Durham College - The Chronicle_Fall 2021

The tree will act as a place of reflection and rest for all the Indigenous children who never made it home from residential schools.

Riot Radio back in studio

Photograph by Jermaine Mohan

Photograph by Caitlin Bolt

Photograph by Kayla Jackson

Photograph by Shaleel Griffith-Ross

DCSA to students: 'We're here, and we never left'

Mitchell Reid

The Chronice

Through the COVID-19 pandemic, the Durham College Student Association (DCSA) has not given up on its commitment to student enrichment.

Whether it be shifting their programs to 100 per cent online, or fighting Durham Region for a transit pass that meets all students' needs, the DCSA attempted to meet the pandemic challenges with students in mind.

"Within five days of the pandemic hitting we had virtual events going already," said Jenna Peace, executive chairperson of the DCSA.

"I have to say kudos to the team because they did it flawlessly. Students were able to access all the information they needed."

The DCSA introduced new bur-

saries, continued to provide access to mental health services, and gave out free donuts to students, Peace said.

Peace, 25, who campaigned for her election in early 2020 prior to COVID-19 by running around campus in a banana suit, said it is a point of pride to oversee DCSA during the pandemic.

With the fall semester, she can feel the energy of students' returning to campus after being home since March of 2020.

"Everyone was itching to do something in person again," she said.

On campus events have not been held since the pandemic hit, but Peace said they may be possible in the future. The list of safety precautions the DCSA must follow has doubled since the pandemic began.

"Just like every other business we have to wait for public health guidelines," Peace said, "We're planning and hoping to have things in person, but we're always going to have that event as a virtual backup."

DCSA's online events had an-

other effect on the Durham College community.

"We discovered our reach was a lot greater than we thought," said Charles Wilson, operations manager and secretary of the DCSA Board.

"When we would start broadcasting...we started noticing a lot of international views."

Since transitioning online, international students have been able to join "more and more events." According to Wilson, international students are joining in overseas and are continuing to participate when they arrive on campus.This service is the product of the hard work of the DCSA staff, Wilson said.

According to Wilson, student leaders have also fought hard to help students with transit issues.

In 2020, due to the COVID-19 campus closure, Durham College pulled out of its agreement with Durham Region Transit for a year to remove that fee from students. In 2021, the DCSA had advocate for the new transit pass to cover all DRT buses. Students could still choose to opt out of the transit pass for the school year

Durham region's original transit past left some buses uncovered. Members of DCSA contacted Durham Region, and fought to get students the universal transit pass, allowing transportation on any Durham Region Transit bus.

"I don't think I can praise enough, the student leaders," Wilson said, "who took real leadership of the organization...Our student leaders were able to tell truth to power and got results for the students of this school."

The DCSA never forgot about

students, pandemic or not, and ensured the college and the region did not either, Wilson said.

Even with campus reopened, Wilson said it is unlikely the school gym will be filled with thousands of students for DCSA events as they have in the past.

This has not stopped the student association from planning ways to get involved with students, and for students to get involved with them. Talent shows, music and stu-

dent elections are all in planning at DCSA.

Even if the student centre's doors have been closed for most of the pandemic, Peace and Wilson agree DCSA's virtual door is always open,

"Everyone at DCSA is very passionate in ensuring that every student that walks in this door at Durham College leaves better," Wilson said. "We're here and we never left."

Photograph by Mitchell Reid

The Student Centre, located between the Student Services Building and the Gordon Willey Building, houses the DCSA headquarters.

Photograph provided by Jenna Peace Jenna Peace, executive student chairperson of DCSA.

Photograph by Mitchell Reid

Encouragement to students written on the side of the Student Centre.

Our student leaders were able to tell truth to power.

Gamers anxious over DC arena return

Caitlin Bolt

The Chronicle

The Durham Lords varsity gaming team is hoping to be back in action at the campus Esports Arena in the second semester, according to James Mullins the Valorant coach and team manager.

“We’ve been in the dark regarding the arena,” said Mullins.

Due to COVID-19, the team played entirely remotely during the 2020-2021 season.

The team played against post-secondary schools across Canada and the U.S. It was a successful season, as Durham won two New England Collegiate Conference titles and a Rocket League championship.

Despite playing from home, teammates managed to stay

in contact on the app Discord through servers for the Esports Arena and varsity team.

At least one coach found the experience problematic.

“I did coach last year and that was awful, we were never together once in-person, I only met them to drop off their gear,” said Mullins.

In his role, Mullins runs tryouts, selects the players, enters the team in national and provincial leagues and takes care of practices.

The Valorant team consists of five players plus one substitute.

During tryouts there are about 20 players who go head-to-head, he said. When forming the team, Mullins considers how players interact with one another, game performances and makes sure he has a good selection of players who fill the role of each playable

character.

“We still performed well and had fun, but there is so much we missed out on. We would just have to meet on video call in our rooms every day,” said Mullins.

Each esports member must be fully vaccinated to be on the team, even if they don’t play in-person,

Mullins said.

General manager Bill Ai oversees each game-specific team which includes Valorant, CS:GO, Rocket League, League of Legends and Hearthstone. Before the campus and Esports Arena shut down due to COVID-19 in March 2020, Super Smash Bros. was offered at a varsity level as well.

Ai built the esports varsity program, evolving it from the club he launched four years ago. Ai said the team continued playing from home through the pandemic, but it was like going back to its club roots, prior to having the arena to play at in-person.

“Way back when we didn’t have this kind of support and we didn’t have this kind of facility to be in in the first place,” said Ai.

When the esports varsity play-

ers can return to the battleground of their arena, they can expect social distancing measures in the large space. All campus safety protocols will apply.

Mullins and Ai have been on campus for meetings and work-related matters. Both said they feel safe being on campus.

Before the pandemic the Esports Arena opened its doors to the student body to play computer games for $3.75 per hour. It is undetermined when the arena will open for this service again as the varsity members remain priority.

Even though there are no current in-person events to attend, those interested in watching the esports teams live streams can watch through the verified Durham College Twitch account. Mullins can also be found on Twitch at LympTV.

Photograph by Caitlin Bolt

Durham Lords esports general manager Bill Ai in the Esports Arena on the Oshawa campus of Durham College.

The empty Esports Arena, soon to welcome back the Durham Lords varsity esports team for the 2021-2022 season (left). Durham Lords esports Valorant coach and team manager James Mullins (right).

Photographs by Caitlin Bolt

I did coach last year and that was awful.

DC dental program chomps COVID-19

sonal Protective Equipment (PPE) including face shields, gowns, masks, and gloves.

Jon Wilson

The Chronicle

Dental Hygiene is a program at Durham College (DC) that traditionally requires students to work on real patients.

So how does a program with about 200 students needing to do hands-on work operate during the COVID-19 pandemic?

Astrid Stolpmann and Ariel Gilmore are two people with answers.

Stolpmann is a professor and Gilmore is a third-year student who lives at home in Ajax.

At the beginning of the pan-

demic, nobody was allowed in the clinic at all, Stolpmann said. Now 24 people are allowed inside, she said. Students are treating some patients in person on campus and in addition, faculty are delivering several classes online.

According to Stolpmann, the changes have had a significant effect on both the students and the faculty.

“It’s been pretty devastating. And I mean going online, shifting all the theory back to online, it’s been pretty challenging," she said.

