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Looking through the student lens at the Fokus Film Festival

by Keara Campos on

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The Fokus Film Festival, an annual event organized by TVM: Student Television at McGill, took place at Cinema du Parc last week, where student filmmakers had the opportunity to submit their work to be screened in a public forum. Three directors with screened works shared insight on how to get started in the filmmaking process as well as the challenges faced by student filmmakers.

“McGill, in my opinion, as an academic institution, isn’t very accommodating to a lot of creative souls, especially ones who want to practice and create in film and television,” said Lou Gatti, U3 Arts, who had his films Waterway to Stardom: Who is Flood Girl? and Getaways screened at Fokus. “That’s where TVM has aided myself and […] a lot of other filmmakers in the community with an understanding of process.”

McGill’s Faculty of Arts offers only a minor in World Cinema, which Gatti, as well as fellow director Ben Koring, U3 Arts, agreed can be disappointing for aspiring filmmakers wishing to learn more about the field.

“Other than TVM, which is great because they have a lot of content coming out, McGill isn’t great for film,” Koring said. “It’s got everything. But no film school, not great film classes, I’ve only been able to take one or two so that is a bit frustrating.”

At the same time, Sashka Avanyan, U1 Arts, who had three films screened at Fokus: Babushka, Moscow I Miss You, and How To Fall In Love, noted that McGill's high academic calibre can be a source of inspiration for student filmmakers.

“Being in an environment where there are so many successful people and just knowing that you’re on campus where there’s so much knowledge and academics at a very high level […] that’s inspiring in itself because it makes you want to strive to that level,” Avanyan said.

Another hurdle for many student filmmakers is the time constraints felt by those who balance academics with their craft, instead of choosing to combine both into a single degree. Time becomes a highly coveted resource for most creatives minds who recognize that there is a constant pull and push to stay active in academic life at McGill while still pursuing personal creative passions.

 

 

“I have a philosophy that’s […] use your limitations whether it’s 72 hours, or a concept, or your equipment, to your own advantage. Don’t see it as an inhibitor, see it more as a framework to work within.

One way several directors mitigated the time constraints faced by student filmmakers, as well as gained practical experience in the field, was through a filmmaking competition sponsored by TVM. Directors were instructed to write, shoot, and edit an entire film within 72 hours. One of Avanyan’s films Babushka as well as one of Koring’s films Karma Police—both which were screened at Fokus—were products of this competition.

For Koring, these time and resource constraints, whether they are due to simply being a student, or the regulations imposed by events like 72-hour competitions, can be put to use in a productive manner. For example, while Koring’s submission was shot entirely on iPhones using an app he bought for $15, this app ultimately complimented the goofy style of the mockumentary film he was creating. Additionally, the angel costumes used in the film were made by a friend’s girlfriend while another musical buddy helped create the ‘Larry David-esque’ theme music and the other sound effects.

“I have a philosophy that’s […] use your limitations whether it’s 72 hours, or a concept, or your equipment, to your own advantage,” Koring said. “Don’t see it as an inhibitor, see it more as a framework to work within. I only know this many people, I know these locations we can use, I only have this equipment […] You have to make your concept based on those constraints.”

Besides the challenges, rewards, and community that are fostered by creative endeavours, there are still certain aspects of the creative process that Avanyan does not want to go unnoticed. Women in industry, and specifically women in the film industry, are topics she has been exploring since her first submission to Fokus last year with a documentary piece on femininity. The 10 minute film paralleled interviews featuring Armenian women and Canadian women; however, now she hopes to release a newer twist on the film which features the more refined technical skills she has gained over the past year.

“Everyone I look up to in the film industry is male, and there are definitely female editors and directors that are stellar and fascinating, but they don’t have as much visibility,” Avanyan said. “It’s really, really visible that there aren’t enough women in the industry in the roles of direction and editing […] I think it’s important to be conscious of that, no matter what your gender is.”

