McGill Tribune Vol. 38 Issue 16

The McGill Tribune Published by the SPT, a student society of McGill University

TUESDAY, JANUARY 29, 2019 | VOL. 38 | ISSUE 16

EDITORIAL

FEATURE

Students can’t afford Doug Ford

Looking back, moving forward

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McGILLTRIBUNE.COM | @McGILLTRIBUNE

STUDENT LIVING The best online resources for apartment hunting PG. 10

(Gabe Helfant / The McGill Tribune)

Tribune Explains: Deputy Provost, Student Life and Learning

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Reflecting on the Quebec Mosque shooting two years later Abeer Almahdi Opinion Editor I remember crying when I first heard about the Quebec City Mosque shooting.

I saw the faces of my father, my uncles, and my friends in the faces of the victims.

I remember asking how this could have happened in a country that claims to value

immigrants and diversity. I was stressed about college applications, since most of my options were in Canada, McGill being my first choice. My father, an Egyptian Muslim, tried to console me, telling me that a few bad apples shouldn’t ruin the bunch, and that, ultimately, I would be safer and happier in Canada than I would be back home. I believed him.

SEDE to be replanted in new offices McGill’s SEDE Office to redistribute functions to other departments

Krithika Ragupathi Contributor The McGill Reporter announced on Aug. 9 that McGill’s Social Equity and Diversity Education (SEDE) Office is being restructured to prioritize equity issues on campus. Toward the end of the 2017-18 academic year, students responded to these changes negatively and criticized the administration for

proceeding without consulting the student body, prompting the administration to hold upcoming consultations on Feb. 12.

The SEDE office opened its doors in the fall of 2005 as a result of discussion among students, administration, and other community members on issues of harassment and discrimination on campus.

Since then, SEDE has run various projects that focus on community engagement and

equity in education, including Homework Help at Kahnawá:ke Survival School, Black History Month, and Indigenous Awareness Week.

“Basically, what we’re trying to do is take the different functions […of] the SEDE office and [put] them in locations where they’re going to be strengthened,” Fabrice Labeau, interim deputy provost (Student Life & Learning), said.

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I believed him all through my first semester. I believed him until I was walking home one night from a restaurant on St. Catherine street, when a man began to follow me home, yelling “Go back home, terrorist!” I started seeing posters around Milton-Parc by Generation Identity, a white-supremacist group that is known to recruit on university campuses, displaying

Islamophobic and anti-immigrant rhetoric. As an Egyptian-Canadian Muslim, I think that we must own up to and address our Islamophobia.

Hate crimes against racialized people and religious minorities, especially Muslims, is on the rise. Islamophobia is more prevalent in Quebec than in any other province.

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Elementary, my dear Watson

Celebrating the 150th anniversary of the periodic table Morgan Sweeney Staff Writer Everything is made of something. Books are made of pages, which are made of paper, which is made of wood. All of these items are made up of molecular complexes that break down into tiny atoms. What differentiates these atoms from one an-

other is the number of subatomic particles, protons and neutrons, that compose them. This is what makes elements distinct from one another.

For a long time, people didn’t know what anything was made of.

This ignorance persisted until the protoscience of alchemy birthed chemistry almost four hundred years ago. Early chemists

initially found elements haphazardly, labelling and mislabelling them as they went, until the invention of the periodic table of elements.

“Truth be told, chemical knowledge at the time was pretty chaotic,” Joe Schwarcz, director of the McGill Office for Science and Society, wrote in an email to The McGill Tribune.

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NEWS

TUESDAY, JANUARY 29, 2019

SEDE to be replanted in new offices

McGill’s SEDE Office to redistribute functions to other departments Krithika Ragupathi Contributor Continued from page 1.

“Among the things we’ve done is relocate some people from the office of the Provost and [...] created a few additional jobs within these offices. Some of the other activities of SEDE are moving to student services, so the portion that has to do with the family care coordinator is now going to be integrated in the new [Rossy Student Wellness Hub].”

The changes include moving equity education and employment programs to the Office of the Provost as well as moving outreach and community services programs to the Enrollment Services building.

A student-run Facebook campaign called “McGill Needs SEDE” was created in early December to protest the restructuring. The campaign’s open letter to Associate Provost (Equity and Academic Policies) Angela Campbell, urging the administration to stop the SEDE office from closing, garnered over 250 signatures from students and alumni. The letter stated that the decision to restructure SEDE put funding for community engagement projects at risk. “[I eventually] read [the letter], but it was never sent to me,” Campbell said in an interview with The McGill Tribune. “I

read a version that was online in December.

Someone sent it to me, but the people who drafted the letter never sent it to me.”

Campbell responded to student inquiries regarding the closure of SEDE in an article in the Reporter, stating that SEDE was not closing, as the student open-letter had suggested. She clarified that SEDE would likely not exist at its current location, 3610 McTavish, and that the community engagement work will continue through Enrollment Services.

“There was never a communication that anything was going to be discontinued or even scaled back,” Campbell said.

“In fact, the resources, both financial and human, that have been put into equity and community engagement have been made much more robust in the last two years.”

The specifics of SEDE’s continuing operations remain unclear.

“I’ve been told nothing is going to be lost,” Jacob Shapiro, Students’ Society of McGill University (SSMU) vice-president (VP) University Affairs, said. “I think that’s something students will be on board with even though the question becomes […] where is the space where people will feel included? And are there going to be more or less of them?”

Funding to SEDE has previously been an issue. In 2014, SEDE office workers were anxious about having to potentially

An open letter urging McGill administration to preserve the SEDE office garnered over 250 signatures. (mcgill.ca/equity_diversity) reduce programming following provincial budget cuts the previous winter.

“One of my main concerns is that students who have been part of these programs, who have benefitted from these programs, were never consulted about what the future of these programs should be,” Ananya Nair, Arts Undergraduate Society’s community engagement commissioner, said.

For the upcoming consultations on Feb. 12, Campbell intends to meet with student associations, particularly underrepresented groups on campus, to gather input from students on current and future equity initiatives.

“We heard you didn’t feel consulted about these changes in SEDE,” Campbell said. “We really regret that. We want to have an opportunity to hear from you.”

AUS Councillors debate electoral systems

Quebec Studies students break precedent with in-person voting Ahmad El-Zammar Contributor The Arts Undergraduate Society (AUS) held a Legislative Council meeting on Jan. 16. to address recurring electoral issues, some of which were noticeable sources of tension among movers.

Punitive electoral measures When running for office, AUS candidates currently have a ‘threestrike process’ for infractions of the electoral bylaws and the society’s constitution. AUS President Maria Thomas proposed replacing the process with a more adaptable demerit system.

Under the new system, transgressors would collect demerit points for committing specific infractions, including engaging in deception, bribery, or posting over another candidate’s campaign material. Elections AUS may decide to issue a formal warning based on an individual’s demerit points or even have the candidate disqualified.

With respect to the new system, Joshua Werber, vice-president (VP) External of the Religious Studies Undergraduate Society (RSUS), proposed that Elections AUS should be required to instruct candidates on how to appeal its punitive measures.

AUS President Maria Thomas moved to replace the current three-strike system for electoral legislation enfractures.

(Lauren Benson-Armer / The McGill Tribune) “Simply because a lot of students may not know how,” Werber said.

“Even though it is a simple process, it might seem murky.”

Online Voting The Quebec Studies Student Association (QSSA) attempted to opt-out of AUS’ online elections system and was given permission to hold its elections internally. QSSA VP External Anaïs Lepine-Lopez argued that, given that they only represent approximately 10 departmental minor students, her

department’s size should be taken into account when deciding whether or not online voting ought to be implemented.

“An online platform is not effective for us,” Lepine-Lopez said.

“We’re a small department.”

A compromise deal passed unopposed. QSSA was permitted to hold in-person elections but only if it conducted online voting in unison, thereby assuaging concerns raised about setting an ambiguous precedent.

The move for internal elections became a contested issue when the

Classics Student Association (CSA) pointed out that it had been denied a similar request in the past. CSA VP External Sara Merker expressed her confusion as to what standard procedure is.

“I tried to pass basically the same exact motion at our last meeting, and it got denied,” Merker said. “We have a department where you can fit everyone in a room to vote together, and that was kind of the point, and, so, I just don’t know whether taking this on a case-bycase basis with mixed results is going to be an issue.”

Thomas expressed doubt as to the suitability of internal voting altogether, seeing it as a potential hindrance for some voters.

“I just like don’t think this is the best idea for accessibility,” Thomas said. “I do think, though, that [the motion] should be amended, if the movers are open to it, to both [...meet] in a room and [have] an online option because you just, can’t anticipate someone being sick [on election day] or something like that.”

Anticipating low voter turnout, executive members of the Religious Studies Undergraduate Society (RSUS) moved to hold interviews for filling the department’s executive positions instead of holding an election.

They ultimately decided, however, to rescind their motion and send it to a subcommittee for further review.

Arts Senator Madeline Wilson dismissed the RSUS’s fears.

“If you think that [an election] is too much work; being a student executive is also work,” said Wilson.

“If someone doesn’t want to run for an election, maybe they would not be up for the responsibilities of that position.”

The RSUS’ request will be reexamined at the next AUS council meeting, following the subcommittee’s report.

AUS Legislative Council will reconvene on Jan. 30 at 6:00 pm.

NEWS

TUESDAY, JANUARY 29, 2019

SSMU Council hears $19 million student housing pitch

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Students report sexual harassment on campus at night

Students call for extra security during exam periods

Councillors debate opposition to pipeline McEan Taylor Contributor

The Students’ Society of McGill University (SSMU) held their first Legislative Council of 2019 on Jan. 24. As this is the final semester in SSMU executives’ terms, some pushed major legislation to the forefront.

SSMU invites UTILE to research affordable housing options for students General Coordinator of L’Unité de travail pour l’implantation de logement étudiant (UTILE) Laurent Levesque introduced an affordable student housing project to the council. UTILE is a non-profit organization in Quebec that promotes and develops affordable student housing in cooperation with student unions. Although SSMU does not sit on UTILE’s board of student directors, it has collaborated with the organization since 2014.

Levesque summarized UTILE’s 60-page proposition on how SSMU could create new affordable housing.

“The first [option] looked into was Royal Victoria Hospital,” Levesque said.

“We researched residential conversion [...involving buying] existing housing, [lowering] rents, and [offering] it to students. We [also] looked into two different construction scenarios: A medium-rise which is four to six stories or a high-rise which means eight or more stories.”

UTILE explored each option based on criteria such as environmental impact, risk, and quality of life for tenants. Each proposal carried some complications, but Levesque noted that a medium-sized construction project would be ideal.

“The average rent per room in this recommended scenario would be $650 [amenities included],” Levesque said. “About 58 per cent of students pay more than that.”

The suggested 150-unit building is estimated to cost $19 million to construct.

Fortunately for SSMU, part of UTILE’s mission is to connect student unions with investors to fund construction. Levesque estimated that SSMU would only need to pay $1.6 million out of pocket, and could use government and private investments to make up the difference.

SSMU President Tre Mansdoerfer and Vice-President (VP) University Affairs Jacob Shapiro expressed a strong interest in the project and planned for time to be allocated outside of Council for discussion and questions.

Solidarity with Unis’tot’en Camp in Wet’suwet’en In 2010, Unis’tot’en members built a cabin directly on the path of a proposed Coastal GasLink pipeline that would cut through their territory in northern British Columbia. They argued that their hereditary chiefs retain ownership of the land and did not consent to construction. More recently, the government deployed Royal Canadian Mounted Police Force (RCMP) tactical officers on Jan. 7 to breach the Unis’tot’en Camp.

In conjunction with SSMU Indigenous Affairs Commissioner Tomas Jirousek, Council members submitted a motion declaring SSMU’s solidarity with the Unis’tot’en. Senate Caucus Representative Bryan Buraga was primarily responsible for the motion.

“This motion would [urge] SSMU to pledge their support for the Unis’tot’en as well as communicate this position to [the] local [Member of Parliament] and Minister of Justice,” Buraga said.

SSMU’s motion originally mentioned their opposition to the Coastal GasLink pipeline. However, several Council members raised concerns with this statement.

“The truth is that a lot of McGill students will be employed [in the gas and oil market], especially engineers,” Club Councillor Victoria Flaherty said. “If we move the amendment [to remove opposition], it would be more representative [of] the McGill population.”

In response, the original statement was amended to remove direct opposition to the pipeline. Buraga argued that this did not constitute a major change, as the motion still called for the signing of a pledge opposed to the pipeline.

“We denounce attempts by Coastal GasLink Pipeline, federal and provincial government, or RCMP to interfere in the rights of the Unis’tot’en,” the third clause of the pledge reads.

Jacob Shapiro objected to what he believes is a contradictory stance on the matter.

