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Campus Spotlight, Student Life

From printing to polls at Computer Taskforce

by Alaana Kumar on

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The McGill community is full of silent heroes, from professors that grant extensions to the Super Sandwich depanneur guru, and, of course, club members that sell regulation samosas. However, McGill has another team of volunteers who rarely get the acknowledgement that they deserve: The Computer Taskforce (CTF). This integral organization works behind-the-scenes to provide tech services to students in the faculties of Science and Arts & Science, as well as U0 Nursing students, by ensuring that they have access to 24-hour computer labs, laptop rentals, workshops, and assistance with developing sites for campus-run initiatives. This group of volunteers help students meet their essay deadlines and ensure that they have access to a wide array of software and a seemingly endless flow of free printing credits.

Access to free printing within the Burnside Basement is reserved for Science and Arts & Science students, as the program is funded by their tuition costs. Despite this faculty restriction, CTF also engages with students outside of these two specific faculties. In an email to The McGill Tribune, Noah Zwack, Associate Chair of the McGill Science Computer Taskforce, explained how all students can benefit from CTF operations.

“Our services are primarily targeted at Science students, since they are the ones that pay into the fund we use for our operations,” Zwack wrote. “However, most of our services are available to students from other faculties. One thing people don’t usually know about CTF is that we can host websites for clubs for free, which allows clubs to create dynamic websites free of charge.”

For clubs and events at McGill, CTF plays a vital role since their tech expertise gives campus organizations better tools to communicate effectively with the student body. CTF even hosts elections for clubs using software designed by their volunteers. In addition to assisting McGill clubs, they hold numerous workshops to help Science students build skills that could prove useful after graduation.

“Our workshops are usually focused on a certain topic in computer science, as this is the audience most of our members fall into,” Zwack wrote. “We try to vary the types of workshops we hold, from more technical workshops [like a] Python tutorial [or] Intro to Machine Learning to more career focused ones, such as our most recent workshop where we brought in past graduates to talk about their path to finding careers in computer science.”

Recently, CTF developed a one-step website where all students can easily find their final exam schedule. This information can then be directly exported to a student’s calendar, with the date, time, location, and row number of each course’s final exam included, giving students access to a much simpler organization tool to prepare for exam season. These projects, inspired by their volunteers’ experiences as students on campus, highlight the club’s importance at McGill.

“While there are some organizations across campus that offer similar services that we do, I believe that the fact [that] we’re entirely run by student volunteers makes us unique and valuable,” Zwack wrote. “We understand students’ needs because we’re also students, so we can offer services that appeal more to them, such as the exam schedule viewer.”

Currently, the CTF team is working to help fund the renovation of Burnside Basement in collaboration with McGill and the Science Undergraduate Society (SUS). However, this is just one of the numerous projects CTF hopes to tackle through their allocated budget, and volunteers are always available to listen to student suggestions on how to allocate funds in regards to access to technology.

For students who want to help out the campus community or are interested in expanding their technology know-how, CTF recruits at the beginning of each year. As Zwack notes, CTF hopes their services are accessible to all students, especially those who help make their club a reality.

“We want to be known as an organization run by students, for Science students, so that they feel the money they paid into the fund is being well spent,” Zwack wrote. 

For students interested in speaking with CTF volunteers or looking for opportunities to get involved, stop by Burnside 1B19 or send an email at [email protected].

 

Student Life

The seven OneCard options reviewed

by ET Wu on

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When first-year undergraduates are tired of the same dishes served at Royal Victoria College or New Residence Hall, they can spend the $500 they have in their OneCard accounts on many restaurants off campus. To find out the best places to use this money, The McGill Tribune went to all the OneCard options off-campus and reviewed their menus as well as the ambience and service they provide.

M4 Burritos (2053 rue Peel)

This Mexican-inspired grill is perfect for anyone who enjoys Tex-Mex or is looking to eat healthy, fresh food from a fast food restaurant. The location itself offers a decent sitting area, making it a good place to catch a bite to eat and hang out with friends. 