The parting advice that the student filmmakers have for students looking to get into filmmaking at McGill is to get involved in the creative process, whether that be through writing or editing, and by joining groups such as TVM or participating in events like Fokus. In the bigger picture, becoming involved in the McGill filmmaking community has led some of these directors to think differently about their future in film.

“When I came to McGill […] I did not have a clear idea in my mind that I wanted to pursue film,” Avanyan said. “Last year was my first year and I had four films shown at Fokus [….] I remember that was a very clear jumping board for me because I met a bunch of filmmakers here at McGill. They were talking to me about how they had stayed involved with film during their time at McGill and then […] I very concretely decided that this is what I want to pursue.”

 

 

Student Life, Student of the Week

Student of the Week: Chris Gismondi

by Audrey Carleton on

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While many McGill students struggle to work fitness into their daily schedules in addition to balancing academics and extracurriculars, Chris Gismondi, U4 Joint Honours Art History and History with a minor in Indigenous Studies, has no problem with this. After taking a Students’ Society of McGill University (SSMU) minicourse in pole dancing, Gismondi fell quickly in love with the sport and is currently planning his second trip to the Canadian National Pole Fitness Championship this summer.

“It’s very close to me as [a] student experience because I started in first year,” Gismondi said.  “I’ve always been an active person [and] used exercise as a way to deal with stress. I loved pole dancing so much [….] You forget you’re even doing it because it’s so much fun.”

As he has progressed in the competitive pole dancing community, however, Gismondi has become more aware of the bias that some hold toward its origins in stripping.

“Pole dancing comes from the sex industry,” Gismondi explained. “Some people like pretending that it doesn’t come from the sex industry, and put down sex workers, when sex workers already get a lot of [flak] from society, and I don’t think we as pole dancers should really be doing that, as we take their sport.”

Gismondi’s acute awareness of social injustices moves beyond his experience in the pole dancing community. He has also developed a passion for indigenous rights after become aware in university of the realities of racism and colonialism.

“I came to school and started learning about indigenous issues,” Gismondi recalled. “In public school, elementary school, and high school, you don’t really get that education. I started to learn more and got really passionate, and I just want to keep learning more as much as I can.”

Part of his effort to do so entails serving as a coordinator for the McGill Student Indigenous Studies Journal, which was founded to showcase undergraduate research on indigenous issues and give voice to indigenous students on campus. The journal recently changed its name in response to critique from indigenous groups on campus. 

“The [journal] was founded in 2009, and at the time there wasn’t a minor, there wasn’t a lot of dialogue on indigenous issues,” Gismondi explained. “The journal was a way to raise people’s awareness and publish student work [on] these topics. But our context has changed a lot, so we wanted to listen to and respond to some critiques indigenous students here had of the journal, and try to make it a responsible form of allyship. [We also wanted to] make it a space where indigenous students feel like they can contribute or be on the editorial team or have their stuff published.”

In addition to being an ally for indigenous voices at McGill, Gismondi advocates for environmental justice on campus in his position as the sustainable events coordinator for SSMU. 

“It’s remarkable how many student groups don’t know that there’s a green fund available for them to apply to for their events,” Gismondi said. “I try to raise awareness for that. I meet with clubs and I help them brainstorm how to limit the impact of any big events they plan on holding, whether it be catering or transport or things like that.”

Gismondi devotes a lot of his time and energy to making McGill more eco-friendly, but he recognizes that the average student is not able to commit to the environmental cause to the same extent. Nonetheless, there are many small ways in which students can lower their carbon footprints by establishing greener daily habits. 

“I think there’s something about student culture that can be a little bit apathetic and very convenience-based,” Gismondi said. “[Being eco-friendly requires] planning ahead and making your own meals and bringing tupperware when you go out so you don’t have to get a take out container. I think those are very feasible, we just often don’t think about them. And it’s hard, we’re pressed for time, we’re really busy, so it is difficult, but it’s not impossible.”

