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Volume 90, Issue 9 Thursday, November 7, 2019 McMaster University’s Student Newspaper
EDITORIAL BOARD editor-in-chief | thesil@thesil.ca
Hannah Walters-Vida digital media specialist | dms@msu.mcmaster.ca
Maxine Gravina managing editor | managing@thesil.ca
Neda Pirouzmand online editor | online@thesil.ca
Razan Samara production editor | production@thesil.ca
Elisabetta Paiano sections
NEWS Trisha Gregorio news reporter Shamir Malik news@thesil.ca
news editor
FEATURES Adrianna Michell features@thesil.ca
LOOKING BACK
Oct. 21, 1949
HOT GOSSIP A Silhouette column from 1949 gave a rundown on the ins and outs of life at Wallingford Hall. All the best to Nan and her new cat, and kudos to Ronald for his strong hair game. The column ends on a cliffhanger: what is Audrey up to? We’ll never know.
features reporter
OPINION Steffi Arkilander opinions@thesil.ca
opinion editor
SPORTS sports editor Graham West sports@thesil.ca ARTS AND CULTURE & culture editor Andrew Mrozowski arts & culture reporter Lauren O’Donnell artsandculture@thesil.ca
arts
MEDIA Cindy Cui photo reporter Matty Flader production coordinator Katarina Brkic production coordinator Zoya Gomes production@thesil.ca photo editor
ONLINE video editor Jaden Lall social media coordinator Erica Mark online@thesil.ca
COVER GRAPHIC Elisabetta Paiano
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NEWS
www.thesil.ca | Thursday, Oct. 31, 2019
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News
Mac CSSA updates from the Nov. 3 SRA Meeting
The SRA upheld MAC CSSA’s de-ratification
C/O Kyle West
Shamir Malik News Reporter
On Nov. 3, the Student Representative Assembly rejected the McMaster Chinese Student and Scholars Association’s appeal to have the club re-ratified. The SRA had passed a motion on Sept. 22 to de-ratify MAC CSSA for violating section 5.1.3 of the Clubs Operating Policy by endangering student safety. This decision was partly based on evidence documents and a student testimony provided at the meeting. The pieces of evidence alleged that MAC CSSA members had surveilled and intimidated the speaker at an event on Feb. 11, which discussed the treatment of Uyghur Muslims in Western China. Most of the meeting was spent on a presentation from the CSSA’s legal council, Samantha Wu, and a question and answer period. Wu, on behalf of MAC CSSA, requested that the SRA reconsider its decision to de-ratify the club. “The CSSA is a McMaster University club with thousands of members. It has benefited numerous newly arrived international students in the McMaster community for 35 years. The club organizes events celebrating Chinese holidays, food and performances as part of McMaster’s
diverse community,” said Wu in her presentation. During the Sept. 22 meeting where the SRA de-ratified MAC CSSA, the SRA presented what they believed to be evidence in support of MAC CSSA’s connection with the Chinese government. This evidence came from a 2018 report from the United States-China Economic and Security Review Commission. The U.S. report stated that CSSAs across the U.S. have governmental ties with Chinese embassies and consulates, noting that similar operations could be taking place in US-allied countries. While SRA’s final motion to de-ratify MAC CSSA did not point to governmental ties as a factor in the SRA’s decision, Wu discussed concerns raised about MAC CSSA in the SRA evidence report. Wu refuted allegations that MAC CSSA had reported on behalf of the Chinese Communist Party, stating that communication occurred between MAC CSSA and the Chinese consulate to raise awareness of consulate services. “[The CSSA] has not informed on, and will not inform on any McMaster students or events critical to the Chinese government … the CSSA is an independent McMaster club and is unaffiliated with other CSSAs or the Chinese government,” said Wu at the SRA meeting.
In response to questions that the SRA sent to MAC CSSA on Oct. 8, MAC CSSA sent the MSU speaker a document of their answers on Oct. 27. In this document, MAC CSSA denied that Chinese authorities played a role in the club’s membership, elections, meetings and other activities. MAC CSSA stated that Chinese consulate officials have attended informal MAC CSSA events. “Recently, for example, MAC CSSA club organized an informal event that occurred on September 2, 2019. During this event, two Chinese consulate officials visited the McMaster campus to meet briefly with new international Chinese students attending McMaster to discuss adjusting to living in Canada,” wrote MAC CSSA in response to the SRA’s questions. Wu claimed that the decision to de-ratify MAC CSSA was based on procedural unfairness, as the SRA failed to follow the procedures outlined in the MSU Clubs Operating Policy. Wu claimed that the decision to de-ratify MAC CSSA violated the MSU Clubs Operating Policy, referencing sections 5.3.1 and 5.3.2 in the Clubs Operating Policy. The policy states that the Clubs Administrator may sanction an MSU club, and in the event of a more serious infraction the CEC may decide
on a more severe punishment. According to Wu, this procedure never took place. However, “Clubs Operating Policy section 5.3.2 is in reference to disbandment, not deratification, though it should be noted that the disbandment is subject to SRA final approval as SRA is the only body that can ratify the decision to disband the club,” according to a document titled “CSSA Statement,” dated to Nov. 3. At the Nov. 3 SRA meeting, MSU President Josh Marando clarified that all clubs are contingent on SRA ratification when asked by The Silhouette if the decision to de-ratify MAC CSSA followed the Club Operating Policy. Marando also added there is no policy that states an appeal process for de-ratification is mandatory. “The SRA decided to grant an appeal process in this case to ensure that the CSSA has the opportunity to present their side of the story,” said Marando. Despite the time spent considering MAC CSSA’s alleged connection to the Chinese government, this was not a part of the final motion to de-ratify the club. The final de-ratification motion was based on the concern that actions taken by MAC CSSA members had endangered members of the McMaster community.
On Feb. 13, MAC CSSA was among the signatories of a letter that accused the event of publicizing national hatred. The letter stated that signatories had contacted the Chinese consulate in Toronto about the Feb. 11 event discussing the treatment of Uyghur Muslims in Western China. The SRA deemed the act of contacting the consulate to be dangerous. Citing a report from Human Rights watch, members raised concerns that students’ safety could have been jeopardized if the Chinese consulate found out that they attended the event. When asked about whether they played a role in releasing the Feb. 13 statement and contacting the Chinese Consulate, MAC CSSA claimed that a McMaster alum, who was not currently a member of MAC CSSA, had contacted the consulate on Feb. 11. In addition, they claim that the same alum prepared and obtained consent from the then-president of MAC CSSA to place the club’s name on the Feb. 13 statement. Even though they deny having contacted the consulate, MAC CSSA admits that they signed the letter. “MAC CSSA agreed to place its name on the Statement out of concern for the safety of McMaster students and in order to exercise MAC CSSA members’ freedom of expression rights. By signing the Statement, there was no intention by MAC CSSA to censor or intimidate anyone in the McMaster community,” wrote the in their answers to SRA questions. During the Nov. 3 SRA meeting, the SRA denied MAC CSSA’s appeal to reconsider the club’s de-ratification. “The main sentiment coming out is that regardless of intent, we are talking about the actual action and that we are upholding the decision that we’ve made because students have come forward and said they feel unsafe,” stated VP (Education) Shemar Hackett. @TheSilhouette
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NEWS
www.thesil.ca | Thursday, Nov.7, 2019
Mac CSSA was ratified under a false The SRA did not promptly address miscommunication regarding Mac CSSA’s probation over the
Shamir Malik News Reporter
On Sept. 22, the Student Representative Assembly voted to de-ratify the McMaster Chinese Students and Scholars Association due to concerns that the club’s actions had endangered members of the community. An investigation by the Silhouette has found that there had been several instances of miscommunication in the months leading up to the de-ratification. During the summer, the Student Representative Assembly were under the impression that MAC CSSA would be under probation during the 20192020 academic year. However, this was not the case. Miscommunication between members of the SRA and some MSU staff members led to MAC CSSA being ratified as an MSU club on July 21 without first being placed on probation. On Sept. 22, MAC CSSA was de-ratified due to reasons unrelated to this miscommunication. Every summer, the Clubs Administrator provides the SRA with a list of groups to recommend for MSU club status, highlighting any groups that require additional monitoring. On June 18, Clubs Administrator Aditi Sharma released a memo that recommended 327 student groups for MSU club status. The memo drew attention to two McMaster clubs: MAC CSSA and LifeLine. “Two returning clubs (CSSA & Lifeline) are marked with a double asterisk (**) which indicates certain issues that came up during the year and supplemental details for those issues,” Sharma states in the memo. The supplemental details that Sharma was referring to, titled “Clubs Ratification Supplemental Info #2 - CSSA and Lifeline”, provides some background on the clubs. It highlights concerns that members of MAC CSSA had endangered an activist who spoke on campus about human rights issues for Uighur Muslims in China on
Feb. 11. The document gives no indication that MAC CSSA was to be put on probation. Putting a club on probation allows the MSU to monitor the group’s activities and evaluate the need for further disciplinary action. According to the MSU Clubs Operating Policy, if clubs are found guilty of certain offenses, they may be placed on a period of probation. During this period, the club is required to report all future events and meetings to the Clubs Administrator. If the club is found to violate the rules again, it is subject to disciplinary action. During the June 23 SRA meeting, a motion was put forward to ratify new and returning MSU clubs as recommended by the Clubs Administrator for the 2019-2020 academic year. An amendment to this motion was put forward to ratify all clubs with the exception of MAC CSSA, McMaster Chinese News Network, McMaster Chinese Graduate Students Society and McMaster Chinese Professional Association. A motion to postpone this discussion to the July 21 SRA meeting was passed 19-1, citing the need for more information.
tionary period, since the Clubs Administrator had not recommended that they be placed on probation. Email correspondence in preparation for an SRA meeting almost two weeks later indicated that there was an assumption that MAC CSSA had been placed on probation. In reality, however, nowhere do the meeting minutes state that MAC CSSA had been placed on probation. On Aug. 12, Administrative Services Coordinator Victoria Scott sent an email to an SRA member in which she mistakenly stated that MAC CSSA was on probation. “. . .I can tell you now that the Chinese Students and Scholars Association’s ratification was contingent on providing outstanding information, plus they are on probation for six months,” said Scott in her email. “One more clarification!
