Menstrual Equity Project paves a green solution to period poverty
Why English? The importance of the humanities in a chaos-filled world
Motionball’s annual dodgeball tournament closes fundraising year
Graduating fine arts student reflects on creative journey
Afew months after receiving exemptions from the tuition hike, Bishop’s University finds itself exploring government funding to compensate for an anticipated $2 million annual loss and is lagging 15 to 20 per cent behind on recruitment for out-of-province students. Bishop’s Principal Sébastien Lebel-Grenier’s most recent update to the university community sheds light on the various impacts of government measures despite the exemption. He highlights Bishop’s strategy navigating the evolving higher education landscape for anglophone universities in Quebec.
Funding envelopes for small and regional universities
In an email sent to the community on Feb. 24, Lebel-Grenier stated that Bishop’s was exploring the possibility of gaining fairer access to provincial
funding envelopes for small and regional universities starting in 2024-2025. But what exactly are those envelopes?
According to the ministry of higher education, the goal of these envelopes is to promote and support the particular missions of different institutions, including five Université du Québec institutions, Bishop’s University and others. Bishop’s is hoping to gain fairer access to these envelopes in order to compensate for the claw back on international student tuition by the Quebec government, set to result in recurring yearly losses of $2 million dollars for the university in the foreseeable future.
When asked about this special funding formula, Lebel-Grenier emphasized the disparities in funding between different institutions: “Bishop’s historically has not had equal access to these envelopes.” The vast majority of the universities that benefit from these envelopes are members of the Université du Québec (UQ) network, he said.
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Bishop’s rock song, poetry readings and The Mitre launch
During the week of March 25, Bishop’s welcomed Stephen Jerome for two days of basket weaving workshops and a day of demonstration. Hailing from Gesgapegiag, Jerome is an ancestral Black Ash basketmaker and the owner of the shop ASHOLE. During the week, Jerome shared his knowledge and his craft with the community of both Bishop’s and the Université de Sherbrooke. Black Ash basket making requires a considerable amount of dedication, patience and practice. Jerome has mastered picking the perfect tree from the forest and works straight from the log, hand cutting, bending, and weaving the pieces to make extremely strong and beautiful baskets; he stood on a basket to show its strength. Passed on through generations, Jerome contributes to preserving this tradition of Mi’kmaw culture.
Some of the attendees of the workshops were interviewed to reflect on this unique experience.
Q: How does this artistry signify Mi’kmaw traditions and culture?
Shawna Chatterton-Jerome, coordinator of Indigenous students support services at Bishop’s and niece of Stephen Jerome: [Black Ash basket making] has been in my family for generations and is still very much present in my community of Gesgapegiag. It is very meditative for me, and I want to make sure the tradition is still practiced throughout my generation and the next to come! So, it makes me happy to have my uncle come to BU and show and teach how beautiful this tradition of ours is!
Q: How is this workshop an important addition to Bishop’s?
Simon Daley (Kitigan Zibi First Nation), sociology student at Bishop’s: As university students, we do not make much. We work with theories, ideas and concepts. This is one of the few [chances] we get to make something, not only a physical item that takes hours to make but
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On Wednesday, Mar. 27, students gathered in the Library Learning Commons for the official launch of phase two of the SRC’s Menstrual Equity Project (MEP). This phase will introduce sustainable and reusable menstrual products to the student population, following phase one’s introduction of free disposable menstrual products in bathrooms. Free menstrual pads, cups and discs are now available at six locations: the Health Clinic, the SRC Offices, the Indigenous Student Support Centre, the International Students Office, Student Services and the Community Cupboard. During the town hall, Olivia Woods – project founder and SRC vicepresident student life – and fellow MEP committee members outlined accessibility and distribution of reusable and sustainable products.
The term “period poverty”, describing various accessibility barriers to menstrual products, is a more common university experience than some may think: Woods highlighted that 34 per cent of Canadians will experience period poverty and described how she’s heard countless stories of students forced to choose between buying groceries and period products or leaving class due to product inaccessibility. The MEP, the “brainchild” of Woods, launched phase one in December 2023, providing free disposable menstrual products in campus bathrooms, plus coupons for purchases. This project has highlighted the pressing need for continued accessibility: Woods noted that restocked products often run out within two days. Recently, disposable products have
been added to male bathrooms on campus to increase accessibility for trans, intersex, genderqueer and nonbinary students.
In addition to financial costs, menstrual products can present a significant environmental burden. Disposable and overwhelmingly non-biodegradable products create 200,000 tons worth of plastic waste a year. While re-usable products offer solutions, their high short-term cost often bumps them to a second-choice product. During the town-hall gathering, Woods announced that the SRC has purchased 985 reusable products. Future plans of the MEP are to introduce sustainable single use products in the baskets across campus, such as tampons with applicators made from cane sugar.
Woods invited MEP committee members Roser Rise and Kassandre Brouillard to cover the details of reusable pads, menstrual cups and discs.
Maxi-size reusable pads are available. They may last up to ten years and must be
changed every six to eight hours. While they may be more tedious to wash, they are more absorbent than disposable pads and can replace 238 single-use pads. Students can access small and regularsized menstrual cups and discs, with the choice of a soft or rigid material for cups. While the menstrual cup is inserted into the vaginal canal, the disc is inserted higher up and rests below the cervix. Cups and discs do not need to be removed as often as tampons, needing to be emptied at least once every 12 hours. When taken care of properly, they may last up to 10 years. They should be sanitized with boiling water or alcohol at the start and end of each menstrual cycle. Rise and Brouillard added that despite common myths, these products are not less hygienic than disposable ones. With the cost barrier eliminated, Woods hopes that students can start considering these options as a sustainable long-term solution to period poverty. When asked about how students would
access these products at the six locations, Woods told The Campus that students must show their ID and fill out a short form explaining their choice of product. As opposed to a grab-and-go, this allows any necessary education on product usage and allows them to track the project data for future improvements. Woods also noted that re-usable products will not replace the access to disposable products.
Antonia Driscoll and Danielle Storey, coordinators for the community cupboard, shared their thoughts on the impact of the MEP. Storey told The Campus that “I have an environmental science background, and I have studied how wasteful single use period products with plastic applicators and packaging can be. By implementing the reusable products, we are lowering carbon emissions, saving our planet and expanding students’ knowledge on the topic of menstruation.”
Driscoll echoed the sentiment, adding that “providing free menstrual products not only alleviates financial stress for students but also promotes inclusivity and accessibility on campus”.
Woods concluded the town hall with hopes of promoting menstrual education across campus. This, she said, may include adding books about menstruation to the library and introducing educational activities. The SRC also noted that students are not alone in choosing the right product: The product company Saalt, for example, has a quiz online to help your decision.
As Woods put it, “It is time to switch the conversation. Menstruation is not shameful, nor should it be used as a tool of oppression. Education about anatomy and biological processes is essential”.
Bishop’s delegation received the highest honours, the Outstanding Delegation Award, at the National Model United Nations (NMUN) conference in New York City. The award recognizes delegations for active engagement in committees, professionalism and diplomatic values and proper use of NMUN rules and procedures.
NMUN is the most prestigious Model United Nations simulation in the world. The 2024 conferences witnessed the involvement of more than 7,000 student delegates hailing from 430 colleges and universities, spanning 130 diverse United Nations (UN) member states. During this conference, student delegations assume the role of a country in a simulated UN session spanning five days. This year, the Bishop’s delegation represented the Republic of Poland.
Alana Ospina, one of the students in the delegation, explained that they’ve been working towards NMUN all year. The students are enrolled in Bishop’s UN Practicum, a year-long course that immerses students in the comprehensive study of the UN system. Taught by Prof. SarahMyriam Martin-Brûlé, students acquire a profound understanding of the UN system
and diplomatic behaviour through a series of seminars, in-class activities and simulations with the Université de Sherbrooke.
