Community celebrates Semaine de la Francophonie
We must stand in solidarity with the women of Gaza
March 25, 2024
BU Dance Team dazzles at showcase Spring Awakening
House of Commons brought to life experiential learning event
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Bishop’s chooses local flowers for graduation
As the winter semester neared a close at Bishop’s, Research Week punctuated the dreary March weather with excitement and energy. The week-long event, organized by research officer Joannie St. Germain with the Office of Research and Graduate Studies, was held over March 18-21, gathering undergraduates, graduates, faculty and guests to present research and creative endeavours.
Throughout the week, faculty and postdoctoral researchers presented their expertise in a series of research talks in Cleghorn. Topics varied from black holes to multilingual theatre. Students and staff gathered around with coffee and snacks to listen to the fifteenminute lectures, which were followed by a brief question period. Numbered
among the presenters were Bishop’s master’s student Benjamin Tabah and Bishop’s alumni Daniela Villegas Martinez. Tabah highlighted the value of experiential learning in his project, exploring panhuman themes of death and dying in theatre production through a draft play reading with several faculty members.
Guest speaker Villegas Martinez is a recent M.Sc. graduate in medical physiology and a 2019 Bishop’s biochemistry graduate. Her journey with Research Week started in 2016 during her undergraduate studies. She returned on Thursday to present her findings on the processes of Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) research. During her presentation, she offered advice to Bishop’s students interested in pursuing research. She encouraged them to find a specialty
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Megan Légaré recently presented her master’s project on Indigenous youth generativity, the way youth leave behind a legacy by working with the next generation. “What is the legacy they want to leave behind? What pushes them to share it and connect with it?” she asked.
To unpack these questions, Légaré’s research involved consulting 10 participants from the Make Your Mark Conference by the Students Commission of Canada (SCC). She built relationships with these participants throughout several workshops and activities beyond the conference.
Her research involved Indigenous methodologies, such as sharing circles. Sharing circles are similar to traditional focus
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The Students’ Representative Council (SRC) has organized for the Grad Formal, a fun formal party for graduating students to celebrate their years of hard work, to land on the same day as Eid-al-Fitr, the most important Muslim holiday. This scheduling decision forces graduating Muslim students to pick between celebrating their achievements and degrees with friends at Bishop’s, or their most important holy day with their families, impacting both their communities and emphasizing that while Muslim students may attend Bishop’s University, their inclusion is not a priority for the SRC.
The SRC has a responsibility to represent, act on behalf of, and include all
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March 20 marked International Francophonie Day, commemorating the more than 255 million daily speakers of French and their linguistic and cultural diversities from around the world. From Monday, March 18 to Saturday, March 23, the French and Quebec studies department held activities available to all BU students to explore just a few of the many aspects of francophone culture, art and tradition.
The week opened with a movie night, where students joined department professor Olivier Leroy’s course Culture and Society: Conversational French 2, for a screening of La cordonnière. This romantic melodrama released in 2023 takes place in Quebec during the early 20th century. It paints the historical biography of a successful shoemaker. Reflecting on the first activity of the week, Natalie Iwanicki, a student from the class, explained that the movie took an unexpected turn, focusing on a complex
love triangle. Natalie said she appreciated getting to watch a movie with the class to facilitate a different form of learning French.
The following day, Gia Clarke, a student enrolled in the Micro-certificate in French for professional integration, held a social lunch with an episode of a Quebecois TV show at the French Hub.
On Wednesday, department chair Prof. Sarah Théberge’s writing and communication class held a creative writing workshop which also took place at the French Hub. Students of all different levels were invited to review how to craft strong descriptions. They were given pictures to inspire short pieces of creative writing.
Improv, a classic form of drama popular in Quebec, shaped the fourth workshop of the week. Led by Prof. Adèle Gousset, seven students stepped out of their comfort zones to participate in this acting experience. For most, this was their first time trying improv, where they focused on voice intonation, stress management and nonverbal communication.
As the week came to a close, almost 30 students hopped on a bus to Valcourt
to grab a bite at the highly anticipated Cabane à sucre, or sugar shack. March and April are the months when Quebecers often share a meal in a picturesque log cabin featuring ham, beans, music and most notably, maple taffy.
“People were really excited to get to experience this part of French culture. There was a pretty big turnout. The atmosphere was great, very cozy and traditional. But, of course, the best part is the unlimited [maple taffy]!”, said Iwanicki. When asked if she would go again, Iwanicki responded, “For sure! I would also love to try out a new cabin.”
Ending the week strong, the last scheduled activity was the Les Trois Accords concert at the Granada Theatre in Sherbrooke. Students sang along and cheered to one of Quebec’s most popular and well-known rock bands. Recognized for their silly lyrics and catchy beats, the band has been around since 1997, with their most recent album being released in 2022.
It was a pleasure for the French and Quebec studies department to share aspects of francophone culture with the Bishop’s community. To participate in
other French related activities during the academic semester, be sure to follow @ thefrenchhubbu on Instagram for updates and drop by the French Hub in McGreer 003.
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that interests them and take advantage of both summer research opportunities and the unique research partnership between Bishop’s and the Université de Sherbrooke. To students interested in med school, she added, research is the best way to prepare.
Student competitions boasted a wealth of enlightening findings. Centennial Lobby bustled with energy as over 30 students (both undergraduate and graduate) participated in the poster competition, which took place on Tuesday evening. As judges circulated the posters, the lobby was alive with adrenaline. Students represented a variety of departments, including psychology, sports studies and environment, agriculture and geography.
Danielle Storey, an honours environmental science student researching flood preparation in the Eastern Townships, expressed that “it allowed students to combine their research with art and showcase their thesis through the week. [It] was a lot of fun to create
Tand present”. The students each had ten minutes to present research to a judge, and five minutes to answer questions. In the undergraduate category, Mikayla Khammer took first for natural science and mathematics; Nicolas Baril for social sciences; and Stella Ruddy for psychology. In the graduate student category, Victoria Benny claimed first place.
The second student competition was Thursday’s Pitch Perfect Competition. The competition featured a number of three-minute presentations. Although topics showcased a diversity of research, from athletic identity to neutron stars, many students presented research on environmental issues. Some of these included wildfires in Newfoundland, sustainability in communist Romania and mental health in green spaces.
Danielle Storey’s presentation on flood preparation in the Eastern Townships won first place in the social sciences division. She noted that the competition was a “good personal challenge to try to compress our thesis into only a three-minute speech” and that the week “reminded me that
there is such a bright future ahead after graduation from BU… it was a wonderful networking opportunity and a good way to push yourself to become more involved in the community”.
Elizabeth Edwards, who presented on menstrual cycles in women’s fitness, added that “while it was nerve-racking to present, it definitely was a great opportunity for personal and professional growth”. Alongside Storey, Finley MacDonald clinched first in business; Mikayla Khammar in natural sciences; Leea Rebeca Ruta in humanities; and Elodie Lescure in graduate studies.
Anaelle Bohbot won first place in the creative arts competition, a new addition to Research Week.
