SINCE 1944
VOLUME 77 ISSUE 8
February 15 2022
CARVING
The future of sustainability 3 looks bright after $1.8M investment in SAFS program
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Student run since 1944
Munster stories: 11:15 Emilia Malpica-Iruegas
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Renée Rosteius
Why we need to care about our clothing now
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Bishop’s students ski the East once again
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Rhiannon MacEwen
Grace McArthur
My first-year experience as a Black student at Bishop’s
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Léontyne Haché
Bishop’s Arches: Bridging 12 the gap between Bishop’s students and its microbrewery Adam Metcalfe Hurst
Layout design by Gabrielle Liu & Cassie MacDonell
Photo courtesy of Grace McArthur
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NEWS
THE CAMPUS FEBRUARY 15 2022
Sarah Halberstadt, News Editor » thecampus.news@gmail.com
Process begins for SRC executive elections Rihannon Day - Senior Copyeditor
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ominations opened for the Bishop’s University Students’ Representative Council (SRC) executive elections on Tuesday, beginning the elections process for the positions of President, Vice President Academic, Vice President of Student Life, and Vice President External for the term of May 1, 2022 – April 30, 2023. Elections Process
The opening of nominations officially kicks off the race for the executive SRC positions. According to busrc.com/vote the elections process will begin with the start of campaigning on Monday, Feb. 14, which will continue until the end of voting. Students will be able to pose questions to candidates at the Executive Candidates’ Debate Night on Wednesday, Feb. 16. The voting period will begin Monday, Feb. 21 at 12:01 a.m. and will close Tuesday, Feb. 22 at 11:59 p.m. This gives students a 48-hour voting window to cast their ballots at busrc. simplyvoting.com using their BU ID. Students will receive an email with a link to this online voting platform, or can choose to go directly to the voting site. Students will then be able to select their candidates for the SRC executive positions; BU SRC Secretary General Karen Dymond encourages all students to “find out who your candidates are and vote.” For those who are running, she mentions that “the experience that they gain here is definitely applicable to anything else they’re going
to take on in life and in their career, it’s a great learning opportunity.” President
The SRC President is, as Dymond explains, the main representation of the student body. They manage the six departments of the SRC, the academic, student life, events, finance, external affairs, and the communications and marketing areas. The president also sits on the Board of Governors of Bishop’s in order to represent the student body, and chairs the Board of Student Representatives. “You guide the overall vision,” current SRC President Enzo Evangelisti explains, “you collaborate with different departments, make people work together, collaborate with different voices, and ultimately try to represent students’ interests and do what’s best for the community.” Evangelisti advises all who plan to run to “view it as a learning opportunity” as well as to “really try to connect with students, run with what students want to see happen.” Vice President of Academic Affairs (VPAA)
The Vice President of Academic Affairs (VPAA) oversees the department of academics for the SRC. According to busrc.com/vote, this department includes six student senators, and the Student Success Centre (SSC) which is comprised of a manager and peer academic mentors (PAMs). The VPAA is also involved on several different boards and organizations, namely the BU Senate
as well as committees. The VPAA also sits on the Admissions Policy and Academic Standing Committee, as well as the Senate Planning Committee, and has the ability to sit themselves or another representative to other integral Senate committees. Essentially, the VPAA oversees all involvement of the SRC on the academic side of student life. Vice President of Student Life (VPSL)
The Vice President of Student Life (VPSL) is involved in the issues students face in the aspects of student life. According to Dymond, the VPSL advocates for students through working in close collaboration with elected representatives, and through its position as a voting member on several integral committees, namely the Gaiter Grants Committee and the Residence Student Life Committee. The VPSL is responsible
Photo courtesy of Emily Crunican for liaising with the SRC and student services, to further align both groups with the interests of students. The VPSL also oversees the BUnited Peer Support Centre, and extracurricular groups. Essentially, the VPSL is responsible for overseeing the aspects of student life that do not involve academics. Vice President of External Affairs (VPEA)
The Vice President of External Affairs (VPEA) is responsible for representing students and the SRC to external organizations, including, as Dymond mentions, “The Union étudiante du Québec, the Borough of Lennoxville, Table Associative Estrienne (TASSE), and the Maple League of Universities.” The VPEA is tasked with advocating for students in any external organizations that affect policies related to universities and their respective students.
Champlain student organizes Suicide Prevention and Awareness Walk Sarah Halberstadt - News Editor
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round 30 Champlain students, teachers, and community members gathered at Optimist Field at 1 p.m. on Feb. 5 to begin a walk for Suicide Prevention and Awareness. The walk, organized by second-year Champlain student Jessie Sutherland, was planned only two weeks in advance, yet the event gathered a lot of support from community members. “Even people that didn’t go to the walk have been emailing me or texting me off Facebook Messenger, anything just saying ‘what a great thing you’re doing providing support’ which is nice to see,” said Sutherland. The walk came at the end of Quebec’s 32nd Suicide Prevention Week and aimed to help address the taboo of the subject, as well as point to available resources in the local area for those suffering from suicidal ideations. Before beginning the walk, Sutherland pointed to the importance of supporting or being aware of suicide prevention measures, especially during the pandemic. “In 2019, 1,128 people had
committed suicide in Quebec,” Sutherland read, but since the global pandemic, the number of deaths by suicide per year has been vastly underestimated. This deficit, Sutherland explains, is due to the Quebec government considering many of these cases to be COVID-19 related, documenting them as a result of the pandemic instead of suicide. An additional stress for those struggling with mental illness and suicidal ideations, Sutherland informed the crowd, is the decrease in the use of mental health services since the start of the pandemic, which has been particularly harsh for those with depression. Many surveys conducted since COVID-19’s impact on public health indicate an increase in levels of anxiety and depression among adults in the United States and Canada. “We have to stand up and support one another. We need to be mindful of our words and actions towards others. Most importantly, we need to show kindness because we have no idea what is going through inside,” said Sutherland.
Following Sutherland’s speech, Emily McBurney, outreach coordinator of Mental Health Estrie (MHE) and special care counselor, was invited to inform the audience of the resources available in the Estrie region. MHE is an organization in the townships that aims to provide relevant information on mental health and mental illness, host workshops and presentations, and offer support groups for those who have a mental illness or people who support someone with a mental illness. “We’re a pretty small little group, we’re only three employees, but we do the best that we can to represent our community, to advocate for our English speakers in the area, and to show our support when we can,” said McBurney. Though MHE is not a crisis centre, they can refer individuals to 24-hour helplines such as Crisis Service Canada or 1-800-APPELLE. Individuals can also seek help for themselves or a loved one at the local level by dialing 811 and selecting option two to speak with a social worker in the area. The last helpline McBurney
Photo courtesy of Emily Crunican mentioned is the Hope for Wellness line, which not only has English and French services, but can also offer support in Cree, Ojibway, or Inuktitut upon request. The walk went through the streets of Lennoxville, passing by Bekkah’s Bakery, Saint-Antoine School, and came down on rue College after marching through some of the more residential areas. Though windy with temperatures that went down to -13°C, the walk ended in Optimist Field with complimentary hot chocolate, coffee, and donuts offered as well as a table of brochures aided by MHE.