They [MAC CSSA] are on probation, but there wasn’t a time set,” Scott clarified through a second email that she sent the same day.
“. . .I can tell you now that the Chinese Students and Scholars Association’s ratification was contingent on providing outstanding information, plus they are on probation for six months,” Victoria Scott Administrative Services Cordinator
Both clarifications were incorrect. “In my August 12 email to [an SRA member], I incorrectly referenced a memo from the Clubs Department that was circulated in June to the SRA,” said Scott, when asked by the Silhouette on Nov. 5 where she obtained the information on CSSA’s probation. Neither MAC CSSA’s probation nor the length of time for a probationary period are mentioned in the Clubs Department’s June memo. On Aug. 14, an SRA member, who asked to remain anonymous, sent an email to MSU President Josh Marando to clarify MAC CSSA’s privileges including their access to MSU resources and the club’s ability to attend ClubsFest. “Towards the end of our meeting [on Aug. 13], I believe [one SRA member] had asked about the BoD [Board of
During the summer, the Student Representative Assembly were under the impression that MAC CSSA would be under probation during the 20192020 academic year. However, this was not the case. On July 21, the SRA voted 17-1 to ratify all new and returning MSU clubs as recommended by the Clubs Administrator for the 2019-2020 academic year. MAC CSSA was ratified without any proba-
C/O CATHERINE GOC Putting a club on probation allows the MSU to evaluate if further disciplinary action is needed
The Silhouette
www.thesil.ca | Thursday, Nov. 7, 2019
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e pretext of being on probation summer
On June 23, a motion was put out to ratify new and returning MSU clubs. CINDY CUI / PHOTO EDITOR
Directors] about the current situation with [MAC] CSSA, to which they replied that as of now, the CSSA does not have access to MSU resources . . .” said the SRA member in the email. “I know the end of the SRA meeting got quite confusing, I was confused as well so I apologize for that. [MAC] CSSA is currently under probation this year, which means they must keep clubs admin informed of all events they hold, are watched more closely, and will face serious consequences in the instance of another infraction,” replied Marando over email. It is unclear whether both the SRA member and Marando are referring to an informal meeting, or whether records of this meeting are missing from the August 13 SRA meeting minutes, as this was an emergency meeting called to revoke the Dominion’s Society club status. Almost three weeks later, on Sept. 3, the same SRA member sent a follow-up email re-
garding MAC CSSA’s supposed probation, which both Scott and Marando had confirmed earlier via email. “I wanted to ask — why exactly was the CSSA put on probation? I’m not sure if I missed it, but I don’t think it was ever clear about the reason behind this [decision],” asked the SRA member. “In addition, I don’t believe that there is actually any explicit record of the CSSA being disciplined.” “I believe the terms this year are that all events go through the Clubs Administrator as well as conditions surrounding ratification should they breach policy this year. That said, I don’t fully know,” replied Marando, offering to check and meet with the Clubs Department after ClubsFest. After at least one month of miscommunication, on Sept. 13, Marando clarified that the Clubs Department had recommended LifeLine to be ratified contingent on a probationary period, but had not recommended this for MAC CSSA.
“I am still following up with the minutes of the meeting as they haven’t been released yet, so I would interpret it as LifeLine’s probation still stands, but the CSSA one should be put forward again [...] Again, I’m still confirming to be 100%, but I would say it’s probably best to go ahead and put forward the CSSA probation motion again at the September 22 [SRA] meeting,” clarified Marando in his email on Sept. 13. In an SRA Facebook group message following the Sept. 22 SRA meeting, Marando acknowledged the miscommunication surrounding MAC CSSA’s probation and apologized for the confusion. “Regarding the confusion and mistakes made regarding the CSSA not being informed at the meeting and the initial probation. Overall, both are big oversites [sic], but please understand that they were not intentional by any means and we have put plans to ensure they do not happen again,” said Marando in the Facebook chat.
When asked about this miscommunication at the Nov. 3 SRA meeting, Marando stated that he believed everyone on the SRA was under the impression that the Club Department’s recommendation of probation applied to MAC CSSA, as well as LifeLine. “It was really a procedural error,” said Marando. This was the first time that he publicly acknowledged the issue of miscommunication pertaining to the CSSA’s supposed probation. “Trying to rectify moving forward in terms of making sure that motions are more specific when it comes to ratifying clubs also, we are doing a full review of the clubs application process through our Internal Governance committee,” said Marando. In the President’s Report, Marando states that club policy review is ongoing. “Overall, I am hoping to have a bulk of the policy writing time in December, with conversations happening during
November. We are looking at how funding works, improvements to [re-ratifications], how and who ratifies clubs, the Club Executive Council, and what qualifies a recognized club,” stated Marando in the report. Time will tell the impact any changes made to club policies will have on future communication within the MSU. @TheSilhouette
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NEWS
www.thesil.ca | Thursday, Nov.7, 2019
Two weeks after the wall
Two weeks after the pro-Hong Kong Lennon Wall demonstration on Oct. 22, the incident has raised issu
On Oct. 22, a Lennon Wall was set up to show solidarity with the protests in Hong Kong CINDY CUI / PHOTO EDITOR
Trisha Gregorio News Editor
Names and identifying details have been altered to protect the privacy of individuals The Oct. 22 Lennon Wall demonstration at McMaster was intended to raise awareness for the Anti-Extradition Law Amendment Bill protests happening in Hong Kong and to express solidarity with Hong Kong protestors. An individual interrupted the demonstration at around 4 p.m. and attempted to damage the signs on the Lennon Wall and remove protestors’ face masks. However, there is a consensus — both among those who support the cause and those who do not — that what happened on Oct. 22 is much
bigger than a one-time event. In the days since, the incident has raised issues of inaction, censorship and the isolation of international students on campus.
However, there is a consensus — both among those who support the cause and those who do not — that what happened on Oct. 22 is much bigger than a one-time incident. One of the demonstrators, Cameron*, called the alter-
cation a clear attempt to use violence and intimidation to silence the protest. Jamie, another demonstrator, pointed to a pattern designed to silence protesters who are supporting the democracy movement in Hong Kong, which has been demonstrated by incidents in Simon Fraser University, the University of British Columbia and the University of Queensland. Leslie*, a student from the Chinese mainland, disapproved of how the individual who disrupted the demonstration expressed their disagreement. “Instead of tearing things down, [the individual] should have called the campus police in the first place, and ask them to check this masked protest,” said Leslie. Alex, another student from the Chinese mainland, maintains that the Oct. 22 incident did not undermine anyone’s freedom of speech. They assert that the individual who inter-
fered with the demonstration was justified in being upset, as the content of the protest dealt with separatist activities, which are frowned upon in China. Alex believes that since there was this justification, the individual’s actions were not against anyone’s freedom of speech. “If you want me to try to understand why that student committed this so-called violent action, I would only say if I were him, I would be doing that because I’m not content, I’m feeling even offended by the way they did that, the Hong Kong protesters on our campus,” said Alex. Leslie acknowledges both sides of the problem. They believe that what the individual did was not civil — but that neither is wearing masks and promoting what Leslie perceives to be violence committed by the protesters in Hong Kong. Leslie refers to the masks as a symbol of the “anonymous violence”
happening in Hong Kong.
In the days since, the incident has raised issues of inaction, censorship and the isolation of international students on campus. Leslie and Alex also highlighted a difference in beliefs that render the situation even more complex. While the Oct. 22 situation happened within McMaster’s campus, it points to differences that go beyond the incident with the pro-Hong Kong demonstrators may reflect the ways that differences in upbringing do not make space for conversation.
The Silhouette
www.thesil.ca | Thursday, Nov. 7, 2019
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ues of inaction, censorship and the isolation of international students. Alex deplores the instinct of many Canadian locals to generalize international students from the Chinese mainland, adding that there is a misunderstanding between the mainland students and other people on campus. This reflex fails to take into consideration how different Canadian norms for people who did not grow up with Western ideologies.
“We’ve been isolated by Western media stuff … We’re definitely not used to the socalled liberal, democratic way of saying something. When there’s a problem, we go solve that. We don’t go on [the] street, we don’t go on any form of protest … Here [in Canada], whoever has the bigger voice wins,” Anonymous
“[Someone said] ‘Oh, the Chinese students, they are so used to the government telling them what to do … so when they are outside China, they don’t know what to do so they have to contact their government. They have to let the government tell them what to do.’ Well, first off, that is damn wrong … Sometimes, we just feel very lonely in our power of speech. We’ve been isolated by Western media stuff … We’re definitely not used to the socalled liberal, democratic way of saying something. When there’s a problem, we go solve that. We don’t go on [the] street, we don’t go on any form of protest … Here [in Canada], whoever has the bigger voice wins,” Alex said. Leslie believes that Cana-
dians’ belief in Western liberal democracy prevents them from entertaining other political ideologies and from having an equal dialogue without the use of words such as “dictatorship” or “authoritarian”. One SRA member pointed out that the Lennon Wall incident violated the McMaster Student Code of Conduct, which protects students’ right to safety and security. The Code is meant to ensure an environment free from intimidation and discrimination, and to protect students’ right to security of their personal property. It also condemns threats and acts of vandalism — labels that the demonstrators have attached to the individual who initiated the altercation. In an SRA meeting on Nov. 3, the demonstrators urged the SRA to release a public statement. “We just hope [the SRA] will speak up for vulnerable students who face violence on campus by releasing a public statement and speak up for our rights … We hope that you will stand in solidarity with us, as demonstrators whose rights to safely protest and dissent on campus were violated,” they declared. In the same meeting, the SRA promised to release a statement regarding the Oct. 22 demonstration. Since then, MSU president Josh Marando has published a statement through his president’s page on The Silhouette. He affirmed the MSU’s support of the students’ right to protest peacefully and exist safely on campus, saying, “The MSU is always working towards creating a safer and more inclusive environment for students. As such, actions, activities, or attitudes that work against that notion should not have a place in our campus discourse.” The McMaster administration also provided a brief statement. Nevertheless, Gord Arbeau, director of communications at McMaster, emphasized the importance of conducting a thorough investigation. There is an investigation currently underway, conducted by McMaster security who were called to the demonstration after the incident took place. Only
when the investigation is complete and a factual view of the situation has been formed can the university determine what policies are relevant and what further actions, if any, are needed. The Code might be one of the policies considered, should further action be required.
