The Eyeopener: Vol 58, Issue 2 by The Eyeopener

Safe injection site on Victoria Street to close with new regulations

Site to be shut down due to proximity to the Early Learning Centre in Kerr Hall

By Vihaan Bhatnagar

The supervised consumption site (SCS) on 277 Victoria St. is set to close following an announcement made by the Ontario government on Aug. 20.

The announcement introduced new rules banning supervised drug consumption sites within 200 metres of schools and childcare centres, ordering them to be closed by March 31, 2025.

Due to its proximity to the Early Learning Centre in Kerr Hall West, the site on Victoria Street is among the five of Toronto’s 10 SCSs closing, slashing the number in half.

The decision to shut down the SCSs, commonly referred to as safe injection sites (SJS), has been criticized by multiple health organizations, including the Centre for Addictions and Mental Health, HIV Legal Network and the Women & HIV/AIDS Initiative.

Liam Michaud, a former frontline harm reduction worker and a PhD candidate in socio-legal studies at York University, said the province’s new rules remove the limited tools there are to deal with the drug overdose crisis.

“People are dying from unregulated drugs,” he said. “This announcement, in one fell swoop, removes a number of the critical tools that we have within our healthcare

Adobe domain changing from RU to TMU

By Yasmeen Shawish

Toronto Metropolitan University (TMU) students with ryerson.ca domains who wish to keep their Adobe Creative Cloud subscriptions and files must back them up to the torontomu.ca domain or the contents will not be saved.

After Sept. 18, existing files will be unavailable as accounts will be removed and replaced with the new domain name following the university’s name change in 2022.

To do this, students must set up multi-factor authentication for both accounts.

TMU sent an email with a ‘HowTo Guide: Setting Up Microsoft Multi-Factor Authentication’ to all students’ TMU emails on Aug. 17.

Students must migrate any files to the torontomu.ca Adobe Creative Cloud environment. If users need help, visit helpx.adobe.com for more guidance on the relocation process.

response to the overdose crisis that are part of a broader continuum of care for people who use drugs.”

Among other services, SCSs provide referral or accessible substance use treatment, distribute safer injection education and provide naloxone, a medication used to reverse overdoses.

Johnathan Kryskow, a fifth-year economics and finance student at TMU, said it’s not ideal to have these sites so close to campus and childcare centres. Although it’s not in the best location, Kryskow said these sites “serve some benefit” and should be relocated rather than shut down entirely.

“[People are] going to do drugs, [so] you want it to be at least kind of safe,” he said.

Ella Ballentine, a fourth-year early childhood studies student at TMU, said that while she understands the idea behind closing SJSs near places where young children are, she does not agree with the province’s decision to close them.

“I’m super against [the province] closing the safe injection sites because if you give it any more thought, where are those people gonna go,” she said. “Many people are going to die. Many people are going to contract diseases. They’re people. They live in our city. This is as much their city as it is anybody else’s city.”

TTC Service increase to improve student commutes

By Dylan Marks

The Toronto Transit Commission (TTC) added some additional services starting Sept. 1 in an effort to increase the frequency of public transit throughout the city.

Additionally, service hours for all TTC transportation methods including buses, subways and streetcars will be increased to 97 per cent of pre-pandemic levels according to a news release from the service.

To benefit commuter students, the TTC has added over 100 extra scheduled bus trips, as well as six new and revised routes, streetcar service expansions and increased subway services for weekday morning and afternoon rush hours.

These changes will affect areas with long wait times including Line 1 Yonge-University and Line 2 Bloor-Danforth. Trains are expected to arrive every two to three minutes.

With the level of commuters at Toronto Metropolitan University, these changes could benefit students who use transit to and from campus daily.

Ballentine said the province is not looking out for everyone’s safety when choosing to close these sites. She said the individuals who use safe injection sites are not being protected.

Michaud, who spent over a decade working in healthcare in Montreal and Toronto, warns that the closing of SJSs means drug use will not be contained to these sites anymore and will inevitably spill out, resulting in a higher likelihood of traumatizing bystanders.

“I can tell you, having responded to a number of overdoses in a controlled medical setting in a healthcare centre, that looks really different than opening a bathroom and finding someone who’s been there for 10 or 15 minutes,” he said.

Michaud warns the death toll in Ontario could increase with this

TMU introduces digital OneCard for Fall 2024 students

By Kayla Solway

Toronto Metropolitan University (TMU) has implemented a digital OneCard program for any new and current students enrolled in the Fall 2024 semester and onward.

The digital card will give students access to all TMU buildings, campus services and discounts through their devices.

Any TMU student who wishes to activate their digital OneCard must pay a fee of $12.50 to the OneCard office in POD-48.

To activate the digital OneCard, students must first download the Transact eAccounts app then login using their student number, username and password.

After this process is complete, students will be able to access their digital OneCard and can add it to their online wallets.

Account balances will also be displayed for campus funds, ﬂex dollars and TMU Eats.

Physical OneCards will remain active to all students.

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Features Editor

decision, as well as put an additional strain on healthcare.

“[It will] hugely overburden an already overburdened emergency medical response system [and] emergency rooms, which are already in a crisis state in Ontario,” he added.

277 Victoria St., also referred to as The Works, was bought by TMU in 2023 and is set to be the new home of the Lincoln Alexander School of Law, as previously reported by The Eyeopener. According to TMU, the City of Toronto’s lease for The Works ends in April 2025 and the university will begin taking occupancy of the building at that time.

The Eye reached out to the Ministry of Health for a comment but did not receive a response in time for publication.

New restrictions on ﬂavoured nicotine pouches in Canada

By Daniel Opasinis

The distribution of ﬂavoured nicotine pouches—commonly referred to as zyns—has been restricted in Canada as of Aug. 28 according to a statement released by Health Canada. Mark Holland, Canada’s minister of health, said the new policy aims to stop the sale of ﬂavoured nicotine products that appeal to youth.

Rachel Stonebanks, a first-year student in the RTA new media program at Toronto Metropolitan University, said she tried zyns in the past as an alternative to vaping. She said ﬂavours such as gummy bear attract teenage users so the changes may limit the number of young people purchasing these products. w

“[The new policy] takes away young users but the people that are gonna use it are still gonna be using it,” she said.

The only ﬂavours of nicotine pouches that are available for purchase in pharmacies as of Aug. 28 are mint and menthol.

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Fun & Satire Editor

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Contributors

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SAMMY KOGAN/THE EYEOPENER

Canada’s shifting immigration policies leave international students in

‘limbo’ Experts and student raises concerns over the broader impact on their future

By Lillie Coussée and Jerry Zhang

International students in Canada are facing uncertainty for their futures after the federal government introduced new policy changes limiting the number of hours international students can work off-campus.

