By Balsam Fasih
Changing standards of care are pushing the McMaster Students’ Union Emergency First Response Team to adopt Quality CPR, a training device that gives trainees feedback on the quality of their chest compressions.
While it is not part of traditional CPR training courses, Q-CPR is quickly becoming part of changing standards of care for cardiac arrest patients, now being used by Hamilton’s Emergency Medical Systems.
Currently, EFRT uses mannequins that give trainees a limited amount of feedback in first-aid courses. However, in the near future, EFRT program director Samantha Aung plans to purchase a Q-CPR mannequin to be used for training as well.
In particular, Aung plans to acquire an AED attachment that provides real-time feedback on CPR quality for use in the field. This would not require a dramatic change in protocols, but the team’s medical director will help ensure the new protocols are up to standards.
“When a major emergency such as a cardiac arrest occurs, you want those who are attending to it to be well-trained and be using the best tools to provide the best outcomes,” said Aung. “In a busy place such as Hamilton, where the local EMS system can sometimes be stretched, we want to make sure our team has the ability to care for a patient as best as possible until further care arrives and to us, that means the implementation of Q-CPR.”
CPR quality has been shown to have a significant impact on patient survival rates. For instance, a 2012 study published in the journal Critical Care Medicine found that when chest compressions are performed at a depth that is less than 38 millimeters, survival rates for out-of-hospital cardiac arrest are 30 per cent lower.
Another study published in the journal Circulation in 2005 found that when chest compressions are performed too slowly, it is less likely that spontaneous circulation will return for in-hospital cardiac arrest cases.
According to Aung, EFRT has been seeking Q-CPR for a few years now. The changing guidelines have accelerated the movement to adopt Q-CPR. If financial approval is obtained, EFRT will begin using Q-CPR within the next year.
“Q-CPR is becoming a part of the standard at which people should be trained,” Aung said. “We are trying to meet those standards, thus wanting to get Q-CPR.”
Overall, Q-CPR works to improve the quality of CPR. With the addition of Q-CPR to the EFRT toolkit, responders should be increasingly well-trained and equipped to provide CPR in the event of an emergency.
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By Areej Ali
McMaster students can now take breaks between classes at the nap space recently added to the third floor of the McMaster University Student Centre. The “Refresh Nap Lounge” launched during the first week of September and is currently available for student use.
The nap station project is being funded by the Student Life Enhancement Fund, an MSU-organized fund that students pay approximately $100,000 into annually. To determine what the money is allocated for each year, students are asked to submit project ideas aimed at improving student life on campus and vote on the ones they find most fashionable.
“A few years back, a nap room in MUSC was one of the top choices, so the money was given to the MUSC administration,” said Scott Robinson, McMaster Students Union vice president (Finance).
In 2016, MUSC was given $20,000 to create the space.
Lori Diamond, MUSC administrative director, took the lead on the nap lounge project. Her team reported on their progress to both the student services committee, which consisted of both university and MSU staff, and the MUSC board of management. Ongoing promotion and maintenance will be taken care of by MUSC.
Despite the newness of the initiative, the MUSC administration team has been discussing the idea of providing students with napping options for a few years now.
“We looked at different options, including high-tech nap pods, and providing reclining chairs in existing lounges,” Diamond said. “Ultimately, the MUSC board of management wanted to ensure that we used the grant money effectively to benefit the students in a dedicated space.”
The brand new nap area sits in a space that was previously allocated towards “undefined general lounge space.” Diamond explains that the previously awkward configuration of the space made furniture placement difficult.
“It did, however, make a good space for a nap lounge,” said Diamond.
The newly added nap lounge area includes seven hospital-grade, adjustable sleeper chairs and is enclosed by a clear glass wall.
Diamond excitedly affirms that McMaster students have been receptive to the new usage of the space thus far.
“The students who have found the Refresh Nap Lounge on the third floor of MUSC have been very receptive to and positive about the existence of the space,” said Diamond. “Anecdotally, the room is well-used whenever I pass by.”
More information can be found on the big screen located on the first floor of MUSC. A few rules for the nap room are highlighted below.
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Just across from what will be the Peter George Centre for Living and Learning, ground is about to be broken for another major infrastructural project.
The McMaster Students Union recently launched a second consultation campaign for the Student Activity Building, a four-story building project that students voted in favour of in a school-wide special referendum in March 2017. The building is expected to be fully operational by the fall of 2020.