The service is impeccable, and they allow customers to add a variety of toppings to their mexican dish of choice. While their meat dishes are delicious, the vegetarian and vegan options, which include some grilled vegetables, are lacklustre and bland due to a lack of exciting spices. 

Freshii (3454 avenue du Parc)

The frozen yogurt bar at Freshii is a student favourite. Customers can choose between eight different flavours and customize their yogurt with a variety of toppings, including bits of Reese’s peanut butter cups and granola, making it the perfect spot for anyone with a sweet tooth. 

Compared to the other restaurants however, Freshii’s main food choices are slightly on the expensive side, so it may not be cost-efficient for those who have a big appetite. The teriyaki bowls, for example, are filled with vibrant greens but are a bit on the small scale. Additionally, they close quite early at 9:30 p.m., meaning their fan-favourite frozen yogurt may not be available at the times you need it most.

Basha (3507 avenue du Parc)

Little needs to be said for the iconic Lebanese chain Basha. Their chicken shawarma is delicious, and their garlic sauces are irresistible. Furthermore, their portions are large given their price, which is perfect for those with huge appetites but a drawstring budget. 

However, this branch closes at midnight, so you will have to satisfy those 2 a.m. cravings of shish taouk elsewhere. Additionally, this particular location is not group friendly as the seating arrangement doesn’t allow for social gatherings.

St-Hubert Express (3575 avenue du Parc)

The St-Hubert’s chain sells chicken plates and poutines that are an icon of the province. St-Hubert Express is an attempt to bring restaurant-level food in a fast food setting, offering high-quality food with speedy service.

St-Hubert Express does not quite meet the standard set by its traditional restaurant counterpart, but the comfortable seating and convenient location makes it a great choice for group hangouts. 

Le Plezl (3424 rue Peel) 

A kosher restaurant on the west side of campus, Le Plezl focusses on fresh, Mediterannean foods with a menu ranging from tuna and quinoa salads to salmon sandwiches. The service here is unrivalled by the others on the list, with their only downside being that they close at 5 pm.

Pita Pit (3550 avenue du Parc)

Pita Pit offers great service and healthy options. Their sandwiches are highly customizable and nutritionally balanced, and their portions are fair. Customers can choose between proteins such as chicken, beef, and falafel and add everything from guacamole to jalapenos. 

The store is open until 3 am, making it a great, healthy alternative to the usual junk food you may eat after a night out. 

Alto’s (3469 avenue du Parc)

Alto’s is a pleasant surprise. With its classic cushioned metal frame chairs, a menu consisting of a plethora of comfort foods, and the most affable service, Alto’s gives customers that comforting old-style diner hospitality. 

Of all the options on the OneCard list, this is the only one that is a full-fledged restaurant. It is slightly more expensive with meals ranging from $15-20, but the seating is comfortable and the food is amazing. Despite the restaurant’s main focus on pizza, other options, such as the grilled chicken served with fries, rice, and a generous portion of salad, are delicious. 

 

News, The Tribune Explains

Tribune Explains: All things Fall Reading Week

by Riyana Karim Hajiani on

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While most Canadian universities have a week-long break in both the fall and winter semesters, McGill only has a reading week in the winter, usually held during the first week of March. Recent student activism has prompted talks regarding the implementation of a Fall Reading Week by the McGill Senate, the university governance body responsible for academic issues. To help understand the progress toward a Fall Reading Week, The McGill Tribune spoke with Gillian Nycum, university registrar and executive director of Enrolment Services, to answer some frequently asked questions.

The history of student advocacy for a Fall Reading Week

McGill students have shown a long-standing desire for a Fall Reading Week, citing the importance of taking time for themselves to focus on their mental health. True student advocacy in favour of a Fall Reading Week only emerged in 2018. A collective increased focus on mental health has fueled student advocacy resulting in the Winter 2018 referendum, where 96.6 per cent of undergraduate students who voted supported a Fall Reading Week. Following this referendum, the Students’ Society of McGill University (SSMU) formed an Ad-Hoc Fall Reading Break Committee, which met regularly between November 2018 and March 2019 under SSMU President Tre Mansdoerfer to weigh options concerning the instigation and logistics of a Fall Reading Week potentially to happen during the Fall 2020 semester.  

