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McGill, News

McGill Name No Longer to be Used by Certain Clubs

by Kyla Mandel on

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Holly Stewart

Student-run clubs at the university with the word “McGill” in their names have faced increasing difficulties this academic year after fears of liability issues arose within the administration.

When the McGill name is used in a club title, the administration has argued, it implies that the university-and not the students who run the club-are providing the service.

In order to preempt any future liability issues, the administration has asked that student clubs change their names so that it is clear that their services are provided by the students and not the university.

In a meeting between Deputy Provost (Student Life & Learning) Morton Mendelson and the McGill First Aid Service (MFAS), Mendelson asserted that this new policy was non-negotiable.

“The university really has to control the use of its name, [our] main issue is to ensure the integrity of the name and the logo,” said Mendelson.

According to Student’s Society Vice-President Clubs and Services Anushay Khan, however, student clubs are all under SSMU’s umbrella. If a liability issue arose, she said, SSMU, not the university, would be held accountable.

The concern over the use of the McGill name in club titles has been a recurring issue on campus for years. In the past, a selection process was used in order to determine which clubs were allowed to use the McGill name.

“One of the things that has happened over the years is that there are a number of groups that have used the McGill name in such a way that can create confusion in the public about whether or not it is a student group offering a service, or the university,” said Mendelson.

According to SSMU President Zach Newburgh, however, the criteria by which the administration judges whether or not a club can use the McGill name has not been made public.

“This is one of the many things that hurts the relationship [and] creates tension between the administration and the students of the university,” Newburgh said.

“Often the administration makes a distinction between the university and [the] students,” Khan added. “But aren’t the students part of the university? Don’t they actually make up the university? Because without students there would be no university.”

Khan believes that the sense of community that students should feel towards their university is being taken away with this new policy.

“I understand [McGill’s] concern,” she said. “[But] if you are going to use ‘student’ and ‘liability’ in the same sentence, I think that’s a problem.”

Mendelson said that the problem will not arise in certain cases like the McGill Debating Club, since “everyone knows that it is students from the university.” But it could create confusion in other clubs if it is not clear that it is student-run.

“There’s a certain amount of clarity we are asking for,” he added.

Khan claimed that some of the services provided by clubs have been beneficial for the university community.

“The reason why SSMU services are so important is because we are filling a gap that student services at McGill do not provide, like a sexual assault center, first aid, Walksafe, and DriveSafe,” said Khan.

This point is well illustrated by MFAS, which the administration recently instructed to change its name. When there is a problem on campus, Khan said, MFAS responds immediately, sometimes faster than McGill Security.

“MFAS is the largest provider of English-language first aid courses in Montreal,” said MFAS director Nicole Edwards. If MFAS does not cooperate with this new policy, however, they may not be able to expand their services.

“It is really frustrating because we have been trying to go campus-wide, and this is the one thing that’s preventing us,” she said. “If it would make our lives easier I would change our name and move forward, but [this situation is] bigger than us.”

At the moment, SSMU is in the process of renegotiating their memorandum of agreement with McGill. Until that is finished, student clubs are at a standstill.

“If we did have to change our name, it would cost a lot of money to change our uniforms and our equipment,” said Edwards. “We have a contract with the Red Cross [that] we would have to change because we teach courses for them.”

MFAS and TVMcGill are among the clubs affected by the new policy change. Newburgh believes clubs that are “often in the public eye” will be most affected by the change.

“Together with the students that are going to be impacted by this, we can stand together and tell the administration, ‘No, this is not acceptable'” said Newburgh. “The students are what make this school what it is.”

Letters to the Editor, Opinion

LETTER TO THE EDITOR: The Tone of the Trib Editorial

by Sebastian Ronderos-Morgan on

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If the Tribune’s editors had a point in last week’s editorial, entitled “Tribal Frosh and the tone of campus debate”, it was certainly lost on me-and surely most other smart McGillians-when it plunged into an utterly juvenile lambasting of the, so -called, “anti-MUS campaign” (sic). The editorial used a condescending, outrageous and offensive tone in its criticism of the “tone of campus debate,” and, more specifically, the tone of the “anti-MUS campaign.”

Did this “anti-MUS campaign” actually seek to “hammer the opposition over the head until the latter submit[ed] to their overpowering will” or “bludgeon others into compliance?” Moreover, I’d like to know how the “tone of campus debate” was improved when the mudslinging Tribune editors accused student activists of engaging in a “university-level version of bullying,” or when the Tribune editors demeaned student engagement in campus affairs by calling it a “screeching temper tantrum.” Do any of the above quotes, pulled from last week’s editorial, display a commitment to the “atmosphere of moral and intellectual education” ostensibly sought after by the Tribune editors? Did the tone of the editorial’s argument completely undermine the very argument it was trying to make? I would like the Tribune “to consider these questions,” too, before writing their next editorial.

