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Science & Technology

What are the rules in Star Wars? MILAMOS aims to clarify military law in space

by Izze Siemann on

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Outer space plays a vital role in every person’s daily life—from sending a text message, to hearing a broadcast on the radio, to swiping a credit card. However, terrestrial warfare is also dependent on space. So, if one country interferes with another country’s satellites, does this constitute an act of hostility that can be countered with further aggression?

The answer is that we don’t know.  The newly formed Manual on International Law Applicable to the Military Uses of Outer Space (MILAMOS) Project seeks to answer this question, among many others.

Its mission: “To develop […] a manual that objectively articulates and clarifies existing international law applicable to military uses of outer space, including the conduct of hostilities in outer space and military activities in periods of tension.”

The world’s most powerful countries rely on space in some form for almost everything; tampering with a country’s satellite capacity would have a large scale impact on not only civilians, but also the communication capacities of the country and its military. The MILAMOS project aims to ease tensions between countries by creating guidelines on military conduct in space; once they are created, countries will be less likely to cross them. Although the chance of war breaking out in space are uncertain, the manual is focused on the uses of space for terrestrial warfare. According to those working on the project, the MILAMOS is needed and pertinent now because the frequent and increasingly modern wars on Earth. Presently, countries have no clear guidelines and boundaries when it comes to law in space.

“We are not drafting a treaty, neither a national legislation,” Associate Professor Ram Jakhu, chairman of the project and associate director of the Centre for Research of Air and Space Law at McGill University, said. “It becomes somewhat of an authoritative statement.”

Jakhu hopes that nations will refer to either the whole manual or parts of it to make international decisions.

Before the MILAMOS project, there were few laws and regulations written about warfare and the law of conflict, notable exceptions include the Oxford Manual of the Laws of War on Land of 1880 and the Geneva Conventions, which were established after the Second World War. The Geneva Conventions produced regulations on what can be targeted in war. For example, hospitals and schools cannot be bombed lawfully because they are occupied by civilians, whereas a bridge used for military purposes could.

Throughout the Cold War, military technology continued to advance, but countries were slow to write new treaties; consequently, experts from many different fields began coming together to write manuals. In 1994, the San Remo Manual set guidelines about international law applicable to war at sea. In 2009, the Humanitarian Policy and Conflict Research at Harvard University published the Manual of International Law Applicable to Air and Missile Warfare. It established how to apply the Geneva Conventions to new, more advanced military technologies. The 2014 Tallinn Manual outlines the laws of cyber warfare—how can an “attack” be defined if it is virtual? The Tallinn Manual produced an agreed upon series of rules accompanied by commentary from the experts’ discussion, an endeavour the MILAMOS aims to replicate.

Currently, very little has been published about international law and outer space. This inspired Duncan Blake, deputy editor-in-chief of the MILAMOS, to write his Master’s thesis on whether or not the creation of a manual like the MILAMOS is vital to modern society.  

“A manual on space warfare and the military uses of space was an obvious next step,” Blake said. “[The thesis focused on] whether or not there are dangers of warfare in outer space, and, absolutely, there are.”

Practically every week, there is news of the development of anti-satellite missiles, and other technologies that could be used in an offensive manner in outer space. This manual would be helpful for states trying to stay on the right side of these boundaries, but also for those looking to cross them directly.

Blake worked to advertise this project to a variety of institutions to get funding. McGill Professor Ram Jakhu and the Research Unit on Military Law and Ethics at the University of Adelaide ultimately supported the needed funding and pushed this manual into action. Although McGill University and the University of Adelaide are spearheading the project, this is not exclusively undertaken by Western nations.

The MILAMOS project represents a diverse body of experts. While many manuals have historically been formulated by white men, this project brings together experts from all over the world—the US, Japan, China, Nigeria, and many European countries—including 31 per cent of female participation. With an extensive array of political views and expertise—such as law, astronomy, military warfare, and technical engineering—the manual will be representative of a huge diversity of people with one goal: Developing solid international laws applicable to the military uses of outer space.

With a diverse assortment of people, comes the likely probability of disagreement in coming to an agreement about specific laws. Dr. Cassandra Steer, executive director of Women in International Security Canada and executive director of the Centre for Research on Air and Space Law, predicts that there will be a few main points of contention.

