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All Things Academic, Student Life

All things academic: Course recommendations

by Abby McCormick on

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As a third-year student at McGill, I’ve taken my fair share of courses at the university—90 credits worth to be exact. Some were hard, some were reading-heavy, and others were just plain boring. To help you avoid the pitfalls of an elective gone wrong, here are some of my favourite courses I have taken at McGill so far.

PSYC 331: Inter-Group Relations

Semester I took it in: Winter 2023

Professor I took it with: Jordan Axt

Why are people prejudiced? What factors contribute to differential outcomes between groups? How can we combat discrimination? If these questions interest you, Inter-Group Relations is the course for you. The class delves into research and theories related to stereotypes, prejudice, and discrimination, with an emphasis on racial inequities. Professor Axt, who runs the McGill Intergroup Cognition Lab, provides fascinating lectures with real-world examples and interactive components. PSYC 331 does not use a textbook and instead relies on YouTube interviews with experts in the field and Vox articles to supplement the lecture material. One important note is that this course requires PSYC 215: Social Psychology, but I promise, sitting through the prereq is worth it. 

WCOM 250 (formerly CEAP 250): Research Essay and Rhetoric

Semester I took it in: Winter 2022

Professor I took it with: Zachary Abram

If there is one class at McGill that I believe should be mandatory for all undergraduate students, it is this one. Tackling topics such as concision, grammar, purpose, and style, WCOM 250 teaches students the art of essay writing. I can honestly say that this course is what took my writing from high school to university level. The course includes rhetoric and citation workshops along with lectures and group discussions designed to help students improve their writing. Students can submit multiple drafts of assignments and receive feedback on each one, creating a collaborative learning environment between students and their professors (and a great way to boost your grade). 

PHIL 237: Contemporary Moral Issues 

Semester I took it in: Winter 2022

Professor I took it with: Stephanie Leary

Contemporary Moral Issues analyzes modern-day topics, such as the Black Lives Matter and the #MeToo movements through a philosophical lens. The course introduces students to argument-building, and philosophical writing, making it a great elective for those with no prior experience in philosophy. Professor Leary’s slides are crystal clear and, despite some of the readings being challenging, she does a great job of explaining them. The class also has weekly conferences, which are a great way to engage with your classmates and TAs.

PSYC 204: Introduction to Psychological Statistics 

Semester I took it in: Fall 2022

Professor I took it with: Jessica Flake

You may think I’m crazy for including a math course on a list of fun electives. But, trust me on this one: PSYC 204 with Jessica Flake is interesting, fun, and easy if you put in a little effort. The course details basic statistical principles, including means, standard deviations, and t-tests with examples that are relevant to students’ lives. The grading scheme is nicely distributed between attendance, online homework (with multiple attempts per question), tiny tests, a final exam, and extra credit points for participating in psychology studies. 

CHEM 181: Chemistry of Foods 

Semester I took it in: Now

Professors I took it with: David Harpp and Joe Schwarcz

No list of electives would be complete without Chem of Foods. This fully online, asynchronous course allows students to work through short videos at their own pace. The professors are highly engaging and their passion for the subject can be felt through the screen. Plus, you can use your notes for the exams, as they are fully online and open-book. 

Honourable Mentions:

CANS 301: Topics in Canadian Studies: Leadership in Canada

BIOL 115: Essential Biology

PSYC 471: Human Motivation (PSYC 215 is a prerequisite)

PHIL 242: Topics in Feminist Theory

FREN 201: Le français littéraire (FRSL 431 or a placement test is a prerequisite) 

McGill, News, SSMU

SSMU Base Fee increase fails in winter 2024 referendum, slew of questions pass

by Jasjot Grewal on

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Polls to decide next year’s Students’ Society of McGill University (SSMU) executive team and the results of the 19 Winter 2024 Referendum questions closed on March 22. Of the 22,504 eligible voters, 19.1 per cent cast a ballot in the election for the executive board, and 19.2 per cent voted on the referendum questions, in comparison to the 35.1 per cent of students who cast a ballot last semester. All but three referendum questions passed. 

The question of an SSMU Base Fee increase failed with 58.3 per cent of voters casting a “No” vote. The increase would have mandated that full-time students in all faculties excluding Law, Dentistry, and Medicine pay an additional $27.11 per semester for a total of $95.59, and part-time students in all faculties excluding Law, Dentistry, and Medicine to pay an additional $13.16 per semester for a total of $46.40 per semester. SSMU had heavily advertised for a “Yes” vote to this question in the weeks preceding the election, as the fee increase also failed to pass last semester. SSMU argued that an increase to the membership fee was necessary to continue to provide 18 services, over 200 clubs, continue to operate Gerts, and pay SSMUnion employees liveable wages, as SSMU it has been operating at an anticipated annual deficit of $726,257.90. 

In a written statement to The Tribune, the SSMU executive team expressed that they were disheartened by the result of the vote, and will have to reduce their operations significantly. 