Administration’s progress in implementing a Fall Reading Week

Many conflicts surround implementing a Fall Reading Week, so, the McGill Senate Committee and the Enrolment and Student Affairs Advisory Committee (ESAAC) have formed a subcommittee, called the Sub Committee on Fall Reading Week (SFRB) to discuss how to avert scheduling issues in the academic calendar and to evaluate different scenarios in which Fall Reading Week exists, including starting the semester in August or scheduling classes before 8:30am. The SFRB has made recommendations in order to facilitate a smoother transition in the coming years. 

SFRB includes representatives from Enrolment Services, the University Registrar SSMU, Faculties of Medicine, Engineering, and Science, Post-Graduate Students Society (PGSS), and Macdonald Campus Students Society (MCSS). 

Executives from the SFRB remain optimistic, stating on April 9, 2019 that a Fall Reading Week seems feasible. Nycum explained that a Fall Reading Week is possible.

“Further consultation with stakeholders is required to ensure proper implementation,” Nycum said. “The Committee conducted these consultations from October 2019 to January 2020.” 

The Committee is considering two recommendations: Adding extra time to classes, and beginning the fall semester at an earlier date. Of these options, the student body is in favour of beginning the fall semester earlier: In a survey conducted by SSMU, results show that 87 per cent of students are willing to start the fall semester before Labour Day if it ensures a Fall Reading Week. Current debate within the administration is surrounding the possible effects on summer studies and internships. 

Proposed dates for a Fall Reading Week 

While discussions are still taking place, SSMU seems dedicated to continuing advocacy for a Fall Reading Week to be added onto the October 12-16 Canadian Thanksgiving weekend as noted in a SFRB Consultation Document. Currently, executives remain hopeful that a Fall Reading Week is foreseeable for Fall 2020. In a proposed calendar for the 2020-2021 academic year approved by the Senate, Fall Reading Week has no specific dates attached.

When asked about the timeline for communication to students, Nycum said that students will be updated this semester.

“The SFRB will aim to report to ESAAC again this term,” Nycum said. “From there, any recommendations would need to be approved by [the] Senate.”

McGill, News

Socialist Fightback holds discussion on the role of women in revolutions

by Pascal Hogue on

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Socialist Fightback at Concordia and McGill and Socialist Fightback Students held a meeting on March 12 in the Leacock building to commemorate International Women’s Week. Speakers discussed the role of working-class women in sparking mass protests and revolutionary movements in countries around the world. Attendees stressed the ongoing struggles that women face in society and in the workplace, highlighting what they perceive as a major limitation of the capitalist system. 

In her 40-minute opening presentation, Socialist Fightback organizer Sarah Farah dispelled the common myth that socialist revolutions are a masculinist enterprise. She explained why, historically, women are usually on the front lines of revolutions. 

“We see this recurring pattern that women tend to be at the fore of revolutionary movements [because] women are among the most oppressed layers of society,” Farah said. “The whole injustice of the system bears down on them particularly harshly. But when the system is at an impasse […] it makes sense for the most oppressed layers, who have had the whole system beating them down for years and years, to be the initiating element of a mass movement. Why? Because they intuitively understand what is to be gained from a revolution.”

Concordia student Maïa Colombier described the leading role of French working-class women in the Paris Commune, a radical socialist government that ruled Paris for two months in 1871 and ended in bloodshed. She noted the progressive ideas of the Commune women and their precedence of 20th century feminist movements.

“What was happening with the women of the Paris Communes was incredible,” Colombier said. “They were pushing for equal pay, education for girls, the right to divorce, the end of the distinction between a legitimate and an illegitimate child […] They had their place in this organization and they were advocating for issues that would make every working woman’s life better.”

