SINCE 1944
NOVEMBER 11, 2020
Vol. 76, No. 4
Student run since 1944
Pass/Fail passes | Page 2
It’s beginning to look a lot like Netflix | Page 8
More than just a vote | Page 3
Rubber ducky golf raises $2,400 | Page 10
Take Back the Night hosts 2nd annual forum | Page 6
COVID-19 vs. The Gait bartenders | Page 12
Pass/Fail passes
A Pass/Fail grade provides far less information than a numerical grade. Image designed by Kate Schwartz, conceptualized by Hugh Godman
Design by Jess Lapenna & Hugh Godman
1
2
NEWS
THE CAMPUS NOVEMBER 11, 2020
Applications Closed, News Editor » thecampus.editor@gmail.com
THE EDITORS 2020-2021 EDITOR-IN-CHIEF HUGH GODMAN
thecampus.editor@gmail.com
SENIOR COPY EDITOR CASEY HEBERT
thecampus.copyeditor@gmail.com
COPY EDITOR JUSTINE TREMPE thecampus.jce@gmail.com
LAYOUT EDITOR JESS LAPENNA
thecampus.layout@gmail.com
BUSINESS MANAGER JUSTIN BRANT
thecampus.business@gmail.com
NEWS EDITOR APPLICATIONS CLOSED thecampus.news@gmail.com
OPINIONS EDITOR SAFIA HAFID
thecampus.opinions@gmail.com
FEATURES EDITOR JEREMY AUDET
thecampus.features@gmail.com
ARTS & CULTURE EDITOR BRIDGET BOUCHER thecampus.ac@gmail.com
SPORTS EDITOR DAVID ROSSITER
thecampus.sports@gmail.com
ECONOMICS & BUSINESS EDITOR SAMY CAUVET
thecampus.businesseditor@gmail.com
GRAPHICS KATE SCHWARTZ
thecampus.graphics@gmail.com
CONTRIBUTOR RECRUITER ALLIE TRINQUE
thecampus.recruitment@gmail.com
SOCIAL MEDIA COORDINATOR
Pass/Fail passes: students can opt for a PASS grade this semester Hugh Godman Editor-in-Chief
On Oct. 30, in a reasonably split vote, the Bishop’s University Senate passed a motion to, “extend the availability of the Pass/Fail option for all courses for the Fall 2020 semester.” It is the only university in the province to have yet taken such a measure On Nov. 3, Dr. Miles Turnbull, Bishop’s University’s Vice-Principal Academic & Research, and Georges-Philippe Gadoury-Sansfaçon, the SRC’s Vice-President Academic, explained via an announcement on the BU website that professors will still submit numerical final grades by Dec. 20; however, students will subsequently have the option of converting their numerical grade into a PASS, assuming it is above the passing threshold – grades below that mark will automatically be converted to a FAIL. They reminded students that, “As outlined in the Academic Calendar, students must complete all course requirements (e.g., assignments, group activities, quizzes and exams) to the best of their ability to be eligible for this Pass-Fail option.” The Academic Calendar passage to which they are probably referring is, “Students have a responsibility to attend lectures and laboratories and to perform punctually all academic assignments … announced by the instructors at the beginning of the year. Failure to fulfil these requirements may lead to debarment from examinations.” The two men also acknowledged the existence of “potential negative repercussions” of changing one’s numerical grade to a PASS, and warned future graduate school or professional program applicants that they “should probably not avail themselves of this option.” As Eric Gendron, SRC Social Science Senator, remarked, a numerical grade says a lot more about you than a “P.” That said, Gadoury-Sansfaçon did bring forth the example of the University of California San Francisco (UCSF), which issued a statement that claimed, “UCSF will accept pass/fail or satisfactory/ unsatisfactory grades, without prejudice, for courses taken during the COVID-19 pandemic.” Despite UCSF’s clear stance, the vast majority of post-secondary institutions in Canada have made no such promises. Both Gadoury-Sansfaçon and Dr. Turnbull admitted that there were concerns about this measure affecting our institution’s academic reputation, which can taint the BU degree. Although, they did point out that other institutions, including Carleton University, University of Ottawa, and Stanford University have approved somewhat similar measures . A related concern is that, instead of students using the Pass/Fail option as a last resort, which is how Dr. Turnbull believes it should be used, they will strategically use this prerogative to minimize their academic efforts. However, as mentioned, future graduate school or professional program applicants are disincentivized to do so. Moreover, students who realize that the Senate will be taking into consideration how students respond to the Pass/Fail measure this semester when deciding whether to extend it to the winter semester may also strive to avoid appearing indolent.
Despite this concern, Gadoury-Sansfaçon argues that this measure will allow students to do their best, considering “all the other things that are happening in their lives.” “This measure is not about [students] having the highest grade they could have. It’s really [about them] doing their best in a time where there’s a pandemic, in a time where they’re preoccupied by so many other things, without their education and their academics turning into something that’s detrimental for their mental health and balance for this semester.” In the meantime, members of the Senate, and, in particular, members of the Senate’s Academic Standing and Admissions Policy Committee will be discussing the possibility of extending this measure to the winter semester. Most Senate meetings are open to all students and can be attended in-person or virtually on Nov. 20. To learn the three other measures recently adopted by the Senate for “alleviat[ing] student stress and anxiety” and to read about Fiona Doran’s positive opinion on the Pass/Fail option, see “The Pass/Fail Option is a Benefit for Bishop’s Students” in Opinions.
A transcript with numerical grades as well as a “WP” for withdraw with permission and a “P,” indicating a passing grade. Photo courtesy of Hugh Godman
FIONA DORAN PHOTOGRAPHER THERESA GRAHAM THIS ISSUE’S CONTRIBUTORS Sarah Halberstadt Sydney Wilson Rhiannon Day Virginia Rufina MarquezPacheco Emily Whalley Kassandra JohnsonDesnoyers Cassie MacDonell
“L
and Acknowledgement. We acknowledge the Abenaki people and the Wabanaki Confederacy, the traditional stewards and protectors of the territories upon which we are learning. In performing land acknowledgement, we make what was invisible visible, and invite the land, the First Nations people, and the Truth and Reconciliation Commission into our conversations. This act of naming - of inviting something into language - is an underlying principle of advocacy and lies at the heart of higher education. The etymology of advocacy is ad (to add) + vocare (call or voice): the origin of the word’s meaning is to give voice to something or to call out in order to initiate dialogue. The “ad’ prefix makes explicit the importance of multiple voices - and by extension multiple perspectives. In this sense, advocacy compels us to acknowledge a diversity of thoughts and opinions as a starting point rather than as an ideal outcome. In institutions of higher learning, we have a responsibility to honour spaces for emerging and established voices to engage in productive, respectful, and sometimes even uncomfortable conversations where individuals are safe to speak truth to power, explore and challenge dominant ideologies, and call out injustices and inequalities in order to imagine new ways of existing.” Dr. Jessica Riddell
NEWS
SINCE 1944
Double depression: seasonal depression during the pandemic Mental health services will be crucial as an exceptionally severe wave of seasonal depression could be expected this winter. Bishop’s students on or near campus experienced their first snowfall of the season this past Monday, just after setting their clocks back for the end of daylight saving time. It marks the start of the long winter ahead, which often contributes to a drop in mental health as seasonal depression sets in. Seasonal associative disorder, the clinical term for seasonal depression, is used to diagnose individuals who experience depression during a certain season, the most common being winter, with its short days and little sunlight. An added concern to this year’s “winter blues” is a new source of depression in what newspapers are dubbing “pandemic depression.” The effect of the pandemic on people’s mental health has become evident during the summer months. A study published in Time magazine suggests that depression among American adults has tripled since the pandemic hit. This is a major concern for university students who are now experiencing the overwhelming stress of school without the social outlets that encapsulate the university experience. Typically, those experiencing seasonal depression are encouraged to get outside, socialize, and exercise. Acting on the latter two suggestions becomes difficult with the danger of contracting COVID-19 through socializing and the Plex having shortened hours and tighter regulations (see Kassandra Desnoyers’s article in Sports). International students can also face frequent quarantining periods, leaving them isolated for weeks. The adjustment to online classes has also proven to be difficult. A check-in survey from the SRC, conducted at the beginning of the semester to evaluate students’ mental health and how they feel about their online classes, indicated grim results. On a 1-5 scale, 3 being the middle score, the average participant reported 2.8/5 on their mental health and 2.58/5 on feeling overwhelmed. The cold of Quebec winters may lower these ratings further, as university students become confined to their small housing units with little to no social outing opportunities. “I’m concerned for the winter, to be honest. I’m concerned for the dark days, the additional stress, after-the-holiday blues. It’s concerning,” said Theresa Gagnon, Manager of Counselling, Career and Accessibility Services at Bishop’s. In response to COVID-19, Bishop’s University’s Student Services made changes to their counselling services to accommodate students virtually as well as in person, thus providing more options for students that can keep them safe from the virus. In-person sessions involve chairs that meet the two-metres-apart criterium, and students are required to arrive no more than five minutes early for their appointments to keep the waiting room from becoming overcrowded. Online services are conducted through video chat on the Student Service’s new and confidential OWL program. Walk-in sessions are also an option to provide services for students without having to go through the scheduling process.