NMUN “allowed us to truly realize how much we have learned since September by practicing and preparing for this simulation,” shared Irma Susset, another student of the delegation.
Even with all of Prof. Martin-Brûlé’s preparation, Ospina said it was surprising to see the sheer size of the conference, the diversity of students and NMUN move from something “untangible to tangible”. She says she walks away knowing how to command a room and “sell yourself”. “Wowing people in the 40 seconds you’re given is a huge feat”, she recognizes.
“NMUN was a life-changing experience that showed me how diplomacy is an area I really want to work in,” said Laurie Van Herck, another participant.
Spanning the last week of March, the conference demands meticulous preparation, including the in-depth study of specialised agencies, writing of position papers and shrewd negotiation skills. During this conference, students engage in an 80-hour simulation where they ultimately produce a written document outlining solutions to pressing global issues. Some of the topics in the committees this year included the promotion of sustainable tourism;
promoting and protecting the rights of children in conflict; and social inclusion of the elderly.
Students develop practical skills like public speaking, analytical thinking, writing, negotiation and teamwork. Over 250 Bishop’s students have participated in the Model UN practicum over the years. These students study various disciplines like politics, international studies, history, physics, business and education.
This year, Mikael Worku and Regan Simpson held the roles of head delegates. Their roles primarily entailed supporting Prof. Martin-Brûlé as teaching assistants and coaching the students in the practicum.
Over the last twenty years, Bishop’s NMUN delegation has garnered recognition
for their performances. These include multiple delegation awards, awards for their position papers and recognition for their work within individual committees.
This year, two delegates from the team were granted the esteemed Best Position Paper awards, while three others were acknowledged with Outstanding Delegate awards, which are decided by popular vote of committee peers. While awards serve to acknowledge the preparation and performances of the delegates, Bishop’s team is trained to best represent their countries and work diplomatically rather than focusing on winning awards.
Mikael-Benedict Worku was the head delegate of Bishop’s NMUN delegation
Four days prior to the April 8 eclipse, Bishop’s University welcomed Prof. Jean-Louis Heudier to the stage as the most recent guest of the Donald Lecture Series. An internationally acclaimed astronomer from France, Heudier’s long career includes a vice-presidency at the Côte d’Azur Observatory and numerous publications, including Fantastic Eclipses, From Fear to Reason in 2023. Heudier’s lecture explained the science of the eclipse, present and historic fascination of the phenomenon and how eclipses have augmented human self-understanding along the way.
Heudier began with the technicalities of eclipses. For a solar eclipse, as the moon crosses the plane between the earth and the sun, it casts a shadow in the path of totality which tracks total darkness across Earth –what will be seen on April 8. While solar eclipses themselves are not uncommon, it
Students in musical theatre concentration put on The Drowsy Chaperone
See “A letter from the “Man in the Chair”” by Laura Fernandez
Bishop’s hosts Canadian National Basketball Championships
See “Bishop’s hosts Canadian National Basketball Championships” by Rowan Halpenny
Kwigw8mna construction begins in August
See “Kwigw8mna project underway” by Micah Della Foresta
In reaction to Bill C-18, a law requiring tech companies to compensate news outlets, Meta begins banning Canadian news content on Instagram and Facebook
See “Bill C-18 and its potential effects on Bishop’s Unviersity students” by Mikayla Geraghty
SEPTEMBER
SRC introduces its strategic plan at their annual general meeting
See “Building on a vision: A closer look at the SRC’s 2023-2024 strategic plans” by Jayme Marteniuk
Quebec public sector unions threaten a coordinated strike
See “Are we heading towards governmental paralysis?” by Fabrice Blais-Savoie
The Indigenous Student Support Centre leads a week of events for Truth and Reconciliation Day
See “Students learn, ask what is next, during Truth and Reconciliation Week” by Gabrielle Liu
Tis rare for one to occur over the span of North America from Sinaloa, Mexico to Newfoundland, Canada. In addition, this eclipse’s totality is particularly long – in Lennoxville, darkness lasts just under three and a half minutes.
Heudier then described what has been learned from eclipses of the past. Eclipses revealed information about the distance between the earth, moon, sun and planets well before advanced technology. In the 17th and 18th centuries, scientists learned how to better observe the sky – the “beginning of good science for the eclipse,” as put by Heudier. Thus, with the golden age of eclipses, scientists discovered the gradual slowing of the earth’s rotation. Scientists also studied the outermost layer of the sun’s atmosphere: the corona, which can be seen around the silhouette of the moon during totality, otherwise hidden from view by daylight.
Heudier’s also touched on the human significance of eclipses – how eclipses have been used in storytelling and have
magnified our understanding of the world. Early art pieces such as Peter Paul Ruben’s The Coup de Lance features an eclipse behind the crucifixion of Christ. Christopher Columbus used his knowledge of the March 1504 lunar eclipse to trick the Indigenous Peoples of modern-day Jamaica into providing amenities for his crew. In the 1846 The Adventures of Tintin: Prisoners of the Sun, the solar eclipse saves Tintin and his friends from certain death. Heudier remarked that now, with this April 8 eclipse, scientists will gain new understanding of the earth’s slowing rotation and its trajectory, as well as how factors like climate change and the gravitational fields of meteors have influenced its movement.
Senior physics students Joshua Aiken and Joe Bardwell agree that it is a “life changing event” to experience a total solar eclipse and that “we’re fortunate to witness an eclipse like this.” Today, Bishop’s is hosting an event which welcomes people from around the area to witness
The Quebec government announces plans to double tuition for out-of-province students
See “Quebec to raise university tuition prices for all out-of-province students” by Olivia Norby
The Sexual Culture Committtee convenes their annual Take Back the Night Forum, a community dialogue about sexual culture and sexual violence
See “Take Back the Night Forum discusses sexual culture” by Jayme Marteniuk
SRC sends students to a large tuition hike protest in Montreal. Community and business leaders of the Eastern Townships express support for Bishop’s. Bishop’s and the greater community mobilizes against the policy.
See “Continued rallying against proposed tuition hike, the quest for solutions” by Micah Della Foresta
Deantha Edmunds, Canada’s first Inuk professional classical singer, performs on campus with community musicians and the Philippe Dunnigan String Quartet
See “Artist-in-residence Deantha Edmunds shares Moravian Inuit music” by Emmanuel Sossou
Quebec public sector unions strike in November and December, demanding better pay and working conditions
See “Teachers’ unions vote on agreement in principle, community weighs in” by Mikayla Geraghty
Community members gathered in the Quad to celebrate Bishop’s 180th anniversary
Bishop’s receives exemption from the tuition hike and ramps up recruitment efforts
See “What now for Bishop’s” by Micah Della Foresta
SRC launches phase 1 of the Menstrual Equity Project, providing free disposable menstrual projects in bathrooms on campus
See “Bleeding purple: Fighting menstrual inequality at Bishop’s” by Olivia Woods
After heightened tensions on campus and extensive debate, SRC passes a statement about supporting students impacted by violence in Palestine, Israel and around the world
See “SRC statement on impact of IsraelPalestine conflict passes after extensive discussion” by Micah Della Foresta & Gabrielle Liu
Student-run TheatreActiv festival kicks off, featuring student-directed performances
See “The 2024 TheatreActiv festival” by Rachel Matthews
Gaiters cheer take to the mat at FCQ Regionaux, their first season competition
See “Gaiters cheer stunts, stuns in season debut” by Arden Ettinger
Aerospace engineer Farah Alibay delivers a Donald Lecture about her career and the Mars 2020 mission
See “Farah Alibay talks perseverance, women in STEM, Mars 2020” by François Leblanc & The Campus Staff
the eclipse in its path of totality amongst family, friends, students and experts. It is a profoundly human moment in the long tradition of the sun, the moon, the earth –and the people who seek to understand.
