The Silhouette - April 4, 2019 by The Silhouette

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NEWS: Provincial government unveils guidelines for Student Choice Initiative // PAGE 5 A&C: Workshop focuses on engaging Muslims with leadership opportunities // PAGE 20 SPORTS: What I learned about myself while covering Mac sports // PAGE 24-25

The Silhouette Thursday, April 4, 2019

Y C N E G R E M FE

O E T STA

What a climate emergency declaration means for the city of Hamilton // PAGE 6-7

The Silhouette

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@THE SILHOUETTE

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Volume 89, Issue 27 Thursday, April 4, 2019 McMaster University’s Student Newspaper

EDITORIAL BOARD editor-in-chief | thesil@thesil.ca Emily O’Rourke @emily_oro digital media specialist | dms@msu.mcmaster.ca Aaron de Jesus managing editor | managing@thesil.ca Sasha Dhesi @SashaDhesi online editor | online@thesil.ca Yvonne Lu sections

NEWS news editor Cassidy Bereskin news reporter Ryan Forrest Tse news@thesil.ca FEATURES Hannah Walters Vida features@thesil.ca

features reporter

OPINION Sabrina Macklai opinion@thesil.ca

opinion editor

SPORTS Justin Parker sports reporter Jessica Carmichael sports@thesil.ca sports editor

ARTS AND CULTURE arts & culture editor Razan Samara arts & culture reporter Rya Buckley aandc@thesil.ca MEDIA Kyle West photo reporter Catherine Goce production coordinator Sukaina Imam production coordinator Sabrina Lin production coordinator Katarina Brkic production@thesil.ca photo editor

ONLINE Sasha Roshan social media coordinator Martin Burwell online@thesil.ca video editor

CONTRIBUTORS Andrew Mrozowski staff writer Rida Pasha staff writer Neda Pirouzmand staff writer Drew Simpson staff writer Graham West staff writer Eden Wondmeneh

staff writer

COVER PHOTO Sabrina Lin

THIS IS THE LAST ISSUE OF VOLUME 89. THANKS FOR SUPPORTING STUDENT PRESS. THANKS TO OUR HATERS FOR BEING OUR MOTIVATORS. THANKS TO IAN BARNES, FOR BEING THE BIGGEST SUPPORTER OF THE SILHOUETTE. THANKS TO SCOTT HASTIE, FOR BEING THE BEST FORMER EDITOR-IN-CHIEF AND VOICE OF REASON WHEN WE WERE UNDER EXISTENTIAL THREAT. THANKS TO THE CANADIAN UNIVERSITY PRESS AND OUR LAWYER. THANKS TO MCMASTER, THE PROGRESSIVE CONSERVATIVES AND THE MCMASTER STUDENTS UNION FOR RUINING OUR LIVES AND GIVING US SPICY CONTENT ALL YEAR. CONTACT

LEGAL

MUSC, Room B110 McMaster University 1280 Main Street West, Hamilton, ON L8S 4S4

The Silhouette welcomes letters to the editor in person at MUSC B110, or by email at thesil@thesil.ca. Please include name, address and telephone number for verification only. Letters should be 300 words or less. We reserve the right to edit, condense or reject letters and opinion articles. Opinions and editorials expressed in the Silhouette are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect those of the editorial board, the publishers, the McMaster Students Union or the University. The Silhouette is an editorially autonomous newspaper published by the McMaster Students Union. The Silhouette Board of Publications acts as an intermediary between the editorial board, the McMaster community and the McMaster Students Union. Grievances regarding the Silhouette may be forwarded in writing to: McMaster Students Union, McMaster University Student Centre, Room 201, L8S 4S4, Attn: The Silhouette Board of Publications. The Board will consider all submissions and make recommendations accordingly.

Editor-in-Chief (905) 525-9140, ext 22052 Main Office (905) 525-9140, ext 27117 Advertising ccpc@mcmaster.ca 8,000 circulation published by the

WRITE FOR US JUST KIDDING. YOU CAN’T ANYMORE! WE’RE DONE PUBLISHING UNTIL JUNE BUT BY THEN THERE WILL BE DIFFERENT MEETING TIMES AND SECTION EDITORS. GOOD LUCK AND GODSPEED, VOLUME 90.

www.thesil.ca | Thursday, April 4, 2019

The Silhouette

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News Mac and MSU respond to sexual violence survey results Both the McMaster Students Union and the university have committed to reviewing their policies regarding sexual violence and harassment on campus

Daniella Mikanovsky Contributor

In response to the provincial report, the university will be reviewing the McMaster’s sexual violence policy. KYLE WEST / PHOTO EDITOR

Ryan Tse News Reporter

The McMaster Students Union and McMaster University are preparing to re-examine their policies and protocols on sexual violence in light of the recent Student Voices on Sexual Violence report released by the provincial government earlier this month. The Student Voices on Sexual Violence survey was sent out last year and involved 160,000 students from over 40 Ontario post-secondary institutions outlining their experiences of sexual violence and harassment. According to the survey, three in five McMaster students disclosed at least one experience of sexual harassment. Sixty-one per cent of McMaster students said they do not have knowledge of McMaster’s sexual violence supports and services. A McMaster Daily News article responding to the report states that McMaster has provid-

ed sexual violence prevention and response training to more than 8,600 students, staff and faculty over the past year. Arig al Shaibah, McMaster’s associate vice president (Equity and Inclusion), said the university’s sexual violence education team will begin planning a bystander intervention training program in April. In response to the report, the university will also shortly be reviewing the McMaster’s sexual violence policy, which was created in 2017. “We are just in the beginning processes of looking at the policy,” al Shaibah said. “We know the numbers that come through our offices are not necessarily indicative of the full picture, so periodically going out there and being able to anonymously get a good gauge of people’s experiences and perceptions is really important.” Every year, the EIO releases a report highlighting statistics on disclosures of sexual violence and harassment.

However, al Shaibah said the EIO needs to make sure that definitions used to classify disclosures are standardized. “We have just improved the way we are collecting and centralizing data,” al Shaibah said. “Moving forward, one of the things we are doing is trying to make sure that everyone in the intake office is using the same definition so that we can start to capture trend data over time.” MSU vice president (Administration) Kristina Epifano will be revising the current “Workplace Anti-Violence, Harassment, and Sexual Assault Prevention Policy” in response to the survey. “With these revisions, we will host some feedback sessions, inviting student-staff and volunteers to share some of the challenges they’ve experienced with policies in the past and recommendations they would like to see moving forward,” Epifano said in an email. “I believe it is important to adapt the policy to highlight different options and

courses of action that a survivor can take during the process.” The provincial report comes against the backdrop of multiple allegations of sexual assault within the MSU Maroons. On March 29, Farah released a statement addressing the subject, promising a formal investigation. Nevertheless, Farah states that she hasn’t “found actual reports, anonymous or otherwise, of sexual violence within the Maroons team this year.” The statement also said Epifano will be standardizing an anonymous online reporting tool used for Maroons for all MSU volunteers. Jocelyn Heaton, the coordinator of the MSU Women and Gender Equity Network, said the MSU’s steps in addressing sexual violence are helpful, but there remains a lot of work to be done. “The fact that less than three quarters of students know that there are supports and services available is pretty harmful

for people who experience sexual violence,” said Heaton. “Also, knowing that a lot of that group is going to receive a disclosure during their time at university and they’re not going to know where to refer people to is harmful as well,” she said. Heaton also mentioned that there has been no consultation thus far with services like WGEN when it comes to the Maroons incident and revising the MSU’s workplace sexual assault prevention policy. “As the coordinator of a service, the only service specifically meant to address sexual violence, I was never once consulted or brought in to talk about that situation,” Heaton said. “Students have not been consulted on what the policy should look like.”

