An Indigenous student’s perspective

Red, white, and feeling blue

Rhiannon Day Contributor

As everyone has realized, this school year is quite different from any we have experienced in the past.

However, some aspects remained exactly the same. In early August: the same pile of clothes, bedding, jackets and hats, waiting to be packed. My backpack, lying untouched from the semester before. The occasional textbook, littering my living room, as it had the year before. The same back-and-forth trek to the car, now bulging with moving boxes. The same difficult goodbyes, the same hugs, and that same wave out of the driver’s side window as I drove away from my hometown.

Then again, with the pandemic, everything is different. Instead of my mother in the passenger seat, there was a folder containing my passport, my quarantine plan, my lease, and the proof of in-person classes I planned to take. Everything I could gather to prove that I, an international student, deserved to cross the border to come back into Canada and to the school that I love.

Rather than the swell of excitement that I used to experience when I saw the border, all I could feel this year was anxiety. The speech I had practiced, explaining my situation, ran continuously through my head. Jumbled-up words: dorm, quarantine, apartment, inperson, masks, coronavirus; all of those played in the back of my mind as I pulled up to the border-crossing station.

After an hour of explanation on my part, and deliberation on their end, I was through. But that was not the end of it. I still had to quarantine myself, alone in a new apartment located in a foreign country, in the midst of a pandemic.

Moreover, there was the burgeoning fear regarding the reaction I would receive as an American in Canada, what with the border closed and a growing reactionism against foreign travel.

My point, then, is that this year presents unprecedented challenges for everyone. This virus and its consequences have touched every person’s life across the world. Yet the experiences that international students have faced this year in countries that are not our own are like none other. The support system of our small community has faltered along with the Canadian Border Agency and the Canadian government. Their lack is keenly felt.

As an 18-year-old student coming to a country that is known for its kindness and welcoming arms, I was excited to arrive at the border last fall. This year, that same excitement was not felt.

The political, social, and educational challenges that come with being from a currently controversial country during this uncertain time period have caused the warm, welcoming society to keep those of us without a maple leaf on our birth certificates at arm’s length.

Approaching the Canadian border can be an especially nerve-wracking experience in this day and age. Credit: Photo courtesy of Paulo O*

An Indigenous student’s perspective on Kwigw8mna

Ionhiaroroks Mccomber Contributor

Reconciliation is a term that has been thrown around a lot since the Truth and Reconciliation Commission released their report in 2015. Many institutions have taken it upon themselves to heed the call and begin the process of reconciling. Bishop’s University is one of them.

However, Bishop’s has recently proved that we still have a long way to go before any kind of reconciliation can actually be reached.

The plans for Kwigw8mna were made public last year, with many finding out about the project through the press releases shared by various media sources. Bishop’s boasted about its $5.9 million-dollar governmentfunded project that would turn Divinity House into a new “home” for Indigenous students, thus creating a gathering space and resource centre for both the Bishop’s and Champlain Indigenous population.

Sounds great, right? Yet this promise feels hollow and empty when the reality of the situation comes to light. Much of the funding for the building, which was advertised as being for Indigenous students and resources, is instead being used for faculty offices. The actual gathering space for Indigenous students would only accommodate about 40 people, provided all of the furniture is removed.

This is very much an issue, seeing as Bishop’s most recent incoming class had around 20 Indigenous students, and the school is actively trying to expand its Indigenous student population. Clearly, the allowed space does not take into account the rising numbers of First Nations students. It has felt like a slap in the face to many members of the Indigenous Cultural Alliance – the association serving as a home away from home for BU’s Indigenous population.

Members of the ICA who were on the committee were

Divinity House is the planned edifice for Kwigw8mna. Photo courtesy of Theresa Graham

blindsided by the proposed final plans for Kwigw8mna. When speaking up about grievances with the building, it was clear that Indigenous students’ input and demands for more space and resources were not being taken into account.