The biology and the environmental, agriculture and geography (EAG) departments bring forward a scientific diving and freshwater environmental assessment minor
See “BU introduces new scientific diving minor” by Diane Drak Alsibai
Gaiters hockey ranks top 10 nationally for their first time
See “Gaiters hockey makes history in Lennoxville, ranking top 10 nationally” by Leighton Geraghty
SRC launches pilot test of SafeDrive during St. Patrick’s weekend, a free transportation service for students to different points in Lennoxville both on and off campus
See “SRC’s Safe Drive program “drives” closer than ever to launching” by Mikayla Geraghty
Research Week features research talks, a poster competition and a pitch perfect competition
See “Research Week 2024 showcases scholars’, students’ achievements” by Jillian French
Motionball raises $20,000 for Special Olympics Canada
See “Bishop’s Motionball makes history at Marathon of Sport 2024” by Mikayla Geraghty
BU Fashion Show raises $28,000 for Dixville Foundation, a local not-for-profit serving individuals living with intellectual disabilities and those on the autism spectrum
See “16th annual Charity Fashion Show raises record funds for Dixville Foundation” by Jayme Marteniuk
he Campus acknowledges that the 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
For 2024, I decided to make a goal. I decided that I wanted to learn how to play ice hockey. Little did I know that starting a new sport later in life would help me with personal development outside of the ice.
I grew up in a hockey household. There was a game on the television every night, and I had two brothers who played it, so I found myself at an arena multiple nights a week. Despite my love for the game and being very involved in sports (rugby, soccer, ball hockey and dance, to name a few), I never tried hockey as a kid. By the time I was a teenager, I felt it was too late to begin.
In December 2023, I spontaneously decided to go to a stick-and-puck skate with my younger brother. For those of you who may have never heard of the term “stickand-puck”, it is essentially an open ice event at an arena where people can practice their skills. I hardly had any experience with ice hockey, and I could count on one hand the number of times I went to the local outdoor
rink growing up. Even though I could barely shoot the puck, I had a great time skating around and having fun. I decided at this moment that I wanted to learn how to play and develop my skills.
First off, let me just say that this is a humbling experience. I laced up my skates and went out to my local arena for my big 2024 debut at the stick-and-puck. My brother and I skated out on the ice and started off with some passing drills. Moments later, students from Ontario Hockey Academy stepped out onto the ice to practice. So, picture me -– someone who has been on the ice with a stick no more than five times – surrounded by hockey players who go to an actual hockey academy playing a scrimmage and hammering slapshots into the net. This was so intimidating.
It is also quite humbling to ask my “little” brother (he’s a whole adult now, but still) for help. This was definitely a bit of a discouraging first step since I was a bit too nervous to go and try to shoot on the net and let alone do much else.
Despite my first skate of 2024, my second time out days later taught me perseverance. Once again, I was
surrounded by seasoned vets of the sport. I was still a bit hesitant to go and shoot on the net and grab a puck. A woman skated over to me and offered a puck. I accepted and explained I was still a bit shy to go up to the net since I was just a beginner.
“How old are you?” she asked.
I told her that I am 22, and then she gave me some important wisdom. “I was 24 when I started playing hockey. I started out just like you, going to the stick-and-pucks and public skates, so I understand the feeling. Just keep at it, and you’ll be able to keep up with them soon.” She also told me about how she plays in actual leagues now. This gave me hope and some motivation for my goal. That day, I gained some confidence and even took some shots on the net.
This journey is also teaching me not to be so hard on myself. Growing up as a competitive athlete, I wanted to be perfect and would sometimes lose myself in that competitiveness. It had been a long while since I played a sport with zero pressure to excel. With the pressure off, it has helped me simply enjoy a sport without worrying too much about if I am good or bad, and instead, I focus on whether I am
having fun or not.
Overall, I firmly believe that starting a new sport later in life has been a great experience so far. It is a wonderful learning journey and has helped me develop off the ice. For anyone considering trying a new sport, but are too nervous since they are starting later in life, you should go for it! You might learn a thing or two.
My time at Bishop’s has been the best and happiest time of my life (despite the pandemic factor). It shaped me into who I am and who I aspire to be. I hope to give back to the community in the future and to help others the same way I’ve been helped.
I’ve been coming to Lennoxville for school since 2017, when I first started at Champlain College. During my first week of school, on Aug. 21, 2017, there was a solar eclipse. Now, on my last week of school at Bishop’s, on April 8, 2024, there will also be a solar eclipse. It has all come full circle! So, how has my time in Lennoxville been for the past seven years?
I’ll be honest. After high school, I haven’t been a very sociable person and have leaned towards being a reclusive introvert. That is not to say I am socially inept! There are moments when being with people is important for me mentally. However, my social battery gets drained quickly, and I need to be by myself to recharge it. Coming to class and interacting with classmates gives me just enough of my needed daily social interaction and then I get to come home and do whatever I want without needing to see anyone else. If I want to spend three hours in bed watching TikToks, no one can stop me!
I don’t party, drink, go to bars, nor do I partake in hookup culture (shoutout my aromantic-asexuals!). I’ve never attended orientation/initiation week at either Champlain or Bishop’s, I have never been to WinterFest or St. Patty’s keggers nor have I ever stepped foot inside the Gait
(except for the one time in 2022 when I was selling ArtsFest tickets at the door for a drag show). I don’t live on campus nor do I have my driver’s license, so doing extracurricular activities is a headache. I have sensory issues, and I am not fond of loud, drunk people or loud music that causes me to have tinnitus.
These university experiences that are so important for many my age mean absolutely nothing to me. So, in that respect, I don’t feel like I was missing out on any transcendental event that could have come out of Gait nights. The truth is, there is nothing fun about being the only sober person in a room full of drunk people, especially when you’re someone who absorbs the energies around you. Talk about feeling drunk without ever taking a sip of alcohol!
Were there events I would have enjoyed attending on campus more often? Yes, of course. I have heard nothing but great things about the immaculate quality of theatre or musical play productions put on by the students. I also wish I could’ve attended ArtHive workshops, the fashion shows, the Donald Lectures (gosh, how I wish they would stream those!), or movie nights with my history peers. Despite the deep love I have for my friends, coming to school late at night just to watch a movie I’ve already seen does not justify the cost of mileage. Sorry darlings, stealing the Declaration of Independence will have to go on without me!
But wait: what about all the people you could have met and all the friends you could have made from attending these events? That is a good point. Many friendships are started and forged from
going to orientation, for example. However, in my spiritual beliefs, the people who are meant to be in your life will find a way back to you, if not now, then later in life, because everything happens for a reason. I just wish people would stop telling me
life and instead let me enjoy my spinster reclusiveness! Nonetheless, I will miss Bishop’s forever, and thank you for a great four and a half years of my life. May we meet again…
I need to get drunk at least once in my
Iam a few weeks shy of completing my time at Bishop’s with a bachelor of arts in English literature. While I never regretted my decision to study English lit. for a second (and am lucky enough to have an incredibly supportive family), many people have crossed my path who do not comprehend the significance or importance of the humanities.
“What are you going to do with an English degree?”, is a question I have been asked by nosy family, friends and doubtful acquaintances more times than I can count. For those accustomed to STEM-related fields of study, the notion of the humanities may seem foreign and absurd. I typically give the same response to all skeptics who cross my path. To study humanities is to study the human condition. I have gotten to know myself better through my studies. I’ve become a more empathetic person and can therefore better process difficult and complex situations. While these skills can be honed while studying any degree (or by not studying at all), the perspectives I have gained as a humanities student differ greatly from someone studying physics, for example. In a world like the one we
live in today, diverse point of views on our society is precisely what we need.
