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Arts & Entertainment, Books

Ceilidh Michelle’s ‘Vagabond’ depicts hitchhiking’s joys and tears

by Lowell Wolfe on

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It takes days to travel by bus from Montreal to Sacramento, California, and even longer to hitchhike and squat along the state’s coastal highway—the famous California State Route 1. Montreal-based author Ceilidh Michelle’s new novel Vagabond condenses such a quest into just over 200 pages through a series of creative non-fiction vignettes. Vagabond takes readers into the vibrant, yet sometimes unpleasant, adventures that a younger Michelle experiences while wayfaring along the West Coast. Functioning somewhat like a memoir, the stories she tells are genuine and honest, for better or for worse. 

The novel follows a 21-year-old Michelle narrating her journey, starting with her departure from an unhealthy relationship in Montreal to Vancouver, after which travels down south to the United States to pursue her dreams. All the while, Michelle reflects on the sights and scenery, transforming the physical distance she travels into a mental expedition of self-growth. 

In an interview with The McGill Tribune, Michelle spoke about the multiple journeys encapsulated in Vagabond.

“The only difficult part [about writing the book] was trying to stay true to the emotion of each experience,” Michelle said. “I did not want to make anything too melodramatic or overwrought. I really wanted to try and capture things as they [happened]. Some of it is embarrassing, and some of it seems silly to me […] but it’s what happened, and I wanted to stay true to it.”

Michelle meets new friends along every step of her journey, such as the banjo-playing, train-hopping Half-Peach who becomes Michelle’s close companion, as well as individuals worn down by living without homes. Michelle’s encounters with promiscuous drug addicts and unsavoury street bullies paint a somber depiction of living unhoused, reminding readers that her journey is nowhere near as cushioned as that of a university student’s gap year. 

“An undercurrent […] in my writing is affordable housing,” Michelle said. “Home is so important, and it is so essential to feeling human and having dignity.”

Released on Sept. 4 under Douglas & McIntyre, Vagabond is Michelle’s second book. The author’s first title, Butterflies, Zebras, Moonbeams, published through Palimpsest Press in 2020, was shortlisted for 2020’s Hugh McLennan Prize for Fiction. While she was busy pursuing her master of science degree in creative writing at the University of Edinburgh and writing other creative projects, Michelle felt an urge to distill her memories into something more concrete, which led to the spontaneous creation of Vagabond. 

“I had written a very rough account of what had happened, as it happened, so I already had all of this archival writing to draw from,” Michelle said. “I had [another] project that I was working on with [my agent], and I basically cheated on that prototype and wrote Vagabond instead.” 

Michelle’s narrative takes readers to exciting destinations, whether they be the sometimes-comical streets of Slab City, California’s famous squatter community, or the interior landscapes of a young, curious woman as she learns about herself and the world—each place complete with its own beauty and pain. 

Fans can look forward to Michelle’s upcoming appearances at the Winnipeg International Writers’ Festival Thin Air in September and Junction Reads in January. 

Research Briefs, Science & Technology

Using AI to save lives

by Madison Mclauchlan on

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Content warning: Mention of suicide and suicidal ideation.

Young people aged 18-29 reported some of the highest rates of depression and anxiety during the COVID-19 pandemic. Even before the social isolation wrought by the pandemic, rates of suicidal ideation among college-aged individuals were troubling: In a 2019 sample survey of 55,000 students, more than 10 per cent reported contemplating suicide in the 12 months prior. 

University students are especially vulnerable to mental health struggles. When they do not have access to appropriate services or support systems, fragile mental health can spiral into self-harm or suicidal tendencies. To prevent such tragedies, identifying primary risk factors for suicidal behaviour is paramount. 

Researchers at McGill and the University of Bordeaux are on their way to doing just that, using machine learning. A new study, published in Scientific Reports, aimed to develop an algorithm to identify factors associated with suicidal thoughts and behaviours. 

