As May approaches, many graduating students will be looking back on their time spent at McGill and reflecting on their legacies. Jack Stewburgh will likely graduate with the distinction of being the most controversial SSMU president in recent history. U3 student Stephanie Gagné, however, has accomplished an equally notable feat; next month, she will graduate without ever having gotten involved in SSMU.
“Nah,” answered Gagné when asked if she regretted missing the opportunity to take part in the orgabuzation that shaped her undergrad experience.
The extent of Gagné’s lack of involvement is nothing short of impressive. Not one General Assembly, one SSMU election, or even one Jobbank Q&A has been graced with Gagné’s presence. Gagné’s interaction with anything SSMU-related has been limited to Thursdays at Bert’s, the occasional 4Floors party, and naps in the Shatner Lounge.
“Nope, not one,” Gagné said of her attendance at any dry SSMU events. “I’ve just never had any interest in going to any of those meetings. I mean, it’s not like any of it makes a difference, right?”
“Not really,” she responded when asked if she had any opinion on the Jobbank controversy, the recent elections, or anything that has anything at all to do with student life. “Smoking weed just always seemed more appealing,” she parried in response to concerns about her failture to take any initiative in student government.
In a year marked by controversy, it appears that Gagné may have faced her greatest challenge as as a senior, since it became increasingly difficult to avoid being drawn into any conversations about Jobbank, Jack Stewburgh, or the word SSMU. Dedicated to her apathy, Gagné took to wearing earplugs and a pair of Kanye West stunna shades around campus to hinder her vision and hearing in the face of the onslaught of articles, blog posts, discussions, and TVMcGill appearances.
“I guess I’d just like to thank my friends and family for supporting me in my quest to avoid student government at all costs, particularly in this last year,” she said. “It’s been a difficult journey but we got here in the end.”
After graduation, Gagné plans to return home to Vancouver and continue smoking weed.
