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Off the Board, Opinion

Hearing queers through new ears

by Matthew Molinaro on

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I was not a podcast person until the world came to a halt. But upon frenzied shutdowns, curfews, and public health measures, I turned to the auditory for its unique pleasures. Walking in my suburban Ontarian neighbourhood, I could tune in to the experiences I had not grasped as an overinvolved high schooler. Bustling city life, chaotic and ephemeral relationships, underground arts communities surfaced quietly while my choices remained anonymous. Unsurveilled, I got to visualize, create, and live a new world. These are not podcasts to pass on.

The privacy of consuming a podcast is its greatest strength. Dance, theatre, and performance art rely on an audience, visual art and photography depend on the presence of the beholder and her object, and in its specific demands for time and space, reading enacts an eventful display. Any fellow reader miffed by the question, “What are you reading?” will understand. The contents of my listening lie solely between my phone and myself, with my headphones mediating. Within this intimate relationship of technology and self comes a reckoning. Will these private forms enter public life? If they should, whose interests will they actually serve? The margins do not need to cater to the centre. 

In the outskirts of Toronto, where sidewalks meet driveways that sprawl onto single-family homes, where social liberalism and fiscal conservatism emerge as rapt dance partners, where whiteness and heteronormativity more easily tangle, multiply, and destroy other life-worlds, this form of unspectacular consumption would rehearse a freer future. I feel nostalgic for the lives I have not yet lived.

These walks became an escape. At most, four hours a day—but never under one and a half and always audibly accompanied. I eagerly await the opportunity to leave the house. My feet soften on the synthetic terrain, floating above over-manicured lawns, toxins ravaging each other to appear green. The knots in my back come undone, the crick in my neck dissipates, my head unclouds itself from the fear, the hate, and the force that is now a distant memory. Quiet as it is kept, an episode ends and I queue up what is to follow. I hear queers of colour chatting about sex and culture, gossiping about the show’s producer; radical feminists talking about surviving red states, affirming why they choose to fight; Black queer and trans people discussing HIV-AIDS, the lived “rainbow,” and the imperative of love in South Africa. Passing a pedestrian who does not hear the lewd joke a host has made, a bitchy remark from a guest, a cutting quip from a caller, I relish the freedom to chortle innocently. In their eyes, I might be listening to a darkly-funny true-crime podcast or on a call with an up-and-coming friend in standup. In a way they might be right. This allows my days to pass.

The walk to campus does not take long enough for me to properly listen. The rush and unsettled horizon of university keeps my brain otherwise occupied. There are texts to read, essays to write, and events to attend. These times develop as ones in which disclosures happen and confessions occur as brief words uttered aloud in the cold, where the orange sign of a 24-hour A&Wflickers, daring us to admit to one another, to pull each other closer. Private becomes public. Definitions hop off the page and into the atmosphere. I strive to dream, to inherit, and to practice what I have heard.

Some of my podcasts do not come back. The hosts have reintegrated themselves into community work, lost funding from the state and, needing to crowd-source, have disappeared from the apps. They give us what we need, and they deserve to recharge. I cannot say how much they have provided me. Their hope may be found in my bones. Relistening now allows me to reclaim what we have lost. I am overjoyed, I am breathing unburdened, and this time, if you do not mind, I will keep this experience to myself.

Arts & Entertainment, Film and TV

SAG-AFTRA is negotiating for the future of the entertainment industry

by Adrienne Roy on

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On July 13th, the Screen Actors Guild (SAG) and the American Federation of Television and Radio Artists (AFTRA) voted to strike after unsuccessful contract negotiations with the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers (AMPTP). The next day, SAG-AFTRA joined the Writers Guild of America (WGA) on picket lines across the United States, marking their first joint protest since 1960. 

The AMPTP represents multi-billion-dollar production studios such as HBO, Disney, Netflix, Sony, Amazon, and Apple. Despite these companies’ overwhelming wealth, a staggering 87 per cent of SAG-AFTRA members earn under $26,470, making them unable to qualify for union health insurance. Meanwhile, Disney CEO Bob Iger dismissed SAG-AFTRA’s demands as “unrealistic”—a deeply ironic statement from a man who makes $31 million annually. These workers’ rights issues are not isolated to the entertainment industry, further justifying the broader need for this strike.

