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Tribune Explains: The Men’s Varsity Teams Naming Process Committee

by Kate Addison on

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Following years of activism by Indigenous students, Principal and Vice-Chancellor Suzanne Fortier announced her decision to rename McGill’s men’s varsity sports teams in an email on April 12. As part of the announcement, Fortier stated that a steering committee would be established to determine a new name that would better represent the school’s values of equity, academic freedom, and integrity. The McGill Tribune looked into how the committee will work and what it hopes to accomplish. 

What is the purpose of the committee? 

The steering committee was created to establish an open and transparent process and to facilitate community participation. The committee, composed of both students and staff, will gather input from the larger McGill community to make an informed decision on a name that they feel best represents the university’s values. 

Who will be a part of the committee? 

Currently, the committee is receiving student nominations, which are open until Nov. 6.  The administration has called on members of the McGill community to nominate potential student members through their website. Once the nominations have closed, four members of the voting committee, composed of McGill Athletics and Recreation’s acting executive director Phil Quintal, the director of the sports program Geoffrey Phillips, former varsity coach Mr. Hubert Lacroix, and Deputy Provost Student Life & Learning Fabrice Labeau will decide on 10 final nominees. To ensure the involvement of different parts of the sports community, these 10 positions will be filled by five current student athletes, three alumni from McGill sports teams, and two current varsity team coaches. The committee will also include non-voting representatives from the Student Society of McGill University (SSMU) and the Post-Graduate Student’s Society of McGill (PGSS). 

How will the committee decide on a new team name?

Once formed, the committee will follow a six-step procedure to brainstorm and agree on a new name. The first step will be to gather input from the McGill community through an online submission system, focusing on groups that the committee feels will provide valuable input. This will include members of the sports community such as coaches, students, and alumni, as well as those outside of McGill athletics, such as #ChangeTheName campaign organizers. With this input, the committee will decide on the essential qualities for the name and create a shortlist. Finally, they will ensure each proposed name’s viability by making sure that none of the options are trademarked or overused by other athletic teams. Once a preferred name is decided upon, a vote will occur within the committee requiring a two-thirds majority to be passed, and a report including the recommendation for a new name will be presented to Fortier. 

When will the committee decide on a new name?  

While no set date has been determined for the announcement of a new name and logo, it is expected that they will be decided upon by the 2020-21 athletic season, which begins at the end of August 2020. Students interested in the progress of the committee will be able to keep up with their activities through their website. 

Made by McGill was discussed actively at senate.
McGill, News

Student senators call on administration to adjust use of ‘Made by McGill’ funds

by Nina Russell on

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At the second McGill Senate meeting of the year, Arts Senator Henrique Mecabô called on McGill’s administration to increase the allocation of funds raised by the ‘Made by McGill’ campaign for student services. In the next five years, funds from the campaign will be dedicated into four areas: Bursaries and scholarships, hands-on experiences for students, research and faculty projects, and facility expansion. Donations would therefore not be designated to improving student services unless the donor specifically requests it. 

“I would not say [that] the problem is that McGill is asking for more money while such essential services are lacking funds, but that McGill, knowing [that] such funds are lacking, suggested donation allocations that do not seem to include student services,” Mecabô wrote in an email to The McGill Tribune. 

In response, Vice-Principal University Advancement Marc Weinstein pointed to the Rossy family, who specifically requested that their $11 million donation be used to fund the Rossy Student Wellness Hub. 

“I would like to emphasize that the hub model that’s been put forward for McGill is innovative and incredibly interesting, and now [that] we’re seeing better service through that and the support of the university, [but] it doesn’t mean [efforts towards improving mental health are] going to end there,” Weinstein said. “When we know a potential donor, like [the] Rossy family, has had a major interest in making sure students are getting the right [and] appropriate services, we bring these parties together and that’s how we get some of these larger gifts.”

Senator Derek Nystrom inquired about policies for determining whether donations come from ethical sources, referring to donations from the Sackler Family, whose pharmaceutical company contributed to the opioid crisis. Music Senator Sebastien Duckett voiced concerns about whether donations from the fossil fuel industry should be considered morally irresponsible, though Weinstein said that the decision was complicated.