First, defining what “the use of force” signifies in terms of space will be a challenge, as there is little previous international precedent for what this means. One goal of MILAMOS is to define when it is justified to retaliate using force.

“Article 2.4 of the UN Charter states that you can’t randomly use force on a state, but you can defend yourself if attacked,” Steer explained. “So, can we conclude that satellite interference, not destruction, is something that would invoke a retaliatory attack in self-defence with force?”

Defining the three main principles of the Law of Armed Conflict—distinction, proportionality, and precaution in attack—as they relate to space will be another significant challenge. For example, it is unlawful to attack civilians, whereas it is lawful to attack a military target. In space, however, if a satellite is attacked, what would the consequences be if it were used for both military and civilian purposes? Another example involves proportionality: If GPS satellites were attacks and planes could no longer fly causing airport shutdowns, what category would it fall under?

“Coming up with these 150-200 rules will take time [,… especially to include] the rationales for each [rule] and other commentary,” Blake said.

The MILAMOS project hopes to be completed and released to the public in three years. While there are post-doctorate and masters candidates at McGill involved, Jakhu explained the number is selective and controlled.

Ultimately, the MILAMOS is being written in order to ease tensions between international superpowers and to prevent the occurrence of conflicts in space by creating boundaries. If clear lines are drawn, fewer countries are likely to cross them. The goal of this project is not to tell countries how to wage war in space, nor is it to encourage a real-life Star Wars.

“This project is not just fiction and theories in any way [….] It’s a collection of views and determination of what the law is,” Jakhu said. “It’s more than academic. It’s something real and practical.”

 

Features

Constructing Chinatown: The Lore of Representation

by Dang Weiyu on

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At first glance, Chinatown seems an innocuous space to experience and explore Chinese culture. Rather, I see Chinatown as spaces cultivated by the external discourse in which Chinatown only figures as an object. Chinatown has never projected or promoted a Chineseness that reflects me as a person from Northern China. In Chinese history, a central binary is the northerner-southerner divide, a cultural rift that has fueled various historical dreams of reunification from Han dynasty to the founding of People’s Republic of China.

Chinatowns were initiated solely by immigrants from the Pearl River Delta in the southern Guangdong province in the early 19th century. Until the mid-20th century, southerners comprised the overwhelming majority of Chinese emigrants—only recently have northern Chinese emigrated in any substantial number.

For me, Chinatown, as a distinctly Cantonese space, has always embodied the myth of a unified Chinese culture.  If Chinatown refers to Chinese people, I read ‘Chinese’ as a hollow term, perhaps better relegated as an indication of othering for both Chinese people and Westerners, than as a word signifying a mix of nuanced regional identities.

Football, Know Your Athlete, Men's Varsity, Sports

Know Your Athlete: Qadr Spooner

by Zikomo Smith on

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Larger than life offensive lineman Qadr Spooner caught the eye of CFL scouts at a McGill Football practice who were there to evaluate now-NFL lineman Laurent Duvernay-Tardiff in 2013. It is obvious why. Qadr has a rare presence—he is gregarious, friendly, quick with a joke, and a conspiratorial wink to put you at ease. Add his six foot four inch, 310 lbs frame into the mix and you can understand why scouts were drawn to him.

“Honestly, I am a people person,” Spooner said. “I like to socialize. I like to help people out.”

Spooner puts his people skills to work off the field as a bouncer at Madame Lee and as a social worker at a community centre. On a night out, he keeps the vibe friendly, and the situation under control. During the day, he works with juvenile delinquents, people with autism spectrum disorder, and people trying to find employment.

“As a young person, I had a lot of people that guided me in the right direction,” Spooner said. “I always wanted to pass that on and [community work] really connected with me […so] I chose social work as my major.  [In fact] when I committed to McGill, I got in contact with people and they helped me get jobs in this field.”

Like many accomplished athletes, it was Spooner’s mother who kickstarted his football career.

“[Football] is something my mom forced me to be a part of,” Spooner said. “So many benefits came after that—friendships, it helped me focus on school and do better in school; if you got bad marks you got kicked off the team [in high school….] It has just helped my life out so much. It keeps you from doing bad stuff [….] You meet so many great individuals and great peers.” 

