Latest News

a, Science & Technology

A student’s guide to tackling Quebec’s cellphone plans

by Compiled by: Chloe Nevitt on

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It can be tough to choose a smartphone plan when offered multiple options—particularly for those unfamiliar with the primary carriers of the province or country. Presented here are Bell, Fido, Koodo, and Telus—four of Quebec’s major phone companies—in a comparison of cellphone plans. The features shown in the infographic have been chosen with the frugal student in mind.

Josh Gordon suspension
a, Behind the Bench, Football, Sports

Third man in: Suspended in midair

by Elie Waitzer on

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A sharp uptick in the number of suspensions doled out by the NFL going into this season has sparked uproar among fans and players alike, leading to negotiations between the NFL and the Players’ Association (NFLPA) over a new drug policy. (more…)

a, Arts & Entertainment, Music

Meeting the bands of OAP week 2

by Max Berger on

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Blank Bullets

When I sat down to talk to guitarists Peter Baylis and Joe Peplowski of the Montreal-based alternative rock band Blank Bullets, there was one pressing question on my mind.

“Yeah, there’s a guy at work who always calls me Littlefinger,” laughed Baylis when I asked him if people bring up the resemblance his name has to Game of Thrones character Petyr Baelish. “It’s mostly just there where I get it.”

Another famous name that Baylis has drawn comparisons to is Robbie Krieger, who he portrayed in the Doors cover band he and Peplowski started in high school.

“I had this friend and he was exactly like Jim Morrison in my eyes,” said Baylis. “He actually talked to Joe about it because Joe played piano and we needed a keyboardist. And I knew Joe, and I was like, yeah, lets do this!”

While the Blank Bullets’ sound isn’t quite like The Doors’, Baylis likes to channel them and other classic rock artists into his playing. According to him, the whole band has an eclectic mix of primary influences.

“Each guy kind of has his own taste in music,” explained Baylis. “Our singer likes that ‘90s, kind of Pixie-ish era. Our drummer’s into beats and rap, he likes Limp Bizkit a lot also. I’m more of a classic kind of rock guy, and Joe’s really into more modern rock.”

Unsurprisingly, their sound has changed and evolved a lot as they now prepare for a follow-up to their self-titled debut EP; however, they’ve seemed to settle on more of a fixed sonic direction.

“At first, the band was new and we were kind of like experimenting a lot, and now we kind of find what we’re best at,” said Peplowski. “We have more of a process and we’re using that for our new songs so that they’re all getting a similar vibe now rather than our first album which was a bit all over the place.”

Blank Bullets plans to be performing quite a bit around Montreal this year, including two September shows in the Plateau and an October show at Petit Campus. But for now, the two-time OAP veterans—and McGill Engineering students—are looking forward to Round 3.

“McGill has a really nice campus and to look upon that on the stage is just such a nice scene,” said Baylis.

“And the crowd is great too,” added Peplowski. “The beer is cheap, and no one has any homework or anything. They’re there to drink, and people that have been drinking are really into the music.” 

Blank Bullets performs at OAP on Wednesday Sept. 3 at 6 p.m.

Will Hunter Band

Musically, things have been going pretty well for Kingston-based frontman Will Hunter, whose five-man band just released its debut album Last Summer and has opened for well-known acts like the Arkells and Two Hours Traffic—except there’s just one little problem.

“This is an ongoing saga, we keep losing our drummer,” confessed Hunter. “You caught me in the middle of trying to find him. He’s somewhere in Toronto and we’re playing tonight in Kingston.”

But for Hunter, even just having a drummer to misplace is a relatively new luxury. Until recently, he was performing as a solo act.

“I’ve been writing acoustic songs for a long time,” said Hunter. “But I’ve always wanted to be in a band; I’ve always kind of had that mindset. So the songs, I had always imagined, would have a full band, and I ended up finding these two guys to play drums and bass. Then we just added more musicians, [and] now we’re a five-piece.”

In its music, the band is always aiming for strong harmonies and big hooks in its choruses. Lyrically?

“Well they’re all about girls, some way or another,” admitted Hunter.

When Hunter brings his sound to the OAP stage Wednesday evening, it’ll be his first time at the event. But based on what he’s heard, he has high hopes for it.

“All my friends who go to McGill or who went to McGill—they just rave about it. So this summer, I was talking about how we applied to play, and my friend, his jaw just dropped and he said, ‘Oh my God, if you get that, you’re a rock star!’ and stuff. So we’re just excited to play.”

Will Hunter Band performs at OAP on Wednesday, Sept. 3 at 7 p.m.

dullboy

Up until fairly recently, the ’90s-style, Montreal-based act dullboy was known as the Ben Cardilli Band. However, they wanted to give fans a less generic name, and an applicable quote from The Shining helped inspire the new one they settled on.

