Published by the SPT, a student society of McGill University
Keep on Commuting
April 5, 2022
Gino McTuff’s journey to the library
March 29, 2022
Know Your Team: McGill Men’s Hockey
February 24, 2026
Taking the NHL by storm: The habits behind 19-year-old Macklin Celebrini’s breakout
January 27, 2026
Chilled rivalry: Martlets Hockey fall to Italian National Team in pre-Olympic exhibition
January 13, 2026
On Feb. 1, the McGill men’s hockey team (16-11) defeated the University of Ontario Institute of Technology (UOIT) (13-13) Ridgebacks in an exciting 3-2 overtime win. Despite a slow start to the game, McGill opened scoring in the first period with a goal from second-year defenceman Nikolas Brouillard assisted by fourth-year defenceman Dominic Talbot-Tassi and first-year defenceman Johnatan Legault.
“We had a little bit of a rough start,” first-year defenceman Taylor Ford said. “They were kind of all over us. We expected that, because we won last time, we were there, but we found a way to win, and that’s all that counts.”
The second period saw two Ridgeback goals, but McGill continued to create scoring opportunities. The home side recorded 12 shots in the second period, while UOIT took eight.
Entering the third period, McGill remained persistent in front of the OUIT net with 10 shots to the Ridgebacks’ five. With two minutes left in the game and the score sitting at 2-1 in UOIT’s favour, McGill pulled third-year goaltender Louis-Philip Guindon to put an extra skater on the ice. Fourth-year centre and captain Jerome Verrier scored the equalizing goal almost immediately with an assist from third-year defenceman Nathanael Halbert and second-year forward Michael Cramarossa, sending the game into overtime.
Three minutes into the overtime period, third-year right wing Samuel Tremblay, assisted by Talbot-Tassi and second-year forward Keanu Yamamoto, capitalized on a power play to secure the 3-2 home ice victory for McGill.
McGill currently sits third in the OUA East and has secured its spot in the OUA playoffs.
“[We’re] confident,” Ford said. “We’ve had a couple good games where we’re playing really good hockey [….] If we can keep doing what we’re doing, we’ll be heading into [the] playoffs in the right shape.”
After a loss to Concordia on Feb. 2, McGill could finish anywhere between second and sixth in the conference.
“We have [a] strong tradition and history of being toward the top of the conference,” Associate Coach Liam Heelis said. “We’re not there now, but it’s going to be nice coming in [on] a different avenue than normal, and our guys are really excited.”
The playoffs will certainly present unique challenges, but the team is optimistic about this final stretch of the season.
“Once [the] playoffs come around, the intensity gets a little bit higher,” Ford said. “If we can keep doing what we’re doing and getting better in practice, I think we’ll be good.”
Heelis spoke to the team’s progression since the winter break.
“Our guys […] have really come together in the new year,” Heelis said. “We’ve been building on our success each and every week, and we’re really excited for [the] playoffs quickly approaching.”
This was the final home game of the regular season for McGill, and, with six wins in their last 10 games, the team is looking strong going into their final game of the season on Feb. 9 against the Queen’s Gaels (18-8).
In the final minutes of the third period, fourth-year centre Jerome Verrier tied the game to force an overtime period, giving McGill a chance to claim victory in their final home game of the regular season.
“Our guys were really able to just stick to the process of the game plan and found a way to tie things up at the end.” – Associate Coach Liam Heelis on the last minute comeback for McGill.
McGill played a strong offensive game, outshooting the Ridgebacks 31-20.
One’s company, two’s a crowd, three (p.m.)’s a darty
April 1, 2025
From pubs to parades: Montreal’s versatile Saint Patrick’s Day scene
March 18, 2025
New year, same us: Resolutions McGill students didn’t make for 2025
January 14, 2025
As frustration with consumer culture grows, some creatives are choosing to stop buying ready-made goods and start producing objects themselves. Often referred to as the ‘Maker Movement,’ this recent trend involves creating just about anything—from knitting a scarf to forging a knife. Some participants aim to save money by making their own products, while others seek an outlet to relieve stress. The crafting industry has grown significantly within the past decade, with the largest percentage of the demographic between the ages 18 and 34.
Social media provides ample inspiration for the prospective maker. In 2017, the most popular category on Pinterest was ‘Art & Crafts.’ The platform delivers simple and thrifty crafting ideas that are particularly appealing to a younger audience that might need visual inspiration. Similarly, on Youtube, ‘how-to videos’ are one of the most-viewed categories on the site. One mother built an entire house using Youtube tutorials to save money and still enjoy her dream home. For people looking to learn a craft, a simple Google search can provide all of the necessary information to start.