Looking back on his time at McGill, Gismondi feels that his involvement in social justice causes has helped define his student experience. 

“I really enjoyed getting involved,” Gismondi said. “Being passionate about social justice and environmental issues, […] for me that [has] been very rewarding.”

Recipes, Student Life

Acing the end-of-year potluck party

by Hailey MacKinnon on

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As Montreal slowly defrosts and patios enter their thawing phase, McGill students will begin the gradual return to life outdoors. For many, a staple of both the end of the year and the warmer weather are potluck parties. Don’t get stuck being the person who brings the last-minute bag of chips, or the store-bought box of cookies. Here are three easy-to-make dishes that can be easily shared among friends, and taste delicious enough to treat yourself to after the end of a tough semester.

 

Appetizer: Cucumber bites

Makes 36 bites

Ingredients:

4 ounce of cream cheese, softened

¼ cup of ranch dressing

2 tbs of dill

4 cucumbers

16 cherry tomatoes 

Sprinkle of paprika

Instructions:

1. In a blender, mix cream cheese, ranch dressing, and dill.

2. Peel cucumbers, then slice into 1-inch pieces. Using a melon baller, scoop out a small hole from each cucumber bite.

3. Fill hole with cream cheese mixture, top with half a cherry tomato, and garnish with paprika to taste. Serve chilled. 

 

Meal: Chicken fried rice with a spicy twist

Serves 8

Ingredients:

600g of basmati 

2 chicken stock cubes

8 skinless chicken breasts, thinly sliced

4 red peppers, sliced

600g of kidney beans

Handful of coriander, chopped

300g of frozen peas

1 onion, sliced

3 tsp of ground cumin

2 tbsp of sunflower oil

Instructions

1. Put rice and chicken stock in a sauce pan, cover with water, and bring to a boil. Allow rice to simmer for approximately 20 minutes, then drain.

2. Put chicken with coriander and spices. Stir fry peppers in the sunflower oil for three minutes, until softened. Add chicken to pan and cook until tender (approximately five minutes). Add rice, beans, peas, and onions, and cook to taste. 

(Adapted from bbcgoodfood.com)

 

Dessert: Peanut butter rum balls 

Makes 48 balls

Ingredients

2 1/2 cups of icing sugar

2 cups of chocolate cookie crumbs

1 cup of butter, softened

1 cup of flaked coconut

3/4 cup finely chopped peanuts

1/2 cup of smooth peanut butter

1/2 cup of granulated sugar

1/8 cup of cocoa 

2 tbsp of rum

Granulated sugar

Instructions

1. Combine icing sugar, cookie crumbs, cocoa, butter, coconut, peanuts, peanut butter, sugar, and rum in a large bowl and blend into dough-like consistency.

2. Shape balls into 1/2-inch to 3/4-inch balls and roll in granulated sugar. Place in fridge in airtight container, and then keep until hardened.  

(Adapted from foodnetwork.ca)

Science & Technology

MonWHO inspires students to discuss public health

by Clare Lyle on

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Three days, hundreds of delegates and one goal: To inspire people to talk and think critically about public health. The Montreal World Health Organization Simulation (MonWHO) kicked off on Friday March 18, bringing together students from universities all around Quebec to gain insight into public health. This year’s theme was non-communicable diseases, a topic especially relevant given aging populations in developed countries.

“This […] theme will challenge delegates to reexamine how we tackle disease prevention and how we manage our responses to disease,” Alexandria Petit-Thorne, executive director of MonWHO, wrote in an open letter to prospective delegates.

One of the most exciting parts of MonWHO is its Global Health Fair. The Fair brings in organizations from the Montreal community to network with students, providing delegates the opportunity to learn about internships and volunteer opportunities available to them which contribute to global health efforts. Organizations, whic have participated in the past, have included MEDLIFE McGill and Aids Community Care Montreal.

