Editor's note: This past semester has seen a seemingly unprecedented number of scandals stemming from the Students' Society of McGill University (SSMU), and has left many McGill students feeling disillusioned and disengaged from with their representative body. In light of this, we asked members of the community, including incoming SSMU[Read More…]
Opinion
Opinions from our editorial board and contributors.
The uphill battle to restoring trust in SSMU
On March 17, the results of this year’s Students’ Society of McGill University (SSMU) executive elections were announced. The entire process took less than 10 minutes. But brevity was to be expected–as is typical for SSMU elections, many of this year’s positions were uncontested, and the low level of fanfare[Read More…]
The slow science of personal and professional development
As undergraduate students, it’s easy to get caught up in thinking we need to have our professional trajectory entirely figured out before graduating. It doesn’t help that we’re encouraged to scramble for internships in order to beef up our resumes, or that some girl from your high school already has[Read More…]
In its Charter review, McGill should revise grading policies
On March 6, McGill announced that its Senate would be consulting students on how the McGill Charter of Students’ Rights should be revised. The Charter is a document that outlines the rights and freedoms that each student at McGill is guaranteed, including academic rights. This revision is an apt opportunity[Read More…]
The value of a Liberal Arts degree in a post-truth World
The liberal arts is often portrayed to be a set of dying disciplines, a collection of studies with a long pedigree, but no practical applications in today’s world. Their continued existence is perennially up for debate. According to Statistics Canada, enrollment in Liberal Arts majors decreased by almost 6 per[Read More…]
Good grades, good friends, good money: McGill’s work-life balance only lets you pick one
This winter semester, I have been on exchange at the University of Edinburgh. As a student at McGill, I was heading towards either a breakdown or a new level of being. Two part-time jobs, two extracurricular activities, a volunteering position, and a full-time course load had me sprinting from place[Read More…]
Solving McGill’s problems, one building sign at a time
It’s no secret that McGill is currently facing a pretty long list of serious problems. The university’s reputation has taken a hit over the recent scandals plaguing the student society. Budget issues persist, as the provincial government cut funding for the 2016-2017 school year. The administration continues to clash with[Read More…]
Students should be aware of study drug risks
Over the last several years, the use of unprescribed “study drugs”—stimulants such as Ritalin, Adderall, and Vyvanse—has been steadily rising on university campuses across North America. These drugs are intended to treat individuals with disorders, such as attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). For those students without a prescription, however, these[Read More…]
Winter 2017 PGSS Referendum Endorsements
Health and Dental Insurance Plan Cost Renewal: “Yes” The proposed changes to the Post Graduate Student Society (PGSS) Health and Dental Insurance Plan (HDIP) include several measures that would benefit those covered by the policy, improving the quality of medical care available to graduate students. In addition to renewing the[Read More…]
Winter 2017 SSMU Referendum Endorsements
Motion Regarding Referendum Question on Constitutional Amendments: Vote “No” The sole question of the Students’ Society of McGill University (SSMU) referendum consists of a series of proposed changes to the SSMU Constitution, as suggested by the Ad-Hoc Democratic Governance Review Committee. The new constitution would contain changes to dozens of[Read More…]