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Arts & Entertainment, Music

Lana Del Rey grapples with fame on ‘Chemtrails Over the Country Club’

by Yifan Wu on

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Chemtrails Over the Country Club is abound with Lana Del Rey’s signature wry wit: The album’s title references the chemtrails conspiracy theory, adding a sinister undertone to the otherwise pleasant visual of a sprawling green country club with planes flying overhead.

The album is an atmospheric, 45-minute wash of sound that contains all the familiar components of a Lana Del Rey album: Her fragile falsetto, nostalgic perspective, and yearning for living and loving with wild abandon, all woven through with self-criticism and dolefulness.

Returning collaborator Jack Antonoff compliments Del Rey’s vocals with his understated, blurry production, reminiscent of his recent work on Taylor Swift’s folklore. On Chemtrails, Antonoff’s lo-fi sound features record-crackling that contributes to the album’s analog sound. This effect is especially prominent on the opening track, “White Dress,” which also introduces one of the album’s major themes: Del Rey’s burgeoning doubts over her fame and success. She reminisces on working as a waitress when she was 19 years old: “It made me feel, made me feel like a god / It kinda makes me feel, like maybe I was better off.”

Del Rey explores the isolating effects of fame further on “Dance Till We Die,” a track that expresses the solace she finds in the companionship of fellow female music legends Joan Baez, Stevie Nicks, and Courtney Love. Del Rey shares personal relationships with all of them, and she establishes herself as their musical successor while she continues to build her own persona as a serious artist.

Chemtrails finishes with Del Rey and featured singers Zella Day and Weyes Blood covering Joni Mitchell’s piano ballad “For Free.” While the multiple vocalists jazz up the original version with a few harmonies, Del Rey forgoes any significant changes—and for the better. Mitchell’s lyrics shine through the track and capture the essence of Chemtrails despite debuting some 50 years ago: “And I’ll play if you’ve got the money / Or if you’re a friend to me / But the one-man band by thе quick lunch stand / He’s been playin’ real good for free.”

Chemtrails is consistent with Del Rey’s past discography, and is sure to be reliable fan-fodder. However, listeners are left wondering whether she will choose to evolve stylistically or continue churning out sonically similar tracks—not that one is necessarily better than the other.

McGill, News

McGill Policy Association workshop explores diversity of public policy

by Hénia Ould-Hammou on

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The McGill Policy Association (MPA) hosted a Zoom workshop on March 30, featuring discussions on topics related to policy such as the policy-making process, cybersecurity, and municipal government. The webinar was moderated by Teresa Lee, U3 Arts and Science, and included presentations from three master’s candidates from the Max Bell School of Public Policy: Ellen Rowe, a cyber security policy analyst from the Department of National Defense of Canada, Mikayla Zolis, a social innovator working to address urban issues, and Mariel Aramburu, a policy professional with previous experience in intergovernmental and international relations. 

Rowe began the discussion by imparting the importance of studying policy-making, noting its use in helping people understand political decision-making processes and how those decisions affect the lives of citizens. Rowe then elaborated on the topic of policy-making with a focus on cybersecurity and phishing, a fraudulent way of accessing personal information.   

“We need to have policies in place that can mitigate cyber attacks [and make] sure our workplace […] is up to par,” Rowe said. “The policy side of things […] details what technical experts and people within an organization [are responsible for]. You [have] to make sure that you are aware […] of what phishing emails look like.” 

Lee asked Zolis about the policy decisions implicated in municipal government issues. Zolis delineated the closeness of municipalities and citizens, indicating that certain issues, such as taxation, were more local than those at the federal and provincial levels. 

“Cities are the closest to the people which means that the politicians and the people that live in cities often have a closer relationship than they may do with the federal level,” Zolis said. “Politicians and civil servants are responding to more localized issues.”  

Zolis elaborated on one of the fundamental challenges in municipal governance—property taxes—emphasizing the frustration of citizens when there is a proposed increase. 

“One of the major challenges that cities face is that they can only collect their revenue through property taxes,” Zolis said. “People do not like when they get raised [….] That limits what municipalities can do with their large scope and limited resources.” 

According to Zolis, issues surrounding property tax increases could be managed quicker than the same issues concerning provinces or territories.

“[Municipalities] can address those issues and we can see […] that they are able to try things out and implement things a lot quicker than other jurisdictions that are higher,” Zolis said.

Aramburu argued that academic research could better shape federal policy decisions and in turn, a country’s political agenda.     

