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McGill, News

Children of the Corn orphaned

by Helen Wu on

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Children of the Corn, a Halloween event hosted by the Student’s Society of McGill University (SSMU) on Oct. 25 at Macdonald Campus, ended with over one hundred students scrambling to find transportation home after a chartered bus company cancelled its returning rides. SSMU Vice President (VP) Internal Matthew McLaughlin received notice of the cancellation during the event and informed students that they would need to find alternative transportation back downtown.

“One of these companies, [after taking students] to Mac Campus, said students threw up, were smoking on the bus, and it was just a mess,” McLaughlin said. “That company refused to send buses back to take home students. So we had six buses that weren’t returning to Mac.”

The buses were booked by SSMU through bus.com, a service which orders buses for their clients from licensed charter bus companies. According to McLaughlin, SSMU has used bus.com for past events without any problems occurring.

“We’ve always worked with them knowing that they will find suppliers who understand [that] these are students who are going to a party,” McLaughlin said. “When we were first booking these buses, I explicitly stated that we have worked with [them] many times before and as always, we want to make sure the bus drivers are more accommodating with this type of behaviour.”

Upon learning about the bus cancellations, McLaughlin called bus.com immediately and tried to negotiate a way to secure return transportation.

“I offered to pay more or have myself and committee members clean the buses for them,” McLaughlin said. “We offered everything we could to persuade this company to come back through bus.com, but they weren’t amenable to that.

McLaughlin insisted that he exhausted all transportation options before announcing the problem to attendees. As the party’s $25 ticket included transportation, he promised a full reimbursement for students taking a taxi or Uber home. He then talked to students individually to ensure that everyone had a safe ride home.

“I made calls to a dozen other bus companies […and even] talked to the McGill administration to see if they could come up with ideas,” McLaughlin said. “I thought we [could] get the Mac shuttle to come for some emergency trips but I couldn’t reach anyone [….] I also reached out to McGill Security at [the Macdonald campus] and discussed with them various options [….] None of [which] ended up working at all.”

SSMU is still in negotiations with bus.com over prices and potential refunding. In its Terms of Service (ToS), bus.com states that it reserves the right to cancel a booking at any time. While the ToS also state that cancellations must be refunded, they points out that passengers may be refused service if they are smoking, drinking, or intoxicated.

“In general, we do refuse the right to provided services in instances where the safety of our riders and bus drivers is in jeopardy,” bus.com Chief Administrative Officer Art Elizarov wrote in an email to The McGill Tribune.

Marianne Gilbert, U3 Agricultural and Environmental Sciences, does not believe that event organizers made sufficient efforts to handle the situation.

“No one announced that the buses were cancelled, so, [shortly] before 2 a.m., my friends and I went outside and we waited for 10-15 minutes,” Gilbert wrote in a message to the Tribune. “Then, the Macdonald Campus Student’s Society (MCSS) told us to cab downtown and that we would get reimbursed.We called the taxi company but they told us that we would have to wait at least 30 minutes because everyone was ordering cabs to Mac. I was very pissed.”

79 students have applied for a reimbursement of their ride, totalling almost $10,000 payable by SSMU. However, McLaughlin does not believe that this financial loss will affect SSMU operations.

“It’s not a problem, we can carry deficits,” McLaughlin said. “It won’t impact any operations at SSMU. At the end of the year, we need to decide if we want to liquidate a small portion of the capital expenditures fund, create more revenue-generating events [or] carry the deficit over to next year.”

fee
Editorial, Opinion

The Anti-Violence Fee Levy requires immediate support

by The McGill Tribune Editorial Board on

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While the Students’ Society of McGill University (SSMU) is notorious for inaction, SSMU broke ground on Oct. 11 when it became the first student union in Canada to pass a Gendered and Sexual Violence Policy (GSVP). However, the decision was contentious, and the Legislative Council saw lengthy debate about the policy’s proposed source of funding: The Anti-Violence Fee Levy (AVFL). During the Fall referendum period, taking place Nov. 9–12, it is essential that students vote in favour of the AVFL so that the GSVP can be implemented immediately and substantively.

