SINCE 1944
VOLUME 77 ISSUE 4
October 26 2021
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Student run since 1944
LEAVES CHANGE U.S to allow border travel to vaccinated Canadians this November
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More elections
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Long-time Bishop’s presence publishes poetry book
Should I get a master’s degree or start working right away?
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Sarah Halberstadt
Post-pandemic burnout Rhiannon Day
Gaiters weekend recaps David Rossitier
Anne-Frédérique Naud
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Caitlyn Gerrish
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Nathaniele Pelletier
Layout design by Gabrielle Liu & Cassie MacDonell
Students gather at the Take Back the Night forum led by the Sexual Culture Committee. Photo courtesy of Gabirelle Liu
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NEWS
THE CAMPUS OCTOBER 26 2021
Sarah Halberstadt, News Editor » thecampus.news@gmail.com
U.S. to allow border travel to vaccinated Canadians this November
Fall Fest: Community, spice, and everything nice! Emilia Malpica-Iruegas- Contributor
Sarah Halberstadt - News Editor
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he U.S. border is scheduled to open its land borders and ferry crossings to fully vaccinated, nonessential travellers from Canada and Mexico on Nov. 8 after 19 months of restricted access. “Cross-border travel creates significant economic activity in our border communities and benefits our broader economy. We are pleased to be taking steps to resume regular travel in a safe and sustainable manner,” said Alejandro N. Mayorkas, secretary of the United States Department of Homeland Security, in a statement from Washington on Oct. 12. The U.S. government will allow those with a mixed vaccination to enter the country, recognizing the vaccine shortage many countries, including Canada, have faced, resulting in different vaccine doses. Aside from this exception, the border patrol will only recognize vaccines approved by the CDC and the WHO. Details are still being worked out between Canada and the U.S.’s border regulations regarding testing procedures. Bishop’s University’s Outdoor Adventure Club and Snow Club are hopeful for ease of access into the U.S. for day trips. However, testing requirements may impede excursions across the border. “We are feeling extra hopeful that Bishop’s students will be back on the hills of Vermont by the time snow is on the ground! BU Snow has been in close contact with Jay Peak as we look into the feasibility of back and forth travel this season,” the BU Snow Club said in a statement. Currently, Canadians have been unable to cross the land border into the U.S. without citing essential travel through work, school, or medical purposes, despite Canada opening its border to vaccinated Americans on Aug. 9. Both Canada and the U.S. are implementing new travelling regulations in two phases, eventually requiring proof of being fully vaccinated for all travellers, essential or not. First, the U.S. will allow nonessential travellers to cross the border on Nov. 8, given that they have the correct paperwork and proof of a valid vaccination. The second phase will require all travellers, including essential, to be fully vaccinated by January 2022. Canada’s first phase will begin on Oct. 30, requiring essential travellers to be fully vaccinated to travel by air, rail, or vehicle. Those who are still in the process of being vaccinated will be allowed to cross so long as they provide a negative COVID-19 test taken 72 hours before their arrival. However, if travellers 12 and up are not fully vaccinated by Nov. 30, they will be denied entry. Exceptions include those medically unable to receive the vaccine, emergency situations, and air travellers.
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n Oct. 16, the Bishop’s University Student Representative Council (SRC) held its second annual Fall Fest after skipping a year due to the pandemic. The event was a fall-themed festival held in the quad from 1 to 5 p.m., complete with carnival games, a mechanical bull, a petting zoo, and most importantly, after the crazy years we’ve had: happy people. The event was open to anyone outside of Bishop’s University, which made it even more of a community event. The school clubs and societies working the game booths did a great job entertaining families, children, and university students. There was a game for everyone! There was a basketball-inspired booth, set up by the Finance Society, a Squid Game inspired challenge from the Pre-med Society, and a bounce ball race from the Encounter Student Ministries, to name just a few. The games allowed clubs to raise money. The homemade games were played with tickets sold at the front booth. The petting zoo was incredibly successful, with many falling head-over-heels for the miniature horse, alpaca, bunnies, and ducks. The bunnies were especially cuddly as you could pet them in a basket while holding them in your lap. A feeder placed by the pen allowed you to pay for food and feed the animals yourself. If you caught the right moment when the handler was around, you could even walk into the enclosure to feed them. It was quite impressive to see such a massive event be so heartwarming. The feel of it was kindness and appreciation after a difficult year. If you stood in the middle of the tent, you could look in any direction and find someone laughing and having fun. With the music, hot chocolate, kettle corn, and hay bales set
Photos courtesy of Gabrielle Liu up for photo opportunities, there was something for everyone. Even with all these different activities going on, the thing that stood out the most was the lightness of spirits. For a moment, all that was happening was pleasant, convivial. It was a good way for students to melt away their worries of midterms! Overall, the event was a reminder of human resiliency and that life goes on. After the years we’ve had, seeing people happy in groups or in families was encouraging, especially following the announcement of no active COVID-19 cases in the Bishop’s community after Thanksgiving break.
NEWS
SINCE 1944
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Sarah Halberstadt, News Editor » thecampus.news@gmail.com
COVID-19 update: Sexual Culture a successful Committee hosts semester yearly forum Rihannon Day - Senior Copy Editor
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his year’s COVID-19 statistics have been drastically different from previous semesters. To date, BU has had a total of four confirmed cases for the fall 2021 semester. The biggest factor in this relative success is due to a high vaccination rate; while offcampus numbers can only be estimated, the vaccination rating in residence is above 98 per cent. There have been numerous opportunities provided to students in the name of removing barriers to accessing testing and vaccines to maintain a safe community. For example, a vaccine bus was provided early in the semester to receive a vaccine and to get QR codes from the Government of Quebec. One of the most recent opportunities for students was the voluntary testing provided following the Thanksgiving break. On Thursday, Oct. 14, voluntary and free saliva COVID-19 testing was provided in the Student Centre. More than 30 students were tested, and all results were negative. This opportunity was such a success that it will be offered again following Student Success Week in order to mitigate the possibility of an outbreak. To counteract the pandemic, BU also has numerous safety measures in place. Among these include the required vaccination passport for any nonessential activity, notably those at the Gait, the Plex, on sports teams, and with clubs. For essential activities, namely classes and studying at the Library Learning Commons, students must wear masks. Bishop’s also employs Safe Gaiters, who check vaccine proofs, remind students of mask rules, and clean classrooms. If infection occurs, BU has its own contact tracing in place. The university has its own team that immediately acts once notified of a possible infection. The process includes finding out when the person in question either tested positive or was symptomatic, and then tracing back at least 48 hours to find potential contacts. Individuals exposed are then informed. This year, the tracing guidelines vary whether the individual is considered protected against the virus, in the form of a vaccine, or not. This means that if there is a single case in a classroom, all
those who are vaccinated can continue, and do not have to get tested, solely monitor their symptoms. If there is more than one case, then students will have to get tested but the isolation requirement varies. These rules have evolved from last year and even last semester in lieu of changing government guidelines, vaccination rates, and further information. Dean of Student Affairs, Dr. Stine Linden-Andersen, who is tasked with COVID-19 updates, attributes the success of this semester to the collaboration of all at BU. “I’m really quite grateful to the entire community,” she says, “a big thank you to [students] for bearing with us through these difficult times … but I do see a lot of happy faces on campus for just being back in person. I know that’s what the students have really missed and hopefully things will get better in the near future so that we can get closer to our usual BU experience.”
