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Out on the Town, Student Life

Tsujiri offers a taste of Japan

by ET Wu on

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As a part of a wave of Asian dessert places cropping up around the city, the international matcha chain Tsujiri opened a new location on Crescent in December. The Japanese tea shop has been serving matcha since 1860, having started as a chaho, meaning tea shop in Japanese, in Kyoto and now aims to bring authentic Japanese tea into the heart of Montreal.

Tsujiri Montreal distinguished itself from the other Canadian branches in Vancouver and Toronto by expanding beyond their internationally renowned counter-service. Paco Cheng, the owner of Tsujiri Montreal, integrates a dine-in area serving dishes exclusive to select locations of the chain such as  large-sized parfaits and freshly prepared matcha soufflé.

“Some of the [other Canadian Tsujiri chains] only offer the counter menu […], which serves ice cream, lattes, and parfait,” Cheng said. “But in Montreal, we also have a dine-in section. We have a café for the customers for drinks and desserts, and at the back, we have a restaurant, [where we serve products] prepared fresh everyday.”

Cheng added that the branch aims to bring a genuine matcha experience to Montreal by using tea directly from Japan.

“[Some other tea stores] use powder, [and] they use [flavouring], which is, in our opinion, unhealthy,” Cheng said. “We sell authentic tea […], which is imported directly from Japan. We really want to keep the highest standard we can.”

Matcha drinks could be used as an alternative for other stimulants, such as coffee or energy drinks. According to a 2017 study published on Food Research International, matcha tea may have an effect on reaction speed and long-term memory, which can be useful for students who wish to study long hours.

“Matcha is a healthy drink if you compare [it] to coffee, which makes you high very quickly and leads to a quick drop,” Cheng said. “Matcha itself has a lot more nutrition than any other teas. The way we make matcha [is] we take tea leaves, we process it by drying them, and then we stone grind the tea leaves into a fine powder. So when you start to drink the matcha, you actually drink the entirety of the tea leaves.”

Tsujiri takes the stimulating effects of the product and twists them into new and exciting combinations. Perusing through their Instagram page, one can see all things green ranging from matcha noodles in a modern take on chasoba to their own take on the American sundae. For Tieng Yin, counter-service staff at Tsujiri, she found the store’s take on a beloved fuel for students, coffee, to be her favourite. 

“My favourite product here is the Kinako Kuromitsu Latte,” Yin said. “[There is…] Japanese black sugar, and soy bean powder inside the drink.” 

The store’s inventive use of these green tea leaves has attracted a diverse range of customers who are eager to experience the world-famous Tsujiri matcha products. Locals and tourists alike come to visit and try out the drinks and desserts Tsujiri has to offer.  

“Montreal is a special city,” Cheng said. “I can see there are local people, people from Europe, or anywhere else in the world, and they come into our store and start to enjoy the same tea as we do in Japan or in Asia.”  

Out on the Town, Student Life

Café Olimpico opens downtown location

by Lydie Hua on

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For those who feel that the Mile End is too far away yet crave Café Olimpico’s delicious lattes and wonderful atmosphere, the world has decided to grant their wish. A new location, just a few blocks from campus on Boulevard Robert-Bourassa, north of Sainte-Catherines, opened in December. 

‘Montreal’s Best Café’, as their website boasts, has a rich and deeply rooted history. Since its opening in the 1970s in Mile End, it has been a legendary staple of Montreal’s café scene. Jonathan Vannelli, the current owner of the three Café Olimpicos across the city, is the grandson of Rocco Furfaro, the original founder, and has been a member of the family business since he was 16, rising through the ranks from busboy to owner. 

 “My main goal is to continue my grandfather’s tradition,” Vannelli said. “His vision for the café is to always build a community, offer a great espresso at an affordable price, and to build relationships with customers by offering the best service possible.”

This vision of a cafe centred around good company and great coffee has proven successful, highlighted by their spot on The Telegraph’s list of “The 50 Greatest Cafés on Earth”. Vannelli explained that remaining true to Furfaro’s values throughout the café’ and being a family business is what distinguishes them from the myriad of Starbucks or other café franchises that keep springing up across urban centres like Montreal. Another thing that sets them apart from corporate cafés is the coffee itself.  

