McGill Tribune Vol. 35, Issue 22 by The Tribune

The McGill Tribune TUesday, March 15, 2016 curiosity delivers

Volume No. 35 Issue No. 22

Editorial: winter 2016 ssmu referendum endorsements

SSMU Executive Candidate Profiles and Endorsements

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pg. 09 - 12

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Winter 2016 SSMU Rererendum questions Sara Cullen Staff Writer Every semester, the Students’ Society of McGill University (SSMU) hosts a referendum period where students can put forth and debate motions that impact SSMU and McGill as a whole. Read on to learn more about the 10 motions that will be up for voting this semester.

The Motion Regarding the Bicycle Facility Plebiscite Question

The Martlets and Redmen put on a show in front of record crowds. (Mayaz Alam / McGill Tribune)

Martlets, Redmen win Rseq championships

PG. 19

State of the SSMUnion: The fate of the General Assembly Morgan Alexander Managing Editor The Students’ Society of McGill University (SSMU) held its annual Winter General Assembly (GA) on Feb. 22, hosting roughly 900 students within the SSMU Building for a six-hour debate over multiple different issues. The GA was a dramatically different showing than the Fall 2015 GA, which, due to a lack of controversial agenda items, failed

to reach quorum. This prompted SSMU President Kareem Ibrahim to make a simple and effective argument: Dismantle the bi-annual GA system, and replace it with one annual general meeting. Over the past few years, the GA has faced wavering student interest due to lack of consistency in the controversy of the motions and, in some cases, poor promotion on behalf of SSMU. The variation in student attendance just in the past three years is striking:

The Fall 2013 GA reached a maximum attendance of 50 students, while the Winter 2014 GA maintained quorum through all but one motion. The next two GAs saw an attendance of 739 and 550 students respectively, far surpassing the number of students required to meet quorum due to the contentious nature of the motions brought forward, both regarding the situation in Palestine. The inability of this meeting to fulfill its democratic purpose unless emo-

tional and personal controversies are brought forward illustrates its ineffective nature at actually addressing needs relevant to students’ day-to-day lives. SSMU Vice-President (VP) Finance & Operations Zacheriah Houston noted how, in addition to inconsistent attendance rates, figuring out where to host the GA every semester presents its own challenges.

PG. 06

Design in a university context The ethical implications of McGill’s iconography Evelyn Goessling Staff Writer The world is saturated with imagery that dictates ideologies. Brand loyalty cultivated by familiar icons affects cultural, political, and individual identity. “There’s a reason that Coca Cola has barely changed its logo in 120 years,” Christopher Moore, professor of Design and Computation

Arts at Concordia University said. “It gives a sense of establishment, and establishment can lead to trust and familiarity.” For good or for bad, over hundreds of years these organizations have built up a lexicon of associations to particular shapes and colours that now influence how we act as a society. Maybe your family has voted conservative in every election for 100 years, or maybe you wouldn’t

dream of using a Canon camera over a Nikon. These preferences, although sometimes arbitrary, are a result of many years and hundreds of thousands of dollars put into creating brand loyalty. Graphic designers are essential in creating this relationship. “We tend to have lifelong associations with brands based on how we were raised and the kind of products that our family would purchase,” Moore explained.

“The designer has to interpret [an organization’s] ideas into something concrete.” This task becomes quite complex, as the graphic designer’s toolbox (line, color, shape, contrast, etc.) is inherently influenced by power structures that have been evolving and compounding over hundreds, and even thousands, of years.

PG. 15

This plebiscite question has been proposed in order to address the lack of bicycle parking on campus and aims to create a secure bicycle parking facility. The facility will be located in the basement of the Shatner Building with the partnership of the University. “This secure bicycle parking and access to shower and locker facilities would be available to students and McGill community members with the purchase of a per-semester membership, much like the McGill Fitness Centre,” reads the motion. If this question passes, the construction of the facility will be explored by the Students’ Society of McGill University (SSMU).

The Motion Regarding the Creation of a Club Fund Fee

This motion proposes a fee to finance the SSMU Club Fund. “The creation of a dedicated fee to fund the Club Fund would ensure a secure source of [financial support] to student groups and would double the available funding for clubs to foster student life on campus,” the motion reads. The Club Fund currently supports over 240 clubs and is allocated approximately $25,000 per semester, according to the motion. The proposed motion would create a question on the Winter 2016 referendum that proposes an opt-outable fee of $2.75 per student per semester in order to come closer to the $117,369.48 that was requested by clubs in the Fall 2015 semester.

PG. 03

NEWS

Tuesday, March 15, 2016

McGill Women in Leadership conference discusses issues of gender Speeches address stereotypes in the workplace Alexia Martel-Desjardins Staff Writer Although women make up nearly half of the population, they are woefully underrepresented in leadership positions in the workplace. On March 12, sucessful female alumni returned to McGill to speak to students at the McGill Women in Leadership (MWIL) second annual leadership conference, titled Trailblazers’ Testimonies. The conference featured speakers who were board members of the McGill Women’s Alumnae Association who came from various career sectors such as engineering, politics, banking, and management. The speakers covered topics that ranged from leadership skills to the challenges women face when entering the workforce. The day consisted of six speeches and a period of discussion and networking. Eleni Bakopanos, former member of parliament in the riding of Ahuntsic for the Liberal Party of Canada, spoke on the importance of parity and quota systems for gender equality. “Unfortunately, […] the resolution on gender parity on boards and in cabinet […] was voted down by the young women in the youth commission of the Federal Liberal Party,” Bakopanos said. “I was actually stunned [.…] Personally, I have nothing against quotas […but] where there has been an increase in

the number of women on boards, it has been a quota system [….] Women bring skills to the table that men do not bring.” Regional Director of the Canadian Institute of Steel Construction Dr. Hellen Christodoulou discussed the damage stereotypes have on women in the workplace. “Research has documented over and over again [the] gender bias and stereotypes in careers,” Christodoulou said. “These stereotypes are automatic, they are pervasive, and they will affect assignments, evaluations, emotions, unless us – the professional women, – we make that effort […] to teach. This problem requires the whole redesign of the workplace […] and of the whole mental culture that exists against women.” Compared to the first edition of the event, Co-President of MWIL Erica Pederson was pleased with the status of this year’s speakers. “The speakers that we brought in [last year] were not quite the calibre we managed to achieve this year, and we also had a smaller network at the time,” Pederson said. Vice-President (VP) Sponsorship Ida Mahmoudi also

MWIL conference sees speeches from high-level female employees. (Emma Hameau / McGill Tribune) stressed that the invited speakers were previous McGill students, and this presents an advantage for current students who attend the conference. “What I think is important is that these speakers are actually McGill alumni,” Mahmoudi said. “What [MWIL] essentially tries to do is make the female community way more close-knit than it was the year before and the year prior to that […] so it’s way more direct and way more holistic because these speakers know what it’s like to be McGill students.”

Male representation at the event was fairly low, with only two men in attendance. Pedersen plans to make encouraging male attendance in the future. “Definitely one of our future goals is to try to engage as many males as possible because it’s for the benefit of everybody, I think,” Pedersen said. “Because we are new and we are still trying to find our way and establish these events […] we are still a little bit focused more on tapping into female networks.” According to Pederson, profits from the event will be

given to the Native Women’s Shelter (NWS) of Montreal, an organization that provides support to Aboriginal, Inuit and Métis Women, with programs that help to prevent homelessness, addictions, family violence, and health issues. “All of our profits from ticket sales, from sponsorship, [go to NWS] and we’re also taking monetary donations and donations of feminine hygiene products,” Pederson said. “It definitely means we start from ground zero next year, but I think it’s worth it.”

McGill conference discusses Truth and Reconcilation Panel speaks to reconciliatory practices for the future Calvin Trottier-Chi Staff Writer As a large part of the Indian Residential Schools Settlement Agreement, Canada’s Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC) spent six years documenting the suffering caused by the residential school experience. The TRC published its final report in 2015, but consideration of the ongoing legacy of reconciliation continued with the McGill organized conference on March 9. Panellists discussed the TRC and the potential for future resolutions with keynote speaker Phil Fontaine.

Reconciliatory practices Fontaine is a member of the Order of Canada, a former national chief of the Assembly of First Nations, and a residential

school survivor. For Fontaine, reconciliation needs to be considered beyond its basic definition. “The word reconciliation is thrown around, in my opinion, a bit too easily,” Fontaine said. “For both the victim and the perpetrator, reconciliation must generate a positive feeling of satisfaction that the burden of experiencing the wrong has been recognized.” Fontaine was one of the indigenous leaders present during prime minister Stephen Harper’s 2008 official apology for the government’s role in the residential school system. “In my view, Canada, at that moment, came of age,” Fontaine said. “It was up to each survivor to say Yes I accept that the apology given that day was sincere, and with those words I’ll be able to move on with my life, to a point which I can actually feel that I’ve healed from this expe-

rience.” While Fontaine was optimistic about the future, he recognized that poverty is a debilitating challenge for many indigenous people. “The biggest challenge facing Canada is First Nations poverty,” Fontaine said. “It’s a stain on Canada’s reputation internationally. [It’s] poverty that paralyzes communities and families and individuals. It is all over this beautiful, wonderful country.”

Hopes for the future Douglas White, the director of the Centre for Pre-Confederation Treaties and Reconciliation at Vancouver Island, spoke of his beliefs about securing a better future for indigenous people. “Knowledge of the way my mother was treated in that school [...] creates unbelievable, insurmountable personal obstacles

for me to even contemplate the idea of reconciliation,” White said. “[But] is it justice that we need, or is it reconciliation that we want to build for future generations?” In closing the conference, White expanded upon how reconciliation can benefit Canada as a whole. “I think about what I want for my children and grandchildren,” White said. “What I want for them is to be loved and love other people in this country. Not to tolerate them, not to go to our respective corners and stop hurting each other, but to be wrapped up and engaged in each other’s lives.”

Communities moving forward McGill Law Professor Payam Akhavan, who chaired the conference and was previ-

ously a United Nations Human Rights official, described the necessity of fully addressing indigenous issues. “I never imagined that we would have right here in Canada, in our own midst, such deep wounds that need healing,” Akhavan said. “If we want to exercise leadership at the United Nations on human rights issues around the world, first we have to clean up our own backyard.” Akhavan explained that reconciliation is a grassroots issue that affects all Canadians, and commended McGill’s involvement. “I think that this issue is very much alive in the minds of the McGill community, right here in the Law Faculty,” Akhavan said. “I think we overestimate the power of political leaders and underestimate the power of ordinary people to bring about change.”

NEWS

Tuesday, March 15, 2016

Winter 2016 SSMU REFERENDUM questions Sara Cullen Staff Writer Continued from Page 1.

The Motion Regarding the Creation of a Mental Health Fee If approved, this motion creates an opt-outable $0.40 per student per semester fee for mental health services. “Mental health is a major concern requiring urgent action on university campuses across North America, with one in five McGill students using mental health services each year,” the motion reads. Funding from this fee will specifically support student-run mental health initiatives, student staffing to manage the mental health initiatives, and advocate for better services provided by the university. A portion of the fee will also go directly to the Mental Health Fund which is run by SSMU and distributed by the Funding Committee.

The Motion Regarding the Increase of the SSMU Health Plan Fee for the Addition of Mental Health Coverage This motion seeks to propose an $25 increase in the cost of the SSMU Health Plan Fee. The SSMU Health Plan does not currently cover any psychology or psychotherapy services, and this fee increase will give students covered by the SSMU Health Plan up to $500 worth of psychology coverage. “Mental health issues on campus require further support than what is currently available from the University, with 89 [per cent] of students reporting feeling overwhelmed in the last year, with 38 [per cent] of students reporting feeling so depressed that it was difficult to function, 53 [per cent] reporting feeling overwhelming anxiety, and finally 7 [per cent] of under-

graduates seriously considering suicide while at McGill,” the motion reads. This motion also points out that students often experience long waiting periods to be seen by McGill Mental Health Service and that undergraduate students ranked “supporting student health and well-being” as their first priority in a recent 2014-2015 Student Experience Survey.

initiatives that foster leadership, encourage civic engagement, and make observable and/ or measurable differences in the representation or experiences of individuals who are members of historically and currently disadvantaged groups, support projects, research and policies that aim to end discrimination and promote accessibility and inclusiveness in the McGill community,” the motion reads.

The Motion Regarding the Renewal of the SSMU Access Bursary Fee

The Motion Regarding the Renewal of the TVM: Student Television at McGill Fee

This motion is a renewal of an opt-outable Access Bursary Fee of $8.50 per semester for full-time students and $4.25 per semester for part-time students. “The SSMU created the SSMU Access Bursary Fund, funded by the SSMU Access Bursary Fee, through a student referendum in 1999, to provide bursaries, administered through Scholarships and Student Aid, to undergraduate students in financial need,” reads the motion. The Access Bursary Fund currently supports over 2,000 undergraduate students in financial need and will be terminated if the motion does not pass. A majority “Yes” vote will continue the distribution of bursaries from the Access Bursary Fund, which will be made up of the Access Bursary Fee and matched donations by the university and alumni.

The Motion Regarding the Renewal of the SSMU Equity Fee The motion proposes the renewal of the current opt-outable $0.50 per student per semester fee, which generate approximately $10,000 per year. This fund, according to the motion, is reserved for programs that increase diversity on campus and distributed by the SSMU Funding Committee. “[The SSMU Equity Fund]

The current TVM: Student Television at McGill Fee has not been increased since the 2010-2011year. According to the motion, TVM has seen an increase in membership and services they provide. This proposes the renewal of the current opt-outable TVM: Student Television at McGill Fee in addition to a proposed $0.75 increase in the fee, resulting in a total fee of $2.25 per semester for full-time students and $1.65 per semester for part-time students. TVM is currently the only student-run film and television production services. “[TVM] provides resources and education to the McGill community by acting as a free educational institution for the McGill community, and a notfor-profit educational institution for the Montreal community at large,” the motion reads.

The Motion Regarding Constitutional Amendments This motion seeks to correct “outstanding errors” of a mainly grammatical nature in the SSMU constitution. “My motivations for moving the original motion was because as a member of the Internal Regulations Review Committee, I’d been working with President [Kareem] Ibrahim and

with [Arts] Senator [Erin] Sobat in addition to the rest of the committee on how to improve the constitution,” said Arts Representative to SSMU, Adam Templer. “Not only substantively but also in the grammar, and the language of the document to make sure it was more clear than in clauses where it was before far more open to interpretation.” These changes are outlined in Appendices A and B of the motion. Additionally, Appendix C proposes a change in structure to the management of the General Assembly (GA) in order to avoid dividing the McGill student body. Appendix C states that the GA agenda will be set by the GA Steering Committee and will not include issues that have been deemed external and divisive. “In this instance, an “external” issue shall mean an issue that is primarily external to McGill, and “divisive” shall mean an issue that one could reasonably expect significant opposition to,” reads the Appendix. The decision of the GA Steering Committee may be overruled in the case that the GA voters decide by a two-thirds majority to discuss the external and divisive issue regardless of the Steering Committee’s decision. “This constitutional amendment would reserve the right of the GA to adopt political stances while ensuring that positions that are not supported by a significant portion of the membership cannot be adopted,” the motion states.