Kwigw8mna plans being revised
3
Sarah Halberstadt Contributor
Also newly available to students is the BUnited Peer Support Centre, located in what was formerly known as the International Centre. Bishop’s students, trained in active listening and confidentiality, are there to create emotional support for their fellow students. They offer free food through the community cupboard for those in need and organize different activities to create a supportive and engaging community among their peers. Despite the variety of options available to Bishop’s students, Student Services has seen a decline in counselling appointments since the start of the pandemic. As Gagnon sees it, “It makes a lot of sense because the pandemic is considered a crisis and a traumatic event, [and] when that kind of thing happens, people go into survival mode.” Students already experience a lot of screen time throughout their day with lectures, homework, and other virtual activities. Adding online counselling to the schedule can add to the screen time, which can take a lot of energy to do. “How do you engage students who are exhausted from classes and all of the online environment? How can we engage them?” Gagnon asked. While many students may not be leveraging their advantage of having access to counselling services, they remain available to those who need it. “We’re here, though, that’s the message we need to send to students. We’re here, we’re available, we do our best, if you’re missing something, we try to fill that need,” Gagnon concluded.
An especially early sunset below the arches following daylight saving time. Photo courtesy of Sarah Halberstadt
Justine Trempe Copy Editor
On Oct. 22, 2020, the ICA met with representatives of the school on Zoom to discuss the student body that, although they started on the wrong foot, the meetings are now the plan to transform Divinity House into Kwigw8mna (Abenaki meaning: “our house”). going well, and negotiations are advancing nicely. Mr. Condo, who initially criticized the Reports on the meeting state that it went well. situation in videos posted on social media, was invited to the Oct. 22 meeting. He explains This meeting follows the recent controversy that came out after it was revealed that in a video update posted on his Instagram page that it was “a very productive meeting,” the university did not appropriately consult the Indigenous community and that the and that Principal Goldbloom began by admitting they had made mistakes but were plans that the school announced did not respect the now ready to listen. Mr. Condo then congratulated the promises previously made. Its original list of objectives school officials on the quick response: “It’s not always included, among other things, educational resources, easy to be called out on something and then actually enough space for visitors, gatherings, and culture make those changes, and they’re doing it.” sharing, which were not present in the plans. Mr. Condo also praises the Indigenous students The ICA consequently released a list of demands to who represented their community at the meeting for expose the elements that were missing and an open their professionalism and determination, explaining letter to support the claims. In their statement, they how they “were firm on their demands, and they were also urged “the university management to listen, learn just all-around great representatives of Indigenous and agree to not move ahead without full consent people.” He predicts, with a smile, that we have “some from Indigenous students at Bishop’s.” The difference good leaders coming up.” between consultation and consent was also heavily Mr. Trygve Ugland reports that they “have asked stressed: “consulting Indigenous Peoples is asking them the architect to revise the Kwigw8mna plans in light for their opinion, then making the decisions without of [their] meeting and discussions with the ICA.” Once them in the room. Consent implies shared ownership the plans are ready, another meeting will take place of decision-making.” The ICA has since gotten a seat at between the school and the ICA to determine the the table, and can actively participate in the creation of next steps in the project with the full consent of the the space. community it is meant for. Divinity House, planned to become Kwigw8mna. Official announcements from the school reassure Photo courtesy of Theresa Graham
4
OPINIONS
You could save a life
THE CAMPUS NOVEMBER 11, 2020
Safia Hafid, Opinions Editor » thecampus.opinions@gmail.com
Sydney Wilson Contributor
I have spent many years watching the show Grey’s Anatomy, mainly for the drama. I also enjoyed that show because I always thought it would be cool to be a doctor. Unfortunately, I was never good at science, and I do not like hospitals, so that was the end of it. However, I still think everyone must have some basic first-aid training. Some time ago, my roommate was speaking about their experience at a first-aid class when they were training as a camp counsellor, and it suddenly occurred to me that I do not know what to do in an emergency! Apart from calling 911, I would be at a loss while waiting for a first responder. I truly believe that students in university or college should have to take a basic first-aid class, offered free of charge. Such students are at the perfect age to learn these techniques and how to use them responsibly; moreover, given that they are about to enter the workforce, firstaid-trained candidates can be advantageous assets to companies and workplaces. I would personally rather have an employee with firstaid training instead of someone without it. They would be
Photo courtesy of employmenthelp.org
trained to act in sudden situations and know how to help people while the ambulance is on its way. Students taking first-aid classes would learn how to react if someone is choking, how to administer CPR or identify the signs of a heart attack, among many other basics. Oftentimes, the quicker a patient is treated, the higher the likelihood of them being alright. If someone stops breathing, bystanders need to immediately take action; in such situations, there is no time to wait for help. Not only could this keep someone alive long enough for first responders to arrive, but it would help first responders to take over the more complicated aspects when they finally arrive on the scene. In conclusion, even an elementary knowledge of first aid could help save someone’s life. Everyone should have a basic knowledge of first-aid techniques, and they should start taking a course at their post-secondary institution. This education would be helpful and crucial in many situations when waiting for first responders to arrive, saving much needed time and perhaps even lives.
