In Other Schools: Syphilis, Internet misconduct
March 12, 2008
Syphilis rates soaring
WINNIPEG (CUP) — Since 1997, the incidence of syphilis infections in Canada has increased nine-fold, according to a new report from the Public Health Agency of Canada.
Data found that the rate of infection rose to 3.5 per 100,000 in 2004 from 0.4 per 100,000 in 1997.
While the rate of infection is increasing in both males and females, men accounted for 88 per cent of reported cases in 2004.
Over the past 10 years, syphilis outbreaks have been reported in Winnipeg, Vancouver, Calgary, Edmonton, Toronto, Ottawa and Montreal, according to the 2004 Canadian STI Surveillance Report.
Syphilis is a sexually transmitted infection (STI) that can also be transmitted through needle sharing or passed from mother to infant during birth.
The steady rise in syphilis infections over the last decade has largely been attributed to unsafe sex practices, according to Rhonda Kropp, head of strategic analysis and knowledge transfer of the PHAC’s STI section.
Ryerson student expelled for internet misconduct
TORONTO (CUP) — A Ryerson University student facing expulsion for joining an Internet study group has faced an appeal panel, but the outcome is still up in the air.
Following the March 11 appeal, first-year engineering student Chris Avenir vowed to fight until he clears his name, even if it means taking legal action if he loses.
Avenir’s trouble began when he joined a group on the social networking site Facebook called “The Dungeon/Mastering Chemistry Solutions,” which was worked as an online study group for one of his classes sharing notes and answers.
When he became the group’s administrator, the school charged him with nearly 150 counts of academic misconduct – one for every member in the group he administered.
Students and staff are mobilizing against a motion, Policy 61, which is currently before Ryerson’s senate. It would allow the school to punish students for things that happen off campus and on the Internet.
The proposed policy would create a Student Conduct Officer, who would enforce the Non-Academic Student Code of Conduct (Policy 61).
Opponents say the proposed amendments are “the biggest affront in years to students’ freedom of speech.”
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