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Private, Student Life, The Tribune Predicts

The Tribune Predicts: February Horoscopes

by Catherine Morrison & Jacqueline Casson on

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Image Credit: Winnie Lee

Capricorn: You have been academically focused over the past few weeks, with your second house of finance and security dominating your mindset. However, once the Sun enters Pisces and your third house of communication on Feb. 18, you will feel refreshed and ready to shift your focus back to friendships and relationships. Embrace this sense of relief by planning a fun get-together with some friends for Galentine’s Day (Feb. 13), because this is great time to relax and enjoy your friendships this month.
Activity to try this month: Strap on a pair of snowshoes and embrace the outdoors with your closest pals at the Post-Graduate Students’ Society (PGSS) Nocturnal Snowshoeing at Val Morin on Feb. 11.

Aquarius: With love in the air this February, now is the time for you to focus on the most important type of love: Self-love. With the sun blazing through your sign until Feb. 18, your first house of self will be driving you to put your wants and needs first. As you are one to follow your natural instincts, now is the time to determine your goals for your future, and to follow through on them.

Activity to try this month: Take care of your body while supporting an important cause at McGill Students for Think Pink and Spin Énergie’s event Spin Pink spinning fundraiser on Feb. 19.

Pisces: With Venus and Mars in Aries and your second house of stability and luxury all month, this Valentine's day is sure to be full of champagne and roses for you. Treat yourself to a fancy dinner with a partner or some friends, and make sure to order dessert! Expect something extraordinary that you’ve been dreaming of to come your way this month.

Activity to try this month: Embrace the finer things in life at Je t’aime en chocolat’s chocolate festival from Feb. 10 to 12 in Old Port. 

Aries: The sun is in Aquarius until Feb. 18, warming up your eleventh house of networking and collaborations, so be your best social butterfly this month. Use this time to bond with those around you—celebrate Valentine's Day with new friends or a date! Interact with people and get to know someone new, as this is the perfect time to expand your social circle. This is the perfect time to take advantage of networking sessions, which may lead to that internship you’ve been hoping for, and to attend enlightening conferences and panels in your community.

Activity to try this month: Show the world that you truly are a dancing queen and go on a friend’s night out to Mamma Mia on Feb. 17. Also, consider attending the Political Science Students’ Association (PSSA) Midterm Mixer at Thomson House on Feb. 16. 

Taurus: As the Sun is marching through Aquarius and your tenth house of ambition and achievement, focus on academics rather than your social life. Career and summer internship opportunities will become prominent in your life, so try to stay focused and motivated this month. Despite all the hard work you’ll be doing, make sure to take breaks and relax.
Activity to try this month: Explore Canada’s history of immigration and multiculturalism by attending the McGill Institute for the Study of Canada’s (MISC) conference “Canadian Exceptionalism: Are we good, or are we lucky?” on Feb. 9 and 10. 


Gemini: As the sun moves into Aquarius and your global ninth house expect travel and communication among diverse groups of people to energize you. This month is all about interacting and getting to know the people in your life better. Focus on growth and expansion; you may find a cause that you are particularly passionate about. Widen your perspective from the daily minutiae of life and consider an impromptu trip out of your usual environment. The moon is also lingering in your fifth house of romance, perhaps setting the stage for a new spark.

Activity to try this month: Grab a friend or a special someone and stir up some fun as Cocoa & Cacao pairs up with the McGill Students' Culinary Society’s (MSCS) for a Valentine’s Workshop on Feb. 7 and 8.

Cancer: It’s time to catch up on your readings and assignments! With energizing Mars in Aries and your tenth house of career all month, there will be no getting in the way of your determination and hard work. Use this academic motivation to ensure you keep your nose in your books during midterm season. 

Activity to try this month: Stay focused on school and make sure you lock down the grade you want by seeking advice on an upcoming paper from the McGill Writing Centre during their daily drop-in hours. 

Leo: Relationships might feel a little rocky this month because starting Feb. 6, Jupiter will be spinning in retrograde into your third house of communication. Take this time to focus on yourself and get involved in a new activity. If you don’t feel up for socializing, there is no harm in staying in; take this cosmic permission to become closer to your favorite Netflix show. 