“We use six blends [… and] our beans are all freshly roasted in Italy and shipped to our door,” Vannelli said. “My grandfather’s recipe hasn’t changed in 50 years. We still keep a great relationship with our coffee suppliers.” 

There are a few differences between this new location and its renowned counterpart in Mile End. Firstly, the cost of products are higher downtown, which the owner explains is perfectly normal because rent is higher there. However, even with the increase, prices remain affordable given the quality of the coffee. The location is also much smaller, with only 12 seats packed into a bedroom-sized space. The café is clearly catered to those working in the downtown area who only have five minutes to stop by and gulp down their espressos. While the space is a comfortable and pleasant environment, it is not the most ideal atmosphere to sit and study in. Vannelli describes how developing this aesthetic took some time to create.

 “It was a long process,” Vannelli said. “I did everything myself with the help of my designer. We wanted the design to stay true to our roots, with the walnut wood finishes and marble counters, and yet make some small changes, such as the design and aesthetic of the wood panels along the walls and bar.” 

The design is more modern and structured, but the feeling of something shared and great coffee is not lost. The new Café Olimpico remains true to the family name and every expectation longtime customers might have. If you ever have a second of your day to make the short walk from campus, Café Olimpico is definitely worth it.

Montreal, News

Over 100 march in protest against nationalist Indian government in Montreal

by Tasmin Chu & Kyle Dewsnap on

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Over 100 people marched in protest against India’s government outside Montreal’s Parc metro station on Jan. 26. The march, hosted by India Civil Watch Montreal, was part of a worldwide protest against the right-wing Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), headed by Prime Minister Narendra Modi. The BJP government has come under fire for adopting discriminatory policies against Muslims and other marginalized groups in India. 

Sonali Huria, a former researcher for the National Civil Rights Commission of India, explained that the date was chosen to coincide with the anniversary of the Indian constitution coming into effect. Huria noted that the constitution enshrines equality in its preamble.

“While [the] crisis that India [faces] is unprecedented, what is also encouraging is that the pushback from the grassroots is historic,” Huria said. “I stand here in solidarity with the people, the ordinary citizens who are pushing back against this fascist regime. I reiterate my faith in the Constitution, in the preamble.”

The Montreal march through the streets of the Parc-Extension neighbourhood was in solidarity with the Citizenship Amendment Act protests, an ongoing series of protests in India against a piece of legislation viewed by demonstrators as discriminatory. Passed in December 2019 to provide a path to Indian citizenship for minorities fleeing persecution, the Citizenship Amendment Act applies to Hindu, Sikh, Buddhist, and other religious minorities, but explicitly excludes Muslim minorities.

Since protests began on Dec. 4, 2019, over 3,000 individuals have been arrested. Darin Barney, who attended the march in Montreal, criticized the Indian government for its actions against the demonstrations.

“The oppressive response of the state to [the] protests is unjustified, and we need to call attention to the brutality of that regime,” Barney said. “It’s important for democratic people everywhere to stand up in solidarity with people who are struggling against those kinds of measures by right-wing governments.”

Ayesha Vemuri, a PhD student in communication studies, explained that the protests originated as a grassroots effort from all corners of Indian society.

“What’s remarkable about the protests in India right now is the fact that it isn’t being led by any political party [or] by one central movement,” Vemuri said. “It is common people, a lot of people who have never protested or in their lives [….] The other thing is that it’s remarkable because it’s mostly being led by women. Women are coming out and sitting in these spaces every single day. And they’re cooking there [and] they’re taking care of their kids there [….] This is about common people standing up for themselves, their own rights, and their neighbours’ rights.” 

Saeesh Mangwani, U3 Arts, attended the march and commented that the protest movement also included concerns about the legal status of the formerly autonomous region of Kashmir.