SAG-AFTRA is fighting for fair compensation in the era of streaming platforms and, now, artificial intelligence (AI). Out of SAG-AFTRA’s 86 proposals, key demands include increases in general wages, updated employer contributions to health and retirement plans, and better residual payments. The AMPTP’s inadequate counter-offers revealed more-than-mild disagreements on those core subjects. SAG-AFTRA seeks higher wages because their previous contract with the AMPTP failed to support actors through high inflation. The union also claims that the AMPTP’s response toward raising employer contribution caps for health and pension plans—which haven’t changed in 40 years—was “insufficient.” 

Unsurprisingly, the growing threat of AI exacerbates these issues. If left unregulated, AI will quickly jeopardize the livelihoods of all actors. Background actors in particular face an immediate risk because their digital likeness would eliminate the need for studios to hire extras by using and reusing the actors’ image on other projects. 

Other than regular salary shortcomings, actors and writers are fighting to change how studios disburse residual paychecks. Residuals were determined by a formula—which writers and actors established the first time they struck together—and reflect the number of times a production is played and replayed on a cable network or sold as a DVD copy. Streaming services operate very differently, and top media executives have capitalized on these discrepancies for over a decade. Consequently, residuals have decreased dramatically, going from tens of thousands of dollars to cents. 

Recently, the story of Alex O’Keefe, a writer for The Bear, went viral because he could not afford to buy the suit in which he accepted his WGA Award for Best Comedy Series—and such occurrences affect actors, as well. Recurring cast members of Orange Is The New Black—a show credited for Netflix’s ascendancy in TV and film—said they were paid the union minimum and kept their day jobs while working on the multi-award-winning series. If the artists behind critically acclaimed shows cannot make a living, then it’s not hard to envision the predicament of the myriad of artists working on smaller-scale, independent projects. Since the public has found these concerns to be valid, reasonable, and universal, support was strong in the strike’s early days. Now, as the writers’ strike approaches the five-month mark and the actors’ begin its second, the economic impact of this decision—albeit a necessary one—is becoming clearer. Other than 39 indie projects (which SAG-AFTRA authorized as they are being produced by non-struck companies),commercials, and reality television shows, union members cannot partake in any on or off-screen work, auditions, or promotional activities. So, much of the entertainment industry is on hold for the foreseeable future. It’s understandably difficult to imagine the world’s most beloved A-list actors struggling to make ends meet after months of unemployment, and for good reason: They aren’t. For too long, production studios have exploited working-class actors to make their already rich executives even richer. In an unprecedented time, these artists have the upper hand. And it’s the perfect occasion to support the 160,000 striking actors fighting for the future of performing arts.

Editorial, Opinion

Protect our Floor Fellows, or lose them

by The Tribune Editorial Board on

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McGill employees will once again bear the brunt of poor administrative choices. AMUSE (Association of McGill University Support Employees) has been fighting for better living conditions and wages for residence Floor Fellows, but they now have to make yet another sacrifice: Their living space. 

In March 2023, the McGill administration decided that Floor Fellows’ living space will be decreased in every residence except Solin Hall—they will no longer be housed in the more spacious rooms of the university’s dormitory residences as was customary. In Carrefour Sherbrooke and La Citadelle, the change will simply be a reduction of personal space. According to AMUSE, in Upper Residence (Molson Hall, McConnell Hall, and Gardner Hall), Douglas Hall, and Royal Victoria College (RVC), the Floor Fellow suites—typically including a private kitchenette and bathroom—have either been partitioned and renovated into two single bedrooms, or kept intact and rented to first-year non-employee residents, while Floor Fellows have been moved into the smallest single bedrooms available. Additionally, in Upper, Douglas Hall, and RVC, Floor Fellows will be sharing the communal washrooms with the first year students they supervise, a significant imposition on  the daily-life of both students and Floor Fellows living in McGill’s residences. 

The university justified their decision citing an increasing number of applicants for student housing. In response to this decision, AMUSE filed  a grievance against McGill, stating that this decision violates articles 1.01, 4.02, 5.01, 5.02, 12.01 and 12.07, non-inclusively, of the Floor Fellow collective agreement.