@tweetingryantse

NEWS

Thursday, April 4, 2019 | www.thesil.ca

Enrollment opens for Mac science of cannabis program The McMaster Centre for Continuing Education is setting the stage for more timely and accessible education

Science of cannabis is a three-course program focused on therapeutic interventions and the risks associated with cannabis use. C/O GRANT HOLT

Neda Pirouzmand Staff Writer

The university has banned the consumption of cannabis on campus, but the McMaster Centre for Continuing Education, Peter Boris Centre for Addictions Research and Michael G. DeGroote Centre for Medical Cannabis Research have combined efforts to pilot a new “Science of Cannabis” program. Science of cannabis is going to be a three-course program that will meet the needs of health and community professionals, educators, civil servants

McMaster is following closely behind the heels of the University of Ottawa and Ryerson University in the timely introduction of cannabis-focused education.

and individuals with personal interest. The first course of the program, Fundamentals of Cannabis Science, begins on May 13 and will run until July 21. Lorraine Carter, director of the CCE, emphasized the evidence-based nature and relevance of the program. “The fundamentals course is an important introduction to the general history and science of cannabis, and sets the stage for subsequent courses focused on therapeutic interventions and the risks associated with cannabis use,” said Carter. “In all, grounded in contemporary evidence and delivered by McMaster’s leading experts in cannabis research, the program is an exceptional learning opportunity.” Michael Amlung, assistant professor in the department of psychiatry and behavioural neurosciences at Mcmaster, will be teaching the “Fundamentals of Cannabis Science” course. As a faculty scientist, his research focuses on cannabis misuse.

Carter saw a perfect opportunity to partner with James MacKillop, director of the PBCAR and co-director of the DeGroote Centre for Medical Cannabis Research, in the creation of the program. “The CCE is always looking for program ideas that are timely and relevant to adult, undergraduate and graduate students,” said Carter. “With the legalization of cannabis this past October and awareness of the exceptional research in cannabis happening here at McMaster University, the chance to partner with Dr. McKillop’s research team was a natural partnership.” The CCE offers flexible workshops and courses for students to build upon past skills, obtain a professional designation or pursue new learning opportunities. These include crisis and mental health training, data analytics and web design. According to Carter, despite its smoking ban, McMaster should consider pursuing programs similar to science of

“In all, grounded in contemporary evidence and delivered by McMaster’s leading experts in cannabis research, the program is an exceptional learning opportunity.” Lorraine Carter Director McMaster Centre for Continuing Education cannabis in its future. “More and more students are looking for programs in specific topics and skills areas. Programs that are shorter than a degree such as a three-course certificate and that are offered online are especially appealing,” he said. Carter explains that online courses garner over 80 per cent

of enrollment in the realm of continuing education. “The accessibility and flexibility of online courses is something that today’s learners value a great deal,” said Carter. McMaster is following closely behind the heels of the University of Ottawa and Ryerson University in the timely introduction of cannabis-focused education. Ryerson University launched a cannabis course called “The Business of Cannabis” last year and the University of Ottawa was the first Canadian law school to offer cannabis law courses for the 2018-2019 academic year. Class sizes for the “Fundamentals of Cannabis Science” are limited and the second course of the program has yet to be revealed. Depending on its success, the science of cannabis program may add more courses and update content as cannabis news and research develops. @theSilhouette

www.thesil.ca | Thursday, April 4, 2019

The Silhouette

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Ontario government releases Student Choice Initiative guidelines Next year, students will be able to opt-out of paying for MSU clubs and services

Opting-out of the Student Choice Initiative will affect academic support, career services and counselling for students. KYLE WEST / PHOTO EDITOR

Ryan Tse News Reporter

On March 29, the Ontario government unveiled guidelines for universities to follow in order to comply with the “Student Choice Initiative” policy, which allows students to opt out of paying ancillary fees. According to the document, students will be allowed to opt out of fees that are allocated towards clubs, student organizations and programs that do not fall into the government’s criteria for essential fees. Services considered “essential” in the guidelines include “athletics and recreation, career services, student buildings, health and counselling, academic support, student ID cards, student achievement and records, financial aid offices, and campus safety programs.” As such, much remains unclear about what the student opt-out fee mandate means for the funding of MSU clubs and services next year. Sean Van Koughnett, McMaster associate vice-president

(Students and Learning) and dean of students, confirmed that the opting out process will occur online through the Mosaic system and be part of the regular tuition payment process in September. McMaster Students Union vice president (Finance) Scott Robinson is working on a final memo to submit to the university student fees committee, outlining exactly what services the MSU wants to deem “essential.”

As such, much remains unclear about what the student opt-out fee mandate means for the funding of MSU clubs and services next year. The government has given each institution the autonomy to determine what falls under the

“essential” categories, but there will be penalties if universities are deemed non-compliant with the SCI come this upcoming fall. “We’ve been working closely with the university to determine as many of our fees as possible as essential fees,” Robinson said. “The priority for me again has been that students voted at large that we should have a mandatory MSU fee.” Complicating the budget submission is the fact that the union will not know how much they will receive in student fees until September. Robinson is basing the official operating budget on the estimate that 35 per cent of students will opt out of non-essential student fees. At this point, the framework is such that students will be able to choose which “non-essential” individual MSU services to opt out of, but club funding will fall under one fee item. A source of funding that will help mitigate the loss of student fees is a ‘significant’ MSU reserve fund, which Robinson said has enough to keep the

MSU running for two and a half years.

At this point, the framework is such that students will be able to choose which “non-essential” individual MSU services to opt out of, but club funding will fall under one fee item. “Things like funding decreases and scale-backs are being planned right now for the budget, but it isn’t like we’re in total doomsday,” Robinson said. “How much money goes towards things will shift, but the MSU is still in a financially safe place to operate.” The reserve fund will be used primarily to help fund

services and clubs. Robinson says there will not be ‘significant cuts’ planned for student-run services such as the Pride Community Centre and the Food Collective Centre. The MSU executive board continues to advocate against the SCI. MSU vice president (Education) Stephanie Bertolo said she and the board have met with nine Conservative and New Democratic Party MPPs so far. “We don’t want the Student Choice initiative to go forward. That’s our ideal scenario,” Bertolo said. “We’ve asked if they do move forward with the Student Choice Initiative, to delay it a year, because it’s such a crunched timeline.” Robinson will be submitting the 2019-2020 operating budget to the Student Representative Assembly for approval at the SRA meeting on April 14.

@tweetingryantse

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www.thesil.ca | Thursday, April 4, 2019

FEATURE The Silhouette

Sounding the A What will it take for Hamilton to reach new emission reduction targets?

Hannah Walters-Vida Features Reporter

Hamilton city council recently declared a climate emergency and pledged to substantially reduce the city’s greenhouse gas emissions. While the declaration carries symbolic weight, the ambitious emission reduction targets can only be met if city council commits significant resources towards climate change measures. Climate activists and city councilors weigh in on what this will mean for the city. On March 27, Hamilton city council finalized the decision to declare a climate emergency in the city of Hamilton. The decision comes as a result of a report from the United Nations intergovernmental panel on climate change released in October 2018. The report found that, unless humanity limits global temperature rise to 1.5 degrees Celsius, there will be a risk of long lasting and irrevers-

ible changes that will result in major loss of life. The report found that limiting global warming to 1.5°C would mean reducing carbon dioxide emissions to 45 per cent of 2010 levels by 2030, and reaching net zero emissions by 2050. “Limiting global warming to 1.5°C would require rapid, far-reaching and unprecedented changes in all aspects of society,” stated the report. Hamilton city council has joined a number other Canadian cities, including Kingston, Vancouver and Halifax, who have pledged to reduce emissions to meet these targets. The declaration instructs the city manager to put together a multi departmental task force and present an emission reduction plan within 120 days.