The week ended with a cocktail hour, where students congratulated the winners and mingled with faculty and guests. The lively afternoon was an appropriately energetic conclusion to a vibrant research week. The event was an enriching celebration of diverse intellectual pursuits and an exciting reminder of student success, both during Bishop’s and beyond graduation.
he Campus acknowledges that land on which we operate is stolen land, the traditional territory of the Abenaki people. We live, learn, work, and play on this land, home to Indigenous peoples still living. Canada was founded through colonization, a system rooted in oppression and the abuse of power over others, continuing to affect First Nations, Inuit, and Métis communities today. As a student newspaper, The Campus has a responsibility to highlight truth. We are committed to prioritizing underrepresented voices in our community and proactively highlighting Indigenous peoples’ histories and ongoing realities, including their resilience and achievements. We recognize our work plays a role in shaping public perceptions, being able to call-out injustice but also call-in action. We emphasize that we must go beyond a land acknowledgement, which is only one step towards reconciliation. It is the stories in our paper – told with respect, accuracy, and integrity – and the respect and humility we show to the land and others that is more important than what is written in a land acknowledgement. Actionable steps to go beyond a land acknowledgement include educating ourselves and others, and supporting Indigenous traditions, movements, and businesses. —The Campus Team
On Wednesday, March 20, Bishop’s Career and Transition Services (CATS) hosted the Black Professionals Networking Event. Organized with the help of the Equity, Diversity and Inclusion (EDI) Office and myself, the event aimed to foster connections between Black students and professionals from various fields, offering mentorship and potential employment opportunities.
Kicking off at 4 p.m., the event saw participation from around 17 students and 11 professionals from sectors such as research, medicine, information technology, photography, recruitment and more. Daniella Noël, an alumnus, community developer, sex educator and EDI consultant coordinated the event as the master of ceremonies.
Unlike traditional networking sessions, the professionals remained at their tables while students circulated and engaged in conversations. The informal setup, complemented by snacks and refreshments, aimed to create a conducive environment for networking.
Cristella Tchicaya of acte d’Amour
– a community organization serving the elderly, youth and women immigrants –and the CATS contributed to the event’s allure with giveaways, including gift cards for active participants. Sherbrooke’s deputy mayor Raïs Kibonge took time out of his busy schedule to attend the event near the end.
Cultural representation in professional spheres can empower minority students. Seeing successful professionals who share similar backgrounds and experiences can significantly boost students’ confidence and ambition. This is highlighted by testimonials from attendees like Kim, a student from Champlain College, who said, “We don’t have these at Champlain. I’m thrilled I joined; the advice and conversations here were invaluable. We need this monthly!”
Tshidi Thaane, a post-doctoral fellow at Bishop’s and one of the invited professionals, reflected on the event’s emotional resonance. “The presence of many Black individuals in one room was a comforting sight at Bishop’s, a rare occurrence that infused a sense of calm in me.”
A first-year student mentioned they found a sense of belonging and community after the dissolution of the Caribbean
African Students Association. Some attendees were reluctant to leave even after the event had finished. Networking events can be pivotal in carving accessible pathways for students, connecting them with relatable role models and nurturing a sense of belonging and community. This event built a support network for Black students, who often face unique challenges in academic and professional settings. By connecting students with Black professionals, CATS aimed to counteract feelings of isolation and underrepresentation.
By transcending a mere professional networking event, this event could serve as a testament to the benefits of cultural diversity. The event could shift narratives away from adversities and move them toward the potential and promise within the Black community. Its success paves the way for similar future initiatives and a potential return as a staple event within our community.
In early October of 2023, the provincial government proposed to increase tuition fees for non-Quebec students. Initially set to nearly double from approximately $9,000 to $17,000, these proposed increases elicited significant concern among English university communities. However, after extensive negotiations, community support and a recognition of the unique circumstances at Bishop’s University, the Lennoxville institution was exempted. Consequently, there will be no tuition increase for Canadian non-Quebec residents wanting to pursue their studies at Bishop’s. Additionally, Bishop’s will not face financial penalties if it cannot meet the government’s requirement that 80 per cent of non-Quebec students reach intermediate oral fluency by the end of their undergraduate studies.
At the heart of Bishop’s initiatives lies a commitment to creating a diverse web of opportunities for students to engage with the French language, Quebec society and culture. In an interview with The Campus, Principal and Vice-Chancellor Sébastien Lebel-Grenier, highlighted that although language proficiency targets have been established by the government, “we view this as an opportunity rather than an obligation.” He explains that Bishop’s continues to be firm in its commitment to offering valuable language
learning experiences, regardless of the government’s goal of having 80 per cent of students achieve a level five in oral proficiency. Bishop’s is dedicated to expanding the variety of French language learning it offers students because it understands the value of diversity of language, he describes.
Bishop’s has established a French language committee to develop additional language offerings and improve existing ones to meet the government’s objectives, Lebel-Grenier explained. With the support of provincial government funding, the university intends to put into effect a comprehensive set of measures meant to support the goals of the French department and improve French learning at Bishop’s.
The chair of Bishop’s Études françaises et québécoises department, Prof. Sarah Théberge, outlined the wide range of French language offerings available to students. From translation and grammar classes to courses tailored to various disciplines, Bishop’s aims to make French learning accessible and enjoyable for all students, regardless of their language background. She expressed that “we want French to be an addition to students’ competencies”.
In addition to its traditional language programs, Théberge explains that Bishop’s plans to introduce new courses centred around Quebec French, French micro-certificates embedded within undergraduate studies and engaging contests and activities to promote French language participation.
Additionally, Bishop’s aims to equip students for success in a workforce that is becoming more and more interconnected while acknowledging the professional value of French proficiency or any other language proficiency in general, Théberge describes. With programs related to a variety of professions, such as hospitality, information technology, arts and culture, and healthcare, Théberge explains that Bishop’s aims to equip students with the language and cultural skills necessary for success in their careers and overall in life.
Nearly 30 per cent of Bishop’s University’s student body is from outside of Quebec, and the institution takes pride in its diverse and inclusive community. Its small campus of 2,900 students is home to a diverse range of languages and cultures, which together form the foundation
of its identity.
Bishop’s is prepared to improve its French language offerings because it recognizes the value of building stronger relationships with students who speak the language while encouraging students who lack proficiency in it to explore the varied possibilities of it, Lebel-Grenier expressed.
Although the university encourages students to take advantage of the French language opportunities on and off campus, it understands that these programs should support students’ academic endeavours rather than interfere with them. As part of its continuous support to prepare students for the real world, Bishop’s is growing its French language opportunities to encourage intercultural communication.
In commemoration of International Women’s Day and Women’s History Month, it is imperative to shine a spotlight on the often-overlooked struggles of women, particularly those enduring devastating circumstances. During the global celebration of women’s achievements and progress, we cannot turn a blind eye to the women in Gaza amid ongoing genocide.
It has been estimated that at least 32,226 people have been killed in Gaza as of March 24, 2024, more than 13,000 children and 8,400 women. The situation in Gaza is not just a political or humanitarian crisis; it is undeniably a women’s issue. “90 per cent of children under the age of 2 and 95 per cent of pregnant and breastfeeding women face severe food poverty”, writes UNICEF in a press release. UN agencies estimate that more 180 women give birth each day in Gaza. CBC reports that in northern Gaza, most remaining health clinics are short of medicine and painkillers.
In an interview with Mohammed Al
Fotihi, president of Bishop’s Muslim Students Association, he highlighted the harrowing realities faced by those in Gaza. Al Fotihi shared his personal anguish, revealing the distressing circumstances of his friends trapped in the region. “I have friends in Gaza,” he disclosed, “but I haven’t been able to be in touch with my friends… I am not able to live a normal life, knowing that my friends are going through hell.”