We were told that the only changes that we had power over at this point were the indoor design and the outdoor space. It is immensely disheartening to hear that Indigenous voices are not being heard in regards to a building that is supposed to be for Indigenous students. Immediately, it felt like Bishop’s was tokenizing its Indigenous population to further its image of a diverse institution. The Kwigw8mna project cannot be completed in good faith without proper consultation with the Indigenous Cultural Alliance. In fact, the ICA should have more than two seats at the table when it comes to consultations regarding the building that is supposed to be for us. The demands stated by the ICA in regards to Kwigw8mna would ensure that the building serves its purpose: to create a home for Indigenous students while establishing an environment that fosters learning and the sharing of our cultures. The Truth and Reconciliation Commission states: “Without truth, justice, and healing there can be no genuine reconciliation” (TRC Canada Final Report, 2015). It is time for Bishop’s University to listen to the voices of their Indigenous students who are calling for action. It is only when our voices are heard that we can say we are truly on the path to reconciliation.

Jeremy Audet, Features Editor » thecampus.features@gmail.com

An update from your SRC

Enzo Evangelisti Contributor

Hello Gaiters!

The Students’ Representative Council team has officially reached the halfway point in its mandate and, although we never would have imagined having to deal with a global pandemic, we continue to do our best in serving the needs of the student body! On behalf of the entire SRC, I want to share with you just a few of the amazing things we have accomplished in the past couple of weeks.

Through collaboration with student services and Sodexo and with support from alumni, the SRC was able to give students a Thanksgiving in Lennoxville that they will remember forever. We handed out 104 food baskets for groups of 4-6 people for free!

The team has also been working hard on our club restructuring, which we now call BUSRC Extra to ensure we are providing much-needed support and resources to all extracurricular groups. This has also come with a change in our annual budget, recently approved at our Board of Student Representatives meeting on October 18th. We have increased SRC extracurricular group funding from $24 000 to $40 000. We hope this will better meet the needs of our various groups who are the heart of our student life at Bishop’s. (SRC) introduced Bishop’s to a program well-known confidential service that offers university students access to mental health and wellness services 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, every day of the year. challenging and stressful. A study by Ontario’s Universities revealed that 46 per cent of post-secondary students felt “too depressed to fully function” in 2016, while 65 per cent of post-secondary students reported “overwhelming anxiety” that same year. Those statistics may seem staggeringly high, but it rings true that at some point during their academic career, about half of university students tackle mental anguish such as anxiety, stress, depression, or substance abuse. to confront and work towards resolving any mental health issue that arises. The program puts you in touch with whichever professional is most suited to your need, and in the event of a crisis necessitating immediate action, the program has a crisis counsellor available at all times. Other professionals at your disposal include psychologists, psychiatrists, nutritionists, social workers, etc. program in the past, Erin Mallory, the General Manager of the SRC, revealed that the program is using a new provider this year. This new provider offers much faster service, many more available countries and languages, and a triage person who makes sure you are put in touch with the proper professional. Mallory seems confident that past issues, such as lengthy wait time and availability, will not resurface this year. Dental Health Plan, extending the program’s availability to International Students who study at Bishop’s. Additionally, Mallory believes the program to be “a nice complement to the services on campus.” Although the University is unable to offer 24-hour in-person services for such issues, the quick access to mental health and wellness professionals is always just a dial away.

The process is simple and effective. When you reach out language, and country are assessed by a triage person

The SRC has also been working closely with The Gait staff in hopes of making your Gait experience better than ever. As a result, The Gait now officially offers food! This is a huge win for students and one that builds off the work of many past SRC teams. Students can now come and enjoy chicken wings or chips with guacamole and salsa along with the drink of their choice, alcoholic or not!

The Student Success Centres’ Peer Academic Mentors have also been hard at work, preparing workshops to help you succeed! Keep an eye out for their events and follow them on Instagram @busrc_ssc for more information and to meet the incredible team!

We are also in the process of transitioning Toast Radio to an official SRC operation. This will allow us to help Toast Radio expand and continue to offer students an additional source of media on campus!

Last but certainly not least, we have also created and sent out a survey checking in and assessing your needs for the upcoming semester. This survey will better allow us to gauge where we put our efforts to ensure we are helping you succeed through this very difficult time.