To protect themselves from COVID-19, students in the program must wear five layers of Per-

This has led to students being stressed out and has caused some of them to faint because of how much the added PPE causes them to sweat, according to Gilmore.

Gilmore drives to DC, and is doing in-person and online theory classes three times a week.

Even with all the extra precautions, Stolpmann still feels comfortable being on campus.

“I feel much better now that we’re all fully vaccinated and the strong protocols are in place. It was always safe, relatively speaking, safer than anywhere else ya know outside. But from the student’s sake now that we know everybody’s vaccinated and the environment is getting safer and safer that makes it better," she said.

Patients of the clinic are asked to take part in a questionnaire before they arrive and after they leave. Given the reduced numbers in the clinic, guests or family members are being discouraged from joining their patients during appointments.

Despite the challenges, Stolpnmann is pleased with how faculty and students have responded.

“It’s been hard on students. There’s a lot of mental health that goes along with that, a lot of stresses, because of COVID. So, if there’s anything this has proved is that we’re very adaptable and that we can do this, and I think that was really extraordinary.”

As for Gilmore, she's looking forward to graduating, working and travelling.

“I want to travel to Thailand and Greece, but I need to save up my money first.”

Photo courtesy of Ariel Gilmore

Ariel Gilmore is a third year student at Durham College in the Dental Hygiene program.

Dental Hygiene students are back on campus wearing full PPE in class

Shifting all the theory back to online, it's been pretty challenging.

Photo courtesy of Astrid Stolpmann

Astrid Stolpmann is a professor in the Dental Hygiene program.

DC's in-person grad could return in June

McLean Hoover

The Chronicle

Convocation is a special time of year for students and staff of Durham College (DC). For students it’s a time to celebrate with friends and family for the investment of time and energy they put in to graduate.

For the staff, it’s a time to see the success of the graduation pool and see students become part of the working class or move on to other educational pursuits. But after the pandemic precluded ceremonies from happen-

ing in person, DC officials are hoping graduates can gather at the Tribute Communities Centre in June 2022.

“We look optimistically forward to a time when we are able to resume more traditional in-person ceremonies,” says Michelle Hutt, associate vice-president, academic (enrolment and international education).

Hutt says convocation is special, a grand finale to the time and investment students put into college.

“It is the moment when a student can pause to reflect on their post-secondary experience, to

proudly acknowledge," says Hutt. "Convocation is always special because we get not only to see the student celebrating but we get to see them being congratulated by their family and friends.”

Traditionally, convocation has been held at the Tribute Communities Centre in downtown Oshawa to accommodate hundreds of grads and their families and friends.

However, DC had to be innovative to celebrate its graduates during the pandemic.

The school has hosted four 'virtual convocations' since the pandemic started in March 2020.

Roughly 10,000 students have graduated from DC during the COVID-19 pandemic Hutt says. Those students have been promised to be invited back for an inperson ceremony when government guidelines allow.

According to Hutt, a survey of DC students determined there are three important things students want from their graduation: being able to celebrate with family and friends in person, crossing a stage to celebrate their accomplishment, and receiving their credential.

Although in-person ceremonies must wait, the college created

a website that allows family and friends to celebrate a student’s accomplishment.

In addition, Hutt says students have received a lawn sign from DC staff. The lawn signs are sponsored by the DC Alumni Association, Hutt says.

The funds Durham College would have spent for the four convocations that were not held during the pandemic, will be spent bringing students back for an inperson ceremony at a later date.

Hutt says DC is always striving to stage the best convocation possible, by examining previous ceremonies.

Photograph by Justin Christie

2020 Spring Convocation graduates pick up materials at the bus loop at Durham College.

Photograph by Justin Christie

A 2020 Spring Convocation graduate drives by to receive materials from Durham College president Don Lovisa.

We also look at any opportunities to improve based on the information we have available to us.

Riot Radio back in studio

Jermaine Mohan

The Chronicle

Durham College’s Riot Radio has opened back for the fall semester on campus, after being forced to close its doors because of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Station manager Dan MacInally, 38, has been adjusting to the new protocols put in place by the college. The changes include a new plexiglass barrier between the studio technician and show, only two hosts are allowed in the studio at a time, and everyone must wear a mask.

“They are not allowed to leave the studio during their show, we have disposable mic covers that we’re putting on for each show. As soon as each show is done, we take them off,” says MacInally.

“It’s better than being at home,” adds MacInally, who has been working remotely since March, 2020.

Due to the campus closure, Riot had to reduce the number of shows because of a lack of volunteers, says MacInally.

“It’s a lot harder to stay in touch with students,” says MacInally.

Prior to COVID-19, Riot Radio ran a full slate of programming during the day. However, the pandemic put an end to that.

Now, Riot offers about 10 programs a week.

Historically, Riot staff would try to recruit volunteers during Orientation Week, when students get involved with various activities on campus.

The number of volunteers doing shows is less than previous years but MacInally says as more students come back to campus, he hopes that will change.

During the pandemic, most work was done remotely over Zoom. The overall process worked more slowly.

“Everything just took a lot longer having to have a Zoom call, sending text messages, downloading files, uploading files, converting files, so a lot longer to do stuff,” says MacInally.

“Whereas in a studio, we were able to do seven or eight live shows a day and the shows were recorded and they automatically uploaded to our platform for students to watch later.”

The last day of in-studio broadcast was March 12, 2020, a day after the World Health Organization announced the spread of COVID-19 had resulted in a pandemic.

Oddly enough, the last show to be broadcast was Nerdly; a show by broadcast student Bobby Morrison, 20.

After not being in the campus’ studio for nearly two years, the first show back was again, Morrison’s Nerdly.

“It’s nice because it’s like people are coming back to the campus and life throughout is starting again in this weird way,” says Morrison.

“But you know, I like seeing the students walk by because I know that I’m not the only one here Friday 9 a.m. alone. I have other people who are listening and, you know, they stopped. So it’s one of

those things where it’s nice because you can see, like I said, people are coming back and things are starting up again and it’s getting better.”

With campus life returning to some normalcy, the manager is excited.

“I love being at home, but there’s a fine line between too much and not enough,” says MacInally.

“It’s great having a routine back and being in the office with [co-workers]. It’s great to, like we talked every day for the last yearand-a half whether it was through text message or Messenger or on Zoom, but it’s a lot different being together in person and you don’t have that weird ‘like, I can’t get up and talk to you’ or also not on the camera or the mic.”

To book shows for Riot Radio, go to mydcsa.ca or riotradio.ca and fill out the form provided.

Photograph by Jermaine Mohan

Durham College's Riot Radio technicians get ready in studio to broadcast a show online.

I love being at home, but there’s a fine line between too much and not enough.

Photograph by Jermaine Mohan

Riot Radio tech board lights up and and is ready for show use.

ACE adapting to new normal

three years," when COVID-19 hit, he said. "We were a very adaptable company, and what we do here is highly motivated by change."

In terms of the COVID-19 transition period from work to home office, Smith said it was natural.

Felipe Salomao

The Chronicle

The Automotive Centre of Excellence (ACE) at Ontario Tech University has had to adapt to the COVID-19 pandemic to provide students with a safe learning environment.

The top priority for ACE since COVID-19 arrived in Canada in March 2020 has been implementing policies to prevent its spread.