“The Global Health Fair was introduced to the MonWHO conference in 2008 with the aim to showcase the global health initiatives, such as clubs and organizations, around the McGill and Montreal community,” event organizer Ga Eun Lee explained. “It is an educational space for both organization representatives and conference participants to share perspectives on global health issues and solutions, and to provide opportunities for delegates to get involved.” 

The Fair’s goal is to take students out of the fantasy world of simulation and into the real world by providing them with information on how they can have an impact on public health.

“As part of the MonWHO mission statement, the secretariat aims to ‘raise student awareness about global health issues’ and to ‘provide a means for students to play a proactive role in global health policy,’” Lee said. “The Global Health Fair was created in 2008 to fulfill these statements by educating delegates about the various global health initiatives that contribute to advancing health around the world.”

MonWHO also draws students from more diverse backgrounds than traditional Model UN (MUN) conferences.

“[The delegates at MonWHO are] people who are really passionate about the [issue,]” said Juliana Fanous,  chargé d’affaires at MonWHO. “It’s not the type of thing that has the [flashiness] that Model UN has.”

This is largely tied to the students who are participating in the event.

“[Our delegate backgrounds are] very interdisciplinary,” Fanous said. “We [get] a lot of students from different backgrounds, from sociology to microbiology, so we [get] a lot of diverse opinions that are brought into debates.”

Many participants at the event mentioned the shared passion and interest in global health as one of the highlights of the event.

“It was an interesting crossover between tiptoeing into policy but at the same time being with other people who are interested in global health,” McGill student Emilia Chatelier said.

Another aspect participants cited as being particularly engaging was the role-playing component of the conference.

“What I liked was that we were put in the country’s perspective[s],” McGill alumnus Alexandre Chadi said. “We were asked to prepare beforehand. It was really interesting to put yourself in that mindframe, and to start voicing and arguing for that country, being really an advocate. So all of these political aspects came into play.”

But the political issues remained secondary to the main goal of addressing public health problems.

“There’s a lot of attention that goes into conferences like Model UN, which focuses on issues of more of a political nature, and there wasn’t a lot focused on issues pertaining to global health, and it’s an issue that a lot of students care about,” event organizer Angela Yang said. “The goal of MonWHO is to stimulate discussion and debate on [global health] and encourage students to […] gain experience in drafting solutions and policy work.”

Joke

SSMU turns to flip cup to decide result of “divisive” and “external” motions

by Dave Brewsky on

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In the aftermath of the failed attempt to pass a constitutional amendment creating a Steering Committee to prevent “divisive” and “external” motions from being voted on at the General Assembly (GA), The Students’ Society of McGill University (SSMU) Council has announced a new procedure for dealing with controversial motions. Instead of being voted on, controversial motions will now be decided by a large game of flip cup between supporters and opponents.

 SSMU’s ruling will require that, effective as of next semester’s GA, any motion that is deemed divisive and external will be approved or rejected based solely on the results of a relay-style, beer-chugging drinking game to be played on the assembly floor.

While the decision has come as a shock to many members of the McGill community, SSMU representatives have firmly defended their decision, claiming it is a necessary step to reverse student disenchantment with SSMU, the GA, and the democratic process on campus. 

SSMU President Cole DeBeir adamantly defended the rule change, explaining the reasoning behind SSMU’s decision.

“Debates over controversial motions at McGill have developed into such appalling cycle of yelling, name-calling, and fake outrage that a drinking game in the middle of the [GA] would provide a welcome moment of relative sanity for all in attendance,” DeBeir said.

 The SSMU President also claimed flip cup would significantly reduce the amount of divisive rhetoric at the GA.

“It is impossible for anyone to have their arguments about any controversial subject taken seriously while a dribble of foamy beer trickles down their chin.”

SSMU VP Internal Y. N. Couler pointed out that, in addition to combining two of McGill’s most sacred traditions—needlessly heated political arguments and binge drinking—the flip cup games would have another important benefit.