Floor Fellows are an essential aspect of residence life, as their job directly contributes to the experience and success of first-year students. When the barrier between their working environment and living space is broken, Floor Fellows are left with an extremely challenging student job. The assigned shifts do not account for the intimate, informal, and essential work Floor Fellows do, when living amongst students inevitably demands constant awareness to unpredictable situations and the pressures of uncompensated emotional labour. With McGill putting profits over people, conditions for everyone in student residences worsen. By eliminating the distinct privacy that comes with the traditional Floor Fellow spaces, first-year students and Floor Fellows both lose their autonomy, with the former having to share a common space with an older figure of authority and the latter mediating between being an authority figure in shared spaces and accessing personal time. 

It should be obvious to the McGill administration that diminishing the living conditions of Floor Fellows will inevitably impede on the quality of their work, both in their ability to provide for first-years and to be strong students in their own studies. Although McGill fairly asserts that students need places to live on campus, it must not be done at the expense of Floor Fellows. 

Floor Fellows do the hard work of helping students navigate through their first year, compensating for the poor mental health services that McGill provides; thus, neglecting and suppressing workers’ rights only adds to an endless cycle of abuse. McGill’s fraught relationship to unions will only be overcome with serious organization and consolidation of students, staff, and professors to speak out and use their collective power to hold the administration accountable.  

Given the housing and affordability crisis in Montreal, there need to be more institutional and collaborative solutions from students, activists, and the McGill administration responding to what the community needs. If McGill is unable to meet the housing needs of first-year students while providing safe and private housing for Floor Fellows and students alike, they must be more transparent with incoming students and resolve the false idea that residence can be provided for all. Appropriate living—and thus working—conditions are necessary to ensure the supposedly high-quality service in residences which McGill currently claims to offer. If the university wants to continue to offer first-years a fulfilling living experience so they thrive in residence, it must put Floor Fellows first. 

Album Reviews, Arts & Entertainment

‘The Loveliest Time’: A musical journey, or an excuse for more?

by Ava Ellis on

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In the dynamic realm of pop music, artists consistently seek innovative ways to captivate their audiences while pushing the boundaries of their creativity. Carly Rae Jepsen (CRJ) is no exception. Since she shocked the world in 2012 with Call Me Maybe, she has gone on to release multiple pop anthems including “I Really Like You” and “Run Away With Me”. After the releases of B-sides to her albums Emotion and Dedicated, her July 28th companion album to 2022’s The Loneliest Time wasn’t a surprise. While both albums undoubtedly showcase musical prowess, a vital question arises for her listeners: Does The Loveliest Time maintain a coherent narrative or primarily serve as a vessel for unused songs?

Companion albums, a trend seen across the industry, can be both a boon and a bane for artists. Artists such as CRJ possess a surplus of songs that might not harmonize seamlessly within a single record, mirroring Taylor Swift’s Folklore and Evermore. This dual-release strategy may either enhance or, as exemplified by The Loveliest Time, contrast with the original story; But, this might just reveal a ploy to sell more music rather than create aesthetic harmony. 

Released during one of the first “normal” summers during the COVID-19 pandemic, The Loneliest Time provided an opportunity to reflect on the preceding two years while conveying hope for the future. The titular track, a collaboration with Canadian icon Rufus Wainwright, sees CRJ yearning to reconnect with an old flame, expressed through a disco-infused melody that masks underlying sorrow. This motif persists across the album—buoyant music overshadowing lyrics tinged with sadness. While certain tracks like “Western Wind” and “So Nice” bolster the album, weaker entries like “Beach House” detract from its overall strength; the latter is shockingly corny for a CRJ song. “Go Find Yourself Or Whatever,” toward the album’s close, evokes a sense of post-party introspection, effectively embodying the album’s claim as her loneliest.

In contrast, The Loveliest Time struggles to differentiate itself from its predecessor despite its alleged mood change. While CRJ clearly has an extensive musical repertoire, this album comes across as an outlet for unreleased tracks from the original. Evaluated in isolation, the album could merit a higher rating, yet it falters when you try to find the link to its companion. Unsurprisingly, listening to The Loneliest Time is now more confusing with the newly released B-sides. I have a hard time remembering which songs are on which album, as they have such similar sounds. Even the album covers, although each is stunning, do not give us a hint about the music inside. 

Double releases pose a significant risk. A successful outcome requires the second release to oppose or complement the original. Regrettably, these albums do not fall into that category—the second release muddies the narrative the first creates. The adjective change in the title makes the listener expect something different. The anticipation of a distinction of mood and atmosphere in the second sets the listener up for disappointment when the albums are so similar in their sound. 