“[M]aintaining such a large deficit is not sustainable. We have already done what we can to reduce our deficit without reducing student benefits, and we have reached the limits of those cuts,” they wrote. “We will be working closely with the SSMUnion over the next few weeks to discuss next steps, as they are a key collaborator and supporter of the base fee increase. We intend to reassess the base fee campaign and to better understand the students’ needs in anticipation of running at least one more referendum to increase SSMUnion employee salaries.” 

Alongside the referendum questions, the 2024-2025 SSMU executive board was also voted in—excluding the positions of President and Vice-President (VP) Finance—as no candidates came forward for these two positions during the nomination period. 

Chloé Muñoz was elected VP Student Life, with 50.2 per cent of the vote. Avin Ahmadi, who also ran for the VP Student Life position, received 32.4 per cent of the vote. Muñoz expressed that she feels pleased that her hard work campaigning paid off, and that she looks forward to spending the summer revamping and standardizing processes for SSMU clubs.

“Through this process [of campaigning] I was also able to learn more about community concerns directly,” Muñoz wrote to The Tribune. “This one-on-one discussion is something I hope to carry through in my position.”

In a written statement to The Tribune, Ahmadi wished Muñoz well for the upcoming year and explained that she would not be running for the remaining two executive positions, as she felt her experience was more relevant and aligned with the VP Student Life role. 

“In my opinion, the main purpose of elections is for students to choose who they want to have on the executive team, and ultimately the executive staff are there to represent students. I respect the results and wish Chloé all the best,” Ahmadi wrote. 

VP-elect Sustainability and Operations Meg Baltes, who ran unopposed, was elected with 80.3 per cent of the vote. Baltes expressed her excitement to begin the role in a written statement to The Tribune, thanking all the students who voted for her. Baltes explained that her first steps in the position would include working to understand the actions of past executives. 

“I believe using my training period to fully flesh out the position will ensure that I can be successful throughout the school year,” Baltes wrote. “While I do not want to go into the role with a preconceived agenda, I do believe that it is important to make spaces for student organizations and clubs in the building (especially ones that offer essential services to students to tackle issues such as mental health and food insecurity), revitalize Gerts to make it a community hub, and make sure mini-courses are accessible to a larger amount of the student body through increased subsidies.” 

Baltes also addressed concerns surrounding her candidacy, including the fact that she is a full-time honours student, which could potentially limit the hours she is able to dedicate to the position. 

“[M]y busy schedule may serve as a benefit to the position. I am a big proponent of efficiency and usually hate bureaucracy because of its incredible time lag in enacting tangible policies. Therefore, I am coming into this position with no intention of wasting my time. I want to go into the school year with a clear vision, effectively delegate responsibilities, and not entertain meetings or discussions that are arbitrary,” Baltes wrote. 

For the VP External position, Hugo Solomon received a 52.1 per cent vote, while Michal Ekiert* received a 29.1 per cent vote—the other 18.8 per cent of voters chose neither of the candidates. Solomon expressed that he felt elated to win the election in a written statement to The Tribune. 

“It might sound cliché but it’s an immense privilege to represent the SSMU members and student body in such a consequential, powerful moment. I’m excited, sure, but also candid about the multifaceted challenges that me and the board will undoubtedly face in making our vital objectives manifest. I welcome the coming challenge, and I celebrate the journey which has led me to this moment,” Solomon wrote. 

Solomon also acknowledged that many students continue to grieve the ongoing genocide in Palestine and promised to work alongside Palestinian advocacy groups on campus. 

“I see your frustration. I see the undeniable determination and resolve of the hunger strikers putting their very lives on the line. So let me be clear: I pledge to work with you to achieve justice, working across communities and student groups to make our campus safer and reflective of our values,” he wrote.

Zeena Zahidah*, who ran unopposed, won the VP Internal Affairs position with a 79.3 per cent vote. 

Abe Berglas won the VP University Affairs position after running unopposed with a 75.4 per cent vote. Berglas declined to provide a comment to The Tribune. 

A by-election will likely be held to fill the President and VP Finance positions. The nomination period for the presidency began on March 25.  

“We are hopeful that a candidate will step forward in the by-election and have even received a few people interested in the role before the by-election was announced. In the scenario that no candidates present themselves, the tasks of the president will likely have to be distributed among the executives,” SSMU President Alexandre Ashkir said in a written statement to The Tribune. “Work has been done this year to increase transparency and accountability by the membership, which we hope will invite further involvement of members in their union.”

Along with the question of the SSMU Base Fee increase, two other questions failed on the referendum. The question of an increase to the Referral Services fee—which currently supports the Union for Gender Empowerment (UGE), Queer McGill, the Peer Support Centre, the Eating Disorder Resource Centre, and Nightline—failed with a 54.6 per cent “No” vote. 

UGE explained that the majority “No” vote means that UGE will not receive its allocated $1.25 of the Referral Services fee increase, and subsequently will have to run its services at a reduced capacity. 