A climate emergency According to the 2018 vital signs report released by the

Hamilton community foundation, Hamilton has double the per capita GHG emissions compared to other greater Toronto and Hamilton area cities. The 2015 community action plan set the goals of reducing GHG emissions by 20 per cent of 2006 levels by 2020, 50 per cent by 2030 and 80 per cent by 2050. The new goals, however, are more ambitious. By declaring a climate emergency, the city aims to communicate the degree of risk to the public and demonstrate that the city is taking the issues seriously. During the board of health meeting, environment Hamilton climate campaign coordinator Ian Borsuk noted that it is important to show the public that the city understands the severity of the issue. Additionally, a major goal of the declaration is to coordinate municipal action to develop a centralized strategy for dealing with climate change. This will take the form of a

multi departmental task force across city departments. “This isn’t something that can be left as a side project, this isn’t something that can be left as another file, this is something that needs to be part of what the city does every single day,” stated Borsuk during the presentation.

Charting a course At the March 18 board of health meeting, presenters from environment Hamilton made suggestions to the city about ways to reduce emission levels by the target dates, noting that the city has already taken significant measures to reduce GHG emissions, but can do more. One suggestion was to expand and improve public transit. Currently, Hamilton street rail ridership falls short of projections by about 10 per cent. The city is currently working towards a 10 year plan to improve HSR service, which

includes improving service and adding capacity. After industry, transportation is the largest emitter of greenhouse gas in Hamilton. According to Hamilton 350 coordinator Don McLean, transportation is one of the areas that the city can make the biggest difference. By extending bus service and making transit more affordable, McLean sees potential for large increases in ridership. McLean also notes that Hamilton charges some of the lowest parking fees in Canada. The city owns some parking facilities, and has the ability to tax parking lots separately in order to drive pricing. In order to incentivize people to take public transit, McLean says, the parking rate has to be considerably higher than bus fare. “Why switch to a bus if I can park downtown all day for $4?” he asked. Another suggestion that Environment Hamilton made

FEATURE

www.thesil.ca | Thursday, April 4, 2019

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Alarm

SUKAINA IMAM / PRODUCTION COORDINATOR

to the board of health was to develop a “green standard” for new public and private buildings. By mandating energy use limits, the city can make a substantial difference in emissions. Environment Hamilton executive director Lynda Lukasik also noted during the presentation that enhancing green infrastructure would help the city meet its emission targets. This includes measures such as bio soils, better managed storm water, and planting an urban forest. Urban canopy currently sits at about 18 per cent, which is 12 per cent below the official target. Expanding the urban forest would help draw down emissions, reduce stormwater flows, and mediate heat effects. In order to meet these goals, multiple environmental organizations across Hamilton have suggested that the city commits to applying a climate lens to all of its decisions. Similarly to the equity, diversity and

inclusion lens equity, diversity and inclusion lens announced in March, the climate lens would evaluate all city actions in terms of their climate impact.

Unprecedented Changes One of the main challenges for meeting the emission reduction targets is resource availability. During the board of health meeting, ward 3 councilor Nrinder Nann pointed out that achieving the commitments would likely involve retrofitting almost every building across Hamilton and switching to electric or hydrogen fuel cells for vehicles. Implementing these measures would require substantial investments of time and money. Currently, the community climate change action plan receives provincial funding from the proceeds of the cap and trade program. However,

the province scrapped the cap and trade program in October 2018 and has pulled funding from other environmental initiatives. Therefore funding for the emissions reduction plan would likely have to come from other sources. Ward 4 councilor Sam Merulla noted that the challenge will become clear once staff reports the budget to city council within 120 days. If people hear that their taxes will increase, they may be resistant to implementing the plan. However, Nann pointed out that even though dealing with climate change requires immediate spending, it will generate revenue in the long term. Additionally, inaction will incur high remedial costs. Another challenge for meeting the emission reduction targets is industry. Industry accounts for 83 per cent of Hamilton’s emissions, a large percentage of which comes from steel mills. However, steel mills

are under provincial and federal jurisdiction, meaning that the city does not have direct control over their emissions. Despite this, notes McLean, the city can work towards offsetting emissions through agricultural practices and reforestation.

[T]he city will have to dedicate significant resources and implement regular checkpoints to reduce emissions.

Is it enough? Even if the city manages to reach the emission reduction targets in time, McLean worries that it will be too little, too late. Climate change is a cumulative problem, meaning

that all GHGs currently in the atmosphere will continue to contribute to warming, even if emissions stop. “The kinds of things that are being talked about now are the kinds of things that should have been very actively implemented 30 years ago,” he stated. “ If you’ve got a cumulative problem then setting any date in the future as to when we should stop is too late.” In order to make the climate change emergency more than a symbolic gesture, the city will have to dedicate significant resources and implement regular checkpoints to reduce emissions. The true weight of this declaration will become clear once the task force presents the emission reduction plan to city council. To achieve net zero emissions by 2050, the city has to implement unprecedented changes across all aspects of decision-making. @theSilhouette

PRESIDENT’S PAGE

IKRAM FARAH President president@msu.mcmaster.ca 905.525.9140 x23885

This year brought a number of unprecedented changes to post-secondary institutions across the province. Despite the challenges, I’m proud that myself and rest of the Board have completed or made substantial progress on the platforms and visions from which we began our terms. This year, TwelvEighty was reinvigorated through a brandnew menu, the introduction of local Hamilton craft beer, a revamped promotional strategy, and updated flooring in the event space. Additionally, clubs were supported through skill-building workshops that covered topics including budgeting and effective promotions, an improved reimbursement process, and a second ClubsFest in January. To continue the work of past Boards, the Student Activity Building was prioritized beginning with an interior design consultation campaign and construction will

April 4, 2019 | thesil.ca

begin soon. From an administrative perspective, enhancing strategic theme Welcome Week programming was the first objective, achieved through increasing the amount of educational events and collaboration with campus experts. Regarding Student Representative Assembly (SRA) transparency, livestreams were moved to Facebook, promotional training was provided to Assembly members, and graphics were created to promote meetings. To work towards a safer campus for students, Campus Events staff training was enhanced and collaborations with multiple off-campus organizations were facilitated. With a provincial and municipal election this year, there were many new individuals elected into office to represent Hamilton and beyond. Through lobbying weeks, attending events, and individual meetings, the Education Department was able to build relationships with individuals at every level of government, which will continue to enhance our advocacy efforts this year and into the future. Budget submissions were also written for the university, municipality, and federal government, outlining prioritized areas for financial investment. Moreover, through a collaboration between Meal Exchange, the Sustainability Office, faculty, and students, the Hungry for Knowledge Survey gathered data about food security on McMaster’s campus. One of the biggest challenges this year was the introduction 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.

of the Student Choice Initiative and cuts to OSAP. On that note, I want to reiterate that there is no specific elimination of any MSU service planned for the fiscal year beginning in May 2019. The SRA will approve the budget in mid-April. A continuation of a fee-based revenue that reflects mandatory operating costs, with the addition of an opt-out structure similar to the MSU’s existing health and dental plans, should provide the revenue to support a similar scale of operations next year. If the MSU experiences minor decreases in revenue, accumulated reserves can and will be used to support small deficits on

a short-term basis. Thank you for choosing me to lead this organization - it has been an incredible honour. Throughout the year, the metaphor, “standing on the shoulders of giants,” reminded me that my actions and visions are supported by those before me. With that in mind, I am excited for Josh Marando to succeed me - he is a very passionate individual that has demonstrated strong leadership while at McMaster. I wish him and next year’s Board of Directors the best of luck. On a final note, for one last time Marauders: clear eyes, full hearts, can’t lose.

