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Laughing Matters, Opinion

McTavish? It’s just not that into you

by Madison Palmer on

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It always happens: You finally come to terms with how things ended with a questionably-motivated ex, you think you’ve moved on—then you see them again post-break up—and all you can think is, “Damn, they look good.”

The McTavish Street $56.6 million glow up is a case in point of this cliched response. Merely months ago, the street was the cause of so much grief among McGill students, especially after the announcement of construction delays. But now, stepping onto the newly refurbished walkway after years of construction is to have the chasm in your heart filled, just as Grand Canyon McTavish has finally been repleted. Its evident facelift and upped contour game are at a level Montreal Instagram models wish they could achieve, and looking out at the pedestrian activity brings a reminder of why students fell in love with McT in the first place. The new and improved McTavish has won back the hearts of Montrealers and McGillians alike, but it’s hard to forget the emotional rollercoaster of this relationship over the past couple of years.

The end of everyone’s romance with McTavish can be traced back to the beginning of construction in 2016. The last year clawed an ugly scar across McGill’s downtown campus and the hearts of its students. The street became void of the ‘girl next door’ comfort it brought in navigating campus and instead became the cold hearted femme fatale in a film noir—broken and unattainable.

But now, McTavish looks so good it makes people want to slide into its DM’s like Flood Girl slid down the very same street four years ago. The view of the new-and-improved walkway from Dr. Penfield Avenue is stunning, with the rose gold Scotiabank building capturing the late afternoon sun. The warm tones it casts over the scene almost erase the memories of the hideous construction site. The McGill Farmer’s Market breathes even more life into this unfeeling and apathetic former lover every Thursday.

The glow up of an ex is equal parts entrancing and infuriating. The iconic phrase “beauty is only skin deep” rings true of this fickle promenade. This collective McGill ex still hasn’t resolved its financial issues either. The original cost of this project was estimated to be around $42.4 million, but as is usually the case with a petty quondam sweetheart, it went way over budget.

Yes, McTavish is looking more fine, and trying to tell you that even the most toxic people (and streets) can change with time. It’s scary to give an ex a second chance, but it seems like McTavish is attempting a healthy relationship again. It looks as though this boulevard of broken dreams could become the street of everyone’s fantasies once again.

McGill, Montreal, News

Montreal indigenous community gathers to celebrate 16th annual Pow Wow at McGill

by Jesse Wu on

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On Sept. 15, the McGill First People’s House (FPH) hosted the 16th annual Pow Wow on Lower Field. Members of the indigenous community from Montreal and other parts of Canada sang, danced, and socialized with students and families to celebrate to their indigenous culture.

For FPH Administrative Coordinator Dana-Marie Williams, an organizer of this year’s Pow Wow, the event has served as an opportunity for indigenous and non-indigenous students alike to learn about the heritage and network of First Peoples year after year.

“[We want] the students to come enjoy and see the culture, gain experience, and get great food or arts and crafts,” Williams said. “I hope the indigenous students come to see what kind of indigenous organizations are out there. It’s a great place for other indigenous people to come meet friends and family.”

(Emma Hameau / The McGill Tribune)

 

As part of the festivities, 12 Aboriginal organizations set up booths on Lower Field to advertise their counselling services, promote upcoming cultural events, and sell clothing and jewelry. Native Montreal, an organization dedicated to the improvement of the health and development of the culture of Aboriginal communities in Montreal, used their space at the Pow Wow to promote programs like their free Aboriginal language classes and social interventions for resolving personal, domestic, social, or psychological problems among indigenous youths. Wayne Robinson, Social Intervention Officer at Native Montreal, explained the organization’s objectives at the Pow Wow.

“We know a lot of the indigenous community comes out to the McGill Pow Wow,” Robinson said. “We’ve been here for the last few years, and there have been a lot of families who haven’t known about our services because we’re a relatively new organization. [The Pow Wow] is a big part of our mandated friendship center movement [to assist Native people making a transition into urban communities and…] to do some of the bridging between the indigenous people and the non-indigenous community.”

(Emma Hameau / The McGill Tribune)

 

As executive director of the Rising Sun Childcare Center–the only indigenous childcare facility in Montreal–Alana-Dawn Phillips brings the children from her daycare to the McGill Pow Wow every year to immerse them in Aboriginal festivities.