The Pass/Fail option is a benefit for Bishop’s students On Oct. 30, the Bishop’s University Senate passed a motion to, “extend the availability of the Pass/Fail option for all courses for the Fall 2020 semester” (see “Pass/Fail Passes” in News). Thus, professors will continue to give students numerical grades at the end of the semester. Once those grades are published, any mark below the failing mark will show as an automatic FAIL. If the student passes, they are allowed to choose if their transcript will show their numerical grade or a PASS. Some other decisions made during this session: an extension of the withdrawal from courses to the last day of class, the assurance that no student would be required to withdraw from the university or their program depending on their grade, and the delaying of the Winter 2021 semester by one week to allow for quarantining. Those decisions, I feel, are in the best interest of the students. The Pass/Fail option, as well as the other resolutions, are beneficial and needed for Bishop’s students. I cannot speak on behalf of every student, but, for me, this has been the busiest semester of my academic career. While that is in part because I participate in more extracurricular activities – in a bid to get me out of my apartment since I only have online classes – I am also noticing some changes on the part of professors. Some of them have raised their expectations this semester: I have found that in addition to the usual three hours of class time, and the unspoken three hours of studying per week that is expected of students, I am working from eight in the morning until eight at night. Moreover, the grading has been harsher, and the rules stricter. There have also
Fiona Doran Social Media Coordinator
been professors who have taken the opposite route, understanding that many students have not been able to come back to Lennoxville and have had to rewire their brains and alter their classes to optimize learning from home. Regardless of how your professor has handled classes in the time of COVID, the way that students are currently learning, studying, and writing is very much different than in previous years. I am fortunate enough to be able to live in Lennoxville during the semester and thus have been finding it easier to separate where I study and my actual home. Nevertheless, I still needed to adapt and change the way I operate as a student. I had to purchase a desk in September, for example. I did not have a desk in my apartment bedroom until this year. Instead, I would either work in the library, the sportsplex, The Gait, Faro, an empty classroom… the list goes on. The important takeaway is that I refused to do work in my bedroom, needing that separation of my “sleeping place” and my “work place.” This year is different. I now find myself exclusively in my room, only leaving to see friends or buy groceries. It is a completely altered lifestyle that I have had to adjust to, a change I am still unsure I have completed successfully. I am not entirely certain what I will be doing with that Pass/Fail option, but it does not matter. This option being available to students, given the current situation, provides innumerable benefits that completely outweigh the negatives. After all, some students are looking to apply for internships, jobs, and graduate school and, as such, require a great GPA on their transcript. Furthermore, these are students that know their grades this semester are not reflective of their knowledge and abilities.
A Pass/Fail grade provides far less information than a numerical grade. Image designed by Kate Schwartz, conceptualized by Hugh Godman
SINCE 1944
Wellbeing and self-care Given that this month’s theme in Residence is self-care, I felt it timely to write about this subject. At this point in time, we are about halfway through the Fall 2020 semester, which has been a rollercoaster of emotions and adaptation for everyone. There is the objective reality of the world, full of turmoil regarding the pandemic, the American election, natural disasters, etc. Then there is the reality for students at Bishop’s in particular, who have had to drastically change how they approach classes and schoolwork. For some, it is learning from home and participating in online classes. Others are living on campus yet are still only taking online courses. Some students have in-person classes or a mix of both. With the nature of this semester’s classes, which has varied drastically from previous years at Bishop’s, the asynchronous work has also piled up. As such, with heavy course loads and new class formats to adapt to, I believe it is important, now more than ever, to look after oneself. It might be hard to focus on one’s well-being when we are all so busy and tired, our minds on schoolwork assignments or jobs. Yet it is so crucial to pause sometimes and give time for ourselves. I encourage all of you to prioritize your well-being, first and foremost. Allow yourselves to pause, to take breaks, and evaluate how you are doing. Are you tired? Sad? Happy? If something is wrong, what little steps can you take to make the situation better? Since one of the main problems regarding COVID is isolation, you may want to give precedence to spending time with others. Talk or text with friends and family; visit
More than just a vote
OPINIONS
5
Safia Hafid Opinions Editor
the BU Support Centre and participate in their activities; play Among Us with friends, or watch a movie together (virtually or in-person). Even little check-ins with others can help. As well, another main stressor for most students is the classes. Their format and how they are taught is different this semester, and in some cases, harder. There is limited interaction with professors and peers, and the content is presented differently. Just as the university’s recent decisions regarding the pass/fail option, and the extension of both the course withdrawal deadline and the winter break (see Pass/Fail passes in News), have shown, these are difficult times for everyone. If it is possible to withdraw from a class that you are struggling with and still get to where you want to be, do it. It is not worth it to have a huge course load you can barely manage or a class where you simply do not understand anything. In cases when reducing your classes or withdrawing is not an option, see if accommodations can be made. Talk with professors, advisors, and Student Services. You have the right to make life easier for yourself, and sorting out the school aspect is a good start. Furthermore, take time for yourself. Pursue hobbies, participate in activities that you enjoy, and do not feel guilty about it. Try to keep to a regular sleep schedule that works best for you since sleep is the basis for everything. Treat yourselves to favourite foods. If you are struggling or not feeling well, remember the resources available – friends, family, counselling, the BU
Peer Support Centre, professors, and advisors. Most importantly, go easy on yourself. We are all doing the best we can in an uncertain situation. As students, we have a lot on our plate, and COVID has not helped. Just remember that your well-being matters.
A portion of RA Safia’s November bulletin board, located on the second floor of Munster. Photo courtesy of Safia Hafid
Rhiannon Day Contributor