NEWS
SINCE 1944
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Sarah Halberstadt, News Editor » thecampus.news@gmail.com
The future of sustainability looks bright after $1.8M investment in SAFS program Renée Rosteius - Contributor
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n Dec. 16, 2021, Danielle McCann, the minister of higher education, announced a $1.8 million investment towards the up-andcoming sustainable agriculture and food systems program (SAFS) at Bishop’s. The investment will be divided into grants of $600,000 over three years. In a news release concerning the announcement, McCann stated: “Our universities have a role to play not only in training future workers, but also regarding research and innovation. The development of expertise in sustainable agriculture and food systems of biological agriculture is important for our economy and that’s why I’m glad for the support offered to Bishop’s. I’m confident the university’s expertise will allow for the development of this promising agricultural segment in developing knowledge that can benefit the entire population of Québec.” This news of the Québec Government’s grant is indicative of an increased social awareness surrounding the urgency of climate change. Knowledgeable and experienced faculty, as well as passionate students, have already been significant contributors to the growth of the SAFS program. Such an investment will only accelerate the development of this program and the expansion of environmentally-related knowledge into the community. “As individuals and institutions, we must act to address the climate crisis. The SAFS program is an important initiative to help us respond locally to this global
challenge,” said Michael Goldbloom, C.M., principal and vice-chancellor of Bishop’s University, in response to the grants. The $1.8 million investment is one of many events that has been drawing focus to the SAFS program in recent months; on Feb. 7, Bishop’s 2020-2024 Sustainable Development plan was officially unveiled to the Bishop’s community. The plan’s announcement falls during Bishop’s Eco Week, which involves a series of environmental or sustainably focused events and workshops hosted by the Environmental Club. Eco Week intends to increase student knowledge and participation in sustainable activities and draw attention to the importance of environmental stewardship at Bishop’s. The newly presented Sustainable Development plan is centred around achieving four main goals: operating Bishop’s University in an ecologically and socially responsible manner, engaging the Bishop’s community in improving its sustainable performance, enhancing knowledge about sustainable development through academic programs and research, and promoting the wellbeing of the community through sustainable development initiatives. Notably, the plan states that Bishop’s University aims to become carbon neutral by 2030 at the latest. Overall, the goals are ambitious, but significant actions like these are necessary to ensure that the University does its part to mitigate its environmental impact in the face of the climate crisis.
The unveiling of this plan also came with the release of a brand new Sustainable Development website; both the plan and the website are accessible via the Bishop’s University website. In recent years, the increased student interest in sustainability has become apparent. As of this academic year, the SAFS program became available to students as a major, which was previously offered only as a minor or certificate. Adding a SAFS major opens the door to more students interested
Photo courtesy of Karina Kramer in pursuing studies in environmental domains and allows for the community of positive change-makers at Bishop’s to further expand. The Students’ Representative Council (SRC) also reinforces the importance of eco-responsibility at the university. In a news release, Ariane Horrall, environmental sustainability representative for the SRC, said, “The SRC is committed to supporting this plan in every way possible, as many students at Bishop’s are passionate about sustainability.”
fundraiser, however, citing violated terms of service after $1 million had been used. GoFundMe has returned the rest of the funds to their original donors. In response to GoFundMe shutting down their donation page, the Freedom Convoy organization has begun collecting funds through GiveSendGo, cited as the “#1 free Christian crowdfunding site.” Active Freedom Convoy protester Jesse Blais, who attended the protest on Jan. 29 and 30, says: “People should know that the Freedom Convoy and truckers are not anti-vax. They are antigovernment mandates and simply believe that people should have a choice and not face discrimination for it.” Due to the protest, many Ottawa businesses have been closed, traffic has been clogged, and residents have complained about the noise pollution stemming from the honks of vehicles.
Ottawa Mayor Jim Watson declared a state of emergency on Sunday, stating the decision reflects the “serious danger and threat to the safety and security of residents.” After the protest’s peak in Ottawa, Alberta’s government announced plans to lift all public health restrictions by the end of the first quarter of 2022. Saskatchewan has followed suit as Premier Scott Moe announced the drop of vaccine passports on Feb. 14 and plans to lift mask mandates by the end of the month. On the eastern side of Canada, Quebec Premier Francois Legault has also recently spoken out, claiming, “We need to learn to live with the virus,” when announcing the reopening plan for Quebec. Legault also confirmed in the same press conference that the mask mandates and vaccine passports will remain in place until further notice.
The Freedom Convoy protest has also gained attention from mainstream media in reaction to some protestors flying Confederate and Nazi flags in the mass of Canadian flags at Parliament Hill. When asked about the racist hate symbols at the protest, Jesse Blais says, “There was one Nazi flag for the entire group of people who were there, which shouldn’t reflect the majority who asked the one person with the hateful flag to leave.” The Freedom Convoy has sparked debate among many on the topic of restrictions and vaccine mandates, making it controversial not only in Canada but also around the world. The Freedom Convoy now adds Canada to the growing list of countries with protests against COVID-19 mandates, including protests in New Zealand, Australia, Argentina, Austria, Belgium, the Czech Republic, and Italy.
“Freedom Convoy” remains in Ottawa for the time being Connor Kay - Staff Writer
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nationwide protest has gathered outside Ottawa’s Parliament Hill, first sparked by a mandate that requires unvaccinated Canadian cross-border truckers to quarantine after travelling across the border. Now, the protest has grown from protesting this specific mandate to putting a stop to all of the government’s COVID-19 restrictions. Although the exact number of protesters is unknown, roads are blocked, and the streets have become packed since Jan. 28, with protesters supporting what is known as the “Freedom Convoy.” The Freedom Convoy organization accumulated millions in donations from those who support the cause. The donations were to be used to reimburse participating truckers for fuel, food, and shelter, while the leftover donations were meant for the veteran’s association. GoFundMe has since shut down the
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OPINIONS
THE CAMPUS FEBRUARY 15 2022
Safia Hafid, Opinions Editor » thecampus.opinions@gmail.com
The Olympics Safia Hafid- Opinions Editor
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ow that the 2022 Winter Olympics are well underway, I suppose one must talk about them. The good, the bad, the ugly. Of course, the Olympic Games have always been political and controversial – one can think of myriad boycotts, protests, bans, etc. Held in Beijing, China this year, the Games began on Feb. 2 and will end on Feb. 20. Because of their location, the controversy surrounding the Olympics has been at a fever pitch, with a diplomatic boycott by several western countries such as the US, Canada, and the UK, as well as other countries such as India. The concern is specifically over China’s persecution of the Uyghur Muslims, alongside other human rights abuses and current political tensions. Athletes, however, are still allowed to go to Beijing and compete for their once-in-a-four-year chance to win a coveted Olympic medal. Personally, I like watching the Olympics, with the winter ones being my favourite. I love watching figure skating and snowboarding in particular, cheering on Canada from wherever I may be at the time. I like buying into this idea of sport as a way of bringing people and nations together, such as in the 2018 PyeongChang Winter Games where North and South Korea were friendly with each other for at least a little while. I also think that athletes can inspire and even promote change, and the Olympics happen to be the most prominent and prestigious
venue for many athletes and sports. There is simply something different about the Olympics, where countries from all over the world converge, where the host nation shows off their history and culture, where we continue a longstanding tradition of celebrating athletic excellence, sportsmanship, friendship, and connection. Yet even regardless of who gets to host the Olympics, there have always been issues. The cost of building arenas that are then never used again; the act of making the host city/area “presentable” – which essentially means tearing down homes and pushing away the homeless, as we saw with the 2016 Rio Summer Olympics; the fact that poorer countries who have to build stadiums and arenas from scratch are at a higher disadvantage; how the Olympics has often been used to promote this sense of legitimacy on the international stage regardless of the country’s current regime (think Nazi Germany hosting the Games). There is also the issue of politics; the International Olympic Committee (IOC) seems very keen on “keeping politics out of the Games,” preventing athletes from discussing political affiliations or flying banners in support of causes. Currently, if an athlete voices any political statement on the podium, they will be expelled from the Games. Yet while sport is often touted as neutral ground, a way of bridging the gap and bringing people together, everything is political – including sports, and especially the Olympics. Who gets
The Olympic Flag. Photo courtesy of Scazon via Flickr, licensed under (CC BY 2.0) Link to license: https://bit.ly/3rH97K8 In a way, I am glad the Olympics to compete, and how they are treated by the commentators and the host country; in general have not been cancelled or who gets to host; who is allowed to rendered more obsolete than it already voice political opinions, and who is not. is, because it is still such an important Often, simply existing and competing is event for athletes. In terms of standings, “political,” especially if the Games are prestige, sponsorship, and lifetime held in a country that deems your race achievement, the Olympic Games are or gender or sexual orientation lesser or key. One cannot talk about changing or removing them without talking about the illegal. Then, of course, the pandemic impact it will have on athletes. I do not has utterly made a hash of an already know the best solution to the Olympics, rough process. The 2020 Tokyo Summer whether regarding its very mechanisms, Games were pushed back to 2021, or the issues of host countries and and there was almost no audience that diplomatic boycotts. I do know that I am would have allowed Japan to recoup the happy the athletes who have gotten to the costs of the Olympic arenas. Athletes Olympics are there. I hope that they are have been prevented from going to this able to stay safe, healthy, and feel proud current Games because they contracted of their performance. Perhaps there will be some kind COVID-19, or have had to jump through innumerable hoops simply to get there of solution to the Olympic Games in our (like figure skater Keegan Messing). lifetimes, though I am not an expert on the There is almost no audience this time situation at all. At the moment, however, around too, which is safer but robs the regardless of my opinion, the Games are Olympics of part of its magic – that of still ongoing, and the 2022 Winter Olympic thunderous crowds cheering on their Games are being held in the middle of a pandemic and a diplomatic boycott. country’s representatives.
