Queen's Journal, Volume 146, Issue 28

the journal

Queen’s University

Vol. 146, Issue 28

Since 1873

Thursday, April 4, 2019

YEAR IN REVIEW

The Journal captures the story of 2018-19 in a collection of Queen’s most important stories

A warm farewell to Principal Daniel Woolf After a decade, Principal Woolf prepares for his departure Read the Feature on Page 5

Principal Woolf in his office.

PHOTO BY CHRIS YAO

Residence dons required to perform room checks during exam period

Dons not consulted on decision, face extra stress during exams R aechel H uizinga Assistant News Editor

On Mar. 14, Residence Life informed students that Dons would be performing room checks throughout the exam period.

The Dons were informed a day later.

“It’s a little bit concerning,” Francine*, a current Don, told The Journal in an interview. “It shows you they rolled out this process

without even consulting us. Not only did they go ahead and do it, they actually announced it, and then realized they hadn’t even told us.”

Throughout the exam period, residence Dons will be required to perform unscheduled room checks for their students, which could take anywhere from two to twenty minutes. Students will be given access to the Don on-call phone number to call dons individually and set up times for the checks.

“You’re constantly getting disrupted to have to go check students out of their rooms,” Francine said.

Genevieve*, a Don currently working in residence, told The Journal

in an interview this additional job requirement creates added stress for Dons during the exam period.

She said because the room checks are unscheduled and can happen intermittently throughout the day, it will be difficult for Dons to settle into a focused study session.

“You can’t actually get any studying done in 15 minutes,” she said. “It’s a complete waste of time.”

Dons were not required to perform room checks before this term.

“The initial process details were developed by Residence Life staff and communicated to Dons throughout

An interview with the ArtSci student who is a real life

Princess

See Page 13

See Residence on page 3

IN THIS ISSUE: Darts and Laurels, p. 6. Athletics is still a man’s world, p. 7. Kinky Boots to come to Kingston, p. 8.

Men’s hockey goalie pens thank you letter to Queen’s, p. 10. Arguing about the year’s best TV show, p. 14. queensjournal.ca

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News

2 •queensjournal.ca

Thursday, April 4, 2019

PHOTO SUPPLIED BY AMS COMMUNICATIONS

AMS Executive Team for the 2019-20 school year.

AMS Executive Team hires Senior Management Team AJW reflects on hiring process and transition period Claudia Rupnik Assistant News Editor The incoming AMS Executive team, consisting of President Auston Pierce, Vice-President (Operations) Jessica Dahanayake, and Vice-President (Student Affairs) William Greene, have assembled their senior management team.

According to Director of Communications Rachael Heleniak, the incoming AMS Executive organized Senior Management to comprise a government caucus and a corporate caucus. The government caucus includes Directors and Commissioners, whereas the corporate caucus consists of the Service Head Managers.

In the government caucus, they hired Lucas Borchenko as Secretary of Internal Affairs, A l ex i a Henriques as Commissioner of Campus Activities, David Bath as Commissioner of External Affairs, Bunisha Samuels as Commissioner of Social

Issues, Scott Schrempf as Director of Clubs, Chauntae De Gannes as Director of Sponsorship and Alumni, Brendan Robson as Director of Communications, Bronwyn Greenhalgh as Director of Human Resources, and Zachary Slater as Director of Information Technology.

In the corporate caucus, they hired Parker Quast as Head Manager of Queen’s Student Constables, Evan Gage as Head Manager of TAPS, Andry Asoh as Head Manager of the Student Life Centre, Bilal Shaikh as Head Manager of Walkhome, Gretha Conrads as Head Manager of Common Ground, Andie Rexdiemer as Head Manager of the Peer Support Centre, Nicole Langfield as Head Manager of Tricolour Outlet, Keshan Surendran as Head Manager of StudioQ, and Jordan Greene as Head Manager of P&CC. According to Pierce, candidates were selected based on a combination of talent, intelligence, passion, and commitment.

“We are confident that our team will help progress the AMS forward,” Pierce said in an email to The Journal. “We envision next year as an opportunity to reposition the AMS as a student government here to listen, to be creative and up to the challenges

ahead. Our Commissioners, Directors, Managers, and Supervisors are a reflection of this belief.”

Moreover, Pierce said there is “ample opportunity to [create, build, and improve the AMS and its services] despite the restrictions that the Student Choice Initiative has imposed upon student governments in this province.”

Team AJW will continue with plans to “redesign the AMS” as a government tailored to the needs of the student body and deliver their “ambitious plans and policy goals.”

Pierce credits the current Executive team for the smooth transition in leadership, as they have consistently consulted AJW in decisions pertinent to next year.

“We’ll continue to keep student interests, health, safety, inclusivity, and engagement at the core of our planning,” Pierce said. “I’m confident May 1 will signal a relatively seamless transition and we’ll be able to hit the ground running.”

Incoming Vice-President (Operations) Dahanayake also affirmed the team’s optimism and enthusiasm about the upcoming year.

“Our Senior Management team is passionate about improving

News in Brief

Faculty of Law announces new dean

Mark Walters begins his term May 1.

JOURNAL FILE PHOTO

On July 1, Mark Walters will begin his five-year term as Queen’s Faculty of Law dean.

He was selected following a search process chaired by

student life and pushing the AMS forward. I’m confident they’ll face each challenge thrown at them and take their portfolios to new heights in our term,” Dahanayake said in an email to The Journal.

She listed their “diverse set of perspectives and excitement” as two primary assets of the new team.

In light of more recent information about the Student Choice Initiative and its impact on AMS operations, Dahanayake offered reassurance to the student body.

“While these challenges are inevitable, we plan to tackle them with a motivated outlook that has the student’s best interests and concerns in mind,” Dahanayake said. “It’s going to be a term full of growing pains and adjustments for the AMS, and I cannot wait to face them head-on.”

Furthermore, Dahanayake wants the student body to know the Executive is listening to their concerns throughout the changes the AMS is experiencing.

“We’d love to hear everything you have to say. Don’t be afraid to drop us a line at any time,” Dahanayake said.

Incoming Vice-President (Student Affairs) Greene stressed the importance of collaboration and optimism among the incoming Senior Management team.

“When approaching hiring, [we] wanted to put together a team of individuals who’ll not only embrace each other and upcoming challenges with a positive attitude, but also constantly challenge themselves to explore new initiatives,” Greene said in an email to The Journal.

As they receive more information pertaining to the Student Choice Initiative, Team AJW will continue to advocate to the provincial government on behalf of their peers.

“It’s without question the AMS faces a unique challenge, unlike obstacles of the past,” Greene said.

In preparing to deal with financial constraints, Greene credits the current AMS Executive for their enthusiasm and dedication in providing “the best transition possible” for the incoming team.

Greene added AJW continues to sit in on regular meetings with Vice-President (Student Affairs) Munro Watters alongside the rest of the Executive. They’ve also sat in with the Board of Directors, Administration, and student groups.

“Despite limitations from the Student Choice Initiative, we’re excited to get creative and work towards achieving the goals set out in our platform and in our consultations with students across campus,” Greene said.

interim provost and vice-principal (academic) Tom Harris.

Walters specializes in public law, constitutional law, legal history and theory. Walters’ focus also includes Indigenous treaty relations. He currently serves as the F.R. Scott Chair in Public and Constitutional Law at McGill University.

As a Queen’s alum, Walters was a member of Queen’s faculty for 17 years and served as the University’s first associate dean (graduate studies and research).

During his tenure, he authored a book on the faculty’s history. He’s also taught at Oxford University.

—Jasnit Pabla

In a statement to The Gazette, Walters shared his excitement to re-join the Queen’s academic community.

“It will be such a privilege to work with faculty, staff, and students who are committed to excellence and innovation in legal education and research, and who are passionate about law’s promise in building a more just society,” Walters said.

Walters will replace current dean Bill Flanagan, who’s has served as the dean of Queen’s Faculty of Law for 14 years.

News

Thursday, April 4, 2019

queensjournal.ca • 3

Dons discontent over new responsibilities Continued from front ... our typical channels—email, team meetings,” Kate Murray, executive director of Residence Life, wrote in a statement to The Journal.

Murray didn’t specify when Residence Life communicated the “initial process details” to Dons.

“Subsequently, some dons raised some concerns,” she added.

Following the Mar. 15 announcement that dons would be required to perform these room checks, several Dons had meetings with their supervisors to discuss how they were feeling, according to Genevieve.

“It was a super emotional meeting,” she said. “Three people cried at our team meeting.

Somebody vomited from the stress. Dons don’t know what to do, and they’re really freaking out.”

Following these meetings, Residence Life decreased the expected overall time commitment from four hours to three and reduced the maximum amount of room checks to 10 per day.

“We responded with two separate emails indicating that we were listening to their feedback and exploring options,” Murray said. “Adjustments were then made to the process to reduce the time expectations on dons, and increase flexibility to allow dons to most easily fit these expectations into their individual schedules.”

According to Francine and Genevieve, Residence Life had discussions with Becky Shillington, manager of Residence Life (operations), about the Dons’ issues with the new arrangement.

According to Genevieve, Shillington doesn’t interact with dons on a day-to-day basis, limiting her understanding of what their lives look like and the pressure of exam season.

“Having her as our only representative in those talks is frustrating,” Genevieve said.

Murray said even with the room checkout process, “there continues to be a significant reduction in Don job

responsibilities during the April exam period.”

She added the process allows dons to have “continued flexibility” in completing these responsibilities around their individual academic requirements.

Both Francine and Genevieve told The Journal that Residence Life is employing dons to perform room checks instead of safety facility staff due to financial issues.

If Residence Life hired safety facility staff to perform the room checks, it would have to pay them.

Dons are not paid on an hourly basis, and instead have a clause in their contracts that requires them to perform any additional duties as assigned by Residence Life, according to Genevieve.

“I know money’s tight with the University right now with budget cuts,” she said. “[They’re] going to turn to the people who have no set hours by contract, who are not paid hourly, who are not paid even in like actual money. We’re very easy staff to exploit.”

Residence Life didn’t respond to the allegation that it’s employing students to perform room checks instead of safety facility staff to save money.

“These checks are a new initiative, and have not been conducted in prior years,” Murray said. “They do not replace the full room assessments that facilities staff will continue to conduct after all students have moved out.”

According to Francine, performing room checks is outside the role of a Don. “First and foremost, our role is to be supportive,” she said. “Had it been an emergency issue where students are lacking support, or something that was actually within our role, I’m sure some of the Dons would’ve been more than happy to step up and put in that extra work, but it seemed that this has been an extra job that never existed and now they’re throwing it [on us] to make it our responsibility to save money.”

The Dean of Women position was discontinued in 1996.

ILLUSTRATION BY JULIA BALAKRISHNAN

The legacy of the Dean of Women Dean of Women influenced the lives of female students at Queen’s for nine decades

outlined the position would “be one of influence rather than authority, in which, by sympathy and counsel, not by command, she might aid the women students” in their academic and personal development.

All Deans, except Evelyn Reid in the 1970s, also held academic positions at Queen’s, in subjects of study ranging from English Claudia Rupnik to Astrophysics.

Assistant News Editor When Ban Righ Hall opened in 1925, the Dean received Many visitors to the Deans control over the operations of the of Women Tower Lounge in women-only residence building.

Ban Righ Hall miss the female For the next 35 years, she served as portraits hanging on the wall, as live-in headmistress, responsible their role is largely unknown on for supervising female students campus today. and enforcing curfews, late-leaves, The Dean of Women influenced and visitors in the residence. the lives of female students at The Dean was also in Queen’s to varying degrees for charge of women who lived nine decades, from 1911-1996. off-campus, enforcing a dress *The names in this story According to the Queen’s code—“slacks” were only have been changed to maintain Encyclopedia, the University first permitted at breakfast—and anonymity. allowed women to enroll in Arts monitoring their choice and Sciences courses in 1878. of housing. There’d be no The movement for a Dean of unsupervised apartments, Women’s position started and no co-ed or unapproved in the early 1900s because boarding-houses. of the growing number of In the 1960s, the second wave female students admitted to of feminism brought the sexual Queen’s—and concern about the revolution to North America, morals and behaviour of women and swift changes to the Dean’s living in co-ed boarding houses portfolio at Queen’s. The Dean near campus. shifted from a parental figure to Female students were a “trusted advisor” for issues concerned their Dean would affecting female students, staff, limit their independence, but and faculty. also considered her role to Dean Beatrice Bryce, be a formal acknowledgement who held the position from of women’s permanent place 1959-71, supported progressive at the institution. change through the provision queensu.ca/sexualviolencesupport In 1911, the University took of better health counselling, the first step to addressing birth-control advice, co-ed dining, Sexual Violence Prevention and Support public concerns by hiring an and visitation hours for Advisor to Women. A few years male students.