“It is lacking [in] transparency [on the part of SSMU] to take away an action that we’re clearly doing,” Shapiro said. “We will still be in opposition to the pipeline [due to the citation], we just won’t say we are in opposition.”

The motion ultimately passed without explicit opposition to the pipeline itself but in favour of the show of solidarity.

SSMU will hold its next Council meeting on Feb. 7.

Abeer Almahdi Opinion Editor Content warning: Sexual harassment With midterm exams approaching, McGill libraries will soon be open for 24 hours, meaning that more students will be out late studying. Several students have reported seeing people masturbating on campus during the past year, often at night, and have been disappointed in the precautionary efforts. The risks on McGill’s downtown campus are partly mitigated by measures for students walking home alone, such as emergency phone lines and student-run groups like Walksafe and Drivesafe. Yet, these measures can sometimes fail to provide timely or adequate responses. On Dec. 9, Kirsten Vanderlinde (U1 Arts) was walking to the McLennan-Redpath library complex when a man approached her and started masturbating.

“I got to campus at 12:30 [a.m] and I was right at the Y-intersection, and the guy had asked me where the closest metro was [...], and it was dark,” Vanderlinde said. “But then I noticed that the person’s arm was moving kind of weird [...], and then I followed his arm and [...saw] that he was masturbating right in the middle of our campus.”

Vanderlinde claims that she informed McGill security of the incident immediately afterward and that the staff laughed at her complaint. She subsequently wrote a post on the McGill Entering Class 2017-18 Facebook group, warning students about a potential sex offender on campus.

“When I got to the library, I told the security guard and she laughed about it,” Vanderlinde said. “I can understand why you think that’s funny, but it’s your job to keep people safe. I had to call [security] the next day to find out what they did. They [said] they searched the area [...], but they didn’t find him.”

Manraj Grewal (U1 Science) witnessed a similar incident the following week.

“Around 9 p.m. [...], I was walking back on Sherbrooke [...], and as I was approaching the Roddick Gates [...], this man walks up to me, [and] he’s masturbating,” Grewal said. “[He] asked me where the nearest metro station [was....] I cussed him out but he started walking away really fast [....] I walked back to the library [and] told security.”

Grewal made a post in the same McGill group on

Two students report indecent exposure by the same man last Dec. (Gabe Helfant / The McGill Tribune)

Dec. 15, alerting students of her similar incident on campus. She had previously seen Vanderlinde’s post and said the alleged offender matched Vanderlinde’s description.

Vanderlinde and Grewal’s cases are not unique.

Two other McGill students, Danielle*, U2 Science, and Jane*, U0 Arts, whose names will remain anonymous, were both victims of similar instances of sexual harassment on campus in 2018, though they identified different offenders. “[Last March], I was in RVC and I was taking a break from studying,” Danielle said. “At some point, I look out the window [...] and I [see] a guy standing [...]

Then I look down and start realizing [that he’s masturbating].”

Jane recalled walking to her residence at night when she allegedly saw a man masturbating by Molson Stadium. According to Jane, a similar incident occurred a few days later at the same location. Both Jane and Danielle claim to have experienced lasting trauma. “[I] felt quite violated, [...] sexual harassment is never a good feeling,” Jane said. “It’s different when it’s something that obvious [...] and it’s right next to where you live, and it’s a place you have to walk [by] every day.

It made me feel quite violated in a location I can’t avoid.”

Vanderlinde was frustrated with McGill security’s alleged lack of response to her disclosure. She believes that McGill security should provide extra protection during exam periods when libraries like Schulich and McLennan-Redpath are open 24 hours a day.

“I understand that our campus is downtown, and you can’t prevent everybody from coming onto campus, [...] but I also feel like that is such an obvious thing that [security] could have spotted,” Vanderlinde said. “When the school does have the library open for 24 hours, they know that students are going to be around here later at night because of that, [and] they should try to keep the area around school safer during that time.”

According to McGill security services’ annual report, there were 15 reports of ‘Indecent Exposure or Peeping’ in the 2016-17 year, but the numbers decreased to nine reports in the 2017-18 year. McGill security did not respond to requests for comment by press time. *The names of these sources have been modified to protect their anonymity.

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NEWS

TUESDAY, JANUARY 29, 2019

SUS proposes raising fees to remedy struggling budget Annual election upcoming in February Kate Addison Contributor McGill’s Science Undergraduate Society (SUS) held their second annual General Assembly (GA) of 2019 on Jan 23. The meeting was an opportunity for the SUS executive team to discuss upcoming elections, consider the aftermath of the recent Science Games, and propose an increase in the society’s membership fees.

Referendum to raise SUS membership SUS president Reem Mandil introduced a motion to add three referendum questions to the ballot for the upcoming SUS elections: The renewal of the Lab Improvement Fund—which has been in place since the 1980s—changes to the SUS constitution related to executive portfolios, and a hike in the SUS membership fee from $12.30 to $15.30 per semester.

This three dollar increase of the membership fee is expected to generate a profit of $27,285, most of which would be used to hire an accountant to manage the

SUS budget. While it may be unwelcome news to some, Vice-President (VP) Finance Dylan Wong compared SUS’s fee to the fees of other societies’ pricier membership fees.

“The Engineering Undergraduate Society (EUS) […] charge[s] $28 per semester, and the Management Undergraduate Society (MUS) charges $30 [per] semester,” Wong said. “We’ve not necessarily been as financially sound as we could be.”

Several other faculties are able to raise funds through their student bars, such as Bar-des-Arts and Blues Pub, but the Faculty of Science does not. The last time SUS raised its membership fee was five years ago, however, neither McGill nor SUS put into effect adjustments to match inflation. Had this been the case, the membership fee would currently be $13.56.

SUS elections fast approaching SUS elections will occur throughout February. The council voted 27-1 to ratify Chip Smith as the new Chief Returning Officer (CRO), who will be responsi-

ble for facilitating SUS elections.

Polling will begin after Feb. 19, and results will be in by Feb 25. In the lead-up to voting, a “Meet the Candidates” event will be hosted on Feb. 15 as an opportunity for McGill students to meet the students running for positions.

There are seven SUS positions up for election, including the position of Science Representative to the Students’ Society of McGill University (SSMU). Former representative Moses Milchberg has recently resigned; given the timing, the SUS has decided not to host a by-election and substitutes will attend to his duties until a replacement is elected.

Science Games an overall success VP Internal Zlata Plotnikova considered SUS’s recent Science Games a success.

“Science Games are over, nobody died,” Plotnikova said.

With the drinking and festivities, the safety of the participants was a serious concern for the SUS council. Plotnikova manually cross-checked that the 913 partici-

A meet the candidates event will be hosted on Feb 15.

(Daria Kiseleva / The McGill Tribune) pants had completed their waivers prior to participating. She reported that measures to educate students on the risks of the event such as the waiver meant that the 2019 Science Games caused no liability for SUS. “[SUS] should have made around two to three thousand dollars, if not more, from this year

[from science games],” Plotnikova said.

While this profit is good news for SUS Council, the money will be going straight to the start-up fund for Frosh, which tends to run a deficit.

SUS council will reconvene on Feb. 6 at 7:00 pm in Leacock 232.

Tribune Explains: Deputy Provost, Student Life and Learning A new Deputy Provost will be selected this year

Heather Weinreb Contributor In a message to the McGill community, Provost and VicePrincipal (Academic) Christopher Manfredi announced the selection of a new Deputy Provost (Student Life and Learning) by Summer 2019. The candidate, who will lead the Office for Student Life and Learning (OSLL) over a five-year mandate, will be selected by an advisory committee to the principal comprised of staff and students.

What does the Office of Student Life and Learning do?

The OSLL encompasses six departments: Student Services, the Office of the Dean of Students, Student Housing and Hospitality Services, Enrollment Services, Athletics and Recreation, and Teaching and Learning Services. Its role is to offer practical services to the McGill community to assist its members in all aspects of university life.

Recently, the OSLL developed a McGill app, which is now available for download on Apple and Android devices. The app serves as a digital organizer for everything school-related. Users can arrange and share their class schedules with friends, sign up for McGill events,

use the maps function to find specific buildings, and communicate via its messaging platform.

The OSLL has also helped organize McGill’s second caiSES (Canadian collaboration with the American Indian Science and Engineering Society) conference, which will bring indigenous students and professionals together at McGill from Mar. 1-3. The conference serves to provide a platform for students interested in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) to share their success stories, network, and meet with corporations looking to hire.

What does the Deputy Provost do?

As leader of the OSLL, the Deputy Provost oversees 650 employees and sets the agenda for the office’s projects. In his message to The McGill Tribune, interim Deputy Provost Fabrice Labeau explained that the office of the Deputy Provost provides strategic guidance by setting the agenda for the OSLL and gives support in the form of HR, finance, and communications.

How will a new Deputy Provost be selected?

In the coming months, a new Deputy Provost will be selected by an advisory board consisting of members of the Senate, the Board of Governors (BoG), and the student body. The advisory committee will also refine how the role of the Deputy Provost is structured. To do so, the advisory committee encourages feedback from the McGill community and welcomes any comments that address the qualifications a new Deputy Provost should possess, the challenges faced by the McGill community, and any suggestions about how to address these challenges over a five to 10 year period.

Additionally, the advisory committee will be holding in-person sessions with the McGill community on Feb. 6 from 10:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. in the James Administration Building, room 301.

As part of McGill’s Wellness Week, students and staff are in-

The Deputy Provost leads the Office for Student Life and Learning. (Sabrina Girard-Lamas / The McGill Tribune)

vited to chat with current Deputy Provost Fabrice Labeau on Jan. 29. Those interested can sign up for a time slot and are encouraged to share questions, concerns, and suggestions relating to life at McGill.

Due to the broad scope of the role, meetings with the larger McGill community are crucial to ensuring that this position represents the values and priorities of the stu-

dents and staff.

“We as a community have the power to define what this appointment will mean for us,” Labeau said.

Comments on the Deputy Provost selection process can be sent to advisories@mcgill.ca.

OPINION 5 5 OPiNiON

TUESDAY, TUESDAY, JANUARY JANUARY 22, 29,2019 2019

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EDiTOriAL BOArD Editor-in-Chief Marie Labrosse editor@mcgilltribune.com Creative Director Elli Slavitch eslavitch@mcgilltribune.com Managing Editors Ariella Garmaise agarmaise@mcgilltribune.com Stephen Gill sgill@mcgilltribune.com Calvin Trottier-Chi ctrottier-chi@mcgilltribune.com

News Editors Andras Nemeth, Caitlin Kindig & Laura Oprescu news@mcgilltribune.com Opinion Editors Keating K. Reid & Abeer Almahdi opinion@mcgilltribune.com Science & Technology Editor Katherine Lord scitech@mcgilltribune.com Student Living Editor Emma Carr studentliving@mcgilltribune.com Features Editor Dylan Adamson features@mcgilltribune.com Arts & Entertainment Editors Katia Innes & Sophie Brzozowski arts@mcgilltribune.com Sports Editors Gabe Nisker & Miya Keilin sports@mcgilltribune.com Design Editors Arshaaq Jiffry & Erica Stefano design@mcgilltribune.com Photo Editor Gabriel Helfant photo@mcgilltribune.com Multimedia Editor Tristan Surman multimedia@mcgilltribune.com Web Developers Luya Ding webdev@mcgilltribune.com Tristan Sparks online@mcgilltribune.com

EDITORIAL EDITORIAL Keeping transportation Student’sMontreal’s can’t afford Doug Ford on track to accessibility On Jan. 17, the Ontar- program entirely, instead of- Ford government’s gutting ous blow to students’ ability government gives these

to lobby institutions for nec- changes particular resoio government announced fering a 10 per cent tuition of OSAP. cityonbeyond reacheschange. of those doesThis little Many financial commuters, including nance. Moreover, the six per ManyOPUS stu- cards.

Depending a stu-the essary cut forcurrently all students. is to provide multiple changes Increased investment can fix with reduced mobility.

McGill’s them with transport services: students, rely on infrastructure for university students, in- not an equal trade-off: The dent’s program, they can dent unions actively lobby cent of McGill students who problems.

Building is full ofprovincial similar barriers Only out students of 68 metro stations like public receive OSAP funding will and federalmany gov-of these expect to paycampus $500–$2,000 cut will only14save cluding thetransit, cuttingsidewalks, of the and elevators, new metro lines, or due to inefficient surrounding are wheelchair-accessible, and bike lanes to get around the city.