Farah explained how women often bear the brunt of modern economic problems that result from a capitalist system. Working class-women must balance their time between unpaid household labour and paid work—a challenge, she contends, that disproportionately affects women.

“Women’s oppression, at its root, is an economic question,” Farah said. “Capitalism relies on unpaid domestic labour that is mostly women’s labour [.…] As women further enter the workforce, their workload is doubled. They become wage labourers, exploited in the workplace, and they become domestic servants at home.” 

Socialist Fightback organiser Natalia Garcia pointed out that capitalism has undeniably brought advancements to women’s rights. However, she argued that the modern challenges faced in a capitalist system were more detrimental than beneficial for most women.

“The development of capitalism brought massive amounts of people into the workforce, allowing women to exit the isolation of the household and participate in the social production in society,” Garcia said. “But [nowadays], capitalism is not this amazing ascending line. The cuts that are faced by the working class start in place like healthcare, education, childcare, all sectors that are dominated by women’s labour [….] It’s women workers who are bearing the brunt of the capitalist crisis the most.”

Student Life, The Viewpoint

Lessons from a fifth year: Fostering a healthier culture at McGill

by Olivia Frank on

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Excitement and anxiety are the dominant emotions that I feel as I graduate this semester and prepare to begin graduate school in September 2020. Having spread my degree over five years, I have watched the McGill community grow and change over time, and there are a few things that I wish I had known when I first got here. 

GPA alone is not sufficient

Frankly, I’ve gotten my fair share of Bs and Cs. As a result, I was rejected three years in a row from the Psychology Honours program. As a result, I thought that this first experience with failure defined me.

After facing those rejections, I decided to spend my last two years focussing outside of my own academic field by finding professors in other disciplines who shared my passions, seeking hands-on experiences throughout Montreal, and even volunteering in Indonesia for a summer. How I reacted to my past failings ultimately led to my subsequent successes—most notably, an acceptance to my dream program, the Master’s of Public Health at Columbia University. McGill’s structure may place value on certain metrics of success, such as GPA and research, but the truth is, the world beyond can think a little differently.

Don’t compete; collaborate

Being surrounded by high-achieving and hard-working students every day made me feel like I had to emulate their behaviours such as binge drinking, barely sleeping, and studying for unhealthy amounts of time. Despite the fact that I was overwhelmed with stress and anxiety by following these normalized patterns, I didn’t seek any help. I blamed myself, thinking that I could not handle McGill’s ‘work hard, play hard’ environment. Upon receiving my diagnoses of anxiety and depression, I learned that if you push yourself to the extreme, something is bound to give. 

I decided to be vocal about my recovery process, which involved months of therapy, antidepressants, and tackling the stigma of mental illness on campus. As university students, we don’t think often enough about checking in with our friends, our classmates, or even ourselves. Following the destructive cycle of my first year, I took baby steps toward healthier coping mechanisms, such as ensuring that I got enough sleep each night and drinking less. 

Being open not only made me feel better, but it made a difference with my peers, too. While sharing this difficult experience made me feel extremely vulnerable, nothing was better than admitting that ‘I am not okay.’ The more I was open about how the McGill culture masked the symptoms of my depression and anxiety, the more students asked if I could help them access support too. All of a sudden, I had created a space where those in my social group did not have to be alone and isolated about their difficulties in university and could share their experiences in coping with the pressure.

McGill doesn’t define you

Spending my entire life in first year within the confines of the Milton-Parc neighbourhood made it impossible to separate myself from my identity as a McGill student. Moving out to the Plateau and exploring the city on the weekends as well as volunteering for organizations such as the ICU Bridge Program at the Jewish General Hospital gave me the opportunity to explore different parts of my identity beyond being a student. These experiences provided me with different perspectives that helped me appreciate how lucky I am to live in a vibrant city with plenty of opportunities. Most importantly, they helped push me outside of my comfort zone and prepared me for the world after undergrad. 