“McMaster’s name is a big deal, and if they legitimize what we’re doing, then that means a lot to certain people. That means that the institution has put their faith in us as a cause,” Anonymous “Thankfully, these types of incidents are rare on our campus,” said Arbeau. However rare such incidents may be, Cameron, one of the demonstrators, believes that a statement from the university could have a large impact. “McMaster’s name is a big deal, and if they legitimize what we’re doing, then that means a lot to certain people. That means that the institution has put their faith in us as a cause,” said Cameron. Cameron added that the altercation during the Oct. 22 Lennon Wall demonstration should not be seen as an isolated incident, but rather as a part of a systemic problem in which protesters are silenced through violence and intimidation. Jamie also agrees that silence and inaction are dangerous when the issue is so deeply rooted. “This should not be treated as just a one-off incident. I think the university and the McMaster Students Union needs to realize that there was a more systemic issue here as well and therefore also develop more long term solutions as possible,” said Jamie. Jamie, Cameron and the other demonstrators are not giving up on protests any time soon. The demonstration group wants those involved in the
actual protests in Hong Kong to know they are not alone and that there are students that stand with them.
“There’s a perception that Canada is very far away from Hong Kong [and] maybe it doesn’t matter so much, but we want to say ‘Hold on a second, no, it does matter’. It matters because there’s lots of Canadians living in Hong Kong. There’s lots of Hong Kong students here at McMaster,”
The demonstrators’ ultimate ideal goal is to educate people about the protests in Hong Kong and for McMaster students to understand enough about Hong Kong to show support and solidarity. “Us [students] here in Canada, we’re lucky we don’t have to live with the consequences of what of what we’re doing, right? And so the most important thing to us is for every single person to fully understand the situation unfolding in the city across the sea,” said Cameron.
Anonymous “There’s a perception that Canada is very far away from Hong Kong [and] maybe it doesn’t matter so much, but we want to say ‘Hold on a second, no, it does matter’. It matters because there’s lots of Canadians living in Hong Kong. There’s lots of Hong Kong students here at McMaster,” Jamie explained.
The demonstrators’ ultimate ideal goal is to educate people about the protests in Hong Kong and for McMaster students to understand enough about Hong Kong to show support and solidarity.
@TheSilhouette
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FEATURES
www.thesil.ca | Thursday, Nov.7, 2019
STAY IN YOUR LANE War on cars or sharing the road? Cycling advocates explore the state of transportation in Hamilton Adrianna Michell Features Reporter
Cycling zealots are once again calling for an upheaval of the streets — or, at least that’s what anti-bike lane proponents say. McMaster cycling advocates and experts tell a different story. Despite claims of a “war on cars” and swarms of cyclists taking over the street, cities across Ontario largely rely on road sharing instead of developing robust cycling infrastructure. Yet Kate Whalen, senior manager of McMaster’s academic sustainability programs, says that cycling is sustainable and promotes individual and community health. Unless the city prioritizes the development of cycling infrastructure, potential cyclists will continue to be deterred by dangerous roads that aren’t built with alternative modes of transport in mind. Cycling in Hamilton is growing fast but the city isn’t keeping up. The Cannon Street bike lanes are the city’s largest endeavor into creating infrastructure for cyclists. According to a 2018 CBC news article, the bike lanes attracted significant ridership. In 2015, the Cannon lanes had 75 daily trips, which grew to 396 in 2017. While ridership is up, the Cannon lanes have some glaring faults. What is perhaps the most advanced network of bike lanes in the city, outside of multi-use trails, has lanes that are still not up to par. Cannon is a highly used road for cars, especially during rush hour. Cyclists have reported obstructed cycling lanes, pointing out an infamous corner often blocked by transport trucks. Construction projects often close the bike lanes, meaning that frequent road repair interferes with the free flow of bike traffic. Fundamentally, the Cannon lanes are built around a road made for cars. The lanes were placed on the street as a quick solution for a mutli-faceted problem. David Zaslavsky, director of MSU Macycle said, “I think that I’m not alone in saying
that most infrastructure is built without cyclists in mind, it’s kind of an afterthought. There’s no real actually effective bike protection and bike lanes short of completely separated paths like the rail trail.”
“I think that I’m not alone in saying that most infrastructure is built without cyclists in mind, it’s kind of an afterthought,” David Zaslavsky Director, MSU Macycle The lack of consistency in bike lanes is also a problem. While the Cannon lanes offer a direct route from East to West, other routes are lacking. Islands of bike networks are created within the city without much interconnection. For example, while the Cootes bike path is likely the best in the city, it connects to Main Street — every cyclists nightmare. Main Street is the most direct link between the East and West quarters of the city. But only cars can feel confident on the Main street highway. This street is just another example of the difficulties that bike commuters face in the city. There are bike lanes in some areas but not others, poorly integrated lanes that make turns difficult and, not to mention, high speed traffic which poses a real threat to cyclists without a protective lane barrier. Still, infrastructure is only one part of the problem. Sharing the road can only go so far in a culture built around cars. Robust infrastructure changes need to come with a culture shift that encourages alternative transportation, especially active transportation like biking and walking. As advocates encourage the city to improve conditions for cyclists, some have seen changes, especially for students. Ward 1, the ward in which
McMaster university is located, has the potential to lead the city towards multi-modal and active transport. Maureen Wilson, the ward 1 city councillor, met with bike advocates in September 2019 to discuss York Boulevard and Queen Street. The latter street has had multiple accidents, prompting city officials to convert the popular street from a one-way street to a two-way street. This change will make room for improvements for pedestrians and cyclists as the city builds new infrastructure. Elise Desjardins, a McMaster graduate student and cycling advocate, said, “The city has been very engaged with the community around cycling infrastructure by providing opportunities for people to weigh in.” Even with the city’s proposed improvements, Desjardins and Zaslavsky agree: Hamilton needs to look Eastward. European cities like Amsterdam and Copenhagen offer a guide for what bike infrastructure could be. Desjardins wants to see the city work towards bike lanes that are fully separated and that leave room for cyclists to engage with their community and feel safe. “I always like when bike lanes have a lot of trees beside them. I think that extra buffer — that general sense of friendliness on a street — is always really wonderful,” said Desjardins. Zaslavsky agrees that fully separated lanes can make new and experienced cyclists alike feel more safe commuting. “A lot of research has shown that the main reason people don’t bike is that, aside from accessibility to a bike — which is a lot better in Hamilton than other places — is that they don’t feel safe,”said Zaslavsky. Whalen describes the difference between real and perceived safety and why they both matter. Feelings of safety and actual risk management measures both impact cyclists’ experience. A painted line on
the road doesn’t do much to make cyclists feel safe. As Whalen said, “When you put a concrete barrier with a little patch of grass between the 1000 pound fast moving vehicles and the vulnerable user of transportation, that changes the game.”
“When you put a concrete barrier with a little patch of grass between the 1000 pound fast moving vehicles and the vulnerable user of transportation, that changes the game,” Kate Whalen Senior Manager McMaster Academic Sustanability programs It changes the game for specific groups of people too. Women, elderly and low-income community members rely on alternative modes of transportation. Transit, especially active transit, has real implications for these groups. It may not seem like it, but a concrete barrier is about equity. “We can’t be building trans-
portation systems that prioritize the ability for one type of person to get around more than others,” said Whalen.
“We can’t be building transportation systems that prioritize the ability for one type of person to get around more than others,” Kate Whalen Senior Manager McMaster Academic Sustanability programs Transportation justice is often left out of the discussion. Transportation justice highlights that we don’t just use transportation to get around. We also use it as a way to access resources. Transportation is necessary for community members to access basic needs, social interaction, health care and more.
The Silhouette
www.thesil.ca | Thursday, Nov. 7, 2019
“We have demographics that are to a certain extent socially isolated because there are certain seasons where they just cannot get around. We know that about 30 percent of any one community doesn’t drive due to age, financial ability, or physical ability. How are they getting around if they can’t drive? And sometimes as bus isn’t an option either,” Whalen said. Beyond safety and equity, Whalen also wants people to enjoy how they get around. When infrastructure supports it, walking and cycling can bring a sense of community, safety and joy. While cars do have a certain amount of joy for commuters, public transit doesn’t keep up. When Whalen switched from a car to a bike, she realized that she was able to be a more engaged member of her community. Biking increased her social interaction which led her to research the topic. And the numbers back it up: cycling can be an enjoyable experience with opportunities for community engagement. Desjardins agrees, noting that there isn’t actually much of a negative impact of bike lanes. Arguments against additional infrastructure often cite road congestion or a lack of rule enforcement for cyclists. These concerns don’t quite check out, though. While protected lanes might impact how quickly cars can get through an intersection, roads only show a limited picture. Road safety and cars’ impact on the environment also needs to be taken into consideration, not to mention the traffic that cyclists bring to local
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businesses. “People care about the environmental impact of traffic and single-occupancy vehicles,” says Desjardins. “They care about their health, their care about their kids getting out to their neighbourhood and not being confined to a car. Cyclists care a lot about their community. And they show up to things where they have an opportunity to weigh in and make it better.”