I would like to highlight Dr. Sara Al-Saqqa, the first female surgeon in Gaza, who exemplifies the courage and resilience of Palestinian women. Despite the dangerous conditions, Dr. Al Saqqa is risking her life every day saving Palestinian civilians and also witnessing their deaths.
Saleh Hussein, media coordinator for the Muslim Students Association, further emphasized the remarkable contributions of Palestinian women. “Dr. Amira AlAsouli is recognized for her heroic efforts in Gaza, where she risked her life under Israeli gunfire to save an injured man near the Nasser Medical Complex in Khan Yunis”, he expressed. “She emphasized the duty of doctors to assist those in need,
showcasing exceptional bravery and commitment to humanitarian service.”
Amid discussions surrounding Women’s History Month, Lee Schaefgen, a sociology student at Bishop’s University, emphasized the importance of intersectionality in addressing systemic inequalities. Schaefgen pointed out that oppression persists beyond designated months of recognition. They advocated for sustained dialogue on the challenges faced by marginalized groups.
Schaefgen’s sentiments resonate profoundly in the context of Gaza, where the pervasive suffering transcends simplistic categorizations. The atrocities in Gaza are not isolated incidents but symptomatic of systemic injustices. The normalization of such violence perpetuates a culture of indifference and apathy towards the suffering of vulnerable populations.
As we reflect on the legacy of women’s resilience and activism, let us not forget the women of Gaza who endure unimaginable hardships every day. It is incumbent upon us to stand in solidarity, to amplify their voices. We must demand justice for all marginalized communities. The women
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students as our accredited student union. Equity, Diversity and Inclusion is listed as Objective Four under the strategic priority of engagement and support in the SRC 2022-2027 Strategic Plan, and yet it was not a value that was embodied by the SRC when making the decision to host Grad Formal on April 10. Rather, they chose to isolate and alienate any graduating students who observe Ramadan and celebrate Eid-al-Fitr.
The burden this decision places on Muslim students cannot be understated. They are forced to choose between spending that day celebrating their most significant religious holiday – a grand feast that marks the end of a month of fasting between sunrise and sunset – or celebrating with their friends that they have made while pursuing degrees at Bishop’s, marking the end of years of study and dedication and the opening of a new chapter of their lives. For many Muslim students, this is an impossible choice, whose ramifications are far-reaching. This does not impact only the student who faces the choice, but their home communities, their friends in the Bishop’s community and anyone who knows them.
They
are
forced
of our community”. They offered me no apology or attempt to reduce the harm that is actively and currently being caused for Muslim community members as a result of their decision. They point to the fact that the incoming SRC team will be trained on “the imperativeness of using an EDI lens” – a passive statement that frames equity, diversity and inclusion as a lens or framework that can be chosen to be used or not, rather than an embedded set of values to be enacted by the members and representatives of the organization.
Muslim students who are forced to make this decision are further alienated from their communities during a time of great vulnerability. They are currently observing Ramadan, a month where between sunrise and sunset, they ingest no food or water. It can be difficult to follow these practices, especially when they overlap with the end of semester and finals, and this latest decision from the SRC only serves to isolate them more.
to choose between spending that day celebrating their most significant religious holiday . . . or celebrating with their friends that they have made while pursuing degrees at Bishop’s
From March 29 - April 1, the university will be closed to observe the Christian holiday of Easter. On April 10, however, Muslim students will be forced to choose between celebrating their academic achievements or their religious practices, alienating them from one of their communities no matter which decision they make.
After I reached out to the SRC general manager, Erin Mallory, and the director of events, Bryn Empey, Empey wrote in an email that “this was indeed an oversight on our part” and go on to say “we acknowledge the harm that can be caused by failing to consider important dates for members
Editor’s note: The SRC general manager Erin Mallory responded to a request for comment from the editor-in-chief. She said, “We really struggled this year to find a date that worked. We are very apologetic that we missed the fact this was Eid” and acknowledged this was an oversight on their part.
of Gaza should inspire us all to strive for a more just and equitable world.
Free free Palestine
As strange as this may read, I am a son of the sun. I was born in the West African country of Benin, a key-shaped territory that stretches out into the Gulf of Guinea. There, not only the land bathes in the sun, but so do the people who inhabit it. Being located near the equator, Benin harbours the sun’s rays for most of the day and offers a warm tropical climate all year round with temperatures ranging from 18 to 35 C.
The migration from such a tropical climate to Quebec, which is reputed for its cold winters, can certainly be a shock for most people. For a ten-yearold boy who had never seen the snow, I was in awe at my very first snowfall; I can still picture myself moving about and dancing out of excitement.
What I didn’t fully grasp, however, at the time, were the implications of this beauty. With the snow came the cold, the necessity to shovel, car shelters that had to be set up, all these cumbersome warm clothing and much more. The arrival of the snow also meant that the sun would be taking its leave for the next few months, the days becoming shorter. And so, during the years that followed this migration and during the first half of my teenage years, I dreaded the wintertime.
Now, my relationship with this season of the year has drastically changed since then. I now believe that there needs to be that wintertime first in order for the sun to shine that brightly in the ensuing months. The wintertime
Was that too harsh? I am trying to look out for you because knowing me is knowing you. We all have things we do that are slightly self-destructive. In terms of destruction, J. Robert Oppenheimer may have made the first atomic bomb, but I am talking about the must-do, daily parts of life that we run on from one extreme to the other: Sleep, exercise and school. Our behaviours may be self-destructive because we run on university time, and that passes differently than normal time. Well, at least it feels that way. Is this what it feels like to grow up? Is this time
indeed acts as a foundation and lays the groundwork for everything that follows throughout the year.
It was only towards the end of my teenage years that I eventually began to embrace this time of the year. Somehow, the cold season had managed to work her charms on me. I no longer despised having to shovel after a snowfall or a snowstorm. On the contrary, I now enjoy it as it helps me stay in shape. And while I was still reluctant at the idea of having to set up car shelters come this time of the year, I began to see it as the fatherson ritual that it was. The crystalclear night skies that are provided in the wintertime also made me see the season in its own light — as a season of its own and a much-needed time for Mother Earth, at least in this region of the world.
And while I was still reluctant at the idea of having to set up car shelters come this time of the year, I began to see it as the father-son ritual that it was.
Thus has the cold season become ingrained in me. Me, a son of the sun.
Hivernité, a French neologism coined by the late Canadian geographer Louis-Edmond Hamelin, describes at best what I now consider to be an inherent part of me.
I remain, nonetheless, a son of the
management?
. The solution is a nap, but if I have learned anything from myself, it never becomes just a nap. I go for a whole sleep.
You are exhausted. The solution is a nap, but if I have learned anything from myself, it never becomes just a nap. I go for a whole sleep. Here is the thing: unless you are like my boyfriend, and you can go into sleeping beauty mode once you close your eyes, one does not fall asleep immediately. A 20-minute nap is prime. You will wake up feeling refreshed and in a good mood. An hour-long nap is going into dangerous territory, like Oscar the Grouch dangerous.
Here is how to do it right: set an alarm for a bit longer than 20 minutes so that you have time to be able to fall asleep and sleep for just
Annabelle McIntosh, Opinions Editor » thecampus.opinions@gmail.comsun at the core, a fact that the cold season’s winter blues never fail to remind me of. In this season of the year, I often find myself longing for the sun and the feeling of its warmth on my skin. Like an avid sunseeker, I seize every opportunity to soak myself in its rays; I’ve been taken aback by how rejuvenating it is for me.