In August 2017, the MSU ran an initial consultation campaign to determine the different uses of the new building. The ongoing second campaign began this September and hopes to collect student feedback on the interior design of the building.
“This addition to campus represents years of student consultation being put into action. Many different groups collaborated in order to make the Student Activity Building and Pulse expansion a reality". - @itsikramfarah, MSU President. Vote here: https://t.co/An7snz3Ahr. pic.twitter.com/QOdF93aCq5
— McMaster Students Union (MSU) (@MSU_McMaster) September 18, 2018
The SAB space ad-hoc committee, which is composed of six combined MSU and Student Representative Assembly members, is overseeing the consultation campaign. The group is being led by Alexandrea Johnston, the associate vice president (Finance) for the MSU.
“This year, the campaign is on the interior design, so that is ranging from anything to what kinds of colour do you want to see on the walls, what kind of furniture, and what do you even want the building to be named?” said Johnston.
The campaign includes a survey that asks students to pick from a number of options for the interior design of the building. It can be accessed online through the MSU website or in person at tables in MUSC on Sept. 25 and 28.
The SAB is different from other McMaster buildings in that while the university committed ten million dollars to the project, students are responsible for paying 70 per cent of the capital cost of the building once it opens.
As students are paying for the vast majority of the building, the MSU has full say over the uses of the building.
“The McMaster Student Union has full operational autonomy over the building,” said Scott Robinson, MSU vice president (Finance). “We can decide that we want to own the grocery store. We can decide to change event space to a pool. Whatever we want, whatever it is, we have full operational autonomy.”
The first consultation survey reached approximately 1,500 students, 400 of which took an online survey similar to the one found in this year’s second campaign.
With more than 25,000 undergrad students at McMaster, Johnston is trying to reach more than 400 to fully assess student wants.
The four-storey building will feature a nap room and a grocery store. However, the building has not been fully designed yet. Once Johnston’s SAB committee receives feedback from this second campaign, information will be passed to Robinson and the MSU. According to Robinson’s year plan, a report will be filed at the end of the first semester on the campaign.
Excavation for the student-funded Student Activity Building will begin in November, just across from the Peter George Centre for Living and Learning.
McMaster students are encouraged to make time to fill out the survey and give their feedback and thoughts on what they want in the new building, considering the large part they contribute to its funding.
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Over June and July, McMaster Students Union President Ikram Farah, vice president (Administration) Kristina Epifano, vice president (Education) Stephanie Bertolo and vice president (Finance) Scott Robinson finalized their year plans for the Student Representative Assembly, laying out templates for a year of improvements to student life.
Ikram Farah
President
As President, Farah is the MSU’s head spokesperson. She oversees the executive board, board of directors and the presidents’ council.
While settling into her new role, over the summer, Ikram presented a comprehensive year plan encompassing a number of objectives. The document outlines 23 objectives, focused on several key areas, including international student support, food on campus, exam scheduling and MSAFs, campus space and lighting and commuter support.
Farah was successful in implementing extended Go Transit hours during Welcome Week. Extended service for the 15A and 47 eastbound Go buses will continue throughout the year.
In September, Farah will turn her attention to increasing lighting on and off campus, as well as supporting the Caring Communities Network.
A tax-free-Tuesday pilot project will be introduced in November, in what will hopefully be a step towards providing more affordable food options for students. The long term feasibility of the program will be assessed after the pilot month ends.
During the rest of the year, Farah will work to change the current examination policy so that two exams in one day will qualify as grounds for rescheduling. Currently, having three consecutive exams over two days is considered a conflict, leaving those with just two exams in one day in a tough position.
Revising the examination scheduling policy falls under Farah’s long term objective called “Re-Examine Exams.” This long term objective also includes re-assessing the gap between the last day of class and the start of exams.
“This will be a year-long priority for me and I will encourage future MSU Presidents to take this on as we have been testing students the same way we have in the past 100 years,” said Farah in her year plan.
Farah’s second long term objective entails strengthening international student support. While working to fulfill this promise, Farah will address transportation, financial accessibility and student services. Ultimately, Farah hopes to build a foundation of strategic priorities and strategic planning in these areas so that practical changes can come in the coming years.