The longitudinal study used data from more than 5,000 students in France from 2013-2019, collecting information ranging from lifestyle habits, to sociodemographics, to mental health symptoms. The algorithm then made data-driven predictions, which were compared to the follow-up questionnaires about suicidal thoughts and behaviours. 

Marie Navarro, a PhD student at the University of Bordeaux, performed the statistical analysis for the study. In an interview with The McGill Tribune, Navarro explained the team’s reasons for using machine learning to find predictors. 

“With more classical methods like regression models, you cannot study a lot of factors,  [maximum] twenty, but otherwise, it is complicated,” Navarro said. “With AI, and especially machine learning, we used random forests, [which is] a good algorithm because you can include a lot of factors in your model simultaneously.” 

Random forest algorithms are a type of supervised machine learning typically used to predict outcomes from data patterns—like the future behaviour of a stock, for example. The novelty of machine learning in this context is twofold: Not only does it allow researchers to sift through large amounts of data at once, but it also accounts for the interactions between factors, giving the algorithm better predictive power. 

Indeed, suicidal behaviours do not result from a single, isolated factor; it is often a combination of circumstances. The study found that academic stress and depressive symptoms were top factors for those who identified as women, while self-esteem was one of the most important predictors of suicide risk across gender lines. 

“Some sociodemographic factors, like sex, are already well established as risk factors for suicidal thoughts and behaviours,” Navarro said. “For example, broadly speaking, girls are more likely to report suicidal ideation and even attempts, but more deaths by suicide are reported in boys.” 

Massimiliano Orri, a postdoctoral researcher at McGill and co-author of the paper, believes that universities can benefit from this behavioural data to improve suicide prevention efforts. 

“Universities are uniquely situated to identify youths that need mental health support and help them to have access to care,” Orri wrote in an email to the Tribune. “Today, the wealth of data available and the computational advances such as artificial intelligence provide us with new eyes to identify those youths using simple screening tools that can be easily developed and implemented on a massive scale.” 

The findings suggest that short assessments, perhaps through online, university-administered questionnaires, could reach a broader swath of students who may be hesitant to reach out for help. 

Despite the promising results, Navarro stressed that their work is only a stepping stone to the ultimate goal of harm reduction. 

“This study needs to be replicated and confirmed in other studies, a very important point for research in general, before any application in real life,” Navarro said. “If they are, maybe this kind of analysis can open an interesting target for prevention in the future.” 

If future studies confirm that artificial intelligence techniques like this one are an effective way of identifying at-risk individuals, then this research could result in more powerful screening tools and more lives being saved.

News, PGSS, SSMU

McGill Governance 101

by Madison Edward-Wright on

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STUDENTS’ SOCIETY OF MCGILL UNIVERSITY (SSMU)

What it does:

SSMU represents all undergraduate student interests and rights in the McGill Senate. SSMU consists of four bodies—General Assembly and Referenda, Board of Directors, Legislative Council, and Executive Council—and is led by seven elected executives, including the president, vice-president (VP), VP internal, VP external, VP student life, VP finance, and VP university affairs. SSMU, specifically the student life portfolio, also plays a large role in student life by organizing events like Activities Night and by running the undergraduate student bar Gerts. 

Recent Events:

Over the last year, SSMU has focussed its efforts on helping students navigate the COVID-19 pandemic and advocating for student health and safety on campus. On Sept. 1, the Society staged a protest, and over the summer it wrote an open letter, and published a report on the impact of COVID-19 on McGill students. In addition, SSMU has involved itself in social justice movements that extend beyond the Roddick gates, for example, by standing in support and solidarity with survivors of residential schools in Canada in light of the discovery of thousands of unmarked graves of Indigenous children on the grounds of these schools. 

POST GRADUATE STUDENTS’ SOCIETY (PGSS)

What it does:

PGSS is responsible for representing all graduate and postdoctoral students at McGill. Its monthly Council meetings address its policies and committees, and monitor executives’ actions and projects. There are five primary executives elected by McGill postgraduate students, and four PGSS members sit on the McGill Senate. The executives organize regular social and professional events for postgraduates at Thompson House, the PGSS’ headquarters. 

