Latest News

a, Research Briefs, Science & Technology

Summer research briefs: Brain power

by Chloe Nevitt on

More in a:

Molding memories

Some people find it hard to remember what they had for lunch yesterday, while others can remember every detail of the house they grew up in. Understanding how memories are retained and recalled has always intrigued researchers, especially when seeking therapeutics for neurodegenerative diseases like Alzheimer’s. Researchers speculate that the lifespan of the connections that exist between neurons, called synapses, helps determine how long a memory lasts. These connections will strengthen or weaken—known as synaptic plasticity—in response to increases or decreases in neuronal activity. When the synapse’s strength decreases, the memory disappears.

To test this, researchers from Stanford University examined changes in the hippocampus—the area in the brain responsible for consolidating memories—in mice over long periods of time. Published on June 22 in Nature, results showed that the synapses of the mice they were studying lasted around 30 days—approximately the same amount of time that memories in the hippocampus are retained. By using an imaging technique known as advanced fiber optic fluorescence microendoscopy. Associate Professor in the biological sciences and applied physics departments, Mark Schnitzer was able to monitor the formation and destruction of synapses. These images were then compared with behavioral changes in the mice—such as losing the ability to navigate a maze—to confirm that the synapse damage resulted in the loss of memory.

Delusional or Sleep-deprived?

Evolutionarily speaking, the ability to defend oneself from predators was an important skill. In order to do this, the brain needed to be able to distinguish between friend and foe. This means being able to detect and interpret emotional facial cues. By using functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging (fMRI), scientists from University of California Berkeley have shown that this ability is dulled by lack of sleep. Considering that 30 per cent of Canadian adults are sleep deprived, according to the World Association of Sleep Medicine’s 2011 report, it’s worth wondering if the resulting deficit could affect our everyday interactions.

“Recognizing the emotional expressions of someone else changes everything about whether or not you decide to interact with them, and in return, whether they interact with you,” said professor of psychology and neuroscience at UC Berkeley and senior author of the study, Matthew Walker, to MedicalXpress.

The study involved showing the participants photos of people with both friendly and threatening expressions, and then asking the participants to interpret the emotion. This was done twice, once under normal conditions, and then again after being awake for 24 hours.

“They failed our emotional Rorschach test,” Walker explained. “Insufficient sleep removes the rose tint to our emotional world, causing an overestimation of threat.”

During the study, the scientists also measured the heart rates of the participants and showed that there was no change in heart rate to signals typically perceived as being distressful. Consequently, most faces appear to be threatening, even when they’re not.

DNA degeneration

In order to access the genetic information stored in DNA, it must be unwound from its normal double-helix resting state. This process is continuously occurring in the brain—DNA is unwound and wound back up again every time we have a new memory, according to a team of researchers at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT). 

“Cells physiologically break their DNA to allow certain important genes to be expressed,” neuroscience professor Li-Huei Tsai explained in an MIT news release. “In the case of neurons, they need to break their DNA [… to] pave the way for the transcriptional program that supports learning and memory. ”  

To create new memories, new DNA must be made. This process, as people age, will become faulty and can lead to mutations. By pinpointing the specific areas of error, the amount of problems can be minimized.

This finding—recently published by Tsai’s team in Cell—can lead to a deeper understanding of how neuronal damage accumulates in the brain, and more importantly, how to cure it. Particularly, as people age, the body’s ability to properly control its memory system degenerates and leaves its cells vulnerable to errors in its genetic code; these mutations can be extremely deleterious and could be implicated in Alzheimer’s.

“During aging, and particularly with some genetic conditions, the efficiency of the DNA repair system is compromised, leading to the accumulation of damage,” Tsai stated. 

Past studies have already shown that mice with Alzheimer’s have higher levels of DNA damage known as double strand breaks, where there are gaps in the sequence caused by improper replication. The team studied the enzymes responsible for this damage, as well as why certain memory genes relied on a faulty mechanism to function. Their results showed that this system allows the cells to respond as fast as possible to external stimuli, a response most likely developed to quickly adapt to one’s surroundings.

Open Air Pub McGill
a, Arts & Entertainment, Music

More than just cheap beer: A backstage look at four of OAP’s finest performers

by Morgan Alexander, Christopher Lutes, Jack Neal on

More in a:

Zoo Legacy

 

Zoo Legacy is undeniable an anomaly. Part hip-hop, a little bit of indie, a sprinkle of rock, all mixed together to form a sound that can only be described as collaborative, but certainly not disjointed.

“When we began, it was really a rock group with a rapper,” lead singer Nick Pouponneau wrote in an e-mail to the Tribune. “Over time we’ve worked so hard together to make what is our sound. It’s not a mix between two genres, it’s our sound.”

The group, formed in 2011, hails from Ottawa. One member, keyboardist Samuel Goss, is a McGill alumnus who “still rocks the Redmen hoodie.” Having been together for five years, the group maintains an eclectic mix of musical influences—ranging from the Red Hot Chili Peppers to Notorious B.I.G.­—that allows for diversity and adaptability in their sound.

“Lyrically, I think we fall somewhere in between the party, easy-going, get turnt style and handling more heavy themes,” wrote Pouponneau. “Putting together the two styles hasn’t been too difficult because we build from the ground up. We’re not an indie band with a rapper or a rapper with a backing band; we’re true to our process and our sound.”

That process reflects the palpable joy that Zoo Legacy has for their music. Reflecting on the songwriting process, Pouponneau creates a beat to match the instrumentation before formalizing the lyrics, tuning, and then, “voila, you have a banger!”

Their on-stage presence is equally as positive and electric. OAP veterans, Zoo Legacy closed the first week with all the fanfare you would expect of a band that has opened for Lauryn Hill at Ottawa’s Bluesfest. When preparing for the performance, Pouponneau spoke of the opportunity with graciousness and excitement.

“It’s always such a great vibe, there’s always so much love,” Pouponneau mused. “I feel like this show is going to be that same feeling but on a bigger scale, more people to jam with, more energy which we definitely feed off of. It’s going to be an experience!”

Their performance was exactly that; high energy, fun vibes, and heavy on pumping up the crowd. This type of performance is typical of Zoo Legacy, who likes to stay close to the album sound while still focusing on building a connection with the audience.

“The one thing we always try to emphasize is giving the crowd as much energy and feeling as possible; whether it be a sexy, slow jam or a party record, we want people to walk away with a connection,” Pouponneau wrote. “We make sure everyone is having a good time because we don’t ever take for granted how blessed we are to be able to rock a crowd.”

Zoo Legacy released their third EP, Departures in June. You can check it out on spotify.

Cult Classic

 

Springing from the experimental art pop and shoegaze scenes of the ’80s and ’90s, dream pop has become a major influence for young artists on campuses across the country. One of these disciples is Cult Classic. The McGill band—who started from humble beginnings in the basement of Gardner Hall­—took to the stage at OAP last week.

“All of our members only got back four days before [OAP],” Chris Steward, singer and lead guitarist, said. “So it was like, five hours of practice a day for four days.”

Singer Rosie Long Decter said, “I came back to Montreal, and it was like ‘Okay, Rosie, we’re going to play three new songs at OAP; we need to write the lyrics and melodies for all of them.’”

This is the life of a band that also has to live with the stress of being students. Coordinating practice time can be next to impossible; musical passion comes into direct conflict with academic obligations, and members are separated from each other for most of the summer. Balance can be hard to achieve.