The Motion Regarding the AVEQ Affiliation Referendum This motion proposes that SSMU affiliate with the Association for the Voice of Education in Quebec (AVEQ), a provincial student association. In order to affiliate, students would have to pay a non-opt-outable $3.50 per students per semester fee that

would be subject to adjustment in accordance with inflation. Emily Boytinck, SSMU vicepresident (VP) external, was one of the movers of the motion and has stated that affiliating with AVEQ is an important step for the SSMU. “After participating at the tables of both L’Union Étudiants du Quebec (UÉQ) and AVEQ since last May, I am confident that Council made the right decision in presenting AVEQ to students; its fair voting system, transparent policies, and antioppressive values make it a clear choice for SSMU,” Boytinck said. “If this motion doesn’t pass, McGill students just honestly won’t have their voices heard at higher levels of government, and given the recent waves of austerity and the potential for tuition deregulation, we need this more than ever.”

The Motion Regarding the Plebiscite Question on Moving Towards a Smoke Free Campus at McGill This motion asks students if they would support the movement toward a smoke-free campus if measures were taken to ease the transition. Such measures would include the implementation of smoking shelters and educational campaigns on campus. David Benrimoh, Senate Caucus Representative, expressed that this motion is important in determining how SSMU will move to create a healthier environment for students. “[The plebiscite question] asks students to decide how they see the future of smoking on our campus,” said Benrimoh. “It allows space for students concerned about second-hand smoke exposure to let us know if this is one of the ways we should address it, while at the same time allowing students with concerns about going smoke free to let their feelings be known.”

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Opinion

Tuesday, March 15, 2016

e d i to r i a l

Winter 2016 SSMU Referendum Endorsements Motion Regarding Constitutional Amendments Part 1: “Yes”

The revised constitution proposed by the Students’ Society of McGill University (SSMU) includes general syntactical and grammatical changes, as well as clarifications and some vocabulary adjustments. This revision is a useful step towards making the constitution more accessible to students. The Tribune therefore endorses “Yes” to this question.

Part 2: “No”

The expansion of the Steering Committee’s role—which currently exists to ensure motions are properly formatted and to approve them to be brought to the General Assembly (GA)—directly contradicts the democratic purpose of the GA. The amendment would enable the Steering Committee to eliminate a motion from the GA if it is deemed “divisive or external” to SSMU. Not only is the Steering Committee comprised of individuals who are appointed rather than directly elected, but the provided definitions of the terms “external” and “divisive” are so vague as to encompass many motions brought forth to the GA. While any motion that is rejected by the Steering Committee may be overruled by a majority vote at the GA, the sentiment of this amendment leads the Tribune to endorse “No” to this part of the question. Students should be troubled by the idea of relinquishing the right of open discussion at a GA, that is meant to be open to all, to the opinions of an elected few. That realization exists even after ignoring the extreme irony that comes with SSMU councillors sending this motion forward to the student body to vote on as a last act of democratic pretense. If it were to pass, the amendment would likely result in one of three unneccasry or divisive outcomes. In one scenario, the Steering Committee would allow all of the motions to go through, resulting in an added bureaucratic step that wastes students’ time. In another scenario, a “divisive” motion, such as the Motion to Support the Boycott, Divestment, and Sanctions Movement (BDS), is shot down, making a divisive motion even more controversial. In the final scenario, all motions are rejected as external or divisive, and the apathetic student body does nothing about it, leading to the death of the GA. In all scenarios, the Steering Committee acts as a bureaucratic inefficiency, either serving to delay or undermine the democratic pro-

cess. None of this should be viewed as acceptable to the student body.

The Motion Regarding the AVEQ Affiliation Referendum: “Yes” If SSMU votes to join the Association for the Voice of Education in Quebec (AVEQ), it will be the first time since 2006 that SSMU will be a fully affiliated member of a student federation. In April 15, the McGill Tribune called on SSMU to join a federation that would advance student interests at the provincial level. AVEQ is well-suited to represent McGill student interests. Unlike the Table de Concertation Étudiante du Québec (TaCÉQ), whichw SSMU disaffiliated from, or the Union étudiante du Québec (UÉQ), which SSMU chose not to bring to a vote for this referendum, AVEQ’s voting system is one-institution-one-vote, which would prevent large francophone student unions from ignoring or overruling McGill’s anglophone and international interests. By joining early, SSMU would help to legitimize AVEQ and ensure that McGill’s interests are represented at an early stage, which means that it is more likely that SSMU will stand to benefit from the federation in the long-term. Waiting longer before joining a student federation means SSMU will continue to lack the institutional strength needed to be a powerful lobbying force in the Quebec government. Moreover, being part of a federation will improve SSMU’s ability to lobby the provincial government on austerity measures and tuition deregulation—two issues that have a profound effect on the student body.

The Motion Regarding the Creation of a Club Fee: “Yes” Clubs currently receive essential support from SSMU. The recent failure of the SSMU base fee increase, however, means that funding for clubs will likely be cut in next year’s budget. The creation of the opt-outable Club Fee, which would cost students $2.75, will serve to counteract this problem by providing a consistent source of funding for student clubs on campus. The creation of this fee would address that need in a clear, traceable way, allowing students to directly benefit from the money they put into the system. Due to the fact that it is opt-outable, it also offers students who argue against having to pay SSMU for services they don’t use the chance not to participate. Even if 10 per cent or more of students opt out of the fee, it could

still generate around $100,000 annually for clubs. That being said, SSMU should make the consequences of not paying into this fee clear.

The Motion Regarding the Creation of a Mental Health Fee: “Yes” McGill University has been woefully inadequate in providing sufficient accessible mental health resources to students. SSMU’s push to create an opt-outable Mental Health Fee is meant to address that failure. While the nature of the fund encourages innovation on behalf of students in filling the gaps in mental health services at McGill, its implementation should not indicate a further allowance of the university to shirk on its responsibilities to its students. It is important that the review board proposed is properly implemented to ensure that the projects this fund supports are indeed feasible and accessible. SSMU should clarify the repercussions of opting out of this fee, and avoid the result being a restriction of access to those services, as students in crisis should not be penalized for opting out at the start of the semester.

The Motion Regarding the Increase of the SSMU Health Plan Fee for the Addition of Mental Health Coverage: “Yes” Increasing the SSMU Health Plan Fee in order to include mental health coverage of up to $500 is an appropriate and necessary response to the currently overburdened mental health services at McGill. This increase of $25 will be part of the opt-outable SSMU Health Plan Fee, which means that if students opt out of the plan, they will also opt out of the mental health coverage. While $500 is far from an ideal cap—one session can cost upwards of $100, meaning that students will only be covered for 5 sessions a year—it will allow students who are unable to access mental health services in a timely fashion to receive help from private practitioners.

The Motion Regarding the Renewal of the SSMU Access Bursary Fee: “Yes” SSMU’s Access Bursary was created in 1999 and provides financial support to more than 2,000 students annually, with every dollar put into the fee matched by McGill staff and alumni. The fee, which is

opt-outable, is a crucial institution to address financial inequality and need, and should continue to be supported by the student body.

The Motion Regarding the Renewal of the SSMU Equity Fee: “Yes” with reservations While the Editorial Board supports the ideals behind the SSMU Equity Fee, it is concerning that information regarding what the fund supports is not readily available. This fee should be held to the same standards as all others, and that includes clearly stating which groups have applied for and received funding, and how that funding has been utilized. To this end, the SSMU Equity Committee should make the release of its reports more transparent and detail. This way, the funding committee can be held accountable to students who pay into this fee.

The Motion Regarding the Renewal of the TVM: Student Television at McGill Fee Part 1: “Yes”

As a student-run resource on campus, TVM: Student Television at McGill provides educational resources for students interested in video production, and produces content across the campus. As the only student-run video production outlet on campus, it is an integral component of the media landscape. We look forward to the organization’s continued presence on campus.

Part 2: “No”

Although it might be well-intentioned, TVM’s call for a $0.75 fee increase is disconcerting because of the lack of transparency regarding its financial standing and why an increase is needed. Based on TVM’s budget, included as Appendix A to the question, it is unclear why an increase by this amount has been put forth. TVM’s membership has grown, it seeks to expand the size of its executive, and wants to put some money aside for future expenditures, but the motion lacks adequate detail needed to justify an increase in student fees. By trying to have it all at once, TVM’s budget plan comes across as immature. Given that TVM is in a unique position of receiving funds both from SSMU and from students, it should approach the student body only once it can demonstrate that it truly needs a fee increase in order to improve its services. We encourage TVM to , but first it must build trust with students.

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off the board

Laura Hanrahan News Editor During his 2015 campaign, Justin Trudeau made hundreds of promises to Canadian voters—one was the creation of a framework for a national childcare policy within the first 100 days of a Liberal government; however, more than four months after assuming office, Trudeau has not delivered on this promise. Alleviating the burden of child care will improve women’s ability to access career opportunities. With Canada’s gender wage gap of women to men remaining below 70 cents to the dollar—largely due to women working in part-time, temporary, and lower level jobs due to the demands of family care—the Liberal government needs to take action immediately. Despite the fact that subsidized child care has been offered to a limited extent

C omm e n t a r y

Diana Little Contributor With the end of the semester looming, many students are weighing the merits of a prestigious but profitless internship against the benefits of a summer income. Luckily, McGill provides many essential services such as the Arts Internship Office (AIO) and Career Planning Service (CaPS) that can make the search easier. That said, McGill is unfortunately ill-equipped to help students who are unable to justify working for free, as the internships it offers are largely unpaid and jobs on campus are competitive. There are also a lack of internship opportunities within McGill itself. To fill this gap on campus, programs like the AIO funnel students into external or-

OPINION

Tuesday, March 15, 2016

Women’s opportunities hindered by lack of national childcare policy in Canada with a relative degree of success, the government needs to look elsewhere for the model upon which they will base their national policy. Currently, Quebec is the only province in Canada to offer a government subsidized child care program. The provincial government has been lauded for its forward-thinking initiative, which was established in fall 1997. Initially costing users a flat-rate of $7 per child, per day, Quebec child care now comes at a cost of $7.55 with an additional slidingscale system tax for families with an income over $50,545. Since its implementation, employment rate for Quebec women doubled, poverty rates dropped by 14 per cent, while the GDP rose by 1.7 per cent. Due to these successes, it has been promoted as the system by which that should be used throughout all of Canada. The Quebec system, however, has its fair share of shortcomings that cannot be overlooked. The issues that it has already experienced call into question its long-term viability, making it infeasible to implement, as is, at the national level. While many are suggesting that Quebec’s plan be implement-

“

Rather than using the framework that has been in place in Quebec, Canada needs to look to other countries that have successfully implemented a national childcare policy over an extended period of time as examples of what is possible at the national level.

ed throughout every province, it is worrying to think about the effects that a mismanaged system implemented at the national level could have. A 2005 study of the quality of Quebec child care facilities reported 61 per cent having an overall quality of “minimal,” with 12 per cent rated as inadequate and 27 per cent as good. Additionally, it is individuals with higher incomes—over $60,000— who reap the greatest benefits of low flat-rade childcare. A 2000 study showed that while these higher earning income families represented a minority of children in Quebec, they accounted for more than 58 per cent of children in subsidized child care centres. This demonstrates an inherent issue in the Quebec system, and an oversight in the quality of the programs that are being offered. Rather than using the framework that has been in place in Quebec, Canada needs to look to other countries that have successfully implemented a national childcare policy over an extended period of time as examples of what is possible at the national level. Sweden, which established its childcare system more than 40 years ago, operates full-day subsidized child care facilities, with

parental fees that are directly proportional to income, and inversely proportional to the number of children in a family. Fees are capped at 1,260 Swedish Krona ($200 CAD) per month. By using a proportional scale, as opposed to Quebec’s fixed-rate base fee, it makes childcare infinitely more accessible to all income levels. Sweden has seen this, with 55 per cent of children under three and 96 per cent of children between three and six enrolled in child care, which is well above the European Union’s target for child care provisions. Consequently, Sweden’s male and female employment rates are nearly equal, at 76.5 percent and 73.5 per cent, respectively, and the gender wage gap is below the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development average of 15 per cent—while Canada’s is double that rate. Sweden’s method, which has clearly proven to be successful, needs to be the basis off of which Canada builds its framework. With its ability to offer both genders more equal employment opportunities, the implementation of a national child care policy is something that Canada cannot ignore or push back any longer.

Unpaid internships offer hard choices for undergrads ganizations, whereby students in certain departments have to pick and choose between internships that may be only partially relevant to their field of study. While these organizations are integral to student life and experience, McGill nevertheless needs to foster opportunities within the campus by providing relevant, researchbased internships or more student jobs. Although many students have resigned themselves to the fact that ‘internship’ is almost always synonymous with ‘free labour,’ internships nonetheless remain luxury goods—ones that most students simply can’t afford. While measures like the Arts Internship Awards attempt to mitigate the financial strain, the provision of internships is particularly at risk after a recent series of provincial budget cuts. As a result, many students instead choose to find summer employment at camps, restaurants, and cafes, which, though offering a wage and a certain degree of experience, are oftentimes not standouts on a CV and don’t offer the same type of professional growth. While it’s not necessarily within McGill’s jurisdiction to subsidize students’ internships, it could increase student employ-

ment opportunities so that students can work on their CVs and improve their financial stability both in the summer and during the school year. For students who require a summer income but are also looking to embellish their resumes, affiliations with the university can provide a middle ground between the financial pragmatism of a job and the prestige of an internship. Jobs offered by the Students’ Society of McGill University (SSMU) or Arts Undergraduate Society (AUS) particularly help merge this gap, as the positions largely deal with organizational and administrative tasks commonly found in officebased internships. Moreover, campus jobs provide employment for many international or anglophone students who don’t meet Quebec’s bilingual requirement. For students who do pursue internships, there is the added issue of finding an internship that suits one’s interests and is relevant to his or her field of study. While the AIO offers a wide variety of internships, some departmental headings seem to offer more opportunities than others. On the other hand, the AIO Awards program is available for students who find their own internships as well. That said, given

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Given the sheer number of departments and unique fields that are included under the ‘Arts’ heading, it’s understandably difficult to find internships that meet everyone’s individual needs.

the sheer number of departments and unique fields that are included under the ‘Arts’ heading, it’s understandably difficult to find internships that meet everyone’s individual needs. As an alternative, McGill could support more research-based internships within its own departments. Although certain departments and faculties offer such opportunities, such as the Summer Undergraduate Re-

search in Engineering (SURE) program in Engineering and the Arts Undergraduate Research Internship Award (ARIA) program in Arts, these positions are only available to a select number of students. Likewise, these positions are not necessarily regulated by McGill itself, but subject to the department or individual professor’s varying resources. Given their lack of uniformity, these opportunities are often even less accessible than external internships. If McGill were to invest in making these kinds of research internships permanent, and regulated fixtures within departments, students would have an opportunity to work directly in their fields (which would not only embellish their resumes but also allow them to employ and enhance the skills needed for their studies). Although an internship might look great on a resume or CV, they disadvantage those students who simply cannot afford to work for free, but could nonetheless benefit greatly from the work experience later in life. In order to combat the selectivity and inequality of summer internships, McGill should foster more student employment and internship opportunities within the university itself.