Kristina Epifano
Vice President (Administration)
As the vice president (Administration), Epifano coordinates the administration of MSU services, works alongside SRA members and oversees MSU part time managers.
Epifano’s year plan largely focuses on improving current structures and programs rather than implementing broader changes.
Her objectives, 12 in total, include meeting regularly with SRA caucus members, strengthening SRA support and supporting PTMs.
With many students unaware of the work of the SRA, Epifano also hopes to improve the transparency of this governing body. She will accomplish this is by promoting SRA meeting livestreams and facilitating more effective SRA outreach.
In addition, Epifano sees a need for more transparency.
“The common confusion is, ‘What does student government actually do?’ – these steps will allow us to move forward in answering this question and showing what we do to students,” reads part of her year plan.
Over the summer, Epifano also focused on various aspects of Welcome Week. In particular, she chaired the strategic themes advisory committee and spearheaded themes including responsible drinking, sexual violence response and prevention, mental health and wellness and community engagement. In the fall, Epifano will conduct a review of Welcome Week planners, specifically their compensation and hiring qualifications.
The only long term objective entails improving relationships with vice president (Administration) equivalents from other universities. This initiative will be implemented over three years and aims to establish regular conferences and meetings for these officials.
Stephanie Bertolo
Vice President (Education)
The vice president (Education) serves as the chair of the academic affairs council and is in charge of academic and lobbying strategies. In her role, Bertolo is responsible for MSU policy regarding municipal, provincial and federal government advocacy.
Bertolo’s year plan highlights 42 general, albeit ambitious, objectives. These address topics such as exam scheduling, quality of education, racial, cultural and religious equity, international student support regarding Ontario Health Insurance Plan and work permits, health and well being, youth employment strategy, sexual violence prevention, education of tenant rights, transit advocacy and food security.
An MSU education team objective established last year, the Pride Crosswalk that can now be found between Sterling Street and Forsyth Avenue, was ultimately the result of a joint effort between the city of Hamilton and councillor Aidan Johnson.
Another objective relevant to off-campus housing students is the launch of the Landlord Rating System in September, a pilot project that will allow students to rate their landlords. This project is building upon previous work facilitated by the municipal affairs committee.
Bertolo is also hoping to increase voter turnout for the upcoming municipal election through the #MacVotes Campaign, which was also in full force for the provincial election in June.
Transit advocacy is another one of Bertolo’s priorities.
“It is important that the MSU continue its strong advocacy in support of the LRT and improvements in transit across the city,” said Bertolo in her year plan.
In addition to attending transit meetings held by various groups, Bertolo hopes to run a #YesLRT campaign in the fall.
Scott Robinson
V.P. (Finance)
The vice president (Finance) is responsible for the financial direction of the MSU, including the budget.
The 26 objectives laid out in Robinson’s year plan focus on priorities including the Student Activity Building, revitalization and development of TwelvEighty and The Grind, graduating student support and the Student Assistance Program.
This summer, Robinson implemented renovations for the TwelvEighty event stage and a menu redesign featuring a wider range of food at the restaurant.
In September, Robinson has promised new programming for Homecoming that better aligns with students’ interests. Robinson also hopes to increase the financial transparency of the MSU, especially regarding the budget.
“Currently, the newly elected SRA approves the $2,900,000+ operating budget at their second meeting in April. Without any financial literacy training, and little provided information about the operations of the MSU, the newly elected SRA is expected to make an informed vote on the fate of this important document. I will make tangible steps to improve this process,” reads part of Robinson’s year plan.
Robinson will also be working with Farah to optimize student space. One specific target is to add moveable furniture to the MUSC atrium.
Another focus for Robinson is supporting graduating students. Specifically, he wants to continue the “Life After Mac” program in January that was implemented by his predecessor last year and continue to grow the Hire McMaster program, which connects new employers with Mac graduates.
Other aim is to increase funding and training for clubs and increase awareness about SAP. Another priority includes investigating the effects of newly-instated OHIP+ on the MSU health plan.
Overall, the year plans feature some objectives that, if accomplished, will result in visible changes for students. Other objectives will support existing frameworks and programs. Last year’s board of directors implemented changes, but were not able to fully execute their year plans. It will be interesting to see what this year’s board prioritizes and is able to accomplish.