Recent Events:

PGSS has also been campaigning for wage increases for doctoral researchers in McGill’s Faculty of Science and Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, as wages have remained stagnant for over a decade while living expenses and tuition fees have increased.

BOARD OF GOVERNORS (BoG)

What it does:

The BoG is responsible for making all final decisions regarding the university’s financial, academic, and business matters. The BoG has 25 members who vote on policies and two non-voting student representatives, one from SSMU and another from PGSS. Notable members of the BoG include McGill’s Chancellor John McCall MacBain and Principal and Vice-Chancellor Suzanne Fortier. 12 members of the BoG are appointed by other members, while the rest are elected or appointed by different campus organizations such as SSMU, PGSS, and the McGill Alumni Association. Students may only attend the community sessions of BoG meetings. 

Recent Events:

In May 2021, Ehab Lotayef resigned from the BoG due to the Board’s refusal to consider a motion for the display of an equity statement on campus. In May 2021, the BoG approved a revised version of McGill’s Policy on Harassment and Discrimination. 

MCGILL SENATE 

What it does:

The McGill Senate is responsible for overseeing all academic matters at the university, including the courses offered and their curricula. 52 of the 111-member body are elected student senators. The remaining seats are filled by representatives from all other constituencies at the university—like SSMU, PGSS, and BoG—as well as McGill’s chancellor, provost, principal, and the chair of the BoG. Meetings are held once a month and are open to the public, unless they deem a topic confidential. 

Recent Events:
At the final Senate meeting of the 2020/2021 academic year, the Senate approved the Fall 2021 calendar of key academic dates, including the implementation of a Fall reading week. In February 2021, the Senate presented a report on the university’s Policy Against Sexual Violence and its efforts to educate students about sexual violence.

Arts & Entertainment, Film and TV

‘Only Murders in the Building’ refreshingly reinvents the classic murder-mystery story

by Suzanna Graham on

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In a city filled with self-absorbed, isolated, and irritating people, it seems reasonable that New Yorkers rarely interact with their neighbours. Yet Hulu’s newest show Only Murders in the Building proves that boredom is a strong motivator for some to investigate the most despised person in their apartment complex. 

Created by John Hoffman and Steve Martin, this “whodunnit” series focusses on the humour of the mystery, rather than the circumstances of the murder—effectively subverting the traditional murder-mystery genre. Set in the Arconia, a luxurious apartment building in New York, three strangers bond over their love forof the same true-crime podcast—based off of the real podcast Serial— and narrated in the comedy by none other than Tina Fey. Comedy legend Steve Martin plays Charles, a lonely former actor who repulses most people he meets, except for Oliver (Martin Short), a washed-up, over-exuberant Broadway director. Mabel (Selena Gomez), a cryptic young woman, rounds out the comedy trio with dry wit and an ostensibly secret backstory that fills the entire subplot of the series. When the motley bunch learn that fellow tenant Tim Kono (Julian Cihi) has died, they decide to investigate with the sole purpose of creating their own true-crime podcast on the mystery, an obvious satire to the rise of true-crime media in popular culture.

Although Only Murders in the Building prefers cheesy flashbacks over any presentation of serious backstory, the ironic melodrama is bizarre and whimsical. The three unorganized and chaotic “detectives” are charming enough that their unrealistic misadventures add to the storyline. Tiny yet powerfully humorous details, such as Oliver’s intimate relationship with his bulldog, are the cherry on top of the cake. 

The show expertly blends themes of loneliness and failure with its more fantastical elements. Each main character experiences strained family ties, financial distress, and trauma, grounding the show in some of the common anxieties of a post-pandemic world. 