"We have always taken safety [and] security [as] our utmost importance," Executive Director John Komar said. "We had developed protocols right from the start that we are all comfortable with, what we are safe with and what we feel is an ideal situation. So, we have to adapt and wear masks."

Komar is responsible for developing and executing ACE's business plans, and teaches students environmental and wind tunnel testing.

"ACE has the most sophisticated and most versatile climatic aerodynamic tunnel in the world," he said.

Moreover, ACE conducts an event with 250 high school and ACE students (more details: to find which one). The objective is to have a laboratory experience in the wind tunnel, so "we talk about fluid dynamics or aerodynamics, instead of just listening or seeing a theory," said Komar.

Furthermore, as a method to engage ACE students to keep learning, Komar said ACE sponsors design, engineering, and health science projects.

"We have helped sponsor some graduate projects where they partner with industry," he said. "They

actually developed new techniques and new science."

With professors, Komar indi-

cates the Fluid Dynamic course brought a Canadian Ferrari team to ACE, and students attended remotely on Google Meet, “so, that was a way to students that were off campus could feel that they were back in the [wind] tunnel, and then we did everything we normally would do."

ACE’s Research and Development Engineer, Patrick Smith, is also a graduate of Ontario Tech.

The Automotive Engineering Specialization course and the wind tunnel were Smith’s main reasons to study here.

"I was working here full time, for

"I started looking into remote testing for customers working from home and finding ways of continuing projects in development," he said. "It was very fortunate for us that we can continue to do what we love and be able to transition to it at home, as well as in-person balance."

Fourth-year student Tenuka Ananthathurai said she missed in-person classes.

"Even though teachers have a lot of ways to teach, and the experience at ACE is a good thing, it became a little bit harder because we had to do everything online," she said.

Today, ACE students learn both in person and remotely.

According to Komar, the main goal is to increase the research to the facility to the total capacity.

"We are now bringing brandnew climatic aerodynamic capabilities," he said. "Which will move us from a shift-and-a-half operation into a full two shifts, five days a week of research and development."

In addition, it provides an excellent chance for students to integrate their knowledge and experimentation in class and be employed in the future, said Ananthathurai.

"Studying here, I hopefully am graduating in 2023. I hope I am [be] able to get a full-time job," she said.

ACE students can attend class in person or remotely

Photograph by Felipe Salomao

ACE Executive Director John Komar teaches students environmental and wind tunnel testing.

We had developed protocols right from the start.

Photograph by Felipe Salomao

The Automotive Centre of Excellence (ACE) at Ontario Tech University established protocols against the spread of COVID-19.

DC athletics game for return to action

Desi Huddy

The Chronicle

Durham College has opened its campus doors this year and student-athletes can finally welcome back some competition.

The Lords varsity teams have not played since COVID-19 arrived in Canada in March, 2020.

The suspension of varsity athletics was challenging for players, coaches and fans. Ken Babcock, Durham College athletic director, said, “COVID created a situation where we had to step outside our normal roles and create all kinds of new policies."

Although there were no games played last year, DC athletes did train when COVID-19 protocols allowed. Varsity games have returned this fall, led by the women's softball team, which won the Ontario Colleges Athletic Association championship.

Babcock said there is “lots of pressure” to make sure DC is following COVID-19 health and safety guidelines and policies. Athletes have to be fully vaccinated to be on campus, he said. Currently there is no limit on how many athletes can attend practices, according to Babcock.

Fans are allowed to come watch

their favourite sports live. Durham College can have 75 per cent of their max capacity, said Babcock. For the Campus Cup soccer game, between Durham College and Ontario Tech, the athletics department decided it would be best to start with 500 fans.

Babcock was excited that “competition is back” but wanted to start at 500 and see how it went.

“It seemed a little more normal” is how Babcock described the Campus Cup returning.

Fans are also required to do a COVID-19 screening before going to any games. This screening is the same that is required to enter the Durham College campus for in-person classes, according to Jessica Ferreira, a second-year student and member of the women’s soccer team. She took a year off from her studies last year and returned this year to her nursing program and her attacking midfielder and striker positions on the team.

Ferreira said COVID-19 “didn’t make that much of an impact” on soccer as it returned to the field this fall. The biggest impact was on transportation to road games.

“We can’t travel with both the men’s teams,” she said. Before COVID-19 the women’s and men’s soccer teams would travel to away games together but since returning this has changed.

Equipment cleaning did not change. Balls and other equipment aren’t cleaned any more frequently

then before, according to Ferreira. Masks must be worn at all times except when athletes are on the field of play.

“I’m pretty excited just to go to provincials travel a little bit far away, you know, especially during COVID we haven’t had a lot of that,” said Ferreira earlier this season.

Durham finished the season with 10 points in six games with a record of 3-2-1 and did not advance to provincials.

Photograph by Desi Huddy

Jessica Ferreira in front of a Durham Lords logo.

Photograph by Desi Huddy

Jessica Ferreira plays on the women's varsity soccer team at Durham College.

Varsity teams thrilled to return to competition back on campus

Varsity sports back at Ontario Tech

Hockey, basketball among teams playing

Ethan Ricker

The Chronicle

It's been more than a year since Michael Bullion stopped pucks as a goalie for the Ontario Tech Ridgebacks men's hockey team.

Bullion is one of dozens of varsity athletes at Ontario Tech lost the chance to play the sport they love due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

But now they're back and ready to go.

In addition to hockey Ontario Tech's men's and women's basketball, soccer, rowing, and golf teams have already seen action this fall.

However, due to COVID-19, access to the playing field is different.

"Every day we have to complete a COVID screening and give it to our trainer, we have to wear a mask at all times in the dressing room, and six of us randomly have to be rapid tested," says Bullion, 24, who came to Ontario Tech from Anchorage, Alaska.

"It's definitely a little strange, but being in the room with the guys is

the biggest thing and everybody is willing to put up with it so we can get back on the ice here."

Not only are the athletes back, so are the spectators.

Ontario Tech Director of Athletics Scott Barker says fans are allowed back at games as long as

they follow protocol.

"With our outdoor teams already playing it's been easier to control the capacity limit and precautions when it comes to the fan side of it, but when our indoor sports like basketball and hockey start up we have a plan in place where fans will

be allowed at those games, too," says Barker.

While the pandemic was in its prime last year, when gyms were shutdown, varsity athletes were still training as per the guidelines they were given.

Although he didn't see game

action last year, Bullion says he got on the ice, sometimes up to 10 times per week.

"Getting on the ice and being in the gym any opportunity I had whenever I was allowed has kind of helped keep me sane," Bullion says.

The quality of play is the biggest thing Bullion sees on the ice as the Ridgebacks go through pre-season right now.

According to Bullion this team is probably the best team he's been on since his first year, with some very good newcomers.

Forwards Baxter Anderson (Medicine Hat) and Whitby's Cullen McLean (Sault Ste. Marie) and defencemen Kelton Hatcher and Marko Jakovljevic (who both played for Sarnia) all played in the Canadian Hockey League last season and have joined the Ridgebacks.

Ontario Tech played 28 regular season games in the 2019-2020 season, before the pandemic, going 13-15 and losing in the first round. This year they will only play 19 regular season games.

The Ridgebacks will not be playing the Laurentian Voyageurs this season as they pulled out of the OUA for varsity hockey as a whole.

