the journal
AMS EXECUTIVE DEBATE
All candidates speak to enhancing the overall student experience
Aya Alhasany & Lauren Nicol Assistant
News Editors
Five AMS executive candidates share their visions for the 2025-26 school year.
Sectioned by position, the debate took place at Goodes Hall on Jan. 23 at 6 p.m., with all five candidates in attendance. Candidates include Jana Amer, HealthSci ’26, and Nicolas David Brasset Duque, ArtSci ’25 for President; Alyssa Perisa, ArtSci ’25, and Dreyden George, ArtSci ’26 for Vice-President (University Affairs); and uncontested candidate Elena Nurzynski, ArtSci ’25, for Vice-President (Operations).
From Jan. 21 to 22, students submitted position-specific questions for candidates at the Queen’s Centre. At the debate, each candidate answered seven questions tailored to their role, with two minutes per response. Candidates for the same position address the same questions and delivered both opening and closing statements.
Vice-President (University Affairs)
The debate began with Perisa and George taking the stage
as the two candidates up for the position of Vice-President (University Affairs).
When asked why she wanted to run for this role, Perisa said she wanted to contribute to the AMS and improve student lives through small changes. She emphasized the importance of using the position to advocate for diversity and inclusion.
For George, he didn’t consider the role when he first began at the AMS as the social issues commissioner (external) as a first-year student. However, he believes he has a deep understanding of the barriers many students face as an Indigenous and first-generation student to attend university. He plans to advocate for students within this role.
Another question highlighted concerns about the Campus Affairs Commission’s lack of direction.
In response, George presented a plan to establish an international affairs centre within the commission. He outlined additional goals, including collaborating with the University to organize sanctioned tailgates for Homecoming and St. Patrick’s Day, which he believes will reduce harm and minimize fines.
According to Perisa, Orientation Roundtable (ORT) Mystery Concert is a large undertaking for faculty societies. If elected, she would consider moving the concert under the Campus Affairs Commission.
Queen’s Medical School professor under investigation after complaints of anti-Palestinian racism
The professor allegedly took a photo of a medical student in class wearing symbol of Palestinian solidarity
Allie Moustakis Editor in Chief
This article mentions harassment and discrimination that may be triggering for some readers. The Peer Support Centre offers peer-based drop-in session and is
open daily from 12 p.m. to 10 p.m.
Dr. Samuel Silver, an associate professor of Nephrology at Queen’s, is facing multiple complaints from students concerning alleged anti-Palestinian behaviour and professional conduct.
President of the Aesculapian Society—the society which represents all medicalstudents in the School of Medicine—Tyler Williamson, MD ’27, filed a complaint to the Department of Medicine on behalf
Currently, the concert falls under the purview of the ORT commission.
Both candidates stated the Commissioner of External Affairs should be promoted to a vice-presidential position at the executive level, given the extent of the profile and the connections the commissioner makes with government staff and politicians on all levels of government. The commissioner’s involvement in the Ontario Universities Student’s Alliance (OUSA) introduces the commissioner to several provincial politicians and stakeholders.
In their closing remarks, Perisa and George emphasized amplifying student voices and the importance of advocacy, which they both hope to bring to the Vice-President (University Affairs) position.
Vice-President (Operations)
Because Nurzynski is running uncontested, the
year medical class following an incident involving Dr. Silver and a student on Dec. 3. The complaint alleges Dr. Silver took a photo of a student in class wearing a sweatshirt featuring a watermelon design—a symbol often associated with Palestinian solidarity.
According to another student in the class, Dr. Silver remained behind after his lecture, reportedly looking for his AirPods, when he was seen
Vice-President (Operations) portion of the debate ran as a question and answer period. Like Persia and George, she opened by explaining her decision to run for her respective position. Her motivation stems from a desire to share the knowledge she has gained through her experience at Tricolour Outlet and as the current head manager of Common Ground Coffeehouse.
“I’ve worked at the AMS for a few years, and I’ve gotten so much from every single role that I’ve held. I want to be able to pass that knowledge down to service head managers and their teams,” Nurzynski said.
She believes the AMS provides “fantastic” job opportunities for students, further elaborating that expanding collaboration within the society is vital in understanding the wants and needs of students and workers.
“I think it’s really important
using his phone to zoom in and take a photo of a student who was seated near the front of the room.
“He was doing the pinching motion, like zooming in. It looked very strange. So, I looked behind me to see if there was anything going on and that’s when I saw one of my classmates who was wearing a watermelon sweatshirt. It was very easy to put two and two together,” Alex*, a second-year medical student in
to ensure the AMS is establishing strong relationships with the student body,” Nurzynski said. “I really want to learn from the student community and hear what they have to say about the AMS and what they’d like to see from it.”
She hopes to increase student engagement within the AMS through creating personable and educational content. Ideas for engagement, she shared, include student focus groups, pitching stories to The Journal, and renewing the habit of regular AMS newsletters to share regular updates on services.
In an effort to promote transparency, the fourth and final pillar in her platform, Nurzynski hopes to break down and share the budgets of services in a more digestible way, emphasizing the need for students to be aware of where their fees are going.
See NEWS on page 2
the class, said in an interview with The Journal.
Before the incident, students, including Alex, had been boycotting Dr. Silver’s lectures due to posts on his now deleted X account, which many felt contained highly politicized content. Alex described the posts as promoting views that were perceived as anti-Palestinian and Islamophobic. See NEWS on page 2
The debate took place on Jan. 23 in Goodes Hall.
PHOTO BY NELSON CHEN
Principal Patrick Deane shares vision for University’s 200th birthday
The 2041 bicentennial vision focuses on humanities support, financial sustainability, and global outreach
Jonathan Reilly Assistant News Editor
Although the University’s 200th birthday is 16 years away, Principal Patrick Deane and Queen’s are already gearing up for the bicentennial celebration.
A discussion paper, titled “Queen’s Bicentennial Vision,” was sent out via e-mail to the Queen’s community on Jan. 17. It outlines the milestone anniversary nearly two decades away and positions it as an opportunity for the University to reflect and plan for the future. The paper covers topics such as the University’s current financial challenges, the rising emphasis on science, technology, engineering, and
math (STEM) fields, and broader institutional plans. A summary page was also released by the University to outline the basic themes touched on in the paper.
In an interview with The Journal, Principal Deane emphasized the importance of charting a deliberate course for the University as it approaches this milestone.
“It’s about the importance of having our own destiny in our own hands. We don’t want to wind up with a University that has a particular shape and direction by accident or as a result of decisions governments make about funding and so on. We want, in 2041, to have a Queen’s that’s as it is by our design,” Deane said.
A core theme in the paper is the preservation of humanities and ensuring they don’t become secondary to hard sciences such as engineering. While acknowledging the shift toward STEM degrees, Deane stresses the value of offering a holistic education which allows students to understand the different variables in any issues they’ll face.
“The great challenges that face humanity are multidisciplinary. In that context, it doesn’t make a whole lot of sense to be training people in a mono-disciplinary way,” Deane said.
Deane highlights the need for global engagement, emphasizing the dual importance—both for students to have the global understanding they need to exceed once they graduate and to continue attracting international talent to the University to assist in their commitment to providing highquality research.
He warns policies restricting international students could harm both the University’s finances and its academic mission.
“This needs to be an institution with global standing and global perspective,” Deane said. When asked how he would ensure the University set itself up for success after addressing budgetary issues, he explained they’d be taking a logical approach to finances.
Continued online at www.queensjournal.ca
Medical School professor under investigation
Continued from front page..
Queen’s Faculty of Health Sciences, where the School of Medicine is located, social media policies require personal social media use include a disclaimer clarifying that views are personal and not representative of the University. The policy states online actions impacting the faculty’s reputation or learning environment can lead to disciplinary action, including termination.
On Dec. 4, the day following the alleged incident, students received an e-mail from Associate Dean Dr. Eugenia Piliotis acknowledging the concerns raised about Dr. Silver’s behaviour during the lecture.
“I am writing to acknowledge that both myself and Dr. Fitzpatrick in learner wellness have received multiple concerns regarding the behaviour of one of our faculty members during a second-year class yesterday at the Kingston Campus,” Dr. Piliotis wrote. “I want to reassure all students that we are taking the concerns seriously and are actively investigating the incident.”
This isn’t the first time Dr. Silver’s behaviour has drawn criticism. Earlier in the term, concerns arose regarding his conduct during a grand rounds delivered by Dr. Ben Thomson on humanitarian aid in conflict zones on Oct. 29. Dr. Thomson is a nephrologist and former associate
professor in Queen’s Department of Medicine, as well as a colleague of Dr. Silver.
The rounds, facilitated by the Department of Family Medicine as part of their grand rounds, was intended to provide students with insight into how aid is delivered in conflict zones.
According to Dr. Thomson, members of the community attempted to have the lecture cancelled.
“It was somewhat odd because I’d given the lecture before in a couple other university settings, but it was probably about a week before I was notified by the Department of Family Medicine that there were a lot of concerns about the talk that was coming up, and that a number of people had complained and tried to get the rounds cancelled,”
Dr. Thomson said in an interview with The Journal.
It was then, for the first time in his professional career, Dr. Thomson was advised to read the Chicago Principles, a set of guidelines promoting freedom of expression and open debate within academic settings, as well as the University’s policy on free expression and the Harassment and Discrimination Prevention and Response Policy.
“I’ve never been given that before by anybody. I consider myself a consummate professional with these things and to be given that was a little bit off putting,
AMS firSt de-SlAted debAte
Continued from front page.. President
The AMS President candidates’ debate closed the evening, with Amer and Brasset Duque discussing their visions for the position.
Amer explained her overall goal is to leave Queen’s better than how she found it, wanting the AMS to become a stronger, more impactful resource for students. Brasset Duque also discussed improving campus, stating how his five years at Queen’s have allowed him to have numerous conversations with students, staff, and faculty.
Candidates were asked how they would ensure equal representation for all students, with Brasset Duque highlighting the importance of working with faculty societies to understand the issues of the various faculties. Amer echoed his sentiments, adding the importance of meeting with clubs to understand the needs of the diverse student body.
In addressing concerns of safety on campus for religious minorities, particularly Jewish students, Brasset Duque stated the importance of students being able to freely express identity and plans to work to offer mental health support and employee training.
to be honest,” Dr. Thomson said.
The rounds, originally scheduled to take place in Haynes Hall, was moved to a different venue due to security concerns.
In an e-mail forwarded to Dr. Thomson, Department Head, Family Medicine Dr. Alenia Kysela, explained Queen’s Event Assessment Team was conducting a risk assessment due to the dual use of Haynes Hall as both a clinical and educational space. “This may result in a request for a different venue,” Dr. Kysela wrote on Oct. 25.
“When I arrived to give rounds, I learned the day before the location had changed due to security concerns, which I thought to be a little bit again, peculiar, because I’ve given [a talk on] this topic many times before,” Dr. Thomson said.
Despite the change in venue, Dr. Silver attended the lecture sitting in the front row, wearing a “Bring Them Home Now” hat and military dog tags. Throughout the session, Dr. Silver was reportedly recording parts of the lecture on his phone.
During the Q&A portion, Dr. Silver posed questions that many, including Dr. Thomson, found unrelated to the lecture’s focus on humanitarian aid in conflict zones. One of his questions included whether Israeli women had been sexually assaulted during the events of Oct. 7.
Dr. Thomson described the questions as inappropriate and
CORRECTION
A Jan. 21 online story of The Queen’s Journal incorrectly stated that four students sit on the Board of Directors. Only three students sit on the Board, one of which is the Graduate Student Trustee. The Journal regrets this error.
be safe in your own home,” he said. Touching on the same question, Amer aims to tackle this issue through education and awareness.
“Hate and misunderstanding thrive on ignorance,” she said. She plans to facilitate open dialogue by listening to the experiences of religious minorities such as Jewish students and by holding cultural celebrations.
“This is more than just policies or events. It’s about showing up for each other consistently and standing up against hate with one another,” Amer said.
In wrapping up the debate, Brasset Duque broke down into tears with his closing remark.
“It’s been a pleasure to call this place my home [...] I love this University,” he said. Amer helped support him, rushing to grab him napkins, after which she stated the election is about more than just leadership, but also about representation.
“This is not just my campaign, this is ours,” Amer said. The two candidates then shared a hug.
AMS Executive elections will take place on Jan. 29 to 30 through SimplyVoting, with results released at 9 a.m. on Jan. 31.
“If you’re a student at Queen’s University, this campus is your home, and you deserve to
disruptive, being posed as “gotcha” questions to elicit and record a response.
“Providing humanitarian aid in a humanitarian crisis shouldn’t be a controversial topic. Providing support for the needy should be what we’re doing as physicians, right? All of us should be doing that,” Dr. Thomson said.
Dr. Thomson recalls students and faculty in the department staying after the rounds to express their thanks, with several apologizing for Dr. Silver’s behaviour. This was the last Dr. Thomson heard from the Department of Family Medicine.
“I just kind of moved on. I didn’t think about it. Part of me wishes I did. Part of me wishes I did push the Department of Family Medicine and ask, how did you allow that attempted intimidation to happen?”
When The Journal asked about the nature of the investigation into Dr. Silver’s behaviour and the complaint filed against him, as well as his employment status within the School of Medicine, the University declined to provide specific details.
“For privacy reasons, the University does not publicly comment on individual personnel matters. The University provides a range of tailored
services, programs, and resources to support the Queen’s community. We encourage anyone in need of support to seek these out,” the University statement’s said. The Aesculapian Society, which filed the formal complaint on behalf of the second-year medical class, reaffirmed its commitment to advocating for students.
“The Aesculapian Society has taken this very seriously. In addition to working with the MD program and formal complaint process, we have spoken at length with the student impacted by this and what their needs are,” Williamson said in a statement to The Journal.