Over the course of the last few weeks, Americans As well, it is not difficult to see how the awful effects dispossess themselves from this outcome. submitted the highest number of votes ever counted in of racism are not limited to people of colour but extend These problems, whether big or small, global or a U.S. presidential election to ultimately elect Joe Biden, into both American and Canadian social and political statewide, all lead to exposing the position of complacency who is the first candidate to beat an incumbent president constructs in the form of underqualified people being in of the privileged – those who do not have to worry about in almost 30 years. This is a year for the history books. power due to merit being placed upon race rather than the policies stemming from these topics. Those who Yet I continue to see complaints from my friends and pertinent qualifications. Moreover, democracy is based are not minorities, those who are healthy and possess relatives, both Canadian and American, that they “don’t on the power of the people, and if, through the systemic adequate healthcare, those who are well off and do not care.” This annoyance is even expressed in have to worry about where their next meal is classroom settings and around family dinner coming from. It becomes easy to only think tables. about oneself, without sparing a thought for the However, the repercussions of this election next-door neighbour or those living across town do not only affect the 50 states, whether or on the other side of the border. voting blue or red. This election will, without Nevertheless, I am here to remind you that a doubt, affect Canada, North America, and this is exactly what we should be doing, caring the entire world. The U.S., after all, is in a about all of these issues, and all of those affected position of great power, and President-Elect by them. Joe Biden will command not only domestic The lack of care expressed by Americans and policy but foreign relations and international Canadians alike generally stems from a position affairs as well. of privilege; not needing for the status quo to Oftentimes in Canada, the U.S. is used as change accentuates the ability of such people to a media beacon in the 24/hour news cycle, accept the situation as it is. Accepting that some which easily becomes redundant. Yet these people are in positions to have their rights taken news articles and breaking stories affect us away, for example, and not acting upon this all, whether they begin in Washington or injustice. Ottawa. We, as Canadians and Americans, have to pay To reiterate my point – this election will attention and must care a little bit more. That is cause massive repercussions to each and our first step in making the world a better place. I every one of us. The main issues addressed now leave you with this request, one that is hard Photo by Michael Havens. Photo credit: patientcaretechniciansalary.net* by candidates in the campaigns and to even imagine we have to make. during the presidential race have included Please care. Care for the people around you, COVID-19, the economy, and racial inequality. It is not normalization of racism, a huge population is denied the and care for those not in the same position as you. Just hard to understand how the economy affects us all, rich same rights, democracy is not democracy any longer. care. or poor, even across the border, and it is easy to recognize These election results cannot be detached from daily life, how COVID has touched everyone. and the average American or Canadian cannot afford to *Used under CC BY 2.0 (creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0/), Flickr.com, retrieved from flickr.com/photos/128733321@N05/17727264746/in/photolist-t1uScC-LaBCCp-CaRD3x-4DfAci2dfq8o9-2hLoLTJ-2jwBc7j-QiXvRw-2hLpPYa-2hLrpwk-2hLqjRu-2es6xxu-KkuQsw-2jh6GDY-2jXv7i2-2iJoAe6-2gopPQd-4SSDm5-2jeq3AD-2g2enPx-2jwQig6-JnRiLe-2hLm5Yz-2hLqnid2hLrpL3-2jJmza5-HQebgk-2hLpSfV-2hLoKjm-8DNuSJ-7yuQFL-2hLqbo7-JZFx9v-P73H7S-2325eC7-25H4jfG-2hLm6uQ-JzeQaK-2hLrqj7-2hLpQs1-WDXJRJ-2hLnFKX-23NzUnA2jDQ1a5-4oaGyp-2hLqmVu-2g9dvi6-Kkp29d-2jwLZgz-2hLm4HD, Care,
6
FEATURES
THE CAMPUS NOVEMBER 11, 2020
Jeremy Audet, Features Editor » thecampus.features@gmail.com
BUnited Peer Support Centre offers a safe yet spirited Halloween Though it has only been up and running since the start of the year, the BUnited Peer Support Centre has not failed to make its mark on BU. Only two months into the year, the group has already put on dozens of events and started several initiatives like Wellness Wednesdays or the Community Cupboard that all students can benefit from. Most recently, the Peer Support Centre wrote itself into the Halloweekend tradition at Bishop’s by putting on a series of events to get students in the spooky spirit. The Peer Support Centre kicked off their weekend with an informative session on using naloxone to prevent overdoses. This initiative, dubbed “Harm Reduction Halloween,” included a training presentation on using naloxone, an emergency medication used to prevent opiate induced overdose, given by Jordi Hepburn. After the training, which was also broadcast on Instagram Live and subsequently posted to the BUnited Instagram page, attendees went home with their own naloxone kit to keep the Bishop’s community safe. On Thursday, the centre hosted a pumpkin painting event. From 4:00 to 8:00 p.m., students could show up there to receive free supplies and join in on the event. Pumpkin, paint, brushes, and cleaning supplies were all included. While students painted their pumpkins, the fireplace channel was broadcast on the screen while relaxing music played, setting the event in a warm and
calming atmosphere. Members of the Peer Support Team were available for individual consultation throughout the event, should students have had anything they needed to talk about. The kettle was full of hot water and tea was made available to attendees. On Saturday, the Peer Support Centre hosted a
Students viewing a Halloween movie marathon at the BUnited Peer Support Centre over Halloweekend. Photo courtesy of Theresa Graham
Take Back the Night hosts 2nd annual forum On October 21, Anika Malone and Scotia Sharpe, coleads of the Take Back the Night movement at Bishop’s, hosted a hybrid forum, welcoming about fifteen in-person attendees and another fifteen on Zoom. Last year’s forum, the first held at Bishop’s by the movement, generated a similar turnout but, despite the pandemic-related restrictions, the organizers managed to power through technical difficulties to ignite thoughtful and necessary discussion. The topics conferred upon have become a vital part of the Bishop’s community since Malone and Sharpe began advocating for better sexual assault response measures on campus two years ago. Sexual assault, consent, gender inclusivity, and the ecosystems of Bishop’s were dissected and studied by attendees who, prompted by questions from the organizers, discussed how we can, as a University community, better the situation on and off campus. Among the people present were, notably, Dean of Student Affairs Dr. Stine Linden-Andersen, ex-President of the SRC and Bishop’s alumni Morgan Gagnon, Sexual Aggression Response Coordinator Dominique Pelletier, and Student Services Counselor Jordi Hepburn. One quickly understood, given the significant turnout, that the problem of sexual assault at Bishop’s is being taken seriously by the student body and by faculty. However, no concrete steps for bettering the issue were presented or determined. Rather, and this is a positive note, the discussions generated ideas that will hopefully bring about the formation of future measures at the university. The forum, after all, created a safe space for discussing a topic that too often goes undiscussed – it is a step in the right direction. New to the forum this year was the inclusion of the Indigenous Cultural Alliance (ICA). Representatives from the group gave a presentation of how Indigenous women are far more often victims of sexual assault due to systemic racism and inequality. Their discourse was moving and earnest, and one immediately understood how prevalent and urgent the issue is for the Indigenous community. Discussions on the topic orbited around how to educate the student body on Indigenous issues and
Casey Hebert SeniorCopy Editor
Halloween movie marathon from 6:00 p.m. to 1:00 a.m., complete with candy, chocolate, and costumes. A poll on their Instagram page had helped them choose the three movies they would be screening that night: Hocus Pocus (1993), Ghostbusters (1984), and Sweeny Todd (2007). The furniture had been shifted around in movie-theatre style to set the movie screening mood, and students could help themselves to candy, chocolate, and chips to snack on while the films played. Tea and juice were also made available. The laid-back atmosphere was perfect for a mellow Halloween. Not only did the Peer Support Centre screen movies on Halloween night, they also had a tent set up outside of Football House, where they had masks, candy, water, and other necessities should students find themselves in need. Their safety tent provided a pit stop for students heading towards campus or going home for the night. Despite the challenges COVID-19 has presented, the Peer Support team has had no trouble hitting the ground running. They have consistently managed to put on fantastic events for students to take advantage of and are certainly a welcome addition to campus life!