Also, don’t misrepresent what happened at the Choose Life protests last year. There was no “physical sort” of “bullying” committed; I saw the whole thing. That’s just bad reporting and I expect more out of the Tribune.

Editorial, Opinion

DISSENT: Province Should Explore Other Possibilities First

by Mookie Kideckel on

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As an Ontario student, I have no special love for the preferential rates Quebec gives its students. But if Quebec gives its students a bargain, my resentment is as much towards Ontario for not doing the same for me. In that light, I cannot support a tuition hike. Raising Quebec rates-even to parity with the rest of the country-is a big move, and one that seems far too easy of a solution for a problem tied to issues far beyond university education.

The problem is certainly grave. McGill’s budget deficit is real, and the school’s efforts to ease it without tuition increases have led to larger class sizes, deferred maintenance procedures, and salary freezes for staff. Tuition does not provide enough money, and somewhere between federal and provincial government transfers the shortfall is not being made up. This dissent fully grasps the gravity of McGill’s financial situation. It believes, though, that tuition rates are only one variable affecting it, and not necessarily the most important to address.

Part of this comes from skepticism of anything too politically expedient. It is true that Quebec governments have tended to support tuition freezes. But governments around North America have struggled with low tuition over the past couple decades, and now filling funding gaps with higher user fees appears to be an attractive option even in Quebec. Those fees will mainly affect the younger, poorer demographic that has little political power and notoriously low levels of participation. It seems unlikely that Jean Charest and company fear dissatisfied undergraduates as much as, say, corporate powers that would vigorously fight a tax increase. This does not in itself mean that raising tuition is wrong. It does, however, make it seem unlikely that the politicians in favour of tuition increases have seriously considered more difficult alternatives.

Alternatives to tuition increases are abundant. Money could be raised through reshuffling government spending, raising income or corporate taxes, increasing federal education contributions, inviting more corporate money for infrastructure projects, or even more creative ways of which it is difficult for a non-expert to conceive. I do not mean to say that I endorse any or all of these options. But options are there, and therefore the problem is not lacking the means to fund education, it is failing to prioritize it. High school and health care were also once thought to be too expensive to fund. Societies who now prize these as indispensable public goods would be aghast at suggestions to stop providing them.

What price to place on education, and whether or not it is a right, are issues that tend to offer more questions than answers. I intend to keep asking them. But without a thorough exploration by the government of all possible solutions, and an explanation of why tuition increases are still absolutely necessary, when it comes to a higher price for education I’m not sold.

Arts & Entertainment

POP RHETORIC: Outlive, Outplay, Outlast

by Alex Knoll on

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Thailand. Guatemala. Panama. Fiji. Micronesia. The list goes on. Any television show filmed in these places is automatically cool in my books. Of course I’m talking about Survivor, the best show on television. I usually get the same reaction when I talk about the show; “You still watch that?” Or eve; “That’s still on?” Yes, Survivor is still on and I still watch it. It’s been 10 years, 20 seasons, and Survivor is still just as awesome as it was when it first aired. No one can convince me otherwise.

Reality TV is now just as commonplace as weeknight sitcoms. But Survivor, which first aired in 2000, is what sparked the reality TV revolution. And nothing compares to it. Though the show doesn’t really require people to survive in the most literal sense, Survivor lives up to its name. At its core, Survivor is really a social game that asks the question: “How far will people go for money?” Being stranded on an island and left to fend for themselves really does get to the players.

The show does a great job of picking a diverse group of people with different personalities, and it’s interesting to watch how each of the players progresses throughout the game. Civilization decorates and materializes people to the maximum, but throwing complete strangers on a remote island is the perfect way to reveal our species’ true primitive nature.

A lot of people hate Survivor for different reasons. First, I’ve heard people say it’s repetitive. The show hasn’t changed very much since its inception, but this is what makes it so great. It doesn’t try to be something it isn’t; the show remains a game that is meant to showcase the contestants, which is exactly what reality TV should be about. Every season of Survivor gets a whole new cast of people, and this is what makes each season unique.

Second, I’ve heard people say it’s fake. Wrong. Survivor is real. Of course we don’t see everything that goes on behind the scenes. And yes, there are producers, camera people, and medics always on site. If they have to get somewhere miles away they will be transported. But all aspects of the show that make it Survivor are still real. They really do sleep in homemade shelters on the ground, find and make their own food, compete in intense challenges on essentially empty stomachs, form alliances, and vote people out. It’s all real. How do I know this? I just do, OK?