Most importantly, we know that midterm seasons are heavy, and this new way of doing school is a new Jeremy Audet Features Editor who then transfers you to the professional most suitable for your needs. The wait time with the new provider is an average of a short 35 seconds, and, although the professional will ask you a few questions regarding which university you are from, your demographic, and your situation, full confidentiality is always guaranteed. There is no maximum amount of counselling sessions, and if you feel uncomfortable with the professional assigned, you can always request an easy transfer. On a random weeknight, I dialled the number and, when prompted by the triage person, gave my information and said that I was experiencing high levels of anxiety regarding schoolwork, partying, relationships, and the ongoing pandemic. most students have been feeling during this odd and heavy semester. I chatted briefly with a professional, who will remain anonymous, and they promised I would get a call from them soon to book a phone appointment since my crisis did not require immediate attention.

Only 24 hours later, I got a callback, and we booked an appointment for later that week. The process was simple, and during the meeting, the professional was very helpful in assessing my needs, understanding the issues I was tackling, and listening to me as I explained my unique situation. The session was short, but I immediately felt better afterwards, and a sense of relief came with knowing that assistance of the sort is always available, just a phone call away. cent of students who experience mental health issues do not reach out for assistance through professionals. It is vital for your academic, social, and personal success that you identify, understand and address the mental health issues that you may likely come across during your lifetime. University can often be a stressful time, and the to assist you in any way possible. Keeping their phone number close is ideal, for you never know when an issue will arise, and during a crisis, thinking about the services is not always easy. When questioning whether or not to call them next time you undergo any issue, ask yourself: what do I have to lose? experience for many of us. The SRC team wants you to know that we are here to support you, and we are doing our best. Keep your head held high because you’ve got this, and if you don’t, give us a shout and we’ll help you out!

On behalf of the SRC, Enzo

Photo courtesy of Theresa Graham

Empower Me, empowering you

A few years ago, the Students’ Representative Council to universities worldwide. Empower Me is a free,

It goes without saying that University life can be

Empower Me offers students worldwide the possibility

Although there have been some reported issues with the

The SRC has incorporated Empower Me within its SRC has made sure that through Empower Me, easy and

to Empower Me over the phone, your situation, preferred

Wanting to learn more about the student’s experience when using Empower Me, I used the program myself.

I generalized my issue in order to mirror how I believe

According to Empower Me’s info-pamphlets, 50 per services available, such as Empower Me, are always there The SRC distributed meal packs for Thanksgiving.

Empower Me #: 1-833-628-5589 (Canada and U.S.) For international helpline numbers, visit the website: www.studentcare.ca

Empower Me’s User Chart, 2020

Halloween despite COVID-19

COVID-19 seems to have stolen away all of our holidays since March, and Halloween is no exception. With the Eastern Townships on orange alert, many are having to renounce their holiday traditions this year, whether that be trick-or-treating with family or partying with friends. Despite the changes to Halloween, there are still many options to make the night memorable, however you choose to celebrate. Compiled here is a list of COVID-safe activities for you and your bubble.

TAROT CARD READINGS

Do you or anyone in your bubble own a deck of tarot cards? What better night to get your cards read than Halloween? Dip your toe into the witchy pool this Saturday by seeing what the cards have in store for you. Brew a cauldron of spiced cider, arrange your crystals on the desk, and bring some magic into your Halloween!

CARVE PUMPKINS

What better way to show your Halloween spirit than by carving pumpkins? This activity can be done with friends, family, or all by yourself. With pumpkins for sale right at Provigo, this activity couldn’t be easier for students in Lennoxville. Hollow out your pumpkin (you can bake the seeds!), pick your design (there are thousands online if you don’t have any ideas), and carve away!

DRESS UP AND WATCH SPOOKY MOVIES

There is a score of fantastic Halloween movies available, so why not grab your roommates or your pets and watch

Casey Hebert Copy Editor

Graphic by Kate Schwartz

BU Outdoors: revamped and ready

Editor’s note: I asked the Outdoors Club, who have begun the semester with a fresh crop of club leaders and a new set of values, to write out their goals for the upcoming year. This is what new leader Cora Camire had to say:

The Bishop’s Outdoors Club aims to boost student wellness by creating an inclusive space for students to get outdoors. Our goal is to promote a community that upholds inclusivity and empowerment through our many trips and events. One of our main objectives besides inclusivity is reducing our impact as a club and teaching land-based values. When planning our events, we make it a priority to limit our footprint.