Student-athletes were given the option of another year of playing eligibility if last year was supposed to be their last year.

Although some students decided to finish out their program and not continue their careers at Ontario Tech this year.

Photo courtesy of Flickr

Ontario Tech Ridgebacks' goaltender Michael Bullion playing against Nipissing.

Photo courtesy of Ontario Tech

Scott Barker, director of athletics at Ontario Tech.

'The good old hockey game' back at Campus Ice Centre

Vandita Kumar

The Chronicle

COVID-19 put the Ontario Tech hockey program on ice for a year, but it’s back to ‘game on’ at the Campus Ice Centre.

In March 2020, ice rinks across Ontario were forced to close due to the pandemic, cancelling varsity hockey, intramurals and public skating at the Campus Ice Centre.

Now that students and staff are required to be double vaccinated when entering the arena, hockey games are back on with the Ontario Tech men's team opening its season Friday at 7 p.m. against Nipissing.

Megan Johnston, 22, a Ridgebacks’ player on the women's team in her fourth year of nursing at Ontario Tech, says she was bored after not being able to practice for five months.

“I'm used to having a routine, wake up in the morning, practice 8 a.m. to 10 a.m., work out after, and so I felt like we were supposed to be doing something but weren’t able to,” she says.

While the Campus Ice Centre’s doors were closed when COVID-19 reached Canada, the facility ultimately became a focal point for thousands of Oshawa residents, as it transitioned to a vaccination clinic.

While residents were getting vaccinated, the Campus Ice Cen-

tre was feeling the operational pinch.

Tim Watson, general manager at the Campus Ice Centre, says operations were changed as rev-

enues were down and employees had to be laid off. Since the vaccination clinic has been up, adjustments had to be made as only one rink was available.

“Right now it's still affecting us a little bit because we are a vaccination clinic. Everybody has a chance to get vaccinated, so that's been fantastic, but also strictly

from a business side it's been a challenge definitely.”

Before the pandemic, sharing a water bottle with another teammate or coming into the rink and practising was not a problem. Since COVID-19 took a turn for the worse, protocols such as daily screenings to practice became the norm.

When it was difficult for hockey players to get ice time, Johnston found a way to be able to practice occasionally.

“Some pro players were allowed to book ice and stuff, so I was able to go on sometimes with them. We weren't able to book ice, but we were able to go on if someone else had booked," she says.

Now that a few restrictions have been lifted, some staff have been able to come back to their jobs.

The ice rink has also been made available for public skating for professors and students at Durham College and Ontario Tech. Watson says even though it was difficult when COVID-19 shut everything down, one positive is some repairs were made to the facility.

“We used the downtime to do a lot of projects that we can't normally do when there are people in the building. A lot of painting got done, a lot of repairs got done. That was the only silver lining I saw when COVID first hit and we got shut down,” Watson says.

Photographs by Vandita Kumar

Megan Johnston, (left) fourth-year Ridgebacks' hockey player, and Tim Watson (right) general manager of the Campus Ice Centre.

Photograph by Vandita Kumar

Skates set aside to be cleaned after use.

DC-OTU library: Heart of the campus

Joey Cole

The Chronicle

Some people refer to the library as the heart of every school, so when COVID-19 hit and learning went digital, staff at Durham College (DC) and Ontario Tech University (OTU) suited up for a transplant.

“We were really well-positioned to pivot to online service delivery,” said Emily Tufts, who has been associate university librarian for scholarly resources at the DC/OTU library since 2018.

On top of already offering an online book, article, video and journal database, the library website offers a virtual chat service called AskOn.

This online chat help service connects students directly to librarians ready to help, a service that has doubled in virtual traffic in the last year, according to Tufts.

Some new services have been introduced to further assist students virtually, including a digitalization-on-demand service.

“If you find a book or print journal on the shelves or on the catalogue, you can request digitalization and our staff will digitize that and send that to you,” said Tufts.

The library also launched a home delivery service, offering country-wide, free delivery of physical materials for students to use and send back. This service can be accessed through the library website.

Although the Oshawa campus library has re-opened, DC's Whitby campus library remains closed, making it more difficult for students studying trades to access materials.

“The trades, which are located at the Whitby campus, rely heavily on standards and codes, like the electrical code and the building code,” said Tufts, “so we were able to start licensing those for online access.”

The library also added online video collections including safety care training for trades like welding and shop, as well as online videos to support the teaching of science and clinical skill concepts.

The Oshawa campus library has welcomed students back with restricted access, said Tufts.

To enter the building students must be fully-vaccinated and complete online screening.

Once inside they’re advised to follow social distancing guidelines and keep masks on at all times.

During a normal school year the library would have an average of 400,000 visitors. This past year that number has been reduced to 10,000, according to Tufts, as the campus remains under COVID-19 restrictions.

Hand sanitizing stations, COVID-19 safety posters and two-way walking stickers are posted around the library.

Bottles of sanitizer and paper towels are also spread around tables for students to clean workspaces.

Michael Wilson, a first year game development and interactive media student at OTU, uses the library almost every day to study and watch online lectures.

“People are actually respecting

the rules, thank goodness for that,” said Wilson, “I find it really convenient.”

Group study rooms are no longer available in the library due to safety concerns around multiple students gathering in small spaces, said Tufts.

The computer lab is also closed for the time being as physical distancing plans have not been laid out in the area yet.

Library staff are continuing to work with senior administration

and health and safety officials to continue the re-opening process and provide DC and OTU students with the materials and services they need in a safe way.

“We really miss students,” said Tufts.

“The library is one of the busiest places on campus and we’re really looking forward to a time when the doors can be open, and everyone can be back to hanging out and doing their work together in the library.

Photograph by Joey Cole

COVID-19 safety guideline posters are hung around the Durham College/Ontario Tech University library.

Photograph byJoey Cole

Emily Tufts, associate university librarian for scholarly resources, stands outside the DC/OTU library.

People are actually respecting the rules, thank goodness.

COVID-19 affects DC’s food services

Kayla Jackson

The Chronicle

Food services have resumed at Durham College (DC) and Ontario Tech University as part of the reopening of on-campus learning this semester.

But business is not back to preCOVID-19 levels.

Bobby Morrison, 20, in DC's Broadcasting - Radio and Contemporary Media program, says food services have changed.

“I remember before when I went to the campus you could go anywhere and find food to buy or to eat and like you could sit anywhere you want to and eat and stuff and now I can't even name which Tim Hortons are open,” says Morrison.

Morrison has noticed a huge decrease in the number of students in the Market Place Cafeteria since the start of the fall semester.

“I remember before that though that place would be jumping all day long right until 5 p.m. and then everyone would kind of go home, so I think it's because of

COVID, there's no one there anymore,” says Morrison.

There are fewer food outlets open on campus.

“At Durham College, we have opened our Market Place café, Tim Hortons kiosks, and Whitby Café with limited options. Selfserve locations remain closed due to COVID-19 precautions,” says Brandon Cebulak, general manager at Chartwells, a division of Compass Group Canada, which runs food services on campus.

“Our commitment at Chartwells Canada is to provide stu-

dents with, healthy, delicious, and safe dining options while on campus. With the reopening of schools this past September, our focus has been just that.”.

According to Cebulak, Chartwells Canada must follow Ontario’s framework for reopening.