By intertwining comedy with the more complex aspects of the human condition, Only Murders in the Building is a refreshingly relatable modern dramedy. Though only the first three of 10 episodes have been released, the rest of the season is sure to include more comedic moments, plot twists, and hopefully, a solved murder mystery. And if not, releasing the trio’s chaotic true-crime podcast would be an acceptable alternative. 

Viewers can watch Only Murders in the Building on Hulu, where a new episode is released every Tuesday.

Off the Board, Opinion

Stop trying to make ‘cheugy’ happen

by Kennedy McKee-Braide on

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On March 30, a TikTok user posted about a made-up word she and her friends use to describe things that encapsulate millennial, girlboss, out-of-style energy: Cheugy. Since then, gen-Z-ers have embraced the term, making TikToks and other social media posts about certain cheugy staples––think minions, millennial pink, graphic T-shirts, Rae Dunn home decor, and apparently, jean jackets. 

Admittedly, the term is a fun addition to our ever-growing arsenal of internet vocabulary, and some may argue that those critical of its use are too sensitive. But below the surface, the word represents a worrying pattern amongst youth to subscribe to popular trends—which are almost always rooted in overconsumption—until they are no longer thought of as cool, at which point those who still enjoy them are seenas out of touch. 

The term cheugy can be tied to another phenomenon––micro-trends. Also known as fads, micro-trends in the fashion world refer to garments or aesthetics that rapidly gain popularity but then just as quickly fall out of style. Some examples of recent micro-trends include exercise dresses, the Y2K “coconut girl” look, and even specific pieces of clothing such as the House of Sunny Hockney Dress. 

Since these kinds of trends come and go so quickly, keeping up with them can be extremely expensive. This exposes the privilege that comes with being able to adhere to them and, ultimately, to avoid being declared “cheugy.” Of course, the average person who throws around the term is likely not doing so with any intention of making others feel tacky. But the joke risks making lower-income people who are not able to stay on-trend feel inadequate. Especially as young people return to more in-person activities, the pressure to dress a certain way can be amplified. 

The impulse towards this approach to fashion also encourages people to turn to fast fashion more often. Surely, some need to make use of fast fashion due to financial restrictions or limited selection at thrift stores due to sizing. But some who feel the pressure to dress a certain way are more likely to make use of businesses that are notoriously unethical, like SHEIN, to keep up with trends. 

Of course, individual young people cannot necessarily be blamed for this phenomenon. Companies are known to stage elaborate social media campaigns to push their products toward trend status, and most larger businesses make use of psychological manipulation tactics to encourage consumers to purchase the latest new item. Beyond these direct campaigns, the rise of social media influencers plays a role in this as well. For example, Emma Chamberlain, a popular YouTuber, posted a picture on Instagram flaunting yoga pants and Ugg boots—a combination that would have been considered cheugy two years ago—and almost overnight, the influencer had sparked a new trend. This situation is only one of many illustrating how easy it is for tides to change when it comes to fashion. 

But regardless of blame, young people who care about social justice, reducing waste, and overconsumption should be more mindful of their decisions to make fun of those who may be “behind” when it comes to trends in clothing, media consumption, or anything else. Rather than subscribing to fast-paced micro-trends, McGill students should try and hold on to clothing staples they have and like, even if the internet is telling them they have to replace them with something new and shiny. Students can also make use of clothing exchanges and McGill’s free and for sale group. These kinds of individual choices may not end this cycle on their own, but they may be able to influence others on campus to stop caring so much about being on-trend. 

McGill, News, The Tribune Explains

Tribune Explains: Vaccine passports at McGill

by Dima Kiwan on

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As of Sept. 1, accessing non-essential services in Quebec will require a COVID-19 vaccination passport, which is a government proof of full vaccination. While curricular activities at McGill will not require the passport for participation, much of student life will. 

What is the vaccine passport?

The vaccine passport is a Quick Response (QR) code issued by the Quebec government that confirms an individual’s double-vaccination status when scanned via the VaxiCode app. Individuals must present government-issued photo ID and this QR code—either on paper, in PDF format on a mobile device, or on the VaxiCode app—to access non-essential events and services. 

