Last week, my one-time co-editor at the Tribune, and now full-time friend in real life, wrote about his post-McGill life and argued that McGill really is an amazing place. Something he mentioned, and I’ve been thinking about for the past five months, is that you don’t realize how great it[Read More…]
Articles by Matt Essert
Scrap the mandatory Arts minor
A recent report from the Dean of Arts’ Working Group has suggested the removal of the mandatory minor from the current Faculty of Arts program. As it stands now, McGill Arts students are required to have at least one major and one minor. From both personal experience and a simple[Read More…]
Year in review: The stories that mattered on campus
ARCH Café: This fall, students returned to McGill to find that the beloved Architecture Café wouldn’t be reopening for the school year. In early September, Deputy Provost (Student Life and Learning) Morton Mendelson claimed that the café had been losing money for the last several years but refused to cite[Read More…]
President Zach Newburgh reflects on his time in office
How would you evaluate your year as the SSMU president? With every year, there are certainly ups and downs. I think that the great things we were able to achieve far surpassed the others which individuals might consider to be not so successful. This year featured the very first student-run[Read More…]
Redmen swimming – B
Adam Scotti With mostly second and third place overall team finishes throughout the season, the Redmen swimmers had an overall standard year collectively. The team finished 11th out of 19 teams at the CIS championships in late February to cap off a steady season that left the team with room[Read More…]
This summer, don’t miss out on these releases
blogs.commercialappeal.com celebritywonder.ugo.com Right now you’re probably at a crossroads. On the one hand, you’re excited about the upcoming summer’s entertainment possibilities, but on the other you’re worried that the Tribune won’t be here to guide your entertainment selection process. Unfortunately there’s nothing we can do about that, so you’ll just[Read More…]
Getting dressed
The Tribune has published a number of articles in the how-to series this year. They have all been very helpful and for that you are welcome. One problem, however, with a lot of these articles is that they require wearing clothes. But, how do you get dressed? Here’s how: First,[Read More…]
SSMU exec vows to take transparency to the extreme
After lofty promises were made during this year’s election campaign period, Adam Russell, next year’s incoming Students’ Society president has vowed to lead the SSMU with “so much transparency that ‘you won’t even see me.’” Russell, a U7 earth and planetary sciences student, said he is tired of students’ general[Read More…]
Student tries beer
After finally trying beer for the first time this past week, freshman Steven Karp has officially announced his plans to abandon his intentions of going to med school to become a doctor. Karp said that during recent weeks of “experimentation” with beer, he has decided that drinking and partying is[Read More…]
No room for brocism
The Brobune wants to talk about some of the stizzle in Deputy Brovost (Student Life and Ballin’) Gorton Pendelson’s recent Diversity Survey. One thing that sucks is that whole thing about the “underrepresentation of and discrimination towards the bro community at McGill.” Dude, what the frick, guy? Even though there[Read More…]
McGill ranked among top schools in reporting on rankings
The McGill administration proudly announced last week that it was recently ranked among the top Canadian universities at constantly announcing its various rankings on a number of surveys. John Lasi, supreme viceroy-in-chief of the McGill Spirit Squad, said he was delighted for the school to be recognized with such an[Read More…]
Consultating consultation
Still months away from assuming their posts, next year’s Students’ Society executive has announced plans to hold multiple consultation forums in the coming semesters in order to better understand how McGill students want to be consulted about consultation. Though the seed of this idea was part of incoming President Adam[Read More…]
Shipment of scarves delayed
A shipment of scarves and cardigans intended for the McGill philosophy department has been delayed in transit, causing major concern and worry for the members of the program. The philosophy department, which many students in the department call “the only thing worth doing,” is currently searching for the package. However,[Read More…]
U0 student worried about Africa after Poli Sci class
After finally attending a lecture for POLI 227: Developing Worlds, Rachel Birkwire, a U0 student from “Toronto” (Oakville), said she is “actually really worried” about the current situation in Africa. Though she couldn’t be any more specific about which situation she was referring to, Birkwire said she thinks “we actually[Read More…]
After lofty promises were made during this year’s election campaign period, Adam Russell, next year’s incoming Students’ Society president has vowed to lead the SSMU with “so much transparency that ‘you won’t even see me.’” Russell, a U7 earth and planetary sciences student, said he is tired of students’ general[Read More…]
Students win 1st prize in Go Green Challenge