When I sit down to analyze a piece of literature, I am not searching for a single, binary response. There is no right or wrong answer. I reflect on a myriad of possibilities and can appreciate the ones I have never even considered with peers. The humanities are a fertile environment for understanding, empathy and mutual respect. While yes, we may not always agree with one another (as is expected), we can grapple with other possibilities or reasons why there is never one solitary answer.
conclusion. They can be frustrating at times, like any field of study, but at the same time, they teach patience and resilience. Who knew the arts could be so transformative?
My favourite line I have heard as a rebuttal to the age-old query against the humanities is as follows: “Humanities don’t teach you anything. They teach you everything.” This is simple, but very true.
“Humanities don’t teach you anything. They teach you everything.”
The field of humanities is incredibly broad and vast. It can be very hard to pinpoint a single definition. Much like its study reflects, humanities are complex. They do not present a series of steps or procedures to follow to arrive at a definite
When I sit down to analyze a piece of literature, I am not searching for a single, binary response. Perhaps more importantly, I have become a more empathetic, resilient and hopeful human.
In my four years at Bishop’s, I have become a stronger writer, thinker, and communicator. Perhaps more importantly, I have become a more empathetic, resilient and hopeful human.
As I prepare to leave BU for the last time as a student, I cannot help but hang my hat on the incredible, life-changing opportunities the humanities have provided me. I feel confident to go out into the world and tackle whatever gets thrown my way, and I know I owe a large portion of that confidence to my humanities degree.
Everyone says that the years in university will be some of the best of your life, but no one talks about making your own decisions for the first time, or better yet, being an actual adult – from cooking on your own to trying to maintain a healthy gym schedule, all while trying to have the best social experience. It is important to remember that even though these are supposed to be some of your best years, they will also probably be some of your hardest. So, imagine me as your older sibling telling you the real truth behind university.
1. Don’t bank on food magically appearing in your fridge. Back at home with your parents, food somehow magically appeared when you were hungry. Now, you actually need to learn how to cook and have to go buy your own groceries. Don’t rely on the convenient and delicious McDonald’s that’s within a two-minute walk from where you live. I am guilty of this, but just don’t do it. Don’t give in to the temptation, and stop with the Mr. Noodles.
2. You’ll find yourself swearing off alcohol more times than you can shake a cocktail shaker.
You will have never experienced a hangover quite like a university hangover. It will hurt. Forget about a productive Sunday. You’ll wake up at noon whether you like it
or not and have your one egg and a stale loaf of bread that’s left in the fridge.
3. You’ll second guess yourself. You’ll find yourself questioning yourself at least once a day. Am I keeping up with school? Do I have enough friends? Why am I studying this? Am I doing university the right way? You’ll end up finding out there’s no right way to do anything. The right way is what YOU make of it. Stop worrying, and there’s a good chance that everything will work out in the end.
is like trying to find Bigfoot… it never appears and doesn’t exist.
6. Snow days are scarce.
Classes will no longer be cancelled for being snowed in. We go to school in the Eastern Townships, where it will suddenly snow 10 cm in April. So, get used to trekking through piles of snow, slush, ice and arctic cyclones to get to a lecture about Marxism in the late 1900s, all the while ruining a fresh new pair of Uggs. Classes will always go on.
Classes will no longer be cancelled for being snowed in. We go to school in the Eastern Townships, where it will suddenly snow 10 cm in April.
4. You will work with people you hate. Or, should I say, dislike; hate is a strong word. No matter what you do, no matter where you go, people you don’t like will find you. They may not be your vibe, and they might be as pleasant as hugging a cactus. People can be mean and vindictive. Try not to let them spoil your time here. It’s not like you take a massive leap into a more mature social circle when you get to university. Be patient, and don’t let their immaturity get the best of you.
5. Being single is like having a VIP pass to the ultimate party of life.
Embrace the solo life instead of dreading it. Believe me, dating in university
7. You should choose your friends wisely. The company you keep is one of life’s most important elements that you will carry along as you grow. Keep in mind that you can only rise as high as those around you. So, aim to surround yourself with people who will ignite the goodness in you, who inspire you and most importantly, who will cherish you for you. Remember, seek quality relationships over quantity. There’s a reason why Lamborghini’s are made with only two seats in them.
8. Take care of your health. This includes all types of health, physically and mentally. Your well-
being can influence your happiness and productivity throughout your years at university. A loved, healthy body thrives best when it is fueled by care for your mental state. Eat well, get off your phone and explore the beautiful scenery the Eastern Townships has to offer.
9. Nobody will ever love you more than a supportive family
If we’re lucky, our parents are our biggest cheerleaders, and we should never take them for granted. As you build your early career, even if you’re unemployed or party the weekends away, your parents stay proud of you. Pick up the phone once in a while, and give them a call. While you’re at it, let them know that you love them.
10. People aren’t watching as closely as you think they are. They don’t care as much as you think. You shouldn’t care what anybody thinks about who you are or what you do. Everyone is wrapped up in their own lives, and everyone has their own problems. Focus on you and what makes you happy, because you’re the only one that actually matters in the end.
11. Take your studies seriously. You’re here for an education. Don’t get caught up in drama or putting your energy into meaningless shenanigans. Just go to your classes.
Kelsey Arseneault is an athletic therapist at Bishop’s who worked during the Jeux du Québec in March. In an interview with The Campus, Arseneault shared insights about the world of athletic therapy. The thirty-year-old hails from Châteauguay, Quebec, and completed her studies to become an athletic therapist at Concordia University. She has been certified as an athletic therapist since July 2018.
When asked what made her want to become an athletic therapist, she gave an answer that could resonate with many athletes. She had played sports her whole life through high school, but in Grade 11, she tore her meniscus and ACL “ironically while trying not to get hurt.” Because of this injury, Kelsey was sidelined from sports in her final year of high school.
“The injury gave me a chance to get a glimpse into what the rehab side of things looked like right before starting Cegep and the rest of my studies. So in some ways, it was perfect timing.” Being away from sports as well as recovering from an injury made Kelsey realize that she wanted to be around sports for the rest of her life. It felt like something was almost missing from
her life when she wasn’t around them.
Kelsey then spoke about her recent experiences at the Jeux du Québec, hosted in Sherbrooke this year. Bishop’s hosted a couple of events, including wheelchair basketball, judo and cross country skiing at the Old Lennoxville Golf Club. It is immediately apparent that she loves being around sports and feeding off the energy of the audience. When asked about her favorite part of the games, she said it was the crowds, who reminded her of her own sport experiences. Oftentimes, days were twelve to thirteen hours long during the Jeux de Québec. It is no easy task being on your feet for that long, so being able to gain that energy boost from your surroundings certainly helps.
“it was important to remind yourself that they’re just kids”. “Having fun and their well-being and safety are more important”, she stated. She recalls a repeated motto at the games for parents and kids alike: “It’s not the Olympics”. The phrase spoke to the fact that the games aren’t serious enough to risk a severe injury despite what your emotions and competitive nature may instinctively tell you.
As for stress, Kelsey’s job can come with a load of it at times. She explained there were a couple of stressful
moments related and unrelated to injuries throughout the games. However, as an athletic therapist, your job is to not show your stress and to help keep the situation calm, as “people will be looking at you to be that person.”
“You’re like a duck on water. On the surface, you look calm, but when you dive under, you’re paddling like crazy”, she said.
“You’re like a duck on water. On the surface, you look calm, but when you dive under, you’re paddling like crazy” It is immediately apparent that she loves being around sports and feeding off the energy of the audience.
When asked what she learned from the athletes at the event, she said with an event of that scale and nature and spectators who can get wrapped up in competition,
You can’t allow yourself to play too much into the emotions of the crowd or people around you and must remain objective to the situation at hand, Kelsey noted.
