The Reorientation Issue by The Link Newspaper

01 September 2021 Volume 42, Issue 01 thelinknewspaper.ca

presented by AT

Cinéma Moderne

Wednesday September 22

DISINTEGRATION LOOPS & PATRICK David Wexler | United States, 2021 | 45 min Luke Fowler | United Kingdom, 2020 | 21 min Co-presented by Heavy Trip

Thursday September 23

A SYMPHONY OF NOISE & BELL TOWER OF FALSE CREEK Enrique Sánchez Lansch | England, 2021 | 96 min Randolph Jordan | Canada, 2017 | 12 min Co-presented by Mutek

Friday September 24

J’AI ÉTÉ AU BAL

Les Blank, Chris Strachwitz, Maureen Gosling United States, 1989 | 84 min Co-presented by Black Theatre Workshop

Saturday September 25

BELL ORCHESTRE PRESENTS HOUSE MUSIC & LA VIE D’ARTISTE Kaveh Nabatian | Canada, 2021 | 45 min Frédérique Bérubé | Canada, 2021 | 47min Co-presented by Cinémania

Saturday September 25

BELLY

Hype Williams | United States, 1998 | 96 min Co-presented by Festival du Nouveau Cinéma

MUCH MORE!

VOLUME 42, ISSUE 1 THE

table of contents

THE LINK

Editorial: The Reboot

REORIENTATION

Comic: New Normal

Do You Believe In Life After Quarantine?

Don’t @ Me: This Last School Year Was Shit

Q & A With President Graham Carr

Fee Levies: A Beginner’s Guide

Join the Club: A Small Guide to Concordia’s Student Groups

Got a Craving: Food Resources on Campus

Fiction: Below the Clouds

Horoscopes

Going to Concordia for the First Time As a Second Year Student

The Bittersweet Playlist

Quiz: What Kind of Student Are You?

Q & A: Erockfor, An Artist to Look Out for This Semester

Poetry: Dreams of an Insomniac

Concordia at Your Fingertips: A Guide to Campus Life

ISSUE

Moon Rituals to Stay Peaceful

A Look Back: Hybrid Festival Summer

Meet the Masthead of Volume 42 “I’m not a hater, I’m just a critical thinker,” since 1980

SEPTEMBER 2021

WELCOME BACK I’d like to extend a warm welcome back to all new and returning students. It will be good to see more of you on our campuses. Our goal is to deliver a great academic year and a safe experience for everyone. Don’t forget – anyone in Quebec who is 12 years and older can get their free COVID-19 vaccine. Find out how to book an appointment (if you haven’t already) at quebec.ca/covidvaccine. Looking forward to seeing you soon,

Graham Carr President graham.carr@concordia.ca

22-73442 22-73442 T22-73442

CO N CO R D I A . C A

EDITORIAL

Editorial Orientation: The Reboot Between an ongoing global pandemic, numerous precautionary lockdowns, and uncertainty of the future ahead, the gradual return to campus is being viewed with a critical eye from Concordia’s students across the board. September 2020 brought you The Disorientation Issue, which aimed to ease students into the reality of living with COVID-19. Nevertheless, we continue to adapt to new developments on the coronavirus. As we embark into fall 2021, and in honour of this looming uncertainty, we bring you the latest twist on the annual Orientation Issue at The Link: The Reorientation Issue. This issue follows the theme of reintegration on a larger scale considering the amount of students who will be experiencing life on campus for the very first time. After a year and a half of producing content solely online, we are excited to finally be able to deliver this magazine in print format once again. Hence, with the launch of this latest issue, Volume 42 makes its first appearance in person. We’ve all experienced some variation of burnout or fatigue in the past year, which is why some students may have felt robbed of their quintessential university experience. More than anything, there’s a collective sense of being left with more questions than answers about what’s

to come. Last fall, thousands of students began their post-secondary academic studies online due to COVID-19. And while the internet has done plenty to keep us connected through online learning platforms, there’s simply no comparison to the tangible experience of being on a university campus among your peers. Especially in a student hub like Montreal, part of the appeal of the city felt lost amidst the frenzy of the virus. Now, as we slowly make our way back to normalcy, the precarious return for most Concordians is, in one word, bittersweet. Bittersweet in the sense that we’re in a unique position to redefine what it means to turn a classroom into a community. Quarantine gave each of us time to reflect, not only on who we are as individuals, but also on how we function as a society. In today’s digital age, we came to the realization of how important it is for humans to interact with one another. Life can be totally unpredictable, which is why we encourage you to take a moment to acknowledge how privileged we are to even be offered the chance to go back to in-person learning. They say actions speak louder than words. By following the recommendations of health experts, it was our actions that even made the possibility of going back to school a reality. Case and point. Wearing our masks, washing our hands, and getting fully vaccinated are some of the easiest ways to show mutual respect for human life. It’s how we tell each other, “All life is precious, especially yours.” For the sake of new beginnings, let’s continue to reflect this mindset as we reorient our way back to campus.

Graphic Joey Bruce SEPTEMBER 2021

THE LINK

T H E L I N K N E W S PA P E R . C A

COMIC

COMIC BY MARIA CHABELNIK SEPTEMBER 2021

THE LINK

Do You Believe in Life After Quarantine?

A collection of students’ experiences post-lockdown

Date Night Revisited

Appreciating the Bigger Picture Hanine El Mir

Marie-Ève Ducharme When Montreal finally hit the green zone, the first thing I did was attend a comedy show, followed by dinner at a nice restaurant. It was my first proper date with my partner, after a year and a half of trying to recreate dates at home. It felt good to see other people without masks eating at their tables, or to see others laughing at jokes during the show. Mostly, I realized how the pandemic changed our lives. We acknowledged the chance that we had to be together during this wonderful evening, realizing that something ordinary before the pandemic seemed to be the best night of 2020 and 2021 combined.

graphics joey bruce

No Hugs, No Problem Bri Kang

Once things started loosening up a bit, and the vaccination process was sped up, the very first thing I did out of quarantine was go on a ride in the metro. I was looking at everyone around me living their lives once again. I had seen that a café I had been meaning to check out since 2020 opened its indoor area at a very limited capacity. I got a coffee, opened my laptop, and got to writing. During the year we spent at home, I realized that the things I missed the most were not the main events, but the journeys I went on to get to them. The bus rides, the few minutes of chatting with friends before and after classes, even waiting by the coffee machine with co-workers. These little things cushion everything we do. I realized that we had failed to consider these elements that made up a bigger picture.

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My friends and I had made a rule that we would only have indoor gatherings with other fully-vaccinated people. In July, three of my friends and I decided to have a small dinner party at my friend’s place. It felt somewhat like old times, except hugs were not involved. During the pandemic, I refused to see many people unless we were outdoors and at a distance. It felt scary yet fun to be able to see my friends in a different setting again. However, with the Delta variant making its way here, I don’t think I’ll feel very comfortable doing this until we receive more data on breakthrough cases. Hanging out was fun for the four hours that that dinner party lasted, though.

OPINIONS

Burger? I Hardly Even Know Her Celine Blais

I had gotten quite familiar with all of the ins and outs from one lockdown to the next. The teetering back-andforth from total isolation to a full work week. With no social life, it became harder for me to grasp onto any kind of hope for normalcy. My body had become accustomed to seeing the four walls of my apartment instead of the lit up streets in my own neighbourhood as soon as the clock struck 8 p.m. After the restrictions were lifted, life as I learnt to live it would flip once more, leaving a promising glimpse of faith in its place. I hadn’t seen the outside world after nightfall in what felt like a lifetime. Yet there I was, first night post-curfew, a burger in one hand and my friend’s hand in the other, walking home at 3 a.m. from St. Henri all the way to the Mile End. In that moment, strutting through the cold downtown streets, a little buzzed and wearing an obnoxious coat, life before the pandemic didn’t feel as distant.