The Freedom Convoy: the right to protest and white supremacy Liz Beaumont - Economics & Business Editor
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e have all heard of the Freedom Convoy these past few weeks. It has been one of the central news stories on a variety of social media platforms, television networks, and even on campus. Central around Canadian truck drivers, the Freedom Convoy was organized to challenge the current coronavirus-related restrictions in Canada and to showcase their beliefs about easing these restrictions. Canadian truck drivers planned to all meet in Ottawa in the name of freedom. By meeting in Ottawa, the protestors hoped to attract Parliament’s attention to their cause and furthermore take action. As a political science student, one of the first and foremost concepts we acknowledge is the importance of freedom of expression, a foundational element of a successful democracy. Different opinions from all ends of the political spectrum assist a nation in successfully establishing a political system that is for the people and possesses global legitimacy. When specific opinions
or political demonstrations are publicly disrespected, typically the end result is not exactly peace or coexistence. With this in mind, I genuinely tried to find the silver lining behind this protest. Although I understand and support the reasoning for coronavirus-related restrictions in the provinces and want to protect our healthcare systems as much as possible, I tried to educate myself on what these truckers were fighting for. Out of political respect, I tried to understand their cause. Truck drivers have been a driving force behind the continuation of our supply chain and have been working to keep Canadian store shelves full since and before March 2020. However, this thought process of mine occurred before the protest formally took to the streets of Ottawa. Once the protestors arrived in Ottawa, I personally believe that the ideology shifted as the protest grew in size and popularity. Non-truck drivers began to participate and the Canadian Trucking Alliance reported that “a large number of
protestors had no connection to trucking.” As the protest grew in size and popularity, this presented the grounds for radical right-wings to utilize this protest to exert their own personal agendas. As the protest grew, so did the different ideologies associated with the protest. The streets of Ottawa saw the radical shift of the protest with their own eyes. Confederate flags, Nazi flags, and Don’t Tread on Me flags soon took over the streets of Ottawa, raising concern from all over the country. This radical shift began to associate the protest itself with the right-wing notions of racism and white supremacy. Knowing that not all of the protestors validate and condone such historically horrific symbols, it should have been clear that the moment these flags took the street, they should have dissociated themselves from it and addressed the changing situation. Holding the city of Ottawa hostage for such a long period of time, alongside the radical right-wing protestors that
took part, will not achieve any objectives whatsoever. By targeting Ottawa, you target the businesses in the areas, students, families, and overall societal safety as the streets are taken over with such radical ideology. Although I initially tried to understand, the moment that this protest took a turn for the worst, it should have been condemned and dismantled. The concept itself of coronavirusrelated restrictions can absolutely be debated; however, these restrictions are made at the provincial level, not the federal level. Targeting Ottawa, the nation’s capital, will not dismantle the different restrictions currently in place in Quebec, or any other province for that matter. Some may describe this as a display of Western alienation, as those involved are primarily from Western Canada. Some have labeled this protest as “un-Canadian.” The act of protesting is important for any active democracy, including Canada, until it presents ideals that have historically resulted in genocide and murder, and continue to still pose danger today.
OPINIONS
SINCE 1944
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Safia Hafid, Opinions Editor » thecampus.opinions@gmail.com
The modern hero: honkin’ Jeremy Audet - Social Media Coordinator
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will get right into it since I do not believe anybody currently needs an introduction on the “Freedom Convoy” currently holding downtown Ottawa and the border town of Coutts, Alta. under siege. It makes sense, when one thinks about it in generalized terms, that the crowd of people whose choice method of arguing boils down to drowning all opposition in loud howls (“FREEDOM!”) would protest by blaring truck horns for days at a time. It is easier to live in an echo-chamber when you suffer from self-inflicted deafness, after all. It is easier to ignore the counterarguments when you just honk your truck horn loudly at them. There are no conversations being had, only the obnoxious shouts of vague, symbolic terms (“FREEDOM!”) that I would dare to suggest none of these protesters really understand. In one recent article, the organizers of the Ottawa convoy insist that there is “no other way to end all COVID-19 public health mandates in Canada.” However, that is not entirely true. It seems to me that the fastest way to end all mandates in Canada would be if the pandemic situation settled by ways of vaccination. But I am no epidemiologist, and neither are the convoy organizers. So, what are the epidemiologists and public health experts saying? Oh, look, they are saying that the way to end all mandates is to get vaccinated. Go figure. I thought the convoy meant to address one particular mandate, the rule stipulating that unvaccinated truckers who enter Canada would have to quarantine for two weeks upon their arrival, like everyone else. Now it has suddenly become all mandates? Wait, now the protest is for the removal of Justin Trudeau, who was elected just last year? It seems to me the convoy does not quite know what they are even here for. But then again, how can they sanely think about their motives in the cacophony that is 200 trucks honking incessantly? In that same article, the organizers claim that while they are empathetic to the Ottawa citizens who are incredibly, and
rightfully so, fed up with this protest, “the responsibility for your inconvenience lies squarely on the shoulders of politicians who have [preferred] to vilify and call us names rather than engage in respectful, serious dialogue.” I am personally not as certain; it seems to me that the ones responsible for blaring their truck horns and disturbing traffic and daily life are the ones blaring their truck horns and disturbing traffic and daily life. Although it would be fair for the prime minister to agree to meet with these protesters, as he should, can we really blame him for not wanting to willingly walk up to a racket of trucks and protesters holding up flags of the confederation and registered terrorist organizations (such as The Three Percenters)? Oh, also, have they forgotten that Trudeau is currently isolating due to COVID-19? That brings me to the next point that startles me perhaps the most in this entire ordeal. It does not take very long before one finds, in photos of the protesters, Nazi flags. Then again, anti-vaccine and anti-mandate protesters are also brandishing comparisons to the persecution of the Jewish people in Europe during WWII. Before anyone says it is only a small minority of these protesters who are white supremacists – if your protest allows white supremacists and racists to express their hateful views in safety, then your protest is, in fact, one that promotes white supremacy. Simultaneously, protesters in the same movement are comparing themselves to the Jews that were massacred, and the very Nazi party who engineered their massacre. It is almost as if – bear with me here – the protesters are so disillusioned in their self-created oppression that they forget that they are the ones imposing this so-called oppression on themselves. The difference between people who are truly oppressed and anti-vaccine protesters is the freedom to choose to leave that state of oppression. A simple jab and voilà, no longer “oppressed.” And before anybody claims that the
oppression stems from mandates, then we are all “oppressed,” and the vast majority of the population is alright with that. The loud and obnoxious minority just want to yell big words to feel like they stood up for something, I guess. But what is it exactly that these righteous truckers are standing up for? Freedom, of course. But the absolute irony in all of this is that probably none of them can truly define freedom, nor understand that freedom is many things, not just personal choice. Freedom is the recognition of necessity, the ability to respect and be respected by the other, the accomplishment of one’s civic and social duties without discomfort, and the liberty of moving freely without fear for one’s safety. Freedom is not so simple a term as to be painted on trucks and yelled loudly in the streets. It would require serious and respectful conversation to decipher – if these protesters were to, one day, actually engage in one of those conversations. Yet in true conservative fashion, these protesters have decided to hide behind loud noises, obnoxious arguments, and
Graphic courtesy of Leea Rebeca Ruta vague but righteous terms that they do not fully understand, but that they believe in nonetheless – because it is simply easier that way. The true shame, and of course I am generalizing again here though I believe it to be a justified generalization, is that many of these protesters would be the first ones to criticize Indigenous communities who wish to defend their unceded land through similar means. And therein lies the pillar of white supremacy that these “Freedom Convoys” base their entire convictions upon – they are so preoccupied with defending their imagined “freedoms,” that they are unable to recognize the very real freedom they benefit from and that allows them to: desecrate a statue of Terry Fox and defecate in snowbanks; block the population of Coutts, Alta. from accessing their pharmacy and grocery store; and protest so obnoxiously that the annual vigil held in memory of the 2017 mosque shooting in Quebec was canceled and held online instead, by fear of the safety of participants. But, hey, it is all in the name of freedom with a lowercase f.