That is why I find myself in the woods on a beautiful sunny day of February; and while I am delighted, it feels like a poisoned gift. The beaming sun and the nine degrees Celsius that accompany it, feel off and out of place. I know I am not the only one. Those of us who have been living here for some years now must have noticed
too – how un-wintery this winter has been. February is supposed to be one of the coldest months of the year and yet, this winter has recorded some of the warmest temperatures.
As climate change continues to escalate, I fear that it’s a trend that we, the people of the north, may have to get used to. And as I enjoy this sunlight, I can’t help but wonder about what will become of this hivernité. Of Quebec. Of Canada. After all, Quebec is winter and so is Canada.
HIVERNITÉ - Fait, état, qualité de l’hiver et de l’hivernie, perçus et vécus.
the right amount of time. Under all circumstances, do not snooze that alarm. Tell your roommates you are going for your midday snooze so that they do not let you rest for hours on end.
This has been my recent life hack: work out at home in your pyjamas.
Now, think about working out. That is awesome! Your body loves intentional movement, and the health benefits show. Sometimes, it is hard to start a workout because getting to the gym can feel like a trek to Istanbul. I live off campus – I get it! This has been my recent life hack: work out at home in your pyjamas. There is something about wearing pyjamas at weird times that brings me joy. If you see me at 8:30 a.m. on Tuesdays, you
will get it.
This last tip is a twoin-one. It is a Head and Shoulders solution, if you may.
This last tip is a two-in-one. It is a Head and Shoulders solution, if you may. You have an assignment to do, and you think, “Oh yeah, I will just grind this all out later.” It works, sure, but at what cost? First step: look at the assignment. No, I am serious – see what you have to do. Break up your assignment into increments, and when you need a break, do your chores. I know I am the evil stepmother, whatever. But, you need to get up and move around. Put on “Soulful Strut” from The Definitive Young-Holt Unlimited, and put those clothes away. Let’s get going, Cinderella! The moral of this fairytale is that if you do better, then you will feel better.
Gabrielle Santerre, forward for Bishop’s University’s women’s hockey team, has been turning heads all season making history. She led the country in scoring with 45 points over 25 games – making her the highest scorer the country has seen in ten years. In a sit-down interview with The Campus, the sports studies major shares how she climbed her way to achievement.
Santerre, 20, says she “does not do things halfway and puts a lot of hard work into everything she does.” Her tenacity is evident as she has made history in her breakthrough year on the Gaiters hockey team, being the first athlete in USports and RSEQ history to be named both Outstanding Player of the Year and Rookie of the Year in both divisions since USports inception, dating back to 1997. When asked how this might create added pressure, she responds, “I don’t see it as pressure. While it is fun and nice to have been awarded these accolades, I see it more as motivation and excitement to do even better next year and to continue to be the best version of myself.” She explains that “Next year we start back at zero”, and she will work hard not only to find
individual success, but team success.
Santerre built a stellar career playing as a Cougar at Champlain Lennoxville. With this came multiple full-ride opportunities to go and play Division 1 hockey in the United States as well as at other Quebec universities. When asked about her choice to stay in Sherbrooke, she shared that this was a huge decision to make, and one that she did not take lightly.
While some in her position would be tempted to go to programs that have been longer established and funded, Santerre liked the idea of helping build a new program
Bishop’s women’s hockey is still a new program that is continuing to grow. While some in her position would be tempted to go to programs that have been longer established and funded, Santerre liked the idea of helping build a new program and to grow with the team as it further establishes itself in the league. “This is a challenge that really spoke to me as it’s not every player that gets the opportunity to help build a program from the beginning.
And, while it comes with ups and downs, it really aligned with my values. Not to mention, we had an amazing season.” She shares that beyond being a part of building up a new program, her family plays a big role in her life and her overall success, and she did not see herself moving 5-6 hours away from her family at this time. “Once practice is over, you still have a life outside of the rink that you need to be happy with and for me, going to Bishop’s aligned with those values.”
Gaiters fans don’t need to worry about losing Santerre as she’s in it for the long haul. She reassured The Campus that she will be returning next year as “there is a little part of me that is not yet satisfied”
Gaiters fans don’t need to worry about losing Santerre as she’s in it for the long haul. She reassured The Campus that she will be returning next year as “there is a little part of me that is not yet satisfied, I play hockey to win as a team. My goal is to win a championship, and that’s really one of the reasons that I came to Bishop’s. . . I am happy for the awards and recognition, but my focus is to come back
even stronger as a team.”
Santerre is driven by finding new ways to improve her game and the team overall. When asked how she was going to top this season she was quick to answer “that we can always do better. This was one of our best seasons both as a team and for myself individually, but we will always have new ways we can improve.” She says there is “no greater motivation” than the fact that the team didn’t make it to nationals this year. “That is a goal that we didn’t realize. However, it’s fine because it is something that we will learn and grow from and be able to come back next year” through hard work and team growth, she says.
“This was one of our best seasons both as a team and for myself individually, but we will always have new ways we can improve.”
It is clear through speaking with Santerre and the people surrounding her that she is down to earth, focused on the game and her team rather than individual success and recognition. Santerre is absolutely a player to watch as her career in hockey progresses.
The Bishop’s club hockey team travelled down to Westchester, Pennsylvania early in the morning on March 7. With the bus loaded and everybody accounted for, they embarked on an 11-hour bus ride down to the states. Upon arriving at the hotel, the players found some food and took to their beds in preparation for the game the next morning.
Day one of the tournament started off with staff greeting the team upon their arrival at the arena. They checked everyone in and gave everyone a bag full of AAU Nationals’ merch.
Game one found the boys on rink four facing off against the sixteenth-ranked Vanderbilt Commodores. It quickly became clear that Bishop’s outmatched the Vanderbilt side in talent, speed and physicality. This being said, they ran into a former NCAA Division 3 goalie who stood on his head on the Vanderbilt side to keep the game close. The scoreboard read 2-1 for Bishop’s heading into the second intermission. Bishop’s came out firing in the third period, proving to be too much for the Vanderbilt goalie to manage and ended up coming out on
top 5-2. Cody Morton, Fred Grenon, Marc Lagacé, Liam Llewellyn and Nico Deichmann were the goal scorers for BU while Reece Bastien earned the win between the pipes.
Day two saw Bishop’s take on the eleventh-ranked Clemson Tigers. The team came out flat to start the game, with Clemson dominating the ice. Bastien maintained a solid performance, as the scoreboard only read 1-0 at the end of the period.
Sadly, the team couldn’t find their jump in the second period as the Tigers continued their onslaught. Andrew Delage found himself between the pipes late in the second period, with the team finishing the period down 5-0. At the end of the game, the scoreboard read 8-1 for the Tigers, with Graydon Hartley scoring the lone goal late in the third period for Bishop’s.
Looking to bounce back from the tough loss to Clemson, the team took on number six-ranked Liberty Flames on the third day of the tournament. Bishop’s appeared to be the better team throughout the early game. Despite this, the scoreboard read 3-0 for the Flames halfway through the second period. With eight minutes left in the third period, Liam
Llewellyn would open the floodgates for Bishop’s. This would be followed by Marc Lagacé, Ryan Massicotte, Joe Aubert and Fred Grenon capping off a five-goal run in under eight minutes for Bishop’s. Joe Aubert would once again find the back of the net in the third period to make it 6-3 for Bishop’s, the final score of the game. Goalie Andrew Delages secured a winning performance in the net for Bishop’s.