The GSVP, a student-directed initiative over a year in the making, is an incredible accomplishment for our campus. Written by Caitlin Salvino—Carleton alumna and national chair of campus–sexual-violence advocacy group Our Turn—Priya Dube (BA ’18), and Bee Khaleeli (U3 Arts), the GSVP is a substantial stand-alone document that maintains a survivor-centric approach and clearly outlines the procedure for filing a complaint against a SSMU member.  

To properly implement the policy, the GSVP report recommends the introduction of the AVFL, a $0.45 per term opt-outable fee. If the AFVL is not approved, the GSVP will be without allocated funding. SSMU Vice-President (VP) Finance Jun Wang maintains that SSMU’s current budget is unable to adequately fund the GSVP.

As a result of Wang’s statements and an alleged breach of procedure, on Oct. 14, Bryan Buraga, a member of SSMU’s Board of Directors (BoD), filed a petition against SSMU President Tre Mansdoerfer and VP Finance Jun Wang to the Judicial Board (J-Board). The petition questions whether the VP Finance has an obligation to provide funding for the GSVP in the case that its accompanying fee is voted down in the upcoming Fall referendum.

Buraga’s petition identifies a legitimate flaw in SSMU’s financial management: Students should not have to pay for services that keep them safe. However, SSMU’s financial issues run deeper than the uncertainty over the GSVP’s funding and reflect its lack of experienced leadership. Executives’ short tenures hamper their ability to see projects through to completion; in the absence of long-term planning, SSMU tends to react to unexpected issues instead of anticipating them. For example, it became apparent in Jul. 2018 that former VP Finance Esteban Herpin miscommunicated the size of SSMU’s financial reserves by over $1 million, which resulted in the reduction of student dental coverage from $750 to $500. The absence of available expertise must be addressed if SSMU’s budgeting issues are to be fixed.

In the interim, it is crucial that students vote to support the AVFL. Although the creation of a fee levy is not ideal, students’ imminent safety is contingent on the implementation of the GSVP.

SSMU’s mandate is to advocate for student interests, and the creation of avenues to disclose and report sexual violence is clearly needed. For now, it is important that the AFVL pass, but, going forward, fundamental issues shouldn’t be split into individual, opt-outable agenda items. The VP Finance is correct that funding for sexual violence should not come at the expense of other portfolios such as Indigenous Affairs and Sustainability, and adequately funding each initiative is necessary for SSMU to fulfill its mandate. However, the debate over the AVFL speaks to a need for SSMU to fundamentally reform the way it raises funds so that these trade-offs need not be considered.

Men's Varsity, Sports

McGill rugby falls to Bishop’s in semi-final

by Owen Gibbs on

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On Nov. 3 at Percival Molson Stadium, the McGill men’s rugby season came to a close when the team (5-2) fell to the Bishop’s University Gaiters (5-2) by a score of 19-17. With this semi-final loss, McGill was eliminated from the RSEQ playoffs.

Bishop’s was in control of the action throughout the first half. After opening scoring with a try 15 minutes in, the Gaiters followed up with a successful free kick shortly after to take a 7-0 lead. They then extended the lead to 14 with a second try and free kick. McGill’s only points of the half trimmed Bishop’s lead to nine: Third-year hooker Alex Pantis scored a try, but McGill could not convert for the extra two points, and so the half ended with a score of 14-5 in the Gaiters’ favour.

Bishop’s carried its momentum into the second half, quickly scoring a try. However, the Gaiters were unable to convert for the two additional points. Then, the McGill offence started to take over. Third-year outside-centre Jessen Gibbs scored a try to cut the Bishop’s lead to nine; later, with minutes to go, first-year fullback Benjamin Russell reached the end zone to make it 19-15, and a two-point kick brought McGill within two. Unfortunately, time ran out, ending both McGill’s comeback bid and its season while Bishop’s booked its ticket to the RSEQ Championship.

“It was all going to come down to who was going to make the most mistakes,” first-year fly-half Owen Cumming said. “We had too many penalties in the first half, and that cost us pretty heavily.”