Despite repeated efforts, Dr. Silver didn’t respond to The Journal’s requests for comment.
As the investigation remains ongoing, students like Alex continue to reflect on the incident and its implications for accountability and professionalism at Queen’s.
“I think for a professor to be triggered and behave that way, I think it’s really inappropriate,” Alex said. “Even if it’s something you fundamentally
AMS 2025-26 Candidate Profiles
PreSident
Jana Amer and Nicolas David Brasset Duque highlight accessibility, engagement, and change
Jonathan Reilly Assistant News Editor
The race for next year’s AMS presidency is on, with two students competing for the coveted top position.
Jana Amer, HealthSci ’26, and Nicolas David Brasset Duque, ArtSci ’25, are both in the running for the position of AMS President. If elected, they would act as the AMS’s primary external representative, sit on the AMS Board of Directors and Queen’s Senate, run the presidential caucus of faculty society presidents, and assist with overseeing governance in the AMS. Amer and Brasset sat down with The Journal to share their platforms, ideas, and reasons for running for President.
Jana Amer
Amer, a third-year health sciences student, is running for President to address what she believes is a key challenge: students’ lack of awareness about the AMS.
The presidential candidate first noticed the disconnect between undergraduate students and their governing body while working at the DrugSmart Pharmacy in the Queen’s Centre, where she observed many students being unaware of the AMS’s health and dental insurance plan.
According to Amer, her experience as the current social issues commissioner (internal) and vice-president (residence operations) of the Residence Society have prepared her for the role of AMS President, touching on one of her biggest takeaways.
“These experiences truly taught me that leadership isn’t about doing it all, but it’s actually a lot about empowering others on how to succeed and how to flourish within their roles,” she said.
Her campaign focuses on accessibility, collaboration, and transparency—or “ACT”— reflecting her vision for an AMS that acts for every student.
One way Amer believes AMS accessibility can improve is by transforming its website. She proposed an advocacy toolkit—an interactive diagram on the AMS site—providing students with a centralized resource to understand its operations, identify key contacts, and access important information.
Amer noted many students feel disconnected from AMS decisionmaking. She aims to address this by expanding forums, surveys, and office hours to improve communication between the executives and the student body.
For transparency, Amer wants to focus on building trust through clear and consistent communication,
adding she would like to publish monthly updates of what’s going on in the AMS and short one-minute assembly recaps to inform the student body.
When asked how she would ensure students voices are properly advocated for at the upper administration level, Amer explained she’ll focus on making sure student concerns are being backed up with a combination of individual testimonials and factual data. She emphasized the importance of speaking with a
solution-oriented approach, rather than outlining problems with no fixes.
“You deserve an AMS that listens, acts, and delivers. My promise is that I will lead with heart, I will lead with empathy and an unwavering commitment to making sure that student life on campus is better.”
Nicolas David Brasset Duque
According to Brasset Duque, a year-and-a-half ago, he had never heard of the AMS and wasn’t aware
of how students could make their voices heard on the decisions that impacted them.
During his year-and-a half internship with Smith Engineering from 2023-24, Brasset Duque participated in town halls and spoke with University stakeholders, which showed him the power there was in student voices.
Continued online at www.queensjournal.ca
Vice-PreSident (UniVerSity AffAirS)
Alyssa Perisa and Dreyden George aim high as they go
head-to-head for the role
Lauren Nicol Assistant News Editor
In the AMS’s first official de-slated election, two candidates are up for the role of Vice-President (University Affairs).
Candidates Dreyden George, ArtSci ’26, and Alyssa Perisa, ArtSci ’25, sat down with The Journal to discuss their platforms for the upcoming school year.
The Vice-President (University Affairs) role is one of the three executive positions in the AMS and is responsible for all matters of political and educational nature, research and policy development, internal academic issues, equity initiatives, campus affairs, orientation, and University administration affairs.
The role oversees six commissions, including the Environmental Sustainability Commission, Campus Affairs Commission, External Affairs Commission, Commission of Clubs, Orientation Round Table, and the Social Issues Commission.
Alyssa Perisa
“I really want to try and be a voice for students when they’re
feeling uncertain,” Perisa said in an interview with The Journal.
Perisa, one of six current Arts and Science Undergraduate Society’s representatives to the AMS, is a life sciences student with three campaign pillars: optimization, connections, and championing.
Most recently, she served as the orientation roundtable (ORT) concert and communications director, a position within the ORT commission under the VicePresident (University Affairs) portfolio. She believes these positions have prepared her to take on the executive role.
Through her optimization pillar, she hopes to internally streamline processes within the AMS, including turning written transition manuals into online modules. She highlighted bringing back the former practice of regular AMS newsletters, which she said used to be sent to students’ emails.
“When there are important issues on campus, they can go to the newsletter, [so students] understand what we’re doing about it, and know who to go to [to] discuss it,” she said.
Perisa shared her decision to run for Vice-President (University Affairs) was driven by the desire to advocate for students, just as previous leaders in the role had done for her.
“I want to be able to come to them and say: this is what I’m doing. This is how I can support you. Come to me for anything, and I’ll see what I can do to help support you,” she said.
She said this support for
Vice-PreSident (OPerAtiOnS)
Current Common Ground Head Manager talks branding, transparency, and efficiency for AMS services
Aya Alhasany Assistant News Editor
Vice-President (Operations) candidate Elena Nurzynski has a “hands-on” vision for the AMS’s 11 services.
Running on a platform centred on strengthening ties between undergraduate students and the AMS, Elena Nurzynski, ArtSci ’25, is the sole candidate for the Vice-President (Operations) position. Currently pursuing a degree in health studies, Nurzynski aims to leverage the Vice-Presidential position to pass on the knowledge and skills she’s gained through working at the AMS to future generations of students.
students, combined with her fresh perspectives on the AMS, would make her an ideal candidate.
“The AMS needs someone with a deep understanding of how it works, without any internal bias. I’m the candidate with that fresh perspective, having experience both within the AMS and outside in the faculty societies.”
Dreyden George
When asked why he would be the ideal candidate for VicePresident (University Affairs), George referenced his experience and resilience.
George, an economics and environmental studies student, believes his extensive experience within the university affairs portfolio makes him a strong candidate for the Vice-President (University Affairs) position.
As the current Commissioner of External Affairs, last year’s Clubs Commissioner, and the Social Issues Commissioner (External) during his first year at Queen’s, , George’s campaign pillars include proactive transparency and accountability, increased research and consultation, an intersectional margin-to-centre approach, working to save students time and money, building student connection and experience, and advancing relationships.
Continued online at www.queensjournal.ca
Nurzynski felt it was the “natural” step for her to run for VicePresident (Operations), citing her experience working for multiple AMS services which include being a service staff for the Tricolour Outlet and Common Ground Coffeehouse’s (CoGro) current head manager following her time as the staff and admin relations assistant manager in 2023-24.
The Vice-President (Operations) overlooks the daily operations and financials of the AMS, which includes the administration of the AMS’s 11 services in addition to overseeing all service head managers.
The services within the positions purview include the Tricolour Outlet, CoGro, Peer Support Centre, Walkhome, Foodbank, Student Life Centre, AMS Media Centre, Queen’s StuCons, The Queen’s Journal, Housing Resource Centre, and the Academic Grievance Centre. The Vice-President is also responsible for the Bus-it program, a contract between the AMS and City of Kingston that allows AMS students to ride for free.
“I feel like I’ve grown so much as a student leader, and I really want to be able to pass this on to our future service head managers and provide them with those same learning opportunities,” Nurzynski said in an interview with The Journal.
Nurzynski’s platform stands on four main pillars: branding and engagement, community and relationships, accountability and operational efficiency, and transparency.
Continued online at www.queensjournal.ca
AMS executive debate took place on Jan. 23.
PHOTO BY NELSON CHEN
‘My parents couldn’t speak for who they lost, so I have to’
Lauren Nicol Assistant News Editor
This article discusses the Holocaust and may be triggering for some readers. The Peer Support Centre offers drop-in services and empathetic peer-based support and is open from 12 p.m. to 10 p.m. Online services can be accessed here. Students may also contact Queen’s Hillel at yos.tarshish@hillelontario.org.
Queen’s Hillel remembers the over six million Jewish people who died during the Holocaust.
As part of the International Holocaust Education Week, Hillel and Students for Holocaust Awareness, Remembrance, and Education (SHARE) are co-hosting a week of events from Jan. 20 to 27, with the hopes of raising awareness, educating students on the Holocaust, and keeping in memory the stories of survivors.
While Hillel is hosting a week of commemorative events, official Holocaust Remembrance Day is on Jan. 27, which marks the liberation of Auschwitz—the largest and deadliest concentration camp where over one million Jewish people perished. Auschwitz is recognized globally as a symbol
of the genocide carried out by Nazi Germany, particularly the annihilation of Jewish people.
Audrey Feld, ArtSci ’26 and chair of SHARE said one of the main focuses of the week’s programming is to keep the stories of survivors who are no longer with us and the survivors who chose not to speak about their experiences alive.
“By recovering these hidden pieces of history and elevating the voices of those who can no longer speak for themselves, we not only honour their memory but also ensure that their experiences and cultural legacies continue to bear witness to the atrocities they endured and the resilience of the Jewish people,” Feld said in an interview with The Journal.
The week’s events began with a presentation by members of Hillel at AMS Assembly where they spoke on the prejudice and violence Jewish people all around theworldfacetothisday. Assembly’s theme was “Remembering the Holocaust” ahead of International Holocaust Remembrance Day on Jan. 27.
“It’s a scary time to be a Jewish student, even just a Jew. We shouldn’t live in the same fear as our ancestors, and yet we do,” Feld said.
Another Holocaust Education Week event hosted speaker Karen Lasky for the talk “Holocaust Testimony: A Descendant Bares Witness” on Jan 21.
She spoke about being a child of Holocaustsurvivorswhowereputin multiple concentration camps and the “unspoken past” she feels from her parents.
“They [her parents] were very broken. They were in the worst death camps imaginable and couldn’t speak of their past,” Lasky said in an interview with The
Journal. “I grew up rather protected about that […] but even though it wasn’t articulated, I felt it and grew up with it.”
Lasky shared how years later, her mother opened up about her trauma after a trip to Lasky’s son’s history class where she spoke about her experience in the Holocaust. After that, Lasky began
to dig into her parent’s past and started to share their experiences. She shared about how her mother had to jump from a train going to a concentration camp where the rest of her family was taken.
Continued online at www.queensjournal.ca
Queen’s Alumni bring comfort and representation to kids with medical challenges
‘If it brings a smile to few kids, we’ve done our jobs’
Meghrig Milkon Senior News Editor
When life gave them yarn, three Queen’s alum turned it into crocheted monkeys—complete with tiny prosthetic limbs.
The Medical Monkeys project, founded by Maya Morcos, Amir-Ali Golrokhian-Sani, and Angela Li, all HealthSci ’23 graduates is dedicated to offering comfort and representation to children facing medical challenges. Later joined by Bassam Jeryous Fares at the University of Ottawa’s Faculty of Medicine, the team offers crocheted toy monkeys, paired with custom 3D-printed assistive devices, such as prosthetics and hearing aids that are crocheted on the monkeys to ensure the visibility of these procedures.
Based in Ottawa, the team collaborates with the Children’s Hospital of Eastern Ontario
to identify common medical conditions such as prosthetic limbs, cochlear implants, tracheostomy tubes, and glasses. Using CHEO’s list of most common procedures, they craft crocheted monkeys tailored to young patients’ needs, with Ottawa volunteers handmaking each toy.
“The general idea of the project is to create toys that normalize various assistive devices for children because generally, you don’t see many [toys like ones with representation of children’s diseases] at big stores like Walmart. Some of these procedures can be traumatic for children—we were hoping to create something that was kind of support,” Golrokhian-Sani said in an interview with The Journal.
Representation remains at the heart of the foursome’s mission. By creating toys that reflect children’s different medical journeys, Medical Monkeys aims to foster a sense of belonging and normalcy for young patients who may not see themselves represented in mainstream toys or feel different
from their peers and their families.
“When you’re in that vulnerable of a situation and you feel that you look different from your peers and even your family members, that’s a point to make to say representation does matter,” Morcos said.
The initiative was born from the group brainstorming ways to combine their medical studies with their personal interests and skills. Morcos shared that her passion for crocheting became a meaningful tool when she realized she could use it to make a positive impact on children’s lives, bringing about change and “putting a smile on their face.”
“These are completely, from start to finish, made from scratch,” Morcos said. “We do have a few people volunteering helping crochet, which has been so lovely, but we crochet the monkeys then use the 3D-printer that we have access to in our library and make the prosthetics.”
Continued online at www.queensjournal.ca
The Journal provides free space in its print edition and online for parties on the referendum ballot. All statements are unedited. The winter referendum will take place on Jan. 29 and Jan. 30 at queensams.simplyvoting.com.
The following fees are seeking establishment:
Ban Righ Centre
100% of the AMS Student Fee collected for Ban Righ Centre Bursaries goes back to students as emergency bursaries for mature women students.
The Ban Righ Centre is a diverse and inclusive community located at 32 Bader Lane. The Centre provides student-mothers and other mature students who identify as women with financial, social, and academic supports. We work with full-time and part-time students in all departments and faculties at Queen’s. We meet a variety of needs including emergency bursaries, free soup lunches, referrals to other university and community resources, advocacy for policy changes that affect students, writing workshops, mentorship opportunities, and other programming that fosters a climate of community and shared intellectual development. In addition to providing one-on-one support, the Centre houses comfortable study spaces and offers programming and a social environment that allows students to build community and make lasting connections.
QHacks
QHacks is a student run organization that hosts the largest hackathons at Queen’s University. We provide students with opportunities to explore emerging technologies, develop technical skills, and build connections within the tech industry. Our 36-hour event fosters collaboration, creativity, and problem-solving as students work in teams to create innovative projects that tackle real-world challenges. The hackathon serves as a hands-on learning experience, offering students access to valuable resources and mentorship.