Coordinator, Barb Lotan later, in 1918, the position According to a 2001 report in bjl7@queensu.ca was revamped and advisor The Journal, the Dean of Women Caroline McNeill became the often acted as an “anchor for the University’s first Dean of Women. budding feminism on campus.”

In his Principal’s Report, Dr. Elspeth Baugh—Dean from then-Principal Daniel Gordon 1980-93—received particular

INFORMATION FOR ALL STUDENTS IMPACTED

BY SEXUAL VIOLENCE GET HELP, GIVE HELP

recognition for being an advocate for structural change in University policies and attitudes.

In 1995, in light of the lingering sense of gender exclusivity on campus, Queen’s launched an external review of all human-rights and equity matters at the request of then-Principal William Leggett.

Manager, Data and Administration Jill Christie, one of the first staff hired in the Equity Office and who worked for the first University Advisor on Equity, Mary Margaret Dauphinee, provided The Journal with a September of 1995 Journal article announcing the review.

The review responded to the “ever-evolving requirements” of achieving equity on campus, and had a number of goals which aimed to improve the “quality, efficiency and effectiveness of the operation” and take a more holistic approach to matters of campus equity.

There was significant debate around discontinuing the Dean of Women, as there were so few women in senior management.

Many female faculty members advocated for greater gender awareness in the job descriptions of all administrative positions, and Leggett agreed equity would not be achieved if the task fell on the shoulders of just one person.

The findings were made available in December of 1995, revealing Queen’s had made progress on gender and equity issues, but lacked the accountability and coordination to make real change.

Throughout this time, Leggett also commissioned an advisory committee on the office of the Dean of Women to make an internal review. They decided the position would be replaced by a new University Advisor on Equity, who’d represent the interests of all students, staff, and faculty.

In a Senate meeting on May 23, 1996, Leggett announced the end of the Dean of Women, in favour of greater centralization of equity efforts at Queen’s. After ongoing discussion, Mary Marguerite Dauphinee was appointed as University Advisor on Equity in April of 1998.

[E]quity was achieving “fairness for everybody,” and warned it would require a “communal effort” and “the dedication of a lifetime.”

—Mary Marguerite Dauphinee, University Advisor on Equity

She told The Gazette that equity was achieving “fairness for everybody,” and warned it would require a “communal effort” and “the dedication of a lifetime.” In 2018, the Equity Office marked their 20th anniversary of continued efforts towards achieving equity on campus for all students, staff and faculty.

While the Dean of Women’s role disappears into Queen’s history, the impact the position’s had on approaches to equity on campus is still felt in the various offices and committees that advocate on behalf of diverse student needs in the 21st century.

News

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Thursday, April 4, 2019

Journal staff wins Amnesty International Youth Media award Samantha Fink is The Journal’s features editor.

Samantha Fink honoured for feature on invisible disabilities Matt Scace Sports Editor

On Thursday, The Journal’s Features Editor Samantha Fink won Amnesty International’s Youth Media Award.

Each year, the award honours a student who creates media covering international or national human rights issues with an emphasis on young people. Fink’s article investigates the unique challenges of Queen’s students who are facing invisible disabilities on campus.

“Every student I spoke to moved

PHOTO BY TESSA WARBURTON

me because they all showed me how something I see as completely mundane affects their everyday safety or success,” Fink said.

The issue of accessibility on campus came to her attention when Kaitlyn MacDonald—one of the eventual subjects of the article—emailed The Journal highlighting her experiences on campus.

“I realized how much effort goes into making a campus an accessible place for everyone, since everyone has such unique needs,” Fink said. “I became really interested in gathering a diverse group of students to interview about how their particular disabilities are addressed on campus.”

Fink added winning the award came as a surprise.

“I submitted this piece never thinking I’d win and I was shocked when I got the call,” she said.

“If anything I’ve written should get more exposure, I’m happy it’s this piece because

“I realized how much effort goes into making a campus an accessible place for everyone, since everyone has such unique needs.”

—Samantha Fink, The Journal’s Features Editor

I think embracing differences and learning how we can help each other out is probably the most important thing journalism, or any other field for that matter, can do.”

Fink added that her article was not meant to put Queen’s in a negative

light—it was simply to put the spotlight on disabilities that often slip under the radar.

“Most people I talked to for this feature commended Queen’s on the whole for their approach to accessibility,” she said. “The importance of journalism is not to highlight the pitfalls, but to demonstrate where improvements can be made.”

With her piece gaining further recognition, she reflected on her interviews and experiences cultivating the piece. Fink said she hopes readers can take away what she did when it was published last October.

“I realized that a lot of people face barriers in classes and rely on notetakers’ notes for their success [sic],” Fink said.

“In ways like these, we subtly doubt each others’ disadvantages in ways that don’t help anyone, and I hope the feature did a small part to alleviate these stigmas.”

Fink will accept the distinction on April 4 during Amnesty International’s 24th annual Media Awards.

The future of TAPS after the Student Choice Initiative

TAPS services currently run an approximated $200,000 deficit.

Underground will function ‘exact same way’ in 2019-20 school year Raechel Huizinga Assistant News Editor Despite an approximated $200,000 TAPS deficit, the Underground will operate as usual next year.

Queen’s pub services (TAPS) is comprised of the Underground—the campus nightclub—and Queen’s Pub, the on-campus bar.

Following the Ford government’s Student Choice Initiative, the AMS restructured how TAPS operates.

“It is important to note that TAPS is not structured in a way that is currently allowing it to excel as an establishment that serves alcohol,” Liam Tharp, vice-president (operations), wrote in a statement to The Journal.

“TAPS is intended to fill the niche of a safe drinking establishment where students can be exposed to different

drinking environments compared to some establishments downtown.”

TAPS currently has six full-time management positions and over 100 staff members. After the restructuring, TAPS will have three full-time managers and a team of eight supervisors, plus its staff.

“None of the staff positions will be changing, however the AMS was actually able to nearly double the number of management positions that are available,” Tharp said.

He added that in previous years, the AMS was finding that filling six full-time positions was difficult as students were much more interested in positions with less commitment in hours.

He noted, however, that the supervisor position which was trialled this year had “great success.”

“The supervisory role is intended to fill the place of students who would like to become more involved in the service, but not to a full-time commitment,” Tharp said. “There was large uptake for the position with many applicants, which is a preliminary demonstration of this position filling a desired niche.”

He also said the Underground will be focusing on more events and band

performances in the upcoming year, like the Busty and the Bass performance happening this coming Saturday night.

Tharp added, however, that TAPS’ increased deficit can be attributed “more to the updated alcohol policy as well as the general shift of lower attendance in bars.”

TAPS is governed under Queen’s alcohol

PHOTOS BY CHRIS YAO

2019, he added.

Tharp said the AMS’ former retail operations officer had “many connections in the Hub who have all noted lower attendance and revenue in the past decade.”

“Students are not visiting pubs as much as they were and TAPS is currently re-imagining itself to once again be the pinnacle of student life on campus,” he said.

With the upcoming JDUC reconstruction TAPS currently has six set to begin in 2020, however, Tharp said TAPS will be “largely affected” in a full-time management “positive way.” positions and over 100 “The service will be closed for a short staff members. After the period of time, but it is also being given restructuring, TAPS will have the chance to completely re-imagine itself as something that students could possibly three full-time managers find more appealing,” he said. and a team of eight Tharp pointed to The Brooklyn’s elevated supervisors, plus the staff. dance floor as a possible direction the service could take.

He said suggestions for the service’s future also include transitioning to “a policy, which currently stipulates against more upscale nightclub vibe” and “even advertising any alcohol promotions, an more outlandish things such as going ability Tharp called “essential to advertising completely vegan.” for these establishments.”

The policy will be going up for public review “likely” during the summer of journal_news@ams.queensu.ca

Thursday, April 4, 2019

queensjournal.ca

•5

After a decade, Principal Woolf prepares to depart A look back at the principal’s administration from 2009 to 2019 Meredith Wilson-Smith Editorials Editor Every year, the principal of Queen’s University loses 1,800 sugar cookies to Stauffer Library.

Armed with reusable grocery bags full of Card’s Bakery cookies, Daniel Woolf and his wife Julie Gordon-Woolf enter the library prepared for their exam season “cookie drop.”

The couple has done this for the past several years. They started with 500 cookies, but demand has steadily increased.

Tackling the library table by table, Gordon-Woolf usually watches her husband go up to each person to offer them a cookie, often met with confusion or a blank stare. It’s understandable—professors rarely visit the library, or hand out food.

“I’m the principal,” he tells them.

It’s a job he once told his wife he had less chance of getting than he did winning the lottery. Now, he’s leaving it. ***

On Sept. 4, 2008, Woolf received an email he’s celebrated every year since. A head hunter suggested he enter his name into the running for Queen’s principalship.

At the time, the University was in dire financial straits, clouded by pension complications and an impenetrable budget. For Woolf, who emailed back in close to the “Guinness World Book record for responding to an email,” the role was a welcome challenge.

Moving forward, he’d go on to face a decade of financial and cultural institutional turmoil, several changes of government, a revolving door of colleagues, and several cohorts of students.

He’d be pushed to address mental health, inequity, and freedom of speech issues on campus, among others.

But in that moment, citing the “significant financial and governance challenges” at the time, Woolf said his decades of experience at three other institutions—McMaster, Dalhousie and the University of Alberta—meant he had the experience and perspective to feel that he “might be able to help” as an administrator at the University.

Though an administrator for 22 years now, Woolf’s an academic.

He studies Tudor and Stuart British history and historiographical studies. He relishes passing around rare editions of Thomas Hobbes as guest instructor of a first-year intellectual history course. That, and his penchant for education, is what makes the course’s former professor, Richard Bailey, call Woolf a “master teacher.”

Having earned a BAH in History and returning to teach as a post-doctoral fellow at Queen’s, Woolf viewed the principalship as the “job of his lifetime.” The same weekend it was announced that Principal Karen Hitchcock was stepping down, Woolf was visiting Queen’s with his 12th-grade son, Sam. Gordon-Woolf says her husband “embarrassed Sam left,

Woolf has run Queen’s for the past 10 years.

right, and centre” by introducing himself to others on campus as an Arts ’80 grad.

That spirit emanating from Queen’s students is a defining factor in his love for the school.

Woolf is a man who, upon entering a Tim Horton’s in Hamilton, once approached a stranger in a tricolour scarf to ask whether he was a fellow alum.

“I’ve seen it in Daniel from the moment I met him,” Gordon-Woolf said. “He [still] has that feeling about Queen’s.” ***

People close to Woolf describe his first term at the University, from 2008 to 2013, as “putting out fires.”

Faced with a lack of governmental relations work and an absence from the Council of Ontario Universities (COU), the school’s profile-building work wasn’t where it needed to be to get the donations and publicity required to surpass its financial difficulties.

The principal describes his “toughest single year” as 2009, which saw an increase in suicides and two accidental deaths on campus. He called the events “the worst thing that could happen on your watch,” whether as an administrator or person.

“We’re not funded as a mental health institution—we’re funded as a university,” Woolf said. Still, he’s “very pleased” about his leadership on mental health both at Queen’s and in interactions with other Ontario universities.

With that in mind, Woolf fundamentally changed the role of the Queen’s principal. He established the role of provost and vice-principal (academic), introducing his former McMaster colleague, Dr. Alan Harrison, to work as his “chief operating officer.” The new role was to focus on internal affairs, dividing the administrator’s responsibilities and allowing Woolf to invest time in other areas.

Back then, his day started at 6:30 a.m.—earlier, if he wanted to squeeze in some exercise. It was

an eight-minute walk to be in the office by 8:30 a.m. At the end of the day, he left the office with what his longtime assistant, Cheryl Lewis, calls his “diplomatic pouch,” filled with correspondence to answers and problems to solve.

Then, sleep.

He met with the provost at least once a week, and every Monday night took a different faculty member to dinner, eager to learn more about their research and teaching. He sat in eight to 10 meetings daily, supervised History graduate student research, taught undergraduate classes, and continued to write academically.

Times have changed, though.

Now, his wife and their two cats, Basia and Luis, have moved to a farmhouse 30 miles northwest, where he’s currently lobbying her for a dog to accompany his retirement from administration.

Closer to his transition to strictly academic work, Woolf now starts his day closer to 9 a.m. There seem to be fewer fires to put out these days. ***

For the time being, the principal’s office is a cavernous suite. After passing the cubicles of his administrative team before entering his quarters, you’re met with comfortable disorder.

