Vol. 42 Issue 1 - September 3rd, 2024 by The Concordian

LOOK BACK: A SUMMER OF PRO-PALESTINE STUDENT PROTESTS IN MONTREAL

Students for Palestine persist despite challenges

BY JEREMY COX // NEWS EDITOR

This is an ongoing story. The online article may be updated as it unfolds.

Last Friday, Aug. 30, students waved flags and chanted on McGill’s downtown campus, in front of GardaWorld, SIRCO, campus security, and police officers. Seven weeks and three days after the forced decampment on July 10, protestors ripped up the grass that now covers the former

encampment site.

A few weeks ago, Concordia’s Dean of Students (DOS) removed the organization Solidarity for Palestinian Human Rights (SPHR) Concordia from its list of student organizations due to social media posts by SPHR that the DOS considers to be code violations, according to an email from the Office of Rights and Responsibility (ORR) obtained by The Concordian and dated

June 27. SPHR is now no longer recognized as an official university organization.

“We’re still here, we’re still strong [in] asking for divestment,” said an anonymous SPHR Concordia representative. “The matter of repression is growing more and more. It doesn’t affect us because, at the end of the day, what matters is our actions and our events.”

The recent protest at McGill follows a series of events

that occurred over the past months, including the McGill encampments and protests during Montreal’s Pride parade in response to Pride Montreal’s ties to organizations that protesters say invest in Israel. This summer’s protests were part of the Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions (BDS) movement, a movement pushing for boycotting, divestment and economic

exploresGallery sustainability & collaboration in summer exhibitions pg. 10

Stingers Football drop home againstopener Université Laval pg. 6

Overachieving at the beginning of the school year pg. 14

LES PAGES FRANCOS Faire sa rentrée à Concordia lorsqu’on est francophone pg. 9

NEWS

(Palestine protests, continued from cover)

against Israeli organizations.

Earlier this summer, on June 3, SPHR confirmed via its Instagram account that protesters sprayed graffiti on the inside of the Concordia’s Guy de Maisonneuve building entrance. The demonstration was the first major autonomous protest not organized by SPHR.

“This day showed that not all the Palestine actions are limited to SPHR Concordia.

The idea of BDS is related to the student body,” said the SPHR representative.

The email sent by the DOS and the director of the ORR requested that the video produced by SPHR be taken down, along with a Youth Summer Program image posted on Instagram in June depicting people holding guns and reading books, and images of “Wanted” posters of Concordia’s Chief Financial and Chief Investment Officers Denis Cossette and Marc Gauthier. These posts are considered by the DOS as code violations, leading to the suspension of the group unless they remove these posts, according to files obtained by The Concordian. At the time of printing, SPHR has not taken down the posts.

In response to the Youth Summer Program post, McGill president and Vice-Chancellor Deep Saini wrote in a message to the McGill community in June: “Many in our community have understandably reached out to share grave concerns — concerns that I share. It should go without saying that imagery evoking violence is not a tool of peaceful expression or assembly.”

The Fine Arts Student association, Arts and Sciences Federation of Associations have passed motions to officially support the BDS movement. Other student associations are consider-

ing similar motions, and the CSU divested from Scotiabank in April in support of BDS.

On the McGill campus, this summer saw multiple clashes between protesters, university officials, and law enforcement. In response to the Place Jean-Paul-Riopelle protest, which featured the destruction of property and purported assault on an officer occurring on July 5, Saini commented via an email sent to the McGill student body.

“It should be clear to everyone that

attacks on people and property do not represent the legitimate exercise of anyone’s rights to free expression or assembly,” he wrote. “Nor do they constitute peaceful protest.”

McGill employed SIRCO after July 5, which is a private investigation and protection company, to force the decampment, as the SVPM

attested they wouldn’t dismantle it without judicial clearance.

On Aug. 4, another independently organized Palestinian protest interrupted the Fantasia Film Festival, hosted in the Henry F. Hall building. Québec Premier François Legault was invited and attended the event.

Protesters marched outside the doors of the SGWU Alumni Auditorium to condemn his ties to the Centre for Israel and Jewish Affairs, Bnai Brith Canada, and the opening of a Québec office in Tel Aviv in April. The SPVM escorted the protesters out.

How a Concordia alumnus saw violent Bangladeshi student protests crackdown unfold from afar

Current and former Concordians have organized protests in support of students in Bangladesh

BY FÉLIX-ANTOINE BEAUCHEMIN NEWS EDITOR

After graduating from Concordia University with a master’s degree in software engineering last April, Shafiq Imtiaz watched in horror as student protests in his home country of Bangladesh were violently repressed by the government. He knows people who were killed during the protests, and remembers the shock of learning about someone he knew in Bangladesh being shot in the head.

“When you see the circles are closing in more and more to your own friends and family, that’s when you feel the severity of what was happening in Bangladesh,” Imtiaz said. “Staying here in Canada or any other countries beyond Bangladesh, you don’t get to feel it that much because you’re actually not in there. But the moment something happens to your own family members or your friends or your juniors, anyone you used to know personally, that’s when you feel the shock.”

The protests broke out after the High Court Division of the Bangladesh Supreme Court reinstated quotas for government jobs, which are highly coveted in the country. They notably ensured that 30 per cent of government employees were descendants of veterans from the 1971 Bangladesh Liberation war.

This move was criticized for favouring certain groups over others, like government loyalists or those with the financial means to take advantage of the system. Protesters demanded the abolition of the quota system. However, the extent and violence of the government’s crackdown on the student pro-

testers sparked a wider protest movement against the then government.

“Over 1,000 people have been killed, and over 400 students have lost their eyesight,” said Interim Health Ministry Chief Nurjahan Begum, as was reported by Reuters.

Amnesty International also said that over 10,000 people were arrested in July alone in relation to the student protests.

“The quota was generally seen as a way of favouring the current regime, which has become increasingly authoritarian since they were elected to power in 2009,” explained McGill University political science professor Narendra Subramanian. “[The reinstatement of the quota system] was the immediate trigger for the protests, but after that, there were enough people unhappy about the de facto dictatorship in Bangladesh, so it became a more general revolt against the existing government.”

The quotas were almost entirely repealed on July 21. The country’s prime minister, Sheikh Hasina, resigned and fled the country on Aug. 5.

Imtiaz also organized a candlelight protest at McGill University on July 21, in support of Bangladeshi students. According to him, approximately 150 people were present, mostly from the Bangladeshi divvaspora in Montreal. He had the idea to organize a candlelight protest after attending another protest organized by Concordia’s Bangladeshi Graduate Student Association a few days prior.

“During and after that event we and some other friends were discussing, [saying] we should hold a protest to remember, in solidarity to all the martyrs, kind of like a candlelight protest,” he said. “No chanting, no nothing. Mostly just musical, some music and country-specific songs just to remember our martyrs.”

He remembers it being a very moving experience for everyone present that night.

“I didn’t realize it was going to be so many people,” said Imtiaz. “I made sure that they were using red scarves and headbands, and that they all carried candles. Everyone was so ex-

cited, and so angered, sad, like mixed emotions throughout the board.”

The candlelight vigil also occurred when the government cut off internet access across Bangladesh, between July 18 and 23. Imtiaz described that period as a horrible experience, as he and his wife were not able to stay in contact with their families and friends who still live in Bangladesh.

“During the whole protest, we were always in constant con-

nection to them, and the moment the internet was cut off, it was a complete blackout,” he said. “And knowing the sheer severity our authoritarian, autocratic government was capable of … It was a constant, frightening experience. I was always in shock. Maybe today, my mom would not pick up the phone. Maybe today, I will not hear back from my dad.”

Nonetheless, he is hopeful that the interim government, led by former Nobel Peace Prize

winner Muhammad Yunus, will steer the country back to democracy—a vision shared by Subramanian.

“Having somebody like him heading the interim government, it’s probably better than if they had had, just, say, a military general in power,” he said. “It will make the government more acceptable, both within Bangladesh and among other governments.”

Photos courtesy of Shafiq Imtiaz

Concordia University announces a scaledback shuttle bus schedule between campuses

No more shuttle buses early in the morning and during the evening.

BY FÉLIX-ANTOINE BEAUCHEMIN NEWS EDITOR

Early morning shuttles from Concordia’s downtown and Loyola campuses have almost all been cut with this year’s new reduced schedule.

The first buses will leave Loyola at 9:15 a.m. and Sir George Williams at 9:30 a.m. The new schedule forces the many students who have 8:45 a.m. classes to find alternative methods of travel. Students with evening classes will be in the same predicament, as the last shuttles will leave both campuses at 6:30 p.m. from Mondays to Thursdays and 6:15 p.m. on Fridays.

Previously, there were shuttles before 8 a.m. every weekday and past 10 p.m. from Mondays to Thursdays. The university links this decision to

financial strains.