We are seeking a student fee to help ensure the continued growth and success of QHacks. While we have traditionally been able to support around 200 participants each year, we aim to grow that number each subsequent year to meet the growing demand from an expanding tech interested student body. This student fee will provide a financial safety net, allowing us to operate confidently even in uncertain economic conditions.
The safety net provided by the fee will allow us to allocate our additional funding to expand event capacity, improve supports (food quality, # of mentors, etc.), and provide participants with enhanced resources such as specialized hardware and software. This will enable students to have a more enriching experience and increase their ability to innovate.
QHacks has become an essential part of the student tech community at Queen’s, and with your support, we can continue to offer a high-quality event that benefits students by providing hands-on learning, networking opportunities, and a platform to explore cutting-edge technology. This fee will help us ensure that QHacks remains accessible and impactful for years to come.
Queen’s University Muslim Student Association (QUMSA)
The Queen’s University Muslim Student Association (QUMSA) addresses the everyday accessibility and barriers faced by the Muslim community at Queen’s while
AMS winter referendum statements
celebrating faith-related conversations and values. QUMSA aims to support students in their spiritual, social, and academic journeys. We strive to foster understanding, promote diversity, and create meaningful experiences for everyone at Queen’s.
We are seeking a fee to sustain and enhance the quality of our events, services and initiatives. The fee will allow us to focus on organizing the activities rather than on meeting funding requirements for our flagship events that many rely on, such as Ramadan Iftars, where we provide free meals for students observing Ramadan, support in weekly space bookings for Friday prayers, study workshops and other services designed to nurture personal and communal growth.
The fee will cover essential costs, including event supplies, halal food, space bookings and outreach materials. Additionally, it will help ensure that events are accessible to everyone interested by garnering potential funds to subsidize events.
QUMSA’s contributions benefit the entire Queen’s community by continuing to stay true to its culture of inclusivity and mutual support. By supporting QUMSA, you’re investing in a connected campus where students can celebrate diversity, find belonging and engage in meaningful social opportunities. Together, we can create a stronger and more united Queen’s community Iranian Association of Queen’s University (IAQU)
The Iranian Association of Queen’s University (IAQU) is dedicated to fostering an inclusive community that welcomes students of all background to celebrate Iranian culture. Our mission is to create a vibrant space where students can engage in cultural, social, and educational activities that highlight the richness of Iranian heritage and the diversity of Queen’s.
Over the past two years as an AMSratified club, we have hosted large-scale events such as A Night Through the Silk Road; an inter-cultural collaboration with the Afghan Student Club & Armenian Students’ Association) and Persian New Year (Nowruz) semiformal parties, as well as smaller events like trivia, mafia and games nights. Additionally, we run social justice initiatives to raise awareness for the human rights issues within Iran. We host memorial events for the Woman, Life, Freedom movement and annual vigils for Amir Moradi, a late Queen’s student on flight PS-752. Additionally, we fundraise to give back to Iranians in Iran through our most recent fundraiser for the Ale-Ahmad Educational Complex for Child Labourers in Iran. Looking ahead, we plan to expand our programming to events centered around Iranian art, literature and film, Farsi language exchange sessions, and networking events with guest speakers to engage a broader audience.
As a young but fast growing club with limited funding, ancillary fee support would allow us to sustain and enhance our programming. Funding would be used to cover event costs, marketing, materials, honoraria for guest speakers or performers, as well as subsidize ticket costs for our larger events like Nowruz. This support would help us continue providing highquality, accessible events that enrich the student experience at Queen’s.
The following fees are seeking an increase:
The Queen’s Journal
The Queen’s Journal is the student-
operated, editorially autonomous newspaper published by the AMS at Queen’s University. The Journal is a vital educational resource to all Queen’s students, and provides coverage of university affairs, AMS operations, university athletics, local arts events, and publishes opinion pieces by the public. As the de-facto journalism school at Queen’s, The Journal’s staff consists of over 30 staff and volunteers across all faculties and schools at Queen’s who work to publish a twice weekly newspaper. As an incubator of journalistic talent, The Journal has alumni employed in the journalism industry internationally, working at news outlets such as The Toronto Star, The Globe and Mail, CBC, New York Times, Reuters, and several other media outlets globally. The Journal is also an exceptional resource for students looking to venture into other industries, with Journal alumni working in industries such as big tech, law, education, academia, communications, and editing after graduating from Queen’s.
CFRC
CFRC 101.9 FM is Queen’s voiceYOUR voice- in the media! Broadcasting since 1922 and podcasting since 2018, CFRC is the space on campus where students share their voices, ideas, perspectives, creativity, research, initiatives and interests with a global community, make their marks, and jumpstart their careers. Our music and spoken word content broadcasts on 101.9 FM and Cogeco Cable 282; streams at cfrc.ca and our mobile apps; and podcasts through Spotify and Apple Music. 75% of CFRC pod/broadcasters are Queen’s students or alumni who enjoy opportunities to engage with and shape their communities on campus, in Kingston, and around the world. Students are also members on our Board of Directors ensuring student vision and leadership steers your campus radio station.
100% of student fees go directly to the maintenance and operation of the station in Lower Carruthers Hall: maintaining the space and the one of the largest music collections in the region, keeping our equipment updated and in good repair, training broadcasters and podcasters, and paying staff wages (all CFRC staff are students or recent Queen’s graduates) including station administration and program coordination. Fees also support the creation of student employment opportunities through SWEP and Work Study Program and support the creation of news programming, public service announcements and our daily broadcasted events calendars that inform students about current issues, events and services of which they can take advantage.
On and off the airwaves, students gain life-long career-building skills in research, audio production, writing, oral presentation, listening, interviewing, time-management, collaboration and team-building, outreach and eventplanning, influencing others, customer orientation, strategic thinking, and leadership.
For 102 years, CFRC has been proud to provide space for diverse students to share their voices, vision, and perspectives and to both engage and build their communities.
Arts and Science
Undergraduate Society
ASUS, the arts and science student government representing over 13,000 students, is behind many incredible parts of the ArtSci student experience – ArtSci Formal, Department Student
Councils, the Personal Interest Credit, Queen’s Equity Conference, Supper Series, ASURF, and Life After ArtSci. ASUS oversees all advocacy efforts for arts and science students and leads in ensuring the needs of students are at the forefront of decisions. ASUS also runs various community initiatives such as After School Buddies, Kids 4 Kids, and Good Times Diner which provided 2,600 free meals to students in 20232024. We provide over 700 volunteer roles each year including roles with honorarium to ArtSci students to allow for students to gain experience, make a difference on campus, and meet new people. The ASUS Membership Fee allows ASUS to offer our services and initiatives to arts and science students.
ASUS offers financial assistance to all ArtSci students for a variety of our services and initiatives along with a group of grants to help enhance your time as a student. At least $30,000 is allocated towards financial assistance helping many students each year. The ASUS Membership Fee allows ASUS to keep costs to events free or low cost to support in creating an exciting and engaging student experience on campus. We offer free events such as our Welcome Back BBQ and Ice Cream Giveaway at the ASUS Offices to bring students together with one another and meet their student leadership team.
The following fees are up for triennial review:
Queen’s Legal Aid
Queen’s Legal Aid (QLA) is a legal aid clinic that provides free legal services to Queen’s students and lowincome residents in the Kingston area. By paying a $5.50 student levy, Queen’s University students will continue to automatically qualify for our free legal services. Without this fee, Queen’s students would only qualify for QLA’s services where a student can prove that their family’s income is below the poverty line used by Legal Aid Ontario (LAO). Through a special agreement with LAO, if we collect this fee, Queen’s students never need to prove financial eligibility for our services.
QLA assist Queen’s students with: fighting City of Kingston Administrative Monetary Penalties; landlord/tenant problems, including unresolved maintenance issues, interference with a tenant’s rights, and illegal rent increases, particularly for multi-student houses; charges under the City of Kingston’s Nuisance Party Bylaw or charges prosecuted under the University District Safety Initiative; advice on appeals that are within the jurisdiction of the University Student Appeal Board; minor criminal offences, including theft, assault and mischief charges; full representation on provincial offences, including Highway Traffic Act or Liquor Licence & Control Act charges; small Claim Court claims and defences; employment law matters; and human rights claims. For Queen’s students only, we also provide a dedicated service of notarizing and commissioning documents, free of charge, including declarations and affidavits for OSAP purposes, graduate school applications or invitations to visit Canada. A Queen’s University student who uses our services to commission just one document, or to have a single document certified as a “true copy” will save the significant cost of paying a private lawyer for that same service!
$5.50 is far below the amount charged by many Ontario universities
to provide similar services through contract legal insurance programs.
Peer Support Centre
The Peer Support Centre (PSC) is a confidential, non-judgmental, and safe space for any undergraduate student on campus. The PSC provides students with empathetic peer-based support, validation, reassurance, and resource referral when needed. Some students may find it easier to connect with a person who is at a similar life stage and who may be experiencing similar life challenges. Although we are not a replacement for counselling services, we believe in the benefits that come from having an empathetic and listening ear, and a safe space to share emotions and thoughts. The PSC promotes a community of support at Queen’s and helps ensure students feel supported throughout the challenging experiences at university.
The PSC is a unique service in that it is the only mental health resource on campus. Our service offers the undergraduate AMS community with confidential, non-judgemental, empathetic, peer-based support. Furthermore, our core values are comprised of safety, empathy, acceptance, confidentiality, and community. Our drop-in, one-on-one support provides undergraduate students the opportunity to speak with a trained, empathetic volunteer about absolutely anything. We allow students to feel heard, validated, and comforted during what can be an extremely uncomfortable time in their lives, especially this year. At one point or another, we all fall down, and the difference between staying down or getting back up can be as simple as having someone who’s willing to listen to you, and to let you know that you’re not crazy for feeling what you’re feeling. Our motto is “no problem is too big or small, we care about them all”. When students need someone to talk to, we’re here to listen. Drop by our Teams rooms anytime, we’re open 7 days a week from 12:00pm – 10:00pm. Queen’s Project on International Development (QPID) Queen’s Project on International Development (QPID) is a student-run organization operating since 1990. On campus, QPID hosts a monthly forum which focuses on a variety of development and global justice issues and through engaging guest speakers and topics, connecting students with leaders in all fields of local and global development. In Kingston, QPID runs workshop activities in local schools and plans a free, full day conference for high school students, all relating to important development topics. Through these education initiatives, QPID hopes to stimulate more awareness of global problems that our generation faces and engage students to take informed action towards these issues. Through our community outreach team, QPID has an established relationship with the Kingston Youth Shelter and provides support for their organization in a number of ways. QPID runs a week-long campaign in the spring to raise awareness about youth homelessness in Kingston, and raise funds for the shetler: In previous years, QPID has raised over $13,000 to support the shelter’s operations. In Canada and internationally, QPID participates in summer internships that share a focus on collaboration between interns and host communities to fill community-identified needs. QPID has participated in over 200 grassroots community initiatives in Guyana, Ghana, Nunavut, Bolivia, Peru, India, Nicaragua, Burkina Faso, the
Philippines, Botswana, and Kingston. QPID currently participates in summer projects by sending two students to each of our partners in the Northwest Territories, Botswana, India, and the Philippines. With our holistic and conscious approach to development education, QPID continues to support the local and international community. In all that we do, QPID strives to engage in critical thinking and work towards informed action.
World University Services Canada (WUSC)
The World University Services of Canada (WUSC) aka the Student Refugee Support Program. The Student Awards Office administers bursary and award assistance for all Queen’s graduate and undergraduate students as well as undergraduate scholarships and prizes, the Queen’s Emergency Loan Program, the RBC/Queen’s Line of Credit, Government Loans and Grants, the Work Study Program and the Summer Work Experience Program (SWEP). The WUSC fee is disbursed to sponsored refugee students through our office.
Ontario Public Interest Research Group (OPIRG) Kingston
The Ontario Public Interest Research Group (OPIRG) Kingston is Queen’s University and Katarokwi/Kingston’s centre for education, action, and research on social and environmental justice. Using an intersectional approach, we tackle issues relevant to the Queen’s and Kingston communities. Our optional $3 AMS student fee will continue to go towards education, research, and action as reflected by our programming and various ongoing projects.
Much of our programming is educational in nature: we bring in speakers, host discussion groups, screen films, and give workshops. We have also worked on educational campaigns around pressing issues, such as the 2015 ‘We Believe in a Campus Free of Sexual Violence’ campaign.
We are proud of our People’s History Project (PHP), a research project dedicated to documenting first-accounts and records of grassroots social and environmental justice movements in Kingston and at Queen’s. The PHP seeks to uplift marginalized voices and experiences because we believe that sharing their/our stories is critical to creating a better, more just society.
OPIRG Kingston provides a unique opportunity for students and community members to kickstart their ideas by creating an OPIRG working group. By starting a working group, people can bring their visions into fruition while benefiting from OPIRG Kingston’s support, whether that be financial, logistical, social, or through board members’ experience. Our current working groups include: the “queer muslim resistance” podcast and Roots & Wings. In many cases, these working groups have had such great success that they became their own organizations. Some of these include: Reelout Queer Film Festival, Loving Spoonful, and Queen’s Backing Action on Climate Change.
Kingston Gets Active (KGA)
Kingston Gets Active (KGA) is a not for profit and community-wide initiative made up of partners from multiple sectors. KGA addresses the need for a multi-level approach to physical activity promotion by targeting various areas of community life such as educational and promotional activities; social marketing and communication; and infrastructure and public policy strategies. The vision is that all Kingston, Frontenac, Lennox & Addington (KFL&A) residents are physically active every day. KGA’s mission is to promote, encourage, and support citizens to be physically active daily and physically literate through collaborative planning, community action, and policy advocacy.
