The Nov. 14 McGill Senate meeting discussed the annual report of the Committee on Student Discipline (CSD). Senators also heard a presentation by Vice-Principal Research and International Relations Rose Goldstein on McGill’s research funding performance, which outlined how McGill can expand its funding for research.

Interim Dean of Students Linda Starkey presented the CSD’s annual report to Senate on the student disciplinary cases that were addressed and resolved during the 2011-2012 academic year.

The report notes that the total number of allegations was slightly higher this past year than in 2010-2011, with 427 cases compared to 408 in the previous year. The non-academic allegations made against students increased by 48 per cent, from 193 to 286.

“This increase can be attributed to improved reporting of e-mail harassment or inappropriate use of McGill posting sites; the growing number of residence spaces; and the campus atmosphere last year,” the report said.

Last year, several students faced disciplinary allegations after McGill Security Services videotaped students at rallies and protests on campus, including an occupation of the sixth floor of the James Administration Building. Science Senator Moe Nasr questioned the role of McGill Security Service within the disciplinary procedure at McGill.

According to Starkey, the mandate of Security Services is not to accuse a student of violating a specific protocol, but to report alleged violations to a disciplinary officer.

Catherine Lu, an associate professor of political science, expressed concern over whether the CSD displayed equity in sanctioning punishments.

“There were different penalties that came out of similar offenses,” Lu said. “What needs to be done institutionally to correct this for the future?”

In response, Starkey explained that CSD does not issue standard sanctions, and that every case is heard and assessed individually.

Several students attended the Senate meeting to observe Starkey’s presentation. Some held a large red sign that read ‘McGill’s Committee on Squashing Dissent.’

“We are here because the University’s rules and procedures related to student discipline are interpreted and applied inconsistently and with bias against known student activists,” read a flyer that the group distributed at Senate.

Senators also voted to endorse McGill’s new Strategic Research Plan (SRP) for 2013-2017. The plan guides how McGill will improve its research capabilities and is a required document for many external funding programs from which researchers at McGill receive funding—such as the Canada Foundation for Innovation. The previous plan was adopted in 2006.

Almost 75 per cent of McGill’s current research funding comes from the federal and Quebec governments. Presently, McGill places second in rankings of research universities conducted by the Tri-Council Agencies, federal agencies which provide a majority of research funding in Canada. Goldstein said the new plan aims to diversify research funding and to help McGill overtake the University of Toronto as the top-ranked University for research intensity.

“We need to reorganize funds if we are going to be competitive in the next few years,” Goldstein said. “Provincial and federal pools are not growing … we need to diversify.”

Several senators expressed concerns over the SRP’s logistics, including the source of the potential new funds. According to Goldstein, McGill plans to launch a Business Engagement Centre to reach out to new businesses for funding.

Brendan Gillon, associate professor of linguistics, expressed concern about how the growing role of external organizations might affect the topics chosen for research, and about the possibility that McGill might consequently see less curiosity-driven research.

Senate also passed a motion to broadcast their sessions on the Internet for a one-year trial period, starting in January 2013. These broadcasts will only be available to members of the McGill community, and will be accessible through a password-protected login.

The Ad Hoc Committee on the Recording and Transmission of Senate Meetings brought this motion forward with the intention of making Senate meetings more accessible to the McGill community.

“We want to have engagement from the broad university community,” Chandra Madramootoo, chair of the committee and dean of agricultural and environmental sciences, said.

 

 

Gerald Tremblay resigns as Montreal mayor 

Montreal Mayor Gerald Tremblay resigned on Nov. 5, following allegations of corruption made at the Charbonneau Commission. Tremblay stepped down, despite repeatedly denying the allegations made against him.

Quebec Premier Pauline Marois pressured Tremblay to resign as a result of accusations that the former mayor’s party engaged in bribery.

The mayor made his final speech in the city’s Hall of Honour, where he called his decision “the ultimate sacrifice” after 25 years of public service and blamed the corrupt nature of politics for his downfall. In his speech, Tremblay hinted that he was betrayed by some of his trusted associates and was forced to take responsibility, which ultimately led to his resignation.

The Montreal City Council will elect the next mayor in a secret ballot vote on Nov. 16. This interim mayor will hold the position until the next public election in Nov. 2013.

Explosion at Sherbrooke factory kills three

Last Thursday, an explosion at a biochemical plant in Sherbrooke, Quebec, claimed the lives of three people and hospitalized 18 others.