Ultimately, it was a successful season for the McGill men’s rugby squad. They finished with a regular season record of 5-1, which earned them second place in the RSEQ. Their only regular season loss came on Oct. 19 against the undefeated Concordia Stingers. Unfortunately, McGill’s attempt to win their first championship since 2015, and its sixth in the last 10 years, fell short. Though the loss was disappointing, the team held their heads high and appreciated this season’s success.

“From the start, the team was more cohesive than I’ve seen it since I started playing here,” Gibbs said. “The wins we locked down were certainly a product of our bond, and I am confident that this team will be in the finals next year.”

Gibbs, the team captain, was named an RSEQ first-team all-star. His faith that the future is bright for his squad extends down the roster: Among this increasingly-cohesive unit  were ten rookies, including Cumming and second row Karl Hunger, who agreed with Gibbs’ assessment of the bond that the team shared this season.

“The older players made sure all the younger guys felt included and part of something bigger than just a rugby team,” Hunger said. “Together, we’ve built a strong bond between all players on and off the field which I believe is a very important part of having a rugby club.”

Moment of the Game:

The crowd erupted as Benjamin Russell scored a try in the final 15 minutes of the match to pull McGill within two points, giving the team and the fans hope that they could complete the comeback.

Quotable:

“Seeing my team stand tall and support each other following such a devastating loss is the greatest success that I could ask for.” – Captain Jessen Gibbs on the teamwork within the McGill locker room.

Stat Corner:

McGill had one of the RSEQ’s strongest defences this season, surrendering only 61 points all year, and fewer than 10 points in four of their six regular season outings.

Out on the Town, Student Life

La Lumière du Mile End opens its doors to the city’s students

by Gabriela McGuinty on

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La Lumière du Mile End, a vegan café located on Rue Bernard Ouest, is nestled deep in the heart of the Mile End. The eatery offers a desirable Tuesday combo for McGill students: A five dollar meal and a tranquil study space. In an effort to attract Montreal’s student population, La Lumière du Mile End created a special study environment for students. In an initiative that began this October, the café remains open from 7 to 10 p.m. on Tuesday nights, catering exclusively to students in search of a tranquil study place.

“We’re open seven days [from] 11 [a.m.] to 8 [p.m.], but we find it’s quieter in the winter months,” Karyn Gabriel, owner of La Lumière du Mile End, said. “So, I had the idea [of opening] the space to students and [letting] them use it to study.”

The neighbourhood spot has been open for 10 years and has become a favourite among locals craving comfort food: It serves everything from dairy-free grilled cheese sandwiches to their signature burritos. Students can order a soup and tea combo for five dollars, and, as of last August, La Lumière du Mile End has become 100 per cent vegan.

“I wanted to see how the transition went with all our regulars,” Gabriel said. “Sometimes people don’t even notice the difference [of the vegan cheese]. We’re excited to be able to provide another vegan alternative in Montreal.”

The owner hopes that the unique, student-centric environment at La Lumière du Mile End will become popular among Montreal’s university population. If that were the case, Gabriel could see herself expanding the initiative to include other nights of the week. To achieve this goal, the café is looking for more locals to help facilitate the volunteer-run gathering.

“My idea is to have a rotation of volunteers […] oversee [the café] from 7 [p.m.] to 10 [p.m.] [on Tuesdays],” Gabriel said.  “[The volunteers] can study as well [and take advantage of the five dollar deal] we’ll be offering. If there’s demand for it, we can see about doing it more nights during the week. It’s all about the volunteers we get. ”

Though, for many students, studying at the café may require venturing off campus, Gabriel stressed that La Lumière is easily accessible by metro and bus. The proximity of public transport is especially convenient in the winter. Sara Jardak, a volunteer at La Lumière du Mile End and social work student at Université de Montréal, explained that, like, many campus libraries, the café is situated in a convenient location, but its relaxing environment makes it conducive to studying.

