Last Thursday, Provost Anthony Masi and Vice-Principal (Administration and Finance) Michael Di Grappa released an email to the McGill community providing further details about the extent of the budget cuts imposed by the Quebec government, and the rationale behind the measures McGill has chosen to deal with them. According to[Read More…]
Articles by Bea Britneff
McGill announces salary and hiring freezes
On Mar. 26, McGill Principal Heather Munroe-Blum released an email to the McGill community detailing the first measures that the university will take to address the Quebec government’s recent cuts to its operating budget. Among the measures were salary and hiring freezes, a reduction in the operating budgets of senior[Read More…]
What happened last week in Canada
Canada withdraws from UN drought convention Last Wednesday, the Government of Canada informed the UN of its withdrawal from the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD)—an initiative that builds resilience to land degradation and drought in developing countries while increasing security of essential resources. Foreign Affairs Minister John Baird suggested[Read More…]
What happened last week in Canada
Montreal police crack down on one-year anniversary protest;
Cree group to finish 1,600 km trek in support of Idle No More movement in Ottawa;
TVO pulls online game that shows pipeline bombing;
Manitobans suffering from flood damages sue Province;
One-man Hunger Strike begins in Vancouver
Larson wins SSMU presidency with 60% of the vote
On Friday night, Elections SSMU released the Winter 2013 elections and referendum results to a crowd assembled at Gerts Bar. Katie Larson, Joey Shea, Brian Farnan, Samuel Harris, Tyler Hofmeister, and Stefan Fong will comprise the 2013-2014 Students’ Society of McGill University (SSMU) executive team. Larson was elected SSMU President[Read More…]
Arts forum addresses TA concerns about budget cuts
Students, union members, and administrators came together to discuss the Quebec government’s announced budget cuts at a student-led Faculty of Arts forum last Thursday. Topics covered during the forum included teaching assistants’ (TA) concerns with regards to the budget cuts, and the removal of 101 arts courses for the 2013-2014[Read More…]
What happened last week in Canada?
Student protests continue in Montreal Violence broke out in the streets of Montreal on the night of Mar. 5, as students protested the tuition fee increase recently announced by the Parti Québécois (PQ). Police declared the march illegal, as the protestors did not provide a route as required by municipal[Read More…]
McGill joins online learning platform without Senate approval
The McGill administration has come under scrutiny following its announcement on Feb. 20 that McGill is now a member of the edX consortium—a not-for-profit enterprise specializing in online interactive learning. Several members of the McGill Senate have criticized the senior administration for failing to communicate with Senate about the initiative.[Read More…]
Montrealers gather to say “no” to PQ’s Bill 14
More than 200 people gathered in the square opposite Quebec Premier Pauline Marois’ office on Sunday afternoon to protest the Parti Québécois’ (PQ) proposed changes to language laws with Bill 14. The rally featured several guest speakers who denounced the bill’s potential impacts on Quebec society, and was organized by[Read More…]
Petitions call for divestment from fossil fuels, Plan Nord
On Friday afternoon, Divest McGill delivered two petitions to the university’s Secretary-General, Stephen Strople, calling for McGill to divest from the Plan Nord, the oil sands, and fossil fuel industries. According to administrative practice, the petitions will be passed on to the Committee to Advise on Matters of Social Responsibility[Read More…]
What happened last week in Canada?