How can students get a vaccine passport?

Fully vaccinated students wishing to obtain a vaccine passport are individually responsible for acquiring this QR code. Those vaccinated in Quebec who have not already received their QR code by email or text can download it online through the Quebec government’s self-service portal.

Those vaccinated internationally or out-of-province must go to a clinic to register their proof of vaccination before downloading their QR code. One can register their out-of-province vaccination either by booking an appointment or by attending a walk-in vaccination clinic, where government-issued photo ID and official proof of vaccination documents are verified. 

The vaccines recognized for the Quebec vaccine passport are Pfizer, Moderna, AstraZeneca/Covishield, and Janssen/Johnson & Johnson; individuals who have received doses of a vaccine excluded from this list can receive an additional dose of an mRNA vaccine in Canada a minimum of 28 days after their last dose. 

How do vaccine passports affect student life?

The list of non-essential activities at McGill that will require the vaccine passport include practising varsity or recreational sports and attending sporting events, concerts, non-curricular academic conferences, and other performances as an audience member. Additionally, students will need the vaccine passport to access fitness centres and common areas in student residences such as TV rooms. Students with vaccine passports will have access to dine-in services while those without passports will only be able to access take-out services.

Students will not need the vaccine passport to access non-curricular or health-related student services, their personal residence rooms, and associated essential common areas such as washrooms, libraries, study hubs, and flex-spaces. 

McGill media relations officer Frédérique Mazerolle wrote to The McGill Tribune about the university’s future plans involving the vaccine passport.

“Our utmost priority has always been the health and safety of our students and staff,” Mazerolle wrote. “McGill has been working with and continues to work with the various government authorities to align with directives, and to adapt our plans and put in place the necessary measures that will ensure the successful return of students and employees to our campuses.”

How is the McGill community reacting to this measure?

The vaccine passport mandate has provoked controversy, both about the limits of government power in a pandemic and about how efficient vaccine passports are at limiting the spread of COVID-19. 

Douglas Farrow, a professor of theology and ethics at McGill, expressed his views on vaccine passports in an open letter published on August 30.

“Students, in my opinion, would be very foolish to trade their rights, liberties, and personal autonomy for ‘protection’ they do not need,” Farrow wrote in an email to the Tribune. “That does not work very well, and that puts their health at risk in a new way.” 

In an email to the Tribune, the Students’ Society of McGill University (SSMU)  President Darshan Daryanani explained that he believes the vaccine passport should be needed to access the over 250 clubs and services at McGill, and the large cultural and fundraising events to prevent further outbreaks and campus lockdowns.

“We are here to support the student activities with tools and resources as best we can,” Daryanani wrote. “While the administration claims that a student without a vaccine will ‘miss out on the full and fun McGill experience,’ at SSMU, we hope to provide alternative events to respect the safety of all.”

Arts & Entertainment, Dance, Theatre

Émilie Monnet’s ‘Okinum’ forages for fervent dreams

by Arian Kamel on

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On Sept. 2, Okinum made its English debut at Montreal’s Centaur Theatre to a sold-out audience. Originally a 2018 award-winning novel by Canadian writer and performance artist Émilie Monnet, the English version of Okinum was adapted to the stage as part of Centaur’s Brave New Looks program and was co-produced by Onishka Productions and the Imago Theatre. 

Inspired by the power of dreams, Monnet wrote the novel after experiencing three recurrent dreams involving giant beavers, who communicated powerful sentiments of belonging and healing which she could not fully grasp, but felt impassioned to express. Okinum portrays these dreams through an interactive performance, inviting the audience to decipher the giant beavers’ enigmatic guidance by observing Monnet’s personal reenactment and exploration of their words. 