The Loveliest Time begins on a boom with “Anything To Be With You”, altering the vibe set by its predecessor. With a funky drum shot and an instant rhythm, I thought I was in for an entirely different aesthetic. However, subsequent tracks struggled to find their footing until “Psychedelic Switch”, a standout on the album. These songs are stronger when divorced from The Loneliest Time. Nonetheless, the overlap between the albums makes it challenging to attribute specific songs to either.

The current trend of companion albums underscores the intricate balance between artistic evolution and thematic coherence. As music’s landscape evolves, the takeaway from this dual-release experience is clear: The Loveliest Time struggles to establish its own identity separate from The Loneliest Time. The risk of blurring the lines between CRJ’s two releases underscores the necessity for thoughtful curation and seamless thematic progression. 


Carly Rae Jepsen’s album The Loveliest Time is available to stream on Spotify, Apple Music, and YouTube Music as well as all other music platforms.

Men's Varsity, Soccer, Sports

Redbirds soccer takes home win in first Pride game

by Julie Ferreyra on

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After losing their RSEQ season opener to the Université de Québec à Trois-Rivières (UQTR) Patriotes (1–1–0) on Aug. 30, the Redbirds faced off against the Concordia Stingers (0–1–1) in their second home game of the regular season. In a physical match-up that left the Redbirds short-handed for most of the game, the Redbirds (1–1–0) took home their first win of the season. Sunday’s match also marked the Redbirds’ Pride game, with both coaching staff and most players wearing rainbow armbands.

“It’s important to raise awareness among our spectators and players too,” assistant coach Pierre Lepage told The Tribune. “I know that our players received a seminar on the matter during the preseason. You shouldn’t be discriminated against because of your sexual orientation, your skin colour, your religion. This is a message we’re trying to reinforce, to become a more tolerant community that accepts differences.”*

The game opened on a sweltering 28 degree afternoon, with stands filled up by spectators, eager for the match to get underway. As the sun beat down on the Redbirds throughout the first half, the Stingers mounted a strong offense, and despite McGill’s best defensive efforts, buried the ball past goalkeeper Ludovyck Ciociola for a 1-0 lead. 

The pressure from a rowdy crowd and heat started to affect the gameplay, with players getting more and more brusque as the game went on. Although there was rough play from both teams, midfielder Emilio Rossi-Levin landed two yellow cards within one minute, resulting in his ejection from the game and leaving the Redbirds short-handed for the remainder of the match. 

“It wasn’t an easy game, because you’re ten men against eleven [for almost the whole game], and keeping the ball is difficult,” third-year defender Martin Baudelet told The Tribune. “The game was very choppy, [having us] running away, running down the wing […] and for the other shifting from left to right. Obviously, it was very tiring.”

As the first half came to a close, forward Mathis Cyr equalized the score with a corner kick and the Redbirds headed into the second half in a 1-1 tie.

The second half saw more successful action from the Redbirds, with no less physicality. First-year midfielder Nassim Kemel pierced through the Stingers goalkeeper, to give McGill a 2-1 lead early in the second half. 

As the action continued, Ciociola faced several scoring attempts from the Stingers, before being taken out due to an injury sustained while making a save. However, Ciociola’s injury opened the door for goalkeeper Christopher Cinelli-Faia to enter the game.

As the Redbirds settled back in with their new keeper in net, first-year forward Yoan Simard buried another goal to make it 3-1. However, in the last few moments of the game, a Concordia shot hit a McGill player, going into the back of the net for a 3-2 final score. 

*This interview was translated from French by the author.

Moment of the game: Following a breakthrough toward the Stingers’ net, unfortunately thwarted by Concordia’s defense, third-year defender Baudelet sustained an injury. He was ultimately able to continue the game after receiving medical attention.

Quotable: “It’s McGill against Concordia; it’s a hard game. It wasn’t a beautiful game. But it’s very, very, very pleasing to get this win.”

– Third-year defender Martin Baudelet on the importance of beating Concordia
Stat Corner: The match featured 14 penalty cards, including one against the McGill team as a whole and one red card, 21 fouls, 13 attempted shots, five goals and 13 corner kicks.