“It comes back to the saying ‘All work and no play makes Jack a dull boy,’” explained Ben Cardilli. “We appreciate playing together and we still have fun doing that, but we definitely work a lot—to the point where others around us might think we’re kind of insane.”

In terms of the recent release of their debut self-titled album, each band member has fingerprints all over the project—not just in the musical aspects.

“I did the recording for the album,” said Cardilli. “[Our guitarist] Chris did all the artwork and the website design for the album, and Kevin [our bassist] has been doing all our PR and it’s really like a family effort here.”

With the bulk of work that comes with releasing an album finally behind them, they’re excited about the year ahead.

“I think we’re all pretty curious to see what we can accomplish with a record,” said Cardilli. “We have a really awesome music video coming out [….] With the new name we kind of started again, and this is the first time we’re taking all of the mistakes we made in the past and are doing what we feel is the responsible way to move forward [….] We believe in the music and the songs and we’re looking forward to writing more.”

In the meantime, Cardilli is glad to be playing at OAP for the first time this Wednesday.

“It sounds like a really cool concept,” he said. “I only heard about it this year. Chris, who went to McGill, was pretty excited to learn that we’d be doing that as well.”

dullboy performs at OAP on Wednesday, Sept. 3 at 8 p.m.

SHYRE

Led by McGill student Sarah Rossy, the chamber pop creative collaboration SHYRE might not be your typical OAP band, but they should fit into the setting quite nicely based on its usual concert locale.

“When we went on tour this summer, we played a lot of cool, rustic barns,” said Rossy. “I think the lights at OAP are going to be perfect for the sound.”

Despite the band’s rustic feel, the project’s name has no connection to the lush, idyllic Shire from J.R.R. Tolkien’s fictional “Middle Earth.”

“SHYRE actually comes from my full name,” clarified Rossy. “It’s the first and last letters rearranged. It’s a little bit of a mix-up there.”

Rossy began assembling the members of SHYRE together last year through the McGill Music program.

“I study Jazz Voice at McGill and I started to make friends with a bunch of my classmates. In music school, everyone’s very friendly,” said Rossy. “I noticed that there were a lot of strings players who were interested in exploring music beyond what they were studying in school, and I was in the same boat as well, so I wrote an arrangement for “Let Go,” which is the first single we released [….] and it kind of came to life in the studio.”

Rossy continued by explaining how the band’s sound evolved. 

“We went on tour this summer and we had three string players, a drummer, and a guitarist, and our sound kind of evolved into something a little bit bigger. So I would compare it a little bit to movie music, kind of like Patrick Watson or St. Vincent a little bit.”

After spending the summer out on the road, Rossy is excited to be back and looking forward to performing at OAP for the first time.

“It’s going to be a packed night, Friday night, closing night,” said Rossy. “Being around all these people that we share a common school with, it’s a community feel, kind of heartwarming in that sense.”  

SHYRE performs at OAP on Friday, Sept. 5 at 6 p.m.

Busty and the Bass

Four months ago, the well-oiled nine-piece funk machine comprised of McGill music students—otherwise known as Busty and the Bass—rocked OAP Lite for its closing performance. This Friday, they’ll be giving OAP its send-off as well, bookending a productive summer in which the Busty crew reloaded its musical arsenal and also took some time to chart a path for the future as their time at McGill starts drawing to a close.

“Up until this summer we were very focused on our live gigs,” explained bassist Milo Johnson. “This summer was about figuring out the big picture, figuring out ourselves. It was the first time we got to hang out for an extended time, all nine of us, when it wasn’t to prepare for a specific gig.”

Moving forward, mobilizing the entire band even for rehearsal becomes a much greater challenge.

“Our alto player [Nick Ferraro] just graduated and he moved back to Toronto,” said Johnson. “That was a big realization for us. Now Nick’s a professional, so we’ve gotta start being professional too. [….] Right now the goal is [to reach] Busty self-sufficiency by graduation. We’ve got something together, and we want it to support all of us; so that’s the goal.”

In order to use their time together effectively this summer, the band hit the road and settled down in a more reclusive environment.

“We actually did a retreat in upstate New York,” said guitarist Louis Stein. “It was seven days in the woods; we played music basically from sunrise to sunset, and intermittently made food. It was pretty awesome. After that we went into New York, did some recording [and] finished up our EP that’ll be coming out in a couple of weeks.”

In the city, however, they had to make the most of a less wide-open living space.

“When we do go to NYC, we cram nine of us into Louis’ mom’s two-bedroom apartment,” shared Johnson. “And it doesn’t feel very crowded.”