“The aim is to continue to provide the service to the Concordia community, even as the university navigates a difficult financial situation,” said Daniel Bartlett, communications advisor for institutional affairs at Concordia, on the university’s website.

Concordia’s approved deficit in its 2024-25 operating budget is $34.5 million, and as La Presse reported, the university plans to cut spending by $36 million to meet this target. This comes as the university sees a drop in enrollment following tuition hikes for out-of-province and international students.

It’s not all bad news for students traveling between campuses: shuttle frequencies this year will increase during the day. There are plans for departures from each campus almost every 15 minutes. In compari-

son, last year’s schedule had one bus leaving each campus every thirty minutes during the day.

Consult the full shuttle schedule below. There is also a live-tracking feature of the shuttles on the Concordia app.

The shuttle bus stops are located in front of the Vanier Library at the Loyola campus and

in front of the main entrance of the Hall building at the Sir George Williams campus. The shuttle is free to use for all Concordia students, faculty, and staff. All you need to do is present your ID card to the driver when getting on the bus.

If you need to travel between both campuses and there are no shuttles available, your best

solution is the STM’s public transportation network. From the Sir George Williams campus, you can take the metro to Vendôme, where you can take the 105 bus line to Loyola, and vice versa if going the other way. This route takes about 45 minutes, compared to the shuttle’s 30 minutes.

Engage in student politics with the CSU

The Concordia Student Union is optimistic for the new school year, with plans to keep students safe while encouraging them to participate in school politics.

BY CHANTAL

BELLEFEUILLE COPY EDITOR

With the start of the school year in full swing, the Concordia Student Union (CSU) wants students to come together, be more aware, and get involved with student politics.

“We want to take into account student voices in what they have to say and make sure that we implement that into what we do,” said Maria Chitoroaga, CSU’s Sustainability Coordinator.

The CSU, which represents Concordia’s undergraduate students, is the largest representative body at the university. It consists of the Council of Representatives, the Executive Team, and the Judicial Board.

The CSU’s initiatives this year include providing more food options on campus, especially for Loyola, and raising students’ awareness regarding the challenges international students may face while studying in Quebec.

“Their tuition went up. They might not be able to get work permits and are expected to come here, study, and then leave, not having the opportunity to apply for permanent residency,” she said. “It’s getting more real.”

The CSU revealed they are in the visioning and planning

stages to exert more pressure on Quebec’s elected officials.

“Hopefully, we’ll be able to mobilize a little bit better [than last year]. Chitoraga said. “Students are the people who hold most of the power, but they don’t realize it until they are all united.”

However, the CSU’s mission to ensure students feel safe on campus takes the spotlight. Last November, student protests regarding the Israel-Hamas war and the police intervention that followed led many students to feel unsafe. Similarly, last winter, students clashed with Concordia security during the tuition hike student protests, according to Chitoroaga, and caused concerns for Concordians trying to exercise their rights.

“We had some hiccups, not only on our side but with Concordia as well, with the police showing up and security not being super cooperative,” said Chitoroaga. “This year, we’re trying to smooth out all of that.”

From Sept. 6 through Sept. 26, the CSU will launch “The Campus Kickoff,” a series of orientation events where students can explore clubs, attend parties, receive free CSU merchandise, and become familiar with different student services on campus.

“As a first year, I didn’t know

what services there were until I got more involved with the CSU, and these services are very important in making students’ lives easier,” said Souad El Ferjani, CSU’s Finance Coordinator.

The CSU oversees Concordia’s major student services, such as the Housing and Job Resource Centre (HOJO), the Legal Information Clinic (LIC), the Advocacy Centre, and the Recovery and Wellness Community Centre (RAWCC). These services provide students with help, support, and guidance

on various issues concerning workers’ rights, mental health, legal information, preserving student rights, and more.

The CSU believes that if students become more familiar with school politics, they will better understand their student rights. Kareem Rahaman, the CSU’s General Coordinator, encourages students to get involved by volunteering for different branches of the CSU. This could potentially inspire students to participate in its various campaigns throughout the school year and help voter

turnout during November’s by-elections.

“The best description of the CSU that I’ve heard is that it is Concordia’s best-kept secret,” Rahaman said. “We do a lot of good work here. Most people who come here end up really liking it.”

CSU executives getting ready for an official union meeting (from left to right: Kareem Rahaman, Maria Chitoroaga, Dania Zeitoun, Souad El Ferjani). // PHOTO BY CHANTAL BELLEFEUILLE / COPY EDITOR / THE CONCORDIAN

The Concordia shuttle bus will have a shortened schedule this semester. // PHOTO BY HANNAH BELL / PHOTO EDITOR / THE CONCORDIAN

Concordians face barriers while accessing mental health support

As summer ends and academic pressures return, students at Concordia encounter significant barriers in accessing the mental health support they need

BY JIA SCHOFER NEWS ASSISTANT

As Concordia University starts the new semester, students are once again having to balance the looming pressure of academic performance and their mental health.

Charlotte Saulnier, a Fine Arts student at Concordia, highlighted the competitiveness of university and the impacts mental health can have on academic production.

“We want to stand out from others, to be special, to show that we have something more to offer. This pressure impacts my work,” she said.

Saulnier benefited from a few therapy sessions outside of

Concordia thanks to her parents’ financial support, but still finds it overly expensive.

“I’ve tried several times to find a good psychologist, paying $200 per session just to see if it would work with someone. The costs add up quickly, and it’s really frustrating,” Saulnier said.

In Quebec, individuals aged 6 to 25 are experiencing severe mental health challenges, with a rise in hospitalizations since the pandemic, related to conditions like anxiety and eating disorders, according to the Institut national d’excellence en santé et en services sociaux’s report. Despite this, data obtained by Le Journal de Québec in 2023 revealed that young adults can wait up to 102 days in Montreal to access specific mental health services.

According to Guylaine Bellerose, an art therapist affiliated with The Association of Art Therapists in Quebec (AATQ), another common challenge for

those seeking mental health support in Montreal is waiting times.

“If people want to access a service, the waiting lists seem endless,” Bellerose said.

For many students, these challenges leave them to seek alternative solutions on their own. For Saulnier, this meant turning to art as a form of self-therapy, a creative outlet that allowed her to manage her stress without the financial burden of traditional therapy.

“I started drawing to express things I couldn’t say otherwise. It became a natural way to manage stress,” she said.

While traditional mental health services like therapy and counselling are effective and indispensable, there is a growing recourse to alternative mental health support that offers different avenues to explore their emotions and find relief.

To Bellerose, art therapy is inclusive, catering to all: chil-

dren, adults, seniors, trauma survivors, and those on a journey of self-discovery. The practice is accessible at home, with or without professional supervision.

“Art

therapy provides a space to learn ways to feel better, to take time for selfimprovement,” Bellerose said.

“We live in a very rational world where the mind takes precedence. Through art therapy, there’s also the possibility to contact and reconnect with one’s creativity,” Bellerose said. For Concordia Uni-

versity students seeking mental health support, several on-campus and community resources are available. The Zen Dens offer a free space for relaxation and peer support. Empower Me provides 24/7 confidential counseling for those under the CSU Health Plan. Students can also connect with Concordia Students’ Nightline for anonymous listening support. The Applied Psychology Centre offers therapy and assessments, and the Stronger Than Stigma initiative works to break down barriers to accessing mental health care through advocacy and awareness. You can find a variety of mental health resources on their website.

GRAPHIC BY FINN GROSU

Concordia Stingers Football drops home opener in tough battle against Université Laval Rouge et Or

A dominant defensive performance propelled the Rouge et Or to victory over the Stingers in the first game of the season.

BY MATT PISCINA SPORTS EDITOR

Université Laval’s Rouge et Or claimed victory over the Concordia Stingers’ football team by a score of 36-11 on Aug. 24. This matchup marked the first time these two teams have met since they played in last season’s 2023 Réseau du Sport Étudiant du Québec (RSEQ) playoff semifinals. Laval won that game in overtime by a score of 34-27.

It is never an easy task for the Stingers to face off against the Rouge et Or. Last season, Université Laval outscored Concordia by a 40-point margin (88-48) and beat the Stingers in all three matchups.

Despite this, Stingers head coach Brad Collinson was optimistic about the challenge going into the game.

“We were excited,” Collinson said. “Obviously getting back on the field — it’s been 294 days since we played, so having the chance to get back on this field and compete — it’s always something we strive for.”

As the bleachers filled up with fans from both universities, the opening kickoff began the 2024 regular season.

The Rouge et Or were the first team to receive the ball, and they took advantage of it right out of the gate. Despite starting

the offensive drive on their own ten-yard line, the Rouge et Or rushed the ball 76 yards up the field to get into field goal range. With this opportunity, Laval kicked a field goal and took an early 3-0 lead.

The Stingers looked to respond quickly with their first offensive drive of the game. The new-look Concordia offense had a tall task ahead of them, facing last season’s runner-up, but they lived up to their potential early on.

