On Nov. 21, the Political Science Students’ Association held a debate between the McGill chapters of Canadian political parties: Conservative McGill, Liberal McGill, New Democratic Party (NDP) McGill, and Young Greens McGill. Representatives from these groups shared their views on drugs, immigration, Indigenous affairs, climate change, and economic policy. For[Read More…]
Articles by Julia Métraux
Disclosure policies remain absent in SSMU and PGSS
Policies for safe disclosure, or whistleblowing, protect members of companies, unions, or societies who report misconduct within their organization. These policies strive to support members who report anything from financial mismanagement to harassment and assault. McGill University recognizes disclosures through its Policy on Safe Disclosures (“Whistleblowing”), adopted in November 2015.[Read More…]
AUS Legislative Council votes in support of Daily Publications Society
On Nov. 8, the Arts Undergraduate Society (AUS) Legislative Council held its fifth meeting of the Fall semester. Councillors passed motions to support the Daily Publications Society (DPS) existence referendum, to create the Quebec Studies Students Association (QSSA), and to appoint 18 councillors, executives, and other students to positions on[Read More…]
PGSS Secretary-General candidates share platforms at debate
On Nov. 2, the McGill Post-Graduate Students’ Society (PGSS) hosted a debate for candidates for the office of Secretary-General at Thomson House. Two days before the start of the voting period, which takes place between Nov. 4 and Nov. 11, the four candidates discussed their platforms and the projects they[Read More…]
McGill needs to better accommodate hearing-impaired students
On my first day of class in Leacock 26 in Fall 2016, I awaited eagerly to discover what my introductory lecture to McGill University would be like. It was not the lecture that I had hoped for. Instead of receiving an explanation of the supply and demand model, my hearing[Read More…]
SSMU Gendered and Sexual Violence Open Forum tackles lack of change and trust
The Students’ Society of McGill University (SSMU) hosted a Gendered and Sexual Violence Open Forum on Oct. 16 to receive feedback and answer questions from members of the McGill community on campus discourse surrounding sexual violence and the development of a SSMU Gendered and Sexualized Violence Policy (GSVP). SSMU Vice-President[Read More…]
STEMM Diversity @ McGill launches at Redpath Museum
Nearly a year after its inception, the Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics, Medicine (STEMM) Diversity @ McGill initiative, which aims to promote diversity in STEMM fields, launched an exhibition under the same name at the Redpath Museum on Oct. 11. The exhibit, which is still growing, features interviews with women and[Read More…]
‘Victims of Socialism’ presentation stirs up controversy on campus
On Sept 25, George Harbison, chief financial officer of Unitek Learning, gave a talk on the “The Victims of Socialism.” The talk was hosted by the Conservative Association (CA) at McGill University in conjunction with The Victims of Communism Memorial Foundation. Though the event title alluded to a discussion of[Read More…]
Viewpoint: My study abroad experience
This past summer, I spent six weeks studying French language and literature at Middlebury Language Schools, an intensive program at Middlebury College in Vermont. The experience not only improved my French as expected, but also opened my eyes to the educational possibilities availably beyond the Roddick Gates. Prior to registering[Read More…]
Seventh Annual Indigenous Awareness Week brings together views on reconciliation
From Sept. 18 to 22, the Social Equity and Diversity Education’s (SEDE) Indigenous Education Program hosted the 7th Annual Indigenous Awareness Week. Members of the McGill community attended presentations, film screenings, and activities on intersectionality, indigenous rights, and culture. Among them were presentations on the creation and application of the United[Read More…]
McGill University stays at 42nd in World University Ranking
On Sept. 5, the Times Higher Education (THE) released its 2018 World University Ranking, with McGill University ranked 42nd of 1000 universities globally, the same as its THE 2017 ranking. THE World University Ranking, like Maclean’s and QS’, uses multiple variables in its methodology to determine its annual ranking. Quality of teaching, research, and citations[Read More…]
The bad news blues: Tackling news anxiety
In today’s political climate, it seems important new stories break every day. It is also without much surprise that people are now more worried than ever by the frequent reports. As noted by story editor Nitsuh Abebe in April in The New York Times, the past year has seen the[Read More…]
First-Year Seminars aid new students’ transition into university
When I was finalizing my university decision, my biggest hesitation about attending McGill University was the sheer class size of core requirement courses for my then-major Economics. I had never had a class with more than 25 students throughout my elementary and secondary education, so I felt both overwhelmed and[Read More…]
New Office for Sexual Violence Response, Support and Education opens on Sherbrooke
On March 27, the Office for Sexual Violence Response, Support and Education (O-SVRSE) opened its doors to the McGill community and hosted two open houses. The office is located at 550 Rue Sherbrooke Ouest, Suite 585, and officially opened in November 2016. Associate Provost (Policies, Procedures and Equity) Angela Campbell[Read More…]
Senate addresses reported increase in applicants to McGill from U.S. and overseas
On March 22, the McGill Senate held its monthly meeting and discussed the sale of lecture materials not produced by professors, the Annual Report on Enrolment and Strategic Enrolment Management, and the Budget Plan for Fiscal Year (FY) 2017-2018. Question Regarding Sale of Lecture Materials Before the meeting, Pharmacology and[Read More…]
First annual ‘Clash of the Professors’ covers global economic affairs
On March 13, the McGill Students Trading Society (MSTS) hosted its first annual “Clash of the Professors’ event on the subject of global economic affairs. Economics Professor Paul Dickinson moderated the debate between Economics and North American Studies Associate Professor Tom Velk and Economics Associate Professor Christopher Ragan. MSTS Chief[Read More…]