Now that its members back in Montreal, the band is excited to greet old faces at OAP and at their return show happening this Thursday at Petit Campus, but they are especially looking forward to bringing in new fans.

“It fills me with so much excitement to know that it’s someone’s first time at our show,” said Stein. “Because it feels like my first time again.”

“With the energy we’re trying to give off, the sheer mass of what we do, seeing people’s first exposure to it is just something so cool,” added Johnson. “You can look at people’s faces in the audience and see whose first time it is.”

Busty and the Bass performs at OAP on Friday, Sept. 5 at 8 p.m.

food truck food
a, Student Life

Montreal food truck reviews

by Natalie Wong, Charlotte Cailliarec on

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Dispatch Coffee

In 2012, Dispatch Coffee established itself as the first portable espresso truck in Montreal. The company’s mission is to promote sustainable coffee and products, offering a multitude of espresso-based drinks through their uniquely customized truck, as well as their catering service. The truck is cozy and inviting, with a menu that extends beyond coffee and into a multitude of sweet and savoury bites. One such item is the warm toasted bread, with several delicious spreads to choose from. Additionally, pastries are available for those looking for something sweet to accompany their drink, such as croissants with butter or strawberry strudel. The pricing on the menu is fairly reasonable for students, with drinks ranging from $2.25 to $5.50, and food items ranging from $1.75 to $3.75. The Dispatch Coffee food truck is perfect for a short break of quality caffeinated drinks and a quick bite.

Where: To find out more about Dispatch Coffee or the location of their truck, check out their Facebook page at facebook.com/dispatchcoffeemtl

Grumman

As the first food truck in Montreal since 2010, Grumman is recognized for its role in bringing mobile food back to the streets of Montreal. The location and menu changes daily; each day, Grumman offers three different taco options to encourage customers to try a new variety.  One such menu offered a vegetarian taco made with beans and feta cheese, a beef taco, and a curry lamb taco for $5.00, $6.00, and $7.00 dollars respectively. Although tacos are Mexican in origin, Grumman draws upon flavours from different cultures to create eccentric variations. Depending on the day, they also offer a dessert option; a popular, highly recommended choice is the tomato and corn bread.

Where: Grumman usually rotates through 13 main locations. The best way to find the food truck is to follow them on Facebook at facebook.com/Grumman78.

Monsieur Félix & Mr. Norton

If you have a sweet tooth and like to indulge in gourmet desserts, Monsieur Félix & Mr. Norton (F&N) is a must try. Originating in Montreal in 1985, F&N has evolved from one shop into 45 stores and a food truck. The company’s solar- and propane-powered food truck offers delicious cookies on the streets of Montreal, with specialty variations ranging from “Ménage à Trois”, a cookie with dark, white, and milk chocolate chunks, to their “Dark Chocolate Chunk,” a decadent cookie for all dark chocolate lovers out there. F&N also offers delightful ice-cream sandwiches, with the customer’s cookie choice acting as the outer layers of the sandwich. In addition, F&N has brought cupcakes to its mix of desserts, with an array of flavours like the popular Ménage à Trois, to the Caramel Fleur De Sel. F&N adds colour and happiness in the form of unique treats to the food truck scene of Montreal, and is definitely something to look out for.

Where: Follow their twitter account at twitter.com/FelixAndNorton to keep tabs on the truck’s whereabouts.

Das Food Truck

When Stefan Jacob and Annie Clavette started the Das Food Truck earlier this year, they based it off of the idea that quality German food was missing from the landscape of the food truck community. Some of the most popular items on the menu are schnitzel and poutine, which is made with veal stock, caramelized onions, and bacon. The DBL, a bread-less sandwich that uses chicken instead of the buns, has bacon, sweet braised cabbage, cheese, and Das Food Truck’s special sauce. The DBL is one of the truck’s most popular items and comes highly recommended. Das Food Truck also serves a delicious and refreshing German drink, Apfelschorle, an apple soda that goes perfectly with the transition to Autumn weather. Hunger is a useful tool when visiting the Das Food Truck—the portions are generous and the food is irresistible.

Where: Visit their Facebook page at facebook.com/dasfoodtruck, where locations are posted every morning.

Deli Vieux Port

There is no better place to get a classic fix of Montreal smoked-meat and poutine in the summer than at Deli Vieux Port Food Truck. The truck is perfect for a cheap, quick, and filling meal during a nice stroll in the beautiful summer weather. The crowd favourite is the Smoked Meat Poutine, but Deli Vieux Port also offers classic British comfort food, such as a Fish and Chips option for those who wish to venture outside of traditional Montreal fare. Annie Labrosse, the manager of the food truck, noted the positive feedback from customers.

“People are very happy to see the truck back,” said Labrosse. “We used to have trucks years ago, so it brings back memories for older customers, and the younger crowd is happy because it’s different.” 