OPINIONS

Don’t @ Me: This Last School Year Was Shit

By Joëlle Jalbert

It only took me three consecutives alarms to get out of bed this morning. That’s it, we’re here. We’re back to school. Getting up five minutes before the start of class isn’t an option anymore, but I’m here for it. I understand why some students were thriving during Zoom university, but that simply wasn’t my case. My school days last year would look a lot like this: I would crawl

out of bed, sweatpants dragging on the floor and oversized hoodie sleeves hanging down each side of my slug-like body. I’d then be woken up by the glaring light of my computer screen. The reality is, I’m someone who’s pretty organized and who doesn’t usually drown in schoolwork. Last year however, what started out as frustration quickly became resentment. If it’s not that one instance I wasn’t able to turn in a piece of work on time and my teacher gave me a zero, it’s that other time I couldn’t talk in class without being interrupted by a man. Or, when I was stuck in a breakout room talking to myself because the other black screens were not answering me. The fact that I had to start working fulltime in order to cover the costs of these low-quality discussions filled with people who do not want to be there is staggering. Don’t even get me started on that infamous “COVID-19 Rec & Ath Discount” that saved us about $20 per semester. Does it ring a bell? Last year, our tuition fees were reduced by this ri-

diculous amount, which a lot of students guessed was due to recreational activities not taking place. I am so close to contacting Hasbro to pitch a new game idea: “Who can offend students the most with their discounts?” If you don’t know what I’m talking about, go through the breakdown of your tuition for the last two semesters. I know, I know. That socalled discount is a joke. The reality is the government and schools have no idea what our Zoom university experience was like. They don’t understand the financial strain it put us through. If they did, we wouldn’t be left with subpar education and mountains of debts. Between the changing environments at our part-time jobs and the lower quality education we received with no change in tuition, this past year was taxing. In arguably good news, we are now able to request a lump sum of $200 if we were studying at a recognized institution full-time. That $200 will only help me buy one

new textbook this coming fall or cover a small percentage of the debts I am in. Don’t they understand that some students had to go from studying full-time to part-time in order to work more hours and afford to still stay in school? It’s called staying afloat. Don’t they know that once stores reopened, companies were eager to make money and would overwork their staff, which consists primarily of students? It’s called capitalism and it runs the world, baby. When I think of these powerful institutions giving us lump sums or discounts, I wonder if they do it to appease their conscience. If they had really talked with students to know what the hardships were and how they can help, we would have gotten a better discount than $20 on tuition. After a year spent on Zoom, many of us are tired, broke, depressed and at an all time low in terms of motivation. To sum it all up, we were robbed, and I am tired of complaining. I just want my degree.

I was robbed—newsflash: so were you SEPTEMBER 2021

THE LINK

Q&A With President Graham Carr What will this new school year look like as we return to campus? By Michelle Malnasi and Parker Sherry With Concordia offering courses in-person, online, and in a blended format, students are left wondering what the fall semester will look like. The Link sat down with Concordia president and vice-chancellor Graham Carr to talk about what students can expect from their return to campus and how learning will be accessible to students in varying situations. Full interview available online. Answers have been edited for length and clarity. What are some of the biggest challenges that the administration is facing this coming year?

Courtesy Concordia University

One thing that is set in stone in terms of health and safety measures is that everyone on campus will be required to wear a mask unless there’s a two metre separation. In the case of a classic lecture hall situation where the faculty member is at the front of the room, they could remove their mask. That’s consistent with the guidelines set by the Commission des normes, de l’équité, de la santé et de la sécurité du travail , which is responsible for setting health and safety guidelines for workplaces. With regard to the delivery of courses, each of the faculties worked over the summer very closely with departments to design a schedule which they felt would work best for their students and their faculty. The delivery of courses in the fall is going to be mixed, which I think is typical of what we’ll see in Canadian universities. More than 60 per cent of our courses will be in person. One of the new things this fall is we’ll have more courses that are being delivered in a blended format. There will be components of courses that are offered online, but other components of courses will be in person and on campus.

The challenge for everyone is we’re going to have two cohorts of students coming to Concordia this fall who, over the course of the last 18 months, have been in a mostly online environment, whether that’s students who were at Concordia, students who were in CEGEP or high schools elsewhere. I think the biggest challenge by far is to figure out how we transition out of what we’ve experienced, to a campus experience which has much more in-person opportunities for students, faculty, and staff, while at the same time For students living abroad, where Wi-Fi or upbeing prudent in terms of health and safety con- to-date devices are inaccessible, how will the cerns. school help support these students until they get the chance to come back to Canada? We’ve gotten some updates by email over the last couple of months. Will the return to That’s been an important question, not in-person learning be more flexible? just for international students, but for domestic students as well. In the design of the schedule for T H E L I N K N E W S PA P E R . C A

NEWS

the fall, all of the faculties worked with departments to ensure that there would be a certain number of courses that were available online. Students who won’t be physically in Montreal will still be able to begin their studies. We encourage faculty to apply the same best practices that we’ve been encouraging them to do in the past, which is to try to develop courses offered asynchronously, and that can be recorded so that if a student has a poor internet connection, they’ll still have the opportunity to nevertheless capture the material. Students have complained about teachers lacking compassion and understanding during online learning. Has the university provided more training to ensure that this doesn’t persist? From a student perspective, [training] meant faculty members being more understanding of the challenges that they may be facing while trying to function in the online environment. From the faculty standpoint, it often meant trying to persuade students that although social media and digital tools are available 24/7, that doesn’t mean that faculty members should be expected to respond in the blink of an eye to every kind of question. We’ve certainly talked a lot about best practices with faculty members, many of whom have availed themselves from the services of the Centre for Teaching and Learning. Sometimes, whole departments meet with CTL. I think people have also, I hope, learnt something from their personal experience over the last 18 months in terms of the need to be compassionate and understanding. It’s been a tough period for everybody. There seems to have been a disconnect between students and professors throughout this past year. What frustrations have you heard from faculty and students, and how can that be remedied going forward?

We knew this before, but I think the pandemic has allowed us to understand even better that people learn in different ways. And if you want to put students’ success at the heart of learning, then you need, as a university or as a faculty, to recognize that it’s important to have flexible options for students. I think the biggest complaint we’ve heard from faculty members about remote learning over the last 18 months is the personal disconnect with students. Not having students face to face in the class to speak with, to talk to, is the same social frustration that I think we’ve all experienced through the pandemic. I was at a meeting with one of the departments in engineering over the course of the summer. Interestingly, what the department chair said was they had discovered that, in many ways, they can deliver the content of the lecture portion of their courses more effectively online. It allowed them to rethink what they wanted to accomplish with in-person activities on campus, and allowed them to put more emphasis on the quality of that in-person experience. So I think if anything, faculty members had the chance for reflection. They’re experimenting with new models of teaching, and realizing the importance of flexible learning modalities. That’s good for higher education generally, and that’s good for Concordia’s students in particular. How do you think Concordia performed through this pandemic? I’m proud of the way the university has come through it. I’m proud of our students who graduated in record numbers this year. I’m proud of the faculty and the staff who figured out how to deliver good quality education and sustain the services at the university. [If] we’ve learnt one very important lesson, I hope it’s the lesson of respect and understanding and compassion, and that flexibility is not the enemy of excellence. SEPTEMBER 2021

THE LINK

Fee Levies: A Beginner’s Guide Here’s how fee levy groups are enhancing your recreational student life at Concordia By Reina Ephrahim @blessthereins

tudent groups at Concordia University are an essential part of what makes the institution a staple for inclusivity and overall representation in Canada. One thing to keep in mind when considering the functionality of student groups is their funding process. If you’ve studied at the university for a while now, you may have heard or seen the term fee levy thrown about in class, or in school-related advertisements by student groups. For those of you who are new, you may not even be aware of the importance or differences between fee levy and non-fee levy groups. The Student Accounts Fee Levy Operating Procedures defines the term fee levy as “a per credit, per semester or annual fee, collected by the university on behalf of a student organization, as defined by and in accordance with T H E L I N K N E W S PA P E R . C A

the Policy on Student Associations and Groups.” With some simple math, the monetary amount can easily be tallied up. A course is typically worth three credits, and student fee levy groups each hold their own charge depending on what their budget requires. For instance, The Link is a fee levy group, and students who opt to pay the fee are currently paying $0.19 per credit, meaning $0.57 per course. By this account, a full-time student who is doing five courses is paying a total of $2.85 every semester to the organization. But there’s more to fee levies than just the money. According to Eduardo Malorni, general coordinator for the Concordia Student Union [CSU], the key differences between student fee levy and non-fee levy groups has to do with accountability to higher organizations within Concordia. While some student groups receive funding through a higher organization after appealing to the former with a budget, such as the CSU or ASFA, others are expected to self-govern. “Non-fee levy student groups [...] must apply every year to a higher organization with a budget to be approved, and will remain accountable to that higher organization,” said Malorni. “That higher organization can reject or approve their request for funding, and if they are not functioning a certain year, the higher organization does not need to give them any funding.” In short, non-fee levy student groups rely on student associations or unions to continue operations. On the other hand, fee levy student groups are self-governing independent organizations with no affiliation to a higher body. “Being a fee levy group at Concordia is a privilege we take seriously, and our commitment to our role as part of Concordia’s vibrant student body is evident,” said Angelica Calcagnile, president of the Concordia Student Broadcasting Corporation. The CSBC oversees the governance of Concordia’s “one and only radio station”, CJLO, and holds their broadcasting li-