Now, CFL scouts are bullish on Spooner’s professional prospects. He moves with a speed belying his size. He has a nasty streak on the field that excites coaches and inspires fear in defensive ends. However, Spooner started off his career on the opposite side of the ball.

“[In high school], I was a defensive lineman, and one of my coaches said we needed help on the offensive line, so I got converted,” Spooner explained. “I was like ‘football is football,’ and I immediately excelled greater at that position. [Offensive line] is a great position, it is a team position. You do not always get the credit, but you know how important your role is in the team’s success.”

Spooner also enjoys the camaraderie of the O-Linemen group.

“Honestly, the offensive linemen on [the Redmen team] are the funniest kids,” Spooner said. “They may seem intense at times but they have the softest hearts. It is surprising, especially with how aggressive you have to be to play the position—they are such good guys.”

Spooner is a standout on a McGill squad that is rebuilding. Over the past two years McGill has steadily improved its win record, and Spooner can testify to the culture change that has improved the team.

“If you had seen all the transformation [over the past few years], you would not be able to understand how one coach, [Head Coach Hilaire], can turn a team around from the beginning,” Spooner said. “The staff that he brought in, the new coaches were invested in you and in helping the team get better [….] I cannot really describe [the improvement] in words, you have to see it to understand it.”

For now, Spooner is helping McGill realize their playoff dreams. Spooner  also harbours NFL ambitions­­—he is one of the top CIS prospects—something he is characteristically modest about. 

“You just have to stay positive and keep working hard,” Spooner said. “It is a dream, so I hope I can make it.”

 There is no doubt many will be rooting for him.

 

Favourite study spot?

McLennan library—I am there like 24//7. I have spent some late hours there.

 

What would be your last ever meal?

I am not suppoed to say this, but General Tao Chicken.

 

Favourite Superhero:

Bane

Editorial, Opinion

Lighting the way to a safe campus at McGill

by McGill Tribune Editorial Board on

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McGill states in its Charter of Students’ Rights that it is obligated “to ensure that adequate measures are taken to protect security of students on University property.” Montreal may be ranked the fourteenth safest city in the world, but it is not immune to assaults, thefts, or violence. Three other academic institutions in the city—Montreal Polytechnique, Concordia University, and Dawson College—have all experienced mass shootings. It seems that McGill has acknowledged this possibility, too, with the recent release of its active shooter training video. Of equal importance is the very real possibility of night time assaults against students walking alone on campus, as demonstrated by recurring assaults at other Canadian universities, such as The University of British Columbia. Admittedly, small scale thefts or assaults on individual students are very different beasts from large scale emergencies like mass shootings; however, when it comes to student safety, McGill must be prepared on all fronts. If we sit and wait for an incident to occur, the consequences will be unacceptable.

The various safety measures in place at McGill are not sufficient. The University is not proactive enough in educating its members on the safety features currently in place, and in taking action to prevent and reduce the likelihood of future incidents happening on campus. Physical safety features, especially for students walking through campus alone at night, need to be made more accessible and visible. Protecting students on University property necessarily involves increasing these features not only on campus, but surrounding student residences as well.

To foster a physically safe campus, the University must proactively provide the resources and tools for students to stay as safe as possible. Current measures include student-led initiatives such as Walksafe and Drivesafe. These are important services, but rely on volunteers and are often overburdened. On the administration’s side, the Campus Public Safety Department mission statement explains that it “works with the community to promote a safe and secure environment for students, faculty, staff, and visitors through education, prevention, and response.” There are campus emergency phones and payphones at various locations on campus; however, these are not accessible or visible enough from all buildings, nor are they promoted enough to all members of the McGill community. Many parts of campus, such as in front of Leacock, do not have sufficient lighting. It is promising that the McGill App has information on campus public safety resources, and that there is a mass emergency notification system that students can opt into on Minerva; however, both of these are ineffective unless students seek out these resources out for themselves—something many have likely not bothered to do.

 

 

 

 

While increased security presence on campus and en route to residences may not be a feasible short-term goal given McGill’s budgetary constraints, increasing education and the physical presence and visibility of lights and emergency campus phones is of the utmost importance.