Where: Currently in its second summer of business, Deli Vieux Port Food Truck is parked seven days a week from 11 a.m to 11 p.m, right by the intersection of Commune Est and Jacques-Cartier in Montreal’s Old Port.

Moozoo

The Moozoo truck serves refreshing gelato, frozen yogurt, and fresh smoothies to tourists and locals alike in Old Port. While the truck is convenient for those on- the-go, there is a larger variety of choices if you walk across Rue de la Commune Est to Moozoo’s permanent location located in close proximity to the truck at 133 Commune Est. At the Old Port food truck, MooZoo typically offers two flavours of frozen yogurt, as well as two of their gelatos, rotating them so that each day is unique. In addition to the gelatos and smoothies, MooZoo offers “Beaver Bites,” small donut holes that are soaked in the frozen yogurt or gelato of your choice and then drizzled with caramel andchocolate hazelnut sauce. Such a treat is strongly recommended for summer days—particularly as a refreshment when travelling around Old Port.

Where: Located in Old Port right off of the intersection of Jacques Cartier and Commune E.

Picture of Molson Stadium
a, Martlets, Men's Varsity, Sports

10 things you didn’t know about McGill Athletics

by Zikomo Smith on

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Although McGill students might not be like the fans you might see at college games in the United States, they still display a healthy loyalty to our Martlet and Redmen teams. This balance is at least partly why McGill boasts one of the best athletic departments in the country. Here is The McGill Tribune Sports Section’s Top 10 reasons to be proud of your McGill Athletics’ past and present.

  1. McGill has played a pioneering role in the development and codification of several major North American sports, notably basketball, which was the brainchild of McGill alumnus Dr. James Naismith. He created the game in 1891 to give his students a sport to keep them fit throughout the New England winters. Presently, both the Redmen and Martlets have won back-to-back RSEQ Championships.
  2. The first game of rugby played in North America was between McGill students and British Army Officers in 1868. Subsequently, McGill organized matches against Harvard, who embraced the game enough to make it a staple of the Ivy League. These days, the Redmen and Martlet rugby squads are defending RSEQ Champions.
  3. Three matches between McGill and Harvard in 1874 helped develop the rules of American Football. McGill played rugby whilst Harvard played the Boston Game. The games coalesced in a way to produce the basis of modern gridiron football.
  4. McGill students codified ice hockey and made up the majority of  participants in the first organized hockey game in 1875. The McGill University Hockey Club is the oldest in the world, founded in 1877. In the past few years, both the Martlets and Redmen have won CIS National Championships.
  5. Cross country skiing was popularized in North America at McGill’s Gault Estate in Mount St. Hilaire.
  6. McGill has had an alumnus competing at every Olympic Games since 1908. There have been many gold medalists amongst McGill’s representatives. In fact, McGill had 18 alumni competing in the Sochi Olympics last year.
  7. McGill Martlet hockey has won four CIS national championships in the last seven years. Head Coach Peter Smith, also a McGill alumnus, boasts a record of 394-138-31 in his 13 seasons in charge at McGill. Three ex-Martlets represented the gold-medal-winning Canadian Olympic squad at the Sochi Olympics in 2014.
  8. McGill’s Percival Molson Memorial Stadium seats 25,000 fans and is the home of the Montreal Alouettes.
  9. McGill medical student Laurent Duvernay-Tardif recently made the Kansas City Chiefs’ 53-man-roster for the 2014-2015 NFL season. He earned rave reviews from scouts and analysts who praised his high football IQ, toughness, and ability to play through the pain barrier.
  10. Amongst the less visible varsity sports, McGill can boast mind-boggling levels of success. For example, the synchronized swimming team won the Druble Trophy as the best program in the country for eight years in a row between 2004 and 2012.

This article is a part of our McGill 101 issue, which aims to ease your transition and answer questions you have about McGill and Montreal.

a, News

Quesada Burritos & Tacos and Bento Sushi replace Sinfully Asian

by Cece Zhang on

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Quesada Burritos & Tacos and Bento Sushi have replaced Sinfully Asian in the retail location of the Bronfman building, while Quebec bakery Première Moisson is now available in the Redpath Library. (more…)

beard man smoking e-cigarette
Science & Technology

Montreal calls for regulation of e-cigarettes

by Chloe Nevitt on

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As a cultural hub, Montreal is always quick to adopt the newest trends. It comes as no surprise, then, that when the coolest thing since smoking became ‘smoking,’ Montrealers began using e-cigarettes.