www.thesil.ca | Thursday, April 4, 2019

EDITORIAL

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Editorial My time is up You’d be surprised at how exciting a windowless basement office can be

Emily O’Rourke Editor-in-Chief

As per tradition, the last editorial of the year is a farewell piece by the Editor-in-Chief. It’s honestly a cheesy tradition that the Silhouette holds on to, but it also feels like a reward, especially this year. The first time I had ever heard about the Sil was in 2015. It was through a friend of a friend who mentioned that their friend of a friend worked here as the Arts and Culture (then Andy) reporter. I reached out, came to the dungeon office to pitch an article and left feeling like I hadn’t seen the sunlight in days. For whatever reason, I decided to apply to one of the News Reporter positions a year later, then to the Features Reporter position the following year. After all of this, I decided to apply to be the Editor-in-Chief. Being the EIC during a year like this one came with a heavy hand of responsibility. Between running a newspaper that has existed for nearly a century, dealing with whatever drama the McMaster Students Union threw at us, managing a staff of roughly 20 people, or churning out a 28-page newspaper every week, it’s a lot. Add in

the fact that more than half-way through my contract, the Ontario Progressive Conservative government basically ruined my life and threw the Sil into an existential crisis, good luck. But I saw a future for the Silhouette to grow into something bigger than what it was. I saw an opportunity for us to outgrow our coverage from the McMaster bubble, to engage with our community and to become an accessible, local news source comparable to the other local offerings. We did it. We saw our online reach triple, we grew our content to be more inclusive to community issues and we won a damn award for being the best independent media outlet in Hamilton. Despite the fact that this year in particular was one of the hardest years to be working in this position, I wouldn’t change it for the world. Sure, it’s been hellish, but we did it. After our printer went out of business, after we found out that we could be defunded or after we got more hate mail than previous years for some reason, we kept moving and made the most out of it. To my staff, thank you. You know that without a doubt, I wouldn’t have been able to do this without you. We yelled, we cried, we laughed, we raged,

and we made this year into the best that the Silhouette has ever seen. Every single person on this masthead are the most hardworking, eager and dedicated people I have ever met in my life. Despite the fact that we were dealt a shitty deck, you all played a role in making sure that this year ran smoother than ever and I am so proud of all of you. To the Sil’s alumni, I wouldn’t be here without you. I’ve met and worked with some incredible people over the past four years who have made this experience into the best experience of my life. Thank you for editing my work, giving me feedback and encouraging me to pursue this thing. To the Sil, thank you for being exactly what I needed. I didn’t know it at the time, but the past four years have pushed my boundaries and turned me into a better writer, editor and manager than I had ever expected to be. Thank you for being the best home on campus. My time here is up, and I’m so grateful for this experience. I don’t know what the future has in store for the Sil, but what I do know is that it’s in good hands for now.

@emily_oro

to a closet full of degrees

to taking off your damn coat

to Sasha for editing 600K+ words during her time at The Sil

to money being able to be exchanged for goods and services

to the last week of labwork for thesis

to King Karaoke

to free iced coffee to baby’s first MSAF

to Razan’s massage therapist reading the Sil to tin peaks to being in your final semester of your final year of undergrad and still submitting major assignments at 11:59 to including oxford commas in your writing again because you’re done with CP style forever

to the banned words list (that will be in place long after Volume 89, sorry Justin) to donuts from Ian Barnes! to achieving your B. Sil (Honours) to graduating staff to finishing your undergrad to the nice people at Taro for feeding us over the past four years to the Beaver Tail truck on campus to Volume 89, thank you for changing my life

THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU

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HUMANS

Thursday, April 4, 2019 | www.thesil.ca

The Silhouette Class 2019 Here’s to another 89 years!

We ask the Sil’s 2019 graduates about their undergraduate experience

Sasha Dhesi Managing Editor

Justin Parker Sports Editor

Yvonne Lu Online Editor

Most likely to make homemade granola bars for her future children

Most likely to wear basketball shorts everyday

Most likely to have her own reality TV show

While my path to Mac was definitely a long and winding road, I would not change a thing since every decision I anxiously made led me to the right people and experiences that made me the person I am today.

“...how can you walk away from something but still come back to it?”. My years at Mac taught me about equilibrium and self-reflection. I learned that I have the power and ability to choose people and opportunities that are most important to me, while taking one step at a time.

This is my fourth and final year with the Silhouette. Four years ultimately isn’t that long in the grand scheme of things, but the Sil will always hold a special place in my heart as the office that nurtured me during my formative years. Here’s to four years of writing, editing and karaoke with friends.

BYE!!!

! G 2 G CATHERINE GOCE / PHOTO REPORTER

See

you

late

Hannah Walters-Vida Features Reporter

Sabrina Macklai Online Editor

Most likely to become a survivalist

Most likely to guess everyone’s horoscopes correctly

My time here flew by, and in just a month I’ll be a Recent Graduate™. Working for the Sil has given me the opportunity to talk to so many amazing people and write about issues that I care deeply about, and I’m so glad to have had the chance to work here.

“Life moves pretty fast. If you don’t stop and look around once in a while, you could miss it.” I quoted Ferris Bueller in my high school yearbook but the sentiment still stands. If I’ve learned anything at Mac, it’s to live in the moment. Tomorrow comes soon enough.

Marty Burwell Social Media Coordinator

Catherine Goce Photo Reporter

Most likely to become the CEO of a Fortune 500 company

Most likely to move abroad on a whim

While I came to McMaster originally for an education, it turned out to be so much more than that. My years at Mac helped me grow up and learn how to balance school, sports, work and a social life. I’ll always look back at my years fondly and continue to draw from the lessons that I learned here.

I’ve learned so much from the people I’ve met and I’ve met some pretty cool people. The thing I will miss most will be to see them every day, week, or pass by them on campus. The past four years have literally flown by and you should appreciate every moment as it is, because I have.

Sabrina Lin Production Coordinator

Most likely to become a spy Throughout my undergrad, I’ve often caught myself looking forward — planning my next step, next goal, next milestone. What I’ve come to realize over these past four years is that the present is just as, if not more, important than the future. Our lives are but a cumulative experience of present moments, so it’s important that we live for them, reflect on them, and make them the best of them.

Jessica Carmichael Sports Reporter

Most likely to own a sports team When I look back at the beginning of my journey four years ago, I never would have thought that I would be here today. Although I do not have it all completely figured out, leaving Mac with a sense of what my purpose is, is something I am grateful for.

