I used to fill in my name as “Jenny” on my school and job applications, even though that’s not the name written on my birth certificate. Every time the ethnicity question came up, I would often select “Prefer not to say.” My relationship with my own race has been a[Read More…]
Articles by Jenny Shen
Fire breaks out in Royal Victoria College residence
A fire broke out on Feb. 10 in an upper floor of the Royal Victoria College (RVC) residence and firefighters were called to the scene just after 11:00 a.m. The fire was contained and extinguished shortly after arrival, according to Montreal fire department Chief Gordon Routley. “There was a fire at[Read More…]
Finding the tipping point: Struggling with the Quebec healthcare system
When Sean* first started noticing symptoms of an ear infection in September 2013, he took the day off work to get it checked out at the clinic. He had experienced painful symptoms for several consecutive days, to the point where waiting it out no longer seemed to be the best[Read More…]
SUS retroactively runs fee referendum questions following confusion over constitution
The Science Undergraduate Society (SUS) is retroactively running two referendum questions regarding student fees that were collected in the January statement for all Science and Arts & Science students. The SUS Base Fee and the newly-introduced Student Space Improvement Fee (SCSS) were collected under the impression that their referendum questions[Read More…]
Tracking back problems with Backtrack
In the worldwide race to find the next must-use mobile app, “there’s an app for that” is one of the most common refrains heard today. Backtrack is the scientific foray into the mobile app world for McGill graduates Alex Danco and Alex Daskalov. The app, which is in its developing[Read More…]
But first, let me renew Selfie
When ABC rolled out the promo for its new comedy Selfie, loosely based off the premise of My Fair Lady, millennials everywhere bemoaned its use of tired accusations that their generation was addicted to their phones, their Instagrams, and their hashtagged—you guessed it—selfies. For this reason, few were surprised when[Read More…]
Fall General Assembly sees heated debates, over 700 in attendance
Last Wednesday, the Students’ Society of McGill University (SSMU) General Assembly (GA) saw extensive debate over motions such as “Calling on SSMU to Stand in Solidarity with the People of the Occupied Palestinian Territories.” With 739 students in attendance, GA was hosted in the SSMU Cafeteria, with overflow held in[Read More…]
Research Briefs—Oct. 15
Seeing is believing In a preliminary UCLA study led by eye specialist Steven Schwartz, 18 legally blind patients were given embryonic stem cells; 10 showed substantial improvements in their vision. Although the research is in its initial steps, Schwartz and other scientists believe that the embryonic stem cell treatment shows[Read More…]
The changing face of internet anonymity on campus
There is no shortage of anonymous online communities on a university campus, whether it be the updates of ‘spotted’ individuals engaging in out-of-the-ordinary behaviour, the online personas or usernames that mask real names on forums and discussion groups, or mobile applications like Yik Yak, an anonymous feed of posts from[Read More…]
McGill football coach resigns following player’s suspension from team
Clinton Uttley resigned from his position as head coach of the McGill Redmen football team on Tuesday, Sept. 30, following McGill’s response to running back Luis-Andres Guimont-Mota’s arrest for assault and his subsequent suspension from the team. In his resignation letter, Uttley wrote that McGill’s statement in response to the[Read More…]
Eat this: McGill’s 18th edition of Soup and Science
Soup and Science entered its eighth year at McGill this past week. A twice-a-year event that spans one week at the beginning of both the Fall and Winter semesters, Soup and Science brings lecturers from several departments together to present their research to students over lunch. Not many universities are[Read More…]
SSMU executive interviews
Courtney Ayukawa, President What have you done this summer? I’ve been getting used to my role and the responsibilities and getting to know SSMU really well. I’ve also worked with our human resources advisor to draft and implement a Mental Health Policy for our permanent staff, which is really exciting.[Read More…]
SSMU Council votes to re-run University Centre Building Fee in Fall 2014
The implementation of a University Centre Building Fee will be the subject of a referendum question in Fall 2014, following approval of the referendum question at the April 10 meeting of the Students’ Society of McGill University (SSMU) Legislative Council. Students voted against implementing a University Centre Building Fee during[Read More…]
Reviewing the SSMU lease: behind four years of confidential negotiations
Despite the four years of negotiations on the lease, most students know relatively little about the new contract signed by the Students’ Society of McGill University (SSMU) and the McGill administration for the SSMU Building. More recently, the lease has prompted criticism from the student body, following the failure of[Read More…]
SSMU drafts budget with increased prices for Gerts, minicourses
Increased prices for minicourses and Gerts are possible options for the Students’ Society of McGill University (SSMU) to balance their budget following the failure of the University Centre Building Fee referendum questions. Executives originally intended to hold a special referendum period to re-run the same question. However, bylaw limitations mean[Read More…]
Initiative seeks to create city-wide policy on affordable and accessible student housing
A new initiative to study and develop affordable student housing in Montreal is gaining support from universities around the city. After being approached by independent research organization L’Unité de travail pour l’implantation de logement étudiant (UTILE), the Students’ Society of McGill University (SSMU) has begun to take part in UTILE’s[Read More…]
i-Week panel examines relationship between migrants and Indigenous communities
Building relationships between international students, migrants, and Indigenous peoples was the focus of a panel discussion hosted by the Social Equity and Diversity Education Office (SEDE) on Thursday. According to Juhi Sujan, administrative coordinator at SEDE, the event was coordinated to address an unique subject matter. “In envisioning the event,[Read More…]
It isn’t easy being green, but why not try?
After finishing the last bite of an apple, it’s almost second nature to toss it into the trash can before heading off to class. But what happens then? Few people know the fate of their food waste. But for many McGill students, the matter wasn’t just a concern—it was the[Read More…]
Reading the fine print: apartment leasing in Quebec
After a year of living in Rez, I was overwhelmingly excited to finally find my own place. Not that I didn’t enjoy my experience in university housing—I was simply anxious to have my own furniture, decorate my own room, and cook in the kitchen I would share with my roommate.[Read More…]
Revitalizing Indigenous languages
Is learning a new language at a young age really the most beneficial? On a scientific level, perhaps. After all, research studies have shown that doing so can enhance a child’s cognitive development, and that there is a critical period for language acquisition at younger ages. But for Indigenous language[Read More…]
Behind SSMU’s investment gridlock
The upcoming Nov. 13 special General Assembly (GA) will seek to address issues that could not be settled during the October GA due to its failure to meet quorum. One of these issues will be to ratify appointments to SSMU’s Board of Directors (BoD). Without a BoD, the Students’ Society[Read More…]
Rising voices
The first time I performed at a poetry slam, my hands began shaking the moment I stepped onto the stage and didn’t stop until the car ride home. I was out of breath as I recited the last lines of my poem, and continued to sound as though I had[Read More…]
Word on the street
When asking someone to put together a list of top destinations here in Montreal, it should come as no surprise that restaurants and other foodie favourites will take up a massive chunk of that list. Whether you find yourself partial to the world-famous smoked meat from Schwartz’s Deli, or to a T-Rex poutine from La Banquise, Montreal offers an eclectic and unique dining experience, be it in the heart of downtown, or way out past the Plateau. Students and residents alike will travel far and wide and even brave the biting cold weather just to grab a dish from their favorite joints. Luckily for them, this year, they might not have to go further than campus.
Help will always be given to those who ask for it
As the round of second semester finals seemingly springs out of nowhere every year, students across campus can finally tick off another completed term here at McGill. With age comes wisdom, and students seem to rely on McGill resources less and less as they grow more familiar with the school.[Read More…]