They have changed the seating area at the Market Place Cafeteria to follow a two-metre distance between tables and enforce a mandatory mask rule for all employees and customers, with the exception of when someone is eating or drinking at a table.

COVID-19 has had an impact on the whole hospitality industry.

“Our team has always had a focus on strong health and safety protocols and training prior to the pandemic. We have been able to quickly build upon that framework as we incorporate new and updated COVID-19 safety standards.

"Additionally, as a whole – the hospitality industry continues to manage supply chain, product, and labour shortages. While our team here at Durham College is staffed and ready, we have all

learned to be nimble and adapt to changes as they present themselves,” Cebulak says.

According to the DC website, in 2020 the COVID-19 pandemic resulted in more than 30 full-time food service staff being laid off.

According to Cebulak, Compass Group Canada is actively working to bring back the people who have lost their jobs.

“We are pleased to share that we have returned… associates to active roles and continue to do so as we see more schools and businesses reopen” says Cebulak.

Photograph by Kayla Jackson

Market Place Cafeteria is the main place for students to eat on the Durham College campus.

Fewer food kiosks open, some staff have been laid off

Photograph by Kayla Jackson

Durham College students Andalib Ali reyhan

(left), and Alex Misiaszek eating and studying in the cafeteria.

Individualizing the student teacher experience at OTU

Emily McPhail

The Chronicle

Bachelor of Education students at Ontario Tech University have always been exposed to an element of online learning. However, when the COVID-19 pandemic hit, students and staff had to work together to individualize the program experience.

“Online learning has always been normal in our program!”

Stephanie Thompson, the current program director, said via email.

The third semester of the Bachelor of Education program is designed to be done online. Thompson said this structure helps student teachers get comfortable teaching both in-person and online.

Student teachers have field placement in each of their four semesters at Ontario Tech.

In March, 2020, there was one week left of in-class learning before students were set to begin their placements. Diana Petrarcha was the program director when the first COVID-19 lockdown happened.

The students “were able to transition quite easily,” said Petrarcha.

The next task was to see if teachers at placement schools would still host Ontario Tech student teachers in an online learning environment.

Some student teachers had their placements fall through because of the shift to online. This meant faculty had to work with some students to find them new placements.

“We had to individualize the program,” Petrarcha said. “They were able to work in summer school, for example.”

In the structure of the program, students are typically off in July and August before beginning their fourth semester. Due to the pandemic some students had to make up field placement hours during the summer months.

Tiana Ferenac, a student teacher in the Primary/Junior division, came to the program in September, 2020 and was in the first class fully affected by the pandemic.

The semesters were shifted around for Ferenac’s class so her first semester was online instead of semester three.

Faculty took feedback from the class that started in September, 2020. As a result, students starting this September had a more traditional first semester.

“The introduction to the program is a bit smoother that way,” Ferenac said.

When it came time to do her first block of placement hours in December, 2020, Ferenac chose to do them in-person, even though students had the option to complete the hours online.

“Life will eventually go back to normal, and we’ll be teaching in-person,” Ferenac said.

In her placement teaching kindergarten, Ferenac said the host teacher excelled at explaining why she had made changes because of

COVID-19. She also explained what she would do in “normal times” not affected by the pandemic.

The schools hosting Ontario Tech students did have safety in mind though, Ferenac said. Before going into the schools, student teachers going in-person had to do health and safety training around COVID-19 protocols.

The changes the Bachelor of Education program have faced are more focused around student placements than the Ontario Tech classroom, Thompson said.

Student teachers in this program have most of their classes face-to-face. Both Thompson and Petrarcha teach in-person classes.

Petrarcha said the vaccination policies put in place by Ontario Tech and Durham College help her feel comfortable on campus.

Campus life is coming back to Ontario Tech.

“It is so much easier to get to know my students,” Thompson said, “and have meaningful conversations and discussions.

Photograph by Emily McPhail

Primary/Junior teacher candidate Tiana Ferenac during a Zoom interview.

Photograph by Justin Christie

Masked students walk around Durham College and Ontario Tech University campus.

Ontario Tech's education students are well-versed in online learning

Life will eventually go back to normal and we'll be teaching in person.

Students coming to campus adhering to COVID-19 protocols

Neshya Carvalho The Chronicle

Students coming to Durham College and Ontario Tech University have been almost completely compliant with COVID-19 safety protocols since the school’s doors re-opened in September.

That’s the word from Tom Lynch, director of the office of campus safety.

“We have had some challenges at our entry points,” he said, “but in general I think people want to come to school and be safe, so they are buying into the process.”

All six of Oshawa’s entrances are open, but there are about one to two conflicts a week, according to Lynch.

“That’s pretty good because we got thousands of students coming in,” he said.

“I would say 99 per cent compliance with what we do. There have been a couple instances with vaccine uploads or students walking past guards, but the matters were resolved without any significant conflict.”

Due to COVID-19, security guards are required to pre-screen, enforce mask wearing, social distancing and the vaccine policy.

Security guards are “the front facing people” and encounter instances of “disgruntled people,” said Lynch, adding “we have to remember it’s not the security’s decision.”

The college now undergoes random monthly ‘spot audits’ from Durham Region Public Health, according to Lynch.

Health inspectors come to the campus to observe and make sure mandatory protocols are followed.

“There’s been a significant change and COVID has brought that around where security is much more present and accountable to all of these rules and laws,” said Lynch.

Roughly a dozen audits have been completed and the college has “passed with flying colours,” according to Lynch.

“We’re trying to get students back on campus,” he said.

“We’re trying to get back to that needing of normalcy that we’re all just so much looking for.”

Security guards have had to possess the “ability to adapt and change” as COVID-19 rules and protocols have evolved, Lynch said.

“When there’s change like that, sometimes there’s confusion.”

“Security is very often called to enforce policies or procedures or rules that are made by the insti-

tutions or the government,” said Lynch.

“It’s important to understand that they are the representatives of the decision–makers.”

The guards also overlook community safety by responding to medical calls, conflicts or walking students to their destination.

They also have a responsibility to “observe and report” and are “the eyes and ears” of the school, he said.

During COVID-19, security has seen a reduction in calls for as -

sistance because there have been fewer students on campus.

“A lot of our calls for service come from the fact that we at Durham College can have 10,000 to 12,000 students and faculty,” said Lynch.

“That presence ultimately feeds what security has to do.”

If the number of campus attendees is low, there aren’t as many calls as usual.

“The numbers are starting to creep up, we’re starting to see more calls as the campus gets big-

ger.”

There are about 125 security guards, 70 of whom work throughout the day, according to Lynch.

“It’s important for me to say we do have instances where students and security don’t get along, but those are the exceptions,” he said.

“I think there’s a lot of credit that needs to be given to our student population in how they treat our security because we’re a community and we work together to keep this environment safe.”

Photo courtesy of Tom Lynch

The Office of Campus Safety.

Photo courtesy of Tom Lynch

Tom Lynch, director of the office of campus security.

We’re trying to get back to that needing of normalcy that we’re all just so much looking for.

Photo courtesy of Tom Lynch

Security officials at Durham College and Ontario Tech University.

Durham College taking steps to Indigenize campus

Cheyenne Jarrett

The Chronicle

In a year in which Canada held its first National Day for Truth and Reconciliation, the Vatican has announced Pope Francis will visit the country.

