Donald Lecture: Eva Kuper’s enriching testimony

Christina Lépine, Features Editor » thecampus.features@gmail.com

Donald Lecture: Eva Kuper’s enriching testimony Chloé Rouleau - Contributor

On Monday Nov. 21, in Centennial Theatre, I attended the second lecture of the 2022-23 Donald Lectures Series. Centennial Theatre, almost at maximum capacity, was filled with students, faculty, administrators, and community members to hear Eva Kuper’s story. Kuper’s direct, frank, and sometimes funny speaking style combined with pictures made for a captivating evening. Born in 1940 in Poland, at the start of the Second World War, Kuper is the daughter of Jewish parents, Anthony and Fela, and a Holocaust survivor. In 1942, when Kuper was only two years old, she and her mother were rounded up for deportation. When Fela’s husband learned what had happened, he notified Regina Baker, Eva’s aunt. Baker went to the train loading docks and started screaming that she was Eva’s mother. In an act of bravery and selflessness, Fela handed over her two-year-old baby through the openings of the cattle car to Baker, knowing that something terribly wrong was going to happen. Kuper’s mother was deported to Treblinka, a few hours from Warsaw, Poland, where she was murdered along with over 900,000 Jews during the Second World War. Living in a ghetto with her father, and avoiding deportation on many occasions, the two of them finally escaped via the underground sewer system. Through friends and family connections, Kuper was kept safe. At the age of three, and for the remainder of the war, she was cared for by Franciscan nuns. Once the war ended, she was reunited with her father. Eva was raised Catholic and knew nothing of her Jewish heritage. Her father remarried, and they immigrated to Montreal in 1948. It was during the crossing of the Atlantic that her father told Eva that she was Jewish. She explained that it took her many years to process her story and finally be proud of her heritage. Hearing her recount her story of courage, perseverance, and determination was very enriching for all audience members who attended this Donald Lecture. Kuper, now 82, volunteers for the Montreal Holocaust Museum and gives lectures, like the one we were so fortunate to attend. Learning about her experience, similar to many others during the Holocaust, will be something I will not forget anytime soon. If you are new to Bishop’s like me, I encourage you to attend the next Donald Lectures. We are very lucky to have such great speakers come to our campus.

Photo Courtesy of Bishop’s University

The Gait hosts Grad School Day Christina Lépine - Features Editor

On Wednesday Nov. 16, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., all Bishop’s students could attend Grad School Day in the Gait. All day, tables were set up by many graduate schools, including Université du Québec à Montréal (UQAM), Western University, University of Victoria (UVIC), Concordia University, University of New Brunswick (UNB), and MacMaster University’s Engineering program. A table was also set by Bishop’s University to offer more information to students who might be considering graduate studies. Throughout the day, all the schools had a table, with most of them handing pamphlets and being available for questions. Each table had between one to three representatives to talk about the programs offered as well as handing out contact information for additional questions. Students could come by the Gait and stay for as long as they wanted according to the information they wanted to gather. Although this event looked like a promising opportunity for students to gather information on graduate studies, the majority of students encountered were disappointed by the organization of the forum. Nonetheless, many students were grateful for the universities that took to the road after the first major snowstorm of the winter. Most students who attended believed the event was not advertised enough, and therefore did not attract as big of an audience as it could have. Second-year economics student Jean-Philippe Jeske took a look at a few tables to get an overview of his career opportunities after graduating from Bishop’s. He mentioned, “I wanted to look what future was in store for me.” Although eager to gather further information about Canadian and American graduate schools, Jeske said: “Unfortunately, the information I was looking for was not there. However, I left with information that will help me nonetheless form my future.” The main recurring comment shared by all students interviewed that day was that many are struggling to decide if they want to pursue graduate studies after completing an undergraduate degree. Indeed, students were not only looking to ask questions to different university representatives, but also to learn about the benefits of attending their university and choosing their program over others. Jeske mentioned, “It is really hard to find what you are looking for when you yourself do not know what you are looking for.” representatives outlined the programs as best as they could, giving an overview of graduate student life at their organization. Grad School Day was a noteworthy initiative to offer Bishop’s students the opportunity to discover more possibilities after completing their undergraduate degree. The spread of this information can only improve with more advertising prior to the forum to encourage increased student participation.

Christina Lépine, Features Editor » thecampus.features@gmail.com

Vélo Quebec introduces winter biking to BU

Gabrielle Liu - Junior Copy Editor

Between discussions on studded tires, tire widths, and whether to buy a winter bike, “the best bike is the one you have,” Olivier Coutu – a representative from Vélo Quebec – reminded the audience. The Sustainable Development Office hosted a winter biking conference at the Gait on Nov. 22 at 4:30 p.m. Coutu and Micheline Piché from Vélo Quebec, a Montreal-based nonprofit biking organisation, put together a presentation on a five-step process to beginning winter biking. The conference was also part of Bishop’s University’s Vélosympathique certification, which is taken on by cities, businesses, and campuses building bike-friendly cultures and design. According to Vélo Quebec, cyclists who continue to cycle in the winter have increased from 8.4 per cent in 2016–2017 to 13.6 per cent in 2020–2021 in Montreal. These numbers pale in comparison to European cities like Copenhagen where 80 per cent of cyclists continue in the winter, but goes to show that winter cycling is a sport that can be normalized. “15 years ago, I was the crazy guy,” Coutu later said when asked about public perception of being on the road during the winter. But now, he said, it’s normal to see winter bikers in Montreal. During the presentation, Coutu shared that a search of Facebook groups will reveal multiple winter biking communities in Quebec. Laurence Williams, the sustainable development advisor, pointed out that while Sherbrooke may not have a dedicated winter biking club, Vélo Urbain Sherbrooke’s Facebook page continues to be an active community in the winter season. Vélo Quebec shared that the first of the five steps in winter biking is to be visible. This includes having active lighting like attachable strobe lights and headlights. Quebec laws require all bikes that are rented and sold to have reflectors, and cyclists can receive tickets for lack of visibility. Coutu brought various active lighting examples, as well as a reflective vest.