In the Centaur Theatre’s darkly lit auditorium, Monnet and her co-performer Jackie Gallant boldly act out a non-linear tale of self-discovery, intermingling scenes of Monnet speaking to her Anishinaabeg ancestors with representations of her profound dreams. The show’s climax occurs when Monnet portrays herself as a giant beaver, advancing on all fours and capturing an energy that hypnotized the audience into forgetting her human identity. Background noises such as the recordings of live beavers further transport the audience into a vivid aural environment—like that of a dream. Finally, Monnet performs an original song to honour the beavers. 

In an interview with The McGill Tribune, Monnet emphasized the importance of her identity as a member of the Anishinaabeg nation to Okinum‘s creation. For example, her performance interweaves the French and English settler-colonialist languages with Anishinaabemowin, the language that Monnet’s ancestors spoke—and one of the many languages spoken by the Indigenous Peoples who lived in what is now called Montreal.

“I wanted to have the three languages coexist in the performance, the same way they coexist in me,” Monnet said. “I want for people to hear the language, which is so rarely shown on stage, and to actually experience the language born on this territory. They were eradicated by the government policies, but those were the languages that really connect us.”

This use of language extends to the play’s title, which means “dam” in Anishinaabemowin. The title not only references the wooden structures built by beavers but also the barriers placed upon Indigenous Peoples by colonialist powers, such as residential schools and reservation systems. In exploring the ethereal messages from the beavers in Okinum, Monnet deconstructs cultural walls, educating the audience about her own Anishinaabeg identity.

“My hope is to connect the beaver fur trade with the realities of many Indigenous women today,” Monnet said. “To reclaim my language and heritage [is] very powerful, [especially] how it solidifies you.” 

Okinum’s zoomorphic performances continue until Sept. 11 at the Centaur Theatre.  

Sports

Athletes aggrieved by McGill’s cancellation of nine varsity sports

by Sarah Farnand on

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On July 21, McGill Athletics announced that nine sports seasons would be cancelled for the 2021-2022 season. The affected teams include artistic swimming, alpine skiing, badminton, baseball, field hockey, golf, lacrosse, rowing, and woodsmen. The announcement came as a disappointment to hundreds of athletes who were eager to return to competition after a nearly year-long hiatus due to the COVID-19 pandemic—and left many confused, as the cancellations came with little warning or explanation. 

Auguste Guern, third-year infielder for the McGill baseball team, shared his disappointment with the decision in an interview with The McGill Tribune.

“McGill provided us with some explanations which were linked to health problems and the pandemic,” Guern said. “However, in my opinion, the reasons were not very clear. We did not receive clear [communication]. I can understand their motives of [wanting] to protect the athletes, but why [has] baseball been cut and not football, for example?”

Although McGill’s official statement cited that the continuation of COVID-19 protocols meant the Athletics staff had a limited capacity to provide support and care for athletes, many, including Lacrosse midfielder Daniel Chand, U3 Arts, believes this reasoning is senseless. 

“With [McGill] opening up the school and having people from all over the world back, and also the CUFLA [Canadian University Field Lacrosse Association] creating a new division to keep teams from travelling too far, [the cancellation]  did not make any sense to me,” Chand told the Tribune.

The CUFLA league announced in mid-June that it would run the fall season, giving the McGill Lacrosse team the impression that their season would happen. The league would have included McGill, Bishop’s University, Queen’s University, the University of Ottawa, and Carleton University, with all teams still expected to follow pandemic protocols. The league is still set to take place this year with all other schools still competing, despite McGill no longer participating. 

Chand was especially surprised to see his season cancelled after the McGill Lacrosse team was given a one-million-dollar donation by the Généreux family in June 2021, two months before the program was cut. 

“One of our lacrosse alumni just donated one million dollars, so if [McGill Athletics] was worried about doing all the medical [protocols] and providing a trainer, they have more than enough money to hire some people,” Chand said.

According to Chand, McGill Athletics has provided no support to those teams whose seasons were cancelled since the announcement.