As I get ready for Columbia, I’m thankful that I recognized the perils of a high-pressure university environment and learned to move away from this toxic ideology by embracing vulnerability within myself and my peers. After five years of important experiences and struggles at McGill, I developed into a stronger and happier person, and I discovered who I am beyond the Milton Gates. 

Editorial, Opinion

McGill should communicate quickly but carefully about COVID-19

by The McGill Tribune Editorial Board on

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Over the course of the last week, the McGill community has been informed through a series of emails from the administration about how the university is addressing the COVID-19 pandemic. On March 13, the Quebec government announced that all schools in the province would be closing for two weeks. Following this announcement, McGill cancelled classes on March 13 to evaluate its plan of action. At the time of press, McGill has cancelled all classes, exams, assignments, and forms of assessments, with the exception of thesis defenses, until March 30th. Given the rapid evolution of the coronavirus pandemic, the administration has made reasonable efforts to communicate their decisions as the situation develops. During this time, however, many students and staff still face confusion and uncertainty about what the coming weeks and months will look like. 

On March 16, McGill made a facebook post specifying that there will be no in-person final examinations, explaining that an alternative assessment plan will be specified before the end of March. Additionally, the administration sent out a more substantial email outlining the services, activities, and areas which will be operable over the next two weeks and those which will not. Even so, students remain anxious about how graduation ceremonies will proceed, as well as whether graduate programs and summer semesters set to start on May 1 will continue as scheduled. The McGill administration should continue information clarifying the steps that they plan to take to address the consequences of the virus, though their communication thus far has been laudable given the circumstances of the situation. McGill students should take seriously the university and Provincial Government’s recommendations regarding social distancing and hygiene, in order to slow down the spread of the virus. 

Updates about McGill’s response to COVID-19 have been communicated on Facebook, YouTube, and by email. While the administration has aimed to make this information accessible, students have complained about a lack of uniformity and inaccessibility in messaging. While email is a more direct and appropriate method of communication, emails from McGill regarding COVID-19 have often been  delayed compared to the administration’s social media announcements. In the comments of the March 14 Facebook update video, students complained about a lack of captioning and also urged the administration to be more proactive in communicating with professors regarding class and assignment cancellations.

Closing campus, while necessary, can pose various accessibility barriers for students. For example, some students cannot afford WiFi in their apartments and, with libraries being closed, lack a feasible space to do class work. Given this, even after the two week period, professors should be understanding with students who were unable to stay up to date with assignments during the cancellation period. Professors should also be accommodating because this is an especially stressful time for students who may be encountering difficulty in trying to communicate with their families in other parts of the world. Students may be as afraid for their friends’ and family’s health as their own. 

On March 14, McGill asked all students abroad to return. Effective communication from McGill to students on exchange is crucial for ensuring that these students can travel safely and have clear instruction on their prospective return to Canada and the university. Moreover, McGill must clarify for all students, both abroad and in Montreal, how and if they will be able to finish their academic terms if their term is shortened, and if students will be able to graduate on time.

With respect to how students should react to the pandemic, it is important to practice both self-awareness and empathy at this time. Even if students are not concerned for their own health, they should be mindful of the health of others and practice social distancing. While young people are generally less likely to suffer or die from COVID-19 as the elderly, they can still transmit the illness to more vulnerable members of the population. Students have a responsibility to aid public health, and the most effective way to slow the spread of illness is by avoiding gatherings and washing their hands frequently. Students should also try to be mindful of their own health, both physical and mental. Writing out thoughts and feelings, calling friends and finding new hobbies are some ways that students might manage their mental health while social distancing. Finally, students should strive to avoid doing things like panic buying, allowing everyone to acquire groceries and supplies with equity. 

The coronavirus pandemic has incited stressful changes for everyone, including students, staff and administration. The McGill Tribune commends the administration for making concerted efforts to address the situation as swiftly as possible and urges thorough, clear, and accessible communication going forward. We also urge all readers to be patient and empathetic with one another as we navigate this situation; whether that means being considerate of those who are immunocompromised by practicing social distancing or simply being patient with roommates while sharing close quarters.