The team unfortunately missed out on competing in the final round of eight by just one goal against the eighth-seed Tennessee Vols. This being said, the time spent at nationals will be life-lasting memories for the team. Whether it be
On March 24, BU Dance presented “Radiance”, their annual final showcase. The showcase, featuring the competitive and club teams, allowed the dancers to perform what they love to the community they love.
BU Dance has dedicated countless hours practicing a wide range of dances, with styles ranging from ballet to hip hop and everything in between. All of this practice culminated in their Centennial Showcase. The show consisted of a whopping 25 numbers, which resulted in a very entertaining show. Many numbers were extended versions of the dances performed at their Gait Showcase, “Meet us at the Barre”.
First-year member on the competitive team, Gabby Lalonde, shared that she “could not wait for everyone to come see all the blood, sweat and laughs – not tears – that we’ve put into all of our numbers.” Fellow dancer Abby Epstein agreed, stating that she felt “fortunate to be a part of something so special. The showcase really represents a year of hard work”.
The organizers chose the name Radiance to highlight dance as an art form that can provide a light of sorts to both the audience and the dancer, lifting spirits and warming hearts. This sense of joy was a recurring theme on the team this year according to second-year dancer Sonoma Brawley, who shared that “Being a member of the BU Dance has been the most positive experience at Bishop’s. As we’ve been preparing for our showcase, we’ve come together even more as a community to make this the best show possible.”
Epstein expressed that, “there’s a true sense of fun that’s been fostered through dance and collaboration”.
Dancers ages 3-10 from the Junior Gaiters Dance Club joined BU Dance on stage as special guest stars. The guest stars performed alongside the team during the matinee performance. The tiny dancers brought some extra fun to Centennial, and for many of them, this was the beginning of a lifelong love of dance.
BU Dance would like to thank everyone who came out to the showcase to support them and their wonderful showcase volunteers. Make sure to follow @bishopsdance to stay tuned for next year’s audition information!
On Thursday, March 21, the House of Commons was brought to life in St. Mark’s Chapel, where Prof. Jacob Robbins-Kanter led his Introduction to Canadian Politics class in a mock parliament. The chapel, which is commonly a place for peace and prayer, was transformed into a scene where the Speaker of the House demanded order numerous times, played by Prof. RobbinsKanter himself.
Students’ seats were arranged by their party affiliation, which consisted of the Liberals, Conservatives, NDP, Bloc Québécois and the Green Party. Many students chose to wear professional attire or a colour affiliated with their party. They played roles including members of parliament (MPs), cabinet ministers, committee chairs, rapporteurs and the current prime minister.
Opposition MPs took advantage of 45 seconds to ask the prime minister and fellow cabinet ministers questions about pressing subjects in Canada: inflation, climate change, healthcare, housing, Indigenous relations, gender equality and more. The honourable ministers had an equal amount of time to defend and explain the policies and actions for which they were responsible. Opposition members could then take an additional 15 seconds to raise a follow-up question in response.
When asked about his experience,
Antoine Tremblay, a third-year education student, mentioned he watched YouTube videos of question periods beforehand. He said: “It wasn’t what I expected. I had to actively put myself in the question period mindset to come up with an appropriate question.” He was compelled to rewrite his question to emulate the competitive, heckling environment that is shown on social media platforms. This was certainly captured during the simulation as many students shouted phrases like “shame” and “answer the question” during opposition statements.
The line of questioning was followed by a roll call vote on the motion to “resolve that the federal carbon tax be repealed immediately and in all provinces”. The motion passed with a 20-19 vote.
History professor Jean Manore and Prof. Trygve Ugland, the department chairperson of politics and international studies, posed challenging media questions to each political party to close the mock parliament. “How embarrassed are you for losing the vote today?” Prof. Ugland unmercifully asked the Liberal Party during media questions. Other honorary guests included SRC President Sophia Stacey and experiential learning coordinator Bassam Chiblak.
When asked about the purpose of implementing an experiential learning component into the 100-level course, Prof. Robbins-Kanter said that in politics courses, there was a lot of value in “putting yourselves in the shoes of different political actors, trying to understand the different political interests and ideas that
are at stake.”
Tremblay said that “to think of the question and consider the response. . .puts you in the mind of an MP, [which] is something you can’t teach in a lecture or a PowerPoint.” Tremblay mentioned that he could see himself pursuing a career in law in the future, as he “enjoys public speaking” but had difficulty envisioning himself in the realm of politics. He stated, however, that “the experience has made [him] more inclined to go into politics.”
Prof. Robbins-Kanter also added, “I think it is especially interesting to put yourself in the position of political actors that you don’t necessarily naturally agree or align with or even know a lot about.” This was the case for Tremblay and probably many other students.
On Thursday, March 14, Senator Rosa Galvez visited Bishop’s for a talk with students and faculty.
Galvez, who is originally from Peru, is one of Canada’s leading experts in pollution control and its effects on human health. She holds a PhD in environmental engineering from McGill University and has been a professor at Université Laval since 1994. She specializes in water and soil decontamination, waste management and residues, and environmental impact and risk assessment.
Galvez was appointed to the Senate of Canada in 2016, representing Quebec (Bedford). She thus became affiliated with the Independent Senators Group (ISG). As the name implies, the ISG is not part of any political party in order to protect the needs and views of diverse Canadians, particularly minorities and vulnerable groups. It balances the “tyranny” of the majority, Galvez described. Galvez was also a key sponsor of the Canadian NetZero Emissions Accountability Act back in 2021 and later introduced the ClimateAligned Finance Act in 2023.
Hosted by Prof. Vivian Valencia, the
research chair in sustainable agriculture and climate action at Bishop’s, the event took place in Cleghorn and began with an intimate lunch. Galvez, some students, faculty and other attendees sat at a round table where they chatted and had a laugh. At first, they reminisced about online meetings. Then, they talked about travelling, oil and gas industry lobbying, recent bills in government and concerns regarding artificial intelligence (AI). The Canadian senator remarked how she receives thousands of emails, seemingly generated by AI, which makes it hard to filter through her inbox.
The senator’s visit followed with a meet and greet from 1 to 2 p.m., during which attendees were invited to ask their questions. After one student asked how she became a senator, Galvez recounted the reevaluation and evolution of the senatorial appointment process. In 2015, the Liberal government opened the process, allowing Canadians to submit their resumes and apply for the positions. Out of thousands of applications, Galvez was the one who ended up being selected.
In another answer, the Canadian senator expressed her disappointment with the plastic industry’s aggressive lobbying, the lack of data banks and transparency
Among the many attractions in the Eastern Townships, St. Mark’s Chapel stands out as a destination of interest for its historical and artistic heritage. The Quebec Ministry of Cultural Affairs declared the chapel as cultural property in 1989. The neogothic style building remains witness to the influence of the Anglican clergy and English academic societies on 19th-century religious architecture.
Pre-confederation
Originally built from 1853 to 1857, the historic chapel is even older than Canada, remarks Bishop’s and Champlain chaplain Jesse Dymond. Its integration into the Bishop’s College of the time was made with the interests of the region’s English population at heart. Its goal was also to form members of the Anglican clergy. In 1857, the chapel was consecrated by George Jehoshaphat Mountain, the third Anglican Bishop of Quebec and one of the founders of the university.