Jeremy Audet - Contributor
Photo courtesy of Jeremy Audet
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n Wednesday, Oct. 20, the Sexual Culture Committee (SCC), spearheaded by students Scotia Sharpe, Amie Godward, Georgia LaPierre, and Meaghan Connelly, hosted the yearly Take Back the Night forum. The initiative, launched by Anika Malone (‘21) in 2017, strives to open a discussion on the university’s sexual culture while addressing the many issues that contribute to ongoing issues of sexual assault and harassment. The main purpose of the forum has been, in previous years, to prepare for the annual Take Back the Night protest, a night where students take to the streets (or, in last year’s case, their windows) to demand that the university take proactive steps towards improving the sexual culture at Bishop’s. The SCC made great strides in previous years by implementing an official committee (the SCC), launching a student-wide survey in 2020, and putting forward plans to launch an online reporting system by the end of this calendar year. These efforts earned the committee a first-place prize at Forces Avenir 2021 earlier this fall, marking the first time a Bishop’s society has won the prestigious award. This year was the first time the forum was organized under the official umbrella of the newly formed SCC. Sharpe, senior co-chair of the SCC, recognized this year had the “largest attendance that we’ve had to a forum. I think partly because as a committee we
have more resources for advertising, and partly because this is an issue that doesn’t go away with a few small tweaks to the culture or system. It really does take all of us and it’s inspiring to hear the thoughts and ideas that people have.” “It has been a new experience planning the forum with such a large (and fantastic) team, and lots of adapting has been necessary for us,” Sharpe continues. Despite the changes from previous years, the forum ran smoothly, with participants engaged and a long list of guest speakers. “When we were listening to groups talk about the questions,” says Sharpe, “everyone seemed really energized to share their opinions. Some of the ideas brought up by attendees that stuck to us the most were: hosting a Gait Kahoot trivia night to help educate people on healthy and fun sex; addressing the lack of counselors in student support services; sharing resources so people know exactly who they are, what they do, where and when they can access them, and how exactly each one can help.” Some of the evening’s special guests included the heads of the Indigenous Cultural Alliance, a representative from student safety, CALACS, the Lennoxville District Women’s Centre, Anika Malone (via Teams), and more. The high attendance and the many guests show the scope of individuals and organizations directly implicated and seeking change. LaPierre, junior co-lead of the SCC, thought the forum was a great success and has high hopes for the year ahead. “We want the school to begin to take us seriously and give us the support and resources we are requiring them to offer because these changes need to happen now. Our community and our students’ safety is at risk and we have been offering solutions that would help change this sad truth at our university, yet little change is happening,” she says. “We hope that with the march and for the rest of the academic year we are able to put pressure on our university to implement the changes that students have been asking for for years. Our goal is to give them no choice but to listen to us, to respect our students’ needs, and to start doing their jobs.”
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OPINIONS
THE CAMPUS OCTOBER 26 2021
Safia Hafid, Opinions Editor » thecampus.opinions@gmail.com
The education system is in retrograde – part 1 Leea Rebeca Ruta - Graphics Editor
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emember elementary and secondary school, when the teachers made you buy however-many threering binders, duo tangs, and Hilroy Canada exercise booklets? I would reuse the “cahiers Canada” every year, even if the teachers got angry at students for not having new ones. They did not even allow us to use lined sheets. I honestly never quite understood their obsession with these booklets. After, I began leaving all of that in the past. Three years ago, I made the transition from pen and paper to a tablet and stylus. A year later, I transitioned from a physical canvas to a digital one. I have not looked back since. Every course pack or required reading material is on my tablet. All of the notes I take are on my tablet, stored in an app I paid $10 for. I no longer worry about smudging ink on my paper, fingers, or clothes, nor do I have to worry about running out of highlighters or pens. I do not have to aggressively look through dozens of papers and notebooks and files to search for specific notes. Paper cuts are a thing of the past, and my back no longer hurts from having to carry all of these heavy books. When the pandemic began, and school was put online, I was happy that technology would finally be embraced to its fullest. Professors uploaded all the documents online, no longer having to use the printer. That essay that you would normally hand in person could easily be uploaded onto Moodle. There would be no fear of misplacing it, either. The corrections and the exams would be done online as well. Coming back to school in person completely broke my heart. It is mind-blowing to see how much printed paper professors distribute to students. It is ironic that in my course on environmental justice the professor distributes papers in each class. The printed course pack itself is thicker than the Bible and twice as expensive as the PDF version. According to Environment Canada, paper products account for more than one third of Canada’s waste, and only one quarter of Canada’s wastepaper and paperboard are recycled annually. Most of the paper bought in stores for printing is
not made from recycled paper. It is also difficult to find information on how many books are made out of recycled paper. Unless there is a clear sign on the cover, it is to be assumed that the paper came directly from trees. In the United States alone, more than two billion books are published annually and an estimated 640,000 tons of books are sent to the landfill. This means that around 320 million books are discarded every year without being recycled. Even if the production of electronics is equally destructive to the environment, I nevertheless find that using a tablet has made my learning experience much more enjoyable (and this is coming from someone who loves physical books). One solution to cutting down trees would be to use paper made out of hemp – especially if we continue using paper despite readily available technology. All paper used in the world was made Collage of digital notes courtesy of Leea Rebeca Ruta of hemp until 1883. The Gutenberg Bible, the drafts of the American Declaration of Independence, It is truly the most eco-friendly solution we have and the U.S. Constitution were made of hemp. Taking only to solve deforestation and CO2 emissions, and I believe that four months to grow, compared to trees which take dozens of more companies should adopt hemp for their products. While I years, hemp has higher cellulose content than wood – thus even would prefer a return to the digital-only reality of the last year, making it more productive. It is durable, biodegradable, and this could be a good solution in the meantime, as education requires no bleaching. Hemp farming also nourishes the soil – and the rest of the world – continues relying so heavily on and absorbs carbon dioxide. paper.