“In my role with post-secondary education, sometimes policy comes from your research and what you are looking at,” Aramburu said. “It does not necessarily mean that it [is] on the government agenda, but through your research [….] You [could] have the ability to influence what might be on the political agenda.”

Aramburu explained that policy-making is a broad field that encompasses many ways to address issues at different levels of government.

“One of the things that I am hoping to convey is that policy can be really big […], but it can be a lot smaller. You could [be] making big differences for the citizens you are serving.” Aramburu said. 

Aramburu said that policy work on cabinet documents—which she claims constitute a substantial and lengthy task—are not the only way to contribute to the field of policy.

“I think that [cabinet documents] can be a very traditional idea of what policy might look like, but it can also be on the ground, working with relationships and partners and thinking about different ways you can […] improve your province, your city or your country,” Aramburu said.

Student Life

The unique student network of McGill Free and For Sale

by Holly Wethey on

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Last year, my roommate and I hauled a dresser all the way from Avenue Coloniale to Rue Saint-Urbain. Struggling to carry it, we lugged it down the crowded sidewalk as the people lined up outside of Schwartz’s Deli watched. Like many McGill students, we had relied on McGill Free and For Sale—a Facebook group that takes you across the city for the cheapest finds on anything ranging from textbooks, to mattresses, to vintage dresses to record players—since moving into our apartment in second year.

The Facebook group was created in 2015 and now boasts over 18,000 members. It is no surprise, then, that many other students share my love for the group. Christal OuYang, U2 Arts, who joined the Facebook group in her second year, remembers carrying a lamp she bought across downtown Montreal last year.

“When I bought my lamp during Christmas break, the streets were super busy,” OuYang said. “I went all the way to Concordia and my friend and I carried it all the way back to our apartment in the Plateau. It was this five-foot-tall lamp and we had to lift [it] above our heads because there were too many people on the streets.” 

Travelling around the city to pick up cheap finds is a quintessential part of the McGill experience. While many use the group to furnish their apartments, the group is also known for its hidden treasures. OuYang recalls finding a creative gift for her friend among the listings. 

“For Christmas, I ordered a bunch of gifts online that never showed up, so I went on Free and For Sale and found a mini Winnie the Pooh waffle maker,” OuYang said. “My friend loves Winnie the Pooh so I got it for her [….] It was the furthest I had trekked in Montreal by myself.”

Students can find virtually anything while scrolling through the numerous items for sale. Eve Cable, U3 Arts, found her pandemic companion—a giant 50-pound teddy bear—while browsing the McGill Free and For Sale page. 

“I bought my eight-foot-tall bear Bearnie last March for $30,” Cable said. “He is normally about $300 in stores, so we got a sweet deal for him at a tenth of the price. He has been more than worth for the novelty factor of having an eight-foot bear in my house.”

Marketplace, a Facebook platform connecting buyers and sellers in the same region, shares a similar purpose to Free and For sale. On both platforms, users often bargain for better deals, since buyers communicate directly with the seller.

While both groups are great places to find hidden gems, there is a special feeling tied to purchasing an item directly from a fellow student—an experience the intimate McGill Free and For Sale group offers. Buyers may even feel more connected to their community in the process. 

“It’s nice to see [other students’] faces,” OuYang said. “I felt less worried going into their house. It is cool to see where everyone’s living […] and to hear their stories [….] I like knowing that the things I’m buying used to belong to a McGill student.”

The McGill Free and For Sale group speaks to the nature of the McGill community, which manages to remain tight-knit despite the vast amount of students who attend the university. In a time when students are scattered across Montreal, and the world, having a sense of community is more important than ever. Online platforms have provided an important opportunity for individuals to maintain bonds with their peers, even without the usual campus experiences. We may be somewhat dispersed, but we are still connected, too.

McGill, News

McGill launches bicentennial celebrations with hour-long kick-off event

by Sequoia Kim on

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McGill kicked off its bicentennial (1821-2021) celebrations on March 31 by broadcasting its centrepiece event, “Celebrate 200: Launching Our 3rd Century,” live from the university’s bicentennial website. Laurent Duvernay-Tardif, MD ‘18, a frontline healthcare worker and professional football player, and Heleena De Oliveira, U3 Arts and president of the Black Students’ Network (BSN), hosted the event and also took part in 200-second challenges dispersed throughout the program.