extraction. Yet the bigger issue is with synthetic fibers being made mostly from petroleumbased plastic. These man-made materials account for 60 per cent of our clothes. These fibers break down into microplastics throughout the lifetime of a garment. Even just washing them sends thousands of particles into the sewage system. Microplastics are a crucial issue because they are very difficult to extract from landfills or oceans, causing much harm to surrounding wildlife and ecosystems. Once you have outgrown or decided you do not like the pattern of something anymore, what do you do with your clothes? The most logical step is to take them to a donation site for reselling. However, not all of us think to do that. The artificial expiry dates on clothes does not mean they are not recyclable or
cannot be downcycled. It means that they simply do not belong in your closet anymore. It is at this time in a clothing article’s life that is amongst the most crucial. While at least 95 per cent of attire can be reused or recycled in some way or another, most people do not think twice about throwing away a damaged piece of clothing. All of these factors that contribute to the fashion industry have harmful impacts to the environment. That is why it is important to realize how you are spending your money when purchasing clothes. We will always need clothes, just like we will always need food on our plates, but there are ways to make it more sustainable and ethical; we just have to pay attention. All it takes is a couple minutes of research before purchasing clothing articles to examine the potential consequences of your consumerism.
Why we need to care about our clothing now Rhiannon MacEwen - Contributor
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rom the day we are born and to the day we die, we are wearing clothes. Every single morning we go through the ritual of deciding what to wear for the upcoming day; whether it be a sweatsuit or a ballgown, there is undoubtedly apparel on our backs. Our closets are filled with memories, dents in our bank accounts, and lots of good outfits. However, there are many things you might not know about our closets, including the amount of carbon being emitted. Furthermore, the materials of our garments decay over time, with the synthetic fibers corroding. This results in thousands of microplastics that are an increasingly large problem for our oceans. Despite the number on the price tag, fashion has a seemingly high cost to our environment. There are two important times in your clothing’s life that have an effect on climate change: before you
purchase them, and after you discard them. The fashion industry accounts for as much as 8 per cent of global carbon emissions. To put that in perspective, that is more emissions than all international flights and maritime shipping combined. With these high amounts of greenhouse gas emissions being released from a major global industry that shows no signs of slowing, we must be more aware of our consumption. Before you buy your clothes, most of them are already world travelers. Clothing garments are widely produced in Asia and surrounding countries. It is in these conditions that cheap yet harmful chemicals are fabricated to construct an article of clothing. There are four categories of textiles that go into the production of your clothes: animal, plant, mineral, and synthetic. The first three can be naturally resourced; the only problem with that, however, is mass
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SPORTS
THE CAMPUS FEBRUARY 15 2022
David Rossiter, Sports Editor » thecampus.sports@gmail.com
No NHL players at the Olympics: How will Canada fare? Mark Cripps - Contributor
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o the shock and dismay of many hockey fans, players from the National Hockey League (NHL) will not be competing in the Winter Olympic Games for the second time in a row. The NHL announced that they would not be sending their players to the Beijing 2022 Olympics due to the impact that COVID-19 has had on their season thus far. With the slew of players entering and exiting COVID-19 protocol, the NHL has been forced to postpone numerous games. Typically, the NHL takes a break in its season to allow for players to attend the Olympics, but with the season already delayed, the league decided to use the traditional Olympic break as a chance to play these postponed games. Many are curious as to who Canada will send to Beijing in the absence of their star NHL players. This year’s roster is made up of both veteran NHL hockey players and young prospects, the latter having the goal of eventually making it to the professional leagues. The team’s composition is an interesting mix of both old stars and next-generation talent, banding together to compete on the world stage.
Although household names such as Sidney Crosby and Connor McDavid are missing, the team does have a few notable players that Canada may recognize. The captain of the ship is veteran Eric Staal, who has won both a Stanley Cup in 2006 and an Olympic gold medal in 2010. A notable player from the younger side of the team is recent first overall pick Owen Power. Drafted to the Buffalo Sabres in the 2021 NHL entry draft, Power is currently playing for the University of Michigan, posting 26 points in 24 games so far this season. The defenceman recently represented Canada at the World Juniors event where he recorded three goals and two assists in the two games he played. Canada’s goalie, Devon Levi, is another prospect from the Canadian team, winning gold for Canada at the 2020 World Juniors. Also drafted to the Buffalo Sabres, this goalie will soon be a household name, hopefully having two gold medals around his neck in his young career. Though the NHL is known to be the best hockey league in the world, the talent in the European hockey leagues and their development programs cannot be underestimated. While a majority of the NHL is
composed of Canadian and American players, Russian and European players fill most of the Kontinental Hockey League (KHL), the professional Russian hockey league that is arguably the second-best league behind the NHL. Teams like Russia, Finland, and Sweden will be missing a few of their top players to the NHL’s restrictions, but since much of their secondbest talent competes in these professional European leagues, these countries possess a strong competitive advantage. The rest of the Canadian roster is a talented mix of current American Hockey League Players (the feeder league to the NHL) and KHL players. Though they still compete professionally, these players would not typically be considered for Canada’s second, or even third, best team. This does, however, give these talented Canadians a chance to shine in the spotlight, with many childhood dreams surely being fulfilled for many on the team. Despite the challenges, nobody should count out Team Canada in this tournament. They have the skill, passion, and support of Canadians that will surely help them in their quest to reclaim the gold medal.
A new home Pascale Desmarais - Contributor
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he wait is over. I am a fourth-year, graduating BU student on the women’s hockey team. Throughout my years, there have been a lot of firsts. In my first year, we spent almost every weekend going to the United States to play in the ACHA league, including a trip to Texas for nationals. In my second year, we were in the process of joining the RSEQ, all while continuing to develop as a team. On Jan. 16, 2020, it was announced that we would be joining the RSEQ and be competing at the U SPORTS level. COVID-19 interrupted our debut in U SPORTS, so this season has been filled with firsts. From our first U SPORTS game, to our first win, and then our first win on the road, it has been an exciting journey. With the high amount of COVID-19 cases at the momenet, we are uncertain of when we will have our next game, but on Monday, Feb. 7, we got another first: a renovated dressing room. The room was renovated thanks to our generous ambassadors who have been supporting us throughout the season. Over the winter break, the room was revamped with beautiful wooden stalls and our teams values on the wall, which instills a feeling of home at the rink. Many of my teammates described the reveal moment as a turning point, reminding us why we are here, and motivating us to keep working hard. There’s a sense of prestige and professionalism the room brings to the team, and it makes me so excited to play. When I started at BU, we wore black equipment. When I looked around the room and saw a sea of purple, it made me proud to be a Gaiter.