Development
In the years that followed, the chapel underwent several works, including the addition of an apse in 1875. Six years later in 1891, when Bishop’s recorded its most devastating fire, the chapel was almost completely lost. Only the exterior walls remained. The Chapel was completely restored in the following years with a brand-new interior, characterized by its fine woodworking. Most of today’s striking features become then apparent: wooden sculptures of eight kneeling angels and the
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in Canada regarding toxic substances (i.e., the lack of pesticide regulation) and the modernization of the Canadian Environmental Protection Act (CEPA) that removed the word “prevention” as one of the priorities of climate change action.
Galvez also highlighted the spiritual side of her Peruvian roots, as her mom held a lot of traditional knowledge about nature and the stars. On a more surprising note, she shared how various religious groups have reached out to her because of their love of nature and desire for its preservation. As Galvez concluded, she pointed out that we need to “act locally but think globally; everything starts from the bottom.”
After a 30-minute break, new attendees crowded Cleghorn to listen in on Galvez’ formal presentation. Galvez talked about issues of pollution and surpassing climate thresholds (planetary boundaries), and the various inequalities and injustices that arise as a result. She then emphasized how 50 per cent of a country’s GDP is directly dependent on the wellbeing of the country’s biosphere.
Galvez’s formal presentation ended with some solutions: better climate education on restoration and regeneration; mitigation, adaptation and prevention; decarbonizing the economy; supporting NGOs and
women’s philanthropic groups such as Women For Nature; investing in resilience (also known as the triple dividend); interparliamentary collaboration (e.g., ParlAmericas); and giving personhood to nature. For the latter, Galvez is working on a bill to give personhood to the St. Lawrence River. This would give the river rights and protections of legal persons. The afternoon concluded with a Q&A session facilitated by Diego Osorio, a guest professor this semester who teaches HIS 228: Truth and Reconciliation in [a] Global Context.
On March 14, the Ogden Glass Lecture Series hosted comedian Ali Hassan in Bandeen Hall for a night of lighthearted laughter and serious reflection on his new memoir, Is there Bacon in Heaven?
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Besides its remarkable architecture, the chapel is also renowned for its pipe organ. It is “probably the best organ in the Eastern Townships region”, says Dymond. “People travel from all over the place to try it.” Dymond also adds that the instrument has always been part of the chapel’s tradition.
Hassan, who is Montreal-raised, is wellestablished in Canadian comedy, hosting Laugh Out Loud on CBC and touring his stand-up comedy. During the lecture, Hassan walked the audience through his comedy career, highlighting his journey as a cultural Muslim and the difficulties of articulating identity.
Origins of his book
“I was just going on stage and complaining about my children… my son, who was four at the time, had a lot of questions about Islam.” His son’s questions made him feel cornered. As a cultural Muslim, he explained, “I’m not a practicing Muslim… I’m a freelancer. They call, they say ‘we need you at the mosque’, and I say, ‘well, I was hoping to work from home today’”, he quipped.
Hassan said that he noticed that when he started talking about the religion in his comedy shows, audience members started to wait at the end “just to make a human connection.” They approached him to express their surprise or excitement about different aspects of Islam. These topics became the focus of his one-man shows, and later, his memoir.
A series of bad decisions…
In his reading, Hassan also delved into how his identity as a cultural Muslim developed alongside his professional career. He jokingly described his journey as a “series of bad decisions with good outcomes.” After quitting his career in IT support, he found a passion for food. He thus went on to work as a caterer, chef and cooking instructor, and later added radio broadcasting to his list of odd jobs.
The two passions culminated in an offer to judge at Toronto’s Ribfest – a weekend extravaganza of pork. Although the festival clearly hadn’t done their research on
Muslim food restrictions, Hassan accepted the invitation. As he suffered a belly full to the brim with 16 delicious ribs, he realized “why pork [was] banned in [his] religion.” With the new title of “Muslim celebrity ribjudge” under his belt, Hassan went on to pursue broadcasting and stand-up, launching his comedy career.
A pork-eating Muslim Hassan shared with the audience that he has since never been more comfortable with his identity. While he doesn’t mind the reputation of a pork-eating Muslim, he admits that kids make this balance difficult.
“How can a guy who judged at rib fest credibly talk to his kids about being a Muslim?” He expressed the difficulty of articulating this intricate identity to his kids: “If you’re really lucky, you fall in love with the path that you’ve carved for yourself. The challenge is, you can’t just share the path you’ve carved with your kids.”
Comedic writing
When asked about moving from the stage to the page, Hassan admitted that it had proved more difficult than he had anticipated. In stand-up, the audience expects comedy every few seconds, and stories are told primarily for entertainment; whereas in comedic writing, there are pauses and reflections, and stories are told to build on a larger theme. When his editor asked him to articulate the larger message behind his stories, he remembered that it was never something he had asked himself. “I tell stories to entertain. . . . I found it very, very challenging.” He challenged himself to find a balance between lighthearted humour and serious reflection, adding that “it’s ok to talk about stuff that’s sad….that stuff happens in life.” This ultimately created a memoir that he felt was for himself, more than for anyone else. “[When] you’re honest with
yourself, and you make something you love, eventually people tend to love it as well.”
Is there Bacon in Heaven?
In his memoir, Hassan settles on universal themes of “parenting, having a parent, and identity”. During the event, he highlighted how comedy and writing both draw from deeply personal relationships with identity. At the end of the talk, he concluded that “[he] really started to enjoy this idea of humour and heart, and was able to create something with both.”
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groups, Légaré noted. However, she would pass around a talking stick – an eagle feather – and open circles with a smudge to root the participants in cultural practices. Unlike a focus group, the researcher is equal with the participants in a sharing circle and is obliged to be connected, rather than distanced from them. “We are going to be in this together,” she recalled telling her participants.
She incorporated photovoice, a method where people take photos to capture their perspective on an issue. The process of participants explaining why they took the photo evoked oral storytelling. Photovoice allowed her to include youths’ vision beyond written word.
She also used a method developed by the Students Commission of Canada called the head, heart, feet and spirit tool. This exercise asks people to reflect on what they learned, felt, wanted to do and how they connected during an experience. Légaré said this method understood individuals’ perspectives more holistically.
She explained that she spent an entire year trying to find research methods that would respect culture and allow her participants to speak freely and feel interconnected. Her participants felt safe, she noted, even though they were vulnerable and discussed emotional topics.
Légaré pointed out that Western science often poses itself as unbiased. However, “according to Indigenous ways of knowing, we all have biases,” said Légaré. She highlighted cultures’ emphasis on acknowledging the relationships between things, and not simply relationships to things. “We acknowledge the bias and don’t hide behind objectivity,” she said. Even a scientific poster using traditional research methods will have bias, Légaré points out, as there is a reason why the researcher is exploring and feels connected to a subject.
Légaré’s research interests began during her undergraduate honours psychology degree. She was introduced to the concept of generativity under Prof. Heather Lawford’s work. After reading many transcripts and finding that she could identify when it was Indigenous youth speaking, she began
an honours thesis with Prof. Lawford on Indigenous youth generativity, a space with little research. Prof. Lawford and Légaré later brought on Prof. Vicky Chartrand, who led her on a path to incorporate Indigenous research methods. Vicky Boldo, the associate director of Indigenous initiatives, also mentored Légaré in her research, raising awareness that she’d have to develop relationships and build trust with her participants; otherwise, she could be viewed as an outsider.