This new policy came after a handful of changes to international student regulations this year, including ending full-time work hours for international students working off-campus, reducing the number of student visas by 35 per cent and restricting pathways to obtain a permanent residency (PR).

The previous temporary work policy, allowing international students to work more than 20 hours a week off-campus, ended in April 2024. In a press release that month, the Minister of Immigration, Refugee and Citizenship, Marc Miller, announced they were intending to change the working hours from 20 to 24 in the fall of 2024, however, an exact date was not announced.

Anna Triandafyllidou, a sociology professor at Toronto Metropolitan University (TMU) and the Canada Excellent Research chair in migration and integration, said the new incoming 24-hour working cap is a difficult situation. She said although students may have more time to study, working limited hours in low-paying jobs is not feasible.

“I think that it’s a good thing to reduce [working hours] because study in Canada is demanding…but if [students] work 35 to 40 hours [a week], that certainly will impact [their] study,” she said.

Triandafyllidou said the government should increase the minimum wage to a livable wage if they are going to restrict the number of hours students can work per week.

Aliraza Hingwala, a fourth-year business management student at TMU, said increasing the working hours will not make a difference. He added that some jobs won’t be able to guarantee the hours needed to afford things like rent so adding four more hours would not make a big difference.

“You kind of need to have financial backing in terms of your monthly expenses,” said Hingwala. “I don’t think it would help you as a whole if you were solely dependent on work hours, there’s just no way.”

Limiting working hours also affect international students’ ability to gain opportunities to network in their fields of study, find internships and gain industry experience, said Ashika Niraula, a senior research associate in migration and integration at TMU.

“During the study period, [students] work in any jobs they can find just to be able to fulfill their everyday financial

needs,” she said. “But how do they build professional networks that would help them find that employment in their field after their studies?”

Niraula said this is often overlooked by the government when making these policy decisions. She said a lack of experience in their field makes it more difficult for students to find jobs related to their degree during their post-graduation work permits (PGWP).

“I think it has kind of shaken this image of Canada as an immigrant-friendly country”

According to the new policy by the federal government, international students with PGWPs expiring in 2024 may not receive a visa extension or an invitation to apply for a PR which could force them to return to their home countries.

However, Canada has an express entry program, inviting candidates to apply for permanent residency who meet certain criteria set by the government depending on the labour markets and where they need the most work. Recently, Canada’s immigration policy has increasingly diverted its attention towards STEM fields to meet labour market demands for high-skilled jobs.

Because of this program, many international students have shifted their focus of

study in hopes of securing their PR.

Hingwala said the express entry program affected his choice of study. He went into business analysis, not because he wanted to but because it is considered STEM.

“I’ve also opened up research into healthcare to see [if I] could actually enter the healthcare industry,” he said.

Niraula said that all of the recent and frequent policy changes create “tension and uncertainties,” leading students to reconsider their decision to come to Canada for school.

“I think it has kind of shaken this image of Canada as an immigrant-friendly country,” she said.

Hingwala expressed his frustration with the number of times policies and regulations for international students have changed.

“It’s quite anxiety-inducing because there’s no solid answer,” he said. “Am I even going to be able to do plan A or plan B or plan C…everything that [I] planned originally is sort of in a limbo now.”

Triandafyllidou described the current situation as a “moral panic,” explaining that international students are often blamed for complex issues like housing shortages. She said affordable housing is a problem caused by our infrastructure policy, not the immigration policy.

“It’s simply an easy answer to a complex problem,” she said.

SAMMY KOGAN/THE EYEOPENER

‘Brightening up a corner:’ TMU building features new mural

By Luis Ramirez-Liberato

In the heart of Toronto Metropolitan University’s (TMU) campus, a new mural is on display. Draped over the east wall of the Student Campus Centre (SCC) for beholding eyes to marvel upon, the artwork features a nearly ﬁve-story tall, realistic falcon painted over a colourful geometric background.

Jerry Rugg, the artist behind the work, is a man behind a mask of his own. Preferring to keep his face concealed, Rugg wears an owl mask serving as the face for his alter ego under the artist handle “BirdO.” He is a seasoned artist who moved to Toronto at the age of 18 to make it in the big city and has made it his home ever since.

After travelling globally and making his mark from country-to-country, from mural-to-mural, Rugg is enthusiastic at having the opportunity to work so close to home.

“I have been on the road, and in this particular instance, I’m ecstatic to be sleeping in my own bed,” said Rugg. “My base is in Toronto and I’ve just been on the road so much that I’m really happy I can just walk to the university.”

Creating a mural of this scale comes with signiﬁcant costs, primarily in materials and logistical equipment. Rugg recounts the surprise of seeing the size of

Four

songs TMU students dropped over the summer

By Kristian Toﬁlovski

1. Fallin’ by Sara Maria and Nadia Plumb

The song features hard-hitting electronic dance-pop sounds, thanks to producer Nadia Plumb. Although, this doesn’t stop it from also ﬁnding a sense of ambience, complementing the song’s theme of navigating love and relationships.

2. Pink by Jasmine AlexJ

The pop sound and lyrics of “Pink” give the song a sense of humour and authenticity that both directly and metaphorically emphasize its theme of ﬁnding satisfaction in toxic relationships.

3. Outcast by Joseph Robinson

“Outcast” is a coming-of-age anthem that captures the angst of entering adulthood, grappling with feelings of being stuck and falling behind with an upbeat, pop-indie sound that listeners can embrace.

4. Catch You Now by Carina

The song tells the story of discovering that a romantic interest or partner has been unfaithful, drawing inspiration from real life. “It’s about laughing it off and not letting it bother me,” said Carina.

Diverse summer intiatives promote unity

TMU students continue community building in their off-season in more ways than one

By Charlotte Cole

With the first week of September finished, students have officially wrapped up their summer jobs and started looking ahead to lectures, assignments and most importantly, campus events. The school year sees various clubs at Toronto Metropolitan University (TMU) host a diverse range of initiatives working to bring its communities together.

While many students have been away from campus for the last four months, some have been busy around the clock creating ways for their peers to connect both creatively and through activism.

Throughout the summer, the Students Justice for Palestine (SJP) did not stop demonstrating after they organized a sit-in during a Board of Governors meeting last April.

“The summer wasn’t really a break for us,” said one *SJP member. “We wanted to make sure our presence was still highly visible to the administration.”