McGill, News

McGill TAs allege $1 million in wage theft by the university

by Ghazal Azizi on

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As McGill students returned to campus for the first day of classes on the morning of Aug. 30, they were greeted by food trucks and music on McTavish Street as part of the Association of Graduate Students Employed at McGill (AGSEM)’s rally for better contracts. AGSEM, the union representing teaching assistants (TAs) and invigilators at McGill’s downtown and Macdonald campuses, has been in pre-negotiation talks with the university since July 2023, when their collective agreement (CA) expired. AGSEM alleges that McGill steals $1 million in TA wages annually by exploiting the assistants’ labour and making them work beyond their contracted hours. As the pair await a bargaining date, the union has launched the No More Free Hours campaign to combat and raise awareness about the administration’s alleged wage theft.

The campaign encourages TAs to track every hour they spend on work, from writing emails to reading course material, and to withhold labour as soon as their contract hours have been exhausted. Faculty and students who are not TAs have been asked to show solidarity by signing an open letter that calls on the university to stop the exploitation of TAs. 

Kiersten van Vliet, AGSEM’s Mobilization Officer and a Musicology Ph.D. candidate, has been working as a TA since 2017. They explained that the $1 million in wage theft figure was calculated from a 2017 survey in which 48 per cent of TAs reported working thirteen hours over their contract, leading to an average of $430 of unpaid labour per person each term. Additionally, the same 2017 membership survey found that more than a third of TAs forgo medical services—such as dental or optical check-ups—due to lack of income. As AGSEM heads to the bargaining table this year, van Vliet says wages and healthcare are two of their top priorities.  

“Of course, wages are usually the bread and butter of every negotiation, but we really need to see an investment in healthcare,” van Vliet told The Tribune. “We need to supplement our graduate student healthcare. We’re also demanding a transgender healthcare fund for gender-affirming care because many procedures or treatments are not covered under provincial insurance.”

In addition to food trucks and music, the Aug. 30 rally featured interactive activities for passersby to learn more about the union and its new campaign. On a wooden banner, members of the community were invited to write what they would do with an extra $430 per term. Paying for groceries, rent, or therapy were among the repeated answers on the papers stapled to the board.  

Around noon, AGSEM hosted speakers such as rally organizer Emma McKay, Physics TA Nick Vieira, and student labour activist Alex Engler from the Concordia Research and Education Workers’ Union (CREW). Philosophy professor Marguerite Deslauriers also took the stage to encourage the McGill community to acknowledge the value that TAs bring to the university’s quality of education. 

“[T]hose of us who have teaching assistants swan into the lecture hall oftentimes to leave scattered words of wisdom and bog off, leaving the teaching assistants to actually engage with the students, make sure they understand it, read their work, which we mostly don’t do, give them […] guidance, encouragement, and feedback,” Deslauriers said. “It’s just very important work. It’s really the fundaments of teaching in the university—the work done by teaching assistants in conferences and then grading.”

The Tribune reached out to the university for a statement on AGSEM’s allegations of wage theft and its No More Free Hours campaign. In response, McGill Media Relations Officer Frédérique Mazerolle said “The TA collective agreement expired on July 31, 2023. McGill will not make any comments regarding upcoming discussions and will let the negotiation process run its course.”

News, SSMU

SSMU VP Finance Alice Fang resigns

by Jasjot Grewal on

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Alice Fang, who was elected Vice President (VP) Finance of the Students’ Society of McGill University (SSMU) last semester, left her executive position on Aug. 18. Fang handed in her formal resignation to the Board of Directors on Aug. 7, citing personal reasons unrelated to SSMU. The remaining executives have split the work of VP Finance as they await a by-election, which fills a single vacant position during a government term. 

Under Section 10.8 of the SSMU Constitution, an executive whose term ends due to resignation may either be replaced through a by-election called by remaining executives or their position can remain vacant and their responsibilities can be delegated. Additionally, Section 1.8 of the SSMU Internal Regulations of Elections and Referenda states that to fill a vacant position, “the Legislative Council may call a by-election, fill the vacancy by appointment, or delegate the responsibilities to a sitting representative.” 

The Tribune talked to Amelia Whitcomb, VP Finance of the Science Undergraduate Society (SUS), to discuss the responsibilities of a VP Finance. While SUS operations are smaller-scale than SSMU’s, there are similarities among the executives’ roles. Whitcomb shared that as a VP Finance, she takes care of the legal responsibilities of the society, as well as ensuring that all departments and initiatives under SUS have the financial resources they need. 

“I do a lot of work with reimbursements [and] paying invoices. Especially with Frosh just finishing up, I just paid all the people who were involved with that,” Whitcomb said in an interview with The Tribune. “Basically, it’s just making sure that the right people get their money at the right time.” 