On the reopening of the border Safia Hadid- Opinions Editor
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fter a series of false starts, the United States is finally reopening its land border more than a year into the pandemic. Vaccinated travellers from Mexico and Canada (who, naturally, are not American citizens themselves) will now be able to cross by land for nonessential travel. I am, first and foremost, happy for those who have been adversely affected by the closing of the border. The reasoning for the closed land border made sense, after a fashion, given that we are still in a pandemic – even if we have (mostly) adjusted to the current state of affairs. The measures were put in place for a reason. There are some that surely think the reopening of the U.S. border is too soon. Yet regardless of the reasoning, people all over North America have suffered in many ways because of that closure. The border between the United States and Canada specifically has almost always remained open to travellers, whether or not they had nonessential reasons. As someone growing up in a post 9/11 world, I have never known the ease of the older generations, of crossing the border without even so much as a passport. Nevertheless, if one does have a passport and the other necessary paperwork, it is theoretically still not much of a hassle. If you are lucky, there will not be a ridiculous line of cars at your chosen border crossing, and – not accounting for any smuggling of illegal contraband, or the biases that would cause a border crossing agent to pull you over for further interrogation – you will soon be within the United States to fulfill the trip’s purpose. Soon after the pandemic began, however, many countries began closing their borders to external travellers; Canada did it, the United States, France, the U.K. – almost every country in the world, actually, had some sort of travel restrictions put into place. Then Canada reopened its land
border, and our only immediate neighbour decided to keep their side of it closed. What I find ironic, however, is how travel by air has still been going on throughout the pandemic, regardless of whether it is for essential or nonessential reasons. In essence, the border has not really been closed in many ways. Mandatory quarantine and quarantine hotels were put into place, though according to headlines many travellers were able to exempt themselves. The tests required for air travel vary by country, and even the supposed security measures at airports have apparently not always been implemented properly. Travel between the two countries has still continued, even as the land border supposedly remained closed. I remember scores of articles about Canadians going on vacation to the U.S., despite the recommendations against nonessential travel, despite the closed land border. Why allow flights but not cars? Why open the land border now, when the U.S. seemed to have COVID-19 under control this very summer, before the situation in many states deteriorated once more? I do not have all the answers to these questions, but the many contradictions and the inconsistencies of the whole situation do need to be pointed out. Because if one is from a certain country, with a shiny passport, it is perfectly allowed to travel (if not by land, by air); yet those with good reason for wanting to cross from Canada to the U.S., and until somewhat recently, from the U.S. to Canada – well, I think, we have all read the headlines. Paperwork that nobody knew they needed suddenly required, families torn apart and a bureaucracy that cannot seem to address these pressing situations, the distinction between full citizens and others never so stark, towns and people suffering both financially and otherwise… All the while, some people
A Canadian passport Source: http://www.wellingtonstravel.com via Flickr. Licensed under (CC BY 2.0): https://bit.ly/2ZnsSLp are still blithely going on vacation, being surprised when there is some sort of fallout from their actions, though it is often not even the case. As we prepare for the land border to finally open with our only immediate neighbour, for it to be a two-way street instead of a currently one-way street, I do think it is important to keep in mind how such a simple (and important) development is perhaps a bit more complicated.
OPINIONS
SINCE 1944
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Safia Hadid, Opinions Editor » thecampus.opinions@gmail.com
Who actually makes Post-pandemic a film? Examining burnout Rhiannon Day - Senior Copy Editor media through the lens of the commodity Leo Webster- Junior Copy Editor
A graphic regarding the benefits of self-care. Source: EpicTop10.com via Flickr. Licensed under (CC BY 2.0): https://bit.ly/2ZnsSLp Behind the scenes of Blade Runner (1982), the prop designers build a scale replica of the Tyrell Corporation headquarters Source: openculture.com
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n Monday, Oct. 18, the union representing film and TV crew workers threatened a potential strike if their demands were not met, asking for more humane treatment, better wages, and more reasonable working schedules. At the time of this article, there is a tentative contract deal being worked out, but the conditions that raised these concerns are still in place. In general, most of us are aware that the film industry is a difficult place to work in. As more problems in Hollywood come to light, I want to examine how the general public can be aware of these issues but are able to separate the mistreatment of workers from the films and TV shows they love. In fact, I believe that Marxist theory is especially applicable here, particularly concerning his theory of the commodity. Commodity fetishism describes the act of separating a product from the labour that created it, and giving it a new story that fits into our lifestyles. For example, a smartphone carries the values of modernity and convenience, not of forced labour. This association is primarily created through advertising. But what are we supposed to do in the case of film, when the story itself is a commodity? Enjoying a film involves suspending disbelief that these are actors on a set. After witnessing the #MeToo movement, however, it becomes harder to separate the on-screen sexual violence from the rape culture of the film industry. Is it reasonable to ask strangers to act out having sex for our own voyeuristic pleasure? Many actors romanticize “becoming” a character through method acting and other techniques, but I have to wonder whether this blurring of personal life and work life is sustainable for the long-term. The expectations for everyone involved in making a movie are unsustainable.