Two McGill students were recently awarded first prize in the fourth annual TD Go Green Challenge. David Morris and Omer Dor, both U3 chemical engineering students, beat out competition from 59 schools, winning $100,000 for sustainability projects at McGill, $20,000 in cash, and paid summer internships at the TD[Read More…]
McGill’s Barbados campus: Bellairs Research Institute
Matt Essert McGill is a terrible tundra of frigidness and despair. You can’t go to class without having your nose hairs freeze off or your feet succumbing to terrible frost bite … unless of course, you’re spending a semester at the McGill Bellairs Research Institute in beautiful Barbados. The Bellairs[Read More…]
Zaidi to take Newburgh to J-Board
Students’ Society Vice President External Myriam Zaidi plans to file a case with the SSMU Judicial Board against President Zach Newburgh over the alleged conflict of interest stemming from his involvement with Jobbook, an employment-based social networking website. Concerned with the lack of “in-depth analysis of the conflict of interest[Read More…]
Anticipated changes to Frosh unveiled at Orientation Fair
After several months of consultation, review, and discussion, the new plan for McGill Orientation and Frosh week was revealed last Thursday. With a new, more unified vision of what orientation should be and certain scheduling changes, Orientation Week aims to be more cohesive, and will connect the academic orientation, formally[Read More…]
How to rear children
You might think it’s a bit early to start thinking about rearing children, but it’s not. Kids are everywhere and need to be dealt with in the right way. If you make a mistake raising a child, you are effectively giving the middle finger to the future, and that’s just[Read More…]
Concerns raised over Athletics promotions
Despite strong attendance numbers at numerous McGill athletic events this year, some students have recently expressed concerns about McGill Athletics and Recreation’s promotion strategies. They are primarily concerned with Athletics’ promotion of the events surrounding the actual games and with its efforts to work with student groups in promoting events.[Read More…]
High Five!
Alice Walker For some reason, the high-five has lost a lot of the popularity it once held. I don’t know why this is, since high-fiving is totally awesome. It’s like saying hi to someone and them saying it back to you and you’re so excited to see each other that[Read More…]
President Newburgh Takes Students’ Jobbook Questions
Matt Essert Students’ Society President Zach Newburgh discussed his controversial involvement with Jobbook.com, a social networking website designed to match students with employers, at SSMU Council on Thursday for first the first time in front of the general public. Newburgh preceded his prewritten remarks, which lasted about half an hour,[Read More…]
Councillors send General Assembly question to committee
On Thursday, the Students’ Society Council voted in favour of a motion to refer the question of General Assembly reform to an ad hoc committee. The motion came after weeks of debate and concerns over the validity and merit of the original motion, authored by SSMU President Zach Newburgh. The[Read More…]
Students voice concerns at GA Town Hall
Holly Stewart Roughly 40 students attended a Town Hall meeting last Wednesday held by the Students’ Society to discuss a proposed referendum question about reforming the General Assembly. The proposed motion would replace the GA with an Annual General Meeting and an online voting period for referendum questions. SSMU Council[Read More…]
Staying warm when going to class
In order to stay warm in this city during the winter months, the first thing you need to do is realize you will never stay warm in Montreal. Accept that as a fact. Now let’s move on. Second, you need to ask yourself whether you want need to stay warm.[Read More…]
On Term Limits
First, let me say, “You’re welcome.” Second, let me explain why. I’m quite sure I have figured out how to solve politics, or at least many of the problems that plague politics. The answer is this: a term limit of one. I’m almost positive that a single term limit for[Read More…]
Showering like a pro
There are only a few reasons to take a shower. One possible reason is that you are so smelly that strangers tell you as much. If a stranger complains that you are smelly, it means that you are so smelly that the stranger felt the need to tell you about[Read More…]
Arts Undergraduate Society to challenge Montreal in court
Arts Undergraduate Society President David Marshall will be representing the AUS in an upcoming legal battle with the City of Montreal. The City ticketed and fined the AUS $2,500 in February 2010 after a member of the Arts Undergraduate Theatre Society posted an 8 ½ x 11-sized flyer advertising a[Read More…]
Montreal’s Stars shine bright
youarestars.com Celebrating their 10th birthday, Canadian indie-pop act Stars are proving that their success hasn’t been a fluke. Currently based in Montreal, Stars—a four-man, one-woman act—recently released their fifth full-length album, The Five Ghosts, the band’s first release on its own label, Soft Revolution. After a summer-long tour testing and[Read More…]
Plate Club becomes SSMU Plate Service
After three successful years of serving McGill students, the Plate Club has become a thing of the past. Students will no longer be able to go to the Plate Club to borrow dishware for lunch or events. Luckily for students the Plate Service will be filling that void. In an[Read More…]
