[dropcap]W[/dropcap]hether it’s overhearing a conversation on the subway, seeing someone repping their team colours, or watching a game in a sports bar with a panoramic view of more screens than you could possibly take in at once, sport permeates nearly every facet of our lives. The university boasts some of the best amateur sport in the country and some of the best athletes in the world — the best part is that U of T students can attend Varsity Blues regular season games free of charge.

The Varsity Blues make up a total of 44 teams competing in 26 different sports, which can make finding a team to follow or a sporting event to attend very overwhelming. The following is a brief look at the standout teams and players to keep an eye on this year:

One of our most decorated teams last year was women’s volleyball, whose home games are held at the Goldring Centre for High Performance Sport. They are the defending Ontario University Athletics (OUA) and Canada Interuniversity Sport (CIS) champs, winning the CIS banner for the first time since 1976. Following their 19–0 undefeated season, the team was awarded the OUA Team of the Year Award, and Alina Dormann was awarded the CIS Rookie of the Year Award.

In swimming, both the men and women posted unparalleled seasons, each winning the CIS banner this past year. Blues swimmer Kylie Masse also qualified to represent Canada in the 100m backstroke at the Rio Olympics and holds the Canadian record in the same event.

Despite winning only three of their eight games last season, Blues football will forever be a must-see. Attending a post-secondary football game is a rite of passage and Varsity Stadium is a venue steeped in football history. The stadium used to be the home field for the Toronto Argonauts and hosted some of the most legendary Grey Cup games — notably the 1950 ‘Mud Bowl’, where bad weather and field conditions covered the players in mud from head to toe by the end of the game.

U of T track events will also be great to watch. The women’s team successfully defended their CIS title last year, while the men brought home the OUA banner to hang in our halls, earning their first CIS podium finish in over 20 years.

Watching varsity sports is not only a show of support for your school and fellow students — it is a fun and rewarding diversion from academic stress. While we may not be a Pac-12 school, the calibre of our teams and athletes make Varsity Blues games a worthy way to spend your night out.

UTSU lawsuit

The University of Toronto Students’ Union (UTSU) launched a lawsuit against former Executive Director Sandy Hudson in October 2015. The union alleges Hudson deliberately destroyed confidential information and was improperly issued $247,726.40 severance pay — about 10 per cent of the UTSU budget. The union is suing Hudson for the alleged fraudulent money, plus $200,000 in damages.

UTSU previously sued former President Yolen Bollo-Kamara and former Vice-President, internal & services, Cameron Wathey. The union has since reached settlements with both former executives. In December 2015, Hudson countersued the union for $300,000 in damages, claiming the union violated a non-disparagement and confidentiality agreement. UTSU has expressed a desire to reach a settlement; the legal dispute is still ongoing.

Campus revitalization

The Landmark Committee at UTSG is redesigning the Front Campus area by: eliminating motorized traffic from King’s College Circle; replacing surface parking with underground parking; planting more trees; and realigning traffic at Hart House Circle. A final draft of the proposal is expected in September.

The UTSC Master Plan was released in 2011 and includes: realigning Military Trail; adding more pedestrian-friendly green space; and constructing new buildings. Highland Hall is scheduled to open in spring 2018 and will house the Social Sciences departments and the registrant’s office.

At UTM, the university is working on the second phase of the new North Building, which is set for completion in summer 2018.

Victoria University’s property taxes

In April 2016, the City of Toronto Treasurer and Solicitor issued a staff report advising City Council to request provincial government changes to the Victoria University Act. Victoria University leases out land to several private companies, which use the land for office buildings and a condominium under construction.

Most universities are required to pay property taxes on non-university buildings; the Victoria University Act does not require this. Victoria University has been exempt from paying over $12 million in taxes from 131 Bloor Street West since 2009 and almost $3 million since 2013 from other properties.

City Council has requested a meeting between the City Treasurer and the Victoria University administration; the findings will be brought back to the city’s Government Management Committee in November.

Transit developments

In January, John Tory announced his plan to extend the under-construction Eglinton Crosstown Light Rapid Transit eastward to UTSC and to replace the Scarborough Rapid Transit with an extension of the Bloor-Danforth subway line to Scarborough Town Centre. Projected costs for the extensions increased after further analysis. In July, City Council voted to move forward with the project. In the west end, Brampton Transit is launching an express bus route from Brampton Gateway Terminal to UTM as part of a pilot project.