Following a ten-yard completion on his first pass attempt, Stingers quarterback Olivier Roy aired out a pass to slotback Santino Sparagna for a 25-yard completion. On the very next play, Roy found wide receiver Rodney Estimé for another 20 yards. The Stingers drove down the field with authority, allowing them to cash in with a field goal of their own, tying the game 3-3.

On the ensuing drive, the Rouge et Or responded with a 48-yard reception completion, which put them into the endzone for the first time this season, making it a 10-3 game for the visiting team.

As the second quarter got underway, Laval had the ball and looked to extend their sev-

en-point lead. A second-andgoal found the Rouge et Or 5 yards from the endzone, and they capitalized on the opportunity.

A floater from quarterback Arnaud Desjardins to his receiver gave the Rouge et Or their second touchdown, making the score 18-3.

The Stingers desperately needed a response before the game got out of reach.

With just under seven minutes left in the second quarter, Concordia started their offensive drive at their own 38-yard line. Three first downs and 72 yards later, the Stingers found themselves in the endzone. A five-yard run by slotback Xavier Trembley and the extra-point kick from kicker Eric Maximuik brought the Stingers within one possession, with a 18-10 score.

Coach Collinson shared that the mood in the locker room at this point in the game was optimistic.

“We always are going to think we are in the game,” Collinson said postgame. “We got the ball back, we thought we could go down and score, and then we would have been down by one.”

In the third quarter, Laval sprung to life both offensive and defensively.

A touchdown half-way through the third frame padded the Rouge et Or lead, which they defended by not giving up more than a one-point rouge the entire quarter.

The fourth quarter was more of the same. Laval scored another touchdown 19 seconds in, which was all they needed to silence Concordia’s offense for the remainder of the match.

Laval added two safeties and cemented their 36-11 victory to spoil the Stingers’ home opener.

“I don’t think we executed at the level that we’re able to or wanted to,” quarterback Roy said postgame. “I think some of [our mistakes] are a quick fix, and some of them we’re going to have to put our noses in the playbook and watch the film.”

Six days later, the Stingers looked to rebound after the tough loss in their first game.

On Aug. 30, the team hit the road to face the Université de Sherbrooke Vert et Or. This time, the Stingers were victorious, winning by a 19-15 margin.

A defensive first quarter paved the way for the Stingers to capitalize in the second, taking a 5-0 lead into the second half.

An 81-yard offensive drive was topped off with a 14-yard touchdown by running back Franck Tchembe, making it a 12-0 Stingers lead. This would not last, however, as Sherbrooke responded with backto-back touchdowns, as well as a one-point rouge, giving the home Vert et Or a 15-12 lead in the fourth quarter.

With time running out, the Stingers needed at least a field goal to see another offensive drive. 87 yards later, Tchembe ran into the endzone for his second touchdown of the game, this one being the game-decider.

The Stingers held on for their first victory of the season. They now sit in third place out of five in the RSEQ standings.

The Stingers’ football team will be back in action on Sept. 14 when they visit the topseeded Université de Montréal Carabins. Kickoff is set for 2 p.m.

Wide receiver Santino Sparagna eyes a reception from quaterback Oliver Roy // COURTESY

PHOTO BY EVAN BUHLER

Fantasy Football: a guide to a successful season

Here are some tips and tricks to making sure this fantasy football season is a good one

BY MATT PISCINA SPORTS EDITOR

The National Football League (NFL) season is just around the corner with its first game on Sept. 5, and with that comes the start of millions of fantasy football leagues. While some leagues are more competitive than others, having a good plan heading into your fantasy football will make the experience much more enjoyable. Here are my top tips for the 2024-25 season.

Fantasy football is a competition that many participate in each year. Once a league is created, participants draft their teams consisting of NFL players. Once teams are drafted, two teams in the league match up against each other each week and try to score more points based on players’ performances in the NFL. Whichever team rounds up the most points in a week gets a win!

Prepare before you draft

Doing research before your fantasy football league’s draft might make the difference between being excluded from playoffs and heading to the championship in January.

Looking at your league’s settings is a good place to start understanding what a fantasy football league consists of.

Knowing which plays will score you more points will help you choose the best players for your fantasy team.

Once you have an idea of how points work, do a mock draft. This will allow you to become familiar with the player pool available to you and will give you a considerable advantage on the real draft day.

Lastly, make a list of each position, in the order you want to prioritize, with at least three options of players in case your top choice gets taken. This will make it less stressful once

you’re on the clock at the live draft.

Making selections on draft day

Now that you’ve done your research, it’s time to make your selections. I recommend not overthinking your selections during the draft. It’s difficult to predict whether a player will get injured, have a down year, or even exceed their performance from last year— so it’s okay to pick players that you feel confident about. After all, fantasy football is supposed to be fun! That being said, I would shy away from taking a full “underdog” approach to your team. Targeting consistent players who are in the prime of their career is the safest approach to put up good numbers in fantasy football.

Using the “sort by” filters in your league’s website will allow you to make quality se-

lections on the fly. Filtering available players by “points scored in 2023-24”, for example, is a good way to get an idea of the talent you have at your disposal.

Stay active during the season

Your fantasy football lineup is now ready! Whether or not you’re satisfied with your roster, none of it will matter if you aren’t active during the season. Setting your lineups each week will be essential to winning your matchups on a consistent basis. Keep an eye on when your players have their bye weeks — weeks during which they do not have a game — as these are players you can put on your bench and not worry about

putting up any points. I would also recommend looking at the team that your players are going up against in a given week. For example, if by the middle of the season, a player faces a team with zero wins, you may benefit from starting that player in hopes they will put up higher point totals than they would against a team that has eight wins. Keep this in mind as the season progresses.

And just like that, you’re ready for your fantasy football season. Whether or not it’s a successful one, the top tip I can give is: just to enjoy the season!

The Scoreboard: week one of Stingers fall sports season concludes with mixed results

Stingers football, women’s soccer, and women’s rugby teams all claimed their first wins of the season.

BY MATT PISCINA SPORTS EDITOR

The Concordia Stingers fall sports teams hit the field for the first time of the 2024 fall season this past weekend. Football, soccer, and rugby are all back for another season — here is what happened last week:

FOOTBALL

Concordia Stingers football is looking quite different in 2024. Former offensive coordinator of the Stingers, Alex Surprenant, became the McGill Redbirds’ head coach. This allowed former Stingers receivers coach, Justin Chapdelaine, to become the new offensive coordinator.

The departure of wide receiver Ezechiel Tieide, safety Dawson Pierre, and linebacker Zachary Philion all to the 2024 Canadian Football League (CFL) Draft meant the turnover in the lineup was heavy.

The new-look squad was put to the test against the Laval Rouge et Or on Aug. 24. A tight, back-and-forth matchup in the first quarter quickly turned into a game dominated by the visiting Rouge et Or. In the end, the Stingers lost their season and home opener by a score of 36-11.

On Aug. 30, the Stingers had their eyes on a rebound game. The team traveled to Université de Sherbrooke to face the Vert et Or. Trailing late in the fourth quarter, a four-yard run into the endzone gave the Stingers the go-ahead touchdown. The Stingers held on to win 19-15, securing their first win of the season.

SOCCER

The Concordia Stingers men’s and women’s soccer seasons are off to tough starts in the first week of action.

The women’s team kicked off their season at home against the Bishop’s Gaiters on Aug. 30. The Stingers had several scoring opportunities in the first half of the ball game, but could not capitalize. With the Gaiters pressing in the second half, neither team could find the back of the net. The game ended in a 0-0 draw.

Game two of the season for the Stingers women’s soccer team was another challenge, this time against the Université du Québec à Trois-Rivières

(UQTR) Patriotes on Sept. 1. Midfielder Adrianna Da Silva, got the Stingers on the board,

but the Patriotes scored two goals on four shots for the victory.

Concordia’s women’s team finishes their first week of action with one point out of a possible six. They will be back on the field against Université Laval Rouge et Or on Sept. 6.

The Stingers men’s soccer team also faced UQTR at home on Sept. 1. In a defensive battle, the Patriotes came out on top by a score of 1-0. Concordia will look to get in the win column when they play Université Laval Rouge et Or on Sept. 6.

RUGBY

The women’s rugby team was the only Concordia sports team on the road Sept. 1. They were visiting the Bishop’s Gaiters for their season opener. With the offense in command, the Stingers took a 28-10 win back to Montreal. The Stingers finish their first week of the new season tied for first place in the Réseau du Sport Étudiant du Québec (RSEQ) women’s rugby standings. Their next match will be the annual Kelly-Anne Drummond Cup against the University of McGill Martlets on Sept. 8.

GRAPHIC BY KEVEN VAILLANCOURT

Les Pages Francos

En partenariat avec et financé par l’Organe.