KGA has the following objectives; to
increase access to opportunities to be physically active to all KFL&A residents by reducing barriers to individual behavior change; to ensure more equitable access through promotion of free and low-cost activities to target populations; to work together as a community partnership to link resources, events and opportunities in order to enhance sustainability and reduce duplication of services; to create supportive environments in which our citizens learn, commute, work and play.
The Kingston Gets Active Ambassador Club is an AMS-ratified Queen’s club that works to support Kingston Gets Active by recruiting ambassadors and organizing events at Queen’s and in the community to support KGA’s vision. We are a direct link to the Queen’s community and will work to connect students who are passionate about physical activity and well-being with community members to achieve our objectives. We plan to use the student fee to organize community events and initiatives, ensure more equitable access to physical activity opportunities in Kingston, and train more ambassadors both at Queen’s and in the community.
Queen’s Health Outreach
Queen’s Health Outreach is an entirely student-run registered charity here on Queen’s Campus. We work to facilitate needs-based peer health education initiatives locally in Kingston, in 3 locations in Northern Canada, as well as internationally in Belize and Guyana. QHO is committed to collaborating with local and international communities to work towards sustainable opportunities for youth engagement and leadership, as we strive to facilitate peer-to-peer discussions centering around physical, mental, sexual, and social aspects of health. Queen’s Health Outreach, formerly known as Queen’s Medical Outreach and Queen’s Medical Aid, was started in the fall of 1987 by a group of Queen’s Medical students. The first initiative ran in the summer of 1988, but QHO soon expanded, by adding initiatives in Kingston, Northern Canada, Belize and later Kenya, although this initiative no longer runs. As QHO expanded, it changed its mandate from providing medical and clinical services, to the provision of health education and health promotion activities. Moreover, QHO opened itself up to students of all faculties and programs. The organization officially changed its name from Queen’s Medical Outreach to Queen’s Health Outreach in 2006, in an effort to better reflect the true work of our organization. Through QHO, Queen’s students have the opportunity to gain new perspectives, collaborate with new communities, build partnerships and become active members of both the Queen’s and Kingston community. Being part of QHO truly is the experience of a lifetime. The opportunity to operate and further understand the inner workings of a registered charitable organization is both rewarding and relevant to one’s future. Through QHO, students grow in their developmental consciousness, and gain valuable skills such as leadership, collaboration, and critical thinking, as they work to establish long-lasting health promotion programs to impact long-term community health outcomes for the better.
Queen’s Healthcare and Business Conference
The Queen’s Healthcare and Business Conference is a conference at Queen’s University that aims to highlight the dynamic healthcare industry and its increasingly integrated relationship with both the private and public sectors. It is the first student-run conference of its kind in Canada. The two day event will feature distinguished speakers, energetic panel discussions and debates, and countless networking opportunities. It will bring together passionate leaders with diverse backgrounds and experiences, and provide them with the resources to innovate for the future of healthcare.
Gender Affirming Assistance Project (GAAP)
Gender Affirming Assistance Project (GAAP) is a community-based group that provides support and resources for Two-Spirit, trans, non-binary and gender diverse community members. This grassroots collective was founded on the goal of reducing the financial barriers when transitioning or accessing genderaffirming care. This includes providing gender-affirming apparel, money for name changes or support in accessing resources. This project roots all of our work in antioppressive, anti-racist and intersectional ethics of care, prioritizing accessibility and inclusivity.
Queen’s Best Buddies
The purpose of Queen’s University Best Buddies is to promote and support friendships between Queen’s University students and individuals with special needs in the community. Best Buddies provides the opportunity for students to develop close friendships with people with developmental and intellectual disabilities with the goal of fostering respect and understanding for the diversity of people and abilities. Queen’s University Best Buddies is a campus affiliate of Best Buddies Canada, an organization that aims to provide people with intellectual disabilities the chance to have experiences that many people take for granted. As a club, Queen’s University Best Buddies facilitates and supports friendships between students and individuals with intellectual disabilities in the Kingston community. Students are paired with a buddy and are responsible for contacting their buddy regularly and meeting their buddy biweekly for a one-on-one activity. These friendships are intended to be similar to any other friendships and time spent together may include going for coffee, watching movies, going to the mall, attending a local sporting event, engaging in physical activity, or another mutually enjoyable activity. At least once a month Queen’s University Best Buddies hosts chapterwide group events where everyone is invited to socialize with other buddy pairs and enjoy refreshments, crafts, dancing, and various other activities.
Queen’s Bands
Since 1905, Queen’s Bands have represented the spirit and traditions of Queen’s University. Queen’s Bands is Canada’s largest and oldest university marching band, with a current membership of 100 students. We are no experience necessary and should a student wish to learn a new skill we offer various workshops to teach them these skills. The Bands are comprised of six sections: Colour Guard, Bagpipes, Drum Corps, Highland Dancers, Brass Band, and Cheerleaders. We represent the university locally, provincially, nationally, and internationally. Queen’s Bands performs at home and away football games, other varsity events, Orientation Week, University Open Houses, holiday parades, alumni events, and community gatherings. Additionally, The Bands assist in many fundraising initiatives in the Queen’s and Kingston communities every year.
All Bands members pay substantial membership fees and cover many costs individually. However, these membership fees are not sufficient enough to cover all costs associated with our numerous performances, such as those listed above. Queen’s Bands is requesting a continuation of the current fee of $4.15 per student to help cover our operational expenses. AMS Student Fees are used to cover many costs, including transportation, accommodation, uniform and instrument purchase and repair, sheet music, and police escorts for community parades.
With your vote, Queen’s Bands can continue to represent our university with enthusiasm and pride. From your first tour of campus to your convocation to your 50th class reunion, whether it’s an
Oil Thigh after a touchdown at a football game or an Oil Thigh at your Tamming Ceremony during Orientation Week, Queen’s Bands has and always will be there with you every step of the way.
Cha Gheill!
Queen’s Students for Literacy Queen’s Students for Literacy was established as a branch of United for Literacy (formerly Frontier College) in 1899, making it the second oldest club at Queen’s. Queen’s Students for Literacy operates three different programs with Queen’s student volunteers: Read for Fun, Literacy Outreach, and Math is Might. Each program helps different learners in the Kingston community build literacy and numeracy skills and foster a love of learning. Read for Fun provides reading, writing, and homework help services to elementary school students. Learners utilize this program to build upon classroom topics and as customized assistance not available in school environments. Literacy Outreach works with vulnerable populations like new immigrants to Canada, youth facing homelessness, and families in women’s shelters. In particular, Literacy Outreach partners with Lily’s Place, Interval House, and Immigration Services Kingston and Area. While working with underserved populations, the primary goal is to promote a love of reading and provide academic support, while building confidence for integration into educational environments and day-to-day interactions. Math is Might programs assist high school students with the de-streamlined math curriculum. The goal is to ensure that learners who cannot afford math tutoring or require additional assistance have the opportunity to access free services. Funds acquired through student opt-out fees are essential to provide tutors with transportation to our community partners. Providing taxis for tutors is a priority, especially for locations that cannot be accessed with public transportation and for evening sessions where safety must be guaranteed. Student fees are used to provide resources and materials for tutors and learners like backpacks with various stationary. Without student fees, the dayto-day operations of Queen’s Students for Literacy such as delivering tutoring and booking spaces would not be possible. There would be a large gap in supporting costs for recruitment, hiring, and club administration.
Jack.org Queen’s Chapter Jack.org Queen’s Chapter is an extension of the national charity Jack. org. The charity began in 2010 after Jack Windeler died by suicide at 18 years old in his first year at Queen’s University. Jack was unable to access the help that he needed. His parents, Eric Windeler and Sandra Hanington, took their pain and decided to work to create change for youth like Jack. To date, Jack.org is Canada’s only charity training and empowering young leaders to revolutionize mental health. Young leaders identify and dismantle barriers to positive mental health in their communities through programs like Jack.org Queen’s Chapter. Jack.org Queen’s Chapter’s overall mission is to create a place at Queen’s where youth are comfortable talking about and taking care of their mental health, a campus where everyone has barrier-free access to the support they deserve. Community assessment surveys done by our chapter have identified three focus areas for our community: increasing mental health literacy, supporting self-care, wellness, and community building activities, and working with equity deserving groups. Working within the parameters of these focus areas, the chapter team works to identify specific barriers to positive mental health and design strategies to directly combat them. This upstream approach aims to stop a crisis before it happens through the promotion of public health initiatives. Today, Jack.org Queen’s Chapter operates as the largest Jack chapter in
the country, with a team of 33 executives and approximately 70 general members. Over the past decade, Jack.org Queen’s chapter has run events on the Queen’s campus to foster discussion around mental health and illness, reduce the stigma for mental healthcare access, and create a supportive community among Queen’s students.
Levana Gender Advocacy Centre
The Levana Gender Advocacy Centre is a student-funded Queen’s University organization committed to creating and nurturing a radical community of Kingston students and residents. Devoted to fighting gender oppression and advocating for broad ideas of gender empowerment for those of any or no gender, Levana operates on antioppressive practices. We are committed to confronting all forms of oppression and working to dismantle oppressive systems and hierarchies including patriarchy, racism, casteism, white supremacy, colonialism, imperialism, classism, cissexism, heterosexism, and ableism. Levana exists for anyone in the Kingston community, regardless of whether or not they are Queen’s students.
Queen’s Entrepreneurs’ Competition
The Queen’s Entrepreneurs’ Competition (QEC) has stood for 37 years as an opportunity for undergraduate entrepreneurs to acquire the sources they need to jump start the future. Our team is dedicated to organizing a competition where bright undergraduates compete for prizes that can transform their businesses. Competitors can meet fellow young entrepreneurs from around the world, as well as learn from professionals, investors, and each other. Each year we receive numerous business plan submissions from around the globe, and the top 15 teams are selected to pitch their business plans to a panel of Canadian business leaders, competing for over $80,000 in prizes for the top pitching entrepreneurs.
Queen’s Genetically Engineered Machine (QGEM)
Queen’s Genetically Engineered Machine (QGEM) is a student-run research team at Queen’s University, focused on synthetic biology and biotechnology. We compete annually in the International Genetically Engineered Machine (iGEM) competition, where we develop innovative solutions to realworld challenges such as healthcare, sustainability, and environmental issues. Our interdisciplinary team provides students with hands-on research experience, fostering skills in molecular biology, lab techniques, computational modeling, and project management.
We are seeking a student fee to support:
Research and Lab Costs: The fee will help cover the costs of essential research materials, lab supplies, reagents, and software tools, allowing students to continue their work on cutting-edge bioengineering projects.
iGEM Competition Expenses: It will support competition registration fees, travel, and accommodation costs, ensuring we can participate in iGEM and present our research on an international stage. S
Student Development & Community Outreach: This fee will fund outreach initiatives like educational workshops and podcasts, as well as professional development opportunities for our volunteers, including bioethics training, lab technique workshops, and entrepreneurial activities.
This fee ensures that Queen’s students can actively engage in groundbreaking research, develop leadership skills, and contribute to impactful projects that enhance both their academic and personal growth. It supports a thriving community of young innovators committed to solving pressing global challenges.
FEATURES
Sir John A. Macdonald’s story began in Kingston,
‘We went and did all the steps required by colonial procedures and got the statue taken down’
Eva Sheahan Assistant Arts & Culture Editor
Sir John A. Macdonald’s legacy is woven into Canada’s history, with Kingston as the loom where a lawyer’s ambitious beginnings shaped the nation’s fabric.
Jan. 11 marks “Macdonald Day,” a celebration of the politician’s birthday—a day to honour our very first Prime Minister. Though a key figure in Canadian history, Macdonald’s legacy is much more embedded within Kingston, where he spent 15 years practicing law and launching his political career in the nation’s first capital. Macdonald’s legacy, however, is a controversial one at that.
Articles from Kingston’s British Whig century refers to Macdonald as “Kingston’s son.” Kingston held a distinct sense of pride and paternalism toward Macdonald, cherishing its connection to such a monumental figure in Canadian history. Founded in 1834, British Whig weekly newspaper, serving the city and Eastern Ontario before being amalgamated with Daily Standard Kingston Whig-Standard.
Once celebrated as Canada’s hero, Macdonald’s legacy is now mired in controversy, as his policies harmed many of the country’s most marginalized communities and continue to negatively affect Indigenous peoples today. Such as, the land dispossession which he solidified under the British North American Act and the enforcement of residential schools. The policies he instated and attitudes he inspired have led to poor land conditions and systematic mistreatment of Canada’s Indigenous population. The effects of this mistreatment have caused intergenerational trauma that’s been passed down through generations of Indigenous peoples, leading to depression and substance abuse issues.
Historical narratives are ever-changing and adapting. However, it’s worth reflecting on when the tides started to change—that is, when Macdonald began to lose his status as Canada’s hero. This versatile social history can be tracked through the treatment of Macdonald’s titular statue that once stood tall and mighty in City Park from 1895 until its removal in 2021.
On Oct. 23, 1895, Whig published an article about the unveiling of Macdonald’s new statue in City Park that took place that day.
“[Macdonald] was no rabid
but where does it end?
bigot, who could see no good in those who held views opposed to his own. Many of his warmest friends were men who were and are numbered in the ranks of the Liberal Party, and his handshake was just as firm, his greeting just as cordial, and his friendship just as warm and true in these cases as when his political sympathizers were concerned,” stated the paper.
Based on the overall sentiment from this article, it’s clear the public
Talkin’ Back to Johnny Mac
In 2015, Erin Sutherland, PhD ’17, curated a performance art exhibition named Talkin’ Back to Johnny Mac, led by a variety of Indigenous and non-Indigenous artists to intervene with Macdonald’s birthday celebrations and reflect on the lasting impact of Macdonald’s policies on the artist’s lives. These events took place at the site of the City Park statue.