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OPINION

Thursday, April 4, 2019 | www.thesil.ca

Opinion We need an HR department

The fact that the McMaster Students Union has operated this long without a human resources department is shocking Sabrina Macklai Opinion Editor

From the Student Representative Assembly requiring a survivor to disclose their assault in order for the removal of a perpetrator on the assembly to news of rampant sexual assault within the McMaster Students Union Maroons, this past year has been filled with controversy. Given the events of this year, and what has occurred in the past, it is shocking that the MSU lacks a formal human resources department. HR departments exist to deal with workplace disputes and ultimately ensure that employees are aware of their rights as minimally outlined by the Ontario Employment Standards Act. This includes the creation, implementation and enforcement of policies and structures that support employee rights like formal complaint structures and disciplinary policies. Currently, the only HR presence that exists within the MSU is through the operations coordinator, Maddison Hampel. Though Hampel has formalized HR training and experience, her role does not allow her to adequately support all HR functions of the MSU. Unfortunately, the only HR-focused training for student employees ends at the mandatory online workplace health and safety training modules that all employees of McMaster University are required to complete. The majority of student employees, myself included, have never even been formally introduced to Hampel or made aware of our employment rights during our training sessions. If we had a formal HR department, it is extremely likely that the Maroons sexual assault allegations would have been dealt with appropriately. In fact, with a proper HR department, policies for sexual assault and workplace harassment would likely already be in

A human resources department is required to adequately support students involved with and working for the MSU. KYLE WEST/ PHOTO EDITOR

Currently, the only HR presence that exists within the MSU is through the operations coordinator, Maddison Hampel. place, and be created by individuals with the expertise to do so. A formal HR department could also allow for better and more comprehensive hiring practices wherein individuals who were previously reported to the department are properly dealt with and not re-hired for other positions within the MSU, a consistent problem of the institution. At the very least, an HR department that is independent of the MSU could allow student workers to feel comfortable reporting any issues. As it stands, I report my workplace issues to my direct supervisors, but this gets complicated if my concerns are about individuals

in positions of power. An HR department can ensure supervisors are accountable for their actions and held to an expected level of professionalism. Josh Marando, president-elect of the MSU for the 2019-2020 year, has acknowledged that the lack of a formal HR department is an issue. One of his platform points is to restructure the internal operations of the MSU. According to his #BuildTogether platform, he plans to divide the current full-time staff position of operations coordinator to create a specific HR coordinator who is independent from the board. While the operations coordinator’s role would be shifted to focus largely on supporting clubs and internal operations, the proposed HR coordinator is meant to “support our students through connecting with university programs that have a focus on equity and anti-discrimination.” Though creation of an independent HR coordinator is an important first step, it is not enough. The MSU is comprised

The MSU is comprised of over 40 full-time permanent staff and 300 parttime student staff. A single HR coordinator cannot possibly support this vast number of employees. of over 40 full-time permanent staff and 300 part-time student staff. A single HR coordinator cannot possibly support this vast number of employees. The lumping of the HR coordinator role with equity and anti-discrimination programs can also be problematic. Certainly the future HR coordinator can and should consult with equity groups to ensure their policies are consistent with student needs, but it is important that the two ultimately remain separate. This is because it is possible

that issues concerning diversity and discrimination may arise from the HR department. This would then make it difficult for individuals to report issues to the same department where the issues stem from. What the MSU needs is a full-blown autonomous HR department, with policies in place and trained personnel. Only through implementation of an HR department can the MSU truly account for the safety of its student employees. It’s important to remember that students employed by the MSU are employees. They deserve the same respect and safety enforced by a HR department in any other workplace. Honestly, student workers should be unionized to ensure their rights are defended. Until they are, the MSU must do a better job in the 2019-2020 year of protecting their employees through implementation of formal HR resources and personnel.

@_sabrinawitch_

OPINION

www.thesil.ca | Thursday, April 4, 2019

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Too little, too late A half-hearted statement won’t fix the ways in which the McMaster Students Union has poorly treated survivors of sexual assault Emily O’Rourke Editor-in-Chief

Hannah Walters-Vida Features Reporter

Two long weeks after The Silhouette released an article regarding the gaps within the McMaster Students Union sexual violence disclosure processes, MSU President Ikram Farah finally released a statement. The statement, which reads as a rambling pat on the back, condemns sexual violence and commits to a systematic review of the Maroons and the MSU as a whole, something that two Maroons representatives brought forward when they suggested a full audit of the service back in September 2018. In the fall, a regularly scheduled service audit was conducted in which Maroons representatives made it known that an additional reporting tool would be useful. They also noted that the MSU’s workplace policy on harassment, discrimination and sexual violence should be more survivor-centric. In response, the MSU vice president (Administration), Kristina Epifano, developed an online reporting tool and reportedly consulted with volunteers, staff and experts to update the workplace policy. But once released, it was discovered that this online reporting tool was not nearly as thorough or inclusive as the Maroons representatives had hoped. Additionally, there is no evidence that the board of directors made any effort to lay the groundwork for investigation of sexual assault within the Maroons. These Maroons representatives spent six months advocating for a full service review of the Maroons that focused on sexual assault. It was only when they made a public report to The Silhouette that the MSU president pledged to begin investigating sexual assault within the service. Farah’s statement comes two weeks too late and six months after the fact that the two Maroons representatives reported the culture of sexual assault within the Maroons to Epifano.

The fact is that over the course of the two weeks following release of our article, the Maroons were actively hiring new representatives and ignoring the calls to action from the McMaster community. Though Farah stated that Maroons events will be suspended for the time being while the review is underway, it is unclear whether the Maroons will be involved in Welcome Week this fall. There’s a lot to say about the statement. We could mention that within the statement, Farah makes a note that she personally has not found any “actual reports” of sexual violence within the Maroons team this year. While she does acknowledge that the lack of reporting does not mean that harassment or assault hasn’t occurred, this tangent is absolutely unnecessary and self-praising. What’s more is Farah’s claim that the MSU’s “practices and disclosure protocols are exemplary of the sector.” What does exemplary mean if the practices and disclosure policies have not been consistent, thorough nor inclusive before these past few months? In what way is taking two weeks to release a statement regarding the matter exemplary?

These Maroons representatives spent six months advocating for a full service review of the Maroons that focused on sexual assault. It was only when they made a public report to The Silhouette that the MSU president pledged to begin investigating sexual assault within the service.

The fact is that over the course of the two weeks following release of our article, the Maroons were actively hiring new representatives and ignoring the calls to action from the McMaster community. Within the MSU, the lines between personal and professional are constantly blurred. Given that the MSU has consistently protected individuals accused of sexual assault, it is no surprise that survivors may not feel comfortable disclosing their sexual assault. Whether the perpetrator was a member of the Student

Representative Assembly or a presidential candidate, the MSU has continuously failed to support survivors. This is indicative of a larger issue within the MSU: there is no independent human resources department to respond to complaints and initiate reviews. Maroons representatives spent six months advocating for change, and it took two weeks and dozens of community members, volunteers and MSU employees taking to social media to demand a response from the Maroons coordinator and have the MSU commit to a full service review. In order to properly address sexual assault at a systemic level, the MSU needs to overhaul its sexual assault policy and oversight process. The MSU has proven time and time again that it is poorly equipped to properly respond to sexual assault allegations. It is left entirely up to the board of directors to ensure that policies are upheld, but they are not trained or qualified to respond

Whether the perpetrator was a member of the Student Representative Assembly or a presidential candidate, the MSU has continuously failed to support survivors. to issues of this magnitude. The MSU needs an independent HR department to consistently and proactively address concerns so that students do not have to turn to public disclosure in order to initiate a review process. @emily_oro @theSilhouette

We’re not impressed by the McMaster Students Union’s response to the Maroons sexual assault allegations. KATARINA BRKIC / PRODUCTION COORDINATOR

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OPINION

Thursday, April 4, 2019 | www.thesil.ca

Holding the university accountable Whether it be through protesting outside the student centre or attending Student Representative Assembly meetings, students need to be engaged in the university’s politics

The Opinion Editor urges students to continue to hold the university and its organizations accountable for their actions. KYLE WEST / PHOTO EDITOR

Sabrina Macklai Opinion Editor

When I started out as the Opinions Editor for The Silhouette this past year, I admittedly didn’t care much about student politics or governance. I was unfamiliar with the policies of the McMaster Students Union and had no idea what happened during Student Representative Assembly meetings. Nowadays, I regularly watch the SRA livestreams and perform my due diligence to be aware of changes occurring within the MSU. A large part of that is for my job, but I’ve found that staying informed has benefits beyond finding something to write about. The purpose of the MSU is to “represent you and to help build a better community for all students”. As the governing body of the MSU, SRA members have a responsibility to represent and lobby on behalf of their students.