We also encourage students to reflect and discuss the ways in which we can do our part in respecting the beautiful land that we all so deeply enjoy. It is so rewarding to be able to provide a space for students to experience the outdoors together, especially in a time when human interaction is so limited. So far, we have really been able to see the value that our club has added to the Bishop’s community, and seeing that fuels our motivation and drive to make this club the best it can be.

This year we have amped up the club by bringing on a new crew of six trip leaders as well as an Executive Team featuring marketers, financial supervisors, and our head ladies. The new structure will not only bring consistency and lots of new energy to the club this year but also create a system on which the club can thrive for the years to come.

Our goal this year is to be able to offer 2-3 trips or events every week that students of all levels and experience are encouraged to take part in. The best part of the BUO Club is that zero commitment is necessary! All students need to do is sign up for our email list, and they can pick and choose events that fit in with their schedule.

This year, we are branding ourselves as a service rather than a club to promote and emphasize inclusivity and openness to all levels of commitment. So far this year, we have had many amazing trips, including a hike up Mount Ham, a bike ride to North Hatley, a few Slack-tastic Saturdays, Foresta Lumina, and two weekends ago, we took the crew out to the bog and searched for salamanders and frogs! We look forward to continuing to provide a safe, inclusive outdoor space for the students of Bishop’s this year.

Cora Camire Contributor some movies? Buy yourselves a pack of Halloween candy, throw on a costume, and settle in for a movie marathon. Whether you prefer Burtonian films, horror movies, or family friendly Halloween classics, you’ll be sure to find something you enjoy to get you in the Halloween spirit!

BAKE SPOOKY SNACKS

Just because trick-or-treating is off the table doesn’t mean you can’t indulge your sweet tooth! From marshmallow ghosts to witch’s fingers to pumpkin flavoured anything, there is no shortage of Halloween recipes to channel your holiday excitement into. Take the day to bake yourself some holiday-appropriate snacks, which you can then eat while you watch scary movies.

MURDER MYSTERY NIGHT

So you can’t dress up to go trick-or-treating, but there’s nothing keeping you from dressing up for a themed murder mystery night! With dozens of ready-made scenarios online or guides for coming up with your own murder mystery, this promises to be a great night among a small group of friends. If the dress-up and murder factors aren’t Halloween enough for you, you can pick a theme that better encompasses what the holiday means to you.

Despite the restrictions surrounding Halloween, there are still plenty of ways to celebrate! So put on your favourite costume, eat some of your favourite candy, and enjoy your night! Happy Halloween, everyone.

A club member looking over Lyster Lake, October 2020. Photo courtesy of Cora Camire

Bridget Boucher, Arts & Culture Editor » thecampus.ac@gmail.com

The rise of TikTok in quarantine

Bridget Boucher Arts & Culture Editor

Renegade. Doja Cat. Whipped iced coffee. E-girls. Approximately one year ago, these words didn’t mean much to anyone outside of the small database of users on the thennew media app TikTok.

Flash forward to March 2020, though, and TikTok’s popularity has exploded with the implementation of the COVID-19 quarantine and its host of social distancing rules and recommendations. With more users having to stay indoors and limit their social circles, TikTok has been a way to find community and scratch that social itch.

Many TikTok videos offer new dance routines, recipes, and other challenges in a similar vein to Vine and YouTube. These have offered users a way to keep entertained (have you tried learning any of those dances? It can take hours).

In the first month of quarantine, TikTok’s global downloads had reached 84.8 million according to the European Journal of Cultural Studies. The app has climbed to levels of uber-popularity, especially among Generation Z, those born from around the late 90s to the mid-2000s, although the lines are blurry. But if you’re an older social media user, don’t fret — TikTok has seen growing popularity among Millennials, Gen Xers, and even Boomers.

TikTok’s seemingly randomized algorithm is part of its charm. The app curates your feed based on things like geographic location, personal interests, and even what it thinks your sexuality is (ever found yourself stranded on straight TikTok?). These categories can foster an increased sense of community, especially among LGBTQ+ users. In a similar vein to Tumblr in the early 2010s, LGBTQ+ teens, and all teens who might be lacking a community for that matter, can find others like them without ever having to leave the house.