“Rosie does it well,” Steward said. “I think I’m far more reckless, to be absolutely honest. It’s a lot of three-day no sleep binges. I just have to try to push myself to every limit possible and pray it works out in the end.”

The outcome of this struggle is a sound that is blissfully unconstrained, as though it could meander anywhere. The music manages to feel collaborative, even when the band members have to work together with an ocean of distance between them. Due to this bond, the end product winds up feeling greater than the sum of its parts.

“I find that different parts [of the music] kind of take their own life,” said bassist-guitarist Tom Gould.

Steward echoed this sentiment; “That’s the thing, each of our members brings something completely different to the table,” he added. “Like Austin—our drummer, for example—is a fantastic jazz drummer. I’ll give him a part that I have an idea for, and he’ll transform it into his own groovy sort of thing. That’s how the songs become really unique.”

As the band members get to know each other’s musical quirks and preferences, they get a better grasp on how they should sound as a unit.

“We’ve always been really into our textures,” said Steward. “So recently, it’s been [about] reconciling that shoegaze-y textureness [sic] with this groove and oomph we hear in Tame Impala. But at the same time we have to sound kind of ethereal and dreamy.”

This production-heavy focus in their recorded content can be hard to recreate onstage, but the band views the spontaneous nature of live performance as an opportunity rather than a constraint.

“We were trying to write lyrics and remember them the day of OAP,” Gould said. “It was great, we all kind of came together—I think we pulled it off.”

You can listen to Cult Classic on Soundcloud.

Café Racer

 

Café Racer is no stranger to the whims of the OAP crowd. The headliners are preparing to close the event in true veteran status, drawing people by putting their twist on covers of songs that everyone loves, then keeping the crowd interested with their own brand of indie rock.

The group, now entering their third year of performing, is in tune with what the people want, and they’re dedicated to making a place for themselves in the rock world.

“We’ve stuck to a pretty solid sound,” said Myles Hildebrand, guitarist and lead singer of Café Racer. “We never mess around with synths at all; we’ve kept it guitar, bass, vocals, and drums. I think we’ve always just naturally played this kind of revivalist rock with a new spin on it.”

The emphasis is on keeping the sound fresh, not letting it get bogged down by past invocations of “classic rock” a term which drummer Josh Grant says he hates, opting to describe his band’s sound as “classically inspired.” In the studio, they keep their sound focused, using a rhythm track to maintain the structure of the song. But on stage, the energy of the crowd tends to take over.

“We try to keep [our live shows] as close as possible to the record,” says Hildebrand. “I’m fully willing to sacrifice some musicality for the stage show.”

Café Racer is all about stage persona. Hildebrand has developed a personal aesthetic revolving around his long, blonde hair, which is used to the fullest to invoke that traditional head-banging rock n’ roll-feel on stage. It helps pump up the crowd, and it motivates the other members of the band too.

“When you’re playing in front of people and you feed off the crowd and you have someone in front of you leading the band, it helps you,” Grant explained. “We’re all fired up and we all love playing music for people. It’s a very cathartic feeling to be on stage performing your own songs for people.”

Out of the studio and off the stage, Café Racer has kept that energy going through their music videos. Their latest, Circus Girl, was produced by Cannes-nominated director, Chris Rob, and premiered alongside Burlesque dancers to a packed audience at Le Belmont.

“We released the “Circus Girl” video at a show that we also called Circus Girl,” said Hildebrand. “There were burlesque dances and live circus performers; that was definitely our biggest show. It meant a lot.”

The band has their sights set on bigger venues, first Metropolis, then Osheaga. For now, they’re ready to return to OAP as veterans and perform their hearts out.

“We’ve played OAP too many times,” said Hildebrand, laughing. “We know what the crowd wants.”

Café Racer will be playing at Open Air Pub on Friday, Sept. 11 at 8 p.m.

Ivory Hours

 

Whereas most bands strive for immediate recognition and commercial success, the London, Ontario-based band Ivory Hours has quite the opposite take on fame.

“I think we had the luxury of not that many people knowing about [us],” admitted lead singer, Luke Roes. “We were allowed to evolve in a bit of a bubble with people that really supported us [….] There was no expectations at all.”

In 2012, Roes was just finishing his degree at Queen’s University when he decided to dive into the music industry. After an unsatisfactory stint in Vancouver, Roes came back to Ontario where he got to know his two current bandmates, Tom Perquin and Chris Levesque.

“I think [the band] has definitely evolved. When I was hiring Chris and Tom, I definitely had a stronger idea than I originally had,” Roes explained. “I had an idea of who I wanted to be playing with.”

The band has since released two studio albums, Mary (2014) and Morning Light (2015). The band admits that their sound generally reflects “indie-pop,” specifying The Strokes, Mother Mother, and MGMT as inspirations for actually writing songs and making a record. While Roes said the original album was a lot of “finger-picking” and “folk stuff,” there was a much more “high-energy pop tune” goal for the second record.

The band has also released a stream of highly-produced music videos, some featuring conceptual stop-motion production and friends who are more than willing to be a part of the often lengthy process.

“We’re lucky we’ve got a great group of friends to support what we do,” Roes said. “They are such good campers too when it comes to not having a […] fully-fledged idea. That’s when some of the most magical moments too when people just get on set and go wild.”

The trio has since won recognition and awards, and their music has played on numerous radio stations. They started touring in Ontario and Quebec to promote their second LP, Morning Light.

“There is going to be more touring in Ontario the rest of the year and into 2016; then we are planning on doing a full North American tour next spring which we’re really excited about,” Roes said. “We’ve won a bunch of studio time too, which is just sitting there, so we’re going to do a lot of writing in the fall.”

The band later performed a fantastic set at OAP; their light and energetic music was perfect for the end of summer vibe the night reflected.

Ivory Hours will be performing as a part of Pop Montreal on Sept. 17.

Open Air Pub McGill
a, Opinion

Commentary: Ode to OAP

by Kathryn Donville on

More in a:

Most McGill students would agree that Open Air Pub (OAP) is a great place to commence the semester. It has cold drinks, hot food, live music, and provides the perfect venue to catch up with your friends at the beginning of the school year. But these attractions alone don’t make OAP unique. It is OAP’s status as the main campus gathering spot, as well as the diversity of patrons that it attracts, that makes it deserving of the motto—the “best place on Earth.”

Though many might argue that the title “best place on Earth” is hyperbolic, there is no doubt that OAP provides a special campus experience. It is a central hub, unparalleled in its capacity to host a large population of student day-drinkers. But its reputation is not oriented around drinking alone. It is also a place where all students, no matter their choice of beverage, can convene. By providing a respite from large and often rowdy party events, such as Frosh and Carnival, it fosters McGill community spirit by creating a common bond among students who all seek a relaxed venue to enjoy the warm weather and reunite with friends.

OAP also features a variety of musical acts—many of which include McGill students themselves—to entertain its attendees. Highlighting student musicians and artists on its stage involves students in every aspect of OAP. These performances showcase the wide range of talents present at McGill, and inspire students to support one another. The variety of performances, which range from satirical rock duos to campus a capella groups, testifies to the diversity of students represented at OAP.

OAP becomes a microcosm of campus life, and brings non-academic pursuits to the forefront of student consciousness. As a result, students are reminded that campus life is more than lectures, the library, and clubs—it is a space where students can all come together.