It’s not confirmed, but speculated, that he will apologize on behalf of the Catholic Church for abuses of Indigenous children at residential schools. No date has been given for the Pope’s visit.

The federal government introduced the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation which was held Sept. 30.

Durham College and the First Peoples Indigenous Centre (FPIC) celebrated this movement the entire week with a pledging booth, and plans for Indigenizing the courtyard located behind The Centre for Collaborative Education (CFCE).

The college participated in Orange Shirt Day where staff and students were invited to wear orange shirts in support of National Truth and Reconciliation Day.

During the week, a pledge booth was set up in The Pit at the Gordon Willey building, where students and faculty wrote on pledge notes how they plan to be active allies for Indigenous people moving forward.

The FPIC also announced the courtyard space behind the CFCE will be decorated with art from Indigenous culture and sacred medicines will be planted in the coming years.

There will also be QR codes

available on objects throughout the courtyard, which will provide users with information about the ‘Indigenous Ways of Knowing’. These are a variety of teachings within the culture that educate people about the vast knowledge that exists across Indigenous communities.

FPIC members also held a smudging ceremony in the courtyard Sept. 30 and revealed a newly-planted weeping willow tree.

“The tree will act as a place of reflection and rest for all the Indigenous children who never made it home from residential schools,” said Julie Pigeon, FPIC student success coordinator.

Canada was faced with a difficult truth in May when 215 Indigenous children’s bodies were found underneath a residential school in Kamloops, B.C.

Since May, that number has increased to reportedly more than 6,500 bodies found, as more investigations continue at former residential school sites.

Pigeon said the centre hosted an honouring and dialogue session in May after the news of the children made headlines. Students, faculty and members of the community gathered online to reflect on what they were feeling and ask further questions.

Pigeon said the virtual environment made connection and engagement more “difficult,” but it also brought the community together in a more accessible way.

“In a virtual setting it’s hard to replicate a safe, home-like setting because there is no place to gather,”

Pigeon said. “But the benefits have been that our programming has been more accessible for students.”

The FPIC offers a safe space for people from the college and Durham Region to meet, connect and learn about Indigenous teachings, Pigeon said.

Although the centre offers a safe space for those who self-identify as Indigenous, Pigeon said there are still people who don’t feel comfortable self-identifying.

“There are so many reasons as to why students don’t feel comfortable self-identifying. Due to the whole process of colonization, or they feel they aren’t able to self-identify if they don’t have status,” Pigeon said.

“Regardless if someone has status or not, they can still self-identify with the college.”

Pigeon encourages Indigenous students to self-identify if they can because she believes post-secondary school can be the first safe opportunity for people to explore their heritage.

Photograph by Cheyenne Jarrett

A circular light fixture with Medicine Wheel colours hangs over the First Peoples Indigenous Centre.

Photograph by Cheyenne Jarrett

Amanda Banning (left) and Julie Pigeon seated at a pledge booth during Truth and Reconciliation week at DC.

Photograph by Cheyenne Jarrett

“Suswaaning Endaajig,” which means, “nest away from home.” The sign is located outside the FPIC.

Campus intramural sports returns

Corrado Distefano

The Chronicle

Durham College (DC) and Ontario Tech University (OTU)

Athletics have announced campus intramurals will return this school year. All athletics programs were forced to stop operations in March, 2020 when COVID-19 arrived in larger numbers in Canada. As with many programs, things will not be ‘sports as usual'.

“I’m excited, it’s a lot of fun, something to do every week,” said Riley Collins, a fourth-year OTU kinesiology student. Collins played intramural hockey in 2019-20 before COVID-19 forced the first lockdown. He also was on the roster for the Ridgebacks men's hockey team that year.

Andrew Richard, a student in his first and only year of business management at OTU added: “I'm excited, you know... I was at Laurier for four years and I got to do intramurals there for three years and our last year got cut short right before playoffs obviously because of the pandemic. I didn’t get a chance to do intramurals last year so excited hoping to get back in it.”

Although intramurals are back, as with many programs, things will be a little different, according to Durham College athletic director Ken Babcock.

For example, only one pad is available at the Campus Ice Centre because the other is still being used as a vaccination clinic. This means hockey is on hold at least until January, according to

Babcock. Three sports are running during the fall: badminton doubles and singles, volleyball, and 3-on-3 basketball. Full 5-on5 basketball will not be available until some health restrictions are lifted, said Babcock.

The main protocol that must be followed is all participating students and staff must be fully vaccinated, according to Babcock, which is the same rule that applies for anyone to be on campus. Staff will also continue sanitizing and

cleaning equipment regularly.

Babcock has no concerns when it comes to the safety of students and staff involved in making intramurals functional.

He strongly believes both schools have done a great job in setting

proper regulations and following safety protocols from health officials.

“We want to see intramurals going, we want to see students back, we’re excited about that,” said Babcock.

Photograph by Corrado Distefano

Intramural registration outside the campus gym.

Photograph by Corrado Distefano

Riley Collins, fourth-year student in kinesiology at OTU, outside the Campus Ice Centre.

Vraj

is a work study student from India.

International office helps students online and…on campus

Shaleel Griffith-Ross

The Chronicle

Vraj Maniar is very familiar with the International Education Office at Durham College (DC).

The third-year computer systems technology student used the office when he first arrived at DC from his home country of India. Now he is a work-study student in the office.

Before the COVID-19 pandemic, Maniar used to see lots of students from different cultures and background coming into the international office. When the pandemic started that all changed as everything turned online.

Now working at the office for his work study, Maniar has noticed a few differences due to COVID-19.

A lot of the workers are altern ting between coming into the office to work and staying at home, he said.

They also recommend students utilize available online services, which includes a live chat to get questions answered.

Maniar reflects on his decision to come to DC and remembers the help he received.

“The Durham College representatives in my country were very helpful to me when I first took interest in DC,” said Maniar.

DC’s Manager of International Recruitment and Admissions, Aldo Mendizabal, 49, and his staff are back

in the office part-time.

this is an image

The goal of the international office is to help their students reach their full potential and dreams, he said.

“We take care of students from the moment they take interest in Durham College to the moment they graduate,” said Mendizabal.

Despite the pandemic, DC is still an educational destination of choice

for international students.

About 1,200 new international students have enrolled at Durham as of September, he said.

“We have to make sure everyone is happy and that they enjoy their time

here in Canada,” said Mendizabal. He explained not much has changed in the process for international students coming to Canada, but not all students are successful in coming to DC.

“Every year you have a number of visas refused, and students refused by Immigration Canada,” said Mendizabal, “Which happens every year.”

Mendizabal and his team are now making sure their students have access to vaccines and rapid testing, which is required to be able to attend classes and events on campus.

During the beginning of the pandemic the services of international offices were available virtually but with the college now accessible to students, they are open for business on campus.

Photograph by Shaleel Griffith-Ross

Maniar

Durham College representatives... were very welcoming.

Photograph by Shaleel Griffith-Ross

DC’s Manager of International Recruitment and Admissions, Aldo Mendizabal.

Sports Talk

OG Anunoby is the future for the Toronto Raptors

The following is the opinion of the Durham College journalism student whose name accompanies this article.