If you think you may have contracted COVID-19 or need further information, please contact the Quebec Ministry of Health and Social Services at  +1 (877) 644-4545 or visit their website.

Arts & Entertainment, Music

Anonymuz’s ‘Before the Night is Over’ is full of bangers

by Joey Caplan on

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As of now, Isaiah Joseph, who records under the name Anonymuz, lives up to his chosen moniker. Though his projects have been gaining popularity as of late, the mainstream rap community has continued to overlook his unmatched talent. His newest project, a brief but sonically substantial EP Before the Night is Over, may be his greatest attempt yet at breaking the mould. Self-produced, Before the Night is Over is a remarkable achievement given the disparate styles on display.

The opening track, “Long Night”, feels like a response to the distinct Drake-like flow and production style that popular radio has come to love, with added vividness and weight. This kind of evocative evolution becomes a theme of the EP: Many of the songs build upon the production of his inspirations to create a unique sound. “Hysteria” features some bass work that is unmistakably Pablo-era Kanye, but Anonymuz’s vocals combined with the uniquely aggressive percussion makes the track unmistakably his own. 

One of the EP’s primary themes is the creative plight that often comes with being signed to major labels, a part of the music industry that Anonymuz has gone out of his way to avoid. The artist has even gone so far as to start his own label, RXDICAL RECORDS. The final track, “Riot”, condemns these labels, singling them out:  “Con artists, con artists, out of art, out of heart.” 

Where Anonymuz smashes it out of the park is with his biggest stylistic change-up yet, “We’ll Be In Love.” The song features an intoxicatingly funky beat and some surprisingly smooth vocals from Anonymuz himself, along with verses that feature a new, strikingly diverse flow. 

Anonymuz has outdone himself this time, but that comes as no surprise. He continues to be a wildly underrated and highly important voice in the world of rap, and his recent forays into production puts him in conversation with the likes of rapper and producer legend J Cole.

Commentary, Opinion

The Indigenous Equity Fee must be increased

by Joce W. Coutre on

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Increasing the Indigenous Equity Fee should be a popular suggestion.

The intergenerational strength and resiliency of Indigenous students attending McGill is remarkable. Indigenous students face a number of hurdles which make it less likely for them to end up pursuing post-secondary education—among these are systemic disadvantages that play into almost every Indigenous person’s life. 

Indigenous people living on reserve are less likely than non-Indigenous individuals to complete high school, which is a prerequisite for admission to any Canadian university. The percentage of off-reserve Indigenous students graduating high school, though increasing year by year, still lags behind. The reasons for this lie in a history of colonialism that has resulted in the impoverishment, marginalization, and despair on Indigenous peoples. Unsurprisingly, the proportion of Indigenous students living off reserve who receive a high school diploma is greater among those with no family history of forced attendance at residential schools than among those with a history of family attendance. Relative to the broader Canadian population, Indigenous peoples, for example, have higher incarceration rates, higher infant mortality rates, higher school drop-out rates, higher rates of smoking, alcohol, and drug abuse, and suffer a range of chronic health conditions at a higher rate than their non-Indigenous counterparts. 

All of these factors speak to the incredible dedication and perseverance of Indigenous students in their post-secondary educational pursuits. These students are examples for everyone to follow in terms of their strength and resilience in the face of adverse circumstances.

However, the mere fact of working hard and being admitted to university does not mean that Indigenous students are exempt from the effects of colonialism. In many cases, they find themselves in a setting that is altogether unfamiliar to them in language, culture, and practices. According to recent student consultations held by Students’ Society of McGill University (SSMU) Indigenous Affairs, Indigenous students face racism on a daily basis through in-person and online comments from their peers and are consistently singled out in classrooms to speak to Indigenous issues. Outside McGill, they must continue to contend with the needs of their families. Within McGill, Indigenous students struggle to access mental health services at a higher rate than the rest of the student population. In addition, they face these challenges against the backdrop of daily news reports about how the federal government continues to engage in contemporary colonization, while paying lip service to ‘reconciliation’ that never actually ends up happening. These factors are just some of the unseen burdens and additional hard work that Indigenous students put into completing their postsecondary education.