Jeremy Audet Features Editor
how to recognize the way those issues are ingrained in our colonial history, aspects of which remain prevalent today. Although the group discussions often veered into conjecture or stereotypes, especially regarding studentathletes, good ideas were brought forth. Attendees recognized, by meditating on the difficult questions asked, how big the issue of sexual assault is and how deep it flows. Malone hovered from group to group, attempting to bring the discussion back to Bishop’s, wanting the dialogue to be rooted in how we can make things better at our institution. Discussion continued on the topic of gender equity as it pertains to sexual assault. The presenters were quick to recognize that, in most cases, the presumed survivor of assault is a female and the perpetrator a male but the issue is much more complex than the binary assumption it carries around. In fact, as was frequently brought up, males can also be survivors of sexual assault, and oftentimes those survivors do not have access to as many reactive services as females do. Transexual and non-binary people are even more at risk, and, as such, the attendees were forced to question how we can create services that are available and inclusive to all. Furthermore, the attendees recognized that non-binary and transgender voices need to be heard and amplified in our community. Malone and Sharpe had opened the presentation with a list of services available on- and off-campus, and, although there are plenty of good, valuable, and effective services easily accessible for survivors, there is a large gap when it comes to proactive measures. The lack of proactive measures and the abundance of reactive measures seems to imply that sexual assault will inevitably happen and that we can only be so prepared to handle the crisis. This logic is flawed. Attendees quickly recognized that education, discussion, and action are increasingly vital to decrease the number of sexual assaults that occur. Morgan Gagnon, who recently completed her Masters in Philosophy at Concordia, gave a short speech on what stops survivors from reaching out and getting help. She brought up institutional barriers, a lack of resources, issues of stereotypes and racism to explain the grim reality. Sexual assault is a problem that roots from and goes far
beyond Bishop’s University. However, the organizers announced that a Committee on Sexual Culture will hopefully be established at Bishop’s this semester, where the ideas discussed during the forum will specifically be addressed and hopefully fulfilled. The impression is that Bishop’s is stuck with having to deal with all these deeply systemic and socially ingrained issues. However, in recent years the institution has implement effective and trusted resources that are there for any survivor of sexual assault. The forum accomplished one of the most important steps in addressing the issue on campus: it generated discussion, promoted education, and drove the topic further into the spotlight, away from the taboos and social blockades that attempt to ignore and disregard the problem. It seemed that the attendees were left not with a feeling of despair, but of hope. Take Back the Night is leading a virtual march in support of implementing a yearly mandatory bystander intervention training on Nov. 12 at 8:00 p.m. (for more info visit: Facebook Bishop’s Take Back the Night; or Instagram @butakebackthenight) For a list of resources available for survivors of sexual assault, visit: www.ubishops.ca/future-current-students/ student-campus-life/student-services/health-wellness/ sexual-assault/
Take Back the Night Forum, 2020. Photo courtesy of Jeremy Audet
FEATURES
SINCE 1944
The Mitre’s 128th edition opens for submissions The Mitre has opened to submissions for its 128th yearly edition. The Bishop’s-run journal, the oldest student-run literary journal in Canada, publishes works of visual arts (photography, drawing, painting, etc.) and creative writing (short stories, poetry, songs, etc.) from selected artists willing to contribute. Contributors do not need to be Bishop’s students. This year’s theme of Movements & Mutations follows the dichotomous model of previous years, where two concepts work in tandem to generate a creative pathway for the journal. In an emailed call for submissions, Veronica Mongiardo and I, the co-editors for the upcoming edition, described the theme as such: “In a time of immediate and cathartic change, forcefully isolated from the mumbled hum of our daily lives, we have been propelled into a new kind of collective consciousness. We have gained the momentum to undergo a great change which continues to permeate our every lives in many shapes. Revolutions, protests, riots, marches, and a growing social awareness are the expression of a world in movement, eager and driven to create a livable and durable future. By virtue of that movement, our individual and collective identities have mutated, our awareness of the self and of our place in the world strengthened, and our voices have grown louder. “The skin of our world has surfaced with its fissures, warts, and broken bones demanding that we restore it, for that skin is our skin. We have felt each rip in the fabric
as our ways of life have been stolen, our illusory comfort has been disturbed, and we have been forced to ask who we are while our burning, flooding, melting planet turns the clock-hands faster and faster, each number on the dial replaced with a disaster. “All is now changing, moving, mutating, and in most cases we are not always steering that change. But we are creating. Our Art exists beyond the plains of our lives: our Art cannot be pillaged like our land, cannot be beaten by the figures of law, cannot be impoverished by greed, contained by borders and walls, nor brought to drown or starve on the path to asylum. Our Art drives the revolution, gives the people a voice, and expresses our constantly changing selves. “Our Art, Your Art, will always be the eternal witness to that change. Art is that change.” The Mitre boasts a rich historical background since its first edition in 1893. Many notable figures, such as Canadian writers and Bishop’s alumni F.R. Scott, Michael Ondaatje, and Ralph Gustafson, have contributed their work to the journal, both as editors and artists. In 2019, due to the work of professor Claire Grogan and then-student Alex Marceau, the complete archive of The Mitre became available online to consult for free. That’s right: if you plan on submitting to the journal this year but need creative input, you can go through all previous editions online. Additionally, there are still copies of last year’s edition available at Doolittle’s. Creators of Bishop’s, pick up a copy
7
Jeremy Audet Features Editor and Co-Editor of The Mitre
or browse the archives, get inspired, and get creating. Submissions are due by Jan. 31, 2021, at bu.mitre@ gmail.com. PDF for visual arts; .docx for literary works. For more info, visit The Mitre’s Instagram and Facebook pages, The Dish, or send us an email.
The Mitre, 127th edition. Photo courtesy of Jeremy Audet.
Webinar on murdered and missing Indigenous women, girls and twospirited people Virginia Rufina Marquez-Pacheco Contributor
On Nov. 3, the Social Change Hub hosted the AntiRacism Day. This day featured a series of back-to-back events covering a wide variety of topics, from challenges facing BIPOC (black, Indigenous, and people of colour) individuals and communities to grassroots initiatives and conversations on how to fix the issues. One of the events being hosted was the “Unearthing Justices Webinar on Murdered and Missing Indigenous Women, Girls and Two-Spirited People” (MMIWG2S). The webinar was hosted by Dr. Vicki Chartrand, Associate Professor in Bishop’s Department of Sociology, and featured Indigenous activists Marlene Jack, Darlene Okemaysim-Sicotte, Chickadee Richard, and Gladys Radek. The event began with Dr. Chartrand presenting the Unearthing Justices Resource Collection, which is available on the Justice Exchange website. It publishes a compilation of many – but not all – Indigenous grassroots initiatives for MMIWG2S. The speakers then introduced themselves and spoke of their experiences in the field. Marlene Jack began advocating when her sister and her family, the Jack family, went missing without a trace in 1989. She spoke of her experience dealing with the RCMP, which was unhelpful, and the initiatives she took on her own. Since then, she has been strongly involved in supporting the families of MMIWG2S, as well as continuing the search for her own relatives. Darlene Okemaysim-Sicotte is from Beardy’s & Okemasis’ Cree Nation in Saskatchewan. She has worked at Saskatchewan Indian Institute of Technologies, at the University of Saskatchewan, and is a member of the Saskatoon concerned citizens group Iskwewuk Ewichiwitochik (Women Walking Together). She received the Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee Medal in 2013, and she has been the Non-Legal Advocate for Iskwewuk for the National Inquiry to MMIWG2S. Okemaysim-
Sicotte emphasized that she wanted to support the families of the MMIWG2S while being careful not to further victimize them. Next, Chickadee Richard, an Anishinaabe elder of the Bear Clan introduced herself. She has been a lifetime advocate for MMIWG2S and their families, as well as for broader Indigenous rights and culture. She has worked with others to find missing members of the community, efforts driven by their own resources due to the lack of trust in authorities who, according to her, do not listen. Richard emphasizes that she is independent as her focus centres on her work, not on politics. The Anishinaabe elder sets her priorities on spirituality, ceremony, tradition, and healing. Finally, Gladys Radek spoke. She says the disappearance of her niece forced her to realize that the families of MMIWG2S were ultimately alone, lacking support from authorities. That is when she decided to unite the families of victims through her numerous campaigns, including the Tears 4 Justice March that was initiated in 2008, along with other Indigenous grassroots movements. These efforts eventually resulted in a national inquiry. The panel of strong women then proceeded to address important issues. For instance, they addressed how Indigenous Peoples have lived and are still living through a genocide. “How do we stop it?” asks Radek, given that the government and authorities seemingly won’t do anything. “Why does it always stop at the government’s door?” All speakers addressed the need to “take care of our own,” given that few others seem willing to do so. They expressed very well the frustration felt by Indigenous communities towards not being heard, towards the negative media representation, and towards the inaction regarding MMIWG2S. “We’re disposable,” said Chickadee. However, this frustration gave way to hope, resilience,
and initiative. All women emphasized that supporting the families of MMIWG2S was a priority. It is not about politics but rather about doing the right thing. It is about providing resources, justice and awareness to this violence perpetrated against Indigenous women, girls and two-spirited people. Finally, they made sure to remind the audience that it was important to not leave the Indigenous men and boys out – they are also a target for racial violence. In the end, Dr. Chartrand asked the women what they wanted to see done in the future. There are many actions that could be taken, such as those put forward by the multiple grassroots initiatives. Namely, encouraging the government to instate the 231 calls for justice from the National Inquiry on MMIWG2S and reviewing the healthcare and police systems are priorities. The message was strong and clear: as Gladys Radek says, “We want justice, and we want to see it now.”