“There was a group of parents that tried to grab our keffiyehs and run away with them”

One initiative the SJP took was tabling each day during convocation ceremonies. Here, they offered keffiyehs—an international symbol of Palestinian resistance since the 1936 Arab Revolt against British colonial rule—and Palestinian flags. The SJP offered these in exchange for donations and a chance to encourage students to proudly wear the scarves during their ceremonies.

“During convocation we got a lot of backlash from parents,” said the member. “There was a group of parents that tried to grab our keffiyehs and run away with them.”

On June 19, the SJP held a joint memorial with the Faculty for Palestine and the Jewish Faculty Network at TMU.

“All of our students and all of our teachers. Thank you for teaching us life,” reads a post from the SJP instagram account.

“It was to honour the class of 2024 in Gaza who did not graduate,” said the SJP member.

As orientation began on campus, the SJP tabled for three more days, two of those at Nelson Mandela Walk and one at Kerr Hall Quad.

“We raised a lot of donations and got to meet with many incoming students,” said the member.

The SJP’s efforts were not limited to TMU’s campus. When University of Toronto students organized a pro-Palestinian encampment in solidarity with students on American campuses from May to July, SJP members worked to support them by handling safety aspects, amplifying daily programming and more. One program included making a Solidarity Quilt, combining the artwork of those present at the encampment.

“We know that this movement is much larger than us,” said the group’s member.

The SJP has not been the only student group responding to global unrest and tragedy this summer.

Bangladesh has experienced an unprecedented environmental catastrophe with its

worst monsoon in 30 years as well as government crackdowns amidst inflation hitting a 12-year high this summer. In addition, high levels of government corruption led to widespread protests that caused their prime minister to flee the country.

In response from Toronto, TMU’s Bangladeshi Student Association (BSA) was one of five BSA’s from across local university campuses to participate in starting a relief fund in partnership with BacharLorai.

“We believe in unity,” said TMU’s BSA president, Sheikh Nihal Muzib.

Their joint Instagram post described the fund going to “local nonprofits and grassroots organizations,” with the focus being on providing “medical care, legal support and community-based aid.”

“This is the time to be active in your community and advocate against injustice”

On Aug. 4, TMU’s BSA also co-organized a demonstration at Nathan Phillips Square in solidarity with students protesting the government in Bangladesh.

“Our brothers and sisters started this whole revolution in Bangladesh,” said Muzib. “It’s our responsibility to make it stronger [and to give] our brothers and sisters, who are literally dying every day, strength from here.”

In addition to activism-driven initiatives, there were plenty of creative and community bonding events organized as well. Just a few weeks before students went back to class, a fashion show centred around body positivity was hosted at the Sheldon & Tracy Levy Student Learning Centre.

Natalie Feder-Welch, TMU’s health and

wellness lead and the show’s main organizer said she “really wanted students to feel free in their expression.”

The show has been running since 2017, with this year’s theme being ‘Strike a Pose.’

As the event took place during orientation week, Feder-Welch said she wanted to create a space on campus where new and returning students “could be bold in their self expression, in their bodies and their style and really own the space that they are in.”

“It’s the reason why I always say my time as an international queer student has been so fulfilling”

Despite the summer break, planning for this year’s body positivity fashion show began back in May. The team that put it together was made up of mostly TMU students including the models, stage and dressing room staff, halftime show performers, sound technicians and more.

“It took a lot of students to make the show happen,” said Feder-Welch.

“My approach was to prompt a sense of body positivity and promote a supportive environment for students to feel comfortable in their bodies,” she added.

Looking back to June, The Queer Space at TMU was busy as the group hosted five separate events during Pride Month. Their largest was during Toronto’s Pride Parade where with the help of TMU student designers, The Queer Space had their own float with nearly 50 TMU students.

According to Parth Bharty, one of the leads at The Queer Space, the special part of student-led groups is the community they build.

“It’s the reason why I always say my time

as an international queer student has been so fulfilling,” he said.

The Queer Space is not new to collaboration as they have worked with various other student groups in the past including the Trans Collective at TMU.

The Trans Collective worked to keep the LGBTQ+ community on campus in touch with summer events varying from participation in abolitionist pride marches to Pride-themed picnics through social media.

Meanwhile, some TMU community members had their green thumbs busy on the roof of the Daphne Cockwell Complex building. TMU’s Urban Farm has been maintaining two ecological gardens all summer long.

They have hosted Learning Circle workshops and harvested diverse crops not often found in North American gardens. These learning circles are part of the Black Food Sovereignty initiatives, student-run programs dedicated to “challenging the systemic racism that persists within contemporary food production, urban agricultural systems and within our institutions.” Topics touched on during these circles include Black food histories, food literacy and community healing.

Another program the Urban Farm runs is a monthly, “Garden Grab Bag” which offers “seasonally fresh, spray-free produce,” according to their Instagram.

From unity to creativity, TMU students showcased plenty of initiative over the summer months. The SJP member said it is important to show up in times of need.

“Do not feel scared about participation,” they said. “This is the time to be active in your community and advocate against injustice.”

*This source’s identity has been kept anonymous due to concerns of personal safety.

SAIF-ULLAH KHAN/THE EYEOPENER

Filipino fashion students at TMU are revitalizing the Filipiniana through strength and style

SAMMY

KOGAN/THE EYEOPENER

By Teresa Valenton

Disclaimer: Teresa Valenton is the current co-president of the university’s Filipino Student Association but was a social media associate at the time this article was written and reported.

Amidst the white walls of a small fashion studio lies a designer immersed in revitalizing the threads of Filipino history. Scraps of bridal dresses line the floors of Toronto Metropolitan University (TMU) fashion alumnus Jillian Joy San Juan’s workshop in East York. Smooth and shimmery silks adorn the bust mannequins with madeto-wear Filipinianas, various pieces characterized by pleated sleeves and butterfly-like silhouettes. Low hums of sewing machines vibrate through the room and the in-progress garments are spread across tables in the studio space. Chatter fills the front desk with talks of bridal designs, custom wedding pieces, alterations, fittings and all collaborative processes in-between. Her studio acts as a point of cultural revitalization for traditional Filipino garments in a post-colonial setting.

Widely known as the Filipiniana, this term describes one of many traditional garments worn in the Philippines. Interchangeably titled as the Maria Clara, it has become an ever-changing piece in Filipino history. The name comes from a character written by Jose Rizal, a novelist considered a national hero who narrated colonial ideals to Filipino women. Referred to as the ‘visible head of the Philippine nationalist movement’ by scholar Mark DeStephano, Rizal’s multiplatform work

in both Spanish and Tagalog offered a vision of reform that united Filipinos during the revolution.

