Photo by Kyle West

By: Tanvi Pathak

In March, McMaster Students Union is slated to release its second annual municipal budget submission to Hamilton city council.

According to Shemar Hackett, the MSU associate vice president (Municipal Affairs), the budget submission will prioritize transit, student housing, student employment, bylaws and enforcement and lighting.

After consulting students and reviewing data from The Your City survey, the MSU decided these key areas were ones that stood out as issues that needed immediate attention.

The committee’s decision to focus on these areas is also linked to the rising demand for off-campus housing.

According to Andrew Parashis, a property manager at Spotted Properties, the largest property management in the McMaster community, demand for student housing has soared in recent years.

Parashis notes that with the increase of local and international students attending McMaster, the waiting list for students seeking accommodations through Spotted Properties has tripled in the last year alone.

The municipal budget submission will also focus on accessible employment opportunities.

The union’s education department and municipal affairs committee’s recommendations aim to offer proactive solutions for each issue and improve Hamilton’s attractiveness to students and recent McMaster grads.

One of the committee’s recommendations is for the city of Hamilton to implement a lighting audit across Ward 1.

Hackett emphasized that there are neighborhoods off-campus substantially lacking in visibility. As a result, many students do not feel comfortable walking home late at night after classes.

A lighting audit would reduce these issues in these neighborhoods and identify priority locations for new street lights.

The committee reached out to the Ward 1 councilor Maureen Wilson, who was receptive to the committee’s recommendation and is confident that the proposal will be valuable to McMaster and Ward 1.

Another recommendation calls for city council to move forward with the landlord licensing project discussed in December.

Hackett and Stephanie Bertolo, MSU vice president (Education), articulated their stance on landlord licensing to Ward 8 city councilor Terry Whitehead, who sits on the Rental Housing sub-committee.

Since then, the motion to implement a pilot project was brought to council and endorsed by many councilors.

Prior to the development of the budget submission, the committee consulted city officials.

The committee plans to continue to meet with the city staff and councillors to push for their recommendations and make them a priority for the council.

Thus far, they have met with Terry Cooke, CEO of the Hamilton Community Foundation, to discuss student engagement and retention and the ways in which organizations can support one another in the future.

The municipal affairs committee has also been successful in implementing its Landlord Rating system, a platform developed by the MSU education department.

The landlord licensing project, which the committee has also been lobbying for, got the Hamilton city council rental housing sub committee’s stamp of approval and will be put forth into discussion during the next city council meeting.

“The council has been extremely receptive to all our points about the agreements we put forth,” said Hackett, adding that the MSU budget submission has proven to be a valuable resource for lobbying municipal stakeholders.

Over the next few weeks, the municipal affairs committee will meet with city councilors and community stakeholders to advocate for their budget submission proposals.

 

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By: Mitali Chaudhary and Christina Ugge

Athletic sneakers vs. canvas shoes

Are athletic sneakers your thing? If so, comfort for you is obviously key. You care more about keeping your feet snug, as you choose to not jam them into a pair of strappy, pointy little heels. You might be sporty, laid back and you definitely don’t mind a little bit of travelling and exploring. Unlike your other friends, you don’t have to worry about blisters, or any other uncomfortable foot issues.

If you’re a canvas shoe person, you still care about comfort, but value aesthetics a little more.  You’re a person who loves variety, and made the smart decision of buying these because they look good paired with virtually everything. You’re also on the cutesy side, and really loved elementary school. Your appreciation of pattern, colour, fabric and glitter might have stemmed from there, which is apparent from the diverse types of canvas shoes you love and wear.

Kitten heels vs. pumps

If you love kitten heels (let’s be real) you’re probably on the taller side, yet still go for the professional and classy look, since it matches your personality seamlessly. You value comfort a little more, and might think that platform stilettos is a death sentence (how does one even walk on thin sticks?). You tend to dress business casual, are focused on what you want from life and are determined to get it.

Ladies who can rock pumps are fierce, and this measure increases with every extra inch added to the heel. If this is you, you’re probably outgoing, love wearing high ponytails and dressing in all black. Style matters to you more than comfort, and you look like you’ve got your shit together, also because your nails are never chipped. You’re definitely a great friend to have because you always have their back and you’re honest when they act in a less-than-intelligent manner.

Knee-high boots vs. booties

If your boots of choice are knee-high in length, you’re definitely a perceptive one. You realize that these boots are a wardrobe staple, and you use them to make dresses work in the winter, or instantly makes leggings look appropriate. You might be a little bit more reserved and uptight, but that also means you’re a perfectionist, and you get things done on time.

Booties imply that you didn’t want to commit to knee-highs, but couldn’t decide if you wanted to wear shoes either. You might be a little indecisive as a person, but having booties allow for that, and you sure are on trend. With these, you can dress on the casual side, or dress it up and can explore a variety of sartorial tastes. You also probably go to farmers markets, sip on lattes in cute coffee shops on the weekends and wear hip ripped jeans, then post it all on Instagram.

Flip-flops vs. sandals

As a lover of flip-flops, you might be classified as a little lazy since they are the easiest shoes to slip on. But you don’t care because who has so much time to think about shoes? You’re out there learning and adventuring, giving your feet some sun time and thinking about the beach. Unfortunately, all this daydreaming might be getting you late a little too often, which is why you choose to slip into your flip-flops every time you run out the door.

If you love wearing sandals of any kind (the strappier the better!), you’re a more summery and whimsical person. You probably enjoy going to music festivals, and wearing feminine dresses. As an individual, you have no problems committing to a decision; you paint your toenails regularly and upkeep them for as long as summer lasts. You’ve got your shit together too, sandal-wearers.