“It’s important that children are exposed to as much of the indigenous culture and language as possible, to have pride in who they are, and to accept who they are,” Phillips said. “[It is crucial that the children] have that initial thought of ‘This is who I am’ and…that they have a positive identity as an indigenous person.”

(Emma Hameau / The McGill Tribune)

 

This year’s Pow Wow coincided with Prime Minister Trudeau’s visit to McGill for a press conference on the opening of Facebook AI Research (FAIR) Montreal, an artificial intelligence lab in the city led by McGill Associate Professor of Computer Science Joelle Pineau. Student leaders gathered in protest of Trudeau’s failure to acknowledge the Pow Wow, while tribal leaders at the Pow Wow, such as former McGill student and army veteran Ray Deer, felt unsure if Trudeau would keep his promises to the Indigenous peoples.

“What [Trudeau will] do as he goes through his term and if he comes through with all [his] promises [remains unknown],” Deer said. “[The Pow Wow’s purpose is] to acknowledge we were here, we are here, and we want to continue to participate on the land of Montreal. Justin Trudeau, if he can help [to acknowledge our presence], I think all of us as First Nations people will be very proud to participate with Canada.

Martlets, Soccer, Sports

McGill Martlets soccer hold UdeM Carabins to 0-0 draw

by Shayan Haqqi on

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McGill Martlets
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UdeM Carabins
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Before meeting the Université de Montréal (UdeM) Carabins at Molson Stadium on Friday, Sept. 15, the McGill Martlets soccer team hoped to continue their momentum from a 4-1 win over Sherbrooke on Sept. 8. The fiercely fought contest ended goalless, with neither side able to get the better of the other, and pushed the Martlets’ record to 1-1-1 on the season.

The close proximity of McGill and UdeM has facilitated a rivalry between the two teams. Martlets coach Jose-Luis Valdes spoke after the game about the unique threat the Carabins pose.

“It’s a very physical battle against Montreal,” Valdes said. “They play a lot of long balls. We needed to win our 50-50s and I think we did very well about winning those battles. They didn’t push us around too much, and when they did the referee did a good job about calling fouls.”

From the moment the first whistle blew, it was clear that the two sides were evenly balanced and that it would take something special for the Martlets to win on their home turf. In the first half, clear-cut opportunities on goal were few and far between. UdeM had the first sight on goal when a free kick in the early minutes forced McGill goalkeeper and fifth year chemical engineering major Sarah Dubois into a dive to defend her near post.

McGill’s most threatening moment came in the 15th minute when some good teamwork on the left flank freed up forward Claudia Agozzino, who dribbled past a few defenders before laying the ball off for defender Nathalie Brunelle. Brunelle’s shot sent the opposing keeper scrambling but sailed just over the bar.  

As the game wound down, both sides had last-ditch opportunities to break the tie but couldn’t convert them into points. A clearance from a Carabins defender fell to the feet of Martlet captain and fifth year nursing student Lisa Perrett in the 88th minute, but her well-timed effort flew just over. At the other end, a scramble for the ball in the McGill box caused the ball to break free for a Carabins attacker. Her shot smacked the crossbar in what was the closest chance of the game.

Valdes believed that the scoreboard was representative of the way both teams played.

“A draw was probably a fair reflection of the game, but we always want to win at home,” Valdes said.

However, Martlet forward Tia Lore was pleased by their efforts.

“I thought we played really well today, it was a tougher game but I think we came out on top and mentally we were in it to win it,” Lore said.

The Martlets currently sit in the middle of a competitive RSEQ division and are set to hit the road for a matchup against the Laval Rouge et Or on Sept. 17. Students can catch the Martlets in action in their next home game vs UQAM on Thursday, Sept. 21st at Molson Stadium.

 

Moment of the game

Lore was played in behind the defence and found herself one-on-one with the goalkeeper, only for the offside flag to be raised. The third-year sociology student explained her frustration with the call.

“I was really upset, I’m not sure if I was offside,” Lore said.

 

Quotable

“With the ball we need to be better. We’ve got the qualities, but today we didn’t show as much. The few times we did move the ball properly, we were in dangerous areas and positions, and we came close and threatened a few times.” – Head Coach Jose-Luis Valdes.


Stat corner

Dubois saved eight attempts, contributing to a shutout effort from the McGill defence.