Éditorial: Des pages en français dans The Concordian ?

Le Centre pour étudiant·es francophones propose plusieurs ressources pour faciliter l’année scolaire

BY CLÉMENT LECHAT

COORDONNATEUR DE L’ORGANE

Le français, langue natale, première, seconde, troisième… tantôt choisie, parfois subie, langue de travail, d’amitié ou même d’amour… à Concordia, la francophonie est une expérience variée. Ayant grandi ici, ailleurs au Québec, au Canada ou dans le monde, nous apportons des perspectives plurielles sur ce qu’est l’identité francophone.

Nous n’avons pourtant que peu d’espaces ou d’occasions pour partager ces expériences en tant que communauté. Bien qu’elle représente environ 20% du corps étudiant, la francophonie concordienne est trop longtemps restée sans organe pour faire battre son cœur à l’unisson.

C’est ici dans un esprit d’inclusion que l’Organe et The Concordian ouvrent ensemble ces premières pages en français,

une invitation à vous exprimer, vous informer et examiner ensemble les transformations qui traversent notre monde, province, ville et université.

Aucune édition de l’Organe n’est sortie des presses depuis presque six ans. Nous revenons ici en version hybride, sur papier et en ligne, pour reprendre le flambeau porté à tour de rôle par tant de francophones depuis 2002, année de naissance du Concordia Français. Tel un caméléon, l’Organe a changé d’apparence à de multiples reprises. Sa mission est restée la même : être le facilitateur de l’expression des francophones de Concordia. Il continue sa mue, désormais en tant que plateforme gravitant à l’intersection de toutes les formes médiatiques, qu’elles soient écrites, audiovisuelles, artistiques, graphiques, ou au-

tres.

Dans ce moment de renaissance, je vous dis merci de commencer à écrire, littéralement, un nouveau chapitre de l’histoire de l’Organe. Concordiennes, Concordiens, à vos claviers !

Clément Lechat, coordonnateur de l’Organe

Instagram : @organe_concordia

YouTube : Organe_Conco Envoyez vos idées d’articles à organe@cutvmontreal.org et à editor@theconcordian.com

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Oser la coupe radicale

Éditorial: Bienvenue aux Pages Francos!

Une nouvelle section dans The Concordian, en collaboration avec l’Organe.

BY MARIEKE GLORIEUX-STRYCKMAN EDITOR-IN-CHIEF

Je commence en ce moment ma sixième année d’études dans une institution anglophone. De Vanier College à Concordia University, je n’ai pas étudié en français depuis le secondaire, et ce, après avoir eu un parcours presque complètement francophone et avoir seulement appris à parler anglais à neuf ans. J’ai réalisé il y a quelques mois que je m’ennuyais d’écrire dans ma langue maternelle — et, honnêtement, je commençais à manquer de pratique! Je me désolais de ne voir aucune opportunité en français dans les médias étudiants de Concordia.

Je sais que nous sommes nombreux à vouloir travailler dans les deux langues officielles du Canada et à reconnaître l’importance de ces langues pour notre carrière post-universitaire.

Je suis donc extrêmement heureuse d’annoncer la création des Pages Francos du Concordian, une nouvelle section du journal en partenariat avec nos collègues de l’Organe. Ces pages présenteront des articles originaux ou traduits en français, écrits et édités par des élèves de Concordia, pour la communauté concordienne. J’espère que ces pages pourront donner une voix à la population francophone de Concordia et créer un espace où les élèves peuvent gagner en expérience et en confort autour de l’écriture en français.

Sur un plan plus personnel, j’ai hâte d’étirer mes muscles francophones, trop longtemps restés dormants, et de collaborer avec l’équipe exceptionnelle de l’Organe.

On a hâte de vous publier!

Trois jeunes femmes expliquent comment couper ou raser sa chevelure peut être un acte de réinvention personnelle

BY MAYA RUEL

ARTS & CULTURE EDITOR

Trois étudiantes qui se sont débarrassées de leurs cheveux longs partagent leur expérience

La relation entre une femme et sa chevelure peut être complexe. Reconnus comme un symbole de féminité, les cheveux sont parfois lourds à porter.

Bien que pour certaines, l’idée même de se faire raccourcir les pointes relève du cauchemar, d’autres décident quant à elles de s’affranchir de cette charge et de faire le grand saut en se débarrassant de leur crinière.

Yasmine Chouman est une étudiante de deuxième année à Concordia et a coupé ses cheveux très courts, « à la garçonne », en même temps qu’elle a remisé ses habits d’hiver.

« J’étais nerveuse, parce que mon père entretient une vision très traditionnelle de la femme : cheveux longs et minceur », dit-elle.

Malgré tout, Chouman a choisi d’écouter son cœur.

Ayant les cheveux frisés, elle a longtemps eu de la difficulté à les entretenir et à les coiffer.

« Lorsque j’étais au secondaire, quelqu’un m’a déjà dit que je semblais être toute juste sortie du lit à cause de mes cheveux, et ça m’a traumatisée”, explique-t-elle.

Au cours de la dernière année, Chouman a traversé plusieurs épreuves qui l’ont fait grandir. Sa vision du monde et d’elle-même s’est transformée.

« Je sentais le poids de tout mon vécu dans mes cheveux, explique Chouman. Je savais qu’il était temps de m’en débarrasser. »

Elle voulait désormais mettre en valeur son visage et ne plus le cacher. « J’ai dissocié mon estime personnelle de mes cheveux, enfin », dit-elle.

Elle n’a jamais regretté sa coupe et dit se sentir affranchie.

Jia Schofer, aussi étudiante de deuxième année et assistante rédactrice d’actualités au Concordian, a quant à elle décidé d’aller jusqu’au bout

et de tout raser au printemps dernier.

« Je n’ai jamais eu de problème avec mes cheveux : ils sont épais, lisses et en bonne santé », explique-t-elle. Malgré tout, elle avait envie depuis très longtemps de les raser : « C’était mon plan depuis le mois de septembre : à la fin de l’année scolaire, je rase tout. C’était quelque chose que je voulais faire dans ma vie. »

Schofer, comme plusieurs femmes, avait l’impression que sa féminité reposait en grande partie sur sa chevelure, ce qui ne lui plaisait pas.

« Après que ça ait été fait [la coupe], j’ai arrêté de me regarder dans le miroir. J’ai même arrêté de me maquiller. Ça a fait du bien. » Schofer ne regrette pas non plus sa décision et y trouve même plusieurs avantages : « De dos, dans la rue, les gens pensent que je suis un homme. Je me sens plus en sécurité. »

Kenza Rebbache, aussi étudiante à Concordia, s’est pour sa

part rasé le crâne sur un coup de tête lorsqu’elle avait 16 ans. « J’étais dans une période où je m’intéressais beaucoup au féminisme », raconte-t-elle.

« J’ai juste décidé que les cheveux, ça ne voulait rien dire sur la beauté de la femme. » Elle a décidé de se raser les cheveux pour le plaisir, pour tenter l’expérience. « C’était quand même libérateur », ditelle.

Rebbache appréhendait la réaction de ses employeurs, puisqu’elle travaillait à ce moment dans un restaurant haut de gamme, mais a été agréable-

ment surprise du soutien qu’elle a reçu. « Même les clients me posaient des questions, ils trouvaient ça nice! »

La phase de la repousse a toutefois été plus ardue. Rebbache explique qu’à certains moments du processus, elle avait l’impression de ressembler à un garçon. Malgré tout, elle affirme sans hésitation qu’elle le referait probablement. « À un moment donné, si j’ai envie de ravoir les cheveux vraiment courts, ça ne me fera pas peur. »

GRAPHIC BY FINN GROSU

Faire sa rentrée à Concordia lorsqu’on est francophone

Le Centre pour étudiant·es francophones propose plusieurs ressources pour faciliter l’année scolaire

BY CLÉMENT LECHAT ET FÉLIX LALIBERTÉ

NEWS EDITOR

En arrivant au sixième étage du pavillon Hall, on tombe sur le Centre pour étudiant·es francophones (CÉF), dès la sortie des escaliers, en tournant à gauche. À l’intérieur d’un petit local aux murs bleu turquoise, on trouve un espace organisé autour d’une table centrale, au-dessus de laquelle se trouve une grande affiche de l’île de Montréal.

Assises à leur bureau, Olivia-Jade Tribert, coordonnatrice du Centre, et Sophie Mailloux, gestionnaire, accueillent les étudiants. Ouvert en septembre 2023, le CÉF offre un espace de soutien, d’échanges et de rencontres aux étudiants francophones, en plus d’organiser des activités et des événements qui mettent en lumière leurs cultures.