Many users have made friends through the app, especially since the algorithm often prioritizes videos made by users in the same geographic location. In quarantine, one can’t have too much of a support system.

So, in summary: should you download TikTok as a way to keep entertained during what’s looking like a long, long winter ahead of us? I think so. Give it a chance — you might learn a new skill or even find some new friends.

TikTok is the new social media craze. Photo courtesy of Solen Feyissa*

Emily Whalley & Ashley Murphy Contributor

Design by Kate Schwartz, concept by Kate Schwartz and Hugh Godman

Poem created using an article by Joshua Hoekstra, Contributor

Netflix and chilling Halloween haunts Emily Whalley Contributor

Happy Halloween Gaiters! This year’s Halloweekend might be lacking in packed parties and the hour-long wait to get into The Gait, but let’s not forget that this is our first Halloween with Disney+. So let’s take advantage of this in these unprecedented times and celebrate this historic event by staying home, staying safe and watching a movie with the roomies. My roommates and I have done quite a bit of research in this field, so here are our favourite Halloween movies and TV shows on streaming platforms right now.

Netflix and chills: the perfect Halloween movie playlist. Photo courtesy of Netflix

Disney+ Hocus Pocus Frankenweenie Haunted Mansion Twitches Twitches Too Halloweentown Halloweentown 2: Kalabar’s Revenge Halloweentown High Return to Halloweentown (I know, they changed the Marnie, but it’s still a classic) The Nightmare Before Christmas The Simpsons Treehouse of Horrors collection Maleficent Maleficent: Mistress of Evil

Netflix Hotel Transylvania Coraline Scooby Doo Scooby Doo 2: Monsters Unleashed Silence of the Lambs (to be watched with a nice chianti.) The Chilling Adventures of Sabrina Monster House Mean Girls (In girl world this is definitely a Halloween classic, DUH.) Scream Queens Scary Movie Scary Movie 2 Scary Movie 3.5 Scary Movie 4 Scary Movie 5 Devil All the Time Unsolved Mysteries American Horror Story Scream (the TV show) Matilda The Call Jaws Extremely Wicked Shockingly Evil and Vile (who doesn’t love a little Zefron?) Bird Box E.T. Ghostbusters Stranger Things The Santa Clarita Diet IZombie

Amazon Prime The Woman in Black (In this house, we stan Daniel Radcliffe.) Midsommar I See You Halloween Scary Stories to Tell in the Dark The Grudge The Purge Bye Bye Man Child’s Play Friday the 13th Addams Family Addams Family Values

Edward vs Jacob party playlist

Ashley Murphy Contributor

All right Gaiters, I’m back with another playlist for y’all. This one’s theme: Halloween Bangers. I hand-selected these tunes with specific spooky vibes in mind, choosing songs based on several factors: title, costume ability (Iconic Britney Spears ‘stume I’m looking at you) and overall vibes (as always). I tried to include a variety of songs that weren’t just the classic “Monster Mash” and “Spooky Scary Skeletons” to add some flavour because, as fantastic as they are, no party is complete without some old school Kendrick. Here’s a shortlist of some of the songs in the playlist, but don’t worry if your favourite Halloween banger isn’t to be found, you can feel free to add it yourself!