It’s only fair then that we as students hold these members, and the MSU in general, accountable for their actions. In doing so, we are ensuring that any changes occurring are truly reflective of the needs and desires of students. There’s many ways for students can hold these organizations accountable. They can attend SRA meetings, speak to their SRA representative, voice their concerns online or even protest for change. Alternatively, you can do what I do, and write about your concerns for the campus newspaper. Perhaps some of my criticisms have been harsh or slightly misguided. But at the end of the day, I’m proud of the articles that I’ve written and edited for The Silhouette. Even if they have stepped on some toes, I’d like to think they’ve helped incite some positive changes on campus. Whether these changes are a fully-stocked Union Market

or investigations into MSU-recognized clubs, it’s evident that speaking out on issues is important. Not everything the SRA or MSU has done has been negative. In fact, they have made some great, positive changes that are deserving of praise, or at the very least, of respect.

As the governing body of the MSU, SRA members have a responsibility to represent and lobby on behalf of their students. A few weeks ago, I had plans to write about the SRA’s contradictory playing of the national anthem and delivery of a land acknowledgment at their

meetings. To my surprise, I found that they passed a motion to stop playing the national anthem at their meetings altogether. Things like these are positive changes that students should be aware of. Of course, there is only so much that students can do. Given the record eight students who attended the General Assembly on March 20, it is obvious that the MSU must do a better job at engaging with their student constituents. But just because the MSU and SRA have much to improve doesn’t mean that students are off the hook for staying informed. Without student input and advocacy efforts, organizations are given too much power and can make decisions that negatively impact us all. For example, without the efforts of a few brave survivors telling their experiences with sexual assault within the MSU Maroons, it’s unlikely that the service would be doing any-

thing to account for the issue, much less propose developing a long-overdue sexual assault and harassment policy. I encourage students to get engaged with their university’s politics. It might seem overwhelming, and the information is certainly not easy to navigate, but it’s important work. Especially in light of the upcoming changes to post-secondary education made by the provincial government, it is in the best interests of all students to be engaged with their union’s activities. My term at The Silhouette is reaching a close. I’ve learned a lot during my time working for the newspaper but my biggest takeaway is that student politics affects us all, including those outside of the MSU bubble. For our own sake, we ought to keep our student organizations accountable for their actions. @theSilhouette

OPINION

www.thesil.ca | Thursday, April 4, 2019

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A discussion on consent

McMaster University needs to take action and make consent education a priority Eden Wondmeneh Staff Writer

Consent education seems to always be an afterthought at McMaster University. The word “consent” is consistently thrown into events, seemingly out of place, with no elaboration, discussion or focus. During Welcome Week, the word was plastered on posters that appeared at all the major events and was projected in vibrant colours on the big screen prior to the concert. The way consent education was treated during Welcome Week foreshadowed how the subject would be addressed during the rest of the year: just enough to get a hypothetical participation award in disrupting trends of sexual violence but too little to make a legitimate impact on campus rape culture. This culture is something that does not go unnoticed by those who are most likely to be targets of sexual violence. A late night food run is never complete without words of caution and offers of someone to walk

with. It’s unfortunately not uncommon to walk with your keys in between your fingers.

A late night food run is never complete without words of caution and offers of someone to walk with. It’s unfortunately not uncommon to walk with your keys in between your fingers. Once when I was walking home, after parting ways with my group of friends, a male acquaintance yelled back, “Be careful! Campus rape culture is still a thing”. To him I say, believe me, I know. There is rarely a moment, at a party or anywhere on

McMaster University needs to implement consent education within residences to combat the toxic rape culture. KYLE WEST / PHOTO EDITOR

campus during non-peak hours where my friends or I don’t feel discomfort, or even fear. Following the news of sexual violence within the McMaster Students Union Maroons, this tension is especially high. Prospective Maroons are hesitant to submit returning applications and attending events run by or affiliated with the MSU is often met with a little more resistance. The MSU’s response to the allegations and overall toxic campus culture has been dismal. In the beginning of March, posters commissioned by the Ontario government were hung up in several residence buildings. It reads “If you are watching it happen, you are letting it happen. Consent is everything”. This was the first attempt I noticed to address the importance of consent in my residence. Although this message is true and important, it being the only form of consent education on residence is frankly pathetic. McMaster is not treating consent education as a major priority. Any educational materials, workshops or sessions

McMaster is not treating consent education as a major priority. Any educational materials, workshops or sessions produced or run by the MSU or its services are only accessible to those who actively seek out those learning opportunities. produced or run by the MSU or its services are only accessible to those who actively seek out those learning opportunities. Even campaigns run by the Student Health Education Centre, while important, have limited reach. Despite their value, consent

education needs to reach beyond those populations to those who need it the most. The issue of consent cannot be addressed on small poster in the basement of a residence building. Misconceptions or being ignorant to consent needing to be mutual, voluntary, informed and continuous directly results in continued sexual violence on campus. In order to shift toxic campus rape culture, there needs to be open lines of discussion about consent that are inherent to the structure of Welcome Week, life on residence and campus life in general. These discussions need to be backed by action; posters and platitudes are not enough. The nonchalant backburner approach to consent education fails to create an inclusive and safe community for all students.

@theSilhouette

New Student Groups Website and Portal Want to get recognized as a student group on-campus? Interested in hosting student events? We’ve made things easier with our new Student Groups portal and website.

Features:

• Seamless event approval process • All of your event documents, saved in one place • Risk management and event planning tips and resources • Policies and process to become a recognized student group

Launches May 2019!

A&C

www.thesil.ca | Thursday, April 4, 2019

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Arts & Culture A new meaning of home

Reflecting on the marks made on us and the ones we leave behind Rya Buckley A&C Reporter

I have a theory that there is a ghost in the house I grew up in. It’s not a scary ghost that lives to haunt, but a benevolent entity that loves to play tricks. My house ghost has a penchant for stealing, making you wonder how the object you had on your person mere seconds ago has somehow vanished. The items always turned up later, underneath couches or beds. I just moved out of my childhood home in Mississauga and left my ghost behind. A few weeks ago, it stole one of my slippers and I couldn’t help but think that the ghost wanted to keep a piece of me. Because as much as that house built me, my family built that house. I have been thinking a lot about the meaning of home. Not only because I left the one I grew up in, but also because I have lived more places in the last year than I have in the previous decade. I lived in Edwards Hall in my first year and have spent the school year in a student house. I have wrestled with the question of where to call my home base. Is it the place where I spend the majority of my nights? The place where the people I love the most are? The place that challenges me? The place that comforts me? My adulthood up until this point has been the loss of constants. Schedules that change from week to week. Different places to lay my head. I feel nomadic sometimes, always living half in and out of a suitcase. I’m always leaving somewhere soon, whether by the end of the day, week, month or year.