McGill can be made a much more hospitable place for Indigenous students. Students have already voted to do so by introducing the Indigenous Equity fee—the $1 semesterly contribution added to SSMU student fees to create the Indigenous Equity Fund. With this contribution, SSMU Indigenous Affairs has been able to make significant progress in improving the well-being of Indigenous students by making attending McGill more accessible to those living on nearby reserves, increasing the visibility of Indigenous peoples on campus through events and campaigning, and hiring additional staff to hold consultations with Indigenous students and analyze McGill policies and procedures. The consultations have proven what Indigenous students all knew individually and identified experiences that were, in fact, common to many. They demonstrated that while the Indigenous Equity Fee is already effective, we are still coming up short in ensuring the success of Indigenous students and their integration into student life on campus. If the fee were increased to $1.50, more meaningful work could be embarked on in addition to current projects, such as introducing more mental health support specific to Indigenous students, more outreach projects, campaigns combatting racism, and making Indigeneity more visible on our campus by supporting and funding Indigenous art. These efforts would leave McGill better positioned to respond to the challenges that Indigenous students themselves have said are active barriers to access.

McGill students should all come together to help ensure the success of every Indigenous student at McGill by voting ‘yes’ to the increase of $0.50 to the Indigenous equity fee. This will not only help ensure their own well-being by providing essential resources, but that of their families and communities as well.

Commentary, Opinion

McGill failed its exchange students amid the CoronaVirus crisis

by Nina Russell on

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Standing toward the back of the line snaking its way around the grocery store, my cart full to the brim with frozen foods and canned soup, was not the way I had expected to spend my semester abroad at the University of Copenhagen. The night before, the Danish prime minister announced that the country was effectively shutting down: Closing schools, encouraging public sector employees to work from home, and banning gatherings of more than 100 people. Immediately after the announcement, my social media were filled with photos of empty store shelves and long lines, leaving me anxious for comfort and support from familiar institutions.

While, of course, my initial fears about having enough to eat were exaggerated, the cacophony of announcements from countries all over to curb the COVID-19 pandemic were enough to stress anyone out., Italy, Spain, and South Korea were all taking drastic measures just as Denmark did, ranging from encouraging self-isolation to closing borders. Being without my family, in an unfamiliar country, made the situation even more stressful. Times of uncertainty generally cause people to lean back on the institutions that are supposed to support them. For me, McGill should have been one of these institutions. Instead, the administration’s delayed response contributed to my anxiety. This stress was a result of structural issues within McGill’s lack of communication to the student body during the COVID-19 crisis at large. 

In the two-and-a-half days between Denmark’s initial announcement about closing much of the country and the first email I received from the McGill Abroad team, there was little clear communication from McGill. Only Deputy Provost (Student Life and Learning) Fabrice Labeau’s daily emails, which at that time  conveyed no more substantial information than encouraging the student body to wash our hands, were there to provide direction and reassurance. During this period, I quickly found out that many of my colleagues on exchange from universities in the US and UK had already been recalled. Even my friends at other Canadian universities, such as the University of British Columbia and University of Calgary, had received emails within 24 hours of Denmark’s announcement reassuring them that they could come home if they felt unsafe without risking losing credit for the semester. This allowed others to make decisions about whether the best option for them was to stay or leave, to some extent reducing uncertainty.

While I discussed the very same question with my parents, who were eager to have me back in Canada before the borders closed, the answer was made all the more complex by McGill’s silence, despite attempts to contact them through the COVID-19 information email. I could not be confident that, if I left, McGill would assist me in making the necessary accommodations to receive credit. However, more and more countries were closing their borders, and I wanted to be sure that I would be able to return home if the situation in Denmark worsened dramatically. 