“To be specific, this means that our resource co-op, which offers pay-what-you-can gender-affirming gear, reusable menstrual products, and safer sex supplies, will not be as well stocked next year,” a representative of the UGE who wished to remain anonymous told The Tribune. “We will not be able to hire a full team of staff, or run as many events. Unfortunately, we foresee that the UGE will simply not be able to serve as many students as we would like.”

In addition, the question of the First-Year Fee reinstatement failed with a 51.9 per cent “No” vote. The fee, which supports the First Year Council in organizing events and giveaways for first-year students at McGill, also failed to pass in the Fall 2023 Referendum. 

A student-initiated question concerning the renewal of the opt-outable fee toward Student Support—a for-profit company that provides students with services such as Calm, ProWritingAid, and Udemy—also passed. While the SSMU Legislative Council voted to terminate its relationship with the company on Feb. 9, 2023 due to the company’s history as FundQi and ethics, the question received a 57.6 per cent “Yes” vote. 

SSMU WALKSAFE passed its fee increase, with a 65.9 per cent “Yes” vote. The service provides students with a safe means of travelling throughout Montreal, with a team of two volunteers to accompany them on their walk home or on public transportation. 

The student-initiated question for an opt-outable fee increase for MustBus—a student-run bus service that has routes to cities like New York, Toronto, and Boston—passed with a 51.1 per cent “Yes” vote. Keep.meSAFE—a service that provides free and confidential mental health for students—also successfully renewed its fee with a 64.4 per cent “Yes” vote. 

The Black Students’ Network (BSN) service fee increase passed with a 61.2 per cent “Yes” vote. The opt-outable fee increase will aid BSN in implementing the Addressing Anti-Black Racism Plan and continue to offer events throughout Montreal. The Arab Students’ Network fee increase also passed with a 56.1 per cent “Yes” vote. 

Two questions regarding the funding of the Legal Information Clinic passed. The first was to renew the clinic’s fee, which passed with a 72 per cent “Yes” vote. The second was to increase the fee from $4.50 to $5.71, which passed with a 59.4 per cent “Yes” vote.  Similarly, the Campus Life fee was renewed with a 60 per cent “Yes” vote and secured a fee increase (from $2.00 to $2.83 per semester) with a 50.2 per cent “Yes” vote. 

Other questions that passed included the Queer Equity Support Fee increase, Club Fee increase, the Student Academic Support Services fee increase, the Library Improvement Fund fee renewal, and the Creation of Student Rights Fee and Fund. 

*Ekiert and Zahidah could not be reached for comment in time for publication.

This piece was updated at 6:22 on March 26.

Behind the Bench, Sports

French sporting authorities must be held accountable for their Islamophobic policies

by Sara Escallon Sotomayor on

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On March 18, the men’s football international break began and hundreds of footballers joined their senior and youth national teams for international friendlies to prepare for the Copa America and European championships this summer. Wearing the badge, if only once, is their ultimate aspiration. Most can only dream of standing under those lights, hand on their heart, ready to play with the hopes of millions of their compatriots on their backs. Yet for some, this dream is more loaded than for others. Muslim French players have been told that it does not matter if they are good enough: To represent their country, they must repress their personal and spiritual beliefs. 

Three days after the beginning of the international break, the French Football Federation (FFF) announced they would not permit any players associated with the French national training centre, Clairefontaine, to fast, instead directing them to make up the days after Ramadan. The decision forced Mahamadou Diawara to leave the under-19 French national squad so that he could continue his fast. This comes only one week after the FFF refused to allow evening matches in France to be paused for players to break their fast upon the arrival of Iftaar at sundown. This contrasts the approach taken by professional leagues in England, Germany, and the Netherlands, where games may be paused for a few minutes at Iftaar for players to drink water and eat. Considered the most important month in the Islamic calendar, Ramadan is of tremendous spiritual importance to Muslim communities all over the world, including some of the world’s best footballers such as Mo Salah, Granit Xhaka, and İlkay Gündoğan. 

Muslim footballers such as Zinedine Zidane, Frank Ribéry, and N’Golo Kanté have formed the core of the French national team for the last thirty years, a period in which France has won two World Cups and been runner-up in two more. However, the racial and religious composition of //les Bleus// has never been more contentious. In the wake of a message the player wrote on Twitter sending prayers to Gaza in October, French international and former Real Madrid star Karim Benzema was falsely accused of having links to the Muslim Brotherhood by Interior Minister Gérald Darmanin. 

It is not just men’s professional footballers who are victims of these policies. Women athletes were banned from wearing a headscarf in France, a rule which has been relaxed temporarily for non-French internationals at the Olympics in Paris this summer, but will nonetheless be reinstated immediately afterward. This comes in the wake of the infamous burkini ban in many French jurisdictions in 2016 which led to Muslim women being excluded from public spaces including pools and beaches.