For example, the iconic night scenes in Blade Runner (Ridley Scott, 1982) were achieved through fifty days of filming at night, something that can be detrimental to mental health. Fans might argue that these shots are central to the aesthetic of the film, but we have to ask ourselves if the result justifies the methods. The demand for more respect from the film crew members shows us that the story of directorial vision is only that—a story, a part of the sales pitch. Making film is a craft that involves the expertise of many people, some of them with technical knowledge, others with historical expertise or design experience. Editors of films are often overlooked, with many popular films directed by men having been edited by women, including Pulp Fiction (Tarantino, 1994) and Shutter Island (Scorsese, 2010). So how do we respect the boundaries of people working in film while still enjoying the medium? For me, the answer is viewing film as a work of art rather than disposable entertainment. Maybe some films are not necessarily works of art, but all movies take hours and days of filming and the contributions of hundreds, if not thousands, of people. Companies who make money from films, such as streaming services, want viewers to consume large amounts of content and not think critically about it, and they want to produce media that appeals to a wide audience without taking any particular social stances. This is not the way that art is made. We should attend film festivals, support smaller film studios, go to indie movie venues, and get involved in the Bishop’s University film scene; yet we must not continue to treat film and television as a free resource that can be consumed without consequences.
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do not even have to remind you of how dull this last year and a half has been. But indulge me, for a moment. Do you remember Tiger King and dalgona coffee? How about buying gallons of hand sanitizer and wiping down grocery bags with a wet wipe because we did not know any better? FaceTime calls, 8 p.m. curfews, the delineation between essential and nonessential businesses, health anxiety, and Bubbles? It is easy to see how incredible open businesses are, and the creation of more opportunities to go back to normal life, in the face of what our past year has been. With our previous entertainment solely being our daily walk and avoiding the news at all costs, anything we can get at the moment is better than it used to be. Of course, however, there are cons that go with our long list of pros in a world that has adapted (for the most part) to the pandemic, and that feels less restricted. With the exponential growth of opportunities on campus, whether it be clubs that can finally meet again, classes that take place in actual classrooms, sports teams that can finally practice and play together, more jobs available for students, more people to meet and old friends to see, there is so much to do now – and so little time. Given the plethora of current opportunities in the face of the paucity that was the last year, it is so easy to overextend and overwhelm oneself. I know that personally, this past month has been one of the worst experiences of burnout that I have ever had. After months upon months of staring at a screen, doing Chloe Ting workouts, and yelling at my poor Keurig machine, I took every chance I could get the minute I was given the opportunity to leave my apartment. Yet after enrolling in six classes, working a part-time job in Lennoxville and two on-campus positions, as well as balancing time with friends and family – well, my mental health took a deep dive to March 2020 levels.
Exhaustion, apathy, cynicism, irritability, uselessness; all symptoms of burnout, telling me I needed to simply slow down. Please do not get me wrong. I would not wish for the return of 8:30 a.m. Teams calls and Zoom family reunions on anyone. Nevertheless, I do wish to send a word of caution to all of my fellow overachievers. While the “Call for Students!” posts that offer jobs, volunteer positions, and opportunities around campus all look incredible compared to your last year, it is important to remember that your mental health and the ability to take time for yourself is just as important. There is no need to overcompensate for what you “missed” last year. So please, take that daily walk, say “no” when you need to, take some time alone, and make yourself your number one priority. After this past year and a half, you deserve it.
There is no need to overcompensate for what you “missed” last year. So please, take that daily walk, say “no” when you need to, take some time alone, and make yourself your number one priority. After this past year and a half, you deserve it.
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SPORTS
THE CAMPUS OCTOBER 26 2021
David Rossiter, Sports Editor » thecampus.news@gmail.com
Gaiters weekend recaps David Rossiter - Sports Editor University Sport defensive player of the week for the effort. MEN’S LACROSSE The Bishop’s Gaiters lacrosse team continued their impressive season with yet another win on Saturday. The men topped UOttawa for the second time this season, beating them 19-5 to stay undefeated through five games. Senior attackman Jake Gasperetti scored a hat trick in the first quarter and didn’t let up. He finished with five goals and four assists to go with captain Sam Firth’s six points. UOttawa did not manage to mount an attack as they were stifled by the Bishop’s defence. Goalies Ian Connors, Sebastian Elie, and Connor Bagnell shared time in the crease, each making saves. Bishop’s hosts Queen’s next to end the regular season, but with this most recent win they have already clinched a home play-in game for Halloween Night.
Markus Young and Hank Wulder celebrate a goal vs. UOttawa. Photo courtesy of Antoine Mouligne
WOMEN’S SOCCER
Photo courtesy of Antoine Mouligne
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ere is a rundown of how the Gaiters teams fared in recent action since the previous issue of The Campus. All fall sports teams were in action on the weekend of Oct. 15-17. FOOTBALL The Gaiters football team flew to Nova Scotia on Saturday, Oct. 16. They cruised into Wolfville still high off last week’s home win against St. FX to take on Acadia University. In a defensive battle, the two teams traded short touchdown runs early in the second. After a few Acadia field goals, Bishop’s was in need of a score. Senior running back Louis-Phillipe Gregoire answered the call in the final quarter, running for his second touchdown of the game and taking the lead. Disaster almost struck as a last-second field goal for Acadia sailed towards the uprights. Thankfully, it missed and the Gaiters improved to 2-2 on the season. Senior linebacker Keagan Hughes tallied 13 tackles in the match and was awarded the Atlantic
Two tough home losses for the Gaiters have put their playoff hopes to bed. Competing in the ubercompetitive RSEQ, Bishop’s now sits at two wins, six losses, and two ties. During Thursday night’s game versus Laval, a spark of offence was provided by rookie striker Andrea Boily when she opened the scoring. Unfortunately, they wouldn’t find the back of the net again all weekend, losing 2-1, and then falling 2-0 against Montreal on Sunday afternoon. WOMEN’S RUGBY The Gaiters women’s rugby team stayed close with Carleton University through the first half. The Ravens led 14-0 with only 20 minutes left, leaving the door open for a Bishop’s comeback, on the Gaiters’ senior night no less. However, it wasn’t meant to be, as Carleton added two more tries plus conversions late, and the game ended 28-0 in their favour. The Gaiters will play a consolation game later this month.