The rise of do-it-yourself (DIY) culture is also attributable to a growing consciousness of the ethical impact of commercial products. Documentaries like The True Cost show that ‘fast fashion’—cheaply made, trendy clothes—often relies on exploitative labour and produces massive amounts of environmentally-harmful waste. Phoebe Pannier, U2 Arts, sews and embroiders her own clothes, rather than buying them, as a way to combat the ethical drawbacks of the fashion industry.
“The disposability of clothing […] really distances consumers from the objects around them,” Pannier said. “Making something for yourself allows you to deconstruct what you take for granted about material goods.”
For many makers, the act of creating something makes them more aware of the amount of work that goes into producing a single item. Corrina Greenler, U2 Arts, recently took a pottery workshop and was surprised at how much work and time was required to craft a small ceramic piece.
“It made me appreciate using [something that I made] much more,” Greenler said. “It’s satisfying to know that I made something cool out of just a block of clay.”
Though DIY stands for ‘do it yourself,’ many crafters find that the process of hand-making an item can bring people together. Olivia Mendelson, U2 Arts & Sciences and the vice-president communications of the McGill Students Knitting Club explained that club meetings provide participants with an opportunity to get assistance with their knitting projects.
“It’s hard to find people to knit with, but, when people do get together and knit and talk about knitting, it creates a really amazing community atmosphere,” Mendelson said. “More experienced knitters are always there to help beginners if they run into issues.”
Some crafters find that making things connects them not only with their peers, but also with past generations. Pannier, for example, learned to knit from her grandmother.
For stressed McGill students, it might seem like there simply is not enough time to pick up a new hobby. Pannier, however, finds moments throughout the day to incorporate crafting to make mundane tasks a bit more interesting.
“I [do crafts] while I’m doing other stuff, like, if I’m listening to a lecture recording, I’ll embroider, or, if I’m in a boring work meeting, I’ll take out my knitting,” Pannier said.
Similarly, Mendelson believes that the process of making something can act as a valuable form of self-care for overwhelmed students. She finds the repetitive movements of knitting calming.
“Hands-on crafts force you to slow down and focus on what you’re doing in the moment, which isn’t something we often take the time to do, especially as busy students,” Mendelson said.
The trend of ‘doing it yourself’ simultaneously promotes a sense of individuality and of community. Crafters come together to produce and share their creations.
“Our ancestors had to make their own stuff out of necessity, so it’s kind of a way of connecting with the past,” Greenler said. “Creating is what makes us human.”
Varsity or bust: Inside the fallout of McGill Athletics’ restructuring
December 3, 2025
Varsity Report Card: Fall 2025
December 3, 2025
2025’s sports equinox: Four major leagues, one historic night
November 4, 2025
On Jan. 31, Jackie Robinson, immortalized in baseball history as the first black player to play in the MLB in over 60 years, would have celebrated his 100th birthday. Baseball has come a long way since Robinson’s major league debut on April 15, 1947. Though the legendary Dodgers second baseman is remembered for his courage and his advocacy for civil rights, the league must do more to honour his legacy.
Since his death, the MLB took easy—but still honourable—steps toward commemoration. In 1997, 25 years after Robinson’s death, then-acting commissioner Bud Selig announced that every MLB team would retire Robinson’s iconic number 42. Seven years later, the league held its first annual Jackie Robinson Day, and, since 2009, every player, manager, and umpire has worn a number 42 jersey on April 15 in his honour.
In 2019, the MLB will celebrate Jackie Robinson Day as they have for the last 14 years. They will hail him as a courageous hero and condemn the prejudice he faced throughout his career. However, these gestures do Robinson a disservice: Racism is still alive and well in baseball.
Black men made up less than 19 per cent of players in 1981, and that number is steadily declining: In 2018, the mark sat at just eight per cent on Opening Day. These figures are equally lackluster in the dugout and clubhouse. Currently, only four of 30 managers and two of 28 general managers belong to racial minorities. Further, baseball fans are, on average, less racially diverse than their football and basketball counterparts, with more than 80 per cent of them being white.
Professional baseball has often assumed an apolitical stance, shying away from involvement in social issues. Such apathy stems from the lack of diversity in baseball culture and contributes to an environment where outspokenness is frowned upon. To the average baseball fan, players are not unique people with thoughts or feelings or personalities; they exist solely for the fan’s entertainment, the team’s success, and as commodities of the greater MLB machine.