 

 

 

More than at any other time of year, there is the possibility of breaking out of the usual McGill clubs and niches.

During the chaos of the year, it is easy to forget about what goes on beyond our own social circles. But by slating OAP for the start of the Fall semester, students can meet new people and be exposed to different parts of campus life. Diverse groups from all across McGill come together to eat, drink, and be merry. Unlike the faculty bars, OAP does not cater to a specific category of students. While faculty pubs (such as Arts’ BDA and Engineers’ Blues Pub) aren’t strictly exclusive, their mandates provide for, and therefore attract, particular groups. All students can be represented at OAP, providing an opportunity for new groups to mingle. This is especially unique at a university as large as McGill, where it is easy to remain consigned within one ‘niche.’

Though it may not be literally the best place on Earth, OAP comes pretty close. It is unique in this ability to draw students from different walks of life to one location. Whether students stop by in between classes or visit in the evening, they will be able to meet a variety of people. More than at any other time of year, there is the possibility of breaking out of the usual McGill clubs and niches. With this inclusivity, OAP is transformed from an outdoor pub and made into a distinctively McGillian experience.

 

 

 

a, Football, Sports

NFL 2015 season preview

by Mayaz Alam, Morgan Alexander, Joe Kammar, Aaron rose, Zikomo Smith, Raphael Uribe Arengo, Elie Waitzer on

More in a:

NFC North

  • Green Bay Packers—It’s another Super Bowl-or-bust season for the Packers this year as they look to redeem themselves after a heartbreaking NFC Championship Game loss. With reigning MVP Aaron Rodgers at the helm, the Packers should have no problem moving the ball offensively, even with the loss of star wideout Jordy Nelson. Any sort of significant Super Bowl run will depend entirely on their young defence. Look for the Packers to experiment with Clay Matthews all over the field as they try to create havoc for opposing offences.

    Minnesota Vikings—Expect big things from the Vikings this year. A playoff spot will be tough to secure in the competitive NFC, but the return of Adrian Peterson make an impact in the backfield. Quarterback Teddy Bridgewater will continue to improve, and new addition Mike Wallace will provide him with a dynamic target. Last year, the Vikings were average defensively, but with a maturing young core led by Anthony Barr and Sharrif Floyd, Minnesota could have one of the league’s premier defences in the years to come.

    Detroit Lions—The Lions are the NFL’s version of fool’s gold—they’re never quite as good as they seem. After Detroit’s loss to the Cowboys last year, quarterback Matthew Stafford is now 3-32 in his career against teams with winning records and a pathetic 0-18 against winning teams on the road. If superstar wide receiver Calvin Johnson can stay healthy and Detroit can muster up a formidable rushing attack, a wild card spot might be within grasp. Unfortunately, the losses of Ndamukong Suh and Nick Fairley on the defensive line could prove costly for the Lions.

    Chicago Bears—The Marc Trestman experiment is over in Chicago, and with it ends the Brandon Marshall era. The Bears have been pitiful recently, never mustering up the kind of seasons one would expect from a team with such impressive offensive firepower. Newly hired Head Coach John Fox should help shore up one of the league’s worst defences, but as long as Jay Cutler is taking snaps under centre, the future looks bleak for Bears fans. Expect wide receiver Alshon Jeffery and running back Matt Forte to have stellar seasons, but for Chicago to be in better contention for the top pick than a division title.

     

  • NFC East

    Philadelphia Eagles—The Eagles had a chaotic off-season, with Head Coach Chip Kelly shedding 11 players from the team. Starting quarterback Nick Foles and Pro Bowl running back LeSean McCoy are out, and running backs DeMarco Murray and Ryan Matthews are in. The changes are all part of Kelly’s plan to take his team to the Super Bowl, and the moves already have some analysts predicting an NFC East title. With a new defensive backfield in place and Sam Bradford starting at quarterback, it will be interesting to see if Kelly’s boldness plays off.

    Dallas Cowboys—The Cowboys’ main objective for this year is to repeat their first-place showing in the NFC East. The loss of running back DeMarco Murray—who led the league in rushing yards last year—to the Eagles spells trouble for their ground game. Whoever emerges to replace Murray will benefit from the Cowboys’ dominating offensive line, but the real test of the team will be whether its defensive line can avoid a letdown.

    New York Giants—The Giants are poised to have another lackluster year after being crippled by injuries in the 2014 season. A productive off-season resulted in the acquisition of running back Shane Vereen, who should be a good fit in the Giants’ offence. Receiver Odell Beckham Jr. should continue to amaze, but the team is already facing a rash of pre-season injuries. Star defensive end Jason Pierre-Paul’s missing finger will render him useless for the time being, putting the impetus on new Defensive Coordinator Steve Spagnuolo to prevent any hiccups. For Head Coach Tom Coughlin, four consecutive seasons of missed playoffs could cost him his job, raising the stakes for this boom-or-bust team.

    Washington Redskins—The quarterback duo of Robert Griffin III and Kirk Cousins should continue to underwhelm in 2015. The hiring of new General Manager Scot McCloughan isn’t likely to have any significant impact on the team that went 4-12 in the 2014 season. The team’s personnel dysfunction and shaky offensive line shouldn’t lead anybody to expect anything better than a last-place finish. This franchise needs a long-term rebuild.

     

  • NFC West

    Seattle Seahawks—To run or not to run? If the Seahawks are able to move past the fateful decision that ended their title hopes last year, they could well end up in the title game once again. During the off-season, Seattle traded for superstar tight end Jimmy Graham, who should make a steady offence far more explosive with his elite size and athleticism. The league’s best defence should continue to stifle opponents. If the Seahawks have home field advantage for the post-season, expect to see them in the Super Bowl for the third straight year.

    Arizona Cardinals—The Cardinals began last year 9-1 before starting quarterback Carson Palmer went down with a knee injury. In front of him is what is shaping up to be an elite offensive line that should pave the way for a solid running game. Although the defence conceded the ninth-most yards in the league last year, they were the fifth-best when it came to preventing scoring. Arizona is well balanced and if Palmer’s surgically repaired knee holds up, they should once again challenge Seattle for the divisional title.

    St. Louis Rams—The Rams bring back all 11 starters on defence and add enigmatic former first-rounder Nick Fairley to the deepest and most talented defensive line in football. The questions remain on the other side of the ball. Newly acquired quarterback Nick Foles needs to steady the offence and rookie running back Todd Gurley needs to return from injury and make an impact if St. Louis is going to make the post-season. Nonetheless the Rams have tremendous spoiler potential and are a dark horse to snatch the last wild card spot. 

    San Francisco 49ers—Oh, how the mighty have fallen. Looking at the 49ers’ roster, it’s hard to believe that this is the same franchise that reeled off three straight appearances in the NFC Championship Game from 2011 to 2013. San Francisco has been ravaged by multiple departures, including former head coach Jim Harbaugh and All-Pro linebacker Patrick Willis. The once-vaunted defence is undergoing a rebuild, and the offence lacks the firepower and consistency to be a threat in the ruthless NFC West. The rebuilding 49ers will likely finish at the bottom of the best division in football. 

     

  • NFC South

    Carolina Panthers—In a division where no one managed to post a winning record in 2014, the Panthers are the only team that look poised to buck that trend going forward. Even with last year’s breakout wide receiver Kelvin Benjamin sidelined for the year with a torn ACL, Cam Newton has two promising pass-catchers in tight end Greg Olsen and wide receiver Devin Funchess. While the offensive line won’t do Newton any favours, he’s nimble enough in the pocket to weather the pass rush. With the best defence in the division, the Panthers should easily take first place. 