Men’s rugby topped by McGill Connor Kay - Staff Writer
Gaiters lining up vs McGill. Photo courtesy of Connor Kay
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n Friday Oct. 18, the Bishop’s and McGill men’s rugby teams faced off in a brutal showdown, filling the stands of Coulter Field with Bishop’s students, fans, and alumni. The start of the game proved to be a battle. Purple and red jerseys went back and forth in the centre of the field until a minor slip of Bishop’s defences allowed for McGill to get by and claim the first try of the night. Upon being scored on, the Bishop’s men made steady progress up the field, coming 25 yards short of their first try, to be countered with a kick from McGill sending the game onto the Bishop’s goal line. After 10 minutes of defending the goal line and inching forward, player number 3 of Bishop’s made a 20-yard carry, taking five McGill defenders to stop him and settle near the 50-yard line. Once again at half field, a scrum won by Bishop’s quickly turned into a slippery slope letting McGill place their next try and score a field goal. The score now sat at 0–19 for McGill during halftime. The Bishop’s men carried themselves back onto the field with pride and began to inch their way to the try line. Senior Quinn Hayhurst suddenly cut to the outside and made the break to score Bishop’s first try of the game. The crowd erupted into cheers and celebration. Soon after Bishop’s first try was made, the clock was running low, and the race to even out the game was here. The battle of territory over the field proved to be no issue for Bishop’s but was then pushed back with penalties, allowing for McGill to set up another try. McGill then ran down the clock, leaving the score at 24-5 for McGill. The post-game interview of Bishop’s players made for similar opinions that the number of penalties they collected left chances for McGill to cover ground, but were fair calls from the referees. In addition, the fact that the Bishop’s line had some “banged up starting players before the game” is said to be another factor that led to the rough game. Though Bishop’s was defeated, players still believe they had a strong fight and will be ready to face their next opponent. They will begin preparing for the Oct. 22 game against École de technologie supérieure in Montreal.
SPORTS
SINCE 1944
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David Rossiter, Sports Editor » thecampus.news@gmail.com
Women’s hockey first-ever U SPORTS season approaches David Rossiter - Sports Editor
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ack in January 2020, a press conference held at Bishop’s SportsPlex was the scene of an exciting women’s hockey announcement. After a few seasons of American club hockey play, Athletic Director Matt McBrine was proud to announce that Bishop’s would be joining the upper echelon of Canadian college hockey for the 2020-2021 season. The RSEQ, the Quebec division of the Canadian U SPORTS level, would welcome the Bishop’s Gaiters as a new member for women’s hockey in 2020-2021. However, due to the unfortunate cancellation of last year’s season, the Gaiters U SPORTS debut was delayed. Until now. On Friday Oct. 29, the Gaiters travel to Carleton University to open their first-ever season at this level. Since they have had a few preseason games to strut their stuff, senior forward Pascale Desmarais is confident other teams will be expecting a competitive Gaiters team. “The RSEQ level is higher (so) players tend to be faster and more physical,” she said, referencing her team’s past seasons playing club teams from American schools. “This year, our goal is to win some games. Our coach has been saying we need to shock the hockey
Gaiters win face off vs McGill. Photo courtesy of Heather McKeen-Edwards world, and because of the exhibition games it won’t be a shock. The other teams know we are competitive and will make them fight for every game,” summed up Desmarais. Shortly after the Carleton game, the Gaiters will host the Montreal Carabins in Lennoxville. This home opener is set for 3:30 p.m. on Halloween at Bishop’s SportsPlex. The Gaiters women have already played Montreal once, in a preseason tournament three weeks
ago. They lost 3-1. Scoring will be key against both Carleton and UdeM. Bishop’s is low on returning players, so those few seniors like Desmarais will be looked upon to provide leadership. “This will be my last year at BU, so I really want to be a positive player and encourage my younger teammates to work hard and push to keep getting better,”
Gaiters basketball back in preseason action David Rossiter - Sports Editor
Gaiters superstar Amaiquen Siciliano during 20192020 action in the Mitchell Gym. Photo courtesy of Emery Gbodossou
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fter an unfortunate cancellation of the 2020– 2021 season, the Bishop’s Gaiters men’s and women’s basketball teams are both back and looking ahead to a full season. Both teams went to Laval on Friday Oct. 15 to participate in a preseason jamboree. The men’s squad only had one matchup, which led to a victory against the University of Regina. The women’s team had split games with a win against Ottawa followed by a tough loss versus the Carleton Ravens on Saturday.
starters score in double figures, and we had some key contributors off the bench.” The Gaiters have some preseason action against Ontario teams before they start their RSEQ regular season in November. When asked about what they would be working on during this preparation period, Kelly said, “Going forward we have to continue to have an emphasis on sharing the ball and transition defence. There is still a lot to improve upon but it was definitely a good start to the season.”
MEN’S BASKETBALL
The women’s team played two games during their trip to Laval. First up was the University of Ottawa. It was the Gaiters’ Argentinian duo that sealed the deal for Bishop’s during the 89-77 victory. Returning superstar senior guard Amaiquen Sciciliano was joined by rookie forward Victoria Gauna in the offensive onslaught. The pair each notched 25 points, outsourcing the entire UOttawa starting five. Next up, a much tougher challenge against the Carleton Ravens. Unfortunately, the Gaiters found less success in this second game, falling well short of the strong Carleton team. Shooting efficiency was a big difference in this contest with both teams attempting more than 70 shots from the field, but only seven dropping for Bishop’s to Carleton’s 36. Like the men’s side, the women will sharpen their skills against Ontario teams in preseason action before the RSEQ officially starts in November.