Momentum from Robinson’s actions 72 years ago is insufficient to defeat the bigotry that still exists in baseball today. The MLB, claiming its efforts to increase diversity have been successful, is still donating thousands of dollars to racist congresspeople, like Cindy Hyde-Smith, to help keep minor league salaries below minimum wage. They also let offensive gestures and messages go unpunished.
There are a few players, like Nationals pitcher Sean Doolittle and Orioles outfielder Adam Jones, who have explicitly addressed racial issues. Still, the vast majority of players keep quiet. Both the NBA and NFL are predominantly black, which can make it more difficult for those leagues and fans to ignore players’ protests, especially when players speak out together. Baseball, on the other hand, despite having a greater percentage of Latino and Asian players than other professional leagues, is a white man’s sport. Players of colour are more heavily criticized by front offices, the media, and fans, and they are more likely than their white counterparts to face backlash for political comments. Thus, it is the responsibility of white players to support their non-white peers and speak out against injustice in baseball and broader society.
Change is possible for the MLB. League and team executives must realize that there are easy, actionable first steps to take, such as banning racist celebrations and replacing commentators who make offensive remarks, to help make the baseball community more inclusive. Players need to recognize that they are allowed to have a voice on social issues and take a stand for what they believe is right, just as Robinson did.
“As I write this twenty years later, I cannot stand and sing the anthem,” Robinson wrote in his autobiography I Never Had it Made. “I cannot salute the flag; I know that I am a black man in a white world. In 1972, in 1947, at my birth in 1919, I know that I never had it made.”
Somehow, in 2019, these words still ring true. It’s up to the MLB, and its players, to help change the status quo and truly honour Robinson’s legacy.
The Tribune’s guide to post-finals fun
April 7, 2026
Feeling lucky? The best St. Patrick’s Day bar crawl in Montreal
March 16, 2026
The unofficial tour guide’s guide to Montreal
February 17, 2026
One of Montreal’s newest Italian restaurants is Brotelli Pasta Bar, owned and operated by brothers and McGill alumni, Joey (BA’12) and Orlando Napolitano (BA’09). This eatery puts a unique spin on traditional pasta dishes: It serves pasta in Chinese take-out containers for meals on the go.
Brotelli, located in the food court of the CIBC tower at 1155 René-Lévesque, offers a casual ambiance that attracts both rushed students and those looking for a laid-back sit-down dining experience. Joey Napolitano explained that the idea behind the restaurant was rooted in family tradition and a desire to cater to a specific consumer demand.
“My family [owned the restaurant] Casa Napoli [which] opened in 1978 and closed […], about four years ago,” Joey Napolitano said. “We grew up in a family of restoration, in a proudly Italian family where food was everything. My brother and I realized that the Italian food in the quick-service scene was not done up to standard.”
In addition to pasta, Brotelli offers classic Italian delicacies, including espresso and pastries, primarily to those working in the downtown areas and through catering. Employees and customers alike point out the unique advantage serving pasta to-go has given Brotelli in the Italian food industry. Robbie Koeck (U2 Arts), a McGill student working at Brotelli, explained that the restaurant’s goal is to provide gourmet food and speedy service.
“The concept is, they’re trying to bridge high quality pasta, which you would expect at a top tier restaurant, with a fast-food [service],” Koeck said. “You go there, order your pasta, and, in less than three minutes, you have a nice box of high-quality pasta ready for you.”
The main challenge the Napolitanos face is the fear of becoming too repetitive and losing their customers’ attention. To set themselves apart, Brotelli’s mission is to serve fresh, made-to-order dishes, that they update regularly.
“We took a lot of recipes from my dad’s restaurant trying to [recreate] the old [dishes] with a new touch,” Napolitano said. “We noticed we get a lot of repeating customers, and we don’t want them to think our menu is not changing, so [we created Pasta of the Month….] We always want to keep the best, and keep changing it up [to] keep the menu new and exciting.”
Brotelli further aims to appeal to customers by offering a lively and warm atmosphere. Those who brave the Montreal winter to trek to the restaurant are rewarded with both delicious cuisine and a friendly environment.
“What was important for us was the ambiance,” Joey Napolitano said. “We want an energetic vibe so [that when] people come down for a coffee, dessert, or pasta, it’s a little escape from their day.”
Currently, seven of the establishment’s eight employees are McGill students who work part-time during breaks or after class. In collaborating with students from their alma mater, the Napolitano brothers have attempted to recreate a McGill community off-campus.