“...Cyclists care a lot about their community. And they show up to things where they have an opportunity to weigh in and make it better,” Elise Desjardins McMaster Graduate With rising cycling numbers the city needs to do better to make room for bikes on the road. Car-focused streets negatively impact the Hamilton community, while bikes open up possibilities for community members to connect with the people and businesses around them. Looking forward, advocates agree: move over cars, pedal powered transportation is taking the lane.
ZOYA GOMES / PRODUCTION COORDINATOR
PRESIDENT’S PAGE
JOSH MARANDO President president@msu.mcmaster.ca 905.525.9140 x23885
These past months, the Student Representative Assembly (SRA) has engaged in many conversations surrounding safety, security, and the freedom of expression. The MSU is always working towards creating a safer and more inclusive environment for students. As such, actions, activities, or attitudes that work against that notion should not have a place in our campus discourse. Freedoms of expression and opinion are protected by The Charter of Rights and Freedoms and that protection should stand firm at McMaster University. At the same time, the MSU opposes attempts to use the guise of freedom of speech to inhibit lawful, constructive dissent, and or/opposition to ideas, speakers, or groups on university campuses. Freedom of speech does not include hate speech, the promotion of violence towards others, or restricting the right of students to peacefully protest.
November 7, 2019 | thesil.ca
Beginning this past summer, conversations surrounding these topics occurred within the SRA, related to the MSU Clubs system and the ratification process of new clubs. Specifically, the SRA choose to de-ratify a group called the McMaster Dominion Society, after startling information became evident following its initial ratification. During the ratification process, the club applicants were explicitly asked if they shared a connection to any third-party group(s). The applicants denied any involvement, but information was later brought forward that indicated a shared connection to a group who espouse and promote xenophobic attitudes. These attitudes have no place in the MSU Clubs system. Thus, the motion to de-ratify McMaster Dominion Society was brought forward and passed at an emergency SRA meeting, called at my behest. More recently, the SRA has been evaluating the actions of the McMaster Chinese Students and Scholars Association (CSSA) and their participation in a February 13, 2019 statement, in which they admitted to having informed the Consulate General of the People’s Republic of China in Toronto of an event at McMaster critical of the government of the People’s Republic of China. CSSA further declared their intention to monitor McMaster students. Such action poses significant risk to the safety and security of students. As such, the related agenda and supporting documents were posted publicly, including: CSSA SRA Testimony and CSSA Evidence Delegation from the Floor Presentation, which
The President’s Page is a space sponsored and used by the McMaster Students Union (MSU) Board of Directors (BoD) to communicate with the student body. It functions to highlight the Board’s projects, goals, and agenda for the year, as well as the general happenings of the MSU.
called for the SRA to de-ratify Mac CSSA. At the September 22 meeting, the SRA found the evidence and arguments compelling and voted in favour of the motion to de-ratify CSSA. CSSA was informed of the decision and offered an option for appeal to ensure due process.
“The MSU is always working towards creating a safer and more inclusive environment for students. As such, actions, activities, or attitudes that work against that notion should not have a place in our campus discourse.” As neither the Clubs Administrator, nor Clubs Executive Council, has authority to ratify clubs, nor can either appeal SRA motions, it was the decision of the SRA, as facilitated by the Speaker, to allow for an appeal through a delegation to the floor to the SRA. The appeal requested the SRA to reconsider the motion to de-ratify CSSA. The Speaker facilitated the delegation procedure, which allotted a 20-minute delegation and a 10-minute question period. The club requested to be sent questions electronically and were given the deadline to submit answers by Sunday, October 13 to ensure sufficient time for the SRA to review. At the November 4 SRA meeting, yet another delegation and question period was allotted to CSSA and the appeal process was exhausted. The motion to
SARAH JOSH MARANDO FIGUEIREDO President
VP (Administration)
reconsider the decision failed and the de-ratification was upheld. I encourage folks to reference the statement passed by the SRA at meeting 19K which highlights the reasoning that led to this decision. This can be found on SRA documents at msumcmaster. ca/sra or by viewing the livestream located on the SRA Facebook page. In a similar vein, a protest in support of the 2019 Hong Kong protests was disrupted on October 22. A delegation entitled ProDemocracy Demonstration spoke to the SRA on November 4 about the incident, wherein students were peacefully protesting and setting up a Lennon Wall to raise awareness and support. At around 4:30 PM, an individual approached the demonstration and proceeded to rip apart a sign. Doing the same to other signs, the person pushed passed protestors to damage additional material. The individual proceeded to tear three students’ masks and threatened protestors. An investigation is in progress, looking into charges of assault, mischief, and uttering threats. The behaviour of this individual is wholly unacceptable and intolerable. The attack of a peaceful protest on campus is deplorable and threatens the right of students’ freedoms of expression and opinion. The SRA stands in solidarity with students peacefully protesting and will continue to be advocates for active discussion and peaceful protest. I encourage students to continue to exercise their rights, reach out when their rights have been infringed upon, and work to enact positive social change.
SHEMAR HACKETT VP (Education)
ALEX JOHNSTON VP (Finance)
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Why Invest in Financial Literacy how do you tackle student debt and which ones would meet your specific goals? Where and to whom do you turn to in order to assess these options?
As a student, you can understand the value being generated by your university education. You will use your knowledge and skills to pursue careers and professions that will give you the opportunity to make an income, pursue a passion, and find a purpose in your life. What is confusing to me is why it’s so challenging to get individuals to see the value in gaining a financial education. Everyday you are confronted with decisions that involve using your financial resources. Financial educators believe that navigating the financial environment can be taught and this learning is a powerful
force for positive change. Financial education can build a comprehensive knowledge base and help develop skills that are necessary to manage money effectively. I wonder how you purchase a house when specific knowledge concerning mortgage qualifying rules, interest payments and amortization periods, insurance costs and income-to-debt ratios are not known or understood? Where do you go to compare rates, know which financial institutions are available, how they differ and which would serve your particular needs best? What types of investing and saving platforms are available,
These are just a few examples where being financially literate would positively inform your decisions and lead to better choices. Becoming financially literate can be very empowering as you put your knowledge into practice, make informed decisions and build confidence along the way. You CAN be in control of your money and put yourself on the path to financial fulfillment. November is Financial Literacy Month in Canada - This month you’ll probably be inundated with news stories covering this nation- wide event. Communities will be hosting workshops and speaking engagements with experts focusing on all areas of financial health. McMaster will be jumping on the bandwagon as well. Mac’s
Money Centre is here during the school year to support students and recent grads, in all aspects of their financial life. However, in November we will be adding to our regular programming. You are invited to register to attend the upcoming Money Talks event that will be held in the Grind, MUSC on Wednesday, November 13 from 5:30 p.m. -7:30 p.m. Register on OscarPlus/ Events today! We have four panelists that will speak about their personal financial experiences, how they took control of their careers and finances, and gained the confidence to own their future. We will explore the ways we sabotage our best selves and how we can gain the confidence to accomplish our goals. Research shows that a lot of us are not confident in our financial knowledge and that this is an impediment to us taking charge of our financial destiny. Yet, the reality is, we all have to manage our money in order to ensure our
financial health. We will discuss the implications of Imposter Syndrome and take a look at how our money mindset affects our decisions. We will hear how our panelists achieved their financial success… one, by turning her passion into a successful side hustle, and another, as she climbed the corporate ladder. Join us for a fun evening with snacks and lively interaction between the panelists and the audience. We hope it will be the impetus for you to start the conversation about the role of money in your life, and how knowledge, confidence and informed decision making can motivate you to dream big and own your financial future. Sponsored by:
ALUMNI
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OPINION
www.thesil.ca | Thursday, Nov.7, 2019
Opinion Wake up and smell the intolerance
Hamilton is the hate capital of Canada and that needs to change
The Yellow Vests and the counter-protests usually occur in front of City Hall every weekend. CINDY CUI / PHOTO EDITOR Lauren O’Donnell A&C Reporter
cw: white supremacy, hate speech Hamilton is the hate capital of Canada. Even if you’re not from Hamilton, as a McMaster University student, this is the place where you’ve chosen to pursue your education. This is where you are preparing for your future. This beautiful, vibrant city that is full of artists and music also has the highest rate of reported hate crimes in the country. After the Hamilton Council updated a trespass bylaw in response to the hate seen at City Hall, Councillor Sam Merulla said that the counter-protestors have given a small group of right-wing extremists a platform and that the city’s focus on hate issues have manufactured this problem. If you’re reading this, councillor, how dare you? How dare you ignore the systemic hatred in our city? For months now, several hate groups, including the socalled Yellow Vests, have been protesting outside City Hall on Saturdays. This far-right hate
group has co-opted the name of a French movement protesting rising fuel prices and calling for changes to economic policy and taxation. The Yellow Vests’ activity has attracted other far-right groups, such as the Soldiers of Odin and the Proud Boys. These groups have been appearing more frequently and are much more aggressive towards the counter-protestors. When they first appeared they came in a large group, walking purposefully towards us and through us. I was with fellow counter-protestors that day, yet I felt so frightened that I started sobbing, and I couldn’t stop. On October 6, the organizers of the Gandhi Peace Festival invited the Yellow Vests to attend the event. People associated with a group that carries signs such as “Make Canada Holy and Righteous Again” or “No Immigration, Legal or Illegal” were invited to take part in a festival that is supposed to celebrate peace and acceptance. They spoke with the mayor. While I recognize that the invitation was intended to foster a sense of community, it did just the opposite. This
invitation made it seem like the Yellow Vests were accepted by the community, giving them an opportunity to validate their harmful rhetoric and portray counter-protestors’ efforts as unreasonable and violent.