Le français est la langue principale de 20% de la population étudiante à Concordia, selon l’université. « Les francophones

peuvent venir de n’importe où, indique Sophie Mailloux. Si on n’arrive d’un autre pays, tout est nouveau, en plus d’étudier en anglais. » Tribert et Mailloux ne sont pas des conseillères académiques et n’ont pas accès aux dossiers des étudiants. Par contre, elles connaissent les services et ressources de l’université, et sont disponibles pour orienter les étudiants dans le besoin.

« Lorsque les différents services sont présentés en français, l’étudiant va mieux retenir l’information », explique Sophie Mailloux.

C’est pourquoi le CÉF s’est donné pour mission d’approcher des membres du personnel de l’université pour les inviter à présenter un aperçu de leurs services en français.

Par exemple, Sandra Clermont-Pierre, spécialiste en promotion de la santé à Concordia

et infirmière autorisée, donnera deux ateliers en ligne durant la session d’automne.

Sur son profil Instagram @ franco.concordia, le Centre relaye des informations concernant les services et clubs universitaires, et publie ses propres capsules vidéos. On y trouve des ressources et astuces, tout comme dans son infolettre « la Voix francophone » qui distille les dernières nouvelles et prochains événements d’intérêt pour la communauté francophone de l’université.

Du français à l’anglais

Les étudiants qui contactent le Centre ont souvent des difficultés à écrire leurs travaux en anglais. « Certains ont un bon niveau d’anglais, dans le contexte d’internet et des réseaux sociaux, indiqueTibert, mais ils sont moins habitués à lire, comprendre, prendre des notes dans un contexte académique, et en plus il y a le stress. »

Le Centre organise un programme de jumelage linguistique, Concordance, destiné aux francophones souhaitant améliorer leur anglais, et qui sont prêts à rendre la pareille à un étudiant désireux de pratiquer son français.

Le CÉF peut aussi les orienter vers le Centre de réussite universitaire et l’École des études supérieures, qui offrent un service d’aide à l’écriture et un groupe de conversation dans cette langue.

Sentiment de communauté Tribert et Mailloux ont organisé des groupes de consultation au CÉF en mars dernier, lors desquels est ressortie l’envie de tisser plus de liens entre étudiants francophones. « Souvent, il y en a qui ont commencé lors de la COVID, donc lorsqu’ils sont retournés, c’était plus compliqué de s’intégrer », raconte la coordonnatrice.

« Quand tu es allé au CÉGEP

en français, tu es probablement le seul dans ta gang qui est venu à Concordia. Ce n’est pas comme les autres qui vont tous aller ensemble à l’UQAM ou à Laval. Souvent, tu te retrouves tout seul à devoir te refaire des amis », dit Mailloux.

Pour répondre à ce besoin, le CÉF et Homeroom ont créé le Franco Pod, un espace où les francophones se rencontrent chaque semaine autour d’activités, de jeux et d’ateliers permettant de tisser des liens.

Afin de renforcer cet esprit de communauté, le Centre organise une fête de la rentrée, la « FrancOrientation », le jeudi 12 septembre de 13h à 15h au local H655. Les étudiants y recevront des informations pour bien commencer la rentrée.

La page Reddit de Concordia: un endroit populaire pour souffrir collectivement

Le forum en ligne est un moyen pour des milliers d’étudiants de trouver les réponses à leurs questions.

BY JEREMY COX NEWS EDITOR

L’université peut être difficile. On peut vite perdre la tête lorsqu’il faut calculer les frais de scolarité, comptabiliser les crédits, choisir les cours, en plus de parier sur les professeurs les plus supportables et les plus susceptibles de donner à leurs élèves un A.

Si vous vous sentez seul, ce n’est pas le cas. Le subreddit de Concordia, r/Concordia, est un forum réunissant plus de 41 000 membres où les gens discutent et répondent à toute question reliée à Concordia.

La page est gérée par deux modérateurs, iJeff et WindsRequiem, qui organisent la page et veillent à ce que les utilisateurs respectent les règles. WindsRequiem, ou Nicole, modère r/ Concordia depuis six ans et a obtenu son diplôme il y a deux ans avec une spécialisation en sociologie et une mineure en histoire.

Depuis qu’elle a commencé, près de 30 000 membres ont rejoint r/Concordia. En ce moment, Nicole travaille sur la page de questions fréquemment demandées et sur une nouvelle section Wiki.

Depuis qu’elle est

modératrice sur Reddit, Nicole a remarqué un changement d’attitude générale et d’activité depuis l’augmentation de la popularité de la page.

« Les gens sont moins sujets à répondre à quelque chose comme si c’était une question stupide. Il y a beaucoup moins de réponses passives-agressives, dit la modératrice. Mais évidemment, il y aura toujours des disputes. Il y aura toujours des gens qui partagent des articles politiques. »

Le subreddit r/Concordia inclut des suggestions de restaurants pour les nouveaux arrivants à Montréal et des réorientations dans les trajectoires d’études.

Hend Ben Messaoud, une étudiante en traduction, a choisi sa spécialité avec l’aide du forum. Ben Messaoud, qui a commencé ses études en 2019, s’est inscrite sur Reddit et a rejoint r/Concordia afin de suivre les nouvelles, puisqu’elle devait se dépêcher de rentrer chez elle chaque jour pour s’occuper de ses trois enfants.

Ben Messaoud a commencé à explorer ses options pour le reste de ses études et plusieurs

membres ont répondu à ses questions.

« Ils m’ont conseillé, si je voulais travailler dans le domaine de la traduction, de choisir la spécialisation après l’obtention du diplôme. Et ça a vraiment changé mon parcours. C’est grâce à eux que j’ai fait ma spécialisation. »

Tanha, une étudiante qui a commencé ses études en biologie cellulaire et moléculaire en hiver de 2021, a rejoint le subreddit dès le début de ses études

Tanha demandait à d’autres membres s’ils avaient leurs anciens livres et s’ils voulaient les partager.

« J’ai eu de l’aide pour les examens, dit-elle. Et j’ai eu des étudiants qui m’ont envoyé tous leurs dossiers Google Drive sur Reddit qu’ils avaient depuis qu’ils étaient diplômés. »

Il semble que la page ait suffisamment gagné en popularité pour attirer l’attention du personnel de l’université. Au cours des 12 derniers mois, la page a été consultée 3,7 millions de fois par 44 000 comptes.

Il y a quatre mois, l’équipe d’accueil de Concordia a con-

tacté les modérateurs afin de créer leurs propres publications. L’équipe en a créé une au début du mois d’août avec une liste de contacts et de liens vers des services, tels que des ateliers pratiques et des réservations de rendez-vous.

GRAPHIC BY KEVEN VAILLANCOURT

Arts & Culture

FOFA Gallery explores sustainability and collaboration in summer exhibitions

The Too Good to Waste and paper_ work.com exhibits feature interactive installations and recycled materials.

BY MAYA RUEL ARTS & CULTURE EDITOR

As most students enjoyed a well-deserved summer break, the Faculty of Fine Arts Gallery (FOFA) did not rest. Since July 22, this gallery located in the Engineering and Visual Arts (EV) building has been hosting two exhibitions centred around labour, collaboration, and sustainability themes titled Too Good to Waste and paper_ work.com.

paper_work.com occupies the gallery’s main space. María Escalona de Abreu, the exhibition’s curator, described it as a “weird experiment.” According to her, the installation aims to answer the question: What sustains an exhibition? This answer is, first and foremost, “collaboration,” said de Abreu.

The middle of the main exhibition room was transformed into a papermaking studio.* Paper quilts made by artist Eli Bjedov-Santović are hung on the walls. Recycled plastic items and samples, as well as donated books on sustainable art and furniture made of recycled plastics are gathered around the room. Jason Sikoak’s art samples exploring Inuk imagery occupy the Black Box, a small, darker adjacent room.

Collaboration can be found in all aspects of the exhibition. First through the artists’ teamwork. Second, via the artists and the curator who aligned their perspectives and created this mash-up of concepts and ideas, which somehow all fit together. And third, between the artists and the public through the office_hours.ptt, a part of the programming that included workshops and discussions that allowed visitors to witness papermaking in real time and converse on the themes of labour and sustainability.

“We got to share the process you don’t see when you’re visiting an exhibition,” said de Abreu. “We got to share the behind-the-scenes.”

Visitors got to witness real-time experiments with paper throughout the summer. Artist Eli Bjedov-Santović hosted a paper quilt-making workshop in the gallery, where she made paper out of yarn scraps. Artist maya rae oppenheimer hosted The Gossip Monger, which was

described as a “social practice artwork”.

Her artwork invited the public to write gossip on a piece of paper and seal it with wax. At the finissage on Sept. 5, the envelopes will be up for grabs, and the winners will have the choice between leaving it on a shelf forever or opening someone else’s gossip in order to explore how gossip can “save, insinuate, harm, and educate.”

paper_work.doc is de Abreu’s master concept as she concludes her two-year residency at FOFA Gallery.