“The [Napolitano brothers] are basically your friends, there’s no boss-worker relationship,” Koeck said. “It’s more like […] we’re all in this together, which makes you want to work well, not because you have to.”
In Canada, deaths from gynecological cancers have steadily decreased over the past three decades. As women are no longer heavily exposed to carcinogenic dyes in clothing and early detection programs have improved, detecting cervical and uterine cancers has slowly become less of a priority for gynecologists.
However, ovarian cancer continues to have mortality rates that are twice as high as any other reproductive cancer. In fact, according to Lucy Gilbert, director of the McGill University Health Centre (MUHC), Gynecologic Oncology Division, there are proportionally more women dying of ovarian cancer in Montreal than from cervical cancer in the whole of Canada.
Gilbert explained how a number of factors, such as advanced stage diagnosis, have stalled the reduction in ovarian cancer mortality statistics. In such cases, the outlook is bleak.
“These cancers spread, disseminate, and metastasize before the patient develops symptoms or can be detected by imaging,” Gilbert said. “With chemotherapy, we have been able to prolong life from 18 months to 3 years […] but they [still] die of the disease.
Even in cases where a patient displays symptoms, physicians often blame menopause, which can overshadow critical diagnosis periods for older women.
“Many women come along, and they have been bleeding for ages, they have pain, they have gone to [a] primary care physician, and they are told ‘oh, it’s the menopause,’” Gilbert said.
Gilbert also identified other gender-based obstacles in the fight against reproductive cancer mortality rates. She believes that implicit sexism within the walls of institutions has delayed scientific contributions to women’s health.
“[Many] older women do not have a lot of disposable income and power; therefore, because these cancers affect older women, they are neglected,” Gilbert said.
Gilbert is dedicated to improving the outcome for women with ovarian cancer through earlier detection.
“I started the DOvEE [Diagnosing Ovarian and Endometrial Cancers Early] project because I felt [that] by giving access, by improving awareness of symptoms, and reducing the number of roadblocks in seeking help […we] would be able to improve cure rates,” Gilbert said.
Gilbert’s program has opened five clinics in Quebec that provide free, immediate testing for women displaying symptoms. She quickly realized that focusing on women’s ovaries while testing was insufficient for making diagnoses in time.
“We were concentrating on giving [an] ultrasound of the ovaries,” Gilbert said. “But the vast majority of ovarian cancers are not actually ovarian cancers. They start in the fallopian tubes.”
The DOvEE program succeeded in diagnosing women in an earlier phase of stage three that was often still completely resectible, but Gilbert and her colleagues are hoping for an even earlier standard of detection.
In partnership with researchers at Johns Hopkins University, Gilbert recently evaluated the effectiveness of a technology called PapSEEK, which analyzes pap smear fluid for cancer-related genetic mutations. However, she has concerns about the technology’s availability.
“Unless [PapSEEK] is accessible and affordable to countries, and lends itself to automation and testing, you cannot have an impact on reducing mortality,” Gilbert said.
The technology must also align with the current diagnostic circumstances of ovarian cancer.
“We will not make an impact on this disease unless women over 50 are willing to go and have it done every two years, so it must be even more comfortable,” Gilbert said.
These concerns led the DOvEE project to grow into DOvEEgene, an ovarian cancer-detection technology developed at the MUHC that is in the pre-clinical trial phase. Gilbert hopes to secure funding for the clinical trial in the coming years.
While the DOvEE program and its offspring are making strides in mediating the gender gap in diagnostic oncology, Gilbert warned that continued neglect for women’s health could be detrimental to society—a notion familiar to women but seemingly novel to those funding medical research.
“Older women contribute a lot to the fabric of society,” Gilbert said. “They are critical for holding families together, and they support structure.”
The DOvEE Project is looking for students interested in raising awareness about ovarian cancer. If interested, please contact Gilbert at [email protected]
On Jan. 31, at Love Competition Hall, the McGill men’s basketball team (6-5) trounced the Laval Rouge et Or (5-6) to extend their second-place lead over Laval in the RSEQ standings. The two sides put up an entertaining display for the 271 fans in attendance for the annual Bell Let’s Talk event. McGill Athletics handed out hats as a means of spreading awareness and fighting stigma surrounding mental health among student athletes.