NEWS

“Being a fee levy group at Concordia is a privilege we take seriously, and our commitment to our role as part of Concordia’s vibrant student body is evident.” - Angelica Calcagnile cense. “We’re grateful for the continued support of Concordia’s students, both undergraduate and graduate, and remain dedicated to providing students with an independent voice that is always innovating and evolving with the needs of our community,” Calcagnile added. Examples of fee levy groups at Concordia include the Centre for Gender Advocacy, the Concordia Community Solidarity Cooperative Bookstore, the Art Matters festival, CJLO, Queer Concordia, CUTV, the Concordia Greenhouse, People’s Potato; and The Link, as well as many other student groups. Another aspect to consider are the advantages and disadvantages of being a fee levy group. Of course, advantages of being a fee levy group include secure and stable funding, as well as the ability to function independently. The disadvantages, however, lie mostly within self-organization and management of these groups, according to Malorni. “Fee levies are expected to register with the government, hold annual general meetings to remain accountable to their membership, open their own bank accounts, internally manage their own employees and complaints, [and] handle their opt outs,” said Malorni. “Being a fee levy is a large responsibility and one which

requires a dedicated team to manage.” At times, you may have heard of fee levy groups campaigning for a budget increase. In order for such a thing to take place, there is a criteria that students must follow. Through a referendum process, organizers of a fee levy group must present a question or proposal that would adequately explain why they need to increase funding. This process takes place in front of the university’s Board of Governors, who make the final decision of whether an increase of funds is necessary. The process as a whole is quite lengthy, and can take up to several weeks. “Fee levies offer a lot of great services and resources to students,” said Hannah JametLange, academic and advocacy coordinator for the CSU. Like Malorni, they concur with the effectiveness of fee levies. “Since students pay for those services, unless they decide to opt out, it is important for them to know about them,” Jamet-Lange added. “A lot of things that greatly improve student life would not exist if it weren’t for fee levies. In short, fee levy groups give access to resources that are meant to enrich the experiences of students at Concordia, which is why they require funding. The funding helps students get access to equipment, programs and resources that would otherwise be costly and unaffordable. Thus, when paying fee levy charges, you are directly contributing to the expansion of on and off-campus student life activities.

SEPTEMBER 2021

THE LINK

JOIN THE CLUB: A small guide to Concordia’s student groups

meet the requirements, and that they have the support that they need to be successful on campus,” Kirshner added. The CSU intends to organize in-person and online activities throughout the coming year, so keep your eyes peeled!

Best Buddies Concordia

Get to know some of the active student groups and clubs at Concordia Angélica Rameau-Galette @arameaugalette After so much time away, student groups at Concordia are getting ready to welcome new initiates. The university has a wide range of student groups that give recognition to cultures, activism, arts, and sports that promote learning, personal development, and can serve as a way to meet people. The Link spoke with different clubs to learn about their mandates and plans for the upcoming school year.

Concordia Student Union

While not a club per se, the Concordia Student Union is a student group that advocates for student rights and serves as

T H E L I N K N E W S PA P E R . C A

a representation of the university’s student body. Proctoring, proposing the pass/fail grading option, getting involved in justice campaigns like climate change, planning events, and workshops, all fall under the CSU’s umbrella. Harrison Kirshner, the CSU’s internal affairs coordinator, said the union supports fee-levy groups and financially supports campus clubs. “We help them promote events and we provide funding for their initiatives,” said Kirshner. Any undergraduate student can start a club with a petition of 50 signatures. “The clubs department works with clubs to make sure that their constitutions and budgets

Best Buddies Concordia, which is one of the programs in collaboration with Best Buddies Canada, connects Concordia students with people living with intellectual and developmental disabilities. During a meet and greet event in the fall, students get paired up with someone and are given the chance to connect. Students can do individual activities with their buddies, or participate in group events like themed parties, talks, or bowling–one of the more popular group events. Rubab Moiz, co-president of Best Buddies Concordia, said the club serves as an aid to create friendships and a safe space to share. “The goal is giving that opportunity to people with intellectual and physical disabilities to make connections and feel like they have someone to talk to—a shoulder to lean on,” she said. Moiz said that students should join the club as it is a great and significant experience. “I’m sure that whoever

LIFESTYLE

joins the program will have a Autodidacts fun time. I can guarantee that,” Concordia she added. Theatre The club is hoping to Autodidacts Concordia host in-person events this upTheatre is a club open to all stucoming school year. dents interested in gaining acting and theatre experience.The Making HERstory troupe does fall workshops, Making HERstory is a script readings, play writing, social club that came to life and students can get actively during the pandemic. The ab- involved in productions. Jules sence of a student group focus- Gigon, a member of the A.C.T. ing solely on feminism at Con- troupe, said the club encourcordia is why Anjila Farasheh, ages students to explore new co-president of Making HER- talent and learn more about Story, created the club. themselves. Through sharing and Each year the club proeducating, Making HERstory duces a play that students peraims to correct the misconcep- form in. The writing process tion of feminism by promoting usually starts in October, and equality and inclusivity be- by winter, rehearsals begin for tween genders. the production. “We want to build a “We want to push percommunity of strong females sonal growth and creative opthat support each other in ev- portunities and make these ery single way possible,” she happen for students in any desaid. partment,” said Gigon. The club hosts several Zoe Marner, also a memprofessional and education- ber of the A.C.T club, added al workshops, such as writing that the group taught her about a resume, preparing for a job the significance of taking risks interview, and conferences and getting out of your comfort with professionals working in zone. “Even if they flop, people various fields. They have also learn something about themhosted culinary activities in the selves. We did, we had a good past. time, and it’s worth it,” said This year, the social club Marner. is working on one of its upcoming projects in collaboraConcordia Canadian tion with Desjardins: Women Across Culture. The project will Asian Society The Concordia Canatalk about the various challenges women face in different dian Asian Society is both a cultures, such as their rights, cultural and social hub for students who want to join education, and finances.

the club. Connor Sin-Chan, co-president of CCAS, said the various events they organize allow people to experience and learn about Asian cultures. “What we strive to do is create an inclusive space for students that identify as Canadian-Asian or who want to be part of that community,” said Sin-Chan. The cultural club hosts cooking workshops, cultural trivia and game nights, bake sales, and other bonding activities. Their Lunar New Year food market is one of their most popular events. “When you’re in university, you’re kind of looking for yourself, and I think an easy way to meet other people that have similar interests, lifestyles, and histories is to join a cultural group,” said Sin-Chan. In the fall, the CCAS will be recruiting students who would like to become executives and organize events for the club. There are many opportunities for you to find a student group that meets your interests at Concordia, whether you want to get involved or are looking for a new hobby. Student clubs can provide a unique university experience and give you a better glimpse of what student life has to offer, on and off-campus. Graphic Joey Bruce SEPTEMBER 2021

THE LINK

Got a Craving? Grab a bite on campus at one of Concordia’s many food initiatives By: Hanine El Mir @CaffeineHanine Various national and international restaurant chains are scattered across downtown Montreal. Similarly, Concordia houses many food initiatives that students can easily access. Instead of reaching for the vending machine right outside of your classroom for a bag of chips and soda, consider heading to one of these wallet-friendly options.

