McGill added a third former hotel to its residences earlier this summer with the purchase of the Marriott Courtyard Montreal, which will be transformed into a residence in fall 2011 after a year of renovations. The university had previously expanded its residence system by purchasing the Renaissance Hotel in 2003-now New Residence Hall-and the former Four Points Sheraton in 2009-now starting its second year as Carrefour Sherbrooke.
News
News, off and on campus.
Governer General Reaches Out to Youth in Montreal North
addressed an auditorium full of youth and community leaders in the Montreal North borough at a youth forum on Tuesday August 31. Jean attempted to dispel some of the public anger that has simmered there since the shooting death of Fredy Villanueva two years ago.
NEWS IN BRIEF: Former McGill Principal Named Canada’s New Governor-General
Former McGill Principal David Johnston was named the 28th governor-general of Canada on July 8, capping a long academic career at several Canadian universities. Johnston served as McGill’s principal from 1979 to 1994, after which he returned to teaching law at the university.
McGill Campus Becomes Pedestrian Friendly
McGill took several steps to make campus more pedestrian-friendly this summer, drastically reducing the number of vehicles on both Lower Campus and McTavish Street. On May 28, McTavish Street was closed to cars and non-official traffic was eliminated from across campus.
For the Gazette, no more Sundays
Twenty-two years after its introduction, the last copy of the Sunday Gazette hit Montreal’s dépanneurs and doorsteps on August 1, cutting the Gazette’s printed editions down to six days per week. The venerable newspaper-Montreal’s sole English-language daily-made the announcement in mid-July, citing the small amount of advertising dollars brought in by the Sunday edition.
SSMU REPORT CARDS: ALEX BROWN – VP Internal
The Tribune applauds Alex Brown for her work with the VP Internal portfolio this year. Brown has been consistently visible and knowledgeable on Students’ Society projects and events since September. Frosh is always a major undertaking for the vice-president internal, and Brown handled the year’s opening event successfully, generating profits to support other SSMU endeavors.
SSMU REPORT CARDS: SEBASTIAN RONDEROS-MORGAN – VP External
Without a “sexy” issue like defederation or tuition hikes during his tenure, Students’ Society Vice-President External Sebastian Ronderos-Morgan has spent much of his time working behind the scenes to establish student representation and bolster community relations.
SSMU REPORT CARDS: COUNCIL
SSMU’s Legislative Council has had, by many accounts, a disappointing year. Although it’s difficult to evaluate the performance of a body of this type, the Tribune feels that this year’s Council deserves a below-average grade. Although there were some councillors who were proactive, well-informed, and contributed in a constructive manner to debates, there were too many councillors who seemed to revel in making mountains out of molehills, and speaking mainly to hear the sound of their own voices.
SSMU REPORT CARDS: SARAH OLLE – VP Clubs and Services
Although her portfolio has quieted down in the second semester, Sarah Olle has had an extremely successful term as vice-president clubs and services. The Tribune had high expectations for Olle, who came into the position after serving as interest group coordinator last year.
SSMU REPORT CARDS: REBECCA DOOLEY – VP University Affairs
At this time last year, the Tribune voiced concerns with Students’ Society Vice-President University Affairs Rebecca Dooley’s lack of experience. Before her tenure as VP UA, she’d been Queer McGill’s political action coordinator, which, the Tribune believed, was insufficient training for the portfolio.