(more…)

Off the Board, Opinion

To talk about race, one must listen

by Abraham Moussako on

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Recently I happened to find myself in conversation with a friend over the then-white-hot situation in the St. Louis suburb of Ferguson, Missouri, where the killing of unarmed 18-year-old Michael Brown at the hands of local police erupted—thanks to a perfect storm of factors—to become an international flashpoint. (more…)

Features

Campus stories

by Caity Hui on

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In August, the Tribune met with nine different students, who will each go through a year’s worth of experiences in Montreal. Each was asked to describe something important to him or her. In April, we will revisit their stories.

Eric Mitchell, U2
Faculty of Science, neuroscience

(Photo courtesy of McGillography)
(Photo courtesy of McGillography)

Describe something important to you right now.

What’s really important to me is music. I’ve been playing violin for 15 years. It’s something that has been very constant my entire life [and] has kind of marked my growth as a person [….]However much I enjoy practicing, or what kind of music I am into, or whether I am preparing for playing exams [have changed as I have grown]. I haven’t been practicing that much here, but I play at the [Royal Victoria Hospital] for a couple hours a week [for] a volunteer program that [involves] all the hospitals around here. [The violin] has been a pretty darn good reflection of how I have evolved.

What type of first impression do you think you make?

I’m not extremely bold when I first meet people. I also don’t really like small talk. One thing I try [to] do [avoid] offending anyone. I like living by [the] motto, “Do unto others as you would want them to do unto you” [….] I try to let [people] know that I am interested [in them], and I think that every person [possesses] something unique. I think I can learn something from every person.

Has anything surprised you about Montreal?

I think a lot of kids come [to Montreal] thinking they are going to be using their French, but I haven’t used my French at all, really. The only time I’ve used my French is to talk to my neighbours who tell us to turn off the music at 10 p.m.

What are you looking forward to experiencing at McGill this year?

I got onto two councils [this year]. I’m VP External for neuroscience undergraduates and for a club called Rotoract [….] It’s a big corporation that is involved in a lot of charity work, like working on eradicating polio [and implementing] sanitation projects in India. I’m psyched for those because I’ve only been in one council in high school and it was a minor role. 

Roma Nadeem, U2
Faculty of Arts, psychology

(Photo courtesy of McGillography)
(Photo courtesy of McGillography)

Describe something important to you right now.

Enthusiasm is really important to me. I guess it sounds sort of cheesy, [but] I try to be enthusiastic in everything that I do [….] I feel like it makes everything more enjoyable [….] I’m a part of this amazing initiative called The Enthusiasm Experiment, [where] researchers help this autistic child overcome barriers by being kind, enthusiastic, and thoughtful. I guess that’s why enthusiasm means so much to me.

Can you tell me about someone who is important to you?

My baby sister Rita has always been a very important person in my life; she will always be number one. This March or April though, I met someone who I’m pretty sure is my soul mate—like one hundred per cent. Even now, just thinking of him makes me happy and just talking to him gives me butterflies. Unfortunately, it’s not a romantic relationship, but that doesn’t matter because […] we’ve both grown to love each other so much.

What’s one fun thing you did this week?

I climbed a tree recently. It was during [floor fellow] orientation and we all went to the Douglas courtyard. I do this thing where I put my friends on my shoulders, and when I say ‘friends’ I mean large male friends. I’m not even 4’11” [….] I got kind of scratchy and bruised [while climbing], and I didn’t know how to come down, but it was some of the most fun I’ve had in forever. 

What are you looking forward to experiencing at McGill this year?

I’m looking forward to the relationships I want to build. So many people filter in and out through our lives—even this encounter! I guess I’m really excited to form new connections and new relationships, [and] see how I as a person have also changed.

Kareem Ibrahim, U2
Faculty of Arts, international development

(Photo courtesy of McGillography)
(Photo courtesy of McGillography)

Describe something important to you right now.

It’s not super straight forward, but my Blackberry [is important to me]. Everyone kind of hates on Blackberry, but I don’t really mind it at all. I’ve had it since grade 12. So many important parts of my life feed off of it, which […] really adds to how it defines me.  

I am a very practical person in terms of the stuff that I need: music, and a bad camera that I can use to capture memories, [both of which I have on my Blackberry]. I always find myself taking pictures of people [….] I definitely see so much value in being able to go home and look at my photos for the past month­­—it’s kind of like a timeline of my life. [I love] the music aspect [of my Blackberry] too because I love dancing all the time [….] The best days are when I wake up and I’m just blasting the music in the shower. Shameless dancing is one of my [favourite] things.

[My Blackberry] is also where I keep my journal [….] It’s sweet because there are moments in my life where I will be experiencing a lot of things, [and] it’s those moments that I really want to capture. 

What’s something that you have really enjoyed about Montreal or McGill?