Ontario Student Assistance pursuing a Bachelor of Arts per year in ancillary fees to ernments for favourable pol- have their futures upended they are all on the orange line, construction, inaccessible campus increasing the number of buses But, sometimes, infrastructure Program (OSAP). For many about $660 per year while fund services such as athlet- icy changes; former SSMU by the Ford government’s buildings, and, sometimes, a lack all require large investments, but fails: On Jan. 9, three out of four with one at the green-orange students, this means that preventing some students ics facilities, student support Vice President (VP) Exter- announcement. and, in the for these are all necessary The of necessary accommodations metro lines were closed due to a transfer station Berri-UQÀM. Regardless of origin, they might not be able to from attending university centres, and student groups. nal Connor Spencer was case of physical accessibility, a pepper-spray incident, and, on Jan. inaccessibility of other green-line students. afford to pursue or com- altogether. Enacting a de- The government’s pledge to instrumental in the creation studentsRegardless of oriBesides increasing physical human rights issue. Initiatives like 17, the blue line closed due to an stations like McGill, Peel, and plete a degree, as financial crease at the cost of imped- make ‘non-essential’ fees of Quebec’s Bill 151, which gin, students should speak Mayor Valérie Plante’s electrical explosion in Rosemont Place des Arts means that McGill accessibility, there are other Montreal out against Ford’s proposed changes will be applied this ing many from pursuing optional comes with a catch: requires all post-secondary station. Even when everything students with physical disabilities ways the system can better serve Pink Line are crucial—albeit It excludes fees that support institutions in the province changes and amplify OntarSeptember. The cost of cut- their education is unjust. is functioning properly, access have few transit options for Montrealers. For example, to costly—undertakings to help Besides OSAP, the general ‘health and well- to maintain a sexual vio- ian students’ concerns for ting OSAP is hardly remote to Montreal’s transit system is commuting to school. The Société increase safety, metros and bus commuters in the West Island and to our campus: University Ford government announced ness,’ mental health, and lence policy. Student media their futures. The support inequitable, and physical and de transport de Montréal (STM) lines should run later on weekends Montreal-Nord better access the documents indicate that six that all ancillary fees, such student safety, which are hold university administra- student associations provide structural barriers render the does have some dedicated transit to accommodate people who are city. per cent of McGill students as student association dues often the most expensive. tions and student unions to are often essential to stuIn the meantime, commuters city’s infrastructure inaccessible services, like Paratransit and bus- out late: Public transit is safer receive funding from the and club fees, must be made Students at York Univer- account. The fees that fund dents’ wellbeing of individramps for wheelchair users, but than walking home alone at night. can do their part to make the to many Montrealers. optional, which may leave sity, for example, may only these groups are approved ual students, and the advoprogram.

According to a study these services are also unreliable, Although the chairman of the STM public transit system more Beginning in 2017, On- some McGill students envi- save about $120 per year. by popular referenda and cacy of student unions and published by the Communauté as many report faulty ramps, has said that it is ‘impossible’ to accessible. Going to the back of tario students whose fami- ous. While the Students’ So- Presenting these fee cuts as are not passed arbitrarily. media can directly affect métropolitaine de Montréal inefficiencies, and limited options keep the metro open for 24 hours, the bus, making space for people lies earned less than $50,000 ciety of McGill University a way for students to save Dismissing these groups as students’ lives. Moreover, (CMM) last Feb., 65 per cent of for travel times. For example, after cities like London, Copenhagen, in wheelchairs to get on the bus, per year had their tuition (SSMU) has had a relatively money is far from the truth, ‘non-essential’ demonstrates many students will now not people in the Greater Montreal Montreal received 23 cm of snow Vienna, and New York City all and giving up their seat to those fully subsidized by OSAP scandal-free year, chronical- and only serves as a diver- how out of touch the Ontario be able to attend university Area still commute by car, a figure on Jan. 20, the STM released a have 24 hour service, at least on who have priority all contribute to in the form of non-repayable ly low voter turnout and so- sion, enabling some students government is with students’ at all, and the Ford governmaking the STM’s infrastructure a that is increasing as bus ridership statement warning that buses may weekends. ment is jeopardizing those grants. As family income cial media complaints show to overlook the OSAP cuts realities.

To improve bus ridership, more viable transportation option faces a steep decline. The effect be unable to extend wheelchair There are no signs that students’ futures in favour increased above this thresh- that cynicism about student in the pursuit of frugality. of this statistic is visible in ramps at usually-accessible bus the STM can focus on increasing for all.

Included in the fees similar cuts will come to of a minor tuition cut. This old, so did the ratio of loans government remains.

The inaccessibility of the Montreal’s intense congestion and stops. Montreal should look to the number of buses to relieve In truth, Ontario stu- which the Ford government Quebec: During the elec- is not something McGill to grants. This program was traffic problems. That car usage neighbouring cities, like Toronto, overcrowding on popular lines, public transit system is indicative particularly successful in as- dents’ new reality is hardly plans to make optional are tion, the Coalition Avenir students should hope to see is increasing while public transit which is planning on having step- as many commuters report of broader issues throughout sisting indigenous students, desirable. The change to stu- those that fund student un- Québec promised a modest replicated on their campus, waiting for up to 30 minutes for Montreal’s public infrastructure, remains more affordable suggests free stations by 2025. whose enrolment numbers dent fees undercuts students’ ions and campus media, funding increase for post- and it is crucial that they The STM’s accessibility a bus empty enough for to board. including McGill. Montreal is that public transit remains a jumped by 36 per cent after ability to advocate for their including television, radio secondary education. How- support Ontarian students, less-viable option for many issues are indicative of broader The STM could also consider failing to meet the needs and the introduction of OSAP. interests, and it, along with stations, and newspapers. ever, Quebec’s history of while also engaging with more payment uphold the rights of people with Montrealers, and, for some, an flaws in Montreal’s public introducing Premier Doug Ford’s gov- a 10 per cent tuition cut, is Jeopardizing these organiza- conflict and protest between their own unions and assoinfrastructure. Poor sidewalk options, including debit and reduced mobility, and the city impossible one. ernment plans to scrap this simply a distraction from the tions’ futures could be a seri- students and the provincial ciations.

One in 10 Quebecers have a snow removal and constant credit contactless tapping, or even must be held accountable for physical disability, and Montreal construction leave much of the creating an app to add money to fixing that.

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Please recycle this newspaper.

Laura Oprescu

Marie Labrosse News Editor Editor-In-Chief

Last October, my best friend, who In the first few sessions of every has autism, told me he that thought I graduate seminar I’ve taken at McGill, might be on the spectrum. I was skeptia particular routine has unfolded cal: I’m not into trains, I take turns in without fail: The class goes around a conversation, and I’m good at giving the table introducing themselves, their relationship advice; I’m not autistic. progress in the program, and how their Still, his comment prompted me to do research interests relate to the course. some research.

When my turn comes, I take a deep First, it’s important to dispel some breath, and prepare myself for the myths about autism. Like other neuplunge. robehavioral conditions, autism exists “Hi, my name is Marie, I’m in on a spectrum, meaning symptoms the first year of my Master’s, and vary dramatically in presentation and I’m interested in researching creation prevalence between individuals—Rain myths in post-disaster science fiction.”

Man Iisexhale, the exception, thethe rule.

Auwinded not from length tism is not a developmental disorder: of my statement, but contented by Mostaccompanying people can learn techniquesthat to the knowledge alleviate their symptoms, but it isn’t I have found a place in the academic something you grow out of, ever. Peo-

“But, you don’t seem autistic!” ple with autism are not psychopaths; they feel empathy, but have impaired emotional cognition, meaning that what comes across as a lack of caring ecosystem. That satisfaction is is probably just a lack of understandunderscored by the fact that I haven’t ing. Lastly, women with autism do exalways felt a sense of belonging at ist, though they often go unnoticed by McGill, particularly in the classroom. healthcare professionals because of the I find reassurance in having an differences in the way that their sympidentity within the confines of the toms manifest. university’s walls, which I can use to This unique presentation is the navigate its systems and networks. As reason I was diagnosed so late. After an an undergraduate student and a part of eating disorder, a misfired ADHD diagthe largest student cohort at McGill, I nosis, a period of selective mutism, two felt that I rarely shared the privilege of years of crippling social anxiety, and asserting an academic identity. a long and frustrating experience with Defining and taking pride in one’s the mental health system, I was diagacademic passion is an investment nosed with high-functioning autism at that takes time and effort. However, age 21. For reference, the average age neither are luxuries that a student has in for diagnosis in North America is fourparticular abundance, preventing them and-a-half. I decided to seek out assessfrom committing themselves to finding ment after reading dozens of articles a passion to define their academic written by women presenting sympexperience. I stumbled upon my own toms that matched my own experiences desire to study science-fiction literature who didn’t receive their diagnoses until somewhat by accident. The genre their twenties, thirties, or even later in wasn’t included on any of my course life. Had I not gone to a psychologist syllabi, but I had always enjoyed and specifically requested testing for reading it in my own time. autism, I’m not certain I would have University is touted as a place for been diagnosed. reinvention where young adults living The way autism manifests in independently, often for the first time, women looks nothing like stereotypidiscover who they are. The best way to cal male autism. Men on the spectrum learn how to navigate the educational tend to have technical interests, such landscape is finding a way to adapt as trains or maps, however, women it to one’s own educational goals. are morea likely to fixate on sociallyHaving research interest allows acceptable and traditionally-feminine students to interact with class material interests or pop culture. in more like depthfashion by providing them Girls and boys learn to socialize differ-

ently from a young age, and, because there is so often more social pressure on women, girls are better at learning conversational rules such as appropriwith an appealing lens through which ate eye contact. This means that autistic to approach it. In graduate school, women, particularly high-functioning students are actively encouraged to women, learn from a young age to make links between their personal ‘camouflage.’ research and the classes they take, Camouflaging is a constant and which may not necessarily directly elaborate effort to mask autism sympoverlap with their interests. By trying to toms in order to fit in in social situaconnect science-fiction texts with 19th tions. This can range from practicing century American literature, I have conversation topics before social uncovered unlikely parallels between events to copying peers or TV charactheir plots which have informed the ters for instructions on how to behave direction of my research. in social situations to repressing ‘stimStill, few universities extend ming’—repetitive behaviours such as undergraduate students the opportunity pacing, hand flapping, and leg tapping. to develop an academic personality Last month I had an interview for a job defined by their own unique curiosities with my dream company: Before the beyond semester-long independent interview, I wrote out and memorized reading courses and honours programs. answers to potential questions so that I Without opportunities for research wouldn’t lose track of what I was sayaccessible to all students, finding ing while I was focusing on not fidgetan academic passion and identity is ing and making appropriate amounts almost impossible. of eye contact. People on the spectrum Finding a calling and refining it do these things to connect with friends, is a lengthy process; it takes time to avoid being shunned or disciplined, or come up with a valuable question to simply to seem ‘normal.’ Constantly research and even more to hone it into camouflaging is exhausting, and is a manageable and useful project, an linked to depression, identity loss, and operation that often takes a student in disordered eating. a completely different direction than Women are four times less likely the one in which they were initially to be diagnosed withnew autism than men. headed.

With every seminar that While camouflaging contributes to this I take, I uncover a new angle to pursue alsoanresults the indiscrepancy, my researchitfrom authorfrom I didn’t measures used to assess autism, which know to a whole range of themes. The were designed predominantlyknowledge that, using with every passing male studies. Autism in women is

Light your academic fire

often misdiagnosed as borderline personality disorder or ADHD, or hidden behind depression and social anxiety.

Without early identification and treatday, I can find a way to broaden ment, women with autism are also at my project and interests without increased risk for eating disorders and feeling rushed to do so has made my sexual abuse. experience as a graduate student much With updated diagnostic criteria, more engaging than my undergraduate rates of diagnosis are increasing in studies.

North America. A 2017 study proposed By presenting research as a a working definition for camouflaging, one-time activity rather than a long but a quantifiable way to score inditerm project that spans the length viduals on camouflaging for diagnosof an academic career and informs tic purposes still does not exist.While its progression, institutions mirror funding for research that focuses on fea contemporary approach to higher male and non-binary individuals is ineducation as a requirement for a creasing, the field has a long way to go professional future where the piece of to ensure that autism is both identifiable paper students obtain at the end is more and treatable in all genders, particularly important than the critical skills they in higher-functioning individuals. acquire. It’s no wonder that students A diagnosis doesn’t change anystruggle to feel an attachment to their thing about me. A diagnosis is a tool institution and class materials if they used by healthcare professionals to treat can’t see its broader purpose and aren’t a condition; I’m not attached to this laencouraged to do so. bel, nor am I upset by it. Knowing that My own willingness to discuss I am on the spectrum means that I can my research interests is newfound and better understand how to take care of still developing. I struggle sometimes myself, and that I can begin to confront to explain what interests me about difficulties I have in social situations in English literature when I am outside a productive way. of the classroom. I broach the topic I still freak out in grocery stores gingerly, a little embarrassed to admit due to sensory overload, so I wear that I have found a passion and a place noise-cancelling headphones. I find for myself at an institution that sees largeofgroups draining, so I take breaks tens thousands of students rush in in social situations.

I suck at pop culand out of its revolving doors. But, ture,the but encouragement I don’t really feelofa my pressure with peersto keep up anymore.

