Last Wednesday, SSMU hosted the inaugural Consultation Fair, a joint effort by SSMU, McGill faculty and administrators, and a number of other members of the McGill community.
The fair, initiated by the Working Group on Consultation and Communication, was designed to respond to calls for a more transparent administration and to address frustration over limited participation in important areas of student life. The event’s organizers hope that this was the first in a series of Consultation Fairs that will facilitate and improve communication between members of the McGill community in the coming years.
“[We] want to put an end to the belief that administrators [are unwilling] to listen,” Provost Anthony Masi said in his introductory speech. “Today is the first step in … a continuing effort to get student voices on a variety of perspectives that will shape the direction McGill will pursue.”
The fair provided an opportunity for students to engage in face-to-face discussions with faculty, administrators, and representatives of various student services about what can be done to improve the student experience at McGill.
Participants divided in 10 discussion tables, covering a different topic each. Discussions ranged from Survey Evaluations and Food and Dining Services, to Students in the Strategic Research Plan.
Consultations were divided into three 15-minute sessions, allowing for rotation and participation in multiple discussions.
Dean of Students Jane Everett facilitated discussion at the Academic Advising table. Participants were particularly troubled by the indifference of academic advisors.
“Education students feel their concerns are … brushed off,” U1 EdUS Secondary Representative Latoya Belfon said. “Students come out feeling like a burden [to advisors].”
Other important issues included poor online publicity of available resources, and the need for advisors to have inter-faculty knowledge.
“Sometimes advisors don’t know enough about other faculties and students end up bouncing back and forth between advisors,” one U2 arts and science student said.
A proposed solution was the creation of peer advisor associations for each faculty. Making student advisors available to incoming and current undergraduates could release some of the pressure on academic advisors.
Director of Social Equity & Diversity Education Office Veronica Amberg facilitated consultation at the Diversity and Equity table. While McGill works hard to ensure that everyone has access to the same rights and services on campus, the consensus was that there is room for progress.
“The people who need the system the most are unable to access it […] and don’t necessarily have confidence in it,” SSMU Vice President University Affairs Emily Yee Clare said.
Participants expressed a desire for McGill to be known for its diverse and equal environment as much as for its achievements in academics and research.
“When people come to McGill, they know they cannot plagiarize, whether they read the university’s statement or not,” PGSS President Roland Nassim said. “It should be the same way for diversity and equity—people should perceive McGill as an inherently safe and respectful environment where some things simply aren’t appropriate.”
Deputy Provost of Student Life and Learning Morton Mendelson chaired proceedings at the Freedom of Expression on Campus table.
Mendelson asked whether free expression at McGill—including picketing and pamphleting on campus—should be subject to substantive constraints.
“It’s very hard to draw a line if one wants to prohibit expression of certain viewpoints,” University Affairs General Secretariat Janina Grabs said. “I believe it should not be prohibited except if it is clearly targeting people who don’t want to have anything to do with it.”
McGill permits demonstrations on campus, provided that they don’t disturb the university’s day-to-day activities. Participants questioned why some noisy demonstrations, such as last spring’s vote mob, are tolerated while other peaceful protests, such as the recent Y-intersection student protest in support of MUNACA, are deemed ‘disruptive.’
“It’s difficult,” Mendelson said. “I get pushback from students about allowing certain activities […] but also for not allowing certain forms of expression.”
As the fair drew to a close, many participants left pleased with how the consultations unfolded.
“I’m really happy with how the event turned out,” Grabs, who was instrumental in the organization of the fair, said. “I think it was a great opportunity for [a] better exchange of ideas.”
“A lot of students weren’t afraid to say how they really felt,” U2 voice major and Music Undergraduate Students’ Association President Katie Larson said. “I think [the administrators] were very receptive.”