Denounced as the “greatest misfortune that has befallen the Filipina” by Rizal, the ideals of the Filipiniana have been complicated for women in the diaspora.

“ ey say that the hist y of a ess is also the hist y of a nation”

Critics are unsure if Maria Clara was a satirical social comment in Rizal’s novel Noli Me Tángere as a symbol of purity and virtue. However, author Zea Asis describes her image as suppressive and sexist of what it meant to be a Filipina in the 20th century. In an effort to reclaim the garment as a symbol of empowerment, many fashion designers have taken it upon themselves to redeﬁne its history.

San Juan’s first Filipiniana collection was a byproduct of her time as an undergraduate student at TMU. Familiar to the walls of Kerr Hall, San Juan’s fascination with traditional clothing was not imminently apparent. Fast-approaching her graduating collection at the time, San Juan wished to create a body of work that was culturally relevant. Describing her ideas “within the Western society or within North America,” San Juan’s collection was designed to be viable in all markets.

Once familiar with her mother’s garment, a Terno from the Philippines, San Juan was able to picture the clothing in use. The Terno refers to the various components of the overall traditional Filipino dress. However, in its modern usage, many refer to the Terno as a synonym to the Filipiniana when they discuss the unique butterﬂy sleeves.

To further tap into her Filipino identity, San Juan set out on learning all about the garment. “I found that it was not really popular with people in North America and even within the Philippines, not many people were wearing it for everyday occasions,” she says. “There was

a sort of movement that was pushing for this design into daily use. I just ended falling in love with it the more I researched and that is where it all began for me.” Not limited to Canada alone, the Filipino diaspora is one of the largest, spanning over 100 countries as referenced by The Oxford Handbook of Asian American History. This makes the Philippines the thirdlargest population in Canada of ethnic or cultural origin from the Indo-Pacific region according to The Embassy of the Philippines in Ottawa. However, many Filipino Canadians have expressed their strong sense of belonging in the diaspora. According to Statistics Canada, over nine in 10 Filipino Canadians (92 per cent) reported feeling a very strong sense of belonging in Canada. Often referred to by Filipino Canadians as ‘balikbayans’ which roughly translates to “return to country,” the community has forged localised cultures worldwide. As their overseas populations continue to grow, it is no surprise that the diaspora is seeking a deeper understanding of their roots.

Though the Maria Clara was meant to embody the ideal Filipina, the evolution of the garment reflects history. For fourth-year fashion student Jasmine Tolentino, the design process spans studios both on and off campus. Sitting in a plastic blue chair hunched over wooden tables alongside her peers, she carefully stitches denim together for her final menswear project for the Advanced Fashion Design II core elective. As the lights dim down at the end of the day and grey curtains close at the turn of sunset, she keeps working, finding solace immersed in her work. Faint music from headphones around the room passes through the silence and Tolentino pushes through as one of many aspiring designers.

However, it is her generational resilience that pushes her to work harder. “I recently learned from my dad that my great-great-grandpa was a dressmaker or tailor in Pampanga. I found it interesting that this was already in my blood and that I wasn’t the ﬁrst one,” Tolentino says, paying homage to her family.

Aside from family, she expresses an unfamiliarity with Filipino designers. Primarily surrounded by Western artists, the reinvention of traditional wear was a land undiscovered for the young designer. “I think it’s great that many have modern takes on our culture as long as they are mindful of what they’re adding and changing.”

reﬂect functionality. “When you think about migration stories, there’s factual evidence and objective information that is helpful about identity.”

“Whenever I wear aditional clothing, I feel like my lola would be oud”

Although the Filipiniana is modernly known as the traditional dress of the Philippines, it only reflects those of upper social classes. “There was a difference in how Indigenous women dressed as well. It is just like any society where our clothes normally define who we are, what classes we belong to,” says Mignette Garvida, a Spanish language lecturer at TMU. Materials for Indigenous dresses heavily differed from Maria Claras, with skirts made from silks of varying colours and blouses composed of pineapple fibres and intricately embroidered details, she explains.

Partially deriving from the baro’t saya or “blouse and skirt,” the Terno encompasses a variety of styles. “When it came to the middle class, styles were a bit different. Silks from China entered the Philippines long before the Spaniards came. So when the Spaniards came, the styles changed as well,” says Garvida.

As Tolentino enters her ﬁnal year of studies, her perception of the Maria Clara progresses with time. After her internship with a Toronto-based Filipina designer and time spent researching the Filipiniana, her pre-conceived notions of the garment being a “neutral, conservative piece of clothing,” have now evolved to see it as a signiﬁer of “resilience, beauty and strength.”

She says “it’s important that the Filipino diaspora keeps in contact with traditional wear to learn more about their roots and the meaning behind these important cultural pieces.”

Now set up in the corner of her bedroom, a white sewing machine and serger are propped up on a wooden desk. White, grey and light pink threads adorn the left corner of her white peg board beside several rulers, two claw clips and a lamp that illuminates her late nights. The black lamp lights the space ever so slightly giving each piece a touch of tenderness and familiarity. With an emphasis on having her family continuously be an inspiration to her work, a four-cut photo strip of her family graces the middle of her stand in the eyeline of her seat.

This small yet familiar setup will be put to use as Tolentino reclaims her identity as a Filipina in the world of fashion. Like Tolentino, other creatives are also exploring their heritage through various outlets. This path to cultural discovery is not linear and can often be halted by external inﬂuences.

Filipina Indonesian writer and independent researcher Bianca Weeko Martin has dedicated her work to design, art and Filipino culture. Her academic focus is on how cultural practices in the home can be healing through history and has extended to collaborations with creatives in Toronto. Martin’s research has helped her to become a celebrated ﬁgure among many Filipinos both in the Philippines and in Canada. Her latest Canadian release of the Architectural Guide in Manila was published on Sept. 7.

Despite her specialisation in history, Martin acknowledges the overlap between clothing and architecture and the ways in which they intersect with culture. “I think when we grasp identity, there are so many questions and non-objective routes to information. How do we feel? How do we remember?” she pushes. Though the histories between the two disciplines differ, she says the ways materials are used constantly

Fashion and books have become a pinnacle of cultural exchange. While the diaspora can look different for many, it is these exact art forms that keep youth interested in pushing themselves further. Clothing often tells the unspoken stories of women across countries, generations and patterns of immigration. In Martin’s case, she acknowledges that there may be information gaps when it comes to innovating traditional Filipino-wear into empowering garments. “How are we spotlighting things that are happening there? How do we place it alongside our work in the diaspora so that they are not completely alienated?” she asks.