Overall, Woolf’s office looks more like that of a scholar than it does an administrator.

Historical books and sheaves of paper are scattered across a long table, where he prefers to work instead of at his desk. He has a calendar on the wall made from photos he’s taken himself over the previous year (a recent highlight calendar was barn-themed). He’s stiff when meeting visitors, but visibly relaxes when showing them books about Britain’s colonial presence in India.

At the beginning of his tenure, Chancellor Jim Leech said he struggled to understand how to relate to Woolf—“this historical scholar with a quirky sense of humour.” He called Principal Woolf a shy individual to whom “rah-rah” spirit doesn’t come naturally.

PHOTO BY CHRIS YAO

Leech remembers him at an elite event in Toronto five or six years ago, which the two attended together looking for donors. Leech was pleasantly surprised to see Woolf flitting between donors. “He knew that was what he had to do as his job. He may hate it, but he’s going to go do it,” Leech said.

The principal isn’t comfortable at large social events. He prefers Monty Python skits and jazz music, but every person The Journal interviewed referenced his sense of humour and his use of puns to connect with others. At one of her first formal events, Rector Alex Da Silva said Woolf put her at ease.

“Now, whenever there’s a crisis on campus, we can send in ‘Da Silva bullet,’” Woolf said.

Those puns reappear on twitter—Woolf said that, by and large, nobody writes his tweets but him—which “makes [the University’s] communications people a little nervous,” though thus far, he’s “kept out of trouble.” ***

However, not everyone agrees that Principal Woolf keeps out of trouble.

Queen’s has been plagued for decades by racially discriminatory voices on campus and flagging mental health action. Protests on campus over the past decade voice that he hasn’t done enough to address those concerns.

Woolf cited his administration’s lack of attention to inclusivity as his primary regret over his tenure. Of 2016’s infamous “racist party,” he called it a “trivial offense.”

“It was a bunch of young people acting insensitively. It was not a consciously racist thing,” he said.

Some depart from that perspective. Last year, shortly after the same party, the Eyes on Diversity and Equity Coalition formed on campus to pressure the administration recognize their demands.

Primarily, they organized to demand a public statement explaining why the racist party wasn’t penalized under the Non-Academic Misconduct System.

The group of students repeated

the refrain, “What time is it, Mr. Woolf?”

The principal concedes that the party emphasized Queen’s cultural problem, and that diversity concerns haven’t received adequate attention.

PhD student Edward Thomas, who worked with Principal Woolf to rescind a historical ban on Black medical students, pointed out the symbolic resonance of the principal’s job when addressing diversity.

“Tasked with cultivating shared narratives of institutional purpose,” Principal Woolf must “improve Queen’s understanding of its past [and] motivate its present-day engagement with issues of identity and belonging,” Thomas said.

“We’re a great institution, but we’re not a perfect institution, and we never have been a perfect institution. As a historian, I always believe you shouldn’t eradicate bad history—you should own up to it,” Woolf said. ***

As Principal Woolf faces his final 100 days in office, he’s left to consider the past 10 years of challenges and accomplishments alike.

Julie Gordon-Woolf says her husband has been “24/7 for 10 years.” From birth, Woolf’s father said he didn’t know where he got the energy to continually work.

When he originally considered staying at Queen’s for a third term as principal in 2017, Woolf was swayed by voices around him urging him to continue—but he was getting tired.

“There’s such a thing as outstaying one’s welcome,” Woolf said of his decision to leave.

Within five minutes of announcing his decision to withdraw his name from consideration, he felt “tremendous relief.”

Chancellor Leech swears he sees a younger Daniel Woolf today than five months ago. “Once you discover what you’re going to do next, you’re comfortable with the decision,” Leech said. “He made, for himself, a very wise decision.”

That decision marks a step back from the international travel, donor schmoozing, and packed schedules that filled the last decade.

Described as a man who “can’t do nothing,” Woolf’s already got book reviews lined up and grad students to continue supervising.

His alto saxophone has gone untouched since he arrived in Kingston over a decade ago, and he’s got a stack of detective novels collecting dust.

Woolf will maintain an office in Watson Hall and get back to reading, writing, and designing courses on a full-time basis.

He’s excited to sit in his office, read, drink coffee, and chat with students without wondering about the next email to hit his screen.

“It would be disingenuous to say that [I] won’t miss the fast pace and being at the centre of major things,” Woolf said. However, he’s content with the knowledge that “it’s better to leave a party an hour early than a minute too late.”

6 • queensjournal.ca

Thursday, April 4, 2019

THE QUEEN’S JOURNAL Volume 146 Issue 28 www.queensjournal.ca @queensjournal Publishing since 1873

Editorial Board Editors in Chief

Sebastian Bron

Production Manager

Nick Pearce Julia Balakrishnan

Digital Manager

Angus Merry Jasnit Pabla

News Editor

Rachel Aiken Raechel huizinga Claudia Rupnik

Assistant News Editors

Features Editors

Samantha Fink Hannah Stafl

Editorials Editor

Meredith Wilson-Smith

Opinions Editor

Sophia Spencer Brigid Goulem

Arts Editor

Brittany Giliforte

Assistant Arts Editor

Matt Scace

Sports Editor

Maggie Gowland

Assistant Sports Editor

Josh Granovsky

Lifestyle Editor

Ally Mastantuono

Assistant Lifestyle Editor

Chris Yao

Photo Editor

Tessa Warburton

Assistant Photo Editor

Amelia Rankine

Video Editor

Christian Soriano

Assistant Video Editor

Zier Zhou

Editorial Illustrator

Tegwyn Hughes

Copy Editor

Contributing Staff Staff Writers and Photographers Sydney Ko Hinano Kobayashi Lauren Trossman Kelly Xu Contributors

EDITORIALS

Darts Queen’s community mourns Professor Andrew Bretz: After only one year spent at Queen’s, Professor Andrew Bretz’s passing devasted both the English department and the broader university community. As a mentor heavily involved in campus life, his profound impact on students resounded on both an academic and personal level.

Queen’s ranks fourth for disclosures of non-consensual sexual violence in Ontario: Queen’s is currently fourth-highest in the province for students who reported disclosures of non-consensual sexual violence. The data itself was appalling because it revealed a lack of support and resources for students on campus. Furthermore, the survey’s findings were delayed several months, impacting Queen’s ability to adapt and respond in time for the September sexual assault policy revision deadline.

Ontario addresses changes to OSAP: The Ontario PC government’s sweeping changes to OSAP have made education in the province significantly less accessible. It didn’t help that they framed it as helpful to students rather than prohibitive. Now, instead of

Robin Ketcheson

Business Staff Business Manager

Morgan Dodson

Head Sales Representative

Aidan Chalmers

Sales Representative

Callum Nesbitt

Office Administrator

Liveny Krishnakumar

Contributions from all members of the Queen’s and Kingston community are welcome. The Journal reserves the right to edit all submissions.

The Queen’s Journal is an editorially autonomous newspaper published by the Alma Mater Society of Queen’s University, Kingston.

Editorial opinions expressed in The Journal are the sole responsibility of The Queen’s Journal Editorial Board, and are not necessarily those of the University, the AMS or their officers.

190 University Ave., Kingston, ON, K7L 3P4 Editorial Office: Business Office: Fax: Email:

613-533-2800 613-533-6711 613-533-6728 journal_editors@ams.queensu.ca

Please address complaints and grievances to the Editors in Chief.

The Queen’s Journal is printed on a Goss Community press by Performance Group of Companies in Smiths Falls, Ontario.

Contents © 2019 by The Queen’s Journal; all rights reserved.

No part of this publication may be reproduced without prior permission of The Journal.

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being able to enjoy their experience, students will have to worry about paying for their educations before they even arrive on campus.

AMS grapples with ‘significant damage’ after Student Choice Initiative: The Ontario government’s Student Choice Initiative hits our editorial board close to home, as The Journal itself has faced restructuring. At Queen’s, our heavy academic focus balances with our extra-curricular selection. As student governments have had to cut several commissions and groups, particularly social advocacy committees, the nature of our University’s student experience has suffered.

1940s era anti-Semitism crept onto campus: In an article this year, The Journal found that until 2009, a portrait hung in Richardson Hall of a Queen’s administrator who said that “Hitler was right.” Queen’s history with anti-Semitism is troubling, but almost as troubling is the University’s delayed acknowledgement of its discriminatory past. Until it did so, they sidelined a proportion of its students and faculty, ignoring its role in perpetuating hatred.

Mental health appointments rise by 73 per cent over last five years: This Student Wellness Services report underscored the University’s denial of its responsibility to prioritize student wellness. Students on campus face a barrage of mental health concerns, and face inadequate support services. Queen’s self-imposed distance from all-encompassing treatment on campus only makes that worse.

Students shouldn’t be told they can access support if sufficient support doesn’t exist.

Inside Queen’s foreign investments: The University’s investments in controversial holdings could risk institutional and student support. Additionally, resistance to fossil fuel divestment shows disregard for accountability, the environment, and student voices calling for action.

Queen’s confirms ‘unfortunate’ Chance Macdonald talk: Some speakers shouldn’t be allowed a prestigious platform at Queen’s.

Until Chance Macdonald, who was convicted of common assault, was revealed to have guest lectured at Smith School of Business, the school kept its knowledge of its failing under wraps. Through that failure, Queen’s risked student safety and comfort, ignoring the adversity and trauma many have faced and highlighting a lack of supervision.

Senate repeals 1918 ‘colour ban’ on Black medical students: A discriminatory historical policy shouldn’t have been left in place for 100 years for a graduate student to dig up and resolve. While the institutional policy wasn’t enforced, it hadn’t been formally rescinded through a University apology to those impacted. Graduate student Edward Thomas’ independent addressing of the 1918 ‘colour ban’ shows the University’s barriers to forging an equitable, welcoming campus.

AMS Assembly passes external investigation into President Martinez: Regardless of Martinez’s actions, the lack of transparency from the AMS in this external investigation has done more harm than good. When student governments aren’t accountable, it’s difficult for students to trust them. Facing provincial threats, it’s equally difficult for the PC provincial government to appreciate the value of student governments when they prioritize closed-door conversations.

Laurels

Want to contribute?

For information visit: www.queensjournal.ca/contribute or email the Editor in Chief at journal_editors@ams. queensu.ca

The Journal’s Perspective

New facilities, equipment on display at campus gyms: With Mitchell Hall’s winter opening, students received a new space on campus to engage in various activities. The building is aesthetically appealing and environmentally sustainable, setting a high standard for future architecture on campus. Furthermore, the easily accessible space allows undergraduate and graduate students alike to mingle and forge greater community—something the latter haven’t had the benefit of in the past.

Four Directions Indigenous Student Centre doubles space: After the 2017 Queen’s Truth and Reconciliation Task Force report, Four Directions’ programming has benefitted from additional resources provided through renovation. Open to all, the Centre’s focus on Indigenous community and cultural education deserves an expanded space to match its expanded reach. This growth is a concrete physical step forward at a school primarily focused on ceremonial and verbal acknowledgement.

Walkhome to begin non-binary employment for upcoming hiring period: Walkhome’s new framework for walk requests reflects the necessity of an inclusive culture on campus. The service promotes safety for every student—which it now reflects by offering employment and community opportunities for non-binary students hoping to work there. In this day and age, Walkhome’s new policy is a welcome and necessary shift.

Men’s hockey wins Queen’s Cup, snaps 38-year streak: After almost 40 years, Queen’s restored their title as OUA men’s hockey champions this past March. While university athletic games are often ill-attended, this year the team sold out of tickets in nearly every playoff bout, cementing their status as role models and leaders in the Queen’s athletic community.

No longer ‘treading water,’ AMS Food Bank goes digital: The AMS food bank introduced a digital system this fall, fostering a more dignified and trusting environment for its clients. The system will allow food bank management to track popular items and number of weekly visits. Through this, it provides an opportunity for the food bank to grow, improve, and continue to serve Queen’s students effectively and respectfully.

Kingston declares Climate Emergency: This winter, Kingston became a provincial leader when its city councillors unanimously voted to declare a climate emergency in the city. By calling for more precise action plans and an accelerated scale of change, the emergency declaration forges space for change. Leading by example through this decision makes it easier for other municipalities around the conference to follow suit.

University strikes two new vice-principal roles: The two new roles created at Queen’s this year have recognized key administrative leaders at the University. Janice Hill (Kanonhsyonne), associate vice-principal (indigenous initiatives and reconciliation) and Stephanie Simpson, associate vice-principal (human rights, equity, and

inclusion) are focusing on much-needed equity, diversity, and inclusion work on campus in a higher-profile capacity. Their appointments highlight Queen’s growing commitment to reconciliation and equity.