“There are so many [issues with this government], it depends on how far you want to go,” Mangwani said. “The major ones that should be noted are that the state has revoked the special status of Kashmir and essentially made it a territory [governed centrally by India] after years of police repression. It’s just a blatantly undemocratic unilateral decision to make Kashmir a part of India […] There is [also] unrest in the northeastern states. The government of India has [historically neglected] that part of the country and [now] it’s just aggravated.”

Despite the government crackdown on protests, Komal Mohite, a PhD student in history and a student activist for the last 10 years, credited the demonstrators for sparking international attention.

“No matter how hard Modi and his gang of goons try to intimidate us, our protests are too much for them,” Mohite said. “Just yesterday, lawmakers in the European Union passed a resolution against the [policies of the Modi government], calling it undemocratic [….] So yes, the international community has taken notice of our protests. They have taken notice of the fascism that is propagated by [Modi].”

McGill, News

‘Drug Addicts Are Human Beings’: Confronting the stigma surrounding addiction

by Magdalena Nitchi on

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On Jan. 23, the Institute for Liberal Studies and the McGill Political Science Students Association hosted “Drug Addicts Are Human Beings,” a talk to examine the negative impacts of the war on drugs and the ways in which drug addicts are dehumanized. The talk featured keynote speaker Trevor Burrus, a research fellow at the Cato Institute who lectures for various organizations, including the Federalist Society and the Institute for Humane Studies. Although not directly affiliated with McGill, the Institute for Liberal Studies hosts talks about the ideas of liberty and freedom on for a wide range of topics.

Burrus began his talk with a question to challenge the audience’s perceptions of drug users. 

“The fundamental question at the heart of the drug war is, ‘Why do alcoholics get treatment and heroin users get cages’?” Burrus said. “Why would we have to dehumanize someone so much because of the specific drug they use [….] The drug war is evil and we must end it.”

According to Burrus, the three main prongs of the war on drugs are perceptions of the drug, perceptions of the drug user, and dehumanization of the drug user. Burrus described each of these claims and argued that the US American federal government has manipulated public perceptions of certain drugs in order to target marginalized and racialized groups.

Burrus referenced a 2012 incident in which a Florida man ate part of a homeless man’s face to show how police will lie about drugs to create false panic in the population. He explained how common drug abuse is by providing statistics on alcoholism. 

“All drugs are pretty much the same,” Burrus said. “20 per cent of the drug users are [chronic users]. 20 per cent of drinkers are alcoholics, but we do not punish the 80 per cent because of the 20 per cent. The same is true of heroin.”

Burrus encouraged everyone to be empathetic toward drug users.

“We need to give a human face to those who need help, not a jail cell,” Burrus said “We can change if we want to, [but we need to] see drug users as human beings.”

After Burrus’ talk, several students brought up how they are working to improve the campus culture around drugs. One student told the audience that there is actually a safe injection site at Concordia University, which allows people to use drugs in a safer setting. Furthermore, the Canadian Students for Sensible Drug Policy is currently trying to create a similar program at McGill.

Jeanne Cholot, a Concordia art history student, learned about the stigma around drug users and was compelled to share her knowledge.

“I think it was really honest,” Cholot said “[Burrus] was very satirically revealing blunt information that makes you understand how messed up it is. It was pretty entertaining. I’ve done my own research [about drugs and drug users], but I engaged with the talk.”

Sabine El-Chidiac, Educational Program Manager for the Institute for Liberal Studies, was excited to be back at McGill.

“[The Institute for Liberal Studies] comes to McGill at least once or twice a year,” El-Chidiac said. “We like [coming here]. Student groups will ask us to bring people [sometimes]. McGill students are great, they are always very engaged and have good questions.”

Commentary, Opinion

Anonymous grading: Reducing bias in educational institutions

by Sequoia Kim on

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Despite professors’ efforts to be objective, grading students can involve personal bias. Recently, certain McGill departments have adopted anonymous grading, that is grading papers and midterms without knowing the identity of the student, as a way of combating this bias. Anonymous grading is an educational policy that all McGill faculties should consider implementing.