Speaker discusses nebulous state of copyright law
On Friday, Roberto Caso, an associate professor of comparative private law at the University of Trento in Italy, addressed a small but full room of law students and faculty at Chancellor Day Hall, discussing copyright law and technology across various contexts. In his presentation, Caso explained that there is a[Read More…]
McGill Opens New Centralized Service Point for Administrative Needs
McGill opened a new integrated service point in the recently renovated basement of the McLennan Library, designed to centralize administrative services for students. After nearly five years of planning and development, the $4.9 million renovation has created a new space offering assistance with registration and Minerva, the issuing of McGill[Read More…]
Cash registers and bartenders keeping busy at Gert’s
Sophie Silkes What was once considered one of the least popular spots on the McGill campus has experienced a resurgence this year. Over the past few months, Gert’s Bar has seen significant increases in sales, profits, and popularity. This September, Gert’s had $35,968 in sales and turned a $5,736 profit.[Read More…]
Romeo Dallaire lectures on Canada’s next generation
Alice Walker Alice Walker Lieutenant-General and Senator Roméo Dallaire has seen a lot. In fact, he has seen more than most people can possibly imagine. This was made clear during a lecture delivered by Dallaire at Concordia University last Thursday. The talk and accompanying book signing were part of a[Read More…]
All motions pass at sparsely attended GA
Last Thursday, the student body passed all six resolutions proposed at a sparsely attended Fall General Assembly. The resolutions regarding the Students’ Society liquor licence, gender parity, and liability were passed with few or no amendments. The resolutions regarding the volume in Gert’s, the Arts Undergraduate Society fundraiser, and the[Read More…]
Council divided over coffee & tea
A motion was passed at last Thursday’s Students’ Society Council meeting to provide coffee and tea to student councillors at their bi-weekly meetings. This seemingly innocuous resolution met resistance when some councillors objected to the vague wording in the proposed resolution. The motion, which read, “Resolved, coffee and tea will[Read More…]
Business rises at student-run food outlets on campus
In the wake of the administration’s closure of the Architecture Café and subsequent Students’ Society-supported boycott of McGill Food and Dining Services, some of McGill’s student-run food services have seen an increase in business this semester. Over the summer, the McGill administration closed the Architecture Café, a popular student-managed eatery[Read More…]
Living with girls
Last year a girl I didn’t know moved in with me and my two other male roommates. It was weird. But during that semester, no matter how much I fought it, my living style changed, sometimes for the better, but mostly to the lamer. But, besides certain aspects of my[Read More…]
QPIRG confronts Opt-Out Campaign in alleged altercation
Holly Stewart On Thursday, Quebec Public Interest Research Group supporters and Board of Directors members surrounded a table hosted by the QPIRG Opt-Out Campaign in the hallway between the McConnell Engineering and Frank Dawson Adams buildings. QPIRG attempted to block QPRIG Opt-Out campaigners from distributing flyers and reportedly hurled slurs.[Read More…]
Arts Execs reveal $30,000 Frosh budget deficit at Council
The Arts Undergraduate Society announced on Wednesday that Arts Frosh had taken in far less than what was needed to cover the event’s expenditures, resulting in a budget deficit of $30,105. AUS Vice-President Finance Majd Al Khaldi spent more than an hour detailing how the event went so deeply into[Read More…]
McGill no longer subsidizing French classes
After several years of subsidizing French as a Second Language class fees for international students, McGill has determined that it can no longer afford to offer the program at such a low cost.
Last spring, the university decided that it would raise international tuition rates for FRSL classes in to improve McGill’s severe deficit.
The Best of Activities Night
Two thousand six hundred McGill students wandered the halls of the Shatner Building last Tuesday and Wednesday during Activities Night to learn about the different clubs and services tht the university has to offer. In case you weren’t able to attend, here is a list of a few clubs you might be interested in joining.
Cooking For One: All the Blame but All the Leftovers
As Harry Nilsson famously sang, “One is the loneliest number that you’ll ever do.” One has to wonder if Mr. Nilsson was lamenting his lonesome nights in his kitchen, cooking just for himself.
As many university students know, cooking in itself can be difficult, but cooking for one can sometimes be a whole different ball game. However, it can also be extremely fun and rewarding. One of my favourite ways to spend time is alone in my kitchen with my music and my cast-iron pan. No, it’s not weird. It’s actually fun.
Administration proposes major changes for Athletics Board
The McGill Athletics Board could be facing major changes in the upcoming weeks. A new Terms of Reference agreement drafted over the summer proposed to turn the Athletics Board into an “advisory board” and could dramatically alter the accountability structure of the athletics budgetary approval process.