    New Orleans Saints—Even with the shocking off-season departure of Jimmy Graham to Seattle, quarterback Drew Brees has enough to work with in Marques Colston, Brandin Cooks, and Josh Hill. The squad’s wildcard will be its defence, which is largely made up of unproven rookies and average journeymen. First-rounder Andrus Peat has the potential to make an immediate impact on the offensive line, and centre Max Unger has the potential to lessen the sting of the Graham trade. 

    Atlanta Falcons—This team can only improve on its dismal 2014 season. Unfortunately the Falcons haven’t made enough additions to what ranked as the worst defence in the league last year. Matt Ryan is going to have his work cut out for him on offence. If receivers Roddy White and Julio Jones can stay healthy, the Falcons’ passing game will be among the best in the league. But it takes more than one dimension to win, and the Falcons’ defence is not strong enough.

    Tampa Bay Buccaneers—Hopefully nobody in Tampa expects this season to be anything more than an extended training camp for rookie quarterback Jameis Winston. The number-one pick makes this offence a little scarier, but when Mike Evans and Doug Martin are your only real threats, it’s going to be a long season. Recent reports suggest Winston may not be ready for Week 1 with a sprained ankle, and the prospect of seeing Mike Glennon out on the field for any meaningful period of time is not a cheery one.

     

  • AFC North

    Baltimore Ravens—The Ravens are excellent on defence and unproven on offence. They are powered by a top-shelf offensive line, a solid secondary, and an imposing—though Haloti Ngata-less—defensive line. Joe Flacco, however, will need to find a deep-ball threat from Baltimore’s inexperienced receiver corps to replace the departed Torrey Smith. Nonetheless, the Ravens should be able to ride their defensive strength far.

    Cincinnati Bengals—The Bengals are the only perennial playoff team with a coach and a quarterback in the hot seat. The team is well-rounded, boasting a deep secondary and a fearsome defensive line with Geno Atkins looking like his old self in the pre-season. Their offence is equally well-organized. Jeremy Hill had an impressive rookie season in the backfield behind solid linemen. He complements the unstoppable A.J. Green and the mercurial Andy Dalton. Expect the Bengals to top the division but to exit the playoffs early. 

    Pittsburgh Steelers—The Steelers appear talented but disorganized. Arguably the league’s most dynamic attack, Pittsburgh must cope with the NFL’s toughest schedule in 2015. The offence, is over-reliant on Antonio Brown and all-purpose superstar Le’Veon Bell. Bell and Martavis Bryant have suspensions to start the season while centre Maurkice Pouncey is injured, so expect a slow start. Most worrying is that the Steelers’ uninspiring secondary and shallow linebacker corps have not improved. Ultimately, Pittsburgh’s offence should mask defensive flaws and take them to the post-season.

    Cleveland Browns—This year’s Browns are similar to last year’s: Excellent on defence, dysfunctional on offence, and unlucky with players’ off-field conduct. Expect Joe Haden to lock down number-one receivers, and Donte Whitner to ring some bells. Cleveland has a good offensive line led by star tackle Joe Thomas. They unfortunately have the immature Johnny Manziel at quarterback, an uninspiring run game, and no true number-one wide receiver. Expect their tight defence to keep them in tight losses.

     

  • AFC East

    New England Patriots—With quarterback Tom Brady and Head Coach Bill Belichick still in command (thanks, judge Berman!), the Patriots remain the dominant organization in the division. The defence has been depleted with Darrelle Revis, Brandon Browner, and Vince Wilfork leaving, but Belichick has always been able to coach extra wins out of this team down the stretch. When healthy, the Patriots have a frightening receiving corps. Expect to see Rob Gronkowski terrorizing any mismatched defender who covers him.

    Miami Dolphins—The Dolphins are the sneaky underdogs in this division. Quarterback Ryan Tannehill showed flashes of promise last season, and a strong offensive line could lead the team far. On the defensive side Cameron Wake is a destructive force—a perennial Pro-­Bowler and a sack machine. With the addition of Ndamukong Suh at defensive tackle, the Dolphins’ defence made the jump from scary to impenetrable. Brent Grimes is one of the top three cornerbacks in the league. Don’t be surprised if the Dolphins give the Patriots a run for their money.

    Buffalo Bills—Head Coach Rex Ryan has massively upgraded the Bills’ offence by acquiring LeSean McCoy and Percy Harvin. At the same time, Buffalo’s defence remains among the top­ 10 in the league. The offence has the potential to be explosive with Percy Harvin and Sammy Watkins as receivers but it all falls on quarterback Tyrod Taylor’s ability to manage a high­powered offence. There are tons of questions about this squad, but don’t count them out as a dark horse to upset the Pats for the division title. 

    New York Jets—With Todd Bowles at the helm, the Jets could have the best defence in the league, especially with Darrelle Revis returning. Their defensive front three is absolutely lethal and the secondary has been upgraded over the off­-season. On offence, Ryan Fitzpatrick will be a welcome upgrade at quarterback over Geno Smith, while Brandon Marshall and Eric Decker are two stud wideouts that will provide Fitzpatrick with dangerous weapons. After an exciting off-season, the Jets have set their expectations on a playoff berth this year.

     

  • AFC West

    Denver Broncos—With head coach John Fox gone and Peyton Manning looking for the first time in his career, it’s very possible the Broncos will lose the division for the first time since 2010. Several solid off-season additions won’t be enough to counter the offensive crater left by the departure of Julius Thomas, but the Broncos will beat down teams with their balanced running game. C.J. Anderson came out of nowhere last season to put up 1,200 yards, while Ronnie Hillman and Montee Ball are capable backups. 

    Kansas City Chiefs—The Chiefs seem most likely to unseat the Broncos atop this division. The addition of wide receiver Jeremy Maclin is a definite upgrade over Dwayne Bowe, but quarterback Alex Smith probably wouldn’t make the second string on a lot of other teams. Their defence also figures to be even better than last year with the return of both Derrick Johnson and Eric Berry, along with the additions of Marcus Peters and Tyvon Branch. 

    San Diego Chargers—Philip Rivers is undoubtedly the most talented quarterback in the division and has the potential to post elite numbers in 2015. Wide receivers Stevie Johnson and Jacoby Jones provide two exciting new targets for him, while cornerbacks Jason Verrett and Brandon Flowers make up the core of a secondary that is second only to Seattle’s. Rookie running back Melvin Gordon will be an interesting x-factor, but the run defence will end up holding the Chargers back. 

    Oakland Raiders—The Raiders will be an intriguing team to follow this year and over the next few seasons. While Oakland doesn’t have the talent to compete for a playoff berth right now, they do have a promising future. New coach Jack Del Rio and a core of young stars give hope for a bright future, while the front seven—led by Khalil Mack—are already among the best in the league. 

     

  • AFC South

    Indianapolis Colts—Everyone is waiting for Andrew Luck to realize his ‘chosen one’ status and win a Super Bowl. The Colts have a balanced offensive attack; Coby Fleener and Dwayne Allen are red-zone threats, Frank Gore will bolster the backfield, and future Hall-of-Famer Andre Johnson will join the dynamic Pro Bowl wide receiver T.Y. Hilton. The only remaining question is whether the offensive line can gel and stay healthy. Indianapolis should dominate the South.