“We were going to try and play in a local league, but McGill [Athletics] would not even let us do that,” Chand said. “We are pretty much self-funded to begin with. The only thing we get out of McGill is the use of the name and the fields. It is fairly obvious that McGill only let the bigger sports that are a part of USports and bring in sponsors continue to play.”

Guern shared similar sentiments regarding McGill’s lack of support, noting how varsity athletes whose seasons were cut were barred from accessing the training facilities.

“The help after [being cut] is non-existent,” Guern said. “For example, varsity athletes whose seasons have been cut are not allowed to work out in the varsity gym anymore. We still want to stay in shape and healthy for next year, but now the only gym access we have is the main fitness [centre] […] and we have to pay [like] every other non-varsity athlete.”

For McGill to seemingly arbitrarily pick and choose which teams get to play and which do not is a disservice to the McGill teams and athletes that dedicate much of their life to training. Prioritizing the most popular teams or those that bring in the most revenue undermines the notion of a thriving athletics department.

Commentary, Opinion

McGill should prioritize protection over profits

by Valentina de la Borbolla on

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Despite McGill’s numerous emails detailing their efforts to keep campus safe, the university is taking advantage of its international students. Although students and faculty alike have been anxiously awaiting the return to in-person classes, the return to Canada and Montreal has been fraught with obstacles for many international students. McGill’s substandard treatment of international students does not respect the financial and intellectual exchanges they offer to the university.

Since the beginning of the pandemic, there have been significant delays in the distribution of study permits, as well as frequent changes to entry requirements for non-Canadians—whether it is the implementation of a mandatory hotel quarantine or the ban on incoming flights from India. Although these measures were put in place to prevent the spread of the virus, the lack of guidance has been daunting for those unfamiliar with the Canadian system, and has forced students to make expensive changes to their study plans. 

The travel ban limiting the entry of Indian citizens initially put in place to curb the spread of the Delta variant is perhaps the most worrisome measure for international students, especially given the fact that it has not been updated since April. Considering both the spread of the Delta variant and the history of racist travel bans in North America, this ban disproportionately targets South-Asian students. By contrast, students coming from the United States, a COVID-19 hotspot where cases have been rising quickly, are not banned from entering Canada. 

Although McGill cannot overturn the ban itself, it is the university’s responsibility to ensure that students have access to their education. This has not been the case. McGill has not announced substantive accommodations for students experiencing delays entering Canada, and, although it asks students to make a “COVID-19 Academic Accommodations” request through Minerva, there is no clearly advertised contingency plan. Furthermore, McGill has refused to provide online alternatives to in-person classes, citing pedagogical difficulties. This means that in many cases, the education that international students are paying for will be up to the discretion and abilities of professors, rather than being ensured by the university itself. 

In Canada, students who pay full international tuition are very profitable for universities, as McGill undoubtedly knows. In 2018, Quebec deregulated international tuition, which henceforth granted universities the freedom to set international tuition rates—as opposed to having a cap established by the provincial government. Principal and Vice-Chancellor Suzanne Fortier recognized that the deregulation was beneficial for the institution because it would allow McGill to fully retain the tuition that international students “contribute” to without paying a portion to the Quebec government.

International students do not pay 20 thousand dollars in tuition to “contribute” to the university. They pay for an education with the expectation that McGill will deliver on the quality it is known for. The lack of accommodations for immunocompromised students and staff, as well as the refusal to adapt to the situation facing many international students, shows a deep neglect for the community that allows McGill to continue functioning. 
McGill’s profits are on the line. Yet even with economic incentives, the administration has failed to listen to the Students’ Society of McGill University’s demands, which include the implementation of a vaccine mandate and the publication of clear guidelines for accommodations. After almost two years of uncertainty, McGills owes its international students the peace of mind that their investment in their education will be worth it. Now, it is up to the administration to decide how much they are willing to do for their students.