The People’s Potato The People’s Potato, on the seventh floor of the Hall Building, has been operating as a donation-based soup kitchen since 1999. They usually serve a healthy full-course vegan meal every day from Monday to Friday between 12 p.m. and 2 p.m. “We are planning a soft launch of our regular pre-pandemic schedule, so we will start with serving meals three times a week instead of five,” said Karen Ounsworth, a collective worker from The People’s Potato. Ounsworth has been working at The People’s Potato for six years now. “Some of the details are still to be determined, but we might also have our serving time last longer so more students who are on campus can access a lunch on the days we serve,” Ounsworth added. “Once we see how in demand the lunch is, and how many students are actually on campus, we will adjust our service accordingly.” For more information, stay posted on their social media to learn more about their T H E L I N K N E W S PA P E R . C A

volunteering program, and how you can get involved in the kitchen by serving 400 portions per day. The People’s Potato also offers free emergency food baskets every two weeks, usually announced online and via posters hung on campus, which are mostly sourced from Moisson Montréal.

The Hive Café Solidarity Co-op

The Hive Café Solidarity Co-op, with a location at each campus, has plenty of vegetarian and vegan options to satisfy any savoury or sweet craving. The café, located on the second floor of the Hall Building, sells chilli, burritos, soup, assorted sandwiches, cakes, and muffins in addition to coffee, tea, and cold beverages. “Students will be able to enjoy our spaces and use them for studying, and sitting to eat their meals while maintaining the 2.5 meter distance,” said general coordinator Calvin Clarke when explaining what can be expected from the Hive this upcoming semester. “Students should expect our cafés to be open to them as of [Sept. 7], but we will be having a limited menu and hours for the first two weeks to get a feel of our capacities coming back after such a long closure,” Clarke added. The Hive also has a free lunch initiative at their Loyola kitchen, which continued throughout the pandemic. They recently released a recipe book to complement it. It typically operates Monday through Friday between 12:30 p.m. and 1:30 p.m., but they are currently working out the logistics for the next term.

Mother Hubbard’s Cupboard Mother Hubbard’s Cupboard, located in the Z Annex at 2090 Mackay St., operates on a sliding-scale donation basis. For a minimum of $2, you get a heaping plate of vegan food with a side salad and fruit or dessert. In the last two years, they were serving the community every

NEWS

Monday evening, from the kitchen generously lent to them by the Multi-faith & Spirituality Centre at the Sir George Williams campus. When the pandemic began, they shifted online and shared some budget friendly recipes to cook in quarantine. To find out their opening hours for the upcoming academic year, keep an eye on their social media.

Le Frigo Vert At Le Frigo Vert, located at 1440 Mackay St., you can grab a quick bite while supporting a number of causes, namely sustainability and food security. They sell ingredients in bulk, in addition to an assortment of zero-waste household, cleaning, and menstruation products. They also have an emergency food bank program. Along with that, they typically offer a pay-what-you-can meal once a week—an option that was served on Thursdays for the past two years. Make sure to keep a look out for their events to learn about herbal remedies or how to participate in a winter clothing drive.

The LB Café & Other On-Campus Food Resources

block out of the SGW campus and check out Nilufar’s Falafel-it-forward initiative. Located on 1923 Ste. Catherine St., Nilufar is known for its affordable yet filling vegetarian pitas. With this program in place, you can grab yourself a $3 sandwich all while purchasing one for someone in need.

Concordia’s Farmers’ Market & Concordia Food Coalition Be on the lookout for posters announcing the return of the Concordia Farmers’ Market, typically hosted one Wednesday of every month during the school year in the EV Building downtown. You can also reach out to the Concordia Food Coalition on Facebook to know what they’re up to. The Concordia Food Coalition is “working hard to determine what our community really needs, as we move into the post-pandemic world,” said CFC finance coordinator Shylah Wolfe. “From community meal-making, to popup farmers markets, to conferences, to customized training, the CFC looks forward to once again offering support and a strong voice for students and food groups on campus.”

If you’re worried about losing your spot at the Webster Library but are fighting a growing hunger, you don’t need to leave the building entirely to grab a quick bite. By heading down to the ground floor, you can find the LB Café, which consists of a Tim Hortons, Freshii, and Bento Sushi. You can find similar services scattered at campuses such as The Green Beet in the Hall Building, or at smaller cafés in the CJ, AD, SP and Hingston buildings at Loyola, which offer sandwiches, salads, soups, pizzas, and coffee. There’s a Tim Hortons in the SP building in addition to these cafés.

So, if you have some free time, why not check out one of these options next time you’re on campus? Whatever you choose from this list is bound to not only satisfy your cravings and delight your tummies; it will spare your wallets too. Bon appétit!

Restaurant Nilufar

Graphic Nanor Froundjian

If you’ve got some time to spare, head one

SEPTEMBER 2021

THE LINK

The wind blows through the broken frames of charred houses, making thin leafed vines that grow in their sunken windows dance in the breeze. Ash is picked up from the ground and tossed into the air, where it finds its way to my blinking eyes. Clutching a small medicine bag, I stagger my way down the cracked street, its faint warmth tickling my bleeding feet. The fires were from a time before my birth, though they still burn across the Earth’s charcoaled ruins to this day. The long-collapsed buildings are still a sight to behold even at my age; their ancient skeletons threatening to bury you in soot and smoke as they teeter between life and death. A dead city, with the grey of concrete and steel now matching the ashen sky. Undoubtedly the people that live above the clouds find it all quite amusing, a grand irony that need not apply to them. I should know. I thought the same way when I was younger. The dilapidated remains of what once was a theatre looms in the distance. The sky above it bears down upon the land, a gray, howling tyrant, binding the people below to their tombs. I slowly make my way towards it, my breath heavy and rasping as though the air itself is a commodity here. I stumble, catching my breath.

BELOW THE CLOUDS

Jonathan Hilton T H E L I N K N E W S PA P E R . C A

Purpose is a hard thing to come by here. When I was one of the few that lived above the blackened sky, I had a purpose. I had been told that being a doctor was a noble profession. I thought I would heal the sick and be rewarded in kind for my good work, but like those before me when eventually I outlived my usefulness I was cast from that heavenly spire. A purpose can make one steel their resolve and drive themselves forward. I pull myself from the ground and drag my sore legs past the threshold of the theatre’s

FICTION

corpse.

that sits beneath the theatre seats.

What was within the theatre could hardly be distinguished from what was on the outside. What may once have been a beautiful display of reds and golds now stands as little more than the charred husks of fine furniture, a burnt stairway held up by only a few beams of wood and a broken chandelier that lay upon the floor. I ascend the stairs, my heart pounding from exertion and fear that I may have delayed too long.

“What is it?” I ask.

“Please,” she says again.

I move to the chair she is looking at and pull away at the cloth and fabric. As the stuffing falls away, I hear something, the faint whimper of a child. My hands grasp onto something soft yet firm. Pulling them back, I reveal the scarf that swaddles the child like a bright blue cocoon. It takes me a moment to understand what I hold in my hands this small thing—no more than half of a year into its life—a beacon of colour and light.

Through one of the doors to the theatre’s balcony, a woman is lying on a cot of salvaged cushioning that had not been consumed by flames. She is young, though her frame is slender and weary, as though the slightest touch may cause her to crumble into the ash that lay around her. I make my way to her side as fast as “I have her,” I say, rushing back to the my old body would allow, laying out what little woman’s side. “Your daughter’s here, I’ve got medicine I have left in hopes of easing her pain. her.”

“You came back,” the woman croaks, her The woman is still. I mutter to the air voice weak and dry. about her child, as though I could tell her spirit that her daughter was safe. I look down at the “I told you I would, didn’t I?” I say through life in my hands, watching as it coughs on the a feigned smile as I hand her a small glass of thick air that permeates the world. This is no water diffused with medication. “Here, drink.” place for a child. With only a few sips she began to hack and cough, a thick, black, tar-like slime spilling over her lips. Her body falls back, too weak to sit as stillness fills the room. The woman’s breath is heavy and choked by the soot that fills her lungs. Hopelessness washes over me like a tidal wave. I can’t move, I know what is to come and there is nothing left for me to do. For a moment I thought she was staring at open space, unable to do anything other than think, but there is a purpose to her gaze, an intensity that cannot be questioned.