In her opening remarks, De Oliveira recognized Shakorennawis Doxtador-Swamp, Oneida and Bear Clan, who performed the Iroquois social song “Rabbit Dance” during the land acknowledgement, and reflected on her time as president of the BSN.

“I just want to take a small moment to thank the Black and Indigenous [communities] of McGill,” De Oliveira said. “Without them, we would not have reached where we are today, celebrating our 200 years.”

The festivities began with a screening of McGill’s official bicentennial video, followed by greetings from three of McGill’s Principals Emeriti, including the Right Honourable David Johnston, Bernard Shapiro, and Heather Munroe-Blum. Munroe-Blum, McGill’s first female Principal and Vice-Chancellor, serving between 2003-2013, paired her celebratory remarks with a commitment to community service.

“As we celebrate, I hope we will all commit to making McGill even better by lifting our collective aspirations toward the highest standards of service to all humanity,” Munroe-Blum said. 

After the greetings, De Oliveira and Suzanne Fortier, McGill’s Principal and Vice-Chancellor since 2013, shared a conversation, discussing their respective experiences at McGill. Having been a student at the university before eventually becoming its Vice-Chancellor and Principal, Fortier said she had noticed the culture at McGill change over the years.

“There are three words that come to my mind,” Fortier said. “Open, connected, and purposeful. I do not think I would have used those words when I was a student here 50 years ago.”

Looking ahead to its third century, Fortier was confident that student initiatives would propel the university to greater heights.

“When I see all that is going on around campus, particularly with our students and all the initiatives they launch, […] they are ready to shape the future,” Fortier said.

A musical interlude followed the conversations, featuring performances by Schulich School of Music alumni Jason Beck, B. Mus ‘94—who performs under the name “Chilly Gonzales”—and Beatrice Deer, an acclaimed Mohawk and Inuk artist who was a distinguished guest at McGill’s Indigenous Awareness Week in 2018.

Following the musical performances, Michael Loft, retired academic associate at the McGill School of Social Work, recalled his time working for the faculty.

“Some 45 years ago, McGill made room for a young Kahnawake Mohawk recently returned home from a three-year hitch in the U.S. Marines, and gave me the tools to build a rewarding career in the social work field,” Loft said. “I am confident that the Indigenous presence [at McGill] will grow exponentially in the coming years.”

Thomasina Phillips, Kanienkehaka from Kahnawake, interim manager at the First Peoples’ House, and social worker at the McGill Wellness Hub, echoed Loft’s thoughts and offered her vision for the future of Indigenous presence at McGill.

“Inclusion is a very first important step in reaching a critical mass of Indigenous peoples within the university,” Phillips said. “By 2071, what I would hope to see is the inclusion of Indigenous knowledges and ways of life in every part of the university.”

Beyond boosting Indigenous inclusion and enrollment, Phillips hopes that McGill will foster relationships with Indigenous communities in the coming years.

“What I would hope to see are partnerships with communities that support the initiatives of those communities, around language, revitalization, kinship, [and] caring,” Phillips said. 

For the event’s final musical performance, the Christine Jensen Small Ensemble performed “I Feel Foolish” from the Schulich School of Music, and a string of clips featuring alumni sending birthday wishes to McGill led the program to a close.

 

Out on the Town, Student Life

Ask Ainsley: How can I enjoy Montreal safely this summer?

by Ainsley on

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Dear Ainsley,

These days, I feel a mixture of excitement and sadness about the upcoming summer. On one hand, I’m glad to have a break, but on the other, I know I won’t be able to do many of the things I usually would. I miss travelling and enjoying Montreal’s summer offerings and I don’t know how to face another summer in lockdown. How can I enjoy Montreal this summer while still being safe?

Sincerely, 

Missing Travel in Lockdown (MTL)

Dear MTL,

I hear you! Much like last year, this summer will certainly look different from the Montreal summers we’ve come to love. With a 9:30 p.m. curfew currently in place, restaurants closed to dine-in guests, and gatherings in private homes banned, it is understandable to miss the freedom we had in the past. That being said, although the lockdown may limit your activities this summer, there are still safe ways to have fun.

There are plenty of outdoor activities you can do while socially distanced this summer. Try exploring The Botanical Gardens—a signature Montreal attraction—with a walk through the Japanese Garden or their collection of bizarre plants, such as elephant’s foot and living stones. The classic Mont Royal hike is also a great way to enjoy the beauty of the city while keeping a safe distance from others. Try visiting Beaver Lake or climbing to the top in the evening to enjoy the sunset––just be mindful of the raccoons.