The French sporting authority’s purposeful misinterpretation of the principle of //laïcité//, which maintains the separation between church and state, is cited as justification for the overt discrimination against Muslim athletes. Yet there is no reference to the fact it is the state, not private citizens, which are beholden to this. It would be ludicrous to expect any typical private citizen to change their spiritual beliefs upon entering their workplace. Why does the FFF expect players to give up their religion upon entering the playing field? 

Muslims make up a significant proportion of the French population, and have been the victim of political attacks by members of the resurgent far right for over a decade. The irony of France—a country that colonized, repressed, and exploited huge swathes of the Muslim world—now repressing its own Muslim citizens, is lost on none. For Muslim French athletes, playing for the tricolour is weighted with contradiction and hazard.

France is one of the global talent centres for football and is home to some of the best men’s and women’s professional football leagues in the world. France’s sporting authorities owe a safe space to their youth and senior athletes to engage in their spiritual beliefs. The FFF must have the courage to stand up for their athletes instead of pandering to the fancies of Islamophobic politicians who refuse to accept the diverse reality of modern France. Muslims who play sports are not refusing to assimilate to France: They are participating in one of the most important nation-building components of public life, and helping expand the meaning of French citizenship. 

Album Reviews, Arts & Entertainment, Music, Pop Rhetoric

Can Matt Champion move beyond his boy band past?

by Isaiah Albert-Stein, Emilia Fowler on

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A quick look at the Y-intersection’s collection of baggy pants, tiny sunglasses, tote bags, and ironic baseball caps indicates an unspoken truth—many of McGill’s trendiest students may have been fans of Brockhampton in their heyday. The “best boy band since One Direction” was a groundbreaking force in hip-hop in the late 2010s with a DIY approach to songwriting that highlighted both the variety of each member’s style and the unity of the eclectic group—but it was the band’s distinct visual style and emphasis on inclusion that won the hearts of young listeners. With openly gay frontman Kevin Abstract at the helm, the racially diverse, self-labeled “boy band” wrote deeply personal verses covering their experiences with racism, patriarchy, poverty, and homophobia. Brockhampton challenged the very notion of a boy band or rap collective by designating all the performers, producers, designers, and photographers as members, underscoring this collaborative approach with a curated aesthetic across their videos and performances. Even today, anyone wearing overalls in public might be part of Brockhampton.

However, well before their breakup in 2022, Brockhampton began to fade from relevance as their boundary-pushing act lost steam. Ameer Vann’s sexual assault allegations and departure from the band following 2017’s acclaimed SATURATION album trilogy cast a shadow over Brockhampton’s subsequent releases and eroded their cohesive boy band image. While their first post-Vann single, 2018’s “1999 WILDFIRE,” is a strong contender for the group’s best song, and 2019’s “SUGAR” went platinum and sparked an early TikTok trend, the group slowly fell out of fashion with their young audience. Even if you can still rap Brockhampton member Matt Champion’s opening verse on “SWEET” word-for-word, you probably aren’t following any former member’s career closely enough to know about Champion’s new album, Mika’s Laundry, which released on March 22. 

Today, Brockhampton’s frequent collaborators continue to outperform them and appeal to Gen-Z listeners who have long left the group behind. McGill students are far more likely to favour artists such as Dominic Fike, who filmed a music video with the group and featured on Kevin Abstract’s Arizona Baby in 2019, or rising indie artist Dijon, who produced for Brockhampton early in his career. Dijon now lends his own musical credibility to Champion’s album with a feature on “Aphid” and assorted production credits.

Champion’s first solo release since 2017 is an ambitious R&B album that artfully incorporates complex production and wide-ranging vocals into a creative, modern sound. Still, he mostly fails to move beyond the boundaries of his former and current co-creatives. Champion produced the album with Henry Kwapis (lead producer for Fike’s Sunburn and much of Dijon’s discography) and much of Mika’s Laundry feels a little too inspired by those more progressive artists; the vocals on “Everybody Likes You” are effectively a thin impression of Dijon’s more soulful style. Other songs reveal the constraints of Champion’s boy band past—“Gbiv” could pass as an outtake from Brockhampton’s GINGER. 

Champion’s personal voice stands out more when he moves further from his previous sound. On “Dogfish” especially, his skill as a rapper and singer shines over the adventurous, groovy production and highlights the best qualities of his performance throughout the album. His collaboration with BLACKPINK’s JENNIE on “Slow Motion” stands out among the lineup of features by combining JENNIE’s soft vocals and Korean R&B style with currently trending jungle and garage drum beats. With more than seven million streams since its single release three weeks ago, this collaboration could show promise in the mainstream market for Champion’s solo career. 


Brockhampton proved to be more of a fad than the legacy-building supergroup they claimed to be in their prime, and Mika’s Laundry certainly isn’t a sign of their return to relevance. Does the fact that Brockhampton has grown “uncool” mean that we’ve left their members behind for newer artists and trendier directions? Maybe. Would Matt Champion make a ripple without his past in the once-ubiquitous boy band? Probably not. Mika’s Laundry isn’t perfect, but its best moments show promise for an interesting career—if Champion can shed the weight of his Brockhampton past.