***

The wind drives ash clouds into me as though hell itself were pulling me back, away from the pearlescent gates. Shards of wood are hoisted from the bodies of dead homes by twisting dust devils and hurled against me, lashing my skin like a nine-tailed whip. Before me, among the chaos of ash and dust stands a tower. A glimmering, argentine, monolith dedicated to the strength of the wise and the wealthy. I pull myself up the steps to that grand tower’s golden door, the lens of a camera ap “Please,” she whispers, her eyes locked pearing at the top of its smooth frame. on the small cluster of fabric and chair stuffing SEPTEMBER 2021

THE LINK

FICTION

“You are not welcome,” boomed a loud, mechanical voice. “Return to your home.” “Please,” I say, lifting the life I hold in my shaking arms to the camera that quickly vanishes back into the door. Moments move on like years as I clutch the child to my chest. They will never come down to this broken world. They are too far away to see the lives of the ants that live on the ground. I sit, unable to will my legs to stand as the weight of the child’s coming fate pins my arms. The world is dark, and far too hot to breathe. But then there is a crack, a shimmer of light and I am blinded by some golden otherworldly glow. I do not see the child go, but I feel hands reach down and pluck her from my arms. There is a moment, just as the doors close and the world darkens, that I see her within the golden glow as she is brought to what lies above the clouds. ***

PHOTO Stella Mazurek

T H E L I N K N E W S PA P E R . C A

HOROSCOPE

HOROSCOPES graphics Sheena Macmillan

Capricorn (Dec. 22-Jan. 19) Do yourself a favour and raaaaaaaaaaaaaaaawr! XD Aquarius (Jan. 20-Feb. 18) Keep trying, buddy. Your optimism will get you somewhere. She’ll notice you eventually. Pisces (Feb. 19-Mar. 20) I know you want to wear your crisp new white Air Force 1s on the first day back but try not to drown everyone in your drip. Drip drippity drip. Aries (Mar. 21-April 19) As a seasoned Concordian, try your best to refrain from snapping at the new kids on the block who are just searching for Hall. Just take it step by step. Taurus (April 20-May 20) This semester, fight the urge to take over everything in your group projects. Give your teammates some room to shine, and embrace the zen. If one teammate falls off, send a strongly worded email to your professor. Gemini (May 21-June 20) Make sure to meditate to recover from carrying the group chat for days on end. Your personalities make for great entertainment, but save some time for yourself to unwind from being the main character 24/7.

Cancer (June 21-July 22) I know your heart feels many feelings, Cancer, but when your seatmate forgets your name after the first day, don’t make a scene. Calmly walk to the nearest campus café and get an iced coffee to wash away your pain. Leo (July 23-Aug. 22) I don’t know how, but you need to make coming back to school all about you. Start an argument in your political science class, shoot your shot in public, audition to be Buzz the mascot. Life is what you make it. Virgo (Aug. 23-Sept. 22) We just lived through a whole ass pandemic. You can bet that people need help because nobody knows what’s going on. Be the voice of calm and reason. Libra (Sept. 23-Oct. 22) Don’t show everyone you’re better than them on day one. If people get annoyed by you, blame it on the Mercury retrograde. Scorpio (Oct. 23-Nov. 21) Ayo... I don’t know anything about astrology but like… A good semester may not be in God’s Plan. Drake’s album flopped for a reason. Sagittarius (Nov. 22-Dec. 21) I know you’ve been waiting to crack some jokes with the boys, but your social skills have deteriorated over the pandemic. Just make sure you’re not the only one laughing. SEPTEMBER 2021

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Going to Concordia for the Going to Concordia for Going to Concordia forthe the First Time First Time First Time My thoughts as a second-year student Mariana Chajon Oliveros @ChajonOliveros

Throughout the 2020-2021 school year, I dreamed of the fall 2021 semester. A lot of last year didn’t feel real. As a student who has never attended Concordia classes in person, I had a lot of trouble identifying with the school and taking it seriously. Lectures often felt like watching a long Youtube video. I’d take my early classes from bed as well as my late classes. It was so easy to ignore school, and, because of that, it didn’t feel like going to school at all. The lines between my personal life and my ac ademic life were blurred; I basically did everything from my bedroom. I’d like to think that being able to go to school in person will help me reinstate those boundaries in my life. Learning will hopefully return to what it used to be before school went online: it won’t just be a lecture, it will be an engaging learning environment. I hope for opportunities where classmates can interact with each other, and where teachers can be more dynamic. I want to feel immersed in my school, and not just feel like class is something else on my to-do list. This would make going to university worth it, at least for me. All my hopes have been set on the idea that this upcoming semester, I’ll magically get back everything that the pandemic took away from me. I tell myself, “This semester, I’ll be able to see my friends, hang out around campus, and go to the library whenever I want.” My excitement has reached levels I didn’t think were possible. This summer, I decided that I’d donate most of my clothes and start a whole new wardrobe before school starts. I’ve gone on Staples’ website more times than I even did while working for them, and I got a manicure and a haircut the week before school started. T H E L I N K N E W S PA P E R . C A

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Despite all this excitement, I am also a little terrified of school starting. I have not gone to university in person, ever. I assume that things will go well, but, like most things in life, it’ll be hit-or-miss. I think the main thing the past 18 months have taught me is to give up. I have learned to give up when it seems like going on will only tire me out. I don’t want to waste my time and energy on things that will only bring negativity into my life. I’ve applied this to sports since the second grade, but never to other areas of my life.

“

I want to feel immersed in my school, and not just feel like class is something else on my to-do list.

”

There is a freeing feeling in telling myself that if something doesn’t work out the way I imagined it, then I’ll just give it up. While online school made it harder for a lot of people to do their work, I think that blaming it for making our lives more difficult doesn’t account for everything that already made our lives tough. I think of people whose financial situations force them to overwork themselves, or people who don’t have the right tools in their lives to work through their mental health issues, people who are oppressed, etc. All these factors will continue to exist after the pandemic, yet our school administrators have not implemented structured help for them. I just hope that this year, I get to experience everything that Concordia has to offer. I feel the need to make up for lost time, but I’m also trying to be aware of what will actually bring positivity. I see this semester as a second chance for me and many others to start university the right way.

P L AY L I S T

The Bittersweet Playlist by Reina Ephrahim

1. “Bitter Sweet Symphony,” The Verve 2. “Mesmerise,” Chapterhouse 3. “Linger,” The Cranberries 4. “Impossible,” Clairo 5. “Free Man in Paris,” Joni Mitchell 6. “Me and Julio Down by the Schoolyard,” Paul Simon

7. “Kiss Me,” Sixpence None The Richer 8. “The Middle,” Jimmy Eat World 9. “Heart Out,” The 1975 10. “Everywhere,” Fleetwood Mac 11. “You’ve Got A Friend,” Carole King 12. “Best Friend,” Rex Orange County 13. “Mr. Tambourine Man,” Bob Dylan 14. “Modern Loneliness,” Lauv 15. “September,” Earth, Wind & Fire 16. “YOU’RE THE ONE,” Katranada feat. Syd 17. “Gimme! Gimme! Gimme!

(A Man After Midnight),” ABBA

18. “Woo!” Remi Wolf 19. “Señorita,” Justin Timberlake 20. “Self Control,” Frank Ocean

SEPTEMBER 2021

THE LINK

quiz What Kind of Student Are You? Let this quiz tell you! BY: OLIVIA PICHÉ

Concordia is made up of a large array of wonderful students. Some who see achievements larger than life, some who fill the halls with echoing laughter, others who hold unbelievable talent within their fields, and some who are happy to be mediocre. Do you know what kind of student you are? Answer the questions below and add up your points to find out!