Ryan Deshpande, vice president (Education), acts as a voting member of the Student Representative Assembly and Executive Board and as an ex-officio member of all other McMaster Students Union committees. He is also responsible for chairing the Academic Affairs Council, developing external lobbying strategies and spearheading MSU policy concerning municipal, provincial and federal politics.
Deshpande’s year plan emphasized the need for improvements to McMaster’s exam schedule policies and increased campus accessibility for students with disabilities. Deshpande also proposed sexual violence prevention training for students and the creation of a syllabus repository for undergraduate courses.
Over the last few months, Deshpande has laid the necessary groundwork, establishing numerous committees and working to ensure that sexual violence prevention is an Ontario University Students’ Alliance priority.
While successful on some fronts, many of Deshpande’s ambitious plans hinge on McMaster’s willingness to adopt them.
“Exam schedule changes will hopefully happen this year, as I am putting forward recommendations as the university reviews their policy this summer. The syllabus repository will require a coordinated effort across all faculties, though hopefully by the end of this year there will be something created that can later be filled,” said Deshpande.
Deshpande’s platform also consists of detailed municipal, provincial and federal advocacy plans. Some of these include increasing the MSU’s presence at Hamilton city council meetings, introducing landlord rating and licensing systems for off-campus students, supporting OUSA advocacy and lobbying the government to remove the two per cent funding cap on the Post-Secondary Student Support Program for Indigenous students. Deshpande has also started writing OUSA’s Indigenous Students policy and collaborating with a federal advocacy group that lobbies on behalf of undergraduate students’ needs.
Daniel “Tuba” D’Souza, vice president (Finance), is responsible for overseeing the MSU’s finance department. His role entails budgeting, providing advisory services to business units, service units, the board of directors, Executive Board, and the SRA, chairing the Silhouette Board of Publication and developing initiatives that improve the MSU’s fiscal status quo.
In his year plan, D’Souza proposed the creation of a new TwelvEighty, which would offer students affordable gourmet food and specialty beverages.
After receiving a capital allocation from the SRA and fast-tracking the logistics of the project, over the last few months, D’Souza was able to implement his most ambitious platform point. While developing his proposal, D’Souza noted the old TwelvEighty’s decline in food sales and low club night attendance.
To boost sales, D’Souza will be implementing an online ordering system wherein students can pay via phone and pick up food on the way to class. To increase club night attendance, D’Souza proposed that club nights be limited to popular dates and each club night be given a unique theme.
The new TwelvEighty, with the addition of a café and study spot, is expected to open towards the end of October.
“For the first time ever we will be having five large concerts in the month of September and have completely revamped our club nights with a change in frequency, change in music and the addition of themes,” said D’Souza.
Two other projects at the forefront of D’Souza’s agenda include a large-scale consultation plan for the new Student Activity Building, plus a “McMaster Student Economic Engagement Strategy” aimed at outlining the ways in which the MSU plans to engage students in experimental and professional development opportunities.
As MSU vice president (Administration), Preethi Anbalagan is responsible for serving as the Vice-Chair of the Executive Board, Deputy Speaker of the SRA and voting member of the SRA and Executive Board, bridging the gap between the SRA, the Executive Board, and part-time managers and ensuring that adequate training is provided to PTMs and committee chairs.
In her year plan, Anbalagan emphasized improvements to SRA, PTM and associate-vice president support and training. She also stressed the importance of the creation of an employment equity statement and better navigation of human resources issues.
For Welcome Week, Anbalagan promised to strategically plan themes, expand bystander intervention training to a larger student audience, run pre-Welcome Week events in areas of high commuter population for off-campus students and integrate the SRA and other campus services into Welcome Week.
This summer, Anbalagan invested a generous amount of time into training over 50 paid employees and preparing for Welcome Week.
“Now overseeing our strategic themes, I’ve spent quite a bit of time event-planning and connecting with campus and off-campus partners to coordinate and plan unique events and messaging that fall within the realm of mental health, sexual violence prevention and response and alcohol awareness,” said Anbalagan.
As the MSU’s President, Ibe is the primary spokesperson for the student union. He chairs the Executive Board, board of directors and the Presidents’ Council, serves as an active voting member of the SRA and the Executive Board and represents the MSU to McMaster, Hamilton and government organizations.