EUS Wellness Survey sheds light on mental health in Faculty of Engineering
On Feb. 23, the Engineering Undergraduate Society (EUS) released the results of a wellness survey of its members that was conducted in November 2016. To address the findings, EUS hosted an open forum on March 9. According to EUS President Jean-Louis Shi, the results signal a need for change in[Read More…]
UPenn professor presents study on American and Canadian trade opinions
On Feb. 24, Diana C. Mutz, a professor of Political Science and Communication at the University of Pennsylvania (UPenn), gave a presentation at Thomson House on her study “Mass Opinion Toward Trade in the United States and Canada.” The event was sponsored by the Centre for the Study of Democratic[Read More…]
SSMU General Assembly approves Motion Regarding Policy Against Ancillary Fee Increases
On Feb. 20, the Students’ Society of McGill University (SSMU) Winter 2017 General Assembly (GA) passed motions to oppose increases in ancillary fees and to formally ratify the United Nations (UN) Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The GA was delayed by one hour in order to meet quorum. Although quorum was[Read More…]
AUS discusses support for prospective students affected by the U.S. travel ban
On Feb. 8, the Arts Undergraduate Society (AUS) Legislative Council passed four motions, which pertained to student jobs, reforming the McGill Psychology Students’ Association constitution, screening potential Vice-President (VP) Finance candidates, and support for prospective students affected by the U.S. travel ban. Motion to Amend Arts Student Employment Fund (ASEF)[Read More…]
McGill community responds to shooting at a Quebec City mosque
On Jan. 29, during evening prayer at the Centre Culturel Islamique de Québec, a shooter killed six and injured nineteen others. Prime Minister Justin Trudeau labelled this tragedy an “act of terrorism.” The Montreal and McGill communities responded by denouncing the shooting and participating in events focusing on solidarity. Vigils[Read More…]
American Secretary of Education nominee Betsy DeVos is a threat to students with disabilities
I would not be at McGill University if it were not for the assistance of the United States of America’s Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA), a federal law requiring schools to provide for the individual needs of students with disabilities. Guidelines set by the IDEA enabled me to succeed[Read More…]
PGSS sends Legal Information Clinic Referendum Question to online ratification
On Jan. 18, the Post-Graduate Students’ Society (PGSS) voted to send the Legal Information Clinic at McGill (LICM) Referendum Question to online ratification, considered an invitation to collaborate on Boycott, Divestment, and Sanctions (BDS), and discussed Thomson House fees. Legal Information Clinic Referendum Question PGSS Council members voted to send[Read More…]
The Algemeiner ranks McGill fourth worst university for Jewish students
In late December, The Algemeiner – a Jewish newspaper in the United States – ranked McGill University as the fourth worst university for Jewish students in its first annual list of “The 40 Worst Colleges for Jewish Students” in North America. The Algemeiner editors reviewed anti-Semitic actions on campuses according to the[Read More…]
Open forum for the Provost’s Task Force on Indigenous Studies and Indigenous Education provokes dialogue on indigenous issues
On Nov. 22, the Provost’s Task Force on Indigenous Studies and Indigenous Education hosted an open forum to discuss their progress and receive input from members of the McGill Community. The Task Force was launched Sept. 22 of this year with the purpose of creating initiatives focused on integrating indigenous[Read More…]
Flashback: Charlie’s Angels
When it came to solving crime on television, male-led shows like The Man from U.N.C.L.E. and I Spy dominated espionage and crime entertainment throughout the 1960s. Although women did have some important roles, they were mainly featured alongside men. Just over 40 years ago, on Sept. 22, 1976, Charlie’s Angels premiered. Its leads[Read More…]
SSMU passes global access to medicines, cost-free birth control
At its Nov. 17 meeting, the Students’ Society of McGill University (SSMU) Legislative Council voted to pass the Motion Regarding Global Access to Medicines Policy and the Motion Regarding SSMU Support for Cost-Free Birth Control Coverage. According to SSMU President Ben Ger, Council voted on motions that were originally supposed[Read More…]
Part of Frank Dawson Adams Auditorium ceiling collapses
On Nov. 3, the ceiling of the auditorium in the Frank Dawson Adams Building leaked water and partially collapsed during a RELG 252: Hinduism and Buddhism lecture. No injuries were reported. According to Associate Director of Preventative Maintenance Claude Lahaie, the leak was a result of human error. “Because the[Read More…]
Tribune Explains: GA and Referenda
What is the General Assembly? The General Assembly (GA) is a method of direct decision-making that takes place once a semester for members of Students’ Society of McGill University (SSMU). The Fall GA will take place on Nov. 7 at 3 p.m. in the Shatner Building. All SSMU members, which[Read More…]
In pursuit of a healthy and safe Frosh
During a Sept. 28 press conference, Quebec Minister of Women Lise Thériault addressed concerns of the correlation between Frosh activities and hazing following various incidents at universities and colleges across the province of Quebec. A Montréal Gazette editorial on Frosh, in addition to the Minister’s comments, started a conversation among Frosh[Read More…]
#ConsentMcGill annual campaign teaches students about consent, sexual violence, and healthy relationships
The #ConsentMcGill campaign kicked off its third year with a week of speaking panels, workshops, and other activities designed to educate members of the McGill community about consent, sexual violence, and how to build healthy relationships. Events were scheduled from Sept. 26 to 30 and covered a variety of topics[Read More…]
McGill hosts 15th annual Pow Wow
On Sept. 16, members of the McGill community and public gathered to watch the 15th Annual Pow Wow, an event on Lower Field celebrating indigenous traditions and cultures. According to Paige Isaac, Coordinator of the McGill First People’s House (FPH), the purpose of the Pow Wow is to engage members of[Read More…]