Activity to try this month: Step outside of your comfort zone and try a new social activity—dress up in your most Hogwart’s appropriate attire and check out The Appreciation Society’s Harry Potter Costume Party on Feb.16.

Virgo: As the Sun has transitioned into your sixth house of health and organization, you will feel energized to get into a routine. Focus on time management and organize your days so that they allow you to accomplish as much as you can. This is the perfect time to begin to figure out a fitness schedule to invigorate you during this winter month. As midterms approach, this newly enlivened routine will aid in your studying. 

Activity to try this month: Celebrate the Sun’s influence on your academic life this month by doing some Sun Salutations at McGill Students for Amnesty International AmnestYOGA event on Feb. 7.

Libra: Celebrate Galentine's Day (Feb. 13) this year as the Sun is in Aquarius and your fourth house of friendship. Spend time with all the friends in your life—what else could you need when you have your best friends by your side? May we suggest a wine night?
Activity to try this month: Have a night out with your friends—gal pals and otherwise—and go to the Maroon 5 concert on Feb. 24 or 25 at the Bell Centre.

Scorpio: With the Sun in Aquarius and your domestic zone until Feb. 18, take one of the upcoming weeks to relax and spend some quality time with loved ones. This is a time to reflect as you move forward into the year. Evaluate your relationships and spend necessary time with those close to you, as it has been a busy start to 2017 for you.

Activity to try this month: Enjoy a relaxing evening full of music, blankets and hot chocolate at Concordia Greenhouse’s event, CozyFest on Feb. 13. 

Sagittarius: With energizing Mars in Aries heating up your passionate fifth house all month, a close friendship is likely to become romantic. Be your bold, confident self and your crush will not be able to resist your charm. Expect a new love to blossom as the stars align—you never know who it might be! 

Activity to try this month: Take the first step and ask your crush out to coffee. PGSS McGill’s Coffee Tasting event on Feb. 24 is the perfect way to begin your new relationship!

Hockey, Men's Varsity, Sports

Points by Hodhod put Redmen over Ravens

by André Morin on

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McGill Redmen
2

Carleton Ravens
1

After building a two goal lead, the McGill Redmen (19-4-3) survived a third-period comeback bid by the visiting Carleton Ravens (16-9-2) to pick up a 2-1 win on Feb. 4. 

“I thought we had a good 60 minutes,” Redmen Head Coach Kelly Nobes said. “I particularly liked the last 10 minutes, we had a one goal lead, we got pucks deep in their corners, we played real good in the neutral zone, we didn’t give up any odd man rushes, [and] we just played a real savvy finish to the game.”

In a game where tempers flared and penalty minutes were given in abundance, sophmore forward Samuel Hodhod broke the deadlock for McGill with just over three minutes left in the first period.

With several key Redmen still in Kazakhstan competing in the the 2017 International University Sports Federation (FISU) Winter Games, other players, such as Hodhod, have had to fill in and contribute.

“We’ve had lots of guys step up,” Nobes said. “Look at Sam Hodhod tonight, he had a good game, he was hanging onto the puck down low, he was creating things with his feet, and got a great goal, and got us started [….] Guys are stepping up in different situations, and that’s good for the team as we move along.”

Hodhod, who was named the first star of the game, also picked up an assist on Alexandre Sills’ second-period goal. 

Penalties caught up to the Redmen in the final frame, as Josh Burnside scored an early powerplay goal for the Ravens. The late goal would prove to be the only time Carleton would beat McGill goalie Jacob Gervais-Chouinard, who finished with 28 saves. 

Next up for the Redmen are the Nipissing Lakers, who they will visit on Feb. 10. With two games to go in the regular season, the Redmen sit atop the OUA Eastern Conference standings. Facing Nipissing, second-to-last in the OUA East, McGill will look to remain focused against a team not likely to make the playoffs.

“I don’t think that’s a big deal for us,” Hodhod said. “We focus on every game like it’s any other team. Just because they’re a little lower in the standings doesn’t mean anything. They’re a great team. Also, they’re fast, and we’ve got to make sure that we’re ready, we don’t want to be surprised.”

 

Quotable: “It’s always a little emotional when we play them, they’re a strong, big team, but we just stuck to our gameplan and it helped us” – Redmen forward Samuel Hodhod on McGill’s rivalry with Carleton, who eliminated the team from the playoffs last year.

