited to recommend speakers or participate in panel discussions. The success of IDW@YORK depends on you. All are invited to join York International in making it an exciting and educational week for all. To get on the mailing list contact Tina Stephenson, coordinator for the working group by email at: yu177425@yorku.ca. For more information call York International at (416) 736-5177 or visit the office at 201 York Lanes.

***

Carley to speak at Oxford's Deneke Lecture

This appeal is endorsed by the following individuals and organizations: Eduardo Canel, Coordinator, Latin American & Caribbean Studies Program; Maria Cioni, Director, York International; Brock Fenton, Associate Vice-President, Research; Ricardo Grinspun, Director, Centre for Research on Latin America & the Caribbean; Craig Heron, Chair, Division of Social Science; Pablo Idahosa, Coordinator, African Studies; Gerry Jordan, Coordinator, East Asian Studies Program; Latin American & Caribbean Studies Student Association (LACSA); Steve Newman, Chair, Department of Political Science; Leslie Norville, Coordinator, Ontario Public Interest Research Group (OPIRG); Harry Smaller, Deputy Director, Centre for Research on Latin America & the Caribbean; Penni Stewart, President, York University Faculty Association; Patricia Stamp, Master, Founders College; and Eddie Torrejon, President, York University Hispanic Students Association.

An open letter to the York community:

By now, all of you have undoubtedly witnessed the media reports of the human casualties and damage inflicted by Hurricane Mitch in Central America. Unfortunately, these reports are as accurate as they are chilling. More than a week after the initial devastation, agencies and governments still have little idea about the extent of human destruction -- let alone the level of suffering and deprivation of those millions who were able to survive the initial onslaught. Reports from the region state that over 7,000 people are presumed dead and that more than 1 million were forced out of their homes.

York University, and many of its faculty, staff and students, have had a long-standing involvement with collaborative projects in Central and South America -- activities based on our commitment to democratic and sustainable development in the region. Partly for these reasons, CERLAC (The Centre for Research on Latin America and the Caribbean) and LACS (The Latin America and Caribbean Studies Program) have decided to mount a University-wide appeal for donations towards disaster-relief.

Pueblito Canada, a long-standing Toronto-based non-profit organization dedicated to children's rights and quality-of-life projects in a number of Latin American countries, has agreed to process our donations. Decisions about directing these funds to relief and development organizations and agencies in Central America will be made jointly by representatives of CERLAC, LACS and Pueblito. Where possible, relief and redevelopment support will be directed to projects relating particularly to children and youth.

If you wish to make a donation to this campaign, simply address a cheque to: Pueblito Canada, "Hurricane Relief Fund" and send c/o Liddy Gomes, CERLAC, 240 York Lanes. Please ensure that your name and address are included, so that a receipt for a charitable tax credit can be issued to you by Pueblito. For further information, please contact Eduardo Canel (ecanel@yorku.ca -- #66909) or Harry Smaller (hsmaller@edu.yorku.ca -- #88807). Many thanks for your support for this cause.

Sincerely,
Eduardo Canel and Harry Smaller

Donations can be made to:

Pueblito Canada
"Hurricane Relief Fund"

c/o Liddy Gomes
CERLAC
240 York Lanes

York University visual arts professor Ted Bieler is pictured with his sculpture, which has been permanently installed in the Windsor Sculpture Garden. The 25-foot high cast aluminum sculpture was commissioned for the sculpture garden.

Prof. Ted Bieler of the Faculty of Fine Arts at York has had his sculpture permanently installed in the City of Windsor's Sculpture Garden.

The work, titled Tower Song, is a 25-foot high, cast aluminum sculpture commissioned for, and now permanently installed in, the sculpture garden. Mr. Lou Odette, a longstanding supporter and friend of the Faculty of Fine Arts, after whom the L.L. Odette Centre for Sculpture is named, was the driving force behind Windsor's Sculpture Garden (he is also the benefactor of Toronto's Sculpture Garden.)

Bieler, who teaches sculpture in the Department of Visual Arts, has extensive exhibition credits throughout North America. His commissioned works include sculptures for Expo '67 in Montreal and for public spaces throughout Ontario, notably Tetra in Kingston, Ont., Canyons in the Wilson subway station, and Triad on Front Street at University Avenue in Toronto. His monumental outdoor sculpture, Wave Breaking, graces the grounds of the Canadian chancery building in Tokyo. Tower Song is his most recent public commission.

Six exciting new shows are on the playbill for this year's Theatre@ York productions. Four of the plays will be staged on campus, and two will be shown downtown.

Theatre@York is the resident production company of the Department of Theatre at York University. Each year, it mounts an exciting season of plays drawn from the contemporary and classical repertoire, featuring some promising stage talent.

Toronto and Canadian premieres are frequently found on the theatre's playbill, which ranges from challenging new North American works to the enduring masterpieces of Molière and Shakespeare.

Theatre@York productions showcase the performance, directing and production skills of various talented students in York's Theatre Department ­ the next generation of outstanding Canadian theatre artists. All productions this season feature graduate and undergraduate acting ensembles.

Performances times for the on-campus productions are 7:30 p.m. for the evening shows, which run Sundays through Saturdays (dates of specific shows listed below.) Matinees are offered on Wednesdays and Fridays at 1 p.m. All on-campus productions will be staged in the Joseph G. Green Studio Theatre, Centre for Film and Theatre. Admission cost is $10 for the general public, $7 for students and seniors, and a group rate of $5. Sunday previews are Pay What You Can. Monday previews are $4. Tickets are available through the Theatre@York box office, (416) 736-5157 or at the door. With Theatre@York's 1998-99 season tickets, you pay only $20 and save up to 50 per cent off the regular ticket price for Theatre@York's on-campus productions. Receive four vouchers for $20, use one per show and see all four on-campus shows.