Desi Huddy

The Chronicle

The 2021 NBA season is close to starting which means the Raptors are going to have a shot to make it back into the playoffs. The team needs a strong player to carry them to success after losing their star player in the trade.

OG Anunoby is that player.

After losing their star player, Kyle Lowry, the Raptors are going to be struggling to find a new leader. OG Anunoby has proved during his time playing for the team that he has the potential to be the new star player on the Toronto Raptors.

Anunoby was drafted in the first round, 23 pick overall. He came from playing college basketball in Indiana from 2015-2017. Picking him early in the draft was a very smart long term move by the Raptors. He was drafted when he was only 20 years old and now at the age of 24 has improved so much.

Tiger Woods is the greatest golfer to walk the green

The following is the opinion of the Durham College journalism student whose name accompanies this article.

Ethan Ricker

The Chronicle

Earlier this September, PGA golfer Brooks Koepka stated that he is confident that he can catch Tiger Woods at 15 major titles.

When it comes to the greatest golfer of all time or the “GOAT” if you will, there’s only two golfers that come to mind: Jack Nicklaus and Tiger Woods. Not Brooks Koepka.

There are other golfers that come to mind like Ben Hogan, Arnold Palmer, and Gary Player, but when it comes down to the stats and career accolades Hogan and the others just aren’t on the same level as Woods and Nicklaus.

The stats say Woods is the greatest but the wins say that Nicklaus is. So, this begs the question, who is the better golfer between Woods and Nicklaus? If the “GOAT” title is based off of major titles alone then Nicklaus is greatest no doubt about it.

Nicklaus finished with 18 major titles and 73 top 10 finishes compared to Woods’ 15 wins up until now and 41 top 10 finishes so far in his career according to the Golf Channel YouTube account.

Even if Woods had one or two more majors there wouldn’t be a debate as to who is the undeniably greatest golfer of all time.

Nobody dominated like Woods in his prime.Woods has the ‘Tiger Slam’, which was holding all four major titles at once which Nicklaus never did. Nicklaus may hold the record for most majors but Woods has him beat on total wins in the PGA with 82 which is tied for first all time with Sam Snead with Nicklaus sliding in at third with 72 wins via pgatour.com.

Making the cut in a tournament is the first thing a golfer worries about when in a tournament, Woods isn’t one that really seems to worry about making the cut as he made an all-time PGA record 142 straight cuts from 1998-2005 meaning that Woods didn’t miss a cut for seven straight years and just showed how he could keep going at this elite pace for so long.

Nicklaus’ longest streak of not missing a cut is 103 straight according to pgatour.com. The previous record was 113 held by Byron Nelson.

Nicklaus was in a class of his own when it came to playing at Augusta. He held the record for the largest margin of victory at the Masters while also dominating winning six times at Augusta.

Woods ultimately ended up smashing Nicklaus’ record of largest winning margin at Augusta by three strokes with his demolishing of the field winning by 12-strokes at the 1997 Masters.

That wasn’t the largest Woods has won a major by though. As Woods then topped 12 stroke win at the Masters with an outstanding showing at the 2000 U.S. Open Championship where he won by 15 strokes according to PGA.com.

Woods in 20s was a mad man who destroyed the competition in front of him. Woods had 46 wins in his 20s, the most all time.

But that’s not the stat that is crazy. Woods wins alone in his 20s is good for eighth on the all-time wins list. The second most wins by someone in their 20s? Jack Nicklaus with 30.

Nicklaus however does have Woods beat with the most second place finishes in his career with 19 to Woods’ six. Woods growing up had a picture of Nicklaus and the number of majors he’s won growing up so we know who Tiger aspired to be growing up.

But being the greatest golfer of all time shouldn’t come down to how many majors you’ve won. It should come down to what you’ve done in your career, and Woods has clearly had the better career of the two.

Anunoby is entering his fourth year as a Raptor and is part of the starting line-up.

In the 2020-21 season Anunoby averaged 15.9 points, according to ESPN, which was the fourth highest on the team. The three players ahead of him all played more games than he did. Being 6’7 and having a wingspan of 7’2 makes it difficult for other players block his shots.

Anunoby is not a player who freezes under pressure. The best example of this was the buzzer beater shot in game six against the Boston Celtics, winning the game for the Raptors.

When he was asked if he took this shot thinking it would go in, he said, “I don’t shoot trying to miss.” He manages to keep calm and even described the feeling of making this winning shot as “cool” in his postgame interview.

It is essential to remain calm under pressure. In high intensity games anxiety can ruin it for a team.

Having someone with a calm demeanour can help influence a team to play their best no matter

the situation. This skill is so important for the future of the team and Anunoby is the best to teach this.

Not many players can play both offensive and defensive. Anunoby can. He has been able to turn on his offensive skills when needed and get points for the team.

When Lowry and Siakam were out with injury he shot a 56 per cent on the field on 16 shots, according to Raptors Insider. He also plays defense well, averaging 1.5 steals in the 2020-21 season, second highest on the team, according to NBA.

The Raptors need a leader who is going to step up when other players are out. Injuries happen and players sometimes miss games, but teams need a player who can fill those areas when needed. Anunoby is a great example of how a player can step up when they’re needed.

Anunoby is the kind of player all NBA teams are looking for when draft time comes around. The Raptors should be thankful to have such a talented young player in their starting line-up.

Anunoby is the future for the Raptors.

Photograph by Vivian Huddy

Desi Huddy OG Anunoby is the future for the Toronto Raptors.

Photograph courtesy of Ethan Ricker

Ethan Ricker thinks Tiger Woods is the greatest golfer to walk the green.

Opinion

Slim or thick, body shaming has no boundary

Body shaming is something no one is immune to in 2021. Society needs to re-evaluate why.

In recent years there’s been an increase in body positivity when it comes to plus size women. This was much needed after a 30-year reign of idealizing supermodel body types like Naomi Campbell and Gisele Bündchen.

While there is a need to be more inclusive of plus sizes, the paradigm has started to shift, and now skinny women are on the chopping block.

Take for example celebrities like Ariana Grande and Coi Leray, who are constantly ridiculed for their petite frames.

Ariana Grande uploaded a photo of herself to Instagram on Sept. 4, and her comment section was met with multiple people body-shaming her. Some of the comments said her body looked like a “12-year-olds,”

Cheyenne Jarrett

calling her “flat,” and asking her, “Why did she even upload this?”

Hip-hop artist Coi Leray has also been a target for skinny-shaming when she posts pictures and videos of herself dancing and showing off her body. Her comment section is often flooded with people telling her to stop dancing based on how her body looks.

The comments were so frequent Leray addressed the topic on Twitter.

“My body is always trending. I don’t understand,” Leray tweeted. “Is there a certain way I’m suppos-

ed to look? Help me understand.”

That’s the real question: is there a certain way her body is supposed to look?

The trend right now is to have an hour-glass shaped body, or to be what some people call “slim-thick.” Being slim-thick involves having a tiny or “snatched” waist, flat stomach, large breasts and a big bum: basically looking like a real life Jessica Rabbit.

Jessica Rabbit’s body type is impossible to have naturally or to maintain without the help of plastic surgery or constant use of waist trainers, diet and exercise.

The slim-thick body shouldn’t be the only body type seen as attractive but people continue to praise it on platforms like Tik Tok and Instagram. Many women even go under the knife to achieve the look.