 

Stat Corner: Thirty-eight total penalty minutes were handed out between the two teams.

 

Moment of the Game: While on the penalty kill and with the Ravens goaltender pulled, the Redmen played solid defence for the last minute and a half of the game to secure the win.

A previous version of this article published on Feb. 6, 2017 incorrectly stated Samuel Hodhod's age. The Tribune regrets this error. 

Football, Sports

Love or hate, Brady and co. are the greatest

by Kellen Jibb on

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In true Tom Brady fashion, the New England Patriots staged a historic comeback win over the Atlanta Falcons in Super Bowl LI on Sunday night. Brady led the charge with 466 passing yards and 2 touchdowns, finding an unlikely target in running back James White for 14 receptions. White also punched in the game-winning touchdown early in overtime. With the win, Brady and company have cemented their legacies in NFL history. While they are undoubtedly among the football greats, Brady and Head Coach Bill Belichick have become the most polarizing pair in professional football.

With enough Super Bowl rings to cover a full fist, it’s hard to dispute Brady and Belichick’s legacies and unwavering–almost methodical–commitment to victory. Grumbling dissenters can point to Brady and the Patriots’ infamous Deflategate and Spygate scandals that may tarnish their legacy; however, regardless of personal feelings, there is no denying that the New England teams of recent years have been titans in the NFL. The two most infamous Patriots of the past 20 years are largely responsible for their lack of appeal among non-local NFL fans.

While 157 head coaches have come and gone across the NFL over his 17 years in New England, Belichick has been a constant presence, leading the Patriots to championship titles and near-perfect seasons. Unlike the other 31 head coaches in the league, Belichick has near complete autonomy over his team, including free reign over all coaching and player personnel decisions. His seeming lack of apathy for those under him and short, emotionless interviews has allowed fans to develop a strong distaste for him. Coupled with the fact he’s probably trashed your favourite team a few times over his tenure, there really isn’t a reason to like Belichick.

As for Brady, the situation appears to be the opposite. For many, he seems to be just a nice guy who doesn’t run his mouth in the media, like so many other players have a tendency to do. Unlike Belichick, Brady seems almost too perfect. Perhaps that is exactly why he has become such a polarizing figure. A recent poll found that Brady was both the most-liked quarterback in the NFL, recieving 22 per cent of the vote, while also the least-liked, finishing first with 24 per cent of the vote. The statistics illustrate the stark division among football fans. Everybody hates a smug winner, and Brady has been exactly that on a consistent basis for the past 15-odd years. 

 No NFL team has won more games since the 2000 season than the Patriots. With five Super Bowl championships over the past 17 years, the sheer domination becomes clear after realizing that no team has won more than twice over the same timeframe. With Brady turning 40 in August and Belichick having been an NFL coach since 1975, the two seem to be on the back end of a dynasty. Regardless of the football community’s undying love or vehement hatred for the team and its two figureheads, Brady and Belichick will be inextricably linked to greatness—a legacy sought by every sportsman.    

Some call them cheaters, others call them icons, but above all, the New England Patriots are again, the indisputable champions. 

McGill, News

AUS to research free course pack material, plans to expand SNAX management

by Domenic Casciato on

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The Arts Undergraduate Society (AUS) Legislative Council met on Jan. 25 to discuss ongoing and future projects within the Faculty of Arts, including upcoming AUS executive elections, the creation of an ad-hoc committee for the management of the SNAX stand, and negotiating with professors to dramatically reduce the price of course packs. The Council also passed three new motions and delivered a number of departmental reports.

 

Mandate to increase executive availability prior to general elections

During the meeting, Council members discussed the creation of a new mandate that will affect all students who wish to run for AUS executive positions. The mandate proposes that prospective AUS executives meet with the incumbents prior to pursuing candidacy to discuss their respective portfolio responsibilities. Kat Sviknushin, AUS Vice-President (VP) Social, presented the mandate to the Legislative Council.

“We [the current AUS executives] wanted to put together a pilot program to make better elections for the AUS,” Sviknushin said. “The goal of this conversation would be [to walk] through what the portfolio does [and to give] an opportunity to ask questions and to make the [executives] available to people before they […] run so that they can make better candidates [….] From the way that we see it, better informed candidates make for better informed executives at the end of the day.”