Though Maria Clara ideals have historically suppressed Filipino women as argured by Asis, it is the same term that has united communities to look ahead. Even in border towns on the edge of Southwestern Ontario, there lies a young woman who is contributing to change in the Filipino community. Raised in Sarnia, Isabela Gorgonio faces a constant battle with her identity. There was a lack of cultural foundation that came from a predominantly white graduating class, she says.

But a greater battle to be faced was the struggle among other Filipinos. “Especially in smaller communities, there’s such a huge emphasis on knowing, needing to learn or understanding the language to prove yourself as a Filipino,” she says.

Now five years later, sitting in her apartment in Toronto surrounded by posters of various artists, succulents and a rack full of eccentric clothing, Gorgonio is unapologetically herself. Attending TMU as a fourthyear fashion student and doubling down as the former president of the Filipino Student Association at Toronto Metropolitan University (FILMET), she effortlessly embodies the ever-changing definition of the Maria Clara. While on path to pursuing a career as a creative director, she says it is important to keep tradition at the forefront of her work. With an understanding that fashion may appear frivolous in nature, Gorgonio continuously pushes for an agenda that centres culture in clothing. She says, “fashion alone is a perfect visual signifier to say, ‘this is who I am’ without saying a word to anyone. So I think it’s even more important to understand the rich histories of these pieces.”

she explains. Alliya Anne G. Lopez, who has a bachelor of fine arts in visual studies from the University of Calgary, reports that colourism remains so deeply rooted in the Filipino diaspora. Alongside heavily Spanish-influenced pieces, Gorgonio encouraged the models to celebrate their darker skin tones in spite of historically-rooted biases. To take modernity into account when styling her shoots, Gorgonio has always sought to reclaim her heritage in a way that creates inclusive spaces for all. When reflecting on her journey as a creative thus far, she explains, “there’s sometimes the internal battle of pouring your heart into something and then detaching your identity. I think no matter what you do, your identity will have a strong component on what you create, even on a surface level.”

Regardless of designer, the Filipiniana will always carry an unmatched poise. The sleeves command an attentive eye and the fabrics hold many intergenerational stories. Out of many garments written in Philippine history, the Maria Clara holds dear to the ideals of femininity. Slowly overcoming these sexist stigmas, local Filipino designers have conspired together to deconstruct this image. Gorgonio, however, puts it proudly, “whenever I wear traditional clothing, I feel like my lola would be proud. I think about my ancestors and I think about all those who came before me, which is so beautiful.”

“I’m ﬁrst-generation but some people have been here for two or three. It is all so different,” says Martin, elaborating on reconciling with a cultural divide. “We’re all dealing with similar ideas, questions and parts of history and trauma.

Back at her studio, San Juan’s tale of cultural discovery begins with fashion. Surrounded by Filipino-wear throughout her upbringing, she always associated traditional pieces with family. “I imagined it as something speciﬁcally for events as opposed to something of everyday attire,” she explains.

seen in conversation

On set for her final assignment for Art Direction for Fashion, she positions models dressed in the Filipiniana with unconventional hair and makeup styles. Embellished in traditional wear, each model interacts with beauty ideals differently. “Even if you relate back to history, people with lighter skin would be the ones to wear these pieces,”

As her interest grew with research, San Juan was introduced to a world of history surrounding the Filipiniana. “There were politicians who were a bit wealthier, but there were also people working laboriously on the streets as well [wearing] Ternos. Just uncovering that truth and history where it came from changed my outlook and inspired me to share with others that the Filipiniana can exist beyond.” Now specialising in custom and ready-to-wear Filipinianas for brides, San Juan’s clientele has expanded across cities in North America. Apart from custom pieces, she has made it known that designing is a collaborative process. Often seen in conversation with clients at her front desk, she listens intently to their requests to create an empowering piece of work. San Juan says, “They say that the history of a dress is also the history of a nation. Upon hearing that and learning about the Terno, I think it does reflect the state of the country. It evolved from the Spaniard colonial silhouette, but it also gave me a much better understanding of what it meant to be Filipino.”

dressed

The race car under Kerr Hall

The Toronto Met Formula Racing team is set for a new season

By Todd Ash-Duah

For Toronto Metropolitan University (TMU) students, Kerr Hall is familiar yet bewildering. The “campus heart” of TMU— which consists of four buildings: the North, South, East and West wings—is far from a one-trick pony. It is home to lecture halls, science labs, dance studios and more.

Unbeknownst to many, Kerr Hall is also home to one of the best-kept secrets on campus. Near the north wing of the building, there is an entrance that leads to the Kerr Hall basement. Once in the basement, a walk up some steps and a left turn leads to the Engineering Student Design Zone workshop. Beyond the white installation pipes hanging from the ceiling, it becomes visible: a slick, F1-style race car.

The car belongs to the Toronto Metropolitan Formula Racing team (TMFR), a club that’s been around for 30 years and is looking to make a mark as the 2024-25 season begins.

“We design, manufacture, validate and test our vehicle and compete with it,” said Rhythm Patel, a fourth-year mechanical engineering student and the TMFR’s team captain for 2024-25. “Our goal is to design our race car, one better than the year before.”

Members of the TMFR team have spent countless hours putting together the TM24, the team’s third-generation electric vehicle and their ﬁrst electric vehicle that features an aerodynamic package.

“You get to build things you never thought you could build”

The hallway leading down to the workshop is littered with storage boxes, folding chairs and piles of wood. While it is cluttered, it also paints a picture of hard work, determination and drive.

Each year, the TMFR team works as a unit to build an F1-style, open-wheeled race car to participate in the Formula Society of Automotive Engineers (SAE) competition in Brooklyn, Michigan.

The opportunity to create a competitive

race car isn’t something the club members or executives take for granted.

“I like working with my hands,” said Rochelle Mendonca, a fourth-year mechatronics engineering student. She is the team’s project manager and its ﬁrst female driver.

“We have our design phase, research phase, manufacturing phase and testing phase,” said Mendonca. “For me personally, manufacturing is the most fun because you get to actually see how all the parts integrate together. You get to build things you never thought you could build.”

This year, the team has roughly 70 members, along with more than 300 students and alumni in the team’s Slack channel. While a fair share of them are engineering students, there are also other members from business and arts-based programs.

“We are primarily an engineering design team but whenever I say that to people, they think that only engineering [students] can join or will join,” said Patel. “But we are very diverse as a group.”

Patel highlights that being a member of the TMFR team can open doors for students and provide them unique career and job opportunities, no matter their program.

“We’ve had alumni work at Tesla, one of our sponsors. Our biggest sponsor right now is Litens and two people from our team already had a job secured [with them] because we had connections with them,” he said.