At approximately 1:30 p.m., a blast from inside Neptune Technologies et Bioressources Inc. ignited a fire that rapidly spread throughout the plant. Firefighters were able to get the fire under control by 3:45 p.m., but were concerned by the toxic fumes from the large quantities of acetone—a dangerous chemical—at the plant. While officials report that most of the debris is not toxic, a perimeter has been made around the site to ensure the safety of civilians.

While the cause of the explosion remains unknown, Executive Officer of Neptune Technology Michel Chartrand stated that the employees’ health is the company’s priority.  Of the 18 injured, two are still being treated for immediate shock and serious burns in the Sherbrooke University Hospital. Four others were transferred to other hospitals in Montreal.

‘Superbugs’ uncovered in Canadian hotels

Antibiotic resistant bacteria have been uncovered in six major hotel chains assessed in tests by CBC Marketplace. Released last week, the study examined hotels in Montreal, Vancouver, and Toronto, including Best Western and Holiday Inn chains, according to CBC News.

The identified ‘superbugs’ are c. difficile and methicillin-resistant staphylococcus aureus (MRSA). Although they are common, these bacteria have the potential to cause fatal infections, especially if contracted by people with weakened immune systems. According to the U.S. Center for Disease Control and Prevention, MRSA kills over 15,000 Americans each year.

The study found that areas of high bacterial contamination include comforters, faucets, and remote controls. Using hidden cameras, Marketplace also captured footage of hotel staff using cleaning practices that facilitate the spread of bacteria—for example, one housekeeper used a toilet brush to clean a sink.

Five of the six hotel chains have issued responses expressing shock at the findings. Both EconoLodge and Sheraton have indicated their intentions to re-assess cleaning practices at their hotels. 

Canada becomes home for cyber-crime

The Public Safety Department is concerned that Canada is becoming a host nation for cyber-crime activity, according to departmental briefing notes obtained by the Canadian Press under the Access to Information Act.

While countries in Eastern Europe, East Asia, and Africa have traditionally been the locations of organized malicious online activity, the notes suggest this trend may be shifting to countries like Canada, the United States, and France. According to Websense, a digital security company, Canada ranked second in the world  for hosted phishing sites last spring. The company also said malicious Canadian sites tend to stay up longer than those in other countries.

The discussion draws attention to the challenges inherent in regulating online behaviour without invading citizens’ privacy. According to a presentation prepared by the Justice Department, it is difficult for legislative changes to keep up with the fast pace of technological advancements, leading legislators to prefer ‘technology neutral’ laws.

Canada fosters relationship with Philippines

Last Saturday, Prime Minister Stephen Harper signed a military memorandum of understanding that allows the Philippines to buy military equipment from Canadian firms. The deal between the Filipino defence department and the Canadian Commercial Cooperation is expected to enable the Philippines to better defend its territory.

Prime Minister Harper and President Benigno Aquino III signed the deal at Aquino’s presidential palace in the Philippines. At a news conference, both leaders emphasized how Canada’s involvement in Filipino security issues has cultivated a stronger relationship between the two countries.

The Philippines is currently the largest source of Canadian immigrants, and approximately 600,000 residents of Filipino descent currently reside in Canada. Acquino, who has been president since 2010, has initiated an anti-corruption campaign to encourage investors from other countries like Canada to do business with the Philippines.

Freshman Events and Representative Committee (FEARC)

The Freshman Events and Representative Committee (FEARC) aims to promote the welfare and interests of first-year students in the faculties of arts and arts and sciences. According to FEARC Co-President Marta Canneri, FEARC also provides “activities and services to enhance the educational, cultural, environmental, and social aspects of the lives of its members.”

The FEARC executive is composed of nine members, all of whom are first-year students. The council also has a number of subcommittees, including the Publicity Committee, the First-Year Handbook Committee, the Fundraising Committee, and a group of Academic Councillors.

“Our priorities for the year are to ease the academic and social transition from high school [or] CEGEP to university, and to integrate first year students into the greater McGill community,” Canneri said. “We want to foster a sense of belonging and community among first years and create an environment that is conducive to both academic and social success.”

FEARC represents its constituents at the bi-monthly Arts Undergraduate Society Council meetings. This year, FEARC also added two new executive positions to their council: a CEGEP representative and an International Student representative.