Opinion

Tuesday, March 15, 2016

o f f t h e b o a r d State of the SSMUnion: The fate of the General Assembly

Morgan Alexander Managing Editor Continued from Page 1. “Last year [the SSMU executives] tried [to hold the GA in SSMU] and it was horrible, so they moved it to Leacock,” Houston said. “In my opinion, the one we just did was better than the previous two [....] logistically it was much better [....] In terms of the GA as a whole

C omm e n t a r y

Alexandra Harvey Contributor The Ontario government is launching a new initiative to make higher education accessible and affordable for all students. In its budget, the provincial government unveiled the Ontario Student Grant—a project aimed at giving all Ontarians equal opportunity to obtain a university degree. Beginning in 2017, students from low-income families (households that earn $50,000 or less per year) will be able to go to university for free. The government’s message here is clear: The right to education should be available to all, regardless of socioeconomic status. Well, it’s about time. Undergraduate students in Ontario pay the highest average tuition

though, just the way that it works and the fact that we can’t get a reasonable turn-out unless we put a Palestine-Israel motion on the agenda, there’s a lot of improvement to be had there.” Ibrahim echoed Houston’s comments, adding that he isn’t the first President to wonder about the usefulness of the GA and its failure to engage students unless a divisive issue is present. “There’s been lots of discussion regarding the abolition of the [GA] in past years,” Ibrahim said. “I think that’s largely due to the size of the student body and how they can’t fit in this building. According to the [SSMU] porters, who have been here for 30 years, [the Feb. 22] GA was the biggest that they’ve seen [... but] the issue of BDS has been on this campus for decades.”

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Were there to be a sudden and extreme pique in interest, SSMU, who is mandated to allow all students to vote, would be unable to provide space for the entire student body.

Ibrahim’s comments highlight another key issue with the current form of the GA: The SSMU Building is only equipped to fit around 1,000 students, nowhere near the size of the student body represented by SSMU. Were there to be a sudden and extreme pique in interest, SSMU, who is mandated to allow all students to vote, would be unable to provide space for the entire student body. As multiple students would be unable to voice their opinions on the issues at hand, the system is potentially undemocratic. Student consultation is a first necessary step to reforming the GA, but the fact is that feedback will likely be limited and meaningless if it is gathered during a time when no controversial motions are brought up, and students memories of past GA

failings are dim. SSMU should proceed with its plans of restricting the institution of a GA if no motions are brought forth as a first step; however, the ultimate goal should involve introducing an annual general meeting with a dramatically decreased quorum in order to pass the necessary bureaucratic motions, and leave it up to students to call for a GA if they feel it’s necessary, similar to the way Special GAs can be instituted today. The result of this could be that student apathy continues, and GAs as we know them cease to exist; however, if interest groups find that they are not willing to put in the work necessary to call forth a GA, then the fault is theirs, and SSMU no longer has to waste its time on motions that lack student interest.

Ontario must strengthen education systems to equalize opportunity fees in Canada— a whopping $8,691—that is nearly three times the average cost of tuition in Quebec. The financial stress on families can be so burdensome that students are dissuaded from attending university. The Ontario Student Grant will undoubtedly improve the equality of educational opportunities. Yet the correlation between income and quality of education begins much sooner than post-secondary schooling. Studies have shown that underprivileged students are at an educational disadvantage from as early on as primary school. To truly impact the lives and potential of future students, the government must look to reduce inequalities in primary and secondary levels of education. Socioeconomic inequality impacts education from early childhood. Low-income students are at an inherent disadvantage, and lack many resources for learning. Students that comes from a family in Canada’s top 10 per cent (households with an annual income of $200,000 or more) are likely to have highly educated parents with the ability (and time) to support and encourage them academically. In

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In Toronto, the epicentre of income inequality in Ontario, there is a relationship between wealth and test scores in schools.

contrast, a student in Canada’s bottom 10 per cent (households with an annual income of below $30,000) is more likely to have less educated parents that are either unemployed or making minimum wage ($11.25 per hour in Ontario). This student will not experience many of the privileges of the more affluent student. In theory, under Ontario’s public school system, a wealthy child and a poor child should have equal opportunities to receive an education. Practically, this is not

the case. As the income gap widens, neighbourhoods are increasingly defined in terms of socioeconomic status. In Toronto, the epicentre of income inequality in Ontario, there is a relationship between wealth and test scores in schools. High-scoring elementary schools are generally concentrated in wealthier areas, while in lowincome neighbourhoods, a larger percentage of students struggle with reading, writing, and math. Sixty per cent of students in the gifted programme come from the three highest income deciles, while a mere 11 per cent come from the three lowest deciles. Inequitable fundraising also plays a large role in perpetuating discrimination in the education system. In Ontario, public schools in the top 10 per cent fundraise as much money as those in the bottom 81 per cent combined. These schools are able to offer enriched experiences and learning materials, increasing the overall quality of education for students. Students reap the benefits of their parents’ affluence in the form of new iPads for the classroom or expensive overnight field trips, putting those who cannot afford these extra perks at a severe disadvantage. Due to the lack of adequate re-

sources and support, a higher percentage of children in low-income schools take applied courses in high school, limiting their chances of admission into university. The inequality only grows over time. Students that produce lower test scores or struggle in school as a result of this socioeconomic disadvantage may lack the selfconfidence and drive necessary to achieve a university degree. The exceptional students that are able to retain a zest for learning will face limited potential for success. Whether or not tuition is subsidized, students that have not received appropriate teaching will be less likely to be admitted to a prestigious university programme, or have the skills to succeed there if they do get in. Subsidizing tuition provides a bandaid solution to the self-perpetuating issue of inequality that is deeply entrenched in the education system. With the Ontario Student Grant, the government will uplift the futures of many students. Still, in order to truly equalize the playing field, the government must work to strengthen the education system from the bottom up by ensuring that educational quality is not dependent on the income of children’s parents.

Interested in graphic design or photography? We’re hiring design and photo editors for the 2016-2017 school year! Send your CV, a cover letter, and three samples of your work to editor@mcgilltribune.com by March 23rd.

Student Living

Tuesday, March 15, 2016

Picture Perfect: Crafting your best Linkedin photo No ‘selfies’ allowed Hailey MacKinnon Student Living Editor LinkedIn has become a platform on which thousands of users are able to browse for jobs, apply for employment, and connect with work-related contacts. In addition to beefing up one’s profile with relevant skills and experiences, an important element to consider is that which draws the eye immediately: The profile picture. So how important is this photo? According to research published by LinkedIn, profiles with photos are reviewed seven times more often than those without. A profile with a photo can seem like a more complete and polished profile. Additionally, numerous studies, such as one out of the Karolinska Institute in Stockholm, Sweden, have concluded that facial recognition is one of our most developed perceptual skills; it can affect how we judge each other to be trustworthy, aggressive, or competent—all important qualities considered when scouting out potential employees. Bottom line: Your photo is a crucial element of the profile that informs how employers will judge your candidacy.

At the same time, certain photos may actually do a disservice to the user if not chosen appropriately. There are certain LinkedIn photo faux-pas: Photos of users partying, group shots where the user can’t be identified (your face should generally take up to 60 per cent of the photo), ‘selfies,’ and low-quality or outdated pictures. Once these traps have been cleared, there may be more nuance in the types of photos recommended to each individual. Like any form of social media, LinkedIn is a powerful tool for jobseekers to brand themselves. In order to strategically market yourself, it is important to figure out what kind of audience you are appealing to, and from there, to define the message you want your profile to send. “Obviously [the photo is] going to be relevant to the field you’re applying to,” Catherine Stace, career advisor at McGill Career Planning Service (CaPS), said. “But for a standard, regular job— or corporate environment—it’s a typical headshot with a collared shirt [and] not with a busy background.” For other professions, however, there may be more leeway. “If you’re going to be a researcher in Antarctica, probably the headshot-

with-the-suit won’t be appealing—it would be more of a field shot,” Stace said. “Always think of what’s the most appropriate thing.” Many users may want to brand themselves in a more unique way than with a simple head shot. Nat Carson, U3 Management, is a photographer who runs his own photography business. He noted that some clients opt for photos that are more personalized: A friend of his who is a wood-worker, for example, took his photo in his woodshop holding props he would traditionally use in his craft. Carson himself has a portrait in the outdoors, because this is a big part of his identity that he wants employers to recognize immediately. “I think [a good LinkedIn headshot is] all about trying to make the person’s personality shine through in a photo,” said Carson. “Trying to give someone some character [....] And, of course, it has to be a representative likeness to the person as well, so the employer will recognize you and can start putting a face to your qualities.” Ultimately, the mantra ‘Dress for the job you want, not the job you have’ is a guiding principle when choosing a LinkedIn photo. “This is your professional

Linkedin is a way for students to scope out job prospects and develop their own professional brand. (careercloud.com) networking site; it’s not Facebook or any of those other spaces where you’re trying to make friends with people or be part of a social group,” Stace said. “You’re trying to fit into the work atmosphere of the field you’re [pursuing]. So who looks like the person who belongs in the office or in the field [...] that’s what you’re looking for.” For students looking to spiff up their LinkedIn profiles, there are many resources available on and around the McGill campus. A quick browse of Facebook groups for McGill students, such as Free & For Sale or Jobs & Internships,

reveals many student photographers who will lend their photography services at a more affordable rate than other professional businesses. Another option is PhotoFund, a student-run, non-profit organization founded by a McGill student, Derek Liu. One hundred per cent of the organization’s proceeds go to the Herbie Fund, a branch of the SickKid’s foundation in Toronto. Many of these services will edit photos after they have been taken, so users can be sure to put their best face forward when presenting themselves to employers.

An optimistic outlook for the future of McGill student services Forum highlights need for integrated and streamlined mental health services

Emma Whitehall Contributor On March 11, a group of approximately 30 McGill students and staff gathered together for the Students’ Society of McGill University (SSMU)’s Mental Health Forum in the SSMU Ballroom. A panel of staff representatives, from the various service departments under the umbrella of mental health care, was present, including from Counselling Services, the Mental Health Office, and the Office for Students with Disabilities (OSD). After the panellists gave short introductions, the entire event consisted of an open-mic period. The first question was informational, inquiring how the massive increase in students seeking their services in the last few years has changed or affected the services themselves. “The positive piece is that [with] progressive destigmatization of mental health issues [...] students feel more comfortable and more at ease asking for help,” Martha Chamodraka from McGill Counselling Services pointed out. A far greater demand on mental health services results in significant budgetary challenges, which forces the departments to develop creative solutions in order to maintain high levels of care

provision. OSD Director, Teri Phillips, pointed out that in order to accommodate the far greater numbers of students now registered for their services, they have initiated a model of flexibility in how they meet with students. “Students have options around meeting with an advisor in person, through a booked appointment, or we meet with students via Skype as well,” Phillips said. “Engaging with students through those multiple means has been wellreceived by the students who are accessing our services.” Phillips also mentioned the OSD’s focus on promoting other student services when appropriate. This sort of focus was common among the representatives from all the other departments as well. Another interesting strain on resources that was brought up in the discussion was the university’s policy on the requirement of medical notes when a student is physically ill or their mental health issues have been triggered, preventing them from completing an assignment or writing an exam. It was suggested to be an institutional-level policy issue to address, but not one presenting any opportunities for imminent reform within the mental health offices. The general consensus of the student services

Representatives from various mental health services at McGill address students’ questions and concerns. (Natalie Vineberg / McGill Tribune) representatives present at the forum was that health notes are a waste of valuable resources. “When we look at a lot of the discussion today around policy and the stressors that are present in the university system, some of the policies that we have in place also act detrimentally on our ability to provide services,” Senior Director of Student Services, Robin Wiltshire, commented, “[...] If we can make the medical notes not required, that would serve the system very well.” Phoebe Warren, U3 Arts, has used mental health servies to see a psychologist, and also raised concerns about the medical note policy. “I was [...] required to provide proof that I have been seen by a psychiatrist/psychologist in the past [in order to] use both

services in my case,” Warren said. “For people who have not been officially diagnosed with learning disabilities or [who have] a history of mental health problems, I imagine this can be extremely frustrating.” One of the primary takeaways from the forum was an emphasis on the need to integrate and streamline the various mental health services on campus. During the discussion, Wiltshire noted that there was a need to restructure the entire system to establish a common triage process between services and more importantly, to include a step-care method in treatment. “New ideas around service delivery are very important to us to be able to meet the demand, and being more imaginative about the types of offerings that are made to students,” Wiltshire said. “More automation around appointment-

making and better collaboration between the units are things we are working on improving.” In terms of how concrete the plans for change were, Wiltshire said that there is a general deadline to launch the new integrated system for Fall 2016. According to Jimmy Tan, U2 Neuroscience, the forum was a step forward in ameliorating McGill’s mental health services. “If we want to transform the landscape of mental health at McGill, we need to start working together as a team,” Tan said. “It can no longer be a phenomenon where clinicians work in one office, students work in another, and faculty works in the other office down the street, and then we meet once every year to catch-up. It needs to be an ongoing collaborative process—and I think the forum was doing just that.”