I am picky about what I call “home.” I don’t like to say “let’s go home” on vacation because we’re returning to a generic hotel room, not a place where I have grown and changed. I called Edwards Hall “Eddy” instead of home. I call my student house “the house.” But I’ve been thinking lately that maybe I’m wrong. Maybe I don’t need to discriminate between homes and houses, because even if a place doesn’t change me, I changed it. Shortly before I moved out of Edwards Hall, I discovered the names of past residents written on the wall above the bed. Before I left, I added my name. I forgot my over-thedoor hook in the room and now someone else probably uses it. And there are others that left a mark. The residents that wrote “Traphouse 5” under the room number. Whoever broke my closet hook. The people whose push pins left holes in the corkboard. Those responsi-

ble for the nicks in the desk. We leave marks wherever we go. My housemates and I turned a trashed student house into a semblance of a cozy space. When I leave my room, I might leave the curtains behind, or at least the rod. I am the person who chose pink for the walls. In my childhood home, we left marks too. I made the hole in the basement wall. We changed flooring and light switches, put in shelving and backsplash and bushes. We tore out all the grass on the property. My father built the deck. My mother picked the bright colours with which she painted the walls. Despite the repaint, you could still see the reds and yellows where the ceiling meets the wall. But I think there are other, invisible ways that we change the spaces we occupy. There is a legacy that we leave with the way we moved, the way we loved, the way we hated. Maybe

the friendship that my roommate and I formed in Edwards Hall blessed this year’s occupants. Maybe the laughter of my housemates and I will echo there when we’re gone. Maybe my family’s undying love for one another will make my childhood home a happy one for the young family that moved in. I would be naïve to exclude the bad. Maybe unkind words whispered behind backs, fights, disagreements, lack of communication — maybe that strains a home, makes it weary and old. Maybe the tears shed when hearts are heavy makes the roof sag. Maybe the lives mourned makes the floors creak. However, it is more than just houses. It is streets and cities. The wear on the sidewalks from all the times my sister and I walked to 7-11 for Slurpees. The words swirling in the air as I wrote bad poetry at my elementary school bus stop. My fingerprints on the Mississauga city buses I don’t ride anymore.

The pennies I’ve thrown in mall fountains. Our memories change spaces. I have spent the last seven months writing about the artists, entrepreneurs and activists in Hamilton. Before I got to do this work, I would have never even suggested that Hamilton was home. But now I know its art and its culture. Now that I have left a record that won’t be erased, I would be remiss to say it isn’t a home. Even when I graduate and don’t have to be in Hamilton, I’ll come back. To grab a patty from Jamaican Patty Shack, for a tarot reading at Witch’s Fix, or to attend a Denoire Collective event. When the year begins, we talk a lot about how McMaster and Hamilton will become home for us over time. For some people, that is true and for others, it is not. But if you want to claim this campus or this city as your own, know that it’s yours. You changed it because you were here. As the school year comes to a close, many of us will be leaving places; our residences, our student houses, our campus, this city. Our childhood homes for smaller homes, our permanent houses for hotel rooms. In transit, it is easy to feel like you have no base, nowhere that you belong to. But the ghosts that keep parts of you will remember you were there.

@theSilhouette

RAZAN SAMARA / ARTS & CULTURE EDITOR

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The Silhouette

www.thesil.ca | Thursday, April 4, 2019

Hamilton is home

Looking at the Hammer through the eyes of a gay man Andrew Mrozowski Staff Writer

I come from a small town outside of the greater Toronto area where I couldn’t be open about who I truly am. There were no spaces that were created by people like me, no rainbow flags, no queer party nights – nothing. When I decided to move to Hamilton for school, I knew that with coming to a large city, I would be exposed to a different aspect of the LGBTQ2S+ community and be amongst people with whom I could be my true self. Fast-forward to two years later, I have found spaces in Hamilton where I could be myself and thrive in my own

self-discovery, social life and the committed relationship I’m in. I have realized that although Hamilton might not have a designated “gay village”, there are spots that have made me feel welcomed. At first glance, these spaces may appear “ordinary”, but through my interactions and experiences I’ve found that these spaces greet you with a sense of community, set the scene for fond memories and ultimately aid personal growth. I want to share these spaces with people who might feel like they are out of their element in this city. I know it has helped me a lot during this past year and hopefully it will help you find what you are looking for.

My Daily Grind Emerald Coffee Co. and Redchurch Cafe and Gallery As a student and part-time barista, I will be the first to say that I am addicted to caffeine. I am constantly on the hunt for great lattes in environments that are both aesthetically pleasing and welcoming. During this last year, I have found myself constantly going to two cafes that fit my criteria. Redchurch Cafe not only serves coffee but also baked goods, food and alcohol. I was first introduced to this space on the night of Halloween, when the space was transformed to host live music and cocktails. I attended the party with my boyfriend and felt that I didn’t need to hide the fact that we were dating because everyone, from the staff to other attendees, had such a carefree and welcoming attitude. I was able enjoy the party without stressing about our safety. These warm and

inviting feelings carried over to when I would go to the cafe during the day to study. Typically flying a pride flag outside, I would probably say that Emerald Coffee Co. is the only definitive queer coffee shop in the city, most likely thanks to the owner, Phil Green. Much like the other business owners on Barton Street East, Green is dedicated to ensuring that the queer community has a place to feel welcomed and supported. He feels that Barton Village will most likely be Hamilton’s next gay village. Emerald Coffee Co. is the perfect place to get some work done in a welcoming environment with great all-natural lattes, drip coffee, and cold-brew on tap. I love coming here because I really enjoy the quality you can get and I’m all for supporting queer business owners.

“We’re Here, We’re Queer, You’re Welcome” Adam and Steve This party-planning duo is ensuring that Hamilton’s queer community always has a safe and fun space to party the night away. Adam George and Steve Hilliard have thrown massive queer parties to reunite a community that has been disconnected in recent years. They’ve also hosted former RuPaul’s Drag Race contestants and local drag queens. Adam and Steve’s parties are one of the closest thing the queer community can

get to a designated queer space in Hamilton. Since meeting the duo, they have shown me that Hamilton’s gay culture does exist. I used to think that the only way I could express myself and find acceptable is by going to Toronto’s gay village, but thanks to people like Adam and Steve, queer-culture is being normalized again in Hamilton. Thank you Adam and Steve for giving me a space where I can be truly myself, unapologetically.

I’d Like to Buy A Vowel HAMBRGR A popular locally sourced restaurant in Hamilton, HAMBRGR boasts a wide-selection of burgers and craft beers in an industrialized atmosphere. This was not my first time at HAMBRGR, and although my date and I had to wait thirty minutes to be seated, we knew the food was well worth it. Our waiter was really friendly, giving us his

Building Something New Crumbled Through writing for the Silhouette, I’ve been able to meet a lot of interesting people in Hamilton and I’ve made quite a few friends. I recently befriended Dom Pugliese, who is the the owner of Crumbled. At Crumbled, Pugliese creates deconstructed cake in a cup with unconventional flavours such as lemon meringue, cookie dough and snickers. I have found myself going to Crumbled at least once every two weeks and spending at least an hour talking to Dom and indulging

enthusiastic recommendations on the extensive menu. Through his charismatic attitude, he made us feel very welcome and even tried his best to charm us. This experience is one of my first and favourite memories with my boyfriend. I felt like the space allowed me to be my true self without having to worry about how others would perceive me and my sexuality. There was no shade thrown my way that night. If I’m not com-

fortable in my own skin, then I can’t enjoy my time because my mind is so preoccupied worrying about everything and everyone around me. I can confidently say that I enjoyed my night at HAMBRGR because I was able to leave all the worry behind. In this queer-friendly space, I was able to focus on what was most important to me; starting a new relationship.

on his decadent cake. When I first approached Crumbled, I had no idea that it would be queer-friendly. When I went inside and starting talking to Pugliese, he filled the space with inclusivity. Pugliese and I have lost track of time talking about everything from his business, to our personal lives and swapping little anecdotes. At Crumbled and with Pugliese, I was able to destress by getting lost in our conversations and forgetting the responsibilities that constantly dominate my life for a little while. Pugliese and other owners

in the heart of Barton Village are working towards making Hamilton a more queer-friendly city and inclusive for all. Through Crumbled, Pugliese is making an effort to add to the city’s overall queerness, and he has realized that you do not need to open up a designated space to still be welcoming to all. I always look forward to my visits to the Barton Village because I know that I have a good friend there waiting to chat over a unique bowl of cake.