“I enjoy cafés for studying as the ambience is less prone to anxiety and stress levels of other students,” Jardak said. “It’s also a good place to meet other students. I think [La Lumière] is a very convivial space. The lighting there, and Karyn’s energy and playlist are inviting and full of warmth.”

For students looking to venture beyond the McGill bubble and connect with greater Montreal, La Lumière du Mile End is a unique study alternative. The accessible location and student friendly meal deal make it a convenient place to study or socialize.

McGill, News

Anti-violence fee levy allegedly unconstitutional

by Kyle Dewsnap on

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On Oct. 14, Student Society of McGill University (SSMU) Senator Bryan Buraga petitioned the SSMU Judicial Board (J-Board), which oversees disputes over SSMU laws, to hold a hearing on the constitutionality of the Anti-Violence Fee Levy (AVFL). The AVFL will be voted on in the upcoming Fall Referendum and, if it passes, an opt-outable fee of $0.45 per student, per term, will be charged to fund the new Gendered and Sexual Violence Policy (GSVP). The policy, approved on Oct. 18 by the Legislative Council, formalizes a response to sexual violence involving SSMU members. It originated in response to two SSMU executives resigning in 2017 as a result of allegations of sexual violence.

The petition charges SSMU President Tre Mansdoerfer with failing to follow SSMU’s Internal Regulations. Buraga argues that the AVFL motion was presented to the SSMU Legislative Council with an insufficient number of movers.

“The president had a habit of submitting motions to the steering committee that did not have the proper number of movers, then asking for movers from the steering committee,” Buraga said.

Mansdoerfer believes Buraga’s understanding of SSMU policy is erroneous.

“The biggest misinterpretation comes from [Buraga] not understanding how the Internal Regulations function and how different regulations take precedence over others,” Mansdoerfer said. “The standing rules, which are in the Internal Regulations of Governance, state that we need three movers for a motion. This rule takes precedence over the rules in the Internal Regulations of Elections.”

The petition also argues that Vice President (VP) Finance Jun Wang has an obligation to fund the GSVP without charging a fee levy or cutting other parts of the budget. Instead, Buraga believes that the money should come from SSMU’s $3.6 million emergency fund. He argues that, morally and ethically, students should not have to pay additional costs for the GSVP and that it needs a reliable source of funding.

“There shouldn’t be a separate fee,” Buraga said. “It should be included within the operating budget. By separating it into the Anti-Violence Fee Levy (AFVL) […] in every five years there’s a risk that it’s not going to pass.”

During a meeting of the Legislative Council on Oct. 11, Buraga presented amendments to both the GSVP and the AFVL that would require that VP Finance to fund the policy without a fee levy. In reply, Wang noted that similar policies were funded with levies, and that, without the AFVL, he would be forced to cut other parts of the budget to fund the GSVP. Both amendments failed. Wang did not reply to the The McGill Tribune’s request for comment.

Mansdoerfer believes that Buraga is inappropriately using the J-Board to further his own political agenda.

“[Buraga] did not interact with me at all before filing the petition,” Mansdoerfer said. “I don’t feel that the petition is about the constitutionality [of the referendum]. It’s about the fee [….] It’s very important to recognize that, in my opinion, [Buraga] very minimally cares about the constitutionality of the question.”

Connor Spencer, SSMU’s VP External for 2017-18 and a key player in the creation of the GSVP, believes that the use of a fee levy is justified in ensuring that students have mechanisms in place to respond to acts of sexual violence.

“SSMU keeps growing, but the fee levy has not,” Spencer said. “Yes, I do think a student fee is justified, [as] we need to be able to fund [the GSVP]. Currently, SSMU does not have the ability to fund it internally. They already have a decently-tight budget compared to other student unions.”

Spencer also stated that students should be more critical of SSMU spending.

“There’s another question here about how money is [allocated] within SSMU, and this is something that members should care about,” Spencer said. “[Students] should call out their student association to be more transparent about the budget.”

The Fall Referendum polling period will take place Nov 9-12. The J-Board, which has accepted Buraga’s petition, will be seeking intervenors before it begins a hearing.

