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Commentary, Opinion

After the march: Political parties deliver lasting change

by Liam Kirkpatrick on

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On Saturday, Jan. 20, hundreds of Montrealers gathered at Place des Arts to march in support of women’s rights. While demonstrations of popular disapproval of U.S. President Donald Trump might give individuals worldwide some hope that human decency remains in society, they will not evict him from office. This is not to say that acts of resistance do not have their place in a healthy democratic society—the success of the 1960s civil rights movement was contingent on civil disobedience and protest. However, for change-seekers in Canada and the U.S. to realize their political goals, there must be equally exuberant efforts to bring about change through existing democratic institutions.

Joining a political party is the first step to do so. While imperfect, parties are the established vehicles in liberal democracies through which individuals who share a common vision can band together to shape state institutions. In electoral democracies, an individual is powerless to effect change alone; it takes a group effort, and not only once every year, but through continuous engagement and participation.

Yet, political participation in Canada has been in decline over the past 30 years. While voter turnout in the 2015 federal election reached a 20-year high of nearly 68.5 per cent, it failed to breach the 70 per cent benchmark that was common before 1990. Further, only about two per cent of Canadians are registered members of a political party.

There is one group in society most notably absent from electoral politics—young people. In both Canada and the U.S., turnout is significantly lower among voters aged 18 to 24 than the national averages. This is not for lack of interest in political issues, however. In a report published following the 2015 Canadian federal election, non-partisan advocacy group Samara Canada found that young voters engaged in political discussions as frequently as older demographics did. Voter turnout in the 2015 federal election reflected this. Young voters boasted the highest increase in turnout of any demographic. Nevertheless, young people are the most disconnected from political parties. Samara also found that while more than three-quarters of Canadians above the age of 30 were contacted by parties during the election, only half of young voters were.

An individual is powerless to effect change alone; it takes a group effort, and not only once every year, but through continuous engagement and participation. 

Turning to political parties is imperative if young people are to shape the future of our nations. Parties offer individuals the opportunity to participate in and shape a broader movement, and realize common policy objectives. In Canada, Prime Ministerial candidates are chosen by parties’ membership, and party platforms are determined by members at conventions. For those who complain that elections present limited choices for voters, partisan politics offers the opportunity to have their voice heard. The options for the next Prime Minister presented during federal election campaigns are ultimately determined by the few who choose to engage in political parties.

The good news is that political parties in Canada are more accessible than ever. Canada’s three major parties all choose their current leaders by popular vote as opposed to a delegated convention, meaning that any Canadian can join a party and cast a ballot. The Liberal Party was the first to do this in 2013, and went so far as to allow non-members to cast a ballot, as long as they registered as a Liberal supporter. The party has since eliminated membership fees altogether, rebranding itself as representing an open and inclusive progressive movement.

By joining political parties, youth have the opportunity to exert unparalleled influence over government policy. Canada is home to one of the largest youth political groups in the world, the Young Liberals of Canada. Young Liberals are more than just young people within a larger party, they have their own organizational structure and considerable influence over policy. The Liberal Party’s policy on medically-assisted death was proposed by Young Liberals in Quebec. The New Democratic Party also offers young people space to have their voices heard in politics. In 2011, the party had a number of young candidates elected, four of whom were students at McGill at the time.

Political parties on campus are more than the average club—they offer students a real opportunity to shape our society. In the age of Trump, liberals are facing a considerable challenge. Nevertheless, as demonstrated by marches across the globe, activists are fighting for social progress. This energy must be harnessed and directed into our political parties to deliver lasting change. Now that the march is over, the real work begins.

 


Liam is in U3 studying Political Science at McGill. Joe Biden is his hero.

 

@mcgilltribop | [email protected]

 

 

 

 

 
Arts & Entertainment, Theatre

Rhinoceros tramples into Players’ Theatre

by Katia Innes on

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Rhinoceros begins with stillness. While the rest of the production is full of chaotic and frantic energy, the play opens simply, with all seven cast members onstage, clad in identical white jumpsuits, eyes closed, exemplifying the ideal tabula rasa—a blank slate. As a green light dims, Berenger, played by Emily Sheeran (U1 English), raises her hand, snaps her fingers, and the story begins.