A Brazilian Butt Lift (BBL) is a

surgery that helps achieve a slimthick body. The demand for BBL surgeries jumped by 61 per cent between 2014 and 2018, according to The Aesthetic Society, the world’s leading professional organization devoted to advancement in cosmetic surgery.A report from The American Society of Plastic Surgeons indicated 64 per cent of its doctors experienced an increase in virtual consultations since the beginning of COVID-19.

BBLs are one of the fastest-growing cosmetic procedures in the world, even with studies showing the surgery has the highest death rate among all cosmetic procedures, according to the International Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgery. Most of the women getting BBLs are not celebrities or influencers but regular girls who want to look like the women praised on Instagram.

An internal report done by Instagram from March 2020 said that 32 per cent of teen girls, “Felt bad about their bodies,” and “Instagram made them feel worse.”

It seems no woman is allowed to feel confident in her natural body.

It’s no wonder between 80 and 90 per cent of women and girls in Canada are unhappy with the way they look – a stat from the Canadian Women’s Health Network in 2014.

Naturally thin women like Coi Leray or Ariana Grande shouldn’t be mocked for showing off their bodies just because they aren’t thick in the “right” areas.

It’s naïve to think body shaming will ever stop. Yet it’s essential society re-evaluates what the standard is and what’s considered the perfect body.

Slim or thick, women’s bodies are good.

Kayla Jackson

to Peta, having foreign bacteria encounter the animals can cause them to become anxious, frustrated and aggressive which can cause them to lash out with no fault of their own.

There has been a huge financial loss at zoos in Canada and around the world due to COVID-19, according to Canadian Geographic.

A lot of zoos rely on the revenue of their guests to be able to take care of the animals but with COVID-19 shutting down so many businesses there have been huge issues with finances.

The Toronto Zoo is a huge business that can address, and hopefully overcome, financial loss but a lot of smaller zoos won’t be able to do so, leading to the animals not being taken care of properly.

In 2019, World Animal Protection circulated a petition to stop

elephant rides at the African Lion Safari in Canada. As of July of this year, the African Lion Safari says they have stopped all elephant rides.

Unfortunately, not all zoos and marine parks have stopped using animals as entertainment. At Marine Land in Canada, there are things called touch tanks, and petter pools which invade these animals’ already sad lives and cause stress and mental pain.

These touch tanks or even just letting a visitor touch the animals creates a risk of exposing the animals to foreign bacteria. According

Animals such as elephants, bears, apes, and whales are forced to perform tasks and shows they were never born to do: it’s not in their nature. There has been a huge increase in animal deaths because of the animal entertainment industry.

There are many petitions to sign through World Animal Protection to help get the word out to help these animals.

Animals are not meant to be for show, they are not actors. Animal entertainment should be banned.

In 2019, according to the World Animal Protection, an animal welfare non-profit organization, new laws came out in Canada regarding

animal safety and well-being. These laws give the government the ability to empower others to act when an animal is at imminent risk of serious injury or death, such as leaving pets in a hot car. The laws established a multi-disciplinary advisory table made up of a wide range of experts to provide ongoing advice to the ministry to improve animal welfare.

These laws are not enough.

Animal entertainment would fall under the animal welfare law. The government needs to enforce wildlife licensing to put an end to roadside zoos as they are often petting zoos.

Peta says entertainment trainers use whips, tight collars, muzzles, and painful tools to try and train these animals into doing tricks to put on a show for hundreds of people. According to the Association of Zoos and Aquariums over

200 million people worldwide visit each year. In marine parks, the animals often are treated the same, being put into small tanks leaving them swimming in circles all day, pulled away from their families, and left with nothing.

From 1969 to 2019, African Lion Safari held elephant rides as a form of entertainment. Studies show elephant rides are one of the cruelest tourist activities as the elephants endure a lot of physical and mental suffering. Elephants at African Lion Safari were trained to fear humans and listen to commands so tourists are able to ride them. Trainers use a bull hook to cause pain and pressure on the elephants for them to learn commands.

Animal entertainment needs to be banned and it starts with the people.

Start now.

History and media moments make LGBTQ+ anthems

stand on.

Music makes moments. Or perhaps, more accurately, moments make music into anthems. The LGBTQ+ community has been impacted by musical anthems and the icons behind them.

The songs adopted by the LGBTQ+ community are upheld because they are intertwined with history and filled with lyrics of acceptance. A LGBTQ+ anthem is typically upbeat in tone, ambiguous in its use of gendered pronouns and captures a moment unique to the lived experience of the community.

The LGBTQ+ community hold up artists like Lady Gaga, Whitney Houston and RuPaul as iconic makers of anthems because their music checks the boxes of being upbeat and unique while leaving room to fit a variety of lived experiences.

Media moments and events that feature these artists and their songs also play a large role in making these artists the voice of a community.

The song “Born This Way” by Lady Gaga can be heard every year coming from the speakers of many a Pride parade float making their way down Church Street under the hot June sun.

It may be because the songs written by these artists are often upbeat and catchy with lyrics that speak to acceptance and the complexities of love. But there is something that needs to be said for the history that upholds the platform these artists

Carl Bean recorded the disco song “I Was Born This Way” in 1977. Bean passed away in September of this year and was a singer turned minister and AIDS activist. Not everybody enjoying Lady Gaga’s “Born This Way” anthem in the crowd knows it samples an older song. Instead, they hold Gaga’s song up as a moment of LGBTQ+ culture.

Whether it is because she never shies away from a taboo topic in her lyrics, or because she has been known to push the boundaries of fashion, Lady Gaga’s music is a frequent backdrop in many LGBTQ+ settings.

Whitney Houston was also known within the LGBTQ+ community for her songs that became LGBTQ+ anthems. This could be the result of her impromptu, surprise performance at the New York Lesbian and Gay Pride Dance in 1999, or because the lyrics in “I

Want to Dance with Somebody” use ambiguous pronouns.

However, it is impossible to talk about Whitney Houston’s impact as an LGBTQ+ icon in 2020 without looking at Sasha Velour’s performance in season nine of RuPaul’s Drag Race. In 2017, Sasha Velour performed Houston’s “So Emotional” which led to the drag queen winning the season.

Complete with rose petals hidden in satin gloves and under wigs, Sasha Velour’s performance has ingrained itself in the LGBTQ+ zeitgeist.

Velour has taken the success she found with her performance of Whitney Houston and her time on RuPaul’s Drag Race and found her own fame. Velour joins contestants who have competed on the show over its 13 seasons dating back to 2009 and become iconic outside of their start on the reality show.

RuPaul is a rare LGBTQ+ icon who also crossed over into being a

household name. This recognition is in part due to her break onto the drag scene in Atlanta in the early 1990s and her first studio album in 1993. But there is a history and legacy in RuPaul’s screen and music career that has led to the rise of other LGBTQ+ icons.

There is history in the music touted as LGBTQ+ anthems, whether those enjoying the tunes are aware of it or not.

The use of a song in pivotal LGBTQ+ moments is what moves a song from catchy tune across the boundary into an iconic anthem cherished by a community. These moments can be historical events or important movie scenes.

However, they all speak to a lived experience understood in the LGBTQ+ community.

LGBTQ+ icons and their anthems are strong anchors for a community looking for realistic representations of acceptance and love.

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Icons behind the anthems

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Emily McPhail