There is precedent at other universities across Canada for greater incident-prevention strategies. Several universities in British Columbia have introduced safety apps through a technology called App Armor, which takes advantage of the GPS function on smartphones: There is a “friend walk” feature, in which a friend can watch a user’s trip to their destination. If a user calls 911 from the app, his or her location will immediately be sent to the university’s security department as well. These features are helpful; however, even if McGill were to develop these features or introduce an app devoted specifically to student safety, mobile apps are not enough because they are not accessible to those who don’t have smartphones or cellular data. Consequently, it is of paramount importance that McGill puts more effort into safety education beyond the app, and improves and increases the visibility of physical safety features on campus.

Although McGill has a map of night routes—which marks the location of all emergency campus phones and payphones—the map states that these have only been selected “because they are more travelled, open and better lit than others.” McGill must ensure that all parts of campus are sufficiently lit at night, and that emergency campus phones are available more widely across campus and near residences. For example, the path to McGill’s upper residences is very poorly lit and remote. Improving the physical visibility and presence of features such as lighting and emergency phones could also deter potential assailants.

In terms of education, a safety website alone is an insufficient resource. Students who don’t participate in residence or orientation events like Frosh may not be aware of all the resources that exist. Even those who do should receive a mandatory, more comprehensive education seminar or information session about the security resources and safety measures available to them. McGill’s Safety Week is a positive initiative, but it does not reach all members of the McGill community. Another possible, proactive solution would be for McGill to have a mandatory safety tutorial, just as it has for academic integrity.

While increased security presence on campus and en route to residences may not be a feasible short-term goal given McGill’s budgetary constraints, increasing education and the physical presence and visibility of lights and emergency campus phones is of the utmost importance.

Improving safety measures and awareness on campus is not coddling students or hindering independence: It is simply providing the tools and resources for students to feel safer in the unfortunate event that an assault occurs. McGill must prioritize the safety of its members. A proactive approach to campus safety necessarily involves educational and physical preventative measures that reach all students.

 

 

 

 

Off the Board, Opinion

Putting career anxiety to rest at CaPS

by Areni Nicoghosian on

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I thought I had it all figured out coming into university. Despite life constantly changing, I thought my career choices wouldn’t.

However, two years into my bachelor’s degree, I realized that my career plans weren’t exactly what I wanted or could achieve. I originally had two paths: Becoming a published author or an editor. Soon enough, both went up in smoke. I started and restarted stories I wasn’t proud of, with countless remaining unfinished. Searching for internships in editing made me realize how few opportunities are available in the industry, specifically in Montreal, and the job descriptions didn’t quite fit with what I wanted to do for the rest of my life.

Being a shy person, I always tend to figure things out by myself instead of asking for help. Therefore, I was reluctant to go see an advisor, even though, second opinions can often be the best solution.

At McGill, career advisors are readily available through the Career Planning Service (CaPS). Booking an appointment with a career advisor is simple and students should make use of the services available to them at school. McGill’s impersonal nature can often make students forget that there are many services to assist them. Coming into university, students might easily feel like they are all alone, left to themselves to figure things out in an environment where everyone seems to have their life planned out. However, this isn’t the case—most people I have encountered don’t know what they want to do, or, if they did, have realized the lack of job opportunities in their field, and ended up changing their minds. From my own experience, going to see a career advisor earlier would have saved me the anxieties I faced for months. Students should use the career-planning resources accessible at McGill in order to figure out what they want for their future while minimizing stress.

 

 

 

 

 

A professional opinion can be beneficial because it’s unbiased, meaning that the advice isn’t meant to lead one down a certain preferred path.

In CEGEP, I majored in a program I had no interest in simply because my father encouraged me to pursue it. Family members can suggest career paths that they view as the most advantageous for your financial well-being—which is understandable—without taking into consideration where one’s interests lie.

Although the pressure from my father to find internships and other alternative career paths was well-intentioned, the constant and inescapable lectures led to career anxiety. I understood his concerns about my future, but being pressured to think and plan about multiple things while I was confused only created more uncertainty and fear of the future. As a person who likes to be in control, not knowing what I wanted was difficult to handle mentally.