Student Life, Word on the Y

Oh the places we’ll go!

by Katherine Weaver on

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Summer is nearing, and with it come those mid-lecture daydreams of travel. For some, visions of an idyllic European getaway dance through their heads. For others, bucket list travel may look like an adventurous road trip or a rugged hiking adventure through some of Canada’s national parks. Where do McGill students dream of travelling? The Tribune talked to some students to learn more about some of their bucket list travel spots. 

“I’d really like to go back to Indonesia. A couple of years ago, my family and I went to Bali, and I really enjoyed it. So it would be fun to go back and do that again or see some other areas with friends or with my sister [….] I’ve never been to other eastern Asian cities. I think a place like Tokyo or somewhere like that could be fun. But there’s so much out there; it’s hard to pick!” – Zola Campisi, U1 Science

“I think it would be really cool to go to Newfoundland and do some camping trips in some of the parks there. I really like hiking, backpacking, canoeing, and that kind of thing.” – Liam Foese, U2 Arts

“I would love to travel and spend a couple of weeks in South America and visit Colombia, Argentina, Ecuador, and Brazil. The coastlines and landscape there seem beautiful and there’s a lot of history and ancient ruins I would love to explore. I plan to spend a semester in Colombia next year to learn Spanish and continue to learn more about South America! I think it would also be cool to visit more of South and South Eastern Asia at some point. Those cultures are also super interesting and I’m a geography minor, so the new master-planned cities interest me.” – Sonali Cowieson, U2 Arts and Science

“I would really like to visit my cousin in Tokyo, see the cherry blossoms during the day [….] At night, my cousin promised he’d take me to his favourite bars and to the karaoke bar Scarlett Johansson and Bill Murray sing at in the movie, Lost in Translation.” – Emilia Oliver, U2 Science

“My bucket list travel plans would be to visit countries in Southeast Asia. In the past, I feel like I’ve only ever really travelled to countries that have very Western cultures, so I want to get the chance to see something different. It might sound stupid, but in particular, I really want to visit Cambodia because I really like the food there!” – Iona Wyper, U3 Science

“One of my bucket list trips right now would be hiking the mountains in Peru and Argentina just because I’ve seen so many pretty photos and astrophotography photos from trails up in this area. I would also like to visit this park in Northern Canada called Auyuittuq National Park which is only accessible by boat for part of the year and requires guides to protect you from the polar bears. I saw the mountains while I was flying over the Park and it looked insane, so it’s an eventual goal to go there. These places are fairly remote and hard to find, but in the shorter term, I’d love to go visit Churchill which is the polar bear capital of the world and do some backpacking in the mountains in Norway. I really like travelling to get to see new parts of the world that you can’t really see anywhere else and I really love hiking, the mountains, and the ocean.” – Tristan Stevens, U3 Science

Arts & Entertainment, Film and TV, Pop Rhetoric

It’s time to give complex women characters leading roles

by Lily Dodson on

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In a recent interview with The New Yorker, acclaimed director Sofia Coppola argued that Apple TV+ executives slashed her latest project after finding the woman lead “unlikeable.” Known for her work on films such as The Virgin Suicides, Marie Antoinette, and most recently Priscilla, Coppola was set to partner with the streaming service to create a limited series based on Edith Wharton’s novel The Custom of the Country starring Florence Pugh. According to Coppola, “the idea of an unlikeable woman wasn’t [the Apple executives’] thing.” While complex women characters have been around for ages, the idea of them in a lead role is often critiqued much more than roles for men of similar “complex calibre.” Coppola herself even admits to the interviewers that, while her leading character is “unlikeable,” “so is Tony Soprano!” Her words highlight the misogynistic hypocrisy that is deeply embedded in the entertainment industry. 

In television, audiences often enjoy watching a character that is unlikeable or complex, especially as these individuals are generally easier to relate to than flawless characters.

While some of the highest-rated and most critically acclaimed shows ever feature an unlikeable lead, these characters are overwhelmingly men: Walter White of Breaking Bad, Tony Soprano of The Sopranos, and, more recently, Kendall and Roman Roy of Succession. Part of what I enjoy most about a show is watching a protagonist whom I know I should really hate but still find myself rooting for in the end. 

The cancellation of Coppola’s project reinvites debates over why complex women characters are so widely disliked in television, especially in comparison to their counterparts. In all three of the aforementioned shows, the woman lead is consistently disliked by audiences; Breaking Bad’s Skyler White is arguably one of the most hated female characters in television history. When looking back at the show, it’s hard for me to remember what I actually disliked about Skyler while watching. Did I grow to find her annoying because everyone who has seen the show constantly emphasizes their dislike of her, or did I dislike her too? With Skyler’s role being so well-written, why did viewers despise Skyler—and Gunn’s portrayal of Skyler—yet seem to love Walt? The obvious answer is internalized misogyny. While complex male characters like Walt are considered heroes, especially due to his justification of his actions by “providing for his family,” women complex characters who do the same thing—Skyler, trying to protect her family from Walt’s evil—are considered hypocrites. I’m sure if some people rewatched the show, they would hate Walt as much as one should—as many of his actions are despicable—and perhaps recognize Skyler as the voice of reason that she was meant to be. 