News

Engineering students to develop solar-powered drone

by Holly Cabrera on

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For their required MECH 463D1 Design 3 Mechanical Engineering Project course, four U3 Mechanical Engineering students aspire to build a solar-powered unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) that will exceed the continuous flight time of agriculture UAVs currently on the market.

A Design 3 course, commonly referred to as a “capstone project,” spans two semesters and requires students in their final year to develop a mechanical device from start to completion. In the past, students have created off-road vehicles, bridges, and concrete canoes for their Design 3 capstone projects.

Callaghan Wilmott, Elie Bou-Gharios, Matthew Morgan, and Adam Targui intend to create an autonomous solar-powered drone to detect changes in water density and crop stress on farms and, as a result, further the use of artificial intelligence technology in agriculture.  

The students will collaborate with three other teams of undergraduates from the Electrical and Computer Engineering (ECE) department to create the UAV. Assistant Professor Jovan Nedic (Mechanical Engineering), Associate Professor Brett Meyer (ECE), and Associate Professor Margaret Kalacska (Geography) will supervise the drone’s development.

“There are lots of questions that farmers would like to have answered but they either don’t have the technical expertise or the human resources to go and do this,” Meyer said. “So, this particular drone project would allow a farmer to […] keep better track of what’s happening with their crops [….] and ideally, [farmers] can do this all without needing to build their own drones or contract with people.”

While designing a project is a requirement of the McGill Engineering curriculum, the team insists that participating in the drone’s creation will not be exclusive to students in the Faculty of Engineering. In fact, Wilmott encourages non-engineering students to join the solar-powered UAV project in hopes of diversifying the skill set of their team as a whole. 

“We are dominated by engineering students […] and we do need skills that non-engineers can provide,” Wilmott said. “Creative skills like [web design], admittedly, we lack quite a bit [….] That’s one thing that we really need as a business. So, there are definitely opportunities for non-engineering students to get involved and we would definitely like to see that kind of involvement.” 

Beyond seeing out the planning and design for the drone, the team is also responsible for financing the project. To garner sponsorships, the team’s business lead Alexander Gobran, U2 Arts, focused on companies in the energy sector. Early sponsors for the drone include The McGill Institute for Aerospace Engineering, EDF Énergie Nouvelles, Canadian Solar, and Leclanché. According to Gobran, the drone’s selling point is its potential flight efficiency. 

“Right now a typical UAV used for land surveying must come down every 45 minutes to one hour to recharge or switch battery, which costs money and time,” Gobran wrote in an email to The McGill Tribune. “Our goal is to use solar energy to have our UAV fly for 10 hours which would provide great time and money savings. [….] It is also beneficial that UAV and solar technologies are at the forefront of modern innovation.”

Though the project is set to finish at the end of the Winter 2018 semester, the team hopes for the drone project to continue extracurricularly beyond that point. As Co-Directors of AERO McGill, a recognized Engineering Undergraduate Society design team, Wilmott and Targui aspire for the project to become a multi-year extracurricular enterprise that future students can continue to improve upon. 

“AERO has accepted to undertake the challenge of creating a solar-powered unmanned aerial system and has created a special projects division for that purpose,” Targui wrote in an email to the Tribune . “This project stemmed from our belief that it is important to push the boundaries of aviation.”

Student Life, The Tribune Tries

The Tribune Tastes: Cannoli

by Calvin Trottier-Chi on

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With school starting again, the sweet taste of summer is becoming a distant memory. To wrap up August, Montreal’s annual Italian Week showed residents of Little Italy and beyond how important good, home-cooked treats can be. Because cannoli took center stage at this year’s festivities, The McGill Tribune rolled out the dough to see if they could do these artisan pastries justice.

[one_third]

Ingredients

  • For the dough:
  • 4 cups all-purpose flour
  • 2 tablespoons sugar
  • ¼ teaspoon salt
  • 3 tablespoons softened/melted butter
  • 2 eggs
  • 1 and ½ cup white wine
  • For the Filling:
  • 4 cups ricotta cheese
  • 2 cups powdered sugar
  • 1 tablespoon vanilla extract
  • ¼ cup semisweet chocolate chips
  • 1 cup heavy whipping cream
  • For the Shells:
  • ¼ cup olive oil
  • 5 tablespoons shortening
  • 5-10 small metal tubes (you can get these at Dante’s Cooking Supply Store, or you can buy a tube of metal at a hardware store and cut it into three or four-inch length small tubes–just make sure the metal you buy is safe for cooking in hot oil)

[/one_third]

Directions

Part 1: Dough
1. Thoroughly mix the flour, sugar, salt, butter, and eggs in a large bowl.
2. As you mix the dough, stir in ½ cup of wine in small splashes.
3. Form the dough into a ball with your hands, gradually adding the remaining 1 cup of wine. Add more wine as needed until the dough sticks together.
4. Let the dough stand for 30 minutes.