“Instead of leaving the GA with a feeling of bitter disappointment from having witnessed the ongoing implosion of our student democracy, students will now get to leave with the slightly better feeling of a warm, Pabst Blue Ribbon-induced burp,” Couler said.

Some students have taken to Facebook to voice their opposition to SSMU’s decision, labelling it as “undemocratic” and “ridiculous.” A few brave critics even chose to write their dissents entirely in capital letters, in order to properly express their outrage. 

“SSMU’s decision to pass amendments via games of flip cup is an insult to the student body,” wrote student Rouman Coch on SSMU’s Facebook page. “Clearly beer pong would have been a much better choice.”

Regardless of the reaction of critics, SSMU representatives remain confident that the “Motion to Flip Cups” will help restore the confidence of students in SSMU and the democratic process. Beginning with the next GA in Fall 2016, they hope to see a real change in how controversial motions are treated on campus. However, some within SSMU see the motion less as a solution and more as a distraction.

“Honestly, some of us are hoping that after a few games of flip cup everyone will just forget about the motions and head over to Gerts,” an anonymous source within SSMU’s financial department confessed.

The administration has yet to make an official comment on SSMU’s decision, although according to anonymous sources close to McGill Principal Joanne Fournier, she reacted to the news with a subtle fist pump and muttered the words “McGill once, McGill twice.”

*This article is a work of satire and a part of our joke issue*

Joke

Principal, missing since March 23, found safe

by Sam Samuelson, Son of Samuel on

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Principal and Vice-Chancellor of McGill University Josie-Anne Fortimer, who has been missing since March 23, has been found safe, though at this time her exact location is unknown. Fortimer disappeared seemingly without a trace after announcing to the university via email that the Board of Governors (BoG) will not be divesting from its investments in fossil fuel companies, leading to strong push-back from Divest McGill. Fortimer’s disappearance had been kept relatively quiet, an intentional move by the BoG, one anonymous source told the Tribune.

“They know she’s gone, she hit send on the email and sprinted out of the office,” the source stated. “She had a suitcase with her. She said she had to get out before those ‘crazed hippies’ got hold of her. I can understand why the BoG wouldn’t want the alumni to know, we’re in a budget crisis, you know, the donations need to keep coming.”

According to McGill Security, it received an anonymous tip confirming that Fortimer was safe and that she would be returning to campus once “these tree-hugging freaks get the f_ck off my lawn.”  It is unclear who is acting as principal in her absence.

This is a developing story, check back later for more updates

UPDATE: Fortimer has been located. She is residing in a tent set up by Divest McGill on the lawn outside of the James Administration Building.

Fortimer was spotted peeking out of a Divest McGill tent to seethe openly at a group of students who were singing in solidarity nearby. When a student pointed her out, Fortimer reportedly hissed and bared her teeth before retreating back inside.

Fortimer agreed to speak with the Tribune on the condition that we would not reveal which tent she was living in.

“I knew this was the last place any of those meddling kids would check,” Fortimer said. “I’ll stay here until it all dies down. Finals are coming up soon, no way they can stay out here if they want to graduate on time.”

*This story is part of our joke issue and has no basis in reality.

Editorial, Opinion

2016 Ancillary Fee Endorsements

by McGill Tribune Editorial Board on

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Ancillary fees are non-opt-outable fees that are imposed by McGill university in addition to tuition costs. 

Motion regarding the increase to the WUSC Student Refugee Program Fee: “Yes” 

The World University Services Canada (WUSC) is a non-profit group that operates on various campuses across the country. WUSC leads the Student Refugee Program (SRP) which provides refugees with the opportunity to study in their country of refuge. Currently, the fee levy of $0.50 is insufficient to cover the costs of two refugee students, and so WUSC has been using its endowment to support a third. Without a fee increase, WUSC will have to reduce the number of students covered by the SRP. The increase to $2.00 not only accounts for inflation since the fee’s creation in 1986, it also empowers the SRP to be a sustainable program. Given the global refugee crisis, McGill students should demonstrate their commitment to supporting refugees in acquiring education by voting “Yes” to this ancillary fee question. 