It’s hard to generalize a feeling [toward] a whole city, [but] I do feel like we are lucky for the community we have here at McGill and in Montreal. Everyone is super, super accepting [of others] and passionate about [their work], which is super, super awesome. It’s great that you can be yourself, and I feel like Montreal has that vibe. 

What are you looking forward to experiencing at McGill this year?

I am really excited [….] to be a floor fellow [and] accompany students on their journey of growth, self-discovery and self-fulfillment. I am super grateful [for my community in first year]—I always tell people that I had the resources and support to make me comfortable—[so] helping others [is important to me]. It’s going to be a really big part of my life and I’m excited to see how well equipped I am to help [students] grow.

Abigail Liu, U0
Faculty of Arts, undeclared

(Photo courtesy of McGillography)
(Photo courtesy of McGillography)

Describe something important to you right now.

I have no idea if one thing can define me—or anyone—but if it was one material thing [that is important to me] it would probably be my stuffed polar bear that I got when I was six from my godfather. [My polar bear’s] name is Snowball. He’s literally gone everywhere with me, like when I travelled, and now he’s here with me in my dorm. I guess he grounds me, but more so I just take him everywhere because that’s what I’m used to. It’s comforting.

Is there anything that you are nervous about?

I’m super nervous! I’m kind of excited, but I’m more nervous. I know nobody here. I have one friend. She’s my age, but I took a gap year so she’s [actually] a year higher than me. I feel like I’m clinging on to her though, so I’m really scared about if I’m going to make any friends—the usual [nervousness], I guess. 

What extracurricular activities do you hope to get involved in?

I was super involved in high school, [so while] I realize it’s not going to be the same at university […] I really want to do something with music. Music has always been a huge part of my life. I was going to be a music major, [so it would be nice to get involved]. I want to join chamber music, or something like that. 

What are you looking forward to experiencing at McGill this year?

In general, I am excited about living by myself. My mom has always been really protective and she has a hard time letting go. I’m also really excited for the experience to be able to do everything by myself. It’s exciting and scary, but I think there’s an opportunity to learn a lot. 

Erin Liu, U3

Faculty of Arts, history and philosophy

(Photo courtesy of McGillography)
(Photo courtesy of McGillography)

Describe something important to you right now.

[A] sweet potato. It’s cheap, nutritious, tasty, and easy to cook. It’s ‘comfort food.’ How does it define me? In a really boring sense, I’m a vegetarian and [sweet potatoes are] sort of a staple. And yes, while it’s easy to cook, it can still take a lot of time [….] I can be pretty impatient, but when it comes to something that’s important to me, I’m willing to put time into it. I hand in a lot of stuff late—I’m the worst at deadlines. I like sweet potatoes, and I’m fine waiting for it to be baked or roasted nicely, even if it means the other vegetables get a little overcooked. If I’m doing some project I really like—if we’re talking about schoolwork for instance—I’ll work on it until I’m pleased with it. To the dismay of my professors, sometimes this only takes place after [the assignment] is due.

What do you plan on doing after graduating from McGill?

When I first came to McGill, I didn’t have anything specific in mind for what I would do after. I always had the intention of traveling immediately after [graduation] and then perhaps going into a creative field, but beyond that, there was really no plan. Those aspirations, which were once extremely vague, have since developed some form. I won’t be graduating in June. Instead, I’ve spread out my courses and plan to spend my last semester abroad, working and studying in Prague, and perhaps staying there for a year or so. After that, we’ll see. But at the moment, I’m entertaining the idea of getting a master’s [degree] in industrial design.

Do you have a favourite place on campus?

My relationship with campus is hot and cold. Sometimes I spend all my time there, and sometimes I spend as minimal time [there] as possible. I like that room in the Arts building, the one with all the paintings of old white men and leather upholstered chairs with arm rests. It’s also got an elliptical table, like a Harkness table. It’s kind of pompous, but it’s a nice contrast from some of the newer, more sterile buildings that institutions seem to like these days. Also […] the Faculty Club! Now /that/ place is pompous. Honestly, [it] looks like it came out of a Baroque palace.

Tell me about someone important to you.

This summer, one of my dogs got very sick. It was very sudden [….] We were pretty certain his time was up. He turned 12 in April, meaning I had had him since I was nine. After I started at university a few years ago, coming back to see him became this sort of narcissistic metric of how I had or had not changed. In my unusual nuclear family where absence is the norm, due to professional and educational responsibilities, he was the only consistent presence in our home. When he suddenly got sick, this illusion of constancy that he inadvertently maintained was disrupted. [For me], my dog was the one who never changed, the one who was always around.