In his 2017-2018 year plan, Ibe highlighted 11 key objectives; the first consisted of a strategy to ensure that MSU’s interests are aligned with those of its student constituency. His other primary objectives showcased the need for improvements to textbook affordability, the off-campus experience, food delivery, student communities, partnerships between student societies and the wellness centre, campus accessibility for students with mobility restrictions and Wi-Fi access on campus.
“I am proud to have played a significant role in ensuring improvements to wireless services are student centred and more student input is provided through the UTS governing board and student satisfaction surveys,” said Ibe.
This summer, communicating with the Student Wellness Centre and The Student Wellness and Education Lower Lounge, Ibe has been working to implement the McMaster caring communities network and localize health and wellness service to student communities. His food delivery program, which will allow students to order affordable food to their student houses, is expected to be in full force as of September.
While meeting with deans and associate deans, Ibe was able to discuss affordable courseware, early adoption of course materials, open educational resources and the off-campus experience.
“There is a broad consensus from all parties that improving support for off-campus and international students are overdue,” said Ibe.
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Something green comes this way, as the McMaster Students Union rolls out their new Hamilton Transit Railway bus pass for the 2017-2018 school year. Starting this year, the new bus pass will be a Metrolinx Presto card, a green card that gives users access to multiple public transit systems scattered throughout Ontario.
The new Presto card comes with free usage of the HSR and comes pre-loaded with the other student discounts Presto offers. As of Sept.1 , students may use use their Presto card to tap onto any HSR bus, free of charge.
Presto cards work in Brampton, Burlington, the Durham region, Mississauga, Oakville, Ottawa, Toronto and the York region. They may also be used on GO transit and the Union Pearson express.
To use a Presto card, users must add money to their card’s balance, and each time they ‘tap’ their card onto a Presto card machine on a bus, their balance will be deducted the price of a Presto ticket.
Users may add money to their card either in person and instantly have it added to their card, or online which will be added within the next 24 hours.
The new Presto card comes with free usage of the HSR and comes pre-loaded with the other student discounts Presto offers.
To use the Presto card as an HSR bus pass, tap the card onto the Presto machine and flash your student card to the bus driver.
The exact charge depends on the transit system, but generally speaking the Presto charge will be lower than the price of an individual ticket. Presto cards automatically discount all GO transit rides by 11.5 per cent.
In the last major MSU election period, students voted to maintain the extended levels of service of past years despite the pay increase this would entail.Students now pay $187.67 for their HSR bus pass, an increase from last year’s $150.80. The HSR bus pass will also increase next year to $206.16 and then $225.55.
While an increase, the bus pass is still below the Ontario average of $230 for university bus passes. The HSR bus pass must be negotiated and voted on every three years as per the contract between the MSU and the HSR.
If a student loses their bus pass and have registered their Presto card on their website, they may buy another one for $6 from any GO transit centre and can add the card to their account online, assuring they have access to the HSR discounts. This is a significant decrease in cost from last year’s replacement fee, which was $25.
If a student loses their bus pass they may buy another one for $6 This is a significant decrease in cost from last year’s replacement fee, which was $25
Otherwise, students who lose their passes and have not registered it must go to the MSU Compass centre in the McMaster University Student Centre, where they will receive the correct information to register the lost card. After registering the lost card, a new card will be issued and the student will have to pay $25.
If a student already owns a Presto card, they can transfer the funds from their old card to the new one by visiting a GO transit centre. Students may also visit the MSU Compass centre and receive a refund form, and receive a cheque in the mail within two to four weeks.
The introduction of the Presto card as a bus pass marks a new age in the continually changing negotiations between the MSU and HSR, and any questions about the process should be directed to either Metrolinx or the MSU Compass Centre.
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By: Takhliq Amir
As a student who never experienced life living on campus and did not grow up in Hamilton, I’ve found it hard to feel a connection to this city the same way I do to my hometown. The stress and added weight that often accompany heavy schedules filled with group meetings and other commitments often make going home a relief, but that feeling of relief has recently made me increasingly disconcerted. After having lived off-campus in Hamilton for almost two years now, why do I still not feel like this place is a second home?
While McMaster presents a tight-knit community that seems to hold itself proudly compared to other universities with much larger and less connected student bodies, it poorly masks the deep disparity that exists for those who only come to Hamilton for the purpose of education and little else.