Laval opened the game with a quick start, taking a nine-point lead before McGill could score a single basket. McGill struggled at first as they fumbled rebounds and bounced shot after shot off the backboard. Finally, McGill managed to end Laval’s run courtesy of fifth-year guard Avery Cadogan. Second-year guard Jamal Mayali pulled McGill even closer with a layup assisted by fifth-year forward Noah Daoust. The Rouge et Or, however, halted the McGill offensive, closing the first quarter with a score of 19-12.
Determined to climb back from the deficit, McGill started the second quarter assertively. First-year guard Quarry Whyne executed a perfect fake into a jump shot. Whyne repeated the move, this time following the fake with a layup. As the crowd came alive, Cadogan sunk a three-pointer. On the defensive end, Daoust shined, keeping the game close with a strong block and rebound. Moments later, he made a layup to give McGill the lead. A Whyne three-pointer swished through the hoop as the buzzer sounded to bring the second period to a close, with McGill leading 31-26.
McGill kicked off an exciting third quarter with a three-pointer from first-year guard Anthony Fisiru. Second-year guard Sam Jenkins then combined with Daoust three times as part of a 10-point McGill run. McGill sailed into the final quarter with an 18-point lead.
In the final frame, a resurgent Laval tested McGill. The Rouge et Or fought back with passion, going on a 13-0 run to cut the McGill lead to seven. During this run, McGill lost Cadogan to injury, and he did not return for the remainder of the game. With the pressure mounting and the team without one of their most trusted veterans, McGill rose to the occasion. An inspired Daoust again chipped in with a pair of three-pointers, finishing the game with 15 points, as McGill closed the game to take the 66-53 win.
“For the most part, we were successful, we ran our offence and made a lot of good decisions,” Head Coach David DeAveiro said. “We got in situations where we got a little tired, and they got some momentum, but we made some good shots and killed the game.”
In recognition of the game’s unique significance, DeAveiro reiterated the importance of mental health awareness in sports.
“It wasn’t even an issue back in my days [as a player],” DeAveiro said. “It was needed back then, but we didn’t recognize it [….] We have to be aware of it. You gotta be there for your kids.”
With five games left in the regular season, McGill will look to make up ground on first-place Concordia. Second-year point guard JJ Hamel-Carey is looking forward to their last matchup.
“Big games, I’m born for that, I live for that,” Hamel-Carey said. “If you’re a baller and don’t want to play in the big games, then you’re not really a basketball player.”
In McGill and Laval’s rematch on Feb. 2, the Rouge et Or came out on top 73-65. McGill will visit the UQAM Citadins (5-6) on Feb. 7.
First-year guard Quarry Whyne stole the show in the second quarter after performing a series of remarkable fakes and sinking two consecutive shots.
“If you’re part of the […] team, really, it builds bonds and relationships. We’ve done a good job of being connected as brothers, […] so if anybody feels down, it’s our job to help out.” – JJ Hamel-Carey on how teammates build a supportive locker room atmosphere.
Noah Daoust (15), Quarry Whyne (11), and Sam Jenkins (11) all registered double figures in scoring.
Keep on Commuting
April 5, 2022
Gino McTuff’s journey to the library
March 29, 2022
The emerging field of computational genomics, which uses statistical analysis to unpack the plethora of information harboured inside the human genome, is complicated. The sheer amount of data that comprises the human genome is massive. Meanwhile, the pressure is high: With more people turning to their genes for answers to medical questions, the genomics community faces the seemingly-impossible challenge of cataloguing the world’s genetic information into practical and accessible systems. Enter CanDIG.
The Canadian Distributed Infrastructure for Genomics (CanDIG) is a multi-institutional research cohort that has begun the lengthy process of creating an infrastructure for genomic analysis at the national level. Their mandate is to make genomic data user-friendly through a combination of cutting-edge computational methods and a focus on the public policy of genetic research.
The Canadian medical data sharing system is already stretched to its limits. Hospitals and research centres, which are the current gatekeepers of Canadians’ genetic information, function independently without the ability to share data. The CanDIG team, which brings together geneticists and policy makers from McGill and other institutions across Canada, wants to become a central hub for genomics data collection, using software to relay information in the form of open queries.
“The objective is to connect these vast databases through a patchwork of successful systems across various networks,” Guillaume Bourque, one of the designers of CanDIG and associate professor in McGill’s Department of Human Genetics, said.
The technical challenges of unifying national access to genetic data are only matched by the troubling implications of the social experiment that is big data in the 21st century.