ON-CAMPUS PRODUCTIONS:

Piano by Trevor Griffiths, directed by Michael Najjar.

In turn-of-the-century Russia, the general's widow is entertaining two generations of friends, neighbours and family. The arrival of local schoolteacher Mikhail Platonov and his unwillingness to participate in their charade sends the entire party, and society, into total chaos. Piano is a revealing comedy about a world on the brink of social breakdown and reawakening.

Previews Sunday, Nov. 22 and Monday, Nov. 23. Opens Tuesday, Nov. 24 and runs through Saturday, Nov. 28. Matinees on Wednesday, Nov. 25 and Friday, Nov. 27.

Crime on Goat Island by Ugo Betti, directed by Mark Cassidy.

Italy. 1946. A woman, her daughter and sister-in-law have exiled themselves to a remote and lonely region of the country where they live by raising goats. One day a stranger arrives claiming to have been a fellow prisoner of war with their now dead husband, father, brother...A powerful, poetic and suspenseful work from one of Italy's greatest dramatists.

Previews Sunday, March 14 and Monday, March 15. Opens Tuesday, March 16 and runs through Saturday, March 20. Matinees Wednesday, March 17 and Friday, March 19.

playGround

Inspiration, innovation, collaboration, excitement! The seventh annual series of original works and works-in-progress by student directors, playwrights and actors. Location: Joseph G. Green Studio Theatre, Centre for Film and Theatre, York University, 4700 Keele St. at Steeles Ave., Toronto. playGround Special Admission: $5 per show. Tickets are available through the Theatre@York box office, telephone: (416) 736-5157 or at the door.

February 2 to 5, 1999. Series schedule and show times to be announced.

Savage/Love by Sam Shepard and Joseph Chaikin, directed by Rosanna Saracino.

Savage/Love delves into the chaotic states of love and passion and exposes a world where the dream has been forgotten, identity has been fractured into countless multitudes, and words have lost all meaning. But the jazz plays on.

Previews Sunday, April 4 and Monday, April 5. Opens Tuesday, April 6 and runs through Saturday, April 10. Matinees run Wednesday, April 7 and Friday, April 9.

***

Two productions are also being staged downtown. Performance times are 8 p.m. for the evening shows, with matinees at 2 p.m. Cost is $12.50 for the public, $8 for students and seniors, $5 for previews, and Pay What You Can at the matinees. Tickets for the downtown shows may be purchased in advance through the Ticketmaster Artsline, (416) 872-1111 or at the door. The productions are:

DOWNTOWN PRODUCTIONS:

Top Girls by Caryl Churchill, directed by Mark Wilson.

This provocative social commentary, by one of Britain's foremost playwrights, assesses the gains and costs of women freeing themselves from traditional roles and achieving positions of power. November 27 to December 5, 1998. This play will be staged at Theatre 620, located at 620 Spadina Ave. in downtown Toronto.

Preview is Thursday, Nov. 26, and opens Friday, Nov. 27. Runs Saturday, Nov. 28, Sunday, Nov. 29, and Tuesday, Dec. 1 through Saturday, Dec. 5. A matinee will be held on Sunday, Nov. 29.

The Changeling by Thomas Middleton, directed by Anna Mackay-Smith.

This intriguing and sardonic Jacobean drama explores the fine line between sanity and madness when passion and lust run wild.

Preview on Monday, April 12. Opens Tuesday, April 13 and runs from Wednesday, April 14 through Saturday, April 17. Location to be announced.

It happens at least once every winter -- a storm dumps several feet of snow on the York campuses in just a few hours.

When major winter storms do hit, the University usually suspends normal operations and programs at both the York campus and the Glendon campus as long as the storm is considered a weather emergency.

While no-one can predict accurately what winter has in store for us this year, York's weather policy may help to make any storms we do get a little more bearable. The policy has been designed to address communication difficulties. You can obtain up-to-date information by tuning in to your radio or television, or by calling the University's weather information line at: (416) 736-5600.

The University decides to declare a weather emergency when it is determined that conditions may prevent safe travel to and from York, or when the weather may have substantial adverse effects on normal University operations. The vice-president (administration) makes the decision, in consultation with the president and the chair of Senate or their delegates, about whether to adopt emergency procedures or to suspend normal operating procedures, including cancellation of classes/examinations.

According to York's emergency weather policy, whether or not special events are cancelled is within the discretion of those directly responsible for organizing the event. It is assumed that decision-making and associated communications will be adapted, as appropriate, to suit the circumstances.

In case of weather emergencies, the following guidelines will be in effect:

* When weather emergency procedures are in force, the University will remain open and, when and where possible, essential services will be provided.

* A weather watch will be maintained during the period in which the emergency procedures remain in force. Conditions will be monitored until a decision is made to return to normal operations.

* Unless a decision is made to continue the weather emergency, the University will return to normal operations at 11 p.m. on the day of the emergency (for evening and night-shift employees) and at 8 a.m. the following morning for all other purposes.

Usually, a decision to declare weather emergencies will be made:

* by 5:30 a.m. for suspension of daytime operations (cancellation of classes, exams, activities, etc);

* by 1 p.m. for suspension of evening operations and cancellation of evening classes, exams and activities;

* by 9 p.m. for suspension of nighttime operations.