Whitcomb also explained that the day-to-day responsibilities of the VP Finance can be handled by remaining staff in the short-term while an election is yet to be held. 

“It’s feasible for the finance staff and for other executives to handle [day-to-day operations], especially because they all have really relevant experience within SSMU already,” Whitcomb said. “In the long-term, waiting for a by-election for a month or so, I think that’ll be fine. My only concern would be if they don’t fill the position for six months or a year.” 

Antonina Nikolaev, VP Finance of the History Students’ Association and President of the McGill Polish Students’ Association, shared a similar sentiment that student clubs and associations should not be greatly affected in the interim. 

“In terms of departmental associations, I don’t think it will affect us as we deal with faculty-specific student unions for our funding,” Nikolaev said. “For our clubs, I think we’ll be okay as long the VP Student Life and club finance coordinator can help us when we set our yearly budget.”

SSMU President Alexandre Ashkir plans to present a motion for a by-election at the first Legislative Council meeting of the school year, on Sept. 11. The motion will include a schedule outlining the desired timeline to fill the position. As the date approaches, Ashkir shared in a written statement to The Tribune that SSMU executives have distributed Fang’s responsibilities—including overseeing club funding and health and dental insurance—to ensure that students continue to have their needs met. 

“While it is extra work on the already very heavy executive workload, we have managed to spread tasks in a manner that allows SSMU to run unhindered and that in the short term won’t be too detrimental to our other responsibilities,” Ashkir wrote. “This distribution is temporary and once a new VP Finance is elected, they will be returned to them gradually to ensure there [are] no interruptions of service on the student end.” 

Alice Fang could not be reached for a comment.

McGill, News, PGSS, SSMU

Governance 101

by Lily Cason on

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McGill’s governance structures can seem opaque and difficult to navigate. The Tribune broke down the organizations that represent the student body and how they are governed, as well as how the university’s governance apparatuses work.

The Students’ Society of McGill University (SSMU) 

SSMU is the students’ union that represents all undergraduates at McGill. The organization is funded by student fees and is responsible for advocating for undergraduate students, overseeing undergraduate student clubs, running Gerts Bar and Café, and providing services, resources, and events for its constituency. Seven executives—a President, a Vice-President (VP) Student Life, a VP of Internal Affairs, a VP External Affairs, a VP Finance, a VP Operations and Sustainability, and a VP University Affairs—are elected to help run the society each academic year. Full- and part-time staff report to the SSMU executives and help carry out their offices’ work. Board of Directors meetings take place every second week and bring together four of the elected executives and eight appointed students who are responsible for administering the business affairs of the organization and supervising its management. Legislative Council meetings, which are also held bi-weekly, are made up of thirty councillors who make political decisions for the Society. General Assemblies (GAs) are held at least once a semester; if the quorum of 350 students is met, any member of SSMU is allowed to vote on the motions put forward.

The Post-Graduate Students’ Society (PGSS)

PGSS is the students’ union that represents all post-graduate students and post-doctoral fellows at McGill. Like SSMU, PGSS is funded by student fees and responsible for advocating for the needs of its constituency, providing resources and support, hosting events, and operating Thomson House—a restaurant and bar exclusively for PGSS members and their guests. There are six elected executives: A Secretary-General, an External Affairs Officer, a Financial Affairs Officer, an Internal Affairs Officer, a Member Services Officer, and a University Affairs Officer. Monthly PGSS council meetings are held to help determine the long-term vision of the society, pass new policies, approve committee appointments, and serve as an accountability mechanism for the executive team. Departments are responsible for appointing individuals to represent them on the council. The Society also holds at least one General Meeting a semester, during which all members of PGSS are allowed to vote on motions put forward, provided the quorum of one per cent of the membership is met.

The McGill Association of Continuing Education Students (MACES)

MACES represents all Continuing Education Students, advocating on their behalf, providing resources such as academic support, and assisting members with networking. Like SSMU and PGSS, the association runs on student fees. A six-member executive team governs the organization, composed of a President, a VP Financial Affairs, a VP Social, a VP Communications, a VP Academic Affairs, and a Governor. The Board of Directors is elected by the constituency for a two-year term and meets weekly—unless the agenda indicates there is not enough to discuss. MACES holds a GA at least once a semester, and the Association’s By-Laws state that GAs have comparable legislative power to the Board of Directors. 