Unfortunately, these double standards are not exclusive to Breaking Bad. Perhaps almost as disliked as Skyler is Shiv Roy in Succession—the only daughter in the HBO family drama. Shiv is not as disliked as Skyler, but many view her as the worst sibling on the show. Many view her as unlikeable due to her conniving and almost “evil” nature, but it is important to view her actions as doing what is necessary to succeed as the only daughter in the family. 

Going back to Coppola’s show, the cancellation is disappointing not only because audiences are missing out on the potent combination of Coppola’s directorial talents and Pugh’s ability to play a diverse range of roles wide but also because there is a need for more complex women characters in leading and better-written roles. Maybe Apple TV+ didn’t want to take the risk, but some production company at some point in time will have to—TV needs to have a complex woman lead for viewers to resonate with. The trend of complex women characters being labelled “unlikeable” while their male counterparts are applauded needs to end. After all, how can viewers ever be expected to like one if they’re never given the chance?

Science & Technology

McGill’s Undergraduate Poster Showcase celebrates star students’ scientific research

by K. Coco Zhang on

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On March 19, McGill’s Office of Science Education hosted its fifth annual Undergraduate Poster Showcase in the University Centre Ballroom, providing students with an opportunity to share their research, passion projects, and in-class work. This year, the event featured 150 colourful posters rich with information, images, and creative interpretations of science. 

The Tribune spoke to undergraduate students Michelle Kowalska, Evonne Henning, and Emma Tomiuk about their research.

Exploring LGBTQ+ substance recovery

“Unfortunately, LGBTQ+ individuals may be at higher risk of struggling with substance misuse compared to their cisgender and heterosexual peers, mainly due to social and systemic factors, such as homophobia, transphobia, and discrimination,” Kowalska, U3 Arts, explained in her poster presentation.

For Kowalska, this heightened risk of substance misuse points to the importance of creating inclusive support services and recovery programs that are responsive to the needs of LGBTQ+ people. It is also essential to understand their personal experiences of substance misuse and recovery.

“To be able to investigate that, we conducted semi-structured interviews with LGBTQ+ individuals to discuss questions such as what is substance misuse and what is abstinence versus recovery,” Kowalska continued.

Her findings suggest the need to broaden traditional definitions of recovery to encompass LGBTQ+ perspectives and highlight the impact of intersectional factors such as race, gender, ethnicity, and socioeconomic status on recovery experiences.

Kowalska’s study also calls for further research into LGBTQ+ recovery experiences, particularly the intersections of identity and recovery, to better understand and support the needs of these communities.

Partial versus total knee replacement in patients with knee osteoarthritis 

In Canada, roughly 55,000 knee replacements are performed each year. Around 90 per cent of these are total knee replacements, with partial knee replacements making up the rest.

Knee replacement surgery involves replacing parts of injured or worn-out knee joints with an artificial implant. It is one of the most recommended surgeries for knee osteoarthritis—a condition that reduces one’s ability to move freely by causing pain, swelling, and stiffness in the knee joint.

“A partial knee replacement preserves the anterior cruciate ligament, which is a ligament that controls the motion of the knee, but a total knee replacement removes this ligament,” Henning, U3 Science, said in her talk. “A partial knee replacement is [also] less invasive, heals faster, and has a shorter operation time.”

Given the advantages of partial replacements over total knee replacements, Henning’s team aimed to quantify the differences in knee function between patients who undergo the former surgery and those who undergo the latter.

Henning did not observe statistically significant differences between the two groups of patients in terms of pain, stiffness, and physical function.

“This suggests that a partial knee replacement could be a potential alternative to total knee replacement for patients with knee osteoarthritis,” Henning said.

Student motivation changes and relation to learning

Expectancy-value theory is one of the most influential theories for understanding motivation. One component of this theory, cost, can be defined as the extent to which a student needs to sacrifice to perform a task.

“[According to expectancy-value theory,] there are three types of cost—psychological cost, effort cost, and opportunity cost,” Tomiuk, U3 Arts and Science, said in her poster presentation. 

Tomiuk is dedicated to studying the changes in motivation of McGill undergraduate students throughout the semester and whether motivation levels can predict students’ grades.

Another component of the theory is value, defined as the extent to which the individual values the desired outcome. Value can be further categorized into interest value (personal enjoyment), utility value (perceived usefulness for future goals), and attainment value (the importance of achieving the outcome).

Self-efficacy, one’s belief in one’s capacity to achieve a goal, also plays a crucial role in controlling motivation.

“We found that costs and attainment value decrease over time, whereas self-efficacy and interest value increase over time,” Tomiuk said. “Lower costs and higher self-efficacy predict higher grades.”