Mendonca said the beneﬁts of joining the TMFR team don’t only extend to jobs.

“You get a lot of hands-on experience and make a lot of real-life connections,” she said. “You can make lifelong friends.”

However, the ultimate networking ground is in Michigan. In the heat and humidity of mid-June, the Michigan International Speedway packs with fans for the highly anticipated Formula SAE student competition.

Since 1981, 120 universities from across the globe have ﬂocked to The Great Lake State to compete in racing events. Each student team designs, builds and tests a prototype race car based on competition rules. They also prepare business presentations that include 10year projections for the team as a company.

SAMMY KOGAN/THE EYEOPENER

Fall games to watch for

Words by Mitchell Fox Icons by Vanessa Kauk

Sept. 19: Homecoming vs Brock Badgers

Mattamy Athletic Centre

6 p.m.

The TMU Bold men’s hockey team will face off against the Brock Badgers in a pre-season game for a “HOCO” celebration. Both teams will likely see the rematch of last year’s Ontario University Athletics (OUA) West Division Final—which the Bold won in three games—as a measuring stick game ahead of the regular season.

In 2023, the TMFR team finished 26th overall in the racing portion of the competition but finished first in the business presentation for the second consecutive year. They also placed third during their cost report against 70 teams, which was the most memorable event for Mendonca.

“I presented to a group of judges, pitched our cost presentation and we placed third,” she said. “We got a trophy, so that was really exciting.”

In 2024, the team placed eighth in the cost report and passed two of three car tests but did not compete in all events or keep their business presentation streak alive. Mendonca knows there are areas for improvement for the team to achieve more success in the future.

“This is our third generation electric car and the ﬁrst two didn’t run,” she said. “Every year, we’ve been doing better and better. So we’re trying to get this one to run.”

For Patel, this year’s competition presented itself as a prime learning and growth opportunity moving forward.

“We learned a lot. We saw a lot of teams and what they were doing and we always learn from other teams,” he said.

Although the Formula SAE is the main competition they participate in, the team is also looking forward to taking part in the annual University of Toronto Shootout, an event where teams from all across North America compete and show off their race cars. This year, the event will take place on Sept. 28 at Brechin Motorsports Park.

“We got a trophy, so that was really exciting”

After that, the team will go about building the TM-25 car. Another year of work in the depths of Kerr Hall will lead up to the car being unveiled over the summer. Patel said the TM24 unveiling at the Red Bull Canada in May—which brought out members, alumni, sponsors, professors and reporters—is his favourite memory so far.

“Seeing [everyone] gathered together to see what we’ve been able to do with their help, as well as all the hard work that went into making this car over the last year, I think it was a really proud moment for all of us.”

Oct. 9: MSOC rivalry game vs Ontario Tech Ridgebacks Downsview Park 7 p.m.

The Bold men’s soccer team will play a rematch of last year’s quarter-ﬁnal loss against the Ontario Tech Ridgebacks at 7 p.m. at Downsview Park.

Nov. 2: Basketball home openers vs Algoma Thunderbirds

Mattamy Athletic Centre

W: 4 p.m.; M: 6 p.m.

The women’s basketball team will host their home opener against the Algoma Thunderbirds, who ﬁnished with a 3-19 record last year. They’ll seek to start the 2024-25 season with a win and draw from last year’s 11-1 record on home court. The men will play their home opener against the Thunderbirds two hours later.

Nov. 7: Volleyball home openers W vs Ottawa GeeGees; M vs Trent Excalibur

Mattamy Athletic Centre W: 6 p.m.; M: 8 p.m.

The women’s and men’s volleyball teams will play at home for the ﬁrst time on Nov. 7. The women will take on the Ottawa GeeGees—a team they have not played since 2017—before the men play the Trent Excalibur, who they beat twice in two games last season.

Nov. 16: Queen’s Cup rematch vs UQTR Patriotes

Mattamy Athletic Centre 6:15 p.m.

The Bold men’s hockey team’s will take on the Université du Québec à Trois Rivières (UQTR) Patriotes, who beat them in double overtime in the Queen’s Cup ﬁnals in March. Both rosters have brought in fresh talent to ﬁll spaces left by departures such as top scorers Kyle Bollers and Simon Lafrance.

Nov. 30: The fall semester wraps vs Windsor Lancers

Mattamy Athletic Centre 2:15 p.m.

The last home games before the OUA‘s winter break will feature the women’s hockey team, and both basketball teams. Women’s hockey will play the Windsor Lancers in the last of four straight home games against OUA West opponents.

SAMMY KOGAN/THE EYEOPENER

Bold women’s soccer ‘up to the ﬁ ght’ in 2024-25

With 14 new faces, the squad looks to turn the tide

By Natasha Pinto

After a difficult 2023 season, the Toronto Metropolitan University (TMU) Bold women’s soccer team is welcoming a new year of competition and many fresh faces during their pursuit toward the top of the Ontario University Athletics (OUA) table.

The team opened last year with a 2-1 win over the Laurentian Voyageurs. Fourth-year utility player Taliyah Walker scored both goals while goalkeeper Abby Harrison had six saves. It was a positive sign for the season to come but proved to be short-lived.

“It is a great group of girls and you can see the potential that the team has”

This win was followed by three straight losses with a combined score of 16-3 and ultimately a

3-7-2 record for the season. A tie against the Trent Excalibur on Seniors Night conﬁrmed that the Bold would miss the playoffs.

Walker said the 2023 season didn’t go as well as the squad hoped but they regrouped in the off-season and “put a lot of work in over the spring and summer.” They hope to push for a playoff spot, make it past the ﬁrst round onto the second and then continue on to nationals.

“We know that it’s gonna be a tough battle, but we’re up to the ﬁght,” Walker said.

Having 12 players graduate in addition to six other departures meant the team needed to bring in several new names. 10 new signings were announced over the summer and four more names have appeared on the team’s roster on the TMU Bold website since.

Emily Porteous, a fourth-year defender who last played for the

Bold in 2021, also returned to the team and will continue to play this season.

While the majority of the new signings are listed as midﬁelders or defenders, Walker said one of the team’s biggest focuses for this season is their goal-scoring and ﬁnishing.

Walker and notable departure Ivymae Perez each led the team with four goals last year while the team totaled just 14. New players and a rise in scoring depth will be the key to raising that number.

“The recruits are very talented players and there’s a lot to look forward to with this upcoming season,” Walker noted.

First-year defender Reilly Flesher is excited about the opportunity at hand and is ready to prove herself as an important part of the team this season.

“Once I met the team and Coach [Natalie] it sealed the deal because it is a great group of girls and you

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can see the potential that the team has,” Flesher said.