Also, it’s been 10 years, and Jeff Probst is still hot! But of course that’s just a minor detail. The point is this: Survivor is a remarkable part of our generation’s culture, and everyone should recognize it. Survivor: Nicaragua premiers on September 15, and will feature a battle of the ages (the teams are separated into old and young). I urge you to join me and watch!

Arts & Entertainment, Music

CD REVIEW: Luke Doucet and the White Falcon – Steel City Trawler

by Manisha Aggarwal-Schifellite on

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The eighth studio album from Luke Doucet, and the second to feature The White Falcon, Steel City Trawler is an unabashed portrait of the magic in the everyday. The album’s straightforward guitar riffs and upbeat melodies, combined with Doucet’s earnest lyrics, form an enjoyable and thoughtful record.

From start to finish, Doucet coasts through a journey of observations about life, love, and the world around him, presenting his findings earnestly and sometimes ironically. The title of the album pays homage to Doucet’s new home of Hamilton, Ontario. The city’s blue-collar roots are represented in his lyrics, particularly in the song “Thinking People.”

On other tracks like “Dusted” and “The Ballad of Ian Curtis,” Doucet tackles heavier issues: suicide, existential crises, and the creative legacy one leaves behind. But the album is also fun, and Doucet’s humour shines through on “Love and a Steady Hand” and “Dirty Dirty Blonde.” Lyrically, the combination of heavy and light subject matter balances the album, and the themes of introspection and reflection tie the songs together. If you’re looking for an upbeat but grounded album for the onset of cold nights and turning colours, this is the record for you.

Arts & Entertainment, Music

CD REVIEW: Snoop Dogg – The West Coast Blueprint

by Nicholas Petrillo on

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In celebration of Priority Records’ 25th anniversary, hip-hop legend Snoop Dogg runs through his catalogue of West Coast favourites in The West Coast Blueprint. With a few well-placed interludes, Snoop guides the album along like a radio DJ, providing insight and commentary on California hip-hop’s golden age. Blueprint has tracks that any casual hip-hop fan will recognize and also includes some forgotten gems. Tracks like “Pay Ya Dues” by Low Profile and “Playaz Club” by Rappin’ 4-Tay have bass and G-Funk vibes, but they failed to earn the universal respect that “Eazy-Duz-It” and “Alwayz Into Somethin” achieved.

It’s clear that Snoop Dogg put some thought into selecting these tracks, but it’s hardly as comprehensive a tribute as he’d like you to think. Sure, gangsta rap was at its peak from the birth of N.W.A. to the death of Tupac, but since he ignored the 2000s, the album comes off as incomplete and, to be honest, a little lazy. Snoop also filled the album with his own material. Six tracks on the album credit him: three are interludes, two are his own material, and one features his hip-hop posse The Dogg Pound. But then again, what is hip-hop without blatant self-promotion? The rest of the tracks are all well selected. The classics are here, but it’s the unknown songs that make the album shine. Regardless of how much you like hip-hop, The West Coast Blueprint should at least give you a track or two to add to your iPod’s pre-drink playlist.

Arts & Entertainment, Music

CD REVIEW: Boxer the Horse – Would You Please

by Bianca Van Bavel on

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Comprised of lead singer and guitarist Jeremy Gaudet, drummer Andrew Woods, Isaac Neily on keyboard and Richard MacLeod on bass, Boxer the Horse is a home-grown Canadian band with lots of kick. The boys hail from Charlottetown, where the music is crude and the coastal vibe is real.

After the release of their self-titled demo shortly followed by their EP, “The Late Show,” the band gained a strong following in the Maritimes. With the national release of their first full-length album, Would You Please, the band is slowly moving west and making waves beyond their island home.

The band’s ability to shoot straight and maintain a clearly defined sound should never be underrated. There is never too much going on at one time, making it easy to focus on the distinct components of each song. Loud and clear, they master their own sound, and give a kind shout out to Montreal between the up-beat blasts in “Pot Valiant.”

These boys are fresh and hold lots of potential. Would You Please is fun to listen to, and the band’s honest sound is a fresh addition to the indie rock scene. Contrary to the title of their first track, I’m finding it hard to see any “Bad Apples” in this bunch.

Arts & Entertainment, Music

CD REVIEW: Iron Maiden – Final Frontier

by Emma Hambly on

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At first glance, the new Iron Maiden album reads like an epitaph. But the British heavy metal giants are very much alive, kicking, and rocking out.

When their latest album, Final Frontier, was announced many began to worry that this would be the last we’d hear of Iron Maiden. Lyrics in the opening number seem to signal a farewell: “I have lived my life to the full / I have no regrets / But I wish I could talk to my family / To tell them one last goodbye.”