MUHC links to Kuwait questioned The Montreal Gazette has raised questions about the transparency and resource management of the McGill University Health Centre (MUHC), after unearthing details about its role in a five-year agreement between Montreal Medical International Inc. (MMI) and the government of Kuwait. The agreement, which was signed[Read More…]
Highlights from the Jan. 24 SSMU Council
Motion Regarding Support for Indigenous Peoples and Allies Heated debate occurred between councillors over a motion calling for SSMU to “adopt a position in support of the Idle No More movement, and in support of the struggles of the Society’s First Nation and Inuit members and allies.” Senate Caucus Representative[Read More…]
Statement of values to replace provisional protocol
The McGill administration will replace the draft protocol regarding demonstrations, protests, and occupations with a new “statement of values and principles” concerning freedom of expression and freedom of peaceful assembly on campus. This plan was announced last Wednesday by Provost Anthony Masi and Vice-Principal (Administration and Finance) Michael Di Grappa.[Read More…]
Douglas Hall to close for renovations during 2013-2014
Douglas Hall, McGill’s oldest student residence, will close for renovations during the 2013-2014 academic year. According to Robert Stanley, director of project management for McGill’s Facilities Operations and Development office, they are scheduled to begin in May, and should be completed in July 2014. According to Stanley, the project has[Read More…]
McGill student files grievance over protocol on protests
On Dec. 11, 2012, U3 Philosophy student Eli Freedman filed a complaint with the McGill Senate Committee on Student Grievances against the draft of a permanent McGill protocol on demonstrations, assemblies, and protests. The grievance calls for the draft protocol to be nullified immediately, and for Vice Principal (Administration and[Read More…]
Admin releases draft protocol on protests
Last Friday, Vice-Principal Administration and Finance Michael Di Grappa and Provost Anthony Masi released the first draft of a permanent Protocol, concerning demonstrations, assemblies, and protests on campus. Members of the McGill community may submit comments and suggestions regarding the draft protocol to the administration until Jan. 7, 2013. Principal[Read More…]
McGill Principal plans to revise campus security measures
On Nov. 23, Principal Heather Munroe-Blum accepted all three recommendations to revise the Code of Student Conduct and security on campus from Dean of Arts Christopher Manfredi’s Report of the Open Forum on Freedom of Expression and Peaceful Assembly. In an email to the McGill community, Munroe-Blum detailed the steps[Read More…]
What happened last week in Canada?
Montreal interim mayor selected Last Friday, city councillors voted in Montreal’s first Anglophone mayor in 100 years. As the new interim mayor, Michael Applebaum will hold the position until the next municipal election in November 2013. Applebaum replaced former mayor Gerald Tremblay, who resigned Nov. 5 following allegations of corruption[Read More…]
Students, politicians revisit cyberbullying as urgent issue
The past month witnessed a renewed national dialogue on the topic of cyberbullying between youth, educators, and politicians across Canada. This new debate arose following the death of British Columbia teenager Amanda Todd, who took her own life after suffering through two years of cyberbullying and online blackmailing, as well[Read More…]
Costopoulos announced as new Dean of Students
Last Thursday, Provost Anthony Masi announced the appointment of Andre Costopoulos to the position of Dean of Students. Costopoulos’ term will begin Nov. 15, and end June 30, 2016. Costopoulos will take over for Associate Dean of Students Linda Starkey, who had been serving as the temporary Dean of Students[Read More…]
What happened last week in Canada?
Two Canadians dead after major storm Hurricane Sandy made headlines for the severe damage it cuased in the Caribbean, New York, and New Jersey, but the storm also reached Canada’s east coast, bringing strong winds and heavy rainfall to Southern Ontario, Quebec, and the Maritimes. The storm claimed the lives[Read More…]
SSMU GA motions ratified
Last Thursday, the Students’ Society of McGill University (SSMU) released the results for SSMU’s first online ratification period, in which students voted for motions passed at the Oct. 15 SSMU General Assembly (GA). Both motions were ratified—one calling for the installation of a bouldering wall in the SSMU Building, and[Read More…]
What Happened This Week in Canada?
2011 short-form census may skew language data Prime Minister Stephen Harper’s decision to replace Canada’s mandatory long-form census with a voluntary survey may have skewed new language data derived from the 2011 short-form census. Last week, Statistics Canada languages expert Jean-Pierre Corbeil analyzed the data, and observed a shift in[Read More…]
What happened last week in Canada?
