In February, McGill announced that it will be joining the edX Consortium, an initiative founded by Harvard University and Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) which has been a pioneer of massive open online courses (MOOCs). Amidst the varied responses to this news, a notable issue that this brings to the[Read More…]
Opinion
Opinions from our editorial board and contributors.
Six ways to get involved in sustainability efforts next year
With the term winding down, thoughts turn to summer, the fall semester, and all the things that we didn’t get around to this academic year. Having been around McGill for way too long, I get to see a lot of what comes up and fades away from year to year.[Read More…]
Making a mockery of a beautiful language, province
Scandal has arisen in Quebec with recently implemented and newly enforced language laws, making the province—as The Globe and Mail put it—an “international laughingstock.” The incidents were minor but absurd, such as forcing an Italian restaurant to change “pasta” on its menu to its French equivalent. To someone who is[Read More…]
Set the MPs Free
Since 2005, Stephen Harper’s government has been accused of stifling the freedom of its Members of Parliament (MPs), and being overly controlling of the parliamentary agenda. This past week, Conservative MP Mark Warawa attempted to debate and pass a motion in the House of Commons that would condemn the practice[Read More…]
No easy answer in dealing with budget cuts
Last week, Principal Heather Munroe-Blum unveiled the first round of McGill’s efforts to cut $46 million worth of expenditures in reaction to the recent budget cuts imposed by the government of Quebec. In an email to the McGill community, she highlighted that salaries and benefits make up more than 75[Read More…]
Is too much control cause for Celebration?
Over Reading Week, I was lucky enough to get a break from this bizarre Montreal spring, and spend a few days in Orlando. During my time there, I visited the town of Celebration, Florida — a master-planned community originally built and owned by Disney. Although the corporation has divested in[Read More…]
Putting alternative energy plans in context
The ongoing debate on campus divestment stems in part from advocacy for the large-scale production of renewable sources. However, a full transition from fossil fuels to renewable energy sources while sustaining current levels of energy consumption is not a viable option to cope with future demand. Many existing renewable[Read More…]
Useful at a better speed
Inter-city rail in North America is often far below the standards of other developed nations. In many parts of the continent, notably those outside of the Eastern Seaboard and select other hubs, rail service simply isn’t a competitive alternative to driving or flying. The Montreal-New York corridor, spanning two major[Read More…]
The vicious cycle of protests
Almost a year ago now, I was a prospective student touring McGill for the first time. I remember the excitement, the nerves, and the shock of seeing more than a hundred people protesting outside the Sherbrooke gates. For the dozen students on my tour, it was our first impression of[Read More…]
Communication problems underlie the Leacock space debate
For context, please read “Proposed Leacock reconfiguration incites controversy.” The Mar. 18 Town Hall regarding a proposed reallocation of space in the Leacock building played out in a scene that’s become increasingly familiar—both students and faculty turned up to voice their opposition to a proposal from the administration. The[Read More…]