“Cannibal” Ke$ha “Monster” Kanye West “Psycho Killer” Talking Heads “Barbie Tingz” Nicki Minaj “Jekyll and Hyde” Five Finger Death Punch “Calling All The Monsters” China Anne McClain “Goosebumps” Travis Scott “Criminal” Britney Spears “Thriller” Michael Jackson “Another One Bites The Dust” Queen “I’m Not Crazy” Hopsin “Time Warp” Glee Cast “What’s My Age Again” blink-182 “Arsonist’s Lullaby” Hozier “Can’t Be Tamed” Miley Cyrus “What’s New, Scooby Doo?” Octopus Montage (Editor’s Note: this song is originally by Simple Plan) “Stranger Things” Kyle Dixon & Michael Stein “Lip Gloss” Lil Mama “Magic” Yung Gravy “Highway to Hell” AC/DC “Mad Hatter” Melanie Martinez “Black Magic” The Amazons “Killing in the Name” Rage Against the Machine “Psycho Pass” Xavier Wulf “Hokus Pokus” Insane Clown Posse “Alien Boy” Oliver Tree “Dangerous Woman” Ariana Grande “Freaks and Geeks” Childish Gambino “Enter Sandman” Metallica “Midnight City” M83 “This Is Halloween” The Citizens of Halloween “Back to Black” Amy Winehouse “Elm Street” Jimmy Wopo “King Kunta” Kendrick Lamar A jack-o’-lantern photographed at “Fire Woman” The Cult Abbott residence, A block 4. “Fluorescent Adolescent” Arctic Monkeys Photo courtesy of Hugh Godman “Heathens” Twenty One Pilots “New Age Chip Skylark” Ski Mask The Slump God “Fergalicious” Fergie, will.i.am “Heads Will Roll” Yeah Yeah Yeahs “Ghostbusters” Ray Parker Jr. “Maneater” Daryl Hall & John Oates “(Don’t Fear) The Reaper” Blue Oyster Cult “Straightjacket” Quinn XCII “For Your Entertainment” Adam Lambert “Feed My Frankenstein” Alice Cooper “California Gurls” Katy Perry “The Devil Went Down to Georgia” The Charlie Daniels Band “Pumped Up Kicks” Foster The People “Afraid” The Neighbourhood “Uma Thurman” Fall Out Boy “Chill Bill” Rob $tone, Spooks, J. Davi$ “Sabotage” Beastie Boys “Gucci Coffin” Josh A, Iamjakehill “Freaks” Timmy Trumpet, Savage “Spooky Scary Skeletons” Andrew Gold

David Rossiter, Sports Editor » thecampus.sports@gmail.com

Men’s hockey team remains optimistic despite COVID-19 setbacks

David Rossiter Sports Editor

Meet the Bishop’s men’s hockey team. Officially a club sport here at Bishop’s, men’s obstacles faced by any club team, morale seems to be quite high within the men’s hockey does not play in an official league, nor do they enjoy privileges from the athletic hockey team. As they enter tryouts, team leaders are very excited about the level of talent department such as a permanent locker room and funding. available this year.

Andrew Phillips is a third-year forward from Ottawa, ON. He is a captain and leader on Keyan Hogan is a second-year defenceman from Ottawa. He says the men’s hockey the team. Andrew goes above and beyond with his commitment to the team, playing the team consists of lots of skilled former junior and high school players. He is confident that role of a coach, manager, and treasurer at the same time. He shared his thoughts on the this year is better than usual in terms of elite players: “There is lots of talent trying out, challenges of playing on and running a club sports there are several guys from various junior A and B team here at Bishop’s. teams and even a former QMJHL player this year.”

“We still have tryouts, practices, uniforms, games The Quebec Major Junior Hockey League and tournaments like you would when playing (QMJHL) is the top level of junior hockey. The on any competitive or varsity sports team. The other major junior leagues (WHL, OHL) join the main difference, though, is that we are entirely Quebec league to form the Canadian Hockey student-led. So we are responsible for all of our own League. Every year dozens of major junior players scheduling and planning of practice, tryouts, and are drafted to the NHL. games.” Lots of those who do not make the cut play out

At this point in time, the men’s hockey team the rest of their junior career and then look to play has not and does not compete in any type of varsity hockey in Canada. If you look at the roster league. Their season is composed of tournaments, of any established university hockey program in exhibition games against other universities, and, of Canada, ex-major junior players feature heavily. course, practices. So acquiring and appealing to such talent is most

This year the guys were excited to test their skills in certainly a good sign for the Bishop’s hockey high-level matchups throughout the northeastern team, a team that wants to improve and perhaps United States. As Andrew explains, that most likely approach varsity level in the future. Keyan agreed: will not happen anymore. “We’re 100 per cent trending in the right direction.”