A portrait of Dr. Chartrand. Photo courtesy of Dr. Vicki Chartrand
8
ARTS & CULTURE
THE CAMPUS NOVEMBER 11, 2020
Bridget Boucher, Arts & Culture Editor » thecampus.ac@gmail.com
Arts & Culture report Bridget Boucher Arts & Culture Editor
Upcoming artistic and cultural activities in Sherbrooke and Lennoxville. Bishop’s University Drama Department Presents: L’Affaire Tartuffe: A multilingual, multimedia promenade performance on the Bishop’s campus. Dress up warm and join in the fun as we literally follow the plot. Turner Studio Theatre, Nov. 12 to 15, 7:30 p.m. General Admission tickets are $10 and can be purchased online.
Editor’s note: the event has been changed to online. Tickets will be refunded soon. Christmas at Sherbrooke’s Marché de la Gare: Live the magic of the holiday season at the Sherbrooke Christmas Market: local artisans, producers, and merchants gather in a festive atmosphere. Shop for your holiday gifts and discover an abundance of local products! The activities take place on the weekends of December. 710 Place de la Gare, Sherbrooke. Permanent Exhibition at the Musée International d’Art Naïf de Magog: The permanent exhibition represents the rich diversity of the museum’s collection, which contains more than 860 pieces hailing from 35 countries and representing
Poll Bridget Boucher Arts & Culture Editor
Inquiring minds want to know: how did you spend your Halloweekend? A) I dressed up and went to a bar/socially distanced party B) I dressed up but stayed at home/with just my friends C) I went trick-or-treating D) I didn’t celebrate Halloween this year Email your answer to thecampus.ac@gmail. com to be published among the results in the next issue of The Campus.
Gaiter groceries. Graphic by Kate Schwartz, conceptualized by Hugh Godman
SINCE 1944
ARTS & CULTURE
9
Emily Whalley Contributor
It’s beginning to look a lot like Netflix We’ve flipped our calendars to November and the snow has stuck to the ground, you know what that means: it’s Christmas, Bish! I know what you’re going to say: “It’s too early for Christmas movies!” But to that, I say, “Boo, you Scrooge!” It’s cold outside and we’re not allowed to hang out with our friends, so I will be cozying up with a mug of hot chocolate and my two favourite roommates and watching all of the holiday rom-com movies Netflix has to offer. Today I’m sharing my current favourites, so grab your Christmas themed mugs, put on your fluffiest pyjamas, and join me!
The Princess Switch So, full disclosure, I’ve seen this movie roughly ten times, already, and you know what, I’m going to watch it again when I’m done writing this! This is a tale of classic Christmas hijinks starring Vanessa Hudgens (of High School Musical fame) as Stacey/Lady Margaret and Sam Palladio (am I the only one who abso-fricken-lutely loved him in Nashville) as Prince Edward. Stacey de Novo is a baker from Chicago who wins the opportunity to compete in a huge Christmas bake-off in the faraway land of Belgravia. When she and her best friend/sous-chef Kevin (Nick Sagar) arrive in Belgravia, they discover the country aflurry over the soon-to-be wedding between Prince Edward and Lady Margaret, who just so happens to look a heck of a lot like Stacey.
Emily Whalley Contributor
Lady Margaret wants the chance to live like a commoner just once before she’s officially a member of the royal family, so she convinces Stacey to switch places with her. And mischief and romance ensue, while Lady Margaret is frolicking around town with Kevin and his young daughter, Stacey is teaching the Prince the true meaning of Christmas. I’m sure we all know what happens next, but that is the best part of a Christmas movie, isn’t it?
Christmas Inheritance Party girl and heiress Ellen Langford (Eliza Taylor) is next in line to take over the family business Hearth and Home Gifts. But after some less than favourable media attention, her father isn’t sure if she truly can handle it, so he sends her on a mission to hand-deliver a letter to his business partner back in their hometown of Snow Falls. There’s a catch: she can’t tell anyone there who she is, so she has to get the full Snow Falls experience, no special treatment. That also means no credit cards and no fancy cars, just a bus ticket and a hundred dollars cash. She arrives at the inn Zeke owns in Snow Falls to find that he has left on a camping trip, and no one knows when he’s coming home. Now, she’s stuck in this small town and doesn’t have enough cash to stay in the inn for another night. But never fear; the handsome and closed-off innkeeper Jake Collins (Jake Lacey) offers to let her work around the inn in exchange for room and board. Through
hard work, and experiencing the kindness of small-town folk, Ellen discovers the true meaning of Christmas. P.S. the excessive Christmas decor in the movie is *chef’s kiss* immaculate.
Santa Girl In this soon-to-be classic, the North Pole is run like a Fortune 500 company with Santa (Barry Bostwick) as the CEO in a sharp suit and ugly Christmas tie. His daughter, Cassie Claus (Jennifer Stone, another one of our Disney channel heroes, and the truest fashion icon of the late ’00s: Harper from Wizards of Waverly Place) has been betrothed to Jack Frost’s (Hank Stone) son since birth and is set to be married before sunset on Christmas Eve, forming an official union between the Frosts and the Clauses. Cassie knows how important this is to her father, but she is still a teenage girl and she wants to live a normal life before she can’t anymore. When Cassie enrolls in college, Jack Frost enrolls his son in the same school with the mission to make Cassie fall in love with him and, more importantly, keep her from falling for anyone else. Of course, we’ve already established that we know how these movies go; the heart wants what the heart wants, and it’s never the guy you’ve been betrothed to.