Now, I understand and faculty, I am starting to take pride just need to address my needs ininthat myI academic passion. stead of fighting them.

6

OPINION

COMMENTARY

Abeer Almahdi Opinion Editor Continued from page 1.

There are between 20 and 25 documented hate groups in Quebec: Besides Generation Identity,

TUESDAY, JANUARY 29, 2019

Reflecting on the Quebec mosque shooting two years later La Meute, an anti-Muslim Quebec nationalist group, has over 17,000 members on Facebook alone as of press time. Groups like these are founded on the same principles that Alexandre Bissonnette held when he murdered six Muslims and injured 19 others two years ago. And, these are the same principles that will lead to more discrimination, violence, and suffering if Quebec does not act against white-supremacist groups.

Not all Islamophobia comes from hate groups. Government institutions are just as responsible for propagating hate, including provincial laws like Bill 62, Quebec’s ‘religious neutrality’ law, which bans face-coverings for those obtaining or providing public services.

The victory of the Coalition Avenir Québec (CAQ) in the recent provincial election has only augmented my fears. The CAQ was elected on a platform that specifically targets immigrants and Muslims, proposing expulsion for immigrants who fail a “Quebec values” test and a hijab ban for public servants while on the job. Governments who spew hateful rhetoric will only validate the views of white supremacists like Bissonette. Premier François Legault must make an active effort to preserve the safety and freedom of Muslim Quebecers.

Islamophobia, like other kinds of discrimination, is an intersectional issue. Most Muslims, myself included, are racialized, meaning that we face racism as well. In

the case of Muslim women, sexism comes into play, too. We need to address all forms of systemic discrimination in Canada in order to improve the lives of Muslims, racialized people, women, and sometimes, all of the above.

There is no one way to tackle hate. For McGill students specifically, it’s important that we continue to mobilize against systemic discrimination, white-supremacy, and hate. Groups like the Muslim Students’ Association, the Black Students’ Network, and other associations do indispensable work in the interim for racialized and Muslim students. On Jan. 29, take a moment to honour those killed and injured. It is a hard day for many Muslims; provide support for your peers who need it.

Today marks the two-year anniversary of the Quebec City Mosque shooting.

The McGill Tribune stands in solidarity with all those affected.

COMMENTARY

Kyle Dewsnap Staff Writer On Jan. 30, Canadian social media will be flooded with posts about mental health, spurred by Bell’s annual “Let’s Talk” awareness campaign. Since 2011, Bell has raised over nine million dollars for mental health initiatives, which has helped approximately 2 million volunteers to receive mental health crisis training. Their largest fundraiser, Bell Let’s Talk Day, has been a wild success; in the past eight years, their hashtag #BellLetsTalk has been used over 800 million times. Let’s Talk has even provided funding to our own university’s mental health programs. Bell has single-handedly created the largest mental health initiative in Canadian history, but, in doing so, they have trivialized the challenges that people with mental illness face.

Bell Let’s Talk relies on a convenient fiction: That ‘reducing the stigma’ around mental illness is the best way to combat the mental health crisis in Canada. As a result, Let’s Talk and other anti-stig-

Let’s talk about Bell Let’s Talk ma initiatives have turned mental illness into a one-dimensional issue with a simple solution: Awareness. Unfortunately, being ‘aware’ of this issue isn’t going to stop the discrimination that people with mental illness face.

There is a difference between stigma and discrimination, and, although it’s subtle, it has profound implications on how a community decides to combat social issues like mental illness. The Canadian Mental Health Association provides a clear definition that distinguishes the two: A stigma is a negative stereotype, while discrimination is unfair treatment due to a person’s identity, which includes mental illness. To improve the overall quality of life of people with mental illness, we as a community need to combat both stigma and discrimination. Unfortunately, social initiatives that rely on ‘raising awareness,’ like Bell Let’s Talk, underscore the former while neglecting the latter.

Bell’s ‘anti-stigma’ approach has had a positive impact on Canadian society: 89 per cent of respondents to a survey have reported becoming ‘more aware’ of mental illness since 2011. This is beneficial, since, according to the Centre of Addiction and Mental Health, Canada’s current medical infrastructure is not prepared to handle the worsening mental health crisis. For example, over 75 per cent of children with mental health disorders do not have access to specialized care. Canadians have to be aware of these

issues in order to address them; but, awareness is no substitute for failing social and medical infrastructure.

While Bell Let’s Talk Day is helpful in raising funds for mental health initiatives, it isn’t going to dismantle the prejudice that those with mental illness face. Instead of simply having a one-day conversation, the community needs to demand that the mental health crisis receives constant attention from our leaders and, in the case of McGill students, their administration. For example, McGill’s administration has slashed funding for its own mental health programs, making services like psychotherapy all but inaccessible to students. Moreover, they have failed to deliver a proper sexual violence policy, despite the fact that sexual assault has been shown to contribute to mental illness. In the face of provincial budget cuts to university funding, McGill’s administrative team reallocated over $2.5 million in fees paid to student services–which are supposed to fund student wellness programs–into the salaries of faculty and senior staff in the 2015– 2016 academic year.

This Wednesday, students who believe that they deserve more from their institution should demand more from their administration; actions as simple as sending their faculty’s dean an email stressing the importance of adequate mental health support has the potential to make our lives happier and healthier.

CARTOON

Socks of McGill Winnie Lin Staff Designer

STUDENT LIVING

TUESDAY, JANUARY 29, 2019

7

The power of tidying up Exploring the practical impacts of Marie Kondo’s new hit show Sophia White Contributor Since Netflix released Tidying Up With Marie Kondo on Jan. 1, energized viewers have been eager to tap into the ‘life-changing magic of tidying up.’

Thrift stores have reported more donations than usual, and fans have turned to social media to express their undying love for the show’s host, Marie Kondo, and her minimalist organizational tactics. Kondo is a Japanese organizing consultant and creator of the KonMari method, which urges adherents to go through their belongings and get rid of any possessions that fail to ‘spark joy.’

With the right advice from Kondo and other experts in the field, tidying up can have profound, time-saving impacts on students’ everyday routines.

The Kondo craze has inspired busy families, couples, and students alike to declutter and get their lives in order. Maya Khan (U2 Arts) recently purged her entire closet after watching Kondo’s show. Khan’s wardrobe, which was once bursting wat the seams, now consists of around 30 shirts and five pairs of pants, which fit into just two small drawers. She feels relieved while working at her desk now that her clothes no longer surround her in her room.

“My productivity definitely has

increased, and I feel much better having everything clean and polished,” Khan said. “Honestly, I’m slowly getting to the point where I might [reorganize] the house because of [Marie Kondo].”

However, tidying up can be a daunting task for other students, and, even after seeing a professional in action, it is difficult to know where to start.

Maggie Munro (U1 Arts) recounted her frustrations after watching Kondo’s series, observing how it made her hyperaware of her own clutter but did not motivate her to tackle it.

“I absolutely love Kondo and respect her anti-consumerist, minimalist philosophy,” Munro said. “But I find the ‘spark joy’ principle too vague for me to apply to my own life because everything I own can spark joy for me if I think about it long enough.”

For those seeking a more hands-on approach, there are other experts who can offer some helpful tips. Although professional organizing may seem like a niche occupation, Kondo is not alone in the field. Alison Lush, a certified professional organizer in Montreal, has a passion for helping people to declutter their homes, and she prides herself on her non-judgemental, individualized ap-

proach. She has studied the KonMari in depth, but finds Kondo’s style to be too dogmatic. “[Kondo] believes that everyone should be doing it the same way,” Lush said. “I believe every individual is on their own journey, and everyone listens to their inner self and what’s important to them. [The way people live their lives] is a personal decision, and we shouldn’t be judging.”

Lush recognizes that all of her clients are unique, but, during the decluttering process, she suggests that everyone reevaluate the way they manage five main resources: Money, time, space, energy, attention, and, most importantly, stuff.

“I encourage everybody to reflect on the volume of stuff they have and to take ownership of it,” Lush said.

“There’s a lot of payoff to actually thinking about our stuff and what serves a purpose. It makes daily life easier.”

Lush has developed a number of organizational strategies to help clients, such as creating a ‘VIP parking spot’ for possessions that get lost easily or cause extra stress when needed in a rush.

For Lush, clutter only poses a problem once it becomes an inconvenience, but,

similarly to Kondo, she believes that believes that, with time, students can figeverything her clients own should have ure out an organizing system that works personal value. She urges her clients to for them.

“Managing all of our resources is create their own rules and boundaries so that, over time, they develop personal- a lifetime learning curve,” Lush said. ized habits and make sustainable chang- “I’m in my ninth year as a professional organizer, and I’m still es to their own lifestyles. learning. I try to look Lush also offers practical at it like an advenadvice for university students, ture and a discovery who are often balancing mul[and] to try to put a tiple responsibilities and may positive spin on it, live with roommates who don’t because why not?” share the same standards of tidiness.

“Take a deep breath,” Lush said. “It’s hard being a student.

Recognize that. Any time we share a living space with someone, it comes with costs and benefits.

We have the benefit of shared responsibilities, but it’s also inevitable that there’s compromise along the way.”

The notion of keeping up a tidy lifestyle may sound intimidating, but, with the help of experts like Kondo and Lush, students can alleviate the dread associated with tidying. Lush sees the potential for fun in cleaning up, and For many students, tidying up can spark joy. (The New York Times)

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Looking back, moving forward The McGill students who made contraception accessible

Emma Carr Student Living Editor “The McGill Students’ Council affirms the principle that the student, like any other citizen, has the right to information and counselling about birth control, as well as to any contraceptive device he may require,” a 1967 McGill Students’ Council decision reads.

With this decision, the McGill Students’ Council, the precursor to the Students’ Society of McGill University (SSMU), acknowledged that access to contraception was a legal right—nearly two years before the government of Canada reached the same conclusion. These students’ decision represented not only a remarkable act of civil disobedience but also set a precedent for making contraception more accessible within the university’s gates.

During a period when contraception was scarce, and literature on the subject even more so, McGill students collaborated on a campaign to educate young people about reproductive health. In their mission to make contraception available on campus, the McGill Students’ Council commissioned a manual to distribute across campus: the Birth Control Handbook. First published in 1968, the Birth Control Handbook, was initially commissioned by McGill’s student government.

Though its publication would be illegal until 1969, when the section of the Criminal Code that made it illegal to advertise or sell birth control was overturned, McGill students were resolved to educate their peers on the subject. The publishers later distributed the manual to universities across North America and offered young people information on reproductive health, abortion, and hormonal birth control.

“In 1968, the dissemination of birth control information was still against the law in Canada,” Allan Feingold, co-editor of the Birth Control Handbook said.

“We had been preparing the birth control handbook in an atmosphere of civil disobedience, but, in fact, when the book was actually published, it had already been legalized.”

As undergraduate students, Feingold and co-editor Donna Cherniak collaborated on the Birth Control Handbook. Intended to educate students and challenge the illegal status of birth control literature, the handbook was political and instructive in equal parts.

“The point of the Birth Control Handbook was to give people information not only about the plumbing of how you get pregnant and how not to get pregnant, but about the social and political issues that influence how all that works,” Cherniak said.

Working alongside Montreal-based doctors Thomas Primrose and Robert Kinch, Cherniak, Feingold, and their team of fellow students compiled the handbook to address the lack of information about birth control available to students.

“We were not doctors,” Feingold said. “We were not medical students even, and we spent a month

studying enough to produce the first edition of the Birth Control Handbook [...], and we tapped into this huge demand that we actually didn’t fully appreciate.”

The handbook achieved immediate success.

Following its initial release, the Birth Control Handbook was distributed to universities across North America. In total, twelve editions were printed and millions of copies sold, making the handbook one of the most influential public health texts of its era. Cherniak believes that the handbook addressed a latent demand for educational material on reproductive health.

“We didn’t make it to be read cover-to-cover. It was done in sections, [and] our intention was that] people would consult what they needed,” Cherniak said. “[However], people kept it in their drawers. It was a treasured item [....] We were [surprised by the demand], actually [....] It went beyond what the student body was able to cope with, and that’s where a group of us formed the Montreal

Health P r e s s [ w h i c h published later editions of the handbook….] All the CEGEPs had them. It was like ketchup, a known phenomenon [...] across Canada.”

The Birth Control Handbook’s most significant achievement was its dissemination of a delicate, vital message to young people in a fraught cultural climate for reproductive rights.

Feingold explained that the handbook empowered an information-starved student body with the knowledge to make informed decisions.

“It was underground peer education,” Feingold said.

“Multiple universities ended up distributing the Birth Control Handbook as part of the freshman package.”

Despite the handbook’s monumental success, Cherniak notes that it was not a universal solution. She explained that, on present day campuses, administrative obstacles to obtaining prescription contraception persist.