“Throughout the summer we were emailing The team converging prior to puck drop. The inevitable delay and cancellation of various universities and tournaments in Quebec, Photo courtesy of Claire Desmarais American trips and tournaments is certainly a Ontario, and our American neighbours like Boston disappointment and a setback. However, the team and Vermont to try to organize games. Had COVID is still holding out hope for competition. Andrew not happened, we were planning on doing various trips both west and south, but we have says the possibility of exhibition games against Canadian schools, one in particular, is had to delay or cancel most of those.” something that he and his teammates are looking forward to: “We have a tradition of

Tryouts for the team are slated to start in late October. Getting ice time at all during the playing McMaster university every year. They typically come to play two games against pandemic has been a hurdle. Andrew has had to work hard with assistant captain Keyan us at our rink and join us at the Gait after our Saturday night game. We won the last two Hogan and coach Mark Cripps to ensure they could play hockey while abiding by all years against them, and are hoping we can continue the tradition later this year and safety regulations: “So far it has been more work to schedule and get things started than I continue our winning streak.” was expecting. This is partly due to the COVID restrictions and regulations. We have had This prospective game, the exciting level of talent, and simply the chance to kick it with extra meets with plex staff and had to write extra COVID regulation compliance forms to the boys again are all things motivating the Bishop’s men’s hockey team as we approach be able to run a team in the first place,” Andrew said. tryout time. For more information and the latest updates from within the Bishop’s Gaiters

Despite the unfortunate circumstances surrounding this year as well as the natural men’s hockey club, visit instagram.com/bumenshockey.

An inside look: women’s volleyball

David Rossiter Sports Editor

An appealing feature of the Bishop’s athletic community is the variety of sports teams available for Gaiters to enjoy. It should be advertised that there are more sports teams than just the varsity sports programs commonly known to most. One such example is the women’s club volleyball team. While some sports clubs here at Bishop’s (think badminton and BU snow) are more recreation and drop-in based, teams like men’s hockey and women’s volleyball are competitive teams made up of former high-level players. They compete against other universities in exhibition play and have regular practices. Being a non-varsity sports team has advantages yet also comes with difficulties for our volleyball women. Securing practice time and raising funds are the two most challenging aspects, according to senior player and executive Rachel Wilson. Rachel has been a member of the women’s volleyball team for four years now and is one of their leaders on and off the court. She says that regular practice is a must for any sports team, but it has not been easy to coordinate: “There has always been a little push back from the sportsplex from allowing us to use their facilities, being that we aren’t varsity and we don’t pay for access.”

Not being a varsity team isn’t always a bad thing, depending on your commitment level. University varsity sports programs involve many hours of training a week as well as long road trips, and film/classroom sessions.

This requires a level of commitment that is simply not realistic for many students who are already trying to balance their school, work, and social circles. A club sports team provides a nice middle ground where students can play the sport they love without essentially devoting their day-to-day life to it.

Money is something that is necessary for any sports team, regardless of the level. Equipment and clothing costs, gym and court bookings, travel, and more are all things that need to be paid for. Varsity teams receive funding from team fees as well as from the athletics department. In comparison, the volleyball team relies primarily on its own fundraisers with some help coming from grants from the SRC.

Rachel is the fundraising executive for the team. She is responsible for coordinating the fundraisers that are crucial for her team to purchase equipment and attire. Rachel shared some examples of how the volleyball team planned to raise money: “Each year we aim for about 2-3 fundraisers a semester (bake sale, coat check, etc.) as well as an annual Christmas Basket Raffle, which brings in a good amount of money from the community alongside family and friends from back home.” The Bishop’s volleyball team does not compete in a league. Their competitive team practices multiple times a week and tries to schedule exhibition matches against local clubs or CEGEPs whenever possible. In nonpandemic years, one of the main focuses of their practice was the preparation for tournament play in Ottawa and Montreal. Something that differentiates the Bishop’s volleyball team from other sports programs is that they offer practice time and workshops for players who are looking for a simple, recreational, drop-in experience. This is an amazing way for Bishop’s students to play volleyball without committing to a season-long experience. The Bishop’s women’s volleyball club is one of many exciting athletic clubs we have here. Their competitive team is driven, almost entirely self-sufficient, and talented. Hopefully, they get the chance to compete in some exhibition matches in this unprecedented, chaotic school year. For more information find them on Instagram: @bu_womensvball.