Once I was able to gather my thoughts, do some research, and experience different work options during the summer, I finally decided to make an appointment with CaPS. The reason for this was to get a second—and most importantly, professional—opinion. A professional opinion can be beneficial because it’s unbiased, meaning that the advice isn’t meant to lead one down a certain preferred path.

To avoid confusion and anxiety, students should go see a career advisor to help structure career ideas or interests as early as possible. The moment students start doubting their career choices, they should go seek one out. It is best if students see a career advisor even before having second-thoughts.

Furthermore, students should do some research in possible fields they may like; however, if they don’t know where to start, CaPS has a list of possible careers in accordance to your major. Along with doing research, it is very important to see a career advisor. They are helpful and they have insight that students do not yet have.

Career advising helped consolidate what I wanted to do. Getting the opinion of a professional helped reduce career-related stress and my anxiety attacks essentially stopped. It helped consolidate the research and self-reflecting I did during the summer months. It gave me reassurance that the steps I wanted to take to achieve my new career path were the proper measures to take. The guidance I received from CaPS built upon the interests and plans I had stated during advising.

Everyone’s case is different, but if one has some ideas, career advisors will be helpful in giving new ones and solidifying whatever thoughts or plans that have already been formed.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Areni Nicoghosian is a Copy Editor at The McGill Tribune and a U3 English Literature student. She is a hopeless animal lover who will run and squeal at any four-legged creature (including unicorns).

 

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Commentary, Opinion

Saving Gerts: McGill’s drinking prowess can be harnessed for good

by Gabriel Rincon on

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McGill’s binge-drinking culture has often, correctly, been cast in a negative light. It’s unhealthy, it hinders discretion, and events like Power Hour aren’t exactly resumé friendly. However, there may be a way to harness McGill’s drinking prowess for good. When it comes to the campus bar, Gerts, students may be able to fund their student clubs by drinking their way out of the McGill student union’s financial woes.

Anecdotally, when Gerts comes up in conversation, student sentiment tends to be ‘meh.’ Gerts just doesn't inspire the same McGill pride that other venues, like Open Air Pub (OAP), manage to foster. While OAP has been called the “Best Place on Earth,” Gerts is still seen as underwhelming. The reputed function of drinking among McGill students is to bring the McGill community together, but students just don't seem to want to party at Gerts; the bar’s patronage has declined over the past two years. However, what students might not realize is that, by drinking at Gerts, they're effectively contributing financially to their own student-run activities.

All McGill undergraduate students pay membership fees to the Students’ Society of McGill University (SSMU). In turn, SSMU funds many popular events, clubs, and services for students ranging from Activities Night to the Quidditch Club. In addition to these membership fees, Gerts is a significant source of revenue for SSMU and Gerts’ profits contribute to funding these initiatives. The 2016-2017 Operating Budget projects Gerts to make about $51,000 in profit, which goes towards funding SSMU’s club operating costs. Essentially, if students choose to drink at Gerts over the many other bars in Montreal, their beer money is paying for both beer and SSMU operations. And given SSMU’s financial situation, it desperately needs Gerts to increase its profits.

Gerts can channel McGill students’ drinking habits and make them an instrument for good.

Due to a $130,000 budget deficit last year, SSMU has had to make budget cuts this year to reach a compensatory $100,000 budget surplus. The budget cuts are in part due to the rejection of the Winter 2016 Special Referendum to raise the SSMU base fee by $5.50. Corporate sponsorship initiatives to address SSMU’s funding issues, like the Tangerine tent at Activities Night, were also criticized. So, if students rejected paying $5.50 more for SSMU’s operations and services, but are fine paying $15 for a pitcher of beer, the obvious solution is to drink more at Gerts.

At Gerts, pitchers of beer and sangria are $15 and $17 respectively. In these terms, the SSMU $100,000 budget cut is equivalent to approximately 6,700 pitchers of beer or 5,900 pitchers of sangria. To put these numbers into context, in a single day, OAP sold 20,000 beers. Although Gerts has operating costs, considering that there 23,140 full-time undergraduate students were enrolled in Fall 2015, surely, these are rookie numbers for McGill.