Photo courtesy of Pascale Desmarais
SPORTS
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David Rossiter, Sports Editor » thecampus.sports@gmail.com
Bishop’s students ski the East once again Grace McArthur - Associate Editor
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s restrictions lift and businesses begin another slow transition towards full reopening, the Eastern Townships’ ski hills continue to provide a frosty get away from the stress of COVID-19. Despite last season’s near-complete lockdown, Mont Orford, Mont Sutton, and Mont Bromont among others remained open to service Bishop’s students and townshippers alike. This season, things have been slightly more optimistic as restaurants can now operate at a 50 per cent capacity and chalets no longer have to limit patrons to 15- or 30-minute stays. One of the more frequented Bishop’s haunts, Mont Orford, has once again offered a stellar unlimited student season pass for $260, which was available until Nov. 30. Having opened officially on Dec. 3 this season, Orford boasted a brand new quad chair on the Alfred-Desrochers peak, a renovated magic carpet and beginner hill, and three new trails for alpine hikers. They had a more complete open on Dec. 10, and conditions have only improved in these last two months. With lessening restrictions, Orford has also been able to reintroduce demo days, for anyone who wants to try out a new set of skis for a couple of runs. Their first event was held on Saturday, Jan. 22, and brands like Atomic, Solomon, and others were available for skiers to try. Finally, as of Jan. 31, the Slalom Pub, le Virage, and the cafeteria are open for dining at 50 per cent capacity. Check out their website for hours of operation, which differ throughout the week. Bromont, the go-to night-skiing mountain just 55 minutes outside of Lennoxville, has also been able to reopen its dining rooms. Boasting 111 trails and 87 lit trails for night-skiing, Bromont is an excellent choice for students working or taking classes during the day. After 3 pm, passes start at $49/adult and $59 from Friday to Sunday. Make sure to dress warmly, as Bromont is a habitually colder spot with frequent gusting winds, which, coupled with the lack of sunlight after dark, make for extremely chilly temperatures. Thankfully, the mountain has chalets at the bottom of nearly every chair lift and they are now open for eating and drinking. One of the furthest hills from Lennoxville, Mount Sutton, seems to be
an underrated spot to really improve your glade skiing. Sutton has consistently ranked number one in Canada for glade skiing according to Ski Canada and the SBC Resort Guide. Forty-five per cent of its skiable terrain consists of glades, and it’s relatively easy to veer off into the trees and run some gnarly lines back down to the lift. Skiers beware, Sutton posts frequently that there’s a hefty $250 fine for any ski patrol rescue “off piste”. It’s also important to note that these trails, often double-diamonds, require a high level of skill to complete, and it is highly recommended to wear a helmet at all times. Sutton is open 9 am to 4 pm on weekdays, and 8:30 am to 4 pm on weekends, with student passes at $57 apiece. BU Snow, Bishop’s on-campus resource for all things skiing and snowboarding, has also made a comeback following strict club restrictions. John Noble, one of the co-leads this year, is really grateful for the renewed opportunity the club has to connect with freshmen and other students who might be interested in trying out the sport. He mentioned that “with all the mountains in the townships, Bishop’s students have some incredible opportunities... Skiing is pretty hard to beat as a winter activity, and BU Snow works to help students enjoy their time on the hill as much as possible.” On BU Snow’s Facebook and Instagram pages, you can find tailgates and carpools, and this year John is hoping the club can host a day-trip for exchange students who may have never had the opportunity to try skiing before. These activities are especially great for new students like Andreas Guilbault, a first-year Education student from Ontario. He met John and other BU Snow members at their Orford tailgate a couple of weeks ago. He later said that “the BU Snow club brings together a bunch of really friendly students who are passionate about skiing and snowboarding at some awesome eastern ski hills. People seem eager to offer car rides and to make sure everyone feels included. This is a great transition for me as a first-year as someone who skied most frequently alone in the Ottawa-Gatineau region at much smaller hills.” If this is something that interests you, make sure to follow the club on Instagram @bu_snow, and we’ll see you on the slopes!
Photo courtesy of Grace McArthur
Graphic courtesy of Leea Rebeca Ruta
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FEATURES
THE CAMPUS FEBRUARY 15 2022
Manu Bissonnette, Features Editor » thecampus.features@gmail.com
Five things to know about Bishop’s Sustainable Development Plan Danielle Storey & Manu Bissonnette – Contributor & Features Editor
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ishop’s University launched its Sustainable Development Plan 2020-2024 on Monday afternoon during a virtual event presided by Principal and Vice-Chancellor Michael Goldbloom. The plan is the university’s first official response to the climate crisis, according to Goldbloom. Here are five things to know about this initiative. Goals The main goal of the Sustainable Development Plan is to act as a framework to include sustainability when making decisions about the management of the university, explains Laurence Williams, Bishop’s Sustainable Development Advisor. “By using a policy, an action plan, we create indicators that make it easier to follow up on the achievement on our goals,” Williams explained. In doing so, Bishop’s University hopes to establish itself as a leader in sustainability among small primarily undergraduate universities in Canada and to reach carbon neutrality by 2030. To achieve its overarching purpose, the plan is structured through four distinct goals: operate Bishop’s University in an ecologically and socially responsible manner, engage the community in improving its sustainable performance, instill curiosity and enhance knowledge about sustainable development through academic programs and research, and promote the well-being of the community through sustainable development initiatives. Each goal is further subdivided into two to five strategies to guide sustainable action. The
Previous initiatives Sustainable Development
Committee conducted a community survey in Nov. 2019 to establish adequate priorities and goals for the plan. They also partnered with the consultancy firm ADDERE, a collaborative enterprise that specializes in the promotion of ecoresponsibility in all types of organizations, to develop the plan’s objectives. The plan follows separate initiatives taken in the past to promote sustainable development. For instance, the university replaced its steam heating and cooling system, which operated on fossil fuels, with a geothermal one in 2008. Other initiatives include the creation of a waste management program and the prohibition of disposable plastic bottles. Guidelines The university is currently conducting a GHG assessment, which is a calculation of the university’s carbon footprint, said Williams. “We are trying to establish what changes we need to make to reduce these emissions as much as possible,” she continued. The plan’s first goal, which is to operate the university in a sustainable manner, includes guidelines regarding some of these changes. This goal includes the reduction of overall waste and car circulation, sustainable decision-making in finance, the support of innovative solutions, and carbon neutrality by 2030. All of these goals are attainable and realistic; proving that the school can take these steps to become more sustainable. These guidelines, along with the entire plan, allow the university to structure data collection to apply to the Sustainability Tracking, Assessment & Rating System (STARS), a sustainability classification system for higher educational institutions.