Perhaps the most appealing case for anonymous grading is its potential to begin dismantling institutional racism in education by reducing bias in grading. While not all professors and instructors at McGill are explicitly racist or biased toward students of a visible minority, it is difficult for anyone to completely rid themselves of the implicit biases that are informed and shaped by the unequal society that we live in. Simply being aware of these biases is not enough: Until institutional racism and sexism are dismantled entirely, implicit biases will continue to manifest and perpetuate societal inequities. 

Regardless of one’s personal views, there is no denying that stereotypes can subconsciously influence one’s actions. For instance, one study revealed the bias of elementary school pre-service teachers, who graded students with migrant backgrounds significantly worse than students without a migrant background. Another study found that students with stereotypically Black names, such as ‘Darnell’ or ‘DeShawn’, tended to receive more discipline for the same action as students with stereotypically white names like ‘Jake’ or ‘Connor.’

Similarly, other experimental studies have shown that teachers discriminate against female students, Black students, less attractive students, less liked students, and students with less appealing surnames.

White men have historically been the original scholars of many disciplines in the arts, such as philosophy and political science; despite significant gender equality progress in education, the former association between men and intellectual success is likely still present in one’s implicit attitudes. One paper by philosopher Jennifer Saul examining implicit bias and women in philosophy explained that if grading is not anonymous, men are more likely to be given higher grades than women for the same quality of work. An individual’s implicit biases can often lead them to behaviour that disadvantages or privileges certain groups of people over others: Disregarding the impact of these attitudes allows for institutional racism and sexism to persist.

 To see it another way, in situations where the grader is familiar with their students, graders could be more susceptible to biased grading. Anonymous grading would reduce the ‘halo effect’—the tendency for one’s impression of someone to influence one’s opinion or judgement in another, unrelated area, and would also reduce the bias against students who have a poor precedent of prior work.

The process of anonymous grading entails nothing but small format adjustments: Students put their student ID number in place of their names on assignments, and submit papers without deviating from the usual submission procedures on MyCourses. The McGill Faculty of Law has been using this policy for many years, and The Association of Graduate Students Employed at McGill (AGSEM) and Post Graduate Students’ Society (PGSS) passed motions in 2014 in support of adopting an anonymous grading policy. Very little interest has been taken in the policy in the years since.

Under an anonymous grading scheme, receiving personalized feedback on assignments would still be possible. Instructors grade the anonymous assignment, and then submit feedback after assigning the grade. Alternatively, assignments could be submitted with the students’ names and professors could obscure the name until grading is complete, should the student ID system be a burden to graders. Professors might even choose to reveal the identity of the student after they have marked it in order to provide reflections on the student’s improvement. 

With the policy of anonymous grading, the grader clearly separates the student’s personal attributes from their work and effort which is exactly the way grading should be done.

 

Student Life

Addressing homelessness, one student at a time

by Alaana Kumar on

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Homelessness is a growing problem in Montreal, with more than half of Quebec’s homeless population living within the city’s limits. It is estimated that over 3,100 individuals are in need of shelter, food, and warm clothing. This does not account for the hidden homeless—those who are temporarily staying with family, friends, or in motels. With the cold, dreary winter underway, the city’s shelters are at full capacity, leaving these individuals and their families struggling to find a warm place to spend each night. 

Ending homelessness means addressing all the aspects of the issue, such as a lack of decent, affordable housing and adapted health care. Micheal Pearce, CEO of Old Brewery Mission, described how homelessness is more prevalent in marginalized communities. 

“[According to Montreal’s last homeless count,] an increasing number of women are experiencing homelessness,” Pearce said. “The results also showed that Indigenous people are disproportionately represented among Quebec’s homeless population.”  

This overrepresentation is highlighted within a survey conducted by Quebec’s Ministry of Health and Social Services in 2018. The study found that despite making up only 2.3% of the Quebec population, 10.4% of the homeless population identifies as part of the Indigenous community.  Organizations like the Old Brewery Mission seek to alleviate the matter by providing specialized health programs, psychosocial counselling, and emergency services, while also working to increase the amount of affordable housing in the city. Additionally, the organization has conducted studies in partnership with McGill to better understand the phenomenon of homelessness. A recent Old Brewery Mission study based on the clients of the overflow shelter in the Old Royal Victoria Hospital last winter found deficiencies within Montreal’s network of shelters and community organizations. 