The battle with Regina was huge for the men as they had only scrimmaged against CEGEP teams at this point in their preseason. Lots of positives were drawn from the game, as the Gaiters were in control from start to finish. Winning each quarter, the Gaiters made sure to never relinquish the lead. The final score was 87-66. The offence was spread around, with five different Gaiters reaching double-digit point totals. Concordia transfer Michel Hakizimana led the team in scoring, with 17 points, while playing at the three and four positions. Veteran sniper Connor Kelly is pleased with the win and with how the team has developed in the preseason so far. “It was a good win to start the preseason. It felt great to get out there after a year and a half and have the Gaiters name across your chest. It was nice to see all five
WOMEN’S BASKETBALL
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FEATURES
THE CAMPUS OCTOBER 26 2021
Manu Bissonnette, Features Editor » thecampus.features@gmail.com
United for mental health Manu Bissonnette - Features Editor
M
ental health is a growing concern in today’s society, especially since the start of the pandemic. It is starting to rightfully be emancipated from stigmatization and to be taken more seriously, but much work remains to be done. At Bishop’s, mental health services are offered to students who are struggling to deal with life. The BUnited peer support centre has been created for this exact reason: to provide a safe space, without judgment, to students who need it. BUnited currently has six peer supporters who are trained in active listening, confidentiality, and crisis intervention. Through their listening service, the centre offers one-onone consultations in private with a peer supporter, who might refer the student to professional mental health services if needed. Since the peer supporters work closely with Student Services, they are able to pair students and therapists effectively. Their listening service acts as an accessible entrance into mental health therapy, with support from students to students – but you can also just come in to chat. BUnited also hosts community centre events to fight loneliness. On Wellness Wednesdays, students are invited to come grab lunch and socialize, and on Community Thursdays, fun activities are organized to bring people together. Some events that the centre has hosted recently include naloxone training, plant pot painting, succulent planting, and movie screenings. “The centre was founded on the idea of ending loneliness on campus because there is a lot of isolation, especially with the pandemic,” says Peer Supporter Amy Godward. “We’re a place where people can come and find other people in the same situation. That’s one of the best things
about it; when people make friends, it just fills my heart with joy.” BUnited is also hosting the Community Cupboard, which is a food bank for people who struggle financially. The Community Cupboard offers nonperishable food items, but also fresh fruit through a donation of the Green Levy Fund, school supplies, winter clothes, reusable bags, Diva Cups, and much more. A hydroponic garden will also soon join the cupboard as a result of a Green Levy project led by students Karina Kramer and Gemma Camara. The Community Cupboard is accessible to all students who are struggling financially, and it is possible to use this service anonymously through an online platform. Peer Supporter Amy Godward has noticed an increase in student participation since the start of the pandemic, both at the BUnited centre and at Student Services. In the future, Godward hopes that the BUnited peer support centre will expand in size and in services available. “I would really like to see the Peer Support Centre have more Peer Supporters to increase opening hours and have more space so that the Community Cupboard could grow.” With regard to mental health services on campus, Godward thinks the overlap between academics and mental health could be improved, stating, “In academics, there could be more accommodations made for mental illness and more effort made to help people understand what accommodations are available and who can qualify.” However, Godward thinks the most important addition to mental health services on campus would be specialist counselling: “We are not protecting our students if we’re not offering mental health resources for students in minority communities. We need to have
More elections Anne-Frédérique Naud- Contributor
Photo courtesy of Emily Crunican
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Photo courtesy of Emily Crunican diversification.” Other mental health services available to students include Student Services, who offer professional counselling and career counselling services, and EmpowerMe, which is a 24/7 hotline for mental health emergencies and counselling services on the phone. Godward wishes students in need would reach out and use these services more, saying, “We know what is best for us; we are living it.” Life can be hard: if you’re struggling, there are people to help you.
ollowing the Canadian federal elections, our political participation is further solicited with the upcoming municipal elections on Nov. 7. The municipal level is the closest political decision-making authority to the public in Canada and is regulated by a municipal council. In terms of responsibility, the municipal level is involved in development and town planning, housing, roads, community and cultural development, urban public sector and wastewater treatment, and more. For the past five municipal elections, the voting turnout has been steady in the province of Quebec, being 44 per cent in all of the cases except in 2013 when the turnout was 47 per cent.
have been reluctant to express the same conclusions. In some municipalities, the budget is such that the mayor can only have a part-time salary which highly reduces the number of citizens who are able to live off such an amount to support their expenses. Members already known by their citizens, such as the previously elected mayor, have often been re-elected due to their proximity with the public which discourages other candidates from running in some cases. Moreover, due to the lack of political parties, and hence of clear values and ideas, the municipal level tends to favour the previously elected mayor since ideas and platforms of opponents are sometimes harder to obtain.
Rarely opposed
Sherbrooke
Even if municipalities play a major role in the life of its citizens, candidates have been less enthusiastic to run in the municipal elections than at the provincial and federal levels. This lack of candidates has resulted in multiple mayors being unopposed for years. Indeed, in Quebec alone, 109 municipalities have not had an election campaign for the mayor’s position since 2005. From that number, 26 municipalities have had the same mayor for these sixteen years. While a number of mayors have seen that as a positive phenomenon, concluding that citizens must be pleased with their mandate, experts
Sherbrooke is divided into fourteen electoral districts and two borough districts. On Nov. 7, a mayor, as well as fourteen council members and two borough council members, will therefore be elected. The current mayor of Sherbrooke, Steve Lussier, is running for a second term and campaigns alongside Patrick Tétreault, who also ran in the 2017 elections, Évelyne Beaudin, affiliated with Sherbrooke Citoyen, and Luc Fortin, former federal minister of culture and communications. Citizens should have received all relevant information by mail in order to vote in the upcoming elections.