As students progress through university, it becomes easier to place less emphasis on possible interactions with the Hamilton community. Perhaps they stop having as many lectures, labs and tutorials. Perhaps they have a project course that doesn’t require them to be on campus. Or perhaps they choose to take an online course so that they aren’t required to make a trip into the city from the comfort of their own homes.
I can at least claim to live in Hamilton for most of the week, but I have countless friends who commute from neighbouring cities like Toronto and Mississauga on a daily basis. If I do not feel attached to this city as someone who lives in Hamilton, what about the many McMaster students who don’t have any attachment to the city outside of university?
It is true that situations like these aren’t easily solved. Growing up in another city or only going somewhere for the sole purpose of education doesn’t really give you the opportunity to develop strong attachments or truly care for the city. Being involved on campus is one thing. Being involved in the city is another.
There are different factors that play into it, but low exposure to the city makes it harder to work towards building a relationship with it. There needs to be a greater effort made to involve and embrace off-campus and commuting students and to communicate that they are part of the city’s culture instead of just the university.
When I saw the McMaster Students Union presidential candidates’ platforms, plans for improvement regarding community engagement and the off-campus experience stood out to me.
Similar phrases were existent across most of the candidates’ websites, with promises of improving student life or removing community barriers, but after reading the particulars of each, I was left more disappointed than optimistic.
Despite great emphasis on off-campus late night security, which seemed to be the strongest reference to off-campus anything across most platform points, the definition of most of their ideas of community engagement seemed not to encompass what it meant to truly feel connected to the city and to see it as a second home.
Certainly, their efforts must be commended, and off-campus security is a vital and relevant concern that must be addressed. The discussion regarding these issues is a great indication of the fact that off-campus students are still factored into McMaster-wide decisions.
These services will undoubtedly go a long way in making people like myself feel a lot safer walking through the streets late at night after a long day of studying, working on group assignments or simply having a late-night work shift.
But that doesn’t mean it’s all off-campus students need. This shouldn’t be a sacrifice of one for the other. I appreciated the ideas of those candidates who offered ideas such as establishing an arts community, providing off-campus students with a space to come together or hiking through the various trails and pathways that can really expose a newcomer to the inner beauty of the city. But they weren’t enough.
The MSU campaigns fell short in the approach they have taken to the very relevant issue of community engagement. They seemed to view this as a technical issue, focusing more on tenant agreements or city by-laws rather than focusing on the big picture of community involvement and fully immersing you in city life and culture. Temporary housing or late-night services are all great, but there is nothing like fostering relationships through working or volunteering that truly allow you to appreciate a city and its people.
Different people choose to learn about the place they live in differently, but many often need the encouragement, the acknowledgement and perhaps also the incentive to get out and make an effort.
While I continue to live here, study at McMaster and volunteer in different parts of the city, I will continue to work on building a stronger attachment with the city that, for all intents and purposes, should feel like a second home.
I hope that in the future, McMaster University and the student body will work towards this goal for the countless others who feel the same.
https://www.facebook.com/TheMcMasterSilhouette/videos/10154889801605987/
The Silhouette's 2017 presidential archives: http://www.thesil.ca/
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On Jan. 5, the university announced their punishment towards two students who made a booking at Innis Library under the name “McMaster KKK meeting” in early December. While the Silhouette did not publish anything during the original timeframe about the controversy, mostly due to the fact that the final issue of the year had printed and exam season took priority for our student staff, the odd dilemma moving forward is the struggle presented with a topic like this.
The paper and university have dealt with heated events this year, most notably with the presence of alt-rights posters in November. The problem comes with considering how much of a voice each side actually has compared to how many people actually wish to speak about their perspective.
Basically, considerations about a silent majority or a vocal minority during any argument can easily tear apart a newsroom if not done with absolute precision. What should be covered in limited space? How much does the average contributor need a devil’s advocate to reply to their position? What do we do if we cannot find one?
While these considerations can weaken legitimacy due to potential bias, these are the questions and considerations that have also weakened our content. It is difficult to state we have had legitimate coverage if we have chosen not listen to the readers we are serving. This section in particular has failed its students during presidentials.
Moving forward, the paper will attempt to bring you the best articles possible for the MSU presidential elections. Anyone associated with the Silhouette will be taking a leave of absence if they are associated with a campaign team. Our office door will be closed from Jan. 15 to 26 with the exception of staff meetings. A number of other precautions, largely absent or deemed unimportant in the past, have been taken to ensure the paper takes as neutral a stance as possible.