UTSC is relatively small in comparison to UTSG and UTM, which is why navigating through it is much easier. More than anything we value a positive community and campus experience, so look around, make friends, and join a club to get the full UTSC experience.

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8:30 am: Most morning classes start around 9:00 am, so before lecture, I usually swing by the Tim Hortons near the library to get my caffeine and donut fix for the day. If you are in the mood for something fancy, there is also a Starbucks at the Meeting Place.

10:00 am: Take advantage of time between classes. If you need an absolutely quiet, I-have-a-test-tomorrow study session, your best bets are the silent study rooms or study carousels located upstairs in the UTSC library. For group studying, bring your friends to the study spaces near the AC223 lecture hall or the tables in the Humanities Wing.

12:00 pm: Around this time, I am normally craving lunch. I usually go to the Market Place and grab a shawarma from Paramount. There are plenty of restaurants at the Student Centre, which is just across from the Arts & Administration building (AA). If you are like me and crave Popeyes all the time, there is one near the Pan Am.

2:00 pm: For those days when you forget your laptop, do not fret! Computer labs in the Bladen Wing (BV) will come in handy. Take the stairs up by the bookstore, and there is a helpful IT desk to answer all of your questions.

5:00 pm: For a quiet place to chill with your friends, The Valley is a great spot. A trail located near the patio outside the Market Place will lead you there — Drake once showed up there to play kickball.

7:00 pm: Before you head home, Scarborough Town Centre (STC) is only a bus ride away. The mall includes a Cineplex where you can watch a movie at the end of a busy day. If you have school work to do though, you should probably skip this step and go home to study some more.

Since your first time setting foot on this campus, I’ll bet the question, “How will I ever familiarize myself with this place?!” has run through your mind at least one hundred times.

A campus as big as UTSG may seem intimidating, but it is also yours to explore with an amazing variety of libraries, study spots, and social spaces. If you’re curious, or not sure where to start, here is one way to make the most out of your day.

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8:30 am: The 9:00 am lecture that I dread every week looms. Before it starts, I can always count on Café Reznikoff to fuel my system with a bit — or a lot — of coffee. Located in Morrison Hall at 75 St. George Street, Reznikoff is always my go-to place for a quick sandwich or a bag of M&Ms and sour keys — especially when my next class is close by at UC or Con Hall.

10:00 am: After class and before lunch, I usually like to get in some studying. I may be a bit biased as a proud New College student, but I believe Ivey Library is one of the best libraries at UTSG. It has a bright, sunlit working area and a convenient computer lab. Unlike Robarts Library, you rarely have to worry about not being able to find a place to sit, and Ivey is never too loud or deafeningly quiet.

11:00 am: Some days, when I feel like I’d much rather be studying witchcraft and wizardry at Hogwarts, I like to visit University College. Unfortunately, I’ll be frantically writing a COG250 essay instead of memorizing cool spells, but at least UC’s beautiful quad and fresh air will put me at ease.

Just a minute away, Hart House is also one of UTSG’s more notable buildings. The Map Room, the Quad, and the Arbor Room are just a few places I love to visit in my spare time.

12:30 pm: If you are a fan of ramen, I suggest checking out Ryu’s Noodle Bar, which is just five minutes from the Exam Centre. I recommend the Spicy Miso ramen, which has ‘mild’ to ‘super hot’ options. My dining experience is always pleasant there and I find myself going back pretty often — and not just because you get a free ramen after your fifteenth visit.

2:00 pm: I also love to study in the Bahen Centre for Information Technology. The modern interior of the centre designed for computer science, computer engineering, and IT research is inspiring; it’s definitely somewhere you can spend hours focused on your work.

4:30 pm: The Cat’s Eye Lounge located in Victoria College is undoubtedly a comfortable place to hang out. I have been to many open mic events here and without fail, the Cat’s Eye always provides a relaxing, inclusive atmosphere.

On the other side of campus, inside the Terrence Donnelly Centre, is a beautiful bamboo garden that I like to visit regularly. The architecture is undeniably beautiful and the bamboo garden is a great place to hang out, take your mind off of academic stress, and relax for a bit.

7:00 pm: For dinner, I find myself heading to the Howard Ferguson Dining Hall quite often, as the food there is delicious, well-prepared, and affordable. Like Reznikoff, it’s also part of University College and conveniently located on St. George Street.