FEATURES
SINCE 1944
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Manu Bissonnette, Features Editor » thecampus.features@gmail.com
Tierra Del Fuego belongs to you as well Audrey Jubinville - Contributor
T
ierra del Fuego is a grassroots experiential learning project; a volunteer-driven, non-funded initiative of students and local members of the community. This is an ongoing experiential learning project exploring socio-ecological alternatives, reciprocal relationships, and food security. The aim is to unite people on shared interests and acknowledge and address differences as they arise. Put more simply, Tierra del Fuego is a collection of environmentally oriented people who want to give the community a place to create and meet. The hope is to foster projects and create opportunities where anyone can come and meet new people. Since 2008, Tierra del Fuego gave themselves a mission to be much more than a house occupied by tenants. This alternative, self-run project has provided a much-needed space for experimentation and exploration for people of diverse backgrounds and held its own as a pivotal piece of the Estrie landscape. Whether you are a student or professor, working or retired, scientist or philosopher, or simply motivated to commit some time to your community, Tierra del
Fuego might be the space to bring your ideas to life and allow others to participate and benefit. When it comes to providing a space for an event, Tierra del Fuego has you covered. Communityoriented initiatives such as a public library, accessible study room, and a porch and garden area are available to those who wish to share their knowledge, as long as it pertains to the well-being of the collective from a sociological, ecological, and psychological standpoint. That being said, remember that Tierra del Fuego is neither an official organization nor an enterprise, so the space is provided free of charge. Tierra del Fuego believes that opening space allows people to do the same for themselves, which tends to even things out. Our yearly Rock 4 Roots Festival to inaugurate spring speaks for itself when it comes to people coming together for the sole purpose of bringing life to our lovely space. If any or all of this has sparked your curiosity and you have some ideas to share, contact information is provided at the end of this article! If the energy itself has you intrigued, potlucks are hosted Sunday evenings on a biweekly basis during which you can bring a dish
Photo courtesy of Audrey Jubinville or provide a voluntary contribution to share a meal with like-minded individuals. Come and have a look! Here is how you can reach Tierra Del Fuego: 19 rue Church, Lennoxville, Sherbrooke tierradelfuegolennoxville.weebly.com/ tierradelfuego.lennoxville@gmail.com facebook.com/tierradelfuego.lennoxville/
Outside of the Bishop’s classroom Connor Kay- Staff Writer
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o some of us, being a student at Bishop’s University means waking up and putting on a purple hoodie from Doolittle’s Co-op, or the endless search for parking only to settle miles away behind the SportsPlex. To some of us, it means grinding through hundreds of pages of class readings so you can meet your friends out on a Thursday night to visit The Gait, the Golden Lion Pub, Reed Street, or Little Forks. Whichever of these places you may settle for, they will always belong to the fabulous Lennoxvegas. Off-campus extracurricular activities on a Thursday may be what draws people to the nightly untamed atmosphere, but the student-organized clubs are what ground us all to the place some consider home. Between the powder-filled slopes with the Snow Club, the hikes steeper than the arches with the Outdoors Club, stunning shots from the Photography Club, and a sting from an odd yellow jacket with Bishop’s Bees, clubs are where students find belonging outside of the classroom. Outside the classroom is also where the campus life thrives best, thanks to the hard-working grounds workers. There certainly is no greener grass to be found after taking a walk across campus, especially during the first week of fall, also known as O-Week. There is never another time when the campus is so filled with life as first years explore and discover the 550 charming acres Bishop’s University has to offer. After the dust settles from O-Week, the newfound students buckle down to classes, being with Dr. Patrick McBrine of the English department, Fannie Gaudette of the music department, or the iconic Stonebanks duo of the education department. No matter what class, Bishop’s University’s staff, led by Principal and Vice-Chancellor Goldbloom, truly will not disappoint. In fact, anything that touches College Street not only belongs to the town of Lennoxvegas, but also belongs to the students of Bishop’s and is almost considered an extension of the campus. That is what it means to be a student at Bishop’s University.
Photo courtesy of Emily Crunican
“What makes BU and Lennoxvegas life so fun is that it’s a small community, so the people you see in class are the people you can party with. It creates a really nice contrast to the BU lifestyle.”
– Ryan Massicotte, second-year Education student.
“I’m a die-hard purple bleeding
Gaiter and that’ll never change, even when I graduate.”
– Anonymous
“Being a Bishop’s student to me means taking advantage of the small community that Bishop’s has and trying things that are outside your field of study or outside your comfort zone, because we have that opportunity.”
– Anne Laberge, second-year Environmental Studies student.
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ARTS & CULTURE
Long-time Bishop’s presence publishes poetry book
Book cover courtesy of Carole Martignacco
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etired Unitarian Universalist minister Carole Martignacco, who lived in the Eastern Townships for over a decade, has just launched her poetry collection book, A Bowl of Orange Suns. Carole was an active member in the Bishop’s community, having helped launch religious student gatherings, hosted weekly free suppers, provided spiritual counselling, and served as a guest speaker to religion classes taught at Bishop’s. Carole was also a part of the BULLA senior learning academic program in which she offered support to local writers. With many more campus initiatives to mention, Carole made sure to share her gratitude for the community, identifying the presence of an academic institution of quality as a huge gift to her during her residency in the Eastern Townships. Martignacco lived in the small lakeside village of North Hatley where she served as pastor of the local Unitarian Universalist church. She moved with her husband David to the coastal village of St. Andrews, New Brunswick three years ago. Having written poetry her entire life, A
Quinn Ruby, Arts & Culture Editor » thecampus.ac@gmail.com
Hope in the dark Safia Hadid - Opinions Editor Shadow wings beating, a thundering roar Heralds the storm, the lightning, the dark The Covenant is broken, it is clear to see; For a curse now descends onto the land,
Caitlyn Gerrish - Contibutor
Caption:
THE CAMPUS OCTOBER 26 2021
Bowl of Orange Suns is the amalgamation of a lifetime’s worth of work. The push to finally publish came from Angela Leuck, owner of Shoreline Press, the sole English language publication press in the area. “When Angela Leuck came to the Townships, she kept nagging me in a very encouraging way to publish my poems. Then when she bought Shoreline Press, she said, ‘OK, now it’s time - it’s serious!’” The book heavily features the motif of the colour orange and is used to describe the “lifelong, active spiritual quest” Martignacco has embarked on throughout her life. As Derek Webster, author of Mockingbird describes it, the poems feature elements from “childhood memories to humorous observations and quiet prayers.” While the poems feature quite personal aspects of Carole’s life, the poet is nonetheless looking forward to having people discover these parts of her. “I’m excited to get these poems out. Releasing them into the world is almost like sharing the high points of my life.” The launch took place on a beautiful fall afternoon two Saturdays ago on Oct. 9th. Before a cozy audience of former parishioners, friends, and poetry lovers, she read selections from the book. The poems ranged from observations of the every day to philosophical and spiritual issues. The poems that received the most enthusiastic response, though, were those with a decidedly humorous bent. The reading was followed by a table spread with mouthwatering orangeinspired treats, including Sicilian orange cake, chocolate-orange zucchini cake, orange squares, orange-filled cream puffs and orange chocolates provided by retired pastor Mead Baldwin.