Management Frosh Theme Changed After Allegations of Racism
Less than a week before the start of faculty frosh, the Management Undergraduate Society changed their controversial “Tribal Frosh” theme following complaints of racism and cultural insensitivity. Much of the controversy began on August 19, when Sarah Woolf, a U3 Arts student and former Students’ Society councilor, posted a Facebook note complaining about the MUS’s racist promotional videos.
University of Toronto seeks tuition hike to reach balanced budget
The University of Toronto’s Business Board has proposed a tuition fee schedule that will include an average fee increase of 4.31 per cent for domestic students and 6 per cent increase for international students. The fee increases are part of the Business Board’s plan to balance the budget for the upcoming years.
Daily Publications Society narrowly passes $1 fee increase
The Daily Publications Society, which publishes The McGill Daily and Le Délit, passed its $1 fee increase on Thursday, with 51.3 per cent of students voting to increase the DPS’s non-opt-outable fee to $6 per semester. Approximately 2,500 students, or 12.
JOKE ISSUE: McGill students failing courses for “financial reasons”
U1 biology student Lincoln Duncan is currently on track to fail four out of his five courses during the 2010 winter semester, meaning he will only earn three credits this semester instead of the expected 15. In an unexpected announcement, Duncan has blamed the economy for his poor performance.
STM to launch new express bus service to Trudeau Airport
At the end of the month, the Montreal Transit Association (STM) will launch a new bus service providing direct transportation from downtown Montreal to Trudeau Airport. Service on the 747 Express bus starts on March 29. The bus will offer rides to and from the airport 24 hours a day, and will cost $7 each way.
McGill alum Christian Lander talks blogs, books, and bagels
Christian Lander delivered the keynote address yesterday at the second annual BASiC Ampersand Conference. Lander, who graduated from McGill in 2001, is the founder of the popular blog Stuff White People Like, which netted him a publishing deal two years ago.
Newburgh wins SSMU presidency
Hillel Montreal President and former EUS and SSMU Speaker of Council Zach Newburgh was elected SSMU president on Thursday evening, narrowly edging out his competitors with 28.6 per cent of the vote. Newburgh’s margin of victory was only 1.5 per cent of the vote over AUS Senator Sarah Woolf.
Changes to Frosh may eliminate daytime drinking by leaders
After several months of discussion between the Students’ Society, faculty associations, and members of the administration, major changes may be in store for Frosh this coming year. “The university is looking for basic, systematic changes, but those changes are very big ideologically,” Students’ Society Vice-President Internal Alex Brown said.
Daniel Jutras appointed Dean of the McGill Faculty of Law
On February 17, Daniel Jutras was appointed Dean of the McGill Faculty of Law. Jutras had served as the interim dean since July 1, 2009, after working at the Supreme Court of Canada for several years and then the national law firm of Borden Ladner Gervais.
Dentistry grad criticizes Quebec’s language exam
Jennifer Plotnick, a recent graduate from the McGill Faculty of Dentistry, has found herself with an unenviable commute due to Quebec’s language requirements. After failing to meet the French language requirements for out-of-province professionals, Plotnick now drives nearly two hours every morning to practice dentistry in Plattsburgh, New York.
COMMENTARY: Eye-fucking hate Avatar
I am worried about the future. There are many things that make me think that the future will not be as exciting as Back to the Future 2 and The Jetsons, such as global warming, international strife, the possible collapse of capitalism, and other similarly serious problems.
New study suggests that for some, obesity may be genetic
A recent study published in Nature has revealed that a proportion of morbidly obese people are missing a certain piece of DNA. The study found that seven of every 1,000 obese people are missing a specific part of their DNA, which contains about 30 genes. Professor Philippe Froguel and Dr.
In Kahnawake, eviction notices force non-Aboriginals off the land
In response to a growing number of complaints by residents of the Kahnawake reservation on the South Shore, the Mohawk Council of Kahnawake has served eviction notices to all non-native people living illegally on the reserve. In accordance with Canadian law, the federal government grants land reserves to native bands, who are then in charge of deciding their own residence laws.
Donderi begins four-part lecture on psychology of UFO phenomenon
Last Friday, the Redpath Museum auditorium was filled with students and faculty members attending the first of a four-part lecture series by former McGill professor Don Donderi on the psychology and science behind UFOs and aliens. During his talk, Donderi laid out his basic thoughts on alien encounters, provided scientific insight into numerous examples of documented “close encounters,” and discussed what he intends to convey over the course of the entire lecture series.