Munster stories: 11:15
Photo courtesy of BU Environmental Club “We want to make sure that we are going in the right direction,” said Williams. Community engagement The university wants to involve its community in improving its sustainable performance. “I invite the entire Bishop’s community to play a role in our efforts to achieve the important goals set out in this plan”, said Goldbloom in his introductory message. With such ambitious students at Bishop’s University, these plans are more than likely to take place in the very near future. To do so, the university aims to create awareness by developing an online sustainability hub and providing support to the Environmental Club in organizing Eco-Week – a week-long celebration of sustainability that includes free conferences, workshops, discussion forums, and information booths. By collaborating with the organization of this event, the university hopes to make it the
sustainable event of the year. Academic activities and research The plan also aims to enhance knowledge about sustainable development through academic programs and research. The university already offers programs in Environmental Studies, Environmental Science, and Geography, but it is working on adding a program in Sustainable Agriculture and Food Systems (SAFS) to its offer. At the moment, only a minor is offered, but major and honours programs are currently under external revision with the Quebec government, according to the university’s website. The university also intends to support academic activities and research related to sustainability by increasing the use of the campus as a living laboratory. The university launched its Educational Farm in 2020 to offer hands-on experience and promote research in agricultural sustainability.
Emilia Malpica-Iruegas- Contributor
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his semester has been quite calm for the Munster dormitory, with students getting settled in their academic and social routines. However, something almost magical, intangible, has come to disrupt this peaceful 24hour quiet dorm. Ever since Jan. 28, an almost undetectable at first, but important movement has started. In the hallways of block two, every night, the 11:15 hero strikes again. But who is this mysterious character? This notable male has been an apparition of sorts, as no one has ever seen him. However, many witnesses recount his presence. In fact, every night, at 11:15 exactly, he appears in the hallways and in a ghostly voice starts whispering “Munster, Munster, Munster” … This odd, almost imperceptible cheer, eventually turns into one loud bellowing “MUN-STEEER!” This cheer resonates through the night,
cuts through monotony like a knife. His distinctive male voice has us looking out for every word someone speaks in hope of catching this elusive student. Munster residents are baffled. Investigations have taken place, many students asking and wondering who this modern-day siren is. The 11:15 striker remains silent in his identity. Some comments from fellow witnesses have been: - (slightly panicked) “What is that? Oh, it’s 11:15, it must be the Munster guy.” - “I am impressed by his punctuality!” - “I find it funny and uplifting that even during this pandemic there is this one guy that’s just kind of, well, enjoying life! I wish I knew who he was.” This nightly event has captivated the imaginations of Munster residents, who are now more than ever talking to each other. This topic has unified a dormitory in search of the truth. It seems like the 11:15
striker does not miss nights, except on rare occasions. There have been so many stories and theories on his arrival, reasons, and identity that there is almost a mythology surrounding him now. Some have said he is an alien, some a ghost, some have even said it might be the Resident Assistants! Whoever he is, the 11:15 striker, punctual as ever, is uplifting a community with his antics. Will we ever know who he is? If we can learn anything from our faithful striker, it is to live life how we want because curiosity is what keeps the world running. Our community, especially in times of stress, needs people who inspire and support us. Maybe this Munster hero is exactly who we needed! As of right now, we can only wait and listen for more news. Who knows… If you’re around block two of Munster one day, around 11:15 p.m., open your ears, and listen for a faint but beckoning “Munster,
Photo courtesy of Emily Crunican Munster, Munster…” Maybe you’ll catch a glimpse of the myth!
FEATURES
SINCE 1944
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Manu Bissonnette, Features Editor » thecampus.features@gmail.com
Going on exchange: the experience of a lifetime Manu Bissonnette - Features Editor
Photo courtesy of Anne-Frédérique Naud
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s the winter semester rolled in, most Bishop’s students made their way back to Lennoxville – but some flew to Spain, Japan, or Australia to begin the semester abroad. Exchanges have finally fully resumed at
Bishop’s, after a two-year break due to the pandemic. Third-year student Anne-Frédérique Naud flew to Valencia, Spain on Jan. 31, 2022, to begin the last semester of her undergraduate degree at Universidad Autónoma de Valencia (UEV). While she has only spent one week abroad so far, she says that the experience has already been fulfilling. “Going on exchange has allowed me to see what I could learn outside of the classroom. It is such a human experience; I have met so many people from different cultures, and we all learn from each other.” Meeting people is the best part of the experience, in her opinion. She maintains that making friends is easy because everyone is in the same situation. She found that international students seek to make friendships, while local students tend to befriend other local students. Nevertheless, “the people here are so friendly and open-minded,” she said. While Naud admits that she is still in the honeymoon phase of her experience, she has already encountered some challenges. For her, culture shock consisted mostly of adapting to the Spanish lifestyle. She finds it difficult
to adapt her daily habits to her new environment. “I could not tell you where to buy toilet paper!” she said, laughing. Culture shock also hit Grace McArthur, fourth-year International Studies student, very hard during her exchange to Tokyo, Japan. McArthur spent six months studying at Waseda University in 2019 and early 2020, and she found it difficult to adapt to the Japanese lifestyle. In particular, she was frustrated at times by the many societal rules that were new to her, such as not wearing shoes inside, not eating while walking, and not being able to invite people into her dorm. “My intrinsic biases, the way that I prejudge, were hard to get over. At the same time, though, a lot of stereotypes were broken for me,” she said. The language barrier was also challenging for her. Upon her arrival, she only had one year of Japanese classes under her belt. “I got put in an intermediate Japanese class at Waseda. The level was way too high for me, but I pushed through.” However, McArthur was astonished by how welcoming the people were. “One time,” she said, “I dropped all my things on the sidewalk. I was having a bad day
– I was on the verge of tears, and an old Japanese woman stopped to help me. We did not understand each other, but we had an unspoken connection as she gave me tissues.” Like Naud, McArthur was able to integrate into the community of international students. Upon her arrival, she joined the Ukulele Club, through which she made friends that she keeps in touch with to this day. When asked what she would recommend to students going on exchange, McArthur is adamant: “Wait until your third year!” She found it difficult to reintegrate into the Bishop’s community upon her return because she went on exchange during her second year. She also advises to learn the language of the host country before going on exchange – a piece of advice that is seconded by Naud. “It is really nice to be able to practice the language in real life,” said Naud. Going on exchange can be a lifechanging experience. This opportunity was taken away from Bishop’s students in the past two years, but now that it has fully resumed – no time like the present!
Fermentation workshop kicks off Eco Week Leo Webster- Junior Copy Editor
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n Monday, Feb. 6, the Sustainable Agriculture and Food Systems (SAFS) club held a workshop in Paterson Assembly Hall to teach the basics of fermentation and demonstrate how to make fermented food from scratch. The workshop was led by psychology and sustainable agriculture student Kaden Steffen, a member of the SAFS club. Club executives John Noble, Kaesha MaheuRaymond, Delia Cognard, and Karina Kramer also assisted in running the event. This workshop was a part of Eco Week, a week of environmentally-focused events organized by the Bishop’s University Environmental Club. Steffen explained the different types of fermentation, including lactic acid fermentation, ethyl alcohol fermentation, and acetic acid fermentation, and then the group began making sauerkraut. Sauerkraut is an example of lactic acid fermentation, meaning that the natural bacteria on the cabbage release lactic acid when they consume the sugars in the food. Lactic acid is a natural preservative, and when cabbage is properly fermented and stored in a cool place, it can keep for several months. The workshop participants sliced red cabbage, salted it to release moisture, and packed the cabbage into jars, which were then filled with a brine of water and salt. Everyone who participated took
home a jar of sauerkraut, which should be allowed to ferment for at least a week in order to develop the flavor. Steffen also discussed making kombucha, sourdough, and yogurt, which are all developed from a starter that contains bacterial culture. Samples of each type of starter were on display and were given out to anyone who requested one. When asked about the benefits of fermentation, Steffen explained: “Giving people the tools and knowledge to create their own specialty foods (that
can be too expensive for university student’s budgets) like kombucha, kefir, sourdough, sauerkraut, etc., is a step towards food sovereignty and access for all. Fermentation is an easy way to store food and improve its nutrition because you don’t need to cook anything which would degrade beneficial enzymes and nutrients.” The SAFS club runs many projects that focus on supporting food security on campus. Last fall, SAFS club members harvested apples, pears, radicchio, and
rutabagas from the Educational Farm and donated some to the community fridge in the SUB. The club also organized workshops on seed saving and making apple cider vinegar from the surplus apples on the farm. Steffen said about the workshop: “We hope people take away the knowledge that fermented foods aren’t nearly as complicated as they thought. And anyone can make their own.”