Creative, Podcasts

The Curiosity Podcast | Episode 3: #ChangeTheName with Tomas Jirousek

by Tristan Surman on

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Today we speak to Tomas Jirousek, the Indigenous Affairs commissioner for SSMU and a lead organizer behind the #ChangeTheName campaign which is pushing to change the name of McGill mens’ varsity sports teams from “Redmen”.

Tomas talks about how it feels as an indigenous athlete on a team bearing this name, his hopes for the future of McGill, and fills out some details on the campaign itself.

By Tristan Surman

Creative

Word on the Y – Should we change the “Redmen” name?

by Sofia Mikton & Bilal Virji on

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The McGill Tribune asks students whether they feel we should change the “Redmen” name.

Video by Sofia Mikton and Bilal Virji

McGill, News

Open letter calls for immediate renaming of men’s varsity teams

by Laura Oprescu & Isabella Lyons on

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The Students’ Society of McGill University (SSMU) Legislative Council overwhelmingly passed the Motion Regarding Renaming of McGill’s Men’s Varsity Teams at their Oct. 11 session, approving the question ‘Do you endorse the immediate renaming of the ‘Redmen’ name and mandate the SSMU to work toward immediate renaming of the Varsity Men’s Team?’ for the Fall 2018 referendum period. This motion follows the 2015 final report of Canada’s Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC), which, among other recommendations, calls for increased support for indigenous students from post-secondary institutions and anti-racism awareness in sports. High schools in Arnprior, Saskatoon, Saint Catherine’s, and the Greater Toronto Area, among other institutions, have already changed their team names.

The TRC’s final report led to the formation of the McGill Provost’s Task Force on Indigenous Studies and Indigenous Education, which called for consultation on the renaming of university teams, buildings, and scholarships. McGill’s Working Group on Principles of Commemoration and Renaming released their draft report in August and continues to engage in community consultations in preparation for the release of their final report on Dec. 6. Ultimately, the decision to rename McGill’s varsity teams rests on the Board of Governors (BoG).

SSMU Indigenous Affairs Commissioner Tomas Jirousek, member of the Kainai First Nation in southern Alberta and varsity rowing team athlete, has been vocal about the need to change the name of the varsity teams. In addition to starting a Change.org petition and writing an open letter to the McGill administration, Jirousek will lead a demonstration against the continued use of the name on Oct. 31. For him, the name is associated with prejudice against the indigenous community, and its continued usage is harmful.

“There is a painful history of colonialism in the history,” Jirousek said. “When thinking of the name, stereotypical images come to mind. We have been known as the McGill Squaws and Indians in the past. There [have] been stereotypical representations on helmets and jerseys in the past, representative of a hurtful connection between indigenous people and the University.”

For other McGill athletes, and according to Montreal Gazette columnist Martin Patriquin, the name Redmen is associated with the school colours. Varsity soccer player Médéric Gervais does not believe the name is related to negative stereotypes and so should not be changed.

“Without outside influence, I would not think that the ‘Redmen’ name means anything racial,” Gervais said.  “Université Laval’s team is named the ‘Rouge et Or’ [red and gold], and with that logic it would make sense for us to be named the Redmen. The team is named after its colours and should therefore keep its name.”

Robert Hu, First Year Council representative for SSMU Council, voted against the Oct. 11 motion, although not out of disagreement about whether the name should be changed. Hu argued that the motion is only prefixed with evidence of the racist connotations of the name’s origins, problematically presenting only one side of the debate.

“I would like to say that I, personally, do not really like the name either,” Hu said. “The reason I voted against the motion is […] because the motion was one sided. There should just be the questions ‘yes or no’– let the rest of the debate decide the outcome.”

Hu believes that voters should consider the different voices and perspectives in the debate before casting their votes.

“Before such a decision is taken, you have to consider if it is inherently used to oppress indigenous people, or [if it is] a misunderstanding,” Hu said. “[The name] affects the whole McGill community. Because the varsity players are ambassadors to McGill, everyone should have a say in it. It has huge implications.”

A demonstration against the continued use of the Redmen name will take place outside the James Administration building on Oct. 31 at 2:00 p.m.

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