Indigenous children’s lives and childhood, the discriminatory and exclusionary Indian Act of 1876 that’s still in effect today, and more.
For some, the conversation surrounding the statue may seem like distant discourse, but as seen through Talkin’ Back to Johnny Mac, for many, the statue symbolizes system erasure and a practice of settler colonial commemoration.
The Public House controversy
In 2018, more Kingstonian’s voices were heard—this time focusing on the social scene. The now-closed pub The Public House was formally named Sir John’s Public House. The pub opened in 2011 and sadly closed its doors in 2021. The restaurant had great reviews and a cozy atmosphere—attracting many visitors with its traditional
In 2017, a protest outside the pub saw over a dozen people advocating for the removal of the pub’s name, as it commemorated a man who played a massive role in Canadian colonialism andthe installation of residential schools.
“The building served as Sir John A. Macdonald’s law office from 1849 to 1860. I changed the name […] in 2018 in response to the Truth and Reconciliation Commission’s report recognizing the hurtful policies of colonial Canadian administrations towards Canada’s Indigenous peoples,” former pub owner Paul Fortier wrote in a statement to The Journal. Fortier now owns the restaurant and event venue, Renaissance, and University Tavern, that resides on the lower level of the building.
The Truth and Reconciliation Commissions (TRC) report Fortier mentions was created by the TRC, commissioned as a result of the Indian Residential Schools Settlement Agreement (IRSSA) in 2008. The goal was to lay the foundation for lasting reconciliation, highlight what needs to be changed or improved, and uncover the truth about Canada’s residential school system.
As a part of this process, the Canadian Government provided the TRC with over five million records.
In December 2015, the investigations ended and the TRC released a six-volume final report with 94 different calls to action for the Government of Canada.
These calls to action included multi-year funding for reconciliation, reinforce language rights, funding for Indigenous youth organizations, museum funding to undertake collaborations with Indigenous peoples, and all chief coroners and statistic agencies to provide their records on Indigenous
deaths to the TRC.
The removal of the statue
In 2021, The Revolution of the Heart camped outside the site of the statue, covering it with a symbolic red tarp and lighting sacred fires, a central part of Indigenous culture, used for ceremonies, teachings, healing, and communications with ancestors. The activist group arrived on June 10 and said they’ll camp out until the statue is removed. The group remained until the statue removal on June 18.
“We believe that Macdonald was the architect of the Indian Act, as well as the implementation of residential schools and the erasure of Indigenous peoples. We believe Sir John A. Macdonald was responsible for the implementation and the policies of discrimination, relocation, and displacement of Indigenous peoples,” The Revolution of the Heart said.
“A lot of folks mention that removing these symbols doesn’t create substantive change, but we were able to use the colonial system against a colonizers system,” they added.
The Revolution of the Heart was only able to create a movement that demanded change through a nonviolent protest. The group made their presence and voicesheardinafashionthatcouldn’t be ignored and through their peaceful protest, they brought about the change that they sought.
“We used their system against them. We went and did all the steps required by colonial procedures and got the statue taken down.”
“Substantive change only occurs when people are aware and take accountability for action. Canada is starting to slowly change. They have made a step towards reconciliation,” The Revolution of the Heart said.
Due to the thoughtful and emotional protesting demonstrated by The Revolution of The Heart, Kingston’s City Council, including current Mayor Bryan Paterson, met on the evening of June 16, 2021 to discuss the fate of the statue.
The deliberations over whether to keep the statue in City Park lasted for over five hours and featured many Indigenous speakers including Natasha Stirrett, a current assistant professor at the Institute for Criminology and Criminal Justice who specializes in Indigenous and state relations, and Dionne Nolan, an Indigenous patient navigator who works with Indigenous peoples with cancer in Southeast Ontario. Alongside Stirrett and Nolan were seven other speakers. Eventually the council voted 12-1, almost unanimously, for the removal of Macdonald’s statue in City Park. It continues to reside in storage.
EDITORIALS
ILLUSTRATION BY ELLA THOMAS
Superficial critiques about men in power
won’t get us anywhere
Witnessing the so-called “cringe” media presence of tech billionaires who wield more power than they should is like watching a car accident—tragic but impossible to look away from.
A recent opinion article in The Guardian calls out wealthy tech giants Elon Musk and Mark Zuckerberg, not for the massive global influence they wield, but for their hard-to-watch behaviour.
From #dorkmaga and the viral photo of Musk jumping in the air at a Pennsylvania Trump rally to Zuckerberg’s appearance on Joe Rogan’s podcast, the world has been subjected to their pitiful, yet blatant attempts to appeal to President Trump, right-wing masses, and the alpha-male crowd.
While it’s amusing to humble such powerful figures, over-indulging in the sensationalization of their antics distracts from critically engaging with their political influence and its long-term consequences.
Just because powerful men trivialize
societal issues, doesn’t mean we should, too. Superficial criticisms of Zuckerberg’s masculine makeover or the contents of Musk’s Tweets barely scratch the surface of what it means for non-political figures to hold such weight in political decision-making. It’s not enough to criticize their actions and behaviours—we need to recognize root issues and understand how it impacts human lives.
The emphasis on Musk's and Zuckerberg’s physical appearances and behavioural conduct, over the content of their actions, is reminiscent of how media coverage commonly captures women in politics. An analysis of gender differences in political media coverage found that compared to men, reports on women political figures tend to highlight non-political aspects, such as personality traits, physical appearance, and gendered stereotypes.
Admittedly, it’s refreshing to see the tables turned in a parodied fashion. Labelling male figures as "nerds" or "losers" exposes their attempt to earn a seat at the “big boy table” by clinging to misogynistic views while asserting dominance, aggression, and toxic masculinity.
Yet, humorous critiques can only do so much before it's realized how ineffectively they promote
Student leaders need more than enthusiasm
Allie Moustakis Editor in Chief
Leadership is more than just enthusiasm—it’s a skill that requires preparation.
Yet, the AMS’s “no experience necessary” policy suggests otherwise, advertising inclusivity and accessibility to all students. While this policy is admirable—aiming to break down barriers to involvement—it inadvertently sets up both the student body and its representatives for failure.
The AMS manages 11 student services, oversees over 300 clubs, represents over 20,000 undergraduate students, and handles a $20 million budget. Running an organization of this scale isn’t something one can navigate on enthusiasm alone, nor is it something that can be learned overnight.
Decision-making, conflict resolution, budgeting, project management, and most importantly, institutional knowledge, are skills that take time to develop.
When individuals without foundational experience are thrust into these roles, the learning curve becomes overwhelming. Tasks that would be manageable with a basic understanding become monumental challenges for the less experienced, leaving individuals burnt out by the end of their term. This situation reaps consequences like high employment turnover with replacements coming in with four months left—a six hour Special General Assembly resulting in clubs not being ratified, and a likely
productive political dialogue. What we need are constructive solutions that address the root causes of the systems that enable wealthy men to have influence.
More pressing than Zuckerberg's and Musk’s embarrassing portrayals, is how their platforms polarize citizens and alter the opinions of impressionable followers looking for a leader. Billionaires use their resources and support to promote ideologies that oppress vulnerable communities. But such abhorrent realities get tossed on the backburner when all we focus on is how cringy they look while doing it.
Let’s not disservice ourselves by continuing to grant these men a platform—it’s the last thing they deserve. Our political conversations must expand beyond superficial evaluations of leaders and influential figures and encompass more action toward protecting our values.
Confronting what’s cringe isn’t easy, but being uncomfortable with men who have dangerous amounts of power is the first step in recognizing something needs to change.
Journal Editorial Board
perpetuation of the same cycle for their successors.
The impact of inexperience can be equally damaging to the student body. Students—the few who are engaged with student government—expect their representatives to effectively manage services and advocate for their needs.
Instead of fulfilling these responsibilities, inexperienced leaders often spend their short tenures figuring out the basics of governance, financial management, and the ins and outs of their role. This leaves little time for implementing meaningful changes. Worse, the institutional knowledge gained during their terms is often lost upon their departure, forcing the next cohort to start from scratch.
The AMS’s hiring policy doesn’t do anyone any favours. Listed directly on their website, the policy specifies when two or more applicants are equally qualified, the position will go to the candidate with less direct AMS work experience. Though the intention is to ensure accessibility, this approach actively discourages the cultivation of institutional knowledge.
As someone who holds a leadership role in the AMS, I get it. When I became Editor in Chief of The Journal, I regretted not getting involved with the paper earlier—not only because I love the job and the people, but also because both I, and most importantly the paper, would’ve benefited greatly from an additional year of experience.
The AMS needs to make a change.
Rather than emphasizing “no experience necessary” across the board, they should
promote a tiered system of involvement, encouraging students to engage early and grow into leadership roles.
Service staff and deputies should be promoted specifically to lower-year students as opportunities to build foundational skills. Senior roles should emphasize the value of experience, and prioritize candidates who have demonstrated leadership within the AMS or similar organizations.
As an organization “by students, for students,” the success of the AMS ultimately depends on the competency and preparedness of its student leaders. While permanent staff can provide guidance, they cannot replace the vision, decision-making, and initiative required from elected and appointed student leaders.
It takes a certain amount of confidence, and ego, for someone to throw their hat into the ring and run or apply for an AMS position, especially without prior experience. By allowing a pathway to gradually build that confidence through meaningful experience, the AMS can develop leaders who aren’t only ambitious, but also prepared.
Inclusivity is a vital goal, but well-intentioned goals alone cannot drive effective governance. The student body deserves leaders who are prepared to take on the challenges of their roles, and student leaders deserve the tools and opportunities to build their skills before they’re thrown into the deep end.
Allie is a fourth-year Political Studies student and one of The Journal’s Editors in Chief.
PHOTO BY NELSON CHEN
OPINIONS
We must never forget
Knowledge is the key to ensuring history doesn't repeat itself
Maren Burns Contributor
International Holocaust Remembrance Day on Jan. 27, marks a pivotal day in both Jewish and world history.
This year, the day is even more poignant than usual, as it marks the 80th anniversary of the liberation of Auschwitz-Birkenau—the concentration camp where over a million Jews were murdered by the Nazi regime. The Holocaust, or “Shoah” as it’s referred to in Hebrew, serves as a testament to the dangers that hate in its purest can have when left unbridled.
With recent trends surrounding rises in antisemitic behaviour, it’s more important now than ever to examine and remember the events of the Shoah, in efforts to create a better future for all of humanity. With a 670 per cent increase of antisemitic attacks since Oct. 7, 2023, an urgent need for increased Holocaust-oriented education has become apparent, alongside a greater emphasis on remembrance efforts, in order to strengthen knowledge and abolish antisemitism entirely.
Remembrance is a key tool in both learning about and repairing the wounds of the past. By remembering, we not only pay tribute to those who perished during the Holocaust but carry on their legacy as well.
Remembrance is also fundamental in the process of sharing and spreading the testimonies of survivors, an action that’s more important now than ever as the number of living survivors begins to dwindle.
My whole life, I’ve been taught the importance of remembrance, and how remembering the past can provide us with tools needed to build and cultivate a better future. By remembering past violence and oppression, each person contributes to the formation of a world in which everyone is accepted and treated as equal, no matter their background, race, identity, gender, religion,
or sexual orientation.
This year, remembrance has looked a little different for me, as I had the opportunity to experience one of the most impactful and arguably important things one can: a Nazi concentration camp.
Together with my family, I flew to Germany, to witness what can be labelled as the product of pure evil: Dachau Concentration Camp. While many omit this in planning their European vacations, my experience at Dachau, one of the first and longest running camps, only further affirmed what I knew before: this can never happen again.
Built in the spring of 1933, Dachau was considered the prototype for all camps that were to be built after it. Originally used as a prison for political prisoners, it became the place in which tens of thousands were murdered, the largest group being Jews. The camp itself is bordered by a large wall, equipped with a cast-iron gate which reads what is perhaps the greatest lie ever told: “Work will set you free.”
Most horrifying of all, is the gas chamber. No bigger than the average house, it was in this building where cruelty on the most unimaginable level took place. Rooms disguised as showers, where hundreds were led each day with the promise of being able to clean-up after weeks of hard labour, only to be killed almost immediately upon arrival. At the back of the building is a room filled with large ovens, the crematorium. This is the place where innocent people were burned each day, in attempt to destroy evidence of the crimes being committed. People of all ages, whose lives ended in a split second, some before they even began, as some of Dachau’s youngest victims were as young as a few days old.
My experience was about as raw and emotionally jarring as one would imagine. I stood on the very soil where all the horrible transgressions which we learn about in history books, documentaries, and movies happened. I saw the boxes of shoes, wedding rings, books, and other miscellaneous items that belonged to those who were murdered in the rooms I walked through—subjected to unimaginable cruelty for nearly a decade as
Hitler’s expansion raged on.
My emotions were only heightened by the overwhelming sense of fear I felt—fear that this could happen again. Fear that society might forget events of the past, causing us to fall back into our dangerous past behavioural patterns, allowing events like those of the Shoah to repeat themselves again and again.
Upon leaving Dachau, this sense of fear didn’t stay behind. It has stuck with me since, and upon revisiting what the past year and a half has been like for Jewish people and allies across Canada, I realize it had been with me before.
Toronto Police force revealed that 50 per cent of hate crimes at the beginning of 2024 in Canada were targeted towards Jewish people. Hamas’ slaughter of over 1,200 innocent Jewish and Israeli civilians, and abduction of 251, including 86-year-old Holocaust survivor Shlomo Mansour on Oct. 7, 2023, reveal an eerily similar picture mirroring that of Germany and Western Europe in the 1930s and
40s, highlighting the urgency for action, and increased education and commemoration efforts, specifically in areas surrounding the Holocaust, and the history of antisemitism itself.