Part 2: Filling
1. If the ricotta cheese is watery, drain it with a cheesecloth before prepping the filling.
2. In a large bowl, thoroughly mix the ricotta cheese, powdered sugar, and vanilla extract.
3. Stir in the chocolate chips, spreading them evenly throughout the filling.
4. Pour in the heavy whipping cream and whip until stiff peaks begin to form. This takes a lot of time and energy to whip by hand; it may be a good idea to use an electric mixer rather than a whisk.
5. Chill the filling in the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes to allow it to thicken.

Part 3: Shells
1. Use a rolling pin, or whatever cylindrical object you might have, to roll out the dough on a well-floured cutting board or countertop. As you roll, sprinkle flour generously whenever the dough feels sticky.
2. Find a cup with a diameter equal to the length of the cannoli tubes you’ll be using. Press the rim of the cup into the rolled dough, making circles.
3. Cut out the circles and set them aside. Clump the remaining dough together again so it can be rolled out again.
4.  Brush the surface of each dough circle with olive oil. Wrap the dough circles around canoli tubes, Making sure the two sides of the circle slightly overlap. Press the sides together to form a seam together.
5. Melt the shortening in a pot at about 170 degrees Celsius or medium-high heat. Allow the shortening to melt into an oily consistency.
6. Using a pair of metal tongs, individually place the shells (still wrapped around the tubes) in the oil. Hold the seam together with the tongs so that the shell does not unfold, and continuously flip the shell until all sides are fried and the entire shell is golden brown. This should take between 30 seconds and one minute.
7. After frying, place the shells on a paper towel with the seam side facing down, to allow the oil to drain off of them. Once the shells have cooled, remove the tubes from inside of them. .
8. Next, put the filling in a Ziploc bag, then cut off a small corner of the bag so you can squeeze it out. Stick your makeshift piping bag into one end of the shell, then gently squeeze the bag, slowly pulling it out as you go, until the filling just barely flares over the edge of the shell. Repeat on the other side.
9. Garnish your cannoli with powdered sugar, chocolate sauce, and whatever else might suit your fancy. When storing, keep them refrigerated, to ensure that the filling does not melt out.

This recipe has been adapted from Food.com.

Commentary, Opinion

Conscious eating: More than just labels

by Grey Gunning on

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What people refer to when they talk about organic food has become a point of contention. Technically, the term “organic” refers to a food item that is grown according to certain Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) standards; culturally, it is more expansive. To some people, going “organic” signifies leading a more ethical lifestyle. To others, it is an example of the financial inaccessibility of eco-friendly consumption. Whatever one’s thoughts are on eating organically, to consider eating as an act of consumption–both economically and physically—is not conducive to an environmentally conscious diet. It alienates the individual from the conditions under which the food was produced. To eat in a way that is environmentally responsible, it is necessary to alter one’s mindset surrounding food.

One must view eating as participation in an ecosystem, rather than a disjointed transaction, and make dietary choices accordingly. This means that there is no blanket fix, such as eating exclusively organic or local produce. Instead, the solution lies in small actions, each one approaching an affirmative answer to the question, “Are my eating choices in harmony with the ecosystem that produces my food?”

Marketplace signifiers such as “organic” might seem to indicate a more ethical choice, but this can be misleading. Organic food, firstly, is financially inaccessible to those who cannot participate in the consumer class. It is also a niche market–a subset of the food industry that only targets a specific population–and therefore does not have the capacity to affect change across all demographics. Eating organic is only one potential component of maintaining a conscientious and informed relationship with food.