You can also look forward to safely meeting up with a few friends from a distance. Try having a socially-distanced picnic in Square St. Louis while enjoying a pastry from Mamie Clafoutis. You might even consider exploring a new part of the city, such as the Lachine Canal, where visitors can stop and enjoy the sights and smells of the Atwater Market. Make sure to follow the provincial guidelines by limiting the amount of people you’re with, keeping your distance, and wearing a mask.

One of the coolest things about Montreal is the number of museums the city is home to. This summer, pay a visit to The Museum of Fine Arts or explore a lesser-known museum such as the Écomusée du fier monde, a museum of grassroots and working-class history. But be sure to reserve your place well in advance, because they are in high demand. 

While it’s nice to leave the house, the summer is also a great time to acquire some new skills. You can start learning a language you’ve always wanted to speak, or consider devoting a part of the summer to your own hobbies. There are so many possible projects to take on, such as knitting, baking, or even creative journaling––you can even take the opportunity to prepare some birthday or Christmas gifts in advance. Some great options include knitted scarves or Origami, which are always a joy to receive. 

Finally, another great way to spend summer is by volunteering in the Montreal community. There are so many organizations doing important work: You may want to consider Meals for Milton Parc, Santropol Roulant or Habitat for Humanity Quebec. Additionally, the summer break is a great time to start working on your resume, and beginning to think about future job prospects. Getting a head start and thinking about what you want to do post-graduation will only benefit you in the long run. 

It’s normal to be feeling apprehensive about another summer spent in lockdown—this summer likely won’t allow for any trips, nor will it be possible to take advantage of Montreal’s bustling nightlife like we used to. However, Fall 2021 carries the promise of in-person classes and reunions with friends. In the meantime, there are still plenty of ways to soak up the sun and enjoy the city. 

Warmly,

Ainsley

News, Private, SSMU

EDRSC event discusses disordered eating in a McGill context

by Charlotte Pierrel on

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Content warning: Eating disorders and disordered eating.

On March 30, McGill’s Eating Disorder Resource and Support Centre (EDRSC) held a virtual talk titled “Eating Disorders/Disordered Eating in the McGill Context.” In what was the EDRSC’s final talk of the 2020-2021 school year, panellists examined the dual impacts that university life and the COVID-19 pandemic have on students with eating disorders and disordered eating habits. 

The EDRSC, which was founded in 2019, has transitioned its services of providing weekly peer-support groups and advocacy events to a virtual format since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic. At Wednesday’s event, three EDRSC facilitators—Cody Esterle, Zuzana Navratil and Deborah Gallou—hosted a discussion on disordered eating at McGill, opening up conversations about eating disorders and providing support to students.

Esterle, BA ‘20 and co-founder of the EDRSC, said that academic pressures can contribute to the development of eating disorders. 

“Specifically in the context of McGill, eating disorders and disordered eating can easily develop because of [the university’s] high stress and highly competitive culture in terms of classes and academic pressure,” Esterle said. “[They may] develop as coping strategies or mechanisms to adapt to these very situations.” 

Navratil, U2 Arts and an EDRSC volunteer, said that transitioning to adulthood and entering into the university environment also impacts students’ eating habits. 

“At McGill, there is a space where eating disorders can flourish, […] caused by stressors that are not necessarily academic,” Navratil said. “Moving to a new country, [or] not having your usual support system, encompass some of the biggest challenges of university life. For first year university students, living in residence can be a highly triggering environment.” 

The discussion then shifted to topics regarding meal prepping and grocery shopping—activities which the speakers highlight sometimes cause distress to those with eating disorders. According to Gallou, BA ‘20 and support group volunteer for the EDRSC, meal prepping can lead to unconscious restrictive behaviours. 

“As a student, meal prepping can start off as a good thing to gain time, but can spiral into disordered habits when you start to moralize certain kinds of foods,” Gallou said. “If you see social media advertising certain types of meal prepping plans, this can start a slippery slope into moralizing certain types of food and can start a perspective on viewing food in a restrictive way.” 

Esterle suggested potential solutions for students to alleviate food-related stress, particularly for those who are recovering from an eating disorder. 

“Finding a friend or a roommate to cook with or grocery shop can be helpful,” Esterle said. “Having that support can foster the development of new, positive connotations for food, which is good in recovery. [It can make] highly anxiety-inducing settings become less overwhelming [and] can make it even exciting and fun.”