“On the one hand, those entities we are referring to are making money legally, so therefore, why would we not accept those donations?,” Weinstein said. “On the other hand, there’s the moral decision, which, without getting into a big debate about it here today, is something that [is] on our minds. But we haven’t really come out with a platform on it [as] it is sensitive and challenging.”

Students’ Society of McGill University (SSMU) Vice-President University Affairs Madeline Wilson questioned the impact of accepting donations from companies with ties to the fossil fuel industry on Made By McGill’s public image. Weinstein asserted that there are specific socially responsible funds that environmentally-conscious donors can contribute to, and said that the administration is sensitive to these issues.

“It’s something that the administration is looking at and understands that it is a challenging situation in relation to becoming hard-line on one end or the other,” Weinstein said.

Sound Bite:

“We do have the ability for people to invest in socially responsible funds, [like our] fossil-free fund. So we can encourage people to invest their money in various areas of investments. We are not talking about where the money will be used, but how it will be invested, so it follows in their own wishes.  Most of our portfolio is in fact invested in socially responsible, around 80 percent.” —McGill Principal Suzanne Fortier

Flashback:

Arts Senator Derek Nystrom addressed controversies surrounding donations made by the Sackler Foundation between 2014 and 2017. McGill has recognized the Foundation in their ‘James McGill Circle’ panels outside of the Leacock building, which lists the names of prominent donors. Weinstein asserted that there are procedures that ensure McGill has done due diligence before accepting donations.

News, SSMU

SSMU Legislative Council addresses affordable housing with new committee

by Tasmin Chu on

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The Students’ Society of McGill University’s (SSMU) fourth Legislative Council meeting of the year saw the long-awaited creation of an Affordable Student Housing Committee, first proposed in February 2019. The motion to create the project in collaboration with the nonprofit housing organization Unité de travail pour l’implantation de logement étudiant (UTILE) passed 24 to 1.

The idea of addressing SSMU rent concerns was introduced last year when a question on the SSMU 2019 Winter Referendum found that 77 per cent of voters were interested in addressing housing accessibility. Students strengthened their concerns around the issue in January 2019, when a SSMU-commissioned report by UTILE revealed that McGill students pay the highest rent of any student population in Montreal.  

During the debate period, Senator André Lametti raised concerns that parts of the motion did not reflect the original question posed in the Winter 2019 Referendum.

“The question was, ‘Would you like SSMU to further prioritize affordable housing, including, but not limited to, further actions to explore developing student housing?’” Lametti said. “The way this question was worded was not an unconditional endorsement of SSMU getting into real estate development. I think it was much more cautious in that respect.”

In response, Vice-President (VP) Finance Sam Haward assured the council that the affordable housing issue would be carefully thought-out.

“This is a smart plan,” Haward said. “If you look at what Concordia [University] is doing with the Woodnote [housing project], you’ll see how big a commitment this is. This is a multimillion-dollar contribution from just the SSMU, probably. So it needs to be done properly. […] Especially right now, with the building closure, it’s not like money isn’t necessarily tight.”

During debate, VP Internal Sanchi Bhalla asked if the committee would consider providing temporary housing along with permanent housing. VP External Adam Gwiazda-Amsel said that the idea could be considered.

“No one direction has been espoused yet, mostly because there is no committee,” Gwiazda-Amsel said. “The strength of something like [creating this committee] is it very much can be adapted to McGill’s needs. So in the sense that McGill has a much higher proportion of international students than Concordia […] transitory spaces [for students] could be considered.”

The council moved on to discuss the recent moratorium on food sales, which was instituted after health inspectors shut down a student-club–run samosa sale. President Bryan Buraga addressed concerns about the effects of the ban on student groups’ finances.

“We were informed [while holding a samosa sale that] one of our SSMU clubs was in violation with health and safety codes,” Buraga said. “This led to a fine [which could range from] between $2,250 and $54,000. [Because of this], SSMU has taken steps to prevent future samosa sales for the time being until we are able to […] follow these health and safety codes.”