T H E L I N K N E W S PA P E R . C A

There’s a Stingers home game tonight. You decide to: A. Attend wearing Concordia colours, armed with your school spirit. (1 point) B. Stay home. You don’t understand the hype around sports. (2 points) C. Definitely go as a pre-party event. All your Frosh friends are already getting ready for the game. (4 points) D. Consider it, but you have other things you’d rather spend your Friday night doing. (6 points)

You forgot your lunch today. You decide to: A. Skateboard to the new taco place you’ve been wanting to try. You’ll probably be late for class, but it’ll be worth it. (6 points) B. Take advantage of the free vegan lunches offered by The People’s Potato like you normally do. (3 points)

It’s almost Frosh week and you’re not sure how to buy tickets. You decide to: A. Make a post on your private Instagram story. You have to be there, it’s the event of the year. (3 points) B. Definitely not go to Frosh. It’s just not your scene. (2 points)

C. Don’t have tickets?! As if. C. Go without lunch today. You’ve had tickets since they You’ll probably grab a bite with went on sale. (1 point) some friends after class anyway. (5 points) D. Make your own bracelet because you want to go, but you D. Buy soup from The Hive— are definitely not buying one. and even maybe even a sand- (4 points) wich if you’re feeling spicy. (2 points)

QUIZ

Your professor just released the list of mandatory textbooks for class. Three textbooks are listed, and two of them are quite expensive. You: A. Flip a coin to decide which one of the three you will buy. (4 points) B. Keep an eye out for used book options either online, at the library, or on Facebook groups. (2 points) C. Buy all of them. You know the price will be worth it in the end. (1 point) D. Make a friend that will let you read their copy when absolutely necessary. (3 points)

...? SEPTEMBER 2021

THE LINK

The Link comes to your Your program has class to see who’s interested in arranged for a Pub Quiz Night contributing to the publicaat Reggies. You: tion. You: A. Will probably pass. Reggies A. Have already been in conis not your favourite place. (3 tact with the staff at The Link. points) You are so excited to write your first article. (1 point) B. Tend to hang out at Reggies anyway for the cheap drinks. B. Pass the contact sheet to the You’ll be there tonight, but person sitting next to you. It’s probably won’t take part in the not your thing. (4 points) quiz event. (5 points) C. Put your email down on the contact sheet being passed around because you think the cutie next to you will too. (3 points) D. Put your email down on the sheet because you think this could be a great opportunity for you to make friends, have fun, and learn new things. (Spoiler alert, it is.) (2 points)

C. Know you’ll be there all night. Quiz Night is your favourite! (4 points) D. Feel very torn. You’d love to take part and make some friends, but you have to keep up with your class readings. (2 points)

The shuttle from the downtown campus is running late and you definitely won’t make it on time to your Loyola class. You: A. Go home since you live nearby and drive yourself. You can’t be late to class. (1 point) B. Rent a Bixi and take a nice bike ride. The sun is shining and you’ll probably get there before the next shuttle anyway. (3 points) C. Wait it out. You have a book or a new podcast that will make the time go by. (2 points) D. Just give up on your afternoon class. You’ll miss half of it anyway and don’t see the point. (4 points)

You made it through the quiz! Now, add up the points that correlate to your answers and find out what kind of student you are.

Graphics Micah Angell

T H E L I N K N E W S PA P E R . C A

QUIZ

9-14 POINTS

You are going to change the world with your degree! You’re not afraid to ask questions or volunteer yourself for any extracurricular activities. You enjoy reading up on all things Concordia in order to make the best of your years here, and are always the first person in class. You’re stoked about your program and you can’t wait to learn new skills and information.

15-23 POINTS

You don’t necessarily believe in institutional education. You’ve got some big creative dreams, and you’re hoping that you might find some opportunities to further your artistic passions while testing out the waters of a traditional post-secondary education. You plan on jumping on some of the opportunities Concordia offers in the hopes of finding yourself a circle of fellow artsy individuals. Post-graduation, you’ll probably continue to follow your heart as you always do and see where it leads you.

24-28 POINTS and over

You’re the extroverted one. You applied to Concordia with the hope of graduating with a degree in socializing. You are excited to take some fun classes and maybe even graduate! Regardless, you’re committed to making these years the highlight of your life. You’re going to make friends with as many people as possible. Both campuses, the faculty, and even the alumni will all know your name. In your mind, creating fun memories will always outweigh the importance of studying for a Monday morning exam.

29 POINTS and over

You’re the type of student who isn’t entirely sure why you applied to Concordia. You thought it would be interesting, and frankly did it out of a little bit of boredom. You march to the beat of your own drum and live in a way that simply makes you happy. Monday morning classes are not for you. You often skip class to hang out with friends and ride the metro to the end of the line just because you’re enjoying the ride. You can appreciate the benefits university will bring, but you will never sacrifice a night of sleep, a party, or ultimately your happiness for a few credits.

The Eager and Go-Getter Student

The Passionate and Creative Student

The Fun and Social Student

The Cool and Relaxed Student

SEPTEMBER 2021

THE LINK

Singer and Burlesque Performer Erockfor Returns to Montreal

Sharing confidence and courage through her newest album Eva Wilson @St1cki

Afro-jazz artist Erockfor is releasing her upcoming album Phoenix this fall, which features her newly released single “Sacral.” Her new album depicts her life’s transformation. Each song is about a chakra, with her final form coming to light at the end of the album. After moving between Korea and El Paso, Texas, Erockfor is finally back in her home city of Montreal to perform a recorded show and shoot a music video in September. The Link sat down with Erockfor to further discuss details of her upcoming release. Answers have been lightly edited for clarity and brevity.

T H E L I N K N E W S PA P E R . C A

FRINGE ARTS

1. How did your music career 4. What can we expect from get started? your upcoming album Phoenix? It really started when I moved to Korea. I moved there sev- This album is all about transen years ago. I was working on formation. The first song on the music when I was in Montreal album is called “I Thought You as well, but I didn’t really put in Loved Me,” and that’s basically a lot of effort, and I didn’t take about the situation surroundit as seriously, I guess. But then, ing my divorce. After that, it’s I moved to Korea, and a few “I Don’t Want You Back,” so I’m years in, I started a career as a getting confident. I’m like, “I burlesque performer. deserve better than that situation.” 2. What was working as a burlesque performer like? It was really cool. I was really shy, but once I did it, I got super confident and very comfortable on stage. I started singing in my burlesque routines and from there I was just like, “You know what? My childhood dream has always been to be a singer, so I’m going to really try to pursue this here.” I linked up with a pianist and just started performing gigs, and then I started releasing music. 3. What pushed you to move to Korea? When I was in Montreal, I had a translation business, and it failed. I had to look for another source of income. I looked for some jobs in Montreal, but I just wasn’t finding anything related to my field, so I decided to teach abroad. It just happened really fast. At first I was teaching, and then I started singing.

“I want to give people the courage and confidence to explore. I just want people to feel good about themselves with my music.” - Erockfor

From there, each song is about a chakra. We have root, we have sacral, we have solar plexus— there is a song for each chakra. Then at the end of the album, it’s my final form. So basically, I take you through that transformation. 5. How have you evolved as an artist? I’ve changed so much since initially moving to Korea. My music really is to empower people. It’s to show people that change is possible, that transformation is possible and they can do so much more than what they think. I want to give people the courage and confidence to explore. I just want people to feel good about themselves with my music. 6. Have you kept up with burlesque, or have you shifted your focus more towards your music career? I still consider myself a burlesque performer. I haven’t had a performance in a year, but I’m planning on doing more. In my next music video, there is going to be a burlesque performance. Burlesque is something that I want to keep. It was such a big moment for me in my life, and it’s changed my life in a huge way. I want to continue doing that, and continue getting better at it too.

SEPTEMBER 2021

THE LINK

7. Most burlesque singers don’t use their own voice, most use voice-overs, but you do it all. How does the balance between singing and burlesque work for you? Being a singer, that’s been my dream since I was a kid. Burlesque is a more recent development, and I really want to combine the two. It won’t work for every setting, but I want that setting to carry through in everything that I do.

COURTESY C PANTIN

T H E L I N K N E W S PA P E R . C A

P O E T RY

I. I look up for the fastest ways to get down. I can see my back to the ground sinking into the air as the sidewalks wrap themselves around me in a cold embrace. The flytrap has caught yet another ant.

DREAMS OF AN BY Daniel Tehrani

II. Roses growing out the curbs of 3rd and 11th street gave you a bone to pick with me. You’re mouthing certain words only I could make out. Did I ever tell you how intimate it is to whisper? I come closer but all I hear is the hostility of wheels against rail.

iNSOMNiAC

PHOTO Stella Mazurek

III. The bed rocks to the rumble of the train passing by, My back to you, I feel shifting. I turn to say goodbye but

Stand clear of the closing doors, please. you’re long gone. I don’t remember inviting you over. And soon

Ladies and gentlemen, we apologize for the unavoidable delay. I won’t remember you.