Campus Spotlight, Student Life

Spotlight: McGill’s non-faculty froshes

by Shirley Xu on

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While most students are familiar with faculty froshes, like Arts Frosh and Science Frosh, there is an exciting, and often overlooked, non-faculty frosh scene to be explored. 

Outdoors Frosh

Outdoors Frosh, hosted by the McGill Outdoors Club (MOC), offered climbing, hiking, and cycling options this year. The four-day orientation event was divided between exploring Montreal and venturing outside the city. This year, Hiking Frosh trekked up Sutton, a mountainous park in Quebec’s Montérégie region, and swam in the crystal clear lakes of Mont-Orford. Climbing Frosh scaled the towering rocks of Val-David, while Cycling Frosh went mountain biking at Val-David and biked approximately 35 kilometres to McGill’s Macdonald Campus. 

In an interview with The McGill Tribune, Josie Messersmith, Hiking Frosh coordinator and U3 Agriculture student, described the Outdoors Frosh experience as one in which froshies create their own adventure.

“Frosh is really what you make of it,” Messersmith said. “Make yourself uncomfortable and put yourself out there, and you can meet really cool people. [Outdoors frosh] is a great opportunity to have long, personal conversations [….] It is for people who like the outdoors [and] want more of a close-knit frosh experience.”

Jewish Frosh

Jewish Frosh, organized by Am McGill and McGill Chavurah, is an opportunity for first-year students to learn about various Jewish events and spaces on campus, receive a meaningful Shabbat experience, and feel at home in the McGill Jewish community. It was Jewish Frosh that introduced Sam Hamroff, a Jewish Frosh leader and U2 Science student, to many groups that he is still part of. 

“Not only will [students] have an experience that will introduce them to like-minded people and bring a little bit of home to Montreal, but it opens many doors to additional experiences,” Hamroff wrote in a message to The McGill Tribune.

Rad Frosh

Rad Frosh hosts workshops, concerts, and dance parties, all with a focus on social and environmental justice. Organized by the Quebec Public Interest Research Group (QPIRG) at McGill, Rad Frosh offers a unique opportunity to explore local activism and community groups. This year’s theme was “Radical Renewal,” made to symbolize new beginnings. The name was inspired by birch trees, which are often the first tree species to revive after forest fires and are known for their resilience. Events included an open-mic concert where froshies met indie musicians,  DIY workshops for university success, and a drag show by House of Gahd. Proceeds went to supporting Taking What We Need, a community group that supports low-income trans women.

Fish Frosh

Despite being organized by four Christian fellowships on campus, Fish Frosh, a non-alcoholic frosh, welcomes participants of all religious backgrounds. Incoming students got to explore the city and visit destinations such as Saint Joseph’s Oratory and Old Port. This year, froshies gathered to sing Christian songs at worship night, and also attended more broadly geared events, such as a barbecue dinner and a talent show.

“[Fish frosh] is a good way for students to be a bit more relaxed and embarrass themselves a bit [while having] fun and not feeling too restricted,” said James Kusardi, Fish Frosh head coordinator and U4 Engineering student, in an interview with The McGill Tribune. 

MSA Halal Frosh 

Organized by McGill Muslim Students’ Association (MSA), Halal Frosh is a non-alcoholic, halal alternative to faculty froshes for Muslim and non-Muslim students alike, offering halal meals throughout events and providing time for prayer. 

Sara Elkady, Halal Frosh organizer and U3 Nutrition student, shared the highlights of her experience.

“This year was super special because we were able to have frosh in person again,” Elkady said. “My favourite events were the Mount Royale hike, The Amazing Race, and laser tag.” 

During the four-day hybrid event, froshies also traversed the Old Port, canoed down the Lachine canal, and ended the event with a virtual cook-off and game night.  

This year, MSA hopes to offer more hybrid social and educational events for their community.

“I’m so excited for what’s to come this year,” Elkady said. “We are working on finding a place for our weekly jummah prayers, and hopefully opening up more prayer spaces around campus.”

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