Flashback:

Professor Gregory Matthew Mikkelson, President Elect of the McGill Association of University Teachers (MAUT), joined the meeting to request SSMU’s support for an initiative attempting to reform internal governance at McGill. The initiative, which concerns the appointment of academic deans, would require the selection process to be an open and transparent process and prevent the Principal from chairing her own advisory committee. SSMU’s Legislative Council endorsed the initiative unanimously.

Sound-bite:

“The problem is the utter domination of university governance by the central administration and a few key members of the Board of Governors. What is the solution? Greater democracy, and greater transparency [and] also a move toward more local decision making, which I actually think of as an aspect of greater democracy. The general principle being, we should only be governed by those who have our consent.” – Gregory Matthew Mikkelson

Sports

10 Things: Creative sports Halloween costumes

by Jack Armstrong, Beattie Bernfield, Zoe Babad-Palmer, Adam Burton, Ender McDuff, Kaja Surborg, and Miya Keilin on

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Halloween is an exciting time for everyone, but finding a costume that is affordable and unique can be challenging. This year, The McGill Tribune’s sports writers put together a list of costumes for fans looking to do something more interesting than just wear their favourite athlete’s jersey. These ideas turned the best sporting traditions into Halloween costumes that are sure to make an impression at any party this weekend. 

 

Group costume: Shaquille O’Neal

Grab eight of your closest friends and the largest trench coat that you can find at Eva B: It’s time to stack up three by three, glue on a fake goatee, and shave your head. That’s right, you’re going out as Shaquille O’Neal. All you need to do now is to prepare some mediocre basketball commentary and practice ducking under doorways. You’ll be the life of any party.

Bonus tip: If your costume is convincing enough, cover to get into clubs is one-for-nine.

 

Paris 2024 Paralympic Games logo

When the Paris 2024 Paralympic Games logo was announced on Oct. 21, the internet immediately had one unified response: Why is it so attractive? While the seductive lips atop an Olympic flame/gold medal logo may be problematic for the Paralympic Games, it is ideal for the Halloween reveller who wants this season’s most timely and sexy Halloween costume. To begin, either pull out your Vancouver 2010 Olympic shirt or start from scratch by drawing the Olympic rings on a dollar store white tee. Add a golden-blonde wig and gold lipstick, and you’re ready to be the center of attention during your night out on the town. 

 

Group costume: Michael Phelps and his 28 Olympic medals

This one is for all you floor fellows looking to find bonding activities for your students. Get a swimsuit and a pair of goggles for yourself and have a party to make medals from recycled cardboard and gold paint. This is a perfect opportunity to get rid of those boxes that have just taking up space since you moved in. Get detailed by making the medals match the years and events of all of Phelps’s wins. This group costume is also great for making sure that you don’t get separated on your big night out. After all, who could miss 23 gold circles, three silver circles, and two bronze circles running around Saint-Laurent. 

 

The Stanley Cup

We have to face the truth at some point: Going as your favourite athlete for Halloween is pretty basic. But going as the trophy from your favourite professional sports league is unique and eye-catching. This Halloween, wrap yourself in tinfoil and attach a small silver bowl to a headband for the perfect Stanley Cup costume. This outfit is perfect for the hockey fan who wants to stand out from the crowd while staying on a budget. However, if your team hasn’t won the Cup in a while, be warned that you may be mercilessly mocked.

 

The Ghost of the Montreal Expos

For a costume that evokes both nostalgia and tragedy, try the ghost of the Montreal Expos. Since Montreal lost its MLB team in 2004, the phantom of the Expos has haunted sports bars around the city. Borrow an old jersey and cap from one of the fans still holding out hope for the team’s return, throw them on over a classic white sheet, and mutter the names of Expos legends like Vladimir Guerrero, Andre Dawson, and Pedro Martinez. 