Student Living

Tuesday,March 15, 2016

Expo Santé et Vivre Vert highlights health conscious food companies

Juice, avocado toast, and tempeh abound at Montreal’s health food exposition Liz Willcock Staff Writer Despite the longstanding association between Montreal and artery clogging foods, such as poutine or tire d’érable, the Montreal “Expo Manger Santé et Vivre Vert” showcased the slightly more toned underbelly of Montreal food culture. The exposition took place at Placedes-Armes between March 11 and 13, and featured 250 companies, including Canadian staples such as Nature Valley, GO GO Quinoa, RISE Kombucha, and Rachel Berry Grocers. The massive conference room, filled to capacity with Montrealers of all ages, was a testament to the global growth in food consciousness, and the highly lucrative market for artisinal foods. The massive display of Montreal’s health companies together in one room drew attention to the way in which health food has become more available in recent years. It would be difficult to walk through the conference hall without noting brands sold at Bishop-Mountain Hall or McLennan library. These health food companies are slowly becoming integrated into mainstream campus food services. For example, SNAX now carries products from Aux Vivres, a local vegan restaurant, and McGill’s cafeterias sell Crudessence’s raw salads and Kind’s gluten- and sugar-free

granola bars. In her four years at McGill, U3 Political Science student, Carly Walter, remarked on the growing presence of healthy food alternatives on campus. “There has been a huge rise in avocado toast,” Walter said. “It’s everywhere I look now.” Walter noted this wasn’t the case until her second year at McGill. She drew attention to larger shifts on campus such as the replacement of Pizza Pizza and Tim Hortons in McLennan with Première Moisson Bakery, and the Dispatch coffee stand in the McConnell Engineering Building. U3 Political Science student Kathleen Tully suggested that healthy eating is on the rise as people become more aware of what goes into their food. “[The] increase in healthy food options and kombucha availability is a good indicator of this trend,” Tully said. Companies such as Première Moisson, however, which occupied a large corner of the Expo, raise an interesting question as to what companies are commonly considered to be ‘healthy.’ Although most McGill students recognize the local Montreal bakery for its macaroons and pastries, the company blended in at Expo Manger Santé among a sea of ‘artisanal’ health companies, offering samples of their gluten-free cakes. While the Expo Manger Santé

et Vivre Vert’s mission is to “increase awareness about the importance of our eating habits and lifestyles in relation to our health and the environment,” there seemed to be a very vague notion of what constituted ‘health.’ There were a large number of vegan food companies, just as many gluten-free cakes and cookies, and more than a handful of organic chocolate stalls. Like Première Moisson, the majority of companies at the Expo seemed to associate themselves with ‘health’ by omitting certain ingredients like gluten, or convening to a certain standard of production such as ‘organic’ or ‘fair trade,’ rather than the wholesome, nutritional qualities of their products. Juliana Hayden, U2 Political Science, was skeptical that companies such as Première Moisson’s glutenfree options are actually healthy. “I don’t equate gluten-free with health,” Hayden said. “You still have to actually look at the ingredients. The same goes with vegan food. Not all vegan and gluten-free products are actually all-natural.” Hayden pointed to recent backlash against gluten-free products that often contain far more preservatives and chemicals than bread made with real flour. These gluten-free products are produced for the benefit of people who suffer from Celiac disease or gluten intolerance, and the idea

Raw food companies are an expanding market for health-conscious consumers. (Liz Willcock / McGill Tribune) that they are ‘healthier’ is often Lawrence said. “I definitely wouldn’t constitute the amount misconstrued. Marie-Lawrence, who attended of ‘fauxmage’ cheesecake I ate at the expo with her daughter and the Crudessence stand as healthy, husband on Friday afternoon, said but they help make a vegan diet that although she, like Hayden, was sustainable for me.” Expo Manger Santé et skeptical about the marketing that goes into health food, she thought the Vivre Vert is a clear indicator availability of options would encourage that Montreal companies are trying to accommodate, but people to adopt healthy diets. “I’m a vegan for health also profit from, a new wave of and environmental reasons, healthy eaters. What constitutes so I was really happy to see a ‘healthy’ diet, whether that be so many Montreal companies gluten-free, vegan, artisanal, or catering to a vegan diet,” Marie- organic has yet to be defined.

Weekend trips you can actually afford Because sometimes Montreal just doesn’t cut it

Jonathan Motha-Pollock Contributor Considering Montreal’s annual post-winter thaw has come early this year, now is the right time to think about weekend getaways. With spring around the corner and temperatures creeping above 10 degrees, a warm March trip is sounding more and more like a good idea. Chances are, a travelhungry, undergraduate student in the middle of second semester probably hasn’t saved up a huge trip budget. That being said, there are plenty of costeffective options for exciting trips to take from Montreal that won’t break the bank. With low-budget transportation, cheap accommodation, and studentfriendly activities, you can plan your own inexpensive weekend trip that will leave your friends commenting on your Instagrams that they have “FOMO.” For those not ‘vehicularly blessed,’ don’t fret—there are options.

Ottawa

Okay, before you skip to the next option, hear this one out. It can’t be claimed that the nation’s capital is the coolest city in Canada, or that Ottawa is a sprawling, cosmopolitan metropolis teeming with culture—but people who tell you that there’s nothing to see here are just plain wrong.

Ottawa’s ByWard market is a charming neighbourhood to sit outside and enjoy a beer on the patio. (condoagency.ca/byward-market) First, go check out Parliament Hill. Even if you’re not into politics or Canadian history, you might be pleasantly surprised. Most importantly, tours are free. Next, check out the National Gallery or the War Museum (student discounts!) for your culture fix. Open-air activities, like a stroll along the Rideau Canal or a walk through ByWard Market, allow you to take in the sights while still enjoying the weather. Another recommendation for the culturally-inclined is House of TARG. This live music venue/ arcade hall is a popular choice among university students and locals alike. For accommodation, go with Airbnb and stay in Sandy Hill, a big student area, or The Glebe, bustling shops, pubs and restaurants. Otherwise, decent hostels start at around $30 per night. In terms of transportation, start

with rideshares. Check out the McGill Carpooling/Rideshares group—it’s nice knowing that you’ll be traveling with fellow students. If there are no lifts there, try a larger, more targeted network of ridesharers with the Carpool TorontoOttawa-Montreal-Sherbrooke-Quebecco-voiturage. If you’re not comfortable catching a ride with strangers, Ottawa is only two hours away by train. Via Escape fares start as low as $33 one way, or you can check its site on ‘Discount Tuesdays’ between 7 a.m. and midnight for deals. You can also go the bus route and take the Greyhound; one way is two and a half hours and costs about $20 if booked in advance.

Quebec City

If you really want to get a sense of Quebec’s rich history, this is the place for you; think Montreal, but older and

more charming. As one of Canada’s oldest cities, Quebec City has plenty of European colonial architecture. You can visit Old Quebec which has a similar aesthetic to Montreal’s Old Port, and marvel at centuries-old stone buildings. Go see the historic Plains of Abraham battleground, and Canada’s oldest cathedral, Cathedral-Basilica of Notre-Dame de Québec. The trendy Rue Saint-Jean is also a hotspot for students and a great place for a night out. For rideshares, try the aforementioned rideshare groups; Via Rail is also still an option (the cost is similar to Ottawa). Accommodation-wise, HIQuebec-Auberge Internationale de Québec comes highly recommended on HostelWorld.com

Boston

Boston might require the most

planning, but it’s worth it. Give yourself an extra day for this one because you’re looking at a five-hour drive. Ridesharing is definitely the way to go for Beantown. Check out the BostonMontreal Rideshare group for rides as late as the day before (they usually cost $20-$30 USD one way). Greyhound is also an option, but the journey is a bit longer (around eight hours) and more expensive if you leave it to the last minute. Since you’re looking at a bigger city, consider Couchsurfing, a networking site that puts you in contact with locals who will host you for free. It might sound sketchy, but the profiling process is actually pretty transparent. There are plenty of things to do in Boston. Check out Faneuil Hall, a charming marketplace near the city’s Long Wharf that sells famous New England clam chowder. Do some boutique shopping on the posh Newbury Street in the Back Bay neighbourhood. The city’s central park, Boston Common, is also a pretty sanctuary in the middle of downtown. Harpoon Brewery offers tours and is a fun way to get acquainted with some local New England draught. It is also recommended to visit the town of Cambridge and take obligatory Harvard photos. Pro tip: Don’t forget your passport!

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ollowing experiences as the president of Molson Hall, VP Finance of the McGill Environment Student Society (MESS), and the Financial Ethics Research Committee (FERC) coordinator, Ben Ger is running for SSMU president. Ger, U2 Environment, has also sat on a variety of presidential committees, such as the Sustainability AdHoc Committee and the Internal Regulations and Constitutional Review Committee. Ger’s platform focuses on student mental health, reforming governance within SSMU, uniting a students that have become dissatisfied with its governing body, fiscal responsibility, and strengthening relations with faculty student associations. On mental health, Ger wants to create training programs for professors and faculty in addition to repurposing space within the SSMU Building. The new spaces that would be used address a deficit that exists for clinical and group therapy purposes. To target what has become a disenfranchised constituency, Ger wants to reduce barriers to entry and increase accessibility by targeting students in their first year at McGill. He also wants to address the lack of representation and diversity on SSMU Council.To ensure the financial sustainability of the organization as it moves forward, Ger has developed plans for three types of budgets for SSMU: A balanced budget (one that breaks even) and two types of deficit budgets (one that uses the investment portfolio, and one that takes a small amount of SSMU’s different funds). The first budget will look at areas that cuts should be made into, so that SSMU can keep functioning without increasing base fees. The two deficit budgets will look at how much money SSMU needs to function without cuts. Ger has highlighted the Management Undergraduate Society (MUS) and the Engineering Undergraduate Society (EUS) as two student faculty associations

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ordan Sinder, U2 Science, is running to be SSMU president. He was previously president of La Citadelle Residence Hall. Sinder’s plan to reach out to students includes tabling in high traffic areas, approaching students directly for feedback, and working with the VP Internal to incorporate graphics into the SSMU listserv. As a student in the Faculty of Science, Sinder also hopes to increase the awareness of SSMU and its services to Science and Engineering students. Sinder believes that SSMU’s role is to facilitate and support student groups that would like to mobilize towards a cause, but he does not believe that members of the SSMU executive should campaign for divisive political causes on the behalf of the student body. Rather, he believes that SSMU

should focus on enriching student life. He believes in increasing the experience of SSMU’s student-run clubs and services, and overseeing growth of facilities used regularly by students. This includes focusing on the accessibility of mental health resources. “I have thorough and plausible plans to lay the groundwork for a system which ensures the full destigmatization of mental health diseases and provides the necessary treatment to students in need,” Sinder’s platform reads. “We need to seriously bridge the gap between students and mental health resources.” His campaign also emphasizes fiscal reorganization of the SSMU budget as a necessary step before exploring raising student fees levied by SSMU.

that often feel left out of the SSMU process, and is willing to work to ensure that students in both faculties are represented.

President: Ben Ger

Following years of student dissatisfaction with SSMU that has built up large pockets of resentment among the student body, both Ger and Jodan Sinder are attempting to rebuild SSMU’s image. It is Ger, however, who presents a record and platform that not only reflect what needs to be done as SSMU president, but also what can reasonably be done. Ger’s grasp of what the role entails, and how the president works with both the rest of the executive and the Council, makes him the right person for the job. As such, the Tribune endorses Ger for SSMU president. Although students may allege that Ger is a member of the political establishment, he has gone to great lengths as an outsider, not as an elected representative, to make changes to SSMU’s governance structures. These changes, such as creating a seat on SSMU Council for the McGill Environment Students’ Society (MESS) and lowering the amount of signatures required for student-initiated referenda, have consistently been made with the goal of making SSMU more accessible. Ger also understands the importance of visibility in the role. For SSMU presidents to be effective, they must remain approachable and willing to go to students. Ger’s commitment to fiscal responsibility is emboldened by his experience as the FERC coordinator. He has also attempted to explain the process by which students would be able to engage in budgetary discussions for three different types of budgets. In contrast, Sinder has only referred to “more creative financial strategies” to manage SSMU’s budget. Following a tumultuous year, students need a president that can steady the organization while continuing to move it forward. They need someone who has the experience and the knowledge of SSMU and its institutions to effectively bring change. Ger is the leading candidate for that role.

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and underrepresented constituencies. Lastly, Sobat says he will enhance the University Affairs communication platforms, using tools like listservs, Facebook pages, and a website.

e ri mixed results— Lawrie has not demonstrated why he’ll be able to overcome the same roadblocks. Nonetheless, Lawrie does recognize that SSMU and McGill at large must update methods of communication. Lawrie has not given concrete ideas about resuscitating the popularity of 4Floors amongst the student body. This aim for more frequent, smaller events that are tailored to a wider range of students is admirable but is something that is already being done by the Students’ Society Programming Network, something that Lawrie hadn’t mentioned in either his platform or in his interview with the Tribune. Lawrie did bring fresh ideas about non-drinking events (particularly with having auctions, and charity events); however, he will need to have a stronger grasp among the student body’s diverse feelings if he wants to push these plans through. Additionally, events such as auctions have the potential to perpetuate socioeconomic differences between students. Ultimately, Lawrie wants to rebuild trust with the wider student population. This is a fine goal, but he must demonstrate more concrete plans if he wants to carry out this position effectively.

rin Sobat brings four years of student governance experience to the VP University Affairs position. In the past, Sobat has served as an Arts senator, a Senate caucus representative, VP Academic for the Arts Undergraduate Society (AUS), Library Improvement Fund coordinator, and president of the Douglas Hall Residence Council. In terms of advocacy, Sobat’s platform promises to work with Enrolment Services to push the idea of a 12-week term, advocate for the implementation of a Fall Reading Break, and maintain student input in the long-term vision for the Royal Victoria Hospital site. Sobat hopes to eliminate medical note requirements in cases such as first-time accommodations and a set number of sick days. Additionally, if elected, he will push for better student awareness of academic rights through the “Know Your Rights” campaign, and ensure McGill complies with Quebec regulations in order to combat ancillary fees. Sobat hopes to implement initiatives for students to work on grant-writing, institutionalize the University Affairs Committee and Student Research Competition, and turn research into action through a revitalization of the Policy Advocacy and Resource Committee (PARC). Regarding equity, Sobat’s platform states that it will enhance employment equity and Universal Design initiatives, advocate for more indigenous and equity-related course content, and foster ties with faculties allies and equity committees to advance equity-related projects. Furthermore, Sobat states he will push for more 24-hour access to libraries without drawing additional student funding, develop a fundraising strategy for the /Fiat Lux/ library project that won’t require student financing, and support the digitization of library material as well as core print collections. Finally, in terms of engagement, Sobat aims to pioneer additional mentorship and advocacy tools for students representatives, first-year students, and the wider student body. This platform also entails strengthening the relationship between senators, faculty associations,

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The Tribune does not endorse Daniel Lawrie for the position of SSMU VP Internal. Lawrie, only in his second year at McGill, has not demonstrated sufficient experience to take on this role; he only cited participation in previous froshes and events thrown by the VP Internal, as well as consultation with previous VP Internals as the basis of his ability to understand the position and make effective changes. Lawrie, however, is clearly ambitious. He believes that he

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can improve the VP Internal portfolio’s communication with the wider student population, as well as throw more inclusive events campus-wide. His aim to use phone apps that can inform students of SSMU’s various initiatives (such as GA referendum questions, and various events) has already been attempted twice before, with

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aniel Lawrie, U1 Materials Engineering, is running uncontested for the position of Students’ Society of McGill University (SSMU) vice president (VP) Internal. Lawrie is the social director of his fraternity, has acted as an Inter Greek Letter Council (IGLC) representative, and was a Frosh Leader in 2015. Lawrie’s platform is based on three concepts: Communication, organization, and trust. The VP Internal is SSMU’s chief communication officer: To strengthen the open dialogue between SSMU and its constituents, Lawrie plans to expand beyond SSMU’s weekly listserv as the organization’s primary means of communication. He also intends to widen SSMU’s presence on social media to increase visibility to the average student. Additionally, Lawrie wants to use the official McGill or MyMartlet smartphone apps as a method of communication to leverage the time that students spend on phones. In his communication duties, Lawrie plans to disseminate information in a timely fashion and as widely as possible. With regards to organization, Lawrie wants to be as collaborative, efficient, and punctual as possible. He is prepared to continue SSMU’s role as an active support system to separate faculty associations as they organize their own froshes. Through the third component of his platform regarding trust, Lawrie is committed to rebuild the eroding sense of belief that students have in SSMU. He plans to do so by creating documents such as Council minutes, motions, and expense reports accessible.