Besides the deeper connection to the themes of morality and responsibility that permeate Rhinoceros, director Guy Ettlin’s (U3 Psychology and Economics) choice to place his entire cast onstage for the pre-show is a testament to the production’s biggest asset—its ensemble cast. Adapted from Eugène Ionesco’s 1959 play of the same name, Ettlin, along with the Players’ Theatre, have deftly transposed Ionesco’s script into an ambiguous setting. Neither time, nor place, is ever made clear. However, the tale of Berenger and the Rhinoceros still rings true in our political climate. Written in the absurdist style that exploded post-Second World War as a response to Fascism and Nazism, Rhinoceros serves well here as a warning for modern viewers about the dangers of conformity.

Rhinoceros chronicles the tales of a small town’s inhabitants, focusing on the alcoholic everyman Berenger, who in this production is gendered ambiguously and portrayed by Sheeran. Half philosophical rumination on the self and half slapstick comedy, the play centers around a rhinoceros that stomps by a café early one morning. As Berenger and his friend Jean (played by a brilliant Steven Finley, U3 Psychology) argue about the existence of the rhinoceros, debating whether it has one horn or two, or whether it is Asian or African, a mass metamorphosis begins to occur. One by one, the characters lose their humanity until they become—you guessed it—rhinoceroses.

The pure commitment and enthusiasm of the actors allow the script to shine. It’s a shame that the production team couldn’t keep up with its performers—the costuming and set design leave something to be desired. A black box space is a wonderful canvas, however the minimalist set pieces seem hastily done, undermining the legitimacy of the performers.

Thankfully, all seven cast members dive straight into the rich and clever script—nothing is held back in this black box theater. It’s easy to take an absurdist piece and perform it for its superficial humour. Occasionally Rhinoceros veers into this territory, but, thankfully, there are crisp, striking performances that ensure that the show does not fall flat.

Olivier Bishop-Mercier (U3 Theatre and Math) successfully slips between three roles: The Logician, Mrs. Boeuf, and Tony, all the while creating distinct and lively characterizations. Liana Brooks (U2 Anatomy and Cell Biology), fluidly switches between genders as the Housewife and Mr. Dudard, appearing in the first act as a voice of mania, then in the second, of reason.

Altogether, this small ensemble manages to generate the energy of a cast twice their size, and their breaking of the fourth wall succeeds in keeping the audience’s attention.

“You must learn to be more detached and… see the funny side of things,” Dudard says to Berenger.

The two look down onto the masses of rhinoceroses that stampede beneath Berenger’s apartment. Besides being the motto of the play, it’s also a message to the audience member: To look past theatrical conventions, and to simply enjoy the play that is being presented to you. Rhinoceros makes it easy.

McGill, News

School of Social Work progresses gender-inclusive bathroom initiative in Wilson Hall

by Sydney King on

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The Social Work Student Association (SWSA) was recently victorious in its three-month campaign to make bathrooms in the School of Social Work’s (SSW) Wilson Hall bathrooms gender-inclusive. On Jan. 9, the SSW degendered all of the bathrooms except for those on the second floor, which houses offices for the Faculty of Arts. The issue of gendered bathrooms has been on the SWSA’s agenda since October 2017, when several undergraduate Social Work students brought it to the association’s attention.  

“A non-binary student had a lot of issues with being followed into bathrooms by [McGill] security […] in the Redpath library,” SWSA Vice-President (VP) Internal Vincent Mousseau said. “[They] basically told them that they were in the wrong place, which is extremely problematic.”

The SSW initially planned to address the matter by clearly delineating existing gender-inclusive bathrooms and making them more accessible to people with disabilities. However, the SWSA successfully pressured the School to change all of the bathrooms in Wilson Hall to be gender-inclusive as well.

“The research showed us that there were no increased rates of sexual violence against women in degendered bathrooms,” Mousseau said. “The statistics actually show us […] increased rates of suicidality, increased rates of anxiety and depression among trans people when they don’t have access to bathrooms.”

Because the School was initially willing to make the existing gender-inclusive, single-stall bathrooms more accessible, but unwilling to redesignate other gendered bathrooms, the SWSA took matters into their own hands. On Nov. 20, the Trans Day of Remembrance, the SWSA put up signs in Wilson Hall designating its bathrooms gender-neutral without the approval of the SSW.

“The safety of these transgender and nonconforming students [could not] wait,” Mousseau said. “We just took the unilateral action of putting the signs up on all of the [bathroom] doors in the building [.…] with information [on posters] about why we’re doing this.”

These signs were repeatedly torn down by the administration in Wilson Hall, most often on the third floor, where the SSW offices are located. The SWSA received emails from the School on Nov. 21 calling for them to desist and suggesting a meeting to discuss the issue.