The hope with these educational and commemorative efforts is people will be able to understand and recognize antisemitic hate where and when they see it, notably online, on college campuses and in the workplace.
Living in the digital age, we’re being propelled into a new era of hate. Untrue stereotypes, racial-profiling, and misinformation are more accessible than ever, making it easier to get swept up into the chaos and madness that hatefulness creates. These are just a few of the threats that exist in our society today—threats that we can, and must, extinguish by learning, remembering, and sharing.
Storycontinuedonlineat www.queensjournal.ca
PHOTO BY NELSON CHEN
This year marks 80 years since the liberation of Auschwitz-Birkenau.
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Amey’s Greenwood Taxi Ltd. sold to Coventry Connection
New owners
promise to remain true to the deep Kingston roots of Amey’s Taxi
Jaya Sigurdson Business, Science, & Technology Editor
Amey’s Taxi has been sold to Coventry Connections.
Amey’s Taxi published a news release on Jan. 9 stating the ownership of Amey’s Greenwood Taxi Ltd. has been transferred to Coventry Connections. This announcement comes as Mark Greenwood—owner of Amey’s Taxi—retired this past December. Owned by the Greenwood family since 1945, Amey’s Taxi has been a Kingston fixture since its founding in 1922.
Likewise, Coventry Connections is a family-owned business with deep roots in the transportation industry, dating back to 1938. Marc André Way, the company’s president and chief executive officer, as well as the president of the Canadian Taxi Association, represents the third generation of his family to lead the business, which now operates a fleet of over 1,500 vehicles across Ontario.
In their news release, Coventry Connections stated it would be “business as usual,” and they would honour all legal obligations of Amey’s Taxi, including abiding by Ontario regulations and upholding their standard of safety. Amey’s runs a host of services including airport services, groceries and deliveries, wheelchair accessible vehicles, and more.
In an interview with The Journal, Way said
Coventry Connections remains committed to the community and plans to actively support local charitable organizations. He asserted Amey’s Taxi will simply be operating under new ownership, with a principal focus on improving the Amey’s image while continuing the company’s legacy.
“We don’t enter into a community and disappear, so our goal is to be heavily involved in the community and to continue whatever what Mark was doing,” Way said.
Way acknowledges the rise of ridesharing apps such as Uber or Lyft—since their emergence in 2009 and 2012, respectively—have caused increased competition in the taxi industry. Amey’s has maintained its place in the Kingston transportation scene by taking steps to modernize themselves, primarily by having their own app which Way feels is superior to its competitors.
For individuals who are risk adverse, Way implores them to consider Amey’s Taxi as a safer alternative given their unique safety measures and focus on hiring trustable drivers.
“Our insurance programs are much stronger [than competitor ridesharing apps] and that is something that [prevents] the risks of getting into a car that is not properly licensed and properly insured,” Way said.
For instance, he explained Amey’s will be placing an emphasis on implementing hiring practices and training in their quest to elevate the transportation industry to another level. Way also indicated his business model for Amey’s Taxi will set itself apart from competition with its pricing.
“Where we’ll make a big difference and where we’re making a difference across the other cities within which we operate is that our pricing is fixed. So, you
Cybersecurity in a sea of phishers
‘It’s better to take a moment to verify than to deal with the consequences of being hacked’
Oluwamisimi
Oluwole Business, Science, & Technology Editor
When in doubt, don’t click the link. Cyberattacks are no longer just a threat to governments or large corporations. They have become a persistent issue in universities, targeting students, staff, and institutional systems. According to Paul Muir, an information security officer with Queen’s IT Services, these threats, while technical in nature, often exploit human behaviour.
Muir identified phishing as the most common type of cyberattack targeting students and staff.
“Phishing emails are very prevalent. They’re an attacker’s first attempt to gain access to our systems,” Muir said in an interview with The Journal
Muir explained phishing uses social engineering to play on human psychology by creating a sense of urgency or fear. This technique is designed to catch individuals off guard, prompting them to click links or share credentials without thinking.
Social engineering is a manipulation tactic used by cyber attackers to trick individuals into revealing sensitive information by performing actions, instead of exploiting technical vulnerabilities.
While Queen’s employs robust cybersecurity measures such as firewalls, no system is foolproof. Muir says phishing controls aren’t 100 per cent effective, meaning the University
won’t encounter surge pricing, if anything, you’ll have discounting,” Way said.
Surge pricing—the practice of charging more for a service based on high demand—is a large deterrent for many from services like Uber that use this tactic to garner the most profit possible.
Other taxi companies say the desirability of fixed-priced taxis is especially helpful so students can budget their transportation accordingly with pre-set rates, regardless of inclement weather or busy times.
Amey’s Taxi’s fixed prices also bode well for drivers under Way’s corporate umbrella.
“We as taxi operators have two sets of clients: the one that takes a taxi from ‘A’ to ‘B’ and the driver […] our goal is to do better than [other ride-share services] and make sure our drivers earn more than they would anywhere else,” Way said.
Research shows a push for appropriate pay for performance positively enhances
employee task performance, alongside intrinsic motivation. This in turn is shown to stimulate employee engagement, thus setting the foundation of a growth-oriented business plan. A 2023 Gallup report stated that teams with a high employee engagement showed a difference of 23 per cent in profitability, 64 per cent in safety incidents, and 18 per cent in productivity.
Way has big hopes for the future of Amey’s Taxi now that its been taken under the wing of Coventry Connections.
“We’re much quicker to be able to diversify depending on the service needed, so anything from deliveries to school transportation […] we’re involved in pretty much every aspect of bringing something […] from A to B, and we do it quickly and we do it efficiently,” Way said.
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relies on community vigilance to address the remaining gap.
“It’s a constant back and forth. Attackers adapt to bypass our filters, and we adapt to block them,” Muir said.
“The tactics haven’t changed drastically over the years, but they’ve become more sophisticated in how they play on what matters to people most. For example, attackers often create a sense of urgency, such as claiming your account is compromised, to push you
into acting without thinking. A phishing email might mimic Queen’s official branding or appear to come from a trusted colleague or classmate,” Muir said.
Edidiong Essienton , HealthSci ’28, experienced a phishing attack firsthand. She received an e-mail from a familiar Queen’s address, with a subject line referencing “remittance advice.”
Continued online at www.queensjournal.ca
Coventry Connections acquired Amey’s Taxi
GRAPHIC BY NATALIE VIEBROCK
Women’s Football continues to push the boundaries
Despite only becoming a recreational club in 2020, Women’s Football has become a major contender in a few short years
Herbert Wang Assistant Sports Editor
Queen’s University is home to numerous athletic teams, including eight sports that compete as a Varsity Team for the university. Varsity teams compete at the highest level of competition, and receive the most funding from the school, providing student athletes that compete for them a premier university athletics experience.
All Varsity sports are
represented equally by both men and women, except football.
For a long time, a women’s football team existed unofficially, however it wasn’t until late September 2020, coming out of COVID-19 and backed by growing interest from the student body, the team made massive strides.
Officially becoming a Queen’s Athletics & Recreation (A&R) sanctioned Recreation Club in the 2020-21 season.
In 2023, the team continued to carry its momentum into a creating a new competitive team alongside the recreational team that would compete in the Ontario Women’s Intercollegiate Football Association (OWIFA). A league that hosts numerous universities, and college teams located in Ontario.
In the OWIFA, rules are similar to contact football, the one notable exception that players don’t wear pads, and tackling is replaced with flags on each player’s waist that the opposition must pull.
What it takes to run intramurals at Queen’s
An inside look into the work of intramural referees and convenors
Herbert Wang Assistant Sports Editor
With over 17 sports and 44 leagues offered in this year’s winter semester alone, it takes a lot of planning and a group of passionate individuals to ensure amateur athletes at Queen’s are able to fulfill their championship dreams.
Queen’s Athletics & Recreation (A&R) begins hiring for intramural positions in the winter semester of the previous school year. This year, the deadline to apply for the 2025-26 school year is Feb. 2.
One previous applicant was Jenna Kaufman, ConEd ’26, who
spoke about her experience as an intramural referee and convenor in an interview with The Journal.
“In high school, I was on athletic council […], so I thought it would be something I could do and make a little extra money while I was at school,” Kaufman said.
As a referee last year, Kaufman was tasked with overseeing individual games in a wide variety of sports including dodgeball, tchoukball, and mega ball. Her responsibilities included signing in players, keeping score, and setting up and cleaning equipment.
A&R employs a large number of referees that allows for flexibility, and with intramurals occurring almost all days of the week, there are usually always shifts.
“You can just pick up shifts, which is super flexible, so you can work as little as, like one
players and coaches.
“We typically do [three] early morning practices. […] And then this year, we’re doing team lifts in the High Performance Centre, which was a huge step up for our program. We also have a couple team meetings a week,” Harper said.
“The time commitment, practices, lifts, meetings. I’d say approximately, 10 to 11 hours a week.”
It’s a time commitment that despite the title of recreational club, treats its competitive athletes more like varsity team members. Improving not only the team’s performance, but everyone a part of the team.
“You become a better student, better athlete, better everything, and you learn how to manage your time effectively when you’re spending 11 hours with the team,” Harper added.
brought aspects to Women’s Football that have helped the team buy into a winning process, aspects that include buzz words like OKG.
“OKG, which originated from the Men’s Football team, which stands for our kind of guy, for us, it’s our kind of gal,” Harper said.
“What an OKG is. It’s three things. It’s someone who’s driven to graduate, someone who’s passionate about the process of football, and someone who’s respectful and responsible.”
The team hosts tryouts throughout the year, welcoming all athletes to attend and compete for a spot on the team. Though seemingly daunting, the team emphasizes a welcoming, no experience necessary environment.
“Some level of contact is allowed at the line of scrimmage, such as blocking or defensive backs jamming receivers. The contact is pretty controlled and regulated to prevent injury or any sort of illegal contact,” Women’s Football President Elenee Harper, ArtSci ’25, said in an interview with The Journal.
Their first tournament in 2023 as a competitive team didn’t go as plan with the team losing in the quarterfinals after a 0-3-1 record in pool play. However, undeterred and driven to improve the team wasted no time improving, reaching the finals in only their second tournament that same season.
Reaching the OWIFA Championship in 2024, losing to the Western Mustangs, though heartbreaking, firmly cemented their status as a championship contender in the league.
It’s a meteoric rise to the top that didn’t come from luck, but dedication and resolve of the
shift a week, or you could try to pick up a bunch if you wanted to,” Kaufman said.
This year, Kaufman became a convenor, adding additional responsibilities away from the individual game. She makes sure referees are showing up on time, helps deal with injuries during games, and additional admin work.
“I usually work about 10 hours a week,” Kaufman said.
As a convenor, she becomes the go-to person if anything out of the ordinary were to occur, like a broken leg or anything more serious.
“If there’s ever injuries or anything, the refs can send me a message, and I can come over and help with filling out the accident report and being there until paramedics get there,” Kaufman added.
It’s also up to her to ensure there are facilities and referees for all games, a task that Kaufman recognizes can get overwhelming at times.
“Sometimes scheduling gets mixed up, so then that’s kind of difficult to deal with. Sometimes stuff gets overlooked,
The team is backed greatly by a team of 11 coaches, fitting into the mold of a prototypical football team. There are offensive and defensive coordinators, and position specific coaches to focus on the nuance of each aspect of the game.
Many of the coaches are alumni from the Men’s Football team, using their free time to involve themselves with the Women’s team, including current head coach Nick Liberatore, ConEd ’22, who previously played as a kicker and currently serves a Queen’s Men’s Football Assistant Coach and Community Engagement Coordinator.
“They really do care about the program, and they put so much work in outside of the 10-11, hours we’re together each week,” Harper said.
With Queen’s Football’s history of success, the coaches have
[…] but usually it’s just a matter of, rescheduling them and sending out an email.”
Despite her responsibility, there are many people on staff, helping in a number of different roles. It helps not only alleviate stress but also creates a social and fun work environment for those involved.
“We’ve had staff socials and stuff, so that’s a great way to get to know people and just hang out outside of work. It’s a really good environment to work in,”
“We have girls make it this year who hadn’t played football ever before, you might just be a certain type of athlete that it’s good for a certain role,” Harper added.
A key part of learning and growing is the recreational side of team. For many, the time commitment of a competitive sports team isn’t possible as a student, or some may just be interested in learning a new sport.
With over 100 athletes a part of the recreational team, members get to practice and participate in inter-team competition, culminating in a playoff matchup under the lights at Richardson Stadium
“You’ll get to experience how to play, not only just football like skills, but then you get to learn to play the actual game, as a team,” Harper said.
For each member of the team, competitive or recreational, they get to buy into a team culture, and a taste of the varsity team experience.
Kaufman said.
Next time you show up to an intramural game, maybe thank your nearest referee and convenor for allowing your championship dreams become a reality.
Interested in writing for The Journal? Email journal_editors@ams.queensu.ca to get started.
Women’s Football is about more than just sport.
SUPPLIED BY ELENEE HARPER
Analysis: Comparing Men’s Basketball’s championship season to the Gaels’ current run
Aidan Michaelov Senior Sports Editor
Coach Barrie incites offensive and defensive gains through 2024-25 season stats
Last year’s Men’s Basketball team was nothing short of miraculous. Winning 11 straight games en route to winning a game-winning buzzer beater at Provincial Championships in the Athletics and Recreation Centre and making it to the National Championship.
With nearly all five of their starters moving on to other opportunities either abroad or within the nation, there were many questions surrounding how the basketball program at Queen’s would weather this storm.
To much surprise, the Gaels have seemingly improved. Last season, the Gaels were 11-3 through the first 14 games of the season. This year, our Gaels are 13-1, sitting at the top of the OUA East, and ranked sixth in the nation.