Gord Edgar Downie Pier officially opens: The long-awaited post-revitalization pier opening allowed students to once again enjoy the city they call home outside their campus bubble. The pier, when treated respectfully, is an ideal venue for improved town-gown relations as visitors coexist peacefully to enjoy its beauty. It’s a unique and memorable facet of the Queen’s experience for students past and present.

Homecoming draws crowd of 10,000, only 85 tickets: This year marked a decrease in arrests on Homecoming by over 50 per cent from the previous year. While perhaps it could be credited to the controversial University District Safety Initiative, the data indicates party-goers showing more respect for the Kingston community and Queen’s.

The drop in infractions gives Kingston locals a better perception of students and provides a change to forge greater trust moving forward.

University launches new certificate in Mohawk language & culture: The new two-year certificate for Tyendinaga community members targets Mohawk community members who hope to explore the historical and spiritual traditions of their culture at a university level. This bridge between post-secondary and holistic education empowers all members of the Tyendinaga community to learn from and interact with their elders. While new, the foundational certificate acknowledges the importance of cultural education and respect for one’s community.

Thursday, April 4, 2019

queensjournal.ca • 7

OPINIONS

Your Perspective

Athletics is still a man’s world Despite equal entertainment value, women’s sports fall by the wayside Robin Ketcheson, Comm ’20 Internationally, female athletes can accomplish amazing feats—but they often fail to receive the same recognition as their male counterparts.

This inequality stems from a lack of media representation, advertising and equal pay. It’s set a similar standard for the treatment of female athletes here at Queen’s.

In the WNBA, female players’ salaries start at just $35,190, while in the NBA, players earn a minimum salary of $582,180.

In hockey, the wage gap is even larger—women in the NWHL earn a minimum of $5,000 per year and a maximum of just $7,000, while men in the NHL are earning a minimum of $650,000 per year and a maximum of $15.9 million per year.

With stats like these, women in sports are consistently discouraged from reaching the same levels of success as men.

Even the media aspect of sports—from coverage to reporting—lacks female presence.

Only four per cent of sports TV coverage and 5.3 per cent of its print coverage contains content regarding women’s sports.

This narrative continues in magazines or sports blogs, where articles are more likely to be written by—and about—male athletes. Without proper female representation on these platforms, future female athletes have nobody to identify with when pursuing their goals in competing or commentating.

The most troubling part of these disparities is the extent to which they go unrecognized because they’re normalized in athletics.

This unspoken issue persists here at Queen’s.

Despite Queen’s teams such as women’s rugby, hockey, and soccer consistently qualifying for national championships, students don’t seem focused on changing the dialogue around female athletes.

When the men’s hockey team hosted the OUA championship last month, the game was completely sold out, with a record 2,800 people in attendance. But when the women’s hockey team hosted the OUA championships exactly one year prior, the Kingston Memorial Centre was far from full.

The men’s OUA game encompassed what university sport is all about: student athletes facing a challenge and

Robin says we should equal support for female athletes.

succeeding—with their community rallying behind them.

However, the same support wasn’t present for their female hockey counterparts, which brings to light Queen’s students’ shortcomings in support for their female athletes.

Some might say watching women’s sports simply isn’t as popular as watching men’s sports. A quick Google search about why women’s sports aren’t as popular will relay a common trope: “If the games were better, fans would come watch,” or, “Women’s games are not as exciting to watch.”

As a female hockey player for Queen’s myself, I’m the first to admit that a men’s hockey game is more fast-paced, aggressive, and possibly even more exciting to watch—but these differences have a purpose.

Male and female sports are separated on the basis that their

different rules accommodate different physiological makeups.

This creates a different kind of game to watch: one that is generally more technical, less physical but equally as entertaining.

If men’s and women’s sports were promoted as equally different but equally respectable—instead of comparing female athletes to their male counterparts—the dialogue might change people’s decisions to watch and, in turn, rally more support.

When women’s sporting events have access to promotion, marketing and media platforms the same way males, more people would tune in. And the argument that women’s sports aren’t entertaining would be falsified.

The 2018 Olympic women’s gold medal hockey game was heavily promoted by news networks, and was dubbed the “most watched midnighthour program in NBC Sports

Talking heads ... with this year’s outgoing staff

“Tessa.”

“A second home.”

“Everybody admiring my work.”

“What won’t I miss?”

Samantha Fink, Vol 146 Features Editor

Julia Balakrishnan, Vol 146 Production Manager

Sophia Spencer, Vol 146 Opinions Editor

“The money.”

“Dancing to Spotify ads.”

“Meryl Sleep...”

PHOTO BY TESSA WARBURTON

Network’s history”.

But events like that are an exception to the norm.

If the richest individual NHL team spent just 10 per cent of its operating yearly income on promoting the entire NWHL, the league would have more financial resources for marketing and operations than it’s had since its inauguration.

Support like this would bring in more public awareness, hopefully influencing the content people choose to consume.

Change also begins when individuals make the conscious effort to support and rally behind female athletes. By choosing to attend a women’s game here at Queen’s, individual students can at least change the way we perceive women athletics on campus.

Robin Ketcheson is a third-year Commerce student.

What will you miss most about working for The Journal?

“Being the house DJ.”

Chris Yao, Vol 146 Photo Editor

Brigid Goulem Vol 146 Arts Editor

Josh Granovsky, Vol 146 Lifestyle Editor

Claudia Rupnik, Vol 146 Assistant News Editor

Hannah Stafl, Vol 146 Features Editor

“Ask me again in a couple months.”

“Creating less than two minute videos with Amelia.”

“Layout.”

“Not the sports computer.”

“The newsie family and the kettle.”

Jasnit Pabla, Vol 146 News Editor

Christian Soriano, Vol 146 Assistant Video Editor

Maggie Gowland, Vol 146 Assistant Sports Editor

Matt Scace Vol 146 Sports Editor

Rachel Aiken, Vol 146 Assistant News Editor

8 • queensjournal.ca

Thursday, April 4, 2019

Arts

BAND PROFILE

Long Range Hustle takes Kingston on a ‘magic carpet ride’

SUPPLIED BY LONG RANGE HUSTLE

Long Range Hustle.

to Kingston from their home north of Belleville to see The Tragically Hip in concert. The two teens had performed together in a few coffee shops, but neither had seriously considered a career in music.

That all changed after watching one of their favourite bands light up the K-Rock Centre, now the Leon’s Centre, in person.

“We’d been playing some covers Josh Granovsky in high school, and had a really good Lifestyle Editor chemistry and similar philosophy for music,” Brogee told The Journal When Paul Brogee and Jay Foster in a phone interview. “But on that were 17-years-old, they took a trip drive home [from Kingston], we

The five-piece alternative band played The Mansion last Friday

PLAY PREVIEW

Kinky Boots to stop in Kingston on North American tour Broadway production comes to small cities to spread message of acceptance

Brittany Giliforte Assistant Arts Editor This April, Kingston theatre fans get the rare opportunity to see a Broadway production, without even leaving the city.

On April 24 Kinky Boots is coming to Kingston’s Leon’s Centre for one night only as part of their national tour.

Produced by Troika Entertainment and True North Touring, the show’s tour allows the play to appear in smaller cities all over North America.

Based on true events, Kinky Boots tells the story of Charlie Price, who inherits his father’s shoe factory after his death.

Soon, he discovers that the factory is failing and facing possible closure.

The workers’ jobs are put at risk, but Price sets out to find a solution.

Meeting drag queen, Lola, they come up with a plan to start making “kinky boots,” heels made specifically for drag queens. These boots are what will save the factory.

In an interview with The Journal, Mitchell Matyas, who’s part of the ensemble of factory workers, said that touring has been an incredible experience.

This rare opportunity gives

were like, ‘Let’s do something with this.’”

A decade or so later, Brogee and Foster are back in Kingston as two thirds of Long Range Hustle, a five-piece band fresh off of the release of their second album, Town. They performed at The Mansion for the second time on March 29 as the third-last stop of their 20-date tour.

Guitarist and lead vocalist Brogee met Foster, a pianist, when they were in high school. Brogee’s brother Mike joined the band as a bassist in 2015, and guitarist Ryan Pritchard and drummer AJ Fisico have been on board since 2017.

Long Range Hustle’s name comes from a phrase they heard 10 years ago and still attempt to embody in everything they do.

“Long Range Hustle means even if things aren’t going your way right now, you persevere and in the long-term, [they’ll] work out,” Brogee explained. “Over the years, that’s really been something that’s resonated with us.”

Their latest album merges diverse musical backgrounds and influences. The songs are catchy and loaded with strong hooks and harmonies made for live performances. The album also features touches of rock, jazz and classical elements, including a symphony-ready violin that appears on most tracks.

“I guess the fusion of [our music] would be folk-rock-alternative,” people the chance to see a Broadway production without having to go to Manhattan.

“It’s great, audiences have been receiving the show so well,” Matyas told The Journal.

“We do the same show every night that the Broadway cast does, so no matter if you’re seeing it on Broadway or you’re seeing us in Kingston Ontario, you’re seeing the same show and the audience still loves it.”

The play is the same, but they’re moving to a new city for each performance, with only one night being in Kingston.

This constant unpacking and repacking of sets and costumes, travelling, and starting up again in an unfamiliar theatre hasn’t affected the quality of their performance, Matyas said.

“No matter where we are, whether we’re there for one night or seven nights, we always give the same show and it’s always a blast to do every night,” Matyas said.

The creative team is made up of Tony award winners, including Gregg Barnes for costume design and John Shivers for sound design.

Set to a soundtrack of songs written by Cyndi Lauper, the music in the show is fun and upbeat, “like a party on stage every night,” Matyas said.

His favourite song of the

Foster told The Journal. However, he says the band’s music could just as accurately be described as “a magic carpet ride.”

Town, a nine-song album that runs 42 minutes in length, took most of its source material from the small Ontario locales where the band grew up. There’s a variety of perspectives across the album that often stretch from gloomy to hopeful, sometimes in a single song. On the album’s opening track “Morning Clover,” Brogee sings, “Take an easy pull of country air / 20 months back, I’d be falling down the stairs.”

“Many people feel trapped or that they want to get out of a town,” Brogee said of the lyric. “ This was flipping the script on that and exploring someone who [found] a sense of community.

By simplifying things, they’re able to move past the darker days.”

Touring the album has taken the band across the country, with stops in main cities like Vancouver and small towns like Thunder Bay. Foster noted their show March 22 show in Toronto as a tour highlight.

Cast of Kinky Boots.

show is “Everybody say yeah,” because it comes at the end of Act 1 when they ’ve figured out a solution to save the factory.

The workers sing together with the drag queens—called “angels”—from Lola’s club. The scene shows that the solution was only possible through collaboration and open-mindedness.

It highlights the theme of acceptance through the workers’ eager willingness to convert their men’s shoe factory to a drag queen high heel boot-making factory.

With scenes like this, the actors have fun on stage, and Matyas said that the audience will enjoy it too.

“The music is so fun and there’s so much dancing, the costumes are amazing, and I think the message of acceptance is just so clear,” Matyas told

“We were all kind of surprised it was full,” Foster recalled. “It was our first time headlining a Friday at the Horseshoe [Tavern in Toronto], which was always a benchmark we were shooting for, so it was a big moment for us.”

Brogee said he’s been equally amazed by the reception in big cities as small towns.

“We just played in Sarnia of all places, and it’s not exactly a metropolis or a hot spot on the map, but there was a line up out the [venue’s] door,” Brogee told The Journal.

As for Long Range Hustle’s long-term goals, they’re hoping to be more prolific, with their eye on getting at least two more albums finished in the next five years.

In terms of touring, the band would like to keep travelling across Canada, potentially expand to international venues, and bring it all back to the place where their journey began.

“Five years later in Kingston?”

Foster asked.

“We’ll be playing the [Leon’s] Centre.”

SUPPLIED BY CHRIS MCDOWALL

The Journal.

“It doesn’t matter the colour of your skin, whether you’re big or small, male or female or neither, you’re still a human being and I think whoever you are is enough and worth celebrating.”

Arts

9 • queensjournal.ca

Thursday, April 4, 2019

BAND PROFILE

The King’s Town Players present The Great Gatsby Andy Pesz (left) and Susan Del-Mai (right) in The Great Gatsby.

Play brings 1920s era prohibition and classic romance to the Limestone City Brittany Giliforte Assistant Arts Editor

In their debut performance of The Great Gatsby at the Domino Theatre on March 27, the King’s Town players took the audience back to prohibition, flapper glamour, and the roaring twenties.

For fans of Scott F. Fitzgerald’s novel, and every subsequent Gatsby movie ever made, The King’s Town Players’ production didn’t disappoint.