Gerts can channel McGill students’ drinking habits and make them an instrument for good. All that has to be done is to give Gerts a chance. Its first event of the year—B-Week—was already a success, so McGill students should have no issue turning out to more events at Gerts. After all, there’s only one place in Montreal where students can fund their student society while demonstrating the famed McGill drinking prowess.

Football, Sports

Deflategate: Gone but not forgotten.

by Andrew Libraty on

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After almost two years of federal court cases, independent investigations, and general media sensationalism, the Deflategate controversy is finally over. Tom Brady, the New England Patriots’ star quarterback, has completed his four-game suspension and will return to the field to take out months of pent up anger on the helpless Cleveland Browns. 

The Deflategate saga began almost two years ago after the 2015 AFC Championship game between the New England Patriots and the Indianapolis Colts. The game was a rout—the Patriots won 45-7—and would have been forgettable were it not for the absurdity that followed. Unknown to fans at the time, Colts linebacker D’Qwell Jackson noticed an issue with an intercepted Patriots football, prompting NFL officials to test the air pressure of all 12 Patriots footballs at halftime to ensure that they were inflated as specified by the NFL rulebook. The officials tested the footballs, reinflated them, and returned them to the game. Nonetheless, the NFL publicly stated that they would be investigating the reports of underinflated footballs. A media frenzy ensued.

Immediately, the press sensationalized the initial reports of the controversy, creating a narrative that pitted the New England Patriots against the world. Sports “journalists” offered their opinion on the facts, the analysis of the facts, and the analysis of the analysis of the facts. Even Ben Affleck and Matt Damon weighed in on the controversy. The situation unraveled so fast that the NFL commissioned New York attorney Ted Wells to investigate and compile a report of what really happened.

The Wells report charged a Patriots assistant equipment manager–who called himself “the deflator” in a series of text messages, reportedly in reference to his “weight loss”– with deflating the game balls. Wells also concluded that it was “more probable than not” that Brady was fully aware of the conspiracy. This led to the punishment for the quarterback and his team. Since NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell believes deflating footballs is comparable to using steroids, he suspended Brady for four games without pay at the start of the 2015 season and fined the Patriots organization. However, this was only the beginning of the mayhem.

Brady appealed the suspension in the 2015 summer and the battle between the NFL Players Association (NFLPA) and the NFL intensified. The NFLPA filed an internal appeal within the NFL’s judicial system. Unsurprisingly, Goodell upheld Brady’s punishment, so the NFLPA did what any good American labour union would do and sued. Hoping to reach a settlement, the judge eventually threw out Brady’s suspension; however, the NFL appealed that decision and won. In yet another strange turn of events, the court cited landmark American labour union legislation as the basis for their case. Brady appealed one last time, and failed. He still had the opportunity to appeal to The Supreme Court of the United States, but ultimately decided against it. He ultimately served his four-game suspension a season late, in 2016.

The entire Deflategate scandal was truly ridiculous. That federal court cases, surveillance footage, and Bill Nye became part of a story about deflated balls is the definition of absurdity. However, even Goodell couldn’t stop Belichick and a pair of irrelevant quarterbacks from stringing together a 3-1 while Brady served his suspension. Nothing can stop the New England Patriots’ domination: Not road games, not injuries, not even ‘Deflategate.’

Football, Men's Varsity, Private, Sports

McGill Redmen suffers one-sided loss at Laval

by Patrick Beacham on

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Three minutes into the game, the final outcome was already clear. On their first three possessions, the Laval Rouge et Or (4-1) scored a touchdown and picked off the McGill Redmen (2-3) twice, leading to three scores in two and a half minutes.

The overwhelming crowd fueled the Rouge et Or en route to a 61-9 dismantling of the Redmen in Quebec City on Oct 2. Laval started fast, leading McGill 28-6 after the first quarter on their way to a 52-point victory.

“When you start the way we started, it was an uphill battle,” Head Coach Ronald Hilaire said. “I think we had the jitters a little bit there, and we fought well during the first half, and I think we fought [just] as well in the second half, and, obviously, they have a good team on the other side, so that’s the outcome that came about.”

The blaring music and the cacophonous cheers from the red-and-gold-adorned crowd made the Redmen anxious.