3:00 am: As a night owl, my favourite thing about Smoke’s Poutinerie is how late they’re open — until about 4:00 am! Also, their poutine is always delicious and made with fresh, hand-cut fries. Smoke’s has several locations downtown, with the 455 Spadina Avenue being the closest one to campus. I recommend my favourite dish: the Smoked Meat Peppercorn Poutine. If you’re not a meat-eater, Smoke’s also offers vegetarian options, such as the Rainbow Poutine or the Veggie Deluxe.

This campus is home to students from all walks of life. It’s large enough to host 13,000 students every year, but small enough for you to bump into everyone you know every day — each day becomes a different journey.

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8:00 am: With two hours to spare before my morning class, I wander around the campus and wind up at the Nature Trail by Principal’s Road. Walking up towards The Principal’s House, I am struck by how picture-perfect the scenery looks. With insects and birds chirping cheerfully, I twirl in place with my head up and take in the peaceful setting.

10:00 am: I rush down the path back to civilization, into one of UTM’s biggest lecture halls, CC1080. Right before I enter the hall, I decide to grab a bite at the mini Tim Hortons. With a muffin in one hand and my laptop in the other, I walk into class.

12:00 pm: I stumble out of class with a growling stomach, walk to Deerfield Hall, and try North Side Bistro’s signature Caesar salad. Sitting on the couches near the café, I do some school work on my laptop.

12:45 pm: I decide to head to the Hazel McCallion Academic Learning Centre, better known as ‘The Library.’ My favorite spot is by the fireplace on the third floor, where I occasionally go after classes to flip through a novel.

1:30 pm: I rent a bicycle for free at the UTM BikeShare, which is open from 11:00 am to 3:00 pm on weekdays. From there, I bike to Erindale Park, which is very close to campus.

4:00 pm: My friends and I have a midterm coming up, so we book a study room in The Library. Here we can have discussions without bothering anyone or having anyone bother us. The Library offers charging kits for smartphones and some laptops, so staying there later than anticipated is never a problem. They also offer laptops that you can rent for a few hours.

7:30 pm: As I walk to my car in the parking lot, I stop to see a flock of geese crossing the road, with the cars politely stopping to let them pass. Nearby, I see a family of deer grazing through the grass, unfazed by the modern life surrounding them. This moment in nature reminds me why the campus has become home.

[dropcap]U[/dropcap] of T is known for its expansive environment, which can make people feel small and unimportant. But with over 450 student groups between the three campuses, there is not a shortage of areas for involvement. Before you know it, you will be seeing people you know all over the place.

The best place to start is the ULife website, because it has an extensive list of the recognized student groups. Here are some categories to consider:

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Politics

Involvement with student politics and political interest clubs has many benefits. Not only can you help serve your peers, you also contribute to positive change. It serves as an opportunity to develop leadership skills — something lecture halls do not always teach.

Examples: (s)he, Debate Club, Model United Nations

Hobby and leisure

Rank a list of everything you love from one to 10. There is likely a campus group relevant to each of your picks. While studying our respective program material, we tend to lose sight of the other activities we love. It is important to keep those forms of personal enrichment, and it is also the best way to meet like-minded people such a large institution.

Examples: Hart House Chess Club, Electronic Music Community, Beekeeping Education Enthusiast Society, Harry Potter Club

Leadership

Groups that focus on leadership development are invaluable, because it is not a skill you can develop on your own. Practice is key, which includes interacting with others, making connections, and building relationships — these experiences are at the heart of many campus groups.

Examples: college student councils, Black Ties, STRIVE, Greek life

Social

U of T has a reputation for being dull and dreary. Social groups add much needed relief from the everyday grind of lectures, labs, homework, and exams. Forming new friendships is also a great way to learn, explore, and shape your experience at U of T.

Examples: LGBTOUT, Life Science Student Network, The U of T Commuter Club, Unhaltable Hackers

Community

There is more to life than studying and community service groups can help you find just that. Generosity, consideration, selflessness, and altruism help enrich your soul while you enrich your community.

Examples: Best Buddies, Helping Hands, Supporting Grassroots Initiatives, Youth for Humanity

Work and Career Development

Let’s not forget that university is a training ground for your future. Groups that specialize in professional career development can lend an advantage in today’s competitive job market. Build experience, network your way to the top, and it will be smoother sailing when you graduate.

Examples: Pre-Law Society, Etiquette Club, Entrepreneurs Society, The Public Speaking Club