Too Good to Waste is a complementary exhibition curated by Nicole Burisch in collaboration with four other visual artists. It also explores themes of labour, reuse, and sustainability. The artwork, which is exhibited in the York vitrines adjacent to the gallery, is all made of materials that people discarded or deemed suitable for the trash. Adam Basanta, for instance, created the piece Grand Arch (Solid Waste) solely with material found at local recycling centres.

Both exhibitions are ongoing until Sept. 6, and a finissage with the curators and artists is planned on Sept. 5.

Papermaking studio in the main space // PHOTO BY PARAS VIJAN.

Plastic samples exhibited in the main space // PHOTO BY PARAS VIJAN

Grand Arch (Solid Waste) by Adam Basanta // PHOTO BY PARAS VIJAN News

Montreal art scene: fall highlights and opportunities

Dive into the local culture this season!

BY MAYA RUEL ARTS & CULTURE EDITOR

As school starts up again, Montreal’s art scene is shedding its summer skin and warming up for fall. For those who are seeking their dose of local culture as they settle back into a routine, here are some shows, events, and opportunities to look forward to.

MOVIES:

Amazonia, an Encounter with the Guardians of the Rainforest: Watch this movie in theatres from Sept. 6 to Sept. 8. Follow an ethnogeographer’s journey through the rainforest and meet the communities who devote their lives to preserving it. Tickets are available on Les Films du 3 Mars’s website: www.f3m.ca

Close Your Eyes: Watch this movie by acclaimed Spanish director Victor Erice on Sept. 6 at Cinéma du Parc in Spanish

with English subtitles. Close Your Eyes explores themes of memory and absence, of human relationships and music. The movie premiered at the Cannes Film Festival in 2023 and is now being released in Montreal theatres.

STAGE SHOWS:

La femme qui fuit: See this play, adapted from the bestseller novel by Anaïs Barbeau-Lavalette, on Sept. 12, 8 p.m. at Théâtre du Nouveau Monde, in French. Extra show dates have been announced on Sept. 22, Sept. 29, and Oct. 6. at 2 p.m.

EXHIBITIONS:

The Leonard & Bina Allen Art Gallery has released their fall program and will be hosting Choublak, an exhibition highlighting the work of artist Eséry Mondésir and other Haitian artists from Montreal, from Sept. 3 until Jan. 18. A poetry night hosted by Mondésir will also take place there on Sept. 5. FOFa Gallery is currently hosting two exhibitions (paper_work.doc & Too Good to Waste) until Sept. 6 and will highlight the end of the sum-

mer season with a finissage on Sept. 5.

Fonderie Darling will host Déliquescence, an exhibition exploring “the beauty of chaos”, from Sept. 26 to Dec. 8.

FESTIVALS:

The Festival Quartiers Danses has unveiled its program and will be kicking off on Sept. 5. This event showcases 30 choreographers from seven

different countries who will be performing in free events in a multitude of locations all over Montreal, aiming to “democratize dance”. For the full program, check out their website: www.quartiersdanses.com

The Festival des arts de ruelle is back for its 8th edition and is ongoing until Sept. 8. Parades, street aerobics, and several other activities are on the pro-

gram in various locations. Look up the website for more information: www.festivalfar.com

FINE ARTS OPPORTUNI-

TIES:

FASA (Fine Arts Student Association) has issued a call for submissions for its Carré Rouge exhibition. The deadline is on Sept. 6 at 11:59 p.m.

Exploration of Japan’s land through the lens of Hiroshige -an awakened dreamer

Hiroshige’s Fiftythree Stations of the Tōkaidō is now on display at the Montreal Museum of Fine Arts

BY SHAGHAYEGH

NADEROLASLI

ASSISTANT ARTS & CULTURE

EDITOR

Montreal Museum of Fine Arts (MMFA) is currently hosting Tōkaidō: Dreamscapes by Andō Hiroshige, an exhibition featuring 19th century Japanese artist Hiroshige’s iconic landscape woodblock prints.

The exhibition is a display of Hiroshige’s “Fifty-three Stations of the Tōkaidō,” which is part of the Montreal Museum of Fine Arts’ collection, and one of the artist’s most printed series.

According to the exhibition’s text, the way “he treated the landscape and its atmospheric effects as subject in their own right” set Hiroshige apart from his contemporaries.

His attention to his audience’s needs led him to incorporate Western elements in his artwork, such as perspective, horizontal picture format, shading, and synthetic blue pigments. The combination of a

Western realistic approach and traditional Japanese prints depicting dreamy landscapes allowed him to provide his own narrative to the viewers.

“Fifty-three Stations of the Tōkaidō” represents his visionary journey along the 490 km Eastern sea road that connects Japan’s Tokugawa Capital Edo (present-day Tokyo) to the former imperial capital, Kyoto. The series presents the unique characteristics of each region along with the mythical qualities that are embedded in the journey from one place to another.

Hiroshige’s appreciation of Japan’s nature and culture are entangled in his prints.

MMFA’s exhibition consists of two rooms displaying his 53 prints in chronological order with signs below each piece informing visitors of the exact location where the artist captured the sceneries.

Visitors are invited to link a print with its geographical location, leading them to explore region-specific celebrations, myths, habits, weather conditions, and choice of clothing.

In the second room, a map of Japan demonstrates the exact trail Hiroshige explored throughout his work. The map allows viewers to follow the chronology of the prints as they move from one location to the next, linking them to a specific

instant in Hiroshige’s journey. The prints are cinematic representations of those locations, resembling animated dreamscapes complete with figures and architecture that embody the character of each place.

In this series of explorational journey, Hiroshige provides a clear frame of narrative and story for the viewers to feel the varying temperatures of the weather, to connect with familiar traditions and celebrations, and to understand the livelihood of people affected by

weather conditions.

One of the prints in the second room depicts his time in Miya, “one of Tokaïdo’s most famous pilgrimage destinations,” according to the work’s text. This scene showing Miya’s summer solstice celebration captures the chaotic movements of people and horses pulling carts that stay out of the frame. This absence of sacred carts shows the imaginative aspect of Hiroshige’s practice, allowing the vviewers to fill in the blanks themselves.

He focuses instead on key elements of the solstice celebration and presents them in a cinematic style based on a vision rooted in the reality of the event. On the right side of the print, a glimpse of the Atsuta Shinto Shrine facade shows the sacred symbol of Miya, emphasizing the importance of the ongoing celebration.

Tokaïdo: Dreamscapes by Andō Hiroshige will be exhibited at Montreal’s Museum of Fine Arts until September 8th.

“Miya, Festival at Atsuta Shrine,” a print by Andō Hiroshige, as seen in the MMFA’s exhibition. The print depicts the business and chaos of Miya’s summer solstice celebration // PHOTO BY SHAGHAYEGH NADEROLASLI // THE CONCORDIAN

Archive graphic by Carleen Loney

Music

Relive Your Brat Summer

Concordia students share their definitions of the “Brat Summer” phenomenon.

BY STEFANO REBULI MUSIC EDITOR

When the artwork for Charli XCX’s BRAT was initially revealed, it was met with criticism and confusion. Fans took issue with its peculiar choice of colour and pixelated text, basing their discontent on a seeming lack of creativity. Some proclaimed that “art directors must be on strike;” the British singer revealed to Vogue Singapore that she intentionally picked an “offensive, off-trend shade of green to trigger the idea of something being wrong.”

In a seemingly unprecedented turn of events (to most, but not Charli herself), that same green shade of Pantone 3570-C would find itself everywhere just a few months later. From hit singles to viral phrases (“I’m so Julia”) and dances and marketing campaigns, the chatter around BRAT was inescapable. Its June 7 release date was optimal for the album to thrive all summer long — enter the phenomenon of “brat summer.”

For communications student Mariam Sy, “brat summer” simply encompasses the 2024

summer period marked by the album’s virality.

“BRAT became that thing — it felt like everyone was on board. If you know BRAT you know BRAT; it has that ‘cool kid’ ethos to it,” Sy said.

The singer balances mainstream pop delight and stylistic versatility on her latest LP.

BY STEFANO REBULI Music Editor

Sabrina Carpenter’s success has long been in the making. After releasing four studio albums under Disney’s Hollywood Records, it was with her following album emails i can’t send — her “first big-girl” album — that the starlet truly began building her distinct brand as a solo artist.

The album led to a tour in large-capacity venues, a coveted opening slot on Taylor Swift’s Eras Tour, and a Coachella performance.

Then came “Espresso.” Carpenter “just wanted to put out a little song before Coachella,” but the summery disco-pop track skyrocketed up the charts and became an instant ra -

Charli XCX’s team doubled down on this potential with the Brat Generator, a quick, easy, and widely accessible way to spoof the cover (which even made its way into our own pitch

“My friends and I would start the album in Montreal and have it blasting with the windows down while driving across the Champlain bridge [towards the South Shore]. There’s no need to add anything else to

“Brat and it’s the same but there’s three more songs so its not” by Charli XCX parody alubm cover // MADE BY STEFANO REBULI USING BRATGENERATOR.COM

The album’s artwork played a monumental part in its omnipresence throughout the summer. Tabéa Benlakehal, ex-Concordian Music Editor, cites its easy replicability as a key factor towards its popularity online.