With only eight games remaining in the 2024-25 season and the playoffs slowly approaching, The Journal thought it was a good time to compare the two squads.
Offensively, the Gaels have made significant improvements this year, shooting more efficiently and scoring more points per game.
Offensive inflations seemingly a by-product of the Gaels’ new approach.
Surprisingly, the Gaels have been scoring much more this season while being
more efficient from beyond the arc.
The Gaels’ current season shows significant offensive improvements, averaging 95.3 points per game compared to 86.9 last season, along with a higher three-point shooting percentage. Interestingly, their field goal efficiency remains nearly identical—44.5 per cent vs. 44.6 per cent.
This could be the result of Head Coach Steph Barrie transitioning to what he calls The System. The System, which Barrie adopted from National Collegiate Athletics Association Division II Basketball
Coach David Crutchfield, is a fast-paced style of play that takes advantage of a constant full-court press to overwhelm opposing offences into making mistakes, in turn getting the Gaels more looks at the basket.
While the Gaels have definitely improved offensively, perhaps their most shocking changes have come defensively.
EvErything you nEEd to know about hockEy’s oldEst rivalry
A battle for pride dating back to 1886
Aidan
Michaelov Senior Sports Editor
Hockey’s oldest rivalry is alive and well.
The Gaels and Paladins will battle for the 37th Carr-Harris Challenge Cup on Feb. 6 at Slush Puppie Place in Kingston, Ont. This annual game, which began in 1986 when the Hockey Hall of Fame commissioned the trophy, celebrates the historic competition between our Queen’s Gaels and the Royal Military College (RMC) Paladins and is considered hockey’s oldest rivalry.
The rivalry between the Gaels and Paladins dates back to 1886, having only been made into an official, annual game on its 100th anniversary. Former Gael and Coach Stu Crawford, along with Bill Fitsell, Bill Hamilton, and Ed Grenda, founded the Carr-Harris Cup to honour the first game between the two teams.
While Queen’s has historically dominated the outcome of this game, 12 of the games since its inception have been decided by a single goal.
The first-ever game between Queen’s and RMC, resulted in a 1-0 win for the Gaels and took place on the St. Lawrence River, where a group of seven
Queen’s students challenged seven Paladins to a game of shinny.
Played with no boards and a lacrosse ball carved into a hexagon, Queen’s Lennox Irving scored the first in a long list of game-winners between these two bitter rivals.
Since 1886, hockey itself has blossomed, let alone at Queen’s and RMC. Going from a lake with no boards or concrete bounds, Queen’s and RMC students now fill arenas to watch their teams compete for bragging rights, with the two-point boost to their place in the standings coming second to the boost to their egos.
The Gaels will play the Paladins one last time before their meeting at Slush Puppie Place on Jan. 24 on Paladin home ice. This will be both teams’ last chance to gather intel before the big day.
Queen’s enters the rivalry game with a 19-game win streak against the Paladins, a record that spans the past five years.
At the 36th Carr-Harris Cup, the Gaels marched over the Paladins, winning by a six-goal margin and shutting out RMC. A total of 16 penalties were handed out throughout last year’s contest—fitting for an old-fashioned hockey rivalry.
With tensions running high and pride on the line, the Carr-Harris Cup
New “System” showcases defensive promise as Gaels familiarize themselves with their new approach.
Here, you can see that while the Gaels are allowing about seven more points per game, they’re averaging four more steals and are forcing eight more turnovers per game this season.
This, without debate, is undoubtedly a designed product of the Gaels adopting Crutchfield’s system.
Barrie is adamant there’s much to be
is always a physical game, making it even sweeter when you see a highlight reel play, such as Holden Katzalay’s, ArtSci ’25, third period assist from his stomach last year or either of the two
done in terms of refining the Gaels’ application of the system, and that it’s far from perfect, so I don’t think the increase in points against is a permanent product of this change.
However, the improvements in steals, forced turnovers, and points-per game averages should continue to rise alongside the Gaels comfortability running the new system.
In a previous interview with The Journal, Head Coach Steph Barrie noted the success of the system relies heavily on who’s running it, and that even the coaching staff must refine their approach.
“You have to have a certain type of team that’s comprised of certain individuals, and we felt we had that. We were very confident that it was going to be really hard. We’re going to put this to the guys, and we’re going to start training this way, and it’s going to be very difficult, but we knew that every time we have presented a challenge to them, they’ve responded,” Barrie said.
“A lot of the growth that can happen is on our end. This is our first time coaching this, it’s a very different way to coach. You have to change your mindset totally from how we’ve done in the past We’re not good at it yet from a coaching standpoint, and we’re getting better,” Barrie said.
Finally, adding “there’s still probably 30 per cent improvement that’s possible to get to for this group now, whether we can get there, we’re going to fight like heck to try.”
Regardless of Barrie’s critical view, those who’ve made it out to the Men’s Basketball games can vouch for the highly demanding yet rewarding style of play they’ve adopted. Winning 13 of 14 games is no small feat, and should the Gaels find the extra 30 per cent growth noted by their Head Coach, it would be a dreaded fate to have to overcome the Gaels’ new system.
alongside Men’s Hockey Head Coach Brett Gibson. Duff also served as captain of the team. Look for their newfound experience overseas to translate well in the
The Gaels are 13-1 on the season.
PHOTO BY NAY CHI HWTE
The stage is set for the 37th Carr-Harris Challenge Cup on Feb. 6. JOURNAL FILE PHOTO
Horoscopes: Where are you being called in 2025?
The world is big enough for all the star signs
The Psychic scholar Staff Writer
As the year begins to unravel, you may be wondering where you will find yourself this year.
The world is a large and looming place, full of opportunities. Many students are packing up and jetting off for their semesters abroad or preparing for global internships. You may be wondering what’s in store for you.
Listen to the cosmos—reach for the stars and book that plane ticket.
Sagittarius (Nov. 22 – Dec. 21)
Your optimism and inner happiness brighten the lives of everyone around you, Sagittarius, but be sure to keep some of that brightness for yourself. With mouth-watering street food to fill your belly and gorgeous temples to satisfy your soul, Bangkok, Thailand is the place for you on your journey to eternal self-love.
Capricorn (Dec. 22 – Jan. 19)
You work extremely hard and deserve a break, but one that continues to exercise your passion and mind. Your ambition and appreciation for the arts should lead you straight to London, England for a get-away that’s filled with calm strolls and unforgettable theatre. Just like Paddington Bear, you’ll never want to leave.
Aquarius (Jan. 20 – Feb. 18)
You deserve a break from the hustle and bustle. The constant chaos of everyday life isn’t forever. Stop playing it safe this year. Searching for an escape from urban sprawl, Reykjavik, Iceland awaits you. Enjoying the natural
beauty of the geysers and the peaceful silence that spreads through mountains is sure to provide you tranquility and perspective.
Pisces (Feb. 19 – March 20)
The weight of the second semester may already feel crushing, but erupt those heavy expectations. Don your floral attire—it’s time to say Aloha to Honolulu, Hawaii. Say hello to your surfer side and ride the waves of life, literally, with a trip that will simultaneously peak your excitement and your relaxation.
Aries (March 21 – April 19)
You’re an energetic and confident being that will flourish in the colourful setting of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. Your vibrant energy will explode at Carnaval or within the lush rainforests. You shine every year, but 2025 is your time to glow particularly brightly.
Taurus (April 20 – May 20)
Taurus, it’s time to climb to new heights. Take your natural stubbornness and head to Dar Es Salaam, Tanzania, for a life-changing trip hiking Mount Kilimanjaro or an eye-opening Sarengeti safari. This is your life and it’s time to live it to the fullest.
Gemini (May 21 – June 20)
Satisfy your desire for sparkle and shine with a trip to Dubai, United Arab
Emirates. Shop for glitz and glam at the iconic Dubai Mall, and soothe that consumer sweet tooth. Home to the largest building in the world, the Burj Khalifa, Dubai knows how to go big or go home—just like you.
Cancer (June 21 – July 22)
Though it can be hard to leave your loved ones behind, even for a short time, it’s worth it. Take a break from your comforting clinginess and find yourself on the hot sand beaches of Santorini, Greece. The clear waters wait for you to reveal your own delighted and fulfilled reflection.
Leo (July 23 – Aug. 22)
Leo, when you put your mind to something, you can get it done. Your next mission should be a trip to Barcelona, Spain to
indulge in tapas and get tipsy on bubbly cava. Secretly a party animal, Barcelona’s exciting night life will be perfect for you to let loose and have some fun.
Virgo (Aug. 23 – Sept. 22)
The stars say you should take a break from exhausting perfectionism and head to Oslo, Norway. Bundle up in your thickest scarves and fluffiest coats, Norway is known for being one of the happiest countries in the world—you’ll most likely leave much happier and stressfree than when you arrived.
Libra (Sept. 23 – Oct. 22)
Libra, you’re a love-bird at heart. The city of love, Paris, France, awaits you. Whether by yourself, with a significant other, or with a bestie, it’s time to shine under the lights of the Eiffel Tower, eat pastries to your heart’s content, and feel at peace walking along the Seine. You’ve certainly earned the opportunity to do so.
Scorpio (Oct. 23 – Nov. 21)
Look no further, Scorpio, your craving for adventure will be fulfilled with a trip to Tokyo, Japan. Scorpios are wellrounded and naturally intrigued. Not only will the trip soothe your appetite with delicious food, but experiencing a new culture and embracing the beauty of the cherry blossom and the unique architecture is just what you need to make this a year you’ll never forget.
Need a place to write down your thoughts?
ARTS & CULTURE
Kasador
keeps their music real, barks and all
With a new bandmate and fresh releases, they’re optimistic about the future
Madison Taylor Senior Arts & Culture Editor
Sometimes it’s the imperfections that make a lasting impression.
Playing to a sold-out hometown crowd on Jan. 24 at Broom Factory, Kasador is set to return to the stage for the new year. After productive studio time, Cam Wyatt, ArtSci ’15, Boris Baker, MSc ’18, Stephen Adubofuor and newest permanent addition, Thomas Draper are excited to debut the band’s newest song, “Cut It” at the single release show on Friday, supported by School House and Oakridge Ave.
The band has kept busy since their last Broom Factory show in September. From
playing an intimate show at the Isabel Bader Centre for the Performing Arts, collaborating with Little Menace Productions for the Slaight Music Video Program—premiering at the Kingston Canadian Film Festival, gaining an impressive TikTok following, and having their songs featured on Hockey Night in Canada, Kasador have kept their momentum going.
After the successful release of their single “Golden” this past December, the band is excited to give audiences a peek into more of what they’ve been working on. As with their previous work, it was recorded at The Bathhouse Recording Studio. Embracing the imperfect, and leaving a human mark on their songs, these releases signal the beginning of a new chapter for Kasador, after the success of their 2023 album, Youth
“I feel like Youth was more like looking inwards, or in a mirror. This album is more like
‘Growing Pains’ connectsthroughperspectives art
Four artists celebrate their ever-evolving individuality
Ella
Thomas Editorials Illustrator
Art binds people together.
Growing Pains connects four artist’s perspectives on family, cultural identity, and community through various mediums of visual storytelling. Sumera Khan, Shamara Peart, MA ’23, Shanique Peart, and Alicia Udvari, BFA ’23, showcase and curate their works at the Union Gallery from Jan. 14 to Feb. 15 as well as the Modern Fuel Artist-Run Centre from Jan. 18 to March 22. The exhibitions celebrate months of hard work during the artists’ time in the Twofold Residency 2024 for Emerging Black,
Indigenous and people of colour (BIPOC) Artists, beginning in 2024. Since July, the artists have collaborated on their artistic endeavours with the support of one another and the Twofold Residency 2024 Co-Directors, Berlin Reed and Jill Glatt. The residency, hosted by Union Gallery and Modern Fuel, helps establish a safe space for the artists to explore their creative breadth and learn new skills through workshops.
Forming community is a crucial part of the residency. “[Being a mom] I had no access to artists other than having friends online.
Wonderful virtual artist friends
Elements like Wyatt’s dog barking during a take, and the sound of him picking up a guitar, make the cut in place of perfection.
This point of difference is especially important online, where the band has amassed a major TikTok following.
Social media has played a large role in promoting their new music. “I think our recordings sound like recordings used to. A lot of people are commenting [that] this sounds like early 2000s music,” Baker added.
A crucial part of the writing and recording process was the introduction of Draper—a long-time collaborator—as a permanent band member.
After joining the band on their tour with Finger Eleven in 2023, being on the road confirmed not only Draper’s talent but his compatibility.
“I think we have very complimentary styles [of playing guitar]. He’s got really good harmonic playing, and mine’s a little more melodic. He’s really creative in terms of his parts,” Wyatt said. “It’s a good balance.”
From Liz, With Love: Winning the game oF Love
Sometimes, relationships require a little team spirit
Elizabeth Provost
Staff
Writer
Dear Liz,
My boyfriend is really into sports—he’s always watching games, talking stats, or playing fantasy leagues. The problem is, I just can’t get into it. I’ve tried watching games with him, but I find it so boring, and I don’t even understand half of what’s going on. I’m worried this is driving a wedge between us because it’s such a big part of his life, and I don’t want to pretend to like something I don’t. How can I support his passion without feeling like I have to force myself to care about it?
Signed, Girl on the Sidelines
looking outwards at the world or how you see the world, or your interactions with the world,” Baker said in an interview with The Journal.
“I think it’s kind of like post-growth reflection,” Wyatt shared.
As well as its presence in the music’s themes, this self-assurance is also clear in the band’s evolving sound.
Leaning into a more pared-back approach and not aiming for robotic perfection—rather—connection and real moments, their new releases have a “raw edge” that helps Kasador stand out. Knowing when a song is finished, and not overdoing it, can be a hard line to draw, but it’s one the band has become better at.