SEPTEMBER 2021

THE LINK

Concordia at Your Fingertips: A guide to campus life

Shanellie Desparois @shanelliemarie

s a newbie at Concordia, you’re bound to live through tons of mishaps and missteps in your classes. The last thing you need is to be lost on campus, so here are a couple of pointers. First of all, Concordia spans over two campuses—Sir George Williams and Loyola. SGW is located in the heart of Montreal, whereas Loyola sits in suburban Notre-Dame-de-Grâce. Renovated in 2018, the Webster Library— LB for short—is considered a go-to study spot that accommodates student’s various studying techniques. Located at the downtown campus, it has tons of comfortable seating and private study rooms you can book through the Concordia site. Also, the librarians are always there to help if you’re struggling to find books in the endless sea of shelves. Many students take caffeine very seriously, especially during midterms—or when you have that dreaded 8 a.m. class. Fortunately, T H E L I N K N E W S PA P E R . C A

LB has its own Tim Hortons. It’s tiny, so expect a line longer than the list of deadlines on your class syllabus. There’s also a sticky microwave located near the LB café to warm up food, or leftovers from last night’s dinner. The café has healthy options, but fair warning; you will spend half your paycheque on Bento sushi if you aren’t careful. The security won’t let you take your coffee cup upstairs, so ditch it and opt for a good mug or thermos. You’ll thank me later! If you’re sick of regular coffee shops, try Concordia’s student-run Hive Café Solidarity Co-op. One can be found in the Hall building, and another one at the Loyola campus. It’s the cheapest coffee money can buy—only $2 for a large coffee. If you become a member, their membership card will get you a sweet student discount. In your first year, you’ll probably have a few classes at the Hall building, so be prepared to take a packed escalator for what feels like an eternity. If you’re famished or on a budget, Leïla Rhazi, a first-year human relations student has a great suggestion. Her favorite spot on campus is the People’s Potato on the Hall building’s seventh floor. All you need to bring is a container and your smile. They serve free vegan and gluten-free lunches for students from Monday to Friday. The Hall building also has tons of great places to sit with your laptop. However, the best

STUDENT LIFE

view is from the 13th floor in Concordia’s own Greenhouse. Even if you don’t have a green thumb, it’s a great place to recharge. Lastly, the Hall building has Reggies, Concordia’s very own campus bar. It’s the perfect place to mingle with that special someone you’ve had your eye on in class. For those of you headed to business school; you will live, breathe, eat and probably sleep in the Molson building... Just kidding! You’ll need a break from studying indoors, so why not check out the MB terrace with a cityscape view? You can get some sun while you study at one of the many tables. In case you ever get hungry between study sessions, MB is right next to Ste. Catherine St., a culinary melting pot, with a bunch of restaurants worth exploring. Karim Hatel is a third-year student in marketing and human relations, and his meal of choice, especially during midterms, is Thai Express--specifically the General Tao. He highly recommends it. Compared to the bustling SGW campus, the Loyola campus has a completely different vibe. For starters, you’ll see actual trees and grass! “CJ, the Communication [Studies and Journalism] building is like walking to Hogwarts,” said Malcolm Asselin, a fourth year communications student and the Concordia Student Union’s student life coordinator. The enormous glass doors paired with grey stone architecture makes CJ look picturesque on the outside. On the inside though, it is home to the famous hotdog lounge, known for its huge pop art neon sign smacked on the wall on the ground floor. Loyola has a main cafeteria, a dining hall, and one Tim Hortons, so food and coffee options are limited. Pack yourself a lunch and enjoy eating at the quad!

“CJ, the Communication [Studies and Journalism] building is like walking to Hogwarts” - Malcolm Asselin

The quad steps lead into a grassy area of trees littered with picnic tables. “I like to sit down and enjoy nature, and see all the little animals while I eat,’’ said Gabi Mandl, third-year PhD candidate in chemistry. Once you’ve sat down at a table, the scenery is incredibly peaceful. Both campuses also have their own workout gym. SGW has Le Gym, located close to the metro, but sadly your only view is of the basement walls. Asselin prefers to spend his time at the Loyola campus gymnasium because of their indoor basketball court. The Vanier Library at Loyola is older, dustier and less renovated than the Webster library, but if you need to focus, or crave a quiet place to study, it’s your best bet! Whether your classes are downtown or at Loyola campus, make sure to grab some friends and check out some of these spots in between your classes. There is a place for everyone on campus, and definitely no shortage of places to explore.

Graphic Joey Bruce SEPTEMBER 2021

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Moon Rituals to Stay Peaceful During the Fall Semester Lunar notifications to help integrate back into on-campus learning BY JULIE-ROSE GAUTHIER

The return to on-campus learning will stimulate new experiences for both new and returning students. Different challenges and goals lay ahead on your path as a student. Diving within your own world with moon ritual techniques could in fact help students relieve some of the stress of the upcoming semester. Moon rituals can be used as a means of self-reflection to hold yourself accountable and assist you towards your desired life. Moon ritual techniques--specifically reflection techniques--question habits, people, and objects, as well as energy you may or may not need in your life. The moon’s rhythmic T H E L I N K N E W S PA P E R . C A

Graphic Micah Angell

phases have been worshipped among many cultures. This is seen especially in Hinduism, where the parallel of Earth’s bodies of water and the human anatomy are believed to be both affected by the full moon’s strength and vibrancy due to increased tidal waves, as stated in the article “Full Moon Rituals Around The World: Harness The Power Of The Moon” from The Conscious Club. Think of the moon’s lunar cycle as a cosmic guideline that allows the full moon to reappear every 28 to 29 days, synonymly and celestially creating a no-

LIFESTYLE

tification. The full moon’s visual presence can be used like the calendar app’s circular bubble notification button—notifying you that this is now the time to conduct a moon ritual. The new moon offers the opportunity to set personal goals as it symbolizes the beginning of the moon cycle—hence new beginnings. This could help with a variety of goals such as the commencement of tutoring, volunteering, or even neat note taking as well as other related aspirations. Visually, the new moon is nonexistent as it is in shadow, but its presence remains afloat. Its entrance into each new month reflects onto its title and its power, as seen in Bustle’s “How Full Moon Energy Is Totally Different From New Moon Energy” article from 2020. Due to the moon’s subtle shift in movement, you may want to follow its itinerary online in order to effortlessly set aside a short time frame for yourself—replacing your smartphone with a notebook for full concentration. This is the best time to start a new habit or hobby through writing or even action as in physically completing a task. Jot down and envision future ambitions using the present tense and positive language to confirm its performance. For example, “I am great at meal prepping. I smash every meal I make. School is much less stressful now that I meal prep.” Implementing repetitive and positive affirmations not only challenges your inner saboteur, but also trains your brain to execute small tasks to reach the end goal, according to the Mind Tools Content Team. This cosmic reset is the ultimate time to start fresh. Opposingly, the full moon takes the stage showcasing its full intensity arriving at the midpoint of the lunar cycle. “[The full moon brings] a sense of illumination,

“[The full moon brings] a sense of illumination, helping us to see situations for what they are and bringing to light information that may have previously been hidden” -Nina Kahn

helping us to see situations for what they are and bringing to light information that may have previously been hidden,” said Nina Kahn, lifestyle writer for Bustle’s astrology segment. The cosmic guidance may aid in releasing toxic patterns or behaviours—bringing our growth into reality. Visualizations amplify the quality and envisionment of releasing, reinventing and recharging any desired aspects of your life. “Once you write, you burn [the paper with the written text]—it goes wherever it has to go,” said Aladys, her initiated name, owner and mage of Centre Holistique Magie Verte in Longueuil. “You can think it goes to the moon because you ask the moon to receive it,” Aladys highlighted. Reflection equals revelation—in its way of making you think and dissect certain aspects of your life to gain full focus. This focus can bring clarity into your personal and student-life—easing the management of studying, socializing, and working. Moon rituals are often relative to the person and their experiences. Sitting by a candle in silence might help set the mood for your thinking and writing session. Some may cleanse their space using sage to redefine the space as fresh and sacred—but spiritual accessories are not necessary. Acknowledging the full moon’s glowing presence is the first step towards conducting rituals in order to keep up to date with your life. After several rituals, the moon will be nothing but a notification for gratitude and reflection. SEPTEMBER 2021

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A Look Back at Montreal’s Hybrid Festival Season