This invitation made it seem like the Yellow Vests were accepted by the community, giving them an opportunity to validate their harmful rhetoric and portray counterprotestors’ efforts as unreasonable and violent. The Yellow Vest protests are not an isolated incident. This violence and hatred spreads through our city like a virus —
but instead of addressing this hate, some city councillors have remained silent on the issue or in the case of Merulla, have blamed the people who are trying to right this wrong. It hurts. It hurts to see these hate groups spewing their harmful rhetoric every week. But I am white, cisgender and middle-class, and it is my responsibility to stand up for the people who aren’t safe or comfortable being there. It is my privilege that I can stand in the City Hall forecourt on Saturday afternoons to counter-protest. But even with all that, I feel apprehensive. I am frightened. When the midday sun is shining down on me in the heart of the city where I have lived my whole life, I feel afraid. And that is unacceptable. It hurts to see hundreds of people filling the streets for a climate strike, while only around 20 people appear regularly to protest against the Yellow Vests on weekends. Yes, striking for the climate is a vital cause and it fills me with joy to see revolutionary action on such a scale, but I can’t help but feel bitter. Where are those
numbers every week outside of City Hall? Where are those numbers when counter-protestors are arrested?
When the midday sun is shining down on me in the heart of the city where I have lived my whole life, I feel afraid. And that is unacceptable. This article is by no means blaming people for not attending the counter protests. It is not safe for everyone to attend and I know that. But the lack of knowledge about what’s happening in this city is not okay. Nothing will change if we don’t change. Please, my heart can’t take this anymore. And to the counter-protesters: you have my wordless gratitude. Thank you for persevering. Thank you. @TheSilhouette
www.thesil.ca | Thursday, Nov. 7, 2019
The Silhouette
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CSSA-gate at McMaster: The scars of exclusion How the MSU managed its decision to disband Mac CSSA is unclear at best and racist at worst
Lockers in ClubSpace, a space for MSU clubs to meet and hold events CINDY CUI / PHOTO EDITOR
Anonymous Contributor
Recently, the McMaster Students Union de-ratified the McMaster Chinese Students and Scholars Association due to its “alleged links to the Chinese government” according to the CBC News. The report from the news article was unprecedented for the MSU and alarming for me and other members of the McMaster community. Based on the online meeting notes (2002-2019) of the MSU’s governing body, the Student Representative Assembly, an alleged connection with a foreign government has never been a factor in the de-ratification of a visible minority group. While Columbia University and the University of Cambridge had previously banned their CSSA clubs, both universities re-ratified the clubs in a matter of weeks after resolving their violations. Therefore, to the best of my knowledge, it would be one of the first times that alleged connections to the Chinese government have played a role in the de-ratification of any CSSA. If the MSU is now deciding to factor in an alleged association with a government as a reason to ban a student club, then they need to come up with an exclusion list of “unacceptable” countries. If that list starts with China, where does it end? And what kind of campus environment will it create? The CBC article may not fully reflect the true process of the Mac CSSA de-ratification — the meeting notes record the
decision as being based on a violation of Section 5.1.3. of the MSU clubs operating policy, aka “actions, which endanger the safety or security of any person or property.” The CBC article politicized the de-ratification, demonizing China with absolute certainty. Yet the SRA did not make any public statements to provide a counter narrative.
The CBC article politicized the de-ratification, demonizing China with absolute certainty. As a result, this sent a hurtful and damaging message to the Chinese community on campus. Most of my Chinese friends are angry and confused at this attempt to openly disenfranchise them. Some have discussed their frustration in private with tears in their eyes, assuming that taking pride in China is not allowed in Canada. Some people believe that they have to lie low to abide by Canada’s rules. Some question if they will be able to extend their visa, find a job or apply for immigration if they express opinions different from the MSU. As a proud Chinese student who was born and raised in China and decided to make Canada my new home after great consideration, I was shocked at how this decision goes against every value I
believe Canada stands for. What the MSU did, in my opinion, is a classic example of racism, even though it is covert. While criticising the Chinese government alone is not racist, disbanding a Chinese student group based on their political expression, free speech and ancestral origin is absolutely racist and unacceptable. Here is how: it is almost like dictating to us, you must be anti-Chinese government to become one of us, otherwise you should go back to China. In my view, even the anti-government Chinese students are also affected by such restrictions, as their right to freely determine their political beliefs is also compromised. No one should need approval to hold a lawful political stance. Under the SRA’s rhetoric, members of the Chinese community, regardless of their political stance, have become second-class citizens as we must have our beliefs certified to enjoy the freedom of association. The real test for racism, in my view, is not in how you treat “model citizen” minority groups who align with your beliefs, but in how you treat those who don’t agree with you, and who do things that make you uncomfortable. The CSSA incident is precisely the test. At the centre of this incident is the open letter claiming that Mac CSSA notified the Chinese consulate about a public speaker in McMaster who supports Uighur separatism in China — the letter turned out to be prepared by an alumnus without inform-
ing Mac CSSA, as the alumnus had instead consulted the prior president of Mac CSSA. Disregarding the fact of who prepared the letter, I would still have great sympathy for their impulse to speak out. As China has gone through centuries of blood and wars, a unified China is precious for many Chinese students and other peace-seeking people on campus. Regrettably, this letter was interpreted by the SRA as extremist, dangerous and instructed by the Chinese government.
The real test for racism, in my view, is not how you treat “model citizen” minority groups who align with your beliefs, but in how you treat those who don’t agree with you, and who do things that make you uncomfortable. Additionally, the SRA meeting notes claimed that there would be “no consequences” of disbanding CSSA. What about the thousands of Chinese international students who were denied a service they came to rely on under the MSU? What about the support CSSA provides to the international students who will be “shameful-
ly neglected” if it were disbanded? As stated in the meeting minutes, no one from Mac CSSA was contacted to speak at the de-ratification meeting. Since the SRA effectively barred CSSA from the meeting without telling them about it, no one was left to advocate or to help the Chinese community at McMaster. The SRA’s decision to de-ratify CSSA was an example of the racism that Chinese students routinely face. It is assumed that because we are Chinese, we must have the worst intentions. Because we are Chinese, we must be silent and submissive and never “rock the boat”, even when our services are denied. And because we are Chinese, believing in a unified and prosperous China means that we are brainwashed and should not be embraced by Canada. This is the message the MSU sent by this exclusion. This is why it is important to tell the Chinese students that McMaster needs their voices. My dear Chinese students, the MSU owes you the right to speak your mind on these issues. My dear Chinese students, whether you support the Chinese government or not, please step forward. In this country, no one should have the power to dictate your beliefs based on your Chinese origin. My dear Chinese students: be independent, be loud and be proud.
@TheSilhouette
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OPINION
www.thesil.ca | Thursday, Nov.7, 2019
The truth about bird courses Bird courses give a negative connotation to the faculties they’re associated with
An article published on OneClass, a website for publishing class notes, lists off the 10 easiest courses at McMaster. CINDY CUI / PHOTO EDITOR Kayla Freeman Contributor
University is hard, no doubt about it. With the constant stress that many students face, it is easy to see why they may look for easier and less strenuous classes when possible. This is where “bird courses” come into play. The idea surrounding these types of subjects is that one can fly through the course with little to no effort to achieve relatively high marks, such as an 11 or 12. In reality, bird courses do not exist. Being successful in a course is largely dependent on the skills of individual students, their timetable, their motivation or their effort. To be fair, the harshness of a teaching assistant’s grading or a professor’s teaching style are among other contributing factors that can affect your mark. However, these issues are generally consistent across all courses. Courses in certain faculties have become associated with easier courses or workloads. Faculties such as humanities and social sciences are often the faculties that are considered to have a greater proportion of “bird
courses” including courses such as microeconomics or medical terminology. This brings a negative attitude towards students and staff in certain faculties or programs. For example, students that are in a class for personal interest may feel that their efforts are worth less if they are investing time and effort into a course with a bird reputation. In a society centred around those in the fields of science and engineering, faculties such as the humanities and social sciences are often belittled and have their legitimacy second-guessed. Being a part of the social science faculty, I can tell you about the effects that the perception surrounding bird courses or even “bird programs” have on other students. For example, many current students in social science transferred into the program after their first year, which is perceived by some as a stepdown from programs in science or engineering. This is disheartening for people that worked hard to get to where they are, who are enjoying their courses, and/or who continue to strive to maintain a high GPA in their
program. It almost creates this hierarchy among different faculties, giving other students the idea that social science courses are not as worthy or respectable compared to others.
Being successful in a course is largely dependent on the skills of individual students, their timetable, their motivation or their effort. Additionally, students who choose to take bird courses are often taking them only because they have heard that they are easy. What they might not consider is that if these courses from different faculties are often taught in completely different formats than what students are used to. This, along with a disinterest in course material may result in poor performance. For these reasons, bird courses often
have low class participation and class morale. There is no inherent problem in seeking out less taxing courses based on your own preferences and strengths. Some students may pursue this in order to balance challenging mandatory requirements. However, looking down on others and assuming their intentions and capabilities based on the courses they take is not okay, as it promotes a negative mentality and division among students and faculties.
Faculties such as humanities and social sciences are often the faculties that are considered to have more “bird courses”, like microeconomics or medical terminology. People might be less likely to engage in the course content or with their fellow classmates
if they view that the course is beneath them or an easy A. Rather than focusing on the bird-related differences between programs, I believe that everyone should simply embrace the variations that are inherent to each program. Within the same course, some students will struggle and others may not, but those who struggle will likely face difficulty in other courses. Each program and faculty offers unique skills and abilities that can provide students with benefits across many disciplines. As each course has something different to offer, we may as well slow down and try to appreciate and understand the content rather than fly through it.