The Macdonald Campus Students’ Society (MCSS)

Macdonald Campus students are represented by MCSS, which oversees clubs, seeks to promote students’ welfare and interests through advocacy and support, and runs The Ceilidh—a bar and restaurant on Macdonald Campus. Like the other students’ societies, it also runs on constituent fees. The MCSS executive council is comprised of a President, VP Finance, VP Internal, VP University Affairs, VP Business Operations, VP Communications, and VP Equity and Sustainability. The MCSS Council, which is comprised of 18 core members, meets bi-weekly to review and pass policies. Open Student Society Meetings meet quorum when ten per cent of the Society’s membership vote on the presented items and are held at least once a semester.

The McGill Board of Governors (BoG)

The BoG is the highest governing body at McGill and has final say over the academic, business, and financial affairs of the University. The BoG is comprised of the Chancellor, the Principal and Vice-Chancellor, twelve members-at-large, three representatives of the McGill Alumni Association, two representatives of the Senate, two representatives of the academic staff, two representatives of the administrative and support staff, one representative of SSMU, and one representative of PGSS. Both MACES and MCSS have non-voting observers appointed to the BoG. The Board meets two to three times a semester for three hours.

The McGill Senate 

The Senate is the highest democratic governing body of the University. Unlike the BoG, it has a focus on academics. Created to serve as a link between the McGill community and the BoG, it is comprised of 111 voting members and meets once a month to discuss questions and motions raised by members. Representatives from SSMU, PGSS, MACES, and MCSS serve on the Senate and advocate for students’ needs. Other members of the Senate include the Chancellor, the Chair of the Board of Governors, the Principal and Vice-Chancellor, the Deans of Faculties, professors and instructors from across the university, and members of the administrative and support staff, among others. 

Martlets, Soccer, Sports

Martlets soccer takes home back-to-back wins to open RSEQ season

by Tillie Burlock on

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On Aug. 30, following the first day of classes, the Martlets soccer team (2–0–0 ) kicked off their home opener and first game of the RSEQ season. With midfielder Mara Bouchard sporting the captains’ armband and the Université de Québec à Trois-Rivières (UQTR) Patriotes (0–1–0 ) looking to put an end to a nine-game losing streak against McGill, Percival Molson Stadium was ready to go, despite the rainy weather. 

The first half saw steady play from both UQTR and McGill, with the Martlets failing to solve the Patriotes’ netminder despite several opportunities. 

However, as the rain began to lighten up and the Martlets stepped onto the field for the second half, early pressure from McGill led UQTR to turn the ball over, allowing midfielder Hana Yazdani to send the ball to midfielder Chloe Renaud for a beautiful behind-the-back pass that found forward Arianne Lavoie. With 49 minutes on the clock, Lavoie escaped the Patriotes’ defense and netted the breakaway pass from Renaud for a 1-0 lead. 

As the game entered extra-time, pressure grew as McGill entered UQTR’s zone to try and extend their lead with forward Annika Schmunk just inches away from a goal with the Martlets’ final shot of the game. With a 1-0 final score, McGill took home the win, and goaltender Sophie Guilmette earned her first shutout of the season. 

With the season opener in the rearview, the Martlets played their second game on Sept. 3, facing off against the Concordia Stingers (0–1–1) at home. This time, however, they took the pitch with a newfound confidence and in much better weather. 

“The first game we were nervous,” head coach Jose-Luis Valdes told The Tribune. “It’s our first game at home. It’s the first game for a few players on the team. […] Whereas today, there were no nerves.” 

At the 28-minute mark, midfielder Katherine Chadwick netted the opening goal to give the Martlets a 1-0 lead. Shortly thereafter, forward Liliane Lefebvre scored a graceful header off of a pass from Renaud to close out the first half and put the Martlets up 2-0. 

After the half, Guilmette continued her strong performance from the season opener with a number of stellar saves to protect McGill’s lead. In the 75th minute, forward Alexandra Hughes-Goyette scored the Martlets’ third goal of the game, all but securing the win. However, the Stingers crushed hopes of another shutout performance, finding the back of the net with eight minutes of regular time remaining. In a 3-1 final score, the Martlets picked up their second win of the RSEQ regular season, and hope to carry on their success in their upcoming game against the Université de Montréal Carabins for their first game of the RSEQ season. 