How the festival scene made its comeback By Amanda Teixeira This summer, the regulations surrounding the COVID-19 pandemic lifted enough to allow for interactive summer activities. New advisories prompted some festival organizers to create a hybrid festival, meaning the festivals included both online and live events, like the hybrid Just for Laughs festival, Festival International Nuits d’Afrique, Piknic Électronik, and Festival Mtl en Arts. One festival that embraced the new hybrid format was the Just for Laughs festival, which gave its audience the option to stream almost all of its shows for free on hahaha.com. Their programming included a wide range of stand-up comedians, stars and new talent. The organizers were also able to incorporate online stand-up shows from L.A. and New York, alongside local performances from Montreal. The festival also added in-person shows throughout the city at a limited capacity to abide by all COVID regulations. “Last year’s first-ever JFL digital festival in October was very successful, and is what inspired us to continue with a hybrid version for this year,” said Robyn Kaszor, vice president of the JFL festival. “Our comedy fans are very loyal, and we wanted to provide them with the best comedy content possible while adhering to the restrictions in place.” The Festival International Nuits d’Afrique was another event which took to the hybrid format. This summer, they held their 35th edition where they celebrated African, Latin, and Carib-

Photo Caroline Marsh T H E L I N K N E W S PA P E R . C A

FRINGE ARTS

bean music. The festival included indoor, outdoor, and webcast programming. Piknic Électronik, Montreal’s beloved electronic music event, was brought back to life with events every Saturday and Sunday. The festival runs from July 3 until Oct. 10. One of the many people who attended Piknic Électronik this summer was high school

teacher Maria Rizk, who was thrilled to see the festival back in full swing. “This is what gives Montreal life in the summer. I feel great about it being back,” said Rizk. “I feel like there needs to be a significant effort to bring other events back to the city.” Festival Mtl en Arts held virtual and onsite components for their art event which fea-

SEPTEMBER 2021

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tured over 160 artists. The festival’s objective, which started in 2000, is to allow artists to develop and share their work in a public space, specifically the streets of Montreal where passersby can view each piece for themselves. The 2021 virtual expo can still be found on their website. Festivals weren’t the only ones using online events to their advantage this summer. During the quarantine last year, Montreal DJ BREEZ was able to perform via live streams, which his fans loved. “The feedback was awesome. Each stream kept getting bigger and better. We would have local talent contact us for opportunities to join,” the DJ said. The streams gave DJ BREEZ the opportunity to collaborate with Showkase, a production team that puts on dance and music events. “The number one thing I tell everyone about performing live is the crowd energy you get from each show,” he added, talking about the downfalls of streaming. “Nothing can replace that feeling. You can take away the money and the bottle service and all, but at the end, when you see a crowd of over 2,500 people dancing to the music you’re playing, it’s by far the best feeling in the world.” While many festival organizers tried to make their events accessible even with COVID-19 implications, there were still many cancellations. The Osheaga Music and Arts Festival, arguably one of the biggest festivals in the city, was cancelled for the second year in a row. The Montreal International Jazz Festival was scheduled for later this fall as opposed to their usual summer schedule. The LASSO Montréal country music festival was cancelled for a second summer again, and the organizers state it will now take place on Aug. 12-13 in 2022. John Vowles, a student and photographer from Montreal, said he missed out on several social and professional opportunities these T H E L I N K N E W S PA P E R . C A

“

You can take away the money and the bottle service and all, but at the end, when you see a crowd of over 2,500 people dancing to the music you’re playing, it’s by far the best feeling in the world. - DJ BREEZ

”

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Photos Caroline Marsh past two summers due to festival cancellations. “I missed out on many jobs this summer,” he said. “I mostly do portrait photography and wanted the opportunity to shoot events.” Outdoor festivals are a great opportunity for photographers to get pictures of performers, but with many events moving online, this was not an option for Vowles. Still, Vowles hopes to attend Île Soniq, but mentioned how he would have preferred to photograph the lineup from the Osheaga Festival.

Meanwhile, COVID-19 restrictions continue to change according to ever-changing health recommendations. Montrealers can look forward to some events still to come this year, such as Île Soniq, which is happening Sept. 2426 at Parc Jean-Drapeau. The Montreal International Jazz Festival is set to take place Sept. 1519 at Place des Festivals. With Canada’s vaccine rollout plan well underway, festival organizers and supporters can look forward to the possibility of more events to come.

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MEET THE MASTHEAD Sheena Macmillan Editor-in-Chief Niall was her favourite member of One Direction. Nanor Froundjian Managing Editor She is forever curating her closet and is deeply fond of Earl Grey tea. Aude Simon Video Editor Their number one worst enemy is worms. Don’t ask... Parker Sherry Co-News Editor They discovered writing when they tried to read one day, but started at the wrong end. Caroline Marsh Photo Editor She’s an avid Bruins fan. Stella Mazurek Creative Director She is prone to impromptu dance parties and calling everyone bro, dawg, or dude. Joey Bruce Graphics Editor This guy draws. Peter Vryonis Sports Editor He once made eye contact with an NBA player for eight seconds during a game.

T H E L I N K N E W S PA P E R . C A

Elias Grigoriadis Coordinating Editor Will only throw it back to The Duel of the Fates Olivia Piché Fringe Arts Editor She likes her coffee the traditional way, hot. Mariana Chajon Oliveros Features Editor They don’t know what checking their blindspot is so they always get honked at when changing lanes. Gabriela Vasquez-Rondon Opinions Editor She likes to follow Spotify playlists with the most bizarre names. Reina Ephrahim Copy Editor Don’t be surprised to find yourself falling in love with her. After all, it’s to be expected from a Leo with a Libra rising. Michelle Malnasi Co-News Editor She named one of her dogs Pickles. She likes pickles,

OF VOL. 42

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SEPTEMBER 2021

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Sheena Macmillan Stella Mazurek Elias Grigoriadis Nanor Froundjian Michelle Malnasi Parker Sherry Mariana Chajon Oliveros Olivia Piché Peter Vryonis Gabriela Vasquez-Rondon Reina Ephrahim Caroline Marsh Aude Simon Joey Bruce OPEN Rachel Boucher Guy Landry Jaime MacLean

Joey Bruce Olivier Cadotte Casandra Pigeon Diane Yeung Thomas Quinn Laura Beeston Michelle Pucci Rachel Boucher Sheena Macmillan Colin Harris

Editor-in-Chief Interim Creative Director Coordinating Editor Managing Editor Co-News Editors Features Editor Fringe Arts Editor Sports Editor Opinions Editor Copy Editor Photo Editor Video Editor Graphics Editor Community Editor Business Manager Distribution System Administrator

CONTRIBUTORS

Amanda Teixeira Angélica Rameau-Galette Bri Kang Celine Blais Daniel Tehrani Eva Wilson Cover Hanine El Mir

Joëlle Jalbert Jonathan Hilton Julie-Rose Gauthier Maria Chabelnik Marie-Ève Ducharme Micah Angell Shanellie Desparois

Voting Members

BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Non-Voting Members

Advisor

PRINTER

Hebdo-Litho

Volume 42, Issue 1 Tuesday, September 7, 2021 The Link Office: Concordia University Hall Building, Room H-645 1455 de Maisonneuve Blvd. W. Montreal, Quebec H3G 1M8 Editorial: 514-848-2424 x. 7405 News: 514-848-2424 x. 8682 Business: 514-848-7406 Advertising: 514-848-7406

MASTHEAD

The Link is published four times during the academic year by The Link Publication Society Inc. Content is independent of the university and student associations (ECA, CASA, ASFA, FASA, CSU, AVEQ). Editorial policy is set by an elected board as provided for in The Link’s constitution. Any student is welcome to work on The Link and become a voting staff member. Material appearing in The Link may not be reproduced without prior written permission from The Link. Letters to the editor are welcome. All letters 400 words or less will be published, space permitting. The letters deadline is Fridays at 4:00 p.m. The Link reserves the right to edit letters for clarity and length and refuse those deemed racist, sexist, homophobic, xenophobic, libellous, or otherwise contrary to The Link’s statement of principles. The Link acknowledges our location on unceded Indigenous land. The Kanien’kehá:ka Nation is recognized as the custodians of these lands and waters. Tiohtiá:ke is historically known as a gathering place for many First Nations.

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