Referencing the McGill Student Services decision to defund the McGill Eating Disorder Program in 2017, panellists stated that they believe that there is a lack of institutional support services at McGill that offer specialized treatment to students with eating disorders. Currently, there are two part-time dieticians at the Wellness Hub who are available to meet with students struggling with disordered eating. 

“Professional support [at McGill is] inaccessible and restricted through endless waitlists,” Esterle said. “If one finally gets access, the lack of connection and education around [eating disorders]  in other services also does not cover the many facets that eating disorders have, giving one-sided care to a coping mechanism that affects students socially, academically, mentally, physically, and more.”

More information and support is available from the EDRSC at  https://edrsc.ssmu.ca/.

 

(Red Bull)
Soccer, Sports

Champions League predictions, quarterfinals to the final

by Karan Kumar, Reza Ali on

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Quarterfinals 1: Manchester City vs Borussia Dortmund

Manchester City are set to play Borussia Dortmund in the Champions League quarterfinals. Manchester City, who are leading the Premier League as of April 1, have yet to win the Champions League under manager Pep Guardiola. This should be enough to motivate the club to win this year’s Champions League title. In comparison, Borussia Dortmund are currently fourth in the Bundesliga, 18 points behind league leaders Bayern Munich. 

Dortmund’s star striker Erling Haaland, who scored 21 goals so far this season, will be a thorn in the Manchester City defence. However, Manchester City remain a stronger defensive side, conceding only 21 goals in total in the Premier League. Dortmund, on the other hand, conceded 37 goals in the Bundesliga. Kevin De Bruyne and Ilkay Gundogan are key to Manchester City’s successful run in the Premier League, and will be game changers in the matches against Dortmund. Manchester City are expected to qualify for the semifinals.

Quarterfinals 2: Chelsea vs FC Porto

Neither Chelsea nor Porto were expected to win their respective qualifying matches, yet both qualified for the next round of the competition. Chelsea’s convincing win against Atletico Madrid makes them a much more promising side than first expected. Atletico is known for defensive prowess, yet Chelsea, dealing with star striker Timo Werner’s goal drought, were able to put three past the Madrid giants. Porto’s result in the previous leg was much less convincing, advancing on the tiebreaker of away goals against Italian powerhouse Juventus. However, their win was an arguably bigger upset as they were able to defeat a Juventus side which boasts stars such as Cristiano Ronaldo.

Reborn under Thomas Tuchel, Chelsea and their defensive stability will be too strong for Porto to break. Yet, Porto have shown they can pull off the unexpected. Still, it should be Chelsea advancing to the semifinals. Julia Miracle, U1 Arts, believes Chelsea will advance, but expects a difficult tie.

“I’m predicting a 2-1 final score across two legs,” Miracle said to The McGill Tribune. “Chelsea has Olivier Giroud, who has six Champions League goals, and Porto does not have a similarly prolific striker. Regardless, Porto were able to hold off Ronaldo and Juventus, so anything is possible.”

Quarterfinals 3: Bayern Munich vs Paris Saint Germain FC

In a repeat of the 2019-20 Champions League final, Bayern Munich will clash with Paris Saint Germain (PSG) in the quarterfinals of this year’s Champions League. Dominant striker Robert Lewandowski’s ligament injury is a huge offensive setback for Bayern Munich. Lewandowski is the leading goal scorer in the Bundesliga, scoring 35 goals this season. With Neymar Jr. expected to return from injury by April 7, PSG can put up their strongest squad in the fixture. PSG are currently second in the Ligue 1, with Lille OSC leading by three points. 

World Cup winner and PSG striker Kylian Mbappe is a huge threat to the Bayern defence. Mbappe is the Ligue 1 top scorer with 20 goals so far this season. Germany’s shocking defeat to the North Macedonia national team on March 31 in the FIFA World Cup qualifiers has dealt a tremendous blow to their confidence. PSG’s impressive win over Barcelona in the round of 16 gives the team added momentum to triumph over Bayern Munich and advance to the semifinals.

Quarterfinals 4: Real Madrid vs Liverpool 

Whichever club’s key players return from injury will walk away victorious from this star-studded clash of football titans. News came out recently that Real Madrid’s captain Sergio Ramos will not be playing due to injury. Additionally, Liverpool have been missing their usual centre-back pairing of Virgil Van Dijk and Joe Gomez all season. Both teams have had subpar domestic campaigns compared to their usual successes. Sean Hall, U0 Arts, mentioned the team’s injuries and inconsistencies in his own analysis of the tie. 