The Players kept their show close to the original storyline, taking hardly any creative leniencies. It felt like re-watching a movie you’d already seen many times.

While not an overwhelming

performance, the show was thoroughly enjoyable and well done.

Similarly, the costume design,

by Esme Purdy and Whitney Purdy, competently showed the characters’ depth. Tom Abram, playing narrator Nick Caraway, was dressed simply in a pair of pleated dress pants and a sport jacket.

As the novel’s narrator, he’s the only character with any moral footing, and his simple clothes played him as an everyman. In that role, Abram was convincing as the uptight, straight-laced Caraway.

Even his posture was impeccable.

The contrast between Caraway’s costume and the other richer characters’ clothes draws attention to the deeper differences between the two—like the way the Buchanans prioritize wealthy and extravagance, while Caraway is comfortable with his small

cottage and low wage.

Jay Gatsby, played by Andy Pesz, and Tom Buchanan, played by Matt Salton, were dressed in finer dress shirts and expensive looking shoes.

Daisy, played by Susan Del-Mei, wore pearl necklaces and long satin dresses. Del-Mei playing Daisy was giddy and giggly through the entire play. She spoke in a high register, giving her character an iconic girlish carefree charm.

A strong ensemble, the actors solidly kept to their characters’ original design throughout the play—with only a couple mumbled lines.

Pesz as Jay Gatsby was stoic and suave, drawing on the literary character’s debonair description.

His arrow-collared dress shirts and expensive looking home adds to this elitism.

Before Gatsby’s introduction, we see him standing on a balcony prop at stage left, silently staring into

the distance. A green light shines on him, referencing the famous signal at the end of his beloved Daisy’s dock—the direction he stares every night as he pines for her.

During scene changes, Abram stepped centre stage into a single spotlight to address the audience and give insight into his character’s thoughts.

In these moments, he let the audience know how he felt about the other characters.

He called Daisy and Tom “careless people,” adding to their elite superiority and selfishness that has persisted throughout the play.

The actor’s depictions of their characters kept close to their description in the novel.

Many aspects of the play were in keeping with Fitzgerald’s original words.

The King’s Town Players were committed to representing

Brigid Goulem Arts Editor

By Chance Alone tells the harrowing true story of Tibor “Max” Eisen’s imprisonment in concentration camps across Europe during the Holocaust.

Eisen’s experience begins with his middle-class upbringing in a small Slovakian town. Set against the background of authoritarian, fascist regimes emerging across Europe, Eisen’s childhood was filled with family, friendship, and childish adventures.

Eisen’s memories bring to mind the joys and pains of a normal childhood: he steals cigarettes, runs through the forests with his friends, disobeys his parents, and loves his siblings.

At the same time, the fascist government enacted laws that ostracized and persecuted Jews.

Eisen recounts his disbelief and confusion when his father bar is closed and when he’s forced to sit at the back of his classroom.

Through the eyes of a child, the cruelty of these acts is driven home. In happier times, his father’s bar had been a hub for the entire community, and religious differences between he and his classmates presented no challenges. As a young child, Eisen didn’t understand what had changed.

By Chance Alone is the Canada Reads winner for 2019.

CANADA READS

PHOTO BY TESSA WARBURTON

By Chance Alone is a heartrending memory of the holocaust Canada Reads novel follows child through traumatic history It was the morning of a Seder in 1944 that the SS showed up and brought Eisen and his family, including his newborn sister, to be sent to Auschwitz.

As any young child on a holiday, Eisen was excited for the upcoming big meal. Instead, he was about to experience one of the largest crimes of the 20th century.

Despite the atrocities, Eisen

never seems to lose his childish innocence. His deep appreciation for his family, and his humanity is present in each moment.

In a last-ditch attempt to save Eisen’s baby sister, one neighbour ran into the house and insisted his mother hand her over. It was a heartbreaking decision that no mother should ever have to make. In the end, she decided

not to part with her baby, a decision that would prove fatal.

Eisen seems acutely aware of the challenging decision that his mother faced, a choice that asked her to choose between life and family.

As the Eisen’s and other Jewish families were marched out of town, a young Max was shocked as the community he’d loved

SUPPLIED BY STEVE VANVOLKINGBURGH

the famous romantic drama as accurately as possible. While some scenes posed logistical barriers—like the car crash scene that kills Myrtle, Tom’s girlfriend—the P l aye r s made do with what they had.

Heather Hayhow playing Myrtle, stood centre stage, waving down an imaginary car in the direction of the audience, then the lighting dimmed and the sound technician cued a car screech and thudding noise—Myrtle fell to the ground, dead.

The moment suggested the audience was the one behind the wheel.

The tone carried to the last lines of the play, read out by Abram as Caraway in a somber tone.

“So we beat on, boats against the current, borne back ceaselessly into the past,” says Abram in his single spotlight. As soon as he finishes speaking, the light fades and he steps backwards into the dark.

stood by. Seen through the eyes of a young person, this speaks to the ability of the masses to stand idly by as innocent people—children even—are targeted and murdered.

When he arrived at Auschwitz, it was luck that kept him alive. Despite his innocence, Eisen’s acutely aware that it was pure fortune, and goodwill of others, that protected him from the brutal conditions of the concentration camps.

Many were not so fortunate.

Eisen’s entire family were murdered in Auschwitz, along with 11 million others, 6 million of whom were Jewish.

While he was only one year older when the concentration camps were liberated, Eisen had lost much of his innocence.

His eyes were opened to the evil in the world, and he was confronted with the human capacity to do harm.

Despite experiencing such extreme acts of inhumanity, Eisen was able to rebuild his life, that was filled with family and love, much like he knew on his farm in Slovakia.

Throughout this time, Eisen’s stayed true to his father’s final request of him before he was murdered at Auschwitz.

“If you survive, you must tell the world what happened here.”

10 •queensjournal.ca

Thursday, April 4, 2019

Thank you, Queen's Set to graduate, former men’s hockey goalie and current assistant coach Kevin Bailie pens a letter to Queen’s Kevin Bailie Contributor You remember the commercial: “What’s Your Thing?”

“Bugs.”

“My thing’s sound effects.

Here’s a T-Rex.” “Everybody’s gotta have a thing.”

I remember. Even if you don’t, you get the idea.

As a Catholic kid born in the early 90’s, both the church and the state consistently lectured my generation about how everyone is given a talent—all you have to do is find it.

Well, that was easy enough. I already knew my mine. Hockey.

This will sound silly to most—and familiar to a few—but from an early age I was told, and firmly believed, the only job I’d ever have is playing hockey. There was no reason to consider anything else. For over a decade, I’d played with and against the best players in the world, and never once left the ice feeling outclassed.

Kevin Bailie (left).

Hockey would be how I supported myself and my family.

There was no backup plan.

Regardless of the merit of that belief, walking into a university class for the first time at nearly 22 years old—leading to confusion amongst my newfound peers of whether or not I was their TA—was a humbling experience, and solidified the realization that things didn’t always quite go according to plan.

I had to reinvent myself before I had even truly found myself.

This struggle isn’t unique to me, and far from the worst adversity

“[McCarney] challenged me.

He said, ‘You better stay here longer than I did.’ And that was 22 years. I said, ‘Moose, it ain’t happening. It’s not going down that way. I was waiting for him to answer, but he didn’t.”

— Pat Sheahan, former football head coach, on visiting the grave of former football assistant coach, Hal ‘Moose’ McCarney

“We might as well have been [at a] Kingston public skate.”

one can face. I’ve never lost sight of that. However, I can honestly say that dealing with this internal conflict not even a quarter way through life is a reality nobody should be envious of. I vividly remember long nights tasked with the overwhelming search to discover my future place in the world. At the same time, many of my former teammates were losing their way in that same pursuit.

Luckily for me, I had you, Queen’s.

You immersed me in a fiercely proud academic culture, sparking interests in subjects I never

"They’re not an X or an O on a sheet of paper. They’re a human being that’s going to be put on an expressway for success as soon as they leave this program.”

— Steve Snyder, new football head coach, at his introductory press conference in January

Sports

social issues, such as mental health, allowing people to feel comfortable asking for help.

You introduced me to selfless individuals like Dr. Dean Tripp, who made those unbearably long nights a lot less lonely.

Now, fast-forward six years.

I’m on a plane carrying my best friends. We’re coming home to you from a national championship in Alberta—the ninth province I’ve been privileged enough to represent your historic PHOTO SUPPLIED BY KEVIN BAILIE Tricolour in.

I’m weeks away imagined I’d have. from a J.D. degree, and months You connected me with away from embarking on my next strangely similar alumni who’ve challenge, working at Canada’s gone on to accomplish great things, premier corporate law firm, giving me confidence to never limit Stikeman Elliott. my ambitions.

So … What’s My Thing?

You provided me with a Some could say it’s science. unique group of coaches and Some will say it’s law. teammates, most of whom I Some might say it’s advocating now consider family, to lean for disadvantaged groups. on unconditionally.

Some would even try to say it’s You developed minds before me still hockey. that have become industry leaders, But, thanks to you, Queen’s, I fostering a close-knit network that don’t have to say it’s any single one takes pride in sticking together. of them—because my thing now You built a community with is knowing people can have more a genuine concern for important than one purpose in life.

“I’ll never forget when I got this job, people told me, ‘What’re you doing? You can’t win at Queen’s.' I guess I’m stubborn—we put Queen’s on the map.”

— Brett Gibson, on eclipsing the 150-win milestone at Queen's

Quotes of the Year A look back at this year's best sound bites

— Kevin Bailie, men’s hockey assistant, following Queen’s 5-1 loss to RMC in the Carr-Harris Cup

“I think this just shows the start of what we’re going to see from Gavin Stone.”

— Rami Maassarani, coach of Queen’s rowing, on Colour Awards Outstanding Performer of the Year recipient, Gavin Stone.

“We’re the start of the factory of great rugby players.”

— Sadie Stephenson, graduating women’s rugby player

Gavin Stone.

“I looked up closely and there was a shadow of a moose in between the ball and the goalpost.”

— Pat Sheahan

“They’re going to be pretty much untouchable.”

— Steve Boyd, cross country head coach, on his women’s team prior to the OUA championships

“I don’t think there’s a match we can’t win.”

— Dave Butcher, men’s rugby head coach, after winning the OUA semi-final vs. Waterloo 59-16

“I need a day or night to decompress from this one.”

— Gabe DeGroot, after the men’s volleyball team’s five-set quarterfinal win over Guelph

“Everyone went in assuming they were going to have a spot on the podium.”

— Nick Grubic, fourth-year rower, after the Gaels picked up seven medals at the Canadian University National Championships in November

“I really was a kid. Now I’m a man, a father of two, and married now for 14 years. It’s crazy how quickly life goes.”

— Brett Gibson, men’s hockey head coach, reflecting on the start of his career after eclipsing the 150-win milestone at Queen’s

“After being successful here, if [Queen’s] can win a championship and go to nationals, that will open a lot of doors for me.”

— Slater Doggett, men’s hockey forward, after featuring for the U Sports All-Stars in a three-game series against Canada’s World Junior Prospects

PHOTO ILLUSTRATIONS BY MAGGIE GOWLAND

Pat Sheahan.

Sports

Thursday, April 4, 2019

queensjournal.ca

• 11

ATHLETICS

‘This needs to end’: Queen’s hosts roundtable on racism in hockey Roundtable features men’s hockey’s Jaden Lindo, NHL representative and others Matt Scace Sports Editor At Saturday’s Roundtable on Racism in Hockey, held at the Kinesiology building, one thing was made clear: racism isn’t new to hockey, and something needs to change.

The event began with a roundtable composed of men’s hockey player Jaden Lindo, Black hockey historian Bob Dawson, president of the first South Asian Ice Hockey network Lali Toor, and assistant coach of the Western Mustangs hockey team, Kalley Armstrong.

Shortly after, analyst for the National Women’s Hockey League (NWHL) Erica Ayala and hockey podcast host Aaron Lakoff discussed the media’s role in decolonizing hockey and creating more discussion around racism in the sport.

In the third segment of the day, Eugene Arcand gave a thirty minute talk on his experiences with racism in hockey as a residential school survivor.

Having spent 11 years in the system, Arcand represented Saskatchewan on the Truth and Reconciliation Commission.

He discussed the emotional trials he experienced in residential schooling, and how it influenced his relationship to hockey.

Finally, the day was capped off with an open discussion with Rob Knesaurek, the NHL Group’s Vice-President of youth hockey and industry growth.

The roundtable saw local engagement from the Queen’s community, with men’s hockey Head Coach Brett Gibson attending the event.