Ballet flats vs. toms

Is a pair of ballet flats your favourite? If so, you’re more of a gentle, old soul; you’re the quintessential girl next door. To any of your outfits, your flats provide a feminine and dainty take, which perfectly describes who you are as well. You probably enjoy all-day shopping trips, but are equally at home in a quiet library.

Do you enjoy having your feet mummified by a cute pair of TOMS? You’re definitely an individual that’s more playful, and loves to laugh and have a good time. You might be just a tad basic (but who secretly isn’t?), have many friends who love life as much as you and Snapchat a lot. Dressing on the casual side is your thing, which means you’re always ready to hit up the new sushi bar in town.

Photo Credit: Organized Chic Diva

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By: Mitali Chaudhary

Nothing makes winter worse, besides the cold and slush, than the dry skin that insists on making an appearance every cold season. Caused by a tag team effort between the heating that keeps us toasty and the long, hot showers that combat the chill after a long day, our poor skin ends up being completely wicked of moisture, leaving the rough flakiness that we all know and hate. So what can you do to combat this?

1) Invest in a good moisturizer

The best way to fix and further prevent dry skin is to let it heal by locking moisture inside using a non-petroleum based thick cream, which will still let the skin breathe. This is a better option over fragrant lotions that are often more watery and need to be reapplied many times. A good option is Nivea’s original cold cream, which sells for around $5.50. Smoothing on some cream after every shower will ensure that the dry flakes stay away.

2) Don’t take hour-long showers

Contrary to what it may seem, immersing yourself in hot water for long periods of time does not add to the moisture in the skin, but instead leaches it out. Water is further depleted when you dry yourself afterwards, leading to skin that is much rougher than what it started out as. To make it worse, the natural oils within the layers that keep it moisturized are swept away, too. So although you might be reveling in the heat of the moment, your skin will thank you later if you cut both the temperature and time of your shower.

3) Drink lots of water, and more

To replace the loss of moisture due to the harsh weather, drink plenty of water. It’s a simple, straightforward solution made easier if you keep a reusable bottle of water on your person so that you are tempted to sip every time you see it.

4) Make good use of nature’s gifts

Applying coconut, olive, or avocado oil to the skin naturally nourishes and heals the dermis and quickly eliminates the flaky effects of dryness. In addition, supplements that contain omega-3s, such as fish oil, are thought to help with the skin’s moisture regulation. Both are all-natural and soothing to the body.

By: Haley Regis

My skin doesn't really get dry in the winter, but the constant temperature changes and bitter wind does a number on the lips of me and my friends so I did a bit of digging to find the balms that best get us through the coming storm.

1) Burts Bees:

This stuff is everywhere and they've branched into coloured balms as well as other skincare options. My opinion? Stick to the original formula in either the stick or pot format and keep it in your coat pocket for lip emergencies.

2) Eos:

even if the name doesn't sound familiar the quirky round shape should jog your memory. Talk about product placement, this stuff has been popping up in music videos all summer. Not to play into the hype but this stuff is great and definitely going to be a lifesaver this winter. Harder to keep in your pocket sure, but super easy to find when you're digging around in your backpack (going by my usual mental state during exams, this is a major bonus).

3) Vaseline:

student on a budget but not into the above? There’s a reason it's in every medicine cabinet you've ever seen. Think of it like winter boots for your mouth. Buy one of those tiny tubs from the travel section if you just want to try it, but seriously. Trust.

Best part? You can grab them all at the Shopper's across from campus!

Julia Busatto
The Silhouette

1. Plan Your Day/Prepare meals in advance
This may seem like a no brainer, but take 10 minutes out of your day either in the morning or the night before to make a food plan. If you use a planner or day journal, write in the times where you think you will want to eat breakfast, lunch and dinner. (Don’t forget to include snack times too!) This will not only regulate a food schedule, but help you make time to eat healthy. Also, if possible, allow yourself time to make meals in advance. Tupperware is a student’s best friend. On Monday nights I know I have five hours of class with a 40-minute break. Since I don’t have time to go home, I plan to bring leftover pasta or a sandwich.

2. Grab and Go Healthy Snacks
No matter how long you plan to be out for, always have a piece of fruit or a healthy nut or protein bar with you. Eating fairly frequently, specifically every three hours, will help you maintain your blood sugar and decrease over-eating at mealtime. Other grab and go snacks like yogurt and cheese can be easily tucked in your purse or backpack. The night before put the snacks you plan to bring tomorrow in the same place at home, so on the rush out the door in the morning they are easily available.

3. Be Smart when Dining Out
Although we try hard, we always end up grabbing a meal out every so often, especially when we are busy. Restaurants realize our desire to eat healthy, and offer many healthy options. When eating out, look for words like steamed, baked, poached, roasted, broiled or grilled. Do your best to avoid foods with the words fried, crispy, pan-fried, sautéed or stuffed which are good indications that the foods are high in unhealthy fats.

4. Stay Hydrated
I cannot stress enough how important it is to drink frequently throughout the day. Often you may feel hungry when you are dehydrated, causing you to overeat. Carry a portable water bottle around with you throughout the day, which will also help you refrain from drinking juice and pop, which are high in sugars and caffeine.

5. Supplement
No matter how good your diet may be, it is incredibly difficult to have a perfect nutritional profile. A good quality multivitamin/mineral is a must-have, along with probiotic supplementation. Every person is different and needs a different supplementation plan to stay healthy. Vitamins are a quick and easy way to get nutrients you may be missing in your diet, or do not have time to consume.

Eating healthy doesn’t have to take a significant chunk out of your day. If you plan ahead, which us Marauders should be professionals at by now, maintaining a healthy diet while busy can be an easy task.

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