Kelsey’s reflections on her past and the Jeux du Québec gave a glimpse into the crucial roles athletic therapists play in sports. Her career path exemplifies how students can follow a passion for sports without remaining an athlete.
On Thursday, April 4, the Motionball committee hosted their annual charity dodgeball tournament. All proceeds of the tournament go towards supporting Special Olympic athletes pursuing their sport.
The final fundraising event of the 2023-2024 school year ended with a bang, welcoming 12 teams made up of varsity athletes and students who eagerly signed up to participate in the tournament. Special Olympian Shelby was in attendance, playing alongside the women’s soccer team. Over 60 games flew by in the Sports Plex, two games running simultaneously on a split court.
The Toronto Raptors donated a Gradey Dick jersey to the event to be raffled off and aid in maximizing fundraising. The raffle was highly anticipated and a huge success among participants. The tournament raised $415 in total.
The Gaiters football team walked away as the 2024 tournament winners, rising victorious over the lacrosse team in the finals. Jean Aubert of the winning team stated that the tournament
was a “really great event for a good cause. Everybody was smiling and having fun”.
The tournament spanned over three hours, with each team playing a minimum of three games in their brackets. The overall energy in the gym was high, with participants keen to play against their friends and peers in honour of a good cause.
“It was an electric environment,” shared Leighton Geraghty, Team Have Fun’s captain. “It’s always great to participate in events that connect both the general students and the varsity athletes. Win or lose, Team Have Fun lived up to the team name and had fun.”
Another member of Team Have Fun, Issac Flanagan, states that this was another successful event done by Motionball, with many participants and good times on the court. “Although my team didn’t win, I’d say we were the most stylish on the court, with smiles on our faces. We are big Motionball supporters and are willing to participate in any event. It won’t be the last time you’ll see the team Have Fun in the future!”
Throughout the year, the Gaiters accumulated impressive results and experience preparing them for the next season. The men’s golf team was crowned RSEQ champions and ended Laval’s 20 consecutive years of winning.
The football team was ranked in the top ten of the country while competing in the finals of the AUS conference. Both men’s and women’s basketball teams made the playoffs and fought to bring home the RSEQ banner. The women’s hockey team ranked top ten in the country for the first time in school history and fought the Université de Montreal until the very end for a bid into the national championship. The future is very bright for every team on campus. Their countless hours of hard work and dedication to their craft should be cherished. There was no better way to do so than the annual sports award ceremony.
On Wednesday, March 27, varsity athletes gathered at the beloved Centennial Theatre to celebrate the great year of athletics. The ceremony started off with a bang as a video from Gaiter football player, Rene Zeevat, made its way to the screen. The theatre erupted in roars as the video showcased players from every team on campus. Throughout the rest of the night, players were brought to the stage and presented with numerous league awards as well as team awards. As a play-by-play announcer during the year, I was given the opportunity to
present the league all-stars. Laughter and cheers filled the room as athletes’ mutual support was unmatched.
The Gaiters also accumulated some special conference awards this year. Men’s golf head coach Ryan Smith was recognized as the RSEQ coach of the year. Tiffany Smith and Jasmine Martel received leadership and community engagement awards. Bishop’s featured four rookie of the years: Greg McDowell, Eve Atchampone, Gabrielle Santerre and Mikaël Pattin. Junior basketball player Victoria Gauna received the RSEQ defensive player of the year title, and finally, Gabrielle Santerre took home the
RSEQ and USports player of the year awards.
The future is bright for Gaiters athletics as they try to cement their names, contending with larger schools in the province. As the event neared a close, two leaders took to the stage. Antoine Tremblay, an attackman on the lacrosse team joined Captain Marie-Camille Théorêt from the women’s hockey team to thank the coaches in the room. Tremblay said he cherished the amount of time the coaches spent preparing the teams, while Théorêt thanked them for their understanding of how busy a university student’s schedule is.
Do you find the exam period stressful? Do you find yourself sitting in the library and not being able to focus after only studying for two hours? Can’t motivate yourself to get up and do your work? Luckily for you, there’s an easy solution to help you in the upcoming period at school: physical activity.
Did you know that according to a Harvard study, running for only 15 minutes a day was found to help reduce the odds of depression by 26 per cent? When you exercise, your body releases endorphins that promote a sense of wellbeing and that reduce stress. Exercise has also been shown to help improve brain function and can increase the size of your hippocampus.
Physical activity has also been proven to help manage symptoms of ADHD. The release of dopamine and serotonin at elevated levels helps alleviate stress and can make it easier to sit still and focus.
Physical activity does not look the same for everyone. It does not have to be you going to gym or running on a treadmill, by any means. Allow yourself to explore different options of movement and find what is best suited for you. Bishop’s is surrounded by beautiful hiking trails and mountains that serve as great ways to get exercise.
If that’s not for you, why not consider trying one of the yoga or boot camp lessons amongst the many classes offered at the sports centre? This is the chance to try something and reap the benefits that come along with it, while also maybe finding a new passion.
With exam season upon us, now is the moment to try and take a small period of time out of your day and find a way to exercise. Even if it’s a 1520 minute walk around campus as a break from studying, you’ll find some positive outcomes. Movement gives you a chance to take your mind off of everything for a little bit and unwind. For many of us, that ability will be crucial during this time. Remember to stay active, BU!
The award ceremony’s atmosphere was electric as many people gained a standing ovation for their awards. The final event of the year for the varsity athletes was a very emotional one as many in the room would not wear the purple and silver in the upcoming season.
Later in the evening, the graduating seniors were joined by their teammates at the Gait over some pizza to celebrate the successes of their university sporting careers. Thanks were given out to the seniors for their dedication to the purple and silver. They will always be remembered as part of Gaiternation
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something that calls back to tradition. We made baskets so strong someone could, and did, stand on it. We got to see how strong our work is. I hope this continues, for others to work on it.
Lois Dana (Penobscot Nation citizen), student life counsellor – Indigenous and intercultural at Champlain College: We need to rethink what learning is. As Indigenous Peoples, we have lost a lot of traditional knowledge and ancestral language knowledge. It is an important task for universities and colleges to remedy this loss by hosting traditional knowledge keepers, creators, artists and language teachers. We can hold and elevate both
Western knowledge and Indigenous knowledge. This will help increase and encourage cross-cultural sharing. Our campus may often feel like budgets are tight, but making room for activities like basket making and moose hide tanning helps to support Indigenous artists – this is an excellent opportunity for everyone involved. We are truly thankful.
Welcoming Indigenous voices and perspectives into academic spaces like Bishop’s creates opportunities for meaningful dialogue, mutual learning and the sharing of knowledge. It allows students, faculty and staff opportunities gain a deeper understanding of Indigenous cultures, histories, and perspectives directly from those who belong to these
communities.
I, myself, was able to be a part of this moving workshop. It allowed me to feel more connected to my abilities, and to create something with my hands and heart. The intricate technique and the earthy, sweet smell of the Black Ash wood still lingers when I observe the basket I made.
Content warning: mention of sexism, slavery, rape and violence
By Leea Rebeca Ruta Graphics EditorOn Thursday, April 2, the Classics and Religions at Bishop’s Society (CRABS) hosted a “Sex and Gender in the Roman Empire” presentation. The workshop, held in association with the Sexual Culture Committee (SCC), welcomed classical studies professor Catherine Tracy who gave a mini lecture on Roman attitudes towards sex and gender during the Empire.
Prof. Tracy began by first outlining the Roman social hierarchy, then defined the concept of stuprum, a term difficult to adequately translate from Latin. Stuprum could be equated to a sex crime. It essentially refers to a sex act with someone of the wrong status, and most often describes disgraceful behavior related to unchastity that could be a punishable offense. By our standards today, stuprum blurred the line between rape and seduction since crime was defined by status.