Crafting their technique and cohesiveness over the summer— along with building trust on and off the ﬁeld—has helped solidify how they play. Many members of the team played for Scrosoppi FC, a League1 Ontario team managed by Bold assistant coach John Yacou, over the summer.

“We have all been in contact throughout the summer. A lot of our team played on the same summer team and that helped us get to know [the recently signed players],” Walker said. “It gives us a bit of an edge against our opponents because we’re coming in knowing each other’s playing styles.”

Entering her last year on the team, Walker said she also wants

to enjoy the time she has left playing. It’s her hope to see the doors open for this program as there are many other talented female soccer players across Canada.

“Coach [Yacou] has his eyes set on nationals”

Though moving further into the playoffs than last year is the primary aim for the squad this year, they also hope to enjoy their time as a team, see fans at games showing their support and work with the encouragement from the coaches to make it a memorable season.

“I think we are going to do well this year, we have the work ethic,” said Flesher. “Coach [Yacou] has his eyes set on nationals.”

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Students left scrambling as job market takes a dive

By Melanie Nava Urribarri

This summer, some university students entered “survival mode” as they struggled to find jobs amid the lowest student employment rates in 26 years.

With a 3.8 per cent increase in unemployed Canadians over the past year, the unemployment rate of returning students in the country hit 15.9 per cent, according to Statistics Canada. This is the highest unemployment Canada has been since June 1998.

“Like when you drop a rock in the ocean”

“When you think a lot about money, your brain will automatically be in survivor mode,” said Savannah Phan, a thirdyear marketing management student at Toronto Metropolitan University (TMU).

For some students, the stress of money pushes them to their limit. “I got insomnia [thinking] about money,” she said.

According to a report on regional unemployment rates by Statistics Canada, as of August 2024, Toronto has seen little movement in its high unemployment rate as it held at 8.1 per cent since last June.

Along with the unemployment data recently released by Statistics Canada, the number of employees receiving pay and benefits from their employers measured as “payroll enrolment” decreased by 0.3 per cent in June of this year.

“I don’t even think students realize how bad it is,” said Eric Kam, a professor and associate chair of the International Economics and Finance Under-

graduate program at TMU.

“I think the [statistics] are lower than the truth...What the government can do is manipulate the statistics,” said Kam.

For example, he explained how the government doesn’t differentiate between part-time and full-time work, “we know in reality...many people that are part-time employed would like to be full-time employed. But they can’t. There’s no jobs.”

For some students, this causes troubling emotions.

“It was hard not to feel like I was doing something wrong because even though I had the qualifications, nobody was looking at me, which is stressful,” said Tatem Mackey, a 2024 TMU media production alumna.

As time went on, Mackey said she felt worse and worse about herself.

Similar to Mackey, Jessica Sharkey, a fourth-year professional communications student at TMU, also struggled with finding stable work. She said “it was almost impossible” for her to find something.

For one job application, Sharkey had to go through three online questionnaires and three interviews only to end up not hearing anything back. “It was a pretty big slap in the face,” she said.

According to Statistics Canada, the annual inflation rate in Canada currently sits at 2.5 per cent, the lowest since April of this year.

Kam explained that inflation isn’t just a couple of prices going up, but an aggregate price level — an average price of all goods and services.

He added that there’s a casual relationship between unemployment rates and inflation. When the economy declines and real gross domestic products stop

growing, companies get “leaner and meaner.” Kam clarified this means the largest employers of labour start to be the largest people that let labour go. Until they can get on more solid footing as well as get their profits and shareholder expectations back.

“If you’re not getting paid it’s almost impossible to survive down here”

“It’s called an exogenous shock that inflation has just dropped in the economy,” said Kam. “Like when you drop a rock in the ocean.”

Specifically, in the unemployment statistics affected by inflation, what has increased is the number of people actively looking for work who don’t find jobs. This comes partially from inflationary pressure and partially the fact the Canadian economy is now “absolutely stagnant,” added Kam.

LEBRON PRYCE/THE EYEOPENER

Sharkey shared that she is “thankfully” working a retail job. Even so, it took around 50 unsuccessful job applications for her to get one call back.

Describing her summer journey seeking internships and jobs, she said she had started to look for unpaid internships at one point but found it unfeasible.

“If you’re not getting paid it’s almost impossible to survive down here,” Sharkey explained.

Phan also noticed that the financial struggle doesn’t stop at job hunting.

“Before I only needed $300 to live because I cook for myself every month,” said Phan. “That’s just for eating and food. But now it’s had to be [around $400] per month. That’s a lot.”

Students looking for employment are not the only ones feeling the pressure with higher prices. Some employers looking to hire are also affected.

Kenny Gonzalez, a business

partner and manager at Electric Repair and Machine Co., said the change in hiring operations has “been crazy.”

“To give you an example, we could have hired a technician four years ago for a salary in the range of $22 to $25 an hour. Now you can’t get anyone to work for less than $35 an hour,” he said.

These factors have made it more difficult to hire. To justify the higher wages, Gonzalez added that employers like them have to “considerably increase [their] profit margin.”

“I don’t even think students realize how bad it is”

Employers can expect to shell out more for higher wages as the Ontario government has announced its plans on raising minimum wage to $17.20 per hour effective Oct. 1 of this year.

Balling on a budget: financial tips for TMU students

Realistic tips and expert advice for budgeting as a university student

By Shaye-Love Salcedo

Many students at Toronto Metropolitan University (TMU) grapple with the financial strain that tuition fees, textbooks and rent bring.

Despite having access to Student Financial Assistance at TMU, according to Statistics Canada, full-time tuition fees for Canadian undergraduate students rose 3 per cent in 2023 posing significant challenges for students striving to maintain financial stability.

Check out The Eyeopener’s

budgeting guidelines for university students.

Eliminate your overspending on courses

One of the first steps to budgeting is eliminating overspending on unnecessary school expenses. According to financial advice by the Government of Canada, knowing where your money is going is key to setting a successful budget.

Part of what this means for university students is maintaining a balanced course load.

Coleen Clark, a professor emerita at TMU’s Ted Rogers

School of Management, explains the potential consequences of dropping courses on time to save money on tuition fees.

“Students would drop a course at the drop of a hat every semester,” said Clark. “So now you’ve got another whole year, first of all, of tuition and secondly, of lost income.”

According to TMU’s 20242025 undergraduate calendar, students who drop a course before Sept. 13 are eligible to receive a 100 per cent refund for it.