To achieve this goal, one must be conscious of the consequences of consumption. For example, every meal has a carbon footprint, and it is the responsibility of the individual to mitigate the unnecessary expenditure of energy. Eating local is the most obvious way to be conscious of this, but other factors also come into play. It is more beneficial to eat seasonal foods or preserved foods than, say, fresh berries in January. The idea of going to the grocery store and purchasing whatever you like, at any time, is dangerous because it necessitates the unnecessary expenditure of energy to make sure that food is available out of season. Out of season food must be shipped hundreds or thousands of miles, wasting fuel. This is the epitome of viewing food as a consumer good, instead of a varied and cyclical subset of the natural environment.

 

To eat in a way that is environmentally responsible, it is necessary to alter one’s mindset surrounding food.

Another element to consider is the scale at which a food item is produced. For example, at its current scale, the beef industry is wasteful and destructive, an active threat to the global ecosystem. The production of four ounces of mass-produced beef creates the same amount of greenhouse gas emissions as driving six and a half miles. This does not mean that cattle production as a whole is a horrible thing. Rather, it is the eater’s responsibility is to help shift the food culture from one that is absurdly meat-heavy to one in which meat is consumed more sparingly.

Finally, it is necessary to consider the livelihood of human beings. People too are a part of the biotic community. This is where eating organic produce may actually be of value, as certain pesticides are proven to have a connection with illnesses in farmworkers. Empathy for the people who produce the food one buys is the final link in the chain of compassionate eating.

The goals of a food production company are not always analogous to the goals of the environmentally-conscious eater. Likewise, the words “organic” or “local” do not necessarily indicate the most environmentally-conscious choice. It is only by reframing society’s perspective on food as a consumer good that one can enact legitimate change.

 

 

Grey Gunning is a U3 History major and occasional artist. She enjoys climbing, gardening, and cheesy 80's sci fi.

 

@mcgilltribop | [email protected]

 

 

 

Student Life

McGill 101

on

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Congratulations on starting your journey. While McGill is renowned for its academics and research, it can be extremely daunting to navigate, especially as a new student.

What you'll find below is articles answering some of those questions. The topics range across our sections—News, Opinion, Student Living, Features, Science and Technology, Arts and Entertainment, and Sports—and will help you navigate everything from intramural sports to how to affordably acquire textbooks.

If you like what you see and would like to get involved as a writer, photographer, or illustrator with the Trib, we accept all students—no application or prior experience required. In the mean time, make sure to like us on Facebook, follow us on Twitter and Instagram, and check out our website.

Our first print issue will be on stands across campus starting Sept. 12.

Good luck, 
The McGill Tribune

Basketball, Sports

Wayward Hayward: Loyalty in the modern NBA

by Alec Regino on

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On May 2, just weeks after losing his younger sister in a car accident, point guard Isaiah Thomas put up 53 points and carried the Boston Celtics to a comeback overtime victory against the Washington Wizards. It was an emotional performance and proved to be the highlight of Thomas’ postseason. After rallying to defeat the Wizards in seven games, Thomas’ Celtics were decimated by the Cleveland Cavaliers in five. Just months later, Boston traded Thomas—alongside forward Jae Crowder, center Ante Zizic, and picks—to the Cavaliers for point guard Kyrie Irving.

Though the Thomas-Irving deal was the crowning jewel in a summer full of blockbuster trades, Thomas also played a role in another transaction: Before the Celtics shipped him off, Thomas helped convince forward Gordon Hayward to leave the Utah Jazz in favour of a long-term commitment to the Celtics.

Unsurprisingly, Jazz fans were not happy with the move. Hayward spent his first seven years in the NBA with the Jazz, most of which took place in a rebuilding phase. They made the NBA playoffs just once before their all-star forward bolted for—pun intended—greener pastures. The organization did its best to do everything “the right way,” but after putting its trust in the process for years, the franchise was rewarded only with a single second-round sweep this year before losing its linchpin in free agency.

This story has grown familiar: As a free agent, the local hero leaves and becomes a traitorous villain. Like Hayward, LeBron James once abandoned the Cavaliers and Kevin Durant ditched the Thunder.

While it’s easy to throw out sweeping statements regarding an athlete’s loyalty, the situation is far more complex in reality. Stars are expected to fulfill many unreasonable expectations of success and commitment from fans, ownership, the media, and their teammates, but at the end of the day, monetary profit and team success supercede any supposed obligation. Many star players are forced to decide if they are willing to sacrifice their prime years to play for the middle-of-the-pack team that drafted them; otherwise, they can uproot themselves and hope to land with a legitimate championship contender.