As for their early success, Bouchard attributes the two wins to the team’s ability to carry over what they learned from their preseason games. 

“[During] the preseason, we worked a lot on just keeping the ball to feet, practicing our tilt, all going on the same side,” Bouchard explained. “I feel like both of the first two games we’ve been doing great at this. We did a good job and we’re solid defensively.” 

Guilmette also emphasized the importance of getting points early on in the season. 

“It was a team effort but I think a big part of what we need is to get those points, we have an objective to go to Nationals,” the netminder said. “These points against tougher opponents are really important early on in the season so that we can carry on towards the end of the season.” 

The Martlets are back at home on Sunday, Sept. 10 against the Bishop’s Gaiters (1–1–0) for their Pride game.

Moment of the Game: In their game against the Patroites, following a rush from UQTR that almost tied the game in extra time, Schmunk went back the other way, nearly netting an insurance goal and swaying the momentum back in McGill’s favour. 

Quotable: “On a more personal note, I was hoping for the shutout today, didn’t get it, unfortunately, but we got the dub, that’s what matters.” 

– Goaltender, Sophie Guilmette

Stat Corner: Between the two games, McGill totalled 15 shots, 12 shots on net, 10 corner kicks, and 19 fouls. 

McGill, News

Water advisories issued due to high lead levels in six McGill buildings

by Shani Laskin on

More in McGill:

On July 27, the McGill community received an alert from Interim Vice-Principal for Administration and Finance Diana Dutton that water advisories had been issued for six McGill buildings: La Citadelle, Carrefour Sherbrooke, Elizabeth Wirth, Ferrier, Thomson House, and 3647 Peel. Routine water testing found that the lead levels in the buildings’ water sources exceeded the Government of Quebec’s thresholds. Over a month later, Ferrier, Thomson House, and 3647 Peel are still under the advisory. In addition, a new advisory was issued for the Barton building on the Macdonald Campus on Aug. 25.

Exposure to lead, even in small amounts, can cause serious health issues including high blood pressure, miscarriages, and even death. Lead can enter water sources from old pipes. The Government of Quebec’s website writes that buildings built past 1989 are very unlikely to have lead in their plumbing systems.

According to McGill Media Relations Officer Frédérique Mazerolle, lead tests are conducted annually. Mazerolle explained the protocols McGill follows in case water exceeds provincial thresholds—anything above five micrograms of lead per litre of water—to protect community members from ingesting the water.

“Warning signs are put up next to faucets, drinking fountains are turned off, and building directors provide information on other sources of drinking water,” Mazerolle wrote to The Tribune. “If possible, community members are directed to other locations for water. In the recent case of two student residences, bottled water was provided. For Carrefour Sherbrooke, where the advisory lasted four weeks, the second step was installing reverse osmosis filters to reduce dependence on bottled water.”

Lara Landauro, U3 Science, worked as a McGill Summer Academy (MSA) Crew Member when the advisories were first issued. MSA students were housed in McGill residences and were affected by the advisories put into place. Landauro wrote to The Tribune that, ultimately, the response was quick and the situation was handled smoothly.

“We weren’t able to drink the water from the hotel for several days. The hotel would give us water bottles instead,” Landauro wrote. “McGill responded well to the issue, finding a solution to our problem. It would have been better if the water problem was fixed earlier.”

While advisories have been lifted for Carrefour Sherbrooke, La Citadelle, and Elizabeth Wirth, three downtown campus buildings have yet to be put in the clear. 

André Pierzhala, Operations Manager for the Post-Graduate Student Society said that Thomson House, one of the remaining affected buildings, has been dealing with the advisory by buying bottled water for students and the kitchen’s use. Pierzhala shared that Thomson House was initially given two pallets of water by the university and, subsequently, he has been buying large jugs to use around the building.

“It’s a different way of operating […] and it works,” Pierzhala said in an interview with The Tribune. “It hasn’t prevented us from running our operation. It’s not the end of the world, it’s more of a nuisance but […] as far as a crisis goes, I prefer having this as a crisis than something that’s a lot more serious.”

Pierzhala also noted that action on the part of the administration was swift given the circumstances.

“This is something that crept up and surprised everyone,” Pierzhala said. “The response from the institution was extremely quick in installing filters, specifically designed to remove lead from the water. So, I have to thank them because they were very responsive, very quick.”

Further testing for the downtown campus buildings was conducted on Aug. 28, the results of which will be released in the coming days.

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