Motion Regarding the Renewal of the Access McGill Ancillary Fee: “Yes”

McGill suffers from a variety of accessibility problems, such as a lack of flexibility in receiving academic accommodations and an overburdened Office for Students with Disabilities (OSD). Without the renewal of this fee, these issues would only be exacerbated. The Access McGill fee supports the OSD, which provides invaluable direct services for students, such as the peer note-taking program, and is used to improve physical spaces and purchase equipment for the university. While it is necessary for students to support this question to maintain the current level of service provision, there must be a stronger movement to support accessibility on campus. Students must be aware that this fee does not mean that accessibility problems are ‘resolved’ on campus. It must be viewed as the bare minimum, and more concrete steps must be taken in the future to improve upon it. 

Motion Regarding the Renewal of the McGill Writing Centre Ancillary Fee: “Yes”

The McGill Writing Centre provides free assistance to students. Tutors not only edit essays, they also provide one-on-one guidance and suggestions—something that is particularly rare and treasured in the McGill setting. Moreover, the centre employs students. It also provides assistance for essays written in French, and provides support for those who speak English as a second language. 

 

Opinion

On why the cult of productivity is not productive

by Albert Park on

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As a child, being productive simply meant you were hard-working and diligent. Today, however, productivity seems to signify a golden standard of existence everyone should aim for: It is a concept which is heralded by society. There is an endless source of self-help books and blog posts dedicated to teaching readers how to achieve the divine state of being productive. As for me, however, it is difficult to deny that during my time as a McGill student, the idea of productivity has devolved into nothing more than a measurement of how many pages of lecture notes I can get through in a typical night at the library.

Attempting to broaden my outlook on the subject, I took an online survey which was supposed to measure my level of productivity. Only four questions in, I got an idea of where the results were headed: I am not very productive. However, putting aside any judgements of my character, it was abundantly clear that the survey was asking common sense questions to draw an arbitrary verdict about my work habits without taking into account my personal style or thought processes. In a way, this outlines the issues introduced by society’s fixation with productivity: The conversation around it simplifies a complex and subjective concept, often causing an excessive focus on the product of the work rather than the people and processes behind it.

The conversation around it simplifies a complex and subjective concept, often causing an excessive focus on the product of the work rather than the people and processes behind it.

As it stands right now, the limitation behind many of the discussions about productivity is that they try to suggest an ‘ideal way’ to study or to complete tasks. For example, the survey mentioned above seems to highlight organizational habits, such as keeping a clean work space and developing an activity log. While there is no doubt that having a tidy desk or an orderly time schedule may help most people be more efficient, there is also evidence that some people may be able to think more creatively and generate ideas better in a messy environment. Therefore, there are multiple work habits which can function effectively in different situations, based on the task at hand and the worker’s aptitude and personality. This idea is not sufficiently addressed by society’s linear approach towards productivity.

Similarly, another concern is that many of the resources geared towards encouraging productivity seem to be primarily about limiting distractions. This is understandable, as the prominence of online communication and easily-accessible entertainment in today’s world is a large influence that causes people to lose their focus. Yet, simply suggesting tips and devising methods to block out distractions is an overtly simple and short-term solution to the problem, especially in an academic context. In order to cultivate a strong sense of focus, students should try to address the reasons why they are so prone to distractions in the first place. Perhaps they are not enjoying the work, or the method of learning is not right for them. Regardless of the reason, simply trying to block out distractions is unlikely to solve the underlying problems in the long run.

