NEWS: A look at McMaster’s return to campus plan

Return to McMaster proposal sheds light on fall term

Due to COVID-19, McMaster’s oversight committee makes recommendations on the fall and winter semesters

Elisa Do News Editor

Since March 2020, McMaster University has halted regular in-person classes due to the rising severity of the COVID-19 pandemic. Now, more than a year later, as the Ontario government rolls out vaccinations across the province, the school has also begun plans to resume on-campus activities.

In February, McMaster announced the formation of the Return to McMaster group. The group is composed of multiple committees, each tackling a separate focus for a potential return to campus in the fall semester. This includes the oversight committee, which has been tasked with guiding the other committees through development of strategic plans and principles.

Three months later, the oversight committee released a final report with recommendations on how a possible return to campus in the fall may look like.

The report states that in communicating with Hamilton Public Health, the university has been advised to keep safety measures in place. This includes protocols such as mandatory masking indoors and social distancing of at least two meters between people.

“Though we know that some Public Health measures will likely remain into the fall, we are planning with steadily increasing optimism that we will be able to come together for safe, high-impact and exciting experiences on our beautiful campus,” wrote Provost and Vice-President (Academic) Susan Tighe.

On June 17, the university held a student town hall meeting to answer questions submitted by students. University leaders addressed topics such as the COVID-19 safety measures that will be in place, what class would look like in the fall, student services availability and potential plans for the winter semester.

The university stated that they aim to have as many safe in-person classes as possible. However, virtual options are not being made readily available for students who do not want to attend in-person components.

“If you are not able to attend any in-person components, it is recommended that you register in another course that is offered virtually or online. If the in-person course is a degree requirement where you have no other course options, please contact your Associate Dean’s/ Program Office where you may request consideration based upon extenuating circumstances,” the university wrote in their announcement.

Majority of student services such as athletics and recreation, hospitality and residence will be open for the fall.

However, residences are to be open with limited eligibility to first-year undergraduate students only. Most rooms will be double occupancy rooms and various public health guidelines will be required. This includes wearing masks in all public residence spaces, social distancing and limits on group gathering size.

While residence protocols and public health guidance will be implemented, one of the most important factors is the level of vaccinations for students within the residence system and we strongly encourage that at a minimum student receive their first COVID-19 vaccination at least 14 days before moving in,” said Kevin Beatty, director of housing and conference services.

Although vaccinations are being encouraged, the university has decided to not mandate vaccinations.

Associate Vice President and Dean of Students Sean Van Koughnett, told Global News that the university believes mandatory vaccinations are not necessary. Instead, to require vaccinations would cause a heavy burden on administration throughout the process of trying to track who’s vaccinated.

“If you’re not mandating it and have 75 to potentially 80 per cent, who knows, of the student population vaccinated, you’re not going to have large outbreaks. You may have the odd illness,” said Van Koughnet.

This decision was made unlike those of other universities in Ontario, including University of Toronto and Western University. Both universities have settled on requiring students in residence to have at least one dose of the COVID-19 vaccine.

Current plans for the winter semester at McMaster are to bring back in-person classes at the same capacity as before the pandemic, but plans will continue to shift while following public health guidelines.

As of publication, all Ontarians aged 18 and over who have received their first dose of an mRNA COVID-19 vaccine will be eligible to book their second dose appointment. Incoming international students can also receive the vaccine for free under their University Health Insurance Plan coverage.

“Though we know that some Public Health measures will likely remain into the fall, we are planning with steadily increasing optimism that we will be able to come together for safe, high-impact and exciting experiences on our beautiful campus.”

Susan Tighe

Provost and Vice-President (Academic)

PHOTO C/O Bobby Hristova, CBC News

Graduating class of 2021 disappointed with convocation

After an online convocation, many graduates are disappointed with the lack of effort displayed by the university

Melissa Speagle News Contributor

We asked four graduates to share their honest thoughts on this year’s virtual ceremony and reflect on their time at McMaster University. This is what they said.

Devon Lewis, a recent graduate of the honours cognitive science of language program, said “It was honestly really disappointing. Considering a virtual graduation was expected and Mac had a full year to figure something awesome out for this year’s grads, it really felt like a slap in the face after [four] years of hard work!”

Lewis felt that more effort could have been put into the convocation. “The credit-style names, some of which were incorrectly spelt, the separated valedictorian speeches and the lack of faculty member participation was upsetting. It’s hard not to compare ourselves to other schools when we see our friends getting beautiful, complimentary grad packages and thoughtful, personalized ceremonies.”

Jake McNairn, who graduated from honours biochemistry, shared similar frustrations. He added how discouraging it was to only see student’s names instead of photos and their completed degree name. Julianna Marfisi, an honours kinesiology graduate, used the words “anticlimactic” and “impersonal” to describe the event, which was a common feeling for all interviewees.

“It lacked a sufficient sense of acknowledgement of the fact that we missed out on over 25% of university as we know it and the celebration proved to be another thing we missed out on.”

Annie Brewster, who graduated from McMaster’s nursing program also expressed her thoughts. “I feel fortunate to have been able to participate in our individual pinning ceremony which was organized by the school of nursing’s level 4 representatives.”

Although she acknowledged the increased intimacy of such an event, she related that the video had to be paused multiple times due to technical difficulties.