    Houston Texans—Offensive coordinators everywhere will probably have sleepless nights before facing the Texans’ defence. College superstar Jadeveon Clowney will return from injury to join the freakish J.J. Watt and lockdown cornerback Jonathan Joseph. Veteran Vince Wilfork will bolster a strong defensive line. The same cannot be said for the offence. Arian Foster is out for half the season, Brian Hoyer is a beer-league quarterback, and Andre Johnson left for a division rival. Houston might be tough to beat, but they will not have enough offensive firepower to get to the playoffs. 

    Tennessee Titans—The Titans are putting their trust in rookie Marcus Mariota’s arm. The former University of Oregon quarterback impressed in the pre-season and should improve on Tennessee’s dismal 2014 offence. Mariota does not have many weapons, although rookie wide receiver Dorial Green-Beckham has exciting potential. On defence, coordinator Dick Lebeau has a solid secondary, and scary linebackers to experiment with in Derrick Morgan and Brian Orakpo. This is a team in transition, so expect them to struggle whilst having some encouraging performances. The Titans won’t make the playoffs, but they might surprise a few teams.

    Jacksonville Jaguars—Expect Jacksonville to stay in the NFL cellar this year. Blake Bortles struggled behind a porous offensive line in his rookie season. His mechanics appear to have improved over the off-season, but this offence is punchless regardless. The biggest worry is the depleted defensive line. First-round pick Dante Fowler Jr. is injured along with veterans Ziggy Hood, Sen’Derrick Marks, and Andre Branch. Head Coach Gus Bradley wants his team to “own the AFC South,” but all Jacksonville can hope to own is 2016’s No. 1 draft pick.

     

a, McGill, News

Student Services budget reallocations and reductions

by Jin Lee on

More in a:

I n Winter 2015, the McGill administration announced changes in Student Serves funding, stating that it would cease to supply Student Services with a yearly transfer from McGill’s operating budget. McGill also announced that in the event of further budget cuts by the federal government, the McGill administration would redistribute to other offices government grants previously given directly to Student Services. These budgetary changes sparked concern among student representatives in the McGill Senate about the future of services funding.

 

Concerns addressed at Senate meeting

On April 22, student Senators discussed funding for McGill Student Services, an administrative branch of McGill that oversees offices such as McGill the Mental Health Service and the Office for Students with Disabilities (OSD).

Chloe Rourke, then Arts & Science senator and co-chair on the Committee for Student Services (CSS), explained that the budget cuts imposed by the Quebec government last spring resulted in uncertainty over the future of financing and operations for Student Services.

“My understanding is that the government has now shifted the responsibility [to McGill] to provide many services to students with disabilities that were previously arranged by the government,” Rourke said. “There is still much uncertainty as to how this will affect OSD and services for students with disabilities. How the funding will be distributed to each university is also still undetermined.”

 

 

Understanding budget changes

Rourke explained that Student Services is funded by three areas: Student fees, funding from the government, and transfers from McGill’s operating budget.

“The university has cut transfers from the operating budget to Student Services,” Rourke said. “Five years ago, the University was transferring over $400,000 to Student Services, and now they are transferring no funds at all.”

Arts Senator Erin Sobat underscores that, despite such changes, Student Services will be operating on a projected surplus. The reduction in transfers from McGill’s operating budget, however, has resulted in a cut in funding for certain departments (such as Campus Life and Engagement) within Student Services.

“While the overall [budget] of student services will look constant for fiscal year [2016], cuts have been made to Student Services funding,” said Sobat, also a sitting member of the CSS. He cited McGill’s “cut of a transfer previously being made to Student Services for Orientation Week [$112 000].”

Both Sobat and Rourke noted that administrative overhead fees charged to Student Services had also been raised. “They have increased administrative overhead fees being charged to Student Services by over $260,000,” Sobat said. “Thus, while student services is able to cover these added expenses out of their surplus for the coming year, and it will not appear as a cut on paper, this still represents a reduction in funding.”

In response to the Sobat’s concerns, Deputy Provost Ollivier Dyens stated that offices within Student Services, like OSD, had not suffered funding reductions.

“Let me be very clear here: There has been no cut to OSD’s budget,” he said. “The alleged reduction in OSD services is a reduction in services not deemed essential caused by the substantial increase in the need for essential services.” Student services branches like the OSD, however, are different from services for students, such as the Arts Internship Office.

 

 

Reallocation of services budget

Dyens explained that Student Services could face additional changes to their funding structure if further budget cuts are imposed by the Quebec government.

“If we face unsustainable cuts over the next few years, we may be forced to reallocate a portion of the government grant to ensure the viability of [other] services to students,” Dyens said. “We would be able to do so only because Student Services has an accumulated surplus of more than $6 million.”

Rourke explained that she believed that Dyens’ proposal was unsustainable, and would not allow Student Services to fulfill student demand for the resources it provides.

“[The surplus] will run out in a couple of years,” Rourke said. “Then, Student Services will be forced make cuts and reduce service provision, or bring a referendum question [to raise] student fees. Even though Student Services is dipping into the surplus to compensate for these challenges, it will still not be enough to meet demands placed on the services this coming year.”

Rourke and Sobat noted that while the government grant would assist other general services to students, such as Service Point, however these changes would affect Student Services, a separate administrative branch.

“Student Services is a legal-administrative structure at McGill that is separate from the central administration and faculties in that it is a ‘self-funded’ unit. [Meanwhile], ‘services to students’ is an expansive category which ostensibly includes almost any non-teaching program or resource offered at McGill,” said Sobat.

 

 

The future of Student Services

The key concerns that Rourke and Sobat wished to see addressed were service reductions and lengthier processes to access resources provided by Student Services.

“The wait-time to see a therapist at Mental Health Services was over five months this year, even though Mental Health offered the most appointments [in its history],” said Rourke. “These demands are expected to [increase] next year and the current funding and resources available [are insufficient] to meet this demand. Additionally, [OSD] has had a surge in students making first time appointments to register for their services.”

Dyens explained that while services such as OSD and counselling were indeed critical, administration could not meet every demand nor ‘take over’ the public healthcare system.

“What we can do, however, is to focus on providing the best and healthiest possible environment, and to provide as much support as we can,” said Dyens.

Dyens additionally recommended developing a response to long waitlists and stagnant funding to meet rising demand.

“What we can also do is to have a well-developed wellness strategy and action plan,” he said. “I will ask the incoming senior directors of Student Services and Athletics and Recreation in coordination with every [Student Life and Living] unit to develop such a plan.”

In the face of these changes, Sobat stressed the importance of campus-wide awareness on the financial situation, stating that Student Services hosts a “large suite” of units that “every student [would] need to access” during their time at McGill. Rourke also advocated strongly for awareness and transparency on funding decisions for service units.

“McGill is an elite, competitive university filled with exceptional students, faculty and admin[istration]. [However], we need to start prioritizing the mental and physical well-being of our community […We also] need to focus on improving the well-being of our students, which has been shown in multiple surveys to be suffering significantly in recent years. Supporting Student Services is critical for student success and well-being,” Rourke said.