Second, “stay dry, but not too warm.” Gesturing to Piché’s winter coat, Coutu said that if you wear something similar, “you are going to cook.” Instead, just like with ski wear, he recommends starting with a base layer, adding a warmth layer, and then a windbreaker or waterproof shell. Eye protection against the cold wind can be crucial. Coutu himself wears a ski helmet, since it’s built to be warm and hold ski goggles in place, but points out that some people wear $5 lab goggles. Third, equip and maintain your bicycle. Coutu explained that most people first winterize their existing bike before buying one dedicated to the winter. Fairweather bikers who only bring out their bike on sunny, dry-road days may not need to change tires, but as a daily commute, studded tires are the way to go, especially in hilly areas like Sherbrooke, or for trail biking. He also pointed out that bikers lower their seats in the winter to make sure they can get a sure footing on the ground. While he explained details on fenders that prevent the splash of mud and slush onto clothes, Piché rolled a winter bike to audience members for them to get a closer look. The snow, slush, and salts take a toll, so extra maintenance to lubricate gears, chains, and cables is necessary. Bike locks should be oiled as well lest you want them to seize up, Coutu added, recalling some explicitly unrecommended examples of people using a blowtorch or boiling water to unfreeze their locks. Fourth, adapt your riding style and itinerary. Coutu pointed out that even when taking small roads, be wary of cars expecting you to move into snow banks while they pass– the hard-packed ice is slippery and is not an area you’d want to be on. Major roads have dangers of their own, but an upside is they’ll have less ice. Williams shared that while turning, she puts her feet out just in case she hits a slippery patch. A low bike seat and prepared “stance” will likely prevent you from tough falls. Vélo Quebec’s last instruction was to have fun. The experience of riding in fresh snow – that is, riding not despite of the winter, but because of the winter – is a thrill for Coutu given the proper precautions.

What is Classics Cafe?

Graphic Courtesy of Leea Rebeca Ruta

Leea Rebeca Ruta - Graphics Editor

What is Classics Cafe? Well, for one, it is not a physical cafe on campus. The first time I heard about it was in the fall of 2020 when classes were online due to COVID. I had taken the course Food, Community and Culture in the Greek and Roman World with Dr. Catherine Tracy, and she had mentioned Classics Cafe in her class. Of course, at the time, it was happening on Teams. Lots of people attended, including BU alumni. We made silly polls in the chat and talked about TV shows and movies, cooking, novels and sometimes even classics! There were a few live-streamed movie nights with or without a classics theme such as Asterix: The Mansions of the Gods, a marathon of The Hobbit movies, and we even watched some episodes of Xena: Warrior Princess and Ancient Aliens. Dr. Tracy started Classics Cafe in 2007 to provide a casual social group for anyone who likes Classics, regardless of whether they were a Classics student or not. In her own words: “I’ve tried to make Classics Cafe live up to its name by providing coffee, but most people who come prefer tea. We also have sweet treats to eat, and a pizza party once every semester. One year, one of my Latin students (Tristan Matheson - we miss you!) decided we needed to play Latin Scrabble at the Cafe, which we did, and it was a blast. Then, for several years, we always played some sort of board game; Latin/multi-lingual Scrabble, Cribbage, Cranium, and Pictionary. Another student at the time (Austen Metcalfe - we miss you too!) even donated the game Funglish.” Fourth year classics major Hailey Swift mentioned how she did not go to Classics Cafe in her first year. She only started attending when it was taking place online because it was convenient for her. She said: “I got to know some of the people who [regularly] attend, which is why I attend in person now that it’s available. Being able to talk to a group of people with similar interests in and out of my program is very fun, and every time I go there’s something new to do, whether that be the conversation topic, a board game, the flavor of tea, the types of treats, etc.” Emily Long, third year classics student, described how Classics Cafe has been a staple of her university experience over the past seven years since she previously did a BA in modern languages. In her words: “It had a cozy and welcoming atmosphere even before I officially joined the department. I know there’s always at least once a week when I can go and enjoy a hot beverage with friends.” Another third year student mentioned how Classics Cafe has been a great opportunity to socialize with classmates and fellow students. As an introverted person, they felt that the small cozy environment of the cafe has given them an opportunity to step out of their comfort zone. For them, the interaction has been especially welcoming after the past few years of quarantine. As for myself, I have been attending Classics Cafe every week of every semester since Fall 2020 and it is what I often look forward to the most in my week. This semester is the first time that the group has been fully back in person. It is now held every Thursday from 10:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. in the Morris House lounge, though the date and time changes every semester depending on the attendees’ schedules. Anyone is welcome!

Graphic Courtesy of Leea Rebeca Ruta