Adultery, for example, was a form of stuprum, and was deemed socially and legally unacceptable. However, by Roman definition, only married women and their
lovers could be charged with adultery. Wives had to be faithful to their husbands, but husbands did not have the same obligation to their wives. The man whose wife had adultery charges had to divorce her immediately, lest he be considered her pimp.
Prof. Tracy then described marriage workings. Enslaved people could not get married, but they could form marriagelike relationships with other slaves or freed persons. Such relationships were named contubernia — from the word contubernales, meaning tent-mate in the Roman army.
Enslaved women, according to Roman writer Columella, would be rewarded for bearing a certain number of offspring: having three children, she could get an exception from work, and after four children, she could receive her freedom. However, this was a double-edged sword. The woman had to exchange her freedom at the expense of giving her kids to the slave-master.
In the Roman Empire, the legal age for a girl to get married was 12, though they could get engaged even younger. Soldiers could not marry, and their kids were
considered illegitimate up until the second century CE.
It goes without saying that Rome was very patriarchal: everything focused on the male head of household. The pater familias, or father of family, had the legal power of life and death over most members of his household. An exception was the wife in certain cases – who could have still been under the power of her father. A wife’s role was mainly to produce legitimate children, to be in charge of the stores, food production and cloth making (spinning and weaving).
Prof. Tracy also described Roman attitudes towards penetration in heterosexual acts, which were only allowed if it was a male Roman citizen doing the penetration. Otherwise, they would lose their citizenship. Being penetrated was thought to be intrinsically female, servile and socially inferior, whereas penetration was associated with power, freeborn status, masculinity and social dominance – this explains why Roman men were obsessed with the phallus.
Other topics discussed were instances of intersex and potentially trans experiences in ancient sources, sex work and women
Last Friday, April 5, the Bishop’s University Film Festival (BUFF) celebrated its 10th anniversary as students, family and other members of the Bishop’s community gathered in Centennial Theatre for the premiere of student-made films. Through an annual competition in digital filmmaking, the festival celebrates the creativity and skill of students, regardless of their program.
For its 10th edition, the festival featured 19 shorts films which explored a variety of genres, including science fiction, psychological thrillers, horror, comedy and documentary. The Children by Tomas Peck follows the story of a newly hired nanny as she discovers “that caring for the children
of others can involve a literal sacrifice”. Echoes of Independence by Yunmiao Zhang documents the life of Anne-Marie, an 86-year-old woman living in the Old Port of Montreal, as she navigates her twilight years with independence. The Last Note by Eva Corric and Marine Ledez tells the story of a talented musician who is tormented by the loss of his loved one.
For Emma McCully, a history major student, the festival was an opportunity to express herself creatively. McCully not only served as actress in The Children, but also directed her own film, What We Said in the Car. Reflecting on her experience, she said: “I got to experiment with different facets of the filmmaking process, which was such a dream, I have evolved with my own creative vision, and I’m so glad it came together the way it did.” McCully said that it was a positive experience, and
she would love to participate in BUFF again in the future.
For Lucie Havelange, an exchange student who studies interdisciplinary arts, the festival was also an opportunity to address important topics through the means of filmmaking. Havelange created an award winning slam poetry film titled Ecologie en Vers, in which she addresses environmental themes. She explained that environmental and climate issues are important her. She thinks the issues so huge that “we are often out of touch with” them, and that “we do need to understand it and be able to protect [the environment] as much as we can.” Havelange shared that with this experience, she is now open to creating more films in the future.
As a medium of self expression, film has the power to reflect multiple facets of peoples’ lives through genre, scale,
gushing over gladiator fighters or dancers.
One of the attendees, Classics student Anne-Marie Laroche, mentioned the importance of learning these difficult subjects and ancient attitudes towards sex and gender. Not only can we see how they evolved over time, but we can reconsider our own social mores, for better or for worse, Laroche explained.
Another Classics student, Virginia Marquez-Pacheco, also noted how topics like these can “help us understand how those categorizations and their consequences are being formed [in our times]” and that “understanding past sexual culture can help improve the one we have now.”
technical aspects and can be created by those of various educational and technical backgrounds. The community not only came together to watch films, but to create them as well. The results are a diversity that showcases our different perspectives of the world and individual experiences
“My art is a return to my tradition, to everything I’ve always belonged to”
University can be a time of selfdiscovery and exploration for many students, but for students like Marie Constance Hountondji, it can also be a time to revive long-held practices.
Hountondji’s journey at Bishop’s began during the pandemic in 2020 – the first time she had ever studied online, she points out. As a newcomer to Canada, she had the opportunity to go back to school and decided to major in sports studies, a field in which she was already acquainted, boasting a career as a technical sports advisor. However, after a semester online, she decided to readjust her path and ended up switching to arts administration.
“I thought to myself, ‘I’ve already done this, why am I doing it again?’”
Why the arts?
“It’s an old passion,” she states.
Growing up, she recalls that she used to be an artsy kid. “I used to draw well, but my parents never really wanted me to follow that path.”
The fine arts student explains how she has reconnected with this passion and this younger version of herself over the last few years.
“I have reconnected with the little girl inside me, who felt hurt for not doing what she wanted”, she said.
Hountondji adds that she always kept this connection with the arts. As a former elite athlete who used to run the 800m and the 1500m, she travelled a lot because of sports. In all her trips, the places that impressed her the most were the museums
and everything art-related.
“Every time I would enter those places, and even today, I would have this feeling of goosebumps that would come from deep within, but that I would repress all the time.”
Sport and art
As distant as the two practices seem, the former athlete remarks that they are not so different and that they are somehow one and the same.
“Both are practices that develop the human being. Doing sports is an art in itself … the art of movement. In athletics, it’s the beauty of motion… As an athlete, everything you experience, from the beginning to the end, is an art.”
She explains how doing art is another way for her to do sports.
“Art is something, if I may put it this way, that you don’t stumble into by chance.”
Born from a Beninese father and a Malian mother, Hountondji says that she grew up in a fairly traditional environment. Her maternal grandfather was a traditional healer and had this traditional way of doing things. She describes how growing up, she was called to leave this traditional style behind. “In a certain way, going to school meant evolving differently from those traditions, setting them aside,” she says.
“My art is a return to my tradition, to everything I’ve always belonged to.”
Hountondji notes that being at Bishop’s has allowed her to better grapple with those aspects of her tradition. “I did studio arts (painting, fiber art ...), but I’m thinking ‘Why am I going to school today when I
grew up in [traditional art]?’... I’m just not going to go back, open the books of my past and look inside. Today, I flip through these books with pleasure, but I bring them back into my present, and that makes my art.”
In works that feature traditional African items such as calabashes, masks and African loincloths, Hountondji explores themes of tradition and spirituality. Elaborating on them and her creative process, she says: “My themes are much more traditional, more religious; it’s the place of women. Those are all things that I resonate with”. She wonders how she can “highlight that without offending but showing the beauty and richness without trying to sensitize anyone. “I want to show how I see it, how I feel it … Share.”
Hountondji also highlights the importance of knowing one’s roots. “An individual is the result of all their origins, all their experiences,” she says. Having lived in Algeria, and now Canada, she admits that she became even more appreciative of her culture after leaving her home in Mali.
“When you find yourself in those different environments, you start asking yourself questions about your identity ... Who am I? What is my identity as an African? What is my identity as a Malian, as a Beninese, as the daughter of such and such...”
Quoting from an African proverb, she says that “when you live in the world, you must be like a tree.” She explains how although not apparent, it is a tree’s roots that make it a tree and sustain it throughout the seasons.
Hountondji says that she views herself
as the guardian of her culture.
“If I want to pass it on, I’ll have to make the effort to do so ... I come from a very, very rich culture, and it would be a shame if I were to let this heritage crumble away like that”, she says.