“The homeless men and women who participated in the study signalled many gaps in our city’s current service network,” Pearce said. “For example, […] we’re missing resources [specific to]  heavy substance users [that] services like a wet shelter would help [to get them] off the streets.” 

Similar projects in Montreal work toward the same goals of solving the underlying factors behind homelessness while ensuring that these individuals have access to basic resources. Sarah Sajedi, director of Angels of Mercy, explained that donations are important, making it possible for them to purchase items such as socks and underwear for those in need. Additionally, the non-profit serves hot meals and collects clothing and warm coat donations. Sajedi believes that giving back to the homeless instills a great deal of satisfaction in her volunteers. 

“Angels of Mercy is here to remind [the homeless] that somebody cares, […] but this also helps the volunteer community, [since] there are a lot of people who want to give, [… and]  know that we have way too much and waste too much,” Sajedi said. “This is our way of giving back to the community, but it is almost as if the homeless give back to us.” 

With school, extra-curriculars, and part time jobs, it is easy to get caught up in work and forget how lucky many McGill students are to have the most basic amenities at their disposal. By spending one weekend a month with a Montreal non-profit, an individual can help feed, clothe, and house thousands of Montreal citizens as well as better understand the factors behind homelessness. At Angels of Mercy, volunteers are asked to give at least two hours a month to the organization where they can help make and serve food.  For the Old Brewery Mission, students can take part in a fundraiser or coordinate with the organization to donate clothes, money, or time to support their community. 

“We must continue to work together as a community, rallying our respective networks to create a continuum of services for Montreal’s homeless men and women,” Pearce said. “All our efforts must be squarely focussed on ending chronic homelessness in Montreal [….] Anything less is unacceptable.” 

Students interested in volunteering at Angels of Mercy can fill out a volunteer form on their website, helpfeedthehomeless.org.

For those interested in helping the Old Brewery Mission organize an event, take part in a fundraiser, or serve dinner, check out their website missionoldbrewery.ca or send a message to their email, [email protected] for more information. 

Arts & Entertainment, Film and TV

‘1917’ excels in its experimental approach to cinematography

by Guilherme Martins on

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Grim, realistic, elaborate, astounding, and thrilling. These five adjectives are what makes Sam Mendes’ 1917 a truly great film. Exploring the harms and horrors of war, 1917 redefines the military genre not as a measly backdrop for an entertaining action movie, but as a recognition of the ultimate sacrifice paid by soldiers. Inspired by the events of Mendes’s grandfather’s life, the film is a candid representation of the tragic moments faced by many young men. In a market which seems oversaturated with action movies glorifying violence, 1917 stands out as a revolutionary film thanks to its storytelling, score, and scene design that set the standards for others to follow.

1917 introduces the audience to Lance Corporal Blake (Dean-Charles Chapman) and his companion Schofield (George MacKay) as two ordinary soldiers who are about to face the most paramount task of their duties: They traverse some of the bloodiest battlegrounds to deliver a military order. MacKay depicts genuine desperation as he stumbles through a field of soldiers, unknowingly marching to their demise in a captivating performance that rivals that of the big-name actors also present in the film. The cast and makeup crew perform the exemplary task of portraying the horrors that arise from the aftermath of a battle without exaggerating the amount of blood and gore present in the scene, mostly presenting the pale cadavers of civilians and combatants alike. Where 1917 is strongest, however, is in its ability to place the audience side by side with the characters, through Roger Deakins’ captivating cinematography that creatively binds one scene with another.

At first glance, it seems as though 1917 is comprised of two continuous takes. However, crafty cinematography creates this illusion, for the precision of each transition contributes to the overall effect of the film. The lengthy set pieces, such as a run-down village or vibrant green plains, call for extensive coordination off-screen to transition a camera from the hands of a crew member to the arm of a crane. This effectively demonstrates the scope of the challenge faced by the two soldiers, as they must weave through hostile armies to deliver the message of utmost importance. 