 

Draymond Green watching Fergie sing “The Star-Spangled Banner”

At the 2018 NBA All-Star Game, Fergie delivered an interpretation of “The Star Spangled Banner” that was so awful that people laughed mid-performance. Notable among those unable to conceal a smirk was Draymond Green. The three-time All-Star knew he was on camera, but still couldn’t mask his reaction. Initially, his mouth was half-open, and he looked like he was about to sneeze; then, the corners of his mouth turned up, giving way to a cheeky grin. Recreate the look by pairing the expression that perfectly summarized everyone’s thoughts about that performance with a black warm-up jacket and your best buddy Steph Curry giggling right beside you. Add a portable speaker to the costume to bump the Fergie National Anthem remix all night long!

 

Group costume: LeBron James on Taco Tuesday

If you and your friends are looking for a fun group costume this Halloween, LeBron James and his tacos could be the perfect fit. For this getup, you will need at least two people, but the more people you have in your group, the wider the variety of tacos you can represent. For LeBron James—preferably the tallest person in your group—you will need a jersey, shorts, sneakers, a shooting sleeve for the left arm, and a headband. For the tacos, simply buy or make taco costumes. Try to make sure you can still dance in them, though. The final touch will be ensuring that the LeBron periodically yells “It’s Taco Tuesday!” at the top of their lungs throughout the night. 

 

Couples costume: Aaron Judge and José Altuve

There finally exists the perfect couple’s costume for that pair with a drastic height disparity: Aaron Judge and José Altuve. Once you find someone with a big enough height difference, the rest is simple. However, if your difference is not 33 centimetres, extreme methods like crouching can help your costume look more authentic. Finding uniforms for this costume is important, but what matters most is that you show that baseball doesn’t care about size, only talent and the opportunity for a hilarious photo op. 

 

Couples costume: Deflategate

We all know at least one annoying Patriots fan who will not stop talking about Tom Brady’s greatness. That’s why, this Halloween, you and anyone else this Pats fan has been driving up the wall will go as Deflategate, also known as Tom Brady and a deflated football. Play rock-paper-scissors to decide who gets to go as Brady and comfortably wear a number 12 Patriots jersey all night long. Unfortunately, the loser will have to don an inflatable football costume, which may be a little less suited to the dance floor. But, not to worry, because once you have brought this costume together by visually deflating the football with some tape, the looks of disgust on the faces of Patriots fans everywhere will make your effort worth it. 

 

Arsene Wenger’s endless struggle with the zipper on his parka

It’s a tale as old as time: Arsene Wenger and his parka. Every Arsenal fan has, at some point, watched as Arsene stood on the sidelines and battled a zipper that never seemed to cooperate. While he commanded respect from his players and many others within the soccer world, he was never able to get that zipper under control. For this costume, you will need a suit, with a red tie, and a long parka. Stand off to the side for most of the evening while you try to zip up your coat. You’ll never manage to get that zipper up, but it’s bound to be a conversation starter when people inevitably ask you what you’re doing. 

Out on the Town, Student Life

Behind the bar at Poincaré

by ET Wu on

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Located in Chinatown, local and environmentally-conscious Cantine Poincaré is a hidden gem to enjoy on a chill night out with friends. The selection of craft beers and fermented snacks offers a unique, genuine Quebec pub experience. The McGill Tribune sat down with chef and co-founder Jeremiah Bullied, who also teaches fermentation classes at Concordia University. He spoke on the relationship between Quebec and craft beer.

“I think craft beer in particular is something that really reflects Québécois culture a lot,” Bullied said. “I feel like craft beer is like the wine of Quebec—it is something that people take to.”  

The three other owners of the restaurant are experienced in the craft beer industry: The team consists of Hugo Jacques, a sommelier from Montreal microbrewery Isle de Garde; Francis Melançon from Gaspesian microbrewery Pit Caribou; and Samuel Boivin Provost, from the local staple brewpub Dieu du Ciel. Their expertise is evident in the attention to detail in the products they serve. Anyone should be able to find something to enjoy, from their tasty double IPA to their exotic Chardonnay cider. 

“A lot of people [who] come in after work or during lunch […] are young, […] have good taste in food and music, [and] appreciate a weird little spot like this,” Bullied said. 

Not only does Poincaré have a wide range of unique beverages, they also have a range of fermented and cured snacks. The Poincaré experience is best defined by the seasonal fermented menu, which reflects Bullied’s expertise in fermentation and natural methods of food preparation. 