I understand that the rapidly-changing nature of the COVID-19 crisis meant that it was difficult for the administration to make important decisions. I have no doubt that the decision to recall exchange students was not one that was made likely, and I am glad that the administration took the time to give the decision its due. However, it was difficult not to feel abandoned by the university that was supposed to be one of my main support structures when I needed it most. And in a situation in which each day saw drastic new proposals to curb the spread of the pandemic, going almost three days in isolation without any acknowledgement of what we were going through felt like an eternity. Now that I am home, I am grateful for my professors in Copenhagen, who reassured me that I would be able to complete my classes remotely, as well as the administration at the University of Copenhagen, whose consistent communication helped to alleviate some of the stress surrounding the crisis. I only hope that McGill continues to learn from other institutions which have made communication a priority, and continue to update its students on the measures being taken.

 

covid-19 illustration
McGill, News

No online or physical classes for two weeks during COVID-19 crisis

by Tasmin Chu on

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McGill suspends all online and physical classes

Associate Provost (Teaching & Academic Programs) Christopher Buddle announced in a video update that McGill will be suspending all academic activities for the next two weeks during the COVID-19 crisis.

“All classes are cancelled for the next two weeks, [both] online [and] in-person classes,” Buddle said. “This also includes any assessments or any examinations that students might be preparing for. Those will have to be postponed. Instructors have received information about how they can start planning [to make] sure that their courses […] can move to an online format when we return and when we reopen completely.”

According to an email sent to students by Deputy Provost (Student Life and Learning) Fabrice Labeau, thesis defenses will still take place, as well as any research activities that can be carried out off campus other than field work.

“McGill will make every effort to ensure that students complete the term as planned,” the email read. “I appreciate the perseverance of the community as we work through this situation in coordination with the Ministry of Health and the Ministry of Education and Higher Education.”

Students will not be forced to leave residences

McGill’s residences will continue to operate. According to Labeau’s email, other food services on campus may be closed or operate during reduced hours. Buddle warned that those living in residences who intend to leave Montreal should be aware that, if they return to Canada from abroad, they will have to self-isolate for 14 days. He also noted that travel restrictions to Canada may change in the coming days.

“If you choose to leave that’s fine and that’s your choice but you need to understand […] we can’t necessarily guarantee that all of your classes will be available in an online format,” Buddle said.

Buddle will be delivering daily video updates on COVID-19 at McGill throughout the next week.

Services shuttered, Wellness Hub closed for two weeks

McGill’s libraries and athletics facilities will remain closed until March 30, although online library services will still be available. The Wellness Hub is closed until at least March 21 and will move to online operations. Labeau’s email noted that students can access doctors virtually through the Maple app and mental health counselling services through Keep.meSAFE.

McGill recalls all students abroad

Following the Canadian government’s advisory to avoid all non-essential international travel, McGill is recalling all students currently abroad.  Information about academic accommodations will be announced soon. Labeau urged returning students to comply with the provincial government’s 14-day self-isolation request.

Quebec businesses asked to close indefinitely after Legault declares public health emergency

There are now 35 cases of coronavirus in Quebec, and over 1000 cases are currently being investigated. The first pediatric case of coronavirus in Quebec has been diagnosed.

In a press conference on March 14, Quebec Premier François Legault declared a public health emergency in the province of Quebec. He is encouraging seniors over 70 to stay at home and has also announced a ban on all visits to seniors’ long-term care facilities, residences, and hospitals.

On March 15, Legault asked that most businesses in Quebec close indefinitely, including bars, bars, and gyms. Restaurants may stay open, but should limit their customers to 50 per cent capacity and seat customers far apart.

As well, residents are no longer being encouraged to call Quebec’s 811 health line for coronavirus information, as it has become overwhelmed with calls from worried residents. Instead, provincial Health Minister Danielle McCann is encouraging those who cannot get through on the 811 number to call +1 (877) 644-4545. McCann also announced plans to launch 10 more COVID-19 screening clinics.

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