These high-profile defectors are often criticized for their lack of loyalty. Truthfully, they should only be faulted for their sloppy execution. Hayward’s awkward announcement joins LeBron’s comically-miscalculated TV special, “The Decision,” and Durant’s laughable claim that he was taking the “hardest road” by joining a team that went 73-9 without him. In each case, the star had a plan to make his motives understood, but instead came off as ungrateful, delusional, and self-centered.  

LeBron toiled for years in a Cavs organization that never put pieces around him to succeed. In 2010, he left Cleveland to join Dwyane Wade and Chris Bosh in Miami on the path to four conference championships and two NBA titles. Precisely one year before Hayward’s decision, Durant walked away from the Oklahoma City Thunder and a front office notorious for cutting costs and letting go of key players. In June, Durant helped the Warriors reclaim the NBA’s crown.

Gordon Hayward played for years without complaints. When presented with the chance to decide for himself, he chose the team that gave him the best chance to succeed.

In contrast, Isaiah Thomas was not given a choice. To the Celtics front office, Thomas was expendable as soon as they had the chance to flip him for a supposedly superior player.

The dynamic between players and owners is woefully unbalanced: The athletes provide the product and still are forced to choose between money, success, and popularity while owners reap the benefits of their work—and act out when they can’t. When players get the opportunity to make decisions for themselves, they should take it. It’s unfair to berate them for making a logical decision on their unique career paths.

Student Life

MyCourses revamped: Five new things you can do

by Audrey Carleton on

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Come the start of each school year, many McGill students feel their blood pressure rise as they open myCourses for the first time, exchanging their summer freedom for new academic goals and bucket lists. But those who took summer courses, worked on research, or neurotically spent the summer checking the site for Fall 2017 course syllabi likely encountered the new layout, quietly launched at dawn on May 29. The new site features a sleek, minimalist user interface that allows professors to customize banner images and toolbars for individual courses. Because navigating the new myCourses may feel daunting at first, The McGill Tribune explored the nooks and crannies of the new site to find its most user-friendly new features.

1. Pin your favorite courses, unpin the unnecessary ones

The most noticeable–and arguably, most noteworthy–change to the new layout of myCourses is its accessibility to the average internet user. While the roster of one’s courses was once plainly listed, it has been replaced by interactive image blocks that are easy on the eyes. Moreover, the default selection of courses that appear on the homepage are those in which one is currently enrolled; students can unpin courses and pin different ones to meet their needs. For example, if a professor leaves their myCourses page empty for the semester, students can unpin the course. In turn, they could then replace that course with an older one they’ve taken in the past, making it easier to access materials like study guides and lecture slides,  down the road. While the “pin” and “unpin” functions were available on the old myCourses, the new homepage layout makes this function more visible and easier to use—it is now simply a matter of hovering over the three dots in the top right corner of each course block and clicking.

2. Access your email and OneDrive with one click

Accessing McGill’s email service once required sifting through link after link. The homepage of the new myCourses now features a single hyperlink that directs to Outlook 365 and OneDrive. Students can now save themselves the extra bookmark and easily access their email while studying. Not only does this make contacting professors easier, but it also saves time, energy, and unnecessary stress. 

3. View your own activity level on a course page—as your professor sees it 

The myCourses update allows professors to view comprehensive reports on each student’s activity on the course page—including clicks on lecture slides and readings, login frequency, and amount of time spent on a course page—and students can now view the same information about themselves. Through the Progress function in the upper-right-hand toolbar, students can now view a write-up of their own myCourses activity for any given course in a similar display that professors receive. For students in courses that mark online participation, or for those looking to make a good impression on their professor, this function is useful for keeping tabs on one’s individual activity level in each class. 

4. Access myCourses more smoothly via mobile phone

There are a multitude of circumstances in which one may need to access myCourses from a phone or tablet: When finding a classroom number at the beginning of the semester, when desperately cramming information from lecture slides on the way to a midterm, or when checking the syllabus for the upcoming readings on the walk home from campus. Using myCourses on mobile once required scrolling through a sea of grey boxes reminiscent of early 2000’s internet browsers. But, the recent myCourses update provides a cleaner, more user-friendly mobile platform that looks identical to the desktop version, which makes the site easier to navigate on-the-go. 