@TheSilhouette
www.thesil.ca | Thursday, Nov. 7, 2019
The Silhouette
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Online education isn’t always more effective Online education lacks in-person communication and interaction
Avenue to Learn stores course content, online quizzes, modules and discussion boards. CINDY CUI / PHOTO EDITOR
Taylor Johnston Contributor
We are currently within one of the greatest eras for technology. Many jobs are becoming automated, there are online-only industries and our cell phones are so multiuse that they can act as a small computer. The appeal of online education and the concept of becoming “paperless” has been rising based on its flexibility and cheaper costs. Some universities are even introducing online degrees. However, is it all as amazing as it seems? There are two types of online education: self-paced and structured. Self-paced gives all the course content to the student at once, but it must be completed within a certain number of months. Therefore, the student can work as quickly or leisurely as they like. There are ministry high school programs such as those taken through the Independent Learning Centre that have adopted this self-paced format and have been proven to be very efficient, which has been attributed to allowing students can learn at their own pace. While structured education is also a common method of on-
line teaching, it can also present more flaws. A structured online course attempts to mimic inclass courses by giving students access to content material on a week by week basis. While some students may like structured learning to help them stay on track of class, it can also be less beneficial for many students, as it doesn’t give the student the freedom of learning at their own pace. As a result, structured learning can add stress for students who like to learn at a different pace than the one that the course is providing. Many Ontario universities offer select elective courses in the online-structured format, which hold many attractive qualities in terms of flexibility and the opportunity for another in-class course to be added to a student’s schedule. However, do the pros of online education outweigh the cons? One apparent difference between online education and in-person education is the amount of interaction you have with your instructors. This may have you thinking, “In non online classes I am just one student in a lecture hall with hundreds of others, and there
is not that much opportunity for a one-on-one relationship anyways. Wouldn’t online courses be the same?” However, even the experience of going to lectures holds an added level of value as you get to hear the “in the moment” thoughts and opinions of your professor that are otherwise non-existent in most online courses and degrees.
One apparent difference between online education and inperson education is the amount of interaction you have with your instructors. Furthermore, in-person education usually gives more opportunities for office hours where students’ questions can be asked and answered. The main method of communication for students that want to talk to professors and teaching assistants throughout an online
course is strictly email, where communication can often be misunderstood and unclear compared to in-person conversations. Although some people may find office hours to be a waste of time, other students find them very beneficial to their education and learning and unfortunately, you cannot get that from online education.
The main method of communication for students that want to talk to professors an teaching assistants throughout an online course is strictly email, were communication can often be misunderstood and unclear.
Online education provides the opportunity to access education regardless of how far away you live from university. However, the benefits of in-person schooling still outweighs the online system due to the added benefits of being able to physically interact with your professors. With in-person courses, you are able to talk to classmates and meet others, which can be a huge benefit to your learning. Still, it is important to recognize that as students, we can still reap the benefits of online education as it provides a bridge for those who are unable to physically attend lectures.
@TheSilhouette
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A&C
www.thesil.ca | Thursday, Nov.7, 2019
Arts & Culture Turning a new page on eating disorders
Body Brave Canada hosts a book swap to raise awareness
Lauren O’Donnell A&C Reporter
Content warning: this article references eating disorders/disordered eating Body Brave Canada is a charitable organization that provides resources and support for individuals struggling with eating disorders/disordered eating. On Nov. 10, they will be holding a Book Swap at The Spice Factory (121 Hughson St. North) in order to being the community together and raise awareness about their work. There will be a reading by local author Anne Bokma for her new book, “My Year of Living Spiritually: From Woo-Woo to Wonderful” and a pop-up shop for the body-positive clothing brand Mettamade. Julie Shea, the chair of Body Brave’s Board of Directors, says that she hopes the event will help people realize how important it is to have adequate resources for eating disorders/disordered eating.
“Eating disorders are sometimes not given the validation that they need to have. They’re a very serious mental health disorder and I don’t think enough people realize how serious and prevalent they are, and that they have a 10 per cent mortality rate. This is in our community. There are people dying in our community, there are people suffering in our community, and there are no resources,” said Shea.
“There are people dying in our community, there are people suffering in our community, and there are no resources” Julie Shea Chair of Body Brave Board of Directors
Body Brave Canada seeks
to fill the gap left by traditional health care. They offer a number of accessible options and resources, both in-person and online. Mettamade is a manifestation of the good work Body Brave has done for the community. It was created by mother-daughter duo Carol Davies and Morgan MacDonald, both of whom have worked with Body Brave in the past. They create clothing that is more forgiving for people who struggle to shop and find clothes that fit. They have designed a sizing system based around gemstones instead of numbers. Rather than a size eight or a medium, you might be a topaz. The fabric is bamboo-spandex, making it both comfortable and sustainable. “When you wear them it’s like giving yourself self-compassion,” said Davies. Mettamade frequently collaborates with Body Brave and donates a portion of their sales to the organization. For the Book Swap, 50 per cent of the proceeds will be donated to
Body Brave.
“When you wear them it’s like giving yourself self-compassion,” Carol Davies Co-creator of Mettamade “We’re giving back to a group that was instrumental in my daughter’s recovery,” said Davies. Mettamade was in part created to make more forgiving clothes for MacDonald while she was struggling with an eating disorder. It was during that time that she and Davies started to work with Body Brave. MacDonald wasn’t able to find resources elsewhere, but Body Brave helped her. The Book Swap takes place this Sunday Nov. 10 from 2 p.m.-5 p.m. at The Spice Factory. Tickets are $20 each. Bring five books with you and take five away. If you are interested in supporting Mettamade, they
have a few pop-up shops coming up this month and a brickand-mortar store in Westdale. “We need people to know we’re here, and to support the cause,” said Shea.
“We need people to know we’re here, and to support the cause,” Julie Shea Chair of Body Brave Board of Directors To find out more about Body Brave Canada, you can take a look at their website or drop by the Book Swap. If you or someone that you care about is struggling with disordered eating and are not sure where to turn, reach out.
@TheSilhouette
ELISABETTA PAIANO /PRODUCTION EDITOR
STUDENT ACCESSIBILITY SERVICES NOTIFICATION TO STUDENTS WITH DISABILITIES FOR DECEMBER 2019 EXAM ACCOMMODATIONS All requests for accommodations must be activated by Friday, November 8 2019. Returning students (previously accommodated) can self-activate via sas.mcmaster.ca. Newly identified students must make an in-person appointment with SAS. For more information, please contact:
STUDENT ACCESSIBILITY SERVICES (SAS)
by phone: 905-525-9140 ext. 28652; or in person at MUSC (Student Centre) B107; or by email at: sas@mcmaster.ca
Shop Small Saturday November 30th
SHOP THE VILLAGE Saturday, November 30th Shop Local this Holiday Season Find exciting holiday deals at our shops and restaurants!
Free 2 hour on-street parking November 25th to December 24th
SANTA WILL BE HERE! Santa will be making a special stop at Ferguson Station 10am to 4pm!! Bring your family, friends, pets and a camera down and get free photos with him.
www.hamiltoninternationalvillage.ca -InternationalVillage BIA
-HamIntlVillage
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#thevillage #spenditthere
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A&C
Andrew Mrozowski A&C Editor
Space, the final frontier — these are the words uttered by television’s space captain Jean-Luc Picard on board the starship Enterprise-D. Star Trek nurtured the world’s passion for space exploration, inspiring awe and wonder about the dark abyss that surrounds us. We exist in this unknown under the twinkling lights of the stars, in the midst of the slow harmonious orbit of planets dancing to the music of outer space. Back on Earth, Kronos String Quartet is playing along to this music. For David Harrington, founder and violinist of the group, music is as mysterious as space. “To me music is a very personal, it’s almost human substance that we create for each other. We get to share it with each other. As a musician, all it means is that from a very early age, that’s what you wanted to have around you all the time,
www.thesil.ca | Thursday, Nov. 7, 2019
but it’s a mystery. How it works? I cannot tell you. I do not know. I’m in awe of music,” said Harrington.
“To me, music is very personal, it’s almost a human substance that we create for each other,” David Harrington Founder Kronos String Quartet Growing up in Seattle, Washington, Harrington started forming string quartets — a group of four musicians comprising of violin, viola, cello and bass — when he was 12 years old. When he turned 14, something did not make sense to him. He looked at the globe that sat in his family home and realized that all of the music he played and listened to were by the same people out of Vienna: Haydn, Mozart, Beethoven and
Schubert. “The globe has more cities and religions. I needed to explore the world of music. That started me on a voyage that I continue to this very day of wanting to know more of music, more about cultures, languages, religions, traditions and forms of music,” said Harrington. Growing up towards the end of the 1960s, the U.S.-Vietnam war shook American values and left a long lasting impression on Harrington. He and his wife left the United States in 1972 in fear that he would be drafted for the war. Signing a one-year contract with the Victoria Symphony Orchestra, Harrington played in British Columbia until returning to his home one year later. “[The war] influences all of us a great deal . . . I feel like Kronos was created in 1973 in the shadow of that war . . . The idea that music can be an essential aspect of life and even a counterbalance to events and can actually become a way of responding and even countering directions that things are mov-
ing in. That’s right at the heart of why we started this group,” said Harrington. Kronos String Quartet is based out of San Francisco, California. Harrington has been at the helm of the group as a violin player ever since its inception in November of 1973. The group’s other members are John Sherba (violin), Hank Dutt (viola) and Sunny Yang (cello), who play together to form a dynamic mix of stringed voices. The quartet will be performing “Sun Rings” composed by Terry Riley, a friend of the group. The idea for the piece came in 2000 when Harrington’s manager received a phone call from NASA. NASA asked if the group would be interested in using recordings from the Voyager space probes, which were launched to conduct closeup studies of Jupiter and Saturn. While space itself does not emit noise, plasma waves can be recorded via a receptor and transposed into sound waves, producing an audible recording. After hearing the recording, Harrington quickly called
Riley to ask him to compose a piece that complimented the music of space. However, when disaster struck on Sept. 11, 2001, Riley stopped composing and reconsidered the entire piece. He rewrote “Sun Rings” as a musical response to 9/11, finishing the piece in 2002.
NASA asked if the group would be interested in using recordings from the Voyager space probes, which were launched to conduct close-up studies of Jupiter and Saturn. The composer knew that somehow he wanted to integrate the pain he was feeling into the music. In the perfor-
www.thesil.ca | Thursday, Nov. 7, 2019
mance’s final song entitled “One Earth, One People, One Love”, Riley used voice recordings of poet Alice Walker as she chants “One Earth, one people, one love”. Riley recorded Walker during a demonstration following the 9/11 terror attack the day before.