“Fermenting […] ticked a lot of boxes for me […] because it is a low intervention way of transforming food,” Bullied said. “You still have to prepare [ingredients], but they kind of transform themselves, […] and to me. There is an element of magic to that, there [are] a lot of cool flavours and a lot of cool textures that are unlocked.”

The fermented snacks, including pickles and chorizo, are a tasteful companion for any drink or conversation. 

“There’s definitely a notion that these are good bar snacks,” Bullied said. “It is something you can dine on casually without having to eat a meal. [Poincaré is a place for] people who […] want to party but with good wine […] in a place that isn’t a club but isn’t boring either [….] Even though it is very casual, there are some fine dining elements, and there really is some quality in [the ingredients].”

Without a doubt, quality is all the owners’ primary focus, and they are committed to giving their clientele the best experience that they can possibly offer. 

“In the [service] industry, […] it is about how you make people feel,” Bullied said. “People that come here want to feel cool. They want to feel that they received a product of quality, and attention, and effort. You have to communicate a certain amount of attention to detail, and you kind of have to be having a good time.”

Students in search of a trendy new hangout spot should check out Poincaré for funky and well-made food and drinks in an industrial space. 

Chill Thrills, Student Life

Café Zenoli is a gem hidden in plain sight

by Alaana Kumar on

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Living in Montreal offers students a unique learning experience, as the city is filled with a multitude of cultural and artistic opportunities. Yet, many Montrealers find themselves at the same well-known franchises, succumbing to the saturation of chain restaurants and coffee shops. For those looking for alternative places to have their daily dose of coffee, the family-owned Café Zenoli in downtown is a perfect spot. 

In 2017, Robert Chechile and Leonardo Calderone opened Café Zenoli at 250 rue Sherbrooke, a corner frequented by many pedestrians on their way to school or work. With an assortment of pastries, sandwiches, pizzas, calzones, and speciality breads, the café is particularly attractive to passersby looking for a casual meal or mid-day snack. Zenoli is a combination of the names of the café’s two signature pastries: Their cannoli—which was recently ranked among the best in the city—and their zeppole. The name reflects the owners’ Italian roots, love of food, and even greater love of feeding people. 

“It comes from my mom and her sisters,” Chechile said. “[The] first thing they would do is sit down and fix you something, […] so I always try to bring a bit of that hospitality here. I love making people try what we have. It’s a nice feeling, […] and the clients appreciate it. That’s the environment I try to build here with my clients and my staff.” 

The easygoing Zenoli staff only add to the experience of dining at the café. Unlike several downtown cafés, Zenoli employees do not insist on a minimum purchase to dine-in or a time limit per table. Students looking for a serene place to work are not forced to break their budget or rush their tasks. Regulars often return to avoid the hustle and bustle of the city and to spend an hour in a space with a sense of community, as the café offers a cozy space to sit and read, catch up on emails, or just chat with a friend. This comfortable and friendly dynamic among the staff is evident to their customers. 

“People come back to a place because of how you make them feel,” Chechile said. “[With] regular customers, […] you get to know them, and they tell you about their families and what’s happening [….] That’s the biggest difference between [being] a small business owner that is actually here and one of those franchises. It’s a whole community. If I’m in the back and I see a client I know, I have to come say ‘hi.’”

In addition to friendly service, Zenoli provides food to-go and catering services. The café also prides itself on its zero-waste policies, donating all leftover food to a local rehab center. The focus on hospitality and generosity extends not only to customers, but also the community.  

“My wife helps out. Her vacation time was spent here, and my partner’s wife’s too,” Chechile said. “It’s really a partnership. I’m not here to make millions of dollars, I just enjoy what I am doing, and a bonus is I get to see my kids so much more now too because they come in and give me a hand, […] and their friends come by too. It’s a little family we have here.” 

With their home-style Italian pastries, friendly staff, and hospitality, Zenoli makes for an optimal place to take a break from everyday stresses and enjoy the finer things in life: Coffee, food, and community. 