“I need to be here—this

message needs to get out,” Gibson said during the discussion period of the first panel. “I’ve been coaching 14 years full-time […] what’s blowing my mind away is that I’ve never really thought about it. I look at [my players] as hockey players.”

Gibson added that the culture of a team is critical to fostering an inclusive environment.

“Their uniqueness is their colour, their abilities […] creating that kind of culture and climate is Jaden Lindo. important not only for Jaden but also for the rest of the players.”

In a discussion on what hockey can begin doing to change the environment of the game, Toor said minorities need to have infrastructures where they can become a part of the fabric of the game—not an anomaly.

“My theory is if we build good networks within our communities, we connect prominent hockey players,” Toor said. “We have enough players to start the Indian men’s Olympic hockey team. It draws attention to our community.”

“It simulates how we’re fighting racism.”

Toor said those who drive the movement will also be critical to its success.

“What drives me is the kid that started playing hockey in Edmonton, who never really had a chance to play in college or the WHL or pro. If I give up on him, I give up on myself,” he said.

To cap off the discussion, Dawson raised the history of hockey and how minorities have influenced the game.

“Hockey evolved. It evolved because of the input and genius of many people,” he said, alluding to the fact that the slap shot and butterfly style of goaltending originated from the MacDougall (left) and Fitzgerald (right).

Coloured Hockey League in Nova Scotia in 1895.

Matt Scace ‘How did I get here?’”

Dawson said racism in Sports Editor The two-kilometre course hockey—while unlikely to change in Aarhus presented numerous immediately—will come from a While Kingston’s Fort Henry hills unique challenges to runners, with shift within the sport. are some of the most difficult the under-20 race consisting of “Changing the culture of in Canada, little could prepare three laps. Each lap included a 10 hockey will change the face of Makenna Fitzgerald and Brogan per cent grade climb up the roof hockey,” Dawson said.

MacDougall for what hit them of a museum, various sharp turns, at the World Cross Country a mud pit, and various sand pits.

Championships last Saturday in The senior women’s winner ran Aarhus, Denmark. the course in 36:14—her personal Featuring the strongest field best in the 10,000 metre is 29:59. of under-20 athletes in the world, Fitzgerald realized what she Fitzgerald raced to 31st overall was in for when the team walked while MacDougall came in 47th in around the course the day prior to their first world championships. the race.

Fitzgerald ran the six-kilometre “We were walking up the race in 22:46—two minutes museum and were like, ‘Oh my back of the first place finisher god,’” she said. and one second back of the top Originally from Kamloops, B.C., Canadian—while MacDougall Fitzgerald said her history training finished in 23:18. on hills provided a massive As a team, Canada finished sixth confidence boost on race day. overall behind Ethiopia, Kenya, “I had no idea what was going Japan, Uganda, and South Africa. to happen,” she said. “There were The United States finished in 14th. some people struggling and it Meanwhile, Queen’s alum Claire gave me a little more mental Sumner finished in 66th place in encouragement by passing people the 10 kilometre senior women’s on the hills.” race with a time of 40:33.

Despite facing some of the “Honestly, it was pretty world’s toughest competition and surreal,” Fitzgerald told The Journal difficult terrain, Fitzgerald said after getting back to Kingston on the race was “a lot more fun than Monday.” I don’t really know how I’d anticipated.” to describe it—it was kind of, like, Much of her reflection—on the

PHOTO BY MATT SCACE

CROSS COUNTRY

Strong performances from Gaels at World Cross Country Championships

Fitzgerald finishes 31st, MacDougall 49th in under-20 race

SUPPLIED BY MAKENNA FITZGERALD

race’s stakes, her competition, and featuring on a global stage—came after the race.

“I was thinking about [it] and was like, ‘Wow, I just ran the same race as all these incredible athletes.’”

In addition, Fitzgerald and MacDougall were able to meet and watch some of the world’s fastest distance athletes. In the men’s race, 2017 New York Marathon champion Geoffrey Kamworor competed alongside a massive pool of Olympians, while highly decorated Olympian and marathon runner Shalane Flanagan supported team USA from the sidelines. Fitzgerald had the chance to briefly meet Flanagan at the course.

“It was pretty cool to watch the women especially because they’re such good role models for us,” Fitzgerald said.

Now officially into their offseason, Fitzgerald and MacDougall will be preparing for the 2019 cross country season.

The Gaels will be hosting the U Sports Championships for the second straight year next November, where they’ll look to secure their program’s first national championship.

Sports

12 •queensjournal.ca

Left to right: Spencer Abraham, Brogan MacDougall, Gabe DeGroot, and Kara Gani.

SIDELINE COMMENTARY

Thursday, April 4, 2019

PHOTO ILLUSTRATION BY MAGGIE GOWLAND

Colour awards: Queen’s Journal edition The Journal’s sports editors dish out their own spin on the year that was for Queen’s Athletics Matt Scace & Maggie Gowland Sports Editors Coach of the year—Gabriel DeGroot Spending seven years on the sidelines as men’s volleyball assistant coach must have taught Gabe DeGroot something, because in his first year as head coach, the Gaels won an OUA Championship and finished fifth in the country.

After starting their season with a 2-2 record, the men’s volleyball team ran away with the OUA East, losing only one more regular season match since being .500.

Entering the playoffs on an eight game win-streak, the Gaels took down McMaster in the Forsyth Cup to secure gold on home court. While they didn’t reach the podium at the U Sports National Championships, they improved on last season’s seventh-place finish.

As the team continues inching up the national hierarchy, DeGroot has set the bar for next season awfully high. But after what he’s accomplished in just 10 months, who knows what else the men’s volleyball team has in store.

Brightest Future—Brogan MacDougall

Barring an injury, Queen’s could see unprecedented success from Brogan MacDougall over the next four to five years. With the exception of last weekend’s World Cross Country Championship, MacDougall turned in winning performance at all five of her races this past fall—as a rookie, no less.

All five wins came by significant margins.

At the OUA Championships, she was 31 seconds faster than her sister, Branna, who came second at the U Sports Championships, she took two laps of the Fort Henry course to lose her closest follower and win by 12 seconds.

There are no guarantees, but a consistently healthy MacDougall could mean a breakthrough for the women’s cross country team—and create a career defined by unprecedented success at the university level.

Most Disappointing Season—Men’s Basketball Starting out the season, the men’s basketball team broke out onto the U Sports top-10 rankings for the first time since the 2007-08 season.

Unfortunately, it didn’t last.

The Gaels trended downward over the course of their season after beginning hot. They finished their regular season with a nearly even 11-10 record, and were knocked out during the OUA quarterfinals with a heartbreaking 80-63 loss to the Carleton Ravens.

Best new jersey—Navy Hockey Some people are a fan of change—and some aren’t. Luckily, the different colours of Queen’s hockey jerseys provided some variety with consistency this season.

While the tricolour spectrum is a busy array of colours, the Gaels turned down the volume to provide a fresh take on a classic look with light touches of red and yellow—while letting the navy do the talking.

Though the patterns aren’t the same across the colours, the new jerseys are so classic and so clean that they were

YEAR-END VARSITY POWER RANKINGS T-1. Women's cross country (OUA gold, U Sports silver) T-1. Men's rugby (OUA gold, national silver) 3. Men's volleyball (OUA gold, fifth national) 4. Men's hockey (OUA gold, sixth national) 5. Men's cross country (OUA silver, fifth national) 6. Women's rugby (OUA silver, sixth national)

T-7. Women's rowing (OUA silver, three individual national medals) T-7. Men's rowing (OUA bronze, four individual national medals) 9. Women's soccer (OUA semi-final, fourth overall) 10. Men's basketball (OUA quarterfinal) 11. Women's volleyball (OUA quarterfinal) 12. Women's basketball (OUA first round playoffs) 13. Men's soccer (OUA first round playoffs) 14. Football (missed playoffs)

automatically our favourite. A simple “Queen’s,” a varsity “Q” on the shoulder, and a light sample of tricolour is all we could’ve asked for from Athletics’ sponsor, Nike, in their debut season with the university.

Worst new jersey—Rugby Gold

We know that a rugby jersey has a lot to withstand: being pulled on, stepped on, bled on. They need to be as tough as the players wearing them.

But did they have to be so ugly?

Although we’re a fan of a Golden Gael, the offensively bright yellow jerseys boast “Gaels” in a block font that Nike must’ve dug up from the archive of the 2003 Microsoft Word. The look isn’t new, but it should be.

They lack the tasteful patterns and varsity “Q”s we loved so much about the other new jerseys this year. We tried to come around on these new threads, but some things are better left undesigned.

2019-20 dark horse—Women’s Rugby

Having been awarded the opportunity to host the 2020 U Sports Championships, the women’s rugby team is guaranteed a spot on a very bright stage two seasons from now. But they also have the chance to earn that victory.

The Gaels have made appearances at three of the past four U Sports Championships, garnering a silver medal, and fifth- and sixth-place finishes. After winning OUA silver this season, finishing with an overall 5-4 record, they know what they’re capable of—and it’s more than what their record this season showed.

With a deep veteran lineup who’ve played in three U Sports Championships, and one U Sports MVP in Sophie De Goede at the helm, the Gaels are poised to enter next season as a favourite.

To make sure they’re contenders for gold when they’ll be hosting the Championship game in two years time, the Gaels will be digging deep to show their worth. And our bets on them to do just that.

Friday, March 15, 2019

queensjournal.ca

Lifestyle

• 13

STUDENT STORIES

Meet the Princess on University Avenue The ArtSci student who’s a direct descendant of Queen Victoria

PHOTO BY TESSA WARBURTON

Alexa is a third-year Drama major.

Josh Granovsky Lifestyle Editor Most students know Queen Victoria, who established ‘Queen’s College in Kingston’ via the Royal Charter in 1841, as the ‘Queen’ of Queen’s. For Alexa Leiningen, ArtSci ’20, the monarch is more than a historical figure—she’s family.

Though she goes by Alexa, the Queen’s student holds the official title of Her Serene Highness Princess Alexandra Sophia Marie of Leiningen. Leiningen stands in for her family’s last name, but it’s technically the name of a former principality and present-day municipality in Germany.

“Queen Victoria is my great-great-great-great grandmother and I descend through her second eldest son, Prince Alfred,” Alexa told The Journal in an interview.

Alexa’s ancestry puts her in the line of succession for the British throne, where she currently sits in the 177th spot. Prince William and Prince Harry are related to Queen Victoria to the same degree she is, though they descend from her oldest son King Edward VII and “therefore live in Buckingham

Palace, not Kingston,” Alexa said.

Alexa’s family also directly descends from European monarchs like Czar Alexander II of Russia, King Boris III of Bulgaria, King Victor Emanuel III of Italy, and King Louis Philippe of France.

It may seem improbable for someone with ‘Princess’ in her title, but Alexa insists she had a standard childhood growing up in Canada. She played in a soccer league, took dance classes, and celebrated traditions on both sides of her family like any other kid she knew—even if she was the only one of her classmates with their own Wikipedia page.

It may seem improbable for someone with ‘Princess’ in her title, but Alexa insists she had a standard childhood.

Alexa’s family’s travels, however, gave her some of the first indications that her background differed from the norm.

“We would go to Germany and my dad’s family lives there, so we got to visit [my relatives’] castle, which was a wonderful

experience,” Alexa recalled.

“We visited a place called Amorbach, which used to be in what was called the ‘principality of Leiningen’, and therefore still has the palace of Leiningen, castle of Leiningen, Forest of Leiningen and a lot of the restaurants have Leiningen in [their] name. I think that’s a part of my life where it clicked—like, ‘This is different.’”

Another illuminating moment occurred when her dad, Hermann Leiningen, ArtSci ’84, showed her a book about King Simeon of Bulgaria, Alexa’s great uncle. At one point, Alexa turned the page and was greeted by a picture of herself, along with her other family members.

And yes, she’s met Queen Elizabeth II—though it may’ve had more to do with being in the right place at the right time than her familial relation.

In the summer of 2010, when Alexa was 12 years old, her father’s friend and Ontario’s former Minister of Finance, Charles Sousa, invited her family to an event the Queen and her husband Prince Philip were attending. Hermann eventually got a chance to introduce himself to the Prince, who was surprised

DREAM INTERPRETER

Trapped in the

to meet a member of their family living in Canada.

Armed with flowers at her mother’s suggestion, the Prince took notice of Alexa and motioned to the event’s guards to let her into the main area.

“I walked across, gave the flowers to the Queen and said, ‘Pleased to meet you,’” Alexa said.

“It was an amazing experience to have met someone so important in world history.”

While attending Queen’s is obviously significant for Alexa due to her royal connection, the school is also responsible for kick-starting her parents’ relationship.