Residence advisors hire psychic to ‘cleanse’ buildings

Beatrice Veresol aims to solve some of the biggest gripes students have with living on campus

By Hailey Ford

Disclaimer: Outside this satirical piece, the university is extremely unlikely to take any measures to improve residence—supernatural or otherwise.

Last week, residence advisors (RA) at Toronto Metropolitan University (TMU) announced they hired a full-time spiritual medium advisor to address the numerous complaints students have with oncampus housing.

D-list celebrity Beatrice Veresol will now be a frequent sight to students living on campus as she makes her initial efforts to cleanse Pitman Hall, the Daphne Cockwell Complex (DCC) and the International Living/Learning Centre.

“We understand that this may be a controversial decision,” said Ava Madison, the RA who originally suggested the hiring. “But based on her track record and our lack of success with traditional methods like maintenance and upkeep, we’re certain this will work.”

Veresol is currently dealing with known and existing issues such

as elevator wait times, absent hot water and cases of food poisoning.

“I’ve always known it was ghosts. I’m embarrassed the RAs took this long to realize,” said Chelsea White, a second-year student who lived in the DCC last year. “My light fell out of the ceiling, a window smashed and I got locked inside my room for two whole days.”

Veresol has already conducted her first séance on the 13th floor of Pitman Hall. The RAs also commissioned TMU-branded candles for use in the ritual, which students can purchase at the campus store later this week.

“I’ve always known it was ghosts. I’m embarrased that the RAs took this long to realize”

She said that while the process was time consuming, it allowed her to identify many of the ghostly culprits.

“The sewage overflows are commonly attributed to clogged pipes and overuse,” she explained. “In reality, it’s a spirit named Fœtor,

who likes the smell.”

Veresol rose to fame in the hit 2000s Canadian television series Foundation or Phantom. Together with home inspector Adam Cedar, they solved both the supernatural and structural issues in houses across the country.

The show was canceled in 2011 when it came to light that her costar was a fraud who lacked the appropriate credentials. Cedar had been exposed following an episode where he was crushed to death by a home he had formerly deemed “structurally sound.” Following that, Veresol wrote a number of popular middle-grade novels telling a fictionalized version of her childhood.

“I figured it was time to go back to my roots,” she said when asked why she was returning to the field. “Plus, book sales are down and I’m running low on funds. My equipment isn’t cheap.”

The decision to bring on a psychic advisor is popular with students, staff and faculty alike.

“I feel comforted knowing that the university cares enough about the student safety to address this

issue head on,” said one no-longer-concerned parent coming out of a parent-psychic meeting.

Veresol said she will be taking a variety of approaches to dealing with the hauntings. She added that she prefers to take a therapeutic approach to managing the unruly spirits but is not opposed to more aggressive solutions when necessary.

“Tris, who haunts the International Living/Learning Centre could be quite useful as an academic resource once she receives counsel-

ing,” Veresol said. “But others, like Incenignus, pose a serious risk and need to be purged from this plane immediately with the buildings warded to prevent a return.” She will also provide sessions to students in residence on how to properly use crystals, salt circles and candles for paranormal safety. One session will be mandatory for all students living on the 4th, 7th and 9th floors of Pitman Hall. Students can call 1-800-GOTGHOSTS to report any further incidents with the undead.

TMU includes livestock in new rooftop farm operations

The Urban Farm’s

By Adriana Fallico

Disclaimer: This article is entirely fiction—only squirrels, raccoons and pigeons terrorize our campus.

Have you ever wondered if the moo of a cow would be a functional alarm clock? Thanks to the success of the campus’ Urban Farms, Toronto Metropolitan University (TMU) has introduced

undeniable success

a new livestock initiative on the roof of the Daphne Cockwell Complex (DCC).

The third rooftop farm will house a variety of animals, such as chickens, pigs, cows, ostriches and a capybara on loan from the University of São Paulo.

Since the installation, several students living in the DCC have seen a drastic improvement in their lifestyles.

is ready to make some mooooves in a new direction

Rufus Pawster, a first-year environment and urban sustainability student living at the DCC said he “has never felt more at peace” since the animals arrived.

“Starting every morning by taking a deep whiff of fresh cow manure has really changed my outlook on life,” he said. “I didn’t realize before how sick I was with dealing with people. Now I get to hang out with flamingos everyday!”

He even feels that living amongst wildlife helps him connect with his program.

“Seeing how different ecosystems live amongst each other, especially so close to me, is truly inspiring,” he said, wiping tears from his face.

Squeak Fuzzbutt, a third-year geographic analysis student who lives on the top floor of the DCC, has seen some “odd, yet touching shit” since she moved in.

“One time, I made a joke to a friend that I would drop out when pigs fly, and I saw the largest, hairiest hog majestically fall off the roof,” said Fuzzbutt. “I truly believe the animals were trying to send me a sign.”

Fuzzbutt cited another incident where she witnessed the school’s therapy dogs “joyriding on the ostriches’ backs” as a subliminal message that she should rekindle her relationship with her mother.

There have been quite a few additional living benefits for residence students.

For example, students will be charged an extra 27 dollars on their meal plan to acquire fresh eggs and milk straight from the farm (all self-serve, naturally). Bacon will be sold seperately at an additional cost.

The farm also offers residence students a variety of on-campus work opportunities, such as feeding leftover dining hall scraps to the animals, washing them and personally grooming their backsides.

“[The animals] are doing me a favour by letting me live here”

Students even have the support from the school’s faculty, as TMU president Mohamed Lachemi has been seen getting his hands dirty. Fuzzbutt recounted one time where she saw Lachemi aimlessly chasing the chickens back into their coop.

“It really gives me the impression that TMU is a handson university and everyone is willing to lend a helping hand,” Fuzzbutt said.

Pawster said keeping up with these farm work responsibilities can be “difficult and sometimes nauseating,” but ultimately feels indebted to the animals.

“I just remind myself that the DCC is the animals’ home now and they are doing me a favor by letting me live here,” he said. “It is their world and I am lucky to be living in it.”

FELIPE KARMEL/THE EYEOPENER

LEBRON PRYCE/THE EYEOPENER

Win a Free 18feet Drink!

This week, TheEyeopener is giving away ﬁve free delicious drink vouchers to 18feet, a Korean café located on the TMU campus. Find the giveaway rules through the link in our Instagram bio.

1. Complete the crossword! Only 100 per cent accurate puzzles will be accepted. Answers can be found by visiting 18feet’s menu online or on their Uber Eats page.

2. Complete the Google Form via the QR code below and add a photo of your completed crossword or visit The Eye office (SCC207) with the completed crossword.

3. Await an email! The form will close end-of-day on Sept. 18 and winners will be contacted shortly afterwards.