“What do we do?” the people cry out “How shall we survive?” they lament in tandem The skies darken and the earth cracks; For a curse now descends upon the land,
There are monsters in the sky A thousand claws and wings and vicious teeth Blood will run in the streets before long; For a curse is now encircling the land,
A thousand years have passed, a thousand more will come The people are hard and broken and survivors Yet they still live and make merry and celebrate the year; For while a curse still clutches the land, there is always hope and light to be found.
from Brad’s Gourmet 127 Queen St, Sherbrooke, Quebec J1M 1J7
ARTS & CULTURE
SINCE 1944
Album cover courtesy of Amy Rutherford
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Quinn Ruby, Arts & Culture Editor » thecampus.ac@gmail.com
Bishop’s student releases song on major streaming platforms
Leea Rebeca Ruta - Graphics Editor
Casey Herbert - Contributor
Cover design courtesy of Amy Rutherford
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he night of Thursday, Sept. 23, while many students were kicking off their Homecoming celebrations, a small group of students was celebrating for an entirely different reason. Bishop’s student Amy Rutherford, known professionally as Amy Ruth, was awaiting the midnight launch of her new song, “I get it (I guess),” on all major streaming platforms. The song is the musician’s second release since starting at Bishop’s. For the past three months, Rutherford has been carefully composing, recording, and preparing her song. She spent a large part of the summer working on her music during breaks from her fulltime work schedule. The songwriter usually begins by writing on guitar, completing the song fully before recording the drums, guitars, synths, and vocals and adding the production effects. “I like to use a mix of real and virtual instruments, but I think they blend smoothly. […] It’s a process that can take quite a long time,” Rutherford notes.
With these obstacles, it could have been easy for Rutherford to let her music slip, but she persevered. She says: “I really had to force myself to sit down and just do it— and it finally got done!” After months of work, the song was finally ready to be released. Using a distributor called Distrokid, Rutherford was able to drop her music on Spotify, Apple Music, iTunes, YouTube, and Google Play while keeping all royalties for her song. When asked what excited her most about putting out new music, the artist answered: “I love when people I haven’t talked to in a while hear my music and reach out. It reminds me that I still have support and love from people who might not be close to me anymore. It’s a good feeling.” Her experience as a music student was an added benefit to her in this endeavour. She says, “I’ve had a couple of recording classes in my program which helped me understand ProTools, and it really helped with editing and musing my music.” Not only did she gain technical skills to help her put together a song, she also found a network of other performers to support her in her musical endeavours. “I’ve met some great musicians who have offered to help me with any live scenarios and great friends who have supported me throughout the whole process,” Rutherford adds. The song is “a mix of indie rock and pop,” according to the artist, and is “very chill and easy to listen to.” If you’re looking for a new tune to play while studying, dancing around your bedroom, or walking to class, then look no further than Rutherford’s “I get it (I guess).”
THE CAMPUS STAFF 2021-2022 EDITOR-IN-CHIEF
NEWS EDITOR Sarah Halberstadt
ECONOMICS AND BUSINESS EDITOR Elizabeth Beaumont
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OPINIONS EDITOR
GRAPHICS EDITOR
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Cassie MacDonell Rhiannon Day
Safia Hafid
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Leo Webster
Manu Bissonnette
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Leea Rebeca Ruta
SOCIAL MEDIA COORDINATOR Mackenzie Holmes
BUSINESS MANAGER
SPORTS EDITOR
PHOTOGRAPHER
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Justin Brant
LAYOUT EDITOR Gabrielle Liu
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David Rossiter
Emily Crunican
ARTS AND CULTURE EDITOR
ASSOCIATE EDITOR
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Quinn Ruby
Grace McArthur
Photos courtesy of Emily Crunican
STAFF WRITER Connor Kay
This issue’s contributors: Emilia Malpica-Iruegas Jeremy Audet Anne-Frédérique Naud Audrey Jubinville Caitlyn Gerrish Casey Herbert
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ECONOMICS & BUSINESS
THE CAMPUS OCTOBER 26 2021
Elizabeth Beaumont, Business and Economics Editor » thecampus.news@gmail.com
Should I get a master’s degree or start working right away? Nathaniele Pelletier - Contributor
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his is the time of year when most graduating students are pondering if they should pursue a master’s degree. For many, this is a difficult decision to make, since they are getting mixed messages from society regarding the benefits of pursuing graduate studies, while also being uncertain about their motivation and skills to pursue such an objective. In fact, the advantages of pursuing a master’s degree will greatly depend on your true motivation to undertake such a project, the skills and knowledge you are hoping to acquire in the next few years, as well as the requirements of the professions that interest you. In this article, we have identified a series of questions that we hope will help you determine if you should pursue graduate studies.
For example, you can work in accounting with a bachelor’s degree in business. However, more and more employers are looking for candidates that have their chartered accountant designation (CPA). To obtain this designation, you can either do a recognized master’s degree or attend the preparatory courses offered by the professional order and then pass the final exam. There are different ways you can identify the requirements of the professions that interest you. The easiest way to gather this information is to look at different job postings for the same position. Do they all require a specific graduate degree? Next, we encourage you to connect with professionals who are in the positions that
interest you. LinkedIn and Ten Thousand Coffees are great applications you can use to identify and connect with these professionals. They can provide you with the latest information regarding the requirements for the position. Discover your academic options Universities are constantly creating new graduate programs to adapt to students’ needs and the ever-changing world of work. Therefore, we encourage you to take the time to explore the different graduate programs that exist in your field of interest. You will discover that some programs or universities are more research oriented, while others are focusing more on experiential learning opportunities.
You will also discover that there are lots of graduate certificates that can provide the skills and knowledge you want to acquire in a shorter amount of time. The Grad Day event, happening on Nov. 11, is an interesting opportunity for you to start gathering information on the different graduate programs that could interest you. Reflecting on your true motivation to pursue graduate studies and gathering information on the work requirements for the positions that interest you should help you determine if you want or need to pursue a master’s degree and when it would be most relevant for you to do so.
Know yourself Do you have an interest in research? Are you looking to acquire more knowledge on a specific topic of interest, or would you rather consolidate the knowledge you have already acquired and focus on gaining relevant work experience? Are you motivated by the possibility of doing more schooling or do you feel that an advanced degree is something you should or must do to increase your chances of landing an interesting position? Define your career objectives Do you have a good idea of the different positions that interest you? What kind of knowledge or skills are required in these professions? Can they be acquired with experience or a short, specific training? Is it a profession that is regulated by a professional order that requires all its members to have a specific graduate degree?
LAND ACKNOWLEDGMENT
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e 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