Conservatives introduce controversial omnibus Bill C-45 Last Thursday, the Canadian government introduced another massive budget bill, Bill C-45. Critics, including the New Democratic Party (NDP), have denounced the bill as “covering way too much ground.” C-45 proposes significant changes to Member of Parliaments’ pension plans, the Navigable Waters Protection Act,[Read More…]
Senate discusses Dean Manfredi’s report
Last Wednesday, McGill Senate convened for the second time this academic year. Topics discussed over the course of meeting included the Report of the Open Forum on Free Expression and Peaceful Assembly, undergraduate cross-faculty course accessibility, postgraduate supervision, and the Achieving Strategic Academic Priorities (ASAP) 2012 project. While presenting his[Read More…]
First of SSMU’s “roaming Councils” held at Mac campus
On Oct. 11, the Students’ Society of McGill University’s (SSMU) Legislative Council convened for the third time this academic year. Although meetings are traditionally held in the Lev Bukhman room in the SSMU Building, this Council was hosted at McGill’s Macdonald Campus in Ste. Anne de Bellevue. Thursday’s Council meeting[Read More…]
Manfredi releases long-awaited report on the Open Forum
On Oct. 10, McGill Principal and Vice-Chancellor Heather Munroe-Blum announced the release of Dean of Arts Christopher Manfredi’s Report on the Open Forum on Free Expression and Peaceful Assembly. Manfredi’s concluding recommendations include the clarification of several clauses in the Code of Student Conduct, the revision of the provisional protocol,[Read More…]
What happened last week in Canada?
XL Beef Recall Largest in Canadian history Canadian officials have come under scrutiny over their handling of the largest recall of beef in Canadian history when Albertan beef packer XL Foods continued running its plant for two weeks after the U.S. determined that its meat was unfit to cross the American[Read More…]
Students will be refunded tuition increase once new rates are determined, says Mendelson
On Sept. 28, Deputy Provost (Student Life and Learning) Morton Mendelson published a statement on the McGill Student Accounts website confirming that, in accordance with the Parti Québécois’ (PQ) recent cancellation of the tuition increases implemented by the former Liberal government, the university will return the difference in tuition fees[Read More…]
What happened last week in Canada?
Justin Trudeau to run for leadership of Liberal Party Last Wednesday, reports surfaced that Justin Trudeau is to announce his bid for the leadership of the Liberal Party of Canada at a press conference today. The son of former Prime Minister Pierre Elliott Trudeau, Justin Trudeau has held a seat[Read More…]
Montrealers take to the streets for free education
On Saturday, students from several Montreal universities and CEGEPs participated in a demonstration for free education organized by the Coalition Large de l’Association pour un Solidarité Syndicale Étudiante (CLASSE). The Service de Police de la Ville de Montréal (SPVM) declared the demonstration illegal, and riot police in the downtown area[Read More…]
Why I eat organic
I prefer to buy organic products as opposed to non-organic products. “Why?” you might ask. Although the concept of “organic” is an attractive one, it is an expensive diet and lifestyle to uphold. Some people wonder if it really makes that much of a difference. However, the “expensive” argument is[Read More…]
Open Air Pub donates $15,000 to children’s charity
Last Friday, the Open Air Pub (OAP) management team donated $15,000 to the President’s Choice Children’s Charity (PCCC), a national organization dedicated to helping disadvantaged kids across Canada. The cheque, composed entirely of profits from OAP Lite this past spring, was presented to Loblaw Companies Limited Senior Vice-President Roch Pilon[Read More…]
Orientation Week features “À la carte” events
The orientation week makeover initiated by McGill in the fall of 2011 continued this year, with increased integration of Discover McGill, faculty frosh and events organized by the Students’ Society of McGill University (SSMU). Orientation week also featured a new component of non-alcoholic activities organized by student-run clubs and McGill[Read More…]
Josh Redel: President
What have you accomplished this summer? We have finally [finalized] the tenants we have in the second floor cafeteria. We also finished Gerts! The half-million dollar renovations are finally completed. We’re really happy that we could negotiate a new beer contract, and the food at Gerts was also something we[Read More…]
Allison Cooper: VP Clubs & Services
What have you accomplished this summer? I’ve been working on having meetings with all of the services to go through all of their budgets and get them better set up for this year. I’ve also been working on office allocations on the fourth floor. Instead of office moving day—which is[Read More…]
Haley Dinel: VP University Affairs
What have you accomplished this summer? My main goal over the summer was to create new relationships, meeting with a lot of different people around campus. In terms of SSMU, we have a bunch of new policies; for example, a new communications policy that deals with social media. I’m also[Read More…]
Michael Szpejda: VP Internal