“I feel like because everything is so homogenized, perfectly recorded, and the pop music world is so big, that standing out in that realm is really hard,” Wyatt shared.
on Instagram, Facebook, and Threads, but never a sense of community, of fellow artists, especially BIPOC artists,” Khan said in an interview with The Journal.
After working alongside one another during the Twofold Residency 2024, the artists closed their journey by collaborating once more on Growing Pains
Continued online at www.queensjournal.ca
There’s a trust between the two guitar players, and it also allows Wyatt to focus more on vocals, instead of recording multiple guitar parts alone.
Draper also plays in the Kingston band Oakridge Ave., doing double duty at Friday night’s show.
“Cut It” continues the band’s evolution towards the real, taking a bare bones approach with just guitar, vocals, and drums for most of the verse. With a “big hitting chorus,” and “angular melody,” the song is short and sweet, with Baker describing the sound as “like The Clash meets Blur.”
Kasador aims to continue dropping singles with a longer-form release on the horizon, though they’re taking things as they come, and remembering why they do it.
“Burnout’s very real, if you’re just hating it all, and you’re not enjoying the process, or feel like it fulfills you at all, then why are you doing it?” Wyatt shared. “I think we’re trying to lean into that a bit more. What feels right, we’re gonna do,” he added.
The quick turnaround time from writing, recording and release keeps the material fresh for the band, and fun to play. Baker and Wyatt expressed their excitement for their sold-out hometown show, before a string of upcoming Ontario dates—plus Montreal—and shows out west in April.
There’s a quiet confidence about Kasador this time around. They’ve earned it.
Dear Girl on the Sidelines,
It’s normal not to share every interest with your partner—variety keeps life interesting! But I get it. Sports can feel like a whole other world, complete with its own language of stats and plays. The good news is, you don’t have to become a die-hard fan to be supportive.
Over the holidays, I found myself at a University of Texas at Austin football game. I’m not exactly a sports person—I figured it’d be three hours of sitting under the hot December sun, pretending to care about touchdowns. But let me tell you, the energy was electric. Fans were screaming, the band was playing, fireworks were going off with every touchdown, and there was even a drone show. By halftime, I was yelling “Hook ‘em!”
Don’t get me wrong, I’m not suddenly tuning into college football every weekend, but I wish I’d given it a shot sooner. Sometimes, the fun is contagious if you just let yourself soak it in.
Now, I’m not saying you have to love sports or even watch them regularly, but you could start by asking your boyfriend what he loves most about them. Is it the strategy? The sense of community? The nostalgia? Let his passion guide your curiosity—it’s not about loving the game, but loving that it means so much to him.
If watching games isn’t your thing, consider finding a middle ground. Maybe you can join him for a game or two now and then—bonus if it’s paired with something you enjoy, like sharing snacks or making it a get-together with friends. Then, let him have his sports time while you pursue something you’re passionate about. Relationships thrive when each person has their own space to grow. Even small efforts will mean a lot to him, even if you don’t know a quarterback from a cornerback. Supporting each other’s individuality while celebrating what brings you together—that’s the home run for your relationship. With love, Liz
Kasador plays their single release show on Jan. 24.
PHOTO BY MADISON TAYLOR
The exhibition shows in local galleries until March. PHOTO BY NELSON
Your guide to surviving a winter wipeout
The etiquette of slips and falls can be complicated
Sophie Campbell Contributor
Winter can be a scary time, with brisk winds and plummeting temperatures causing damage to cars, houses, and roads, and, most importantly—the ego of a university student.
With winter break over, and the temperature continuing to drop, campus is filled with the sounds of boots scraping against the concrete sidewalks—along with it, the fear of taking a tumble.
The weight of winter boots, the bitter cold of the outdoors, and the dread of properly lifting your feet when you walk, is a familiar experience at this time of year. Those who drag their feet are almost always signing up for a disaster. Students
Airwave YGK Artist in Residence talks experimental music and community radio
Michael Boulos uses no input mixing to help bring experimental noise music to Kingston
Cloey Aconley
Assistant Arts & Culture Editor
Through CFRC’s Airwave YGK residency, Michael Boulos, otherwise known as DJTHIRDPLACE, is redefining what it means to make music.
CFRC’s Airwave YGK residency provides young and emerging musicians with studio space, technical support, the opportunity to perform live on air, as well as payment for their work. The most recent
resident, Michael Boulos, expressed gratitude for the space to work on their latest musical endeavour Kahraba: a collection of experimental noise music utilizing the technique of no input mixing.
Boulos entered the residency excited about gaining access to studio time and planning to upcycle old cassettes with new music.
“I liked how easy it was to work with the station [CFRC]” Boulos said in an interview with The Journal. They expressed gratitude to the tech director Chancelor Maracle and videographer Josh Koval, MSc ’26, at CFRC for seamlessly integrating their artistic vision into the interview and
walking to your favourite class with a chai latte from Mitchell Starbucks —yes you waited half an hour, but it was worth it. You walk confidently, watching your step, until a friend passes by. You wave, take your attention off the ground, and suddenly your stomach drops. Panic sets in as you lose balance, and your drink drops to the ground. You have two choices: flail your arms like a maniac, hoping to save yourself, or speedwalk away pretending it never happened.
In a split second, you manage to save yourself, feet planted firmly. The only casualty is your drink—a small price to pay for your dignity.
It can be hard to know how to react when others are the victims of this near-universal plight.
shuffling to class, combined with the bleak Kingston winter, creates a risk we all accept when leaving the comfort of our houses and dorms: the winter tumble.
Every year, it happens to the best and brightest of us. Whether it’s students in massive puffer jackets, those who walk outside with shorts on, or even prestigious professors, no one is safe from the shame of the dreaded winter fall.
Picture this: you’re happily
live performance.
“It was very easy to present ideas and work through the ideas and come to a product we were all happy with,” Boulos said.
Experimental noise music is made by exploring various music equipment such as amplifiers, mixing consoles, and effect pedals. Boulos’ project Kahraba,
You can either awkwardly ignore the person and act like nothing happened or help them up and ask if they’re okay. The worst response is probably to laugh at the person, or karma might have you slipping next.
Most of the time the nicest thing to do is to pretend nothing happened.
The majority of winter tumbles on campus aren’t that big of a deal. People get so caught up in their own heads—thinking about their upcoming assignments, exciting weekend plans, or even what they’re planning on eating for
the Arabic word for electricity, is made with the technique of no input mixing. No input mixing loops the sound of a mixing board back into itself without external sources, and the sound oscillates creating its own synthesizer.
Boulos was drawn to the technique because of its
lunch. Watching where you’re going seems way less important than the midterm you haven’t studied for.
To those who see you fall, it’s almost never very memorable—they’ll have forgotten all about it by the time they’ve found a seat in Stauffer or waited in the infinite Cogro line.
Growing up in Canada and moving to Kingston, I’ve lost count of the winter slips I’ve taken. For the most part I like it when people don’t say anything, excluding the occasional “are you okay?” from my friends.
However, there are definitely some important exceptions to the “ignore” rule. If you notice someone is hurt, it’s a good idea to lend a hand.
From my observations in Kingston, I’ve noticed most victims of the infamous winter falls are absent-minded students trying to stay warm as they scurry to their lectures. They fall, they get up, they look around to make sure no one saw, and they rush to class like nothing happened.
Just like that, the blunder is forgotten—of course, until the next one.
Avoid a bruised ego (and rear) and look where you’re going, trust me.
uniqueness and accessibility, not requiring additional equipment aside from the music board. “Huge shoutout to CFRC for platforming stuff like this, which isn’t highlighted a lot,” Boulos said.
Continued online at www.queensjournal.ca
Navigating winter can get slippery fast.
GRAPHIC BY KELLYANN MARIE
Michael Boulos works on ‘Kahraba.’ PHOTO BY NAY CHI HTWE
Unexpected lessons from unexpected teachers
My pediatric clinical placement reminded me why I want to be a nurse
Oluwamisimi Oluwole Business, Science, & Technology Editor
When I began my nursing journey at Queen’s, I anticipated a rigorous academic path filled with late-night study sessions, early morning clinicals, and countless cups of coffee.
What I didn’t fully grasp was how deeply my experiences outside the classroom would shape my understanding of care, connection, and resilience. My pediatric clinical placement in the fall of 2024 stands out as one of the most transformative periods throughout nursing school, a journey that has profoundly influenced my perspective on what it means to be a nurse.
Walking into the pediatric unit for the first time, I was struck by the dichotomy of the environment. Brightly coloured murals and cheerful decor were present on the floor, yet beneath the surface was an undercurrent of worry and hope, a blend of emotions shared by patients, families, and healthcare providers alike.
I quickly learned pediatric nursing isn’t just about administering medications or monitoring vitals—it’s about supporting entire families during some of their most challenging moments.
One of my earliest patients was a 17-year-old boy recovering from spontaneous pneumothorax. His parents’ faces were etched with exhaustion, yet they greeted every nurse and staff member with gratitude. My first task was to
assess his post-operative pain and assist in his mobilization.
What struck me immediately was the importance of communication, not just with him, as he hesitantly described his discomfort, but with his parents, who were eager for reassurance and guidance in navigating their son’s recovery.
Building trust in this environment required more than clinical competence—it demanded empathy, patience, and the ability to navigate delicate conversations.
I realized that, in pediatric care, your patient isn’t just the child, but also their family.
One of the most challenging aspects of my placement was navigating the emotional weight of pediatric nursing. Children bring an unmatched vulnerability to healthcare—their illnesses feel unfair and their pain is deeply affecting.
I vividly remember caring for a 14-year-old girl diagnosed with hypertension secondary to hypertrophy. She carried a quiet resilience, though the seriousness of her condition weighed heavily on her, and her parents. Despite her composure, I could see the toll her illness took on her parents as I took her down to get an ultrasound. They masked their worries with encouraging smiles, but the gravity of her diagnosis was palpable in every interaction.
I made an effort to engage in light conversation with her, hoping to ease her nerves, and reassured her parents by explaining every step of the procedure. In those moments, it became clear that care extended far beyond physical treatment—it meant fostering a sense of safety and understanding for the whole family.
In the hardest moments, I leaned into what I had learned:
I focused on active listening, validating her emotions, and finding creative ways to help her feel more in control. Each time I implemented these approaches, I saw small but meaningful changes in her demeanour, reminding me resilience is built not in isolation, but through intentional, compassionate actions.
In nursing school, we often discuss the importance of self-care, but it wasn’t until this placement that I understood its necessity. After emotionally taxing shifts, I learned to decompress by journaling, talking with peers, or simply taking quiet walks. These moments of reflection allowed me to process what I’d experienced and return to the unit with a clearer mind and fuller heart.
During my placement, I discovered the smallest gestures often carried the greatest weight. Whether it was holding a child’s hand during a procedure or taking an extra five minutes to explain a care plan to a worried parent, these actions built trust and eased anxiety.
One particularly memorable moment involved a 16-year-old girl who was brought in for anxiety, cyclic vomiting, and nausea stemming from a situational crisis. Her time in online schooling had left her socially isolated, further compounding her challenges.
During one particularly difficult interaction, I noticed how withdrawn and overwhelmed she seemed. To help her feel more at ease, I brought a puzzle to her room to do while chatting about her favorite hobbies. Slowly, she began to open up about her love for reading and drawing. This seemingly simple act of meeting her on her terms helped build a connection.
By the end of our conversation, her anxiety appeared to lessen,
and she even asked for some colouring materials from the unit. That moment showed me the power of empathy and how tailored, small gestures can make a significant difference in a patient’s well-being.
The sense of connection I found during my placement extended beyond my patients and their families. Working alongside other healthcare providers and allied workers taught me the value of teamwork in delivering comprehensive care. Every member of the team brought a unique perspective, and I quickly learned that effective communication and mutual respect were essential to ensuring the best outcomes for our patients.
I was also deeply grateful for the camaraderie among my fellow nursing students. The eight of us leaned on each other during tough days, shared insights from our respective placements, and celebrated small victories together. This sense of community reminded me I wasn’t alone in facing the challenges of nursing school.
Reflecting on my time in the pediatric unit, several key lessons stand out. First and foremost, I learned the importance of adaptability. No two patients are the same, and no care plan is one-size-fits-all. Being able to think on my feet and tailor my approach to each patient’s needs is an invaluable skill.
I also gained a deeper appreciation for the holistic nature of nursing. While clinical skills are critical, they’re only part of the equation. Effective nursing requires emotional intelligence, cultural sensitivity, and the ability to see beyond the immediate medical issue and understand the broader context of a patient’s life.
Finally, I came to understand the profound privilege of being a
nurse. Every interaction, whether it was comforting a frightened child, supporting an anxious parent, or collaborating with a colleague, reinforced the impact nurses have on the lives of others.
This placement not only shaped my skills and perspectives but also influenced my aspirations for the future. I entered nursing school with a broad interest in healthcare, but my time in pediatrics ignited a passion for working with children and their families. I now see myself pursuing a career in pediatrics, with a focus on creating supportive environments that prioritize both medical care and emotional well-being.
Beyond career aspirations, this experience has also deepened my commitment to the values that brought me to nursing in the first place: compassion, resilience, and a desire to make a difference. I carry these values with me as I continue my journey at Queen’s and beyond.
As I reflect on my pediatric clinical placement, I’m struck by how much I’ve grown, not just as a nursing student, but as a person. The lessons I learned in the unit extend far beyond healthcare—lessons in empathy, adaptability, and the power of human connection.
To my fellow students and future nurses, I offer this advice: embrace the challenges, cherish the connections, and never underestimate the impact of small acts of kindness. Nursing isn’t just a profession, it’s a calling that has the power to transform lives, including your own.
Want to write a postscript? Email journal_postscript@queensu.ams.ca for more details.
Oluwamisimi imparts knowledge from her nursing school practicum.
PHOTO BY NELSON CHEN