 

 

 

 

 

a, Opinion

Commentary: What does Thomas Mulcair stand for?

by Zachary Carson on

More in a:

Arriving back to Montreal in the heat and humidity of late August, I was greeted by hundreds of smiling Thomas Mulcair signs. My mother, who was with me, asked me how many shots it must have taken to make Mulcair look that friendly. She had a point. Prior to the announcement of the election, Mulcair was known for his fiery leadership of the opposition and his reputation as a verbal brawler—quite different from his jovial image on the signs. These contrary conceptions of Mulcair could be explained as campaign strategy, but this contrast is just one manifestation of the seemingly irreconcilable dichotomies of Thomas Mulcair.

From the Canadian oil industry to our economy, Mulcair has no problem making promises to those groups on opposing sides of different issues. The result is a campaign that doesn’t take a firm stand on anything.

Mulcair has backed the Energy East pipeline proposal, one of several proposals on the table to transport Alberta oil to the coasts (the eastern one in this case). Such support stands in almost complete contrast to his longtime prognosis that the Canadian economy has been suffering from Dutch disease, an economic theory that describes how economic development of one sector (in Canada’s case, oil and gas) is causally related to the decline of another (which Mulcair has argued is Canadian manufacturing). This contradictory stance may be a strategy to court both voters who feel that their province or industry is threatened by the Canadian oil industry without totally alienating those who benefit from further industry development.

One of the most significant topics of debate in this election has been what Canada’s budget will look like in the coming years. Justin Trudeau, leader of the Liberal Party, has stated that, if elected, there will be a mild deficit while the government intervenes to stimulate the economy. Conversely, Prime Minister Stephen Harper is set on balancing the budget. Mulcair has promised both a balanced budget and significant social spending, providing very little explanation on how this can actually be done. He has promised a minimum wage increase to $15 per hour by 2019, the creation of a $15 a day universal childcare program, tax relief for small businesses and manufacturers, and reducing the age for seniors to qualify for old age security to 65 (Harper increased it to 67), all while guaranteeing that the budget will be balanced.

 

Mulcair and the NDP have made irreconcilable promises to Canadians in order to garner as many votes as possible.

The NDP is not known for being particularly strong on the economy. Making a last-minute promise that the budget will be balanced despite a platform of significant social spending is a way for Mulcair to ease concerns of those who are unsure of voting for what is typically Canada’s spending party. With the country in a recession and the oil prices low, students may wonder how the NDP leader believes this will be done.

Mulcair and the NDP have made irreconcilable promises to Canadians in order to garner as many votes as possible. This has resulted in an alarming lack of a stance on some of the most important issues of this federal campaign. If elected, Mulcair and the NDP will have to choose either to implement all of the programs they have promised, or actually work towards a balanced budget. By failing to make that decision during the campaign, while instead promising both, Mulcair demonstrates his willingness to forgo taking an actual stance in order to play both sides of the electoral field. It is clear that Mulcair does stand for one thing — an NDP victory on Oct. 19.

 

 

 

 

a, McGill, News

Sexual assault allegation raises concern over redress procedures at McGill

by Shrinkhala Dawadi on

More in a:

Allegations of sexual assault towards a McGill student following an incident in Winter 2015 have prompted student leaders and the McGill University administration to evaluate existing procedures of redress at McGill for sexual assault. The McGill administration was not able to conduct a disciplinary investigation into the incident because the alleged assault did not occur within a McGill context, as outlined within Article 8 of the Code of Student Conduct and Disciplinary Procedures (CSC).

The survivor, a McGill graduate,  was allegedly sexually assaulted after the NeuroAnatomy Grad Ball, which was held off-campus in late March 2015. The survivor spoke to the Tribune (on the condition of anonymity) about the experience of reaching out to various support structures available at McGill for people who have experienced sexual assault.

“It was incredibly hard to know what to do,” the survivor explained. “There was no streamlined, obvious path to take. I was told by most people to contact [Sexual Assault Centre of the McGill Students’ Society (SACOMSS)] , and when I called [them], they gave me the SACOMSS email [….] They couldn’t even direct me to a hospital that could get me STI tested or a rape kit. So about a week after it happened, I ended up going to the [Montreal General Hospital] and I talked to a social worker there. She was probably the most helpful person in the process.”

Additionally, the survivor approached Dean of Students Andre Costopoulos in early April. 

“We decided to contact [Costopoulos], who directed us to Nicole Allard, [director of Science Advising Services], and they handled things internally from there,” the survivor said, adding that the experience of speaking with administration was a generally positive one. “The [people] that I talked to [from the] McGill administration were very thoughtful and obviously pro-survivor. It’s not that I wasn’t received well, it’s that there’s a problem with McGill policy.”

 

The scope of McGill policies and the McGill context

McGill Currently uses the Policy on Harassment, Sexual Harassment and Discrimination Prohibited by Law and the CSC to guide its response to allegations of sexual assault. Sanctions, which include admonishment, reprimand, suspension, dismissal, and expulsion, can be enacted if a student is found responsible for violating the CSC within a McGill context. Costopoulos described Article 8 as containing an implied definition of what constitutes a university, or McGill, context.

“‘A McGill context’ is defined loosely in the Code of Student Conduct,” Costopoulos said. “[It’s] usually interpreted to mean that if the event is not on property owned or occupied by the university, it has to be in the context of a McGill activity. For example […] we have a field course in Panama [….] Two students who would get in a fight—there might be an assault, there might be a sexual assault—in one of the field studies programs; that would be within a McGill context. But two McGill students who get into the same kind of fight, but off-campus, in a non-McGill activity, then it’s not a McGill context.”

Interim orders, which are provisions that restrict a student from contacting certain people or accessing certain areas of campus, can be imposed on a student for actions that did not occur within a McGill context. They can be enacted based purely on allegations, before any finding of responsibility.

As a result of McGill’s preliminary investigation into the survivor’s allegations, the alleged perpetrator, hereby referred to as the individual, received an interim order of exclusion on April 8, restricting this individual from going to McLennan Library and the Burnside basement during Winter exam season. The administration, however, could not impose any sanctions against the individual because the incident did not occur within a McGill context.

Costopoulos also clarified that student and faculty associations are separate legal entities from McGill. Consequently, McGill does not have jurisdiction over the off-campus components of events run by student organizations such as the NeuroAnatomy Grad Ball, which was organized by student departmental associations, or Frosh.

“There’s a perception issue here, because for many students, they go into Frosh, and the expectation is that it’s a McGill activity—it isn’t in legal terms, ” Costopoulous said.

McGill does, however, have jurisdiction over the on-campus components of events hosted by student organizations. “On campus, we can definitely have much more leverage and influence,” he said. “We have regular discussions with student organizations about events like [Open Air Pub] and Carnival. If they want to have an event on campus, we need to be happy with the way it’s run. That’s why we have a permitting process, alcohol permits, [and] requirements for service training.”

The survivor stated that the CSC’s implied definition of a McGill context limited their ability to seek recourse, as McGill could not impose sanctions on the individual.

“The problem with sexual assault cases at McGill has nothing to do with [people] in the administration, but rather, it is due to the lack of a clear policy for sexual assault,” the survivor stated. “An assault would have to happen in a McGill context for McGill to have some sort of […] jurisdiction over it. That’s not really defined—it’s basically up to [the] administration what constitutes a McGill context [….] Unfortunately, as it stands, there is very little that can be done if the assault did not take place on campus and you do not want to go to the police.”