McGill, News

It’s On Us aims to create inclusive space for sexual harassment survivors

by Heleena De Oliveira on

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Between Oct. 21 and 27, It’s On Us McGill hosted a week of action and held events across campus to encourage students to support survivors of sexual harassment. The events included Teal Tuesday, where students wore teal to show support for survivors, a session dedicated to writing love and support letters that will be donated to a Montreal-based support organizations, a self-care crawl where students engaged in therapeutic activities such as colouring and board games, and a dog therapy session.

It’s On Us is a non-profit organization founded by the White House Council for Women and Girls under the Obama administration in 2014. A chapter of It’s On Us opened at McGill in 2016, and McGill was the first university campus outside the US to register as part of the organization. It aims to eradicate sexual violence on university campuses and raise awareness of problems pertaining to sexual harassment. Since its inception, It’s On Us has hosted educational events on over 150 college campuses across the globe. Today, however, the organization is considered a non-governmental organization and therefore no longer maintains any affiliations. 

Melissa Savoie, U3 Arts and co-president of It’s On Us McGill, spoke to the significance of the week of action and its contribution to raising awareness of sexual violence on campus. 

“To people […] who go to our workshops, we say, ‘anything that’s said stays in this room, but anything that’s learned is taken [away] and applied in everyday situations,’” Savoie said. “To anyone who gets involved, we want them to be able to share their knowledge, because that’s how change is enacted. We want to start holding one another accountable for our actions.” 

Savoie explained that the main goal of these events, and of the organization itself, is to educate and engage with survivors, giving them the ability to take back control over their experience, and to give bystanders of situations of sexual violence the confidence to intervene.

“We have a survivor focus and a preventative focus, as well,” Savoie said. “Sometimes perpetrators want to talk about their role or their intentions. [Instead], we really try to shift the focus [to] the impact [that sexual harassment] has. While we acknowledge [the perpetrators’] intentions, we focus on the impact [of sexual harassment] on the [survivor].” 

This year, the organization intends to focus on consent education and helping students understand the destabilizing effects of substance use in conjunction with sexual harassment. 

Liam Pantis, U2 Arts and Science and vice-president programmer of It’s On Us McGill, addressed the variety of new projects and collaborations the group plans to undertake. Recently, the group held workshops in partnership with the fraternity Phi Delta Theta. 

“As an organization, we understand the importance of peer interaction,” Pantis said. “Oftentimes, if you hear one of your buddies talking about […] bystander intervention, or survivor support, you’re more likely to [feel] compassionate [about] those things, as opposed to when somebody is lecturing to you. So the goal with [these] workshops is to target the groups on campus that we think are […] socially important so they can spread the word within themselves.” 

Rebecca Sideras, U2 Arts, who attended the self-care crawl, felt that It’s On Us creates the space for people to speak openly about their experiences of sexual harassment and thus contributes to the destigmatization of harmful notions associated with survivors. 

“I feel that making [people aware of the problems of sexual assault] might eliminate things like this,” Sideras said. “If [change] doesn’t happen from the bottom-up, it’s not going to be constructively implemented in a top-down [manner].” 

Ask Ainsley, Student Life

Ask Ainsley: I think I need help

by Ainsley on

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Dear Ainsley,

I’ve been denying that I need help, but I don’t think I can anymore. Over the last few months, I just don’t get excited about the things I used to enjoy, I’m struggling to even get out of bed, and I feel numb, like I’m running on autopilot. But every time I consider seeking help, I put it off because it’s just another task, and there’s something in the back of my head telling me that I’m just being lazy and don’t really need it. What should I do?

Sincerely,

I Think I Need Help (ITINH)

 Dear ITINH,

Seeking help can seem like a Herculean task, especially when you’re lost in the throes of the issue. Here are a few approachable first steps you can take on the journey to recovery.

What should I do right now?

First, acknowledge that you need help. You can’t tackle a problem without first acknowledging its existence. It’s tempting to deny the issue, to minimize it, or to believe it will just get better by itself. You might tell yourself “I am overreacting, it is not actually a big deal, it will just go away.” If your low point is ongoing past a couple weeks, psychologists suggest that it likely will not fix itself. This isn’t a storm you can weather; it is a flooded basement that you need to roll up your sleeves and deal with.