“Do you really know where you are at this point in time in space and in reality and in existence, when you look out the window, and you’re looking back at the most beautiful star in the heavens?”
Riley also used audio recordings of Gene Cernan, the most recent astronaut to walk on the moon. Cenran’s voice can be heard at the opening of the piece as he says, “You have to literally just pinch yourself and ask yourself the question, silently, ‘Do you really know where you are at this point in time in space and in reality and in existence, when you look out the window, and you’re looking back at the most beautiful star in the heavens?’” This was Cernan’s testament to the beauty of Earth. “We hope that “Sun Rings” as an experience will radiate out into the community, through the audience, through the choir that joins us, through all of us,” said Harrington. Kronos String Quartet
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brings a unique performance to McMaster, not only through the music involved, but also through the message that they convey. The piece was created to instill hope and bring the world together during a time where many felt isolated. Combining these ideas with the vast unknown that is outer space, the piece emphasizes the unity of humankind. “I think that my allowing Sun Rings to enter your life, I think a person will find a larger sense of appreciation for what we have right here, right now,” said Harrington. “Music is very mysterious, we never know when we will connect with another listener . . . it just gives more of a sense of wonder and wonder is such a beautiful thing.”
Kronos String Quartet will be playing “Sun Rings” (T. Riley) accompanied by the McMaster University and Women’s Choirs on Nov. 9 at 8 p.m. and on Nov. 10 at 2 p.m. in L.R. Wilson Concert Hall as a part of The Socrates Project.
@andrewmrozowski
Gene Cernan Apollo 17 American astronaut
Model of Voyager Probe C/O NASA SCIENCE GRAPHIC BY ANDREW MROZOWSKI/A&C EDITOR
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A&C
www.thesil.ca | Thursday, Nov.7, 2019
A Place Above All Others
Exploring the nature of Cootes Paradise and our city
“Cootes Paradise: A Place Above All Others” on display at the Art Gallery of Hamilton (123 King St. West) until December 1st, 2019 featuring a collection of landscapes and nature portraits. MATTY FLADER / PHOTO REPORTER
Donna Nadeem Contributor
Cootes Paradise surrounds McMaster University’s campus, creating a warm, natural environment at Mac. At the Art Gallery of Hamilton (123 King St. West) and within the heart of the Jean and Ross Fischer Gallery, a collection of various works comes together to express the impact that Cootes has had on Hamilton — spanning the past, present and (hopefully) the future. From paintings of the beautiful landscape contained in Cootes Paradise, to photographs of the life that resides within and maps documenting the area, “Cootes Paradise: A Place Above All Others” reveals the importance of this wetland. The works emphasize that if we don’t take care of Cootes, then we are going to lose it. The exhibition is a collaboration between the Royal Botanical Gardens, Dundas Museum and Archives, Hamilton Public Library and the Art Gallery of Hamilton. It celebrates the centennial of the Hamilton Naturalists Club, discusses sustain-
ability within Cootes Paradise and reflects on stewardship of the land. There is a focus on the human connection to the land and biodiversity. Cootes Paradise has had a long past. Its usage claims were constantly debated in where a by developers and entrepreneurs. However, local bird watchers saw the threat looming. They began fundraising to preserve the wetlands as a natural habitat. “Everyone had a different notion of what they wanted to do with this area, they wanted to live in it, hunt in it, they wanted to commercially develop it and this has been its fate,” said Tor Lukasik-Foss, director of programs and education at the Art Gallery of Hamilton. E. Robert Ross is one of the artists who has contributed to this exhibition. Ross has been viewed has one of Hamilton’s most successful artists and considered a master of realism painting. The artist has focused much of his work on Cootes and Dundas Valley, detailing how the land has changed throughout time. This artwork, combined with maps and aerial
photography provided by the Hamilton Public Library, effectively helps viewers understand how history has taken its toll on Cootes Paradise. The Hamilton Naturalists Club asked its members to share their photos of the area, specifically of the birds that live and dwell within the trees. Reaching out to amateur photographers within their membership, they curated 40 photos of Cootes’ long-term residents. The Hamilton Naturalists Club have been at the forefront of annual bird counts and record-keeping for bird activity in the area since 1927. Thanks to this, they have the most complete record of bird activity anywhere in North America. “Even though we look at nature and think that this is a place where humans don’t reside, it’s not really true, we are there whether nature wants us there or not, for the sake of its continuance we have to be there, so there’s this rich human culture that abounds beyond,” said Lukasik-Foss. Naturally, as McMaster University overlooks the grounds of Cootes Paradise, a new course
was created to explore the area. “Designing Paradise” will run during the Winter 2020 term. It will explore eco-concepts and re-define McMaster’s campus as an environmentally sustainable space. The course will be led by professors Judy Major-Giradin and Daniel Coleman. “I love that through this course we can engage with the historical and political elements that still reside in the Hamilton landscape, but also have the chance to artistically explore the natural environment and reimagine west campus as the diverse ecosystem that it once was,” said Mariana Quinn, a 3rd year Studio Arts student who is enrolled in the ART 3DP3 Designing Paradise course. Both Major-Giradin and Coleman are focused on sustainability. Major-Girardin is a Studio Arts professor that actively seeks methods in her studio practice that can provide and offer more environmentally responsible approaches. Coleman is an English professor who recently published a book called Yardwork in 2017 that analyzes Hamilton through ecological, cultural and political
stories as well as builds awareness for the sacred land where he resides. “These spaces, they are not untouched by humans, they are massively touched by humans, in fact, the only way that they live now is because of human advocacy and human action, so they are as talked about and combed over as any other urban space in a lot of ways,” said Lukasik-Foss. “Cootes Paradise: A Place Above All Others” is a tremendous effort by members of the city to teach it’s residents that even though we live in a densely populated city, we have beautifully vibrant natural spaces. With these spaces; however, comes environmental issues that we need to get behind in to preserve our nature. “Cootes Paradise: A Place Above All Others” is on display until Dec. 1 at the Art Gallery of Hamilton (123 King St. West). The exhibition is free to all McMaster students with a valid student card. @TheSilhouette
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MATTY FLADER / PHOTO REPORTER
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SPORTS
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Sports
2019 Yates Cup-bound
The Marauders beat the University of Guelph Gryphons 19-10 to advance to the Yates Cup
Dueck in the semi-finals against Guelph 2019 CINDY CUI/PHOTO EDITOR
Graham West Sports Editor
On Saturday, Nov. 2, the McMaster men’s football team had their semi-finals game. This ended up being reminiscent to the previous two Yates Cup games the Marauders took part in. Similar to 2012 and 2014, McMaster beat the University of Guelph Gryphons, except this time it was in the semi-finals to advance to the 2019 Yates Cup. The Marauders beat the Gryphons 19-10 with one passing and one rushing touchdown, a field goal and a safety. Star Quarterback Andreas Dueck played a great game, at times playing the part of a running back. He was the team’s second-leading rusher of the day with a total of 89 rushing yards, 17.8 yards per carry and a 55 yard TD run. Dueck finished the game with 305 total yards and no turnovers. The dual threat quarterback gave the Ma-
rauders an advantage because it is difficult for the opposing team to have to scheme around a quarterback who can rush. As a result, the opposing team tends to keep defences honest because they have to focus on stopping the run on what may first appear like a passing play. The maroon and grey dominated all statistical categories posting 152 more total yards than Guelph, six more first downs and a total possession time of 32 minutes 54 seconds compared to Guelph’s 27 minutes and six seconds. Mac will have to build off of their strong performance against Guelph and maintain control over possession, which could allow them to establish a strong run game for their best shot against Western in the game on Nov. 9. Western will be no pushover. They have consistently been one of the country’s top teams in U sports football and have yet to lose a single game this year. This year also marks
the 11th time in 13 years that the Mustangs will be in the Yates Cup, a run of nearly unprecedented dominance.
Star Quarterback Andreas Dueck played a great game, at times playing the part of a running back. He was the team’s secondleading rusher of the day with a total of 89 rushing yards, 17.8 yards per carry and a 55 yard TD run. Defence should be the key to succeeding in the Yates Cup. Western posted the highest
point total in the province with 290 total points over their eight games for an average of 36.25 points per game. Our defence will certainly have to keep a hold on Western’s offence.
Western posted the highest point total in the province with 290 total points over their eight games for an average of 36.25 points per game. Much like Dueck, the Mustangs’ quarterback Chris Merchant can run the ball just as well as he can throw it. During a game earlier in the season where McMaster played Western, Merchant had 316 total yards with 104 of them coming on the ground. Merchant even managed to catch
a pass for a third touchdown. Containing Merchant will be one of the most important factors that could end up deciding the game. The winner of this matchup will proceed to the Mitchell Bowl where they will play the winner of the Hardy Cup. The teams in the Hardy Cup are the University of Calgary Dinos and the University of Saskatchewan Huskies. The Marauders have a chance to stop the Mustangs potential Yates Cup three-peat this coming Saturday, Nov. 9.