“Real Madrid [vs] Liverpool is going to be an absolute toss-up,” Hall said to the Tribune. “Real Madrid have been rocky but have started to get their act together, and if Liverpool show up [strong] they can score a lot of goals. With all the injuries to Klopp’s side [Liverpool], they are [vulnerable to] giving away easy opportunities that Benzema [Real Madrid] can put away.”

This tie will ultimately come down to one critical component: Whether Real Madrid’s experienced midfield trio of Toni Kroos, Luka Modric, and Casemiro can control the game. If the trio can dominate the centre, they will drive Liverpool to make mistakes, and provide their forward Karim Benzema many chances to score. If not, Liverpool’s three-pronged attack, highlighted by wingers Sadio Mane and Mohamed Salah, will score enough to take them through to the semifinal. Liverpool’s strong forward trio should take over this tie and help them advance to the next round.

Semifinals 1: Manchester City vs Paris Saint Germain

The potential of a Manchester City and Paris Saint Germain (PSG) semifinal clash is a delight to every football fan. Both are top European soccer clubs leading their respective domestic leagues, but the extent of each team’s dominance differs. Manchester City is clearly the top contender for this year’s Premier League title, 14 points ahead of second-place Manchester United. Pep Guardiola won the Champions League with Barcelona in 2009, and is expected to take Manchester City to the Champions League final in Istanbul this year. 

Despite Manchester City’s success, Thomas Jogand-Coulomb, U0 Science, believes PSG might be able to prevail.

“I would hate that PSG go through, of course,” Jogand-Coulomb, who is a Marseille local, said to the Tribune. “But, I think they definitely have the team to do it and [Mauricio] Pochettino could definitely bring them to the final, and Neymar Jr. could do something crazy.”

Semifinals 2: Chelsea vs Liverpool

An English semifinal would make for a chaotic match as soon as the opening whistle blows. This scrappy tie will motivate players to leave everything they have on the pitch. Chelsea’s recent success has been based on high-level defence, which is necessary to slow down Liverpool’s powerful attack. If Liverpool’s offence is rendered useless, the rest of the side—filled with substitutes—must exceed our expectations. Divock Origi may have brought heroic substitutes in the past, but the Chelsea side is too well-coached to fall victim to a quick corner routine. Expect the Blues to continue their Cinderella story all the way to the Champions League Final. 

Final: Manchester City vs Chelsea 

Chelsea last won the Champions League in 2012. Having spent $292 million on his team in the summer, owner Roman Abramovich is counting on the team winning the title. Chelsea are a new team under manager Thomas Tuchel—undefeated in the past 14 matches. It looks like Chelsea could replicate their 2012 run, where they defeated Barcelona in the semifinals on two away goals. 

Manchester City have almost been on cruise control this year. They are 14 points ahead of second place in the Premier League, and qualified for the EFL Cup final and the FA Cup semifinal. Due to the pandemic, games have been condensed in their time, meaning this Manchester City side has all the makings of possible late-stage burnout. 

The Tribune predicts a Chelsea win. In past Champions Leagues, the pressure on Pep Guardiola led to him overcomplicating tactics in big games. Additionally, Chelsea would have a fully fit squad while Manchester City aim to survive their overwhelming schedule. In a City-Chelsea final, Chelsea are the underdogs, but might just sneak a win against the near-perfect City side.

McGill, News

TRaCE McGill hosts discussion on PhD studies at McGill

by Hénia Ould-Hammou on

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Track Report Connect Exchange (TRaCE) McGill, a graduate and postdoctoral studies alumni network, hosted an event on March 26 as part of McGill’s bicentennial celebrations. The event, presented by Helen Martin, a PhD candidate in the Department of Psychiatry, and Hannah Korell, a PhD candidate in the Department of English, was live streamed on YouTube. The panellists included Professor Martha Crago (PhD in Communication Sciences and Disorders, ‘88), McGill’s vice-principal of Research and Innovation; Professor Yoshua Bengio (PhD in Computer Science, ‘91), a specialist in the field of artificial intelligence; and Juan Sebastián Delgado (PhD in Music Performance, ‘17), an award-winning cellist in the group Stick&Bow.