On pace for completing her degree at Bishop’s, Hountondji, along with seven other student artists, are showcasing their works in the Fine Art Graduating Students’ exhibition at the Foreman Art Gallery. The opening reception took place on Thursday, April 4. Students’ works will be on display from April 4 - 13.
Student innovators filled Cleghorn for the third edition of Project Incubator, held over the weekend of March 2324, to learn how to organize and implement campus or community projects.
Project Incubator is a starting point for students, bringing together creative changemakers to organize a project and guide them toward implementing their ideas on campus and in the local community. In the past, the event has supported the creation of the ultimate frisbee club and the continued growth of the Anti-Discrimination and Racism Committee (ARDC).
This year’s event was co-organized by student and Stadelman Fellow Shakina Blackstock-Pearce, who embraced the challenge of creating an event by and for student innovators. Blackstock-Pearce was supported by the campus’s leadership development facilitator, Katie Bibbs, and Rossy Leadership intern, Ruth Michelle Tanguep Youmbi.
During the event, Project Incubator facilitators offered their experiences and knowledge through sessions dedicated to
specific aspects of project development. The Trauma Awareness Project, ARDC, Psych Club and several student leaders who had brought their own projects to fruition led sessions from visioning to proposal writing and action planning. Some of these leaders included 3M Fellow Sufia Langevin, Toast Radio’s Alexandre Mador and the co-founder of the undergraduate research journal, Virginia Marquez-Pacheco.
Facilitators asked students to define the ‘why’ of their project, their mission and vision, and how to implement their ideas, including by registering, making contacts and calculating finances. Students learned about budgeting tips, online crowdfunding, fundraising opportunities and how to create a budget template. Students were encouraged to conduct their own research on business and communication management.
They worked to bring all the skills together in a proposal that would help them access the resources necessary to grow. In just thirty seconds, they explained their project’s purpose, approach and expected outcomes to their target audience.
Bibbs, who founded the initiative, explained that she started Project Incubator “as a result of working with passionate and
curious students who had great ideas but no clear path forward to develop them.” After the Incubator’s premiere in 2021, she said that “the feedback was so great that [they] have continued to evolve programming and format ever since.”
Blackstock-Pearce shared that she was drawn to organizing this event because of her own experience as a student having a project idea and not knowing where to start or how to get it done. “Student participants could see that there was value in their ideas, and that there are people who are willing to be there with them to bring their ideas to life,” she stated.
Participant Sandrine Tousignant, an honours music student, wants to create a specialized lifeguard manual and course, which would include adapted emergency procedures. Tousignant explained that the goal of her project is to improve equity, diversity and additional safety in pools.
Reflecting on the event, she says she has “learned communication tools to present [her] project in a clear and summarized manner.”
To date, there have been over 40 projects that have participated in Project Incubator. Bibbs shared that a workbook will be published this coming fall to guide people
“through each step of the project planning process autonomously, so that they can work on their initiatives on their own time.” Bibbs explained her hope is to “reach more student change-makers by providing the resources outside of the weekend event, which is brilliant for those who can make it, but not accessible for all.”
Have a project idea? For more information on the resource workbook currently in production or Project Incubator, reach out to Katie Bibbs: kbibbs@ubishops. ca.
As exam season dawns on students, the English department ramps up with several ambitious undertakings, culminating in an aftereclipse party on April 8, inviting students to socialize and celebrate Bishop’s through the creative arts.
Montreal-based rock duo Lucy Niles and Josée Caron (who created the band Partner in 2014), will debut the brandnew commissioned “Bishop’s Song” in celebration of BU.
The two musicians connected with Bishop’s through English professor Shoshannah Bryn Jones Square who “fell in love with their music… I DMed Lucy telling her how much I loved it.” Prof. Jones Square told The Campus that “recently, they came to mind because of the protests against tuition hikes . . . I was asking myself, ‘what are some of the ways in which we can support BU?’ I thought it would be cool if Partner could write a rock anthem”.
A departure from the traditional anthem that has echoed the halls of Bishop’s, Prof. Jones Square explained why rock appealed to her: “When I was thinking of this song, I was thinking of protest and social justice. So many rock bands in the past have used their music for change in society to bring about awareness.”
Moreover, the song is a product of interdisciplinary student collaboration. Niles described how stories from students alleviated the challenge of writing a song about an unfamiliar university. Prof. Jones Square mentioned how this promoted “students as mentors, in collaborative spirit.” Although this is the duo’s first commissioned song, Niles told The Campus that “we’re always down for any request or collaboration that’s outside the box.”
Bishop’s literary journal, The Mitre, will also launch its 131st annual edition on April 8. The student-run publication, edited by English literature student Lucie Casinghino and Hispanic studies student Manu Bissonnette, features poetry, prose and visual art contributions. Bissonnette described this year’s theme, “Lenses and Light”, to The Campus: “Different lenses mean different perspectives, and we got a lot of contributors with really diverse perspectives… throughout the pieces, you can really see how different people view the world.”
Casinghino mentioned that while she originally associated the theme with artificial light, “a lot of contributors wrote about nature and the environment, which is a unique feature of how we live in the 21st century.” The publication offers a unique opportunity for students to gain experience in professional writing, editing and publishing in collaboration with other students and faculty.
Bissonnette encouraged
students to attend the launch, adding that it’s “a great opportunity to explore the arts!”
Bishop’s poetry club Wit and Whimsy, led by second year students Emmett Tinning and Arielle Leclerc-Fortin, wraps up the year with open-mic readings for the event. Leclerc-Fortin reflected on the year, emphasizing the value of a “network of people that you get to know” from Bishop’s tight-knit community. She hopes the event will be “validating to have the opportunity to showcase everyone’s talent and to be part of this small community as poets.”
The event, coordinated by Prof. Steven
Woodward and Prof. Jones Square, will showcase students’ unique opportunities to celebrate Bishop’s through the creative arts. Prof. Jones Square, who is leaving Bishop’s for a teaching position at Mt. Allison next year, will accompany the performance on piano.
She told The Campus that “I’d like it to be my thank you to Bishop’s! This place is so cool, and the students are so engaged, creative and smart.” If you’re looking for a couple hours of entertainment after the eclipse, head down to Bandeen Hall tonight at 7 p.m. for a night that promises poetry, music and most importantly, free drink tickets.
This past Thursday, April 4, Foreman Art Gallery opened its doors to the friends, family and colleagues of eight talented fine arts graduates who showcased their final pieces created as Bishop’s students. The exhibition, titled “Flows of Change” draws on the evolution of the fine arts students during their time at Bishop’s. Student curator Juliana Frassetto expressed the challenge in finding a common thread between all eight artists, as their work is drastically different. Ultimately, she decided to focus on all the learning opportunities shared by graduating students, contributing to their growth and change as artists, students and as people. Thus, the title “Flows of Change” was born.
The eight artists – Gabrielle Gagné, Alexis Nova Hazan Jepsen, Camille Hétu, Marie Constance Hountondji, Christian Jimenez, Annika Morin, Marie-Pierre Ranger and Bashar Shammas – sought inspiration from various places, whether that be heritage, childhood trauma or societal issues to name a few. Hétu was greatly inspired by her time spent near
the St. Lawrence River. “My goal is to invite people in, to take the time to slow down and really interact with the exhibit. I included a chair to let visitors sit with my art and even hold it in their hands” explained Hétu. After spending a summer working in Baie-St-Paul, Hétu was deeply inspired by the natural surroundings of her environment. “There are little pieces of me in my art, and so much inspiration was drawn from my time at the St. Lawrence River.” She took water directly from the river to paint a series of small watercolour landscapes. Alongside her paintings, the exhibit also contains small hand-bound books. The books explore the meaningfulness of contemplation and attentiveness, themes lying at the crux of her art. “Normally when you visit an art exhibit, you cannot interact with the art at all. I want to invite peopleto pick up and manipulate my work”, she said.