“People appropriated the style and made countless memes online with the same font, which only boosted its hype more,” she explained.

meetings).

The music was equally important to the album’s success. Thanks to its quality and dynamic club-oriented tracks, the album earned raving reviews from critics and fans alike. Listening to BRAT from front to back on evening drives to became a summer staple for Concordia sociology student Latiyfa Stewart.

the queue, the album has it all,” Stewart said.

She even recalled the sun setting in the background — it’s the fun, picturesque, carefree setting you’d see in any of the viral TikTok videos set to the album’s track “Everything is romantic.”

The BRAT singer gave her own definition of the term, explaining “brat” as a “girl who is

a little messy and likes to party, and maybe says some dumb things sometimes.”

The artist’s sentiment was echoed by Concordia communications student Kiana Cross, better known as DJ PØPTRT.

“It encapsulates what the album stands for: being free, being who you want [to be], doing what you want, having fun, and living life to the fullest,” said Cross.

Having spent her “brat summer” playing gigs all over Montreal — including Concordia’s frosh events — she notably praises Charli XCX’s recent Boiler Room sets.

For fans of BRAT, one thing is clear: “brat summer” is far from over.

“We are definitely going to extend it into the next couple of months,” added Cross, who will be headlining a Charli XCX-themed dance party at Bar Le Ritz PDB on Sept. 13, hosted by the What The Dance event group.

Whether you lived it with the album or not, “brat summer” was omnipresent” — be it through the album’s music, its vernacular, or its plethora of viral moments. It shows no signs of slowing down either as Charli XCX has already joked about “brat autumn” and will be hitting the road next month with Troye Sivan for the Sweat Tour — including a stop in Laval on Sept. 16.

QUICKSPINS: Short ‘n Sweet — Sabrina Carpenter

dio hit. Its follow-up, “Please Please Please,” soon saw equal success, even landing atop the Billboard Hot 100. With two hit singles in her back pocket, it became clear that Carpenter would be cementing her newfound position in the “main pop girl” conversation with Short ‘n Sweet

Clocking in at just 35 minutes in length, the singer’s sixth album capitalizes on its mainstream pop potential while also taking stylistic detours into other genres. Country music is an apparent influence on several tracks, notably the guitars on “Please, Please, Please” and “Slim Pickins.”

There’s also “Coincidence,” which evokes 1970s country and folk with its acoustic strums, thumps, and hand claps — it would sound right at home sung at a shindig or around a campfire. “Sharpest Tool,” produced by Jack Antonoff, reads exactly like a Taylor Swift track with its light guitar plucks and Carpenter’s soft vocals, although its fast-paced synth pop drums bring a distinct twist.

R&B lays the foundation for several tracks too: “Good

Graces” offers up fluttery flute lines, warm synths, and a bouncy Miami bass-style beat akin to recent R&B hits like Drake’s “Rich Baby Daddy” and FLO’s “Check.” “Bed Chem” takes a page from the 2000s R&B playbook with its slow kick drum pattern and starry melody that strikingly resemble Fabolous’ “Into You” (also remixed by Pop Smoke on “Something Special”).

Romance is a throughline on Short ‘n Sweet, with different sides and dynamics of Carpenter and her lover’s relationship being explored on each track. There are playful, tongue-incheek moments, such as in “Espresso” and “Juno,” where Carpenter sings jocosely about her attraction and lust towards her partner, and vice-versa. Along with “Bed Chem,” these tracks are filled with innuendo but not exempt from overt statements either (on “Juno,” she proclaims that she’s “so f*****g horny”).

Elsewhere, there are more serious moments where she pleads to her boyfriend not to embarrass her (“Please Please Please”), laments over settling

for less due to never finding the perfect man (“Slim Pickins”), and the reality of willfully living in delusion to stay with an undeserving partner (“Lie to Girls”). These more serious moments are characterized by softer production and a slower ballad tempo, nicely contrasting with the record’s brighter moments. The tracklist weaves back and forth between both moods across its runtime.

“Don’t Smile” is a moody closer with its lo-fi sonic qualities and refrain of “Don’t smile ‘cause it happened, baby/Cry

because it’s over.” It acts like a dark cloud moving over the album’s otherwise bright soundscape, evoking an unhappy ending to the ongoing relationship narrative.

Short ‘n Sweet is packed with pop jams while offering a stylistic versatility that helps distinguish Carpenter from her contemporaries. Having already propelled her to new heights before its release thanks to its hit singles, the album is sure to crank out another hit before she embarks on a soldout arena tour this fall.

“Short ‘N Sweet” by Sabrina Carpenter Album cover // PHOTO FROM APPLE MUSIC

Quai Festif highlights Montreal’s finest musical talent

Bonne Famille’s festival returns for a successful second edition.

BY STEFANO REBULI MUSIC EDITOR

On August 24, Bonne Famille returned with the second edition of its Quai Festif festival.

The Montreal-based collective, known for throwing various events and casual get-togethers, gathered a mix of local DJs, musicians, and clothing and food vendors. Jean Ndiho, one of Bonne Famille’s co-founders, describes the event as “a melting pot of Montreal’s crème de la crème.”

This year’s event was held at Bassin Peel in Griffintown. It kicked off around 5 p.m. with

DJ sets from Teray, Gurafiku, Kevin Daye, and Yaya, all of whom provided seamless mixes of various Afrobeats and Caribbean music styles, R&B, Brazilian baile funk, and house music combined.

As the crowd began to grow, the night’s first performance started. Malko, a local singer, took the stage to perform his signature style of R&B, which even contained Jersey Club

and baile funk influences. His crowd control was remarkable, with the audience following his lead in singing the refrains to his different tracks. His quality performance easily left attendees wanting more, especially given its brief 15 minute length.

DJ LAX followed, joined by a crew of dancers who impressed the crowd by showing off their moves while beats of dancehall and hip-hop thumped behind them. YKTV played his set next, getting the crowd dancing along to irresistible high-speed shatta rhythms, as well as hiphop classics. He pulled out all the stops, even busting out choreography throughout his set.

The night’s second performance took place with Aiza, an Afro-pop artist who commanded the crowd with her bold demeanour and remarkable stage presence. Whether it be the infectious basslines in her music, her laser-focused delivery, or her choreography, the crowd was perfectly in tune with her performance, matching her radiant energy.

DJ KidCrayola, founder of

the Vibe Benders collective, spoke to The Concordian before getting onstage for her own energetic set: “I don’t have any pre-made sets. I have organized crates based on different styles and ambiances, but then it’s all freestyle—it’s in God’s hands.”

Her chemistry with the crowd was electric, as her combination of R&B hits, dancehall tracks, and shatta had everyone dancing and grooving from front to back, with lines forming of people dancing together. This liveliness is exactly what the Bonne Famille team had in mind while curating the lineup.

“We try to reunite all these energies—afro-centric, reggaeton, house and techno—people are here to dance and have fun,” Ndiho explains.

The second edition of Quai Festif proved to be a success, providing attendees with a lively evening filled with quality entertainment, music, food, and clothing. After filling up and enlivening a dancefloor of over 500 people yet again, it looks like a third edition may well be in the cards.

‘80s revivalist group Nümonia makes its live debut

The Montrealbased electronic art project blends music and visuals to tell a story.

BY RYAN PYKE ASSISTANT MUSIC EDITOR

To thrive in the Montreal music scene, artists must fight to differentiate themselves. The market is oversaturated, and the cost of pursuing music is only rising. Yet, hope is not lost—there are always events looking to platform new voices, granting them a pathway into the scene.

On Aug. 21, La Sotterranea hosted a showcase featuring local underground music groups. Among these groups was Nümonia, a sci-fi synth art project by Jon Asencio and Ani Kalemkerian. This performance would be their first, although the pair met at Concordia University back in the ‘90s.

“I always thought she should have been in a band,” said Asencio. He first asked Kalemkerian to be in a band with him in university, and although nothing came of his suggestion then, his desire to make music with her never went away.

The duo would finally begin working together decades later, uploading their earliest works to Bandcamp in October of 2023. They had no plans of

releasing anything officially until they introduced their music to Patrick Martin, owner of record store and music label LeBackstore.

“I was really impressed by this band,” said Martin of the two musicians, who were frequent visitors of the store. The encounter led them to a record deal with Martin just months later.

“It just all sort of happened pretty naturally and we didn’t really think about anything too much,” said Asencio. “We were just having fun.”

Kalemkerian, who studied film at Concordia University,

primarily works on the visuals attached to the music. She thinks of their album as a movie and each song as a scene. She hopes to one day have their work shown at a film festival or gallery.