On Nov. 22, the SWSA and Queer McGill held a demonstration outside Wilson Hall in support of the campaign. Director of the SSW, Nico Trocmé, then agreed to a meeting with the SWSA on Dec. 1, when two committees were formed to negotiate the redesignation of the bathrooms and to foster conversation within the School about the restroom issue, respectively. These committees are composed of Social Work staff, SWSA members, and external consultants from organizations like the Social Equity and Diversity Education Office.

SWSA U3 representative and redesignation committee member Noah Markis-Morrison believes the committees helped pressure the School to redesignate its bathrooms.

“As we gained support within the faculty and with the committee that was formed, we began to see some progress with the School’s willingness to address these issues,” Markis-Morrison said.

The SSW approved the change just before the December final exams period. Over winter break, the committee worked to ensure that returning students would have their choice of restroom respected. The next step for the SWSA is to acclimate the McGill community  to the changes by encouraging discussion among staff and students through forums and sensitivity exercises within the School.

“Recognizing that Wilson Hall is slated for major reconstruction in the next two or three years, we have nevertheless made changes that significantly improve access and safety,” Trocmé said. “The full renovation of Wilson Hall […] will allow for a proper redesign of the washrooms to have closed-stall, all-gender washrooms.”

Student Life

McGill Students Knitting Club: An inclusive atmosphere for all things yarn

by Miguel Principe on

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Although perhaps an old-fashioned method of stocking your winter wardrobe, knitting has benefits beyond the sense of accomplishment of making your own scarf. The McGill Students Knitting Club aims to promote appreciation for the craft among students, gathering anyone interested in learning and all things yarn-related.

The McGill Students Knitting Club gained official SSMU club status last year. Nonetheless, it has since grown to become the place to go on campus for all things yarn-related since it was initiated in 2013 by Alejandro Carboni, a McGill graduate. It aims to be an inclusive club which welcomes all those interested in knitting, crocheting, discussing fibre arts, or simply experimenting with a new hobby. By offering beginner materials and teaching technique during weekly meetings, the knitting club welcomes first-time knitters with open arms.

“Our main event is our weekly meeting where we sit around and knit,” Noemie Tremblay-Lamontagne, U3 Arts student and Vice-President Resources of the club, said. “We talk about classes, and professors, things we like and things we dislike. Knitting is stress-relief and it helps to be able to [knit] around other people.”

The sense of calm that Tremblay-Lamontagne experiences while knitting is scientifically backed. According to a 2013 study in the British Journal of Occupational Therapy, there is a significant correlation between knitting and feeling calm. The study showed that knitting also has the potential to increase brain function.

The hobby has proven social benefits too. The same study found that knitting in a group can increase happiness and improve social skills by providing a commonality between members, giving them both a sense of belonging and confidence.

Yet, for those who are taking up knitting for the first time, the thought of practicing their skills in front of others can sound intimidating. In order to accomodate first-timers who may feel nervous about their ability, the knitting club hosts beginner workshops at the start of every semester, taught by seasoned members.

“Usually, the very first thing that beginners do is grab a piece of yarn and needles and [just] try to knit,” Tremblay-Lamontagne said. “At the very beginning, [one’s knitting] is really uneven and [they] don’t know how to do different motifs. Once you know how to knit, you can do really pretty things. For [starters], a scarf is easy cause you only need to go back and forth, unlike a hat, in which you have to go around, and socks, which are extremely difficult.”

Another common barrier to access is the gendered association knitting holds. Knitting is stereotypically thought to be performed by women because of the historical link between femininity and domestic craft. It is also seen as old-fashioned due to its impracticality and inefficiency in the modern world, so it’s not something many McGill students would think to do in their limited spare time.

According to Tremblay-Lamontagne, members of the knitting club have felt the impact of this stereotype firsthand. At one point, a prospective member asked them whether their club was for women only, simply because of this implication. The McGill Student Knitting Club works hard to challenging stereotypes about the craft by emphasizing its relevance in the lives of busy students and creating a space for anyone interested in this hobby to do so.

“[Knitting Club] is really diverse,” Tremblay-Lamontagne said. “We have a surprising amount of guys […] which is a good thing. We have grad students, we have undergraduate students. There are people in Arts, Engineering, Science, and Agriculture. […] It’s a very welcoming and low pressure environment.”