AUS general elections will be held in February. The nomination period for candidacy will begin on Feb. 4 and end on Feb. 10 with polling taking place from Feb. 18 to Feb. 25.

 

Motion to Create SNAX Committee

The AUS voted to pass the “Motion to Create SNAX Committee,” creating an ad-hoc committee to oversee the operation of the SNAX stand in Leacock. Last winter, the Legislative Council approved a new Memorandum of Agreement (MoA) which permitted the AUS to sell sandwiches. The new MoA was signed after the university suspended the sale of sandwiches at SNAX due to concerns of health and safety liability. The proposal for the new ad-hoc committee was brought to the Legislative Council last semester, but was tabled pending consultations with SNAX managers. Becky Goldberg, AUS president, spoke to The McGill Tribune about the motion.

“SNAX […] has been historically independent despite [the fact] that it’s under the AUS umbrella,” Goldberg said. “[….] It’s a huge portion of our revenue and our finances. We’ve received permission to sell sandwiches and certain items as long as we keep up with a very particular set of standards and guidelines. So, that committee can also act as a measure of accountability.”

These guidelines include health standards as well as requirements to source items sold at SNAX from specific distributors. The committee will include the AUS VP Finance, President, three legislative councilors, and the SNAX manager and assistant manager.

 

Research on free course pack material

A report presented to the Legislative Council by AUS VP Academic Erik Partridge revealed that the AUS is looking into collaborating with professors to provide free course packs. He said that the AUS has been able to find approximately 80 per cent of course pack materials for free.

“We’ve been unable to get professors on board,” said Partridge. “We’re transitioning [our position] to, […] ‘Let's use the free resources for that 80 per cent so that we can pay 80 per cent less.’”

AUS will deliver a report to its members in early March on its research of the availability of free course pack materials.

 

Free menstrual product motion

AUS VP Internal Kira Smith said that AUS is working with the Students’ Society of McGill University (SSMU) to implement the motion to provide free menstrual products to students that was proposed by SSMU Council and passed in referendum in Fall 2016. AUS plans to include menstrual product kiosks in the Arts Lounge and the Arts Building.

“It's still something that [SSMU] is working on in terms of logistics,” Smith said. “Once we do have a kiosk […] we’ll start advertising it.”

McGill, News

CaPS hosts workshops as part of “Work Your B.A.” conference

by Celine Hamze on

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The “Work Your B.A.” conference took place from Jan. 25 to Feb. 2. It organized by McGill's Career Planning Service (CaPS) and the Arts Undergraduate Society (AUS), aiming to educate students in the Faculty of Arts about different career paths they can follow upon completing their Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) degree.

The “B.A. Lawyer. Is Law School for You?” event was held on Jan. 25 before a full audience. There were five guest speakers, all of whom are B.A. holders at different points in their careers. Each speaker spoke about their academic experiences.

First-year McGill law student Trevor May was the opening speaker. During his speech, May emphasized the heavy reading required in law school. He was firm in that students should only pursue the degree if they truly enjoy the work.

“Being a lawyer is a lot of work and it might involve making sacrifices in your personal life, so if you’re going to do this, you have to love it,” May said. “Don’t do it so you can wear suits and have plankers with your credentials on them.”

Having also completed a Masters degree in International Relations at McGill University, May explained that there was little overlap between what he learnt for his Bachelor’s degree, his Masters degree, and law school.

Another speaker at the conference was Adam Drori, an associate at Stikeman Elliott LLP, one of the most prominent business law firms in Montreal. Drori began his speech explaining his passion for law and how his career unfolded. Drori explained how growing up, law school was always something he could see in his future.

“I was one of those good little boys who growing up was told to go to law school and like a good little boy I did,” Drori said.

Drori explained the daily life of a lawyer and what it means to graduate from law school. He outlined the opportunities a law degree gives an individual beyond just working with the law. He explained that law school develops critical thinking and speaking skills that are important and valued in a wide variety of careers.

“If you don’t think that working in a law firm is what you necessarily want to do, it doesn’t mean you shouldn’t go to law school.” Drori said.

The next speaker, Gillian Nycum, who has owned a music directing company and now works as a director of strategic initiatives at Human Impact Lab, explained how her background in law helped her with strategic and critical thinking and gave her credibility in the workplace.