“I felt like I didn’t belong in Indigenous spaces because I didn’t grow up on res [sic.],” said Légaré, when describing her research journey and upbringing. When she finished her bachelor’s, she didn’t want to pursue a path in clinical psychology. She also didn’t see herself in research because academia is not very welcoming to Indigenous people, Légaré expressed. Due to various discouraging factors, she said she had given up on graduate school. However, Prof. Lawford opened up a master’s degree, and Légaré embarked on her new thesis.
Now, she says she looks forward to publishing her thesis. Légaré underscores
a sense of responsibility towards her participants and how they would like to see the knowledge mobilized.
“This work is important,” she said. “This work is not about me. It’s about [the youth] and the work they’re doing.” Research doesn’t tend to show the “good side” of Indigenous youth, but, “We are more than a status card and alcohol”, says Légaré. Their knowledge, perspectives and experiences are worth something, she closed.
The Left Hand of Darkness is a 1969 science fiction, or sci-fi, novel by American author Ursula K. Le Guin (1929 – 2018). This twenty-chapter novel is set in the fictional Hainish universe and is part of Le Guin’s Hainish Cycle series. Yet, despite being a series, the books can be enjoyed as stand-alone works and do not require previous knowledge of the other novels or short stories.
Many will recognize the name Le Guin by her 1973 short story titled “The Ones Who Walk Away from Omelas” or her high-fantasy Earthsea Cycle series (which I am currently reading). Le Guin was heavily inspired by philosophy, particularly Taoism, but she also broached topics that were controversial for her time, such as gender. Many of her characters, including the protagonists, are people of colour.
Additionally, Le Guin’s work contrasts Campbellian sci-fi, named after John Wood Campbell Jr. (1910 – 1971) who shaped or formalized modern sci-fi. As
Damien Walter explains in his video “The Dangerous Philosophy of Ursula Le Guin”, Campbellian sci-fi “displayed a casual disregard for women”. Women were frequently caricatured as “unreasoning creatures who put feelings above the cold hard equations of reality”. This narrative removed early female writers such as Mary Shelley from the history of scifi. Campbellian sci-fi sees reality as an uncaring machine, and that a better world can only be achieved through scientific technology, according to Walter’s analysis.
Le Guin, on the other hand, believed the human world was shaped by human thinking.
The Left Hand of Darkness is a book that is still regarded as one of Le Guin’s best works, though it remains controversial for the way it approaches gender. The protagonist, Genly Ai (a Black man), is a human envoy on the planet Gethen, also known as Winter due to its perpetual frozen environment (a long Ice Age). The humanoid Gethenians are true androgynous/hermaphroditic people: they look androgynous, yet are
only sexually active once a month when their sex changes to either male or female. However, they have no influence over this change and do not know which sex they will have (it is random every cycle).
Throughout the book, Genly Ai’s goal is to convince the Gethenians to join the Ekumen, a collective of planetary governments. He has to navigate this alien icebound world and petty royal governments that are trying to get rid of him because they do not believe him or do not want to join the Ekumen, which puts him at great risk. Mr. Ai also has to navigate his own prejudices regarding the gender/sex binary and the Gethenians’ sexual physiology. He has to spend months alongside a Gethenian, Therem Harth remir Estraven, the king’s ex-Prime Minister. With time, Mr. Ai comes to see Estraven as a very close friend and accepts them for who they truly are: both a man and a woman.
Although it was difficult to get into the story at first because of all the foreign terms, this book just became a new favourite of mine, and because I did not
appreciate it enough on the first read, I will revisit it in the future (it is worth reading til the end, I promise!). It also made me accept myself more with my own feminine and masculine physical traits: feminine face, wide hips and thick thighs, but broad shoulders, big feet and somewhat manly hands. The story will stay with you for a long time!
From March 14-17, the Bishop’s University musical theatre concentration put on a production of Spring Awakening at Centennial Theatre that blew audiences away. With a live band and a wealth of student talent, Spring Awakening was described as “an outstanding production” and “the greatest show ever at Bishop’s University”. The production closed last week with roaring applause and many standing ovations.
One audience member enjoying the show was Kate Vandermeulen. “I was so lucky to be able to see the Friday night performance of Spring Awakening, and was completely blown away,” said Vandermeulen. She praised the concept, the set and the actors’ brilliant performances. “The sensitive subject matter was handled beautifully, and even the darkest moments had a subtle touch of light to them. Whether you were an avid consumer of the arts or a first-time
audience member, Spring Awakening had something for everyone.”
Directed by Art Babayants, Spring Awakening was a story about young teenagers exploring the tumultuous path of adolescence. Book and lyrics were by Steven Sater and the music by Duncan Sheik. The production is based on a play by Frank Wedekind. The show dealt with heavy topics that the creatives handled with grace. Spring Awakening was designed to highlight the importance of transparency, communication and accessible education. It demonstrated the necessity of building safe spaces between students and the adults that they depend upon.
As noted by Emmett Tinning, a secondyear music student and lead performer in Spring Awakening, “Being a part of Spring Awakening was an incredible experiential learning opportunity that delivered lessons in embedding hope and empathy into theatre.”
The musical theatre concentration is embarking on its third year. Bishop’s hosts the only English-language musical theatre
program in Quebec. The concentration strives to offer unparalleled training and produces a different show every year. Previous productions from the musical theatre concentration include Godspell and The Drowsy Chaperone. Drama and musical theatre student Shannon Gaskarth reflected on how “it’s incredible to be in a program this unique, and be able to get credits for performing. We all work hard throughout the school year to practice our craft, and it’s so
special to have opportunities like this embedded into our education. Performing on Centennial Stage is something I will cherish.”
This production ran as two threecredit musical theatre classes throughout the winter semester. The musical theatre concentration is designed for inclusion, so students from every department are welcome to audition for the once-in-alifetime opportunity of performing in a musical.
Plunging beneath cobbled streets, gas lamps flicker along Paris’ ethereal twilight;
Here lies yesterday’s umbra.
Our torches, rebuking darkness, shed a hundred yearning veils of yellowish curiosity against Bone-chiseled visages.
The air is dense, each breath pulls specks of dust and bone into our lungs. Perhaps I exaggerate. Straying from the walls, air lacks the grit of bone, the ceiling above is stone—carved and split.
In lieu of golden filigree, bones, meticulously arranged, adorn the halls. Processions of candles illuminate the ossuary, Casting abyssal dancing bodies against moss-kissed stone; Death approaches.
It’s akin to wandering through a dream—a dream where torchlight, Devoid of daylight’s hues, Plays amidst a sepulcher of mold and neglect.
Deeper into the void,
The Catacombs reveal a tortive realm where dead lingers with living. Eroded limestone walls cradle the bones of those who once trod the sunlit boulevards above; Now they cradle us too.
The 96th Academy Awards ceremony – what a show! If you saw the video of Martin Scorsese beaming during the “I’m Just Ken” performance, then you would agree. Let me give you the rundown. I watched seven out of ten movies nominated for Best Picture, so I was in it for the long haul this year. Without finishing Killers of the Flower Moon, my best picture guesses were between Killers of the Flower Moon, Oppenheimer and Poor Things. Christopher Nolan’s Oppenheimer took the win for the biggest category of the night. Although actress Lily Gladstone from Killers of the Flower Moon did not win the award for Best Actress, their presence in this category was the first time in history that a Native American was nominated for Best Actress. Gladstone grew up on the Blackfeet Nation in Montana and is of Siksikaitsitapi and
NiMíiPuu heritage.