Tomiuk suggested that future research could focus on the impact of students’ learning environment on their motivation. 

Science & Technology

Practices of resistance in times of crisis presents: Podcasting for change

by Jenna Durante on

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On March 22, McGill’s Faculty of Arts hosted a workshop led by Jack Solar, the Spoken Word Coordinator at the campus radio station CKUT 90.3 FM, on the use of a rapidly developing form of information technology: Podcasts. The event was part of the “Public Narrative and Critical Thinking in Times of Hyper Technologization” workshop series, which also included a discussion of artificial intelligence. 

Solar began with a history of radio broadcasting, along with an overview of the basics of recording and editing a podcast. This included an explanation of the necessary hardware and software, as well as some tips for content management. For the rest of the presentation, Solar explored the revolutionary potential of podcasts and how we can utilize new technology to spread information across the public sphere.  

As Solar explained, CKUT holds significant historical importance in the Montreal community, originating from McGill’s radio club, which was established in 1921. They officially began broadcasting in Nov. 1987 and have been creating and sharing content ever since. Solar highlighted the impact of FM radio, which allows the station to reach audiences as far as the Eastern Townships and upstate New York.  

The campus radio station is known for its diverse programming, including advocacy for Black awareness, 2SLGBTQIA+ issues, homelessness awareness, and coverage of student protests. 

“We want to speak about things that are challenging,” Solar said in their presentation. “Our goal is not to speak for other people but to put a microphone in front of them and let them tell their stories.”  

While traditional FM radio stations have wide public reach, a podcast can be a more accessible way to start making audio content. Having started with just a MacBook and Garageband, Solar emphasized the low barriers to entry of podcasting and the basics needed to start a podcast of your own.  

Looking at the technical aspects of production, Solar highlighted that recording, editing, and publishing are the three steps to follow in creating a successful podcast. All you need is a device to record on, a microphone, a place to record, an editing software system, and a platform to post your content to.  

Solar emphasizes the importance of finding the purpose of your podcast, defining the topics you want to cover, and identifying your target audience. Think about the “who,” “what,” and “why” of your podcast and how you are going to get people to engage with your story.  

Discussing some of the challenges of podcasting, Solar looked at the reality of content creation. Building an audience, making a story that will catch people’s attention, scripting, and finding your style are all factors that need to be considered when developing a new podcast.  

“The truth is that podcasting is about marketing, charisma, and character. It is as much about finding your angle as it is about finding your voice,” Solar said. 

Solar advises against perfectionism and procrastination and urges podcast enthusiasts to find their unique perspective, original branding, and collaborators to make the podcast authentic, compelling, and impactful for its viewers. 

“It’s good to look at the landscape of successful people, see what they’re doing, and learn from them—or counter them,” Solar explained.  

Solar advises aspiring podcast creators to emphasize storytelling that captivates audiences and builds a sense of connection among viewers.  

Unlike traditional media or news outlets that may focus on negative aspects like reprimanding or shaming audience members, successful podcasts prioritize creating genuine connections and meaningful conversations, rather than promoting divergence.  

They concluded by reiterating the workshop’s aim to educate and inspire individuals to use their voices and share meaningful stories. As technology continues to evolve, podcasts can be a tool for education and promoting social change, creating a space to form connections across diverse communities.  

 

McGill, News

Panel discusses the politics of memory through the lens of Haiti, the Congo, and Angola

by Caroline Sun on

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Content warning: Mentions of violence and genocide

On March 22, the Institute of the Study on International Development (ISID) hosted a panel titled “Global History, Global Memory.” The panel featured Professors Sabine Cadeau and Pedro Monaville from McGill’s Department of History and Classical Studies, and Professor Elisa Scaraggi from NOVA University Lisbon. Rachel Hatcher, who is a historian, teaches International Development courses, and is McGill’s Jewish Student Affairs Liaison, chaired the panel. This event was part of a day-long conference called “Developing Memory, Memories of Development,” held in the Thomson House Ballroom.

Cadeau was the first to speak about her research on the 1937 Haitian Massacre, the subject of her recently published book, More than a Massacre. She aimed to demonstrate the gap between the history she uncovered through the memory of survivors of the massacre and the records found in the Haitian state archives, trying to preserve the history that has been forcibly removed from state records. Cadeau explained that she found no records of violence during that period of Haiti’s official history. She believes this erasure of violence from history is an intentional act by the state to hide its past crimes. 

“Perpetrators of violence contribute to what is easily forgotten,” Cadeau stated.

Monaville continued the discussion, reflecting on the topic of his latest book, Students of the World. He sought to understand and analyze the repression faced by the student movement advocating during the 1960s for the decolonization of Congo. He explained that state policies and practices of violence, exemplified by the Kinshasa student massacre in 1969, led to the suppression of the student movement. For Monaville, this event is reminiscent of the repression of the anti-colonial activism done under the Belgian regime, such as the urban riots in January 1959, before the Republic of Congo became independent in June 1960.