“Some guys were probably a little nervous [with] all the fans,” Redmen linebacker and sophomore Arts student Dane Wagner said. “Not a lot people [on our team] have played in that environment before, but after the first few plays, I think it helps more than [it] hurts.”

After those first few minutes, the Redmen fought to regain the lost momentum, scoring two field goals in the first quarter and one more late in the second. However, a strong Laval defence prevented McGill from achieving anything resembling a real comeback.

“We were able to move the ball well on the Laval defence,” Redmen quarterback Joel Houle said. “[But] we can’t always [score] field goals. Yes, sometimes it happens, but we need to put the ball in the endzone. That’s the thing we need to do and that’s the thing we need to practice in the bye week.”

The next game for McGill will come after a bye next week at Bishop’s on Friday, Oct. 14. Until then, the Redmen have two weeks to sharpen their skills before going up against Gaiters for the second time in the season.

“I think our big thing [for this week] is to just go back to fundamentals for the first week, making sure the guys know the proper techniques,” Redmen offensive coach Alain Mainguy said. “The week after, we’ll focus on really getting ready for Bishop’s because we’re still in control of our destiny as far as whether we can make the playoffs or not.”

 

Quotable: “We beat ourselves during these games, and if we execute better, then for sure we’re going to be an unstoppable team.” – Redmen quarterback Joel Houle on the team’s progress this season.

Stat Corner: The loss was the Redmen football’s largest margin of defeat since a 70-3 routing at the hands of Laval in 2014.

Moment of the Game: Laval’s Anthony Dufour returned the opening kickoff 96-yards down the sideline for the opening score just 13 seconds into the game.

Laughing Matters, Opinion

Rate My Bot: Robots the solution to exasperated, over-worked professors

by George Polanyi-Williamson on

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At a time when educators are finding ways to integrate technology into almost every aspect of learning, McGill would be wise to follow the example set by one high school school in central Maine and implement robotic instructors.

After failing to attract a single applicant for a vacant French and Spanish teaching position, Madison Area Memorial High School found itself turning to Rosetta Stone, an automated language-learning software, to teach language classes. Rather than demanding the return to a human instructor, students in Madison—a town less than a two-hour drive from Quebec—told the Kennebec Journal that they had taken kindly to their new automated instructor, citing primarily the lack of homework.

Robotic professors would have endless patience, and would not be bothered by students constantly asking questions in large lectures. In fact, they would explain concepts over and over without becoming exasperated.

When students are distracted in class by their computers and smartphones, robot professors would be great at recapturing attention, since they are computers, too.

Sticking to a syllabus and remaining on schedule would be extremely easy for artificial intelligence. At McGill, many professors have a plethora of interesting anecdotes to keep students engaged; however, telling these stories often puts them several classes behind. Automated professors would never go off on tangents, owing to the fact that they do not have any original thoughts or life experiences to share.

Turning to an angle of practicality, robot professors would save space. For departments at McGill that are in search of room for expansion, eliminating the need for office space would be very helpful. While human professors require their own room, not to mention a desk and chair, robot professors could be stored in a closet, and provided with nothing more than a charging port.

On an economic note, the concept of automated instructors also emerges as a solution to McGill’s budget problems. While current professors are paid a regular salary, in addition to benefits and a pension, robot professors are essentially a one-time purchase. Potential costs associated with robot professors could include buying warranties and paying for updates. However, these minor costs would likely not come close to the amount of money required for McGill’s human professors—especially if the automated instructors come with a ‘free trial.’

Despite the advantages of robot professors for the administration and the student body, McGill’s current professors may not initially have as positive an outlook toward this new concept. But for the professors that are most excited by the research component of their position, introducing robot professors to the classroom would give them much more time to conduct studies in the field.  

Evidently, robotic professors have the potential to do for McGill students what they did for keen learners in Maine. Robot instructors provide an agreeable interactive learning experience while skirting today’s teaching challenges, all while helping the administration with space and budgeting. Give them several years, and they could be commanding some of the top scores on Rate My Professors.

 

George Polanyi-Williamson is a second year student in Political Science. He is passionate about current events, guitars, and coffee―not necessarily in that order.

 

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