VP University Affairs: Erin Sobat, YES

The Tribune endorses Erin Sobat as the next VP University Affairs of SSMU. Sobat is arguably the most qualified candidate running this year for a SSMU executive position. In the VP University Affairs portfolio, a robust knowledge of SSMU and its relationship with McGill is necessary. Moreover, this position requires a candidate that has developed a strong working relationship with members of the administration. In both areas, Sobat has shown an impressive track record. Sobat has an excellent grasp of what the portfolio entails and has put forth ideas to further students’ interests. He is interested in empowering students to know their rights so McGill doesn’t take advantage of them, while simultaneously making the university more accommodating to students’ needs. For instance, Sobat has pledged to negotiate for 24-hour access to libraries and has a pragmatic approach to digitize library resources to increase student space, while also ensuring that essential physical collections are maintained. Although Sobat has proven to be an excellent candidate for this position, some students may view his extensive experience working in student government as a continuation of the establishment. Sobat must ensure that during his tenure he continues to effectively reach out to students from all faculties. Wide-reaching consultation is necessary for all SSMU executives; for the VP University Affairs it is paramount. In a role that directly entails negotiating with McGill on issues that directly affect students’ academic lives, the VP University Affairs must ensure that departments and communities that have been historically underrepresented in SSMU have their voices heard.

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ClubHub, an initiative created by a previous VP Clubs & Services, Stefan Fong, is digital portal that has information and resources to effectively handle SSMU clubs through an online management system. Tripp plans to revive this project by collaborating with developers and other members of the executive. He is also committed to increasing the space available to clubs and continue the process of space reallocation on the fourth floor of the SSMU Building. For mental health, a new addition to the portfolio that was previously under the VP University Affairs, Tripp plans on making SSMU’s mental health resources more accessible to students through forums and digital media. He is also looking forward to taking concrete steps to ensure that there is more collaboration between McGill’s mental health services, Office for Students with Disabilities (OSD), and Career and Planning Services (CaPS).

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ushan Tripp, U3 Arts, is running for the newly-created position of VP Student Life. Tripp is currently a clubs representative to SSMU Council, where he sits on the Funding and Club Committees. Tripp’s platform, which was developed after analyzing the issues faced by Clubs and Services, focuses on five main aspects: Dynamics between transparency and efficiency, Clubs Committee, club space, Clubhub, and mental health. Tripp wants to improve administrative efficiency and increase consultation that occurs between students in clubs and Council. With regards to the Clubs Committee, he plans to reevaluate how club applications are processed, creating a more transparent process. He also intends to provide resources, such as workshops to make it easier for students to create clubs and find funding.

laine Patterson, U2 Arts, and current VP Communications of AUS, is running for VP Student Life. Patterson has also worked as the Living Learning Communities (LLC) Rez Life facilitator and as the VP Communications for Carrefour Residence Hall Council. As VP Student Life, Patterson hopes to build upon ideas that were created by the current VP Clubs and Services, Kimber Bialik. This includes creating a handbook for club executives to provide them with an accessible resource of all necessary information. Patterson also hopes to facilitate the creation of a clubs database over the summer that will allow students to search through all SSMU clubs based on their interests. Taking into account current budget cuts and the possibility of the Club Fund Fee failing, Patterson said she will help student clubs apply for funding from other resources at McGill, like the AUS Financial Management Committee. Patterson also suggested mandating that the Services Review Committee review half of the SSMU services per semester, as opposed to the current quarter of services per semester, so that each service is reviewed once per calendar year. With mental health falling under the umbrella of Student Life, Patter-

son has new ideas that she hopes will address gaps in services and increase accessibility for students across campus. Patterson plans to host a Mental Health Service roundtable each semester where all 11 mental health services may collaborate on initiatives and discuss how to properly refer students to each other’s services. Additionally, Patterson hopes to specifically address first-year students through floor fellows and off-campus orientation, to ensure that they are informed of the mental health services that are offered at McGill.

VP Student Life: Elaine Patterson

The McGill Tribune endorses Elaine Patterson for VP Student Life. Patterson—in both her interview and campaign materials—has made it clear that she has both a comprehensive understanding of student life and a unique grasp of how her experience and skills lend themselves to the role. The position’s title and the scope of its responsibilities have changed this year due to a restructuring of executive portfolios, a motion approved by the student body during the SSMU Winter 2016 Special Referendum. The new position includes mental health and student services within the purview of student life, in addition to subsuming the responsibili-

ties of student services and mental health previously included in the VP Clubs and Services portfolio. Patterson demonstrates that she has a plan for integrating mental health into the scope of the portfolio by proposing ideas for student mental health initiatives and increasing communication between services to eliminate redundancy. However, Patterson needs to consider how to avoid the endless referrals often experienced by McGill students, and should contemplate more concrete ideas for avoiding such a situation. By comparison, Dushan Tripp, in an interview with the Tribune, demonstrated less clarity in his plans for integrating mental health in the new portfolio, and had not carefully considered issues like helping off-campus students or how to address the possibility of students voting against a club fund fee. In addition, Tripp’s experience extends to only being involved with clubs, while Patterson has experience in executive positions related to student involvement, such as Inter-Rez Council, Rez Fest, and VP Communications for AUS. Overall, Patterson shows that she has given the inaugural appointment of VP Student Life careful consideration and thought, and the board hopes that she will be able to lay a solid foundation for the new portfolio.

Aird has significant experience that has prepared him well for stepping into the role, having worked most notably as the Political Campaigns Coordinator. HE has demonstrated a keen understanding of SSMU’s role as a political body, While he acknowledges the inherently political nature of the position, he also recognizes the need to promote equity and inclusivity in dealing with certain controversial issues in order to ensure that all students feel represented. He has a clear plan to fight for student interests regarding the accessibility of education, and hopes to continue advocating against future budget cuts. Although he lacked original ideas on how to ensure transparency Aird stated that he believed in his ability to be diplomatic in ensuring accessibility. Aird possesses an understanding of the need to consult with Indigenous students, and sees the potential for improved representation of Indigenous issues on campus with the addition of Indigenous Affairs to the External portfolio. He has a clear understanding of how students’ voices should be represented at the provincial level, and sees a bright future for SSMU as a part of a student federation, which could be highly beneficial to future McGill students.

acha Magder, U3 Science, is campaigning for the new position of VP Operations. Madger was elected to the student union of Dawson College where he served as the Science representative. Since coming to McGill, he has sat on the Biochemistry Undergraduate Society (BUGS) council, a group he successfully ran as president this year. He also served as the logistics coordinator for Science Frosh in 2016. Magder intends to solicit students’ opinions about the changes they would like to see made to the SSMU Building. Magder cites his approachability and his ideas to incentivize student feedback as ways of combatting student apathy. A centrepiece of his platform is instituting a “crash pad,” a plan to create a place where students can spend the night on campus, in order to increase inclusivity for commuting students. Magder has pointed out that similar programs have been successfully implemented at other universities in Canada. For the SRC, Magder recognizes that it needs to start turning a profit to fund the initiatives he is proposing. He believes its problem is the lack of student knowledge about it and that it needs to be advertised more. Magder plans to learn what should be done on environmental sustainability by consulting contributing members of the community.

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Endorsement: YES.

Carolan isqualified to fulfill the duties of the VP Finance portfolio. His experience in finances, both in SSMU and in the private sector, suggest that he will be capable of managing the large financial portfolio of SSMU, particularly in the face of budget constraints. While his suggestions for the Student-Run Café (SRC) need to bear in mind SSMU’s commitment to transforming the SSMU building into a student-run space, he has demonstrated the flexibility of his solutions. By the same token, he demonstrates a willingness to make difficult choices in a timely manner. By streamlining the club funding application and improving the presentation of SSMU finances online, he will expedite student contact with SSMU finances and improve transparency. In light of the restructuring of SSMU executive portfolios, which brought the daycare and human resources into the VP Finance portfolio, Carolan must develop concrete plans for these two areas. How he decides to manage these aspects of his portfolio will have a lasting impact on the VP Finance portfolio long after his term ends.

ird is in favour of joining the Association for the Voice of Education in Quebec (AVEQ) student federation, which has a referendum question this semester. If the question fails, he supports returning to the question next year and mobilizing a “Yes” committee in support of either AVEQ or its alternative, the Quebec Student Union (QSU). As this year’s SSMU Political Campaigns Coordinator, Aird has worked on SSMU’s anti-austerity mobilization campaign, among other things. As VP External, he stated that he will focus his efforts on directly supporting the campaigns that students have given SSMU a mandate to support, regardless of his own political views. He plans to continue outreach to the Milton-Parc community by making himself available to community members during busy times of the year such as Frosh, as well as involving students in local social programs, like the Yellow Door. Aird hopes to institutionalize consultation with Indigenous student groups on campus and involve them further in SSMU’s political campaigns. Aird will also work to promote more francophone cultural events. He stressed the importance of transparency, which he hopes to achieve by working to make GAs more accessible, and inviting students to consult with him directly.

Endorsement: YES

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iall Carolan, U3 Management, is running unopposed for the VP Finance position. He has experience as a representative to SSMU for the Management Undergraduate Society (MUS), a Management representative to Council, the Senior Accountant of the MUS, a SSMU Club Auditor, and working for Tim Hortons in Finance and Operations. If elected, Carolan plans to ensure the long-term financial stability of SSMU, increase financial transparency, and streamline club funding. He intends to publish concise updates on financial decisions complete with graphs on the SSMU websites to make his portfolio more accessible and transparent. Carolan would also like to implement a standardized budgeting format for every SSMU club to simplify the process. He will also hold training workshops at the beginning of the semester for financial representatives from all SSMU clubs. and alter the structure of the Club Funding Committee to increase the speed of decision making. In order to ensure financial stability, Carolan will look into external funding options for SSMU events, including corporate sponsorships. He plans to work closely with the VP Operations to increase the profitability of SSMU

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Endorsement: NO.

While Magder is excited to shape this new position, he lacks experience and a proper understanding of the role. While he has worked with Boytinck and attended SSMU Council, he has had no official experience working in SSMU.

Magder’s platform is heavily focused on the plan for a crash pad as well as encouraging student input on SSMU operations. First, instituting a crash pad on campus should not be a priority for this portfolio. As a candidate whose job it is to ensure day-to-day operations are feasible, the idea seems like a stretch. Furthermore, Magder does not have a background in any of the portfolio’s tenets. This position is outlined to ensure daily operations run smoothly, yet Magder has not overseen or been a part of SSMU operations such as Gerts or the SRC. Magder brings enthusiasm and ambition to this candidacy, and his vision for getting student input towards what this new position should bring is admirable. While we encourage the development of creative ways to connect SSMU to students, his platform seems more appropriate for the VP Internal position. Magder’s platform relies largely upon asking students to plan out his role for VP Operations, instead of outlining specific goals. But because this is a new position, we believe that it requires a candidate that has strong experience and more concrete ideas. We encourage new candidates to outline specifically what they wish to achieve with this new position. Laura Hanrahan and Jenna Stanwood do not agree with the views presented in this endorsement.