10
SPORTS
THE CAMPUS NOVEMBER 11, 2020
David Rossiter, Sports Editor » thecampus.sports@gmail.com
Rubber ducky golf tournament raises $2,400 for BU Charity Fashion Show Hannah Hornibrook Contributor
Saturday, Oct. 24, 2020, marked a special day for the Bishop’s University Charity Fashion Show. Since the student-led organization began in 2006, this new fundraiser, an outdoor rubber ducky golf tournament, has had the most fundraising success, apart from the ticket sale for the show itself. An impressive $2,400 was raised! A total of 18 teams competed while following COVID-19 regulations for the title of champion. In the end, a team consisting of Bishop’s lacrosse players, Riley Ash, Douglas Porter, Andrew Neilson, Tom Bakeef, Noah Lane, and Mitch Broussard won the tournament! The Bishop’s University Charity Fashion Show also allowed for members of the community to participate virtually. Students had the chance to win cash by bidding on what team they believed would win the tournament. The organizers for this event, namely Nicole Soper, Hannah Hornibrook, Nanthicha Laniel, Antoine Belair Rivard, Jennifer Quenum, and Stephanie Edwards had to seek COVID-friendly solutions while keeping the heart of the tournament alive. All ticket sales, team signups, and marketing were done online. They ensured that all teams were given COVID-19 regulations and rules for the game via email. Each team then started at a different station to avoid a big gatherings, and masks were encouraged when teams crossed paths. The Bishop’s University Charity Fashion Show has always sought to be mindful of COVID-regulations, especially as they are the largest student fundraiser with over 100 volunteers. This year, they are very excited to partner with an amazing non-profit organization that takes care of some of those who are most at risk in the community. This pandemic has affected many people, but those that they have chosen to support have been hit the hardest with illness and isolation. In February 2021, the fashion show will be donating all funds raised from their initiatives towards the cost of care for residents that live at Grace Village, situated at a distance of five kilometres from Bishop’s, as some of them cannot afford it. For more information about Grace Village and BU Alumni residents, check out their website that is linked on the Bishop’s University Fashion Show Facebook page. As for future fundraisers, the Bishop’s University Charity Fashion Show Committee is planning a pop-up Charity Market to encourage Bishop’s student entrepreneurs, while also promoting their own BU alumni stickers, vintage Lennoxville maps, as well as other
local businesses! Keep an eye out on their social media pages for more information. Lastly, the organizers of the rubber ducky golf tournament would like to take this opportunity to thank all of their volunteers for helping them throughout the event: Lily Newberry, Sarah Paguette, Jessica Parsons, Charlotte Timm, Bryanna Decoste, Chip MacCulloch, Emma Story, Victoria Perak, Laura Baylé, Victoria St-Germain, Lucy Santilli, Valerie Reid, Taylor Sheldrick, Astrid Delepoulle, Bernard Duchesne, Camille Pépin, Connor Blanchet, Dawson Loop, Jacob Turenne, Josh Callaghan, Liam Lively, Megan Munro, Peyton Wagner, Sarah Caddell, Amelia Krallis, and Samy Cauvet.
A participant teeing off next to Connolly Street. Photo courtesy of David Rossiter
Gaiter athletes volunteer in annual pumpkin patrol Halloween was a spooky, fun night in Lennoxville. Children disguised as monsters and pop culture references were out and about trick or treating and enjoying themselves. Meanwhile, the Bishop’s Gaiters were there to ensure things went smoothly. Volunteers from our many varsity sports teams participated in the annual tradition. These young women and men were known henceforth as the “pumpkin patrol.” Teams were assigned spots, generally on busy corners or crosswalks. Members from each team circled in and out in shifts and made sure every station remained staffed. Every year responsibilities include making sure kids don’t run willy-nilly in the street through incoming traffic, looking out for kids who may be lost, and other general safetyrelated duties. This year, however, the patrol helped fill a void left partially open due to coronavirus concerns. Some households were not able to hand out candy this year due to concerns about catching or spreading illness. Just in case the kids’ pillowcases ended up looking a little light, members of the pumpkin patrol were equipped to the nines with candy and chocolate to hand out. Safety was of course a top priority. Masks and gloves were used by every Gaiter volunteer. Hand sanitizer was also in large supply for anyone who needed some. This is one of many community-oriented activities performed annually by the Bishop’s Gaiters. Other times student-athletes volunteer around Lennoxville include the Terry Fox run at Lennoxville elementary school, food drives for the Eastern Townships, and mental health initiatives during Bell Let’s Talk Day every January. Riley Ash is an Ottawa native and a third-year business student who recently transferred from Carleton University. This is his first year as a member of the Bishop’s Gaiters lacrosse team. He was one of the eight lacrosse players to help out the pumpkin patrol on Oct. 31. Already a huge fan of the Bishop’s community and vibe from visiting in past years, he had an interesting take on why it’s important for our student-athletes to be involved in the Lennoxville community. “It’s important to give back to this community because it’s the one helping us enjoy the best four years of our lives,” he said. It is indeed true that Lennoxville has a special place in the hearts of Bishop’s students, staff, and athletes alike. It is with this in mind that Gaiters athletes look to stand out and help make the community a better place.
David Rossiter Sports Editor
Three basketball players hand out candy and smiles. Photo courtesy of Clare Webb
SPORTS
SINCE 1944
More than pom-poms
11
Bridget Boucher Arts & Culture Editor
Back handsprings. Pyramids. Flyers. Splits. You may think you know what goes on in a varsity cheerleading team but be warned: these sportswomen do so much more than that. The Bishop’s University Varsity Cheerleading team captain Kaileigh Helmer wakes up at 6:00 a.m. twice a week to be at practice for 6:30 a.m. She’s usually there first, in order to start rolling out the heavy foam mats the cheerleaders stunt on. Others on the team wake up even earlier, coming in from various locations across Sherbrooke. At 6:30 a.m., practice starts, and due to COVID-19 regulations, the team is allowed to stunt for an hour while wearing masks. The girls have just woken up and already are expected to be responsible for the lives of their teammates who are whirling through the air in death-defying stunts. Right now, they are working on rewinds: a dangerous move wherein the flyer does a backward tuck from the ground and expects her bases to catch her, standing, in their hands. Terrifying, especially considering how easily it can go wrong. Injuries abound throughout the team, ranging from broken noses to concussions. Over half the team requires athletic taping due to the vigorous strain they put on their bodies. “It’s a lot of ankles and wrists,” says Helmer. “Almost everyone gets taped.” When you’re holding and throwing a 120-pound flyer, you can expect a fair amount of injury to occur. And when you’re the flyer, falling from up to twelve feet in the air, you have to have a high tolerance for pain and a healthy amount of fearlessness. “I’ll bounce back, I’m not worried. I’d rather I take the hit than [the flyer] hit the ground,” Helmer says to a nervous flyer. If the average person were to imagine a cheerleading team, they would probably envision the sideline cheer that runs rampant in American colleges: the old rah-rah at a football game. These ladies don’t do that. Instead, they compete several times a year in high-stake tournaments against other universities in the RSEQ. However, this year, with COVID, the team is struggling to prepare to compete. With limited stunting times during practices and lack of schoolwide recognition leading to low member turnout at this year’s tryouts, the cheerleading team is fighting an uphill battle. Last year, they were finally recognized as a varsity team among the Bishop’s Gaiters. Yet they don’t always receive the respect this title deserves. Much of the school barely knows they exist, and those who know about them don’t fully understand the dedication and hard work the team puts in. So, Gaiters, it’s your turn to cheer on the cheerleaders: show your Varsity Cheerleading team some love, because they’re far more than their pom-poms.