In all situations of sexual assault, the complainant has the option to pursue criminal charges against the accused through the police; however, the survivor remarked that pursuing criminal charges can be a lengthy and challenging process. “I really wanted some sort of justice, but […] it’s a very difficult process,” the survivor said. “It’s a process that takes at least two to three years, and after something like this you just want to be able to move away from it. [It] really seems like you get dragged through the mud for three years, [and the individual] may or may not be punished.”

The survivor ultimately chose not to press criminal charges, although they did register this incident with the Montreal Police on May 6.

 

Faculty Associations and McGill: Separate legal entities

Every student, faculty member, and staff member at McGill is beholden to McGill’s Policy on Harassment, Sexual Harassment, and Discrimination; however, the only available avenues of recourse for incidents that occur outside of a McGill context—such as faculty events held outside of campus—are interim orders, or the complainant pursuing criminal charges.

The limits of the existing policies coupled with the legal separation of McGill university and student associations, has resulted in the lack of a procedure for student faculty associations to address allegations of harassment, and physical and sexual assault. The equity policies of major faculty associations, such as the Arts Undergraduate Society (AUS), the Management Undergraduate Society (MUS), and the Engineering Undergraduate Society (EUS), either do not explicitly address sexual assault or do not outline a procedure for redress in cases of sexual assault.

Furthermore, McGill has extensive policies outlining the academic and personal rights of students with respect to faculty and staff members. No parallel distinction between students and student leaders is made in faculty policies. Consequently, there is no documented system outlining what standards and responsibilities student leaders are held to.

SUS President Jeremy Goh, who was made aware of the alleged incident, elaborated on the role of executive members in cases where sexual assault is alleged to have occurred at a faculty or department-level event. “As a student government, our job is not to decide on the verdict,” Goh said. “We can’t comment on anybody’s [status….] Something that was important for us was to do an audit of our operations and see what the cause for concern from the situation was, and see whether that concern affected the operation […] of our student government.”

 

Going Forward: Addressing policy gaps at the faculty and university level

Goh expressed that the SUS will examine existing policies and procedures in order to create a policy that establishes guidelines for how it can deal with situations like this moving forward.

“We are hoping to have a student code of conduct [policy] in the future or some sort of procedural guideline for situations like this so that executives in the future have a guideline to follow,” he explained. “Obviously we’re continuing to monitor the situation. Our job at the end of the day is to represent Science students. We’re listening to the student population, and if there is cause for concern, we will address it as it comes up.”

Additionally, a new sexual assault policy draft is in the process of being reviewed by various groups on campus. This policy, which aims to unify and formalize similar existing policies, was spurred by McGill administration’s response to an earlier case of alleged sexual assault involving former Redmen football players. Costopoulos underscored that the proposed sexual assault policy would supplement existing McGill policies rather than replace them.

SSMU Vice-President (University Affairs) Chloe Rourke stated that one of the strengths of the proposed policy is the widespread consultation that went into its creation.

“A lot of stakeholders […] have given feedback and consultation and been consulted in the process of writing the Sexual Assault Policy, from all over the McGill community, whether that be faculty, various student groups, general units and offices within the administrations, [and] unions,” she said. “The policy is meant to apply to the entire McGill community.”

According to Rourke, the policy is significant for multiple reasons. It’s the first cohesive sexual assault policy at McGill, formalizing protocols across departments and offices, and it broadens the scope of those who can access support resources.

“Support measures are available to any person who experienced sexual assault […] regardless of when or where the sexual assault occurred, and with who.” Rourke said. “If you’re a member of the McGill community and you experienced sexual assault five years ago, you’re eligible for all the same support measures that are granted to any other person that was sexually assaulted while at McGill.”

Rourke explained that the Policy will commit the university to taking a proactive and pro-survivor approach to addressing sexual assault on campus. Furthermore, the policy will take into consideration sexual assault within the university and societal contexts.

“[It will] provide support to the survivor in whatever form that they need, and not engage in victim blaming,” Rourke said.”[It] importantly acknowledges and recognizes that [sexual assault] is a problem in our community and in our society, and is especially relevant to university campuses.”

Both the survivor and a close friend, who contacted the individual in early April, expressed frustration at the lack of a pro-survivor attitude they faced.

“A lot of people were angry at me because I spoke about it,” the survivor’s friend said, asking to remain anonymous. “I guess [people] don’t believe it happened, or that it’s not a sufficient reason for [the individual] to face consequences.”

The survivor expressed disappointment at the fact that members of the 2014-2015 SUS executive did not reach out to her after they were informed of the allegations.

“Whatever their reasons, the truth is that none of [the SUS] stepped forward and offered me any help,” she said. “[They] made the [situation] exponentially more difficult to deal with, by ostracizing me and my friends and by labelling me as a liar within the McGill community.”

Currently, the sexual assault policy draft distinguishes between support measures and recourse measures.

“Support Measures [are] resources and actions requested by the [person who experienced sexual assault] which do not act as disciplinary measures against, nor implicate the rights of, the Respondent(s),” Section 2.7 of the policy draft reads. “Such measures include, but are not limited to, counselling services, information provision, academic or employment-related accommodation, and other safety measures.” Recourse measures, on the other hand, are dependent on a variety of other factors.

“Recourse Measures [are] actions taken against the Respondent(s) upon the outcome of a formal Complaint Procedure, or actions mutually consented upon by all parties upon the outcome of an informal Complaint Procedure,” Section 2.9 reads.

Since the new sexual assault policy was first proposed, McGill and various student groups have implemented programs that aim to address sexual assault on campus, such as the Forum on Consent, #ConsentMcGill week, Sexual Assault Awareness week, and the Bystander Intervention Program.

The individual declined to comment for this story and instead referred the Tribune to their lawyer, Me Jean-Philippe Caron.

“Nothing has been proven that my client has acted in an inappropriate manner," Caron said.

Additional reporting by Mayaz Alam

 

a, Editorial, Opinion

Editorial: Student mobilization key to addressing youth issues in Federal Election

by McGill Tribune Editorial Board on

More in a:

On Oct. 19, Canadians will decide who will form the government for the next four years. At this time, it is critical that students—and the organizations that represent them—remain informed and engaged. The vicious cycle of low youth voter turnout and subsequent shortage of issues affecting youth and students in media coverage and party discourse can be reversed. As the semester commences, students must encourage political engagement among their peers to ensure that our interests are heard.

Under Sections 91 and 92 of the Canadian Constitution Act—which delineates the division of powers between the provincial governments and federal governments—education is the responsibility of provincial governments. Therefore education is not directly addressed in federal elections, but this is not the only topic important to students. To bring student issues to the forefront in the national campaign, students must mobilize on campus. Youth unemployment and student debt are particularly important given Canada’s current recession, but those issues will not be made priorities unless students demand them.

Questions about the environment, the economy, and our constitution will also define our experience on campus and shape our futures as young adults. The matter to be wary of in the coming weeks is one of accessibility: Access to the issues that dominate the political discourse, and access to the ballot itself.

Legislation such as Bill C-23, which was made law in June 2014, makes voting more difficult for students, particularly those living in residences, and limits the programs that Elections Canada may have on campus. The Bill has eliminated voter information cards as a valid form of identification, and requires proof of address. Such changes create disproportionately more challenges to students, who may have recently moved, or do not have a fixed address. The voter turnout for eligible adults between the ages 18 and 24 is typically low—it was 37.4 per cent in the 2008 election, and rose to only 38.8 per cent in 2011. While these figures do not apply to McGill students completely, Bill C-23 may represent another hurdle for students to overcome during this election.