“The amount of critical thinking I was able to develop while studying law really helped me develop [an ability to handle] adversity as I went through my career, not freaking out when challenges popped up and feeling like I could tackle things,” Nycum said.

Mario Bozzo, U0 Arts, said that Drori’s speech shed light on possible career options after studying law.

“I was really able to identify with Adam Drori, because I’ve also always wanted to go to law school, and seeing all the different paths I could take after law school really opened my eyes to how much I could do with my degree”.

Ali Martin Mayer, the assistant dean of the McGill Faculty of Law, received many questions during the Q&A section at the end of the event.

Mayer talked about the process of admissions at McGill’s Faculty of Law. She stressed the importance of creating relationships with professors and having good professional references.

“Coming from Arts, [a student] might have a slight advantage in that professors tend to speak that very elaborate language that admissions officers like,” Mayer said.

News, SSMU

SSMU Democratic Review Committee recommends amendments to internal regulations

by Julia Dick on

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At its Jan. 26 session, the Students’ Society of McGill University (SSMU) Legislative Council heard proposed amendments to the internal regulations of governance of SSMU by the Ad Hoc Democratic Review Committee and executives presented updates on aspects of their portfolios.

 

Notice of Motion Regarding the Amendment of the Internal Regulations of Governance

The Ad Hoc Democratic Review Committee, which was created by the Legislative Council in the Fall 2016 semester, presented a Notice of Motion Regarding the Amendment of the Internal Regulations of Governance. Arts Senator Igor Sadikov emphasized that it was an informational presentation, meaning that Council did not go through a vote to ratify the proposed amendments.

The Board of Directors (BoD) of SSMU is the governing body of SSMU that exists above the Legislative Council. Sadikov explained that currently the BoD ratifies all Legislative Council motions before they are implemented.

“[The amendments] would retain that process, however Council decisions would basically come into effect immediately and the [BoD] would have a choice of ratifying or overturning them,” Sadikov said. “And if it’s overturned it would come back to the Legislative Council and basically the internal regulations would recommend that the Board only exercise this power very sparingly.”

Sadikov presented on the Committee’s recommendation to amend article 5.3 of the Internal Regulations of Governance in order to outline the process of how J-Board decisions go through the Legislative Council and the BoD. The amendment in its current form would give the BoD the option to refer the J-Board’s opinion to the Legislative Council and give the BoD the power to overturn the opinion of the J-Board by a simple majority. Currently, overturning a J-Board decision requires a four-fifths (or “super”) majority.

Councillor Tre Mansdoerfer questioned this amendment, arguing that the J-Board is external to SSMU and so it should be difficult by design for SSMU governance bodies to overturn its opinions.

“J-Board makes decisions on things such as SSMU elections and for the BoD to be able to overturn a J-Board decision on that such as when candidates maybe do violate protocol, I don’t feel comfortable just having the BoD having a simple majority to overturn the J-Board decision,” Mansdoerfer said. “I would like to see a supermajority added to the legislative council portion in terms of overturning J-Board decisions.”

Faculty of Medicine Senator Joshua Chin asked about the degree of consultation that the BoD had received in regards to these changes, to which Sadikov responded that the Board will have the opportunity to give feedback when it next meets. The BoD has yet to meet this semester.

 

Executive Reports

Vice-President (VP) University Affairs Erin Sobat relayed that the Office of University Affairs has released its research report on first generation students at McGill, titled Striving to Place: The First Generation Student Experience at McGill University.

“On that front we’re trying to work with different partners across the university in the context of the new Strategic Plan being introduced by the Provost [Manfredi] to have a focus on student diversity and admissions recruitment and retention,” Sobat said.

VP Student Life Elaine Patterson spoke on SSMU’s commitment to implement the Free Menstrual Hygiene Products Policy, stating that there had been delays in receiving the necessary equipment to place dispensers across campus.

VP Operations Sacha Magder was absent. SSMU President Ben Ger was also absent, but Sobat presented his report to Council.

Sports

Dodgeball reinvigorates tired Pro Bowl formula

by Patrick Beacham on

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After a seven-year hiatus, the NFL Pro Bowl skills competition–contested between the best players in the AFC and NFC–returned on Jan. 26 with a new and improved format. While the event started slow and I debated turning on Netflix to binge-watch more episodes of “Trailer Park Boys,” the promise of a dodgeball-laden magnum opus finale was enough to pique my interest.