Science & technology

Tuesday, March 15, 2016

What’s it like getting a chemistry PhD? Current students weigh in on their experiences

Rob Harkness (left) and Justin Di Trani (right) have been working on their PhDs for four years. (Natalie Vineberg / McGill Tribune)

Imogen Malpas Contributor “I can’t sleep some nights if I’m thinking about a model,” Rob Harkness said, laughing. Though easy to misinterpret, Harkness, a chemistry PhD student from the Mittermaier lab—who study biological systems primarily using calorimetry and NMR—is in fact talking about science. “I’ve woken up some nights to text my supervisor, ‘Is it this?’” he explained. Evidently, those involved in a PhD program clearly exude a passion for science. “You’ve gotta love it,” Yasser Gidi, a PhD student from the Cosa lab—whose focus is on chemical imaging—said. “[Otherwise,] you’re wasting your time.” Although there is no shortage of talents outside of the lab—Gidi spent a single day last summer cycling around the island of Montreal, describing it modestly as “a challenge”—it’s clear that it’s science, more often than not, that gets them out of bed in the morning. Entering a program with neither a predictable outcome nor a guarantee of success can be daunting for graduates used to a largely textbook-based education. But learning to be okay with being wrong, and having the space to be wrong as many times as it takes offers a freedom that’s rare in academia. A PhD can be a refreshing change from the memorize, regurgitate, repeat mentality of an undergraduate degree. “Doing a PhD is nice if you’re looking to solve problems,” Harkness said. “You constantly

have to figure stuff out on your own. It’s about developing ways to get the information, not just about the information itself.” A PhD is like a puzzle. It’s as valuable to learn how best to slot pieces together as it is to achieve the final picture. One of the main attractions of a PhD, the students explained, was the independence offered; in particular, the opportunity to come across an avenue you want to pursue, to change direction, and pursue it. “My initial project is nothing like my current project,” Viktorija Glembockytė, a PhD student from the Cosa lab explained. “It’s a very dynamic process: You change your ideas a lot.” This freedom is a heady thing. The lack of a nine-to-five structure, required classes, or general university attendance requires impressive self-discipline. Research involves a lot of trial and error— albeit educated trial and minimized error, Justin Di Trani, a PhD student from the Mittermaier lab explained—and it’s essential to be prepared for long nights and weeks of frustration. The love of science can only get you so far, however, without a combination of effort and sheer luck, it’s not always enough. “People do quit because stuff’s not working and they can’t see the end,” Harkness explained. A big part of the PhD life is dictated by the number of hours one is willing to put in. Di Trani’s record for latest night in the lab is 3 a.m. And that doesn’t even guarantee results. “There [are] days when you just do nothing and the experiments come out beautifully, and you’re

like, What did I do right?” Di Trani explained. “You just don’t question it.” Each student speaks of the same thing: The devastation when nothing will go right, and the elation when, out of the blue, something finally does. But doing a PhD gives you skills useful outside as well as inside the lab. This includes things like patience, determination, and the capacity to see a failure not as the end of the road but as the starting point for 10 more. “It takes months or years of doing that same experiment over and over to refine it down to the processes you see in textbooks,” Di Trani explained. And to achieve that level, a student must have an incredible amount of self-control. “It’s probably the first time in my life that I’ve had to learn what a healthy work-life balance is,” Glembockytė said. Ninety per cent of the time, Gidi explained, the work can be frustrating. But the remaining 10 per cent? “It’s worth the struggle,” Gidi said. “The satisfaction is even greater.” For any skeptics, it’s clear that this isn’t just talk. Glembockytė’s work enables her to watch individual molecules using a microscope and a specialized camera. They look like tiny stars dotting a wide sky. The chance to actively participate in that level of science firsthand is only achievable when a person is studying for a PhD. The divisions between different branches of science, so firmly established at high school and undergraduate level, gradually

Viktorija Glembockytė (top) and Yasser Gidi (bottom) are both students in the Cosa lab. (Noah Sutton / McGill Tribune) lessen as the level increases. The Cosa lab’s work, for example, draws from chemistry, physics and biology, although its students might only have had specific training in one or two of those fields prior to their PhD. Although a PhD isn’t a collaborative process, every finding could prove useful to someone else in the lab; the atmosphere can feel a little like a think tank, especially with a supervisor who encourages discussing projects and juggling ideas. And the competition isn’t as fierce as some would imagine. “Everyone at this level’s pretty intelligent; so at this point, what makes you different is how much you work,” Harkness said. “I feel most of the [competitive pressure] from myself.” As for life after PhD, most haven’t really thought about it. Nevertheless, all must ultimately deal with their defence—the culmination of a PhD, where the student’s thesis is interrogated by a panel of professors. “I’ve never heard of anybody failing a defence,” Di Trani said. “I haven’t really thought about it. I’m just not going to think about it.” Looking back to their undergraduate days, there’s one, resounding piece of advice for aspiring PhD students: Work in a lab first.

“That was when I realized, this is fun for me,” Harkness said. “I wanted to do something where I could actually figure stuff out.” All of the students interviewed seemed inspired from their work. They all had a sentiment that could only come from discovery. “When you discover something, and you know you’re the only person [who] knows that— that’s one of the most exciting parts about research,” Gidi said. This sentiment was echoed by Harkness. “You’re figuring out how the universe works, how it behaves,” he explained. “It’s cool.” A perhaps unexpected perk of being a PhD student is holding expertise in such a narrow field. “[It’s cool being] able to hold intellectual conversations on a very specific topic that maybe 10 people in the world care about,” Glembockytė said. Not only that, the impact is mutual; some of the experimental techniques developed by PhD students, if effective, will continue to be used by that lab in the future. “When I leave I’ll be able to say, My lab does this now because of the research that I did,” Harkness said. That alone seems like something to be proud of.

Science & technology

Tuesday, March 15, 2016

Montreal’s first Scientista chapter launches at McGill Organization aims to empower women in science Lydia Kaprelian Contributor A chapter of Scientista, a group dedicated to empowering pre-professional women in science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) fields has just launched at McGill. After noticing a lack of resources available for women in higher education, Julia and Christina Tartaglia, biology students at Harvard University, founded the Scientista Foundation in 2011. With chapters across the United States and now Canada, the group aims to empower women across the STEM disciplines through creating a strong, cohesive network. “At the most basic level, this is a way to connect [women] across all the STEM fields,” Mayte Parada, co-director of the McGill Scientista chapter explained. “[To] have people to talk to and hang out with and discuss problems and help get their careers going [and] prevent them from dropping out.” There’s a lot to be said about the challenges facing women in science. The ‘leaky pipeline’ model is often used to describe the way women disappear from the STEM fields. As the metaphor goes, at all

stages of post-secondary education, from undergraduate to the doctorate and post-doc levels, women are increasingly less likely to emerge at the top professional and principal investigator (PI) career level, effectively ‘leaking’ out of the career pipe. Consider the gender breakdown at McGill’s own Integrated Program in Neuroscience (IPN). Female participation drops from 62.5 per cent at the masters level to only 26 per cent representation of female tenured professors. The leaky pipeline has proved to be a persistent and pervasive problem for women interested in high-level STEM careers. “Women start these careers or start grad school and they just don’t have too many role models to go with,” Parada said. “They just have their lab [...] and if there aren’t too many people in the lab to go to, they don’t really know where else to go.” McGill’s Scientista chapter plans to create networks and support systems for the women in STEM on campus, from the undergraduate to the PI level. “I feel like there are a lot of women, especially in math and computer science, that are just

looking for support,” Jenn Laura Lee, co-director of the Montreal chapter, described. “[For example] if you go to a pub crawl for physics it’s just overwhelmingly male.” The McGill chapter aims to develop relationships across all levels of the STEM fields. It plans to pair upper level mentors with younger female students to foster personal relationships so that the younger students have someone they can ask questions and get advice from. “It’s super important to be able to see people who have done it and know that it’s possible,” Lee said. With the help of their faculty advisor Assistant Professor Alanna Watt from the Department of Biology, the chapter plans to highlight discussions on balancing family with high-level STEM careers. “A lot of women actually do think about [it]—they may not talk about it, but they do think about it,” Parada said. “[For example] if I go to grad school, how is [working] going to affect me if I get married or if I want to start a family? And I think for a lot of women, this becomes a problem later on.” Parada and Lee hope to create a space that facilitates the kind of

Scientista aims to encourage women to pursue STEM-related careers. (linkedin.com, Noah Sutton / McGill Tribune) informal positive interactions that both have experienced between females in the McGill science programs. “It is interesting that the dynamics of post-doc-student, or PI-student relationships when they are both female [...] is subtly different in certain ways,” Lee explained. “It can be very, very

supportive.” Creating connections between the different members of the science community at McGill is something both co-directors envision. Ultimately, Scientista endeavours to take action against the leaky pipeline. “It’s a constructive thing to do, rather than just being upset,” Lee said.

The HPV vaccine works for men, too Scientists express concerns abouts low immunization rates Clare Fogarty Contributor The human papillomavirus (HPV) is a multi-strain DNA virus from the papillomaviridae family, and is the most common sexually transmitted infection. While infection most often manifests as either asymptomatic, or in the form of treatable genital warts, certain strains have been identified to cause various life-threatening cancers. These include more than 1,300 cases of cervical cancer in women in Canada every year, as well as oral cancers and various anal and penile cancers in males. Numerous studies have shown that the HPV vaccine successfully prevents HPV transmission and reduces the rate of genital, anal, mouth, and throat cancers. Vaccines such as Gardasil and Gardasil-9 are administered to prevent transmission of the virus and therefore lower cancer incidence for both men and women. A recent article published in the journal Pediatrics studied the effectiveness of the vaccine between 2006 and 2012, mostly in girls 11 to 12 years old. Researchers found that within six years of introducing the vaccine. which immunized recipients against four strains of HPV, the incidence of those strains went down by 64 per cent in the US. Despite this evident success, vaccination rates of young women against the virus remain at a meager 60

per cent across North America. The vaccine has also proven effective in young men, leading to a decrease in HPV prevalence by 65.5 per cent; however, vaccination rates amongst young men are even lower than they are for women. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reports that only 41.7 per cent of young men between ages 14 and 17 received the vaccine in 2014. The CDC recommends that young men and women aged 11 and 12 be immunized, as the vaccination is most effective prior to sexual activity. McGill Cancer Epidemiology Professor Mariam El-Zein outlined the reasons behind why many individuals remain unvaccinated. “[This phenomenom is often the result of] parental beliefs, safety concerns—although the vaccines are safe—and unwarranted fear of promiscuity following vaccination,” she explained. The annual National Immunization Survey highlights that it is not hesitant parents, but rather doctors who are responsible for the low rates. Studies find that many doctors are hesitant to recommend the vaccination to young women due to its sexually transmitted nature, avoiding an uncomfortable conversation with the parents and their children. Other studies suggest, however,

HPV vaccines have been shown to be effective in both men and women in reducing incidences of certain types of cancers. (ctvnews.ca) that low vaccination rates among young men are primarily due to the misconception that HPV only causes cancers in males after having sex with other males. Efforts to increase immunization rates in young men therefore focus on raising awareness of HPV’s prevalence in heterosexual males to remove this stigma and improve peer acceptance. The vaccine is also less available to males. “The free vaccination program against HPV mostly targets girls,” El-

Zein explained. “Not all provinces have a publicly funded vaccination program for boys.” Since 2013, only P.E.I, Alberta, Nova Scotia, and British Columbia provide free vaccinations for boys. Certain studies suggest that only immunizing girls will offer sufficient protection for boys, a notion called herd immunity; however, not all girls and young women are receiving the vaccine, and currently the vaccine is targeted at heterosexual individuals. Despite the vaccine’s proven

efficacy, low vaccination rates appear to be the product of a lack of communication. “[We must raise awareness through] consistent HPV vaccination messages to the public by experts and the media,” El-Zein said. “[We need to encourage] clinicians [and] health care providers [to] recommend the HPV vaccine, [raise] awareness at schools of the burden of HPVrelated disease, and [reinforce] vaccine safety and efficacy.”

A variety of logos dot the McGill landscape. (Natalie Vineberg / McGill Tribune)

Design in the university context The ethical implications of McGill’s iconography Evelyn Goessling Staff Writer Continued from Page 1. As a type of visual language, graphic design at its core comes from a human understanding of what linguist Ferdinand de Saussure called the signifier (the shape of a word, order of letters, and phonetic sound) and the signified (the concept or object associated with the signifier). The signifiersignified relationship has evolved via historical events and social movements, especially in the visual context. For example, colonialism has had a major influence on our perception of particular visual signifiers. The perception of color is inherent to the colonial experience according to Sajdeep Somal a graphic designer who has worked with the Students’ Society of McGill University (SSMU) and McGill Athletics. “[Colonialism has] produced this relationship and particular understanding of color, to the terms civilized and primitive.” Somal said. “It assigned those dichotomies.

ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT

Tuesday, March 15, 2016

So that’s what we have to play with when we’re producing graphic design here in this space.” “I need to use the ‘McGill red,’ there’s no getting around that,” Somal said of his work for McGill Athletics. “And in this localized context that signifies a particular politics.” Political, religious, and First Nations associations are all important factors to consider in analyzing what McGill is representing through their use of the colour red. It may be that McGill doesn’t intend to represent any of these factors, but nevertheless, they play into McGill’s image. “All of the visual language we have is already inebriated with value,” Somal explained. “And that value exists along, and has been produced through, axes of power.” With all these implications involved in visual design, a graphic designer has the hard task of reconciling social and professional responsibility. Sometimes, it’s impossible to avoid doing work for clients whose message you don’t necessarily agree with. Liz Sulmont, a freelance graphic designer who has worked with Campus Life &

Engagement, SSMU, and other campus organizations, said that she at first didn’t totally grasp the impact her work would have.

“All graphic design is inherently social and political. It’s a social technology , a means of communication...” - Sajdeep Somal

“I realized when I grew more as a designer, that the work you create for your clients is essentially bringing their ideas to life,” Sulmont said. “That means you have to acknowledge some responsibility for the consequences of those ideas. It’s definitely a tricky situation because your job is on the line and the mixture of personal issues and work is always uncomfortable.” Somal echoed these concerns, citing the lack of job security in his field. “The jobs are precarious enough that they can easily be replaced,” he said, “it’s more of a matter of just producing what you’re asked to produce, and negotiating over smaller things.” Graphic design can be a tool for both good and evil, and in both cases can have tremendous impact. Social movements can garner loyalty with branding just as much as corporations can. “All graphic design is inherently social and political,” Somal said. “It’s a social technology, a means of communication, which means it’s inevitably implicated in power relations.” In activism, graphic design can be manipulated in powerful ways to challenge power relations. “It becomes a rallying point, something that’s identifiable,” Moore elaborated. “It demonstrates your values, your beliefs. It’s a way of creating tribes around certain ideals and ideologies, for better or for worse.” Locally, 2012’s Maple Spring protests could be identified by the striking graphic design done by a group formed at UQAM called the École de la Montagne Rouge. Their red square symbol and dynamic posters made the movement identifiable and unified. A global example is the pink triangle, which was reclaimed in the 1980s from its original usage by the Nazis as a way to identify homosexual men and women, and reformatted into an icon for the gay rights movement. While the end result is deceptively simple, the development of activist graphics is thorough and carefully crafted. In his work for F*ck Austerity, Somal chose each colour very carefully. “The use of yellow and red there was to signify solidarity between diverse coalition groups, like radical coalition groups,”

Somal said. “I tried to invoke these two colors in the context of radical activism.” Every organization, be it a business, movement, or school, creates a visual identity to communicate and represent unique values and history. Universities often use a crest or similar logo to create this identity. The aesthetic construction of that image is key in the formation of a relationship between the consumer and the organization. McGill’s crest, adopted in 1821, sports three red martlets, a mythical bird with no legs that is always shown in flight. At the top is an open book inscribed with the words “In Domino Confido,” or “I trust in the Lord,” the motto of founder James McGill. Two crowns topped with fleur-de-lis flank the open book- a reminder of Montreal’s French origins. Finally, the three peaks represent Montreal’s three mountains. The crest has formal meanings attached to it, and of course, the religious and colonial connotations are present, but it’s more relevant to note that the use of the crest signifies a school grounded in tradition. “[McGill’s modern word mark] reflects a way of trying to link the traditions of the institutions but modernize and demonstrate the relevance to today’s world,” Moore commented. This is something that he noted a lot of newer schools, such as Concordia, are trying to do. Graphic design is a vital component in considering the legacy and impact of an institution. A few shapes and lines must be relevant, impactful, sensitive, and distinct. The graphic designer’s livelihood is based on the knowledge of and the ability to manipulate these tools. But the consumer’s familiarity is equally important; it holds institutions accountable for their public image. Moore and Somal agreed that too few graphic designers as well as consumers are trained in this context of critical thinking, which was why Somal reached out to Moore to help start Design Cooperative. The Cooperative holds free workshops on design techniques, Photoshop, and Illustrator, while discussing the social and political implications of design. “As a designer, it becomes your task to reimagine whatever you’re trying to represent and create possibilities,” Somal said, “that way, you can build a future that you want to live in.”