Next, tell someone else. Opening up about sensitive issues is always difficult, especially if you come from a family, culture, or social context that particularly stigmatizes mental health issues. Once again, these barriers will make it tempting to brush off or minimize the issue, but don’t. There is no right person to tell first. Your parent or guardian, best friend, and roommate are all good options. 

Alternately, consider the Peer Support Centre (PSC), where a secretary can direct you to a 45-minute support session with a trained peer supporter free of charge. Many students who use the PSC are already seeing a mental health professional, but drop in for a non-judgemental ear or to feel listened to. 

Take baby steps. Although it may seem minor to work on your sleep schedule, not taking care of yourself will only exacerbate things. You cannot fix everything all at once, so try to fix something small. Eat something quick and filling, because it will fuel your body; go to sleep an hour earlier, because every minute counts; make your bed, because it will make your messy bedroom feel that much more liveable.

Finally, find professional help. The most straightforward way is to make an appointment with a mental health professional. You can call to make an appointment at (514) 398-6017, Monday through Friday from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. For more information, check out the McGill Student Wellness Hub website.

What should I do in the long term?

If you think that you need long-term care or prefer not to go through McGill services, book an appointment with a private therapist. McGill has 12 Local Wellness Advisors (LWAs), clinicians trained to connect students with the appropriate health resources, who can help you find off-campus care. You can also ask a friend for a recommendation or use an online directory, like that of the Ordre des Psychologues du Québec, to search for therapists in Montreal. Although the up-front cost of a session can be daunting, remember that SSMU-provided health insurance covers 80 per cent of psychologist visits, up to an annual limit of $1,000. Canadian students can find more information about coverage and how to submit a claim at studentcare.ca. International students can consult the International Student Services page on how to make a claim and can submit them on the Medavie Blue Cross website.

Will things ever get better?

As you search for help, manage your expectations to keep them realistic. You cannot turn your life around in one day, and that’s okay. Learning how to manage mental illness is slow, challenging work, but it is worth it. Even in seeking help, there will likely still be bad days when it feels nothing has changed or ever will, and that’s alright. Take a breath and do something nice for yourself—you have made it through every worst day of your life so far, and you can make it through this one too.

With love,

Ainsley 

Science & Technology

Obeying the biological clock

by Doris Tian on

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In the future, patients may be faced with a very curious question at the doctor’s office: What time are you?

This puzzling question is becoming increasingly crucial in the study of vaccines. More specifically, medical professionals are looking for a link between people’s ‘biological clock’ and their immunity response. Researchers Dr. Nicolas Cermakian of McGill’s Douglas Research Centre and Dr. Nathalie Labrecque of the Maisonneuve-Rosemont Hospital Research Centre recently carried out a study to discover whether immune systems respond more effectively to threats at certain times of the day. 

According to Cermakian, there are ‘clocks’ all over our bodies. This clock gene regulates all bodily functions, including digestion, body temperature, and hormonal cycles.

T cells are responsible for attacking and ridding the body of abnormal cells, such as viruses, bacteria, and cancer cells. Using mice as their test subjects, Cermakian and Labrecque delivered abnormal cells to T cells at different times of the day. They found that the T cells functioned very differently depending on the time. 

“We realized that T cells were responding much faster [and] much more strongly when [the test] was done in the middle of the day,” Cermakian said in an interview with The McGill Tribune.

The T cells’ performance during the day were more than twice as efficient as their performance during the night. While Cermakian explained that these results may not translate identically to humans, these results should be significant enough to influence the time at which vaccines are administered to patients. 

More generally, Cermakian emphasized that the time of day must be considered when designing treatments for patients, including cancer therapies. 

“For some cancer treatments, […] it has been found that some times during the day are more efficient than others, and there are [fewer] secondary effects when you do it at the right time [of day],” Cermakian said. 

However, this does not necessarily mean that doctors should always administer vaccines within a certain time period. Cermakian pointed out that circadian rhythms, like many other aspects of the human body, differ between individuals. This biological clock regulates our sleep-wake cycle that varies from person to person. 