The night kicked off with the “Best Hands” contest, a competition that Miami Dolphins receiver Jarvis Landry narrowly won for the AFC. His expert navigation of the course and series of acrobatic, one-handed, and over-the-shoulder catches were enough to surpass college teammate and Giants receiver Odell Beckham Jr. by 0.2 seconds.

The next competition was a series of strength-oriented challenges showing off their brute strength called the “Power Relay.” After players lifted, pulled, and dragged around an assortment of ridiculously heavy items, the final contestant on each team completed a 40-yard sprint before smashing through a large wall of foam blocks. The end of the event was exciting, but the rest of the challenge was considerably less impressive. Watching these large men lug around heavy objects was boring—The Celebrity Apprentice could have easily been more riveting.

The “Drone Drop” challenge involved players catching footballs dropped from drones over 100 feet in the air. With no real football relevance, it was nonetheless comical watching players flopping and diving while trying to makes catches that would never happen in a real game. The next event was the “Precision Passing” contest, requiring quarterbacks to hit a series of moving and stationary targets with varying point values. Again, it was incredible to watch NFL players with rocket-launcher arms balancing power and accuracy in such a show of both force and skill.

After the long wait, the teams got set for the dodgeball final, each heading over to their respective sides, gearing up for an all-out sprint to the midline to collect the necessary weapons. The action began immediately as the balls began flying at the supersized linemen, not quite fast enough to get back from the midline with their ball. Both teams called their respective timeouts early, and the competition escalated in excitement from there. As the match came to a close, 5’9” 180lb Indianapolis Colts’ receiver T.Y. Hilton was left alone against most of the NFC team, all of whom were heavily armed. Despite a valiant effort and some impressive catches from the AFC’s lone wolf, the NFC took the dodgeball showdown.

It was clear that the other events preceding the dodgeball event were merely a tease. The superhuman feats of those events fit together like puzzle pieces as these separate skills began to come together, ultimately mustering a glorious showdown that was just as intense as it was fun to watch. The NFL’s new Pro Bowl skills competition was a great watch for even the most casual football fans. Those who were unimpressed with the early events just need to have patience and take solace in the fact that dodgeball, an entertaining game in its own right, can only be made better when played by 20 professional athletes of varying shapes and sizes.

Off the Board, Opinion

#Ensolidarité: In response to Quebec City mosque shooting, from members of The McGill Tribune Editorial Board

by April Barrett on

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On Jan. 29, a mass shooting occurred at the Islamic Cultural Centre of Quebec, a mosque in Quebec City. The suspected shooter, a student of Laval University, opened fire on the 39 men who were praying in the mosque while women and children were upstairs. At the time of writing, nineteen people were injured, five are in critical condition, and six are dead.

Though the motive of the shooter is still unknown, their crime may force many to feel afraid to practice their faith. The victims were targeted during prayer, a time of vulnerability during which they should feel the most safe. We would like to express our deepest sympathies to the victims of this shameful terrorist attack. We offer our support for Muslim people in the province of Quebec and beyond. We condemn the Islamophobic and xenophobic rhetoric underpinning political legislation both south of the border and more subtly ingrained here, in Quebec. Let this appalling act be a reminder that Canadians are not exempt from perpetuating racial prejudice, faith-based discrimination, and targeted violence.

For students of McGill who have been affected by the attack, especially Muslim students, we offer our condolences. For those who are seeking guidance or counselling during this difficult time, the McGill Office of Religious and Spiritual Life (MORSL) has chaplains from many faiths who are available for support, and McGill’s Mental Health Hub can connect students to a variety of support systems on campus. For those looking to connect to a community during this time, both McGill and Concordia have active Muslim Students Associations. As a university, we must demonstrate our commitment to the inclusion of people of all faiths. It is important, now more than ever, to find room for the faith of Muslim students on campus.

If you have been affected by this tragedy and would like a platform to speak out about it, please contact us by submitting a Letter to the Editor to [email protected] (max. 400 words) or tagging Twitter, Instagram, or Facebook posts with @mcgilltribune.

