One of my all-time favourite films, Her, follows Theodore (Joaquin Phoenix), a lonely divorcée who finds himself falling deeply in love with the virtual assistant on his phone. When it premiered in 2013, it seemed like an outlandish sci-fi fantasy; who would want to date a computer program? Yet, here[Read More…]
Commentary
American students should be grateful for McGill’s rigid grading policies
In the past decade, there has been a massive uptick in average university grade point averages (GPAs) in the United States (most notably) but also in countries such as the United Kingdom. This data became especially alarming after university reports identified top U.S. universities such as Yale and Harvard as[Read More…]
Overcoming opioids: Methadone and Montreal’s path to recovery
Following the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, Québec’s rate of overdoses and opioid addiction skyrocketed. With a record number of overdoses in 2023 and rising concerns around addiction and drug use in Montreal, the search for a solution to this epidemic has become increasingly urgent. Replacing one addiction with another[Read More…]
McGill’s policy on social injury leaves few options for protesters
On March 28, McGill’s Provost and Executive Vice-President (Academic) informed the campus community via email that “some protestors and picketers again attempted to disrupt University activities” and that “police made at least one arrest and the university has chosen to press charges.” Reports suggest the disruptive actions were carried out[Read More…]
McGill is a union campus
Alongside the consistent mobilization of students across university campuses, union activity at McGill regularly demanded the community’s attention this semester. The newly formed Association of McGill Law Professors had a one-day strike in February. McGill Arts Professors announced their successful unionization last week. Most prominently, the Association of Graduate Students[Read More…]
Being a recreational musician at McGill is almost impossible. It shouldn’t be.
My first semester at McGill marked my 12th year playing the violin, and I auditioned for the Classical Music Club as soon as I knew whom to email. I was placed in a trio with a flutist and a pianist and we were told to rehearse in a room on[Read More…]
Why we need to reconsider Quebec’s subsidization of private schools
Amid the François Legault government’s contentious policy decisions, including recent tuition hikes, Quebec’s substantial financial backing for private schools raises significant concerns for equal access to education across the province. This policy, whereby the majority of independent private schools receive subsidies from the government for each student, not only undermines[Read More…]
McGill’s Student Accessibility and Achievement is not achieving its goals
McGill’s Student Accessibility and Achievement (SAA) program consistently faces criticism for not providing thoughtful support tailored to student’s needs and not adequately addressing the diverse range of student challenges. Forty per cent of Canada’s university students self-identify as having a disability, which raises the question: Are students truly receiving the[Read More…]
Floor Fellows are the latest domino to fall in McGill’s decline
On Feb. 15, Daniel Fournier, Associate Director of McGill Residence Life, announced that the Floor Fellow position, a staple of the McGill residence system, would be abolished effective May 2024. This callous decision leaves McGill as the only major Canadian university without Floor Fellows or a comparable position; it will[Read More…]
McGill students need a greater role in their own learning
As a graduating student, reading break was an opportunity for me to reflect on my time at McGill. After a few moments of thought, I realized that I could not recall a significant amount of what I had learned in the last four years. This is emblematic not just of[Read More…]