Hermann and Alexa’s mother, Deborah Cully, ArtSci ’84, met a few weeks into their first year at Queen’s during a dance at Leonard Hall. They’d go on to have three children, of which Alexa’s the youngest. Her sisters both completed their undergraduate degrees at Queen’s, with the eldest sister Tatiana also graduating from the Master of Management Innovation & Entrepreneurship program in 2018, and second-eldest Nadia completing her Professional Master of Education this year.

Alexa carries on her family’s tradition as a current Drama major with a minor in English. Her day-to-day life at Queen’s is no different from a typically-involved student. She’s held various positions in the Vogue Charity Fashion Show for three years, does marketing for the Queen’s Women in Financial Markets

group, and enjoys not having any class on Wednesdays.

Reminders of Alexa’s background come up often enough, like when she goes past Victoria Hall, or walks down Alfred and Albert Street—all named after her ancestors.

Mentions of her family history have also occasionally popped up in her studies, much to her amazement.

“As everyone else learns about European history, it’s always enjoyable,” she said. “But for me, sometimes I realize later that I’m learning about the history of my own family at the same time.”

People approach Alexa about her background once every few months, mostly from seeing articles about her family online or taking note of the family ring she dons on her pinky finger.

Reactions range from intense interest to regarding her ancestry as “just another fact about [her] family.”

No matter the response, Alexa and her family are always adamant about appreciating anyone’s interest in their storied background.

“This isn’t something we discuss publicly,” Alexa said. “But it’s amazing when people reach out and ask about our family.”

“It’s nice that my friends at Queen’s will now know a little more about my family history. Everyone has an incredible story to tell, and I’m privileged that I’m able to share mine.”

universe

The Journal’s dream interpreter analyzes a dream about false security Meryl Sleep Contributor I’m Meryl Sleep, Queen’s resident dream interpreter. I analyze dreams in an effort to decode the symbols in each Queen’s student’s subconscious. Today’s dream involves cruises, paranoia, and a whole lot of Disney. ***

I’ve had this dream several times and it’s always the exact same. It starts with me on a Disney cruise. I’m alone and soon realize I’m being chased by an evil figure who works for Disney. I race through a Peter Pan amusement park and hide in the employee dorm rooms.

I’m hiding on the top of a bunk bed as the evil person bangs on the door. I discover the cruise ship docked and seize the opportunity by climbing out of a window so I can swim to shore. On land, I run

to the first shop I see: a clothing store I find out is owned by Disney.

I run to the next place, a restaurant.

It’s also owned by Disney! I run to a bank, and think to myself, “Finally, a safe haven!” It’s also owned by Disney! I’m utterly terrified as I gather that I’m in a shopping complex owned and controlled entirely by Disney.

Dear Dreamer,

While often frustrating, reoccurring dreams are an important line of communication with your subconscious because they continually remind you of something personal you haven’t yet confronted. This type of dream is typically representative of an unresolved thought or emotion.

Since dreams are the brain’s way of processing information received throughout the day, a large part of determining what the content means is identifying what external factors trigger it

to occur. What happens throughout your day to incite this dream? Is there something important in your life you’re not addressing?

A couple of symbols stand out in this dream, including Disney and a false sense of safety.

The word “Disney” itself appears a whopping six times in your dream description, making it the most prominent symbol. First, it’s important to recognize that it’s common for familiar images to appear in dreams, especially those sourced from a television series or movie. These images are visually engaging and their constant exposure often makes them linger in the mind.

A significant presence from entertainment giant Disney is not necessarily an outrageous inclusion—Disney has probably played a significant role in your life. Was Disney a big part of your childhood? Have you recently watched a Disney movie, or been

to a Disney amusement park?

However, it’s important to note that you’re constantly seeking a way out of the Disney nightmare you seem to be trapped in. Disney is usually viewed as a magical, happy world where all characters live fairy tale lives, endings are happy, and villains are held accountable for their actions.

Therefore, it can also be viewed as an idealization of the real world, where things are far less guaranteed.

Your sense of terror towards the Disney universe you entered into suggests the environment could be your brain’s way of acknowledging that, while you want a situation to be as good as it looks to other people, it’s actually quite a negative experience for you.

The dream explicitly features you experiencing a false sense of safety when you arrive at the bank. Consider the various elements of your life, like school,

relationships, or work. Perhaps you’re seeking an escape from an overwhelming or unhealthy

[W]hile you want a situation to be as good as it looks to other people, it’s actually quite a negative experience for you.

situation, but can’t seem to find a way out.

The idea of you believing you’re safe, as opposed to truly finding safety, suggests you haven’t yet taken action to alleviate the cause of your unhappiness. Remember, it’s important to listen to yourself and take action to protect your best interests.

Sweet Dreams!

Meryl Sleep

LIFESTYLE

14 •queensjournal.ca

Friday, March 15, 2019

CULTURAL COMMENTARY

What was the best show of the 2018-19 school year?

Josh, Jonathan, and Lauren arguing over the best show.

Journal Staff The Lifestyle section is full of passionate television lovers who’ve shared their thoughts on various shows across 26 articles this year.

To make one final plea before the summer kicks in, The Journal has gathered three TV-loving writers to make their cases for the year’s best show.

Survivor

When I tell people that my favourite show is Survivor, there are two potential reactions: “Oh, that’s still on?” or “That’s my favourite show, too!”

Currently in its 38th season, the former cultural phenomenon is indeed still running—and it’s still improving each season.

Since settling permanently in Fiji in 2016 after spending 16 years filming in unique foreign locations, Survivor’s leaned heavily into season-specific themes and twists to keep the show feeling

fresh. Last season pitted “Davids,” individuals who overcame significant obstacles to find success in life, against so-called “Goliaths,” those born into more fortunate circumstances.

Fans and critics alike considered it to be among the best seasons in the show’s 19-year history.

Regardless of how convoluted such themes may seem, Survivor remains a microcosm of society.

It brings people together from all walks of life to compete for a $1 million prize, while trying to outwit, outplay, and outlast each other along the way.

Yes, every once in a while, the cast can be a dud. However, when you remember the stakes involved and that somebody will always be eliminated at the end of every episode, you realize that even a bad Survivor episode is better than anything else on TV. —Jonathan Karr

STUDENT EXPERIENCE

PHOTO BY JULIA BALAKRISHNAN

The Other Two

“Your teens are for working and your 20s are for resting,” a young influencer tells Heléne Yorke’s character Brooke in The Other Two’s second episode.

When Brooke asks what the purpose of their 30s is, a group of young women with cool haircuts all answer in unison: “Making a global impact.”

This fast-paced life plan would seem far-fetched in any world other than The Other Two, which follows millennial siblings Brooke and Cary, played by Drew Tarver, in the aftermath of their 14-year-old brother Chase becoming an overnight sensation.

Chase is the kind of pre-pubescent heartthrob who takes over Instagram—or, more likely, TikTok—with posed pictures and songs innocently asking young listeners to marry him at recess. His persona is completely ridiculous and totally realistic for the Jacob Sartorius-ruled planet we live in.

Connecting with peers over anime A Japanese exchange student explains how anime shaped her Queen’s experience Hinano Kobayashi Staff Writer

not a stranger. I suddenly felt at home.

Growing up in Japan, anime When I first started studying at and manga are so omnipresent Queen’s last September, everything I often took their existence for seemed different coming from granted, even though they’re Japan—language, culture, customs, essential parts of Japanese culture. and people. That was until I Through conversations with saw a small half-red, half-white friends at Queen’s, I’ve started to ball that I’d known since I was a realize how many people around kid: a Pokéball. me have watched or are watching Although I knew Pokémon anime, and that there’s quite a big was popular among North anime community in Canada and American children, the Pokémon on campus. monster ball I saw was tattooed In most cases, my peers here on a grown man. Then, I saw knew Japan through anime, which a woman wearing a hat with a spurred various conversations cute Pokémon character on it. about my home country. While I was astonished. at Queen`s I got a variety of The greatest surprise, anime-inspired questions however, was seeing a scary regarding looking man watch Japan, Dragon Ball which anime ra n g e d next to from pleasant me on to confusing. a New People asked me York City if students really subway during wear sailor uniforms, a trip I took. I know if ninjas exist, if Japanese it sounds weird, but people eat sushi every seeing him enjoy day, and if women are anime made groped on trains me feel like I PHOTO ILLUSTRATION BY JOSH GRANOVSKY like they often are could talk to in anime. him as a friend, I’ll answer

some of these questions now to clear the air. Yes, most junior high and high schools require uniforms, each school having an original one, which makes picking the school you attend very fun. Although ninjas ceased existing around the 18th century, there are still villages in Iga, Kouka, or Nikko where you can learn ninja skills.

We don’t eat sushi as much as you’d expect, but it’s eaten as a feast or on special occasions, and I was surprised to learn that rolled sushi is very popular in Canada. And, sadly, a lot of young women are in fact targeted on trains. It’s one of the most serious, ongoing social issues in Japan.

Although I’ve met many people who share my love for anime, Mohan Yao, the president of Queen’s Anime Club, holds that Queen’s anime community is relatively small.

“The anime community of Queen’s is so much smaller compared to other universities such as U of T, UBC, or Waterloo,” Yao told me in an interview. “There are less people [here] who have deep interest to contemporary Japanese anime.”

Although the club faces difficulties, like a lack of funding

Three Journal writers vouch for their favourite shows The Other Two is stacked with comedy pros and jokes well above the standard fare. What makes this sitcom stand out is the depth behind its satire of a culture that accepts being an influencer as a career path.

The show unabashedly explores its characters’ need for attention in a society where their dreams seem equally impossible to achieve and attainable through tapping a glass screen.

The Other Two understands the desperation of craving love in a time when phones endlessly split our attentions and condense our affections into recklessly-awarded likes on social media. The show’s ability to convey this depressing message while simultaneously making me laugh at its ridiculousness solidifies its spot at the top of my watchlist.

—Josh Granovsky

Brooklyn Nine-Nine This past year, I seriously trimmed down my list of TV shows in a failed attempt to stay up to date on my long watch list. Only the strongest survived the cuts, and one of this year’s clear winners was NBC’s Brooklyn Nine-Nine.

Brooklyn Nine-Nine follows the dysfunctional detectives of and relatively small turnouts, Yao remains optimistic about its future.

Since Queen’s consists of students hailing from diverse cultures, he believes there’s an opportunity to attract students who haven’t yet been exposed to anime. The club’s started to make waves by collaborating with a local Kingston bubble tea

Brooklyn’s 99th precinct, starring Andy Samberg as Jake Peralta.

After being cancelled by FOX last season, the show was resurrected this year by NBC. Its new home has kept everything I loved about the show while breathing new life into its sixth season.

Brooklyn Nine-Nine embraces the absurdity of typical cop shows, having the detectives solve outlandish cases like the recurrence of Jake’s frenemy, “The Pontiac Bandit.”

The show doesn’t shy away from approaching difficult topics, with this season’s “He Said, She Said” exploring the #MeToo movement. The episode handles a sexual assault case with sensitivity and respect, maintaining the show’s light atmosphere without making jokes at the expense of the survivor.

If you’re looking for a fun show to make you laugh so hard you forget about your quickly-approaching exams, look no further than this one. B99 manages to explore serious topics while still being one of the funniest shows on TV. If none of that is enough for you, this season also featured Lin-Manuel Miranda as a guest star—what more could you ask for?

—Lauren Trossman

shop, giving club members 10 per cent off each purchase at the store.

To read the rest of this article, visit queensjournal.ca/ lifestyle

LIFESTYLE

Friday, March 15, 2019

queensjournal.ca

POP CULTURE

Peaks and pits of 2018-19 pop culture The Lifestyle Editors discuss the best and worst of this year’s pop culture Josh Granovsky & Ally Mastantuono Lifestyle Editors

superhero they could see themselves in. The next step is creating more representations of female superheroes so that girls can grow up

The 2018-19 year in pop culture has been nothing short of eventful. From band reunions to star-studded scandals, each week has brought something new to gab about.

It’s time we break down the year’s most important moments in pop culture, both good and bad.

Pits Mac Miller passes away A: The world was shocked when Mac Miller died abruptly at the age of 26 in September. His death came at a time when he was poised for a new tour, a growing fanbase, and a musical breakthrough.

J: At the time of his death, Miller had just released his fifth album, Swimming. The work was a thoughtful ode to the gradual process of healing, and included some of his best work. It’s devastating we’ll never get to see Miller reach the end of that process, but he left some amazing music to keep us company.

Peaks

Jonas Brothers are back Ally: Like three drool-worthy phoenixes rising from the ashes, the Jonas Brothers have returned to bless us all with their sweet tunes. Although a lot has changed over the six years since their 2013 split, the JoBros still put smiles on the faces of young girls everywhere. Clearly, I’m still a “Sucker” for them.