“To me, there is no question [that the Birth Control Handbook impacts present day access to contraceptives at McGill],” Cherniak said. “It didn’t mean [the handbook accomplished] everything that we hoped for.”

Though disseminating information about birth control is no longer illegal, students continue to encounter barriers to access, including limited sex education, extended appointment wait times, and the monetary cost of filling the prescription. To overcome these barriers, McGill’s current students have continued to champion access to birth control. Inheriting Cherniak

and Feingold’s legacy, these student leaders have attempted to transform the perception of birth control on campus through similar strategies of advocacy and peer-education.

In 2016, the New Democratic Party (NDP) McGill advocated for universal cost-free birth control. At the 2016 Fall General Assembly, NDP McGill raised the Motion Regarding SSMU Support For CostFree Birth Control Coverage, which proposed that the Health and Dental Review Committee release a report on making birth control free for non-Quebec residents under the SSMU health insurance plan and for international students covered by the Compulsory International Health Insurance. Julian Bonello-Stauch (U3 Arts), policy director for NDP McGill at the time, drafted the motion with the hope that the Health and Dental Review Committee’s report would result in free contraception on campus.

“At the time we proposed this, Quebec students could claim the full cost of their prescription, [however] non-Quebec Canadian students [could not],” BonelloStauch said. “I expressed an interest in increasing access to birth control for Canadian students and also hopefully international students [....] We wrote a motion for SSMU [and] also went to the New Democratics’ assembly and got the commitment to make birth control free put into the party’s constitution.”

The motion was approved at the Nov. 17 Legislative Council meeting; however, the report of the Health and Dental Committee hasn’t yet led to cost-free birth control under neither the SSMU nor the international student health plan. Despite this inaction, NDP McGill hopes that the motion has since encouraged SSMU and the student body to eliminate other hindrances students face in obtaining their prescriptions. Current copresident of the chapter Sarah Mikhail (U3 Arts) added that, in addition to eliminating the financial barrier to access, the motion also attempted to foster a campus culture in which prescription contraception was easily obtainable.

“You do get a lot of people who are coming out of province, who are still on their parents’ insurance, who already have a system worked out,” Mikhail said. “But, there is also this medical grey area on how to go about it [....] I think there is an administrative minefield for a lot of individuals, and, information-wise, too, they just don’t know how to go about it. It’s just something that is left up to your own devices, and for a lot of individuals, they don’t know the first place to look for something like that.”

Despite the lack of concrete policy changes, NDP McGill members still view the 2016 motion as an important step forward. NDP McGill hopes that the motion has underscored the remaining obstacles patients face to get their hands on prescription contraception.

“When something is legalized, people see it as [if] the issue is over,” Mikhail said. “It has been 50 years [since birth control was legalized.…] But I think that [the cost of birth control] is often an issue that is put off the table when discussing electoral platforms or something extra [...despite the fact that birth control] is an equalizer for a lot of people, and it is a necessity, and it is not being addressed as such.”

In the interim, additional campus groups are advocating for increased access to birth control information on campus. Healthy McGill, a service that aims to educate students about sexual health, assists students who are intimidated or confused by the process of acquiring birth control. Peer sex educators at the organization such as first-year Master’s student in public health Marcus Wong and Yuwen Zhang, second-year Master’s student in education, make students aware of

resources available on c a m p u s and educate them on sexual health topics. When advising students on prescription contraception, Wong noted that their program

method of contraception that they believe is bestsuited for them. To resolve this issue, the organization’s staff aims to reduce the stigma surrounding prescription contraception and offers judgement-free consultation to curious students. “[Prescription contraception] is still stigmatized to a certain [extent...],” Zhang said. “There’s a bit of social

“To me, there is no question [that the Birth Control Handbook impacts present day access to contraceptives at McGill.....] It didn’t mean [the handbook accomplished] everything that we hoped for.” emphasizes student safety and their autonomy.

“It’s hard because it still is a pharmaceutical drug and hormones, and [it is important to be monitored], so you are not taking too much or too little,” Wong said. “I think the best way to [make birth control more accessible] right now is to take a very educational [...] approach and just tell people, [...] ‘this is what [birth control is.] It’s fine, it’s normal, but be educated about how you can go about getting it.’ Once people know, they will be a little bit more receptive.”

As part of their mandate to educate McGill students on issues related to student well-being, Healthy McGill sets up kiosks and hosts tabling events across campus where McGill students are invited to ask questions about the health services offered by the university and issues related to sexual health, including birth control.

In educating students about prescription contraception, Healthy McGill takes a harm-reduction approach; through their outreach, Wong and Zhang hope to empower McGill students with the knowledge to make safe and informed decisions about their reproductive well-being.

“We’re not really telling students to do one thing or another thing,” Wong said. “But, we want to make sure that, if they engage in any behaviour, that they are equipped with the necessary tools and knowledge.”

In disseminating this message, Zhang has noticed that students can still feel uncomfortable accessing the channels available on campus to obtain their prescriptions, and, consequently, they do not always pursue the

pressure there. The first thing we need to [tell students that are hesitant to obtain contraception is that] if you reach out to get information, the whole environment should be non-judgmental and not put social pressure on them. So, again, it’s more like, create a safer space for students to reach out to get what they want, [...] and that’s what [Healthy McGill is] doing right now” Healthy McGill attempts to reverse negative connotations, creating a safe space for hesitant students in search of contraception. Yet, as Zhang’s analysis suggests, institutions still lack a universal understanding of birth control as a basic necessity for many students.

Though birth control is no longer illegal, there is a continued demand for progress. The authors of the Birth Control Handbook laid the groundwork for current advocates without knowing the present-day implications of their work. But, since their activism, new campus proponents of increased access to birth control have extended their impact and continue to stress the importance of additional support and education for students seeking out prescription contraception.

Reflecting on the progress made since the initial release of the Birth Control Handbook, Cherniak remarked that, though advocates have made dramatic progres, they continue to face many of the same challenges.

“It is an issue that repeats itself really for every generation,” Cherniak said. “It’s different now because the internet [has made it easier to find information on birth control...], but the same message still has to be brought forward.”

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STUDENT LIVING

TUESDAY, JANUARY 29, 2019

The best online resources for apartment hunting Websites to facilitate the housing search Nicholas Raffoul

Staff Writer

With the winter semester underway, May leases are quickly coming to an end. For first-year students, the beginning of the winter term is a crucial time to figure out their living situations for the upcoming fall semester, find roommates, and select which neighbourhood in Montreal is their best fit. Finding the right apartment is difficult enough without McGill’s academic workload, but online resources can help make the search much more convenient. The McGill Tribune has compiled a list of online rental resources, rated based on their user-friendliness, selection of apartments, and the specificity of their search filters.

Louer.com - 2/5 Louer.com has poor search filtering options, and the website can be a headache to maneuver.

The website does, however, do a good job of consolidating the multiple rental sites’ resources, producing an uncluttered list of results. Also, renters can contact property owners directly from the platform. Unfortunately, with a quick search, prospective rent-

ers will find that most listings fail to give considerable details or clear images of the apartments, ultimately making the apartment hunting process more difficult.

Kijiji - 4/5 Although Kijiji isn’t exclusively dedicated to real estate, the website lists a diverse selection of apartments and other living spaces around Montreal.

With the right keywords, potential renters can find hundreds of listings in their preferred neighbourhood. Additionally, most listings are fairly detailed and provide sufficient information about the apartment. However, Kijiji filters don’t allow househunters to narrow their search by apartment features such as heating and appliances. After making an account, users can message the hosts directly from the platform.

Kangalou - 3/5 With a sleek website and comprehensive search filters for heating, accessibility, and appli-

Apartment hunting is tough, but online platforms can make it easier. (Winnie Lin /The McGill Tribune) ance availability options, Kangalou is the most user-friendly option on this list. The biggest disadvantage of this website, however, is that does not have many listings; ads for popular areas like the Plateau can have as few as 15 options, leaving almost no room for proper browsing. As a result, the listings are often over-priced, making the site, overall, inaccessible to the student community.

Facebook groups - 3/5 While Facebook is not a real estate platform, there are many local groups which advertise great living options for student accomodations. McGill-specific groups, such as Housing, and Montreal rental groups, like Apartments for Rent, offer plenty of options and rental steals for students and those looking for short-term living situations.

These groups have little-to-no

search filters, so keywords are renters’ only mechanism to filter their results for the apartment size or location they are looking for. Facebook housing groups are particularly useful for those who can’t find roommates and do not want to live alone, as many advertisements are for single-bedroom sublets. Facebook groups are also well-suited for renters in search of atypical arrangements such as sub-leases or leases starting mid-summer.

CAMPUS ART FOR THE BUSY STUDENT Visual Arts Collection tours make sites accessible to students Lucy Keller Contributor Across McGill’s three campuses, there are roughly 2,000 pieces of artwork scattered throughout hallways, grassy areas, and lecture halls. The work held in the university’s collection ranges from the iconic The Three Bares,

by Gertrude Vanderbilt Whitney, to hidden gems that students overlook. Luckily, the McGill Visual Arts Collection (MVAC) has been offering weekly tours of the art on the downtown campus since 2013.

While McGill has a worldrenowned collection of art, most students have never noticed even the most acclaimed pieces on campus. The MVAC tours allow students to take breaks from their busy schedules and appreciate the settings they often overlook, such as the James Sculpture Garden outside McConnell Engineering, the Lichtenstein Tapestry in the Arts Building, and the Visual Storage Gallery on McLennan library’s fourth floor. Curator of the MVAC Vanessa Di Francesco believes the tours serve as a form of self-care.

“McGill students are unbelievably busy with hectic day-today and on-campus schedules, and there is often little time to visit a museum or gallery,” Di Francesco said. “By placing art all over the campus, and especially by offering weekly tours on a walk-in basis, we hope to offer students and the University community an opportunity to access and experience art more easily.”

The tour conveniently departs from Service Point every Wednesday at noon. Typically, they operate on a first-come-first-serve basis, but tours can also be organized beforehand to accommodate any specific needs, including large groups or students with disabilities.

Beyond becoming more familiar with McGill’s campus, students may also find that taking time out of their day to interact with art will improve their mental wellbeing. Art therapy is considered to be an effective coping mechanism for students in need of a break.

MVAC director Gwendolyn Owens encourages students to take advantage of this easily accessible opportunity.

“Our tours and visits are free, and [there is] no prescription needed.” Owens said. “We like to promote the idea that, in so many places on the McGill campus, now, you can take a break and look at art.”

When faced with a busy schedule, students’ mental health is often the first thing they overlook, whether that means not getting enough sleep to forgetting to enjoy their free time. While the stereotypical practice of art therapy usually consists of creating art, many contemporary art therapists believe that simply appreciating another artist’s creative choices can be therapeutic in itself.

“Students may often walk right past some of the art on campus and not notice it, but the tours compel us to take these works in and appreciate the work,” Di Francesco said.

After the tour, with students aware of the extraordinary art on campus, they may be more inclined to take time to observe the spectacular pieces on campus. Rosalind Sweeney-McCabe, U1 Arts and MVAC intern, explained that these tours can help students escape from

MVAC tours help students become better acquainted with campus art.

(Leanne Young / The McGill Tribune) their daily routine.

“By taking a tour and learning about the McGill art collection, it gives students the chance to reorient themselves in their monotonous schedule,” Sweeney-McCabe said.

“I think it is important for students’ perspectives to remind ourselves that there are other things going on and [that there are] other facets of our lives at McGill and the space

that we are in.”

McGill students often find themselves stuck in a continual battle between paying attention to their mental health and achieving the grades that they desire. Attending a visual arts tour can be a convenient and stimulating experience that help break students out of their daily ruts and introduce them to a new form of self-care.

SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY 11

TUESDAY, JANUARY 29, 2019

Elementary, my dear Watson

Celebrating the 150th anniversary of the periodic table Morgan Sweeney Staff Writer Continued from page 1.

“Students basically memorized what happened when chemicals were combined. They learned, for example, that when a piece of sodium was dropped into water, it ignited [while] a piece of aluminum did not. Nobody really knew why.”

The organization of elements continued to be mired in confusion until Dmitri Mendeleev, a Siberian-born chemistry professor at the Main Pedagogical Institute in St. Petersburg, Russia, began recording the atomic weights, names, and properties of known elements on cards. By 1868, he had created the first prototype of the periodic table, placing the elements in horizontal rows in order of atomic weight and grouping elements of similar properties into columns.

“Then came Mendeleev’s boldest stroke,” Schwarcz wrote. “He predicted from ‘holes’ in his periodic table that undiscovered elements must exist.”

Every element has a different, exciting tale of discovery. Initially, elements were found by exploring nature, delving into caves or the ocean to find substances no human had yet laid eyes upon and then manually analyzing their properties back at the lab. Today, scientists have found all the natural elements and so have moved on to investigating elements that can only be created artificially.