Fixed on portraying the aftermath of a battle, 1917 falls victim to some prolonged moments of stillness which appear to be mere filler for a film that has run out of stories to tell. Such scenes do not contribute to the overall story arch, and are a missed opportunity for the much-needed character development. Throughout the narrative, the two soldiers share some stories from their personal lives, from nights with old friends to moments spent with loved ones. However, not much time was dedicated to such conversations, resulting in a lack of personal connection to the characters.  Nonetheless, these moments create great tension, with a phenomenal score that leaves the viewer anxious for what is to come, despite not a single bullet being fired.

1917 goes beyond being a mere action drama: Its fluid cinematography and editing take away obvious cuts and to create greater immersion. The film took the run-of-the-mill war story and turned it into a unique experience through stunning visuals, in a feat truly deserving of over half a dozen Oscar nominations and a visit to the nearest movie theatre.

Science & Technology

Top advancements of the past decade

by Shafaq Nami on

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A look into the past reveals some of humanity’s greatest achievements: The discovery of fire, the domestication of animals, the invention of the car. The past decade in particular has seen large technological change. Gadgets and apps have become so commonplace that it is difficult to imagine a time without them. From technologies like smartphones to social trends like selfies, certain advancements in the past decade have become strong enough to revolutionize science and change people’s lives.

Virtual Assistants

Although the idea of artificial intelligence (AI) has been around since the 1950s, there were significant advances in the past decade. Among other functions, AI now increases security, assists with surgeries, and powers voice assistants. In 2010, Apple acquired Siri, the first modern digital virtual assistant, revolutionizing the iPhone. In general, virtual assistants are capable of handling many tasks, ranging from making to-do lists and setting alarms to providing real-time information, such as the weather, traffic, and the news. The Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant can now also control smart home devices, functioning as home automation systems. 

Self-driving car

Developments in AI have also led to automation in the car industry in the form of self-driving cars. In 2009, Google introduced Waymo, their self-driving car project. Since Tesla Motors announced its first version of the Autopilot in 2015, the company has developed the self-driving car to include features such as adaptive cruise control, self-parking, automatic lane changes, and the ability to summon the car to a garage or parking spot.

CRISPR-Cas9

CRISPR is a family of DNA sequences found within the genomes of single-celled organisms. Over the past decade, scientists have used CRISPR to quickly edit genes in other organisms, such as mice. Since the commercialization and patenting of CRISPR-Cas9 in 2012, it has taken on a wide range of uses, such as genetically modifying plants and treating genetic diseases. Researchers believe that with this technology, Huntington’s disease, cystic fibrosis, and other such genetic diseases could be cured. 

SpaceX’s reusable rocket

SpaceX spent much of the past decade developing its reusable rocket system. The company’s Falcon 9 rocket launched, delivered a payload into orbit, and then landed at Cape Canaveral in December 2015, marking the beginning of an era of accessible space travel. A Falcon 9 launch costs about $62 million, one-quarter what it cost a decade ago. SpaceX also revealed that the Falcon was able to use the same booster—the first stage of a rocket that provides thrust for launching—three times and opened a new landing site that would reduce post-launch processing time.

Tesla Powerwall

In the past decade, climate change has come to the forefront as one of the world’s major issues, resulting in greater implementation of environmentally-friendly alternatives. One such option is using solar power instead of gas or coal. While solar power has become more affordable, it is a major challenge to store excess solar energy so that it can be used later. Tesla’s Powerwall, launched in 2015, allows solar energy users to control their energy usage to store it during off-peak hours and consume it at peak times. The Powerwall is a rechargeable lithium-ion battery, making it both lightweight and low maintenance.

Beyond Burger

While veggie burgers have been around for a while, Beyond Meat’s Beyond Burger looks and tastes like an actual beef burger. Awarded the 2018 Environment Champion of the Earth Award from the United Nations, the burger is completely plant-based and contains no genetically-modified organisms (GMOs), soy, or gluten. According to a life-cycle assessment conducted by the University of Michigan, the Beyond Burger generates 90 per cent less greenhouse gas emissions and requires 43 per cent less energy than a typical beef burger. Since its commercialization in 2012, Beyond Meat can be found in many fast food restaurants, including A&W (only in Canada) and McDonald’s. 