Editorial, Opinion

An apolitical BoD is in everyone’s best interests

by McGill Tribune Editorial Board on

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On Jan. 14, the Students’ Society of McGill University (SSMU) Board of Directors (BoD) ratified the Judicial Board (J-Board) ruling on the case of Glustein v. Koparkar. The J-Board received an appeal after the Oct. 23 Fall General Assembly (GA), when students passed a motion to vote on each BoD member’s ratification individually—the Board is traditionally ratified as a bloc. As a result, three nominees’ positions on the board—Noah Lew, Josephine Wright O’Manique, and Alexander Scheffel—failed to be ratified. The J-Board decision, released on Dec. 31, declared the motion to split the vote unconstitutional, ruling that all BoD members must be ratified as a bloc. The BoD was subsequently ratified online on Jan. 19, with an 84.5 per cent “Yes” vote.

Regardless of the fates of the individual directors or the GA voters’ motivations, the attempt to split the vote speaks to students’ increasingly politicized perceptions of the BoD and its members. These are exacerbated by the Board’s largely unchecked power as SSMU’s highest decision-making body. In addition to four SSMU executives, unlike Legislative Council, the BoD consists of eight student members-at-large appointed via a somewhat invisible internal nomination process. It ratifies or rejects all motions passed at Council, GAs, and referenda periods before they come into effect, as well as all J-Board rulings.

The majority of the time, the BoD’s role is a formality—a rubber stamp approval on a decision made democratically, through the Legislative Council, as it should be. However, recently, the BoD has exercised its power to interfere in SSMU procedures. For example, at its Oct. 29 meeting, the BoD passed a motion to add a question to the Fall 2017 Referendum proposing to raise the GA quorum to 350 students. While the decision was preempted by a student petition, the Board challenged SSMU regulations by adding the question to the referendum period after the Oct. 25 submission deadline. Merits of the motion aside, the fact that the Board went against SSMU internal regulations sets a dangerous precedent. Circumventing SSMU’s democratic decision-making processes flows from a misunderstanding of the BoD’s purpose and constitutes an abuse of the BoD’s power.

In light of recent controversy over the BoD membership and its power, moving forward, further mechanisms must be put in place to ensure that the BoD remains as transparent and apolitical as possible.

As a corporation in Quebec, SSMU is required to have a board of directors. The BoD “supervises the management and administers the business and affairs of” SSMU. Because it is internally appointed, the Board lacks the democratic mandate that the student-elected Legislative Council has. As a result, the Board’s main responsibility should be to ensure that decisions coming out of SSMU Council do not expose the Society to financial or legal liability. Because it is an unelected body, it is essential that the Board not stray from this narrow mandate. In light of recent controversy over the BoD membership and its power, moving forward, further mechanisms must be put in place to ensure that the BoD remains as transparent and apolitical as possible.

As part of an unelected body, Directors are responsible for checking their own political agendas at the door, and serving the student population. Given that there are no checks on the power of the BoD—not even the J-Board is allowed to rule on matters directly concerning the BoD—a Board that makes unilateral political decisions has the power to negate decisions made by the student body or its elected representatives. This leads to fears that members of the BoD will use its power to protect their own political views and interests. That their expressed interests could ultimately be ignored discourages students from participating in democratic SSMU proceedings, which already have infamously low participation levels.

In the future, to prevent further controversy around the BoD, improving the Board’s transparency is crucial. BoD weekly meeting minutes must be updated regularly—the most recent minutes currently available online are from October 2017, and the BoD resolution book hasn’t been updated since June 2016. Moreover, SSMU should make the nominating process for directors more transparent, so students have less of a reason to question the individual members. Still, there should be appropriate channels in place for students to voice concerns about individual board members if they arise.

If the Board remains apolitical and functions as it is meant to, existing simply to protect SSMU’s legal and financial interests and handle various business affairs, there is no need for members to be ratified individually. It should not matter who the individual members of the Board are, as they should all be working towards that same apolitical goal. As the J-Board determined, the BoD is meant to be an appointed body, not an elected one. But that should not preclude McGill students from accountable and transparent leadership at the topmost level of their student society.

 

Martlets, Sports, Volleyball

McGill women’s volleyball victorious in duel with Laval

by Selwynne Hawkins on

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On Jan. 21, the Martlet volleyball team (11-2) squared off against the Université Laval Rouge et Or (8-5) in Love Competition Hall. Fresh off a win against the then league-leading Université de Montréal Carabins, the Martlets handed the Rouge et Or a 3-1 (22-25, 25-18, 25-23, 25-21) loss in their third meeting of the regular season.

Laval pulled ahead with an early lead in the first set and never relinquished control. The Martlets showed signs of a mid-set resurgence when third-year right side Clare Nishikawa came off the bench to hammer home two consecutive aces. Despite McGill’s best efforts, Laval managed to contain the outburst and rode the set to a 25-22 final score.