Scott Bohle, a chemistry professor at McGill and the Canadian Research Chair in Bioinorganic Chemistry, elaborated on the process of modern elemental discovery.

“We’ve discovered all the stable [elements], or we think we’ve discovered [them],” Bohle said. “But, now it’s much more controversial [...] because you have to demonstrate that you have [...] a new element.”

Bohle explained that nature fabricates many elements in nuclear explosions via calcium fusion, a process in which a calcium atom collides with a larger atom to create a new, larger molecule, usually verified via mass spectrometry.

Unfortunately, the larger molecules get, the less stable their configurations are: Some of the largest on the periodic table exist for mere thousandths of a second before they begin to decay, giving off protons and neutrons and, therefore, changing their elemental composition.

To mark the enormous scientific impact of Mendeleev’s creation, UNESCO named 2019 the International Year of the Periodic Table to celebrate its 150th anniversary. Despite being over a century old, modern scientists still refer back to it.

“I used to be able to write out the basic table in about 75 seconds, but now I am out of practice,” David Harpp, professor in the Department of Chemistry, said. “It is easy to do with an hour’s effort and helpful for students, I believe, for defining the relationships. They ‘own’ the table instead of having to look it up.”

Singing the table appears to be another

7

Dmitri Mendeleev, a Siberian-born chemistry professor, created the periodic table in 1869.

(Taja De Silva / The McGill Tribune) popular way to learn it, with a number of different tunes published online, including celebrity appearances from Sheldon Cooper and even Laura Pavelka, a faculty lecturer in McGill’s Department of Chemistry.

“Our inorganic chemistry course instructor insisted that we memorize the first row of the transition metals, which I am terrible at

[…], so I made a little tune to sing the list of 10 elements,” Pavelka wrote in an email to the Tribune. “Joke’s on me, because I still remember them in order!”

No matter the field, the periodic table of elements has revolutionized the way that scientists think about and organize the elements that make up our world.

Males more sensitive to painful memories than females Men are more stressed when experiencing pain in the same environment

Margaret Wdowiak Contributor Stereotypes may lead us to assume that women are more sensitive than men. However, recent findings on pain challenge conventional assumptions regarding the way men and women experience pain.

A recent study conducted by researchers from McGill and the University of Toronto exploring the role of memory in the transition from acute to chronic pain suggests that environments associated with previous trauma trigger increased sensitivity to pain. Moreover, the researchers found that men and women experience pain differently, which could have major implications for chronic pain management and treatment of chronic pain.

The study measured pain hypersensitivity in humans and mice to gain new insights into how they remember pain. Researchers administered heat to the forearms of human subjects who then rated the level of pain they were experiencing. Mouse subjects underwent a similar test to determine their sensitivity to heat.

“We used a test [on the mice] that’s very common called the ‘radiant heat paw withdrawal test,’” Jeffrey Mogil, professor in the Department of Psychology, said. “It’s basically a heat lamp that’s aimed [through

glass] at an animal’s hind paw [....] At first, it’s just warm, but, at some point, that warmth changes to [greater heat]. As soon as the animal realizes that, it simply hops away, and we measure the amount of time it takes for them to do that.”

The results of the experiments show that men and male mice experienced noticeably higher levels of pain when they returned to the same environment for further tests. Conversely, when placed in new environments, neither humans nor mice of either sex showed greater sensitivity to pain.

Male hypersensitivity to pain may be a result of men remembering earlier pain more clearly than females. The differences in sensitivity are not inherent but, rather, a consequence of increased stress when recalling memories of pain.

To see whether the correlation between pain and location was a function of memory, the researchers injected male mice with a memory-blocking drug. They then conducted the experiment again and found that the injected mice did not exhibit increased sensitivity to pain when returning to the same environment. This apparent link between pain and memory could help to understand chronic pain in the future, supporting existing research suggesting that memories of pain have a significant impact on later perceptions of pain.

A recent study suggests that environments associated with previous trauma trigger increased sensitivity to pain. (Daria Kiseleva / The McGill Tribune) “In the future, and it’s even already started in [some] research, [...] instead of trying to attack the pain directly, you would try to treat the memory of the pain [...] either pharmacologically or psychologically,” Mogil said.

Chronic pain, lasting months or years, can be debilitating and force those who endure it to rely on careful pain management in their daily lives.

“At any one time, somewhere between

20 and 25 per cent, [...] almost a quarter of the population, is experiencing chronic pain,” Mogil said.

Despite the many insights provided by this new study, including the importance of gendered treatment, many further discoveries lie ahead to fully understand the link between pain and memory. In particular, how people form memories of pain remains a source of further questions than answers.

12 SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY

TUESDAY, JANUARY 29, 2019

Lobsters and crabs, here to save the oceans

McGill lab creates plastic alternative from crustacean shells Farida Rahman Contributor While attempts to reduce plastic usage have taken many forms, including McGill’s plastic water bottle ban and much ado about straws, some McGill researchers are approaching the situation from a different angle, by replacing the controversial polymers with biodegradable alternatives.

Audrey Moores, associate professor of applied chemistry and Thomos Di Nardo, a student in Moores’ lab discovered that plastic alternatives can be made out of a modified version of chitosan, which comes from a substance called chitin that is found in the shells of various crustaceans.

“With our method, we are able to transform chitin into chitosan, a well-known polymer used, among other things, for biomedical applications,” Moores said. “Because our method relies on making the chemistry happen under dry conditions, as opposed to in a liquid medium, we are able to make a chitosan with much larger molecular weight than what was previously known.

This means, in short, that we made a brand new material [...with] exciting properties, including better durability and robustness, so we can target novel applications with it.”

Most public campaigns on plastics emphasize reducing personal use or recycling more. Yet, while McGill’s campus and students tend to be a rather environmentally sensitive crowd—as evidenced by the in-

creased appearance of glass containers and reusable mugs—it can be easy to get discouraged at the sheer volume of community-wide plastic consumption. Even climate change activists may falter in bringing their reusable straw from home on every spontaneous trip to the local cafe. However, these band-aid solutions aid progress toward the goal of moving away from plastic altogether.

Instead of just trying to reduce the sheer quantity of plastic used, replacing the material entirely might lead to greater success in phasing out ocean-littering plastics in the long term. The key is to have an environmentally-friendly replacement that is comparably efficient. This is part of what makes Moores’ discovery so critical.

Even if plastics could be eliminated entirely, they are so common that it would be impossible to maintain the current level of worldwide material wealth while doing so.

Plastic is ideal for packaging because it is durable, lightweight, and very cheap. With suitable replacements, environmentallyfriendly packaging might come to serve as a way for businesses to distinguish themselves from their competitors. Some examples include A&W introducing completely compostable bags and Starbucks vowing to replace their plastic straws with strawless lids or straws made of alternative materials

A modified version of the molecule chitosan can help produce alternatives to plastic. (Jessica Goodsell) by 2020. In both cases, a material was, or is being, engineered to take the place of plastic with miniscule, if any, change to customer behaviour. This makes the changes seem more viable for the long term both from an environmental perspective and from that of customer practicality.

Some of the future directions for research on the modified chitosan focuses on developing new applications of the material, such as for antibacterial fibres, and trying to source the chitin as sustainably as possible.

“Common plastics are sourced from petrochemicals, which have the advantage of being sourced in very large volumes from refineries,” Moore said. “Chitin sourced from crustacean shells is a different story because it is produced locally in so many different fisheries, harbors, and restaurants.

So, we need a method of concentration of this raw material. We are partnering with companies in the Maritimes who have experience in this supply chain challenge [and] are currently working on targeting the best application based on these considerations.”

Politicized care: Indigenous ways of knowing in healthcare

Speakers call for healthcare that combats colonial violence Zoe Doran Contributor McGill Nurses for Global Health hosted a panel of indigenous healthcare professionals and community members on Jan. 17 to discuss the importance of integrating indigenous understandings of health into care.

Megan Eaker, a McGill Nursing master’s student and woman of mixed Cree and European ancestry, opened the event by offering concrete steps that healthcare professionals can take to better serve indigenous communities. She emphasized the importance of making room for ceremony and spirituality in healthcare. At the same time, she also implored healthcare professionals to understand the diversity of indigenous cultures within Canada as well as the vast continuum of cosmologies within a single nation. Her arguments may appear obvious, considering that there are over 600 distinct indigenous nations in Canada, but, nonetheless, Eaker lamented that a conversation about indigenous diversity is frequently excluded from modern Western medicine.

Involving indigenous culture in healthcare is one way to sustain traditional ways of knowing, but the approach is complex given how variable the different cultures are. However, different First Nations face the similar challenges of displacement, colonialism, and genocide.

“We cannot talk about indigenous

health without [referring to] land and colonialism,” Jessica Barudin, indigenous health advocate and program manager of the Indigenous Health Profession Program, said. “We can’t understand indigenous health without understanding politics.”

Colonial violence and the ongoing systemic oppression of indigenous peoples in Canada have disrupted the traditions of health and wellness which previously existed in indigenous communities. As a result, reconnecting with culture, land, and spirituality is often a necessary process in indigenous health.

Cheryl McDonald, a matriarch and grandmother of the Wolf Clan of Kanien’kehá:ka, addressed the need for healing beyond the physical. McDonald recalled how the traumatic experience of her sister disappearing left physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual wounds. She also recounted her own path to advocacy for the The panel highlighted the importance of integrating diverse indigenous knowledge into healthcare.

Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women (Betty Esperanza) and Girls organization. In reflecting on her well as their interactions. However, this trauma, McDonald emphasized that a return within his own community.

“In everything in this Earth, there is model excludes spiritual health and, conseto her culture was an important part of her medicine,” Patton said. “It is us who have quently, the comprehensive health needs of healing process as an indigenous woman.

“Reconnecting to nature and the ele- forgotten the healing. The Earth is our many indigenous populations are not met.

All of the speakers agreed that healthments is the purest form of healing,” Mac- mother, not something we buy or sell.”

Patton highlighted the importance of in- care professionals have a responsibility to Donald said.

Otsits (aken:ra) (Charles Patton), a tegrating diverse indigenous knowledge into advocate for spirituality in wellness and respected elder and faith keeper of the healthcare. Modern medicine defines health also consider the deeply-politicized naKanien’kehá:ka (Mohawk) community of according to the biopsychosocial model, ture of indigenous identity. They called for Kahnawá:ka, closed the event by speaking which considers biological, psychologi- healthcare that combats, not furthers, coloabout how spirituality has shaped healing cal, and social factors of being healthy, as nial violence.

ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT

TUESDAY, JANUARY 29, 2019

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Tuesday Night Café Theatre’s annual 24-hour play festival spotlights up-and-coming actors 7

Student directors and actors produced brand-new plays in a single day Kevin Vogel Contributor In the 24 hours from Jan. 25 to 26, six student playwrights, directors, and actors met for the first time to write, produce, rehearse, and perform original plays as a part of the Tuesday Night Café Theatre (TNC)’s annual festival. Each play had to incorporate certain elements, including the line “and that’s why I never left my house again,” Kanye West’s “Lift Yourself,” a shovel, a phone, and a pair of boxing gloves. With plots ranging from a gossip session about after-school rumours to a dramatic tale of a workers’ union struggle on a remote space station, the festival’s diverse arrangement of plays proved exceptional, especially given the limited time constraint.

The festival aimed to introduce new actors into McGill’s theatre community. For Laine Berry (U1 Science), a TNC director who co-organized the festival with Sarah Mitchell (U1 Engineering), seeing so many new faces come out for the festival was a clear sign of a successful event. Although

several of the participants had been previously involved in theatre in some capacity, the sheer number of actors performing for the first time at McGill establishes TNC as a valuable gateway into the performing arts.

Once the plays came to an end, three judges in the crowd briefly convened and declared “Where We Were,” written by Megan Hunt and directed by Alex Cruz, both Concordia theatre students, the best of the festival. The piece opened as a conversation between a group of friends reminiscing over where they were when they heard the news that their friend’s overweight 14-year-old shih tzu passed away. The script detailed the characters’ comedic flashbacks to past romances and social gatherings of suburban wine moms attempting to recruit people into a dubious Tupperware sales business. “[When first given the writing prompts] I saw the phone and thought, ‘What were some of the worst times

for a phone to ring?’” Hunt said in an interview with The McGill Tribune.

“I’m from southern Ontario, and pyramid scheme parties are so prominent there [.…They would] be a terrible place to find out bad news.”

Cruz, who received the completed script only an hour before the actors, quickly set out to get the play ready for performance. Cruz had to cast the actors, figure out how to incorporate “Lift Yourself” into the piece, and work with the technical crew to perfect lighting in just a few hours. “[You] need a kind of creative spark to do this sort of thing in a time crunch,” Cruz said. “They say necessity is the mother of invention, and you have to put your nose to the grindstone for this. You make decisions, [and] don’t know if they’ll work but you have to believe in what you’re doing right away.”