Overall, many of these tips and ideas regarding productivity culminate in an unhealthy focus on the product of the work rather than the working process itself. When students get too caught up on trying to learn efficiently by trying to limit distractions and follow tight schedules, education can become sidelined as students race to memorize as much information in a given time, rather than actively absorb knowledge. Some traditional ways of teaching, such as interactive discussions, are less productive in the sense that they don’t allow students to acquire the maximum amount of raw information in the fastest time; however, they encourage internalization of the information, and therefore should not be abandoned in the pursuit of productivity.

With finals season looming, students should loosen their fixation on productivity, or at least the generic kind of productivity that is encouraged by society. Instead, they should look to cultivate study habits that accentuate their personal strengths and allow them to truly immerse themselves in their studies, ultimately building the path to becoming stronger learners in the long run.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Albert Park is a U2 student in Microbiology and Immunology. He is passionate about world issues and has been a volunteer with the Canadian Red Cross for 5 years.

 

@McGillTribOp | [email protected]

Editorial, Opinion

Editorial: McGill’s sincere concern called into question by reaction to student pressure

by McGill Tribune Editorial Board on

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Most of the time, McGill Principal Suzanne Fortier is absent from the day-to-day activities of students. A year ago, students would have been surprised to receive direct emails from her with anything other than updates on the most recent Board of Governors (BoG) meetings. Yet in the span of a month, Fortier has sent two emails to the McGill community. The content of these emails addressed issues that concern McGill students directly—namely, fossil fuel divestment and the Boycott, Divest, and Sanctions (BDS) movement. Although the administration has not, by any means, sided with the students in these emails, it is apparent that the university is having to respond to issues that it would not have raised of its own volition. Student activism is, it seems, paying off—even if it is not in the most ideal way.

One of the emails was in response to the failure of the online ratification of the motion in support of the BDS movement, while the other was in response to the BoG’s decision regarding the university’s divestment from fossil fuels. One of the unintended consequences of sending out these emails was that it reinvigorated the student groups on either side of the debate.

With these two emails, it is apparent that students have a great deal of power to draw attention to an issue. By placing fires beneath the administration, whether in the Students’ Society of McGill University (SSMU) or elsewhere, students can force the university to respond to new issues. While this is not, by any means, a drastic change, it is indicative of the way that students may take advantage of the tensions that arise in the corporatization of the university.

 

 

Although emails are unable to provide insight as to the exact decision-making process of the upper administration, their frequency this semester is suggestive of a shift in how the university seeks to address concerns raised by students.

These emails have also raised the question of the role that Fortier has made for herself on campus. In a period marked by debate regarding the corporatization of the university campus, the role of the principal is harder for students to grasp. The principal is the figurehead of the university, but within an academic setting it is unclear as to whether this role entails working like a chief executive officer as well. The principal is responsible for, and to, the university as a whole. Yet in taking a side on these issues, the university comes down against a certain portion of the student body who are actively fighting for BDS and divestment. In so doing, the university shows itself to be out of touch with what affects students.

The university is well within its rights to decide whether or not to divest; however, in Fortier’s most recent email, and particularly following the email on BDS, the university comes across as attempting to avoid the subject entirely. The irony of this contradiction cannot be understated. In the email, Fortier explains the university’s overall commitment to sustainability. Although this is certainly evident in the steps the university has taken to improve the sustainability of food and dining services, among other things, a response to not divesting by proclaiming commitment to sustainability comes across as contradictory. Fortier should have specified what efforts the university is and will be taking to help the environment, if divestment is not its preferred course of action.

It is apparent that these emails are not only addressed to the student community, but also to alumni and potential donors. In allaying the concerns of potential financial backers, however, the university has placed itself in an untenable position. On one hand, they had to take the time to respond to a report that was written and delivered by Divest McGill. On the other, the university has to respond to something brought forward by students as though students are not part of the picture. This sets the university on a collision course between its various stakeholders, with a clear imbalance towards those with deeper pockets.