Thankfully, the album is set on an expanding frontier, not a terminal one. Final Frontier satisfies with the usual Maiden blend of driving, layered performances and powerful lyrics, and still pushes forward as a modern album. Contemporary topics such as consumerism and the media are explored in fantastical, historical, and supernatural allegories. The guitar riffs and solos are edgier than we’re used to, and the experiment pays off.

Final Frontier is a solid entry in an already impressive Maiden catalogue. It’s definitely worthy of multiple listens and head-banging sessions. Highlights include the electrifying single “El Dorado,” the anthemic “Coming Home,” and, of course, “When the Wild Wind Blows”-an instant Maiden classic,. The monumental final song runs 11 minutes, but in typical Maiden fashion, leaves you wanting much more.

Student Life

So You Want to Procrastinate on the Internet

by Shannon Kimball on

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The Daily BeastThe Daily Beast covers news, entertainment, books, art, and food, with both original content and through links to other news outlets. Their “Cheat Sheet,” which summarizes top stories, is the best way to get news fast.

The AwlYou may not have time to read the entire Internet, but Awl does. With news, politics, opinion, culture, and YouTube videos, Awl covers both high and low culture under their stated goal: be less stupid.

threadlessThis website features neat designs on t-shirts and sweatshirts.

StumbleUponThis website is a highly efficient procrastination tool. It will show you thousands of new websites you never knew existed, and keep you entertained for hours.

Look at this fucking hipsterLatfh.com features pictures of hipsters so alternative that you will quickly realize you don’t even know the first thing about being cool.

Get High NowNo, you cannot actually get high on the Internet. But you can browse through optical and audio illusions on this website that just might mirror an acid trip.

xkcdA webcomic published three times a week featuring the perfect blend of math, humour, and romance.

fmylife.comIf you ever want an ego boost, check out this website with tons of shocking blurbs that will make you feel better about your life.

peopleofwalmart.comThe epitome of negative American stereotypes have been spotted and photographed at Walmarts throughout the U.S. and then subsequently displayed on this website.

Darwinawards.comAs if all humour websites aren’t already based on total failures in life, Darwin Awards are given to individuals who for the sake of humanity, removed themselves from the gene pool. Be prepared for laughter and a twinge of guilt afterwards.

The Cheezburger NetworkKnown for its cat humour and failblog.com, the Cheezburger Network has dozens of other subsidiary humour websites. Topics include awful tattoos, wedding disasters, and embarassing moments on Facebook.

The Smoking GunThis is the go-to website for legal decisions, stupid criminals, and just plain weird lawsuits.

politicoCapitol Hill’s most trusted media outlet, Politico covers campaigns, Congressional gossip, and just about everything else you need to know about the U.S. capital.

PerezHiltonAll the latest gossip about celebrities, with commentary by Perez Hilton.

What the fuck should I make for DinnerThis website randomly generates dinner recipes from the recipe websites. If you don’t like the suggestion, click the “I don’t fucking like that” button for alternatives.

Smitten KitchenJulie Powell’s blog-turned-movie gave hope to thousands of mediocre cooks with typing skills. Trust us: Smitten Kitchen is the most reliable food blog out there. Deb will teach you how to cook, not just how to follow a recipe.

Sketchy SantasSelf-explanatory, but will induce a good chuckle out of you any time of year.

textsfromlastnight.comIt doesn’t really matter if these texts are fabricated or not, they’re still funny. Be careful when reading these in class because you might burst out laughing.

this is why you’re fat.Not just food porn, but hardcore crazy food porn. The site features pictures of overloaded dishes that will make you both hungry and concerned for your cholesterol.

Tastespotting.comThe original food porn. The founders roam the web for the best food blogs and photos.

Recipes, Student Life

DIY Seasoning

by Iain Macdonald on

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If you’re a fan of Mexican food, Montreal is not exactly a bueno place for la comida mexicano. That doesn’t mean you have to resort to brand-name sodium and MSG-based Old El Paso Mexican seasoning. You can make your own using spices from any local grocer. This mix makes about half a cup of seasoning for tacos, burritos, fajitas, or enchiladas.

Ingredients• ¼ cup chili powder• 1 tbsp cumin powder• 1 tbsp salt• 1 tbsp ground black pepper• ½ tbsp garlic powder• ½ tbsp oregano• ½ tbsp paprika• Red pepper flakes, to taste

Directions

Combine the ingredients in a bowl and mix together with a whisk or fork. Store extra seasoning in a Ziploc bag for later use.

To use the seasoning, sauté half a pound of sliced chicken, ground beef, or cubed steak in a frying pan with vegetable oil. Once the meat is cooked, add the seasoning with half a cup of water. Allow the mixture to boil off the excess liquid before serving hot with tortillas and all the trimmings.

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