The McGill Tribune is hiring for the 2016-2017 school year! We’re looking for section editors! Send your CV, a cover letter, and three samples of your work to editor@mcgilltribune.com by March 23rd.

ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT

F r o m t h e V ie w p o int

T h u rs d a y s ( a ) l ive

Lonely Boa was one of the performers at CKUT’s Thursday’s (A)Live (soundcloud.com)

Natasha Michaeloff Contributor It’s Thursday night, and Gerts is buzzing with the low, steady hum of chatter and laughter. It’s not packed with bar-goers, but the crowd that has congregated this evening is laid back and relaxed, made up of a dozen or so small groups of friends huddled over beers. As host to the last Thursdays (A) Live show of the school year— the monthly music showcase organized by McGill’s radio station CKUT- Gerts is the ideal

Tuesday, March 15, 2016

setting for the night’s batch of musicians, all of whom are Montreal-based solo-artists. The first act, Desert Bloom, is the solo project of Rachel Nam, the bassist of the band MagicPerm. As the first musician to kick off the night, nervousness was to be expected—but if she was nervou, it didn’t show. Her music was soft and pleasant, a tad unremarkable, and steeped in synthesizers. Impressively, she inspired some audience members sitting closer to the stage to stand up and sway along. At the end of the set, she received a chorus of

cheers; clearly, she was among friends and fans. Next up was Joy Scouts. Her voice, like her predecessor’s, was light and gentle and her performance was decidedly stripped down in comparison to some of her mixed tracks on SoundCloud, the likes of which feature sounds that seem lifted from an 8-bit video game. She kept it simple: Just a girl and a guitar. It was a choice that proved to be effective. Her dresseddown, slightly awkward stage persona was both disarming and endearing alongside her sharp,

self-aware lyrics. At the moment, she only has two tracks on her SoundCloud, which is a shame. At this point in the evening, more bar patrons appeared to be warming up to the music, as three pulled up chairs to get closer. Third on the list was “bedroom pop” electro-folk act Lonely Boa, made up of fourth-year McGill student Parker Benley and, bizarrely, his “bandmate,” a decapitated mannequin head named Jess. Armed with a laptop, a microphone, and a bass guitar, he kept in the soft-core vein of both previous acts, using pulsing beats and electronic organs to undercut semi-melodic, somber crooning. All the while, Jess gazed out at the crowd atop a speaker, echoing Parker constructed nonchalance. Although his music lacked definitive shape and direction, it was undeniably creative, though upon leaving the stage he did momentarily forget Jess (so much for band camaraderie). The final act of the evening was Sun Astronauts, a lastminute addition to the lineup, headed by Janice Ngiam (or

“Janice Oglandia St Horsington the Third” on her SoundCloud). The history of Janice and Sun Astronauts goes back a few years, with the release of her three-song EP A Little Little in 2011. The titular single of that EP, as it would happen, was a hit in Hong Kong and since then, she has opened for Australian band The Jezabels and Spanish singersongwriter Russian Red. More recently, she joined The Bollands on tour in China in 2014 and the US last year. With all that under her belt, it comes as no surprise that she was the most confident and self-assured performer, singing with a kind of roughness that translated into soulfulness. Janice used loops to mask the absence of a backup band, and it worked: She filled up the whole space with her sound, and by her last song, a handful of her more attentive listeners were full-on dancing unselfconsciously. Indeed, Thursday was alive and well at Gerts. Unfortunately, the music will rest until next semester, when local artists will once again return to grace Gerts with their (much appreciated) presence.

MIxtape REVIEW

Untitled Unmastered Kendrick Lamar Just as Beyoncé surprised her fans by releasing her self-titled album three years ago, earlier this month Kendrick Lamar treated his fans with a surprise mixtape: untitled unmastered . Although at eight tracks, it’s too short to be considered an album, untitled unmastered sounds like a compilation of songs that should have made it into Lamar’s widely acclaimed To Pimp a Butterfly but didn’t. Nonetheless, it is a nice follow-up, as Lamar continues to infuse jazz with hip-hop while delivering forceful critiques of socio-political issues as well as taking an introspective look on his life prior to fame. Notable examples are tracks “untitled 03” and “untitled 05,” wherein Lamar discusses racial stereotypes while stressing the adverse effects of Corporate America on minorities. Furthermore, Lamar opens up about his personality and the internal struggle of being a Gemini (the zodiac sign known for its split persona). This is a recurring theme in songs like “untitled 02” and “untitled 06,” as he admits that the “duality personalities always conflict [him]” and that he “can’t pick a side, the Gemini.” Hence, the album not

only highlights Lamar’s versatility and creativity, but it also suggests that Lamar is currently at the zenith of his musical career. Despite the many similarities between untitled unmastered and To Pimp a Butterfly , the former is mostly reminiscent of Lamar’s debut studio album Section 80 ., as it emulates the predominantly mellowfeely vibe which distinguished it from his later works. For instance, songs like “Hol’ Up” from Section 80 . and “untitled 06” from untitled unmastered are similar in respect to the jazz-incorporated beats which compliment Lamar’s modulated voice. untitled unmastered is not only a follow-up album, but is also one which takes its inspiration from earlier projects. That being said, it appears that by releasing his new album, Lamar is hinting at what his next project might sound like. Rest assured, untitled unmastered is a friendly reminder that King Lamar still holds the reins in hip-hop and will not be dethroned any time soon. —Melissa Dukefe

(thevinylfactory.com)

STANDOUT TRACK

SOUNDS LIKE

BEST LYRICS

“untitled 06,” “untitled 03,” and “untitled 08”

Drake is going to be spending more time in the studio.

“My accolades better than all them”

ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT

Tuesday, March 15, 2016 P o p R h et o ri c

A l o ve l etter t o br o a d c it y

Ilana Glazer (left) and Abbi Jacobson (right) have created a show that clicks with an entire generation. (vulture.com)

Hailey MacKinnon Student Living Editor A new saying has been circulating among my friends after a failed night out or an especially quirky encounter with a stranger: Having a ‘Broad City moment.’ This connotes a mantra, a lifestyle—a way to bask in the sheer ridiculousness that is everyday life as a young ‘adult.’ The description is inspired by Comedy Central’s hit television show, Broad City, which returned for its third season this February. Created by Ilana Glazer and Abbi

F i l m R evie w

Jacobson, the show depicts them as heightened versions of themselves. Ilana is an open-minded pothead who is more concerned with sexually exploring every race, gender, and size, rather than her job as a sales agent for a company called Deals, Deals, Deals. Abbi is an awkward yet confident fine arts graduate, who works during the day as a cleaner at a luxury gym called Soulstice (pronounced Soulsteece), while also trying to make it as an illustrator. On paper it could seem as if the show is a classic comedy duo where Abbi is the ‘straight man’ who sets up jokes for

the eccentric Ilana. In reality, both characters hold their own in terms of respective unique, weird, and funny attributes and habits. Abbi, for example, becomes ‘all caps Abbi’ during competitive games. In a recent episode, the show flashes to a childhood video of her beating and biting a fellow students during a friendly game of Red Rover. The show has been praised by TV critics for many elements, but primarily for its depiction of a more accurate portrait of New York in comparison to shows like Friends or Girls. It features a multicultural, fast-paced, overwhelming, scary,

17 exciting, and dirty city filled with characters like men who dress-up as trees and jump out at passersby, or aggressive pregnant women who run cult-like food co-ops. Similarly, critics have lavished the show with feminist praise for showing two women having good, bad, and weird sex without shame or regret, always laughing about it with each other, and finding comfort in each other’s mistakes and friendship. The show subtly draws the humour out of the absurdities of what is cool or trendy, such as posh and snobby fitness centres or stuckup hipsters who wear purple lipstick and work at Beacon’s Closet. The show doesn’t make a fuss about its diverse cast, like Ilana’s ‘sex friend’ Lincoln, a nerdy black dentist, or Jaimé, a Venezuelan immigrant and Ilana’s sweet, gay, drug-dealing roommate. These characters aren’t put on display as statements about representation in entertainment, but are casually intertwined in the stories narratives; their unique characteristics are embraced in the same way as those of Ilana and Abbi. But there’s something more to the magic of Broad City than its humorous portrayal of two Jewish girls ‘just trying to get by’ in New York City with shitty apartments and shitty jobs—something beyond the corny motto that when life gets you down, your friends build you back up. In fact, it’s the reality that the two characters don’t let much get them down.

Abbi and Ilana approach each day with an intoxicatingly blind optimism. Abbi is excited when her first art piece is shown in a ‘gallery,’ which later turns out to be a sandwich shop. For an episode, she becomes obsessed with a guy at a bar who calls her hot: “I’m cute, but you know, you get the point,” she says. After a worker at Beacon’s Closet brushes the two of them off, Ilana genuinely proclaims: “Well, we remember you, because your hair and lipstick looks cute.” When Abbi and Ilana walk into a trendy rooftop party, Ilana unabashedly claims that the two of them “are the sexiest girls here, cause we have the fattest asses there, you know?” The show approaches uncomfortable or rude moments with positivity and joy. It’s not just the fact that the duo does not look or act like other depictions of millennials on TV—they wear their one expensive outfit to any fancy event, and hang out in dirty, cramped apartments—but Broad City’s charm lies in an honest portrayal of simply doing the best with what you’ve got. In essence, that is what makes the show relatable and hilarious. For my friends and I, having a ‘Broad City moment’ is therefore a way to celebrate finding joy and humour in the wake of moments of disappointment or awkwardness, and keeping this spirit alive as we navigate the ups and downs of young adult life—just as Abbi and Ilana would.

angry young man, then a worldweary old crone. Both incarnations exude the desolation of life in endless expanse of the Amazon and the loneliness of being the last of one’s tribe. Importantly, the film also largely eschews the typical and problematic tropes of other films that deal with colonization and exploration. The indigenous peoples are neither noble stereotypes nor are they savages. On the other hand, the white characters are neither saviours nor cartoonishly evil caricatures; however, that isn’t to say that the film avoids the disastrous legacy of colonialism. Perhaps the most interesting character in the film (save for the Karamakate) is Manduca, a recently freed slave who struggles to cope with both survivor’s guilt and his continued subservience to colonial interests. The film doesn’t spoon feed these issues to the viewer but it also doesn’t mince words. During an awards season that has been marred by questions of racial diversity, a revisitation of the complex origins of prejudice in the Americas might be just what the doctor ordered.

The film is also gorgeous. Simply put, Embrace of the Serpent is a feast for all the senses. Blackand-white cinematography may seem to be a peculiar choice for a film set in the vibrant Amazon rainforest, but it works on every level here, giving the jungle a texture and depth that you simply can’t find anywhere else. The film also uses little non-diegetic sound, instead immersing the viewer in the sounds of the jungle to mesmerizing effect. Though more understated than say, The Revenant, the film’s visual and auditory achievements are as substantial as anything released this year. Overall, it warranted more than just a nod for Best Foreign Film from the Academy. Embrace of the Serpent doesn’t make it easy for you. It assumes that viewers will care about a black-and-white retelling of two century-old rainforest expeditions. Subtitles are a must; the film seems to be in a thousand languages, not one of which is English. But give Embrace of the Serpent an inch, and it’ll give you a mile. Get lost in the jungle. Trust me, you might not want to come back.

E mbra c e o f t h e S er p ent

Embrace of the Serpent uses bracing black-and-white cinematograhpy to tell its story. (hollywoodreporter.com)

Eric Noble-Markes Staff Writer After an Oscar season that was packed to the brim with survivalist epics, viewers could be forgiven for not wanting to see yet another “man vs. nature,” movie. However, if there’s one film that weary audiences should make room for,

it is Embrace of the Serpent. Sure, it doesn’t boast flame-throwing murder guitarists or Leonardo Dicaprio, but this splendid little film out of Colombia may just be awards season’s best kept secret. Ciro Guerra’s spellbinding film tells the story of two explorers separated by thirty years who sperlunk through the treacherous Amazon in search of the sacred

and mysterious yakuruna plant. Blocking their path are disease, infighting, and the spectre of a jungle where everything seems alive and deadly. Connecting the two narratives is Karamakate, an Amazonian shaman who is tasked with guiding each explorer to the sacred plant. He is played to near perfection by Nibio Torres and Antonío Bolivar, first as a stoic but

Sports

Sweet 16

Tuesday, March 15, 2016

final four

elite eight

Sweet 16 N. CAROLINA

KANSAS N. CAROLINA

KANSAS

KENTUCKY

MARYLAND

SOUTH

KANSAS

N. CAROLINA

EAST W. VIRGINIA

MIAMI W. VIRGINIA

VILLAOVA VILLANOVA

XAVIER

KANSAS

Michigan State Virginia

OREGON OREGON

Virginia

DUKE

TEXAS A&M

PURDUE

WEST

Michigan State

OKLAHOMA

MIDWEST Michigan State

OKLAHOMA

UTAH MICHIGAN STATE

OKLAHOMA EDITOR’S CHOICE KANSAS

JAYHAWKS

Michigan State Spartans

Kansas Jayhawks

Kentucky Wildcats

North Carolina Tar Heels

Head Coach Tom Izzo has put together arguably one of his best offensive teams. Led by Denzel Valentine, the most versatile player in college basketball and USA Today’s Playerof-the-Year, the Spartans have been able to overwhelm teams offensively while using their depth and talented young athletes to wear down teams on defence. During March Madness, good coaching, depth and clutch play are all essential factors. Fortunately for die-hard Spartans fans, the combination of Izzo, a deep rotation, and Valentine respectively meet all three of those requirements. The time is here for Izzo’s second championship. — Arman Bery

Rock, chalk, Jayhawk. It might be the easy pick, but it’s the right one. This team is incredibly well-coached—Head Coach Bill Self has a veteran group that is both experienced and deep. In addition to the excellent depth, this team is lights out from beyond the arc. Often, when giants fall in March, they do so to teams that get hot from three point range; Kansas is shooting a mind-boggling 42.6 per cent from three and has six legitimate three-point shooting threats. Since losing three out of five in mid-January, the Jayhawks haven’t lost a game, and have become a lockdown defensive unit. This is the one team that has stood out in an otherwise up-and-down year for college basketball; in the end, their consistent wellrounded play will have them cutting down the nets in a few weeks’ time. — Mayaz Alam

The winners of the SEC basketball tournament have the leadership, coaching, and chip on their shoulder to avenge last year’s elite eight exit and win the NCAA tournament. Point guard Tyler Ulis has been phenomenal this year and couples extremely well with Jamal Murray to give any opposition team the fits. Kentucky has also finished the season on a strong winning streak, and is in a good head space for the NCAA tournament. Offensively, Kentucky is the 10th best team in the nation in one of the toughest divisions. With John Calipari as coach and explosive, intelligent players, Kentucky have enough to win the tournament. — Zikomo Smith

The East’s No.1-seeded North Carolina Tar Heels enter the tournament on a five-game win streak and as the deserving holders of this year’s ACC regular season and tournament titles. UNC enjoys a plethora of scoring options at its disposal, with four players averaging over 12 points a game this season: Brice Johnson (16.6), Joel Berry (12.7), Marcus Paige (12.1), and Justin Jackson (12.1). Big men Kennedy Meeks and Isaiah Hicks will anchor the defence and dominate the boards on both sides of the court. Head Coach Roy Williams will be eager for an eighth career Final Four appearance and a third NCAA title in his 28-year career. The Tar Heels have all the necessary pieces for a title this year—at this point it’s just a matter of execution. — Nick Jasinski

Join the Tribune’s March Madness Bracket at mcgilltribune.mayhem.cbssports.com and use the password “curiositydelivers” $5 buy-in and winner-takes-all! Register and make your picks by 3/17!