Sports

McGill breaks records on home track

by Sarah Farnand on

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McGill Track and Field hosted the McGill Team Challenge, the largest indoor track and field meet in Canada, on Jan. 24 and 25. The meet brought together teams from all over eastern Canada and the northeastern US to compete. 

On the first day of the meet, sophomore Jorden Savoury broke the McGill record for the 60-metre sprint twice. She beat the previous record of 7.69 seconds—which she set just two weeks prior—with a time of 7.66 seconds in a preliminary race and again in the finals with a time of 7.65 seconds, to finish third place overall. Second-year graduate student Allison Frantz won the women’s pentathlon with a score of 3,486 points, helping the McGill women to second place at the end of the first day of competition. 

The McGill men ended the first day in sixth place out of 14 teams. They won the 4 x 800m relay with a time of 7:48.25, a mere 10 seconds away from a school record. The relay team was comprised of first-years Sebastian Danson and Nicolas Bernard and second-years Jasper Ross and Jack Crosby. Second-year graduate student Simon Bernier, finished the 3000m race in 16th place out of over 50 runners, with a personal best time of 8:46. 

“The 3000 is my favorite event,” Bernier said. “It’s long enough that you have time to enjoy it but short enough that you don’t have time to get bored.” 

On the second day, Bernier placed 23rd out of 72 runners in the 1500m, with a time of 4:06.57. Bernier hopes to improve on his times throughout the season with the goal of making Nationals next year. 

“I have a goal for this year to be ‘halfway’ to Nationals,” Bernier said. “[I want to] improve on my times, so that next year, I will have a good base to work off of.” 

Also running the 1500m on the second day was fourth-year Rachel Langelaan. Although she did not get the personal best she was hoping for and was later disqualified, her main goal was not a specific time but rather to enjoy the event. 

“It’s my last home race at McGill, so I am just hoping to go out there and have fun,” Langelaan said prior to the race. “It’s my last season, so I just want to enjoy it with my teammates and hope that the team does well.”

Langelaan ran the 1000m on Jan. 24, finishing with a time of 3:16.1. 

“I felt pretty good, [and] I was pretty happy with [my race],” Langelaan said “It was my first time running the 1000 in a bit, so it was fun.” 

Other highlights from the second day included the men’s heptathlon, in which fourth-year Kurt Soderstrom finished third overall with 4,301 points, second-year Alexander Stathis finished fifth with 4,103 points, and graduate student Taylor Leger finished sixth with 3,979 points. While the McGill women’s and men’s teams finished the competition in fifth and sixth place, respectively, the athletes enjoyed their time at the Team Challenge. 

“It was good to be able to run with people [who] are the same speed as I am,” Bernier said. “That’s why the McGill Team Challenge is so great.”

 

Moment of the meet 

Second-year Jorden Savoury broke the McGill 60-metre sprint record twice in one day. She beat the previous record of 7.69 seconds, which she also held, bringing it down to 7.66 seconds in the preliminary round. She then brought it down again in the finals with a time of 7.65 seconds.

Quotable

“I used to always do the same thing [before races, but then] this summer at Nationals, they sat me down for an hour in the waiting room before my race, and that’s when I realized pre-race rituals really don’t matter, and so what I try to do is just get mentally ready, and then my body will just follow.” – Simon Bernier on his pre-race rituals.