Speakers talked about their experience as McGill PhD alumni and professionals, beginning by reflecting on the moment they chose to pursue a PhD. Crago was a 38-year-old mother at the time and said she decided to pursue a PhD after having an epiphany. Crago read part of the speech she had written for her honorary degree at the University of British Columbia, describing the spark of inspiration that launched her into her studies. 

“I had lost my favourite sister to breast cancer in the 1980s and […] I really felt quite lost and alone,” Crago said. “One day […] I saw a sign on the wall of a church with a quote by the German writer Goethe that said: ‘Whatever you can do or dream, begin it. Courage has genius power and magic in it.’” 

Once Crago started her PhD, one of the biggest obstacles she faced was securing funding for her research when she was studying Inuit children’s communicative interaction in northern Quebec. 

“The difficulty was trying to find money […] because I did not have a supervisor who had this kind of money,” Crago said. “We did discover that the Sick Children Foundation […] in Toronto would support a PhD study for $25,000.’’ 

Bengio discussed obstacles that PhD students face, and added that the relatively unexplored nature of his research area, neural networks and Markov models, constituted a barrier for his work. 

“My main challenge was […] the subject I chose,” Bengio said. “No one knew about it in my department or anywhere in Montreal [….] The thing that saved me [was] going to conferences and meeting like-minded people.” 

Delgado said he experienced challenges in balancing the different research components of his PhD, which examined the intersection of contemporary music and tango through cello pieces composed during the 21st century. 

“My training as a musician was very focussed on the performance aspect,” Delgado said. “There were moments where I felt I was navigating alone because I had to balance […] the performer aspect […] and the research component.”

Panellists were questioned about their transition to the job market after completing their PhDs. For Bengio, the most difficult part was the transition from the relative single-mindedness of PhD research to the multi-tasking involved in working in the field of computer science. One of Bengio’s assets was having self-confidence. 

“We should find ways to make [the job market] inclusive for people who are not as outspoken,” Bengio said. “We would gain a lot as a society.” 

The speakers concluded by giving advice to prospective PhD students. Delgado encouraged students to explore an area of research that they are passionate about. 

“Without losing perspective, try to […] really explore, experience, and to take that time which is unique in your life, because afterwards you have to move on and survive,” Delgado said. “[Your PhD] is a wonderful time to really dig into something that we love and that we are passionate about. Not a lot of people have this opportunity.”

governance
News, SSMU

SSMU Legislative Council postpones vote on harm reduction policy

by Sepideh Afshar on

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The Students’ Society of McGill University (SSMU) convened on March 25 to vote on the Motion Regarding the Adoption of the Harm Reduction Policy and to receive notice of a motion regarding the BACoN-AToR Plan that touches on renaming the University Centre. Other notices included amendments to governance internal regulations, amendments to the internal regulations of finances, and readoption of the Equity Policy. The harm reduction policy calls to implement training for all SSMU groups so that they can apply principles of harm reduction, including promoting non-judgemental intervention education. 

The three mandates of this policy comprise advocacy, SSMU operations, and accountability. The advocacy component encompasses bilateral collaboration between the Vice-President (VP) of University Affairs, the SSMU President, and the Association of McGill University Support Employees (AMUSE) to ensure completion of the mandates, and also mandates training for various student groups such as Greek letter organizations. The SSMU Operations section oversees events, clubs, and services to ensure they are following harm reduction principles, while the accountability section mandates officers appointed under this motion to deliver an annual report on the policy to the Legislative Council. 

At the beginning of the meeting, the Legislative Council entered a confidential session to discuss the harm reduction motion. The vote to pass the motion did not pass by unanimous consent, leading to a debate. 

Arts Representative Libby Williamson brought up a key point of contention throughout the debate of this motion: Its relation to Greek letter organizations. SSMU VP Student Life Maheen Akter expanded on the effects of this policy on Greek organizations. 

“Well for one, it would [encourage] better trained Greek letter organizations, [resulting in] organizations that have more of a focus on harm reduction and reducing the pressure of drinking culture,” Akter said. “[The goal is to create] Greek organizations that promote harm reduction around substance use.” 

Arts Counsellor Alex Karasick questioned Akter on whether Greek life organizations were consulted, and how this would work around pre-existing harm reduction efforts. 

“I was wondering how this would build off any existing attempts at harm reduction that have been done by fraternities,” Karasick said. “I know the answer is that it varies a lot for each fraternity, but some I know have done things like say naloxone training and whatnot. How would this fit into the broader attempts that are also being done internally?” 