In Quebec—and Montreal in particular—students are known for their political engagement, but this involvement is typically focused on student-specific issues. Protests against austerity and tuition hikes have drawn crowds numbering in the thousands. What’s at stake for students in the federal election, however, is less clear.

As the term begins, students, student societies, and student associations must strive to be leaders on campus in engaging fellow students in the political process. There is an unfortunate tendency for student activism in elections to remain limited to parts of our society that are already politically engaged. Students at McGill must work to expand those spaces of involvement. Student networks in residences can be activated by floor fellows and councils; the election can be made visible on campus through information sessions and advertising. This does not mean these organizations should take a normative stance. Instead, this is a chance to be actively nonpartisan and encourage healthy debate. It may also be a chance to bring the issues that students care about to the forefront through promoting greater youth engagement in this year’s elections.

 

 

 

Students, student societies, and student associations must strive to be leaders on campus in engaging fellow students in the political process.

Elections Canada is limited to informing voters about the logistics of voting. While the organization will have voting booths open on campus, Elections Canada’s effort make voting accessible to students must be extended by our student organizations. Following Bill C-23, Pierre Poilievre, the minister of democratic reform at the time, said to The Star, “The role of Elections Canada is to inform, and the role of political actors is to motivate the voter.” So far, there has been no clear effort by any of the major candidates to ignite the student voter. It is therefore up to our campus as a whole to provide that motivation.

By necessity, the student vote is bound up in issues of access. For students to act on the information provided by Elections Canada, we students need to be made aware of the issues at stake. This may come in the form of assisting students in finding resources to help make their decision before Oct. 19 and encouraging students to get out to vote. While work is underway to do just that by SSMU, similar to what was done on campus for the 2011 election, the onus should not be on SSMU alone. Faculty and departmental associations, clubs, and societies must organize in nonpartisan engagement. Students acting as leaders within their own social circles can also make a difference by promoting involvement in the electoral process.

We all stand to benefit from staying politically engaged for the duration of the election period. Campus-wide mobilization and guidance on how to vote would help to eliminate confusion for first-time voters, especially those who are away from home for the first time. In order to ensure that student issues are further represented in future elections, we as the students have to be more engaged than we have been to ensure that this election hears us and recognizes that our votes matter. This must start on campus.

 

 

 

Carly Rae Jepsen
a, Arts & Entertainment

Album Review: Carly Rae Jepsen – E-mo-tion / Interscope

by Jack Neal on

More in a:

 
 
 
 
 

The line between art and artist is thinly drawn—one that becomes increasingly obscure the more you attempt to define where the boundary lies. For Carly Rae Jepsen’s new album, it’s a necessary evil. E-mo-tion ultimately sees Jepsen charging back into the music arena in full-force to shake off the precarious one-hit-wonder label that was slapped on her following her infamous 2012 hit, “Call Me Maybe.” And it almost works.

From the opening synth blast on the fantastic “Run Away With Me,” the album absolutely oozes with thundering drums, sun-kissed synths, and playful guitar riffs over the course of 15 brilliantly-produced songs. Even her once-derided vocals now offer an impressive and notably smoky range. “Gimmie Love” provides layered pulsating beats and synth pads; “LA Hallucinations” is a cheeky exercise in bubblegum pop; and “Warm Blood” is a more nuanced take on Taylor Swift’s “Wildest Dreams.” But the album reaches a stunning height with the fantastic “Your Type,” a throwback to a time in which uplifting melodies masked the lyrical heartbreak.

“Your Type” is so good it almost feels incredulous, but this sense of amazement is short-lived. Jepsen hired a multitude of big-name producers and recorded over 250 songs—only 15 of which made the final album cut—and unfortunately this mass-production infiltrates the album. It’s as if each of the 250 songs could have been interchangeably exchanged without altering the sound. It’s hard not to have a sneaking suspicion that Jepsen is hiding behind the shimmering production in hopes that it will distract from a seemingly aggressive attempt to distance herself from 2012.

Admittedly, the hooks and production—even the vocals—are far superior to the album’s most obvious competitor, Swift’s 1989 (2014). But if you approach the album as a cohesive effort then the lyrics should sustain themselves, and on E-mo-tion, they simply do not. “I think I broke up with my boyfriend today / But I really don’t care” is a jarring and eye-rolling case-in-point. If one was to ignore the fact that this is the same artist that brought us “Call Me Maybe,” then E-mo-tion just becomes a middle-of-the-road project with an overly-obsessive addiction to just about every retro-pop sound. Jepsen hasn’t carved out her own identity within the lyrics to provide the same fully-realized cinema that her pop-peers such as Swift, Rihanna, or Robyn have successfully cultivated.

It’s only fair to give credit where credit is due: Most notably the drastically-improved vocals, soaring melodies, and inclusion of some truly superb pop songs. But for all of E-mo-tion’s immaculate production and incessantly catchy hooks, what it’s lacking is the very feeling it’s own title conveys.

Standout tracks: “Run Away With Me,” “Your Type,” and “Warm Blood”

McGill Redpath Museum
a, Opinion

McGill 101: Carving your own space at McGill

by Julia Dick on

More in a:

The question I constantly asked myself and my peers in my first year at McGill was “What should I do?” Beyond the classroom, how do I strike a balance between social life and schoolwork, and which clubs should I join? We somehow all made it to McGill, yet upon arrival that accomplishment can seem more like a burden.

Once the haze of Frosh lifts, the ivory towers of McGill feel intimidating. Class sizes can be huge, the material challenging, and everyone appears to know what they’re doing. The enormity of McGill may be thrilling if you came here looking for a fresh start and a challenge. On the other hand, it may feel more daunting if you came here thinking that you were guaranteed an excellent education, regardless of what you put into it.

McGill can be a labyrinth and is particularly challenging for first-year students. While there is no standard approach to finding the answer to the ubiquitous question of “What should I do,” there are ways of navigating the many resources and opportunities at McGill so that you can find an answer for yourself.

The variety of clubs, intramurals, and societies may appear insurmountable. The opportunity cost of how to spend time feels a lot more intense as everyone operates at a high velocity—“work hard, play hard” being the unofficial McGill motto. Oftentimes, first-years end up either underachieving by not becoming involved in anything at all, or overachieving and burning out by committing to too much too soon.

The silver lining of McGill’s size is that there are countless opportunities to find your niche.

The solution is not to demand for smaller and more refined obstacles; rather, the solution is to gain independence. Allow yourself to try new things; quit if it isn’t the right fit, and try again. The silver lining of McGill’s size is that there are countless opportunities to find your niche; it just takes time to navigate the plethora of different opportunities available to you. Don’t worry if you haven’t found your space until the end of your first year, or even until the end of your second or third year.

For all the independence you will undoubtedly acquire in your time at McGill, help is available—but it won’t come get you out of bed in the morning. Use add/drop period to the fullest and try out everything until you find the subject, professor, or friend that inspires you. Go speak to a real human being in an advising office, or at a student association, and rely on each other for help and advice. Finding that middle ground takes time and patience, as well as a great deal of self-forgiveness. But ultimately it’s worth it.

This article is a part of our McGill 101 issue, which aims to ease your transition and answer questions you have about McGill and Montreal.

1 … 825 826 827 828 829 … 1,363

Read the latest issue

Read the latest issue