Stat Corner

Three McGill athletes placed in the top 10 of the men’s heptathlon, with fourth-year Kurt Soderstrom finishing third with 4,301 points, second-year Alexander Stathis finishing fifth with 4,103 points, and graduate student Taylor Leger finishing sixth with 3,979 points

Editorial, Opinion

Divestment is not “symbolic,” it’s necessary

by The McGill Tribune Editorial Board on

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Following McGill’s most recent refusal to divest, tenured McGill professor Gregory Mikkelson has resigned from his position. Principal and Vice-Chancellor Suzanne Fortier defended the university’s decision to remain invested in the fossil fuel industry, stating that the university’s commitment to decarbonization would be more valuable than a “symbolic” divestment from fossil fuels. Although most people cannot afford to make as bold a gesture as Mikkelson, everyone should try and align their actions with their values, including the McGill administration. By willfully ignoring and dismissing climate change research of tenured professors at their institution, the McGill administration has sent a clear message that they do not intend on following through with their supposed commitment to sustainability. The administration has an extensive history acting “symbolically rather than practically,” and students, alumni, and faculty deserve better.

In her response to Mikkelson’s departure, Fortier defended McGill’s commitment to reduce its overall carbon footprint rather than fully divest. While Mikkelson has characterized divestment as a clear, substantive step to take, in contrast to the university’s complex and unclear goal of decarbonization, Fortier’s comments include labeling divestment a “symbolic” gesture. As a professor of chemistry and esteemed academic, it is unlikely that Fortier is unaware of the reality that divestment is one of the most substantial institutional actions to combat climate change. With countless scientific reports that McGill scholars produce on climate change, Fortier’s denial of the effects of continued fossil fuel investment leaves students questioning why the university is ignoring evidence. Fortier’s dismissal of Mikkelson’s resignation shows disrespect for a professor who contributed deeply to McGill’s intellectual community and to the lives of his students. The university’s response follows from a long trend of McGill overlooking staff recommendations. Last year, McGill’s failure to hear professors’ recommendations on the importance of divestment led to two professors resigning from the Board of Governors.

Even if divestment was merely a symbolic action, Fortier’s contention that symbolism is unimportant does not hold. For example, the previous men’s varsity team name symbolized the continued oppression of Indigenous peoples. Although getting rid of the name was by definition a symbolic action, the change has had tangible consequences for many members of the McGill community.  Further, the James McGill statue that greets McGill visitors at the Roddick Gates symbolizes McGill’s damaging colonial history and legacy of slavery. These symbols have direct and tangible consequences for the marginalized communities they affect.

“Further, the James McGill statue that greets McGill visitors at the Roddick Gates symbolizes McGill’s damaging colonial history and legacy of slavery. These symbols have direct and tangible consequences for the marginalized communities they affect.”

In a variety of areas, McGill’s administration has built a reputation for itself in which it opts to act in a way that is symbolically significant while shifting the real responsibility of substantive action to other student activist groups as well as university faculty and staff. When Indigenous students spoke out against the continued use of a racial slur as a mascot for the men’s varsity teams, which made them feel unsafe on campus, McGill took years to even consider removing the name. Even more disappointing is the fact that the burden of petitioning for change and explaining the harmful nature of the name fell on Indigenous students. A new name has still not been chosen. Similarly, when McGill abruptly cut its eating disorder program, former Students’ Society of McGill University (SSMU) Vice-President (VP) Student Life Cody Esterle took on the burden of supporting students and created the eating disorder support and resource centre. This year, McGill also cut funding for student note-takers who provided course notes to students with disabilities, again representing McGill’s mismanagement of financial resources.  

Finally, in the Art History department, a new course is running this semester called “James McGill was a slave owner,” by Dr. Charmaine Nelson. This course is just another instance of McGill professors trying to illuminate the problems that the school refuses to address. Rather than simply allowing its employees to elaborate on the university’s overtly problematic legacy of racism, McGill should own up to the reality of its history.

Students and faculty deserve an administration with a level of institutional awareness that recognizes their needs, appreciates their efforts, and heeds their counsel. McGill must reconsider its distribution of resources: Investments in fossil fuels should be focused on paying note-takers for their labour, providing improved healthcare services and acknowledging faculty research and initiatives with concrete actions. Mikkelson’s resignation was one of many instances of students and staff taking self-sacrificing measures just to be heard on campus. 

The McGill community has only ever asked the administration to step up to its role as a leader of the institution, and the administration’s failure to do so has consistently shifted work onto students and staff who are already overburdened.

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