According to Akter, Greek letter organizations were not consulted, but she believes that this motion is looking to implement a foundation to be built on.

“What we are trying to do with this motion to create a framework for Greek letter organizations to be aware that […] SSMU has a policy on harm reduction,” Akter said. “This is essentially meant to serve as a basis for any further training or harm reduction practices that Greek letter organizations want to implement within their organizations. This policy is not supposed to be a ‘be all end all’ for fraternities and sororities.” 

Arts Representative Chip Smith emphasized the importance of consulting with other organizations on campus—such as the McGill Student Emergency Response Team (MSERT)—before passing motions that will affect them. Smith then proposed another motion to postpone voting on the Motion Regarding the Adoption of the Harm Reduction Policy until further consultation has been completed.

“There was very little consultation with relative entities,” Smith said. “I have also spoken to the president of Walksafe and have heard through Drivesafe as well that they were not consulted [on] this motion, despite being listed in this motion. ”

Smith’s motion to postpone voting on the harm reduction policy passed with 22 in favour, zero opposed, and zero abstentions. 

Moment of the meeting: 

SSMU President Jemark Earle brought forward a proposal through the Report of the Building and Operations Management Committee to have McGill students engage in a tech test trial. This test trial would install docks around campus that contain device chargers. Students would be able to take a charger, use it around campus, then re-dock it at any of the docking stations. 

Soundbite: 

“I have been around this for four years. I have seen this quite often. The Executive proposes these really good ideas for motions, but they are undercut by lack of consultation in areas that […] could have easily been put in. This is something we have seen especially this year. It is endemic to the Executive every year and […] we cannot be proceeding in good governance like this. We want a better environment for McGill students.”

—Arts Representative Chip Smith, on the importance of well-researched proposals.

Joke, Science & Technology

Rat community ravaged by Oreo epidemic

by Shafaq Nami & Madison McLauchlan on

More in Joke:

This article was originally published in The Razette but The McGill Tribune was able to translate and report on this very important issue.

To many rodents, Oreo cookies filled with processed sugar and a satisfying ratio of cookie to creme have long been a sweet treat to nibble on. The Aristorat Academy of Science was recently made aware of a study conducted by humans that elucidated the addictive properties of Oreos. The study, which subjected brave lab rats to even more unethical testing, found that Oreo cookies were more addictive than cocaine. 

This finding only confirms what many elderly rats have long believed: The processed food fad is the culprit behind the rising rates of vice in society. 

“Back in my day, we used to eat cheese like good rats,” Mr. Ratburn chittered grumpily in a statement to The Razette while shaking his walking stick, almost tripping a young rat scuttling by.

News of the study quickly spread among the rat community, with youth eagerly testing the limits of Oreo consumption to reach mind-altering states. The prices of Oreo cookie crumbs soared at the Rat Market—rich house rats lined their pockets while young, impressionable rats lost themselves to addiction. 

At this time, one in five rat families has borne the loss of a family member to the Oreo craze. The latest victim was Ratt Damon, who rose to fame as a child actor for his role in Rat Alone: Lost in Paris. 

This news caused many rats to gather in a protest against Oreo sales outside the council hall on Monday.

“Such a shame how the media is corrupting our youth, I wouldn’t be surprised if my pups are being indoctrinated to worship the devil,” Mrs. Whiskers was heard squeaking aloud at press time. “I don’t know how or why but that dratted Ratniss Everdeen is definitely behind this, probably encouraging them to get high.”

The Razette reached out to Ratzanne Collins’ PR team for a comment on the alleged promotion of drugs but was denied an interview. 

According to the study, munching on Oreos activated more neurons in the rat brain’s pleasure centre than being administered cocaine or morphine. While these drugs are known for their potency and addiction risk, repeated exposure to sugar can also rewire key neural pathways, such as the release of dopamine, in the pleasure centre and cause debilitating dependence. As a result, young rats are struggling to wean themselves off of the cookie, often not admitting they have an addiction until it is too late. 

With few government rehabilitation programs and treatment centres, many rats with substance abuse problems are finding themselves isolated from the garbage heaps they call home.

In an interview with The Razette, Ratticus Finch, a recovered addict, spoke about his experience.

“It’s tough to see friends go down that road, too,” Finch squeaked. “Once you taste the sweet thrill of an Oreo cookie, it’s hard not to chase that feeling.”

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