The start of the second set mirrored the start of the first, but this time, the Martlets succeeded in recovering from an early four-point deficit. McGill drew even at 12-12, prompting a Laval time out. When the two squads returned to the floor, the Martlets put up three quick points to earn their first strong lead of the game. With a pair of big blocks from second-year right side Rowan Fletcher and fourth-year middle Myriam Robitaille, the Martlets widened the gap. A late Rouge et Or revival prevented an easy Martlet win, but the home side was still able to close out a comfortable 25-18 finish.

An even start marked the beginning of the third stanza, but several consecutive McGill gaffes allowed Laval to pull ahead. After calling a time out, the Martlets cleaned up their game and regained lost ground. The two teams entered the technical time out separated by only one point, with the Rouge et Or leading 16-15. The sides repeatedly traded points to reach a 23-23 tie, neither able to establish momentum. In a collective effort, the Martlets fought through a long rally to take the game to 24-23, and a momentous block by setter Catherine Duchaine and middle blocker Érika Cournoyer brought the third set to a well-earned Martlet win.

The third set showcased McGill’s focus and mental fortitude. Second-year power Claire Vercheval outlined the team’s mentality throughout the tight competition.

“When it gets really intense, both teams start talking a lot, screaming a lot,” Vercheval said. “So we just [needed] to stay on [our] own side, concentrate on [our] things, and that’s what we did.”

Similarly, in the fourth set, neither side was able to pull ahead until the end of the period, when the Martlets established a 20-17 lead. Finally, up 24-21, the McGill squad maintained composure through a back-and-forth rally—including a huge block by Cournoyer and a merciless hit by Vercheval. The game drew to an anti-climactic close when two Laval players collided and failed to return the ball.

The win places the Martlets back in a tie for first place atop the RSEQ conference, level with the Carabins. Their next home game is on Jan. 25 against the Université du Québec à Montréal Citadins. With seven games remaining, McGill is focusing on short-term objectives to set themselves up for a strong regular season finish.

“The goal is, when you play high-level like this, is to really work it out one game a time,” Head Coach Rachèle Béliveau said. “We know we have a good team [….] As we train, we want to improve, and we want to get better, and I think that’s going to carry us for a long time.”

 

Moment of the game

Fifth-year middle Érika Cournoyer hit the deck to save a cheeky backward tip from a Laval setter, allowing her team to cement a 20-14 lead in the second set.

 

Quotable

“I think since Christmas, we’re really more focused and more stable in the back, [….]  If we [can control] the ball at the net, we can be perfect, almost.” – Fourth-year power Emilie Matte de Grasse on her team’s priority for the rest of the season.

 

Stat Corner

Cournoyer tallied five aces—more than Laval’s team total of four.

McGill, News

Mental Health Awareness Week promotes wellness for every student

by Julie Guichard, Daniela Garabito, Laura Oprescu & Jacqueline Yao on

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From Jan. 15 to 21, the 2018 Students’ Society of McGill University (SSMU) Mental Health Awareness Week (MHAW) featured a variety of events to spark discourse on mental health and strategies for improving it. Student organizers led workshops and panels on topics ranging from sleep habits, managing mental health while living in university residences, mental health in academia resources on campus. MHAW culminated in the annual Students in Mind Mental Health Conference, which included an exposition of McGill’s mental health resources, six panels, and a keynote speech.

Sleep Hygiene Workshop – Julie Guichard

Led by Peer Health Educators Alyssa Wooster, U3 Arts, and Rawda Baharun, U2 Arts, the Sleep Hygiene Workshop on Jan. 15 investigated sleep-related topics, including common barriers to falling asleep and strategies for resting. The workshop began with a presentation from Wooster and Baharun, followed by a roundtable on sleep habits. Among other tips, Wooster advised students to avoid doing homework or job-related activities in bed.

“Try to keep your bed just for sleeping and sex,” Wooster said. “Studying in bed associates a place for relaxation to school stress.”

Wooster also stressed the importance of MHAW as a space for students to ask questions about mental health without having to go to a counsellor, which many students find intimidating.

“It can be very useful to hear information from a peer,” Wooster said. “It can be difficult to have these conversations with an adult or personal advisor.”

More broadly, the goal of the Sleep Hygiene Workshop—and MHAW more broadly—was to help students claim greater agency over their own mental health.

“One in five Canadians suffer from mental illness, but five in five have [suffered from] mental health [issues],” Wooster said. “The aim is to provide students with information so that they can make [their own] healthy choices.”