As the curtains closed on the festival, each production showcased

TNC welcomes new actors into McGill’s thriving theatre scene. (reporter.mcgill. ca) a diverse array of genres, styles, and pany based in Morrice Hall dedicated methods. From comedies to tragedies, to giving opportunities for students this year’s 24-hour play fest featured to grow and learn through theatre. the best of the newest generation of TNC’s next production The Anastasia Trials in the Court of Women, writMcGill’s theatre community. ten by Carolyn Gage and directed by Tuesday Night Café Theatre is a Charlotte Giraudet will run Feb. 7-9 student-run experimental theatre com- and Feb. 14-16.

Awards season villains Why no one wants ‘Green Book’ or ‘Bohemian Rhapsody’ to win Olivia Church Contributor In 2017, Damien Chazelle’s La La Land received a record 14 Oscar nominations. The film, which was met with critical acclaim as well as enormous box office earnings, was an ode to the lush Hollywood musicals of the 1950s. But by the time that the Oscars race began, critics were tiring of La La Land’s tone-deaf optimism and white-washing of jazz music, prompting an inevitable backlash. Popular favour shifted to Barry Jenkins’ Moonlight for Best Picture: A gentle, luminous film about a black gay man that stood in opposition to La La Land in every way. For many, Moonlight’s eventual Best Picture win over La La Land represented the triumph of the Oscar underdog over the awards season ‘villain.’

Broadly put, a ‘villainous’ film teeters on the brink of offensiveness by featuring only straight, able-bodied actors, privileging white narratives, and going against the grain of youthful, online critical consensus. In the #MeToo era, this definition extends to films produced or directed by predatory figures. If the endless online cultural critiques on platforms such as Twitter and Letterboxd are any indication, it seems that no one wants these films to succeed, yet they rack up nominations and wins.

After the outcry brought about by the overwhelming whiteness of the 2015 Academy Awards, the Oscars implemented a higher standard for representation. The runaway critical and financial success of Black Panther, Girls Night, and Crazy Rich Asians proved that films featuring non-white protagonists are just as profitable.

Diversity and profit margins are compatible, but the Academy chose to respond to this industry trend with

the short-lived and maligned addition of a ‘popular film’ category—the implication being that as commercial films with diverse casts began succeeding, the Academy designated a category of lesser prestige to account for those movies.

Bohemian Rhapsody and Green Book have taken up the mantle of this year’s villain narrative, and while previous villains’ faults were largely subtextual, this year’s villains have more egregious issues in their production in addition to their woefully-homogenous casting choices.

Bryan Singer, director of Bohemian Rhapsody has been accused of sexual assault, and while he left production before completion, the film’s credits still bear his name.

Bohemian Rhapsody tells the story of Queen’s meteoric rise while cleaning up (read: straightening up) Freddie Mercury’s personal life. Green Book, directed by Dumb and Dumber helmsman Peter Farrelly, tells the true story of the friendship between a black, gay piano player, Dr. Don Shirley, and his white chauffeur. However, Green Book, in typical villainous form, has been diagnosed with a case of ‘white saviour complex.’ While the film overflows with saccharine nods to ‘how far we’ve come,’ Dr. Shirley’s family has accused the filmmakers of misrepresenting their relative and exaggerating the friendship for the sake of ‘multiculturalism.’ Even more upsetting was director Peter Farrelly’s admission to having exposed himself on set. Add in the public use of a racist slur by the white star, and pro-Trump tweets from one of the film’s writers, and, if the subsequent internet outrage is an accurate barometer, Green Book should kiss its Oscar dreams goodbye.

However, on Jan. 22, the Academy announced that both Green Book and Bohemian Rhapsody received Best Picture nods. Despite swirling bad press, a myriad of think pieces, and plenty of rightful criticism, 6000 members of the Academy thought that these films’ positive qualities outweighed their overwhelming negatives.

The Academy is oft thought of as a singularly-minded force, when, in reality, it is fractious and increasingly

Who are you rooting for this awards season?

(Arshaaq Jiffry / The McGill Tribune) diverse. Whether these villains will come home with hardware on Feb. 24 will depend on which faction of the Academy proves influential. Villain narratives provide invaluable clicks that sustain the thinkpiece economy and will therefore likely remain a mainstay of awards season. Nevertheless, the Academy should focus not on drumming up excitement for a Green Book or Bohemian Rhapsody flameout, but instead on honouring films that are radical, diverse, and reflective of this politicallyturbulent era.

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ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT

TUESDAY, JANUARY 29, 2019

‘Spring Awakening’: A change of scene and season Teen tragedy takes the mainstage at Moyse Hall Chloe Maclagan Contributor The Arts Undergraduate Theatre Society’s (AUTS) production of Duncan Sheik and Steven Sater’s 2006 musical, Spring Awakening premiered on Jan. 24 at Moyse Hall.

Directed by Kyra Church (Concordia, BA) and adapted from the 1891 Frank Wedekind play of the same name, Spring Awakening is a coming-of-age tale that follows the lives of young teenagers in late 19thcentury Germany as they uncover realities about themselves, their peers and the world around them.

The musical begins as one of the central characters, Wendla (Leah DeBorba, U0 Arts) asks her mother the age-old question: “Where do ba-

bies come from?” Fearful of divulging too much too soon to her young daughter, Wendla’s mother (Julia Kennific) refuses to answer, intent on keeping Wendla’s innocence intact. Curiosity gets the better of Wendla, however, and what follows is a familiar and heartbreaking account of the trials of adolescence.

The characters in Spring Awakening are all navigating puberty and its accompanying anxieties in an era when traditional values discourage them from exploring their curiosities and desires freely and safely. Wendla isn’t the only one searching for answers; her peers, too, are all puzzled by new experiences and feelings.

When Wendla and her friends meet Melchoir (Natan Saviv, U0), a well-

‘Spring Awakening’ brings to life a coming-of-age tale with compelling music and vibrant staging. (Brock Jensen)

read and mature classmate, they gain the courage to explore their feelings and learn more about themselves.

Discovery, coming of age, and sexuaity are all central themes of Spring Awakening. Notable performances by DeBorba and Eric Wakim (Concordia, BFA) as lovable but nervous Moritz highlight these ideas and anchor the ensemble. Their stunning vocals convey pure emotion, which makes for captivating musical numbers, specifically in “Touch Me.” The brilliant instrumentation, conducted by musical director Ben Barton Creelman (M1, Music) adds depth to the songs and heightens the emotions of the characters while complementing the cast’s outstanding vocals Wendla’s close friend Marta (Devin Sunar, U2 Arts) gives a heartbreaking performance that balances precocity with innocent youthfulness. During “The Dark I Know Well,” Marta reveals to her friends that she has dealt with abuse for years. She is then accompanied by a close friend, Ilse (Meera Raman), who shares that she has endured similar experiences. This number stands out, offering a particularly poignant portrayal of the effects of trauma.

The simple stage design allows

for the actors to make full use of their space, best demonstrated in the various dance sequences. Although the staging is effective, the young girls’ costumes—reflecting different styles and time-periods—are somewhat distracting considering that the rest of the costuming is indicative of the late 19th century time frame.

Jeffrey D’Ambrosio’s (U1 Arts) stunning light direction brings the show to life, particularly in the penultimate scene as the cast joins in unison to sing “Song of Purple Summer.” As the front lights turn off, only the silhouettes of the cast remain backlit with a violet light that creates a mystical atmosphere.

Although Spring Awakening is set over a century ago, the characters’ stories of sexual assault and abuse feel strikingly contemporary.

The musical cements itself as an impactful piece of theatre by portraying an important story that continues to be relevant to this day.

Spring Awakening runs Jan. 31 and Feb. 1 - 2 at 7:30 p.m. at Moyse Hall (853 Sherbrooke St W). Tickets are $15 for students and $20 for the general public and can be purchased online at autstheatre.ca or at the door.

‘True Crime’ doubles down on deception

Popular genre opens exploration of obsession and psychopathy

Jonathan Giammaria Contributor True Crime is labyrinthine. The show, which played at the Centaur from Jan. 8-27, recounts indie-singer-turned-true-crimewriter Torquil Campbell’s real-life investigation into his con man doppelgänger, Christian Karl Gerhartsreiter. In 90 short minutes, Campbell whirls through his crimes, a series of kidnappings and murders, portraying Gerhartsreiter and his many aliases. Campbell also plays himself, chronicling his efforts to meet with Gerhartsreiter. Though the premise may seem overwhelming, Campbell cap-

tures his audience with a story replete with twists and turns befitting the popular true crime genre.

Campbell’s task of switching between the flamboyant Rockefeller, the sweet-talking Chichester, and the Bavarian Gerhartsreiter makes his job seems insurmountable.

Undoubtedly, the exploration of a psychopath’s fractured identity is much more difficult than self-portrayal. Against all odds, however, Campbell manages to believably embody each part.

The unease Campbell creates during his monologues as Gerhartsreiter is particularly

True Crime’ is a haunting look inside the mind of a killer. (montrealtheatrehub.com)

notable. He playfully rips through hyperactive speeches which often transform into terrifying aggression. The audience is left stunned in the wake of his explosive outbursts ,and in the resulting silence, there is nothing to focus on but Gerhartsreiter’s menacing smile.

A much more subtle form of discomfort takes place during Campbell’s self-reflection. If Gerhartsreiter represents manipulative deception, Campbell bills himself as the relatable everyman. For much of the performance, Campbell stands centre stage, often slipping into improvised, informal speech, and breaks the fourth wall, setting up a friendly rapport with the audience. Similarly to his con man character, though, much of it is veneer. Campbell peels back the layers to unveil his own unpalatable qualities. Obsessive and reckless in pursuit of the truth, he lies to his family in order to keep contacting Gerhartsreiter, putting them all in danger. Near the end of the show, he betrays the audience’s trust too, implying that the entire tale is, in fact, fictitious. Deceptive and cunning, the similarities between Campbell and Gerhartsreiter run far deeper than their appearances.

While Campbell is the only actor, an equally-talented performer, musician Julian Brown, accompanies him onstage. Throughout the play, Brown sits upstage, equipped with a guitar and piano. Brown accompanies

McSWAY Open Mic Night McGill Students Spoken Word Associated Youth presents a night of spoken word poetry celebrating women, femmes, and nonbinary people of colour.

Jan. 29, 6-8 p.m., Building 21; $4 / PWYC

Hip Hop Town Hall Conference Youth Stars, a non-profit for youth development, hosts a panel discussion featuring local artists and N.W.A.’s Yella to talk about the state of Montreal’s hip hop community.

Feb. 1, 6-10 p.m., MB 9 Conference Centre; Free admission (RSVP through Eventbrite)

Your Friendly McConnell

Basement Comedy Show The Plumber’s Faucet brings Montreal comedians Darren Henwood, Rodney Ramsey, Kris D. Dulgar, and Samson Cooperman together for a side-splitting Thursday night show.

Jan. 31, 7-8:30 p.m., McConnell Engineering Basement; $5 / pwyc

Vernissage: The Ocean Between Us Russian-Jewish artist Yuula Benivolski showcases photographs of and interviews with Jewish immigrants from across the globe as a part of the Museum of Jewish Montreal’s Movements and Migrations exhibition series.

Jan. 31, 7-9 p.m., Museum of Jewish Montreal Free Campbell with a near-continuous stream of quiet riffs, twangs, and crescendos, and amidst a barebones set, he bolsters Campbell’s performance. With nothing much to engage the eyes, the technique is clever: It mimics the suspenseful ambiance true crime podcasts.

Ultimately, True Crime’s story is one of smoke and mirrors. Gerhartsreiter, whose mysteries are irresistible, is an elusive presence. Campbell, a reflection of Gerhartsreiter, comes to embody this enigmatic nature. He proves to be a master storyteller who spikes the same curiosity in his audience that initially inspired his play. Because Campbell’s show is based on a true story, there is no satisfying conclusion. When the mysteries are left unresolved, as they are for Campbell in real life, the audience is left compelled to seek the truth.

SPORTS

TUESDAY, JANUARY 29, 2019

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Know Your Athlete: Daniel Adesegun McGill running back’s love of football shines through

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Ender McDuff Staff Writer After suffering two injuries in his first university season at the University of Calgary, third-year transfer running back Daniel Adesegun was unsure if he would ever play football again. But, now that he has completed two standout seasons at McGill, it is clear that Adesegun successfully kicked off a new chapter in his athletic and academic career.

Hailing from Corbyn, Texas, Adesegun’s love for football grew out of watching games on TV at the young age of six. He enjoyed watching running backs and big, bruising hits, and, decided that he was going to play football.

“My entire focus was football,” Adesegun said in an interview with The McGill Tribune. “I didn’t care about school. I just played football.”