Josh: Some critics have tried to rain on the band’s reunion parade by calling their new single a rip-off of the band Portugal. The Man’s “Feel It Still.” But when most pop songs already sound like musical cousins, we can't fault the Jonas Brothers for giving us another good version of a great song.

Captain Marvel makes history A: I’ll be the first to admit I chose to watch Five Feet Apart in lieu of Captain Marvel last weekend. That said, I’m ecstatic that Brie Larson brought her acting chops to Marvel’s latest superhero film, showing girls everywhere that women can kick ass.

Though I haven’t seen it yet, the flick is on my 2019 must-watch list.

J: Captain Marvel finally gave young girls and women everywhere a leading Marvel

ending. Netflix understood this and brought the genre back with increased diversity and wacky meet-cutes, creating various crowd-pleasers along the way.

PHOTO ILLUSTRATION BY JOSH GRANOVSKY

with just as many diverse and fearless role models as boys.

Netflix revives the classic rom-com

A: Netflix has been a kind and reliable friend to me over the past year. It’s provided me with a slew of new romantic comedies I can watch whenever I’m in need of a quick escape from reality. The platform’s rom-com revival has also introduced the world to Noah Centineo, who will continue to grace our screens in Netflix’s To All the Boys I’ve Loved Before 2 and The Perfect Date.

J: There was a sizeable stretch of time where our society forgot the value of a classically structured rom-com. There’s an immensely comforting quality that comes with knowing a movie will have a happy

College bribery scandal A: Actress Lori Loughlin—better known as her Full House persona, Aunt Becky—let us all down last month. As one of the major stars who paid big bucks to get her daughters into college, she showed the world that money talks even when it really shouldn’t. Going forward, we can only hope that universities revise their admission processes to better reflect students’ hard work, not their bank accounts.

J: The various components of March’s admissions scandal make it seem more like an SNL skit than news. There are bribes, rowing teams, courtroom drama, and even a castmate from Desperate Housewives. The whole ordeal is equal parts entertaining and disappointing, showing that even processes specifically designed to ignore its applicants’ financial statuses are still susceptible to corruption.

Facebook raises security concerns A: If I’m being honest, I mentally left Facebook in 2012. Though I still have the account I made in sixth grade, I don’t know the ins-and-outs of the platform like I used to. But, just like other users, the thought of my information being quietly stored and shared gives me the willies. Hopefully, the platform will find a solution that takes everyone’s best interests into account.

J: I’ve also slowly backed away from Facebook in recent years, which makes it even more troubling that the social media outlet was continuing to exploit my data.

From its executives downplaying privacy issues to letting Netflix read personal messages, Zuckerberg and company seriously lost my trust in their site—though I wouldn’t mind having some better tailored show recommendations.

Also in this week’s issue:

The Journal’s April 2019 horoscopes

To read this article and more, visit queensjournal.ca /lifestyle

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THANK YOU LETTER

The beginning of spring This story was first published online on April 2, 2019.

Tegwyn Hughes Copy Editor When I stepped outside on the first official day of spring and felt a beam of sunlight warm my uplifted face, I knew things were looking up.

Spring represents rebirth, hope, and love—any first-year English student can tell you that. It’s my favourite season because it’s a swift and much-needed transition away from everything that bogs me down during the academic year. It means the end of school is around the corner, trees are starting to be green again, and jean jackets are back.

It also means the torture of Canadian winter is finally ending.

I wasn’t raised in a household where outdoor winter activities were an annual tradition. I’ve skied once, hate skating, and have been to only a handful of hockey games. The cold makes me miserable, and I mourn the lack of readily-available fresh fruit.

In short, winter is the worst, and I’m so thankful to spring for kicking it to the curb.

Now that the Spring Equinox has blessed us with sunnier days and refreshing rain, I can finally breathe again.

Now that the Spring Equinox has blessed us with sunnier days and refreshing rain, I can finally breathe again.

Everyone around me, whether they’re graduating, going home for the summer, or searching for part-time jobs, has something to look forward to.

Gone is the monotony of another winter month spent hopelessly wondering when the snow might melt.

Instead, with the university term ending, change is in the air.

I’m personally thankful to have a summer job to return to in May, a bike waiting for me in my Ottawa garage, and a navy-blue jean jacket draped around my shoulders instead of an ugly, cumbersome coat.

I’m writing this thank you letter from a desk in Stauffer, wearing a t-shirt for what feels like the first time since October, grateful that my tattoos aren’t hidden under sweater sleeves anymore. When I look out the window of the library I can see bright blue skies instead of grey, snow-heavy ones. I might even buy an iced coffee from Starbucks later, knowing my hand won’t go numb from holding the cold drink outside.

I’m writing this thank you letter from a desk in Stauffer, wearing a t-shirt for what feels like the first time since October.

The spring air is fresh with new growth and possibility, and I can’t wait to see what’s in store for me this season.

LIFESTYLE

16 •queensjournal.ca

Friday, March 15, 2019

PHOTO BY KELLY XU

Staff of Queen's Journal, Volume 146.

Nick Pearce, Editor in Chief This must be some mistake.

Four years ago, I was making anxious laps around University Avenue because I left for my first Journal job interview an hour early.

Jittery and nervous, I thought I bombed it. The phone call offering me a job a few days later still hasn't sunk in.

With only a few concert reviews under my belt, my first editors gave me a page every Thursday and permission to write anything I wanted, given some significant editing. There’d never been a luckier or more hapless 19 year old.

Every week since, the knotted, joyful stress of deadlines and sleep deprivation on a Journal press day meant more to me than any class I’d half-slept through the next morning.

Sebastian and Anisa, thank you.

For all the times I fell flat on my face and assumed I was soon-to-be fired, I always had a fresh page the next week. I’ll keep working until I earn that. I can’t thank you enough for the chance you took on me and your constant patience fielding panicked calls and texts this year.

Every year, thirty or so students give hours upon hours of their lives to a dingy house on University Avenue. Most of them don’t have any journalism experience and are tackling a laundry list of personal challenges, and are paid pennies on the hour.

Every year, they come in, learn, and cover the Queen’s community with all the heart and passion they can muster.

My co-editor Seb and I had the grittiest, most talented staff you can imagine. They’ve dealt with everything you can name and the stories coming across my desk are simply too good for students in their first years of journalism. I’m sorry I didn’t tell you that enough, Volume 146.

This year, their commitment saw them top a million online views and weather the worst of the Student Choice Initiative’s corrosive effect on campus press and free speech.

They covered sexual violence and kept the province accountable when it failed to release the numbers detailing its epidemic on our campuses. They wrote heart-warming tributes to metal shows and covered memes that turned into performance art. They gave a platform for students, chronicled resurgent hockey teams, investigated animal testing, challenged institutional discrimination, and stood up when they needed to.

Last words

PHOTO BY CHIS YAO

Nick and Seb say goodbye to The Journal To Volume 146, you deserve more than 800 words.

Through all of this, Seb and I had the best examples a pair of editors could ask for.

Joe and Meg, you are two of the kindest, most nurturing people I’ve met. You set the standard as leaders and your patient advice is going to keep this place around for another 146 years.

You left a blueprint of how to lead a group of students and turn them into a family. For any future editors reading this, your first right decision should be calling these two. Thank you—I hope the rush never wears off.

The tired guy sharing that gratitude is my embattled co-editor, who’s probably polishing off a cigarette and a conversation on the porch of the Journal House as I write this.

Seb, you’re the only one that could talk me into running a print media outlet in 2019. After doing so, you still had the unenviable job of convincing me again and again that we could make it. All through it, I watched your personality and talent rub off on anyone that wandered into your office. They grew to love you and I’m proud I could be there for it.

I won’t burn too many inches of newsprint on a goodbye I don’t plan on making. We’re stuck together, pal—you’re a brother to me.

Morgan, visiting your office was the sanest part of my day. This newspaper scraped by on your resilience, brains and uncanny ability to sell ad space in a digital age. You were an unwavering friend that grounded every surprise. We’ll do another Morgan Appreciation Dinner before we call it quits. Promise.

Finally, Meredith and Iain, it’s all yours. The stains on the floors don’t come out, the basement’s

haunted, and I wish you the best on the cracked windows. From this house, you’ll lead a ragtag group of students and tell a campus’ story like I know you can.

When you question yourselves, the readers will keep you honest.

When it gets too tough, your friends and family will give you love and a reality check, like mine did.

The world’s coming your way—remember to smile. Before too long, all the stress will be fading away and you’ll be thinking of your first moments in a cavernous house, and everyone that called it home afterwards.

Nick’s ready to head home.

Sebastian Bron, Editor in Chief In January of 2016, muzzy off a back-to-school induced hangover, I got an email.

It was from The Journal’s then-Editors in Chief, asking whether, after inquiring over a contributing position in the fall, I’d still be interested in writing for the paper.

I questioned myself, as I’d often done in my early university experience. My mind raced aloud—two close friends acting as recipients to my incessant self-doubt and indecisiveness.

The second-year who looked in all corners for a creative outlet during frosh week seemed a ways away.

“What’s there to lose?” one asked. And from there, my life would never be the same.

Three years and some change since penning my first article for The Journal, there proved to be much to lose. Sleep, for one. A social life. At times, my sanity.

But where there is loss, there, too, is gain. Aplenty of it.

Lasting friendships, laughs so

uncontrollable and unrelenting your abdominals ache, the unparalleled emotion of seeing your first byline in print.

A passion for telling stories that matter, a crippling caffeine addiction, a purpose.

Home, they say, is where the heart is. In the months and years since I received that email, I found home. It’s in a paint chipped house that stands on its last legs, where a group of 20-somethings as quirky and weird as yourself devote their formative years to something bigger.

Home, I say and think and feel and know, is on 190 University Avenue.

Sitting in my office bleary-eyed, dozens of coffee cups occupying every last inch of my desk, I can only hope those whom I’ve had the privilege of leading this year feel similarly to The Journal as I do. As a place of solace and family. As a base camp for anything Queen’srelated. As the bridge for where the uncertain meets the certain, both in the personal and professional.

To my staff, I’m at a loss. You’ve surpassed my every expectation.

Seeing each and every one of you grow this year will live with me for the rest of my life. You made every word in this paper, every passing issue and story, all the more worth it. In the heat of a volume, what is obvious often goes unsaid.

Remember that for every late press night, for every hour you’ve poured into your work, you’ve made a difference on this campus.

At the very least, you’ve made me a better person. Thank you for placing your trust in me. Serving as your Editor in Chief is an honour I will forever cherish.

To Joe and Meg, without you, my attachment to this paper wouldn’t be possible. Thank you for taking a chance on me. Your unwavering support and guidance has given

me a foundation for which I can start my life and career. Know that your help has been behind every paper and story published this year.

To my dear parents, Fabian and Judith. We’re nearing two decades since boarding that plane in Buenos Aires and making way for Ottawa. You left everything you’ve ever known—family, friends, work, life—for your two boys. Not a day goes by without thinking of the astronomical sacrifice you’ve made for Nico and I. Thank you for letting me chase my dreams. I hope I’m making you proud.

To Nate and Mitch, you told me there was nothing to lose.

There wasn’t.

To my friends, both near and far, I don’t want to know where I’d be without you. For every success any given person experiences, there’s a group behind them pushing their every move to keep going and do better. That was you.

Thank you for riding with me through this journey we call life.

Just wait on it.

To Nick, we did it, man.

Remember when I pitched you the idea of running after alumni day in 145? Feels like yesterday. Time flies. When you’re having fun or wallowing in misery, it flies. And I wouldn’t have rather it fly by me without anyone but you. Thank you for being a floating rock in a sea of worry—and introducing me to James Ready. Let’s keep going.

To Morgan, you kept this place afloat. We’d be out of business if not for your drive to see us print every week. For that, I’m eternally grateful.

To Meredith and Iain, get ready for a helluva ride. There will be times next year you’ll question why you’ve sold your soul to The Journal. Remember there’s been 146 years of editors who’ve felt the same and saw it through to the other side. Remember why you decided to do it in the first place.

And remember to stop every once in a while and soak it in—in the blink of an eye, you’ll be writing your last words and think back to reading these. Ahead of you are the most rewarding months of your life. Enjoy them.

If I can give you any piece of advice, it’s that subtle pleasures outweigh overwhelming pains.

Don’t mind the missed deadlines or the painstaking corrections.

Mind the smile you’ll don every Friday morning, seeing that classic Journal blue grace every newsstand on campus. After all, you’ve got nothing to lose.

Seb is ready to keep living.