When asked how McMaster might improve future virtual ceremonies, both Lewis and Marfisi felt that they could use a personalized touch. Lewis suggested announcing names and degrees, or providing a small graduation gift to recognize students.

Meanwhile, Marfisi had a few different ideas: “Separating the celebration by program would allow sufficient time to show pictures of the graduates, maybe a personal quote and allow each graduate to feel a sense of comfort and pride in seeing the familiar faces of their often tight-knit programs.”

Although mutually disappointed with the ceremony, the four graduates each had positive things to say about their years at McMaster. After being asked to describe her favourite memory or takeaway, Lewis narrowed it down to her four years spent with the Mac Dance team.

“Being able to build up the program, plan and create showcases and make lifelong friends along the way was definitely what kept me going! If I can offer any advice to Mac students, it’s to get involved in any team or club that interests you!”

McNairn responded that he will remember his late night study sessions in the basement of the arts quad and looking for empty lecture halls after the libraries closed for the night. When asked whether she had encouraging words for the class of 2022 students, Brewster shared some advice. “I urge you to take a step back and appreciate all the opportunities that you have had. As this next year approaches I’m sure the opportunity to be on campus will come again and I hope everyone takes advantage of its beauty.”

In looking toward next year’s convocation, McNairn encouraged students to advocate for more effort from McMaster in celebrating its students. “You deserve acknowledgement and appreciation and your families deserve to see you walk on stage and truly complete your degree. Anything could be possible in a year’s time — with diligence and planning, it could look quite similar to pre-pandemic ceremonies.”

S McMaster Hillel and SPHR McMaster debate MSU stance on BDS

At the June 13 SRA meeting, Hillel and SPHR debated whether to pass an upcoming motion reaffirming the MSU’s support for the BDS movement

PHOTO C/O The Silhouette Archives

Amarah Hasham-Steele

News Reporter

On June 13, McMaster Hillel and Solidarity for Palestinian Human Rights at McMaster attended an Student Representative Assembly meeting to discuss the McMaster Students Union’s official stance on the boycott divestment sanctions movement.

SPHR McMaster spoke out in support of BDS, advocating in favour of the upcoming SRA motion to reaffirm the MSU’s support for BDS. According to the SPHR Facebook page, “SPHR is a non-profit, student-based organization that advocates on a strong social justice platform to uphold the rights of the Palestinian people in the face of human rights violations and all forms of racism, discrimination, misinformation and misrepresentation.”

McMaster Hillel, which describes itself as “a pluralistic and dynamic organization that empowers Jewish students to curate Jewish life on campus,” spoke out against the motion.

The MSU first passed a motion to support BDS in 2015 with 622 students voting in favour of the motion and 28 voting against it. Since the passing of this motion, BDS has been the official stance of the MSU. However, on May 19, the MSU released a statement declaring their intent to open a debate within the SRA regarding the continued support of BDS. A second statement was released on May 20, stating that the MSU board of directors intends to ask the SRA to reaffirm their commitment to BDS.

Founded in 2005, BDS advocates for boycotts, divestment and sanctions in order to put pressure on the Israeli government to “[end] its occupation and colonization of all Arab lands,” states the website. BDS identifies itself as “a Palestinian-led movement for freedom, justice and equality.”

“It’s a movement to hold Israel accountable because, currently, there’s no external body actually enforcing consequences for Israel’s violation of international law. So it’s really Palestinians’ only option for freedom at this point,” said Nada Alamad, co-president of SPHR McMaster.

As Sarah Elkayed, co-president of SPHR McMaster, explained members of the SPHR believe that the MSU could be doing more for BDS. “Passing BDS in 2015 was a great first step . . . BDS goes a lot further than just boycotting a few companies,” she said.

In their open letter to the SRA, SPHR called on the students union to vote in favour of the upcoming motion to reaffirm their support for BDS, but they also called on the MSU to take further steps. These include: putting forth a public statement about what the MSU has done thus far, plans to implement the 2015 BDS motion and publicizing on the MSU website and social media that BDS is the official stance of the MSU.

“We just don’t want to support companies that violate human rights or that support the violation of human rights,” said Elkayed.

In their presentation to the SRA, McMaster Hillel put forth a different perspective. Members of McMaster Hillel highlighted in their presentation that BDS motions at universities often lead to Jewish students feeling socially isolated, intimidated, or unwelcome. They expressed that McMaster’s continued support for BDS would lead to an increase in anti-Semitism.

“Unfortunately, anti-Semitism is already prevalent at McMaster with Jewish students being targeted online and harassed by their peers, with social media posts making derogatory comments about Jews and with bathrooms being vandalized with swastikas,” McMaster Hillel said in their email statement to the Silhouette.

In McMaster Hillel’s presentation to the SRA, members of the organization highlighted multiple instances of anti-Semitism at McMaster wherein the perpetrators claimed that they were only critical of Israel. According to McMaster Hillel’s email statement, the passing of BDS resolutions often leads to increased antisemitism on university campuses.

“The boycott, divestment, and sanctions campaign is antithetical to peace, serves only to drive a further wedge between Israelis and Palestinians and has very little impact on Israel’s policy or economy,” said McMaster Hillel, in an email statement to the Silhouette.

The motion to reaffirm the MSU’s position on BDS will be voted on by the SRA in July.