“One of the earliest kicks in my project was to understand the significance of the repression of the student movement in a chain of state violence, connecting the colonial past to the colonial present,” Monaville said.

Afterward, Scaraggi proceeded to talk about the liberation movement in Angola against the Portuguese government, starting in 1961. She explained that the movement comprised three main groups: The National Front for the Liberation of Angola (FNLA), the Popular Movement for the Liberation of Angola (MPLA), and the National Union for the Total Independence of Angola (UNITA). The conflict between the three movements eventually led to a civil war, starting in 1975—the year Angola became independent from the Portuguese colonial regime—and ending in 2002. Scaraggi argued that politics and history were shaped by two important factors: The monopoly of explanation of the past by the prevailing party, MPLA, and a single account of liberation, which was used to legitimize the party’s authority. 

Panelists received questions from the public after presenting their work. Jacob Blanc, an associate professor and one of the organizers of the event, explained how the panelists’ research and discussion that ensued align with the ISID’s mission in an interview with The Tribune. Blanc noted that the ISID supports research that conceptualizes the way societies develop themselves and how they think of their development differently from the way international organizations do, which is through “traditional development avenues.”

“[We are] looking at three different postcolonial contexts, thinking about violence—both within the boundaries of colonial forms of oppression and resistance, but then also now in postcolonial context—and what it means to even think about the past, and particularly when the past is very violent and difficult to talk about,” Blanc said.

This piece was updated at 12:10 p.m. on April 4.

Commentary, Opinion

Floor Fellows are the latest domino to fall in McGill’s decline

by On behalf of Floor Fellows on

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On Feb. 15, Daniel Fournier, Associate Director of McGill Residence Life, announced that the Floor Fellow position, a staple of the McGill residence system, would be abolished effective May 2024. This callous decision leaves McGill as the only major Canadian university without Floor Fellows or a comparable position; it will harm Floor Fellows who are losing employment and every student living in residence. Furthermore, this decision bears concerning implications for McGill’s future. The abolition of Floor Fellows will no doubt herald more cuts to student services, and more broadly, it signals the decline of McGill as a major global institution. 

McGill proclaims itself as “one of the leading universities in the world” while it cuts essential services for its students. Floor Fellows are necessary for student life at McGill—they are regularly the first to respond to instances of sexual assault, medical emergencies, and suicidal ideation. McGill alleges that their services—namely the Wellness Hub and Office for Sexual Violence Response, Support, & Education (OSVRSE)—overlap with the responsibilities of Floor Fellows, thereby making the position redundant. This conclusion fundamentally misconstrues the purpose of this important role. Floor Fellows are not therapists, doctors, or counsellors—nor should they be. Floor Fellows are peer-support staff that form the crucial link between McGill’s bureaucracy and first-year students. The Wellness Hub and OSVRSE can be inaccessible for the average student, as both are critically understaffed and suffer from extremely long wait times. While Floor Fellows alone cannot rectify this dysfunction, they play a critical role in supporting their students when they cannot immediately access the university’s services. 

Floor Fellows serve as critical peer support for university students at their most vulnerable during their first year of university. Most of these students are living independently for the first time and many are new to Montreal. Although Residence Life offers some workshops for first-year students, this is far from a substitute for the one-on-one, personalized help that Floor Fellows offer. Floor Fellows establish a personal relationship with their students, and therefore many students feel comfortable disclosing traumatic experiences with them that they wouldn’t feel comfortable sharing with unfamiliar adults. Although McGill purports to be increasing security personnel for safety within residences, security can not be equated to peers, and will no doubt struggle to make a meaningful connection with the residents they police. 

McGill is not simply creating a less-exciting residence—they are creating a dangerous environment wherein predators can thrive and students are disincentivized to report sexual violence when it inevitably occurs. Moreover, in a climate where 95 per cent of Canadian university students reported being overwhelmed, 84 per cent are suffering from anxiety, and 80 per cent are lonely or depressed, the decision to cut back on mental health support staff is shocking. Given the mental health crisis throughout Canadian universities and Canada as a whole, McGill must invest more in the mental health of its students, not strip them. 

Incoming first-year students and their families will pay more and receive less in residence without Floor Fellows. Tuition, rent, and meal plan expenses are all expected to increase next year, both as a result of tuition hikes and other financial difficulties. With this in mind, is McGill truly competitive with other Canadian universities? As attending McGill becomes increasingly financially unattainable and the services provided by the university decline, the name recognition and prestige McGill boasts will plummet. For those set on McGill, living in residence is a less attractive option than ever, with less peer support, increasingly inaccessible resources, and skyrocketing costs. Living off-campus, rather than in residence, is not only more affordable but now provides an equally supportive environment to McGill residences. 

McGill can still reaffirm its commitment to its students and engage its Floor Fellows in good faith dialogue regarding the future of their position. Whether they will enter discussion, or continue down the path of institutional decline, remains to be seen.

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