5. Work on a customized home page 

Though each course page once came with a plethora of (often unused) functions—including announcement pages, discussion forums, and online quizzes—the new myCourses layout allows professors to remove any elements of their toolbar that are not necessary for the course, thus decluttering the online workspace. What’s more, professors can now select an icon image to appear with the course listed on the homepage, truly customizing the site for students. All in all, the new control that professors have over their course page ensures that students are working in a space that is geared specifically towards each class and its demands. 

Arts & Entertainment, Film and TV

‘American Horror Story: Cult’ falls flat

by Morgan Davis on

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Shock value has always been a specialty of American Horror Story (AHS) creators Ryan Murphy and Brad Falchuk. Continuously pushing the limits of cable television censorship, FX’s AHS has been a cult favourite for six seasons. Structured as an anthology, the series takes a different horror premise with each iteration, casting the same actors in different roles from season to season. Now entering its seventh installment, the show is taking that cult mentality literally. Using the United States’ severe political divide as a provocative starting point, the season begins on the night of Nov. 8, 2016—the date of the most recent American election. Unfortunately, rather than achieving poignancy, this effort to remain relevant and scandalous comes across as exploiting Americans’ political anxiety for profit.

The difference between Cult and its preceding seasons is that few have taken place in modern times or incorporated real-life events. Season three’s the Axeman of New Orleans  and the first season’s Black Dahlia of Los Angeles come to mind, but most of these “real world” events are often ghost stories or urban legends that have never been confirmed truths. This season, however, is taking AHS into unexplored territory by placing their characters and plot lines within fresh memories for its viewers. 

Finding an entertaining yet accurate depiction of the 2016 election is a challenge, and one that Murphy and Falchuk were unable to meet. By taking the radical personas from both ends of the American bipartisan system, AHS parodies a  political environment that is becoming increasingly threatening and overwhelming. While villainizing many Donald Trump supporters, AHS also manages to  awkwardly polarize liberal voters. 

When learning of Trump’s victory, Winter (Billie Lourd) blasts CNN for not issuing a trigger warning before announcing the election results and then asks herself with a somber urgency, “What happens if I get pregnant? Where do I get an abortion?” Satirizing extreme liberal sensitivity while simultaneously voicing legitimate fears in Trump’s America, the tonal balancing act strove for poignancy but fell somewhere in a decidedly cringey middle ground.

While I’m always one to enjoy horror movies and shows, the current state of American politics is arguably scarier than the witches, ghosts, and mutants that have previously been the focus of AHS. When we reduce television to its most basic form, it often serves as a sort of escapism for its viewers. By focusing on such a controversial topic AHS no longer fulfills this purpose. The show appears to go on a tangent to entice viewers and portray more relevant plots, but after experiencing such success in previous seasons, the unnecessary change serves to confuse rather than intrigue. 

Looking deeper into the origin of the horror genre, it’s understandable why AHS’s new theme drastically missed the mark. People love fear  because after the initial shock or scream, viewers have the privilege of reminding themselves that they’re safe and it’s just entertainment. The ideologies that are currently crawling out of the shadows due to the Trump’s encouragement; real-life horror rather than Hollywood entertainment. 

Mixing horror and social issues can be a delicate balance, but poignant when executed properly. David Robert Mitchell’s It Follows’s allusion to STIs or the compelling take on feminism in Robert Eggers’ The Witch are examples of how a nuanced approach to deeper social discussions can be highlighted through horror. Murphy and Falchuk refuse to be silenced on their opinions of Trump and his administration. While admirable, the platform for which they’ve chosen to display their commentary leaves no room for interpretation. It’s also important to acknowledge that the American election took place nine months before the AHS: Cult premiere date. By exhibiting polarizing reactions to Trump’s victory months later, the show delivers zero fresh insight to the issues that it so desperately wants to address. 

The real American horror story is that we are only less than one year into Trump’s term and the administration has been continuously working to invalidate the freedoms of its citizens. By spending millions of dollars to produce entertainment based on fictional characters living in Trump’s America, the seriousness of current issues and the people they affect are being diminished. The show’s viewers tune in every Tuesday to entertain themselves with fears of fictitious ghosts, demons, and killers. Trump’s America, unfortunately, is just too real and scary to be used as entertainment. 

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