In its 26th iteration, the Fine Arts Graduating Students’ Exhibition aims to highlight and celebrate the respective journeys of its students as they wrap up their time at Bishop’s University. The exhibition runs until April 13. As always, admission is free, and all are welcome.
Caitlyn Gerrish, Arts & Culture Editor » thecampus.artsculture@gmail.com
“I should be so lucky as to wilt with you.” Said the Tulip to the Rose.
Unfortunately, the Rose was silent because everyone knows that roses can’t talk.
It did, however, take on a brilliant hue of crimson, no doubt a vestige of the sun’s glow.
“It’s a bit funny really, people always scoff and turn their noses up at roses nowadays. I think they’re just contrarians though, you know; people who love to disagree.”
The Rose apathetically swayed in the breeze, making the Tulip feel a bit selfconscious.
Consequently, the Tulip, with a helpful gust of the very same wind, leaned over to the rose adjacent and whispered, “I read something last night that made me cry, you know. I read the phrase ‘Life, a Lover’ and while I don’t know exactly what it means, the page that cradled those words seemed to recognize something buried deep within me.”
The Rose’s distracted face spurred the Tulip deeper into contemplation, as if yearning to break through the silence that inked into the air and muddled their ability to make eye contact.
“It churned around for a while in my mouth, too large to swallow and too tough to break down into feelings that I could entomb in the pit of my stomach. Life, a lover. It makes me wonder, if maybe I’ve been living like love is for when life feels empty and I only really live my life when there’s no room in it for love. Have you, resplendent Rose, laden in scarlet hues of temptation, ever wondered about the space and shape of your life?”
The Rose, looking down, swayed from one side to the other.
“It’s a funny way we think; give a flower vanity and a brain, they’ll think they’re the center of the universe. Why is it then, that when flowers fall in love, the Rose becomes the focus of my attention. Gone are the days of wearing harvest moonlight, sheets of snow, or rays of daylight; I yearn only to live for your love.”
The Rose looked at the Tulip for a long time, wishing more than anything that it could speak its mind.
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By Leea Rebeca Ruta Graphics EditorAncient Dacian Military Recruitment Poster Spoof. According to Cassius Dio, Roman History (68.9.6), Decebalus had been acquiring the largest and best part of his force by persuading men to come to him from Roman territory, though it is unclear how he did that. This ensued the two famous Dacian Wars led by Roman Emperor Trajan (101–102 CE and 105–106 CE).
Joseph Aubert
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For the Bishop’s administration, this has been a recurring theme over the past several years.
Lebel-Grenier explained that when Bishop’s first accessed those envelopes in 2018, the differential in funding between Bishop’s and universities of the UQ network was an estimated three million dollars. However, this differential has grown considerably since then, he says.
“As of now, the demands we have had have not been satisfied, and we are still not getting equal access to these envelopes. We do not have a full picture of how the new funding formula will apply”, LebelGrenier later added.
At this time, the Bishop’s administration is still waiting for further details from government officials regarding these funding envelopes for higher education institutions in the province.
Impact of federal immigration measures
In January, the federal government announced a cap on study permits for a period of two years in an effort to stabilize new growth and address housing shortages.
Quebec responded quickly to the federal government’s requirement that provinces issue attestation letters. Prospective Bishop’s students’ could resume their study permit application process in a timely fashion on Feb. 13. Bishop’s is hopeful that they will welcome its new class of international students without delays come September.
Looking forward
Lebel-Grenier outlined the importance of implementing a solid communications and recruitment plan to limit the financial and cultural hardships following the announcement of the study permit cap. This new policy, combined with the tuition hike scare, has had various impacts on Bishop’s recruitment.
Bishop’s out-of-province recruitment is behind roughly 15 to 20 per cent compared to historical data. They won’t be able to evaluate the full effects of the measures until students start settling in Lennoxville next September.
Although recent policies may have scared away some international and outof-province students wishing to study in Quebec, Lebel-Grenier stated that, “We have gained a lot of visibility throughout this crisis across Canada and around the world. Bishop’s was on the front pages of
many newspapers, and it has increased our reach.”
Lebel-Grenier acknowledged the obstructive mark that government measures have left on Bishop’s financial outlook, precipitating a re-evaluation of funding dynamics for the school. He insisted on the continuation of Bishop’s identity. “We are going to be facing a lot of financial uncertainties over the next few years. We will be working with the administration and the community as we navigate through the challenging financial conditions, but the future of the university
is not in question”, he added.
Moving forward, Bishop’s is committed to its mission of developing future professionals and will keep working to offer the best student experience there is.
Lebel-Grenier returned to significant victories made by the university earlier this year, gaining exemptions from “two of the most important measures put in place”. The three thousand dollar tuition increase for out-of-province students will not apply, and Bishop’s will not receive financial penalties if they do not achieve French language proficiency requirements.
On March 15, a group of Bishop’s students placed sixth in the 2024 ERPSim Winter Classic, hosted by the Université de Sherbrooke’s (UdeS) school of business. They qualified for the ERPsim North America Competition on March 22, placing seventh in the finals. The Classic marked Bishop’s students’ first time participating in the ERPSim, a business simulation competition. ERPSim competitions presented an excellent opportunity for students from different business schools to apply in-class learning to real-world situations.
At the heart of Bishop’s students’ journey is the course BCS422, Integrated Enterprise Systems and Business Processes, taught by Émile Bérubé. The course aims to equip students with the expertise to navigate diverse enterprise resource planning (ERP) software like SAP and Microsoft Dynamics 365. ERP software helps companies manage business functions like accounting, sales, marketing and human resources. Students engaged in group-based competitions, strategizing within an SAP simulation provided by HEC Montreal.
Students enrolled in the Williams School of Business (WSB) are accustomed to a variety of opportunities to sharpen their skills and understanding of the business world. Among these opportunities are
chances to engage in experiential learning such as case competitions, and foster connections with established professionals. Each simulation session comprised four rounds, speeding up a total of 20 virtual days and passing in minutes. The team boasting the highest market valuation emerged victorious. The simulation encompassed a wide range of business elements, challenging teams to manage debt, optimize production, devise competitive pricing strategies and maximize cereal box sales across various distribution channels.
BU and UdeS engaged in a spirited competition at the Winter Classic within the challenging simulation. Beyond the thrill of competition, the event provided a platform for students to forge connections with representatives from prominent companies, including Deloitte, Groupe BMR, the National Bank of Canada, IBM Consulting and PwC.
As the competition ended, the topperforming groups from both Bishop’s and UdeS punched their tickets to a North American simulation competition the following week. Among them, a group comprising Alexandre Mador, Sebastian Perreault, Shaan Ali Porecha, Jathushajin Ruthiranathan and Jerome Lafond ranked highest amongst Bishop’s students, notching a commendable sixth place overall and securing qualification for the North American ERPSim.
The North American competition was
held on March 22 and brought together 26 universities from across the continent for an online showdown. This virtual event presented unique challenges and opportunities. Universities were divided into two pools for a qualification round, with only the top six teams from each pool advancing to the finals. Bishop’s representatives were exceptional, securing a second-place finish in their pool and earning a spot in the finals.
Despite encountering initial setbacks in the finals, Bishop’s students made a remarkable turnaround. Their strategic adjustments in the simulation propelled them from the twelfth-place position to the
seventh. Though the team narrowly missed qualification for the world championships, their performance highlighted Bishop’s prowess on the competitive stage.
Professor Émile Bérubé’s guidance proved pivotal in Bishop’s University’s successful debut in the competition. The overall experience fostered communication skills and adaptability while providing more exposure to the SAP software. Moreover, networking opportunities with industry representatives further augmented students’ learning experience.
Jerome Lafond is a student in BCS422 and competed in the ERPSims.