Photos courtesy of Emily Crunican
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ARTS & CULTURE
THE CAMPUS FEBRUARY 15 2022
Quinn Ruby, Arts & Culture Editor » thecampus.artsculture@gmail.com
Bishop’s Arts Festival – Fifth edition officially on! Leea Rebeca Ruta - Graphics Editor
The butterfly Safia Hafid- Opinions Editor Gossamer wings flicker In the twilight As the breeze whispers through the trees And chaos reigns from afar; There is a butterfly that flies above,
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he last two years of the pandemic have taken an incredible toll on the arts industry. At Bishop’s, the last in-person ArtsFest took place in the spring of 2019. Last year, due to pandemic restrictions, arts administration students Alexandre Bergeron and Annabelle Morgan, alongside Professor Esther Charron and some prominent alumni of the same program, Agatha Veale and Amelie Primeau-Bureau, organized an online reflexive event in place of ArtsFest. The restrictions of the pandemic have reminded a lot of people of the value of art, and the numerous cancellations of the last two years only mean that artists and art events are coming back stronger than ever. This year, with more and more restrictions being lifted, the fifth edition
Unbothered and untethered,
Image courtesy of Qirui Su of the BU Arts Festival is officially in production. Though the committee is working hard to prepare things, COVID19-related issues such as budgeting and last-call collaboration efforts have been challenging. Nonetheless, in an effort to communally reaffirm the importance of the arts and culture on campus, the organizing body behind ArtsFest proposes a kind of reemergence: a celebration of rebirth and fertility to mirror the drastic and powerful seasonal shift from the depths of Canadian winter into a springlike moment of joyful outgrowth and reawakening. The festival seeks to put forth a series of unexpected celebratory artistic and cultural events centering on the themes of springtime, rebirth, and fertility.
Free in the night These carefully curated moments will exude beauty, sensuality, resourcefulness, and prosperity. They will incite laughter, confusion, arousal, and reflection, ultimately allowing the greater Bishop’s community an opportunity to experience and discuss the importance of creative works as an essential force for healing and connectivity. As members of the Bishop’s community, you are invited to participate in this celebration of rebirth and fertility by submitting your related project(s) from any discipline. Projects may include workshops, talks, conferences, artistic events, screenings and concerts. The deadline to apply is Feb. 25. Click or scan the QR code to register.
And joining the shadows; As the prayers float toward the clouds Desperate, last wishes The words are caught and carried By the butterfly flying above; Gossamer wings flicker In the twilight The symbol of hope A butterfly flying above.
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My first-year experience as a Black student at Bishop’s Léontyne Haché - Contributor
Graphic courtesy of BU CASA want to start off by saying that I love my school, I love my Gaiters, I genuinely bleed purple and I’m proud of it. But it took me a long time to find a place where I was truly comfortable as
I
a Black student on campus. I came from Toronto, a big city overflowing with people of different cultures, and I came to Lennoxville, a small university town with its own peculiar culture that I learned to love. The first thing that stuck out to me after my first few days at school was that most of the people around me were white. It didn’t bother me at first because I was in that post-orientation week honeymoon phase where everything is still new and exciting, but once that passed, life in Lenn got a little harder. I knew what I was getting myself into when I decided to come to Bishop’s, but I did not think it would hit me so hard. There’s something about spending time with someone who knows the daily struggles of being a Black person in a predominantly white environment that is so refreshing. It’s freeing having that
unspoken understanding of what you are both going through and for the time that you are with them you feel safe and calm. I had planned to transfer to Concordia after my first semester. I had accepted my offer and by fall 2020 I would be living in Montreal. At that time my only solution to my problem was to leave Bishop’s and go to a school that could offer me what I was missing. Shortly after this, my friend and I decided to attend a CASA (Bishop’s Caribbean African Students Association) meeting where I got to meet a beautiful group of people from different backgrounds who had all felt or knew someone that felt like I did. I wasn’t alone and I realized that the way I had been feeling for the past four months was normal (which it shouldn’t be, but that’s for another time). That feeling of belonging was what I needed. I spent
my second semester taking part in CASA, meeting new people, and finding myself more and more comfortable at a school where at first, I felt like I didn’t belong. As you may have guessed, I did not go to Concordia because after my second semester I found what I needed right here at Bishop’s. This school is full of warm and welcoming people, to the point where it can become overwhelming at times, but that’s what I love about it. I hope that if you are a student struggling to find exactly where you fit in the Bishop’s community, that you hold on tight and look around, because although we are a small school we have so much to offer. You just have to go digging. Follow CASA on Instagram @ ubishopscasa for updates and information on Black History Month events.
ARTS & CULTURE
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Quinn Ruby, Arts & Culture Editor » thecampus.artsculture@gmail.com
Another One:
The “Artistry” of DJ Khaled, or Rather His Lack Of Ulrik Doyon - Contributor
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iles Davis, Dua Lipa, The Clash, Daft Punk, and more. I’m just cherry-picking people and acts that have made great music that I like. All will be remembered for reasons like the ideas expressed, their technical proficiency, or the impact they made. This, in my opinion, cannot be said for DJ Khaled, who truly lacks artistry and has none of the characteristics I have just stated. A larger-than-life figure, DJ Khaled, far from being an overnight sensation, is perhaps best known for his online presence on social media apps and his signature catchphrase (you know the one). Over time, he has created some sort of mystique around himself, leaving no one indifferent with his flamboyant persona. His party jams have an instant crossover appeal, and he knows how to make a hit. The thing is, DJ Khaled doesn’t really make the hit. It is a known fact that he relies more on his contact list. He rarely produces his material nor performs on it, but he consoles himself (and the listener) by screaming his signature at the beginning of each song on every album, something you unfortunately get accustomed to. I must admit his music leaves a bittersweet taste and sometimes a bad case of earworms. None of his albums are a disaster, though you get bored quickly. The tracks may be fun and catchy, but it comes from the all-star talent in the Hip Hop/RnB community he surrounds himself with. The final effort appears unfocused, exhausting, and acts as a flex over Khaled’s connections rather than showing what he has to offer. As such, what makes me unappreciative of his music is not the extravagant list of guests nor the genre, but his pretension of calling himself an artist and taking the credits. While it is common for DJs and producers to feature singers on their albums, contemporary ones like Diplo, Calvin Harris, and Mustard for example are involved in the musical process, playing instruments on the song, mixing it, transferring a creative idea into