The two have plans to include projections in their shows, though they only had costumes and lighting to work with in this initial performance. From alien businesspeople to plastic surgery masks, Nümonia brought the audience on a visual journey with minimal resources, working several costume changes into their set.

Nümonia is characterized by

a recognizably ‘80s and ‘90s underground style, owing to Asencio’s prolific experience in that realm. He was a member of Doughboys, a popular poppunk band in the ‘80s, as well as the ‘90s indie-rock band Pest 5000.

Kalemkerian and Asencio both point to Upstairs at Eric’s by Yazoo as a major influence. Its sliding synths, electronic sound, and low vocals are distinct characteristics that carry over into their own catalogue.

The album’s influence extends down to Nümonia’s artwork: the expressionless masks they wear are reminiscent of the

uncanny mannequin scene on the cover of Upstairs at Eric’s. Nümonia’s visual brand is also recognizably ‘80s through its chrome aesthetic.

Their lyrics are fantastical, with one song notably talking the crowd through the process of hypnosis. The music is evocative in the same way a film score is, in service of telling a story.

The band, however, is more than just a retreading of old ground. The duo’s unique stage presence, narrative focus, and emphasis on visuals allow the music to grow beyond the confines of genre tropes.

Asencio cites his bandmate’s shy but flamboyant personality as a major draw, calling her a natural performer. Kalemkerian’s inexperience feeds into the band’s unique edge.

“She's totally new to all of this, so her enthusiasm is incredible because she has such an open perspective,” says Kevin Komoda, who mixed their record.

The band’s nostalgic appeal feeds into the larger trend cycles of music in general, especially within Montreal. When one band leaves, another takes its place. The local scene is thriving, but overcrowded, and a lot of bands don’t make it.

Martin, however, believes that Nümonia can escape the cycle thanks to their mix of old and new and their genuine passion. He has high hopes for the band.

Photo of Nümonia // PHOTO BY ANNIKA NICOLSY

Attendees of the Quai Festif 2024 // PHOTO BY STEFANO REBULI, GRAPHIC BY BONNE FAMILLE

Don’t let the lone pepper at the back of your fridge go to waste

Making something out of nothing

BY SASKIA WODARCZAK OPINIONS EDITOR

The age-old question: what should I make for dinner tonight? I myself have this qualm far too often, and I can only assume other students do as well. So when this question comes up for me, my mind wanders to how my mom could always come up with dinner solutions. For as long as I can remember, whenever I’d go to the grocery store with my mom, it would be at least a 45-minute excursion. She would wander up and down the aisles (multiple times sometimes), which made me want to shut myself into the milk fridges until she completed her rounds. Although it took her a while to find all the good deals in various grocery stores, especially Safeway and Capers, very early on she taught me how to cook and be grocery-shopping savvy. She was, and still is, the ultimate deal-seeker.

Her talent for whipping something up for dinner always amazed me — she could literally make something from nothing. Since living alone, I have definitely applied a lot of her little

tricks to my own shopping and meal prep — it’s tough when you’re living alone as a student, without the privilege of parents doing the grocery shopping and cooking for you.

As the school year comes around and schedules get hectic, it can get tricky to balance everything. It’s easy to become take-out food victims, even if it seems there is nothing in the fridge (when, in reality, there are always a few items to work with). So, here are a few quick tips that I’ve found helpful for making something out of nothing — because we all have some random vegetables or cuts of meat that have been in our fridges for longer than we’d care to admit.

Always have some “staple” ingredients in your fridge: mine vary throughout the month, but the most consistent are spinach, mushrooms, cucumbers, yogourt, eggs, and bread, to name a few. I’ve found that I can quickly whip something up with those, whether that’s a mushroom and spinach tartine, scrambled eggs, or a light cucumber sandwich. Items like peppers can be quickly forgotten in the fridge, and it takes them a while to go off. Hollow them out, cook some rice and mix whatever protein and vegetables you've got with it. Add any

spare parts of the pepper within the mix, toss in some seasoning, and layer it with some cheese. It’s a super quick meal: literally anything can be a filling.

Costco salad kits are a blessing. They’re a great side to put with a lunch or dinner

meal. Meal prep as much as you can; I’ve really been loving Bircher muesli for a quick mealprepped breakfast. It’s a bit of an obvious one, but buy things on sale as much as you can — using apps such as Flipp really helps with that!

Finally, try to have at least three meal ideas for the week, and make larger portions so that you can have dinner leftovers for lunch the next day; it is truly a kill-two-birdwith-one-stone situation.

How audiobooks helped me get back into reading after a multiyear hiatus

Overachieving at the beginning of the school year

Tips to no totally burnout from the get-go

BY SASKIA WODARCZAK Opinions Editor

The start of the school year can make you feel inclined to hit the ground running. However, wanting to do it all over a short period of time can quickly lead to burnout.

But much like literal running, you need to take a breather and walk. If you don’t walk, you’ll physically exhaust yourself.

As someone who has suffered from burnout more times than I’d like to disclose, I have found some ways not to immediately get to that point over the last two semesters.

One year, it got so bad in the fall semester that a friend of mine bluntly told me that I was destroying myself with all of my commitments and that I needed to sort myself out. He did make me cry, but it was the wake-up call I needed. My five classes, co-op applications, 5 a.m. volunteering, and part-time job had burnt me out. I was like a lighter clean out of fuel.

Last year was an entirely different story. There were times I

felt burnt out, but I found ways to manage it, especially during the first month of school. So, in honour of school starting, here are my tried and true methods to not burn out within the first month.

First, have goals planned out for the school year, specifically goals you can track so you can see the progress. The best way to do this is to list them all at the beginning of the month and check in periodically. Once listed, dissect them into more achievable goals and identify your priorities. This way, you can see the smaller goals being achieved.

Remember that big goals can be daunting to begin with, and it is present-you that is in charge of how they’re constructed. You can always adjust them as time goes by.

Small, daily goals are also a win. These can be something as simple as fixing your bed in the morning, or laying your clothes out for the next day. After a while, this will become a habit and take a load off of your mind as it cleans up the clutter of small things. Keep in mind that sometimes situations are out of your control,, but there is a difference between that and not taking accountability for your actions or productivity. It’s easy to lie to yourself, but you’re the only person who can get you out of a

rut. You will have a lot on your plate, but this doesn’t mean all your goals aren’t important — just rearrange your priorities. Try making small vision boards so that you can get inspired about the semester and create goals along with that. Your mentality is key here; switch it so that you have an ideal version of yourself in mind and adjust as needed. Allocate your time accordingly with your courses, involvement, and extracurricular activities, and time-block a calendar so you can visualize your time. Finally, learn to say no to

plans. Sometimes, you need to cancel in order to make time for other plans that are more of a priority for you. Or, try integrating social activities with your goals, like studying over coffee with a friend or going to the gym with your SO. The people who love and care about you will understand that sometimes you need to move things around.

You’ve got this!

Stuck between the shuttle bus and the 105

Ever rising reduced STM fares, the new shuttle bus schedule and Montreal’s demographic properties

BY DANYLO PERKOV ASSISTANT OPINIONS EDITOR

With the new shuttle bus schedule, many Concordia students are turning to the STM for their daily commute. Alas! Having purchased the reduced monthly fare for many years now, I can't stop thinking of how it has increased over the recent years, especially for the demographic that tends to be affected more by the current cost of living crisis.

When starting my bachelor’s in 2022, I was shocked to find myself paying $56.50 monthly for transit. Now, keeping up with inflation, that number has reached $60 for those living on

the island. Students commuting from outside STM zone A pay even higher fees. First, some brief context: In 2022, the City of Montreal adopted the measure of providing seniors (65+) with free STM fares, stating in their press release that “the wallets of seniors, who live with stable incomes, are put to the test” by inflation. According to Statistics Canada’s 2022 Equity Census, the median income for those 65+ was double that of those aged 15-24, the age group encompassing most Concordia students.

So, where does this leave us?

Where in the past, some Concordia students could avoid the costly STM fares by using the shuttle bus, they now join the rest of us, paying hundreds of dollars just to get to class on time throughout the year.

With Montreal constantly ranking in the top ten most expensive Canadian cities to live in, students have to spend progressively more of their time working. The rise in additional costs of necessities strains student budgets even thinner, especially for those facing financial instability. By leaving

the city's student population to fend for themselves with rising essential costs, the municipal and provincial governments are sending us a clear message about their priorities.

While the STM does gradually expand its service, creating new lines and new services, we are left shouldering increased costs.

For students, it feels as though policymakers are forgetting that Montreal is one of, if not the best, city for post-secondary education in North America.

If this constant neglect of the student population of the city and undermining our services continues, that prestigious title might slip away in the near future.

STM Metro Station // PHOTO BY HANNAH BELL

GRAPHIC BY FINN GROSU

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