Mental Health in Rez: Seeking Support and Stopping Stigma -Daniela Garabito

Held at Carrefour Sherbrooke on Jan. 16, the Mental Health in Rez panel was designed to teach first-year students how to navigate McGill’s Counselling and Psychiatric Services.

The panel featured several McGill students, including floor fellows, who shared their experiences tending to their mental health while in residence. They discussed barriers they faced with McGill’s Housing and Food Services, such as the lack of mental health support for floor fellows and inaccessibility of cafeterias for students with eating disorders.

Additionally, the panelists discussed ways to tackle mental health stigma within their residences, and concluded by recommending self-care habits for first-year students, such as organizing their schoolwork, leaving the McGill bubble, and—most importantly—embracing the mistakes they make during first-year.

“Self-care is accepting that you’ve done enough, and it won’t be perfect,” Ffion Hughes, panelist and U1 Arts, said.

Mental Health and Academia: An Open Discussion -Laura Oprescu

The Mental Health and Academia discussion on Jan. 16 was organised by SSMU Vice-President (VP) University Affairs Isabelle Oke as part of the Know Your Rights campaign, an effort by SSMU to make information about students’ academic rights more accessible. The discussion, open to contributions from audience members, focused on balancing academics with other areas of student life, and explored methods of reducing the burden of academics on mental health.

“Once [your parents stop] taking care of every aspect of your life, you realise how much of a responsibility one person is,” Oke said. “That can be hard to balance with academia.”

Priya Dube, U2 Political Science, who attended the discussion, believes that students’ real and perceived inability to speak out against their professors on academic issues can contribute to poor mental health.

“Breaking through power structures, taking control of your learning space, getting the return on your investment, [all are ways] students should be able to call out professors for saying things that may be offensive without fear of being penalized,” Dube said.

Students in Mind 2018 Mental Health Conference -Jacqueline Yao

The 2018 Students in Mind conference on Jan. 21 consisted of six panels exploring mental illnesses and various methods for improving mental health. Following an exposition of the mental health resources offered at McGill, keynote speaker Beatrice Deer, an Inuk activist and health advocate, chronicled her own struggles with mental health.

“I wasn’t ashamed of talking about what I was going through,” Deer said. “I try to know my limits now so [that] I don’t fall back into depression because I understand that once you’ve gone through depression, you are prone to going through it again.”

Jasmin Chahal, a third-year Ph.D Microbiology and Immunology candidate at McGill, led a workshop on self-expression through writing, and encouraged overwhelmed undergraduates to look at the bigger picture.

“[Undergraduate students are] stressed about people and how they’re doing, and their [own] life in general revolves around grades,” Chahal said. “I was once told that life is like a pizza. School is just a piece of it.”

Commentary, Opinion

Put your phone down!

by Gabriel Rincon on

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A Jan. 12 Globe and Mail editorial warned smartphone users of the dangers of overusing their phones; however, its conclusions were less than satisfying. The Globe proposed that the government look into the addictive qualities and other consequences of phone use. Yet, there is already a large amount of research into the health risks of smartphone use—and it seems rather obvious that students and youth could do with spending less time on Instagram. Accordingly, there doesn't seem to be a good reason to wait for the government or tech companies to do something. After all, users are still the ones responsible for how long they spend on their phones, regardless of the challenges presented by their addictive qualities.

The litany of health concerns of from smartphone overuse is alarming. These range from well-documented effects on sleep, to the possible carcinogenic properties of the radio waves they receive and emit. Above-average smartphone use has been linked with sleep issues, especially when used at bedtime. However, what has tech experts most concerned are not the health implications of the devices themselves, but the addictive properties of the apps they carry.

Several whistleblowers in the tech industry have come forward voicing their concerns about the applications they’ve created. Former Google employee Tristan Harris asserts that applications are designed to keep people using them for as long as possible—think of autoplay on YouTube and Netflix. Harris thinks the tech industry has been too effective in this goal, to the point where mobile devices are taking up far too much of the population’s time due to their addictiveness. Harris even compares scrolling down an Instagram feed or refreshing one’s email inbox to pulling the handle on a slot machine. Phone users pull down their screens looking for instant gratification from new notifications.

A 2016 study by Gutiérrez et al. titled “Cell-phone Addiction: A Review” in Frontiers in Psychiatry seems to corroborate Harris’s concerns, confirming the existence of smartphone addiction and linking it to a variety of health concerns like anxiety, stress, and depression. It seems clear that users would benefit from moderating their smartphone usage. Given that phone withdrawal, while difficult, probably isn’t dangerous, there isn’t much downside.