concrete form. The listener feels that effort as a desperate move to stay relevant rather and throw-ups mean smash hits records” has been made to craft the pieces. All of than a desire to push boundaries. Quantity while attempting to make “timeless music” this is lacking in Khaled’s case, whose over quality. As Sheldon Pearce of The further confirms my point-of-view. He contribution is limited to flaunting. New Yorker puts it, “DJ Khaled albums thrives on attention and exposure, and as I wouldn’t consider DJ Khaled an now seem to exist solely for the pursuit of the saying goes, there is no bad publicity, artist even if he says so. He’s a very good clout.” and he understood that perfectly. marketer possessing a fascinating trendI’m sure DJ Khaled is respected in DJ Khaled will continue to adapt chasing ability. He surveys what is popular the industry, worked hard, and continues himself to what is popular for the better and what would have the broadest appeal to do so. He’s very successful and people or worse, and his contact list will probably to the most generic listener. His music is who like his music don’t mind the fact that keep getting bigger. I don’t know how curated to be an effortless blockbuster that his involvement in the creative process long it will take before he fades away, goes straight to #1. When listening to some is almost non-existent. But it’s for this but what’s left if he isn’t a performer or of his tracks, it’s easy to understand why specific reason I’m so opinionated. It is a a proper artist? Of course, he wouldn’t be they are popular: they feature well-known bit hard to take him seriously as a creative there without all the forces he assembled performers of the year or era, a beat with force when he has earned a reputation of over time. I wouldn’t even have written a good vibe, and show Khaled’s ability doing pretty much nothing aside from all of this if he had stopped putting his to adapt to current trends. However, you acting as an intermediate between the catchphrase at the beginning of every notice that without the featured people, it’s people who perform on his own songs song. But it’s a huge “what if…” meaningless. Moreover, the song would (of which his contribution is little). His (This opinion piece is an edited be intact if Khaled’s part at the beginning antics, like crediting his newborn baby as and abridged version of a larger, more was removed. The fact that he considers executive producer, stating that “his poops detailed analysis) himself the primary performer leaves me very puzzled. There lies my opinion Leea Rebeca Ruta - Graphics Editor on why he isn’t an artist, unlike the producers I’ve mentioned earlier and other beatmakers, who have been able to create interesting sounds and great tracks (‘Lean On’ by Major Lazer and ‘Slide’ by Calvin Harris are absolute bangers), adding something to the current music landscape. I may not be as much into rap music compared to other genres, but I still can enjoy it and say it has undoubtedly left its mark. In the case of DJ Khaled, his trend-chasing method is a double-edged sword; following popular styles is a thing, every artist should be able to reinvent themselves, but he is merely a follower, not a catalyst of change. His songs come off as an orgy of catchy uncreative blandness that adds nothing to the music scene and appears Photos courtesy of Emily Crunican
THE CAMPUS STAFF 2021-2022
EDITOR-IN-CHIEF
NEWS EDITOR Sarah Halberstadt
ECONOMICS AND BUSINESS EDITOR Elizabeth Beaumont
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OPINIONS EDITOR
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Grace McArthur
STAFF WRITER Connor Kay
This issue’s contributors: Renée Rosteius Rhiannon MacEwan Mark Cripps Pascale Desmarais Danielle Storey Emilia Malpica-Iruegas Léontyne Haché Ulrik Doyon Adam Metcalfe Hurst
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ECONOMICS & BUSINESS
THE CAMPUS FEBRUARY 15 2022
Bishop’s Arches:
Elizabeth Beaumont, Business and Economics Editor » thecampus.businesseditor@gmail.com
Bridging the gap between Bishop’s students and its microbrewery Adam Metcalfe Hurst - Contributor
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or many years, Bishop’s University and beer have gone hand in hand with one another. This popular perception could come from Bishop’s rich history and reputation as a “party school”, or it could be the fact that Bishop’s is one of the very few schools in Canada that offers a brewing program for its students. The Brewing Science Graduate Certificate aims to provide a comprehensive education on the science of the ingredients of beer, the brewing process, and the analytical methods specific to the brewing industry. It was founded in 2015 by Dr. Dale Wood, a chemistry professor at the time, and was the 110th microbrewery in Quebec. Since 2016, Bishop’s Arches has brewed more than 300 unique recipes and continues to create new ones at a pace of 60 to 70 per year. For many microbreweries, their mission is to generate revenue through sales and mass distribution of different beers. However, Bishop’s Arches has a unique mission that separates itself from its competitors. Since the Bishop’s Arches Brewery Lab is a part of an educational institution, its mission is to
encourage experimentation, with a focus on analytics and chemistry. With this business model, Bishop’s Arches doesn’t have to worry about directly competing with other breweries for market share and can focus on what truly matters to the brand, educating students in the science of brewing. In 2019, Bishop’s Arches released their first commercialized IPA called Lagarto. They did this by licensing a fan-favorite recipe, developed by Brewery Science & Sales Coordinator, Professor Venditti, and Bishop’s alumni, Jordan McNiven, to the nearby microbrewery 11 Comptes. This iconic purple recipe can be found at Doolittles Co-op, the local Lennoxville Provigo, and sometimes on tap at the Gait! As with many brands, COVID-19 caused major disruptions across all business sectors, and Bishop’s Arches was no exception. In the 2020-2021 academic year, they had to stop all brewing and experimentation as classes moved online. In the past, Bishop’s Arches thrived when actively engaging with students, especially at the Gait. Pre-covid, they would
often do beer taste testing and would always have Bishop’s Arches beers circulating on tap ready to taste for Thursday Happy Hours and Saturday nights at the Gait. As the pandemic continued, Bishop’s Arches grew further and further away from its student customer base. Social media presence was close to zero and there was no beer being made, besides the Lagarto IPA from 11 Comptes. This disconnect between the Bishop’s Arches and the student body has many students surprised that Bishop’s even has a microbrewery in the first place. Moving forward, Professor Venditti hopes to regain that lost connection with Bishop’s students through various marketing methods. Becoming more active on social media platforms like Instagram and Facebook with ambitions to engage consumers with the brand will be a key part of their strategy. Doing taste tests in Doolittles and the Gait will also be a perfect opportunity to give students a Bishop’s Arches experience that will likely turn them into loyal consumers. Generating excitement and hype for new recipes will be a key success factor moving forward as
Photo courtesy of Gabrielle Liu well. Professor Venditti also has ambitions to eventually release a new commercial beer when the right moment comes along. There are many things to look forward to post-pandemic and the future of Bishop’s Arches is among those many things. With the ever-growing microbrewery market in Canada, we hope to see the glowing embers of Bishop’s Arches be rekindled into the hot and cozy flame it once was for Bishop’s students.
Premier Legault announces reopening plan Liz Beaumont - Economics & Business Editor
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n light of some politically tense times, the Quebec government has announced a plan for exiting out of the current lockdown, with an end goal for a “new normal” in sight. Planning to incrementally lift restrictions by midMarch, Premier Francois Legault and his team have projected a timeline laying out when different services will be opening up in the near future, with some dates just around the corner. Feb. 12 will mark a lift of restrictions in restaurants and at-home gatherings. Previously put in place during the holidays, there will now be no limit for private gatherings. However, the government still recommends to keep gatherings capped at 10 people or three different households, but this will not be legally enforced. Restaurants will be able to
sit 10 people at a table or people from three different addresses to the same table. Lastly, caregivers will be able to visit a loved one in a group home with the possession of a valid vaccine passport. This gives some light to those who have loved ones in areas that were previously restricting visitors. Just two days after that, Feb. 14, will mark the opening of gyms and spas at a capacity of 50 per cent. Indoor sports and different recreation activities, as well as sports games, can resume. This includes colleges and universities, meaning basketball season will be back in session for the Gaiters! A week later, on Feb. 21, retail stores can be open at full capacity. In addition to retail stores, there will also be an easing of restrictions for places of worship, large arenas (such as the Bell Centre), and different convention and recreation centers.
Feb. 28 will mark the beginning of teleworking no longer being mandatory for those in the workforce. The working hours of restaurants will be extended to 1 a.m., which will also mark the beginning of bars reopening. Bars will be able to open at 50 per cent capacity, but with no dancing permitted. If all goes as planned, dancing in bars will resume on Mar. 14. Mar. 14 will also mark the beginning of restaurants being permitted to open at 100 per cent, the same with showrooms and large venues. This is also tremendous news for the Lennoxville and Sherbrooke community as a whole. Lennoxville businesses rely on the commerce they receive from students, including the money students spend at the Golden Lion Pub and Brewery or money spent at the variety of restaurants found in
Photo courtesy of The Canadian Press / Graham Hughes our area. As boosters are being administered at an efficient pace in Quebec, this gives the Quebec government great confidence in their plan to reopen. Premier Legault and his team placed emphasis on the positive assistance the lockdowns have had on our healthcare system.
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