“We have to realize that […] our clocks don’t all run the same way,” Cermakian said. “Some of us are morning people, some of us are late people.”

Even if researchers come up with a time period that, on average, produces the most efficient T cell response, Cermakian suggested that this average time period may not be helpful in practice. For many people, the ideal time may be a few hours earlier or later, and it will be the responsibility of researchers and physicians to take these differences into account. 

“We are not all the same, […] and we have to design the treatment according to that,” Cermakian said. “As with many other parts of medicine, it’s important to tailor the treatment to the particular person.” 

Cermakian noted that greater personalization in medicine is filled with possibility. Currently, there is no reliable way to efficiently determine a person’s circadian rhythm. However, ongoing research from the Douglas Research Centre points toward a future where doctors can evaluate patients’ circadian rhythms by taking a quick blood or inner-cheek sample. By analyzing patients’ metabolic rates with information from these cell samples, doctors can attempt to devise treatments that are specifically tailored to their patients’ unique time, creating personalized and effective health care.

Arts & Entertainment, Music

In conversation with Stefani Bondari

by Patrick Gilroy on

More in Arts & Entertainment:

A soft cymbal joins a lonely bass as Stefani Bondari sings: “It will be, it is, it was.” 

These lyrics both open and close the song “Winter,” the fifth and final track from Bondari’s song suite Seasons. In only seven words, the line reveals a motif that Bondari says had bearing over the whole project.

“The premise of [the project] was change throughout one’s year, and how it’s cyclical within a year,” Bondari said in an interview with The McGill Tribune. “I think change is a thing that inspires everyone. I don’t think it’s specific to me at all, but it’s what I know and what I reflect on. I don’t know enough about love. I don’t know enough about having my own family. I don’t know enough about having a career or money. So, I write about change, which is something very universal, and something [that] I can reflect on honestly.”

Honesty is important to Bondari, as the artist strictly writes about her own experiences. This was not always the case.

“[When I wrote songs] in elementary school it was like, ‘I’ll be Romeo and you’ll be Juliet’,” Bonardi said. 

These lyrics, typical of many tweenage musicians eager to show off their songwriting gravitas, have since matured. Today, her music is very personal. Aside from simply growing older, Bondari mentions the death of her grandmother as sparking a tonal shift in her style. In fact,  Bondari, otherwise known as Stefani Recheshter, chose her stage name in her grandmother’s honour, Bondari being her family name. 

“We were very close when I was young, and she passed away when I was twelve. I think the way I was able to [fully grieve was by] writing songs,” Bonardi said. “ I think that helped me focus in on what really matters to me, and I started finally being able to write about what I knew because this grief was what I knew really prominently.”

Hailing from New York City, Bondari has been playing and writing music for almost her entire life. After taking lessons as a child and concentrating in classical piano in her high school’s music program, she chose to study Jazz Voice at McGill. It has not always been the easiest transition, as she notes she lacks the jazz background of other students. 

“I came to McGill [having studied] jazz for one year and then [having gone] to conservatory where people have been jazz musicians their entire life,” Bonardi said. “It was very isolating. I would just play alone […] and just write all the time. I wasn’t going to sit idly by waiting to play bebop with people, so I just started writing my own stuff.”

This drive to write was a blessing in disguise, as Bondari was able to find friends who were interested in her compositions and supportive of her creative efforts. A little over a year ago, she started playing shows around Montreal. Since then, she has developed a close bond with her friends in the music community, such as guitarist Zach Bachand, with whom she plays often.    

Currently, a live recording of “Winter” is the only song on Bondari’s bandcamp page, but she says she is planning on releasing more material soon. In the meantime, she will continue to play shows across Montreal. Instead of spending this time trying to find her voice, she intends to develop what she has already found.

“[Music] is the only thing I want to do,” Bonardi said. “Even though I’m grateful for what I’ve learned [at school], I think I [have] kind of found my voice.”

 

Stefani Bondari plays with New Hermitage and François Zaidan November 11th at Casa del Popolo. Tickets are $15 or PWYC.  

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