Smartphone users don’t need another study to tell them how much harm their devices are doing to them. Rather, we should all be more mindful of how we use our devices.

John Stuart Mill contended that individuals who habitually wait for the government’s direction on how to act will have their facilities only half-developed. Even if the government studies the health risks of smartphone usage further, the onus still lies with the individual to change how they use their phone. Ironically, there’s an app for that. Moment is an iPhone screen-monitoring app that shows the user’s phone usage and breakdown by app and gives tips for healthier phone usage. Perhaps if users see how much time they spend on time-wasters and social media, they’ll become more mindful of how they allocate their time.

Another example is Surfblocker, an app that can help students be more productive by blocking time-wasting sites. Surfblocker also helps parents educate their kids on how to moderate their app usage. Changing society’s phone addiction starts with parenting; moderation in device usage is a new responsibility for today’s parents to raise their kids with healthy habits. For example, I still don’t let myself play video games during the week, even though my mum can’t stop me anymore. These apps and good habits can help users develop more self-control and overcome a possible addiction. Users and parents hardly need the government to tell them these things.

The jury is out: Modern society is overusing its smartphones. Smartphone users don’t need another study to tell them how much harm their devices are doing to them. Rather, we should all be more mindful of how we use our devices. Time is the most valuable resource we have, and it is key for our development as autonomous humans to learn how to allocate it. Certainly we can find better uses for our time than scrolling through countless Snap stories and memes.

 

 

 

 

Gabriel is a U2 Economics student at McGill. He loves cooking and sharing his food with his friends and family.

 

@mcgilltribop | [email protected]

 

 

 
McGill, News

SUS debates improving its General Council

by Ayanna de Graff on

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The Science Undergraduate Society (SUS) General Council (GC) convened for its first meeting of the year on Jan. 17, giving the Vice-Presidents (VP) External of the various science departments an opportunity to meet with the SUS executives. Topics discussed at the meeting included the role of the GC, upcoming social events, the 2018-2019 SUS election dates.

 

Deliberation about the role of SUS Council

Early in the meeting, VP Internal Soud Kharusi put forth a motion to hold a discussion on the GC’s function and purpose. Typically, GC is a forum for departments to update one another on their activities, but Kharusi wanted to brainstorm how to maximize its effectiveness.

“We wanted to see if there were ideas that anyone else had in here of things we could do differently that would make it better for you and for us to be here, and how can we make it more productive,” Kharusi said.

Councillors debated using the GC as a platform for interdepartmental event planning. The majority of speakers in favour, but some expressing reservations.

“I think that part of the idea is that we can do that on our own, in our own departments,” VP External for the McGill Society of Physics Students Liam Halloran said. “We’re using the SUS [for] doing larger scale things, but [the departmental VP externals are] just the liaison.”

President Jasmine Leung then suggested expanding the membership of GC beyond the VP Externals of the departmental councils, which would allow them to share their responsibilities with the other members on their respective councils. However, several executives were concerned that departmental associations would not approve of mandatory attendance at the GC.

Many councillors also expressed their confusion over the appropriate use of Robert’s Rules—the rules governing the procedure of all Council meetings—and cited them as a substantial barrier to open communication.

“I also think that motions or the way we do things […are] a little intimidating,” Physiology Undergraduate League of Students VP External Marissa Aycan said. “If you have a small idea or sort of like the beginnings of an idea that you’d want to maybe bring up […] until it’s more developed I feel like it’s difficult to bring it up at GC […] just because of how motions seem to have worked in the past.”

After a brief debate, Council agreed to allow the Speaker to relax Robert’s Rules at their discretion for all subsequent GCs.

 

Councillors discuss upcoming events and activities

Leung started with a reminder of the upcoming gala to celebrate the 24th anniversary of the SUS. The event will take place on Feb. 9 with Leung expecting tickets to cost around $20.

VP Academic Ellie Joung announced that SUS will hold Academia Week—a weeklong series of events educating students about contemporary issues in science and research—from Feb. 5 to 9. The event will feature speakers, lab tours, and science-oriented activities such as an MCAT challenge.

Kharusi also presented upcoming events within his portfolio. SUS intends to organize a ski trip on Feb. 17 with $40 tickets, a dodgeball tournament on Feb. 3, and a St.-Patrick’s day apartment crawl.

Next, SUS VP External Michelle Guo announced the release of the SUS survey on mental health. The SUS initially released the survey in October, but took it down shortly after in order for Dean of the Faculty of Science Bruce Lennox to review and approve it, as per McGill’s Survey Policy. However, according to Guo, the SUS will unilaterally resume the survey due to delays in the faculty approval process.