Signed by:

April Barrett, Julia Dick, Natalie Vineberg, Nicholas Jasinski, Albert Park, Audrey Carleton, Joe Khammar, Holly Cabrera, Noah Sutton, Lydia Kaprelian, Daniel Lutes, Clare Lyle, Domitille Biehlmann, Daniel Freed, Jackie Houston, Sara Cullen, Calvin Trottier-Chi, Evelyn Goessling, David Watson, Lauren Benson-Armer, Selin Altuntur, Areni Nicoghosian, Aaron Rose

Features

An Arrangement: Exploring the nuances of sugaring

by Sara Cullen on

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With tuition prices on the rise, the question of how to finance a university education without sinking into debt is a source of stress for many. As of late, mainstream media outlets have highlighted the prevalence of sugaring–a situation in which one person is compensated for spending time with another on a regular basis–on university campuses. Commonly discussed using the terms “sugar baby” and “sugar daddy,” media coverage has sensationalized the practice of forming a sugar relationship online.

 

Jasmine* considered sugaring after graduating from McGill in order to pay for a Masters program at an Ivy League university in the U.S. Although she eventually decided not to pursue a sugar relationship, she recalls how most of her friends would ask her how much she would get paid upon finding out that she was thinking of sugaring.

McGill, News

McGill takes the stage at Davos

by Samuel Lottes on

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From Jan. 17 to 20, McGill Principal and Vice-Chancellor Suzanne Fortier attended the World Economic Forum (WEF) in Davos, Switzerland to discuss labour markets for post-secondary graduates and to present research on sustainability and global connectivity. Fortier was accompanied by Professor Andrew Gonzalez of the Department of Biology, Assistant Professor Graham MacDonald of the Department of Geography, and Associate Professor Elena Bennett of the Department of Natural Resource Sciences and School of Environment. The annual Forum brings together more than 2,500 business leaders, international political figures, prominent researchers, and journalists to discuss current global issues.

Gonzalez, MacDonald, and Bennett jointly hosted a short presentation called an IdeasLab. They discussed research pertaining to their respective fields under the unifying theme of “Shaping a Sustainable World.”

Much of Fortier’s time at the WEF was spent on the topic of how future post-secondary graduates will integrate into the labour market while grappling with the challenges of globalization and the rapid pace of technological change. In a meeting with campus media on Jan. 23, Fortier discussed how a recent McGill initiative to implement internship opportunities will prepare students for success in today’s dynamic labour market.

“What we want to do is increase opportunities for McGill students in all programs to have work-learning experience outside the university, whether it’s in a company, an NGO, or a community group across Montreal [or] across the world,” Fortier said.

Fortier said that not only is it important for graduates to be job-ready, but also “future ready.” In a WEF panel titled “Jobs and the Fourth Industrial Revolution,” Fortier advocated for a university education that prepares students by exposing them to both liberal and technical instruction, something she calls a renaissance education.

“Of course, you cannot easily navigate this world if you have no understanding of science, technology, [and] mathematics,” Fortier said. “It’s an essential component [of a post-secondary education], but I don’t think it’s sufficient, […students] need to be exposed to the arts and humanities. We need to think of a broader education, not a narrower one.”

Gonzalez, whose research is centred on building sustainable cities, elaborated on the need for a more broad-based education, which he believes is more conducive to research.

“It is important that we marry the social and natural sciences and that we give students the opportunity to experience both of these things,” Gonzalez said. “You can’t ask a robot to work on the social dimensions of change, […] of sustainability. Many of the solutions are not strictly technological.”

MacDonald later said that he was pleasantly surprised by the topics of conversation at this year’s forum.

“We are seeing a very obvious focus on [issues such as] food, agriculture, and climate at the Davos meeting this year,” MacDonald said. “I did not expect to see so much discussion concerning these [topics] and it's very inspiring to see this discussion taking place.”

Fortier, who also attended the WEF in 2016, is proud that McGill was the only Canadian university invited to the forum this year.

“The fact that we’re the only Canadian university invited to [Davos] and that we’re a member of the Global University Leaders Forum certainly has a direct impact on students,” Fortier said.

Fortier added that McGill’s invitation to the WEF proves the high academic status of the university.

“The reputation of McGill internationally is obviously very strong and the fact that we are there speaks for itself,” Fortier said.

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