The Gaiters cheerleading team. Photo courtesy of Alyson Comptois
Students adapt to new sports centre regulations Let’s think back to last year: students were on campus, going to classes, and could run to the gym before or after class to get a quick workout or work out as long as they wanted. Let’s take a look at what has changed and what has stayed the same in the fitness room. COVID-19 brought a lot of new regulations to the John H. Price Sports Centre so that services could still be offered. The fitness centre still has all of the essential and previously seen machines like the treadmill, bicycles, weight machines, and free lift weights. There are still members of the sportsplex staff at the desk to greet you on your way in. And though changing rooms were not available to gym users at the beginning of the semester, they are now open to users of the aquatic area and fitness room. The obvious changes to the workout experience are that patrons must wear a mask when inside the fitness rooms, except while using a fixed machine. There are bottles of hand sanitizer at the entrance of the sportsplex and in the hallway leading to the fitness centre. The machines are all spaced out to allow for social distancing, and there is no longer a mat area. Before COVID, there were cleaning stations around the gym and communal bottles and cloths at these stations to wipe equipment after use. Now, all users are given a bottle filled with disinfectant and a microfibre cloth after they scan their card to wipe everything down before and after use. Patrons must also scan out after dropping their sanitization materials in the bins. The biggest change, however, is that, to access the gym, users must book online on the Gaiters website and select a time slot. The hours are Monday to Friday, 10:00 a.m. to 9:50 p.m., and 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday. Time slots are for one-hour-and20-minute sessions, and there are no extensions for late arrivers. Patrons are limited to four time slots per week. I myself, as a user, have found that these necessary changes have been mostly positive in my exercise routine. I am using the gym more this semester than I have previously, and having to book a time slot creates a sense of accountability. With there being only a certain number of spots per session, there is usually a maximum of how busy the centre can be. I feel safe at the gym knowing that everyone has disinfectant, and things are being cleaned regularly. Booking in advance is crucial to ensure that users can access the gym. I spoke to varsity athlete Marta Dupont to get her opinion on the new gym guidelines: “With regards to scheduling gym times, it has kept me more on top of actually going to the gym … and there are no excuses… I also like to go for an hour and a half to two hours
Kassandra Johnson-Desnoyers Contributor
but because the slots are only for an hour and twenty minutes, sometimes it’s harder to fit the whole workout in the shorter amount of time, so I have to prioritize certain exercises.” For some of us, the gym is of monumental importance to our mental and physical wellbeing. I speak for all patrons when I say that we are extremely thankful to the John H. Price Sports Centre staff members who continue to devote their time and effort so that we can safely access the gym.
The John H. Price sports centre. Photo courtesy of Hugh Godman
12
ECONOMICS & BUSINESS
THE CAMPUS NOVEMBER 11, 2020
Samy Cauvet, Economics & Busimess Editor » thecampus.editor@gmail.com
New order of business for The Gait On Nov. 1, it was officially announced during the BSR open meeting that “The Gait is making changes to its operational activities”. The SRC Director of Finance Bernard Duchesne has recently updated the POS (Point of Sale) system to enhance the quality of service offered to students at The Gait. This new system will also facilitate the job of bartenders and servers who have been putting as much work and effort as in the previous years, despite seeing a decrease in their income from tips since the beginning of the semester (see “COVID-19 vs. The Gait Bartenders” below). Before the system update, The Gait was organized so that sales would mostly happen at the bar. Therefore, the bartender would only use the central computer to enter orders and process payments. Now, with the current COVID-19 regulations, students are asked to sit down at tables and wait for a server to take their order. With this current set up, it has become difficult for service staff to keep track of orders. With the newly implemented system, servers will come to tables with electronic tablets – similar to those seen at most standard bars/restaurants – to take orders. These devices are directly connected to the central computer, located at the bar where orders can be printed. This new system allows the servers to continue taking orders while the bartenders can prepare the drinks. This method creates a far more efficient service, which is good news for both students, who expect fast service after sitting down, and employees of The Gait, who have been overwhelmed by the volume of orders. That being said, nothing is perfect, and there is still room for improvement, especially regarding one difficulty that’s been persistent since the reopening of the bar under COVID-19 rules: it is hard for the employees to keep watch
on all the customers and make sure that they pay before leaving. The second order of business for The Gait was a very challenging project that the SRC has been working on relentlessly and has finally turned into a reality. Food is now available at The Gait! The new menu has expanded beyond the regular popcorn baskets. They started selling both wings and nachos during the month of October. However, for the month of November, things are not as certain. Ther are two main points of contingency threatening the possibility of serving food at The Gait. First, COVID-19 regulations are introducing more uncertainty in terms of finalizing a permit to serve food at The Gait and second, Sodexo is the only food supplier that the SRC and The Gait can do business with. This is due to a contract that was signed years ago between Bishop’s University and Sodexo that granted them this exclusivity. Nevertheless, the SRC Executives and The Gait Managers are currently working toward making sure that food can continue to be served at the bar until the end of the school year. On Wednesday, Oct. 28, the SRC Executives and The Gait Managers invited their employees to visit The Gait for two main purposes. First, it was an occasion to familiarize all Gait staff with the newest COVID-19 measures now that the Eastern Townships have been declared an orange zone. The second reason for this visit was to hold a food tasting session in order to get employee feedback on which food would be best to serve at The Gait. They were able to taste samples of nachos, wings, popcorn chicken, and jalapeño poppers. The SRC and The Gait are now focusing their energy on improving student satisfaction at Bishop’s University as a whole, despite the current pandemic, and, so far, the feedback has been positive.
COVID-19 vs. The Gait bartenders Working as a bartender at The Gait is a well-known way for students to make extra money during their school semester. Shifts are often outside class time, and tips are a welcome bonus. However, since the implementation of COVID-19 measures, some bartenders are underwhelmed by their tip income. The Quebec government has imposed bar-specific COVID-19 restrictions that The Gait and all Quebec bars in orange zones must follow. Masks are mandatory, alcohol and food sales must stop after 11:00 p.m., bars must close by midnight, tables can only sit six patrons, and what some customers believe is the worst: no dancing. The Gait has taken these rules seriously. Masks are required at all times unless seated at designated socially distanced tables. A new integrated iPad setup allows servers and bartenders to communicate efficiently. The hall, which once could hold 500 people, now has a capacity of 84 individuals. And with fewer customers comes a decline in tips. Cameron Balodis, bartender at The Gait for almost two years, says his income has sharply fallen since he returned to his work during the pandemic. “I used to make approximately $100 to $150 on tips per night last year. That number was even higher during popular events such as Halloweekend. The highest I’ve made since the beginning of COVID-19 was $50. Two weeks ago, I made only $7 in tips on a Tuesday shift.” Thankfully, not a lot of bartenders use the campus bar as a primary source of income. “Working as a bartender is just a way to make some extra cash. I don’t depend on it to pay bills since I have money saved up from summer jobs. However, I’m doing the same amount of work I did as last year. My pay
Samy Cauvet Economics & Business Editor and SRC Business Senator
Photo courtesy of Cameron Balodis
Cassie MacDonell Contributor
should reflect that.” Even with a drop in maximum capacity, business is still busy. “Even though there are fewer people at The Gait, dancing is banned, and sitting is encouraged. This means people finish their drinks faster and order drinks more frequently. And, with the ability to sit down and think, customers feel comfortable ordering more complicated drinks. Last year, a simple shot would satisfy a group of customers who are at The Gait for the dance atmosphere. Plus, people expect faster service when they’re sitting down.” Some Canadian businesses have increased their employees’ base pay to supplement the loss of tips. Others have incorporated tip money into the cost of their drinks and food. Many Toronto bars and restaurants have opted to add a 10 per cent COVID-19 surcharge to offset their loss in revenue. The latter, however, has come under criticism. Darren Dahl, professor at the University of British Columbia’s Sauder School of Business, believes adding an extra surcharge may provide people with an incentive to stay home. People are already hesitant to go out to eat – a higher price does not encourage people to go out. Megan Lennstrom, a frequent customer of The Gait, does not think that any bar or restaurant should force her to tip. “We are all broke students who want to get out of the house to have some fun. I usually try to tip 20 per cent of my purchase, but something about being forced to pay an amount that the bartender should earn doesn’t seem right.” Even so, it wouldn’t stop her from going to The Gait in the long term: “I’d just be annoyed.”
Bartenders at The Gait are making less income from tips. Photo of Justin Buschman-Dormond, courtesy of Cassie MacDonell