We found out he had a tumour the size of a tennis ball in his spleen [and] nearly all the experts [thought] it was malignant. [However], a later reading of his blood confirmed that there was no cancer to be found at all. It may seem trivial to others, but to me this was an absolute miracle

Margaret Gordon U3

Faculty of Arts and Faculty of Science, English and chemistry

(Photo courtesy of McGillography)
(Photo courtesy of McGillography)

Describe something important to you right now.

I’m an English major; I’m a chemist; I’m a redhead—there are tons of things [that define me], so I brought something that’s important to me: anti-depressant pills.

It’s not just the [anti-depressants], but what they represent. I think a lot of people at McGill [struggle with depression], and it’s interesting that it’s a big issue but no one talks about it that much. Getting the help that you need is important to me. I think it’s important to take care of yourself [….] It’s hard to do—but it’s important.

What’s your favourite location on campus?

It’s not the nicest place, but the [chemistry] lounge is where I spend most of my time. It’s kind of my second home. There are couches, a fridge, a microwave, and people that have taken the courses I’ve struggled with. It’s nice to find [a place] where you can shout out to see if people know quantum theory or something. That’s what I’m taking this year— I’m scared—but it’s nice to have a place to go where there are actually people who can help.

Could you tell me about someone who is important to you?

A lot of people are important to me, but I guess my boyfriend. He’s starting his master’s here, and he just finished his [undergraduate]. We were friends first for a year, so it’s really nice knowing that I get along with him. Now I get to hang out with him, but [we] also do other fun things [as a couple].

What is special about Montreal to you?

I love Montreal. I was born here and […] half my life I grew up here. I spent the other half in Georgian Bay in Ontario. I guess [I like] how much green space there is [in Montreal]. People read in parks, bike in parks—you don’t just bring your kids to the park for one day. People live in nature here, and there are so many outdoor skating rinks that you can go to.

What gives you the greatest feeling of nostalgia?

I lived for 10 years in Georgian Bay, which is a part of the apple country, so you get so many varieties [of the fruit]. When you go to Provigo on Parc Avenue there are three different kinds, maybe. I guess it is nostalgic when I eat a really good apple, or when I go to the store and they have all my least favourite varieties of apples. [It’s nostalgic just] knowing that I have a favourite one.

Samer Al-hadidi U0

Faculty of Science, undeclared

(Photo courtesy of McGillography)
(Photo courtesy of McGillography)

Describe something important to you right now.

I feel like the thing that drives me mainly is my background. [I was born] in Jerusalem, [and] a lot of people [who] I know and friends I grew up with lived in a war zone. They didn’t have any of the opportunities that I have. [When I think about attending McGill], I’m doing it for a lot of those friends and cousins of mine.

What was your first impression of Montreal and McGill?

Overwhelming, I’d say. I think I came here overconfident in my abilities […] You sit down in your room and it all sinks in that you left so much stuff that you have: family, comfort, [and] friends [….] I guess it’s exciting, but at the same time, [coming to a new school] drains you.

What gives you the greatest feeling of nostalgia?

I think [I feel nostalgic] every time I eat. I’m a momma’s boy, and I’m used to eating all my meals cooked by my mother. Here I have to get used to eating out a lot or [eating] whatever stuff I can put together in my kitchen. I think I under-appreciated my mom a bit.

Tell me about something from home that you hope to keep close to you here at McGill.

I think culture [is something that I’d like to keep close]. It’s easy to blend in with everyone else. I like representing where I am from and who I am. It shapes me in a lot of ways.

D.J. Mausner U2

Faculty of Education, primary elementary

(Photo courtesy of McGillography)
(Photo courtesy of McGillography)

Describe something important to you right now.

My family is in the restaurant industry, so I’ve grown up with my dad owning several restaurants [….] Being the youngest of four siblings, [in] a family of hospitality and being interested in comedy [….] I always knew that I wanted to perform. It started out with instruments, and then I took singing lessons, which turned into musical theatre, and musical theatre turned into improv and then comedy.

When people mention, “Oh you’re a musician” or “Oh you’re a comedian,” I tell them I like the word entertainer better [….] I think entertainment should be for everyone, and I think it is very possible for entertainment to be applicable to everyone, whether that is through a really good meal [with] people all sitting around and enjoying it or […] an improv show.

George Carlin has a great quote that is something along the lines of: “If you can entertain someone for just a moment you have the chance to slip in a good notion.”

Why did you decide to attend McGill?

When I was first applying to different universities, I was [considering attending] a lot of schools for things like television and broadcasting. Then I visited the McGill campus and I really felt at home. I was drawn to the campus and I wanted to stay in the city. [While] I am very interested in comedic writing and producing, I decided to go to school to become a teacher because I think [the younger grades are] such an important time in children’s lives. [It] plays a role in whether they stay in school [….] I love working with kids and that kind of stuff, so I decided to go to school as a teacher but pursue comedy on the side.