Although emails are unable to provide insight as to the exact decision-making process of the upper administration, their frequency this semester is suggestive of a shift of some sort. While this may remain unclear, this semester may yet be looked back upon as a turning point in the mentality of students towards not only the administration, but their own position as activists on campus. For better or for worse, students use forums such as the General Assembly (GA) and the BoG to voice concerns and attempt to enact change. If the McGill administration shifts its communication to be more direct without also becoming more explanatory, the administration comes across as insensitive to the concerns of its students.

 

 

sports franchise
Basketball, Behind the Bench, Sports

Behind the Bench: More than the franchise: The soft power of the sports business

by Genevieve Citron on

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The political agency of sports is often downplayed in popular conversation, if not totally ruled out. While scoring a goal from centre ice doesn’t exactly warrant a parliamentary medal, sport culture is fostering a growing liberalism. Furthermore, a desire from sporting entities to maintain a wide audience has the potential to affect social conditions, and perhaps even public policy. Championing the team aspect of sports culture, athletic organizations have historically found a political voice against discrimination. Most recently, North Carolina’s sports teams have directed their energy against the state’s recent homophobic legislation.

On March 23, the governor of North Carolina signed House Bill 2, The Public Facilities Privacy and Security Act, which dismantled a former ordinance that allowed trans individuals to use bathrooms corresponding to their gender identity. House Bill 2 also bans the existence of non-discrimination laws against LGBTQ individuals, blatantly violating the safety and health rights of LGBTQ people.

North Carolina’s sports franchises have started to speak out against the homophobic policy. On Friday March 25, the Carolina Hurricanes responded to the controversial bill, stating: “The Carolina Hurricanes and PNC Arena are devoted to providing a welcoming and respectful environment for all fans. We stand against all forms of discrimination.”

Besides having been publicly shamed for what many consider to be legalizing hate, the state legislatures’ actions may have brought on some injurious consequences for North Carolina. While the city of Charlotte had been previously selected as the 2017 host of the NBA All-Star Game, the NBA has expressed their “deep concern” over the consequences of the legislation. While not outright threatening to remove the All-Star competition from Charlotte, the organization stated that the bill “runs counter to our guiding principles of equality and mutual respect.” The NBA used a similar tactic last year when LGBTQ rights were threatened in Indiana.

This recent defense of minority rights is not unprecedented. In 1964, the International Olympic Committee (IOC) famously banned South Africa from the Tokyo Olympics because of the country’s failure to offer basic standards of human rights, demonstrated by the nation’s apartheid regime. The South African Amateur Athletic Union, unwilling to condemn apartheid, opted out of the event. The incident not only forced sports fans to confront the injustice of apartheid, but it also forced politics into a historically apolitical sphere.

While dysfunctional race relations continue to be a major issue in the US and Canada—athletes such as LeBron James and Derrick Rose have supported the Black Lives Matter movement—athletic commissions have started grappling with the rights of the LGBTQ community. This was manifested at the Sochi Olympics, where nations protested Russian laws against homosexuality by refusing not to allow their LGBTQ athletes from competing, and encouraging communities to stand in solidarity against the policy.

The NBA’s recent statements resurrect the question of whether a sports association can act as a para-national institution. A team’s sentimental and historic status in a city positions them as a media lightning rod whose statements are always well-documented. Moreover, their general alienation from politics laces these rare assertions with a provocative charge; their political hat is only put on in the face of what they recognize as a grave social injustice.

While it is not yet clear whether the NBA will relocate the All-Star game, a decision to do so would be particularly embarrassing for the city of Charlotte and the state of North Carolina. Through their statement, as well as their previous attention to human rights violations, it is undeniable that the NBA is wielding a soft political power. While sports associations will never explicitly coerce governments into making nice with minorities—after all, sports leagues are businesses—the activities these associations represent are still the epicentre of popular culture. Thus, regardless of its distance from political processes, the sports world has a loud voice and the masses are listening to it.

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