“The main goal for this survey is that we’re just going to collect data on student status quo,” Guo said. “We’re only using the data to make future advance within the SUS Mental Health Committee, so [the survey is] just for [the SUS’] use.”

Finally, Science Senator Salma Youssef updated members on McGill Senate activities, highlighting its new initiative to encourage teachers to use accessible education resources.

“We want to try to get professors to adopt free textbooks for students rather than having [students] pay […] or students ending up not buying textbooks just because they can’t afford to and jeopardizing their grades in class,” Youssef said.

Motion for SUS election

Council brought forth a Motion to Approve 2018-2019 SUS Election Dates, which passed. The nomination period will take place from Feb. 3 to Feb. 14, with polling dates set for Feb. 20 to Feb. 23.

The SUS Council will meet next on Jan. 31.

Hockey, Men's Varsity, Sports

Redmen hockey wipes out Ravens in annual Carnival game

by Jordan Foy on

More in Hockey:

McGill Redmen
4

Carleton Ravens
0

On Jan. 19, the Redmen Hockey (19-4-1) team took on the Carleton Ravens (14-5-3) in a physical and exciting Carnival matchup. Ultimately the Redmen proved victorious, taking the game 4-0. Over a thousand fans were in attendance, many sporting furry onesies as part of the Management Undergraduate Society’s annual Winter Carnival.

Both teams established high-tempo play in the first frame, resulting in chances at both ends and an emotionally charged contest with frequent scuffles. McGill was first to draw blood when third-year forward Jerome Verrier dipsy-doodled around a Carleton defender and wired a shot on net on the power play. Later in the period, McGill again found success on the power play with second-year forward Samuel Tremblay’s ninth goal of the season. McGill led 2-0 after the first period, but shots on net were even at eight apiece.

The Redmen had the majority of the scoring chances in the second stanza, gaining control of the game. They added to their lead with a third power-play goal when Verrier found the back of the net for the second time.

“I took the puck and I really wanted to pass it […, but] the puck fumbled just before I shot [it],” Verrier explained. “So I said, ‘never mind just shoot it’ and it went in.”

Despite not seeing much action in the period, Redmen goaltender Louis-Philip Guindon was excellent in thwarting the few Raven attempts on goal. He was especially heroic at the tail end of the stanza, making a crucial save on a shorthanded Carleton breakaway. Heading into the final period, McGill was up 3-0, outshooting their opponents 20-10.

The Redmen continued to dominate the Ravens in the third period, although the emotional nature of the game resulted in some scrappy shenanigans. Both teams traded power play opportunities, but neither was able to convert. Guindon stood strong in net, shutting the door on the Ravens’ attack. The game concluded with a 4-0 scoreline after first-year forward Antoine Dufort-Plante chipped in an empty netter in the final minutes.

The rowdy Carnival crowd’s energy provided a welcome boost for the Redmen, who enjoyed when fans cheered on the Redmen and jeered their opponents throughout the entire game.

“The atmosphere was amazing,” Redmen captain Nathan Chiarlitti said. “Huge shout out to all the fans, the students. It’s an absolute blast playing in an atmosphere like that, and hopefully we gave them a good show.”

The team’s victory was driven by its power play efforts. Head Coach Kelly Nobes explained that McGill’s success came from executing the basics.

“We were shooting the puck at the right time, and getting pucks to the net quickly,” Nobes said. “We didn’t score on the rebound tonight, but we did have good net traffic.”

Overall, Nobes credited the win to a complete team effort.

“We had everybody going again tonight, and I think that’s been a key for us,” Nobes noted. “It’s not just one or two lines, it’s everybody going, everybody contributing, offensively and defensively.”

The following evening, on Jan. 20, the Redmen took on the Ottawa Gee-Gees (11-7-4) but fell 4-3 in overtime.

 

Moment of the Game

While on the power play, third-year forward Jerome Verrier caught a puck out of midair, dropped it to the ice, and scored a goal in the same sequence, putting the Redmen up 3-0.

Quotable

“When I was younger I [would get nervous], but honestly this might be the last couple months of my career, so I’m just trying to soak it in.”  Redmen captain Nathan Chiarlitti on his mindset in big games.

Stat Corner

McGill went three for eight on the power play (37.5 per cent).

A previous version of this article stated that the Ottawa Gee-Gees held a (11-7-3) record. In fact, their record was (11-7-4) at time of publication. The Tribune regrets this error.

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