Tell me about your experience with comedy in Montreal.

I have done stand up [comedy] in Montreal as well as in Toronto, and I am part of a sketch troop that’s called Bring Your Own Juice. I am a part of McGill Improv as well, and I have done some summits and shows with them and all of that fun stuff. I am [also] head of the comedy department at TV McGill (TVM), and last year I headed a project called ‘The Game.’ It’s a satirical news show like the weekend update from Saturday Night Live.

What gives you a feeling of nostalgia?

Something that has been nostalgic recently is seeing a lot of pictures [of fall]. I was remembering Fall [semester] this time last year. It was a little bit of a tough time [….] Every semester, I have this moment where I think should I leave and do comedy, and then I have this other moment and I stay. It’s reminding me of that moment before I found Bring Your Own Juice.

Ashkaan Mohtashami U2

Faculty of Engineering, electrical engineering

(Photo courtesy of McGillography)
(Photo courtesy of McGillography)

Describe something important to you right now.

The funny thing is that I don’t have a material [object] that means a lot to me, but I recently bought this pen. It’s a space pen, as in you could write with it in space. Some gel and ink pens [wouldn’t work] due to the gravity […] so they developed this kind of pen to write in space. I think [the pen] is interesting because it ties in my engineering interests with writing and thinking [….] It brings together so many aspects […] that are important to me.

You’re a floor fellow this year—Is there something you are looking forward to about this job?

I applied for the job and wanted the job because I like meeting new people and being able to support people in social and emotional aspects. I guess I’m excited about that. I’ve met two or three of my students so far, and it’s weird because they’re not mine—they’re their own people—and I didn’t have any part in raising them, but […] who knows, I might change somebody’s life this year. That would be sweet—to be able to go talk to students in five or six years and for them to say that I changed their life.

What type of first impression do you make?

I’ve heard mixed things. I guess it depends on the time of day. In the mornings I think I’m a lot scarier than I actually am after I’ve had coffee and food. A few people find me intimidating—I think it’s the beard and my deep-ish voice—but I like to think that I am a warm and welcoming person. I think most people get that. If not from viewing me, [people get that impression] at least from talking to me. They realize I’m not a grizzly bear but more of a teddy bear.

Screen+Shot+2014-09-03+at+1.36.10+PM

Opinion

Drop in rankings concerning, but not critical

by Christopher Le May on

More in Opinion:

McGill fell nearly 10 places in this year’s Academic Ranking of World Universities, a drop which highlights a slow but steady descent in its overall position across university ranking lists. This contrasts with  the University of British Columbia  and University of Toronto, both of which have managed to either maintain or improve their rank. This is something the university and the students should keep a close eye on as it might mean several things. 

Rankings are based on a broad range of factors, from the amount of recognized research to student to faculty member ratios. The main influence affecting these factors is funding. Following the provincial election in 2012, the then-new Parti Quebecois government cancelled tuition increases and ended up cutting $124 million out of its higher education budget, despite earlier promises. The government also reduced funds to Quebec’s research-granting councils. This increased the financial burden on research-based universities such as McGill, and will make it difficult for us to compete with other major international research universities. Suffering a funding cut of about $19 million in 2013 has only worsened matters.

Much has also been said about the quality of teaching, with McGill Principal and Vice-Chancellor Suzanne Fortier stating her concern over the increasing student-faculty ratio. Seventy-five per cent of McGill’s operating expenses are dedicated to remuneration of staff and due to financial constraints, the university will have to layoff staff and slash pay, which has already occured in several departments in recent years. This will make it a challenge to maintain McGill’s academic level whilst reducing services, and could lead to increasing class sizes. This is worrying news for the university, as rankings are often tracked by employers and other universities to see how schools compare. Even though it might not affect the students now, a steady fall year by year could severely damage McGill in the long term. 

But does this actually affect us? Despite McGill’s drop in rank, annual lists are not as important as some might believe. McGill is widely renowned as a leading university, not just from consistently appearing in the top 100 of university lists but also due to its reputation. Because of varying methodologies among the major global university rankings, reputation and rank are very distinct. For this reason, years of world class reputation cannot be eclipsed by a small fall in the ranking systems. Additionally, differences in scores are marginal amongst top universities, and McGill has not dropped out of the top 100.

So should we worry? McGill is a top-performing university with high admission standards providing students with a quality education that is internationally recognized. Our ranking may have dropped, but students have every capacity to reverse the trend and continue to compete with other leading universities. Working together with the university to put pressure on the Quebec government for more funding is a start, as this is one of the underlying problems. At the end of the day we have chosen this university for a collection of reasons, and while the rankings could measure a change in those underlying factors, a small change like the one we see this year shouldn’t shift decisions.

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