C/O SAM MILLS

@andrewmrozowski

A&C

www.thesil.ca | Thursday, April 4, 2019

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A fork in progress

McMaster alumnus Rachel Katz shows students on a budget the joy of cooking

Rachel Katz affectionately holding a loaf of bread she made. C/O @FORKINPROGRESS

Rya Buckley A&C Reporter

Rachel Katz often shares her cooking and baking with other people. After a time, people began to tell her that she should start a food blog. While Katz decided a blog would be too much to handle whilst being a full-time graduate student, she figured Instagram would be a manageable platform. So last summer while she was working one job and had relatively free evenings, she started her food Instagram, Fork in Progress. On the account, Katz shares photos of the recipes that she’s tried. Unlike many other food accounts, her unfiltered photos project accessibility and make anyone scrolling feel like they could get in their kitchen and make the same meal. The recipes that Katz tries are not necessarily easy, but she believes basic kitchen confidence can be applied to make more complicated recipes. She looks for recipes with very specific instructions that she can follow along with. She also looks for versatile recipes that

she can add her own flavours to. In her captions, she highlights her innovations and provides tips. One benefit to Instagram for her is the interactivity. It is easy for her followers to ask her questions and provide feedback. The platform also makes it possible for her to share step-bystep videos that break down the recipes into easier steps. This is to prove to people that anyone can learn how to cook delicious dishes. “I was frustrated with a lot of students… saying ‘oh I have no time to cook’ or ‘I don’t like cooking’… [But] food is so important, food is delicious and there’s a kind of pride that you get from making your own food that you don’t really get from anything else,” Katz said. Katz understands how difficult balancing food with student life can be. The McMaster grad lived in residence in her first year where the meal plan limited the choice she had over what she ate. In her second year, she shared a six-person student house with a tiny kitchen. In both years, she didn’t feel

like she had a fully functional space where she can cook her own meals. For Katz, this resulted in patterns of disordered eating. In her second year, she committed to recognize these patterns in herself so she can create healthier eating habits.Preparing her own meals has been one tool in repairing Katz’s relationship with food. In her third year, Katz moved into a two-person apartment with a nice kitchen. In her new kitchen, Katz explored cooking more. Working at the Silhouette also encouraged her as she began to regularly bake for the office. This practice allowed her to receive feedback on her food and grow as a baker. “I don’t use words like clean… or like detox, cleanse… [T]here are all of these other food bloggers out there who use those lines and a lot of recipe bloggers who have these crazy extravagant recipes. But there wasn’t really anyone to fulfill the student niche for people who wanted to cook actual meals but didn’t really know where to

start,” Katz explained. While developing a healthy relationship with food is important to Katz, food is also a tool that she uses in her relationships with others. Cooking is an activity that she likes to do with family and friends. Her food-related memories stretch all the way back to her childhood. Katz grew up eating a lot of homemade meals. She is inspired by her mother, who is an accomplished home chef and baker. Not only does she adore the chocolate chip cookies that she grew up eating, but she also admires her mother’s diligence. Her mother can spend months trying to perfect a recipe. Now an adult, Katz is making her own food memories, many of which include food she’s made for others. For her, cooking for people is a way of shaping their experiences for the better. By making a caramel corn cake for her partner’s birthday, she was able to make the day more memorable. When she makes her mother’s birthday cake this year, she will make that day more special. However, as the name of her

account indicates, Katz is still growing her skills in the kitchen. She wants her followers to continue learning, experimenting and trying new things. “[H]aving a name that has associations of things that are not quite perfect, that I’m still learning but it doesn’t mean that I don’t know anything, I think… that embodies the mentality that I’m hoping I can encourage people to take with food and feeding themselves,” said Katz. For this reason, Katz is not focused on monetizing Fork in Progress, as she and her followers operate within a student budget, she does not want to promote products that are inaccessible. While she would consider a column in a publication, she believes the account can only remain authentic by staying fairly small. As long as she’s a student, Katz wants to continue spreading positive messages about food and cooking. She wants Fork in Progress to show students that they can make their own cakes and eat them too. @theSilhouette

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The Silhouette

www.thesil.ca | Thursday, April 4, 2019

Finding your momentum Empowerment workshop addresses lack of Muslim leadership Drew Simpson Staff Writer

The McMaster Muslims Students’ Association recently held Finding Your Momentum, a leadership and empowerment workshop specifically curated for Muslims. Its objective was to increase youth engagement to improve community involvement. While MacMSA maintains a busy calendar, the process of organizing this event began well before the school year started. While decisions were being made around the structure of MacMSA’s exec-director team, the team realized a recent and significant drop in engagement with the association and the community. Typically, directorship positions with the MacMSA would attract about 50 applicants each, in recent times however, these numbers have significantly dropped to one or two applicants. The senior executives became worried about MacMSA’s future leadership and lack

of engagement with younger cohorts. MacMSA leaders also saw a lack of Muslims being represented in leadership positions in the McMaster community, such as through the Student Representative Assembly. Feedback gained from focus groups found a common rhetoric of Muslims opting out of leadership positions to focus on academics. They also found that many individuals were under the misconception that they are not needed by the community. On workshop attendee and MacMSA representative noted that a lot of students experience a lack of confidence in their abilities and felt that they aren’t equipped with the appropriate skills to take on leadership responsibilities. The Finding Your Momentum workshop was created in response to these concerns. The MacMSA team realized that they needed to empower their members and create a space where attendees can have open conversations about bettering

themselves as Muslims and leaders in the community. While one of the aims of the workshop was to increase attendees’ engagement with the community, the MacMSA team had to first figure out a way to increase engagement with the workshop itself.

MacMSA leaders also saw a lack of Muslims being represented in leadership positions in the McMaster community, such as through the Student Representative Assembly. From previous experiences, the organizers found that many people needed someone to both encourage them to participate and attend the event with

them. This was often facilitated through invitations by word of mouth. The organizers of Finding Your Momentum took advantage of this promotion strategy, and it worked. One attendee noted that in order to facilitate empowerment, individuals need someone to give them a little push of encouragement and support. “When you hear ‘word-ofmouth’, you think of just going and telling someone ‘hey we have an event, just come’. But it’s actually investing in the Muslim community on campus…A part of being a leader is having a community that can look up to you and support your vision,” explained Faryal Zahir, MSA Director and Finding Your Momentum organizer. “A big part of this year has been making that vision very very clear, and then having people inspired to support that vision.” This workshop consisted of interactive activities and discussions that focused on introspecting on attendees’ re-

lationships with themselves and others. There was also a focus on utilizing leadership opportunities to serve the community and building connections. At every MacMSA event, building connections is a recurring goal. The team believes that building connections enables individuals into action. Finding Your Momentum, like other MacMSA events, aims to break down the barriers that repress interaction, and encourage attendees to have one-to-one connections, first with themselves, then with their peers and greater community. Time will tell if the MacMSA achieved its goal of encouraging workshop attendees to take on more leadership positions, but one thing is for sure – Finding Your Momentum created a much needed space for empowerment and meaningful engagement for Muslim youth.

@theSilhouette

Students gather to create a space of conversation to increase engagement in the community. C/O MCMASTER MUSLIM STUDENTS’ ASSOCIATION

Don’t get distracted You can’t focus on two things at once. #visionzerohamont hamilton.ca/distracteddriving