FEARC executives meet once a week, while the entire body—executives and subcommittees—meet as required. Subcommittees also convene separately with their respective heads.

First-Year Involvement Team (FIT)

FIT aims to increase first-year involvement in the Management Undergraduate Society (MUS) by relaying important information and hosting events aimed at easing the transition into university life for first-year students.

“The primary focus [of FIT] is to increase first-year involvement within the faculty,” a FIT executive wrote to the Tribune via Facebook account. “Overall, we aim to make first-year students feel more included and at home within the MUS and Bronfman.”

FIT is composed of 13 members, including students from five different McGill residences, as well as students who live off-campus. Provincial, out-of-province, and international students are all represented.

“FIT is unique from other associations because of its role within MUS,” the FIT executive wrote. “Not only is it directed [towards] management students, but FIT collaborates with other clubs and events within the MUS portfolio … to increase first-year awareness of all the opportunities the MUS has to offer.”

The team has a number of goals for the year, such as hosting events targeted at first-years, communicating regularly with the student body, and reaching out to the incoming class of 2017 to ensure that they feel welcomed before coming to campus next September.

FIT executives meet once a week to assess their progress and set goals for the week.

Freshman Undergraduate Science Society (FUSS)

The Freshman Undergraduate Science Society (FUSS) aims to increase interaction between first-year science students by acting as  a liaison to clubs and organizing various events throughout the year.

“The primary purpose of FUSS is to give the first-year science students a chance to interact with each other through various events that we will put on throughout the year, as well as [to] organize the Note-Taking Club, which sells notes that students can buy,” FUSS President Sukhmeet Singh Sachal said.

FUSS is composed of nine executive council members, all if whom are in either the faculty of science or the faculty of arts and science.

The society also organizes Judgement Day—an event that provides information about the various majors available to science and arts and science students, and helps first -year students apply to their major at the end of the year.

Sachal said the society is also going to host a series of seminars called the Freshman Interest Group for Students (FIGS), which is currently offered to only a few undergraduates due to limited space.

“This program will share information pertaining to the science field including internships, research positions, and volunteering,” Sachal said.

FUSS will host meetings once every two weeks, once the three other councillor positions have been filled.

First Year Council (FYC)

Composed of six executive members, the First Year Council (FYC) works to represent all first-year students at McGill by advocating for their needs, interests, and concerns. FYC also aims to promote the involvement of first-year students both on and off campus, to ease their transition to McGill, and to expose them to Montreal life and culture.

According to FYC President Lucy Liu, FYC is unique among the other first-year associations because it the only body that represents all first-year students, operates under SSMU in dealing with student politics, and whose primary function  isn’t to  organize events.

“We are primarily representation and advocacy-based,” Liu said. “We work on negotiating student issues, changing policies, and addressing first-year concerns.”

FYC’s priorities for the year include increasing advising and academic support to first-year students prior to their arrival at McGill, and organizing several events, including one that provides free massages to all first-year students during the exam period.

Another of FYC’s goals is to further facilitate cooperation between the other first-year associations by organizing round table discussions and subcommittees composed of representatives from each of the first-year councils. Together, they will organize several interfaculty events.

FYC meets at least once a week, while subcommittees meet when necessary.

Inter-Residence Council (IRC)

The Inter-Residence Council (IRC) is responsible for ensuring that students’ experiences in McGill residences are positive and enjoyable. According to IRC President Kareem Ibrahim, the Council hosts events throughout the year for all students in residence, and provides networking opportunities. IRC also liaises with the residences’ administration as well as Rez Life.

IRC is composed of 27 elected members—seven members who are elected by students in McGill residences, including the presidents and vice-president externals from each of the Hall Councils. Each individual residence has a Hall Council, whose members are elected by the students living in that residence.

“IRC is unique because [it is] the only association whose sole purpose is to provide for students in residence,” Ibrahim said.

According to Ibrahim, the Council is given great flexibility in how they choose to fulfill this mandate. IRC is granted a yearly budget of $20,000 for its initiatives; this comes from a portion of the residence fees paid by each student living in residence.

“This year, we aim to ensure that our events and activities cater to a diverse audience within residence, and that everybody can leave this year feeling that the IRC truly cared about their individual concerns and preferences in terms of their time in residence,” Ibrahim said.

IRC meets at a different location each week—typically at the McGill residences—in order to “better connect with the places where everyone lives and [understand] how each living space is unique,” said Ibrahim