While certainly not as controversial as discussions about race, it is difficult to navigate issues and politics that have far more grey area where moral integrity is not the main point of discussion. Difficulty is not a valid excuse.
Our coverage last year mostly consisted of:
• Opening statements from every candidate
• A colour and design analysis of every candidate
• Looking back at similar promises candidates in the past have made
• Overviews of every candidate
• Reactions to the Presidential Debate
• A critique on one point from every candidate
• What every candidate stated about mental health
• A fun article about a sixth candidate named Esther Chatul, the cat
The Opinion section had exactly two election articles in print during this span. One was pro-VP referendum. The other debated that the referendum did not matter because democracy dies when “argument culture” takes over. The now defunct Lifestyle section had more pages dedicated to politics.
While certainly not as controversial as discussions about race, it is difficult to navigate issues and politics that have far more grey area where moral integrity is not the main point of discussion. Difficulty is not a valid excuse.
We have failed to provide open discussion out of fear. The vast majority of content for the last few years has been from the candidates themselves, our staff and news contributors. You were left to talk about the issues by shouting into the voids of random social media or in the comments section on our articles rather than in print. The want to remain unbiased and the want for open discussion do not have to be opposing ideas.
When the nominations end on Jan. 12 at 5 p.m., I want to see your thoughts and perspectives on every candidate. I want you to absolutely grill the idiotic parts of each campaign and praise parts that you feel would be best to move the school forward into greatness. You, your peers and the school as a whole should have a more active part in bringing points to the forefront.
It might not be fair to say that all of Opinions this term has been leading up to this, but there would be a good case for it.
We have had articles about how better engagement and scheduling should be a priority when it comes to advertising resources, one about keeping the university accountable, another about setting the precedent for the upcoming McMaster Students Union presidential election, one about the MSU’s involvement in causes like Movember and one about general financial literacy. These don’t even include the consistent theme through multiple pieces over the last few months of how students could do more to fight issues of any scale.
I can think of no better way to sum up the term than a relatively small MSU Open House in MUSC for five hours on a Monday.
We could talk about how more could be done to promote the event, but this is realistically true for almost any event on campus. We could get into the usage of the surplus from previous years and talk about whether the cuts or additional resources to specific services have been worth it. We could even step back a bit and talk about how it’s a great idea for the MSU to attempt to increase student involvement in its finances, especially after an odd referendum and before an upcoming MSU presidential election.
These, of course, don’t mention any new perspectives, voices or opinions that are worthwhile and could be drawn from a relatively simple event. All of these would fit what the Silhouette Opinions section has typically talked about thus far.
It’s not like the MSU’s finances are some sort of secret either. Everything you could possibly want is readily available with the cost of services per student, monthly financial reports, audited statements from previous years and operating and capital budgets all available on the MSU website. Even the Student Representative Assembly’s meeting minutes talking about certain services and potential changes have seemingly been available at earlier times than usual. Anyone could find something to talk about from any of these resources, write up a few hundred words and fit perfectly with the new identity of the section.
The main limiting factor, however, continues to be how to get students to care about issues. While all the previous topics and perspectives that the section have taken thus far have been fine, it’s difficult to sit back and go through the motions for every single topic. The university and paper have had countless good initiatives, articles, reports, findings and contributions to the community, but without much context about why it matters. It’s simply too easy to ignore or forget about an issue.
Most articles submitted to Opinions this year have been for advocating a certain perspective. While influencing students is the main part in writing a good Opinions piece, this is rarely explicitly stated as a point in a piece as a next step or a recommendation for the issue. Even the pieces on advertising have been about how to get as many people to know a resource or perspective rather than the actual effectiveness of that resource or perspective.
This open house was a sudden realization of this point. It was basically an info dump, which is completely fine for the purpose of letting people come up with their own conclusions. However, there’s no actual point about why people should care. This isn’t to say the MSU or the Silhouette should have a perspective on internal finances, but rather why having a perspective is important.
It might seem obvious, it might seem like it’s dumb to state, but every opinion, article, event or perspective is fundamentally based on whether or not you can convince other people that your work matters. Taking a side or providing information is meaningless without getting your audience to care about the main topic.
