In my first year of university, I stumbled upon a poster calling for research subjects for McGill’s Translational Research in Affect & Cognition (TRAC) Lab. They were running a study on U0 students’ emotions, by having me wear a strange helmet to measure my brain activity while I played some mental games. I participated, got $20 CAD in cash, and immediately spent it on a burger right outside the building.
Evidently, posters can open the pathway to many opportunities—like a free lunch—and let you know what people care about in the world. The Tribune took a walk around campus, hitting major billboards and seeing what initiatives are vying for your attention.
AUS Billboards
As we began our tour in the Leacock lobby, the sheer number of publications was overwhelming. With various SSMU votes coming up, many of these boards were taken up by posters asking for student support. Importantly, SSMU was asking for the creation of a fee to support francophone affairs and CKUT was seeking a fee increase to sustain their operations as McGill’s student-run radio station. Given that CKUT’s referendum passed, postering paired with other methods of outreach can be a great way to assure services receive the support they need!
On the non-referendum side of things, the Arts boards boast various events such as film festivals and graduate school fairs. If you’re creative, you’ll also find many calls for submissions. Artists, writers, and musicians are always needed for various clubs under the Arts Undergraduate Society (AUS) portfolio, so if you want to share your genius with the world, just take a walk through the Arts building!
McConnell Billboards
The McConnell Engineering Building has many billboards in its lobby, all promoting interesting upcoming initiatives. Notable events include a physics hackathon happening from Nov. 15 to 17 and PhD Discovery Day on Nov. 21. The most prominent type of communication you’ll find on Engineering boards calls for participants and networking events. Studies typically offer compensation for participation, so if you want an extra $30 CAD for just an hour of your time, stop by for a quick look! It’s double the minimum wage, which is a pretty good deal.
MUS Billboards
The billboards in Bronfman’s basement looked barren on our visit. However, we noticed that Dave’s Store—a student-run snack shop—is now open! Their poster advertised that all items are between $1-$5 CAD. With Couche-Tard upstairs, Dave’s Store is a great alternative for students looking for a cheap energy boost from 10 AM to 6 PM Monday through Thursday. In general, Management Undergraduate Society (MUS) boards showcase career resources for management students, contact links for their 2024 Peer Advisors, and information about upcoming case competitions. Rest assured, there is no shortage of guidance available on Bronfman’s walls!
Rounding this exploration off, we looked at digital methods of postering, namely through faculty newsletters. If you don’t have the time to print and post advertisements in-person, or if you generally want to reach a wider audience, sending your initiatives to AUS, EUS, and MUS listservs is a great way to raise awareness.
In the city
Off-campus, posters are less school-related and take on various characters. Montreal used to have an anti-postering bylaw, but thanks to local activist Jaggi Singh, citizens can poster on street furniture without fearing fines. Walking on Boul. Saint-Laurent, you may notice advertisements for clubs—either for themed nights or special performances. You may also see community initiatives calling for action, such as protest announcements and posters that raise awareness about local issues. Public art and postering serve as a method of informal dissemination that can be classified as informative in one moment and vandalistic in the next. When you see a paper ripped off of public property, it’s necessary to inquire why some posters last longer than others in the wild.
Postering is a call for people to notice the world around them. When we are inquisitive and take time to notice, we engage with the movements, messages, and events happening in our community.