“Politically, it is challenging,” Yann Joly, a member of the CanDIG team and associate professor in the Department of Human Genetics as well as the Bioethics unit, said. “When you have these projects where many hospitals and provinces are collaborating, many of them want to retain control of their patients and their data. There is a real reluctance to release that control.”
The privacy of Canadians who are willing to share their genetic information is a top concern for the CanDIG leadership.
“The point is to make research possible,” Joly said. “At the same time, we must protect data so that there is no identifying information that leads back to the person who supplied it.”
In the wake of large data breaches such as the Facebook-Cambridge Analytica data scandal, public concern over the safety of personal data is growing. Genomic data, which can be linked back to a person through their DNA, presents a sizeable security risk.
“[What] we don’t want is [for] people to lose trust in AI and become unwilling to share their data,” Joly said. “For these things to work and be effective, you need to have thousands of genomes and, with that, the trust of people who rely on the infrastructure.”
Looking forward, CanDIG is a partnering with the Common Infrastructure for National Cohorts in Europe, Canada, and Africa (CINECA), an intercontinental data collaboration project attempting to connect systems such as CanDIG to partners in the European Union and Africa.
“We are trying to develop and contribute to global standards of genomic data collection and use,” Bourque said.
The Canadians face further challenges while trying to integrate into European regulations, which have become increasingly stringent in recent years.
“For everything to interoperate, you need some type of standards,” Bourque said. “To create standards, you need everyone to agree.”
New European data laws risk strong-arming Canada and other nations into compliance, or else risk any prospects of integration.
WUSC helps students like Zawadi seize higher opportunities in university
March 10, 2026
Queer McGill’s second annual Black History Month event fosters solidarity and community
February 24, 2026
Club Spotlight: Black Students’ Network
February 3, 2026
Through the Mini Courses initiative, the Students’ Society of McGill University (SSMU) has offered classes during the Fall and Winter semesters as a way for students to learn about disciplines that McGill does not typically include in its curricula, such as drawing, writing, and even birdwatching. These classes allow students to dabble in new areas that may be intriguing but that they have never had the chance to explore.
SSMU Mini Courses have become increasingly popular among students and the greater Montreal population since they first began a decade ago. Additionally, Super Mini Courses function as quick workshops, rather than two month classes, for those who may not be able to commit to the longer timeframe of regular Mini Courses. Both enable students to find new passions, explore their hobbies, or master a skill for a CV. Bailey Hughes, SSMU Operations Coordinator, explained the program’s popularity among students.
“Often times, people feel like they don’t have time to explore interests outside of school, so I feel like [SSMU Mini Courses] are a really good way to do so,” Hughes said. “They are usually evenings or weekends, which is really convenient, […and this schedule makes it] easier [for] students and the general public to find time outside of their crazy schedules. [We try to make SSMU Mini Courses] accessible and inexpensive, [and] it’s fun if you want to learn something new.”
In addition to established classes that are offered every year, new courses are added in consultation with students’ interests, such as Egyptian Arabic and DIY for Sustainability. However, according to Hughes, it can be difficult to determine which courses garner interest in a given semester.
“Semester-to-semester, it’s really hit-or-miss because students’ interests are ever-evolving, so one course will do well [one] semester, but then it won’t do well the next,” Hughes said. “[To manage this fluctuation in interests], at the end of each course, we like to send back an anonymous feedback form with the question, ‘What course would you like to take?,’ so it’s really based on what the students want. We are flexible [and] want to try anything.”
When students take a course, it appears on their co-curricular record or their transcript for participants to show to future employers or graduate admissions teams. However, unlike courses offered through the university, the Mini Courses are not graded. Hughes acknowledges that this is especially appealing to students interested in venturing outside of their comfort zones but unwilling to risk harming their GPA.
“Recently, we paired up with CaPS, so now all SSMU Mini Courses show up on your co-curricular record, [with the option] of including it on your transcript,” Hughes said. “It is a great opportunity to build your resume or CV.”
Courses tend to fill up quickly in the beginning of the registration period. Even so, Hughes notes that it is possible to be added to a course last-minute, or at the very least, join the waitlist. Consequently, Hughes encourages students to reach out if it appears registration for a particular course has ended.
“If it appears closed, you can always just email us to appear on the waitlist,” Hughes said. “Even if the registration button is not there, [we] can always see if there’s room.”
To make sure students don’t have to wait, however, Fall Mini Courses typically appear on the website in August or September. With this semester’s Mini and Super Mini Courses starting this week, students should consider looking into taking a class if they have any interests or passions outside of McGill’s academic range or are simply interested in finding new skills or hobbies.
