CONCORDIA UNIVERSITY’S INDEPENDENT STUDENT NEWSPAPER SINCE 1973
VOLUME 40, ISSUE ISS 6
Concordia Food Coalition to develop new food enterprise ← The Concordia Farmers Market operating outside the Webster Library. The Farmers’ Market is one of many groups operating under the CFC. Evan Lindsay/THE CONCORDIAN
Following Concordia’s new contract with Aramark, the fight is still not over for a food-sovereign campus. BY EVAN LINDSAY Features Editor
In April, Concordia’s board of governors signed a new contract with multinational food services corporation
Aramark to return as the University’s food supplier until May of 2026, with the possibility of a two-year extension. Aramark has been notorious for its ties to the US prison system ,and offer-
ing poor working conditions. The University’s decision to sign a new contract with the corporation goes against a continual effort to steer Concordia away from multinational corporations and towards social enterprises or not-for-profit food suppliers instead, in an attempt to make Concordia
into a food-sovereign campus. In 2021, it seemed as though the University was seriously considering this alternate option. “Concordia was making an effort to explore options outside of multinational corporations,” said Shylah Wolfe, executive director of the Concordia Food Coalition (CFC). Oliver de Volpi, Concordia’s Food Services manager, corroborated this claim. “We investigated some other options. The one that was even presented by Concordia Food Coalition didn’t pan out. They weren’t ready to bid.” Ultimately, the University did sign a new contract with Aramark. But, it’s not the end of the movement for a food sovereign campus. Currently, the CFC is drafting a business plan for what
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Concordia officially apologizes for mishandling 1969 Black student protests The University recognized its role in anti-Black racism during Computer Centre incident BY LUCAS MARSH Co-News Editor
After 53 years, Concordia has finally taken responsibility for its role in the 1969 Black student protests, commonly known as the Sir George Williams Affair. The Sir George Williams Affair began in the spring of 1968 when six Black students at SGWU filed an complaint with the University administration accusing biology professor Perry Anderson of racial discrimination against his Black students. On Friday Oct. 28, 2022, Concordia’s President and Vice Chancellor Graham Carr formally apologized on behalf of the University for mishandling the events leading up to the 1969 Black Student Protests. “We recognize the deep and
often dire consequences that the actions of the University had at the time, and how these consequences have continued to echo through the years,” said Carr. Carr delivered the apology at a press conference on the Sir George Williams campus last friday. In attendance were Rodney John and Lynne Murray, two of the students whose complaints of racial discrimination at what was then Sir George Williams University (SGWU) ultimately lead to the 1969 Black Student Protests.
The University’s apology comes after the President’s Task Force on Anti-Black Racism issued its final report on systemic anti-Black racism at Concordia. Assembled in the fall of 2020, the President’s Task Force was charged with investigating how anti-Black racism is perpetuated throughout Concordia. Its findings encompass over 88 recommendations for combating anti-Black systemic racism at Concordia, including acknowl-
edging “the role of racism in the events of 1969 at Sir George Williams University.” “Sadly, the University’s actions and inactions were a stark manifestation of institutional racism,” said Carr. “The adverse effects of that behaviour reverberated widely, not just in Black communities in Montreal but also beyond, particularly in the Caribbean, where several of the Sir CONTINUED ON PAGE 3
THURSDAY Nov. 3, 2022
news Is Electoral Reform Needed in QC? Pg. 2 Alcohol and Attitude: New Study Pg. 3 Homeless Awarness Night Pg. 4 International Students & Work Pg. 5
sports
Womens Stingers’ Banner Ceremony Pg. 6 Stingers’ Baseball Twins Pg. 7 Looking Back on Stingers’ Career Pg. 8
community Greenhouse at Concordia Pg. 9 Concordia Rollerskating Club Pg. 9 Gems & Minerals Exhibit Pg. 11 15 Can’t Miss Events Pg. 10
arts
Sights & Sounds Fest Pg. 21 Indigenous Heritage Exhibition Pg. 21 Benefits of Postcrossing Pg. 22
music
Automatic Review Pg. 18 Quickspin: Taylor Swift Pg. 19 Interview with Sirintip Pg. 20
opinions
Challenges to Developing Adult Friendships Pg. 17 Getting Your S**t Together Pg. 17
→ Concordia’s Hall Building on the day of the incident. ROBERT N. WILKENS/CONCORDIA ARCHIVES FONDS
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