Sports

Tuesday, March 15, 2016

McGill’s basketball programs are the best in Quebec (Noah Sutton, Mayaz Alam, Daniel Mortimer / McGill Tribune)

Martlets win fifth straight RSEQ Championship, head to Nationals

Redmen rule, Dufort leaves Love Competition Hall on top

Sylla, Kiss-Rusk both average a double double in dominating performance

McGill defeats UQÁM to claim RSEQ title and fifth seed for CIS Nationals

Mayaz Alam Editor-in-Chief Winning isn’t easy, but the McGill Martlet basketball program sure makes it look that way. Capping off a fantastic season in which they only lost one game in the RSEQ competition, the Martlets captured their fifth consecutive RSEQ Championship. For Martlets Head Coach Ryan Thorne, this win was different than those in previous years. “It’s the end of the career for some of these special people to me like Dianna Ros and Gabriela Hebert being here for five years, and every year they’ve won a championship,” Thorne said. “Sometimes you feel like it has to do more with you but it doesn’t. It’s those kids, their commitment, their effort, their work–so definitely this one seems a little more special.” With the 71-56 victory over the Laval Rouge et Or in Saturday’s final, the team heads to the CIS National Championships next week at the University of New Brunswick as the No. 1 seed. They’ll be looking to improve on last year’s silver medal, which is currently the best finish in school history. Fans and the McGill community are starting to notice that a powerhouse program plays in Love Competition Hall: The semifinal game against the Concordia Stingers broke the attendance record for a women’s basketball game at McGill; the final saw 657 fans in attendance, 70 more than in McGill’s 85-60 win against Concordia, setting a new record. Headlining the weekend for McGill were bigs Alex Kiss-Rusk and Mariam Sylla, who dominated both the Stingers’ and Rouge et Or frontline, as they have this entire season. Both averaged upwards of 20 points and 10 rebounds per game for the weekend. Although McGill’s one-two punch of Kiss-Rusk

and Sylla is arguably the best forward combo in the country, Thorne cites the team’s resilience as its greatest asset, given the injuries to rotation players Gladys Hakizimana and Jen Silver. “Our biggest strength has always been our depth, but with our injuries right now [it’s] probably just our cohesiveness and the fact that we play well as a unit,” Thorne said. “There’s a lot of love on this team and they want to win for each other. There’s not that individualistic style of play [...] it’s what can I do to help my team win and I think that’s a huge advantage.” The Martlets showed this willingness to sacrifice for the good of the team in both of its games over the weekend. Against Concordia, the team was down 20-12 in the first quarter before battling back and winning the three quarters that followed. Against Laval, the Martlets found themselves down at the end of the first half. The Rouge et Or, who blew out the UQAM Citadins 67-48 to get to the final, proved to be a worthy opponent and forced the hosts to dig deep. When the Martlets had their back against the wall, they turned to Sylla. As she has done throughout her career, the senior guided the team to victory, scoring 10 of her 22 points in a pivotal third quarter. Although Sylla is nearing the end of her career, the journey is far from over. “It was a really emotional game, especially at the end, because it was probably my last game at McGill,” Sylla said. “At the start I think we didn’t have the start we wanted because we were stressed and our shots weren’t falling, but we kept fighting. I’m really, really proud of my team and I’m really lucky to be a part of this group [....] Right now, we’re just going for that National [Championship] we didn’t get last year, that’s the goal now.”

Zikomo Smith Sports Editor On Saturday, the sold-out Love Competition Hall screamed “MVP” for senior guard Vincent Dufort, Redmen basketball Head Coach David DeAveiro received an ice-bucket shower, and the Redmen squad converged together, hugging and hollering, in the middle of the court after the final whistle. McGill had just claimed its third RSEQ title in four years, and earned a spot at the CIS National Championships. Dufort starred with 21 points and 8 rebounds, as McGill overcame a persistent UQÁM side 78-67. The joy after the buzzer reflected the hard work of one of Canada’s most highly-touted teams. “It feels amazing,” Dufort, who played his final game at Love Competition Hall with the Redmen, said. “It’s just an amazing bunch of guys and it’s so awesome to be able to win it for them and for Coach [DeAveiro] who does so much for our team, and it is awesome to leave on a good note for him.” McGill started slowly, conceding an 1813 deficit in the first quarter; UQÁM’s excellent outside, midrange, and free throw shooting proved a threat for the entire game. “I think that we have a group that when we play well, when we share the ball and we make the extra pass […] we are as good an offensive team as anyone,” Head Coach Nate Philippe of the UQÁM Citadins explained. “We definitely made a lot of progress throughout the year and I am very proud of our group.” McGill performed effectively against UQÁM guards Kewyn Blain, Greishe Clerjuste, and Rubens Poteau. The trio hit some key shots throughout the game and made 11 of their 12 free throws; however, McGill ultimately held them to a combined 15 of 43 shooting. Clerjust, who had 24 points in the semifinals against Concordia, only made 4 of 14 shots. “We were trying to keep him to his weak hand–his right hand–most of the time and be in his face because he is a very good catch and shoot

[player].” DeAveiro explained. “We wanted to put more pressure on him and close the areas down.” After the first quarter, McGill stormed ahead, playing aggressive basketball and hitting key shots. Dufort led the way with strong drives to the basket, and excellent rebounding against UQÁM’s tall front line. Junior guard Dele Ogundokun and junior point forward Jenning Leung shot with authority from the three–point line to hit a combined six treys. Junior guard Michael Peterkin played with energy off the bench, hauling in nine rebounds. UQÁM held its own until the final quarter, where the visitors were worn down by McGill’s all-round, tenacious effort. “[Confident], I think that’s what we have been all year,” DeAveiro said. “Our biggest strength has been our fourth quarter. I think we have won almost every fourth quarter we have played this year. For us, it is about imposing our will on our opponents, and sticking to our plan.” McGill displayed their versatility over the Final 4 weekend: The Redmen overcame a stretch of poor shooting in the semifinals to race away from Laval in the second half. A number of players stepped up their games on the offensive end when the Redmen were most in need, in particular Dufort, Leung, and sophomore centre Noah Daoust. On defence, McGill was disciplined and overwhelming, with Peterkin and sophomore forward François Bourque effective on the offensive glass, as well as Ogundokun running past screens to defend on the perimeter. McGill enters nationals as one of the most feared defensive teams in the country. The 2015-2016 season has been a vindication of one of the best McGill squads in recent history; they started strongly, overcame a post-Christmas shooting slump to win seven of their last eight RSEQ games, and now have a pennant to cap it off. McGill hopes to display its savvy and talent in the CIS Championships. “It’s going to take an entire team effort,” Dufort said. “I think we have the talent to do it. If everyone comes together, we play hard on defence and we trust each other, I think we can come home with [the CIS Championship].”

Sports

Tuesday, March 15, 2016

Pep meets the Prem Pep Guardiola, football’s most decorated manager, faces new challenges in the BPL Simon Thara Contributor The winter transfer period ended on Jan. 31 and saw many high profile moves; however, the man to steal the spotlight was not a player, but well-decorated manager Pep Guardiola. The Spanish gaffer, who is currently guiding Bayern Munich to its third Bundesliga title since his arrival in 2013, announced he would sign a long-term contract with 2014 Barclays Premier League (BPL) champions Manchester City after the 2016 season. After all his success, the world can finally see if Pep can handle a resolute Stoke City outfit on a wet Tuesday night. No one doubts Guardiola’s credentials—everything he touches turns to gold. However, if the 2015-16 season of the BPL is anything to go by, he is about to enter the most volatile and unpredictable league in world soccer. Current leaders Leicester City were in the relegation this time last year, and former

champions and pre-season favourites Chelsea are drowning in the lower half of the table, fighting to qualify for Europa League. Pep may continue his gold streak in the BPL, but he must be a little wary of a league with such little consistency. English first-tier football is a new kind of challenge: Pep must navigate the rigorous schedules that Manchester City will face. Balancing the European Champions League, the FA Cup, the League Cup, and the BPL is a feat very few squads can manage. Unlike in the German and Spanish leagues, English teams don’t get a Christmas break. Guardiola will encounter unprecedented fitness and squad depth conundrums. This season, Manchester City has been inconsistent in part due to constant injuries. Pep must quickly find the balance to create a squad with enough mental and physical stamina to make it through the season. Another challenge is the amount of money in the league

and the wealth of BPL clubs. Last year, according to the BBC , the average club revenue in the BPL was £181 million, compared to the German Bundesliga or Spanish La Liga reporting values of £126 million and £79 million respectively. Indeed, the BPL is on the verge of a new £5.14 billion TV rights deal with Sky Sports. These numbers allow English teams to attract high profile talent and stay competitive. For example, Xherdan Shaqiri, Ibrahim Affelay, and Bojan, all Champions League winners are playing for mid-table, Stoke City. Spanish Beasts, Real Madrid and Barcelona, or even the French champions PSG, do not face that type of talent in mid-table teams. Finally, the pace of the English game is unmatched, and the art of Tiki Taka passing, a tactic Pep imposes in all of his squads, will definitely be tested by the aggressive defensive play of the BPL. Daley Blind, who signed with Manchester United last season, said that the

Pep conquered the continent. Can he conquer England? (www.ghettoradio.co.ke) consistently fast-paced nature of every game left him tired and required him to improve his game greatly. These are but some of the reasons that very talented players suffer in the Premier League, as well as great managers like Andreas Villas Boas. Guardiola is a quality

manager, and the world expects him to achieve at Manchester City. Yet undoubtedly this will be the greatest test of his managerial career. The world looks forward to seeing him on the side of the pitch, barking out instructions to his players. Finally we will be able to see if Pep can really do it on a cold, windy night in Stoke.

Martlets battle but leave CIS volleyball Nationals empty-handed McGill ends strong season with two losses at tournament hard and dig as well as anyone.”—Coach Beliveau on the Martlet’s style of play.

Nick Jasinski Sports Editor Of the eight teams at last weekend’s 2016 CIS Women’s Volleyball Championship, hosted by Brandon University in Brandon, Manitoba, the RSEQ runner-up McGill Martlets were the No. 7 seed. The Martlets last appeared at the tournament in 2012 after the best season in the history of the program, finishing with a bronze medal. This season, the Martlets went 15-7 against RSEQ opponents, losing to rivals Montréal Carabins in the playoffs’ championship match. The Martlets were one of only five teams to be ranked nationally in all 15 weekly coaches’ polls this season. Their overall record of 3216 tied for the second-highest win total in McGill volleyball history, only three wins short of the school record. The Trinity Western Spartans–last year’s national champions–entered the tournament as the top seed, with the Carabins being the second RSEQ team at the competition. McGill’s first matchup of the weekend came against the number two seed and eventual 2016 CIS champion Toronto Varsity Blues. Up two games to one, the Martlets looked about to win the quarter-final when they took a 23-19 lead in the

Moment of the tournament

McGill rallied from a seven point deficit to win the third set of Friday’s game against the Toronto Varsity Blues, winning 27-25 in extra points.

A tough loss capped an excellent Martlet season. (www.mcgillathletics.com) fourth game. But the Varsity Blues rallied to score six straight points and force a tiebreaker, which they won 15-13. Despite the heartbreaking defeat, Martlet captain Yasmeen Dawoodjee— the only member of the team to have competed at CIS nationals before—set a new McGill record of 60 assists in the game. Senior power hitter Catherine Amyot was the game’s top scorer, racking up 23 points in the loss. The player of the game for McGill was Sophomore Myriam Robitaille, who registered 22.5 points on 19 kills and five stuff blocks. “I think overall we played a very good match,” Martlet head coach Rachele Beliveau said. “We fought really hard [....] The players on the court stayed calm and kept playing [through

adversity].” Beliveau, a former Canadian volleyball Olympian, was named this season’s RSEQ Coachof-the-Year and is in her 25th season as head coach at McGill. After their loss to the Varsity Blues, the Martlets progressed to a consolation-round game against the Dalhousie Tigers and once again took the match to five sets. Unfortunately, the Martlets were unable to finish their season on a high note, committing eight errors in the final set of the game and losing 3-2 once again. The 5-foot-8, graduating senior Dawoodjee had another dominant performance in her final game for McGill, coming up with 51 assists, while Amyot once again led the team in points with 21. Regardless of the weekend’s

results, the Martlets had an excellent year, and will build on their championship experience next season. “I’m very proud of what we’ve done this year,” Beliveau said. “We came from being ranked fourth in Quebec for the last three seasons [...] so we have to look at the whole, overall picture and not just a weekend, even though I thought we played really well.”

Stat corner

Both of McGill’s games were marathons, lasting 2:10 and 2:00 against Toronto and Dalhousie, respectively.

Quotable

“Our style may not be as powerful as some teams but we are quick and agile. We compete

See coverage of the 2016 CIS Indoor Track and Field Championships at mcgilltribune. com/sports