The Academy decided to implement a new award beginning for movies released in 2025: achievement in casting. It is not yet clear if the award itself will be applauding movies that have great diversity in casting, like Killers of the Flower Moon, or movies that have cast renowned, popular actors, like Little Women (2019) or Oppenheimer. Nonetheless, this award will bring attention to the work of casting directors, giving more crew members recognition for their impressive contributions.
Actor Emma Stone was awarded Best Actress for her extraordinary performance as Bella Baxter in Poor Things, a woman brought back to life with a brain transplant from a child. Stone’s well-deserved award was followed up with a speech that brought tears to my eyes and then down my face. I did not think that any compliment could top Andrew Garfield describing Stone as being like “a shot of espresso,” but Stone may have topped it by saying that her
three-year-old daughter has turned her life into technicolour.
The emotions do not stop there. Stone winning best actress on the same night that Ryan Gosling starred as one of the musical performers for the Oscars gave me the closure I have needed since watching La La Land three years ago.
If you’ve only seen Emma Stone and Ryan Gosling in La La Land edits and are itching for a full cinematic experience, do not fret! You can treat yourself to top-tier films on Friday, April 5 at the Canadian Oscars – excuse me, I meant at the Bishop’s University Film Festival. The film festival will consist of several short film screenings and awards. This event will be accompanied by food and drinks, with the option of purchasing alcoholic drinks if you want to feel like you are in a Don Julio promotional bit. See you at 7 p.m.! Or, if you are like Wes Anderson, I will not see you at all.
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Thanks to its location in the Eastern Townships, Bishop’s is lucky to be surrounded by amazing farmers such as Les Jardins d’Etc and Wild Things. These two local floral farms have been hard at work preparing beautiful bouquets for June’s convocation, grown with love. Jardins d’Etc grows certified organic flowers by Ecocert Canada, while Wild Things cultivates ecological options on small plots of land.
The rise of globalization and postpandemic pressures have contributed to growing concerns about world-wide pollution and extended people’s desire to find healthy alternatives to old practices. Many shoppers wish to shift their buying habits from mostly cheaper, international goods, to greener, higher-quality local products. In fact, American Express found in a 2023 survey that nearly 80 per cent of respondents appreciate the impact of local business on their communities and admitted to regularly supporting local initiatives.
Flower production in Quebec
In 2022, more than 150 cut flower farms were listed by the Quebec government. Most of these farms are at the early stages of their development strategies (less than 5 years old), cultivate on small lands and are owned by women. By buying locally, you are not only
encouraging a whole new generation of farmers. You are also greatly contributing to the local economy by supporting employment in your region.
Why buy local flowers?
Whether it is for a better local economy or developing a strong community, the reasons to go local are endless. In the case of cut flowers, it is even more important because of all the environmental and social impacts of this industry. In fact, most cut flowers come from foreign countries like Ecuador or Colombia. 60 per cent of the world’s flowers will go through the world’s largest flower market in the Netherlands, meaning your bouquet could have traveled over 15,000 kilometres.
In addition to the emissions created by the vehicles, the flowers are transported in refrigerated containers that require energy and chemicals. After a long journey of many weeks on boats and planes, it is easy to understand if massproduced flowers wilt quickly!
Many of these flowers also come from industrial farms that use harmful chemicals and where workers are not adequately protected with sanitary and regulatory guidelines and proper protection equipment. This means the flowers you are used to buying might not only be damaging for the environment, but for everybody along the supply-chain as well as the end users.
Buying local flowers means reduced greenhouse gas emissions from the extensive transportation, encouraging a sustainable agriculture system that promotes ecological farming practices and ethical working conditions. Buying flowers that are grown in the Eastern Townships could guarantee unparalleled freshness, amazing scents and longer lasting blooms in varieties that aren’t offered elsewhere, while supporting local businesses led by women and members of our community.
Offering local and ecological flowers during Convocation is also part of Priorities 1, 2 and 4 of Bishop’s University’s Sustainable Development Plan: “Operate Bishop’s University in an increasingly ecological and responsible
manner”; “Engage the Bishop’s University community in improving its sustainable performance”; and “Promote the well-being of our community through sustainable development initiatives.”
This spring, when it’s finally time for you to graduate and to buy your bouquet, not only are you going to be graduating in style, but you will have contributed to the success of local entrepreneurs and helped make a difference in the environment.
Students can learn more and order flowers at: https://buconvocationflowers. square.site/
Frédérique LeBlanc Piette is a student intern with the Sustainable Development Office.
On Thursday, March 14, the newly formed Bishop’s University Real Estate Club (BREC) made their way to downtown Toronto for the second annual Ontario Real Estate Club Association (ORECA) speaker panel and networking event. Joining them were member clubs from Canadian institutions such as Toronto Metropolitan University, Western University, Queen’s University, University of Toronto, Guelph University, York University and Wilfrid Laurier University.
The first order of business upon arrival in Toronto was to head to the Colliers International office on Bay Street. There, the team was joined by Western’s real estate club to listen to a speaker panel of industry professionals, moderated by BREC’s co-president, Connor von Teichman. Sitting on the the Colliers International panel was Victor Cotic, executive vice president of national investment services; Matt Albertine, vice president focusing on industrial real estate; and sales representative Madeline Johnson.
The panellists were asked a series of questions ranging from advice they would give young students wanting to break
into the industry, to how they foresee interest rates affecting the marketplace as they continue to rise. At the end of the discussion, students left the room with a sense of clarity thanks to the advice provided by the panel. Some received answers to burning questions they wouldn’t have had the opportunity to ask except for at that moment.
After networking with the Western students as well as some of the Colliers staff, it was time to head across the street to CIBC Square for ORECA’s main event. Upon arrival, the team was given their lanyards and took their seats for the official ORECA panellist discussion.
The speakers on this panel were some of the highest level executives in the Toronto commercial real estate game: Kevin Leon, president at Crestpoint Real Estate Investments; Aliyah Mohamed, chief capital officer at Kingsett Capital; as well as Randy Hoffman, executive vice president of Oxford Property Group.
BREC co-president Brenan Priest said his main takeaways from the panel discussion included how patience is key in the industry, and advice that when you start off, make sure you have no ego and that no job is below you. After the panelist discussion concluded, attendees interacted at the networking reception and were soon thereafter joined by industry professionals
from all different facets of commercial real estate.
The Bishop’s Real Estate Club is the newest member of ORECA as there is no organization of its kind for English universities in Quebec. As a newly formed club, attending this event was an opportunity for the club to solidify itself as a legitimate organization whilst also giving its members greater exposure.
Attending members not only gained insight into the wider world of real estate, but also access to a massive network of industry professionals. Students garnered valuable connections to fellow students from across Eastern Canada interested in real estate.
Co-president von Teichman shared that the event “offered an unparalleled experience to meet and network with some of the best minds in commercial real estate and the opportunity to meet like-minded individuals currently enrolled in school”.
BREC extends a heartfelt thank you to those who participated in this event and the organizers at ORECA who welcomed the group with open arms. BREC also thanks the William’s School of Business who took care of all accommodation expenses of the trip.
Jack Linnell is the vice-president of external affairs for BREC