Adesegun continued to play after his family moved to Calgary, Alberta when he was 12 years old. When the time came, he signed with the local University of Calgary to begin his collegiate career.

The Dinos appealed to him as a perennial championship contender with quality player development.

Adesegun noted a drastic transition from the low-contact-level game of his early years in football to the high-intensity play he experienced in his first collegiate season.

“It’s totally different,” Adesegun said. “It changes how you play. I don’t want to say there is more fear, but there’s certainly a different dynamic. [The game becomes] more structured, more strategic.”

Unfortunately, Adesegun suffered a broken wrist early in his first season at the University of Calgary, and, when he returned, he badly sprained his ankle. The consecutive injuries made him reconsider whether he wanted to keep playing football.

“I think it’s about love,” Adesegun said. “To play football, especially at this level, you have to really love what you are doing [by putting] your body and […] your mind [at] that kind of risk.”

After consulting with a close friend, Adesegun ultimately decided that his passion for the sport outweighed the risks involved.

Consequently, he began the search for his next destination, a school

where he could both play football and pursue his academic passions.

After looking into several schools, Adesegun landed at McGill.

At first, he struggled to adjust to life both academically and socially.

However, a supportive team environment helped Adesegun adapt to his new city.

“Everyone’s there for you and supporting you, so that was great,” Adesegun said. “[My first season] wasn’t the best season, record-wise [for McGill], but I think that getting back into it was really great for […] the way I felt about myself.”

While McGill finished just 1-8, Adesegun enjoyed a successful individual season, walking away with the RSEQ Offensive Rookie of the Year award.

In the 2018 season, the McGill football team continued to struggle to win games, leaving Adesegun disappointed. He was encouraged, however, by how the team came together toward the end of the season. Moving forward, Adesegun’s goals for the team are simple.

“Compete,” Adesegun said. “Compete in the playoffs [... and] compete hard.”

Adesegun is an integral part of the team. The running back prefers to lead by example, and his statistics make that clear. He led McGill in rushing yards and tied for the team-best mark in touchdowns this past season.

“You want to do the best you can individually to support the team,” Adesegun said. “If I’m not performing up to par, […] then we aren’t going to reach our potential.”

To get ready for games, Adesegun makes sure to get lots of rest. He spends time visualizing the game and listening to soft music.

“I like to come out before warm-up and do my own warm-up,” Adesegun said. “I like to get out there, lay down, and […] just be there with the field and get peaceful.”

Adesegun acknowledges that this routine is different from the typical, higher-energy warm-up of some of his teammates. However, his way is one that has successfully created a dynamic, accomplished competitor, who—despite any injury—will not be going anywhere anytime soon.

Daniel Adesegun transferred to McGill from the University of Calgary. (mcgillathletics.ca)

Super Bowl LIII preview Rams and Patriots meet in rematch of Super Bowl XXXVI Paul McCann Contributor On Feb. 3 in Atlanta, Georgia, the New England Patriots and the Los Angeles Rams will face off in Super Bowl LIII. Seventeen years removed from a Patriots victory in the teams’ last Super Bowl clash, much has changed for the two franchises. The Rams moved back from St. Louis and have made the playoffs only four times since 2002; meanwhile, the Patriots have won four more Super Bowl titles, cementing themselves as one of the greatest sports dynasties of all time.

The two teams’ roads to the Super Bowl are similar: Both won their respective divisions to secure a bye in the first round of the playoffs. The Patriots, 11-5 in the regular season, bested the Los Angeles Chargers in the divisional round and then the Kansas City Chiefs in the conference championship. On the other hand, the Rams went 13-3 in the regular season. They beat the Dallas Cowboys in the divisional round and the New Orleans Saints in the conference championship due, in

part, to a controversial pass interference non-call late in the game.

In terms of yards per game, the teams are evenly matched on both sides of the ball. Los Angeles is led by quarterback Jared Goff and top receiver Robert Woods, whose connections led the Rams to gain 421.1 yards per game, almost 30 more than the Patriots in the regular season.

The Rams also scored 32.9 points a game, nearly six more than the Patriots’ 27.2. On defense, both sides gave up roughly the same number of yards per game, but New England held their opponents to 20.3 points per game compared to the Rams’ 24 points against per game, seventh and 20th in the league, respectively.

One matchup to watch out for throughout the game will take place between the Rams’ defensive line, led by Aaron Donald, against Patriots quarterback Tom Brady. Donald, the 2017-18 NFL Defensive Player of the Year, put up another strong campaign this season, leading the league with 20.5 sacks. On the other side of the ball, Tom Brady is known for his lightning-quick release, giving pass rushers minimal time to sack or pressure him. If Brady can

Tom Brady and the New England Patriots will face Aaron Donald and the Los Angeles Rams in Super Bowl LIII. (Getty Images / USA Today Sports) find his favourite weapons—primarily Julian Edelman, Rob Gronkowski, and James White—quickly, then Donald’s impact will be limited. If not, Brady will be in for a tough fight.

The Rams have the advantage in the running game with star running back Todd Gurley on their side.

Gurley has been in the NFL’s top three in rushing yards for the past two seasons, though his recent play is cause for concern. He suffered a

slight knee injury in Week 15, which led him to miss the last two weeks of the regular season. Despite returning to rush for over 100 yards in the divisional round, he was limited to just four carries for 10 yards in the conference championship. Rams Head Coach Sean McVay has since said that Gurley played less due to poor performance, but the fear of a nagging injury still remains.

As for the Patriots, running back Sony Michel has

rushed for over 100 yards in each playoff game: If he can maintain his strong performance, what once seemed like a clear advantage for L.A. is suddenly far from certain.

Ultimately, Donald and the Rams offense will push the Rams over the Patriots in an exciting affair. Both teams have earned their spots in the NFL’s biggest game of the year and will surely deliver a thrilling contest for fans of football and Maroon 5 alike.

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SPORTS

TUESDAY, JANUARY 29, 2019

Martlet volleyball storms past Sherbrooke in straight sets McGill looks strong as they aim to secure top playoff spot Shaun Lalani Contributor On Jan. 25 at Love Competition Hall, the McGill Martlets (15-12-3) took down a sturdy Sherbrooke Vert et Or (14-5-9) defense in three hotly contested sets. The Martlets treated the 170 fans in attendance for the Martlets’ annual Dig for the Cure game—a fundraiser to support the Quebec Breast Cancer Foundation—to some spectacular plays as they inched closer to cementing a top postseason position.

The start to the first set was intense as both teams tried to assert their presence early. Thirdyear power-hitter Claire Vercheval kicked off a strong three-point run with a perfectly-placed ace, and the Martlets took control of the set.

Sherbrooke fought back late but could not stop McGill, and the first set ended 25-20 in favour of the Martlets.

The beginning of the second set saw much of the same from McGill. A block from Vercheval set the tone for the strong Martlet start and incited a rousing cheer from the crowd. The pressure only grew after an error from the Sherbrooke libero led to a seven-point difference in favour of McGill, 8-1.

Despite a breathtaking one-handed dig from Martlet power-hitter Emilie Matte de Grasse, Sherbrooke finally killed the run. There was some controversy over the play, however, as the umpire seemingly missed a double hit by a Sherbrooke player for the point, leading to some rumbling among the Martlet fans. The opponents used the confusion as fuel, fighting back to take the lead 17-16.

from Nishikawa, the Martlets took control and completed the three-set victory.

With the win, the Martlets maintain a fourpoint advantage over the second-place Montreal Carabins, with a game in hand. Béliveau, however, is wary of complacency.

“In the past, we had a good season, and we would not qualify for the playoffs because [we] missed one game,” Béliveau said. “It’s so tight.

We have to take every opportunity [… and] be prepared for the challenge.”

The Martlets defeated the last-place Ottawa Gee Gees (1-13) in four sets on Jan. 27. They will face their closest competitors, the Université de Montréal Carabins (11-4), on Feb. 3.

The Martlets did not drop a single set against the visiting Sherbrooke Vert et Or. (Keli Geers / The McGill Tribune) The two teams traded leads several more times as the tension reached its peak. But, with the set then tied at 23, McGill held strong and staved off the Vert et Or for two consecutive points to take the second set, 25-23.

Martlet Head Coach Rachèle Béliveau urged her team to focus after the tight second set.

“She told us we had to execute […] our game plan,” fourth-year middle blocker Mila Krunic said. “Whenever we get a kill, we get very excited. It gives us momentum. She wanted us to keep the momentum.”

Heading into the third set, an aggressive exchange for the first point set the tone for what

would be the closest set of the game. A timely, textbook dig by Martlet libero Lea-Marie Duguay and another hammered hit from Vercheval highlighted the Martlets’ efforts midway through the set.

McGill finally built some momentum, courtesy of a bold kill from second-year setter Andreanne Tremblay and the opponents unfortunately hitting the ceiling, giving the Martlets a 20-17 lead. However, an inspired Sherbrooke side pushed the game to its limit by evening out the score at 24. In response, Béliveau brought fourth-year right-side hitter Clare Nishikawa onto the court late in the game. With some key blocks

Moment of the Game

Fourth-year power hitter Claire Vercheval got the loudest cheer of the game when she capped off the secondset with a thunderous strike.

Quotable

“We came out strong and […] ready. We came out knowing the game plan […] and did it. We were confident in our display.” - Middle blocker Mila Krunic on why McGill was the better of the two teams.

Stat Corner

Martlet power-hitter Claire Vercheval put up a game-high 22.5 points.

Sand, surf, and sweet victory for McGill men’s basketball Beach night crowd fuels comeback victory against Bishop’s Owen Gibbs Staff Writer On the evening of Jan. 24, firstyear guard Quarry Whyne scored 21 points to help McGill men’s basketball (5-4) come back from a 15-point deficit and defeat the Bishop’s Gaiters (3-9) 84-80. The crowd, decked out in Hawaiian shirts and flip-flops for McGill Athletics’ annual Beach Night, fostered an exciting atmosphere throughout the game. The two teams delivered an exciting contest, but it was McGill who came out on top to earn a second win over Bishop’s following the Martlets’ earlier 57-39 victory.

The McGill men’s team started slowly. Bishop’s scored three quick three-pointers in the opening minutes to go ahead by a score of 9-1.

However, a layup by McGill fifthyear forward Noah Daoust and a dunk from fellow fifth-year guard Avery Cadogan gave the team— and the crowd—new life, and they caught up to the Gaiters to enter the second frame behind by only one point. Throughout the night, McGill continued to lose ground, only to regain momentum and cut into the Gaiters’ advantage again.

In the second quarter, the Gaiters took several sizable leads, and

Fifth-year forward Noah Daoust sinks a free throw. (Miya Keilin / The McGill Tribune) McGill responded with successful offensive drives of their own to bring the lead back within a few points each time. As the quarter wore on, a series of baskets gave Bishop’s a 45-35 lead that they carried into halftime.

Bishop’s built on their lead early in the third quarter. Consecutive three-pointers in the opening minutes put the Gaiters ahead by a comfortable 15 points. However, this moment was the turning point in McGill’s favour; the home team scored basket after basket in the fol-

lowing minutes. With 53 seconds remaining in the quarter, Whyne hit a pair of free throws to even the match at 64 points apiece heading into the final frame.

The last 10 minutes played out much like the rest of the game had: Bishop’s built a lead, only for McGill to come back and draw even or take the lead. With the score sitting at 80-74 for the Gaiters and a minute left on the clock, a threepoint shot and a technical free throw from Cadogan brought McGill within two points. Finally, Whyne sunk a

three-point shot with 27 seconds remaining, giving McGill a one-point lead that they would hold onto for their fourth win of the season.

Head Coach David DeAveiro spoke to his team’s resiliency.

“This is a young, young group,” DeAveiro said. “They’ve shown that they don’t quit, that they play right to the end, regardless of time or score.”

McGill has a relatively youthful squad, with all but four players playing in their first or second year.

Whyne, who is already emerging as a star, is one of those first-year athletes.

“It was a good game,” Whyne said. “We need these wins so that

[Bishop’s] cannot be in the playoffs, so it was a big game for them and us.”

Cadogan, a team veteran, is satisfied with the younger players’ performance thus far in the season and is sure that they will continue to be successful after he graduates.

“I have the utmost confidence in the future of our young guys,” Cadogan said. “They all have plenty of potential. They’re just getting the experience right now, which I’m sure will be valuable for their future.”

In the rematch at Bishop’s on Jan. 26, McGill won by a score of 66-58. They will host the Laval Rouge et Or (4-5) on Jan. 31.

Moment of the Game

The crowd erupted when Whyne sunk his game-winning basket with 27 seconds to play.

Quotable

“The playoffs are a long way away. When we get there, we want to make sure that we’re playing the best that we can.” – Head Coach David DeAveiro on McGill’s plans as the postseason approaches.

Stat Corner

Quarry Whyne scored a season-high 21 points, nearly tripling his previous record at McGill of eight points.