What have you accomplished this summer? Organizing frosh. We took a step forward significantly toward the integrated orientation model, in the sense that it was the first year it was truly a cooperative working relationship, not only between all the faculties and SSMU, but also with the First Year Office[Read More…]
Robin Reid-Fraser: VP External
What have you accomplished this summer? Over the summer, it’s been a lot of gathering information and putting out information and keeping track of what’s been going on, particularly around the student movement. We also put a letter together in regards to a potential change in federal policy regarding student[Read More…]
New hotel residence opens, still under construction
This fall, McGill opened its third hotel-style residence, La Citadelle. Located at 410 Sherbrooke Street West, the residence is also home to the new “food” chapter of McGill Residence’s Living-Learning Communities (LLC). Formerly a Courtyard Marriott Hotel, La Citadelle houses 286 male and female students in both single and double[Read More…]
Internal review on asbestos research is inconclusive
On Tuesday April 3, Dr. David Eidelman, vice principal (health affairs) and dean of medicine, announced the completion of the preliminary internal review of professor J. Corbett McDonald’s research on the health effects of chrysotile asbestos. The review was conducted by professor and chair of the department of epidemiology, biostatistics,[Read More…]
Internal review on asbestos research is inconclusive
On Tuesday April 3, Dr. David Eidelman, vice principal (health affairs) and dean of medicine, announced the completion of the preliminary internal review of professor J. Corbett McDonald’s research on the health effects ofchrysotile asbestos. The review was conducted by professor and chair of the department of epidemiology, biostatistics, and occupational health Dr.[Read More…]
Principal responds to Jutras Report
On Feb. 13, Principal Heather Munroe-Blum published her response to the Jutras Report, the outcome of Dean of Law Daniel Jutras’ internal investigation into the events of Nov. 10. The Jutras report details the Nov. 10 occupation of the James Administration Building and its aftermath, in which Montreal riot police[Read More…]
McGill student protest rallies support for free education
Last Wednesday, students from McGill University, l’Université du Québec à Montréal (UQAM), and several CEGEPs in the downtown Montreal area participated in a demonstration for free education. Organized by McGill students, Wednesday’s demonstration was one of many in the growing student movement against the Quebec provincial government’s proposed tuition increases,[Read More…]
The new pipeline offers little but a sticky situation
McGill Tribune Why should we, as global citizens, be concerned about a new $5.5-billion pipeline flowing from the Athabasca tar sands in Alberta to Kitimat, a coastal port in north-western British Columbia? First, we are consumers of oil. Second, we need to move from fossil fuels to clean[Read More…]
Student demonstration disrupts Public Services Job Fair
Last Thursday afternoon, a crowd of approximately 100 demonstrators protesting against Quebec’s proposed tuition hikes entered the McGill campus. The demonstration, organized by an autonomous committee of students from four different campuses—Cégep du Vieux-Montréal, l’Université du Québec à Montréal (UQAM), Concordia University, and McGill University—began walking at 11:00 a.m.[Read More…]
Education Week a response to fall issues on campus
From Jan. 12 to 20, SSMU hosted (Reclaim Your) Education Week, a seven-day series of workshops, discussions, and presentations that sought to raise awareness about a number of issues on the McGill campus, including tuition hikes and the struggles of marginalized groups on campus. Education Week was made possible by[Read More…]
Third strategic summit held on equity and diversity
Last Friday, SSMU hosted the third in a series of strategic summit meetings, this time addressing equity and diversity at McGill. Each of the monthly strategic summits are designed to tackle a different problem that affects SSMU, McGill University, and its students. Prior to the event, organizers had low expectations[Read More…]
SSMU hosts Consultation Fair
Last Wednesday, SSMU hosted the inaugural Consultation Fair, a joint effort by SSMU, McGill faculty and administrators, and a number of other members of the McGill community. The fair, initiated by the Working Group on Consultation and Communication, was designed to respond to calls for a more transparent administration and[Read More…]
Second SSMU strategic summit on tuition increases
Sophie Silkes Last Friday, SSMU hosted its second strategic summit, this time centred around tuition hikes—an issue pertinent to students in Quebec given the impending tuition hikes later in the year. This meeting was one in a series of strategic summits initiated by SSMU President Maggie Knight. Each summit[Read More…]
Scandal at University of Montreal business school
Haute Études Commerciales (HEC), the business school at the University of Montreal, is facing a human rights complaint after students painted their bodies black for an Olympic back-to-school sporting event. The event, organized by HEC’s sports and leisure committee, was hosted at the University of Montreal’s football stadium. Each group[Read More…]