@TheSilhouette
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A slam dunk start for the men’s basketball team Starting off 2-1, the team looks promising Jovan Popovic Contributor
The 2019-2020 McMaster men’s basketball team kicked off their season on Oct. 25, with a heartbreaking two-point loss against the Lakehead University Thunderwolves. Following this loss, they won their next two games against Lakehead and the Brock University Badgers, bringing the team to a record of two wins and one loss. This season, the team looks to break the playoff barrier and achieve their first winning record since the 2015-2016 season. With how strong the team looks this year, this goal appears promising. Other than starting the season at two wins and one loss, the team has shown flashes of their potential in order ways, demonstrating how dominant of a team they can be at their best. Notable performances from players, such as second year guards Jordan Henry and Sefa Otchere along with fifth year forward Connor Gilmore, have propelled this team into a
potentially great season. Right off the bat, Henry jumped into the season as one of the top statistical performers on the team, having a hot first game, and improving in every game thereafter. On the court, he has maintained a field goal percentage of 47.2 per cent, while averaging 23.3 points per game. In the team’s second game of the season, Henry led the team in points, assists, rebounds and steals. These stats are all quite remarkable as Henry is only in his second year. Otchere is the other second year guard who managed to start the season with an impressive 33 points, while leading the team with four three pointers in their first game. Gilmore could be one of the key players down the stretch. He has a reputation as a “glass cleaner”, grabbing rebounds left and right, through a playstyle similar to former Toronto Raptors player, Jonas Valančiūnas. In each of the last two seasons, Gilmore averaged over eight rebounds per game. This season
he’s continuing this trend with a strong presence in the paint. As the team’s leading rebounder last year, a big year from him could be critical down the stretch and could lead to a perfect send off, being that it is Gilmore’s fifth and final year with the team. When asked about his goals for the team this upcoming season, Gilmore offered an optimistic and ambitious response. “I hope to get to nationals this season,” Gilmore said. Gilmore believes in a more team-oriented approach to basketball, choosing not to focus on individual accolades. “I’ve learned over time that if you care about things like that, your team won’t be successful. I’m worried about our overall success, and whatever comes after that is just the cherry on top,” Gilmore added. The fifth year veteran was also asked about the most significant change for the team during his time. “The most positive dramatic change would have to be the hiring of coach Tatham and the
positive effect he has had changing the culture of our program. He was given a tough hand to start with, but he has done an excellent job thus far and will continue to do so,” Gilmore denoted.
“I’m worried about our overall success, and whatever comes after that is just the cherry on top,” Connor Gilmore Forward Men’s Basketball Team
the season, it will be interesting to watch how coach Tatham adjusts his gameplan from game to game given his professional experience. Despite winning their second game of the season against Lakehead, their field goal percentage was only 35.8 per cent, with a three-point percentage of 27.2 per cent. Also, there were only seven assists made in the game. Ball movement and smart shots will be key for the team going forward. This will arguably be one of the most important things to watch for this season, as the team looks to build on the 2018-2019 season, in which they made the OUA quarter finals. @TheSilhouette
Coach Patrick Tatham is entering his third year as the Marauders’ head coach. Before taking on the role, Tatham was an assistant coach for the Maine Red Claws of the G-League, which is the developmental league of the National Basketball Association. Throughout
January 2019 Men’s basketball game C/O Kyle West
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A pair of quarterfinal exits It was a tough exit for the soccer program, but the past weekend wasn’t all doom and gloom
Graham West Sports Editor
Both the men’s and women’s soccer teams faced ended their seasons after facing tough opponents at the Ontario University Athletics quarterfinals, losing a chance to move one step closer to the finals. The men’s team had a tough bout with one of the Ontario University Athletics’ top teams each year, the York University Lions, where they lost 1-4. The women’s team lost to the Western University Mustangs going scoreless while Western put up only one goal. Off the field, the Marauders
had a great weekend, where they upheld their trend of excellence in helping the local community. A standout student-athlete from both the men’s and women’s soccer teams took home the Ontario University Athletics West divisional community service award. The west division makes up half of the conference in women’s and men’s soccer and a total of nine schools. The Marauders soccer program has been a consistent recipient of this award. For the women’s team, it was Claudia Continenza who took home the award for her works as a volunteer coach in the club as well as high school level soccer teams in Hamilton. For the men’s team, Christian Cossidente was awarded for his
efforts in the McMaster athletes care program. Cossidente participated in the “Mac think pink”, which raised money for breast cancer research. He also supported the “Bell let’s talk” movement. Cossidente winning the OUA West divisional community service award marks the fifth time in six years that a marauder from the men’s team has taken home the award. Outside of these community service awards, the teams did well in terms of OUA west all-star placing. The men’s and women’s teams both had only one player grace the All-star first-team, the first-team is the team comprised of the very best players in the OUA West. Midfielder Anand Sergeant and women’s team captain Stephanie
Roberts both attained their second appearance on the first team for the second year in a row. The OUA West second team all-stars is where the performances of more Marauders were recognized. Carling Goold and Hannah Chau-Stacey represented the women’s team, while Matthew Monteiro Yordan Stoyanov and Dusan Kovacevic made appearances on the men’s OUA West second team. This year marks the final year of play for the captains of both the men’s and women’s teams: Stephanie Roberts and Yordan Stoyanov. Roberts was a powerhouse in the OUA West, leading the nation in goals last year. As previously mentioned, she was an OUA West first team all-star both last year and this
year. Stoyanov had terrific onfield presence. Both will likely be greatly missed next year. Even though it was an unfortunate end to the season, the Marauders did not let down their community. The individual recognition for the all-star teams are high level achievements. Perhaps, the Marauders nominated for all-star teams will jump into a bigger role next year for the maroon and grey.
@TheSilhouette
McMaster vs. Western women’s soccer match at the Ron Joyce Stadium at McMaster. MIKE MARASCO / CONTRIBUTOR
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GAMES
ACROSS 1- Stone marker; 6- ___ in the right direction; 11- B’way posting; 14- Hatch on the Hill; 15- High building; 16- First name in horror; 17- Hospital rooms; 18- Maine college town; 19- Citrus drink; 20- Identify; 22- Elector; 24- Accidents; 28- Sound investment?;
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30- F equivalent; 31- Stock unit; 32- Overjoy; 33- The right-hand side; 37- Convert into leather; 38- Pizzeria order; 39- Avril follower; 40- Chitchat; 43- Buffalo hockey player; 45- Brownish gray; 46- Cereal grass; 47- Accessories; 49- Radiators;
50- Fewest; 51- Toasty; 52- ___ be my pleasure!; 53- Immobile; 56- Alleviates; 61- Break off; 62- Lofty dwelling; 63- Winter woe; 64- It breaks daily; 65- Bird homes; 66- Fudd of cartoons
DOWN 1- Plant; 2- Refrain syllable; 3- Miss the mark; 4- Cover; 5- Capture in a trap; 6- Tiny particles; 7- Achy; 8- Tango need; 9- Velvet add-on; 10- Adage; 11- Roofing stone; 12- Cowboy display; 13- Standout; 21- PC program;
23- Hydrox competitor; 24- Runs into; 25- Religion of the Muslims; 26- Author Alexander; 27- Covering for the head; 28- Rough cabin; 29- Shipping deduction; 31- Subway turner; 33- High-fives; 34- Saunter; 35- Less common; 36- Eats to a plan; 38- Render speechless; 41- Former Fords;
42- Vientiane native; 43- Like some cats; 44- Supermodel Carol; 46- Mal de ___; 47- Big name in insurance; 48- Father; 49- Loathes; 50- Prevaricated; 51- Sealed document; 54- Society-page word; 55- Hosp. sections; 57- Nothing but; 58- Theologian’s sch.; 59- Shoebox letters; 60- Orch. section
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THURSDAY
THE
PUT THE TINSEL DOWN, IT IS NOT CHRISTMAS YE T C12
HAMILTON SPECULATOR REQUESTING STATEMENTS SINCE 1934
November 7, 2019
NOTSPEC.COM
Talk to the Bot
MSU debuts robotic public relations system
Talk data to me
COURTNEY COMPOST At least I’m real.
This past Friday, the McMaster Students Union announced a new artificial intelligence-based public relations system aimed at increasing transparency and streamlining messaging to students. The Talking Head system uses groundbreaking AI technology to answer questions from students, media and other stakeholders pertaining to MSU policy and Student Representative Assembly decisions. The Talking Head technology is the first of its kind. Commerce Insider describes the system as “the new frontier in public relations technology.” The device has full access to SRA documents on the MSU website, complete with meeting minutes, memos and supplementary documents. This information comprises the Talking
Head’s neural network, allowing it to make the inferences needed to answer novel questions. The system is also able to cite MSU policy dating back to the 1970s and can reference quotes from Mac Daily News articles. An MSU statement announcing the new Talking Head technology said that the system’s purpose is to streamline communication to the student body, while freeing up time for the Board of Directors and SRA representatives to do their jobs. “There can be so much confusion when talking about student politics, and we want to make sure that our messaging is always precise. The Talking Head system eliminates mixed messaging, delivering succinct and accurate statements to the student body,” said MSU president Oshawa Malando. This was the last statement that Malando made to the public. When we approached Malando for further comment
on this article, we received an automated reply directing us to the Talking Head system. While the technology itself has gone through rigorous rounds of testing, the system’s reliance on the MSU website has proven problematic. When asked to reference a point in the Operating Policy, the system responded with, “Error: Page not found.” When asked about what the MSU would do to combat the increasing costs of living for students, the system crafted a response by weaving together information from past SRA meeting minutes, documents and public statements. “This is an important conversation, and we are committed to ensuring accountability, transparency and accessibility for all students.” When asked to elaborate on what this meant in terms of concrete financial support, the system was silent.
Disclaimer: The Hamilton Speculator is a work of satire and fiction and should not under any circumstances be taken seriously. We fact checked NOTHING.
Notably, the Talking Head had the exact same response when asked about engaging more students in student politics, addressing subpar student housing and improving sustainability on campus. The Talking Head system is optimistic about its ability to engage students and improve transparency. No SRA members were available for comment on this story.
INSIDE WANT TO UNDERSTAND STUDENT POLITICS? FIRST STUDY INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS A4 NOW THAT HALLOWEEN’S OVER, WHAT CAN WE LOOK FORWARD TO? B4 WHO WOULD’VE THOUGHT? SPOTTED AT MAC POST LEADS TO LOVE C1 HOW TO TALK SO POLITICIANS WILL LISTEN AND LISTEN SO POLITICIANS WILL TALK D3 IT’S TOO COLD OUT E5 PLEASE RESPOND TO OUR INTERVIEW REQUESTS F4 PER ISSUE: Just make me some soup.